Caray, Caray!

Frigida the snitch reports to Gala on the conversation she overheard Hannah have with Rod. Gala throws the phone, with a force and flourish that would make Sergio Sendel proud, after hearing that Rod is desperately seeking Luci.

                                   

In her apartment, Violeta tells Lucia that she understands why Gala would be pissed that Rod dumped her at the altar for another woman. She would feel the same way. It’s enough to drive any woman crazy. In fact, that’s what happened to Sabina La Loca back in Het Het. She was ditched at the altar, and went batty from that moment on. Luci tells Vio that Sabina prophesized that she was going to find her destiny when she left the pueblo. Luci thinks Sabina is plain wrong, because she’s got nothing to do with this town!  Vio says there must be something that Sabina saw that Luci’s just not seeing. Luci tells her about her father’s dying wish that she find Rosa Torres. Vio is ready to help search, but with a name that common, it’s going to be hard. Perhaps it’s a rich relative with an inheritance for her! Luci thinks it might just be best for her to return to the pueblo.

Rod begs Mati over the phone to tell him what happened to Luci. Mati tells him to talk to his mama and to leave Luci in peace! Don’t hurt her anymore. She doesn’t deserve this kind of scorn/contempt (desprecio). Rod assures her this isn’t just some whim (capricho). He’s serious about Luci. Mati finally relents and gives him the phone number for her sister Estella’s house. It’s a good thing Luci didn’t give Mati her new cell phone number; it’d be known to half of Mexico City by now. That was WAY too easy.

Aldo is telling Pato about hacking into the Inferno computers from the club’s office. He wants to do it again. Pato warns him to be very careful. This isn’t a movie; it’s really dangerous. Rosa storms in like a harpy on jet fuel and yells at Pato that Luci is gone, she won’t be allowed to set a foot inside the house again, and Pato needs to just accept it like a man and not make threats about not eating, taking his meds or doing his therapy. Pato starts yelling at her for being so horrible to Luci for no reason. Rosa shouts over him and orders him not to raise his voice to her. SHE’S the one who holds the reins in this house, and no one tells her what to do, not even him. No one is to mention the name Luciana in this house again. She’s dead to them, and the dead are left in peace! She leaves in a whirlwind of her harpy exhaust fumes, and Pato tries to hold back his tears.

Ariche can tell that Luci is not happy (smart kid). He wants her to come back to the pueblo with him. He also wants to know why Marianita isn’t happy. He offers that she can come back to the pueblo with them too, and his mama will take care of her. (Look what I brought home for you mama! Another kid for you to house, clothe, feed and educate!) Luci hugs and cradles her pseudo-son and kisses him.

There’s a meeting happening at Empresas Torreslanda, with Rod on video conference. They discuss an opportunity for the company to host some huge golf tournament at the Miami golf club they’re investing in. Max doesn’t seem super excited about it, but doesn’t shoot it down either. He wants Rod to stay in Miami a while longer to finalize some more deals.

Estella becomes sadder each day that she hasn’t heard from her daughter. Her phone rings, but instead of Ofelia, it’s Rod looking for Luci. Estella takes his number down.

Gala’s cheery, bright colored dress (which I love) does NOT reflect her mood. She can’t concentrate on work, so she leaves everything in her assistant’s hands and leaves the office. Meanwhile, in their apartment, Julie is once again selling an exclusive story about a Torreslanda scandal (this time involving her own daughter) to line her designer pockets.

Aldo calls Vicky to ask her on a date. She uses her father as an excuse again. Her dad doesn’t like her to go out multiple times during the week. Aldo offers to speak to him for her. Seeing as she was talking about her Sugar Daddy, and not her real daddy, she has to do some fast talking to convince Aldo not to speak with Don Jero. Aldo says he’ll call her later to see when’s a good time to come take her out.  She’s still smiling when she hangs up, so she must not be finding it too hard to juggle her sugar daddy and her toy boy.

Oscar gives Max the update on the Claudio situation. Oscar doesn’t believe they’ve found anything that compromises Max, and most of the people who were involved have long gone. As for the witnesses who testified, surely Claudio and his lawyer are ahead of them in tracking them down. Max doesn’t look pleased. And he’s right not to be happy. Across town, Lic. Barrera tells Claudio that he’s found two of the three original witnesses. Let’s speak to them, like now!

Max tells Oscar he needs him at a business dinner that evening. They have to bring the women folk, so Oscar is free to invite someone. He decides to invite Connie. Vicky calls her Mr. Big, and tells him about her jacuzzi dreams that involved him. He’s quite willing to make those dreams reality, but it will have to wait till the weekend. In the meanwhile, he doesn’t want her going out and being unavailable when he calls. Besos! Besos Chiquita! Max’s next call isn’t quite so filled with hearts and flowers. It’s Rosa and he reminds her of the business dinner that night.

Julie and Connie hang in Gala’s apartment. Connie thinks it’s time for everyone to stop making a fuss about the wedding that never was. Julie pretends to agree with her and says from now on, she’s going to butt out of Gala and Rod’s beeswax. Girl Scout’s honor. Yeah, right!  Connie doesn’t look like she believes it either. Connie gets a call from Oscar who invites her to the business dinner. Unfortunately, Connie’s already got plans to go to her daughter Melissa’s presentation. Showing us where Gala’s lack of dignity comes from, Julie invites herself to be Oscar’s date for the evening. She just LOVES business dinners. Neither Connie nor Oscar are very pleased about this, but poor Oscar the gentleman can’t do anything about it.

Luci takes Ariche on a job interview with her. It looks promising. Claudio calls her and tells her he put Lastra in his place. If he keeps bothering her, they’ll take him to court for harassment.  Claudio invites her to accompany him that evening to an event.

Pato is not hungry and even Nana Mati can’t convince him. Mati reminds him how far he’s come and that he must continue. Pato says that he and Luci had plans. He was going to help her finish her high school degree. Mati points out that he can still be in contact with her and call her at her sister’s house. Rosa comes in to bitch at Pato again. Then Max comes in, sees the situation, and demands to speak to Pato, ALONE. Max can’t believe that a Torreslanda is getting so darned depressed over a woman!  Pato says that Max can’t understand. From the prison of his bed, Pato sees things totally differently than Max does. Luciana represented HOPE for him.

Luci gets the message that Rod called from Estella. If he continues to look for her, then she’s just going to have to go back to her pueblo. Almost on cue, there’s a knock at the door and it’s Hannah saying that Rod desperately wants to speak to her.  Across the pond in Miami, Rod’s half dressed (thanks again writers/director), when there’s a knock at his hotel door. She must have some sort of Hot Bod Rod is Shirtless radar, and a private jet, because it’s Gala. She immediately starts climbing all over him like a poisonous vine, and begs him not to reject her. He just shakes his head and looks at her in disbelief. “Qué haces aquí?!”

Hannah offers an apology for her mother’s behavior, on behalf of herself and her brothers.  Luci is adamant that she is NOT going back. Hannah understands, and would do the same in her situation, but her brothers need her.  Luci doesn’t want them to call her and she wants them to forget about her. “How could we forget you?”  Hannah tells Luci she will have to tell Rod herself, to not keep looking for her. She pulls out her phone.

Meanwhile, Gala continues to beg Rod for another chance, and destroy any bit of dignity she might have had left. Rod reminds her that she’s a strong, admirable woman and this is beneath her.  She promises (threatens?) she’ll win him back. For now at least, she just wants to be close to him. He can’t deny her his friendship, can he? (Sure he can! Keep hold of your rocks Rod!)  Rod’s phone rings, and Gala picks it up. I think that’s already crossing over the “friends” line. Hannah is not happy to hear Gala’s voice. This recapper is happy Luci wasn’t the one making the call, but she does clearly hear that Gala is on with Hannah. When he hears Luci’s waiting to talk to him, Rod says he’ll call right back, and leaves Gala alone in his hotel room.

Luci does not want him to call her back. She just wants to be left in peace! And if not, she’ll be forced to return to her pueblo. She has a bit of a meltdown in her frustration with the situation. She tells Hannah she’ll always carry them in her heart. Hannah promises they won’t search for her again, but begs her not to go. She asks Luci to consider her a friend, and however she can help her she will. She tells Luci how much she and Melissa care for her.

Max refuses to listen to Pato’s hopeless talk. Tomorrow Pato will start going a special rehab clinic. He needs his two sons well and by his side.  Especially now that Claudio Linares has declared war.  They need to beat (vencer) him, together!

Fabian and Lorenzo talk about crossing the border to find work. Fabian is thinking of doing it, but Lorenzo tells him not to be stupid. Hannah interrupts to ask how Lorenzo is doing, and they make googly eyes at each other and shake hands for way too long. Hannah asks him to take care of Luci and to not let her return to the pueblo. Lorenzo is in the clouds after she leaves and calls her chula.

Gala searches Rod’s suitcase for incriminating evidence. Not finding anything, she concludes that that estúpida Hannah is playing cupid between Rod and Luci. Meanwhile Hannah reports to estúpido Rod that Gala answering his phone was a major setback.  Luci does not want to speak to him and has threatened to leave town.

Luci cries to Vio that Gala answered Rod’s phone.

In Het Het, Magda and Paz are sure that soon Luci will be able to resolve the properties issue once she has the deeds. They happen upon Procopio, who looks like he’s been run over by a truck—crutches, bandaged leg, black eye, cut lip, and hair askew. Madga tells him that’s what he gets for being a gossipy traitor (metiche y traidor). Magda just laughs at him more when they find out Don Aquiles beat him down.

Rosa’s campaign to control every aspect of her children’s lives continues. This time, Hannah’s under fire. Rosa wants to know where she’s been and with whom. She's not happy to learn it was with Luci. Hannah tells her to knock off insulting Luci. “Luci is out of our house and our lives, forever!”  Well shove it mama, because Luci is the one who never wants to come back here. Rosa can’t believe her kids turned out this way—without dignity and without any clue about the differences between the classes. The Torreslandas asking a servant for forgiveness! (Perish the thought! ) Hannah can’t take any more of this b.s., so she excuses herself. “If this continues, you and I will have problems Hannah!”

Hannah wakes Pato and tells him the bad news about Luci. Pato regrets not being able to do anything. Hannah tells him that Luci especially will never forget him.

Gala reports back to Rosa on her frustrated attempts to guilt Rod back to her. Rosa tells her to keep trying because he’s still in danger (from that man eater Luci). Oh, he WILL come back to Mexico as MY fiancé.

Oscar shows up at the business dinner with Julie on his arm, right after Rosa has told the business prospects’ wives that her sister and Oscar are coming together. (You see what happens when you ass-u-me Rosa?) The men talk business, but the women seem to want to talk gossip. They point out that Rosa and Julie seem to have maintained their frienemy status, despite what went down between their kids. Julie talks up her LONG friendship with Rosa, so long in fact, that she knows Rosa’s many secrets. Rosa looks like she wants to shove that wine glass down Julie’s throat.

Claudio happens to have taken Luci to the human rights talk being given by a brilliant young woman-- Melissa. Luci tells Claudio how she knows Melissa.  After the talk, Luci congratulates Melissa. Now that Luci doesn’t work for the Torreslandas, Melissa wants her to drop calling her Usted and señorita. She asks how Luci knows Linares. Luci reminds her of that legal trouble she had, and that Linares has been her angel in the whole affair. Melissa is glad. She’s read many good things about him. Hannah brings Melissa a drink and is also happy to see Luci. On the other side of the room, Connie chats with Claudio and they exchange business cards. He congratulates her on having such a brilliant daughter and then congratulates Melissa herself. After Luci and Claudio leave, Connie asks the girls how Luci knows Claudio. Melissa is more curious to know how her mother knows Claudio. “It’s a very long story.”

Rod calls Estella’s phone, AGAIN, looking for Luci. Luci comes home just then and looks at the phone like it’s a poisonous snake when Estella says who’s on the line, but she takes the phone. She says they have nothing to talk about, but he begs her to listen. He only wants to tell her that he loves her, wants to see her, and that she means so much to him. Luci tells him he has no right to play with her feelings. “Luciana, I’m in love with you.” He begs her to let him speak to her when he gets back from Miami, then asks her not to call him Joven any more, just plain Rodrigo. She agrees to both, but tells herself it’s impossible for them to be together when the call ends.

Rosa’s bitching at Max for brining the ladies along on the business dinner meeting as if they’re arm candy. She was particularly bugged by Julie’s presence. But she knows Max likes that kind of flashy woman who attracts attention.  Max wants to know what the hell her problem is. Rosa says all men are the same and points to Oscar who is apparently dating both Connie and Julie. Max doesn’t get it, but you know what they say—You don’t try to understand women, you just love them. The meeting must have gone well, because he’s in a REALLY good mood. He hugs her and asks her not to be mad, then invites her up to bed. When she brushes him off (she can’t even bring her stiff arms up into a hug), he gives her one of his eye rolls.

Gala’s march down Pathetic Lane continues. She’s wearing a salmon colored rubber band dress and knocks on Rod’s door to ask him out to dinner. When he refuses, she brings up the friendship card again. After all, they were friends before they became novios. She’ll wait for him in the café for breakfast tomorrow morning. Once outside his door, she swears she will make him pay for each humiliation. (Girlfriend, you are humiliating yourself. Rod’s got nothing to do with that.)

Mati and Frigida are feeling the loss of Luci with the extra work. They’ll get an agency to find a maid for them this time. They report to Rosa that some annoying woman, Nellie, called to invite her to her birthday party, and Pato is already asleep. Upstairs, Max checks in on Pato and tucks him in a bit more before giving him a kiss. (How can such a bad person be such a good dad?)

Vicky’s daddy (the real one this time) is suspicious of Vicky’s story of going to a friend’s house, again. She hustles out the door and into Aldo’s car and has him drive off quickly. Don Jero comes out shaking his head, but it’s not clear if he saw who was driving the car.

Over some delicious looking soft tacos, Connie has just told the girls the story of Claudio Linares. Melissa’s worried, considering he’s sworn to get revenge/justice against her uncle.  She hopes he’s able to prove his innocence. Connie explains that Claudio and Max were best friends in college and law school. Hannah wants to know how could her dad accuse his best friend of fraud?  (See answer below.)

Oscar has headed back to the office and calls Max to give him an update on the Claudio case. Max tells Oscar that he doesn’t have friends. (BINGO!) He wants Oscar to make sure the judge of the case doesn’t talk to Claudio. Oscar doesn’t think this judge is very trustworthy, as he has a dirty record. The day after tomorrow, they’ll tell him when they can meet with the judge.  

Connie explains that she was overseas with her husband and kids when the whole thing went down, so she doesn’t know the whole story. Connie explains how sad the whole thing was and how long Linares spent in jail, and now he’s reopened the case to clear his name. Hannah wonders, if it wasn’t him who did the fraud, then who was it? (Oh, Hannah. You have so much to learn about your papa.) Melissa explains how respected Linares is in academia. Hannah points out what a weird coincidence it is that Luci knows him. Connie doesn’t think it’s so odd that Linares would be drawn to Luci, since she looks so much like his dead wife. Connie tells them about the baby girl, but claims she doesn’t know what happened to her. She would be 19 now. Hmmm…

Claudio speaks to a picture of Aurora about what their daughter would be like now. She would be like Luci or Hannah. Actually, had things stayed the same, their daughter and Hannah would be friends, like Luci and Hannah.

Hannah and Melissa think Linares’ story is so sad. Connie makes them promise not to speak about this with anyone. Max and Rosa are really on edge about Claudio and the reopened case.

Max sends Vicky a quick text message from bed, while Rosa heads to the bathroom. Vicky cheerily shuts her phone down when she see the message. She and Aldo are once again at Inferno. Aldo is playing the big shot impresario and pumping Polo for info. Ivan brings him and Vicky back to the VIP gambling rooms. Ivan seems pretty confident that they’ll get money out of this rich boy. As soon as Ivan leaves, Aldo leave Vicky gambling at the tables to try to get into the office again. This time the door is locked and Ivan is right behind him. Aldo covers by saying he was just trying to find the bathroom. Ivan doesn’t look like he’s buying that story for one second. He checks to make sure the office door is secure.

Max tries to get frisky. He wants to make love to his woman. Rosa says not be ridiculous and rejects him. Max tells her she should pray for herself in all her prayers.

Rod gives in and actually has breakfast with Gala. He continues the stupidity by telling her he’s in a rush to get back to Mexico that day in order to meet up with Luci. Then he excuses himself to the little boy’s room. Gala immediately calls Rosa to tattle on Rod and Luci.

Gabriel comes to take Pato to therapy, since Rod isn’t there. They need Pato in the office. He can’t let them down. Pato continues to be bratty and says he’s useless. Gabriel wants to get to the real issue.  He asks if Pato’s in love with Luci too.

Marianita tells Ariche how sad she is because she misses her mama. Ariche tells her that her mother will return very soon, because mothers can’t be far from their kids. Plus, Ariche plans to come visit Marianita and Luci during all his vacations. Fabian and Ariche get ready to go back to Chihuahua. Fabian announces that after returning home, he’s crossing the border! Estella asks him to contact her daughter for her and he agrees. The temperature in Estella’s home goes down 20 degrees when Ice Queen Rosa shows up.

Rosa demands to speak to Luci alone. She prohibits Luci from seeing her kids. (You’ve got to be kidding me!) Luci tells her she’s not in her house anymore, so she doesn’t know what hell she’s going on about. Rosa demands that she not seek out her kids. Luci’s had enough of this b.s. She has her principals and DIGNITY!  She won’t let Rosa insult her. Go order her kids to not seek her out, not her.  Rosa tries to force money on her (her back pay plus more) as an incentive for Luci to make herself scarce. Luci rejects it and tells her to take her damn money and leave. Adios Señora! Luci opens the door and shows her out, but Rosa must have the last word. She drops the money on the table and rushes out. Luci is royally ticked off.

Gabriel wants to know what’s keeping Pato from going to see Luci if he really wants to. He’s the only one stopping himself from getting better and getting Luciana. Pato thinks about this.

In Het Het, Paz is finally free of the cast and sling. Magda warns her to take things slow. No rush to get back to work. Paz thanks her for being such a good friend.

Luci is wondering why Rosa hates her so much. Violeta comes in and is shocked Rosa came all the way there. Vio says those people have no right to try to make her life miserable. The two kiddies rush in to lighten the mood. Marianita finds the envelope of cash and Estella opens it up. She and Vio are shocked by how much money it is. A fortune! Luci still doesn’t want it. That woman can rot in hell, with her money! She asks Estella to guard the money to return to Mati, and then leaves with the kids.  Vio tries to talk her out of ditching the cash.

Vicky is on the phone with her Sugar Daddy, while giving a manicure. She misses him so much. She went to bed early last night, that’s why she didn’t get his text message.  (Uh huh.) He misses her too. They’ll see each other this weekend. Just then, Toy Boy Aldo comes into the salon to visit his girl. Vicky talks fast to get Max off the phone. Just in the nick of time, because Aldo is right behind her. He very sweetly tells her that he can’t take her out that night, since he got in trouble for coming home so late with the car. She got in trouble with her dad too. Aldo asks, how about they go out this weekend? Uhm…Vicky says they’ll talk later. She’s all smiles when he leaves, but her boss gives her a hard look. She knows Vicky is playing a dangerous game.

Oscar reports that the judge will meet with him tomorrow. “Excellent. If he wants money, negotiate with him.”  They talk business. There’s a Canadian, Micha Luis Carmacho, Max wants Rod to meet with in Miami. Max is going to pick Pato up from therapy and return home with him to eat.

In Miami, Rod meets with the gringos with the bad accents. Max calls him to demand that he meet with the Canadian that evening. He doesn’t care that Rod needs to return to Mexico that night for something important.

Violeta convinces Luci to get all dolled up for her date with Rod that night. Luci worries that he’ll be a no show. Vio doesn’t think so. She thinks Luci should live her life and fight for her love.  Luci doesn’t look so sure. They have so much going against them. What if he isn’t serious and just making a fool of her? (burlar de mi)

Rod calls Estella again with a message for Luci.

Rosa tells Connie that she gave Luci lots of money to leave her kids alone and leave forever. Connie is livid. Why won’t she leave that girl alone?! None of this is her fault! Julie interrupts their argument to bring them the hot off the presses chimes (that SHE sold to the press). The front page article says that Rod didn’t get married because he has some mysterious, contagious disease, and loved Gala too much to expose her to it. LOL! Julie tries to look perfectly innocent as she reads them more of the article. Violeta is reading the same magazine and Luci starts reading over her shoulder. Rosa loses it. She blames Gala for not being able to control the press. In Miami, Gala is looking at an article about their failed wedding on her Ipad. She puts it away when Rod comes back to the table. Both of them say they don’t care about the gossip. Gala’s determined to travel with Rod whenever he leaves- today, tomorrow, whatever.

The deeds have arrived, along with Luci’s birth certificate, making Luci happy that she can resolve the property issue and finish her high school exams. Mati also gives her Rod’s message that he can no longer make it back to Mexico that evening, and must reschedule for tomorrow. Luci is crushed.

Later that evening, she’s telling Vio she’s sure about what she’s going to do. This is her reality. She can’t hide from it. Vio says she has her support. Luci prepares to write a letter.  She remembers Rod’s kisses and cries.

Fabian, Ariche and Luci prepare to go back to Chihuaha. The kids cry as they part. Fabian has taken Estella’s daughter’s info and promises to look for her. Luci thanks Estella for all she did for her and hugs her.

Gala and Rod return to D.F. in a private jet. She’s wearing a super sexy, black and white striped dress (Jessica C. has always had great gams), but it’s not enough to convince Rod to share a car back into the city with her. He asks the pilot to get her in a cab/car. Ha, ha!

Rod arrives at Estella’s just in time to hear that Luci left town and left him a Dear Juan letter. He drives to the park where Luci ground his rocks into sand when she told him off, and reads the letter.

“You changed my life, from that afternoon when I first met you. And things haven’t been the same since. I fell in love with you. I love you and I want to shout it out forever to the world. I love you with all that I am, with the force of my being. But you and I are from opposite worlds. Our love can never be. When you read this letter, I’ll be far away. And I’ll stay far away, forever. Don’t look for me. Forget about me. And thank you. Thank you for making me feel what I have never felt before. –Luciana”  

Rod cries into the crumpled letter.

Avances: Rod tells everyone in the family, including a shocked Rosa, that he’s going to fight for Luciana’s love, no matter what, or who, gets in the way. Then he goes to find Luci in Chihuaha. 

Old sins cast long shadows. M Hercule Poirot

La Joint Boda de Sarita, Gabriel, Genoveva and Tomás:

Something besides a boda is up at El Tal.  There is “The Plan.”  The living room is all decorated, the guests are gathered.  Tracy has talked Panchito into taking her to the wedding and they arrive last.  She’s in a sharp looking aqua dress and he’s in a fancy Piggorio look-alike red shirt and blue jeans.  Antonio is also in blue jeans, Camila in a shiny beige off the shoulder, gathered front, tight fitting dress (no baby bump yet).  If Lucrazy weren’t crazy, she’d be a natural recruit for the next formal wear catalog from Talbot’s.  She looks gorgeous in her red, floor length, bosom-revealing gown.  A real knockout.  Pedro is tieless but not clueless.  There are whisperings and shifty looks among Pedro, Margarito, Antonio and Valentín.  Lucrazy is alert and watchful—she’s not going to let Pedro out of her sight.  Camila asks permission of Antonio if she can go up and see the brides.  Obviously Antonio would be embarrassed to say no in front of all these people, so he accedes to her request.  Once upstairs, Camila relaxes with her friends.  The brides know of “the plan” but wonder why Camila doesn't just call the police already.  Camila pins Sarita's hair and both she and Geno thank Camila profusely.  Downstairs, Pedro and Antonio engage in very small talk.  When is the sorpresa, asks Antonio.  Soon, answers Pedro.  Antonio suggests that maybe it’s time for Pedro to marry Lucrecia.  Padre talks to Pedro alone.  He must be in on “the plan,” too, since he warns Pedro to please act natural around Antonio so he doesn’t suspect anything.  Padre is ready to begin.

Upstairs, Camila starts out the door only to be surprised by Lucrecia, who came up to get some papers or something for the Padre.  She warns her to Stay Away from Pedro.  She knows Camila is still in love with Pedro and married or not, she’s a threat to her snagging Pedro, so Stay Away or Else.  Camila gives as well as she gets.  She tells Lulu to ask Pedro why he doesn’t love her.  It’s none of Camila’s business.  Sarita and Geno give a couple of good yanks to their very elegant strapless wedding gowns and touch up their hair with a special Suave product within reach and they are ready, too.  They leave the can of spray stuff on the bureau for a camera close-up and exit.  Pedro comes up to escort the brides down.  He’ll be walking Sarita up to Gabe and Geno’s father (we guess) is doing the honors for her.  Tracy is crying the hardest.  Panchito apparently told her that if he had a ring on him right now, he’d ask her to be his novia.  She’s in heaven dreaming of her own boda now.  Lucrazy is daydreaming of her wedding day to Pedro.  Pachelbel’s Canon accompanies the brides.  This is a double wedding and both brides are beautiful.  Gabe is definitely in love with his bride.  No buyer’s remorse here after all.  Tomás tries to take a peek down Geno’s décolletage as she recites her vows.  No buyer’s remorse here either.  The vows go on without incident and they are pronounced husbands and wives.  Everyone claps as the couples get to kiss.  Now it’s time to paaaarty.  Champagne flows.

O.M.Gawd, a new character shows up!  On the last day?!  She must have won the drawing to be an extra at the wedding with a few lines of dialog from among the thousands of entries.  It’s Carmen.  Sarita does her excited mouse squeak.  Carmen hugs the Padre, so she must be a graduated orphan.

Antonio and Pedro cross paths again.  Antonio clues Pedro in that he knows the baby Camila is expecting is Pedro’s, but it won’t do Pedro any good because as her husband, he’ll claim the child as his.  He’s planning on taking Camila far away to raise the child together.  With a sly look on his face, Pedro clues Antonio in that that is why there are such things as DNA tests.  Antonio says, ha-ha, you’ll have to find her first (Antonio is quite delusional, no?  He wanted El Alca all for himself, yet he’s going to move away so Pedro can’t order a DNA test on him.  Hmmm.)

In Piggorio’s Gloomy Room-1:

The Pig is in bed, hog-tied (sort of) and in comes Lucas.  The Pig doesn't speak or move, but says Dios Mio in his head. He can't believe Lucas is there. Lucas sees he’s still alive, Oh, Happy Day (not really).  Lucas and Doris gloat over his condition and discuss their plans for him as if he couldn’t hear them, while of course wanting him to hear it all.  Doris can't wait to be Mrs. Pig Negrete and all that entails. She tells Lucas she wants a legal marriage license now, not a fake one.  After The Pig is gone, Antonio might check the documents and discover they are fake.  She doesn’t want to risk it.  The drawback is, that paralyzed he cannot sign the marriage license.  Lucas can arrange that but brings up payment.  It’s going to cost her a million dollars, chump change for what this rancho is worth.  Doris’ head is swimming with dollars, once she is married to Piggorio, of course.  No prob—they call Jaime, Doc-Not, who happens to be visiting Rita and Rennie.  The conspirators tell Jaime they need something to reverse the paralysis, even if it’s temporary, so he can sign stuff and say Acepto.  Jaime says he can lower the dose temporarily so the Pig is able to move and speak, and then up the dose and he'll be dead in days.  Jaime says he’ll be right over.

Elvira Moves Out of María’s Place:

Armando and Elvira apparently were not invited to the wedding, so they are together at María’s.  She’s musing about her own, very own, new apartment.  Army is, say what??  Yes, she’s got Rennie’s apartment.  All she has to do is pay off a couple of months left on the mortgage with money she’s going to get from Antonio.  Her son does not believe she’s back to trusting that Rennie nor going to get money from the Ant.  Elvira swears that this time it will be different, there’s no reason for Rennie to try to cheat her since he’s leaving for Florida today and the Ant has already promised the money.  Elviral invites Army to come live with her, but he’d rather stay where he is.  He’s sure Rennie is deceiving her.  No, no absolutely not, Elvira replies, she’s checked it out and it seems to check out (honey what exactly did you check out, tell us).  If he wants to stay at María’s, that’s his business, she’s going to go pack.  Elvirus is now ready to roll and her parting conversation doesn’t go well.  She tells Army he’s so ungrateful.  He reminds her that if it weren’t for Tía and Angel, who knows what would have become of them.  ElVirulent thinks he’s exaggerating.  She warns her son that Angel could run him off any time.  He only used you to get to Florencia Negrete.  Cara impactada.

Army lays it on hard.  He says she’s been everything *except* a mother.  The lady protests that all she ever did was give him her love, helped him become a man, have him help her—his mother—and his sister Camila.  He tells her not to bring Camila into this conversation.  Hasn’t she realized yet, that of all the things she did to her family, the worst was that she ruined Camila’s life?  For that he will never forgive her.  She can’t believe that her children didn’t value everything she did for them.  SLAM goes the door.  Elvira is so outta there with her little red suitcase.

M&M visit El Capitán:

Manuel and María have arrived together at the police station to ask El Capitán how the investigation into Mariana’s murder is going.  Well, El Capo says it’s still on-going.  Manuel is not convinced they’re doing enough.  It’s not right to set aside the death of an innocent woman.  El Capo is a little offended.  He has no intention of setting the investigation aside.  The deed will not go unpunished.  They tried to get a statement from Don Gregorio, but unfortunately, he’s ill and couldn’t do it.  Manuel doesn’t believe a word of that.  El Capo assures him it’s true.  He has suffered an embolia (we keep thinking they are calling it an imbroglio—how fitting) and can’t speak—and as a doctor, Manuel should know what that involves.  Manuel is cara impactada.

R&R Vacate To Vacation in FL:

On cue, Jaime arrives at Rita and Rennie’s to see their bags are packed, ready to leave on a jet plane.  But first, Renato wants his share of the money Antonio is going to pay them.  He can’t, he hasn’t been paid yet, but promises to send the money to Rennie (says one grifter to another).  Rennie says he’ll be in touch and send him his contact information.  He and Rita want to be kept informed on what’s going on with the Negretes—there’s a lot of money in play—oh, and include the bank account number where he’s depositing the check.  Jaime gets the phone call from Lucas and skedaddles.  As Rita and Rennie head for the door, Elvira shows up, pithed because they were supposed to have been long gone.  Renato tells her off—she’s the worst thing that ever happened to him in his life.  ‘Til Never, Elvira.  The two make it to the airport and through security (we bet the TSA guys fought over who would give Rita a pat down) and are waiting for their flight to Florida, (land of moneyed widows).  They chuckle over what Elvira will discover about the apartment. 

In Piggorio’s Gloomy Room-2:

Doris and Lucas are now snuggling on the bed, right in front of the Pig. Lucas has his arm around Doris and they are just rubbing it in to the Pig. The Pig doesn't move, just stares at them, and swears venganza.  The drug Jaime has promised might not take effect until night time and Doris is concerned about Antonio, Camila and Florencia being in the house.  She’ll take a chance, though.  Jaime finally arrives with the poison-reversal dosage; he can’t just pick it up at the corner drugstore, don’tcha know.  Oh, and who, btw, is going to pay him?  Doris will—after she inherits the place (and Jaime is apparently ok with this).  Jaime says by this evening the Pig will be able to move. Piggorio is now pretending to be asleep.  Lucas makes Jaime stay with the Pig.  Doris can’t be expected to watch him all by herself.  He is to call Lucas as soon as he gets some speech and movement back, capish?   Doris is like finally she will be the Dueña of Alcatrash.  She has a strange gleam in her eyes, and throws her arms open wide, bwwwhhhhhaaa.

“The Plan”:

Festivities at the boda are on high.  Pedro slips away; Margarito starts moving toward the exit;  Antonio and Valentín are alerted; Camila looks suspicious; Lucrecia starts to follow Pedro, but Antonio stops her and brings her back telling her to keep an eye on Camila and for no reason let her leave the house.  He’s going to see where Pedro went—and no, don’t worry, he’s not going to do anything to Pedro.  Val delays Margo from leaving by saying, long time, no see, amigo, why not have a trago together.  Margo declines. 

Pedro is racing across the lawn toward El Alcatrash, Margarito chases after him.  Margaro thinks he’s nuts to do this alone.  Pedro says he has to.  Margaro returns to the reception and tells Lulu that Pedro went to get more champagne.  Pedro makes into Val’s office, separate from the main building and gets down to business.  He forces the cabinet door open, where he is sure the vials are and holds them up in triumph.  Oh, oh, here comes Antonio through the door behind Pedro.  What have we here, he says, caught with the hands in the dough.  Antonio is so sorry to have found him because he’ll have to shoot him for trespassing.  The d*ck-head delays long enough for Pedro to go off before the gun goes off.  The flasks break.  Pedro trashes the office and taunts Antonio to shoot already.  Ooops, he does (we could have sworn the “sorpresa” was to put blanks in the gun beforehand).  Pedro goes down face first.  Mama Mia, he’s Muerto—at least that’s what Antonio thinks.  He doesn’t even kick him or turn him over—bad job, dude.  Fortunately for Camila, the shot was to the shoulder and not in his avocados.

Flor and Angel have sneaked back to El Alca because daddy’s not home and mommy doesn’t care, to smooch in the hallway (come on Angel, find an empty room.) They hear the shot ring out and go to see what happened.  Doris also hears the shot and wonders what it was.  She tells Flor sadly that sooner or later her daddy is going to go to jail.  Cara impactada de Flor.

Antonio is outta there.  Running back across the lawn towards El Tal, he shoots Margaro, on his way to see what happened.  He’s fatally shot (not quite) in the stomach.  Bleeding profusely, he knows he bought the farm.  But wait, here comes Pedro, holding his shoulder to kneel and cradle Margaro.  After some anguished pleading not to die, Pedro manages to pull out his cell phone and calls for an ambulance.  He leaves Margaro and heads toward the reception.

Not “The Plan”:

The wedding reception is in full swing, when Ooops, Antonio shows up out of nowhere and grabs Camila around the neck, from behind and points the gun at the guests—Hostage Situation—Call 911.  Antonio says nobody move or he’ll shoot Camila.  His demented self is blathering on about loving Camila more than anyone else at the wedding—waving his gun around.  He adores her; she’s his wife; she *HAS* to love him.  Antonio would rather have her dead than with that indio.  He turns to her in her panic and instructs her that she’s going to *learn* to love him (he repeats this endlessly for the next 35 min or so, so we will not repeat it again).  Camila screams, “Suélteme,”  she’s not going anywhere with him.  He doesn’t obey but starts screaming for the keys to the truck—where are the keys to the truck—gimmie the keys or I’ll start shooting everybody.  Lucrecia wants to know where Pedro is.  With a maniacal grin he says Pedro is Muerto.  Lucrazy lunges at him, but the folks hold her back.  Tomás tries to reason with Antonio.  Tranquilo, hombre, Camila is his wife, she’ll do what he wants, she’ll go with him.  Camila is still screaming she doesn’t love him, never will.  Gabriel finally hands over the keys.

Kidnapping in Progress:

The only way Antonio has to keep Camila from jumping out the other side of the truck is to knock her out cold.  Antonio is outta there.  Pedro comes running and tries to get into the back of the truck, but it’s weaving madly and he gets dropped by the side of the driveway.

Antonio and Camila are holed up in what looks like a hotel room.  Brilliant idea, since it’s The Only Hotel Inn™ Fresno.  Camila is bleeding from the forehead and Antonio is lovingly applying cotton balls (what his are made of) to staunch the bleeding.  He says he’s still willing to forgive her.  All she has to do is fall in love with him; that’s all. Camila is agitated, the only one she’ll ever love until she dies is PEDRO.  The Giant Beltbuckle starts to get rough with her, Pedro is Muerto; she’s in love with a dead man.  Doesn’t she realize all that he could have given her, if she had just loved him?  Camila wants him to let her go.  He can’t.  All he ever wanted was a happy family like any other normal couple, but no, just look at how she paid him. It’s Camila’s fault that he turned into this (we say, who writes this stuff anyway).

Antonio tries to feed Camila soup.  She refuses.  He appeals to her maternal feelings; do it for your baby.  He cares for the child as if it were going to be his own.  Cam says her child needs nothing from him.  She screams at his fantasy of having a perfect family with her.  Antonio tries again to get her to have some soup.  She throws the dish full soup at him.

Antonio has trussed up and gagged Camila.  He’s pulled the curtains.  He’s cleaned up the soup from his face (Damn Aaron looks fine with his HAIR unglued, falling across his forehead in dark and curly locks.  What a hunk.  If he’d looked like this when he first met Camila, she’d surely have fallen for him instead of Pedro.  Then we’d have had an entirely different telenovela titled, El Alcatraz.  Too late, that yacht has left the dock.)  Antonio is still singing the same old song about how happy they would be with her at his side, with this baby and all the other children they will have.  Camila is crying through her gag while he shakes her.  He would have given her everything, what more does she want?

Miraculous Recoveries in Progress:

Pedro is ok.  He’s at the hospital recovering with a sling around his arm and wearing a traditional white hospital nighty.  Dr. Raúl is leaning over him.  They were able to get to Margaro in time and he’s in serious condition, but will probably recover.  Pedro struggles with the Doc to get out of there and go after Camila.  Doc tells him that no one knows where they are, but the police are looking for them everywhere.  Padre comes in next, but isn’t very hopeful.  El Capitán is next, but is very hopeful.  All exits are covered, highways, airports, even other states have been alerted, but so far, no sign of them.  Pedro just can’t sit there with his brazos cruzados while Camila is out there.  El Capo understands how he feels, but even if Pedro knew where they were, how would he resolve the situation by himself. 

Santiago is praying over a comatose Margaro telling him that even though he wasn’t his real father, he’s always been good to him and Margaro can’t leave him. >>FF (this was the only one, can you believe it.)

Now it’s Lulu who comes to the hospital to see Pedro.  She complains that she had to throw a tantrum to get in, Mi Amor.  The reason, he replies, is that he didn’t want to see her and left instructions not to let her in.  He finally gets his avocados back and tells her to get lost.  He never cared for her.  Lulu is crushed.  He goes on—all she ever did was pressure him and that’s not how things are done.  Lulu reminds him that he promised that if she changed, they’d have a chance.  Wait a min there, he yells over top, how can she say she loves someone she’s harmed so much.  With that he dismisses her with a Lárgate, pero ya, Vete.  Pedro has veted himself out of the hospital and hops in La Viejita with Gabriel at the wheel.

Val Gets Grilled:

El Capitán has him at the station.  He wants to know where Antonio has taken Camila.  Valentín swears he knows nothing.  He only saw what everyone else did at the reception.  And no, the Beltbuckle never told him what the plan was, although he told him there was a plan.  Like the disappearance of Mariana, maybe, aims El Capo.  Val wants to know what does one have to do with the other.  Antonio told him to go to the wedding, even though he didn’t want to.  Whirling around and what about the explosion near the airport, El Capo tries again to trip him up.  Val says No, No, No.  Careful bud, says the captain, they have plenty of information on him and the Negretes, but not sufficient proof, or not sufficient enough proof to prosecute.

In Piggorio’s Gloomy Room-3:

The Pig is still in bed, but not letting anyone know he can now move and speak. The Pig wants Panchito.  Back from the wedding, Panchito comes in, just as if he heard his Papa Pig with ESP. Jaime leaves Panchito while he goes to get something to eat. As soon as Jaime is gone the Pig says he can move his arms and hands. He doesn't want Panchito to say anything, he just wants Panchito to listen. He tells him to go get a notary, move it, go, and don't let anyone see him and tell no one.

Lucas comes back and says oh, still alive.  He tells him that if he signs on the dotted line, he’ll have a painless death.  Doris comes in with the Judge. The Judge says, oh, so sorry you are sick. The Judge asks the Pig if he is voluntarily marrying Doris and The Pig says sí.  Ah, Mi Amor now they can get married, Oh, Happy Day.  The ceremony is short and sweet (not really). The Pig signs and now Doris is la Sra. Doris de Negrete de Negrete, Queen of El Alcatrash!! Finally, bwaaaahhhhhaaa. Lucas has a sh*t eating grin on his face. Doris and the Judge leave and Lucas tells the Pig, too bad he has to die.  Well, everyone has to die.  It was all a matter of business, nothing personal. The Pig tells Lucas to enjoy Doris while he can.  Don Gregorio tells himself to hang on until the notary arrives.

Panchito has brought the notary to Alcatrash. He tells the notary to be quiet and follow him, and don't let anyone see him. Doris and Lucas are coming out of The Pig's room, and Panchito has to quick, pull the notary into an adjacent room so no one will see them. They are hiding out, as Lucas and Doris are happily counting their chickens before they hatch, so to speak.  Lucas is sooo happy he wants to get en flagrante with Doris asap. Doris is like here at Altrash, why not it’ll be hers soon.  The Pig is wondering why it is taking Panchito and the notary so long to get there. Jaime is with the Pig and tells him business is business.  In a little while he'll be already to go to the grave. Doris has brought Flor in to say goodbye.  Flor is just so upset. She sits on her Granpa Pig's bed and cries and says she’s so sorry for all the bad she and Fabi did. She is crying and kissing his cheek. The Pig is thinking he's sorry he won't be around for Flor and is apologizing in his head to her.

El Presidente Arrives in Fresno:

Amid all the commotion in various parts of Fresno and its environs, President Obama has arrived to deliver an important speech.  From the steps of The Only White House Inn™Fresno, he announces that he’s personally suspending the deportation of young people under 30 now who were brought to the U.S. by undocumented parents under the age of 16.  Bravo.  Santiago is safe from ICE.

Elvira Moves Into Rennie’s Place:

Elvira is luxuriating in her new, very own pad.  She looks so happy and self-satisfied (and so alone).  She grabs a coffee and the remote, turns on the tv just in time to hear that Flight 666 from Fresno just exploded in mid-air.  No survivors.  (Tell us that this isn’t lame.  They copied Doña Bernarda de Iturbide in Triunfo de Amor, letra por letra—poor innocent victims, we said, and viewerville didn’t get to see her suffer.)  Elvira’s stunned.  But, Elvira just picks herself up, dusts herself off and starts trying again.  She goes to a lawyer, probate, no doubt.  She’s dressed in appropriately in black.  No her late husband had no family, except a..a..a..niece, but she died in the same crash.  Well, the helpful lawyer will check the records to see if it was in Renato’s name and if everything is in order, the apartment is hers.  She mentions the mortgage.  He sees no problem if she continues to make the payments.  Elvira is relieved since there are only a couple of months left to pay.



End of Final Recap - co-authored by Anita, Madelaine and Rosemary La Otra, additional tweaking and posting by Blue Lass.