Caray, Caray!

After over a week of nonstop action and hilarity, it should come as no surprise that we would eventually experience a lull, allowing our friends in DF an opportunity to catch their collective breath. Soooo, naturally it would occur on my night to recap. Hey... no problem. I've had a busy week, what with sick folks and lousy closed captions to attend to, so let's all relax, pour up a fine Tequila (or beet juice, if you are of that persuasion... you know who you are), put up our feet, and enjoy a little Telenovelandia Happy Hour.

We pick up with Thursday's final scenes which were described so well by our Sylvia. So with her permission, let's rewind her recap a bit, and while I hunt for the Tequila, join in progress, in the boardroom, Fedra and Lorenzo:

She’s not sympathetic that his money is gone or that his neck hurts and she’s still on the subject that he won’t kill Vicky to please her. He throws back what has she done for him? She wouldn’t loan money to him, remember? And he’s still mad about her lackey Bernardo beating him up. Fedra gets back to the case in point. Pretty soon Vicky will get rid of all of them and it would be very convenient if she were dead. Ilitia runs behind Brandon for protection and Vicky gasps to Eman to help her. I guess she can’t reach into her own purse. Eman pushes FL aside and runs to Vicky. FL runs to Ilitia and grabs her from behind. Brandon coaches her, remember the kick! A bite on the arm and a kick in the nuts sends Ilitia into Brandon’s arms and FauxLirio driving away in a car that mysteriously showed up out of nowhere. But no matter about that now, the right people are finally hugging!
Brandon is with Ilitia and Eman is with MariVicky.

Thanks Sylvia.

Emiliano is at the police station nibbling on a bit of crow as he apologizes to Oliver. He now realizes that Oliver's intentions toward Gretel were honorable. Manolo looks on adoringly as they shake hands. He solicits Oliver's assistance in locating his daughter and Oliver enthusiastically agrees. Turning his attention to Manolo, Emiliana tells him that he is sure that Axel must have told him all about the situation with Gretel, and expresses his approval of their relationship, asking only that an increasingly fidgety Manolo make his son happy. Manolo requests a few moments alone with Emiliano. A suspicious and jealous Oliver sarcastically queries, "Are you going to ask for Axel's hand or what?"

Emiliano is worried that there is a problem with Axel. Nope, but he has a message from Gretel.

Back in the boardroom, Fedra is administering her own tough love brand of physical therapy to a helpless and hapless Lorenzo. Multitasking, she outlines their mutual threat... Marianela who is back in Mexico, what they must do about it... do away with her, and explains why it must be he that does the deed... to avoid being blackmailed. "OK?" He weakly and meekly agrees. "So when will you do it?" He sighs, "When my neck is well." Not exactly the answer she was hoping for, she gives him a disgusted little shove. "¡Ay, ay!" he whimpers... next!

Ahh, this is much better, we join a playful (but will you please do something with that hair?!) Axel and the effervescent Delicia in the kitchen of Castle Creep. The delightful Dee has dutifully donned the dreary duds of a domestic drudge, but even so, she looks radiant. He reminds her of his invitation to the company bash but she declines, "It just won't work," pointing out that to the entire family, him included, she is just a servant. She reminds him of his uncle Max and Paula. In an effort to prove her wrong, he rolls up a dish towel and ties it around his head (hey kid, that's a good start) and turns to washing dishes. She smiles.

"Do you know where Gretel is? Tell me!" Emiliano exclaims. Easing his father to a lower altitude, Manolo explains that he's been in contact with Gretel (one might say that) and assures him that she is well and when the time is right she will contact him. Feeling guilty for not being there for her, Emiliano soothes his conscience by stuffing a wad of cash into Manolo's hand for him to give to Gretel. ( I'll bet Manolo keeps it for himself.) Gretel peeks out to thank her dad... he doesn't see her and says goodbye to Manolo.

Gretel's tears run down Manolo's cheeks.

Oliver steps in to console the tearful Manolo who takes that as his cue to embrace his pal... just as the Comisario enters.

As Axel washes dishes, Dee explains how he can never know what it's like to be poor. He vows that he will continue with the menial chores until she agrees to attend the party with him. She smiles.

Brandon is holding court in his office, with Ilitia, Vicky, and Manny in attendance. Somehow, he manages to strut even while remaining seated. His less than impressed audience assure him that the bandit they recently encountered was definitely not el LdeP. Brandon has picked up the scent and dismisses the ladies for a private chat with Eman.

Home with her perro fiel, Bernardo, Fedra is in a snit over the abduction of her beloved son Emanuel by the silver-plated lily. She threatens to to kill him. As Bernie tries to calm her they are joined by Nereida who announces that Fedra has a guest. Before Nereida can properly present her, Netty pushes past and confronts Fedra. She is hot over the attempted assassination of her niece, Marianela Ruiz y de Teresa Pavón.

Outside Brandon's office, Ilitia and Vicky do a little lady-bonding, genially exchanging insults, accusations, and threats. Ilitia is especially impressed with Vicky's zinger, "You're dying of fear, Ilitia Porta López, fear is tattooed in your eyes," calling it very poetic. Going gently for Ilitia's pretty throat, Vicky tells her that if Marianela showed an interest, Manny would return to her in an instant sending Ilitia's marriage into the dumpster."

Well this is all very sweet and touching, but let's see what the boy's are up to...

Brandon gets right to the point. He thinks that Emanuel and el Lirio de Plata are one and the
same. Manny scoffs asking Brandon if he got his badge from a box of cereal, then suddenly the conversation takes an odd detour as Brandon pops out of his chair and grabs Eman's lapel, "What were you doing hugging Victoria de la Garza?" Eman counters with, "What were you doing hugging Ilitia, my wife?" Brandon thinks for a moment, one can almost picture the little hamster sprinting to catch up to this line of questioning... "You first."


Our pet, Axel, is still in the kitchen and has turned his efforts to food preparation. With a sprig of cilantro clinched in his teeth he is cutting up vegetables. Dee swats at him with a bouquet of parsley. Careful with that knife there, boy! Oops... too late... he slices off a finger while chopping a tomato. Nope... just a flesh wound... he's had worse. Ahh, it was worth it. Delicia moves in and clutches his hands, "These hands weren't made for washing dishes, nor ironing, much less for cooking, Axel, these hands were made..." He interrupts her in mid-sentence, grasping her face lovingly... "... to caress you, precious girl." Oh Axel, you eloquent devil... Oh crap, here's Nereida, "What are you two up to?"

Netty smiles, telling Fedra that indeed, Mari's back and loaded for bear...er...ah... snake... "She wants revenge... on you, Fedra." Fedra smirks. Netty needles. Fedra smugly sips. Netty prods. Fedra cracks going BSC and lunges at Netty. Bernie restrains and reasons, "Fedra, por favor. Don't waste your time with this woman, she's not wororth the trouble." Fedra regroups, picks up her drink and heads for the stairs ordering Bernie to heel. He obeys, but only after grabbing up a drink for himself. Netty decides that a chat with Max is in order.

Must be happy hour in DF because Super Mau is pouring himself a drink as he congratulates Dandy on a job well, if not perfectly, done. He gives the battered alternate lily a drink. Even though Vicky escaped, he got his money back. Their celebration is interrupted by a knock at the door as the cops come callin', "Open up! Police!"

Max welcomes Netty into his bunker, "Netty Pavón, long time no see." "Yes, two years, don Máximo." They've both sorely missed Marianela. She takes a seat across from his desk and tells him of the attempt to poison Mari, "... here, here in her very own house."

Realizing that the place is probably surrounded, Orangeboy sends Dandy off with the money to hide in the basement. Sadly I shake my head, he's probably right to think that it'll never occur to them to look there. Mau warmly welcomes Comisario Tejada and his boys in but asks that they be quick about it since he is a very busy man. The Comisario informs him that they are there to investigate the robbery at the Ruiz y de Teresa Agency. "The Ruiz y de Teresa and Associates," Mauricio hastens to correct him. The comisario wonders if it is a mere coincidence this time that the amount taken was the same as that taken in el Lirio de Plata's previous robberies. Now, I advise you not to ponder this detail for very long, but let's briefly acknowledge that it's unlikely that Lorenzo would have revealed to the police how much was taken. In any event, he wonders if Fonseca might be involved in this most recent escapade. Comisario, do bears...?... oh, never mind. Mauricio asks him if he really thinks that he, Mauricio Fonseca, as a partner in RydT and Associates, would rob his own company?

Netty and Max both agree that the person most likely responsible for poisoning Mari would be Fedra, but Netty adds that Fedra did not act alone, "Apparently Emanuel was her accomplice." She hurries to add that she has a difficult time believing that such a noble and generous lad would have been involved. Max also has his doubts, but then again, that same contaminated blood of his mother runs through his veins as well. The one thing he knows is that Marianela is the only authentic Ruiz y de Teresa (here again, it helps if one does not examine this statement too closely... what about Kristel? What about Axel? Drink up everyone and let's move on) He asserts that he knows that Marianela will fight tho the last to restore the family honor. Netty nods in agreement.

Fedra is relieved to see her son, Manny, return home safely and greets him with a hug as Ilitia, Emiliano, and Bernardo look on. Fedra's has had a tough day what with the robbery, Eman's kidnapping, and Vicky taking over the company... Though no one is paying attention, Emiliano points out that Vicky is merely representing Marianela. Fedra goes into a rant about that stinking fat woman is worse than the plague. "The only stinking plague here is you, Fedra." Netty has joined the party. Let's pause a moment and savor a word: Hedionda. It means stinking. I think it's one that we all may find useful. Netty goes on to say that not only did Fedra take what is rightfully Mari's, but she also tried to kill her. Emanuel lifts an eyebrow but no one really looks surprised.

Having found that he has more talent for household chores than for music, Axel is trying to mop the floor but Nereida's feet are in the way. She says, "Wait'll your momma finds out that you're doing the maid's chores..." Axel replies that he's a grown man and does what he darn well pleases. Delicia smiles. She urges him on with parsley swats as Lorena interrupts. Does this girl have her own key? Has she taken over the vacant wine cellar? Why is she here?

Netty must have eaten an extra portion of Wheaties today because she is relentlessly scolding Fedra over her attempts on Mari's life. Fedra, with her clever way with words, orders this bataclava (stripper, have I missed an episode? I thought that Fedra was the stripper) back to her own tropical sidewalk (vereda tropical) before she throughs her out. Emiliano tells Fedra that if she touches Netty, he'll throw her out. Uuuuhhh! Eman just wants to hear more about the attempt to kill his gordita. "Do you have proof of what you're saying, Netty?" She tells him of the medical reports from Spain. Half-heartedly, Fedra feebly mails in a weary obligatory look of wounded innocence, hoping more for her son's understanding than his belief.

After a commercial break, Fedra weakly, and without closed captions responds to Netty's charges. Eman, more out of a sense of duty than of doubt demands proof of her accusations. Por favor. Netty doesn't have any... yet. Ilitia smiles in amusement. Doesn't she have the cutest wicked little smile? Emboldened for the moment, Fedra makes the most of a pregnant pause in the action and storms out of Dodge. Netty continues, the captions are back, and both E's protest their innocence. Manny is beginning to understand Vicky's hostility. Netty pleads with Eman to protect Marianela. He vows to protect her with his life. Oops! Now we hear from Ilitia, "You'll protect her with your life? Where does that leave me... Baby?

Delicia smiles. "Yes he loves me, yes he loves me, the little rascal!" She was alone in the kitchen but is joined by Lorena. Who keeps letting this girl in? She tries to rain on Dee's parade but ends up with spaghetti raining down on her head.

Well, this is unexpected. Sitting around the pensión, Oliver, Brandon, and Doris have a hankering for taquitos al pastor and ¡Shazaam! Gladiola springs into action, heads for the kitchen and with the help of a pack of Maggi Sazón de la Callé Pastor, whips up a batch in no time flat and the kids love 'em... next!

Dandy peeks around the corner as a chuckling chucklehead Mau closes the door. "Are the cops gone?" They discuss the day's triumph but Dandy recognizes that he was less than successful in convincing his victims that he is el Lirio de Plata. Next time... what? these idiots are planning a next time?... they will need another Lirio de Plata since if Mau were to disappear right before eLdP appears the police might get suspicious. Gee, you think? The conversation turns to the upcoming nuptials. Gourdguy doesn't want to think about that, he is thinking of Victoria de la Garza. He's obsessed. He must have that bit of prettiness (lindura). Well, that'll be fodder for a few episodes.

Over drinks (Is it still Happy Hour? Linda, honey! I'll have another Tequilita, por favor.) Lorenzo tells Garduño that that he had the money until ths wascally wobber el Lirwio Plato showed up and took it away. He is sure that Muñeca is abetting him. Remember that evening of Maratón with Muñeca, Garduña gets a wistful look in his eyes, "That woman is too smart for you." Lo assures him that he can control his wife. Regaining his composure Garduña reminds him that his life depends on him returning the money and cryptically adds that his marriage is an investment, "...are you following me?" I hope that Lo is because I'm not quite sure that I am.

Up in her room, Mari confesses to Doris that she is really fed up with wearing the wig. It's hot and cramps her style. Doris offers to cut and color her hair to match, but there is a knock at the door... someone actually knocks?... It's Netty. She comes in complaining... boy, she really has a bee up her butt about this poisoning thing. Why wasn't she told? "Ummm... how did you find out?" "Almudena told me, but that doesn't matter." Doris explains, "Victoria didn't want to worry you..." Yeah... that's the ticket, she didn't want you to worry... yeah. It worked. Vicky rejoins the conversation, And it wasn't only Fedra, Emanuel helped her."

Have you ever noticed what big honking clocks everyone, especially the galáns, wear on their wrists in these shows? Lost in thought, Ilitia startles Emanuel. She has a nifty idea, "Lets go to the beach for the weekend." Well why the heck not? Manny observes that they both can relax. It'll be that honeymoon. Ilitia beams, "Baby, you're the most!"

Vicky apprises Letty of the poisoned chocolates that Eman gave to Mari. "For that he deserves to suffer."

And now for the most satisfying scene of the evening. Still wearing his neck brace, Lorenzo arrives home and congratulates Muñeca, who was detained but released by the police, on her convincing performance with eLdP. He thinks it was a plot between the two of them to recover the money and return it to her. He reminds her that he used his influence to spring her. She's not buying what he's selling. She's frosted at him for selling some of her interest in the agency. At that moment, Ilitia comes down the stairs holding little Cristian in her arms. He's delighted to see his two children together, but his joy is short-lived. Fidel and Flora are bringing his bags down the stairs.

"Leave my house, I'm kicking you out of my company, and get out of my life, para siempre."


Hey! Where's the Lovely Linda? What happened with that drink?

Carlos

Labels: llena

Last week’s comments were terrific. Thanks everyone!

NUEVO RICO, NUEVO POBRE

This is for real: Last Friday there was a piece in BBC Mundo about how Venezuelan authorities pulled the Colombian novela, Chepe Fortuna, off the air because:
…promueve la intolerancia política y racial, así como la xenofobia y la apología del delito.
(...it promotes political and racial intolerance as well as xenophobia and a rationale for crime.)

Here’s the article, if you’re curious: http://tinyurl.com/66qt9qa

It seems the novela features a minor character named Venezuela (and another, her sister, Colombia). Venezuela is characterized as a large, kind of vulgar, dark-skinned woman who, when told that her small dog, Huguito, is missing, cries out tearfully:
¿Qué va a ser de Venezuela sin su Huguito?
(What’s to become of Venezuela without her Huguito?)
Her less than sympathetic friend answers:
Va a ser libre, Venezuela...
(You’re gonna be free, Venezuela…)
… because lately that Huguito of yours has been sticking his nose in where it doesn’t belong.

Hugo Chavez didn’t see the humor, apparently. And we’re not likely to see SNL Venezuela any time soon.

I thought of this when I was watching the latest episode of the Colombian comedy, Nuevo Rico, Nuevo Pobre, in which the newly minted and totally unprepared executive of a major shipping company says in a televised speech: Yankees Go Home! The "Yankees" in question are empresarios who have given the Colombian firm an ultimatum: if they want their business, the Colombians will have to do some belt-tightening and lay off 200 employees. Talk about Ugly Americans.

I’m so glad we live in a country where we get to decide whether to laugh or switch the channel.

That’s it. Just had to get that off my chest.

HEREDEROS DEL MONTE – OR – All the Pretty Horses…and the People Ain’t Bad Either.

Lots of amor no correspondido (unrequited love), uncertain parentage, guapos y guapas. I’m happy to enjoy it vicariously through your comments. Have at!

-----------------------------------
ALGUIEN TE MIRA – As of Friday

As we sit at home and gnash our teeth, Julián just keeps getting away with it. Arrrrrggggggggghhh!!! And while Matilde lies unconscious with the direst of prognoses, Julián and the ever-more odious Piedad make out in the waiting room. And Julían waits for an opportunity to get to Matilde – “I’m the father of her child! And I’m a doctor!” – and finish the job he started.

In what may have been the last phone call of Matilde’s life (remember how she frantically dialled Tatiana from the deserted gas station), she cried out Julián’s name. And now the moronic Tatiana is determined to hide that fact from the police. In that decision she is supported by the even more moronic Lola.

Mauricio’s gruesome remains – minus the head – are delivered to the police. The idiot Fiscal insists that Mauricio’s death is unrelated to el Cazador. Amador and Carvajal know better, but not much.

(Can anyone tell I'm getting a little impatient with these people?)

Only Rodrigo has hit upon the truth: the killer is Julián. Rodrigo is trying to keep Valeria from coming to Julián’s attention but she insists on taking risks in her efforts to prove his innocence. I wasn’t worried about her before, but I am now.

Camila is finally a success at something: with her deliberate overdose of ‘calmantes’, she is effectively punishing her sister and her brother-in-law.

Daniel Vidal is still out there lurking in the shadows. Back at the killing ground, he could have stopped Julián from harming Matilde; later he could have prevented the murder of the good samaritan at the gas station. At the very least, if he didn’t want to get his hands dirty, he could have alerted the police. But he is apparently interested in keeping Julián alive and at liberty so he can bleed him dry financially – murder victims past, present and future be damned!

We are waaaaaaaaaay past a possible happy ending. I only hope that the police recognize Julián’s guilt and they are able to stop him. And I’d rather see him dead than in jail because that’s the only way to stop him from hurting anyone else.

How do you think this is going to end?
-----------------

AURORA

I got nothin’. Your comments are welcome.

LA REINA DEL SUR

Like Urban Anthropologist, I’m assuming La Reina will be replacing Alguien. I’ve read that it is the most expensive Telemundo production to date and that Kate del Castillo was author Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s personal choice for the title role.

A few of you have read or are reading the novel. I’ve gone back to it and am trying to read a chapter a week. The prose is already very cinematic and I have a feeling that the script will often use the original literally.
I’ll leave you with this quote, something Teresa remembers:
Raimundo Dávila Parra aka el Guëro Dávila: Mejor, solía decir, cinco años como rey que cincuenta como buey. (p.50)
(Better, he used to say, five years as a king than 50 as an ox. buey: literally, ox but in Mexico = idiot, fool)

Okay, now it's your turn.

Labels: alguien, aurora, herederos, reina-sur, telemundo

David and Abelardo stare in wonder at the unexpected present Satan’s Spawn (aka Carlos) has just left them. They know that the ring now in their possession must be one of the cufflinks. But if Adolfo has the other in his possession, he could easily get rid of it, and this one doesn’t prove a thing. When Fausto joins the two of them in the office, the theories continue to fly. It’s a trick! It’s a trap! It’s the ring Carlos has always had! It’s a fake! They finally decide to have an expert look at it and call Leo to get his assistance in making it happen, interrupting the class he is teaching at the police academy (where does this guy find time?). The three finally consider that Carlos has decided to help them (gasp)-- not a surprise given how badly he and his father get on and the fact that said father (aka Satan) treats him like a dog (I say that’s an insult to dogs). David’s still not so willing to let go all the bad things Carlos has done and trust him.

Fausto gets them back to the business at hand—the plan to fake Adolfo out with Gabi’s mad business management skills, while a supposedly paralyzed David recuperates at home. They can use the same tunnel Fausto uses for David to leave the house unnoticed in disguise. Who would have known Mario’s plan and tunnel would serve so many purposes. David remembers what a wonderful man his father was. (Let us also take a moment to remember the kind, generous, big hearted Mario. Que en paz descanse.)

Upstairs, a worried Ale decides to check in on her little sis by calling Adolfo’s. She finds out her sis has gone to the beach, but not with Adolfo. She also finds out that Carlos no longer lives in Casa Ávila. Once downstairs, she finds David and Gabi talking about Carlos and the ring. She tells them what she just learned about the not so prodigal son being cast out into the wilderness. David wonders again if Carlos and his father have had a disagreement, and for that reason he gave them the ring. “Because this is the proof that Adolfo killed Marta Sandivar!” Gabi is shocked to hear this news about her mother’s murder and the cufflink. David quickly explains about the cufflink Roberto stole from her apartment. Gabi is very confused. She wants to talk to the two mysterious old men, right now. She tells David to round up his dad, while she goes upstairs to call and demand the presence of hers. Uh oh looks on Ale's and David’s faces. David tells Ale he doesn’t know what he’s going to do. They change subject to the mysterious boxes from the States that Abelardo brought back. David doesn’t want the servants (servidumbre) or Gabi to hear, so they head to the office.

At Leo’s flat, he’s arrived just in time to say goodbye to Paula who is headed back to Durango. He’s too pressed for time to be able to go all the way to the airport with her, but Juli and Ramon will. Leo and Juli promise that she will be able to come back and spend her vacation with them. Paulita is sad, Leo is sad, Juli is sad, and so is Viewerville. Farewell Nancy Drew!

Carlos continues to make the rounds. This time he’s showed up at Ale’s office (Mina-take a good look at another hot man who is NOT into you). Mina shows him in to see Ale, who doesn’t bother with the pleasantries. “Where’s my sister?” He tells Ale that Bertha is getting herself into deep trouble by becoming more involved with Adolfo. Even though he’s lived his whole life with his father, he’s only just realized all the dangerous, shady business his father is involved in. That’s why he doesn’t live there anymore. He explains the “favors” Bertha has been doing for his dad. Ale is incredulous about the nature of these favors. Carlos isn’t sure if any of the type of favors Ale is imagining have happened, but he does know Bertha’s given false sworn statements for Adolfo. And she’s getting herself in deeper each day. Ale can’t listen to any more. Although Bertha is her sister and she loves her, she's an idiot (tonta), and ambitious. If she’s digging herself in deep with Adolfo, it’s because that’s where she wants to be. She loves luxury, but she doesn’t want to work for it. She was never good at school; she was super lazy (flojisima). And now she uses her good looks to get ahead. But now her life is her responsibility, she’s an adult, and Ale is tired of telling her this. Carlos agrees; he’s also tired of telling her the same thing. But, he’s in love with her, and he’s going to do all he can to get her out of this. Ale looks at him in disbelief. What does he mean he loves her? He simply does. He loves her, he likes her, they’ve had great times together. She may not be as brilliant as Ale, but she’s not as bad as his father either. Ale thinks it’s nice and all that he cares about her sister, but he hasn’t exactly been a saint. He admits to doing stupid things in his rivalry with David, including the Gabi mess…Ale stops him short. Oh no! The first unforgivable thing he did was sending an innocent man to jail for eleven years!! (Yes Carlos. Your little secret is out.) The only thing he can say is that he DIDN’T kill that woman! He then walks out without explaining further, leaving a very confused Ale.

Back in Mario’s home office, Leo is examining the ring and listening to the theories about it being a trap. Leo doesn’t think so. He told Carlos just the other day that the ring could be proof of a crime. He will have it examined by the jeweler who made Roberto’s ring. He’ll be able to tell them if it’s authentic.

In Michoacán, Don Jorge has decided he needs to give Dora a salary (sueldo), as well as a roof over her head and food. She doesn’t think it necessary but he insists. He’s also thinking about taking his savings and going travelling—to Vegas! (Looks like Dora will be minding the store in Michoacán for a while.)

At the tunnel house, Fausto tries out the makeup and silicone skin on David to create his disguise. David won’t have to speak to anyone or be forced to act. He’ll just have to enter and exit the office building. David thanks Fausto again for all he has done and is doing for them. Fausto is happy to do it. (Note the change from cranky, reluctant Fausto in the beginning.)

Ulises enters Zaida’s apartment, very obviously looking around for her bodyguard (guarda espaldas) Edgar. He’s gone to market, but Zaida does have some good news for him. She’s found work for Elsa with a very important man. He thanks her profusely, and she gives him Dante’s contact info to pass on to Elsa. Elsa should get there within the hour. In the hallway, Ulises runs into Edgar. Wow! Edgar is really dedicated to his job! Either that, or he swings both ways, because he is flirting up a storm with Ulises and making a date for them to chat over dinner at Ulises’ place soon. Ulises is having the best day ever! He gives Elsa Dante’s info, tells her to fix herself up and get going, and then runs off to write a poem, since he’s feeling so inspired!

The Guillen sisters catch up via phone. Gabi tells Juli about David’s miraculous recovery, but urges her to keep it secret. She’ll explain the crazy plans and schemes to Juli in person tomorrow. Tomorrow she also plans on speaking to their father (who is not currently home) and Don Mario, together! So pass the message on to their dad.

The best big brothers, ever, have decided to skip the delicious (I’m sure) dinner Lucha has prepared for them at home, and instead take the kiddies to the movies and arcade for fun, popcorn, sodas, fries, hamburgers, shuffleboard, Dance Dance Revolution, and video games. They even get to start a mini brawl, when Chicles wolf whistles at some mamacita wearing a mini. This is much to the displeasure of her boyfriend, who thinks JJ or Limon are the culprits. Even Caramelo gets into the mix- causing a distraction for the group to escape by tugging down the mini skirt that started the whole scandal! Chicles wolfs down his junk food, while stealing from Caramelo’s and JJ’s plates, and earns a queasy stomach for his efforts.

At the jeweler's, Leo finds out that the stones in the ring are indeed authentic and antique, but the setting (montadura) was not done there.

At Dante’s, Elsa gets her assignment. She will be selling fine jewelry to a list of clients preselected by Dante. Elsa is pleased and amazed that she doesn’t even have to find the clients to buy the jewelry she will be selling. It’s an offer too good to pass up. The Silver Tongued One pulls out the contract, encouraging Elsa to sell her soul…ah, agree to be contracted for a year. Despite her reservations, Dante assures her this will be such a great job, with wonderful earnings, where she will feel so comfortable (agusto), that a year will be no problem. In fact, today he’s getting a delivery of some fine jewelry he’s eager for her to get busy selling. She signs and gives a wide innocent smile. He returns a sinister one.

At MI6 headquarters (aka Casa Genoves), Q (aka David) is showing Agent 007 (aka Gabi) their newest toys. A tiny earpiece, and a transmitter attached to a garter that David helpfully slides up Gabi's shapely leg (earning him a few hand slaps). Abelardo tests to see that it’s all working. There is also a tiny camera and microphone in a silver brooch (prendedor) Gabi will have to wear. It will allow them to see what she’s seeing in real time, but she has to make sure it doesn’t get covered. Gabi is worried about what she’ll do if the equipment fails. David continues to build up her confidence. Just act normal like everyone else. It’s attitude that counts! Plus, “Mario” is going to give her a few acting tips, since he has some acting experience from college.

JJ and Limon bring the kids and their chalk/white erase board (pisaron) to Elsa’s. Everyone is in a good mood, even though they are late and Chicles had some stomach issues. (The word is estómago, but Caramelo keeps saying estógamo.) Chicles is ready to eat again, and asks Elsa what’s for dinner. Elsa is sure they’ve eaten plenty of junk (porquerias) already, and it’s time for Caramelo to get ready for bed. None of the four (yes four) kids like this, but mama Elsa puts her foot down. Time for the boys to go home. JJ shows his displeasure by mocking Elsa’s blown kiss behind her back, and mocking the very word “mama”. The boys leave. Big kisses from JJ. Sad kiss from Limon.

Across the hall, Zaida is eager for Edgar to leave, but he insists his job is to protect 24 hours of the day. She doesn’t like this, and she doesn’t like him helping himself to her liquor either. She resigns herself and has him serve her a drink as well, but she rues the day she got involved with the whole lot of them. Edgar’s advice- You’re in it now, so you better figure out the best way to survive. She told Adolfo, and she’s going to tell him, she can take care of herself. Edgar reminds her she wasn’t so good at that when he first met her, and Garnica had a gun pointed at her head. Fine. She’ll let him stay—on the couch. Edgar wonders if he doesn’t get a sheet, a pillow, etc. Sorry Edgar. He’s her bodyguard, not her boyfriend. She goes into her office, with Edgar’s words about survival echoing in her ears, and begins to write a confession/testimony(!?) letter to the relevant authorities (autoridades correspondientes).

Early the next morning, Gabi has arrived at the Guillen apartment to catch Fausto. She has Juli wake the sleeping Fausto, who comes shuffling out. Gabi wants him to get dressed, chop chop, and return with her to Genoves Manor to speak with Mario. Not possible, says Fausto—with the excuse that they can’t just disturb Mario in that way. Seeing that her sis is about to put the screws on their dad, Juli decides to leave the room. Gabi just wants him and Mario to explain a few things. Fausto thinks it’s too early. Ask him first, and then later they can talk to Mario. (He’s good.) Gabi wants to know how the two men know each other; also her mother and Adolfo. Fausto stalls uncomfortably, so Gabi lays out all the facts she knows. Fausto was an actor. Adolfo was the owner of the theater where he worked. Her mother was a dancer. And Don Mario???

Fausto skirts around the truth. Her mother was a beautiful woman who had lots of suitors (pretendientes). He (Fausto/Santiago) fell in love with her the moment he first saw her. But one of her suitors was Mario. Gabi wonders about this, since Mario was already married. Yes, but Mario still went to the theater every night to see her. Was she already married to Fausto? No, but he got really jealous of all her suitors, like Mario. (Truth bending alert! Find the untruths in the rest of Fausto’s statements.) According to Fausto, when Marta realized Mario was married, she cut ties with him, realized she loved Fausto and married him. Then came along Gabi and Juli. All was good until that fateful night when Marta was murdered, he was blamed by Adolfo, and he had to flee with his girls. Then he started this sad life, full of fear, hoping no one would recognize him. Gabi obviously feels her father’s pain and doesn't push any further.

In Michoacán, Don Jorge stands in for Viewerville and asks Dora all the things we want to ask her. Doesn’t she miss her son? Oh, yes. Then why doesn’t she at least call him? It will just cause more trouble. But, she can’t hide all her life. She should think about that poor boy who spent 11 years of his life in prison. What if he were her son? Wouldn’t she do something for him? Dora begs him not to remind her of it. She’s already been living with the guilt all these years. Don Jorge promises not to push, but he wants her to do some soul searching to find the answer within herself.

At Dante’s, Elsa is given the newly arrived from abroad jewelry that she is to sell. She’s blown away by how fine they are, and checks to make sure they have a bill of sale (factura). Dante assures her they do. He NEVER takes risks. He has a long and prestigious career to protect. Viewerville says a collective uh oh! Elsa breathes a sigh of relief. But she is still worried about carrying around such expensive items and possibly being robbed/assaulted. Since no one will know what she’s carrying around, Dante doesn’t think the robbery risk is great. And his chauffer will take her to see the clients she makes appointments with. Elsa thought she would be selling less expensive things. Dante assures her she will, but right now, these are the pieces he has. He gives her the list of clients and contacts, and informs her she already has an appointment that day at 4pm. Her mission: to sell him a particular necklace or bracelet. If she’s persuasive enough, she may be able to sell him both, and if she does, she gets a bonus. Elsa asks about those pesky bills of sale again, but Dante waves her concern away, saying he’ll send them to the client later.

At Ale’s office, Mina is in the mood for coffee and gossip. What did Carlos say? That he didn’t kill that girl. Ale figures it must have been Roberto, but she’s not sure if she should believe Carlos didn’t do it. He is Adolfo Avila’s son, capable of anything. Super intelligent Mina thinks he may not be as bad as they think. Ale should speak to him and get the whole truth. It might even mean Ale can help her galan. Ale’s eyes light up at the thought of helping JJ escape his 11 year nightmare.

Said galan has just arrived at his office, in time for a visit from our friendly neighborhood Streetwalker Barbie. He bobs and weaves away from Zaida’s hello kiss. (Good boy.) He then asks her not to be so, so…she finishes for him. Flirty (coqueta). (That’s the nice way of saying skanky.) It doesn’t bug him per se, but that last kiss in his office got him in hot water with his novia. He doesn’t mind being kissed by a beautiful woman, but he loves his girlfriend a lot and doesn’t want problems with her. “She doesn’t have to know.” JJ gets serious and finally decides to drop the flirtiness from his response. He is not interested in games and between them there is nothing! Got it! It’s loud and clear to Zaida. In fact, she’ll go see his girlfriend personally and tell her there isn't/wasn't/will never be anything between them. JJ writes Ale’s office info down. If Zaida doesn’t do what she promised, JJ will break the partnership with her. She is sufficiently motivated.

At the tunnel house, David gets his new, middle aged face, paunch and name- Franco Valencia, Campo Real employee. Even David can’t recognize himself! At the main house, Gabi’s getting help from Ale with putting on her “costume”- sensible black business suit, complete with cool spy brooch. She’s nervous as heck. Ale keeps her focused on the mission- thwart Adolfo; save the family business and fortune. Gabi makes one last ditched effort to pass the baton on to someone else. “Mario” has been looking really healthy to her. Surely he can take the reins of the company. Ale assures her he is very, very sick. No can do. She gives her a hug for good luck and a final reminder to not let her hair block the camera and microphone.

At the Campo Real offices, FrancoDavid, Aberlardo and the technician ready the tv monitor and equipment, while FaustiMario and Gabi prepare to enter the board room on another floor. A final sign of the cross from Gabi, and a deep breath from FasutiMario- game on!

Labels: verdad

Capitulo 179.
Read Julie’s original recap, then come back here to discuss it.

1. With the torture session finished, Marcia leaves. For Fernando, everything boils over. He screams, “LETY!” In Acapulco it reverberates in Lety’s core, and her world freezes.

2. Fernando tells the bartender that he’s the lowest kind of trash. He lost the woman he loves and he lost everything (remember what PG said?). It’s a cute, funny scene. Fern cries over Lety’s picture and gets sloppy drunk.



3. Caro tries to disappear and Lety is reluctant to be alone with Aldo. She tells him, “It seems that you want more than a friendship, and I can’t allow anyone to make a mockery of me.” He says he’d like nothing better than to be loved by a woman like her, but he can’t.

4. Aldo tells his story. He was happily married to Lenore for four years. She died in a wreck, holding hands with his best friend. Now Lety can see why Aldo can’t face falling in love again.

5. Lety encounters Tio Federico. She tells him Fern deceived her and made her feel like garbage. He says she deserves to be happy. He gives her a fatherly hug.





6. The taxista pours Fern into his cab, and he shows off Lety’s picture. That’s four people in one night! He says the board will thrash him because the woman he loves delivered his head. That’s exactly what Marcia told him, and it’s what prompted this binge.

7. Lety dreams that Aldo comes to her room late and starts kissing her hungrily. She wants to resist but her hunger wins out. The dream disturbs her.

8. In the morning Caro wants the chisme. Lety felt like Caro pushed her to have a fling with Aldo. Caro says Aldo obviously likes her, and she should enjoy herself.

Lety says that Fernando looks a lot like Tio Federico (played by Jaime Camil Sr.), even more than his own father. I'll let you decide for yourself.

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Capitulo 180.
Read Alma’s original recap, then come back here to discuss it.

1. Aldo takes Lety diving. Afterwards she sits in wonder. Ariel pointedly reminds her that it was worthwhile to get over her fear. Aldo laughs with total abandon. He tells her she carries the immensity of the universe insider her, or something like that.



2. Caro opens the pageant for ordinary women and she emphasizes that what matters is attitude.

3. Irmita’s kids tell Luigi they want her to retire and come to the US with them. She calls a meeting of the cuartel for advice.

4. Fernando arrives at the meeting a mess and still a little drunk. Humberto shouts at Tom throughout. Ariel says Conceptos could be permanently transferred into FI’s hands any day now. Lety needs to sign the documents to stop the process. Marcia, Ariel, and Humberto are sure Lety wants to keep Conceptos.

5. Fern tells the board their accusations are ridiculous. Humberto tells him to shut up, he hasn’t learned anything from his error, and his stupidity has no end. Ariel says his new business venture failed for lack of new capital, and Fernando lost his patrimonio. Humberto calls his son useless. Fernando cries.

6. Lety realizes that it doesn’t matter if the cup is plastic or crystal. What matters it what’s inside. She says, “Ay, Aldo, como te quiero.” (Note she shifted from usted to tú.)

Labels: fea-2010

Did we get a recapper for Thursdays? I'm posting this page for comments and discussion in case we didn't. :)

Labels: triunfo

Labels: eva