Caray, Caray!

Alternate Title: Pithed recapper curses the heavens while Elisa cries (and cries and cries)

Bullets tonight. Every week I  have the intention of watching ahead online and crafting a masterpiece, but I never do. So you all get stuck with the craptastic "watch in real time, take notes and curse the crappy CCs" recaps.

Lo Refrito

• Gab and the arrest of Gweedo. Flor, Gweedo and Paolo are color coordinated.
• Elisa chooses to go away with Dam when Pop goes the lying ho' bag Sleazel with her BS about them being half siblings. Cue the waterworks in 3...2....1

Labels: abismo

Labels: refugio

The first hour

• Isa decides it is for the best if she and 'Nando break up. She doesn't want to be to blame for the break-up of his family.
• Leo gets angry that 'Nando made Isa cry. The two go off to share a few drinks. 'Nando opens up about his situation with Doris, but swears Isa is the one for him. Both Leo and 'Nando talk about their fear of being alone. Leo admits he regrets leaving Sarita. (Meanwhile Sarita explains to Zoe that once a love is broken, it's never the same. Zoe looked pensive.) Leo asks 'Nando to keep their little chat secret.
• Willy makes his way to the archbishop's office and takes the blame for the *ahem* campaign for prevention.
• Mother Superior tells Lucía to take a vow of silence. Lucía starts wearing a dry erase board. "NO ME HABLES. VOTO DE SILENCIO." Mother Superior is not amused, but allows Lucia to use it for emergencies.
• Cecilio visits FFFFF in the hospital. FFFFF tells him about kissing Zoe. FFFFF tells Cecilio to call Zoe (not sure on the details.) He does but Zoe hangs up since she doesn't recognize the voice. FFFFF calls right back and explains it was his buddy Cecilio. For his part Cecilio seemed to recognize Zoe's voice.
• *sigh* Horty and Marisnot. Marisnot is Marisnot and wants to leave the house, but Mine stops her since that's what 'Nando wanted. Marisnot calls Horty who rushes to her aid. As they are leaving the run into Isa who tells them she is breaking up with 'Nando...right when he walks up. Horty and Marisnot don't really believe her and they flounce off. 'Nando tells Isa he loves her enough to fight the odds and eventually talks her out of breaking up. (The kissing is still "meh" in my book. Have I mentioned that I now think both Diego and Elizabeth are culpable? They only have chemistry if they DON'T kiss.)
• Guillerma nags Leo. He has some sort of attack. (Maybe the vapors?)
• Jazmín and Reina get busted by Padre...but he lets her stay.
• Doris comes to visit 'Nando and brings gifts for the girls. A perfectly times gastric gurgle makes Merifer think she felt the baby move. While Doris is there she finds out abut 'Nando's plan to take Isa out. Doris texts Poncho and tells him to do something to sabotage the evening.

Labels: Amorcito

Lucero is Helena Moreno: Single, she is an administrator for tourist businesses. A loving mother, intelligent, dedicated to making a good life for her son Lalito, 8 years old. She has had to deny her wish for independence in order to remain in the family home under the strict rules of her father and to work to cover Lalito's needs. Love is not her priority. She doesn't want to risk being hurt, or worse, having her son become fond of somebody who isn't worth it. Juan Perón conquers her with romantic gestures, wins her son's heart and her mother's trust. She becomes engaged and believes he is the love of her life. Unexpectedly she discovers he has been out to deciev her and steal her project. She will have to reconstruct her life and becomes rather cold and hard to survive her pain.
Jaime Camil is Juan Carlos Caballero: Operations Vice President of Grupo Imperio. Efficient, competitive, able to ignore ethics in order to achieve his goals and steal information. As a friend he is loyal, generous and affectionate. His best friends, Santiago y Fernando, are like his family. He is the iconic Don Juan: sexy, virile, intellitent, charming, elegant and well-dressed, born to seduce, he has money and is part of the jet set. No woman can resist his charms. In order to steal her project he decides to win Helena, but finds in fact she's a wonderful woman, and, without noticing, he falls hopelessly in love with her and her son. Accused of a fraud he did not commit, chased by the cops, there is an accident and people think he's dead. When he finds out Helena needs an assistant when she joines Grupo Imperio, he pretends to be a widow and gets the job. He sets out to prove his innocence.
Jaime Camil is Eva María León Jaramillo: She is a character invented by Juan Carlos, evidently of the working class, without family, a widow. Observing Mimi, 'she' becomes brusque, frank, uses florid language, and is very appealing. She is robust, tall, coarse, and comes to be seen as intelligent, wise, loyal, efficient, a good friend, and altogether a fine woman.
Jesús Ochoa is Adriano Reyes: Antonia's brother, Plutarco's brother-in-law. Major share-holder and president of Grupo Imperio. A seducer, noble, gentlemanly and serious about work. He loves to be around beautiful woman but doesn't think highly of their capacities. This ugly attitude permeates Grupo Imperio. He is very disappointed when he believes Juan Carlos has betrayed him. Though he is a master of seduction, he feels very alone. He seriously falls for Eva.
Helena Rojo is Eugenia Mistral: Modesto's wife, mother of Juan Carlose, she has been an actress all her life and became well-known, but when she married Modesto made her abandon her career to be wife and mother. She is friendly, assertive, educated, with some eccentricities that hint at her artistic past, nevertheless she has episodes similar to dementia although her diagnosis is not clear.
Paty Navidad is Mimí de la Rosa: Owner of the apartment where Juan Carlos takes refuge after the accident. She is single, kindly, optimistic, generous, a hard worker, she tries to see the best in everyone. She is frank and open like the people of the north: happy, likes to party, tells jokes. Her talent for makeup was inherited from her mother who worked in the cinema and knew famous actors. She makes up everybody in the neighborhood so she's a celebrity. She transforms Juan Carlos into Eva.
Mariana Seoane is Rebeca Oropeza: Plutarco's lover, coordinator of Public Relations at Grupo Impero and, like her kind, she has thousands of contacts in the tourism world. She is manipulative, cynical, astute, ambicious and greedy, but very amusing and appealing. And sexy. She's quite a trickster; she seduces Plutarco and looks to a secure future with high status and cool stuff. She expects him to obey her caprices but she has to put up with his having a spouse (Antonia).
Leticia Perdigón is es Silvia Romero:Helena's mother, Eduardo's wife, Lalito's aunt. Housekeeper. She is patient, loyal, sensitive and dependable. It is her efforts that keep her marriage together, she believes marriage is for better or worse. She is serene, reserved, observant, wise, she loves her daughter and nephew, they are her main happiness.

Labels: por-ella, synopsis-cast

This show is supposedly starting July 16 at 8pm, so the dreadful 2-hour Refugio marathons suffered by bloggers and fans alike are almost over. Ezra and I will be blogging this new one. Current and would-be bloggers of Refugio and/or Por Ella, leave me a comment below.

Juan Carlos Caballero (Jaime Camil), an incorrigible Don Juan, who uses women and does not believe in love, is a prominent executive in Grupo Imperio, an outstanding firm dedicated to tourist-related activities and business.

Using his famous talents as a seducer he pretends to be a businessman from abroad and tries to steal from Helena Moreno (Lucero) - a single mother and entrepreneur - her innovative project related to tourist development for a Mexican beach. Nevertheless, despite all predictions, getting to know her he finds himself in love for the first time.

Just when he's thinking of telling her the truth, he is busted and at the same time is unjustly accused of a huge fraud by the financial vice president of the company where he works. This villain is the perverse Plutarco Ramos (Marcelo Córdoba), who furthermore is the one who in reality has robbed Helena's important project and now, with the Tourism Commission, he is accusing her of stealing his idea.

Pursued by the police, Juan Carlos flees while within Grupo Imperio Plutarco decides to hire Helen to head up her own project. The young woman, unemployed and with an accusation hanging over her, feels forced to accept the post in order to demonstrate that she has been victim of fraud.

It's at this point that Juan Carlos, who is in hiding, discovers an opportunity to return in order to vindicate himself and recover Helena's love.

How to be near her without her noticing? How to figure out who unjustly accused him of this huge fraud? Juan Carlose decides, because of his love for Helena, to become Eva; in this way he will learn a lesson that changes his vision of life and his perception of women, and will become a man of integrity and power and, finally, bring him to real love.

Labels: por-ella, recappers-needed, synopsis-cast

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Labels: index

  


Part I: Recap by Madelaine

Around Mexico City:

Rod and Luci are still eating lunch and Luci is kinda a little miffed at Rod. She wants to know why Rod never told her Rosa was in the hospital. He says he just found out not too long ago.

Gala is in her office, and is thinking about how she is gonna stop this church wedding. The P.I. calls her from Het Het and says he is having trouble getting info on Luci from the locals. He also tells her about the Commandante that is in charge there; He also tells her about Don Aquiles knowing Luci. Julie is hoping the P.I. gets enough good credible dirt on Luci, but they are still going to search for all the proof they can. Gala wants to publish those pics in her magazine. Carolla advices Gala she better have iron clad proof or else that servant will sue. Julie can't wait for all this to go down cause then Luci's reputation will be ruined. (Note to Julie and Gala: I see a piecart in your future too, jus' sayin'). At this point the P.I. calls Gala back and tells her that according to a convo he just heard that Luci could have Don A thrown in jail. Now Gala is really interested in Don A. She wants info on him too, and she wants to contact him.

Hot Bod Rod and Luci have finally arrived at the church to see Padre Honesto. They go into the church and meet Padre Honesto. Rod would like the Padre to perform the wedding ceremony, he tells the Padre that they have already done the civil ceremony. The Padre is delighted to do it, and he tells Rod , word to your mother, hope she gets well soon. While Rod is talking to the Padre, Luci is praying to Jesus on the cross, and Padre wants to know her religious background. She tells him she is Catholic, has gone to Church all her life and has an icon of the Virgincita in her room. Padre is pleased to hear it. They both tell Padre they want Pato at their wedding. Padre is also very pleased with this too. (I have to say here, this is the most relaxed I have seen the Padre yet. He is always being stressed out by the crazy Rosa). There is a knock on the door, and guess who has come to call on the Padre, anyone, it's Pato. Yay. Pato comes in to Padre's office and says he wouldn't miss this wedding for anything. Luci and Rod are so surprised to see him there. Pato knew they would be meeting there, cause Rod told him earlier. He tells Luci he is very happy to be her BIL. Padre is really happy to see Pato, and likes him being there, what a nice surprise. Pato tells Padre Honesto, he can't stay cooped up all of his life he wants to LIVE. Padre is very happy with this also. Pato tells Rod and Luci about the movement in his hand, Luci goes by him and he grabs her hand and holds it, sigh! Now the three are having tea with Padre Honesto. Rod is telling the Padre that he can't wait for the church ceremony, cause then he can finally live with his wife. Padre is further impressed, if he only knew, jus' sayin' Padre wants to know if Rosa has left the hospital yet, Rod doesn't know and calls Hanna. Hanna tells him Rosa is being discharged from the hospital shortly.

Hanna, Max, Oscar, Boris and Mati are all at the hospital and all with Rosa. She is almost ready to leave the hospital. Oscar and Hanna both tell Rosa she looks much better. Rosa tells Mati, to go on back to the house now, cause Pato will feel deserted (Note to Rosa: Pato escaped again, nanny nanny boo boo. ). Mati leaves and Boris tells Max he would like to have a word with him. Boris and Max go out to the waiting area and Boris asks Max if Hanna can be his novia. He explains to Max that he respects Hanna and her whole family and that's why he is asking for permission. Max likes the respect. Then Boris asks him if Hanna can come to his birthday party this weekend. Max says no. I'm not sure if this is supposed to be an away party or not. Someone please clarify. Boris tells him his parents will be at this party,and Max wants to know if Lula will be there. Boris tells him, no she won't, but Melissa will be there. Max says then of course she can and Boris thanks him.



Meanwhile, Hanna is on the phone with Rod in Rosa's hospital room. Rosa wants to know where Rod is, Hanna tells her he is meeting with Padre Honesto and Rosa wants to know what about. Hanna doesn't tell her. Hanna is saved by the bell, uh the Doctor, who tells Rosa she can now leave the hospital. The doctor also tells Rosa he wants her to see a cardiologist he is recommending so they can give her an EKG and test her heart to see if there is a problem. (Note to doctor: Why didn't you do all this while she is there, jus' sayin'). He says they need to find out if she has some type of heart malfunction.

Claudio and Conny meet in a cafe. Conny thanks him for helping Melissa with her thesis. Claudio says he is happy to do it. Claudio wants to know how Rosa is doing and tells Conny he hopes she is feeling better, after all Rosa is sooo sensible (haven't really talked to her Claudio have you, jus' sayin'). When he says this, Conny is rolling her eyes, lol. Claudio tells Conny that Rosa was with Aurora when she died and he says there is so much drama now with the exhumation of the bodies of his wife and baby. Claudio tells Conny the reason for the exhumation is to move the bodies of both to his family crypt. Conny says she understands and she is getting very nervous. She tells him she would like to have coffee with him sometime and she goes. But before she leaves the cafe she gives him a look I like to describe as Hey, big fella come up and see me sometime, it is that kind of look. She is interested in our handsome lawyer, jus' sayin'.

Meanwhile Gala has gone to see Lastra the Jackwagon at his dubious place of bidness. They are talking about the photos he wants her to buy. I think she gave him a payment for them or partial payment, someone please clarify. Mr. Jackwagon gives her the photos. There is one of Luci taken from the side and she has that wig on. She doesn't look recognizable. Mr. Jackwagon is happy to be getting payment. He gives her a receipt and she gives him the check.

Now we have a Frigid moment. She is all alone in the house, lording it over nothing, like she is the Grande Dame over everything and goes into the kitchen. Now for the comedy part of this recap, the music becomes playful and guess who is sneaking up on the Rigid one??? Aldo, who scares her so bad, I think she peed her pants (Note to Frigid, invest in Depends, jus' sayin'). He scares her so bad, she tells him she could have had a, wait for it, infarto. Then Frigid lights into Aldo about Gennaro that got in trouble for his crime of sneaking Pato off to that bar, doncha know. He smarts off at her, and then leaves, and then old Frigid is trying to catch her breath when for the second time this recap, wait for it, Mati comes sneaking into the kitchen and scares ole Frigid again. So now she is yelling at Mati for scaring her; Mati throws up her hands, and Frigid finally leaves the kitchen. lol.

Selena, Max's secretary, sees Aldo. She tells Aldo his Tio Max wants to see him. Aldo asks Selena about the computer system at Torreslanda. She tells him something, and then gives him a number, that he says over and over. I don't know if this is a password to get in or some security code. If someone knows please comment. Selena reminds Aldo his Tio wants to see him ASAP. Aldo calls his Tio Max. Max asks where he is right now. Aldo tells him he is at Torreslanda, working. Max tells Aldo to go to the Torreslanda home and to wait for him cause he wants to have a *serious* convo with him.

Rod and Luci have left the Padre's and now are at Vio's apt. Hanna calls Rod and tells him Rosa has been released from the hospital and Luci tells Rod he better go home and see his Mama Rosa. Rod assures Luci he will talk to Rosa about the two of them. He reminds her that they are husband and wife now, one person. They will never have any secrets and will be together foreva. (Anyone else see that piecart rolling toward them?) Lots of smoochies and Rod tells her he'll see her tomorrow. Luci is trying to assure herself she will she her Hot Bod Rod Hubby manana.

After Aldo has scared Frigid half to death, don't we wish, he has gone to Pato's room. He has that shamrock page up again and is asking Pato why he can't get in. Pato tells him it is highly secured and you need a special code to get in, I think. Bout this time, Max shows up and Aldo closes that laptop, right quick. Max tells Aldo to get to that library and wait for him! Aldo goes and Max asks Pato what they were discussing? Pato tells him it was something work related.

Rosa, Hanna, and Rod are all together in Rosa's bedroom and Rod gives Rosa the message from Padre Honesto that he will see her tomorrow. She is so pleased. Then she wants to know why he went to see the Padre. Rod tells her that he went to see Padre Honesto to, wait for it, officiate at the church wedding of he and Luci. Rosa is starting to go off the rails again, she is saying, no, no. He says he will talk to her later about this, and she is still saying no, no. Rod tells Rosa to get some rest and leaves her in Hanna's hands. Hanna tries to calm her down. Mati has brought Rosa something to eat and Hanna is trying to feed it to her. They are in Rosa's bedroom. Rosa says she doesn't want anything, that water is enough for her (Remember what I said about saints that over fasted all the time)? She thanks Mati at least for making her something to eat. She tells them both, she wants to sleep. Conny comes in about this time and Hanna and Mati leave. Conny asks Rosa if she is feeling better? Rosa says she feels better. Conny tells Rosa about seeing Claudio this afternoon. Conny says this convo with Claudio was interesting cause he told her, are you ready, that you, Rosa were with Aurora when she died! Rosa says this has been her heavy burden to bear all these years. Well Conny is having none of this self righteous pity from her sister, and tells her What About CLAUDIO'S burden? Poor Claudio has suffered all these years because of your craziness. Conny wants Rosa to tell Claudio the truth. Rosa tells Conny that SHE is crazy and can't tell the truth. Conny wants to know what happened to the baby. Rosa says she won't tell the truth cause it would cost her her family's love, cause they will never forgive her for what she did. Conny reminds Rosa she is the accomplice and can't keep it in anymore and she feels really bad. Then Rosa tells Conny you are my sister, you can't tell. Well, Conny has finally had enough, and she tells Rosa, if you won't tell Claudio, then I will, That his daughter is alive! Rosa tells Conny to leave the past in peace and not to betray her. (Are you kidding me???). Conny tells Rosa how it really is, and not the fantasy she has made up in her mind. She tells Rosa that SHE is the traitor. She tells Rosa that Claudio trusted Rosa and all of the Torreslanda's and just look what they did to him. Conny says she can not take this burden anymore. They have been yelling all this time. Rosa is hyperventilating by this time and takes some pills.Conny leaves. After Conny leaves, Rosa is taking more pills. She is still hyperventilating when Max comes in, he tells her to calm down. Then he notices all the spilled pills, and realizes how many she took. He takes the rest and puts them back in bottle.

Max and Aldo are finally having their little meeting, when Max tells Aldo that Jeronimo talked to him about Vicky. Max wants to know if he is seeing Vicky, si or no? Aldo says, yes Tio, I am seeing her! So Max goes on the song and dance about Aldo knows very well what the regs are and he isn't supposed to be dating an employee, well, Aldo with his stones, and I mean to say they will be boulders soon, when he says, wait for it, Vicky is NOT AN EMPLOYEE. He says Jeronimo is, but not his daughter Vicky. Aldo asks his Tio Max, oh, what is there a problem? Why do you care anyway, Ruh Roh. Well Tio Max is a little flustered and tells Aldo to leave him alone and go. Aldo leaves.

Luci is at Dona Estella's. Rod calls Luci and tells her he has a very special day planned for her tomorrow. After Luci hangs up, she tells Dona Estella that she is going on a shopping trip tomorrow. Dona Estella tells her she is really lucky. Luci says her love for Hot Bod Rod Hubby is very strong and everyone is on board but Rosa. They need her to get on board, good luck with that.

Conny is in a little office at the Torreslanda home when Aldo comes in. He asks his Mama Conny if she is ok. She says she is, but looks upset. She says she is thinking of work. Aldo wants to go out. Conny asks who with? Aldo tells her a friend, what friend? She asks him how work is going? He says he is doing alot, but he is dreaming of being something else someday. He wants to be a big cheese. Aldo goes, and then calls Vicky. He tells her he is waiting for her, and Vicky tells him she can't come out to play, no, she tells him she doesn't want to go out, cause her Daddy says she can't and he knows very well that she got in trouble with Max, and says Max knows he is seeing Vicky. Now Vicky is really pithed and she hangs up on Aldo. Her papa Jeronimo comes out and asks her who she is talking to,and she lies and says it was a client that likes to gossip. Jeronimo doesn't buy it and tells her not to lie. He tells her that that guy should have some respect, cause just cause she's poor doesn't mean she can't be respected. You got that right Don Jeronmio but you got the wrong guy. It's your employer, jus' sayin'.

Rosa is now sleeping and she is having a nightmare, I mean a dream about Aurora and the baby. Aurora is loving her little baby, and has tears in her eyes. Rosa tells her to rest. Aurora wants to get better and she is crying, cause I think she knows she won't. Aurora so wishes she could see Claudio. She begs Rosa to be a good Mama to her baby, and for Max to help raise her if anything should happen to her. Rosa is staring at the baby, and Aurora is pleading with her.

　

Het Het:

Paz and Ariche are walking down the street in Het Het, and guess who they run into, anyone wanna guess, wait for it, it's Don Aquiles. He tells her he gave the deeds to her house and lands to Lic Barrerra, and she tells him good for you, you A$$Hat, just kidding, but she tells him good for you or you would have ended up in la carcel. Don A tells Paz he wants to be left in well, paz. Paz, in her infinite wisdom, tells Don A, he won't have paz because he is trying to destroy people's lives like that, and wait for it, Dios is watching him. (Ha!). And guess what he does? He actually looks up to Heaven, like he is really in trouble now. Unbeknownst to Paz and Don A the P.I. is sitting not far from them and takes pics and makes a recording of the whole conversation.

Don Aquiles is in his office playing darts when Copio tries to come in and Don A almost hits him. Copio has brought the money from the bodega to him. Don A tells Copio to go clean Dona Paz's house, cause she is having a big ole party there, not really he tells Copio that she is moving back into her house. Copio is Que? Que? (What, What?) She is really moving back in? Don A says no she's having a big ole fiesta, of course she is moving back in. He tells Copio, wait for it, I am a noble human being and I am giving her house back to her. (Note to Don A: Forgot to mention Lic Barrerra and the carcel didn't you) and he does a gesture with his hand, like he is kissing himself, I was roaring with laughter when I saw this, jus' sayin'. Copio wants to know if he is doing this to get an in with Luci. He says no, she didn't do this thing. He says he will never forgive her for marrying that Chilango and that Don A's heart is full of love for Luci. Just about this time his phone rings. Don A answers and the person on the other end would like to do some bidness with him. He wants to know what type of bidness. It's Gala that has called Don A. She tells him she wants info on Luciana Jacinto. He wants to know, what you want with my Palomita? Gala has the gall to tell Don A that Luci stole Rod from Gala just at the point when they were at the altar ready to be married. She tells Don A the man is Rodrigo Torreslanda (like Don A knows who he is). Now Don Aquiles as funky as he is, said something really great here, he feels that this is all, wait for it, Rod's FAULT. Yay, Don A. Gala states her bidness and asks Don A if he is interested in seperating Rod from Luci, si or no? Gala tells him, he could get his Palomita back. Don A gets her phone number and tells her he will think about it and call her back tomorrow.

　

Dona Lucita is on the sidewalk eating some of that yummy grilled corn you can buy from a street vendor and the Chisme Ladies see her and ask her if she is now Don Aquiles Novia??? I think she says she is. The Chisme Ladies think it is romantic that Don A got her that house. Don A is done with his phone call and is strolling down the street, and Dona Lucita sees him and wants to know if he is looking for her, Don A shoos the Chisme Ladies away. Dona Lucita tells Don A she can't wait for the Night Of Amor with him. Ha! Dona Lucita is flirting with Don A, but the Chisme Ladies have not gone far. They are using the Frigid method of hiding behind pillars and listening. Don A asks her what is the hurry? We can wait, (Note to Don A- you are so stringing her along). She is still eating that grilled corn, and she tells him, please don't break this dream of mine. She wants music and dancing and the whole nine yards, and not only that, she wants this Manana! He is wheedling his way out and leaves. The Chisme Ladies have heard it all and are giggling. 

Part II- Recap by Anita

  THE NIGHT BEFORE

Roselena is having a nightmare.  It’s a very complete screening in muted greys and blues of the flashback to Aurora’s final moments.  Aurora is pleading with Rosa to take care of her just-born infant daughter, as she would her own, until such time as Claudio can know her and take care of her.  Rosa apparently promises.  Aurora expends her dying breaths reminding Rosa of her promise.  Sadly, Rosa can barely stand to hold the child.  Rosa tosses and turns, and finally the flashback is over.  We in Viewerville are touched that Aurora got to hold her baby girl before dying.

In The Den of Iniquity - I
Connie and Max can’t sleep.  They bump into each other in the sala and start to talk.  Connie is waiting up for Aldo to get home, she’s always worried about him.  Now that she mentions him, Max tells Connie how Don Jer came to him bothered that Aldo is making a play (cortejando = courting, wooing) for Vicky.  Connie wonders if he’s really sure.  Well, he back pedals a bit, no, maybe not going steady, but he’s definitely seeking her out, trying to woo her.  That bothers him.  Of course he can’t share the real reason, so he comes up with the lame, outdated (IMHO) office policy of non-fraternization among employees.  Never mind that Aldo is not wooing Don Jer, but his daughter.

Connie is completely oblivious of whom and to whom she is speaking as she continues the conversation, about how strange that sounds when Vicky is already in a serious relationship with an older man, a very married one.  Max wants to know how she knows this.  Vicky, the girl from the nail salon they patronize, was telling them—he should remember her, she came to the house one day.  They’ve also heard some things from Nicole.  Apparently this man treats her very well, showers her with gifts and she’s over the moon with felicidad.  Connie adds, Poor Muchachita.  Max wants to know why, if she’s a mature young lady who knows what she wants.  Connie says that Vicky is still young, attractive and should be going out with someone closer to her own age.  This type of relationship can only end by hurting her or cause lasting damage.  Max avers that maybe she’s in love with this man.  Nah, Con doesn’t think so.  Nicole told her this man is of very high social standing, very powerful and very rich.  That type of man pays for his sins with diamonds.  Aldo can’t compete with this man; Vicky would never trade youth for money (Famous Last Words, Connie).  Regardless, she’ll speak with Aldo because the last thing she wants is for Aldo to get into problems with Tío Max.  Max is digging a deep hole with doodoo at the bottom for himself.  When all this comes out and he’s smelling to high heaven, Connie will remember this conversation (IMHO).

Max thanks her profusely and changes the subject.  What he’s really preoccupied by is his wife.  Max doesn’t understand Rosa’s attitude toward Luciana.  Especially after all the good she’s done helping with Patricio’s rehabilitation.  Hanna loves her and Rod fell in love with her and *married* her.  He thinks it’s absurd of Roselena to think that he had a child with Aurora.  Her condition has been getting worse since Luciana arrived.  Is it just because of the physical likeness between the two that has provoked this current state of mind?  He just doesn’t know, doesn’t know.  

Max thinks a psychiatrist is the way to go.  Someone has to help her out of this torment.  She’s losing touch with reality.  She’s hurting herself, him and all her children.  Connie thinks they should seek out a psychoanalyst.  She probably doesn’t know how many years of investing time and money is involved in psychoanalysis, with debatable results (IMHO).  Rosie, poor thing, needs a quick fix.  Max complains that she has even gone so far as wanting him to admit to an affair with Aurora and that the child who died with her is his.  He’s not going to admit to something that has no basis in fact.  He never had anything to do with Aurora, other than to hold her in high esteem and admire her for how loving and attentive she was with Claudio—all the things he wished Roselena could have been for him—a real wife.  Connie reminds him that Rosely really loved him, truly, from the moment they met.  Max says he did, too, and in fact, still loves her, but this illness is going to seriously affect her own son.  So, either she gets professional help or she’s going to end up in a mental institution (Famous Last Words, Max).  Connie is stunned.   

In The Den of Iniquity - II
Julie and her amiga Carola are getting ready for an evening meal at Gala’s.  She makes a quick call to Brigida and learns that Rosie is home. She turns her attention to making a Luciana Salad.  The ingredients read like the list of “proofs” they have built up against that zorra: a) Lastra’s confession; b) the confession of that old pueblerino (meaning Don Aquiles); c) the relationship between Luciana and the Torreslanda’s no. 1 enemy, Claudio Linares; d) the photos of Luci at the antro;  add to that a little intrigue, a little contempt.  All done.  Carola thinks Julie is quite perverse. She doesn’t want any of her “salad.”  This salad is going to wilt (IMHO).

Gala arrives home and might join them at their meal, but she’s really tired.  She has the pictures *and* she talked to el tal Don Aquiles, who’s going to give her an answer tomorrow.  Julie is overjoyed to see the photos and promises to pay Gala back as soon as Roselena pays her.  The money is the least of Gala’s concerns.  But Julie insists.  They did all the work, so since Roselena has it to spare, they’ll stick her for it.  They gossip about Rosa going to see the Padre first thing every morning.  Carola thinks she must be quite the little sinner.  Julie assures her that Rosie prays for everyone, especially for Julie herself.  There is no doubt in Carola’s mind that these two are mother and daughter. 

Gala thinks it would be very advantageous to talk to the Padrecito since everyone in the Torreslanda family confides in him.  Gala sees this as a big opening to suck up to the Padre and to suck out his secrets.  Padre isn’t going to offer his arm to this blood-hungry mosquito any time soon (IMHO).

In the Workout Den of Almost Iniquity – III
For overheated hot bod eye-candy gawkers in Viewerville, we are treated to a 43 second workout session with Hot Bod Rod (where do I get the video?).  He is clearly working out his sexual frustration, so he can maintain his composure around Luciana (IMHO), since she demurely declined to stay with him in his apartment until after the church wedding, which is taking place in 15 days.

In the Homey Lady's Den of Pure Thoughts With Lots of Pictures on the Wall
Luciana is sitting with Estela, waiting up for Serena to get home safely from her first night at the Antro.  Estela tells her that Luciana can stay with them as long as she likes.  Dreamy-eyed, Lucia tells her that she’ll be staying with Violeta, even if it’s going to be a little tight with Lorenzo there.  It’s not for long, only until her wedding day, in 15 days, then she’ll be Sra. Torreslanda, after which, she’ll be living with her husband.  Start crossing the days off the calendar, honey, but it’s going to be a lot longer than those 15 days before you get the Padre’s blessing (IMHO). 

In the REAL Den of Iniquity
Serena, the new devil in a red dress, and Polo talking together at the Inferno.  She’s really tired because she has to get up so early.  Polo says to get a hustle or she’s not going to last very long here.  She’s obviously a raw recruit and a bit nervous, but she needs the job to help her family back home and pay her rent.  Ivan approaches and shoos her out onto the floor—and to remember her charola.

Marcial has accompanied Violeta/Coral to the back of the Inferno.  He’s giving her a hot and heavy goodbye.  He’s frustrated, too.  He wants to “be” with her tonight,  after she gets off work.  Decent girl that she is, Vio says, no, no, to the proposition.  First a wedding, *then* the honeymoon.

Aldo has come to Inferno by himself.  He’s at the roulette wheel.  Lorenzo moseys up and the two of them pretend very hard that nothing is going on between them, as they exchange “pleasantries” for the benefit of the house cameras.  Lorenzo is looking fine in his suit and tie.  He tells Aldo that he’s checked it out and Lastra won’t be in the office tomorrow.   Aldo tells him he’s discovered some strange connection between this place and his uncle Max.

Down In The Saintly Den of the Torreslanda Servants Quarters
Matilde tells the Virgencita and all of Viewerville how sorry she is for protecting Rosa’s secret and not betraying her and also for withholding the information about Luci’s origins.  She tells the Virgencita that the past is catching up with her niña and she’ll have to confront it.  Matilde hopes said Virgencita will show Roselena the way and give her strength.  She begs the Virgencita’s forgiveness.  (Viewerville already knew this.)

THE NEXT DAY

In the Saintly Den in Het Het
Don Serapio comes to Magda’s to tell them that Luciana has set the date for her wedding.  It will be in 15 days.  He’s in a quandary over the invitation to the boda.  His new guy is verde (same as in English, green) and he doesn’t want to think about someone in Het Het dying while he’s at the wedding.  Later on, Magda and Paz are together.  Magda can’t wait to see Violeta again after all these years.  Then they talk excitedly about what to wear to the wedding.  They’ve decided the box of stuff didn’t trigger any ahas.  Even though Paz would rather wear her widow’s rags, Magda talks her into a visit to the mercado, pick out some material and ask Doña Marta the Sewing Lady to make them something.  The stand-owner is trying to interest them in a bolt that is a bit too flashy for Paz, too many flowers.  She’d rather have something simpler.  Ariche comes upon them and declares that he wants to look elegant and so he’s going to ask his a-ma for a new pair of guaraches to show off at the wedding. 

In the Not So Saintly Den in Het Het
Don Aquiles is wrestling with himself out loud over Gala’s offer.  He finally picks up his retro, green rotary dial phone and makes the call to Gala.  Acepto (even if it’s not in a customary marriage).  With the two of them working together it won’t take long to separate La Palomita for her from this relamido (affected, prim, over-fine, over-nice) chilango (from the D.F.), Rodrigo.   Don Aquiles is really put out with Proco because he was supposed to tell Paz they were going to switch back houses today, but came back with the story that they weren’t there.  Don A. gives him one upside the head, the shoulders, the backside and tells him to get back there and wait for them.  Procopio explains that if he waits there, who would be in the office for el Día de la Raya (payday).  Don A throws him out, telling him to obey his orders to stay at the house until Paz comes back.

In No Den at All, but Al Fresco
Luciana and Rodrigo are breaking the fast together.  He wants to know if she’s content.  He wants her to have anything she wants, just ask and it shall be given.  Lucia’s meal is less interesting than getting up close and personal with Rod.  She makes him get up and come over to her and gives him a big smack on the lips, in public, no less.  “Eso es lo que quiero,” that’s what I want (the kiss; but also, that’s what I love).  He comes back with a chaste, “Y yo te quiero a tí,”  I love you (but he really means I “want” you).  Then he tells her, “Me encanta ser tu mushashón.” (Translation from Het Het to English: A big, strong, handsome guy who is going to build his beautiful bride a little cottage with indoor plumbing on a bluff overlooking the valley of Het Het, work the land every day to provide his growing family with food on the table, clothes on their backs and eventually forgets about flowers, cards, candles, wine and flower petals around the marital bed—he’s just too tired.)  The camera swings away just a second too soon to catch Luciana saying, “Te quiero,” but we know she says it because we can lip read Rod’s reply, “Y yo mas.”

In Mama Bear’s Den
Roselena is in a much better mood this morning.  Connie stops in to check on her.  Yes, she’ll be seeing Padre later.  She fusses that Padre listens, advises, but never offers solutions.  She wants to talk to Connie later.  Connie leaves for work.  Gala calls.  She wants to update her on the investigations they’ve been making.  She agrees to meet Gala at her apartment later that afternoon, so they can talk without interruptions.  Surprise, surprise, Padre comes to see Roselena at the house.  She knows Rodrigo went to see him.  Yes, he came with Luciana to set their wedding date.  In 15 days he marries Luciana.  There’s a cute little side show with Brigida trying not to deliver the coffee right away as Rosa’s conversation is starting to get interesting, but Mati foils her plan by following on her heels with a tray of cookies and making sure she doesn’t hover after leaving.

She tells the Padre that eso no puede ser (Bingo anyone?), he can’t marry them.  It’s not just because Luci looks like Aurora, there is a justification.  After much back and forth, she finally lets loose with her horrible revelation: 1. Luciana is the baby she gave away to the gardeners; 2. Luciana is the daughter of Aurora Linares; 3. Luciana is the daughter of Aurora Linares WITH her husband Max.  Padre wants to know *what* is she saying.  Rosa is disgorging all her loathing and abhorrence of Luciana.  Every time Luciana looks at her, it’s Aurora that is looking at her and recriminating her for having given away the fruit of that infidelity.  Padre is, to say the least, shocked.  Luciana and Rodrigo are half-sibs, Rosa states the obvious.  Padre wants to know, does Max know?  Yes, he knows, but the coward denies it.  Padre is sure Max would never have approved of the relationship had he known of her paternity.  For Rosa, it is simple, Max is a coward.  He can’t admit that he ever had an affair with Aurora or that the child is his.  Padre is still shocked, still sure Max would have been the first to shout it out.  Because of Max and his infidelity, Roselena declares, she has never been able to live in peace.      

Mati comes in with Rosa’s medicines.  Padre notices the frantic hand sanitizing Rosa is engaged in.  He looks perplexed and grossed out.  He wants to know if she’s ok.  Yes, now that she’s been able to tell him the truth.

Q. Why is she so convinced that Luci is Max’s child?
A. Because an insecure, insanely jealous woman with an overactive imagination always paints the worst scenario and believes it to be true.  Who can argue with that logic (IMHO).

In the Den of Merchants
Rodrigo has brought Luci to Mexico City’s Rodeo Drive.  He wants her to buy anything she wants to be the most beautiful bride.  Melissa and Hanna meet up with them, squealing in delight as the two are caught kissing.  Rod gives Hannah his credit card and his permission to buy out Rodeo Drive, so Luci does Pretty Woman and Maria Isabel.  The first wedding dress she’s shown seems a little too shiny to her, she wants something—a little simpler.  The next one she gets to try on.  It is absolutely gorgeous, as is she.  Take a long look, Viewerville.  The pie carts and anvils are lined up guaranteeing that she won’t make it up the aisle in it in 15 days (IMHO).  Melissa and Hanna think Luci has found *the* dress, but are willing to keep looking for something Luci likes better.  She says she’s satisfied with the one she tried on.  So, the girls try to talk her into buying more clothes.  As Luci demurs, Melissa is very diplomatic about suggesting that Rodrigo might want to see her in something more citadina (urban) and Luci admits they are probably right.  Then they really get busy.  The first deep salmon rose dress is the prettiest on her.  Viewerville has no idea what they ended up buying because there was a free-for-all at the end with dresses, probably designer dresses in the expensive bracket, being tossed everywhere, but mainly at Luci.

In the Den of Executive Businessmen (Except for the Executive Computer Lady)
Rodrigo has gone to the office on important business, but is not really attending to business.  He’s telling the fellows that in 15 days, they’re getting married.  After congratulatory rounds, they try to get back to business, but it’s hopeless.  Pato, participating by remote teleconferencing, finally has to ask Gabe & Marcos to follow up on the stuff they were supposed to be sending by truck for the foundation since Rodrigo is somewhere on the Isla de Alegría (Happy Island).

Outside the Den of Executive Businessmen
Oscar and Max are brunching together on oj, coffee and something they cut with a knife and fork (so it can’t be frijoles).  They’re discussing the relationship between Claudio and Roselena.  Well, Oscar would like a little clarification as to why he would have shown up at the hospital.  Max explains what Viewerville already knows.  Oscar posits that if all that had happened to him, he probably would have felt the same affection toward Rose.  Max is troubled because he’s sure that behind the courteous façade, Claudio is moving ahead with the review of his case to reopen it against them to try to clear his name.  Oscar assures Max that he’s keeping up with everything so there won’t be any surprises.

In the Den of Honest Lawyers
Claudio is getting briefed by Lic. Barrera over the asunto with Paz in Het Het.  Barrera is so pleased with the outcome.  He scared Don Aquiles by telling him that even though he returned the deeds, charges could still be brought against him for selling the lands and the house fraudulently, prosecuted and end up in jail.  Claudio reminds Barrera that he is still planning to be away for 15 days.  In order to go with some peace of mind, he’s going to stop at the cemetery office to see if the matter of the exhumations can be resolved.

In the Den of the Hardworking Inferno Employees
Vio and Lor are having breakfast together (probably frijoles), chatting about Serena’s first night at Inferno.  There’s a knock at the door.  Fabian, the relative that brought Ariche to visit Luciana, has arrived on Lorenzo’s word that he can find him chamba in DF.  He’s ready to go to work since the coyotes that were taking them “al otro lado” dumped them in the desert and took all their money.  He brought Lorenzo a special Paz care-package and a blessing for Vio from her a-ma who is excited to be seeing her soon.  Vio shudders (me tiembla los dientes) when she thinks about seeing her mother face to face and have Magda find out she’s working at an antro.  She’s going to have to think up something really good to tell her.

In Aldo’s Little Cubbyhole (Not Big Enough to be a Den)
Aldo is working away at his computer when he gets a visit from Vicky’s dad.  Aldo tells him he got read the riot act by Tío Max.  He and Vicky aren’t doing anything wrong, they’re just going out having a little fun, so if Vicky wants to go out with him, he should let her.  Don Jer is not convinced and reminds him of the non-fraternization policy.  Aldo, in a moment of brilliance, which Don Jer doesn’t catch, tells him that—rules are to be broken, just ask his tío about that.  And with that he’s off to see the IT lady (that’s Information Technology, not Clara Bow).

In One Den and Out the Other
Nicole and Vicky are at the nail salon talking about Vicky’s Osito.  She’s worried that he’s mad at her since he hasn’t called her all day.  Nicole has some good advice.  In any social scandal involving a married man, they always come out all right.  The blame is always put on the girl and she gets the bad rap (and rep).  She says Vicky is only like a pila de agua (faucet) where these men go to wash their hands.  Listen up, Vicky, none of these ositos are going to leave their families or their wives for someone like you (Famous Last Words, Vicky—are you listening?).   

In the Den of a Different Merchant
Pulseras are a girl’s best friend—maybe.  Max remembers the conversation with Connie about how expensive gifts smooth over the rough bumps in a relationship.  He walks into a jewelry shop and picks out a bracelet.  The clerk tells him it’s the latest style, very fashionable and just in.  She wonders if it is for someone muy joven, which, after he describes the special young lady this is for, the clerk gushes that it must be for his daughter.  Max pauses for half a second to reflect.  He’s going buy the darn thing to salve his conscience and Vicky will probably accept it, despite Nicole’s consejos (IMHO).

Return to the Den of Iniquity - II
Roselena has finally made it to Gala’s apartment, where Julie is tallying the expenses, so far.  Luckily Rose brought her checkbook because they want compensation for the money they laid out for the photos and the investigator in Het Het.  Rose thinks the price they paid for the pictures was excessive.  Gala arrives at this juncture and tells Rose they were worth every penny as she shows Rose the advance issue of her “yellow journalism” (her words) exposé on antros in the area, featuring Luciana on the cover.  Written all over Gala’s face is, “Take THAT, you rat bastard patán who dumped me at the altar to make a nest with that zorra.”

Avances
More revelations on Luciana’s background swirl around the Torreslanda household.  Pato sees Frigida accepting a check.  Rod gets a copy of Gala’s magazine handed to him.  Max is told that Aurora’s child he thought was dead is Luciana—*his* daughter—who is getting ready to marry Rodrigo—*his* son.  So, buddy, Fix It.


Vocabulary and Dichos

Cortejando (from cortejar) = courting, wooing
La charola = tray (a bit farther south, it’s called una bandeja)
Día de raya = payday (El día de raya es el día de pago)
Un relamido – someone who is affected, prim, over-fine, over-nice
Los guaraches, pl. – Mexican sandals 
Me tiembla los dientes = Lit: my teeth are shaking (Likely English: teeth are chattering or I shiver or shudder to think about….)
Pila de agua – can be anything from a flagon for drinking to a faucet (in this case it’s a faucet)
…extra credit:  Pila de Agua Bendita – Basin for Holy Water at the entrance of a church.
Un Chilango, m. – originally meant someone visiting the capital city.  It then eroded into someone who is *from* Mexico City.
La Pulsera = bracelet

Labels: refugio