Saturday, April 26, 2008
Yo Amo a Juan – Friday April 25, 2008 – In Which Paula Learns that Two (or More) Can Play the Disinheritance Game
Aloha, compadres y comadres, let me thank Maricruz very publicly for her above and beyond the call of duty substituting. She is a marvel and I adore her recaps! She’ll be there for me a few more times before it’s all said and done, and I want everyone to know how deeply I appreciate it. And now to our feature presentation, with our usual prior night review:
Juan has returned from Canada to find mayhem at Farell, and has gotten Fern and Pastor into his office for explanations. The boys fall all over themselves to tell him about the cataclysm that has begun with the report of CL’s untimely demise. Pastor explains the disaster, and Juan will solve it with a bank loan, of course. The phone rings and Laura reams Juan better than any schoolmarm ever could. Juan tries to smooth it all over and Laura tells him to get lost forever/forget her. The boys jump to action after Juan agrees that he’ll talk to the suppliers (proveedores, though the captions spell it wrong). Oops, not so fast boys, Juan has to run a little errand. Qué the heck? No worries, Juan will be back soon.
The attorney reads CL’s last will and testament to Paula and Ana. We hear CL spell it out, leaving Paula all his Farell shares (which we now know are going down the tube fast without him there), right up to leaving all his other worldly belongings to …. Sandro Arenas???? QUÉ the heck?????? Or mejor dicho (better said), QUIEN the heck????? [Ed. Note: Do we hear the sweet strains of “Déjà vu?’ Different names, but same theme.] Oh, yeah, one more little detail—CL says you have to go find this guy, Paula, to hand over your home, money, and stuff like that. [Ed. Note: if this Sandro is a real hunk, Juan better begin to check out Marely again.]
Juanito passionately explains to the school Director that even if he expels the three of them (Flor, and the former head bully), the kidlets will keep complaining until they’ve outed Topete. [Ed. Note: ;-) Shame on me, couldn’t help myself there.] They want Lorenzo. The school Director sighs and says sure, but there has to be an example (teach a lesson) made so this mocking (relajito, one definition) will stop. Topete, behind the three miscreants we love to see making a fool of him, tells the Director it has to be done ASAP. The Director thinks it needs to be a lesson that they won’t forget soon and Topete wants to give the punishment. [Ed. Note: not in MY school, you wouldn’t.] They turn to Topete who tells them in a voice that’s about 25 decibels [my favorite schoolmarm-means-business voice, especially with blind kids who really listen hard at that volume], that they’ll have a test every day for two weeks, 50 pages of worksheets (hojas), and Flor can’t come tomorrow if she doesn’t have a uniform. Juanito is incensed at her being singled out.
The attorney tells Paula they tried to find this Sandro tipo and they couldn’t, so he didn’t show for the reading. Paula tries to get info about Sandro. The attorney tells her she just better find him. Paula says if Sandro is a relative, CL never said a word. In fact, he never mentioned any family [Ed. Note: I always wondered about that from time to time.] Ana thinks surely there must have been someone. The attorney wants to know if she has any objections to this clause, but she doesn’t, and only wants to know what’s up. [QUÉ?? The woman who is incensed that she was disinherited by Nidia doesn’t have any objections?] The attorney gives her the information on a card and tells her that CL assured him that he had a huge debt he owed this guy. Paula and Ana look at the card, impactadas.
Juan, what’s wrong with you, boy? You were off the hook with Laura and now you’re putty in her hands, drying her tears?? Why not leave well enough alone after she told you to forget her? Apparently, Juan’s errand was to go to Laura’s and clean up after she trashed her apartment and reamed him out. Well, she’s so impactada by CL’s death that Juan explains he had to go and verify, and she can’t believe it, that she’ll forgive Juan with a pretty smile. How foolish she was! He’s so lovely! Hug. Ugh.
As Paula and Ana leave the notary’s office, her phone rings. It’s Pastor with a naval analogy for Sylvia—the boat’s sinking fast and the captains have—er, captain has abandoned it. In addition, Pastor as #2 on board, is about to have a nervous breakdown. Paula wants an explanation. Well, while all our suppliers are jumping ship right and left, Sr. Dominguez has bailed to resolve personal-kine (índole personal – personal kind or nature, and excuse me, couldn’t resist using Hawaii pidgin) problems. She tells him to do all he can until she gets there. Pastor, shaking with anxiety, wonders how long THAT will take. She’s got to drop her Mami off and she’ll be there. Sheesh. Everything’s an opera for this Sr.
Nidia is quizzing Juan about CL—is all that true, what we heard on the tele? Yep. CL must have been a snack (botana – snack, appetizer) for the sharks (tiburones). Nidia laments the loss and Juan explains that Paula’s pretty freaked out. Delirio joins them and the story gets confirmed again. Delirio worries that with all this, Juan couldn’t bring their case before Paula? Wrong, I suggested a plan she couldn’t refuse. They can stay in the house. Nidia hugs him and is jubilant—there’s a but, however. Y’all have to pay her a monthly mortgage. Juan pointedly tells Delirio this means that He. Has. To. Work. Nidia wails. Delirio weasels. How’s he going to find work? Juan tells him the tried and true method: beat the streets. Delirio is insulted; he’s always been a worker, with personal efforts. Nidia looks doubtful as Juan puts it hard to Delirio about working—for REAL.
Kike explains to Yadi that he feels super unlucky (regacho), and this guy could have said lots of things, but he’s given Kike a hand just when Kike needed it. Anga studies his papers while he witnesses this family discussion. Suddenly there seems to be a shift in the conversation—are they talking obliquely about CL’s passing? Yadi’s feeling pretty ugly about it. Anga chimes in that it’s a shame, when a guy has everything going for him and suddenly has it all fall by the wayside (eche todo por la borda). In the end, he chose his destiny. Kike mentions that with CL’s death, things might be cleared up for Juan without the shadow of CL. [Was that just me not following, or was that bad editing?] Anga doesn’t think so; he thinks the Farell situation won’t be easy. He’s glad he didn’t get mixed up in the business. Yadi can’t understand why he thinks such a big, powerful company will have problems. Anga wisely tells her that little businesses have little problems and big businesses have big problems. Yadi and Kike exchange looks. He’s seen the biggest and most powerful sink in just a matter of months. He seriously doesn’t think Juan can do it. Nor can he stay with such a tough job (semejante paquetote, Mex. paquete – tough job, my best guess).
Paula has Marely, Pastor and Fern in her office. She wants an official communication prepared confirming CL’s death, and circulated in the office, to the press, clients, suppliers, whatever. Pastor has stuff to do for Juan, but Fern says he’ll do the first draft and let Marely do the rest. She agrees. Paula continues that it should say he left all his shares to her, and that the company will continue, delivering punctually, and be strong. Pastor agrees it has to be something very reassuring. Farell will continue to meet its obligations as it always has done. Marely tells Paula that Monica has called and wanted to know what had happened; she wanted Paula to call when Paula returned. Paula will do that. As they leave to get busy on tasks, Paula calls Pastor back. She needs a favor—whatever she needs, he assures her. It has to do with the last will and testament of César Luis Farell. Pastor is impactado.
Nidia listens to Delirio as he asks what she thinks about this: Perafán, Frasier, and Tyson, International Management. [Ed. Note: Huh? Almost no accent in that English, except for the British accent he affects, which is charming??] Offices in NY, London, Hong Kong, and Mexico City. What a lilt that has to it, she chuckles (rimbombante – pompous, showy, resounding). Nidia tries to repeat the names—who are Fraaaaasier and Traaaaayson? Fake names! With such names, he can generate lots of new clientele. Nidia jumps up, incensed. He’s a failure as a lawyer. Delirio is insulted for about the dozenth time this week. He’s asking for more respect and consideration. She tells him he needs to look for a steady (fijo) job. If he doesn’t ante up his part of the mortgage every month, she’ll sideline him. That produces an impactado look from the so-called man of the house.
Pastor asks Paula “Sandro Arenas, just that, nothing more?” Yep. And he didn’t mention anything like his relationship to the deceased (Occiso)? Nope. Well, yes, he did mention that CL felt a huge debt to the guy. Well, Pastor never heard him mention this guy. Paula points out that no one seems to know who he is, where he’s from, what he wants. She gives Pastor the card to go find the guy. Pastor excuses himself to do the investigation for the mystery man.
Marely finishes up a phone call with Mami while Juan strides off the elevator. He breezes by Julia and Marely races after him, calling. She goes into the office with him to tell him thanks for interceding with Paula so they wouldn’t get left in the street. He did it with pleasure so there’s nothing to thank him for. Her Mami and Delirio will have to stiffen their spines (sobarse el lomo, my best guess) because….Marely interrupts, yeah, it was explained to her. They seem ready to work, to comply. Now, back to work stuff, here’s the communication we’re going to disseminate, to keep everyone calm. She shows him the memo about CL’s death. Pastor has spoken to several suppliers, but he can’t talk to them all, and some want to cancel their business with Farell. She tries to plead with Juan to get with the program and help out here, and he assures her he’ll take care of business. Can she offer him anything more? Yep. He gets a serious look and tells her to quit getting prettier, because where will it end? And the office folks notice and they can’t work. So, stop it already, Marilecita. She rolls her eyes, Juan, you always with your jokes. She leaves, smiling shyly and thanking him. He watches. And WATCHES. Her retreating derrière.
Okay, it’s True Confessions time. I took a hiatus and watched the Gran Final of Pasión. I cried, I yelled, I laughed a little. Hubby thought I was cracking up when he heard me down the hall. He accused me of carrying on something awful. Now, back to recapping Juan. We can only hope that the Gran Final is as good as Carla made the Pasión Gran Final.
Yadi talks to her Mami about this thing of Paula taking away the house—or not. Paula has done her a complete favor. Kike and Remo look on with concern in the market storefront. Yadi congratulates Nidia on the good fortune of not getting thrown out and hangs up. She grins at Kike as she tells him they have a home and claps. Kike picks her up off her feet, celebrating with Yadira. He collects himself and asks her pardon. My. That’s awkward. No problem, Yadi tells him. Kike wants to know how it ended up. Well, who knows what arguments Juan posed to her, but he did it. It worked. How exciting! Yadi shyly tells him if he’s so excited, well, he could hug her. They hug shyly. Remo drags the needle over the record by noticing and cheering them on. They move apart, sighing. Kike quietly throttles Remolacho, calling him a slobbering busybody. He’s off to work! He looks back, though, smirking a little and Yadi looks up, then back down—smiling to herself.
Pastor is on it. He’s calling and gets Sandro at the first try. “Hello, I want to talk to Sr. Sandro Arenas. It’s you?”
In another place, we hear oriental music and see hands massaging a naked male leg, so we assume he’s getting a lomi lomi massage or something else oriental or Hawaiian. We assume it’s a he, too, though who knows after La Fea Más Bella? Yes, a voice replies. Pastor introduces himself and explains his purpose. He’s calling on behalf of Paula Dávila, the widow of CL Farell. The voice, which sounds suspiciously like CL’s muffled voice, murmurs that the guy finally died. [Ed. Note: I could be wrong here, folks, but whoever had the twin/brother theory is spot on, and this is why we have several more excruciating months to go. Sorry, Juan. The train left again.] Pastor explains that Paula is very interested in meeting Sandro. Sandro is NOT interested, goodbye. We see the hands go up the back, massaging thoroughly, and some dark hair up by the voice. Pastor begs him not to hang up. It’s very important since this guy is named in the last will and testament of CL. It looks like CL was VERY generous. Sandro will think about it. He hangs up. Pastor fusses at the phone. What a ruuuuude guy. And so maaaanly (varonil – manly). [Ed. Note: and exactly HOW do you know that? Just the voice?] Pastor sighs and overheats while he smiles to himself.
Juan’s voice on the phone in his office tells someone no (obviously not Laura) as Paula bursts into his office. He’s schmoozing a supplier and assuring them that Farell won’t fail them. What a sweet talker! One more, one more of them he’s dealt with (bites the dust)! Juan is jubilant as he hangs up and Paula sits down. She remarks on his progress with clients and he tells her they’re not all buying, but…he notices her upset expression and goes around the desk to comfort her. Don’t cry! It’s all too much for me, she responds. He hugs her and murmurs comforting words. Juan thought bubbles how she is destroyed and feeling guilty over CL’s death. He has mixed emotions himself. She felt cold when the notary told her CL had left his shares to her. Juan murmurs how this is enough, right? Paula is mournful and bewildered and cannot understand why CL the rest to this Sandro Arenas. [A bit like how Nidia couldn’t understand why her husband and father of two her two daughters left it to Paula?]
Delirio tries to find work , making every attempt to call in markers from old buddies. Corcuera is the first he greets warmly and petitions for work. We hear Delirio’s half of the conversation. He acknowledges yeah, he’s the “Mollete Perafán” – his nickname, which Maricruz confirmed means "a bolillo with beans (at least in Mexico)." Maricruz also says it must have been his nickname because he was a bit pudgy when he was younger. Delirio assures the guy he’s not wasting his time. Delirio continues that he’s changing offices [well, there’s a quaint, Delirio-style way of saying out of work and scrambling]. He wants to drop off a copy of his résumé at the guy’s office. He assures the guy he’s still an attorney, as successful as ever. He listens, his scowl increasing. “Bad reputation? Me?...But….Piracy? Where did you get such a…..Compromising?....Me?....What slander, Corcuera!” Delirio wants to explain. Apparently Corcuera doesn’t want explanations and Delirio gets a hang-up. He slams the phone down in frustration.
Pastor reports what he’s found – Sandro has him itching with curiosity [more than Paula and Juan will ever guess]. They only need a few doves to make it a thriller movie. The man barely opened his mouth. When he did, it was a voice that was profound and very manly—Pastor’s eyes glaze over in the telling. Paula wonders if he told Pastor what his relationship was with CL. Nope. He hung up before they could get to it. Well, did Pastor lay it out for him? Yeah, and when Pastor told him that CL had died, the guy responded, finally the man died. Pastor took it to mean that the guy doesn’t care. How rude! Paula thinks it’s strange. She thought they might be old friends, so why would he be like that? Pastor told him he should come by and see them, and he said he wasn’t interested. But, then Pastor told Sandro CL had left so much to him and Sandro said he would just think about it—then he hung up. Pastor doesn’t know what Juan and Paula think, but he feels it’s better not to push it, at least not now. Pastor has to go continue fighting the bad-tempered (bravos) clients. He struggles to get the door open and Juan prompts him, it opens in. Pastor looks back sheepishly. [Where is his head? With that voice? Could Sandro be an actual love interest for him, or for Paula, or for someone here?]
Juan and Paula wonder where they stand now, and as they move forward with discussion, Heriberto, resplendent in bright orange with a blue shirt and orange/red tie, approaches. He hears Paula say they need a new administrative VP. Heri grins, shrugs his suit jacket as he straightens up and listens as she talks about a man with experience. [Ed. Note: Heri, she meant someone with BUSINESS experience.]
Heriberto jubilantly tells Pastor that in other words, they need a guy like Heriberto Chávez. He tells Pastor that the right guy’s in front of him. [Ed. Note: Pastor agrees that you’re the right man, Heri, but not for the VP position.] Pastor disagrees with him, and Heri argues all his great qualities for the post. They argue back and forth about it for a little while, and Pastor tells Heri that on the contrary, Heri, the right guy’s in front of YOU. Heri has to think about that.
Paula and Juan talk about the VP search. Marely’s in charge of gathering the candidate information. He’ll flip a coin – and proceeds to do it. Paula protests that they have to take a close look and evaluate the candidates on merit. He reluctantly agrees. Juan gets up and goes to her, suggesting she go home to rest. Paula’s tired, he’s tired, but she wants to drop by and see Ivonne—otherwise, she’s not good for much else. The partners kiss a little. [Nice way of doing business, if you ask me—I wouldn’t know, though]. He assures her she’s always good (useful). She doesn’t know how to do it without him—he’s her help, comfort. They lean in for a real kiss as Palomita music plays. Except….Fern breaks up the party. What, did I come at a bad moment? Nope, no problem. Right. He gives Juan a “sorry” shrug and Juan gives him a “chinches bravas” look and jumps down Fern’s throat with both botitas. Then he calms down long enough to talk to Fern about the VP position and how they need to fill it fast. [And my contention is that he’s right in front of YOU, Juan.] Apparently Juan agrees with me, and asks if he’s still into the idea. You bet! Okay, there’ll be an interview and the Lic Paula has to be in agreement—you’ll be evaluated along with all the other candidates.
Marely checks in with Paula, who’s closing it down for the day. She’ll go with Paula and has to get her purse.
Business as not-so-usual continues at Farell in the lobby. Juan and Fern stand in the lobby discussing business as someone strides meaningfully off the elevator and all eyes are riveted on the figure of a determined man. Dear heaven, they are all seeing a ghost. Will it be enough to startle the lobby lizards into their actual work sites? NO, in fact, they may never work again due to shock. Business as usual, then. Pastor, Juan, Fern, Marely and all the rest are muy, pero muy impactados.
Paula comes out of her office to give Marely a last directive and sees Marely’s frozen face, while we see the back of the dark-headed man, and Paula quickly rivets to see the rest of her staff also frozen in time and space. ¿QUÉ? She sees the guy, who is a not-very-dead ringer for César Luis Farell, other than the glasses, dark hair, and not so arrogant demeanor. Paula faints dead away [no pun intended, but take it as you will, gentle readers] on the floor while Marely calls out to her half-sister and the stranger looks what? Resigned? Not nearly as surprised as we expect him to be? He may be registering that CL never told anyone of his existence. Juan jumps into action and grabs Paula to raise her up. Pastor gets excited as the stranger moves forward. Pastor call out—“The Dead Guy! The Dead Guy” and promptly follows Paula’s lead. Fern jumps to help him off the floor. Paula looks up at the guy and asks—“Cesar Luis? Cesar Luis? Are you alive?”
In a stunning leap of incongruence on the part of our writers, we find Delirio still looking for work. He outlines to his soul-buddy Leonardo what he would like to be doing, some directorial position or other that would be at his level--and they ask him how about the messenger boy position. What, are they KIDDING??—He won’t forgive that joke! Nidia peeks in. “Perfect!” He fakes the rest of the call. Tomorrow he’ll drop by and they’ll talk calmly. He thanks the guy. She asks if he’s found work and he assures her there is no doubt after talking to a couple of friends. He’s got some appointments for the morrow, one with them. Now it’s Nidia’s turn to use the phone to look for work. She eases him out of the office. Until that last shove.
The newcomer pushes at his glasses a la Clark Kent, and remarks that he understands he has a strong resemblance to CL. Juan negates that—in fact, the stranger is actually CL’s living image! Juan wants to know if he isn’t really CL and isn’t he messing with them (cabuleando – scheming)? Paula sits and contemplates what she’s seeing. The Very Sincere Replica of CL says no way. His name is Sandro Arenas and he is the twin (gemelo) brother of César Luis. Paula holds her head in her hand. She retorts that CL never said a word about family, that he had any family, nothing! She accuses him of being CL, and tells him to quit joking. Both Juan and Paula go after him, but Sandro says he doesn’t know what they’re talking about. He says that by her reaction, he has to suppose she’s his brother’s wife? Yep. He keeps pushing his glasses. Enough with the Clark Kent impression already. She points out that CL was an orphan. Yep, they both were, but they were adopted by different parents. He can prove it. Juan says that only happens on TV. [Ed. Note: Yikes. Does this happen often in Telenovela themes? Other than the triplets Lucero played, that is.] Juan expresses his irritation and doubt. Sandro begs them to hear him out. Paula tells him fine, suppose it’s all true, but CL never spoke of you to me. Sandro tells them how he discovered that he had a twin, went looking for him, found he had this company and a lovely fiancée (blonde, don’t remember her name). Juan helpfully supplies “Monica.” Yes, Sandro thinks that is right. CL had the good fortune to be adopted by rich folk. Not Sandro, though. When he presented himself in front of CL seeking help and work, he was rejected by CL, accused of being a parasite and opportunistic to take advantage of CL’s situation. Juan points out to Paula they can’t deny that would be CL’s style. Paula nods in disgusted agreement. That was the only time they talked, Sandro continues, because he didn’t feel like ever seeing CL again. Now he finds he’s in the will. [Sandro touches his eyeglasses WAY more often than Clark Kent ever did]. Paula doesn’t know what to think. Sandro presents his documents. He’s got his passport, his voter’s registration, and his license. Check ‘em out. Paula looks at him with guarded suspicion.
Meanwhile, outside, Pastor is being revived. He was scared to death. Julia points out that guy is exactly the same as the boss. Marely says CL is dead and Paula has his death certificate. Pastor wonders what about him surviving the fall from the boat (naufragio - shipwreck). Marely says no way, that many kilometers per hour in the Pacific Ocean. Pastor speculates—what if he’s CL’s twin? It’s like a telenovela he saw once. Fern wonders how many years he was CL’s chauffeur? The man NEVER spoke of family. Isn’t this some kind of theatrical? Marely says he looks way different than CL. One of the lobby lizards asks what Pastor thinks, since he likely knew CL better than anyone. Pastor votes for the identical twin brother theory, hopes he’s single and for Pastor. He clutches his hands in prayer. Looks of disbelief around the crowd. Pastor gets a grip and looks alarmed at his outburst.
Sandro tells Paula and Juan he has several ways to prove his identity, including that his adoptive parents registered his name with theirs and he studied to be a teacher. Lots of folks know him. He studied for a career in education. Many folks know him, too. Paula says there’s no need, and pardon her attitude. But this resemblance is huge. She sits in Juan’s desk across from Sandro and Juan stands behind her, possibly still skeptical. Juan says that even if CL was nasty with him (gacho), he must have felt sorry about it because at the end he left the apartment and money to Sandro. Paula says it’s simply such a big surprise. Sandro, bemused, remarks that given the treatment CL gave him, he’s surprised that CL would have done something like this. Juan tells him to be thankful. The three calmly discuss why they asked Sandro to come and he tells them he appreciates it, calling her Sra. and she asks him to call her Paula, please. Juan thought bubbles; he doesn’t like this new familiarity and confidence in Sandro she’s showing. Sandro tells Paula he doesn’t want anything, doesn’t need it. For all that he came to ask for help from his brother, he’s not at the threshold of starvation (no muerte de hambre). He thinks that as CL’s wife, she should have it all. Juan is VERY skeptical as he thought bubbles about what the guy’s up to, but he’s softening, the guy is hitting him okay. Sandro asks what she would like him to do. Juan thought bubbles as he strokes his Very Short Tie that Sandro and CL are equals on the outside but very different on the inside. Paula tells Sandro how much she appreciates it, but this IS the final wish of CL. She tells him she’d like him to go with her the next day to the notary so they can finalize what he will have that belongs to him. Sandro tries to assure her, but she interrupts. They will respect the decision of CL; that’s the only way she’ll feel calm. [Ah, I can feel Samuel’s eyes beating down on Paula’s head.] Juan thought bubbles, protesting to Paula that this guy doesn’t WANT anything! Sandro rises, thanks her, and tells her it’s a pleasure to meet her although he wishes it were not in these circumstances. He shakes her hand and Juan also reaches to shake Sandro’s hand. The walk him out. We see a transition clip of Sandro Arenas smiling in a way that César Luis Farell never could have and we wonder how Alexis Ayala could be such a great actor that we even hated to see him on transition clips while Sandro Arenas is so appealing.
As we return from our break, CL’s crafty look meets us eye to eye. Shiver. The lobby lizards are assembled to stare at the three leaving Juan’s office. Sandro pushes his glasses up. Juan calls them nosy-parkers (mironcitos) and tells them to get back to work. Paula stops Juan, saying that everyone in the office deserves an explanation. Juan thought bubbles about his Palomita, so considerate with this pack of snakes. [For the record, I never knew that snakes came in packs.] Juan agrees out loud and directs their attention to the gentleman here at his side, who looks so much like CL. It is Sr. Sandro Arenas, his twin brother. He makes a gesture to show two hands side by side, palms down. Could be the Mexican sign for “same,” as it has similarity to the ASL sign. He urges Sandro to say a few words to “his” people (Juan’s). Sandro gets nervous and says he has nothing to say, really, and is in a hurry. Pushing his glasses again (he really does need silicone nose pads so he won’t have to do that. I got some this week and they make a world of difference), he shakes Paula’s and Juan’s hands again, exchanges a goodbye and beats a path to the elevator.
Pastor sighs and says this guy leaves him feeling like San Pascual. [Maricruz, help! This is a dicho, right?] Pastor can’t tell which is which. He’s really the twin? They’re like two drops of water! Marely exclaims it’s as if CL has been reincarnated. Paula agrees, but points out with another manner entirely and attitude. Juan says he’s more affable, nice, sociable. Paula agrees. [What happened to the old Latin dicho, De mortuis nihil nisi bonum? Speak nothing but good of the dead.]
Nidia tries to convince some prospective employer she’s 30-ish, maybe a little more. But people tell her she looks more like 25. Oh, would that be a problem? [Gee, is that still legal in Mexico? Or is it just legal in telenovelas?] No, it’s fine. She makes the appointment for the next day. [Boy, are THEY going to be surprised.]
At the gallery, things are looking good and they have shoppers. Willy gets Ana’s attention, and she has to excuse herself. What did he say? He wants to know what’s wrong—she’s been so quiet and distracted. There are three days until the exhibit is completed and there’s lots to do. He folds his arms, looking gently firm with her. Ana’s not sure she can get it all together (lograrlo, achieve, obtain). She sits down wearily. He sits to give her support, encouraging her to let go of her worries, try to paint a bit. She’ll try. Willy wonders if it’s about Nidia. No, it’s about Paula—she’s worked it out with Nidia, but her husband died. Willy is impactado—he’s sorry to hear it. Was it an accident? It’s not certain, but he fell into the ocean. Paula feels so bad, so guilty. Willy takes Ana’s hand and tells her Paula is not to blame; Ana says she’s been saying that to Paula all along. Willy continues that Paula’s now free to get her life back together, find love. Ana sighs—her daughter has suffered so much [Ed. Note: Paula and Ana really don’t understand what true suffering is, I think. But that’s just me.]. Paula doesn’t know where to begin. Willy looks at her fondly a minute and takes Ana’s chin in his hand. “It’s not just her, Ana. You, too, deserve another opportunity.” He smiles gently and his lovely dimple is SOOOO appealing. Ana smiles back a little. She shyly touches his hand and withdraws emotionally a bit, trying to speak but unable. A hand appears on the door frame of the gallery behind them—it’s a prospective buyer seeking help.
Paula has returned to her office and is making calls, a lovely bouquet of anthuriums behind her. She tells Ivonne to excuse her for not coming by the hospital, but they’ve had one heck of a day. Ivonne thought she was still on the trip, anyway. No, they returned. But, let’s not talk about me [this is a nice trend, if it continues!], how have you been? Ivonne responds that she’s a bit better, thanks for worrying about me. Ivonne smiles as she says that. And your spirits? That’s what has died. Paula encourages her, promising she is going to come out of this fine. Ivonne promises to try. She hesitantly asks Paula about the news she heard about CL’s death. Does Paula know anything? Paula hesitates and Ivonne asks again. Yes, Paula tells her, it is true, unfortunately, he died. Ivonne quiets, sad at the news.
Angarita strides into the market area. Yadi cheerfully hands him all the lists and papers she’s worked on, documenting all the deliveries received this morning. Remo and Kike look on from behind her as Anga looks the stack over. Very good, Yadira! I congratulate you! She thanks Angarita shyly. Who’d have said she’d be so good at the math? She’s super good. (She says this like it surprised the heck out of her, not arrogantly). Anga agrees she’s good, in the case of money, she’s much cleverer than he is. She’s enjoying the work, she tells him as she bounces in her seat. Anga suggests they quit for the day and begin very early the next day, as always. Kike chimes in that he could give he a ride and they could eat together, if she likes. Yadi thinks that’s a good idea. Remo’s taking notes and Anga’s also listening in. ;-)
Juan has found his way to Paula’s office. He’s finding it a bit odd that this guy Sandro wants Paula to have the entire inheritance from her deceased husband. Juan’s been thinking about it, she has the right. Paula doesn’t want to discuss it. Juan thinks it’s not fair this guy comes out of the blue and ends up with the apartment and everything, and she gets stuck with the Farell shares and a world of trouble. He thinks she should fight. Paula responds that she feels plenty guilty over his death and wants to comply with his last wish. Juan goes around the desk and turns her to him, telling her not to think that. CL created his destiny. In the end, if he didn’t have the courage to pull himself up, it’s not anybody’s fault. Paula is NOT responsible for his death. He starts to hug her and the Cachicachi bombo music on his phone plays. Juan excuses himself to answer. Of course, it’s Laura, glad that she’s FINALLY found him. Could he call her right back, he’s kind of busy. Laura just wants to know if they’ll see each other in the evening or not. Tonight??? If that’s not convenient, tomorrow. Paula looks disgusted and starts to leave her office. Juan looks desperate, but tells Laura that’s perfect. But this time, she’s not forgiving him for standing her up with the table all set. Juan rushes out after Paula while assuring Laura he’ll see her tomorrow, goodbye! Marely and lobby lizards note his pursuit with curiosity. He calls her and tries to get her not to go as Paula approaches the elevator. She accuses him of getting another call where he was talking in code. He protests weakly that he was talking normally. She refutes his claim, and we see the harpy on jet fuel coming back. She’s nailed him and Juan thought bubbles that here he thought he was the master of dissimulation and she’s poured water on that theory—and him with no life preserver. Paula lectures him and tells him that if he wants to talk to a woman, so be it, there’s nothing between Juan and herself. Juan thought bubbles again that this was like a mule kick, but he prefers to hide the pain and not let her note it. He tells her that he’s well aware that there is nothing between them, etc. She says they are business associates, and as such, she shouldn’t object if they call him. The jealous smirk on her face tells us otherwise. Juan, smiling, tells her she’s right and each one should be able to do what they feel like. Paula gives him her false smile that reeks jealous, and says “exactly.” And by the way, if you’re dating someone, could one know who it is? He thought bubbles nope, and answers “with a very dear friend” which takes ALL the wind out of Paula’s sails.
And of course, any similarity to reality is pure coincidence.
Monday: Is Paula jealous? Does a bear sleep in the woods? Is CL still ALIVE AND does he have an identical twin? Are we ready for two of them? Will Paula find out about CL’s scheme?
Vocabulary
Proveedores, though the captions spell it wrong – suppliers
Relajito – mocking, one definition
Hojas – worksheets
Índole – kind, nature, sort
Botana – snack
Tiburones – sharks
Eche todo por la borda – have it all fall by the wayside
Fijo - steady
Paquetote – tough job (Mex. paquete – tough job)
Rimbombante – pompous/bombastic, showy/flashy, resounding/echoing
Occiso – deceased
Cabuleando – scheming, messing with them
Gemelo – twin
Bravo – bad-tempered
Naufragio - shipwreck
Juan has returned from Canada to find mayhem at Farell, and has gotten Fern and Pastor into his office for explanations. The boys fall all over themselves to tell him about the cataclysm that has begun with the report of CL’s untimely demise. Pastor explains the disaster, and Juan will solve it with a bank loan, of course. The phone rings and Laura reams Juan better than any schoolmarm ever could. Juan tries to smooth it all over and Laura tells him to get lost forever/forget her. The boys jump to action after Juan agrees that he’ll talk to the suppliers (proveedores, though the captions spell it wrong). Oops, not so fast boys, Juan has to run a little errand. Qué the heck? No worries, Juan will be back soon.
The attorney reads CL’s last will and testament to Paula and Ana. We hear CL spell it out, leaving Paula all his Farell shares (which we now know are going down the tube fast without him there), right up to leaving all his other worldly belongings to …. Sandro Arenas???? QUÉ the heck?????? Or mejor dicho (better said), QUIEN the heck????? [Ed. Note: Do we hear the sweet strains of “Déjà vu?’ Different names, but same theme.] Oh, yeah, one more little detail—CL says you have to go find this guy, Paula, to hand over your home, money, and stuff like that. [Ed. Note: if this Sandro is a real hunk, Juan better begin to check out Marely again.]
Juanito passionately explains to the school Director that even if he expels the three of them (Flor, and the former head bully), the kidlets will keep complaining until they’ve outed Topete. [Ed. Note: ;-) Shame on me, couldn’t help myself there.] They want Lorenzo. The school Director sighs and says sure, but there has to be an example (teach a lesson) made so this mocking (relajito, one definition) will stop. Topete, behind the three miscreants we love to see making a fool of him, tells the Director it has to be done ASAP. The Director thinks it needs to be a lesson that they won’t forget soon and Topete wants to give the punishment. [Ed. Note: not in MY school, you wouldn’t.] They turn to Topete who tells them in a voice that’s about 25 decibels [my favorite schoolmarm-means-business voice, especially with blind kids who really listen hard at that volume], that they’ll have a test every day for two weeks, 50 pages of worksheets (hojas), and Flor can’t come tomorrow if she doesn’t have a uniform. Juanito is incensed at her being singled out.
The attorney tells Paula they tried to find this Sandro tipo and they couldn’t, so he didn’t show for the reading. Paula tries to get info about Sandro. The attorney tells her she just better find him. Paula says if Sandro is a relative, CL never said a word. In fact, he never mentioned any family [Ed. Note: I always wondered about that from time to time.] Ana thinks surely there must have been someone. The attorney wants to know if she has any objections to this clause, but she doesn’t, and only wants to know what’s up. [QUÉ?? The woman who is incensed that she was disinherited by Nidia doesn’t have any objections?] The attorney gives her the information on a card and tells her that CL assured him that he had a huge debt he owed this guy. Paula and Ana look at the card, impactadas.
Juan, what’s wrong with you, boy? You were off the hook with Laura and now you’re putty in her hands, drying her tears?? Why not leave well enough alone after she told you to forget her? Apparently, Juan’s errand was to go to Laura’s and clean up after she trashed her apartment and reamed him out. Well, she’s so impactada by CL’s death that Juan explains he had to go and verify, and she can’t believe it, that she’ll forgive Juan with a pretty smile. How foolish she was! He’s so lovely! Hug. Ugh.
As Paula and Ana leave the notary’s office, her phone rings. It’s Pastor with a naval analogy for Sylvia—the boat’s sinking fast and the captains have—er, captain has abandoned it. In addition, Pastor as #2 on board, is about to have a nervous breakdown. Paula wants an explanation. Well, while all our suppliers are jumping ship right and left, Sr. Dominguez has bailed to resolve personal-kine (índole personal – personal kind or nature, and excuse me, couldn’t resist using Hawaii pidgin) problems. She tells him to do all he can until she gets there. Pastor, shaking with anxiety, wonders how long THAT will take. She’s got to drop her Mami off and she’ll be there. Sheesh. Everything’s an opera for this Sr.
Nidia is quizzing Juan about CL—is all that true, what we heard on the tele? Yep. CL must have been a snack (botana – snack, appetizer) for the sharks (tiburones). Nidia laments the loss and Juan explains that Paula’s pretty freaked out. Delirio joins them and the story gets confirmed again. Delirio worries that with all this, Juan couldn’t bring their case before Paula? Wrong, I suggested a plan she couldn’t refuse. They can stay in the house. Nidia hugs him and is jubilant—there’s a but, however. Y’all have to pay her a monthly mortgage. Juan pointedly tells Delirio this means that He. Has. To. Work. Nidia wails. Delirio weasels. How’s he going to find work? Juan tells him the tried and true method: beat the streets. Delirio is insulted; he’s always been a worker, with personal efforts. Nidia looks doubtful as Juan puts it hard to Delirio about working—for REAL.
Kike explains to Yadi that he feels super unlucky (regacho), and this guy could have said lots of things, but he’s given Kike a hand just when Kike needed it. Anga studies his papers while he witnesses this family discussion. Suddenly there seems to be a shift in the conversation—are they talking obliquely about CL’s passing? Yadi’s feeling pretty ugly about it. Anga chimes in that it’s a shame, when a guy has everything going for him and suddenly has it all fall by the wayside (eche todo por la borda). In the end, he chose his destiny. Kike mentions that with CL’s death, things might be cleared up for Juan without the shadow of CL. [Was that just me not following, or was that bad editing?] Anga doesn’t think so; he thinks the Farell situation won’t be easy. He’s glad he didn’t get mixed up in the business. Yadi can’t understand why he thinks such a big, powerful company will have problems. Anga wisely tells her that little businesses have little problems and big businesses have big problems. Yadi and Kike exchange looks. He’s seen the biggest and most powerful sink in just a matter of months. He seriously doesn’t think Juan can do it. Nor can he stay with such a tough job (semejante paquetote, Mex. paquete – tough job, my best guess).
Paula has Marely, Pastor and Fern in her office. She wants an official communication prepared confirming CL’s death, and circulated in the office, to the press, clients, suppliers, whatever. Pastor has stuff to do for Juan, but Fern says he’ll do the first draft and let Marely do the rest. She agrees. Paula continues that it should say he left all his shares to her, and that the company will continue, delivering punctually, and be strong. Pastor agrees it has to be something very reassuring. Farell will continue to meet its obligations as it always has done. Marely tells Paula that Monica has called and wanted to know what had happened; she wanted Paula to call when Paula returned. Paula will do that. As they leave to get busy on tasks, Paula calls Pastor back. She needs a favor—whatever she needs, he assures her. It has to do with the last will and testament of César Luis Farell. Pastor is impactado.
Nidia listens to Delirio as he asks what she thinks about this: Perafán, Frasier, and Tyson, International Management. [Ed. Note: Huh? Almost no accent in that English, except for the British accent he affects, which is charming??] Offices in NY, London, Hong Kong, and Mexico City. What a lilt that has to it, she chuckles (rimbombante – pompous, showy, resounding). Nidia tries to repeat the names—who are Fraaaaasier and Traaaaayson? Fake names! With such names, he can generate lots of new clientele. Nidia jumps up, incensed. He’s a failure as a lawyer. Delirio is insulted for about the dozenth time this week. He’s asking for more respect and consideration. She tells him he needs to look for a steady (fijo) job. If he doesn’t ante up his part of the mortgage every month, she’ll sideline him. That produces an impactado look from the so-called man of the house.
Pastor asks Paula “Sandro Arenas, just that, nothing more?” Yep. And he didn’t mention anything like his relationship to the deceased (Occiso)? Nope. Well, yes, he did mention that CL felt a huge debt to the guy. Well, Pastor never heard him mention this guy. Paula points out that no one seems to know who he is, where he’s from, what he wants. She gives Pastor the card to go find the guy. Pastor excuses himself to do the investigation for the mystery man.
Marely finishes up a phone call with Mami while Juan strides off the elevator. He breezes by Julia and Marely races after him, calling. She goes into the office with him to tell him thanks for interceding with Paula so they wouldn’t get left in the street. He did it with pleasure so there’s nothing to thank him for. Her Mami and Delirio will have to stiffen their spines (sobarse el lomo, my best guess) because….Marely interrupts, yeah, it was explained to her. They seem ready to work, to comply. Now, back to work stuff, here’s the communication we’re going to disseminate, to keep everyone calm. She shows him the memo about CL’s death. Pastor has spoken to several suppliers, but he can’t talk to them all, and some want to cancel their business with Farell. She tries to plead with Juan to get with the program and help out here, and he assures her he’ll take care of business. Can she offer him anything more? Yep. He gets a serious look and tells her to quit getting prettier, because where will it end? And the office folks notice and they can’t work. So, stop it already, Marilecita. She rolls her eyes, Juan, you always with your jokes. She leaves, smiling shyly and thanking him. He watches. And WATCHES. Her retreating derrière.
Okay, it’s True Confessions time. I took a hiatus and watched the Gran Final of Pasión. I cried, I yelled, I laughed a little. Hubby thought I was cracking up when he heard me down the hall. He accused me of carrying on something awful. Now, back to recapping Juan. We can only hope that the Gran Final is as good as Carla made the Pasión Gran Final.
Yadi talks to her Mami about this thing of Paula taking away the house—or not. Paula has done her a complete favor. Kike and Remo look on with concern in the market storefront. Yadi congratulates Nidia on the good fortune of not getting thrown out and hangs up. She grins at Kike as she tells him they have a home and claps. Kike picks her up off her feet, celebrating with Yadira. He collects himself and asks her pardon. My. That’s awkward. No problem, Yadi tells him. Kike wants to know how it ended up. Well, who knows what arguments Juan posed to her, but he did it. It worked. How exciting! Yadi shyly tells him if he’s so excited, well, he could hug her. They hug shyly. Remo drags the needle over the record by noticing and cheering them on. They move apart, sighing. Kike quietly throttles Remolacho, calling him a slobbering busybody. He’s off to work! He looks back, though, smirking a little and Yadi looks up, then back down—smiling to herself.
Pastor is on it. He’s calling and gets Sandro at the first try. “Hello, I want to talk to Sr. Sandro Arenas. It’s you?”
In another place, we hear oriental music and see hands massaging a naked male leg, so we assume he’s getting a lomi lomi massage or something else oriental or Hawaiian. We assume it’s a he, too, though who knows after La Fea Más Bella? Yes, a voice replies. Pastor introduces himself and explains his purpose. He’s calling on behalf of Paula Dávila, the widow of CL Farell. The voice, which sounds suspiciously like CL’s muffled voice, murmurs that the guy finally died. [Ed. Note: I could be wrong here, folks, but whoever had the twin/brother theory is spot on, and this is why we have several more excruciating months to go. Sorry, Juan. The train left again.] Pastor explains that Paula is very interested in meeting Sandro. Sandro is NOT interested, goodbye. We see the hands go up the back, massaging thoroughly, and some dark hair up by the voice. Pastor begs him not to hang up. It’s very important since this guy is named in the last will and testament of CL. It looks like CL was VERY generous. Sandro will think about it. He hangs up. Pastor fusses at the phone. What a ruuuuude guy. And so maaaanly (varonil – manly). [Ed. Note: and exactly HOW do you know that? Just the voice?] Pastor sighs and overheats while he smiles to himself.
Juan’s voice on the phone in his office tells someone no (obviously not Laura) as Paula bursts into his office. He’s schmoozing a supplier and assuring them that Farell won’t fail them. What a sweet talker! One more, one more of them he’s dealt with (bites the dust)! Juan is jubilant as he hangs up and Paula sits down. She remarks on his progress with clients and he tells her they’re not all buying, but…he notices her upset expression and goes around the desk to comfort her. Don’t cry! It’s all too much for me, she responds. He hugs her and murmurs comforting words. Juan thought bubbles how she is destroyed and feeling guilty over CL’s death. He has mixed emotions himself. She felt cold when the notary told her CL had left his shares to her. Juan murmurs how this is enough, right? Paula is mournful and bewildered and cannot understand why CL the rest to this Sandro Arenas. [A bit like how Nidia couldn’t understand why her husband and father of two her two daughters left it to Paula?]
Delirio tries to find work , making every attempt to call in markers from old buddies. Corcuera is the first he greets warmly and petitions for work. We hear Delirio’s half of the conversation. He acknowledges yeah, he’s the “Mollete Perafán” – his nickname, which Maricruz confirmed means "a bolillo with beans (at least in Mexico)." Maricruz also says it must have been his nickname because he was a bit pudgy when he was younger. Delirio assures the guy he’s not wasting his time. Delirio continues that he’s changing offices [well, there’s a quaint, Delirio-style way of saying out of work and scrambling]. He wants to drop off a copy of his résumé at the guy’s office. He assures the guy he’s still an attorney, as successful as ever. He listens, his scowl increasing. “Bad reputation? Me?...But….Piracy? Where did you get such a…..Compromising?....Me?....What slander, Corcuera!” Delirio wants to explain. Apparently Corcuera doesn’t want explanations and Delirio gets a hang-up. He slams the phone down in frustration.
Pastor reports what he’s found – Sandro has him itching with curiosity [more than Paula and Juan will ever guess]. They only need a few doves to make it a thriller movie. The man barely opened his mouth. When he did, it was a voice that was profound and very manly—Pastor’s eyes glaze over in the telling. Paula wonders if he told Pastor what his relationship was with CL. Nope. He hung up before they could get to it. Well, did Pastor lay it out for him? Yeah, and when Pastor told him that CL had died, the guy responded, finally the man died. Pastor took it to mean that the guy doesn’t care. How rude! Paula thinks it’s strange. She thought they might be old friends, so why would he be like that? Pastor told him he should come by and see them, and he said he wasn’t interested. But, then Pastor told Sandro CL had left so much to him and Sandro said he would just think about it—then he hung up. Pastor doesn’t know what Juan and Paula think, but he feels it’s better not to push it, at least not now. Pastor has to go continue fighting the bad-tempered (bravos) clients. He struggles to get the door open and Juan prompts him, it opens in. Pastor looks back sheepishly. [Where is his head? With that voice? Could Sandro be an actual love interest for him, or for Paula, or for someone here?]
Juan and Paula wonder where they stand now, and as they move forward with discussion, Heriberto, resplendent in bright orange with a blue shirt and orange/red tie, approaches. He hears Paula say they need a new administrative VP. Heri grins, shrugs his suit jacket as he straightens up and listens as she talks about a man with experience. [Ed. Note: Heri, she meant someone with BUSINESS experience.]
Heriberto jubilantly tells Pastor that in other words, they need a guy like Heriberto Chávez. He tells Pastor that the right guy’s in front of him. [Ed. Note: Pastor agrees that you’re the right man, Heri, but not for the VP position.] Pastor disagrees with him, and Heri argues all his great qualities for the post. They argue back and forth about it for a little while, and Pastor tells Heri that on the contrary, Heri, the right guy’s in front of YOU. Heri has to think about that.
Paula and Juan talk about the VP search. Marely’s in charge of gathering the candidate information. He’ll flip a coin – and proceeds to do it. Paula protests that they have to take a close look and evaluate the candidates on merit. He reluctantly agrees. Juan gets up and goes to her, suggesting she go home to rest. Paula’s tired, he’s tired, but she wants to drop by and see Ivonne—otherwise, she’s not good for much else. The partners kiss a little. [Nice way of doing business, if you ask me—I wouldn’t know, though]. He assures her she’s always good (useful). She doesn’t know how to do it without him—he’s her help, comfort. They lean in for a real kiss as Palomita music plays. Except….Fern breaks up the party. What, did I come at a bad moment? Nope, no problem. Right. He gives Juan a “sorry” shrug and Juan gives him a “chinches bravas” look and jumps down Fern’s throat with both botitas. Then he calms down long enough to talk to Fern about the VP position and how they need to fill it fast. [And my contention is that he’s right in front of YOU, Juan.] Apparently Juan agrees with me, and asks if he’s still into the idea. You bet! Okay, there’ll be an interview and the Lic Paula has to be in agreement—you’ll be evaluated along with all the other candidates.
Marely checks in with Paula, who’s closing it down for the day. She’ll go with Paula and has to get her purse.
Business as not-so-usual continues at Farell in the lobby. Juan and Fern stand in the lobby discussing business as someone strides meaningfully off the elevator and all eyes are riveted on the figure of a determined man. Dear heaven, they are all seeing a ghost. Will it be enough to startle the lobby lizards into their actual work sites? NO, in fact, they may never work again due to shock. Business as usual, then. Pastor, Juan, Fern, Marely and all the rest are muy, pero muy impactados.
Paula comes out of her office to give Marely a last directive and sees Marely’s frozen face, while we see the back of the dark-headed man, and Paula quickly rivets to see the rest of her staff also frozen in time and space. ¿QUÉ? She sees the guy, who is a not-very-dead ringer for César Luis Farell, other than the glasses, dark hair, and not so arrogant demeanor. Paula faints dead away [no pun intended, but take it as you will, gentle readers] on the floor while Marely calls out to her half-sister and the stranger looks what? Resigned? Not nearly as surprised as we expect him to be? He may be registering that CL never told anyone of his existence. Juan jumps into action and grabs Paula to raise her up. Pastor gets excited as the stranger moves forward. Pastor call out—“The Dead Guy! The Dead Guy” and promptly follows Paula’s lead. Fern jumps to help him off the floor. Paula looks up at the guy and asks—“Cesar Luis? Cesar Luis? Are you alive?”
In a stunning leap of incongruence on the part of our writers, we find Delirio still looking for work. He outlines to his soul-buddy Leonardo what he would like to be doing, some directorial position or other that would be at his level--and they ask him how about the messenger boy position. What, are they KIDDING??—He won’t forgive that joke! Nidia peeks in. “Perfect!” He fakes the rest of the call. Tomorrow he’ll drop by and they’ll talk calmly. He thanks the guy. She asks if he’s found work and he assures her there is no doubt after talking to a couple of friends. He’s got some appointments for the morrow, one with them. Now it’s Nidia’s turn to use the phone to look for work. She eases him out of the office. Until that last shove.
The newcomer pushes at his glasses a la Clark Kent, and remarks that he understands he has a strong resemblance to CL. Juan negates that—in fact, the stranger is actually CL’s living image! Juan wants to know if he isn’t really CL and isn’t he messing with them (cabuleando – scheming)? Paula sits and contemplates what she’s seeing. The Very Sincere Replica of CL says no way. His name is Sandro Arenas and he is the twin (gemelo) brother of César Luis. Paula holds her head in her hand. She retorts that CL never said a word about family, that he had any family, nothing! She accuses him of being CL, and tells him to quit joking. Both Juan and Paula go after him, but Sandro says he doesn’t know what they’re talking about. He says that by her reaction, he has to suppose she’s his brother’s wife? Yep. He keeps pushing his glasses. Enough with the Clark Kent impression already. She points out that CL was an orphan. Yep, they both were, but they were adopted by different parents. He can prove it. Juan says that only happens on TV. [Ed. Note: Yikes. Does this happen often in Telenovela themes? Other than the triplets Lucero played, that is.] Juan expresses his irritation and doubt. Sandro begs them to hear him out. Paula tells him fine, suppose it’s all true, but CL never spoke of you to me. Sandro tells them how he discovered that he had a twin, went looking for him, found he had this company and a lovely fiancée (blonde, don’t remember her name). Juan helpfully supplies “Monica.” Yes, Sandro thinks that is right. CL had the good fortune to be adopted by rich folk. Not Sandro, though. When he presented himself in front of CL seeking help and work, he was rejected by CL, accused of being a parasite and opportunistic to take advantage of CL’s situation. Juan points out to Paula they can’t deny that would be CL’s style. Paula nods in disgusted agreement. That was the only time they talked, Sandro continues, because he didn’t feel like ever seeing CL again. Now he finds he’s in the will. [Sandro touches his eyeglasses WAY more often than Clark Kent ever did]. Paula doesn’t know what to think. Sandro presents his documents. He’s got his passport, his voter’s registration, and his license. Check ‘em out. Paula looks at him with guarded suspicion.
Meanwhile, outside, Pastor is being revived. He was scared to death. Julia points out that guy is exactly the same as the boss. Marely says CL is dead and Paula has his death certificate. Pastor wonders what about him surviving the fall from the boat (naufragio - shipwreck). Marely says no way, that many kilometers per hour in the Pacific Ocean. Pastor speculates—what if he’s CL’s twin? It’s like a telenovela he saw once. Fern wonders how many years he was CL’s chauffeur? The man NEVER spoke of family. Isn’t this some kind of theatrical? Marely says he looks way different than CL. One of the lobby lizards asks what Pastor thinks, since he likely knew CL better than anyone. Pastor votes for the identical twin brother theory, hopes he’s single and for Pastor. He clutches his hands in prayer. Looks of disbelief around the crowd. Pastor gets a grip and looks alarmed at his outburst.
Sandro tells Paula and Juan he has several ways to prove his identity, including that his adoptive parents registered his name with theirs and he studied to be a teacher. Lots of folks know him. He studied for a career in education. Many folks know him, too. Paula says there’s no need, and pardon her attitude. But this resemblance is huge. She sits in Juan’s desk across from Sandro and Juan stands behind her, possibly still skeptical. Juan says that even if CL was nasty with him (gacho), he must have felt sorry about it because at the end he left the apartment and money to Sandro. Paula says it’s simply such a big surprise. Sandro, bemused, remarks that given the treatment CL gave him, he’s surprised that CL would have done something like this. Juan tells him to be thankful. The three calmly discuss why they asked Sandro to come and he tells them he appreciates it, calling her Sra. and she asks him to call her Paula, please. Juan thought bubbles; he doesn’t like this new familiarity and confidence in Sandro she’s showing. Sandro tells Paula he doesn’t want anything, doesn’t need it. For all that he came to ask for help from his brother, he’s not at the threshold of starvation (no muerte de hambre). He thinks that as CL’s wife, she should have it all. Juan is VERY skeptical as he thought bubbles about what the guy’s up to, but he’s softening, the guy is hitting him okay. Sandro asks what she would like him to do. Juan thought bubbles as he strokes his Very Short Tie that Sandro and CL are equals on the outside but very different on the inside. Paula tells Sandro how much she appreciates it, but this IS the final wish of CL. She tells him she’d like him to go with her the next day to the notary so they can finalize what he will have that belongs to him. Sandro tries to assure her, but she interrupts. They will respect the decision of CL; that’s the only way she’ll feel calm. [Ah, I can feel Samuel’s eyes beating down on Paula’s head.] Juan thought bubbles, protesting to Paula that this guy doesn’t WANT anything! Sandro rises, thanks her, and tells her it’s a pleasure to meet her although he wishes it were not in these circumstances. He shakes her hand and Juan also reaches to shake Sandro’s hand. The walk him out. We see a transition clip of Sandro Arenas smiling in a way that César Luis Farell never could have and we wonder how Alexis Ayala could be such a great actor that we even hated to see him on transition clips while Sandro Arenas is so appealing.
As we return from our break, CL’s crafty look meets us eye to eye. Shiver. The lobby lizards are assembled to stare at the three leaving Juan’s office. Sandro pushes his glasses up. Juan calls them nosy-parkers (mironcitos) and tells them to get back to work. Paula stops Juan, saying that everyone in the office deserves an explanation. Juan thought bubbles about his Palomita, so considerate with this pack of snakes. [For the record, I never knew that snakes came in packs.] Juan agrees out loud and directs their attention to the gentleman here at his side, who looks so much like CL. It is Sr. Sandro Arenas, his twin brother. He makes a gesture to show two hands side by side, palms down. Could be the Mexican sign for “same,” as it has similarity to the ASL sign. He urges Sandro to say a few words to “his” people (Juan’s). Sandro gets nervous and says he has nothing to say, really, and is in a hurry. Pushing his glasses again (he really does need silicone nose pads so he won’t have to do that. I got some this week and they make a world of difference), he shakes Paula’s and Juan’s hands again, exchanges a goodbye and beats a path to the elevator.
Pastor sighs and says this guy leaves him feeling like San Pascual. [Maricruz, help! This is a dicho, right?] Pastor can’t tell which is which. He’s really the twin? They’re like two drops of water! Marely exclaims it’s as if CL has been reincarnated. Paula agrees, but points out with another manner entirely and attitude. Juan says he’s more affable, nice, sociable. Paula agrees. [What happened to the old Latin dicho, De mortuis nihil nisi bonum? Speak nothing but good of the dead.]
Nidia tries to convince some prospective employer she’s 30-ish, maybe a little more. But people tell her she looks more like 25. Oh, would that be a problem? [Gee, is that still legal in Mexico? Or is it just legal in telenovelas?] No, it’s fine. She makes the appointment for the next day. [Boy, are THEY going to be surprised.]
At the gallery, things are looking good and they have shoppers. Willy gets Ana’s attention, and she has to excuse herself. What did he say? He wants to know what’s wrong—she’s been so quiet and distracted. There are three days until the exhibit is completed and there’s lots to do. He folds his arms, looking gently firm with her. Ana’s not sure she can get it all together (lograrlo, achieve, obtain). She sits down wearily. He sits to give her support, encouraging her to let go of her worries, try to paint a bit. She’ll try. Willy wonders if it’s about Nidia. No, it’s about Paula—she’s worked it out with Nidia, but her husband died. Willy is impactado—he’s sorry to hear it. Was it an accident? It’s not certain, but he fell into the ocean. Paula feels so bad, so guilty. Willy takes Ana’s hand and tells her Paula is not to blame; Ana says she’s been saying that to Paula all along. Willy continues that Paula’s now free to get her life back together, find love. Ana sighs—her daughter has suffered so much [Ed. Note: Paula and Ana really don’t understand what true suffering is, I think. But that’s just me.]. Paula doesn’t know where to begin. Willy looks at her fondly a minute and takes Ana’s chin in his hand. “It’s not just her, Ana. You, too, deserve another opportunity.” He smiles gently and his lovely dimple is SOOOO appealing. Ana smiles back a little. She shyly touches his hand and withdraws emotionally a bit, trying to speak but unable. A hand appears on the door frame of the gallery behind them—it’s a prospective buyer seeking help.
Paula has returned to her office and is making calls, a lovely bouquet of anthuriums behind her. She tells Ivonne to excuse her for not coming by the hospital, but they’ve had one heck of a day. Ivonne thought she was still on the trip, anyway. No, they returned. But, let’s not talk about me [this is a nice trend, if it continues!], how have you been? Ivonne responds that she’s a bit better, thanks for worrying about me. Ivonne smiles as she says that. And your spirits? That’s what has died. Paula encourages her, promising she is going to come out of this fine. Ivonne promises to try. She hesitantly asks Paula about the news she heard about CL’s death. Does Paula know anything? Paula hesitates and Ivonne asks again. Yes, Paula tells her, it is true, unfortunately, he died. Ivonne quiets, sad at the news.
Angarita strides into the market area. Yadi cheerfully hands him all the lists and papers she’s worked on, documenting all the deliveries received this morning. Remo and Kike look on from behind her as Anga looks the stack over. Very good, Yadira! I congratulate you! She thanks Angarita shyly. Who’d have said she’d be so good at the math? She’s super good. (She says this like it surprised the heck out of her, not arrogantly). Anga agrees she’s good, in the case of money, she’s much cleverer than he is. She’s enjoying the work, she tells him as she bounces in her seat. Anga suggests they quit for the day and begin very early the next day, as always. Kike chimes in that he could give he a ride and they could eat together, if she likes. Yadi thinks that’s a good idea. Remo’s taking notes and Anga’s also listening in. ;-)
Juan has found his way to Paula’s office. He’s finding it a bit odd that this guy Sandro wants Paula to have the entire inheritance from her deceased husband. Juan’s been thinking about it, she has the right. Paula doesn’t want to discuss it. Juan thinks it’s not fair this guy comes out of the blue and ends up with the apartment and everything, and she gets stuck with the Farell shares and a world of trouble. He thinks she should fight. Paula responds that she feels plenty guilty over his death and wants to comply with his last wish. Juan goes around the desk and turns her to him, telling her not to think that. CL created his destiny. In the end, if he didn’t have the courage to pull himself up, it’s not anybody’s fault. Paula is NOT responsible for his death. He starts to hug her and the Cachicachi bombo music on his phone plays. Juan excuses himself to answer. Of course, it’s Laura, glad that she’s FINALLY found him. Could he call her right back, he’s kind of busy. Laura just wants to know if they’ll see each other in the evening or not. Tonight??? If that’s not convenient, tomorrow. Paula looks disgusted and starts to leave her office. Juan looks desperate, but tells Laura that’s perfect. But this time, she’s not forgiving him for standing her up with the table all set. Juan rushes out after Paula while assuring Laura he’ll see her tomorrow, goodbye! Marely and lobby lizards note his pursuit with curiosity. He calls her and tries to get her not to go as Paula approaches the elevator. She accuses him of getting another call where he was talking in code. He protests weakly that he was talking normally. She refutes his claim, and we see the harpy on jet fuel coming back. She’s nailed him and Juan thought bubbles that here he thought he was the master of dissimulation and she’s poured water on that theory—and him with no life preserver. Paula lectures him and tells him that if he wants to talk to a woman, so be it, there’s nothing between Juan and herself. Juan thought bubbles again that this was like a mule kick, but he prefers to hide the pain and not let her note it. He tells her that he’s well aware that there is nothing between them, etc. She says they are business associates, and as such, she shouldn’t object if they call him. The jealous smirk on her face tells us otherwise. Juan, smiling, tells her she’s right and each one should be able to do what they feel like. Paula gives him her false smile that reeks jealous, and says “exactly.” And by the way, if you’re dating someone, could one know who it is? He thought bubbles nope, and answers “with a very dear friend” which takes ALL the wind out of Paula’s sails.
And of course, any similarity to reality is pure coincidence.
Monday: Is Paula jealous? Does a bear sleep in the woods? Is CL still ALIVE AND does he have an identical twin? Are we ready for two of them? Will Paula find out about CL’s scheme?
Vocabulary
Proveedores, though the captions spell it wrong – suppliers
Relajito – mocking, one definition
Hojas – worksheets
Índole – kind, nature, sort
Botana – snack
Tiburones – sharks
Eche todo por la borda – have it all fall by the wayside
Fijo - steady
Paquetote – tough job (Mex. paquete – tough job)
Rimbombante – pompous/bombastic, showy/flashy, resounding/echoing
Occiso – deceased
Cabuleando – scheming, messing with them
Gemelo – twin
Bravo – bad-tempered
Naufragio - shipwreck
Labels: Juan
La Traición, Fri., April 25 - Frustrated Desire at the Hacienda
Hugo and Boris are in the study. Boris tells Hugo not to believe everything that Marina says. Hugo says, “We both know that she is partly right. I can’t believe everything that Soledad says or appears to be.” Boris asks if he should stop looking for a place for the hospital. Hugo says that project is still on. Boris says that he has found an old house. It has running water and is in a good area. It’s owned by Gladis, Arturo’s mother. He tried negotiating for it but Hugo can imagine the answer he got. Hugo says that he will take care of it personally.
Soledad and Ursula are at Hugo grave in the cemetery. Soledad speaks to Hugo and says that she came to ask his forgiveness. She has betrayed him. She wants him to know that she has never stopped loving him and what happened with Alcides was just an illusion. For a moment, she thought that he was with her… She got carried away. He has always been in her heart and she swears that that hasn’t and never will change.
Meanwhile, Ursula has been making faces behind Soledad’s back.
Soledad continues speaking to Hugo and says that their daughter is the proof of their love and that no matter what Alcides does or tries to change, her heart will always belong to him.
Only one day’s rest from Los Burques. The diminutive duo are in their rooms. Someone knocks. Elena thinks it is the landlady but it’s Dr. Max. He says that he won’t forget what they did. He is happy that he going to be able to study Soledad’s daughter. Elena is shocked. She says that she knows his plans for the baby. Dr. Max says that he needs an assistant and since Elena has experience, he wants to hire her. Guillermo is afraid that Dr. Max will hypnotize Elena again.
Hercu-less demands money from Eloisa for setting up Arturo’s accident. Eloisa says that she is good for it but doesn’t have any cash right now. Hercu-less doesn't trust her and wants the money right now. He is threatening Eloisa when Hugo comes upon them. He asks what is going on and Eloisa says that Hercu-less is trying to collect some money that she owes him. Hugo asks Eloisa to leave him alone with Hercu-less. He will take care of the matter. Hugo tells Hercu-less that he knows that he has a huge debt with Manrique, the money lender. Hugo will pay the debt if Hercu-less uses his influence with his employer, Gladis, to let Hugo buy a house he is interested in.
Eloisa runs into Soledad and Ursula. Soledad is surprised. She thought that Eloisa’s wedding was today. Eloisa explains that the wedding had to be postponed because Arturo had an accident. Eloisa says that she doesn’t know if Soledad was mad at her for what happened with Alcides. Soledad says of course not, why should she be? Soledad explains that they are shopping for Boris and Marina’s wedding. Eloisa offers to help but Soledad says she doesn’t need any help and will see her tomorrow at the wedding.
Boris and Marina are in bed together, presumably in Boris’ room. Boris says that she didn’t have to be so harsh in referring to Soledad in front of Hugo. Marina asks why he defends her. Boris replies that he doesn’t think Soledad is such a bad person. She is even organizing their wedding. Marina asks if he has forgotten what she did to Hugo. She reels off the list of bad things Soledad supposed did and says that Soledad is just pretending to be kind and giving in front of Hugo but it isn’t true. She is a cold-blooded woman.
Soledad and Ursula are decorating the house for the wedding. Ursula grumbles that Boris and Marina should be helping them instead of resting comfortably in bed. Soledad, who is carrying an enormous vase of flowers down the stairs, says to leave them alone. This is supposed to be a surprise for them. Hugo comes in with a box of crystal that he just bought. He wants Soledad, the wedding planner, to check them out. Soledad agrees but she trips on the stairs. The flowers go flying. Hugo drops the crystal and it smashes and he leaps and in a move worthy of Bruce Lee, catches Soledad as she falls down the stairs. Hugo asks if Soledad is ok and she sees that he has cut his fingers on the broken crystal and wants to help him. (This echoes the scene in the first episode where Hugo saved Soledad from the runaway carriage and he had a bullet graze on his hand.) She even produces the same scar-preventing ointment. Hugo has a flashback to that scene but the memory is not a happy one. He asks Soledad to leave him alone. She says that she was only trying to help him. When she is gone, he says that it is same story all over again and he can’t fall for it again.
In tears, Soledad says to Ursula that she doesn’t know what to do. Every day Alcides reminds her more and more of his brother in what he does and what happens. With everything that happens, she can’t stop thinking about Hugo. She can’t help it. Her life with Alcides is becoming a terrible torture.
For his part, Hugo is saying that Soledad can’t deceive him with her tenderness. He will make her fall in love with him and then he will abandon her the way she abandoned him. (Good plan, Hugo except how are you going to prevent yourself from falling in love with her?)
In the Love Nest of Perversion, Alcides aims the gun at Beatriz. Kill me, she says. Your wish is my command, responds Alcides. He cocks and fires the gun but the chamber is empty. Beatriz laughs. “What’s the matter,” she says, “run out of bullets?”
The wedding and the reception are festive. Nobody gets poisoned; the Mysterious Lady does not perform. Guillermo calls for dancing and Hugo and Soledad dance together. Eloisa asks Paquito if he has ever been at such a boring party. Paquito agrees but wants to know what a Society lady like Eloisa is doing here. She says that she wants to be near Alcides, of course.
Rebeca brings Hugo some money from investors who want to remain anonymous. Hugo says that to be his partners, he has to know their names. Rebeca flashes back to her promise to Lucas to pretend that the money is hers. She tells Hugo that the money is really hers. Hugo asks why she didn’t say that at the beginning and she replies that some men don’t like to have women as business partners. Of course, Hugo isn’t one of those men. He says that women have the same rights as men. He accepts Rebeca as his partner with a handshake. (Really, of course, he accepts her as a target of his Plan of Vengeance.)
Dr. Max is in the basement at the Hacienda admiring how well made the thermal urn is. Boris surprises him and says that he is not allowed there and hustles him out.
A group photo of the wedding celebrants is taken.
Paquito has a book on catalepsy. He tells Eloisa that the book says that someone having a catalepsy attack can live up to three days underground. Eloisa claims that this is impossible but Paquito says that according to the book, the respiration and heartbeat of the catalepsy sufferer are reduced to the minimum. If Hugo was saved, they wonder who would have wanted to dig up Hugo’s grave.
Hugo and Boris go to see Dr. Max. Hugo is angry that Dr. Max went into the basement and looked at the chamber without his permission. He tells Dr. Max that their agreement is over. He cannot treat his daughter. Dr. Max is angry. He says that Hugo should let him treat the baby for his wife. She is hoping that he will find a cure for catalepsy. Hugo says that there is no cure for catalepsy. But in the meantime, his men are looking for Dr. Chirac Jr. He will treat Hugo’s daughter. Fine, says Dr. Max. If you don’t want me to examine your daughter, that’s ok. Let me examine you then. Hugo says that he doesn’t have anything to do with the disease. Dr. Max says that he knows he is Hugo, not Alcides. Hugo asks Dr. Max what is his obsession with knowing whether he is Hugo or not. Dr. Max says that he is interested in science. Hugo asks him how he can be so sure that he will find a cure for catalepsy. Dr. Max says that he will bet his life on it. Hugo knows that already. Hugo tells Dr. Max that he is Hugo de Medina. Dr. Max is exultant. He says that Hugo’s secret is safe with him. Hugo says that he will be Dr. Max’s patient but he must leave Aurora alone. Dr. Max agrees.
Soledad is in the garden at the Obragon house accompanied by the silent Antonia. The orchid has proliferated. Soledad tells Antonia that all this came from one plant that Enrico gave her. He told her to cultivate it and one day it would save someone’s life. She doesn’t know that meant but she did as he said.
Hugo and Boris return to the Hacienda. Hugo says that Dr. Max is a smart man. He doesn’t care about Hugo’s secret. The only thing that he cares about are his experiments. Hugo is sure that he won’t say anything. Boris advises Hugo to reveal his identity. He is taking a big risk that it will be discovered that he is Hugo, not Alcides. (Boris at least looks around to see that no one is listening.) Hugo says that no way is going to do that. He needs to get even with Soledad and those who harmed him. He will carry out his PoV until the end, no matter what.
At the mine, Arturo (I thought he was supposed to be in bed for two weeks? If he can go to the mine, why can’t he get married?) is very annoyed at the slow progress of work on the mine. The engineer says that they have to work carefully. The roof of the mine is unstable. Arturo says that he isn’t making suggestions, he’s giving an order. He has invested a lot of money in this mine and that makes him the boss. Boris arrives and asks what’s going on. Arturo says that Boris had better learn to keep his distance from him and two of his henchmen punch Boris a couple of times. Arturo says that he hopes that Señor Monsalve understands that he owns this mine, too. Arturo threatens the engineer as well saying that he had better make faster progress to the vein of gold.
Soledad comes to see Hugo. She has bought some gifts for children at the hospital and wants to deliver them. Hugo thinks that is a nice idea. He will go with her. He tells her that they can also see a house he is trying to buy. Eloisa slithers in and listens to their conversation. “You want to buy a house?” says Soledad, “are you moving?” Hugo explains that he is buying the house so that it can be turned into a hospital where the poor people in the town can get decent care. Soledad is ecstatic. She wants to see the house. In pops Eloisa (Nobody seems surprised. Does she have her own key? With all of his enemies, can anyone just march into Hugo’s house?). She apologizes for eavesdropping but she thinks the hospital is a great idea. She’d like to come along.
We have a scene of Hugo, Soledad & Ursula giving food to children while Eloisa stands around bored. At the future hospital site (it has a great garden), Hugo says that the house belongs to Gladis. She won’t sell it but she has rented it to him. Soledad says that house just needs some paint and it will be perfect. Hugo says that they will celebrate tonight. He asks her to look especially beautiful, more beautiful than ever. Soledad is intrigued. Ursula breaks the mood by asking if they can go inside the house.
Soledad and Ursula go inside while Hugo and Eloisa remain outside. Eloisa wastes no time in saying to Hugo that Soledad is putting on a good show of seeming to care about poor people but doesn’t seem very sincere. Hugo says that Eloisa is supposed to be her best friend. Eloisa says that she respects Soledad but she knows how she is. She advises him to be careful. If he gives her his heart, she can do a lot of harm. She fooled Hugo. She could do the same to you.
Marina asks Boris what happened to him. He says that he went to the mine and had an encounter with some of Arturo’s men. How strange, says Marina sarcastically, that all the trouble you have comes from the enemies of Hugo de Medina. Boris asks her not to start that again. Marina asks how the search for someone else to be Hugo’s minder is going. Boris says that he isn’t going to do that. He won’t find anyone else to take care of Hugo because he will never abandon him. Boris says that he knows she is upset because of her concern for the baby but he promises, he swears, that nothing bad will ever happen to her or the baby even if he must give up his own life. “You promise?” says Marina. Boris kisses her.
Hugo is lighting the candles for his romantic dinner with Soledad. He says that maybe Soledad isn’t who she appears to be. Tonight, he says to himself, “I’ll no longer be in doubt. I’ll find out what is really in her heart.” There’s a knock at the door and in comes Soledad in the red dress that she wore on the night of her birthday party and night of passion.
S: Where’s the party?
Hugo gestures to the table that has been set.
S: You haven’t told me the purpose of this evening.
H: Purpose? I don’t need a purpose to have a romantic dinner with my wife.
S: We have discussed this and there can’t be anything between us.
H: Don’t spoil the moment. I made this dinner especially for you.
S: You cooked? I didn’t know that you could cook. You have the same talent as your brother, Hugo.
H: There are a lot of things you don’t know about me.
Soledad thinks that every day Alcides seems more like Hugo. If I didn’t know he was dead, I would swear it was Hugo. They toast.
Ester and Lucas tell silent Antonia that they have forgiven each other. They are going to rebuild their marriage and have a happy life and Lucas is going to try and do something about his alcoholism (the first of your seven steps, Lucas, would be to stop going to see Rebeca). Lucas says that it isn’t necessary that Antonia stick around. His problems with Ester are over. (Is he asking her to leave the house? She doesn’t have anywhere else to go.) Antonia gives them the evil stone face. Lucas tries to get Antonia to give up the silence act but she just pulls away from him. Lucas tells Ester that he will call Dr. Ortiz in the morning. He is a specialist in these cases. (He’s an exorcist?)
Soledad is tipsy from the wine. Hugo is probing her weakened defenses. He says that if he can buy the house, it will be hers and she can turn it into a hospital. No, says Soledad, this isn’t about us. Hugo says that he thought she wanted people to think highly of her. This is a great opportunity. It would benefit you. No, says Soledad, all I want is a place where poor people can go when they get sick. She says that she is getting a little dizzy and should go back to her room. She isn’t used to drinking. She gets up, trips and Hugo catches her.
He puts her back on her feet and says, “Soledad, don’t leave. Stay with me tonight. Sleep by my side. This is my deepest wish.” (Mine too. I had been recapping as the show went along but at this point, I had to stop typing and just watch. Wow. The desire and the tension were so great.)
H: Don’t be afraid. I know what I feel for you. Let’s give it a try.
S: You have to understand this. We can’t get involved.
H: I’ve demonstrated that I have changed, changed a lot. Don’t you feel anything for me?
S: Gratitude. You’ve been good to me and my daughter. You’ve even been caring. I never would have imagined that.
H: It’s obvious. Why don’t you have feelings for me? We have a daughter together, Soledad, a daughter. The most precious gift a woman can give a man. We can rekindle the passion that helped us conceive her. (Once he starts to go down this road, he is going to lose her.)
S: No, I already told you. No.
H: I understand. Then when we were together, you were only after my money.
S: (rolling her eyes) I’d better go.
H: (blocking the door) You can’t leave until you give an answer. I want the truth, the truth Soledad. Nothing will change between us but please just tell me the truth. Tell me that you were just after my money.
S: If you think I’m with you because of your money, suit yourself because I won’t give you any explanations.
H: We had an arrangement to keep Hugo’s money. I helped you save your parents’ house. I thought that you loved me a little bit.
S: Why do you insist on bringing up the past, Alcides? You know how it hurts me.
H: If it hurts, it’s your conscience tormenting you. Because you feel guilty for what you did to Hugo. Yes, that’s it. It’s remorse for having betrayed him.
S: Don’t you dare mention his name. I won’t permit it.
H: You know that my poor brother died a horrible death. While he was hoping that you would go and save him and you, you were negotiating your future with me.
S: What is it you want? You invite me here, try to seduce me with a dinner and then you hurt me with your cruel words. Why? Answer me, Alcides! What do you want? Or are you seeking vengeance against me? I asked you a question, Alcides. Answer me. What makes you torture me like this? Are you taking revenge on me? Answer.
H: Why? Why would I want to get revenge on you? Why?
S: I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking. Whenever you mention Hugo, you seem to be hurt by what happened to him. I don’t understand. You hated Hugo.
H: But he was still my brother.
S: Maybe you feel more guilt than I do. That’s why you torture me. Why? Why try to rob me of the little peace I have left?
H: Because… (tell her!!) You are right. Forgive me. I went too far.
S: You still haven’t answered my question. Why do you hate me, Alcides? You haven’t forgiven me for trying to leave you? What is it?
H: God help me. Let’s calm down. It would be better if we calmed down.
S: No, I won’t calm down. You started it. You know, if you wanted to torture me, my daughter’s illness is a real ordeal for me. I guess that really makes you happy.
She stalks out. (I hope you feel like a real jerk, Hugo because that’s what you are.)
Soledad goes into her bedroom. Ursula comes in (was the baby left alone or is she with Ursula?) and asks why she is here. Wasn’t she going to a party? It wasn’t a party, says Soledad. It was dinner in Alcides’ room. He tried to get fresh with me.
Did he hurt you? asks Ursula.
No, I don’t understand, Ursula, When he’s caring and noble, he reminds me of Hugo but sometimes he acts as if he were my worst enemy and I don’t know why.
Sometimes, I don’t think we shouldn’t have moved into this house, says Ursula.
I don’t know what to do, says Soledad. I’ll go crazy being next to Alcides. Ursula urges her to cry to cleanse the soul.
Hugo is sitting, looking pensive when Boris knocks and comes in. “Where were you?” asks Hugo. “Filing some documents,” answers Boris, “did something happen?” Hugo asks him to sit down.
H: I prepared a special dinner for Soledad and me after a beautiful day that we spent together.
B: Jose said that you went to the house you want to buy to turn into a hospital, right?
H: She was happy. When we went to the house, she had all these plans. How could such a woman who does some many good things for others be so cold-blooded when it comes to money?
B: I guess that’s why you invited her to dinner, then?
H: I wanted to know he true intentions.
B: Soledad stuck to her guns, right?
H: She didn’t let me seduce her. I came so close, so close to telling her that I am Hugo, not Alcides. You don’t know much I wanted to tell her but I didn’t. I couldn’t .
B: You didn’t tell her because you still love her.
Hugo is in bed. He dreams of being with Soledad at their dinner.
H: I love your smile. I love the way you treat people. I love the way you look at me.
S: Me too. Your kindness to my baby and me fills me with joy. I really see you with different eyes.
They get up from the table, Hugo takes her hand.
H: I wish I could control my feelings for you but it’s stronger than I am. I want you to know the truth. I’m not Alcides, I’m Hugo. I’m not dead. I’m Hugo, my love (amor mio). They embrace.
Soledad is dreaming too. She and Hugo are sitting together.
H: At this moment there is only you and I, you and I, my love (mi amor). I want to love you. I want to make you mine, only mine.
S: Hugo, my love. You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this moment.
H: I’m not Hugo. I’m Alcides.
Soledad wakes up. “That’s not possible,” she says. She goes out of her room and Hugo is sitting in the hall (with his hair done as Hugo). Soledad says that she is going to get a glass of water. She says, “I told you not to do your hair that way. That’s the way Hugo did his hair.” Hugo is drinking. “Couldn’t you sleep?” he says. “No,” she says “It’s difficult to fall asleep after the argument we had, don’t you think?” Hugo says, “I couldn’t sleep, either. I think I said some things I shouldn’t have.” “Don’t worry,” says Soledad, “I also said some thing I shouldn’t have. Get some rest. Good night.” She leaves.
Next morning. Eloisa is at the Hacienda (again). Hugo, while eating grapes, tells her that he has thought about what she told him yesterday about Soledad. Did you reach a conclusion? asks Eloisa. Hugo replies that Soledad may have been a cold and calculating woman in the past but now he believes she is different. She wants to change. She is showing signs that she wants to change. (Why are you asking her this, Hugo? You know she hates Soledad. Why give her an opportunity to spout more venom?). Eloisa says that Soledad is her friend (hah) but she doesn’t want to Hugo to get hurt again. A woman who is deceitful once might do it again.
You think so? says Hugo. “I’m convinced of it, responds Eloisa (as they feed each other grapes). “ Soledad is a puzzling woman. You won’t find another like her in the world.”
Cut to two people fencing. When they stop, the victor is revealed to be a woman.
In the Love Nest of Perversion, Beatriz takes a knife out of a bag. Alcides is crying in frustration at not having been able to kill her. “What bad luck, my love,” she says hiding the knife behind her back. “You don’t know how sorry I am. And now what else will you come up with, Hugo? Are you Hugo or Alcides?” She kisses him and says, “You’re Alcides.” She kisses him again and buries the knife in his chest. Alcides gasps in pain and surprise. Hugo gasps and grabs his chest. “My brother!” he says. (I hope Eloisa wasn’t still there.) The credits roll.
Tomorrow: Say goodbye to the Love Nest of Perversion and Beatriz?
Soledad and Ursula are at Hugo grave in the cemetery. Soledad speaks to Hugo and says that she came to ask his forgiveness. She has betrayed him. She wants him to know that she has never stopped loving him and what happened with Alcides was just an illusion. For a moment, she thought that he was with her… She got carried away. He has always been in her heart and she swears that that hasn’t and never will change.
Meanwhile, Ursula has been making faces behind Soledad’s back.
Soledad continues speaking to Hugo and says that their daughter is the proof of their love and that no matter what Alcides does or tries to change, her heart will always belong to him.
Only one day’s rest from Los Burques. The diminutive duo are in their rooms. Someone knocks. Elena thinks it is the landlady but it’s Dr. Max. He says that he won’t forget what they did. He is happy that he going to be able to study Soledad’s daughter. Elena is shocked. She says that she knows his plans for the baby. Dr. Max says that he needs an assistant and since Elena has experience, he wants to hire her. Guillermo is afraid that Dr. Max will hypnotize Elena again.
Hercu-less demands money from Eloisa for setting up Arturo’s accident. Eloisa says that she is good for it but doesn’t have any cash right now. Hercu-less doesn't trust her and wants the money right now. He is threatening Eloisa when Hugo comes upon them. He asks what is going on and Eloisa says that Hercu-less is trying to collect some money that she owes him. Hugo asks Eloisa to leave him alone with Hercu-less. He will take care of the matter. Hugo tells Hercu-less that he knows that he has a huge debt with Manrique, the money lender. Hugo will pay the debt if Hercu-less uses his influence with his employer, Gladis, to let Hugo buy a house he is interested in.
Eloisa runs into Soledad and Ursula. Soledad is surprised. She thought that Eloisa’s wedding was today. Eloisa explains that the wedding had to be postponed because Arturo had an accident. Eloisa says that she doesn’t know if Soledad was mad at her for what happened with Alcides. Soledad says of course not, why should she be? Soledad explains that they are shopping for Boris and Marina’s wedding. Eloisa offers to help but Soledad says she doesn’t need any help and will see her tomorrow at the wedding.
Boris and Marina are in bed together, presumably in Boris’ room. Boris says that she didn’t have to be so harsh in referring to Soledad in front of Hugo. Marina asks why he defends her. Boris replies that he doesn’t think Soledad is such a bad person. She is even organizing their wedding. Marina asks if he has forgotten what she did to Hugo. She reels off the list of bad things Soledad supposed did and says that Soledad is just pretending to be kind and giving in front of Hugo but it isn’t true. She is a cold-blooded woman.
Soledad and Ursula are decorating the house for the wedding. Ursula grumbles that Boris and Marina should be helping them instead of resting comfortably in bed. Soledad, who is carrying an enormous vase of flowers down the stairs, says to leave them alone. This is supposed to be a surprise for them. Hugo comes in with a box of crystal that he just bought. He wants Soledad, the wedding planner, to check them out. Soledad agrees but she trips on the stairs. The flowers go flying. Hugo drops the crystal and it smashes and he leaps and in a move worthy of Bruce Lee, catches Soledad as she falls down the stairs. Hugo asks if Soledad is ok and she sees that he has cut his fingers on the broken crystal and wants to help him. (This echoes the scene in the first episode where Hugo saved Soledad from the runaway carriage and he had a bullet graze on his hand.) She even produces the same scar-preventing ointment. Hugo has a flashback to that scene but the memory is not a happy one. He asks Soledad to leave him alone. She says that she was only trying to help him. When she is gone, he says that it is same story all over again and he can’t fall for it again.
In tears, Soledad says to Ursula that she doesn’t know what to do. Every day Alcides reminds her more and more of his brother in what he does and what happens. With everything that happens, she can’t stop thinking about Hugo. She can’t help it. Her life with Alcides is becoming a terrible torture.
For his part, Hugo is saying that Soledad can’t deceive him with her tenderness. He will make her fall in love with him and then he will abandon her the way she abandoned him. (Good plan, Hugo except how are you going to prevent yourself from falling in love with her?)
In the Love Nest of Perversion, Alcides aims the gun at Beatriz. Kill me, she says. Your wish is my command, responds Alcides. He cocks and fires the gun but the chamber is empty. Beatriz laughs. “What’s the matter,” she says, “run out of bullets?”
The wedding and the reception are festive. Nobody gets poisoned; the Mysterious Lady does not perform. Guillermo calls for dancing and Hugo and Soledad dance together. Eloisa asks Paquito if he has ever been at such a boring party. Paquito agrees but wants to know what a Society lady like Eloisa is doing here. She says that she wants to be near Alcides, of course.
Rebeca brings Hugo some money from investors who want to remain anonymous. Hugo says that to be his partners, he has to know their names. Rebeca flashes back to her promise to Lucas to pretend that the money is hers. She tells Hugo that the money is really hers. Hugo asks why she didn’t say that at the beginning and she replies that some men don’t like to have women as business partners. Of course, Hugo isn’t one of those men. He says that women have the same rights as men. He accepts Rebeca as his partner with a handshake. (Really, of course, he accepts her as a target of his Plan of Vengeance.)
Dr. Max is in the basement at the Hacienda admiring how well made the thermal urn is. Boris surprises him and says that he is not allowed there and hustles him out.
A group photo of the wedding celebrants is taken.
Paquito has a book on catalepsy. He tells Eloisa that the book says that someone having a catalepsy attack can live up to three days underground. Eloisa claims that this is impossible but Paquito says that according to the book, the respiration and heartbeat of the catalepsy sufferer are reduced to the minimum. If Hugo was saved, they wonder who would have wanted to dig up Hugo’s grave.
Hugo and Boris go to see Dr. Max. Hugo is angry that Dr. Max went into the basement and looked at the chamber without his permission. He tells Dr. Max that their agreement is over. He cannot treat his daughter. Dr. Max is angry. He says that Hugo should let him treat the baby for his wife. She is hoping that he will find a cure for catalepsy. Hugo says that there is no cure for catalepsy. But in the meantime, his men are looking for Dr. Chirac Jr. He will treat Hugo’s daughter. Fine, says Dr. Max. If you don’t want me to examine your daughter, that’s ok. Let me examine you then. Hugo says that he doesn’t have anything to do with the disease. Dr. Max says that he knows he is Hugo, not Alcides. Hugo asks Dr. Max what is his obsession with knowing whether he is Hugo or not. Dr. Max says that he is interested in science. Hugo asks him how he can be so sure that he will find a cure for catalepsy. Dr. Max says that he will bet his life on it. Hugo knows that already. Hugo tells Dr. Max that he is Hugo de Medina. Dr. Max is exultant. He says that Hugo’s secret is safe with him. Hugo says that he will be Dr. Max’s patient but he must leave Aurora alone. Dr. Max agrees.
Soledad is in the garden at the Obragon house accompanied by the silent Antonia. The orchid has proliferated. Soledad tells Antonia that all this came from one plant that Enrico gave her. He told her to cultivate it and one day it would save someone’s life. She doesn’t know that meant but she did as he said.
Hugo and Boris return to the Hacienda. Hugo says that Dr. Max is a smart man. He doesn’t care about Hugo’s secret. The only thing that he cares about are his experiments. Hugo is sure that he won’t say anything. Boris advises Hugo to reveal his identity. He is taking a big risk that it will be discovered that he is Hugo, not Alcides. (Boris at least looks around to see that no one is listening.) Hugo says that no way is going to do that. He needs to get even with Soledad and those who harmed him. He will carry out his PoV until the end, no matter what.
At the mine, Arturo (I thought he was supposed to be in bed for two weeks? If he can go to the mine, why can’t he get married?) is very annoyed at the slow progress of work on the mine. The engineer says that they have to work carefully. The roof of the mine is unstable. Arturo says that he isn’t making suggestions, he’s giving an order. He has invested a lot of money in this mine and that makes him the boss. Boris arrives and asks what’s going on. Arturo says that Boris had better learn to keep his distance from him and two of his henchmen punch Boris a couple of times. Arturo says that he hopes that Señor Monsalve understands that he owns this mine, too. Arturo threatens the engineer as well saying that he had better make faster progress to the vein of gold.
Soledad comes to see Hugo. She has bought some gifts for children at the hospital and wants to deliver them. Hugo thinks that is a nice idea. He will go with her. He tells her that they can also see a house he is trying to buy. Eloisa slithers in and listens to their conversation. “You want to buy a house?” says Soledad, “are you moving?” Hugo explains that he is buying the house so that it can be turned into a hospital where the poor people in the town can get decent care. Soledad is ecstatic. She wants to see the house. In pops Eloisa (Nobody seems surprised. Does she have her own key? With all of his enemies, can anyone just march into Hugo’s house?). She apologizes for eavesdropping but she thinks the hospital is a great idea. She’d like to come along.
We have a scene of Hugo, Soledad & Ursula giving food to children while Eloisa stands around bored. At the future hospital site (it has a great garden), Hugo says that the house belongs to Gladis. She won’t sell it but she has rented it to him. Soledad says that house just needs some paint and it will be perfect. Hugo says that they will celebrate tonight. He asks her to look especially beautiful, more beautiful than ever. Soledad is intrigued. Ursula breaks the mood by asking if they can go inside the house.
Soledad and Ursula go inside while Hugo and Eloisa remain outside. Eloisa wastes no time in saying to Hugo that Soledad is putting on a good show of seeming to care about poor people but doesn’t seem very sincere. Hugo says that Eloisa is supposed to be her best friend. Eloisa says that she respects Soledad but she knows how she is. She advises him to be careful. If he gives her his heart, she can do a lot of harm. She fooled Hugo. She could do the same to you.
Marina asks Boris what happened to him. He says that he went to the mine and had an encounter with some of Arturo’s men. How strange, says Marina sarcastically, that all the trouble you have comes from the enemies of Hugo de Medina. Boris asks her not to start that again. Marina asks how the search for someone else to be Hugo’s minder is going. Boris says that he isn’t going to do that. He won’t find anyone else to take care of Hugo because he will never abandon him. Boris says that he knows she is upset because of her concern for the baby but he promises, he swears, that nothing bad will ever happen to her or the baby even if he must give up his own life. “You promise?” says Marina. Boris kisses her.
Hugo is lighting the candles for his romantic dinner with Soledad. He says that maybe Soledad isn’t who she appears to be. Tonight, he says to himself, “I’ll no longer be in doubt. I’ll find out what is really in her heart.” There’s a knock at the door and in comes Soledad in the red dress that she wore on the night of her birthday party and night of passion.
S: Where’s the party?
Hugo gestures to the table that has been set.
S: You haven’t told me the purpose of this evening.
H: Purpose? I don’t need a purpose to have a romantic dinner with my wife.
S: We have discussed this and there can’t be anything between us.
H: Don’t spoil the moment. I made this dinner especially for you.
S: You cooked? I didn’t know that you could cook. You have the same talent as your brother, Hugo.
H: There are a lot of things you don’t know about me.
Soledad thinks that every day Alcides seems more like Hugo. If I didn’t know he was dead, I would swear it was Hugo. They toast.
Ester and Lucas tell silent Antonia that they have forgiven each other. They are going to rebuild their marriage and have a happy life and Lucas is going to try and do something about his alcoholism (the first of your seven steps, Lucas, would be to stop going to see Rebeca). Lucas says that it isn’t necessary that Antonia stick around. His problems with Ester are over. (Is he asking her to leave the house? She doesn’t have anywhere else to go.) Antonia gives them the evil stone face. Lucas tries to get Antonia to give up the silence act but she just pulls away from him. Lucas tells Ester that he will call Dr. Ortiz in the morning. He is a specialist in these cases. (He’s an exorcist?)
Soledad is tipsy from the wine. Hugo is probing her weakened defenses. He says that if he can buy the house, it will be hers and she can turn it into a hospital. No, says Soledad, this isn’t about us. Hugo says that he thought she wanted people to think highly of her. This is a great opportunity. It would benefit you. No, says Soledad, all I want is a place where poor people can go when they get sick. She says that she is getting a little dizzy and should go back to her room. She isn’t used to drinking. She gets up, trips and Hugo catches her.
He puts her back on her feet and says, “Soledad, don’t leave. Stay with me tonight. Sleep by my side. This is my deepest wish.” (Mine too. I had been recapping as the show went along but at this point, I had to stop typing and just watch. Wow. The desire and the tension were so great.)
H: Don’t be afraid. I know what I feel for you. Let’s give it a try.
S: You have to understand this. We can’t get involved.
H: I’ve demonstrated that I have changed, changed a lot. Don’t you feel anything for me?
S: Gratitude. You’ve been good to me and my daughter. You’ve even been caring. I never would have imagined that.
H: It’s obvious. Why don’t you have feelings for me? We have a daughter together, Soledad, a daughter. The most precious gift a woman can give a man. We can rekindle the passion that helped us conceive her. (Once he starts to go down this road, he is going to lose her.)
S: No, I already told you. No.
H: I understand. Then when we were together, you were only after my money.
S: (rolling her eyes) I’d better go.
H: (blocking the door) You can’t leave until you give an answer. I want the truth, the truth Soledad. Nothing will change between us but please just tell me the truth. Tell me that you were just after my money.
S: If you think I’m with you because of your money, suit yourself because I won’t give you any explanations.
H: We had an arrangement to keep Hugo’s money. I helped you save your parents’ house. I thought that you loved me a little bit.
S: Why do you insist on bringing up the past, Alcides? You know how it hurts me.
H: If it hurts, it’s your conscience tormenting you. Because you feel guilty for what you did to Hugo. Yes, that’s it. It’s remorse for having betrayed him.
S: Don’t you dare mention his name. I won’t permit it.
H: You know that my poor brother died a horrible death. While he was hoping that you would go and save him and you, you were negotiating your future with me.
S: What is it you want? You invite me here, try to seduce me with a dinner and then you hurt me with your cruel words. Why? Answer me, Alcides! What do you want? Or are you seeking vengeance against me? I asked you a question, Alcides. Answer me. What makes you torture me like this? Are you taking revenge on me? Answer.
H: Why? Why would I want to get revenge on you? Why?
S: I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking. Whenever you mention Hugo, you seem to be hurt by what happened to him. I don’t understand. You hated Hugo.
H: But he was still my brother.
S: Maybe you feel more guilt than I do. That’s why you torture me. Why? Why try to rob me of the little peace I have left?
H: Because… (tell her!!) You are right. Forgive me. I went too far.
S: You still haven’t answered my question. Why do you hate me, Alcides? You haven’t forgiven me for trying to leave you? What is it?
H: God help me. Let’s calm down. It would be better if we calmed down.
S: No, I won’t calm down. You started it. You know, if you wanted to torture me, my daughter’s illness is a real ordeal for me. I guess that really makes you happy.
She stalks out. (I hope you feel like a real jerk, Hugo because that’s what you are.)
Soledad goes into her bedroom. Ursula comes in (was the baby left alone or is she with Ursula?) and asks why she is here. Wasn’t she going to a party? It wasn’t a party, says Soledad. It was dinner in Alcides’ room. He tried to get fresh with me.
Did he hurt you? asks Ursula.
No, I don’t understand, Ursula, When he’s caring and noble, he reminds me of Hugo but sometimes he acts as if he were my worst enemy and I don’t know why.
Sometimes, I don’t think we shouldn’t have moved into this house, says Ursula.
I don’t know what to do, says Soledad. I’ll go crazy being next to Alcides. Ursula urges her to cry to cleanse the soul.
Hugo is sitting, looking pensive when Boris knocks and comes in. “Where were you?” asks Hugo. “Filing some documents,” answers Boris, “did something happen?” Hugo asks him to sit down.
H: I prepared a special dinner for Soledad and me after a beautiful day that we spent together.
B: Jose said that you went to the house you want to buy to turn into a hospital, right?
H: She was happy. When we went to the house, she had all these plans. How could such a woman who does some many good things for others be so cold-blooded when it comes to money?
B: I guess that’s why you invited her to dinner, then?
H: I wanted to know he true intentions.
B: Soledad stuck to her guns, right?
H: She didn’t let me seduce her. I came so close, so close to telling her that I am Hugo, not Alcides. You don’t know much I wanted to tell her but I didn’t. I couldn’t .
B: You didn’t tell her because you still love her.
Hugo is in bed. He dreams of being with Soledad at their dinner.
H: I love your smile. I love the way you treat people. I love the way you look at me.
S: Me too. Your kindness to my baby and me fills me with joy. I really see you with different eyes.
They get up from the table, Hugo takes her hand.
H: I wish I could control my feelings for you but it’s stronger than I am. I want you to know the truth. I’m not Alcides, I’m Hugo. I’m not dead. I’m Hugo, my love (amor mio). They embrace.
Soledad is dreaming too. She and Hugo are sitting together.
H: At this moment there is only you and I, you and I, my love (mi amor). I want to love you. I want to make you mine, only mine.
S: Hugo, my love. You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for this moment.
H: I’m not Hugo. I’m Alcides.
Soledad wakes up. “That’s not possible,” she says. She goes out of her room and Hugo is sitting in the hall (with his hair done as Hugo). Soledad says that she is going to get a glass of water. She says, “I told you not to do your hair that way. That’s the way Hugo did his hair.” Hugo is drinking. “Couldn’t you sleep?” he says. “No,” she says “It’s difficult to fall asleep after the argument we had, don’t you think?” Hugo says, “I couldn’t sleep, either. I think I said some things I shouldn’t have.” “Don’t worry,” says Soledad, “I also said some thing I shouldn’t have. Get some rest. Good night.” She leaves.
Next morning. Eloisa is at the Hacienda (again). Hugo, while eating grapes, tells her that he has thought about what she told him yesterday about Soledad. Did you reach a conclusion? asks Eloisa. Hugo replies that Soledad may have been a cold and calculating woman in the past but now he believes she is different. She wants to change. She is showing signs that she wants to change. (Why are you asking her this, Hugo? You know she hates Soledad. Why give her an opportunity to spout more venom?). Eloisa says that Soledad is her friend (hah) but she doesn’t want to Hugo to get hurt again. A woman who is deceitful once might do it again.
You think so? says Hugo. “I’m convinced of it, responds Eloisa (as they feed each other grapes). “ Soledad is a puzzling woman. You won’t find another like her in the world.”
Cut to two people fencing. When they stop, the victor is revealed to be a woman.
In the Love Nest of Perversion, Beatriz takes a knife out of a bag. Alcides is crying in frustration at not having been able to kill her. “What bad luck, my love,” she says hiding the knife behind her back. “You don’t know how sorry I am. And now what else will you come up with, Hugo? Are you Hugo or Alcides?” She kisses him and says, “You’re Alcides.” She kisses him again and buries the knife in his chest. Alcides gasps in pain and surprise. Hugo gasps and grabs his chest. “My brother!” he says. (I hope Eloisa wasn’t still there.) The credits roll.
Tomorrow: Say goodbye to the Love Nest of Perversion and Beatriz?
Labels: la traicion
Guapos Friday 4/25/08 Is that a radish in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?
I'm sorry I couldn't get this done earlier--I started yesterday, and it was taking me forever! i wish I could do these faster. Sometimes they are easier.
Anyway, we're back to another action-packed episode, folks, with some good emotional content. But I don't know what we're going to do with our boy Al . . . Moreover, we are about to dive in to an extended mistaken-identity arc, and I hate mistaken-identity plots! Oh, well.
Quick recap of the overlap scenes: Hugo is telling Luci of his plans to go abroad to paint; Alex sweeps in in his butler costume to do the white-glove test with Lina. She is sent to get the plumero, or feather duster. Alex's swaying/gliding movements remind me of the Rosie, the robo-maid on wheels, from the Jetsons. Otherwise, he's doing enough bowing and scraping to get a job as a greeter in a Tokyo department store.
Luci wants Alex to finish this payasada, or joke. She won't let him do it on the night of the big party. The big man Domingo Echavarria is coming, along with his daughter. They could unite the two fortunes . . . Well, we know how well that went with the previous generation.
Gloria is kissing with Chamuco in the kitchen. Horacio catches them and chases out Chamuco. Gloria is upset because she thinks she won't have a boyfriend now. Horacio tells Chamuco that Gloria is a good girl from the convent and he can't take advantage of her. Rocky comes over, and Horacio tells him that he's telling Chamuco things that will make him into the worst boyfriend ever. His plans never fail. Rocky says "if you think so."
Anyway, Horacio goes back to his training: he asks Chamuco what's in his head. Chamuco says hair. NO, you have a brain. What's in a woman's head? Chamuco says a brain. NO, she only has hair. Finally, he tells him that woman's place is in the kitchen. Of course, Soco overhears. Horacio tries to explain, but she's having none of it. She tells Horacio to stay out of her kitchen!
In the staff dining room, Alex is trying to get out of tonight's party. He begs Braulio, who is now dressed as Gilligan and swigging beer, to bail him out. Mili steps in and says no--Alex must keep his promise. She tells Braulio that he's going to the movies tonight. Braulio says no--he's going to the thea-tah! He begins prancing around the room and emoting to the ceiling. Alex begs Soco for help: She says, next time don't make promises you can't keep.
Mili fills Granny in on the hijinks. She wants her to come down and see. Granny says she will come downstairs.
Back in the staff dining room, Horacio tries to come in. Soco sends him packing with a piece of bread and some milk. He wants a taco with basil (albahaca). No, says Soco--no more macho pigs. Karla cheers her mother on.
Damien compliments Luci and Val on their dresses for the evening. It looks like everyone is going to stop fighting for the sake of the anniversary party. Granny comes down.
The bell rings, and Connie asks where's Braulio to open the door. He's not here, says Mili. She shouts like a fishwife for Agapito. Are you deaf (sordo) or what?
Said Aggie opens the door on Bruma. Tu????
Meanwhile, Val says she's not going to say the butler is her brother and ruin the evening. Regina says it's better to just keep quiet for now.
Now we begin the odious mistaken-identity plot: Bruma asks Alex why he didn't tell her he was a butler. Er, er . . .
Mili introduces Connie to Agapito. Alex says he'll explain later. Mili backslaps the guest like a stevedore. We just hired him, she says.
Bruma says, Oh, so that's your name--Agapito.
Luci talks to Echavarria about Val's almost marriage. He is surprised at how well she looks . . . unlike his recently divorced daughter, who is still suffering. Luci wants to introduce her son--you can see the cash register running behind her eyes. Where is the little devil. Luci sends Mili to find Alex, but he's gone off to speak privately with Bruma. Mili leaves Luci holding the food tray--hah!
Luci threatens Damien--if he gets in Alex's way, there'll be hell to pay.
Connie wants to know what's up.
Alex is now flirting with Bruma in the garden. He wants to clear things up . . . of course, she interrupts, thinking he means to clear up why he didn't tell her he was a butler. Groan. No, it's great, she says. So it doesn't matter that he's not a millionaire? No, she's glad he's a simple guy. She's glad he's a butler. He asks what she would think of him if he were a man of business with a lot of pressure and had to fire people. Oh, then you would remind me of my father, she says. I respect him a lot. It's hard to do what he does. But where does this question come from, she wonders. Oh, just curiosity, he says. Well, anyway, she says, I've already told you I love that you're a butler. You've discovered my secret, he says.
Back to Connie, Luci and Damien. L and D are going to join forces to help Alex. Connie asks Damien, Whose side are you on, imbecil? Connie wants Damien to help him get rid of Alex and is using the casino fiasco as leverage.
Karla gives Damien a drink and he downs it in one gulp.
Soco is preparing a meal. Horacio comes in and is tossed out again.
Alex is back to flirting with Bruma. We learn her real name is Florencia. He tells her that she looks much happier today--yesterday she looked so sad. Yes, she got married too young, and her husband cheated on her with a friend. Bobby comes over looking for Alex. Alex signals not to reveal his true identity. Florencia asks if he was trying to impress her by making her believe he was a millionaire--ha ha--you took your boss's name . . .
Mili is looking for Alex upstairs. She opens a door, presumably to Alex's room, and finds Hugo and Pilar in bed. She says she doesn't care who he's with. He comes out and tries to tell her that Pilar means nothing to him.
Bobby is talking to Val while Morgan watches in the background. Seeing Morgan, Val kisses Bobby. Mili asks where Agapito is. Bobby tells her he's in the garden. Florencia goes back to the house, telling Agapito that her father will be looking for her. Enter Mili. Alex is all lovey dovey. I guess he forgot that he was just flirting with that other girl. Mili now gives Agapito the rest of the night off so his mom can show him off. No, he says, a promise is a promise. He will stick with Agapito for the night. He gives her a little kiss.
Cut to morning! Huh? The girls are rehashing. They review how funny Agapito looked when he was presented to his mother and when he lighted a match and burned himself. That's nothing--the next time the friends come, they will give Aga-whistle a big tip.
The girls tell Mili not to laugh, that Alex actually did well. She says that yes, she loves him so, and she's going over to the office to see him.
Over at the office, Connie has called a meeting to discuss the disposal of Damien. He reveals the casino plot to all. Damien tries to deny it--saying it was all Peralta's fault. Everyone votes Damien out of the company (Alex, Luciana and Granny). Regina says to Luci that nothing her brother does surprises her anymore. Connie throws Damien out and says that he is forbidden to even show his nose there.
Now for the title scene: Morgan comes in to the kitchen brandishing a giant horseradish (rabano) as a present for Socorro. This a proof of Horacio's, er, love. But weirder still is the fact that Horacio is hiding under the table looking up Socorro's skirt. Huh? Socorro rejects the offering and beats Horacio away with an equally phallic rolling pin. For additional hilarity, Morgan is left holding the radish and pondering just what he could do with it . . .
Regina is reviewing the Damien situation with Alex. She says he's a little chip, so that must be why he likes gambling so much . . . He's looking for people to step on him--there's already a line waiting. Alex wonders why his dad is so cruel. Regina says that he's not as bad as he thinks--you know what? He offered to pay for Mili to go to school, and Mili turned him down. Alex is impactado. Granny thinks it's a good idea for Alex to convince Mili to go to school. (I hope Mili goes away to school, becomes a licenciada, meets an accountant, comes back and creates a fake company and embargoes Belmonte Industries . . . oh, that was another show. Anyway, it would be nice if Mili did go to school.)
Morgan and Horacio go to a jewelry store. Morgan buys a necklace for Val. Today a necklace, tomorrow a house, a cruise to Acapulco, and so on. Horacio suggests branching out with the taco chain. Morgan suggests that Horacio buy a necklace for Socorro, but Horacio doesn't have enough money. He wants Morgan to think it over (maybe Morgan will eventually build a large chain of taco stands and become rich, thereby being "good enough" for Val--but not before she also learns her lesson and says she doesn't care).
Damien is wandering the street. He sees a bedraggled beggar and envisions himself in the role. The shot of Damien with the dirty long hair and beard was pretty funny.
Cut to a new set--it's someone's fancy house and Florencia is talking to a blond girl: Look, it's Ceci from Amar, typecast as everyone's favorite girl roommate! Look's like she's Florencia's sister Marisela. Marisela wants her sister to come out of mourning--after all, she's not a widow. Marisela confesses she met someone she liked last night. She says she's not sure she "likes likes" him, but he's a good guy. What's more, last night for the first time since her divorce, she was able to sleep calmly.
Miligol is over at Al's office kissing him. Aw. Don't worry, this won't last long. She asks when the fired workers are coming back. He says they aren't. Quoting Florencia quoting her father--sometimes when you're the boss you have to make tough decisions. (It seems to me that he is just taking advantage of that fortuitous conversation.) Mili shouts that he learned nothing from his stint as a butler. Demonstrating that he can be just as mature, Alex shouts that he's had it up to here with her telling him about the poor people. The truth is that he was born with a gold spoon, but he had a terrible life. He never lacked food or blankets, but neither did you in the convent. Mili says he shouldn't compare himself with her--he had a mother to take care of him when he was sick and kiss him goodnight. He says she had the same thing at the convent with PM and Sister Cachete. And she had football too! (Yes, he said that.) Would she prefer to have an alcoholic mother and a father who hates her? He also suffered, and all he had was Granny, and most of the time, she was shut in her room. Do you think it's easy being born into a wealthy (adinerado--moneyed) family? You're wrong!
Morgan is driving Val to a photo shoot. He hands her the necklace, and she says she can't accept gifts and throws it out the window without even opening it. Oh, come on!
Back to Mili and Al: He says he accepts her as she is--servant and all. He loved her and she can't accept him as he is. What do you plan for the future? Stope being a girl and grow up. My dad offered to send you to school, and you turned it down. It doesn't bother me that you're a servant, but you should want to grow. You say I need to change, but what about you? You can grow at my side or without me.
Mili says, if you don't like me as I am . . . he cuts her off. I've had it, Mili. Now it's me who feels deceived by you. Our engagement is a mistake, and a marriage would be worse! Now it's me who isn't interested in a life with someone like you. Wow, way to go from zero to ninety, Al.
Mili is a combination of impactada and very sad.
Now for the money scene: Mili is sitting in the big chair in Granny's room looking like a little girl. Mili tells Regina that Alex said she was just a girl and deceived him because she wouldn't take advantage of Connie's offer. She should study and grow. Granny says that in a way Alex is right--he has a career and he wants you to progress. Mili says--you too--you don't like me the way I am? Granny asks what's wrong with studying? Why didn't you take Connie's offer? Because I'm afraid, says Mili, finally revealing the truth behind her bravado. I don't want to deceive anyone. It's because I'm so bruta (coarse, gross, unrefined). They'll throw me out in five minutes. You want to teach me to speak well and not to hit everyone, but I'm a burra (stupid).
Rocky and Val are fruitlessly looking for the package on the street. She says they should just leave it, as she doesn't want to be late for her photo session. He says that even if he could take it back he'd rather she have it and know that it was in her closet. She says forget it. Stop buying her gifts. Forget about her. If you don't see why, I'll hire a new chauffeur. They drive away, but Morgan is still glancing back to see if he can find the package.
Alex is rehashing with Bobby at the office. So you showed Mili the eraser (goma)? Bobby asks. (Interesting idiom for breaking up.) Alex says yes, he's starting over. (How convenient that he has a new gal waiting in the wings.) Alex said she asked me one more time about those workers . . . and I couldn't take it. Bang, Alice--you're going to the moon. Bobby says--you haven't stopped loving her, right? Before Alex can answer, Andrea interrupts saying that Florencia is looking for him. Quickly, Alex enlists Bobby to play him and he hides. The two sisters come in, and Florencia says she wants to find out how to get in touch with Agapito, but in the meantime they will all go out for a bite to eat. Bobby and Ceci look a little lovestruck. I predict they will get together. Bobby exits with another one of those crotch-covering gestures. Those girls were cute, but isn't this a bit exaggerated?
Damien is desperate now. He goes to see a doctor who owes him a large gambling debt. He has a way for the doctor to pay him back. This doctor works at a prison, right? And he's an oncologist, right? He gets the sleazy doc to bring him some X-rays of a terminal cancer patient so he can pass them off as his own. In the avances, it looks like everyone is being told that poor Damien is dying. It also looks like Alex kisses Florencia. Woo-hoo.
Anyway, we're back to another action-packed episode, folks, with some good emotional content. But I don't know what we're going to do with our boy Al . . . Moreover, we are about to dive in to an extended mistaken-identity arc, and I hate mistaken-identity plots! Oh, well.
Quick recap of the overlap scenes: Hugo is telling Luci of his plans to go abroad to paint; Alex sweeps in in his butler costume to do the white-glove test with Lina. She is sent to get the plumero, or feather duster. Alex's swaying/gliding movements remind me of the Rosie, the robo-maid on wheels, from the Jetsons. Otherwise, he's doing enough bowing and scraping to get a job as a greeter in a Tokyo department store.
Luci wants Alex to finish this payasada, or joke. She won't let him do it on the night of the big party. The big man Domingo Echavarria is coming, along with his daughter. They could unite the two fortunes . . . Well, we know how well that went with the previous generation.
Gloria is kissing with Chamuco in the kitchen. Horacio catches them and chases out Chamuco. Gloria is upset because she thinks she won't have a boyfriend now. Horacio tells Chamuco that Gloria is a good girl from the convent and he can't take advantage of her. Rocky comes over, and Horacio tells him that he's telling Chamuco things that will make him into the worst boyfriend ever. His plans never fail. Rocky says "if you think so."
Anyway, Horacio goes back to his training: he asks Chamuco what's in his head. Chamuco says hair. NO, you have a brain. What's in a woman's head? Chamuco says a brain. NO, she only has hair. Finally, he tells him that woman's place is in the kitchen. Of course, Soco overhears. Horacio tries to explain, but she's having none of it. She tells Horacio to stay out of her kitchen!
In the staff dining room, Alex is trying to get out of tonight's party. He begs Braulio, who is now dressed as Gilligan and swigging beer, to bail him out. Mili steps in and says no--Alex must keep his promise. She tells Braulio that he's going to the movies tonight. Braulio says no--he's going to the thea-tah! He begins prancing around the room and emoting to the ceiling. Alex begs Soco for help: She says, next time don't make promises you can't keep.
Mili fills Granny in on the hijinks. She wants her to come down and see. Granny says she will come downstairs.
Back in the staff dining room, Horacio tries to come in. Soco sends him packing with a piece of bread and some milk. He wants a taco with basil (albahaca). No, says Soco--no more macho pigs. Karla cheers her mother on.
Damien compliments Luci and Val on their dresses for the evening. It looks like everyone is going to stop fighting for the sake of the anniversary party. Granny comes down.
The bell rings, and Connie asks where's Braulio to open the door. He's not here, says Mili. She shouts like a fishwife for Agapito. Are you deaf (sordo) or what?
Said Aggie opens the door on Bruma. Tu????
Meanwhile, Val says she's not going to say the butler is her brother and ruin the evening. Regina says it's better to just keep quiet for now.
Now we begin the odious mistaken-identity plot: Bruma asks Alex why he didn't tell her he was a butler. Er, er . . .
Mili introduces Connie to Agapito. Alex says he'll explain later. Mili backslaps the guest like a stevedore. We just hired him, she says.
Bruma says, Oh, so that's your name--Agapito.
Luci talks to Echavarria about Val's almost marriage. He is surprised at how well she looks . . . unlike his recently divorced daughter, who is still suffering. Luci wants to introduce her son--you can see the cash register running behind her eyes. Where is the little devil. Luci sends Mili to find Alex, but he's gone off to speak privately with Bruma. Mili leaves Luci holding the food tray--hah!
Luci threatens Damien--if he gets in Alex's way, there'll be hell to pay.
Connie wants to know what's up.
Alex is now flirting with Bruma in the garden. He wants to clear things up . . . of course, she interrupts, thinking he means to clear up why he didn't tell her he was a butler. Groan. No, it's great, she says. So it doesn't matter that he's not a millionaire? No, she's glad he's a simple guy. She's glad he's a butler. He asks what she would think of him if he were a man of business with a lot of pressure and had to fire people. Oh, then you would remind me of my father, she says. I respect him a lot. It's hard to do what he does. But where does this question come from, she wonders. Oh, just curiosity, he says. Well, anyway, she says, I've already told you I love that you're a butler. You've discovered my secret, he says.
Back to Connie, Luci and Damien. L and D are going to join forces to help Alex. Connie asks Damien, Whose side are you on, imbecil? Connie wants Damien to help him get rid of Alex and is using the casino fiasco as leverage.
Karla gives Damien a drink and he downs it in one gulp.
Soco is preparing a meal. Horacio comes in and is tossed out again.
Alex is back to flirting with Bruma. We learn her real name is Florencia. He tells her that she looks much happier today--yesterday she looked so sad. Yes, she got married too young, and her husband cheated on her with a friend. Bobby comes over looking for Alex. Alex signals not to reveal his true identity. Florencia asks if he was trying to impress her by making her believe he was a millionaire--ha ha--you took your boss's name . . .
Mili is looking for Alex upstairs. She opens a door, presumably to Alex's room, and finds Hugo and Pilar in bed. She says she doesn't care who he's with. He comes out and tries to tell her that Pilar means nothing to him.
Bobby is talking to Val while Morgan watches in the background. Seeing Morgan, Val kisses Bobby. Mili asks where Agapito is. Bobby tells her he's in the garden. Florencia goes back to the house, telling Agapito that her father will be looking for her. Enter Mili. Alex is all lovey dovey. I guess he forgot that he was just flirting with that other girl. Mili now gives Agapito the rest of the night off so his mom can show him off. No, he says, a promise is a promise. He will stick with Agapito for the night. He gives her a little kiss.
Cut to morning! Huh? The girls are rehashing. They review how funny Agapito looked when he was presented to his mother and when he lighted a match and burned himself. That's nothing--the next time the friends come, they will give Aga-whistle a big tip.
The girls tell Mili not to laugh, that Alex actually did well. She says that yes, she loves him so, and she's going over to the office to see him.
Over at the office, Connie has called a meeting to discuss the disposal of Damien. He reveals the casino plot to all. Damien tries to deny it--saying it was all Peralta's fault. Everyone votes Damien out of the company (Alex, Luciana and Granny). Regina says to Luci that nothing her brother does surprises her anymore. Connie throws Damien out and says that he is forbidden to even show his nose there.
Now for the title scene: Morgan comes in to the kitchen brandishing a giant horseradish (rabano) as a present for Socorro. This a proof of Horacio's, er, love. But weirder still is the fact that Horacio is hiding under the table looking up Socorro's skirt. Huh? Socorro rejects the offering and beats Horacio away with an equally phallic rolling pin. For additional hilarity, Morgan is left holding the radish and pondering just what he could do with it . . .
Regina is reviewing the Damien situation with Alex. She says he's a little chip, so that must be why he likes gambling so much . . . He's looking for people to step on him--there's already a line waiting. Alex wonders why his dad is so cruel. Regina says that he's not as bad as he thinks--you know what? He offered to pay for Mili to go to school, and Mili turned him down. Alex is impactado. Granny thinks it's a good idea for Alex to convince Mili to go to school. (I hope Mili goes away to school, becomes a licenciada, meets an accountant, comes back and creates a fake company and embargoes Belmonte Industries . . . oh, that was another show. Anyway, it would be nice if Mili did go to school.)
Morgan and Horacio go to a jewelry store. Morgan buys a necklace for Val. Today a necklace, tomorrow a house, a cruise to Acapulco, and so on. Horacio suggests branching out with the taco chain. Morgan suggests that Horacio buy a necklace for Socorro, but Horacio doesn't have enough money. He wants Morgan to think it over (maybe Morgan will eventually build a large chain of taco stands and become rich, thereby being "good enough" for Val--but not before she also learns her lesson and says she doesn't care).
Damien is wandering the street. He sees a bedraggled beggar and envisions himself in the role. The shot of Damien with the dirty long hair and beard was pretty funny.
Cut to a new set--it's someone's fancy house and Florencia is talking to a blond girl: Look, it's Ceci from Amar, typecast as everyone's favorite girl roommate! Look's like she's Florencia's sister Marisela. Marisela wants her sister to come out of mourning--after all, she's not a widow. Marisela confesses she met someone she liked last night. She says she's not sure she "likes likes" him, but he's a good guy. What's more, last night for the first time since her divorce, she was able to sleep calmly.
Miligol is over at Al's office kissing him. Aw. Don't worry, this won't last long. She asks when the fired workers are coming back. He says they aren't. Quoting Florencia quoting her father--sometimes when you're the boss you have to make tough decisions. (It seems to me that he is just taking advantage of that fortuitous conversation.) Mili shouts that he learned nothing from his stint as a butler. Demonstrating that he can be just as mature, Alex shouts that he's had it up to here with her telling him about the poor people. The truth is that he was born with a gold spoon, but he had a terrible life. He never lacked food or blankets, but neither did you in the convent. Mili says he shouldn't compare himself with her--he had a mother to take care of him when he was sick and kiss him goodnight. He says she had the same thing at the convent with PM and Sister Cachete. And she had football too! (Yes, he said that.) Would she prefer to have an alcoholic mother and a father who hates her? He also suffered, and all he had was Granny, and most of the time, she was shut in her room. Do you think it's easy being born into a wealthy (adinerado--moneyed) family? You're wrong!
Morgan is driving Val to a photo shoot. He hands her the necklace, and she says she can't accept gifts and throws it out the window without even opening it. Oh, come on!
Back to Mili and Al: He says he accepts her as she is--servant and all. He loved her and she can't accept him as he is. What do you plan for the future? Stope being a girl and grow up. My dad offered to send you to school, and you turned it down. It doesn't bother me that you're a servant, but you should want to grow. You say I need to change, but what about you? You can grow at my side or without me.
Mili says, if you don't like me as I am . . . he cuts her off. I've had it, Mili. Now it's me who feels deceived by you. Our engagement is a mistake, and a marriage would be worse! Now it's me who isn't interested in a life with someone like you. Wow, way to go from zero to ninety, Al.
Mili is a combination of impactada and very sad.
Now for the money scene: Mili is sitting in the big chair in Granny's room looking like a little girl. Mili tells Regina that Alex said she was just a girl and deceived him because she wouldn't take advantage of Connie's offer. She should study and grow. Granny says that in a way Alex is right--he has a career and he wants you to progress. Mili says--you too--you don't like me the way I am? Granny asks what's wrong with studying? Why didn't you take Connie's offer? Because I'm afraid, says Mili, finally revealing the truth behind her bravado. I don't want to deceive anyone. It's because I'm so bruta (coarse, gross, unrefined). They'll throw me out in five minutes. You want to teach me to speak well and not to hit everyone, but I'm a burra (stupid).
Rocky and Val are fruitlessly looking for the package on the street. She says they should just leave it, as she doesn't want to be late for her photo session. He says that even if he could take it back he'd rather she have it and know that it was in her closet. She says forget it. Stop buying her gifts. Forget about her. If you don't see why, I'll hire a new chauffeur. They drive away, but Morgan is still glancing back to see if he can find the package.
Alex is rehashing with Bobby at the office. So you showed Mili the eraser (goma)? Bobby asks. (Interesting idiom for breaking up.) Alex says yes, he's starting over. (How convenient that he has a new gal waiting in the wings.) Alex said she asked me one more time about those workers . . . and I couldn't take it. Bang, Alice--you're going to the moon. Bobby says--you haven't stopped loving her, right? Before Alex can answer, Andrea interrupts saying that Florencia is looking for him. Quickly, Alex enlists Bobby to play him and he hides. The two sisters come in, and Florencia says she wants to find out how to get in touch with Agapito, but in the meantime they will all go out for a bite to eat. Bobby and Ceci look a little lovestruck. I predict they will get together. Bobby exits with another one of those crotch-covering gestures. Those girls were cute, but isn't this a bit exaggerated?
Damien is desperate now. He goes to see a doctor who owes him a large gambling debt. He has a way for the doctor to pay him back. This doctor works at a prison, right? And he's an oncologist, right? He gets the sleazy doc to bring him some X-rays of a terminal cancer patient so he can pass them off as his own. In the avances, it looks like everyone is being told that poor Damien is dying. It also looks like Alex kisses Florencia. Woo-hoo.
Labels: guapos
The worldwide Caray, Caray! conspiracy
Hi all,
Just checked our Sitemeter (the little tiny green box at the bottom of the sidebar). We have had (as of just now) 305,931 visitors, with a current average of 888 visits per day.
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Just checked our Sitemeter (the little tiny green box at the bottom of the sidebar). We have had (as of just now) 305,931 visitors, with a current average of 888 visits per day.
In the last couple hours people have visited us from (for instance): Indonesia, Egypt, Israel, Slovakia, Romania, Russia, Lithuania, Albania, the Czech Republic, Germany, and England.
Long live the telenovelas!
Labels: announcements
Friday, April 25, 2008
Pasión, 25 April Fri. - Sail Away With Me, The Grand Finale
I am already into Pasión withdrawals and Fernando withdrawals but on with the finale -
As I watched the introduction one last time I appreciated the intriguing combination of present, past, future, and fantasy then they added a big dollop of TEASE for us to puzzle over every night throughout the telenovela's run. The Estrada crew must have had so much fun putting this together.
The replay scenes: The archbishop, Gaspar is arguing with Col. Jose Maria that the loss of one more working man in this cellar inside a cave (SanFer is certainly the pits) is injust. JM sticks to the LAW is very clear, but Gaspar chides him to think that the laws are made by men to suit men, what of the higher law which includes piety and compassion. He finds Sebastian a good man and how should they give credence to the vengeful act of LaFont to condemn him. Why should an innocent, perhaps weak, man suffer for the rest of his life. JM resists letting an additional man go free. Gaspar advises him that the wise learn to correct themselves and he leaves.
Once more we see the executioner arrive and swing his axe like a champion batter loosening up at the world series. The unrepentant LaFont curses his daughter and her progeny for seven generations, Ascanio and Nanny comfort her but the great battle axe comes down on the grossest villain known to telenovela land. Great filming with desperate music to accompany the only undeserved lament coming from Manuela. Gruesome but a satisfying finish for this reprobate who did so much damage right up to the end of his days with a head still attached.
Ursula worries that they have lost everything. Sofia corrects that to they have only the dowry she came into the marriage with. She adds that when the new lord of San Fernando arrives they will have to leave the palace. Ever cheerful, Fortunata adds that they will be cozier in a smaller house. Ursula gives her a withering look but Sofia just looks sad. Knocking, the majordomo informs Sofia that Santiago has escaped the prison, he simply disappeared.
One probable causer, make that Ricardo, is bidding the archbishop goodbye in his carriage. Gaspar tells him to behave himself and to get married like God commands. He asks to be advised in time so he can celebrate the betrothal mass. They chuckle good naturedly, Ricardo assures him this will come to pass, while Mario says his goodbyes and thanks his brother telling him that without him this outcome would not have been possible. Jose Maria grins that this is the first time he has organized the escape of an accused man. But who can resist the arguments of the monsenior. He tells Mario to get his life straightened out too. JM mounts his horse, leaves his Criollo Captain in charge at SanFer and off they go. The eager faced Captain asks Ric and Mario if they think Lady Ursula would welcome a visit??? The boys giggle good naturedly, for sure.
Ines is delivering the message that Ofelia has left town early that morning to follow Santiago and she has left the baby Ana Maria in Camila's care since that was Rita's deathbed wish and Santiago's too. She asked you to raise her. Camila is glad to agree with all her love. The Jemena, Ines and Camila all laugh and hug. What happened with Santiago? Was he released, did he escape?? We don't know for sure but it was with a lot of help from Ricardo. Oh Ricardo, of course adds Camila with joy and tears. Ines says, I'll go get Ana Maria.
Camila bursts into Ricardo's room to thank him for what he did for Santiago. Ric demurs that it was justice done. He and Santiago may have fought and struggled for what they wanted but he never bore him resentment. Expressing their mutual love, there is very sweet kissing. You have a new daughter. Who? Ana Maria! How wonderful, welcome to her.
Jimena prepares her bed later that night, she responds to the knock on the door to find an agitated Mario on the other side of it. Is something going on? Well, not anyone else, but yes with me.... She cocks her head knowingly, now you have repented? No, so many people here we haven't had time to talk but if it's too late, I will go. (not so fast buddy) She invites him in, puts on her robe to assume a bit more modesty and he stammers out his love words, he loves her manner of being, her character, her... and he's not poor they can buy lands, start business... his stammering is so endearing. She jumps to guess that, But you're married? No, he steps forward, I was married to a woman who I loved greatly but she deceived me, and I killed them both. For this I had to escape and I joined with pirates. I was very young, Jimena, I couldn't control myself and I couldn't stand it. I resolved never to commit my self seriously to another woman, but you Jimena... She hesitates then tells him he doesn't know what her life has been like. But, I know you are a woman that is valiant, honest and loyal. And you?, she returns, as they sit on the edge of the bed. Will you be valiant, honest and loyal with me?? I swear to you, my love, I swear to you. And we are going to marry?, she presses on. He answers fervently, in front of God, in front of the whole world. And you're never going to abandon me? No never, never, never. I swear it. They start to rip off clothes as we are the lucky voyeurs to the hottest, most joyous love scene. Alas too short....(Our viewing time, that is.)
Sofia is entering the eBasement with the majordomo. They open a door, she tells him to open the large trunk. A treasure, Doña Sofia! But it isn't ours. Bring it up to my husband's office and later go to look for Ricardo.
A now constantly smiling Ricardo, sitting in the outdoor cafe is asking Josie-Jay if he is returning to Japan now? And you are not staying for my wedding? Unfortunately, no, I have a boat to catch but I wish you both the best and I am happy you have recovered your son. Just then Sofia's majordomo advances to announce that Sofia wants to see him. He stands and gives that great pirate farewell, arms crossing to opposite shoulders. They wish each other luck and good fortune. See you soon.
Next we find Ricardo viewing the big trunk full of jewels in Jorge's office Sofia says I suppose this is yours? He fingers a truly large green gem and admits it is. He figures that her husband and LaFont divided up the treasure because he saw Lisabeta with the necklace that he recognized. Sofia generously says, carry it away. He says it is better if he leaves it for her to divide among her poor. She says, but it belongs to you. Not any more he avers. I want to give it to you for your sorrow of losing your husband. She graciously says thanks. He tells her she is a great woman, noble and generous and it would be an honor for him if she would attend his wedding to Camila. With great pleasure, when will it be? Within one month. He kisses her hand gallantly.
And what grand finale can avoid a grand wedding? Certainly not this one. The next scene a month later shows Camila descending from a flower laden open carriage in a honey and crimson gown so beautifully complementing her hair. She walks the short distance to Ricardo with triumphant and joyful waves to the adoring crowd. She joins Ricardo in front of the church. The archbishop conducts the ceremony. The smiles and the radiant bride and groom and the grinning children, friends and family are touching. They conclude by going into the church for a mass.
Ahhhh, the wedding boudoir dripping with white flowers and candles. He is the happiest man in the world. She tells him she never expected from that day when she arrived captive on La Mariana and the first time she saw him and the pirate that looked at her with so much persistence would become the love of her life. He agrees that he maybe he didn't think it would happen but she moved many things in him and now they are to be together for life, for destiny and for God. You are my wife and I love you, I love you. Unfolds the hottest most passionate love scene between these beautiful people. What sweet dreams they created for all...
************
Ursula is draping herself in the doorway when the majordomo tells her she has visitor. She says sulkily, if it's Captain Enrique, tell him I'm not here. No, it is someone else who came to call on your father, he calls himself John Foreman. Ursula nearly knocks over this gentle giant of a servant in her rush to primp and spray herself with enticing scents. Love the way she dotted each breast. She stops the run down the stairs in time to see John smiling up at her. She tells him if he came to see her father, he died months ago. John responds with condolences, but adds that he came to search for her. For me she says coyly, why? Didn't you tell me that you would love to travel see other lands and live adventures with me? There is a momentary blur of blondness melting together but we shift to Sofia's hands taking the fateful birthday necklace from the birthday jewelry box then see her sad fond smile. Ursula bursts in with teenage exuberance, John Foreman has come for ME!! Mother, I think he is the man of my life. Don't oppose it. Remember that Father gave me the liberty to choose my own husband. Sofia hears Jorge's voice saying those exact words. Yes, Sofia agrees. And Tita?, asks Fortunata. Ursula cries, she has never been a good mother, you know that better than I, Mother. Tita would be better off staying with you two. I am going to ask her if she wants to come with me but if she prefers to stay with you, could she? Sofia, cries, yes, it would give them something to live for. Thus the third great love scene of the night progresses as mother and daughter hug in tears and Fortunata looks lovingly on nearby.
Downstairs John waits. The three ladies come down. Sofia starts right off, so you want to carry my daughter away. John tells Sofia that he knows she doesn't have a very good opinion of him but now he has retired from the life that he had. Pragmatic as always, Sofia says let's sit and discuss this. You are not a very recommendable son-in-law, she challenges. Yes, but I have money, I own my ships and a rich sugar plantation. Ursula is the only woman I know that will never bore me. Sofia advises, Ursula is not an easy woman. He takes hold of Ursula's hand and says he has always liked challenges and that is precisely what has always attracted him to her. Impatiently, Ursula, please Mother, what am I going to do here in this village? Let me go to live my life. It's what I want. Are you sure? Yes, I am sure. Fortunata is still beaming smiles, a loving aura floods the room.
Babies and nannies are strewn about the lawn in a happy array of gentle chaos as Camila and Jimena chat and eat fruit in the sunshine. Jimena asks, does Conchita still think she is Pedro's mother? No. She loves him so much but she loves the others too. And does your husband know what has become of his cousin and auntie? NO and I don't think he wants to. It was their fault that we almost lost our son. Jimena says if it had been up to her, they would have been cast into jail. Camila laughs and says God will judge them.
The next scene only shares the bright sunshine. The doll in tatters is pulled by a string by the disheveled Fran with a broken umbrella, streaming filthy hair with no trace of the prim roll we have come to expect. She looks like she just stepped out of a Fellini movie. Madness flares from her red eyes, her parched lips repeat a forlorn Lisabeta, Lisabeta. She approaches a small family of country folk with a burro and wagon. She asks them if they haven't seen her niece, a woman very pretty, she is blind. Have you seen her. No Lady, the woman says. The man repeats we are sorry but we haven't seen her. The woman kindly offers her a taco from their little cooking area in the dust. Fran can just muster a look of absolute disdain but she grabs the taco and turns so they cannot see her cram it ravenously into her mouth. She trails off stumbling and still calling Lisabeta, Lisabeta.
******************
Tita runs into the room ahead of Ursula followed by Sofia and Fortunata. Ursula gets on her knees to ask if she saw the gentleman that came to see her. Tita says, yes she saw him pacing on the patio. Ursula pushes on, I am going with him very far from San Fernando because I believe he is the person that can make me truly happy. That is to say, I don't want to influence what you say but I want you to do what you feel. Do you prefer to come away with me or do you prefer to stay here with your grandmother and your aunt Fortunata? The wise little child says, I want to stay here. Ursula grasps Tita in a hug and says, it's fine, it's fine. So it will be. This is a world that is very unjust to women. Even though men can live in whatever way pleases them, women must fulfill the man's desires and serve them. But I want you to know, it is important that you always fight for what you want. My love, I know that now you don't understand what I am saying to you but one day I know you will. I am going to write you long letters and speak to you of many things. When you want to come to me, the doors of my house will always be open to you. I will understand you, and support you. They cry and Sofia comes forward to add that all that all these words apply to her and Ursula too. They all cry and hug.
Now the misfortune and hand of destiny that should have tasted so sweet is snatched from us as the tragic figure of Lisabeta crawls barefoot, still in her fancy light green grown now grimy, dried blood streaked across her face crawls in blind helplessness in the desert. She calls out pathetically over and over for Tia, Tia...
Camila is packing the babies' clothes as Ines comes into the bedroom carrying a letter from her mother Ofelia. She asks Camila to read it calmly. Ines quickly leaves. Camila unwraps the letter which contains the green scarf all clean and neatly folded. The letter read to us in Ofelia's voice says Dear Camila, I know this letter won't be a surprise to you because Ines will have brought it to you. Santiago has left the penal colony in San Benito largely thanks to Ricardo's efforts and by the kindness of Gaspar. Santiago is in a congregation near Santiago de Compostela. I live in a village very near but I can visit him every day. We see Santiago in monks' habit in a beautiful monastic setting in the Gallician countryside. He has devoted himself to the care of the vegetable garden. He likes it a lot. I pray and believe that truly it has always been his desire and his destiny to serve God. He loves to attend to the people, talk with them and teach the word of God. Now he is a novice but in a little time he will be consecrated. I feel that he is happy. Back to Camila and the letter in hand she takes up the scarf and wistfully remembers the innocent love she felt as she put that green scarf around Santiago's neck so very long ago. She folds the scarf with care as if to gently but forever put away that chapter of her life.
Camila is sleeping beauty as Ricardo comes in and takes off his sword and coat, washes in the basin while she wakes up to greet him with laughter and kisses. You have returned. Guess what? I have bought us a plantation with a beautiful house for you and for our children, like we have dreamed of. Do you regret leaving your town and your family. NO. She giggles then tells him she is pregnant. He is happy as he says well, we augment the family. They tumble happily into another love scene.
The impressive looking carriage arrives with a splendid retinue lead by standard bearers. Ohhh, could it be? Who is this solemn young man sitting in the carriage leaning forward with uneasy anticipation? Quick switch to our favorite majordomo bringing in the news that the new Lord of San Fernando has arrived. The ladies come nervously down the stairs. Sofia observes that he is just a boy as Fortunata says he is the young man who killed Don Alvaro Fernandez de la Cueva. Just then they are addressed by our favorite young galan who gallantly introduces himself as Claudio Fernadez de la Cueva. Once more majordomo approaches to announce that Ascanio Gonzales has come from the administrative palace to see her urgently. Sofia says to explain to him that I can't receive him at this moment. Claudio speaks up and says please tell him he can come in. Ascanio comes in and rushes to embrace Claudio. Claudio explains that he was jailed for his crime but he appealed to the king and was not only freed but given a position of honor and the dominion of Salvatierra was returned to him as well as adding San Fernando. The ever gracious Sofia takes the staff of San Fernando and says we knew a new Lord would be coming. It makes me happy that at least you are someone who knows this village and its people. She hands him the staff. She adds and don't worry about us. I have another property and we can move there today and leave you the palace. No, I am not throwing you out. On the contrary what will I do with this huge palace all alone? Fortunata, asks, do you want us to stay? Well, I have no one. I have lost my mother and brother there is no other family. And I don't know how to recieve people, here, they know you, respect you and love you.
Sofia responds there is only me, my neice and my ten year old granddaughter. My daughter has gone away with her fiance. But if you want... Yes, yes.... they hug and Sofia says it will be as you wish. Ascanio and Fortunata look on beaming smiles. Fortunata adds the warm words, we are going to be like a family again.
**************
The celebration party for the new Lord. The palace gardens are full of people we have never seen before until Fortunata questions Manuela and Ascanio about their wedding. Manuela says it will be in six months when the mourning period ends. Ascanio confirms that it will be hard work for him to wait that long. Justo comes down the stairs with Sofia as they discuss how very young Claudio is, too young to live alone and Sofia says they are happy to have him in the house. Fortunata starts to ask if Justo has news from Ofelia and Santiago... but we pan instead to Ines and Vasco who are bombarded by Pacho and other children. Ines laughs at the mischievous children, she and Vasco grin and hug and Ines, says I have a surprise for you. Huh?? She whispers into his ear, he reacts with joy, Are you pregnant? Oh woman, my woman! He whirls her around.
Pancho tells La Paisana that he knows she has wanted to retire. She asks if he has forgiven her yet. He hugs her, telling her that there is nothing to forgive. The three Salamanca babies are paraded through the party and Ricardo beams when Claudio makes comment about his numerous family. Ricardo counters with telling Claudio he salutes him for his decision to take in Sofia and he assures Claudio that she is a kindly woman who will help him greatly grow into his position.
Mario and Jimena stand as if alone like lovers in the moonlight hardly able to wait to escape from the obligations of this big party.
Ricardo stands with Justo and Claudio and Camila telling that he and Camila will leave very soon for the plantation in New Orleans. Justo says it pains him that they are going so far away. Ricardo doesn't look pained but graciously says they will come to see him and certainly he is welcome to visit them. Claudio wishes they could all stay in San Fernando too. Such is life says Ricardo, each person has to continue his own family. Paco runs up to break up a stiff scene and flings himself against Ricardo reminding him of that ride on the ship he has been waiting for. Ricardo picks up his nephew and tosses him up in the air telling him now he is going to complete his promise and magically he comes back down to Ricardo's arms and they are transported to the ship sailing toward New Orleans (gee I hope they told Paco's parents they were kidnapping him). On the beautiful ship, on the beautiful sea, Ricardo lets Paco steer while he walks along kissing and hugging his children. Camila holds little Pedro and remarks that now she sees why Ricardo loves the sea so much. He waxes philosophic that all life comes from the sea and they have to love it and respect it. And when their son is old enough he will tell him that it is really love that moves the universe, for sure. The nannies bring little Manuel and Ana Maria for Ricardo to hold. The five of them sparkle in the setting sun as we fade with the Pasión ballad to - FIN -
BUT WAIT, There is more: Below are the final comments from some of your intrepid Pasión recappers:
1.) From Jardinera -
What a wonderful excursion into Fantasyland! Disney has nothin' on Carla and Company this time around. I've not read the original in Spanish, but this Maria Zarattini yarn might be considered right in league with good ol' James Fenimore Cooper's for my money; and neither dreary Daniel Day-Lewis nor the likes of Johnny The Drip Depp can/could ever compare to Fernando Colunga's on-screen and larger-than-life heroic personage of Ricardo de Salamanca –even if they could speak Spanish! Jollywood execs, call your office. We have a blockbuster of a story here if you could only get your worthless, proverbial act together.
--Thanks, the Jardinera!
2.) From Capitana J.R. -
* With most soaps and novelas I've watched, they go
with the rule of "miss a week, don't miss much." With
Pasion, it was totally reversed "miss a day, miss a
lot, miss a week and I'm totally lost."
* Wondering why we were tortured for so long with
Rita and her complaining before she died and then, in
the end, our main villian men Jorge and Alberto are
arrested and killed off in the same episode?
* Watching "Pasion" has been one amazing, wild
adventure, one that won't be forgotten for a long
time.
Jody "J.R./Capitana J.R." :)
3.) From Margaret -
I looked back at some of the old posts and discovered that we have been waiting for this novela for A YEAR! And I think for the majority of us, it didn’t disappoint. The acting was not uniformly strong but there were enough excellent actors in a variety of roles and the production values were so much better (on location shooting!) that it just rises way above the quality of most of the telenovela productions I’ve seen.
Another of the marvelous things about this show was how much detail went into it. Every outdoor scene is teeming with life—tons of extras who aren’t just standing around--they are doing something. Although there were some anachronisms, there weren’t too many. Lots of research seemed to have gone into this and it will be fun to watch it again sometime just to notice all the little details. I loved how all of these ex-pirates ended up plantation owners in New Orleans. That’s pretty historically accurate too.
The last episode was a solid effort at tying off the loose ends. So many times, they ruin these endings with last minute fake drama. Nice touch to have Claudio back as the lord of SF. (I would guess he hooks up with Tita in 7 or 8 years. Say he’s 18 and she’s 10. That was no problem back then.) Ursula’s fiery feminist speech was a good antidote for all the abuse of women on this show. Somehow, though, I think Tita is going to be less wild than her Mom. She clearly loves her mom but if at 10 she already knew she’d be happier with grandma and auntie, she’s one wise child. Lis and Fran still alive but crazy and penniless? I wonder if they will ever run into each other. Santiago is one good looking monk and seems happy, finally too. They said he was in Santiago de Compostela. I would guess they mean the original one, in Spain. That’s a long way away! And the scarf even makes a final appearance! When Camila unwraps it--that was a tear jerk moment.
So, from pirates to babies! That was so sweet! It really seems like the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for a lonely guy who had no real family (and a dysfunctional extended one at that) to having a houseful of kids. It would be funny if they did Pasión: the next generation. We could see what became of LaFont’s curse.
4.) From Julie -
I feel like I just stepped off of a roller coaster -
overwhelmed and disoriented, but wishing I could get
back on and ride it again right away instead of
having to wait for the next great telenovela roller
coaster to come around.
I have plenty more to say about the last episode, but
I suspect we'll discuss that in the comments; what
I'm nearly speechless about is what a pleasure it has
been to recap this show. It was often a challenge,
but it was worth it! And it was just as much fun
reading the other recaps and all the comments.
Nothing in the story ever happened the way I expected
it to, and our conversations brought so much more to
the experience than I could have hoped.
And as rewarding as this experience has been, it has
also been intense. These 20 weeks of Pasion have had
more action than all the other telenovelas I've
watched put together, including the 50 or so weeks of
La Fea that I saw (and the first ten weeks I missed).
But with fun comes exhaustion. I am pooped! I don't
know how or if Fuego will measure up to Pasión, but
if it's lighter and fluffier, I won't mind at all.
I know some of our readers will wander away in
despondent Riclessness, or they'll be off enjoying
summer plans, or watching something else on
Telemundo, or rewatching Pasion on DVD. I can't say I
blame you, but I'm going to miss you. I've
appreciated all the wonderful, thoughtful, and
supportive comments, and I thank you for reading my
recaps that always seemed to grow longer the more I
tried to keep them short.
I'll also miss the recappers who are going on break.
It has been a great pleasure being on your team, and
I hope you will join us again soon!
And to Carla Estrada, wherever you are: Thank you for
a spectacular masterpiece of telenovela art!
AND From CherylNewMex -
See you all around the Blog. This has been a wonderful story
Actually, I have decided to let Willa have the last 1000 words:
As I watched the introduction one last time I appreciated the intriguing combination of present, past, future, and fantasy then they added a big dollop of TEASE for us to puzzle over every night throughout the telenovela's run. The Estrada crew must have had so much fun putting this together.
The replay scenes: The archbishop, Gaspar is arguing with Col. Jose Maria that the loss of one more working man in this cellar inside a cave (SanFer is certainly the pits) is injust. JM sticks to the LAW is very clear, but Gaspar chides him to think that the laws are made by men to suit men, what of the higher law which includes piety and compassion. He finds Sebastian a good man and how should they give credence to the vengeful act of LaFont to condemn him. Why should an innocent, perhaps weak, man suffer for the rest of his life. JM resists letting an additional man go free. Gaspar advises him that the wise learn to correct themselves and he leaves.
Once more we see the executioner arrive and swing his axe like a champion batter loosening up at the world series. The unrepentant LaFont curses his daughter and her progeny for seven generations, Ascanio and Nanny comfort her but the great battle axe comes down on the grossest villain known to telenovela land. Great filming with desperate music to accompany the only undeserved lament coming from Manuela. Gruesome but a satisfying finish for this reprobate who did so much damage right up to the end of his days with a head still attached.
Ursula worries that they have lost everything. Sofia corrects that to they have only the dowry she came into the marriage with. She adds that when the new lord of San Fernando arrives they will have to leave the palace. Ever cheerful, Fortunata adds that they will be cozier in a smaller house. Ursula gives her a withering look but Sofia just looks sad. Knocking, the majordomo informs Sofia that Santiago has escaped the prison, he simply disappeared.
One probable causer, make that Ricardo, is bidding the archbishop goodbye in his carriage. Gaspar tells him to behave himself and to get married like God commands. He asks to be advised in time so he can celebrate the betrothal mass. They chuckle good naturedly, Ricardo assures him this will come to pass, while Mario says his goodbyes and thanks his brother telling him that without him this outcome would not have been possible. Jose Maria grins that this is the first time he has organized the escape of an accused man. But who can resist the arguments of the monsenior. He tells Mario to get his life straightened out too. JM mounts his horse, leaves his Criollo Captain in charge at SanFer and off they go. The eager faced Captain asks Ric and Mario if they think Lady Ursula would welcome a visit??? The boys giggle good naturedly, for sure.
Ines is delivering the message that Ofelia has left town early that morning to follow Santiago and she has left the baby Ana Maria in Camila's care since that was Rita's deathbed wish and Santiago's too. She asked you to raise her. Camila is glad to agree with all her love. The Jemena, Ines and Camila all laugh and hug. What happened with Santiago? Was he released, did he escape?? We don't know for sure but it was with a lot of help from Ricardo. Oh Ricardo, of course adds Camila with joy and tears. Ines says, I'll go get Ana Maria.
Camila bursts into Ricardo's room to thank him for what he did for Santiago. Ric demurs that it was justice done. He and Santiago may have fought and struggled for what they wanted but he never bore him resentment. Expressing their mutual love, there is very sweet kissing. You have a new daughter. Who? Ana Maria! How wonderful, welcome to her.
Jimena prepares her bed later that night, she responds to the knock on the door to find an agitated Mario on the other side of it. Is something going on? Well, not anyone else, but yes with me.... She cocks her head knowingly, now you have repented? No, so many people here we haven't had time to talk but if it's too late, I will go. (not so fast buddy) She invites him in, puts on her robe to assume a bit more modesty and he stammers out his love words, he loves her manner of being, her character, her... and he's not poor they can buy lands, start business... his stammering is so endearing. She jumps to guess that, But you're married? No, he steps forward, I was married to a woman who I loved greatly but she deceived me, and I killed them both. For this I had to escape and I joined with pirates. I was very young, Jimena, I couldn't control myself and I couldn't stand it. I resolved never to commit my self seriously to another woman, but you Jimena... She hesitates then tells him he doesn't know what her life has been like. But, I know you are a woman that is valiant, honest and loyal. And you?, she returns, as they sit on the edge of the bed. Will you be valiant, honest and loyal with me?? I swear to you, my love, I swear to you. And we are going to marry?, she presses on. He answers fervently, in front of God, in front of the whole world. And you're never going to abandon me? No never, never, never. I swear it. They start to rip off clothes as we are the lucky voyeurs to the hottest, most joyous love scene. Alas too short....(Our viewing time, that is.)
Sofia is entering the eBasement with the majordomo. They open a door, she tells him to open the large trunk. A treasure, Doña Sofia! But it isn't ours. Bring it up to my husband's office and later go to look for Ricardo.
A now constantly smiling Ricardo, sitting in the outdoor cafe is asking Josie-Jay if he is returning to Japan now? And you are not staying for my wedding? Unfortunately, no, I have a boat to catch but I wish you both the best and I am happy you have recovered your son. Just then Sofia's majordomo advances to announce that Sofia wants to see him. He stands and gives that great pirate farewell, arms crossing to opposite shoulders. They wish each other luck and good fortune. See you soon.
Next we find Ricardo viewing the big trunk full of jewels in Jorge's office Sofia says I suppose this is yours? He fingers a truly large green gem and admits it is. He figures that her husband and LaFont divided up the treasure because he saw Lisabeta with the necklace that he recognized. Sofia generously says, carry it away. He says it is better if he leaves it for her to divide among her poor. She says, but it belongs to you. Not any more he avers. I want to give it to you for your sorrow of losing your husband. She graciously says thanks. He tells her she is a great woman, noble and generous and it would be an honor for him if she would attend his wedding to Camila. With great pleasure, when will it be? Within one month. He kisses her hand gallantly.
And what grand finale can avoid a grand wedding? Certainly not this one. The next scene a month later shows Camila descending from a flower laden open carriage in a honey and crimson gown so beautifully complementing her hair. She walks the short distance to Ricardo with triumphant and joyful waves to the adoring crowd. She joins Ricardo in front of the church. The archbishop conducts the ceremony. The smiles and the radiant bride and groom and the grinning children, friends and family are touching. They conclude by going into the church for a mass.
Ahhhh, the wedding boudoir dripping with white flowers and candles. He is the happiest man in the world. She tells him she never expected from that day when she arrived captive on La Mariana and the first time she saw him and the pirate that looked at her with so much persistence would become the love of her life. He agrees that he maybe he didn't think it would happen but she moved many things in him and now they are to be together for life, for destiny and for God. You are my wife and I love you, I love you. Unfolds the hottest most passionate love scene between these beautiful people. What sweet dreams they created for all...
************
Ursula is draping herself in the doorway when the majordomo tells her she has visitor. She says sulkily, if it's Captain Enrique, tell him I'm not here. No, it is someone else who came to call on your father, he calls himself John Foreman. Ursula nearly knocks over this gentle giant of a servant in her rush to primp and spray herself with enticing scents. Love the way she dotted each breast. She stops the run down the stairs in time to see John smiling up at her. She tells him if he came to see her father, he died months ago. John responds with condolences, but adds that he came to search for her. For me she says coyly, why? Didn't you tell me that you would love to travel see other lands and live adventures with me? There is a momentary blur of blondness melting together but we shift to Sofia's hands taking the fateful birthday necklace from the birthday jewelry box then see her sad fond smile. Ursula bursts in with teenage exuberance, John Foreman has come for ME!! Mother, I think he is the man of my life. Don't oppose it. Remember that Father gave me the liberty to choose my own husband. Sofia hears Jorge's voice saying those exact words. Yes, Sofia agrees. And Tita?, asks Fortunata. Ursula cries, she has never been a good mother, you know that better than I, Mother. Tita would be better off staying with you two. I am going to ask her if she wants to come with me but if she prefers to stay with you, could she? Sofia, cries, yes, it would give them something to live for. Thus the third great love scene of the night progresses as mother and daughter hug in tears and Fortunata looks lovingly on nearby.
Downstairs John waits. The three ladies come down. Sofia starts right off, so you want to carry my daughter away. John tells Sofia that he knows she doesn't have a very good opinion of him but now he has retired from the life that he had. Pragmatic as always, Sofia says let's sit and discuss this. You are not a very recommendable son-in-law, she challenges. Yes, but I have money, I own my ships and a rich sugar plantation. Ursula is the only woman I know that will never bore me. Sofia advises, Ursula is not an easy woman. He takes hold of Ursula's hand and says he has always liked challenges and that is precisely what has always attracted him to her. Impatiently, Ursula, please Mother, what am I going to do here in this village? Let me go to live my life. It's what I want. Are you sure? Yes, I am sure. Fortunata is still beaming smiles, a loving aura floods the room.
Babies and nannies are strewn about the lawn in a happy array of gentle chaos as Camila and Jimena chat and eat fruit in the sunshine. Jimena asks, does Conchita still think she is Pedro's mother? No. She loves him so much but she loves the others too. And does your husband know what has become of his cousin and auntie? NO and I don't think he wants to. It was their fault that we almost lost our son. Jimena says if it had been up to her, they would have been cast into jail. Camila laughs and says God will judge them.
The next scene only shares the bright sunshine. The doll in tatters is pulled by a string by the disheveled Fran with a broken umbrella, streaming filthy hair with no trace of the prim roll we have come to expect. She looks like she just stepped out of a Fellini movie. Madness flares from her red eyes, her parched lips repeat a forlorn Lisabeta, Lisabeta. She approaches a small family of country folk with a burro and wagon. She asks them if they haven't seen her niece, a woman very pretty, she is blind. Have you seen her. No Lady, the woman says. The man repeats we are sorry but we haven't seen her. The woman kindly offers her a taco from their little cooking area in the dust. Fran can just muster a look of absolute disdain but she grabs the taco and turns so they cannot see her cram it ravenously into her mouth. She trails off stumbling and still calling Lisabeta, Lisabeta.
******************
Tita runs into the room ahead of Ursula followed by Sofia and Fortunata. Ursula gets on her knees to ask if she saw the gentleman that came to see her. Tita says, yes she saw him pacing on the patio. Ursula pushes on, I am going with him very far from San Fernando because I believe he is the person that can make me truly happy. That is to say, I don't want to influence what you say but I want you to do what you feel. Do you prefer to come away with me or do you prefer to stay here with your grandmother and your aunt Fortunata? The wise little child says, I want to stay here. Ursula grasps Tita in a hug and says, it's fine, it's fine. So it will be. This is a world that is very unjust to women. Even though men can live in whatever way pleases them, women must fulfill the man's desires and serve them. But I want you to know, it is important that you always fight for what you want. My love, I know that now you don't understand what I am saying to you but one day I know you will. I am going to write you long letters and speak to you of many things. When you want to come to me, the doors of my house will always be open to you. I will understand you, and support you. They cry and Sofia comes forward to add that all that all these words apply to her and Ursula too. They all cry and hug.
Now the misfortune and hand of destiny that should have tasted so sweet is snatched from us as the tragic figure of Lisabeta crawls barefoot, still in her fancy light green grown now grimy, dried blood streaked across her face crawls in blind helplessness in the desert. She calls out pathetically over and over for Tia, Tia...
Camila is packing the babies' clothes as Ines comes into the bedroom carrying a letter from her mother Ofelia. She asks Camila to read it calmly. Ines quickly leaves. Camila unwraps the letter which contains the green scarf all clean and neatly folded. The letter read to us in Ofelia's voice says Dear Camila, I know this letter won't be a surprise to you because Ines will have brought it to you. Santiago has left the penal colony in San Benito largely thanks to Ricardo's efforts and by the kindness of Gaspar. Santiago is in a congregation near Santiago de Compostela. I live in a village very near but I can visit him every day. We see Santiago in monks' habit in a beautiful monastic setting in the Gallician countryside. He has devoted himself to the care of the vegetable garden. He likes it a lot. I pray and believe that truly it has always been his desire and his destiny to serve God. He loves to attend to the people, talk with them and teach the word of God. Now he is a novice but in a little time he will be consecrated. I feel that he is happy. Back to Camila and the letter in hand she takes up the scarf and wistfully remembers the innocent love she felt as she put that green scarf around Santiago's neck so very long ago. She folds the scarf with care as if to gently but forever put away that chapter of her life.
Camila is sleeping beauty as Ricardo comes in and takes off his sword and coat, washes in the basin while she wakes up to greet him with laughter and kisses. You have returned. Guess what? I have bought us a plantation with a beautiful house for you and for our children, like we have dreamed of. Do you regret leaving your town and your family. NO. She giggles then tells him she is pregnant. He is happy as he says well, we augment the family. They tumble happily into another love scene.
The impressive looking carriage arrives with a splendid retinue lead by standard bearers. Ohhh, could it be? Who is this solemn young man sitting in the carriage leaning forward with uneasy anticipation? Quick switch to our favorite majordomo bringing in the news that the new Lord of San Fernando has arrived. The ladies come nervously down the stairs. Sofia observes that he is just a boy as Fortunata says he is the young man who killed Don Alvaro Fernandez de la Cueva. Just then they are addressed by our favorite young galan who gallantly introduces himself as Claudio Fernadez de la Cueva. Once more majordomo approaches to announce that Ascanio Gonzales has come from the administrative palace to see her urgently. Sofia says to explain to him that I can't receive him at this moment. Claudio speaks up and says please tell him he can come in. Ascanio comes in and rushes to embrace Claudio. Claudio explains that he was jailed for his crime but he appealed to the king and was not only freed but given a position of honor and the dominion of Salvatierra was returned to him as well as adding San Fernando. The ever gracious Sofia takes the staff of San Fernando and says we knew a new Lord would be coming. It makes me happy that at least you are someone who knows this village and its people. She hands him the staff. She adds and don't worry about us. I have another property and we can move there today and leave you the palace. No, I am not throwing you out. On the contrary what will I do with this huge palace all alone? Fortunata, asks, do you want us to stay? Well, I have no one. I have lost my mother and brother there is no other family. And I don't know how to recieve people, here, they know you, respect you and love you.
Sofia responds there is only me, my neice and my ten year old granddaughter. My daughter has gone away with her fiance. But if you want... Yes, yes.... they hug and Sofia says it will be as you wish. Ascanio and Fortunata look on beaming smiles. Fortunata adds the warm words, we are going to be like a family again.
**************
The celebration party for the new Lord. The palace gardens are full of people we have never seen before until Fortunata questions Manuela and Ascanio about their wedding. Manuela says it will be in six months when the mourning period ends. Ascanio confirms that it will be hard work for him to wait that long. Justo comes down the stairs with Sofia as they discuss how very young Claudio is, too young to live alone and Sofia says they are happy to have him in the house. Fortunata starts to ask if Justo has news from Ofelia and Santiago... but we pan instead to Ines and Vasco who are bombarded by Pacho and other children. Ines laughs at the mischievous children, she and Vasco grin and hug and Ines, says I have a surprise for you. Huh?? She whispers into his ear, he reacts with joy, Are you pregnant? Oh woman, my woman! He whirls her around.
Pancho tells La Paisana that he knows she has wanted to retire. She asks if he has forgiven her yet. He hugs her, telling her that there is nothing to forgive. The three Salamanca babies are paraded through the party and Ricardo beams when Claudio makes comment about his numerous family. Ricardo counters with telling Claudio he salutes him for his decision to take in Sofia and he assures Claudio that she is a kindly woman who will help him greatly grow into his position.
Mario and Jimena stand as if alone like lovers in the moonlight hardly able to wait to escape from the obligations of this big party.
Ricardo stands with Justo and Claudio and Camila telling that he and Camila will leave very soon for the plantation in New Orleans. Justo says it pains him that they are going so far away. Ricardo doesn't look pained but graciously says they will come to see him and certainly he is welcome to visit them. Claudio wishes they could all stay in San Fernando too. Such is life says Ricardo, each person has to continue his own family. Paco runs up to break up a stiff scene and flings himself against Ricardo reminding him of that ride on the ship he has been waiting for. Ricardo picks up his nephew and tosses him up in the air telling him now he is going to complete his promise and magically he comes back down to Ricardo's arms and they are transported to the ship sailing toward New Orleans (gee I hope they told Paco's parents they were kidnapping him). On the beautiful ship, on the beautiful sea, Ricardo lets Paco steer while he walks along kissing and hugging his children. Camila holds little Pedro and remarks that now she sees why Ricardo loves the sea so much. He waxes philosophic that all life comes from the sea and they have to love it and respect it. And when their son is old enough he will tell him that it is really love that moves the universe, for sure. The nannies bring little Manuel and Ana Maria for Ricardo to hold. The five of them sparkle in the setting sun as we fade with the Pasión ballad to - FIN -
BUT WAIT, There is more: Below are the final comments from some of your intrepid Pasión recappers:
1.) From Jardinera -
What a wonderful excursion into Fantasyland! Disney has nothin' on Carla and Company this time around. I've not read the original in Spanish, but this Maria Zarattini yarn might be considered right in league with good ol' James Fenimore Cooper's for my money; and neither dreary Daniel Day-Lewis nor the likes of Johnny The Drip Depp can/could ever compare to Fernando Colunga's on-screen and larger-than-life heroic personage of Ricardo de Salamanca –even if they could speak Spanish! Jollywood execs, call your office. We have a blockbuster of a story here if you could only get your worthless, proverbial act together.
--Thanks, the Jardinera!
2.) From Capitana J.R. -
* With most soaps and novelas I've watched, they go
with the rule of "miss a week, don't miss much." With
Pasion, it was totally reversed "miss a day, miss a
lot, miss a week and I'm totally lost."
* Wondering why we were tortured for so long with
Rita and her complaining before she died and then, in
the end, our main villian men Jorge and Alberto are
arrested and killed off in the same episode?
* Watching "Pasion" has been one amazing, wild
adventure, one that won't be forgotten for a long
time.
Jody "J.R./Capitana J.R." :)
3.) From Margaret -
I looked back at some of the old posts and discovered that we have been waiting for this novela for A YEAR! And I think for the majority of us, it didn’t disappoint. The acting was not uniformly strong but there were enough excellent actors in a variety of roles and the production values were so much better (on location shooting!) that it just rises way above the quality of most of the telenovela productions I’ve seen.
Another of the marvelous things about this show was how much detail went into it. Every outdoor scene is teeming with life—tons of extras who aren’t just standing around--they are doing something. Although there were some anachronisms, there weren’t too many. Lots of research seemed to have gone into this and it will be fun to watch it again sometime just to notice all the little details. I loved how all of these ex-pirates ended up plantation owners in New Orleans. That’s pretty historically accurate too.
The last episode was a solid effort at tying off the loose ends. So many times, they ruin these endings with last minute fake drama. Nice touch to have Claudio back as the lord of SF. (I would guess he hooks up with Tita in 7 or 8 years. Say he’s 18 and she’s 10. That was no problem back then.) Ursula’s fiery feminist speech was a good antidote for all the abuse of women on this show. Somehow, though, I think Tita is going to be less wild than her Mom. She clearly loves her mom but if at 10 she already knew she’d be happier with grandma and auntie, she’s one wise child. Lis and Fran still alive but crazy and penniless? I wonder if they will ever run into each other. Santiago is one good looking monk and seems happy, finally too. They said he was in Santiago de Compostela. I would guess they mean the original one, in Spain. That’s a long way away! And the scarf even makes a final appearance! When Camila unwraps it--that was a tear jerk moment.
So, from pirates to babies! That was so sweet! It really seems like the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for a lonely guy who had no real family (and a dysfunctional extended one at that) to having a houseful of kids. It would be funny if they did Pasión: the next generation. We could see what became of LaFont’s curse.
4.) From Julie -
I feel like I just stepped off of a roller coaster -
overwhelmed and disoriented, but wishing I could get
back on and ride it again right away instead of
having to wait for the next great telenovela roller
coaster to come around.
I have plenty more to say about the last episode, but
I suspect we'll discuss that in the comments; what
I'm nearly speechless about is what a pleasure it has
been to recap this show. It was often a challenge,
but it was worth it! And it was just as much fun
reading the other recaps and all the comments.
Nothing in the story ever happened the way I expected
it to, and our conversations brought so much more to
the experience than I could have hoped.
And as rewarding as this experience has been, it has
also been intense. These 20 weeks of Pasion have had
more action than all the other telenovelas I've
watched put together, including the 50 or so weeks of
La Fea that I saw (and the first ten weeks I missed).
But with fun comes exhaustion. I am pooped! I don't
know how or if Fuego will measure up to Pasión, but
if it's lighter and fluffier, I won't mind at all.
I know some of our readers will wander away in
despondent Riclessness, or they'll be off enjoying
summer plans, or watching something else on
Telemundo, or rewatching Pasion on DVD. I can't say I
blame you, but I'm going to miss you. I've
appreciated all the wonderful, thoughtful, and
supportive comments, and I thank you for reading my
recaps that always seemed to grow longer the more I
tried to keep them short.
I'll also miss the recappers who are going on break.
It has been a great pleasure being on your team, and
I hope you will join us again soon!
And to Carla Estrada, wherever you are: Thank you for
a spectacular masterpiece of telenovela art!
AND From CherylNewMex -
See you all around the Blog. This has been a wonderful story
Actually, I have decided to let Willa have the last 1000 words:
Labels: Pasion
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