Caray, Caray!

The episode opens on Coral's poignant scene with Emilio, telling him that she's going to leave because she knows there is too much competition—He's married to Thelma and He's in love with Alina—there's just no place for her. Before she goes, however, she'll take care of Alina, make sure that nothing happens to her. What a sweetie. Her hair is more black than red now. Emilio is dumbfounded at her generosity. He probably just can't imagine doing anything half so noble himself…

Enter Don & Dona Loco in Edelmira's place. A gentleman tips his hat to the Lady and earns a rough push from Don Loco who thinks he's making a pass at her. In a dark corner of the room, Granillo and Alina observe the entrance of the Locos and Alina is surprised to see her mother. Grani fans himself and remarks that this can't be good. Soledad spies Alina across the room and is bucking to go to her, only Don Loco's restraint holds her back. Don Loco says, I told you I'd put her in a place where she would be well guarded. Soledad is horrified and can only say "no, no!. Suddenly she says, I have to save her! I have to get her out of here. "Against Don Loco's restraining her, Soledad finally belts Don Loco with a huge slap. Without missing a beat, Don Loco lands a slap on Soledad that knocks her to the ground. Now it is Alina that is fighting to get to Soledad. She breaks free of Grani and runs to her mother's side, chastising Don Loco for her mother. "Look what you've done" she says. "Bringing her to this place…" Don Loco shouts at Alina "If you dare set one foot out of this bar, I'll have your mother committed to an insane asylum!" Don Loco drags Soledad away. Alina sits down and cries. Coral comes over and puts her arms around Floralina and comforts her. (Coral refers to her as Flor)

Back at La Rinconada, Emilio is sitting on his bed, with a look of grim determination on his face. (At least that what it is supposed to be.) "I can't let Alina stay at that place" he thought bubbles. "Tomorrow, one way or another, I am getting her out of there.

Jump back to Edelmira's. Floralina is sitting cross legged on her bed, crying, Grani next to her fanning himself. She can't take it anymore. She wants to help her mother. And that horrible guy, kissing her by force (Emilio?) as if she were one of the working girls (una cualquiera). Grani says, not to diss the Captain. He's sooo hot! Floralina shakes her head. No, says Alina, if he dares to come back, he is going to find out that he's not going to get what he paid for. Grani almost falls off the bed in shock, "what's that?" he asks breathlessly. "My love" says Floralina. "My love is not for sale." Grani fans himself some more .

(Frankly I think the lady protests too much. Looked to me like in Friday's episode she was ready to take Emilio's shirt off and he was the one who was doing the restraint thing…)

Back at the Hacienda de Loco, Soledad has fainted on the bed and Don Loco is waving something under her nose to revive her. She wakes up coughing and Don Loco solicitously asks whether she's feeling better. Soledad sits up and they start the same discussion. Soledad: I hate you. Alvaro: I have better reasons to hate you. Soledad: You're sick. But then she says: "You know what, I no longer feel any love for you. It's all gone. You repulse me. You disgust me. (Another one of my favorite phrases is used here---("Me das asco"—it just sounds so bad). Don Alvaro looks at her sadly and says," I can't stop loving you. I feel as much pain as I feel love for you." Soledad disagrees. "She says, no, you're selfish, the only love you feel is for yourself." Don Loco says that he doesn't believe that she's crazy because a crazy person wouldn't be able to hold up this level of conversation. (Like he would know…) He tells her he loves her and he can't stand the idea that any other man could have looked at her, let alone touched her. He starts to put the moves on her and she shrinks away and says "No."

Fast Forward to the next morning at the Hacienda and Soledad is alone in her room, cutting something at her dressing table with scissors (I thought she was supposed to be crazy?) and says aloud. "Alvaro, I should probably feel sorry for you. But I don't, I hate you."

Alvaro is on the couch in his study knocking back the brandy from the leaded glass decanters. In his head echo Soledad's word from the previous night and he repeats them to himself for good measure. She hates me…etc. "She's right," he concludes.

Back at La Rinconada, Thelma and Orlando are walking the grounds and Thelma is laughing about Flor's misfortune. Orlando doesn't think it's funny. "Ya know what I really love?" says Thelma. "That Emilio must be suffering like a dog!" Orlando now thinks THAT is funny and chuckles. At precisely that moment, Castulo happens by and tips his hat and gives her a big smile. Orlando asks Thelma what that was about. Thelma feigns ignorance and says she's not surprised. "This place is full of perverts" she says as she leans over to give Orlando a kiss. She walks away laughing.

Elias is back at his shack working on the construction plans. He thought bubbles that he feels bad about the way Blanca and he parted. He feels guilty about not erasing Soledad completely from his mind. He loves his wife and he wants her to know that. "When I finish up here, with these plans, I am going to look for her and tell her how much I love her."

Blanca, of course is not going to easily be found. She's locked up at the Hacienda de Loco in another room. (Alvaro is getting to be like the pirate Bluebeard, a woman locked in every room). Her hand and wrist now bandaged from her escape attempt. She's fretting over Alina's fate. "I've got to rescue her. I can't let Alvaro continue to torture her!"

Floralina, on the other hand has calmed down and is smoothing her hair in front of a mirror. Edelmira comes in and asks her how "the princess" spent the night. Floralina says "Awful. It is worse than sleeping in the cave." Edelmira is insulted and tells her sarcastically that maybe she can tell the band not to play while she is trying not to sleep. She then grabs Alina, pushes her out the door and tells her to get going to the showers. (Wow, at least this whorehouse encourages proper hygiene. )

Back at the cave, Luba is alone with Tonki . She goes to cut a piece of meat for him and Angel walks in. Luba says "I thought I told you never to come back." Angel wants to know where Flor is. At first Luba resists telling him but then gives it up. "She's at Edelmira's tavern." Angel is impactado for a few seconds before Luba continues "with all those drunks…her father took her there. And I don't know what to do."

Meanwhile, Orlando, has gone directly to Edelmira's Edelmira comes to the door and remarks on his early visit. Orlando tells her he wants to talk to Flor. Edelmira says he can't. She's got Alina busy doing chores plus Emilio Valtierra paid her a lot of money to keep her from seeing anyone. Orlando gives a look of disgust and says "I knew it." Orlando says "I only want to TALK to her. Besides, I'll pay you." Those of course are the magic words for Edelmira and when Orlando hands her a wad of cash, she tucks it in her cleavage and says OK, but only a brief chat. (una platicadita) She says she'll go fetch her from her room.

At la Rinconada, Thelma goes to visit Castulo at his place. She pounds on the door and Castulo comes out, shirtless with his manly sixpack glistening in the sun. "What's the deal?" He asks. Thelma complains that he shouldn't leer at her in front of other people. Before she can argue some more, Castulo grabs her and kisses her. She puts up little resistance. All of the sudden, a voice shouts. "Thelma! What the hell are you doing?" It's Don Max the Letch, who has already demonstrated that he has different standards for men and women regarding hanky-panky.

Floralina is back in her room at Edelmira's, sitting cross-legged on her bed again, clutching a pillow. Orlando comes in and Floralina is pretty hostile to him as usual. He tells her that he had to pay just to see her. This makes her even snarlier. Orlando, says not to worry, he didn't pay to have sex with her. He wants to help her. Yeah, right, says Floralina. And what do you want in return? "That you marry me" says Orlando. I am not sure if Floralina is impactada or just amused at the offer because we break directly into a commercial.

Turns out that she is surprised at the offer but quickly says no. "Why not?" asks Orlando. "Don't you like me?" "I hardly know you, " says Floralina. "And I don't love you. I would never marry someone I didn't love." Orlando tries to persuade her that he's offering her a way out before she gets mauled by all the drunks. "No, my godmother is going to rescue me. And if she doesn't… No, she will" she catches herself. "I will leave here as pure as when I arrived." Orlando repeats his offer of help. "And don't be thinking that Emilio is going to help you." Floralina tosses her head in disgust at the mention of Emilio's name. When Orlando leaves, Floralina says to nobody in particular that "Yes, my godmother will help me! She'll get me out of here."

Back to shirtless Castulo and Thelma the skank who have just been busted outside Castulo's place by Don Max. As you would expect, Thelma blames Castulo and pretends that he assaulted her. She even hauls off and slaps him for good measure. Don Max says, "Don't worry, I'll put him in his place." Thelma stalks off. Don Max says to Castulo to meet him somewhere in awhile. He'll see him then and turns and leaves. Castulo rubs his cheek and complains, "The bitch set me up." No, not really, I think he actually says, "la vieja me condenará." That chick will blame me! Then he smiles and says, "Yeah but I've never had a chick this hot!!" What a doofus! And they say Gaspar is the mentally challenged one.

Blanca is being reprimanded by Don Loco back at the Hacienda de Loco. "See what you get when you try to escape, Blanca?" Blanca ignores this remark and asks, "How long to you plan to keep me here, Alvaro?" "As long as it takes to keep you from meddling" he replies. He wants her to leave Sierra Escondida. She'd be glad to leave, but only to denounce him to the authorities about what he has done to Alina and Soledad. Don Loco doesn't like this answer. First he denies he has a daughter. Blanca counters him with, "Yes you do." She then lays the same guilt trip on him: when you find out how wrong you've been you'll be sorry. Don Loco, whip in hand, threatens that if she crosses him, she'll pay a high price. He storms out of the room whereupon he sees Sergio standing in the hallway. Sergio has come to tell him that Elias has just arrived. Don Loco tells him to lock the door on Blanca and he'll go down to see Elias. Sergio inserts the key in the door and is just then distracted by some girl (Nora?) walking by. He leaves the key in the door and goes off to follow her. Blanca pounds on the door again and yells for Alvaro to let her out. She looks through the keyhole and announces to no one in particular. "He left the key in the lock!"

At Edelmira's Grani and Floralina are drying glasses them and stacking them for the evening's entertainment. Grani still can't believe that Floralina would not sleep with Emilio. "He's so handsome, any of us would." Floralina says, "He's a married man." Grani says, "But you are in love with him, are you not?" Floralina admits that she is. Grani continues, "Coral is in love with him too." "Coral?!" says Floralina impactada. She wants to know more. Grani tells her that Emilio brought Coral to live with him at La Rinconada when he came up from Puebla. Floralina still looks dazed and Grani clucks over how she could not know this? "Don't get jealous of Coral, now!" finishes Grani. "No, says Floralina. "How can I be jealous if Emilio isn't mine?" "All I want to do is get out of here and go far away where nobody can find me ever again."

Don Loco and Elias are meeting in Don Loco's office, with the shotguns hanging on the wall. Don Loco is behind his desk, Elias standing, is the supplicant. Don Loco feigns ignorance of Blanca's whereabouts. Elias, ever the honest guy, admits that he had words with Blanca and it's possible she went home to Puebla but maybe Soledad knows? Don Loco feigns sympathy but says that Soledad is not feeling well and he can assure Elias that she has not seen Blanca.

At la Rinconada, Angel walks into Emilio's room. He asks whether Emilio knows where Alina is.(Cough Cough) Emilio says yes, by now, everybody knows where Alina is. Angel says he can't let Alina stay in that place. Emilio agrees. Angel wants to do something but Emilio says no, he's got to get healthy. Emilio thinks the best way to deal with this is for him to confront Alvaro Montillano directly. And by the way, Angel should go back to Puebla. Angel doesn't buy it. He gives Emilio a knowing look.

Back at Edelmira's Floralina is headed back to her room. She's a veritable Cinderella with her handkerchief skirt, peasant blouse and little white apron. Grani's words about Coral and Emilio echo in her head.

At the same time, Coral is in her room at la Rinconada packing her suitcase. There's a knock at the door. It's Thelma who claims to be surprised that Coral is still there. Coral tells her to shut up, she's going already, not because Thelma is throwing her out but because she wants to go. Coral says Thelma can stop doing things like throwing spiders in her bed. Thelma of course feigns ignorance of what she's talking about. Coral says she's not afraid of tarantulas or anything Thelma might care to do to her. Thelma comes back with the insult that she hopes she never sees Coral ever again in her lifetime. Coral replies that " Life has a lot of ups and downs. You never know." Judging from Coral's line of work and places of business, I imagine this is quite the put down. Coral goes on to diss Thelma some more by telling her that Emilio just paid a lot of money to be with Flor and she is absolutely sure that Emilio's heart belongs completely (toditita) to Flor, not to Thelma. Thelma apparently has nothing to say to that so she utters "stupid" and turns on her heel and leaves. Coral goes back to packing.

Emilio is in Don Max's office rooting around through the papers and books near his desk. Don Max comes in "Are you looking for something, Nephew?" There is a moment of tension when their eyes meet. Not exactly impactado but definitely an aha! Moment.

Don Loco has gone down to the plantation to check on (i.e harass) the workers. I wasn't quite sure about this discussion between he and the foreman (Rutilio?) but I think there was a problem keeping workers because the highway construction was luring them away with more money. Don Alvaro isn't too happy with this news. He's angry that the foreman has even brought up the highway. When he suggests that the Don release Sergio to work in the fields, Don Loco goes berserk and starts screaming that he needs Sergio at the house and it's not for him (Rutilio) to tell him what to do with his workers. He rides off into the jungle at a gallop. Rutilio watches him go and swears revenge on Don Loco for treating him so badly all the time. (Get in line, guy)

Further down the path, Don Loco thinks he is seeing Elias and Soledad making out in the bushes. He draws his gun and yells "Soledad!" Yep it's another Don Loco ™ hallucination. There is a couple necking in the bushes but it is just anonymous Jose and Maria peon sneaking out for a little fun who are understandably freaked out by the Patron screaming at them on horseback waving a gun around.

(By the way, whatever happened to Alfonsina? Remember we all thought she was going to be superbadgirl seducing every man at Don Loco's sugar cane plantation. She's been absent from the screen for about a month. All hanky-panky seems to be happening these days at La Rinconada. You'd think that such a rich character would have been seconded to go to Sierra Escondida just to liven things up a bit.)

Back to Emilio and Don Max. Apparently Emilio has explained what he was looking for and Max has handed him a thick wad of cash. He politely asks if he may know why Emilio needs all this money. Emilio tells him "To save Alina." He fills in Max about Don Loco sending her to work for Edelmira at the tavern-whorehouse. Don Max, the letch professes to be shocked that Alvaro would do this to his own daughter. Emilio says simply "He's sick." Don Max says, yes and that is why it is dangerous to cross him! Emilio insists he's going to save Alina!

Blanca is back at the Hacienda, trying to break out of her room the finesse way this time, thanks to Sergio's carelessness in leaving the key in the lock. She goes for the old newspaper under the door, poke the key out of the hole on to the newspaper on the other side of the door, then pull the newspaper back in. I have seen this trick used in at least two other novelas. Who says these shows are a waste of time? This is pretty useful info if you are ever locked in a room with old fashioned keyholes. It's tricky here because the key is kind of big but eventually she works it under the door. She grabs her black shawl and sneaks into the corridor where she is immediately met by Adela, the housekeeper. Adela is shocked to see her out. Blanca begs her to help her get out so she can save Alina. After all these pleas for help from the Montillano women, Adela's resistance is broken down. It only takes her a few seconds to say yes, she'll help.

Rosita has come looking for Santos at his worker's cottage. Pretty nice place, it looks like a little chalet. But it's boarded up and Rosita knocks and gets no reply. A peon and his burro happen by. He tells her that Santos went to San Mateo to live with his mother. "From what I can tell," says the peon "I don't think he's coming back." Rosita is very sad. "He left? He left!"

At la Ricondada, Emilio is in his room thought bubbling about how to get Alina away from Edelmira's. He is holding the little silver heart necklace in his hand. All of the sudden, Thelma bursts into the room yelling about where he's been, she's his wife etc. Emilio replies that she knows that their marriage is a lie, that she is not the woman he wanted to marry. Thelma goes on to insult Flor by saying that Emilio has to go to a brothel to find the woman of his dreams, a woman without class (mujerzuela). Emilio admits he's going to pay a lot of money so that she can be only his. (Wait, I thought he was going to free her?) Thelma laughs at this and says that how low he has fallen, that he has to pay to be with a woman. "You disgust me." ("Me das asco"—there it is again). Emilio looks a bit wounded. Surely he has thought of this?

Finally, Don Max and Castulo are having their tête-à-tête in Don Max's office. Don Max doesn't look like he's being too hard on the guy. " He says flatly, I caught you kissing the owner's wife." Castulo replies, "Look boss, I don't want any trouble. I'm going to tell you the whole truth, man to man." Don Max looks interested.

At Edelmira's Floralina is in her room with Coral who apparently has costumes or something to pack there. Coral explains to us, the audience this odd state of affairs by proclaiming that Edelmira let her visit Flor to teach her a short course on whore makeup and exotic dancing. (She does a little jiggle of her hips to emphasize this point. Floralina is all seriousness though. She asks Coral about Emilio, about their relationship since she just found out from Grani a little while ago. At first Coral is ticked that Grani blabbed. Floralina says not to blame him, she wants to know if there is anything between them. Coral says, no it was just a consenting adults thing. Emilio never let her believe that there was anything more than that. It was she who stupidly fell in love with him, without any hope of it coming to anything. Coral is a bit apologetic. Floralina tells her as she said to Grani, "It's nothing to me, Emilio is not mine." Coral says, "No, that's where you are wrong. You'll have an opportunity to make up with him. I just hope you'll count me as a friend." They hug eachother. (Whoo Hoo. Every guy's nightmare. The ex and the future missus. FRIENDS.)

Oh well, back to the present. Don Max and Castulo are wrapping up the story of how Castulo met Thelma. Don Max is clarifying a few points. "So Thelma paid you to murder Gaspar and make Coral disappear." Castulo assents. "What a lovely wife my Nephew found" says Don Max. In the end, Castulo is only worried that Don Max will tell Emilio. Don Max says no. His nephew doesn't care about Thelma anyway. "Let her have her little escapades" says Don Max, "But don't you get involved!" Castulo says he really doesn't know what Thelma saw in him. But, she was hot! And it seems like she had pretty good time! Man this guy is dumb! He's kind of like the Mexican version of Jethro on the Beverly Hillbillies. Only more easily talked into evil deeds I guess.

Adela is sweeping a patio. Rutilio is out there with her, talking. He's still ticked at what happened earlier with Don Loco. Adela tells him she needs to figure out away to smuggle Blanca out of the house. Rutilio suddenly says, here's what we'll do. Adela leans in to listen to his plan.

Edelmira is counting her cash. Angel walks up and asks to see Flor. Edelmira makes a crack about how lucky Flor is, everybody wants to save her. She says that Flor is "resting" now and he can come back later to talk to her "and bring money" because he'll have to pay even if he just wants to talk. "And forget about anything else. Capitain Valtierra has already paid for her." Angel can't believe his ears. He repeats," Emilio Valtierra? He's my brother." "So you see," says Edelmira. "There's no hope for you." Angel leaves with a confused and angry expression.

Castulo goes looking in the jungle for Gaspar. They chat briefly. Gaspar complains that he can't go to the Rinconada and he can't go back to the cave. I guess because Luba will beat him up if he talks about his Munequita again. And of course, that is all he wants to talk about. Castulo agrees that there are orders to shoot him on sight if he shows up at la Rinconada, as for la Munequita. He says he promised Gaspar that he would deliver her and he will. (I don't remember this promise. I thought he only promised not to kill him). Gaspar is very happy. He gets a big grin on his face.

Back at the hacienda of Don Loco and Dona Soledad, Don Loco is in his office having an orange flashback of his last attempt to kiss Soledad and her shrinking from him and telling him that she no longer loved him. He says aloud "I can't forget you. I can't forget your skin, your kisses." Just then someone knocks at the door. It's a panicked Sergio. Blanca has escaped! Don Loco jumps up and says find her! Don't let her get to the town! If you have to, kill her!

Meanwhile, Adela is filling Soledad in with the news of Blanca's escape. She is ecstatic. Alina's deliverance is at hand! "You too, Senito" says Adela. Soledad professes not to care about herself. She clearly has been changed from a nice, sweet lady to an angry and bitter one. "I have never hated anyone as much as I hate Alvaro now."

At la Riconada, Thelma is in front of her dressing table and mirror. Auntie is looking on. Thelma says "Emilio is such a cynic, he's paying for her. He's taking advantage of the fact that she's for sale to buy her and make her his." Auntie launches into a tirade about how all men are alike. Thelma will have none of it. Only Emilio interests her. And she's angry that Emilio is off entertaining himself with Flor at the Tavern while she has to sit at home. "What can you do, except go there too?" asks Auntie. "Not me…but maybe you?" asks Thelma. Aunt Rebeca looks puzzled and Thelma reminds her that Grani offered to give her dancing lessons. Auntie starts to protest but Thelma tells her she can go there and be her spy. For one thing, Flor has been promised only to Emilio and she's sure that the Madam is lying. She wants her Aunt to find out all the men that Flor has to sleep with so she can present this information to Emilio and rub his face in the dirt. Aunt Rebecca agrees to be Thelma's eyes and ears at Edelmira's Tavern.

Emilio is still in his bedroom, sitting on his bed. He hasn't gotten much accomplished today. He got a wad of cash out of the office but the rest of the time, he seems to have spent in his room. He finally gets up to go see Flor and is met at the door by Angel. Angel is in a rage. He flys at Emilio and punches him in the face. Emilio says "Don't make me hit you." Angel is enraged to think that Emilio is paying to "take advantage of" Alina. Emilio tries to explain he's paying to *save* her. He's paying to keep other men away from her. Angel doesn't buy it. He wants to hit Emilio again but Emilio tells him he's weak and sick and he's going to do himself damage if he isn't careful. Angel starts coughing a little here. (Where is nurse Susi, anyway?) Angel is frustrated, he covers his face then he hits the table with his two hands while giving out this loud groan of frustration. Angel asks Emilio for forgiveness. He got all worked up because he talked to that chick Edelmira. Emilio swears to Angel that he wants to save her, not exploit her. He leaves the room. Angel continues to pace, listlessly.

Don Max is in his office sipping brandy and looking at some financial statements. Thelma comes in and shuts the door. She wants to know that She and Don Max are on the same page about what happened this morning. That whole Castulo episode. Don Max confronts her saying Castulo told her everything. About how she wanted him to kill Gaspar and get rid of Coral. Thelma tries to protest, saying that Castulo made that up, that it's not true. Don Max knows what we know—Castulo isn't smart enough to make up a story that complicated. Don Max says he knows that Thelma and Castulo more than kissed. He calls her a cynic. Thelma apparently has nothing left so she huffs off, slamming the door behind her. "All women are the same," says Don Max. "But she's the worst."

Emilio has arrived at Edelmira's., He throws a big wad of cash on the table while Edelmira, wearing a pink feather boa smokes a cigarette. "Ah, that's better, now we have a deal" says Edelmira, referring to the other night's smaller wad of cash. Emilio ignores this remark and says "when can I see her?" "Whenever you want" says Edelmira. "She in the room at the back. Now you can go deflower her" (deshojarla). Emilio leaves without another word.

Blanca, dressed all in black is at the bus ticket window in San Mateo buying a ticket to Puebla. She looks terrified. In the background, You can see Sergio lurking around looking for her. She had to walk right by him to get to the window, so maybe she's managed to avoid him.

Floralina is in her room, talking to Granio. She is wearing a fetching little white outfit with ribbons on the sleeves. She's pacing back and forth. She's worried that nobody will come in, nobody will save her. Grani says that Men want her all right but not to save her. But that is why he, Grani, is there to defend her. Suddenly, the door opens and Emilio walks in. Floralina shoots him a dark look. "What are you doing here? " She asks. Emilio asks Grani to leave them alone. Grani leaves with a little kissy kissy for Emilio and tells Floralina he'll be nearby. Emilio says to Alina, "I came to find out if you were here of your own free will or were compelled by your Father." Alina recalls her father saying that if she put one foot out of the Tavern, he would retaliate by sending her Mother to an insane asylum. Alina tells him that she is here by choice. Emilio is ticked by this answer and picks up a vase with a flower in it and throws it on the floor where it breaks and scatters. He starts to kiss Alina and has an orange flashback to the time by the beach when he first kissed her and they started to make out and she cut him off, saying she didn't feel well. Emilio then apologizes and says that he lost control of himself but that he could see she was uncomfortable [going further than second base]. He then promised her he would never go farther than she wanted. Flash forward to the present. Emilio stops kissing her and apologises, saying, "this is not the way I want you." Alina turns around and starts crying. Emilio says gently, "Don't cry, I already asked for your forgiveness. "

Blanca has finally made it to the front of the line. The woman at the ticket window suddenly gets busy plucking her eyebrows. Blanca asks for a ticket to Puebla and please hurry. In the woman's mirror, she spies Sergio. She rushes off. She tries to throw him off by walking around the bus station but he is still following her. She ducks into the ladies room and sees that he's right outside the door. There are some other women in there so she turns to them and asks, are any of you going to Puebla? I need help.

Back to Alina and Emilio. Alina is still crying. Emilio is still trying to console her. "I didn't pay to have you. I paid to get you out of here. You know that this place is not where you belong." Alina agrees but she refuses to go. Emilio is ready to stalk out when she calls to him. "What do you want" says angry Emilio. "I want to ask you a favor" Alina says. "What?" "Please help me leave here to visit my mother." Emilio says "NO, I can see you are here by choice. I won't help you." He storms out. Alina cries. Unhelpfully, she explains why she couldn't tell him why she had to stay AFTER HE LEAVES. (1) She's afraid her Dad will try to kill him again and (2) She's afraid of what her Dad will do to her Mom if she gets out.

As Emilio is leaving, he overhears Orlando and Edelmira making a deal to purchase Flor. Emilio now has his competitive streak engaged. He can't let Orlando get the best of him.

In the teaser for the next episode, we see Thelma wearing Alina's heart and showing it to Alina saying that Emilio gave it to HER. But somehow, also, Emilio does get Alina out of Edelmira's before Orlando can make his move. Edelmira's going to be mad, Soledad will say more prayers to the Virgin and Don Loco is going to continue to be loco. I Can hardly wait.

Labels: duelo

Today's opener starts with a repeat of drunk Diego-the-Stalker bursting into Granny M's house and belly-aching about what a good and noble guy he is, all he's done is love Diana, yet if Diana is found innocent, Diana is going to take back that putz Max. He then proceeds to spill the beans about Diana being pregnant. Granny M is impactada. I'd say the rest of the crowd in that little house was impactada about the pregnancy, but from what I can gather, EVERYONE knows about Diana's pregnancy but Granny M and Max. I think the rest of the gang is just shocked that Granny M just found out the worst kept secret. Granny M keeps asking "Why? Why didn't you tell me?"

Lala has just been having a "heart-to-heart" talk with her son, telling him he needs to stop messing around with Peyote and deceiving his wife. Caramel walks up at the tail end of the conversation and wants to know who's being deceived. Lala quickly covers by saying she's just telling Panchalon his days of being a Casanova are over. He needs to be faithful, responsible, yada, yada, yada. Pancho tells his blushing bride that he's been a changed man ever since he tied the knot. Of course Caramel believes everything she's been told. She then warns Lala that Diego is drunk and on the loose, ranting about Diana not wanting him. Lala sends Pancho to go and find his brother the stalker.

Doc Evil's lawyer is reading the riot act to Doc Evil and Andres, after Andres was caught lying on the stand. The lawyer is furious that he wasn't told about Andres' fight at the bar which occurred at the same time he was supposedly witnessing the attack on Doc Evil at Doc Evil's apartment. The trial has now turned into a word vs. word argument. The lawyer storms out and Doc Evil calls either Andres or the attorney an imbecile.

Back to Granny M's house where Granny M is still asking "Why?" and saying she can't believe that Diana could hide something like this from her. Granny M is acting pretty righteous for a woman who has deceived Diana and Little Door Mat for around 20 years. She seems to have conveniently forgotten the fact she's not really their granny. But I digress. Diego slurs something about the fact that he and Diana were supposed to be married and no one was to ever know the bambino was actually Max's. F/G states the obvious that Diego has had too much to drink and should probably leave. No putting one over on our plucky abogada. Paco seconds the motion. Diego-the-Stalker stumbles out dejectedly.

FM confronts Max about being at Diana's trial. She's not happy, to say the least.

Granny M is on a roll, ripping Diana to shreds for getting pregnant and deceiving her. How could she do that? Oh, the shame! I didn't raise you to be "THAT" kind of woman! Diego is such a good man and you are just using him! On and on it goes. . .Granny DS is apparently not the only one who has lost her memory. At any rate, F/G tells Granny M that Diana was a fool in love and now needs their support. Especially with the trial! Granny M rides out of the room on her high horse, while F/G tries to comfort Diana.

Paco and Pancho carry Diego-the Stalker into Lala's house. Lala wants to know why Diego is so drunk. Pancho ends up carrying Diego over his shoulder into the bathroom, for a cold shower. Pancho asks what's up. Diego sits in the shower sobbing that Diana doesn't love him. Pancho tells Diego that Diana is not good enough for him. Diego dramatically says "I can't live without her!" Cue the brotherly embrace and thankfully a commercial. This scene is to nauseating to watch.

More yapping by FM about Max hanging out at Diana's trial. More of Max telling FM she can't tell him what to do. At the crescendo of all of this, Max throws her out of the room and leaves her outside banging on the door.

RM is continuing her physical therapy with Isabel. RM asks Isabel how much longer until she can walk. Isabel says it will be awhile, unless she wants to return to the Irascible mansion in a wheelchair. "No, I can't do that! I need to be in perfect condition when I face Max and confront my evil twin. I need to be better than I was before the accident." The door bell rings. Isabel says it must be the neighbor who is always dropping by to borrow coffee or sugar. Nope. It's Andres. Isabel invites him to come back to the room and visit while she's performing physical therapy on Marfil.

F/G is now in Diana's bedroom still trying to comfort Diana. Diana says Granny M will never forgive her. F/G says she will eventually. F/G blames everything on Max. Diana defends him, of course. The usual boring exchange.

Meanwhile Peyote is still locked in her bedroom. The phone rings and it's Pancho. She begs him to help her escape. He says he can't right now because of "Carmelita." She asks Pancho why he has used that term of endearment. Pancho makes up some excuse and Peyote seems to buy it. Lots of dopey "I love you's" and Pancho makes some kissing noise into the phone.

Pancho walks outside where Lala corners him for another mother-son chat. He shouldn't be dallying with Peyote, and in fact, is he aware Peyote does drugs? Does he sell her said drugs? Pancho denies all, of course. Further, Lala doesn't want to lose her job because of Pancho. He's a married man now and has to stop seeing other women; after all, he wouldn't like it if Caramel was seeing other men. "That's different," says Pancho. "I'm a man." Lala "forbids" him to see Peyote again. As if!

Isabel is trying to convince Andres to meet Marfil. Andres says he has enough problems. The last thing he wants to do is meet an invalid. Marfil then calls Isabel from the bedroom. Andres then says he's going to go to the bar instead and runs out. Let me get this straight. Doc Evil is the doctor for the Irascibles. Andres is Doc Evil's chauffeur. Setting aside the fact he's been married to Debora (aka the faux Marfil), how can he have no idea who Marfil is? It's just plain C-R-A-Z-Y!

Max is lying on the bed with his usual look of constipation. There's a knock on the door; it's his Aunt Yolanda. They discuss Diana's trial. Yolanda believes Diana is a good person. Max isn't so sure. Yolanda tells Max he needs to forgive Diana if she's found guilty.

Diego is called to the stand at Diana's trial. F/G questions him about the bad blood between him and Doc Evil. He testifies that Doc Evil tried to attack Diana, his fiancée. Doc Evil's attorney tries to object but the judge overrules him. Diego testifies that Doc Evil is a scum bag. When it's time for the cross examination, Doc Evil's attorney has no further questions.

Bruno interrupts a lovely poolside breakfast to tell Octave that Peyote has escaped through a window. Meanwhile, Rene is wearing a very tight yellow bathing suit and doing push-ups on a ledge at the beach. He sees Peyote and does a face plant. Peyote tells him she's escaped and needs his help.

Caramel is now on the witness stand. F/G asks her to relate what happened the night Doc Evil was attacked. Caramel says she was working at her father's bar when Andres came in. She told Andres her father didn't want him in the bar. Andres got mad and pulled a knife on Caramel, saying he was going to teach her a lesson. F/G (who at the time was in singer mode and not attorney mode) walked up behind Andres and hit him over the head with a bottle. This prompted a bunch of patrons to get involved and a brawl ensued. During the melee, Andres escaped. After Caramel finishes her story, the judge asks Doc Evil's attorney, Borges, if he has any questions. He stands up, pauses, and after a climactic moment, says he has no questions and sits back down. The "Team Diana" side of the courtroom is all smiles. The bailiff then calls Diana to the stand. Max still looks constipated, Diana looks like she's had one too many Valiums.

Octave is continuing to rant and rave about Peyote. Larry and Yolanda defend Peyote. Finally Octave tells Larry to shut up.

Peyote is going through withdrawal and is begging Rene to call Andres, who is not answering his cell phone. Peyote is biting her nails. Rene tells her to go back home and quit making a scene.

Diana is testifying that she only saw Doc Evil that fateful night. F/G makes a point that Doc Evil had to find a low-life, such as Andres, who would be willing to lie and back up Doc Evil's manufactured story about Diana trying to rob and kill him. She then rests her case. The judge asks Borges, the attorney, if he has any other questions. Nope. Ninguna. Nada. Nyet. The judge calls for a recess while the jury deliberates. Everyone leaves the courtroom except Max, who looks longingly at Diana and F/G. F/G assures Diana that she will be found innocent.

FM is gloating to Bruno about how entertaining Octave and Peyote are. She loves it when Peyote disobeys her mum. In the middle of her smug soliloquy, we are saved by the bell. The cell phone bell. It is the Real Marfil. FM is impactada!

Max and Emili-Oh are discussing the trial and whether or not Max believes Diana's story. Up struts Diego the Stalker and asks Max, "What the heck are you doing here?"

Now we are treated to two, two, two minxes in one! We get the lovely split screen effect. Lots of bickering between the Real Marfil and the Fake Marfil. FM tells RM that Max is waiting for her nude, in the tub. RM calls FM a "zorra" and hangs up.

Max and Diego partake in a lot of chest beating and caveman-like behavior (no offense to the caveman who appears in the GEICO commercial). "What are you doing here?" "It's a free country!" This sort of nonsense. Diego says when Diana is found innocent, she's going to be with him. "Hah!" says Max. "She loves ME!" Then the pushing and shoving begins until court personnel pull them apart. What a couple of tools! Thankfully we are treated to another commercial break.

F/G is talking to The Door Mat and Diana. I believe she is trying to get Diana to marry The Stalker! Geez! The Door Mat backs up F/G as well. What is with everyone supporting The Stalker? Diana needs to wake up and flee to a town far, far away from all these nutty people. Once again F/G tries to get the girls to join in her vengeance against the Irascibles.

Octave is pacing back and forth and squawking about her daughter to Yolanda. In the middle of her tirade, who should appear but Rene and Peyote. Rene, ever the brown-noser, proudly states he's returned Peyote safe and sound. And drug free. We then have a screaming match between mother and daughter, with Peyote telling her mother "You've never cared about me. You care more about your sons!" Octave shouts back "You're a disobedient ingrate!" Larry tries to get everyone to calm down. Finally Peyote storms off saying Octave can't keep her in jail or tell her what to do. Rene goes after Peyote. After Rene and Peyote leave, Yolanda FINALLY stands up to Octave and tells her, "Like it or not, everything Peyote said is true!!!"

After a five-second deliberation, drum roll please. . . Diana is found. . .hold onto your seats. . .NOT GUILTY!!!! Lots of jubilation in the court. Granny M seems to have forgotten the shame Diana has caused her, as she runs up to hug our heretofore hapless heroine. Doc Evil glares and stomps out. Doc Evil's attorney comes over to shake Diana's and F/G's hand. He seems very pleased with the verdict. Max watches as Diego walks up to congratulate and kiss Diana. Diana promptly wipes off the kiss. Max then looks on forlornly. Diana and Diego glare at Max as they walk out. Max then sits alone in the courtroom with tears in his eyes. "Forgive me, Diana. Forgive me!"

And another episode is in the can as the credits roll!

Labels: acorralada

I know why or at least I think I know why the days of repeated flashbacks....This was during Christmas Week in Mexico, cause Juan Cristobal was muy grave, when Dr. Livingston (me) entered the jungle and tonite's episode was the one I saw when Stanley found me and brought me back to civilization....I didn't really pay close attention cause actually I was way more concerned about LFMB...but anyway I have seen several TeleNovelas slow down during the holidays....Now on to the Nuclear Winter that exists due to the death of Regina and the disappearance of that lil Breck Girl MA....

Sylvester and Shorty are sitting around Sylvesters's house, Elsa is at work. Shorty invites Sylvester over for comida (they named several things), but the only one I caught was "tostada de pata", ah yes tostada of pigs feet. If you care there is a recipe over somewhere on the LFMB blog for this little delite, I did not know this existed, til I heard it on LFMB, and now everytime it is mentioned I hum "Ava Maria" in thanks that I am still a stranger to that delicacy. I had to cook Pigs Feet once, yes they were the second source of protein in some menudo, (in-laws were coming), anyway you have to cook them for hours and keep changing the water cause it gets quite gelinous...I just ate refritos...nuf said.
Looking at Sylvester it is really hard to believe he is the other half of the Elsa/Sylvester union of angst...he seems so happy...I think he is trying to attract positive energy....Aaaahhhh it is not working.

Gabe is pacing and frantic cause still no word on MA...oh he would happily give her up if only she was safe...Gabe is doing the aloud praying trying to make a deal with God. Gabe prays & does alot of promising before the picture of the Virgen Mary...Like I will quit impregnating women half my age.

Elsa is at work and Otilla is firmly chastising her. Otilla is holding some material and it appears Elsa cut it wrong. Even though Elsa is an adult and married she always gives off the aura of angsty goth teen. Otilla is questioning her and Elsa is all like, yeah I cut it, got a problem with that? "Ah hija," says Otilla and off we go into a PSA..alcohol will rob you of your family, your money...everything...Otilla has an alcoholic brother, thus she knows of what she speaks...Elsa tries to deny it, but Otilla pulls the bottle outta Elsa's purse. ***This would have been a perfect product placement...Jose Cuervo****. Alas, Elsa will take no advice and Otilla ends up canning her.

Joselyn meets with Coyote and gives him a smack for showing up at the Manse...Yeah we get the employer/employee risin above your station thing here. Coyote tells Joselyn he has MA engagement ring and medallion, Joselyn takes them. Joselyn wants Coyote to torture MA, before whacking her. She gives him a tape of Luis David sayin Mama, Mama, Mama...Oh Snap, Joselyn, you are so BSC. Let the games begin.

We see MA lying on the floor of a filty apartment, there is a rat sitting on a shelf...MA is blindfolded and hands behind her back, she is crying and begging for release. Her hair is still all nice and shiny. The camara keeps focusing on the Rat...hmmmmm I'm getting a total Willard circa 73 feeling here. Could she befriend the rat and he would gnaw thru her bonds? Just a thought.

Elsa is walking down the street when that guy (Coyote's friend & he used to be the big pimp daddy at Ti's club) steps out and grabs Elsa. He is doing the "Hi little girl want some candy" only it is Hooch, booze, or Elsa's life blood...she trys to brush him off, but to no avail, soon she is swiggin it down. This always amazes me too; Elsa is an adult and the guy always pulls it out of his pocket like it is crack cocaine...geez it a bad choice, but it isn't illegal.

There is a knock at the door of Gabrial's departmento of pain, he runs to the door, but the hallway is empty...Oh look an envelope on the floor. What could it be? Why it is the ring and medallion of MA....Egads what evil. This prompts major production cost saving measures...instead of flashbacks everyone just repeats dialogue like three time...Por Que, ditto, ditto....MA, MA, MA, No Puede Ser, ditto, ditto, ditto...Gabe is sobbing on the couch...come to think of it, that couch has seen more crying jags than a sorority house couch during the thros of an STD outbreak. Donde esta MA? Donde Donde Donde Por Dios Donde Donde Donde...also thruout this ordeal Gabe is holding and talking to a 5X7 of MA.

Elsa makes it home and drunkinly calls out to Sylvester. Sylvester of course is off enjoyed pata de porco and Elsa pulls out the bottle.

Now artistically cut to Demian..he too is holding a glass of brandy, ah okay I get it alcohol makes you an alcoholic or evil...He is vowing revenge for the death of lovely Regina, yes Juan Cristobal, Leo and Dolores must die and what the hell, Demian is gonna throw in Gabe just for good measure. I say get on with it Demian, and quit yapping about it, make a believer outta me.

Leo is at home with his mother, ah MA...is missing and Leo is all upset, where could she be? Leo too is ready for a full on crying jag..Candelabra tries to calm down Leo, but he is in the full thros of angst.

Meanwhile back at the Manse the two Elder Weird Sisters are cackling and enjoying a fine glass of spirits...Anvil falls...okay okay bad people drink alcohol. Miriam & Joselyn are delighted that MA is being tortured and Joselyn tells Miriam about the Mama, Mama, Mama recording. Parental proudness shines from Miriam's face...she is going to get a "MY Child is an Honor Student at Psycho MiddleSchool" bumpersticker.

Coyote creeps into the scumming place where MA is being held, he pulls your standard three hole, "Stick em Up & Give Me all Your Cash" stocking cap. He removes the bandana from MA's eyes and cuts the duct tape from her arms. Oh it is dinner time. MA begs her release, but Coyotes just says "shhhhhhhhhh", Ben the Rat watchs warily. Ben looks pretty wiley, I believe he could take Gabe in a round of Jeopardy.

Now JC is sitting in his Departmento de Depression, when there is a knock at the door....Papa, yes indeed Demian has come to see his son and tell him once again what a sorry loser JC is cause he is alive and Regina is dead, Pa Pa you are rubbing salt in the wounds, but Demian continues berate him. I've notice when Demian is crazed his eyebrow stands up all spiky behind the patch....well it was way spiked now. Damian leaves. JC is left to sit all guilty and dejected whispering "Papa".

Demian is at the House of Evil and confronts Ti, Ti is worried about the Nic Nye Science Guy, ratting them out to the police about shoddy work. Demian is not worried in the least cause he is just gonna blame it all on Ti. Ti betrayed him when he didn't let Demian strangle or at least severely smack Dolores, Ti says she is my Madre. Demian not to give an inch retorts, I am your Padre...ewwww Check
Anyhow he tells Ti that Coyote is outta jail and he wants to talk to him. Poor Ti, if there wasn't a 45 year old age limit, I'd call Child Protective Services.

Nic Nye Science Guy, comes to see Gabe, who is babbling and speaking magic speak of repeating everything three times. Nic is at a loss for what to tell Gabe. Apparently the investigation is going nowhere. Ya think? Missing 20 something female in Mexico City, dark hair and eyes.

Sylvester arrives home with ummmmm a covered plate, tostadas de pata, I'm willing to bet. He turns on the lite and there is Elsa lying on the floor, passed out, but with a smirk on her face. Sylvester must carry her off to bed, haaaa I bet he hasn't seen her smile in the bedroom, in like oh shall we say ever?

Next day Gabe arrives at the Manse as Joselyn is tearing up a picture of Clemente...she remarks that Gabe doesn't look like he slept well. Gabe tells her the MA tale of woe, he believes Coyote has something to do with MA missing and he did it for money. Gabe you are such a tool. Gabe has come to get Luis Gabe so the boys have go to the park. Joselyn wants to tag along.

Damian opens his brief case and has a picture of Regina and himself, I guess it is their Wedding Picture, it is at least an 8X12, see Demian's is bigger. He chats it up a bit with Regina and promises revenge and so on.

At HangOver Acres...things are not going well...Sylvester says Elsa needs help...No way No Clinic..Sylvester next suggest AA, and actually says some of the 12 step stuff...Elsa's head hurts, well so does mine from all the dropping anvils...
Elsa goes into a rage and screams she wants a divorce. Poor Sylvester reacts the only way a man can react on a TeleNovela...he bursts into tears.

JC is sitting in the departmento de depression remembering Paulina and his Wedding Day...cue the sappy music...Wow two of those flashback people are dead...Lui & Ma...anyhow now flashback to Demian's latest rant....Gawd it is like living in an Edgar Allen Poe Poem, just get a raven dude.

Coyote is standing outside his apartment of pain and chowing down on a corn muffin, while playing his badass gangsta 1980's boom box...Mama, Mama, Mama...I guess it would be hard for MA to hear it from an Ipod. Anyway she is blindfolded again and in hysterics at the sound of her son's voice...Ben watches from the shelf...Run Ben Run, tell them MA is in the Well....oh wait that was Lassie.

Karen and Paulina are all happy at the office, yes JC is still completely depressed, but on the up side Paulina is getting an UltraSound.

Gabe & Joselyn are in the Park having a lovely outting with the two boys....OMG how the rich do live...actually Joselyn & Gabe are yacking it up and the two servant girls in their lovely little pink servant dresses are lugging the kids around...Now that's what I'm talking about...family time.

Paulina misses her UltraSound cause, JC is missig when she gets home. JC is at the grave of Regina, sobbing.

JC is back home and Leo comes over and berates JC to get over it, pull his head out and start showing some consideration for Paulina. Score one for Leo. Paulina comes out, hugs JC and some of the darkness lifts...I know this cause the JC/Paulina song of Amor is blaring and making dust clouds jump on my entertainment center...

Lastly Demian is talking to Coyote...he throws a big ol bag of $$ at the Coyote...he wants him to whack Leo then he has somemore whacking for him to do. See and usually it is really hard for felons to find productive work...Kudos Coyote, you have a regular business going.

The End.....Sorry if this was rambling, but Gawd this thing is awful.

Tommorrow....the UltraSound
Leo's Clinic catches on fire...Burn baby Burn..(remember it is made
outta cement blocks)

My dream....somehow MA can transplant both Ben's brain and personality into Gabe.

Labels: mundo

Before we start, I have to ask a question that has been bugging me for a while and I keep forgetting to ask. Susanlynn – why do you always post under ‘Anonymous’ and then just put your name on the end? Get an ID! I am to the point now where I know it’s you just from reading your comment, before seeing your name, but I think it’s time! Sign up, be assimilated! One of us! One of us!

Edit - the masses have spoken in the comments. Susanlynn has created her own unique style of commenting and the overwhelming majority like it that way. I thought maybe she had trouble making a commitment :) Susanlynn - just know my comment above was all in good fun.

Ok on to the show. Emiliooo is slightly impactado to hear from Gaspar that Thelma was at the Devil’s Cave.

Blanca can’t believe that Alina is cooped up at Edelmira’s place. She says it’s a crime. Great insight there Blanca. Alina complains again about how bad this has all been for her and her mother. Blanca says she knows. Elias is tied up with the construction but Luba told Blanca where to find Alina. She tries to walk out with her, but Edelmira stops them. Blanca says that she is Alina’s godmother, but Edelmira doesn’t care. Alina then, since she’s a friggin genius, actually takes Edelmira’s side of the argument and tells Blancato leave. Blanca says she’ll leave, but she’ll be back to look for her. She says it won’t be good for Edelmira, Edelmira couldn’t care less. Blanca gives her one last dirty look and then leaves. Before she is even gone, Edelmira grabs Alina and says they are going to get this settled at once, steering her out of the room and into the office. One of the other girls looks on with concern but doesn’t say anything. I think it was concern, it may have just been “what is that girl’s problem?”

Santos and his sister/mom talk in his shack. She wants him to marry Rosita and get out of town. He says no, he’s making too much money working on the highway. Mom wants him as far away from Max as possible. Santos looks like he agrees, but maybe that was just pain from all the cuts and bruises on his face.

Edelmira flashes her long claw fingernails at Alina and tells her how it is. Alina says that she won’t let Edelmira talk to her that way. Edelmira slaps her across the face. Edelmira puts a claw up to her face and says that next time she’ll mark up her pretty face. With those claws I believe it. Plus, Edelmira isn’t really so pretty so she’s probably jealous and would enjoy clawing up some hottie.

Luba is waiting outside the meson, waiting for Blanca. She looks quite agitated, apparently it has been a while since she enjoyed some of her ‘calming herbs.’ Blanca comes out and Luba says she wanted to go in with her, but Blanca says not to worry. She’ll get Alina out. “How?” says Luba. Blanca says she’s going to go notify the authorities. Then she starts making excuses for not doing something before, she was in Canada, etc. The agree that Don Loco is muy loco. As you would expect, that is a short conversation. “He’s completely nuts!” “Agreed.” Blanca swears that she’ll save Alina, Luba smiles at that and says the virgin will be with Blanca.

Coral and the fabulous Granillo try to console Alina after her fight with the boss. They both tell her to cooperate and go with the flow. I suspect that Granillo is pretending to be sympathetic but will report back to the Wicked Witch what the others say. Coral says they need to keep their eyes open for the first chance to get Alina out of here. I guess Coral can come and go as she pleases but Alina is effectively on lockdown. What is it with everyone keeping people locked up? Everywhere, the biggest thing is to get in or out of some place. Are we supposed to believe that there is no way for Alina to just walk out the door? Alina says she’ll go along if the others think that is the best plan. Granillo starts talking about how wonderful he’s going to make her look. He even knocks Coral off the bed in the process of talking with his hands.

Mexico City – time for the Marianita/Jose double feature. Mariana tells Dr. Love that she wants to talk about ‘us.’ He is happy about that, but rather than letting her talk, he rambles on, ending with how much he wants to marry her. She wants time to think about it, basically telling him “I’ll say yes, but not yet.” He says fine. Marianita tells the singing boy that her mom and Dr. Love are going to be together. They cook up a plan to write a letter to her mom and pretend it’s from the Dr.

The lead military guy, whatever he’s called, is interrogating Jose. The guy is the same actor who was the accountant on La Fea at the beginning who got fired. I can’t remember his name. Somebody leave it in the comments and I’ll edit it in. Thanks. Anyway, he has a pouch of money that he found in Jose’s things, is it money that those guys paid him? Jose sticks to his getting lost story. Ah the bag wasn’t full of money, it was full of the gold that Jose and Arcadio found a long time ago. The sergeant (Jose finally called him that) told him that if he said what group he was with, the military will let him go back to Mexico. The sergeant tells him to think about it and leaves the room, leaving the gold where Jose can see it, to make him think.

There is a commercial for Destilando Amor, I can’t get over how funny the guy who played Cesar looks with his Village People moustache. It’s hilarious.

Elias comes home to his shack but can’t find Blanca. He finds Soledad’s hanky on the table and gives it a big creepy sniff. Not just a “oh her perfume” sniff, more like a pervert stealing panties kind of sniff. He really gets it up his nose. Blanca walks in and Elias asks her what the deal is with the hanky. She says she asks him the same thing! He said something like he didn’t realize he had it in his pocket, or who knows what. He looked guilty about it, that’s for sure. I used to think Blanca’s concern was silly, now Elias is acting in a way where he deserves the questions. Blanca starts to hammer him on the topic again now, he starts in with his usual “Oh for the love of God give it a rest” defense. He stomps out to go back to work. Blanca says after he leaves, “No Elias, I won’t give you any more problems, I’ll just do what I have to do, then I won’t bother you any more.”

Edelmira tells Don Loc about Blanca’s visit to her meson, she is worried about Blanca going to the authorities. Don Loco tells her not to worry, Blanca won’t do anything. He will stop her. He tells her to get back and make sure Alina doesn’t escape, and to keep a close eye on who gets close to her.

Blanca goes back to her room at the hacienda and packs her suitcase. Don Loco walks in and asks if she is leaving. She says yes, she can’t stand what he is doing to his daughter. “I don’t have a daughter.” Blanca says yes he does, Alina is his daughter, and look what he is doing to her. She is going to go find help and to free Alina and Soledad. Don Loco tells her she has committed a grave error, and errors pay dearly. Ominous music plays as he leaves the room. He shuts the door and we hear locks turning. Blanca pounds the door and says “Open up! You can’t do this!” Really Blanca? Where the hell have you been? This is the ONLY thing he DOES do. He locks people up. It is his hobby, his passion.

Gaspar tells the story of how he hit the skins with his munequita at the Devil’s Cave to Emilioooo. He never had another woman and later his munequita became Emiliooooo’s wife. Emilioooo repeats it back to him and asks if that is what he really means to say. Gaspar says “Uh yeah you dumbass that’s what I just told you.” Not really, but yes Gaspar confirms. He describes the red dress. Emiliooo gets mad and asks “What was she doing in that place?” Gaspar doesn’t know, cripes, he just saw opportunity and he took it. Come on, Emiliooo! Get with the program! Luba walks in and breaks it up. Luba tells Emiliooo that Gaspar is sick in the head and makes stuff up. Emiliooo says ok whatever, don’t come back to the house and bother Thelma. Luba tells Emiliooo “With all due respect, don’t yell in my house!” Emiliooo yells anyway, he tells Gaspar that his guards will have orders to shoot Gaspar if they see him around the house or Thelma again. He pushes Luba out of his way to leave. What a gentleman. Luba gives Gaspar quite a tongue-lashing after Emiliooo leaves, she is tired of hearing about this stupid munequita. Gaspar tries to argue, “But….” Luba yells “But WHAT?” Gaspar doesn’t say anything.

Back to Mexico City – Mariana tells Marianita to get ready, Dr. Love is coming over for dinner. Marianita gets the fake letter out of her bag and leaves it by her mom’s purse. Mom opens it and reads it. “To Marianita’s mom – I’m the doctor and I love you and I want to be Marinaita’s dad.” She sees of course that it is a fake. “Ah, Marianita!” She smiles, touched at what the girl did.

No Jose scene. They are throwing curveballs here! This is where Jose is supposed to be! HelllloooOOOOOO!

Rosita’s mom tells Santos that Rosita isn’t home. Castulo comes in and says that he saw Rosita with Max. Santos is impactado. Castulo says she’s smart, she knows that Max can make her a rich woman. Santos storms out to go talk to her, Castulo smirks. Rosita’s mom yells at Castulo, Rosita would only talk to Max about work, not whatever crap you have in your head!

Oh here’s Jose. A couple guys are surrounding him with guns drawn and pointed at him. They aren’t wearing uniforms. They are from the rebel camp, they came to cut him loose before he tells the military guys anything. They shoot the chain to free him and the run away. The army follows and shoots, they kill one of the other guys. Well, he looks as good as dead anyway. He starts yelling in pain so Jose drags him behind a tree. The army runs to the bottom of the hill, “Do you see anything?” They stand around like idiots. This is a horrible army. Jose was behind some plants RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM and they decided to run off and look somewhere else. Cripes. Jose has his hand over the other guy’s mouth to keep him quiet. The guy yells that he is going to die, Jose says no, he’s taking him to the camp where the others can cure him. Jose you idiot, run! Screw this guy! Get out of there! I have to point out again that Jose can’t be more than 5 years older than Alina, his supposed illegitimate daughter. Jose can’t be more than 30 years old.

Dr. Love tells Mariana that Marianita is responding very well to her treatment. He begs for the chance to make Mariana happy. She starts to argue but they start kissing. He tells her he loves her, again. He stands up and swears that she will be the happiest woman on earth and he leaves. Mariana immediately asks Jose for forgiveness. What? I thought she had settled that in her mind. Also, Jose didn’t seem to feel quite that guilty after nailing the rebel hoochie.

Emilioooo is throwing things around Thelma’s room, out of her closet. He stops and has a mental playback of Gaspar describing the red dress. He starts digging around some more. Thelma comes in and demands to know what he is doing. He says he’s looking for a red dress, do you have one like that? She looks guilty. Didn’t the dress get thrown out though, and someone else pulled it out of the garbage? I don’t remember. I guess we’ll find out after the commercial. Ok – she claims that she doesn’t have any red dress. Emilooo tells her his conversation with Gaspar. She pretends to not know who he is. They argue about it a bit more before Emiliooo says Gaspar must have confused her with someone else. After he leaves, Thelma seethes. She may be evil, but she sure is sexy. Even when seething.

Soledad complains to Adela that she doesn’t know anything about Alina. As Adela leaves, Don Loco enters. He’s glad to see her eating. Soledad asks if he brought Alina. Don Loco says no, now she lives in a place she can’t leave. Soledad says she’ll feel better and calm down if she can see Alina. Don Loco says fine, you’ll see her tonight, better she see with her own eyes.

Coral tells Alina that she looks really pretty. Alina asks Coral to please call her Flor, she doesn’t want to use her name Alina in this place. Granillo says whatever, she’s still a super hottie and it will be tough to keep all the drunks off of her. Coral agrees.

On the construction site, Orlando asks Emiliooo what’s wrong. “Ah, you fought with your wife again.” He says yeah, something stupid. Orlando is sure it’s about Alina, but Emiliooo says no. Orlando doesn’t give up on that idea, he finally says he’ll take Emiliooo somewhere where he won’t think about Alina at all. Well of course that will be to Edelmira’s place for Alina’s grand debut. Not very well hidden, this future plot event.

Thelma sneaks into Singing Aunt’s room and kicks her bed to wake her up. Thelma demands to know what happened to the red dress. SA said she threw it away. Thelma tells her about Emiliooo’s visit and makes her go find the dress. “But I threw it away, I remember very well!” SA insists. Thelma won’t hear it and sends her out to find it.

Rosita talks to her father, he says something about having air in his chest. I’m sure this is some precursor to him dropping dead later. He wants Rosita and Santos to move away from this troubled place, but he won’t go with, this is his place and he’s old. Rosita says she won’t leave him.

SA buttonholes Rosita’s mom, who answers “Si, Senora?” to which SA replies, “Senorita!” Singing Aunt asks her what happens with the garbage. Someone picks it up every third day and takes it far away. “Are you sure it is far away?” “Yes, why, did you lose something valuable?” SA says no, no, of course not. She was just curious. She feels much better now that she knows where the garbage goes. She sings her way out of the kitchen. Rosita’s mom says “She must have been looking for the red dress.” Hey – notice how these things are red? Red dress, La Bolsa Roja from La Fea? Red is a popular plot device color.

Rosita’s dad says he’ll be fine alone. Rosita doesn’t agree, then Santos shows up and says that she has to come to church with him, they have to get married right now! Rosita doesn’t look thrilled at this, just confused.

A great shot of the moon, signifying night time. Edelmira announces to the crowd that it is a special night. Emiliooo and Orlando walk in during her announcement. She announces the debut of Flor Del Campo! The crowd cheers and whistles, Emilioooo is impactado, of course. Alina gets pushed to the stage, where she stands looking confused and biting her bottom lip. Emiliooo asks what she is doing here, Orlando says you heard, this is a new feature! The men in the room start yelling “How much for her, Edelmira!” Jeremias walks up and takes Flor’s arm, announcing that he already bought her. Emiliooo runs up and tells him to let her go. Jeremias whines that it isn’t fair. Edelmira tells Emiliooo to get to her office, they have to talk. Emiliooo tells Alina to come with him, she tells him to get lost, he’s as bad as the creeps in this place. He grabs her arm and follows Edelmira with her. Coral is on some stairs, watching with Orlando. Orlando mocks Emiliooo (not very hard to do) but Coral says that Emiliooo loves Alina. Orlando says “Ah yes, but here I am single, with the same money as him.” Coral rolls her eyes.

Santos has turned into a complete and total idiot. Rosita wants to wait to get married, she always dreamed of a white dress, “Santos, go with your mom to get away from Max, when I have everything ready I’ll call you and you can come back, we’ll get married.” Santos says that she just wants him away so she can see someone else. She can’t believe it, of course. He says they have to get out of this town, she says she has to take care of her father. He accuses her of using that as a false pretext. He says Castulo told him, she was with Max. She of course says it is ridiculous, but he says they should break up and she says “Whatever you want.” He says adios and stomps out. He went from getting married to breaking up in less than one minute. On his way out, he says “And that is forever.” She cries, obviously.

Emiliooo takes Alina to her room. I guess they weren’t following Edelmira. Edelmira must have thought that Emiliooo was buying her, he is supposed to go see her in the office to pay afterwards. Alina tells Emiliooo that she isn’t for sale, especially for him. He says he’s having to pay for her anyway. She slaps him. He says that again she misjudged him, he is going to pay for her so he can get her out of here. She looks a little sorry, but not much. He says but as usual she doesn’t understand anything, or does she just prefer it here? She slaps him again. He says for each slap, he’s going to kiss her. So of course, she slaps him again and they make out, ending up on the bed. She starts to push his jacket off (What? What a slut!) but Emiliooo stops and says this isn’t the time or the place. He says “See you soon” and leaves the room.

Jose carries the guy who got shot into a cabin. I guess he knew his way back to their camp. Let me point out again how crappy that army was, that they couldn’t find the same guy they shot after he had been moved ten feet away. Jacinto is the injured guy’s name. He doesn’t want Jose to leave him alone, but Jose has to find help. Jacinto is the boss, I just realized. He tells Jose that he didn’t save him for himself, he did it for his sister. Jacinto wants Jose to promise that he won’t leave his sister. Jose says that Jacinto knows very well that he has a family in Mexico. Jacinto says he has a family here too, his sister is expecting his child! Jose is super duper impactado. Also let me say here that I am so glad that my wife and I don’t conceive babies every time we are within two feet of each other like the characters on these shows. These novela men are blessed with super sperm and the women ovulate 28 times a month. It is amazing.

Mariana tells Malena all about her hot makeout session with Dr. Love. She liked the kissing, but she feels guilty, etc. Whatever. Malena agrees with me, whatever. Malena tells her to get busy with Dr. Love already and get on with it. Mariana agrees, it is time to forget about Jose.

Blanca is STILL pounding on the door. It must be hours later. She finally has an idea and finds something hard to break a window pane.

Nurse Susi tells Angel he can’t go to the cave. Angel says her declaration of love is just a pretext to keep him here safe. She says it isn’t, but anyway Alina doesn’t love him. Angel immediately starts feeling sorry for himself as he agrees with her. “Who would believe in me?” What a whiner. Susi says there are many women who could love him, but Angel says he isn’t interested in other women. Listen, I know you ladies reading get all weak in the knees for poor sensitive Angel, but he’s an idiot. What a fool. “No I love this woman that my brother has been treating like dirt and who has told me directly that she doesn’t love me, yeah, I think this will work, forget the sexy nurse who wants to keep my bed warm.” You hear me ladies? IDIOT. He asks Susi to leave so he can sleep, she and her awesomely tight pants leave the room. Angel immediately gets out of bed and paces.

Blanca is sitting on the bed with a cut on her hand, Adela says she’ll get something to fix her up. She apparently escapes about as well as Soledad. Blanca says thanks, but what she really wants is to get out of this place. Adela says let me fix you up first, but I have to lock you in, boss’s orders. Blanca asks, “And where is that infeliz?” Adela says he left with Soledad, but doesn’t know to where.

Santos’s mom is telling Santos, nicely, that he really screwed up and he’s an idiot for what he did with Rosita. He finally says that he doesn’t know what to do with Max going after Rosita, since Max is his own father. He doesn’t know what to do. Buddy here’s what you DON’T do – go accuse your woman of getting it on with another guy. That won’t sort out your daddy issues. Santos says they need to leave tomorrow because if they don’t get out right away, he’s going to have to confront his father.

Rosita’s dad tries to calm her down. She shows us her great cleavage while she explains that Santos wanted to get married right away, but she wanted the wedding she has dreamed of, and she didn’t want to leave her father. Dad says that’s the way it is, kids grow up and leave. Rosita cries that she loves Santos and can’t live without him.

Emiliooo says he wants to get Alina out, but apparently having drinks at Edelmira’s is the place to plan it. He tells Orlando that he wants to get her out and that Don Loco is crazy. Granillo tells Emiliooo that Edelmira is waiting for him, will he come with? Granillo then gives Orlando a dirty look, Orlando just shrugs and downs his drink. Orlando wishes Emiliooo luck and takes off, Emiliooo follows the fabulous Granillo. Ha ha ha Granillo puts his arm out like a man would for a woman, Emiliooo looks at him like he’s crazy and they walk to the back.

Sexy nurse Susi is crying in her coffee in the kitchen with Rosita’s mom. She explains how Angel is obsessed with Alina but Alina doesn’t love him. Rosita’s mom says “But you do love him, right?” Susi says yes, but it’s like she doesn’t even exist to him. She’s just the nurse. Susi sobs. She tells Susi that Alina loves Emiliooo, who is married to Thelma…

Thelma says she is going to fight like a fury to defend her marriage. Singing Aunt says it looks difficult for her, Emiliooo only has eyes for Flor. SA says Alina is really pretty, Thelma says “What? I’m not?” SA says yes of course. Thelma says if she can’t have him, nobody can. SA says “Are you thinking of killing him?” She says that the same way she would say “Are you thinking of getting something to eat?” like it was nothing. Thelma says no, but she is capable of anything, even killing. SA is impactada, her mouth hangs open.

Granillo is waving his little fan around to make SURE we all understand he’s gay. We get it. He tells Alina, “You are still in love with that Captain, aren’t you!” She says of course not, she hates him. Granillo isn’t buying it. He tells her to get outside, show the Captain that she’s happy without him. She says yes, she’ll show him that with all his money he still can’t buy her. Granillo loves it.

Edelmira tells Emiliooo that if he offers a good price for Alina, great, if not, she’ll go with Jeremias. Emiliooo hands a huge wad of bills to her and she says “I thought we understand each other.” Emiliooo says surely the other guy didn’t offer more, Edelmira says yes, a little bit more. She says if Emiliooo’s offer is serious, he can come back tomorrow with more money. He says fine. He demands that she doesn’t go with anyone else before he brings the rest of the money. She says ok. After he leaves she laughs about how she can’t sell Alina to anyone but keeps getting money for her anyway!

Out in the hallway Emiliooo runs into Coral. He says he’ll take her home, but she says she isn’t going to stay there any more and thanks so much for the hospitality. Coral says she has finally realized she’ll never have Emiliooo, so it’s better for her if she leaves. He starts to say something but Coral tells him he doesn’t have to explain, she knows he loves Flor. She promises to take care of Flor. Emiliooo is grateful. As he leaves, Coral’s face drops and she tries not to cry.

Don Loco arrives, dragging Soledad with him with his hand under her armpit. Nobody would mistake this for her coming willingly. As they enter, some guy tips his hat at Soledad, Don Loco immediately grabs the guy and throws him to the side. It was pretty funny. He says, “Don’t you want to see your daughter? There she is.” Across the room Alina sees them and wants to go help her mom but Graniloo stops her. Soledad says she has to go get her daughter out of here but Don Loco tells her no. Soledad slaps Don Loco in slow motion. Alina is impactada. Don Loco slaps her back, knocking her down to the ground. Alina breaks away from the fabulous Granillo to run to her mother, everything still in slow motion.

Monday, another deal with the devil. Orlando offers to help Alina in exchange for her hand in marriage. Doesn’t he know that sort of thing will get him shot?

Labels: duelo

Poolside at Casa Irazabal. Bruna is wearing a natty charcoal skirt and vest, with a pink blouse that tells us she was feeling particularly girly this morning. Faux Marfil is in Stepford Wife Gone Haywire mode again. She doesn’t see Max doing his pageant walk towards them. Once they notice him, Bruna stands at attention with such panache that only a fascist salute would have made it complete. Max asks who Faux Marfil is hiding from. “Nobody, anybody can see me!” is her unconvincing response. He clearly doesn’t believe it. She elaborates in that grating tone that schizophrenically bounces from screech to whine. Bruna backs her up. Faux Marfil changes her tone and plays kissy-face with an unresponsive Max.

Paco’s bar. A good time is being had by all. Well, except for Diana, moping by herself in a dress borrowed from Gaviota. Gaby, who is inexplicably wearing her seventh-grade parochial school uniform, tells Diana she needs to fake it a little. Little Doormat gets the ball rolling by tickling her. Gaviota comes up while this heartwarming little romp is in progress. She’s glad to see them smiling. She’s got something to smile about, too. She’s almost sure that she has what she needs to ruin Octavia and take everything back, mansion included. She invites the girls, and Granny M, of course, to live there with her. But Diego – yes, Diego, too. After all, Casa Irascible holds such happy memories for the kids. Grannny M weaves up. She’s been making too much whoopee. She had two glasses of champagne and needs to go home. Gaby takes her out. Gaviota looks at Diana. “You can’t stop thinking about Maximiliano, can you?” No answer. “You’re still in love with him.” Diana 'fesses up. She likes 'em stolid and bovine, and that’s our boy Max. Gaviota slowly blinks.

Ignacio’s office. He’s with Andrés. He’s got a Styrofoam cup of coffee which he stirs compulsively as he verifies that Andrés has his testimony down. Andrés assures Dr. Evil that Diana will end in jail. The happiest moment in Ignacio’s life will be when the judge declares that dirty schemer guilty. How many years does Ignacio think she’ll get? Dr. Evil’s really getting off on this. All told, Diana will be withered, destroyed, finished when she gets out. Andrés is smiling, but he looks a little creeped out by the thrill Ignacio’s getting.

At Casa Soriano, Gaby has put Granny M to bed and is curled up on the red sofa. She tells Larry how much she misses him. There’s a pounding at the door. The parade of vengeful women isn’t quite over. Pilar storms in, followed by Rene in naco drag. Pilar is in full fiera mode, ready to kick some Soriano butt in her platform rope sandals. She accuses Gaby of ratting her out to Larry so Little Doormat could have him for herself. Rene tries to quiet her down, but she insists on making a big stink. He settles for keeping Pilar at bay while Gaby declares it’s not her fault Larry married her, she loved him. Pilar belittles her for being a servant and an ugly and blind one at that. Little Doormat’s reply is garbled by half-choked sobs. Pilar gets in her face and asks what her love was worth, what good it did her. Gaby shows an ounce of spunk. She won’t be insulted in her own house and wants them to get out. Pilar’s not done screaming, however. “Whether you want to or not, you’re going to divorce Larry because he’s going to marry me!”

We return to Ignacio’s office. Dr. Evil is yammering away about “that slut-nurse” being a gold-digger, rejecting a prime catch like himself for a millionaire. Andrés cheers him up by reminding him that Diana’s going to rot in jail. Once again Ignacio says how much he’ll enjoy hearing the judge sentence her.

Back in Gaby’s living room, Pilar is screaming more accusations and Little Doormat is making tearful denials. It’s essentially the same conversation as the previous scene with a change of vocabulary and a few embellishments. Rene drags his fingers over his face as if he’s having a delayed reaction to some drugs he did earlier. Pilar lunges at Gaby but Rene snaps out of it and restrains her. It’s time for Gaby to wake up, her Cinderella dream has turned into a nightmare. Rene insists that it’s time to go. Too late. The only one to wake up is Granny M, and boy, is she pissed! She thrusts Gaby behind her and shouts that if Little Doormat doesn’t know how to defend herself, she’s here to defend her. Okay, everybody, it’s hootenanny time. All four begin screaming at each other. Granny leaves the room. While Rene tries to shut her up and get her out, Pilar tells Little Doormat that Larry’s going to divorce her, etc. Uh-oh. Granny’s back on the scene with a large bucket of water. She douses Pilar and menaces her with the bucket, backing her towards the door, shouting “¡Fuera!” over and over. Gaby runs to her room in tears, throws herself on the bed, and sobs. Granny is right behind her to give her grandmotherly love and support. It’s all very poignant.

Gaviota and Diana are in the dressing room. While they have a mindless exchange about the faulty lamp on Gav’s dressing table, I wonder if she actually wears the page-boy wig on what looks like a human-sized Barbie head. I admire the feather boa collection draped over the folding screen in the corner and then Diana catches my attention when she claims to know a little something about electricity. Paco leans in to say it’s showtime. Admonishing her to be careful, Gaviota exits. Little Miss Fix-It unplugs the lamp and sits down. This does not bode well.

Onstage, Paco introduces Gaviota, who has “the prettiest voice in the whole city.” All seven extras whistle, applaud, and shout “Bravo”, trying to sound like an audience of at least fifteen. Since the writers have lifted this plotline from any number of “Woman Who Strays and Pays” epics of the Thirties, I’ve been anxious to see what kind of cabaret chanteuse Gaviota turns out to be. Are we in for the sardonic allure of Marlene Dietrich? the spangles and Weltschmerz of Pola Negri? the tarnished sophistication of Kay Francis? Nope. None of the above. The stage is bare and the lighting washes her out in favor of the tomato red shawl. (The black and red boa she left on her dressing-room chair would have been a better choice, anyway.) Her opening number, which sounds like electronic, imitation Jobim, is about a seagull without a nest, searching for happiness. I guess a gaviota hell-bent on revenge would be too obvious even for a telenovela. Now there’s a concept.

Back in the dressing room, Our Heroine is looking mighty pleased with herself. What exactly she did is unclear but I’ll bet y’all a buck I know the outcome. She plugs in the lamp – sparks – yup, it’s a blackout, right in the middle of Gav’s theme song. The seven extras try to sound like a panicked crowd. Paco tries to calm them down. Diana tries unplugging the lamp. The audience is quieted but the bar remains dark. After a minute the lights go back up and the patrons are gone. Gaviota and Paco are impactados. No puede ser. They look around as if they expect to find Gav’s fans hiding under the tables or behind the potted palms. Diana comes out onstage like a naughty second-grader, all “aw, gee, my bad, but I’m still cute, right?” After a moment they decide she is. Hilarity ensues.

At Casa Irazabal, Max is in bed, shirtless and alone. He’s treating us to a new pose from the “Studs in the Sack” calendar: on his side, propped up on his elbow, facing the camera. He’s obsessing about Diana and not liking it. Oh. No, he’s not alone. A female hand appears on his shoulder. It’s Faux Marfil, rising up behind him like Godzilla over a Tokyo skyline. She fondles him, murmuring sweet nothings. “Just let me love you,” she says in a breathy voice. I feel slightly queasy and am happy we are going to commercial.

Days later. Poolside at the mansion. Lala serves breakfast to Max and tía Yolanda. Doña Santa is being a naughty granny. She won’t take her meds or eat or listen to anyone but Max. And Max is always at the factory. Max doesn’t want another nurse in the house. He wants Yolanda to take charge of Granny S. She reiterates what a handful DS is, then heaves a sigh. It’s a pity what happened to Diana. Diana was able to handle her. Max asks Lala if Our Heroine’s trial is today. It is, and God willing she’s found innocent, Lala replies. She should have stopped there, but no. She informs Max of Diego and Diana’s intended wedding. Max just can’t nail “attractively impactado” for love or money. He looks at Lala, then Yolanda, then away. If this novela were in Latvian, I’d swear he was trying to remember where the heck he’d left his car keys.

The long-awaited courtroom scene. Behind Gaviota and Diana, we see Diego, Emilio, Gaby, and Granny M. Pan to Dr. Evil and his lawyer. Pan to Andrés, then to Paco. Everyone but the Surprise Witness is present and accounted for. Enter La Juez. She makes her little speech and Diana rises to hear the charges against her.

Back at Irascible Manor, Max can’t believe what Lala just told him. And if Diana is found guilty? They’ll get married just the same. Max furrows his brow as he works this one out. Lala excuses herself. Yolanda knows what’s going on here. Max tries to claim he doesn’t care, but she answers that isn’t true, he’s dying to be in the courtroom. Our Hero furrows his brow again, completely befuddled. We can almost see the wheels turning in his head. “Do I have a line here? I don’t think I have a line. This is just a close-up, right? I’m pretty sure I don’t say anything here…”

We leave Max to figure it out as best he can and return to Our Heroine’s trial. While the charges are read, Diana thought-bubbles: “Maximiliano. You didn’t come, blah, blah, blah. But of course you didn’t come, you don’t believe in me.” Mournful flute music.

Octavia’s happy home, where the coven has assembled in the parlor. Lady O pretends to drink from an empty porcelain cup. She remarks that the trial is probably starting. Faux Marfil hopes with all her might that they throw the book at Diana. Octavia almost cracks a smile as she says they all hope that. Bruna snickers. I’ve got to hand it to Alicia Plaza. Even when she doesn’t have a line, Bruna’s wacky, lovable malevolence really comes across.

We’re back in court and the prosecuting attorney is showboating through his opening arguments. As the music becomes louder, more insistent, more menacing, each of our friends gets a close-up. Granny M’s the last one and now we’re in flashback mode. Diana runs down the hall, she’s at the elevator, she’s frantically pushing the button for an elevator that won’t come. We all know what that’s like. It especially sucks when you’re in a hurry. And here comes Dr. Evil bolting down the hall, clad in bathrobe, disco chain, pajamas, and slippers. He has something white sprayed over one eye. They struggle, he falls down the stairs and sprawls face-down on the first landing. He’s not moving, so Diana starts down the stairs. (Excuse me, but didn’t he just try to rape her a few minutes ago?) A nifty PowerPoint wipe effect returns us to the present. Close-up of Diana, looking down in shame, with the Glycerine Tear of True Dolor rolling down one cheek. The Big Bad Prosecutor urges the jury to punish Diana to the full extent of the law, or something like that. The natives get restless, Diana loses it and starts to sob, and the judge calls for order. Gav tries to soothe her client. Diana just wants to get this hell over with.

Luscious Larry is out by the pool. Rene swims up. Has Larry seen Pilar? No, and he hasn’t been taking her calls, either. Rene says Larry won’t forgive Pilar because he’s afraid of appearing weak. Larry admits it. Rene climbs out of the pool and proceeds to tell Our Airhead Adonis that he was in his car outside the beachfront café that afternoon. Afterwards he drove Pilar to visit Little Doormat. Larry is impactado – “¡¿Quééé?!” Rene obligingly fills him in on the hijinks that followed, giving a special mention to Granny la Fiera. Pobrecita de Gaby. What? Didn’t Larry dump her? But Larry feels dirty, like he used her, and she didn’t deserve that. Little Doormat is so sweet, so affectionate, etc., etc. He even tells Rene about the love letters. Rene whistles. So what’s Lunkhead going to do? Find a lawyer, he supposes, get divorced from Gaby. Close-up of Larry, all tousled hair and Bambi eyes and bewilderment. Pobre de Larry.

Dr. Evil’s other lawyer is addressing the court now. He’s not saying anything about Our Heroine and her alleged crimes that we haven’t already heard. There’s a brief flashback of Diana in Ignacio’s apartment, picking up a candle and throwing hot wax in his face. This is attempted murder, says the lawyer. Our Heroine starts to lose it again. Disorder in the court, with the judge calling for silence and Granny M shouting “These are all lies!” Granny M rules.

We take a break from the legal shenanigans to check in at Casa Silvia. Elsa la Maestra de las Ciencias Ocultas is here. Camila’s looking almost demure in a ruffled, baby-blue top that starts below the collar bone and ends just under the bust. Maybe it’s the little sleeves. Anyway, Camila tells Elsa that she couldn’t get a pair of Maxi’s underwear, but Silvia fared better. Enter Larry’s black bikinis, followed by Sylvia. Today Silvia is Foxy Brown. An Anglo-Hispanic Foxy Brown, but Foxy Brown all the same. The afro wig is downright impressive. She gives Elsa the briefs. Elsa, too, is amazed at how tiny they are. Hmmm. Are they trying to tell us something here? Like…I don’t know…Luscious Larry has no cojones? Oh, yeah, the scene. Silvia gets all hot and bothered describing how babealicious Larry is. Elsa, fondling Larry’s underwear, is increasingly impactada, and after Silvia exclaims “What a sight he must be naked!” I expect them both to sigh and light up a couple cigarettes. Instead, Elsa tells Foxy/Sylvia to put the underwear in a basin of honey to sweeten Lunkhead’s heart and then throw in a few cinnamon sticks to tame him. Silvia repeats the ingredients and Elsa again demands $500.00. Camila reacts as offensively as before but after some three-way wrangling, Foxy/Sylvia reaches into her top for the money so that Elsa won’t put a curse on them. “¡Hasta nunca!” snaps the M.O.S. as she throws the briefs in Sylvia’s wig and stalks out. Camila’s peeved that Foxy wasted $500.00 when they’re broke. Sylvia doesn’t care. She’s off to get honey and cinnamon sticks. She asks Camila to take care of the sacred briefs and dashes to the door. Disgusted, Camila throws them at the wall.

Lala and Nancy outside. They’re discussing Diana’s trial. Nancy asks if Diego’s really going to marry Diana no matter what the verdict. Lala says he is. Nancy is crushed.

Meanwhile, back in the courtroom, Big Bad Prosecutor #2 is still at it. Diana Soriano is a criminal. The accused musters up her telepathic powers to have another mental chat with Max. Just over her shoulder we can see Granny M looking hopelessly bored. And no wonder, because Our Heroine isn’t saying anything new. The love we once had, etc., your child born in prison, etc., etc. Cut to Max in his office, looking up from his laptop with a WTF expression on his face. Dr. Evil has beat Our Heroine to the telepathic punch. We hear the usual about Diana. Close-up of Max looking perturbed. Cut back to Diana. “You doubted me, Maximiliano, believed the lies you were told, and all I wanted was a place in your heart.” Close-up of Diana with the GTTD. Prosecutor #2 hasn’t stopped talking and shows no signs of doing so anytime soon. Diana thought-bubbles to Max that she really is innocent. Cut back to Max, who’s doing some thought-bubbling of his own. “Why did you deceive me, blah, blah, blah.” And back to Our Heroine: “Now we’ll never be able to be together.” Commercial. Whew.

Lala and Nancy again. Nancy asks, with all due respect, what good this marriage will be for Diego if Diana doesn’t love him? Because Diego’s greatest hope in the world is that she will grow to love him. Once upon a time, a parent’s advice was sacred, but now the young ‘uns go with their feelings. Nancy remains doubtful. She’s one of the smartest characters on this show.

Licenciado Evil is still going. That man’s got stamina. Diana can’t take anymore, leaps to her feet, and cries out “It’s not true! I am innocent!” She startles Granny M out of her nap and Gaviota tries to restrain her, but she’s not done protesting her innocence. Close-up of Prosecutor #2 raising an eyebrow but otherwise unmoved. Andrés gets into the act and it’s hootenanny time again. Everybody gets up to point, shout, wave their arms. The clerk calls for order. Close-up of the prosecutor looking as if he’d just wiped the last canary feather off his lips. La Juez pounds her gavel and yells “¡Silencio!” to no avail.

The perfume factory. Octavia walks into Max’s office, still wearing the café-au-lait sack from her previous scene. She has some billing that needs to go out. Max isn’t listening. Max is sorry, uh, he was, uh, thinking, uh…He was thinking of the nurse, of course. Octavia wants to know if it will bother him if she’s found guilty. Max wants to know how she knew the date of the trial. I want to know why everyone is so sure Diana will be tried and sentenced today. Anyway, Mamacita’s reply is that Octavia Irazabal knows everything. She hopes Diana is convicted. And Max? “Why wish that Diana be found guilty?” Octav tells him to quit wasting his time thinking about that mujercita and to get that billing out. Exit Octavia. Max gropes for his cell phone and dials. He has that slightly stunned look on his face. Then he hangs up. “Doesn’t it occur to Emilio to keep me posted?” And miss a second of the excitement? I don’t think so, Max.

Back in the courtroom, la Juez is still banging her gavel and calling for silence. When she finally gets everyone to shut up, she declares a half hour recess. As people start clearing out, I see that the prosecution has about a dozen red and blue folders strewn over their table, compared to the two Gaviota has. Hmmm. Well, at least Gav has a snappy, bright red purse for carrying her I Am a Legal Professional glasses. Ignacio gives Our Heroine the Evil Eye as he passes their table.

Team Soriano gathers in the hall for a huddle. Granny M has a bad feeling about this. Gaby begs her not to say that. Wait. No puede ser. Somebody please tell me that Little Doormat is not wearing white Mary Janes and little white ankle socks. Tell me I imagined that. Sorry. So, Paco and Diego are outraged by the way Diana’s sterling character is being blackened. Andrés comes out and stops at the water cooler. Diego decides this would be a good opportunity to prove his manhood, defend his fiancée’s honor, and beat the crap out of someone from Team Montiel all at the same time. Paco tries to hold him off, but Diego is a fiera, damn it. He breaks free and manages to get one punch in before security intervenes. Andrés baits him, saying he won’t be prevented from testifying against Diana. Diego makes futile attempts to get free and tells Andrés it’s war as security hustles him out. Tú eres malcarado, says Paco.* Andrés isn’t terribly put out by this. He manages to set Paco off. Paco lunges at him, but an elderly gent I don’t recognize (Gaviota’s legal mentor?) and Granny M restrain him. Close-up of Paco burning with righteous indignation.

In the courtroom, Gaviota is giving Our Heroine a belated lesson in trial etiquette. But they were telling lies, whimpers Diana, I had to defend myself. If Diana’s ideas on sex are Victorian, her ideas on legal procedure are downright medieval. En fin. Gaviota’s lecture continues. Another outburst and you could go to jail for contempt. Diana’s afraid. She’s not feeling optimistic.

Out in the hall, Emilio takes out his cell phone and dials. Cut to Max in his office. He’s staring out the window. The phone rings and he bolts over to the desk. Max asks how it’s going. It’s a circus, answers Emilio, giving a recap of the trial so far. And Diana? Emilio says you’ve got to feel sorry for the girl, he might be wrong, but it seems to him she’s innocent. Close-up of Max, gamely trying for attractively impactado again.

In the courtroom, Gav offers to ask for a recess until tomorrow. No. Diana wants to keep going. Diana has to be brave. It’s only just begun. But the Big Bad Lawyer was so rude to her. Gaviota lets her know that’s nothing compared to what’s coming. The worst moments of her life could lie just ahead. Close-up of Diana, teary-eyed and pouting as if Gaviota had just told her there was no Santa Claus.

Now we’re in chambers. Dr. Evil and Licenciado Evil are having a drink. Ignacio congratulates the Big Bad Lawyer on his attack. Lic. Evil is confident that Team Montiel is going to win. Enter Andrés. After hearing what occurred in the hall, the BBL asks if he wants to press charges. (No case too small for this enterprising fellow.) Andrés declines. He’ll make Diego pay.

Max is still on the phone. Does Emilio think Diana will be found innocent? (Before lunch? Is he kidding?) Emilio doesn’t know, the trial just started. All he knows is that the prosecution is going full-force against Diana. Max is getting emotional here. Diana must be found innocent.

Speaking of Diana, here she is again, perched on the table and having a cup of air. Gav asks if she still feels nervous. She does. They fall silent, Diana scoots off the table, then turns and asks if Gaviota believes her. Sentimental guitar music as Gav tilts her head and gives Our Heroine a tender smile. Of course she does, blah, blah, blah. Diana’s afraid, the BBL told so many lies. Gav reassures her and then says “Your own innocence is your best defense.” I’m no lawyer, but if that’s the best Gaviota has in those two folders of hers, I’d say Our Heroine is in trouble.

Back to the hall to see what’s up with the remains of Team Soriano. Granny M asks Paco what’s going to happen to Diego. Paco’s not sure if he’s been arrested or not. Enter Andrés. Andrés should find another water cooler. This time Gaby goes after him. “You’re worthless,” she says. There’s more angry back and forth between Paco and Andrés. Little Doormat, feeling quite the grown woman in her white Mary Janes, tells Paco to lay off, Andrés isn’t worth fighting with, he’s just the accomplice of the doctor who’s after her sister. Close-up of Andrés nodding his head for no apparent reason.

Poolside at Casa Irascible. Paola’s on the phone. Today’s bikini is somewhat more conservative, just a plaid top with a solid bottom. Cut to Pancholón on a beach. We can’t see his bikini. Paola wants to know when he’ll be back from the Bahamas. In a few days. She asks if Caramelo went along. The waves drown out his reply but he seems to deny it, because Paola’s next question is who he went to the Bahamas with. In answer to that, we see Caramelo approaching Pancho. And the deal? Paola can’t wait for him to come back so they can get that going. She wants to live dangerously, walk on the wild side, have hot, primitive naco sex, etc., etc. After prolonged goodbyes she hangs up.

We’re in the courtroom. Round two is about to begin. So far it’s Team Montiel one, Team Soriano zero. La Juez announces that la licenciada Fedora Garcez is up at bat. Gaviota stands and takes a deep breath.

Casa Irascible again. Faux Marfil is alone in the living room. She picks up the phone and calls Octavia. This woman really ought to find herself a hobby, like hang-gliding or scrapbooking. Anyway, Our Little Blonde Weasel is checking in to see if Octavia’s heard any news about the trial. No. Faux Marfil appears nervous.

Gaviota is addressing the jury. Toying with her glasses, she declares her intention of proving the plaintiff’s testimony false. Diana was sexually harassed by Dr. Evil, etc. and so on. We all know the real story. The prosecution objects but is overruled. Gaviota continues her opening argument. Dr. Evil shakes his head. Flashback to Ignacio’s apartment on that Fateful Night. He’s using a dropper to put a date-rape drug in Our Heroine’s drink. He brings it over to her. She stands with her hands on her hips, looking at him disapprovingly. She’s not that kind of Sex Kitten. She takes the drink and throws it in his face. PowerPoint wipe effect to the present. The dozen or so actors on the set try to sound like fifty making noises of disbelief. They don’t really succeed. Again Dr. Evil shakes his head. Close-up of Diana looking a bit nauseous.

Poolside at the mansion. Paola and Rene frolic and gambol winsomely in the background. Luscious Larry sits at the table with his OJ and his cell phone, which starts to ring. “Pilar, Pilar,” he sighs, picking it up. After repeatedly saying he won’t answer, he answers. Pilar wants to see him. She wants to show him how much she loves him. Larry is stumped for a reply. Ominous violin music that continues into the next scene.

La Juez is banging her gavel again. She’s had enough fun today, they can all pick up again tomorrow. Team Soriano gathers outside the courtroom. Everyone offers Diana encouragement. Except for Granny M, who looks depressed and seems to think Our Heroine is screwed. Out comes Dr. Evil. “Don’t even dream of being declared innocent. I swear we’re going to sink you!” Group shot of Team Soriano impactados. Close-up of Diana looking pissed, followed by close-ups all around, ending with the same shot of Diana looking pissed.

Roll credits.

*I couldn’t find this in the dictionary. “You’ve got an ugly mug”?

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I know I'm being a bit over anxious here, with three weeks left of Mundo de Fieras to watch, but since the promos are now running on Univision, I thought you'd like to read the cast list and my translation of the summary from drama's official page on esmas.com.

Destilando Amor

Cast/Elenco

by/por: Redacción
Source/Fuente: esmas.com

A great cast forms for this telenovela - Meet then here!
Un gran elenco conforma esta telenovela ¡Conócelo!

Angélica Rivera: Gaviota, Teresa Hernandez-Mariana Franco

Eduardo Yánez (Te Amare en Silencio): Rodrigo Montalvo

Sergio Sendel(Heridas de Amor/La Esposa Virgen): Aarón Montalvo

Chantal Andere (La Ursurpadora/Amor Real/Barrera de Amor): Minerva Olmos

Martha Julia (La Madrastra): Isadora Duarte

Ana Patricia Rojo (Mujer de Madera/MLDB): Sofía Montalvo

Fernanda Castillo: Daniela Montalvo

Joaquín Cordero (Cuento de Navidad/AMF): Don Amador

Martha Roth: Doña Pilar Gil de Montalvo

Jorge Vargas (Amor Real/Apuesta por un Amor): Felipe Montalvo Gil

Irma Lozano: Constanza

Olivia Bucio (Alondra/Alborada): Fedra Iturbe de Montalvo

Alejandro Tomassi (Alborada/Amy La Nina de la Mochila Azul): Bruno Montalvo Gil

Jaime Garza: Román Quijano

Adriana Laffan: Ofelia

José Luis Resendez (Alborada/Heridas de Amor/La Madrastra): Hilario Quijano

Gustavo Rojo: Néstor Videgaray

Julio Alemán (Amor Real): Roberto Avellaneda

Jan (Alborada/Heridas de Amor/Navidad Sin Fin): Patricio Iturbe

Carlos de la Mota: James

Ana Martin (Amor Real/Duelo de Pasiones/La Madrastra): Clara Hernandez

Joana Benedek (special cameo part LFMB): Pamela

Roberto Vander: Ricardo

Norma Lazareno: Nuria Toledo de Duarte

Julio Camejo: Francisco de la Vega

Edgardo Tejeda: Elvis

María Prado: Doña José

______

Learn the story
Conoce la historia

by/por: Redacción
source/Fuente: esmas.com

Synopsis/Sinopsis


En el hermoso pueblo de Tequila, Jalisco, surge un amor ardiente, puro y fuerte, como el famoso destilado que lleva el nombre de esta cálida y fértil región donde se produce.

Teresa Hernández, a quien todos llaman Gaviota, es una jornalera de campo que recorre el país con su madre, Clara, trabajando las cosechas. Cada año, regresan a Tequila para la "jima" del agave azul en la hacienda La Montalveña, propiedad de Don Amador, el patriarca de los Montalvo, una familia de abolengo en la producción de tequila. Al inicio de la historia, Don Amador sabe que se acerca su fin y llega para pasar sus últimos días en esta tierra que tanto ama.

Cuando Don Amador muere, su familia se reúne para el funeral. Sus nietos, Rodrigo y su primo Aarón, viajan desde Londres, donde estudian un doctorado. Los primos han crecido como hermanos, pero el testamento de su abuelo despierta la ambición en Aarón, pues el control de la fortuna familiar finalmente recaerá sobre el primer hijo varón engendrado por uno de ellos dos. Aarón se siente confiado, sabiendo que Rodrigo nunca ha podido hacer el amor; sin embargo, la llegada de Gaviota a su vida cambiará el destino de Rodrigo.

Al conocerse, Rodrigo y la bella jimadora sienten por primera vez el inquietante llamado del amor; sus cuerpos despiertan a una pasión que los domina y ambos se entregan completamente. Rodrigo promete a Gaviota volver en un año cuando termine el doctorado para casarse con ella. Poco tiempo después, Gaviota descubre que está embarazada. Sin tener idea del tamaño del mundo, la inocente joven decide ir a Inglaterra a buscar a Rodrigo. Engañada por un fotógrafo local que le promete ayuda, Gaviota cae en manos de una banda de tratantes de blancas que la envían a un burdel en Paris.

La valiente joven escapa e inicia su peregrinaje en busca del hombre que ama. Sola, sin conocer el idioma, sólo su fe y su gran amor la sostendrán en los peores momentos. Auxiliada por un generoso italiano, y un grupo de religiosas inglesas, volverá a México para encontrar una vida muy diferente a la que dejó atrás; una vida de dolor y decepción. Una vida en la gran ciudad, donde reinan la ambición, el rencor y la mentira, una vida que podría convertir en piedra el corazón inocente que inició aquel fatídico viaje... Destilando Amor.


In the quaint town of Tequila, Jalisco, surges a burning, pure and strong love, like the famous distillery that carries the name of this quality and fertile region where it is produced.

Teresa Hernandez, whom everyone calls Gaviota, is a female fieldworker that travels the country with her mother, Clara, working the working the harvests. They return every year to Tequila for the harvest of the agave plant at the plantation "La Montalvena, owned by Don Amador, the patriarch of the Montalvo family, a family whose ancestry lays in the production of tequila. At the start of the story, Don Amador knows that he's close to the end and arrives to spend his last remaining days on the land that he loves so much.

When Don Amador dies, his family reunites for the funeral. His grandsons, Rodrigo and his cousin Aaron, travel to London, where they study for their doctorates. The cousins have grown up as brothers, but the will of their grandfather awakens the ambition in Aaron, where the control of the family fortune finally falls to the first male son born to either him or his cousin. Aaron fees confident, knowing that Rodrigo never has been able to make love; however, the arrival of Gaviota in his life will change Rodrigo's destiny.

As they meet, Rodrigo and the beautiful harvester feel for the first time the tremors called love; their bodies awaken a passion that dominates them and both give in completely. Rodrigo promises to Gaviota to return in a year when he finishes his doctorate to marry her. A short time later, Gaviota discovers that she is pregnant. With no idea of the size of the world, the innocent young lady decides to go to England to find Rodrigo. Deceived by a local fotographer that promises to help, Gaviota falls into the hands of a band of white dealers that send her to a brothel in Paris.

The brave young lady escapes and starts her pilgrimage in search of the man that she loves. Only, without knowing the language, her faith and her grand love will sustain her at the worst moments. Accompanied by a generous italian, and a group of english pastors, she will return to Mexico for to encounter a very different life than what she left behind; a life of pain and deception. A life in the big city, where ambition, grudges and lies reign, a life that could convert into a wall the innocent heart that initiated such fastidious trip... Destilando Amor.

Labels: Destilando, synopsis-cast