Caray, Caray!

If you recall, on Friday, Aldo re-bonded with the sea. Who missed who more, we may never know. StalkerDaddy didn't show up to show him the yacht so Carmina obliged, surprising Aldo.

Fernando comes out of the Bat Cave to wish Lety a good morning. Lety is in a snit and Fernando wants to talk about it, but Lety doesn't. Fernando declares that he's the best "defender" of Lety's wedding and of Lety's love for Aldo. Lety says she's confused because sometimes Fernando supports her relationship with Aldo and other times he puts up obstacles--she doesn't know what to think. Fernando says it's simple, what he wants most in the world is her happiness and her happiness is being at Aldo's side. He retreats to the Bat Cave. Lety says nothing, but her eyes say she's doubting whether that's where her happiness truly lies. Or that could just be my wishful thinking. Who knows.

Out in the Admin Area, it would appear that an empty elevator has arrived, but Saimón comes out with much fanfare, waving a framed certificate, announcing that he is now a Tecnico en Informatica ("technician in information"; per my husband, basically it means "I'm an IT guy!"). The ladies cheer and Irma jokingly thanks him for repeating his name so much, since they wouldn't have known it was him otherwise. PM wants to know why he's making such a triumphant entrance. Saimón goes down on his knee to kiss PM's hand and call her his Tropical Rainforest, his Beautiful Nymph, and his Little Porcelain Doll. He says that from today on, she's talking officially to a Tecnico de Informatica "titulation" (again, IT guy with the paper to prove it). PM looks adoringly at his framed certificate as Saimón says it's all for her, his Sun, his Comet, his Solar Eclipse. He says he'll be able to get a better position now. He intends to go from messenger to Systems Specialist and earn a higher salary to give her everything. PM says she adores him, and calls him her Grillito adorado (adored little cricket).

Omar and a bouquet of pink roses: "Caro, Caro, *snort* Caro, like I said, I know that I don't deserve you, I know, but if you give me a chance, I…I…I…I what? Carvajal, don't get intimidated, echale ganas (go for it) you can do it *snort, snort*." He whistles as he tries to stand the roses up in the gate outside her door and ring the bell. He overhears the following conversation:
Man's voice: Last night was incredible.
Caro: It was like an explosion. It was a sensation that I've never felt.
M: That's what happens when there's a sobrecarga (overload) of energy.
Caro: But the important thing is that after the whole night, ay!, you gave me back the light.
Omar is stricken to find that Caro spent the whole night with another man. He runs away from the front door to hide in front of her garage doors, but realizes he's left the roses and runs back to get them just as the door is opening. He runs to the other side of the front door and hides behind a very green-trunked tree. Caro comes out of her house with a not-bad-looking guy in a plain white t-shirt. He says if she needs him again, she shouldn't hesitate to call. Caro replies that with the great work he did last night, she doesn't think she'll need him for a while. Explosion Man takes his leave and Caro goes back inside the house. Omar comes out from behind his tree of skulking, grouching that on top of everything else, Explosion Man left Caro more than content. He says he feels bad and starts biting the heads off some of the roses in a sort of floral homage to Ozzy. He spits out the petals.

Fernando is standing at the door to the Bat Cave, watching Lety. He's good looking and all, but so's my husband and I still find it disconcerting when he watches me like that. Lety obviously agrees, as she looks up and asks what Fernando is doing and why he's watching her like that. He says he was just seeing that she's so beautiful. Lety says he shouldn't say those things because they're not true. Fernando says she's much more beautiful than she wants to appear, which alarms Lety. He hedges that he meant more beautiful than she wants to believe. Lety looks either doubtful, suspicious, or just plain confused.

Marcia and Luigi are out shopping at the mall. Marcia thanks him for coming with her as she needed to get out and distract herself a bit. Luigi says he loves doing it and he feels "super extreme" with her. He says he can't understand why people are looking at him so much: "Do I have monitos on my face, or what?" (tengo monos en la cara means "what are you looking at?") Marcia laughs. Luigi asks why Marcia is living with that pair of cavemen, although he admits that they're hotties. He gets excited and asks if she's seen them naked. Well, given than she was going to marry Fernando I would guess she's seen him naked, but I don't think that's what Luigi had in mind. No, I'm pretty sure Luigi had something different in mind, but I'm sure I'm not thinking what Luigi is thinking, hm, no. Where were we? Ah, Marcia gives him an "ay, Luigi" for asking the question. Luigi points out a hot outfit that we don't get to see (hey! No fair!) while the camera tracks a pair of legs in black pants and black wingtips going just inside the doorway of an adjacent store. Luigi says it's sad that Marcia had to sell off her stuff to help pay Conceptos' debt, but Marcia says it was worth it and she doesn't miss it. She turns around, but the mystery feet retreat farther into the adjacent store. Luigi asks what's up and Marcia says she had the feeling someone was looking at her. Luigi says he doesn't see anyone (ah, but the feet see you Luigi). Luigi wants to go, but Marcia wants to look at electrodomesticos (appliances) because the apartment is very austera (austere, bare). Luigi says maybe he'll give her one as a gift. Wait, what appliances are they lacking at Casa Compañia de Tres? Is Marcia having to do the dishes or the laundry by hand? No, es el colmo!

In Lety's office, Lety is remembering that last night Fernando said she could reclamar (complain) as much as she liked because she has a clear conscience. Lety wonders why Fernando would have said that to her. There's a knock on her office door. Lety answers with "I'm fine! I have a clear conscience! Who is it? Come in." Saimón comes into the office and Fernando enters from the Bat Cave. It seems Saimón has come to show off his certificate to Mommy and Daddy. Saimón tells them he's taken his first step toward success and shows them his certificate, which he calls his Titulo de Licenciado en Computation (certificate of licensure in computers). He hands the framed certificate over, but nudges Fernando's hand off of it, saying he'll smudge it. Lety congratulates him and Fernando impatiently asks if there was anything else. Saimón tells them that it might look like a small step to them, but it's very big for him and he thought that…."That what?," asks Lety. Saimón says he's made this sacrifice because he wants a big family with PM and this…. Fernando and Lety impatiently motion that he should go on. Saimon blurts out that he wants to ask them for a promotion. Lety and Fernando look at each other as Saimon says that he deserves it and he's studied a lot…Lety and Fernando cut him off by simultaneously saying "no."

Marcia and Luigi are coming back to Conceptos and the Feet have followed them. Okay, I don't want to keep referring to him as Feet, but we've already had a Mystery Woman, so I don't want to call him Mystery Man…likewise, we already have Stalker Chick, so he can't be Stalker Guy…I think in honor of the wingtips, I'll call him Sharp Dressed Man. Anyway, Luigi tells Marcia not to turn around, he has the feeling someone's looking at them. They walk away quickly without turning around, speculating that SDM might be a rapist, a ratero (a petty thief) or a kidnapper.

Saimón exits Presidencia and has to tells the gals, through his sad, sad, tears, (and a little bit of snot,) that he asked Lety for a better job and she and Fernando told him no. As PM comforts Saimón, the Moras arrive, with Tomás making a big fuss. He does, in fact, go so far as to tell them why this is a day of great celebration. Tacky, tacky, tacky! And the ladies cheer. Tacky. Sara asks how it was, but she is not answered. Taaaaaacky! Tomás finally notices that Saimón is down and asks why. Marcia and Luigi exit the elevator and Marcia breezes by Saimón before he can show off his certificate. Saimón is as sad now as he was happy earlier. Tomás tries to cheer him up, without even knowing what's wrong, and Saimón gives him kind of a "yeah, right, that's rich coming from you."

More tackiness, in the form of a ginormous hickey on Alicia's neck, which Marcia comments on. Alicia brushes it off saying it came from a cat. (I've been scratched, bitten, and used as a launch pad by my cats and it's NEVER looked like that!) Alicia continues telling Marcia that she had no other choice, etc. Marcia wants to know how long Alicia was planning on leaving Tomás "in abstinence," to which Alicia replies "Eternally, and longer!" She reminds Marcia that this is the second time they've…and Marcia reminds her that last time he left her hanging instead of handing over the check. Ah, memories. Alicia calls Marcia a bad friend for reminding her of that. Marcia wants to know why Alicia "made love" to Tomás now. Alicia says Tomás had been begging for like, ever, and Marcia says it was logical and that one assumes that when one marries one must "make love". Alicia says yeah, but that wasn't exactly "love"…she stops to think about this and "no, no, no"-s. Marcia says that Alicia just finished saying she didn't have any other choice and wants to know why Alicia said that. Alicia says that Marcia should forget it because Marcia wouldn't understand. Marcia says that the way Alicia's living her life it could turn into a big problem.

The Cuartel have come to Lety's office to plead Saimón's case. They're all talking over each other with variations of "it's not fair!" Lety asks them to sit down. PM points out that Saimón's been the bestest messenger Conceptos ever had: "In rain, truena (thunder), or lightning, Saimón Contreras always delivers messages on time!" The ladies agree and Irma adds that Saimón is a pan de dios (literally, "bread of God"; there are many figurative translations--where I'm from, we'd translate that as "he's good people"). Lety twiddles her thumbs and looks snooty. The arguments from the ladies are that it's not fair, Saimón worked hard on his computer classes, he did it all for PM, and variations thereof. Lety tells PM to put an ad in the paper for a new messenger. The ladies are impactadas! Lety has to hide her smile behind her hand. PM asks "le vas a correr?" ("Are you going to fire him?"; I can't find the literal translation, but this is what it means…"run him off" maybe?). The ladies blast Lety for being unfair and in chorus say "How cruel you've become!" Lety tells PM she wants to talk to Lopez immediately. PM very angrily tells Madam President that she'll tell Lopez to come.

In Puerto Vallarta, there are pigeons, one assumes, unless they hired pigeons just for that shot. Aldo's looking over the yacht (which, as far as yachts go, is about as small as my first apartment…if you ran out of tp in the bathroom, the person in the living room could hand you another roll without getting up) which we now see is named "Reel Ease" (whatever that means). He says it's lovely and the dream of all who love the sea. Ok, I love the sea, but Aldo's really got to quit that or he'll give us all a bad name. Carmina says the sea vincula (links) them. Aldo unthinkingly puts his arm around Carmina and says the sea links us all in a very special way. He then gets up and says he thinks he's going to need a bigger boat. No, seriously, he says he's going to need a yacht that holds many more people, you know, for the wedding with Lety. Carmina says there's still time to decide that and why don't they take advantage of the sea, the sun, and the company. She asks if Aldo would rather fish or bucear (dive). Aldo just grins, but his grin fades as he looks away from her. Give in, Aldo, give in, for the sake of my sanity! Sail away in the little yacht built for two and let the sea swallow you both!

Saimón is still weeping, wondering what all his hard work was good for and comes to the conclusion that it was good for nothing. The ladies gather round and Lola declares she can't take it anymore, especially with what Lety said about putting an ad in the paper…she gets shushed, but not before Saimón picks up on it. Sara tells him they're going to fire him.

Caro is in Lety's office asking who understands men. Lety doesn't think they understand themselves, but what would we do without him? Lety attempts to deconstruct Omar's behavior. She thinks that if Omar gave Caro a necklace (woo hoo, she's wearing it!), isn't it because he feels something for her? Caro doesn't know. She says Omar hasn't said a word to her about it and Lety is shocked that he hasn't said anything. Caro then shocks me by saying the following: "I think that if he loved me then he already would have talked to me about his feelings, and he would have told me 'Carolina, I love you.'" Woman's been married how many times? On what planet? Lety, of all people, says Caro's moving too fast and men aren't like that, they're weird. Hm, usually I prefer to say "boys are stoopid," but weird works too. Caro wonders if Lety's saying that because of Aldo, but Lety says that in their relationship, she's the weird one, having dressed up as a diva and all. Caro asks if things are going better with Aldo and Lety says yes, except for that whole thing with her Mama, which Lety fills Caro in on. Lety says they've made up and that she's told her mom that she's Aurora.

In Omar's office, Omar smacks Fernando on the arm, telling him that Carolina has a boyfriend. Fernando wants to know what that has to do with him and asks how he found out. Omar says he went to her house early and he heard a man's voice. Fernando says Omar sounds like a character from a radio novela, but he should go on.
Omar: At that time, I heard a voice...
Fernando: *makes dramatic music noises*
Omar: It was a fulano (some so-and-so; jerk; the feminine can mean "prostitute" in some countries so I wonder if Omar thinks the guy was a gigolo?) talking about an explosion…
Fernando: *makes explosion noise*
Omar tells him to stop making fun, that he's serious, Caro received a descarga (discharge) of energy from a bruto (brute). Fernando says he can imagine how Omar's feeling.

A few more pretty shots of water to remind us that Aldo is with Carmina in Puerto Vallarta. There appear to be a couple of other people on the boat with them. We hear Lety's voice saying she's going to call Aldo and see how it's going. Besides, she says, even though she talked to him yesterday, she misses him lots. She hopes he's not feeling so sad. What he's probably feeling is wet, seeing as how he's surfacing from having gone scuba-ing with Carmina. I have to say, those scuba masks are not the most attractive look. Maybe Carmina should have rethought her plan. Aldo and Carmina head back to the boat. Carmina asks him if he saw that enormous mantarraya (manta ray; it's in the stingray family, it's a filter feeder rather than a bottom feeder, and it's really really big) that swam near them and Aldo says of course, but he liked the arrecifes (reefs) more and the corals are incredible. Carmina asks what he thinks about her taking him to see some even more beautiful reefs that are about an hour away. Aldo thinks he'd love to, but he has to go back to DF today, so he's going to go change. Carmina pulls him back, reminding him that they're in the sea, like, hello Aldo, the sea! "Doesn't it seduce you?" Aldo says of course it does, but he has to go back to Mexico and he's going to go change. Carmina notices Aldo's ringing cell phone and notices that it's Lety calling, so she answers and tells Lety Aldo went to change because they'd just finished diving and can she give Aldo a message? Lety says she can tell Aldo that Lety called. She hangs up her phone angrily. Carmina hangs up Aldo's phone and smiles. Aldo comes back on deck saying they've got to get him to the airport. Carmina agrees, but says that first he has to let her take him to the most delicious restaurant in the area.

Lety is upset that "that woman" answered Aldo's phone and her muttering attracts Fernando. She tries to deny that anything's up, but Fernando says he heard her saying "that woman" and he wants to know if Aldo is making her angry, if Aldo made her jealous. Lety laughs and says no and wonders where he got that idea. She claims she got angry with "a woman." Fernando says Lety doesn't know how to lie, that he knows her well and always busts her right away. Mhm, whatevs, Fernie. Lety says he failed this time because she's not lying. Ferando points at her twitchy eyelid and says "You know I don't like to see you suffer." Lety says nothing's going on and she's content. She asks if they should go over the latest projections. Fernando repeats, "the latest projections," points at her twitchy eyelid again and heads for the Bat Cave. After he leaves, Lety holds down her eyelid with both hands and begs it to stop moving. She tells the empty office that she can't stand that Carmina answered the phone and wonders why Aldo is with her.

Omar is in his office doing the Cutest! Thing! Ever! He's typing Carolina's name over and over using different fonts and colors. It's like the high-tech version of writing someone's name all over your notebook! He ditches the file when Caro walks in. She asks if he's busy and says she wanted to thank him for the pretty necklace. Omar remembers Explosion Man and Caro's conversation that morning. He tells her she shouldn't bother thanking him because for him that present meant nothing. Caro asks if he's serious and Omar says he is. Caro says that if that's the way it is, here, thanks. She takes off the necklace and leaves it on his desk. Oh Omar! As she gets to the door Omar says, "Carolina! It did mean something." (I held my breath here!) "What?" she asks. And Omar replies, "nothing." $#%@#$%@$# Omar! Just tell her you like her, dude! Caro leaves the office. Omar picks up the necklace and says "Of course, I'm sure the guy with the sobrecargo (overload) of energy gave her something better, and more expensive." Oh, Omar! Caro storms into the elevator blaming herself for being naïve for thinking Omar could feel something for her.

Lety and Fernando are going over the projections. Lety says she's worried because they depend on the regalias (royalties) from the TV program. Fernando says that now JR has disappeared, just like Aurora. Lety deflects by saying that she asked to see Lopez and he still hasn't gotten there. Aurora's cell starts ringing and Fernando says it's ringing. Lety denies it, but Fernando asks if she's sure because a continually ringing cell phone can bother your ears. He asks her to answer the phone. Lety pulls out Aurora's phone and notices that it's JR calling. Fernando asks about the cell Lety's holding. He asks if hers isn't white and Lety says it changes colors with sunlight and since there's no sun….He says it looks a lot like Aurora's phone. Oh, Don Fernando, you're having fun with this, aren't you? Lopez finally shows up and Lety tells him it's about something very important having to do with Saimón. We cut away before we get to hear what Lety tells Lopez.

Saimón is bidding a sad farewell to his moped. The Cuartel, plus Celso, come out to tell Saimón they've got to talk to Lety and Fernando again and Saimón has to go with him. They drag him away from his moped.

Lopez and Fernando are getting off the elevator. Lopez is complaining that this thing with Saimón bugs him. Fernando tells him to get over it. Fernando calls Omar over. He wants to know if Omar still thinks Lety is ugly? Yep. And Aurora? Nope, she's beautiful. Lety? Ugly. Aurora? Beautiful. Fernando cracks up and says they're done and sends Omar on his way. He says that Omar doesn't have the eyes to see the essence of beauty, but that now Fernando has learned. He gleefully states that Omar will go nuts when he realizes Lety is Aurora. Oh, Don Fernando, you're having too much fun with this!

Alicia is still in Marcia's office explaining…something: "I wanted to be a good wife and fulfill my marital duties, that's why I had to see to my husband's needs and…you understand me, right, Marcia?" Marcia, as a stand-in for much of the viewing public, has fallen asleep. Alicia screams her name to wake her up. Marcia tries to pretend she'd been listening, but realizes she's been asleep for an hour. Alicia says she's going to start from the beginning: "When I was born my parents really loved each other…" Marcia cuts her off and asks her not to start over. Marcia says she's only worried about one thing, did Alicia protect herself? Protect myself from who? What? Why? Alicia asks. Marcia reminds her about basic biology. Alicia says no, she doesn't want kids with him and babbles about making up the lie about the "treatment," etc. Marcia cuts her off again and asks if she took precautions last night or not. Alicia looks horrified.

Alicia laughs at Marcia, but then says she didn't. But hey, it was only once and very little (I don't know what she's referring to when she says "very little" and I don't want to know!). She says nothing's happening, forget it. Alicia gets up to leave Marcia's office (finally!) and asks if Marcia doesn't have a craving for some strawberries with cream. At Marcia's look, Alicia calls Marcia dirty and perverted for putting things in Alicia's head.

Tomás is in Lety's office crowing about how his "treatment" is going to work so much better than Dr. Kamasutra's. For the love of all that is holy, did they have to put him right in front of the giant shell painting while he's saying this?! Lety says she's glad because she'd like to have sobrinitos (little nieces and nephews). Tomás wants to know what's up with Lety. Lety says she's worried about something to do with the company. Tomás says she should tell him, "ugly to ugly" what's going on. Lety tells him she's jealous because Aldo went to PV with la dichosa (that damn) Carmina.

Carmina and Aldo are having lunch. Carmina tells Aldo her dad will email her pictures of yachts so Aldo can choose the one he likes. Because Aldo is marrying Lety. So of course, Carmina's dad would be interested in letting Aldo…what? Borrow one of his other yachts? I'm confused. Ni modo. Aldo thanks her and apologizes for there being tanta lata (so much trouble). Carmina tells him not to worry, it's a pleasure and his wedding will be beautiful. She says she'd love to get married like that, you know, in the middle of the sea. Wow, that didn't come off as desperate at all. Aldo says they should ask for the check because he needs to get to the airport so he doesn't miss his flight. Carmina tells him to chill, they're only five minutes from the airport. Aldo nervously drinks more of his wine. If Aldo ends up tied up in Carmina's dad's alleged yacht while Carmina sails off to parts unknown and tells Aldo he'll come to love her, in time, remember I called it!

Back at Conceptos, Tomás wonders what's up with Lety since Aldo is the most faithful guy he knows. Fernando comes in and tells Lety everything's ready if she wants to citar (arrange to meet, summon) Saimón in the office "down there."

Saimón comes into Marcia's office to give her the last package he will ever deliver to her office. Aw. Sad. Marcia wonders what's up. Saimón starts to tell her it's a long story, but Marcia's phone rings. She tells Saimón Lety wants to talk to him. He cries and leaves her office. Marcia opens the envelope Saimón gave her and finds a letter, which she reads aloud: "Enchanting Marcia, it wasn't very difficult for me to ascertain your information because I followed you to Conceptos. I'm going to tell you something about me. I'm a good man, I'm honest, and I have a very successful business. After this somera presentacion (brief introduction) let me say that to me, you are a fascinating woman, and very beautiful. I'm interested in you. I'm giving you my email address. Can we exchange some letters before we meet in person? Forgive me for not telling you my name, but I want to keep some mystery." We switch over to Luigi re-reading the last line of the letter. He does it much more dramatically, though. He asks Marcia if she's going to write to the crazy. Marcia doesn't know, but she wants to know what Luigi thinks. Luigi thinks he could be the man of her life…or he could be some pervert who wants to dissect her alive! He proposes that they had felt someone watching them, the implication being that the letter came from Sharp Dressed Man. I concur with Luigi. Luigi says he recommends that she step lightly, because there's another possibility. It could be someone she knows who's trying to play a joke. Marcia picks up the letter with two fingers and makes a face like it smells, then she walks out of Luigi's office. Luigi mutters about mysterious romantics and goes back to work.

We see the full letter and it reads thusly: "Enchanting Marcia. It wasn't very difficult for me to ascertain your information because I followed you to Conceptos. I'm going to tell you something about me. I'm an 'interesting' forty-something to say it one way. I'm 'happily' divorced and I have a very successful business…." the rest is the same as she read, but the "forty-something" and "divorced" parts were different.

It's Alicia holding the letter and Marcia is accusing Alicia of this being her idea. Alicia doesn't know what she's talking about…because she can't read the letter for having her sunglasses on. Alicia says she doesn't know what it's about, but praises Marcia for having an admirer. Marcia wants to know why Alicia wants to make fun of her, as she does it a lot lately. Alicia says they're friends and Marcia shouldn't be rencorosa (resentful). She asks who sent the letter. Marcia says she doesn't know. Alicia says she thinks it's Lopez and laughs, but she shuts up quickly. She says she doesn't think it's a good idea to accept a blind invitation. It could be some degenerate, a rapist, a murderer! Alicia says lots of cases start with an innocent date and end in the morgue. She mimes being choked to death. Marcia is shocked, but Alicia says that if Marcia meets this guy, she'll never see the light of day again…never! And Alicia mimes choking to death again. Is it horrid of me to suggest you turn the sound off and watch Alicia pretending to choke again repeatedly? Okay, then, I won't.

The Union of Administrative Assistants Local #287 (and Celso) is marching on behalf of Saimón. They chant that they want justice and not to fire Saimon. Their signs read: "Saimón You are not alone," "We Will Go Too!," "Don't fire Saimón," "We support you Saimón," and "You have our support Saimón." Saimón is afraid to open the door of the office where Lety has asked to meet him, but he opens the door and the Cuartel march in. Lety and Fernando are waiting, sitting on a desk, and Lopez is standing off to one side. Saimón still thinks he's getting fired and Fernando tells him not to cry, to be happy, but how can Saimón be happy, Celso wonders, if he's being fired? Lopez wants to know why they think someone's being fired. Saimón tells them not to toy with him. Lety stage-whispers to Fernando that she thinks they've made him suffer enough. On the count of three, they get up from the desk to reveal a nameplate: "Saimon Joseph Contreras COORDINADOR DE COMPUTO" ("computer coordinator", no idea what this would mean in a practical sense). Everyone is impactadas! Saimón is still confused and Fernando makes him read the nameplate out loud. Saimón hugs PM, kisses Lety's hands, and hangs off of Fernando's neck. He says he really didn't think badly about Fer and Lety. He says this was the last thing he was missing before he asks--and here he gets PM in front of him and Lety and Fernando realize they've been looking at each other for too long and that darn springy noise comes back again--"before I ask you to marry me, my beautiful Paula Marie." PM is impactada!

Tomorrow: Saimón gets an answer and Aldo finds out why you should always edit your travel photos before you show them off.

Labels: fea

On the open—Dra. Loca walks in on Alfonsina visiting Don Loco in jail and saying she’ll do whatever to help him because she loves him. DL also secures her help in finding out about the secret of THE BOX from Hugo. Dra. Loca seethes with jealousy and accuses him of making women fall in love with him to do his bidding. Don Loco says that Alfonsina is just an employee at his canefield but Dra. Loca isn’t buying the explanation. She tells him she’ll see him in court shortly. DL shakes his head as she stalks out as if to say “Women!...”

In Mexico City, a nearly recovered Mariana is gathering up her things for her trip to Veracruz, supposedly to set her brother DL straight on basically the entire misunderstanding upon which this novela is based. She is completely able to communicate and now only needs a walker to get around. Malena and Ricardo are going with her.

In Puebla, the SA is getting Emilito from Thelma and begging her to let her know when the dinner with Rodrigo is coming off. She has a pretty boring life now and she’s soooo excited for this dinner party to happen. Thelma shooshes her away and as she leaves the maid comes in to announce that there is a visitor for the master of the house…It’s Coral. Thelma immediately flies in to a rage and starts screaming at Coral to leave—she got rid of Alina and now she’ll get rid of her too. [She calls her a “golfo.” I couldn’t find any slang term and I’m sure it doesn’t mean “gulf.”] Thelma slaps Coral and jumps on top of her. Emilio shows up and grabs Thelma off of her. He asks Coral why she came over, Angel already told him that she doesn’t want to see him. Coral says basically the same thing—that she doesn’t want Emilio to come over. Supposedly, because she’s still smarting over him dumping her but really because she doesn’t want him to discover that Alina’s not only alive and well but staying at her house. After Coral states her case, Emilio promises not to go to her house and quickly leaves the room. Coral sadly reminisces that he is one of her oldest friends. She leaves.

Over at the courthouse Elias is making his formal declaration. He affirms the charge that Alvaro imprisoned his wife plus he adds the charge that he tried to have him killed so that he wouldn’t testify. Dra. Loca is there, wearing her sexy librarian glasses and she looks surprised by this assertion. DL shakes his head as if to say, “Damn those incompetents! You outta be dead!”
Back in Sierra Escondida, at la Rinconada, a law enforcement official is trying to get a description of Luba from Jaime, Vera and ifigenio. “Dark skinned, Big, eyes, full of evil.” The official asks them how they knew (1) that the bottle was hers and (2) that it contained poison. They got nothing…mostly they say that they swear that is what happened. Despite the lame-o description the sketch artist comes up with a reasonable likeness. They’ll use it to try to find her, starting with the neighboring town of San Mateo.

At the courthouse, DL’s sleazy lawyer is now present for the questioning. DL starts shouting at Elias that he’s Soledad’s lover…yaddah yaddah yaddah. You know the bit. Elias gets ticked off and walks around the barrier to get up close and personal to DL’s cage and starts yelling back that he always respected their marriage and that this idea that he had an affair with Soledad is a figment of his sick imagination. The judge intervenes to get them both to knock it off. Elias calms down but repeats that he didn’t chase Soledad after she married Alvaro. At this point, the impartial and professional Dr. Aida Loca pipes up that she saw Elias and Soledad eating together at a restaurant. Elias says that they are friends, and only that. The sleazy lawyer says its true that he was a suitor of hers. Elias says that was before she was married. “So you don’t love her now?” he asks and nastily says to Elias to remember he’s under oath. Elias looks uncomfortable.
Over at the jail, Alina is talking to her Mom behind bars, trying to give her courage. She tells her that elias’ lawyer says that she has a good case for getting out on bail…if there are no complications…like if someone finds out that Max was going to testify on behalf of DL. They go on to have a metaphysical discussion about love and suffering. Soledad says that she once thought that in order to love, you had to suffer but now she knows better. Alina says that she learned the same thing and she hopes that both of them get the chance to put their experiences into practice when they are able to love again.

The sleazy lawyer is triumphant that Elias will not say that he does not love Soledad. He goes on to accuse him of showing up in SE just to steal Soledad and kill DL. Elias gets a baffled look on his face. Dra. Loca smirks at him too. Sleazy lawyer refers to Soledad already being a known adulteress since she had a kid with Jose, the foreman. Elias complains that that still hasn’t been proven and that Soledad never cheated on him that that whole story was created in DL’s own sick mind. DL starts shouting all over again. The judge tells him to stuff it. Elias goes on to accuse him of trying to kill him various times and also trying to kill Captain Emilio Valtierra a couple of times. Don loco bares his teeth at him, like a caged animal.
Meanwhile, Rodrigo is coordinating the bail with Elias’ attorney, for the release of Soledad. Alina walks up and he tells her the good news. Rodrigo wants to know if Max Valtierra was a relative of Emilio Valtierra. Alina shyly admits this. Rodrigo tells her that he has to inform Emilio, although he will try to keep her out of it.

Back at the hearing room—the charges are being read and they are a mess! Alvaro Montellano is being accused of the attempted murder of Elias and Emilio and the wrongful imprisonment of Soledad and alina, his non-daughter. Meanwhile, Alvaro Montellano is accusing Elias and Soledad of adultery. The prosecutor tells the judge that he is moving forward with the demand to have Alina’s DNA tested, to establish whether she was or wasn’t his daughter. DL’s sleazy lawyer starts protesting but DL pulls him aside and says he’s ready to have her DNA tested. He says it is because he thinks it looks bad to deny having the test done. He’s sure it will come up negative. Just then, the sleazy lawyer gets handed a note and tells DL not to agree to anything just yet—there is breaking news! Soledad just murdered one of DL’s key witnesses so that he couldn’t testify on behalf of DL. Elias is furious and says that he has mischaracterized the whole episode. DL is impactado at the news. Sleazy Lawyer continues with more innuendo about Soledad the murderess. He accuses Elias of having been in on it. Elias explains that it was self-defense, that Soledad killed max when, taking advantage of DL being in jail, he tried to rape her. DL shakes his head it’s not clear why--because he can’t believe that max would try to rape Soledad or because he’s ticked that he would.

Rodrigo and Alina are talking about her Mother’s case. She begs him to explain to Emilio how it came about that Max got killed. She doesn’t want Emilio to think badly of her mother. [I guess she doesn’t know about Emilio tossing Max out on his well padded butt.] Rodrigo tells her not to worry, there were witnesses to the whole incident. He stands up and says, in a voice that betrays his discomfort, that Alina obviously cares a lot about Emilio thinks. Alina looks uncomfortable herself.

At Emilio’ house, Angel and Emilio are having a discussion about Coral’s visit. Emilio is feeling bad about the way he left things with Coral, and how badly Thelma treated her and he doesn’t care about what Thelma thinks.
DL is shouting about the death of Max that his trying to rape Soledad must be a lie. Elias goes on the offensive again and tells him that Max was a big phony, pretending to be his friend. There were witnesses to the attempted rape, Coral and Adela saw it and Coral got beaten up. [Actually, I don’t think Adela saw anything, she showed up after Max was a kabob on the carpet.] Sleazy Lawyer complains that none of these circumstances matter. The judge says that regardless, he wants to clarify the facts in that case. They will resume the hearing tomorrow with the testimony of Captain Valtierra.
Captain Valtierra is also the subject under discussion between Alina and Rodrigo. Rodrigo wants to know why his opinion matters so much to her. Alina still doesn’t want to talk about it. She tells him to have patience until all these complications work themselves out. Rodrigo sighs and agrees to let it go, for now. She tells him to under no circumstances mention her. Rodrigo agrees to this and says before he speaks to Emilio, he’ll take her home.
Emilio and Angel are still wrangling over the Coral incident. Emilio wants to see Coral again to put things right but Angel talks him out of it. Out of respect for their old friendship he should do as she asks and leave her alone.
In a hotel room in Puebla, Hugo is counting money in a suitcase—his ill gotten gains from DL and Sleazy Lawyer in advance of his testimony. He’s gleeful over having squeezed DL for all this cash plus, having done it in such a way as to not have to have split the money with Alfonsina. After he counts the money, he locks the suitcase and puts it in a desk drawer.
Next, we see Alfonsina, who by the way looks clownish in her campesina outfit in the middle of a modern, urban city, accosting Sleazy Lawyer as he’s leaving the jail after the hearing. She asks him how DL is doing, if he will get out soon, etc. SL is in a big hurry and tries to give her the brush off. Finally she asks him if he knows where Hugo is staying. He gives her directions to his hotel.
Inside the jail, DL is with his babe psychologist, Dra. Loca. She gives him a sedative since he’s all upset with the morning’s revelations. He can’t believe that Soledad killed Max. He’s starting to remember all the times that Max ran Soledad down to him, winding him up, getting him angrier about her deceiving him. All the time, Max was just trying to get into Soledad’s pants. Dra. Loca unhelpfully suggests that maybe Max got the idea of trying to sleep with Soledad because he already knew she was an adulteress. Don Loco truthfully answers that Max had no firsthand knowledge of Soledad’s transgressions. “He only knew what I told him.” On top of that, Max had decided to manipulate him “by throwing wood into the fire.” Dopey Dra. Loca tells him that “just because Max was a liar, it doesn’t mean that Soledad didn’t cheat on you.” She confesses that at First, she thought that Soledad’s cheating had just been a figment of DL’s celotipia illness. BUT NOW she really believes Soledad is a cheatin’ hussy ‘cause she saw Soledad eating at a restaurant with Elias. “And when I confronted them, they didn’t want to answer me.” [Yeah, that about proves that they are lovers…like it proves you are an impartial professional.] DL seems startled by this news and starts walking around the room and mumbling to himself.

Meanwhile, back at Coral’s swanky pad, Alina has arrived and talks to Adela about all the circumstances surrounding Max’s death. Alina has faith in the law, that Solead will be released. Adela is a bit more worried. Alina relates her visit with her Mom in jail.
Back to Dra. Loca’s conversation with Don Loco. Loca actually accuses him of being in love with his wife, Soledad. DL answers that he no longer knows what he feels toward her. She was his wife for so many years. “The best years of my life” he adds. Suddenly she’s got tears running down her face. DL notices this and confronts her about her feelings for him. He gets all poetic about how life isn’t black and white, there are darknesses of the soul. He grabs her face and almost kisses her. Instead, he caresses her face. Blech!

In San Mateo, Gaspar is having his daily beating, I mean training, with the mighty morphin power rangers while Luba looks on frantically. When he’s done, she cries and tells him she has to go back to Sierra Escondida to protect the secret of the BOX.
At this exact moment, Vera, Jaime and Ifigenio and the official are in Luba’s cave looking for her. Ifigenio leans against a stone and it moves which freaks them all out and gets them thinking that the rocks might collapse and trap them inside. They leave. Ifigenio’s movement has slightly opened THE BOX’s hiding place and it glows like the embers in a fireplace with the witchy music playing.
Next, we move on to Veracruz where Mariana and her small entourage have arrived. They inquire as to the whereabouts of Alfonsina and Hugo but the little boy who has been left in charge, apparently says they are gone, to Puebla. He lets fly with the story about how Don Loco is in jail and Hugo has gone there at the request of DL’s lawyer to testify on his behalf. Mariana is impactada.
In Puebla, Soledad is still behind bars, talking to Elias. Elias explains to her what happened in court and how DL and his sleazy lawyer are trying to make hay out of Max’s death. Although Soledad should have been granted bail, it looks like the process has been slowed down and she will have to spend another night in jail. She is unhappy about that but she’s unhappier still about the prospect of having Emilio know that she killed Max. She recalls that accused him of raping Alina and she treated him very badly.
Meanwhile, the Valtierra family are eating dinner at home. Angel announces that his doctor says he is doing better. Just then, the doorbell rings. The SA jumps up to get it. It’s Rodrigo of course who tells everyone about Max’s death at the hands of Soledad. The SA clutches her heart. Everybody is impactado into the commercial, which features a transition with Max smoking a cigarillo and looking grim in a spooky lighting.

SA is weeping, the rest of them concentrate on calming her down. She cries that Soledad must pay for her crime.
Mariana is still impactada over the little boy’s [whose name is Tito] announcement that Alvaro is in jail. Malena for one is glad that he must pay for his crimes. Mariana knows that she has important information for this trial. She wants to go to Puebla.

SA is still blubbering. Rodrigo explains the whole self defense-rape thing. SA isn’t buying it. Emilio and Angel look pensive. Thelma drags the SA off.

Luba and Gaspar have a staring contest about whether she will go back to SE.
Angel and Emilio are still reeling from this news about Max. Angel says he’s sorry to say, but he knows that this isn’t the first time Max has done something like this. Even in the case of his illegitimate son. Emilio remarks that “the poor lady must be very upset.” In the background, Thelma slips in. Rodrigo mentions that Soledad is still in Jail. Angel says he’ll testify that his uncle was a bad guy who abused women. Emilio agrees that they will have to do what they can to help her. Rodrigo apologizes that the dinner party she is planning will have to be put off. Thelma agrees, no problem. Rodrigo starts to say that his friend is very excited about the prospect of the dinner party, but Thelma cuts him off so that he can’t mention that her name is Alina in front of Emilio. Rodrigo leaves. He’s quickly followed by Emilio who wants to go see Soledad. Thelma looks thoughtful. Max had a lot of her secrets. Now he’s dead. That’s not a bad thing in her world.

Back in the Jail, Don Loco is torturing himself with orange flashbacks of Max revving him up over Soledad’s supposed cheating. Why, he almost killed Soledad because of that jerk. Just then, Sleazy Lawyer walks up to his cell and brief him on Soledad’s case. She’s in the clear because there were witnesses present who saw him try to assault her. DL isn’t too sorry to see Max dead. He would have liked to kill him himself. The Sleazy Lawyer is bumming because Max was going to be a great witness. At least they still hold the Ace up their sleeve of Hugo, who apparently was quite happy with his “advance.” Don Loco rolls his eyes.

Speaking of Hugo, we are treated to a shot of him walking from his hotel room to the lobby where he requests the use of a safe to store his valuables. The manager takes him to the vault. Meanwhile, Alfonsina is stalking him, determined to get some of the money. She peers around the corner and thought bubbles that it will be hard to get her share but she’ll find a way.
Dra. Aida Loca and her creepy looking fiancé are sitting at a table in her apartment. She’s crying some more as she confesses that DL has detected that she’s sympathetic to him and she’s afraid he’s playing her. Mauricio helpfully points out that “that’s what happens when you lose your objectivity” and “you’ve gotten too involved.” Dra. Loca apologizes for not having listened to him before. He says it’s OK, he gets up and kisses her and tells her that he’ll always be there to support her.

Over at Rodrigo’s apartment, his daughter Gabby is doing some homework on her bed, with the Housekeeper sitting beside her. The housekeeper has a little chat with her about not being selfish and letting her Dad have a life. At first she resists the topic but the housekeeper explains that when she is older, she’ll be going out with friends, then getting married and having her own house and her dad will be aw awone. That wouldn’t be fair to him would it? He deserves to have a young hottie to keep him company.

Rodrigo is with Alina at the moment, relating to her that Emilio seemed to take the news of his Uncle’s death well and has actually volunteered to help Soledad. Alina seems buoyed by this news.

Emilio himself is walking down the corridor s of the Puebla jail to see Soledad. Soledad is contrite about Max’s death. Emilio said not to worry, his uncle was a dirty hypocrite. She then apologizes for misjudging his involvement with her daughter. Emilio says no worries there either. Soledad slips up and says that Alina explained it all to her anyway. Emilio is puzzled. How could Alina have explained it if she is dead?

Soledad will have to give a creative answer like, Alina came and told her in a dream or vision or something.

Labels: duelo

I had thought all the good stuff was going to happen on Friday, and then I'd get a nice lightweight episode that'd be quick and easy to do. Instead I got this great big juicy thing. I'm not your usual person and this isn't my usual night or novela, so I hope I did it justice. Here goes nothin'.

Guess who's coming to dinner?

Dani says "Rodrigo, you can't leave yet - my boyfriend Elvis just showed up and I want to introduce him." Rodrigo agrees to stay a bit longer. Aaron says the name Elvis sounds artistic and some other word I don't get. Sofie is excited to meet her little sister's new boyfriend.

"Family, this is my novio, Elvis Perez." Dani opens the door for the big reveal.

Rodrigo sits down, still beaming, looking a little curious. Videgaray looks like he was taken by surprise, but recovers and smiles welcomingly. Bruno stares blankly. Aaron squints and stretches his neck for a better look. Sofie looks either disgusted or consumed by a secret lust - I can't tell which. Fedra manages a sarcastic smile, but is shaking her head. Minerva blinks slowly, clearly appalled but maybe grateful it's not Lluvia again.

Dani runs into Elvis's arms as he merrily greets the family.

After the servants pick the family members' jaws up off the floor, wipe them off and return them to their owners, Aaron finally takes Minnie's hand and approaches, trying to be cool. "Elvis Perez? Sounds cultured and refined." He and Minnie sit down on the sofa. Minnie looks like she is meeting the royal ambassador of the pod-people from planet Neptune.

Dani introduces her grandmother. "Grandma, man!" He kisses Pilar on the cheek and says he always wanted a grandmother. (Pilar looks surprised, but no more so than usual. She doesn't make eye contact.) He tells her his own grandmother died when he was born. He adds, "the poor thing had to die when she met me!" Rod, Dani, and Videgaray laugh at the joke. The rest of them are still freaked out by the fact that he's black and not wearing a necktie.

Bruno seems to warm up to him a bit when he asks about the tequila business. They offer him some tequila. Dani (why Dani? can't he speak for himself?) says Elvis doesn't drink alcohol, but he likes coffee. "I like it really black," he jokes. This seems to loosen them up some more. Roddy hugs Pilar, who still seems catatonic.

Dani asks if she didn't tell them he was great. Sofie still has that creepy look on her face like she's either having a hot sexual fantasy about him or throwing up in her mouth. "Oh, I see... you're bothered by his color," Dani says. Fedra cocks her head but keeps that cold tight little smile, like it's killing her that she doesn't have a snappy comeback.

"My color is the only serious thing about me!" Elvis laughs. Pilar is more stone-faced than ever. With forced casualness, Sofie asks Elvis where he's from. Dani answers that he's from Veracruz, but moved to New York when he was very little. (I don't get it - obviously Elvis can talk, so why doesn't she let him answer questions?) Aaron asks, "And who let you leave?" Elvis shoots back a friendly retort that I don't get. Something about being able to make good jokes. Minnie continues to look uncomfortable.

Rod gets up and wishes everyone a good Christmas Eve. Sofie asks him to give Isadora a kiss for her. Oh, I could laugh for several minutes about that one, but I need to finish this recap.

"I think I made a good impression on your family," Elvis tells Dani. Pilar watches them out of the corner of her eye. "Don't doubt it, hot stuff," Dani tells him.

Rod stands outside his car, debating whether to go home. He remembers where Gavi is.

You can dress her up, but you can't take her out

Gaviota, Clarita, and Eduardo are seated at the party, and Gavi orders tequilas Immediately, Eduardo gets a phone call and excuses himself, leaving the two women at a table full of strangers. Clarita confides that she hopes Eduardo's tequila is as good as the Montalvo stuff she had back at the house with Rod. Gavi asks her not to mention that name tonight. Gavi doesn't even want to be there. She says after midnight, they're out of there.

A band that I don't recognize plays. Mom tells Gavi that Eduardo's tequila isn't too bad. She reaches for another sip, and Gavi warns her to slow down. Suddenly Mom is grumpy. She say's they're going to have a toast. Know why? 'Cuz even surrounded by so many people, they're alone. Like always. Why? Because of love.

Clarita begins singing about lost love. She gets up and starts to wander around aimlessly, a la Admiral Stockdale at the 1992 vice-presidential debate. Except he wasn't drunk or singing. (Might have looked better if he had.) Gavi leds her back to the table and they laugh and hug. Eduardo asks Gavi to dance, but she turns him down. He wants to know why. "It's not my day," she answers. She says she doesn't want to be a party-pooper and doesn't feel like socializing with his friends. She's going to leave at 12.

Eduardo wants to know what's up. Gavi takes a big gulp of tequila and says she feels like killing herself. "Sure... in the arms of Rodrigo!" Clarita blurts.

"Mariana, are you in love with Rodrigo Montalvo?!" Gavi is speechless. She says she doesn't want to discuss her personal life. Clarita continues singing. Gavi tells her she needs a big cup of high-octane coffee. Clarita whines. Eduardo says it's Christmas Eve, and they're gonna drink. Clarita snatches a bottle from a passing waiter and beings pouring.

Later, Mom is grocery-shopping at the buffet table, staggering around with a plate heaped high with what looks like meat and dinner rolls. Gavi chides her and follows with a much emptier-looking plate. Eduardo asks if she's on a diet. Clarita asks the punch guy for a "punchecito." (If I didn't have to get up for work tomorrow, I'd take more time with this and keep a tally of her drinking because I think she's going to set a record by the end of the night.) Gavi tells her to slow down, but Clarita encourages her to try the yummy punch. Gavi tells her to be careful with the drinks - they're treacherous. Just like men. Clarita drinks and laughs. Gavi shakes her head at the punch guy and tells him no. She leads her mother back to their table. Eduardo gazes lustfully after her.

(To be honest, Clarita seems only slightly daffier than usual - we're just not used to seeing her out in public.)

Fireworks light up the sky. Clarita runs to the window, babbling happily. She wants to do another toast and tries again to get Gavi to try the punch. Eduardo brings them three glasses of champagne and reminds them it's almost midnight... guess what they're going to do... another toast. There is crying. Clarita wants to talk about Gavi being in love with Rodrigo. Gavi starts getting into it. Eduardo wants to dance again. She says no. Clarita sez if you don't, I will. Gavi leads her back to their table. "Sit down and behave yourself, please." "I'll hold your seat!" Clarita promises.

Gavi cautiously dances with Eduardo, keeping a discreet distance. I'm sure I'm supposed to recognize this band, sorry. Eduardo keeps trying to get closer. Roddy cuts in and basically drags her away. Ed looks on curiously.

Isadora's Christmas Surprise

Isadora's parents are visiting. She's wearing a dress the color of a bright yellow highlighter. I think we can cross this off the list of colors that she'd look good in. So far, it appears that taupe may be her best bet.

Izzy asks her dad to open the wine and let it rest. He looks at the label and praises it. She says it's her husband's favorite wine. She says he has good taste in beverages. "In women too," her father says. "He picked you!" Isa's mom gives a creepy smile. I can't tell if it's supposed to look creepy, or if that's just her face.

Isadora brings them to the dinner table. Mom suggests calling Rod. The doorbell rings, and Isa says that must be him. (Doubt it. I don't even ring the doorbell at my parents' house.) It's the creepy neighbor Francisco, bringing Christmas greetings and a bottle of champagne. She invites him to have dinner with them. He says c'est magnifique. Isadora feels sparks.

At the hacienda

Mr. James is dining with Roman, Ofelia, Hilario, and Sanreallywannarealbad. He says they're like his family. Roman says they're honored to have him there. Ofelia asks baby Jesus for great health and love, care for Rodrigo's family, and for Mr. James to feel better about Acacia. James thanks them.

Sanwanna says, "don't you have something to ask, Hilario?" Hilario's like, oh right. "I'll ask him to make me a better person, a better worker, a better son... and a good husband. If you'll marry me?" Sanwanna acts all suprised. "Did you say let's get married?" Yeah I want you to be the mother of my kids, he says, with forced sincerity. "As far as I'm concerned, we can get married tomorrow!" she answers. James jumps up for a toast. There is much rejoicing... but Ofelia is pensive.

After midnight

Minnie and Aaron are dancing. Minnie promises that this is the last Christmas they spend without a child. Next time, he'll be a dad.

Next, there are hugs and kisses from Bruno and Fedra. Bruno makes speech - Merry Christmas, so glad we got to spend this Christmas Eve together, because who knows, maybe this will be the last. Fedra - don't be silly, we've got plenty more to go. Aaron boasts that life goes on, and they Bruno hasn't seen anything yet.

Bruno wants to know more about Aaron's jet. Did he rent it? Aaron dodges this, says yes officially he rented it, but it's really his. Pilar butts in with her own burning issue: Elvis was giving her kisses and she didn't know how to get away from him. Elvis rushes up to her and wants more kisses. He says he's her precious black one. She turns to face him, and he kisses her on each cheek. He keeps calling her Grandma. She keeps looking over his shoulder, perhaps hoping for a rescue. No rescue occurs. Everyone is laughing now, even Sofie. I don't think I've ever seen her laugh before!

Back at the tequila party, Gavi and Roddy are arguing in a steamy way out in the garden. He complains that htis is the worst Christmas ever and the new year is going to be even worse. Plus, she's going to go to hell with all those lovers of hers. She slaps him. He says he can't stand the way they look at her, give her cards, smile and flirt with her. He can't stand that she would smile at anyone else. Only him. She's the only woman who was born for him, the only one he can love. Since she left his life it's been hell. All this time he's been staking out her apartment, snooping through her things, listening to her conversations, all he wants is for her to come back to him, he wants to give her his life and she denies him.

She reminds him that it's been no picnic for her either, all these nights thinking about him, imagining him with Isadora. She's living in a worse hell than he is. She hasn't looked at anyone else the way she looks at him. As much as she tries, she can't live without him.

R: What do I have to do for you to be with me? My life is controlled by yours. I'm forever condemned. I love you, Gaviota. I love you.
G: I love you too. I love you.

There is some serious kissing. No lazy Aldo kisses here.

(Back home, Isa's mad that Roddy isn't answering his phone. Dad is sure he'll be here when they least expect it. Francisco says he hopes Rod won't be upset that he had dinner with them. Isa tells them all to dig in and thought-bubbles where the #$@! is Rodrigo.)

Rodrigo is spinning Gavi around and saying he'll finally have a good Christmas. Gavi says too bad it's going to be so short - he needs to go home. He doesn't want to. (Clarita spies from afar, hiccuping. "Ah, el amor.") Gavi tells him his wife is waiting. It'd be rough on her not to have him at her side on a day like this. She thinks maybe the drinks have made them say things, and tomorrow everything will be different. He doesn't think they'll ever be able to relive the wonder of this moment.

The music comes up again. He wants them to dance. She says no, but then he asks if she'd rather he left. No? Then let's dance. It's Christmas. Let's give ourselves a gift. Kiss, hug, dance.

Back at the Montalvo party, Granny wonders if Dani really is in love with "that muchacho." Sofie isn't sure and wonders if Dani only brought him over to mess with them. Granny thinks they should talk to her soon - this relationship must not go forward!

Aaron gets call and excuses himself. Dani plays music that's too loud. Granny suggests calling Isadora to wish that party a Merry Christmas. Sofie says they'd better do it in a quieter room. Minnie goes along for the exercise, I guess.

Aaron is on the phone with Pamela. She's mad that he didn't call her at midnight. She's eager to be with him. He reminds her that they agreed to wait till after the holidays; be patient, and time will pass quickly. (Granny, Minnie, and Sofie walk in.) "I promise we won't be far apart. Go to bed, and I'll call you tomorrow." Minnie goes BSC. Aaron coolly tells Pam he'll call her tomorrow. Pamela says, "It's your nightmare wife, isn't it." "Yes, of course. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. See ya."

Aaron claims he was talking to his valued business associate Johnny Molina, who called to wish him a happy holiday because he's attentive about such things. She doesn't buy it and repeats his sweet words to Pamela - you'd only talk to a lover that way, dummy! Aaron shakes his crazy finger (it's a crazy finger, I tell you) at her and says that when someone is attentive with you, you be attentive back. (In other words, if they talk sweet to you, you talk sweet back.) He tells her, relax. It's Christmas. Santa is coming.

Granny Pilar offers her own wisdom to Minnie: With husbands you have to believe them unless you can find proof to the contrary.

Yeah, Granny, I bet you could tell us some stories.

Isa and her party are enjoying the champagne. Frankie says it was a four-star dinner and it reminds him of this place near Castillo where the specialty was pheasant stuffed with truffles. Isa's mother, who very clearly doesn't like this guy, points out that their dinner was turkey stuffed with chestnuts. He says he knows that, but it just reminded him. He says he's so glad they invited him; he thought he'd be alone; this was much better.

The phone rings. Isa: Don't answer it. Mom: Something could be happening with Rodrigo. Isa: Nothing ever happens with Rodrigo. Mom: If you don't answer, I will. (Frankie smirks behind his champagne flute.) Dad: Daughter, please, take the call.

It's Minnie, wishing them a feliz navidad. Isa declines to speak with Granny - she doesn't want to talk to anyone. She asks about Rodrigo. Minnie lets her know that Rod already left... quite a while ago. Isa dares Minnie to say what she's thinking. Minnie tells her to calm down and they'll talk tomorrow.

Minnie hangs up and tells the other women that Isa's mad because Rod hasn't shown up yet and he's surely in the arms of Mariana Franco. After Minnie leaves, Sofie tells her grandmother not to worry about Minerva because she's a troublemaker.

It's getting late. Isadora's Dad thinks they should call the police. Isadora says she just wants to be alone. Her mother tells her not to make any hasty decisions - give Rodrigo a chance to explain.

Isa's parents leave. Frankie says it was great to be by her side, but he would have preferred to see her happy, laughing. "I know what you are feeling, because I am very alone too," he tells her. He offers to be useful to her.

He kisses her - wow, he actually leads with the tongue. I think the next few seconds are supposed to be hot, but they look more like a mauling. I fear they will twist each others' lips off. Before things go too far, she hurriedly retreats into the apartment and closes the door. She smiles dreamily and caresses her mouth. He leans on the other side of the door with a faintly triumphant smirk.

I can't figure this guy out. At first I thought he was some random pervert. Then when he was a phoneless neighbor I thought maybe he was a grifter. His pretentious dinner conversation was grifteriffic too. Then just now I thought maybe he was an aspiring gigolo.

We'll see.

Back at the tequila party, Eduardo is asking Clarita if "they" are having a thing - in fact, Gavi and Rod are now on the dance floor where everyone can see them. Clarita's sobbing, incoherent, dabbing her eyes on Ed's gold silk tie. Eduardo watches Mariana and Rodrigo dance. I can't tell what he thinks of what he sees, but she's clearly a lot more enthusiastic to dance with Rodrigo than she was with Ed.

Gavi admits to being confused by Rod. Rod says they need to have this moment, to prove that they can't be apart any more. He wants them to forget the past and start over.

He lays a kiss on her mouth in front of everyone. She tells him he's misunderstanding things. She had too much to drink. Rodrigo tells her it will be okay because his family admires and respects Mariana. It's not like when she was Gavi and and they knew all about that. Besides, Isa is only faking their friendship to manipulate her. Isa hates Gaviota and now she's going to hate Mariana too.

Gavi reminds him that she's the one who followed through on their engagement. She showed up a little late, but she showed up. The worst of all, Isa is your wife before God and that's sacred. Rod says Gavi is still the first and only woman in his life, and his marriage to Isa came at a high price. He swears on his life that there has never been anything between them.

He continues to insist that he's never been with another woman. Gavi points out that he's still with Isadora. Rod admits that he married her out of spite and it became an obligation and now his family is pressuring him to live out this stupid farce. Then he says that the rules between him and Isadora are very clear and that he can break up with her at any time. (Put your money where your mouth is, you oaf!!) He asks, if I were in love with Isa, would I be here at the party with Gavi now? Let's go away from here.

Gavi says she's not gonna break up his marriage. What about his kid? Rod says they're won't be any kid - he only told her that out of jealousy. He begs her to let him show her how important she is in his life. She says again that she won't break up his marriage.

Eduardo interrupts to warn that Clarita drank drank some more and is now asleep. Gavi goes to check it out. "So the rumors are true," Ed says to Rod. Rod asks Ed to be discreet. Ed says he will, but only out of respect for Mariana. And he doesn't understand why she doesn't prefer him to a married man. Rod says it's more complicated than Ed can imagine.

Rod asks some people at Gavi's table where the two women went that were sitting there. Gavi and Clarita are on their way out to the car. Clarita is whining; she wants to stay. She's never been at a party with so many people. Gavi says she can have a really big party for her birthday. She struggles to keep Clarita upright. "I saw you really happy with Rodrigo." Gavi asks for a cab. They talk about a telenovela while they wait. Clarita is crying. Now she's whooping and cheering for tequila as Gavi and a driver stuff her into a cab. They're gone.

As usual, Rod shows up just a moment later. The doorman tells him where they went. He gets into his car. His phone is beeping with unplayed messages. "Isa's been calling." From the happy note in his voice I can see that what this means to him is that she has lived another day and therefore he can't be accused of her murder.

Ofelia and Roman are talking about the kids. Ofelia is skeptical. She says she doubts Sanwanna is the woman for Hilario except in that taimada es una loquilla. I don't know what either of those words means, but I bet she means something like "she's not the woman for him except maybe in the same way that anchovies are a topping for a sundae." Roman thinks it's better than him moaning over some married woman. Ofelia admits she dislikes just about everything about Sanwanna. (In the captions, Roman calls his wife Aurelia. Have I been calling her by the wrong name all this time?)

Outside, the anchovy topping is trying to cheer up the sundae. She says that Ofelia took the news like a mule's foot. She promises, "voy a echar a la bolsa." She's going to throw it in a bag? I don't know what that means. She wants to get married on Valentine's day. He wants to build them a house. It'll take a year if he hurries. The alternative is that they can live with his parents. She wants a nice house, so she agrees to wait. They kiss, and he seems not to mind. He hopes that she will help get Isadora out of his system.

Clarita is now singing and staggering in the hallway outside the apartment. Mr. Italian Guy greets them. Clarita says she doesn't recognize him. (I suppose he looks different when he's twins.) She shoves him and tries to hit him with a shoe. He holds her up while Gavi unlocks the door. They throw her on the couch and somehow she doesn't vomit. Gavi tells him she's got some things to tell him about. But first she drags Clarita into the bedroom and puts her on bed. (I think the baño would be a better choice.) He begins to prepares some tea or coffee or something.

Rod finally gets home. Isa waves a champagne glass at him and says "I suppose you came back just to wish me a merry Christmas." She tries to guilt him that her parents were there, wanted to eat with him, open presents, etc., but now they've probably figured out what kind of a relationship they have. That he won't even spend one Christmas Eve with her.

"Sorry," Rodrigo says.

She tells him the whole world was worried, thinking something bad had happened to him. Or more likely, pretending to be worried, to spare her feelings. They probably all know who he was with, too. His inseparable Mariana Franco. Has he prepared his cuartada (don't know what that is) yet? She doesn't care about his excuse. What she's angriest about is that he left her waiting like an idiot. She asks, what is his excuse, anyway?

He tells her he left Granny's and got to thinking that he would have to make some decisions. She coldly asks about these decisions about their future. "Tell me right now what you decided."

---

Tuesday
Rodrigo to Isadora: I am breaking up with YOU. Forever!
Minnie to Aaron: What happens to your girlfriend if I'm pregnant?

Labels: Destilando

While Rodrigo is mashing on Alina, his daughter comes in and catches them in the act. She is pissed. She yells that Alina isn’t her mom and she needs to get out.

Luba checks Gaspar for injuries. She tells him that they can’t return. She explains how everyone is riled up to kill them.

Rodrigo tries to explain to his daughter, but she just yells for Alina to get out. Alina offers to try and talk to the girl. Rodrigo wants an answer to his declaration that he wants to be with Alina forever, she says they’ll talk later. She goes to the girl’s room and begs her to lighten up already. I think this girl was in Suenos y Caramelos, my wife and son watched that every day last year. I think it’s the same girl. Alina tries to be nice to the girl, the girl just yells at her to leave.

Tina comes home and Rodrigo tells her what happened with Alina. Tina thinks it’s good that the girl saw, she won’t harbor any illusions.

Luba explains further to Gaspar that the people at LR want to kill them because of Alina’s death, they don’t know she is still alive.

Alina comes back and tells Rodrigo that the girl wouldn’t talk to her. She acts very knowledgeable about children, who knows how she knows anything about that. Rodrigo wants an answer to his lovey dovey kissy kissy, Alina says it’s better to just leave it this way, there can’t be anything between the two of them. Great. Alina can have non-relationship relationships with TWO guys now. Three if you count Angel.

Ifgenio bursts into the kitchen to talk to Vera and Mexican Larry. He says there are people by Alina’s grave and they look like they are from the city. Vera says finally someone is investigating whether or not her death was natural. They run off to go tell those people what they think they know about all that.

Rodrigo rightly assumes that Alina is bailing out because of her ‘past love’. She won’t talk about it, Rodrigo says he knows about it from Elias. She says she doesn’t know if the old love is over or not. Rodrigo is a little pushy about them getting together, Alina whines and moans and tries to turn him down. Then she says she’s not good enough. Finally she says fine, we can be together. I didn’t realize that was how these decisions were made.

Emiliooo sits at an outdoor café with a cigar. He tries to look dramatic while he thinks about Alina. He really does that a lot, where he goes to super extra effort to strike some kind of pensive or dramatic pose. It might work if he didn’t take like 5 full seconds getting the look together first.

Elias and Soledad talk about how they are going to court tomorrow. Soledad looks at Elias funny, I can’t tell if she is happy or if she feels nervous being alone in a room with him.

Alina and Rodrigo walk arm in arm through some outdoor area, I expect that they will happen to run into Emiliooo. Nope, they decide to go inside, but there is Emilioooo with his back to the door, being dramatic. They sit and order coffee. Emiliooo outside gets up to leave. Rodrigo pushes Alina some more to spill her sad story. Cripes dude give it a rest. Alina gets up to go to the bathroom. After she leaves, Emiliooo walks by and sees Rodrigo. They greet each other happily. They sit down and start talking. What’s up, how’s it going, they catch up. Alina comes out of the bathroom and sees Emiliooo’s back and hides. Emiliooo leaves, then Alina comes back out, trying to look normal. Rodrigo can tell, but she says she’s ok. She says she knows Emiliooo and says he was someone important to her, but of course that’s all she’ll say. Rodrigo is no dummy, he has that look on his face that all guys get when some girl they like refers to some other guy as “we were good friends” or “we went out a couple times.” Rodrigo knows how to read between those lines, obviously. He didn’t look happy at all.

Wet dog Angel enters Coral’s place. What’s up with his horrible new look? He didn’t look pitiful enough before, now he has to look like he just almost drowned? Ugh it’s horrible. Angel says Emilioooo saw him here, what if he sees Alina, oh my god, what are they going to do, etc etc. Coral says whatever she’ll take care of it. Whiny Angel can move on to worrying about something else. Some pretty girl knocks on the door and say she’s here about the ad in the paper, Angel just stares at her, thankfully we don’t get the camera angle that shows his pants tenting out. Coral sees him drooling and tells him to take hike, but nicely. He gets the hint finally and leaves.

Gasca is visiting Don Loco, Gasca is upset that DL doesn’t have his money, or something like that I think. I never understand the DL/Gasca jail conversations. They argue, that’s all I can figure out, then DL says that Elias has to be handled and tells his lawyer to give Gasca some money.

Alina says again she doesn’t want to talk about Emiliooo. Whatever.

Don Max gets out of a taxi outside Coral’s house, he is impressed.

Rodrigo tells Alina that he was telling someone about her today, all good things, she wants to meet her, so tonight they should all get together for dinner. Alina agrees.

Soledad asks Max what he’s doing here. He says he didn’t expect to find her there, at Coral’s house.

Vera, ML, and Ifgenio watch the people digging up Alina’s grave, they finally muster up the guts to go confront them.

Soledad tells Max to leave. He’s looking for Coral but she isn’t home. He wants to have a drink and talk to Soledad, she again tells him to leave. He rambles on about nothing. He tries to butter her up, but she isn’t having it. He tries to put some moves on her, finally he grabs her and she screams to let her go. Max has it in him to be a rapist after all, I guess.

Vera, ML and Iffy apparently lost their nerve, they are closer, but still just watching. The workers pull out the casket. It’s extremely white for having been underground. They pop the top, of course it’s empty. Vera faints. She’s a wuss.

Coral finally arrives in time to help Soledad. Max ends up smacking Coral down on the floor, Soledad defends herself with a fireplace poker. She has it pointed at Max. Meanwhile, Coral on the floor, wraps her legs around Max’s ankles and tips him forward. He impales himself on the poker. We get a commercial break to let us think about if he’s really dead or not.

Oh he’s dead all right. The poker went clean through him, he has blood gushing out of his mouth, he finally keels over completely dead. Well, Santos and Hottie Mom should be pleased with this outcome. Coral verifies that he’s dead by checking his pulse. 4 pints of blood on the floor didn’t convince you?

Ifgenio tells one of the grave-digger-uppers all about the witch (Luba) that obviously has something to do with Alina’s body being missing. The guy wants to know where this witch is.

Coral cries and whines, “What are we going to do?” Um, how about call the cops and tell the truth? Nah that would never work. Soledad cries that she didn’t mean to do it. Just then Adela comes in with groceries, so that she could dramatically drop them in shock. Coral says they should just hide the body. Soledad finally says they should call the cops, she starts to dial the phone.

ML, Vera, and Iffy tell the dudes that they will agree to help accuse the witch.

Coral vows to back up Soledad’s story when the cops come. Adela just sits on the couch freaking out.

Back at the ranch, Thelma vows to her Singing Aunt that Alina, if she’s alive, will not stand in her way. She says something about dinner with Rodrigo. Emiliooo, who was walking in, overhears and wants to know what’s up.

Meanwhile Alina and Rodrigo are just now exiting the café. I was wondering how Emiliooo got back to SE so fast, but then I remember that they are all back in Puebla now. Ohhh it’s all coming together now – this friend that Rodrigo is referring to must be Thelma. Sorry, I haven’t been able to keep up with the story this week. I’m flying somewhat blind, I don’t know what happened since last Friday. I have to tell you that it is surprisingly easy to just pick back up a week later without knowing what happened. I mean AMAZINGLY easy. That’s not a good thing. Maybe they do that on purpose so people will still watch the show if they miss a day or two, but it makes for dull, repetitive episodes. As we all well know. Rodrigo tells Alina to invite her mother along to dinner too. Alina quickly spills all of her mother’s private business to this guy, about DL and his jealousy problem. Now Rodrigo has ANOTHER friend, who has a patient with the same jealosy problem. This is the crazy shrink chick, right? So everybody knows everybody else.

Thelma says she met Rodrigo at a club or something and he invited her and a friend out to dinner. Emiliooo says he just saw Rod and he never mentioned about having dinner with Thelma. She says she didn’t get a chance to tell him that she and Emiliooo are married, Emiliooo says then he’ll be surprised when we show up together! Thelma makes excuses, but Emiliooo says as the husband he has to go.

Rodrigo’s cell phone rings, he tells whoever is on the other end that he’ll be there right away. It was Coral. They leave to go to the house. Alina is fighting another great battle with yet another tight low cut shirt.

Don Loco lays on his bed and mumbles in his sleep. In his dream then, I’m assuming, some high heels walk to his cell and the door opens. Some woman with boobs all over the place is in a nightgown and enters his cell. Is this the crazy shrink chick? DL totally stares at her boobs before looking back up at her face. Well, he has been in prison after all. They start making out. Is it just me being a guy, or does every love scene involving Don Loco totally freak you out too? The lady’s face turns into Soledad’s face (of course) and she starts accusing him of cheating on her. He freaks out and wakes up. Yawn.

The cops ask Soledad what happened, there is a CSI guy there taking pictures. Hey, that would make this show way better – they could have a CSI style episode to solve the Don Max murder. Then they could look at all the evidence in Alina’s empty grave. With all the shooting that has gone on here (See Carmel’s Trying To Translate blog for details on that) there would be a lot for the forensics team to work on. Oh well we can dream. Soledad explains briefly what happened, the cop says they have to lock her up for now. Coral freaks out and says that’s crazy, if anyone should be locked up it would be her, for pushing Max onto the poker. Soledad stares at her, apparently ready to let her take the fall for it.

SA and Thelma try to figure out how to keep Emiliooo away from the dinner.

Soledad actually does try to argue with Coral, but Coral insists that SHE is the one who accidentally killed Max. Does she know that Don Loco is in jail and that maybe Soledad would run into him if she ends up there? Soledad finally says no, she has to tell the truth, SHE is the one who killed Max. As she’s saying this, Alina walks in and says “uh, what, Mom? You killed him? Why?” Soledad tells her what happened. She also rightly says that she has to tell the truth. One cop puts cuffs on Soledad, in spite of Rodrigo saying it isn’t necessary. Alina starts ugly crying. She is a fantastic ugly crier, nobody that hot should be able to cry that ugly.

Emiliooo tells a coughing Angel that this whole dinner thing is very strange. Nice work Sherlock.

Coral gives her statement at the police statement, Alina whines about not getting to see her mom. Coral comes out, Adela goes in to give her statement. Elias shows up and is immediately ready to go after Max when he hears about the attempted rape, but Alina tells him that Max is already dead. Alina frets some more. Rodrigo says he’ll make sure she is treated well. Elias wants to know why Max was in Puebla in the first place. He thinks it will be easy for Soledad to get out of jail, everyone knows that Max is a louse.

DL dreams that he is going to open the box, but Luba stops him. She says if he opens it he’ll go crazy. He wakes up screaming that he’s not crazy. Yelling to an empty room. Some guards enter, he starts yelling at them that he isn’t crazy. Sure dude, whatever you say.

Soledad sits in her cell with some crazy lady and worries about being locked up. The crazy lade wants her to drink with her. Crazy lady drinks from her bottle and belches. Nice. The crazy lady calls her ‘fresita’ but I don’t know what that means.

Coral and Adela try and get Alina to calm down. I think Alina is happy to have something useless to worry about again. It completes her. Coral tells Alina that Emiliooo is coming to her house the next day so Alina can’t be there.

Elias visits Soledad, she actually grabs his hands. Oh SURE now that you’re locked up and you need help, NOW you’re nice to this guy. So fake. Whatever Soledad, as soon as you’re out you’ll get all too good for him again. I know your type. She even says he is her only true friend. What a user.

Crazy shrink, with her boobs under wraps this time, asks DL about his dream. He admits that the doctor was in the vision he had. She wants details, he starts trying to run his hand up her skirt. She stands up but has to admit to him that she has had the same thoughts. They whisper to each other and start making out. Puke city. We get the impression that they lay down, thankfully the scene changes before we have to see that.

DL is suddenly sitting at a table with Alfonsina, who unfortunately has all of her talents under wraps as well. She is there trying to badmouth Hugo. DL says he needs Hugo, so that he’ll help DL. Alfonsina says she’ll help too. He says he doesn’t know who to trust, she insists that she’s on his side. She tells him she has always loved him. The crazy shrink chick hears this last part – what is it with people always walking in to hear the end of a conversation? Super duper cliché alert here. Cripes. Anyway, she overhears and DL tries to act all casual about it, meanwhile the crazy shrink chick and Alfonsina stare each other down. Maybe they need to have some sort of naked wrestling match or something? I’ll make sure to check out Monday’s episode if that’s what happens.

Monday – Rodrigo tells Emiliooo, Thelma, and SA that Max was killed. SA is muy impactada. Angel was there too apparently, he just looks confused. Oh! Looks like there will be a girl fight after all, but it is Coral and Thelma and they have clothes on. Oh well. OH OH OH OH OH! Did I really just see what I think I saw? ULTIMAS SEMANAS. I actually let out a loud whoop here at home. ULTIMAS SEMANAS!

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