Caray, Caray!

Alirio and Nidia are having a tete a tete about the will. Nidia calls Ana and gives her the news about the house and how everything that her husband once owned is now hers. Ana tells her that she has nothing to discuss with her. Ana tells her that she has too much time on her hands to be bothering people. Nidia asks her if she plans on moving out of the house and Ana replies "of course not!" Nidia tells her that if that is the case then she and her daughter will have to suffer the consequences. Ana gets angrier and tells her to leave her daughter alone and that she will turn Nidia in for making threats. Nidia tells her that she will be the one doing the denouncing so they can leave the house. Nidia is enjoying the heck out of this exchange between the two of them. Ana tells Nidia that she is truly sick in the head. Nidia tells her to pack her trinkets and get out...
Back at the office, CL and his wifey are making their exit. Ivonne wants to talk to CL, so he tells his wife he will catch up to her later and that he has some work stuff to talk over with Ivonne.
Pastor and Paula are in her office talking about the new position and Marely's interview. Pastor has a problem with Paula doing the interview because, afterall, he is in charge of HR. She tells him that since the person will be working with her, it is only natural that she will want to meet/talk with that person. She asks him if he has a problem with that. He says no. He does, however, need to look over the regulations of the empresa to see if there is some policy about family members working together. Paula asks if he has a problem with Juan. He says no.
Juan and Enrique are arguing about something, but I am not sure what...
Ivonne is in Pastor's office whining about CL. She wants the dirt on whats up between him and Paula. He is reluctant to spill, but she reminds him of how good a friend she has been to him. He admits that Paula and Cesar Luis had a liason in Taxco. She is livid and says he is quite the "desgraciado."
Ana calls Paula at work and tells her about her phone call with Nidia Cachon. She tells her about the house being in Paula's father's name. Ana says it was in his name because of credit, but she paid for it, each and every month. Ana tells her not to worry. She will find them an attorney who can find some resolution. Paula tells her that she will call her later and if Nidia calls her again, hang up on her.
Paula asks Ivonne to get her some information on Samuel Cachon. Ivonne is busy with her game of solitaire and says that she is not her secretary and maybe if she asks nicely, she may do it. They two gals are having a power struggle. Pastor tells Paula that he will get her the information she needs.
Ivonne and Pastor are in his office. He tells her that she must control herself. She says she was fine until Paula got there. He tells her to pick her battles. He tells her that Paula is getting a new secretary and that she will not have to deal with her anymore. He then goes on to show her some breathing techniques to help her chill.
Juan and Kike are having a drink and talking. Its a pretty dull conversation... I assume Juan is dispensing some advice to him which I didnt quite get...I think Enrique is hashing out his game plan to win his girl back.
CL and his wife are in the doctor's office. The doctor says that everything is progressing normally with her pregnancy. She asks if all her work and traveling will be harmful. He advises her to slow down.
Juan agrees to help Kike with his plan to win back Yadira.
Pastor is giving Juan a hard time about his tardiness. Pastor then inquires about his cousin applying for the job as Paula's secretary and was it the same cousin who he helped with the loan. Juan said it was a different cousin and that he does have a lot of relatives. He tells Pastor that his aunt and uncle didn't own a television. Marely appears and Juan introduces her to Juan Pastor.
CL's wife asks him if he is unhappy about the baby.
Marely asks Juan what the story is, is she his cousin, his grandma, aunt etc. She wants to get their story straight since she is not used to telling lies.
Ivonne gives Paula the information she requested. Ivonne is much nicer this time around...
Juan tells Paula that his cousin is there for the interview. He introduces Marely. The two ladies look at eachother and there is mucho tension. Juan thought bubbles that they are both probably jealous becuase of him...(he is so adorable:)
Paula tells Marely about how her mom is harassing Paula's mom. Marely swears that she had no idea what her mother was up to.
My recorder stopped recording at this point, so the rest of this summary is from memory...if I left anything out, please feel free to add.
Paula ends up hiring Marely to be her secretary. Paula asked her if she was really Juan's cousin. Marely, being the decent, honest gal she is, tells the truth and admits that she is not Juan's cousin and that he was merely trying to help her out. Juan indulges in some daydreaming and his thoughts turn to some girl boxing featuring Marely and Paula. He is abruptly awaken by Paula. She tells him that she knows the truth about Marely and knows that she is not related to him. She is furious.

Labels: Juan

I'll keep this short and sweet... all of Miami is fooled by Alejandro Salvatierra. Fiona is trying to seduce him, Marfil is telling her to back off. Marfil even went so far as to go to the hospital to tell Diana that if she and Max are in this together, there's gonna be trouble. She threatens Diana with a letter opener to really get her point across. All the ladies are fawning over Alejandro Salvatierra.

So far Camila's the only one who's truly convinced that Alejandro is really Max in disguise. She figures that he's returned to get revenge against Ignacio and Diego, and tells Ignacio as much while they're on the beach. Too bad they never turned to see "Alejandro" standing behind some bushes and listening to their every word!

When Octavia sees him, she nearly faints. Fiona explains to him that she's impactada because not only did she lose her son, but her daughter died when she was hit by a car. Max is impactado. He goes off by himself to cry, but that seems to be out of his range. He squints his eyes, but can't manage to invoke a single tear.

The highlight of today's show is that crazy Pancho is still impersonating a priest so that he can listen to Caramelo's confessions and advise her against getting involved with Emilio.

Max and Pedro are discussing the latest events when Max clues him on on his plan - he intends to make sure that Diego is homeless and without a job! I can't wait to see how he plans to make this happen.

Eduardo and Max/Alejandro run into each other at the beach, and Eduardo tells Max/Alejandro that he and Diana are more than friends, they're "casi novios" and he intends to marry her. Later he tells Ignacio what he said to Max, and admits that it's not exactly true - he just wants Max to stay away from her. Eduardo, Eduardo -don't sink to Iggy's level!

Rodrigo is suspicious about the paternity of Virginia's daughter Sharon. He remembers that they were novios, he planned to marry her, when she disappeared from his life. So is Sharon his daughter or was she cheating on him? Meanwhile, evil Sharon is pressuring her mother to tell her the truth about Rodrigo.

Caramelo begins to suspect that something is unusual about this priest when he calls her "Caramelito de Anis." She asks to see his face, but he quickly leaves the vestibule and walks out of the church as he says that he's very ugly. He rushes from the church and runs into Paco on the steps! Paco confronts him, then Caramelo catches up to him. They try to get an explanation, but he runs to the street and gets in a taxi. Caramelo runs after him and gets in another taxi and tells the driver to follow him.

Marfil is talking to Larry about Alejandro. Larry hasn't seen him yet, but he's sure that it's not his brother because his brother wouldn't pretend to be someone else.

In an attempt to see if Alejandro is really Max, Iggy invites him to his apartment for coffee. Max accepts, which results in the scene worthy of the "most bizarre scene" award for today's episode. Iggy pours him a drink as he talks about losing his license and having to borrow money from his cousin. He may even have to declare bankrupty. Oh, by the way Alejandro, who I just met, can I borrow $10,000?

Diana takes an afternoon off from nursing so that she can visit Fedora and Gaby at the fabrica, where Fedora encourages her to marry Eduardo. What's with this lady and the arranged marriages? Enough already! Gaby tells her not to marry a man she's not in love with, as it will just make her an infeliz. Fedora is surprised to hear Gaby say this, and asks if Kike makes her feel this way. Gaby denies it and says that Kike loves her and treats her like a princess, but she just isn't in love with him.

And the closing scene: Alejandro agrees to lend Iggy the money, but he wants Iggy's apartment as collateral. Iggy agrees. credits roll.

Labels: acorralada

There is nothin' fair in this world
There is nothin' safe in this world
And there's nothin' sure in this world
And there's nothin' pure in this world
Look for something left in this world
Start againCome on
It's a nice day for a white wedding
It's a nice day to start again.

Let us begin this episode with the a remembrance of Billy Idol's immortal words


Well Rod is talking to Roman…aww these kids! States Roman what a headache what are you gonna do?
He rambles on to Rod (the future father), anyway Roman is like no big deal Patron. Of course, Roman wisely chooses not to tell Rod; Roman most recently beat the crap outta his son, Hiliario cause Hil has a thing for the Patron’s wife.

Meanwhile over at Dry Gulch Acres, Mister James has been watching LFMB and following in the footsteps of St. Aldo; Mister James is taking the Wedding Prep into his own hands. He presents the lovely Acacia with a present, why it is a fine white wedding dress. Acacia starts crying and saying she does not deserve it. While true Acacia, perhaps in certain circles, a cream dress would have been considered more appropriate; I believe under the circumstances at this point; forgo the rigid social customs and go with the flow. James says Acacia was an innocent and deserves a fine wedding. In some remote corner of the ranch, a hand just stuck up thru the dirt…yes just like CARRIE.

Now over in MX DF Clarita is kneeling at the foot of the bed. In the past, Rod’s abhorrent treatment of lil Gavi has been an abstract concept to Clarita. Now Clarita too must feel the burning wrath of the Montalvos, she is in a TeleNovela free zone. Poor Clarita, it has now gotten personal, the loss of the television is nearly more than she can bare. Together they (Gavi & Ma) blame Rod for all their misfortunes, though a hundred years may pass, Gavi will never forget the pain Rod has caused them.

Francisco is waiting outside for Gavi, he does the come on, his phone rings. It is Sofie and he does the my petite fleur thing (of course Franscisco is not aware that Gavi is fluent in Spanish, English and French and indeed also has a smattering of German). Sofie asks him to dinner and he begs off with the job thing. Frankie thinking to fool Gavi, speaks in French the language of love to Sofie. After he hangs up, Gavi outs him. It is bye bye PePe LePew and Frankie is all damn, the first time a woman has caught him at this game. I guess he forgot Isa nailed him on the DiVinci poetry thing.

Over at La Hacienda, Hil says bye to Pa, he is sorry for the shame he has brought them…what with wanting to boink the Patron’s wife and so on. ****My husband was watching this with me & he informed had any young ranch male been in Hil’s position, the father would have sent the boy off to another ranch or the city. Meanwhile, myths would be told of young Vili’s (think Vili & Mary Kaye) prowess and the Patroness would be seen as the sinner. Which well I can’t fault.**** Hilario seems much too full of self flagellation for my liking, it is so medival. Hilario tells his Pa to give a letter to Ma (Ofelia).

Isa over hears Roman tell Rod that Hilario has gone off to sort some things out and find himself. This boggles Rod who could not do the same, using a diagram, both hands and a flashlight. Isa is mucho contento as that is now one less thing to worry about. Hil’s letter to Ma says "The fault, dear Ma, is not in SanWannaWannaWanna, But in me", well Hill would of said that had he read the Bard, but to make a short story shorter…don’t blame slutty sanwanna, blame me. We see Hilario riding off in the bus looking lost. Actually this is what the buses in Mexico really look like, not that school bus Gavi & Ma rode off in.

Now then Isa can’t wait to ring up Sofie and tell her of the impending nupitals of Acacia & Mister. Sofie looks stunned, but then remembers she has a Boy Friend. Sofie is "Oh yeah, well so what…I am marrying Francisco"…Now it is Isa turn to look muy impacted..Damn I hate when it backfires.

Next thing we know through the magic of TeleVisa we are transported to a church. Mister & Acacia are getting married. Acacia looks so young, but pretty, with flowers in her hair. Mister just looks dumb. Okay the priest says what God hath joined let no man put asunder…yeah yeah yeah you may kiss the bride…I must say, that kiss was like squeeky to me. It is the front of church, but this went on and on…Okay we get it…really Mister does kinda squeek me out and well, I wish Acacia’s savior could have been someone a bit more manly…Not that she didn’t have to take what she could get, but still.

Back over in DF, Gavi is in a grocery store. She talks to the guy in produce who gives her a milk crate and she sets up shop right there. Gavi is hawking the encyclopedias to the family shoppers. Now then when I was a kid, I would buy the A encyclopedia in the grocery store all the time cause it was like ten cents, then each week you could add a volume which was of course more expensive. We had a shelf of A encyclopedia’s but alas that is a far as it went.

Bruno is talking on the phone, he seems very agitated and the conversation is not going well. Bruno hangs up and a guy brings him paperwork. Bruno is tugging at his tie and trying to loosen his collar.

Sailing to the east…Miami, Aaron has papers all over when Pamela..****Ariel the lil merimaid (not to be confused with Ariel the lil Merman of recent LFMB fame. Anyway that is who Pamela reminds me of Ariel with that funky red hair & white skin, not to mention the whole water obession thing**** anyway she is fluttering around with wedding invites and so on. Aaron is paying no attention and Pam says she has a meeting with Jenny Molina (the wife of gangsta Johnny?). Aaron dismisses her.

Bruno and Aaron get into it on the phone, Brunos says the high end dream Tequila is producing only 40% of what was promised and Brunos wants the money. Aaron says the European market is promising, yep I can just see the EruoTrash buying his $2,000 a bottle Tequila. Jeez Aaron, they are European not stupid. Aaron is totally disrespectful to Bruno and just blows him off. It is harder and harder for Bruno to speak and he finally falls to the floor. Now would be a most excellent time to compliment Elvira on her complete lack of business etiquette. In her usual manner she just walks right in and for a second I think she is just going to over look Bruno sprawled out on the floor behind the desk….But No hooray our gal Friday spots him and all may not be lost.

On a lighter note back to "Cantina Central", that little cantina in Tequila. Hey folks there is a wedding reception going on. Mister is singing with the required Mariachi band and yes friends it is awkward and uncomfortable for all involved. Isa is sitting next to Rod, Roman and Ofelia are there along with SanWannna, Crispin and the bar tender. Isa looks like she is one bullet short of putting herself out of her misery and I must say, she has a point. Isa thought bubbles "This is pathetic". I’m hearing you sister and for once I am in total agreement. Finally Rod makes a toast to the happy couple, this is very paraphrase…happy yada yada lifetime together..true love. Isa tells him it is like them with their new baby…Rod thought bubble it is like the story of he and Gavi, only oooops no happy ending.

Now back to DF, Gavi while an entertaining salesperson, has sold nary a book. Here comes the local inspector or civil servant who demands a license or permit to sell. Gavi gives him a hard time and packs up her little suitcase. She goes outside, a young teen talks to her and she pulls out ten pesos for him, meanwhile his partner in crime steals her suitcase. Gavi chases him and all is lost. Gavi laments her luck as tears stream down her face.

Back over at the Cantina…Mister & Acacia are dancing, Roman and Ofelia, Isa looks like she would love to dance, but alas we all know like other bodily parts, Rod’s feet only respond to one woman. SanWanna looks bored and the bartender asks her to dance, she declines, but realizing picking are slim, gives in and gets up to shake a leg. Rod’s phone rings it is Dani. She tells Rod that Bruno has had a heart attack. Rod will have to go to DF. This shakes Isa up and she is jealous. Rod says come with me, he will never look for Gavi again.

Gavi goes to work and tells her boss about the theft of the books, she just wants to cash out. Well it looks like all said and done after thirty days of work, and paying for the stolen books, Gavi has turned a tidy profit of about two hundred pesos or twenty dollars. Gavi is furious she throws the papers in his face.

Aaron gets the phone call that Bruno has had a heart attack. Aaron is needed back in DF. Damn that so interferes with his plans, I guess the Molina Tequila function is out. Pam wants to go with him. Aaron does not want to take her cause of family problems. Pam is jealous and thinks he will be hooking up with Minnie in a hospital supply closet.

So we end another evening with our friends from Tequila…
Tommorrow we see a scene that looks like Rod may spot Gavi at the hospital, but I say Nah bet it is a fake out.
Looks like Minnie is back and playing to the Max.

Now then is a thought I feel inclined to share…..
First the kid has got to be Frankie’s cause Aaron & Hil were too far in the past. Besides when young creepy gyno Doogie said five weeks Isa thought bubbled the hot tub in Acapulco…

I now want Rod & Gavi's lives to intersect..it is boring having them apart..even if it is only to glare at each other.

Labels: Destilando

OK, I'm going to cheat by cutting and pasting the repeat of Wednesday's recap, since some of these scenes I had a hard time following. If I get anything wrong either now or in the future, please correct me. Let the recap begin. . .

Silvana and Emilia are in her office. Silvana says she feels strange, maybe because she imagined "it" would be more difficult, that she wouldn't be able to go on. "The truth is that I'm surprised by how good I feel." Emilia asks what she doubted, her strength? Silvana says maybe and that now she feels supported but it keeps hurting. Emilia tells her it will take time. Silvana says she knows, but today she felt relief. She thinks that at some point she'll feel less anxiety and she'll be able to feel other things again. Emilia beams at her.

Lidia and Boss Man are rubbing noses again. Puh-leeze! Where's the igloo? Paco, who apparently is Lidia's boyfriend, walks up and greets Lidia with a kiss. He's come to fix the computer. Boss Man and Lidia look like they are going to need cold showers muy pronto.

Another repeat of the "suit scene," in which Azul now has "plenty of time" to check out Diego's wares. I suppose this is to remind us that these two are destined to be together after the inevitable six months of separation required by telenovela format. Diego is looking quite hot in his tux, as he's undoing Azul's hair clip and wrapping her in red satin. He then removes her "serious" glasses. You can all but see their hearts throbbing in their respective chests as their voices get breathy. "Can you imagine this now? Impressive!!" The scene then goes into slo-mo. Azul gets flustered and piles the red satin on the table, thus killing the mood. Diego deducts the jacket is for a boyfriend. Suddenly Azul is in a terrible hurry. One of the tailor dudes interrupts and Diego excuses himself to deliver a garment. He asks Azul to wait a little while. Azul looks pained as a piano plays a plaintive solo.

Paco is telling Boss Man the computer has a virus. He says something else that I don't understand, but then he tells Boss Man he loves Lidia. As he goes back into Boss Man's office, he tells Lidia "I love you!" Lidia looks uncomfortable after all the "we-didn't-do-anything-wrong" antics with her married boss.

Diego says something about taking off the jacket and goes to change out of his tux. While he's in the dressing room, we see a sliver of him taking off his shirt and pants. We then have a nice shot of him in his boxer briefs. Azul is taking all this in as well, and is caught spying by the saleswoman who got attacked the day before by the mannequin. Ultimately Diego walks her downstairs and is interrupted by a call. The saleswoman says the call has to do with his mom or dad, but doesn't know. Seems strange to me, but at any rate, it's Papa. He wants to know if Diego has seen Mama. Diego wants to know why the heck he's calling. By now, Azul has taken her items and left the store. It sucks to be Diego right about now.

Mama is talking to her doctor. She's really worried about her Diego. He and Papa are at each others' throats. Perhaps Diego's return was a mistake. Doc tells her not to worry, he's sure Diego is going to be just fine.

Morris is trying to butter up GSD (Grouchy Scientist Dad, according to yesterday's recap), Azul's father. Morris says how much he loves Azul, blah, blah, blah. He then mentions something about families helping one another and gives GSD a huge check to run Morris' lab. "Just think, you won't have to worry about financing! Just think about it…" GSD takes the check and grunts as he's tucking it away.

Azul is telling her roomie Cecilia all about Diego and how hot he is. Cecilia points out he's a salesman. Azul replies she can't help but imagine him naked. Cecilia starts hugging the tux Diego was wearing and asks if Azul plans to go back. Azul says she has no reason, and she wants someone stable like Morris, but then Cecilia says "You have to go back. It's missing a button!" Oh no, what's a love-struck fiancée to do? Commercial.

Back at the shop, tailor dude is asking Diego if he wants to join them for lunch. Diego tells them he'll catch up. Diego's cell phone rings and it's Doc, presumably calling about Mama. Diego asks if it's serious. It's hard to tell from Diego's response what the Doc is saying, but Diego says he'll manage it. I think the Doc wants Diego to come pick up his Mama.

Roomie Cecilia is poking fun at Azul, "I can tell you're still thinking about HIM!" Azul begs Roomie to leave her in peace. She's not about to give up a solid relationship with Morris. Apparently she has to go to a grand opening of a restaurant and Morris apparently hates to go to those things. Roomie volunteers to go with Azul and Azul is all smiles now. Hugs all around!

The housekeeper, or whoever she is, is staring at a painting while Andres is typing on the computer. She says, "Tranquilo" to no one in particular. Suddenly, Morris bursts into the room screaming at Andres, "What did Benjamin want?" Andres said something about Benjamin's "calling" and "bad intent." Morris tells Andres to take care of Benjamin. Morris doesn't care about Benjamin; he only cares about Benjamin's projects. I guess Benjamin is the guy who got fired before GSD showed up. Housekeeper and Andres look impactados after Morris leaves. Housekeeper (Andres' mom?) tells Andres to be calm. "Don't fail Morris!" She then creepily kisses Andres' head. Between her actions and the 'mysterious music,' something is truly wrong with this picture.

Paco comes out of Boss Man's (I just found out his name is Piero) office. Piero is so impressed with Paco's computer savvy that he's going to recommend Paco to a friend who needs a lot of computers for a business. Lidia promises to give the potential client's name and number to Paco. Paco is all smiles and refers to Lidia as a doll. He says, "…como me apapacha" which isn't in any of my dictionaries. What does this mean? After Paco leaves, Boss Man and Lidia exchange flirtatious, knowing glances. . .

Diego goes to pick up Mama from the hospital. He is carrying a bouquet of yellow flowers. Mama wants to know how he found her, and he says something about her not being in class and the clinic calling (or did he say he was psychic; I'm not sure). Now he starts asking if she's feeling bad. What she needs is lots of kisses, as he starts kissing her head and face. Ick. "Don't you worry about me," says Mama. She then says she's more worried about him. Diego says, "Don't worry about ME. I've got PLANS! You'll see!" Playful bantering back and forth and he ends by sticking an ice cream cone on her chin. Laughs all around.

Hey, a scene I truly understand! Azul is in the shower with her eyes closed. Sure enough, she starts thinking of Diego in his skivvies at the shop. She then fantasizes about him being in the shower with her. You get the picture. Right in the middle of this reverie, a male voice asks if she needs help. It's Morris, who's come to join her. Azul forces a smile and tries to make the best of this buzz kill.

Diego is frantically looking for a receipt at the store. We all know which one. The woman clerk asks what he's doing. Finally he tells her he's trying to find the name of the woman he tried to help the other day. The saleswoman can't remember. It was a strange name, "a fruit? a color?" She can't recall. She strains herself thinking, at Diego's urging, and finally comes up with "Azul." Now Diego wants to know her last name. He needs to find out the last name of "the mother of my children!" The die has been cast.

Azul is out of the shower and asking Roomie, AKA Cecilia, to go back to the store with the suit jacket. The address is in her purse, and HIS name is Diego. Cecilia doesn't want to go, "You're the one that has to go; you're the one in love with the sales dude, not me!" At this point Morris walks in and wants to know what Cecilia is talking about. Morris looks mad and Azul nibbles on her thumb nail. Dramatic music plays

Diego now knows Azul's last name and is frantically going through the phone book looking for Azul. "How many Azul Toscano's can there be?" Apparently he hasn't considered the possibility that she may not have a listing in her name. Oh well, love is apparently blind and dumb. The saleswoman knows perfectly well Diego doesn't want to call just for business. "You're in love with that woman!"

Morris is pressing Azul for what Cecilia was talking about. Azul says Cecilia didn't sleep well. Case closed. Morris changes the subject. He talked to GSD and GSD is about to give up.

Ominous music plays as Andres approaches a Cute Little Girl at a grade school. The Cute Little Girl is Benjamin's daughter. This can't be good! He walks up to her and says he's a friend of her daddy, Benjamin. He hands her a lollipop and tells her to tell her dad that "Andres says hello." Benjamin arrives just after Andres leaves and Cute Little Girl gives them the message, "From your friend Andres." She shows him the lollipop and Benjamin freaks out. He snatches the lollipop, picks up Cute Little Girl, and whisks her away while Andres lurks across the street in his car.

Azul is at GSD's house. She wants to know what's bothering her dad now. GSD tells her about Morris' visit. He thinks Morris is tricky and too good to be true. Azul says Morris just wants to help. She then asks if GSD will accept Morris' offer. GSD wants to think about it. He's also going to consult Aunt Inez. Azul is disgusted by this, "Why do you always have to ask her opinion about everything? Can't you make a decision on your own?" GSD replies, "She's family." This goes on awhile longer until Azul leaves.

A phone rings and GSD has to root around to find it. It's Diego asking for Azul. GSD says she's gone and he doesn't know when she's going to return. "Who's this?"

Cecilia arrives at the store and Diego doesn't say another word to GSD. We can hear GSD say, "Hello? Hello?" in the background. Diego then hangs up on GSD. Cecilia tells him about the jacket and it's clear Cecilia is checking Diego out. At first he doesn't recognize the suit, until Cecilia says her friend bought it. She then says she and her friend were talking about him. "Nothing bad, I hope." says Diego. "Aren't you going to ask about my friend?" "You mean Azul?" asks Diego. "Aha, so you know her name!" exclaims Cecilia. Diego makes some lame excuse about it being an unusual name; that's why he remembers it. Cecilia says she and Azul are going to a party at a restaurant that night, in case Diego would like to meet them. Diego says he's busy. "So, if her name is Azul, what can I call you? Green?" "No, Yellow," replies Azul's feisty friend. Somewhere in this exchange, Diego asks if Azul has a boyfriend. Cecilia smiles knowingly, but never answers the question.

Papa and Mama are fighting about her keeping secrets from Papa and hiding the fact she was at the doctor. Abuelo walks in and breaks the stand-off, while the doorbell rings. Papa goes to answer the door. Paco walks in, all smiles and full of energy. He refers to Mama and Papa as his in-laws. He's had a great day and did a good job for Lidia's boss. He's bringing a couple of bottles of good wine, apparently in celebration of his good fortune.

Housekeeper is now massaging Andres' shoulder and pointing out how tense he is. "Morris always makes me tense!" says Andres. Housekeeper says they owe him their Unconditional loyalty. Andres then asks, "And him? Is he loyal in the same manner?"

Lidia and Piero are back at the office, standing millimeters apart. Lots of breathless talking. Piero asks about her boyfriend Paco, to which Lidia replies, "He's very distracted." They talk about almost getting caught by Paco when they were standing so close to one another when Paco arrived. "You mean like this?" as he closes in on her again. She gives him this doe-eyed look. Suddenly he bashes her in the mouth, about breaking her teeth, in some really disgusting lip lock. Ugh! He about swallows her chin!

Morris is calling Azul. "Does the most beautiful woman in the world have plans tonight?" Azul says she is going with Cecilia to the opening of a restaurant. "And you didn't think to ask me?" asks Morris incredulously. "I figured you wouldn't want to go." Morris has some things to take care of first, but he'd love to go with her to the grand opening. Uh Oh!

Azul walks up to a very nice home and rings the door. We see feet in sandals going towards the door. It's one of the good people from the telenovela, Peregrina! Apparently this is Tia Inez. Azul can only stay a minute, but they need to talk. Azul tells Inez about the great opportunity her father's being given, but her father isn't particularly interested. It would earn him a lot of money and prestige if GSD would work for Morris. Inez reminds Azul GSD isn't interested in money; all he cares about is his investigations. Azul begs Inez to convince GSD to take the job. "You know how much influence you have over him!" Inez doesn't really want to get involved, but will do what she can. Azul thanks her and runs out.

Morris is telling Andres he likes the way Andres dealt with Benjamin. He sent the message clearly and with class. Music of doom plays in the background. Commercial.

Inez has come to pay GSD a visit. Inez mentions that Azul came to see her and told her about the job. GSD isn't sure about "what's-his-name." They talk about Inez competing with Azul, which I don't understand. They then mention Azul'a mom, Inez' sister, "may she rest in peace." GSD shows Inez Morris' offer, to which Inez asks 'what's a GSD to do?' GSD replies, "Go to the bathroom!" Why do all the characters smoke in foreign telenovelas? Do cigarette companies sponsor telenovelas?

Azul leaves a voicemail message for Cecilia. Morris has agreed to go to the gala, so Cecilia is now off the hook!

We now see Azul and Diego getting ready for the grand opening. Diego tries on about 50 shirts. While all this is going on, their love theme plays in the background. Finally we see them heading out their respective doors.

Diego comes to say good-bye to his family. Everyone is hanging out in the kitchen, laughing and having a good time, except Papa. I believe Mama says Diego is psychic, since he showed up at the clinic with flowers for her. Papa, the pessimist, says Diego showed up because the clinic called worried. Papa then storms out, taking a bottle of wine with him.

Silvana is moping in her bedroom, clutching a pillow, when Emilia walks in with tea and some drugs. Emilia tries to talk her into coming down to dinner, but Silvana isn’t interested. She tells Emilia she (Silvana) wants to see her son tomorrow.

Andres skulks into the room of some house where Housekeeper is waiting. "Lo vas a matar, verdad?" she states. Did she just calmly point out that Andres is going to kill "him"? Is Housekeeper's name "Leonarda?" Is she even a housekeeper? Help please!

Credits roll.

Labels: amar

Frankie tells Rod that he intends to marry Sofia , his intentions are serious and as head of the family, he wants to square it with him. Rod answers that Pilar is the true head of the family and she would be the one to ask. Isa has been sitting and frowning all night like a wet, matty-furred puss, with its ears tilted back and a growl in the back of its throat. She cattily, and with much malice afore thoughtfully lets drop that Frankie's inability to find a job might be a problem. M-m-me-yhow is he going to supposedly support her? (Paw-licking and whisker-grooming here.)

Frankie says he's in the midst of choosing between a number of job offers right now and Sofia jumps in to explain it "is simply a matter at this point of which one pays more." This seems to satisfy what little there is of Rod's natural curiosity. He smiles and tells Sofia and Frankie that as long as he is a conscientious hubby (oh that's rich coming from Rodr-ego) and makes his sister happy, he's up with that.

Pammy back in Miami is playing hard to get tonight. Aaron is pontificating after a session of love-making and says that she makes him touch heaven each and every time. The only thing better would be the blessing of the child she's going to give him. Pam says, hold up there Mr. Biggy. I'm not getting pregnant till AFTER the ceremony. "What!" Sorry but them's her terms and that is that!

"--But, but we agreed!" Aaron sputters. The man is so totally unused to being denied, as the two little words, 'No' and 'Aaron', don't exist in sequence in his universe. "--Look," she explains. "We don't even know that Minerva really signed those divorce papers yet, do we?" "--But," he insists, "Patricio took her over to the courthouse himself!"

"-Weeellll, until we have the copy of the documents in hand, I'd rather not be in that kind of a situation." Pammy wheedles. "Look, 'Bichi' (I'd swear she just said "Biitchy"). You know my parents have never entered into the decisions I've made in my life. They would though, rather we do this thing the way it ought to be done, to do it properly. So, I have decided I am not going to have a baby unless it is done within the confines of marriage." (Shout out to that dinosaur of an old fogey writer who came up with that traditionally conservative sentiment.)

Aaron, the immovable object, has just been hit by Pamela's unstoppable force as he resigns himself to the situation. Figuring that the best thing is not to force Pamela in this, he thinks to himself that he can only hope that Rod's kid turns out to be a female, as we, Aaron's adoring fans, are the ones who are impactada. Pammy rolls over to make a pillow of his chest and you gotta wonder does she know the power she now holds by having tamed the beastly being that is Aaron Montalvo?

When Gavi finally arrives home it's late and she explains to Clarita how she lost the bet for a sale of encyclopedias in a bar and had to sing till closing. Unfortunately she didn't sell a single set of encyclopedias all day, but the bar at least made a cassette of her singing and gave it to her. The two of them have a dopey discussion about auto-suggestioning away not only the thought of Rodrigo, but their impending boat-load of debts.

Later around bedtime, Gavi looks at her new cassette and remembers the time she gave Rod the cassette she'd made at the little cantina in Tequila. She's frustrated that auto-suggestions to forget Rodrigo aren't really working. She takes a shot of tequila and admits to herself that waking or dreaming it's always the same thing: his face is always there in front of her, and every song she sings is sung for him. As Gavi continues to gripe to herself that she is condemned to love him forever, she takes out the blank label for the cassette and writes on it: "Songs for My Rodrigo". She draws a little heart on it and looks dreamily into space.

On the other side of town, Rod is sitting up in a dark bedroom next to a sleeping Isa and frowning. He grumbles and thinks to himself that next to him is a woman who "truly loves" him while he's condemned to love that lying, deceitful, gold-digging tramp, Gaviota. He curses her poisous memory that simply won't let him live his life in peace with the real lying, deceitful, gold-digging tramp who is now laying next to him, expecting another man's baby and passing it off as his.

The next morning Pilar and Sofia are chatting excitedly about how sweet and unexpectedly the fraudulent Frankie had asked Rod for her hand at the nightclub last night. Grammy says that the Golden Boy will have to come ask formally in front of the whole family. Sofia is beside herself with joy.
(Ec-h-h!) "Of course!" Grammy adds that this just shows what a proper upbringing he had. (She should only know.....)

Estefano calls to see whether Frankie is still freeloading in his apartment. He is and tells Estefano that the month isn't over yet, but not to worry. He's soon going to be marrying a rich (and idle) heiress (as we all know, to remain ideally idle himself).

At the same time Rod, smiling for all he's now mortgaged and as the proud papa he ain't, arrives with a tense Isadora at Dr. Tejeiro's office. He explains that as their family doctor, they've come to him for a last check-up before they travel back to the hinterlands of Jalisco. Isa nervously sits there thinking to herself that if she doesn't do something the dolt is going to begin asking all sorts of questions and that would mean trouble. She enters the examining room and when Dr. Tejeiros follows her in, she immediately tries to bribe him with a blank check. "Write in any amount you want."

Tejeiros acts offended and refuses to lie, saying he's keeping mum for "friendship's sake" --since perhaps HMO's and hospital consortiums still haven't saturated the Mexican Health-care Market like they have the States. Isadora asks him what could it cost to just take the check and be done with it. He looks thoughtfully at her, but still refuses her offer.

Excitedly, Grammy calls Rod to chat. Rod asks for Daniela and wonders why her cell phone was off. Daniela comes in just then and Pilar hands her the phone. Sofia points a bony, menacing finger at her sister, warning her to stay quiet. (Aren't we all just about up to our eyebrows with Sister Sourpuss's junior high giggles, her bossy, big-sister snarls, and those annoyingly distressing finger-jabs?) She has nothing to worry about though.

Dani tells Rod, who's curiouser and curiouser, that Videgaray already told him everything she had meant to tell him, which was just that it wasn't Vid who gave Mariana's identity away. Rod seems to think she's still hiding something but Daniela says it's just his imagination and hangs up, having turned into the wimpiest disappointment of the week.

Isa and the doctor return to his office after the exam and the twerpy Dr. T gives his seal of approval to the pregnancy. Rod and Isa leave for Tequila and Montalveña.

Speaking of Montalveña, in the stables Sayinyawanna? is teasing Hilario about Isadora. She asks him if he's still going to be so hot to trot for Señora Montalvo now that the boss lady is pregnant. They snipe back and forth at each other and when Roman comes looking for his son, he asks what the dust up is. SJ, who is just itching to cause trouble, warns Hilario, "Tell your dad or I will." He freezes up, so SJ tells Roman that Hilario has had the hots for Sra. Montalvo.

When Hilario refuses to deny it, Roman is immediately impactado. He goes BSC and starts slapping the hell out of his son. "It wasn't enough to get involved with a married woman. Now, it's the patron's wife!! You and your dirty, filthy doings.....!!" As far as Hilario's sad sick self, he begs his father to beat him because he deserves it.

Ofelia is looking for Roman and SJ sends her out to the stables. SJ smirks to herself that he deserves this and more for messing with her like he did.

Back again in the DF, Gavi's boss tries to encourage her to continue trying to make sales appointments. (Gees, girl. Give It Up! No base = no bread, literally, let alone the butter to put on it. Go sell tacos or find a nice factory there in the DF. Get a living wage.) When Boss man's "star salesman" arrives he asks him to peek in the door and help keep Gavi enthused. "Because if that charmer can't sell encyclopedias, then we really are sunk." So Star Salesman, Vidal, attempts to make the effort but leaves immediately when Gavi tells him she's bad luck so best not to come near her. (If this is supposed to be an example of how he approaches prospects, think slow, all show and no go, it's no wonder the company can't sell spit.)

Ofelia finds Roman slugging away at Hilario who is just taking it, all beaten and bloody. She manages to get Roman to come to his senses and stop the beating, but he refuses to tell his wife why he was so furious with Hilario. Frustrated, Ofelia returns to the kitchen to ask SJ, but SJ refuses to tell her. "Let Hilario tell you." Ofelia, tired of the girl's 'tude, fires her on the spot. SJ sneers back that she doesn't take orders from the cook and struts off.

At this point, Clarita calls Gavi at the office to tell her there's a lawyer, a couple policemen and some big men who are ready to impound their possessions. Gavi races home in a snit to find that since she has not paid the installments for either the flat screen t.v. or the stereo for the last couple of months, the creditors are taking everything of value, the dining room set, their furniture and all the appliances including Clarita's t.v.

Gavi reasons, cajoles and even threatens, 'cuz Clarita at least needs her t.v. "to survive"; but at this point they are not willing to wait even a day longer. However, the attorney assures Clarita that when Gavi gets current with her payments they can get it all back, even the t.v. that they "need to survive", in perfect condition. Gaviota has now learned the hard way that repossession is 9/10 of the law, and that "on credit" really means "You gotta pay or it ALL gets taken away."

Meanwhile, in stark contrast we are shunted back to Miami where Mariana Franco's nemesis, aggressively arrogant Aaron, is surrounded by American-style flamingo pinky-peach stucco and palm-frond luxury. He discusses with Johnny how best to begin the promotion of Agave Turquesa in select bars and discos in other countries. Afterward, Aaron takes a break and marvels at how he's making money hand over fist while the cheaper stuff his daddy preferred to stick with is stuck in the ports waiting for the embargo to be lifted.

Aaron then calls Patricio who enjoys purposely bringing up Minerva's plans to take a singles' cruise to the Greek Islands to forget Aaron and his rotten treachery. It seems Patricio knows his cousin well, and he takes his own perverse pleasure in sticking pins into Aaron's bloated ego. Patricio tells Aaron point blank that even though he's managed to involve him in his turbid business dealings, the vile and petty way he got rid of his ex was despicable.

Aaron tells his cousin not to go around acting like the town priest. Just cheer the woman up and keep her far away from him as he's promised his mother to do and all of them should just stop annoying him already. Patricio hangs up and smiles to himself. Aaron is really ticked to hear this about his former possession and slams the phone down. Pammy walks in to see what's the matter and he rudely tells her to just leave him ALONE, period.

At the same time, Minnie is staring off into space like she is in la-la land. She informs her maid she's planning to take a vacation for the next 10 days. The girl should take a trip back home starting immediately and take advantage of the time off. She walks over to a picture of her ex and tells him not to be so sure of himself. This war ain't over till it's over and they'll see just who wins the final battle. She throws the picture, frame and all, onto the floor.

Back at the hacienda SJ greets the returning patrons and makes a beeline for Isadora.

Ofelia looks for Hilario and asks for an explanation. He says he was disrespectful to his father and that he is unworthy of his parents. Ofelia thinks he's being foolish and wants him to make peace with his father.

SanJuana gives Isa her version of Ofelia's mean and petty attempt to fire her. She was simply speaking her mind to Roman about Hilario's having a crush on Isa. Now she blames her for Roman's getting so angry that he went and beat on his son. Everyone was worried that the Patron would get upset of course. She doesn't know if she did the right thing by telling Ofelia that the only one who can run her off the place is the patrona.

Isa tells SJ that her husband won't find out about this foolishness and she was right to come to her directly, and that nobody is going to fire her. After all she's Isa's own personal servant and employee-confidante. Isa then wonders to herself what gossip Roman might have let loose with to Rodrigo.

In Rod's office Roman is not his spunky self. Of course Rod asks if anything is wrong and they commiserate over what royal pains in the patoot kids (present and future) can be.

Isa finds Hilario in the stables and confronts him. "Just what did you tell your father?" "--Don't worry, Ma'm. I probably am a thick-headed ranch hand, nut not a coarse little man."

Labels: Destilando

Ladies and Gentlemen, your recappers have about had it. This is a quickie summary of Friday, which I just watched. We are skipping Thursday. All you really need to know about Thursday is that Larry manages to get the lock open on the car repair shop, and he and Silvia escape out the window. At the same time, the nice lady had called the cops, so we hear sirens. Did Panchi and Halcon get caught? See below.
Later, Silvia recounts her experience with Diana and Emilio.

Friday:

Silvia and Emilio go to Paco's bar, where guess who showed up: the Trannies! Didn't I predict that they would show up soon? The trannies are now performing at the bar in outlandish flamenco getups. They begin gyrating and waving their fans and Silvia can't contain herself. Emilio and Jorge try to stop her, but no, she runs onstage in her Betty Boop outfit and tries to butt in. The audience loooks on in hysterics as Silvia finally pushes her way in front and dewigs the trannies. Triumphant, she prances around the stage solo as her ex-friends exit.

Roddy is in Los Angeles. He runs into Sharon (the brat) and Virginia (the brat's mother). There are two very boring scenes here where Virginia does not reveal the truth and the brat tries to find out what he's up to.

Diego, having found out about Aljeandro, wants to find out where Diana stands on him. He visits her and demands to know what she thinks. Then he leaves.

"Alejandro" plots to sleep with Marfil, to use her in his anti-Diego/Iggy plot. He now knows, via Fiona, that Marfil and Diego are getting it on, but they are just friends between the "sabanas" (sheets). Alejandro kisses Fiona at the club.

"Alejandro" shows up unannounced at the fabrica. Of course, Fidiota agrees to see him. He wants to buy shares in the factory, as he wants to get into the perfume business. (another brilliant disguise move). (And when businessmen want to buy shares in companies don't they always just show up without appointments?) Fidiota refuses, as the business is just a family business. Alejandro departs.

The most bizarre development of today is the following: We see Caramelo and Paco strolling around Puerto Rico again. Caramelo decides to go in a church. Who should spy her going in but our old friend Panchi Panchi. Have I missed something here? How did he escape after the kidnapping? More to the point, how did he fly to Puerto Rico? Or did he take a rowboat? He's a wanted prison escapee! And of course, how did he manage to be standing right near the church that Caramelo is visiting? This takes the cake.

Caramelo goes into the confession booth and starts talking to the Padre, who is none other than Pancho. She starts talking about her husband and he replies and she thinks she recognizes the voice. He immediately lowers it very convincingly. There follows a long discussion about how bad her husband was and he married her sister at the same time. The "Padre" says, well, he didn't know they were sisters. How did you know? Oops, er, god knows, or some such.
Caramelo keeps saying that this is the strangest priest she's ever encountered. Anyway, she's leaving her husband, and the divorce will be final in a few days. Impactado, Pancho tries to persuade her to go back to her husband and not disturb the sacrament of marriage! (They weren't even married in the church, not to mention that he never kept the sacrament of marriage.) Later, Caramelo talks again with Paco. She tells him about the strange priest who she's going back to see again.

Diana goes to the club, and she's wearing that hideous red tube top over the white shirt again. Octavia is there with Iggy, and Octavia starts in again about how low-class Diana is and she was once Octy's servant. Diana reminds her that it's Octy who's the low-born naca who took over the business by murder. Diana is a Garces Ledesma! Octy is only an Irascible by marriage. (There also seems to be something allusion to Octy having married up to get into the Irascible family--an igualada!) I was hoping someone would get thrown in the pool today, but no luck.


Just then "Alejandro" comes in, and Octy feels faint. They talk. Although Max hates his mother, isn't this just too much. And meanwhile, he somehow has managed not to hear that Paola is dead. So when Octy says that she has also lost a daughter, he says, in shock and horror, Paola (or something I can't remember what) that tends to reveal he's Max. Oops. Credits roll.

Labels: acorralada

[and wearing a bracelet!]

Esmeralda cannot quite believe María Luisa’s offer to abdicate the throne in favor of Sara Kalí, the rightful heiress. Still, SK is not surprised – her mother told her of the goodness of the Queen’s family. The Queen knows that it’s important to reassure SK that she had absolutely nothing to do with the Duke of Albatross’ plans or the injustices against SK’s family, but SK already believes her. The Queen reiterates her support for SK’s ascension, warning the ladies that convincing the Royal Council will be a much more difficult task. Sara Kalí is grateful for the Queen’s proposal – but she does not intend to be the Queen of Spain.

Padre Tomás sits with Diego in his room in the hacienda. PT is impactado to think about how Montero and Mangle died, and hope God forgives them. Diego plops down on his bed, less than concerned - they’ll receive the fate they deserve for all the evil they did. Padre Tomás changes the subject to the delicate matter of Alejandro’s discovery of Diego’s alter-identity as Zorro. PT had always been concerned that Alej would find out at some point, and Diego interrupts him to defend himself – there was no way to get out of telling him! PT reassures Diego that it’s fine, and besides, the city of Los Angeles now has a just, fair governor – perhaps this means Zorro’s mission in the city is over. Diego resists, telling PT that they should always be alert and ready. PT agrees, and suggests that they further prepare by inviting Alejandro to be a member of the cofradía [because those guys are clearly soooooo effective at helping root out the injustice in the city]. In fact, this had been a thought of PT’s since the beginning, including a special chair he always intended Alej to someday pose in, excuse me, occupy [apologies to the Alejandro fans – you can get me back by attacking Don Fer ;>].

Gerardo faithfully spoon feeds his master Olmos and relates to him that Montero’s body – or parts of it – have been found. And Mariángel, Olmos wants to know? Everyone believes Mangle was captured by the cannibals, although…Gerardo haltingly tells his boss that some folks also said they spied a frightening-looking woman with a head with one lock of red hair. Olmos is convinced it’s Mangle, but Gerardo doesn’t believe anyone could survive an attack by the Cala Cala. It’s Mangle, asserts Olmos, returned to take him to hell with her. Buahahahahahahaha!

We see an unidentified figure with a pair of bloodied and injured hands take down the bars to a wooden door. Once opened, an equally bloody pair of bare feet gingerly makes its way over the threshold.

Sara Kalí acknowledges that she is the true queen, but for her to accept the throne in this period might foment revolution. SK knows the Queen is a good person, which satisfies her that the country is in good hands. The Queen accepts this, but insists that her relatives accompany her to Spain, where she will return to them their lands and riches, and Esme and SK will take their rightful place at court. Esmeralda expresses her gratitude, but gently refuses the invitation – life gave her a second chance to be with the man she loves and their son. SK, however, will return for a short while. She wishes to ensure the well being of the Gypsy community. Esmeralda can spare her mother for a little while, but she will be waiting anxiously for her return. The Queen promises that the name Mayorga de Aragón will again be loved throughout Spain.

Alejandro now po…ssesses the Governor’s chair, where he reviews some papers. García enters, curious about the Queen’s interview with Esme and SK. Alejandro confirms that the ladies are enjoying a long-delayed family reunion, and García knows how much they deserve it – they’ve all suffered so much. He was personally witness to what a strong woman, mother [and archer, wrestler, keep-away baller] Esmeralda is. Alejandro thanks García for being such an important part of bringing Esme, and happiness, back to the de la Vega family and invites G to enjoy some wine with him. But, back to business! Alejandro wishes to entrust a large responsibility to García, in the form of his new position as Director of [Homeland] Security of the City of Los Angeles. García is impactado, and quite moved; Alej is delighted with his reaction. García composes himself enough to assure Alejandro that he is equal to the task of his new position. They toast.

Esmeralda has just finished enchanting the Queen with the story of how she and Diego fell in love [did it take her 120 hours to tell it, do you think?], which the Queen finds enchanting. Esme and Diego had to overcome so many obstacles to be together! Even despite the forced marriage to Montero, when Dona Carmen offered Esme an annulment, Esme chose to stay with Montero in order to continue working to free her mother from prison. And that Mangle! Raised as a sister with Esme, but then tried to kill her. And now, the Queen continues, Mangle died like Montero…leaving Esme and Diego widowed. Esme takes the opening to suggest to the Queen that she and Diego would love to be able to marry as soon as possible, despite the requisite mourning period. Now that SK and the Queen are headed back to Spain shortly, Esme wants to ensure that both women can be present at the nuptials. The Queen, believing such a love deserves to break the rules, agrees to speak with Padre Tomás about a dispensation.

Diego has come to see his father, who is companionably enjoying his wine with García. Diego takes the opportunity to thank García for all he did for Esme; the only thing G wants in return is to be able to visit Esme and the de la Vegas sometimes. Diego reiterates what Esme had promised, that García is another grandfather to them. It’s time for García to leave and take care of the preparations for the medal ceremony. For whom, Diego wonders? Esme, Sara Kalí, and best of all, Zorro. The Spanish Crown itself will recognize Z as a hero. With another swig of wine, García departs and Alejandro looks at Diego proudly.

OPENING CREDITS

Esme and SK walk through town. Esme still can’t believe the Queen’s offer – or her mother’s refusal. Is SK sure of the decision she made? Absolutely. The only thing SK wants is to be with her daughter and grandson. She’s even had an opportunity to confront her painful past – in the form of a run-in with Fernando Sánchez de Moncada. Esme is immediately worried – what did he say, did he threaten her? [ulcer #1] No, he actually asked SK’s forgiveness, but SK couldn’t bring herself to do it. It does seem he’s changed, and became a monk. Still, thinking about it now, SK believes she may eventually want to free herself of the bitterness she holds.

Almudena waits in María Pía’s cabin when Fernando arrives. The siblings embrace lovingly after a long separation. Almudena has come to speak with Fernando because she’s worried about MP [ulcer #2]. She doesn’t want MP to leave her family and go away so far with Fer. Though Fernando vows not to hurt MP, Dena can’t help but doubt. He’s hurt the woman in the past, and he’s been obsessed with her for so long, how can Almudena believe that he’s truly changed as he says? Fernando protests Almudena’s reasons, but ultimately tells Almudena that she can tell MP anything she wants, she can do anything she wants, but if the situation calls for violence, he won’t hesitate – María Pía is coming with him. Almudena is impactada as MP walks into this tense exchange. Seeing Dena’s teary eyes, MP worries that Alejandro has told her something unfavorable [ulcer #3]. With Fer’s eyes shooting daggers at her, Almudena fibs and tells MP that everyone in the house is very happy for her, but…Fernando decides to leave the women alone and give Dena a pleading look as she tearfully caresses his face. Almudena tells MP that Alejandro is considering MP’s situation with Fer, but he’s worried [ulcer #4]. Why don’t Fer & MP stick around for a few days, until after the wedding? MP doubts that Alejandro will ever give his consent, if he hasn’t yet.

Diego and Alejandro continue their conversation. Although knowing Zorro’s identity brings disadvantages, it also has its benefits, and one of those is acceptance into a secret society of powerful and well-connected men in the cofradía who support and guide Zorro – and Alejandro has earned his right to be a part of it [careful, Alej – these sorts of things usually require a “donation” of some sort]. Alejandro doesn’t feel worthy to accept such an invitation simply because he’s Zorro’s father – but that’s not why, Diego insists. Alejandro has shown that he is devoted to justice. That’s a reason Alej can accept, and he vows to make the city a safe and just place. Diego welcomes his father into the Knights of the Broken Thorn.

Tobias nurses a glass of wine when Agapito arrives at the town cantina. Tobias lives there now, before he makes the final step of leaving the city for good. Tobias orders another glass of whine. Agapito is sorry about confusing T for Z, but it’s too bad he’s not the masked hero. Strange things are still going on in town. Agapito just treated some travelers who thought they saw a strange woman monster…

The figure with the bloody feet limps and heaves its way to a bathtub, and Mariángel flashes back to being attacked by the cannibals. She grunts in pain as the hot water touches her wounds.

The entire de la Vega household gathers to toast the happiness of Diego and Esme. Esme thanks everyone and explains the reasons for the rushed wedding, although Diego jokes that they always wanted to marry quickly, but got interrupted by a couple of pesky obstacles [currently being digested by Southern Californian piranhas and Cala Cala Cannibals – they hope]. Diego and Esme share a kiss.

In front of the Governor’s Palace, a soldier [forgot his name] announces the honorees. Catalina joins the townsfolk listening to the announcement, but when she looks behind her she locks eyes with Tobias. She shakes her head at him tearfully and walks away. Tobias looks down sadly.

Alejandro talks to Diego about “the María Pía Situation.” Alejandro doesn’t want to be involved in her decisions about Fer, despite the fact that society gives them the right [excuse me a moment while I vomit]. Diego feels sure that Fernando wouldn’t have murdered Toypurnia/Regina had he recognized her – but that doesn’t absolve him of the other murders he committed against innocents, and he definitely doesn’t agree with MP and Fer getting married [um, is this really an option?]. If Fernando has truly changed, Diego will believe it, though Diego isn’t interested in speaking to Fernando just yet, and wants to wait at least until the wedding is over. Alejandro promises to support Diego in any decision he makes about Fer.

The man in question is staring into the fires [of hell?], skeptical with MP about Alejandro and Diego’s consent. She urges him to be patient and to expect to speak with the de la Vega men after the wedding. Annoyed, Fer doesn’t understand the hurry for the wedding, especially as no one has found Mangle. MP makes him impactado with a series of hard facts: 1) Judge Quintana annulled the wedding, 2) the wedding was never consummated, and 3) Mangle’s baby was Montero’s.

Mangle’s scarred but less bloody feet and legs carry her into her father’s bedroom or study, where she pulls a pistol from a drawer and packs gunpowder in the barrel.

Esmeralda and Sara Kalí arrive at the medal ceremony [SK receives the gold for Long Distance Spousal Imprisonment, and Esme gets the bronze]. In the crowd, Ana Camila and Renzo, now living as “gadje,” find Azucena and Jonás, who’re overjoyed to see them. The Queen restores SK’s and Esme’s nobility. Gerardo, also in the crowd, reads the banns announcing Esme and Diego’s wedding and figures there won’t be a better to time for him and the pirates to attack the city. Zorro prances to the party on Tornado and receives his own medal of honor of the Knights of the Royal Family, and is named Gentleman of Compassion. The Queen also makes sure to whisper her thanks to him for her life. SK asks Esme where Diego is, and is told that he must surely be somewhere in the crowd, since he’s a big fan of Zorro, like Esme.

In the crowd, Agapito again ponders with Tobias how he ever mistook T for Z. They swap stories about the grotesque ends of Montero and Mangle, and Tobias reckons he should’ve been a writer. With all of the crazy things that happen in this town, years from now people will still read about what happened in Los Angeles, only their books will be magical boxes of light, where the chapters are written every night, or at least just feel that way based on some plot developments and surprising characters, and the citizens who watch the magic boxes will wonder why they can’t seem to stay away…

Mangle’s cloaked figure observes Zorro’s medal ceremony through a spyglass from a room high in the Governor’s Palace.

Gerardo confers with the pirates and Olmos. Gerardo doesn’t understand how DiEsme can be married if no one has found Mangle’s body, but Olmos knows that Angelenos likely believe her dead. Olmos feels in his burned, indestructible bones that Mangle has returned – the woman is the devil.

TWO DAYS LATER…

Dololes supervises the household staff’s preparations for the wedding reception, and Almudena and Sara Kalí gush over the bride Esmeralda. Almudena wishes Esme all the luck in the world, as does SK – Esme overcame everything to be with the man she loves. Almudena assumes SK alone will accompany Esme to the church; after all, she’s her mother. SK insists, however. Almudena is Esmeralda’s mother, and cared for her, and protected her from Fernando. They will BOTH escort Esme to the wedding. Esme believes God has filled this day more than any other with love for her and the three women share a hug.

In Diego’s room, Alejandro and Bernardo attend to the groom, who reflects that he never felt he was meant to fall in love with anyone until he met Esmeralda. Alejandro wants to know what will happen with Zorro – as a single man, Diego could take any risk and face any danger, but he’s about to be married, and has a child. Diego agrees that things have quieted down in Los Angeles since Montero’s demise, and he’s even spoken with Padre T about hanging up the sword and the whip – though maintaining his ideals. Alejandro wonders if Diego’s really sure- he is. The three gents hurry to finish and get to the church

Meanwhile, on the other side of town – Gerardo gives the pirates the last details of the search for the Woman with One Red Hair, which essentially involves assaulting any woman with red hair [be it flame red, auburn, fuchsia, or Clairol #49].

Catalina helps her father prepare for the wedding. The Judge reminds us that he agreed to the annulment because everything indicates that Mangle is dead along with her lover Montero. Catalina remembers what a good…dresser Mangle was, and wonders what happened to all her fine frocks. The Judge thinks Catalina shouldn’t remind anyone of her friendship with Mangle, especially since Cata may already be the subject of conversation because of her separation from Tobias. Catalina concludes that Tobias just may not be the man for her, and the father & daughter head to the wedding. [Did you get the sense that this was the episode in which NOTHING happens at all just so we can be set up for EVERYTHING to happen in the final episode?]

Back in his old house, a servant shows Fernando the bloody footprints leading into the room with the guns. The servant has heard tales of a Woman with One Red Hair frightening folks in the city. Fernando suspects it’s a badly-wounded Mangle, and upon checking the drawer, finding the guns gone, and hearing the church bells, Fer runs out, intent on making it to the church before Mangle does something crazy at DiEsme’s wedding. [ulcer #5]

The [completely anachronistic] wedding march plays as Alejandro leads Esme down the flower petal-strewn aisle. Diego, in a grey/black pinstripe suit, receives Esmeralda as Amor Gitano plays over the smiling faces of the guests [including Agapito with lovely Raquel, the barmaid]. At the very rear of the church, a figure in a thin black cloak wheezes to the back pew. Mangle holds the fabric over most of her face while her eyes seethe:

“Damn you, Esmeralda. Smile. Enjoy this moment…it’s going to be your last…because today you’re gonna die…”

END OF EPISODE
Ulcer Count: 5

Thanks to Marycelis for letting me sub for her, and all the recappers for their wonderful summaries, which made watching - and reading - this novela an amazing experience. It’s been SOOOOO much fun!

Labels: Zorro

Here's my second fill-in for Schoolmarm, she'll be back next week!

• We open with Nidia gloating over the pain she caused her onetime rival Ana by returning Ana's paintings. (Ana had supposed them to have been purchased at the gallery by strangers impressed by her talent but now realizes they were all bought by her doting lover Samuel. She fears nobody else will ever want her art and decides to quit painting.)
  
  Alirio admires Nidia's thirst for vengeance but warns her again it may have unforeseen consequences. Nidia retorts she doesn't just want Ana to lose, "I want her licking my shoes."
  
  
• Ana is so disheartened she wants to take Nidia up on Wednesday's offer to "Take this one-time offer: a big wad of cash and leave town forever." The idea incenses Paula.
  
  
• Marely continues mocking Juan for his constant stream of lies and suggests: "if you want people to trust you, don't lie." He continues to promise her work. She wonders how he's going to tell everybody that the marvellous Fernando is not a wealthy impresario but a chauffeur. "I'll fix it." "With more lies?"
  
  
• Marely can be quite sarcastic, thus our tenderhearted Juan's a bit depressed. "One day honey over flakes, the next day nothing."
  
  He perks up as he arrives at Paula's door after "four days without my strawberry-mouthed beauty," but she's wretched too. She tells him the seminar was fine, it was "other stuff" that got her down. She asks how things have been going for him. "Mas o menos (more or less) trending towards menos..." "Is there anything I can help you with?" "Yes, you can sweeten our bitter problems with your sugared kisses," he thoughtbubbles, but is silent until after the commercial. Then he thinks: "She's bitten by the little ant of curiosity, it's the right time to ask..." Out loud: "As a matter of fact, Licenciada, I have a cousin who needs work urgently, her father died recently, she's a hard-worker..." "Well, as a matter of fact, Juan, I need a secretary/personal assistant urgently, can the cousin come interview this very day?" Of course, exults Juan.
  
  
• Also exulting is Pastor as he tells Yvonne he'll explode if he doesn't share the joy of his weekend with Juan (blackmailed, owing to his urgent need for a salary advance, into nigh-constant attendance upon the little fellow). She wants to know if they got busy, but Pastor loftily informs her there are things more important than pleasures of the flesh. "He was a tender angel, he came upon me when I was drunk but didn't take advantage, what a gentleman, he put me to bed... he went out to lunch with me and Mommy." Yvonne is incredulous, he didn't run away from the harpie? "No, he was patient... He's so sensitive, I'll have to move forward with feet of lead, I love the slow fire of seduction."
  
  
• While Pastor is waggling his rear end, slowly, as some sort of visual aid (isn't this the waggle bees use when showing other bees where to find the clover?), Cesar Luis comes up from behind and asks him to come in his office. "Here is a giant heap of boring educational materials I got at the seminar. I want you to educate yourself with it in case my wife Monika grills you - I told her you were there with me." Then Cesar says he'll explode if HE doesn't share HIS problems. He begins. (Yawn.)
  
  Gaitan: "You've always liked fresh meat here at the office. Is it just sexual this time, another of your usual conquests, or are feelings involved?" "I'm in love with Paula!" "Did you get busy?" "A gentleman never remembers things like that." "If you want a helpful diagnosis you're going to have to tell." "OK, OK, we did it...
  
  "And now I want to ask Monika for a separation, but she tells me she's pregnant. We never wanted kids! I'm so confused! What do you think?" "I think you should continue on with both of them for a while..." "But my passion is burning me!" "That's when men make their worst decisions. Give it time. On the one hand, there's stability, and Monika is a great woman. On the other side, there's adventure, the unknown... Divorce would be a financial disaster. If you're not completely sure, don't make a decision you might live to regret."
  
  
• Juan arrives in the vehicular underworld and cheerily asks Fernando, "How're they hanging?" (uvas=grapes) Fernando grumpily asks for the money Juan borrowed. "Did we breakfast with the scorpions?" (Get up on the wrong side of the bed.) asks Juan.
  
  He calls Marely and tells her to come for her interview. Marely jumps up to get dressed and Yadira decides she'd like to go too, she wants to see Fernando. Marely says they don't work in the same place and men don't like to be bothered at work. "If you try to give him a surprise, the one who is surprised might be you!" Yadira knows there's more to this but can't squeeze it out of her little sister.
  
  
• Gaitan gives Juan the promised authorization for an advance - accompanied, as usual, with more complacent bull-hockey about mutual cooperation and understanding etc.
  
  
• Pastor's secretary tells Juan somebody's waiting for him. He squeaks excitedly thinking it'll be Marely, but it's Enrique instead (here to get the money Juan owes). Oh no! Now, Juan notes bitterly, all the extras (who are standing around in the background throughout this whole episode doing nothing) will think he squeaked for joy about Kike and his reputation will be further damaged. He gets on his knees and crawls past to avoid his irritable creditor.
  
  
• The Silver Fox enters Paula's lair, closes her shades, and delivers a long repetitive monologue about "lo nuestro" - our relationship. It boils down to, he wants to keep shagging her. He strokes her thigh, guácala! She says "It was a mistake and I don't want to make any more mistakes. Come back when you're a free man."
  
  
• Meanwhile, Monika arrives to give her hubbie a friendly surprise. In classic farcical style, Yvonne is delighted and keeps trying to make sure Monika catches her husband with Paula while Pastor desperately runs interference, hissing to Yvonne that her attempts to get Caesar busted will end in ruination for all of them.
  
  Yvonne, a woman scorned, doesn't really care. She goes into Cesar's office, where Monika is waiting, and is enthusing to her about what a romantic place Taxco is, and it's too bad Monika couldn't get there, and she's getting ready to reveal that CL's companion throughout the banana-tinted extravaganza was - not a short fat guy - but a tall dishy gal with expensive cleavage - when - in swoops the short fat guy! He stops Yvonne mid-revelation and she stumps out frustrated.
  
  Pastor chats with Monika about all the excellent educational materials he got educated with in Taxco.
  
  
• Yvonne warns Cesar, fresh from his nauseating meeting with Paula, that she plans to snitch on him! He mocks, "there's no grief like that of somebody who's sad because somebody else is happy."
  
  "You won't be happy long, cause your wife's in your office." Muy impactado, Cesar orders Pastor to keep Paula occupied for ten minutes. He slides into his office and tries, very poorly, to look all happy that his wife has come to visit.
  
  She says she wants him to go to a doctor's appointment with her in an hour. "Let's go now." "We don't have to, there's plenty of time." "No, the traffic's just horrible! Let's leave right this second."
  
  
• Paula tells Pastor she needs a secretary right away (the previous one was fired at the same time as her corrupt boss) and she has one in mind, Juan's hardworking cousin. For some reason this makes Pastor impactado.
  
  
• Kike mocks Juan, who's now queueing up trying to get his check: "The big executive has to stand in line like an ordinary mortal!" "We have a magical word, DEMOCRACY, here. And we have three basic philosophical principles:
  
  1. Ponte trucha Make yourself a trout?
     
  2. Don't sleep
     
  3. Punctuality.
  Kike sneers: "You're the big right-hand man and the cashier doesn't even know your name?" "She's new, don't embarrass her." Juan is mortified by how tiny his check is and shows it to Kike, it won't even make a dent in what he owes. It's all a stalemate and will be resolved later.
  
  
• Ana kaffeeklatches with her friend Rosario, who has lost her job, along with a bunch of other people at her place of employ (Cachon Transportation), including Alirio!
  
  
• The recently-fired Alirio indignantly tells Nidia he was the brain of the business and they'll end in ruin without him. She says she doesn't care, he'll find something else, but he better not be thinking of mooching off her, and "you better keep forking out, or there's not gonna be a marriage." (apoquinar = "fork out")
  
  He fondly calls her materialistic and says he'll now be a free agent. In the meantime, he emptied Samuel's lockbox and got lots of important papers plus the checkbook (which Alirio claims to have burned, because he's an honest man).
  
  "And did you check that one little detail?" "Yes, Nidia, I did, and guess what - Ana Davila's house is in Samuel's name, so according to the fake will I forged for you, you own it along with everything else! I'm the man!"
  
  Nidia goes into venal rapture, chanting "MIO MIO MIO," (mine mine mine), her personal mantra. She wants to put Ana out on the street. Alirio again warns her not to push her luck, but she can't stop gloating. She calls Ana immediately with the happy news: "I own your house, you'll be on the street soon."
  
  Ana gets a resolute, angry look on her face, and will hold that face till it freezes, or that is, until Monday.

Labels: Juan

EPISODE - July 19, 2007:
* Alej finds D in his Z-wardrobe with Esmy and B at the river bank. Alej is baffled and needs an explanation. As D hems and hahs to finally say he will explain later, the cannibals approach across the river. B tosses D a spear - D fights the whole bunch off brilliantly and masterfully. Alej is even more bewildered and baffled by his son.

* Gerardo treats Olmos' wounds at the secret hideout and they talk about Monty and MA. Gerardo tells him about the pirates that have arrived in town that may be willing to help for the right price. Olmos needs to find and get vengeance against MA. Olmos gives Gerardo the keys to his private treasure chests - take what will be needed to contract with the pirates. Olmos tells Gerardo to make sure that MA will be his, only his. Gerardo agrees and takes the keys.

* Walking through river, D takes sword from sand and returns to shore and talks with B. Alej realizes that his son is the famous Zorro. D, B and Esmy look like three kids caught doing something wrong.

* Gerardo goes to town bar to hire the pirates for the scheme to trap MA. Gerardo shows them the small chest of gold coins. They examine the coins as they go over initial information of the plan.

* B picks up Z mask and hands it to D. D explains to them how Monty died. Esmy asks about MA. D says he found a part of her dress but hasn't found any sight of her at all - maybe the cannibals got her. Esmy knows the two had done lots of harm to everyone but thinks that is too horrible a fate for MA. D consoles her.

* Javier finds Laisha on the hilltop tree, crying over being ostrasized from the gypsies. They discuss why she left. Laisha in tears, says good-bye to Javier and leaves.

* Esmy and B leave D and Alej alone on riverbank to talk. Alej notes that Esmy and B seem to know everything, and asks D why keep the secret from him all this time. D explains and apologizes - he kept the secret because he wanted to protect his family. Alej feels foolish for believing all this time that D was a hopeless loser who failed military school. D apologizes for the lies and secrets to Alej. Alej apologizes for being confused and says that he has always been proud of D, his son. D continues to apologize for the lies and secrets to his dad. Alej says again that he has always been and will always be proud of D.

(cue theme song and opening credits)

* Dena and Dolly walk downstairs to greet Mercedes(SK) and all the gypsies. Dena bows to Mercedes; Mercedes says don't do that. Dena apologizes for Fernando's actions against her; Mercedes says that isn't needed, and then proceeds to thank Dena for being a second mother to her daughter Esmeralda. Dena presents and hands Mercedes her grandson, Alejandrito. Mercedes presents her grandson Prince Alejandro to the gypsies, who cheer enthusiastically.

* MP, with bag, finds Fer in hillside meadow.

* Gerardo sits with Olmos in the hide-out and tells him of the meeting with the pirates. Olmos curses MA. Gerardo then tells him about the rumors swirling in town about MA's death. Olmos grits his teeth and says she is a devil like him and isn't dead.

* Esmy, B, D and Alej walk away from riverbank to a clearing. D, with mask on, tells Alej not to come with him now. Alej is confused. D says there are major implications to his Zorro identity and he will explain everything later. Alej agrees and has confidence in his son. D kisses Esmy and then leaves with B. Alej asks Esmy to tell him about his son D as they walk back to the hacienda. Esmy smiles and says of course - she's dying to hold her son again.

* MP and Fer reunite in the hilltop meadow. MP wants them to runaway together and start a new life. Fer says later, first he needs to find his daughter MA. MP is confused. Fer explains. She convinces him that they are meant to be together - she is his happiness, he is hers. They kiss.

* Esmy and Alej make it back to the hacienda. Dena welcomes Esmy back with a hug; she then gives Alej a big hug and kiss. Esmy hugs her mom Mercedes and then holds her son in her arms. Alej makes an announcement to the crowd about Jacomo's arrest and Monty's death. Dolly asks about MA. Esmy pipes in about Zorro's help; Alej plays along with the story and adds to it. Mercedes thanks Alej and his men for their help in freeing the town and all the townspeople from the nightmare. Everyone cheers.

* Bare and blood-caked legs and feet move through the forest floor filled with leaves and twigs...

* Gerardo shoves Agapito into the hideout. Agapito is impactado to see Olmos and the extreme extent of his injuries. Gerardo explains Olmos has been wounded many times but is still living. Gerardo and Agapito talk about the rumors in town of Monty's death as Agapito gets to work.

* Bloody legs and feet walk through the mud... Lady (MA) screams at the sight of Monty's piranha eaten skeleton inside his uniform laying on the ground.

* D, in his civilian duds, runs downstairs to greet Esmy and his son. Dena notes his scars and asks about them - Esmy starts another Zorro story of which D continues with. Dolly says how worried she's been. The Zorro story continues to grow. Alej approaches in his civilian duds; D is happy to see his dad, and whispers that they should go talk soon. Esmy stops D and introduces him to her mom Mercedes, and the gypsies. Jonas talks with them; Alej announces that there will be a huge party at the hacienda to celebrate. As everyone applauds, Alej pulls D aside to go talk in private.

* ML meets with PT at the governor's place. ML is going to renounce her position in favor of Mercedes taking her place. PT is surprised and tries to understand the reasons. ML says it is the only right and just thing to do. PT commemorates ML for her wisdom, and will help her with the plan. ML asks PT about Zorro.

* In private, D reveals everything (the whole truth) to dad about his two identities. Alej is baffled. D then says that from an early age it was PT who taught him the most. Alej is impactado. As D tries to explain PT and the mystery group, D decides it maybe best to show dad and goes to the bookshelf and opens the secret door. Alej stands in awe and impactado as D enters the door. D has to return to usher Alej to follow him. On the other side of the door, Alej is amazed by the tunnel and and Z-cave. D explains how he and his indian friends had found and played in it as children. D shows Alej all his Zorro arms; Alej spots Tornado - D explains how PT found the horse as a young colt and how it became his. Alej expresses his bewilderment over D's secret true identity. D explains why he had been living the double life. Alej is even prouder now than before of his own son, and vows to help him however and whenever D will permit it. Also, Alej assures D that his secret is safe with him.

* At the hacienda at night, Alej washes up as he talks with Dena. She's worried about the cuts on D's face - Alej assures her that D is fine just fine. She notes how happy Alej is tonight. Alej explains that he's happy because of his family being at home - D, Esmy, little Alej, her. He remarks if he's not too young to be a grandfather. She laughs and jokes about her age.

* D enters bedroom and goes to sit with Esmy and little Alej on the bed. Esmy is happy that her mom is there also. D says they're all family. Esmy is concerned and worried about MA. d says don't worry about that. He focuses them back on their son. They kiss.

* Dena breaks the mood by telling Alej the shocking news that MP ran away to be with Fer. He's very impactado. She explains MP's reasons and her arguments and position on the subject of her brother. Alej will have to come up with a resolution. Dena has faith that Alej will do what is fair and just.

* D brings Esmy, with eyes closed, into a bedroom with petals and lit candles all over. He says "Open your eyes." She is enchanted with all the sight. They kiss - how romantic the scene! In bed, undercovers, he pulls out a ring from behind his head (Magic!) and asks Esmy to marry him. Esmy says what's been in her heart all along - YES! I ACCEPT! D slips the ring on her finger and they kiss.

* Toby packs his things. Cata is beside herself begging and pleading for Toby to change his mind and not leave. He can't forget what she did with Piza. She tries to apologize and say it won't ever happen again - she's learned her lesson. He can't forgive or forget or accept her apology. As he starts to the door, she yells for him to stop and explain why did he marry her then, when so many others wanted her as much. He explains that he wanted to be her husband even more than the others - that's why he married her. She had no clue - He says See you never! and leaves. She's impactado as she sits on the bed.

* Gerardo and Olmos, in heavy dark cloak, meet with pirates at the bar. Olmos grunts that he isn't afraid of anything. Pirates laugh and comment. Gerardo gives more details of the plan and how the Queen's presence will help them. Olmos grunts. Pirates laugh in agreement. Olmos grimaces. Gerardo reminds Olmos of the rumors of MA's death - Olmos doesn't believe it's true - any body found - no - then she's not dead.

* Farmer drops two men off in meadow and points in the direction for them to go. The men start walking, but then get scared and run in the opposite direction - they are frightened by the sight of bloody MA walking towards them.

* Mercedes and Esmy meet with cousin ML in the Queen's court office. ML drops the surprise that she has renounced the crown so Mercedes can take her place. Mercedes is stunned speechless. ML says that now Mercedes will be Queen of the gypsies and Queen of all Spain. Esmy smiles with pride.

Labels: Zorro