Caray, Caray!

This is Part 1, the first hour. I posted the second hour in a separate post. Enjoy!

Poor Marely, she’s always covering for someone, and as we open tonight she’s covering for Paula who Marely tells CL she supposes is not feeling well -- for the second day in a row. CL thinks it’s such a shame things have come to this, doesn’t Marely agree? He insinuates there’s something serious here. Marely, good sis and assistant that she is, gives him no face and no clue if he’s on track. Marely dials Paula and fills her in fast because she’s worried. CL was very strange. Why? Paula wants to know. Marely can’t say for sure, but anyway, he asked how you are. Paula says she’s better. Marely assures Paula that she has everything under control and will call her if anything urgent pops up. Paula thanks her and Marely tells her it’s nothing, and we’ll be in touch.

Ivonne slinks into Pastor’s office and closes all the blinds. Apparently, she’s the only one at Farell who knows how they work. Pastor chuckles about playing hide and go seek. Ivonne tells he there’s serious gossip to share here, the gossip of the year. “Don’t tell me!” Pastor replies cynically. Let me guess. They reduced the price on those blue shoes you saw the other day. She chides him, disgusted—it’s very, but very, interesting! It seems that cretin (taradada) Paula wasn’t sick, she tried to kill herself. Pastor is impactado. He wants to know how she knows. She won’t admit to how she knows, but she was listening. Pastor thinks his plan for CL is working well, he’s a genius. Ivonne tips her hat to him, he’s totally on target. Pastor tells Ivonne this is the act of a desperate woman, they cut their veins, take insecticide (you gotta be kidding us, Pastor), throw themselves off a bridge. So little elegance, so ridiculous. Ivonne says she’d never be so dumb. Pastor scoffs. Then he tells her they have to put the Lic aside and talk about something serious. He tells her she’s going to be fired. What, again? He tells her it’s Monica who wants you out of here.

CL is irritated with Moni, and wants to know what’s the rush, is she bothered? She taps her fingers and tells him she wants to assume the Presidency of Farell ASAP. She doesn’t see anything odd about it, she wants to plan, get some new projects started. CL tells her he knows she’s just a slave to the company, and her problem is that he hasn’t given a specific date. Well, she retorts, at least give an approximate date—a year, a month, a few days. CL asks how about a week? It’s clearer. She confronts him: why a whole week? I thought you were in a hurry?

Pastor is still explaining the situation to Ivonne. This time there’s nothing we can do. I’ve been told to get the paperwork done. He recommends that she get herself the best possible parting gifts. She tells him she’s not going to ask for anything. Pastor reminds her she’s worked in Farell a long time and that she should….Ivonne cuts him off. She just wants to go to Spain with CL. Pastor breaks the news that Spain is a ruse, with the goal of getting Paula back to CL. She argues with Pastor, and he tells Ivonne not to dream. She can’t believe it, but Pastor points out that CL set the trap and Paula fell into it, that’s why she did what she did. He tells Ivonne she’s the one who’s going to lose forever. Monica strides in (who heard the door open?) and greets them, without any trace of a smile in her “good day” message. Ivonne tries to smile, but Moni won’t go there. She asks for a moment with Pastor and Ivonne gets out fast.

Paula is home when Juan comes to visit. He wants to know how she is, and if she’s doing better. He’s brought sweet bread. They exchange chitchat, and Paula gives him a huge smile. She wants to know about CL, though. He confesses that he told CL the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, that Paula tried to kill herself. He did it so Paula and CL would have a free road. She erupts, how could he have told CL this lie? He’s confused; it was no lie. She yells that she didn’t try to commit suicide--she was taking a sedative and drank when she wasn’t supposed to. It was an accident. It’s bad enough that he believed this of her, but then he told this fool CL. He yells back that everyone thought she was trying to kill herself. She never told him anything and he told CL to help her out. She yells that what works for her is her decision and she never wanted him to intervene. He yells back that he was worried. Paula yells that this was stupid, and he retorts it wasn’t stupid, it was for love, so she could be happy with the man she loves. She yells that it’s her life and he shouldn’t meddle and decide for her. She tells Juan she never wants to see him again; he’s abused her trust. (Like CL appearing at the end of the epi and everyone impactado, it seems like we have heard this line before. Are the writers on strike in Mexico? Are they recycling scripts?) She tells him to get out of her house. Juan goes. Paula cries.

Moni tells Pastor how it’s gonna be at Farell. She wants them to hurry with several changes at Farell. She wants to revise the organizational chart (organigrama) and she thinks it’s worth the effort to reorganize the four directors’ roles. Pastor tells her whatever she wants. She continues that CL is going away more quickly than she expected and she wants everything ready very quickly. Pastor says whatever she wants, but first there’s something he wants to comment on that he thinks will interest her. Monica wants to know what they are talking about. About Paula Dávila. What about her? Did you know she tried to kill herself? Monica wants to know where he came up with this nonsense. Pastor plays with his fingers (but doesn’t make eye contact) and says he’s no saint, but he had a good source.

At Casa Cachón, Yadi drags her new spouse into the living room (she’s always the height of fashion, tonight with a black mini-falda and jacket, tight white top, and silver mid-calf boots with white knee sox. I guess she’s gotta wear it while she can before the maternity clothes.) She wants to know what Kike found out. Yeah, that I’m one beer short of a six-pack! (güey, an ox or worse, from my Mexican Slang dictionary and a website explaining the word—he’s the biggest ox in the world). Yadi fusses at him; why can’t he ask a simple question? Kike retorts he asked where he had no business and got mixed up in a mess. Yeah, but what did he tell you, Yadira asks. Kike wants to know what it is she doesn’t get here. Yadi mocks how he must have asked. (Actually, she has it down pretty well). She yells at him for being an idiot and pops him one on the arm. He yelps and tells her not to hit him. Nidia comes in and wonders qué the heck? Yadi pretends the kiss Kike, who plays along. Nidia’s friend just smiles stupidly and Nidia tells them to lower their voices because it’s bad manners. She and her friend have some things to do out and they’ll be back in a while. Yadi sarcastically says how nice, you advised us that you’re going and everything. Nidia tells Yadi and Kike that if anyone asks, she’s going here and there….excuse me. Her friend just keeps that smile pasted on. They all say their farewells while Yadi clings to Kike…until Nidia and her friend are gone, when she slaps him away and he yelps again (spousal abuse, if you ask me).

Paula is sitting cross-legged on the edge of her bed, close to falling off, fussing into the phone. She’s yelling about what a gossip he was. Marely’s at the other end in Paula’s office, trying to assure Paula in her best calming voice that Juan had no bad intentions. Everyone thought the same thing, that she had tried to kill herself. Paula acknowledges her culpability because she didn’t bother to clarify for everyone, but that’s no excuse for Juan. Marely wants to know what he said by way of explanation. Paula yells that he said he wanted to help for her own good, he loves her, etc. She grimaces. Marely asks if she still thinks he did it in bad faith. Nope, on the contrary, Marely thinks he’s the most noble man who exists on this earth. Paula retorts he’s also the most dim-witted and meddling. She hates him. Marely, the voice of reason as always, tells her to calm down, she knows Juan did something bad, but don’t forget that you owe your life to him. He took you to the hospital and prayed to God to save you. Do you really think this guy wants to do you dirt? He wasn’t separated from you for a single moment all night! Marely tells Paula that Juan doesn’t care if she goes with CL, as long as she’s all right. Paula retorts that no one asked him to do all that, and he promised to keep this incident to themselves, like Marely has done. Marely wants Paula to put herself into Juan’s shoes. Just think, loving you as much as he does, he’s letting you go. And, you know what? It can’t have been easy for him. His attitude just shows the love he has for you. Paula isn’t going with the program here.

Juan walks outside and thought bubbles about this turn of events. How could have known that the Lic Paula was taking things that could have turned bad? Despite the sacrifices he’s made, he can’t understand why life is treating him this way. His heart is empty, without love. His Palomita won’t be for him; he’s accepted that since the moment he spoke with CL. But, her contempt was something he didn’t expect. Juan is about as downcast as we’ve ever seen the poor boy.

In CL’s office, the boys are considering the situation. CL asks Pastor “What, you already know?” Pastor says it wasn’t too secret. CL blames Ivonne for having a big mouth. Pastor tells CL not to blame her, but this information changes all the plans. CL has to be honest, he’s not yet absorbed what all has happened. They muse about all this; it’s time to close the circle and Pastor thinks it’s a clear message from Paula [Ed. Note: Pastor better not quit his day job; he’s not a good analyst for female behavior.] He doesn’t want it to get lost in the shuffle (pasar por alto). Pastor speculates that their strategy has conquered her. CL wants to know what Pastor means by closing the circle. Pastor theorizes that now it’s time to chase after his prey, to close in on her and bring her down.

As Juan approaches, Kike is sitting outside looking bemused. Kike’s so happy to see a friendly face in this house. He gives Juan a high five. Juan’s face doesn’t look so friendly, though. He’d like to say the same to Kike, but he can’t. Nothing’s making him happy. Juan philosophizes about how bad life is. Kike empathizes; he’s utterly fed up with Yadira (estar hasta la coronilla (de) - to be utterly fed up (with), which actually looks like I’m up to the crown of my head). Juan thinks he should be happy. Kike is worried because this sounds like Juan’s heart is breaking again. Juan can only shake his head miserably.

Our questionable heroine rushes to answer the doorbell at home. GUESS WHO, folks?? Oh, you’re all so clever, of course you got it right! It’s CL for his usual visit to Paula to irritate her. That’s all she needed. He wants to know if they can talk. Well, of COURSE we can talk, she informs him with mild sarcasm, because she needs to explain to him. He wants to know why she committed such an insane act. Paula shakes her head disgustedly as we cut to commercial.

Amanda was right. CL’s always showing up in time for a break.

CL and Paula finally get away from the door and into the living room as she storms around accusing him of being high-handed, arrogant (prepotente). [Ya think?] She yells that he thinks she’s crazy because of her love for him. It’s not the case. He tells her she was bad off, depressed on his account, his indifference. He says he drove her to a decision that could have cost her life. She retorts that even if it was the case, what’s the difference between her being dead or alive? Everything, he responds! He couldn’t imagine losing her. That terrified him. That’s why he came. He’s canceling his trip to be with her. [Well, we did wonder how he was going to weasel out of the trip, didn’t we?] It’s not for pity, it’s for love. She yells at him and punctuates it by informing him she never intended to take her own life. What? It was a mistake! CL is impactado.

Kike invites Juan to go out for some good, cold beers (frías). Juan doesn’t think so. Yadi will get mad. What does Kike care? She left him during the honeymoon and spoiled it. He waxes eloquent about the lovely beach, etc. And he had to leave it all-why? So the little girl wouldn’t be angry. Now she’s just yelling and pounding, pounding, pounding him. Kike punctuates by pounding one hand on the other. It’s not worth it. Let’s go! Juan gives in, cheering up a little, muttering about it. As they walk off together, Yadi’s screech skids them to a halt and Kike looks up to see her hanging out the window. Juan turns his attention to catching invisible bugs along the hedge. Yadi wants to know donde the heck he thinks he’s going. To the street, can’t she see? He retorts sarcastically. Nope, sir, you’re not going out while I’m locked up here. Kike lets her have it with both barrels; he’s not going to spend his days letting her spoil everything with her bad treatment. Period. We see Juan’s face leaning over the flowers, as he holds his head like it’s aching and his face screws up in a grimace. Behind him the scene of Kike chewing Yadi out while she tries to chew him out unfolds….He calls to Juan to come along, and Yadi yells while Juan wishes her farewell. Yadi can’t believe he would defy her like this. She screams both their names.

Paula explains so CL won’t have any misconceptions that she was taking sedatives and drank when she shouldn’t have. He doesn’t believe her. They fuss and she looks like she’s caving a little when he gets on his knees, takes her chin in his hand, and tells her ever so sincerely how much he loves her. Hablablablablabla. He wants her back and begs her to tell him she will. It’s just that easy, a single word. She jumps up from the sofa—well, nope. You know why? Because I don’t believe a single word you’re saying. Why? You have the nerve to ask me that, she rejoins. She reminds him of all the lies. He tries to convince her and she won’t be convinced. She tells him it’s better if they’re not together; he disagrees, it’s not better for him. She reiterates that there’s no way this is going anywhere and he might as well go quietly off to Spain. He doesn’t believe her, but she says she doesn’t care, she doesn’t want to see him again. He wonders if she’s sure, and she responds that she is. CL says he won’t ask again. She doesn’t understand what this means; he’s never had to beg a woman. He wishes her luck and storms out while Paula cries.

Geez, Louise, what have we here?? Nidia is helping Anga out at the market? They’re doing some calculations. She tells him to hold on, she’s not a magician. She’s impressed with the money he earns and Anga tells her he’s grateful for it but it requires hard work first. Nidia’s also impressed with his drive. He points out that years before it wasn’t enough for her to stay with him rather than go with Samuel Cachón. She acknowledges she committed an error. He smiles at her lovingly.

Meanwhile, the husband whose territory is being horned in on by Anga and Fern is shuffling papers in the dungeon of Farell with his trusty sidekick, Gutis. Perafán wants to know if he doesn’t have anything to do in this life. Gutis looks up from the newspaper and says he has lots of free time on his hands now. Delirio makes a crack and Gutis tells him that Gutis is thinking of a solution for Delirio’s problem. Delirio may not believe it but Gutis has a wonderful idea. Delirio’s all ears. Well, they both need cash (efectivo) and Delirio needs some self-esteem because his is on the floor. Delirio needs someone to spy on his wife like a pro. Delirio doesn’t like it. Gutis says he needs some real proof that will help him get a divorce. Delirio REALLY doesn’t like it. Gutis works on him to see why he needs to be divorced and get some of that fortune he made sure Nidia got…..after all, he’s the offended spouse.

Speaking of the guys who are horning in on Delirio’s territory, Nidia and Anga are still talking about life. Anga wants to know about why she married that…..husband she has now. She says she was a blockhead and there were circumstances she didn’t anticipate. Anga wonders if she was afraid of ending up alone. Well, yes, Nidia tells him. She explains that she thought at this stage finding love would be impossible, and this would give her some company. That’s her sad story. He doesn’t understand because she’s always been strong and in charge of her life. She tries to shrug it off; she’s lived from mistake to mistake. He tells her not to talk like her life is over. He asks her why doesn’t she rid herself of this mess (mamarracho) and come to live with him?

Speaking of Nidia’s mess, Delirio tells Gutis he’s just not sure about this plan. When Nidia gets wind of it…..Gutis says it will just require good planning. Delirio tells him that in spite of everything, he actually adores this woman. Gutis thinks that’s the last straw. He thinks his proposal is the best Delirio can do.

Anga escorts Nidia through the store. Nidia tells him he’s crazy; she can’t separate like that. Anga wonders what’s stopping her. She lists the things: her house, her daughters….Alirio. Anga reminds her the girls are grown up, and she just has to explain to Alirio, he’ll understand eventually. Nidia doesn’t think so. Anga offers to tell him. That’s worse. Anga wonders what she’s afraid of—changing her life? Losing that man? Or making a mistake with me? She tells him he might not believe it but yes, she’s afraid of many things. She hedges, and Anga wants to know if her marriage is really bad or not. She tells him she just cannot, period.

Kike leads the way to some cold brewskis and taps the waiter on the shoulder to make his order [oh, they probably don’t have those in Mexico, do they? They just have cervezas and frías]. The boys find a table. Kike talks about his complaints about Yadira and Juan’s troubles with Paula. Juan tells Kike that nothing is going well for him. Juan thinks there’s no reason for him to be in this world and Kike hushes him; he can’t do what the Lic did. Juan tells Kike he meddled to the fourth degree, no, to the eighth. He explains what Paula had told him about not intending to kill herself—it was confused, and he was a blockhead and spilled the beans to CL. Kike thinks he needed to keep his mouth shut (when will he learn?) but Juan retorts that he did what he should because he’s a man in love. But Paula didn’t see it that way. She kicked him out of her house, her life.

Paula is crying as she talks to the teddy bear. Juan, why did you betray my trust? She jerks the bear and throws it to the floor in her bedroom. The phone rings and she ignores it, crying.

Nidia puts her hands on Anga’s shoulders and asks why he wants to complicate her life. Why can’t they live their relationship like this? They can enjoy without taking the risks. What? Anga wants to know if she just wants him as a lover. [Is it just me, or is Anga not exactly the picture of the telenovio?] She bites her lip and tells him “well, well, ….. yes.” He tells her that the problem is that’s not going to please him. She tells him he has to take it or leave it. He tells her he’s waited all his life for her and loved her. She tells him she doesn’t want to go fast, because of her history of bad experiences.

Marely’s found her way to the garage to ask Fern if Juan has returned. Fern tells her no, but the last time Fern saw him, Juan was in the doldrums (de capa caída). Marely says she imagines so. All Juan gets is insults…..he’s the most lovely man she’s ever known. Fern tells her that, or the most stupid. They say their goodbyes, but Fern tells her if she needs a friend to talk to, call him. She thanks him and gives him a hug.

Moni and Laura are talking about how ridiculous Paula is, playing the dramatic Juliet without CL’s Romeo. Moni is only worried that Paula and CL are birds of a feather and he’ll be moved by the drama. Laura tells Moni if CL has a lick of sense he’ll run from this crazy woman. Moni thinks his vanity will be totally flattered by this. They speculate on the Paula situation. Monica is worried that this woman will do whatever it takes to get her man. Laura points out that a suicide attempt demonstrates the bad stuff going on in the woman’s head. Laura asks if Moni would do something like that because of a man. Moni nibbles on fruit in a martini glass and looks shocked; of course she wouldn’t. No matter how enamored she was. She asks Laura the same question. No, Laura responds, how could you think that? Moni would love to know what’s up with CL at the moment. They dissect it some more and Moni says she thinks this is a really big gamble on Paula’s part. Laura shrugs.

The bell is ringing in CL’s dimmed apartment as CL downs his usual glass of booze. He thinks it’s Paula and rushes to the door. What do you know? It’s Ivonne. Surprise. He lets her in and rubs his forehead. What? You expected someone else? Ivonne wants to know. He’s already back in his seat as she finishes letting herself in and closing the door. She invites herself to join him in a drink and makes herself at home, coming over to sit on the arm of his chair, clinking his glass—“salud.” He looks irritated. Apparently, this doesn’t meet his criteria for getting lucky tonight.

Paula is still crying into her pillow when Ana arrives home. It’s dark outside the window, and Paula’s room is dim. Ana worries about her. What are these tears? Ana says she called and no one responded, so she was anxious. Paula replies that at least she was able to sleep. She’s realized no man is worth the trouble. Ana hugs her.

Kike tries to reason with Juan about his relationship with Paula as they drink their beer. Kike thinks he’s always been able to reconnect, but Juan says this is the end. He really hurts. [In the background, we see Kike’s mother-in-law being manhandled affectionately by Angarita; the boys must be in the market area restaurant or the telenovela rule about the world being a small place kicked in—that’s how it is, folks. In the D. F., which has millions of people, there are only a few restaurants and bars.] Kike tells Juan to look who just arrived. The boys are impactados as Anga lovingly caresses Nidia!

That maid who has no name and no regular hours serves Yadi’s dinner. She calls Yadi Srta., and Yadi corrects her. Alirio shows up for supper, as always. He wants to know if she knows anything about her Mami. Yadi pours lots of ketchup on her French fries, apparently that’s the extent of her dinner. “She’s not here.” “Yes, I can see she’s not here.” He wants to know donde the heck she is. They exchange veiled barbs, and Yadi tells him to ask Gladys. He wants to know why Gladys? Well, she left with Gladys, that’s why. Delirio wants to know if Yadi has Gladys’ telephone number? Nope. He’s frustrated. He sees the fries and wants to know if Nidia left food. Nope. So, what’s that you’re eating? She picks up the plate and shows him the fries. “With ketchup?” “No, with caramel.” She smirks at him a little and he laughs sarcastically at her put-down. She offers him some and he tells her not to bother. Oh, my, what a civil conversation. He’s going to find this Gladys’ phone number, to find out where the lady of the house is. Yadi pours on more ketchup and tells him that the two went off partying, and when they do that, they lose all track of time. Delirio gets disgusted and mumbles at her as he leaves. Yadi keeps munching with her eyes closed in rapture.

Nidia entertains Anga, who looks annoyed, Kike, and Juan. The world is funny. She explains to the boys about the Coincidences of the Day. She was getting a taxi and came upon Anga, who invited her for a beer. Kike looks skeptical. And she’s so glad they came on Kike and Juan, because she’s going to be late getting home and with the bad stories one hears about ladies out late….Hablablablablabla. Anga’s earlier loving looks have mutated to irritation. He tells Nidia he never thought to leave her alone. He would be delighted to accompany her home. Kike and Juan watch the interchange with interest. Anga grins widely at nailing Nidia with this offer of taking her home. She thanks the Sr. Calvo. Anga asks what’s up with this Sr. Calvo stuff? You spent the whole day calling me Angarita. He smiles some more. Nidia giggles, how funny! She looks at Juan to scope out his reaction. She makes a remark about how that sounds like many years they’ve known each other. He smiles and asks if that isn’t the case? She hedges and calls him Sr. Calvo again, giggling nervously, and telling him how funny it is. Anga gets serious and tells her that Juan and Kike aren’t fools, so drop the drama. She grits her teeth and mumbles through them to try to get him to shut up, “what are you saying?” He proceeds to tell the boys that the story about them meeting by chance is a lie, and they wanted to see each other, period. Nidia gives Anga her very best stink eye, but he’s immune. Kike smiles nervously; she’s nailed. Nidia looks toward Juan, maybe more worried about disillusioning him than her son-in-law. She smiles a little and grimaces.

Delirio is on the phone in the bedroom, holding a book in his other hand. He’s found Gladys, and she wants to know who is calling. He explains he’s Nidia’s husband and Gladys bolts up from the sofa. She regroups and asks how he is. He is fine, and by the way, is Nidia Estela there? Nope. Well, but you two left together, right? Gladys regroups and says they were, and what?? Hasn’t she arrived home? She just left a while ago. No, Delirio tells her, and he wants to know when Nidia left. She hedges and “can’t remember” but has something happened? Delirio tells her no, nothing’s happened, and not to worry. He tells her Nidia will be along any time, and he hears someone knocking, so it must be her now. He says his goodbyes and gets off the phone. Delirio throws the book and storms around the room, growling.

Ivonne and CL are watching the tele, still fully dressed, each occupying an opposite edge of the king-size bed. CL is lamenting that poor Paula denied it, but she wanted to die for him. Ivonne tells him it’s simple, the supposed suicide was a symbolic act. That was her way of definitively renouncing his love. He sarcastically asks if she couldn’t be a little more direct. They analyze the situation. CL doesn’t believe Paula could stop loving him. [Arrogant son of a buck.] He keeps analyzing and Ivonne basically tells him to shut it so she can watch her program. He doesn’t shut it; he says Paula looked so convincing. He mouths some words while Ivonne sighs with disgust.

Ana and Paula sit on Paula’s bed and Ana says she feels responsible. She didn’t explain to Juan that it was an accident. Paula doesn’t want her to feel guilty since she had begged Juan not to talk about the incident. She tells her mother that CL wants back with her out of pity, and he’s thinking she’s nuts (bad in the head). Ana reminds Paula what’s done is done. Paula won’t be comforted; she wants it all to be over with.

Ivonne and CL are still where we left them, watching the tele and talking. Ivonne asks if he knows that Monica wants her out of the company. CL wants to know who told her that. Ivonne tells him Pastor told her. CL actually makes eye contact—“really?” Yep, my days at Farell are numbered. Huy! She asks what he thinks. CL offers her no support—yep, Pastor is right, you better start looking. She tell him there are other plans. “Really?” “Yep, I’m going to live in Spain.” He smiles and tells her she surprises him more every day. She tells him they’ll go together and he tells her nope, he’s going alone. She’s staying. She gapes at him, totally irritated.

Marely is at her favorite window in her shorty jammies, checking for Juan’s return, as Yadi, in her shorty jammies, sneaks in and says “don’t tell me, you’re waiting for Juan.” She’s waiting for Kike and they’ll just see what time the boys return. If they do. Marely says they just got home and leaves the room, with Yadi trailing.

The boys and Nidia come in the door. “Home, sweet home,” she waxes eloquent. There’s no place like home. When one’s away from home all day, the only thing one wants to do is get home, right? [Who DOES she think she’s fooling?] They chat about the serenity in the place. Juan wishes her a good rest and kisses her cheek. Kike tries to excuse himself, too, and Nidia makes them wait. She says there’s something they need to discuss. The boys act like there isn’t an elephant in the hall. Kike says they should leave it for another day. Nope. She appreciates all their efforts that she won’t feel any worse, but she feels it and they will talk about it once and for all. The girls peek around the landing. Nidia drags the boys into the office to talk. The girls peek again as they disappear into the office. Nidia persuades the boys to sit. She gets to the point (al grano). She imagines they’d like an explanation of her presence in that place. In Anga’s company. Juan protests, it’s not necessary, it’s the most normal thing in the world. Right Kike? Right. Nidia starts again. It’s not normal for her. For her, it was shameful that the boys had seen her in a situation that was so …. Um…. Compromising. Juan assures her that her private life is hers. Right, Kike? Right. She interrupts again. But she feels the need to explain. They’re both family, after all. She tries to tell them that nothing happened between her and Anga. They share a look, and Juan raises one eyebrow at Kike, then they try to look like they believe her. She explains how she’s encountered him on more than one occasion and flirted. It really meant nothing to her, because her feelings weren’t involved. She asks if Juan will excuse her frankness. Juan and Kike share a skeptical look again. She explains she’s known their boss, Anga, for many years. [No kidding!] She tells them with him, everything is different. The boys share a slightly impactado look. Then she confesses that this is the love (man) of her life. We see the boys stand slowly in unison and hear their jaws hit the floor in harmony as they share a LOOK. She tells them how she lost him because of Samuel and the boys cross themselves, may he rest in peace. The girls have their ears glued to the door with a very strange look on Marely’s face. She asks Yadi what she hears. Yadi hears nothing. Marely thinks they ought to get out of there, it’s ugly to spy on Mami. Yadi wants to stay, and does, as Marely takes off to sleep.

Nidia wants to know if the boys understand. Yep, sure, Juan tells her and taps Kike so he’ll agree. She begs them not to tell the girls and much less Don Alirio de Perafán Rocha y etc. They won’t understand and it’ll just cause unnecessary suffering. Juan assures her there’s no worry, they are a pair of tombs. He taps Kike again for agreement. That’s what Nidia hoped for. She stands and the boys pop up respectfully. Nidia bids them good night and they dutifully bid her a good night, in unison. She grasps Juan’s muscled arm and sighs a little as she thanks them for their …. Um…. Understanding. She goes out, leaving Yadi to scramble out of sight.

Kike rubs his head and wonders aloud to Juan if Juan understood all she told them and does it mean that Alirio is getting cuckolded? Juan understood what she said, but he can’t believe that. Juan warns him not a single word to anyone and reminds him that he knows Kike tends to let his jaws flap. Kike looks sheepish and agrees to keep quiet—he zips his mouth shut. He “opens it up again” and says but he can’t believe it and with no less than Don Angarita—and zips his mouth again. Juan gives him an eyebrow raise. Kike unzips again and says “poor Don Alirio.” He’s got the title and all….Kike zips again. Juan muses that Don Anga is a well-established guy, too, right? Kike unzips again – “and he’s rolling in dough, right?” Juan laughs about Perafán. Kike zips again and gestures—he’s done.

Speaking of the King of Rome, he’s in his jammies and robe in bed waiting for his errant wife. He accosts her when she creaks the door open—“And where was the Sra., if one might know?” Nidia goes on the offensive—once again the same refrain. What if I went to the disco, or what? Every day with the questions. He wants to know where she was. She looks a little worried as she gives him her back and slinks off to the bathroom muttering “out there.” He yells again, asking about the disco. She tells him she was with Gladys, and don’t bother her. Alirio tells her how strange, it seems that Gladys has lost her memory. Nidia, on the other side of the bathroom door, looks really worried and asks why? He reports that he called Gladys at home and she said she wasn’t with Nidia. Nidia breathes out deeply and says nothing.

And we are reminded that any similarity to real life is pure coincidence.

Part 2 to come.

Vocabulary

Taradada – cretin, idiot
Organigrama – flow chart
Pasar por alto – get lost in the shuffle
Estar hasta la coronilla (de) - to be utterly fed up (with), which actually looks like I’m up to the crown of my head
Prepotente – high-handed, arrogant
Frías – cold beers
Efectivo – cash
Mamarracho – mess
De capa caída – in the doldrums
Al grano – to the point (to the grain)

Schoolmarm Jeanne

Labels: Juan

Hour #1 - repeat of episode that aired Nov. 2, 2007 (CAT FIGHT! DOG FIGHT! CAT/DOG FIGHT!)

Hour #2 - repeat of episode that aired Nov. 15, 2007 (when Rod and Gavi are away, Aaron becomes a menace)

of the plethora of Pasion promos, the one that really caught my attention was the one that announced Univision's christmas gift -- Pasion starting Dec. 4.

And since I didn't have to do any recaps, here are some ironic coincidences I have noticed about pirates:
1. Disney will be releasing Pirate of the Caribbean 3 on DVD on Dec. 4
2. Univision will start to air Pasion on Dec. 4.
3. During the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Sarah Brightman was aboard the float the Holly Jolly ship, with a pirate crew and she was wearing a costume that looked really similar to FC's pirate costume in Pasion.
4. And how funny is it that Univision's computer animated self-promo for Thanksgiving would be a flock of pilgrim turkeys on a ship that crash lands on Univision Plymouth Rock.


Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! :)

Labels: Destilando, Pasion

I think I lost count of the episode #'s at one point, so if I'm off let me know!

Leftovers: Mauricio promises to make Azul and Diego suffer and gives his best Jack-Nicholson-in-The-Shining smile. Arnaldo asks GSD to lie about his whereabouts the night before. Tavo comforts Lidia about Clemencia's impending death (since she can't go more than a day without somebody upsetting her). Silvana has started using Lidia's hairdresser. Oh, and Gloria embarrassed her at Top Model school. Mauricio comes over to visit the Morans.

Casa Moran: Mauricio says that as much as he hates coming over when Clemencia's sick and all, he's come to ask for her help.

Ceci's place: The camerapeople are having a grand old time filming with various objects getting into the frame, like poles or shutters, or window frames. I guess it's supposed to be artistic, but I just think it looks weird. Anyway, in this shot there's a pole in the middle of the screen, while on the left, Azul tells Diego they've got to cut their lovefest short since Arnaldo's coming over. Azul says she feels guilty for meeting Diego like this, but Diego reminds her of how Mauricio tangled them in his web. Then they smush faces and talk about how much they want each other.

Casa Moran: Mauricio cries about how his woman done him wrong. Clemencia says she tried to talk to both Diego and Azul, but they won't stop seeing each other. She says she doesn't know what Azul is playing at, but she must have been in on the kidnapping plot or she wouldn't have defended Diego to the police. Mauricio's so upset, Clemencia hugs him. I can't tell if he's genuinely upset or not. I know it's all part of his evil plan, but except for the "poor me" part, he seems genuinely upset. Oh, wait, then he smiles. Apparently this is all part of his plan, but I'm not sure how Clemencia's sympathy is going to help him.

Julio's Boutique and Love Nest: Ceci whines to Julio about her headache, stomachache, etc. Julio's all "yeah, you've got a bad hangover, so what?" He sends her home, though, and says it's the "last" time. Then he gripes her out for being this way on her first day of Top Model school. He tells her to really think about what she wants to do with her life. He looks like he's sewing up a piece of bright red lacy lingerie. I didn't know that was part of the Julio Corso fall collection.

Casa G&I&S: Isela comes home, shouting for Gloria and asking how it went at "their" daughter's first day at Top Model school. Well, Isela, little Silvana played well with others, but Mami Gloria talks too much and doesn't follow rules. Isela bumps into the chest of drawers, which knocks over Gloria's purse. The card from that morning's flower delivery falls out and as Isela's picking everything up and laughing that she knows the truth about Gloria's "secret admirer" Gloria walks in and gets defensive.

Casa Moran: Clemencia apologizes to Mauricio on Diego's behalf. Clemencia says her son's a good boy who wouldn't be doing all this if it wasn't for Azul. Wasn't this the woman talking about equal rights a few months ago, and now she's going to blame it all on the woman instead of acknowledging that perhaps her own son has made some bad decisions? Mauricio slips in the idea that Diego was working for Eva's criminal organization (which he allegedly heard from Azul). Clemencia gets really upset now. Mauricio says Diego and Azul are committing a crime with what they're doing to him and that they know he's got an incurable illness. Clemencia's surprised to hear this. Mauricio says that just that afternoon, Diego and Azul got together, even knowing he's a walking dead man. Clemencia continues to comfort him. They both cry and Clemencia says Mauricio shouldn't put up with this humiliation. Mauricio says he's doing it for his daughter, so she won't be without a mother again. He says Clemencia knows what one is capable of when it comes to one's children. He can't forgive Azul for telling his daughter she'd be a mother to her. Clemencia says the best thing would be for Azul not to be anyone's mother because she'd have to be downright evil to behave the way she's been behaving. She advises Mauricio to get Azul away from him the way she's going to get Diego away from her. Clemencia's having a hard time breathing and keeps clutching her chest. Mauricio apologizes for upsetting her, but he says he's got one more favor to ask.

Emilia's: While Caty plays over in a corner, GSD sits across from Emilia at her desk rejoicing in Arnaldo's apparent team-switching. Emilia tries to explain that he shouldn't be so happy--some gay men sleep with women for years, but it doesn't mean they're not gay. GSD is confused, but Emilia tells him to let Arnaldo live his life and quit paying so much attention to who he's sleeping with. For a smart guy, GSD's pretty stupid sometimes.

Outside Casa Moran: Silvana runs into Mauricio as he's leaving. He says Clemencia asked him to come over, but Silvana's not buying it and reminds Mauricio that Clemencia's not well. Mauricio says he doesn't owe Silvana any explanations and then leaves.

Casa Ceci: Arnaldo tells Azul he's made the worst mistake of his life. He fills her in on the events of the night before, saying that he can't remember anything and they had a lot to drink. He feels terrible, since he's not into girls, and he figures being drunk is the only way he could have been with one. Ceci walks in and they all look awkwardly at each other.

Casa Moran: Clemencia, Silvana, and Lidia are conferencing. Lidia's saying "I told you so," that she knew Azul was a gold-digger, who only wanted Mauricio for her "gastos" and Diego for her "gustos" (gastos=expenses; gustos=desires). Takes one to know one, eh? Clemencia's convinced Azul must have done something to turn Diego into a "titere" in her hands (a puppet). Silvana tells Clemencia not to be so hard on Diego, but don't worry, Clemencia's convinced it's all Azul's fault. Clemencia can't imagine how Diego ever got interested in Azul, since he had Silvana at his side. Silvana smiles smugly (say that 10 times). When we come back from commercials, Silvana encourages Clemencia to talk to Diego and find out his reasons for doing what he's doing. Clemencia brings up how horrible it is to do this to a dying man, which is news to Silvana.

Mauricio's office: Mauricio congratulates himself on getting Clemencia on his side. Andres doubts that even her tears will separate Diego from Azul, but that wasn't really Mauricio's plan. He was hoping the news would give Clemencia a heart attack and kill her. Unfortunately, Clemencia wasn't completely surprised, so her death may have to come on more slowly. He says Andres is responsible for phase 2 of his plan and starts giving him instructions. Oh, no, he's already a tialoving abuelokiller, let's not turn him into a mamikiller as well!

Casa E&G: Ivan's doing better. His guy in Prague came back to Mexico with an envelope of papers from Eva for Ivan. He's going to make Mauricio think he's leaving, but he's actually planning to stick around and keep an eye on Mauricio. Diego says they need to be careful because Azul is starting to find stuff out and he doesn't want her at risk. Part of the info the guy from Prague brought back includes a letter for Diego and instructions on where/how to get the money Eva had been saving up for them. Diego won't take it, though. Ivan reminds him of all the money he owes. But Diego doesn't want to piss off Azul by accepting it. Efrain tells Ivan that Diego's like that--he won't even take the half of the boutique, he's only accepting a regular salary. Diego says when he's earned it, he'll take it, but not before. He says he sent the other money to the orphanage where Eva and Ivan grew up, since that was the closest thing Eva had to family. Ivan looks at him like he's an idiot. I was waiting for him to say that Eva's story about growing up in an orphanage was a complete lie, but he didn't.

Casa Ceci: Arnaldo and Ceci are fighting about whose fault it is. Azul plays mediator and says it's both their fault and the world's not going to end over it. Then they fight about whether or not Arnaldo wanted it and Azul tells them to shut up again. She says they've got to remember what happened and tries to leave so they can talk it out, but Arnaldo says he doesn't want to be left alone with Ceci. Then they start bickering about which one of them had the worse time.

Casa Moran: Clemencia's rocking a turquoise robe and nightie (see, someone around here knows about fashionable sleepwear). Unfortunately, I don't know that it's appropriate attire when you've summoned your son in to reprimand him. Diego comes in, completely unaware of how pissed off Clemencia is, and her response to him asking how she's doing is to slap him across the face. She says she doesn't recognize him as her son and if he keeps seeing Azul, she doesn't want to see him again.

Mauricio's office: Jacinto calls Mauricio to tell him Azul is on her way. Mauricio starts yelling, for Azul's benefit, that Andres can't imagine how he felt when Clemencia called him over to tell him that Azul's cheating on him with Diego. Azul overhears, just like she was supposed to and stands out in the hallway, breathing hard. Back from commercial, Azul further overhears that Mauricio told Clemencia that he trusts Azul and she would never do something like that to him. Azul keeps standing there, looking around and not doing anything.

Casa Moran: Clemencia's said all she has to say. Diego's cell phone starts ringing, but he says it's more important for him to talk to her. He says he can't choose between his mom and the woman he loves. Clemencia says she's not going to talk this over with a stranger, and that's what he's become to her. Her Diego would never have done this to her. The cell phone keeps ringing.

Mauricio's office: Azul's standing there, begging Diego to answer. She starts to leave him a message saying that Mauricio already knows they saw each other and right then, Mauricio comes up behind her and grabs her arm. He yells at her about calling her lover already after she'd just seen him a few hours ago and drags her into his office. He tells Andres to get out.

Casa Ceci: Ceci lies in bed with an ice pack on her head while Arnaldo paces and tries to remember what happened. He remembers Ceci offering him a cocktail she called a "Chiquitibomba Cecilia". Cecilia is astounded that she made him one. She says the Chiqitibomba is her personal aphrodisiac and she only makes it when she wants to seduce someone. Arnaldo says she's got no scruples and she planned this seduction! Ceci says she was just drunk or she never would have used her best weapon on him. Arnaldo calls her a damned witch and Ceci agrees…her potions work even against the odds! Arnaldo pushes her to remember what happened after the Chiqitibomba, but with her headache and Arnaldo yelling at her, she can't and lies back down with the ice pack. Okay, mixologists, what would be in a Chiqitibomba? I tried a Google search for a literal translation of the word, but found nothing. I'm fighting the temptation to change all my screen names to Chiquitibomba. Go on, say it out loud, it's fun.

Casa Moran: Clemencia says she never would have gotten involved in Diego and Azul's relationship, but she found out that Mauricio's dying. Diego sits her down and asks how she found out. Clemencia can't believe Diego already knew. She mentions Mauricio and Diego's pissed that Mauricio talked to Clemencia. He starts to say it's not what she thinks, but she cuts him off and points out that neither Diego nor Azul seems to have any problem doing this to a dying man. Diego says Mauricio is dying, but first he's going to pay for everything he's done.

Mauricio's office: Mauricio yells at Azul about how he wishes he'd never found this out from Clemencia and asks how Azul could do this to him. Azul swears she didn't want to hurt him, but there were circumstances. He keeps yelling "Why?" and Caty wanders in and gets between them. Azul has to tell him to stop because Caty's there and she's getting upset. Caty's crying and she tells Mauricio to leave Azul alone and then (I think) tells him she doesn't want him to come back.

Casa Moran: Diego tells Clemencia that Mauricio's done a lot of bad things and he has to pay. Clemencia says even if he has, it's not Diego's place to make him pay. Diego says it is his place because of all the principles Clemencia taught him. Clemencia wants Diego to tell her once and for all, what it is Mauricio's done and what proof he has. Diego says he can't tell her anything right now or he'd be putting her at risk. Clemencia says that in that case, she can't believe him, and if he wants to keep carrying on with Azul, she doesn't want to see him again. Her principles tell her that what he's doing is bad and she can't support him. She thought Diego was setting an example even she could follow, but then he disappointed her. Diego says if she doesn't want to see him again, then he'll go away. Oh just flippin' tell her already! Enough with the manufactured drama!

Casa Ceci: Ceci still can't remember anything. Arnaldo says if she ever does remember, she should call him and tell him. Arnaldo says they can't hang out anymore since he doesn't think they can look each other in the eyes again. Ceci reminds him that they're friends, but Arnaldo says they "were" friends, because after what happened…. There's some more talk about how they didn't think and that even though it wasn't a big deal for Ceci, it was for Arnaldo, then he leaves and Ceci runs after him, a glycerin tear of pure dolor running down one cheek. Awwwwwwww.

Casa Moran: Lidia wonders what's going on. Diego tells her that Clemencia doesn't want to see him again because of what Mauricio told her. Lidia starts to take Clemencia's side, but Diego tells her when the truth comes out, they'll all understand. Lidia says in the meantime, what's going to happen to Clemencia? Diego asks her to look after Clemencia and if anything happens, to call him. Lidia cries on Diego's shoulder.

Casa Ceci: Arnaldo's standing by the front door as Ceci asks him again not to leave. As he opens the door, Andres walks in and asks what Arnaldo's doing there at that hour. Arnaldo says he was just leaving. Andres demands an explanation from Ceci.

Mansión Malicia, Caty's bedroom: Caty tells Azul she doesn't want her to die like her other Mami did. She keeps saying it over and over again as Azul tries to console her. Maurico, rather roughly, tells her to stop saying that. Chonita escorts a doctor in and he asks to speak to Caty alone. Azul and Mauricio leave the room as Caty keeps droning on about how she doesn't want Azul to die. Was this all part of Mauricio's plan? Cause if it is, he's way more heartless than I'd previously given him credit for.

Casa Ceci: Andres is grumpy because Ceci had Arnaldo over even though she keeps saying she feels bad. Ceci's like, "you can't be jealous of Arnaldo!" He says he knows Arnaldo's gay and nothing is going to happen between them. Ceci hides under her ice pack.

Casa Moran: Lidia tries to calm Clemencia down, but she's weeping over Diego. She says she's lost her son, and all because of Azul.

MM v 2.0: Mauricio blames Azul for Caty being upset and Azul says it was his fault. She insists that she hasn't slept with Diego, but says she's sorry she hurt him. He keeps holding it over her head that he "loves" her and look how he gets repaid. Blah, blah, blah, the wedding, the lack of sex, Mauricio's impending death, etc. Azul finally says this isn't going to work out. They've got to think of Caty and if she stays in the house, it's only for Caty's sake. Mauricio tells her not to make that sacrifice and to leave. Oh, but before she goes, she should know that she's got the same fatal illness! Azul tries and fails to look properly surprised or concerned. She mostly looks confused.

Tomorrow: Mauricio tells GSD that Azul knows she's sick. Clemencia either passes out again or dies. Mauricio taunts Azul some more about her impending doom. Diego declares his undying love for Azul to GSD, who isn't interested.

Labels: amar

Recap more complete now, thanks for your patience. I'm out of town with no access to Univision, but thankfully access to the net. Caray Caray is my only novela source until December, thank heavens I'll be back in time to catch the pirates!!! Muchas Gracias a Maricruz who will be filling in for me next Wednesday the 28th so look for her fine work! Enjoy!!!

Happy Turkey Day! Wish I could stuff that Cesar Luis!!!!!!


Cl shows up with flowers and tells her the whole office is worried about her. Pau tells him to bug off she's fine with Ma and Juan. He finally leaves when Ana tells him she's in no condition to take visitors. Pau says she's fine and that guy won't hurt her any more then she hauls off and smacks the you know what out of the roses he gives her trashing the poor little innocent flowers. I never see what good that does. It's maybe a stress reliever, but I think she should do it to him, instead!!!

Moni is talking with Laura telling of her fear that CL's travel to Spain is just another trick, and if Pau falls for it that he'll change his mind. She says she is going to have to bring CL to the point of no return on all this, so he'll have to go.

Juan shows up at Casa Davila with food and according to Ana enough of it to fill all the pinatas for the next seven posadas and some ingredients to make an Achichipico breakfast delight .

Ana goes to the office and Juan asks how Pau's been feeling. Pau says better thanks to him. She asks how things are going at the office and he says the boss wanted to speak with him about her, and that he watch after her while he's gone to Spain, because if he can't make her happy then Juan should. She wonders what he's up to with this. Juan thinks he seemed sincere this time and that he had his heart in his hands. Pau says she doesn't now care about him, if he goes to Spain, Patagonia or the Belgian Congo, she's a different woman now. Juan doesn't buy that she's changed her feelings that fast. he thinks she's talking because she's resentful, she agrees but says she's tired of all this and she is going to take advantage of him being gone from this country. Juan thinks that this is about her happiness and she may be forgoing the opportunity to be with the man who really loves her, she should be sure that she's doing the right thing because he doesn't want to see her hurt anymore, and she wonders if CL sent Juan to convince her, he says it's his idea, and she thinks she's doing the right thing.

Alirio complains to Mar and Yadi that he works like a burro all day and comes home to find his wife gone without any idea where she is as if this is a hotel.

Juan and Pau play cards and he gets a flor corrida (flush all in one suit)She asks about how his school is going and he decides to be honest with her, that he was suspended for missing too many classes. She tells him that's really bad. He tells himself that he couldn't tell her that was in part because he was caring for her and doing things for her so he’ll just take this ribbing about missing school because he his happy that Pau has taken an interest in him and what is happening with him and her words are balm for his wounded and beat up breast.

Kike calls Angaritas office and finds out that he’s not there having left with a well perfumed, and made up woman. It dawns on him it’s Yadi’s Ma! Yadi is worried about what they are going to do about Alirio.


Juan is serving his achichipico rice, they ask what's in it, and he tells them vegetables, cactus, secret ingredients and meat of the chichicuilote (I think that is a some kind of a small sea bird - not a usual edible ingredient)


Alirio and everyone except Nidia and Juan are eating dinner and he is still complaining and wondering what the two girls have against him. Marely tells him Juan is with Pau not her Mom. Yadi tells him she's had it up to her neck with him he's a pain in the neck (higado).

Cl & Ivy lie on the floor in that love nest. Ivy tells Cl she knows CL doesn't love her, but she tolerates him and tells him she should go with him that she would make the best companion because she's not going to watch out for him like his other women. CL tells Ivy that she is right and would maybe make a better traveling companion. Ivy thinks they should go together.

Alirio is confiding in Marely he just doesn't know what to say or not to say to keep the relationship good with his wife. I almost feel sorry for him. He says he loves her so much and breathes for her and doesn't understand why she does this. Marely almost feels sorry for him to and she is weeping. She tells him that her Mom has her own way of caring about people and that she is sure he has a small corner in her heart.

Juan & Ana are doing dishes. Ana tells him to quit. she'll do so he can watch the movie with Pau and maybe she'll realize what a man who really cares about her is like. Best thing I've heard Ana say since she stuck it to her daughter before the suicide attempt.


Nid shows up with Ang and stops her some distance from her house because she doesn’t want anyone to see them arrive together. She said her kids and Alirio must be fuming by now. She said she had a great time, as did he and he wishes that she wouldn’t go in. She thanks him for the excellent time that they spent together and he was glad they got to reminisce about old times. Nidia comes in seductively to the bedroom and Alirio ignores her. She jokes he's punishing her with his whip of despise. She confesses that she was with an old love that she's found again and they were eating and toasting and she does ones of her famous breast rubs. Alirio tells her to stop being so funny and tell him the real truth about where she was. She says fine if you don't believe me there is nothing else to say.

Pau falls asleep watching the movie with Juan, he covers her and leaves. Juan thought bubbles that this was a perfect day but still something is bugging him and he thinks she has been completely honest with him and hasn't told him everything she feels. This is making more noise than a Manada de changas in his head, but he says he still has to look after her though because it's a question of ethics.

Ana leaves telling Pau not to go to work.

Nid asks the girls at breakfast the next day what's wrong, does she have Monkeys on her face? Marely still wants to know where she was. The two are upset that she left early without telling anyone where she went and came home so late. Nid says look if I want to disappear for a week or a month is of no concern to anybody. I can do what I want so leave me alone, because neither of you should care what happens to me.

At CL's place the doorbell rings and Cl thinks it's Fer, but it's actually Juan. Ivy goes to take a shower. Juan tells Cl that Pau really didn't have stomach problems etc., she tried to take her own life. CL and Ivonne listening from the bedroom are impactados.

Cl wants to know what he's talking about. Juan tells her that she did it for love of him. He tells CL that they love each other and everything is not lost. CL can't go to Spain and needs to give this one more chance. Ivonne is listening in and shaking her head, obviously angry because she doesn't want Pau to have another chance. CL is still in disbelief and wonders why Juan is saying this. He says it's because he loves her so much that she deserves to be happy even with CL. CL thanks Juan.

Yadi wakes up Kike and is upset that he isn't helping her out in this situation. He is upset that because of her he is without the beach, and the ocean etc. the least he can do on his honeymoon is be allowed to sleep. She doesn't relent.

Out front of CL, Fer is waiting for him and sees Juan coming out all upset. He says he's de-boned his fish. Fer is concerned. Juan says that from here on out the big boss will have his happiness. Juan says he left half his life upstairs.

Ivonne tells CL this is all a big trick and that he shouldn't fall for this charade. CL tells her that if she's says anything she is going to regret it. She on the other hand tells him he's very sexy when he makes those kinds of warnings. BLECH!!!!! He tells her to be careful because she knows better than anyone how he is when he loses control.

Moni tells Pastor that Ivonne has to go and there are no compromises so fire her. Pastor tries very hard to talk her out of it, but she will not budge, she wants her out and she's giving an order.


Juan prays to Santo Nino again and says he feels he understands now what sacrifice really means and he feels closer to the saint because of this because that's what he did, sacrifice for love of someone else. He feels like he did the right thing releasing the woman that he loves with all of his soul to be free to be with another. He begs for help standing this pain and suffering, though.

Pau grabs the teddy Juan gave her and hugs it.

Airio is telling Guti how upset he is about what is happening in his house. He tells of her dissappearance and swears to Guti he will figure out what his wife is up to and if she is seeing someone. He says Guti, huis wife, and the whole world will learn who is Alirio Perafan Rocha de Francisco.

Kike shows up at the market to see Anga. He is surprised to see him as he thought he was on his honeymoon and wonders what happened. Kike tells him well, my wife didn't enjoy the heat, and let's just drop that subject. Kike sneaks in how did it go at my wedding, and well, with Nidia? Anga gets upset and says his private life is something no one messes with, that he doesn't like nosy, gossipy people.

Nid is in her office with an old friend who wonders how Anga ended up at her wedding. Nid explains the circumstances and how small the world is.

CL asks Marely about Paula's health in a very strange manner. I can't figure out why she does this, but she calls Pau and tells her this. Pau is of course curious.

Ivonne tells Pastor she has the gossip of the century, he thought they were playing hide and seek because she closed the blinds. He jokes that it must be that she bought the blue shoes she saw yesterday. No, she tells him the goods on Pau, and he congratulates himself for being right about her and the way to treat her. But then, he tells her the bads from Moni, and that CL is playing her again because it was his idea for CL to fake going to Spain. He's not really going, and she ain't going with him.
Cl and Moni are chatting. She tells him she wants him out of the presidency soon because she wants to get started on some projects. He refuses to give her a precise date. She doesn't understand why he is waiting so long when before he told her he was dying to get to Spain.

Moni shows up to ask Pastor something and Ivonne excuses herself, but we don't learn what she has in store for him.

Juan shows up with some pan dulces and asks her how her day went. She says she’s feeling good. She asks if he’s seen CL. Juan tells her and he didn’t do this just to let them be free to do what they want, he did it for love. He told CL the truth about her suicide attempt because of CL. Pau is impactada of course.

Labels: Juan

When I was a kid my mother terrified me with a Victorian children's book called "Water Babies." In this horrid story frail, tiny, young, undernourished, tuberculosis-wracked chimney sweeps in London die and are reincarnated underwater. This underwater world of dead children is managed by a sweet, nice fairy called "Mrs. Do-As-You-Would-Be-Done-By" and a scary, mean one called "Mrs. Be-Done-By-As-You-Did." This recap is dedicated to the latter.

By the way, my daughter is here for only one day and this recap is sketchy due to extreme desire to be playing with her. Happy Turkey Day, all...

• Isa realizes that her dear Frankie has stuffed all her dough - except for a few shekels of milk money for Rickie - and all his fancy clothes and shoes and handkerchiefs into her car and has split for good.
  
  She calls her mom, who, with Rickie Sr. happily playing golf in the background, tells Isa "This is all your own fault, take care of it yourself."
  
  She visits Minerva, who is very snippy and says "You should never have come to my house. How did you dare do this? I introduced you to Rodrigo, you just wanted to marry into the Montalvo family to get your clutches on their dough, then you run off with your brother-in-law!"
  
  Isa: "I thought of you as my sister! But it was YOU who used ME - to keep Rodrigo from the real threat, Gaviota. You saw he didn't love me! It's not my fault! Francisco was an accident." Minerva complacently points out she never strayed even when Aaron did. Then she yells: "You won't spend even one night under this roof! I wouldn't trust you with my husband!"
  
  Aaron arrives. Minerva announces that Isa is just leaving. Aaron: "I hope you've changed the last name of that little bastard." Isa: "I was one of the many women Aaron has held in his arms - he didn't tell you? He seduced me. Do you dare deny it, Aaron?"
  
  She leaves and Minerva refuses to hear Aaron's stringy excuses. "Have you forgotten the condition I imposed when I came back to you? That if you ever strayed again, I would leave you? You will never see your son."
  
  Isa then calls her lawyer and reams him out again about money. He says she hasn't been paying her bills. She says the bills are unreasonable. He fires her as a client and hangs up on her, she calls him an old rat and wonders what to do next.
  
  Penniless, she is sneaking out of the hotel in the service elevator when who should enter but Jose, grannie of BigHeadBaby!! She frostily informs Isa she's in the service elevator. Isa tearily whines: "I'm penniless, my jackass of a husband abandoned me, please don't rat me out."
  
  
• Rod makes an incoherent confession and exonerates the honorable and innocent Mariana Franco. He lies a lot despite warnings that if he's found to be lying, he'll be in worse trouble. He says "I had one and only one accomplice, he was in on everything, his name is Lorenzo Oñate." He later tells Videgaray: "I'm sure Oñate is key to this whole business, and I wanted to be sure I'd see him."
  
  Rod is taken to jail where he takes off his shoes and tie and looks quite fetching with his shirt unbuttoned. He sits on the floor in his cell and glowers.
  
  (Am I understanding that there was ten times as much tequila when the shipments got where they were going? Aaron was diluting it 1:10? Nobody noticed?)
  
  
• Clarita and her giant box of saints and her furious daughter make a brief appearance, Clarita complaining that the airplane hasn't come yet and Gaviota explaining federal regulations require them to be at the airport three hours early. Was this a public service announcement (so we in the audience will not miss our flights) or is somebody going to arrive with an important message?
  
  
• Frankie's shirt is as unbuttoned as Rod's, but he is seemingly much better off than Rod, being on his way to a luxury jaunt with Priscilla. Neither has a functioning credit card - they tell each other lies - Frankie pays the hotel bill in cash. Priscilla tells a friend on the phone that her husband has cut her off and she's penniless.
  
  In the car, they are smooching away, eyes on the prize - thinking the "shmaltz-grub" (Yiddish for "pot of gold," literally "pit of chicken fat") has arrived... Priscilla praises him for making stupendous time. "This is just proof," he boasts, "that Francisco de la Vega always does as he promises."
  
  Frankie notices two tractor-trailers side-by-side coming, at warp speed, towards him and his fellow con artist in the sporty little car stolen from Isa. He is impactado - figuratively for now, actual impact will hopefully follow shortly.
  
  
• Aaron is exhilarated in a coked-up way, he's suspicious that Rod has taken the blame but is willing to run with it. He thinks all the Corporation's problems will now be resolved and the freeze on their accounts lifted, but there is an ongoing investigation. He boasts that Oñate has created for him an impeccable paper trail.
  
  Patricio is furious that his girlfriend Lluvia has gotten a subpoena. She's terrified. He promises no harm will come to her.
  
  However, he watches wordlessly as Aaron struts and boasts and blames Rod for everything. Daniela enters and tells Bruno "Your son is so cold-blooded and you won't hear a word against him. You, Patricio, you're not cold-blooded but you're weak. By the way, Aaron, Rod has a message for you: if any harm comes to Gaviota, he'll retract his confession." Aaron gloats that he doesn't need to lift a finger against Gaviota, CRT will do the punishing. Daniela clarifies: that would constitute harm and would trip the retraction.
  
  Daniela leaves. Patricio asks how long Aaron plans to keep this up, and complains that Lluvia is implicated. Aaron says if they move fast they can get it all sewed up, and Rod safely put away, before his team can move against them. Patricio asks: "Have you not wondered how CRT found out about these irregularities?"
  
  Cut to Pammie, not looking so healthy, thoughtbubbling: "Aaron wasn't sure what his feelings for me were. But I am sure of my feelings for him: great love and infinate hate."
  
  Realizing that Margarita plays for the other team, Aaron fires her. In the hallway Videgaray whispers to her that she is Rod's only hope (in terms of getting proof of Aaron's evildoing).
  
  
• Pilar, who has been handed a bunch of bull about the whole situation, hears from Av* that Rodrigo has confessed. She asks if she can come see Av* in the morning. "Yes, but don't bring Aaron or Bruno." Elvis is very sweet to her.
  
  She calls Bruno and insists that he and Aaron come speak to her immediately. Aaron says he's too busy to go but Bruno won't let him weasel out of it.
  
  
• Back in the agave fields, everybody is scattering white stuff around, even San Juana, her baby is going to be born with two heads if she doesn't watch out. Aaron has made some demand about agaves which horrifies James. Sofia tells James about Rod going to jail. He is further horrified. They have a chaste hug.

Labels: Destilando

We start this episode with a few scenes from yesterday, the most interesting one being
ARNALDO and CECI!? Took me by surprise, almost as much as it did them when they woke up next to each other.

After their initial shock, Ceci asked Arnaldo "What did you do to me?" Arny logically responds "What did YOU do to ME because we both know it was probably you who provoked it!" Although neither seem to remember. The doorbell's insistently ringing which makes Arny get out of bed, pulling the sheet with him. Ceci shrieks in horror that he might see her nekkid but Arny figures it's too late for her to be modest. He yells for whoever is at the door that he's on his way at which time Ceci remembers that Andres is coming over this morning. Uh-oh.

Gloria, Silvana and Isela are having breakfast and discussing Silvana's great opportunity. Silvana is grateful to Isela for letting her leave her job at the IHOP while Gloria extols her own virtues as the perfect mother to help Silvana in her career as a model. The doorbell rings and a huge flower arrangement shows up. Gloria takes the flowers, stiffs the delivery boy and raves about how beautiful and expensive the flowers are. Of course, she opens the card and - surprise, surprise - they are for her. As Isela says, what a coincidence...Gloria claims they are from her secret admirer.

At Casa Moran, Diego, Lidia and Clemi are having breakfast. They are discussing Clemi's job and her health. Clemi likes working, Lidia says Manuel wants her to quit and Diego gives his permission that she keep working as long as she takes care of herself too. Manuel comes in from outside where he was trying to get the car running. Diego offers his car to his father but Manuel seems to think that a man of his importance should have a better car. Diego says he could take public transportation at which point Manuel accepts Diego's offer. Lidia makes a joke which I think was Well, call a tow truck when it catches on fire.

Ceci has finally answered the door but it is Julio, not Andres. Julio is looking for Arny because he didn't come home last night. Ceci is spinning lies left and right, trying to get rid of Julio. She gets him out the door and Arny comes out. Arny and Ceci agree to not say anything for their mutual benefit.

Katy and Mo come into the bedroom where Azul is sleeping alone. Azul talks about Katy's Mami Liliana, saying it is better for Katy to remember her. Mo reluctantly agrees but looks severely pissed.

Arny goes to Tia Ines. Ines tells him that Julio was already there looking for him. When Ines asks why, Arny says he was unfaithful to Julio. Ines can't believe it and her disbelief increases when he tells her that, worse yet, he was with a WOMAN!

Azul and Katy arrive at Emilia's for their joint counseling session which starts with Emilia telling Azul that she made up with GSD. Happy smiles all around.

A very austere woman is teaching the modelling class with Silvana and Ceci in attendance, along with a couple other hopefuls. Who should be pacing in the back of the room but GLORIA! The teacher is talking about things a model should avoid - smoking, drinking, and bad posture, which makes Ceci sit up a little straighter from her bored, slumped in the chair, tomboy position. Silvana's status as prize student is emphasized by Gloria's clapping and giggling happily in the back. The teacher talks about how a model should walk, which excites Gloria so much that she has to strut in front of the class, demonstrating. When two volunteers are called, guess who are picked - Ceci (sleeping beauty) and Silvana (which causes Gloria to go into a fit of clapping glee). The teacher holds up Ceci as a prime example of what not to do. Bad posture, bags under her , not enough sleep, too much drinking! She is sent to get some rest and come back tomorrow when she's ready to learn. Silvana is told to walk so that the whole class can appreciate her walking. This sends Gloria into fits of ecstasy. Ceci hangs out in the back of the room.

Gustavo arrives at Casa Moran to talk to Diego. Lidia thinks he's there for her but he talks to Diego about the cars while Lidia looks coy. He meets Clemi.

Manuel is driving Piero to work in Diego's beat up car. Piero is a little embarrassed but Manuel thinks it's better than walking. They talk about Mo and Manuel tries to convince Piero to pad the books a bit and squeeze a little more money out of Mo.

Gustavo and Diego talk more cars and Lidia volunteers a plan to keep Gustavo around a little while longer.

Julio is telling Ceci not to waste his money on the modeling course. Arny walks in and Ceci gets a really guilty look on her face. Julio kicks Ceci out so he can talk to Arny alone. Julio takes Arny to the back room.

Gustavo has taken the Clemi and Lidia to the doctor's office, brought food, and has otherwise ingratiated himself with the women. Clemi gets a thoughtful look on her face and says he reminds her of Paco.

Diego arrives at Azul and Ceci's apartment and he and Azul play kissy kissy until Azul feels guilty again and backs off. Azul tells Diego that Katy found Paco's driver's license in the garden at Mo's old house.

GSD goes to Ines' house at her summons but is annoyed. Ines quickly shuts him up by saying "Last night Arnaldo slept with a woman." No need to beat around the bush Ines. GSD looks impactado. I would have expected him to look happy.

Julio demands to know who Arny spent the night with. Arny says he was with his father.

Meanwhile GSD can't understand what Ines just said. Finally it sinks in and then he looks happy. Almost dances a jig, hugs Ines, all smiles. GSD wants to know who is this wonderful woman who is setting his son on the path to normalcy.

Ceci is eavesdropping on Julio and Arny when Gaspar catches her. She doesn't seem to hear anything. Gaspar knows. Meanwhile Arny is spinning it to Julio as best he can. Julio's not buying it. Finally he comes around but wants to verify it with GSD.

GSD leaves Ines but wants her to find out who the girl is. Ines sees it as a reason to see GSD on a regular basis, as his spy. GSD thinks he will be the happiest man in the world if his son were only normal. (Don't mind that deathly virus your daughter has, fix the gay son!)

Azul and Diego are talking and kissing at the same time. One would think that talking about the murder of your best friend and other people disappearing would kill the mood.

Jacinto calls Mo and tells him Azul went to her apartment and Diego showed up a couple minutes later.Mo jumps up in rage and the music plays... After the commercial, Mo has his usual fit of rage, throws things, pounds things, swears, etc. Meanwhile, Diego and Azul are trying to list all the things Mo has done and Azul finally believes him. More kissy kissy.

Ceci is baring her soul to Gaspar, saying her and Arny woke up together but don't remember anything. Gaspar doesn't like women who have to try and change gay men and not accept them like they are. Julio and Arny make up and come out of the closet - literally. Julio continues the boutique business as if nothing happened. Ceci asks Arny how he could he just go back to Julio after the night they had. He asks if she remembers but she says no, but it must have been great. Arny is not amused.

Mo is still having a major temper tantrum. Andres comes in to try and calm him. Meanwhile Azul and Diego are still kissing at the apartment while Mona Lisa looks on. (I hadn't noticed that before) Diego says he won't let her go back to Mo. They argue, while kissing, and Azul says she has to go back for truth's sake.

Mo's still beating the walls. Andres is still trying to calm him. Mo swears vengeance on them both. Now Andres is encouraging him. Mo calls Piero to ask if Diego's parents still live in the same house. Ominous music.

Arny arrives at GSD's and receives the welcome of the prodigal son. GSD happily agrees to be Arny's alibi, but Arny doesn't know that his father knows he slept with a woman. But I would think he would be suspicious since GSD is acting like he has just won the lottery.

Gustavo takes Clemi and Lidia home. Lidia has talked to the doctor and he has told her that her mother is very sick. Lidia cries on Gustavo's shoulder.

Gloria walks Silvana home from class. Silvana is embarrassed and Gloria is spewing more advice. Silvana says she has to go visit Clemi.

Lidia opens her mother's door to ask if she's awake and then escorts Mo into the room to see her.

Until next episode...

Labels: amar

Whoa! Looks like I had a lot of facts wrong when I originally wrote this. This is what I get for passing on something I've heard without confirming it myself. I've added some corrections below in red. Here's more about piñatas. Here's more about agaves. Here's more about bromeliads, which are only distantly related to agaves even though both their fruits are called piñas. And here's more about anvils.

The word "piñata" refers to Italian pine-nuts and is also related to the word "piña," which refers to pineapples like you get from Hawaii, as well as the fruit of any type of bromeliad, as well as the agave. Just as a piñata is filled with candy, a piña is filled with juice.

A couple of years ago, I went to a birthday party for my nephew; I heard there was going to be a piñata. I was surprised to see Spongebob hanging from the ceiling with strings coming out of his square pants.

Today's kinder, gentler piñata technology lets each kid pick a string and pull, rather than swing a baseball bat around while blindfolded and hopped up on sugar. One of the strings opens the piñata, and then candy rains out of Spongebob's bottom.

The world's biggest piñata has been drizzling little anvils for weeks, but the heaviest anvils are still trapped inside, waiting for some poor sucker to pull the one string that rules them all.

Who will be the lucky string-yanker?
And what noise will he make when he is crushed?

Nestor Videgaray, Pilar, and Dani talk about Rod moving to England. Nestor predicts that Rod will come back periodically to take care of things. Pilar talks about Rod's problems (the few she knows about) and says it's a good thing he has the woman he loves at his side - she will infuse him with the strength to solve all of his problems.

Dani and Nestor exchange such obviously pained looks that Pilar becomes alarmed. They quickly assure her that she's right and everything will be fine. She is too tired to push it.

Meanwhile, Gavi finishes a conversation with Rodrigo and updates her mother:
Gavi to Mom: Rod's still at his Granny's and the big family dinner is canceled.
Clarita: ¿Como así? (ha-ha, that never gets old, does it?)
Gavi: He'll take us out afterwards.
Clarita: Yay! Love is great!

Rod shuffles into Pilar's living room looking like the living dead and tells Pilar he's going to take Gavi and Clarita out for dinner. He suggests that Pilar go to bed. She agrees, but first asks Dani to help her fix up Rodrigo's room. (I wondered where Imelda was, but realized that they probably have to let her sleep once in a while.)

Nestor wants to leave too, to prepare for tomorrow. But first, Rod wants to figure out what they can do for Gaviota. Nestor says there's nothing to figure out - she'll have to appear at the hearing tomorrow. They need to face Aaron's accusations. He warns that until Rod and Gavi clear their names, they might be "detained" and probably won't be allowed to leave the country.

Rodrigo hates putting Gavi in this situation, but Nestor thinks she'll understand that they're victims of circumstance. As for the idea of putting Gavi on that plane, she'll lose her job if the CRT thinks she's trying to flee from justice. That will only make things worse.

Rodrigo very rashly decides that the absolute only way to solve this problem is to confess to everything and claim that he was just using her. He can't let her go to jail. He figures he's going to lose everything anyway, what with all the hacienda problems and debt, so he's got nothing more to lose; while Gavi still has her brilliant career. As for himself, he doesn't care if he ends to prison. He just wants to get her out of the country. He'll take all of the blame so they won't even need to talk to her.

Nestor gets steamed - I don't think I've ever seen him nearly this angry before. They yell and scream at each other. Nestor is furious that Rodrigo won't let him do his lawyerin'; that he's going to ruin his life for something he didn't even do. Aaron's been leaning on the judge to hurry this case, and Rod's just going to make it easier for Aaron to get his way, when Rod and Nestor should be looking for evidence to incriminate Aaron.

Dani comes in to report that Granny suspects that they're hiding something. Nestor asks Rod, "Have you thought about her?" Rod shrugs and says she'll find out sooner or later anyway. Nestor insists that Rod share his cockamamie plan with Dani. Rod tries to weasel out of it. Nestor says he would like to hear Dani's opinion of it, because he doesn't want any part of this decision on his conscience.

Dani tells Rod she won't leave until he tells her, but Nestor loses patience and tells her himself. Rod grinds his teeth in frustration. Dani is speechless.

It is getting late. Clarita begins to worry that Rod has chickened out on them again. Gavi is sure that is not the case. She tells Clarita they're practically married already, because of their little ceremony at the waterfall. They'll be together forever. The cheap seashell necklaces are as good as engagement rings.

Clarita reports that she has a bad feeling about this. Gavi complains about her mother's superstitions, but begins to get a bad feeling too. They try to soothe their troubled souls with some tequila, but for some reason it doesn't work. Clarita tries fanning some imaginary bad-luck vultures away from Gavi's head; Gavi tries to fan away her mother's gloomy omens.

Rod explains to Dani that there's no sense in both him and Gavi going to prison. (He seems less willing to consider keeping BOTH of them out of there.) He asks for her support. She hugs him and begs him not to ask her to do this. Rod feels it's inevitable.

Nestor, the party-pooper, says the ministry is not going to forget about Mariana just because Rod asks them to. She was a manager there at the time. Rod says that she was still a subordinate and he can claim that he made her sign those things. He says this is the only choice they have, and this is what he's going to do, and Nestor has to go along with it.

Dani says it sounds plausible, but Rod hasn't considered what Gavi might think. (He says "she doesn't have to know.") She will never go along with this. How is he going to explain when he doesn't go to London with her? He should tell her the truth. Rod says he's not backing off from his plan.

Change of scenery: Frankie and Priscilla, the two penniless high-living would-be jetsetters, are making out in his car like a couple of kids past curfew. Pris gets coy with him and says she doesn't want to feel guilty in the morning. Frankie asks if she's having such a bad time. She says no, and that's why she needs to go!

Frankie wants to go to her place. No can do - she doesn't want to annoy her friend that she's staying with. He says he knows a place. She turns him down because she has to get up early and get ready for a trip. He asks if she won't feel guilty about leaving him this way. He knows a place!! She tells him to forget it... but she doesn't stop kissing him.

She suggests that he go with her to Careyes (it's on the coast in Jalisco). He loves this idea and says he'll call her at 10. She hurriedly says no - she'll call him at his suite to make sure he gets up early enough. He says don't worry if a woman answers - it'll be his assistant, a workaholic who always shows up very early.

Priscilla goes into her apartment. Frankie mutters to himself that there goes his poverty.

Gavi is on the phone with Rod while Clarita listens to Pepe Aguilar. Gavi has to ask her to turn it down. She teases Rodrigo for leaving them hanging. (There's an unnecessary close-up of the boom box, which looks just like the one from the drunken night at Isa's place when Minnie was singing the Gaviota song.) Rod says he's tired to have dinner tonight after all. Gavi says they can always eat when they're in London, but her mother might not be so quick to forgive.

There is more silly small talk. When it gets too mushy for Clarita's liking, she turns the music way up. Clarita dedicates the song to Rod and has Gavi hold the phone up to the speaker. Rod laughs in spite of himself. He says he'll pick them up at 10:30. Gavi would like to leave earlier to say goodbye to Pilar, Dani, etc. He bites his tongue and agrees.

He winces as she says, "Never forget I love you, I adore you, I idolize you with all my heart. You are the master of my heart. I am completely yours." (She should know better by now - every time she says that, something awful happens.) He doesn't answer right away. He says he's tired. She tells him to rest and asks God to bless him a thousand times. He just says goodbye.

Gavi tells Clarita that Rod was acting strange. Clarita reminds her that he's tired.

Rodrigo broods late into the night. He tells Dani that tomorrow he's going to have to make up some excuse to Gaviota. He's been up all night thinking of what he's going to say. Dani asks what they're going to say Granny when he ends up not going to London? He says he'll blame it on the hacienda emergency. (I forgot - she knows about the plagues at the hacienda; she doesn't know about the fraud at the corporativo.)

He tells Dani he has faith that God will help him, but he needs Dani too. She hugs him and wonders why everything is going against them. Rod says he doesn't know, but he hopes this curse doesn't affect Gavi too. And that nothing else happens to him.

Meanwhile, Gavi is having a happy flashback to frolicking with Rodrigo in his bumblebee shirt.

Frankie finally gets home. Isa makes an icy remark. He says it took a long time to tour the huge plant. She makes another sarcastic remark. He says the time he's put in has paid off - they're going to sign his contract tomorrow, give him the money he asked for, all kinds of benefits, and three productivity-based bonuses a year.

Isa sits up a bit but does not jump for joy. She tells him to ask them for an advance, because they need to rent a place. As usual, she insists on going with him for his meeting at 10. She'll get a sitter for Ricky. She wants to personally meet his bosses and make sure it's a real job. He says he's getting irritated with her attitude, after all he's done for her (what has he done for her?), blah blah blah. She sarcastically says yes, she can see how much he's suffering.

The next morning, Rodrigo is studying the family photos on his desk while finalizing his plans over the phone with Nestor. Pilar comes in and notes that he's in the same clothes; didn't he sleep? He says he did, but got up early.

He tells her that the plans have changed. He's not going to London. He gives her a hug, says he'll explain later, and leaves to take a bath.

Alone in the room, Pilar glances around nervously. (Don't be scared, Granny. It's probably just the anvils rattling.)

Elsewhere: Aaron in casual clothes, chatting with Larry "The Snake" Oñate on a very frightened telephone. He tells Larry to stay in the Caymans for a while, and don't call. Aaron will find him. And of course Larry should go on distributing their "special" hooch. All of it. They've already got a couple of suckers to pay for the "broken plates."

Aaron smiles coldly; the phone breathes a sigh of relief, having cheated death for the time being.

Doña Jose is saying goodbye to Clarita and Gaviota and saying how much she will miss them. They talk about the furniture (are they letting her keep it?) and Gavi says she'll send her some tickets in a few months so she can visit. She begs them to call her as soon as they can.

At the Public Ministry: Nestor tells the judge (?) he doesn't need to see Gaviota - Rod's coming over voluntarily and is pleading guilty. He hopes to spare his family, the corporativo, and Gaviota any trouble.

With a tiny scoff, the judge says that's not up to Rodrigo. They still need to do an investigation. Nestor argues that Gavi's taking a big job in London for the CRT, so he would appreciate it if they'd at least listen to Rodrigo before issuing a warrant against her. That's Rodrigo's condition for giving himself up and cooperating fully. That way they can resolve the case as quickly as possible. He has no prior offenses, and he'll be there in just a couple of hours.

The judge agrees to this and tells his clerk not to issue the warrants yet. The judge doesn't exactly lick his chops, but he looks quite happy at the prospect of landing such a big fish.

Gavi and her mother are now saying goodbye to Liliana, to whom they have given a potted plant. (I don't know who she is - maybe she's the neighbor who warned Rodrigo away all those many months ago when he was stalking Gavi? Whoever she is, I certainly feel better now that we have closure.)

Gavi assures Clarita that they can bring Clarita's santitos on the plane as carry-on luggage. Clarita's nervous about moving so far away.

At Pilar's, Rod is saying goodbye to Dani and telling her to tell Sofie what's going on. Pilar comes in and he tells her he's going to meet with Nestor and then go to the hacienda. Pilar is concerned that Gavi and her mom are going alone. He's like yeah, he'll catch up with them in a few days.

She looks at him intently and asks if everything's okay. "Oh sure, everything's great! And it's going to get better! You'll see!" She gives him a blessing. He gives Dani another hug, and Granny another hug. Pilar shivers slightly, in spite of the sunlight shining on her from the window. Dani tries to cheer her up.

Up in the Presidential Suite, Isa answers the phone before Frankie can reach it. It's Priscilla Llorente! He whispers to Isa that she's his future employer's HR director. He makes a date with Priscilla right in front of Isa, who must be wondering if anybody at this unnamed company has an actual office with desks and chairs. She asks why he didn't tell them she's going too. He insists she can't go with him. The meeting's in an hour! She says no problem - she'll be ready in 15 minutes. He says he'll give her an extra five.

Gavi is getting nervous. She wanted to leave early to say goodbye to Rod's peeps, but now it's getting late. Clarita suggests calling, but Gavi doesn't want to pressure him. The she sees him waiting outside. She tells Clarita to say goodbye to the house. Clarita gives the magic telenovela-machine a big hug. (I guess nobody told her that they have TVs in London too. I bet she'd love Benny Hill reruns.)

Frankie is packing up his things as fast as he can. He takes the money out of the safe in big sloppy handfuls that he stuffs into his pockets, ignoring the knocking at the door.

The baby catches his eye. Frankie backs away from him warily, like a vampire catching a whiff of garlic. He tosses a few bills back into the safe. "That's for your milk." He seems almost ashamed to be leaving money behind. He zips his bags shut, and catches the baby staring at him innocently again. Frankie sighs - probably just from the stress of the moment - and hurries out the other door as the baby starts to fuss.

The window-washer at Gavi's building helps put their things in Rod's car and refuses a tip. Gavi gives him a hug goodbye. (Yes, the window-washer. We are truly saying goodbye to everyone. We totally mean business.)

Rodrigo is subdued. She asks what's wrong - "you seemed a little depressed last night." He says he can't go - something suddenly came up! Gavi asks if it's about the agaves.

Clarita, who is clutching her Big Box O'Saints nervously, greets Rod and complains of anxiety. Rod tells her to breathe deeply and she'll be fine. Gavi practically has to shove her down the sidewalk.

Gavi says it seems like Rod is trying to get rid of her. At first he gives her a line about not wanting to make problems for her at her new job. Gavi reminds him of their pact to stay together through good and bad. She'll stick with him no matter what, and to hell with her job. She'll help him out.

But he insists that he will solve it alone. She says she can tell he's hiding something and lying to her. He says he really wants her to go and refuses to tell her anything more. She asks if he wants nothing more to do with her; he says no he doesn't - not for now. He's still the same immature idiot she's been with for the last four years. He's not ready for the responsibility. "But you told me a thousand times yesterday that you loved me." "That was yesterday!"

Gavi tells her mom to call for a taxi. Rod still wants to take them to the airport; I don't know why Gavi doesn't punch him.

She wonders where this is coming from. Was it the psychologist? He says no, he just realized that he made a mistake, and he doesn't love her enough to marry her.

"So you were just fooling around with me?" She hits him, calls him a liar, etc. He is holding her as she screams at him. She tells him he's changed; he denies it and says he's the same jerk. He kisses her, but she pulls away and screams that she hates him. She rips his necklace off, then her own and throws them both at him. (The fact that he hadn't taken his off yet disproves most of what he's tried to tell her today.)

Gavi curses the moment they met and leaves with her mother, who is too nervous to understand what's happening. Rodrigo picks up the necklaces and crushes them in his hand as the womens' taxi speeds away.

Isa comes out of the bathroom. Someone with remarkable knuckles and patience is still knocking. It's the sitter, who hasn't seen Frankie. She takes the baby.

Isa tells herself she's not going to sit around in the apartment all day. She goes to the closet for some clothes, and it takes a few moments for her to wrap her mind around what she's seeing. Or not seeing.

She calls the front desk and asks if he left a message for her. Yes, he did! We don't get to hear what it was, but from the way the phone slips out of her hands (another one bites the dust) we can guess.

"Francisco abandoned me!"

Back in Montalveña, Sofie gets the bad news about Rodrigo from Dani. She's impactada. They worry about what will happen if their grandmother finds out about this.

At the public ministry, Rod calmly answers yes to all of the charges (did it behind Aaron's back, knew it was illegal and did it on purpose, and sold ten times as much product as he actually exported). Then he gets fidgety when he claims that he wanted the money to finance a personal venture. The judge gives him a funny look. Nestor wrings his hands.

Gavi and her mother are at the airport. Gavi is grumpily ordering her mom, who is still lugging the box of santitos, to hurry. Clarita is still confused by the change in plans and wants Gavi to call Rodrigo. Gavi says she has nothing to say to him. Clarita says she should give him a chance to explain. Gavi says that he already told her all he had to say - he screamed it in her face.

There are no more next-episode previews, so I leave you with this quote from G. K. Chesterton:

"I caught him, with an unseen hook and an invisible line which is long enough to let him wander to the ends of the world, and still to bring him back with a twitch upon the thread." from The Innocence of Father Brown

Labels: Destilando

Bad news. I won’t be able to continue my Juan re-capping duties. I’m going into next semester with two huge papers and two new jobs. It will just be too much. If anyone is able to take over, please e-mail Melinama at the e-mail address at the left. I can keep doing this until January so if you need some time for the holidays, then that will be okay! Thanks, guys and sorry I won’t be able to finish this series with my fellow re-cappers. :-( (Keep me in mind for subbing!)

Kike sits on the stairs of the mansion thinking that he would have been better off staying in Acapulco.

Guti gives it to Alirio about get his butt-beat. Alirio defends himself, but Guti won’t hear it. He thinks that Alirio is a chicken. Alirio grumbles a bit and then asks if Guti will help him. Guti agrees, but only if Alirio will help Guti get some Marelicita love. Alirio warns Guti that it will be three times as difficult with Marely as it was with Yadira. Guti makes it clear that Marely is what he wants.

Anga tells Nidia how happy he is that she came to see him. Nidia clarifies that she did not come to see Anga. Alirio jokes that she must have come for a kilo of tomatoes. He toasts to tomatoes. Nidia says she didn’t come for that either. She just wanted to come to be friendly and explain that she didn’t talk to him at the wedding because she did not want to cause a scandal at her daughter’s wedding. Anga asks her if they can continue what they started so long ago. Yadira leans out to overhear her mother say that what she and Anga had lived and died in this place. Nidia says that running into each other was just chance. She begs Anga not to try to look for her or pursue her because it would be a waste of time. Anga replies by telling Nidia that the day she married Samuel was the beginning of his life of torture. He thought it would always be like that, until the day he saw into her again. He felt again, after thinking he never would.

Has anyone else noticed that all of the Ana/Paula scenes always revolve around food? That hussy eats and eats and the only thing that seems to get bigger is her chest. Jealousy courses thorough my veins… Oh, never mind. Today she’s not hungry. Paula insists that she and her mother talk about what happened. Paula effusively tells her mother that she did not intend to commit suicide; it was just a mistake. Paula claims not to have remembered taking her pills that morning. Good thing Ana’s daughter is not an addict, because she has to be the biggest sucker ever. Ana buys it hook, line and sinker.

Fernando greets Juan when he comes into the garage. Fernando asks if Juan was on vacation. Juan explains that he was taking care of Paula. Fer sarcastically asks what Paula would do without Juan. Fernando warns Juan that the “Big Boss” is waiting for him upstairs. Juan wants to know why CL wants to see him; but Fer doesn’t know. Pastor enters the garage with a frantic look on his face. Juan explains that he rushed to work and didn’t even have time to change. Juan tells Pastor that he’s going to speak with CL. Pastor won’t let Juan go until Juan clarifies things and, most importantly, changes his clothing.

Monica comes over to Marely’s desk and asks for Paula’s address. Monica knows that she’s sick and wants to visit Paula. Marely explains that it wouldn’t be prudent to give out Paula’s address; the doctor wants her to relax. Monica, extra gleefully, says that part of relaxing is enjoying time with friends. Marely agrees and says that she will give Monica the number after looking it up in the directory. Marely immediately picks up the phone and begins dialing. Ever watchful Yvonne strokes her chin pensively, watching the entire scene unfold.

Pastor warns Juan not to shoo him away. Juan doesn’t understand Pastor’s urgency; it’s as though Pastor is saying that CL wants to strangle Juan. Pastor advises Juan that CL is a man in love who’s insecure and jealous of Juan. Juan doesn’t understand; he wants to know why CL would be jealous. Pastor points out that from Juan’s mannerisms and clothing it would appear that he may have spent some “time” with Paula. Juan adamantly denies this. He explains that Paula’s sick and that he, Juan, spent the night caring for her. Pastor comments that Paula must love it when Juan’s there for her, caring for her. Juan pipes up that if Paula’s sick it’s all CL’s fault. Intuitive little Pastor catches that there just might be a hidden meaning behind this. Juan tries to cover it up with “you know how women are” type comments, but Pastor’s not buying it.

Nidia tells Anga not to waste his words. Anga doesn’t care what Nidia has to say. He lost her love once and he swore not to lose it again. He knows she still feels love for him in heart. Anga hits the nail on the head; he tells Nidia that he can see that she’s unhappy with her marriage. He tells her that if she was happy; he wouldn’t be doing this. He would respect her happiness, but because she’s not happy he’s going to continue fighting. He tells Nidia that they adore each other and she cannot deny that. She never forgot him; she never stopped loving him. Nidia asks why Anga didn’t fight for her when she married Samuel. He explains that he did it out of respect and because he thought she was really happy with Samuel. Anga grasps Nidia’s hand and tells her to say to him that she loves her husband; that she doesn’t want to see him anymore; that she forgot about him; that there’s no possibility for them. He tells her if she says that he will leave her alone. Nidia can’t do it, but she asks for a friendship.

Marely comes into the president’s office to give Monica the phone number. Monica immediately picks up the phone to call Paula. Paula also tells Monica that she’s not supposed to have visitors. Besides, she wants to keep things professional. Monica reminds Paula about following Monica and CL to the apartment. That wasn’t very professional, now was it? Monica says that she wants to break down the wall between them by being more sincere with each other. Monica advises Paula that Monica will be president. Paula appears to be threatened.

Juan goes to CL’s office; CL has a question. He wants to know what happened to Paula. Juan thinks to himself that he was expecting another question. He knows that he promised Paula not to say anything, but he feels the urge to tell CL that it’s all his fault.

Paula tells Monica that she doesn’t have any skeletons in her closet. She did something stupid the night before, but that error will not be repeated. Monica agrees that she also feels confused. Paula says that she hopes that it will just take some time. Monica uses this opportunity to tell Paula that CL has announced that he’s leaving this weekend. (Um, did she seriously just stab the desk?) Paula looks disconcerted. Monica tells Paula to take all the time she needs to recover.

Juan must have bit his tongue, because CL says he doesn’t believe that Paula would be absent due to a simple hangover. CL mentions that Paula didn’t seem that bad when he left the reception. Juan slickly asks CL if this is the reason CL wanted to speak to him so urgently – to talk about Paula. Caught in his own trap, CL makes the excuse that he wanted to tell Juan about CL leaving the country. Juan thinks that this a good idea. CL opens up and says that Paula’s not for him because she’s decided that he doesn’t deserve him. CL tells Juan to take charge of Paula because in Juan Paula will find the happiness she seeks. Juan thinks that it took a lot of effort not to believe CL’s sincerity. CL claims that he can tranquilly leave knowing that Paula’s in Juan’s hands. CL just wants the best for her.

Juan slowly exits the office, confused. He wonders if CL has finally come to love Paula as much as Paula loved CL. He catches Marely’s eye and half smiles.

The doctor advises Paula that she can go home. He reminds her to speak with the doctor who prescribed her medicine. Ana says that she will be in charge of that.

Pastor, the good little gossip that he is, tells Yvonne that all he was able to get out of Juan was that Paula was sick because of CL. Yvonne hypothesizes that Paula couldn’t handle it and slit her wrists. Pastor doesn’t think it was that drastic, but he definitely knows that there’s something secret going on. The phone rings.

It’s Alirio, dramatic introduction and all. Alirio thinks it’s the moment that they clarify things. Pastor replies that Alirio can spend all the time he wants scratching his belly, but Pastor has responsibilities to take care of (like gossiping with Yvonne). Alirio asks Pastor to come to his office. Pastor says that if Alirio needs to see him then Alirio can come up to Pastor’s office. Alirio repeats his request, this time offering a cup of coffee. Pastor says that it better be worth it. They hang up. Alirio tells Guti that everything is ready. Guti maliciously laughs.

Pastor gets into the elevator and heads toward Alrio’s office. Guti stands behind him, doing nothing until the elevator companion leaves. Guti tries to give Pastor a butt-kicking, but gets an armful of teeth instead. Needless to say, Alirio’s a little shocked when Pastor walks through the door. Pastor reminds Alirio that he called Pastor. Alirio frantically looks for a paper for Pastor. Pastor accuses Alirio of creating a pre-text to get Pastor into the elevator. Pastor warns Alirio that he will look like his friend if he tries anything else.

Juan steps onto the elevator with a very injured Guti. Juan tries to help, but it looks as though he might fall at any moment. He calls for help and about twelve employees come to carry Guti off the elevator.

Yadira’s finally home and Kike immediately wants to know what she was doing. Yadira may not have a lot of honorable qualities, but you have to admit that she’s honest. She tells Kike that she was following her mother. Kike accuses Yadi of spying. Yadi confirms that she was; she had some suspicions concerning Anga that needed to be confirmed.

The office staff comforts Guti. He claims that he only needs a minute. Guti refuses help and an ambulance. Guti stumbles away with Juan following him.

Yadi puts forth the hypothetical of going to eat with someone to whom you owe money. Kike denies that he owes anyone money. Yadi tells him that it was just a hypothetical. Kike wonders about the debt that Nidia owes Anga. Yadi’s not sure, but that’s what her mother said. Why would Nidia lie? Kike pipes up and says that Nidia has a right to a private life. Yadi yells at Kike for defending Nidia. He tells her not to get worked up; she might harm the baby. Yadi doesn’t like this; she shoves him away and tells him not to talk.

Juan asks Guti if he wants Juan to take him somewhere. Guti insists that he does not. Pastor steps off the elevator and Guti immediately shies. Pastor asks about what happened to the man. Juan says that he doesn’t know. Pastor happily straightens his toupee and walks away. Guti slowly gets onto the elevator and leaves the office.

Juan chases after Pastor to find out what happened. Pastor plays dumb. Juan notes his observances. Pastor claims it would be impossible for him to do that to Guti. Pastor finally owns up and admits that Guti wanted to beat Pastor. He tells Juan that Pastor sent Guti. Juan’s impactado. (Is that word a great catch-all for the “soap opera” stare or what?)

Alirio can’t believe that Guti just got his ass handed to him by Pastor. Guti claims he’s never lost a fight before; especially when he attacks from behind. Guti tells Alirio that he needs to learn to lose. Alirio insists that he’ll never give up when it comes to Pastor. Unfortunately for Alirio, Juan overhears this. He accuses Alirio of stooping. Juan tells Alirio to leave Pastor alone. Alirio points out Guti’s poor condition. Juan tells Pastor that it’s his fault. Juan again tells Pastor to quit. To emphasize his point, he gives Guti a “handshake”.

Pastor gave Juan permission to go home and change.

CL tells Pastor that he complied with all of Pastor’s direction. CL says his only hope now is that Juan goes directly to Paula to tell her what CL said. Pastor mentions that he doesn’t think that’s necessary; he has a new idea. Pastor explains that he got some information from Juan. Paula’s sick because of CL. Pastor explains that this means that the plan is working. She got sick because of CL’s indifference. CL likes what he hears.

Yadira paces in front of the fireplace, waiting for someone. Juan enters and asks why she’s not in Acapulco. Yadi says that she didn’t like the climate. She immediately accuses Juan of having an animalistic night with Marely. Juan begins to deny but then says he’s in a hurry to change. Yadi stops him and asks if he knows anything about her mother. Juan denies that he knows what Nidia’s up to.

Nidia drinks and eats some more. Anga lets Nidia know that he wants some touching. She pushes him away and tells him to find another volunteer. He won’t allow her to leave him there, abandoned. He wants to have a passionate night together. Nidia’s slowly falling for it. I don’t think she’ll hold out for long. He proposes that they take a trip together. She says no, but her body language says yes. He tells her that he wants to make her the happiest woman in the world. Her walls are falling.

Ana asks if everything is okay. Paula says that everything is. Ana gives Paula some tea; she asks for some taquitos. Ana says no. (What did I tell you – food!) Ana agrees to leave the house.

Juan and Kike talk about the failed honeymoon. Kike would rather talk about Juan’s special night with Marely. Kike knew it was going to happen eventually. Juan shushes him and closes the door. Juan denies that they passed the night together. He explains that he was with Paula in the hospital. Juan warns Kike not to say anything, but Paula tried to kill herself.

Yadi continues to pace. Marely’s home early. Yadi asks Marely about Nidia and Anga. Marely thinks that Nidia just went to eat. Yadi doesn’t buy it; Nidia and Anga were acting very familiar. Yadi thinks it was weird.

Kike says that he can’t believe it. I guess Juan told Kike about CL’s speech. Juan says that he’s confused whether to believe CL or not. Kike asks Juan what he’s going to do, but Juan says that he has no idea. Juan says that he loves Paula and will do whatever it takes to make her not suffer. He would even renounce his love.

The doorbell at the Davila house rings. Big surprise, it’s CL. Paula looks pissed and so am I. How many times have we had this same cliff hanger?

*Mark Twain

What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving? ~ Erma Bombeck

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Labels: Juan