Caray, Caray!

Finally the big night begins. Here are the segments provided by the five recappers. Melinama, Julie, Jardinera, Beckster and CherylNewMex. I also suggested that each person add parting words or a last shot (either of tequila or of pithy words.) An hour before the big event started my VCR had a fatal shudder and stopped forever. Hope everyone else had better luck [This evening's editor, CNM.]
**********

Part I by Melinama

Rod fingers Gav's picture, scotchtaped to his cell wall (who gave him scotch tape?). "I hope she'll forgive me for saying I don't love her." Nitwit.

In the nice clean empty prison cafeteria (they couldn't afford extras for this scene) Patricio apologizes. Rod thanks him for coming through at the 11th hour, they agree they will stay in touch. Patricio gets 6 years, but he can get out in 3 if he's well behaved. His girlfriend Lluvia is exonerated completely.

I enjoyed seeing Aaron on his fancy plane, in his fancy linen vacation clothes, drinking his fancy booze, saying into a currently operational cellphone: "I have plans, Oñate, lots of plans." Well, he disembarks and the fancy good life comes to an abrupt end- a red car roars up and he is taken at gunpoint by big Interpol guys. Heh. They throw him in a dark cell with Oñate. "Traitor!"

Turns out homicide gets the death sentence in Tuvaloo, and Aaron is convicted of causing the death of hundreds of Tuvaluvians who drank his adulterated liquor.

Rod gets out of jail. He's gotten a shave. He embraces his sisters, and James, and says, "Let's go save the hacienda!"

He asks about Gaviota. She's on an important trip to Eastern Europe. "With Blandie?" "No, with Olavarria, she'll be back the end of next week." "OK, then, let's go see Granny!" He gets the bad news about Grannie's coma.

At the hospital, the grave doctor says he doubts Pilar will last the night. Pilar goes, yes, she goes, yes, she goes towards the white light. [My favorite aunt, in her last days, was visited by a hospice worker who kept telling her to go towards the light. My aunt summoned her last bits of strength to cuss that worker out and tell her to stuff it.] She imagines her own funeral! Everybody is crying. Elvis is wearing an inappropriate yellow t-shirt!

Then she sees Don Amador in a cloud of white. He says, nah, this isn't your time. (She had mascara on in this scene, who's doing her makeup when she's in a coma?)

Pilar wakes up. Everybody piles in. There's a teary love fest. James is so emotional he drips fluids into his awful moustache.

Fedra runs in sobbing - Aaron has been arrested on the "Island of Savages." Minerva runs in crying also - the penalty for his crimes is death.

Oh, the Doctor says, a miraculous recovery. All credit Elvis for his devoted attention and Pilar muses that it took this disaster for her to realize Elvis has a heart of gold.

Isa is teaching her class about Greek architecture (Corinthian columns etc.) and I am in agreement that her male students will have a lot of trouble taking in the information she provides.

Rod discovers there's bad news and good news. On the one hand, the agave is destroyed and the hacienda has been dismantled by the bankers, but on the other hand, Isa has signed the divorce papers and he will soon be free.

Out in the bush, Roman is bitten by a rattlesnake while hunting rabbits. He rips hisself a tourniquet from his pants and drags hisself home. Ofelia and SanJuana are horrified when he staggers in, shivering. SanJuana calls the doctor, who won't be back for a couple hours. (Ofelia, by the way, still doesn't believe the baby is Hilario's. Since Carmelo keeps giving SanJuana presents, Ofelia suggests suspiciously that Carmelo is perhaps the real dad. SanJuana says they'll all know when the baby is born.)

Ofelia calls Hilario, who is lifting weights, all male-model-looking, in an icy-blue gym: "Come home."

SanJuana says, "Roman, don't die without knowing your grandchild." This starts to convince Ofelia that maybe the baby IS Hilario's.

Fedra, Bruno, Minerva, and Rodrigo are all outside Aaron's cell, there on the Island of Savages. Only one can go in to see him - Aaron chooses Rodrigo!

Rod enters the dark cell where Aaron sits barefoot on the floor. Rod: "I appreciate your seeing me, the others have more of a right." "I don't want them to see me like this, you won't believe it but I still have my dignity." "I'm sorry about everything that happened. What a long journey! Remember our families together at the hacienda? I'd always be so excited to see you, to play with my only friend, my brother! We grew up together, then we shared an apartment in London, we helped each other ...[Here I think Rod is being carried away by the moment - I don't recall seeing any helping going on in that apartment -- Ed.] ... When did things change?" Aaron: "When grandfather condemned us to war with his will. Why does it matter?" "It's important to me - to forget would be to lose half our lives." "You are a good guy. Be an example to my son, take care of him."

Rod says they'll appeal, they'll get him out, but Aaron says it's too late, his destiny is decided, he can't live in asquerosos
mazmorras (revolting dungeons).

Pilar suspects something is wrong because Aaron's not at the hospital (or maybe she saw him in her dream, with red flames licking around him). I think Sofia shows poor judgment in telling granny the truth. She and Dani look at the time and realize this is when Aaron is getting his lethal injection. "He did so much damage, but this is a sad end."

Fedra announces to us that the death of a child is the cruelest punishment a mother can endure. She must be trying to ward off off a more drastic cosmic punishment, like falling off that angel statue in Mexico City.

Aaron passes the assembled family on his way to the execution room. "Don't forget my charge," he says to Minerva. She sobs and grabs him. They are just great together. "Calm yourself, my love," he says. I'm leaving loving you." "Don't go!" "Tell my son his father made a lot of mistakes but he was never a coward." She collapses screaming and hugs Rodrigo.

A dentist's chair, upholstered in black. Hypodermic needles. Aaron's gone. Less than two days from arrest to execution. Dang, that's fast.
**********

Part II by Julie:

At the hospital, Dani and Sofia talk about how devastated Minerva and Fedra must be over Aaron's death. Sofia says they will need to look after their poor uncle Bruno. Dani says she's most worried about their grandmother, and how she will react when she finds out.

In sleep, Abuela is beautiful and almost lifelike. Her breathing becomes agitated, and she wakes up calling for Aaron. "I heard Aaron saying goodbye to me! He was very sad... where is he? You know! Tell me!" Dani tries to convince her it was just a dream, but Pilar demands an answer. Sofie gently informs her that Aaron got bit by a possum with rabies, so he had to be put to sleep. Now he's in a better place where he can romp in a field with lots of other puppies.

Actually, she tells her grandmother the stark truth that he sold poisoned tequila that killed lots of people, tried to flee, and was caught. Dani adds that he was executed for it. Call me crazy, but I'm not sure that this was what Pilar should have woken up to. On the other hand, she already half-knew anyway. Pilar cries through a half-paralyzed mouth, but her heart doesn't flip out or anything.

A bell tolls. It's nighttime.

Hilario is at the hacienda, reassuring Ofelia that the worst of Roman's ordeal is past, and the doctor said that in a few days, he'll be good as new.

Ofelia asks if he needs to leave soon. He says he'll stay until Roman's okay. He says he was surprised to find SJ there. Ofelia tells Hili how angry Roman's been with him for dumping SJ. She asks if he really spent any time with SJ in the city. He admits they had some drinks together, and you know... (He watches the rest in a flashback while Ofelia waits patiently.) Ofelia says she's had problems with Roman and with SJ because she thought it was just SJ's talk that the baby was his; but when Roman was doing so badly, SJ was very worried that he'd die without seeing his grandchild, and she was sincere. Ofelia tells Hilario that SJ has changed very much, and she's studying dressmaking, and James gave her a sewing machine, and she's been making clothes for the baby.

SJ is sewing happily at this very moment. Then she remembers when Hilario called her a liar said "I don't feel anything for you. Wait, I do feel one thing - disgust!" And he laughed and said she had to get him senseless drunk so he'd go to bed with her.
(Poor victim Hilario!) SJ cries.

Hilario tells Ofelia he's not in love with SJ. (DUH) Ofelia asks if he's still in love with Isadora. Hiliario says no, all that's left of that affair is heavy remorse for having betrayed his patrón, Rodrigo.

(Somewhere in the DF, Isadora is grading student papers. She yawns and rubs her stiff neck, but smiles at the baby in his crib.)

Ofelia says it doesn't seem real that Hilario is there. Roman stirs and asks for her. She tells him that Hilario's here to see him. Hili tells him to get better soon so they can go ride horses. Roman takes his hand and calls him a city person who's surely
forgotten how to ride. They'd hoped to have a country boy who'd enjoy simple farm life with the animals, but that wasn't enough for him. (It's hard to tell whether he's must making a statement, or being bitter.) Hili replies that the happiest moments of his life happened here at the hacienda, and he'd like to be a farmhand again.

Roman says the horses and agaves have been replaced by misfortune; the agaves were killed by plagues; the bank took the rest of the hacienda's output; Pilar went to the hospital; Rod just got out of jail. Ofelia says that Montelveña is in ruin.

"But what would you care of our problems?" Roman asks, now alert enough to be grumpy again. Hilario offers to help out financially with his savings, but Roman says they don't need his money; if he really wants to help, he should claim his child. To deny one's child is not what a good man does. Hilario answers that he doesn't doesn't love SJ. Roman interrupts and says they can't make him do something he doesn't want to, but Roman will do what he can for his grandchild, and Carmelo's willing to give the child his name.

One week later: Rod visits Bruno at the Corporativo. Rod tells him about the empty fields, dead agaves, and ransacked hacienda of Montalveña. Bruno wishes he could help, but he has his hands full with the corporativo.

More updates:
- With the loss of Aaron, Fedra lost her zest for life.
- Minnie went to Spain to be with her great-aunt. (Rod suggests that Fedra go with her so they can keep each other company. Bruno seems to like this idea.)
- Granny is recovering. Sofia, Dani, and Elvis are helping with her therapy.
- The CRT is going to let Montalvocorp start producing again.
- Rod's going to ask for some sort of agricultural grant so he can plant new agaves and other crops.
- Rod heard that Mariana is getting back (to London) from a tour of eastern Europe. Bruno says he hopes they work things out.
- Rod says he will have faith in what will be.

Rod leaves. Bruno hugs a photo of Aaron and cries.

James, Roman (recovered from his snakebite), Ofelia, SJ, Hilario, and Crispin are blowing hot air (no new information) around the breakfast table. Hili's parents talk about how happy they are to have him back. Hili teasingly asks SJ what she thinks. She
says she couldn't care less. Hili fumes silently. Crispin observes that Hilario has fallen in SJ's esteem. Hili fumes some more.

Carmelo shows up with a bassinet. SJ tells him he shouldn't have; from the look in Hilario's eyes, it's clear that Hilario REALLY thinks Carmelo shouldn't have. Carmelo kisses the bassinet and leaves. SJ throws Hil a shrewd glance and says that Carmelo is
winning her over with these gifts. Hil angrily gets up and announces that he's full and will go do his work. James and the others have a hearty laugh over Hil's obvious jealousy.

And now we must be in London because they're playing "Careless Whisper," which will be the official national anthem of England just as soon as George Michael becomes king. Gavi's boss is telling Dorothy the assistant that the tour of Eastern Europe was great. Then he reminds Gavi she's going on vacation tomorrow, so she'd better prepare her report for Av*.

Gavi gets her messages. There's one from Dr. Blandie, and one from Dani. Dorothy says she told Dani she was
out of town but coming back today; she had also asked for Gavi's home number, but Dorothy wouldn't give it to her. "Good job," Gavi says. Back in Mexico, Rod calls Gavi. Impactada, Gavi stands up angrily and says they have nothing to discuss. He protests, and she answers "Are you deaf or what? You're dead to me. Don't bother me."

Dorothy walks in innocently holding a folder and Gavi jumps down her throat, telling her not to give her another phone call from Rodrigo, even if he says he's having a heart attack. Dorothy politely replies that she just wanted to give her something to review. Gavi is slightly embarrassed.

Back in Mexico, Rod tells Dani, who places a call of her own. Gavi refuses it and tells Dot NO calls from ANY Montalvos.

Rod and Dani discuss their options. Dani suggests calling Av* and having him MAKE Gavi speak to them. Rod rejects this and says Gavi has had plenty of time to hate him and now he's lost her. Dani wishes they could call Clarita, etc. Rod doesn't want Gavi to know he went to jail for her if it will only guilt her into going back to him. He tells Dani to leave her alone. But she won't let him give up. She tells him to find her. That's what she (Dani) would do, anyway.

Gavi sits at her desk and marvels at the nerve he must have to dare to call her. (She doesn't wonder hard enough to ask herself what he wanted.)

Dr. Blandie shows up. Oh joy. He's been invited to an
annual coffee expo taking place in Thailand. He tells her all about it, and manages to make it sound much duller than anything could possibly be. It'll be eight days, during which (he claims) there will not be a single dull moment.

But wait - there's more! The invitation is for TWO! (Don't worry, it's in separate rooms.)

Gavi is so thrilled, she can barely meet his eyes or crack a smile. Just to make sure we're all clear on this, he says he'd like her to go with him. "No pressure," he says, but the flight leaves at 2 tomorrow, so he needs to know tonight.

Gavi's face clearly says "KILL ME NOW" and she's unable to speak coherently. I'm not exaggerating. This is how you tell a good actor from a bad one. I bet it would have taken most people ten days to shoot this scene because they would never stop laughing.

He says he'll understand if she doesn't want to go, but... "It's just that I have to prepare this report for Av*," she tells him. "It's okay," he murmurs glumly, slinking out with his tail between his legs...

He turns at the door for another attempt. "If you come with me, I guarantee it will be an unforgettable trip." She won't have a moment to think about the things that are bothering her. It'd be a true break for her, and it would make HIM very happy.

Still no reaction from Gavi.

You know what would make it unforgettable trip? Killing someone with a demitasse spoon to make the boredom stop.

In the vecindad, Isa (wearing a leopard print) tells Jose that she's going to call Videgaray and tell him Rodrigo can see the baby any time he wants to. Jose says that's great, because her grandson needs to be near HIS FATHER. Her subtlety is not lost on Isa, who says Rodrigo has earned that right.

At home, Gavi is telling Clarita she's sure that Dr. Blandie will be a total gentleman if she goes with him. She doesn't actually sound interested until she starts talking about Thailand itself, which she'd like to see; but she doesn't want to leave her mother alone again.

Clarita tells Gavi not to worry about that; she coyly admits that spending time with Mr. Thomas isn't half-bad. Gavi excitedly asks if they're an item. Clarita says no, no, they just went out a few times. He took her out for roast beef, but she didn't like
it because the meat was tough and bloody.

Getting back to the matter at hand, Clarita feels that if Gavi agrees to take the trip with Dr. Blandie, it'd be like agreeing to have a relationship with him, even if they slept in separate rooms. It'd be a lousy way to treat a man who adores her.
**********

Part III by Jardinera

It's a week or so that's past. Elvis is helping feed Grammy P her soup and the poor thing is paralyzed on the left side of her face. (Not a bad punishment from the novela gods for her arrogance throughout.) He leaves with the tray of dishes and she tells Dani that it's taken her numerous family misfortunes to finally figure out that Elvis is not such a bad sort, really. (Note: he's clearing the table and the maid is nowhere to be found. What does that tell us? Let's just be kind and say hard times have befallen the household. As Dani smiles at these kind words from Pilar, Sofia comes in. (Thank gawd she has a tray in her hands, too. Close call here.) She tells them she's heard that Rod was supposed to get in that morning and head straight to the hacienda. Dani says she's got some great news for the two of them, but she'll wait till Elvis comes back. (We never get to hear what the news is, though!)
====
In Gavi's posh pad in London she and Alonso are on the phone together. Gavi tells him that she's not really ready to consider taking a trip with him and wonders just what he's expecting from it. "If you're hoping that...." "--Oh. I suppose you're still in love with Rod." "--No. It's just that I'm not sure I'm ready to fall in love again right now. I don't want to end up hurting you." "That will be my problem. Just let me have a vit of your time and I promise you that you will enjoy yourself and won't have a minute to think about the past." (Yeah, at a coffee conference in Thailand. Yawn. Good gawd, man. Stop begging already! Okokay. He's been 5 long years without. I suppose we should give him some slack.) Gavi gives in. "Great. I'll make the reservations right now and see you at noon tomorrow!" They hang up.
Clarita comes in then and asks if Gave is going with him or not. Gavi tells her yes. Rod's call disturbed her and brought back so many painful old memories she's just got to get away and try to forget it all. Alonso knows the rules and she's willing to take a chance with him and see.
=========
The next day as the secretary leaves we see Rod get out of the elevator. He calls out to Gavi who turns around and tells him that they have nothing to say to each other. He wants her to listen to him. She gives him one minute. The big dope doesn't give her any explanation as to why he just appears out of nowhere. He simply tells her he's come to see what she feels for him now. She says she feels lots: contempt, disappointment, hate. (Rod, honey, like you expected she'd jump for joy after the humiliating send off you gave her?) Just then Alonso arrives with his suitcase and says, "Are we going?"
Rod sees his suitcase and then looks down and see Gavi's suitcase and pretty much knows the score. The phone rings and Alonso leaves to answer it in the adjoining office. "So, you're going to go with him?" "Yes." Rod looks away, accepts the situation for what it is and leaves.
=====
Alonso is on the phone. It was Avellaneda trying to reach Gaviota with Dani's explanation. Alonso tries to find Gavi for him, but she's gone and says she must have left with Rod. Avellaneda tells him that if for some reason Rod hasn't been able to give Gaviota an explanation, then Alonso must make sure she hears the truth from him. "So now you'll be familiar with the Hell that Rodrigo Montalvo has lived through.
=====
Gavi goes after Rod. "What were you expecting from me? That I'd wait for you my whole life?" "No. Of course not. Why don't you get back to Santoveña? You'll be leaving him alone." "--I have no intention of doing that. He's been there for me when I needed someone the most. He never played the knid of dirty trick you played on me. I've tired of your indecision and your immaturity. What were you hoping for? That I'd jump into your arms and give thanks that's you'd come after the way you told me to go to hell?" "--No." "--You're lying! I'm not the same stupid girl I always was.....I've made my decision now leave me in peace!"
Rod turns away and enters the elevator. As the elevator doors close Gavi wipes away her tears and reenters the office. Alonso asks her where Rod's gone and she figures to his old apartment there in London, but doesn't really know. "Let's go, Doctor. I'll get my bag." He struggles with telling her what Avellaneda has just asked him to, but he is such the Dudley Do-right, he cannot stop hmself and sits her down. "I have something to tell you."
"When you and Rod returned from your trip he got two very bad bits of news that day. The plague had destroyed the agave crop and the bankers confiscated everything else. Then a scandal blew up concerning at the corporation over illegal tequila shipments that occurred while you and Rod were heading the company. When Aaron was caled in by the authorities to explain he washed his hands of it all and blamed the two of you. Rod knew they wer going to call you both in but he didn't want you to have your career cut short so he avoided it and declared himseld the guilty party and sacrificed his freedom so that you could leave the countyr. He took the blame and ended up in jail for a crime he didn't commit."
=======
Meanwhile Clarita and Thomas are chatting at each other instead of with each other . They end up doing the tango since dog-tired is not a concept she can convey, and since tango is the dance of luhhvv.... well, you get the picture.
==========
Alonso continues that afte Rod was freed he found out Pilar had had a stroke, then needed to travel to some island where his cousin, Aaron, had been arrested for causing hundreds of deaths from the adulterated liqour he'd marketed there and was later executed there for it. Of course Gavi wonders why he didn't tell her. Alonso says that he probably figured it was no use when he saw the two of them getting ready to go off together. So, Gavi says she must get back to Mexico and find him now. She has Alonso and Thomas explain to her mother, the two of them promise to stay good friends and she flies off to Mexico after Rodrigo.
==========
Rod is getting sauced on tequila again and on the phone with Dani. He explains it was a waste in London and that he came back empty handed since she was getting ready to go off with Dr. Santoveñia. She wonders why the heck he didn't explain the situation to her since that was the whole point of the trip. Rod says he figured what for considering what he saw and he only wanted to see if she still felt anything for him. Anyway, he didn't want her to come back to him just because he'd gone to jail in order to save her from having to also. (He's got a point there, convoluted, but valid.) He hangs up in frustration and Dani tells Sofia and Pilar that Gavi and he didn't get back together after all. Just then the doorbell rings. Dani opens it and it is Gavi. She's come to find Rod and to ask his forgiveness.
==========
Back at Montalveña it's lunchtime. The whole gang is there. Hilario has made the decision to stick around. He even offers to help financially with getting the hacienda up and running again. Carmelo comes in with a crib for San Juana then. Hilario gets a bit jealous at this. James is wondering why Rod got back from London so quickly and they're all wondering why Rod and Gavi's love affair has taken another turn for the worse. Rod's now locked in his room in another blue funk and won't answer S.J's knock. Crispin has the answer to cheering up the "ex-millioinario, imbibing, hacienda-owner." ¡FIESTA!
======
At Pilar's, Dani doesn't want to listen to anything Gavi has to say after the rotten way she treated Rod. Gavi says she deserves to be listened to considering the hideous way he dumped her. So, they let her talk. Gavi says Pilar may want to draw and quarter her, but nobody knew the horrible way Rod treated her that last time and then when he came to London she humiliated him, but he didn't try to explain, never once opened his mouth about what had happened and how was she supposed to guess?
Dani says he came to see whether she still felt anything for him and if she had shown him that she did he would have explained, but it was obvious she had other plans when he got there. Gavi admits that she did, but only after receiving their two calls. "Understand, please! I had waited my whole life for him and suffered one disappointment after another. I was afraid to fall again and had to get far, far away!" She looks straight at Dani. "And you! If we were such good friends how come you never said a word about what was happening? You know I'd never have abandoned him, let alone allowed him to stay in jail!" Dani looks at the floor, ashamed.
Gavi turns to Pilar. She says she cannot go until she has forgiven Gavi and gives her blessing to go after her grandson. Pilar gives it to her. Sofia apologises then and they hug. Dani says she simply wants to be certain that Gavi isn't going after Rod out of a sense of duty for what he did for her. Gavi tells her that could never happen.
===
The boys have all gone into town. They're drinking what else but tequila. It's a tequila festival it seems. James cheers the group up telling them that the bankers have agreed to give them a loan to get the hacienda back on its feet again. Rod whines about having lost Gavi forever and again refuses to have them mention her name. He says without her he feels like the living dead.
**********

Part IV - by Beckster

First a big fine shout out to all the people who read the recaps and commented. This tale of love, betrayal, lies, angst and thinking the world is a dark unforgiving place has a redeeming message that should never be forgotten. That is “Take your Tequila Straight-Up” and make mine a doble. That is the lesson I have learned from this tale.
Now I begin at the part where Rod is drinking himself into yet another Tequila stupor. He comes out to join the family (well family of Roman and so on so forth). He says Gavi is in London, never to return he has lost her forever. SanWanna, has a look of Plllleeeezzze, that is so yesterday, I’m pregnant and guess what I know who the father is. Well there is some kind of fiesta in Tequila and nothing gets the taste of spurned love out of your mouth than going to a fiesta and drinking even more Tequila.
Meanwhile back in DF, Sofie, Dani & Pilar are sitting around. There is a knock at the door. Dani answers it and she has a look of complete surprise on her face. For a moment I am hoping it is the ghost of Aaron Past. No, it is Gavi. Dani isn’t playing the cunada game. She is a bit cold to Gavi. Gavi comes right on in and talks extremely fast, but makes her case. Look your AssHat brother humiliated me, dumped me, and kicked my ass to the curb. How was I to know he was in jail etc..I gotta see him, I gotta make things right. Dani hangs back. She asks Pilar for her blessing. Pilar or at least the half that isn’t paralyzed gives her the blessing and tells her to go find Rod. Sofie, does the I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused you. Sofie has now found people like to blame someone and being that Sofie has always had a bit of a problem getting people to like her, well she now takes the blame for everything.

---Be aware viewers Sofie will appear on C-Span next week for congressional hearings, rumor has it she will cop to falsifying WMD evidence, yes thus leading to invasion of Iraq. Don’t miss it---

Gavi is gracious with Sofie far more than I would be. I don’t think I could ever address her other than, “Bitch”, but hey that’s just me. Dani finally says, go find him.

“Him” is at the big fiesta, James, Hil, Crispin, Roman & Rod are drinking…what? Yes you guessed it Tequila. Rod says someone else will have to pay as he is broke. It’s okay that brings a big round of laughter since everyone is drunk. They all tell Rod to cheer up and the banks will come through. Sounds like a sub-prime loan..eeeeekkkk. Rod further laments how he has lost the love of his life. Meanwhile there is a parade of girls dressed as Agave plants and indeed it looks like a couple of Frankies “Twofer” babes are riding in a truck. We see dancing Indians, babes on floats, bands and so on and so forth. Hil & James get up and dance in the street. Yes, I have been to the local regional drunk fests in Mexico and yes men do that. Thank Gawd my husband doesn’t dance, but he would be one of the drinkers egging the other idiots on, yes if you ever see a picture, that is me in the background with the Sofie snarl on my face. Now they are all in the streets and seriously drunk and stumbling. Miss Agave 2007 is passing by on her float, the ninos say Miss Agave is hawt. Rod disagrees no one is as hawt as his Gavi, so he kinda leaps, falls down on the float. He has his cassette of many tears. Of course there is a cassette player on the float, these third world countries don’t have fine technology like we do…alas no cd player.
Meanwhile, Houston we have a problem…The Gavi has landed. She has arrived in the same decrepit school bus she rode when departing Tequila those four plus years ago.

---Seriously folks I hate to lecture, but should you ever be on jeopardy and the category “Outmoded Forms of Transportation in Third World Countries” comes up, they actually have normal buses that run between DF & little out of the way places. Granted they stop at every little town along the way, but they have air conditioning. Tequila is not a small town. The place I was had maybe 500 total on a good day.---

Anyhow Gavi calls the ranch, Ofelia tells her Rod is in town. Gavi will find him. She stops off at a stand and buys a dress & some sandals. The dress is pretty form fitting and you can she she doesn’t wear a belly ring as you can see her navel through the dress. Gavi looks okay in a kinda getting back to my roots kinda of way.
Now back to Miss Agave, Rod is pulled off the ride and law enforcement gather. (by law enforcement, I mean a mall somewhere was missing the dayshift of rent-a-cops). Normally Federallis or the Mexican Federal Police patrol these big festivals, they carry large guns and maintain crowd control. The boys drag Rod off. By this time Rod has decided it would be a good idea to go to the rodeo. Hil see Carmelo and splits off from the group of ninos. Hil tells Carmelo, no mas presents for SanWanna & the baby. Hil says it is his baby. Carmelo says well I offered her a name for the kid as you didn’t step up. Hil wants him to back off, but Carmelo says we will let SanWanna decided. Oh Carmelo, you little dreamer.

Gavi runs into Hil on the street and he tells her Rod is at the Rodeo, off they go.
Now Rod and the rest of the gang are in the Rodeo, we see fast-forwarded bull riding. An announcement is made, “Who will ride the bull of the six lives?” Who? Who? Why BadBigHeadedRod, that is who. His friends try to stop him, but fueled by six galleons of Tequila, Rod knows no fear. He is in the shoot being tied to the bull or whatever. Gavi has arrived…no no no..

Rod can’t hear her.

Rod leaves the shoot, he holds on briefly, but is thrown, OH NO..Rod lies motionless on the dirt and other things commonly found in a bullring. Gavi runs into the ring and cradles his big head..Oh Rod, forgive me, forgive me, I love you…and so on. Rod has been playing possum “This is the best part he says” They kiss, at last they are united…
**********

Part V by CherylNewMex

Oh, teehee, I get the wedding scene! Soooooo, someone shouts out, "The Bridegroom!" And here comes our handsome Rodrigo in the fanciest Mariachi suit ever on an enormous well decorated horse, I can't decide which of them was better looking. So much beauty, so little time. He greets the guests and gets lots of "finally it really is your wedding" comments. Clarita does the cross and kiss blessing to a child for him and Dani presents him with a surprise. Here comes José with bighead Ricky. Rod cuddles the chubby one and proclaims his joy. Isadora sent best wishes and thought his son should be with him on this important day. I spot Lluvia alone, everyone else seems to be with their main squeeze. Rodrigo disappears into the church to avoid jinxing the moment by seeing the bride too soon. Well, even he has had enough of these jinxes in his life.

The shouts start again, "Here comes the bride!" and Gaviota enters in a huge splendid carriage. Her white horse wears a huge white blanket and indeed Gaviota is totally in white. Every fallen (not really a virgin anymore) woman's dream... all that white to suggest purity of thought and deed. This time, Clarita meets her with a "como asi, m'hija" like what else would she say. She adds, "You shine like the saints" And, here comes Mr.Thomas from behind a wall who flew with her from London. Thomas assures Gaviota that he couldn't let Clarita come alone. Wow, lots of friends. Nancy hugs her. José and bighead Ricky come forth again to surprise her. Avellaneda, steps forward and says he is sorry she won't be with the CRT but surely she will carry on as a consultant for them. She agrees. The priest calls them in to start the ceremony. Avellaneda then takes her arm and is her escort down the aisle. I nice paternal touch for these two who have been through so much together. The sisters welcome her to the family [I'm between yelling, run Gavi run and being a teary eyed spectator] The Mariachi band softly plays the wedding march and down the aisle they come. Her dress is a bit fussy for my taste with lots of material including a long train, but lordy, this woman deserves to wear all the white lace in Sevilla if she wants to. She is pleased with it and that's all that counts. At the traditional hand off, Avellaneda says to Rod that Gaviota is like a daughter to him. Pilar speaks for Rodrigo and assures Gaviota she is getting the real descendent of Amador. The ceremony is pretty traditional with the addition of lots of thought bubbles from the pews. All good wishes of course. When Rodrigo and Gaviota first kneel at the altar, they have a common thought bubble murmuring of the first time they met, they were kneeling at that altar when Rod returned for Amador's funeral.

Cut to poolside in Thailand, a very pretty, bikini-clad woman sits down next to Alonso. And it's such a parallel universe, she is reading the exact same book and orders the exact same special coffee from the waiter. What a sunny smile we get from Alonso for the first time in ages. Could this be his soulmate come to life??

Back at the altar, the besotted couple kiss the rings before putting them on each other's hand and say sweet vows. The scene includes the tradition of groom pouring coins into the hands of bride and the sister's entwine the couple with the long boa of white roses. Hilario looks on with a wistful sigh, Pilar thought bubbles hope that they have finally overcome all their obstacles. [boy, you and me both, sister], Elvis thinks this has ended in a great triumph and James and Sofie pledge love to each other [now just stop it! all of you, no sneering or snarking out there, I am one of the few viewers who really likes old James of the good heart, and Sofia has cleaned up her act quite well] Rodrigo wants to consecrate his life to making Gavi happy. The beaming faces continue thoughts, and my what beautiful teeth they all have, grandmother! Gaviota kisses Rod early the priest teases her then they are declared married and kiss a bunch more.

8 years later we hear a child singing "Aye, Gaviota", and see a precious curly haired moppet in the dirt near the agave fields. Rodrigo approaches and startles her into giggles. He grabs her up on his shoulder and takes her off to meet an old friend of the family. As we enter the house, the long mantle displays pictures of all the dead and then all the married family members so we see proof of Sofie and James, then Dani and Elvis end up in wedding garb. Thank you thank you, I like weddings but not that many. A crowd of children scramble down the stairs to surround Alonso, his beautiful bride and Gaviota. They include Ricky whose head looks nicely proportioned to his body now, Pili who must be named Pilar with long flowing golden locks, smart naming by Minerva no doubt to get back on granny's good side. Hilario and SJ's awfully cute son. We learn that James and Sofie have twins and they are working at the school at the Mirasoles home, the little Gaviota is a precocious child, later at a wonderful outdoor meal and fiesta we are treated to music and all the family looking happy and hale. Elvis and Dani dangle a beautiful toddler between them. Clarita is living there with Thomas as her husband and the kids call him Grandpa. Fedra looks almost sweet (maybe it's just grateful) with Bruno, Grandma Pilar has gotten her smile back if not her groove. Lluvia is there with Patricio. We learn that the new agaves are now six years old and ready for making more tequila. It all seems happy and prosperous [unless you are Aarón, Acacia, Frankie or....]
A final scene later that evening we see Rodrigo and Gaviota in her sundress and barefoot gliding out to the agave field to the base of that dreamy tree for another reenactment of their original love scene. They repeat their te amos, adoros, idolatros, veneros, Ohhh that tree.... The sunset pales as we fade to FIN.
**********

LAST WORDS:

Melinama's Parting Shot: - What do I have to say in conclusion? I'm glad Gaviota stopped flipping her hair; I'm mad she never appeared as the Celery Queen, I've been waiting all these months; Rodrigo did not have very many brain cells for a person his size. Aaron and Minerva were the fire of this show. And finally, when will the producers realize that extending these novelas does not improve them?

Julie's Parting Shot - It has truly been a pleasure doing these recaps, and I'm sorry it's ended so soon, with so many loose
ends. But hey, that means we're free to make stuff up, right? I'll be taking a break from recapping for a while, but I'll see you in the comments for Pasion and/or whatever else is coming up that looks good. Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful support and fun I've had here at ¡Caray, Caray!

Jardinera's Parting Shot - My thoughts are: that we have been living with this group of characters as intimately as anyone for the last 8 months. That's long enough to have a baby, for heaven's sake! So, this is a bitter-sweet good-bye, but good-bye and good-riddence it is! A shame that Rod never knew Isa cheated on him with Hil. Nobody learned Frankie got french-fried. We have no idea what ever happened to Acacia that finally allowed Sofia and James to get married, or did we and I was too sozzled on reposado to notice? Lovely wedding however.........nice to see them end up under the tree where it all started, too. Nice touch.

Beckster's Parting Shot(s) - The twisted part of me kinda wishes…the bull would run out and trample them both. We could then have a commentary from the ghost of Aaron with a Ghost Babe on his arm, bourbon in his hand and a smoke in the other hand. Aaron could say they were given every chance, but they were simply to stupid to live and tempted the Gods one time too many. The moral could be make hay while the sun shines, for tomorrow the bull tramples you. Thanks again…I will miss these people, Tune into tomorrow as Pasion begins with “Yes more people acting badly” Signing off under the big tree.

Cheryl's Parting Shot - Kind of a gushy end but I cried anyway. Nice to see so much prettiness after the struggles, deaths, and generally ugly snarkiness in many parts of this passion play. This has been a great linguistic journey since last January when I saw the beginning in Mexico and I love Caray Caray and all my new cyberbuds. And ohhh that tree, I want to go find it so I can take my own pictures of it.
-Adios amigos.

Labels: Destilando

Me timbers are a shiverin' somethin' fierce!! :)

Labels: Pasion

I am so excited!!

Someone mentioned in comments that people who use "Season Pass" with their DVRs might not get any recording at all for the finale because the title is different. Yikes! Don't forget to double-check your machines!

I don't have that feature, but I was glad for the reminder because I set up my machine to record for one hour every weekday starting at 9... forgot all about it and didn't set it up for the finale... I would have been screwed too!

The show starts at 8 pm ET and goes to 10:30, followed by a half-hour Christina Destilando Amor special (I don't know anything else about this).

Also, read this for instructions and URLs if you want to watch and chat at the same time. To avoid spoiler conflicts, I created one chat room for the East & Central (and Mountain?) viewers (http://www.meebo.com/room/destilando_fin_east), and another for the West viewers (http://www.meebo.com/room/destilando_fin_west).

(The recappers-only chat room, where we'll work out the details of who does what, is http://www.meebo.com/room/destilandorecap123).

Get your Kleenex, ice cream, and CRT-certified tequila ready! See you tomorrow!

Labels: Destilando

On a lovely morning in the D. F., we revisit Delirio attempting to feed his Prodigal Wife. She wants him to demonstrate what’s important, and not with affectations (cursilerías). What? All this time and she hasn’t figured out that’s what he does best? Delirio is the King of Affectations. He takes the tray, so full of beautifully prepared food, away and somehow manages to get it out the door with both hands full. They have a prolonged exchange before he exits, though, with Nidia figuratively pushing him and his lovely gesture away and him trying to get her interested. When Delirio toadies up, he does such a grand job. Nidia is, of course, not only unimpressed, she’s provoked to the max.

And we revisit a beaming Monica giving Juan her briefcase and beaming at him as she wonders if he’s aware the Licenciada is leaving Farell? He thought bubbles that he hadn’t known, but maybe he’d best act like he had (not give her the rope to hang him, implied). He says he’d heard, and she wants to know what he thinks. He hedges—the hour comes for everyone to go sooner or later. He tells her he was thinking of it, too. Monica puts on her best flirting expression, grabs Juan by the tie and pulls him closer, asking “how’s that? The changes of bosses seems so bad to you?” Monica doesn’t simper well. Juan stumbles around. He wants to expand his horizons, he isn’t putting down his time as a chauffeur, but it’s time to move on, up. Monica is So Glad he has aspirations, and she guesses she understand him. She plays with his tie and tells him she can help him move in Farell. Juan is impactado and squirmy. He tells her this gives him pause (gives him pena, my interpretation), because he surely wouldn’t want her to bother. She plays with his lapels and tells him it’s No Bother. She strokes the lapels and tells him she loves to help people accomplish their dreams. She touches his nose fondly and tells him he’s demonstrated he’s a magnificent person. Juan wiggles his nose like he’s got an itch and thanks her, with no eye contact as he struggles to keep from sneezing. She tells him to let her see what she can do and touches him lightly to punctuate. Juan thanks her again uncomfortably, and then opens the limo door for her. She thanks him, spins around with full coquettish eye contact, a hand grasp and WHAT? A WINK? Sheesh. Finally, she gets into the car. What a relief. For Juan and for Us. Juan thought bubbles that this woman has him intrigued. First she hurled a stone at him with this info about the Licenciada, and then she comforted him by offering help. His eyes shift – he has no clue what to make of this. The door closed, he makes his way around the car, though bubbling that it’s got to be one of three things. She’s the Good Samaritan like people say, or she was plotting (tramando) something and wants to get him in the middle of it, or worse, you, if you were sly, “were a couple of bragging dogs???” ( Estaba echando dos perros, someone help with the dicho!) He glances in the mirror to see Monica smiling, still plenty coquettish. He maneuvers through traffic, still talking to himself while Moni plays with him in the mirror, kissing her finger and turning it around to him. He continues to muse on this—he’s not really surprised, it won’t be the first or the last little kid (goat type, cabrita - a little female) who would have slipped onto the terrain of Juan Dominguez. His eyebrow goes up as he watches her in the mirror. [Ed. Note: Moni, no way can you convince us you’re sleazy. Nice try, though. Just don’t crush Juan, he’s had plenty of that.]

Ana is sharing a distinctly uncomfortable breakfast with Paula. Paula wants to know what the heck is on Ana’s mind before Ana explodes. [Ed. Note: I froze the frame to type here and Ana’s expression was So Sour that my hubby said if she doesn’t be careful, it’ll freeze that way forever.] She doesn’t want them to continue with this attitude (plan, one of the definitions). They need each other. Ana explains that Paula will have to forgive her, but she overheard Paula and Juan the night before. Paula had asked Juan if he knew what she was looking for. It seemed like a plea to Ana. A plea for what? Ana can’t really say, she’s not sure. It was like she wanted him to do something. Ana says Paula will think she’s crazy, but he almost kissed her. Paula thinks Ana is hallucinating. But Paula isn’t making eye contact when she tells Ana. Ana says Paula’s attitude was pretty flirty, like she was provoking him. Maybe Juan is the answer to what she’s looking for, Ana earnestly tells her. Paula firmly denies this. She’s found what she wanted. Ana doubts it. She’s always wanted a love with integrity, honest, total. And the only man who’s offered that is Juan. Ana points out that Paula knows that no one will lover her like Juan does. Paula wants to know why Ana is so sure. Because Juan gave Paula up in order that she could be happy with CL. That’s the best possible proof of how much he loves her. Paula counters that CL gave up his marriage, his business [Ed. Note: and THIS makes him a good catch?] and CL told her he’d let her go so she could be happy with Juan. They’re saved by the bell again, thank heaven. It’s probably Fernando to pick her up. Ana stops her as she starts to answer the door—she can’t marry someone when she has feelings for another. Paula says she really doesn’t know why her mother’s saying that. Ana says it’s because of what she heard and saw the night before, the manner in which Paula looked at Juan. She tells Paula to think about it. Paula nods but says she has to go to the office, and kisses her mother. Ana is not thrilled with it all.

CL is all dressed for something, which is amazing given he’s unemployed. He greets his friend Andres, also dressed to the nines in a suit with as much hair gel as Fernando Mendiola (but on Fernando Mendiola, it was positively sultry). They exchange pleasantries. Andres thinks it’s odd that CL isn’t meeting at the office with him. CL tells him to sit, lots of things have changed since the divorce. Andres says CL will have to update him (actualizar). He can’t have a lawyer with these gaps (laguna, another definition). Ah, he’s a lawyer, that explains why CL has a suit and tie on when he’s unemployed. CL tells him it’s all a very long conversation ahead of them. [Ed. Note: So, is this guy on the clock or what? Can you afford to give him all the juicy details when you’re unemployed, CL?] The boys lean forward, so they can talk in whispers in CL’s apartment. CL wants Andres to tell him something. How soon can he re-marry? Andres is not the least bit impactado. Well, the divorce is done, but there’s paperwork….it’ll take up to a month if Andres really speeds up the paperwork. Not good enough, CL tells him. I want to get married next weekend. NOW Andres is impactado.

Marely is shocked to see Paula back in the office after “yesterday’s uproar (alboroto)!” No, Paula’s not leaving things incomplete. She’s not giving that woman the pleasure of seeing her abandon all the work, unfinished, and it’s going to be all organized and clear before she walks out the door for real. Marely just nods. Paula changes the subject. How’d it go with Nidia last night? Great, Marely tells her. Things are calm on the home front For The Moment. She thinks Paula might have lost some sleep with all the drama. No, Paula replies, she lost sleep, but not because of that. Marely wants to know what. Thinking about a thousand things. Marely retorts that among those things might be CL? Yes, that too. Paula doesn’t understand this enmity between him and her mother. He can’t stand her. Why? Well, because we talked about getting married and proposed to take her with us and leave the country to live, and she got furious. Marely is shocked that Paula and CL think to leave the country. Paula acknowledges that she’s not thrilled about the idea and they might be moving too fast. Marely points out that she’s said this to the point that it’s worn out. Yes, Paula agrees. She was completely sure of all this before, but now she doesn’t know. On one hand there’s CL pressuring her and on the other hand there is Juan. Juan? What’s up with Juan? Marely looks worried. Paula looks at her guiltily.

CL and Andres are still hashing out how a divorce in the D. F. can be accelerated to faster than the speed of light. Andres tells him it’s too hasty to try to get the paperwork done for a weekend wedding. CL tells Andres that maybe he didn’t understand what CL asked. He doesn’t give a rip about the paperwork. He’s ready to pay whatever. But, it has to be resolved in time for the wedding. Can Andres do it or not? CL’s camaraderie has flown out the window, he means business. Andres tells CL he’ll get to work on it. He’s not a happy camper. He wonders if the service will be a religious one. CL tells him that’s resolved; he didn’t marry Monica in the church. Andres wants to know if it’s not an indiscretion, why now? CL sighs. His mother in law is a toothache (dolor de muelas, toothache). If he doesn’t do it, she’s never going to get over it. He’s fed up with her. Andres points out that once he’s married, he’ll never be able to get rid of the mother in law. CL knows, but he’ll find a way. The woman is a really negative influence on Paula.

Paula is leaning against her credenza, telling Marely how Juan has been so good with her, so special. He even talked to her mother and helped calm her regarding CL. Marely looks increasingly worried with Paula’s change of heart. There’s no room for doubt that Juan has shown how much he loves her. He’s made a sacrifice. Marely quietly asks if she needs more evidence. No, Paula says, but this is making such a tangled of knots in her head that she doesn’t know how to handle it, what to do. Her mother’s got her thinking as usual, Paula continues, and she doesn’t know what she’s looking for. Paula asks what Marely thinks. Marely thinks she shouldn’t pay attention to her mother and not think twice. Paula is impactada. Marely fumbles around that whenever she gives advice, Paula does the opposite, so she’s giving her the opposite of what she should do now. So, Paula says, she should pay attention to her mother and let up on the accelerator. At least that, Marely agrees, and maybe even put on the brake and get out of the car. Paula sighs; Sr. Farell won’t think this is the least bit amusing. Marely says that’s some bad luck. Paula smiles fondly at Marely and asks if she has any more advice. Well, Marely says, if you’re going to let up on the accelerator take advantage of this opportunity to clarify your feelings for Juan. [Ed. Note: As I said last week, they are Recycling Scripts Here, folks. We’ve been there, done that.] Marely doesn’t’ want her to make an unforgivable mistake of marrying CL when Juan is still deep in her heart.

Monica is spitting out orders to Pastor. Two things: first, we need to think about finding someone to replace Paula Dávila. Pastor’s eyes get oh-so-wide. “Don’t tell me that she’s going?” Monica retorts indignantly that he shouldn’t try to tell her that he didn’t know. He hedges, well, he’d heard rumors. But the Licenciada’s resigning was becoming a sport….Moni interrupts him. That was during the CL era. Things are different now, so get busy and find a person to replace her. Pastor knows just the ideal candidate, now that she mentions it. He describes this person who could move up, with passion, hablablablabla and Monica cuts him off again. “Would that by any chance be You?” Nope, Forget It. She needs him right where he is too much. He protests and she cuts him off yet again, because she doesn’t want to discuss it. Look for candidates, already, and give three choices. Yes, Ma’am. Second, Monica wants Pastor to find something for Juan Dominguez. That gets Pastor’s attention. Excuse me? Well, Paula has resigned, and Juan is thinking of doing the same, and I suppose that’s something you also knew. Pastor makes a face that clearly says he had no idea. Well, Moni wants him to stay and so they have to offer something that will interest him. Yes, Ma’am. Pastor looks away.

Fern is at the garage desk, doing crosswords or whatever he’s always doing. Juan, sans jacket, wants to know how it’s going with the Licenciada Paula? Fern doesn’t even look up. “How’s what going?” Well, Juan asks, you’re picking her up, bringing her here….? Fern finally looks up. “What do you think?” Juan replies “How bad tempered, a person can’t even ask you a question.” Fern goes back to his crossword. “You can, but not nonsense.” Juan prods a little. The Licenciada is good people, nice, chatty….. Fern says she didn’t open her mouth during the whole trip. Juan is impactado. Why? Could it be that something is bothering her? Fern looks up again, annoyed. “Well, you’re not leaving me in peace until I tell you some gossip about the Licenciada, right?” Juan protests that this is his ex-boss, he’s just interested in her well being. Well, Fern tells him, for his information she had a worried look. What kind of worried look? About work, or a personal matter, or what? Juan sits next to him, anxious. Fern wants to know how he’s supposed to know what sort of worry she had. Fern wonders if Juan is trying to drive someone up the wall. (sacar a algn de quicio to drive someone up the wall). He stands up, totally irritated. He points out he’s seen lots of faces in the rearview mirror, and this woman had a face that looked like she’s going through a complicated time, because of work, because of Juan, whatever, he didn’t have a way of knowing. Fern asks if he can get back to what he was doing. Juan snaps at him. Sorry to have disturbed your deep reading there. Fern shows him the book up close. Oops, probably not a crossword. Juan is disgusted.

CL is still in his apartment and still dressed to the nines. He’s asking Paula how everything is. More or less, she tells him, lots of work. He tells her she doesn’t have to worry. On the contrary, I’m leaving things all ready for your ex, she tells him. She won’t have any doubt about my management. He asks her to go out to eat, but Paula wants to do the work. He’s not accepting a no. He has a surprise. He won’t tell her, but suggests they meet at the Italian place. Bye bye, he hangs up too fast for her to say a word. Paula’s provoked. Marely wants to know what’s up. Paula says CL has a surprise lunch for her. Marely asks why she doesn’t take advantage of it and give him the surprise that they’re slowing things down some. Paula just looks irritated.

Pastor comes into the garage to see Juan and they exchange greetings and chitchat about how Juan’s new assignment is going. Pastor tells him the boss loves him. [Ed. Note: uh-huh.] She’s thinking of changing herself into his new guardian angel. Pastor remarks that he doesn’t know what it is about Juan and the female executives of this company, but he makes them crazy. Juan makes a self-deprecating remark about Pastor coming up with all this stuff, one just needs to be a decent person, nothing more. Well, Pastor informs him, the boss wants to offer him a job in the offices. It’s not just anything, it’s something important. Juan is wary, but says she mentioned it. Pastor wants to know what kind of work Juan would like to be doing in the company. Such opportunities don’t call twice at the door.

Ana is serving coffee as she and Nidia stand in Ana’s kitchen. Ana wants to know how it went the night before. Nidia, with a pained and martyred look, replies if only she could tell Ana about her Calvary. There is only one thing worse than having a big fuss with Alirio Perafán, and that’s to reconcile with him. Ana takes a pan of biiiig pastries out of the oven and puts them onto the tiled counter. Nidia continues, what a torture it was, his little gestures. She describes him bringing her breakfast in bed and trying to feed her while she looks longingly at what Ana has baked. Nidia does a great Delirio impression, tone of voice, expansive gestures and body language, and all. [Ed. Note: Nidia really ought to take up acting.] Ana chuckles, picturing Alirio in full splendor. She tsks and tells Nidia it’s not so bad, he’s making an effort. Nidia thinks he’s a pain in the neck. But, Nidia tells Ana, she wants to talk very seriously with Ana. Ana looks worried impactada.

Juan rubs at the car behind him a little and tells Pastor he simply doesn’t want to be in the company, but he has no problem with the company. Pastor wants to know if it has something to do with the Licenciada Paula. Juan tells Pastor he knows it does. That’s the only way he can forget. Pastor points out she’s resigned. Yeah, but those resignations were not forever. Pastor chuckles. In this case, yes. Paula and CL are going to live out of the country. For real? Juan is muy impactado. Yes, Pastor tells him, didn’t you know? Juan had no idea. Speaking of the Queen of Rome, Paula comes into the garage. She greets them and walks on, clingy black dress wrinkling badly around her okole. Juan looks after her, absolutely impactado. Pastor asks if he’s going or if he’s staying with Farell.

Nidia is telling Ana her tale of woe; she burned her brain all night, asking herself questions. Why me? And I concluded it happens because I’m idle. [Ed. Note: Busy hands are happy hands….] Ana is curious about that. Well, Nidia continues that she had dedicated herself to being a mother, hablablablabla and was going to escape with Anga. Ana wants to know if she’s going to work. Nidia is appalled at the thought. Nobody in her family goes to work. Except Marely, but she got that from Samuel. Ana rolls her eyes a little. Well, then, is she going to sew or embroider or something? Nope, Nidia has a better idea and that’s where Ana can help. Ana looks wary, and she should. Me? Yes, you. I want you to be my teacher, Nidia tells Ana. Teacher of what? Nidia wants to dedicate herself to painting. Lovely classical music plays.

Pastor is still working on Juan. Juan just has to overcome this situation. Can he give up an opportunity like this just for spite? No. Pastor expects more of Juan. Juan protests but Pastor asks Juan to do it for him. What’s he going to tell the Sra. if Juan doesn’t stay? Juan says that’s really annoying, such insistence. What abuse from this Sra. Pastor tells him to think a couple of days about it. He shouldn’t make any scatter-brained decisions (atolondradas). He should take his time and then decide what to do with his life. Juan looks warily at Pastor……

Paula strides toward CL, who is already seated at the table. She’s beaming. He jumps up, calls her his love, and kisses her—she looks LOVELY. And this? She wants to know what’s up. Is this the surprise? No. Why so much mystery—it’s making her nervous. [It should.] He tells her to calm down, and take her cup. They’re going to celebrate their wedding. He clinks her champagne glass and she’s impactada. CL, how good that you’ve brought up this topic because….because what? CL wants to know. We’re getting married next weekend. To your health, my love! She’s impactada again. [Her impactada never brings a single wrinkle or line out. What’s up with that? Is her face permanently botoxed?] He smiles broadly.

Ana and Nidia sit down to a Huge lunch. Nidia, her napkin tucked into her décolletage, sighs as the lovely classical music continues to play. All her life she’s been a frustrated artist, she declares to Ana. “Don’t tell me.” “Oh, yes, I tell you!” In college she was the queen of singing, dancing, theater. “What happened?” Nidia hops up and spins around, demonstrating the part she played. She describes how her father interfered, okay, partly because she was playing fast and loose with manhandling her leading man. Might have been partly due to the mini-falda, too. Ana chuckles and Nidia declares anything for art! Now that she has time again, she wants to take up that vocation again. What does Ana think? Ana wants to know if she’s painted before. Yes, for pure jokes. (?????) [Help! This dicho is beyond me and all 12 dictionaries—“puros cuernos” One definition of cuerno is “joke.”] They laugh again. Seriously, Ana asks, why painting? Because it’s so pretty, because I can do it at home, and because I’d have you as my teacher. Nidia leans over and touches Ana fondly. She’s going to pay Ana, though. Ana won’t hear of it and they fuss about that like the viejas they are. [Ed. Note: Nidia reminds her tactlessly that Ana has no work. Nice touch, Nidia. Give and take away.] Nidia thinks it’s a win-win situation. How does that seem to Ana? Ana shakes her head; it’s doesn’t thrill her.

CL is working Paula over at the restaurant still. He tells her he thinks it’ll be marvelous. Paula tries to protest. He protests over her, but she tells him to take a step like this they have to be very aware of what they are doing. He wants to know if those are her words, or her mother’s. [Ed. Note: Paula’s annoying expression is only surpassed by her annoying décolletage. How was it that Melinama put it not long ago? We just don’t need to see the underside of her bosom. Or something along those lines.] The discussion escalates into a drag-down fight. He complains about Ana, who is spoiling everything, in his opinion. [He is one First-Class Manipulator.] She sets Paula against him, he accuses. Hablablablabla clear up to about 120 decibels. Paula jumps up and sarcastically thanks him for the invite, then stalks away. He gets the waiter, pays and runs after her. She tells Fern “let’s go,” and CL stops them. He’s not done with the conversation. They yell at each other a while more and then he tones down. Fern crosses his arms and looks prepared to deck CL. Hm. CL wants to calm down, keep eating and talking. Nope. Paula’s going back to work. What for, she doesn’t work for Farell any more. She tells him to lower his voice. He tells her she’s forcing him to this. Oh, it’s my fault now? He whines a little. Their future depends on how they handle these situations. Finally, she’s out of there with Fern. Whew. That’s a relief, we don’t have to listen to the pair of them for a while. Fern gives CL a Really Dark Look as he closes the door for her. CL chews his lip in chagrin.

Gutis has come to visit Delirio in the catacombs. “You went to find her,” he accuses Delirio. “She’s my wife.” “And I imagine you crawled on the ground like a dog?” Nope. Delirio describes the scene where he manfully forced his wife to come home. Not. He tells Gutis how he talked tough and he cleared things up. Gutis wants to know where he found her—that guy’s house? Nope, a girlfriend’s house. [Ed. Note: please notice that he didn’t tell Gutis it’s Ana.] Now, Gutis, this topic is dead and buried, Delirio tells him.

Juan and Marely are at a quaint little eatery having a nice lunch. Why didn’t Marely tell him that Paula was leaving Farell? Marely points out that one day she’ll get mad and another she’ll change her mind and stay. And why hasn’t he told her about this little place? He can’t know how long she’s been looking for a place with delicious and inexpensive food like this close to the office. It’s a state secret, he tells her. They joke around a little. What if they spill the tepache about this place, everyone will start coming, and it’ll be full. Then the king that he is won’t get in. She accuses him of being jealous over it. Nope, he says, it’s self-preservation. He has to keep it exclusive. He touches her chin and she smiles back at him. He wants to change the topic and know what she’s doing after work. Nothing, why? He has a triple-header plan: some tacos and dancing. Marely says it doesn’t seem so good to her. The cachi-cachi-bombon music grinds to a stop. Juan wants to know why, and Marely wants to know why he’s asking her out now? He’s tired of work, wants to go out, get a little spirit, etc. relax [Juan actually said relax in English and the captioner MISSED it.] Marely calls his bluff; he wants to forget Paula. Busted. He can’t lie to her, it’s true. She’s the only one who can help him. She’s pleased with his frankness, but she’s tired of being his crying towel. It’s not that, he tells her. Yes, it IS that, she retorts. He tells her it’s not lies, he’s just going through a time that’s very difficult for him. Marely tells him he needs to find another person. And what’s more, she hesitantly tells him, she thinks that Paula’s not done with him. He snaps back to attention. Nope, she doesn’t know what she’s saying, she’s crazy. Of course she knows what she’s saying, Marely tells him. He tries to get more out of her but she refuses; she’s not saying anything more. She shoves a spoon into his mouth to feed him some dessert. [Ed. Note: Juan, we’re going to whack you if you keep on overlooking this gem!]

Ivonne sashays back to the lobby desk where she used to sit, but now Julia is there. Julia and Ivonne greet each other warmly. Ivonne wonders if they’ve replaced her so fast, and gives Julia an indirect compliment about her suit – “are you on a diet, or are those my nerves?” Julia beams, then complains about the job. They put her there because Ivonne hasn’t been around. She gripes about “that Sra.” and Ivonne chuckles at her, looking very relaxed. The phone rings and Julia dives for it. Pastor walks up behind Ivonne, also chuckling—“who do we have here?” Ivonne turns and greets him with double-cheek kisses. He fusses fondly at her, the ingrate, he’s left her a thousand messages and she’s not reported back. He has her final payout ready. She’d better cash it today, he tells her. He asks her to come to his office. Nope, she’s not going. He warns her not to look for more problems, because the Sra. Monica….Ivonne turns to Julia and tells her to announce Ivonne’s visit to the boss. She wants to see Moni. Julia doubts Moni wants to see Ivonne. Ivonne is, as Sylvia noted yesterday, goal-oriented and persistent. It’s very important. Julia throws up her hands and goes off to do Ivonne’s bidding. [Ed. Note: And don’t we just know who the Alpha Female is here, huh?] Pastor whispers to Ivonne. “What are you going to do?” She’ll tell him later. Pastor tries to dissuade her from doing something truly nuts. A surprised Julia comes back to tell Ivonne to go right in. Next thing we know, she’s talking to Moni. She has a proposal for Moni. “You have a proposal for ME?” [Ed. Note: your recapper can’t help but notice that although Ivonne’s skirt is short, her décolletage is more subdued than usual. Sorry, Oldman54. Perhaps Ivonne realizes that she wants Moni’s total attention in the most positive sense, and the skirt doesn’t matter when it’s behind the desk.] Moni’s skeptical look shows what she thinks of that idea. Ivonne informs her that perhaps she hasn’t realized but now that she’s in the company, and now that CL and Paula are going to marry, what Moni will need is allies and not enemies. Why allies? Ivonne says she’ll need allies for what Ivonne wants to propose. With Ivonne she doesn’t need to hide anything. Moni thinks that’s pretty shrewd of Ivonne. Ivonne continues that she’s a woman who is equally, or possibly more, offended than Moni, and in Moni’s place Ivonne would be thinking the same as Moni is. And what would that be?..... “To ruin the lives of this pair.” Ivonne delivers the final punch: Moni won’t find a better ally than her in this company. Moni tells Ivonne to sit and convince her. Ivonne struts to the chair.

Marely and Juan are back from their intimate lunch at the hideaway gem of a restaurant. Marely greets Enrique, who’s seated at the desk Fern usually occupies. Kike wants to know what’s up, and she lets him know she has some orders for deliveries for him ASAP. They say goodbye and Juan sits on the edge of the desk. And, what’s up, my Juanito, Kike asks. He gets up onto the edge of the desk on the other side so they’re back to back and looking around to see each other. Kike gets that cute little grin he has when he’s prying for chisme—is Juan making points with Marely now? Juan denies it, he’s more at a loss with Marely than with the Licenciada. Kike teases him not to be that way, because it’s no secret to anyone that Marely is wild for him (anda cacheteando las banquetas, slapping the sidewalks – from my Barron’s dictionary of Spanish slang). Juan replies mournfully that women are strange and he had the brilliant idea of falling in love with the Licenciada and now he has no idea how long his punishment will last. He wonders if Kike knows someone who can help him rub out the tattoo. Kike is impactado. Kike tells him it’d be too difficult and he’ll have a Really Ugly Scar (cicatriz refea, adding the prefix “re” before an adjective can make it a very strong superlative in some cases, if I understand correctly). He retorts that his scar is in his soul.

Paula is actually talking to Fern as they drive back to the office. She asks him for a very special favor, that he be discreet with what just took place and that he won’t say Anything to Anyone. Fern is a little offended. He’s surprised that she has to ask this. She protests that she knows about the dirty laundry that gets aired in the garage. She’s serious, that he won’t say Anything to Anyone. Fern looks pained. Above all, nothing to Juan. Fern tells her straight out he’s offended but not to worry.

Ivonne elaborates on her proposal to the Jefa. Ivonne thinks Moni should know that things between Ivonne and CL aren’t done. Moni looks a bit impactada in an “Oh, don’t tell me” sort of way. Moni wants to know if Ivonne wants a medal. No, but Ivonne thinks this means something about how strong CL’s actual feelings for Paula really are. She plays with her hair and proceeds to tell Moni that she was in CL’s bed while he was convincing Paula he was going far away, and while he was comforting her for the discussion that Moni had with her, Ivonne was in his bedroom. Just yesterday…Moni cuts her off, enough already, she’s got the idea. Ivonne just wants her to know that Ivonne is still a part of his life and has been for a good long while now. Moni sarcastically congratulates Ivonne, what a great woman she is. Ivonne responds that CL doesn’t love Paula. Moni retorts that CL doesn’t love anyone with the possible exception of himself. Ivonne points out that he’s caused a lot of pain. Moni doubts that he’s caused Ivonne any. Ivonne responds that she’s always known that for him it was a game, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t hurting. Moni’s not sure that wasn’t an advantage for Ivonne, since she was always used to being the other woman. Ivonne thought there was no other way for her. Moni wants her to cut to the chase; what’s Ivonne looking for? To give them a lesson. Both of them, but especially her. Moni stands up….”and after you give this lesson to Paula Dávila…” Ivonne interrupts. No, WE give this lesson…because it’s a task for both of us. Okay, after WE give the lesson, Monica wonders, then what? Nothing more, each of us has had her vengeance. It’s what might be called a temporary partnership. Moni chuckles—“a partnership between you and me? In exchange for what?” [Ed. Note: this is why you’re the Jefa, you’re always two moves ahead, Moni.] Ivonne tells Moni that among other things, she wants her job back. Only that? Ivonne acknowledges that there will be the pure personal satisfaction, too. Moni looks thoughtful, and Ivonne reads her mind. “There’s not much to think about, Sra. Monica, I think I’ve been clear enough and my proposal is worth your while.” Moni and Ivonne exchange slightly conspiratorial looks.

Out in the lobby, Julia is typing away when Ivonne exits Moni’s office. “My esteemed Julia, what a shame, but you’re going to have to abandon this desk…” Ivonne hands Julia her water, and helps her move things off the desk. “You’re going to return?” Julia is impactada….and pleased. That’s good, because one more day working with this Sra. and I’d be totally fed up (estoy hasta el gorro, I am fed up). Ivonne smiles cheerfully at her and gently pushes Julia back toward her reception desk. She eases into her chair with a contented sigh.

The viejas have gone out to purchase art supplies, and the nice young man in a suit [in an ART supply store??] is helping. Nidia tells Ana that the first thing she has to buy is a horse, right? We hear the horse neighing in the background. Ana chuckles fondly at her, no, they want a caballete- easel – not a caballo – horse. Yeah, Nidia agrees, the thing they put the paper on so they can make drawings. Ana chuckles again. The young man says they have several models, or are they looking for a specific one? Nidia wants the most expensive one they have, the model doesn’t matter. The lovely classical music is playing at this store, too. Perhaps they have the same Muzak tape that Ana does. Nidia is convinced that if you go cheap, it ends up expensive. Ana takes her aside and disabuses her of the need for the most expensive. Nidia needs to begin with basics for now. Don’t go crazy buying supplies you don’t need, Ana advises. All she’ll need is some paper and charcoal pencils (carboncillos), that’s plenty for the first phase. Nidia is doubtful, but Ana wants her to listen up, she’s the teacher. Nidia still argues….

Ivonne makes Pastor nervous when she comes into his office because she’s not going to cash that final payout check. He’s upset that she’s going to provoke Monica and hasn’t followed his advice. She laughs and interrupts—“I’m staying at Farell!” “No!” Pastor is impactado. Yes, she tells her esteemed and incredulous comrade. He comes around, the perfect gentleman, to seat her and make her tell him Everything. Without omitting any details. [Now her décolletage is back to normal, folks. It’s magic. Or I’m not as observant as I thought.] Pastor settles back in for a lovely gossip session.

Ana struggles in her door with an easel that nicely matches the woodwork in her house, while Nidia carries the little bags of art supplies. The art supply store music is playing here again. Nidia is babbling about not wanting a class that is half way or they might as well just hang up the paintbrushes. Ana finally puts the easel down, resting against the back of the sofa, and says they won’t start today. Nidia is disappointed. She figured that she’d be getting at least $10,000 per work by the gallery showing she’s having next week. [Okay, I was being a little sarcastic.] She concedes, though. How about if they start early tomorrow? Nidia hopes that she’s going to have all the models they plan to use hired. The Muzak grinds to a stop. Qué the heck? Models? What do you mean, what models? The Muzak operator puts on a different lovely classical music tape. Nidia wants to begin with the human body. Certainly, a man. She describes in detail learning to paint each muscle, each curve, every chomi….complete with expansive hand gestures. Ana tells her not so fast. They can’t begin with that. Nidia goes back to her explanation, as if Ana will be convinced. Nope. First things first, the basics. Oh, of course, Nidia replies. Ana continues, for example, a line, a shadow, an outline, some color….lots of things. Nidia’s face falls [as far as it can, given lifts]. What a shame! She was so enthusiastic about the pair of papiricos she’d envisioned, chomi-chomis, oh well. Ana turns her face and giggles behind her hand. Well, Ana is not going to be moved and there’s nothing Nidia can do. Ana nods and smiles firmly as my favorite lovely classical Muzak plays.

Pastor congratulates Ivonne on her bloodless coup. She’s back in power. She defended her territory like the great ones, she was brilliant. Ivonne gives him the credit, because with a teacher like him, one can only imagine! He’s pleased she’s giving him credit where credit is due, and it’s always wonderful when the student surpasses the teacher. But, she confirmed one thing for him, that women unite only when they have an enemy in common. She affirms that she and Monica are going to have their vengeance on this woman. They’ll skin CL alive. Pastor chuckles. He has only one question. How can they do that when Paula and CL will marry and leave the country to live. Ivonne assures him it’s all coldly calculated. Ivonne’s partner, the Sra. Monica, will handle that little detail.

Speaking of the Queen of Rome, Moni informs CL by phone that what she wants to talk to him about isn’t urgent, but she just wants to talk about a matter with him. They arrange to meet the following day.

Fern helps Paula out of the car, and she strides off. She passes Juan and Enrique so that Juan can greet her, she can smile a little but not speak to him, and he stare after her. [Okay, did that sound sufficiently catty?] Kike wonders aloud to Juan about the little smile there. Juan snaps at Kike not to begin bugging him. Fern hurries over to Where the Boys Are. Kike is covering a smile as Fern greets them and asks what’s up. Juan replies that nothing’s new on this front. Fern says okay, nothing new…..and explodes, qué the heck, I have something new! [This is the most excited we’ve ever seen Fern, folks.] “With the Licenciada?” Juan is curious-impactado. “Spit it out, man!” Kike can’t wait. Fern realizes he’s put his foot in his mouth, so to speak.

Marely is surprised that Paula’s back so soon, she thought Paula would be longer at her lunch. Paula informs Marely she didn’t even eat. Why? Because every day CL leaves me with a new surprise. Okay, so now what’s the new surprise. That we’re going to get married This Weekend. Marely is impactada! Paula asks if that seems like he’s come totally unhinged.

Fern has spoken out of turn and is doing his level best to backpedal so he won’t have to spill the beans when he told Paula he was offended that she’d think he’d do it. Especially to Juan. Fern tries to run off and the boys try to grab him. “Better to leave it there or there are going to be problems.” The boys protest, especially Juan. Fern already “rumbled” and he’s gotta give the info up. He starts to describe waiting outside the restaurant and what did he see? “What did you SEE?!” the boys howl at him. Well, the Licenciada coming at him absolutely furious! And they’ll never guess who was right after her? Juan yells to Fern to not keep them guessing the gossip. Well, it was the boss (CL), running to catch her. Fern describes the fight with CL raising his voice and her wondering if he wanted the pair of them yelling in the street. Kike is totally tickled by this scene, that got so bad. Yep, Fern tells them, she didn’t let him twist her arm (give her arm to him to twist, no dio su brazo a torcer) go back to the restaurant with him, either. And what do you think? She finished off the conversation telling him if he’s tiring of her, she’s tiring of him, even more! The boys’ expressions are proud (Fern), tickled (Kike) and incredulous (Juan). “That’s a quote!” (palabras textuales exact words). Fern tells them he doesn’t know, but it seems like this pair is everything except a pair who really wants to marry. This pair has serious problems. If they’re this way now, imagine what it’ll be like when the knife is at their throats (They’re married?). Kike thumps Fern’s gut, what great gossip. Juan’s smile expands like the Grinch’s heart.

Nidia and Ana, exhausted from the afternoon of shopping, are chatting on the sofa. Nidia tells Ana it’s good that she told Paulita what she was thinking. Ana second guesses herself, because Paula’s not listening, she thinks. Nidia wonders who ever listens to their mother. Ana tells Nidia she’s not against marriage, but she thinks it’s not an easy undertaking (another definition of “empresa.”) Even if one marries the most marvelous person in the world, there are sacrifices. Sure, it has its recompenses—it’s not all bad. Nidia wants to know how Ana knows so much since she was never married. Oops. She realizes at Ana’s pained look that her foot’s in her mouth. Pardon me, Nidia begs. Ana doesn’t want to sound harsh, but she thinks that Samuel’s relationship with her was practically a marriage. And, Ana learned many things about Nidia’s marriage with Samuel. Among others, Ana knew what was going wrong between Nidia and Samuel. Nidia becomes distinctly uncomfortable. If Ana’s going to turn out to be her professor in everything, at least don’t pound it in. In addition to painting, it looks like Ana knows everything, everything about love, Nidia declares. Ana is rueful. Nidia wants to talk in confidence; what would Ana do in her case? Ana diplomatically replies it depends on whatever she’s prepared to do. Drama Queen Nidia tells Ana whatever is needed to recover her peace. Ana continues for her to think about doing what’s needed to reconcile her marriage, be lovely for her husband. Nidia agrees, of course. Ana tells Nidia she’s passionate, so take advantage of it. Put those qualities on the table, and if she’s willing to tame her husband he might turn into an interesting man. Nidia scoffs, Ana shouldn’t be making fun of her. This tasteless man can’t inspire any thoughts in her except bad ones. Ana thinks the feos (ugly ones) have their points (gracias – one definition is graces), it’s just a matter of identifying them. She continues that Nidia should put on a very sexy blouse, exploit her sensuality to the max [Ed. Note: Let’s keep in mind, friends, that this is ANA speaking here.] Nidia leans over conspiratorially—did Ana do this with Samuel? Ana is impactada-offendida. That’s a question that she’s not going to answer, she tells Nidia sternly. Nidia tells her okay, who would have seen her, so timid, so cautious. You had yours hidden, but you had it. Ana hesitates at this outburst….Nidia changes the subject, she’s got to go. She’s got to be ready for her hubby.

Moni is watching Juan musingly from the back seat. Juan is thought bubbling; he wonders if it could be true what Fern has told him. No way would he be inventing these things, right? Could it be that they fought because of me? He begs the Blessed Child of Atocha about the bad piece of meat and calls himself pig-headed [Ed. Note: my hubby says that – about a bad piece of meat - when he’s having a bad day and his head is full of stuff he doesn’t want to think about. It’s from Dickens, I think, the Christmas Carol.] Moni chews on her finger thoughtfully, watching like a cat ready to pounce. Juan continues: now, what do I do?

Apparently, he’s decided what to do. He’s back to stalking outside Paula’s bedroom window and standing there talking to himself—only this time we can’t hear inside his head. He’s angry? Unhappy? All of the above?

CL isn’t meeting Moni at the office. No, he’s coming to see her at Laura’s house. Perhaps he’s strategizing to throw her off her stride. She wants to know what he’s doing here. What, he asks, didn’t you need to meet with me? It could have waited for tomorrow. He turns around and retorts that they say you shouldn’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today. Before anything, he tells her, he wants to thank her. What for? Her discussion with Paula, thanks to that his future wife no longer works at the company. Moni informs CL that she didn’t fire Paula, if that’s what Paula is telling him. No, CL says, he didn’t come to talk about Paula or hear Monica defend herself. But thanks to that, Paula now has nothing to hold her in this country. Well, then, Moni observes, you must be thinking in going. Moni adopts the “poor little woman” demeanor. She had no idea how difficult it would be to manage such a large company as Farell. CL smiles that MCP smile and assures her it’s a titanic job. Moni regrets that she can’t do it alone. She begs him to stay and come back to work. He looks at her warily, all traces of the chauvinist gone. He knows when he’s been set up. And we are reminded that any similarity to real life is purely a coincidence.

Monday: (the last day of Destilando, but Juan is still on) Paula is still confused, but we’re not surprised, because she is terminally confused. Ana tells her to figure out what she feels for Juan. Can there be something that will change everything? Will she stay with CL or go with Juan?

Vocabulary

Cursilerías – affectations
Tramando – plotting
Plan – attitude, (alternate definition)
Actualizar – update
Laguna – gap (alternate definition)
Alboroto – uproar
Sacar a algn de quicio-to drive someone up the wall
Atolondrada – scatter-brained
Anda cacheteando las banquetas – wild about someone (slapping the sidewalks – from my Barron’s dictionary of Spanish slang)
Estoy hasta el gorro - I am fed up
Carboncillos – charcoal pencils
No dio su brazo a torcer – didn’t let him twist her arm, didn’t give her arm to be twisted
Palabras textuales – that’s a quote (exact words)
Echando los perros - flirting, (thanks, Cap'n Eve/Sylvia for checking with a friend)
La soga al cuello - get married (thanks, Judy B.)

Schoolmarm Jeanne

Labels: Juan

Not a great setup so far for my final Amar recap – I feel like crap. I’ll try and soldier through and hopefully the drugs won’t ruin things.

Mo rants and raves at Azul, threatens to hurt Ceci for anything that Azul does, and reveals that it was Andres that killed Leonarda. Mo tells her that she has to stay in their bedroom and can’t leave, not even to see Katy. She says something about him being in jail and he yells at her to shut up some more. This scares her, I think, so she tells him that she agrees and won’t make any trouble.

Arny tells Emilia that he doesn’t remember what happened with Ceci. They discuss STDs, Arny says he hasn’t slept with Julio after Ceci just in case he caught something. Wow, he has a high opinion of Ceci! I guess that’s good that he’s being safe. He asks Emilia to help him remember what happened that drunk night with Ceci. She says he doesn’t believe Ceci? He tells her that Ceci doesn’t remember either. He is concerned because he very clearly likes having sex with MEN. Emilia tells him some crap about learning a lesson that alcohol and casual sex don’t mix. He begs her for help. She says she doesn’t want to mix personal with business, she did that before and it was a mess. He continues to beg for help.

Diego runs into somebody he knows on the street and asks if she has seen Azul. The show’s theme song plays while Diego runs around the neighborhood looking for Azul. This is kind of ridiculous, she’s a grown woman, it’s not like he would find her lost in the park or something like what happened with Katy. Diego ends up at a church crying for Azul.

Emilia must have caved, she has Arny hypnotized and he is remembering the drunken night. He and Cecilia are drinking and getting flirty. Ceci wants him to striptease and takes off his shirt. He takes off HER shirt.

Julio tries to convince the modeling school teacher to give Silvana another chance, the teacher is having none of it.

Cecilia is finally being honest with Andres about what she knows about him. Andres says it can all be like it was before, Ceci says no and Andres gets slightly threatening. He says she accepted his killer past when she thought it was just his uncle. They go back and forth, Andres says it’s all Mo’s fault. He is acting extremely creepy, finally he grabs Ceci by the throat and screams that they will be together forever. She says even if he kills her, like he must have done to Leo, she won’t stay with him. Andres freaks out and backs off. He gets on his knees and begs her to stay with him, he loves her, then says he had to kill Leo, it was for her (Ceci), so they could be together! Ceci starts freaking out and crying, obviously. The doorbell rings, Andres threatens her to calm down to see who it is. It’s Arny, I guess he is done with his hypnotism session, we never got to see the end. He sees Andres and says he’ll come back, but Ceci won’t let him leave. Then the PHONE rings. Jeez everything all at the same time. It’s Diego, looking for Azul. Ceci says she doesn’t know where Azul is. She says she’s busy and hangs up fast. Arny gives Andres a suspicious look.

Katy is playing with a doll, telling the doll that she misses Azul. Just then Azul walks in and Katy is happy again. I thought Azul wasn’t allowed to see her?

Lidia tells her mom, still in the hospital, that Gustavo took her somewhere expensive to eat, Clemi says the poor guy probably spent his whole paycheck. Clemi tells her that she shouldn’t fool around with this other guy until she is fully divorced. Lidia goes on about Tavo giving her butterflies in her stomach. She goes on and on. I nominate Lidia for ‘biggest slut’ on this show – she cheated on Paco with Piero, then she slept around with Piero even after he screwed her over, now she has something going on with Gustavo but is leading Piero on. She gets around. She tells Clemi how Gustavo says she is the woman of his dreams, etc etc. Clemi changes her tune a bit and says that having that kind of love from a man is more important than him being rich. She turns the conversation around to be about her and how she has doubts about Manuel, who as we know, is a complete ass. Lidia tries to defend Manuel, but he is indefensible. Clemi says she wants somebody nice, etc, I was waiting for her to say ‘like Anibal’ but she doesn’t.

Andres seems to have left, Ceci is stressed out big time. Arny tells her that nothing happened between them. She just has a blank look in response. Maybe she is more concerned about getting killed by Andres. He explains that he went under hypnosis. They got drunk and stripped/danced, then passed out. Ceci says what good news, while at the same time trying not to cry. They renew their loving friendship, Ceci cries that she needs her friend. Now he wants to know what her problem is, she just says to hold her. He starts joking about how awesome she looks naked. Why didn’t we see that part of the night from his hypnosis flashback?

Andres has reported to Mo. He says that Diego is looking for Azul and will surely show up here at the house looking for her. Mo rants on about how she has to stay with him forever. Andres says if GSD finds Azul here, he won’t help with the cure. Mo says he won’t find out.

Katy wants to go outside and play, Azul has to say no, since she isn’t allowed outside. She says that the sun is dangerous to her. She says she can only be in her room or here with Katy. I guess she IS allowed to see her, I must have misunderstood earlier. Katy asks why she says she isn’t sick any more if she can’t even go outside. Azul makes something up that only a kid would believe. Hugs.

Diego has already made it to Mo’s house. Jacinto is holding Diego’s arms back, Diego yells at Mo to tell him where Azul is. Mo answers back that it is Diego who should know, since he stole her away. This goes on for awhile. Mo ends up telling Diego that Azul has the same deadly disease as Mo. Diego doesn’t know if he should look impactado or not.

A commercial for “Amas de Casa Desesperadas” – I think it is supposed to be Desperate Housewives.

Mo tells Diego to ask GSD if he doesn’t believe Mo about the disease. Diego stammers that it can’t be true, it must be a trick.

Gustavo is at the Moran house, talking to Lidia, who looks like she’s about 3 seconds from throwing him on the floor and having sex with him. Good old Gustavo just stopped by to see how her mom was doing. I know we’re supposed to believe this, but even the nicest guy in the world will find reasons to show up when the cute daughter who wears tight pants is always around. Gustavo says he is there for whatever she needs. As she walks him out, Manuel starts to stumble down the stairs, he has one shirttail out to signify that he is drunk. It’s a universal symbol, like putting a sock on the doorknob outside a bedroom in college. We all know what that means too. At the door, Gustavo tries to give her a nice kiss on the cheek but of course they start making out. And of course Manuel sees them.

Diego is at Silvana’s place, reporting to the three ladies who live there about Azul also being sick. Gloria says Azul must have gotten it from sex with Mo, right? Diego looks like he will puke from the thought of Azul having sex with Mo. I feel that way too.

Mo looks at a photo of Azul, then says to himself ‘tonight you will be mine.’ Great. Rape alert.

Gloria tells Diego to get Ivan to come back, oh and he can stay at the apartment because hotels are expensive, and…. Before she can finish her little fantasy Diego informs them that Ivan is in witness protection and won’t be back.

Manuel drunkenly tries to chew out Lidia for kissing Gustavo. They fight about this for a while. Manuel puts him down, saying he is a naco, not of their class. Lidia says oh no he isn’t.

Diego shows up at Ceci’s, demanding to know where Azul is. He is mad because Ceci obviously knows where she is. He says she is infected, Ceci says yes, everyone already knew but him. He wants to know why nobody told him, Ceci says because Azul wanted to live her last days with intensity with the love of her life. She tells him to not look for Azul, then she has a flashback of Andres holding a gun to her head and Mo telling her something, I didn’t really understand that part, then she tells Diego again to leave Azul alone.

GSD IS IN THE LAB. ALERT THE MEDIA. HE IS ACTUALLY WORKING ON THE CURE. Emilia rushes in and wants to know what GSD called her for, he holds up a vial and says he found it! He found the cure! OH PLEASE LET THIS BE TRUE SO THE DISEASE STORY CAN END. Please God I am begging you. Emilia hugs him. Maybe we can get him working on Cancer and AIDS, since he can cure diseases single handedly. They get all emotional since Azul is going to live. They decide to call Azul right away.

Diego mopes and whines to Cecilia. He insists that he loves Azul above all, even if she is sick, whatever. He wants to know where she is. He says to help him. She says for him to help her! He has to leave and not ask her anymore. Diego won’t leave, he gets right in her face and she won’t answer, she opens the door and tells him to leave. As he leaves the phone rings, Ceci answers and it is GSD. He says he can’t find her. She yells that she doesn’t know where Azul is, Diego was also there, nobody knows! GSD is impactado that Diego doesn’t know where Azul is.

Gloria yells at Silvana for something or other, whatever she has decided to do to help Diego. I like Silvana’s new look of hair down/tight dress. She says that Mo has to pay, whatever crime sticks, he has to pay. Oh cripes I’m getting it now – Gloria is mad at her for skipping modeling class. Silvana says putting away her son’s killer is more important. I would have to agree. Gloria says Silvana is just doing things in the hope that Diego will return to her, she has to understand that Diego isn’t and will not be hers. I also agree with that. Dang – Gloria says that after Azul dies, then maybe Silvana will have a chance. That’s cold, especially coming from your own mother. Silvana grabs her by the arm and tells her off. She picks up her bags and leaves, Isela follows, leaving Gloria alone with nobody to whine to.

Mo tells Azul to get used to the idea that they are married, he tells her to call her lawyer and cancel the divorce work. Mo acts like a huge creep and they yell at each other. She calls her lawyer and tells him to cancel all the divorce work. Mo is pleased. He says now she has to fulfill her wifely obligations. She doesn’t want to of course, he threatens to have Diego infected if she doesn’t give it up. I guess I’m not in danger of being one of these creepy guys, because I can’t imagine that having sex with someone who so obviously hates you would be any fun. Mo seems to think it will be great. I guess he wants the power trip. With Mo’s threat of infecting Diego, Azul flashes back to how he infected her, she understands now how it happened. Mo claims that it was Eva Santoro who infected Azul, but she figured it out. She reproaches him and he looks like he doesn’t know what to say. Finally he admits to it, since he needed her father to keep working on the cure. She continues to yell at him. He claims that he really does love her, he did everything for her. None of this makes any sense. She admits that she prefers Diego, because he loves her for real. Mo threatens her when there is a knock on the door, the maid says GSD is there and says it’s urgent. Mo says she now knows what he is capable of, so she better be careful talking with her father. Also, Andres killed Leo, so he can kill Ceci too.

Andres is at Ceci’s again, acting creepy and saying that GSD won’t find a cure. Ceci steps away from him and says they won’t ever be together.

Diego is driving at night and telling someone on the phone that he’s worried about Azul. it must be the lawyer because Diego says that Azul would never cancel the divorce proceedings. Diego says he’s on the case.

Mo has heard the news, he is very excited. GSD tells him to calm down. He is going to give him an injection now and wants to help Azul too but can’t find her. Mo acts all surprised and says that Diego lost her. Mo gravely says that Azul could die without treatment, he tries hard to look upset about it. The credits roll with the REO Speedwagon ripoff song.

Monday – Azul is tied up, Ceci helps Diego break in and try to rescue Azul and it looks like they are trying to bring Katy with them too.

Labels: amar

Hello- Here is my first attempt at recapping Amar Sin Limites. Sorry it has taken me two days to get this posted (Thur. Packer game and preparing for a blizzard are my excuses). Just to let you know, my recap most likely has errors in it, because I’m doing this with only three years of HS/College Spanish. So if there is something I missed, please fill in the blanks and if there is something I’m totally off base on, please set me straight.

The show starts off with an overlapping to the end of Wednesday's episode. Azul is being shy with Diego because she doesn’t want him to see the open sores on her back. He questions why there is blood on the towel and figures out it must be a woman thing. Ceci calls to give Azul an update on Caty and Azul is upset that Ceci is calling from Mauricio’s house. Ceci assures her friend that Mauricio and Andres are behind close doors, but she heard something that she must tell Azul. The two women make plans to meet tomorrow.

Behind closed doors, Mauricio is telling Andres that he needs to do whatever is necessary to find out what Ceci knows about Azul’s whereabouts.

Back in the love shack, Azul and Diego (with long stemmed rose strategically placed) are getting romantic and she has a flashback to him telling her how his abuela died and the mourning his abuelo went through at the time. I’m sure that Azul is personalizing this and is afraid of the suffering that Diego will feel when she dies. I anticipate some sort of martyr-ish sacrifice coming up on her part. So needless to say, thinking of Diego’s abuelos is enough to kill the mood and Azul puts a stop to the passion. Diego says he understands, but we know he really doesn’t. Azul essentially tells Diego “to just hold her”, which is a classic cheesy romantic line that has been overused, but fits here.

The next morning Isela is at Silvana’s house and discovers that Silva has a lot of money stashed in a box/suitcase (?). Isela tells Silva that it isn’t safe to have that kind of cash around the house. Silva tells Isela that the money isn’t hers, it is Diego’s (so therefore it is OK to keep the cash in the house?). Isela doesn’t believe that Diego could have that kind of money, so Silva has to explain that Eva arranged for Diego to have the money, but he wanted nothing to do with it. So Ivan asked Silva to hold onto it for Diego.

We are then treated to an exchange between Efrain and his son that I don’t think that I quite got. Efrain is concerned about making a declaration against Mauricio because who is going to believe that he, an ex boxer, would be afraid of Mauricio causing him harm. Efrain’s son (can’t remember his name right now) says that Efrain should get in touch with his feminine side. This obviously offends Efrain and the son ends up leaving when Gustavo comes over to the house.

Gloria, Isela, and Silvana are having breakfast when Diego arrives. They invite Diego to join them and then Gloria goes on and on about the secret, dangerous romance between Diego and Azul. This woman continues to make herself look like such an idiot (op ed.). Diego bemoans his money problems to the ladies –how he has to pay back Anibal for his mother’s medical expenses and now has to set up a house with Azul. Isela says that Diego shouldn’t worry, he’s got money. A puzzled look crosses Diego’s face.

Ceci is standing in some sort of park like place, waiting for Azul. Andres is doing a really bad job of hiding behind a tree, watching her.

Manuel and Piero are discussing why Mauricio demanded a meeting with Manuel. Manuel is worried that Mauricio knows they fudged the numbers on the laboratory project.

Diego assumes that Isela is offering to lend him money, but he declines because he doesn’t want to put her out. Thinking on the spot, Isela runs with that idea and insists he “borrow” money from her. Diego asks if she sold the billiard hall or invested wisely in stocks. Gloria is in the background making faces to indicate money talk has her interested, but investment talk has her confused.

Azul is meeting with her dad and getting treatment for the sores on her back. Azul is concerned that Diego might catch what she has (funny time to start thinking about that after you’ve had numerous romps in the love shack). GSD says that it isn’t possible because the disease can only be transmitted through blood. He gives his daughter instructions on how to care for the sores, they need to be redressed at least three times a day. Azul is concerned that Diego will find out and she wants to put makeup on the sores. GSD tells her that will not be good for healing and he urges her to tell Diego that she’s sick. Besides, he warns her, you won’t be able to keep it secret for too much longer. GSD and Azul talk about Mauricio and his want to see Azul before agreeing to a divorce. Azul suspects a trap, so she doesn’t want to meet him. She expresses concern over Caty and what will happen to her once Mauricio is incarcerated and Azul dies. She mentions that Diego, GSD, Emilia, and Silvana will all have to look after the little imp.

Mauricio meets with Piero & Manuel. Andres is no longer tailing Ceci, instead he’s following behind the men trying to look menacing in his shades. Mauricio tells P & M that he likes the work they’ve done—they are good with numbers. Now that the lab is done, he’d like to offer Manuel the job of overseeing it. Manuel’s ego is stroked and he jumps at the chance, giving Mauricio a hug. Mauricio thinks “you’ve fallen into the trap” as the sinister soundtrack plays in the background—cut to commercial.

We return to Tavo at Efrain’s house. He’s come over to ask for an advance on his salary. Efrain gives him heck about sniffing around Lidia, because she’s a married woman. Tavo tells him that she’s in the process of getting divorce. Efrain warns that she’s pretentious and dangerous. Tavo tells Efrain to not be so unfair. Efrain gives him the money and tells him that’s all he’ll get. He needs to learn to live with the salary he has and so will Lidia.

Piero & Manuel leave the meeting with Mauricio and Piero questions the strange attitude of Mauricio. Manuel is, as always, self-absorbed so he can only think of celebrating his promotion.

Silvana, Isela and Gloria are preparing to go out when a police detective arrives at the door. He’s from homicide and tells Silva that they are looking into the death of her son. The principle line of investigation is focused on Mauricio Duarte. Silvana is impactada.

Diego meets with Julio and the men discuss their collaboration. Diego mentions keeping the meeting secret and Julio thinks it is because Diego doesn’t want Alfredo to know they are working together. Diego says it is because he’s got to keep Azul hidden from Mauricio. Julio accepts this and they talk about Diego’s deadline for the designs. Julio hypothesizes about how they’ll work the campaign while keeping Diego’s involvement secret, but Diego says that he wants his name on the designs when they go public. We, the audience, are to believe this will be further motivation to hurry up and get Mauricio behind bars.

Ceci and Azul meet in a public bathroom—was the park thing a ruse to throw Andres off? Well it didn’t work because Andres is standing outside (apparently done with Mauricio and back on the trail of Ceci, sans shades). He reaches for the door to the restroom, but is stopped by a store clerk who thinks he’s confused. She directs him to the men’s room. Ceci and Azul overhear this exchange and Ceci high tails it to the clerk and leads her to believe that Andres is a pervert who’s been doing similar stuff throughout the mall. Ceci tells the clerk to call security and let them know that a customer complained. She runs back to the restroom and fills Azul in on what she did. The two women rehash how evil Mauricio and Andres are and how they interrogated Ceci the day before trying to find out what she knew about Azul. Ceci gives Azul the drawing from Caty. Just a comment on the women’s attire---Azul, with her seeping sores on her back is wearing a WHITE, tight shirt. Not exactly the best color to hide bleeding wounds, let alone the tight fabric causing some irritation. Then we have Ceci, a budding fashionista, wearing a shirt that looks like an apron. End of tangent. The security guard questions Andres and he's upset they think he’s a pervert. Andres starts to make a scene, but the security guard threatens to call the police and that gets him to shut up and leave.

Castelear meets with Maurie and tells him that he’s being investigated for involvement in the deaths of his first wife and Nicholas. Maldita Silvana! Maurie is irate. Castelear brings up the police looking into Leonarda’s disappearance. Maurie says he’ll tell them she’s gone out of town. Castelear says that with her passport, the police will be able to determine if she’s left the country. Mauricio says they need to concoct a way to impede the investigation and he and Castelear realize that a sick Azul could appear to be crazy. Once this happens, Mauricio as her husband can have her institutionalized. Andres calls Mauricio to fill him in on the recent happenings and Mauricio reads Andres the riot act. He tells Andres that Ceci gave the police Leonarda’s passport. He orders Andres to take care of Ceci.

At the hospital, Tavo arrives and finds Lidia and Diego in the waiting room. He shows Diego that he brought Clemencia some cholesterol free cookies (sounds delicious, umm not). Diego compliments him on his details (I’d rather have flowers than some rock hard cholestrol free cookies). Diego pays Tavo the balance on the money he owes him for the car. They are told Clemencia is up to visitors, and Diego volunteers to go, with cookies in hand and plans on giving Tavo’s regards. Once in her room, Clemencia gushes over the cookies and how sweet Tavo is. A drunken Manuel comes into the room to announce his promotion. Diego gives him what-for for not even asking how Clemencia is doing. Clemencia accuses Manuel of being drunk and he claims to have only had a few drops. Clemencia tells him that he smells as if he’s been in a pool of rum.

Tavo and Lidia take the time to go out to eat. Lidia goes on about how she wants to live the high life and Tavo tells her that things won’t bring her happiness. Lidia indicates she’d sure like to give it a try. Tavo lists off his good qualities and tells Lidia that she’s the woman he wants, blah blah these two really bore me.

Andres finds Ceci as she’s leaving the mall (I assume) and he tells her that he’s not a dumb as she thinks he is. He knows that she gave the police Leonarda’s passport. Ceci plays up that she thought Leo went on a trip. Andres grabs her and she demands that he let her go. Azul shows up and tells Andres to let Ceci go. Andres makes a grab for Azul and Ceci slaps him. The two friends turn and run, but Andres pulls out a gun and stops them in their tracks.

Silvana arrives late for class and the teacher is extremely ticked. Apparently being a model isn’t important enough for Silva to arrive on time, so good bye—she’s kicked out of class.

Diego gives his dad a lecture on how he’s done nothing to win back Clemencia and right now he doesn’t deserve a woman as good as her. Manuel tells Diego that he’ll go celebrate elsewhere since the family seems to hate him. Manuel leaves. Diego talks to the doctor and finds out his mother can go home tomorrow.

Piero goes to Mauricio and wants to know why Manuel got promoted. At first Mauricio tells him he doesn’t need to know, but typical to megomaniacs, he’s got to brag about his own brilliance. He lets Piero know that Manuel is going to be the fall guy for their evil empire. Mauricio wonders if this bothers Piero. Piero reassures Maurie that Lidia is his only interest. Her family is annoying.

Andres now has Ceci & Azul in a car, with Azul driving. When a police car pulls up next to them, he lowers the gun and orders the women to smile (reminding me of an evil version of Mr. Roarke from Fantasy Island—smiles, smiles everyone). Azul gets faint behind the wheel and tells Andres that she can’t drive. He thinks she’s trying to pull a fast one over him and he tells her to move it.

Diego gets a call from Ivan. He’s surprised to hear from him. Ivan says he’s got some good news, he’s got some evidence against Maurie. However, the papers he’s got don’t prove that Maurie committed the crimes, but could be enough to get the ball rolling. Diego urges Ivan to take it to the police, but Ivan says he can’t. He’s now in the witness protection program because he’s ratted out the mafia. Diego is happy to hear that Ivan is turning a new leaf and offers to come to Prague to get the papers. He’ll surely be able to find Ivan there, meanwhile the mafia will remain clueless as to Ivan’s whereabouts.

Andres takes his captives to Mauricio’s home. As he enters with the women at gunpoint, Maurie demands to know what stupid thing Andres is up to now (umm, because it isn’t obvious?). A stunned Andres says he brought the women like Maurie asked (Andres, you really need to stop putting up with this kind of abuse from your employer!). Azul demands that Maurie let them go or he will pay. Ceci calls Maurie a murderer and this really gets his goat. He doesn’t like being accused of crimes he didn’t commit all because Azul wants to run off with Diego. Ceci begs Maurie to let Azul go and Azul states that she won’t leave without her friend. Maurie says they are staying---Azul will be watched 24-7 and Ceci better not say anything to anyone or else things will be bad for Azul (so perhaps I didn’t quite get this part, is he going to let Ceci go on her own recognizance or is she to also be held in the house of doom?).

Diego comes home and thinks that Azul is hiding (oh the silly games lovers play). He soon realizes that she’s not there and he gets his concerned face on-- “where is Azul?”

Maurie tells Azul that she’s going to pay dearly for what she’s done to him. She reminds him to think of Caty. He starts to list all the “terrible” things she’s done to him---she married him under false pretense (because he tricked her) and then she left him for Diego. Ed. Note---let’s think of all the things he’s done to her like injecting her with a deadly disease for starters. Azul assures him that she married him to provide a family for Caty, but when she was on the beach with Diego he showed her what kind of person Maurie really was. This isn’t sounding too good to Mauricio and he tells Azul that she’s going to be remaining at the house and if she tries anything, Andres will take it out on Ceci. Azul says just like you did to Leonarda. Oh no, Maurie says, you’re mistaken it was Andres who took care of Leonarda. END OF EPISODE.

Labels: amar