Caray, Caray!

Labels: la traicion

It’s morning and the staff are getting food trays ready for the reading of the will. Karla is furious that Mili will be a millionaire.

The family is gathered, plus one, as Luci notes, meaning Mili. Mili is looking a bit goth in her little black dress and straight hair and her face so pale. Lawyer Robledo with Mateo at his side starts in with the reading of the will and he cuts right to the chase: Regina leaves everything to Mili. Luci takes a fit, but Constancio says those were his mother’s wishes, so that’s the way it’ll be.

Alex, who just last night was telling Flor how Mili is not that way, now with an evil smile says congratulations Mili. Everything worked out the way you hoped, and even better. Good job. He leaves and Vale runs out probably to talk to him. Mili is anguished. Where is everybody going? Robledo asks. I’m not done yet. Oh yeah you are says Luci, what else could there be, kisses for everyone? Carry on, says Connie.

Robledo says there are two conditions. The first is that Mili live in La Soledad mansion as part of the family. Luci stares at him agape. Second, Mili gets her money when she marries. Mateo glances up at Connie and Connie holds his gaze. In the meantime, says Robledo, Mili will get a stipend of 20,000 pesos a month.

Mili is shaking badly. I don’t want anything, she says. Connie puts his hand on her shoulder and says take it, it was her wish. It all belongs to you now. Mili runs out and Mateo bolts after her. Robledo, a little startled, leaves and says he’s going to catch up with his grandson.

Luci, Damien and Connie are left in the room. Luci is erupting: I didn’t marry you, she says to Connie, and get stuck with you all those years, for her to get what belongs to my children!

Vale is talking to Alex in another room. She wants to know why he treated Mili like that just now, after all the times he stood up for her against everyone saying she wasn’t a money grubber. I still want to believe she’s not, says Alex. Vale says then why? Are you upset that the abuela didn’t leave you anything? Alex says no, how ‘bout you? Vale says yeah, a little bit, but what she did leave me you can’t buy anywhere, namely her tremendous love for us, her wise words. What the hey, we’re still millionaires, but what I’m worried about is you. What is this attitude about Mili? Alex says he doesn’t want to talk about it, he’d like to just be alone a while.

Luci is still overflowing with rage. Connie says he’s glad her bastard son didn’t get anything, and as for Vale, she has him, she’ll get everything of his. Luci says she’ll contest the will but Connie says don’t even think about it. Damien asks why Connie is so heated about all this, a bad conscience maybe? Connie stomps out.

Damien tries to calm Luci down. He points out that Alex could get the money by marrying Mili. Luci realizes this is true and says that’s why Regina did it! She’s getting the last laugh. No way will I let Alex marry her! But why not, says Damien, it was a clever little trick. Luci replies because Regina was always throwing Connie’s little bastard girl in my face and I’m not going to let her keep doing it from beyond the grave. I won’t let him marry her – NUNCA!

Mateo is walking with Mili out by the fountain and counseling her not to make any decisions right now. She is distraught and says she didn’t want Regina’s money, she wanted Regina to be with her. And now this condition that she is to marry – why? She doesn’t want to marry – NUNCA! Mateo says but you’ll never get your inheritance if you don’t. I don’t care, says Mili, I don’t need an inheritance. Well, says Mateo, you have enough monthly money not to have to work and then when you marry…. I won’t says Mili. I fell in love once, deeply, and I don’t want to every let anyone in my heart again. He gives her a light hug and oops here comes Robledo.

Mili runs off. Robledo says tell me I’m not seeing what I think I’m seeing. What? says Mateo innocently. Robledo says I told you to stay away from her. Mat says I knew her from before, she was my student, I didn’t know she was the girl who was to inherit. Honest! You better watch yourself, says Robledo.

Karla asks an amused Damien what was in the will. He tells her and ay no ay no ay noooo!!! she takes a fit.

Vale and Morgan are walking outside and discussing the will and why Alex is acting so strange and why he and Mili have so many problems when they love each other so much.
Vale asks Morgan if Mili has shown any signs of money grubbing and he says no, she’d give up her dinner to give it to the poor. She’s nothing like that. Vale says something has happened between them and I’m going to find out what it is. They look around to make sure the coast is clear and share a sweet hug.

Gloria and Lina are telling Mili that she is rich and now Karla’s going to be sick to her stomach. Mili says all she can think of is all the problems it’s going to cause. Why did the abuela do it? You deserve it, say the girls, she was so happy with you. Lina says she really changed with you around. The girls say now you have a ton of money to hire detectives to look for your father. Mili shifts her eyes around. There is a knock at the door.

Speak of the devil! It’s Connie. He asks the girls to leave, then he says that Damien has called a meeting for an important discussion and now that Mili owns 20% of the shares, she should come. Mili says I don’t know anything about stuff like that. Connie says you need to appoint someone to vote your shares. Like who? asks Mili, looking like she knows the answer. Well, like me for instance, says Connie. She says now wasn’t it Alex who voted Regina’s shares? Things have changed, says Connie. I see that your relationship with him isn’t going well. Anybody but you, says Mili.

Connie says think it over. In the meantime, watch out for Mateo. Now that you have money, there will be a lot of men coming on to you with ulterior motives. Mili says like you are doing now? Please, says Connie, I’m just looking out for your best interests. The best thing is you continue with your studies. I’m going to watch over you, as my mother did. This rattles her a bit. I’ll think it over she says, but please go now, I want to be alone.

Damien is visiting Hugo in his room. Damien says it’s just as well Hugo wasn’t at the reading of the will. Hugo explains it had to do with Regina (I guess not his branch of the family). Damien says you like Mili, huh? Hugo corrects I love her. Well, guess what, says Damien, Regina left her everything. Hugo is amazed and wonders why nothing for Alex and Vale. Damien says Luci was plenty amazed too and he thinks that Regina knew she’d be dying soon. Damien tells about the conditions of the will and says I’m not one to tell you what to do, but if you could get her to love you, nobody would steal her from the altar this time. Hugo smiles.

Luci is talking to Alex in her room, having a fit over the will and telling him that he must contest the will and that there are no lengths to which that money-hungry girl will not go. Alex says he’s not in the mood, he doesn’t want to contest the will, and don’t talk that way about Milagros.

Luci goes into full serpent mode. She notes that guess what – Regina’s surgery was a success, the doctor expected her to go home within days, and then wouldn’t you know, somehow she’s dead after having been alone with Milagros. Alex says are you implying what I think you’re implying? He stomps over to the couch.

Well, I’m not really saying, it just seems odd says Luci. Alex jumps up and gets into her face, yelling. You may not like her, but she is not capable of what you’re implying – it’s monstrous. Luci says, but it’s a possibility, my love, you can’t deny it. Don’t yell at me!

I’m yelling because I’ve had it with your intriguing and with your venom! Leave me in peace! Luci says I’m just trying to open your eyes. Alex has her by the shoulders, his face is just inches from hers and he’s still yelling. He says have you been drinking, because I want to believe that all this stupidity is alcohol talking. You know I gave it up, she fudges. He throws her back onto the bed and rushes over to her dresser and starts going through the drawers like a madman. Then he goes to the bedside table and sure enough pulls out a big bottle of hooch. What’s this??? He demands, Luci just wags her head no and cries. Busted.

Hugo is telling Damien he would love to marry Mili, but not for money, be very clear about that. Oh of course, says Damien, but since she’s inherited, it would be good for us… Hugo says why are you talking “us’? Damien says well I’m your father! If you marry you can’t forget about me. Don’t forget I helped you – look at how I got Luci’s shares for you. Ah, says Hugo, everything is part of some kind of deal with you, isn’t it? Never mind that, says Damien, you’ll marry Mili, I promise you.

Luci is telling Alex to calm down. He is holding up the bottle in her face and says you are destroying yourself. I know your life is hell, but this is no solution. I just lost my grandmother, the only person in my life who listened to me, who understood what I felt, who supported me.

But I support you, pleads Luci. Then why shouts Alex, every time in my life that I need you, like now, you are drunk? Luci slaps him, then quickly apologizes. Get away from me, says Alex retreating from her. Luci says please, the one good thing I have done in my life is to protect you. Protect me? says Alex, you have tried to tear me from the one thing in my life that I truly love. I have lost Milagros, I have lost love. He tilts up the bottle and takes a lot of giant gulps.

What are you doing? says Luci. I’m trying to understand you, says Alex. Luci is sobbing. Alex says, you were never happy, and now I’m not, and this is your way to feel better. He goes to take another hit, but she pulls the bottle away. You are young, she says, you don’t understand. What you’re feeling now will pass.

Alex says despite all you’ve done, I know that Milagros loves me and that something happened, but I don’t know what it is. Your story that she is after me for money just doesn’t float. He takes her firmly by the chin: I swear, swear! that I am going to find out what happened. Don’t try to turn me against her, don’t try to turn me bitter, which is what you want. He offers the bottle – here, let’s get drunk together. Regina says I would give my life for you. But Alex says I don’t want your life, or your support. Because you and Regina, you are two very different people.

I’m all alone now, says Alex. I don’t want your life, I want mine. (They are almost nose to nose now.) I want to live my own life without you interfering. All I want from you is a little understanding. And leave me alone. He leaves.

Luci slowly melts onto her couch, and falls apart with grief. This is a nightmare day for her, no doubt about it. She takes a swig from the bottle. There’s not enough left in there to make this feel better.

I think we’re in the convent kitchen. Sor Cachete is telling Mili that Gamuza was really hurt and Mili says it was a bad day and she’ll look for him and make it all good. But the sor says no need, Gamuza is here! He comes in the sor leaves. Mili asks for his forgiveness and says something really bad happened, but she’s going to be better, she’s going to stay in the game. A tiny ray of hope for our little heroine. Gamuza gives her a hug and tells her he loves her. He asks if it’s true about Regina and Mili says yes, she’s in heaven with her mother. Mine’s there too, he says.

Mili says she heard he has something to tell her. He tells her that he found out he has a sister. Me too says Mili. Really? asks Gamuza, your sister is Gloria too? Mili is impactada.

Luci, chin on her vanity, hanging onto her bottle, looks like the wreck of the Hesperus. She is replaying in her mind the things that Alex shouted at her. She has another slug.

Mili is talking to Gloria’s mom who says that yes, Gloria has a brother. She’s glad because that means the family is growing. Mili suddenly looks sad. She says finding out that you have a brother should be a great thing, but it breaks her heart. Gloria’s mom asks if Mili thinks Gloria will take it hard. No, don’t pay attention to me, says Mili and asks how it all happened. Gloria’s mom says that when she came up pregnant, Romulo left her. Gamuza isn’t her child, but he is Romulo’s son.

The grocery guy and Gloria are walking hand in hand in the garden. He wants to meet her ma, but she is reluctant. He says he’ll tell a few jokes and her mother will like him – doesn’t she want him to meet her mother? Gloria says it’s just that she doesn’t know how to talk to her mother about such things. He says just talk to her like a friend.

Now it’s night and Mili is walking alone by the fountain. Braulio comes out of the house and says he was expecting her. He sits on the side of the fountain with her and says he has brought the photo of her mother. She asks why. He says remember how one side is torn? And remember the photo of Connie that she found in his office that was also torn on one side? Well, now the two can be united. He shows Mili the result. Braulio asks if she will tell Connie. She says never, she will live to get revenge, to make Connie pay for what he did to her mother.

You don’t need to, says Braulio. He looks up at the mansion – all this is now yours, he says with a sweep of his hand. (This is the same place where he said almost the same thing to the fake grandson.) I don’t care says Mili. Braulio says he too has lived with hate in his heart – for Connie and what he did to his sister, for all the pain over all the years. And for Regina having died without knowing the truth (Hold it – didn’t Braulio himself also withhold that truth on purpose because he was somewhat mad at Regina for having listened to her husband and not having insisted that Connie follow his heart?). Mili tells him that she told Regina. They are both weepy and lean together happily.

Luci looks worse and worse. She is still replaying scenes in her mind – the hospital waiting room when Mili told Alex she couldn’t ever marry him, the funeral when Nestor was giving Alex a hug and the padre asked how her conscience was doing. Her bottle is empty – she gets another from the bedside table. She is now remembering the padre asking if she doesn’t care about the happiness of her son. She says aloud I’ve never seen him so unhappy. She sees her reflection in her mirror. It’s your fault, she says. She backs up from the vanity and then throws the bottle at its big mirror, smashing it.

Braulio tells Mili that they need to be careful around the staff, and that she mustn’t call him uncle around them. She agrees. She asks him why he’s never married. He says he hasn’t had time, he’s always dedicated himself to his work. She says there’s always time for love. She gives the examples of the Gloria and the grocery boy, and Horacio and Socorro, all good, hard workers. Braulio says his situation is different. He says don’t ask and let’s go get some dinner in you and he’ll cook. They happily go into the house.

Alex shows up at Flor’s and says he just can’t be at home, can he stay with her? Of course, my love, she says, draping herself on him. She kisses him and suddenly it’s morning at Casa Belmonte and the staff are having breakfast. Mili comes in in a nice little dress, makeup on, hair up in a fashionable ponytail, and a smile on her face. No Carlitos outfit for her now, seems like. Braulio says she can eat with the family, but she says she likes to start the day with the people she loves most. Karla scoffs and says she can’t take it and leaves. They tell Mili never mind and ask about her studies – she’s missed a couple of days. She says she doesn’t feel comfortable at school. The girls say she can study days and then they can go out at night.

Braulio says no excuses, she is to return to school on Monday and nights are for studying and he’ll make sure of it. Lina says wow, who made you the dad? Mili and Braulio look a little uncomfortable.

Alex is at full-service Flo’s chowing down on a nice big breakfast. No wonder a guy would want to hang out there. Flor suggests they go to the lake where they met and throw pebbles in it, but Alex says there’s a meeting at work and he has to go home and change. She thanks him for coming back into her life. He is smiling but he says what he needs.. and Flor finishes for him what you need is time and I’ll give it to you. But she says she doesn’t want to get into a situation that isn’t clear. She fesses up that she adores him. She says she knows he doesn’t feel the same and that he’s in love with Mili but she wants to know what his intentions are with her. She says think it over and when you know the answer, tell me.

Mili says she likes helping in the kitchen. She tells Socorro and the gal pals that she wishes that Braulio wasn’t so alone. They think he’s not very handsome, but Mili says he’s okay. Soccorro tries to explain that he has different tastes. Look at how he does a facial mask at night, how concerned he is with his appearance. The sheltered girls aren’t getting her point. Finally Lina and Mili see where she is going, but Gloria has to be told that he is gay. Mili says they have to find him a boyfriend, then. Hip bumps all around.

Braulio comes in and says Gamuza is there and Mili says send him in. But Brauilio says her visitors now will be received in the sitting room, not in the kitchen.

Gamuza is sitting in a small couch in the foyer and Luci comes in and doesn’t see him. She is heading for some booze that is sitting out for guests and she is startled when she sees him. Alex comes in and says Gamuza is his friend. Luci takes a big slug, says she going to the office with him, and leaves. Gamuza tells Alex that he came to see Gloria to tell her that he is her brother. He doesn’t want Alex to tell, it’s a surprise. He says Mili just found out the same thing, that she has a brother. Of course Mili walks in just at that time. A brother? says Alex looking at her questioningly. She is doing some fast breathing, and freeze.

Avances: At the office, Luci is yelling at Mili that it’s her fault Alex hates her, that Mili told him he’s her brother. Bobby says que? and Mili looks like que? too. The next avances don’t have captions, but Alex is yelling at Luci looks like just before the first avance scene.

Labels: guapos

• We start with that great buildup of troops from the end of the last episode...
  
  ... Jimena staggering along under custody of her frosty sister Sarita [who's BTW gonna end up a spinster if she doesn't take off those glasses again!], it's a perp walk to Mommy -
  
  ... the Reyes brothers behind Eva, horrified eyes fixed upon the engineer who's been summoned by Gabriela (the one who designed the cabana but we never saw him again) -
  
  ... Mommy, clutching the envelope she got from the Doctor at the Asilo -
  
  ... and Sofia, determined to tell her Mom right this minute that she spurns precious yerno Furd [who never appears in this episode!! did he get a vacation?] in favor of the hairy baker who never wears a shirt...
  
  As Gramps watches through his telescope, all converge, and just as the engineer says he's never seen these bricklayers before in his life, Mommy "faints."
  
  Shirtless sweaty Juan picks her up and all troop into the house except for Oscar and Franco, frozen in a brief, pointless tableau staring blankly at the receding procession.
  
  
• Cut to the crooked Doc at the Asilo, chuckling at what a wad of cash Gabriela gave him just to provide a false medical certificate...
  
  ... the very certificate Sofia reads with horror as Gabriela is laid on a couch. "Oh no, this cannot be, she has a heart lesion [this reminded me immediately of the "brain cloud" Tom Hanks was supposed to be dying of in 'Joe and the Volcano' --Ed.] and is in danger!" Gramps is chuckling, he doesn't buy it: "Nah, weeds never die."
  
  
• Quintana goes to the market to gossip with her sister Hortensia, who fills her in on the Reyes' tragedy and is amused by Quintana referencing "mi don Juanito." They agree the widow is soulless. Quintana goes home and makes a little shrine for Libia at the bakery. When the boys arrive there are hugs all round and Juan is blank as he stands by the shrine. He kisses Libia's picture.
  
  
• The engineer congratulates the Reyes Bros. on the modifications they made to his plans - "You've greatly improved on my design! Good work! If you ever need a job, call me!" They are impactados in a good way. Heh.
  
  
• "Oh mother, why did you not tell us you were sick?" "I hide my troubles so as not to disturb you." "Please forgive my rebellion." "Do I have to die to get some obedience around here? I've been sick since your father betrayed me... [Gramps cannot stop grinning at this deluge of b-s] ... and you, Sofia! Oy, if I am not very careful I will die very soon! And who was it who hired those bricklayers?"
  
  Eva says she did it but Gramps busts in and says no, he hired them. "No, me!" "No, me!" Gabriela: "Well get rid of them!" Gramps: "No, don't run 'em off, you'll lose a lot of money and the work will stop and then you'll be stuck with me, don't forget, that's going to be my little house."
  
  Eva tells the Reyes boys about all this and how Gramps saved her butt with his false confession.
  
  The Reyes go see Gabriela, who frostily snaps: "I've been informed you aren't the real workers. How much of the job is left?" They mutter about the roof and the hardware. "Well, finish it fast! Now get out of here! Eva, you go too!"
  
  Gramps grins and asks to see the medical certificate but Gabriela grabs it very swiftly. "I just want to see if she needs an operation right away," he explains. Gab is indignant that he doubts her and cries, "My heart is not going to last much longer!"
  
  There are more miscellaneous scenes of the girls fussing over their mother, who says yet again, "I hope you realize everything I do is for your own good." When the last one leaves she smiles very happily and asks herself, "Why didn't I think of this before?"
  
  
• Gramps presses Eva: "I know the first time these boys came here, they were carrying guns. Who are they? Why are they here?" She doesn't tell. He goes to Gabriela's room, in his Sherlock Holmes outfit, and shuffles papers in her drawers, but is thwarted by a locked door.
  
  
• Father Bouffy visits the bakery to ask what's going down with the vengeance thing. Juan describes his dream of Libia appearing as an angel, giving him a flower, and his waking up with that very flower! And runs to get it and show it to Bouffy! Father Bouffy has been rolling his eyes a bit (I think) but he's not going to pass up whatever will keep Juan from hurting the Elizondo girls. He thanks God for sending Juan this flaky vision.
  
  
• After promising Gabriela tender devoted care yet again, Eva begs for info about her long missing daughter, and yet again Gabriela says nothin doin. "You want her to suffer? You want her to be ashamed knowing you are her mother? And how can you just rag on and on about your own little things when I am at death's door?"
  
  Gab is having a little get-together next day to introduce Jimena and Sarita to their newly-selected future husbands, Octavio and Benito Uribe, just back from Europe, "They're good people, like us, of our social class. I'm sure there will soon be a double wedding."
  
  
• I know Chris was disappointed on his night, so I hope he's enjoying Rosario's assets tonight. They are on display thrusting themselves way out of an odd jacket made from a shag rug.
  
  Franco sneaks up from behind and surprises her! How not cute! Then he takes her away from the Bad Love Bar for a nice picnic. He sings a little mariachi song, she sings a little pop song, "You sing nice," "No, you sing nice," him: "I want us to leave together and go where nobody knows us, where we can love each other freely," she says she can't go, she won't tell him her secret, he'll just have to trust her.
  
  Then they take off their clothes and go nekkid into the same body of water we have seen in many other novelas. And, whatever.
  
  
• Back at the Bollweevil Bakery, Juan has lovey-dovey flashbacks and then kisses his bun. Sofia is having flashbacks too, but she doesn't have a bun. She puts her head down on a chessboard and doesn't knock over any of the pieces.
  
  
• Jimena is loitering outside in the dark; Oscar sneaks up behind and surprises her. [I tell you, the Reyes think this is cute, they all do it, but myself, I hate it! A friend did this to me today and I jumped a yard in the air and shrieked as loud as an air raid siren! This will really give a person an infarto!!!] Jimena's moping because her unwanted suitor arrives tomorrow. Oscar says, "No, marry me!"
  
  
• Oscar and Juan are waiting at the Bad Love Bar when Franco and Rosario return. The boys have tequila except Juan has milk for his ulcer. (Heh.) They toast and remind each other it's all for one and one for all. Franco says he's not a kid. Oscar says he proposed to Jimena.
  
  
• Gabriela to Father Bouffy: "Oy, I don't know how much time I have left on this earth." The suitors arrive, at least they have shaved. They are wearing suits and ties. The Reyes commence hitting their thumbs with hammers etc as they watch. Gramps is observing the new arrivals through his telescope and is not impressed. "My daughter thinks the girls will marry these mamarrachos (defective, ridiculous, extravagant, not worthy of respect)??" Later he calls them mequetrefes (good-for-nothings).
  
  Peering around a corner, Sarita ventures that the Uribe Bros. are not bad looking, maybe even sexy, but Jimena says they don't compare to Oscar with his sweaty undershirt and perennial stubble. [OK I added that part.]
  
  Gabriela adulates the Uribes, they're just as wonderful as Furd! One of them says this pueblo seems awfully small after NYC and Europe, but they're back because their uncle Ricardo asked them to come, and they're considering starting a business. "Are you still bachelors?" "Yes! We don't want to give up our freedom! We're too young for responsibilities! We want to travel! Maybe live in Europe, where people are more liberal!" Franco hits his thumb again.
  
  
• Juan sneaks up behind Sofia as she languishes languidly against a wall. She does not shriek! He gives her a flower and asks why she's sad. "Not just because of mother, but because she's marrying off my sisters without love, the way she did me." Again with the "I have never given myself to Furd" speech. Again with the no shirt on. They kiss and kiss. She pulls away to rejoin the party and, watching her leave, he slumps, looking like he might have an infarto himself. Heh.
  
  
• Gramps observes his daughter, "Sister Storm," through the telescope as she gushes over the Uribe boys. He tells Eva he knows everything that goes on, and if he doesn't, he investigates. "Of course I know Sarita and Jimena love those bricklayers, everybody knows except my daughter." Eva thoughtbubbles, "It's good he doesn't know about Juan and Sofia."
  
  He approves of the lads, they have hearts of gold, and they're honest, they refused his doubloons when he offered them.
  
  Eva says Gab will never accept the lads, Gramps says "We need to develop a strategy." He reveals his cynical conviction that Gab is faking her illness, Eva is all ingenuous, no she couldn't, Gramps: "My daughter is capable of this and much more."
  
  Gramps asks Eva to find him a discreet locksmith so he can see what Gabriela is hiding. Eva is all for that - maybe there's information about her mysterious missing daughter in that cabinet!
  
  
• Sarita and Jimena meet the Uribes, who give them some modest little compliments, but then one of them (they have that Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee quality, I bet we never figure out which is which) complains to Jimena that her clothes are unfashionable! The Padre chides him so he takes another tack: "But we love girls with character!"
  
  Oscar is ready to go break their fingers.

Monday: Eva watches muy impactada as Rosario tearfully wails that she never knew her mother, she was given up as a baby. Gee, does anything occur to us?

Also, the Uribe brothers more or less call the Reyes brothers nacos and here's an interesting definition of naco I just found:

The term may be a contraction of "Totanoca" although in reality it refers to "nacohatl" which means, "from around here" ... in modern times, the term is a bit ambiguous and confusing - even though it has been used disparagingly to mean indigenous people, most recently "nacos" are people who are short of culture, who do not have the urbanity of the upper classes. In general Mexican society uses this term indiscriminately in relation to economic status, social position, or even to signal a person who is different from others or has an unusual point of view.

UPDATE: I'm pulling Beckster's definition, found in the Urban Dictionary, up here into the post for your enjoyment:

Maybe from "Totonaca," a Mexican tribe of the Pre-Columbian era. Classless, pretentious, obtrusive, the Mexican version of white trash. Mostly blue-collar undereducated people, but can be applied even to a wealthier crowd (nouveaux riches, snob). They’re characterized for having no respect for others. Their only source of information is television. Males usually are truly soccer fans and females are telenovelas (soaps) fans. Most nacos like to name their sons with anglo-saxon names. It may be used as an adjective for both persons and objects.
"El Kevin cree que poniendole neon a su coche va a ser mas rapido, se ve bien naco."
"Kevin thinks that neon lights on his car will make it faster, it looks so naco."

Hmm, I guess our being telenovela fans makes us nacas! Nacas of the world, unite!

Labels: Fuego

Hi Folks...I'm filling in for Sylvia tonight. She's off sailing over the holiday, lucky gal. And those of us who stayed home to watch this show are suffering big-time, right along with poor Marely. But...don't want to get ahead of myself..here's how things unfolded....

Brief recap of last night's ending. "Sandro" comes into Paula's office, ignores Marely, leers at Paula.

Juan, Juanito and Hillary are at Doña Pepita's and she's flustered and excited by Hillary's presence. Juanito leaves to get Flor to take her home and Hillary pops the big question: "Juan, was there something between you and Paula? Or more to the point, is there still something?"

Juan gets up, turns his back, thought bubbles that he can't lie to her, she's been so great, and turns and tells her that Paula was the love of his life. A thorn he couldn't pluck from his heart. But before Hillary loses heart herself, he adds that he needs to give up pursuing a hopeless dream. HE WANTS TO LOVE AGAIN.

And who else wants to love again?...none other than our new and improved Julia who pursues Kike out of Ferrell to sympathize. Tells him what a great guy he is, responsible, good-looking. You have my number. she adds. Call me...if...they both get flustered, looking like two 7th graders dealing with their first crush. Kinda cute except you know it's going nowhere. Another filler.

"Sandro" meanwhile is putting the moves on Paula. First, intellectually, by presenting some financial documentation with elegant confidence, and then touching her hair and her shoulder while classic Cesar Luis seduction music plays in the background. Unlike the real Sandro, this "Sandro" has very smooth moves (remind you of someone?)

A little comic relief as Pastor and the new improved Herbierto emerge from the elevator to a crazy dance tune replete with wolf whistles. Ivonne does her bit by noting how good Herbierto looks and he's ready to "dar el estocada final" (give the final thrust, as in bull killing) but Pastor holds him back. You've got to play hard to get, he counsels.

"Sandro" meanwhile is ramping up the intensity. He tells Paula he's recovering faith in himself, thanks to her. He's asking for a chance to get to know her better, even though he "knows" he's risking being fired for expressing a personal interest in his boss. But he's just asking for a chance, for some time, yada yada yada and he leaves.

When Marely comes in, Paula is so pensive and bemused, Marely has to wave a hand in front of her face to get her attention. Are you that transfixed by the presentation? Marely asks. No...the presenter, responds Paula, seemingly unaware of Marely's interest in Sandro.

I'm going to give him a chance, Paula continues. I've got to give up Juan. He's not the man for me. "Sandro" is honest, he's interested in me.... Nothing Marely can say changes her mind. (well,what else is new?)

Meanwhile, Hillary is still bedazzled by Juan. Impressed that he stayed true to a hopeless love for so long (Habla muy bien de ti...speaks very well of you). There aren't many beings like you, she adds, and I'm glad to know you want to love again. She moves in for a kiss but just then Flor and Juanito show up and Juanito is not happy at all!

And neither is Marely. She tries to convince Paula that maybe she misinterpreted "Sandro's" interest, or is confused by his resemblance to Cesar Luis, but Paula insists that's not it. Yes, he's like Cesar Luis but without his defects. Marely warns her she's about to make a horrible mistake and leaves the office devastated.

Ivonne asks her what's wrong and Marely explodes "I thought Sandro was honest but he's not!" You can see Ivonne putting two and two together and let's face it...of all the women in his life, she probably knows Cesar Luis the best. She's onto him.

Switch to Juan, Hillary, Flor and Juanito in the car with Juanito insulting it as being "small". They head back to the office because Juan forgot his keys.

Yadira is thinking about heading back to work also, but Angarita advises her to wait until Kike calms down. He reassures her that he has a lawyer to take her custody case and she kisses him good-bye, thanking him for supporting her just like a father.

The blows keep falling for Marely. When she sulkily answers "Sandro's" request to see Paula, he reams her out for "talking to her superiors that way".

And Juanito isn't being much kinder to Hillary. While they wait for Juan in the car, he talks about all the gals running after his dad, so many he can't count them! and then adds that his dad does have a girlfriend. Hillary looks impactada...and not in a good way.

Meanwhile, "Sandro" is working his charms on Paula, asking her to dinner, while Marely fumes outside, blaming herself for being an idiot. Juan breezes by, tells her he can't offer her a lift home because he's WITH HILLARY but then stops when he realizes "Sandro" is with Paula.

"Sandro" has Paula's hand in his and is reading her palm..."I see a woman who is intelligent (we'd dispute that wouldn't we?!), courageous, intense and very very passionate. There are two important love lines...but wait, there's a third line" he adds.
You're making me nervous, Paula replies. He leans in and whispers, "Not as much as I am". Juan's lurking in the door making a gorilla face. Not happy!

"Sandro" leaves, mission accomplished, looks around the room and says, What a pleasure to work in an office with such beautiful women! Marely and Ivonne look at each other and Marely adds that Sandro is worse than Juan and Cesar Luis put together. More pensive looks from Ivonne so we know she's hatching some kind of plan.

The atmosphere in the car is rather frosty and Juanito asks Hillary if she's mad. No, but she's disappointed. Juan lied to her. Now Juanito comes clean and says, actually his dad doesn't have a girlfriend but there IS someone who loves him and whom Juanito wants for his dad. Juan just hasn't caught on yet.

When Juan gets back to the car, he's obviously upset but denies it and invites Hillary to the house for dinner and to meet his "family".

On a happier note, Pastor is enjoying some exquisite moments with Herbierto...advising him to fill those wonderful new shirts with muscle, build some biceps, triceps, reduce the waistline, lift the butt. Herbierto protests, I've got great muscles and touch my tush, hard as a rock! Pastor takes a deliriously long time verifying this, but still advises that they find a gym nearby and go work out together. Hope springs eternal.

I'll compress the Ivonne, Fernando, "Sandro" scenes. She's suspicious. Tells Fernando she has to work late, she'll see him tomorrow. He's suspicious in turn and lurks around the corner behind a newspaper. She calls a taxi and has it waiting by the door. When "Sandro" leaves, she skitters after him down the stairs. Fernando follows.

There are evidently only two taxi drivers in Mexico City, we seen this one before. He drives Ivonne to where "Sandro" is parked. She has him wait (he's shivering with cold) while she punches a lot of buttons on other apartments trying to get into the building.

Meanwhile, Fernando has driven off, convinced she's about to betray him.

Angarita and Kike are having a confrontation back at the warehouse. Remolacho would love to be in on it but they send him off. Lots of fighting which could all be cleared up if Angarita would just tell Kike that he knows he's her real father but no, that would be too easy!

So we go round and round about how Yadira needs to get away from her family, sort things out and then maybe she'll come back to Kike. And he's at fault, because he threatened her first with trying to take away the baby. Enrique accuses him of being an "asalto cunas" (cradle robber) but Angarita assures him he's not interested in Yadira as a woman. Kike doesn't buy it.

The discussion heats up and Enrique says why don't you fire me! Well, I'd like to after this lack of respect you've shown but I'm not going to.

Nidia in the meantime has found out about Alirio and Gutis' schemes by picking up the phone in the middle of their call. She tells him no more contact because this is a "casa de-cen-te".

And who arrives at the casa de-cen-te but Hillary. Perafan falls all over himself fawning, and so does Nidia but with a lot more verve. Perafan wants to offer caviar (yuck! says Juanito) and champagne and Hillary makes it clear she's fine with tequila and enchiladas. Nidia is delighted that Hillary is "one of us" and takes advantage by promoting Ana's gallery showing coming up.

Poor bedraggled Marely arrives, sees Hillary and says "This is all I need!" Nidia can't believe Marely is being so rude but Hillary smooths it over and Juan is impressed with how well she handled the situation.

Marely won't stay for dinner, rushes upstairs, cries her heart out and Juanito comes in to console her. Is it Hillary? he asks. In part, she answers, but I'm mad at myself too. I'm too trusting. I'm not cut out for love.

But I love you! protests Juanito. I know, Juanito but I'm thinking of a different kind of love...someone to care about me, to hold me, to kiss me...And to look at you the way my dad looks at Paula? adds Juanito. Yes, sighs Marely.

In the meantime, Cesar Luis and Sandro are fighting about our " lovely little rose garden", Marely. Sandro wants to call off the arrangement. When he agreed to it, he didn't know Marely. Now that he does, the game has changed.

Not fo Cesar. He's going to get his vengeance and nothing is going to stop that. Not even the great luuuuuve (he sneers) that Sandro feels for Marely. Beside, he adds, she'll never be yours.

She hates you. I've made sure of that. And if you really love her, you'll spare her the horror of finding out you've been fooling everybody...and all for a cold-hearted act of vengeance.

Forget about going to Farrell, about looking for her and about betraying me, Cesar finishes.

And mercifully, that's where this very unpleasant episode ends. Bring on "ultimas capitulos" por favor!!!!

vocabulary:

qué finura! that's so nice!

estoy jurada (Nidia).... I took the pledge...I'm "on the wagon"

lo unico que me faltaba the last thing I needed

viejo encandilador old smoothie (as in dirty old man)

un asalto cunas cradle robber

dar el escopeta final give the final thrust (as in killing a bull)

Labels: Juan

Hugo thanks Michelle for bringing the baby. He tells her that he doesn’t blame Soledad. He understands her pain. Michelle says that Soledad isn’t well. She told Michelle that they had said their goodbyes and it would be better not to be together now. “She’s right,” says Hugo, “I only needed to say goodbye to my daughter to die in peace. I’m sorry I couldn’t cure her catalepsy. Life is so ironic. All my life, catalepsy had me on the brink of death. Then, just when my daughter is born, you two arrive, cure me and now I’ll die on the gallows. But my daughter… My first catalepsy attack didn’t happen until I was four or five. But Aurorita is so young.” Michelle assures him that Dr. Dan will find a cure. He has promised. “Of course he will,” says Hugo, (to Aurora) “You will be cured, precious. You will be cured. Your mommy will protect you and Michelle, Dr. Chirac and Boris, he’s a good man and Ursula.”

Michelle says that before going she wants Hugo to know that despite everything that has happened, she sees a good man in him. A good man who has made mistakes but… Hugo interrupts her. She asks him to let her finish because it is hard for her to say this. She says that although she knows that many people see Hugo as a criminal, she sees a man with a noble heart. She says, “All my life I have waited to find a man like you to start a family. It’s sad because when I thought I’d found him, I have to say goodbye to him for good.” Hugo kisses her cheek. He says goodbye to his daughter and the guards lock the cell behind Michelle.

Margot doesn’t want to have sex with Arturo. He thinks it is because she is disgusted by his handicap. She says no. She wants to change and she flashes back to her promise to Hercu-less to be only his. She tells Arturo that she is faithful to another man but that cuts no ice with Arturo. He wants sex. Margot runs out of the room.

Hercu-less is in search of Boris’ body to bury it so as not to get in further trouble with Alcides. He can’t find the body. He says that someone must have found Boris’ body.

It’s dawn. “The hour has come, Hugo de Medina,” says the judge. Hugo sits up. “I was expecting you,” he says. He is handcuffed and led out of the cell.

Lucas wakes up. Soledad, Ester and Antonia are all hovering around this worthless sack of sh*t saying that he will be fine while Hugo is going to be executed. Grrrr! Ester asks Soledad if she is going to the execution. “Why?” says Soledad, “Why did I fall in love with the wrong man, mama? Such suffering, such pain.” “You love him in spite of everything, don’t you?” says Ester. “I can’t avoid it,” says Soledad, “I know he is responsible for all my misfortunes (NOT!) but the day he dies a part of me will die too.”

The campesinos have called the police about the man they found.

Dr. Dan is calling Dr. Max from outside his house. Dr. Max wakes up. He can’t remember how he got back to his house the previous evening. Dr. Dan calls again. Dr. Max sees that the Cabinet of the Dead Wife (CotDW) is missing. He calls for his ‘Amada Eva’. He goes outside where Dr. Dan has suspended the CotDW over the cliff that Dr. Max’s house sits on. Dr. Dan tells Dr. Max that he gave him a tranquillizer last night so that he could steal the CotDW. He found out that Dr. Max keeps the body of his wife in there with the hope of reviving her some day (How on earth did he find out about that? It’s ridiculous.) Dr. Max tells Dr. Dan not to do anything to the Cabinet or… “Or what,” shouts Dr. Dan, “You’ll kill me like you killed my father?” Dr. Max is impactado.

Hugo is led to the scaffold. Everyone is there. Hugo says to himself, “Soledad didn’t come.” He sighs, “Soledad.” Hugo mounts the block, the noose is put around his neck. He sees Soledad. “I love you.” he says to her silently. She runs away.

Boris has disappeared from the campesino’s hut. (Yeah!!) The campesinos tell the policeman that the man’s name was Boris Monsalve.

The block is pulled away and Hugo is hanging for a few horrible seconds. Then we see a gun, a shot is fired that cuts the rope and Hugo falls to the ground unconscious. Consternation! The crowd parts. Boris is standing there with a gun. The judge orders the guards to seize him.

Dr. Max pretends that he doesn’t know anything about Dr. Dan’s father. Dr. Dan says that he heard Dr. Max confess to the murder to Arturo. Dr. Dan wants to know why. Dr. Max says that he had to. Old Dr. Chirac was going to help Soledad deliver her baby and he needed the baby to find a cure for catalepsy. Dr. Dan is horrified, “You were going to steal Soledad’s baby?”

Ursula is walking with Aurora in the garden. She says that Hugo must have been hanged by now. Soledad will be devastated and Aurora won’t have a father. Ursula hears a knock at the door. It’s Rebeca come to see Ester (kind of early for a social call and why isn’t Rebeca enjoying the spectacle of seeing Hugo hanged?) Ursula says that Ester isn’t home. She is at the hospital with Lucas. Ursula asks if Rebeca saw Hugo hanged. She says no, she doesn’t enjoy that kind of spectacle. She doesn’t want to go to the hospital to see Ester. She will wait in the house. (The baby kept grabbing Ursula’s earring – cute). Ursula agrees to let her wait. She goes inside to put the baby to sleep and Rebeca starts looking for a secret passage behind the patio furniture and in the flower boxes.

Antonia wants to know what Ester did to hurt Lucas in the past.

Boris says that he hopes Hugo is alive. Michelle runs over, takes the noose off Hugo and unties his hands. Hugo is alive. Michelle thanks God he was saved. It’s a miracle. Hugo asks what happened. Michelle tells him that Boris saved him. “Soledad?” asks Hugo. Michelle says that Soledad couldn’t stand to see him hanged and she ran away. She doesn’t know he is alive. The guards bring Boris to the judge and he can see that Hugo is alive and Boris is happy. The judge says that yesterday, Boris escaped to avoid testifying at Hugo’s trial and today he appears to prevent Hugo’s death. The judge demands to know who ordered him to fire. If he doesn’t answer, he will share the gallows with Hugo. Poor Boris is a mess but he manages to say that no one ordered him to shoot. He did it because Hugo is innocent. Lots of impactados looks in the crowd.

Dr. Dan says that doctors take an oath to save lives, not take them. Dr. Max says that sacrifices have to be made for science. Dr. Dan’s father had to die so that Dr. Max could save Eva. Dr. Dan breaks it to Dr. Max that Eva is dead and will stay dead. Dr. Max decides that the next person he has to kill is Dr. Dan. Dr. Max draws his sword, Dr. Max takes out his whip. He disarms Dr. Max but Dr. Dan lets go of the rope holding the CotDW and Dr. Max tries to stop it from falling into the abyss.

Antonia harasses Ester to tell her what Soledad was so mad at her about. Ester refuses. Ester says her only concern is having Lucas get better. Antonia says that she will find out the secret sooner or later.

Ursula sees Rebeca rooting around in the garden.

Hugo tells Boris that he knew his friend wouldn’t let him down. The judge asks Boris if Hugo is innocent, why did Boris escape from the courthouse instead of testifying at Hugo’s trial? Boris says that he didn’t escape. He was kidnapped and removed from the courthouse. The judge asks who did it. Boris looks at Hercu-less and flashes back to when he taunted Herc to shoot him. Herc said that he didn’t want to shoot him. Herc wanted Boris to run away but Boris said that he had to go back to San Marino for Hugo’s trial. Boris recognized Herc’s voice but then he fell into the ravine. Now we have Herc’s flashback to not wanting to lose Margot by getting blood on his hands and deciding to prove to Alcides that Boris was dead by getting a pig’s heart. The judge says that if Boris doesn’t answer that means he is hiding someone. Boris says that he didn’t see who kidnapped him. They put a bag over his head.

Dr. Dan tells Dr. Max to let Eva go. He has to face justice for what he has done. Dr. Max says no, they will go together and he and the CotDW go over the cliff. Dr. Dan is impactado.

Rebeca is still searching when Ursula comes up and says sweetly, “Señora Rebeca, if you tell me what you are looking for, maybe I can help you.” Rebeca asks if Ursula is insinuating that she was searching for something? “What were you doing then?” asks Ursula. Rebeca says that the house is a work of art and she was admiring it but Rebeca says that Ursula wouldn’t understand that. Ursula suggests that Rebeca leave. Rebeca says that Ursula is a spoiled servant and she will report her impertinence to Ester. When she is gone Ursula says that Rebeca was obviously searching for something. What could it be?

The judge tells Boris to tell the truth. He ran away because he was an accomplice to Hugo. Boris says that he wouldn’t have run away. He had nothing to hide. The reason that he is here is because he is the only witness to the fact that Hugo is innocent. Hugo never would have been capable of committing this atrocity. Michelle says to Hugo that Boris is saving his life. Eloisa tells Marina to run before everyone finds out she lied at the trial. The judge continues to cross examine Boris. He asks how Boris escaped from his kidnappers if he was hooded and bound. Boris repeats that he didn’t see his captors. He was taken to the edge of a ravine and pushed over. He fell to the bottom and passed out. His captors must have thought that he was dead. Later, he woke up in a hut in the forest. Some campesinos must have found him. When he woke up, no one was around so he made his way here as best he could. That’s the story. Arturo tells the judge not to believe Boris. This is all a story cooked up by Boris and Alcides to save his brother. They won’t get away with it because there is no proof of Boris’ story. Proof arrives. The campesinos show up and identify Boris as the man they found bound and hooded at the bottom of a ravine near their house. Arturo is really annoyed. He thought he had one Medina taken care of. Alcides tells the judge that Boris’ story has been confirmed. Since Boris was the only witness to what happened to his wife, Alcides says that there is just one question: why does he say that Hugo is innocent? Boris says he challenges Marina to tell her lie to his face. Hugo never pushed Marina. He is innocent. He swears this as a husband and as a father of the child he lost. The judge orders Marina arrested. Eloisa speaks up and says that she saw Marina run away when she saw her husband. Hugo says to the judge that he has proof of Hugo’s innocence. What else does he need?

At the hospital, Ester thinks something must have happened at the execution because Soledad hasn’t returned. Lucas wakes up again. Dr. Dan comes in and Ester says that he looks very strange. Has something happened? Dr. Dan says no. Antonia says, “He’s dead, right?” Dr. Dan looks like he has seen a ghost but Antonia is referring to Hugo, of course.

The judge orders an arrest warrant to be issued for Marina with the charge of perjury. (If there’s not going to be an execution, can’t the hangman take off his hood? It must be really hot under there.) The judge says that the death sentence on Hugo is cancelled and he is acquitted of attempted murder. The crowd that yesterday was calling for Hugo’s blood, now applauds. The mob is always fickle. Michelle says that justice has finally been served. “That means…” says Hugo. “It means that you are a free man,” says Alcides. Some people applaud. Arturo tries once more. He says that the charges shouldn’t be dropped until Marina testifies. Alcides says that Marina already testified and Boris refuted her accusations. The judge says that the proceeding is over. Everybody should go home. Alcides tells Hercu-less to go to his house. They need to talk. Hugo shakes Boris’ hand and thanks him for saving his life. “I was only doing my duty, sir,” says Boris, “even if it means that I lose Marina forever.”

Dr. Dan says that he doesn’t know what Antonia means. Antonia asks if Dr. Dan was in the plaza to see Hugo executed. Relieved, Dr. Dan says that he was tired after saving Lucas and he went home to rest. For some reason, Antonia seems to have taken a dislike to Dr. Dan and she points out that he doesn’t look like he has rested and he’s wearing the same clothes. Ester has to tell her not to be impertinent. Antonia thanks Dr. Dan for what he did for Lucas and says that she will go and to Dr. Max’s and thank him later. Dr. Dan smiles weakly.

Hercu-less asks Arturo where he is staying since he hasn’t gone to his house. Out of earshot, Margot is worried that Arturo is mad at her for refusing to sleep with him. She hopes that’s not what they are talking about. She leaves. Arturo asks who Herc is to ask him for explanations. Herc says that he is Arturo’s loyal servant and he is worried about him. Arturo tells Herc what he should be worried about is why Herc is never around when Arturo need him.

Alcides comes over to where Michelle and Hugo are standing. Michelle says that Alcides continues to surprise her. Again today, he behaved like a good brother. Hugo asks Alcides where Soledad is. Alcides says that he didn’t see her. He didn’t think she came to the execution. Michelle says that she already told Hugo that Soledad was there but ran away because she couldn’t stand the anguish. She doesn’t know that Hugo’s death sentence has been lifted. “She’ll find out soon enough,” says Alcides. To Hugo, Alcides says that they should talk. Hugo thanks Alcides for paying his debt to the investors. His assets now belong to Alcides. He will just take his personal things and books. Alcides asks Hugo, “How will you live if I have all your assets? Don’t be so proud, brother, accept my help.” Hugo thanks him again but says that it isn’t necessary. Hugo says to Boris that the least he can do him is take him to the hospital to be treated. Michelle says that Dr. Dan will cure Boris. Hugo thanks Alcides again and says that tomorrow he can take control of all his assets. “Good luck, brother,” says Alcides, “Good luck.”

Paquito tells Eloisa that his story will run on the first page of the newspaper. Too bad Hugo was saved from being executed. Eloisa says that Hugo has more lives than a cat. She is worried about Marina. When Eloisa told her to run, she was paralyzed with terror. Eloisa wonders where she is. Paquito says that it is Eloisa who should be worried. If the police catch Marina, Eloisa could be in big trouble if Marina blabs about how Eloisa coached her to accuse Hugo. Eloisa tells Paquito to shut up. Marina is probably far away. Rebeca comes in and Paquito guesses from her expression that she’s had no luck finding the treasure. Rebeca says that the servant at the Obragon house was watching her all the time and she couldn’t do anything.

Dr. Dan says that Lucas is out of danger. Ester thanks him. Antonia chimes in and, of course, has to mention Dr. Max, her very good friend. Dr. Dan wants to tell them something important in private. Naturally, he wants Soledad there as well but Ester says that she went to Hugo’s execution and hasn’t come back. He tells them to be calm. He says that Lucas is no longer in danger of dying but he will never walk again. (So? Will anyone notice?)

Alcides (drinking healthy glasses of water) ask Hercu-less how the hell Boris was in the middle of the Plaza. Herc starts to explain but Alcides interrupts, “Why did you tell me that you had killed Boris if he was alive? Whose heart did you bring me?” Herc answers that it was an animal’s heart. “An animal,” says Alcides without expression. He gestures Herc to come closer and whacks him with his cane. “You betrayed me,” says Alcides. Herc denies it. He thought Boris was dead when he fell into the ravine. “You lied to me, Hercu-less. I pay you to obey my orders, not to lie.” Alcides gives Herc some money and says that he earned it. (It’s not clear if Alcides is terminating Herc’s employment.)

Antonia says it can’t be that her brother will be in a wheel chair for the rest of his life and it is all the fault of Hugo. Ester asks how this happened and Dr. Dan gives some ridiculous explanation. Dr. Dan looks around in surprise as Hugo comes in helping Boris. Ester says, “Hugo de Medina!” Antonia states the obvious, “You’re alive!” Ester and Antonia are impactadas, Dr. Dan looks confused, Michelle and Andres look pleased with themselves, Hugo looks innocent and Boris looks like he would really like to lie down. The credits roll.

Tomorrow: Soledad is missing.

Labels: la traicion

Pals, I'm freakin. My DVR fritzed out in Mon. in the middle of the Guapos death scene/revalation of Mili's nietaness, like the most friggin important moment in the whole friggin series and no matter what I put into it, including no disc, it says "incorrect disc." I have hundreds of unfinalized discs that I won't be able to watch on another player. Any insight or experiences with the same are much appreciated. Thanks.


Juan gets an Audi from the big spender (Hillary). Hillary’s done it now!

Pau thinks it’s one thing to give a trinket but another when you throw your money around. This is extreme and only shows her insecurity and she won’t go for a ride with Juan because of it (and the big green monster, no doubt). He is perplexed and proclaims that she is screaming louder than a category five hurricane. He thinks if he accepts something this expensive he will be comitting himself to something serious wiht Hillary when all he really wanted was to make Pau jealous.

Someone please tell Marely and Pau that sisters who coordinate their outfits are really cute at age 5, or maybe even 16; at 25 or 35, not so much.

Mar tells that Sandro is going to contract Laura today, and pau says that’s all she needs, Pau spills the beans about Hillary’s "gift" Marely.

Pau decides she’s not letting Juan get away with this so she goes out and she tells him she agrees that Laura will work here but only in the post she assigns as he walks up extolling the virtues of his Audi convertible. He complains that she is trying to control things again and she essentially says tough, she’s given up enough already and these are my conditions.

Nid yells at Yadi for accepting the apartment along the lines of not knowing what’s behind the offers. Yadi doesn’t understand because Nid thought he was the greatest human being ever. Nid says I thought, but people change. No one gives something for nothing. Yadi thinks there are still good people in the planet. What planet is she on? Nid says he’s a stranger, and that she will regret this. A mom is never wrong. Nid says first you hide taking your kid, and now doesn’t want to live in her own home? Yadi snips back It’s not ours it’s Pau’s actually. Nid gets mad and tells her she’s cruel to say such a thing.

Lau shows up after Sandro gave her a tour. Pau welcomes her to Farell and she says thanks though you had no choice. Juan asks Lau to respect Pau, and she says yes, she’ll enjoy working on promotions and they go to his office to await the contract.

Pastor tells Pau about a rumor that Sandro wants to put Laura in charge of promotions at request of Juan, el presidente. Pau explodes that he wants to annoy her. He says no, he’s only passing on info. He washes his hands of any insubordination and Pau says she’ll be responsible for the changes, so he says he’ll write it as she wishes.

Pau tells Pastor to make Lau his assistant, he says he already has one, and she says now you have two and wonders if he will question her authority. Of course he won’t, he prepares the contract. I love his scrunchy face he makes at her as she walks out. I make that at the TV all the time.

Laura will see him everyday and is excited, but Juan says but everyone has to like your work.
They are about to kiss, Mar asks if she interrupts and should come back, Juan says no, work first.

Anga tells Yadi that Kike will be next. She worries if he comes he’ll take the baby. He says they need to get her out of here and asks Remolacho to drop what he’s doing and come with them.

Lau wants to know when Juan gets pottery classes again. Just then Hill calls to ask if he got her surprise. Juan he says he can’t accept. She says you can’t convince me by phone so I’ll come get you to eat together. He agrees while Laura gets the cat’s ass mouth now. This is coming up as a convenient descriptive term!!

Pau walks in and drops the bomb, Lau says something is wrong with the contract, but Pau says nope, there are no other vacant positions, so if you want to work here, take this. Lau looks to Juan for his help, and he doesn’t really, he instead convinces her that she’ll start low and work her way up. She wants more money but Pau says you aren’t going to earn more than the person you are working for so forget it. Juan sweet talks her some more and gives her hugs so she ends up agreeing.


Pau introduces Lau to Pastor. Sandro is there and notes to Pau that woman must be crazy in love to accept so little to be here in the office. Funny, the same was said about him. Pau walks away pissed off and Sandro is pleased at himself for his annoying comment. Laura echoes Sandro’s sentiment in the elevator until other people get on. Juan begs her to chill the confrontations with Pau, and she’s just thrilled to be around him.

At Yadi’s apartment Anga tells Remolacho to rest while they try to find someone to care for Baby and clean a little. Remo says his cousin needs work but she’s mute, if that’s ok. Anga says call her!

Yadi isn’t sure if she’s dong the right thing. He says don’t worry if you have none of your stuff, we’ll buy you what you need. She thinks he’s good people.

Kike is reporting Yadi’s flight to Nid and Perf. Perf says well she is related to your Ma. Nid still thinks there is a misunderstanding, but Perf agrees that the onion seller has all the fault and is a pervert - irst he robbed me of my curvy lined wife and now when he didn’t suceed goes after the daughter.

Nid is offended at Alirio’s suggestion that Anga is that malicious. Perf wonders where is the love.

Pau explains her decision re Laura to Marely, that she’s a bad person and has no experience. Marely calls a spade a spade that Pau’s jealousy is getting the best of her. Pau doesn’t accept that.

Kike fears he’s going to lose his baby. He begs Perafan to help him, and Perf begs that he needs some bills paid. Kike says he’ll pay whatever for his daughter.

Anga becomes Yadi’s new stooge and we are treated to scenes of shopping for baby and Mama.

Hill comes into the business and asks to see Juan, Ivonne is impressed. She asks how Pau is doing and Pau says fine and walks away without asking how Hill is.

Sandro asks to explain numbers to Pau over lunch and she is thrilled to accept. He is impactada that she accepted so easily.

Nid goes to the gallery says she thought about the event all day. Nid shares her ideas for the gallery musica de un cilindero, no wine, instead pulque, and she wants some Tacos al Pastor on one side, and some enchiladas on the other, Willy and Ana stare at each other disconcertedly.

Back at the Farell, Hill picks up Juan to go eat. Sandro comes out and greets her. They exchange they are both going out to eat, so Sandro suggests for them all to eat together.

Sadly I neglected to tape this section so I can only report from memory. Feel free to add in.

Ana tells Nid thanks, but no thanks and wants something more discreet, Nid says no way it should be big with Venuses, and Cupids. Ana says nope and Willy agrees. Nid’s creative bone is crushed and she agrees to do a "boring" ordinary exposition.

The four agree to eat together.

Nid tells of Anga’s exploits with Yadi and that she thought he was a good guy and incapable of something crazy like this. Ana can’t believe it either.

Pastor tells Ivonne to help him by being kind to Herib and to make kind gestures to him every so often. She worries about Fer’s jealousy and doesn’t want to jeopardize her situation with him. Pastor begs her please. He says that his plan for friendship with Heri could lead to other things.

At lunch a boxing match is taking place with Juan as moderator in his head. He notes Pau making digs at Hillary by complementing Sandro and wonders what she’ll say in reply, and is surprised when she knows just exactly what to say. She remarks how down to earth and wonderful Juan is and that is what she loves about him. Pau remarks how adept Sandro is. The comebacks are flying until the waiter shows up and Juan thanks being saved by the bell.

Kike goes to look for Juan and discovers he’s not there. So he unloads on Marely Yadi’s new tricks. He is extremely agitated, but Mar tells him to calm down and not do something crazy.

Filomena doesn’t speak, but understands all and is told that her first priority is Nid Mich.

Mar doesn’t know what to say....go talk to Anga but calmly and talk to Juan too. She says it’s for the good of his baby because it will cost her, and maybe him too, besides he’s got lots of work he should go do and worry about this later. He agrees and thanks her.

Julia follows him out and sneaks up to Kike in the elevator. He tells her about the story of Yadi going with an old guy. She tells him his baby is adorable and she thought they were reconciling. He says apparently all Yadi wants is a big wallet.

Heri gets a make over. Pastor says they have to work on his manner of complimenting. Un Piropo (compliment) has to be refined, darn no more animal references for our country boy I guess. Heri is transformed after his manicure and facial and Pastor likes the look. Deja vue, I remember Juan going through this and it didn’t work. Won’t this guy learn his lesson? Or at least like people the way they are? Ay Pastor.....pobre.

Back at lunch Juan tells Sandro he’s sure his strategies will be fine he on the other hand wants to enjoy life. Pau says he shouldn’t spend all day daydreaming (Papoleatando). They take their leave.

Pastor takes Heri shopping and dresses him like a doll. Heri thinks the clothes are girly, and Pastor reminds him they are in the men’s section and he thinks when Ivonne sees him, she’ll go nuts. This was cute, as him dressing Heri "for Ivonne"

Pau complains to Marely about her chinese torture lunch with Hill complimenting Juan during the whole lunch and that she was doing it just for spite or to be a bad person (Mula) just to make Pau miserable.

Sandro interrupts the two sissies and asks if it is something important, Pau says no we were just talking about importing meat and Marely interjects of Mula (in this case junkor actually could still mean meat of a bad person) and then says, uh, oh, she means beef. (Carne de Mula, no, digo de res.)

Juan takes Hillary to Pepita's and she is floored that Hilary is actually in her house. Hillary breaks it out for Juan: Uh, was there or is there anything between you and Pau? Go ahead tell her about this bizarre sick obsession you had forever and a day!!! Or wait until tomorrow. That works too.

Labels: Juan

I'm baaaaack!

First, some leftovers from last night: Damian is already thinking of Regina's death as a campaign strategy for Constancio. The will is going to be read at Casa Belmonte early the next day. Constancio reminds Luciana that he's put up with her "bastard" for a while, so Luci better get used to treating Mili like a member of the family.

Luciana hugs some random guy, then Nestor, while Damian looks on.

Florencia hangs all over Alejandro and says a bunch of meaningless stuff designed to console him as a secondary objective, the primary one being to get him into bed. Alejandro wants to leave, so they leave.

Poor Nestor watches and feels bad for Alejandro. Luciana reminds him about his promise, but won't tell him why he has to keep his mouth shut. Nestor finally says she's asking too much and walks off. Padre Manuel digs at Luciana, saying that Mili would make Alejandro happy, and doesn't she care about her own son's happiness?

Horacio, Socorro, and Rocky talk about how Doña Regina will be missed and how she was so much happier once Mili showed up. They also comment that Braulio and Valeria also seem sad. Rocky goes to console Valeria and tells her he hates to see her so down. Valeria asks to leave and Rocky makes a joke about needing to keep her dad from seeing them or he'll kill him. Valeria just gives him a sad little smile and leads him away by the hand. I love these two together, I really do. Now if we can just get Valeria to grow a spine and quit hiding her naco love away!

Marisela (Florencia's sister) and Bobby hit on each other a little bit.

Mili cries, attended by the Miliettes, Sor Cachete, Madre Superior, Padre Manuel, and Tio Braulio. Everybody works on making Mili feel better and stop crying--Doña wouldn't have wanted to see you like this, etc. Mili says she doesn't want to cry, but it's like her tears just keep coming out. She thinks maybe she's crying for her mom too, since no one cried when she died.

Mateo and Licenciado Robledo Sr. plan to leave and be ready for the reading of the will the following day. Mateo makes to go talk to Mili but she asks Braulio to take her away. Lina tells Mateo that Mili doesn't want to talk to him and not to bother her.

Everyone goes home. In the foyer, Constancio comments that none of them have slept in a while and he tells Mili she needs to get some rest. Mili snaps back with, "Like the Doña? Is that how you want me to rest?" Luciana takes it badly and Hugo tries to chill her out. Constancio tells Luci not to make a big deal and then tells Milagros that if it's any consolation, he knows how much she loved his mom and he knows it was returned. Mili starts to go off to her room, but Braulio tells her that she's been installed in a guest room. Luciana gets upset and says she's surprised Regina didn't demand that she and Constancio clear out their room to leave it to "this one." Constancio tells her to shut it or they'll do just that. Braulio, Constancio, and Mili head up to get Mili settled in her new room. Mili calls Luciana "sister-in-law" ha! Damian, being the kind, supportive brother he is offers "Mili's sister-in-law" a drink. Hugo tries in vain not to laugh.

Braulio sees the mess that is Mili's room and he tells Constancio and Mili the room's not ready. He convinces them both that Mili should take Regina's room. Constancio thinks that's a stupid idea and will make Mili even sadder. This, of course, gets Mili's hackles up and she decides to sleep there, but she's going alone. Braulio comments to Constancio that Regina's is a bigger room and once Constancio tells Mili that she's his daughter, he (Braulio) can take the guest room.

Mili stands in Regina's room, looking around and remembering some of their conversations. Like the time Regina refused to promise she wouldn't ever leave Mili and said she'd always be with her, in her heart. And Regina on her deathbead, finding out that Mili was her grandchild. Mili cries some more.

Alejandro and Florencia are at her apartment. Alejandro can't believe that Mili was only after his money. Florencia spouts some crap about women being mysterious. Alejandro's not buying that either. Florencia says when you love someone you don't hurt them. Florencia says that now that Mili has gotten what she wanted out of Regina, it's over. Then she preys on Alejandro like the wounded wildebeest that got left behind at the spring. And down he goes.

Braulio gripes at the staff ladies about the room being wrecked. Lina and Gloria accuse Karla. She makes a poor show of denial. Braulio tries to fire her, but Socorro begs for Karla to keep her job, promising it won't happen again. Karla finally apologizes to Braulio," even though it wasn't me". Braulio says he's only doing it for Socorro since he wouldn't even believe Karla if she said "good morning." Braulio asks Socorro to bring Mili a tea to help her calm down and says she's in Regina's room. Karla flips out now saying that's a supercool room and Mili should just have the other one instead. Once Braulio leaves, Socorro says they'd all better get used to working for Mili. She tells Karla that Karla will take the tea up to Mili and apologize, because Socorro's not going to cover for her again and Mili needs all their support. Socorro storms off and Lina and Gloria bask in Karla's dressing-down. I can't blame them.

Mateo and his buddy celebrate Mateo's good luck that his student and the mystery servant-heiress are one and the same. Mateo doesn't think Mili wants to talk to him since he found out her lie about being a businesswoman. Mateo comments that she's already got 2 guys after her and he needs some way to talk to her without those guys getting in the way. His friend suggests sending her a summons.

The God Squad chat in the convent kitchen after the funeral. They talk about how Regina was such a good person. They talk about how Mili and Alejandro seemed the most upset. Then they talk about how Mili and Alejandro aren't actually brother and sister. Sor Cachete wonders why they don't tell Mili that she really doesn't have the hots for her brother. Padre Manuel says that the information was confirmed outside the seal of the confessional, but Madre Superior says they have good reasons not to tell, like Mili's security. Padre Manuel practically swears Sor Cachete to secrecy. She complains that she's not a gossip. Oh, Sor Cachete, so misunderstood!

Mili lies, fully clothed, on top of the covers, in the middle of a fort of pillows. That beeyotch skank ho trampy wench, Karla, busts in with the tea tray and says "Don't even think about asking me to knock before I come in, leave that to the real owners of this house." Oh, because knocking before you enter isn't just common courtesy, you jerk? Karla gripes some more about having to bring the tea tray and that Mili should even think about asking her for anything. She's trying to pick a fight, but Mili just asks her, very quietly, to leave her alone, please. Karla leaves without a change in facial expression, but also, thankfully without another word.

The next morning Luciana flashes back to how upset Alejandro was at losing his grandmother. She bypasses the loving arms of her buddy Mr. Flasky and takes refuge instead with one of her full-size bottles of hooch. Loving brother Damian has come by to get her to sign to paperwork giving her shares over to Hugo. She tries to balk, but he threatens with the truth getting out and neither her son nor her friends being very understanding. She caves and agrees. Oh, look, he even brought his own pen, how thoughtful. And he offers his back for her to sign on…careful, there, she might just push the pen right on through.

Lina checks out the ripped up mess Mili's clothes have become, courtesy of Karla. Mili borrowed a dress from Lina. My guess is that Lina also did Mili's makeup, since she's got some color in her cheeks, despite her overall paleness. Braulio comes in to check on Mili and to tell her that Licenciado Robledo the younger is here for the reading of the will. Mili gives Lina a worried look.

Mateo sits in the study and tells Constancio (as Constancio sums it up) that he's not interested in Mili for her money. Only he uses a lot more words. Constancio's like, whatever, dude. Mili walks in and Constancio says she's just in time--the young man was asking for her hand, what should he reply? Mateo gives Mili a panicked look, while Mili looks shocked, confused, and disgusted. Heh, nice to see Constancio hasn't lost his sense of humor. Mili tells him his brains are scrambled and storms out. Constancio says he did it to see if Mili had feelings for Mateo, which apparently she doesn't. He tells Mateo to stay away from her, she doesn't need anyone causing her anymore conflict and he intends to protect her. Mateo is surprised that Constancio is so ok with Regina's decision to adopt Milagros. Constancio accuses Mateo of thinking that the family wouldn't want Mili and so they'd be ok with him taking her off their hands, inheritance and all, of course. Constancio ends with "I'll be watching you" and a friendly pat to the side of the head.

Damian, that rat bastard, reads over the contract again and again, just enjoying it. Luciana complains that he left her with nothing. Damian tells her to chill, the shares are staying on the Arango side of the family. He shows his dimples as he tells her to have a lovely day.

Milagros sits in the kitchen being angry and having Socorro commenting on it. Milagros then moves on to talking about how much she misses Regina and how the whole room smells like her. Socorro doesn't think it's a good idea for Mili to sleep in that room. Mili says it doesn't matter where she sleeps, she'll never forget Regina. Socorro still wants to know why Mili is upset, but Mili doesn't answer before Mateo comes in. She tries to avoid talking to him, but he yanks her back. She complains about guys liking her arms so much and then about him going behind her back. She says she likes things to be up front…"So that's why you hid that you were a servant?" Mili apologizes for that, saying she never lies and rather than answer why she did it, she asks him to go to the garden.

Damian shows Hugo the papers showing his shares. Hugo's so happy…I wonder if he knows where those shares came from? Luciana walks in and Hugo thanks her (I guess Damian must have lied about them being a gift?). Luciana asks to speak to Damian alone, asking what they're going to tell people about the shares. She ends up asking Damian to ask Hugo to keep it a secret until they come up with a good cover story.

Milagros explains to Mateo that she doesn't know why she lied, she had never gone to school before and she didn't want to be "less" than the other students. Mateo tells her that he did treat her differently because she's special. Milagros seems to like this. Mateo tries to kiss her, but she turns away. Mateo tells her at least they don't have secrets anymore and at least now he can call her. Mili would rather he didn't, though. Mateo now invites her out, to distract herself. Mili says they'll see. Mateo ushers her back inside for the reading of the will.

Alejandro tells Bobby he spent the night with Florencia. Bobby tries to parse (a) why he did it and (b) why he's so pissed off now. Alejandro says he's getting tired of Mili blowing him off. He still doesn't believe that Mili was in in for the money. He thinks Mili is suffering as much as he is. He's going to leave things the way they are since he's tired of begging and playing "stupid games." Valeria comes to summon him to the reading of the will.

Florencia, wearing my grandma's nightie (doesn't matter which one, just pick one) brags to Marisela about last night's bag and tag.

Chamuco tries to cheer up the staff, but they're not having it. He tells a really bad joke: "A man is at his wife's vigil and everybody's calm, when suddenly the devil shows up and they all run, except the man. The devil asks why he's not scared and the man says 'Of course not, I was married to your sister for 50 years.'" Chamuco's the only one laughing. The staff goes on preparing the hors d'ouvres for the reading of the will. At the mention of Mili being a millionaire, Karla throws a tray on the floor. The rest of the ladies yell at her. Which will happen first? Will Karla get herself fired for throwing things on the floor or strangled by Damian for whining about her uniform?

All interested parties are present for the reading of the will. Lina comes in to serve coffee. Lic. Robledo Sr. skips the irrelevant stuff and gets right to "I Regina Lascurain, widow of Belmonte, being of sound mind, in the presence of Lic. Ernesto Robledo, make known that at my death, I leave as sole heir of all my goods, she who is now my adopted daughter, Milagros Lascurain." I wonder what Milagros' last name was before. Luciana looks pissed, Damian amused, Valeria smiles, Alejandro looks horrified, and Mili looks like she's going to start crying again.

Tomorrow: Luciana tries to convince Alejandro to contest the will…and probably some more stuff, but my DVR cut off right then, so I don’t know what else.

Labels: guapos

Buenas noches a todos. So, we have a nice little telenovelita in which walls magically disappear (they magically are built too), our galanes are slightly retarded, and really forgetful/confused/clueless, most of our characters are about twenty years too old, and our female antagonist can only worry about her roses. Actually, having said this, this telenovela sounds pretty interesting; if only it were…

We start the evening with Eva and Padre Tadeo talking. She tells him that the Reyes bros. are not real bricklayers (shocker), and that they are Libia’s brothers. He reasons that they are bakers, and that they simply lay bricks to supplement their bakery profits. “No, this is a truth that could devastate the Elizondo sisters” she says.

Jimena, Sarita, and the Gabster are talking in the study. Jimena tells her mom that the party was a little dull and much too juvenile. “Well, I’m gonna have you married to people who I think would be good for you.” “But mom!” “Hey, you want to be married don’t you? Well, you’ll meet these guys” when I think it is convenient for me. “Now get out of here.” Notice that she is always in a hurry to get people out of her face: what else could she possibly have to do?
Gramps overhears this conversation and vows that he will develop a plan to stop Sister Storm at all costs.

Juan 1, I call him this because he clearly has three personalities (maybe a fourth one is emerging), and it is easier to distinguish him this way. Anyway, he is the personality of the big, burly, vindictive, man-man who wants to avenge his sisters death at all costs, and will not tolerate anyone falling in love with no nonsense girlies. Of course, the other bros. oppose. In walks the Padre; “Boys.” Oh my God, I can’t believe they are actually having this discussion. “I thought you were Christians” says the Padre. “Well, you know about oaths, and we made an oath to our sister” says Juan 1. “Yes, but it doesn’t make any sense” says the Padre, and it’s a good thing too, because someone other than us recappers needed to say it. He continues to reason that Libia never would have wanted them to hurt the girls as they are doing. And if she did, then she isn’t with God.

So then, they are confused, as always, and naturally go to their “thinking place;” the cave. And of course, the three don’t have a brain between them, and they ask Libia for a sign as to what they should do (obviously nothing of what the Padre told them stuck). It’s Tink! Oh, no, it’s that flower on Libia’s chicken-wire-protection-thingy. It lights up with a brilliant green color and makes a little noise. Now, how are these guys going to decipher this if they can’t even understand cohesively spoken sentences?

Sofia is having a nightmare, well, actually she’s remembering her mother’s “guidance.” “You’ll never get married because you were raped. No one will ever love you. You’ll end up abandoned and hurt.” Sofia stirs. “I can’t love him, I can’t.”

We move to the three-person bedroom where we see Juan 2 (the loving, boyish, immature, and idiotic persona) dreaming of Libia. He reaches out to her and she leaves him. Apparently she’s in Heaven. So does that mean that she doesn’t want them to avenge her death? It sure does if that magically appearing flower has anything to say about it. “She doesn’t want us to avenge her, know I can fall in love with Sofia!” says Juan 3 (the one who processes information and somewhat logically reaches a conclusion).

Sofia is praying for guidance from her father, and Juan 3 walks in. He has to tell her something and she has to tell him something. Sofia never wants to see Juan 1, 2, or 3 again. She explains that she was raped. “I thought about it a lot, and I decided that I needed to tell you about it. Flashback time: I was giving catechism classes for Padre Tadeo and then I was driving home when my car stopped, so I decided to walk home alone on the really cold and dark night. When it got really really dark I decided to run, but a man came behind me and threw me to the ground. I couldn’t see anything, except the snake tattoo. I fell asleep and then I saw Fernando who saved me and took me home. He told my mom and then she got mad at me and made me marry Fernando. The whole time I was so weak that I could never oppose the marriage. And ever since then I have been like this.” Juan 3 responds that he would love to kill her aggressor. Sofia lights up at the fact that Juan 3 is not mad at her for being raped, like her mother, and wants to be with and protect her. They hug tenderly.

The Padre is passionately praying that the bros. forget about all their vengeance so that there can be peace in their hearts.

Juan 3, or maybe 4 (the completely rational, reflective, and up-front one) tells Sofia that he has decided to forget the whole vengeance thing and to forgive her father because he really doesn’t have anything to do with Libia’s death. But, there is still something that he can not tell her, but one day he will take her to his precious place and tell her all about it. Sofia is ready to fight for her love for Juan, and tells him that he helps her to forget about her past. But, she’s just worried that one day she might be freaked out by him because he’s a man, and therefore she would remember her rape and not respond to him. However, he assures her that he will never leave her and that he loves her with the most pure love. They kiss.
See, I enjoyed this scene with Juan 4 and Sofia. No one was overly dramatic, irrational, or plain nuts. If we could only have more of these moments the telenovela would be a little less like watching paint dry and more like fire in my blood.

Having said this, we move to the gramps and two brothers’ scene. It’s confession time! Gramps is a womanizer and Franco was kissing a beautiful woman when Sarita walked into the bakery. “Well bro, it’s okay to have three or four girls at one time, but just as long as none of them knows about the others” says an insightful Oscar.

And then Jimena and Sarita are talking about how they don’t want to marry some guy that their mom has picked out for them. Going off of the last party, we know the guy will hardly be a man; he’ll dress like his mother dressed him, speak with a stutter, and play video games. Wahoo! Sofia walks in and finds out. She vows to do something about this immediately and walks out.

Back at the confessional lunch stump the bachelors are chatting. Oscar resumes his conversation regarding more girls at one time is better than one girl at one time. “Well, it’s okay to love many women, but just don’t hurt them, or you will pay” says Gramps as he then starts to cry.

And then it’s confrontation time with Sofia and Gabby. In an attempt to win back her sisters’ liberty, she tells her mother not to force them into marriage like she did with her. “Fernando is the best man anyone could ever find” says Gabby. “Well, I’m close to finding real love, and it’s not with Fernie!” Gabby doesn’t like the sound of this…

Sofia is talking to her other sisters and tells them that they cannot let their mother make their marriage arrangements. Then they ask why Gabby is always arguing with Gramps.

Well, they certainly don’t leave us hanging on any questions around this place! That’s why we see Gramps wheeling into the chapel saying “Aida, Aida, my beloved wife.” He apologizes for all of the pain he caused her and he wishes he could do it all over again. “Too late to ask forgiveness. Don’t you think?” asks the cynic Gabby who walks in.

Eva approaches the worksite and she wants to see if the bros. gave up their little vengeance whim. “Yup. Sure did” says Franco. “Not so fast.” Oh no, here comes Juan 1. “We will not be leaving the Elizondo girls alone because I know that you had something to do with Libia’s death.” Okay, what the heck did we just spend half an hour talking about? Why us? Well, then again, the effects of multiple personalities are always brow-raising, as well as frightening…
Question: When Juan 1 threatens suicide, which I’m positive he will, does that constitute a hostage situation? After all, let's not forget the diverse personas of Juan 2, 3, and 4.

Also: 1 grandpa + 3 bakers + 3 days + many breaks = an elaborately built brick cabaña on a cement foundation that just appeared.
Does anyone want to check my work?

“It’s easy to blame others. Isn’t it?” asks Gabby. “You know that you were responsible for your mother’s death and for my being in a wheelchair!” responds Gramps. “No, you were the one who provoked it. You were the one who killed my mother!” “No, I didn’t know! I didn’t know!” Gabby smirks and then walks out as her father is sobbing over the altar. Wow she’s a b!%$h! And by the way, I wish I had a chapel in my house…

The brothers are reproaching Juan 1 for accusing Eva without any evidence. Juan 1, who is slowly coming out of this character, doesn’t really have a good excuse and walks away. Anyway, Oscar decides to pursue Jimena and her money. Franco says that he is selling himself. “So what if I am?” Oscar thinks to himself.

Sofia and Eva are in the kitchen. Why is Sofia, like Juan, the only one who ever does anything? Sofia confesses that she really loves Juan with all of her heart. Eva warns that she is not a free woman and that a relationship with Juan can never be. Sofia responds that she never wanted to marry Fernie, and that her mother forced her into marriage. Even so, Eva says that her mother would never let her leave, much less divorce Fernie. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to tell her how much I love him” says a delighted Sofia.

Gabby is reviewing some papers and remembers the conversation she had with her father. She convinces herself that he really was the guilty one in the situation, even though “no one will ever know the truth, no one.”

Jimena and Sarita are consoling a crying Gramps. He misses Grandma. The girls want to play a board game, but he’s not in the mood. They won’t take ‘no’ for an answer and remind him that he always says that playing cards makes one happy.

Sofia is about to tell Gabby about her love for Juan, but Eva tries to get her to rethink this whole thing. Fortunately for Eva, Gabby has left the building.

Again, we aren’t left with unanswered questions or mysteries when we see our friend Gabby with a manager of an old folks’ home. He assures her that he has everything ready for her father. However, this visit doesn’t regard that little detail. Instead, it concerns her own health, which is “very, very special.”

The girls can’t cheer up Gramps. But, they do want to know why he and Gabby don’t get along. He doesn’t say, and everyone leaves.

Jimena has gone to play hide-and-seek with Oscar, who traps her and kisses her a lot a lot. She wants them to watch out, but he doesn’t care. Actually, he wants to tell Gabby about their relationship. “No, she would kick me out of town!” says Jimena. “But would she take you out of the will?” asks Oscar. That Oscar, what a card!

Sarita is looking for Jimena when she figures out that she is with her bf. “I warned them. I warned them!” she says through her teeth. What a nun!

Jimena starts to leave Oscar, but he stops her and tells her how much he loves her and wants to protect her. Convinced, she returns to kissing him.

Sarita is on the loose and will stop at nothing to split up Oscar and Jimena. At the same time Eva sees the brick “engineer” and is in shock.

Sofia has cheered up Gramps when she sees Juan 2 working. He sees her too, and waves back. “I’m going to talk to my mom once and for all; she has to know the truth.” Uh oh. Seems like Gramps has spotted something on the radar (telescope), and it smells like a Gabby explosion.

“I warned you” says Sarita to Jimena. “I’m going to tell mom on you.”

Eva goes to the bros. and tells them that their cover is about to be blown. The engineer is here and he will tell Gabby that you aren’t the real brick layers. “But our fortune!” says Oscar.

Gabby gets out of her car and walks toward the engineer. At the same time Sofia is approaching Gabby to confess her love for Juan. And yet, at the same time Saria is dragging Jimena along so that she can tell Gabby about Jimena’s love rendezvous. And of course, the three macho Reyes bros., and their sidekick Eva, are walking toward Gabby to do something (as always, they won’t know what until two minutes into their conversation).

Gabby proceeds to talk to the engineer. You can cut the tension with a knife!

Thursday: Sofia has taken the decision to tell her mother about her love for Juan. Everyone brace yourselves for what awaits! (I didn’t say that, the Univision guy did)

I also wanted to mention that I read "Bodas de Sangre" by Federico Garcia Lorca the other day and I couldn't get over the similarities to "Fuego en la Sangre," or any other telenovela for that matter. I guess the thing that most parallels the telenovela is the fact that the 'novia' is about to enter a loveless marriage (Sofia), and she ellopes with Leonardo (Juan), the man whom she loves. One of the themes is the difference between dying for a true love or living in a relationship devoid of love.

Labels: Fuego

You can tell Gabriela is upset because her hair starts coming down.

Don Martin was very good in this episode, torn between his love for his granddaughters and his shame and anger over what had happened.
Every time someone has to take Don Martin up or down the stairs, I keep thinking, why couldn't they put in an elevator or one of things that takes a chair up and down.

What a loser Franco is. He can't even keep a job in a fruit stand? And then he tries to be a boy toy for Eduvina but he can't hack that either.

I loved the dinner with Juan and Norma and Oscar and Jimena.

Labels: gavilanes