Caray, Caray!

Leftovers: Hugo has proposed to Mili at the party; Andrea has whomped Hugo with the fact that Mili and Alex aren’t brother/sister, apparently since he offended her by saying he actually was a good guy and he’s gone back to being one now that he’s away from her evil influence.

On to the hot new stuff: Hugo accuses Andrea of making up mean stuff, but she says Connie himself told her and that’s why Connie always had treated Alex like trash. Hugo says it’s a lie, and Andrea says wanna ask your uncle? Okay, Mr. Good Guy, she says, are you going to help Mili be together with the love of her life, or are you going to pretend we never had this conversation?

Hugo hesitates. Andrea says I know you’re not going to tell her ‘cause you’re just as bad as I am. Hugo’s eyes go back and forth.

At the hospital Sor Cachete is washing Gloria’s coma ma and she and Gloria agree that Chamuco is great support – Gloria has really hit the lottery with that guy. Unseen by both, Yolanda opens her mouth a bit as if to speak. Gloria says she is so grateful for Mili and Lina because without them she would never have finished school. Yolanda is still trying to speak. Gloria sees and runs over to her and Yolanda opens her eyes and looks at her.

Bobby and Maricela are having dinner and Maricela is on the phone to her sister, laughing. She sends kisses and says Bobby sends Alex some too. Not kisses, hugs! says Bobby. Maricela hangs up and she tells Bobby how happy her sister is. Bobby says the last time he talked to Alex, Alex seemed more like sad. Maricela says yes and Flor is aware of it too even if she doesn’t say anything. But the main thing is that they do get along well and that’s what counts when you’re going to be together all your lives, like you and I are going to be if you ever ask for my hand! Bobby chokes on his coke. Maricela says don’t worry, I wasn’t serious and I know you don’t like anything serious. Bobby grins happily. Life is good! Cute little chickie-babe and no strings.

Mija says Yolanda. Don’t try to talk says Gloria, you are weak as a kitten. Gloria sends thanks up to God. Sor Cachete runs for the doctor. Yolanda says where am I? Gloria explains she’s in the hospital. Yolanda says she was in an accident yesterday and Gloria says, no three years ago, you’ve been in a coma all this time. Que?? says Yolanda.

At the prison, Karla is telling Damien that Connie is tired of him asking to get him out and from now on every time he asks, he’s going to tell the judge to add one more year. And he also says don’t go plotting against him or he’ll see to it that Damien is in for life. Aw, what could I do from prison? asks Damien, all innocent. Connie’s paranoid.

Karla says there’s hope. She says she told Connie that Damien had promised to marry her when he got out, and that she can’t wait forever, and that then Connie said Damien would never keep his word. Damien fakes being affronted and, stabbing his finger in the air, says I gave my word! Karla says get this: Connie says he’s going to see what your word is worth. He’s going to get you out, but if you don’t marry me, he’s going to see to it that you get tossed right back in. And we have to stay married forever. Damien smiles blankly. Karla had a great time delivering this news.

Hugo, who by the way looks like he stepped from the pages of GQ, is in his office, anguished. He replays in his mind what Andrea told him, then flees the room.

Over at the soccer field, the little padre is exhorting his players to play clean, but Mili in her Carlitos hat is saying all’s fair in love, war, and soccer. Are you men? she asks the boys. Yes, they cheer and cheer Mili Mili Mili. She eats it up. Snack break!

Is that Gamuza with short hair? She’s telling him he’s always going to be a shrimp. Real nice, Mili. He says he’ll grow up to be as big as the padre.

Here comes the nun running. She tells them the good news about Yolanda. Group hug!

In the foyer, Connie and Luci are sitting with Vale and Luci gushes that she just keeps getting prettier all the time. Vale says oh, the beauty creams in France! I’ll bring you some. Connie says I hope they’re solid because if they have alcohol in them, your mama will drink them. Don’t harp on mama, says Vale. Morgan is listening in the background.
Vale says you haven’t been drinking have you, mama? Luci says well, I have trouble sleeping at night.

Vale comments that Connie has become quite the politician and she is proud of him. He says he’s proud of her too and has been keeping track of her successes. Luci says Vale you look so relaxed, so calm. Connie says I hope your time away has helped you control your emotions. Meaning what, asks Vale. Connie says I’ll be plain: I’m worried that now you’re back you’ll take up with the chauffer again. Morgan in the distance perks up.

Don’t worry says Vale. Not a chance - I hate him! I hate him all my heart. Morgan is stricken – a tear runs down his face. Vale says I was stupid to fall in love with someone who wasn’t worth it.

The folks are gone and Vale is in the foyer on her cell to her girlfriend Barbara. She is raving about the highlife in Paris, the parties, the cameras, the lights! She turns and sees that Morgan is approaching her - she turns away. And the men! she raves to Barbara for his benefit. Handsome, refined, not like the men here. Morgan mugs in the background. She says that more than one did something, but it was slang and I couldn’t figure it out. She arranges to meet for coffee.

She is starting up the stairs and Morgan calls to her. He tells her he forgives her for tearing up his letter from her. But he says he’s missing three pieces – could she give them to him? Is that all? she asks. No, he says… I want to tell you you’re more beautiful than ever.

Knock off the comments, she says. And get the car ready. I need to be somewhere by 8:00 and I don’t want to be late on your account. She disappears up the stairs, and Morgan is discouraged.

In the kitchen, Socorro is cooking and Lina and Karla get into a fight because they are stuck being sisters now. After some name-calling, Karla says she has an announcement. Pretty soon she’s going to need a wedding dress because she and Damien are getting hitched. Socorro says you and your fantasies. Lina says goody – you can go live in the prison and nobody would miss you.

Hugo is visiting Damien in prison. Hugo is fidgety. Damien says I hope you have good news. Hugo says I’m marrying Mili. Damien says that’s good news for you. I hope nobody snatches her from the altar this time, but why don’t you look happy? Hugo says I have something that I can tell only you and I want you to be honest with me. He asks if Alex is really not Connie’s son. It’s true says Damien, Luci had Alex before she married Connie.

At the hospital, Gloria, Mili, Gamuza, Sor Cachete and the padre are all gathered around the smiling Yolanda. Looks like she gets to go home soon. Gamuza makes a height joke to Sor Cachete, who doesn’t like it much, but takes it in good part. The padre says Yolanda must be tired after so many emotions in one day, but Mili jokes that she’s been lying down for three years. Padre says don’t talk like that and Mili says I’m trying to inject a bit of humor. She tells Yolanda that Gloria was been so worried and upset about her these past three years.

Everyone leaves but Gloria and Gamuza who tell how they stayed with her and then they tease around and Yolanda laughs which starts her coughing so they stop. Romulo comes in and says how happy he is about Yolanda, but he says Gloria doesn’t like him there. Gamuzo says why not – you’re her father. We four should all be a family now. Gloria makes an ugh face, thank goodness, because I’m going into sugar shock here.

It’s a photo shoot at night, out by some giant lighted leaping fountains. Lights, big reflectors, and Vale and some not very handsome male model striking poses. Morgan is watching, frantic, so close he’s almost in the shots. He fantasizes that it’s him in the shots and that he and Vale end up kissing. The photographer calls for a break.

Vale walks a bit arm-in-arm with the model, with Morgan trailing along. The model suggests that Vale should insist on showing her right profile, it’s her better one. She thanks him. He asks about her diet. She eats very well, she says, and tells him he should part his lips for shoots, he would look more sensual. He tries it out. They smile at each other and walk on.

Mili has brought sandwiches to the hospital for Gloria and Gamuzo. Gloria says she’s happy, she was afraid her mama would never come to. Mili reminds her that it’s thanks to God and these things happen for a reason. Mili says to remember that Romulo is her dad. Gloria says she’s doesn’t even like to hear that as a joke, and doesn’t Mili remember saying how furious she said she’d be if she ever met her father? Mili says maybe her father is not so bad. Gloria is surprised and asks why the change. Mili fudges that it’s not about her right now. Gloria says she can’t stand Romulo, can’t even stand looking at him. But she is happy about her mother and will give her all the love she needs. Girl hug with hip swivels.

The photo shoot is over and everyone is headed home. Ramces the male model is raving to Vale over how splendid the photos are going to be. Morgan follows a few paces behind. Vale agrees and hopes tomorrow isn’t so rigorous, but they have to finish the catalog. Ramces, leaning on his white sports convertible, offers to take her home but she says she has a chauffer (who did Ramces think this guy was glued to them all evening, a bodyguard?). Ramces says send him along home, but Vale says no. Ramces says come on, let’s go to dinner and talk. I love working with you. Vale reconsiders and says she likes working with him to. She goes over and brusquely tells Morgan she’ll be dining out and she won’t be needing him. Morgan protests that her father will be upset if he comes home without her, but she says shut up and obey. She gets into Ramces’ car as they both exclaim how hungry they are.

Hugo is waiting in the chapel and the padre and Sor Cachete come in and are surprised to see him. Hugo says he has something he needs to talk about and the sor tactfully excuses herself. The padre fills Hugo in on the happy Yolanda news and then asks what’s up. Hugo says he needs advice.

It’s morning and here comes Damien out of prison. Connie in his shades is out by the car and greets him with a big hug. Damien is looking kind of doubtful and wants to know how Connie sprung him overnight, and Connie, feeling expansive, says it’s a benefit of being in the government. Damien says I guess I owe you and Connie says you owe Karla too. Oh yeah, Karla, sure, says Damien.

Connie says Hugo returned the money you stole and has been very helpful at the corporation. Damien says that’s nice and let’s forget the past. I’ve learned my lesson and I’m going to start fresh. Connie says Karla told me you two were going to get married. I feel for her, she’s so into this dream of marrying you. So you marry her or it’s back to prison. She told you, right? Marriage or prison. Damien says you’re kidding, right? Connie says why I am a very sober-minded government official, no tricks, no jokes. I’ll even arrange your honeymoon. Where would you like to go? Damien looks like he doesn’t feel well.

Ramces and Vale are out by the pool and Morgan is hovering in the background, natch. Ramces, who is vapid beyond belief, is smearing himself with tanning lotion and is telling Vale how it’s made from all this healthy stuff. She says oooh you know so much. He says we have to care for our bodies, but I must say he has way more body fat that our poster boy Alex.

Ramces says how nice that she invited him and she says come anytime. She spies Morgan and offers to get a spot on Ramces’ back that he missed. I was just thinking that, he says, you can read my mind! No wonder, it’s in big Dick and Jane print. I’m getting brain rot just listening to these two. Vale says how soft your skin is! And Ramces said that cream is the best. He thinks he will go for a dip and Morgan hides behind a pool pillar sighing over Vale.

Braulio comes up to Morgan and says what are you doing here? You’re spying on the senorita Valeria! If you know, why ask, says Morgan. Braulio spots the young stud in the pool and stares. Ramces gets out, all wet, with his baggy swimsuit stuck to his curvy rear and his man-necklace dangling and Braulio practically drools. Vale offers to dry him off. Meaning Ramces, not Braulio. As Ramces holds his arms out, she starts in with the towel. Both men watch and fantasize, Morgan that Valeria is drying him off, and Braulio that he is drying Ramces off.

Gloria is visiting her ma, who sympathizes with all her worry. Gloria says yes, she’d been running as fast as she could between school, the hospital and work. Yolanda says please forgive me for having the accident and causing all this trouble. Gloria says nothing to forgive and strokes her mother’s hair. Gloria says please forgive me for having hurt you and Yolanda says you didn’t, you’re a wonderful daughter.

Yolanda says is it true that Romulo was here every day? Gloria’s expression goes cold. Yes, says Gloria and he had no right. Yolanda says you mustn’t reproach him – he didn’t abandon you, he never knew he had a daughter. Gloria says well tell him he still doesn’t have one.

In the kitchen, Socorro is working away at the sink and Lina is sweeping while Karla is sitting with her feet up on a chair, filing her nails. Braulio comes in and says have you no shame? Your mother and Lina are working, and here you sit doing nothing. It’s not nothing, says Karla, I’m doing my nails. That’s no way to answer says Socorro. Karla says I’ll answer however I want. It’s disrespectful, says Braulio. Get to work! Un dos tres! You’re getting on my nerves, says Karla. Braulio sputters that she is a servant. Not for long, says Karla.

Damien comes in and Karla falls on him, calling him mi amor and planting kisses on him. Damien looks uncomfortable. Braulio welcomes him home. Karla says to Damien tell Braulio to stop bugging her. What? says Damien. Tell him, says Karla, jumping around. Tell him we’re getting married. Damien, frozen-faced, just says yes. Finally he croaks out to Socorro that he is marrying her daughter. Yay! says Karla jumping up and down and clapping her hands.

Mili is in her bubble-gum themed room and Hugo comes in and says he needs to talk to her. He comes right out with it and says they need to cancel their wedding because she still loves Alex and the time has come to fight for him. Mili points out that Alex is married and lives far away. Hugo says he married because he thought the same thing Mili did, that they were siblings. But you’re not! Hugo says. I know, says Mili, I’ve known since right after the wedding. I’ve lost Alex, which is why I accepted your proposal.

Hugo says Alex has the right to know. Maybe his marriage hasn’t worked out – he may want to leave Flor. Or he might decide to give you up forever. But he should know. I want you to be happy, even if that means losing you forever. They embrace and Mili says thank you. Hugo says for giving you your freedom? For what you just said, says Mili, for loving me that much.

Alex is never coming back, she says. Without you, I’d be alone. Hugo says Alex is coming for our wedding, I already asked him because he said he would stand up for me the day I married you. Mili is surprised and says he shouldn’t have called him. But I did says Hugo. And when he comes I’m going to tell him the wedding is off and I’m going to tell him why. Mili is big-eyed.

In the kitchen, Soccoro says is this true? Karla is offended and says don’t you think I could get this big dummy to fall for me? Damien says maybe you’re exaggerating a bit Karla. I need to get to business now.

Horacio comes in and gives Damien an exuberant welcome, saying you’re out of jail! But Damien says best not to talk about it too much. Lina says Damien should ask my father for your hand Karla, but Karla says no way is Horacio my father! Socorro says that’s right, you have to ask both Horacio and me. Damien starts in, but he sure doesn’t want to get those words out. He coughs. Lina says it’s easy! Just ask for her hand, and all the rest (she indicates Karla’s whole curvy self). Damien gets it out, word by word while Socorro and Horacio watch him struggle. Karla looks expectantly at her mother. Damien makes a sour face.

At the hospital, Yolanda is telling Gloria she’ll respect whatever she decides about Romulo. Gloria says the main thing is that Yolanda is all right. Yolanda says if you are all right, then I am. Chamuco comes in and Gloria is excited to present him to her mother who is startled at his name, but he explains he’s really Carlos. Yolanda says she’s glad to meet him. Gloria says they’ll be married in two years and Chamuco cracks some jokes.

Ramces is still on the subject of beauty creams. This time it’s eye cream and he shows Valeria how she must dab (not rub!) it under her eyes, and she’ll never have to worry about wrinkles. Vale says it’s amazing how much you know. I’m going to tell my mother about it and she’ll go crazy.

Thank goodness Braulio shows up at this point – quite a contrast, he in his tails and gloves, and they mostly naked in their bathing suits. Braulio has brought some cool drinks for the hot day. And for the hot bod, but he of course doesn’t say that. Ramces doesn’t clue in. Braulio says he can bring other treats. They thank him and go back to their creams. Braulio’s eyebrow dances.

In the foyer, Hugo spots his dad and throws his arms around him, congratulating him on being free. He wants to know how it happened and Damien says Connie did it and should have done it much earlier. Hugo says the main thing is you’re free. Damien says I’m out of one prison and into a worse one – marriage. Hugo is confused.

Mili is wandering in a tree-shaded part of the property and Morgan comes up. He says he’s down because Vale has a new boyfriend she’s invited to the house to swim. He says she doesn’t love me any more. Mili says I’m afraid. I’m afraid the same thing will happen with Alex. Morgan says but he loves you and if he loves you, he will leave his life for you. Morgan takes her by the hand as they walk. Just like me with Vale, I left everything because I love her. I’m sure he’ll do that. You think? says Mili hopefully. Morgan says he would give his life to have his Vale back.

In Connie’s office, Damien says you can’t do this to me, you can’t make me marry a servant. I’m not making you, says Connie, drink in hand, you’re doing it because you love her. Connie goes to the window and while his back is turned, Damien heads for the desk drawer (not locked again!) and gets out the gun. He’s going to blast Connie! Nope, he’s holding it to his own head, waiting for Connie to see him. Freeze frame.

Avances: Mili leans over to pick up a soccer ball and someone’s foot is on it. She looks up and sees it’s Alex (with shorter hair!). Need a goalie? he asks. She throws her arms around his neck. In another scene, they are both crying.

Labels: guapos

Paula pours her heart out to the Santo Niño de Atocha; Juan overhears her confessing her love to him, begging the Santo Niño to tear the love out of her heart. Their eyes meet. He knows she spoke the truth because she wouldn't lie to the Santo Niño. They have the Marely-doesn't-deserve-this talk. Again. Paula tells Juan she's always loved him and he kisses her hair.

Ivonne tells Fer he's acting like he's got a screw loose. He says she's making him crazy because she's not explaining her situation. He needs to know if she's going to marry him.

Yadi compliments Kike on his new leaner self. He gets dreamy-eyed and says Julia taught him many things about food, business, every day when he got home the table was set. (Gag me with a spoon but I think we get his drift.) Yadi frowns, it's in the past right? Kike admits he and Julia were never novios, he didn't have the courage. Yadi smiles and asks if he did it for her?

Juan nibbles Paula's nose but she weeps and pulls away. More of the We-can't-hurt-Marely talk. Paula tells Juan that if he tries talking to Marely about them she (Paula)will never, ever accept him.

Ivonne tells Fer she doesn't want to get married until her cancer treatment is over. He wants to get married NOW. She recalls her Dr's words, that she might never have kids, so she tells Fer the answer is No, she's not going to marry him, happy now? He says "Too bad then, I'm outta here!" She cries a little.

For some reason Yadi is now calling Kike "Ricky". She fawns all over "Ricky" but he gently pushes her away. He says things between Julia and him aren't over, in fact he's in love with her! (A big cheer from the recapper. Yeeeehaw, dump the witch!)

Nidia tells Delirio for the first time in her life she can finally be with the man she really loves. She begs him to go to the divorce lawyer with her. She tells him, if you love me set me free. (I think I read that once on a wall hanging back in the sixties.)

Kike begins to tell Yadi his tale of woe regarding Julia, then he stops, commenting that maybe he shouldn't be saying these things to her. She uncharacteristically tells him it's OK, the truth is always the best.

Delirio, reeling from a broken heart, staggers away from Casa Cachón. Two toughs step out of a car and ask if he's Alirio Perafan bladiblah de la Rocha? They force him into the car. Where's Tonki when you need him?

Nidia, Marely and Angarita are discussing Delirio. Nidia says if she's said it once she's said it a million times, marriage without love Does Not Work! Marely looks uncomfortable and unhappy.

The ruffians have Delirio trapped in their car and they're holding a gun to his head. They want their money NOW! He says he no longer has it and shows them a bank statement he happens to have in his pocket. No matter, they say, he must have an account under a different name and he'd better tell them about it now or it will be time to pay the clown! (Pay the piper?)

In his office, Pastor counsels a weepy Ivonne. What daftness caused her to tell Fer she wouldn't marry him? She eventually admits it's because she can't have children. Pastor points out that not all people need to have kids; he's sure Fer loves her the same with or without kids. Fer has forgiven her and helped her through so much already. Don't break up over this!

To save his own skin Delirio throws Gutis under the bus. He tells the toughs that his ex-partner has all the dough. Kinda handsome bad guy (he looks familiar) says Delirio better be telling the truth, he doesn't want them to give him toasted pig skin (bump him off, thank you vocab list) do they?

Pastor tells Ivonne that he'll stand by her even if they're thrown together from the Latin American Tower. She says he's the best friend ever. She hems and haws and says there's something she's always wanted to know...when and how did he know he was gay?

Juan visits Nidia Michaela in the hospital and tells her she's got a tummy like her daddy. Kike pouts a little and says she should have a fine chassis but instead she's a diesel like her dad. Juan convinces a tired Kike to go out and have a beer with him. After he leaves Yadi sadly comments to Nidia Michaela that she handed him to another on a silver platter.

Pastor tells Ivonne that when he realized he was gay it grabbed him like a lightning bolt in the wilderness. He met an Italian guy, Giovanni Bannini, and...Black out! It was hard for him to accept he was a homosexual, it took him years to admit it, but with therapy and especially a lot of reading he finally accepted it. Reading? Ivonne is interested.

Juan calls Fer to meet them at the bar. When he tells Kike that Fer is down in the dumps Kike comments that Juan has a wounded face too, what's up? "My eternal torment" sighs Juan. Paula finally admitted she loves him; on one side the sun rises and on the other is Marelycita and now he feels as lost as a fly in the metro.

Paula tells Ana that she plans to deal with the Juan situation by going away, far away, so she'll never see Juan again in her life.

Juan tells Kike he really does love Marely and he was convinced he could be happy with her. "I was convinced, I was convinced," mocks Kike, "You're ruining her Juan!"

Ivonne writes down the title of a book, or maybe it's a bookstore, for Heriberto and sends him off to do his research.

Juan and Kike are in a noisy dive bar getting loaded. Juan insists that Destiny is a woman, just analyze the case of Juan and Paula, back and forth, back and forth (duro y dale, not sure exactly what that means but probably back and forth is good enough). Suddenly Destiny abandoned him! Exactly, says Kike, together but upside down. Kike tells his love-sick tale about Julia, he was on the verge of confessing his love but then her ex showed up. That's what Juan is trying to tell Kike! Kike says it's their own fault for having dreams and illusions. That's what Juan is trying to tell Kike!

Kike is drunk and philosophical. He says Destiny is a deep hole, in fact it's like the legs that carry them into a deep hole and later the hole gets even deeper, really really deep. Fer shows up and announces he told Ivonne to get lost. (Mandar la goma, thank you vocab list!) Juan thought bubbles that they were all wound up and soon confused by alcohol until their heads overheated.

Delirio and the bad guys bust into Gutis's rathole garage. Gutis is nowhere to be found and Delirio claims Gutis has played a dirty trick on them all, ha ha. Bad guy with hair says the guys in charge don't understand tricks, they only understand money. Either Delirio coughs up the dough or he dies. Bald bad guy giggles and says it will be easy. He scares Delirio one more time before they leave Delirio quivering in a sad heap.

Fer orders the tres amigos another round but Kike excuses himself, he must be reshponshible. Kike staggers off and Fer and Juan graduate to tequila. Salud! Venga!

In the hospital Yadi reveals to Marely that Kike is in love with Julia. Marely knows exactly how that feels and says she doesn't know if she should break her engagement. Why, asks Yadi, because the soup lacks flavor? (I might not want to know what that means - le falta sabor al caldo.) Not just that, Marely says, she's tired of Juan's bad vibes and doesn't know if she can be happy with him.

Juan and Fer are full-on drunk. Juan wants to give up women and Fer wants a woman who deserves him. (Be careful what you wish for.) They sing drunkenly and badly to the annoyance of the other customers. A drunk guy tries to change the music but Juan tells him to stop. Drunk guy calls Fer a blockhead with a blockhead grandma. Fer punches drunk guy and a barroom brawl ensues.

The fight continues through the commercial. Uh oh, drunk guy breaks a bottle and starts swiping at Juan. No, not the mullet! The barkeep calls the cops as Fer tells Juan he doesn't care for violence.

S2 (CL pretending to be Sandro) is meeting with a businessman in a classy bar. He tells the guy that he is the legal rep of the widow Farell and is personally making sure that everything is in order and ensuring that all her husband's shares get transferred to her name. Apparently this guy is going to purchase all of Paula's shares in Farell, he's been wanting to get ahold of them for some time. S2 congratulates him on soon owning half the company. The guy's name is Sr. Timado and he'd love to meet Paula in person to thank her. S2 tells him no way, sorry but that's impossible.

Paula weeps and Ana makes a cup of tea.

Anga and Nidia cuddle as Pastor looks on. After Nidia leaves Anga asks Pastor "Why so blue?" Pastor admits it's...it's...Heriberto, he returned to Farell. Anga insists operation or no if that infeliz bothers Pastor he'll split his head like a melon. Pastor says Heriberto seems changed, he's friendly and he begged Pastor for forgiveness and since Pastor's heart is like cotton...sigh. Anga advises Pastor to keep his distance but Pastor says there's one problem, he still loves Heriberto.

Heriberto is at the bookstore trying to buy a book on homosexuality. The obviously gay bookseller cheerfully tells Heri he's read it and it's very good, like no other. He'd be glad to recommend others to...Guapo! Heri blusters it's not for him but for his brother! (Baby steps, Heri, baby steps.)

Delirio shows up at Farell looking for Juan. Rosi tells him everybody is gone and she's going too, he can come back tomorrow. "There may be no tomorrow for me," he dolefully sighs. Sniff sniff.

Paula advises Ivonne that she shouldn't be so negative, her recent tests were very favorable. Ivonne says she has other reasons to be sad, she's afraid to be happy. Paula tells her not to wait, if only she'd confessed her love to Juan sooner she wouldn't be in this mess. Ivonne picks right up on it, "You mean you finally...?" Paula admits she confessed her love to Juan.

CL comes home to a stir-crazy Sandro. Cl reminds Sandro he'd better not step foot outside these four walls because soon the torture will end and Sandro's life will be better than he ever imagined. All the money that Sr. Faustino Timado pays for Paula's shares will be for Sandro.

Ivonne tells Paula it's all in Juan's hands now. He'll defend their love tooth and nail and he'll clarify things with Marely, right? Paula says no, that's precisely what she does NOT want. Marely doesn't deserve...oh never mind, it's the same old yada yada.

Over at the jail it's pandemonium. The barkeep says somebody's got to pay! Juan blames the drunk guy. Drunk guy's friend says it was because Juan and Fer couldn't keep a tune. Juan and Fer decide to prove him wrong by wailing as loudly as possible. They look terrible, shirt tails out, and Juan looks like Joe Cocker when he sings. Soon the crowd, cops and all, join in with a rousing chorus - "Forget the past, you no longer remember yesterday, forget the past, you no longer remember yesterday". Whoop whoop, Juan whistles, Fer plays air guitar, and any resemblance to reality is purely coincidental.



Jugaretta = Dirty trick
Mala ondas = Bad vibes (Lit. bad waves)
Pagar el payaso = To pay the piper? (Lit. to pay the clown)
Relámpago en despoblado = A lightning bolt in the wilderness (unpopulated zone)
Sale el sol = The sun rises (not "the sun sets" as one might think)
Zafarsele un tornilla = To have a screw loose, act irrationally (Lit. to dislocate a screw)

Labels: Juan

If anybody would like to take over my Thursday slot - or half of it - let me know!

From yesterday: Sofia (wearing the oddest waist-cincher) gets barfy and realizes she's pregnant; the Reyes finally finish the cabaña and Gabriela is pleased she'll never see them again. "You low-lifes, you're all the same, in fact you remind me of low-life gal that came by here, name of Libia, God punish her." Juan stops her, Gab slaps him, he does something back as the girls come up and Sofia is shocked and stalks off saying "I won't let you lay a finger on Ma." Ma: "Leave here or I call the police!" The other girls arrive as Gab staggers and Sofia shoots daggers at Juan and his brothers drag him off the premises.

"I FEEL VERY BAD!," sobs Gabriela, she sobs and barks for quite a while, threatening to die and demanding that Sofia tell which bed her boots were under on "that night." Sofia refuses to tell, but gives BIG HINTS: "You'll know the truth soon, it's a truth that makes me happy, I won't be able to hide it."

Eva brings tea and Gab yells: "I should have run you off when you got pregnant, you're a whore like Libia, get out of here!"

At the bakery Oscar and Franco are worried about Juan's violence, after all it was he who reminded THEM to keep cool heads. Now he's hurt Jimena and Sofia. Juan looks - confused. "Yes, I suppose I've lost her forever."

Furd wants the Reyes boys in jail, she's satisfied with their absence. "Gabriela, how I wish I had been there to defend you! I'll be frank, I'm staying not just for Sofia, but for you, you are important, very important to me." They do mutual hand stroking, eeewww.

They are still hand stroking after the commercials and Gab says: "You're the best man I've ever known, how can Sofia not want you?" "Don't let's talk about it, rather, let's figure out how to get Gramps to sign those checks."

The girls debate getting a doctor and wonder why Juan was so aggressive. Sofia thinks he's very hurt she wouldn't go with him.

Were you astonished, as I was, by Oscar's huge and ridiculous headwrap in the next bakery scene? It looked like a bathing cap. Juan is sorry he upset the girls but not sorry he slapped Gabriela to defend Libia's honor. Juan's wearing a very clean shirt today. Quintina arrives with Libia's picture all repaired; Juan tells Libia that he misses her, that things are complicated, that his love is destined for disaster, that it "will never bear fruit."

And, oh yeah, Quintana and Juan tell each other how much they miss Gramps, now that he's gone back to the hacienda.

Gramps tells Sofia: "I understand you're bothered, but don't be so quick to judge - ask Juan why it happened." "I gave him his liberty, but now, well, maybe things have changed - Gramps, I need to tell you something wonderful and delicate -- " He's all happy about his first grandchild, he advises Sofia to stop worrying what Ma thinks and make the child's happiness her first responsibility.

Oscar still insists he'll be marrying Jimena, but evidently in some episode I missed Jimena saw him embrace Rosario and now she is very hostile. She tells Sofia about the pact she and Tweedle made - to pretend to be a couple, thereby getting all parental units off their backs - Sofia agrees not to tell.

Tweedle-dum tells his auntie she was right, he'll marry Jimena, the uncle will be happy, the uncle and aunt will build an apartment for them on the grounds somewhere. "Where's Tweedle-dee?" asks Auntie. Tweedle-dum doesn't know. We see Tweedle-dee asking Common Folk if they know where Eugenia (his true love) is. Eugenia has gone to town looking for work. She runs into Quintana's nephew, who is instantly struck by her beauty, and his ma Hortensia says Don Saul down the street might need an employee.

Furd gets violent with Sofia in her bedroom again, claiming that her disappearance entitles him to full disclosure: "Where were you, and with what rat?" She shows some backbone. "From now on, I consider us free from each other - you may do as you please with your life, I will do the same. I don't want any fights - especially now, I have a powerful reason..."

Gabriela complains to Eva: "I can see in your eyes that you hate me." "No, I don't hate you, but it pains me you pretend to be so pious and yet show no compassion for the pain of a mother." Furd is eavesdropping and realizes Eva thinks Rosario is her daughter.

Gramps, in a hard-hat with land plats in his lap, is muttering, "These lands were not originally part of our hacienda..." when Gabriela barges in. "I see your, uh, illness has taken your manners away." "You are pathetic and ridiculous, and there are a lot of checks you have to sign for us." "I'll sign anything on the condition that Furd leaves here." "He'll never leave." "Then I won't sign anything." "You'll be sorry, I swear!"

Juan is having visions of Sofia in the bakery. He screams (beautifully, this was my favorite moment in the show) when Pablito shows up to work. Juan asks: "Do you see anybody?" "Uh, no." Juan starts showing him how to knead dough and then decides to use him as messenger again and sends a letter to Sofia: "I'm sorry, please let me explain," etc.

Juan goes nuts waiting for the response and eventually Pablito runs in, all out of breath, and eventually pants out that Sofia will come to the bakery this very afternoon. Juan is so happy, he throws Pablito around gleefully.

Sofia tells Eva about the baby, Eva says: "Fight for him - you deserve to be happy!"

Franco is carelessly dumping buns on the floor when Ofelia, Rosario's dresser, rushes in. "Something bad has happened to Rosario, she's disappeared."

We see Rosario with her son, who's trying to sleep but she is dripping tears on him and stroking him and saying "From now on, I'll forget about being a woman, I'll dedicate myself to being a mother." Furd comes in and says he offers Rosario an excellent bargain: all she has to do is "pretend" to be Eva's daughter, and maybe she actually is, and she'll win out either way.

Jimena is walking with Tweedle when Oscar comes by; she shows her ring. Oscar walks right by her to a nice babe who is standing conveniently at hand, calls her his queen, and sweeps her off. Tweedle can tell by Jimena's reaction: "You're in love with Oscar!" "It's that obvious?" "Why are you not together?" "He betrayed me." She says she wants to go on with the "pact" - to the end.

Eva and Sofia are trying to slip quietly down the stairs to hie themselves to the bakery but Gabriela catches them, barks "You're not going anywhere!" and "faints."

So while the girls are, as usual, hysterically tending to their mother, Juan is pacing in disappointment at the bakery till dark, when he decides to go find Sofia, he is determined that this very day Sofia will understand that Libia was his sister and that's why he reacted as he did...

... meanwhile Gabriela is shouting at all her daughters to leave her alone, Gramps wheels in and says "You're lying about this health thing," Gab yells: "You just want to see me dead, like you saw my mother dead, you killed her, assassin, murderer!" and continues in this vein as the sisters watch aghast and Gramps yells, "Yes, I was drunk, but YOU were driving!" Gabriela faints again. "Breathe, mama, breathe!"

At this moment Juan arrives on his horse and starts scaling the wall - unfortunately a guard with a gun stops him.

Tomorrow: Juan is shot dead. No, not really. Sofia tells her mom she's pregnant.

Labels: Fuego

Just when I was wondering what happened to Heriberto, that is, the day of the fight did he really just take off for the pueblo? I guess so, 'cause now he's back! I'm so happy I get to recap him for my last time.

Juan wonders why he's visiting, because doesn't it annoy him wandering around on asphalt; that that's not his thing? Heri says well, now the pueblo just isn't the same, and he actually missed the office, the hallway gossip, the noise of the cars, and the contamination (pollution). Oh and Juan, because he's an on the level friend. He can't relate to Molondron, and even less his Pa. He wants his job back but Juan doesn't think that's such a good idea because he doesn't want any more problems. Heri promises there won't be anything, but Juan still has to consult with Pastor and if he isn't ok with it then there's nothing he can do because Pastor is in charge of personnel, even if Juan is president, he has to support his decision.

Pastor comes in and shys away. Heri offers his seat, but Pastor is fine standing, and no one gives up their seat for him, AND he wants to be "usteded." Juan explains it all and Pastor says it's my decision?

Heri moves in to explain and Pastor yells at him to stay far away, he can still hear. Heri promises that what happened will not repeat and he has thought a lot and understands now that some people like Mezcal and some red wine [Hmm...I like both, what does that make me? :)] he continues trying to delicately explain himself trying not to offend Pastor; that some are born to be hawks and others to be doves, and some like the Tigres del Norte (tigers of the north), but others the Pantera Rosa(the Pink Panther) (one a famous nortena band that the "everyman" would like, the other a play on an organization promoting GLBT issues- and both animals I must note... ;)) . Yeah, ok, Pastor gets it, and tells him to shut up already. Pasty says he can come back then, but not as his assistant. Heri says that's fine as long as it's not down in the dungeon where flies won't even go and he couldn't see the sun. Heri thanks Juan.

Pau wants to go in to see Juan but Ivonne detains her and tells her what's happening. Just then Mar walks up and tells them very sarcastically that she has something important to talk to Juan about so if it's not a problem she wants to go first, super hint rhetorical question there. Pau says yeah, go ahead, don't think bad things Marely, I only wanted to talk to him about work. Mar says she'd rather not think.

Juan tells her of Heri's return and suggests that maybe he could be her assistant. She doesn't answer that, instead asks Heri to leave them alone. He gladly obliges.

Mar drops the bomb, literally, because the whole office hears her screaming, including Pau who goes to cower in her office, that she's resigning and that he's lying to her and doesn't know how to treat people. He keeps telling her he's not lying, but she isn't buying it, they gave different versions of the story, she asks him if it's all true, then what did they talk about on their ride home and he says well the weather and that the polar current is entering the gulf and such things. She accuses him of not respecting her and that she's stupid for even thinking this would work and she leaves her resignation with him. He tells himself he's surprised at this outburst that he's never seen her this out of sorts.

Laura reports to "Sandro" the gossip that Mar came out of the office throwing sparks and he wonders why nothing ever turns out the way he planned. He sends her off to find out EXACTLY what happened.

What happened to the commercials? Sheesh. Sorry...I'll finish tomorrow...

OK, I'm working on it again...

Next it's Pau's turn to yell at Juan. She told him this would happen and that's why she didn't want the ride and then wanted him to go to her house directly, she's mad he said he only took her to the taxi stand. He asks her if she would have had him tell her that he gave her the ride with full intention of talking to her and asking about her life, and then ending up kissing her? Pau tells him to shut up. He says no way, what should he have told her? Essentially Pau says well, not that, but also not that he only took her to the taxis.

He tells her that Mar resigned and that it seems like they aren't novios anymore. LIke the terribly upset about this guy that he is, he launches right into how he thinks this means that he & Pau still have a chance and that God is putting his hand into this and telling them they are on the wrong path and they will destroy themselves if they continue this way. She thinks that at the expense of Marely's happiness, no way. Again he says he loves Pau and what does she expect him to do She says get that out of his heart, because Mar loves him so she and he can never be together. (What kind of logic is that?) She begs him to fix things with Mar and get her to take him back.

CL shows up to Mar's office because he hears she's leaving. She thinks that doesn't matter to him. He says it does, that there must be something that can fix all this. She says no, because no one in this office knows how to tell the truth. She calls him a two face and Juan a cynic, and he offers to help by getting the story from her. She tells him to leave her alone when Pau and Juan walk in and want her to listen to them.

Finally, a commercial.

She kicks Sandro out. Juan finally admits he lied and wants to tell her the truth. Pau too. OK, so they are still lying and tell her that they decided to say goodbye to each other for ever. She asks Juan if that's true. he tells himself that's 99% true, because where there was fire some embers remain.

Back at Casa Cachon Yadi leaves to go to the hospital telling Nid that the baby is much better and will be coming home tomorrow.

Mar notes that his silence doesn't mean good things. He wonders what he should say because his little dove put the nail in the coffin, but his little rose gardener wants the truth that he can't give without killing her. He says yes, they had to clear things up and that's all. Pau chimes in and tells her again not to think things that aren't there, that she and Juan are... and Mar cuts off her off that they'll stop right there, and she marches out to their protest. Pau gives him the I told you so speech again and stomps out. He wonders to himself what the hell he's doing because he's hurting the two women he cares about the most in the world.

Heri knocks to see Pastor, who very coldly and formally asks what Mr. Chavez wants. He wants to say he's sorry. Pastor says if that's all then go ahead and go. Heri wants to know if he's pardoned and Pastor says the past is past and he doesn't live in nostalgia so bye bye. Heri goes out.

Perfan is still outside of the Cachon house and TONKI has returned to the Foros Televisa! He's keeping Perf company, isn't that kind of him. Perf has a new sign proclaimning, "liberty, equality and fraternity" "long live love", and "out with the usurper." Meanwhile Nid is on the phone with the police telling them about the screaming crazyman on her lawn that her neighbors begged her to get rid of.

Ivonne wonders if the PI has found anything on the twins yet. He says Sandro goes home and no one else comes out. Fer wonders if she's listened to any of his calls and she says he makes all his personal calls from his office that she can't check, but I think she says maybe they should "borrow" his cell and see what calls he may have made. Fer agrees to risk all this for her.

Outside the protest is suddenly interrupted by the PoPo. They want to talk to Perf and he doesn't understand why. He explains that this is his house and his wife is inside. They wonder then why he doesn't just go inside. He says well, there is a conspiracy, because my wife is inside with the worst kind of pervert imaginable, a big headed vegetable seller, infectious, and a perfect ruffian. That's the person you should detain. By the way I am an internationally famous lawyer...blah blah. They ask him if he thinks they are from Timbuktu, in other words, they don't believe him. Perf thinks he sees what's up, then they are in cahoots with the guy in there and he thinks that's an old trick of corrupt cops and begins insulting them. Of course they haul him away.

Back at Farell Laura completes the story to "Sandro" that Juan and Pau went out together and she thinks Pau was trying to get Juan alone because she can't stand him with Mar so after that is when Mar got upset. "Sandro" makes a call.


Mar is going home with her box when real Sandro shows up outside the house and asks to speak with her. He begs to talk to her and she thinks that there is no use if he's trying to talk her into staying. He agrees with her and begs her to have coffee with him.

Nid waits for Anga to be napping and she goes down to clean up the squatters shack.

Fer is yelling at Juan wondering que the hell, that Juan even he told him his feelings for Pau were dead and buried. Juan needs to get some air and says he can't explain it even to himself.

Across the hall Ivonne is also match making yelling at Pau for not having shared her true feelings either. Pau blames Juan, but Ivonne says no, you both love each other stupid and nothing is going to make him love Marely. Pau thinks if she wasn't around it would be better but Ivonne says nope, sooner or later you'll encounter each other and this is going to keep happening. Pau says in that case she knows just who she needs to speak to. She doesn't say who, but marches out.

Heri makes his peace with Ivonne and asks her to help him with a delicate matter that he can't discuss here because the walls have ears, she begrudgingly accepts his apology and finally agrees to go with him somewhere to talk about his "problem."

Sandro chats with Marely and she is confused because now he's congratulating her for her fine decision and 2 hours ago was trying to convince her to stay. He continues with the old "that's the work me and I have a duty there," but this is the "out of the office real me just one of the guys"...blah blah and that he considers her a friend and asks her to confide in him. In spite of herself, Marely breaks down and tells him that Juan and Pau betrayed her behind her back and blah...and she is fooling herself because she knows how much they loved each other and that doesn't die. But she doesn't know why she's doing this to herself. Sandro does, she's in love.

In a coffee shop, Heri is still nervously trying to tell Ivonne something and she is losing her patience with him. Come on... OK he says,

I THINK I'M IN LOVE WITH PASTOR!!!

QUE???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? OMG!!!

We get an impactada face from Ivy, oh and a commercial. Of course now they coming every other minute...! And your recapper falls on the floor. No way...

Heri continues about thinking in the Pueblo and about all the things he and Pasty did together, and at first he was mad that Pasot expressed his love for him, but then he thought fondly on eveything. He went to the herb doctor to help him get all these bad thoughts out of his head, and was told to put herbs on his head and night, so there he was putting the herbs on his head, looking in the mirror and suddenly thought about Pastor's toupee. He's so confused and wonders if this is love that he's feeling. Ivonne doesn't know what to say. Yeah, not sure I would either. That's heavy.

Sandro tells Mar that he wishes everything was different, he begs her not to leave yet because he tells her he's in love with her and thinks about her all the time, he's loved her since he met her. She thinks he's crazy. He says yes he's so crazy that he's not even worrying about the consequences of telling her this. He tells her she doesn't know who he really is, and she responds that she knows he needs a doctor fast because just a short time ago he was interested in Pau and he was very clear when he told her this. He says Pau doesn't interest him but she does. She thinks it's a pity that he had the opportunity and if anyone could have erased what she felt for Juan it would have been him, but he's ruined that. Essentially she has enough to worry about with her other problems and he's destroyed what she felt for him, respect, etc. even love.

Back to Heri, he asks her not to tell anyone yet. She promises, and that she is happy to hear these feelings come out of his mouth because she thought he was a tough guy that had no feelings. He's afraid he's sick or being punished and she says it's not a sickness and you are more of a man for recognizing and being honest with yourself about such feelings than hiding them away for your whole life. He is crying and she strokes his hair. So sweet.

At home Marely tells Ma she was talking with Sandro and oh by the way she resigned.

Rosi tells a greening Fer that Ivy left with Heri.

Marely spills the beans about Pau and Juan to Nid. Nid starts to blame Pau, and praises Mar for acting like a Cachon. She says that as the novia she needs to wait for him to apologize to her. She says they already did, and Nid essentially gives her a pep talk into fighting for him if she doesn't want to lose him, which she doesn't, so she needs to forgive him.

Anga's nap is interrupted by constant doorbells. PERF is back. Nid is sending him to the devil essentially but he won't budge. She swears she's filing for divorce tomoorrow and that Angs's here recuperating from delicate surgery. Perf thinks the onioner should do it elsewhere, and he won't attend the divorce meeting. Anga comes out to help resolve the situation and gets a barage of insults from Perf. Now Mar gets in on it and they tag team him to leave. Perf gets down on his knees and begs his wild orchid for another opportunity and Nid makes a "maybe" face.

Another commercial break

He hit a soft string because she lets him in to the office and very seriously tells him that she feels nothing for him. He married for pure love on the other hand. She throws back that really he bought her as his wife and they married for the wrong reasons. Anga came into her life much before him, and even before Sam. Oh by the way, he's the father of Yadi too. Perf finally shuts up.

Ivonne comes back bringing a torta for Fer who is not as receptive as he should be. He explains that the PI has news but he couldn't find her to tell her because she was doing God knows what with Heri. She tells him he has a problem but she can't tell him what. He doesn't like this answer and starts yelling unprofessionally again. I don't like him when he does this.

And we are back to where we started again with this novela. First Juan, then Pau, beg Santo Nino for illumination with their problems. Juan is just leaving when Pau shows up unknown to him. Mostly she begs that Mar not suffer on her account. [Not that she doesn't suffer, just that it's not because of her doings.] Well at least they are keeping her in character until the bitter end.

We see Juan turn around before leaving the church because he forgot to pray for Juanito. He goes back just in time to hear his Palomita begging Santo to get rid of this great love that she feels for Juan. He asks her "Que the hell did you say?" And we'll find out her answer tonight.

Labels: Juan

Boris and Ursula are caught

Arturo checks out the Judge's boots

Alcides, pretending to be Hugo, profits from Soledad's stupidity

Soledad and Hugo-
Hugo holds out the ring.
S: Why do you have it? I thought I lost it.
H: You didn’t lose it. I took it when I kissed your hand just before leaving the mine.
Soledad takes the ring and flashes back to when it happened.
S: Why Hugo? Why?
H: Because my heart took over my reason. I didn’t want you to leave with the ring that represents our separation.
S: No, that’s not what I mean. What happened to us? Why your revenge? We could have been so happy. I wish I could forgive you. I don’t know how to make you believe it.
Hugo kisses her.

Things are hoppin’ at the cabaret. Paquito is running around like a chicken with its head cut off. Eloisa tells him not to be so paranoid. She won’t tell anyone that his pianist is ‘that old woman Antonia.’ Paquito says that’s not what he’s concerned about. He has to keep an eye on his girls so that none of them end up dead. Eloisa asks if he thinks that the attack was directed at him personally. Paquito says that he doesn’t know. Eloisa points out that the Judge is in attendance. He is sitting with Margot. Paquito hopes that the Judge has come to amuse himself and not because he has any suspicions about Déborah.

Margot plies the Judge with drink and sticks her boobs in his face. To herself, Margot says that she hopes things work out. She doesn’t want to get arrested on Arturo’s account.

Alcides comes to visit Arturo. Arturo asks what the hell he is doing there. Alcides says that he came to warn Arturo to prepare himself. He won’t escape from this one. Arturo again protests that he is innocent of the kidnapping. He says that he thinks Alcides did it and is trying to put the blame on him. Alicides snags Arturo around the neck with his cane and holds him, “Find yourself a good lawyer to represent you. A lawyer of my caliber. Because I am going to destroy you (‘aplastarte’) in court.” Arturo tells Alcides to let him go. “I warned you about coming near my people, imbecile,” says Alcides, “I warned you. Now you will pay the consequences.” Arturo responds that it will take more than Alcides and 20 lawyers to take him on. He says that he will be out tomorrow. “We’ll see about that (‘Eso está por verse’),” says Alcides.

Hugo and Soledad kiss.
H: You’re free to wear that engagement ring from von Chirac if you want to.
S: I don’t know what I want anymore. I just found out that Daniel is married. Yes, he too betrayed me.
H: So it’s true.
S: You knew?
H: My brother Alcides told me.
S: Alcides?
H: Yes, Alcides. He found the evidence that von Chirac was married. Alcides.
S: That’s why you came? Because you knew I found out that Daniel was married. Is that why you are here? You’ve deceived me again, Hugo.
H: How can I make you understand how much I love you? How? I’ve never loved another woman as I love you. I’m yours (‘Soy tuyo’) Soledad.
S: How could you?
H: My body and soul are yours.
Soledad just stares at him.

Antonia is walking home from the cabaret in her disguise. (She wouldn’t change at the cabaret?) She says that she has to change quickly so as not to miss the celebration of Soledad’s engagement. She finds Dr. Dan sitting under a tree (Of course, it wouldn’t make sense for him to go into the cabaret in his condition but Antonia has to be in disguise to hear his confidences.).

Hugo and Soldedad-
H: For the love of God, Soledad. (he sighs) Don’t reject me any more. What do I have to do to make you forgive me? What?
S: It’s not that I can’t forgive you. What I can’t do is believe you.
H: Then I’ll move heaven and earth to make you believe what I feel for you.
S: Hugo, please don’t continue. You don’t know what your words do to my heart. You haven’t changed. You’re the same person. Look what you just did. Did you come here to make sure that I knew that Daniel was still married? Why? Why do you keep playing with me?
H: Soledad. Forgive me if I offended you. It wasn’t my intention. I don’t know what else to do to make you understand that I love you. Can’t you see that I’d hold on to anything to be near you? Don’t you understand that I need you like the tree needs the soil to survive?
S: Enough. I don’t want to hear more. Do you realize that your love hurts me? It’s killing me. It’s driving me crazy and I’d like to escape from this madness. Please. Leave me.
H: My love. Without you I can’t continue to live. I can’t live without your kisses. I can’t live without your caresses.
S: Please…
H: Look at me. Without you, my life is meaningless.
S: Stop.
H: Soledad, look at me. Please. Give me one last chance to prove that I love you. I promise you’ll never shed another tear because of me. I promise that I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world.
S: I’m tired of promises, Hugo. I don’t want to listen to you. Once again, you are wrong about me. I don’t love you anymore because it goes against my logic and well being.
H: (sighs) All right. I won’t beg ('rogar') anymore. No more. But if you wake up one day and your wounds are healed and you want to return to my side, find me because I’ll be waiting for you.
S: I don’t want to see you. I don’t want to listen to you. Seeing you hurts me. (Soledad leaves.)

Antonia asks Dr. Dan what’s the matter. Dr. Dan tells ‘George’ that his fiancé lost her engagement ring and the night he thought was going to be his happiest turned into a nightmare. Someone had set him up or maybe he did it to himself. He had told Soledad that he had been married but he didn’t tell her that he had never gotten divorced. ‘George’ says, “What!”

At the cabaret, the Judge is three sheets to the wind. He asks Margot to come to his house where they can be more private. Margot says that they don’t have to go that far. There is a room right here where they can be together. Paquito comes over. He is shocked at the judge’s condition but agrees to let Margot take him to a room.

Eloisa interprets the Judge’s condition as an indication of the success of the cabaret. Paquito says that it will make him rich and then he hopes Eloisa will take him more seriously and want to marry him. (It’s going to be hard to compete with that treasure, Paquito.) Eloisa tells Paquito not to behave that way in front of everyone. He should wait until they get home.

At the Hacienda, Alcides tells Hercu-less to bring Manuela Marin, the little doctor’s wife, to San Marino. He gives Herc lots of money in case of eventualities. (looks like another trip to the treasure vault is in the cards for Eloisa) Herc must bring the doctor’s wife to San Marino whatever it costs. Herc says that he will leave right after he says goodbye to his woman. He won’t say anything to her. Alcides says that by the time he returns, his former boss, Arturo, will be sentenced to many years in jail. Herc is pleased that in future he won’t have to worry about having him bother his wife when she is alone. Alcides says that he has to resolve a personal matter with Arturo. They leave together.

Soledad returns to her bedroom. She flashes back to Hugo swinging her up on his horse and saying that they were born to love one another and a bunch of other scenes from yesterday and a few minutes ago. Ursula comes in with some tea that she says will make Soledad feel better.
S: The only way for me to feel better is to be by Hugo’s side. (That was quick. If you hurry, you can catch Hugo before he leaves.)
U: Are you serious?
S: I think it’s time to let my heart decide. It’s time to listen to what my heart is shouting and stop thinking, turn off my mind.
U: Then do it. Listen to your heart. It’s the only way that you’ll be happy.
S: Ursula, Hugo said that he wouldn’t come looking for me anymore, that I’d have to decide if I wanted to be with him.
U: Then what are you waiting for? Maybe all that has happened with Dr. Dan was a sign from heaven that you should be with the only man you have ever loved – Hugo de Medina. Don’t think too much. You might lose if you take too long. (Ursula leaves.)

Hugo is packing. Boris tells him about the commission to make a sword but Hugo isn’t listening. Finally he says, “It’s all over between us. I won’t keep begging Soledad to forgive me. Her heart is too destroyed to listen to reason. So I’m leaving right now to find Michelle.” (You just told Soledad that you’d die without her and that you’d wait for her to come to you and now you’re going after another woman?)
Boris says that seems like a good idea. Hugo says that at least Soledad won’t marry Dr. Dan because he is already married. They leave the cabaña. Hugo has changed into a spiffy traveling outfit and left his blacksmith getup behind.

Dr. Dan says that he should have kept looking for his wife and gotten separated so that he could have avoided this disaster with Soledad. ‘George’ says that Dr. Dan should have told Soledad everything at the beginning. Dr. Dan admits that is true but there is no turning back. ‘George’ says that she has to leave. Dr. Dan hugs ‘George’ saying that he loved Soledad but he made a mistake. ‘George’ tries to comfort him. (This must look pretty strange – two guys hugging?)

Alcides bangs on Hugo’s door. He says that he has come to look at the footprints. He decides Hugo isn’t home. To keep the hair off his face while he leans over to examine the footprints, he takes off his talisman and uses the cord to tie his hair back like Hugo. (We can see where this is going.) Alcides studies the footprints. He says that they will make Arturo rot in jail. Soledad is outside the cabaña. She comes in.
S: Hugo. I thought about what you told me. I came to talk to you because I want to give us another chance. I’ve been thinking a lot. You words made me wake up. You are completely right, Hugo. After all we’ve been through, all we’ve had to live through.
A: (to himself) She thinks I’m Hugo but what is she talking about?
S: What am I doing here? I made a mistake coming here.
A: (to himself) She’s forgiven my brother. That is what she is trying to say.
Soledad goes to Alcides and hugs him.
S: Hugo, my love. (Alcides smiles like he can’t believe his luck, his 'ganchito'.)

Hugo is sitting on the same stupid train with Boris. Boris says that he has a secret date with Ursula. Hugo tells him to be happy with the woman he loves. Boris says that when Hugo returns, they can start making swords like the one he made to give to Michelle. They could specialize in swordmaking. They could become famous. Hugo says that he would be happy selling some to make a living. Boris wishes Hugo good luck. Hugo tells him to be happy with the woman that he loves.

Now Dr. Dan has come into the tavern. He sees Eloisa. She tells him not to give her that look. She has already forgiven him his lies. Dr. Dan says that doesn’t concern him. Eloisa says that shouldn’t he be celebrating his engagement at the Obragon’s? Dr. Dan says that there is no engagement. Eloisa asks why. Dr. Dan says that he bets she is responsible for what happened. Eloisa says that she doesn’t understand. Dr. Dan says that he is sure that it was she who took his marriage certificate to Soledad.

Paquito tries to warn the ‘Paquitas’ to be careful without telling them why. All of a sudden he notices the Judge, bootless, sleeping in the corner.

Cut to Arturo getting a visitor. It’s Margot. She’s got the boots. Arturo looks at the sole and says that it is exactly the same as his boots. Margot says that she hopes he appreciates what she went through to get them. Arturo asks whose boots they are: a cop; a soldier? Margot says that they are none other than Judge Fernández’s boots!

Hercu-less comes looking for Margot to say goodbye but she isn’t there. He wonders where she is at this hour.

Boris sneaks past the guards to see Ursula. They kiss. He says that she is more beautiful than ever. The stars light up her beauty. Ursula says that she likes it when talks like that. She didn’t know he was so romantic. Boris says that in truth he isn’t but her beauty makes him that way. Ursula says that she can’t stay long. She has to take care of Aurora and... Antonia appears (She is dressed as a woman. Where did she change? Behind a bush?). She asks what Ursula is doing and then she sees Boris.

Soledad and Alcides-
S: Why don’t you talk to me? My love. Why don’t you say something? You said you would always be waiting for me. I think you are completely right.
A: (to himself) She can’t tell that I’m Alcides.
S: My love. I was wrong. Forget the past. I forgive you. I forgive you. Let us have another chance to be happy. Just like you said, you’re mine and I want to be yours.
She kisses him.
S: My love. Let’s forget the past. Make me yours.
A: (to himself) Of course, I want that more than anything in the world – to make you mine, mine once and for all but later, what will happen later when you discover I’m not Hugo, that I’m Alcides?
S: You said you couldn’t live without me. Neither can I. You were right. I tried but I couldn’t, my love. I love you. I know this is crazy. I shouldn’t have come.
A: (to himself) The die is cast (‘Las cartas están echadas,’ literally, ‘the cards have been played’). It’s now or never, Alcides. You either don’t say you are Alcides and make her yours or confess the truth and let her go. (Alcides goes for the lip lock. I guess he’s made his decision.)

On the train, a young lady sits opposite Hugo. Hugo introduces himself. He tells the woman that she reminds him of a very dear friend that he is going to visit: Michelle Philips. Hugo has a flashback to telling Michelle that he has to go on with his life. To himself, Hugo says that at least when he comes back, he won’t find Soledad married to Dr. Dan.

In the tavern, Dr. Dan accuses Eloisa of sending his marriage certificate to Soledad. Eloisa denies that she knew Dr. Dan was married. Dr. Dan apologizes but Eloisa points out maliciously that Soledad will never forgive him for this.

Antonia tells Ursula that what she is doing is unpardonable. How can she be alone with this man? Boris tells Antonia that he and Ursula are friends. Antonia says that friends don’t hide. Ursula says that they were hiding because Boris isn’t welcome in this house because he is Hugo’s servant. Boris admits that he was wrong and says that he will come tomorrow and tell Lucas of his intentions towards Ursula. Antonia replies that is what decent people do.

Arturo tells Margot that she is the bravest woman he has ever met. Margot says that she is terrified. What will happen to her when the judge wakes up and finds she has taken his boots? He’ll send her to the gallows. Arturo swears that won’t happen. Margot tells him how she got the judge drunk and then took his boots. Arturo says that she is his salvation. They kiss.

Alcides and Soledad-
A: (to himself) Soledad doesn’t suspect that I’m Alcides. My God, she doesn’t know what she is doing. I love her so much. This is my opportunity.
S: My love. I know all the times that you’ve asked me for forgiveness and I wouldn’t give it. It doesn’t matter that you’re silent now. I love you and I want you to make me yours like that night at the cabaña. Make me yours, my love.
A: (to himself) You’re asking for it, Soledad. You came to me. All by yourself, you came to me. Even if you think I’m Hugo, I’ll make you mine.

Tomorrow: No soy Hugo, soy Alcides.

Labels: la traicion

Back in the 90s, when Melrose Place terrorized the airwaves, there was a recap site called Melrose Space. This was my introduction to the art of snarky recapping, long before I ever suspected that I would someday be involved in such a thing myself.

The recaps made frequent reference to "Melrose Mints," aka TUMS, which were often needed to deal with melodrama-induced queasiness. In this case, however, it's the people of Serdán who'll be needing the mints. And some morphine - lots of it. And maybe some hemlock.

Gabi is nearly peeing herself with excitement over the big ring that Benito put on Sarita's finger. Jimena unenthusiastically offers her right hand to Octavio, who puts his ring on her middle finger. Gabi proudly announces that the wedding will take place within a month, and everybody's invited! The four happy lovers look as though they have each been hit in the head with a baseball bat.

Father Tadeo arrives discreetly, just in time to hear the announcement. It's obvious that both the party and the double-engagement have taken him by surprise, but he crosses himself politely. He asks Eva if she knows where Sofía and Juan are. Before she can answer, Raquel rushes over to greet him. She says she thought he was out of town since he wasn't there.

Embarrassed, Gabi bustles over to apologize and explain that her head was so full of things, she forgot to invite him. Tadeo doesn't even blink at this blatant lie. Raquel ushers him to her table, telling him she wants him to perform the ceremony. Gabi graciously offers him her seat.

In the pueblo, Oscar helps Quintina (wearing a costume of her own - bomber jacket, helmet, and goggles) load bread onto Hortensia's truck so that she and Grandpa can make some deliveries. (How do the Reyes usually deliver their bread?) Moments after she peels out of there, Franco arrives. Oscar reports Jimena's bafflingly bad reaction to his offer of the ring. Franco then reports Rosario's unexpected disappearance, so soon after asking for his help.

"I don't understand women," Franco says. Oscar says it's hormone-induced caprice, and says hopefully Juan will be happy.

Juan and Sofía are eating at what looks to be very out-of-the-way picnic lunch stand. Juan asks their hostess if there's a place they can stay; she says there's nothing like that around there.

Rosario is reunited with Luis at the hotel in Cuetzalán. He nods and grins when she asks if he's okay. Feo asks where Petra (his crazy caretaker) is. The boy says she left. Feo reminds Rosario that he did what he said he would - let her be with her son - and says someone will bring them something to eat and not to leave the room. Rosario says it doesn't matter if she's locked up, as long as she can be with her child. Feo leaves, and Rosario tells Luis she hopes they can escape to some place where no one ever finds them.

(It occurs to me that Feo might not even realize the boy's his.)

Back at the party, Tadeo takes Gabi aside and asks, "when are you going to learn that unions should be given for love? You can't marry your daughters with whomever you want unless they are in agreement. Do you want to repeat Sofía's experience?" Gabi replies that Sofía is unhappy because of love, and she blames Tadeo for encouraging her defiance.

Tadeo says "it seems you still have no fear of God." She says he's the last person who should judge her actions since he hasn't done anything to convince her father to come back to the hacienda, like he's so content to be living with those bricklayers. And if anything bad happens to her father (she interrupts herself to slap on a big fake smile and a giggle and wave at some people), she'll hold Tadeo responsible for that too.

Phew. Is anybody reaching for their "mints" yet? Pace yourselves.

Grandpa and Quintina pull up in front of a picnic lunch stand (not the one that Sofía and Juan were at) and Quintina gives them a basket of of bread. Not too far away, Feo, who seems to have encountered them by pure chance, gloats to himself about the lucky opportunity fate has presented him.

Eva finally gets back to Tadeo and says Gabi thinks Sofi is out with Feo, but Eva's pretty sure she's with Juan. The padre says it's a touchy situation and the only reason he's not too worried is because Sofi's out of danger while he's still trying to get her that annulment from Fernando. (He practically growls the name.)

Quintina and Grandpa have stopped at the convent; the truck is empty. I guess they've been invited inside for tea. Feo loosens the one of the tires and cuts the brake line, then takes off to the hacienda, where the engagement party is still in progress.

Gabi chides him gently for being late and asks where he and Sofía were. "Sofía? She wasn't with me." Does Gabriela worry? No, she guesses that she's making mischief with Grandpa. Feo thought-bubbles that she's not with Grandpa unless she's at the convent.

"Poor Don Agustín," Feo continues thought-bubbling to himself with a sardonic grin, "I'm sure he's already in a better place."

Not yet. Grandpa's commenting to Quintina how on glad the nuns at the convent were for the bread they brought them. Quintina remarks that the road is awful, full of curves/bumps/something (I can't find a road-related translation for "bancadas"). Grandpa says she's a good driver, but be careful anyway just in case of a bad curve. Quintina suddenly realizes she can't slow down - the brake's not working. As the car begins to swerve uncontrollably on the wobbly tire, only now does she realize they're not wearing their seatbelts. (Since a car crash killed his wife and cost him the use of his legs, I find it hard to believe that Grandpa would forget to buckle up.)

Suddenly, the truck flips - I'm not sure how. It turns all the way over, bouncing off the flawlessly paved road, and comes to rest right-side up. Grandpa is banged-up, bleeding, and not entirely conscious, but at least he's breathing. Quintina is in better shape, and tells him to hang in there while she goes for help.

Night falls. Ah-ooooooooo! It's a full moon! Juan and Sofía are camped out near the waterfall; she assures him she's okay with sleeping on the ground, as long as she's with him. Then, suddenly, she gets a bad feeling - she thinks something has happened. (Sure it did, but it must have been at least an hour ago since the sun was still up.) Juan is sure nothing happened, and the feeling was just that - a feeling. They need to go to sleep so they can leave early tomorrow. She doesn't seem so sure, but he holds her, and she says she loves him more than anything else in the world.

Oscar meets with Fr. Tadeo, still upset that Jimena didn't explain why she dumped him. He wants to confront her. Tadeo asks if he's willing to confront her mother. Oscar says he respects mothers, then babbles the blessedness of motherhood, and somehow gets on the subject of Mary Magdalene (I think this has something to do with his conversation with Franco about Rosario a few weeks ago).

Tadeo loses his temper and asks what does any of this have to do with the subject at hand?! "It's unbelievable, all the nonsense I have to listen to! Where'd you get the idea that Mary Magdalene had children? Be careful when discussing sacred religious matters that deserve respect! If you don't know what you're talking about, better not talk!" Oscar apologizes.

The party's still happening. Octavio and Jimena have slipped away for a hot makeout session... she has reversed his gayness! Eh - no, actually he's just told her that he's no more interested in marrying her than she is in marrying him. He says she'd be the woman of any man's dreams, but not his. This is a huge relief to Jimena. Her relief is a big relief to him! He suggests they make a pact: they'll pretend to go along with the relationship, but when nobody's watching they can do whatever they want.

Sarita and Benito have also slipped away for some hot non-makeout. Sarita says she doesn't love him. "I don't love you either," Benito says casually. "I like you, but I don't love you." He gave her the ring for the same reason she took it - his aunt and her mother made them do it. He asks if she's ever been in love. She says yes, but it went very badly; so badly she doesn't believe in love. He says he does believe in love - love he has for a woman who isn't Sarita. She chuckles reassuringly.

In the Reyes kitchen, Franco and Oscar are wearing pretty aprons and cooking dinner. Franco sings that he doesn't care if someone doesn't love him. Oscar scowls and tells him to shut up; he's like the dog with two sandwiches. (Also known as the dog with the bone who saw his reflection in the water and thought it was another dog with a bone; he opened his mouth to take the other bone, dropped his own into the lake, and was left with nothing.) Franco teases Oscar about being without his love and her money. Then Quintina staggers in, crying about the accident and says they need to go back there right away.

At the party, Feo tells Crabi he's going to go looking for Sofía - he thinks she might have gone back to the convent. Before he can leave, however, Raquel demands that he dance with her. She hands Gabi her wine glass and whisks Feo away. Gabi stares at them, miffed, holding a wine glass in each hand. Feo looks at her helplessly. (It's not often that we get to see his flair for comedy!)

Juan and Sofía haven't gone to sleep yet. He's telling her he's going to work really hard so that he can give her all the amenities she's used to. She says those things don't matter to her - what good are they if she's not happy? Living in a golden cage? He's already given her back her will to live and made her feel true love. "I'm yours forever." Then they catch full moon fever.

Fr. Tadeo has returned to the party. (I think the scene between him and Oscar was edited out of sequence; Oscar was even wearing a different shirt.) He wants to know why Jimena isn't marrying Oscar. She says she found out in time that he's a bad man, and she deserves someone better. Tadeo asks, what did Oscar do to her? She says he showed her who he really is - "someone very different than you and I think."

A mariachi band begins to play. Jimena marches right up to them and begins to sing somewhat off-key. Mortified, Gabi protests; Raquel says "aw, let her sing, Gabriela! Don't you see how happy she is about her engagement?" Feo agrees. Crabi pats his hand, gives him a gooey look, and says "only because you ask." She sits down with much too big of a grin; but the grin fades quickly as Jimena goes on singing about being really drunk.

Grandpa, Quintina, Dimples (Oscar), and Fuzzy (Franco) are at the dispensario. The good doctor is there; Grandpa's somewhat delirious and keeps saying "Gomez no, Gomez no." Quintina tries to reassure him. The good doctor says his name is Mondragón. Dimples tells Quintina he's going to recover. She's crying and saying she was driving well, very calmly, and she doesn't understand what happened to the truck; the brakes failed. Fuzzy says the truck was very old and that's why it gave out.

Oscar tells Franco they need to inform the family. Quintina begs Grandpa to get better. Hortensia shows up and is glad to see Quintina safe and sound. Quintina points out that Grandpa's not doing as well, and "worst of all," Hortensia's truck is totalled.

Still not asleep yet, Sofía worries to Juan that it might be difficult for them to go back someday. Juan assures her that it will happen. She doesn't think her mother will forgive her. Juan says, "why think about that? Instead think of how I love you with all my soul."

Jimena has moved on to another song with the mariachis - this one's about making the same mistakes year after year, drinking again with strangers and crying over the same pains. She is finally silenced by the arrival of Dimples and Fuzzy. Gabi FREAKS and screams at them: how dare they interrupt their private party? They tell her that Grandpa had an accident.

Most of the onlookers seem horrified; Gabi merely looks thoughtful. "Is he dead?" Feo asks hopefully. "No, he's alive," Oscar says, giving him a hard look. (Do you think he suspects?) Fr. Tadeo sighs with relief. Feo smiles with angelic relief. (Oscar stares even harder at him.)

Later, at the clinic, Sarita is telling Jimena that the accident is very suspicious - she thinks "they" (the brothers) caused it. "They want to hurt us!" Jimena says Sarita's so obsessed with this idea, she can't see past her own nose; take into account that they're the ones who rescued him. I think Sarita believes that's all part of their cunning plan, but Jimena cuts her off - sure they're a couple of shameless traitors, but that's a far cry from wanting to hurt their grandfather.

"You're going to pay," is all Gabi has to say for herself as she and Feo enter Grandpa's room. "I'm going to sue you all!"

I'm sorry. I have to take a break. I am laughing too hard to go on. How Diana Bracho can play this character without convulsing in laughter with each new ludicrous outburst, I cannot imagine. She must keep a thumbtack in her shoe or something.

Ahem. I'm back. The brothers, Quintina, and Dr. Mondragón just stare at each other, bemused. Oscar says "do whatever you want, ma'am." Enraged, Crabi tells them to get out. "You have no right to be here." The doctor says she can't kick them out if Grandpa wants them there.

"I just knew something was going to happen, but nobody paid me any mind."

Feo, always so interested in others, asks Dimples and Fuzzy where Juan is. "Leave my brother alone and worry about Don Agustín," Franco says. Oscar tells him it's best he not ask questions to which he wouldn't like the answers.

Sofía wakes with a start. She's had a nightmare that something awful happened to her grandfather. Juan urges her to go back to sleep.

Oscar tells Jimena he knows it's not a good time, but he deserves an explanation. She refuses to give any specifics other than to call him a malhecho. "Me? A mal hecho?" He reminds her that she was dancing, singing, hugging that guy and now look, she's wearing an engagement ring! She betrayed him! She played with his feelings!

All she can say to this is that he's the one who played with her feelings. She tells him to leave her in peace. "Fickle chick," he mutters.

Franco tries to make nice with Sarita, saying he's worried about Grandpa. She says she's convinced the brothers are trying to hurt her family. He says they love her grandfather and would never hurt him. She says they came to the hacienda with bad intentions. She's going to prove it! "So you're still upset about Rosario?" Franco unwisely asks. She scoffs, shows Franco her ring, and brags about Benito, "someone of my class." (Where'd I put my Melrose Mints?) Franco says great, if that's what makes you happy, then I'm happy for you. And Rosario's left town, and we don't know when she's coming back.

I'm not sure why he told her that, but it seems to have an effect - for a split-second. Then she tosses her head at him and leaves.

Eva finds Oscar and tells him they need to find Sofía and tell her about Grandpa. If he gets worse, Sofía would never forgive Eva for not letting her know. Oscar says the doctor told them he's going to get well. Eva is relieved, but still thinks Sofía should be informed so that she can decide what to do.

With all the nice people outside, Gabi and Feo are alone with Grandpa. "You deserve it," Gabi is thought-bubbling to him. "You provoked all of this. You deserve what happened to you."

Feo gently holds Grandpa's hand and does his innocent puppydog expression, thought-bubbling "Hopefully you'll die - that would solve all my problems."

Oscar and Franco wonder where Juan is. Oscar says Juan likes the mountain trail; if they went there and stopped to rest, he and Franco can find them before dawn.

I guess that worked. It's the next day and they're all talking. Sofía wants to go back and be at Grandpa's side. Juan says they all love her grandfather, but the doctor said he's going to recover. Oscar agrees, he'll be fine. Juan says if they go back now, it's going to be very difficult to leave again. Oscar suggests that they just let him know where they're going, and he'll keep them informed.

This isn't good enough; Sofía demands to go back. Juan says he wants what she wants, and if going back will make her feel better, they'll go back, and figure out later how to get away again. Sofía says no, they have to accept that fate is against them, it's proof that their love is impossible. They'll NEVER be free to be together; NEVER. The sooner they accept reality, the better. "You're free, Juan. I give back your promise to love me forever. You're free." Finally he lets go of her hand.

(MINTS! I need my damn MINTS!!)

Finally... the long-awaited return of the Padre's donkey! I wonder where he's been all these weeks. Vacation? Retreat? Seminar? Jail? Espionage? Romance? We shall never know, for he is a donkey of deep secrets.

Grandpa is stirring, just in time for Sofía's arrival. "What are you doing here?" he asks. She says she came back for him. "You shouldn't have done that, it's a mistake, put your love first, you have to leave and be happy! You should go back before your mother sees you. Go, there's still time." She says it's too late. He says "It's never too late. Trust in your love. Go. I know what I'm talking about! Please!"

She refuses and insists it's too late. But she's glad he's okay.

She gets home with a "where's my Melrose Mints?" look on her face. She turns back towards the door, and for a moment I think she's going to flee; but instead she closes the doors and bars them.

Feo is glad to see her. "Where were you? Who'd you spend the night with?" She says she's not going to tell him anything, he can think whatever he wants. He shakes her and says he's her husband and she has to answer him. He is about to bitch-slap her all the way to Telemundo when Sarita, Jimena, and Eva show up and pull them apart. He has the nerve to shout that it's his right. "Right to what, kill me?" Sofía challenges.

"That's what I should do - kill you! You're a tramp!" And this time he does hit her, in front of three witnesses. He also shoves Sarita and Eva.

Gabi appears at the top of the stairs. "Enough," she says without a great deal of emotion. "I only want her to tell me where she spent the night!" Gabi sends Sofi to her room. Sofi stares at her, disbelieving. "Now!" Feonando tries to get in her way. Gabi calls him off.

Sofi leaves. Gabi tells him there will be time to talk to her later. He says that if she doesn't tell him where she was, he could...

She cuts him off and shakes her head. He looks at Sarita, Jimena, and Eva, huddled together protectively, and leaves the house.

Now Gabi wants them to tell her where Sofía was. They don't say a word. (The nice thing is that technically, they don't know where she went.)

Grandpa wakes to the sound of jingle-spurs. He tells Juan to kidnap Sofía if necessary, but get her out of there. "Do it." Juan says he can't; it's all over. She'll never have the nerve to leave her family. She'd never leave all this for him; and when that damn cottage is finished, they (the brothers) will leave the hacienda.

Now there's a weird-colored scene of the guys at the cottage. It takes a minute to figure out, but the red edges around the picture signal a montage:

• The brothers return to work.
• Jimena is kissing Grandpa goodbye at the dispensario and ignoring Oscar.
• Sarita looks happy when she hears Franco sneak up behind her, but then gives him the cold shoulder.
• Juan is planing a piece of wood.
• Sofía is looking out the window.
• Grandpa is coming home from the hospital.
• The brothers are painting the cottage red.
• The sisters come out on the balcony; the brothers see them and pause in their work. They stare at one another miserably.

Now we're out of the montage; no idea how much time has passed. Sofía, the woman who once left a broken teacup and spilt tea overnight for the maid, is preparing to sew a button onto a blouse.

Suddenly, she gets very, very queasy. She nearly collapses over her bell collection, but makes it to the bathroom just in time.

Crabi pays our construction workers a visit to gloat that they've finally finished that damn cottage. Juan is just as glad as she is, and proudly offers her a tour. "No, as far as I'm concerned it can fall apart tomorrow. After all, it wasn't made for my tastes, and nobody asked my opinion. Luckily, this will be the last day we see each other."

She should totally apply for a job at Hallmark.

"Don't be so sure," Juan says.

"Everyone of your class is alike," Crabi says. "I remember this girl who came to my house one night to claim something that wasn't hers. Some 'Libia.' God punished her for that."

The brothers take a few steps forward.

Sofía comes out of the bathroom, beaming. She picks up a figurine of an angel holding a baby.

"I'm pregnant! I'm expecting Juan's child!"

In telenovelas, the expectant mother is always the last to know.

Next time:
Gabi takes a swing at Juan. Oh, the irony.

I'm off next week - you'll get a double-dose of Nicolás on Monday and Wednesday.

Labels: Fuego

In case you missed last night (or did not read Beckster's excellent recap--in which case, shame on you!) three years have passed. Three years of Luciana drinking alone in her room…well, that's not so different. Three years of Marisela and Bobby going out while Marisela makes eyes at Mateo. Three years of Valeria modeling and Rocky missing her. Three years of Mili continuing to date Hugo instead of calling up Alejandro to say "Oh, by the way, we're not related." I can't explain that one, unless it's due to Hugo's new haircut of awesomeness (thanks, hair people!). In other news, Constancio won his election, and Mili, Lina, and Gloria managed to finish school. So, tonight is their graduation party from "la prepa" (high school, more or less--in Mexico only K-9 are mandated, at least in theory).

Padre Manuel has convinced Constancio to make a speech for the occasion. If you think this is finally the moment he's going to admit that Mili is his daughter, then in the words of George Strait, "I've got some ocean front property in Arizona." On to tonight's show:

Constancio ends up saying, "I'm proud you're my…uh, that you're part of my…uh, that you're part of this house." Everybody claps, but Milagros is devastated, once again. And PM is doubting his knowledge of human nature. Hugo is surprised to hear Constancio talk like that. Mili can't understand why he won't fess up already, but she insists he's got to be the one to make the first move.

In his study, Constancio pats himself and Rosario (via photo) on the back for producing such a great daughter. That he won't acknowledge. Heck, two out of three ain't bad, right. He thinks since Rosario didn't forgive him, Mili won't either.

Luciana looks at magazines with Valeria on the cover, then at a picture of Alejandro. She's missing her kids, but she forgets neither of them would be talking to her if they were actually here, so what's the diff?

Hugo retrieves a little box from his room. Braulio comes in to ask if he's proposing today and wishes him luck. And downstairs they go.

Sor Cachete and Madre Superior talk about how nice Constancio's words were. Lina suggests putting on some music to liven up the party, which they finally do. It's bailongo night at Casa Belmonte. Hugo and Braulio come rushing downstairs. Sor Cachete asks Braulio to dance--he sure as heck doesn't swing that way! He ends up doing the robot a little bit. Luciana comes downstairs screaming that maids don't dance in her household. She specifically requested Morbid Maids, not Merry Maids. She screams that she's leaving and calls them all nacos, to which Mili responds, "nacos las pelotas!" Now, why does Mili saying "pelotas" always get muted out? I know she's saying "balls" but what's so bad about that? Does anyone know if they muted it out in Mexico? And finally, how am I supposed to learn all the good curse words if they don't let me hear them? Luciana leaves and it's back to the party. Mateo's friend, Fernando, hits on Lina, but Bobby tries to bust them up. Good question, Fernando, where is Bobby's girlfriend? Constancio's standing there with his hands in his pockets while everybody else dances.

Marisela is outside by the fountain kissing Mateo. Gross. How could she be attracted to him, with his ratty face and his old man sweaters? My apologies to any actual old men reading, I'm sure you'd never be caught dead in such horrid sweaters as Mateo keeps wearing. Who did he piss off in the costuming department?

Braulio comes into the kitchen to snap at Karla for not attending to the guests. She refuses to wait on other "servants." Rocky and Lina come in to say they're running low on drinks. Lina pisses off Karla by calling her "stepsister," so Rocky volunteers to go get drinks. I hadn't noticed before tonight, but there's an egg holder in the background shaped like a chicken. That has nothing to do with anything.

So, who's gonna watch Querida Enemiga?

Luciana's hitting the piano bar again. We see the back of someone's head and I'm betting it's Nestor. She orders a whiskey and Nestor comes over to ask what a bar like her is doing in a girl like this. He hasn't been able to forget her, he's legally divorced now, and he'd like to get some of that Drunky Luci lovin'. Luciana says her husband is still cheating on her with Andrea, the kids are gone, she feels like she's losing it all. Nestor's like, "Hello! What am I, chopped liver? Divorce Constancio and let's get married." Nestor hasn't gotten the memo that Luciana has no spine unless it comes to tormenting those she believes are beneath her.

Rocky is fetching the drinks from the trunk when a cab pulls up. None other than Valeria "Snotty Spice" Belmonte. He calls "Chiquita!" She looks like she wants to roll her eyes, but she's just too sad to.

Hugo stops the music and proposes to Mili. I think for as much as Hugo's worth, I should be seeing a whole lot more sparkle coming out of that box. Of course, we all know Mili's not that kind of girl. She'd probably be happier if he'd opened up the box and proposed with a big fat check to the Milagros Lascurain Charitable Foundation aka Save The Orphans of St. Deceptions Fund. Oh, never mind, she says yes right away. Not like a happy, excited "yes," but more like "aw, aren't you sweet, yeah, sure." She looks like she's going to cry. The bling looks much better out of the box. Mili and Hugo kiss. Braulio looks like he's wondering if he's backed the right horse…or maybe he's just verklempt.

When we return from commercials the kiss is still going on. The ladies gather around Milagros to ooh and aah over the ring. Braulio tells Hugo he applauds his romanticism, but thinks that Hugo needs to ask Milagros' father for her hand. Hugo approaches Constancio and asks for Milagros' hand…from Padre Manuel. Constancio's relieved and Braulio asks him who he thought Hugo would ask. Heh, who knew Hugo had a sense of humor? The gals wonder when the wedding will be and Hugo suggests next week, if Padre Manuel will agree to marry them. He does, "of course." Hey, I know it's been three years, but has everybody forgotten (a) Alejandro? And (b) that they're not actually related? I'm guessing he'll be back just in time to shake things up.

Nestor continues trying to convince Luciana to leave Constancio. Dude, have you not realized she's a masochist? What other explanation could there be? Luciana says she's afraid and she can't. Idiot. She tells Nestor to forget her…again. Riiiiight, cause he listened the first time?

Rocky is happy to see his Chiquita, digo, Señorita Valeria. She does this strange sideways walk closer to him while not looking at him at all. Valeria confirms she's not a dream and slaps his hand away, screaming at him not to touch her. She orders him to hurry up and help the taxi driver with her bags. Rocky's never been so happy, his Chiquita is back! And it's just like the old days when she used to senselessly berate him!

Valeria walks into the party. Constancio is also happy to see her. She's doing some work for a catalog in Mexico. Rocky stumbles in with all the bags. She's back to calling him Morgan. She tells him to hurry up and take her bags upstairs. Bobby comes over to say hi and she disses him like back in the old days, telling him to go away. She asks about the party. Constancio tells her the gals have graduated and Hugo and Mili are engaged. Valeria mocks him for proposing to Mili yet again, then she says she's going upstairs to sleep and they should turn down the music. Constancio declares the party over. He hints he's starting to see some of Luciana in her and seems sad. Marisela gripes at Bobby that she can't see what he ever saw in her. Marisela is still playing the good girlfriend in public. I thought I liked her, but now I see she may be just as bad as her sister.

Upstairs, Rocky is still struggling with the bags. Valeria orders him out, but he won't go until he tells her how much he missed her. Valeria tells him he's just the chauffeur and should treat her with respect and keep his distance. I vote he washes the car with his shirt off tomorrow. It worked before. He pulls out her letter to him and says he reads it twice a day. She snatches it back. She starts reading it in an over-dramatic way. She finally says she couldn't have written something so tacky. She agrees it's her handwriting, but she doesn't understand why. She would have to have been mad to write it to someone who's not worth two cents. She rips up the letter and shoves him out before he can pick up the pieces. Oh, but I don't think she's as unaffected as she pretends to be…please, show, I need a reason to go on!

Romulo is in Yolanda's room crying over her. Sor Cachete comes in, saying she's got a bit of a hangover from the party punch last night…she didn't know what she was drinking! Oh, that Sor. Romulo says he's proud of Gloria, but sad she didn't invite him. He comes to visit Yolanda when Gloria won't be there. Sor C says she brought Gloria with her, so he leaves. Gloria comes in and doesn't acknowledge him and she doesn't want to talk to SC about it either.

Damian and his boyfriend talk about women while they look at a girlie magazine. Damian tells his boyfriend he sure as heck won't marry Karla. Damian still thinks Karla will (a) get him out of jail and (b) continue making conjugal visits. Damian asks his boyfriend if he's got friends on the outside who can discredit Constancio.

Karla's brilliant method of getting Damian out of jail is to beg and whine to Constancio. And to tell him how much Damian is suffering. Constancio just grins. Karla says she'll do "anything." Constancio tells her to quit playing at the femme fatale with him and get off his desk! He wants to know why she's helping Damian and he won't accept "I love him" as an answer. Karla says it's because he promised to marry her and she's tired of being a servant. Well, perhaps she should think about getting another job rather than snagging a rich husband. Tart. Constancio cracks up laughing. He says some things are going to change. He tells her to go make her usual conjugal visit, but to do what he (Constancio) tells her to do.

Luciana is happy to have Valeria back. Valeria just stares at her as she picks at her fruit plate. Luciana complains about how terrible her life is, what with daddy throwing parties for servants. Seriously, that's her only complaint? Luciana wants Valeria to tell her all about Paris. Valeria's not in the mood. Uh, Luci, you had your chance. Quit trying to live through your daughter? Luciana asks if there's a man, but Valeria says men are all "tarados" ("retards") and she won't fall in love again.

Rocky is trying to piece back together Valeria's letter and crying. Horacio doesn't understand why it's in pieces. Rocky cries that Valeria hates him. Horacio takes the opportunity to say "I told you so." Rocky cries that he lost her forever.

Damian's boyfriend calls Constancio to tell him that Damian plans to have him discredited and also to watch out for Karla. Constancio says something about things changing tomorrow. Boyfriend turns around and Damian is right there. He says he might have some guys to spread rumors about Constancio, but they might need money. Boyfriend also tells him it's a good idea not to marry Karla and get tied down. He crows about some woman he had a thing for and who "betrayed" him, but one day he'll get out and she'll pay…oh, no, tell me this is not the guy who raped Socorro. You know how it is, everyone is connected with everyone else.

Karla is skanking it up for her next conjugal visit. Socorro is not happy about this. She tries to get Karla to give up on Damian. Karla tells Socorro that Damian will marry her once he gets out. She storms out.

Constancio and Hugo go over some work stuff. I can't get over Hugo's new haircut. He looks so much better. Constancio tells Hugo he's happy about the way he's been managing the company. I guess Hugo would be the only person left to do it while Constancio's out playing man of the people. He's also happy that Hugo is making Milagros happy…and he hopes this time the bride doesn't get away! Hugo actually laughs at this. Constancio announces that by the time they get married, Damian will be out. Andrea, with much bigger, wavier hair than usual, stands at the door of Constancio's office, grinning like the shameless hussy she is.

Padre Manuel and Mili coach a futbol match. Mili's style is more violent than Padre Manuel's. Padre Manuel forgot to tell her he wants her to teach them to play clean, not teach them all her tricks. Halftime is called and Padre Manuel gives them a lecture on playing clean. Mili flashes back to more of Mili and Alejandro's greatest smooches. As she breathes that she misses him, we see the piece of green gum sitting in her mouth. Attractive.

Andrea picks on Hugo about trying for Mili again. Hugo's tired of it and he tells her to stay out of it. Andrea doesn't believe he's changed. Hugo says he was never evil, he just let her influence him too much, but that can be fixed. Andrea tells him that after what she tells him, the "right" thing to do is help Mili get the love of her life back. Hugo says that's over. Andrea asks if it's the blood thing? She says she's always known about that, but she also knows it's a lie--Constancio isn't Alejandro's real dad!

Tomorrow: Karla tells Damian that marrying her is his get out of jail free card. Hugo tells Mili that Alejandro needs to know they're not related so he can decide whether he's going to leave Florencia.

Labels: guapos