Caray, Caray!

First, some pics from Friday's episode:

Labels: gavilanes

So, the setup for tonight is that Flor-n-Al, Mili-n-Hugo, and Vale-n-Rocky are ALL at the same hotel in Puerto Vallarta, allegedly having romantic times. Also there are Ramses and the skeevy guy who seems to be following Valeria and Rocky around. So, obviously, something's hitting the fan tonight.

Back at Casa Belmonte, Damian practices his campaign speech. Karla, the woman who can blemish his reputation comes up with the vacuum cleaner and almost drops it on his foot. Damian tells her he's up for party president. Karla says he's not the best option of anything, unless it's biggest jackass and dirty old man. Damian retaliates by dropping his brandy glass and tells her to clean it up and not raise her voice to him again. Dude, that's harsh. Broken glass sucks to clean up. I'd be more careful if I were him--there's no telling where that glass will end up…between his sheets? On his chair at the dinner table?

Looks like Luciana has made it out of her hotel room and is down at the bar. I can't imagine why. Couldn't room service have brought up a few dozen bottles for her? The bartender is one of those helpful chatty types. He tells her to (a) forget her ungrateful family and (b) go shopping, since isn't that what makes all women happy? Ergh! Luciana looks rough, not like she's been holed up in a hotel room drinking non-stop, but like she's got a nasty flu.

Spy Guy watches Alejandro and Flor set up their lounge chairs by the pool. Alejandro can't stop thinking about his mommy, but Flor tells him mommy's in the hospital getting better. She offers to put some sunscreen on him. SpyGuy then watches Rocky and Valeria go over to the pool. Baby Rocky has his floaties on and a blue rhino inner tube thingy. Mommy Valeria won't let him go in the water without sunscreen. Ramses is having himself oiled by the girl who tried to come on to Hugo. She complains about it and we find out she's his sister…is this the infamous Nefertiti? Poor girl. SpyGuy continues his spying.

Constancio tries to talk Peralta out of making Damian party president. He says he's got an interview set up the following day to clear up the scandal. Peralta says if they spin it right, maybe he can get the party to reconsider Constancio as president. He tells him he's got to manage the interview well. Constancio's phone rings and Guevara, aka SpyGuy reports that Alejandro and Florencia are "there". Constancio's confused. Guevera says all the kids are there. Constancio is pissed that Valeria is there with Rocky. Guevara then breaks it to him that they are (a) in the same room and (b) the bed is king size. Constancio says he's going out there tomorrow, interview be damned.

Villalobos tells Mateo that soon the cops will go to Casa Belmonte and Constancio will be more sunk than the Titanic, especially after that scandal the other day. Villalobos tells Mat to get over his little friend Fernie, he had it coming. Marisela comes in to tell them that she just talked to Flor. She worries about their relationship. Villalobos tells her it'll be fine, they're there alone, right. Oh, Wolfman, if only you knew. He tells her that the cops are closing in on the guy who killed her dad.

Rocky is finally all sunscreened and Valeria gives him permission to go into the pool. Loud shorts and all. He does a brilliant acting job of bad swimming…oh, the flippers, I hadn't noticed the flippers! Ramses walks by and sees Valeria…and commercial.

Rocky is splashing water all over Ramses' sister. She gripes at him and he offers to go away, but then she starts flirting with him.

Mili and Hugo walk by the beach. Hugo blah, blah, blah's about their relationship and how it's going to get better. He's essentially trying to talk her into having sex to save the relationship. He says it would rock to conceive a kid there. Florencia calls him and asks how it's going, have they done it yet? They talk to each other about how great it is and how their respective spouses haven't said anything about each other. Mili attacks Hugo, so he hangs up on Florencia and then buys Mili an ice cream.

Ramses is hitting on Valeria as she looks incredibly uncomfortable. She finally tells him she's not there alone, she's with her boyfriend and she's really happy with him. Ramses is upset about her being there with "the chauffeur." Valeria corrects him, she's there with the love of her life.

Rocky finds out that her name really is Nefertiti. And no, she's not Greek or Polish, she's Mexican, but her parents were into Egypt. She's thoroughly enchanted with Rocky. Ramses comes over to criticize her taste in men and tell her that Rocky is his ex-girlfriend's chauffeur and boyfriend. Nefertiti is disappointed.

Rocky comes out of the pool and Valeria tells him Ramses is there. Rocky threatens to drown him in the ocean if he comes near them. With all those floaties, I'm thinking not.

Alejandro comes back from swimming in the ocean and collects Florencia. They make plans to go get some food after they clean up.

Karla tells Lina she's not going to let Damian get away with what he's doing. Lina tries to be nice to her, but Karla's back to her own self. Lina's feelings are hurt. She figures out, though, that Karla's jealous of her relationship with Socorro. She tries to tell Karla how much Socorro loves her. Gloria comes in and snarks that Karla's change of attitude didn't last long. Karla walks out. Gloria tells Lina that Bobby's waiting in the garden for her. Lina takes a few moments, then runs out to find him.

Andrea is cleaning out Luciana's closet and orders Braulio to burn Luciana's stuff. Braulio's heart breaks. Andrea announces it's her house and she's redecorating.

Luciana goes grocery shopping. She makes sure to get all the major food groups--whiskey, rum, tequila, and vodka. But no mixers--you wouldn't want to dilute the potency of the natural flavor compounds.

Karla fixes herself a sandwich. Horacio wonders why she doesn't behave herself already. Karla can't take it anymore and tells him that she won't be compared with Lina…"your daughter, who everyone thinks is such a saint, has more prizes in her than a piñata." Er, ok I guess if we're talking in terms of individual cells rather than just one baby, right?

Florencia lays out clothes for Alejandro and then goes in to take a shower. Alejandro goes out on the balcony in his towel and thinks about Mili. He wonders why she's not there with him. Hee hee. Mili goes out on her balcony and thinks she would have liked it better if Alejandro were there with her. Commercials.

Before they see each other, Mili goes back inside. Hugo is waiting for her by a little pool with some fruit and champagne. She says she was just looking at the sea. Hugo offers to move there if she likes it so much. He tries to be romantic, but Mili says she's hungry. And no, she doesn't want room service. Mili horrifies even me by telling Hugo to "behave" himself when he tries to kiss her again. This is driving me nuts. I don't think she owes him sex, but how naïve is she that she thought he could hold out for even a few months waiting for her to be "ready." That's one of those stupid clichés that goes right up there with "I'll learn to love you." Anyway, he tells her he's just kissing her, not undressing her, and is she going to reject his kisses too? He tells her to forget Alejandro and let's go to dinner.

Horacio and Karla argue about Lina being pregnant. She's being pretty nasty to him, calling him stupid, filthy, etc. Horacio tells her she can say what she wants about him, but leave his daughter out of it. Karla goes on this long rant about how Horacio's so stupid he'll just think that Lina's belly is growing because she's putting on weight and that the baby is just a doll. Then she twists the knife a little more, telling him that everyone knows but him, even Braulio, and he's an idiot for not realizing it. Horacio tells Karla that she doesn't need anyone to ruin her life, her nastiness and bitterness will do it for her. Braulio hears the argument and comes in to tell them to shut it. Horacio asks where Lina is and Braulio says she's out in the garden with Bobby. Horacio takes off and Braulio asks Karla to help him with what Andrea asked him to do.

Bobby tries to talk Lina into telling him what's up and why she's rejecting him now. She tells him she just doesn't want a boyfriend right now. Bobby's hurt that she doesn't trust him. He says he's tired of being an idiot, falling in love, and then getting rejected. He tells her he doesn't deserve that. He says he likes her and knows how to see her for what she's worth, he realizes she has everything he's always looked for in a woman. He says he forgot that in order to be a couple, she would have to feel the same way about him. Lina hugs and kisses him and right then Horacio comes up and says "hands off my daughter! You already got her pregnant, what more do you want?" Oops.

Rocky and Valeria have dinner outside. Valeria's having a great time being there alone with him. She remembers that "date" they had where he was both Rocky and Morgan. Ramses and Nefertiti send over a bottle of champagne, and then impose themselves on Rocky and Valeria. Ramses picks on Rocky and Nefertiti hits on him. Valeria's a little pissed off that Rocky and Nefertiti already met at the pool. Ramses starts pouring the champagne. Rocky makes a comment about Ramses getting spots on his face and he has to check. Once he confirms he's ok, he toasts to their lucky encounter. Valeria's claws come out as she tells Nefertiti that maybe her BOYFRIEND is a flirt, but he's a complete dear to her. Ramses talks about the wonderful spa they have at the hotel, so Valeria says that of course, she and her BOYFRIEND have already made appointments for relaxing massages and mud and honey treatments. She makes kissy faces at Rocky. She says she and her BOYFRIEND do everything together. Nefertiti thinks maybe they can skip the "honey" part of the treatment. I think all the loveyness is making her sick. Valeria says they've got places to go, so bye now. Rocky follows her lead and they leave. Ramses and Nefertiti toast. I notice she calls him "Ram." I wonder what his pet name for her is…"Nef?"

Horacio gripes out Lina for being pregnant. Dude, it's already done, quit making her feel bad. Bobby asks if this is why she was trying to get rid of him. She admits it's true and she's pregnant. Horacio still thinks it's Bobby's though and Lina has to get between them and say it's not Bobby's. Now Horacio really lets her have it and says he'd expect this from Karla, but not her. Somewhere, on a shelf in the kitchen, his "#1 Dad" mug is falling off and breaking on the floor. Bobby tells Lina not to try and defend him and tells Horacio he really is the baby daddy. I know, right! Go Bobby!

Constancio thanks someone on the phone. The doctor at the clinic has lied to Constancio and told him that Luciana is doing great. Constancio says there's no way he's going out there to see her, though. Damian is relieved. He says he'll go out there and check up on her. Constancio is surprised that Damian gives a crap. Damian says he's got to keep Luciana from causing scandals for him. Constancio tells him not to get too comfy thinking he'll be the next party president, because Constancio's interview might put him back in the running. Dude, if you wanted even a prayer of that happening, you shouldn't have told Damian. Idiot.

Hugo blah, blah, blahs about what a lucky guy he is to be with her, he wants into her…uh, heart…but we all know he means "pants." Mili is grimacing in pain as he goes on and on. She finally says she can't take it anymore and she's got to pee. Dude, what adult person waits so long it gets painful, unless there's no access to facilities? Maybe she's got a UTI, I don't know. That'll certainly serve as an excuse not to have sex with Hugo. It'll be a refreshing change from "not tonight, dear, I'm not ready." On her mad dash to the bathroom, she runs behind Alejandro's table as he studies the menu. Hugo grins. Because Mili's just so darn charming.

She runs into the bathroom stall and quite loudly exclaims about how great it feels. Florencia convinces herself she's just imagining things as she comes out of her stall and then washes her hands. She takes her time, checking out her outfit. Mili emerges just as she leaves. Mili recognizes Florencia's perfume and says: "Huh, it smells like Florinda…or maybe she smells like a bathroom?" Ha! Commercials.

Horacio, Lina, and Bobby go inside to the servants' dining room. Horacio tells Bobby he'd better not be making a fool of his daughter. Bobby says he adores Lina and he won't lose her, least of all now when they're expecting a baby. Horacio says they'd better be getting married and Bobby says he'd like nothing more. Horacio mentions his long pointy gardening shears and Bobby says he won't need to use them, he always wants to be with Lina. Horacio finally calms down and hugs his "son-in-law." Poor Lina is in shock. She asks for a minute alone with Bobby, which, hey, she's already knocked up, so what more can happen. Horacio says he'll be right nearby in case she needs something since he's always going to take care of her. Oh, whatever, dude. (A) This does not erase all the nasty things he said about her a few minutes ago and (B) I love that Bobby stepped up like this, but I think Lina needs to have a say in the matter instead of having these two men decide the rest of her future for her. Horacio leaves. Lina asks why he did it. Well, duh! Bobby says he said all those things because they're true, he loves her and he wants to share everything with her and her kid will be his…if she wants. Thank you. He asks her if she wants him to be her baby daddy. And marry her. Lina gives him a big teary hug and a kiss. I guess that means yes, right?

Florencia, with her presumably virgin piña colada, blah, blah, blahs about how it's so great to be there and how she wants Al to be more romantic and affectionate, etc. And how for the rest of this trip she'd like him not to think about Milagros. Lady, you're the one who brought her up. Alejandro says she thinks about Mili more than he does. He promises not to think about her as long as Florencia doesn't bring her up.

Hugo extracts the same promise from Mili. She says she didn't even think about him until Hugo brought him up. Hugo says he wants them to have "an unforgettable trip" which really means "sex." Mili says the trip is already unforgettable for her, isn't it for him? Heh. He says it is and asks for the check.

Back in the DF Andrea has Braulio set the bundle of Luciana's stuff on the steps--not the ones directly in front of the house, but the ones on the other side of the fountain. Karla douses it with gasoline when Braulio can't bring himself to do it. They all retreat higher up on the steps and Andrea throws a lit match. She and Karla enjoy the burning, but poor Braulio may never recover.

And finally, the inevitable happens, Mili walks along the beach in the morning and runs into Alejandro. He is as delighted as a kid at Christmas.

Monday: Constancio's interview doesn't go as he hoped--he gets arrested on live TV for the murder of Domingo Echavarria.

Labels: guapos

Hi everybody!, Here is Friday’s recap. I did it from memory because I’m being lazy and didn’t want to see the show again. I hope I didn’t miss anything

After walking around, Lorena finally arrives to Alonso’s house. Tiberio tells her that Alonso has been looking for her and he is right now at Zulema’s house. She calls him and tells him what happened. Later we see them talking in a restaurant. She explains again, but he is doubtful.

Chalo and Sara are together. Sara is very upset because her plan didn’t work exactly as expected. Chalo tells her that he has done everything in his power to separate them, but they stick together like “mueganos”(For those that don't know what are mueganos here is a little info http://www.latradicionaldesalgado.com.mx/html/mueganos1.html. However I liked this picture better. It gives you an idea on how hard is to try to separate them http://turismo.hidalgo.gob.mx/jpg/gastronomia/muegano.jpg ) Sara tells him that she has a plan to separate them for good.

Next morning at the clinic. Bruno comes into Alonso’s office. He asks for a list with the name of his patients. Alonso asks him if he is not going to congratulate him. Bruno tells him that he new that he was going to get the award, but he didn’t vote for him. He leaves the office telling him that he wants the list right away.

Bruno asks Jacky to go with Betina to buy a dress. Jacky tells him that she is very busy preparing her wedding, besides, she says, that girl has a mother. Bruno gets upset and tells her that “that” girl happens to be his daughter, and he wanted them to spent some time together, but he understands and won’t ask again. He leaves and Jacky enters her office.
Betina is chatting with a friend. She is looking for sites where she could find a date for her mother. Her friend tells her that she has the perfect candidate; her father, he is divorced too, and he is very handsome. They decide to “hook” them up. Betina is very happy.

Jacky gives an invitation to her wedding to Hortencia. She takes it and thanks Jacky for inviting her, but her body language is saying that as soon as Jacky turns around that invitation will go to the round file. Jacky then tells her that Sara is not there. Hortencia gets mad at Jacky again and tells her to stick to her work and stop trying to get Sara in trouble. She informs her that Sara asked permission to go make some payments.

Sara is at her school making her monthly payment, when she sees Alonso, she hides and hears when Alonso tells the secretary that he is coming to make the payments for Lorena. One more thing that she could use to separate them. She calls Chalo and tells him to meet her at the clinic.

Sara and Chalo arrive to the clinic. Face one of operation “split mueganos” is on. Chalo enters Alonso’s office and tells him that he got his job back, but he needs a doctor’s note for the days he was unable to work. He then lets slip that he saw Lorena last night. Alonso looking indifferent but sounding really mad jumps at him and tells him to repeat what he just said. At the beginning Chalo denies seeing Lorena, but later he “confesses” that he is Lorena’s boyfriend. He tells her that Lorena has been using him(Alonso) and that they have been an item for a long time. Alonso hits him. Valeria enters right then and stops Alonso. Making the most of Valeria’s intervention Chalo leaves the room. Sara is waiting outside the clinic. She enters as Alonso is coming out trying to chase Chalo. When Alonso tells her what Chalo just told him, she feigns being outraged. She tells him that Lorena is not capable of deceit, and that Chalo is lying. Alonso wants to go talk to Lorena but Alas Lady Luck is on Sara’s side and Alonso is interrupted by a nurse telling him that there is an emergency. Alonso needs to go to surgery and Sara uses this opportunity to tell him that he needs to talk to Chalo and that she’ll go with him. Alonso goes into surgery and Sara goes outside to start face two.

Outside she tells Chalo that he needs to go the pension and wait for Lorena, meanwhile, she calls Lorena and tells her that she just found out that Alonso is very upset at her. Lorena doesn’t understand why. Sara tells her that it is because of Chalo and his web of lies. Lorena is very upset and she wants to talk to Alonso, but Sara convinces her to go talk to Chalo instead.

Diana talks to Vasco and convinces him that he should forgive his father.

Betina and her friend meet at the ice skating place. They plan together how to get their parents to meet, finally the decide just to introduce them and see how things develop. Betina then talks to her mom and her friend introduces them, Both girls encourage their parents to have a good talk. The girls are happy because their parents seem to be kind of compatible.
The girls congratulate themselves and hope that in the future they could become sisters. They are trilled with the idea. Meanwhile Mom and Dad seem to like each other… We’ll see.

At casa pobre, Zulema is concerned because Oscar is not doing her …wishes. She remembers that the way to a man’s heart is his stomach, so she enters the room with a plate of goodies. She asks him how are things going. He is surfing the web, end tells her that he is learning very fast. He thanks her for the food, and when she tries to kiss him on the lips, he makes an strategic move and ends up kissing her on the forehead. She is disappointed again.
Later she is delivering food to Tiberio, he is very happy to see her and comments that her food is delicious. She asks him in behalf of a “friend” about what to do when hubby is not responsive and seems to have lost sexual interest. Tiberio tells her that her “friend” needs to talk to her husband about her needs because otherwise their problems will increase.

Vasco goes to see his father. He tells him that he wants to help him. Jaime asks him to go to the office to pick up some papers. He goes to the office and meets Ickturo. He gives Vasco the papers he needed. When Vasco is about to leave Valeria arrives. Arturo introduces her to Vasco. They exchange pleasantries and Vasco leaves. Valeria is impressed with the job.

Betina and Paula are back at their house Betina asks her if she liked to talk to her friend’s father. Paula says that he is nice, but she doesn’t want to have a relationship right now. Betina then remembers that Tiberio suggested to tell Paula to find a job. She does and Paula realizes that her daughter is worried about her. She is touched and tells her that she would look for a job, but she doesn’t have any marketable skills. Betina tells her that there are some jobs where there is no need for experience or skills. They look at the paper together for a job. Betina is very happy.

Back at the clinic super Alonso, the fastest surgeon on earth is done with an open heart surgery and is ready to go talk to Lorena, but Sara convinces him that is better if he talks to Chalo first.
Meanwhile Lorena arrives at Chalo’s house and confronts him. He gives her a sob story on how he did it because he is jealous and he has been in love with her since they were little. Lorena is hoping mad and slaps him. She tells him that she hates him and wants him to tell Alonso the truth. He says that he’ll do that, but please forgive him. Lorena says she can’t forgive him. She tells him that she is leaving, but she is coming back later with Alonso, and he better tell him the true. She leaves the building, but as she is leaving. Alonso is arriving and sees her.

Zulema is back. She decides to follow Tiberio’s advice and goes to the room to talk to Oscar. Se finds him exactly the same way she left him. He tells her that he took a test online on how to use the internet and he thinks he did great. Zulema asks if he is done because she needs his full attention. He says that he’ll be ready in a minute, he just got an answer from his e-teacher. Zulema waits impatiently.

Alonso is beyond mad. He gets off the car and goes to Chalo’s house, meanwhile Lorena is calling Alonso, when he doesn’t answer, she leaves a message telling him that she knows what Chalo said, and it is a lie. She’ll explain everything after classes. Alonso left his phone in the car and Sara sees Lorena’s missing call. She listens to the message and then erases it (How does she know his pin?)
Alonso bangs at Chalo’s door, Chalo opens the door with a bra in his hand and saying something like “my love you forgot this”... A brand new bra in Lorena’s size $20.00 the look in Alonso’s face…priceless.
And to finish this recap in the words of the great Borat. Operation “split mueganos” SUCCESS!!!

Labels: enemiga

Juan is enraged with this latest family tragedy and, despite Padre Tadeo’s objections, he tells Oscar that they have got to take justice into their own hands. They must avenge what was done to Franco. (Okay. Just one question: wouldn’t it be nice to know who did it first?) Oscar swears that that's exactly what they'll do. Again Padre T objects, and Juan screams back that his patience has come to an end. (Does he always have to bellow like that? My head hurts already.) Oscar asks Tadeo how long they must remain patient, until all of the three of the Reyes’ are dead? Augie, trying to make them see reason, reminds them that violence only provokes more violence. Juan, though, says he won’t just stand around while his brother is lying there so badly burned and dying. He swears vengeance again and Oscar agrees, “Just like we did for our sister, for Libia!”

Sofia tries to reason with Juan next, for everyone's sake, including their baby. Juan replies in frustration that that is exactly what he IS doing, and why they have got to put an end to all of this. “If Franco dies, the one who is to blame will pay for it with his own life!” he swears to them.

Eva, meanwhile, is sitting at Rosario’s bedside down the hall. She prays for God not to take Rosario while back at the hacienda, Sarita, still in her wedding dress, weeps as she tears up her latest love letter to Franco. “Don’t die, Franco!” she cries.

In the front room Augie tells Tadeo that he’s sure it was just the emotion of the moment that caused the two Reyes brothers to swear vengeance like they did. He’s curious, though. What did they mean “like we did for our sister” he asks the priest. “What does she have to do with any of this?” Tadeo, looking again like a deer in the headlights, holds back with a mysterious and pregnant pause. “Someday you and all the rest of them will find out. You all will have to find out.”

In the little eating area, Sofia, Eva and Quintina wonder who could be so cruel to do something like this. Sofia’s answer is to pray for the victims and not to worry about the “who dunnit.” The three women cross themselves and begin to pray.

Gabi enters into Sarita’s bedroom for another subtle attempt at guilt-trip persuasion with her daughter. She tells Sarita that she’s terribly disappointed in her. Although she never told her before, she primes her, she has always loved Sarita the best, because she is the most like her. Sarita says she’s already asked her for forgiveness. What else can she do to take away the sorrowful shame she’s feeling? Mama quickly answers, “Marry Benito.” Sarita looks a bit confounded, as if she’s thinking “Again with Benito?” With crocodile tears Gabi pushes ahead but ends up pushing her luck. “You have to marry Benito. I’m so ill, and I don’t want to die before seeing you married. You have to do it for me, for yourself, and for the family who’s gone through so many misfortunes.”

Something begins to click in Sarita’s brain, like maybe it isn’t so great after all to be “just like Mama.” Sarita replies that she can’t believe that she would want her to sacrifice like that for the family even though she’d be wretchedly unhappy. Gabi answers in her best fragile whimper impression, “Oh no! Just the opposite: I want you happy. You’ll see in time that I was right. –Please don’t rebel. Don’t make me think you carry the same evil seed as your father.”

Sarita knits her brow in silent thought. (You don’t insult her daddy) Mama may have just crossed the line with the ever-patient and eager to please Sarita. Something like anger and mistrust flashes across Sarita’s face but Gabi whimpers on about not stabbing her in the heart again. “--…because then you’ll leave me to die and you will be the one responsible,” she finishes. Gabi then turns her face expectantly up towards Sarita and bats her bloodshot, bleary, teary eyes at her. Sarita knits her brow again and frowns down at Gabi. (Could it be those rusty cogs in her bratty brain have finally started turning?)

Back at the Reyes’ Ofelia enters Rosario’s room and cries at her bedside. She begs the unconscious Rosario to fight for life as Juan and Oscar meet in the bakery for a private confab. Oscar finally admits to Juan there that he married Jimena in a civil ceremony the day before. Juan, unsurprisingly, is furious because Oscar kept him out of the loop. Oscar explains that because he might tell Sofia, they felt it better not to say anything for fear that Crabiela would find out. Juan tells Oscar it’s just that he feels like he’s failed his promise to their mother a second time. Oscar tells him there’s no need. He’s fulfilled his promise to raise them and now the two of them are grown men, and good men, thanks to Juan’s care and attention. The two of them share a bear hug and Juan forgives him for going behind his back with Jimena and hiding their marriage from him.
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Sarita, who still hasn’t gotten out of her wedding dress (and who is giving me visions of jilted old Miss Havisham in “Great Expectations” about now), kisses the little angel her daddy gave her as a little girl and thinks back to all her romantic moments with Franco. She makes a decision then to leave the hacienda and her girlish naivety in the past and begins to pack as Jimena enters. Sarita tells her she’s leaving home. Life has denied her love, she explains, since Franco chose Rosario over her. In spite of it all, she cries to Jimena, she still loves him. Also, though, Mama still is insisting she marry Benito and she insists she is not going to do it. She is leaving to search for the peace she simply cannot find there at home. (I’m hoping Jimena will at least help her out of that wedding dress first. That thing looks like a bear to get in and out of.) The two sisters hug and say their good-byes.

Along the street outside the bakery the sombrero’d shadow of Death passes by. Inside the living quarters Juan is sitting next to Franco’s bed. Franco begins gasping for breath. Juan runs out and yells for the doctor. He tells Tadeo that Franco is dying. Tadeo goes into Franco’s room to dutifully deliver the last rites while Oscar weeps in the shadows. (Ok. Two used hankies later and two more shots of reposado down the hatch. ¡Salud!)

Around the corner Eva is in the church praying for mercy. Everyone is in tears and throughout the night they wait for what seems an eternity for the inevitable. Sofia tells Juan to remain strong for them all. He says she doesn’t understand at all. His brother is dying and it’s killing him. He asks her if she can’t see that Death is mocking them and tells her that they are all fated to lose those they love most. (I’m on my third shot of tequila and my third hankie now.) Sofia insists he’s got to stay strong for the family. She compares him to a huge (get your hardhats on for the symbolism here) oak tree [“roble”] and says he’s the pillar of the household. This of course grabs Juan and brings him back from the brink to reality.

Somewhere and sometime a bit later on in the evening Juan rides off on Capricho, out into a huge thunderstorm (which, come to think of it, never fails to arrive when anything tragic hits this crowd). As the thunder and lightning boom and crackle dangerously around him (and the horse) he screams to the heavens and selflessly begs God to take him to the hereafter instead. (That wet saddle, though, is going to be one mell of a slippery hess to stay on for the ride back home!) He gets on his knees and bellows through his tears.

At the Uribe estate, Gabriela and Raqui are not exactly seeing eye-to-eye over the fiasco of this double-marriage they cooked up. Raquel warns Gabi that her husband will not forgive Sarita’s snub. Gabi asks what he’s got to complain about, it’s not as if Octavio didn’t leave Jimena jilted at the altar also. Both families got hit with the same whammy stick she says. Raqui replies, well say what you will, her husband, Ricardo, will not take this sitting down and Gabi knows what the guy is like.

Gabi warns Raqui not to even think about threatening her because they both know who she can get to put the screws to her. Then Raqui warns Gabi not to dare challenge her since she can be a wild animal when it comes to defending her own. Gabi says Raquel is afraid she might reveal that huge 25 year old secret they both share. Raqui tells Gabi that it would be inconvenient for her to reveal said secret since she also is involved and has a lot to lose. Raqui reminds her that Gabi paid her very well for the favor she did her back then and to make sure that no one found out. (The one bright spot tonight: finding out there is a white witch who can handle whatever Brujariela throws at her.) Raquel queries her. “So now do you want it yelled to the four winds? What would your daughters and everyone who knows you think of you? What would they consider you? Have you thought it through, Gabriela? Have you really thought it through?” Game, set, match, Uribe.

At the bakery Oscar holds onto Franco’s guitar and watches over Franco. Juan comes in and they wait it out together a while longer. Across the plaza, Eva is still praying and telling God she was a coward to let her newborn be taken from her. She asks for forgiveness. Ofelia comes into the church and joins Eva at the altar then to pray for Rosario. Eva thanks Ofelia for giving Rosario love and for caring for her all these years. The two share a tender moment crying together.

Sofia sits up reading her bible next to Rosario’s bed as Oscar and Juan, sitting at Franco’s bedside, talk over their suspicions. Oscar says this is all because of Rosario. He can’t get it out of his mind that if Rosario left the bar, men won’t go and drink there. The owner, he says, Armando, would stand to lose if Rosario ran off. It had to be Armando.

Speaking of the Rugged One, Armando is sitting in his office at the Bad Love, reading (of all things) a newspaper and laughing at the article. “Ha! Luck is on our side it seems! Let’s see what Fernando says about this!” He starts out the door but is stopped by Juan and Oscar who push him back inside. Armando races under the desk then goes for his pistol in the drawer, but Oscar is ready for him and raises his rifle. “Drop it!” Armando drops his gun and sits in his chair to whine that it wasn’t him that did the deed to Rosario; but he knows who it was! He points over to the article in the newspaper and tells the lie he and Feo agreed to use to throw the blame for the attempted murder off the two of them. “It was him! The dangerous criminal! Her boyfriend, the father of her child, who just escaped from jail to settle accounts with her! She got involved with him and it was her fault he went to jail. Meanwhile Rosario was in jail too. Surely he got out to settle the score and to kill her!” Juan and Oscar read the headline: “Anselmo Cruz, a Dangerous Criminal, Escaped from Jail.”

Eva returns to the Reyes’ house and finds Sofia in Rosario’s room. She tells Sofia that the moment to clarify all has arrived. She confesses that she didn't give her daughter in adoption, but rather, Gabi stole her from her arms and gave her away. Gabriela convinced her that the baby girl would have a better life living with somebody else. Sofia is impactada at the shocking story and still, naively wonders how her Mama could do such a thing. (Yes. How?) Eva tells her that she feels God is punishing her for abandoning her child by taking Rosario from her again. She says sorrowfully that Gabriela Elizondo is to blame for all the pain and grief in her tragic life.

Sofia asks Eva why she never asked for help from anybody, her father even. Eva reminds her that he didn’t know a thing about her loving him let alone that she’d seduced him and gotten pregnant because of it. “No when you make serious mistakes and cause harm to another person, you live with your punishment and don’t complain,” Eva tells her. Sofia tries to comfort her and tells her that this is not a punishment from God (no, just from the writer and director).

Armando swears he’s not lying and the proof is in the newspaper. He figures that Anselmo Cruz came after Rosario looking for revenge and that he must have run into Franco with her; and they both paid the consequences. Juan tells Oscar that something still doesn’t square with the rat’s story and warns Armando that if he finds out he’s been lying, he will kill Armando himself.

Back at Bruja Central, Gabi sits alone in her bed reading her bible. She thinks about Eva and how she’ll let her suffer and cry tears of blood for her betrayal with Bernardo. Only when Eva is bordering on lunacy will she tell her the truth.
====================

Juan and Oscar return home and tell Eva that they have some bad news for her: Rosario was in jail at one time. Eva says it cannot be true. Ofelia walks in after overhearing the discussion and says that in fact it is true. Eva says she feels guilty but Ofelia tells her there’s no reason to; it was an evil character that put her there. He got her involved in some pretty bad stuff and she made mistakes she’s been paying very dearly for ever since. “That man died in jail, though, from a bad illness,” she adds. Juan jumps in and says no he did not die. In fact he just escaped from jail. Ofelia tells them that Rosario had always thought he was dead. Juan says that Armando himself showed them the news article in the paper. Ofelia thinks to herself then that Feo (shock!) lied to them about Anselmo’s death and he made Rosario think he had died. Juan tells them that he does not want Sofia to know any of this as he’s afraid she’ll worry.

Juan tells Eva, then, that they’ve had their differences, but they share her sorrow in learning this. Eva tells Juan that she now understands his need for vengeance and that she doesn’t know what she might do if she came face to face with the man responsible. “God forgive me I don’t know what I’d do."

Although it’s late, Augie has come to talk to Gabriela and yells at her to listen to him. Gabi turns around on the staircase and says she has no reason to listen to him since he encouraged the rebellion in Sofia, then in Jimena and now in Sarita, the purest of all of them. Augie asks her what is really bugging her: the fact that the girls are loved or that she bought Bernardo and bought love, or at least what she believed was love. Gabi objects. “That filthy bricklayer does not love Sarita.” Augie assures her he does, though Franco is a bit confused about it. Gabi gets upset that he’s contradicting her again. She tells him that the last thing she needs from him now is to hear that Jimena might also be in love with the other filthy bricklayer, “that …Oscar!”

Oscar meanwhile has ridden to the hacienda and has sneaked through the balcony window into Jimena’s bedroom again for a little consolation over Franco’s condition. Jimena hugs him and says she’s certain the virgencita will protect and care for Rosario and Franco. Oscar tells her after that he was unaware that Gabi had forcibly dragged her and Sarita back home again till Sofia told him about it. She says that Mama is just like that and that she is more interested in Franco. Oscar then says he feels guilty about not letting Franco and Juan know they were getting married. Perhaps then Franco would have joined them there and none of this would have happened. Jimena wonders how Juan took the news about their marrying. He says well Juan is angry at life in general right now, but yes, he feels offended at not being told, especially on top of this business with Franco.
=================

Alone in their living room now, Sofia and Juan cuddle. (Darn! What’s with those sheets still hanging on the line like trophies? How long does it take to air dry those things, anyway?) She says it’s amazing the capacity her mama has for causing such suffering (not really) and it scares her. Juan wants to know why Gabi is so bitter. Why couldn’t she ever accept that Sofia’s father never loved her? “Didn’t you say the only one he ever loved was the young girl who was expecting his child?” Sofia says Mama never cared to understand him and persisted in making his life a living Hell as well as her daughters’ lives. Juan thinks to himself then that Libia must have suffered terribly because of Gabriela.

Upstairs in said bruja’s bedroom, Somefer Nando and she are both in their silk jammies holding hands. Gabi smirks and tells Feo that she’s overjoyed that those two wretches got burned. “God always punishes the unfaithful and sinners with fire,” she self-righteously adds. (Word up, Gabriela!) Fernando agrees and says that Rosario is being punished for her bad behavior. Gabi asks what he’s talking about and Feo starts giving her the same story Armando gave Juan and Oscar: that she was a jailbird and he suspects her boyfriend, who just escaped from jail and, as the gossip goes, who is her little boy’s father. He must’ve wanted to settle accounts with her. So when she and Franco tried to flee, they caught up to them and tried to kill them. He adds for emphasis that Franco is as bad, or worse, than Rosario. “Sarita was lucky to have been saved from the likes of him.”

Gabi agrees and swears that Sarita will never ever see that wretched bricklayer again. “Not ever!” Somefer says perhaps it would be good to send her daughters off for a good while, even a very long while, so that he and she could have a bit of free time for more than a little lovin’. (Anybody else wondering how loud those bedsprings are?) He rolls on top of her and it’s fade to black as there is definitely some fer Nando tonight.
=======================

Morning comes to the hacienda FINALLY. Eva is leaving with her suitcase in hand and pauses a moment to look around the big open entrance to the house when a more youthful looking, pony-tailed, Gabi flits down the stairs and smiles maliciously. “Good morning, Eva!” (Why do I keep thinking “spider woman"?) In a cloying voice Gabi mocks her ex-employee. “Well it would seem your daughter has quite a rap sheet. She was even in jail. What could one expect though, you being a whore and your daughter couldn’t be any different.” Eva turns and faces her. “You are very wicked and relentless.” “—Yes yes, but I’m no liar. Everything I’ve just finished saying to you is the truth.” Eva looks at Gabi and warns her off Rosario. “Say what you will about me but don’t mess with my daughter, because I’m ready and willing to defend her to the death if need be.” Gabi replies with honeyed venom in her words that whores like the two of them have no salvation and no way of defending themselves.

The sadistic witch starts in with another insult when out of the blue Eva hauls off and slaps her. Gabi slaps Eva then but Eva gets off another good one and stops Gabi from jumping her right then and there. She pushes Gabi back and warns her off her, then advises her to be very careful “...because at times the dead don’t rest and they cry out for vengeance. You’ve wronged a lot of people and perhaps the time has come for you to pay for all you have done,” she says. Gabi asks her what dead person she’s talking about. “Libia, the young girl you had killed,” says Eva.

At the Reyes’ the burn specialist arrives to tell Juan and Oscar that the special equipment has arrived and Rosario and Franco will have to be moved to the clinic. Juan asks the question on everyone’s mind: are they really going to die? The doctor says Rosario is still in a delicate state, but Franco is in very serious condition considering he’s in a coma because of the amount of smoke he inhaled and the wallop to his head. “We must hope for a miracle,” he tells Juan.

Labels: Fuego

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 6:10 PM 66 comments

The little men in white coats are carrying Luci away. Everyone stands outside, watching. Alex is in tears and Flor tells him it’s for the best. Andrea is smirking and Damien says no tears? She says they’ll come and they’ll be tears of happiness. Hugo embraces Damien who says he feels terrible. Hugo says it’s not your fault and she’ll be getting the help she needs. Everyone drifts somberly back into the house.

Andrea in her low-cut babe outfit is in Luci’s room and tells Connie that she’s checking out her new digs and she wants to decorate them her way. Connie says whatever. Andrea says now that Luci’s locked up, Connie can get a divorce and not leave her a cent, and then they can start planning their wedding. Connie isn’t in the mood and says tomorrow is going to be rough, trying to figure out how to get out of the mess he’s in. Andrea says tonight she’ll make it so he forgets everything. She bends him back on the bed and they disappear behind the bedpost.

Morgan is waiting in Vale’s room when she comes in. He says he knows she needs a hug and tearful Vale is grateful. Morgan says let’s go to the bus station tomorrow and go far away – all on me. He says it won’t be luxury class, but Vale says just being with you is a luxury. Aw. They have to figure out how to sneak out in the morning. He leaves and Vale thoughtbubbles that she’s going to surprise him with a reservation at a super hotel.

Flor is packing and telling Alex, who is brooding by the window, that when they get back, he’ll feel better and Luci will be better and he can talk to her. Flor points out that he can’t make himself miserable over something he has no control over. He says I guess you’re right.

In Mili and Hugo’s room, she is in a giant T-shirt nightie and fuzzy slippers, promoting Padre Manuel’s concept of contraception via abstinence, and Hugo is telling her she doesn’t need to pack because when they get there, he’s going to take her shopping to get whatever she wants. He notes that she is sad and she says it was rough, particularly for Alex and Vale. Hugo says there’s nothing Mili can do to change things. Mili says she just feels bad going off to the beach when Luci is so miserable and Hugo says no reason for everyone to be miserable. Mili says just one thing – she’d like to talk to Alex. They will be gone a number of days, and he is so devastated. Hugo is not enthusiastic and points out that Alex has a wife to comfort him, a wife who is very jealous and Mili shouldn’t stir her up. Mili concedes.

Looks like Damien has beat the ambulance guys… oh wait, it’s an arranged meeting. He hands them a big wad of cash and grateful Luci falls into his arms. Damien says he couldn’t tip his hand on his plans or others at Casa Belmonte would have suspected. Luci begs for a drink and he has a small bottle ready.

Vale finds Connie in the hallway. He embraces her and she says how awful it was. She wants to know if he will support Luci when she gets out because she’s going to need everyone’s support, and Connie says you know me, family comes first and I’ll take care of her. Vale says she has to go to Guadalajara tomorrow on a modeling call and Connie says not with the car, right? Vale says no the agency is buying her ticket. Connie says sure, go ahead. He hugs her big and, laughing, says I’m really going to miss you!

Braulio is saying to the other servants how awful about Luci and that he feels partly to blame. They tell him he’s not, and besides it’ll be easier around the house with her gone for a while. Morgan comes in and asks for a favor: He’s going to the beach with Vale for a few days and he wants everyone to make it seem like he’s still there. Braulio says who said you could take days off? Socorro says come on, they’re in love, help out. Braulio softens, and, absent-mindedly running his hands through Horacio’s snowy locks, says okay. Horacio slaps him away. They all worry about Karla finding out, but Braulio says he’ll take care of that.

In some room, maybe a hotel, Luci is signing off her shares to Damien. The short ambulance ride seems to have sobered her up remarkably. Damien says here’s your checkbook and your credit cards and the suitcase your family packed for you. Luci looks lost and says she just wants to sleep. She says they’ll find out I’m not in the asylum. Damien says no, I have everything taken care of. He gives her a cell phone and tells her he’ll call her tomorrow.

Finally it’s the next day. Damien is having breakfast in the bright sunlight out on the lawn. You’d think the Belmontes could afford a nice patio umbrella. Karla has brought him coffee. He notes that Mili and Hugo are off on their honeymoon at the beach and by the way, where was she planning her honeymoon with him? She glares at him and he says pour my coffee. Sure, she says, and flings a potful at him.

He leaps up and starts blotting himself and says it’s super hot. She says that’s what you deserve and more. He says shut up and act like the servant you are, just obey when you are told to. Karla rolls her eyes and says ya ya ya. Damien says watch it or I can see that you and your mother lose your jobs. Though Karla looks defiant, we can tell that this is something serious. Damien says nobody would defend you.

Connie comes out and slaps the morning papers on Damien’s table and says he’s the laughingstock of Mexico. He stalks off and Damien looks at the photos of Braulio dressed as Luci and Connie with a look of astonishment and he has a good laugh. Besides, with no umbrella at hand, he doesn’t have to worry about his eggs getting cold.

In the kitchen Horacio comes in and announces that he has dropped the kids off at the bus station. Everyone tells him not to holler the news. He has the day’s paper and shows it to the ladies. They love the photo and tell Braulio what a nice figure he has, and how lovely he looks and that they are envious. Really? flutters Braulio. He says he likes to watch his figure and he tells Horacio not to gobble him up with his eyes like that. What?? says Horacio. Braulio says to Socorro please control your husband. He tells Horacio that his gaze is intense and he feels invaded. Braulio turns his face away and Horacio keeps staring, amazed.

The girls ask where Vale and Morgan are going and Horacio says the beach. Lina remarks that that’s where Mili and Hugo are going too. Karla comes in and says Alex and Flor just left for the beach. Whoo-hoo say the girls and Karla wonders what’s the big deal. Everyone including Braulio whistles innocently.

Vale and Morgan are on the bus which is full of people and chickens. Vale looks doubtful, but they cuddle a bit and she smiles. Then the bus jolts and she starts complaining about couldn’t the driver go faster – it’s going to take 3 days to get to the beach at this rate. She asks Morgan didn’t he say he had a bank account. Morgan says I do, but that’s no-touch money I’m saving to buy you your house with a garden. Vale looks out of her element.

Morgan tells Vale they will be traveling overnight on the bus as it doesn’t go on the highways. Vale is horrified. A farmer type reaches up into the overhead which may have a baby pig in it. Vale squirts her perfume around. A chicken flies into her lap and she starts to cry. Morgan tells her to try to sleep. In the back of the bus, the spy guy is watching them with binoculars.

Flor and Alex are having lunch in a casual restaurant and we find out they’re partway to Guadalajara. Alex says he wants to go in easy stages so she doesn’t get tired. Flor is grateful, puts her arms around his neck and says it will be wonderful to be away from everything and everybody and that she believes their marriage can be saved. Alex smiles as best he can.

Now we’re in Puerto Vallerta – some exterior shots while the Guapos theme bounces along in the background. Next we see Mili and Hugo walking hand-in-hand in the lobby of a luxury hotel. Mili wishes Lina and Gloria were along to see it. Hugo says on a honeymoon? They make some jokes about three girls on a honeymoon and they head to the beach.

Hugo asks if she’s ever been to the beach and is surprised when she says yes. He says the sea is like his love for her, that vast, that deep. She says how lovely, but dips her head away when he wants to kiss her. Mili has some flashbacks of her time romping in the surf with Alex.

Back at the company business, Connie is sputtering over the headlines with Peralta while Damien looks on. Peralta says they had an emergency meeting party meeting last night and they don’t want Connie as president, not even as representative. Damien says to Peralta surely there is something that can be done. Peralta says sorry Connie, your political career is over. (Cue the anvil.)

Luci’s hotel room is a mess and she’s trying to get a decent tumbler of booze from various small hotel bottles. At least she’s washed her hair. She flashes back on her telling Mili that Connie is her father, on threatening the padre if he told Mili the truth about Al’s true father, on not telling Al that Connie wasn’t his father when he was begging her for the truth, on telling Mili the truth about Al when it was too late. She remembers Nestor telling her to look at Mili and Alex, their misery which is her fault. Holding her tiny hotel bottle, she says to herself that she did it for her son, but nobody loves her now.

In the office, Damien and Connie are saying the party is corrupt and they probably picked some corrupt loser. Perlata says not really, they picked a guy who is a widower with no known skeletons in his closet, and guess what, it’s you Damien. (Damien’s aura is all prickly with rattling closet skeletons, but Peralta’s not a mystic kinda guy so he doesn’t notice them.)

Mili and Hugo montage: They are shopping for beach outfits, they are romping in the ocean, seagulls are flying, the sun is setting, they are eating at a beach-side restaurant, they are walking on the beach at night. The sun comes back up and we get an aerial shot of the fabulous seaside hotel with pools and palm trees galore.

Alex and Flor have arrived and are checking in. Hugo and Mili pass through the lobby, but don’t notice Mr and Mrs Belmonte at the check-in. For further suspense, Mili and Hugo are cuddling at one end of the lobby while a waiter gives Al and Flor a welcome drink which they pause to enjoy. Still, they don’t see each other. Alex runs into Ramses the model in the lobby.

Morgan and Vale arrive in the lobby. She still has a piece of straw stuck in her hair and says she never wants to ride a bus like that again. Morgan wants to know what’s up with the fancy hotel since he can’t afford it. Vale says don’t worry, she put it on her card and her daddy is paying, though he doesn’t know it. Morgan says he doesn’t like doing that. Vale says do it for me after that horrible bus trip. Morgan says okay, but he’ll pay. Vale says you’re saving up, remember. Morgan doesn’t look exactly convinced.

Alex is having their luggage rolled into their suite at the end of a sunny arched passageway that looks out over the sea. The suite we see over his shoulder looks huge with ocean views everywhere. He goes in and oops here comes Hugo out of their room just a few doors down the same passageway. He leaves and wouldn’t you know it, here come Vale and Morgan about to go into their room in the same hallway. Morgan is blown away by the hotel and says it’s like being in a movie to be there. I’m pretty blown away too.

Inside the room, Morgan is bouncing on the bed and Vale has to remind him to tip the porter. Morgan gives him some coins and Vale watches, a bit amused. Morgan worships the ocean view and Vale says let’s go out and get some sun.

Connie is furious about Damien’s candidacy as party president. He accuses Damien of having had a hand in his downfall. Damien protests his innocence and says what a great choice he is. As Peralta noted, he has a clean record. He assures Connie that he will be the power behind the throne, his right-hand man. Stabbing his finger into the air, he says that he is a man of his word, he is… Connie says a wretch and stomps out.

Hugo is sitting out in the pool area and a chick in a bikini spots him and comes over, hovers her bazzoomies in front of him and asks why he’s there alone. He says he’s happily married and she takes off. Ramses walks behind him and asks the waiter for a juice – 100% pure, as he won’t let anything impure enter his body. Hugo recognizes him and greets him. Ramses says he’s on vacation and Hugo says he’s on his honeymoon. Mili runs up and throws her arms around Hugo. They all chat and we see the spy guy using his binoculars. Hugo and Mili go off and we see that the spy guy isn’t looking at them, he’s checking the beach.

Avances: Karla tells Horacio that Lina is pregnant. Mili goes into a stall in the ladies’ room exclaiming aloud about the relief, and Flor comes out of the other stall and listens to see if that’s her. The spy guy reports to Connie via phone about all the family there, including Vale and Morgan. Connie is astonished about Vale. Mili and Al maybe see each other from their hotel balconies.

Labels: guapos

Due to boneheaded operator error I missed the first 20 minutes of the show, here's what Esmas wrote but I'm sure you can flesh it out in the comments:



This is where I managed to get the show turned on (don't ask).

• At the Reyes, there's a whole lot of shouting and carrying on. The girls in their wedding dresses cry and say they want to stay at the Reyes' - "in this pigsty?" yells Gabriela contemptuously.
  
  The doctors (another set of Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee but hopefully they'll be gone soon) come in and say Franco is very delicate, and in a coma, and can have one visitor at a time. Gramps says he'll pay all the bills for saving Rosario and Franco. Father Bouffy agrees this is best.
  
  Gabriela continues to yell: "This is a circus! Come with me NOW!" She ignores Father Bouffy's "don't make things more difficult." Sofia pleads too, but: "You, Sofia, are a rotten apple and you live in garbage!"
  
  Incredibly, the two daughters leave with their #$%^@ mother!
  
  
• Juan goes in and cries and yells and asks Franco, rhetorically, "who left you like this?" and continues: "You can't die because we have to keep our promise to Libia, be strong, I can't go through this [having a sibling die] again, Oscar and I are nothing without you [by the combined-brain three-for-one theory, without Franco - well, Juan and Oscar share about 66 IQ points], you're not just a brother to me, you're also like my son because I raised you, I took you to school, I told you stories like Mom used to. We have so much to do: finish the bakery, fix the orphanage, find our hacienda, you need to marry the woman you love and keep singing to us."
  
  Juan gets angry and says he's waited long enough for justice: "Now 'they' will see who I am!"
  
  Out in the waiting room, a lot of silent waiting. Sofia says Franco will be ok and everybody should be tranquilo. It's Oscar's turn to go look at the comatose Franco. "We were worried. We thought you'd gone to fetch Sarita, but evidently you went to get Rosario instead! I married Jimena." He tells Franco to get up, and says "I like your style," and prays.
  
  
• I thought last night that Sofia looked like Alice in Wonderland - she reminded me suddenly of that Japanese clothing fad called "Sweet Lolita."
  
  Why, oh why?
  
  
  
• Armando is justifying the whole bloody mess to Furd: "My boys had no alternative." "You didn't stay to be sure they were dead." "We were sure they couldn't survive."
  
  Furd is mollified by Armando's crafty plan: they'll say Rosario has been in prison and this was some random gangsta's vengeance for some evil act she committed. "OK, Armando, maybe you're not a complete idiot - but if this plan doesn't work I'll kill you." Fern leaves and Armando says, as he has said before: "I'll pay you back for all you've done."
  
  
• Sofia goes to see the sedated Rosario (who looks very nicely made-up for somebody who's been burned nigh unto death, and did somebody give her a bath?).
  
  Just then, Eva and Ofelia barge in and yell and scream for their dear Rosario. Sofia prays for Rosario.
  
  
• Furd finally bullies Gramps into signing the papers ceding complete control of the hacienda. He drools and grins as Aug signs. Later, drooling some more over the papers, he monologues: "Nobody is more intelligent than I am! But it doesn't stop here - next, I'll get Gabriela to give me everything that's hers, too!"
  
  
• Meanwhile, back at the ruined wedding, Raquel is indignant that her boy Tweedle got ditched at the altar. He takes the opportunity to tell her he never loved Sarita, he was in love with another. "Of our class?" the mother instantly asks. "No ... Eugenia, she worked here. I want to marry her." "An EMPLOYEE??" his mother barks incredulously. "That's the living end." She pours herself a huge drink.
  
  
• Sarita is back to her peevish condemnation of Sofia because "she knew Rosario was our sister and deceived me." She gets hotter though Jimena mildly counters: "Don't say what you'll regret, especially because Rosario is dying..." "I don't care. Mama, I repent everything I did, I beg you, forgive me!" "Finally, somebody reasonable," Gab harrumphs. Sara endears herself to her mother: "I'm sorry I loved somebody who is inferior to us! Someone who does not deserve me!"
  
  Jimena tries to sneak out of the room to take off the ridiculous gown [too bad the bridal shop didn't have one that showed off her belly button]. Gab yells. Jimena goes in her room and clutches her marriage license to her bosom. "Nothing will separate me from Oscar."
  
  
• Furd fans the flames while pretending to console Gabriela. "The name of Elisondo was already a joke around town." Gab can't believe her stalwart supporter Sarita had actually fallen for a filthy brickmason. "It's all Sofia's fault. But I can still make [Sarita] marry Benito. Octavio ran like a coward, now maybe I'm stuck with Jimena forever!" "Nah, we can find somebody else to marry her off to."
  
  
• The final scene is multiple iterations of people wussily protesting Juan's shouted vow: "Now Oscar and I will take vengeance, we won't wait for justice any more, we'll take it into our own hands."

Labels: Fuego

If you're too young to remember Perils of Pauline, it was a series of silent movies with a heroine in grave danger at the end of every episode. Although it was created in 1914, I remembered seeing the film as a little girl when we went to the Saturday movies. And poor Lorena is dreadfully similar to our hapless heroine of the silents, thanks to her "loyal and noble" friend Sara.



And so we begin another night of "Sociopaths 'R Us" starring Sara and Chalo.



First a brief rehash. Lorena quickly cools Alonso's ardor when he tries to make out while watching a movie. That sofa they're on has seen much hotter lovemaking, thanks to Rossy and Julian.



Sara is ecstatic at the pictures Chalo got of Barbara and Arturo, whom she realizes has been hired as Jaime's assistent. Perfect blackmail potential...or better yet, first kill Jaime in an arranged accident and then send the photos to Hortensia so she'll disinherit Barbara. Our Sara is a first-rate strategic planner, that's for sure.



Bleachedblondeharlotmom has fixed Arturo a yummy breakfast of chilaquiles con carne asado. Sounds a little heavy to me but I remember back in the day enjoying bacon and eggs cooked in a cast iron skillet (mom hailed from a small burg in Kentucky) so I guess that's just a normal stick-to-your-ribs breakfast like we used to enjoy before we heard of Pritikin.

Whew!...Just had a nightmare moment when I hit something by mistake and the whole computer shut down. But got back to the site okay, thank God for "automatic save". Otherwise I would have thought nasty Sara was behind all this.

Back to the story. Valeria and harlotMom are basically fighting over loser Arturo. Mom accuses Valeria of jinxing Arturo's last business venture with her bad attitude. And so on. Finally Valeria snaps that she'll take care of her kids herself and heads out the door. Arturo hurries after her, pleading that it will kill his mom if Valeria takes the kids. Val gets tough...."Although I love you, I'll leave you unless things change around here."

Vasco is having another little bedroom chat with Jaime who's still under the covers. Son says he's happy working at what he likes and being with Diana. Convinces Dad to see a psychiatrist. Evidently confessing guilt to a priest is not an option here. Other than a few nun sightings, and some crucifixes on the wall, we're not getting a big religious vibe so far.

Now onto Paula and Bettina. Daughter wants to know why Paula is trying to drive Jaqui crazy. Because I don't like her. Bettina reasons that there are people she doesn't like either, but she doesn't invade their apartments and break half their stuff. (okay, we've located one mature person in this telenovela and she's a kid!) Paula switches gears and says it's Dario's fault. And worse yet, she can't get him out of her heart. She's still in love with him! That's why it hurts so bad.

Miss Jaqui is getting a lukewarm welcome back at work. I forgot you were coming in today sniffs Hortensia. And there are plenty of people looking for work, so I hope there will be no more problems. Jaqui gulps and teeters off to work.

Lorena and Zulema are whipping up something in the kitchen of casa pobre and watching Chef Oropeza on TV. Don't know if this guy is famous or not...I'll google him after I wrap this up. Zulema, with considerable guilt, is confessing that she doesn't feel close to Sara. There' s a barrier. She's so materialistic. Why couldn't she be simple, enthusiastic and happy like Lorena? Sometimes she finds herself wondering....Is Sara really my daughter? Creepy, menacing music plays (Sara's theme) and we break for some ads.

Zully goes on to say...it almost seems like Sara doesn't like being with us (y'a think?)...I feel much closer to you, Lorena. Our little lamb jumps in to defend Sara, citing the deprivations she suffered in the orphanage, and finally admitting that Sara's always had a difficult character but she's very noble and loyal. Okay, right there we know Lorena's a lousy judge of character.

Noble and loyal Sara is advising Chalo how to sneak into the mansion (with duplicate keys ) to sabotage Jaime's car. Oh dear, too late...Jaime is leaving (for the psychiatrist). Our duo will have to carry out murder another day. Darn!

Zulema is thanking Lorena for listening and our happy, simple, enthusiastic Lorena is saying, Oh well, when I come to you with my laments about Alonso, you'll be saying oh no, here she comes again. Girlish giggles all round. On to the plans for attending Julian's debut in Noche de Genios and fussing about the dress Zulema will wear in case the camera pans the parents.

Sara is terrorizing some hapless cook telling him she wants the eggplants in the kitchen in 30 minutes, no if's and's or but's! Jaqui wryly notes that Sara has gotten the hang of being a boss. Arturo arrives, Sara makes the introductions and he and Jaqui eyeball each other like potential conquests.

Omar and Julian chat briefly...both studying, Julian soccer, Omar, his mysterious career path.

Arturo turns in a report on food providers and there's a funny thing going on with the closed captions...they put down something totally weird for "gourmet" and "foie gras". Guess French doesn't translate too well into Spanish cc's.

At the clinic, Chalo is experiencing orgasmic pleasure at getting his cast off. Alonso looks constipated and prickly. Chalo leaves after sarcastically adding...Give my regards to your dear father. Valeria enters, glad that Alonso is finally free of that creep and reminds Alonso about his
appointment with the lady head honcho of the clinic. Alonso calls Val his guardian angel. Hmmmm.

Lady boss expresses concern about Alonso and Bruno's crappy relationship but adds that she values Alonso's work and the study made recently showed Alonso was the most highly regarded doc at the place. He'll be getting an award tonight at the clinic anniversary get-together.

Back at casa pobre, fussing about heading out to the game show studio.

Rossy is at the studio early with Julian and they're yelling at each other. Finally she convinces him to meditate "like a Tibetan monk" and say "I'm going to win, I'm going to win". This is a whole new take on Buddhism. But it works for Julian.

Lorena , Maruja and Alonso arrive and join Zulema and Omar in the front row. Diana and Vasco are watching at home. Vasco is clutching a pillow to his chest. (I love that! I often watch TV that way, don't know why. Pillow clutching is very calming.)

After the first contestant, Julian is introduced as Julian Rrrrrrruiz. They do that kind of thing on Mexican radio here, I've noticed. He's doing well, whipping through the questions and there comes the final one. How much does a soccer ball weigh? He appears stumped. Oh no! (and then the ads)

Sara has arrived home and is smirking as Julian appears to fumble. Hah, he's a loser like
everyone else in this shabby family. But wait....lo....Julian blurts out an answer just as the buzzer sounds. Oh no! But wait again...the announcer asks for silence as someone in the booth relays the message....yeeeesssssss...the answer was given in time and is correct. Screaming and cheering all around.

Now the next big question. Will you take the money or do you wish to go on to the following round? But remember, if you lose that round, you lose all you won tonight. Julian decides to go on. (sigo adelante).

Fast switch to Jaime, once more in bed, shaking out some pills from the psychiatrist (frankly it looks like a plain old aspirin bottle). Barbara perks up momentarily, asking if he's going to work. Nope. She rolls her eyes and looks martyred. (Honestly, this woman has nothing better to do than try to manipulate people all day. Get. a. job. lady)

Back to Ickyturo's house where harlotmom is still complaining about Valeria, huffy that Arturo is not making Val show more respect to mama. If it were up to mom, she would have run off Valeria long ago. Arturo pleads that she's his wife, he has to be on her side.

Another family scene around the breakfast table at casa pobre. First Sara looks at Julian's whopping breakfast and asks, What do I have to do to have you fix me a breakfast like that? Then she skips out without any breakfast saying she has to get to work early. She's snotty to Chalo, waiting outside, 'cause she's fed up with family (and because she's just plain nasty anyway) Anyway, she's got the keys duplicated and still has plans to do Jaime in.

Back at the house, Vasco gets a phone call from papa Jaime. Omar and Zulema exchange looks.

At last, a scene with Ernesto. But he's being a pain (or think of another word beginning with a p). Lordy, I'm losing the feelings I had for this guy rapidito!

His sister is there to visit. He makes her take off her shoes. She wants him to babysit his two nephews while she goes on an agency trip to Miami...'cause then she could have a weekend alone with her hubby. He refuses categorically and repeatedly, saying he loves the kids but they're monsters...don't even know how to clear their plates. And besides he's got plans for the weekend. Babe plans. And he doesn't want to set a bad example for the kidlets. Sister is not happy.

Back to Alonso...who's boring but basically a nice guy. I'm sure he'd babysit Bettina if Paula asked him. Boss lady let's him know he's going to get an award that night, so suddenly he'll go and invite family and Lorena too.

Maruja and Zulema, new best friends are jogging together. Maruja brings up that she knows Jaime from work and believes he has really repented. No way, snaps Zulema. Only a pervert could have done what he did, and anyone that twisted will be twisted till they die (oooh, maybe Jaime's going to bite the dust pronto). No, no, no she'll never forgive him. Maruja apologizes for sticking her nose in and they cheerfully resume jogging.

Back to our two sociopaths. No plans to murder Jaime yet. Sara's learned about the award Alonso's getting at the clinic anniversary party. She's invited. So's Lorena, but hey, Chalo, let's fix it so Lorena doesn't get there. Evil laughter on Sara's part.

We're back at work. Jaqui has brought in some proposals for next year's tax deductible charity donations for Hortensia. Old folks homes, day care centers....what, no orphanages? asks Sara. Hortensia likes the idea...yeah, let's plan for an orphanage benefit. Look for one, she directs Jaqui.

Now we're back outside. Gramps is complaining good-naturedly about having to walk Bettina to school now that he's carless. She brings up the idea of finding a new boyfriend for Mom on the internet. She and Grandad will pretend to be Paula, screen the candidates and pick a good one for her. He likes the idea but likes the idea of motivating Paula to find a job even better. And he's sure Bettina, with her sweet face, can convince Mom. (this is the best idea I've heard so far. Get BOTH Barbara and Paula jobs...exhausting ones)

Now we see smarmy Chalo buying off a cabbie outside Maruja's house. Inside Rossy and Julian are in another hot makeout session; Lorena interrupts them. She's leaving to go to the awards ceremony for Alonso. Guess what cab she'll get into!? Then Chalo calls Sara to tell her their evil plan is working. The cabbie will drive Lorena round and round and they'll never make it to the party.

All the family is there as Alonso looks around nervously. Lorena is never late! Where can she be? The ceremony begins. Boss lady says the clinic is no. 2 nationally and now they're going for the no. 1 spot. And it's all because of our wonderful staff...and in particular, it gives me great pleasure to call up our wise, talented and humanitarian doctor Alonso Whatever (sorry, forgot his last name).

Sara walks him, babelicious style, just as he gets the award and gives a BIG BIG smile.

Hapless Lorena is still struggling with the cabbie, in the middle of nowhere, as he pretends to have car trouble. Also he misunderstood the address she gave him. Why didn't she talk plainer!? She storms off, and refuses to pay him. Into the dark night, I must add. (Perils of Pauline, here we come!)

Alonso is fretting about her whereabouts (as well he should). Sara goes to get him something to drink to "calm him down". Two of the night staff come up and think Sara is his fiancée. She makes a big deal of it. Then she asks if she can give him a hug in Lorena's place. And she does, holding on for waaaaay too long.

In the meantime, Lorena, walking nervously in the dark deserted streets (why do our heroines have to be so goshdarned dumb!?) is followed by a menacing, very large man. Where oh where can I find a taxi, she wonders. Good Question. the End.
* * *

A Little Vocabulary (very little)


atinado = sensible, wise....like Alonso as a doctor . Also means "correct" (thanks Margarita)

cascarito = informal pickup game of soccer (came up during game show questioning, but used a lot in Guapos)

de santo no tiene un pelo = she's no saint (what Sara and Chalo are trying to make Alonso think about Lorena)

dar mi lugar = respect me, give me my props....What Valeria wants from harlotmom and what harlotmom wants from Valeria

Kaká = nickname of Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, Brazilian soccer player (one of the questions Julian answered on the game show...but with a moniker like that, you can see why they call him Kaká!)

Labels: enemiga

Mea culpa, mea culpa! I really goofed today--I watched the show late last night and took notes, but then I had to run out early for a court appearance this morning, and I forgot my notes. I just got back to my office, and I will now put down what I have from memory. I will rely on the rest of you stalwart viewers to fill in where I have missed.

Here are some things that happened. Socorro had a couple of heart-to-heart talks with Lina. Poor Karla, now trying to repent, overhears and feels jealous. She even hears her mother say that she wishes Karla could be more like Lina. Karla flashes her patented exasperated look.

Nestor meets with Sr. Lobredo, the only lawyer in the DF. He wants to leave his money to Alejandro.

Bobby asks Lina for a definitive response on their relationship, and she rejects him and runs to her room crying. Bobby later talks to Al, who reassures him that Lina really likes him, but he can't tell him why she's acting the way she is. He tells him to hang in there. Then Al proposes that Bobby join him in a brand-new business. They will get away from the machinations of Connie and Flor. Where will they get the money? They will sell their cars! This reminded me of when Don Fernando, Omar and Marcia pooled their resources to save Conceptos. Will Al and Bobby sleep in a little bed together and fight over the covers? (I must ask, though, who would want to buy Al's Hummer now, what with gas prices the way they are? Although I understand prices are still lower in Mexico, since it's an oil producing country. . .)

Stalker I has lunch with Stalker II (that's Flo and Hugo, if you hadn't guessed) to tell him that they must form a united front if they want to preserve their miserable marriages. They should go away to have romantic getaways. Everybody buys tickets for a trip to the beach, as it looks like a great time to get out of Dodge. Hugo buys tickets for him and Mili, Flor buys tickets for her and Alex.

When Mili is presented with the idea, she is not too thrilled, but she feigns interest. Hugo hugs her and she looks queasy.

Val begs Rocky to take her away forever. He says that no, he wants to do things the right way and build up some business and they will get married in the future. However, he agrees to take her away for a few days to--the beach! I'm betting that all these couples will end up together in Acapulco. Let the fireworks begin!

To make the episode easier to recap, thankfully, most of it is dedicated to the grand guignol tour de force of Luciana's intervention.
When we start the episode, Luciana has collapsed on the floor and she's still tossing back the scotches. Her lipstick is completely smeared, and she looks like she's channeling Heath Ledger. It's pretty creepy. In her drunken state, Luci tries one last time to insult Mili as being a low-life like her mother, but this time Mili won't have it, and she points out that her sainted mother died in childbirth etc. Mili now reveals to Al that it was Luciana who told her the secret about their not being siblings--and it was just after his wedding, when it was too late to do anything. Al is beside himself.

Meanwhile, Connie, Brau, and Andrea return home from the political fiasco. Connie is bellowing for Luci, and a huge blowout ensues, as he explains that he will have to resign, I think. She is thrilled that his career is destroyed. He says he once loved her but she has destroyed it all. She says he is a liar--he has always hated her. He demands that she go to rehab, and she says no, no, no. Everyone in the family assembles and chimes in about how she should go. What's funny is that every time they cut to Andrea, she is laughing or smirking. Luciana does not want to go to the manicomio, and she wails louder and louder. I hope she gets nominated for Best Scream Play.

Mili suggests that perhaps Luci could be treated at home, but this idea is shot down. Rocky chimes in that Mili is the lady of the house, so they should listen to her, but he is shot down. Luci rants that the only people who support her are those she hates the most--that mugrosa soccer player and the naco chauffeur. Irony's a bitch, ain't it?

Finally, Connie calls an ambulance. He plots with Damian to get Luci to go. Damian takes Luci into another room, and she thinks he is going to save her from the asylum if she gives him her shares back again. Luci believes him, but in her state, who can blame her. Anyway, finally, the men in the white coats show up and put her in a straitjacket. It's pretty gruesome, and they have to inject her with something to get her to calm down. She realizes Damian betrayed her. As they drag her out, Connie hugs Val and even puts an arm on Al's shoulder, but Al throws it off in disgust. That's all I can remember!

Labels: guapos

I forgot to post this from Wed.'s episode. I hope this isn't an example of the classy outfits that Leandro is supposed to be designing for Rosario. It's hard to imagine something less appropriate to wear to the 'club.'

Juan to Norma: "I dream of the day when you say, 'Juan, my love, I'm here to stay. I will never be away from your side.'"

'Ellos (Malcom y Carmela) son los pajarracos malos.' Abuelo identifies Malcom and Carmeal to Juan David as 'evil vultures.'

Labels: gavilanes