Caray, Caray!

Mili & Luci arrive back at the House of Horrors. Hugo and Consti are indeed surprised to see them. Both AssHats try to pull the “Husband and you will answer to me” crap. Jeez you would think these two were related by more than marriage. Luci & Mili, tell the boys to basically STFU, those days are gone. Mili will get her divorce and Consti will give one to Luci as well. Consti offers Luci a drink, “Come on a Whiskey”. Luci says no, she doesn’t drink anymore. Consti presses hard, Mili tells him to leave Luci alone, he is the devil. They are standing together and they aren’t going to be pushed around anymore.
--See I don’t care what anyone says, Consti is basically a RatBastard through and through and outside of giving me all his money, there is nothing that could redeem him in my eyes—

The kids come in Val & Al & lil Nameless. Luci gives a fine display, of hurt eyes. The kids stand back, they don’t know what to make of Ma, in her fine cocktail dress. Luci takes the threesome to the study.
Al & Val don’t instantly rush in Mama’s arms..Once bitten twice shy.

Luci take little mewing Baby and never once does she say, “What is the kid’s name?” Maybe Mili clued her in that “We just don’t talk about it”.

Over in the Convent, Rosario is wailing and chastising, Mother Superior, all while wearing a scary cow dress. Mother through, deep breathes confirms that yes, the Hija is alive. She had to do what Don Belmonte told her. Mother Superior sucks in her last breath. Now Rosario is really angry. Here comes Padre Manuel and he manages to get to the Madre to give her a blessing. Personally I think she went to the light to escape the annoying BelMonte folks. Really Madre, trust me I feel the same way. Finally, Padre gets Rosario into his office and yes we would think that he would get the whole, story out of the wailing heifer (okay bad pun). He just knows that her baby was stolen and on that uplifting note, Rosario heads back to the barn.

Now over in the Mansion, to make a long, pink eyed story short, Val says they called Ma numerous times, but were told how she didn’t want to talk to them. Luci fills the kids in on her near death, how Mili and Rocky rescued her, how she owes them her life, how Mili paid all the bills. There is simply not a dry eye in the room (that being their room, not mine). She apologizes for screwing with their lives, she wants to help Val with her wedding, her dress, the drink list (okay I added that), she also wants to help Al with his (to Mili). She wants them all to be one big happy family. She must live for them and Nameless.

--Okay this is my take, I am happy with the Luci change and I will indeed give her a pass; and mostly cause I hope it will cause great pain to Consti. Granted, Luci was a bit of a shrew these past few years, but living with him was indeed painful. He one of those nasty males; reminds you each and everyday that you will never be good enough and how happy he would be if you were dead. As if, AssHat; no one forced you to marry Luci, you could have said no. –

Ramses (Damn this guy is such a Tool and I can’t help but believe if he was honest with himself, he’d be all over Brau in a heartbeat), anyway Consti is pacing and Brau is pretending he is listening. He reads Consti, the agenda for tomorrow. Big meeting with Perleta. Ramses gets up to go to bed with a quick breathe spray & another spray under his arm. In comes Andrea. She has finally found the shoes she was looking for, I guess they had them at CFM Amante Zapatos de Fino. Consti is distracted and Andrea asks if he is still mad that she tore up the picture of “The Dead Love of His Life”.
Consti announces that Luci is back. Andrea drops the shoe bag.

Luci goes out and Mili and Rocky are pacing the floor, she tells them it went well. Val & Al come out and thank their respective better halves for taking care of Ma. Rocky & Val not being to others and having no Nameless trophies to lug about are all romantic cheesy with each other. Mili and Al are a bit more restrained.

Brau comes up and he is in seventh heaven to see the real “Mistress of the House”, that would be the form of Mistress meaning Lady of the House, not cheap skanky Amante Mistress of the House. Oh egads all the clothes are gone and Andrea has redecorated the bedroom. Luci version 2, is fine with it. Just find her an empty room and she is good to go.
Rosario returns to her apartment. Pablo her assistant is there and she tells him that yes indeed her daughter is alive. The Madre went into the Great Unknown, before she could further berate her or smack any good information out of her. However, she knows it is all Don RatBastard Jr’s fault. See the Madre Superior was running on borrowed breathe and didn’t have enough to give a first name, so Rosario assumes that Consti is the RatBastard as opposed to his RatBastard father, which is okay as there is plenty of RatBastardness to go around.

Rosario has a totally swell idea, Pablo, run like a little girl and go get my agenda. He returns and she looks up a phone number.

The phone rings as Mili and the group are standing around wasting oxygen. “Is this the BeleMonte House”, Rosario inquires. Mili says “Yeah, who do you want to talk to”. Rosario says, “Consti BeleMonte?” Mile again affirms, “Do you want to speak with him?” “No is Brau there” Rosario answers. Mili says yes “Brau is the Majordomo, do you want to speak with him”. Rosario hangs up.

Brau walks up and it is time to move Luci, Andrea walks up and Luci says she would like a word alone with Andrea. Andrea is all up on it. Luci tells her she doesn’t want to fight with her, she will happily grant the divorce and Consti and Andrea can continue with their plans. She wants Consti and Andrea to hit the pavement, go make a happy new life for themselves and leave her in peace with her children. Andrea bitch that she is can never have enough, she wants Luci out. Luci begs to differ, you got my husband, now leave me the house.

Padre comes by and is just standing and staring off in space, Gloria and Mili tease him, he finally gets out that Mother Superior is dead.

Chunky Nun, who is now living in the back room of the bar, is sitting around lamenting her fate. Big Guy is doing some exercise with this big like rubber band thing. (I had one of those, but gave it up after taking it out of the box). He tell Chunky about how the kids called him names like Gulliver in school and Chunky says kids are mean. She tells him he has a good heart. The other guy, I think they called him Moreno, comes in to give Chunky the news that Mother Superior is dead. The other fake nun sister called with the news. Chunky breaks down and cries, Big Guy pets her head. He is a nice guy and I kinda wish they would hook-up, like it would be cool, if Torchy Sis & Sister Sis, decided to switch places, well except for the fact that Torchy Sis has been nailin Big Guy and that always kinda creeps me out when that whole sibling thing gets started.

Anyway back at the Mansion, Consti is sitting on the couch in the bedroom and Andrea starts ranting that he needs to get rid of Luci like now. Consti says “Leave him in peace and let her spend some time with the kids”. Andrea does what she does best, she starts rubbing Consti’s leg and though he tries to resist they are soon, all hot and heavy. Next they are in bed and post actual (or post the act). Now Andrea is starting in again. Sorry I missed what was said, but I’m sure if you go back and read any recap, it is pretty much the same crap. I can’t help but wonder, when Consti and Rosario get together, no spoiler..Please this is a TeleNovela you know they will if Consti will use his best Barry White voice and say “Soy un Perverto”? He is such a ladies man.

Next Day…
Karla is in the kitchen with Ma & Step Pa, Hugo comes in and says he wants to talk to her alone in the garden. Karla looks scared. Okay Hugo is telling her that he will give her the dinero, but she needs to lose the baby. Karla says No, it is your baby and she isn’t doing it. Hugo gets snippy and Luci has been standing a few feet away and listening. Yes the phenomenon of people standing in full view at the Mansion continues as people tell deep secrets never noticing the person is there.

Over at the office Perleta tells Consti, due to the interest of “Someone Dillona”; I forgot what name Rosario is traveling under, that looks like party presidency is back in Consti hands. This Dillona chick is the rich widow that has been living in Italy and she wants to put the dinero on Consti. Too bad for Damien, who now comes in and hears the news.

Perleta leaves and Consti gloats, takes the divorce papers Mili signed and tears them up. He asks if Damien knew Luci was back? Damien chokes, no he had no idea. How is she? Consti says, “Okay he knows Damien intervened and now once again as always he has Damien in his hands. Consti basically says that he owns Damien and Damien will do what ever Consti says. Which I guess means, Dude we are going to screw your sister over, yet again. Damien has that “What’s new?” look.

Brau answers the door---EEK it is long dead sister, he is scared, he hasn’t had time to realize that ghost probably don’t age. She says she is alive and holds out her hands to him. He says, “Where were you, I thought you were dead”.

Shhh we can’t talk here and they leave. Once again she is wearing a butt ugly suit thing. Jeez if you are going to live rich in Italy for 20 years, you should at least get a decent fashion sense.

Meanwhile Luci butts into the conversation between Hugo and Karla, “You are preggers?” Karla says yes. Luci goes down the list of “Whose the Daddy, Damien?”, Nope “Dead Fred (Fernando)?” Nope, it is Hugo’s. Hugo is like, “it is not mine”.
Luci looks pissed, but do not despair dear viewers, remember Mili bought Luci a new heart.

Over at the StarBucks, Brau & Rosario are having big heaping helpings of the coffee of the day, a rich roast called “United Siblings” hmmmmmm. Brau is still a bit put off. I can understand it, I mean he thought she was dead, but she didn’t so much as send a postcard of the leaning tower in Veinte Anos. Well, she was pretty depressed after she didn’t lose the baby, (now that the truth has come out), and RatBastard Belemonte Sr, paid for her to leave the county. Say that should be a TeleNovela unto itself, poor servant girl goes to Italy and becomes fabulously wealthy. She says she knows her baby is alive. Brau says yes.

Now then over at the Convent , Gloria and Mili are walking, Padre is in the middle and Al & Hugo bring up the back. In a totally Naco manner, Al & Hugo begin shoving each other over Mili. Padre almost says some bad word, tells the girls to go on ahead. Hugo & Al start fighting and the Padre is in the middle.

This is all I can remember,

Tomorrow looks like Karla confesses her preg to Ma & Step Pa…
Luci goes after Hugo, see fans I told you…
Mili overhears that Hugo has been indeed hiding the salami…

My advice is Hugo STFU, you only look worse each time you open your mouth, sign the papers and give it up. You can’t say, Jeez Mili, I told her to get an abortion.
Also I am thrilled that the same actors that were in La Madastra get to repeat the same tired line “Veinte Anos”
I can’t remember anymore as I don’t want to use any more braincells on this.
We are in the Ultima Semanas and I could literally do somersaults.

Labels: guapos

We'll try this out. We won't be recapping DB because most people can get it with the English subtitles but I will post something every day or so and people who are watching this novela can post comments. I might even post screen caps. When Melinama gets back, she can set it up in the sidebar.

I didn't intend to watch this novela but my TiVo recorded what it thought was the second hour of Pasión de Gavilanes but was the initial week of DB. I watched a little bit and was hooked. Christian Meier is cute - did everyone notice Luisana's flashback in tonight's episode to the costume ball where she met Santos that there was a guy in a Zorro outfit - a little inside joke there. I love the setting and I even like the song!

I thought Edith Gonzales was awful in Mundo de Fieras but it was just an awful novela. She is very good here. How on earth did she paint herself up that way (perfect lines on the back too) to do her spell and how did she get it off so quickly when she realized Santos was in trouble?

There was Magnolia from PdG as the mysterious Doña Carmen.

I'm a birdwatcher so I'm always interested in the birds they put in these novelas. Those were Black Vultures waiting in the tree for Santos to die but the call was American Crows. Vultures don't make any noise.

I like Christian Meier, of course, but I'm falling for the guy who plays Antonio. He is very cute.

Here we are in the 21st century and the doctor is playing trial and error with matching blood types? I guess medicine out in the Llanos isn't much more advanced than when Boris got a blood transfusion in La Traición circa 1870.

Speaking of the doctor, that was amusing when he told the woman in childbirth who was complaining about the pain that the first baby hurt the most and the rest would be easy and she said this was her fourth!

Let's hear from the DB watchers out there in Caray land.

Labels: barbara

Couldn't resist. That's the title of one of my favorites blues songs and it seems to fit the opening of the restaurant tonight, which just happens to be full of a bevy of Ernesto's exes, including a well-known food critic! They're here to sample his awesome cooking one more time, and perhaps to revive tender memories. Too bad he now only has eyes (and arms ) for Lorena.



We start with a rehash. Jaqui and Sara are talking about the business and Jaqui assures her that Arturo will take care of everything. Our Sara doesn't like the sound of that. And then we have Julian breaking up with Rossy so as not to bring her bad luck and saddle her with a poor, sad loser like himself. Ferro and company be warned, Rossy does a lot of ugly crying in this episode...but goshdarnit, she's entitled!



And now onto new stuff. Lorena's out on the street again with her muffins and chief muffin lover Chef Hawt. She's threatening to cut off his supply a) 'cause he'll get fat b) because with school, study and work, she doesn't have time to bake and hustle muffins. She starts toward a stopped car when suddenly she realizes it's Alonso and backs off. Ernesto grabs her (be still my heart!) pulls her in close (ay yi yi!) and says, Don't let him see you suffering.



The light changes, Alonso drives off, but hey, what's this? Chef Hawt still has her in a clinch and is clearly enjoying it. Lorena is more like Whassup? She teases him about being a Cassanova and he takes a new tack, assuring her that he just felt like protecting her. Well, Lord knows, she's needs someone watching out for her. If Chef Hawt wants to be her "principe azul" it's fine with me. Definitely happy our hottie is getting more screen time. Thank you writers!



Okay, we have several more scenes with Rossy and Julian but it all boils down to the same thing. Lots of "ugly crying" and "can't live without you's" and even more " I'm a loser" and "you deserve someone better" from Julian. Tiresome. And besides, you KNOW they'll get back together, so let's not worry about the kids, awright?



Lost love is the subject with Lorena and Ernesto as well. He's probing, wanting to know more about the breakup with Alonso. She admits she still loves the doc but then gently disengages to sell more muffins, adding that she'll see Ernesto tonight. He gazes after her with a besotted smile (oh my, excuuuuse me while I melt) and murmurs Lorena ,Lorena , Lorena.(I think "Judy, Judy, Judy" would be better but what do these script writers know!?)



Meanwhile, Alonso is driving and fuming (I'm afraid he's going to have an accident but he doesn't). What a liar, he sneers, she told me there was nothing going on with her professor. And I still love her! I can't stop thinking about her! The best part of this scene is when his cell rings, he sees it's Sara, and refuses to answer. YEEEESSSSS!



Now we're at the office, Sara is cooing into the telephone asking her "amor" to call her. Jaqui's ears prick up and she asks, Do you have a novio? I've really missed out since being on my honeymoon. Sara drops the dime that it's Alonso....yes, the ex of the "pelapapas" and my ex-friend as well. She gets in a few more digs at Lorena and mercifully, that's the end of that scene.



Now THIS scene is better. Ernesto is gently and slowly rubbing Lorena's gift muffin on his lips....very sensual. His sister notices...how could she not!? and also notices his distraction. He says aloud, without realizing it, that he thinks he's falling in love. And of course big sis has no trouble guessing with who...yep, our little lamb Lorena.



Meanwhile, at Hell's Kitchen, Monica is scheming with the sous-chef. She's noted his disagreements with some of Ernesto's commands and figures she can suborn him with the promise of being elevated to head chef once Ernesto is out of the way. He hesitates for about two seconds and then agrees. He does wonder why she wants to do him in and she says she can't stand Ernesto's arrogance....and remember, she adds, I'm the daughter of the owner.



While this finegling is going on, Paula and Greta are having a verbal catfight at the Beauty Parlor. Greta's been marking her territory from the getgo and she's still doing it, asserting that "Mr. Right" is for me. Meanwhile, Maruja is visiting Jaime in prison, bringing him something to read, and being thanked tenderly. Anything from you lifts my heart, he says. But he also goes on to say that admitting his guilt was something he had to do. If his mother continues to lie, well that's her business. He needs and has to take responsibility for his actions. Our schlump is well on his way to redemption.



Not so redeemable is Barbara who's dealing with her anxiety by shopping till she drops. And who should drop down beside her but Valeria and her little Annelise. They realize they met at the party, Barbara notes that Annelise looks like Arturo....not that she's seen him that much, she adds (liar liar pants on fire!) and Valeria gently notes that the children adore him even though he's not home very much.



Okay, Maruja's home now, comforting Rossy. More ugly crying and can't live without him's and finally Mom gently reminds her she needs to get to work...needs to keep her job. And sure enough, the restaurant is filling up, and Lorena and Felipe are getting nervous, wondering what's happened to Rossy.



Paula and Greta arrives, Raimundo mixes up their names, but Greta takes charge immediately, laying her hand on his chest and coming on strong, strong, strong. Paula looks disgusted. Once they're at the table, Greta is cooing over some appetizer saying "how do you eat this?" and Paula snaps "with your mouth!" Raimundo looks puzzled (maybe he's related to Alonso). Next Greta puts some food in Raimundo's mouth so he can taste it. Yep, she's is definitely serious about landing this guy.

In the kitchen, Monica and Ernesto are squabbling as usual. This time her gripe is he hasn't offered enough variety for opening night. The menu is too limited. This lady is super annoying. I almost dislike her more than Sara. (No, I take that back...but Monica's really a pain).

More drama....a cranky woman food critic arrives....without an invitation. Or rather the invitation was sent to her assistant. Raimundo pours oil on troubled waters, escorts her to a special table. Seems she's the most important food critic in the city...and also another one of Ernesto's rejects. If she give a bad review, the restaurant is doomed! She's a little bitchy about the wine selection and when Ernesto comes out she flirts a little and says she was hoping for a more intimate dinner with him. He seems to be doing pretty well schmoozing over the past but time will tell.

This is broken up with a funny scene with Greta trying to sound knowledgeable and talking about Camembert wine. Well, okay, it wasn't THAT funny but it was supposed to be. Maruja arrives, Greta starts to diss Julian, Maruja nixes that and Greta follows up by saying, Well, when this restaurant is MINE, we'll play cards here anytime we want. Gotta give this gal points for nerve.

Ernesto and Sandra (the food critic) are still walking down memory lane and it's a rocky road. He was unfaithful. She did damage to his car and his apartment. She asks for a special lobster dish that he used to fix for her so "he can take her to heaven one more time". He promises to do just that and heads for the kitchen. She sighs and says, How can I hate someone like that?

Brief confrontation between Paula and Lorena. Paula's nasty. Lorena's dignified. And that's that.

Monica and the sous-chef are scheming...sous-chef says he'll mess up the sauce Ernesto's making for the lobster and that will deep-six him for sure.

Big switch of scenes now. Sara arrives, uninvited, at Alonso's apartment. When she finds out Gramps is babysitting Bettina, she makes a move on Alonso and he fends her off, saying he's not in the mood. She acts sweet but silently vows to make him pay for that rejection. This lady has a very big s..t list and it's growing longer by the day.

Meanwhile, all hell is breaking loose in the kitchen. When Ernesto hands Lorena the platter to take to cranky food critic Sandra, she notices that something is wrong with the sauce. The consistency isn't right. They taste it and sure enough, it's been ruined by someone adding "polvo de horno" (baking powder). Ernesto is screaming who sabotaged my dish ?, glaring at Monica, and Rossy rushes off to find Raimundo to mediate.

The upshot is Ernesto insists that Lorena stay in the kitchen to help him repair the dish (more fuel for Monica's ire) and when Lorena finally takes it out to the lady, apologizing for the delay, Sandra sweetly notes that Ernesto used to be able to make this for her in two minutes when they were "together".

If that weren't enough to build Lorena's distrust of Chef Cassanova, there's a whole table of his exes there for dinner as well, and lo and behold they recognize Lorena as having been at his book signing. She tries to play dumb but they're on to her. However, tonight, they're all getting along famously...he leaves 'em but he leaves 'em happy is the message, I guess. Lorena just shaks her head and smiles....what a rascal!

Back at the table, Raimundo is noticing how quiet Maruja is and asks the wine steward (who's already fallen head over heels in love with Greta...too bad he's bald and geeky) to fix Rossy's mama a "golpe de sol" (heatstroke) cocktail to lift her spirits. So Paula and Greta want one too and we know the results, they all end up smashed.

Ernesto has fixed his food critic her favorite dessert as well...the closed captions had something funny like mus but I assume it was "mousse" (the French dessert, not the hair gel) and it's bringing back a lot of tender memories for her.

Big switch now to the lesser house where Omar is lecturing Julian about bucking up, acting like a man, getting his act together, taking responsibility....well, you know the drill. You probably heard this lecture a few times growing up, right? Julian continues to mope, believing that he was born cursed with bad luck. Diana adds to the dreary mix by saying Bruno wants to come to the house to "formalize" their engagement. Zully isn't enthusiastic but says she'll support her.

Whew...the evening at the restaurant has come to a close with no diasters (that we know of) Raimundo thanks everyone, applauds his chef, the table of cozy exes cheer and shout "You cook like you kiss" and Chef Hawt gives his big big big smile....for Lorena alone.

And he's not the only one thinking about Lorena. Alonso is sitting glumly at home, wondering why he can't get her out of his mind. He's interrupted by a phone call from the clinic...an emergency, and off he goes to help.

Lorena and Rossy are being lectured by Monica and warned that their work depends on her so they'd better not mess up. Chef Hawt offers to give the girls a ride home. Rossy finds her mother pleasantly sloshed while Mom is surprised Rossy got home so quickly....and where's Lorena? Still talking to Ernesto, says Rossy and they both roll their eyes.

He's thanking her for her support (yeah, she saved your butt tonight Ernesto) and wishing that she trusted him more. You're dying to know what went wrong with Alonso, no? she asks. Well, someone told Alonso a terrible lie about me. And he believed it. He wouldn't listen to me. And the worst part was my best friend then moved in on him. So it was a double betrayal. I lost the man I love and the girl who I thought was my best friend. And of course our chef is looking muy, pero muy impactado.

And that's it for tonight folks. There were some previews. But the only one that interested me was the one involving our hunky chef and Lorena. Things are heating up in that department!
Check it out tomorrow and find out just HOW hot.

Labels: enemiga

We start again at the Three Stooges office, where Alejandro is getting the news that once again Connie has seriously undercut their asking price, and another client has been snatched away. The boys just can’t compete with Connie. Al is upset and he goes to share the news with his partners. Rocky and Val are in his office, talking about their upcoming wedding and Lina and Bobby are in the lobby talking about their upcoming wedding. Perhaps if they devoted a little more time to work and less time to socializing they might be doing better, I'm just saying. Al’s not any better, because we all know that if Mili were there, Al wouldn’t be doing any work either.

Back in Guadalajara, Luci is in some sort of talk therapy. She’s discussing how she needs to rescue herself and how painful it is to think of the terrible things she did to her children. The therapist urges her to hug and kiss her kids when she sees them, look them in the eye and tell them that she loves them. This is sure to undo all the ugliness (because she said she did it all for love in the first place---not a big fan of this therapist's approach, but what do I know).

Damian urges Karla to have an abortion. She says no way, it is her body and she’s the one to decide what happens---so papa don't preach, 'cuz she's keeping the baby (I know, not quite the right context for that song title, but let's just roll with it). Damian’s ticked at her ulta-feminist stance. Of course, he thinks the baby is his (and it could be), she thinks he's trying to protect Hugo (whom she thinks is the baby's daddy).....it is just some cooky pregnancy fun, I know I'm laughing.

We are treated to a montage of Luci getting help at the wellness clinic---nutrition info, make-up, talk therapy, later a haircut. We know she’s doing well because we get to see her laughing.

In his office, Connie ponders Rosario’s picture and is shocked that she’s alive. Andrea catches him with the photo (he tried to hide it when she walked in, but did a horrible job). She gets her greedy claws on the picture and rips it up. She tells Connie she’s sick of competing with a ghost and reminds him that she’s the one who’s alive. Andrea storms out and Connie mumbles that Rosario’s alive, too. He calls his private detective and tells him he’s got a new job for him (this guy must be on permanent retainer).

Peralta and some other white guys are having a lunch meeting. They talk about the party and some Connie gossip (you know women get a bad rap as gossipers, but this just goes to show, men are as bad, if not worse, when it comes to gossip). One of them brings up how there is a rich widow wanting to give money to the party. Her name is Rosela Dillano and she’s a Mexican who’s been living in Italy for many years. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who this is, even if you didn’t see the previews for this episode. Said woman shows up. The men gush over her and the tight dress she’s wearing. They talk about the party and Constancio. Peralta says Connie’s not a viable candidate for party leader because he’s got some scandalous rumors floating around---like he’s got a daughter that he doesn’t recognize, she’s the product of a relationship Connie had with some servant he knocked up years ago and now he’s got the kid working in his house as a servant. Rosela knows immediately that her dead kid must be alive, because she rightly assumes it is her child he’s talking about. Rosela excuses herself from the meeting…..but before she goes she tells the men that her offer of money only comes if Connie’s the party prez.

Mili and Candy discuss how her life is like a telenovela plot. Mili spills her guts about Alejandro and Hugo and she almost slips and says that Connie is her dad. She’s very close to letting that cat out of the bag. I suspect it will happen soon---since we’re in the ultimos capitulos, it’s a safe bet. They talk about Candy’s life and to be honest, I didn’t pay all that much attention to it….something about her fiance cheating on her with her sister and her running out on their wedding. Now she’s dating a plastic surgeon named Santiago. Sounds like her life is a telenovlea plot as well, and that would be because it is. Anything else I glaringly missed? I’m sure that when her show, Las Tontas No Van al Cielo, starts to air on Univision, we’ll get the whole story. Later Mili wishes her luck with Santiago and Patricio-----so which one is played by Jaime and which one is played by Valentino? Anyone checked the show out on YouTube or elsewhere on the internet, yet? (OK I looked at Wikipedia---Jaime plays Santiago and Valentino plays Patricio---the ex-fiance).

Bobby, Al, and Rocky discuss if Connie’s got someone spying on their business---watching who’s coming and going. You think? Nestor shows up in their office and wants to talk to Al. He once again offers his son some money for the business. Al refuses. Nestor appeals to him to think of his partners, to think of his daughter. Al tells him that if he cared about him, he’d leave him alone. After Nestor leaves, Al fills in the others on Nestor’s offer and his refusal to take it. Rocky and Bobby mock Al, they don’t need the money because right now they’re swimming in it. Al gets angry with them wanting him to accept help from Nestor. He tells them to leave him alone.

Connie is on the phone, laughing his evil laugh…..he’s just found out he’s taken another client away from the competition. Damian comes in and tells Connie that Karla insists on having the baby and that he’s way too old to be changing diapers. Connie advises Damian to set Karla up in an apartment and give her a monthly allowance. He tells Damian he’s got to accept that right now, Connie’s got him in the palm of his hand----so fork over the papers that Mili signed and help clean up Connie’s name or else. Damian doesn’t seem too quick to jump on that bandwagon. Connie warns him, that if by some strange twist of fate, Karla suffers an accident and loses the baby, Connie’s going to let everyone know that Damian was behind it.

Rosela meets with her assistant, Paolo (seems very effeminate, perhaps a future love connection for Braulio? Because honestly, I just don't see Braulio and Pedro as a couple). She’s depressed and wants to cancel her plans for the day. He presses for details on what’s happening. She tells him her once-thought-dead daughter is really alive. She wants to find out the truth and she’ll do it alone.

At the convent, the good doctor and Padre Manuel discuss how Mother Superior is getting her affairs in order because she’s running out of time. PM tells the sisters to go in and say goodbye. Macarena is back from the jungle, still disguised as Sor Cachete. She shows little emotion regarding the end of MS’s days.

Back in the cellar, Sor Cachete appeals to Mono to let her free. He’s all for it, if she’d tell them where her parents’ ashes could be found.

Macarena goes in to see MS. MS urges her to take care of the others when she it gone. MS gives Sor Macarena the plaques for her parents’ niche. Sor Mac asks where the niches are and MS is shocked that Sor Catalina/Mac could have forgotten something so important. Before MS can tell her, Padre Manuel comes in and asks Sor Mac to leave, he’s going to give MS her Last Rights. Macarena is thwarted again, dangnabit.

Mili and Luci arrive back home. Luci’s all decked out. She assures Mili she’s ready to face Connie and the kids, but she’s anxious. She thanks Mili for all she’s done and tells her that she’s going to devote her efforts to getting Mili and Al back together. Mili asks if she’s ready to think of Mili as a daughter-in-law and Luci says she already thinks of her as a daughter. They hug.

Rosela visits the convent and gets PM to let her in to see MS. He's reluctant at first, but he ends up allowing her in to see the dying woman.

Connie tells Hugo that as soon as Damian gives him the papers that Mili signed, they will proceed with a divorce. Hugo wants to know if he’s got any say in this matter and Connie tells him he doesn’t. Mili and Luci walk in. Connie’s surprised to see Luci and Hugo lights into Mili about taking off and not telling him. Luci says that she and Mili have something to tell the two of them….. “You’ll never walk all over us again.” Mili adds, “Never, ever!”. The men have shocked looks on their faces and this is the END OF EPISODE.

Labels: guapos

Raquel finally tell Benito off but it doesn't look too good for her and Calixto after Ruth has one of her dreams and Raquel decides to visit the Elizondo Hacienda.
Of course, Don Martín just misses Manolo and Manuel. Is there really only one wheelchair in the whole sanatarium?


Norma and Juan have an inane conversation in the hospital.

Bustillo and Violeta plot to kill Don Martín while Hortensia listens.

The gang decides to sell Eduvina's jewelry for charity.

Hortensia warns Don Martín and pretends to be sleepwalking when discovered by Violeta.

Ruth has a mysterious dream about Raquel and Calixto and Libia.

Hortensia's youngest child was insufficiently briefed on the subject of Esperanza when he visited his mother.

Labels: gavilanes

Juan and Sofi claim the prize. The unnamed man from Hacienda Los Angeles gets the trophy. Juan gets the cash. Coyote quietly tells Juan that the Boss is very happy that the contest was won by a Reyes.

Juan seems to hesitate at this for a moment, but he's much too excited to wonder who the Boss is or why a total stranger would say such an odd thing. He tells Sofi the silver spurs she gave him brought him luck. He apologizes to Rosendo for defeating him, but says he needs the money for his child. Rosendo says Juan deserves it, and they hug. Pablito and Quintina join the fan club meeting. Pablito says he wants to be just like Juan. Juan says he already is - being a Reyes.

Eladio - I think it's Eladio - gives a pro-chile speech. Oscar's sweating over a chili pepper. He offers a bite to Jimena. It's a bit hot for her. Eladio wraps up his speech and encourages the crowd to partake.

Oscar samples another pepper, and Jimena, being very gullible, agrees to try that one too. Again, it's too much. He gives her a big peppery kiss just to make sure she gets the full effect!

Rigo is trying to get mushy with Eugenia when Benito shows up. "So you're still with Rigo's girlfriend even though you're really in love with me?" She answers "Yes... I mean yes I'm still going with Rigo. And in front of him I'm telling you not to come near me." He makes a weird face trying not to cry.

Rosario seems to have forgotten her blouse (she is wrapped in a shawl). Franco wants to talk. She refuses and says she doesn't love him. Sarita comes along a moment later and asks if he's okay. He says he's confused. She smiles and offers to listen. Eavesdropping nearby, Rosario hopes her sacrifice pays off for Sarita.

Now for the singing and dancing. Rosario goes first and dedicates a song to her child. Feo is angry that she's singing without his permission. He orders Armando to nab Rosario when she's done. Then Raquel finds Feo and he tells her not to make a jealous scene. She wants a kiss.

Meanwhile, Gabi is looking for him. (I didn't notice the first time around, but he and Raquel are actually smooching in the upper right of the frame as Gabi wanders in at the lower left.) Coyote finds Gabi and asks if they can hang out. She says she doesn't take invitations from strangers. He says that if they try, they can stop being strangers! Feo finds them and says he was looking for her. She tells Coyote they're engaged. Surprised, Coyote congratulates them with daggers in his eyes. He excuses himself and takes longer kissing her hand than Feo would like.

Gabi grills Feo on his whereabouts. She says Coyote was bugging her because he left her alone. If he keeps disappearing like that, she'll end up responding to that guy's overtures. She beams at Coyote, who is watching from a distance. Coyote grins smugly in acknowledgment.

Next, Pedro sings atop a prancing horse. (That cannot be easy.)

So Armando tries to get Rosario to go with him, but she's uncooperative. He comments on how cocky she is and has the henchmen grab her. Pedro tries to rescue her, so they start beating him up. Armando is ready to give him a good punch when Coyote shows up, discreetly indicates the gun tucked into his belt (his belt buckle says "COYOTE," I wonder if his mommy wrote that on the tags of his shirt and underwear too) and tells Armando that if he touches Pedro, he's DEAD.

And wow, that's some ring he's wearing, it's like a giant iron knuckle that would leave a grille on your face.

Coyote warns Pedro off with his eyes. Thusly emboldened, Pedro gives Armando a scornful look and takes off with Rosario.

The festival draws to a close. The contest gets to crown the queen of the festival. You'll never guess who that is... oh all right, it's Sofi. Juan seems confused by the complicated tiara and simply hands it to her so that she can put it on herself. Franco sings his usual song. He picks Sarita out of the crowd for a dance.

Meanwhile, Feo and Gabi argue (we don't hear any of it, but can assume they're arguing about the usual) and she leaves alone.

Later Pedro meets up with his brothers to congratulate Juan on his win. Armando tells Juan Feo wants to "talk" to him. The guys are skeptical and insist on accompanying Juan. (They joke that Feo gives them "mieo," obvious a pun on "miedo"=fear, but I can't find a definition for "mieo.")

Armando shows them to a room that has bales of hay in it (there's so much hay the outdoors can't hold it all!). Feo challenges Juan to some poker. If he wins, he gets Juan's winnings from the jaripeo. If Juan wins, he gets double.

Juan turns it down, but since money is involved, Oscar is in favor. Franco says they shouldn't be greedy. Pedro suggests letting Juan decide. (I love Pedro!) Juan accepts the challenge.

The tequila girl is looking at Juan's cards and stroking her neck in a weird way. Feo responds by raising. (Armando is standing behind Feo, but he's not giving Juan any help at all. Too bad. He's got a cigarette... he could signal him with puffs of smoke.) Juan folds, and Feo wins the first round. (A goofy onscreen graphic lends a "poker tournament" feel to the scene.)

Juan seems to like his next hand a little better. The tequila girl looks at Juan's cards and sticks some fingers out at Feo as she slowly sets Juan's glass on the table. Feo raises again. Juan sees him and raises. (Oscar and Franco suspect something's up.) Feo has the better hand. (I can't make out the individual cards, but the artwork has a chile pepper motif!)

Juan's funds are running low, and it's not a good sign when he asks for four new cards. The tequila girl comes in and Oscar throws her out (politely, of course - "we don't want any") when he sees her craning to look at Juan's hand again. Nevertheless, Feo wants Juan to go all in. Juan agrees. Feo is smug, but the joke's on him. Juan slaps down four kings. "I beat you with Poker de Reyes!"

Feo doesn't take it well and demands a rematch - double or nothing - "between gentlemen it's a question of honor." Only Oscar is in favor this time. Feo deals. Juan smirks at his hand and asks for only one card. Feo needs three. He tries to snake some cards out of his sleeve. Oscar catches him. The henchmen draw their guns. But like a creepy guardian angel, Coyote shows up quietly in the doorway. I'm starting to like this guy. Feo and his guys slowly put their guns away.

"Let's go!" Juan says, grabbing their money. Oscar tries to take Feo's remaining money too. Juan reminds him it was supposed to be a game between gentlemen, so they'll take only what they won.

Coyote's not still in the doorway when the Reyes turn around and leave. They never knew he was there.

Sofía asks Rosario if she's sure she's willing to give up Franco. Rosa says it's both for Sarita's happiness and Franco's safety. Sofía tells her how great she is. Rosario begs her to keep this secret - don't even tell Juan. Sofi says she tells Juan everything They have no secrets or lies. (Except for his secrets and lies.) Rosario asks for at least a little time to get her life in order and figure out what to do. Feo's capable of destroying anyone who crosses his path. She's afraid for Sofía.

Sofi realizes that her mother is in danger being engaged to Feo. She resolves to warn her.

Feo wants to get his money back. Armando tells him he needs to stop gambling because luck is not on his side. Feo is offended. Armando says something just occurred to him - why is Feo so sure that the Reyes are lying about owning the Uribe hacienda? They should look into it. Feo just gets grumpy again.

Sofía does not approve that Juan gambled the prize money. Juan says Feo challenged him, and his pride got the better of him. Oscar and Franco squabble over who gets to "safeguard" it. Juan knows better and takes it. He wants to try to get the hacienda back with it, or save it for an emergency. (I think this is a nice idea, but Feo deserves something for his trouble too. Maybe something to wear. "Somebody got four kings and all I got was this crummy t-shirt!")

Jimena has prepared their dinner. We don't get to find out if it's any good. As Oscar lifts some food to his mouth, we see he's stashed some of the money up his sleeve. (That's it, you and Feo can't play together any more! He's a bad example!) Franco sighs to himself about Rosario.

Rosario is sighing about Franco. Feo confronts her for singing at the festival without his permission, but she's not in the mood to be threatened. She says she won't take his abuse any more. The docile Rosario, who put up with his whims and did what he wanted, died in the fire. She's thinking of talking to Gabi. Feo threatens to tell everybody what she's capable of and what she was in prison for - they'll all reject her - beginning with Sofi and Eva.

She says she's willing to pay for the errors of her past. If necessary, she'll do it. She defiantly states, "We'll see who loses more - you or me?"

Feo and Gabi argue again. She demands that he stay away from Raquel, or he'll lose her. Feo says no, he knows her passion for him grows more every day. She denies it and says he will never be the boss of her or have the last word, because she's used to giving the orders and it'll always be that way.

He wrestles her and says she's always wanted to find a man of her level, and she's found the man who can satisfy her and drive her crazy with passion. (He backs her up against her easel, I think, and knocks it over.) At last they have the house to themselves and can love each other freely. Gabi can't answer this because her mouth has an extra tongue in it.

Sofi tells Juan that her mom and Feo are getting married. Juan mutters that he knew they were having a thing, but didn't realize they'd be getting married. Sofía is surprised he knew something. Juan admits Oscar saw them kissing, but he didn't say anything because they didn't want to worry her or the sisters.

Sofía should wonder what other things they haven't been worrying her about, but all she can think about is warning her mother. Juan tries to discourage this, knowing Gabi won't be receptive.

Then Sofi cheers up, remembering that if Feo gets married, she can too. Juan's ready to hire the mariachis and caterers.

Mexico airdate: 15 de Mayo

Next time:
Gabi promises Feo she'll disinherit the kids and name him as her only heir. (insert obligatory "what a fool" remark here)
Juan reveals that his father had a brother - Vicente Robles. (insert obligatory "how come you never mentioned this uncle before" remark here)
Raquel wonders how her husband came to own this hacienda without any papers. Juan settles on the same theory we came up with weeks ago.
Sofi warns her mother that Feo is a jerk.

Labels: Fuego

Read more »

Labels: index

That's a Beck lyric in the title in case any of you think I'm being morbid. I remember when the song 'Loser' came out many years ago and everyone had so many strange theories as to what he was saying when in fact he was just saying "I'm a loser" in Spanish (soy un perdedor). I knew enough Spanish to recognize it right away, I was always amazed at what other people thought he was singing. This will all be relevant later, or if you watched the episode, you already know what I'm talking about.

Hortensia throws Jaime under the bus, saying the kidnapping was all his doing, she only found out later and kept quiet to protect her son. I can't believe they are sitting there listening to her when they should be sending a squad car with lights and sirens running to get her makeup kit. Cripes she looks awful with no makeup. In the waiting room Omar and Zulema and family are suitably scandalized by Hortensia's accusations against Jaime. There are a few scenes but really just people saying "OMG I can't believe she just said that."

Jackie, who to Arturo's surprise isn't super relaxed after the boning he just gave her, is up in arms about customers fleeing left and right after the scandal hit the news. He tries to give her some sexual healing and she caves in pretty quickly.

Barbara wants to give Vasco some papers for Jaime to sign, to give her control of all their accounts I think, Vasco can't believe she doesn't care about any more than that. He manages to do this without acting high and mighty. You know, in general, so much of what Vasco does and says would be irritating on the highest level coming from most people but he gets away with it. Not sure how, but good for him. I guess because he hasn't quite gotten all the way to "dude they make shirts and rope from hemp you know, LEGALIZE IT!" You know what I'm talking about, especially if you went to college. Also, he hasn't resorted to the official hippie Corona logo-ed faux-hemp poncho/pullover thing that all college hemp enthusiasts wear like a uniform. I fully believe that while he is such a nice young man now, he spent half his time in England baked.

The cops parade Hortensia right past Omar and Zulema on the way to her cell, Omar yells at her and she says "sorry it was Jaime, not me, nyah nyah."

Lorena, Rosy, Julian, and Maruja see the scandal on the news. Lorena says it's BS, Sara told her that Hortensia's signature was on the orphanage paperwork. She tells Julian to get that fact to his parents and tell them they need to find that paper. Well DUH.

Zulema pressures Sara to tell the truth, Sara says her beloved corpse of a grandma (ok some of that was me saying) would never betray her, so she will support Hort's story.

Omar continues to be in disbelief about Hortensia. I would think 20+ years of estrangement form your family would allow you to believe certain things, don't you?

Alonso arrives, Sara puts on her pouty face and tells him her sad tale of everyone being so bad and not believing her, etc etc. Somehow this leads to them making out. Somehow Chef Ern (sorry ladies I was going to call him Chef Hawt since that's the name you gave him but I just can't, you understand) happens to be walking by and sees this, now he understands why Lorena was so upset that one day. He also thought bubbles "wow Lorena is so awesome" just in case one person out there is too dumb to realize weeks ago that he likes her.

Dario is at Paula's house, waiting for Bettina I guess. He's off work early, she says he was never early before, or maybe he was off work early but putting the horns on her? He tells her enough already, leave it alone. Ok before I go any further - let me voice my approval for the makeover in progress of Paula - now she gets to look like a sexy woman rather than a harpy. We're halfway there, come on wardrobe people help me out. I still don't like her character though, she is a manipulative bitch even if she looks hotter now. And looks good in tight sweaters. Where was I? Oh - she tells Dario about her new Avon business and with Bettina's help actually gets him to try some manly stuff and he buys a bunch of it.

Ern sees Lorena at school, she says she figured out his secret ingredient and shame on him it isn't Mexican! He admits it, somehow he manages to turn the conversation to them going for a walk. Eventually she tries to feed him a hot dog, he won't eat it so she shoves it in his mouth, of course he loves it. Ha ha ha, oh Chef Ern, you are just like a regular guy after all! OK writers we get it, he likes street food too, he's not so stuck up, let's move on. He tries to pry details of her sad day, now knowing the truth about Alonslow, but she says change the subject, so he ends up telling her that the worst food he ever tasted was some frijoles with no salt that his aunt made. That sounds horrible, my wife said frijoles sin sal are the worst. I can't imagine why someone would make beans that way. I'm the biggest frijolero out there, especially for a gringo, and making them with no salt sounds like a crime. It's true, even my wife's Mexican family can't believe how I could eat some variation of frijoles with every meal if I had my way. When we were at an all- inclusive hotel in Puerto Vallarta last year, I bet I ate five pounds of frijoles by the end of the week. Oh man now I'm getting hungry. Anyway they walk and talk and flirt, etc.

Sara makes Alonso a sandwich, after he takes a bite his face looks like he just ate a turd. He tries to pretend he likes it but Sara knows better and thinks how f***ing Lorena spoiled him with such good food that she can't make. She asks what he's looking at on the internet, he goes on and on about some medical thing that I couldn't follow, though I didn't try. Sounded like a public service announcement for some kind of treatment or something.

Omar, Zulema, and Diana get to their seats at Julian's game show. Backstage Julian is very nervous but Rosy gives him some R-rated kisses to clear his mind and it works. He goes out and Rosy takes her seat. First the host shows some pictures from the vacation to Acapulco, lots of Julian flexing and showing off but no Rosy anywhere. The host asks Rosy why she wasn't in the pictures? She says she was 'indisposed' that day and shoots Julian a dirty look. But, she softens immediately and says it was the best trip of her life. Julian dedicates his performance to his parents. He has to answer five questions to win a million pesos. He gets the first four right, then they bring out the golden envelope. The host reads the question, and Julian thinks and thinks into a commercial...

.... then gives the wrong answer. Before the host can say the right answer, Julian remembers and says it, but the host says too late, sorry. The crowd cheers for Julian but that doesn't replace a million pesos, know what I'm saying?

At home, Lorena and Maruja sit with their mouths hanging open after seeing Julian miss the question.

Chalo is watching at his naco hotel, he laughs and tries to call Sara. Ugh we get to see that his boxers are barely big enough to keep his stuff covered, please put that away Chalo. He is upset that Sara never answers her phone anymore.

Omar, Zulema, and Diana discuss how they are still proud of Julian anyway, Rosy runs out and says Julian ran off, nobody knows where. We see Julian walking the streets, saying what a loser he is, wallowing in self-pity.

Bettina gets in trouble for chatting online before her homework is done, Paula reverts to harpy mode to take away the cable modem. Bettina just gets on the phone then instead and tells her friend that Ivan invited her to the movies, she'll say she's going with the friend instead so she can get permission to go! What a bad girl she's turning into. Paula returns and yells at her for now being on the phone.

Jackie comes home to find Dario home asleep, with some Avon products on the nightstand. She complains that he had money to buy that stuff.

Arturo tells his mom that he's running the company now, horrible mom rats that Valeria is out with those friends again, Art says whatever that's fine. Not making her stay home is the only decent thing he has ever done. I know he's doing it to be selfish anyway, but at least she gets to go have a life.

Valeria, looking nice with her hair down (though the 1985 bangs can go) wins at cards again, the ladies talk her into coming to the restaurant opening as a guest.

Rosy cries (4 on the FUCS (wow that acronym made me do a parentheses inside a parentheses, we need something else to call the Ferro Ugly Crying Scale) because she is crying for a very good reason, but still a little messy and ugly) about Julian being missing. Maruja and Lorena try to comfort her.

Omar calls some missing persons service (another public service announcement) to report Julian. He explains how it works to fulfill the public service obligation. Speaking of PSAs and product placements, nothing will ever top the scene from La Fea where Boobie Blonde (can't remember her name now!) tells Marcia about her horrible diarrhea and Marcia gives her Pepto-Bismol. Two sexy ladies discussing mudbutt, I just can't get over it. Don't you think Jose Jose as RoboPapa would have been a more likely character for having bathroom problems?

At the mansion, Vasco yells at Sara for going along with Hort's story. Sara says she's with grandma 100%, it was Jaime all along, and she's not leaving the house either.

Chef Ern listens to lots of phone messages from hotties who want to see him. The maid points out that since he met Lorena, he hasn't gone out with anyone, there used to be wall to wall hoochies and now nothing. She thinks she has said too much and runs out before his temper erupts as usual. Instead, for the one really dense person who didn't get the point earlier, he comments to himself again that Lorena is so dreamy.

The next day, Rosy is still crying, but not in any ugly manner. A 1 on the scale.

Omar and Zulema worry about Julian, they stupidly hope that Sara tells the truth about Hortensia. They hear Diana yelling at Julian in the other room, he's back! A few minutes of everyone saying they are proud of him but him calling him self un perdedor. He was so hopeful, that money was going to pay all the debts and the lawyer. Everybody cries.

Omar calls Rosy to tell her Julian has returned and is heading over after he takes a shower. Lorena can finally go peddle her goodies on the street (ok I admit I did it on purpose that time, heh). Maruja tells Rosy to do everything she can to cheer up Julian, I'm not sure but it sounded like she was encouraging some hanky panky to lift the boy's spirits. Did I understand that right? Maybe not.

At the jail, Vasco tells Jaime, who now sports some cool 3 day beard growth, that he believes his side of the story and is proud of how he's standing up and taking responsibility. Jaime says the truth will come out sooner or later.

Also at the jail, Art tells Hort that clients are fleeing and she gets crazy about it, but he says he has it under control. He basically swears fealty to her.

At work, Jackie tells Sara how awesome Art is and how he's doing so great running the company. Sara isn't pleased to hear that at all.

Rosy greets Julian very warmly and says lots of nice things, then he says he's breaking up with her because he's a loser and doesn't deserve her and doesn't want her to suffer from his bad luck. That was the end of the show, but honestly I can't see them being broken up for long. Like maybe not even out of the opening scenes of tomorrow's episode. I just don't see it, but I could be wrong.

Tomorrow - Ern uses the sly excuse of "oh Alonso's right there, hug me so he will be jealous" to give Lorena a full on hip to hip hug out in public. Whatever, Chef Ern, I know your game. Well played.

Labels: enemiga

According to my TiVo and the NBC/Telemundo web schedule, next week will be PdG for two hours starting at 12pm as usual on the East Coast, followed by Frijolito and a one hour 'best of' Doña Barbara.

Not a lot happened on Friday: Grabiela is still locked up in basement; Abuelo is still locked up at the nuthouse; the gang at the Hacienda de los Reyes still think everything is fine at the Hacienda Elizondo and Juan wasn't on at all except for a flashback.




Grabiela is afraid of the rats in the cellar but Herzog and Rubinsky tell her to be more afraid of the rats upstairs.


Grabiela flashes back to when she first met Juan, Óscar and Franco. This is our only glimpse of Juan in the whole two hours. ¡Qué lástima!

Labels: gavilanes

Here we are once again, Guapistas, filled with curiosity to see whether Madre Superior's promo-ed confession is the real deal; what Luci's going to chug now that she's sober; and most importantly, whether Nameless Baby Girl will finally get a name of her very own! On with el show!

Hugo puts down his paints and takes a seat. Karla shows him the results of the blood test. She's thrilled, but Hugo is less so. She swears she was using birth control and yes, it's his. Hugo wonders if it's his dad's, but Karla reminds him they broke up. He wonders if maybe it's Fernando's, but Karla reminds him he's been gone for months. She tells him she's one month pregnant and damn straight it's his!

Constancio complains to Padre Manuel that what he feared has finally happened--he's been removed from the party and it's all Milagros' fault! Padre Manuel's having none of it and tells him to man up at last and tell the poor girl the truth. Constancio pouts. PM says what he actually came there for is to get Constancio to go to the convent and talk to the Madre Superior. Constancio is surprised, but he refuses, saying he's just got too much work to do now that Bobby and Alejandro aren't around to do the scut work, Damian spends all his time chasing women, and Hugo spends all day painting and shagging Karla. Oh, poor Constancio, what's an evil corporate overlord to do? Good help is so hard to find these days. And no, he didn't say most of that. Anyhoo, he refuses, but wonders what it's about. PM says she needs to talk to Constancio so that she can die in peace. Now he's really intrigued and says he'll go tomorrow, without fail.

Karla offers to give Hugo the news again dressed as Mili. Hugo doesn't react, but says Mili can't find out that Karla's pregnant. Karla refuses to have an abortion and says she's in love with him and wants to have his baby and she doesn't care if he doesn't believe her. Hugo says he doesn't care about her feelings and doesn't feel anything for her, he's just using her for sex. Karla says she'll have the baby with or without him. Show of hands: Who feels comfortable with the idea of Karla raising a child, with or without Hugo? Yeah, I thought so. Karla storms out and runs into Andrea in the hallway, but she doesn't spill the frijoles, except to say that she finally has a way to get revenge on Damian and everyone else in the house. She says her future is assured and flounces off while Andrea wonders what's up. She doesn't know, though, cause if she did she'd be stroking her hair and plotting. For now she's just intrigued.

Horacio wants to talk to Bobby, but Lina says she doesn't know when he's coming over--he and the other two Stooges are working so hard to get the business up and running. Currently, the business is lying on the ground gasping for air, it seems. Horacio complains that he wants to know that Bobby's going through with the wedding this weekend because it's the second wedding dress Lina has had to buy. If he waits much longer it won't fit her anymore. I notice we haven't gotten a full-length look at Lina in a while. Maybe they're waiting until she can borrow Florencia's old baby belly--that way they can save money. Horacio says he's borrowing Constancio's shotgun so she can shoot Bobby if he doesn't marry Lina this weekend. Sorocco tells him to chill and think about how fun it will be to have a grandchild. Horacio tells Socorro that if she wants a bunch of kids running around the house, just let him know and he'll write to the stork. Ja! Socorro tells him she's past that age, but he's not. Karla walks in as Socorro is saying that she'd just be happy for Karla to settle down with a nice boy. Karla says they're talking about her again, as usual, but nothing will spoil her day. Lina, Socorro, and Horacio are understandably concerned.

Andrea sneaks into the maids' room searching for the envelope of secrets that Karla was hiding in her nonexistent cleavage. She finds it under a mattress and says "She's pregnant!" Let the plotting begin.

At Casa de Mili, Luciana is still thanking Mili and Rocky for everything they've done. She gives them both kisses. Rocky says she just needs to call if she needs anything. He asks when she's going to talk to the kids. Luci says she needs to be a different woman first before she talks to them and asks for their forgiveness. Mili says she has a surprise for Luci…a place that will heal her soul, and the two of them will go there tomorrow. Mili shows her an advice column in a magazine written by "Candy" who has her own clinic, and tomorrow Mili and Luci will go get their souls healed. Oddly, I expected Mili to suggest a spiritual retreat, maybe a stay at the convent, but I think it would be too hard to keep Luci hidden there.

Constancio comes into the study and throws Ramses out before he can tell Constancio about his schedule for tomorrow. Andrea walks in with her magic envelope of getting Constancio back in the mood. Constancio tells Andrea that rumors about his bastard are running, thanks to Damian, and he's going to hunt him down. Andrea says that Damian has had a baby with a servant too, and gives him the envelope with Karla's test results. Constancio thinks that Karla agreed to their scheme and asks Andrea if she's sure it's Damian's. Andrea has assumed it is because Karla said that she had a way to get revenge on Damian in the hallway. Constancio is at least back to smiling his rat-bastard smile, but he hasn't achieved the kind of giddy happiness that makes him want to jump Andrea yet. She'll have to work harder, I guess.

Ramses runs into Valeria in the foyer. Her neck hurts and he offers to give her a massage. She tries to resist, but a stiff neck will not be denied. He spritzes some breath spray before he begins. Valeria oohs and aahs as Ramses blames her tension on Rocky delaying the wedding. Rocky and Mili come in and Rocky gripes out Valeria for having Ramses give her a massage instead of asking him to do it. After all, he has bigger hands *wink, wink* Ramses says size doesn't matter. Rocky says the only way to settle this is for Ramses to give him a massage after he's done with Valeria. Oh, how very modern. Valeria loves this idea and sits next to Rocky on the couch, demanding that Ramses give her Chiquito a rubdown. Ramses gets to work, but Rocky's a little nervous about being strangled.

Mili goes to tell Hugo that she won't be around all day tomorrow. Hugo assumes she wants to be with Alejandro. She says she's going somewhere alone and won't be home until late. He keeps asking whether she's going to be with Alejandro even though she keeps denying it. He says it's her fault he's jealous like this, but she reminds him he's always been a liar and her mistake was to believe he'd changed. She said she's tired of waiting for him and she and Alejandro want to get married. Hugo tells her to keep dreaming and laughs. Mili says she's getting a lawyer and she doesn't care about losing the money and if he chooses to take it, it's on his conscience.

Constancio angrily serves himself a drink. Damian comes in. Constancio tells Damian that he got what he wanted, going to Peralta with the gossip about his bastard. Constancio tells Damian that now he, Damian, is going to resign from the party and then die. Damian wonders why he would do that. Constancio adds that he's also going to give back the contract that Mili signed in exchange for Karla's test results, or else the news will get out that Damian is also expecting a bastard. Damian denies that it's his, that he hasn't been with Karla in ages. Constancio asks if he's sure, but Damian now remembers that maybe a month or a month and a half ago he was with her, that time she was vacuuming. Because nothing turns Damian on more than watching other people work. Constancio says he's got Damian in his hands. Damian walks out. Constancio still doesn't look all that happy.

Damian goes out to the foyer/living room/all purpose room, pours himself a drink and sits down. Hugo's there too and they both talk about the impending baby. Damian thinks Hugo is talking about Damian's supposed baby and Hugo thinks Damian is talking about Hugo's supposed baby. Damian says Karla only cares about money, so he'll fork over some dough and get her to have an abortion. Hugo says to wait, he wants some time to think. Damian wonders what for, but Hugo just says please. Damian says he's going to go gamble and calm himself down. They thank each other and hug.

The next day, Mili and Luci show up at the clinic. They check in with the receptionist. Luci looks nervous.

Constancio has come to see the Madre Superior. He says it's good to see her. She asks him to sit down and asks Padre Manuel to leave her alone with Constancio, which he does.

The receptionist announces the gals to Candy and then shows them in. Candy says what they do there is work on self-esteem and self-respect. Mili's doing all the talking since Luci's so nervous. Luci finally ends up talking about how she's an alcoholic, her kids hate her, she's gone through some really rough times…Mili adds a list of all Luciana's favorite drinks and the fact that even the flower vases weren't safe from her. Candy gives Mili one of those "Aren't you sweet…now shut up" looks.

Constancio guesses that Madre Superior wants to talk about Mili, but MS says she wants to talk about Rosario. Constancio is surprised, but he says it's very uncomfortable for him to talk about her and he'd rather leave the past where it is, he doesn't like to talk about the dead. MS says she's not dead. Constancio is impactado! And we go to commercials before we get the rest of the story.

Constancio says it's not possible. MS says that's what she made everyone, including Mili, think, but she lied and she's hidden the truth her whole life, but now she can't anymore. MS says it was Constancio's father's doing. He came to see MS and…flashback

Don Federico says that he owns the land and he can tear down the convent whenever he wants to. MS is surprised he would even say that. DF says he knows that they're hiding a pregnant woman, but MS denies she's being hidden and asks if he knows her. DF says that his son Constancio is the father of the unnamed woman's child. DF says he'll forget about tearing down the convent if MS cooperates. He tells MS to tell the woman that the child was stillborn and then he'll take the woman away and let MS raise the child in the convent, as long as she never tells the child the truth. DF says he won't hesitate to wipe out the convent. He doesn't want the bastard showing up to hurt his family.

Constancio wonders how she could have agreed to it. MS says she's never forgiven herself, but she didn't have any other way to save the convent, even if she condemned her soul in doing it, and condemned Mili to live without her mother's love. She says she also did it to save Mili because Don Fed said that if she didn't agree he'd also take the baby away and abandon it somewhere far away. Constancio is freaked out by the idea that Rosario is alive. MS says she doesn't know where Rosario could be, but she left there thinking her daughter was dead.

Luci talks to Candy about the mistakes she made when she was drinking, how much she hurt herself and her kids, and how much she hurt Mili. Candy gives a PSA about the evils of drink. She reminds Mili that no one's ever cured of alcoholism, you have to take it day by day. Candy says Luci will need the help of her whole family to keep from falling off the wagon. Luci says she feels so awful and ugly and she wants to look pretty. Candy says she's got to start with self-esteem and self-forgiveness and self-care. Mili says she's behind Luci all the way and will be her cheerleader. Mili's way too perky in these scenes. They're trying to talk about serious stuff, here, and she's being her usual goofy self.

MS tells Constancio she's dying and she didn't want to leave this world with her secret. Constancio asks why his daddy did it and what he said after. MS says he didn't say anything because she never saw him again. Constancio asks what happened when Mili was born. He wants the whole story. MS says that Mili, PM, and Sor Catalina all got her fake version of the story, but now he gets the truth…flashback

A nun takes the baby away. Don Fed reminds her to take care of the bastard and never tell her the truth. The new Rosario sleeps. Don Fed says there's an ambulance waiting to take her away, once MS tells her the baby's dead and gets her ready to leave. DF says she won't believe him, so MS will have to do the lying for him. DF leaves. Rosario wakes up and asks to see her daughter. MS says she's sorry, but the baby was born weak and died. Rosario cries.

MS says after that, they took Rosario away and she never knew anything more about her or Don Fed. She doesn't know where Rosario was taken, and God is her witness to the torment she's been in all these years. MS says the baby stayed at the convent and she made up a story and named her Milagros (Miracle) because that's what she was to them all. MS says there's no more time for her and she wanted to talk to him and tell him the truth. Constancio says "and to change my life."

Candy introduces Luci to the psychologist. The two of them go off together. I'm still trying to figure out what kind of place this is. Candy talks to Mili and asks her what happened to get Luci down the road to drink. Mili talks about Luci's kids. Candy wonders what Luciana is to Mili. She doesn't understand why one of the kids didn't bring Luci. Mili fills her in on the back story, except for the part where she's Luci's husband's daughter. Can't wait to see Candy's reaction to that one!

Alejandro tries to close a business deal in his office while Nameless Baby Girl cries in the background. The potential client says he'll have to go with Belmonte Construction since they made him an incredible deal. I would think by now that screwing the Three Stooges would have started getting too expensive for Constancio. He must be having to seriously undercut them on price. Either that or he's going broke paying every PI in the DF to dig up dirt on all his potential clients so he can blackmail them into signing contracts. Alejandro comforts Nameless Baby Girl (In the words of Mr. 5ft, "Maybe if you'd give me a name already I'd be happy!") and says he's not giving up.

And Monday: Peralta breaks the news to Rosario that Constancio has a bastard daughter who used to work as a servant in his house. Yep, you read it right. Also, Andrea is jealous of Rosario's picture, Luci gets a makeover, and Rosario and Constancio come face to face. That's right, cause we're in Ultimos Capitulos!

Labels: guapos

Now, at the Reyes’ humble abode, Jimena and Sofia seem to be enjoying their time at the rich girls’ version of Explorer Survival Camp. (Ya gotta admit, though, it sure beats listening to Mama's constant carping, and being frightened of where and when her iron fist might land the next time.) Jimena offers to search for a thread and needle for Sofia who needs to sew back on a button for one of Juan’s shirts. She finds Quintina’s sewing basket and digs through it. She comes across the picture frame for Libia’s photograph, and Sofia asks whose it is. As we in Viewerville all hold our breath alongside Quintina, Jimena frowns and tells her that the frame is empty. (Shucks! What a letdown.) Quintina smiles and secretly congratulates herself for thinking to take the photo out at the last minute and having hidden it in her own room.

Back at their swimming hole at the river, Franco tells the rest of the “boys” he doesn’t remember anything about the accident. Juan says he was hoping he could remember so they could grab the guys responsible. Franco swears he doesn’t even remember Rosario’s coming to see him let alone their running away together. Pedro tells Franco that it was precisely that which hurt Sarita so much when she found out he’d gotten hurt. Franco knocks this bit of news around inside his wooden head a while, then frowns to show us he is puzzled with these revelations. (It’s probably a matter of input overload for our formerly French-fried Franco.)

Rosario arrives at Augie’s cottage and finds Sarita there. Eva tells her that Sarita has been spending lots of quality time with Luisito and Rosario warmly thanks her. Sarita smiles and says he is her nephew after all. Sarita has apparently regained her humanity. (Maybe somebody needs to hogtie Mama and send her away to the convent for a while, too.) Augie makes a big to do over their being sisters and everybody smiles and nods. (My wiring is short-circuiting from the sentimentality overload in this scene.)

Back in town Padre Tadeo is praying at the little altar in his office when Bruja-riela storms in on that nitro-powered broomstick of hers. It’s the Bride of Cujo looking to rip Padre Tadeo into shreds. Without even a “Howdy do” Gabi lays into him barking and snarling that he had no right to talk Sarita into leaving the convent. He calmly explains that because Sarita lacked the calling to be a nun and didn’t belong in a convent he sent her home. It is a difficult life he says for anyone who doesn’t have a vocation for the religious life, but that’s exactly what she wanted for Sarita, she says: a difficult life of suffering because that is the only way one receives forgiveness. (The only question here is whether Gabi is implying forgiveness from her or from God, or if she figures it’s all one in the same in her case.)

Tadeo asks her where love fits in and tells Gabi that she has one strange view of religion. (Tadeo, master of the understatement.) She’s quick to demand others suffer but refuses to expose herself to pain. Gabi sits back on her high horse again and selfishly complains that she’s had more than her share of suffering and pain. She wonders if Tadeo takes pleasure in people’s suffering and he answers in the negative. All he’s trying to do is tell her she must show the same tolerance towards her daughters that she shows herself. Gabi spits his advice back in his face and warns him that this will be the last time he meddles in her family’s affairs or otherwise he’ll have to pay the consequences. She storms out the same way she came in and Padre Tadeo says a prayer for her, begging God to enlighten this “lost soul.”

Back at the swimming hole, the guys are getting into their nice, snug-fitting charro pants, allowing us to ogle their well-preserved pecs, while Pedro talks about how he misses his dead mother. He reminisces about his deadbeat daddy’s absence and the way it made his family that much closer to each other. He is upset that the jerk never did a thing to support either her or them. Juan talks about how the three of them missed their parents all along too and says they don’t even know where their parents are buried. He says they have to find their killers in order to find where they they left them (literally, “chucked them”) so they can properly bury them and pray for them, even if it’s the last thing they do before they die. Franco changes the subject to cheerier things like the arrival of Juan’s child. Everyone kids about how Juan plans to raise him and what they’ll do to celebrate when the baby is finally born.

Back at the cottage Augie praises Sarita for the decent way she treated Rosario. Sarita acknowledges that Rosario is her sister and deserves to be treated decently. He tells her he always said she was a good person and they exchange vows of affection for each other.

In town in her dressing room at the Bad Love Bar, Rosario tells Ofelia that she has to reward Sarita somehow for the kindness she has shown towards Luisito. Ofelia asks how and Rosario smiles mysteriously and says, “You’ll find out.” (Why the big mystery, Rosario?)

Franco shows up unexpectedly at Augie’s. He smiles broadly when he sees that Sarita is there answering the door for him. Franco came to thank Augie for paying for the special medical equipment that helped to save his and Rosario’s lives.

At the same time, Juan runs into Rosario walking past the bakery. He’s gruff with her and demands to know if she’s coming to visit Franco. She wonders why he’s speaking to her in that tone of voice. Juan explains that he knows they love each other, but whether it’s purely an infatuation or not doesn’t matter to him; what matters is that every time they’re together Franco gets into major problems. He refuses to let it continue and tells her he wants her to break it off once and for all with Franco. Rosario agrees she’s not suitable for him and that she has been unlucky for him. She promises to stay away from Franco from now on and Juan grunts his appreciation.

Back at the cottage, Augie tells Franco he considers him and the other Reyes’ like grandsons and so there’s no way he wouldn’t have helped him. Sarita mentions that she heard everything happened when he and Rosario left to run away together. Franco says he doesn’t want to be taken for a liar, but the truth is that he cannot remember anything about that or any number of things that were happening at the time. He doesn’t remember leaving with her or even when he decided to leave.

Augie tells Franco that if a man loves a woman he doesn’t forget these sorts of things. Franco says he cannot come up with a reason for it, just that he truly cannot remember anything about getting away with Rosario.

Meanwhile, Gabi goes to the capital to see the bishop and complain again about Padre Tadeo. She says she’s there on a very serious matter that, for the good of their community, he personally should act on immediately. (I’d rather see if and how he personally intervenes, “for the good of the community”, once he finds out she’s marrying her soon-to-be-ex-son-in-law without the benefit of a proper annulment –or even with one.) The bishop looks quite impactado.

Rosario now heads back to the Bad Love. She’s weeping and doesn’t see Pedro riding towards her on the road. He jumps off his horse and gallantly lends her his shoulder to cry on. While she’s crying about how unlucky she is, El Jefe and El Coyote drive past them. El Coyote points the two of them out to El Jefe as ominous music plays in the background. “Did you see that?” --Speaking of music, we in Viewerville are left to wonder if this means that these two lonely sing-sational third-wheels may eventually start making their own beautiful music together.
===============

Morning comes again to sunny Ciudad Serdán. It is both the day of the children’s first communion and of the Chili Pepper Festival rodeo. Franco, dressed in his Sunday best charros, goes outside the front of the bakery to brush the dust off his shabby-looking boots. Rosario runs into Franco on her way to Church. (She’s dressed in her Sunday best also. It's a hot-looking red strapless party dress and actually pretty classy, and for once at least she’s wearing something that covers up most of those bon-bons of hers.) She says she hasn’t had the time to talk things over with him since the accident, but has needed to speak with him. He’s still taken with her bon-bons, but she insists that after the accident so many odd things have happened that she just simply doesn’t love him anymore and is breaking it off. Franco is upset and surprised and tries to get her to discuss it with him but she races off down the street. (Oh well. We all know he’s got another one where that came from.)

Everybody from town begins arriving at the church for the children’s first communion.

Rosario circles around back of the bakery and walks into the Reyes’ living room to sit down. (Hello? I guess when there is no lock there is no need for a knock.) Sofia walks in and sees Rosario crying. (OMG!! I’m crying over that crazy hot pink monstrosity of a dress that costuming has put Adela in. ¡Qué horror! Can we spell dowdy, class? If ever there was proof of the old adage that a redhead never should wear pink, that dress is it! --But then, maybe I’m not being P.C. and the costumer is colorblind, like the hubster. When it comes to shades of pink, he only sees beige's and browns.) Rosario tells Sofia that she has just broken it off with Franco and says that she did it for Sarita’s sake, carefully omitting that it was because Juan had also asked her to give him up.

Sofia says she shouldn’t but Rosario tells her not to try to talk her out of it because it’s taking all of her strength to stick with her decision. “What next?” asks Sofia. Rosario answers that she is going to devote herself to her son and is willing to withstand any test in order to do so. Sofia suggests that maybe Luisito’s father will help her. Rosario is adamant that his father doesn’t deserve the two of them. He’s only devoted himself to abusing and hurting them. Poor, innocent Sofia is confused and doesn’t understand what she is talking about. Rosario starts to walk out without giving her an explanation, but then turns around and thinks better of it. Suddenly she confesses to Sofia that her son’s baby daddy is really “Fernando Escandon, your husband!” before racing out the door. Sofia is greatly impactada as the true meaning of Rosario’s words, literally ricocheting around in her brain, takes hold.
==============

Finally the mass begins. Franco sings Ave Maria (uh-gain, but his time though, he’s got an invisible twenty piece orchestral accompaniment and a full studio of sound equipment to keep him on key. Hubby is snarking about how and where they managed to fit all those musicians into that tiny church. I tell him the Mexican elves took care of it.) While Franco sings Rosario prays to the virgencita for strength to keep away from him, for Sarita’s sake, as well as that of Franco himself.

Outside the church, Crabiela drives up and smiles evilly to herself as she sees the bishop and his entourage drive up and enter the church. The bishop walks in as Padre Tadeo is celebrating the first communion mass and he does not look like a happy camper as he holds out his ring for Tadeo to kiss. Tadeo can guess what’s on the bishop’s mind and takes it all very calmly.

When the mass is over, Gabi, hidden in the crowd, looks on from the back of the church and smiles triumphantly as the bishop announces to the town that the padre will conclude his term as parish priest there and will be transferred to another church. The bishop introduces the new priest to the parishioners but everyone begins screaming in protest. The parishioners are demanding at the top of their lungs that the bishop must keep Padre Tadeo at their parish. None of them want him transferred. His term isn’t even up yet one yells.

Crabi doesn’t like the sound of this and realizes she’s lost control of the situation when Juan tells the bishop that before he transfers Padre Tadeo he is going to listen to each and every one of the parishioners’ opinions. Crabi frowns. She does not like being beaten at her own game again by the likes of Juan Reyes.

After the bishop lets each of the parishioner’s plead their case he prays for guidance. He calls in Padre T and says that he ought to recognize that he was very poorly informed since all the people love and respect him, especially for the charitable works he’s carried out in the community. The bishop begs Tadeo’s pardon and tells him that he will be allowed to remain with the parish indefinitely. The parishioners cheer at the news from Juan the apparently new, and natural born, leader of the parish community.

During the celebratory luncheon the social worker announces to the Reyes’ table that since the rules for adoption say a child must go to a legally married couple, Jimena and Oscar who are the married ones in the family will be allowed to formally adopt Pablito. Everyone cheers again at this news.

During the celebration, Rosario can’t help noticing how Sarita and Franco are continually staring at each other from across the room. (So much for the effect of Rosario’s painful dumping on Franco.) The mother superior tells Sarita that is was wise of her to leave the convent as she also has noticed Sarita and Franco sharing meaningful looks.

During the meal, Eva tells the Reyes’ that from what the bishop kept saying about being “poorly informed”, it must mean that somebody complained to him about Padre Tadeo. Both she and Franco, to Sofia’s dismay, guess it was Gabriela’s handiwork. Franco tells the rest of them that “the one good thing is that at least this time Gabriela Elizondo didn’t get her way.”

Speaking of the Queen of Rome, Gabriela is back in her office at the hacienda griping to herself that she cannot cope with Tadeo and muttering that there just has to be a way to keep him from meddling with her and her family. Feo walks in at that point and asks what’s the matter, why isn’t she ready for the rodeo. She doesn’t want to go and he says if she doesn’t it will mean that she’s hiding from everybody because she’s ashamed to be seen with him. Gabi gives in because she has no sense of shame, and leaves to get ready to go with him to the Chili Pepper Festival at El Jefe’s hacienda. Feo is salivating from the smell of easy money he figures to make from the rodeo.

Juan and Sofia thank everyone for their participation and the parish gets ready to leave for the rodeo. First, though, they must all take pictures. Snap. Click.
==============

We’re at the fair and the rodeo festivities start. Sofia gets to ride in the lead carriage as Ms. Chili Pepper and waives to the adoring crowd while Juan performs a few fancy sidestep maneuvers on Capricho. Afterwards the riding competition begins.

Feo chomps on his cigar and tells Gabi not to get so upset. What’s important is that they win that rodeo prize. Their hacienda has the best horseman, he says, and they will be the ones taking it home. She’s says she’s just upset to see Juan Reyes and Sofia so happy because they’re nothing but a couple of insolent and arrogant clods. Feo says they probably are not that happy. He feels they have got to be hiding their disappointment in not being able to compete in the rodeo since the Reyes’ don’t work on a hacienda. Nobody is going to take that prize from him he says smugly. Nobody!

Just then Raqui and Benito show up together and sit a few seats away from Gabi and Feo. Raqui shoots a nasty look at Fernando and then one at Gabriela. Gabi returns the favor. A few minutes later El Coyote walks up into the bleachers to give his smarmy greeting to Feo and Gabi. They exchange oily pleasantries. On the other side of the stands Franco ingeniously tricks the guy sitting next to Sarita out of his seat so he can sit with her instead and they can watch the rest of the rodeo together. Sarita rolls her eyes at his mischievous behavior. (Give it a rest, already, Sarita!)

After a while the announcer informs the crowd that nobody has earned enough points to get top honors and receive the prize, but they do have a final rider to wait on. It turns out to be Rosendo from Hacienda St. Augustin. While he competes another hacienda owner has a chat with Juan about something we don’t get to hear. Rosendo doesn’t earn enough points to win for Feo and this other hacienda owner yells to wait for his man to ride. Suddenly there’s another rider let into the rodeo representing… “Hacienda Los Angeles”. Why it’s none other than Juan Reyes who gets to represent that hacienda! Sofia prays to the virgencita for his safety while Juan does his ride ‘em and slide ‘em bareback trick and wins “Fernando’s” huge cash prize. (Did you ever doubt he would?) Feo is not a happy camper. (Anyone want to hazard a guess at how much Fernando probably bet in El Jefe’s back barn on the outcome of this rodeo?)

Feo gets down from the bleachers and begins walking toward the booths in one heck of a snit and he nearly runs into Sofia. He looks up at her and sneers, “So are you going to go now with your rodeo rider?” She hauls off and slaps Fernando across his face so hard that she nearly knocks him for a loop. He is stunned from disbelief. No female ever does that to Feo and gets away with it –least not till now! Feo starts to take a punch at her but pulls it at the last second. (Yeah, Mighty Joe Juan could show up at any second and catch him in the act.) She is startled and calls him a coward and a despicable wretch. She lays into him about the way he’s treated Rosario and her son this whole time, the son that just happens to be his son also! “Not even learning that has affected you, has it Fernando? I am sure now that you only got close to my mother for the money and not for love. (Ya think?) Somebody like you doesn’t know how to love.” (Sofia, another master of understatement.)

Fernando gets in Sofia’s face now and tells her she’d better learn that her mother is hopelessly in love with him and she won’t be able to do a single thing to stop their wedding. “Nothing! Understand?” he screams at her. “Nothing!”

Juan comes around the corner and sees Fer harassing Sofia. “Fernando! Don’t be a gutless wimp! Leave her alone!” he says, warning Fernando away from her. The two start for each other, but Sofia steps in and quickly asks Juan not to ruin the moment. She turns to Juan and flashes a smile. “You are the best horseman here!” She looks over her shoulder at Feo and rubs it in his face. “Let’s get your prize!” Juan doesn’t take his eyes off Fernando. “You’re right. WE won!” They leave. Feo is beside himself with anger. He stomps the ground and kicks at the dirt with his boot. Totally frustrated he screams, “[The Devil] Take me!!”

Labels: Fuego