Caray, Caray!

Buenas noches a todos.

Since the nice people who regularly criticize my posts advised me not to talk about Republicans, sex, or underwear, I guess that only leaves one thing: Fuego en la Sangre…Yippy…

Wow, I don’t want to sound campy, but whoever is doing the Elizondo girls’s makeup is either blind or on some sort of ultra penny-saver, K-Mart budget.

Over in Puebla Juan and the gang present the public notary with the documents that corroborate their relationship to the Robles-Reyes. Yup, everything is in order, but you don’t have the Will. That’s not important say the boys. Of course it is! You don’t have anything without a Will. Juan doubts there was a Will, but Uncle says that there is one because his brother was a responsible and foreseeing guy.

The three girls go to visit Gramps, but it’s Eva who wants to talk. She tells them that she knew that the Reyes were Libia’s brothers, and furthermore, she knew their tactics for vengeance. Of course, the girls can’t understand why Eva would ever betray them so. She reasons that she hated the Elizondo family (Gabit mostly) so much for not letting her keep her biological daughter, so she reasonably hired the Reyes to build the Magic Cabaña. Eva acknowledges that the Reyes were committed to their promise of vengeance, but she knows that they love the girls. It’s too late say the girls. They tell her to leave, and that they never want to see her again. How dare she conceal secrets from them? Eva looks to Sofia, the noble one, for support, but Sofia doesn’t know what to say.

Gabi, watching like a hawk, tells Rosendo that Eva just got the boot, and she wants him to bring her to her by force, if necessary. Apparently they have a lot to talk about. Gabi wants to know why she let the Reyes enter her house. Eva tells her that Gabi has made her miserable for years, and accordingly, she wanted to get back at Gabi. Gabi suggests that Eva could identify with Libia because both were rejected by Bernie. Eva tells Gabi that Bernie never loved her. Gabi tells her that Eva never hurt her, and conversely, she hurt the girls, who will never forgive her, and hate her for the rest of their lives. Gabi tells her to leave and never come back. Gabi throws her head back, and smiles with relief.

Sofia is over at the bakery when Juan and the boys walk in. He is excited to see her, but she pulls away. She confronts him with the fact that he and his brothers came to her house with guns and the intention to kill them. He tries to explain that they were angry and reasonably needed to take it out on someone. She asks him if he thought about all that Sofia would suffer if he told her the truth. He, who doesn’t have that ability to do so, naturally says “no.” Sofia tells him that he killed their love. Talk about overly dramatic. Juan tells her that she is the fire that illuminates his path, he loves her, etc. Sofia is fighting against her feelings, and now her love is turning into hate. She says that she loves him, but she can’t forgive him. Juan apparently has no grasp whatsoever of what is going on, and tries to kiss Sofia. She walks away.

Sofia goes to see Padre Tadeo and tells him that she will never forget about Juan because he taught her what true love is, and how to love. But she can’t forgive him because he hurt her way too much. Padre advises her to forgive him if she loves him so much. What would Padre know about relationships and fake marriages, it’s not like he’s ever been in either, unless you count that weird fling he has with his donkey… Sofia also needs his help. Why is it that Sofia can never stick to one single topic, and always has three or four problems which all need to be addressed separately? So the girls have decided to open a handicraft shop because they want to be independent. That’s a swell idea, if you want to sleep in the gutter and get your meals from the local berry bush. Good luck with that, sweety. Padre, the middleman, is going to fine the best Mexican craft makers for her store in order to promote the best quality. May I ask why the hell Sofia would go to the local priest and ask him to line-up some workers for her new “independent establishment?” I get it that he never attends to his priestly duties and is pretty much the personal confidant and punching bag of the Elizondo household, but for God’s sake, could he at least try to feign an interest in feeding the poor, converting the local heathens, etc.?

Now I’ve heard of watching grass grow, and watching paint dry, but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of watching bread rise and then listen to it for the voice of a lover. Essentially, Juan is imagining his bread as Sofia talking to him. Uh-oh! He let the bread burn, sorta’ like his fake marriage with Sofia… He tells his brothers how upset he is about this whole Sofia business.

Ok, I apologize for this in advance, but I have no clue what the following people’s names are. So the poor, but proud, heavyset sister of Quinti (the one in the market) is talking to her two sons. One of them, the less bald one, announces his marriage plans. Everyone is excited and we hear the Televisa wedding music, except the problem is that Eugenia, his girlfriend hasn’t said yes, nor has he asked her. That is a problem… Where the hell did that come from? That would be like me saying that I’ll be the Democratic candidate to the presidency, but I never registered to run, established a party line, campaigned, or secured a party nomination. I really have no idea why they include these silly subplots in this story. Sadly, they make more sense and have more entertainment value than the actual plot at hand.

Sarita and Rosario meet up on the street, and conveniently they wanted to talk to each other. Doesn’t anyone ever call someone and then decide to meet. If this is the case, I’ll just hang-out around the bottom of my driveway and wait for all my friends and teachers to walk on by. Anyway, Sarita acknowledges that she knows that Rosie renounced her love for Franco so that Sarita and he could be together. Sarita tells her that it was in vain because Franco lied to her, and then tried to kill them. Rosie doesn’t believe it, and tells her that the Reyes bros. could never lie or hurt someone. What about the time Juan beat-up Fernie? Rosie tries to convince Sarita to forgive Franco, and love him again.

Franco is really worried about Juan and tells his uncle about it. All he can say is to watch him closely. Silly Franco thinks that lovesick Juan needs a doctor. Uncle tells him that only time and tears can heal a broken heart, etc. After all, Juan has us, and we will never let him fall.

Juan pays a visit to Libia’s special, but albeit creepy grave. He cries about not having Sofia or Libia. He reminds Libia how Sofia swore to love him forever, but now that promise is broken, and she, he, and their unborn son will never be happy. No es para tanto, Juan.

Gabi is reproaching Sofia for defending Eva. Sofia brings up how happy Gabi must be now that the Reyes are gone, she is happy, Sofia blames Gabi for everything that is going on. Nothing new here. Except, where did that pool and fountain come from? And why the hell is Sofia not showing? I feel like it’s been months since Juan planted his little seed in Sofia’s depressed, dark, and overly-hormonal garden… I seriously can’t believe that they are having this conversation: Sofia, yet again, is blaming Gabi for Eva’s unhappiness. I think I might have this conversation memorized--and I only watch the damn show once a week.

So Sofia calls a sisterly meeting in her room. Yay!—just like when they were ten! Sofia wants to do something in the name of Bernie and themselves as a unit.

Gabi is venting to Fernie. She can’t believe that Sofia supports Eva. Fernie reminds Gabi that she is a good mother. As we know, he will say anything to get her to shut up. He reminds her that her daughters will be unhappy while they stay together and remain the happiest people in the world. Again, where have we heard this conversation before?

Oh my God, so many comments, so little time. So, the girls, who now act as a single unit headed by Sofia, pay a visit to Libia and her tomb. My biggest thing about this situation is its display of Spelling-Bee Acting. That is, every time these actresses are together, they are lined-up and repeat their lines while standing in a line. This scene is almost too pathetic for this show because of their outfits, the flowers they are holding, and their little speech about Libia being a victim of her own circumstances and being the only woman Bernie ever loved.

Eva is in the Tumbao dressing room and crying to her sort-of daughter. Nothing we haven’t heard, just how she betrayed the Reyes, and failed Rosario. That one woman who supposedly is a good performer gets jealous and comes out of a closet. Rosario isn’t your daughter! She, or the Televia people repeat that line three times. Then it must be true!

Ok, so Uncle (I don’t know his name) takes the boys to a random creek and shows them some cross that belongs to their parents’ grave. I’m too busy watching and thinking about the fact that every time they go some place they have to be suited up in a hideous “charro” suit and they dramatically jump and leap to their destination in slow motion. Now, why the hell would anybody burry two people in the middle of some muddy hillside near a creek? Juan dramatically wipes the mud away from the tombstone to reveal Libia’s grave along with that of his parents. I know I’m saying this a lot, but how the hell did Libia end up buried there? And don’t tell me she dug her own grave and crawled in. Oh my god, this is too much. Juan starts to laugh, but then breaks down sobbing and clenches the tomb for dear life as he is smothered with mud and rain. Everyone cries and holds on to each other. This is one of the rare moments in my life in which I can truly say I want to throw up.

So after all this time they found the parents’ grave. Everyone continues to cry and miss their parents. The uncle tells the dad that his sons are here: wow, I didn’t know that. So everyone says the “Our Father” prayer and cries. Oh look! Even the magical Disney flower on Libia’s grave sheds a tear.
Story time: Juan relates that “mom” always told him stories, and tells his bros. and uncle the one about mom giving him instructions to complete upon her death. She told him not to cry for her, but for his brothers, to give her belongings to children, to look for her among the people they knew and met, and more Pollyanna shit. Now, my question is why is Juan remembering this, if he said he originally only had one solitary memory of his mother being killed; two, what kind of mother gives her seven-year-old instructions to complete among her death?; and three, how does Juan possess any sort of skill to retell this story accurately? He’s not what I would call a reliable narrator.

So, as always, the boys were taking a group shower and, with their bare chests exposed, they go to thank Uncle for giving them a convenient place to go and pray for their parents. You only have to cross a series of mountain ranges, fallen trees, and stony brooks to reach the muddy hillside on which they eternally reside… Other than that it’s a little piece o’ paradise. So Juan introduces Quinti to Vicente, the uncle. She blows him kisses, but Juan tells her to back off because he’s part of the family. Quinti is just another example of the disastrous effects of a low-budget makeup department.

Pedro has gone to pray, and asks what to do about his father.

Juan has gone to visit Alejandro Reyes, Juan’s uncle. And he even has the picture to prove it! By-the-bye, we know him as El Jefe, or better yet, Unibrow. You know, now that I think about it, I am confident that I could write a better script for this show, cast it with local fourth-graders, produce it in my backyard with my kitchen utensils, and it would be far better than this excuse of a novela. Why are random family members always showing up, people are suddenly remembering things they never knew, and everything is blown out of proportion?

Anyway, in case you care, I present you with…

Tomorrow: The tomb the Reyes bros. found has given them strength and hope. But the Reyes have decided to play the roles of creepers, and magically appear on the girls’s balconies. Was it me, or did it look like Jimena was grabbing and rubbing herself instead of that questionably-shaped pillow?

Labels: Fuego

I started out by "cheating" on my recap: I got an early start by watching on YouTube! Why didn't I think of that before? (Partly because my Spanish wasn't good enough. Now it's a little bit better.)

But first: I was going crazy trying to find out the origin of that music Connie's string quartet was playing during his failed welcome-home party for Mili. I consulted a music-major friend of mine, and the definitive answer is: Johann Sebastian Bach's Air on the G String. (I suppose I could make a joke about Karla wearing a G string as a pole dancer. Ba dum bum.) Anyway, there are about six gazillion versions on YouTube. What's the most ridiculous instrument I can find? How about this rockin' electric guitar version? Calling Jimi Hendrix! Would you believe bottles? Surprisingly well done. The mountain dulcimer? Kinda dull. Shucks, no kazoo or accordion.

Back to our story. Rosario, wearing her black hair, rehashes with Alejandro about how she came to the point she is at now and what she hopes to accomplish by destroying Connie.

Over to the restaurant where Braulio and Paulo are simpering at each other. Nothing worth recapping here. I'm happy that Braulio finally has a boyfriend, but he now seems to be getting a total pass for not telling his poor niece Mili the truth. And he's been leaving the poor Mortimer Snerd puppet home alone. Won't he get lonely? If we don't get a good explanation for the puppet by the end of this series, I will feel gypped. The puppet is Braulio's Rosebud, and we deserve answers!

Back to Rosario's apartment: She has the short wig and glasses on again! Continuity error? Al wants to know why she won't tell Mili the truth. No good answer is really forthcoming, since her rationale is not rational. Somehow she persuades Al to play along for a while. Al's antipathy to Connie gets the better of him, and he agrees. Al gets up to leave, and they stand near the open door. She asks for a hug. Oops--look who's at the door--it's Damian. He is paying attencion!

Back to the restaurant, two women of a certain age at the next table are flirting with our two fans of fancy facial treatments. These gals' gaydar seriously needs a tuneup. The girls pick up the check, and the guys, and the group repairs to the ugly red apartment (Rosario left with Damian). Soon a wild orgy ensues: Braulio and Paolo give the girls neck massages and eye treatments, while the girls moan enthusiastically. The boys make eyes at each other behind the girls' backs. Okay, maybe the girls knew what they were getting into after all. No avocados were harmed during the filming of this scene.

Luci Version 2.0 is beta testing her sobriety at a cafe with Nestor. They have a nice conversation and no drinking. But she's not ready for anything more on the relationship front.

Later, Connie and Luci have a meeting with Robledo about Mili's money.

Next, Damian and Rosario meet with another licenciado, where Rosario buys 60 percent of Connie's company. Rosario asks for Damian's "discretion" in not telling Connie anything. I don't think Damian is familiar that word, but he'll keep the secret for reasons of his own--he doesn't want Connie to know yet either. She wants to know if Al is a good guy--apparently yes, because he's not an Arango. I don't get this, because he's son of Luci, so he is an Arango. Damian makes broad hints about what he saw at the door of the apartment.

Back to Connie and Luci. Connie wants to give Mili the money back, but he wants to use it as leverage to get her to move back. Luci says he has to give it up--Mili will never move back. As an incentive, Mili will give Connie 20 percent of her shares. Connie says he will do it just for Mili--not for the 20 percent. They sign the papers, then Connie shows his true colors after all . . . er, er, don't forget to record the exchange of shares, he says . . . Luci rolls her eyes.

Mili plays with the baby--who is looking really cute! Al comes back from his meeting looking very happy, so Mili immediately senses that he's hiding something. Yes, he did not quit the project after all. He says she should trust him, but he can't tell the whole story now. Mili says she thinks something's up between him and Rosella.

Karla finally has a new costume. She's meeting with her newest customer, Hugo Version 2.2 Homeless Edition.

Hugo wants to know why she has such a low opinion of herself. She says men always want her for a fling and never for herself. Hugo says he's not her type, all well dressed (acicalado) and perfumed. Somewhere in here Hugo says he sometimes performs music out on the plaza with a friend of his. Then he asks who was the low-life he punched out the other night? Oh, that was Damian, a guy I almost married. Cut.

Filler scene with Brau, Pau, and Ros.

Back to Hugo and Karla. She says she always liked Damian's son Hugo, but the situation was strange. A few years ago, he lost his memory in an accident and she took advantage of it and took care of him. She cared for him in the hospital, and it was like a dream, but he recovered his memory and he went back to that stupid Milagros. He was obsessed with her. Then she explains how later she agreed to dress up as Milagros because she really cared for Hugo. Hugo starts crying. I'm crying just remembering it now.

Mili and Al rehash the Rosela situation. Mili has a bad feeling about it. Al says that Rosella has suffered too. Baloney! Al, you should tell the truth!

Damian is now meeting with Connie for one of his daily needling sessions. Damian says that Rosela likes Alex better than Connie--she's Alex's lover. Connie is outraged that she could be enamored with a squirt (esquincle) like Alejandro. Damian says that the men on the Arango side are really irresistible to women, a cross they have to bear. Connie shouts at him to stop, he doesn't believe it. Damian says he saw it with his own eyes . . . oops, caught--what was he doing there?

Back to the bar, where Hugo has left. Karla talks to Sylvester, who teases her that she seems to like Homeless Hugo. That "muerta de hambre"? (lowlife). No, don't make her laugh.

Back to Al and Mili. The baby cries in the background as they argue some more about Rosella.

Hugo goes back and reveals to Damian that he was the guy who punched him. Hugo says that he made mistakes with Carmen (that ancient girlfriend who died, for anyone who forgot, as I almost did) and Mili, but he won't with Karla. She is pregnant, and it could even be Damian's baby. Hugo cares. He's learning to forget Mili.

Andrea and Connie have some conversation that I paid no attention to.

Mili has stormed outside the house, and Alex comes out to talk to her . They start to make up, but when she tries to make him give up this nonsense with Rosela, he balks again, because he made a promise to Rosela. Mili says don't bother talkin to me until you're ready to explain.

Damian tells Andrea about Rosela and Al. Andrea is not happy. She does not want stupid Milagros back in "her" house. Andrea says Al is the same womanizer he was in the past.

Back at the little house, Luci comes home, and Al tells her that Mili walked out. They each reveal to each other that they both know about Rosario. Luci says they must persuade Rosario to tell Mili the truth. Al goes to sleep on the couch, and Luci pretends to read a book.
Al says to himself that he should talk to Mili but no, it will all work out . . .

Next morning, Mili sniffs Al's blanket. Reminds me of the time she was folding his underwear and put it on Flor's head . . . ahh good times, good times. Just then the doorbell rings, and it's Connie. After ascertaining that she's alone, he stammers out the reason for his visit: Do you suspect something between Rosela and Al? Your suspicions are true! Tomorrow: Mili and Connie follow Al and Rosela in a car.

Labels: guapos

Over on TW, they are saying that this little girl, dressed as a ladybug, who led the contestants onto the stage is Edith Gonzalez's daughter, Constanza, aged 4. This was the best pic I could get because she was only on for a few seconds and was moving all the time. A cutie, though.

This was a fun episode. I love the jazzy trumpet music they use for silly scenes. Once again, Cecilia let Antonio kiss her then slaps him and says she hates him but he doesn't believe it.

Santos can't stop thinking about DB and she about him.

Mauricio gives deportment training to Marisela and the terneras.

Cecilia is taken aback when she brings drinks to the workers on the school and finds Antonio shirtless. He and the other workers are much amused.

DB drops in at Altamira unexpectedly when the girls are getting ready to go to the Fiesta. Everybody's horrified reaction as they see her when they come down the stairs was very funny.

Mauricio puts the finishing touches on Marisela's 'margarita' or daisy costume.

Federica gets tepid applause for her appearance. The whole way Mauricio stage managed the contest was wonderful. Mauricio tells Mujiquita that voting for the queen of the flowers will be on the american system - democratic, direct and secret. Pernalete is furious but he can't do anything.

DB hatches a very elaborate plot to get rid of Orestes involving blow guns and poisoned thorns. I don't know very much about snakes but that is some powerful venom if a mere prick with a thorn dipped in venom can cause someone to collapse immediately. They were using rattlesnake noises when DB was catching and milking the snakes but as far as I can tell, rattlesnakes are desert creatures probably not found in the Llanos. I'm sure there are other venomous snakes in Venezuela. It is probably like using the scream of a Red-tailed Hawk for every raptor. In this case, poisonous snake = rattle. [I was wrong about this. See below for Pascal's correction.]

Marisela's appearance in the beauty contest gets wild applause from the audience. She was moving so much I couldn't get a good picture.

DB tells Eustaquia that she has to kill Orestes because he called her a thief in public. Everything she has done is based on fear. She can't back down ['flaquear'] on this or everything that is DB and El Miedo will collapse.

Antonio and Santos have a miscommunication about who Antonio is in love with. Santos thinks Antonio is talking about Luisana. Then Lorenzo sees Cecilia and Antonio kissing so he's probably headed back to the bottle.

Labels: barbara

We begin with a shot of each character looking as sad and miserable as possible. Where's Mariachi and Caprichio when you need them. I am into animal therapy to cure most sadness. These beautiful animals are letting us down. Maybe their contracts protect them from becoming mired in ridiculous plots.

Rosario is sorry again to Franco, he's sorry too but needs to be respectful to his virgin wife so only touches Rosi's soft face. Their looks of longing for lost love start us on another night with only a good boob side shot to enliven the moment. Juan and Sofia both fall for the Padre's ruse to get them to come together in his office to save their love. Sofia and Juan both beg him not to interfere. He reminds them of the sacred benediction he gave their love in the church. He leaves them alone a moment to reflect together on what this sacred promise was all about. Sofia suffers, suffers much for Juan. She loves him with all her soul and forever but her pain at his betrayal, yadayada. He reminds her that their love was to be forever and was to surpass all difficulties. He finally gets out the anger about his sister dying was the fault of her father who betrayed Libia.

Oops, how inconvenient, the adoption agent comes in to say the final papers must be signed by both Oscar and his wife in order for Pablito to become their son. Agent X assures Oscar that the signature by Jimena must be in her married name.

Coyote announces to UniJefe that he has found Tio Vicente Robles.

Oscar and Quintina hug Pablito a bunch and try to make happy happy that he will be a Reyes soon.

The SUV convention in the woods comes to a circle with Pedro in the center being assured not to be afraid by Coyote. He sighs and gets into the indicated SUV looking more resigned than terrified.

Pablito is wanting to be so happy that his paper work is signed. Even the kid can tell something is amiss. Juan agrees that Pablito will be his son no matter what happens and no matter what paperwork is involved.

More morose news, Eva shows up to talk.

UniDad and Pedro argue. Nothing that UniDad can do will erase the pain his mother suffered, the anguish they both suffered. Pedro waited in the street sitting on the sidewalk for his pa to keep his promise and return, the years passed and you never returned. But, when UniDad swears he looked for them, Pedro admits they moved so they could look for him. He grabs out letters from a box on his elegant desk to demonstrate returned letters he had written. He doesn't want to blame mama but she promised to wait for him and the she wasn't waiting. Pedro needs to think about all this. But one thing I will say to you, Nothing justifies the life you are leading . But Unidad rebounds with how life hasn't been easy. Pedro promises he will nevertheless not approve it nor accept it. He leaves without admiring the nifty dragon motifs on all the Chinese furniture, I guess he is rejecting the dragons too...
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The moping Reyes listen as Eva tells them she avoided seeing them but she is avoiding seeing the sisters too. Juan says finally that Eva and they are in the same situation. They are being blamed for everything. They have to accept this rejection of the girls. Eva urges Juan not to stay away from Sofia he has to think of their great love about his coming child (who should be here in about 2011 at his rate of growth).

The fun family passes blame around like mashed potatoes. Feo offers that Bernardo really started it off with the dimgirl Libia. Sofia jumps in to defend DeadDad. Feo waxes poetic with the plans of Bernie to burn his bridges with his daughters and go off to marry Libia and he was going to tell them. Gabi looks astounded, how did he know? DeadDad was bewitched (enyerbado), Abuelo has a moment of clarity when he asks if Bernman was acting so odd, did Feo take the opportunity to kill him, right? Sofia looks like she is sending plenty of acid down to the unborn Reyes as the eyes around the table look all OhMyGawd at Feo.
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Even the first commercial is about accepting depression as a real disease. The hacienda table looks like a video for promoting the efficacy of mood altering pharmaceuticals. I'm putting a drop or two of rescue remedy under my tongue so I can finish this recap.

Abuelo what are you saying? say the girls in a chorus. Feo says accuse me if you will but Don Bern was like a father to me. Abuelo recalls that Cesar was like a father to Brutus too, lot of good it did him. Point to Abuelo.

Gabi grabs this golden opportunity by the throat to say that the only lesson here is: A mother is never wrong!! Yeah right, no one looks the least bit impressed.

Margarita and Rosario talk amiably and Rosario says it is like they have known each other for a really long time. Margarita talks of her pain and unhappiness of her lonely life. Appearances can be deceiving my dear. For fame one must sacrifice many things the most valuable things. They talk tenderly through tears and the makeup doesn't run on either beautiful face.

Sofia tells her sissies that she will love Juan forever. Jimena says she won't forget Oscar either. Sarita isn't so sure. Sofia's new plan is that they should go live together, start a business away from the bitter words of MadMom They can survive this together. The full moon and stars and lots of violins give credence to the truthiness of this.

On a horse Sarita approaches the little hillock which she kneels and caresses, kissing the dirt and closing her eyes to dream of the discovery of the marriage certificate in the tender drunken fireside scene with her and Franco. Another good recycling of old film. The real Franco approaches the sleeping virgin as the scene fades.
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Franco sighs for her and he misses her. I came to looks for you so I could convince you. Sarita does her best Gabi daughter and dashes off on her horse. He admires her riding ability but swears to conquer and tame this mare or his name isn't Franco Reyes. His grin is so cute, I bet he is right.

Oscar and Jimena meet by the old wall and she tells him she doesn't miss him and will never come back to him again after they betrayed her so. He mocks that she should enjoy living under the protection of Gabi and Feo but at least now she can buy all of the shoes she wants.

He presents the papers which he points out are not divorce papers but Pablitos' adoption papers which she must sign as wife of Reyes if she will. She signs on his aching back because she would not deny Pablito his adoption.

Juan snaps and barks at said Pablito who is merely trying to help by handing him a sheet of bread ready for the oven. Franco shows up saying he will go sell bread but Quintina wants to go to her own clients. Oscar shows up for a happy moment to show Pablito the signed adoption papers. Pedro shows up he's none to happy either but says he has decided to stay in the pueblo for a bit longer. He doesn't want to stay at the house and doesn't know what will he do with himself. Juan wants to talk in the house, so they all troop in to see a stranger in the best Mariachi suit of all. He is none other than Tio Vicente Robles!! What a cutey! and Thank God someone smiles finally in this episode.
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Big bear hugs all around. He assures them he knows who they are. When Franco says but where have you been, Vinnie says he had an urgent message that they boys needed him.

Unidad ponders his wayward life.

Vinnie is shown the letter that told of him. When Pedro asks if he wants something to drink, he wants to know why these very big boys have no women in their lives (to serve water).

The thankless sisters tease each other about their misery, then Snofia presents the new plan to start and export business of artisans. Abuelo shows up to support the new project in spirit and with hidden financial resources, and confesses that he really misses his dear sidekick Quintana. Said escudera in the market approaches her nephews and sister and all do cute cartoon talk to give illustrate her sad talk of being rejected. She prays to god for Don Augustin to come to his senses, I second the motion.

The pretty hacienda girls show up and a moment of levity is achieved over budding romance.

Not so budding romance is repeated as the sad sisters sigh and suppose that perhaps the hapless DeadDad had more to do with this fiasco than they supposed. They do say again that the boys really love them. Sofia says Juan did love her and nothing he did was for ambition. Off go the girls through the fields where people are really working. See how this looks girls?

Vinnie tells the boys that he did look for them but it never occurred to him that they would use their Mom's name. He then produces the magic papers that prove the marriage of Mama and Papa and the legitimacy of the three brothers as the true inheritors of the Reyes hacienda. These are the missing papers to pursue the quest to regain the hacienda. So it's off to Puebla to see the notary.
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Tomorrow: Padre begs for understanding and love to win out. Juan swears to never be happy and yells Nunca at Gaviota volume, if you know what I mean.

And now a word or phrase of the day for Connie and all the C2 fans, and I choose "enyerbado" = bewitched. the verb form is Enyerbar. to bewitch, Enyerbarse to be bewitched or to fall madly in love. The image is to be bewitched by an herb potion. So that's what happened to a 50 to 70 year old man when he contemplated the lovely dimgirl teenager, Libia Reyes.

Mexico Air Date: May 30, 2008
Notes on the next time: the following three recaps will be coming to you from our fabulous new recapper, Bridget. As for me, I will be flying to Spain on September 13 and returning to recapping on October 7. Bridget, thanks again for your gracious rescue. I know it will be well done and I hope ever so much fun. Maybe these sad sack Reyes will find some non-neurotic pretty women to date (I know, I know, in my dreams) Oh, and Willa, who has her own fans, will be enjoying her time at Cisco's house. Ustedes todos no tienen que preocuparse de ella.

Labels: Fuego

Tonite plus one and I am done…..
Sorry..
Also will someone tag this for me as I can't
Thanks

Okay we open with Ros telling the good Padre, that yes indeed she is the mother of Mili and not a Fembot.
She confesses her deep and abiding hatred for Consti, the RatBastard.
--Why doesn’t the Padre just put up one of those take a number things—
Anyway that is why she can’t tell Mili that she is her Mother. A stretch yeah well, this is the best that Miss Sanchez’s eight grade class could come up with.
The Padre wants to discuss, but Ros doesn’t have time, she says they can discuss it another day when she is calmer.
Has anyone on this show ever taken any advice from the PreSaints?
Oh well thanks for teaching Mili Futbol and helping her in her life.

Maybe Ros would have thought better if she had seen “The Naca Phase”

Now back to Mili telling Pa to be careful. She gives him no details. Just be careful.

Mili arrives at the new house, the posse is there. Al questions Mili where she went after the game.
She says she will tell him later.
On to a fest of the Chicas explaining to the Chicos, how they are going to start this awesome Spa, with dance, food, aroma therapy, masques, hydrotherapy…Whatever

They want the boys to build in for them. Not for free, but for a good discount. Bobby, Al & Rocky huddle.
DA-Da of course they will. These young folks are so metrosexual..

Meanwhile, Damien is over at Ros’s, he is selling her 60% of the company for mucho dinero. The contract will be signed tomorrow. Now the thought of screwing Consti over has Damien thinking of screwing Ros. Really you can’t blame him, I’ve decided it is some subconscious thing with these people. You know how you like smell something and all the sudden you have a memory from like forty years ago surface? It is like that with these guys, all the sudden the entire male group is aroused when any woman that one has done enters the room. There is a certain industrial strength cleaning product that anytime I smell it, straight back to elementary school when the janitor had to clean vomit. Sorry…

Anyway Damien is pouring on the let’s get busy thing. Ros squashes the idea. She says she just couldn’t cause he reminds her of her Father. Damien is truly appalled he counters with a maybe an older brother, but father no way. Nope he reminds her of her father. OH SNAP. She does not mix business with pleasure, so that is that. Damien will return the next day to seal the deal…not that deal, the real contract.

Hugo, the carefree dreadlock man, is at the Bar of Pole Dancing. It is so sad cause Hugo is pretty cool as dreadlock guy, much more so than when he is Hugo the Preppy stalker.
He purchases Karla’s time. She comes over to the table while wearing her servant outfit. She tells him he could spend his money elsewhere and get a private dance. Nope he just wants to talk to her. She is drinking a Virgin (no alcohol drink), he questions that and she says she doesn’t want to drink.
He tries to chat her up a bit, tell me a little about yourself. She says she is selfish, cares only about money, hates her mother and is just out for money.

Jeez Karla hold back a little, what the hell will you two talk about on the honeymoon. Karla gets up and walks off.

Damien has arrived at the Mansion of Tragedy. He and Andrea are in the study. Andrea wants all the details about selling off the company. Damien true to form can’t answer. Instead he starts asking how old she thinks he is. Fifty she tells him. Poor Damien, he gets no respect. Anyway to cut through all the nonsense, he says they are good to go and he will go back tomorrow and get the check. Damien then tries to get a little action with Andrea. She puts him off. They can’t Consti is in the house. How has this not turned into a threesome? Of course Damien would always be second, but Que the Hell, I am so sure he is used to it. Andrea leaves and Damien thinks he better get a move on, cause tomorrow he is going to look another day older.

After the little party, Mili tells Al that she went to see Consti, she knows he is a ratbastard who has screwed over everyone, but he is her RatBastard.

Al gets on the phone and has a conversation with Pa. We don’t know which Pa, but he goes to see him.

Over at Ros’s apartment, jeez is that décor left over from some 70’s TeleNovela? Anyway Perleta has come to see Ros. He is trying to get her to meet with Consti, he tells her Consti will give her a much better deal. No Ros is not interested, not now not ever. She basically kicks Perleta out.

Al meets with Nestor. Now Al is a little warmer with Nestor. He tells him that Ros wants to crush Consti, that she has some deep abiding hate for Consti. Al doesn’t know why as he just generally assumes that everyone hates Const. Nestor says well you thought of him as a father. Al says, he was never proud of me, he never acknowledged any accomplishment, he tortured both my mother and my self, and never treated Mili as his daughter.

Well Nestor, the Hallmark Greeting Card of Honesty, tells Al. I can’t tell you what to do, but you must live with your actions. Al says if he does it, he will be just like Consti. Nestor says he will help him and direct clients his direction. “Oh Al at Least you’ll have your dignity”.

Back at the departmento of bad taste, Ros is talking to Brau. She tells him how she met Luci. The woman who stole Consti from her. Brau says, Consti didn’t marry her for love, he married her for money and yes like everything Consti touches, he turned her life to crap. Damn you Consti Belmonte. On the lighter side Ros fixes up a “Date” with Brau & Pablo. Pablo is a much better choice that guy at the bar, the short fat bar owner.

Damien has shown up at the Pole Dancing Palace. I swear those are the worst pole dancers evah. Have these people never seen the Sorpranos? Available on DVD, now those Bada Bing Chicks could twirl on the pole even when they were all crack whore high.

Damien always a class act, starts yelling Servant at Karla. He seems to think he is going to get some for ol times sake. He grabs her, jeez the Naco is so coming out in Damien. She screams at him to let her go. These folks are putting on quite the floor show. Hugo in full dreadlock, jumps up and punches Damien out.
He bends down and says, “Sorry Papa, but you were asking for it”.

Damien gets thrown out, and old guy isn’t gonna get any tonight.

Karla is all like, my hero. Hugo tells her he will be back tomorrow night to talk with her. Karla says I will talk to you for free, you won’t even have to pay. Oh my little Karla, you crazy romantic.

Next day…

Perleta is telling Consti that he failed, Ros won’t sign with Consti. Consti is enraged, he demands Perleta fix this, Perleta says Ros was especially impressed with Al. Consti has the enraged how can that be? How? No contract no kickback.
--I saw the same look on the old lions face when he was about to loose the harem to the young stud lion—
Animal Planet. Dude you are so going to get a bad bite and die of a serious infection under the hot sun on the Seringeti and the hyenas Andrea and Damien circle his ever weakening body…Finally stripping the flesh off his still breathing body.---Too Graphic? Hope springs eternal.—

Okay now let’s stroll over to the departmento. Ros is putting on her wig and so on. Knock at the door, it is Al. He tells her she wants to destroy Consti, he says he can’t do that cause it would make him just as bad as Consti. Ros can’t use him to seek vengeance. He tears up the contract and turns to walk away.
Ros says, “Could you do it with Mili’s Ma”.
Al turns, she pulls off her wig and tosses that skanky hair. Al does the it can’t be. Yes it can, to make another hash/rehash short…blah, blah, blah…
Oh the pain, oh the despair—
Oh yeah I know Luci and know Const screwed her over too.
People get started on the RatBastardness of Consti and it is like instant bonding, it’s like best friends for life---four hours later and someone is saying, “yeah well you think that is bad, let me tell you about when he did this_____” You know kinda like when people start spouting Bushisms and everyone joins in and you just can’t stop.
Well future son-in-law and mother-in-law make up and the deal is on.

Over in the office of old guy lawyer, the gramps of Matt the Ratt, second runner-up for Homecoming Queen Cell bock six, Luci, Val & Mili are talking about using the inheritance money to start a business.

Nestor comes in, he stares as Luci, she stares back thinking, “So that is what he looks like”. It was hard to really focus on his features when always seeing them through the bottom of a whiskey tumbler.

Nestor you sly dawg, he tells her how good she looks. Compliments all round. He asks her to go for coffee, she demures, the little ingenue. She has a meeting. Our group of cupids send them on their way.

Okay the end…

Next Damien is giving Consti the 411 that he thinks Ros is banging Al…
Egads, the Lion is muy impacted.

I would like to take this time moment to inquire…
1) WTF is up with Perleta? Now it looks like he is on Consti’s payroll, when from the beginning he had plans to make Consti take the fall for some unknown convoluted business thing? Miss Sanchez did we just drop that theme?
2) Dead French Guy, not Daddy. WTF, that certainly had no repercussions, shouldn’t Luci at least have to say sorry to the Juan Doe gravesite? I mean isn’t it part of the 12 step program? Or maybe it is a step that is like A) Apologize to Crazy Dead French Guy or B) open a swanky spa for rich substance abusing middle-age women. La Bety Belemonte Clinica

Labels: guapos

Sure, there was a lot of pathos in this segment but let's focus on the important stuff...Lorena and Ernesto get together in the kitchen. First they cook and then they kiss...three nice little nibble kisses (kind of like those fish who nibble your feet during pedicures). But hey...I'm way ahead of myself. Let's start as usual with the rehash.

The little girl, Gina, is crying and asking if her parents can come back from the "cielo" (heaven in this context) to see them. Of course the answer is "no" but Ernesto assures her that her parents can see them from heaven and can watch over them from there.

At the mansion, Chalo has showed up , informing Sara that money isn't enough, he wants to live in grandeur like she does. And once again, Sara has to improvise quickly when Barbara asks about him. He's the new chauffeur. But we already have a chauffeur! Didn't like him, fired him. This is the new guy. Barbara looks him over like she's measuring him for..... what, a uniform? Well, we'll see.

Meanwhile, Nurse Ratchet (her actual name is Augusta) is cooing over Hortensia like she's a newborn babe. (I can't wait till the day Horty recovers her voice and lights into this unctuous lady, but she is doing her job protecting her from Sara.) Barb is grateful because she knows she'd go absolutely crazy trying to take care of the old bat.

Now a tender scene of Lorena reading to the children while Ernesto looks on like the besotted galan that he is. Little Gina is still wondering if they'll ever see their parents again and adds that she doesn't want to be alone. Ernesto assures her that she'll have him. Ivan, still lashing out, reminds Ernesto that he couldn't stand them when their parents were alive, how does he think he's going to become their dad now !? Ernesto assures him that no one could ever take their father's place but he will be there for all of them.

Lorena tries to moderate the dispute so then Ivan lights into her. The only thing that matters to you is my uncle! (True for Monica but not our Lorena). She reminds Ivan that she's an orphan herself and understands what they're feeling. Not sure if it works with Ivan, but she's reeled in Ernesto hook line and sinker. It's all over but the shoutin' for our chef.

What do I care!? ripostes Ivan. I don't want to know anything about your life! With that he storms out the door. Lorena imagines that he's probably off somewhere by himself grieving and adds that she has to get to class. But she'll stop by after work at the restaurant. Ernesto tells her he needs her and they hug. We get a glimpse of Lorena's eyes and they seem to be saying "Where is all this going to lead?" We're wondering the same thing.

Rossy is going through that dreadful female ritual (attention guys!) where women try on a gazillion outfts for the Big Moment, all the while protesting that they feel fat and ugly. She's worried about the "monuments" (read silicone- enhanced sculpted models) that will be surrounding Julian. Mom tries to reassure her that she's cute and gorgeous. Rossy says what we all think at those times....You're only saying this 'cause you're my mom!!! (ugh, brings back a lot of miserable teenage memories) Maruja assures her that she means it, but then ruins it by calling her "mi changuita" (my little monkey). Come to think of it.....but still, Rossy's a cute little monkey.

Sara has found Lorena at the school and is tells her to quit meddling in her life or she'll carve up her face. (does Sara still have the knife set? just sayin') Lorena fires back that she's not afraid (Lordy, I would be) and gets in a couple of more good shots like He's no longer of interest to me. If he doesn't believe in me, that's his problem. He'll never love you like he loved me. And so forth. Sara knows that Lorena is the one that ratted her out, but all she seems able to do in this episode is yell at people. No schemes are being pulled off (other than putting some more money in her account for Chalo) and no one seems to be falling for her stories anymore.

After the ads, we find ourselves in the office with Jacqui and Ickturo. She's whining about being all alone in the hotels. She's nervous. Be nice to me. Gimme a little sugar. Which he does right when Barbara walks in the door. Big impactado look from Barbara. Jacqui vamooses. Ickturo, taking the high road as usual, tells Barbara to get out of HIS office. When she threatens exposure , he assures her that her reputation will suffer more than his. After all, he's a MAN. And besides, whatever was...WAS. She slaps him, hurls a few insults, exits and he closes the door with a half-smile on his face. (Would love to know what he was thinking. Guys? Any clues?)

Julian's workplace is a lot more interesting. (So sorry, Ferro, this should have been your episode). We've got a couple of models, spilling out of their bikini tops ,draped all over Julian. Elenita criticizes one for wearing the wrong swimsuit. Our gal hoists her pair up for inspection and says, Gosh I thought this bikini looked really good on me. They brush off Rossy (We need our space. Only models here please) and then some lucky assistant gets to rub oil on Julian's pectorals. He's clearly been shaved or waxed within an inch of his life and is wearing some miniscule piece of fabric that is no larger than a decorative jock strap.

Alas, we break from this fetching scene for a little confrontation between Valeria and Barbara. Actually, it's a great scene so who cares? Barbara's at the clinic trying to rat out Jacqui 's affair with Icturo and Valeria could care less. So what if Jacqui's married!? So are you Barbara and you were sleeping with him too. And if you had a speck of dignity you'd leave. He's not worth the trouble. And neither are you. Vamoose! Excellent excellent scene.

The runway modeling takes place. Julian is clearly the best-looking and does gleam like a perfect sculpted statue while the young gals in the audience ooh and ahh. To his credit, he tries to call Rossy over to pose for photos with him afterwards but Elenita shoos her off and chides Julian when he tries to follow her. Don't go running off after your novia! Act like a professional.

Chalo meanwhile is earning his first day's pay dragging in a multitude of bags and boxes from Barbara's therapeutic shopping spree. Other than extramarital sex and whining, this is her only mode of existence. She launches into a big pity party which Chalo just doesn't get. How can you be miserable in all this luxury!? He moves in close and personal to assure her that life can bring some sweet surprises but she waves him off. I gave you no reason to speak to me that way, she huffs. And don't tell my son Vasco. However, since she tells him where her bedroom is so he can take the packages up....we are left wondering. Some mixed messages going on there, folks.

Nurse Ratchet is finishing up a bed bath for Hortensia while the maid looks on. So strange to see her so quiet and peaceful, marvels the maid. Mind you, she was no angel! (Better hope she doesn't recover lady). Tough nurse says she loves her job....old people are so defenseless (hmmm) and reassures Horty that if she really tries, she can recover.

Vasco arrives in mom's bedroom and wonders what the heck this guy (Chalo) is doing there. Barbara doesn't want to get into the trivial details of who gets hired and who gets fired but Vasco is concerned about who calls the shots around the house. As well he should be.

His concern, Sara, is at the office computer, speculating what money she could safely transfer to his blackmail account and decides the embassy money is too risky but she can take from the profits of the school graduation parties.

Don Toribio's apartment. Knock at the door. Old friend of Amalia's last husband looking for her. Last husband!? Well, you know she had five....died, every one of them ! My friend was the fifth...told him the fifth would be the winner, but hey, he died too. You might be next. Ha ha. Give her my regards. Impactado look from Torby.

After the ads, we're back with Julian, who's tracked down Rossy at the restaurant and is wondering why she left without saying good-bye. We have a sweet little scene where he reassures her that she's special to him, that he thinks she's beautiful inside and out, and that includes her lungs, heart, kidneys and liver! Rossy ends up laughing and they kiss. She decides she doesn't need to break up with him after all.

Not so good a scene as Tori confronts Amalia about her lies and her attempts to exploit him. Forgive me. No, it's over! And the worst part is, I'm a psychoanalyst and I didn't even figure out that you're a mythomane (chronic liar) After he storms out, she looks at her five pictures and snaps, "What are you looking at!" But the music cues us that this is a comedy scene, not some dark finegling....so I'm going to assume that they get back together somewhere down the
line.

Alonso is at the table studying. Cellphone rings. He looks and sees who it is. Rolls his eyes (Hey, that was ACTING guys. He's communicating that he doesn't like the caller. Way to go!) And as if the body language weren't enough, he's very brusque with her. I'm studying. Just want to ask you to attend a function where I'm filling in for my grandmother. Alright...if I have time. Flat voice. No affect. And for once, it's appropriate.

Don Toribio rolls in and Alonso asks him what he thinks of Sara. ( Jeez...your dad has already told you he doesn't like her! ) And when Alonso adds he wants to break up with her, dad shouts hallelujah! Of course, Alonso feels guilty because Sara's going through a tough patch right now, but dad pooh-poohs that and tells him to go ahead and end things.

Back at Ernesto's apartment, Ivan continues to be unreachable. He's texting and making no eye contact when Ernesto tries to talk him into going to bed (early day tomorrow...school etc.) But when Lorena arrives, Ivan is clearly disgusted and heads out of the room. She's brought food for dinner but the kids have already gone to bed. Ernesto, speaking about half a millimeter from her nose, is thanking her for her thoughtfulness. You'd do the same for me, she says. Not so sure, he breathes, I've been pretty egotistical, avoiding commitments all my life. I really don't know the children. Well, life is giving you a chance to show them some tenderness now, she replies. (I'd say his tenderness is aiming in a different direction and I think Ivan agrees with me...but hey. I know Lorena's thoughts are pure)

The adorable little Gina comes out at this point. She's having bad dreams. She wants Lorena to sleep with her but she's wet the bed. Don't worry, everybody does that, reassures Ernesto. You too Uncle!? Lorena promises she'll put special clean happy dreams sheets on the bed and off they go. Ernesto assures her he didn't want to "compromise" her by asking her to spend the night. If you'd asked me, no, she replies, but if Gina asks...that's different.

Brief bedroom scene with Zulema and Omar. He still can't confess his problem and she's depressed thinking that her life as a woman is over. From now on it's just mothering and grandmothering.

Now we're at the nightclub where Elenita and the statuesque models are celebrating the show. They sneer at Rossy when Julian walks in with her, saying "Ah, he's brought the waitress." And here Rossy shows her mettle. She greets them in a friendly manner, pulls Julian in close, marks her territory with a big smooch and an "Oh I'm so proud of you" and then pulls him off to dance. We get a nice glimpse of boss Elenita looking at Rossy with new respect, while the brainless broads sulk. Rossy scores a solid 10 and gets the gold medal for this one.

Ernesto goes in to check on Gina and finds both Alex and Gina nestled in Lorena's arms, the three of them sweetly asleep. Big smile. Ernesto's a goner. It's official now.

Well, we're going from bedroom to bedroom here. Now we're at Horty's where Sara sneaks in with mayhem in mind, no doubt. Nurse Ratchet appears out of nowhere, gets between Sara and Horty and reminds her that there's to be no physical contact. Sara yells to no effect and our stolid nurse tells her she'll throw her out of the room bodily if she has to. We'll see how long you last, threatens Sara as she storms out. Nurse leans over Horty and coos, "Your granddaughter is a bad person but don't worry, I'll protect you."

Sara wants to pitch another fit in the dining room where Barb and Vasco are breakfasting but they ignore her completely. She's so undone she leaves without eating anything.

Back at Ernesto's, little Gina is balking at going to school. Lorena, hugging her while Ernesto keeps a safe distance, talks her into going by reminding her that mom always wanted her to be at school unless she was sick. And she's not sick. Ivan ,as usual ,is being impossible, declaring that his parents always let him go on his own. Ernesto reminds him that he's in charge now. However Ivan does go off on his own while the Alex and Gina ride in the back seat of the car with Lorena. She's calmed Alex' car fears by saying Uncle will drive really slow and he can get out if he's truly scared. She bonds with them over soccer, Gimme five for the America team!, and upon arrival, walks them into school with her arms encircling both, kisses them good-bye and oh my, Ernesto is just watching the whole thing in a puddle of tenderness. He is signed, sealed and delivered.

Ominous stalker watcher Monica is observing this scene also.... but with quiet rage. He said he didn't want to be a couple with anyone but look at this!!! Lorena is scoring points with the man who really should belong to me! To think he rejected ME for HER!!!!

Toribio's run over to Paula's to talk about his discovery of Amalia's black widow past and how she talked him out of his money. He'd like a loan, thank you very much, but Paula has all her money invested in her cosmetic products. He'll have to fess up to Alonso and frankly, she wouldn't want to be in his shoes.

Valeria and Alonso are now conferring over his patient's need for a bone marrow transplant. Clearly the school health insurance won't cover such a treatment but he's determined to go ahead with it, counting on finding the money somehow.

Sara, meanwhile, is furious to find Vasco at the office, all spiffy in a suit and fresh from a shareholder's meeting to which she wasn't invited. But she's the granddaughter, she yelps. Yeeeess, but not a shareholder. And the shareholders voted in Vasco as general manager. He's there to protect his father's interests and she might as well get used to it.

Now we're at Ernesto's apartment where our galan is protesting the movers' treatment of his carpet...at least take off your shoes! They pretty much ignore him, he pays them off, and then he looks around at the mess of boxes and sighs that he's going to go crazy.

Lorena has just the solution. Do what you love in order to relax. And the answer is.....you know....cook! He's putty in her hands, for now, and off they go to the kitchen for some nice sensual scenes of mixing and rolling out empanada dough (shades of Fuego, but at least Ernesto has his shirt on. Hey, actually that's not better from my point of view)

She drops an egg into the nest of flour. He drops in another. They look into each others' eyes. She rolls out the dough. He watches her. More eye contact. The kitchen's getting hot and it ain't just the oven. Now we stir up the filling, plop it in each little crescent, pop the tray in the oven. Then out it comes, nicely browned and baked, smelling good, looking even better.

Ernesto is giving her one of those just-melt-me-down-and-take-me smiles and Lorena says, See, you feel so much better now don't you? Yes indeed he does....but it's not the cooking but because being with you makes me happy, he replies.

Slow, slow, slow move in for the kiss. One kiss, (nibble nibble) two....pause....and three. Mmmmm...now we're cookin' folks, we really are. Here's hoping for more action tomorrow night....and no, I'm not talking about gambling. Or maybe I am. Love is indeed a gamble for our little gal from the small town orphanage come to the big bad city. Stay tuned.

vocabulary:

arisco = angry, unfriendly (how Ivan is with Ernesto and Lorena)

gandalla= Mexican slang for crook, swine (what Sara accuses Chalo of)

embaucadora= trickster (what Toribio calls Amalia)

Labels: enemiga

Dínorah gets bitten by a snake or something while rolling around in the mud with Juan and spends most of the episode chewing up the scenery before Feonando finally shoots and puts her out of her misery.

She has visions of the men she killed, her father and Belinda.
She tries to get a kiss from Juan but he won't oblige.
Finally Feo shoots her...
and she rolls into the water.
Otherwise, the police are doing nada, as usual. The Elizondo girls are cleaning up Grabi's Hacienda and de-Feonanding it. Hortensia finally comes to terms with Libia/Ruth and Franco offers to invest in Hortensia's business. Ruth offers to partner with Benito on a chain of hamburger restaurants. Rosario wakes up and wants to know where Armando is.

Labels: gavilanes

The title is a shoutout to Constancio, Damian, Federico, Flor’s dad whose name I’ve forgotten, and now Rosario/Rosela, who have spent so many months obsessing over both and using them to destroy the lives of others. Lyrics courtesy “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio, which I heard about one hundred and seventy thousand times from the stereo of the guy upstairs during my freshman year in our poorly sound-insulated gothic tower dorm (also: eight floors, no elevator).

Also, I am not your usual Monday recapper. My name is Julia, and this is my very first recap ever. I am by no means fluent in Spanish, so everyone please fill in any important or interesting details I miss.

We begin by rejoining Luci and Ros in the little house. Ros is prepared to avenge herself for the fab life she’s missed out on by not getting to marry Constancio those many years ago. Luci fills her in on just how fab life with Connie has been, implying that she should just be glad it wasn’t her. Ros ain’t buying it. She wants to get even with Constancio, and she’s got the means. Connie, with all his power, should fear her.

Well! Look who is at the door! It is Constancio, and he wants to see Mili. Ros is standing right there in plain view, but with her back to the door, but when he asks who she is, Luci says she’s a neighbor and he goes for that. Now, I’d be a little suspicious. Who resolutely faces the other way from everything that’s going on in the room? Anyway, Mili isn’t there and Luci doesn’t want to talk to him. Luci says she’ll come to his office later, and he leaves. Ros doesn’t want Connie to know she’s alive (she doesn’t know it’s too late for that). Luci, who now acts like a sane person, can’t understand why Ros won’t just tell Mili the truth, but she reluctantly agrees to keep quiet.

Karla is dancing in the club, still in the maid costume, poor thing. She doesn’t even get variety?! Not even a harem outfit now and then? HomelessHugo is now sitting in the club, drinking and whistling and drumming on the table, looking like every wannabe hippie drum circle guy the whole world over. Also he is very into Karla’s dancing. Might he be interested in her after all, now that she passed the giving-money test?

The young gentlemen plus Horacio (who is young at heart, and also doesn’t have any friends his own age) hang out in the street. I don’t know where they’ve been, but apparently they’re outside Bobby and Lina’s place and they have strict orders not to intrude on the women’s get-together upstairs. I think they decide to go play billiards, and Bobby calls Lina to make sure that’s okay with her. Then, in accordance with the laws of dudedom, the others must tease him about being whipped.

Meanwhile, upstairs, all the ladies are having a convo. They are discussing their new business. Hey! The previous blatant hints were not deceiving! They want to start a women’s wellness place like Candy’s. But BIGGER. Val wants a good spa, Gloria is into the dance classes, there is discussion of food and consulting with Candy. The guys can build the facility! Meanwhile, weird wordless maid stands at the corner of the table staring at them all. That would drive me nuts. The maid’s name is apparently Kimberly, and since she is now in the opening credits, I’m thinking she will have a bigger role at some point. Socorro once again laments the unknown dondeabouts of Karla. She needs this kind of help! And a swift kick or two besides, but they don’t say that out loud.

While Mac sings, Karla sits down at HomelessHugo’s table. He talks in a weird growly voice. She wonders why he is in there if he has no money. He asks why she gave him money on the street. Lo and behold, Karla now grasps the Golden Rule! She says that could have been her on the street if she hadn’t found a job, and she did for him what she would have liked for someone to do for her. Soy muy impactada. HH wants to pay her for a private dance, but she tells him he should use the money for food or something. He says he has everything he needs. He will come back tomorrow and she will dance for him like a spinning top (pirinola). She tells him to bathe.

At ABR, Ros brings some drawings, and they have a contract ready for her to sign. Now, I don’t see how they came up with a contract without having the site information and a thorough discussion of what she wants, but whatever. Anyway, she loves the tacky sign on Al’s office door. Rocky gloats, and Bobby still thinks it’s awful. I’m with Bobby. These guys are having a hard enough time being taken seriously.

Luci drops by Connie’s office and gives him crap about the sexy new secretary. Alas, Connie is not hitting that; Damian hired her and thus has first dibs. I think it’s only a matter of time until they’re sharing her, too. Getting a woman who hasn’t already been passed around the family is way too much trouble. But, getting down to business, Connie is a little sobby. He wants his family back! Luci is surprised.

Ros signs the contract with a great flourish. She is left-handed. Al still can’t get over his qualms. Why us?, he asks. Oh, your granny said such good things about you, so honest, so talented. Al is not convinced. Um, I want to help you and Mili. Why, lady, what is your game? He knows she is hiding something.

Meanwhile, Mili and Lina have dropped by and are in the lobby. Mili pops into the meeting just in time to overhear Ros admit she wants to destroy Connie’s business. It was always the most important thing to him, much more than love or family, so that’s what she’s taking. Back in the lobby, Mili is sad, but won’t tell the others why.

Connie is still ranting about how lonely the big house is now that he’s driven everyone out. He wants them to come back. Everything will be different now, I promise! She is flabbergasted that he really thinks they would want to live with him. He is all, not fair! Not fair! Connie whines about his ruined party, then tells Luci that Rosario is not dead. She is surprised that he knows, but, unknown to him, not actually surprised, of course.

Al tells Ros they need to wrap up the meeting; he and his betrothed have a soccer match to get to. Ros is very interested that Mili plays. Al says, if granny told you so much about her, how could you not know she plays? It is her passion! He manages to look all swoony talking about Darling Mili, like a proper young gent in love. Ros says, okay, I lied, I hadn’t been writing with Regina, but you and Mili have to trust me! Really! You won’t regret it! Trust me! If Al wasn’t already really suspicious of her intentions, he should have been after that. People are usually trustworthy in inverse relation to the amount they try to convince you they are. By the way, Ros’s clothes are somewhat less trampy today, but not more flattering. The tunic and leggings thing is not working for her, and she needs to fire Paolo for letting her go out like that.

Luciana and Constancio are still fighting. Luci recites the same old rehash of his sins, with the added twist of: if Rosario is still alive, she will never forgive all that. Connie cries, saying, “wasn’t me. Daddy did it.”

Back at the manse, Hugo (now in normal clothes) signs some papers, and Damian gives him a check. What!?! That is not the direction the money flows! Oh, Hugo is selling Damian his shares in the business. Still, I’m surprised Damian is actually giving him money for them. Hugo jokes about whether the check will be any good. Damian tells him now he can devote himself to painting, or travel (like he’s really been going to work anyway). Hugo says he’s got other plans. He admits he’s still thinking about Karla; Daddy Dearest advises him to forget she exists. “That leech (sanguijuela) will never change.” Hugo says to himself, “That’s exactly what I have to verify.”

Karla is crying in an empty club, wondering why Hugo hasn’t come back. Mac advises her to go back home; she says she can’t; she doesn’t matter to him. What about your mom? She lied to me, and she’s better off without me.

Mili and Al are at the soccer field, talking about Ros and her plot. Al wants her to promise not to tip off Constancio. She agrees but isn’t happy about it. He says Ros must have a good reason to hate Connie so much, and he’s not exactly a “blanca paloma” (white dove, innocent). He’s desperate to get married; she says be patient. Why is it that they have to wait a year? He thinks kisses will help him wait. Smoochy-smoochy.

Damian and Constancio talk about rich lady Ros and her need for construction. Apparently the land is some they had thought of buying, in a very good location. She already signed with our archrivals, says Damian. What?!? She is a friend of Peralta! Connie is impactado.

At the game, there is soccer action. The whole fan club is there spectating. Ros is also in the stands, with her own hair instead of the wig and without glasses, but wearing the same outfit she wore in the office. Brilliant disguise, lady. Padre Manuel recognizes her from the convent, and she takes off. He chases. The kids win the game and do a goofy dance.

Constancio is very angry. He wants Al to come back to work (begging, with his tail between his legs), and to come back to the house and bring Mili. He won’t let Val leave; he’ll offer Rocky a job as a messenger. He wants control of his family back! Control! Oh, Constancio. Ruthless dictatorship is such hard work. You and Fidel and Kim Jong Il and that Burmese dude should form a support group. Connie is confident he can steal Ros from AB&R.

PM catches up with Ros on the street. My child, those hideous dominatrix hooker shoes are ugly as sin, and you should burn them and repent immediately, he says. Well, he should have.

Mili tells Lina and Gloria about Ros’s evil scheme. They don’t know what to do, either. Protect Daddy, because she cares about him even though he killed Mommy? And betray Al?

Ros tells PM that she needs vengeance before she tells her daughter the truth. Priests usually encourage that sort of thing, I’m pretty sure. Especially if you can find a way to blaspheme and fornicate at the same time.

Mili goes to the big house to tell Connie to be careful. He looks confused.

And that’s where we leave off.

Avances: Al dramatically rips up the contract, saying he won’t do business with someone who is trying to destroy them. Ros asks, “would you do business with Mili’s mother?”

Labels: guapos

Lots of food flying through the air in last night's episode-

Marisela serves Luisana some rice pudding (arroz con leche) that she has made.

Luisana trips Marisela and the rice pudding ends up on Marisela. Luisana's dirty trick backfires when Santos goes to comfort Marisela and in a very sweet scene tries the pudding by picking the rice grains off her and telling her the story of the Rice Pudding Queen (La Reina del Arroz con Leche.)



The ranch hands bring Orestes back to Altamira and tell Santos that DB is going to kill him. DB decides to kill Orestes with rattlesnake venom and she doesn't just order some from the Internet. She catches and milks the rattlesnakes herself. Santos warns her that if Orestes dies, no matter how innocent it appears, he will know that she was responsible. Orestes wants Santos to represent him in his claim to ownership of El Miedo but Santos refuses. DB plots with Melquíades and Balbino Paiba to kill Orestes at the Feria de los Flores, the Flower Festival in Progresso.

Marisela gets back at Luisana for the rice pudding incident by throwing raw egg on her at breakfast.

Cecilia decides that she will just enjoy the sunset by the new schoolhouse and Melesio guesses she is waiting for Antonio.
And so it is. After getting rid of Federica, Antonia runs to Cecilia and kisses her. First, she resists but not for long.

Marisela is going to compete in the Queen of the Flowers beauty contest at the Fiesta. A la Pygmalion, Mauricio is going to make her into a lady before the contest. I think Mauricio is very clever and may be working against his cousin. He tried to divert Luisana's attention away from Marisela and direct it to DB because he sees that Luisana's real rival for Santos is Marisela.

Labels: barbara

There's a replay of Pablito's heartbreak and the sisters' confrontation with Tadeo, and the sisters leave. Juan tells his remaining audience that they've completed their vow to Libia, and now it's time to move on.

But that night, he rides into the darkness calling Sofía's name. He throws himself into the swimmin' hole, fully clothed. I think he's trying to drown himself, but maybe not, as he rises to the surface and shouts "No more pain! No more tears! I'm a dried-up tree!" (I know this is an odd thing to say, but if you Google "árbol seco" you get tons of hits - I think there's some cultural significance.)

The full moon shines through a tree that isn't completely dried up, but has probably seen better days.

Sofi meets Tadeo at the church to donate all of her clothing to the health clinic. (Interesting, because she left most of her clothes behind when she left the hacienda too - and Gabi planned to burn them.) She doesn't want the clothes to remind her of the time she spent at the Reyes' house. Tadeo warns her not to make this decision all by herself. She and Juan have a sacred bond. "Love is of two." Sofi says "betrayal is of one," and if it had really been love between two, it wouldn't have been destroyed with deception and lies.

She hands him bundles of clothes, old and new, and recognizes the wedding dress Juan bought for her. (Tadeo watches hopefully as she flashes back to when Juan gave her the dress; Juan turned away so that he wouldn't doom them with bad luck by seeing her hold it up to herself.) Sofía gets weepy but doesn't change her mind. "How wrong I was. The lie destroyed the strongest love." She hands him the dress.

Meanwhile, Oscar looks at his mother's ring that he gave to Jimena and remembers giving it to her in their heart-shaped outdoor honeymoon suite. Meanwhile, while playing the guitar and singing a sad song, Franco remembers some of his various early run-ins with Sarita, none of which seem very promising in my opinion.

The sisters tell their grandfather what happened. "all that time, they were just lying to us! And to think that you protected and defended them!" He apologizes to them, but says they fooled him too, and he's a fool, and he's lost the most important battle of his life, which was to protect the girls instead. That's what hurts the most. They gather around him and commiserate over having been deceived by vengeance.

Juan gets home, still wet, and scolds his brothers for their long faces. They need to move on and get back what's theirs - the hacienda, their land, their origins. Oscar asks why. Without their women, why bother? Franco agrees. He doesn't feel like fighting. Juan says they need to start over again. He makes them do the "Reyes are united" thing.

Eva goes to the bakery. Quintina stops her and says it's best if she doesn't go in - the girls have left, but first they and the boys exchanged a lot of terrible words and it's going to take a long time for them to forget.

Still at Grandpa's, Sofi tells her sisters that if there's one way that they're similar to the Reyes, it's that they're always united. "From now on, we'll be more united than ever!" Grandpa applauds.

Gabriela shows up. "Such a moving scene." Grandpa tells her not to spew any venom, "because this time I'm up for anything!" (Yeah, like what?) Gabi whines that he's always up for defending them against her, but not from "the strangers." She blames him for what happened. "Only you!"

Sofi defends him. "If you came here to enjoy our pain, go ahead, Ma, do it!" They're suffering and they won't hide it.

Gabi puts on her earnest face and says no, no, in no way does is she pleased about their pain. They've always accused her of not loving them, of being a bad mom, but all she cares about is protecting them. "A mother never makes a mistake, but you've never given me a break. They've been laughing at you. Now you can understand my pain when I found out that your father had cheated on me, but there's no grudge in my heart. So you can move back in whenever you want. It's still your house, and I'm your mother."

Sofi asks what will happen if they move back in? Will she make them bow their heads in subordination? Gabi sadly declares that Sofi's still defiant even after suffering the worst humiliations a woman can. Sofi says Gabi knows more than anyone that she's lost everything, not just her dignity. Gabi says she'll respect their decisions, when they respect her opinions as their mother, they'll all go back to normal if they each do their part.

Grandpa expresses doubt. She scolds him because he's always nagging her to be nice, and now that she's finally doing it, he's doubting her. "Is there no way to please you, Father?"

Sarita steps forward and says she believes Gabi and totally agrees with everything. They hug and make up. "I expected no less from you," Gabi says proudly.

"I'll come back too. I hope you can follow through on what you just promised," Jimena says.

"What do you say, Sofía? What's your decision?" Sofi says she appreciates the offer, but she isn't sure why she should go back to the house - "you continually make me feel as if I'm not your daughter."

Eva is at Rosario's, saying she deserves all of Grandpa's hate, and she's afraid to face the sisters. She thinks she should find them and ask for forgiveness, but she feels too badly. Rosario tries to comfort her and offers to go with her if she wants to talk to them, but asks her to be strong and not let them win. "That's what you've taught me." Eva wants to go alone, so that her problem with them doesn't interfere with Rosario's relationship with them.

The cantina crowd is cheering in anticipation, so Rosario goes to her public. Eva prays and practices asking the sisters' forgiveness. Rosario sings a sad song about things going wrong, and breaking a mirror and getting bad luck. "Then, and only then, you'll cry." Eva watches proudly in the audience.

Sofi follows her mother into her study, demanding to know whether she's her daughter or not. "Of course you're my daughter! What happened is that... look, we'll save this conversation for another time. I told you you're my daughter and that I welcome you with open arms. Isn't that good enough?"

Sofi says fine, but we're going to have that conversation, preferably real soon. Gabi impatiently agrees and asks how such a dainty girl as Sofi could have fallen in lough with that coarse brute? Sofi sits down and says she'll speak woman-to-woman. Juan awakened in her feelings that she had thought were dead. She goes on to describe all the feelings that Feo has awakened in Gabi - albeit in twisted form - helping her conquer her fears. Gabi looks thoroughly nauseated and says "I never thought that one day I'd hear one of my daughters speak like a... a slut." Sofi is not fazed and says that if a slut is someone who dares to love, then indeed that could be her. She lectures her mother some more about the glory of love. "Too bad you'll never get to know this."

Gabi seems overwhelmed by... it's hard to say what, but she's not happy. Sofi excuses herself.

Sofi has changed her clothes (I don't know where this dress came from) and restores her bell collection. Then she sits on her bed and remembers some happy times she had there when Juan snuck up to see her. "Why, Juan? Why?"

Grandpa chastises Juan for abusing his goodwill and taking advantage of him after he stuck up for them. "And all that for what? So you could repay me with betrayal." (Like the time Oscar scoured the countryside trying to spring him out of the old folks' home and later saved him from a snake? Or the time Juan saved him from falling down the stairs in his wheelchair? The time all three of them hoisted him, wheelchair and all, down from his balcony so that he could harrass Gabi? Yeah, what a bunch of jerks!!) And of course Juan disappointed him the most. "I thought you were gallant, but now I see you're a coward." He tries to get Juan to answer. "Even the worst delinquents find some words to defend themselves." Juan says he doesn't want to defend himself. Grandpa's right; they were wrong and now they must pay for their mistake.

Grandpa asks why. Juan says it was for the pain of losing their sister. Oscar adds that it's also for Bernardo tricking them. Grandpa insists that Bern really loved Libia. Oscar says Bern never told them he was married and had a family. Juan says Bern tricked their sister, and that's why they tricked Grandpa's granddaughters. "Bernardo deserves to be pardoned, but not us?" Grandpa has no answer. He pats Juan's arm. Juan pulls away.

Now Sofi is visiting her father. She's mad at him. "If you'd been honest with Libia from the start, none of this would have happened! Now we're paying for your guilt, Dad!" Then she begs his forgiveness for speaking to him that way and prays for him to help her.

Next Grandpa proceeds, in front of Pablito, to scold and fire Quintina for her loyalty to the Reyes. He fires her. She begs him not to and says it's hard for a squire to serve two masters. She doesn't even mention that time when they were in that crash and Grandpa was unconscious. She ran back to the Reyes', presumably on foot, to summon help.

He doesn't even want to see her again. "What am I going to do without you?" she asks tearfully. "I'll die of sadness."

Pablito salutes and asks if he's demoted too, if he can't be his general any more. "Kids have nothing to do with the problems adults. You can visit as often as you want."

Quintina begs a little more, but is rebuffed. "Bye, Quintina. Goodbye forever."

Jimena remembers getting the ring in the heart-shaped ring of candles and rose petals, and then she remembers giving it back.

Oscar washes dishes at the bakery. (The neck brace and sling are for real, by the way; Jorge Salinas fell off his horse.) He flashes back to Jimena giving back the ring too, and saying "save it for your next revenge."

Juan looks at the Robles-Reyes baptismal gown that Sofi left behind. He throws it into the Magical Mystery Trunk and slams it shut. Oscar says Juan's not eating or sleeping, just drinking coffee. He'll get sick. He tells Juan to pull himself together. Juan says he's nobody without Sofía. He has no reason to smile or to cry. He's a dried-up tree, he's got a dried-up soul and a dried-up heart. He has no hope of Sofía forgiving them. He's got nothing to lose. He has no tears (he says, wiping his eyes). He'll never cry. Never! Oscar pats his shoulder.

Sofi talks to her still-flat belly and promises that she'll be both mother and father to him. Feo comes in and humbly offers his help and support. He wants to show that he's not the bad person she thinks he is. Since they're still married, he's willing to register their child in his name. He'll promise to care for him as if his own. Sofi nixes this and asks, "how can you imagine yourself as father? You treat your true child Luisito so badly. I don't need you."

He promises to be a better dad from now on. "I hope so," Sofi answers, "for the good of your child. Good night!" He humbly and politely leaves.

"You don't need a father, my dear," she tells her belly. "You've already got one... though perhaps you'll never know him." She sighs.

Next day, Quintina is distracted and knocks over a sheet of rolls. Juan angrily chews her out. "I'm not annoyed, dang it!" he screams. "Just pay attention. That's all I ask!" Oscar and Franco pat her shoulder as she slinks out, hurt. Oscar and Franco ask him to calm down and remind him that they're going through the same thing he is, but it's unfair to take it out on others. Juan seems determined to jealously guard his pain. Then he has a mood swing and says they've got to put all their energy into getting their stuff back. They've already avenged Libia. Now it's time to avenge their parents.

They start by going to the lawyer and asking him to hurry up and resolve their claim. The lawyer explains that these things take a long time, they need to be patient, plus they haven't even brought him all the required documents yet. Oscar says they've been looking. Franco says they need an answer. The lawyer says they can have their answer after they complete all the legal proceedings. If any documents are missing, justice will be delayed, he won't be able to continue, and regrettably they'll lose their land.

Meanwhile, Raquel gripes to Benito that Ricardo's "famous friend" still hasn't shown up. Not even any news of him. Benito weakly suggests that she be patient. Panicked, she reminds him that the Reyes could win the judgment and throw them out of the house. Benito says they need to find the documents that prove the hacienda belongs to them. Raq says she's looked everywhere. They've got nothing to show that Ricardo acquired these lands legally.

Sarita's all recovered from her heartbreak, angrily saying she's not going to cry over those bricklayers because that'd be just like giving them the pleasure of vengeance all over again. Jimena is not quite ready for this stage of mourning yet. She tells Sarita to look her in the eye and say she's not suffering for having lost Franco. She reminds Sarita that he could go back to Rosario.

Rosario runs into Franco. She tries to express sympathy over what happened. He apologizes for all the hurt he caused her. She apologizes to him for his two brushes with death, which she feels were her fault. (Why blame Feo?) He says maybe those were to show her how much he loved her. He says he's still married to Sarita and will respect that even though they're separated now. Still, he'd like to know why she dumped him.

"I never stopped loving you. I stayed away from you because I'm not the right woman for you. So I decided to sacrifice my love for you so that you could be happy with Sarita. But I never stopped loving you, never." She totters off in those crazy shoes.

Juan shows up at Father Tadeo's office. "Why'd you send for me? Supposedly it's urgent?" Sofi is two steps behind him. "Good afternoon, Padre..." She and Juan stare at each other. "Why'd you send for me?" she asks, but she already knows the answer...

"To save your love, my children! To save your love!"

Nice try, Padre.

Mexico airdate: 29 de Mayo
Word of the day: Trámites - Steps, formalities, procedures, proceedings

Next time:
Feo acts like a jerk, giving the sisters a new, improved version of his last conversation with Bernardo. Granpa questions some of the details.

Labels: Fuego