Caray, Caray!

Okay folks, this is it for PdG. It's been a lot of fun.

Juan tells Grabiela to hang on.

Juan summons all his strength to try and carry Grabiela out of the swamp.

Meanwhile Feonando is sinking in the quicksand (arena movediza). He begs for Juan to help him but Juan pays no attention to him.
So he sinks...
until he's gone.

Juan is at the end of his strength when his brothers and Swamp Tio find him and Grabi.

Extra cute shot of Juan David seen through the door when Swamp Tio is leaving the Hacienda.

Anibal figures out that he is Ruth's father but Eva doesn't admit it or want him to ever mention their relationship to anyone else. Anibal agrees and they part.

Juan David and Abuelo welcome Grabiela home from the hospital and they have a big party.

Finally, Sarita and Franco get married.

The three couples ride off into the sunset to be happy forever.

Aside from the three principal couples, the only person who had a successful romance in the novela was Melisa. Armando was already involved with Rosario and Ruth with Antonio at the beginning of the novela and we didn't see any of Pepita's romance. Everybody else: the fruit sons, Quintina, Eva, Dominga, Olegario, Martín, Leandro and Benito ended up just as they began romance wise. Interesting.

One thing that I have been wondering about is why this novela worked so well beyond the attractiveness of the stars. It really didn't have most of the things that are so common in other novela like secrets that last the entire novela, switched babies and such like. Compare the plot of PdG to the plot of FELS, for example.

Monday, ECDD!

Labels: gavilanes

Hello all,

We're down at least two bloggers for the upcoming "Cuidado con el ángel" 8 pm.

If you've thought blogging might be fun and you have good Spanish, this might be an easy novela to start on - it looks like it has fewer actors and we have all seen this plot line many times before.

If you're interested email me at caray@mappamundi.com - thanks!

Melinama (blog mom)

Labels: Cuidado, recappers-needed

Hola Guapistas! We have very little rerun from last night, just Mili talking about how great Rocky is and crying, and then Luciana walks in and announces the change of plans (having found out about Constancio's fake judge scam--a ratbastardly move indeed!).

Constancio is fussing about Valeria being late. Andrea tries to calm him down. Ramses II presents Constancio with a mysterious envelope containing, of course, the pictures of Rocky with the models. Not that I expect this to have any effect since Luciana's found out about his fake judge. Constancio positively gloats over the pictures.

Alejandro and Valeria have a nice sibling moment, wishing each other happiness in marriage and arguing about who will be happier. Their faces are reeeeally close, probably so they don't show us the location. When they pull back, we see they're at Padre Manuel's church! Woo hoo! Alejandro walks Valeria down the aisle to Rocky. They both get a little teary as Rocky asks her to tell him he's not dreaming. They're both very emotional about being "man and wife" even though Rocky makes a joke that he's glad they're going to be "man and wife" because the other way around would have been weird. They start to kiss, but are interrupted by Padre Manuel, who reminds them that the kissing part comes at the end. As Padre Manuel starts, Rocky has to loudly blow his nose, he's crying so hard. Alejandro looks giddy, but Mili looks like her puppy just died. As Padre Manuel continues, Mili bursts into loud, nasty tears and claims to be emotional about the wedding. She tries to resist Alejandro taking her hand to comfort her, but gives in. Next, Lina bursts out with "hey, no fair! Mili didn't cry like this at my wedding!" To which I say "Shut. Up. We're trying to have a freaking wedding here, people! Save it for later." Padre Manuel reminds them they don't have all day. Now Alejandro jumps in and insists 2 couples are getting married today…he and Mili are getting married too! Now Mili flips out on him. She says she doesn't want to marry him and covers that it's because it's his sister's wedding day and she doesn't want to ruin it. Valeria, on the other hand, thinks the more the merrier. Nestor wonders what's going on and Luciana reassures him that it's nothing that can't be fixed. Alejandro and Mili keep arguing as Rocky reminds everyone that he'd really like to get this done before Constancio figures out what's going on and shows up with his trusty shotgun. Mili forcefully insists that Padre Manuel should continue with just the one couple. Now Gloria and Chamuco show up and beg Padre Manuel to marry them, like, now.

Back at the fake wedding, Constancio tells Ramses II that he's going to show the pictures to Valeria once she shows up. Finally, Lic. Robledo and the fake Judge have shown up. Ramses II escorts the fake Judge off. Robledo wants to talk about the shares, but Constancio brushes him off. Once Robledo says he talked to Luciana earlier that day, Constancio realizes what's going on. He yells at Robledo that Luciana didn't know!

Now everybody's standing around at the church. Lina and Mili tell Gloria that they're glad she's not going to end up an old maid spending all her time dressing saints--Sor Cachete objects that there's nothing wrong with dressing saints, eh! Rocky congratulates Chamuco. We see that everything's still on hold. Padre Manuel is objecting to marry Gloria and Chamuco. He tries to say that they've got to do pre-matrimonial stuff first, which Rocky and Valeria didn't have to. PM says they didn't because it was urgent. Which, of course, is why they're stalling so much. He finally gives in and starts over, but nooooo, Alejandro is pissed off that Mili won't marry him today. Rocky wants PM to, uh, skip to the end, please. He starts over from the beginning for about the hundredth time, and now, guess what…Constancio and Ramses II walk in. I mourn for the character assassination of Ramses. He might have wanted to bust up the wedding, but Original Recipe Ramses would never have had the necessary brain cells to concoct a scheme like this.

Pause for rant: Dang it! I thought we'd gotten past all the stupid misunderstandings and people not speaking up about stuff they ought to and drama just for the sake of drama. As if Mili's dead mom not really being dead and Hugo and Karla maybe getting married and raising the baby together and Sober!Luci getting back together with the love of her life and Mili and Alejandro living happily ever after wasn't enough drama? Oh, nooooo, we've got to throw a few more roadblocks in there despite the fact that we all know who's going to end up with who, so, frankly, they just need to get on with it already instead of waiting for the last five minutes of the show to wrap things up. *Sigh* Okay, rant over.

Luciana tries to throw him out of the church, but he shouts her down. Alejandro wants Mili to use this opportunity to go outside and talk. Mili says "pelotas" in church. Valeria has had it and says "quit listening to everyone else, I want to get married!" You're preaching to the choir there, sister. Padre Manuel says there's objections, so…. Valeria tries to appeal to her "papá" and now Constancio says "pelotas" in church and calls Luciana a drunk, so Luciana says "pelotas" to that, which greatly upsets Padre Manuel. Constancio tells Valeria if after he talks to her she still wants to get married, he won't have anything to say. She asks PM for a minute.

I've been reduced to screaming at the TV now. Seriously. Why would anyone agree to something like that? What happened to Valeria's spine?

Padre Manuel's patience is shot. Valeria marches out of the church, throwing off Ramses II. She tells Constancio she's not going to forgive him for this whole thing with the fake judge. She calls him on his crap, calling her his "princess" and then treating her like this. She loves Rocky and he's the only man who will make her happy, etc., etc. He tries to give her the pictures even though he must know they're stupidly faked…but all he cares about is having his way, the ratbastard. Who cares how upset it's going to make her.

Mili refuses to talk about Alejandro. He makes the mistake of mentioning her mom's name. She tells him he's never hurt her this much and accuses him of sleeping with Rosario I, basically. I'll take this moment to digress upon the word "engañar" which literally means "deceive," however, in couple situations it usually means "you rat bastard, you cheated on me with a badly dressed woman who only owns one pair of shoes and also happens to be my mother, although I don't know that yet."

Valeria refuses to look at what's in the envelope, then she agrees because she left her spine in her other pants. She is predictably impactada. Constancio says "That was the bachelor party of that wonderful man who claims to love you above all things." And speaking of men who claim to love Valeria above all things, Consti just needs to shut it, the self-righteous prig who's got skankier photos AND video of himself that sure enough didn't have to be faked. Valeria drops the pictures and leaves.

Mili tells Alejandro she saw him with Rosario Sr. He tries to explain, but "it's a business thing" doesn't quite work with bathrobes involved. Well, it might in Europe. Mili's asking why he did it and why Rosario Jr. was there. He just stands there with a kicked puppy expression since she of the skanky shoes swore him to secrecy. Dude, if there was ever a time to break a promise….She tells him her love for him is dead. Oh, whatever. It'll be resurrected soon enough. She sees Valeria as she's on her way leaving the church. They both cry in each other's arms, although neither of them knows what the other one's crying about.

Everyone's out of the church now and Constancio tosses the pictures at Rocky. They fall on the floor. Everyone's shocked…except Sor Cachete, who's seen it all before. Rocky's confused and says it's not him. The girls assume he really did it, but Bobby thinks it might have been faked. Rocky remembers that there were some girls in the room. Decent of him not to take the easy way out. Luciana, now that she's sober and has more brain cells working, wonders who took the photos. Constancio proudly says Ramses II took the photos, which is when it all clicks for Rocky. He hands the pictures to Bobby to hold so he can punch Ramses. The rest of the men intervene to pull the two apart, but Rocky's too determined.

Valeria and Mili chat. "Three women!" Dang it, Mili, and you want to run a women's center when you're not even capable of questioning things and applying some logic? What, did Rocky have a complete personality transplant, or is it just that all men are scum underneath it all and he would have cheated with three wannabe Victoria's Secret models eventually? Yep, there she goes "all men are the same, Alejandro cheated on me too." Valeria at least can't believe it. Now Valeria's joining in, "they're all pigs." "They always lie and cheat!" Wah, wah, wah. Valeria then says she can't believe Alejandro would do that. Mili says Rocky loved Valeria and he did it too. Mili now wants to confront "that woman." Valeria wants to confront Rocky. They shake on it.

Padre Manuel bemoans all the drama. Gloria tells Sor Cachete she's given up and asks for an application to Nun U. Well, at least that way she can marry God. Sor pulls her aside and says the nun-hood is serious bidness, not something you do out of "despecho" (spite). Besides, she convinced him to get married once…she can probably do it again! Gloria gets back in the ring. She verifies that no one would object at their wedding, and then asks Padre Manuel to marry them "to get the bad taste out of [his] mouth." Sor Cachete chimes in in support and Padre Manuel agrees.

Rocky complains to Alejandro that he doesn't remember being with three beautiful women…and isn't that the kind of thing a person remembers? Alejandro has no sympathy and asks why he didn't throw the women out of his room. Bad best man! That was your job, you idiot! You guard the dang groom and don't let him (a) do anything stupid or (b) run away! Rocky complains that the guys got him way too drunk. Rocky then gets happy and realizes that he must have fallen dead asleep from being so drunk. Alejandro can't believe it, what with the three hot chicks. Rocky starts to recount the story of the time Valeria got him drunk on champagne and he passed out on her, but Alejandro reeeeally doesn't want to hear that story. He says Ramses II must have waited for him to fall asleep and then took the pictures.

Padre Manuel once again attempts to marry somebody (yes, please, just marry somebody, anybody!) today. He asks if Gloria Sanchez agrees to marry, er, what was your name again, Chamuco? (And remember that "Chamuco" is slang for The Devil.) "Carlos del Angel Caído." Sor Cachete and I both crack up laughing. Go on, get the dictionary, I'll wait. See, I told you! Funny stuff there (ok, if you didn't want to look it up, check the end of the recap). Padre Manuel says he'll just call him Carlos. Gloria giddily agrees. Chamuco also agrees with a loud whistle. Padre Manuel pronounces them man and wife and they smooch like there's no tomorrow while Sor Cachete showers them with flower petals. (Mr. 5ft: "Um, they might want to leave before they conceive right there on the altar.") Finally!

Sounds like Alejandro has just filled Rocky in on the whole "Mili's mother's not dead" thing. Rocky says Al's got to convince Rosella D'Liar to come clean. They're at Casa Belmonte. Constancio, shotgun in hand, instructs Ramses II not to let either Valeria or Mili intervene while he "takes care" of Alejandro and Rocky. The guys approach confidently. Constancio says the two of them aren't getting near his daughters! Alejandro's got the end of the shotgun in his face, but he's not backing down.

Rosella D'Loathsome is putting that ridiculous wig back on. Mili shows up asking to speak with her, woman to woman. That's going to be difficult considering neither one of them is acting mature enough for that. Mili tells her that when they first met, she would have liked for someone like Rosella to be her mom, but now she's not going to be deceived. Rosella is confused. Mili tells her to admit that she's there to steal her happiness.

Ramses II is stalking the driveway. As Valeria shows up in a cab, Ramses II jumps in and tries to convince her to leave. He holds the car door so that she won't get out and asks her to go have coffee. The cab driver, thankfully, is paying more attention to Valeria than Ramses II. He finally convinces her by telling her that Rocky isn't at the house, so they should just go have some coffee and then maybe he'll be there by the time they get back. I liked Ramses I better. He would've been too stupid to pull this off.

Alejandro and Rocky are still holding firm. Constancio hasn't put the shotgun down. Much yelling. Sounds like Constancio is looking forward to living into his old age with his two spinster daughters. Cause, come on, it's not a matter of these two not being "good enough," he probably wouldn't think any man is good enough for them. Alejandro calls him on his years of cheating on Luciana and finally tells Constancio that he's going in the house, so if Constancio wants to shoot him, he can shoot him in the back--"it's what you do best." Now it's Rocky's turn. He just says he's going to look for his Chiquita and walks on by.

Rosella D'Loser is trying to explain to Mili that Mili's happiness is what she wants most in life. Mili: "liar, liar!" She accuses her of being Alejandro's lover. Rosella denies it, tells her that Al loves her, and says she'd never do it with a guy young enough to be her son. Mili asks about the bathrobes. Rosella tells her about the rain. She tells Mili how Alejandro talks about Mili all the time and how perfect they are for each other. Mili says if that's all true, then she wants Rosella to stay the heck away from them. And at this moment, so do I.

Constancio comes into the house with the shotgun. Braulio cries to him that they're all alone and he doesn't even have any staff left. Alejandro and Rocky come back, having searched the house and not found Valeria or Mili. Constancio swears that the two of them won't be with their respective sweethearts as long as he lives. Constancio tells Alejandro to watch his back. Rocky convinces Alejandro they should leave.

Back at the convent, there's a reception going on for Gloria and Chamuco. Socorro and Horacio, Bobby and Lina, Padre Manuel, and Sor Cachete are there. Gloria says that her mom and Romulo would have been there, but they're in Celaya and send their love.

Rosella D'Ludicrous is begging Mili not to do this to her. Mili says they were fine until she showed up and started poisoning everything. Rosella admits that she wants to destroy Constancio. Rosella admits that she also knows Constancio is Mili's father. And that she knows that Constancio left Mili's mother and refuses to acknowledge Mili because of his political ambitions. The glasses are off now as Rosella asks how she can defend a man who ruined her life and her mother's life. Mili says she always prayed for the opportunity to spit in his face, but now all she wants is for him to look her in the eyes and admit he's her father. All she wants is his love.

Ramses II pleads his case over coffee. Valeria's not in the mood. Ramses II suggests Valeria sleep with him to get back at Rocky--"pagarle con la misma moneda" (pay him with the same coin; give him a taste of his own medicine).

Rosella D'Letdown continues trying to convince Mili to hate Constancio. Mili says she's not going to turn into a bitter old hag like Rosella, she's going to defend her daddy and her love and her peeps and Rosella better not get into it with her. Come clean already, you stupid woman. Mili starts to leave and Rosella says "Mili, when we first met you told me you lost your mother and I told you that I lost my daughter. I gave my daughter a gift when she was born and it's the same gift I gave Rosario." Mili's like "Whatever, just leave us alone. " Mili runs out of the room and Rosella cries to the door "Milagros, don't go, I'm your mother." You know, you could have started with that and saved us all the trouble. I have no sympathy for this woman. I feel sadder that she only has one pair of shoes. The mess with Mili she brought on herself. She cries to Paolo.

Monday: Mili finds the medal on Rosario. Luciana tells her the medal didn't come from Alejandro, it came from Rosella. Mili possibly adds two and two together and doesn't come up with the square root of pi. Or at least I can hope so.

One more week to go, Guapistas! If anyone else is interested in recapping a piece of Gran Final night, let's start working that out.

Oh, and that translation is "Carlos of the Fallen Angel."

Labels: guapos

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Labels: index

Translated from esmas.com

Marichuy - Sweetheart of the barrio (neighborhood), sweet and noble, but with a strong, rebellious character. She has moments of authentic seriousness and others of being seriously amusing. She had a childhood and adolescence full of sadness, but she overcomes her problems and almost always her attitude toward life is totally positive, agile and light.


Juan Miguel - He is attractive, cultivated, of a good family, very serious. He lives tormented by a grand secret in his past. He is an important psychologist with a tremendous desire to help those who need a guide in life. His character is strong, but weak with Marichuy, towards whom he has a strong affection which becomes love. When very young he married Viviana, who made his life intolerable. He has a five-year-old daughter, Mayita.


Estefanía - A sexy, vain, egotistical, ambitious woman, capable of doing anything which will propel her out of the middle class. Her character is strong, she doesn't have a conscience. With the help of her aunt Isabel, she is passing as the lost daughter of Cecilia and Patricio, and has successfully gotten herself into their house. She wants to destroy Marichuy because she gained the love of Juan Miguel, the man Estafanía wants for herself, and afterwards because she discovers Marichuy to be the real daughter of Cecilia and Patricio.


Candelaria - A humble, ignorant and sympathetic woman, she lives in a tenement and works at whatever comes her way in order to survive. Her poverty has not made her bitter. She is an optimist, talks easily, is simple and honest. She adores Marichuy, to whom she gave shelter after finding her sitting in a doorway. For her, Marichuy is the daughter she never had. She has a heart too big to fit in her chest.


Cecilia - She is good, sweet and very pretty, an elegant but discreet (??) woman. She is tormented by the memory of the daughter she had to abandon. Her husband Patricio had gone far away leaving her alone and she, thinking herself at death's door, left her daughter in the hands of a priest who had come to give her the last rites. It will take Cecilia a long time to realize her daughter is a girl who she has so near to her.


Onelia - An elegant upper-class woman, mother to Viviana, Juan Miguel's wife. She lives with them and helps her daughter in every way and through her commits all sorts of villainy. She is venomous, arrogant, and manipulative. She despises Marichuy for being humble and considers her a danger when Juan Miguel brings her to his house. When her daughter disappears and is given up for dead, Onelia notices something more than simple friendship is developing between Marichuy and her son-in-law; her hatred for the girl grows stronger.


Viviana - Juan Miguel's wife, she is sexy, elegant and sensual; proud of her social position, egotistical and capricious. She loves Juan Miguel, but not to the point of renouncing her diversions and infidelities. Furthermore, she fights with him often. When she's given up for dead in an accident, she decides to live the life that pleases her. She returns destroyed, a ruin, but even though she soon recovers and wants to regain her position at Juan Miguel's side, her past catches up with her.


Patricio - A distinguished upperclass man of strong character. With his wife Cecilia and with Estefanía, whom he believes to be his daughter, he is affectionate but firm, even though at times Estefania manipulates him with her evil powers (malas artes). He is stubborn but of good sentiments, a very honest judge who is sometimes unjust. He doesn't know he is Marichuy's father, he disapproves of her way of life and she, in his opinion, ought to be in reform school.


Isabella - Estefanía's aunt, a perverse woman who dominates her niece. She uses people, she'll do anything for money because she's always been in a precarious situation. She is a venomous liar. On occasion she has brushed up against high society and wants to gain this world at all costs. She is the brains behind Estefania's ill deeds until Estefania rebels.

Labels: Cuidado, synopsis-cast

Hi,

Soon Guapos will be over. Beckster will be abandoning the 8 pm time slot so she can ogle and smirk at the unshaven male loveliness of the idiot Reyes brothers. Maggie is staying on in her slot. Guapos team, phone home (either email me privately or write a comment here): are you signing on with the lovely Marichuy and yet another installment of "Who's baby are you?" and if so are you happy with your night?

Labels: Cuidado, guapos, recappers-needed

Translation of the sinopsis from the esmas site.

Cuidado con el Ángel (Don't Mess with the Angel)

When Marichuy was born her mother, believing herself about to die, gave her to a priest who took her to an orphanage. At 14 years old, Marichuy fled the institution and began to ramble all over, making her living as she could.

The years pass and one day she is attacked by a drunk, which causes her to feel rancor towards men and to suffer nightmares that drive her to despair.

Candelaria, a washer-woman, gives her a home and becomes a mother for her. Marichuy works in whatever way she can to help Candelaria. One day she gets herself involved in a mess and ends up in court, where the judge is her own father (though neither knows of the relationship). She is defended by Juan Miguel San Román, a psychoanalyst.

In order that the girl not be sent to jail, Juan Miguel takes responsibility for her and takes her to live at his house. Juan Miguel is a widow and his mother-in-law makes life impossible for Marichuy.

To avoid problems, Juan Miguel takes her to live at the house of judge Patricio Velarde and his wife Cecilia (the true parents of Marichuy), who at the same time have welcomed Estefanía (an astute young woman who is passing as the child they abandoned).

Juan Miguel and Marichuy fall in love and marry. Nevertheless, on the day following their wedding night, she uncovers a big secret from Juan Miguel's past and therefore spurns him, distances herself from him and refuses to see him again.

When she realizes she is pregnant, Marichuy will not tell him and flees the province with Candelaria, ending up at the hacienda of Leopardo, who gives her shelter and falls in love with her.

Marichuy gives birth and Leopardo wants to marry her and adopt her child, but she tells him she is already married and that what she feels for him is only friendship.

Leopardo doesn't give up and begins to gain her love. Later, he discovers that her husband is Juan Miguel, whom he has known for a long time, they were classmates. The two men vie for the love of Marichuy but, for her, the decision will not be easy.

Marichuy's sweetness and beauty reminds us of an angel, and there are those who think they will be able to destroy her easily, forgetting that an angel is capable of vanquishing a demon, and that's why - be careful with the angel!

Labels: Cuidado, synopsis-cast

After being hit with the poisoned thorn, Orestes collapses, BP palms the thorn. Santos accuses DB of being responsible but she claims she didn't do anything.

Lorenzo witnesses Antonio telling Cecilia that he loves her.
Lorenzo calls her shameless and says that he will kill Antonio.

Orestes dies.
Santos asks the doctor if Orestes could have been poisoned and the doctor says that is a possible explanation of Orestes' symptoms. Santos remembers that Orestes was drinking from a bottle that BP had.

Popular opinion has DB responsible for Orestes' death but Santos doesn't want to believe.

Lorenzo tells Cecilia that he can't understand how an educated, refined woman could fall for a nobody ('don nadie') like Antonio. Lorenzo says that Cecilia is a victim and that Antonio is taking advantage of an old maid ('pobre solterona'). Antonio accuses Lorenzo of being bitter and envious. He is reaping what he sowed when he abandoned Cecilia to go after DB. Cecilia calls a plague on their houses and runs away.

The beauty pageant is called off.
Marisela says that she would have won if Orestes hadn't died and nasty Luisana says that she couldn't win a beauty contest on her best day and that she looks pathetic in her costume.
Marisela does not really understand the word,'pathetic,' ('patética') which sort of sounds like the Spanish word for the leg of an animal, 'pata.' She says to Luisana, "Who are you to talk about 'pathetic' with those long skinny legs you have, 'heron legs!'" ('quién habla de patética con esas patas flacas y largas que tiene, ¡patas de garza!').

Santos raises his suspicions about the bottle Orestes drank from before he died but DB calls his bluff and they both drink from the bottle.

At dinner at Altamira, Luisana asks Santos how it feels to be the lover of a murderer. Marisela is listening. She comes in and tells Luisana that Santos would never sleep with DB. Marisela says that she will make Luisana pay for what she said about Santos.
Marisela's idea of payback is to put an iguana in Luisana's bed.

But then she sees Santos going out very early. She goes to El Miedo and finds that DB has gone out also. Then she spies on them having sex in the waterhole ('pozo') and her heart is broken.

Cecilia is lost in despair about whether she can find love but then all the village folk come to help fix up the school and she cheers up.


Lorenzo catches a ternera leaving a bottle in his room.

Labels: barbara

Connie comes by to tell Mili to look out for herself. Meaning what? asks Mili. Meaning watch out for Alex, says Connie.

Alex meantime is in a park, cuddling the baby. Rosario comes to meet the baby, takes her in her arms and says she’s so happy to hold a baby after having lost her own and she gets tearful. She makes over her, calls her granddaughter. Rosario says she brought a present – it’s a chain with the Virgin de la Soledad, like Mili’s. She smooches the baby and says she’s glad it’s not a last kiss, like happened with Mili.

We’ve arrived at the day before the wedding, and the wedding planner is out in the garden with Luci, Rocky and Vale. A bit late to be doing planning, I’d say, but here we go. She plans a clarinet and harp duo for the music. Rocky thinks that would be boring – why not a band for dancing? The planner lists some gourmet foods a leading chef will prepare but Rocky says the guests will starve, he’d rather have Socorro to whip up some good old Mexican food. The planner tries to get Luci to intervene, but Luci says I just want their wedding to make them happy. It’ll be great, says Rocky and by the next morning you’ll have a new grandchild on the way. Vale tells him to hush up.

The planner says it’s really easier to plan when the future groom is not present. Rocky says are you running me off? Vale sweet-talks him into going to see Horacio. Ever the effervescent, Rocky heads toward the house, but he runs into Nuevo Ramses who remarks that Rocky’s getting married tomorrow. Rocky rubs it in a bit and tells him he’s not invited, so there. Ramses says Connie had me do the invitations and one of them has my name on it, so there. Rocky says come on then, you can die of envy.

Braulio is having a romantic phone conversation in the lobby. He and Paolo set up a date for tomorrow (!), Paolo will pay for the theater and Braulio will pay for dinner. Ramses walks in and hears Braulio say No you hang up first. Ramses rolls his eyes. Braulio says we’ll hang up on three… one, two, three! But he checks and Paolo is still there. He titters and Ramses interrupts.

He wants to know if Rocky is having a bachelor party and Braulio says yes, at Bobby’s house. Ramses says you’re inviting me, right? Brauilio says no, and dramatically tells him that he has another date – there is someone else in his life. He can imagine how Ramses must feel, but sooner or later he’d have to find out. (I’m getting confused about the days – Braulio made a date for tomorrow, but now it sounds like the bachelor party, not the wedding, is tomorrow. I don’t want to back up the tape to find out if I misunderstood during the wedding planner scene.) Ramses is puzzled and tries to say something, but Braulio is on a roll: Let me go, I beg you, just let me go! And he runs off.
What’s up with him? poor dim-bulb Ramses thoughtbubbles.

We’re back in the park and apparently Alex has just told Rosario that Mili has a bad opinion of her. He tells her he can’t keep lying. Rosario, apparently unconcerned by her daughter’s unhappiness, begs Alex not to tell. Tell her the truth, says Alex, that’s the only way she will understand why you hate Connie so much. Rosario says I have to think about it. Alex is that what you want? That Mili grow distant from you because you want to harm her daddy? Rosario says my life blah blah abandoned blah blah knew she was his daughter but still she was a servant blah blah … what kind of man would do that? He’s got to pay!

Alex tells her that he and Mili have been through hell and high water to get to where there are now, namely happy and about to start a family. They want to stay away from negative vibes. Rosario radiates more of them, though. She says Connie hates you and he wants to destroy your business and your love. Alex says their love is tan grande not to mention tan fuerte that nothing can touch it. Rosario says you think so, and you’ve been blinded by the fact that you’ve spent your life trying to attain Connie’s love and respect and you believe one day he’ll change, realize his mistake, and give them to you. Dream on.

Alex says I know he loves Mili – I’ve seen it. Rosario says he loved me, adored me, and when we found out we were expecting a child, he was the happiest man on earth. And then what happened? He told me he was going to marry someone else, and he threw me out into the street like a bag of trash, which is why I dress this way. (I made that last part up.) He thinks he’s invincible, but don’t worry, I’ll take care of him.

Suddenly the rain from hurricane Ike pours down on them. And it was sunny just a second ago! This global warming is making the weather very unpredictable. They make a run for it through the sunny rain, laughing.

It’s pouring on the wedding planning group too. They head for the mansion, but Rocky appears and he and Vale romp around in the rain, then she pushes him in the fountain and later she’s in the fountain too and they romp some more and then smooch. Ah, young love!

Inside, Nuevo Ramses is on the phone getting someone to get him a few gorgeous gals as a surprise for the stag party. He thoughtbubbles We’ll see if Vale marries you now, chauffer!

Connie and Mili are in the car, and it’s pouring rain outside there too. He says he’s brought Mili to meet a person named Rosela di Llano – he got her address from Peralta. Mili says I already know her – she came to see me in the hospital. She’s very pretty. Connie says I can well imagine. Mili says it’s better if we just leave. Connie says no, I brought you to meet her because she’s your rival. She’s very dangerous, she’s your enemy and it’s best to keep enemies close. She came to see you in the hospital to get close to Alex. He and she are lovers.

Mili is beyond impactada – she says it’s a lie. He says it’s true. What’s the best way to get close to a man? Get close to his wife. Mili is badly shaken. She snatches the address paper from Connie and says I want to go alone. She runs through the rain to Rosario’s apartment building.

The door to Rosario’s apartment is open – I guess she hasn’t read about all the rich folks getting kidnapped in Mexico. She’s in her white spa bathrobe with her hair up in a towel and she’s holding the baby. Uh oh, here comes Alex in a matching spa bathrobe. A maid hovers in the background. I didn’t know being in the rain made you want to shower and wash your hair, but apparently that’s what they did. Through her open door we see Mili out by the elevators, studying the piece of paper.
Rosario is saying I’d like to be with the baby every day. Alex says I can’t bring her every day. Mili spies them from the hallway and is horrified. Rosario says it’s important that Mili think our relationship is business and nothing else. She says ah, Alex, and puts her hand on his check. If you bring me the little girl two or three times a week, I’d be in heaven. I love holding her in my arms. Mili looks like she’s been slugged in the stomach and she heads for the elevators. Alex says pretty soon we’ll be a family.

Mili is outside in the rain, devastated. Connie runs out of the car and says what happened? Mili is sobbing why? why? Connie hugs her and says you won’t be alone. (Forgive me, Padre Manuel, but I have hate for Rosario in my heart right now.)

Inside Rosario and Alex are having a nice cuppa. Alex wants to know what her plans are concerning Connie. Rosario says never mind about him, he’s not worth it. Alex says he’s worried what if some tragedy occurs… Rosela says you mean like would I put a hit out on him? I’m not like that. Everything I’m planning is legal. Alex says well I feel a little bit better.

Rosario says Connie wouldn’t give up everything for me and his daughter. I want to see him stripped of everything – his business, his political career, his money. What about his family? says Alex. Rosario says he doesn’t care about that, just money and power.

Mili is sobbing in the car. She doesn’t understand. Why did he do that to her? Why now? Connie says it’s not your fault. Alex is messing in with her to work against me. That’s not for sure says Mili. Connie asks what the woman said and Mili says nothing. I didn’t talk to her. I wanted to talk, I wanted to shout, but my voice failed me. It was like I couldn’t get any air. She melts down. Rosela was there with Rosario. With my daughter!

I’m going to kill him with my bare hands, says Connie. Mili says no, I don’t want you to harm him. Connie says, I shouldn’t dirty my hands. I know some guys who could catch him outside his office…. Mili says no! no! no! Connie says Alex has hurt you and he’s trying to destroy me. I can’t just sit on my hands. You’ll feel better when you see his face all pounded to a pulp. Mili says if you lay a hand on him, I’ll never forgive you.

Connie says you’re very upset, we’ll talk later. Your room is still as it was, you can move right back in. Mili is hysterical and says take me to my house, not somebody else’s! Take me to my house! Connie says I want to protect you. Mili shouts at him Take me or I’ll get a taxi! Connie says okay, we’ll talk tomorrow after Vale’s wedding.

Alex tells Rosario she doesn’t need to lift a finger to destroy Connie. Everyone in the family has withdrawn from him. He sees that all the money in the world won’t buy him the love of a son, or the smile of a baby in his arms. And if he doesn’t do something himself to change, he’s going to end up alone in his old age. That’s what will hurt him most, and that’s what will be his punishment.

Alex says look forward in your life towards love. You went 20 years without your daughter and now is the time to enjoy her and not spend your time on a vengeance that will just leave a bitter aftertaste. Go to Mili, tell her the truth. You both need to start healing the wounds of the past. Let Mili’s love teach you to forgive everything. Rosario looks serious.

Luci sees Mili coming into the house like the walking wounded, but Mili tries to cover up. Luci tells her that Lina will be staying overnight because it’s Bobby’s party night, and Alex won’t be staying. No? says Mili in a tiny voice. No, says Luci, he’s staying over at Bobby’s. Luci says there’s nothing worse than a meddling mother-in-law, but I know you and Alex were arguing and I just want to ask you to try to be happy for Vale tonight for her bachelorette party. Mili says sure. Luci tells her to have a nice hot shower and she’ll make her some tea.

The guys plus Horacio are slugging down beers and whooping it up. All the ladies, including Sor Cachete are at Mili’s house laughing and Vale is having a ball. It looks like they are going to TP her. Now the guys are arm wrestling and drinking shooters, and they keep giving Rocky shots and cheering him on to drink them. The girls have TPed Vale, in a way – she is draped to look like a bride. Rocky is really drunk now and he is drinking from the bottle. He could end up in the hospital this way, but the guys, who are still sober, are laughing it up.

A taxi delivers Horacio and Bobby, who both look passed out, to Casa Belmonte. Nuevo Ramses comes out, smiles craftily and swaggers and puts on some lip balm.
Karla has just finished her pole number and she goes over to Homeless Hugo’s table. She says I thought you weren’t coming back. You ran out and I thought I was an idiot to open up my history to you and then you take off. Hugo says, in his best naco talk, that what she told him touched him profoundly. He says he once was in love with someone who didn’t love him back and her story brought all that back. He gave everything just to hear her say “I love you” but she never did.

Out front of Casa Belmonte Horacio and Rocky are hugging and almost falling over. Rocky says tomorrow I marry the love of my life. I was a chauffer, a gardener, an exterminator, a tire guy, I got beat up, but did any of that stop me? No! He says to Horacio I love you man, and they hug again. Rocky says listen up, because nobody will be more honest, more sincere than I am being with you right now. He staggers. I gotta go pee! And he heads for the bushes.

Hugo is telling Karla that the important thing is that she understands him, that he’s not a bad guy. They seem to be really connecting. She says I slept with a father and his son at the same time. If you think badly of me, I won’t blame you. You’re great, really honest, says Hugo. One thing … tell me the truth, he says. Did you fall in love with either of them? Yes, says Karla, or so I think. But let’s not talk about that. I’m alone now.

Hugo says nobody likes to be alone. Sez you, says Karla, and you a vagabond! Hugo says why do you think I come to visit you? They are leaning across the table toward each other and Hugo bounces his eyebrows. Karla looks lovely when she smiles. She leans back in the booth, chews a fingernail happily and looks at him flirtatiously.

Rocky comes into his room at Casa Belmonte, he is hanging onto the doorknob and the walls for support. We see some impressive cleavage – it’s a woman, and there’s another one. The other one says We are your stag party present and we are here to fulfill all your fantasies. They drop their slinky robes and stand there in their underlovlies. Oh wait, there are three of them! Rocky crawls onto the bed and they stand over him looking like Victoria’s Secret models in their panty and bra ensembles. Rocky says excuse me, but when I see a bed, I can’t help myself. They hmmm appreciatively. Good night, says Rocky and conks out. They try to wake him to no avail.

At the pole-dancing place, Macarena is singing and Hugo admires her voice. Karla tells him that she has a twin who is a nun. No kidding! says Hugo. Karla says I recall you said you sing with your friend who plays the guitar and that you two are the best street musicians in Mexico. Karla asks when he sings, and he equivocates. Monday maybe Wednesday and Friday. Karla says tomorrow is Wednesday. Hugo gets vague.

The models are standing over sleeping Rocky telling Ramses, who is there with a camera, that they can’t wake him up. Don’t worry, says Ramses, when he sees the photos, he’ll think he’s had the best night of his life. Every man dreams of sleeping with three hot models like you. One of the girls says his fiancée won’t see these, right? Of course not, lies Ramses. He tells them to undress Rocky and then pose. They start in and Rocky smiles in his sleep and says wait until after the wedding.

Karla is trying to nail Hugo to a time when she can hear him sing and complains that she works at night. Hugo sets up a daytime time. Macarena is belting out her song onstage and Hugo chair dances a little.

Macarena’s torch song continues and we see an arty shot of Alex looking pensively out the window of Bobby’s apartment with moonlight on his face and then we see Mili bent over in a chair, sobbing. We see Vale in bed, smiling in her sleep. Then we see Ramses getting his shot. The girls are draped over Rocky’s sleeping form, but he isn’t exactly nekkid, as he has a T-shirt and boxers on. Click. Click. Click. At the club, Macarena finishes her song and the spotlight swoops around.

It’s morning at Mili’s little orange house and Luci is telling Vale to come eat a little something. The doorbell rings. Uh oh. Oh, whew, it’s only Robledo who wanted to hand-carry some papers for Luci. He tells her her money is all set. But he says there’s something… naw, he’ll ask Connie later. Luci says what? He says about Mili’s shares, there seems to be another seller and he can’t figure it out, but he’ll straighten it out on Monday.

Robledo says he has to talk to the person who’s going to help (I have no idea what he means, but Luci says uh-huh). He understands Connie’s position about Vale – she needs to understand that marriage is not a whim. Luci says uh-huh skeptically. Robledo says the person who is pretending to be a judge will bring it off beautifully. Uh-huh says Luci . (Oh, now I get it.) She sees Robledo out and heads for the phone, muttering that she can’t believe it! A fake judge! She dials up Nestor and says I need your help.

Chamuco and Gloria are in the kitchen. Chamuco says where that smile I love? Gloria says Vale is getting married, Lina is already married, and Mili has even already divorced and here’s me still single. Peer pressure is a rough thing, even if you create it yourself. I’m your boyfriend, don’t worry says Chamuco. Gloria says she read a magazine article and now she knows he’s one of those guys who’s afraid of commitment. Chamuco says what is it you want me to do? Gloria says let’s get married today!

Rocky is getting dressed for his wedding day and Alex is looking on. Rocky says he thought of kidnapping his chiquita like Alex did with Mili, but he never did because he thought a wedding was the right way to go. Rocky says how much he loves her and he asks Alex if he looks good for her, like a movie star? They joke around.

Nestor comes in and Rocky looks surprised, but Alex rolls his eyes. Nice manners, Alex. Rocky said they didn’t expect him, but Nestor says Luci sent him and there’s been a change of plans. We see Vale in her wedding gown – so lovely. She asks Mili and Lina if she looks okay, she is nervous. They swear she looks divine. Vale says she wants to look beautiful and the girls reassure her. Vale tells Lina to say “tu” for heaven’t sake, they’re friends!

Mili says Rocky loves you like crazy, he’s noble, he would never do anything to hurt you. She starts to break up and Vale says don’t cry, it’s catching. Mili says it’s just that weddings make me sentimental. Lina says you didn’t cry at mine! Luci comes in and exclaims over Vale. Vale says where were you? You disappeared! Luci says there’s been a change of plans. Vale gives her a look and freeze frame.

I wonder how they’re going to resolve all this in a week.

Avances: Mili tells Alex now she knows why he wants to work with that woman. She knows everything! He is cheating on her with Rosela! Alex looks shocked.

Labels: guapos

Al tells Sara that Lorena remains the love of his life. She completely loses it, her mouth gets square and she bares all her teeth as she hisses "you're blind and completely loco!". (Honey, that's saying the donkey has big ears!) She says he's crazy for a woman who deceived him. (Hmmm...) She gets totally hysterical and screams she will not be dumped for that falsa Lor. Al, convinced Sara is not worth the trouble, yells back that she'd better leave, NOW. He even raises his voice and waves his arms around a bit. Al is so over Sara. Again.

Meanwhile Lor tosses and turns in bed and recalls kissing Al in the rain, then she remembers her long slow Ernesto kiss. Sigh.

Sara tries a new tack with Al, she tells him if he plans to go looking for Lorena he can find her in the bed of Ernesto Mendiola her lover, one of the greatest chefs in Mexico. Does it hurt, does it hurt to imagine Lorena in bed with him? Al physically tries to throw her out but she wrenches free and stomps out. The camera rests on Al's unhappy constipated look as the lightning and thunder crack behind him.

Ivan strolls into his Tio's living room with a quadruple decker PBJ dripping jelly (or a ketchup/mustard sandwich oozing goo). He deliberately shakes the red goo onto tio's carpet after Ern asks him to be careful. Satisfied, Ivan walks off as Ern rolls his eyes, he can't deal with this teen right now.

The two younger kids run out, they can't sleep, they're afraid, is Lorena around? Ern tries to allay their fears, he carries them to bed.

Maruja can't sleep either. She recalls Jaime's words, that he wants to be friends. She sighs, "just friends, nothing more". Lorena joins her and admits that Ern kissed her. What should she do? Maruja says her mom always said when someone sighs hard it's because their soul wants to fly somewhere else. "Cuando uno suspira muy fuerte, es porque su alma desea volar a otra parte." (Caray readers, please correct my translation if it's off.) She asks Lorena where does her soul want to fly?

Ern reads the kids a story but it makes them sad because their mom used to read it to them. More amazing waterworks from the expert crier Gina. Ern promises them that they won't be alone, this is their house now and he loves them very much.

Maruja warns Lorena that Ern is very experienced in the ways of love and has had a lot of women. She advises Lor to take her time to get to know him better. Lor tells Maru that recently, due to the tragedy, she's had the chance to see another side of Ern, a more strong and sensitive side, nevertheless she doesn't think he's the man of her life. "Who is?" asks Maru, "Alonslow?" Lor waits a bit too long before answering that she can't love a man who doesn't believe in her. (Lorena, Ernesto believes in you!)

It's morning and Ern, used to keeping Chef's hours, sleeps soundly on his couch. The little kids wake him up, they are already dressed for school and they're late! Ivan left and there's no time for breakfast. The drive to school is a disaster, the kids are terrified that they'll get in an accident and scream until Ern pulls over. Traffic honks behind him. "Tio are you mad at us?" they ask.

Alonslow calls Paula and tells her he's coming over to get Toribio. Pau tells Torbi he can't stay there because the house is full with Val and her kids. Torbi resists saying he has more right to be there. Paula insists he has to leave with Al because he has a house and Val and the kids don't. Bottom line, Don T is chicken shit to face Al.

Vasco visits Jaime at his new digs. Jaime says the apartment is great but the new landlady is loco. Vasco indicates he's at the family biz in order to save it. Vasco asks if Jaime is really going through with the divorce. Absolutely says dad.

Cut to Cougar Barb on the prowl. Chalo is washing the limo wearing only his shorts. She pretends to be interested in his education by giving him a history book, he pretends to be interested in the book. They are both interested but the book has nothing to do with it. Chalo smiles to himself. I predict boinkage in the near future.

Sara arranges to have more money deposited into her account and whines about Al dumping her. She'll never let him go, never!

Jaqui bothers Sara about some wine auction thingies and Sara threatens Jaqui there could be a reduction in force if things are hard with the company.

Jaqui goes to Icky and tells him she suspects something is up with Sara. He tells her when Sara splits they'll check out her computer. Vasco enters the office and they all stare at each other.


Paula tells Alonslow about Amalia tricking Torbi out of his money, she tells Al to go easy, Toribio did it for love. Torbi becomes angry that Pau told Al (did he really think she wouldn't?). He feels like an old fool and says he refuses to go home with Al. He waves his arms and stomps out of the room. Al tells Pau he broke up with Sara. Pau doesn't look too happy. Oh yeah, Al just broke up with her best client.


Over at the Armendariz kitchens Jaqui whispers into her cellular that Sara is busy tasting and now is the time to spy. Sara, pissed off at the world, tastes the first dish and pronounces it horrible. Vasco tastes it and says it's excellent and Sara is full of it. "You will respect my authorotay" shouts Cartman, I mean Sara, as she heads for her office.

Jaqui stalls Sara while Icky tries to get into her computer. He can't figure out the password so he rifles through her papers. A bright red folder jumps out at him; what luck, it contains her bank statement!

Later Icky and Jaqui review the statement and see that Sara has deposited large sums of money into it. Icky thinks it's proof that she is stealing money from her own grandmother.

Jaqui, trying to return the evidence, busts into Sara's office with the bright red folder while Sara is texting Alonslow. Oops! Sara doesn't notice the bright red folder, (give me a break,) and decides to go for a coffee, allowing Jaqui to put the folder back in the drawer. Oh right.

Al gets Sara's text, she can't live without him and she never failed him, he rolls his eyes.

Oh my, Black Widow Amalia lumbers up to Al and wants to talk to him.

Lor shows up at Ern's place and is suprised to see the children are not at school. Tio overslept then drove too fast and... "Little by little" soothes Lor. She offers to help them unpack before she goes to her cooking class, and guess what, Tio Ern is the teacher.

Meanwhile Ern is outside Lor's house, almost goes in, and refrains lest he seem obsessive.

Alonslow scolds Amalia for betraying his pa. She denies it, she only told a little lie. She tells him she loves his pa and weeps convincingly, she wants Al's help. Al remains cold and firm, his pa moved out and won't come back. OK, she's got me fooled. Nice job black widow. Too bad Al's not buying it.

Torbi is at Pau's being a couch potato. She tells him to find some activities. What, Tai Chi in the park, he sneers.

Now for the saddest (and for me the most real) scene of the day. Lor helps the kids unpack and little Gina pulls out a shirt, she takes a deep sniff, it smells like her mother. (I remember that happening to me about 5 years after my mother died. I found a box with some of her clothing and when I opened it I could smell her. Wow, the memories that blasted through my head, I didn't know if I was happy or sad. Both I guess.) Anyway, Lorena suggests they save it, she's really nice to these kids, no wonder they like her.

The maid brings ice cream, the kids lick their lips, and Lor announces she has to go to class. Maid says please come any time, she's great with the kids. Lor looks at them affectionately, she's really falling for them.

Paula tells Torbi that Dario wants to get back together with her. He's not too happy to hear the news and asks if she wants to get back with him. She says maybe she'll do it for Bettina. Torbi says Dario will always be Bettina's dad, whether Paula marries Batman or the Bionic Woman or whomever. She laughs and tells him she's grateful to have a psychologist as a dad. Ah papa, why is love so hard? That's the question of the day, he says.

Bettina comes home and is bummed that Ivan hasn't called. Torbi comments that everyone suffers from love.

Dario and Jaqui and their lawyers are in front of the divorce judge. She wants alimony and Dario thinks not. He throws her photo of betrayal at the judge. Much arguing ensues and the judge says he'll grant the divorce immediately. Clearly these two do not belong together.

Ern's maid dusts his statues with a paintbrush and tells him Lor came to visit.

Over at the cooking school Lor and her friend discuss Maestro Ernesto's situation, so sad that his sister died. Friend says he's lucky to have Lor around to comfort him. Suddenly the kids run in and hug Lorena. Ern follows, smiling.

He tells the kids to behave and they say OK as long as they can play with Lorena. Ern explains to his class that his niece and nephew are there today, the students all wave hello. He explains he's a bit off today so bear with him please. Little Gina pipes up that her parents will help him from heaven. Ern looks serious and kind of sad as he starts class. Lorena watches him with an interested expression on her face. Is this the new and improved Ernesto?

Valeria tells Al that she plans to leave to be closer to her family. Al is bummed, he likes her there. She tells him he and Sara can visit her. He gets his constipated look and tells her he broke up with Sara.

Ern gives a tutorial on salad making. Lor's friend submits her vinaigrette for him to try. To her surprised delight he pronounces it very good. He whispers something in Lor's ear. Nor sure what it was but Lor slips a note in his pocket.

Val tells Al she always thought Sara was cold and calculating. (Since when? She was sucking up to her last time I saw). Al says he can't stop loving Lorena; Val says it's a lost cause, didn't he have proof she betrayed him? He says now he's not sure. Val says it might be too late but if he really feels that way he should talk to her.

After cooking class the kiddies run toward some yummy brownies which gives Ern a chance to read Lor's note. She needs to talk to him after work. Ern gives us a beautiful smile.

Bruno and Diana move into their new apartment. She makes him carry her over the threshhold to avoid bad luck. Whoa, way too late for that Diana. He says the three of them will be very happy. "The four or five of us," she adds, she wants lots of kids. Bruno urps, uh later on that. He goes into pig mode and tells her he doesn't want her to go back to work, he demands it as her husband. She announces she's his wife, not his slave, and he can't demand anything. "We'll see" he says to the empty room.

Ern gets home with the kids and sulky Ivan waits outside the door. He's been waiting three hours.

Julian shows Omar his pictures in ABC sports and Omar goes on and on about Julian enjoying young bodies while he has the chance. Zuly overhears and thought bubbles that it's obvious Omar has a younger woman despite what Maruja said.

Diana unpacks a picture of Bruno and looks at it like maybe he's not the guy she thought he was. She's probably thinking that maybe he's a big asshat and she made a mistake dumping Vasco.

After work Rossy helps Lorena get dressed in her street clothes and announces that Lorena looks great. Lor has butterflies in her stomach. I don't care what she looks like, if she worked in a kitchen all night she smells like fish and garlic.

Alonslow waits outside the restaurant like a stalker. He gets a text message from that nasty piece of work Sara telling him that Lorena will betray him and he doesn't deserve it.

Lor walks out, Al gawks and thought bubbles how lovely she is, Ern drives up, gives her a brief kiss and they drive off. Bwaahaahaa Al you idiot!

Ern says he's going to take her to a special place, a surprise. They arrive at an overlook high above the city. Ern gives her his jacket so that we can see his awesome biceps, Thanks Ern.

Lor says from up there the city seems tiny, beautiful, like one could conquer it. He tells her she can, she's a woman with talent, character, a big heart. He tells her he loves her. She asks, really? To answer he gives her a nice long kiss. A real one, with music and everything.

She tells him she loves him too but she's afraid. He says she taught him to love. Oh man, he's a much much better kisser than Alonso. Do it again! The best thing about his kisses, he smiles at her afterward! He's happy, he holds her and she's happy too.

She smiles and thought bubbles, after today my life is new, goodbye to Alonso and the rain and hello to the dawn.

Labels: enemiga

So, no Spanish subtitles for me tonight, which made me understand why people have been complaining about the background noise of this show - loud chirping crickets, waterfalls, rain, miscellaneous scratching noises. Here's what I could glean:

• Juan goes to see Unibrow, aka Pedro's father (and a terrible mumbler, but I'm not complaining, least we don't have to watch him kissing anybody in this telenovela). Unibrow shows Juan a picture of yore, with Juan's mom next to him (a younger version of Unibrow). Sister and brother. Unibrow says he'll do whatever he has to, to get Pedro to trust him.
  
  
• At the Tumbao Rosario and Eva hug. They've decided even if Gabriela is telling the truth and they are not daughter and mother, they love each other as if they were. Margarita asks, "what if your real mother turns up?" "I don't think about it - I don't need anybody but Eva."
  
  Later Margarita reveals to Eva: "Rosario is my daughter." Eva is, like, impactada.
  
  
• Pedro sulks, waiting for Juan. When Juan gets back and sez he's been to see Unibrow, Pedro the Hairy premieres the night's theme: "I will never pardon him, never!"
  
  Juan says, "Here's some advice: kids can't divorce their parents, he'll always be your dad, and you're lucky to have him, I dream about my parents but they're gone. Listen to your heart and then decide."
  
  
• It's night, thunder and lightning, and as the storm rises the boys storm the hacienda. First, Oscar sneaks in on Jimena who, lying in bed wearing a cheesy white satin ribbon in her hair - the kind we wrap presents with - and hugging her red satin stuffed heart, says audibly: "Oscar, I miss you."
  
  But when Oscar-in-the-flesh comes around the corner, looking handsome and appealing, she says she doesn't want to see him, ever again, he betrayed her. He says he had to do it for his sister, but he fell in love, and he gives her excellent puppy-dog eyes (I would have melted), but she says go away and don't come back.
  
  She doesn't look happy when he leaves, via the balcony - it was hard for him to get down that rope with one arm, I bet - and rides away.
  
  
• Sarita paces, prays, takes out her quill pen and starts a letter to Franco, then stops, paces, complains of the pain of life, she can't find peace, suddenly a voice is heard. Franco is serenading her, she melts and then refreezes, I have things like that in my refrigerator and they aren't a pretty sight.
  
  He sings but to no avail. He should have shaved if he wanted this tactic to succeed; she throws water on him and tells him to leave. He, too, goes out via the balcony on a rope and also rides away.
  
  
• Sofia tosses in her bed. She dreams of Juan, they have a wonderful dreamy kiss, sigh. But it's a dream. She goes downstairs to put water in a flower vase and sees Fernando sneaking out of mom's bedroom. She comes back upstairs, perplexed by what she saw. "He's playing with mother, she'll suffer, I'm sure."
  
  She hears a whinny. It's Juan and his horse staring plaintively up at her window. "We have to talk." She says no, he says he and Capricho will stay all night. It starts to rain. He is like John Cusack (right) in "Say Anything," except he has a horse instead of a car. In the morning they're still there, both man and horse are drenched and shivering.
  
  (You note I feature the horse prominently. Poor thing, out in the rain, he didn't ask for it. On the other hand, my donkey does this too, of his own free will. He spends hours in the rain shivering when he has a perfectly nice house.)
  
  So Sofia finally agrees to talk. He takes her to Libia's tomb and kneels and asks her to forgive him. No dice. He gets mad, "You pardoned your father but not me? He lied to my sister!" No dice. She wants to walk home alone but he insists on taking her.
  
  
• Pedro takes Unibrow to church because it's probably been several decades since he's said confession. So now he'll confess his sins to Father Bouffy. Bouffy says it's never too late. (A PSA in behalf of your local clergy.)
  
  
• Ferd smokes a cigar at the bottom of the stairs. Gab shows up and asks why he's so nervous, is he worried that Sofia's out?
  
  And speak of the devil, at that VERY moment Sofia and Juan show up. And so does Don Augustin. But though the scene looks dramatic, nothing happens.
  
  
• Quintina has painted a clown's mouth on herself with lipstick. She and the lawyer, who appears to be living in, have a real or fake kiss (I can't tell) and she gets a megaphone and very rapidly fills him in on the whole story. He falls asleep during the telling. She misses her "General."
  
  
• Meanwhile her General, playing toy soldiers all alone, misses her too.
  
  
• At the bakery, Juan (the only one who ever works) is thinking of the Sofia bread and, coincidentally at that VERY moment, so is Sofia! Kozmik Synkrony!
  
  
• Gramps tells his daughter how Furd deceived him and will deceive her, too. Gab says complacently, "He has nothing, it's all in my hands." "No, he manipulates you in the name of 'helping' you." "No, it's mine, all mine, and don't come around here or I'll have you thrown out in the street."
  
  Then Gab gives Furd a massage in the study and says "Everything I have is yours." He smirks.
  
  
• At the Bad Love Bar, Armando is handing Rosario a bill of goods, the line Furd sent him with, that is to say: "Make her trust you."
  
  But maybe Armando is a double agent and really means it? "Rosario, let's join forces, I'll protect you." "No, I can't move against Furd, he'll take my son and I'll never see Luisito again. Anyway, you're Furd's dog, why would you change sides?"
  
  "Because I hate him too, he humiliates me." "Wouldn't you betray me?" "No, because I'm tired of him and want him to pay."
  
  
• Juan is still kneading dough, the other brothers come in, they're all despondent not to mention crabby because they've been rejected by their women, Oscar drops more rolls, Franco picks them up and puts them back on the tray (will they at least be sold at a discount?), the lawyer and all nag Juan to remember where his father put his will. Juan figures it out! It's under the tree!
  
  
• Furd brings Luisito into the hacienda, Sofia is happy to see the boy but not happy to see who he's with. "You feel nothing for him, Furd, you're just trying to impress me. I know you were in my mother's bed."
  
  Furd says they have to talk: "Aww, sweetie, if you just say the word I'll come back to you." Sofia barfs (not really). Gabriela comes in and asks what's up. They don't tell.
  
  
• The Reyes Bros. and the lawyer go to the tree and poke and dab at its roots with small, ineffective sticks (they remind me of those wimpy extras wielding agave pikes so unconvincingly in Destilando).
  
  Despite the inadequate toolage, the boys (or, probably, some hapless Televisa studio assistants) manage to make an impressive hole and pull out a banged up antique metal lunchbox and open it with a big knife and guess what, the will is in it, and it's not even water damaged in the slightest! And it names the boys as their dad's sole heirs. (Well, it names Libia too, but she won't be getting her share.)

Tomorrow: a visit to the tomb. Raquel and Gabriela are not happy campers.

Labels: Fuego

Two more days left!
For those following along on You Tube, we are up to the end of 192-4

Sarita and Franco visit Rosario who says that she really loved Franco but didn't know how to handle it and did bad things.

Juan overpowers Feonando and takes charge. Here Grabiela and Feo are 'eating locally.' Later, Juan manages to catch an eel that they eat further demonstrating his superiority to Feo as a wilderness guy even though he is crippled.

The guy who knows the swamp finally shows up from Canada and it turns out he Los Reyes long-lost uncle, Anibal. He is known on TW as the Swamp Tio. It's perfectly obvious that he is Ruth's father, too, which provides a reason for the resemblance between her and Libia. He organizes an expedition into the swamp to find Juan and Grabiela.

Juan modestly refuses to take off his wet shirt in front of Grabiela citing her disgust of his shirtlessness when Los Reyes were building the cabaña. We see a flashback to that early part of the novela and Grabi must have been crazy not to have wanted to see this every day.

Labels: gavilanes

We begin with the MTV video that leads to "the kiss" and then.... the let down. Lore stops herself and says this is an error, and this can’t happen, she’d better leave. Ern tries to convince her they did nothing wrong, it was merely a kiss, and he likes being with her, but she thinks she better go and she runs out. Ern thinks to himself how much he wants to give her his love. Lore doesn’t think she can trust him.

Al gives Val some expensive pills that he bought especially for Flor because the clinic doesn’t carry them. He believes they will help.

Lore is telling Rossy of the kiss and her lack of confidence in Ernie’s staying power. Rossy however thinks he’s the bomb and notes that Lore is a little hot about the kiss; she admits that’s true because she’s acknowledging Al is in the past. She rushes off to school.

Jacqui kisses Vasco’s butt and is thrilled he’s there instead of Horty. Vasco tells her to get him all the profit and loss stuff. Sara busts up Jac's parade by yelling at Vasco that she’s going to take some wine for an auction benefit that she’s attending in place of Horty and despite him noting they have losses and not wanting her to do so. Sara just walks all over him that she’s going to do this and that’s the end of it. RRrrrrr....

Jacqui complains to her new meat how those two are putting her in the middle of their hate fights but Icky is distracted. His divorce signing is today, plus he doesn’t like that the twenty something is in charge instead of him. Jacqui gets a call from her lawyer and hopes her divorce will be soon. Weird, what was the point of being married if it only lasted a week. Whatever.

So now Pau is on the phone giving advise for her business when Dario shows up. There are some niceties exchanged but the gist is, Pau marry me again. There is super bad editing here like this was supposed to be the real end of the episode and they cut away to her on the other side stopping the music crescendo mid cresc.. Essentially she says no, things are different, you had 15 years with me and we can’t just erase the errors and no way will us going to Thailand together like you want magically make everything ok. She thinks the money should be invested for Betti’s education or something, they aren't kids anymore. He pulls the old do it for the kid, but Pau very cooly dismisses that as not enough of a reason and she’s not sure she wants him back but she will think about it.


At the judicial proceeding Icky tells the judge he still wants to be married but Val definitely doesn’t. She yells at him for using the kids and reminds him she has proof of his infidelities. Finally he signs.

At the auction Al breaks up with Sara and she begs him not to. She wants to know what she did to make him hate her. She only loved him, blah blah blah. Sorry, I actually side with her, because why would you break up with someone (even her) at a benefit event? No class.

On the sunnier side of town Lore and Ern are at a park with the kids and they scream for a kiss so she relents but only on the cheek. Ern tells her he really likes her and she says how many times have you said that before, she doesn’t want to get in to it. She still doesn’t trust him. He swears it’s different this time.

The Sara /Al whining continues until he leaves, he says she’s strong and will be fine and they will talk later. Jacqui comes up saying some press want to talk to Sara, but she has to clean up her mascara first....oh and yell at Jacqui of course and swear she won’t lose Al.

Chalo is at the mansion, (why?) I think in the library reading the books. Barb comes in and they chat a little about the authors, bonding. He asks Barbi to explain the book.

A nurse gives Snorty therapy saying she’ll be up and around lickety split.

Barb confesses she’s read nothing. Chalo says he hasn’t either and repeated primary school. He mentions something about growing up in his small town of San Martin. This rings a bell for Barb and she thinks Sara is from there too. Chalo feigns that he didn’t know and brushes it off.

At Tori’s building, a claustrophobic husband is stuck in an elevator and Al blames Tori for something again, this?

The divorcee club is drinking wine AGAIN and chatting about Dario’s latest trick. Betti talks to her friend about Ivan not being around. Her friend says guys are like that, kiss and run, but Betti hasn’t kissed him. She dances to RBD with the little girl. Ma yells about the volume, and Ma's friend thinks maybe if she gets back with Dario then Rai will be free. That doesn’t go over well for the preying friend. Just then Val shows up confirming her divorce is final and they console and cheer her telling her it's ok to celebrate and cry.

Maru and Jaime are walking to the apt she intends to show him. He thanks her for helping him and again she says that's the best a friend can do.

Julian gets a new digital camera and takes cute poses of Rossy and remarks how sexy she is.

Jaime looks the apartment and the owner is a little eccentric, she mentions the bed sleeps two, and he says he has no partner, but she says his aura is orange, which means he’s looking for a partner. He takes the apt. And, he likes that it is close to Maru's house and the owner lady promises to read his cards, on the house of course.

Lore shows up with a lollipop for the little girl, and Ern has a soccer ball, and he is surprised Lore didn’t blow him off and showed up. She says she keeps her promises.

Sara yells at Jacqui some more and the organizer thanks her for her generosity. She cuts him off because she’s waiting for her beau.

Ern and Lore share quality time with the kids paying football.

The auction goes on. Al comes back, I don’t get this, I thought he left after breaking up with her, but now he’s back? She greets him and wants to show him off, that one day one of these might be his patient. He’s content with his poor people, but she wants him to aspire to more.

Ern tells Lore again how much he REALLY loves her. He leans in for another kiss and the kids chant again.

Now Al is yelling at Sara for belittling his life’s work. He calls her ambitious. She doesn’t want to argue now, he says he doesn’t want to continue with her. Could they have screwed up these segments out of order? I swear this should go before the other scene. Maybe Al got the call to save his Pa at the elevator fiasco and left and came back? I guess that must be it. Just odd.

Val has custody of the kids and Arty has to pay, they each discuss their situations over more wine. They tell Val about Dario’s proposal. At some point Betti walks through the kitchen and overhears them discussing this and she smiles hopefully.

Al blasts Tori for being immature. He goes into self pity mode and apologizes for causing so many problems and that he’ll give him back the money as soon as he can. Sara calls Al and he is not happy.

At the kitchen Lore pours tamarind sauce on the wrong thing. Maru helps her and notes her distractedness and that she and Rossy need to talk to each other later, work now.

Ern gets a message, surely from a former love, who is in London, but will come to see him when she gets back. I swear she says something about hearing about the in law. Could this be that this woman is actually married or was married to Ern or was it merely figurative... he said he was never married, right? Moni shows up with gifts for the kids who don’t really care, they want Lore. Come on, now what kid turns down a gift, even from someone they don’t like? Right.

Betti talks to Pa and tells what she heard. He begs her to help him turn her Ma around to marrying him again.

Zully is in a hissy fit because Omar doesn’t desire her. She pulls out all of her Oscar Meyers and rips up all her skinny pictures and swears off her worthless diet since he still doesn’t want her.

Speaking of Omar, he’s eating with Vasco.


While Zully is upset, Julian comes in and asks what her problem is. He notes she’s eating like a fiend. She misses Di and doesn’t understand why Sara doesn’t want to live her. Julian says Di, ok, but Sara is a loser, fuhgettaabouther. She cries.


Omar tells Vasco about, ok, say it with me, who predicted this? Erectile Dysfunction. How about that.

Rossy still thinks that Lore should give in to Ern and that he is being honest. It’s thunder storming again so of course she has to be thinking of Al. Rossy thinks she should use Ern to forget Al. Flashback to the first meeting at the taxi. He is thinking of her too.

Ern is worried about Ivan, Moni says he’s probably fine. He thinks he might find out something from Betti and wants to get the number from Lore. Moni doesn’t like the sound of that. Just then Ivan shows up. Moni says she has a gift for him. Ivan chides Ern he thought he was going out with the blond, and now he goes with everyone! He leaves. Ern tells Moni best to leave.

Al is muttering Lore’s name to the rain when Sara shows up desperate to convert him back to loving her again. He just tells her he was clear with her. She doesn’t let up so finally he has to scream he doesn’t love her because he hasn’t stopped loving Lorena and she is the love of his life.
Smack.

Labels: enemiga