Caray, Caray!

PJ/S meets his daughter, Ángela. She had intended to fire him but after seeing his smoldering gaze, she decides he can stay.

PJ/S hears psychic barking from Azur.

PJ/S shakes hands with Antonio (it's funny how PJ/S calls Antonio and Simón, 'joven,' meaning, 'young man.' You would expect to hear that from a much older man than Salvador appears to be.) Anyway, Antonio says that PJ/S's hand was so cold that it felt like his hand was burning and his veins froze. Antonio does not take to PJ/S and wants to keep Ángela away from him.

A new look for the repulsive Rebeca. When PJ/S is driving her, she tells him a lot of lies about how PJ asked her to come to his house and even wanted to marry her. Then she pretends to have social engagements while ignoring what she is supposed to do as administrator of the house.

PJ/S smiles at the thought that soon he will see Isabel. He is sure that however disappointing his encounters as Salvador have been with the other people he left behind, Isabel would never betray him.

Isabel tells Valeria that she should leave the house.

Gaetana has an exciting birthday and tell PJ/S that she is afraid of him. She doesn't think he is really PJ and that people don't take over other people's body for a good reason. PJ/S says that he was given this opportunity to make things right that he left behind and he is going to take it.

Labels: cuerpo

Feo and Gabi have just formalized their engagement. Nobody feels much like toasting the happy couple, so Gabi lays a guilt trip on them. Sofi stiffly wishes them well and Sarita grudgingly follows suit. Grandpa, clutching Sofía's hand, says nothing. The two daughters take tiny sips of their champagne, then look away disgustedly as Gabi and Feo seemingly proceed to consummate their engagement right there.

Now we embark upon a montage with pan-pipe accompaniment:

• Juan bonds with the tribe in a barn-raising party.
• Franco, Q, and Pablito work the fields.
• Rigo and his family move in with the Reyes.
• Juan bounces a new baby happily until he remembers something he can't quite remember.
• Sofi and Sarita make big bucks at their trinket shop. Eva brings Pablito by for some hugs.
• Rosario continues to be worshiped as a goddess at the Bad Love Bar.
• Juan verbally defends the tribe against the toothless government guy and the dimestore shaman.
• Franco tries to talk to Sarita, and she rebuffs him, not letting him see her tears of regret.
• Franco & co. do more serenades.
• Sofi prays some more for the safe return of her child.

Juan totes water and firewood, and corrects the breadmaker's technique. Suddenly, he has a flashback about Libia's tomb, the "FR" tree, three little boys with bandannas on their heads, and a glowing lily. He keels over from the shock, landing headfirst in the dough (woohoo! Gorilla cookies with hair!!) and then lands on his ass, screaming in pain.

"Days later," as the caption says, a strange hairy man rides into Serdán on a beautiful white horse. Wait, that's no strange hairy man - it's Oscar with whiskers. There is much rejoicing. Tadeo approaches him eagerly, hoping for good news, but the look in Oscar's eyes betrays disappointment. The townsfolk stand around expectantly. Franco runs to greet him. Eva begs for a happy report. Oscar is silent for a long time as everyone waits tensely. Finally he shakes his head and hugs Franco.

I keep wishing he had hung around the tribal village just long enough for a shave.

Juan tells Silvestre and his crowd of onlookers that he doesn't know where he learned how to bake bread. He's already got a big trayful of several varieties, which he hands out to everyone.

Back in Serdan, Oscar tells them he searched all over and found no sign of either Juan or the child. Sofía shows up a split-second later with Grandpa and Sarita, and Oscar repeats that he didn't find them. Sofi goes into hysterics and begs for it not to be true. Everyone is crying.

Juan's still kneading the dough, working it like a madman. He seems very concerned that the village will run out of bread. He has Silvestre stoke the oven. (Evidently, Silvestre is the only helpful person in this village.)

(Aerial shot of the Hacienda Agustín shows a utility pole right out front, perfect for posting a "lost baby" flyer...)

Sarita tells Grandpa that her mother and Feo left early for Puebla. Grandpa knows why. Sure enough, a judge in the state capital is declaring them married at this very moment. Next thing, they're in bed and it's so gross. He's saying "now you're mine, all mine until we're separated by death." Well, how long can that be?

Dr. Leonora watches Juan toss and turn in his sleep. Just like she learned in med school, she takes her clothes off (I see she's wearing a thong because you wanna be extra-sexy and uncomfortable when you're in the middle of nowhere) and gets into bed with him and takes his oblivious sleepy hand.

Meanwhile, Sofía reprises her Wuthering Heights La Llorona act, wandering the misty moors Dry Ice Woods (previously the Rape Forest), gnashing her teeth and crying for Heathcliff Juan and her child. She encounters a mysterious man, former Dancing With The Stars contestant Cristian de la Fuente, on a white horse. He gets down for a better look, but she has already disappeared into the fog.

At Las Barrancas ("The Ravines"), as the tribal village is apparently called, Juan sleepily takes the Doctora in his arms and kisses her. Then he realizes that she's not... whoever it is that he doesn't remember... and hastily pushes her away and tells her to get dressed. He can't be with her because he doesn't know who he is or where he came from. (She is watching him put his pants on, he's still wearing those black underpants, I keep wondering if she's going to call him Ralph or Calvin based on whatever name is on the tag.) He needs time to remember if he's got a girlfriend or anything. What if he never remembers anything, she asks? He says in that case, maybe he'll stay here and maybe they'll have a relationship. But he just wants time.

Sofi plays with her bell collection and remembers the Dancing Star she saw in the woods. "That man's not from around here. I've never seen him before. Who could he be?"

He's a guy who's staying in a nice place, petting a dog, and looking at an old framed photo of a blond woman and a little girl (looks like Gina from QE) and a little boy. He wonders who that woman in the mist could be.

Sofía lights a candle and remembers Oscar saying he didn't find Juan and the baby. She decides to go looking for the child herself. But evidently not tonight.

Oscar tells Franco he had a funny feeling that Juan had been at this Ravines place, even searched the place from hut to hut, but maybe his compulsion to find Juan made him a little goofy. Franco hesitantly raises the possibility that Juan could be dead.

Juan, smeared in flour, is sniffing one of his world-famous conchas. He's about to take a bite when some guy shows up and tells Juan he's a señalado (a "sign" - a prophet? a prophecy?). He's humble, but he's a señalado. Not just because he saved the doctora's life, but because of the light in his eyes and his great strength. Juan says he's just a guy with no past; he's lost. The guy says that when one feels lost, he should listen to his heart for the answer. His past is in his hands, and the seed he planted in his past will become his future.

Some time later (I'll skipping ahead for storytelling convenience), Juan chases the wise man and asks him to repeat what he said. He tells Juan that men aren't the masters of their own destinies. When they wander off their marked path, something always brings them back. Juan asks, what if they have nothing and nowhere to go back to? In that case, they have to work with what they've got and try to go on. Juan seems unhappy with this advice.

Still later, Juan tells the wise man he can't be happy if he doesn't know his past or who he is. Wise man says nobody really knows who he is, so no need to get all worked up about it. Juan says, "I feel like I've met you before, and all that you're saying, I've heard it before from someone like you." But he can't remember.

Sofi prays some more about finding her child. She still thinks Juan took her away, and with her, all of Sofi's hopes and dreams. Without her daughter, she's nobody. She's a woman without a present and without a future and without a past. (Damn, if only she had that seed the wise man was talking about!)

The Robles-Reyes crops are coming in nicely. Franco says there were times he felt like throwing in the towel, what with all the problems. On one side, Sofi was blaming Juan for stealing their child. On the other side, Gabi was putting their crops at risk. Quintina kept him going, and they got their water back, and they started a serenading business, which had been Oscar's idea in the first place. Oscar's very proud of what Franco was able to accomplish on his own.

Oscar asks about Jimena. Franco says she's had nervous breakdown and word is her mom wants to have her committed.

(And now a cell phone ad featuring La Llorona. She warns travelers that this roadway is a DEAD zone. All of their messages will be lost! Waaaaaah!)

Oscar's upset about Gabi's plan to put Jimena away. Then Franco updates Oscar about that whole business with the water pump at the spring and their father signing it over to her and how she claims he was in love with her, which we know is the opposite of what really happened, and Oscar doesn't buy it either.

Feo notes the change in Gabriela - she no longer has that air of bitterness. She credits him for the change. He suggests that they get dressed and go for a stroll, but Gabi wants to just hang around and screw. She says they won't be able to enjoy their happiness in the city with everyone watching and judging them. And now she's ready for some more sugar. (Dude, she's going to break it!)

Franco and Oscar agree there's no way their dad was ever in love with Gabi, but they wonder why he signed over the rights to the spring. Oscar misses Jimena, but he's worried that if he visits her she'll get worse. Franco suggests talking to Eva to find out what's going on.

Franco again admits he's worried that Juan could be dead, but he's not ready to give up, and he wants to go search for Juan himself. Oscar says they should wait for the crop to come in, and then resume the search together.

They wonder if they should reserve the pastures for grazing, or if they should plant something there. Just then, the Dancing Star comes along and introduces himself as Damián Ferrer. He offers to rent their pastures because he raises horses who need a place to graze. He says they can name their price. Oscar coolly says he'll think about it.

Oscar and Franco step aside to discuss. Oscar of course wants to get big bucks out of the guy, while Franco warns him not to be greedy and wants only what's fair. Oscar says that because Juan wants them to be honorable, he'll do that, but just this time.

Grandpa works out a document with some lawyer saying Feo can have no control over Grandpa's assets, nor over any part of the hacienda that belongs to him. (As I recall, Grandpa still owns 20% of the hacienda that never belonged to Bernardo.) If Feo tries anything with Grandpa's things, he'll be committing a very serious crime. Grandpa gloats.

Feo is thought-bubbling in bed that he enjoys Gabi's passion, but he enjoys her money even more. Gabi asks why he's looking at her that way. He says he's thinking how much he loves her and how happy they'll be.

Oscar and Franco show Damián into the hacienda to discuss price; he'll pay more than a reasonable amount if that's what they need. Oscar starts to agree that that's a great idea, but Franco cuts him off and says no, of course it'll be a fair price and not a cent more. Then Quintina shows up and is impactada at his handsomeness. He smiles in a friendly way and doesn't even blink at her clown-lips. He kisses her hand and she swoons. She says she's in love and demonstrates swoons a few more times.

El Ex-Jefe gets a visit from Coyote, who says he looked everywhere and didn't find Juan, it's like the earth swallowed him up. Ex-Jefe tells him to continue watching out for the Reyes and also keep an eye on Feo. He doesn't believe a word of Feo's version of what happened that night, and if he dared to lie, they'll find out sooner or later and Feo will be sorry.

The sooner-or-later-to-be-sorry man is bragging to Gabi that he's going to make the hacienda the most productive in the region and show everyone that he married for love, not for money like they all think. They'll find out who Feonando Escandon is and and what he's capable of doing for his wife's love.

She moans that she's soooo happy. He wants to go back to the hacienda now and tell everybody about their wedding. She wants to stay at the hotel para siempre. When they get back to the hacienda it'll be all the problems again. He says she doesn't have to worry about any of that, he'll take care of everything, all he cares about is her welfare, peace, and health. "You won't be sorry." She gets horny again.

Sofi tells Jimena that Oscar came back. She hopes that will get a reaction out of Jimena. Jimena doesn't react, which Sofía muses could either mean that Jimena doesn't care, or else she does care but can't show it. "How we've suffered," Sofía says. The three of them have suffered, and they don't deserve it. Oscar came back without Juan and without the baby, she says. He said he couldn't find them, but she's not going to give up. She'll keep looking for her child and never give up. Never!

Mexico airdate: 24 de Junio
Word of the day: Agobiarse = to suffocate, become anxious, get uptight/worked up.
Next time: Sofi calls Juan on the Psychic Friend Hotline. Only, maybe it's not what it seems, because it looks as though Dr. Leonora can hear Sofía too.

Labels: Fuego

It began already, with Lorena being mad at Ern for having had the nerve to have a life before she came along. Not to defend Ern for everything, but I never understood getting mad at someone for something they did that wasn't wrong at the time. Now you can use something like that to draw conclusions about the character of someone, but you can't act like they should have seen the future and done something different. Though if Ern really 'loved' Lorena so much already at the time he should have kept it in his pants and saved himself some trouble. Whatever. The writers have decided it is time for Alonso to be Mr. Good Guy again. He found out the truth about Lorena and Sara, in today's episode he tries to help her with a lawyer and while at work gives Sara the complete brushoff. Ern, now, has gone back to acting like a jerk. So, get used to it everyone, Alonso has all but cemented his return as main Galan.

On the street in San Martin, Lorena thanks Alonso for everything and they hug. They agree that Sara must pay. Ern shows up right then, he and Alonso puff out their chests and then start punching each other. In the process Lorena gets hit. She gets mad at Ern and tells him to leave. Alonso apologizes and she tells him it's ok. Alonso is main galan again alert (AIMGAA) #1.

Inside, the short nun tells Zulema how Lorena always loved to cook and help everyone. Tall skinny nun runs in yelling about a fight. I thought the fight was over, Ern already left. Anyway they run outside, where Omar already got to, explanations all around. Everyone lets Al off the hook for being in the fight while being upset at Ern's behavior. AIMGAA #2.

Barbara comes home crying, Sara is there and Barb tells her Chalo is dead. She acts surprised, especially when Barb says he died in her arms. "um did he say anything?" The answer is no, so Sara is satisfied. She goes upstairs and wants to cry, but she stops herself and says it was Chalo's own fault.

Vasco goes to see the top gangster, who sent the dead bird. He tells gangster guy that he is going to the authorities, even though gangster guy basically says he'll kill him if he makes trouble.

Lorena, Omar, and Zulema teleported home I guess since they are already there. Lorena tells Julian the good news about her parentage and calls him brother, Julian gives her a look like she has cooties. That was just for the commercial I guess, or he was supposed to look confused. It was much more 'disgusted' than 'confused'. He should spend some time with Alonso to get the confused look down, since Alonso has that look on 24/7. After the commercial he is all smiles.

Alonso tells Toribio about the fight. Alonso thinks that Ern acting so childish works in his (Al's) favor.

Lor and family tell Julian the whole story, DNA, etc. They want to go with him tomorrow to tell his sweetie and her mom, but he is going to be too busy, since he got a job as a PA for the sports channel! More hugs. Yay.

The next day Julian goes to work looking sharp in a nice suit, he starts his training. It's not all soccer, he needs to work on all sports.

Omar, Zulema, and Lorena go to Diana's to tell HER the big news. It goes over well. While telling the story, Alonso's status seems to be raised from "nice guy" to "future saint" for his part. AIMGAA #3. At one point Zulema notices some bruising on Di's face, like a typical abused woman she makes up a story.

In bed, Barbara reads Chalo's note and cries some more. Augusta knocks on the door and says she has to leave, Barbara tells her go ahead.

The whole 'Lorena is blonde' thing came up again, Omar says from his grandparents.

Ern comes home (took him a lot longer than the others, huh? Like an ENTIRE DAY?) looking like crap and his maid freaks out about it. Ern acts surly and tells her to mind her own business. AIMGAA #4. He goes into his room to take his shirt off for you ladies and proceeds to have a little tantrum.

Ivan is helping Bettina with homework, they almost kiss but Paula's radar went off and she came in the room just in time. The phone rings, Dario says he isn't coming home for dinner. Paula isn't pleased.

Outside in some field, Vasco tells some guys that he will resolve what's going on with the trees.

Maruja sees Ern at work and can't believe his injuries. Ern acts like a total asshole to everyone and stomps off. AIMGAA #5.

Barb has Chalo's ashes, Augusta tells her that she needs to leave again the following day, Barb says sure whatever. Sara overhears the whole exchange and starts plotting.

Ivan and Ern discuss Ern's fight.

Rosy and Maruja are excited with the news about Lorena, lots of hugs. Alonso is moved from "future saint" to "might be sainted sooner than we thought". AIMGAA #6. Lorena says tomorrow she is denouncing Sara.

Ern and Ivan chat, they both think that Lorena was cheating on Ern with Al the entire time. AIMGAA #6.

Barb tries to call Vasco but can't reach him.

Vasco is still talking to people outside when there are gunshots, everyone starts running. A woman falls and Vasco turns to help her and gets shot in the stomach and falls to the ground. Someone yells that it was Gervasio that shot him (I guess he's the gangster) and they get a jeep to put Vasco in to try and get him to the hospital.

Ivan tries to tempt Ern with his little black book to call an ex for some sexual healing. This kid has gone from tantrum throwing baby to sex fiend since last week. The only name that isn't rejected immediately is Jimena, but Ern says she travels too much.

Omar calls Al at work, Al agrees to come over the next day to meet with a lawyer about the Sara thing. What a selfless act. AIMGAA #7. Lady boss comes into Al's office and tells him they have a candidate for gastric bypass, Al's new specialty, coming in.

Lorena is moving out of Maruja's house to sleep in a real bed for a change, there are many tears.

Sara finds Al at clinic #23, he tells her to get lost. Good for you Al, except that it's AIMGAA #8. Bruno walks up, brief public service announcement about gastric bypass, then Al leaves. Bruno teases Sara for being ignored by Al.

Barb cries some more, then gets the call that Vasco was shot. She completely freaks out. She stupidly runs into Hortensia's room and spouts the whole thing, greatly upsetting Hort, obviously. The doorbell rings, it's Jaime, he already got the news. They run off to the airport.

Lorena moves into Diana's old room. The doorbell rings, it's the lawyer. After hearing the whole story, with Alonso being moved right up to "Saint" (AIMGAA #9) in the process, he says that they don't really have any proof against Sara so there isn't anything to be done. Yes, Lorena is the rightful daughter/granddaughter, but there isn't anything criminal that would stick to Sara. Lorena leaves to go to school.

Some horrible looking lady at Sara's work tells her about Vasco being shot. How did she know? Who the hell is she? The old guy's wife? Anyway she also knew that Barb and Jaime ran off to the airport. Sara knows that Augusta also had to leave the house, so now is her chance. She smiles.

Hortensia is in a state, Augusta tries to calm her down.

At the airport, Barb won't stop fussing and whimpering. I guess I understand but I prefer Jaime's calm approach. He calls Maruja to say where he is going and why. Maruja prays for Vasco.

Lorena sees her friend Patty outside school, Patty hasn't seen Sara. She hasn't been coming to school since she got her own show. Lorena skips school today too. How can they do that and not suffer for it? Inside, Patty sees Ern and asks what's up with Lorena. Ern says he doesn't know and thought bubbles that it's about him for sure. For Ern being so self-centered, AIMGAA #10.

Lorena tries to call Sara at her office, she isn't there. She hails a cab, which arrives in .00003 seconds. I guess being a pretty blond gets you a quick cab anywhere in the world.

Augusta had to sedate Hortensia. She has to leave, she leaves the maid Joaquina in charge. Outside Sara watches Augusta leave the property. She tells her cabbie to wait for her a way down the street and she sneaks into the house.

Lorena, riding in her own cab, thought bubbles that Sara will not escape hearing from her!

Sara sneaks around the mansion. From a back room, she calls the house phone from her cell phone. She tells Joaquina that she's at work and needs a change of clothes urgently. Joaquina tries to say she can't do it but finally backs down. Joaquina puts another maid in charge of Hortensia, this maid is apparently completely retarded because she heads the opposite way of Hort's room. Sara sneaks into Hort's room and tells her that Lorena, the potato peeler, is her real granddaughter. Hort is in a state again. Sara picks up a pillow and calls her key to her inheritance and puts it over Hort's face to smother her.

Preview - Lorena arrives at the mansion, but is she in time to save Hort? It looks like it, but the preview isn't always clear.

There you have it - 10 reasons today why the writers have obviously started Alonso down the path to redemption. R.I.P. Ern.

Labels: enemiga

EPISODE 11:

* JM and Chuy arrive at Casa Velarde; they meet Ceci in the living room. Steffi practices her pout and stares ice daggers at Chuy as she and Ceci hug. Ceci introduces Chuy to Steffi and Isabel.

* Elsa tells Nacho(?) her intention to marry Eduardo.

* Rocio shouts around the house for Chuy. Onelia tells her the street urchin has left the building; JM finally moved her out. Onelia is overjoyed and doing a happy dance in the halls.

* JM and Chuy talk with Steffi, Isabel and Ceci in the living room.

* Rocio is confused by the sudden decision by her brother. Onelia doesn't care, she's excited that Chuy is gone and won't explain anything more.

* Elsa and Nacho continue their discussion about her decision to marry Eduardo; he puts on all his best moves as he flirts and kisses her. (travel video of the sierra madre mountains, I think). They hug.

* Isabel and Steffi start to talk with Chuy and discover Chuy's lack of education and street slang.

* Ceci and JM are outside - they discuss Ceci playing mom and taking care of Chuy at the house - Ceci agrees; Chuy will be a second daughter to her.

* Ceci and JM return to the living room. As JM and Chuy hug, Steffi is surprised (and jealous).

* Padre finds Balbina outside at the castle. She tells him that JM moved Chuy out of the house. He's impactado.

* Steffi stares ice daggers at JM and Chuy, as they say their good-byes. Ceci walks JM out. Steffi grumbles to Tia Isabela that Chuy "es peligroso" (is dangerous) for their plans.

* Padre finds JM outside the castle. They discuss JM's sudden decision to move Chuy out of his home. JM tells Padre that she's now living with the Velarde's.

* Chuy stands on the side of the room, quiet as a mouse. Steffi grumbles to Tia about Chuy. Ceci returns to the room; she welcomes Chuy to the house, and makes her feel like part of the family.

* Padre listens as JM explains his decision to move Chuy to the Velarde's house. Padre is bewildered.

* Steffi acts like she agrees with Ma Ceci on Chuy becoming part of the family while she is there. Ceci and Chuy leave. Tia and Steffi grumble about planning a way to get rid of Chuy.

* Pat arrives home that night.

* First person to greet him in the front hallway - Steffi! She tells him about Chuy's arrival and her first impression (she keeps her true grumbles to herself). Steffi tells Pa that Chuy is in her room. Pat wants to meet with Chuy immediately to set up the ground rules for her stay.

* Chuy is sitting and thinking in her room. Pat enters and lays down his ground rules for Chuy to stay at the house; he's doing this as a favor for JM. Pat leaves; Chuy sighs.

* Elsa looks bored in the car as Eduardo finishes his phone call. They talk about JM moving Chuy over to the Velarde house today. Eduardo goes in to kiss her neck; she smiles with the new thought.

* Outside the castle that night, Onelia is beside herself and still doing her happy dance as she debates with JM about his work with the less fortunate; she's just happy that Chuy isn't living there anymore.

* Bagpipers play at the latest loft party. Vicente is sitting at a table, quietly drawing on his tablet. Amador bugs him about his plan to get married. They discuss marriage and responsibilities. Amador gives him the pep talk about conquering the fair maiden he loves. Elsa comes up behind Amador and interrupts with the news that Chuy has moved out of the castle. Amador is enchanted.

* Chuy sits on the floor below her bay window, thinking about Pat's ground rules. Nasty housekeeper enters with new clothes for Chuy to wear. Chuy and housekeeper have a serious debate on manners and attitudes in the house. Chuy defends herself. Housekeeper leaves.

* Adrian and Cande are out on the steps. They discuss his proposal to Chuy and her response. He's still obsessed with his marriage idea.

* Balbina talks with Mayita as they walk downstairs for breakfast - news about Chuy leaving the house.

* Chuy makes her new bed.

* At breakfast, Mayita and her dad talk about Chuy's departure from the house. Mayita likes her a lot. JM explains why Chuy had to move out. Mayita whines her displeasure. Balbina rushes Mayita out to go to school. JM sits at the table and daydreams about Chuy.

* (Padre sure works fast with news about Chuy's move.) Cande is nervous as she waits in the living room of the Velarde house. As Cande is about to sit down, Ceci appears. They visit briefly, about Padre telling Cande about the move and she could visit Chuy. Ceci has housekeeper escort Cande to Chuy's room.

* In the room, Chuy, Cande and Cuate have a very happy reunion. Chuy gives Cande the details about her stay at the castle and her impressions of Ceci, Pat and their family.

* Outside in the garden, Steffi is laying out in her bikini and laughing and talking with Tia about life at the big house with Ceci and Pat. Steffi tells Tia that Ma and Pa are planning to host a big debutante ball for her. Steffi is still upset that Chuy is living at the house. Tia assures her.

* In her room, Chuy tells Cande about Steffi. Cande is still baffled by JM's decision to move Chuy to this house. Chuy assures her that she's content with it. Cande then brings up Adrian's proposal.

* Amador is laying in bed, smoking his cigar. He and Beatriz argue about his continual obsession with Chuy.

* Cande discusses with Chuy how wonderful Adrian will treat her if she accepts and marries him. Chuy explains her decisions and says how Ceci and her family are treating her now.

* Beatriz tries to flirt and assure Amador of her love for him. He isn't interested in her in that way. He gets up from the bed and talks about his deep passionate obsession for Chuy. She apologizes and flirts to get him back in bed.

* Pat and Ceci talk in the living room. Steffi and Tia enter. Steffi asks about starting the guest list for her ball. Ceci and Pat agree. JM enters. Steffi enthusiastically issues her own personal invitation for him to attend her debutante ball. Tia agrees with the idea. JM hesitates to accept. Steffi uses her whines and puppy dog eyes to get JM to accept the invitation. JM changes the subject and asks about Chuy. Ceci tells him about Chuy's first night at the house. Steffi eagerly volunteers to get Chuy.

* Chuy stands at her bay window with her drumsticks in her hands. Steffi enters and invites Chuy to join them in the living room; JM is there. Chuy drops her sticks on the bed and smiles with the mention of JM. Steffi sits Chuy down on the sofa and tells her the sad news that JM is planning on taking a trip out of town soon.

* Padre and Cande are talking at the church rectory office.

* Steffi tells Chuy about her debutante ball and that JM will be attending.

* Ed and JM(?) are talking on the phone (?).

* Steffi and Chuy finish their talk and hug before leaving the room.

* Pat, Ceci and Tia talk with JM in the living room. Steffi and Chuy enter. JM greets Chuy, as Steffi sits next to him and Chuy sits near Ceci and Pat. As Steffi talks with Ceci about the ball, JM and Chuy stare at each other. JM is curious about her thoughts, why she's staring at him.

* Later that night, Chuy lays in bed crying. She's upset that JM moved her from his castle - she thinks he doesn't like her and has abandoned her there. She then remembers Cande's comments from earlier that day and decides that's what she will do.

* JM and Eduardo meet in the castle office. JM tells his best buddy that he needs to leave town - to get Chuy out of his thoughts.

* Ceci finds Chuy in bed crying. Ceci tries to cheer her up; it doesn't quite work. Ceci kisses Chuy's cheek and leaves. Chuy sits up and is so happy. She knows Ceci likes her and hopes she will be very happy living there (just like 'Little Orphan Annie').

* Eduardo and JM continue their discussion about JM's reasons for taking this sudden trip out of town - his confusing thoughts about Chuy and memories of Viviana.

* Chuy is asleep. Steffi enters the room; sees Chuy asleep and grabs a throw pillow. Steffi glares ice daggers at Chuy as she walks to the side of the bed. Chuy wakes up with a fright. Steffi grunts, What's up with you and JM?

ADVANCE: the battle for JM has now been declared.

Labels: Cuidado

Sorry, it was Homecoming this weekend and I was incrediably busy and didn't get a chance to sit down and watch Friday's show until late last night......only to discover that it didn't get recorded. So I am unable to do my recap. Would all of you wonderful readers be able to summarize the show in the comments? Thanks and sorry.

Labels: Cuidado

DB gets on the same boat back to El Progresso with Santos but he ignores her.

Federica finds out what being with a man is all about.

Marisela comforts her father. He is better and promises to live until Marisela turns 18 in a few months. Marisela confides in him that she is going to make Santos fall in love with her.

Santos finally gets the whole story of Julian Barreto's ring from Marisela and then he interrogates Juan Primito about it. Having decided that DB was responsible for JB's death, he goes to Pernalete to accuse DB of murdering JB.

Melesio finds out who the father of Gervasia's baby is.

Santos and Pernalete go to El Miedo to accuse DB of murdering JB.

Cecilia and Antonio decide to wait to tell Santos about their relationship. Santos must be the only person in the Arauca who doesn't already know about it.

Labels: barbara

As we have seen, PJ/S has gotten back to Río Claro and has convinced Gaetana that he is PJ in the body of Salvador. She agrees to help him. Now PJ/S wants to get back into his former world. He tries to get a job at the citrus factory but they aren't hiring. He witnesses Simón being fired. Then he and Gaetana scope out PJ/S's house.

Some random shots of Mario


Azur shows good judgement and bites Walter rendering him incapable of performing his chauffeur duties. Azur is hiding out in the woods.

PJ/S works his charm on Rebeca and gets him to hire him as a temporary replacement for Walter.

Rebeca asks if she has met PJ/S before. His eyes and voice are familiar. He says no it must be his dependability. That would indicate that Rebeca had met PJ/S before but when she showed up at his house, it seemed she had never been there before. When would she have met him?

Labels: cuerpo

Yes, I know I said no politics. I know I know! And I know this is not an art blog! I know! I know!

But, I just painted this and I liked it so much I've ordered postcards made up, they should arrive by October 6 or so. You can buy a pack of five postcards for $5.00 plus $2.00 handling via PayPal:

Click on the picture for a larger view.

OK, don't flame me. Now back to our regularly scheduled activities...

Labels: announcements, humor

Pardon him for daring to mention it, says Franco, but it’s more like Sofia’s mother has been putting ideas into her head. He melodramatically turns his back to her for emphasis as he tells her that her mama’s even been telling lies that his daddy way back when was in love with her. Of course Franco refuses to doubt the love his two parents shared for each other. (Said another way: your mama’s delusional so maybe try puttin’ two and two together and gettin’ 4 for once, you dimwit dame!) This little revelation gets Sofia to stop about two seconds to reflect on something and someone other than herself before she starts in with the same woe is me sing-song. Franco then relents and says he understands her pain. “Ha!” says Sofia. “No! Nobody can understand my pain! I didn’t even get to know my child! I don’t even know what she looks like – and it’s all because Juan has condemned me to it!” (How about the fact that Franco was so young when his parents were murdered that he can’t even remember what they looked like?) Franco watches as Sofia wanders off and he tells himself again that Juan isn’t capable and that it can’t be true.

Meanwhile, as native flutes play mesmerizingly in the background, a skinny dipping Juan dives into the river, and those of us with the benefit of digitized DVR get a glimpse of a titillating, not-so-pixilated, version of the underside of Juan’s backside crack. (Hubby’s with Hombre and me on this one: the view of EY at this angle is a bit more information than we needed.) Juan, in a birthday suit which, for 40-something EY has definitely aged in rather nicely over so many birthdays, is swimming innocently along as luscious lipped and unabashedly nude Leonora also gets into the water. She, apparently of the “if it feels good, do it” school of medical ethics, swims over and tells him that from the first moment in which she laid eyes on him she felt attracted to him. (Dunno about the rest of you, but the close up here of Juan’s still battered and swollen face is anything but a turn-on for me. Maybe Leonora has just been in the wild a bit too long and fell victim to the pheromone phenomenon, ‘cause he looks more like an un-jolly, black and blue-green giant to me at this point.) She says that since they’re all alone there in the jungle there is no reason they can’t get it on together; and to top it off, she promises him (Oh happy day!) sex without commitments.

Luscious Leonora attempts to kiss Juan then and it seems he just might give in to the moment. In the end, though, still subconsciously faithful to Sofia, he rejects her and says that she is simply confused because he saved her life from the minions of the angry, ugly Diapered One. It’s no more than that and so she thinks she loves him. Besides, until he figures out who he is and what he’s doing there, he tells her, he has no business being with her. It’s better that she gets out of the river and he’ll turn around to save what shred of modesty she still has. So (while hubby complains that only Mexico gets to see the un-pixilated version of her and I keep what I know about various racier Youtube versions to myself) she swims off.

Back in Puebla City Fernando goes to the jail to see Alejandro Reyes who demands to know what happened that night. Feo swears to him that he had nothing to do with either Juan’s or the baby girl’s disappearance and gives his bogus version of events. El Jefe grabs Fernando through the bars and says he knows Juan is incapable of doing something like that, but Fernando convinces him that it shouldn’t be so hard to believe that since Juan knew Gabriela wouldn’t allow him to ever see his child that he might do anything to keep his child with him.

Sofia meanwhile has returned to Harpy Haven to complain to Gabi about having sold Eva’s daughter to the Uribes for land and then, to top it off, her having the nerve to tell Franco that his father was in love with her instead of his own wife. Sofia cannot comprehend how Mama could be so insensitive and so inhumane. (Come on, Sofia. After all this time and with all the crap you’ve taken from her?) Gabi dismisses her as Ste. Sofia of Lost Causes and tells Sofia, through her own twisted reasoning, that she actually did the little girl a favor by giving her away since now the girl will be the only heir to the entire Uribe fortune. Sofia disagrees and reminds Mama that she illegally intervened against the most sacred thing in life, the love between a mother and her child. Gabi scoffs at Sofia and says she’s fed up with the subject already. Doesn’t she know anything else to talk about? Everything Sofia discusses revolves around the relationships of mothers and their children. (Well, maybe if Sofia had a healthy relationship with her own mother…..) “Why can’t you just accept that Juan Reyes kidnapped your daughter and that she will never be found?”

Sofia refuses to believe her daughter won’t reappear somehow, but Gabi says it is so and that it’s God’s punishment because she chose to oppose her mother. She is condemned to suffer the same fate as Eva’s. (Now right there a couple of light bulbs should have gone off in Slowfia’s noggin.) Gabi smiles smugly at her. This domineering bitch’s sick, sadistic pleasure at seeing the suffering of both Eva and Sofia at the loss of their children is written all over her face. “Neither of you two will ever get to know your child, do you hear me? Never!” As the music swells and we break for a commercial, the only question is, as impactada as naive Slowfia seems to be, will the realization of what she is seeing and hearing EVER sink in?

Across the way at Hacienda de los Baker Boys, Rosario has come for a visit. She speaks with Franco and he confesses to her that he loves Sarita much more so than he could ever have imagined and then apologizes for hurting her. She bucks up and says that’s ok, he can unload on her anytime he likes. (What a door mat you are, Rosario. Sheesh.)

===========

Night falls. Immature Sarita (with a stringed orchestra playing musical refrains in the background of the theme from Destilando Amor??!!) is back to writing love notes in her diary. She is still emotionally conflicted over her feelings of love and hate for Franco as she cries to the dolly in her lap about fate keeping them separated forever.

Across the hallway, Feo creeps into Gabi’s room as she sleeps. He looks down at her and remembers her confessing to him that since childhood being locked up is her greatest fear because it’s like being buried alive for her. He decides to leave and lock her in for grins, like some sick kid who wants to see what happens when he pulls off the wings of a fly. Gabi wakes up afterwards and begins calling out for him. She tries opening the locked door and begins begging for him or anyone to open it for her. Fernando, smiling demonically to himself, hears but ignores her and plays with the silver snake choker he bought her the day Raquel Uribe confronted them at the sidewalk café in Puebla City. Fernando continues to sit on the dark stairway and listen to her panicked screams until he hears her eventually pass out from the fear and fall to the floor. (Now, seriously, how far away could Sarita’s room be that she can’t hear all the ruckus her mother must be making?)

Away in the jungle, Oscar continues his midnight meanderings in search of Juan. He ends up at the Indian settlement determined to search each of the huts one by one. “Something,” he says to himself, “tells me Juan is nearby.” (Uh, maybe this would be a good time to ask Papa Juanjo to have a little confab with the Big Guy upstairs for a couple of solid clues?) Oscar is so obsessed by now with the need to find Juan (we are led to believe) that he apparently cannot wait until morning to ask around and so he creeps from hut to hut looking for Juan like a freakin’ peeking tom.

Sofia, meantime, is having nightmares about Juan handing her over her newborn daughter only to find the baby miraculously absent from its swaddling. She wakes up and begins talking to the empty baby sweater she keeps next to her in bed, crying to it and mourning for her missing child to be returned to her. (I know, I know. Somebody should have taken those baby clothes away from her by now and packed them away in a trunk somewhere, but that would just make too much sense in this family fun-house.) At the same time Juan is dreaming and he begins to yell in his sleep from the mental flashbacks and the excruciating pain they literally are causing him. He wakes and calls out to the mat below for Leonora. She’s not there and so he leaves the hut to go looking for her.

Juan finds Leonora taking a walk despite the thunder and lightning and intermittent rain. She has been remembering her fiasco with him in the river. He rushes up and tells her excitedly that he has remembered something. She suggests they take a stroll together and they will discuss it. Just then, on the other side of the settlement, Oscar peeks into their tent and sees only a sleeping Silvestre and an empty bed. Frustrated, he asks dead sis Libia to guide him, but apparently she’s gone out for a midnight stroll through the clouds herself and doesn’t get the message.

Juan tells Leonora he remembers something about another storm and lightening and a big tree but… She tells him that perhaps the storm is “stimulating” his memories. (I’m wondering if that isn’t too big a word for Juan to grasp.) He says he doesn’t know whether to stay there or to go off and try to find his home and family. She attempts to convince him to begin a new life, preferably with her. “Where would you go? If you are a man without a past you have no direction and you’d be exposing yourself to all sorts of danger. Whatever you might want, at least here you are protected and this could be your new family. In the clinic you have a home and with me you could start a new life.” She looks up at him with those pouting, sexy, siliconed lips. He looks up at the sky and then back at her and thinks about what she’s suggesting. Thunder continues to rumble and lightning continues to flash. Oscar, on the other side of the settlement with no answer from Little Sis, rides away.

Back at the hacienda freaky Fer opens the door finally and kicks Gabi to stir her awake. She wakes up and starts crying inconsolably. Feo pretends to comfort her. “Oh, oh. Calm yourself. The storm must have caused the door to stick. Get into bed. I’m here to take care of you. I’m here to protect you. It’s alright. Quiet down now.” (Eh, well, it’s not as if she deserves our sympathy over this.) He holds her with a nearly imperceptible smile on his face as she cries about not being able to cope with being locked in and feeling like she is buried alive.

Back over at the Robles-Reyes kitchen Quintina, Franco and Pablito are having a late-night meal. Quintina worries about where they are going to get money to pay the mortgage and Franco tells her he feels inadequate as head of the family. She tells him honestly that he’s not the baker his brother was and so the bread isn’t selling like it used to. So, Franco might as well do what he does best: sing serenades. He agrees with her and they put plan “B” to work.

Sofia comes running over to Augie’s cottage, in tears from the bad dream and desperate to find her daughter. She tells Augie about the nightmare she just had. In a three hankie scene they hug while he comforts her and tells her to cry herself out because she cannot allow herself to become like her mother who sees crying as a sign of weakness. She must cry it all out and face her misfortune with courage. She cannot continue to be one of the living dead from her pain.

Somehow and somewhere at that time of night Franco and the others find their buddy, the accordion player, and they rehearse a little before setting out to find a serenade gig.

Back at the cottage Gramps and Sofia begin to chat. He tells her she has the unconditional love of her family and that she should never allow herself to become like the Reyes who caused everyone’s suffering because of their blinding ridiculous need for vengeance at the death of their sister. She promises to get back to being the “old Sofia” but says she will never stop searching for her daughter.

As Franco and the others play serenades for the locals and the money comes rolling in, Leonora tells Juan about her father not bothering to even come to the bus station to see her off. He tells her as long as she has a father she has no reason to complain. He, on the other hand, has nothing to tell because he can’t remember it.
===============

Morning finally comes to Cd. Serdán. Quintina and Franco have made more than enough to keep things going there at the hacienda for a while longer. She tells him that Rigo gets out of the hospital today and she’s going to look for a cheaper place for them all to live. He says no reason to since there is more than enough room at the hacienda for them. They can all come live there with him and not have to worry themselves about being able to cover the rent. Quintina says they’ll love it and thanks him for the regal ways of the Reyes.

Rigo gets a clean bill of health from his specialist. Eugenia comes to visit him at the clinic and he gives an engagement ring to her and asks her to marry him. (Benito call your office!)

At the same time, back at the Hacienda de las Harpías, Fernando and Mama make a big to do in front of everyone about his formally asking her to marry him and giving her the engagement ring which, like Feo, she also unwittingly bought for herself. She is delighted to accept with a grin even the Cheshire Cat would envy. Augie doesn’t miss the opportunity to comment on what a huge and expensive diamond ring it is. He asks Fer who actually bought it, him or Grabbi. Fernando catches himself and says coolly (as in butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth) that he of course bought it and he will not allow Augie’s impertinence to wreck the moment of this grand occasion. He then, classy guy that he is, offers everyone glasses of champagne to toast Gabi and himself with, but it is painfully obvious that nobody is in the mood. Sarita clears her throat and explains it’s not exactly the proper moment for toasting since Jimena is ill and Sofia’s daughter is still missing.

Crabi looks angrily at her daughters and says if nobody toasts her than it’s like saying it isn’t important to any of them. (Imagine that!) Neither Sofia, nor Sarita nor Augie move a muscle. They all stare at Gabriela as if they’ve just swallowed castor oil straight. So, Gabi toasts herself. She then stares over at Sofia and asks why Sofia won’t toast to her mother’s happiness. (Yes, oh why? Oh why? I can’t imagine. Let's see, her physically abusive, three-timing lech of an ex is marrying her emotionally abusive mother in something akin to a near incestuous relationship. Could that possibly have anything to do with it?) Sofia, her expression flat as day old champagne, then obliges, telling Mama that, God willing, Fernando might actually make her happy. Sofia then tells the others that they will all toast to Mama and Fer’s happiness and hopefully Mama might realize they all are with her rather than against her. Augie won’t even take a glass. He looks at the floor instead. “To your happiness, Mama.”

Fer nibbles at Crabi’s hand and then he and Crabi embrace and begin swallowing each other’s tongues. The others look as if they can still taste that castor oil at the back of their throats. As Fer and Crabi continue sucking face in the “passion” of the moment, the others are sickened and look away in total disgust.

Labels: Fuego

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 5:50 PM 78 comments

Hola, amigos/as – I claim total responsibility for typos, grammar errors, spelling errors, etc. Feel free to pretend there are none.


A nice local gives Zulema and Omar directions to San Martin, only 2 – 3 Km or so away (about a mile or two).

At the San Martin Orphanage, Lorena is receiving the very best news of her life from Alonslow—we may have to rename him as he’s not nearly as slow as he was a week ago – her real parents didn’t abandon her in a dumpster. But she saw the file! He gives her a summary of the story—they’ve been alive the whole time, and close by. Sara falsified it all and Lore’s real parents are Omar and Zulema. Sara wanted Lorena’s place, and Snortensia’s fortune. Our dear naïve Lorena wonders how that could be since they were like sisters? Madre Trinidad notes that Sara messed with them all here. Now Lore understands why she never cared about her parents. Slow points out they’re LORENA’S parents. Slow explains the facts of life to Lore—he’s got the DNA proof. Not a doubt about it. How could Sara do this will all the love she always gave Sara? Lore needs a little time to sort it all out alone.

Another nice local -- in San Martin -- gives Zulema and Omar directions to La Divina Providencia Orfanato, just around the corner. So far, locals are batting a thousand for directions. Well, it IS telenovelaland (great news, since locals rarely can explain effectively where stuff is in their own home towns). Zulema can’t wait and runs for the orphanage. Lore is still sorting when they arrive, with Slow stroking her arms and comforting her about Sara’s betrayal—Lorena wants to go back to the capital and talk with Zulema and Omar.

No need, they’re here. It’s magic. In a tearjerker slow-mo moment they run down the long hallway that is open to the garden, Zulema calling Lorena’s name. The lovely pale blonde daughter and dark brunette mother stroke each other’s cheeks and marvel, Lorena uttering one word over and over: “Mamá, Mamá.” They hug fiercely and even Omar chokes up as Lorena beams at him over her Mami’s shoulder. It’s his turn for a hug….”¡Hija!” Zulema beams through her tears behind Lorena. Waiting discreetly nearby, Madre Trinidad comments to Slow and Madre Carmelita that “they’ve found heaven.” (They’ve gained heaven). On Ferro’s UCS, it’s a 2 or so for all of them—the tears are appropriate and real. Not to mention held in check. No drooling, no dripping noses. All in all, a nice tearjerker for the UCS. Slow tells the Madres that Lorena deserves it (heaven).

The new Happy Family talk about how they hit it off right from the start. Omar reminds Lore about when he told her she’ll always have a family with them. He trusted her. More sweet family reunion talk. Lore will never get tired of saying Mamá. Zulema will never get tired of hearing it. More hugs, more tears.

Maruja and Jaime just have to see how the divorce process is going, so they check with the court. Jaime is sure that Rogelio is probably way far away by now. He speaks for Maruja—the desk clerk takes the details of the paperwork from Maruja, though, and it looks like Rogelio hasn’t put in any appearances, right? All that’s left is for the judge to sign the docs. “Then it’s a done deal?” Maruja has a “that’s way too good to be true” look. Yep, you’re good to go, the gal tells her. Jaime and Maruja hug and giggle.

The Madres with Slow in tow decide the Happy Family is having way too much fun without them and come to introduce themselves. Zulema wants to know if they’ve known Lore forever—yep, they took care of her since she was an infant. Madre Trinidad comments on bawling Lore out, and Lore protests—she was just helping me when I got into messes, Lore vows. And Madre Carmelita was my accomplice. They all laugh and Zulema and Omar thank them for taking such good care of Lore. Zulema calls Slow over, because they owe this happiness to him. Lore and Slow glance at each other awkwardly over Zulema’s head while she beams and the four of them stand arm in arm. [Ed. Note: I hate to say it, but this looks like a family portrait and could be a sign of the future, DRAT.]

Sara has discovered the underbelly of the D. F. and has come to purchase nutritional supplements. The grease ball looks around over his shoulders, then demands his money. Sara hands him a wad; he gives her the capsules in a little plastic baggie and asks if they’re for her. What difference does it make? He just wants her to know that more than three of these and she’s out for the count (you won’t live to tell it, no lo cuentas, my best guess). She thanks him as he goes and mutters to her imaginary friend that’s why she bought them, to get him/her out of this world.

As dark falls, the new Happy Family Reunion is still going on. They marvel at the reunion; Lore can’t believe these are her parents. How she envied Sara for having such a lovely family. Omar notes Sara’s not worth the trouble. Zulema wants to see the silver lining—if Sara hadn’t tried to take Lore’s place, they might never have found out about Lorena. They all smile and coo. Omar comments that Zulema is very positive at the moment and that isn’t always the case. Zulema is the happiest girl in the whole USA—oops, wrong song. She can’t wait to tell the other kids. More rounds of “I loved them from the moment I met them.” Zulema felt guilty liking Lore better than Sara and when she sent Lore away, how bad it was. Lore tells her to forget the sad stuff and more hugs.

The Madres and Slow bring chocolate –because the rompope is all gone, Madre C cracks. Omar wants Slow to fill them in on how he found out the truth. Lore and Slow glance awkwardly at each other again.

Sara is hiding out in her room, breaking the capsules open into the plastic baggie so she’ll have them all ready to pour in a super large serving later. Ready! Looks like very little to actually be fatal. There were 12 capsules, so it should work, though. Then she cuts up newspaper the size of peso bills. That’s a stack of newspapers, all right.

Slow comments that it wasn’t easy to get all the evidence he needed for the DNA tests. Zulema and Lore can’t understand how he could have gotten the samples. He describes getting saliva from Zulema when he “examined” her at her house, and Zulema thanks him for taking evidence illegally. Then he tells about Toribio’s ruses to get into Maruja’s house and get the hair off the brushes for Lore’s sample. Tori was just as interested as Slow in unmasking Sara and getting them reunited with their real daughter. In fact, he was the first to think that it could be Lorena, because of the pathological envy Sara seemed to have for everything Lorena had. Slow conveniently avoids telling about how he tricked Sara and got her hair to prove she WASN’T their daughter. Madre T pipes in—probably Zulema will want to stay over with Lore? YES, of course! Men can’t stay here, so they’ll have to find other digs. The guys assure the Madre they’ll be fine on their own and she makes sure they’ll come for a tasty breakfast, cooked by mother and daughter. Eyebrow raise at Zulema and Lore—who confirm they’ll cook. Lore won’t forget that it was cooking that first brought them together. It’s in their blood, according to Madre Trinidad.

It just sucks to be Chalo. [Ed. Note: Actually, tonight it does.] He’s back in his dismal little rat hole of a room, peeling his designer boots off to reveal white cotton socks. The phone rings — Sara. She better not be messing with him. Oh, no, she understands she can’t play any games with him. He likes that, she knows who calls the shots. You, my king. She invites him to breakfast---to give him his cash. They make their plans. He warns her about messing with him again — she won’t live to tell about it. No, of COURSE not. Sara hangs up and plays with the briefcase of neatly arranged stacks of…money? Or newspapers? Oh, probably 6 of one, ten dozen of the other. She mutters to herself that the one who won’t live to tell about it is him.

Chalo muses bitterly to himself — he’ll have his money tomorrow, but what difference will it make without Barbara? He remembers happy, loving moments and picks up the phone as the dance music plays in his brain. She won’t take his call….okay, so he’ll write a letter. She may tear it up but she’ll at least see it first. He writes……

Sara talks to the baggie. So sorry, it’s your life or mine. A dirge plays in her brain.

Chalo writes….and writes….and crumples the letter…..and crumples the letter…..and has quite a stack building up. Vasco would definitely not like the wasted trees. Chalo crumples another one and sighs, tears misting his eyes as he puts his fist up to his mouth (with the crumpled paper in it). The dirge is playing in his brain now. [Ed. Note: This reminded me of what guys did the night before a duel, setting their affairs in order before they went off to die. Chalo could easily set his affairs in order, because he only had one thing going for him at the time, with Barbara, and no money to leave nor title nor estate.]

Omar and Slow celebrate the family reunion with a drink and snacks downtown at the only hotel. They chitchat about the happiest day of Omar’s life, may there be many more. Omar wants to know if Slow’s going to fight for Lore. Slow thinks out loud. Or does what passes for thinking. He can’t deny he loves her with all his strength. He didn’t start the investigation with that in mind, better said, he felt in debt to her. Slow tells Omar she’s engaged. Omar is mildly impactado, he hadn’t known. Slow sadly points out he let Sara mess with them and lost Lorena through his own blindness. Omar gives him a comforting guy-pat on the shoulder.

Zulema and Lore have changed to jammies and Zulema admires Lore’s precious hair. Lore wonders why she’s so blonde, which surely has been on all our minds, too. Zulema digs deep into her high school genetics and Mendelian inheritance, and notes that one grandparent on each side was a blazing blond(e). Lore is pleased. Then she remembers that she only has one living grandparent—Snortensia. Zulema says that woman doesn’t exist, for all the harm she’s done them. Lore sighs-- it seems Snortensia is very ill. She might never even learn that Lore’s her real granddaughter. Lore goes off on a dangerous path—she’ll never be able to thank Alonslow for reuniting her with her family. How could one repay someone who’s returned one’s family to her? Zulema does some groundwork for Slow—he loves you, daughter. But you don’t? Lore admits she DID love him, lots. Zulema points out that Sara was the demon who messed with them and separated them. Yeah, but he should have trusted me. Zulema agrees—what kind of love is it that doesn’t trust? And, you’re in love with Ernesto, right? Big sigh. Lore can’t say she doesn’t care, but he deceived her. They exchange loving, sad looks while Zulema strokes Lore’s hair.

Ivan’s in his jammies, too, and productively engaged in text messaging when Tío arrives home, forgetting to take his shoes off while he strides into the living room—and the carpet is gone, so maybe that’s why. Ivan greets him and Ern brusquely asks about the sibs. They’ve been asleep for an hour or so. Ern goes off and Ivan calls him back—Ivan wants to take dance classes. With Bettina. The niece of….??? Yep. Ernesto looks pained and Ivan wonders if something’s happened to him. No, nothing. Ivan fishes—you’re like this because Lorena’s gone to her hometown? ¿Qué—how’d you know? Bettina told me….her uncle went to look for Lore there. Ern looks WAY pained and gulps, commercial impactado.

What’s Ivan talking about? Bettina told him about her uncle—he was going there because Lorena was there—but don’t yell! Ern asks his forgiveness. Ivan understands why he’s angry because he’s been cuckolded. Ern hold him off—don’t make my head any hotter than it is. He calls for Fanny. Ivan shushes him and reminds him he’ll wake the kidlets and by the way, you gave Fanny time off early to see her parents. Ern curses and calls her. He “coaxes” her to come back early. She protests, but Ern cites the emergency. Is he mad? No, but PLEASE get here by 7:00.

Church bells toll 7:00 and a rooster crows as the sun rises over the Orfanato “La Divina Providencia” in San Martin. Zulema is already awake, stroking her newly found daughter’s leg, guaranteed to wake Lorena up. It wasn’t a dream? No, Mamá? No, it’s true, finally we’re together. Lorena throws herself at Zulema for a hug. They exchange happy mother-daughter now-we’re-together-I-never-stopped-missing-you-even-though-I-thought-you-were-dead-and-now-no-one-can-separate-us chitchat and loving caresses. Does anyone hear more bells tolling? Nope, that’s more anvils falling.

Ern paces, waiting for Fanny, who rushes in. He thought she’d be there at 7:00! Well, it’s just 7:10….okay, okay. He asks her to see to the kids going to school. Gina and Alex are anxious about what that means—why isn’t he taking them? Well, he has to leave. Why? To see about Lorena. HUH? Ivan comes to Uncle’s defense—he has to take care of bidniss—and sends them off for their stuff. Ivan gives his Uncle some wise advice—he doesn’t know how bad this mess it—but take things calmly, please. Ern tells him he hopes he can. He reminds his uncle that Ern loves Lore and the kids are accustomed to Lore—and Ern replies that he doesn’t know how much Ern really loves her. More deep sighs and angst looks.

Chalo has had a bad night and never changed his clothes, apparently falling asleep on top of the covers. He jumps up—he’s got to meet Sara and wanted to deliver the letter to Barb before that. (The anvils are glistening over his head). He’ll have to do it after he collects. Drat.

In the kitchen at La Divina Providencia, Lore wants Zulema to let Omar guess who made what as they finish off the breakfast prep. Zulema thinks he can’t because they cook too much alike. Slow won’t guess, either. Madre Trinidad joins them. She remembers this smell, since Lore was a little child. [Ed. Note: the temptation is strong here, but I won’t go there.] They chitchat about who fixed what dishes and how much alike they cook. Madre T is surprised, but why should she be, this is telenovelaland?

Omar and Slow are doing their part, entertaining the little girls with a game on the lawn. Poor Omar can’t keep up and thinks he’s got a sprain. Luckily, there’s a doc in the house. Omar thinks it’ll pass. One little girl flirts with Al—he should play with them. She puts her hands around his waist and he beams at the attention while the other girls whine about her. Omar wants them to give him a chance. They begin to bat the giant ball around again. Does this game have a structure and rules, or what? It’s definitely not 4-square.

Sara’s ready for her big day. She’s ordered breakfast, apparently for both her and Chalo, and all that remains is for Chalo to show. She thanks the waiter and waits until he leaves to pour the nutritional supplements into Chalo’s OJ, stirring it well into the commercial.

In a lovely jungle setting, Vasco enters the office of a guy who is clearly In Charge. Vasco asks if he’s Don Filomeno, the guy in charge of the Forest Resources. Yeah, so? Well, Vasco and his folks have come to release the parrots bred in captivity for this not-for-profit (non-governmental) program (I think that’s what he’s saying – loros=parrots, crías=bred), “Mundo Inhibido.” Oh, yeah, you’re the guys getting involved with the rainforest (selva=rainforest, jungle), huh? Yeah. But it seems that the forest where they’re supposed to release the parrots isn’t there any more, someone clear-cut it. Vasco folds his arms and waits for an answer. The guy gets muy defensive—those are just birds, for Pete’s sake. Can’t they go hunt for another tree? There AREN’T any trees. The reproduction project is worthless without their habitat, which you’re destroying. PSA for preserving the tropical rainforest, folks. The guy wants to know what Vasco wants him to do about it. Vasco tells him—come along when they get the police out there. Oh, I see. You’re pretty sure of yourself. Yeah, Vasco affirms. Look, kid, you don’t know who you’re messing with here (more anvils glistening. Will Vasco get out without another head blow?) Find some other place to release your feathered friends. Don’t screw around with us here (fregar). Vasco’s jaw is set and square. We know that look. You aren’t going to do a thing?? What can I do? Vasco tells him fine, he’ll just talk to the Municipal President. Don Filomeno recommends again that Vasco just doesn’t mess around here and get in huge trouble. Vasco wonders if he’s threatening or really is involved with the clear-cutting (taladores – from talado, felling, people who fell trees). The guy yells back that what he doesn’t like is some furriner coming in to tell him what’s what. Vasco fumes at him and strides out. The guy sits down, sighs, ponders a second, and phones a buddy. Don Gervasio, did your boys cut some trees near the ceibas (kapok trees)? Ah, so that’s why there’s this kid down from the capital complaining. According to him they were going to release some parrots. Uh-huh. And the locals are ready to point them out to you. [Ed. Note: last sentence was a bugger. Any ideas on translation?] You can stop it.

Chalo is wayyyy too cheerful for his last day on this earth. He thinks he’s getting his 2-mil pesos. What, she already ordered breakfast? Sara retorts she’s been here a half-hour waiting. That’s how he likes her, a little bristly. Okay, now his money. She plops the briefcase in front of him and he’s ready to count it but she pushes the lid back down and reminds him they’re in public — “Here? Don’t even think about it.” Oh, okay, don’t want anyone to see him and then assault him. He shuts it and sets it beside him. He raises his orange juice glass in salute and takes a tiny sip. He remarks about her going to the devil and she retorts that she was thinking this would be the last time they see each other. He smirks — Does she really think so? Stop pretending! She asks if there was ever a time he cared about her. He asks if it bothers her that the whole world hates her now and he keeps drinking. She’s earned that hate, after all. Just answer my question, she demands. Well, yeah, I’ve told you — you’re the closest thing to love I’ve known. Until Barbara came along. Sara watches the OJ disappear from the glass down Chalo’s doomed throat. He continues that even if he never gets back with Barbara, she will always be the love of his life. Sara tells him adios, Chalo, and he retorts “until never.” She picks up her purse to go as he keeps drinking the OJ, telling himself “Chalo, I’ll never understand these old gals.” Sara gives an evil grin as she watches through the plate glass. And he keeps drinking the OJ as she strolls off into oblivion. Wait, he’s the one going to oblivion.

Slow is having a great hair day in San Martin. Lore greets him, a flower over her left ear. In Hawaiian culture, that means her heart is taken (left side, same as heart and wedding ring). She cheerily tells him his timing is good, chow’s on. He tells her she’s gorgeous. She thanks him—and he realizes it’s not for the compliment. That’s a new twist. He says she doesn’t need to thank him. He just got the threads tied together. She tells him nevertheless, without him it wouldn’t have happened. He knew what her greatest desire in life was, and couldn’t stand by with his arms crossed. She’ll appreciate it all her life. What does she plan to do about Sara? Well, not think about that today, for starters. She’s so happy it doesn’t matter. Slow thinks she’s so noble! He’s kicking himself for losing her. Let’s not go there. He mutters that he’s paying for having believed the snake.

Omar breaks up this happy scene with the little girls in tow—everyone’s hungry! Great, because breakfast is ready! She takes her Papi’s arm and walks away with him and the little girls, Slow looking wistfully after them.

Chalo gets as far as the sidewalk outside the restaurant with the briefcase when the drugs hit him hard. He mutters to himself that something’s not agreeing with him and staggers along for several steps, then a car almost hits him and the briefcase falls open. He sees all the cut up newspapers littering the ground, realizes Sara’s betrayed him and curses her, holding some of the worthless paper. But the pain in his gut is stronger than his anger, and he wonders what Sara has done to him. Suddenly, Chalo’s on the ground convulsing for about 30 seconds with his eyes rolling around in his head and his limbs jerking, falling off the curb into the street, and gagging into a commercial.

Chalo is still surrounded by littered money-shaped newspaper, convulsing, but he’s managed to get his cell phone into his hand when a crowd begins to gather. A girl asks him what’s wrong and an older fellow says Chalo’s having an attack. Brilliant! His tongue lolls out of his mouth a little as he tries to talk. Someone says they need to get him an ambulance. Any bets on what Public Clinic he’ll end up in? He hands the younger woman the phone, and she asks if he wants her to call someone. Duh. He can’t talk, though, because his convulsions are in high gear.

The phone rings. Barbara answers and hears the young woman ask for her. Yes, what? The girl describes helping a young man who has been in an accident and is in bad shape, who wanted the girl to call Barbara. What’s his name? He wallet had a card that said “Gonzalo Carrasco.” What happened? Barbara’s concern shows. The girl describes how he ended up in the street, convulsing. She’s called the ambulance (the Red Cross). Barbara shakes with alarm, speechless.

Maruja apparently hasn’t been disabused of a double wedding yet, because she’s telling Rossy what she does and does NOT want at her wedding. She doesn’t like Rossy’s kind of music and Rossy doesn’t like her Muzak (that she hears at the supermarket). Maru tells Jaime to advise Rossy that they don’t want their wedding to be a disco, and Rossy tells Julian to advise the viejos that this is 2008 and not the last century. Jaime tells Julian it’d be nice if someone asked them, and Julian agrees—they are the grooms, after all. Maruja interjects that Jaime’s the classical type. Well, Julian told Rossy that whatever she likes is fine by him. Maruja thinks Rossy’s preferences are going to make for an absurd wedding. Rossy protests and Jaime and Julian call for silence. Julian tells the girls that if they keep it up, neither Jaime nor he will want to marry the girls. Maruja sees Jaime’s face and suggests they forget the music for the moment and concentrate on the food. Sure, Rossy wants sushi. Maruja is scandalized. She wants Italian! Jaime’s good sense prevails—he prefers Mexican food and Julian seconds the motion. They’re the majority vote, and therefore, it’ll be Mexican. Rossy pouts and Maru rolls her eyes, but smiles a little.

Bruto is back figuring the expenses again, which is guaranteed to provoke something or other. He asks Diana why she’s not talking to him. She ignores him and he yells that he’s talking to her, so respond already like other folks! She keeps doing house work things. She’ll do it when he treats her like other folks! As her head comes up, we see the remains of the last beating. (Really slick wife beaters do it where it won’t show to the world; Bruto is either too stupid or really too sicko to figure this out). He tells her he’s going to treat her however he feels like. He begins to yell and she tells him to keep it down or he’ll wake up Saul. Bruto yells that the baby is awake all night so he can sleep all day. How come he doesn’t understand schedules!? Diana suggests that Bruto tries taking care of him all day to see what it’s like. Stay with the baby while she goes to see her folks. Bruto beats on the table and yells. Nope, it’s her obligation. She accuses him of machismo and he actually agrees and tells her not to give him reasons to lose his patience. She collects up some dishes and starts off to another room. They fuss some more and he complains about the expenses; she points out they don’t need to live in such an expensive apartment. He got it to take care of her and her baby. She sighs and continues to the other room.

Toribio has tons of points for bringing a dozen pink roses to Catalina. She’d love to invite him in but…..he understands, that’s okay. She thanks him for breakfast (gee, she didn’t get any of the OJ by any chance, did she?), the chat and the…..(breathe deeply) roses. He thanks her for putting up with that crazy woman, Amalia. (Bad move, Tori, Catalina had almost forgotten that unpleasant moment). She looks at him reproachfully over the roses. He stutters that he hopes it’s clear he doesn’t want to see her again, not even in a photo. What an old nutcase, Catalina tosses in. She tells Toribio he was lucky not to fall into her clutches. (Who’s going to warn him about YOUR clutches?) Tori says he’s lucky that he can fall into others (another reproachful look)—well, not clutches, but the lovely little hands that he’s touching. And he strokes her hand while she shyly smiles over her roses. Tori beams at her. He’s just tremendous, Catalina simpers. He kisses her hand and she tells him she’ll let him go now. Until soon, he fondly tells her…..and calls her “lovely thing.” (primor) She smiles broadly and so does he as he slowly gets on his way, looking back…..

Arturo is involved in a hot game of computer solitaire and Jacqui is involved in a hot bowl of popcorn. She wants to know what he’s up to. What does it matter to her? She leans in and sees the game—now she knows how he wastes his time. And she doesn’t? She scowls, pretty sure she’s been zapped. Catalina carries her roses in by them, humming and gliding along, actually smiling at Jacqui. Those flowers, Mama? They call them roses, Catalina informs Ickturo as she gets a vase to put them in. Didn’t he know? Who GAVE them to you? Better she tells them right away—a suitor gave them to her. What?? Jacqui calls the suitor a poor man. Ickturo sits up and challenges his Mami—are you seeing someone? Why not? Catalina gives as good as she gets, and her smile drops a little but swiftly returns when she points out she’s still alive and feels better than ever. Ickturo pries for details—name, what does he do? Some day you’ll meet him, Mami assures her only offspring. She smiles and glides away. Ickturo fumes and Jacqui smirks a little. Ickturo thinks the old gal’s nuts, behaving like a quinceañera. Jacqui retorts that he should give up the Oedipus complex. (Someone finally called it what we’ve been thinking!) He fusses at her comment and she stalks out after spitting back at him; Ickturo goes back to his game, fuming, but can’t concentrate.

We recognize the desk at People’s Clinic #23. Barbara rushes in to find out what’s happening with Chalo. Have they brought him here? The clerk looks up his name.

In an emergency room bay, the doctor and nurse comment on the poor boy. The doc says at his age they think they can do everything; he’s seen many young men like this. She finishes taking blood, and he tells her to get it to the lab to see if they’ll be in time. Chalo’s shirt is off, and he’s hooked up to all kinds of machines.

Barbara paces the waiting room. Must feel like home by now to her—this and the court lobby. The doc approaches—is she family of the young man? His friend. How is he? Barbara is desperate. He’s pretty bad. Did she know he was an addict? No. Barbara’s expression is grim. The doc asks for total honesty—whatever clue she might have about what he’s overdosed on, please share with the doc. Barbara is impactada; she had not even the least idea that he took drugs. Does she know any other family or person they might ask? No, he only has me. Barbara is close to tears. Well, then they’ll just have to wait for the lab tests. The doc hopes Chalo’s gotten there in time. She wants to see him, but the doctor thinks his situation is too serious and it’s not wise. Barbara begs. The doctor takes her to Chalo.

Vasco’s breakfast doesn’t include OJ, thank heaven, and the guy eating with him is one of the Good Ones in the jungle. The guy warns him they need to be careful—after all, they’re strangers there. Vasco doesn’t care. Someone has to pay attention and help them. Another guy comes to their table with a gift, all wrapped nicely. His boss sent this. He hands it to Vasco. Who’s your boss? Don Gervasio Arriaga. The guy gives a long, hard look at the guy eating with Vasco, then strolls off. Vasco opens it. He’s disgusted, mutters under his breath, and stands up in anger. It can’t be, those bast**ds. His breakfast buddy thinks they’d better go. (In the box it looked like there was a dead parrot, or a dead parrot’s decapitated head). No, they’re not going. It’s personal now. The breakfast buddy holds the box with the feathered creature in it and Vasco calls over the waiter. Where can they find Gervasio Arriaga? The boy looks frozen.

Barbara talks to an unconscious Chalo lovingly. He’ll get well, because he’s very strong. Chalo’s lips move and he makes a clicking/gagging sound in his throat because he’s been entubated and can’t actually talk. What are you trying to tell me? Barb strokes his forehead. The monitors look like his vital signs are fairly normal, but he’s still not in this world. She kisses his head. (Ooops, she’s left Snortensia to Sara if Augusta has gone off to the reading of the will!) Barb calls him her heaven, her life. He flat lines. She tries to revive him, to get some response, and screams for the doctor. Barbara begs Chalo not to leave her; she’s sorry for all she said to him. She loves him!!! The tears come. She begins to scream his name in earnest as the doctor pulls her away and the nurse pushes her out of the room. They zap his heart. Nothing. They hit him with more juice. Nothing. Barbara sinks against the wall as they pull a sheet over Chalo’s head. She weeps in slo-mo as the violin music plays in her head into the commercial.

Madre Trinidad sure can entertain the troops and keep ‘em howling. At the breakfast table all the niñas have obviously been dismissed because Lore and her whole group are seated entirely on one side of the table and no one is on the other, very weird. Madre T’s got them up for grabs with a story about Madre Carmelita climbing up a lemon tree and yelling about her legs. Madre Trinidad can’t contain her own howling, though, and if not for the captions your recapper would be lost for sure. Madre Carmelita begs her not to tell the story, but Madre T is not to be deterred. But, it’s so funny! She continues the story. As Madre C yelled “my legs” they all thought she’d broken one, or something, but actually she had hooked her habit on the tree and her legs were showing! Madre T says it was like she was wearing a mini-skirt. More howling and clapping. Madre C scolds her gently for telling this, and Madre T remarks that we have to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and she’s got pretty good legs, anyway. Madre C hangs her head and chuckles. Now she’s going to tell one on Madre Trinidad. More howling and clapping. Nope. Don’t even think about it. The room gets silent fast. She’s the superior, eh? Chuckling, but Omar checks his watch and it’s time to get on the road. Lore cajoles that they’re having such a good time, and couldn’t they stay a little while more, Papa? He smiles indulgently, gives her a little hug and tells her yes. They talk Slow into staying, too. It was all so wonderful! Hugs and laughs.

At the People’s Clinic #23, there are only tears for Barbara (UCS 7, some drooling and nose dripping), and regrets. The nurse brings Barbara her “nephew’s” things. There is a letter with Barbara’s name on it, much to her surprise. She opens the simple handwritten note on lined paper that was torn out of his spiral notebook and reads it—hearing his voice saying the words, and seeing black and white flashbacks of lovely times with Chalo.

“Before I depart, I want to tell you how much I appreciate you showing me that life can be good, without giving any importance to age differences, nor money differences, nor any of those things that sometimes preoccupy you. You succeeded in respecting me for myself, and at your side I felt like I wanted to learn and become a better person, also to laugh, pass time well, and ….you know.”

Barbara groans in agony.

“And with you I discovered what they call love. Fight for your dreams, your projects, your ideals. Even from afar I will always be thankful for all you have given me. And I hope—who knows—let me go with this hope, that you will forgive me all that I have made you suffer. It wasn’t my intention, I swear to you. I take leave of you telling you that I love you. And I will never forget you. Again, forgive me. Your Chalo.”

Barbara folds the letter again, and tells herself that he killed himself for her while the violin music plays in her head.

[Ed. Note: Now that Chalo is dead, he can’t tell the name of the forger, can he? He also can’t tell where the originals might be hidden. Not that it matters….but if they could prove Sara deliberately usurped Lore’s position, and didn’t just “accidentally” take her place because it wasn’t clear from the orphanage paperwork, they might could put the girl away for a crime.]

Back at the Greater House, Nurse Augie efficiently brings a tray, but it must be for her, because we have no evidence that Snortensia can swallow coffee. Sara strides in and asks if Barbara is with her Granny. Nope, Sra. Barbie left. Joaquina is helping care for Snortensia. Sara snarls at Nurse Augie not to give her that look of the guard dog. Sara’s not thinking of getting near Granny. She’d better not. Nurse Augie goes off to her patient, and Sara checks her watch. Chalo is surely dead by now. Yep, he has to be. She muses to herself that if what they say about the first murder being the hardest, it’ll be easier to kill you, Granny. She glances over her shoulder at the stairs so we know she means to do that pretty soon. Then we get that intense Sara-preparing-more-evil look.

Lore and Zulema are saying their farewells to the Madres. Lore never thought this trip would be the best of her life. Madre Trinidad is happy that it was there in her long-time home she reunited with her parents. Madre C talks about this gift of God, and it was one for them, too. Zulema tells them they’ll be back soon, because the Madres have to meet Zulema’s other children. Yep, and the nephew and his auntie! The nuns marvel at the enormous new family and Lore’s finally ready to hug them and go. She’ll never forget that they were her first family. Hugs. Well, since her Papa and Slow have delayed so much getting back, Lore and Zulema better just go find them. The nuns walk them out. Slow is finished packing the car when Lore finds him. Madre C goes off to greet someone else, and Lore and Slow talk about how she feels, happy about her family. It’s the best gift of her life. Now all that’s left is to confront Sara. Lore agrees; she’s not one to hold grudges or rancor, but Sara has to pay for all the harm. Lore just can’t forgive her. She gets sad and he gives her a hug, stroking her back comfortingly. Timing is everything, because Ernesto is arriving just in time to see the hug. He is muy impactado and Put Out. Ern calls out her name, and she turns, impactada to see him there. Slow is impactado-irritated. Ernesto’s face registers hurt, too.

Monday: What will happen now that Ernesto has found Lorena in Alonslow’s arms? Will the boys beat the stuffing out of each other?

Jeanne

Labels: enemiga