Caray, Caray!

Walter spies on PJ/S changing into his chauffeur's uniform. This will turn out to be a popular activity. Walter runs off to tell Isabel that PJ/S is available for her to fire him.

Isabel is impactada on meeting PJ/S.

Isabel fires PJ/S but then when she asks why he lied about knowing her from the factory, he produces a letter of recommendation that he wrote about himself and waited 'til the ink dried. This letter convinces Isabel and Ángela to hire him as the chauffeur for the household much to Walter's disgust (enemy #1).

Just seeing PJ/S makes Valeria feel faint and causes her to immediately cancel her plans to leave Isabel's house.

Isabel and Ángela explain the new domestic arrangements to the staff. Note how everyone else is standing there respectfully while PJ/S is lounging casually against a pillar.

Valeria spies on PJ/S changing out of his chauffeur's uniform.

PJ/S's enemy #2 is Andrés, of course. Isabel's reaction to PJ/S makes him instantly jealous and he looks into PJ/S's claim that he worked at the factory and finds that it isn't true.

Meanwhile, PJ/S goes around saying things to people that PJ said and telling them things that only PJ knew.

Labels: cuerpo

So Santos is basically an idiot and his accusation against DB for murdering JB comes to nothing. Then he goes home, hits the law books and figures out that he doesn't have any proof against DB. You might have thought about that before you dragged everyone out to El Miedo, Santos. But before he leaves El Miedo, DB tries to get Santos to kiss her. He's tempted but he pulls away.

Melesio throws Gervasia out of the house not because she's pregnant but because she reported on what was going on at Altamira to DB and brought liquor to try and kill Lorenzo. His other granddaughters don't agree with his action. Gervasia goes to El Miedo.

Lorenzo tells Marisela that Santos will never love her as a woman. He cares for her like a relative (and he is her cousin). Marisela doesn't accept this conclusion and when Santos tells her how much she means to him, Marisela looks at her father in triumph.

While Antonio watches, the priest tells Cecilia that she's not too old to be a bride in his church and he hopes to see her there very soon. The priest is thinking about the doctor as the groom, of course.

Someone has carelessly left the door of DB's black magic altar room open and Juan Primito goes in there and sees the picture of the rapists. Now both Marisela and JP have seen this picture. They will doubtless be the means for Santos to discover a motive for DB to kill JB and the guy who was eaten by pirañas.

After hearing about Gervasia, Cecilia calculates whether she might be pregnant. She's not overdue yet but if this is first time she is thinking about the consequences of unprotected sex, she not setting a very good example as a teacher.

DB takes Gervasia in and puts in motion an elaborate plan that succeeds in getting Santos to El Miedo in circumstances that make his men look like they picked a fight with her employees.

Labels: barbara

With a tip of the sombrero to Terry McMillan, I am still in a state of euphoria over my splendid trip to northern Spain and still grateful to Bridget for producing three fine recaps to keep this FELS nightmare, I mean telenovela, sailing along on the CarayCaray waves of delighted viewers. But on with tonight's action: Who is that handsome man on the white horse willing to pay whatever to graze his horses on the hacienda pastures just when the KingKidz need some ready cash? How convenient, as Dana Carvey used to say in his ChurchLady snidely way. And why is Verizon's La Llorona more attractively dressed than the FELS tear making machine, Sofia? But I digress into the mysteries of the universe.

Uncle Alejandro swears he will seek revenge himself is Feo is lying about the missing baby. But he is still saying it behind bars.
Feo plans his empire of a well run hacienda all under his absolute control, [why hasn't it worked yet if he has such talents?] Let's get to the hacienda and tell everyone of our wedding. No, the horny one wants to continue to boogie in the bed, Feo swears his only motive is her tranquility and health.

Sofia is slow but Jimena seems nearly comatose as she blinks at the news that Oscar has returned. Not even the Llorona can move her with the news that Oscar returned but without Juan and without my daughter. I won't be conquered, I am going out to look for my daughter. The dark forest would be a good place to start, lets wait until dark.

Damian has the luck to meet Quintina on the road with her wagon bed and horse while he is on his horse. Her confidence has been abused, she flirts outrageously. Damian promises to defend her against whatever.

Sarita comes in to ask what's the progress with Sister Sludge, aja Jimena. Sofia assures Sarita needs to regain her desire to love. Sarita sneers back that she has never lost her love.

Sofia has worked out that it is really their papa's fault, if he hadn't defrauded Libia, then she wouldn't have died, the Reyes wouldn't have come to seek revenge, the sister's wouldn't have fallen for these bricklaying, breadbaking hotties, the baby wouldn't have been stolen..... Let's go walk in the dark.

Damian is questioning Q about the lovely woman in the fog who he wants to meet (nooooooooo, Damian) Q tells him he has run into La Llorona, no kidding.

We get a bucket of tears in the girls bedroom to illustrate the truth of this naming. Sarita confesses that she can't forget her love for Franco. On the other side of town, Eva has to listen to Ros echo the same I'll never forget my love for Franco. Eva advises her to love someone else? Someone will surely come along.

Franco and Oscar work in the new bakery, oh I guess this is the kitchen of the hacienda, and discuss the disappearance of Juan. He's not dead, he's dead, he's not dead....

Damian offers a sherry (jerez) to a man I don't know who seems concerned for Damian's well being...... He says he has the feeling that here he will encounter the peace that has escaped him so far (don't put money on it honey)

Oscar appears in sombrero in the bedroom of sleeping locobeauty. It hurts him to see her so and he feels he is to blame. Here is a rose of crystal just like I gave you before. I can't stop thinking about you I have to get over it, If you still don't want to see me, I only want that you get well, that you return to the happy smiling girl you were. [I agree she's the only one with a relatively sunny disposition. Perhaps she was the one left on the hacienda steps in a basket]
******************
Franco has turned into a really productive guy. Ros comes to see him because she has been thinking so much about him and his suffering and she comes to offer her friendship. He needs a real friend just now who will listen to him about his love and suffering and his true love which he has lost. She had something else in mind from the look on her face.

Abuelo has the inside track on the honey moon pleasures of Feo and Gabi while Sarita and Sofia seems genuinely surprised. The pretty maid Natalia comes for Jimena's dinner which she takes up to the bedroom and surprises Oscar who is still kneeling at Jimena's side. Oscar begs her not to sound the alarm that he is there. Natalia says she won't say anything about him. He kisses the comatose one and gives her a blessing while Natalia looks on sweetly.

Sofia snuffles over some baby sweater and decides she will go out into the dry ice forest once again looking for her lost baby.

Oscar returns to the luxury digs with Franco looking really comfortable in this new found hacienda living. Sofia breaks in to claim they are hiding Juan and her daughter.

Speaking of the occult, Juan strolls with the Doctora in the woods when he suddenly hears a woman screaming, Juan. The look on his face is straight out horrified as a thought painfully pierces his brain, that name sounds familiar, or a woman screaming at me sounds familiar. Perhaps both?
******************
Doctora tries to stroke him as a Mom and her truculent son come out of the bush and we know which Juan is being sought. But Juan still sounds so familiar says the big J to his companion.

Sofia playing La Llorona to the hilt accuses F and O of hiding Juan and begins a search of the new rooms. The hacienda is so much bigger than the bakery of old that it takes some time. She looks really suspicious at the pantry then strokes the raw bread buns provocatively then angers, then saddens, then cries, lots, Franco and Oscar watch her come back and don't seem surprised that she can't find Juan here. They try to comfort her as she can't stop crying.

The Doctora continues walking with Juan who still has no shirt or shoes as she looks for an opening to jump him. The Evil medicine man is warned that Juan's good works are going to spoil these villagers and they won't like being beaten so much. Is it the same or another shaman that chants Nahuatl words, but the brujo scene is offset while the doctora and Juan discuss the good that the vaccines will do for the poor villagers. Suddenly a woman begins to give birth and Juan wants to get Silvester. Not flustered at all the Doctora calmly prepares to assist the woman giving birth and Juan turns into an instant birthing coach telling her when to push and when to breath. The miracle of birth and a perfect baby in seconds amazes Juan as it does the viewer. Juan begins to withdraw but they push the baby into his arms, Doctora acting like it might serve as a stimulating sex toy, no that can't be it.

Sofia hugs the sweater and cries for her baby. Juan hugs the baby who cries, the real mother begins to say my daughter, my daughter, echoed by Sofia while Juan has some kind of memory or second sight of Sofia in her drab black, snotting on the white baby sweater. [Egad, I hate this stolen baby plot devices, they really upset me and I know that JudyB doesn't hold truck with them either. Especially since we know that Feo let little Luisito live in a cardboard box with a crazy drunk woman who didn't appear to feed him well, what could he be subjecting a helpless newborn to? They could at least show us that she is okay.]
********************
The honeymooners return in a euphoric breathlessness to a pouting Sofia and Sarita who sure haven't been getting any good nookie like Mom has, and Abuelo says he is not surprised considering the ambition of Gabi's new husband. Gabi announces the wedding and the inevitable news that Feo is now lord and master of the entire hacienda.

In the market Eladio speaks for the family giving excellent news that Rigo is getting better. the former friends of Gabi who flirt with him until Natalia shows up and he passes the ladies over to greet the his gift from God. She tells that Gabi returned and has married Feo. Now he is the master of the entire hacienda. She promises Eladio she won't keep any secrets back from him.

Mom with her special mom touch drops the limp hand of Jimena coldly letting it thump lifelessly onto the bed, what a bother, then criticizes the crystal rose which she assumes Sarita has brought in and demands Jimena, Jimena. When Mom leaves, the sombrero shadow on the wall tell us all is seen by an adoring Oscar. He gives her kisses and words of his constancy to love her back to life.
**********************
Franco has the plow and the oxen team under good control. Q arrives with her horse and wagon bed barely under control. But Q comes bearing a five course lunch while they discuss that the missing Oscar has gone to see the comatose Jimena. Q has big plans for their money making scenarios, Franco says sometimes she worries him.

Abuelo and Pablito make a brief appearance about nothing important.

Gabi looks at Juan Jose Robles photo and remembers how handsome he was she dreamily says he was her first and only love. She remembers telling Franco how much his father loved her only and not his mother. She then at least tells herself it was all a lie. But Feo loves her and she chants his name in a sexual swoon.

Meantime Feo gets a nightly chance to menace as he shows Oscar divorce papers that Jimena supposedly signed and demands that he act with pride and sign them too. Oscar doesn't want to believe it but why does he sign anyway. Was that a universal macho challenge or what?

Next: Sofia gets to act out her La Llorona role in the dryicy dark of night. Let's see more horses, huh? Damian is apparently going to pursue LL and show us some really nice horses so I guess we get both.

WORD OF THE NIGHT: Jerez = sherry. Also the town of Jerez in southern Spain where the most prestigious sherry is distilled and aged to perfection in oak barrels.

Labels: Fuego

Alternate title: Delusional, diabolical, despicable and dangerous...what's not to like?

Time Warner was messing with us tonight. Had to update the software before I could get off the MSNBC channel and locate Univision. So the first twenty minutes or so have been patched in from Youtube. Hope I didn't miss anything. Let me know if I did.

Rehash: Sara's having a cozy little chat with Granny. Want to know your real granddaughter's name? she hisses. It's Lorena....the "pelapapas". That's the last bit of news you'll get before you rot in Hell. Downstairs the doorbell is ringing frantically. Lorena wants the dumb maid (Ferro's term but it's right on) to tell Sara she's looking for her. Dumb maid keeps insisting Sara's not here....she's at the office and has telephoned Joaquina for a change of clothes.

Meanwhile, Sara is torturing Hortensia with her own little version of "he loves me, he loves me not" only this time it's" I'm smothering you, I'm not smothering you not." Hortensia is moaning in between pillow smashes and hyperventilating. I keep expecting her to die of a heart attack but the tough old broad hangs in there.

Dumb maid is still protesting that Sara's not there but fortunately Lorena insists on seeing for herself. She rushes up the stairs, pounds mightily on the door and finds that it's locked. Sends dumb maid off for keys while she continues to yell" Sara, I know you're in there. Open up!" As if.

Finally the door is unlocked. Impactada look on Lorena. (I imagine they inserted an ad here but I don't know) Next scene, we see Sara running out through the gate, hopping in the waiting taxi and roaring off.

From one villain to another....Dr. Despicable arrives home and is plenty annoyed when his favorite whipping post is not there with a hot meal. The man is hungry damnit! And that good-for-nothing has left a note that she's at her parents' house.

Lorena is now hovering over Hortensia, asking her if she feels alright. Lots of moaning from Hortensia. The curtain is blowing in the wind so Lorena surmises that Sara jumped out the window.

Now wait just a minute folks. Hortensia's room is on the second floor of a muy grande mansion. You're telling me that Sara jumped out with breaking a leg or something!? She wasn't even limping when she raced to the taxi. Got a little suspension of disbelief FELS style going on here.

Okay, back to the action. Dumb maid is still fussing about what a pest Lorena is being while Lorena looks on wonderingly at Hortensia. You're my grandmother...I never thought I would see you so helpless she muses.

Quick switch to Zulema's house where Maruja is ooohing and aaahing over Diana's baby. When Zulema comes in, Maruja gives them the news about Vasco being felled by a bullet. Zully and Maruja hug, united by their concern for Vasco. Looks like peace is being made between these two old friends.

In the meantime, Lorena asks the maid to get her a glass of water and when she goes, leans over and tells Hortensia that she's her real granddaughter and that Sara is an impostor. Hortensia is flapping her hand a gazillion miles a minute to signal that she understands. Hortensia makes it clear that Sara WAS there and wants to communicate something else but Lorena doesn't think to get paper and pencil.

We break to Erneso (THANK YOU!!!) who's at the culinary institute, reminiscing about golden moments with Lorena. He's remembering when she shoved a hot dog in his mouth and he pretended to hate it and then ordered another. Now maybe I just dated the wrong kind of guys, but the fellows I know would be reminiscing about the last great lovemaking moment....not eating hot dogs. Male readers, what about you? Inquiring minds want to know. And frankly, I wouldn't have minded a rerun of the picnic moment.

Conclusion: Ernesto still has some points. He clearly loves Lorena and hasn't forgotten her in two seconds flat like his other conquests. He' s still in the running as far as I'm concerned.

Lorena, still at Hortensia's bedside, is remonstrating with the maid about leaving Granny alone. Maid explains that Sara orders people around like she's the head honcho and Joaquina had to go because now they have no chauffeur.

Sara, still riding in the taxi is fuming about Lorena being there and foiling her plans to bump off the old lady. Gives the house a call, pretending she's still waiting for Joaquina to arrive with the clothes. Dumb maid has suddenly become brilliant and is able to interpret Lorena's frantic hand signals and lies to Sara that Lorena has left the place. After that, Lorena settles down to await Sara's return, much to the maid's annoyance.

The vigil also continues at Zully's house. Diana's on the phone trying to get to the health center where Vasco is being cared for. Maruja and Zulema hover with her, worrying and praying.

At the office, Greta is slinging her boobs in Omar's face while they ostensibly talk about her computer skills. Fortunately the phone rings, "It's your wife," sighs Greta and once Omar hears the news, he takes off for home. Saved by the bell.

We interrupt this drama for a quickie talk on gastric bypass and stomach stapling with Alonso explaining to the patient that she can lose 13 to 17 pounds in a month and the weight loss will be good for her heart. No mention of the possible complications.

Back to Zully's house. Omar calls Jaime to tell him that God won't let Vasco die and the whole family's praying for him. Maruja is here with us, he adds. Joaquina arrives back at the mansion. Lorena asks if she actually SAW Sara and of course she didn't. That's because Sara was here! insists Lorena. The door was locked from the inside!

Aha...now we're on Univision. Before, that was Youtube. If there was anything squirrelly, I apologize.

Don Toribio is at Catalina's house commenting on the lovely decor. Evidently it was her parents' house and she's kept it just the way they had it. Ickturo comes down and unwillingly shakes Toribio's hand, not even looking at him. Toribio tries to make chitchat, commenting that he's heard Arturo is a great businessman. Imports, mumbles Arturo. Jacqui, in her ever-present sweatpants arrives and says, Is it a party.?...and no one invited me? Whoops...she sees Toribio and says What are you doing here? Then they pretend not to know each other. Then Arturo and Catalina ask for the truth and Toribio clarifies that Jacqui is the ex-wife of his daughter's ex-husband. (the kind of thing you can only say on a soap opera)

We have a mercifully brief scene of Paula and Dario fighting. He came home for lunch. She's not happy. She would have rather met him for lunch. Well he'll be late to dinner. Aha! Another woman! It's inventory time. Hard work. Inventory...inventing is more like it! Inventing excuses while you see another woman. He slams out the door telling her she's unbearable. She snarls at the closed door. We need a marriage counselor with a blowtorch for these two.

Barbara and Jaime finally get to the Health Center and the doc tells them they got the bullet out but Vasco is "muy delicado". When they see him he looks dead, frankly. All they'd need to do is pull up that paper cover a little higher. Barbara and Jaime hold onto each other in parental anguish.

Augusta finally gets back to the mansion and the two maids are all a-twitter because Lorena is still hanging around. "What do you want me to do!? snaps Augusta "I'm going up to Doña Hortensia!" I really like this lady's style.

It's dark and Sara finally arrives home in her own car. There is hissing snake like music as she enters and demands of Lorena What are you doing in MY house?! Sara appears truly psycho as she maintains that she IS the real granddaughter... the Mother Superior told her so! Even when Lorena whips out the DNA tests....Sara is momentarily stunned; then comes back with...You've falsified the evidence! Each one screams at the other to get out and Lorena finally hauls off and slaps Sara hard. You robbed me of my family, my past, Lorena screams. GET OUT! I'm going to crush you like the viper you are! You know me, Sara, I've never hated anyone....but now I hate you.

It just goes on and on. Sara starts hauling out her packet of rancor....You Lorena were always the treasured one, the saint. Because of you I was never adopted. They always preferred you. Lorena counters that Sara's delusional (too true) and that Lorena tried to get the potential parents to adopt both of them. And she chose to stay with her beloved "sister" Sara rather than go off with an adoptive family herself.

Don't play the martyr, snarls Sara. I don't want your pity. It wasn't pity, replies Lorena, it was love....the love of a sister. And I loved you, admits Sara....I loved you....and I hated you. And I abhor you now that you're messing up my plans for my life. You planned to rob me of my family, my past, my life, counters Lorena. So what!?....you never cared about money. You were fine with these third-rate people, reeking of cheap cooking oil. I deserved to be with a rich family. Look at how I'm running the business and ordering these people around while you were happy selling muffins in the street.

When Lorena asserts that Sara and Chalo will pay for their misdeeds, Sara tells her that Chalo's dead....a suicide. One less witness. Or maybe you killed him, charges Lorena. You'd love to blame me for everything, wouldn't you? snarls Sara. If you had a shred of dignity, you'd leave, asserts Lorena. NO, YOU LEAVE!!! screams Sara. How could I not believe the saintly Mother Superior. I AM the true granddaughter. YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO THROW ME OUT!

Maybe not, but Doña Hortensia does, says Augusta, clumping down the stairs and waving the "Sara Asesina" paper in her hand. Sara is still uncowed. You wrote that yourself! she snaps, dismissing it.

Finally Lorena has to threaten to call the police and reminds Sara what a scandal it would be if the "chef de moda de la television" was hauled down to the police station. This finally gets through to Sara and between Lorena and Augusta, she's hustled up the stairs to pack up her things. Not without more threats though. You can't hurt me anymore, Lorena assures her. No? I'm just getting started. You're contemptible....and that's what Alonso feels for you also...contempt. This statment stops Sara in tracks.

Alonso knows? she gasps. Alonso is the one who ordered the DNA tests, smirks Lorena. He did it because he never stopped loving me! Sara is briefly crushed but then fires back again....I was ALWAYS better than you, Lorena! If you were, you wouldn't have had to cheat and lie...you could have surpassed me honestly. I hated you and now I ABHOR you, Sara snarls.

There are a couple of brief segues away from all this screaming. One when Toribio and Alonso discuss Catalina and whether or not Paula will be upset that Pops is hanging around with a family that now includes Jacqui. And then a scene with Hortensia where she indicates to Augusta that she wants to see her real granddaughter Lorena again.

Now back to the catfight, with Zully and Omar now added in. Sara tells them she's ashamed of them and they tell her they're equally ashamed of her....she should be in jail! Sara then insults Zully, calling her a cheap cook, a fatty and a pig. Don't insult my mother! yells Lorena and decks Sara. We get that standard "I'll kill you " revenge look from Sara before she heads out to her car. But Lorena snatches the keys away...it's not YOUR car!....and off Sara goes into the night, hauling her suitcase. But she's not beaten and she'll never be beaten!

Brief scene with Rossy on the phone to Julian, musing that if Lorena has gone to the mansion she has surely put Sara in her place. Mom Maruja is so upset she was unable to go to work and Rossy's staying with her.

So neither one of them is at the restaurant when the sauce hits the fan once more. Ernesto's still thinking about Lorena (and eliminating Jimena as a possible consolation prize). He's so distracted he puts the wrong sauce on an entrée and Monica, with her chalk-on-blackboard screech wants to know whassup. If it's Lorena, let Monica help him forget the little chit. So Ernesto hauls her off for a talking-to. I should never have slept with you. What!?? cries a lurking Raimundo. Pop is plenty mad. He cut Ernesto slack about his womanizing but he never expected him to use and abuse his daughter! Get out and get out now! Monica begs Dad not to run him off and he tells her to hush! and what kind of woman is she not to make herself respected!? The kitchen staff is upset for sure but Ernesto is out of there.

Lorena is now back at Zully's house but we know that Omar has stayed behind. Sara has evidently found a taxi in the middle of nowhere (thank God for cellphones) and is in some little pension room, vowing revenge and planning to have everyone involved crying "lagrimas de sangre". You'll pay for this humiliation, Lorena! If you want war, you'll get war.

Brief scene with Diana feeding an incredibly noisy, slurping little baby and wishing she could be with Vasco, caring for him. True telenovela style....at the same moment Vasco weakly murmurs Diana's name. Barbara, who's been wiping his forehead with a cloth, then wipes his mouth with the same cloth. Hmmm. Trying to wipe those words away?

And our final scene is a winner. Omar has sent off Augusta so he can have a heart to heart with his weeping mom. I don't know if Zulema will ever forgive you, he says gently. But Lorena will....she's a good girl. And I want no more bitteness and rancor. I've forgiven Jaime and I forgive you....MAMA. Hortensia weeps some more and looks meaningfully at Omar. And I'm a sentimental fool and weep right along with her. THE END


Except it isn't. Not even "ultimas semanas" so we know Sara has lots more evil doings in store. Probably Bruno as well. The previews show Sara vowing to get everything back, INCLUDING ALONSO (You go girl! Leave Ernesto to Lorena though, please)....and there's a scene where Sara shows up at Alonso's door. (Really this guy needs to move and get an unlisted number). So stayed tuned.

Labels: enemiga

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

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