Caray, Caray!

Ahoy all, JudyB and I switched nights this week. I'm doing tonight and she's doing Thursday for me.


Scenes from last night, Santi behind a smiley face paper. Soledad approaches Patricio. Santi stares at Candi's breast mole, "you're alive!!"


Beto is sad. He tells Chava his dad isn't dead, he left because he doesn't love him any more. Poor little guy. Candi comes outside and tells the boys she's going shopping and Doña Cuca will watch them. (This Doña Cuca thing really cracks me up because years ago I used to work with some guys from Mexico and they were always singing "Cuanto por las nachas Doña Cuca?" I think Dona Cuca was supposed to be a whore or something but I was never quite sure.) Candi asks the boys for a big noisy kiss.

Santi chases Candi with a bouquet of flowers. She rejects him and yet again accuses him of only wanting to get her in bed. She stomps away and Santi gives himself a pep talk, in just six, seven or eight short years he'll succeed. His granny always told him to persevere.

Patricio calls his dad's business and asks the secretary to please send him the records of every employee who worked there for the past eight years. Apparently dad kept perfect records including pictures. Pato asks her please don't say a word to dad about this. Pato for some reason pulls a big photo of Candi out of his briefcase. He smiles and flirts with the picture. Frankly, I'm not sure what to say about this display. Maybe it's the anniversary of her death or something.

Santi follows Candi around the clothing store, helping her pick out clothes and asking her why she refuses to admit she was the woman at the wedding. He and all the other guests distinctly saw the beauty mark (lunar) on her...her...and he saw it again last night!

She escapes into the dressing room and he asks does she need help changing her cloooooothes? She puts on an act in front of the entire store pretending to be his pregnant girlfriend he's about to abandon. He says she's half crazy. "Great you call the mother of your child crazy! You're bad!" She goes into the dressing room and bawls loudly while he stands outside trying to save face in front of the other patrons. I'm not sure what this scene was supposed to accomplish but it was rather amusing.

Pato gets the email from Dad's secretary and finds ex-employee Soledad in the employee records. Alicia busts in and scares the hell out of him. She acts like she's on crank. He slams his laptop shut. Oh my but she's excited and bouncing off the walls. She starts snooping around his things and almost opens his laptop but he finally manages to shuffle her out of his office.

Candi pumps Santi for info on his personal life. What happened to Rocio's mother? Santi refuses to speak about this subject and Candy once again accuses him of chasing her to try to seduce her, he's a hunter who just wants meat in his bed. She says her body isn't his and she doesn't like men with girlfriends who go looking outside their house for what they have inside. She stomps off and he yells at her that they're not speaking albures*. He gives himself another pep talk, just 6, 7, 8 little years and she'll see!

*(Albures - this is a kind of punning game manifested in quick repartee where people try to out-pun each other; oftentimes using innocent words that have a sexual connotation. Candi and Santi may have been doing this but if they did I didn't get the puns.)

The short waiter Ole apologizes to Meño for asking Candi to undress. Meño tells him if he wants to see a woman undress he needs to get himself a girlfriend. Ole wants Candi to be his girlfriend. Meño tells him to give it up, Candi's not interested, he needs to find someone like himsef, a chaparrita (short and squat). The other waiter tries to be sympathetic and tells Ole he has a face like Pepe el Toro. Short, squat Ole says he was born a loser but tall Sven isn't paying attention any more.

Lucia hugs Eva and thanks her for arranging an appointment with a surgeon. Eva points out it's no guarantee Lucia will get new bubis, she's still under age. Lucia's not discouraged, she'll lie, she really wants big bubis. They celebrate in the arcade.

At home Candi admires her clothes. Her phone rings, "You again? I hate surprises." (I noticed tonight that Santi uses "tu" with her and she uses "usted" with him.) It's Santi and he's outside. He threatens to call his ex-client, what was her mother-in-law, the mother of what was her husband, and show her a picture of the dead woman that isn't Candi. If Candi wants him to keep quiet she must accept his proposal. He wants to go to the baseball field and throw a few balls. He tries to follow her inside the house and she shuts the door on his leg. However it looks like she's going to play ball.

In an oddly random scene Pato and Alicia have a mass for Candi. Pato weeps over Candi's picture and cries over his memories of their togetherness. Alicia just kind of bears it and Pato shakes her off. He's such a burro!

Santi's at the batting field (he looks hot, as in babalicious) and tells his friend Lalo that he knows Candi's the same woman, he'll never forget the look they shared at the wedding, when their gazes locked as she walked down the aisle. The ball is released and nails Santi in the nuts. That poor guy must have testicles of steel.

Ayyyy! he yells in anguish. OK, so maybe not steel. Candy strolls up to see him clutching his family jewels. She laughs and tells him he's finally on his knees (he had said at the mall that he wouldn't get on his knees for a woman). "I'm in pain!" he gasps, temporarily contralto.

Alicia runs after Pato and he has a tantrum. She says she's only trying to console him and he responds that she's annoying him, that's all she does is annoy him, she has no limits. She accuses him of being in love with her dead sister and he responds "You don't understand anything." She tells him it's not their fault Candi is dead and he ugly cries and says it's both their faults! She slaps him and says don't ever say that again! He tells her not to raise her hand to him again or he'll cut it off. Nice.

Santi's still on the ground suffering while Candi observes. He says he can't drive because of the pain and Lalo can't drive him because he Has Too Much To Do, right? Oh yeah yeah, Lalo agrees he's got to run. Santi tells Lalo to tell the girls that he loves them. He says Candi has to drive him home. "Candi, Candi, I see a white light..." pale wan hands upon the coverlet and all. She throws the bat on his balls.

Beto comes home and finds his mom crying. He asks is she crying for dad? He tells her he cries for dad too.

Isabel wanders around the big house trying to find a place to put her picture of The Beatles dressed like bullfighters. Donato asks for the day off tomorrow and Isabel grants it as long as he repeats 100 times "I like The Beatles." "Me gustan Los Biddles, me gustan Los Biddles," he chants.

Candi drives the injured Santiago home in his car. He wants her to dine with him at 10:00 and she refuses. OK then, he will just have to contact one of his clients who has a son whose wife left him at the altar... Candi starts to scold him and poke him in the head just as Marissa storms up to the car. "What are you doing with my boyfriend?! Why are you driving his car, or should I say OUR car?" she demands. "Would you believe I'm selling him insurance?" answers Candi. "Full coverage!" pipes up Santi.

Chava and Beto are doing their homework. Well, Chava is, apparently Beto gets into trouble for not doing his. Beto asks what's it like to not have a dad. Chava doesn't know the difference, he's never had one. Beto explains that dads are fun to play with. Chava recommends that Beto ask for a dog, they run more than dads and they don't get tired.

Candi and Santi are out of the car now and Marissa wants to know what in the heck Candi is doing with her boyfriend. Candi tries to bow out but Marissa grabs her, kind of like Candi grabbed Marissa the other day. Candi pushes Marissa and they get into it until Santi tries to break them up. He tells Marissa their kids are friends. For someone who is supposed to be pro-woman Candi's pretty mean to Marissa.

Marissa and Santi go inside his house and continue to argue. He stops to kiss Rocio in her little ballet costume. He says she looks marvelous as a dragonfly (libélula). "Dad, I'm a fairy (hada), not a dragonfly" she scolds. Santi and Mari have a long conversation where she tries to pin him down and he has excuses why he can't spend more time with her, he needs to spend time with Rocio, he has a ton of patients who need him, etc. She wants to see him later and he promises to call her.

Santi goes upstairs and sees Lucia. He wants to know what's up with her, her bra is stuffed! She pulls out some wonderbra inserts...oops and pulls out another layer. (That reminds me of one time when I was a bridesmaid we all had to wear purple wonderbras to match our hideous purple taffeta dresses; one of the other bridesmaids really pissed me off so when she was in the bathroom I pilfered her wonderbra inserts and stuck them into my wonderbra on top of my own inserts. I was worried because during the ceremony she kept staring at her chest, then mine, then hers; thank goodness she never figured out what I did. But I digress...)

Marissa watches while Rocio plays with her doll. Rocio tells her doll she knows she (the doll) misses her real mother but she (Rocio) would like to be her mother. Her doll's name is Rocio. Marissa looks sad for the child and volunteers to be a mama to Rocio and her dollies, they can all play together. Rocio doesn't want to play and she walks away. I felt kind of bad for Marissa except that she's a pest and can't take a hint.

Candi irons with a vengeance and tells Meño she's afraid that the plastic doctor will tell Pato's mother that she's alive. Meno says Santi's a good guy and wouldn't do that. Candi says good guys don't blackmail women. Meño knows something else is bugging her.

Santi asks Isabel to cover for him because Marissa is upstairs with Rocio and he has a ton of things to do. He has to see a dead woman who's passing for a live one. Isabel is baffled.

Meño is worried about Candi, she goes from one extreme to the other. She can't go through life wanting to be buried (or submissive? "sumisa") one minute and an independent woman the next. Candi says she wants to be Candi, not Candida. Meño and I both roll our eyes. Candi doesn't want to be the boss of anyone and she doesn't want anyone to be the boss of her. She wants to share her life with a man who understand she's a woman, not his mom. Well maybe she'd have more luck if she acted like a grownup instead of a schoolyard bully.

Soledad calls Pato to tell him he's the father of her child. She doesn't ask much, only ten minutes. He's muy impactado.

Lucia visits a shady-looking plastic doctor and tells him she wants big bubis. She admits she's only 15 but he doesn't care, he'll do it for 50 thousand pesos (3700 USD). Her face falls.

Santi is at the library researching the wedding he went to years ago. Luck! The headline reads "The bride said yes, but NO". "I found you!" Santi exclaims. For someone who's overloaded with patients he sure has a lot of free time.

Alicia calls her mother-in-law Margarita and begs her not to hang up on her. She knows Marg doesn't approve of their marriage but Pato is her only son and Alicia thinks it's bad that they're fighting. Alicia would like them to be close again. She's up to something.

Santi, Raul and some other guys sing loudly and celebrate Raul's birthday. They all chant "mordida" until he takes a bite right out of the cake and gets it all over his face.

The guys cover Raul's eyes and play sultry music. A sexy blonde comes in and, with Raul's prodding, they all chant "kiss her". Suddenly a cell phone rings, all the guys stop what they're doing to check their phones. Santi demands silence, "hello Marissa my love, how are you?"

Isabel visits Rocio in her room and wonders what's wrong? Does she have a fever, should she call the doctor? No, Rocio just wants her mama. She and her abuela share a tender hug.

Santi tells his mujer that he's with his friends including her brother. They're playing parcheesi, chess and Chinese checkers (damas chinas). Raul talks to her with cake all over his face and afterwards tells Santi that was the last time he lies to his sis for him. He gives Santi a cakey kiss on the cheek and runs back to his gift, the blonde. Raul seems much more upbeat in this episode.

Later that night Santi gets home and asks Donato for a very very important favor. Donato says it will cost. Santi holds up a menu and Donato reads "fooling a girlfriend, 200 pesos". Santi hands the money over and heads off for his date.

Tío Meño tells Chava he's going to make him something finger licking good for dinner. Chava asks how old does one have to be to have a girlfriend? Meño hems and haws and wonders why Chava asks, does Chava have a girlfriend? "Yes, my mama!" Candi hears and smothers cute little Chava with kisses. He asks why she's so dressed up, does she have a boyfriend? "She wishes," cracks uncle. Mom says Chava's her only boyfriend and kisses him goodbye.

Over at the big house Marissa knocks on the bedroom door and Donato jumps into bed and hides under the covers. "Are you sleeping? How about I stay a while and we sleep together?" Marissa coos.

Soledad insists to Pato that her child is his. She gives him the brief version of her situation, thought her husband was the kid's dad, turns out he's sterile, etc. Pato says his life isn't a telenovela where she can just show up and demand money from him. She tells him she was only with two men, her husband and him. She doesn't want his money she just wants him to believe her. He's mean to her, tells her to go into the church to beg forgiveness for lying. She tells him again she's not lying! Nevertheless he rejects her and walks away.

Candi meets Santi for a nice romantic dinner at a lovely outdoor cafe. Looks like it doesn't rain as much in Guadalajara as it does in the DF. She apologizes for being a little late and he quips that it's his hobby waiting 40 minutes for people to arrive, that's how it's done in Guadalajara. Uh oh, he shows her the newspaper article of her wedding. There she is in her undies, no denying it. She supposes he'll rat her out. He tells her his silence has a price.

As he tortures her a little she gets the hiccups and can't speak. He gives her a drink of water to get rid of the hiccups and chatters "Oh Candi Candi, I could make you very happy..." She spits the big stream of water out in his face (how uncouth!) and says the meal is over. Honestly, I would seriously have lost interest in her by now. She calls him a degenerate and pervert and tells him he knows where to stick his picture.

Marissa undresses seductively while the mountainous Donato quivers in bed. She crawls in and tickles him. He starts shrieking and they both sit up in bed, face each other and yell bloody murder. Isabel's meditation is ruined.

Candi strolls along a fountain while Santi follows in his car. He sits next to her and asks why the tears? She has a cold she says. Right. A short distance away a party of young people yells encouragement at them. He says they think he and Candi are novios and if they don't kiss then the kids won't believe in love. He wants to kiss Candi but unfortunately Candi doesn't feel the same way. Santi's phone rings while Candi escapes in a taxi. "What's wrong Donato??"

Back at the big house Donato's in a heap of trouble. He begs Santi to come home right away. The house is in an uproar, the kids are up, the maid is up, and Isabel tells Donato he has five minutes to pack his bag and leave. Marissa storms out of the room and tells Isabel to ask Santi what happened, he's the one that organized the whole fiasco. The women are impactadas. The maid scolds Donato and tells him he shouldn't be riding another man's bicycle! She slaps both his hands. (Again with the whacking of men.) Donato mutters that he wasn't on any bicycle but the boss's bicycle has a frame that's Mmmmmmm! He sinks to the floor in despair for getting fired.

Mexico City - Charly packs his bags with books and apples and is excited to travel to Guadalajara to find his dad. He asks his mom to tell him about his dad but she says she can't. She accepts that Charly's going to meet him but she doesn't want to remember him. Charly looks pensive while some strange cacaphonous sci-fi music plays. Que?

Tomorrow: One of the goofy waiters tries to kiss a blond but she bites his face and slaps him. Again with the violence. Charly arrives at the restaurant and says he's looking for his father Manuel Morales. Meño drops a pot of spaghetti on himself and Caras Impactadas all around. And will we get a Jaime Camil kiss?

Labels: Tontas

I could not find a bustier but here is a g-string as seen in Mexico DF poster leaning against chapel windows.

Tonight we have so many Juan shirtless or undershirt moments, pardon me if I stop typing to sigh from time to time at the fatalistic shirtlessness.

You are a free man and oh poor Ruth is sick too, is that why she was in your bed? snarks a jealous but severe Sofia. Now is Juan getting out of a bed or what? Stay tuned.

Juan hugs Eva who promises to help Eva pursue her daughter Ruth to get a chance to tell her the truth. Sofia shows up with Padre Tadeo to speak with Eva. PadTad wants to know what gives with Juan's wandering and quarrelsome ways in regard to Sofia. Oh the specter of the killer Bernardo comes out of Juan's lips, how can he forget his tiresome oath? We don't get to forget it for even one episode then suddenly PadTad inserts a THOUGHT, egad what if old Bernie boy was NOT the killer. What are you going to do with all the hurt and resentment you are creating. Well Juan says he would rush to make it all up to Sofia, all would be forgiven instantly. It might not be so easy warns PadTad.

Macho-man Ricardo Darth Uribe is chastising Gabriela for telling everyone that Bernardo did the dirty deed, that he is intimating he is so proud of having really done. He appreciates her caring of him but no one gets over on him nor does he need caring for. Man, can he belt down the brandy snifters even faster than Gabriela, she looks on admiringly at this for sure tough guy trait.

Abuelo salutes Feo for his cunning (astucia) and ability to trick, rob and to keep it up so tirelessly. He tells Feo for some reason that Santita and he are engaged, Feo grins and congratulates him, he flatters Santita on her sense of humor. Abuelo warns her that Feo would be more interested if he knew she was a millionaire. They go off to the bedroom to tell secrets At least Santita knows not to tell stuff in the echo chamber.

Eva is happy that Juan is going to put a good word in for her when Ruth returns to see him. Sofia shows some jealousy but acts saccharine sweet with Eva.

Santa Hari calls Abuelo. They discuss his lack of money.

Gabriela rains on the Eva-Sofia parade but Sofia insists that she has come to help tell Ruth everything. Eva then swears she will tell Ruth everything including that she is her true mother. This woman should wear a kick me sign on her behind.

Feo thinks over wooing Santita, it is not lost on him that she is wealthy (he probably smells the money) and would most likely think he was a real stud. Then he could be rid of these annoying Elizondos once and for all and she wouldn't live so long like Gabriela and Sofia.

Feo tries to take the SUV but Rosendo tells him the rules have been changed by Senora Sofia who says he can't use the cars. He slams poor Rosendo up against said SUV but must feel like a fool.

The sick daughter with gobs of lip gloss or is it drool comes into the bakery for a few kneading lessons. Besides she has the whole afternoon free and who knows what time she has tomorrow. Is she playing with this sexy turn on of being the dying Camila of literature? She sexily breaks the egggggg, they knead the bread together and Juan channels Sofia over the young thing's face. He begins to kiss Sofia and finds it is oops, cut to break. Oh dear has that pesky memory loss come back to interfere with his stalwart resolve?
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Finally the lovely young temptress asks, you weren't seeing me, were you? You were seeing Sofia. But, I have confidence that one day you will love me like you love Sofia. Love and hope spring eternal.

Feo and Rosendo go a few more rounds and Rosendo repeats that the only patrona is Sofia, He excuses himself and gets out of the way of another Feo fist.

Gabriela and Sofia meet in the office with Gab ceding the owner side of the desk to Sofia. Sofia tells her that Eva has a right to tell Ruth everything. Sofia then shifts subjects: Feo has to work to work off his stolen assets or face jail. Gabi for once agrees, if he robbed us he has to repay it. He needs to learn his lesson.

Feo goes into the cabana to intimidate Raquel like everyone else does. HE wants to know the story about Sofia that she is hiding. He begins to insist physically and she warns if Darth sees him it will be nasty. Just then Nasty walks into the room to show Feo what she meant. What are you doing with my wife, answer me, answer me he spits out as he grabs Feo. Isn't it fun to see Feo get his considerable ego shaken up in various ways. If you listen hard you can hear the rumble of pie carts in the distance.
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Get out of here, snaps Darth Uribe. Feo makes excuses for trying to aid Racquel, and obsequiously excuses himself with knowing looks at both the Uribes. Uribe then looks really mean in the snake bar room She wants to leave, Ricardo goes off to find Ruth.

Off in the forest, Feo pouts and swears he will avenge himself for Darth's treatment.

Ricardo want to know why Raquel wants to leave. She reminds him that there is not one paper proving their ownership of the Reyes/Uribe mansion. He slaps her silly when she wonders out loud what Gabriela knew and what she did all those years ago to give them the hacienda that really isn't theirs. This really makes the Darth eyes glow in the dark.

Finally a staircase showdown, (at least one per show required). Eva wants to help Ruth, snotty as ever Ruth doesn't want a woman to touch her and says Eva isn't fit ot help her or even to clean her boots. She saunters off, so many people use that stairway as if they owned it.

Juan and Oscar discuss having the baby girls come to stay several nights a week but Oscar doesn't think Sofia will permit it. Quintina and Pablito share the joking and breakfast when the young Rigo and wife and Q's sister come in to tell of their impending pregnancy after thinking they couldn't have children. Juan offers Rigo full time work.

Eva and Sofia tell each other myths like love is stronger than hatred. Eva is sure that her punishment for giving up her daughter is to have her turn out as Ruth has. She thinks the years around Ricardo gave Ruth the Darth personality thus furthering her feelings about the nature -vs- nurture debate.

Rosendo gets assaulted by Darth who says he knows him, demands that he be called Don Darth err Ricardo. and Rosendo gives what he is given and calls himself Don Rosendo. Rosendo remembers how well dressed Ricardo was and he especially remembers envying the big serpent buckle. This seems to enrage the Darth who uses it to throw someone else around until Sofia shows up wondering why he is treating HER employees so roughly. No wonder Feo wants revenge, he had this physical intimidation thing all to himself for so many months, except for Gabriela's little slapping habit.
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Uribe says Sofia should teach her employees to do what he wants. She speaks up with authority that her employees are trained to do what the guests want when the guests act well mannered.

Ruth shows up to sneer at Sofia's back with her dad, how educated she is now not like the brat she was. Where were you she is surprised to hear Dad has already been to see the Reyes. She tries to suggest that Juan is kind of fine but Pa is jealous until she reminds him that it is he who taught her to "size up" her enemies so to speak. Daddy Darth hugs his evil little spawn with the only kindness and love we have seen from him.

Juan and Oscar discuss Ruth and other mysteries in their lives.

Sofia and Rosendo worry about no rain, no money to pay the workers and the wolf at the door (or they should). Rosendo warns Sofia to be very careful with this man Darth. He is vain (engreido), arrogant (soberburbio) He has memories of his father going around him and her mother when he was really little He knows Uribe to be violent!!

Feo tries to saunter into Gabriela's bedroom acting suave and telling Gab that he has missed her so much all this time. She doesn't believe it . I love you so much, he tries feebly . She suggests that he better sleep early since there are so many things to do tomorrow. She turns out the light and turns her back on the former hunk, who sits now like just a lump of leather in the darkened room.
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Rosendo and Sofia say good night down stairs and she climbs the stairs to come in on the nuns and babies and big Daddy Juan. Sofia smiles at his Santa Claus act of handing out presents to the baby girls but with feigned sternness wants to know what he is doing here. She says he wills have to stop dropping in by popping over the balcony like this. He retorts that he has the right to come when he wants and proposes that the girls are ready to be spending nights at his house every week. He jingles out with his spurs jingle jingle. While over at the Feo bedroom he smirks then pretends to go to sleep. The only people having fun are Santita and Abuelo who are playing cards and laughing in their room. Santita goes to the door and sees Feo sneaking out. They decide to see what Santita Hari can do to bait Feo.

Uribe shows up in the dark forest to say he has to recover something he left in the hacienda before it is discovered. Meanwhile Santita goes down to get a drink from Feo and warm him up. He should be afraid of Santa Hari if he had any sense.

Juan comes home to a hot late night snack as Ruth emerges from the dark in a robe which she drops to reveal her scanty bustier and seduces Juan. You are right, you are right he murmurs as he proceeds to hear that Sofia doesn't love him and she does. They drop to the bed in locked passion. What a surprise this ending is, are we dreaming or awake.

Labels: Fuego

Pernalete surprises María Nieves dressing in the worker's housing.

Labels: barbara

Beto tells Chava his father left, but Chava suggests that his father died and his mother said that to make him feel better, like when your cat ‘runs away.’ When Rocío arrives, she wants to play novios but Chava wants to play wild animals.

Santiago and Rocío try to help Chava, since Santiago knows his grandfather died. Rocío, the chattering little bird, tells Chava that they want to cheer him up because his grandpa died, while Santiago is trying to hush her lack of tact. He invites Chava to join a plan to make his mama happy. Chava loves that idea, and Santiago is shamelessly proud of himself.

Back at the restaurant, Ole hears Sven on the phone, “Who is the man of the house? Me, that’s who.” Ole thinks he’s talking to his novia. Nope, it’s his mama.

On TV, Soledad sees Pat in an interview about his export business. Pat emphasizes that he has absolutely nothing to do with his father’s business. (Note, Pat has broken all business ties with his father, moved to a different city, and broken most personal ties – remember his marriage was a surprise to Arturo? Pat has put the lizard out of his life.) Soledad is stunned when she recognizes Pat. She grabs the phone and tries to reach him..

At home, Chava asks Candy if she’s depressed because his grandpa died. How are you going to run away from this one, Candy?

Candy tears into Meño for telling Chava his grandpa died. “Don’t deny it, you’re the only one who knew.” Wrong again, Tutz. Meño reminds her that Santiago knows because Candy told him herself. He gives us today’s dicho: Una mujer es dueña de su silencio, pero victima de sus palabras. A woman is owner of her silence but victim of her words. She apologizes for accusing him and not believing him. Wait! You readers didn’t hear any apology? Don’t feel bad, neither did Meño.

The soccer team has prepared a surprise for Candy. They line up, each holding a paper over his face, with a big smile on it. Chava explains that the smiles are for her, so now she never has to be sad. SWEET! Candy collects each boy’s happy-face and thanks him. Behind one of the happy faces she finds Santiago. “They told me you needed smiles because you were sad, so I brought you mine.”

Candy gets pissy. She tells him that if he’s trying to seduce her, it won’t work. He protests that he was just trying to help her. He wants to teach her to accept compassion, and I want to teach my cat to fetch. I think I have the better chance. Santiago offers proof that he’s genuine and sincere with no hidden agenda – she’s not allergic to him today. Candy is also mad that he told Chava that her father died. Santiago defends it as an honest mistake, but to make it up to her he’ll referee the soccer game.

Can someone explain this? Why does Candy have such a seduction obsession? Candy was the one who initiated relations with Pat after a three-year courtship, a week or two before her wedding. Pat didn’t love her and leave her; he loved her and betrayed her. No other man has taken advantage of her. And Santiago, although seduction is his goal, certainly hasn’t been blatant or aggressive about it. Why is she so obsessed with fear of seduction? You’d think she would be afraid of a man two-timing her, but no, she barely mentions that with Santiago, a man who has a formal girlfriend.

Lucía tells her chesty friend Evangelina, the one getting all the attention from the boys, that today she’ll ask her tío for new bubis. To make sure no one misses the point, the friend takes a big bite from her two big, round scoops of ice cream.

Back at the soccer game, Candy is screaming at Referee (Autoridad) Santiago, like a bad Little League parent on Dr. Phil. He tells her to stop but nobody can tell Candy Morales nuthin’, not never. Santi says the kid wasn’t fouled, he dived – he’s the cousin of Fernando Platas (Mexican high diver, won Olympic silver). Another parent joins the fray. Santi calls the dad mandilón – a man who wears the apron and his wife wears the pants. Candy tries to come between them, she gets knocked over, Santiago sees red, and the poor dad sees the dirt, face first. We need this scene just in case anyone forgot how much Santiago likes Candy. He sneaks out, crawling beneath the ensuing fracas, to make sure Candy is okay. He reminds her this isn’t boxing, it’s soccer – he calls it soccer, not fútbol.

The three contrite parents attempt a teachable moment with the soccer team. “Violence never solves anything,” yada yada. The mandilón is still rubbing his jaw. Camil puts on his bad English (as opposed to his good English) for a chorus of All You Need Is Love. They hope words speak louder than actions, but Chava isn’t buying it.

Meño is disturbed by all his sagging parts – his párpados (eyelids), papadas (jowls), arrugas (wrinkles), cejas de azotador (?), and his one ear higher than the other. He finds a solution – cover the mirror! Fuera dolor!

Soledad sees an article about Pat’s art export business in the newspaper, and remembers the night Beto was conceived. First we see them drunk at the disco, then back at his hotel room.

As Marissa’s big brother, Raúl urges Santiago to marry her, doggone it. Santiago tries to tease his way out of it, but Raúl won’t let him. He recognizes that Santiago chases skirts (remember Raúl assumes all husbands do); regardless, Santiago should define their relationship or marry his sister now. Notice “break it off” is not one of the choices.

Meño consults with Dr. Santiago for his new face. Meño is particularly sensitive about his uneven ears. Santi offers a deal: get me a date alone with Candy tonight, and I’ll do the operation for free. Santiago’s parting smile as he anticipates the date? Priceless!

What’s going on here? Raúl asked Meño to introduce him to Candy, Raúl told Santiago to marry his sister, and Santiago bargained with Meño to get a date with Candy. Are all the town matchmakers away at a convention?

Candy admits to Chava that his grandpa died. Chava wonders about the second one – other kids have two grandpas. Candy isn’t willing to answer. Chava tries to bring his box of lies so mama will have to tell the truth. Little does he realize that a caja de mentiras is no match for a mama de mentiras.

At the restaurant, Meño tells Candy an important, rich customer has reserved the restaurant for tonight, and he wants Candy to work. Candy assumes it must be some man cheating on his wife.

Lucía asks Santiago for birthday bubis surgery. She employs the age-old argument, “My friends can.” He tells her he is totally against it for girls her age. He employs the age-old parent answer, “You don’t need it, you’re beautiful. Your father would agree. He was smart and loved her very much. I’m not as smart, but I love you just as much.” What a papa!

Meño tells Sven & Ole he has a secret assignment for them. He ponders, “How can I explain this? Your minds are so small.” They will work as phony crooks, so that Candy will stay here alone with her date. Does Meño’s plan make sense to anyone else? Meño wants Candy and Santiago to be alone, so he sends Sven and Ole to help them be alone???

Soledad is still trying to contact Pat. She’s going out and makes arrangements for a babysitter.

The restaurant is filled with candles, flowers, and chilled champagne. Candy is wearing an elegant black dress. She steps into the dining room and hears that familiar voice, “Welcome to a magical evening. I’m the client who reserved the restaurant.”
Candy: “So it’s for your girlfriend? Or a mistress?”
Santiago: “No, this is all for a date with a very beautiful woman.” (Is that a little jealousy or a little disappointment in Candy’s eyes?)
Candy: “Then let me know when she arrives, so I can serve you.”
Santiago: “No, I’m going to serve, cook, and do everything.”
Candy: “Very well, then you won’t be needing me. Con permiso.”
Santiago: “Candy, no, wait! This beautiful, spectacular, marvelous woman I’m waiting for is you. Please. Take a seat.”
Readers, mark this moment. She has buried her heart for seven years, but her face tells us it can’t stay buried forever. We see the very first crack in Candy’s wall. It’s only a hairline fracture in a very thick wall, but it’s a start.
Santiago proposes a toast to a marvelous night. She glares at him suspiciously. “Drink with me, Candy. Can you deny that I’ve behaved like a perfect gentleman?”
She grudgingly accepts the toast, but still must object, “The night is not over yet.”
Santiago: “You’re cruel! We’re having a normal dinner, carrying on conversation. This is not some seduction plot. I’m simply having dinner with a very special woman that I like very much. Nothing more.”
Candy: “Hmm. I’ll try to believe you.”
Santiago: “Thank you. Since we’re trying new things, do you think you could try to smile a little, too? You’ve been very serious all night. Doesn’t a nice chilango like me deserve it?”
Candy makes a big, toothy smile like an 8-year-old’s school picture. Santiago laughs at her and says, “That’s no smile. That’s the face a piranha makes just before it bites!” She laughs. “There! A beautiful smile.” With that, her amargada (sour, crabby) face returns.
Santiago: “What did I tell you? One compliment, one flattery, and you think it’s a blow to the head. Learn to accept them.”
Candy: “Are you sure this won’t end in bed?”
Santiago looks around the room. “I don’t see a bed in here. Normal people end dinner with dessert.”
Santiago gets up to clear the plates, and while he’s not looking, Candy allows herself a big smile, anticipating a magical dinner with such an enchanting man.

At home, Rocío wants Lucía to help with her computer game. Luc is on the phone, looking in the mirror with “enhancements” stuffed in her bra. She is still trying to get those new bubis. Her latest plan? Find another doctor who will do it.

Back at the restaurant, does anyone notice how bad Jaime Camil looks in a suit? How do they do that??? True, there was ‘more of him to love’ in the early episodes, but I don’t think that is sufficient explanation. Don’t you remember? He was born in a necktie! The candy cane one was delicious, and the metallic blue with dark stripes was divine. How can he look bad in a suit now? Cómo puede ser?

As he’s clearing the plates, two crooks in masks barge in, guns drawn. Two very short crooks. Santiago hears them talking, and wonders, “That voice? Where have I heard that voice before?” “Rocky, that was me…” Oops, wrong universe. Realizing that the crooks are the bumbling waiters, Sven and Ole, Santiago plays the heroic defender of fair (?) Candy. “Leave her alone! Do what you want to me, but don’t touch her.” Ole is as tall as Santiago’s armpit, but still tries to shove him aside. Santi laughs. Failing that, Ole pistol whips him. Laughing stops.

Ole orders Candy to undress, but Sven tries to nix that. Candy loudly refuses, but Santiago tries to reason with her. “These are dangerous criminals; we’d better do what they say.” Nudge nudge wink wink. I guess a peep show opportunity trumps heroic defender role. Candy cringes and starts to undress; Santiago willingly does the same, “for solidarity.”

Candy strips down to her black scanties. Santiago enjoys the view (claro!), but is suddenly impactado. As she screams, “Don’t look!” he has a flashback – a wedding on the beach, a beautiful woman he has the hots for, a bride who strips down to her white scanties! He has a vivid – very vivid – memory of her chest and a mole. The chest and mole match Candy’s exactly. (Finally we know why Santiago never recognized Candy before. In Guadalajara she has kept her clothing on, and at the wedding he never paid attention to her face! This might also be a clue about his career choice.)

Santiago, shocked, bug-eyed, and gaping-mouthed, looks at Candy and fumbles for words. “I know you.. your neck.. your shoulders.. your mole.. the wedding.” Candy is seriously worried. She tries to protest that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but he continues, barely breathing for excitement. The memories are pouring in more quickly. “Acapulco. Your husband with your sister. Your mother-in-law introduced us. You despised me. YOU’RE ALIVE!!!”

Candy is ready to grasp any escape. She says it‘s just an excuse to see her undressed. We hear Sven say, “Candy es amiga.” Candy recognizes the voice and starts shrieking. Santi tries to chase them. But his pants are down around his ankles (briefs; black), so he trips and hits his head. We get a fleeting view of a sight rarely seen: Jaime Camil’s chicken legs. The man has great hair, gorgeous eyes, sensuous lips, good tush, and passable thighs, but his calves are just plain silly. That’s why you almost never see them.

Candy is worried for him. She rushes over and kneels above him. She’s careful not to laugh at his silly calves. “Are you okay?” He answers suggestively, she takes offense, and storms off.
Santiago resolves, he is going to “unbury” Candy, and he intends multiple meanings, I’m sure.

Soledad ambushes Patricio as he leaves work. First he thinks she wants work, and he turns her down. When she says they used to go out, he thinks she wants to reignite an old flame, and he refuses that too. He ducks into his car as quickly as he can, and Soledad is left, pleading to his Ferrari exhaust.

In the midst of Meño’s nightly beauty treatment, Candy drags in Sven & Ole. Meño chews out the boys for their botched effort, and when he discovers Ole made her undress, Meño’s ready to kill him.

Candy is working on throwing out Santiago. She doesn’t like surprises; well he doesn’t like lies. She lies that she doesn’t lie. He insists that he won’t budge until he gets the truth, so she gives him her best logical answer: a kick in the shins (assault score: 3). Never discouraged, Santiago still tries for a goodnight kiss. He’s like Wile E. Coyote. No matter how many times he gets crushed, hit, or exploded, he continues, unfazed.

With Santi and the boys gone, Candy lays into Meño. Why did he do it? Because she is alone, and the doctor promised him a facelift. She reveals her latest problem: the plastic doctor knows her secret.

At the market, Soledad tells Candy that her husband left her for another woman. Sol asks Candy what happened to Chava’s father, and Candy reminds her of their agreement to never talk about it.

Pat is hanging a plaque in his office, “Never leave the door open, because you don’t know who might enter.” On cue, Alicia barges in. Pat says the sign reminds him how expensive an error can be. Alicia reminds him that because of an open door, they are married. Ali is pleased; Pat not so much.

Candy remembers Santi’s discovery, their talk of whether she is alive or dead, and her wedding day. She resolves, that Candy is dead.

Tomorrow, Marissa wants to know what Santiago and Candy are doing together.

Labels: Tontas

Rerun of Gabi and Darth Ricardo's happy reunion getting interrupted by Raquel, who seems to notice their rapport but doesn't seem particularly surprised by it.

Also rerun of Sofi confronting Feo with the evidence of his treachery. He agrees to work off his debt to avoid prison. (I'm not sure this was a brilliant idea on Sofi's part, but time will tell.)

Juan and Oscar are fantasizing about the great riches they'll be getting with that tractor. Someone comes in and says Juan is urgently needed at Don Clemente's hacienda; it's about Juliana.

Sofi and Rosendo talk about the crops. They've only lost the one so far, they don't want to lose the rest. They need to find a way to irrigate. Rosendo says he heard that Don Clemente just bought a fancy irrigation system; she should ask him about it. She asks him to take her over there right now. "From now on, things are going to change here at the hacienda," she says. Rosendo's happy that the hacienda's in the right hands now.

Gabi needlessly rehashes the situation with Feo (Sofi's in charge, she can put him in jail if she wants to) while he sulks. She says she knows he favors the dark side of the Force (okay, she didn't mention the Force by name) and she never reproached him for that because she's the same way. But she never thought that he'd turn against her too. He took advantage of her love, but that's all over now, and he's going to have to submit to Sofi now whether he likes it or not.

He denies everything and says he can't let himself be humiliated this way. Gabi stands her ground. "Prison awaits. You decide." She offers him some advice: He likes snakes, so act like one. When the time comes, attack. But this is not the best time to challenge Sofia.

Sofi arrives at Don Clemente's house, where Juan is already waiting. Don C. greets them both of them in a surprised tone; he didn't send for Juan. Juliana comes down the stairs and admits that she sent for him. She starts groping Juan. Sofi is visibly annoyed, but Don C. doesn't notice. She and Don C. talk in his office. Sympathetically, he says his irrigation system is way more expensive than Sofi can afford right now. He would love to help, but he's dealing with a tough family problem and needs all of his resources. Sofi says she only came to ask for advice, not financial assistance.

Juan is exasperated with Juliana. She doesn't understand why. He has lots of work to, he can't come see her whenever she feels like it. She says she can't stop thinking about him. She's never been in love before, until she saw him. She gropes him, he pushes her away, she reverts to the "fine, we'll go on being friends, right?" tactic, then "I want to know what it is to love, and to be loved." Then a kiss attack, just in time for Sofi and Don C. to walk in. Sofi glares at Juan but politely says goodbye. Now Don C. wants to talk to Juan.

Raquel is looking around in Grandpa's ex-cottage when Ricardo comes in and ignores her. Then Root shows up, and she and Daddy have a joyful reunion, ignoring Raquel. Root is excited that they'll be getting their property back soon and offers him a drink. "You're not going to offer me anything," Raquel half-asks. Darth Ricardo tells Root to give her mother a drink, but then tells Raq to finish it quickly and so she can start unpacking. He calls her useless. She says she doesn't know why he agreed to stay in this cottage - they would have been better off staying in a hotel. He tells her to shut up and not question his decisions, if he agreed to stay here it's because it suits him. "Mother, really, you never understand anything," Ruth adds. She says she's staying in Feo's room, but she'll come to the cottage some nights to be with them too.

"What are you waiting for?" Darth Ricardo barks at Raquel, who's holding some unpacked piece of luggage. "Hurry up!"

Sofi and the nuns play with the girls. Sofi wonders what will become of her and Juan and their love, but right now she's worried about bringing back the hacienda to what it was before.

Clem tells Juan that San Agustin is hitting the skids. They really need to be able to irrigate their crops. He asks Juan if he can't get them the water they need. Juan stalls and says he'll deal with that later, but first he wants to address the Juliana thing. He's in love with someone else, who he's promised to love forever. He wants to tell her about Juliana so that she won't misunderstand the situation. She's a decent person and won't blab. Clem agrees to this.

Eva tells Padre Tadeo that she wants to tell Root that she's her mom. Tadeo says he agreed with this at first, but after getting to know Ruth a little better, he's got some doubts. Eva should be cautious. If she rushes in, she'll probably lose Ruth forever. Eva's despondent than she's lost Rosario, hasn't heard from Luisito in ages, now her real daughter has shown up and she has no morals or principles. She can't be quiet! She's her mother - she has to "save" her!

Fatima is dusting in Ruth/Feo's room when Ruth comes in and slams the door. Fatima drops a perfume bottle, and it breaks. Root cusses her out and even accuses her of breaking it on purpose, out of envy because she can't afford such perfume herself; she's going to tell Gabi and have her take it out of Fatima's pay. Sofi hears them and tells Root that, however she's used to treating her own employees, when she's in Sofi's house she'll show respect or else she'll have to find someplace else to stay. Root says Sofi must be mad because she found out that Root was in Juan's bed. He's soooo macho, he's made for a woman like Root. Uh-huh. Sofi doubts Root's story, but says that's Juan's business.

Then Ruth brings up that old, as-yet unexplained incident from their past. Sofi says Root must be sick to still be thinking about that, it was a foolish thing, years ago. She's explained a thousand times that it hadn't been her fault, there were "others" who wanted to hurt Ruth, and she fell for their trap. She should forget it for her own good. Ruth refuses, she never forgets anyone who's hurt her, and that's the day her hate for Sofi began. "If you hate me so much, what are you doing in my house?" "I wasn't going to miss the chance to torment you." Sofi warns, if Root messes with Sofi or her peeps, she's outta here. Ruth mocks sulkily, but thought-bubbles that Sofi has changed.

Santa and Abuelo are in the hallway; he wonders if she isn't worried what people think of her being in his room. She says she's not Little Red Riding-Hood (Caperucita Roja), and he's not the big bad wolf. Anyway, they're engaged. Ruth runs into them; Grandpa introduces the women. Root is much more polite with them, and even tries to sit in his lap; he protests that he's a general, but he's never done rear attacks. Ruth comments on Santa's name; Santa says she's never let her name keep her from having fun. Ruth congratulates them on their engagement.

Grandpa asks Rosendo to move Santa's things into his room. Crabi complains that immorality has taken up residence in her home. Abuelo jokes that Gabi must be referring to herself, now that Feo's back. Root tells Gabi not to be old-fashioned (anticuada) and would also like to have Santa's room so that she doesn't have to stay in that nasty cottage. Gabi consents to this, but Santa says they don't need her permission. Abuelo says Ruth is invited to the wedding, but Crabi's not. Everyone laughs except Crabi.

Raquel is looking nervously at some snake sculptures (or one snake sculpture and one coiled whip) when Rico throws a fit because he can't find his snake belt. She says it probably got lost in the move. He threatens her, it had better not be lost or she'll pay! She says it's not her fault if he lost his belt. Anyway, she found it much too ostentatious (llamativo). "That belt has always brought me good luck! It was my favorite, I want it back. Go find it!" She tries to cajole him, he's got thousands of belts, he yells at her and shoves her. "You're useless, by God, you're good for nothing! Get out of here! Look for it!" He's serious about that damn belt!

Eva stops her en route (to wherever - perhaps the Crap from Afar shop to buy a new belt), "we have to talk." Raquel defensively tells her to leave her alone. Eva says, "It's about Root! Yes, it's about my daughter."

Raq says Ruth isn't Eva's, and for everyone's benefit Eva had better be quiet because Darth Rico is very violent and if Eva confronts him she'll be screwed. Eva's not afraid of Raq's threats, she'll get her daughter back no matter what. She'll tell Ruth EVERYTHING. Raq freaks out and runs away.

At Crap from Afar, Jimena tells Sarita she's going to stay married to Oscar. Sarita is aghast, Oscar's dating that Elena chick... Sofi comes in. They are about to tell her about the recent arrival of... (who? Maybe those two guys from last week?) when Juan jingles in. The younger sisters clear out to give them some privacy. Sofi doesn't want to listen to his explanation, but he finally tells her that Juliana's dying, and until then, he's supposed to not reject her, she's in love with him. Sofi says Juliana's situation is very sad, but he's a free man, he can do what he likes with her, or with Ruth in his bed... and by the way is Ruth sick too? She doesn't care to hear his side of the Ruth story, not that she could hear it anyway with Vicente Fernandez singing "Estos Celos" so loudly.

Ruth finds Feo's cologne and likes it. Feo catches her liking it and sprays some on himself and offers to let her smell it off of him. She's like, uh no, maybe some other time, thanks. "Don't tell me you're afraid." She laughs, but she doesn't look happy. "Don't touch me. Nobody touches me if I don't want them to. Learn right now that things happen when I want them to." She kicks him out of the room, it's hers for now, Gabi said so. He has things in this room. She says he needs her permission to come in.

He leaves, and she smells her cologney hand.

Raq is gulping Gabi's brandy and nervously worrying that Eva's going to blab. She wants Gabi's help to convince Ricardo to leave right away. Gabi is sure he won't leave until he gets his revenge against the Reyes. Raq questions whether he's really the one who wants revenge, or if Gabi's putting him up to it. Raq thinks Gabi's hatching a plot of her own. Gabi says they just need to keep Eva from talking. "We have to make sure Rico and Ruth don't know the truth," Raquel repeats loudly just as Ruth walks in behind her. "And of what truth are you speaking?"

Juan and Oscar discuss Sofi's hacienda problems. Oscar wants to help. So does Juan, but he's not sure how, since Sofi's angry and she thinks he likes Juliana and Ruth. Oscar teases him. Darth Ricardo comes up, I might add that his jacket is covered with snakeskins (come to think of it, he and Coyote may shop at the same snakeskin jacket mart), and after ascertaining that Oscar and Juan are the Reyes boys, he tells them that this land is his and he wants it back.

Ah, so finally you show up, Juan says. If you were so interested, why didn't you show up with the papers and defend this property with your wife and show that it legally belongs to you? Ricard replies, "There are other ways to get what one wants, laddie." Oscar says Reyes/kings only like justice and law. Darth Rico says "this hacienda is mine by right. I've come to get it back, even if I have to -"

"Kill us?" Juan cuts in. Ricardo gives him a poker face. "Like Bernardo Elizondo killed our parents?" Juan adds. Ricardo's face twitches. "Who told you that?" Juan explains that Gabi told them her husband killed them to get their land. Darth Ricardo tries to hide his rage behind his mustache, and all we can see is a pained grimace as he rides away wordlessly.

Gabi tells Root that she and Raquel were planning a surprise for Root and her father. Root doesn't buy this - for one thing, her mother knows she doesn't like surprises. Raquel is visibly nervous. Root says it wouldn't be the first time Raq lied, so for her own good she'd better be telling the truth. Root stomps out. Gabi just looks disgusted with her incompetent co-conspirator. She wants to know what else Raq has lied about. Raq won't say, and brings the conversation back to Eva's blabbermouth and the wrath of Darth Rico.

Rico wanders the highlands of Serdán and wonders why Gabi lied about killing the Robles. She's going to have to explain right now.

Juan and Oscar say Darth Rico looked surprised when they mentioned that Bernardo killed their parents - as if he didn't know about it. Odd. And if Bernardo killed their parents for the land, how did it end up with Darth Rico? (Pensive frowns.)

In the cottage, Root wants a real explanation from her mother. Raq sticks to her ridiculous story, but Root says she'll tell her father and then see what Raq tells him. Raq asks why she enjoys seeing her father mistreat her. Root says she hopes someday her mother will confront him. She can't stand the way she never defends herself. Raq says not everyone can be like Root. Root replies, too bad for them, huh? She's grateful her father taught her his strength. Gabriela is the same way. She's noticed that Feo is an abusive jerk, too, though attractive enough. "Isn't that right, Mom?" Raquel looks up guiltily.

Padre Tadeo tells Sofia that Eva's upset and is about to reveal all. Gabi bursts in, you'd better stop her, she slept with my husband, she is immoral and has no right to destroy any more lives. Tadeo shuts her down but does agree that this is not the time for Eva to talk. He asks Sofi to please get Eva to act prudently. Desperation makes us do things we regret later. Gabi turns to give Sofi a meaningful look, which Sofi ignores.

Eva tries to get support from Juan, like he doesn't have enough on his mind. Now that he's banned Root from the house, Eva may not get to see her ever again! Juan agrees to let her visit, as long as she stays away from the rest of them. Eva is grateful.

Sofi arrives with Tadeo. She wants to talk to Eva. Juan gets clumsy. Padre tries to talk him down and again tries to get him to quit the guilt trip he's holding over Sofia. "What would happen if you and your brothers found out that in reality, Bernardo Elizondo wasn't the killer of your parents? Would you ask Sofia to forgive you?" And what if she denied him?? Juan doesn't like the thought of that.

Darth Rico tells Gabi he was "disconcerted" to be told that Bernardo killed the Reyes' parents, but even more disconcerted that Gabi was the one who had told them this. She says she was protecting him. He says he can protect himself.

"What, you want I should have said that you killed them, so that when you showed up they'd finish you off? Juan is violent and impulsive..."

"No more than I, I assure you! I appreciate your having protected me, but you denied my great moment of vengeance when I proved that nobody laughs at Ricardo Uribe - nobody!"

Mexico airdate: 19 de agosto
Next time: Ricardo's got clocks to clean, wagons to fix, and hash to settle; and he doesn't have time for little reindeer games. Root disses Eva after Sofi hints that she should treat her as if she were her mother. Meanwhile, Juan gets groped by Root again and kneads bread with Juliana.

Labels: Fuego

Episode 53:
* Nellie with a huge smile on her face runs downstairs to tell Steffie and Blanca about her wonderful phone call with JM; Viv's returning home! Nellie tells Balbina to prepare the bedroom and everything for her arrival.

* MC and Cande talk in the front of the hacienda. MC is taking her laundry down to the river to do; Cande reminds her that the house has a full-service laundry room inside; MC prefers the outdoors; Cande is worried about MC and the baby; MC assures her that she'll be fine and leaves. Cande has a bad feeling about it.

* At the river, MC hangs the laundry on the rocks and trees to dry. She talks with her little dove and puts it on a rock. Cisco spies from a nearby tree as MC walks down to the riverbank, and takes a plunge to swim in a shallow pool.

* Nellie, Steffie and Blanca are at the stairs when JM and Viv walk inside. Nellie skips over to welcome Viv back home. Viv is dazed and looking around. JM asks her if she recognizes anything?

* MC continues with her swim and sees Cisco spying on her.

* JM talks with Viv - Viv doesn't recognize anything. JM tells Blanca to get Mayita and bring her to see her mom. Blanca leaves.

* MC is angry and tries to leave. Cisco stops her.

* Mayita runs down the stairs and up to mommy and talks with her. Viv stares at her. Everyone observes the moment, including JM who is suspicious.

* Cisco tells MC that he's not as bad as the rumors make him. MC hopes not and gives him some advice. She starts to leave. He says that this is the second time he's seen her at the river.

* Mayita asks Viv about coming to her school. Viv has a flashback to that moment, but asks like she doesn't remember a thing. Blanca and Nellie walk Viv and Mayita out of the hall. JM and Steffie talk.

* Cisco and MC talk, mention how "Leopardo" Don Omar owns all the land. MC reminds him to just come over and talk to her instead of spying next time. He smiles. She leaves.

* MC walks her bike and the laundry and her little dove back up the hill - she thought bubbles to herself.

* Ceci meets with Padre at the church again about where MC is? Padre is still refusing to reveal MC's location.

* Ed visits JM at the castle living room. They discuss Viv's reactions and non-reactions to visiting Mayita at her school. They also discuss Viv's odd behavior.

* Ceci remembers talking with MC.

* Amador is at a restaurant. Ed stops by the table, to talk about Bea and her baby. Amador refuses to accept his responsibility. (correction by riberajoe) Amador told Eduardo that the baby was not planned.

* Nellie and JM talk during breakfast.

* Ed tries to reason with Amador - instead Amador refuses, laughs. (correction by riberajoe and julia:) After Ed extolled Beatriz's virtues, Amador said, "then you marry her!" and Ed said, "that's a good idea!" Ed leaves.

* JM and Nellie discuss MC and then the odd reactions by Viv when she returned home. JM leaves.

* In the hallway, JM and Blanca discuss Viv's return. Blanca asks if Viv knows about MC.

* Vincente visits Rocio in the hospital (Rocio is back to having her full head bandaged again). She's happy to see him.

* JM explains to Blanca how Viv's reappearance in his life invalidated his marriage to MC and that MC has disappeared. Add by riberajoe and pasofino: When Blanca mentioned to JM that Mayita was waiting for MC to return, she also mentioned Mayita was waiting for MC to return with a little brother/sister for her. JuanMi gets the "confused" look.

* Vincente cries to Rocio about how he's missed her. Doctor interrupts to check on Rocio's bandaged head.

* Nellie sits and talks with Viv in the living room. Nellie has to explain who Steffie is and why she's in the castle/she's just a close friend of JM - a short lived fling, nothing to worry about now. Viv then asks about MC.

* MC and Magda (Padre's sister) sit outside and talk about Cisco at the river. (addition by Margarita) Micaela tells Mari that there’s nobody in town to deliver her baby. One doctor is too old, another is a drunk, and the last one is Omar/Leopardo!

* Don Omar "Leopardo" sits in his office and finds a paper with JM's name on it. He looks upset. (addition by Margarita) where O/L looks pissed at JM’s name, we find out he’s just surprised to find the note and that they were actually buddies once upon a time. O/L wonders what his old buddy’s up to.

* Viv asks about MC again. Nellie tries her best to deflect and tells Viv not to worry about her; just concentrate on being home again, darling.

* JM visits with Padre in the hospital corridor. JM asks him about MC and Cande. Padre tells him that they are fine and well taken care of. Padre doesn't reveal where they are.

* MC sits on a log and thinks.

* JM visits Rocio at the hospital. They discuss MC and what little information Padre told him about her. She asks if he loves her. He says yes, but that MC has to be out of his life because of Viv.

* Steffie and Isa are at their little apartment window, discussing Viv's return home.

* Viv, alone in her bedroom, smokes a cigarette and lays on the bed. JM enters the room and comments about her knowing how to smoke. She puts out the cigarette and then starts to seduce JM with a sensual kiss on the lips. JM pulls back and refuses. She tries to seduce him again. He has to explain how and why they are no longer together intimately. He leaves. She's frustrated.

* JM talks with Blanca in the front hall - he tells her to move all his clothes and stuff to another room. Blanca will do that after she checks on Mayita. She leaves.

* In the bedroom, Blanca is gathering JM's clothes together and talking to Balbina about JM's orders. Balbina leaves. Soon after, Viv enters and goes ballistic about Blanca touching JM's clothing. Blanca has to calmly explain JM's orders.

* JM drives his car at night, and thinking about MC.

* Viv in a fit of jealousy yells at Blanca about JM's orders. Nellie has to enter and send Blanca out of the room. Nellie has to calm Viv down.

* In her bedroom, Blanca locks the door and cries. She sits and takes off her glasses.

* Nellie talks with Viv about letting JM have his way and move his things to another bedroom.

* Amador pops his head in the window. Steffie welcomes him into the apartment, much to Isa's chagrin. Isa goes to get some coffee. Steffie and Amador discuss their plan to find out where MC is.

* MC sits by the fireplace, remembering her wedding day to JM. She cries from her heartbreak.

* Isa joins Amador and Steffie in the discussion of their plan to find MC - he is sure that Padre knows where she is, but is keeping it some deep dark secret.

* Alone in her bedroom, Viv smokes her cigarette and thinks about where JM is? and with whom?

* JM is at the nightclub, thinking. Ivette the tramp pops out from around the corner and eyeballs JM.

* Amador visits Padre in the church rectory. He asks Padre where MC is.

* JM reaches for his drink. He turns and looks as Ivette pulls a glass of champagne by him.

* Amador and Padre discuss MC's location - Padre still won't reveal the actual location, only that she's fine and that he will be visiting her next Tuesday.

* Amador uses his cellphone to call Steffie with the news about Padre's visit to MC next Tuesday - Steffie is very intrigued about their plan to follow Padre.

* Ivette and JM share a clink and a drink at the bar.

* MC and Cande outside the hacienda. They discuss MC's desire to get the nursery ready for her little baby now. (addition by Margarita) Mari tells Cande she wants to use the little money she has left from her TV gig to find a hospital in another town to deliver her baby and Cande thinks it’s a good idea. MC leaves.

* On the dirt road, Don Omar rides up alongside MC and yells at her for walking alone. MC explains she's going to the river. He can't believe she's not scared. (addition by Margarita:) O/L and Mari have a very silly exchange of her saying she’ll come back when she wants and him telling her he doesn’t care and won’t be waiting. She continues on her way. He turns his horse around and returns to the hacienda.

* Cisco lies in wait in the bushes and spies on MC arriving at the riverbank.

ADVANCE: MC falls into Cisco's bear trap and Don Omar has to rescue her. Viv and JM continue to play their cat and doctor games.

Labels: Cuidado

Sorry that I'm so behind on this novela.

12-3

Angela tells PJ/S that she is pregnant.

PJ/S tells Gaetana that he disappointed with life. Gaetana tells him that he came back to protect and care for his daughter, not judge her and condemn her. Others will do that when they find out the truth.

PJ/S broods and has flashbacks while he waits in the car for Angela to finish her doctor's appointment.

PJ/S looks at the present Rebeca gave him and says that he is going to stand up two women tonight.

Valeria tells PJ/S that PJ isn't dead to her. PJ/S says, "You are right. Maybe he is very close to you, admiring you, just as I am at this moment."

12-4


PJ/S tells Antonio that Angela is pregnant with his child. They get drunk together.

Andres follows Isabel to her love nest where she is waiting for PJ/S. When no one shows up, Andres tries to rape Isabel and she threatens to kill him. At the last moment, they are interrupted by the person from whom she is borrowing the apartment.

12-5

Rebeca is so pitifully grateful to be given some flowers by PJ/S that she forgives him for standing her up.

PJ/S gives Valeria one rose with his love.

Some gratuitous Mario shower scenes.

Labels: cuerpo

In the hospital, Viviana’s freaking out and screaming doesn’t stop Juan Miguel from administering the electro-shock therapy, although unwise to have a husband administer this to his wife (tho I’m sure there are some husbands who’d love it, and wives as well) apparently there are some budget cuts at the mental hospital and JM has taken on the technician's responsibility……Onelia gets all hysterical ranting at JM that he’s hurt Viv and most likely killed her. JM tells her to knock it off with the hysteria. He says Onelia’s name and Viv weakly says “Mama?”. Juanmi puts on his puzzled face and starts to ask what happened, does she remember? Viv cries out that she doesn’t remember anything.

Marichuy is in her room sewing and Cande comes into the room. They discuss MC’s need for larger clothes soon, how to hide a pregnancy, how some women get so big it looks like they are carrying a 10 kilo watermelon, and how Leo will most likely fire MC when he finds out she’s pregnant.

Leo, meanwhile, is out on the steps and he’s crying. MC walks passed on her way to the kitchen and she doubles back. She asks her boss what happened and he flinches when he realizes she’s there. He goes on about having nightmares, but now they occur in the daytime and how it is something so terrible he can’t escape from it. MC can relate because of her nightmares about what happened years ago with JM. She tries to let Leo know she’s empathetic, but he tells her that he’s not interested in her problems and then he tries to deflect the attention off of himself. He asks MC why she is there and what is she running away from. MC says she wants to help him and he tells her to go. Once MC leaves he cries for Ivett.

Back at casa de San Roman, Blanca (the nanny) is digging through her suitcase. She finds something, but we can’t see it. Is it smaller than a bread box? Yes, it fits into the palm of her hand. Balbina knocks on the door and Blanca reacts like she's up to no good. She continues to hide whatever object is in her hands.

Mayita talks with her abuelita, they rehash and to be honest, if any major plot developments occurred in this scene, I missed it (tho I doubt they did).

Micaela is in the kitchen and MC starts to tell her what happened with Leo. Doña Mic (that’s what MC calls her, I like it) starts to give MC a little background about Leo (who’s real name is Omar), not a whole lot of detail to take away the air of mystery, but she does reveal that he used to be happy but a woman destroyed his life. Doña Mic speculates that something big must have happened between them, but Leo wouldn’t tell her exactly what happened (he’s keeping up the air of mystery, too).

JM's at the office and instead of working, he's asking no one in particular why MC left.

MC has flashbacks to all the romantic moments she shared with JM.

JM, now at home and taking off his shirt (drool), also has flashbacks (I think they could have just had him have "voice over" flashbacks so we could still admire his fine form some more, but no, they had prior scenes playing in the thought bubble-darn! Oh well we got to see the first kiss again). He mutters “Marichuy, mi amor” two times and then he takes off his wedding ring and sets it on the dresser.

MC mutters to the dove, that she can’t help but still loving Juanmi.

Elsa visits Rocio at the hospital (Vicente, who can’t walk has gone home, but Rocio with a couple of bandages on her face is still there, I hope this was authorized by her insurance company, because if this was in the US the hospital would end up owning the San Roman castle). The women gossip a bit about Viviana’s return and then Elsa fills Rocio in on MC disappearing.

Vicente is depressed and laying in his bed at home, with the wheelchair at the foot of his bed.

Leo's combing his horse and his hired hand, Cosme, comes in. Cosme offers up some advice, Leo can't be alone forever. Leo's not in the mood to hear this.

Elsa goes home, Nelson is attempting to write, but making little progress. She encourages her husband to keep writing. She knows someday she’ll be married to a great writer.

Little Bo Peep, I mean Marichuy chases after sheep.

Mercedes is now visiting Rocio and they talk about Vicente---he's depressed. JM comes into the room and Mercedes leaves. Juanmi introduces Rocio to her new (very cute) doctor, Humberto Tinoco (?). He’ll be operating tomorrow. The two shake hands and there is a long pause and a look passed between them (professional?-no, possible love triangle?- yes). The doctor leaves and Rocio asks JM if he’ll go and talk to Vicente. She then asks what’s going on with Viv and MC. JM says he knows nothing about MC. ***Rocio, if you’d get up and leave the hospital, you could find out some of this info for yourself and you could go visit Vicente yourself. Woman you are going to develop bed sores!

MC goes off with the dove and hangs out down by the river. Pirana(?) watches her from behind a tree---leering at her is more like it. No question, he’s bad news---Question: For people who watched La Fea, is the guy who's playing this part the same one who played Leti's neighbor- Roman(?), the one Fernando ended up punching out?

Juanmi tells Viviana that they are married. He tries to get her to remember more about the accident and what happened after. He tells her that they have a daughter, this brings a smile to her lips. JM asks if she’d like to go home, there they’ll work on getting her well.

MC gets a little lecture from Cande about wandering off. They discuss how MC needs to start concentrating on becoming a mother and forgetting her crazy ways.

Ed visits Beatriz at work (if she’s just started the job, it probably isn’t a good idea for friends to drop into her place of employment, even if it is the person responsible for her getting the job, I'm just saying....). It looks like it might be some financial place (a bank?), Ed talked about opening an account. They flirt a little. Beatriz asks Ed about Elsa, if he’s over her yet. Ed asks about Amador, if he came to Bea that day and asked to get married, what would she say? Bea says that’ll never happen, she’s resigned herself to knowing her child will be raised without a father. Ed offers up some sort of complement and holds her hand. Across the room, Stefi’s arrived and witnesses the exchange, she doesn’t look happy.

Leo cleans his gun and MC happens by. He warns MC about not going down to the river and straying too far from the house.

JM visits Vicente and tells him about Rocio’s operation tomorrow and how she needs him. Vicente gets upset and asks JM to leave, he doesn’t want to hear any more.

Stefi goes to the castle. She exchanges pleasantries with Blanca, like how’s the new job, etc. Stefi asks if Blanca is seeing to JM’s needs (double entendre--that Stefi sees a threat in every woman and apparently feels proprietary over every man).

Rocio and Vicente talk on the phone. She tells him that even though he can’t walk, he’s still strong. After she gets off the phone, cute doctor comes in and he offers her some comfort. After he gets off the phone, Vicente tries to get into the wheelchair, but ends up falling on the floor, crying out that he can’t do this.

“He’s bringing her home!” Onelia shouts to the household. She calls for Balbina to get stuff ready. Stefi (yep, she’s still there) acts like she’s excited and Blanca doesn’t know what to think.

MC is heading to the river to do her washing. Cande tries to talk her out of it, but MC is determined. The river is so peaceful and quiet, so different from the DF.

She’s down there alone (or so she thinks) and now has the clothes spread out over the rocks. MC decides it is a good time for a swim and she jumps into the water (with her denim capris on—that’s going to chafe). She’s doing a back float staring up at the beautiful sky, not realizing that Pirana is watching/leering again. What’s our heroine going to do? She’s got no chance of escaping……she’ll never be able to run away in those wet jeans!!! END OF EPISODE

Vocabulario
alcanzar- to reach, to catch
chale- you're kidding
chapuzón-dip (darse un chapuzón- to have a dip)
chillar- to scream (persona=de dolor,miedo), to shout, to yell (colloq.); to screech (pájaro); to squeal (cerdo); to squeak (ratón)
darse una vuelta- take a walk
derrotista- defeated
desconchinflar- to wreak, to bust
escaleras-stairs

Labels: Cuidado

Gonzalo tries to tell Marisela that it is impossible for her to get Santos. He is her cousin and he is hopelessly in love with Marisela's mother. He says that of all the men around her, she has fallen in love with one who is forbidden to her. Marisela says that the only thing forbidden to her is to kiss a man that she doesn't love.

DB tells Melquiades not to bring Melendez to her. It's too dangerous with Santos in the house. Melquiades says that he will take care of everything. Melendez is so close to El Miedo - it's now or never. DB repeats that she said no. She will tell him when where and how to do it.

Santos angrily tells Casilda that it is impossible that Gonzalo is in love with Marisela. She's just a girl. Santos storms out to see Lorenzo and says that he has to talk to him about Marisela and Gonzalo. Like all the other sentient beings at Altamira except for Santos, Lorenzo is aware that Gonzalo is in love with Marisela and he is fine with that. Santos is surprised that Lorenzo is being so permissive with Marisela. Lorenzo replies that if he doesn't let Marisela be with whom she wants, she'll do it anyway behind his back. Lorenzo asks what is bothering Santos. Does he want Marisela to be in love with him her whole life?

Marisela tells Gonzalo that DB has bewitched Santos and someday he will realize that and she will be waiting for him.

Santos tries to convince Lorenzo that it isn't that he doesn't want Marisela to fall in love with someone. It's just that it should be someone other than Gonzalo who is being pursued by the police. Lorenzo says that Marisela has to choose the life she wants to have. If she wants Gonzalo, then he is welcome. Santos says that he can't talk to Lorenzo.

Melendez tells Pernalete and Mujiquita that he is sure that Santos is involved with the rebels because Santos went to school with Gonzalo (Mujiquita chokes because he too was in school with Gonzalo.) Melendez says that he arrested Santos but he had to let him go because he had influential friends. Melendez asks Pernalete to go to Altamira and look for any trace of the rebels. If he can find any of the rebels at Altamira, no one will able to protect Santos. Mujiquita asks for permission to return to Progresso to catch up on his work. Pernalete says that they will go back together but Mujiquita's question has aroused the suspicions of Melendez.

The terneras tell Marisela that the only one who doesn't know that she is in love with Santos is Santos, himself. Marisela doesn't want Gonzalo to be the one to tell Santos this.

Santos has ridden after Gonzalo. Gonzalo tells Santos that he is formally courting Marisela. Santos replies that if he hadn't noticed, Marisela is a child. (Marisela is watching them.) Gonzalo asks how she can be a child with the body she has... Santos tell him not to be disrespectful. Gonzalo replies that he would never be disrespectful to the woman he is going to marry.

Antonio comes looking for Pernalete's papers at his house. Federica tells him that the papers are in the safe and she doesn't have the combination.

Gonzalo repeats to Santos that he is serious about Marisela. Santos replies that Marisela doesn't love him and Gonzalo acknowledges that is true. She loves Santos. Gonzalo tells Santos that it is unseemly that the daughter of the woman he is in love with is in love with him. Santos needs to open Marisela's eyes to the truth once and for all. Santos says that he doesn't want to lose another friend and so they had better leave the matter and Gonzalo should stay away from Marisela. "In your dreams," says Gonzalo as Santos rides away.

Santos is looking for Marisela but he finds Cecilia. When she indicates that she approves of Gonzalo, Santos says that he can't believe that she wants Marisela to end up with that old guy, Gonzalo. Cecilia asks Santos what is his problem with age. First, he sees her as too old to fall in love and now he sees Marisela as an adolescent who is incapable of wanting to look at a man. She reminds him that he, Antonio and Gonzalo are all the same age. Are they old men or not? She says that she and Santos' mother are to blame for spoiling him and turning him into a monster of egoism. She says that Santos wants all the women around him to adore him 24 hours a day. He is like a dog in the manger - he doesn't eat and he won't let anyone else eat either.

The terneras manage to turn the conversation around and tell Marisela about the well that Pajarote convinced them made those who bathed in it irresistible to all men.

While he changes a tire on the way back from San Fernando, Mujiquita tries to think of some way to get to Altamira and warn Santos and the rebels. However, Pernalete tells Mujiquita to go to Progresso and bring the police to Altamira.

DB tells Eustaquia that she can't get the thought of taking vengeance on Melendez out of her mind.

Antonio is in the bar wondering if he has fallen into a trap of Pernalete's. He wishes he could ask Santos's help. In comes Santos to the bar. Antonio offers a toast to former friends and their pride. Santos offers a toast to friendship that doesn't exist anymore. Antonio agrees that it doesn't exist because if it did, his friend would be helping him right now to resolve a question about land titles. Santos asks what the problem with the signatures is. Surely, Antonio has the copy of the documents he signed. "Copies?" aks Antonio. Santos tells him that a property owner has the right to a copy of the title deed. When he understands that Antonio not only doesn't have a copy of the title deed but didn't read what he was signing, he tells him that he should be worried. He has been tricked by his father in law.

Santos goes on to tell Antonio about his concern that Marisela is getting involved with Gonzalo. He doesn't understand why everyone thinks this is ok. Antonio says that the problem isn't Marisela, it's Santos. He should reflect carefully and decide who he really cares for, what he really feels. He says that Santos is more tangled up than a hank of oakum (una madeja de estopa).

A drunk Gonzalo gets on a horse and tells it to go El Miedo.

Mujiquita tells Antonio that Santos is in danger. He explains about Pernalete going to Altamira to look for the rebels and tells Antonio to warn the folks at Altamira.

Melquiades tells Juan Primito that DB isn't the same. Since Santos came, she been tamed (mansa). DB comes in and tells Melquiades to get up and go find out everything that Pernalete learned from Melendez. As he leaves, JP says, "She doesn't seem that tame."

Just as Lorenzo is talking to Cecilia about the rebels, Pernalete comes in. Pernalete says that he has come to see Santos and if he isn't there, he will look around. He says that Don Encarnación has made some complaints about robberies. Lorenzo says that they have nothing to do with that. Pernalete is about to go look around when Cecilia insists that he have some coffee or juice. Reluctantly, Pernalete agrees and Cecilia goes off to give the order. "How do feel about the current political situation, Barquero?" asks Pernalete. "I'm just a poor invalid, Pernalete," replies Lorenzo, "and here at Altamira, we never talk about politics."

Meanwhile Cecilia tells Casilda to warn the rebels in the caney to hide at Melesio's house.

Antonio rides toward Altamira saying that he has to help Santos.

Santos, meanwhile, is riding around looking for Marisela. He finds her bathing naked in the supposedly magic well where he first saw DB bathing naked.

Labels: barbara

Hello friends,

Lately there have been a bunch of critical comments from mostly-anonymous readers complaining about everything from the word "ass" to supposedly racist statements to political banter that became painful. I am losing one of my dearest recappers because she can't take it anymore, and you are going to miss her as I will.

As I have pointed out before, all recappers do this for free, for love of the Spanish language and the Latin cultures and general joy in writing and critiquing. It takes hours and hours. Have you noticed there are no ads on this site? Everybody is doing it out of generosity, to bring something good to our community of telenovela fans! So if you, reader, decide to criticize a recap or a recapper, that's a very arrogant decision. Somebody gives you something for free and you say it isn't perfect?

Because I don't want fights on my blog, and I don't want my recappers hurt or feeling unappreciated, these are the rules, once again:

• NO SPOILERS - do not tell or hint at anything that will happen in upcoming episodes. We all know the shows air much sooner in Mexico and that the future shows are available on YouTube etc. but we DON'T ALLOW THAT INFORMATION HERE because it spoils the fun for many of our readers.
  
• NO GOSSIP ABOUT ACTORS' PRIVATE LIVES - that also spoils the fun for many readers. If you want to dish dirt about celebrities there are many other places you can do it.
  
• NO CRITICIZING OF RECAPS OR RECAPPERS - if you don't like what we offer, go elsewhere. I don't want to lose more recappers because they feel unappreciated! And if you think the recap is posted too late, write your own. The recappers here have jobs and families. They have taken time away from their families and stayed up WAY too late at night in order to write these posts for you! So thank them!

OK, that's all for now.

And my great thanks to our mostly wonderful, supportive, appreciative readers. The positive comments from our smart, funny fans with so many different backgrounds are really the only payback we get for our work and we're very glad to get them.

Labels: announcements