Caray, Caray!

Kris and I traded nights so no pictures tonight, sorry.

Last night reminders: Al annoys Pat by telling him she asked Candy and Santi to be the little duck's godparents. After all Candy's doubts Santi provides prescription pad proof that Amanda lied. Sergeant Rossini tells Santi that his PI was hit by Gambino Luco Estevanes.

Christian tells Lulu that some guy out front is very interested in the chef at the restaurant and in fact offered him a little money if he could convince the cook to leave. Lulu runs out front. She's taken aback to see it's Cuau and she confronts him with the truth that he only wooed her to get a cook. He hems and haws and admits he forgot a couple of little details, he's married with three little ones. She gives him a well-deserved slap in the face and for a brief moment he looks enamored.

Santi and Candy actually talk and share theories about how they might have been double-crossed...amazing! Sole tells them Pat is outside and after all this time with no kisses they suddenly decide that it's a good time for a smooch. Pat sees them and is super irritated. Santi lets Candy and Pat talk alone and she aks him what new lies does he have about Santi now. He says he wants her to go to the lawyer's with him to discuss custody of Chava. "Get out of my office and my life," she replies. He makes a pouty face.

The unhappy Lozano takes Gabino and his henchmen (esbirros, I learned that from Doña Barbara) to the grave of his father. Gabino tells Lozano to dig.

Candy complains to Greg that she doesn't have the strength to fight for Chava, she's paralyzed. Greg bucks her up and says certainly she has the strength. They are interrupted by a weeping Lulu and surprisingly Candy stops her whining to give moral support to Lulu. Greg calls Cuau a muerto de hambre, meaning (I think) he's stingy to the point of wooing a cook with love instead of offering a competitive salary.

Donato shows Jaime the pic of Zamora's mom and Jaime claims he doesn't know the woman in the picture. Zam rushes in and Donato tries to hide the pic from him but Zam sees it and asks what is Don doing with a picture of his godmother/aunt?

The grave has been dug and clothing is exposed. Gabino recognizes a dirty but strategically placed bracelet as his dad's. Then he conveniently finds a letter in a plastic bag saying Mario paid Lozano a million dollars for his silence. Lozano is in deep doo doo as the henchmen pull their guns and Gabino states "You betrayed the memory of my father." (I think I recognize the scary-looking esbirro as a character actor from Alborada.)

Christian is in the midst of instructing Toño to call him Señor Christian and saying he has Meño's highest trust when Charly arrives and overhears. He's not too happy about Chris and he tells Candy. Candy gives Charly the crappy advice that she's not sure how Meno feels about Chris but Charly should chill out and see what happens, it'll all be fine. Then she runs away. Nice job Candy.

All guns are pointed at Lozano. They force him to call Paulina and say he shot Gabino in self-defense and he needs to see her right away. After he hangs up Gabino points his gun, turns his head and shoots. We hear a few more shots and I think it's safe to assume that Carlos called it yesterday; Lozano must be dead.

Donato tells Isa in a long and convoluted way that the woman in the photo is not Zam's mom but rather his aunt. He suggests Isa check Zam's birth certificate to see if Don Jaime's name is on it. But he has already given Isa a headache and she wanders off.

Isa informs Pau that she's decided to stick around to protect her family from Pau's lies. Lucia eavesdrops as Pau insists she has the power to kick Isa and Jaime out and adds Rocio isn't Santi's kid. "Que?!?" Lucia blurts out loud. Pau smirks as Isa admits to Lucia that Santi isn't the papa and she isn't the grandma of Rocio.

Pau gleefully tells a shocked Lucia that Mario is Rocio's dad and then she's really rude to Luc. Pau tells them not to forget she currently has the upper hand (tengo la sarten por el mango). Isa admits to Luc that she hasn't told Santi because it would kill him. They are crying on each others' shoulders when Rocio walks in and wonders why they are crying.

Margarita and Pat have a long conversation about Art being involved with the mafia and how she never bothered to ask questions about Art's money because she loved the good life. She adds if Art is a danger to his family it's good that he disappeared. She asks if Pat is going after Chava to hurt Candy. Pat tells her it's because Santi is also involved with these mafia guys and since Candy is Santi's novia then Chava is in danger. Margarita is impactada.

Luc and Isa try to convince Rocio that everything is OK but she ends up crying anyway. They say they're crying over Luc's novio. Rocio says she has a novio too, no it's not Chava, it's her papa.

Candy is surrounded by the chattering Institutas. They are talking about the PSA du jour, violence against women. Barb says they don't have to look far for examples and reveals that the reason she divorced her first husband is because he was beating her. The institutas are impactadas.

Later Meño gives his dance class, Chris seems to be having a great time, and Candy watches and smiles. Charly watches and snarls.

Charly bitches about Chris to Candy. Her advice is to invite Chris to dinner and to relax, everything will be fine. Sheesh. He then excitedly updates her on his HIV work, he plans to make a documentary about young people like him and how they live after finding out they are HIV positive. He'd love to ask Lucia to help but he doesn't like her boyfriend.

Rocio continues to weep and talk to Lucia in her perfectly trembly little voice. She begs Lucia to help her convince her papa to let her mama stay with her. Santi overhears and Rocio accuses him of kicking mom out so Candy can move in. She cries until he agrees to talk to Pau.

Charly tells Meño they should invite Chris to dinner. Meño will cook of course. Meño entices them with a menu of Chicharrones con Verdolagas (purslane) y Salsa Roja with tortillas made by hand and rice pudding for dessert, yum! Candy's already licking her big chops and Meño adds, "Actuallu, I'm not going to do anything. You cook or we'll see what happens."

Gabino comes across Art talking on the phone in some hotel. He wants to know how Art's little project is coming along. He threatens that Art had better not betray him and by the way give his regards to Chava, Beto and Patito.

Santi scolds Pau for scaring Rocio. He says she can stay but she has to lay off Isa and stop making Rocio cry. Rocio was fine until Pau showed up and started turning her against him marrying Candy. Pau caresses his face and tells him Candy left her first husband, what makes him think she'll stay with him? She tells him Candy doesn't love him. He mutters that she's crazy.

Pau goes to meet Lozano and is intercepted by Gabino's henchmen. "Surprise," says Gabino as she gets into his car, "Lozano couldn't make it because he had to bite the dust." (Se tuvo que quedar a morder un poco de polvo) He asks if if a rat has her tongue, he knows she's been playing him. It's Pau's turn to have her face caressed by a predator. He'll let her live if she'll make a little deal with him. He informs her she will be his lover and everytime he calls she has to come right over and satisfy him, deal? In fact right now he's feeling a little sad about his father's death. She agrees but her eyes bug out and she doesn't look like she thinks this is foreplay.

Candy and the girls (and Santi) are on the air. She blabs about all the traits she like in a boyfriend as she allows Santi to kiss her arm Gomez Addams style. They all giggle. Bleck.

I guess Chayo wasn't there because she is at home trying to study while Lalo tries to pick a fight. He says he knows when a man (her teacher) is going after a woman. She says sure he does because he wrote the book. He says he's had it with her flirting and he's serious. I think if he's really worried about losing her then pissing her off is probably the wrong approach.

Now it's the Abandonado's turn on the air and Candy gets to sit in. Santi has an important question to ask that he wants all of Mexico to hear, would she like to marry him? Over on the other side of town Pat listens in anguish as, in split screen, Santi proposes. Quick cuts of a happy Candy are juxtoposed with Pat's tears.

Next day Babs talks to some woman about menopause. The woman is suffering from hot flashes, she's not interested in her husband even though she loves him, etc. Babs says she'll make an appointment for the woman. It's a new day and a new PSA.

Over at the office Lalo complains about Chayo while Santi snores on his desk. Santi tells him not to be immature, so what if his woman wants to work and study, is that so bad? Lalo complains because all she wants to do in the bed is sleep. They used to do it 3-4 times a week but now only once and even then quickly. "Sunday morning," adds Santi. Lalo is impactado, how did he know? OK, sorry folks but I'm done with this conversation.

Now Babs is counseling Raul about his relationship with Beto. She says before he works on his relationship with Beto he needs to define his relationship with Beto's mother. Soledad has suffered a lot with relationships and she's looking for something for the rest of her life; what's Raul looking for?

Chris is negotiating a 3-day work week with Meño, however Meño is absorbed in a phone conversation and not paying attention. When Meño says "Si Señorita" into the phone Chris chooses to believe that Meño is on board with his three day working and four days going to the gym and salon. Chris then suggests that Meño should do something about his grandfatherly appearance. It's time for a Meño makeover.

Charly grumpily brushes by Chris and tells Toño he needs money for a camera for his documentary. Maybe this will be important later.

When Meño gets off the phone he asks Toño if he looks old. "Si Señor!" Toño responds..."er No Señor!" he back pedals until Meño excuses him, he's heard enough.

Babs is having a busy day. Now she's back talking to the menopausal woman. Menopause is only a phase in a woman's life, blah blah blah. Another quick PSA and another quick cure.

Meño and Chris are at the Antua Salon. They are choosing a new hair color and style for Meño. He gets color, a frosting, then a moussing. Chris loves it and Meño is impactado at his new frosted and spiked hair. "Wow, what a look," exclaims Chris, " Tibis, tibis, tibis!" (What in the heck does that mean?) He thinks Meño looks thirty. "Oh no," corrects Meño humbly, "thirty-two!" He admires himself in the mirror.

Over at the big house garden Santi and Candy blithely stroll under the anvils discussing their wedding plans while Lucia and Pau argue nearby. Lucia warns Pau "You'd better not say anything to my sister! She'd die if she learns..." Naturally Santi overhears and asks what's so serious that Rocio can't know? What are they talking about?

Mañana: Chava the little dictator acts out in a restaurant.


esbirro = henchman, minion
un muerto de hambre = a skinflint (Lit. someone dying of hunger)
tengo la sarten por el mango = I have the upper hand (Lit. I have the pan by the handle)
Se tuvo que quedar a morder un poco de polvo = He had to bite a little dust

Labels: Tontas

The threatening lightening and clouds may prohibit me from posting a recap in two hours so here is the header and a penny for your thoughts...

Well the storm blew sideways as usual but it seems like this episode is a gathering storm so I'll keep this theme.

The plot is thickened with some love scenes remembered and imagined. This isn't exactly Winston and Clementine but then I don't know how many women admirers Winston had and I do know that Franco/Eduardo has women that want to both jump him and throttle him lining up at his doorway so get out your umbrella. Damn the torpedoes and the consequences: Eduardo loves Fernanda and shows us right away, he is in no mood to be sensible.

We begin with a smarmy little scene in the horse stables, Camilho interrupting the sweet kiss between Aurora and Santi. Santi tells him his jokes aren't funny. Camilho tries to slough off that little brother's problem is that he takes things too seriously.

When Franco asks what she would feel, Fernanda promises emphatically she would feel infinite hatred if she found out that Eduardo had duped her into thinking he was dead.

Ahhh, Cigarman does want to know where the investigator is. He and his loving Barbara discuss the he (Manzanares) had called Cigie and told him he had important information on Santoro. Barbara perks up. He was supposed to call me back last night but he didn't. What could be the delay? Barbara assures him she is on top of it.

Camilho asks to do something Aurora put him off, Santi and Aurora skip out of the stable doors laughing all the way while Camilho promises to make Aurora fall (caes). In his egoistic state he seems to be playing with thinking he can make her fall for him

Lucio makes it to the jewelry store to cash in on the necklace. Dressed up and no blood visible, but looking mighty nervous, he asks to see the price of a necklace then sneakily asks if they buy jewelry. The manager cordially asks him to have coffee.

Margarita and Jacinto sit in the parish office telling the padre that the her sister Gardenia met up with this man when he searched her employer's house and now he is dead. Where is the body, we better call the police. He is in a grave in the piece of land (solar) that was Soledad's . Who was he? Rene Manzanares. What name, asks padre, scratching his brain. Rene Manzanares, and finally padre has to look at his name ahhhh lets go says the padre, ready for a rumble with dead bodies. He has no idea how lucky he is, does he?

Franco wants to ask a question of Fernanda. She assures him that with all the consideration he has had for her family, he can ask any question he wants. "What was it that Camilo found in my house?" She says, It was correspondence, I don't know if it was a letter or email but the document said that you were in this country to find a wife. Franco plays innocent. What's wrong with that. It isn't a sin (delito, note I always get confused with delito and deleite which is delight, but then sin and delight are close in so many ways, ¿no?) to marry. Emboldened, he takes her for a little walk. I have a confession. The note didn't have any importance but now the important thing is that what the paper said is true. The woman that I came to marry has become an impossibility, but that woman is you. but I arrived late and ahhhhh I love you Fernanda, I love you. Good kiss, she's really into it. then pushes him away. He acted on impulse, he is so sorry. He didn't mean to offend her but has explanations. She takes the paranoid path that he is making fun of her, Are you diverted sufficiently. I trusted you and felt comfortable sharing all my memories. (recuerdos). I believed too that I could share my secrets, he protests his innocence. She doesn't hide how crazy his actions are to her. She says now you are loco and this is totally off base (no tiene ni pelo). How many times have we seen the hero fall on his own petard, but ours carries on blithely. saying, to fall in love Platonically is for locos or children. Why have never seen each other before you came here she protests. But for a long time I have desire you since I met you.

We hear Damian's voice reading, "Not everything is said, Barbara, I am going to fight you!." Barb yawns as she reads Damian's e-mail

Santi discovers that the telegrams that Aurora found in the cupboard before she ran away all have the date of the 7th of the month of today is.... the 7th. So they can go to Mexico City, DF to the address where these telegrams have all been sent to see the person who sends them and maybe it will lead them to Rebeca Sanchez.

Lucio's is set up, as he nervously prods about the value, the manager tells him he will go get his money. Lucio is so excited about getting 8 million pesos, he begins to play the jeweler and use the optical device, soon the manager returns with the guards who seize Lucio and handcuff him. Lucio begs them to call Barbara to prove that she gave him the necklace and he is innocent. Manager Berger calls Barbara who is working at her computer, kind of like I am now but I don't have all the fine jewelry on. Berger proudly tells her, I have your necklace. Did you catch the rat? The guards have transferred him to the police station (delegación). The rat will receive his just punishment.

Franco isn't doing so well convincing Fernanda that he fell in love with the stories of the love of the Jinete Justiciero (Eduardo) like Don Quixote who loved Dulcinea so. Fernanda plays a good leading woman who isn't going to listen to reason at this moment (or emotion as it actually is) I am still married to Damian, she point to her wedding band still on and still big and ugly. Do you think I am a pushover? Franco is crushed, (hellzbellz, I am amazed she didn't just melt) Well now I have lost the chance at your friendship. And she assures him that he can forget it. She and her horse march off with disgust and he and his horse look vanquished or maybe his horse looks disgusted too.

Damian waits while belting a few strong sips of something high octane, He counts up, "they had a coffee, he took her (encontrarse) the documents, so, where in the devil could Vladimir be? He looks at his screen Oh Barbara answered me a lot sooner than I thought she would But her tone is her usual sneer, "She has no time for his blackmail (chantajes). Damian spews, Maldita perra, (You know this one)

Vladi waits for Pris as she emerges from a store with many expensive looking bags. He scolds her that she shouldn't be lifting heavy things and endangering THEIR baby. She still is rude, he adds that he has decided that he can't quit (renunciar) his regular job to do this spying at Lactos. She wonders whether he is expecting a big fee for his services. He looks hurt but undaunted.

Ahhh, the notes were not a hallucination, Doris, her car is completely covered in little colored post -it notes. Pris is stern and annoyed. Vladimir gently fingers the colorful notes and looks sad. Someone with a sense of humor and some love for our poor Vladi could have really gotten a giggle out of this lovesick puppy prank.

Franco tries to salvage the situation in the horse stable which have gotten a lot of action today. Fortunately, Cam the Cad doesn't stick his nose in. Fernanda says she is so grateful for his help He assures her he will continue with all his support. And he assures her that he will remember what is his real role in her life. She rethinks her harshness.

Padre and Margarita and Jacinto show up in Soledad's old yard peer over the edge of the hole, see the body which is looking pretty green and I swear he took a deep breath, bad edit or no edit. They begin to prepare Padre for a little graveside blessing, Said Padre retells that Manzanares was there to see about his son getting into school. But he was some kind of police, says Jacinto. No, the good Padre assures him, he was a rural teacher. Margarita helps padre put on his prayer scarg (sorry, I don't know priestly clothing names) and they all begin to pray for the peace of Manzanares soul with the bible in hand.

Gardenia is still mad as a wet hen. Having miraculously recovered from her truly frightening ordeal and looking quite fetching. Finally Franco tells Gardenia that Margarita, Jacinto, Flor and her are all like his siblings. And she tells him that she doesn' feel like sister and what about that letter she sent him that he never answered. He tries to tell her that after all that time it is a thing of childhood. and surely she doesn't have illusions. (Nice try big fella) She says Fernanda managed to get to him, (alcanso) no? She knows Fernanda still has feelings and so does she. They were equals he was to be hers. but now they are equals because they both want people they can't have.

Back at Elizalde's, Fernanda gets home and she argues with Eduardo's picture. If you loved me like Quixote loved Dulcinea why didn't you tell me. I would have left everything for you.

Gardenia pursues her mad woman dumped and flips her sexy, sassy curls, and if he doesn' love them does he at least like them. did going off to gringolandia really change him? She stomps off when Steve comes in.

We have to notify his family, says Padre. He was not from these parts (lares) adds Jacinto. The little graveside ceremony ends and Jacinto tells padre that he knows a estate nearby who where Gardenia works and Manzanares was searching. Padre is hopeful that Jacinto can find out something about Manzanares there.

Franco tells Steve the story about Mananarez and the Gardenia being attacked in his mom's house, when Manzanares defended her but then died. Franco cries, It is getting too complicated.

Steve says what are you waiting for man, more murders. and you going to help Liliana are you going to escape or triumph. Franco admits that to escape isn't his road. Steve is the best of cheerleaders, you only have to risk everything (arriesgarlo to triumph my firned.

Big kettle drum, door knock and it is Erikka the dreamer at the door. She is dying to tell Fernanda, surely you know about the party planned by Franco Santoro. I can't believe how exciting and what face you are making, don't you like the idea of a fiesta or you don't have confidence in Santoro?

Esteve is assuring Eduardo/Franco he will organize the fiesta with lots of alcohol and booze and they will vanquish (derrotar) the enemies of Liliana and find the hidden enemy. we will draw them out, there is a shadow of evil. You will arrive at the heart of the matter.

Off at the police station Lucio waits, Barbara walks in, he assumes she has come to rescue him, you came to tell them that you gave me the necklace. Do you know why I am here . I don't know , You came into my house and threatened me with a pistol. But, he sputters contritely, it was the only way he could do it. Finally Barbara says, I will help you but there is something you must tell me. Why are you fleeing?

Steve says tell me something educational (edificante) tell me beautiful stories. How was your meeting with Fernanda? Woefully, Eduardo's answer, is: FATAL.

Erika is pouring it on about how why Fernanda doesn't want to come with her to see her triumph . But, Errika has a thought, is it how you feel about Damian? Fernanda seems fed up with Erika's idiocy too: You don't have to slit your wrists to still feel pain at what happened. Erika wants her girlfriend in action. She cheer leads, you have to continue on. Tell me you will go. It is so important that you come with me . She says well you have to be there I think the party is a pretext so he can present me as his fiance .. Fernanda who is interestingly dressed in low cut pastel clothes suddenly, sweeps out of her own bedroom to avoid further conversation with Erika. why are you so mysterious.

Steve. what were you thinking proposing this fiesta already. Franco admits he could not control his impulses. He took her in his arms and kissed her and realized he had forgotten nothing. He rants that he has said over and over that Fernanda means nothing to him but one moment in front of her and he realized that none of that is true. For Eduardo this woman is impossible, for Franco Santoro this woman is absolutely prohibited. [This fiesta is taking on shadows of horror of the wedding fiasco.]

Next: Fernanda talks to Eduardo at the church touching his name on the marble. Gardenia curses Ed/Franc to Margarita and Jacinto with the woman scorned ugly threats. Franco doesn't relish the mess he finds himself in as the clouds roll in.

Labels: manana

Well, here we are at the next to the last episode and I think it was one of the most languid I have ever seen for the end of a novela. I am going to be out of town tomorrow night so I won't be able to post the recap of the grand finale until Friday night.

Marisela and Genoveva are surprised by the sudden appearance of Cabos Blancos without bridle or saddle.

Santos continues to stonewall the Inspector.

Marisela tells Geno that she can tell that CB has been in the quaking bog (tremedal) by the smell. She leaves.

DB goes over her catalog of people she didn't like or killed: Danger, BP, Lorenzo and the rapists and says that she doesn't regret what she did. She tells those that she loved: Eustaquia and Melquíades to wait for her. She doesn't ask God for forgiveness because if he exists, he is as guilty as she for making DB the way she is.

While Marisela drives to the bog, she flashes back to various situations with DB. She says that she is sure that DB loved her. The spirit of Eustaquia tells her to hurry.

DB kisses her gun goodbye and walks into the bog, which appears to be a pond covered with duckweed.



The Inspector is about to have Santos put in a cell when Antonio arrives and orders him released.

Marisela finds DB up to her neck in the bog. She ties a rope to a tree and goes after her. DB says that she has nothing to live for and tells Marisela to leave. Marisela says that if DB doesn't want to be saved, they will drown together.

Antonio tells the Inspector that he has been promoted for his good work in breaking up the narcotrafficking ring and he can leave Progresso right away. He leaves much to everyone's relief.

Marisela asks DB's forgiveness for all that has happened. Then she starts to sink and DB tries to save her.

DB tells Marisela that they have to live and they start to pull themselves out of the bog.

Genoveva tells Santos about how Marisela went to the quaking bog. He and Antonio go after her.

DB and Marisela come out of the bog arm in arm.

Juan Primito comes running up and asks why Marisela and DB are all dirty [although they don't look dirty at all, just wet]. DB tells JP to uncover and clean up a canoe and to tell anyone who asks that she is dead. She tells Marisela that she is leaving the Arauca forever. Marisela asks if she has gotten her mother back just to lose her again. DB says that she has won her mother forever.

Santos and Antonio find the rope that does into the bog and see the tracks coming out. Santos, for once in his life, doesn't jump to a wrong conclusion. He tells Antonio that good things are happening and they should go home.

DB and Marisela give each other baths and make up for all the years they were estranged. DB tells Marisela that they wouldn't get along on a day to day basis so DB has to leave. Marisela tells DB that she wants to have lots of children after she finishes her education.

Melesio holds his new granddaughter. He asks Cecilia when she and Antonio are getting married. Cecilia says that she is getting married soon. María Nieves and Altagracia come in to tell Melesio that they have set a wedding date. Melesio wants to know when Genoveva is going to get married. She says that will never happen.


Santos explains to Antonio how it is that he loves Marisela and DB. He says that the two women have a different part of his love. He says that Marisela is the one he loves as a wife, friend and confidant. Santos says that he still has a great affection for DB. He says that no one made him feel so powerful and so weak at the same time. He couldn't stay with her because she creates chaos, violence and destruction. He tells Antonio that Marisela brings out the best in him while DB brought out the worst. He says that when he was with DB, he acted like his father.

Santos sees JP and asks what he is doing. JP is not a good liar but once again Santos doesn't junp to idiotic conclusions. He understands immediately that DB is leaving.

DB tries to give Marisela the earrings that Asdrúbal gave her but Marisela says that she appreciates the gesture but they are DB's. However, Marisela takes DB's whip and DB tells Marisela to kick butt sometimes to show whose daughter she is. She tells Marisela to wait outside. She takes one of Santos' shirts and says that she is taking his smell with her.

Labels: barbara

Capitulo 66 – Sorry if this is a little disjointed, but I watched it first on You Tube and then watched it “live” and realized the You Tube version cut some stuff out.

From last night: We have to live through the invitation to Errorika about the party again. Babs hands over the necklace to Lucio.

Gardenia show Fr/Ed his passport that she found on the dead body. He wants to know who this guy was who tried to defend her against being raped and died tryin’. Gardenia says it was the man who came to Las Animas the other day saying it was a matter of life and death and Fr/Ed remembers it was Agent Manzanares. Gardenia says she’s doesn’t think he was really a cop because he was hangin’ out with Jairo.

Bitch Barbie gives Lucio the necklace and also gives him a business card of a place he can go where he can sell it. She tells him he’ll get $8,000,000 pesos for it. (At today’s current exchange rate of approximately 13 pesos per US Dollar – Lucky Lucio will wind up with about $615,385.00 – hell – give me the necklace! Lucio’s lickin’ his chops at the thought of this kind of money and Barb tells now it’s time to “Larrrrrrrgate!” or in other words, Get the F Out!

Babs talks to Gonzo about how bad Lucio is.

Gardenia wants to know how she’s supposed to address Fr/Ed now, Don Santorito, Eduardo or Don Eduardo. Fr/Ed tries to apologize and says he’s sure she’ll understand once she hears what he has to say. Gardenia, with big ‘ol alligator tears running down her face, also wants to know why Fr/Ed never answered her letter telling him she loved him and would wait for him. Fr/Ed doesn’t know what to say to her and just then there’s a knock on the door. Gardenia opens the door to find Fernanda coming to pick Fr/Ed up for their “date”. There is very tense moment when it seems that Gardenia has realized that Don Francuardorito is still in love with Senora Fernandita. Fernanda comes bouncing in like a happy little puppy and Fr/Ed says he’s been waiting for her. Gardenia stands and watches and finally asks if they’ll be returning for lunch. Fr/Ed says no, but she should ask Esteve if he’d like anything and if not, to take the morning off. Fr/Ed and Nanda decide they’re going to ride their horses over to the old barn.

Margs and Jacinto argue about Gardenia shooting her mouth off and that everyone will know who Franco is. She says she’ll be happy about that, doesn’t Jacinto see that Eduardo’s lies are affecting everyone?

Of course, Nanda and Fr/Ed are on matching white horses. They arrive at the barn and he’s almost frozen by memories. She opens the door and it’s almost as if he wants to cry from happiness at the thought of returning to the barn with Nanda, his love.

Vlad has made a date over the phone with Prisci. He tells Dam that he knows Prisci will tell him everything’s ready for his job at Grupo Lactose Intolerance.

Fernanda begins to explain her “vision” for what they want to build. She finally stops to ask his opinion, but he’s mesmerized in front of the wooden post where he carved their initials all those years ago. He says the initials must be there for many years and while caressing the initials with his fingers, he says it’s incredible that something so simple, done by a child could last so long. But he thinks it’s impossible that a love that inspired that heart couldn’t exist anymore.

Margs wants to drag Jacinto to Dona Soledad’s house. Just then Lucio is skedaddling outta town on foot with his little duffle bag.

He asks if she can imagine what the two people would think if they could see the heart with their initials again – it would be like finding something that had died. Nanda starting to get that drooling, catatonic look on her face like she had when he told her the story of the Jinete Justiciero. She asks what makes him think that their love has died? He says it would be a miracle and he doesn’t believe in miracles. She asks whether he doesn’t believe in miracles, or whether he doesn’t believe in love. He answer that he thinks you have to believe in love in order to believe in miracles and unfortunately, he doesn’t believe in love. That’s why he’s sure that the two lovers are not together.

Barb goes running down the steps and tells Gonzo the Gullible Dope that someone has stolen the necklace he gave her for their anniversary – she’s putting on quite the show.

Nanda thinks Fr/Ed’s a pessimist when it comes to love. He says he’s seen too many relationships end up in tears. She offers to tell him the story of the carved heart. He asks if the two are still together and she says no, but not because they their love was over, but because destiny was cruel to them. He asks how she knows and she says the “F” stands for Fernanda.

Margs and Jacinto arrive at Dona’s casa to find the open-faced grave with Manzanares looking a bit stiff. Margs cries.

Nanda and Fr/Ed are now both feeling up the poor molested heart! Their hands are almost touching. She tells him it’s been there for 15 years. He asks if she ever saw the boy again. He says it was probably just young love and that it was probably just a “travesura” – mischief. Nanda says it wasn’t just a travesura that actually kept them from seeing each other again. She tells him how the boy/man sent flowers to her wedding, doesn’t he remember? He says maybe the man’s reaction was because he was still in love with that little girl. He comes closer to her (she’s drooling again) and he asks if she stopped loving him and why, because she fell in love with her husband. She agrees and says it’s possible that’s why he sent the flowers and the card. Fr/Ed starts getting a little too annoyed for a supposed “third party” and tells her if the woman he loved were marrying another man is that she had stopped loving him. She gets angry and says the boy never answered her letters – Eddie looks a bit shocked. He asks what the boy’s name was and she says Eduardo, el Jinete Justiciero, he knew him. She says she feels responsible for what’s happened. Fr/Ed says maybe Eduardo never received the letters. She said it’s impossible, she gave the cards to his mother to send to him. Eddie knows something’s fishy here.

Margs is screaming at Jacinto about what they’re going to do about the dead body. She says they have to tell Eduardo what’s happened. They leave the scene of the crime.

Tomasa is taking the heat from Gonzo about stealing the necklace. She keeps saying she doesn’t know anything about it. He tells Babs to call the police. Babs all of sudden realizes that it was probably Damian that stole her necklace.

Vlad’s ready to leave for his date with Prisci and Dam hands him an envelope - I didn’t catch what was in it. Damian is getting ready to send BadBabs an e-mail saying it’s not over yet, and he’s going to give her a fight and she’ll be hearing from him soon.

Babs explains that she’s sure Damian was in their room the morning he left. She’s “remembering” how Damian left in a hurry and he was nervous. Tomasa cannot believe the lies Babs is spinning off the tip of her tongue. Gonzo finally apologizes to Tomasa. Exit stage right for Tomasa. Gonzo is frustrated that his daughter’s husband turned out to be nothing but a petty thief.

Fr/Ed thinks the barn is a great place for the community center. He says he thinks the place needs to be torn down. She stops and remembers the childhood kiss, and we have to remember with her – AGAIN. Yeah, yeah, it was magical, sun was streaming through the windows, blah, blah, blah. Fr/Ed comes over and asks if she’s really serious about trying to salvage the building. She says she thinks she’ll be very sad if they have to get rid of the walls. He asks if she’s talking about all the walls, or just the “viga” (beam) that has the heart on it. She asks if he thinks she’s ridiculous and he says no, just the opposite he’s surprised at how something so small could have such significance. They almost KISS!!!! Nanda realizes this and pulls away, but they’re still smiling at each other just like those two little children.

Barb doesn’t know how they’re going to hurt Nanda again by reporting Dam again for stealing the necklace. She says even though the necklace meant so much to her she can’t use it to hurt his daughter. He thinks they have the best love in the world – dope. He leaves for the office, but not before telling her she’s a saint – yeah right!!!! Barbs calls the jeweler from the business card. She says she thinks the person who stole it will be trying to sell it to him, that the chauffeur overheard her. Jeweler Guy laughs and says her chauffer must be one dumb criminal. She says if the guy shows up with the necklace to call the police and return the necklace to her.

A-Bore-A is playing with the horses at the stable. Santiago shows up. Santi thinks horses are better than people, especially most of his family – and he’s right. He’s ashamed of his family. She says she’s the one that should be ashamed – she has no family. They hug, and Sleazy Cad looks on.

She says she has to tell him something about her brother Cadmilho. She says it wasn’t fair of Fr/Ed to have fired Jacinto because he let Cad into the house. She goes on to tell him that Cadmilho mistreated Jacinto when they were younger to the point of leaving scars on his back and Jacinto let Cadmilho in the house out of fear of the Dreaded Cad. She says she sure that he’ll want to cancel all their plans now that he’s heard her, but it doesn’t matter because now her conscience is clear. He grabs her by the arm and says she’s a baffling woman (desconcertante) and that El Jinete Justiciero was right that she was the most wonderful woman he had ever met in his life. He says El Jinete Justiciero spoke of her with all the enthusiasm of a man in love, but now he’s envious of El Jinete Justiciero because to be loved by her would be a privilege to fight for to the death.



Peeping Cadmilho looks on and eavesdrops on the two young lovers. He comes out of the shadows to annoy them.

Nanda admits to Fr/Ed that she thinks she’s responsible for Eduardo’s death, and that his suicide was the most cruel revenge. It’s the only way she can explain his committing suicide. He takes her head in his hands as she weeps and she says she feels nothing but eternal hatred for Eduardo.

Previews: Fr/Ed tells her that the woman he came back to Mexico to marry is Fernanda and that he loves her and they KISS!!!!!! Can you imagine how angry Errorika is going to be when she finds out?????

Labels: manana

From inside the confessional, DB listens to Marisela and Santos saying how much they love each other and then she sees them kissing. She cocks her gun.

Antonio carries Cecilia into his bedroom and babbles about what happened in Progresso until Cecilia points out that Don Encarnacíon is in his bed.

In a very funny scene, the Inspector asks Pernalete and Mujica why they never investigated any of DB's crimes. They hem and haw and make excuses. He says that it appears that the whole town is protecting DB and asks for an explanation.

Watching Santos kiss Marisela, DB flashes back to kissing Asdrúbal. She jumps out of the confessional points her gun at Marisela and Santos and calls them traitors.

The Inspector asks if Mujica and Pernalete were aware of DB's crimes. They deny it. The Inspector points out that DB is Federica's godmother. Pernalete says that DB baptized her as a favor since Federica was an ugly, spoiled child that no one else wanted anything to do with. When the Inspector asks if DB did any favors for Mujica, he angrily protests that he never took any bribes.

Cecilia, Antonio and DE sit down to eat as a family.

Marisela tells DB to go ahead and shoot them. She says DB will only need one bullet because she will never be separated from Santos.

DB lowers her gun and says that she can't kill them. She says that she will leave Santos and Marisela in peace. She leaves the church and steals a car. Marisela tells Santos that he has to help DB get away. Santos asks if Marisela wants DB to go free so she can continue to kill people. Marisela replies that DB's vengeance is finished she won't kill again. She urges him to help DB get away. Santos agrees.

DB abandons the car she stole and goes to El Miedo on foot. Santos takes DB's money and goes after her. DB writes her last wishes in a letter to Marisela. She says that she is leaving everything to Marisela. She says that she would rather die than have anyone see her humiliated and asking for forgiveness or mercy. Eustaquia's ghost appears to say that DB couldn't shoot Marisela because finally she realizes that she loves her daughter.

DB says that she will leave Marisela a clear field with Santos. DB hears Lorenzo laughing at her and then Santos shows up.

Santos tells DB to get away before the police show up. He says that situation hurts him, too and DB asks how. Santos says that it hurts him that DB is suffering and he can't make her happy. He says that it hurts him deeply that his love wasn't enough to heal her wounds; that their child wasn't born and that he had to leave her to save himself from the abyss. DB slaps him. She says that he is a miserable bastard and asks how he could go away with Marisela. Santos agrees that he is whatever DB wants to call him but she should get moving before the police come.

Antonio, Cecilia and DE decide to return to Progresso the next day.

DB asks Santos why he doing this.

The police come to search Altamira.

DB demands to know why Santos is helping her. She asks if he has feelings for her. He says that he doesn't know. DB says that Santos loves her. Santos admits it but says that he can't be with her because she is an abyss while Marisela is his salvation and his light. DB says that Santos loves both of them and Santos doesn't deny it.

The Inspector is heading towards El Miedo.

Mujica asks Federica to marry him. She accepts him much to Josefa' s disgust.

Santos tells DB that they have to stop this conversation. She has to escape. DB says that they are out of time. She doesn't even have the consolation of hope. She tells him about the good-bye letter she wrote leaving everything to Marisela. She tells him to have the paper legalized after she is gone and to make Altamira one estate (again). She asks Santos what to do with the love she still has inside her.

Antonio says that he won't call Cecilia his butterfly (mariposa) any more. He will call her his 'sweet bee ('abejita dulce') because she conquered DE with her sweetness. Cecilia says that DE is a good person ('un pan de dios,' literally, 'bread of god') and was just terribly hurt by his daughter's death. They are interrupted by a call for Antonio from the Minister of the Interior.

DB tells Santos that he is her only love. She only wanted to be good because of him. Santos tells her to get moving because the police are coming. DB says how much she loves Santos and that she will love him until the last day of her life. She hugs him and Santos begs her to leave. She asks him to love her daughter and take care of her.

Antonio asks the Minister to recall the Inspector since the drug trafficking ring has been broken up. The Minister agrees.

The Inspector arrests Santos for helping DB to escape.

DB has escaped from El Miedo and is sitting under a tree. She says that all that she loves and everything that makes her what she is is in the llanos. This is where she buried her dead and gave birth to her daughter. She says that deep in her heart there has always been a healthy part and that part has been Marisela's and that is what saved her. That part made DB separate herself from Marisela so she could grow up to be a good person. DB says that it's a beautiful new day - her last day in the Arauca. She frees Cabos Blancos (with some difficulty).

Labels: barbara

The previews for tonight's show were sexy, weren't they? Mario digging his own grave while Paulina shouts "Kill him, kill him!" Santiago and Candy in the church, getting married in "the eyes of God". Soooo promising but honestly, the plot wasn't advanced much tonight. Still, the trip was a pleasant one. So let's look at what happened...and what didn't.

After the brief rehash (which you don't really need, do you?) we see Patricio and Arturo talking over why Patricio is sure Santiago's connected to the local mafia and why it's dangerous to Arturo's grandchildren for him to stick around. Arturo agrees to go.

Switch from there to the Alizée concert. Our French chanteuse looks more like a mom and less like that enchanting nymphet that danced so bewitchingly in the video Sylvia linked last Thursday. But no matter. Santiago is wild with enthusiasm and jumping up and down like a teenager. Candy is looking embarrassed. (Lord! what a wet blanket she's going to be in this relationship.) Fortunately, he ignores her and goes on shaking and baking.

Soledad, Cece and Barbara are back at the apartment commiserating that they can only buy the Alizée CD. Lucky Candy is actually at the concert. (But not enjoying herself. He should have taken someone else, honestly. Like maybe Lulu...or Hortensia. Oh well.) Anyway, the talk soon turns to men. Soledad's raving about how tender and thoughtful Raúl is. Cece's trying to douse her enthusiasm and Barb weighs in with some therapy. Soledad's earlier hurtful relationships were "her fault". Jorge left because Beto wasn't actually his son. And she should never have fallen for Patricio because he was married. Sooo...upshot. No reason for her to be afraid to fall in love with Raúl. Follow that? I didn't, really, but whatever.

Back to the dressing room. Santiago's babbling his praises of Alizée in Spanish and Candy's translating into French. Some words she pronounces well, others badly. Then she pulls a fast one on Santiago and makes him believe Alizée wants him to take her around Mexico for 2 weeks and show her the sights. He gets nervous; plants a big kiss on Candy to show he's taken, and off they go. Just as well since our French chanteuse was tired and needed a break.

Now, shades of MEPS. We have another partially dug grave and tough gunmoll Paulina is ordering Mario into it so he can finish digging his final resting place before Lozano shoots him. As if! He manages to talk his way out of it by handing her his cellphone and pointing out that he calls his lawyer every three hours. If he misses a call, the lawyer has the papers of a full confession which he'll deliver to the authorities. Paulina and Lozano decide to let him live (they'll fake his death by taking a picture of him in the grave with blood all over him) but tell him he has to get out of Mexico.

These scenes are broken up with some humor. Eduardo's drooling at the thought of Santiago being in the same dressing room with Alizée. Seems he's not getting any at home and he's feeling....well....deprived and depressed. Santiago fakes a gay accent, then a French accent and pretends to be Alizée dancing. Dancing superb. Accent not so much.

The last scene before we break for the first round of ads is Patricio confronting Candy in her office. He's convinced Santiago has mafia links and insists on keeping Chava away from him. Candy threatens him that if he tries to take Chava from her he'll be sorry. We've had this conversation before and will probably have more of the same in the future.

When we get back, Isabella and Donato are pondering Jaime's lack of recognition of the photo. Donato has it all figured out. Men don't like their wives going through (hurgando) their affairs and their secrets so maybe Jaime really did recognize the lady and is just faking confusion. Isabella is the one looking confused now! (But I agree with Donato.)

Same office, same lady, different galan. Santiago is now talking to Candy about the threatened custody and has a plan. They get married pronto! As a stable family, they'll have a much better chance of custody as opposed to a single guy. He tells Candy "no tengas miedo" (there's that theme again) and to come with him. They're off to the chapel and gonna get married...if only in the eyes of God.

Romance is in the air elsewhere as well...at the study table. Chayo's tutor has brought her flowers but she wisely refuses them (how do I explain this to my husband?) and vamooses, leaving him with the posies and the bill.

So back to church. Candy loves the idea of getting married but remember, she's not yet divorced. Santi assures her that God sees, not the laws of man, but the hearts of men...and their hearts are so full of love right now that they're in the perfect condition for getting married. The romantic music swells and so does the emotion. Santiago begins to pray....Lord, I haven't always been a good man (Candy interrupts...What? I need to know more about that...) Santi brushes that aside. This is just "in general" and goes on quickly to inform God that he loves this lady with "locura" and pasión (he's crazily, passionately in love!) and asks God to watch over them, protect their children, and help them to be as happy as he and Candy are together. Now it's your turn, Candy.

But you've already said everything replies our sweetheart. But she manages to add Thy will be done. I love this man with all my heart and please God, take care of us and help us. Amen. Short but sweet.

In the meantime, less happy scenes are taking place. Arturo is bidding good-bye to Margarita, giving her a letter for Patricio, and adding sadly, Tell the children they had a grandfather who loved them very much but wasn't able to stay around to see them grow up. And Lucia and Charlie are feuding again. He wants advice on how to handle this icky new friend of Meño's and she manages to spill the beans about Fede being in her room kissing her. That does it! When Fede calls, Charlie grabs the phone as says If you're ever in her room again, I'll kill you! (Go Charlie! We're on your side.)

We next see Lucia coming home, spotting Paulina and Rocio playing on the lawn with a dollhouse and standing up to Paulina quite effectively, swearing that she'll "never help Paulina stay at the house". Of course Paulina later uses this confrontation to manipulate poor Rocio some more. Your "sister" is just jealous because she doesn't have a mother. She's all alone and wants you to be alone too. Rocio tearfully vows that she won't like Lucia anymore. What a clever witch this Paulina is! Comes out smelling like a rose no matter what!

Brief restaurant scene with Lalo and Mario. He's telling him to relax, he's getting out of Mexico, all will be well for Eduardo and Santiago. As far as Gambino knows, Mario is dead.

Brief office scene with Meño and Candy. She's babbling on a mile a minute about the secret wedding and the promise of true love they made to each other. Simpers and 7th grade giggles. On both sides.

After the ads, we see Fede again. Ugh. He's still trying to seduce Lucia. She's still resisting. Good.

Now we're in Santiago's office and Alicia has handed him the baby while she discusses the possibility of a boob lift. Does she take some kind of fiendish pleasure in watching Santiago hold his own son? Dunno. But the interaction is great. The bambino has an enchanting smile and is radiating comfort and well-being in Santi's arms. Santi however, nixes the idea of being her plastic surgeon. Not with the current unpleasantness between him and Patricio. Better that she see another doctor. At this point, a hostile Candy walks in and wants to know what Alicia is doing there. Why, lining you up as Patito's godparents, quips Alicia. Dubious as they are, she assures them she'll talk Patricio into it.

Switch to Arturo loading suitcases into his trunk and the omnipresent Gambino catching him at it. No running away, Arturo. If you do, I'll pick off your grandchildren one by one. Which one do you want to go first? Guess he's make Arturo an offer he can't refuse.

Candy stays after Alicia's exit and does her usual blah blah about how Santi will find his son soon and everything will be okay. (True of course, but she has no way of knowing that) She offers to stay with him the rest of the day but he (perhaps remembering those hives of the other night) begs off, saying he has to see some patients and pay the rent after all. So off goes Candy and in comes his true love, Eduardo....who gives Santi the hugs and the comfort he needs by reassuring him that Mario has left and ain't nevah coming back. Santi muses that Mario sure has changed. He didn't used to be like that. Wonder what happened?(In a word, the evil Paulina.)

Patricio's talking with his mom, feeling guilty about running off his dad but recognizing that it was for the good of the children. The Institutas, meanwhile, are planning their next radio talk which will be about domestic abuse and how to escape from it. The Abandonados are planning theirs as well. What is the place of women in the universe? The kitchen! says Carlos. And he suggests talking about divorced women....they know what they like, they know what they want, there's no wasting time...there's always Susy Spencer. This isn't going over with Raúl who's definitely feeling romantic about women now that he's in love with Soledad.

On to more serious discussions. Patricio is dumbfounded that Alicia wants plastic surgery. There's nothing wrong with her!...he's noticed...even if they're not getting it on together. He's even more dumbfounded that she's asked Santiago and Candy to be the godparents. She digs in the knife, pointing out that they're a marvelous, solid, stable couple (dig dig!) and besides, he'll only have to see them at the baptism ceremony. Well, aren't you sweet?! he snarls back.

Two more scenes wrap up tonight's episode. First, Santiago shows Candy his new prescription pads and then the old ones which should have been the ones used for the prescriptions he supposedly wrote for the botched plastic surgery. She's relieved at the proof but both wonder WHO could have put this shady lady on to Candy.

And the last is the police investigator who confirms that Santi's private detective Leonardo, was also investigating Gambino. And was no doubt killed by him. As to Santi's son's whereabouts....no clues.

So....what happened? Arturo planned to leave but couldn't. Mario was slated to die but didn't. Santiago and Candy got married....but not really. Fede tried again to seduce Lucia but failed. Cece tried to discourage Soledad from falling in love with Raúl but was unsuccessful. The tutor tried to make some headway with Chayo, but she discouraged him.

The only person who seemed to make any headway was the execrable Paulina, who is turning Rocio away from both her father and her sister. Ugh!

Previews: Paulina threatens Isabella and tells her to get out, and take her husband with her....or she'll tell Santiago that Rocio is not really his daughter. Lucia overhears this.

Candy gets tough with Patricio and tells him to get out of her office and out of her life!

Vocabulary:
Algo que no me cuadra = something's not right, Donato, musing about Jaime not recognizing the picture.
hurgando nos secretos = burrowing into our secrets
no hay gato encerrado = Isabella stating that there's nothing fishy going on
meto las manos al fuego por él = I'd put my hands in the fire for him (using present tense)
yo di de más= I gave more (to the relationship) Soledad complaining before Barbara set her straight.
jugar chueco =playing dirty, Gambino threatening Arturo
burdo intento de fuga = stupid attempt to flee. more Gambino to Arturo
el tiempo es un cruel amigo = Santiago musing on the changes in Mario (time is a cruel friend)

Dicho of the Day:
Siempre se rompe el hilo por lo más delgado (lit. the thread always breaks where it is thinnest) We say "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link."
So who's the weak link in episode?...this story? We shall see.

Labels: Tontas

Ferro wrote: I apologize profusely, readers, but I am quite under the weather and won't be able to put up a recap tonight. Whoever wishes, please feel free to leave comments with what happened tonight, tomorrow if I feel better I'll copy anything recap-ish into the main post. Sorry again and thanks for understanding.
===========
Ferro, I hope you don't mind, I hope I'm not being presumptious, I'm writing an emergency recap. This is bare-bones, and I'm just writing what I caught on the first pass. Readers, don't be afraid to correct anything I heard wrong, or to add any important points I missed. It ain't pretty, but it's functional.
-Paula

At Rene’s grave, Lucio threatens Gardenia, waving his gun at her. She is beside herself in panic. Grasping at any hope, she tells him, “I have a secret about Franco Santoro.”

Margarita and Jacinto. Margarita misses Gardenia, because she has stayed away since they fought. Jacinto leaves the house to go find Gardenia and make things right.

In her room, Aurora changes into her jammies. Cad quietly opens the door a crack and leers at her in her undies. He says under his breath, “You’re not bad at all.”

Ed is reflecting on his day. Fernanda was right there so recently, and already he misses her. He says aloud that he loves her so much.

In her room in the big house, Fernanda almost hears him. She is fretting about what she will wear for their meeting/date tomorrow. Smart Nanda shows up and points out that Dumb Nanda sure is worried about looking good for a business associate. Admit it, she says, you want to please him. Dumb Nanda claims it’s just because Franco knew Ed, and talking to him makes her feel closer to Ed.

Damian with his mama. He tells her he’s innocent, and the Elizaldes set him up. She says he should go to the police. He says the family would make sure he takes the fall, and he’d go to jail. Mama says Fernanda loves him. Dam demands to do things his way, and orders his mama to keep silent about him.

Lucio with Gardenia at the grave. She tells him that she has an important document about Franco. Lucio keeps terrorizing her with the gun, and she’s sure she’s about to die. Just then, KABLAM, Lucio gets a shovel to the head, thanks to Jacinto, and falls into the grave next to Rene. But it looks like he’s still breathing.

Ed considers his course of action. He recalls that Ciro told him the white king’s head will give him the weapons he needs for battle. And the letter from his mother has his mission. His mission is to free Lil, and in the process he will free Ciro. It was his mother’s last wish. He needs Ciro’s money so he is equipped for the battle. He cinches up his calzones and determines to accept his mission. The first thing he needs is his passport to get the money, but when he looks for it, he discovers it has been taken.

Jacinto takes Gardenia back to the house. She’s crying a lot. She’s overwhelmed because, had Jacinto not shown up in time, she’d be dead right now. She tells them about her very bad day. The three men abducting her, Rene breaking into the house, Lucio tried to rape her, Rene saved her, and the shooting.

Fr. Rumpole, at his desk, realizes that it’s midnight and Rene still hasn’t arrived. Something must have happened to him. Yeah, I’d say.

At Jacinto’s house, Margarita and Gardenia make up. She tells them she found the passport on Rene’s corpse. She’s angry because Margarita and Jacinto kept the secret from her. Jacinto says it’s a matter of life and death. What do they do now? Margarita wants to go to the police. Gardenia wants to go to Ed’s house. Jacinto says it’s a dangerous night. When Lucio comes to, he might try to kill her again. Nobody’s going nowhere tonight.

In the morning, Lucio uses his gun to convince Tomasa to go waken Barbara. Barb tells Luc to get lost. “We talk when I want to talk, not when you want to.” Luc pulls the gun on Barbara and orders her to listen.

SECOND HALF STARTS HERE

Lucio wants money from Barbara. She tells him she doesn’t have that kind of money at the house. He waves the gun in her face and says that if he doesn’t get it he’ll shoot her. That helps her remember that there is money in the safe in the library.

At Las Animas, Ed is ostensibly doing his morning work-out. He’s actually doing what Japanese Anime calls Fan Service - content that has nothing to do with the plot, but it gives the audience a thrill. But hey, I’m not complaining! Maybe it was meant to be educational. An anatomy lesson on all the upper body muscle groups.

Tomasa comes into the kitchen to say that Gonzo is up and he’s in the library. Lucio swaps hostages. He says if Barb doesn’t come back in five minutes, he’ll kill Tomasa. Barb pretends to care.

Margarita can’t believe Gardenia’s going back to Las Animas. Isn’t she afraid Lucio will find her? Gardenia is determined to ask Ed why he never answered the letter she wrote him when he got sent away to school.

Ed comes to breakfast. Steve reports that Gardenia never came home. Ed reports that his passport is gone. Steve thinks Camilo took it when he broke in, but Ed says Jacinto was with him the whole time.

Erika comes to invite Franco to go riding to the club. Ed says he has an appointment. Steve asks if Franco has told her about the party yet. Steve says that she was the first one Franco wanted to invite. Ed squirms. Erika asks if she’ll be going as his pareja (date? partner?). When Erika leaves, Ed is mad at Steve for creating problems with Fernanda. Steve says it’s strategy – it will wake up the jealousy and show how she really feels. Ed is ready to call off the party, but Steve tells him the party is no game. It’s an important battleground in their war.

Lucio keeps threatening the crying Tomasa, while Barbara is upstairs lazily brushing her hair. When she comes down to the kitchen, she says Gonzo was in the library so she couldn’t get to the safe. Instead she gives him a diamond necklace and says this should keep food on his table for ten years.

Gardenia comes home. (I’m not sure I understood this scene.) She’s ready to leave her job because he never gives her any work to do. He says she’s there in case he needs her. Her job is to wait. With fire in her eyes, she asks, “What is Eduardo Juarez’ job?”

PREVIEWS
Ed and Fernanda have a date in the barn. The barn won’t be used for the community center – the look Ed gave Fernanda was so hot, the barn caught fire!

Labels: manana

I apologize profusely, readers, but I am quite under the weather and won't be able to put up a recap tonight. Whoever wishes, please feel free to leave comments with what happened tonight, tomorrow if I feel better I'll copy anything recap-ish into the main post. Sorry again and thanks for understanding.

Labels: manana

Freed from the church, Santos tells the Inspector that he was hit on the head and doesn't remember anything that happened in the ruined church. The Inspector doesn't believe him.

DB is running along the river where she starts to cry and has flashbacks to everything that happened. She tells herself that it's finally over.

DB gets back to El Miedo where she continues to cry. She says that she doesn't know why she is so sad. She has flashbacks of Eustaquia, Melquíades and Lorenzo. Juan Primito comes in and DB hugs him and cries.

DB has JP get her money out of the wall.

Santos tells Antonio what happened in the church. He says that he understands DB now and believes she was justified in what she did. He says that he feels sorry for her and wants to help her. This exchange: what DB did was horrible but she had a right to avenge what was done to her and she had guts to do what she did - we will call 'the conversation.'

Both Santos and Marisela head for El Miedo.

DB tells JP not to tell anyone where she went.

The Inspector sends men to search for DB and tells them to shoot her if she doesn't surrender.

Melesio and all the terneras except Genoveva have 'the conversation.' Marisela arrives and says that she is sad that she can't find DB to help her.

Pajarote, María Nieves and Cósme are chatting about what happened in the church and noting that Santos seems to want to protect DB when she appears looking for Santos. The police are arriving and the ternera men help her hide. Pajarote tells DB that they are helping DB because Santos is helping her.

The ternera men take DB to the river but there are men with dogs there. She jumps into the river. When the one-eyed alligator comes after her, Pajarote and MN kill it with Marisela, Santos, Antonio, Andrés, Genoveva and Altagracia watching.

DB escapes across the river but she starts to cry again. Melquíades' voice tells her to get up and find a hiding place.

Santos and Marisela find DB's horse with all her money.

All the guys celebrate the death of the one-eyed alligator and express admiration for DB's bravery in jumping into the alligator infested river. They think that DB is gone for good. They leave. Genoveva tells Santos that Marisela went to church to pray for her mother.

It turns out that having escaped from the ruined church in town, DB has returned to town and is hiding in the confessional in the active church.

Father Pernia and Genoveva have 'the conversation.' He tells Marisela to pray for her mother. Santos shows up. He and Marisela have 'the conversation.' DB is listening.

Labels: barbara

Santiago is reading to his daughter under the vulture gaze of Paulina. Isabel comes in with Jaime and announces, “I’m sorry, son, we’re moving. I don’t want to live here anymore.” Santiago sends Rocío to put her books away and play in her room. Why doesn’t he ever send Pau away for these conversations, if he wants to get the truth from his mother? He asks mama why, and she blurts out that it’s Paulina’s fault. Santi clarifies, “If you’re having trouble with Paulina, she’s the one who leaves. You stay with us.” He tries to get to the bottom of the problem, but of course Pau interrupts and says that if Isabel wants to leave, she can leave. Santi tells Pau to shut up (YEAH!) and reaffirms, “My mama isn’t going anywhere.” Pau agrees to leave, but first she will (something). Santi tells her he’s not about to let her use his daughter for blackmail. Pau covertly threatens Isabel, and Isabel backs down. She says Roc really needs her mama with her. She insists that they don’t make Rocío suffer.

Mario and Gabino are having a lovely chat in the car. What, no cucumber sandwiches? Santiago had specifically told Gab that he didn’t do any surgery, and Mario says Santi is a liar. Gab says Mario is the liar, and a traitor too, considering that Mario ran off with Pau. Gab suspects that Mario betrayed Santi both then and now. Mario informs Gab that Luzano, his driver, saw the whole thing. Gab puts the squeeze on Luzano, and Luz confirms that Santi did the operation. But Gab still thinks Mario is lying, and he tells him to get out of town. He doesn’t want to see him again.

Jaime asks Isabel how long she’s going to let Paulina threaten her. Isa says she has no choice. She can’t let Pau destroy her family. That’s all that matters. Jaime says she shouldn’t just move out, leaving Pau to wreak destruction. She needs to fight back. But Isa is afraid of the damage that will cause. Jaime sees the picture on Isabel’s desk, the picture from Zamora’s cottage. He doesn’t recognize the woman.

Santi gives Pau two days to get out (stupid move). He tells her to tell the truth about why she’s leaving (he believes in Santa Claus too). Pau turns on the tears to talk to Roc. “Your dad kicked me out of the house.” She claims she doesn’t want to leave because she’ll miss Roc so much. Pau checks that no one is listening at the door, and then she tells Roc, “It’s all Candy’s fault. She told your dad lies about me. But don’t tell your daddy I said that.” She goes on to twist Roc with more lies. Boy oh boy, I can’t wait for Paulina’s pie cart of scorpions! Or maybe the steamroller treatment.

Santi unloads his problems on his therapist, Donato. “I have a son I can’t find. My woman distrusts me. My mom wants to leave. Where did my secure family go?” Donato suggests a relaxing night at the clubhouse. He’ll arrange everything. Then Don calls Candy and tells her Santi is doing badly and they need to give him a welcome surprise.

Fred tries to apologize to Luc about last night. Luc says, “The only thing you want is to get me into bed.” You go, girl! But Fred begs some more, and Luc falls for it.

At the restaurant, Sven and Ole are doing all the work while Chris chats on the phone. Charlie comes in and doesn’t like what he sees.

Chava wants to know why his mom and dad are fighting, and Candy says, “We’ll talk about that later.” When “later” finally arrives, Candy sure will have a whole bunch of things she has to talk about.

At the clubhouse, Don sets Santi up with milk and cookies. Don quietly lets Candy in and leaves. Candy says, “You’re doing badly and so am I. We can keep each other company.” Santi gives Candy a look that says he is fully aware that it has been two weeks since their night on the beach.

Pat and Alicia meet with an attorney who assures them, if they can prove that Candy claimed to be dead, they can get custody of Chava. Pat clarifies that he doesn’t want to hurt Candy. He only wants to protect his son. Gregoria walks in and hears Ali telling the lawyer that Candy has done psychological damage to Chava. Gregoria lays into Pat for trying to take Chava for revenge. Alicia defends him, so Gregoria lays into her next, saying she always was the selfish one. Pat is between a rock and a hard place. Art and Margarita enter from opposite sides and join the fray.

Santi and Candy pillow talk while they dance. He loves her more every day, he wants to do the little things with her: wake up next to her every day, or watch movies, or cook. Candy asks, “How would it be, living with you?” He doesn’t know, but living with her would be paradise. More dancing, more kissing. When they lie down to watch a movie, Santi makes advances and Candy plays coy. Santiago says, “I want to be with you because you make me very happy” (Cervantes, he’s not!). While she’s in the bathroom, he does a little tango solo, then he tries to strike a sexy pose. I say he should stick to tango – works for me. Meanwhile Candy hides out in the bathroom. She calls Barbara and says she’s very uncomfortable getting romantic in the clubhouse because Santi and the other abandonados have brought so many women there. Santi starts to wonder if she got lost in the bathroom. Candy’s nervousness makes her break out in hives and she can’t stop scratching. Santiago gives her an antihistamine and she falls asleep. He tries to waken her with the sounds of Puerto Vallarta – the surf, the birds, and the sea lions. Silliness ensues. Hmm. Telenovela love scene meets I Love Lucy. It’s not working for me.

Meño and Gregoria talk about Pat’s latest move. Greg is worried that Candy will leave town to keep Chava. She asks for the chisme on Meño’s new friend. Charlie walks in at that moment and says he distrusts Chris. He warns his dad to be careful.

Paulina meets with Gabino in the car. She insists that Santiago is innocent and Mario lied.

Santiago takes the sleeping Candy home and puts her to bed. Chava dreams that he wins the soccer game and Rocío kisses him. He wakes up and goes to his mama’s room, where he sees Santi on the bed, giving his sleeping mama a kiss. Chava demands, “DON’T KISS MY MOM!” and rudely tells him to get out of the house. Chava climbs into bed with Candy to protect her from Santiago, and he refuses to leave when Gregoria tells him to.

Ricardo shows Meño his new rug and announces that he’s ready to come out of the closet. Meño warns him that it’s not as easy as he thinks. It means his friend will pull away, people will treat him differently, and what will they say at his job? Ricardo wants to talk about the two of them, but Meño makes it clear. They’ll be friends like always, nothing more.

At breakfast, the Odd Couple explains to Candy that Chava kicked Santi out. Candy thought he would come to accept Santi, but it’s going from bad to worse. Up in his room, Candy tells him he shouldn’t be rude to Santiago. Chava agrees – he won’t be rude, but he won’t let Santi kiss his mama. Candy sets him straight and reminds Chava that she’s the mama, and he’s not the one who makes the rules around here. April Fools! No, she gives him an isn’t-that-cute hug and Chava maintains his position as little dictator.

Speaking of people who never learned the meaning of “No,” Fred pressures Luc to go out with him tonight, but she slips out of his claws.
Roc tells Beto and Chava that she’s going to the concert tonight with her papa and Candy.

Art asks Pat about Santi’s connection to Gabino. Art recalls that just before Rocky disappeared, he talked about having surgery to change his face. Pat speculates that maybe Santi did the surgery.

Labels: Tontas

After receiving the picture (showing Marichuy with Daniel) from Ana Julia, Juan Miguel is confused, but still can only think of going home and making MC see again. MC gets a new teacher, Rafael. He tells her that he’s going to teach her many things….she’s skeptical. He tells her that he’s blind and she seems shocked to learn this, but otherwise impressed. She ends up sharing her feelings about being in the depths of despair over her blindness. He tells her there are worse things than being blind. He reminds her that she’s got four other senses and they can provide her with much information about the world. He starts their lessons. Daniel flirts with Rocío. He ends up kissing her and she acts aghast at his actions. She tells him that will be the last kiss he’ll ever get from her. He tells her that it was just the first of many and he hopes he won’t have to steal kisses from her in the future. Juan Miguel graduates from his six months of ophthalmology school at Boston University. He speaks in English at his commencement…..his professor, however, gives his address in Spanish. JM tells the prof that he won’t be attending any parties, he’s heading home very early the next day. Purita visits her M-I-L, Clemencia, and tells her that she and Adrian found out that they can’t have children. Purita is devastated. Clemi tells her that they should seek a second opinion and she hooks her up with a different doctor. Purita is hopeful that they’ll get better news. Marichuy has a nightmare about “seeing” JM again. He’s in the arms of another woman and is almost cavalier about MC being blind. MC mutters that she hates him. JM arrives home and the women of the castle are very happy to see him. Mayita is anxious to show him her school work. He and Onelia share a nice moment where he tells her she’s become like a mother to him and he’s very thankful for everything she’s done. Onelia is obviously touched. When Mayita heads out to get her school work, JM asks Ro and Onelia what’s going on with MC. He can tell by their facial expressions that something’s up…..is it that MC is in love with another. Ro tells him that she’s sure there is no new romance for MC. She does mention that there is a new teacher. Onelia says she’s also sure there is no romance, nothing other than what’s brewing between Ro and Daniel. Ro deflects the teasing. They discuss how MC doesn’t talk about JM much, she changes the subject whenever he comes up. He tells them that he doesn’t know what he’ll do regarding MC. He heads upstairs because he’s knackered and wants a shower (does this mean another shirtless scene is soon to be upon us?). Onelia says to Ro that they shouldn’t meddle in JM and MC’s affair, they should let them work it out (did I get that right?). Ana Julia has a hissy fit because she hasn’t heard from JM in awhile. She starts to trash her place. Rafael has a positive effect on MC. She starts to work with her cane. She begins to study Braille with his help and even ends up making dinner. Cande and Cece watch, fearful of MC with a knife, but she’s quite successful in cutting lettuce for a salad (which will just brown the lettuce, but she’s blind, so she won’t see it I suppose). MC ends up serving the dinner to Rafael. She talks a little about Juan Miguel. Beto flirts with Cande…they are goofy together, but I think he’s even goofier than Cande. Martirio appears to be jealous. Juanmi calls AJ (he’s wearing his cloths, so I don’t think we’re getting a shower scene…..bummer!). He wants to see her and she tells him she’s got a new apartment. He agrees to go there (this can’t bode well for our protagonist)...it's like the spider waiting for the fly. She finds out he hasn’t contacted MC yet. She’s overjoyed that he’s called her first, taking it to be some sort of sign that he’s all into her (how does this man continue to attract the craziest of all women?). Amador’s aunt brings him in a report from a private investigator. Amador opens the file…it is filled with addresses and phone numbers. He’s happy to have this information so he can now start to exact revenge. The scene ends up with him standing up from his wheelchair and his sneering face melds into that of the growling wolf. Bea tells Ed that she’s a little ticked because she saw him hugging and kissing Elsa the other day. Ed tells her that it was just a friendly hug and kiss (only on the cheek). He reminds her that she’s the only woman for him. Bea rembers that he and Elsa used to have a thing going on. Ed reminds her that’s in the past and she’s his wife now and again tells her that she’s the only woman for him. Elsa confesses to her mother that she’s confused about how she felt when she was with Ed the other day. Her mother tells her that she’s no business even going there. Elsa made her choice, picking Nelson over Ed….even leaving Ed at the altar. Luisa tells her daughter to let Ed and Bea live in peace….Bea is a nice person, she’s been like a sister to Elsa. Elsa is upset that her mother is sticking up for Bea. Juanmi arrives at Ana Julia’s apartment. She invites him in after he prompts her (she was all aflutter at seeing him, she forgot to lure him in). She tells him how handsome he looks and how she missed him. He says how much he wanted to see her. She’s happy to hear his words and fishes for a compliment from him regarding how good she looks. He misses taking the bait and tells her again how important it was for him to come and see her, she’s his only hope. AJ is just eating this all up, but then her mood takes a nose dive when JM says that the reason he’s there is that AJ is the only person who can honestly tell him what’s going on with his beloved Marichuy. AJ turns away from JM and faces the camera…..if looks could kill and MC were to be in the room, well let’s just say there would be a funeral being planned. END OF EPISODE

Labels: Cuidado

Sapo is holding DB and Santos at gunpoint. She tells Santos to get away but of course, he won't leave. Sapo knocks DB out.

Back at the jefetura, Antonio tries to think of some good reason to tell the Inspector why Marisela is handcuffed to a chair.

Sapo ties up DB and Santos.

Both Santos and DB tell Sapo to kill them and spare the other. He says that he will kill them both.

Tigre tells the Inspector that Marisela was locked up so that she wouldn't go after Santos. When he returns to where Antonio and Marisela are, the Inspector demands to know what is going on.

The terneras and their menfolk criticize Pajarote for leaving Santos alone. Gervasia says that it is too bad that the guys are so such bad fighters with their fists (puños). Cósme agrees and pulls out some pistols.

The Inspector tells Antonio that it looks like he is in a conspiracy to obstruct justice. He asks Marisela to tell him where DB is. He says that if Sapo finds her and Santos before they do, she could die. Marisela says nothing.

Sapo tells DB that he will open Santos' veins and let him bleed to death in front of her. Then he will kill her. She repeats that she will kill him. He says that he took everything from DB: her boyfriend Asdrubal, her father, Eustaquia and Melquíades. He says that he was responsible for her losing her baby. Now he will kill the love of her life and then for dessert he will rape and cut Marisela's throat.

This gets Santos mad and Sapo mocks Santos as the 'peacemaker of the Arauca'.

The Inspector suggests that there is no need for Marisela to be handcuffed. Antonio releases her warning her that the Inspector wants her to lead him to where Santos is.

While Sapo is mocking Santos for sleeping with DB and her daughter, DB manages to get out one of the poison darts that Melquíades gave her. Then she insults Sapo's manhood and dares him to show her that he can still do his business with a woman.

Pernalete and Mujica decline to leave the hotel to find out what is going on. Josefa calls them cowards and girly men ('poco hombres'). Mujica and Pernalate agree with her. They are cowards but they are alive and well.

The terneras' men arrive at the jefetura. Antonio invites everyone to join him in the bar for a drink. The Inspector follows after them.

DB's taunting of Sapo has the desired effect. He gets close enough for her to stab him with the poison dart. He keels over.

Don Encarnación asks why Cecilia is being so nice to him after all he has done to her. She tells him that she is a person who likes to be surrounded by her family. She says that although she lost most of her family when she was very young, she has, through her relationship with Antonio, has managed to create a new family. She would like DE to be a part of that family. DE agrees and they hug each other.

DB tells Santos that Sapo is only asleep. Santos tells her to get away before the police come. Once DB gets herself loose, she refuses to untie Santos. She says that he would only try and prevent her from doing what she has to do. She says that he has always called her a monster. Now he will see the most monstrous thing in his life. She says that Sapo has to suffer before he dies for all the people Sapo has taken away from her but especially for the baby that would have brought Santos back to her.

Everyone in the hotel is playing 'distract the Inspector'. First Mujica tries to get the Inspector drunk.

Marisela goes into the ladies room and escapes through the window.

DB ties Sapo to a metal filigree screen. Then she manages to find some neatly cut firewood and puts it at Sapo's feet. She tells Santos that she loved the way he fought against his inner demons. She loved him for his defects and virtues but he could never accept her dark side. He only loved the woman she made up so that he wouldn't leave her. She wakes Sapo up and tells him that the time has come for him to pay for his crimes. He sees the wood at his feet and asks what she is going to do. "What do you think?" she answers.

Santos begs her not to do it. Sapo asks her to forgive him. DB tells him that she promised him the worst of deaths and she is going to fulfill her promise. She will send him from hell in life to hell in death. "If you ever loved me, don't do this," says Santos. DB says that she will always love Santos but she has to do this to be free.

When Mujica passes out, Federica and Josefa take over the job of distracting the Inspector. Tardily, the Inspector realizes that everyone is gone. He accuses Josefa and Federica of tricking him ('tomando el pelo,' literally, 'grabbing his hair,') and leaves the bar.

Santos tells DB that killing Sapo won't make her happy or give her peace. He goes on in this vein until DB gags him.

After leaving the bar, Marisela apparently doesn't encounter any of the men who are in Progresso. She rouses the folks at Melesio's house and she, Melesio and some of the terneras go back to town to find Santos.

Sapo begs for his life and when DB denies him that he begs for a quick death but she reminds of what she suffered at his hands when he raped her. She lights the fire.

Sapo screams while DB stands there impassively and Santos yells behind his gag.

Someone comes to the jefetura to report that shots have been heard at the cemetery. The Inspector accuses the totally innocent Acosta of hiding this information from him.

After Sapo is dead, DB is surprised that she doesn't feel anything. She says that she doesn't feel free. She doesn't feel any guilt or remorse and she isn't any more tranquil or worried than before. She wonders if she is dead, too. She says goodbye to Santos, telling him that she will come back for him and they will go far away and live happily together forever. She tells him to wait for her and leaves.

Labels: barbara