Caray, Caray!

Quite an episode tonight. Party was a bit grim until the Hare Krishnas got there (never thought I'd be writing THAT in a sentence) but all is well with Susana and Dandy now. They're in a blissful alternate universe. Everybody else is still circling their respective drains, but the evening ends with Rafa arriving and Alejandra freezing. And Marino? He's gotta be choking but we don't get to see that until tomorrow.

So how did we get to this dramatic final confrontation? Marcos, put wise by relationship counselor Chavez, has changed his mind and has offered to go with Alejandra to the party. She still wants Susana to come along as well.

Random scene. Sketchy guy at the cantina putting the moves on the romantic but gullible owner. Moving on. Back to to Auto Siglos where a bereft Dandy has his head on the desk, disconsolately waving an incense stick.

Now on to the party which is not starting well. Bebe arrives with his wife. Then Rosaura, with her husband Gabriel who appears to have a giant pole up his nether regions, swans in. And it only gets worse. Now Claudia enters with a random galan who has his eye on her hindquarters the entire time. A lot of kvetching from Gabriel about the absence of whiskey. He can't be expected to drink cheap tequila or rum. That's for po' folks. Ramiro Ay Dios Mio! is bullied into paying for 12 year old whisky with the money for his kids' school tuition. When he's not being pushed around by the guests, his wife is yelling at him from the bedroom. Truly painful.

Almost as painful a scene at Rafa's house. His family, plus Jaime, just can't understand why he'd go back to Auto Siglo and that woman who treated him so badly. He explains how Doña Arcadio, with a presence like the Queen of England, persuaded him to come back...and not only with more money but a promotion! What's not to like? Fine. But screw up your courage to break the news to Vicky!

Our dismal party goes from bad to worse. Marion arrives and it's time for the group to make insinuations about his bromance with Ramirez. The "general," complete with camoflage cap, has brought an exotic looking Cuban poet, puts on some music, and even Bebe's wife starts to shake and bake a little. But all that does is get more yelling from Señora Ramirez whose only duty as hostess is to scream at her husband from the bedroom. Now even a downstairs neighbor is complaining.

If you think it gets better when Alejandra, Marcos and Susana arrive....think again. Only plus is now Gabriel has someone of "his altura" ( standing) to converse with. He and Marcos start comparing family trees, business acquaintances, and general BS about their investments etc. The General isn't fooled and knows those guys don't have a dime to their snooty names. The poet starts spouting verse. In other words, the party's a complete dud.

Back at Rafa's....equally dirge-like. Vicky has arrived, pounding on the door Gestapo style as usual. Now she's hellbent on taking a photo of Rafa with his sales trophy. And only in the bedroom, mind you. And only on the bed, with the trophy in between her and Rafa, and with a little besito thrown in for good measure. Take that Alejandra! Rafa drops his bomb. No need for a photo. He's going back to Auto Siglo. Just kill me now!

After the ad, Vicky is "decompensating". Talking about herself in the third person. Vicky didn't hear right. Vicky is upset. Vicky is confused. (VICKY VICKY VICKY IS CRAZY, VERDAD?)

Well, heck, let's mosey back to the party. Ramiro makes a gentle attempt to reconcile Susana to Dandy with no success. But then Bebe steps in. There's a guy she can trust. So she listens. Meanwhile, the party is dying on the vine. Ramiro is sent out for more whisky and effectively loses the rest of his kids' tuition money. Claudia has left with the first beau, done God knows what, and returned with a second beau, looking fresh as a daisy. The poet is in full throttle now, spouting Blood, Blood, Fluids, Blood, Modesty, Death Rattle, Blood, Blood, BLOOD!!!! Okay, great way to liven up the evening. More bitching from Señora Ramiro and who can blame her?

Miss Vicky's not happy either. Rafa is talking a mile a minute, reminding her of all the awful things Alejandra has done to him. So why is she worried? Well she is. And she'll just have to kill herself I guess. Prepare to see the Cadaver of Vicky. She makes a grand exit but alas, we know she'll be back.

Gabriel would like to exit also. He has a big day tomorrow taking the kids to work while his wife earns a pittance at Auto Siglo. Marcos is likewise ready to vamoose. He and Alejandra bicker a bit about Rafa. She says he's always been forthright about paying back the debt; Marcos claims he's tried to weasel out of it and that's why Marcos been tracking him down. And while we're on the subject, why not take some time off before looking for more work? And in a different area...forget this car business.

Similar arguments at Rafa's house. His group is nagging him about Alejandra's shabby treatment and encouraging him to treat her with contempt when he's back at Auto Siglo and on top of things. Dang! you mean we're not going to have love in bloom right away? Give us just a little sugar please. It's been a long dry spell since Puerto Vallarta.

Okay! The party's cooking now. Doorbell rings (shrieks from Señora Ramiro) and in wafts Dandy, holding a Hindu statuette and surrounded by exuberant Hare Krishnas. The chanting is contagious. Everybody's into it and Dandy has a great head bob going. Susana is smiling and weeping, and glowing and basking and it's just a delightful scene. Best of the evening. They hold hands while the rest of the folk dance under their arms and chant like crazy. Everybody's having a blast but Gabriel (what next!? a Buddha!) and Señora Ramiro. Douse that wretched music (which Nelson describes as Mariachis from India...works for me.) Now Dandy's down on his knees asking forgiveness. Marino is shrieking at him to never kneel before a woman but our Auto Siglo bully is invisible and inaudible.

Only two people exist. Susana and Nelson. In their own blissful world. Naught else matters. Let's just abide here a moment and enjoy this. 'Cause not much else is fun in this party. They kiss. Little ones. Tender ones. And then to cries of Beso Beso Beso, they really kiss. Deep ones. Thorough ones. Passionate ones. Ay yi yi. The camera pans now to Alejandra's face, pained, nostalgic and lonely, remembering her own impassioned kisses on the beach.

In the midst of this, a very drunken Rosauro is dragged off by her husband. Lip curl by the General. So this is marriage...being dragged off by the ear by a spouse!? But Claudia counsels Susana to hang on to that veil once she gets it in her hands. Does Susana hear any of this? Heck no. She's still in her blissful alternate universe and Dandy is right there with her. Sweet scene.

Jealous scene at their elbows though. Marino is aghast at the time Ramirez is spending talking book publishing with the Cuban poet. It's another version of the business BS that Marcos and Gabriel were spouting. Silence falls as Alejandra Alvarez del Castillo is about to say farewell. Poet is entranced. Decides the best goodbye would be a poem from him. From his er..erotic period. And so we begin.... Anxious lips are running over her generous thighs and beautiful breasts. A volcano of desire erupting! Yikes...no, it's Marcos erupting! All over the poet and them some. Blows, pummeling, shrieks, cries of "Sexual Maniac." Hey, this party's picking up.

Not really. The guests all depart suddenly...leaving poor Ramiro to pick up the mess, ignore his wife's nagging, worry about all the tuition money he spent on the whisky and vow to never, never, ever, throw a party again.

Marcos and Alejandra arrive home. They discuss the scene at the party and she reminds him that if their relationship is going to work, they have to forget the ghosts of the past (think Medina) and certainly that drunken poet. She gives him the keys to the car and several affectionate kisses. But as soon as he's out the door, she admits to herself that the kisses were forced and without feeling. Forget 'im, Alejandra.

Next morning. A sunny Jorge, fetching Rubi and glum Rosario are all at the breakfast table. Marcos is enlisting their help is steering Ale away from future work in the car business. They promise to support him. Heck, Jorge will take care of that delinquent Medina if he ever bothers her again. Ale appears in a sharp looking low-cut gray dress (not a patch on Rubi's low-cut outfit...but still) . She's looking good for her last day at Auto Siglos. They seem to be heading off to work.

Where Rafa would like to be. If he could just fend off Vicky. Our bipolar babe is now armed with a baseball bat. She wants Rafa to club her to death and put her out of her misery. Julieta looks like she might be willing to help. Jaime too. Well, Rafa has a choice. He can take the photo of the trophy and wave it in Ale's face; or beat Vicky to death. Hmmm. Tough choice.

Whoops. Marcos and Ale haven't left yet. The mail arrives and there's a legal letter concerning the tax debt on the house. It hasn't been paid in years. Doesn't Marcos handle that? Nosireee. Just the hacienda. Jorge? Sure, I paid it. In 1947. Or was it '53? No, '58. Is there a problem? he adds, clutching his heart. Noooooo, wheezes Mrcos. I'll check on it. Fine. Jorge heads off for a stroll around the neighborhood park with Miss Rubi (cue a sour look from Rosario) and Marcos and Ale finally leave for work.

It's the usual chaos in the salesroom. Ramirez is working on Marino's acceptance speech. (He spent the night at Marino's since he left his keys at home and didn't dare wake up his mom). An anxious Ramiro is trying to get his whisky money back but all he gets is a face full of saliva from Marino. Rosaura is another letdown. With her terrible hangover, she completely forgot to bring poor Ramiro the money.

Suddenly the room brightens. Susana floats in. Dandy has brought her a basket full of sweet exotic fruit (like you, my love!) for her lunch. Blissful yearning looks, memories of sweet kisses, dreams of more to come. Hubba hubba.

Mood darkens when Alejandra arrives and finds her office locked. She's not going to put up with this third-rate humiliating treatment! And what will she do, where will she stand when she enters the room of the salespeople? No! this is unbearable!

Marino makes his way toward the assembly room, the way clearing for him like the parting of the Red Sea. Royal music in the background. Gloating toothpick chewing schlump! Can't wait to see him get his comeuppance.

Alejandra stands hesitantly in the back of the room. But Beltran motions to her to come forward to her usual spot at the front. And begins his ponderous speech about restructuring the department, taking into account the advice of the sales staff (GRACIAS crows Ramirez), bringing on board someone with experience, not necessarily a degree, a colleague (Marino is practically having an orgasm at this point), someone you all know, and now we have him with us again......el señor Rafael Medina.

Ale: stunned look
Rafa: grim look
Marino: dang! we don't get to see his face. But we'll look forward to it tomorrow night.

Previews:
More tantrums by Vicky. Sigh.

Vocabulary:

1. zas! -smack! boom! just like that!
1. trapear el piso conmigo = wipe the floor with me (something Rafa's not going to let Ale do anymore
3. ligotes de oro = gold ingots (what Ramiro doesn't have)
4. una cuba bien sudada = (I'm guessing here.. cuba means flask but in this case, partygoer seemed to be talking about a frosty glass or frosty mug of something
5. hacer acto de presencia = put in an appearance (what Gabriel deigned to do at the party)
6. no tener en que caerse muertos = to not have a pot to piss in, to be broke
7. la persona indicada = the right person (usually said in the negative)
8. gremio =profession, trade, (Marcos wants Ale to change her field of work)
9. los pelones no chupan? (Ramiro asking if the Hare Krishnas (bald guys) don't drink)
10. tequila raposito = shabby, cheap tequila
11. echarse flores = pay compliments (Jorge with Rubi)
12. me cuesta trabajo darle besos (Ale musing that it's "work" to try and kiss Marcos)
13. garrotazos = blows with a club (what Vicky wants Rafa to give her. yeah...right)
14. matadero = slaughterhouse (Vicky warming to her violent subject)
15. estertor = death rattle (remember that wretched poem?)

Dicho of the Day (I stole this dicho from Kat's Mujeres recap this week)

Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr. Let it go. (What Vicky will never do!)

Labels: dinero

We open with the dramatic scene: Enrique is on the floor unconscious or dead; everyone is standing around in shock. Jade has Ali's servant, Achmed, who will play an important role later, go for a doctor. Said remarks to Abdul that Lucas told him that Enrique had not been well. Zoraida kneels down next to Lucas and says,
Huye, Lucas, huye de aquí. ('Huye' is the imperative of 'huir' meaning 'to flee.')
Get away, Lucas, get away from here. Lucas replies that he can't leave Enrique. Ali determines that Enrique is alive. They take him upstairs.

Dora suggests to Osvaldo that they get married before Daniel returns. That way Osvaldo will be established in the house when Daniel comes home. Osvaldo is fine with that until Dora wants him to pony up some money for a wedding reception/party. He tells her that he is in debt and they should postpone the party. Dora agrees but tells him not to keep her waiting too long.

The Naz comes into the bar and Osvaldo tells Dora that he needs to be alone with her ahora mismo (right now). The Naz says to herself that she won't let Osvaldo leave her así nomás (just like that). At the very least, she will be his second wife.


The doctor says that Enrique is going to be ok.
Le cayó mal algo que bebió.
Something he drank didn't agree with him (literally, didn't like him), says Ali. Lucas asks if he could have drunk some alcohol and Ali replies that his religion prohibits the taking of alcohol so it isn't served in his house. Enrique can sleep whatever it was off at Ali's house and Lucas can return to his hotel. It's too bad that Enrique's brain is not available because Lucas' brain is definitely not working. Zoraida warns him again to leave by the kitchen door without anyone seeing him and Lucas doesn't pay any attention. He goes right back down to the sala where Said says that his men will escort Lucas back to his hotel. The extremely ominous music plays.
Lucas, que llegues con bien a tu destino.
Lucas, may you arrive safely at your destination, says Said. This has to be a double entendre: 'destino' means both 'destination' and 'destiny or fate'. Lucas leaves followed by a gaggle of Said's men. At the last moment, Jade sends Achmed after them telling him not to let anything bad happen to Lucas.

Said drags Jade off and tells her to cry out in fear for her lover in front of her family making them the four witnesses. [I guess that was Said's plan. He was going to drug Lucas and hope that Jade would betray herself in front of everyone. It probably would have worked, too.]

The exciting adventure of Lucas in the medina (I have compressed the various scenes)-
Even the dimwitted Lucas finally realizes that his escort is out to get him. He climbs up to the roofs and proceeds to jump from roof to roof. Unfortunately, he misses once and falls to the ground injured. The evil guys are moving in for the kill when Achmed appears and shoos them off.


Clara tells Carolina about Alicia putting the moves on Escobar. Carolina suggests that Clara invite Alicia to dinner.
Al enemigo hay que sentarlo en la misma mesa, para saber cómo come.
You have to sit down at the same table with your enemy to know how he eats.
Carolina says that she'll come to the dinner also to help out. Clara agrees.
Así la podemos ahuyentar más facil.
That way, we can drive her away (this verb is from the same root as 'huir' above) more easily, she says. Carolina is concerned that she hasn't heard from Enrique.

Jade is concerned that neither Achmed nor Said's men have returned. She wants Zoraida to call the hotel. Ali comes in and says that he is glad that everything turned out ok. Jade and Zoraida don't agree. Zoraida tells him that she saw Said put something in Lucas' glass. But it turns out that she didn't really see it. She believed that was what he was doing. Ali thinks that because Jade and Zoraida believed that Said was going to harm Lucas, they were predisposed to see things that didn't really happen. When Jade expresses concern about Said's men escorting Lucas, Ali says that Said wouldn't harm Lucas in Ali's house and that protection extends to the streets that connect to his house.

Said tells Ali that he is taking a second wife. Ali says that he won't oppose it. Ali tells Abdul that his lack of enthusiasm about Said taking a second wife is because he believes no man should have more than one wife.

Zoraida reports that Lucas has not returned to the hotel. Ali finds Jade and Zoraida hanging around the front door and tells Jade that it isn't good for a woman to show affection for a man who isn't her husband.

Said tells Jade to go to bed. She reminds him that he was going to give her his decision about her fate after dinner. Said tells her again to go to bed. Then he calls Marisa. He tells her that he wants to meet her and get to know her better when he returns to Miami.
Cayó el arabe.
The Arab has fallen, says Marisa.
Lo voy a hacer sufrir como él me ha hecho sufrir a mí.
I'm going to make him suffer the way he made me suffer, says Said.
[Probably not since Lucas couldn't care less about who Marisa sleeps with.]

Marisa stops in to see Nati. Nati says that Marisa looks risueña, alegre, contenta (smiling, happy, content) [like a cat that has just killed something]. Nati asks if Marisa has heard from Lucas. She says that he is probably in Morocco. Nati asks if they will separate. Marisa replies that she doesn't think she will ever make Lucas a free man. She asks about Nati's boyfriend. She compliments Nati on her appearance. Nati replies that her boyfriend doesn't care about her makeup. Marisa tells her that it's never that way in the beginning but later he will compare her to other women and it's better if she makes an effort to be pretty. Nati suggests inviting him to dinner the next day. Marisa is agreeable.


Achmed returns to Ali's house and announces that Lucas is in the hospital.

It's the next morning. Ali tells Jade that he can't understand how Lucas ended up falling off a roof. Jade suggests that Said's men beat him up and made it look like he fell off a roof. Ali replies that the doctors can tell the difference between injuries caused by a beating and by a fall. Ali goes on to say that whatever happened it was Jade's fault for trying to change her destiny. Zoraida reports that Said went out with Jadiyah.

Said is out meeting the father of his proposed second wife.

Ali tells Jade that Said is going to marry again. Jade replies that she hopes that Said falls in love with the woman and that he will finally give her a divorce. Ali says that Said might give her a divorce but he won't give her Jadiyah. Jade doesn't seem to have even the Wikipedia level of knowledge about family law in Muslim countries. She says that Jadiyah isn't a baby. She can choose where she wants to live. Ali replies that Jadiyah is part of Said's family now and Jade has no rights over her. Jade announces defiantly that she won't let anyone take Jadiyah from her and stalks off. Ali says that he hopes Allah will help her because he won't be able to.

[This is what makes Jade such an unsympathetic character to me. Not only does she not think about the legal consequences of her actions, she doesn't appear to care about what Jadiyah is going to feel about this. It's always only about her great undying love for Lucas!!! Rant over.]

Enrique wakes up and has no idea what happened or where he is.


The news about Lucas' accident reaches Miami but Leo hasn't arrived at work. Carolina decides to call Roberto to give Leo the news.

Nati and Andrea are working out the guest list for the dinner party. The deluded duo who think that this is going to go well decide to have Andrea and Fernando in addition to Nati's family and Alej. Nati says that they should have Alej bring a friend
para que no se sienta contra el paredón
so that he doesn't feel like he is in front of a firing squad (literally, in front of a thick wall). Andrea asks Nati whether she should tell her mother Alej's identity beforehand. Nati says no. If she did that Marisa would cancel everything. This way it will be a surprise and neither Marisa and Leo can be bad mannered (maleducado) [really??], they will talk to Alej and find out what a nice guy he is. Rosa comes in to get the guest count and observes that she has never taken a phone call for Nati from the mysterious boyfriend. Nati replies that he texts and calls her on her cell. [Hellooo! I don't think teenagers know how to use land lines.]

Nati tells Alej that tonight is his official presentation in her house. He is dubious and suggests that they wait. Nati wants to get it over with so that they don't have to hide any more. She suggests that Alej bring a friend.


Alej tells Pablo that he can't let him down. He doesn't want to go to that house feeling like a fish out of water (una mosca en leche, literally, a fly in milk). Pablo agrees to go.

Gloria is concerned about the relationship. She is afraid that Alej will lose his job. Alej says that he appreciates her support but he is an adult and he loves Natalia and won't let his family interfere with his personal life.

Ali fills Enrique in on what happened with Lucas. Enrique tells Ali that he doesn't know what happened to him. Ali ask if Enrique brought alcohol into his house. Enrique denies it but Ali seems to have made up his mind about what happened to him. Said returns and tells Jade that he has contracted to take a second wife and they will marry at the end of the month. Ali asks if Jade approves and she gives her consent.

[I am not even going to waste my time describing yet another Cristina/Leo/other woman encounter. Suffice to say that the reason no one can reach Leo when his other son is in trouble is that he is with a woman.]

Likewise, when Mohamed gets the news about Said's second marriage, Latifa is upset and once again makes Mohamed swear that he will never take a second wife.

Nazira also has a predictable reaction- She tells Amin and Zamira that her brothers can marry as many times as they like but poor Nazira has to stay single. She vows that they will pay with interest (con creces, from crecer, to grow) for what they did to her. She goes outside, summons Ramoncito and gives him a note to bring to Dora.

May peace be with you, good woman. I want to talk about our Osvaldo. 'Our Osvaldo?' says Dora, confused.


Karla tries to make nice with Alej but he isn't interested and has to go to his dinner.

The big moment arrives. Nati comes in with Pablo and Alej. Marisa heads straight for Pablo and introduces herself. Nati says that her boyfriend is Alej, not Pablo. Marisa is impactada and not in a good way. I guess Leo is still calling AAA about his flat tires because he doesn't seem to be there.

Labels: clon

Good morning Ganchodores. Club Gancho is once again open for comments, reminiscences, and frivolity. Here's a playful picture of Ximena, just one of the many attractions of our happy little show.

Yesterday was Bonnie Belle's birthday.
She celebrated it quietly with a few close friends.

I hope all of you are now getting to enjoy the Spring at last. It is glorious here in Texas. Everything is blooming and the really hot days have yet to arrive, though there are already hints of Summer in the air.

Finally, a shot of downtown Isla Mujeres... nightlife.


Sit down, have a shot of Tequila, and relax a bit.

Carlos

Labels: gancho

We start off with flashbacks of pretty much all that happened last episode. It was a pretty charged one, wasn’t it?

Finally someone other than Clemencia shows they have a brain. Noel now knows Juan’s “secret”. Sike. After all those hints Juan kept dropping I'm surprised it took him this long! In any case Noel looks distraught at the thought that his little Juan, the one he almost adopted as the family pet is now planning something so evil. He is of course, speaking in that wonderful voice of his, trying to dissuade Juan. Juan's face is carved in stone.

Jimena storms into the finca looking for Regina. Where is the Butler around here? Leonarda bumps into her. "What are you doing here?" "Looking for Regina. I need to speak with her!" The way she looks and speaks, you'd think its life or death. Nonchalantly, Leo tells her that Regina is not home. Jimena looks close to tears. She tries grabbing Leo’s hand for a hand-reading and stupid fool that Leo is, she sits down to listen. At least Jimena isn’t feeding her a bunch of bull like her aunt.

Dramatically she hovers over her blood stained hand. “The past is coming back. It’s a past you’ve wanted to hide, but now its returning stronger than ever.”

Oh my, I think Leo is going to have another desmayo (fainting spell).

Juan and Noel are still discussing Juan’s plans. Juan says he swore to his father he would avenge his death and all the evil los Montes de Ocas have done to them. This is the first time I hear of this! -snorts-. He did so at his poor father's deathbed. Deathbed promises are sacred right? Juan explains how he went from total-revenge-everyone-dies to no-revenge-at-all-I'm-leaving-with-my-ponytail-between-my-legs to I-will-only-harm-evil-ones. Noel cheers up a bit at that since, well, he isn't one of the bad guys right?

“Do not get in my way and don’t worry about me, I'm not that child anymore. I still see you as a good man even if you hang with them Montes de Oca.” Noel doesn’t know what to reply.

Leonarda tells Jimena to leave after her dire warning. Aimee walks in and she complains about how bored she is alone all the time -huge eye-roll- as Leo tries to kick Jimena out. Jimena hugs Aimee (I hope Aimee’s evilness is not contagious). Jimena tells Aimee she needs advice. Aimee fans herself and smirks.

“I have a love problem…”

Rosenda is at Rodrigo’s townhouse begging him to please, pretty please with sugar on top let her move in with him. “I will be your most loyal servant.” -coughs- yeah right -coughs-. Her bosom is quivering. Rod as usual looks annoyed as he does pretty much all the time. Impossible, he says. Leo wouldn’t allow me. She says oh but I slept with you. He says no way you were the one who threw yourself at me, and here is a shiny coin so you can buy something pretty, go away. What an asshole.

Oh crap, Leonarda decides to visit Rod at that exact moment while Rosenda is still in his chamber. What to do now?

“Do not touch anything,” he warns and goes downstairs. She fumes. Incredible, he thinks I'm a thief? lol

While she waits for the love of her life, Leo asks his housekeeper if he ever receives visits… from girls. Before the poor girl can stutter any further, Rod walks down the stairs and Leo immediately starts complaining about Regina and asks him to marry her off ASAP! Rod looks slightly happy and proudly lets her know Federico just purchased the engagement ring (didn’t Rod sign for it?). Leo looks relieved.

Meanwhile, Clemencia for some reason is telling Regina that Juan was at the finca years ago, but that the rest is Juan’s story to tell. Regina is frustrated as usual with her cryptic responses. I would be too!

Back at the townhouse, Leo cackles and giggles. “Oh I’m so happy!” They speak of planning an intimate party for the engagement Rod concedes he will make an exception for Renato, even though he is still pissed at him. Those two deserve each other. Leonarda gives him a lingering kiss on the cheek and pustules on the pleasures of visiting him even after he not so subtly kicks her out.

Aimee is giving Jimena some really bad advice. Jimena says she doesn’t want Gabriel to suffer. “The worse you treat men, the more they love you. All men deserve to suffer. Use them for your purposes. You’re all that counts. It was Branco’s idea to pursue you, it’s his problem.” What. A. Bitch.

Remigio is notifying Juan that the casino is going to close down. He is upset because he won’t see Malu (Lulu) the cook (lady of the night) anymore. He’s only seen her once but he says he will certainly die.

The girls and Madame Marlene are crying and moaning. In my opinion MM is being too nice to Fifi. They all have something to say about how sad they are. It is actually pretty sad.

In the caves, Federico is gleefully informing Don Fulgencio that he is going to get his money back from the casino or he is going to throw Fifi in jail. Servando raises his enormous eyebrows in the background. Fulgencio says wow, that is amazing, what if I buy the casino from you and I’ll give you double its price? No Federico, don’t do it! Oh well, who cares, he is a bastard.

Rodrigo is back in his room with Rosenda after dealing with Leonarda. “Your mother stole from me before, you know. That’s why she left you and your father.” Wow, break it to her gently won’t you. Rosenda is crying. She did not know this. “She forgot everything, even that she had a daughter.” Poor Rosenda is now going back to Leonarda with her hopes dashed and with the heartache of knowing more about what her mother did. I would feel sorry for her if she wasn't such a double-crosser.

The aforementioned bad mother is in church praying to the virgin pleading for an opportunity to tell her daughter she is indeed her evil mother. Because that is going to go so well.

Rosenda runs into Madame Marlene as she exits the church. MM notices she is crying and asks her if she can be of assistance. Rosenda tells her that she just found out her mother was a whorish thief who left her without looking back. MM says she is also a mother and she wants to tell her her sad story, which Rosenda doesn’t want to hear. Duh.

Sexiness alert:

Jimena somehow found a hot spring the exact size for her to lounge in with a bunch of colorful flowers, strategically placed for “modesty”. She’s wondering what to do about the two guys that love her. Oh, to have such a horrible problem. Gabriel looks down from the over side and whoazers, I think Gabriel just had the peep show of his life. Hahaha, he is stumbling about covering his eyes apologizing and Jimena giggles. She couldn’t have planned that better, lol.

Jimena is wrapped up in some white cloth and Gabriel is still embarrassed as hell. “For God’s sakes Jimena, put some clothes on.” -giggles- He is done stuttering and demands to know what is her relationship with Branco. Jeez, aren’t you just her “friend”. Jimena claims their relationship is purely professional. “Is he your friend or something else?”

“Why do you ask me that?” good question! “Has he kissed you?” “It’s none of your business, you have no right to tell me what to do, you only love Estrella.”

Oh snap!

Branco appears out of the blue, almost scaring me. Was he stalking her? Branko tells Gabriel Jimena doesn’t want to be his “friend” anymore. Jimena also asks him to leave, that they will talk later. Poor Gabriel. “I swear I will return to clear all this up, no matter what.”

-fans face-

Jimena doesn’t look too happy and Branko is ogling her.

Leonarda is talking smack to Jimena. Jimena claims she’s been the perfect servant. Puhleeez. Leo explains she’s giving her a second chance as she mentions Regina’s impending funeral, I mean, wedding. Poor girl, how will Juan save her?

It is now nighttime, apparently. In the casino, Fulgencio and Federico are gossiping like old ladies and smelling the pesos they are about to steal. Juan is here, yay! He looks so handsome all dressed up, although shirtless is not a bad outfit either, tehee. Noel sits next to him and Rodrigo has a hissy fit about it. "Don't you care about the dignity of the los Montes de Oca fammily?" No he doesn't, shut up and have another heart attack horny old man.

Juan and Noel chat about Juan’s life. He has a boat named Luzbel and likes to fish like his father. Noel gazes at him like an indulgent father. Juan excuses himself, he needs to talk to Madame.

Regina and Aimee cross paths in the finca and she lets Aimee know the jig is up. “Ruin your life, do whatever you want. I’m tired of all this. My confessor told me its best to tell the truth and you are on your own now!”

-bites fingernails-

In MM’s office, she tearfully (as usual) notifies Juan she can’t allow Fifi be thrown in jail so she has decided to turn in the casino and leave with her pupils before a big scandal blows up in their faces anyway. Juan offers her a loan. We can’t let that upstart, Fed get away with this. She hesitates for a second but then thrills that he has saved them all! Yay Juan! He then tells her he needs to go.

The fishermen are having a ceremony for Pedro, all wearing white and praying to la virgin del Carmen for Pedro’s safe return. Juan appears. Wow that was quick, I guess the casino must be like next door to the beach... Alas! It’s a miracle. He has washed ashore in a boat. Is it the same boat they used in the first place? Where was he? How did he figure exactly where to land? How did he fix or get that boat? Why doesn’t he look as sick as the other two were when they were rescued? Very anti-climatic. In any case, it’s a miracle. Pedro sobs and hugs everyone. Awww, I guess.

Aimee and Regina continue arguing about Regina’s epiphany. “You can’t leave me now! Please, I need you! You lead me away from temptation. Please don’t say anything, think of Renato.” Oh, dirty and low blow. Aimee cries that she will change her sinful ways. “I love Renato. It’s Renato, I swear, I swear!” Buuuuullllsh*t!! Regina doesn’t believe her while Aimee continues spouting nonsense.

“Do you swear?” asks Reg. Aimee claims its Juan who keeps pursuing her. I’m seriously going to puke. “If you say anything, Renato will end up killing me and he will end up in prison for the end of his life. Is that what you want?!” Damn, you are great at guilting people into your bull, Aimee.

Everyone at the Casino is wondering where MM went. Even Rod mentions everyone looks tense. Fed smugly puffs his chest. "That's because something big is going to happen." Dramatically, Madame faces up to Federico along with her posse and announces the Casino will continue being hers. “Here is your money.” She slams a bag I'm guessing full of gold coins into his greedy girly hands. Ok so Juan is at the beach, when did he send over the bag of money? Everyone who is his friend or works for him is at the beach praying for Pedro.

At his townhouse Juan raves about how he is sure la virgin brought Pedro back to them while Gabe daydreams about Jimena. I think he only listens to half of what Juan ever says. “She is getting closer to Branko.” Tehehe. Juan points at him and and tells him he is jealous. He is smirking. Isn't it time someone told this knucklehead the truth?

The next day, I think, Juan is at the finca. “Please reconsider the reasons for your return,” Noel pleads. Juan lowers his head and says no, I can’t. You haven’t lived through what I have. They go back and forth about it. Flashback to the time Noel brought Juan to the finca and Renato was so nice to him. In the background, Renato is eavesdropping. Does no one respect privacy in this novela?

Renato jumps in, all happy to see the childhood friend he never got to have. “This time I will not reengage on my promise.” Leonarda also wanders in and almost pukes when she notices Juan and her son embracing. Noel stands next to her and says, "They are social equals." She scoffs, calling him an idiot. Noel takes a big breath and says the words all of us have been waiting for a while:

“He is no other than Juan de Dios Roman Montes de Oca. The son of your sister Maria del Rosario!”

End scene. End of episode.

AhHHH! And now I have to wait till Monday! Any upcoming scenes? Yes! Renato throwing a book, Ren crying, Renato and Juan facing off, Renato with a gun. Holy smokes. Can't wait!

Labels: salvaje

Congrats, folks, we’ve made it to 100! And we have officially covered six weeks worth of episodes in fifteen days. Give yourself a pat on the back for making it this far.

We have a lot of overhang from yesterday so I’ll spare you the leftovers and get to the new meal.

Beltran calls Rafa to ask him to a dinner meeting with a very important business executive. Rafa is anxious to get to the bank with Ale’s check but Beltran insists until Rafa agrees.

Ramriez finally makes his way into Ale’s office for his chat. Ale surprises Ramirez by asking about his book that he has yet to get published. “You can’t give it the time it deserves. How long have you been living in Marino’s shadow?” She is brutally honest with Ramirez and tells him he has not been a good salesman but he does have the potential to be a writer. “Finish your book and call an editor. All the employees will be able to say they had the honor to work for a great author.” Ramirez tears up and asks Ale to write a forward for his book; she thanks him but declines.

Once Ramirez leaves the office, Marino attacks him for being a traitor. Ramirez stands up for himself and won’t let Marino talk down to him. Susana comes to collect Marino but he refuses to talk to Ale. Ramirez talks some sense into Marino and convinces him to talk with Ale.

Rafa meets Beltran in a restaurant. Doña Arcadia joins them at the table but not before sizing Rafa up. She does not mince words. “We want you back at Autos Siglo. You can’t turn us down. Nobody ever tells me no.” Rafa stutters and claims he doesn’t want to return because of the disagreements with Ale. “No problem. We fired her and we did it for you.” Rafa is horrified he is the reason Ale was fired. Arcadia tells him not to feel guilty; he should be proud. “You return and she leaves. It’s the circle of life.”

Marino sits down with Ale. He is jubilant about her departure and is certain he will be her replacement. Things are going to change when she isn’t around. He is going to be better than she ever was because he has the experience, can get results, and bring money to the company. Ale puts her foot down. “You think you know everything about sales? What about profit projections for the month, quarter, or year? Can you tabulate the appropriate discounts to map out a price strategy? What about company economy? The inventory? Company stocks? You know nothing.”

Beltran says Ale caused a hostile environment in the Siglo. Rafa is sure he is better off at Clo Autos. Beltran finally admits he wants Rafa to be the new manager. Rafa is sure they’re playing a joke on him but Arcadia is not the joking type. Beltran gives Rafa the contract, which offers him Ale’s salary and commissions. Rafa is confused why they would think he could handle such an important job. Arcadia wants change in the company and believes Rafa can do it. She even offers to fire Beltran if Rafa wants his job. (Haha!)

Ale admits Marino is one of the best salesmen she has ever seen but his arrogance, ambition, and ego have gotten in the way of his performance. Marino calls Ale obsolete and mocks her. Ale stands her ground but still offers Marino a handshake at the end of their conversation. He rejects it and stalks out.

Rafa respectfully says he can’t be so irresponsible to except such a high profile position. “It wasn’t good business to fire Ale. It is not easy to find a woman like her. You need her. Business and the Siglo are in her blood; she knows them both so well. I am nothing more than a decent salesman.” After a little more persuading, Rafa agrees to accept their offer if Ale stays in the company. Arcadia guesses that Rafa is in love with Ale. Rafa avoids the topic.

Marino totes the fact that he didn’t shed a tear during his chat with Ale. He parades around like a king and rest of the employees dread the idea he could soon be the boss.

Beltran and Arcadia make Rafa swear not to tell anyone about their offer. Rafa promises and downs another tequila to celebrate. “I can’t believe it. I get to be near Ale again!” Rafa’s bubble quickly bursts when he notices the time. He has to get to the bank on the double if he doesn’t want an embargo on his house.

Chavez and Marco meet at a restaurant to discuss the Rafa problem. Marco is certain Rafa and Ale will never be together again. When the clock strikes 6:05, they get ready to attack.

Zetina is worried about being the only employee not called into Ale’s office. His worries turn out to be justified when Beltran orders Ale to fire him. Ale wishes Beltran would give Zetina a chance; she hates firing people and is starting to like the idea of leaving the Siglo.

Rafa gets back to Clo to tell Pepeto about the new offer he accepted at the Siglo. He isn’t looking forward to having to tell the bad news to Lic. Gomez.

Zetina finally gets called into Ale’s office. She refuses to let him close the door because of their previous encounter. Ale gives him his resignation letter. Zetina apologizes for his inappropriate behavior but that is not why he’s being fired; it’s for poor performance. Zetina pleads for a second chance but Ale says it was on Beltran’s orders. Pobre Zetina tries to plead his case to Beltran but no dice. He laments his situation to Ramirez, who tells him the only hope is to talk to the new manager. Zetina grovels to Marino but he has all the sympathy of a parking meter. (Poor guy should go take Rafa’s soon-to-be-empty spot at Clo Autos. At least they would be nicer.)

Rafa gets a nasty reaction out of Gomez when he says he has to quit. “Do want you want, Medina. If you want to go to hell, go. Don’t come crawling back when you realize you made the wrong decision.”

Ale and Susana start packing up Ale’s office; tomorrow she will train the replacement and then be out the door of the Siglo for good.

Bebe rallies the others employees to do something special for Ale. (Excluding Marino, of course.)

Monica is sad to see Rafa leaving Clo. She will miss Rafa and wishes there were more men like him in the world. They agree to be friends. Monica comes clean: she never called Ale or told her about Rafa’s feelings. “She is a very lucky woman.”

Ramiro gets a call from his wife and he stands up for himself once and for all. The employees all cheer him on. Later, Ramiro invites Ale and Susana to a little get-together at his apartment in Ale’s honor. They both respectfully decline. Dandy is depressed Susana won’t be there so he decides not to go either.

Rafa says his goodbyes to the Clo Crew but Marco ruins it when he shows up with the police. Marco demands to see Rafa’s boss. Rafa swears he has the money, with documented proof. Gomez tells Marco that Rafa no longer works for Clo. He doesn’t want the company involved in a scandal. Jaime arrives with the check but Marco wants cash. Marco backs off, however, when Rafa starts to call Ale to personally assure her he has the money.

Marino chews everyone out for having their fiesta booze delivered to the office. Ramiro and Generala get in an argument about the fiesta and Generala ends up accidentally slapping Rosaura instead of Ramiro.

Random: Dolores and her shady, overly affectionate friend Martin chat at the Trancazo. He paws the money in the register when she steps out but puts it back before she sees him.

Ale is crying in her office when Susana comes to cheer her up. Ale tries to convince Susana to go to the employee party with her.

Bebe gives Dandy some advice about getting on with his life. Marco and Chavez regroup at the restaurant about how to squash Rafa. Ale calls to ask Marco to go with her to the party. He claims to be too busy. Chavez does not approve.

Leonor is pacing around the house when Rafa gets home. He assures her that he is paid off for the month. Then Rafa drops the anvil: he quit working at Clo Autos.

Avances: Ale and Marco go to the party, Susana and Dandy kiss (!), and Vicky flips out when Rafa tells her he’s going to work at the Siglo again.

Labels: dinero

Said rips off Jade's robe thingy and her lie is exposed, as it were.

Said asks if she went to the market dressed like that. Jade doesn't answer. She runs up to her room with Said in pursuit. When she won't open the door, Said kicks it down. Abdul keeps Ali from interfering. Unwisely, in my opinion, Jade lies and says that she bought the outfit in the market to dance for Said. Said wants to know where her clothes are that she wore to the shop. Jade says that she gave them to a poor person.
Si me vas a mentir, vas a apprender a mentirme bien.
If you're going to lie to me, you are going to learn to lie well, says Said and wants to go to the shop where Jade supposedly bought the outfit. Jade refuses to go and Said accuses her of being with Lucas.
¿Bailaste para él ... como bailabas para mí?
You danced for him (once time, using the preterite) like you dance (many times in the past, using the imperfective) for me? asks Said. Jade denies it. Said says that Lucas is in Morocco and Jade knows it. He accuses her of planning with Lucas in the States to meet him here in Morocco.
He says that she is deceitful (falsa) and this time he won't be merciful. Said says that he himself will inflict the maximum punishment permitted:
¡Te voy a dar azotes hasta que mueras!
I will whip you until you die! He demands that she tell the truth and confess everything but Jade says that she has nothing to confess.
Entonces van a confesar los dos.
Then the both of you will confess, says Said and tells Jade that Lucas is coming to dinner at Ali's house tonight. He orders Jade to make herself pretty and dance for him and Lucas.

Said goes downstairs. Ali asks what is going on but Said only says that he has things to do and reminds Zoraida that there will be guests for dinner.

Jade begs Ali not to to let anything happen to Lucas.
Desafiaste a tu suerte, Jade.
You defied your luck, Jade, says Ali. He says that she brought the walls of the house down and sowed discord in the family. He tells her that he ignored his beliefs many times to protect her but she threw it all away.
Yo sólo quería ser feliz.
I only wanted to be happy, says Jade. She reminds him that he told her that Allah created human beings to be happy.
Pero Alá no manda a que seamos felices destruyendo la de los demás.
But Allah didn't command that we make ourselves happy by destroying others, retorts Ali. No one can be happy riding roughshod over (pisoteando la cabeza, literally, trampling the head of) other people. He asks if she thought about him, about Jadiyah or Latifa's children. Jade says that she never intended to harm anyone. Ali tells Jade that no one in Fez will unite their name to a house that is stained with shame (manchada por la vergüenza). His children, her child and Latifa's children will not be able to marry because what she did. He says that he covered up her wrongdoing (encubrí tus fechorías) only to protect the name of his family. He hoped that Allah would enlighten her but she rejected the hand that Allah extended. Jade asks what will happen to her.
Sea lo que sea que decida tu esposo.. Lo tienes bien merecido.
Whatever it is that your husband decides, you deserve it.

Jade tells Zoraida that her meeting with Lucas was destiny speaking. It returned Lucas and her pendant to her.

Roberto comes home to pick up some papers and finds Lucia in her dancing girl outfit, ready for love in the afternoon.

Clara walks into the lab where Alicia is stroking Escobar's hand. She is jealous. [I thought she was going to dump the jerk. She should put a bow on him and give him to Alicia.] Alicia tells Clara that she advising 'Raulito' on how to moisturize his hands. Clara warns that it's a slippery slope doing things for Raulito. If she's not careful, she'll end up ironing his clothes and making his meals.
A mí me encantaría.
I would love to, says Alicia, I like to serve people. Then she asks Raulito if he would like his 'special coffee'. Clara gives Raulito a look.

They start to have a fight about Alicia but Luisa comes in and we get confirmation that she and Albeiri are going to Cancun.

At the pool, Fernando [isn't he supposed to be doing his intern job?] asks Andrea where Nati is. Andrea tells him that Nati has a hot boyfriend (un súper mega re contra papacito, hello).

Nati takes Alejandro to the gym where she has a membership but never goes. He is impressed with the facilities. They run into Roberto. Nati introduces Alej as her boyfriend. Alej looks familiar to Roberto and Nati reminds Alej that Roberto was at the party for the Arabs. Nati says that she doesn't want to hide their relationship any longer.

Jade wants to try to warn Lucas but Zoraida tells her not to make the situation worse or Said will kill her and Lucas. She says that Ali will be at the dinner and Said respects him. Ali won't let Said do anything bad.

At their hotel, Lucas tells Enrique that if Said wants things this way, so be it. He believes the best thing is to meet Said face to face. Enrique thinks he is nuts. They are in Morocco. Messing with a married woman here is not the same as in the US. In Morocco, he could be jailed, whipped or killed. 'But Said knows the West,' says Lucas, 'You think that he still holds the same customs of his family?' [This is Lucas the stupid at his finest. With the possible consequences so severe, you might have thought about that ahead of time, boyo.] His stupidity is driving Enrique to drink but Lucas prevents him. He says that he needs Enrique to be sober tonight. [Between them, they might have half a brain.]

Said comes to see Jade. She says that she is afraid (tiene miedo) of him.
Haces bien en tenerlo.
You should (literally, you do well to have that (feeling)).

It's nice that Jadiyah, who is normally very sharp, seems to be totally unaware of what is going on. She is playing in the central fountain of the house when Ali comes to reason with Said. We rehash the penalties for bearing false witness and the four witness requirement for an adultery accusation. Furiously, Said asks Ali where Jade's four witnesses are: those who saw her buy the clothes; those that saw her give her clothes to a poor person. Watching from above, Jade asks Zoraida to get Said.

En route to Ali's house, Lucas tells Enrique that they don't have to say too long. He can say that Enrique isn't feeling well and leave.

Jade tells Said that she wants to confess. She admits that she was with Lucas but it's just another lie to protect Lucas by putting the blame on herself.
Él no quería, yo fui quien lo buscó, él me rechazo, pero yo insistí.
He didn't want it, it was I who sought him out, he rejected me but I insisted.
He hits her. Jade says that she wants a divorce. She repeats that it was all her fault, not Lucas'. It was her temptation that he provoked. She says that her feelings for Lucas were sleeping and he woke them up. Said replies that her feelings for Lucas were never dormant. Jade says that is Said's fault too. Said asks what more he could have done to make her love him. Jade replies that it was more like he was obsessed with her. He didn't just want her to love him, he wanted her to hate Lucas and trample (pisoteara) her memories of him. That was why he would never let her forget Lucas by showing her newspaper articles about him. The worst thing was when he made her go to the States to see Lucas in his house with his family.
Yo no soy de hierro, Said. Ese es un reto demasiado fuerte para una mujer que ama.
I'm not made of iron, Said. This is too much of a temptation (reto means a challenge or a dare) for a woman in love, says Jade.
¿Lo amas? ¿Me estás confesando que lo amas?
You love him? Are you confessing to me that you love him? says Said furiously. Jade won't answer. Now we go way back for accusations. She asks why Said and Ali forced her to marry. Said reminds her that she could have told the witnesses at the wedding that she didn't agree to the marriage and the reason that she didn't was that Lucas has abandoned her, he never had guts to fight for her, that she was only an exotic Moroccan adventure for him. He says that when you really love someone, you don't let any obstacle stand in the way of getting them and Lucas' actions in getting married, etc. show that he didn't really love her. He asks Jade how many times, starting with their wedding night, has he trampled (he pisoteado, this verb is getting a workout in this episode) his pride in the name of the love he feels (siento, he's still using the present tense) for her. Jade asks again for a divorce. She says that Said has admitted how unhappy they are together. She won't go to Lucas. She just wants her freedom.
Ya tomé una decisión.
¿Cuál?
Más adelante lo sabrás.
I've already made a decision, says Said.
What is it? asks Jade.
In a little while, you will know.

It's the usual party at Ali's: musicians and Jadiyah is dancing. Lucas and Enrique haven't arrived. Said comes in and Ali tries to offer him advice but Said says that he may have committed some errors,
pero lo hecho, hecho está
but what is done is done. He has made a decision. Ali warns Said that in his house, he has to treat guests with respect. No one should raise a hand against guests in his house because it would be like attacking him. He retreats and Abdul comes over. Abdul says that he has never believed anything Jade said. If he were in Said's place, he would have taken another wife a long time ago. He proposes an eligible prospect and Said tells him to make the arrangements. He doesn't even want to meet the woman first.

Lucas and Enrique arrive.

Said is very polite and welcoming but the music is very menacing. Ali is confused. Jade is sent for. The dancing girls perform at the party. Enrique looks like he is having a good time, Said glares at Lucas and Lucas looks like he has a toothache.
Jadiyah dances for the party.

Back in Miami, we edge closer to discovery of Nati and Alejandro's relationship. Leo, Marisa, Roberto and Lucia are having coffee when Nati and Alej come in.
Simpático el novio de Natalia.
Natalia's boyfriend is a nice guy, says Roberto. What? Oh no, that's her driver, says Marisa and everyone laughs at how silly Roberto is. He's thinking to himself that he is pretty sure that is the same guy Nati said was her boyfriend at the gym.

Alej doesn't want to keep lying to Rosa. He is about to tell her the truth about Nati and him when Nati says that they have to leave. Rosa looks thoughtful.

Maybe the old brain cells will start working: handsome guy; Nati very happy; proximity; vulnerability; evasiveness - it shouldn't be that hard to figure out for someone who isn't a finalist in "The Person Most Self-Centered, and Most Oblivious to Everyone Else’s Needs" contest. Those who are finalists in that contest, Marisa and Leo, say that Nati has a boyfriend but they don't know who he is yet. Leo says that he would like to meet Nati's future husband. Lucia says that it's a little early for that.

Lucas tells Said that Enrique isn't feeling well and they have to leave. Said says that on the contrary, Enrique is the only person there who seems to be having a good time sharing the water pipe with Ali.

Said puts some powder into one of the tea glasses and Zoraida sees him do it.

I guess Zoraida can't say anything. She tries to warn Jade silently but she doesn't understand. Zoraida tries to take the tea tray but Said won't let her. Lucas tries to leave again but Said won't let him. He says that in Morocco they have a saying:
Lo que es para uno, finalmente le cae en la mano.
What is yours will eventually fall into your hands.
Said starts to serve the tea to Lucas but Enrique grabs the glass, drinks it and instantly keels over. [That is some fast acting poison.] There are some loooonnng reaction shots and credits roll.

Labels: clon

Tonight, Patricia Navidad, Galilea Montijo, and Ana Brenda Contreras are "Las Garrido, Codiciosas" (the greedy Garrido girls).

Two kids walk along by a river debating what positions to play for baseball. They lose their ball down by the river, where they see a dog holding a severed hand in its mouth. They also see a body all wrapped up in a garbage bag and tape. There's a really twisted Ziploc commercial in there somewhere, I'm sure. Quick, call the ad agency.

Gloria informs me the blood will be flowing tonight. She says so every Thursday. Ah, but tonight we get upgraded--last week was a 2-for-1, this week it's 3-for-1. What have we done to deserve such a delightful buffet of depravity and murderousness? I don't know, but let's get to it!

The cops come to pick up the body. It's a fifty-ish year old guy, he's been there for a while and he's got a lot of bruising. The cop in charge tells the forensics guy to do fingerprints, etc, but the forensics guy complains his lab can't handle it. The head cop calls Sofia Capellan and asks her for a favor.

Patricia Navidad, tonight playing Concha Garrido, walks down a sidewalk and through a gate. "Concha" always makes me think of a breakfast pastry, best dipped in coffee. I also have a Tía Concha. It's short for "Concepción," I believe. Beyond the gate is a large patio. Through a window, we see Marcela Garrido (aka Ana Brenda Contreras) getting her hair did by a woman who's complaining that Marcela always wants her hair done in that flashy color. Marcela says she wants to look like an azalea. I wish they'd either not swear so much on this show or quit muting it out. It makes it even harder to understand what they're saying. And then, sometimes I wonder if the sound is just randomly cutting out and no one's swearing. Very annoying. Plus that's some valuable vocabulary I'm missing out on. Something about someone with a swear-worthy name going to get Marcela's cigarettes, but Lorena (Galilea Montijo) objecting and wishing she'd get them herself. More high-speed mumbly banter that I hope turns out to be inconsequential. Concha finally makes her way in and sadly announces she's been fired. They decided the nurse could answer the phones. She accepts a coffee from her sister. She asks if they've got money for the rent and both have excuses, but basically the answer is "no." Concha is frustrated and can't help them, especially now that she lost her job. Her husband, Juan Antonio, hates giving out money, even to family, and even though she's his wife, she says she's more like a piece of furniture to him.

Concha walks through the courtyard and into the main house. There are paintings missing from the walls and they've left stains.

Juan Antonio walks out of somewhere with a pissed-off face and a skinny guy telling him to just let it go "agua que no has de beber, déjala correr" (if you're not going to drink the water, let it run). He's got his nephew with him. I'm going to bet he just lost money on a dog fight or a race, given that a couple of guys with dogs on leashes are on their way into the place he just left. He's gambling away all his money, perhaps?

Juan Antonio goes home, quietly damning someone. He notices Concha and asks what she's doing home at this hour. She asks him what he's going to take now. There's no more glassware, and no more paintings. She asks how much he lost. "Listen, princess, we've been together for 15 years and you've always known I like to play a little, and that's how you win or lose." She notes he's never gotten around to winning and asks what he's betting on now. Dog fights. He growls in her face. She calls him a pig. He blames it on his nephew, who picked the wrong dog. Juan Antonio finds some candlesticks, but Concha objects, since her mom gave them to her. "Well, thank her for me, and thank your sisters too." He calls them a pair of "mantenidas" (kept, moochers, freeloaders) and accuses her of using some of her pay to help them out. She informs him that's over, since she's been fired. He asks what she's planning to do now, you know, for her expenses. She mentions that he lost the "ferretería" (hardware store) gambling, but he claims he sold it because it was losing money. She yells at him for gambling all their money away and tries to get the candlesticks back. He hits her in the face with one and says the house and everything in it is his. "I'm going to bet you. Maybe I'll get lucky and lose."

Marcela and Lorena notice Concha coming over. She storms in, demanding to know where Lorena's kid Jorge is and Lorena says he's sleeping, he was out working late, etc. Concha wakes him up, drags him out by the ear, and yells at him to tell his mom where he really was last night. He admits it and gets smacked by his mom and his aunt. Concha also informs them that Juan has been paying the kid in marijuana. Now they all start raising their voices to him and he runs for it.

Det. Capellan is welcoming the cops from the opening scene. She and Mario are old friends. Gerardo comes in and tells his fellow forensics guy that the body is ready. Mario tells Sofia that so far they don't have any leads.

Concha drinks coffee and tells her sisters that Juan Antonio took the candlesticks. She swears she's going to leave him, but Lorena says she's been with him for fifteen years already. She won't get anything because they were never really married. Well, Concha says, fifteen years of living as his wife means she'll get what's due a wife. Lorena disagrees. She reminds the other two that the house was never given over to Juan Antonio, but is still in his mother's name, so even though the mother's dead, the house isn't even his. He never paid taxes on it. Concha doesn't care about the house. Lorena says they all need the house. Marcela says something about killing him. Concha sounds like she's into it.

Aranda and Moran present their findings--a crapload of gambling slips, lottery tickets, etc. from various places. Mario declares him a compulsive gambler. Capellan tells Moran to get a digital photo of the dead guy and to look and see if there are any missing persons reported who meet his description. Mario supposes they need to check out all the gambling places to see if anyone knows the guy. Capellan tells Aranda to work on that with Mario. Mario guesses that the guy made too many bets, lost too much money, and when he couldn't pay it back, someone killed him.

Juan Antonio plays cards and drinks with a shady-looking guy named Malpica. For once he wins. Malpica doesn't look to happy.

Juan Antonio comes home, yelling for Concha. The sisters see him going into the big house and Concha reluctantly gets up to see what's going on. Juan Antonio goes into the house, still calling for her, and puts two plastic bags down on the table. Concha comes in and JA accuses her of gossiping with her sisters. He says something about her looking angry. When she goes to leave, he asks her to wait. He proudly takes the candlesticks out of one of the plastic bags, announcing that he won for once. He asks if she made dinner and she seems nervous when she says she hadn't yet. Hey, no problem, tonight he and the missus are eating out. He shows her a big wad of cash. Concha says she'd rather he saved the money in the bank. "I'm not saying you shouldn't gamble, but just remember that I lost my job." She agrees she'd like to go out to dinner, but she wants him to promise they won't spend all the money. Well, he can't promise that because he already spent it on some other things. From another plastic bag, he produces a nice-looking pair of hooker heels and a pretty dress, non-hookerish. She's thrilled with the present and thanks him. He insists on answering the phone when it rings, and sends her off to go get dressed. It's Malpica. It sounds like he's offering Juan Antonio the opportunity to bet on something, for the low, low price of 10,000 pesos. Juan Antonio looks at the wad of cash in his hand and says he's in. Dipshit. He puts the phone down and sneaks out of the house, stopping briefly at his altar to pick up some mojo. As he's leaving, he notices Marcela doing the wash and takes a minute to appreciate the charms of his sister-in-law. Marcela gives him a bit of a come-hither, but Juan Antonio's got bigger fish to fry. He leaves and Lorena tells Marcela "I told you so." She calls her sister something bleep-worthy.

Concha comes out of the bedroom looking for Juan Antonio and realizes he's left. I'd hide those candlesticks right now, if I were her. That and everything else left in the house that isn't nailed down. She sits down on the couch and feels sorry for herself.

She's still there when he comes home. He sits down on the couch and basically bitches about his bad luck. The damn animal tripped and he lost. Concha says she's leaving him, but he's not really listening. She says she's leaving the house tomorrow. Still not listening. And bemoaning the loss of the money he just won yesterday. Not getting the sympathy he feels he deserves, he asks her if she's listening to him. "No. And you're not listening to me either." She gets up and leaves.

The forensics guys do their thing. The body's looking pretty gross. Visiting forensics guy says he was killed rather violently. Capellan asks if there were maybe more than one killer. Gerardo says he'd assume so unless there's someone capable of shooting, stabbing, and doing something else to the guy all at one time. Har, har, har.

Mario and Aranda visit some gambling dens.

Lorena and Marcela play cards for money. Juan Antonio comes in demanding to know what they said to Concha. Lorena has no idea what he's talking about. "She says she's leaving me." Lorena tells him not to listen to her, and Marcela calls her menopausal. JA doesn't care, but if she leaves, the other two are out on their asses too. They get it. JA compliments Marcela's hair color. She offers to let him play, but he's out of money. "There's a lot of things you can bet." Nephew comes up asking if JA is ready for, you know, and JA sends him to bleep land. JA leaves and Jorge asks his mom if there's any food. She, likewise, sends him to bleep land.

Moran tells Capellan that only one person matches the fingerprints--Jorge Lopez Garrido. He's a juvenile delinquent. Moran is going to pass on the info to inspector Mondragon.

Lorena and Marcela bitch that Concha's just so damn selfish, thinking of leaving Juan Antonio without caring what's going to happen to them. Yeah, and Juan Antonio coming to throw it in their faces that they're just a couple of moochers, what's that about? Concha walks up and quietly says they are moochers, but they've never cared about it before. She laughs at them for following Juan Antonio's example and betting on cards. Lorena says they've all at least got a roof over their heads here. Concha replies "I'm suffocating." Lorena advises her that sometimes you've got to make sacrifices. "Oh, look who's talking, the one who left her husband without even telling him." Lorena says he hit her in front of the kid and said the kid wasn't his, "What was I supposed to do? It was a case of life or death!" Concha says her situation is too, "I'm dying in there." She goes back into the big house. Marcela holds up the deck of cards and suggests they play again. Lorena agrees. Bee-yotches!

The guy that Aranda and Mario picked up at the gambling den is in interrogation. Someone asks him if he recognizes "this guy." It's a partial reconstruction of the dead guy's face. The guy says it's "Juanito Orduña" and he's known him for several years. Mario asks if he used to bet a lot. The guy doesn't know, but he does know that sometimes the guy played with Justino Malpica and they got into an argument about Orduña's wife. The guy has a vague idea of where Orduña lived. Moran interrupts the interrogation with some information for Mario.

Mario and crew show up at the house asking for Jorge. Concha opens the gate for them. She says Jorge isn't there, but he says he needs to ask him some questions. Concha lets them into the house and angrily tells them that she's already told them that Jorge isn't there. Mario picks up a picture of her with Jorge and asks if it's her son. "No, my nephew." Mario asks about her husband, but Concha says he's not home and she doesn't know when he's getting home. Aranda calls for Mario and Mario indicates they should both follow Aranda.

Lorena looks nervously at the cops coming in and tells Jorge to go hide. She opens the door and Mario asks if she's Jorge's mom. "We need to talk to him." Dumbass Jorge kind of darts around the hallway just as Lorena's saying he's not in. Aranda notices him and goes after him, gun out. Smart kid stops trying to climb over the wall and lets Aranda take him in. Lorena cries piteously and is held back by another two of the DIEM crew.

Gerardo fingerprints Concha in his lab.

Jorge is interrogated by Mario. "If you didn't kill him, then who did?" Jorge says he only put the body in the river."

Lorena wipes the fingerprint ink off her fingers in Capellan's office. She asks where they found the body. Capellan asks her why, if he was gone for more than 24 hours, no one called the police. Lorena claims he used to be gone for weeks at a time. "That's how he was. My sister was the only one who could put up with him." Lorena says he used to humiliate her and one day he even bet her.

Juan Antonio and Malpica walk into the house, startling Concha, who is only wearing a housedress. She covers up with a shawl. JA laughs, telling Malpica what he's losing out on for not believing him. "And you, what luck you have, woman! I was going to bet you." Apparently Malpica didn't care to take her in exchange. JA offers him a silver teapot instead. Concha looks on in horror.

Capellan shows Lorena the condition of the body. Stab wounds in the chest, a bullet in the shoulder, and a destroyed cranium. She asks who did what. Lorena claims he was gone and none of them knew where he was. Aranda comes in with a folder and whispers something to Capellan about the accused. Capellan smiles at Lorena and says she does know who did what. She shows her the report that all three of their fingerprints were on the body. Lorena says it was his fault for wanting to leave them all out on the street.

Concha goes over to the little house, crying and banging on the door. She tells Lorena that Jorge bet her. Lorena immediately goes for a knife and says she'll kill him this time. Marcela holds her back. Lorena calms down a little and hugs her sister. Marcela hugs them both.

Lorena says this is her fault for telling Concha to put up with him. Concha tells her that yesterday he won 20 thousand pesos and lost them again. Now they all agree they need to do something. Marcela shows Concha the papers for the house. They actually are in Juan Antonio's name, even though he had once claimed the house wasn't in his name so he couldn't lose it to Malpica. Marcela found it with his little gambling altar. Concha says it doesn't matter, there's nothing she can do. Lorena points out that if something happens the house is hers. Concha doesn't want to go to jail. Marcela says they won't end up in jail, as long as they do it right. Lorena says they'll think of something.

In interrogation, Marcela tells Mario that Lorena had the idea. "She knew he liked me, so we invited him to a party." Lorena and Marcela dance around Juan Antonio while he sits in a chair. They're both all dressed up and drinking beer. Marcela starts making bets with JA. "I bet you my shoes you won't dance with me. I bet you my skirt you won't dance with me. I bet you your ring if I take off my blouse." JA bets his gold necklace if Lorena gets undressed too. Concha looks on, concerned. Lorena takes off her dress and takes the necklace. Lorena sits in his lap and asks what he'll give for…she whispers in his ear. He points at the other sister instead. Marcela kneels down at his feet and asks him what he'll bet for it. Concha says "the house."

Concha is in interrogation with Capellan. She says she's not surprised he's dead. After years of him betting everything, coming home covered in blood because he was at the dog fights or the cock fights or because someone beat the crap out of him for not paying his debts, sooner or later he was bound to end up in the river with his head bashed in and a bullet in him, right? Capellan wonders what's stranger, that Concha never sought help for herself or her husband, or that she seems to know exactly how he died, without Capellan telling her anything. "We have evidence that you and your sisters participated in the murder of Mr. Orduña."

Concha says "the house." JA looks around at the other two sisters. Marcela gives him an encouraging nod. He repeats, "the house?" They all look back and forth at each other. Lorena goes to join Marcela. Thankfully, we are spared the details of what exactly he traded for the house, but I'm sure we can all imagine and are now going to need a thorough brain scrubbing. Concha seethes.

Capellan tells Concha she supposes now she'll claim it was done in self-defense. Concha says "after what we did, I can say anything, can't I."

Lorena and Marcela get up and Lorena says "we beat you." JA takes a minute to get up, adjust, and zip his fly. Marcela hugs Concha. All three sisters toast with beer bottles. They laugh over the ring. JA comes back into the room with a gun. He tells them that for a good gambler, like he is (I'm not even going to touch that one) you have to give him a chance to win back what he lost. He puts one bullet in the gun and says they wanted the house, fine, it's theirs, but now he wants his chance for revenge. "If I die, the house is yours, but if one of you gets the bullet instead the house is mine again." He calls them bitches and says that even so, he'll be a gentleman and start first. He puts the gun in his mouth and pulls the trigger. No bullet. He asks who's next. He tells Marcela to get on her knees. He puts the gun to her temple and pulls the trigger, still no bullet. He tells Lorena to lean over the chair and pulls the trigger with the gun pointed at her head. No bullet. He calls Concha the most useless one and says a number of other uncomplimentary things, all while pointing the gun at her, and eventually pulls the trigger.

Capellan says "there was only you left." Concha says she hates to bet, but he bet her life, and he had to pay with his.

Marcela hits Juan Antonio on the back of the head and he drops the gun. Concha picks up the gun and shoots him in the shoulder with it. JA calls her stupid and Concha loses it and shouts to her sisters to kill him. Lorena stabs him, Marcela keeps hitting him with, maybe, the candlestick, and Concha beats on him with the gun. Jorge walks in and sees them all covered in blood.

"Concha, Lorena, and Marcela Garrido were condemned immediately for conspiracy to commit murder, to 28, 25, and 20 years. Jorge received a sentence of 8 years for complicity."

Labels: asesinas

Hi,
This is what I've got. If I'm wrong let me know. It's gone into the sidebar. New recappers, send pictures if you'd like them up!

Corazon Salvaje
Ivy - Monday
Kat - Tuesday
Jeri - Wednesday
Sarah - Thursday
Connie - Friday

Sarah and Connie, you can switch if you want.

and for STuD I have:

Jody - Monday
Kat - Tuesday
Sue - Wednesady
Connie - Thursday
Keri - Friday

Thanks everybody!
Let me know -

Melinama/Chapel Hill Fiddler

Labels: salvaje, schedule, stud