Caray, Caray!

What better place to begin today's wacky excursion than the office of Valenzuela and Chavez, the Oasis, where we find them seated at their usual table deliberating. They are unobtrusively observed by Secret Agent Zetina,


attempting to take a successful candid snapshot of the two. His photography skills are legendary. Chavez is observing how nifty it would be if Marco's little soldier were able to stand up and salute as nature intended. Not only would he be able to fully enjoy the attributes of his beautiful new bride, he would have the treacherous Carlota eating from his hand. Not surprisingly, Marco doesn't want to discuss it. He's working on that with a capable therapist and a cure is imminent. Changing the subject, Chavez point out that when Quintana weds Rosaura and acquires a similar control over the hacienda, matters will become more difficult. Marco is not worried, "Quintana will be quiet as long as he is receiving his monthly hush money." "What will happen when he learns that you are selling the source of those funds?" Hmm, food for thought.

Over at Autos Siglos, serious girl talk. Has Nelson given Suzy a clue about what Rafa and his Merry Band are up to? No, she's back with Nelson because she loves him. Ale notes that Rafa was happy as a little rattlesnake (cascabelito) during the morning sales meeting. Ale whines that now she can never be happy with the "man I love." Susana says, " I warned you, but you married Marco like a capricious child." Ale will just have to talk to him and ask for a divorce. "At least it was only a civil ceremony," Suzy observes. "And uninspiring," Ale adds, "Daddy and you weren't even there." Borrrring. Well at least we learned a useful new word, desangelado (uninspiring, dull, borrrring)... next!

Saved by a happy little rattlesnake, "Hola, hola, hermosas señoras, or should I say beautiful señoritas?" Rafa is bubbling and babbling which is baffling Susana who finds his exuberance odd (raro). "Odd is too close to ugly (feo), strange (extraño) is more like it," the manic Rafa burbles. Ale thinks that Marian must have agreed to be his novia. Nopis, la licenciada Celeste has nothing to do with his bright mood. Rafa leans close and shares a secret, "It concerns the woman I love." He exits singing. Ale gapes, then smiles an encouraged yet uncertain smile.

More serious girl talk at Groupo Celeste. Marian's leggy pal Monserat can't understand why her friend (whose attributes affords her the pick of the best Mexico has to offer) would prefer the naco (not her word, but the intent) over her more desirable and cultured brother who has asked her to marry him. Marian notes that was troubling for Rafa. "Then why hasn't he asked you to marry him? You could then choose fairly between them."


Marian doesn't know. "And you don't want to know." Bitch. (Albeit a very comely bitch.)

We've heard all that before. Let's see what the simple folk of Groupo Celeste are up to. Julieta arrives to find her cubicle infested by a proud pretty preppy, who has made himself at home. He sits in her chair. He has his feet on her desk. He is holding forth on her phone. She claims her territory. He flirts.


She is polite. He is Cesar. We're not impressed nor do we care... next!

General and Claudia offer Rosaura romantic advice. Girl bonding. They spy Ramírez mom. Oops, so do Jiménez and Marino. Marino recognizes her and turns Ramírez to face her. He greets his sacrosanta mom with a flourish of pomposity. She is fulfilling a promise. She has brought a virtuous señorita to meet him and save him from perdition. Presenting... O. D. M. (OMG)... Milagros Saldaña Escandón.


Yikes! Is there a dentista en la casa? We have an emergency over here! Ramírez suddenly realizes the impropriety of such socializing in the workplace. On the other hand, Marino seems charmed. He invades her space, smiles the Marino smile, offers his card, and introduces himself, " They call me the master of pleasure." She responds by making the Sign of the Cross.

Meintras tanto, Dandy is working on shoring up his recently rescued rocky relationship with his noñita. She takes advantage of the situation by seeking the reason for Rafa's current manic state. To tell her would betray a pact of friendship. "Well which is it buster, friendship pact or our relationship?" He waffles and waivers for the sake of appearance, but she knows, he knows, and we know, he will cave.

Vicki's shrink has his work cut out. She'll quit wearing her veil once wed to her Pajarito. He explains obsession to her.


She briefly ponders, "People like that are ugly..." Nope, doesn't apply to her. " I WILL MARRY MY PAJARITO! UNDERSTAND? UNDERSTAND? UNDERSTAND?"

Doña Quieta admits her social faux pas by bringing Milagros to Germán's workplace. She and the lovely Milagros will await him at home. Dodging Marino whom Milagros thinks is ugly (perceptive lass) the two make their way for the exit, but not before a brief pause for the sainted mom to flirt with Bebe.


As they leave Bebe gently observes to Ramírez that he does not think she is well suited. The others join in with doubts, with the exception of a smiling Marino who contemplates the future mother of German's children... nude.

Once more we find ourselves back in The Oasis, this time Jaime is sitting alone at the best table sipping a frosty beer. Trumpets herald the entrance of our second fresh character of the night. Clearly an athlete, sort of a Lobo (Gancho) Lite, it's Jaime's cousin who ecstatic to see his primoso whom he hoists in a warm manly bear hug of greeting. They catch up on old times.


Jaime knows that his cuz is pursuing a sports career (gamasos, boxing? karate?) and confesses that he almost abandoned his pursuit of becoming a lawyer. The cousin is a positive thinker and offers encouragement and inquires about Julieta. Once again, Jaime must admit that things aren't going so well. The waiter asks what Jaime's guest will have. Water. Jaime seems a bit disappointed and even more so when he hands the waiter Jaime's beer. Life is a matter of good choices. Water... OK, with ice.

A beaten appearing Jiménez stands head bowed, hands folded , before the imperial doña Arcadia. He admits to being a mediocre. She is firm with him. She wants him to handle the building project in Vera Cruz. Is he up to it? He whines that la licenciada Alvarez del Castillo has warned him about his poor sales record. She gives him a firm pep talk, then asks, "Do you want the job in Vera Cruz?" Of course he does. Then he must work hard to be a success at both. "Now get out there and sell! Money! Money! Money! He sprints to the door, stopping briefly to thank her profusely. She calls for Chatoooo! to bring her doggies water as she lavishes them with affection. If only the whole world were like them, she chortles.

In the empty sala de juntos (conference room) Nelson is ready to tell Susana why Rafa is so happy, but insists that she promise to keep the secret. Ummm...sure. She agrees, having no intention to do so. He tells her that it's because Rafa has learned that Ale has had no real physical contact with Marco ( nada de nada con su peor es nada... ummm... OK... that makes sense to me). "How did he find out?'

After commercials he tells her about Jiménez running into Marco at the sex therapist's office. She asks if Jiménez has the same problem. Dandy tell her that for Jiménez to have sex with his wife, he doesn't need a therapist..." he needs to put a rag in her mouth..." Susana understands, knowing said wife, but nonetheless accuses him of being grosero (crude). She doesn't understand why what Rafa knows must be a secret. Nelson explains, leaving Susana and us as well... confused. "¿Ah?"

As she exits the shrinks consultation room, Vicki emits a long sigh, then inquires of the receptionist about Marco. He moved his appointment until later. Vicki is not pleased but maintains composure... almost. Just a quiet (for Vicki), short shriek. As she excuses herself to leave, the receptionist asks about her next appointment. "Ask the Dr. and let me know."

Back in the conference room, Susana wants Dandy to tell her what they have learned about Carmela and Marco. He tells her about the run each of them, Jaime, then Pepeto, and finally he himself each took a run at her with similar luck. "She is a giant octopus..." and offers to demonstrate. No need, she saw it with her own eyes. When he tells about the enlistment of Zetina, she pronounces them all crazy. Comparing notes, they both know about the embargo of the hacienda, and not much more. Susana doesn't think it strange for Marco to be meeting with her. Dandy thinks that the kissing and such need not be part of the negotiations. He manages to recruit Suzy to Team Rafa... Yea! "But only in the interest of Ale's happiness. I don't trust you guys, para nada." They seal the deal with a sweet kiss...Awww.


In The Oasis, Jaime has been pouring out his woes to his primo. The failed marriage attempts of Rafa and Vicki, his own Vicki problems. The cousin can't believe that Jaime would be helping Vicki after all this. Jaime tells him about the Brothers Grimm, orangutans. "That's why I'm here." The cousin, Rizos (Curls) is training for his next fight. He'll be on call for Jaime. As they exchange cell phone information, who is walking through the door? None other than aforementioned orangutans, looking to make Jaime miserable.


Well boys, there's a new sheriff in town and his name is Curls. As Rizos fiddles and fusses with his phone, the boys molest and rough Jaime up a bit. Rizos is annoyed and complains. From his choke hold, Jaime manages to indicate that these are Vicki's murderous brothers. Rizos warns them, as they hurl taunts, then he begins a little clock-cleaning. As we go to commercial, the boys are cowering behind a bar patron as they continue taunting Rizos.

The bartender Pascual intervenes and calls for calm. Rizos protectively embraces his cousin. He's peace-loving, not looking for trouble. The brothers are not used to this type of treatment. They try to menace, tossing out more feeble threats as they back out, "¿Qué? ¿Qué? ¿Qué?" They leave to regroup and lick their wounds.

At the therapist's office, Marco is seeking fast results. She insists that it's up to him. Since he hasn't actually seen Ale intimately involved with Ale, he needs to get her to confirm that nothing has happened between the two. Hmmm, that is a problem that Marco doesn't want to confront. He's actually pretty certain that they have been together... in that way. " Well, then we are dealing with the problem of excessive jealousy." Wounded, he asks her what she would do if her novio had slept with someone else? "I'm not the patient with the problem," but then she goes on to tell him that her novio slept with many women before her and they function just fine, thank you very much. "Maybe you can, but I can't." So, he's going to have to confront his problem with tact, tenderness, and patience. "Well, patience is not possible because I don't have a lot of time." As he's leaving she reminds him to be careful, this is a very delicate matter. As the door slams behind him, she doesn't look hopeful.

Marian has taken her cares and woes to the loyal Chepis, who offers sage advice, "Want to get close to Rafa? Get close to his family. Thanks Chepis, I knew we could count on you. Marian sees this as both wise and doable. "Buena idea. Muy buena idea." Heck, she's already in solid with Julieta.

In Marco's apartment, Rosauro is helping Jorge with his homework to improve his memory. He is memorizing a page of the phone book and doing quite well, I might add. He hands her the book and asks her to check his accuracy,


"Garcia, Garcia, Garcia, Garcia..." She is exasperated. Fortunately Marco arrives and Jorge explains their method. He asks about Alejandra just as she arrives. Greetings all around, then Rosauro broaches a delicate subject,. She and Jorge think that Ale and Marco should have the privacy of a bedroom shared by the two of them. Awkward responses from the newlyweds who finally agree on the propriety of waiting until after the Church wedding. "How decent," Rosaura weakly observes.

We're in the homestretch here and fittingly, Rafael is home. Leonor is setting the table. An ebullient Rafa is ravenous and ready join his family for dinner. Noting his extreme happiness she inquires. He tries to dodge by telling her of the successful truck sale but she knows better. "Guess." "The licenciada is divorcing." Very close. He tells her that since her wedding , la licenciada has had nada de nada with her husband. With Pasión playing on the TV behind them, they rejoice together.


At Marco's place, the four of them are enjoying dinner."No Mexican food in Croatia, just hasscakes," Jorge grouses. "Switzerland," Rosauro corrects. "Same difference." Tia then coaxes and coerces Jorge from the table, "Time for bed." With a little pinch from her Jorge gets the cue. They leave Ale and Marco alone. She inquires about the therapy. "Fine. Well same old thing... worrying about you having relations with Medina. " Then he drops a little bomb, "Mi amor, have you had anything to do with that man?"

Carlos

Labels: dinero

Harry Geithner debuts as Leonardo Faidella

Insomniacs Club

At the scene of the accident, Alejandra painfully limps from the taxi to the microbus. Someone lays Piedad with a head injury out on the ground, and Alejandra is in so much pain she sinks down next to the microbus. Amid smoke and blood, they wait for the ambulances; Doña Piedad isn't moving.

In Adolfo's luxury condo, Yolanda tells Félix that at the Sagittarius restaurant, she saw a waitress looking exactly like Márta. Her family details fit, too, she says. Yolanda pointed this out to Adolfo at the time, but he didn't care, she says.

Thinking back, she says he never should have done "that" -- much less blamed Santiago. When Félix points out that Márta unfortunately found out about their smuggling, Yolanda insists she could have convinced Márta not to turn Adolfo in. They were friends, she says.

But Félix is tired of this complaint: if Yolanda had cared so much about Márta, she should have turned Adolfo in and saved her. But Yolanda liked the money too much, didn't she, Félix prods. Yolanda doesn't answer; but then pointedly comments that he can't bother Gabriela, because he himself well knows Santiago is innocent.

Medics place Alejandra on the rescue squad bay to triage her, while she listens to a medic describe the grandmotherly woman's injuries, amid a din and moaning. Finally someone pulls a blood-stained sheet completely over the lady's face, and they wheel her gurney into a waiting ambulance.

At the Genovés's mansion, Berthe is going out carousing and begs a house key from David. She'll be returning late, she says. David tells her with a knowing look to take care of herself; and before exiting she gleefully pecks him on the lips, regretting there are so few good-looking keepers like him -- to which he looks perplexed.

A phone call he receives alarms David, and he runs straight out. While in her apartment, Elsa phones around worriedly trying to locate Piedad. She finally gives up and calls the authorities, where she learns to her frantic dismay that there has been a microbus accident with serious injuries.

Back at the Genovés mansion, Abelardo tries to comfort a tearful Mario, who learned earlier that day he has an inoperable, terminal brain tumor. At the hospital, David visits Alejandra in bed with a neck brace, who is embarrassed to be transferred to such luxurious digs.

David wants to make sure next time she uses the family cars; with a sweet smile he tells her their house and everything in it is hers, including him. She marvels at this; and as he moves to her side, Alejandra repeats, "including him?" Of course, he says, grinning. He's her cousin, her friend, her admirer -- and he's going to be her driver until she's better.

She grins and thanks him gratefully, and they both agree it's a shame they haven't been close -- but will be from now on. Alejandra offers her hand and says she cares very much about him, and he also says so in return. As he's leaving, she reveals she hurts all over and wonders how bad she looks; and she chuckles when he says terrible.

At a city morgue, Elsa breaks up pitifully when she has to identify the body of Piedad. At Gabriela's, she explodes in frustration when she and Julieta encounter Fausto finishing up the packing. They changed cities every six months as kids, she exclaims. It makes no sense; they can't finish their education!

How are they ever going to be anything but waitresses? Gabriela demands. He never gives any good reason for moving, either. She grills him on details of his decision; and when his answers sound lame, Gabriela digs her heels in. If he wants to leave, fine! she exclaims. She and Julieta are not!

At the mansion, David questions Abelardo about Mario's health, but Abelardo denies any problem. David explains about Alejandra's accident but doesn't want Mario worried about it. Later in his home office, when Abelardo urges Mario to get a second opinion, Mario definitely wants to. He can't die now! he says.

If he does, he explains, David and Gabriela will both be left with nothing! No one must know he's sick, Mario insists -- especially Adolfo. With Abelardo looking perplexed, Mario reveals the conditions of their business contract: if either partner dies before the 20 years is up, everything goes to the survivor!

Mario must stick around for at least six months until the deal is up; and when Abelardo can't fathom why Mario would have put up with such an absurd stipulation, Mario reveals to a shocked Abelardo that Adolfo has him under his thumb, accusing him of the murder of Márta -- the mother of his daughter.

In a warehouse district, a team of AFI agents (i.e., FBI: "Agencia Federal de Investigación) pour out of an SUV and, armed to the teeth, silently stalk smugglers moving merchandise into a warehouse. One crook spies them, but is overcome; and the team, led by detective Leonardo Faidella (Harry Geithner), swarms into the warehouse to capture the others, except for one -- who escapes.

At Gabriela's, it seems Fausto has reluctantly agreed to stay put; he begins to unpack. At the luxury condo, Carlos is just leaving when Félix enters with a determined air and braces Adolfo at the breakfast table with the news their new warehouse has been breached! The cops took everything and everyone -- except for one guy who told the story! he reports.

This puts Adolfo on his feet, exclaiming he had five million pesos tied up in that merchandise! Who in hell knew about it, he wonders. He's been losing too much money lately! Up in Elsa's apartment, she sobs inconsolably over Piedad when the doorbell rings; and it's Carlos, just come from breakfast with his dad.

She's in no shape for company and asks him to leave, but he insists on feigning to comfort her. He pretends interest as she explains the reason for her sorrow -- and offers to help her in various ways. Finally, when she turns him down the last time, he just leaves his card and promises to help if she needs anything.

At the prison, Elsa has come to meet with Juan Jose; but she's crying so hard she can't tell him his mother is dead. Juan Jose mistakenly thinks the sharp lawyer must be giving her a hard time, so is completely shocked to hear there was a fatal accident. He rejects that Piedad could be dead, sobbing and asking repeatedly where his mother could be.

At the Sagittarius restaurant, at Roberto's urging, Carlos asks Adolfo on the phone if he might have a job for Roberto; but Adolfo ignores him. Yolanda enters the restaurant and snags Gabriela to have a private talk; she commandeers Carlos's office and boots the boyz out. She learns to her surprise that Fausto is a night watchman but doesn't learn much else new.

Out in the bar, Carlos explains to Roberto that Yolanda is a former dancer who is just good friends with Adolfo and that Carlos is very fond of her even if she's kind of crazy. Carlos admits he went by the "naca's" place earlier; and together with Gabriela, Roberto points out Carlos has a thing for slumming with working-class girls.

About then David arrives to sit at their table. He asks Roberto whether he's seen Alejandra lately; and Roberto lies that he saw her just that day at the office to talk about the wedding date. When David points out facetiously then that Roberto must know she's been in the hospital since the other day, Carlos sniggers at Roberto -- and happily jabs David for being future relatives with Roberto.

David is just asking after the new waitress when Yolanda and Gabriela emerge from the office, and he calls to Gabriela who comes over and greets him agreeably. From back in the office, Roberto and Carlos can see on the closed-circuit TV that David is flirting with Gabriela; and Roberto digs at Carlos about it until he's in a jealous snit. Out in the bar, Carlos orders Gabriela back to work and David to leave the help alone. After both leave, Carlos swears to Roberto that idiot annoys him more and more every day.

A little later, up in the hotel penthouse, David sits working at his desk when the door buzzes; and it's Gabriela with a serving cart. David has ordered a champagne supper for two. When he tries to invite her to share it with him, he keeps touching her; and Gabriela gets the apparently wrong idea and becomes furious.

Gabriela accuses him of being a spoiled rich guy, feeling free to insult others -- and gives him another smack on the face. After she leaves, he leisurely pours a glass of champagne and ruefully admits to himself that he deserved that.

At the luxury condo, Adolfo tells Félix it's about time they got rid of Mario; he explains that if one of the partners expires before the next six months when their contract is up, the survivor receives everything -- and that survivor should be himself, Adolfo thinks.

Labels: verdad

Capítulo 142: Love and the Single Clone
In which Daniel fears that no woman could truly love a clone; Mohamed makes his MTV debut and performs impressively in a cruelty contest with his brother; Rania and Jadiya hold a Swooning Contest; Alí hustles Jade out of Miami; and Natalia asks Andrea for help.

Tonight’s episode opens at Salamandra where Fernando, with a nice buzz going, finds a pretty girl to dance with -- and all in celebration of sobriety! Clara and Rogelio are dancing too – and with obvious affection -- and chatting about what a great kid Fernando is. If they feel something burning, it must be the hatred coming at them from Malicia. She glares at them so pointedly that Zein asks her if there’s a problem. No, para nada, she answers.

Jade and Zoraida are at Mohamed’s place. They are trying to make sense of the existence of two Lucases and Jade wants to know what it means that shadow Lucas has her jade necklace. Maybe, suggests Zoraida, it means you are going to meet up with him again.

Daniel is on his bed in Dora’s apartment, gazing at Jade’s necklace and smiling.
Dora tells Estela she’s going to ask Vicki to help her find a lawyer to look after her interests. Estela can’t understand why Osvaldo isn’t around to help. Dora finally admits that Osvaldo is in jail.

At Mohamed’s place, Samira protests her punishment: it’s not fair to keep her confined to her room. And she can’t understand why her cousin Jadiya is allowed to have male friends. It’s true, pipes up Zumaya: she's friends with Jamil! Latifa explains that it’s because Said has a more western outlook than Mohamed. She’ll talk to Mohamed, she says, but she can’t promise more than that.

Dora explains to her mother that as much as she loved Osvaldo, his lies and betrayals finally became too much to bear:
Aunque me duela, aunque a veces quisiera salir corriendo a sus brazos para que me de su apoyo y su comprensión, yo ya cerré este capítulo en mi vida.
Although it hurts me, although at times I’d like to go running into his arms so he’d give me his support and understanding, I’ve now closed that chapter in my life.
And Miguel? asks Estela. Miguel, says Dora is a great friend, always ready with a smile, always there to lend a hand.

Cris and Vicki are at the bar going over accounts when Dora arrives. Cris, still angry at Dora, tells Vicki: Go ahead and talk to your friend, that shameless traitor (esa sinverguenza y traidora). But Cris’s attitude changes quickly when Dora tells Vicki why she’s crying:
El Señor Leonardo quiere llevarme a la corte para quitarme a mi hijo.
Mr. Leonardo wants to take me to court to take my son away from me.
Enter Cristina the Avenging Angel! Over my dead body! (sobre mi cadaver), she tells her old friend. [Cristina is still mad at Dora for her supposed fling with Leo twenty years ago, but she has her moral priorities in order: First you stand up for mother and child; later you can worry about who cheated on whom.]

Mohamed thinks a sojourn in Fez with Tío Abdul is exactly what his wayward daughter needs. Latifa tells him she couldn't bear to be separated from her daughter. (Yo no soy capaz!). Well, then what about this, smiles Mohamed: I’ve been thinking about building a house in Fez for you and the children; I can stay here in Miami and look after the store.

You would stay here alone in Miami? Latifa asks incredulously. And Mohamed’s eyes bug out so far, they really look like they’re gonna pop.
MTV interlude: Latifa imagines Daddy Mo in shades, rocking it out, surrounded by hot babes…
Latifa is so overwrought, she talks about herself in the third person:
¡No no no no no! Latifa no se mueve de Miami y Mohamed no se queda solo en Miami. No y no y no y no!
Latifa’s not moving from Miami and Mohamed’s not staying alone in Miami!

The Naz joins the party and thinks it’s a swell idea. She’d be glad to take care of the house in Miami. Latifa tells her not to meddle in her marriage and turns to Mohamed to support her. The Naz escalates the insult level as well as the decibel level and also appeals to her brother for support. Their shouts bring Abdul lumbering out of of his cave. He silences the women and sends them to their rooms. [This might be an interesting time for Anita to ask Latifa her thoughts on the role of women in an Islamic society].

It’s Gloria’s birthday and they are having a party at the bar. Amin, Ramón, Hilda and Karla gather ‘round. Hilda asks what the word ‘haram’ means and Amin explains it to her. [Funny how Mohamed uses that word so often in her presence.]

Alejandro is in his apartment. He tells Ramón over the phone that he’s on his way to the party. Just then, Natalia walks in. She has been gone for over 24 hours. But when Alej asks her where she has been, her answer is a careless fabric of lies; and when confronted with them, she turns defiant. She denies any responsibility for the missing DVD player. She just gets mouthier and more aggressive. Finally Alejandro says:
Ay, Natalia, es muy difícil aguantarte.
Oh, Natalia, it’s very hard to put up with you.
And she answers:
Si es tan difícil aguantarme, ¿qué haces conmigo?
If it’s so hard to put up with me, why are you with me?
In frustration, he pounds in fist into the wall. He tells her how much he is contributing to the relationship and how she does nothing for either of them, how he feels unprepared for his fight in Chicago because he wastes all his time worrying about her… and then he realizes he is talking to himself. She has fallen asleep -- or passed out.

So how are Said’s girls getting along these days?
As Rania struggles to get a candle into a candlestick, Jadiya calls her name loudly, startling her into dropping both. We hear the ceramic candlestick shatter.
Jadiya is a kid who knows how to push buttons:
Rania tú sí que no sabes hacer nada, no?. ... Rania, mi mama sabe hacer todo mejor que tú.
Rania, you can’t do anything, can you?...Rania, my mother does everything better than you.
Jadiya stands smugly with arms crossed. Rania tries to fire back. (After all, Jade was the one who got thrown to the wind.) But Jadiya just keeps taunting her: Said says bad things about you behind your back. He says my mom is a better dancer than you… Rania gets physical, grabs Jadiya’s face roughly and says:
No te creo nada, cosa malcriada.
I don’t believe any of it, you spoiled thing!
But they keep at it, with nastier and lower insults and curses. Too bad there’s no grownup in the room to teach these children to manage conflict in a less hurtful way.

Said walks in the front door and discovers them en plena batalla.
He roars: Silencio, silencio! Qué significa esto? (What’s the meaning of this?)
The kids blame each other. Said tells them they have to learn to get along with one another. He expects to come home to peace and harmony. [Hah!]
Suddenly, Rania is taken with one of her convenient spells: Me siento mal! (I don’t feel well). Jadiya watches her carefully and right on cue, puts a hand to her head and says: Yo también, yo me siento mal! (I don’t feel well either.) She begins to swoon and Said supports her with one arm while he says: No no no, the two of you can’t faint at the same time! Rania has arranged herself artfully on the couch. Said calls out for help. The girls each allow themselves a small smirk when they are sure he isn’t looking.

Cristina the Avenger marches into Lucas’s office at Empresas Ferrer. She tells him that Leo is trying to take Dora’s son from her. Lucas assures her that he will do all that he can to prevent that. He agrees to go to Dora’s house with her. He needs to meet his “supposed” brother.

Mama, ¿Tú te enamorías de un clon? (Mama, would you fall in love with a clone?)
Daniel greets Dora with this question when she comes into his room. He continues to study the jade necklace, twisting the chain around his fingers. She refuses to take the question seriously or talk about clones at all. Albieri phones Daniel but he won’t take the call. Daniel tells Dora:
Quiero encontrar la dueña de este collar. Yo sé que ella nunca va a pensar que yo soy un clon; tampoco va a pensar que yo soy un espíritu; ella me va a ver a los ojos y me va a decir ‘Daniel’.
I want to find the owner of this necklace. I know she’ll never think I’m a clone; and she won’t think I’m a spirit either; she’ll look me in the eye and she’ll say ‘Daniel’.

Alí has come to Albieri’s house and announces that he and Jade are returning to Morocco the next day. The doorbell sounds. It’s Daniel.

Dora’s doorbell sounds, too. Estela opens the door. What she sees takes her breath away. As Lucas and Cristina enter the apartment, she gasps, sways, appears on the verge of collapse. She stares uncomprehendingly at Lucas, eyes filled with tears, and says: Son idénticos, son idénticos!

Luisa ushers Daniel into the house. Albieri can’t break through Daniel’s icy demeanor. Then Alí greets Daniel. The memory of Jade’s dance at Alí’s house brings a dreamy smile to Daniel’s face and Ali reflects:
Ala, Jade entró en su corazón. Es la misma historia ocurriendo otra vez.
Allah, Jade entered into his heart. It’s the same story happening again.
Daniel asks him about the woman he saw in Fez:
Era Jade, verdad. ¿Dónde está ella? (It was Jade, wasn’t it? Where is she?)
Alí tells him she is in Morocco and Albieri and Luisa promptly offer to take Daniel there.
It is clear that tonight Daniel is focused on matters of the heart. He asks Albieri:
Si una persona es un clon, una mujer se puede enamorar de el?
If a person is a clone, could a woman fall in love with him?
Of course, answers Albieri. A clone is like everyone else except for the way he was born.
That’s not true, says Daniel:
Porque un clon es una copia ...
Because a clone is a copy...
...And?
Y si una mujer se enamora de mí, es porque soy único. Y si se da cuenta que soy una copia, se va a querer enamorar del original. No?
And if a woman falls in love with me, it’s because I’m unique. And if she realizes that I’m a copy, she’ll want to fall in love with the original, won’t she?
Alí swallows hard.

Zoraida and Jade speculate about the sombra, whether he remembers her, whether he has the same feelings as Lucas. Zoraida tells her not to think about him. But he has her piedra (stone) which carries her suerte (luck, destiny). How can she not think about him?
Alí enters abruptly and announces they are leaving right away. They are flying to New York so he can visit a sheik there; then they’ll catch a flight to Fez.

Dora comes home and finds Cristina and Lucas waiting for her. Estela hasn’t yet recovered from her shock at seeing Lucas. Lucas tells Dora that he’s not going to let Leo take away her parental rights.

Daniel continues his conversation with Luisa. He wants to travel far away because of the way people are treating him. Even Luisa, who used to be so affectionate, now acts like she’s afraid of him.
Albieri, realizing that Daniel is hungry for answers, comes back to the room with huge books about cloning. Unfortunately these tomes are unlikely to hold the answers to Daniel’s most pressing concerns. [I doubt they have chapters like “Clones in Love” or “Fear of Clones” – or even “Lifespan of a Human Clone”]

Latifa and Jade don’t understand why Tío Alí is in such a hurry to leave, why he seems so nervous. When Jade hears that Alí is at Said’s house saying goodbye to Jadiya, she rushes to phone Said and ask his permission to say goodbye too. No, he says gruffly. You go on with your life and we’ll go on with ours.

His decision leaves Jade grieving and Jadiya feeling betrayed.
Alí guesses that Said is treating Jade so cruelly because he still loves her and he wants to force her to pay attention to him and respect him. And Said admits as much. He still has hopes that one day she will love him. When that day comes, (that is to say, when hell freezes over) he will ask her to come back. It’s destiny, he says.
And Alí surprises him when he responds: Don’t talk to me about destiny today. I thought I knew how to interpret it, but I don’t. No one does, Said.

Mohamed and Amin deliver a birthday gift to Gloria (You’ll look more beautiful with a veil, says Mohamed). Karla boasts to Ramón that her baby’s father is part of the Miami Jet Set. Alej shows up with a gift and a birthday kiss for his mother. He fibs that Natalia is on her way.

In the final scene, Nati wakes up to find Andrea sitting in the apartment. Alejandro is at his mother’s birthday party, explains Andrea. Natalia had forgotten about it even though Alejandro had been talking about it all week. Andrea looks at her friend very gravely and says: You’re going to lose Alejandro.

Natalia denies that she and Alejandro have problems. Andrea bravely persists. She tells Natalia that she is out of control. Natalia shouts that it’s not true, she has limits. When challenged to name them in the face of everything she has damaged or destroyed, Nati finally breaks down. She sinks to the floor. Andrea crouches down beside her and puts her arms around her. Natalia admits she is in hell and asks her friend for help.

Credits roll.

Labels: clon

* Guilléns' flat
Fausto learns from Gaby that a stranger was looking for a man called Santiago Guzman. He looks harassed and runs out of the room leaving a very wondering girl behind. In his bedroom he collapses. Quakingly pulls a photo out of his pocket: it's his Marta who looked exactly like Gabriela. Fausto cries heartbreakingly and mutters that he misses her badly.

* prison
Basketball time on the yard. Marcos and Juan José wearing their wife-beater shirts discuss Gregorio. Marcos whines about his aching hand (I can't blame him for that) and wants to take revenge on the old man. JJ says that it was an accident, and anyway, Marcos shouldn't pay attention to Greg since 1. he's insane, 2. he killed two men. Naturally his advice goes in at one ear and out at the other. Marcos swear that he'll cure Gandalf's madness by giving him a huge beating.

* Guilléns' flat
The girl leave for work, Gaby worries about being fired. Daddy isn't at home, he left and acted strangely. He's always strange, says Julieta.

* prison
Gregorio is restless and keeps JJ awake as well. JJ joins him on the lower bed and the jailbirds talk about their future. Greg promises that after his liberation he'll find a lawyer to get Juan José out of the prison. And they'll have a tremendous amount of money! JJ politely smiles. You don't believe a word I say, do you? No, says the big guy. To be honest your story sounds like a movie. Gregorio's eyes kindle: exactly, it was like a movie! We flashback to the early 1900s and the old swashbuckler tells us the adventurous and bloody tale of a shamelessly huge amount of golden bars and the baddies who killed it's owner and later each other.


The killers buried the treasure and the last of them drew a map of the whereabouts of the gold. Later the letter was found in an old book in a church by two historians. JJ asks if they were the guys Greg killed. Gandalf continues the story: the men did a lot of research and discovered the possible location of the gold... Which was at his estate. They visited him and offered to give him a fair share of the treasure if he permited them to poke around his propriety. But when they found the spoils Gregorio coldbloodly shooted the happy boyz. To his misfortune, a servant witnessed the murder and called the police. Suddenly Greg stops being so friendly and threatens JJ: I can help you out of here but I can also kill you if you tell anyone what I said, capisci?


* restaurant
Gaby is nervously converses with Julieta. David (looking angry as usual) finally drops in, and the future lovebirds exchange heated looks. She timidly asks him if he'll fire her. David briefly, strictly says no. He just wants her to that know he didn't take liberties with her in her former workplace therefore the slap she gave him was unfair. It was Roberto, one of the idiots who accompanied him. Gaby is ashamed and still afraid of him. David takes pity on her and asks what her name is. Gabriela Guillén. The boy smiles and becomes all friendly, and orders a glass of vodka. Gaby is relieved and smiles back at him.


The Don and Yolanda arrive. When Yolanda notices Gaby she freezes like in New York in The Day After Tomorrow. Adolfo, did you see that waitress? Doesn't she look like Marta? Adolfo doesn't really care about the girl but notices David and gets angry. In the camera room he call Carlos to account for letting David into restaurant. Carlos objects: for God's sake, he's also an owner, how on Earth could I prohibit him from coming here.


Yolanda calls Gaby and fires tons of questions of her: name, family, mom, dad, their names, sister, when did your mom die, and so on. Although her curiosity is quite rude, Gaby obediently answers her. In the camera room David and Adolfo are play the good old "who's the alpha male game. This is my territory, boy, and I hate your presence here - I hate you, blah, blah, blah. As the argument heats Adolfo pulls a gun out and says him to get out of there or he'll kill him. But - and here comes my favourite part - Gabriel snatches the weapon out of his hand like Adolfo was just a naughty 8-years old boy. Awesome. He says he'd be interested if Adolfo even had permission to carry a gun then he leaves the room. This boy is cool, I like him. Adolfo's facial muscles start twitching and he theatralically tells Carlos that he'll kill David. Maybe next time you should try to glue the gun to your hand.

* Zárate estate
Next day Carlos visits Roberto in their home. Roberto less than thrilled about his presence since he was going to have lunch with Alejandra. Carlos asks him to pay back the money he owes. Oops. Roberto is all "I can't, I can't" but Moustache doesn't care about his bullshit excuses. Well, maybe Alejandra's wealthy uncle will be the solution of this situation. Carlos learns that Ale is David's cousin. The maid announces that a that a young lady called Elsa is looking for her father. Elsa walks in and Carlos, like every other guy in town hurries to introduce himself to the pretty girl.


* elegant designer office
Alejandra and her co-worker/friend (Hermina aka Mina) talk about Roberto. Mina would like to know if Ale wants to stop working after getting married. Of course not, objects the girl intensely. She worked and sacrificed a lot for that office, she even sold her car! Don't you love him, asks Mina warily. Ale sighs, she doesn't know, she was expecting something else and isn't sure about her own feelings. The girls change the topic and begin to talk about business.


* Guilléns'
Fausto arrives home carrying paper boxes and he's very pleased with himself. Gaby and Julieta ask him what he is doing. We'll move out, says cheerfully. Come on, it will be fun, he found a more comfortable flat. The girls are shocked.


* Zárate estate
Salomón smiles at Elsa (that smile makes me want to hit him in the face with a shovel, kudos to the actor) and tells her that he will lend her money. Elsa is grateful and says she will pay the loan back in a year. No, no, no, you've got six months, girl. Ooor... Salomón draws near to her and starts the "if you're good to me, baby" speech. Elsa objects, she asked him for loan because she needed money but if he misunderstands her motions maybe they should forget the transaction. Suddenly Salomón becomes cold and professional and pushes the paper under her nose. Okay, sign it here. Viewerville shouts: don't sign it, stupid kid! But she does. Oh, no.

* Alejandra's office
Ale greets Robertito with an unwilling kiss and bombs her idea: why don't they wait with the wedding for few months? Roberto's smile shatters as he visions the money he wanted so much flying away. You don't love me, do you? I do, I do, but I just started to run this business, I have to finish university, et cetera, et cetera. Rob comes up with an awesomely lame story: his father is sick and wants to have grandkids. If he doesn't get married soon he'll disinherit him. Wow. Ale gets angry. Why don't you look for a girlfriend who's already 8 months pregnant? I think I'm going to like her much, too.

* prison workshop
Juan José and Greg talk about the treasure, que sorpresa. Gregorio's lines (my precious, my precious, my precious gold!), JJ's lines (I like you old murderer and I'm very polite, but sorry, I won't buy your fairytale). Marcos sneaks in and mocks them, he doesn't understand how Juan can stand the crazy geezer. Gandalf grabs the hammer again and threatens him. JJ stops them from killing each other and leads Greg away. Marcos secretly picks up a chisel from the table.

* Genovés’ house
Mario plans to visit Fausto and the doctor. He bumps into David who claims him to break the partnership with the Ávila jerks. I can't do that, son. Mario's lines, David's lines.

* prison
Doña Piedad is sitting in the visitor's room. Juan José surprises her from the back with a kiss. They're cute. She tells him that Elsa helped her so much, sent her to a doctor and bought her medicines and she doesn't accept any money. She's such a good girl, says Piedad. Yes, such a good girl, echoes JJ. Piedad would be happy if they get married one day. JJ blushes, first, he's a jailbird and would never dare to ask her to be his wife, second, his feelings for her are brotherly. Sorry, girl, life sucks. I should've titled this episode as "Everyone except Juan José wants to jump Elsa's bones". Elsa drops in and gleefully tells him that her boss lent him money and she wants to help both JJ and Marcos. JJ politely refuses her offer. Elsa changes the subject: I'd like your Mama to move into my flat. Wow, that's great! JJ is grateful and the ladies are happy.


* Guilléns'
Fausto/Santiago opens the door and meets Asunción. He says he doesn't want to buy books and tries to shut the door, but Asunción is much stronger than him. Mario walks in and calls him Sr. Guzmán. Fausto is frightened. You remember me, don't you. I'm Mario Genovés. Fausto stutters that he doesn't know who his visitor is, he doesn't know any Santiago Guzmán or Marta! Mario calms him down: Stop this nonsense! Look, he doesn't want to cause him any trouble. What Fausto did to Marta should lie on his conscience. Fausto breaks and shakily sits on the coach. Mario tells him that he came to talk about his daughter. What? How dare you? Marta was already pregnant when you left her! I married her and became the father of his child, period. Mario admits regretfully that he didn't know she was carrying a child and only wants his daughter to know the truth. He would support her financially. Fausto explodes, oh no, she doesn't need your money! He begs Mario to leave them alone. And by the way, he didn't kill Marta! Now Mario starts begging: he just wants to reconcile with his child. He gives Fausto his telephone number then leaves. Fausto is agonizing.


* Elsa's pink flat
Doña Piedad moves in, and she loves her new home. Elsa has to do the shopping. Piedad offers her to bring some clothes to a customer of Elsa. In the meantime Alejandra gets into a taxi. The chauffeur drives way too fast.


* hospital
House M.D. tells Mario that he has brain tumor. Mario is appalled. Is it operable? No, it isn't. How much time I have left? Poco, muy poco.

* street
Piedad gets on a bus. The driver of the bus must've bought his license on the black market since he drives like a madmen. The passangers freak out. Alejandra's taxi driver answers his phone and yes, doesn't notice the other vehicle. The bus crashes to a wall. Nooo.



Aribeth


Here is a list of events from episode 3 posted earlier:
---------------
Santiago weeps in private about his dead wife, Márta, and how bitterly he misses her. This man did not kill the woman, for sure.

Juan Jose is having trouble convincing Marcos that Gregorio is a crazy old guy, that the attack was an accident and better leave him alone. There will be more trouble.

Gregorio likes Juan Jose, promises to get him out with a good lawyer and again that he will give him a job and they'll have a good time.

In a fascinating flashback, he describes how the treasure was originally stolen and buried on his property and how he killed the two guys he permitted to dig it up. So Juan Jose knows the treasure is real.

Gabriela is pleasantly surprised to hear from David she won't be fired -- and that it was Roberto who pulled on her corset laces.

Yolanda is astounded to see in Gabriela someone that looks exactly like her old friend, Márta. Yolanda questions her briefly about her personal situation to confirm her suspicions.

Adolfo is so angry to see David in the restaurant, he takes him aside in the office and pulls a gun on him (!) to make his point that he doesn't want him around; but David disarms him pitifully easy. Adolfo swears privately he'll kill him.

Roberto refuses to pay back Carlos some money he apparently owes him, and Carlos is tired of supporting Roberto. He learns that David and Alejandra are cousins. Elsa was told to meet Salomon at home; he isn't there, but Carlos meets Elsa this way.

Alejandra tells Mina she has no idea why she's with Roberto. They are awaiting a crucial contract for their architecture firm.

Santiago comes home with packing boxes and upsets Gabriela trying to move yet again.

Salomon gives Elsa her check while mashing on her; she refuses unless there's no funny business, but she signs when he relents, temporarily, I assume.

For my money, Salomon is the guy who killed both women in the murders. Roberto is following in his footsteps, too.

Roberto presses Alejandra to get married, and she doesn't want to set a date yet; she claims her business needs her, which is true. But clearly she's not that fond of him. He claims his dad will disinherit him without an heir soon, and this really sets Alejandra off. She's fed up with him.

Mario terrifies Santiago by visiting him at home. He doesn't care about the murder; Mario only wants to have a relationship with Gabriela, which enrages Santiago. Mario claims Marta didn't tell him she was pregnant.

Mario hears from the doctor that he has a brain tumor with very little time to live.

For the cliffhanger, Piedad moves in with Elsa and offers to do her a delivery favor. She gets on a microbus with a package of clothes for Elsa's customer, but is headed for a big wreck.

Labels: verdad

Capítulo 141: In which: Albieri has finally found someone who gets it – Jade! Daniel tries on the role of Material Boy. Escobar begins to doubt. Clara takes Fer to a bar to celebrate his sobriety. And Nati is circling the drain.

Escobar has once more dipped into the Bottomless Well of Bad Ideas. He seeks out Clara at work, and asks her, as a sensible (sensata) person, to talk to Malicia and reassure her that she won’t be evicted once the apartment has been signed over to Fernando. Clara reminds him that he signed the apartment over to Malicia precisely because he felt Clara was a crazy fool (loca insensata) who would spend all their money on boy gigolos. (At that time, Escobar must have had his wife confused with Lucas’s. Ni modo.)

Anita and Luisa are at the Albieri house discussing Escobar’s plight. Albieri trudges in, depressed by Daniel’s anger and resentment. Daniel wanted to know if he would die young and if he would be a normal person, Albieri tells Luisa. And he admits he had no good answers for him. Both Luisa and Albieri know that Daniel is wounded by the way people are treating him. Even so, Luisa says she just can’t manage to see him as the person she once knew.

We see Daniel stare at his reflection in a car window.

At Casa Ferrer, Lucas remains skeptical of the clone story. He would like DNA verification. He tells Rosa that his father is very vulnerable right now and they don’t yet know cuáles sean los intereses de por medio (what motives/interests are involved).

Outside Dora’s apartment building, Leo catches sight of Daniel and embraces him: ¡Hijo, hijo mío! Dora watches with silent fury. Roberto must be seeing Daniel for the first time because he looks astonished. Daniel asks a startled Leo:
Señor, Usted cree que me voy a morir pronto?
Sir, do you think I’m going to die soon?
Roberto and Leo persuade everyone to go inside so they can talk. Roberto tries to charm Dora. Leo slips into Daniel’s bedroom and finds him reading a large tome, Molecular Genetics. He enjoys reading, Daniel tells him. Leo invites him to stay at his house for a few days. Daniel turns him down. He’s planning a trip to Morocco. Leo’s delighted to hear this and says: Why don’t we go together? Morocco is one of my favorite places! It's agreed: they will all go to Casa Ferrer, have dinner and make their plans.

Jade and Zoraida are at Mohamed’s place talking about going to see Albieri. Latifa and Mohamed are still arguing about Samira and Carlos.

Then Latifa finds Samira and Zumaya in the bedroom. Your father will cool down and everything will be okay, she says. Samira hangs tough. She defends her right to define her own life. She tells her mother:
Carlos es mi novio… Me voy a casar con la persona que elija y punto.
Carlos is my boyfriend... I’m going to marry the person I choose and that’s that.


Alejandro comes home to an empty apartment. Gloria phones him. Ramón (metiche!) told her he’s got a match coming up. Yes, he says, but it’s just a training match and it will be in Chicago. And yes, of course, Natalia will accompany him, if she can. It depends on her schedule.

¿Dónde estás, Natalia? (Where are you, Natalia?) he mutters to himself. Then he notices their DVD player is missing.

Jade and Zoraida arrive at the Clinic to see Albieri. Once seated in his office, Jade comes right to the point: You know my story with Lucas, right? Now twenty years later you show up at Tío Alí’s house with your godson who seems to be a copy of Lucas (parece una copia de Lucas). And Albieri responds:
¡No, no parece! Lo es. Es una copia. ... Es un clon, es un clon de Lucas. Hice un clon de Lucas.
No he doesn’t seem to be a copy! He is a copy. He’s a clone, a clone of Lucas. I made a clone of Lucas.
What do you mean? asks Jade. I mean, says Albieri, that I recreated Lucas:
Yo hice que naciera de nuevo, que viviera otra vez.
I caused him to be born again, so that he could live again.
Jade is astounded: That means that the past and the future are crossing in front of me? There are two Lucases?
Yes, Albieri assures her, there are two.
¿Y sus corazones son los mismos? Su mente la misma, su forma de ser, su forma de sentir es la misma, doctor?
And their hearts are the same? Their minds the same, their way of being, their way of thinking is the same, doctor?
That I don’t know, admits Albieri. They are bound to have some differences because of the way they were brought up. But Daniel – yes, his name is Daniel – has expressions very like Lucas’s.

At Casa Ferrer, Rosa takes Daniel to Diego’s room and invites him to make any changes he wishes. We’ll buy you anything you’d like! Would you like that? Well, yeah, smiles Daniel. [And it’s hard not to remember the bratty child Daniel who was seduced by Albieri’s extravagant gifts and broke his mother’s heart again and again.]

Anything you’d like to change? Daniel picks up two model helicopters. These, he says. [Since Diego died in a fiery helicopter crash, you’d think Rosa would see it as significant that Daniel doesn’t want these particular toys around. But no.]
Marisa appears at the doorway, watching Daniel taking clothes out of the closet and thinks: Remodeling the untouchable room?

Jade and Albieri continue their conversation. Albieri talks about the marvel of being able to live in two different time periods. We have all asked ourselves what we’d do differently if we had the opportunity to live our lives over, to choose a different path. Now the clone is going to give us the answer!
Jade: So that means that if Lucas is a fearful, insecure person, his clone may not be like that?
Yes, exactly, says Albieri. Fearful, insecure people are usually that way because of the way they were raised.

While Zoraida waits in the reception area, in reply to Anita’s question, she explains why Muslim women cover their hair in public. Anita asks her what she would do if she had one day of freedom from the restrictions of her religion. She is surprised that Zoraida wants no part of western “freedom”. Occidentals treat women so badly and don't respect them. [Anita, why don’t you ask Samira these questions. The answers might interest you.]

At Casa Ferrer, Marisa remarks to Rosa that when she looks at Daniel, she realizes how much she herself has changed. [Marisa and Rosa have been gettting pretty chummy lately. I suppose Marisa has to talk to someone and because of the not so secret Natalia Problem, she can’t talk to Lucia like she used to.]

As Jade and Zoraida head home, Albieri’s words echo in her head: I created Lucas anew, I caused him to be born again.

The discussion among Dora, Leo and Roberto is anything but amicable. She accuses Leo of trying to buy her son and threatens to go to the police. Leo says he’d be glad to take her on in court. Oh yeah, says Dora. Well let’s see who wins: The woman who gave birth to him or the crazy man who wants to take him away from her.

Outside the Casa Ferrer, Dora is dragging Daniel away by the arm.

Inside Casa Ferrer, Leo gives his blessings to any changes Daniel would like to make. Soon he’ll be living here with us, he says and smiles down at a photo of him and the twins.

Alejandro phones Andrea and tells her Natalia stole a DVD player they bought together. She promises to come over so they can talk.

Natalia and Paula have escaped alive from the scary drug house and are walking along the street looking weird and ugly, getting in people’s faces for kicks.

Enrique: People were afraid of me. When I had alienated everyone, I sold everything I owned for $40 to get more drugs.

Lucia notices that Andrea has spent a lot of time with Pablo lately. Andrea tells her there’s nothing going on between them. Over her mother’s objections, she leaves to meet Alejandro at the apartment.

Malicia lets the phone ring. She and Pablo are too busy to answer it.

At the clinic, Escobar complains that Malicia’s not answering. Says Julio:
Te metiste en un callejón sin salida.
You’ve got yourself in a dead end / at an impasse.
Ever so delicately Julio asks: Do you think she might be interested in someone else? Escobar is quick to dismiss the suggestion but to himself he says: ¿Sera? (Is it possible?/I wonder)

Alas it is possible, Raul. We get a glimpse of Malicia and Pablo (and a glimpse is too much).

Clara and Fernando are at home discussing the sad state of the apartment dispute. But listen, says Clara, the most important thing is that you are putting your life in order. Fernando tells her it’s not so easy, he still has tremendous cravings. You just have to keep away from the situations and people that are harmful, says his mother. And then she invites him to join her at Salamandra for an alcohol-free celebration of this new start in life.

Enrique tells his therapist that families don’t understand that a recovering addict can’t be anywhere near alcohol.

And we see Fernando first sipping, then chugging a drink at Salamandra while his mother dances obliviously a few feet away.

Andrea advises Alejandro to tell Marisa and Lucas that Natalia is stealing things from her own house. He refuses, although he knows he has to do something. But you’ve talked to her so many times, points out Andrea.

Scary Nati and Paula need more money but they are inconveniently far from the bank, that is to say, Alej’s stuff. The resourceful Paula sees a woman unlocking her car. Paula pulls a huge knife from her boot, runs up and grabs the woman from behind, and holds the knife to her throat. She snatches her purse and she and Nati run off with it.

Labels: clon

Ahoy all, admittedly I breezed through a few conversations. If you think I've left out important bits please feel free to point them out in the comments...

Emanuel protests to Ilitia that he just doesn’t like Brandon, no reason, it’s just bad chemistry. Ilitia cogitates a bit, recalls Eman also hated Brandon at the party...it’s La Gorda, he’s jealous of La Gorda!! Eman looks like a puppy spanked with a paper. “You’re in love with La Gorda!” she accuses. No No Mari is just his cousin and Ilitia is his girlfriend he says. Ilitia figures there’s more to the story of why Eman can’t stand Brandon. “Porque baby?” Eman protesteth too much, Ilitia tires of the conversation and ends it with a kiss. Eman must be very confused right about now. Or not.

Netty has survived the hit-and-run attempt by Mr. Plastic Face (can’t remember his name) and her doctor coincidentally arrives on the scene. At least I think he’s her doctor, he really seems to have a crush on her and doesn’t like the lawyer. Lawyer says he doesn't think it was an accident and Netty is all “OMG Angela was right! This was no accident!” and then she gushes over the lawyer for saving her life. Doc's all Grrrr. I think the guy's a contender.

At Casa de Horror Gretel frets about her brother and tells Delicia she is worried about what happened to him. “WHAT happened to Axel?” demands Fedra who walks in at that moment. She shakes Gretel and Delicia thought bubbles that the witch is going to shake the poor crazy girl’s bones apart. More yelling, Gretel calls mom a control freak and mom, well, freaks.

Tio General's makeover is busted by Emiliano. What are they doing in Tio’s room?!? Tio enters the room, “Haven’t I told you to knock before opening the door?” Wow, he’s in uniform, looks dapper and official, and salutes to the group.

Tio thanks Mari for turning him back into El General and Benigno for being a part of it. Beni salutes in return. Emiliano says it’s like no time has passed, he’s once again General Ruiz y de Teresa.

Gretel paces Axel’s room and is joined, of course, by mommy dearest. Fedra demands to know what Axel is up to and tells Gretel she’s an unfortunate disgrace. Gretel hisses that her only misfortune is having Fedra as a mother, and for that Gretel gets a backhand across the face. Is there any doubt that our villainous mother is an abusive witch? She vows to make Gretel’s life a living hell. Nice.

Back in the General’s room Mari points out he was always The General on the inside and that’s what really counts, that he just needed a little help to bring the real him to the surface. OK we get it. General says he just wanted to let his enemies know he’s ready for war. Emi hopes that tomorrow Tio will leave the basement for the presentation of Mari’s inheritence. Tio yells never, never will he leave until the devil of Emi’s wife is gone.

And...she is still torturing her poor daughter until her cellular rings. It’s Bernardo with bad news. He didn’t manage to kill Netty, some dude came out of nowhere and saved her. OK that didn’t help Fedra’s rotten mood any but Gretel’s not in her sights anymore. I sure wouldn’t want to be Bernardo.

Netty and her two beaux regale the story of Netty’s near-death to the ladies of Netty’s house. It was just like the prophecy (vaticinio) she insists, in between batting her eyes at the guys, someone wants to kill her.

OK, here’s something new. Agent Orange (Mauricio) and Lorenzo the Loser are having a conversation about some beauty contest at the club. I think Mau is on the selection committe and he wants Lorenzo to handle the sales part of it. Mau thinks Lo is reluctant because of what happened with his (Mau's) father. He didn’t embezzle money, it was a trap. Mau sez do it for your daughter, it will help Ilitia’s image. Blah blah he finally convinces Loser Lorenzo to do it because he’ll get to ogle lots of babes in bikinis. They shake on the deal. I’m surprised their hands can even grip what with all the slime.

More Netty fretting, insisting on being called Senorita, and her two men arguing over her. The other ladies tell them to stop measuring their ties (midiendo las corbates = chest thumping) and make nice.

Mari and Doris converse about Netty’s loathsome aunt Fedra and gruff but lovable Tio General. Mari thanks Doris for taking a busman’s holiday and Doris kindly urges Mari to ditch the maternity clothes. Mari sez according to her cousin everyone thinks she’s pregnant already. Doris rips on the skinny chicks and suggests Mari go to a store for gorditas. Just then Kristel and Agent Orange appear to mock them.

Brandon returns home, victorious in his job reinstatement. He regales his pal with his adventures of the afternoon. He ran into the nasty mamacita and imagine his surprise, her mother is the real bread from God (pan de Dios = kind person, salt of the earth) not a monster like her daughter.

Brandon’s in pain and takes his shirt off to show his bruise. Ouch!! Also gives him a chance to show off his pecs and six-pak to the ladies. Thank you for that. His Mami is aghast at the bruise, he sez it was just a couple of thieves (rateros). OK enough about Brandon, she shares her story about Netty’s “accident”. Verrrry suspicious, think the policeboys.

We’re back in Horror House and I’ll make this short. They argue about plus size stores for women. Kristel claims how could she, with her body of overwhelming beauty, know about such things? She calls Doris a naca, Doris lunges, Mau threatens to kick her out of this “casa de bien” which is not the “barrio of nacos” that she’s used to. Doris laughs, didn’t they know this is Mari’s house? They remind Mari that she is supposed to participate in the beauty contest at the club. (She is? I guess I forgot.)

Fedra rips Bernardo a new one for failing to kill Netty. She doesn’t want to hear one more word from him until he’s killed Netty, got it? She doesn’t care how he does it, but if he fails he’ll pay with his life.

Mauricio and Kristel insist that Mari promised to be in the beauty contest. She doesn’t remember and doesn’t want to because people will make fun of her. Mau insists that yes, she WILL be there, correct? He blows an unctuous kiss their way and Doris is baffled. Why would she agree to do such a thing? She doesn’t have to do it if she doesn’t want to.

It’s a full moon, isn’t it always in Mexico City? Muneca and Lorenzo are fighting...surprised? I can’t believe it, he’s still lying about being at work all night. He’s working to support her can’t they just forget everything? He wants to show her she’s the only woman in his life. Barf.

Netty tells the policeboys that she didn’t see the face of the driver. Brandon decides to inspect the area for clues. Just then weird Angela shows up.

Gross, Nereida nuzzles Bernardo. He pushes her off and tells her to leave him in peace. I don’t understand what that hot maid sees in him. She says she doesn’t understand what’s come over him. He throws her against the door and tells her the full moon has turned him into a monster. This is where she’s supposed to cheerfully say, “don’t worry honey, I didn’t notice any difference.” But since nobody in that house is cheerful she just runs out with messy hair.

Downstairs the two nice maids gripe that Nereida always disappears when there’s work to do. Then they talk about the witch Fedra until Nereida shows up trying to disguise her bed head which isn’t too hard considering she didn’t get much bed. She tells Delicia to stay away from what is hers. Older maid is like WTF? Fedra breaks up the party by telling them to get the family for dinner, Emiliano has a big announcement to make.

Ilitia and “Baby” (Eman) are making out on the couch and wow she likes his kissing tonight. “Let’s have a toast, together and alone.” She wants to get it on but he thinks her house isn’t the best place. I think he’s getting a little drunk.

Delicia and Mari are discussing the impending announcement. Delicia calls Fedra Doña Neuros (neurosis? not sure what she means) and then does a great job mimicking her. Funny stuff.

Netty tells Angela that her prediction was right, word for word! Angela corrects, she doesn’t make predictions she just receives the spirits and relates what they say. She sez surely the danger hasn’t passed and her close call was a warning. Netty wants her to try to find out who’s trying to kill her, she wants to talk to Juan Pastor this very night.

Gretel is hiding out in bed after being terrorized by mom. (Joking aside, it’s quite hard to watch, isn’t it?) Apparently she has a fever but Gretel has other concerns. She wants Mari to help her find Axel before he does something crazy. Mari leaps into action and gives Delicia (who has been trying to call Eman) instructions on how to reduce Gretel’s fever, wet towels and cold water...now!

Ilitia and “Baby” are dancing cheek to cheek. She tells him she adores him but the shrill music tells us something might be bugging him. Uh oh, saved by the parents. Oh yuck, Muñeca happily announces that dad took her out for a reconciliation dinner. She’s more of a recidivist than he is.

Gretel’s fever is down and she insists that Mari go hunt for Axel at The One And Only Club in Mexico City. Delicia thinks this is a very bad idea but Mari being Mari agrees.

OMG Ilitia and Baby are kissing again, now in the dark. Where is this going? Oh, looks like the bedroom. But wait, maybe not, he doesn’t want to do it in the parent’s house. But yes, he can’t resist her temptation and they head for the stairs.

The Club - Mari arrives and tells Benigno to wait with the taxi. I’m glad she brought him but shouldn't he be going inside with her? She talks to herself as she strolls through The Club. Suddenly she is terrorized by Count Blechula, yep it’s Mau dressed as an orange-tinted vampire. He keeps wrapping her in his cape and baring his fangs at her. Then he reminds her that she’ll do what he wants or he tells Eman that she’s in love with him.

Mari tells Mau to fly away, she can’t stand him. He’s crazy and sick. She pushes him off and finds herself surrounded by a flock of fakely fanged Nosferatu wannabes. Uh, sounds like Mau is threatening her but I can’t understand him through his mouthpiece. Something about there is no escape? And thus our episode ends most oddly.

Have a great weekend everyone!!


Mañana - Fedra is mean, there is a seance, Fedra threatens, Mari thinks she’s in a madhouse.

Labels: llena

Ale has just asked Marco the million dollar question, and the clock is ticking. “What do you have to do with Carmela?”

We’ll have to wait a bit more for his answer as we zip over to the casa of Jaime, who is also caught in a sticky situation. Vicky has interrupted his ardent studying and barged into his house. She wants him to help her get Rafa back since it’s his fault she lost him. He gets in her face to let her know he will do no such thing. I applaud his forceful rejection of Vicky’s latest scheme. Unfortunately for Jamie, his proximity to Vicky Veil looks a bit compromising to Julieta who has just appeared in his doorway. Jaime asks the inevitable, “que haces aqui?” Julieta, through angry tears, tells him how her mother and brother convinced her to give him another chance and forgive him. Jaime tries to explain why Vicky is there, but Julieta won’t listen. She tells him that she will NOT allow herself to be so stupid again, slaps him hard across the face (how his glasses have survived all these knock is beyond me), and dashes out the door. Vicky is unconcerned and calls Julieta “una niña insignificante” (an insignificant child). In Vicky’s world, the only person of importance is Vicky, and the only relationship worth saving is hers.

In the time it took for Jaime’s world to fall apart, Marco has finally come up with an answer to Ale’s question. Of course he has something to do with Carmela. Hacienda business of course! “Who told you that I had something going on with her?” Ale tells him it was Susana, who heard it from Dandy, who said it seems that Marco and Carmela have “un arreglo” (an arrangement). (Why are you ratting out Susana and Dandy Ale?) Marco feigns offense. “I’m your husband, you should trust me.”

This emboldens the little audience that had been witness to this interrogation, Jorge and Rosaura. They quickly take Marco’s side, scold Ale for not trusting her husband, and make her apologize to Marco. Ale relents, for now, and reluctantly gives Marco a hug and kiss.

Marco’s off the hook, but poor Jamie is not. Vicky refuses to leave until he agrees to help her get Rafa back. Yells, pleas, and threats do nothing to crack her calm demeanor. Jaime, meanwhile, is looking more and more disheveled by the moment. “If you don’t help me, I will tell my brothers to tear you in two.” Jaime bravely tells her that he doesn’t care if they tear him in 2, 3 or 4. “Oh yeah!?” Vicky calls his bluff and begins to walk towards the door. Jaime folds. He asks her what she wants. She doesn’t know yet, but she has him on retainer for when she does. (Why Jaime, why?) She calmly saunters out, leaving a distraught Jaime.

But nothing can top the level of distraught Julieta has reached by the time she arrives home to Casa Medina. Rafa wants to know what Jaime did to her. Julieta is hysterical and tells Rafa and Leonor that Jaime was with Vicky in his house. She runs off to her room, and Big Brother Rafa looks teed-off.

Ramirez and his mama have also arrived home from the fiesta. Mama Ramirez calls the women her son works with “prostitutas, locas, y zorras” (prostitutes, crazies and whores, among other insults). Ramirez is offended and tries to defend his compañeras, but Mama isn’t hearing it. She’s just glad he hasn’t succumbed to the temptation these loose women pose. In fact, she knows just the perfect decent woman to introduce him to- Milagros Escandon. She won’t take no for an answer. Ramirez (our undercover Romeo) knows that if she’s a friend of his mother’s, she’s NOT the woman for him.

Jimenez’s wife also has something to say about the women of Siglo. Actually, one in particular. She’s seen enough telenovelas to know, and her sixth sense tells her, that there is something going on between the Generala and Jimenez. Jimenez denies it and Elvira makes the universal sign for what she’ll do to him if he’s lying- the slow gesture of the cutting of the throat. Ay, Dios Mio!

It’s finally bed time, and Ale sits alone in the dark remembering her encounters with Rafa that day. She says to herself that she can’t live this way. She can’t be with a man she doesn’t love. Marco, meanwhile, has no such concerns keeping him awake. In fact, he’s snoring loudly on the couch in a deep sleep when Jorge creeps in and wakes him up. Jorge can’t sleep. He wants to know why Marco and Ale aren’t sharing a bed. “Is there a problem?” Marco denies it and says they are just waiting to do things properly, waiting till after the religious ceremony. Jorge doesn’t seem to buy this, but accepts Marco’s sweet offer to make him some warm milk to help him sleep. This reminds Jorge of his mama who used to do that for him long ago. When he thanks Marco he has trouble calling him Marco instead of mama. (Very sweet and sad at the same time actually.)

The rooster crows, the sun rises, and it’s a brand new day. Rafa and Ale both look at their phones wistfully, remembering when they used to serve as each other’s wake up ritual. At breakfast, Julieta wants to know if Rafa would prefer she stop working for Marian after his altercation with Daniel. Rafa thinks she should continue to work with Marian. He asks her how she feels about Jaime. No need to ask really. We can tell how she feels by the redness of her eyes and face. That’s the face of a girl who’s been crying all night. Rafa says he’s going to talk to Jaime 'cause he owes him an explanation.

Another brother and sister duo is also sharing breakfast. The topic of conversation for Jorge and Rosario is Ale, however. Jaime thinks it’s strange that Ale and Marco aren’t sleeping together, and doesn’t believe this excuse about awaiting the church wedding. He thinks the problem is the difficulty for the couple to be intimate in such close quarters with dad and aunt around. He thinks they should buy another apartment for Jorge to spend his last days in (Rosario will soon be marrying and moving in with Quintana after all) and a bigger place for Ale and Marco. They will need to sell the hacienda, give over the money to Ale and Marco, and buy the apartments. In the background, Marco who has been listening in does a happy dance.

Ale arrives to her office at Siglo and Susana wants to know how things went with “el hombrecito” (the little man- I find this funny since wives are often called the little woman). Neither of them realizes Rafa is in his office listening intently to their conversation. Ale tells Susana Marco’s seemingly valid excuses for meeting with Carmela. With no proof, she can’t do anything. Susana says she will ask Dandy for more information. In the meantime, Susana wants to know how things are going with the lack of marriage bed intimacy. They both take a quick look in Rafa’s office to make sure no one is there, and to our surprise no one is there. That’s because Rafa has had the good sense to hide in the corner behind a large potted plant. Unfortunately, he is incapable of containing his exuberant joy upon hearing that Ale and Marco have not, and will not, have any post marital relations. Ale and Susana are alarmed by the rustle of the plant leaves and get up to go investigate in Rafa’s office. Uh oh!

We’ll just have to bite our nails and hope for the best for Rafa not being discovered, because we are whisked to Marians’ office. She is joined by her BFF Montserat and they talk about what fun the fiesta was. Montserat points out that Marian has always been transparent and can’t hide her feelings. Something else was making her so happy during the party. Marian admits it was Rafa who was making her so happy. Until that brother of hers, Daniel showed up. Speak of the (handsome) devil! In walks the man, the myth, the legend (in his own mind), himself. He wants to talk to Marian alone, about something “muy, muy serio” (very, very serious). Like all well practiced little sisters, Montserat listens in at the door after she departs. Marian wants to make sure he’s not going to bring up this marriage silliness again. He says no. He’s dying. Qué?!

Now you have to bite your nails wondering what’s happening with Daniel as we head back to learn the fate of Rafael Medina and the Potted Plant. Ale and Susana are just about to cross the threshold into Rafa’s office when….Beltran interrupts them. Time and money’s a wastin’! He wants to get the sales meeting started, pronto! Yes, he means right this second. A very relieved and joyous Rafa does an extended version of his happy dance.

Back to the fate of Dying Daniel. Marian is beside herself with worry. What does he have? What did the doctors say? Daniel states again that it’s a guarantee that he’s going to die…well, we all are going to die…someday. Marian gives him an exasperated swat, and Montserat rushes in scolding him for causing her to cry on the other side of the door. Yeah, she was eavesdropping. What of it? Marian calls him a tonto and brushes some lingering tears of concern away.

Chavez is continuing to play both sides of the fence. He’s having drinks in our favorite bar with Quintana and his sidekick. Quintana wants his cut of the cash. Chavez feigns that he can’t collect cash from the hacienda since the headless horseman has him too scared to go there. Quintana doesn’t see what this has to do with him getting his money. Chavez changes tactics and tells Quintana that Marco is selling the hacienda and already has a buyer. The very shrewd Quintana assumes the buyer is a fake and is really Chavez. Chavez denies it. The Alvarez del Castillo family already know his name. No way could they get away with that. He lies that he has no idea who Marco would use for this purpose, and then accepts a call from his (estranged) other half. Chavez informs Quintana and Co. that Marco is on his way to the bar in a few minutes. Quintana then points out that it’s Chavez that has the most to lose from Marco seeing them together, not him (this is so much like an affair). He then goes to the bathroom to wash off the Chavez germs.

When Marco shows up, he seems almost as jealous of seeing Chavez having drinks with Quintana’s toady as he is when he sees Ale and Rafa together. Chavez lies that he’s just a old friend, and then tells said old friend to tell his “brother” “Enrique” that “hay pajaritos en el alambre” (there are birds on the wire), and sends him away. He then distracts Marco’s attention from the fact that there are three glasses of drinks at the table and asks about the Swiss account. No, Jorge hasn’t remembered the account info yet, and his memory is just getting worse each day. Chavez counsels Marco to get as much info out of Jorge as possible before his memory is totally gone. In the background, Quintana is reluctantly being hustled out of the bar by his toady, and Zetina is in their way. He finally manages to sit down at his usual table with a perfect view of Marco’s dirty dealings, but no ability to hear them. He takes out his camera and gives it another try. I doubt he’ll see Chavez and Marco lock lips (well, who knows with those two), but seeing the two of them canoodling should raise eyebrows.

At the sales meeting most of the team is hung-over, especially the General whom they all tease about her overindulgence with the tequila. She’s not amused, but everyone else is in a good mood. Dandy especially, who thinks the world is bright and beautiful and full of possibilities. (Ah, love!) Rafa is in total happy agreement with him. They both think it’s time to gather the posse because there is much to tell (they are worse than a bunch of 13 year old girls). Ale looks back and forth between these grinning fools and tells Rafa that she does not want him wasting the time of the salesmen. Rafa smiles at her adoringly and tells her she’s beautiful when she’s angry. Ale is nonplussed and obviously flattered. She leaves quickly when Dandy returns with the rest of La Liga de Justicia (the Justice League), sporting crossed arms and puffed out chests. She departs telling them that they look like children. And she’s right. All they lack are their Spiderman and Batman Underoos.

Once she leaves, the macho crossed arms and puffed chests dissolve into goofiness, giggles, and gossip. How did Dandy get Susana to forgive him? Why’s Rafa so happy? Tell us the juicy details. Dandy lets them know Susana is on their side and can be an ally for them in their fight for all that is good. She is so in the League. Rafa reports that his damsel in distress is not having intimate relations with the evil baddie. And for that reason he is felíz, felíz, felíz! “Although she’s married, she can still be mine.”

Marian is still trying to talk some sense into Daniel. She does love him, but just as a friend. She certainly doesn’t hate him, although he can be insufferable. He asks what does Rafa have that he doesn’t? Marian is happy to list the qualities. Rafa is good, noble, hard working…He tries to help everyone. And, he’s not presumptuous (ahem). Montserat interjects that she thinks Marian is only so interested in Rafa because he’s hard to get (Marian protests a bit too much). Monstserat thinks Marian should give Daniel a chance, and she’s not just saying that because he’s her brother. Daniel asks what it will take for her to give him a chance. Marian’s response is that he needs to be more humble (humilde), and less arrogant (soberbia). Daniel doesn’t think he’s arrogant, it’s just that he’s so damn close to perfection. (Lol!) Montserat gives him a swat and Marian groans.

Marco’s happiness over Jorge’s plan to sell the hacienda didn’t last long, and now he’s grumpy. Chavez wants to know what’s up with him. It’s the whole situation with Ale. It’s all Medina’s fault. Chavez corrects him. Nope, it’s Marco’s fault. And if he doesn’t snap out of it Ale will get sexually frustrated and look elsewhere to fulfill her needs (Chavez looks like he’d like to be that "somewhere else"). Marco starts to freak out about this so Chavez changes the subject. He wants to talk about the sale of the hacienda. Is Marco going to tell Carmela they have a fake buyer? Nope. Not now. How about Quintana? What will happen when he finds out that you’re selling the hacienda? Marco is unconcerned.

He would be concerned, if he heard the conversation between Ale and Susana. She tells Susana how being with Rafa just now made her feel. Susana gives her a piece of her mind again about her having married a man she doesn’t love like a niña caprichosa (impulsive child). Tell her Susana! Ale admits that she can’t go on like this. Then it’s time to do something, Susana tells her. Ale decides. “I’m going to ask for a divorce!”

Tomorrow: Marco and Vicky see their shrinks.

Labels: dinero

We start out with Vicky Veil serving lasagna with green sauce to a very frustrated family. So much so that poor Pancho takes to head banging on the table.

Time to go to the fiesta where we see a smiling Jorge cutting a Latin rug with Claudia. She sweetly dismisses herself leaving Jorge behind admiring all the lovely muchachonas that remind him so much of Ruby. He is not alone for long when Marian’s friend takes over. Marco excuses himself from Ale who seems to be distracted herself. She decides to disentangle Jorge from said lovely friend. Rafa and Marian are also dancing away when Daniel cuts in to dance with his “fiancé.” This does not go over well with Rafa who says “lets settle this once and for all.” Daniel’s ready to rumble.

We pan behind a brick wall and see Marco asking Claudia what she wants. She says “you can’t guess (adivianas) handsome?” and smacks a big kiss on him. Marco seems more alarmed than pleased as we hear Ale in the background telling Jorge she will be right back as she heads towards the wall. Does he get caught? Of course not as suspenseful music plays and Susana in a cute blue bikini, rushes up to her and drags her off to save Rafa. It seems as if he is about to get macho with Daniel.

Marco seeing Ale being dragged off chides Claudia telling her they almost got caught. Claudia coyly tells him nothing happened. Marco tells her it was a miracle they didn’t get caught, and wants to know why she was kissing him. Claudia continues her little seduction as she tells him she “likes him“. Furthermore she never got to congratulate him on his marriage. Marco now seems downright annoyed as he stops Claudia in her tracks, telling her to forgot about him. He doesn’t want to have any problems with his wife.

Everyone has now gathered around our quarreling duo, Rafa and Daniel. Rafa wants to know what he is talking about referring to Marian as his fiancé. Daniel throwing insults to Rafa suggesting he is nothing but a cars salesman wants to know if he is defective (tarado/ defective, damaged or weak). Rafa tells him he is violent. Daniel now tells him he is only with Marian for her money. Not the thing to say as Rafa goes after Daniel and grabs him by the lapels. Daniel still egging Rafa on, tells him to be careful with his suit. And now fists are flying as Marian steps in and puts a stop to it. She turns to Rafa and tells him to behave himself after all his mother and sister are there and they are at Doña Arcadias house. Doña Arcadia, bless her soul, tells Marian that she loves it when two men fight over a women. Like they use to fight over her in the good old days.

Marian now the umpire, tells Rafa and Daniel that they will settle this in private. She takes them each by the hand chewing them out, telling them they are acting like children and leads them away. Our Siglo crew is left behind all grumbling because they will miss out on some gossip.

We see Marian dragging them off with Ale and Susana close behind. Ale yells at Rafa asking “How could you think of fighting here?” Rafa tries to explain but Marian gets the upper hand and pulls them away to settle this once and for all telling Ale that she will deal with them. Ale is left behind telling Susana that the worse part is that they are both fighting over another women. Susana tells her she feels an ugly vibe about all of this. Ale tells Susana that there definitely is something going on between Rafa and Marian. After all
“you don’t fight for someone you don’t love.” Clueless Marco strolls up and asks them if he missed something. Ale tells him no.

Marian is going off on Rafa and Daniel telling them they are acting like children. Rafa defends himself asking her if she didn’t hear what Daniel said to him. Daniel insufferably says he would fight for her no matter what. She turns to him telling him she doesn’t need him to fight for her. Then doing the “Get this into your thick skull drum roll on his forehead” tells him she is not his fiancé. Daniel reminds her that she said she would think about it. Rafa confronts Marian on this, while she is still yelling at Daniel telling him that he is the one who thinks she will think about it not her. Rafa interrupts one more time and asks her to tell him one thing “Do you also think the only reason I am with you is for the money?” Marian turns to Rafa and swears to him that she does not think that, and continues pleading “It was me that went looking for you all the time, to the point of appearing like a beggar (rogona/regonar to beg or plead). Acting beneath my standards” (nivel). Daniel chimes in telling her she shouldn’t have to do that because she is a woman of great value. Thankfully she turns to Daniel and tells him to shut up!!! Rafa now fed up tells Marian there isn’t anything left to clear up and leaves. Marian continues pleading after Rafa that she has more to say to him. Daniel grabs her by the arm and tells her to let him go. He starts pawing her as she swats him away like a pesky gnat telling him to not touch her.

Time to leave the party for a while to see what is happening at Siglo. Not much. One of the showgirls isn’t having much luck. Trapito isn’t doing much better. After all it is lunch time.

Lets go back to the party, there is a lot more happening there. Mrs. Ramirez has the hots for Bebe. She wants to know if he is married. He informs her that he is married but his wife doesn’t like to go to parties. She tells him that is a shame. Naïve Bebe responds “Because she doesn’t like to go to parties?“ “No. Because your married.” They are interrupted by the general who has had much to much to drink.

Susana with umbrella drink in hand is approached by Dandy. He begs to talk with her for just a minute. Susana gives this a little thought and says okay. He tells her “Before anything else forgive me.” and explains what happened with Carmella as we have a flashback of the fateful kiss. He tells her he was trying to help Rafa. After all she should understand better than anyone how things are between Rafa and Ale. He believes that Marco is involved in some murky (turbio) business with Carmela. He tells her that Carmella is key (clave) to finding out what is going on with Marco and the hacienda.

Susana tells him she believes this because she has always doubted Marcos integrity. Dandy continues telling her that Rafa asked him to try and find out if Carmela and Marco were plotting (tramando/tramar, to plot or plan) something. Susana asks what does that have to do with the fact that she caught him kissing her. Dandy explains that he wasn’t kissing her. She was devouring him. He tells Susana Carmela is a man eater. Dandy goes on and says “I’m serious. Just when your not thinking, she traps you and sucks you up.” Susana is not completely buying this. Dandy tells her he was caught off guard and had the bad luck to have Susana show up just as she “trapped him and suctioned him up.” (This was a very cute scene).

Susana smiles and Dandy tells her it is her smile that he was dying to see again, gently touching her face. He tells her she doesn’t know how much he loves her. She tells him she loves him as well and suffered a lot because of this situation. He swears to her that this will never happen again. All is forgiven. She has one final question about what he wrote to her. Dandy admits that it came from the bottom of his heart. That he loves her and is not interested in any one else. We have a sweet kiss with the entire Siglo crew looking on with smiles. The General is still drinking as Rosaura tries to take the glass from her and Pepito is all over Rosaura.

Than we have a very strange little scene. Bebe is being pulled on like a “tug of war” with Mrs. Ramirez on one side and Granny Roller-head on the other begging him for a dance. Poor Bebe is pleading for them to let go. He has to go to the bathroom.

Rafa looking quite handsome in his light blue shirt and white pants is walking alone deep in thought when Ale shows up. She asks him if he is okay. He says “Yes. Why wouldn’t I be?” She asks him if everything was cleared up with Marian. He tells Ale that Marian is thinking about marrying Daniel. This brings a quick smile to Ale as she gleefully says “really?” than quickly changing to a more somber “Really, what a shame.” Then she tells him if he did have something going on with Marian she is sorry and starts to walk away. Rafa stops her to ask her how her marriage to Marco is going. Ale lying of course tells him everything is excellent. Rafa tells her he does not believe her. Ale wants to know why. He tells her because she does not seem happy. She tells Rafa she has no doubts about Marco. He has always been a good man. He has always been there to help her and her family. Rafa smirking says ”If I were you I wouldn’t believe in Marco quite so much.” . A little argument ensues and we have a very close moment where we could almost get a kiss. But we don’t. Ale asks if he is leaving. Rafa tells her yes but he wants her to know he doesn’t like to see her suffer. As he leaves Ale starts to say she loves him but it quickly turns into something like “have you been bitten by a dog?” or something like that as Rafa walks away. Ale is left alone calling herself an idiot for not being able to tell him she loves him.
Lots of dancing when we come back from the break. And out come the Mariachis as everyone sings to Doña Arcadia. We can’t have a Mariachi without a Rafa song and we get a very sweet ballad. “Ni con Otro Corazon”



Cada vez que me preguntas si te amo,
me lastimas porq se que estas dudando,
y la duda tambien te esta haciendo daño,
ven y cuentame lo que te esta pasando.

tu me dices que me notas algo raro,
que me hablas y mi mente esta vagando
que me besas y sientes frios mis labios
y que a veces somos como dos extraños…

cuando pienses que no te estoy escuchando
la razón es que te estoy imaginando
que estas conmigo en el altar y locos de felicidad
nos juramos amor eterno…..

ni con otro corazón
te alcanzaria para amarme como te amo
y si tu piensas que lo nuestro esta acabando,
dime que hago sin tan solo pienso en ti.

ni con otro corazon
podria entregarte mas amor del que te he dado
y si la duda sigue entonces como le hago
si todo lo que yo tenia te lo di…ni con otro corazon.

During the song which is obviously being song to Ale we see Marco attempting to be affectionate with her. For a moment it looks like Rafa is walking up to Ale, but walks right past and serenades Doña Arcadia. Marco continues to pester Ale and she appears quite annoyed with him throughout the rest of the song..

More antics with our substitute car salesmen. Trapito is scarring all the customers away, then in true Marino fashion he takes his comb out and calls out to Taly and Noemi asking which want wants to be the future mother of his children.

After the song is finished, Jorge wants to know if the singer was Jorge Negrete.(?) Guess not he has been dead for many years. Jorge says he really was good and asks Rosario who he is. Rosario tells Jorge the singer is Rafa, the guy that crashed into Ale. Jorge than says “Well not that good.”

It is cake time, and no candles because it would burn the place down. Every one starts yelling for Doña Aecidia to take a bite. For some reason it is decided that the General will get this honor and as she bends down in drunken splendor, she pushes the gigantic cake to the ground. Marian’s lovely friend runs over to try and retrieve it and is accosted by Marino who gets a much deserved slap in the face.

Susana is telling Ale that her and Dandy are back together. Ale wants to know what he told her about the kiss with Carmella. Susana explains that Rafa was trying to figure out the relationship between Marco and Carmella. Ale can’t believe this. Susana tells her that it seems like Marco has a secret. Ale is pushing for more details as Marco walks up to tell her that Jorge and Rosario are ready to leave. Ale tells Susana she has to go but they will talk later.

The General is coming onto a very surprised Ramiro. She wants to know what he is afraid of. He wasn’t scared the last time. (Remember the Siglo party where those two were making out?) Reminding him that she isn’t such a bad kisser. A petrified Ramiro puts his hand to her mouth. She is going on about repression and stuff. Elvira (I think that is his wife’s name) shows up and wants to know what he is doing talking to that señorita. The general thanks her for calling her a señorita. Ramiro assures her they were just talking. The General is just about to spill the beans about what they were up to the last time when Ramiro quickly skirts her aside and tells his wife she was talking about chilies. Elvira insists there is more to the story. The general makes up some story as a very tense Ramiro listens on. She finally bids farewell as she is off to where the eagles land (aguilas/eagles traben/join or sit). Ramiro rushes her off saying “Fly fly” (vuela). He silently thanks god for not getting his head chopped off.

Lenora and Juliette have a little heart to heart. Lenora tells her she should really forgive Jaimie. Juliette tells her she will never forgive him. Lenora asks her if she still cares for him. Juliette reluctantly says she does. Lenora tells her she shouldn’t make him suffer so much than. Juliette reminds her that he did betray her. Lenora assures her that nothing happened between Jaimie and Vicky. Rafa joins them and agrees with Lenora. After all he did it to save his best friend from marrying Vicky. He tells Juliette that Jaime is a fine human being just like he has always been. He continues telling her that Jaimie really loves her.

Jaimie is back in the church having a little chat with God. He feels so alone. And the chat goes on till his phone rings. It is his cousin who is going to be in town and wants to come see him.

Rosaura has found a little place to get some sun. Pepito creeps up on her scaring her. We have some more talk. Pepito tells her how he feels about her. She reminds him about her situation. More talk. He attempts to kiss her and she pushes him away. One more try and this time she kisses back. .

Ale and family are leaving the fiesta. Doña Arcadia tells Marco to take good care of Ale. For some reason she tells him not to eat dirt because he will get worms. (I didn‘t get it either). They all laugh as they leave. Now it is the Rafa family who have come to say goodbye. Doña Arcadia thanks him for singing. She also tells him the day he decides to quit selling cars and start singing she will represent him. Lenora looks at him and says “That’s not such a bad idea.” Rafa apologizes for what happened earlier with Daniel. Doña Arcadia tells him not to worry. She knows how love is. If he only knew how many men fought for her. He also tells her she better get the rest of the Siglo crew to leave because tomorrow is a work day and if they don’t leave soon they won’t be in any condition to work. Everyone is gathered around the pool and of course they all end up in it. Not much more to say about that.

Another little useless scene. Beltran is at Siglo wanting a sales report. He isn’t having much luck. He leaves clutching his heart. Trapito thinks this would be a fine time for the three of them to go out and have a few drinks. Not happening as Taly and Neomi walk away.

Ale and family have safely arrived home. Jorge was quite impressed by the fiesta as he remembers the fiestas they use to have at the hacienda. Jorge states “Speaking of the hacienda, How is it that I am about to loose it.” Marco tells him he is very sorry but there isn’t any other options. Ale turns to Marco and says “speaking of the hacienda we have something very important to talk about regarding the hacienda.”
Marco asks her what. Ale responds “What do you have to do with Carmella?” Marco jaw to floor looks at Ale as she continues “ The woman at the court house.” Will he get caught?

Our last scene is with Jaimie who is pouring over his studies when he hears a knock on the door. Vicky Veil has come a calling. She starts terrorizing him. Poor Jaimie is standing there defenseless when who should show up and is standing in the doorway. None other than Juliette. I guess he got caught. (The only one that doesn’t deserve to get caught!)

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