Caray, Caray!

Last night we left the two opposing teams gathering over at Horror House for the announcement about Mari’s inheritance.

Tonight:
Netty’s pals are having a strength sceance (they keep chanting fuerza fuerza fuerza) with Angela to figure out how to help Netty spiritually. Angela screams...

...at that moment a shot is fired over at Horror House. Everyone hits the deck except Brandon. Ever the cop, the little stud is ready for action.

They hear yelling and run to Tio’s room where Benigno is holding Tio up and yelling that Tio’s been shot.

Back to the sceance where Angie is majorly freaking, “lots of fire around Netty!” Gasps and whines from the ladies. “Danger is very near” whispers Angie.

Over at the dollhouse Muñeca and Lorenzo have the usual argument. Will she really kick him out this time? Will she resist his wheedling? Yep, and he finally leaves in a snit saying he won’t stay around her sick jealousies anymore. Jerk.

Emilio and Eman don’t find blood on Tio, looks like he had a heart attack.

Now the yelling is coming from the salon where Fedra wants Brandon O.U.T. out! She calls him a peeled smurf (pitufo pelado). The usual insults ensue between Ilitia, Brandon and Fedra until Mari finally annouces she’s the lady of the house and she doesn’t intend to sell it! Fedra’s lawyer is that actor who always plays a lawyer or doctor or military officer.

Oliver and Jairo butt in on the sceance ladies and scare the bejesus out of them. Angela sees death but Oliver hears music, so Doris agrees to go dancing as long as Jairo doesn’t make her dance La Quebradita and twist her up. Wow, she’s got a short attention span. (Check out telenovela star and dancer Liz Vega doing la quebradita here.)

Back at Horror House the good guys (Mari, Brandon, Delicia, Netty and Licenciado Pacheco) face off against Fedra, her lawyers, Agent Orange (aka Mauricio) and the fresas. Fedra’s pretty confident and Pacheco gets nervous; dude may be out of his league on this one. Gretel reassures Alex that Mari is much stronger than the lot of them. Fedra threatens The Mask (aka Brandon) again that if his plan fails he’ll pay with his life.

Mari is curious how Brandon knows Ilitia. He says they met when he was having a bad day and she is worse than a hangover. Netty spills the beans to Mari that she was almost killed twice just like the medium warned. But hey, there’s nothing to worry about because Mari’s mom is her guardian angel.

Benigno yells that Tio had a heart attack. Fedra and The Mask grin, if you that's what you can call his contorted rictus.

Lowrenzo takes his little suitcase and heads right over to Begonas. All of a sudden he wants to be in her bed. I can’t believe she falls for his tonterias.

Even more unbelievable, Muñeca is now crying that she threw Lorenzo right into his lover’s arms. Yo doormat, get a grip, grab some champagne and celebrate already! Instead of taking my excellent advice she starts the mirror yelling again. “You’re less than a woman!” and breaks the mirror, staring at herself through shards of broken glass. Not good.

Emiliano and Eman are basically doing nothing except staring at Tio. Luckily Mari shows up, pushes her way through and begs Tio to stick around for her.

The fresas bitch about Eman spending all his time with Mari. She’s a slippery tick (garrapata resbalosa) and Ilitia had better watch out. Then Ilitia starts insulting Brandon, calling him a drink in a bag (un refresco en bolsa), I guess it’s an insult, I don’t really get it. For the surprise conclusion to this conversation, Kristel announces she wouldn’t mind being locked in the bathroom with that particular refresco en bolsa. Naughty girl.

Tio emits a final groan and the guys announce he has no pulse. Tio has died. Mari begins doing CPR in a rather lackluster fashion. She tells him to fight for his life and gives him the breath of life. He breathes! Our Mari is a veritable superwoman. Eman announces she is his gordita hermosa and holds her hand over Tio’s chest. Tio observes and demands to know what the damn Eman is up to with Marianela. Eman’s face is all “duh, I dunno, what AM I up to?”

Agent Orange teases Axel and insults Gretel while Fedra tries to sequester herself with her lawyers and Netty tries to keep Licenciado Pacheco from drinking too much booze.

Tio tells Eman he saw Mari and Eman in the garden the other night and they were acting very odd. He only hopes that their affection doesn’t turn into another kind of feeling because sometimes love pops up when you least expect it. It would be a disaster for them and Tio won’t permit it! Eman and Mari stare at each other guiltily. An ambulance siren interrupts them and Tio jumps up and arms himself against the paramedicss.

Fedra insults Netty while Licenciado Pacheco stuffs his face with hors d’oeuvres. Fedra’s in the middle of telling Netty she’s not woman enough to get a man just as Emiliano shows up and stops her tirade. More nasty comments blah blah blah Mari arrives and says she’s ready to start. What? She just saved Tio’s life, then left him bouncing around the cellar with a rifle, and now she’s ready for the inheritance? Uh OK.

Lorenzo and Begona just got down to business and he announces to her that she’s going to help convince Muni to take him back. Now that’s the Lowrenzo we know and loathe.

Tio tells Eman he needs to stay at the battlefield to help protect Mari against that...that...Eman’s mother. Eman promises Tio that’s what he wants to do too. Tio tells Eman that he’s his pride and joy in spite of everything. In spite of what? asks Eman.

The lawyers open their briefcases and Netty watches The Mask. He gives her the creeps and Mari tells her that he’s Fedra’s guard dog. Netty gasps that she was warned a dog would try to kill her and that guy is darn ugly.

The housekeeper Doña Paula interrupts Eman and Tio to take matters into her own hands. She kicks Eman out and coyly approaches Maximo. She tries to get him to go to the hospital but he reminds her he promised he wouldn’t leave the cellar until the serpent leaves the house, and doesn’t he always keep his promises? They hold hands and smile at each other. She convinces him to let the paramedics in to see him and he says fine as long as she stays with him. Aha, so these two have some history.

The fresas check out the naco until Eman shows up. Mau tries to get Brandon to leave but Gretel defends him. Meanwhile in the background Ilitia tries to hug Eman but he worriedly stares at Brandon over her shoulder. Good stuff.

Oh man, Lorenzo again? He tells Begona he expects her to find Muni at the orphanage tomorrow and repair what she broke. He shakes her and she reluctantly agrees. I hope these women team up against him before too long.

Back in the barrio the happy folk are dancing. Brandon’s ma is a little worried about her son in that cave of wolves. Hey lady, that’s an insult to all the wolves of the world! She sends Oliver off to check on her baby and Netty. He preens and Doris accuses him of falling for one of Mari’s cousins.

Back at the house Emiliano announces it’s time for Mari to get the inheritance that her parents left her. Fedra’s lawyer begins...

Kristel tries to get Agent Orange to go boink in her room but he says if Fedra catches him he’s dead; better to wait until she gets some of the money and they can get their own place. He grabs some booze and off they go to some hidey hole.

Axel accuses Brandon of being with that other cop that arrested him at the university.

The randy duo of Kristel and Mau end up in Delicia’s ironing closet/laundry room. Stupid Kristel throws the hot iron in the laundry basket and kicks Delicia out of the room. Sigh, more delays.

The lawyer drones on while thought bubbles crowd the room. Fedra: where did Bernardo find this idiot of a lawyer? Bernardo: patience my sweet, have patience. Mari: oh dear, it’s not that I want the money it’s just that I don’t want my mother’s memory defrauded.

Ilitia protesteth too much to Eman about Brandon. She calls him changuito (little monkey) which is perfect, he does look kind of like a monkey.

It’s getting hot in the laundry room. Clothes are coming off and the basket is smoking.

More legal droning and it’s time for Marianela to sign the paperwork. “But just a minute folks”, sneers Fedra, snatching the papers away from Mari, “I propose that not one cent of the inheritance goes to Marianela. I want you all to hear at once that the only boss lady of this money is me!” Caras impactadas all around.

Labels: llena

Rafa and Ale search the sales floor frantically for the correct bag full of cash, since they can’t give Beltran a bag of medical equipment in exchange for the trucks they just handed over. They keep overlooking the bag tucked safely under Jimenez’s desk, and like Pata yesterday, I keep yelling at the tv and pointing to the bag.

Rafa resigns himself that if they don’t find the cash, he’ll take responsibility for paying the money back. Ale thinks that’s a crazy idea and they turn to face each other, inches apart. He tells her he’ll happily be in debt to her his entire life! “Cada dia, cada minuto, cada segundo, la amo mas.” (Ever day, every minute, every second, I love you more.) *Sigh!* Ale is enthralled. They lean in for THE KISS, and…kissus interruptus #1.

Ale and Rafa are startled out of their romantic moment by Ramirez’s loud call to order of the sales team troops. They’re all gathered outside and it doesn’t take long for Ramirez to convince them to leave for lunch an hour early since it’s such a slow day (flojo, which means weak, poor, lazy, feeble, etc).They decide to head to their favorite spot, El Trancazo. Unfortunately for them, Doña Arcadia’s sharp eye, really her cameras, pick up on the fact that the sales floor is bare. She gathers up Chatoooooo and the puppies for a hunt to find those rascally salesmen and women.

We beam over to the pueblo where Marino has just been released by the succubus, err…mayor’s daughter. Her enthusiasm has left him with a powerful thirst for some whiskey, but he figures the best he can do in this podunk town is tequila. He heads off to find some.

Jaime’s also on a mission. He’s going to talk to Julieta, and no, he doesn’t need Cousin Curls to help him. If it doesn’t work out with Julieta, Curls knows “unas chicas buena onda” (some cool chicks) in Guadalajara. Jaime girds himself for battle and heads out the door.

Vicky’s girding herself for battle too, to win back Rafa by scoping out the perfect pink outfit. It will be paired with her well-worn veil, of course. She is sure he will fall in love with her again when he sees her looking so lovely this evening. But why wait till this evening to pounce on him? She’ll go to Autos Siglo today to see him!

Vicky won’t have much of an audience at Siglo for whatever locura she has planned, as they are all still out to lunch. Arcadia interrogates Trapito, doling out a few swats to his fanny, to find out where the sales team has gone. He spills the beans/soup, but begs her to not let on that he’s the one who told her. The floor models approach, shivering. The a/c in Siglo must be turned up pretty high, and the short skirts and sleeves on the floor models’ uniforms don’t provide much cover. Arcadia promises to get them some shirts with sleeves. I’d personally prefer a raise and to bring my own sweater from home.

Ale and Rafa continue to panic in the comfort and privacy of their office. Ale won’t let Rafa take full responsibility for the vanished money. He insists. She asks why he wants to do such a thing. “Porque la amo.” (Because I love you.) “More than the first day I saw you. More than ever. We could be happy together, you and I. I’m dying to kiss you.” *Sigh!* They are standing millimeters from each other. Ale’s lips murmur no, no, no. But they’re puckered and her eyes are closed in anticipation of THE KISS that is sure to come. But Rafa continues to babble and stammer, and at this point I am certain the writers, director and actors are toying with us and enjoying every second of it. We go to commercial break still not knowing if our lovers’ lips will meet.

When we come back we have been deposited at Trancazo with the Sales Team. They order up some delicious sounding lunches (reminding me of the Camerones al Diablo Fajitas I had for lunch at a Mexican restaurant with my team today), and of course a bottle of tequila (we did NOT have that with our lunch). Trapito runs in to warn them that Arcadia is on the way. The team flees in every direction, except the exit where Arcadia will soon be making an appearance, bumping and colliding into each other. Ramirez and Trapito don’t manage to get far. Ramirez hides under the table and Trapito “hides” behind a column that is one-third his girth.

Ah, finally we head back to Ale and Rafa. She decides to give him some help working up the courage to kiss her. On the count of three. “A la una. A las dos. A las tres!” Rafa leans forward, and…Ale sidesteps. Kissus interruptus #2!

“We can’t.” Why, Rafa wants to know. “Because of the money.” Just then, the medical equipment salesman, who realized he was missing his bag while waiting for his bus, returns to Siglo. He’ll wait for Jimenez at his desk. His eyes are obviously sharper than Rafa’s and Ale’s, because he sees the bag under Jimenez’s desk almost right away. He happily begins to leave with the bag, just as Ale and Rafa return to the sales floor. They spot the bag in his hands and a hilarious tug of war between Rafa and the matasanos (quack) ensues. “Es mia!” “ No, es mia! Sueltelo!” (It’s mine! No, it’s mine! Let it go!)

Ale jumps in the middle and gets jerked around as much as the bag. She tries to explain that this bag is not his, and is in fact filled with cash. If I were the Matasanos that would be enough reason for me to take the bag and run. Forget the medical equipment. Ale finally manages to convince him to come back to their office so that they can show him the contents of the bag. Rafa and the Quack drag the bag, and Ale, to the office. Once there, the bags’ contents are quickly revealed and rightful owners take possession. Before he leaves, however, the Quack wants to know if Ale and Rafa would be interested in buying some medical equipment. “No!!!” Once he’s gone, a happy Rafa and Ale hug, beam at each other, and begin to count the cash. Yay!

This is our one happy ending of the night, so take the time to celebrate folks. Jaime’s day is about to get worse, and so is the Sale Team’s. Jaime arrives to Julieta’s office just as Cesar has slimed his way over and asked, no insisted, that she go out on a date with him. Smart Julieta has just said no. But tonta Julieta takes over after Jaime arrives. He wants to clear things up. She won’t listen and assures him that what she saw with her own eyes was plenty clear enough. She wants him to leave. She then drives home her point by accepting Slimy Cesar’s date. Jaime wants to know who the heck this guy is and Cesar wants to know the same. Jaime declares that he is Julieta’s NOVIO. But Julieta begs to differ. She says he is NOTHING to her (harsh), and says that she can go out with whomever she pleases. He has no business there! After this thorough dressing down, a defeated Jaime leaves. Julieta continues to seethe, and Slimy Cesar gloats like the cat that has the canary in its paws.

At Trancazo, Arcadia sets the dogs on the scent of the Sales Team. She finds Ramirez first hiding under the table. She threatens to tell his mama and sic the dogs on him. Somehow Trapito’s skinny pole provides enough cover to allow him to sneak away. She then finds the rest of the boys, except Pepeto, in the boys’ baño. She catches Dandy with his pants down sitting on the porcelain throne. He claims he was doing a “mantra espiritual.” She opens the door on some poor innocent guy perched on the pot before finding Bebe and Jimenez in the next stall. “A tu edad Bebe?!” (At your age Bebe?)

Next she finds the ladies (where else?) in the ladies’ room, after scaring out a gaggle of nuns. “Are you selling trucks in there?” Pepeto chose a rather clever hiding place…as a cook in the kitchen. But Arcadia is cleverer by far, and finds him easily. She then lines the whole team up for disciplining, like Captain Von Trapp and his kids in the Sound of Music (I expect her to pull out that whistle he used). They crossed a line and she’s not going to take it this time. They claim they just went to lunch, and they have a right to do that. She points out that they left for lunch a whole hour early. They claim they were hungry. She threatens to throw them all out onto the street. They beg her on bended knees not to fire them. Even Doña Dolores begs her on their behalf. Arcadia’s actually a softie at heart, so she gives in.

Ale’s also really a softie under that hard, silver cocktail dress, exterior. After Rafa finishes counting the money (it’s all still there) and gets ready to head to the bank, she makes him promise her to NEVER again accept a payment in cash (en efectivo). “Es una locura.” (It’s madness.) Rafa agrees. “Nunca mas. Se lo juro” (Never again. I promise you.) “Good!” She grabs his hand as she gets his assurance, and gives him another of those come hither looks. Rafa does not heed the call. Meanwhile Vicky has entered the empty sales floor looking for her Pajaríto. She’s wearing a hot pink slinky dress, silver high heeled sandals, sleek silver sunglasses, and to complete the look, her veil.

Let’s see what our other obsessed unrequited lovers are up to. Daniel and his sister Montserat are meeting over drinks. She doesn’t want him to get hurt by Marian if she’s hung up on Rafa. He’s got another ace up his sleeve, and makes her promise not to tell Marian. He really likes/loves (he uses querer, so it could be either or something in between) Marian. He’s always felt that way about her. But if that doesn’t work out, he has another marvelous lady prospect in mind. He doesn’t reveal who it is.

Marco is meeting with Chavez at their favorite bar lamenting the fact that Ale has asked him for a divorce and wants to “mandarme al diablo” (Literally means “send me to hell/the devil, but translates more like kick him to the curb.) He is taking his frustration out on Chavez’s lapels, and Chavez responds by grabbing Marco’s lapels and demanding that he calm down. “Vamos a calmarnos.” (We are going to calm down.) They simultaneously let go of each other’s lapels and decide to use their cocos (coconuts/heads). Chavez announces he has an idea. “Una idea verdaderamente infernal.” (A truly diabolical idea.) Uh oh!

We finish the night with Rafa and Ale once more. He tells Ale that they need to talk. Ale stops in front of him, waiting with baited breath. Rafa starts to stammer, but then finally manages to get out that he knows she and Marco haven’t been intimate. Before she can get indignant he continues. “I know that you still love me.” She doesn’t deny it. She’s speechless and looks deep into his eyes. They lean in for THE KISS, and it looks like it’s going to happen this time, until…Hot Pink Vicky Veil walks in. “PAJARITO!!!!!!!!!”

Kissus interruptus #3.

Tomorrow: Marian wants to talk to Rafa (give up already). Vicky threatens Ale and Rafa.

Labels: dinero

Yahoo! Hombre look what I did. This a a picture from Rafa's special, where he was singing a duet with David Bisbal. Thanks for all your advise.


We start with Chavez hiding out in the wine cellar wearing his garlic necklace. He is on the phone to Marco describing his harrowing night. Marcos advise? Go home and take a bath. He needs him lucid and awake. Chavez assures him he is always ready and alert.

Now for an entertaining moment. Who has walked into Auto Siglo? None other than David Bisbal, with his cute little Castilian accent. Or as Ramirez so finely put it someone who speaks the language of Cervantes (Author of Don Quixote). First he has to get past Trapito who almost mops the floor with him. Once he has entered it is a mob scene, with everyone fighting for his attentions and the honor of selling him a car. Ale and Rafa to the rescue. Ale wants to know why all the scandal for the guy with the curls. (Chinos). Rafa introduces himself to Mr. Bisbal. We get a smart little a cappella rendition of “Mi Princess“. (I was hoping for the duet they sang together on Rafa’s special.)

David decides he would like Rafa to sell him the car. Rafa being Rafa tells everyone he will share the commission, but they all have to go back to their desks first. (Cada chango se vaya a su mecate /literally each little monkey go to their vine or rope.)

We leave all the excitement for a quiet moment with Rosario and Quintana. Rosario is telling him she thought Ale was really strange this morning. Happy with a shine in her eyes. Quintana chalks it up to her marriage to Marco. Rosario (not always as dumb as she looks) disagrees with that. She tells him he has to know that Ale isn’t in love with her husband. Quintana wants to know why she got married if that’s the case. Rosario responds that’s a very good question. Quintana tells her he hopes the same thing doesn’t happen to them. Okay now she is looking as dumb as she is when she tells him that will never happen to them. They are in love. Quintana tells her that every day that passes he realizes she is the perfect woman. She smiles and Quintana tells her “to see you smile is like seeing the light, the sheen of the moon.” (verte sonreir es ver la luz, el brillo de la luna).

So who saw this coming? In walks Daniel greeting our happy couple and guess what? He just happens to be Quintana’s nephew.

(Get use to this pace because we changed scenes several times tonight). Now we are back at Siglo. With Ale telling Susana all about Mr. Bisbal’s visit. She tells Susana that Rafa even got jealous. Smiling triumphantly she continues that it proves that Rafa does care for her. Susana tells her she is certain he goes green every time some guy gets close to her. Ale wants to hear more, but Susana quickly changes the subject as Rafa has just come up behind Ale. Susana starts talking about the door they are putting up in the office and it is a mess. Ale seems a little confused until she hears Rafa talking.

Ale comports herself and says if the office is a mess she will work in the conference room. Well that’s out of the question as it is already booked. Ale decides she will go home. Rafa then interjects they could always use one the vendors cubicles to close the deal with the trucks. Ale reminds him the guy is going to pay in cash. Yep that’s the deal one bill after another as Rafa pretends to count them out. Ale decides that it would be best that she help Rafa with the transaction so there will be no irregularities. (Oh my when has there ever been anything regular when Rafa get’s paid in cash.)

Ale asks Rafa if it would bother him if she came along. Rafa with the biggest smile, tells her “No not at all it would be a true pleasure to work with you shoulder to shoulder, cheek to cheek skin to skin, selling.” Ale smiles brightly and starts to walk away. Rafa continues telling her it is an honor to be able to count on her for her help. Ale has melted as she turns to Rafa smiling and speechless.

Now we are having breakfast with Vicky and family. Filepe is put out because there are no tamales. Vicky suddenly stands and wants to know if she looks bad in the veil. (Duh!!) Papa assures her she doesn‘t look bad, it is just strange that she is still wearing it. Vicky in her own little world says “I look beautiful, like a Virgin.” Filepe snaps her out of her little world telling her she needs to take the veil off. This doesn’t set well with Vicky as she threatens to throw his breakfast in his face. More family chatter and Vicky wants to know if the boys have talked to Jaimie to get him to help get Rafa Back. The brothers almost choke on their food as they remember their little encounter with Jaimie and his cousin. Then we get their version of what went down. Poor papa. He has been misled this whole time presuming that his boys were at least good enough for fighting but it turns out there just good for nothings. Felipe is out for vengeance. Don Gaston puts an end to this and tells them there will be no vengeance as he continues “ Do you want to turn into a couple of hooligans (pandilleros)? Sometimes you win and sometimes you loose. This also applies to love and the heart” now sadly looking at Vicky.

Daniel and Tio Q. are catching up with one another. Rosario a little lost in the conversation, wants to know if they are related. It turns out that Daniel’s mother is Quintana’s sister. Daniels father is very successful, but also a bit difficult. Rosario chides Quintana for talking badly about Daniel’s father. More chatter, and then Rosario remembers where she has seen him before. It was at Doña Arcadias fiesta. Daniel than remembers, of course she is Ale’s aunt. What a small world ( diminuto es el mundo). He congratulates Quintana on his upcoming wedding and to make sure to invite him. He would never think about missing such an event (tertulia/ event or gathering). Before he leaves he tells Quintana that is tie is outdated. Rosario comments on how handsome his nephew is. Quintana acts jealous and she assures him she only has eyes for him.

And as quick as you can say silver, we are off to another scene. This time Ramirez wants to know how Marino is going with his institutional clients. Marino tells him in the words of his famous book “I am off to hunt lions” (voy a cazar leones). Ramirez offers him more advice and Marino tells him he needs to find his French friend so he can get his book published, because he is no good as a vendor. Ramirez reminds Marino that Rafa took his advice and look at the star he is now. This ticks Marino off. Ramirez gives him one final word of advice and tells him he needs to seduce his clients. Marino reminds him he is a seducer but of women, not clients and he is off to hunt his lions. He than hands Ramirez his book with clients names and dates and reminds him to take care of that for him.

Ramirez wants to know if he should take care of his women as well. Marino tells him to quit being an idiot, but speaking of women. What about that Milagros. Marino wants to know if he kissed her. Ramirez tells him he is not interested in her. More chatter. Finally Susana approaches him and wants to know if he is leaving. He smarts off at her, and wants to know what she needs to know for? She tells him Ale and Rafa need to use his desk for a client. He tells her fine but tell them not to touch anything. And the clients that show up are his. He pulls Ramirez aside and says “You know what you have to do? Right?” and takes off.
Susana asks Ramirez how he can stand Marino. He tells her it is an act of compassion.

Now we go to Doña Arcadias office. Rafa enters and we have a discussion about football. Which team is better. So that was a waste of my time. Lets go to something more interesting.

Pepito is putting on the charm for Rosaura. He wants to talk to her about them. Rosaura shushes him. She doesn’t want anyone thinking badly about her. He asks her why anyone would think badly about her. There is nothing wrong with a man and a woman liking each other. She tells him to wait a moment she never told him she likes him. A smug Pepito replies “ well I don’t displease you?” (tampoco te desagrado). He continues with the charm. Rosaura tells him to take it down a notch. He tells her he could help her with getting a divorce from her husband. Then they could be together. Rosaura tells him she is interested but it would be impossible for them to be together. She asks him if he speaks English. He tells her a little but what does that have to do with anything. She tells him it is a question of class. She plans on returning to Miami with her children one day. And for that she needs a man of the world with aspirations.

Pepito asks her if she believes he isn’t such a man. Rosaura says “okay, let me ask you something. Would you take care of my children. Would you move to Miami with me?” Pepito gives this some thought and tells her it would be quite difficult. Rosaura says “now you see how it would be difficult for us.” A dejected Pepito walks away as a regretful Rosaura watches on.

Morales has shown up with a briefcase full of cash and tells Rafa he has come for his trucks. Rafa proudly introduces Ale and asks if it is okay if she assist him. Morales tells them it would be a pleasure to work with such an elegant and beautiful woman. Ale thanks him then apologizes that they can’t use the office because it is such a mess and leads him over to Marino’s cubicle. She continues to explain they are remodeling the office. Morales jokes “So you can be closer”. Rafa nervously laughs. The money is counted. The papers are reviewed and the trucks are waiting.

Mientras tanto (So who’s line am I stealing?) Claudia has snuck off to answer a call from Marco. He wants to know if they can talk. She assures him they can talk as many times as he wants. He reminds her that being just married and all takes a lot of time and energy. She tells him she could give him a revitalizing
massage. He tells her that would be fine and they should set up a future time. He tells her he has some doubts that she could help him with. Just out of curiosity he asks “How are things between Ale and Rafa?”

Claudia looks puzzled as she turns to see Rafa and Ale together then figures it out and asks if he is jealous.
Marco has become short with her and tells her to just tell him. She gleefully explains that they are together at this very moment with a client. Not what Marco wanted to hear. He nervously replies “Together? Aren’t they fighting? ( peleados) She chides him and says aren’t you just dumb “Rafa and Ale are like fingernails and dirt. (uña y mugre) They are together.” Marco is nervously chugging his drink and rudely thanks her for the information. Claudia tells him “Just a minute don’t I deserve a reward?” (merezco una recompensa) Marco talking to himself says “those two are still deceiving me. But she doesn’t want me to imagine them in bed. If these are the rules than I too can play rough. You will see Ale. I will take every last piece of land and all your money. And you Rafa you better get ready to say goodbye to your mother for a long time.” And Marco has gone to the dark side.

While we go to a lighter side, we enter our favorite salon. Jaimie and his cousin Saul show up. Ovi and the boys are quite taken with Saul. We get some fight poses from Saul and some Rocky theme music. Jaimie wanted to thank them for all their help with stopping the wedding. We have lots of talk and lots of butt pinching, but we still got lots more story tonight so lets go see how Rafa and Ale are doing.

The only thing left to close the deal is for Morales to give them the money and they will give him the trucks. They don’t even need to recount the money. After all they are gentlemen. Rafa is now clinging tightly to the briefcase full of cash. They shake hands and Morales is off. Ale says all they have to do now is take the money to the cashier to deposit it.

This is where it gets a little tricky. I had to watch it twice. Rafa takes the money and heads to the cashier, as he leaves Ramiro has stepped in front of him and stops him. He wants to know if he could get a vacation day. Rafa is thinking this over, when who should come crashing from behind but Ramirez and spills a cup of coffee all over Rafa. Rafa puts the money on a chair behind him and Trapito shows up with a mop to start cleaning the floor. There has been a client in the corner waiting for Ramiro the entire time. Coincidence or plot line, there just happens to be an identical briefcase? Do you see where this is going. Trapito picks up the case to clean the floor and puts it right next to Rafa’s case.

Rafa grabs a case and heads off. Our client has settled back down in his chair and we see a briefcase sitting on the floor next to him. Thank goodness it is commercial time. It feel like we are back in that awful taxi ride all over again.

We are back but we have to suffer through some annoying scene with Marian and her friend Muskrat. She is chewing her out for treating her brother Daniel so badly. (Who cares).

Now we have to sit through a Marino scene where he tries to best Rafa. He is in some small town looking for the Mayor. Where else would he be but in a canteen where guns are permitted. There is a little misunderstanding. Guns are drawn and Marino is shaking in his boots. Lucky for him the mayor’s daughter has taken a liking to him.

Finally, back to important matters. Ale is counting her chickens before they hatch when a panicked Rafa enters her office. He stammers and stutters as he tells her he has a problem. Ale still preoccupied with Ale, finally shows some interest. She wants to know if the problem is with his mother? His sister? He says he has a problem with the money (lana). Ale asks him what money. Poor Rafa (Poor me, I can barely stand this) is waving his hands in the air as he tells Ale the money has disappeared. Ale seems quite confused. She tries to calm Rafa down and tells him to tell her what is going on. Rafa tries to explain he was going to the cashier to deposit the money, and Ale encourages him to continue. And he says “Guess what?” “It’s not here.” Ale can’t believe this. How can this be. They counted the money together. Rafa finally opens the case and inside is a bunch of medical equipment like a Doctor’s bag. The panic has now spread to Ale and the two of them are running around like chickens with their heads cut off.

Rafa is thinking a little clearer now and decides he should go see if his briefcase might be lying around somewhere. Ale agrees and they are out of the office on a hunt for the briefcase. We get another peak of the Rafa’s case sitting under the table as Ramiro is walking with his client and thanking him for his business.

We sit through more commercials including a very creepy one involving an M&M and a pretzel. And we are back. I already caught you up on the Marino deal.

We have some more Claudia and Marco. Okay this is interesting. Marco is asking Claudia how it could be possible that Rafa and Ale are walking up and down together? Claudia tells them that right now his wife and Rafa are together going all over the place. And something very strange is going on. Marco angrily explains to her what is going on. “It’s not important to Ale that she is married. She would rather be with her lover, the half haired jerk“ Split screen time as Claudia can‘t believe Ale is like that. Marco tells her he would never have thought that either. Claudia licking her red lips gets an idea. “Wouldn‘t it be a good idea to pay them back the same way?” Marco exasperated asks her what she‘s referring to. She tells him that they could “put the horns to his wife.” (Cheat on her/ ponerle los cuernos a tu esposa) Marco making a disgusted face asks “With you?” Claudia responds well of course, forget about what happened the last time. (Little Marco was a no show.) Marco says if only he could forget about it. Then he tells Claudia to keep him well informed of what is going on there. Claudia questions “Even if I see something you might not like?” Marco tells her “Even if you see something I won’t like.” He hangs up cursing slamming his phone down and chugging down his drink.

Rafa is about a foot away from the case. He is searching the chair. Ale is asking him if he has found it. He pantomimes how he put it on the chair. Then picked it up. Ale walks right past it, wondering where could it be. (Was I the only one shouting at the TV telling them to look under the table?) More pantomimes as they walk further away from the briefcase.

Ale wants to know why that man had to pay in cash. In what era is he living in? (en que época vive) Doesn’t he know about certified checks? Or electronic transfers. Rafa sarcastically tells her it looks like no one told him about those ideas. Ale asks him what they are going to do now without the money? Rafa tells her not to worry. If they don’t find the money he will pay for the trucks. Ale tells him not to talk like that, they are going to get fired. Ale still can’t believe he lost the money. Rafa finally tells her he will pay her everything he owes her. He would gladly be in debt to her for his entire life. Ale quietly pleads with him to not talk like that. He tells her what he feels for her comes from deep down in his soul.

Ale stammers and tells him she wants to hate him. Rafa groans as Ale continues “Look at the things you make me say.” The truth is I want to hate you , I want to despise you” (despreciarlo). Rafa goes in close and tells her he loves her more. Ale gets as close as a whisper and there we end.

Labels: dinero

Tonight is Cathy's night off and the title sez it all. If you have anything else to add just throw it in the comments and I'll add it to the recap later.

Ilitia sees Eman in bed with Mari and freaks out, she’s such a whiner. Mari kicks them both out.

Fedra doesn’t want Muneca to visit her stylist Francois (pronounced Frankoeese). Heh, Muni points out isn’t it pronounced Franswaaah? (Yes and this has been bugging me forever. Fedra you are such a peasant.) Kristel interrups them with her funny combo of fresa and english. Call me weird but I think she’s a hoot.

Netty and Doris are all boo hoo we’re gonna die from the poison gas. Doc sez just take the pills and live.

Gretel goes to the police station and her admirer whatzisname is smitten. She wants to ask a favor, she sure is sullen for someone who wants something. She sez it’s his fault her bro got kicked out of school. They argue nose to nose. They are so gonna be together before this show is over. He agrees to help.

Eman tells the family NO WAY is Mari gonna be in the concurso. She shows up and insists she will. They all have an opinion about this. Agent Orange shows up, pushes his weight around and pisses off Emanuel.

The Mask drives Fedra to her tryst with Lorenzo. She ain’t happy that Lorenzo's been cheating on her. She slaps Lo around a bit and tells him that Muni spilled the beans about his other amante. He gets turned on by this and manages to calm her down. What? These two are gross.


Mari and Delicia are talking about mari and Eman of course. Blah blah blah. Mari sez something about Delicia and Axel and Delicia laughs, doesn’t Mari know that Axel is gay? (Se le hace agua a la canoa?) OK looks like everyone knows except the family, so pretty much tracking with real life here.

Axel tells his friend that he’s the only one who understands his anguish. They are interrupted by Fabiola. Friend leaves and Fabi tries to kiss him. He’s repulsed and she says aha you don’t like girls. Luckily Gretel and the cop show up.

In a later scene Fab blabs to some other chick (much nicer it seems but I'm not sure) but I don't know what they said.

Eman tries to talk Mari out of entering the beauty contest. Confide in me Mari, you can trust me.

More gross nasty foreplay and sueltemes and grabass by our creepy couple. OK they’re gonna do it. Bye for now.

Compare to a “cousinly” hug with Eman and Mari, espied by Kristel and Ilitia who freak and shriek. This goes on forever as usual.

Netty and Doris are livin’ it up, come home from a shopping spree and find whatsername crying over her son’s bad press on TV y Novelas.

Cop comes down and sez it’s no use, the rector is harder than stone and flaquito is out of there. Gretel’s not happy but no crankier than usual in my opinion.

Oh I’m gonna hurl. Lorenzo and Fedra are in post coital bliss. Is his hair blacker? She sexily pretends to strangle him, then pulls the scarf tighter. Anyone wanna guess how he’s going to met his maker? Oh hell there they go again. They are just weird trips incorporated.

Mari has a new dress and it’s ghastly. Where did she get it? Not sure. Brandon is downstairs and Eman is irritated. Chest thumping and tie comparing ensues. Brandon has gifts, lots of them, clothing for Mari. Brandon keeps saying “mi” Marianela and Eman hates it.

Delicia flaunts Brandon's gifts in front of Eman. She’s a good pal to Mari dontcha think? Mari wants Brandon to stay. She hugs him and Eman is tortured. The guys glare. Gosh they’re both real cute.

Doris does a Netty makeover and the household oohs and ahhs. She looks the same to me. She and the lawyer have a date with destiny and the entire household greets him at the door. Doris tells her to be careful. Uh oh.

Oh cool, Muneca’s moving out. Correction, they are Lorenzo’s bags and she’s kicking him out. Cooler still if only it would last which it won't.

Fedra puts on her makeup and gives herself a pep talk about the announcement.

Brandon more or less shows off his six pack to Eman and then they bicker a bit. Mari comes down in her new outfit that Brandon bought, slacks and a sweater. Bman whistles, Eman smiles. Eman opens his arms for a hug and she runs by him to Brandon. That was cute. More scenes like that please, thank you writers.

Doorbell rings and everyone shows up all dolled up. Ilitia insults Brandon. Agent Orange and Kristel gloat.

Downstairs The General brandishes his gun. War could break out tonight and he wants to be prepared.

Netty shows up looking all hot and Emilio is smitten. Fedra will be totally ticked of course. OK, it looks like everyone is there and my recording stopped. Wow, tomorrow night should be exciting!

Labels: llena

I just checked the broadcast, and we were pre-empted again. My schedule was still showing LVO until the moment I checked it, and then the slot changed to Desafío as I watched. We'll try again tomorrow.

Labels: verdad

How the lack of caller id can cause big problems
Alej leaves the scary drug place with Nati. She is not happy to see her mother in the cab.

Labels: clon

Also, our protagonists have a little chat about the birds and the bees and then spend the rest of the episode in bed together! Really! Also also, who knew there were so many words for swine?

Episode 22.

So yesterday, Marianela was crying in her bedroom and Emanuel was trying to get her to open the door. He threatened to get a cadena (chain) and candado (padlock) and chain himself to her doorknob if she didn’t open. I’d have let him do it, but after telling herself out loud that he must NEVER know she is in love with him, she finally opens the door. I wonder at what stage of development she will realize that other people can hear her, even when she is talking to herself.

Muñeca lolls in bed, too distraught to bother with life. She tells Flora she just doesn’t know what to do, seeing as how Lorenzo has an amante. Flora thinks getting out of bed and showering would be a good start. She finally convinces Muñeca that the orphanage children need her, so she has to get up.

Lorenzo is at the office, where his secretary announces the arrival of his favorite model, Begoña. He wishes Begoña would just be gone, ya. She’s amazed at the way his wife acts like she owns him and was so open about his failings, without empacho (embarrassment). Or maybe Lorenzo is the one who is supposed to have empacho, because his wife supports him financially. Lorenzo thinks Begoña is just after money, but she insists she does not want money. She did not get involved with him for money or to further her career, but because she fell in love with him and hoped they would have a future together. To her credit, she readily admits that this was stupid. But she hasn’t learned anything. She still wants him to be with her, so they can be all lovey-dovey and their son can have his father. She promises his wife will never find out about their relationship. I believe that ship has sailed. He tells her to get lost. She says if he won’t play her way, he’ll find out how far she can go. He will end up losing everything.

Emanuel asks Mari what’s going on. Why was she so upset? She says she was just mad because she dropped the glass, after she made his favorite energy juice just for him! He’s touched at her efforts and says he’d love to try the juice. But was she really mad about that, or about what Ilitia said?

Brandon and Oliver argue about Ilitia, and Javier asks Brandon if he really abused her like the tabloid says. Brandon assures Javier that he would never do such a thing; Ilitia just hates him, maybe because he doesn’t have a galán face or because he’s poor; he’s not sure why. Javier asks if they’re going to send him to jail. Gladiola walks in. “They’re going to put you in jail?”

Netty, Doris, and the other couple are still in the elevator, choking on smoke. Netty thinks it’s a bomb in the shopping bag. She pushes all the buttons trying to get the doors to open, but they don’t. Doris tries to pry the doors apart and says they’re atorada (stuck). The guy tries but he can’t move them either. They’re all getting sick.

Emanuel grills Marianela about why she felt uncomfortable when he and Ilitia were kissing. “See, Mari, when a man and a woman like each other very much…” he starts off, trying not to laugh. “Yeah, yeah, stop, I know,” says Mari. He apologizes, saying he wasn’t sure how sheltered she was with the nuns. She says it’s not that; she knows he and Ilitia are together, it’s just… Then she conveniently has trouble breathing, so he helps her lie down and try to relax.

Kristel and Mauricio are returning from their jog. Kristel has the most prissy princess gait I have ever seen. André comes out of the house with his lady of the hour; this one is Diana. She is very pretty, and Mauricio gives her a good look up and down, earning a smack from Kristel. André claims they are actually engaged, and will marry very soon. Who knew Mauricio and Kristel could be diplomatic, but they actually do not comment on this. André tells them that Emanuel said they could use the house for a photo shoot of Diana. She needs pictures for the club beauty contest. Kristel is not pleased to have the competition. Diana and Kristel size each other up while Mauricio pulls André aside and says privately that he thought he had another girlfriend, Rebeca, who was also entering the contest. André says Rebeca had to leave town and drop out of the contest, and Diana doesn’t know about her, got it? Mauricio agrees he also knows nothing about Rebeca, and they make a bet as to whose arm candy will win.

The unknown lady in the elevator has fainted. The others are still choking and worrying that they will die. Bernardo pushes an emergency alarm button in some service corridor and gloats that by the time they are found, they will be dead. Some security guys try to chase him.

Oliver teases Brandon that he and Ilitia look like novios in the magazine photo. Brandon tells him to shut up. Brandon decides that if Ilitia wants war, she is going to get a war. He’s going to the magazine to tell them his side of the story! Gladiola tells Oliver to go with him and stop him from doing anything foolish. Oliver says he’ll try, but she knows how her son is. Javier is still there. Who does Javier belong to? Has anyone ever said?

Doris and the man are now unconscious; only Netty is still barely holding on and saying she can’t die. She has to stick around to protect Marianela! And…she’s out. The security guys finally get the doors open.

Mauricio is taking the photos of a bikini-clad Diana. He’s got the skeezy photographer act down cold. He’s actually straddling Diana in order to take close-ups of her face. André does not approve. “What are you doing? These are supposed to be photos for the contest, not for a porn mag.” He takes the camera and proceeds to do exactly the same thing Mauricio was doing. Diana smiles prettily.

Kristel and Ilitia are nearby, but ignoring them. Kristel says she is sorry to have to tell Ilitia this, but her suspicions about Emanuel and Marianela may in fact be true.

Mari is still having trouble breathing. Emanuel tries to help by freaking out and rubbing her hands. He decides to go for a medic. She begs him to stay, and says “help me, help me” until he finds her inhaler right there in her pocket. She breathes in some medicine in a way Ferro surely wouldn’t approve of. Emanuel hugs her until she feels better.

Gretel and Axel are huddled on the floor in his room, both crying. She says she tried to talk to Dad, but he doesn’t seem ready to listen and understand Axel. Axel says it doesn’t matter. He’s decided he’s going to tell everyone the whole truth today. They’ll find out eventually anyway, and it will only be worse if they hear from someone else. Gretel fusses that he should wait until they think of a better solution. He says he can’t wait. She has no idea what it’s like to live a double life! “You do?” she asks. “What are you talking about?”

Ilitia and Kristel continue kvetching about Emanuel’s attentions to Marianela. Today’s insult: Lechoncita (filthy little pig). They decide that Emanuel just likes to do social work to feel better, and the more ugly and amorphous the subject of his charity, the more benevolent he feels. Yes, that’s it. Besides, says Ilitia, she has no reason to feel jealous, now that she and Eman are enjoying their honeymoon. “Finally?!” says Kristel. Ilitia elaborates, and Kristel seems to enjoy hearing the details of her brother’s intimate life.

Axel has come down off his ledge and lost his nerve. He leaves the house with Gretel, telling her he was just being dramatic; he’s just worried because he was suspended from school and doesn’t want their parents to find out. She says everyone hides secrets. He wonders what hers is. She doesn’t tell him, just says to trust her because she has one more card to play.

Hurricane Brandon blows into the offices of TV y Novelas and tells the editor if he doesn’t fix the problems he’s caused, he will be sorry.

Mauricio ogles Diana and thought bubbles something about humiliating Ilitia and sticking it to Emanuel.

Hilariously, there is an ad for TV y Novelas during the break.

Back in the office of TV y Novelas, Brandon yells that the magazine is filth and ruins people’s lives! The guy tries to defend himself, but Brandon is not having it. Because of these false reports, Ilitia lost her job, and he is probably losing his as well! The editor claims the photo proves Brandon molested her, but he says it proves nothing of the sort. He saved lots of people’s lives! Now editor thinks he just wants attention for his heroics, but saintly Brandon just wants to help people. That’s what he does. So the editor had better make things right so he can keep doing his job, or Brandon will take this to the press AND to court.

Ilitia says to Kristel that she heard Marianela is inheriting money; is it a lot? Kristel says the fortune is as big as Mari is, probably, because Tio Luis Felipe was swimming in money. Probably Mari will go buy a chocolate factory first thing. Ilitia thinks she should get liposuction first, but probably Mari thinks her fat looks good. After all, she did enter the beauty contest. Kristel says no, Mari knows they are going to make fun of her. Mauricio has it all under control. Ilitia cheers for this. She’s looking forward to showing that marrana (dirty hog) what’s what. They smirk and toast.

So, Emanuel didn’t know that Marianela was asthmatic. He thought she was having a heart attack. She convinces him that she dropped the glass and ran away because she felt an asthma attack coming on. No, no, she wasn’t upset that he was kissing Ilitia, not at all. In fact, he should get back to his novia. They agree that they will always be best friends. Marianela starts to cry as Emanuel is leaving, and he decides that best friends can’t leave each other all sad, so he coaxes her back to her bed and snuggles in beside her, taking off his shoes to get comfy. Mari looks decidedly NOT comfy.

Brandon tells his airport story to a reporter while a photographer takes shot after shot after shot of him. “Why so many photos? I’m not Ricky Martin,” says Brandon. The editor tells him that his story will be in the next edition. “Ha, take that, Ilitia,” he thinks. “You will get a spoonful of your own chocolate.” Let’s hope it has lots of calories.

Lorenzo goes to Begoña’s apartment and is taken aback when she opens the door holding the baby. She wants him to hold his son, but he won’t even look at the child. He asks why she hid her pregnancy from him. She says she was afraid that he would try to make her get rid of the baby, but her child is the best gift ever. She raves about how happy she was when she first held him in her arms and how much she loves her little baby, as Lorenzo reminisces about happily holding Ilitia (I assume) when she was a baby. He looks thoughtful.

Fedra tries to calm Muñeca, who is still crying about Lorenzo’s betrayal. Fedra pretends to be astonished that Lorenzo is cheating on her. “The worst part is that she pretended to be a friend!” says Muñeca.

Lorenzo is now hesitantly waving and smiling at the baby, behind Begoña’s back and from across the room. When Begoña turns around, he instantly goes straight-faced and asks what the kid’s name is. She says he doesn’t have one yet, because they should decide together. She starts smooching on Lorenzo’s neck and…doing something else, fortunately off screen, but he starts jumping around like grease on a hot griddle…and tells him she’s fine with him living with another woman for money, and she’ll forgive him for having other lovers while she was away, because she loooooves him. He breaks away and says he wants a paternity test, and if the baby is really his, then they’ll see.

Bernardo storms into the kitchen in a dark mood, yells at Nereida, and pours lemonade so distractedly that most of it goes all over his hand and the floor. Nereida tells him that if this is how he is going to treat her, then she is going to return the sentiment the next time he shows up in her bedroom. Curses, he mutters. He snarls that the little puppet has managed to escape from him again.

Doris and Netty are in the hospital, groggy but alive. Netty marvels that she has slipped out of Death’s clutches yet again. Doris says she really thought she was going to die. She saw a light at the end of a tunnel and everything. Netty tells her not to mention the light, or the eight rooms, or any of that. They’re alive. {Does anyone know what the eight rooms is about?}

Fedra tries not to flip out as Muñeca tells her about the Other Woman. She does get all indignant, but sells it as being on Muñeca’s behalf. She insists that Muñeca has to find out every last detail about this woman. Muñeca sobs that she can never forgive what Lorenzo has done to her. “What are you talking about?” Emiliano asks as he comes down the stairs.

Emanuel is still relaxing and patting Mari’s leg, and Mari is looking anything but relaxed. He brings up the beauty contest and says they’re just planning to mock her. She says she knows. “Well, then promise me you’re not going to compete,” he urges. She feels trapped, because if she doesn’t compete, Mauricio will tell! Emanuel will know that she likes him! This will be the worst thing imaginable!

Agent Orange is receiving accolades for his mysterious strategies down by the pool. He won’t tell Kristel and Ilitia his secret, but says he has a way of getting Marianela to do whatever he wants.

Lorenzo remembers his sudsy rendezvous with Fedra and says she is the only one he wants, the only one he would leave everything for, and the only one he cannot have completely.

Muñeca tries to tell Emiliano that she’s just upset about foolish everyday marriage stuff. He says one doesn’t attempt suicide over silly little things, and she’s tried several times. It must be something serious. He wants to help. Fedra sits there thinking that he is going to pay. She tells Emiliano that it’s ridiculous for him to keep acting like Muñeca’s novio when he ditched her years ago. All Muñeca needs is her good friend Fedra. Delicia tells Fedra the phone is for her. Some strange guy who says he’s her stylist.

André and Diana leave, and André gives Mauricio the camera to return to Emanuel. I’m guessing those photos are going to take a detour. Ilitia decides to go find Emanuel. Kristel asks Mauricio what happened between him and Marianela when they were locked in the bathroom. What hold does he have over her? What does he know that is keeping her from telling people what he did? He dives into the pool to avoid her questions.

Marianela won’t agree to stay out of the competition. Emanuel can’t figure out why she would want to be in it and asks who is pressuring her to do it.

Doris and Netty talk about the dog that Juan Pastor said was out to get Netty. But this wasn’t a dog, it was a man; they saw him. The doctor comes back and gives them medicine and says the gas was very poisonous and they could die within a week.

Fedra agrees to go see her “stylist” and “try the fabulous dress.” Emiliano doesn’t like her spending so much time with that man, but Fedra giggles that he’s hardly a man, if they know what she means, and she makes some comment about him that gets censored (but the captions don’t censor it. He “no tiene ni pelo, bueno, ni una pluma”). Muñeca decides that she’ll accompany Fedra to see the stylist. A new dress is just what she needs to cheer herself up!

Marianela doesn’t want to talk about the pageant any more. Emanuel figures out that Mauricio is coercing her, and demands to know what that orange pig is up to. Mari looks away, and he leans in and touches her cheek to make her look at him, just as Ilitia bursts in. Ilitia screams. Emanuel calmly looks at her like she’s nuts.

Tomorrow: Brandon and Emanuel try to mark their territory. Emanuel hugs Marianela while Ilitia yells at him.

Labels: llena

In case you're wondering where your show went, we were pre-empted by sports. Tune in tomorrow -- same bat time, same bat channel, for Ep. 006.

I'll use the opportunity to post the lyrics and translation to the lyrics from the Luis Miguel theme song in the comments section.

Labels: verdad

Capítulo 144: It’s a boy!
Es un varoncito for Rania and Said. Andrea gets closer to Pablo. Cristina and Leo are together again. Fernando is playing Clara. Zein is either playing Malicia or being played by her. And Alej has an unexpected partner in Operation Rescue Natalia.

No one has seen Daniel. Dora fears that if he has gone to the desert, he will never come back. Rosa stands in the nearly empty Diego shrine wringing her hands. And Leo orders Roberto to track him down, no matter what it takes.

Lucas wants Roberto to disregard Leo’s instructions. Roberto isn’t willing to defy the boss but he agrees to keep Lucas in the loop.

Enrique accuses Lucas of avoiding a meeting with Daniel for fear of confronting his own past. It’s not that, says Lucas. Whether or not this boy Daniel is a clone, he is a separate and distinct person. As a twin, Lucas struggled to establish his own identity. This lack of identity made him weak. And because of that weakness he lost Jade.

Jade and Zumaya return from the medina to Ali’s house in Fez to be greeted with the news that Rania is about to give birth. This happiness could have been yours, says Ali. And Zoraida adds that she never saw a love greater than that of Said for Jade. Love? Or obsession? answers Jade.

At Said’s house in Miami, the menfolk -- Said, Mohamed and Amin wait downstairs. Samira and Jadiya are just outside the birthing room and peek in on the proceedings. Rania is a very noisy parturient. Amina is at her head, Latifa attends her bottom, and the Naz is shouting unhelpful things in the background. Rania gives one final push and the baby is delivered into Latifa’s arms. The men come running upstairs when they hear an infant wailing. ¡Es un varoncito, Said! (It’s a little boy, Said!)
Jadiya’s face is a tear-streaked mask of tragedy and Latifa tries to comfort her. Said cries with joy. And of course Rania, Amina and the Naz are thrilled.

Alejandro is frantically searching his apartment for money or things he can sell while the odious Paula watches, boots on the table. He comes up with $100 and the television. Why don’t you get the money from Natalia’s rich parents? she asks.

Pablo is at a café with Andrea and Diana. Diana continues in her self-appointed role of Cupid for her friends. She begs off attending the victory celebration at Gloria’s, saying she is not feeling well (estoy indispuesta), leaving Andrea and Pablo to set off together.

At a pawnshop, Alej gets $100 for his watch and tv. He’s still $400 short.

Pablo and Andrea arrive at Gloria’s and discover that the guest of honor has gone off to get Natalia and has not come back. Says Andrea:
¿Será que Natalia tuvo una recaída? (I wonder if Natalia had a relapse)
While they are waiting for Alej, Pablo gets a call from his ‘novia’ and Andrea strains to hear the conversation.

Malicia is surprised when she opens the door to ‘her’ apartment and finds the Chump relaxing on the couch. He is there so they can solve their problems as a couple, he explains earnestly.

Clara and Caro discuss the Chump, how much Malicia has managed to squeeze out of him. Caro wishes she could find herself an Escobar. [Oye, Caro, you already have an Enrique. Isn’t that enough tsuris for a lifetime?]

Albieri and Luisa are at home discussing Dra Silvia’s stated intention to denounce him before the Florida Medical Board. He understands that she feels he betrayed her trust; Luisa, however, is outraged and insists that the betrayal is on Silvia’s part. Luisa can’t excuse Silvia’s disloyalty to Albieri. But Albieri admits that deep down, he wants Silvia to make what he has done public. He is willing to face losing his license, his clinic, even going to jail. But he demands recognition for his great accomplishment: cloning a human being.

Cristina is in her apartment with Vicki. She has decided to take a long trip and rethink her life. Quiero ser feliz sola, sin la necesidad de tener un hombre a mi lado. (I want to be happy alone, without needing a man at my side.) These must be magic words because no sooner has she uttered them than Leo appears at her door. I have to talk to you, he says, and I’m not leaving until you listen to me.

Alej is so desperate, he seeks help at Casa Ferrer. He comes looking for Lucas, but it’s Marisa who is home. She and Rosa want to know what’s wrong. It’s Natalia, he tells them: La tienen secuestrada en un lugar dónde se venden drogas. (They’re holding her hostage in a place where they sell drugs.) If they don’t get $600 by night, they’ll hurt her. He has only been able to come up with $200.

Rosa runs upstairs for money and comes back with $500. He only needs $400, he says, but she insists he take the full sum, just in case.

Lucia has been present, sitting just out of earshot of the conversation. It is clear to her that there is a crisis. As Marisa’s friend, she wants to help. Marisa breaks down and tells her what is going on.

Marisa, for once in her life, acts bravely and selflessly (if a little recklessly). She insists on accompanying Alejandro to rescue Natalia. He is dubious, especially given that she is wearing one of her typically provocative dresses, today a blue Marilyn Monroe number. But she dismisses his doubts, rejects the idea of being driven by the chauffeur and she and Alej set out together in a taxi.

Back at Cristina’s apartment, Leo thanks her for bringing Daniel to him. He knows Daniel isn’t Diego, but somehow, with his arrival, his own heart, which had been closed off for so many years, opened up again and he started to feel alive. The unjustifiable resentment (ese rencor injustificado) that I harbored against you all these years is gone, he tells her. Te vengo a pedir perdón. Perdóname Cristina. (I’m here to ask your forgiveness. Forgive me, Cristina.) In answer, she takes him in her arms. [So much for the Eat Pray Love plans. Cut directly to Love.]

Ramón has been calling Alej’s cell and there’s still no answer. Gloria is exasperated and Pablo is sick of waiting. He has made plans to see Malicia, but he will take Andrea home first. In answer to Andrea’s question, he admits he isn’t exactly in love with Malicia. Tal vez después... (Maybe later on...)

At Salamandra, Malicia is telling Zein: ¡Estoy muy enamorada de Pablo! (I’m so in love with Pablo). She always had a thing for Pablo, she admits, but he was off limits when he was Cris's boyfriend. And why did Cris and Pablo break up? asks Zein with seeming innocence. Because of Sr Ferrer, says the Malicious One. Zein is surprised – he thought he was the reason. He kissed Cristina and some gossipy employee told Pablo about it.

I’m surprised to hear you say you’re so in love with Pablo, adds Zein. I saw how you were looking at Rogelio last night. And why not? He’s divorced, handsome – you’d make a nice couple. [ok, is this conversation for real? Is Zein onto her or is he another gullible fool?]

Escobar boasts to Julio about how he confronted his problems with Malicia head-on by showing up at the apartment. And he should have done it long ago.

Clara is doing a little gentle boasting of her own. She tells her friend Caro how well Fernando is doing. He is back in the band and off drugs. She’ll just give him a call.

Fernando is rifling through all the drawers in Clara’s house when the phone rings. He listens to his mother tell him how proud she is of the changes he has made. He cuts the conversation short because he has a rehearsal with the band. The doorbell rings. It’s Paula making a home delivery of drugs. She plops down on Clara’s couch and very casually mentions that the dealers have Natalia: if Alej doesn’t pay her drug debt by tonight, they are going to kill her.

The taxi carrying Marisa and Alej arrives at the drug house. He asks her to wait while he goes inside, first entreating the driver to take care of the lady for him: (Me cuida la señora.) Alej approaches the gang and hands over the $600 they demanded. It’s not enough. Now they are asking for $700 to pay interest. Alej gives them the extra $100 that Rosa had pressed on him. They take him to Natalia and we see him with his arm around her, ready to lead her to freedom.

Credits roll.

Labels: clon

In MY reality (yours may differ), there are two kinds of people on Caray: A. those who never saw La Fea Más Bella and wish they had, and B. those who watched it and want to watch it again. Well, for both Fea virgins and Fea veterans I have good news and I have better news. The good news is, both groups will get their wish. Fea will replay on Univision from noon to one, starting next Monday, 9/13. The better news is, you will be able to join a discussion here on Caray!

Instead of writing a new recap, I will link to each episode’s old recap from 2006/07, add a few comments, offer a few surprises, and open the discussion. Already (before I’ve posted) eleven people have said they’re interested in joining “El Club de la Fea,” including a Fea “expert,” two native speakers, and several Caray old-timers. I hope you come join us. Remember, on the Fea board and others, it’s your comments that keep us going, so don’t just lurk.

You can find the link on the sidebar, just before “El Clon.” I’ve posted character profiles there. Post any questions you have. If I can’t answer, somebody else probably can.

Fea was a legendary telenovela. It broke all sorts of ratings records. There have been something like 18 remakes of the Colombian original, and every one of them was a huge hit. It stars Jaime Camil, the “Tan divino!” galán on the sidebar. Fea is deep, it’s funny, it’s intense, it’s magical. You can analyze it all day long and still find more meat. It’s an Ugly Duckling story, a Cinderella story, a story about the process of falling in love.

Come join us. Bienvenidas al club, al club, al club, al club de las feas!

Labels: fea-2010, synopsis-cast

Friday: All the kids have arrived at home, including Axel who is drunk and announces he’s going to tell everyone his Big Wonking Secret that he’s been hiding deep deep deep inside him.

******

Netty wants to know what the silver lily means. Angela in her trance tells her that she needs to find it three times: once for herself, once for her home and once for what’s awaiting. Of course, says Netty, for whom I guess such enigmatic messages are a common occurrence. But where is the silver lily? Angela cracks her eyes halfway and tells her she has to find it. Oops, seems like spirit Eva has evaporated into the Great Beyond. Netty is frantic. Angela tells her she’ll have to find out for herself what it is.

Emiliano tells Axel to go take a nice cold shower. Axel insists he wants to tell why he drank up every bit of tequila at the club – toasting to them. Because they’re the perfect parents and they have four perfect kids. Being perfect is so important! I don’t want to study medicine! I don’t wanna be a doctor!

Netty tells Bladiola about her session with Angela. Bladiola is creeped out by that kind of stuff and thinks the dead should stay dead and not go lurking about people’s houses. Netty protests that Eva’s the one who sought her out. She thinks the silver lily is the key to saving Marianela. Bladiola says they should go to Taxco – plenty of silver there. They could get something! Netty has an epiphany. The brooch Eva gave Marianela the day she died!

Fedra tells Axel she wants an MD diploma, and he’s going to provide it. Axel turns to Gretel and says Tell her! Snarling Fedra has to be held back and Emiliano finally tells her basta.

Great family reunion! says Kristel. We need to do this more often.

Emiliano tells them all that Marianela is going to get her inheritance tomorrow night and everyone is required to be there. Fedra steams.

Doris is telling Brandon about Marianela planning to participate in the beauty contest and Brandon is taking a fit. It’s going to be all hot babes, and Marianela isn’t ummm, hot. Doris rolls her eyes and says Marianela is very pretty, and pretty inside is what really matters. Brandon says the contest is all about hot bods, and he’s not going to let her enter.

Why so interested in Netty’s niece all of a sudden? Doris wants to know. Brandon blusters.

Marianela says it’s okay if the others don’t want to come to her inheritance party, or whatever it’s called. Emiliano says they’re a family and it’s important they all be there. Kristel wonders what Marianela could be inheriting from her mother, since Eva drank up all her assets. Marianela retorts that Eva recovered, and she’s not here to defend herself, but by golly Marianela sure is. Axel suggests Marianela run Kristel out of her house for being so stuck up. Fedra snipes too, and Emiliano tells them all to shut up.

In his room, Bernardo is executing the popular telenovela table sweep. He raves that it’s come to this, just for trying to comply with Fedra’s wishes. If only he’d abandoned her after he’d saved her life! That’s what you would have done, Capitan, and if you were alive, you would have condemned me for all of this. But it’s your fault, Capitan, he says, picking up a small sailing ship from the shelf and rocking it over imaginary waves, you never knew who she was!

Whoa, that was intensely weird.

We get to flash back to the groovy burning ship, which okay, doesn’t have masts like I thought it did, but still looks like burning scaffolding, and we hear Bernardo calling out to his Capitan. Somebody says Jump! Save your skins! The Capitan yells Bernardo, help! Where are you? calls out Bernardo’s voice.

That was your punishment, thoughtbubbles Bernardo, to go down with your burning ship. I not only saved her, I gave her a name and invented her anew. I can’t leave her! Bernardo angrily mangles and crunches the ship in his hands, then throws it to the floor.

Bladiola and Netty are going through papers – probably the ones Emiliano gave her - and they wonder about the lily. Maybe it was a protective amulet? They find a simple line drawing of a boat, maybe a large yacht, signed Luis Felipe. They gasp to see that the name on the ship is Lirio de Plata. Bingo! says Netty.

Ilitia is talking on the phone to some journalist – she’s thrilled that the article will come out tomorrow. He tells her a good scandal is always news. She figures she’ll get rid of that policeman.

Brandon is telling Oliver about the beauty contest. He’s going to make sure Marianela doesn’t enter. All he has to do is tell Netty, and then she’ll put a stop to it. Oliver says maybe she’ll win; she has such a pretty face. Brandon bristles and Oliver laughs that he’s jealous.

Marianela and Emanuel put Axel to bed. Axel says she’s the best, and Emanuel kisses her hand and agrees. Axel suddenly gets tearful and says he doesn’t want to go back to the university. Emanuel puts an arm around him and tells him he loves him.

Netty and Bladiola wonder what the boat means. Netty wonders if it means Marianela is supposed to take an ocean voyage. They puzzle some more. Bladiola says Eva should come back and fill in the blanks, but Netty says you can’t just dial up a spirit and have them answer.

Muñeca and Lorenzo are home and they’re having a huge blowup. She knows that lady was his lover, and he says her throwing scenes like that is what’s wrecking their marriage – it’s all her fault. And off he stomps.

Fedra is leaning hard against the door, trying to keep Emiliano from coming into their bedroom, but he shoves his way in. They argue and he wants to know why they’re always yelling. She says he’s not defending her against La Gorda and her aunt, who insulted her. Instead of worrying about them, he should be worrying about his kids. What’s wrong with them? Are you saying I haven’t been a good father to them?

Look at Axel, she says, he’s about to throw a scandal. The phone rings and it’s her “stylist” a.k.a. Lorenzo. She pretends he’s talking about a fashion show. Emiliano throws up his hands and leaves, and Lorenzo tells her Muñeca’s impossible, and he’s going to spend the night in his passion pit apartment. Wanna come? She says she can’t, she doesn’t have a good cover story. Aw, you can think of one, sez Lorenzo. Fedra tells him she’ll try, but don’t hold his breath.

Emanuel and Marianela leave Axel’s room, leaving Gretel alone with him. She asks him what’s wrong. He tells her his mother is right, he’s useless. He was born under a bad star. Gretel tenderly tells him that he’s wonderful, and it’s their mother who’s weird. He blubbers that they’re going to kill him when they find out he got thrown out of school.

I won’t let them, says Gretel. Know that I’m on your side, and I’ll never abandon you.

Emanuel tells Marianela he doesn’t want her to go back to the club ever. She says it’s weird there, everyone is so strange and superficial. Exactly, says Emanuel, and I don’t want you entering that contest. He tries to tell her she’s not the physical type, but kind of flops at it. Finally he tells her they’re just interested in bodies, but she’s truly beautiful inside. She glows. He goes on that when he looks in her eyes, she has a genuine beauty, the kind that lasts. She glows even more.

But not everybody sees you as I do, so don’t enter that contest. Please. She flashes back on Mauricio’s threat to blab. She tells Emanuel she needs to go to bed. She tells him te quiero, and he says it back and they hug.

Uh oh, here comes Fedra slithering down the stairs. What kind of telenovela is this? she says. You’re just like your mother and Netty, a tramp. That’s why you wanted to come live here, isn’t it? To seduce my son. (Speaking of tramps, note that Fedra is in her off-the-shoulder leopard outfit and 3” do-me strappy heels)

She slings some insults while both Marianela and Emanuel protest that they are cousins. She scares Marianela so badly that Marianela pulls out a chocolate bar and starts chewing on it. Fedra takes it from her. No more cousinly hugs!

Emanuel asks her where she’s going that time of night. Fedra is surprised, and takes a bite off the chocolate bar. She says she was just going down to find a book, but she gives herself a quick look and realizes she has her purse. It’s an encyclopedia and weighs a lot, she says, sashaying off.

Emanuel apologizes for his mother and gives Marianela a kiss on the forehead. He goes on up to bed and she exults that he said te quiero.

Netty tells her housemates that she’s going to pawn her jewels. They are impactadas.

Kitchen scene: Marianela is chopping vegetables and Paula tells her that she ought to lose a little, so she can get a novio. The maids come in and fuss at each other, and then the topic turns to Marianela’s inheritance. Delicia says with that money, she’d buy clothes and gifts, and Paula says she’d love to take a trip. Marianela tells them she’ll make their wishes come true. She asks Nereida what she wants, but Nereida says she’s not a beggar, like some people. Marianela tells Benigno she’ll get him a nice suit so he can take that lady he met at the club out. Beningo tells her she needs to get some nice outfits herself, and not run around in maternity clothes.

Maricio is trying to melt Kristel, who’s still mad, as his prank last night was so not cool. He says it got out of hand because her brother showed up and went all superhero on them. What can he do to get in her good graces? Make me queen of the club, she says. Done! sez he.

Marianela offers to help make breakfast for Emanuel, and all the kitchen folks buzz about it. Nereida says these things happen even in the best of families. Begnino silences them by saying they’re cousins who are fond of each other, that’s all.

Fedra wakes Axel by yanking the covers off him and throwing a glass of water in his face. Then she paces around, telling him off about coming home drunk. Why can’t I? he says, which earns him a slap. She tells him as long as he lives under her roof, he follows her rules…until he can show her he’s a man. Having a medical degree in his hand will prove it. She tells him to go shower before school.

Then she gets all weird and comes in close and starts petting him and plaintively wheedling that he used to be so studious, and he started his medical studies when he was 16. What happened? Does he want to throw all that away?

I’m sick of being your puppet, he says. She yells at him not to talk to her like that or he’ll be sorry. Gretel is listening at the door.

Emiliano talks to his lawyer on the phone – Marianela’s paperwork is all in order. Gretel comes up and tells him Axel needs him, he’s going through hell. Emiliano is startled. Gretel tells him it’s so bad, even Axel himself doesn’t know what to do. Please don’t judge him. Sometimes you don’t stand up for us, and do whatever our mother wants. Emiliano is concerned and wants to know if he’s having trouble at the university. Where he is isn’t important, it’s what bothering him inside, says Gretel. He needs your love and understanding.

He’s always been reserved, says Emiliano, it’s who he is. Or is there something else? Gretel tells him he’s the father – he should have been the first to realize.

It’s the music thing isn’t it? says Emiliano, suddenly angry. I won’t let him leave medicine and go running around with a guitar slung over his shoulder. I won’t! And you shouldn’t support him. If he leaves the university, then he leaves this house!

That heavy thud you hear is Emiliano’s viewerville stock falling to rock bottom.

Marianela is carrying a tray to Emanuel, telling herself out loud how much she loves him and that he’s starting to feel the same way. Mercifully nobody overhears. She walks out onto the porch and drops the tray. There’s Emanuel taking photos of Ilitia in a bathing suit, then kissing her. Emanuel hopes she’s okay, and Ilitia says haven’t you ever seen lovers kissing before? Marianela picks up the tray, saying it was an accident, and then just stares at them. She retreats back into the house. Emanuel wants to follow her, but Ilita grabs his arm.

Marianela runs through the house and slams into Fedra, who is furious. She grabs Marianela by the wrist and demands to know what she’s crying about this time. She just wants to make everybody feel sorry for her, doesn’t she? Marianela tells her to let go, But Fedra says she won’t until she finds out. Marianela yells at her to let go, and Fedra says nobody talks to her like that in her house.

Well, I’m going to talk to you however I want, and cry whenever I want, and I’m going to eat all the chocolate I want because guess what, this is MY house.

Ilitia doesn’t see why Emanuel’s worried about Marianela – if she’s going to get upset whenever she sees them kiss, she’s going to end up in the hospital. Emanuel explains that she was raised by nuns. Ilitia wonders if she’s never been kissed. Emanuel runs out of patience and heads off to see her.

Yesss! a very gratifying verbal laser-sword fight between Fedra and Marianela. Fedra tells her don’t even think she can get away with talking to her like that, so rude! You’re the rude one, says Marianela. You want to make everybody miserable, but you’re not going to succeed with me. They spar a while, and Marianela says if Fedra keeps it up, she’ll have to ask her to leave the house.

Marianela starts up the stairs, and Fedra races up after her, grabs her hand, and traps her near the landing, shoving her head forward over the rail, and grasping her hair. I’ll show you who’s head of this house! She brings up the money Eva supposedly owes her. I’ll repay it, says Marianela. You sure will, says Fedra, and in the way I want you to.

Oliver is mentioning “his” Gretel, and Brandon is razzing him about it. Oliver says it’s happened before where a high society gal falls for somebody like him. Dream on, laughs Brandon, only in novelas. Oliver wishes he could go with Netty tonight, just to get a glimpse of Gretel.

They’re about to head out to work, and the little boy comes running in, telling Brandon he’s in TV y Novelas. Sure enough, he’s on the cover with Ilitia, facing off. The splash says Policeman Brandon Moreno suspended from force for abuse of authority and mistreatment of international model. Who believes this stuff? Brandon says, slapping the cover dismissively.

Fedra still has Marianela in some sort of lock. Look around, she says, the furniture, the pictures, the piano, I bought it all. I’ll pay for it, says Marianela, let me go! You’re going to pay for it with this house, snarls Fedra. Marianela breaks away and says The house is mine because my father left it to me, and you have no right to take away what is mine! She runs off, leaving Fedra agape.

Netty and Doris are at the mall. Netty is counting cash and complaining that the guy didn’t give her enough for her jewelry, but no matter, she doesn’t want Marianela wearing those maternity clothes any more. This would be a pleasant conversation if it weren’t for the fact that Bernardo is shadowing them.

They step into an elevator where there’s another couple and Bernardo steps in too. Netty asks him to press the down button. He does, sets down a bag and steps back out, then disappears into a door marked No Entry. The bag starts smoldering, but nobody seems to notice it, they just wonder what that smell is.

Marianela is on her bed with her diary, lamenting that Emanuel told her she was the prettiest girl in the world, but he lied. He’s just interested in skinny girls who are pretty on the outside, but ugly within. There’s a knock at the door and it’s Emanuel outside who tries to get her to open up. Is something wrong? You can tell me – we’re friends, remember?

Marienela thoughtbubbles that he doesn’t mean it. Then she’s worried that he’ll see she’s upset and he’ll realize she’s in love with him that she’s dying inside. He can’t ever know! (Suggested strategy: Tell him yeah, I’m crying, and it’s because your insane maniac of a mother just went all Al- Qaeda on me.)

She gets up her nerve and opens the door, and he smiles tenderly.


Avances: Gas fills the elevator, and all four people inside pass out. Emiliano lays next to Marianela on the bed and strokes her face. Ilitia comes in and sees.

Labels: llena