Caray, Caray!

Ana is jealous and tells Pancho she thinks Lupita is his favorite. He says he loves Lupita because she's like he is - they're so similar they understand each other. but he loves Ana because she's like her mom! Glad they got that cleared up.

Monica tells Kari (who's pretending it wasn't she who spilled to Pepe) that she's going crazy - she was really drawn to Pepe when he talked about losing his mother just as she lost hers. Kari says "You don't love Freddy, you're just used to him. It's an arranged marriage."

Elena computer-chats with Freddy - she knows his name and lots of other things about him too. They meet at a bar that night - Elena, flirting obnoxiously, sucks down a huge drink and whistles for more. Freddy is embarrassed. He tells her he is completely single. She takes pictures of him, which makes him nervous. He drives Elena home and gives her a preliminary kiss, but she escapes. "What am I doing in this sketchy barrio? I'll get kidnapped!" he thought bubbles.

Chela's dressed nicely for her big date. She is hyperventilating and hoping all her hopes will be realized and Pancho will profess his love. He sends a company car for her! She sits at the restaurant and imagines Pancho's grand entrance ... but instead it's his bald friend Chacho who shows up, wearing a teal suit. It doesn't go well; she isn't laughing at his bad jokes. He gives up and says he'll see her home. He's sad, she feels guilty.

Sitting over work with Rebe, Pancho is worried about Temo, he's kind of alone since Chelo is not home. Rebeca suggests they go work at his house - she likes the grateful kiss he plants on her.

Pina has the installation Candy recommended (a dance pole) and a new outfit, but she's afraid since her last try was a disaster. Candy meaows to boost Pina's spirits, wishes her good luck and leaves. Pina practices Candy's moves. Candy thinks: "Her hubby is a disaster, but so sexy!"

Pancho reassures Rebe: he's a better negotiator than the Arabs, he's been bargaining all his life. Rebe wants to turn down the delicious meal Pancho offers. Temo appears, newly wakened from a sad nightmare, crying for his mom. Chela's home! She interrupts Pancho's cooking. Thanks for ditching me! Who are you cooking your famous sausage sandwiches for? She yells at Rebeca, who's sitting and stroking Tema's head. She possessively tears Temo out of Rebeca's lap and takes him to bed. Giant temper tantrum from Chela, Rebe leaves.

Pina astonishes Vince, she's dressed like the Village People in a black policeman's outfit. She tries a pole dance but hasn't had enough lessons and ends up on the floor. She must have hurt her back because she moans all night and next day Vince is exhausted and furious when the sun rises! She says, "At least I'm trying to revive our dead love! Otherwise we'll end in divorce." He says she can't live without him and leaves.

Chacho reports to Pancho: "I told her my best jokes, and nothing! She's in love with you! Stop lying to yourself, you know it's true."

Next day Freddy calls Elena. "You gave me certain signals!" he chides. He doesn't want Lupita to know of their secret love (ie the photo Elena took), Of coures, first Ana shows up and sees Freddy's picture on the computer. ("Elena, you know him?" "Yes, but it's a secret.... it would be easy for me to fall in love with him.") Then Lupe herself shows up, to invite Elena to the Arab party. She, too, sees the picture. She warns Elena that Freddy has a girlfriend. Later Freddy tells Alex: "I thought she was going to put out - but no! She'll be a trophy for my collection - she can have me in bed and that's all."

It's the day of the Arabs' arrival and Pancho's not to be found. Rebe is losing it. Chacho won't tell her the master plan. As it happens, Pancho's where he's supposed to be, at the airport, welcoming the Arabs - in English! He's brought his van instead of a limo and gives them a long funny tour of the city, charming them all the while.

Vince and his posse are waiting outside Avon for the visitors. Millions of dollars are at stake! Enzo says if the greengrocer ruins the negotiation, so much the better. They're told: Pancho left orders for you all to get in the limos and go - to an undisclosed location.

Pancho has brought his new friends (clapping and singing) to the casa popular! The limo arrives too, Rebe is hissing and yelling. Pancho says, relax, everything's under control, and it's time to eat. The Arabs are in a very good mood. Enzo says he hopes this is the last time he'll ever be here. Pancho says, life takes mysterious turns.

There's a tent set up in the courtyard for a feast. Tomorrow: Candy does a belly dance.

Labels: familia

I am guest recapping tonight. We have lost contact with Jules so are looking for someone who would be willing to take on the Tuesday night recapping of Cuando Me Enamoro for the next six weeks or so when it will end near the end of December. Here is a chance to recap one or several episodes. Try your hand, you could do it solo or get help from a friend. It is fun, challenging, and skill building, I promise. Any takers? Please let us know here in the comments or send me a message at cherylnewmex [at] gmail.com I will share with the other team members so we can get this night covered. The action has heated up and we don’t wan’t to miss bringing you even one night. THANKS!

Marina figures out her ploy to move in on Jero isn’t getting Renata out of her way. (I know I’m the mean cynic and poor little obstetrical doctor Marina just doesn’t know how do deal with this pregnancy that is her only tie to the disinterested Jero.) What Augie figures out that Nesme still being alive is because Jero is getting in his way. Poor little Lioncio is driving the red wreck and yes there is the bottle in the back seat again as Nesme shoots Lazaro off his horse, reloads his gun and guzzles a bit of the medicine while abusing everyone in the car. Jero leaves Renata in charge of Marina and goes to help the rescue crew. The car stops, yes I see now, he did know that the horse was there, he tells Leoncio to pull over by that horse. He takes the flask says salud to Leoncio and then makes sure that isn’t what he is going to get. Leoncio pleads not to be killed he swears he won’t talk or open his mouth. But the cameras shift up the road to Lazaro standing up as we hear the shot in the distance. The cars and horses are off to the chase as Nastiness takes the still unconscious Kari and thankgod her veil is still securely in place on her sleepy head. and heads toward the horse that doesn’t look big enough for two. Jero reaches Carlos for an update of what has happened. Lazaro is scratched, mad as hell and very alive in the back seat as the pursuit continues.

Manuela is cryng and Renata soothes her telling her kindly not to cry but hands her blanket and pillow to take to Marina. Manuela thinks things are worse for Renata than anyone else. Renata and she worry about Kari and Marina but Renata’s good humor holds firm.

The other white gowns stroll and talk about getting the money the doctor is now expecting. Blanca says the choice is in favors (her preferred payment method) or money. Fina says it ‘ll have to be money because I can’t be with someone like him. Fina is in a snit about sharing her money but says she needs permission to make a call in order to get the money delivered so she can really negotiate with power.

Marina’s doctor calls back and Jero puts him on speaker phone so all can hear. On the other end, the doctor insists that Marina is not to be moved an inch until he comes to examine her (revisar.) He rats her out too, he says Marina you know this is the second time you have had blood spotting. For a doctor, she is being the worst kind of patient denying the gravity of her situation of being stuck in the red dress when Renata can change clothes at any time. Well, you know I mean the babies welfare is the only other important impediment. Renata again takes command of HER house and assures the doctor through the speaker that they will take good care of her and be sure she is kept as quiet and calm as he advises. So much for adolescent behavior, Marina, now you have lost your adult rights, lie down and shut up!

Renata decides that Manuela and the girls will be sent to prepare the famous guest room and Jero thanks her for her understanding and support.

Honorio and Gonzolo discuss Hernan Varolo? What do you think of his attractive offer to invest with us? It will make radical changes in the empresa. Gonz says he is a good man and trustworthy. Once again, Hon is doubtful and Gonz is trusting. Gonzo thanks him for his support and friendship. Hon is glad he is getting better fast and mostly glad that Fina isn’t there vexing their lives. Gonzo writes: you are my brother. Hon agrees, Gonzo is his brother too.

The women at La Bon pray and hope for Kari’s rescue. Manuela tells them they have to prepare a room for the pregnant one, rolling of eyes is universal.

Hon comes into the house of horrors, aka Gonz’s pad where Roberta asks a doubting Hon has he heard from Gonz that she is to work at the EM. He reminds her she was about to come to work before and never showed up. She quickly passes that off since she was only too ready to come but then she lost the baby. (She is getting a lot of mileage out of the Fina caused miscarriage) He is openly shocked and says why do you want to work in the company? You know nothing of investments or exportation let alone business. But I can learn fast and I want to be productive and helpful. At least think about it, talk to Matias and Gonzo and maybe give me another chance.

Blanca is having that little talk with the director of the loca farm. He says you know what will happen if anything goes wrong. She says a little too breathlessly I know you will punish me. He kisses her hand and lets Fina in for only one call. He doesn’t want to risk his job.

The work-bound Roberta answers her cell phone. Mom asks, how are you? I miss you. I want you to leave me alone, leave me in peace. I am your mother and those ties last a lifetime. I didn’t just call to greet you, I need to see you. She demands Roberta come to see her and bring her money, you know the money she gave her.

Jero tucks Marina into the bed in the GUEST ROOM (there must be some satisfaction for Renata in sticking her there) under Renata s observation and the little nurse that caused half of the problem comes in her dainty dress having hoped for a romantic scene, The matter of fact Renata wants to get her something to eat. She’s not hungry, she whines, but Renata says the babies need nutrition. Jero leaves them in the GUEST Room. He thanks her again profusely, she is the most generous and wonderful woman in the world. She demurs saying not to thank her so much, she is doing it more for obligation than desire (Mas por deber que por querer.) This woman is so clearly in command of the hacienda and EVERYONE in it knows it.

The Nurse wants to know why Marina is crying, another contraction? Now she says she is so humiliated. Imagine being in the house of the man you love, the man who is father to your children and have to share him with is wife. Oh cry me a river you deluded girl.

The police have arrived at the car and cover the body of Leoncio but Lazaro arrives and thinks the sheet is covering his Kari, he flips out. They are told it is Leoncio Perez from Tijuana. Carlos and Laz realize at the same moment that Leo was always an accomplice, they were betrayed. Lazaro insists that he won’t leave the hunt for Kari even though Carlos thinks the better plan would be to return to La Bonita and wait for the police to do their work. Lazaro is not going to leave, even though they point out that the territory is large and they don’t know where Nesme and Kari are. Zeke things he can go back to Cruz Sin Amor and get a fire under Augie who will go into blame game when he realizes that Nesme is alive. He doesn’t want Augie to know he was in on the search. Careful Zeke.

The phone call gets heated with Fina demanding that Roberta bring her this money or she will reveal who she really is and ruin Roberta’s life. Roberta says she hates her and Fina screams that it is she who enabled Roberta to live the life of a princess and if she doesn’t do as she says and bring the money her little reign will be over. She has to bring the money in a day or so or else. Roberta cries why did she have to be her real daughter.

Back with the locas, the doctor comes back in with Blanca who tells him that the next thing they want is freedom. He is laughing, what makes you think you are going to get freedom or that I would risk my post. Fina says you can make fun of us now. Blanca assures him they need to seek revenge from those unjustly put them in this place. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Fina says when you get all that money you will change your opinion. He says let me see the money in my hands then and we will talk. Such a fine man to run an important asylum. Gives you hope for the mental health facilities of the world. He finishes with, now return to the park I don’t have more time for you .

Bells toll and Chema greets Julieta at the miracle cafe, he is trying to write letters (menus? Or signs) but can’t think what to say. She offers to help. He says I really like you and that Matias is a good guy for you. She plays along with rolling eyes.

Hon tells Adri and Mat that Gonzo has given his blessing for the Varola hiring and the kids are happy then he tells them that Roberta is coming to work and they are both WTF?? She is useless, cries Adriana. They discuss that she is up to something and no good and stupid and lazy and Hon agrees with every word but Gonz has given his permission. We’ll have to watch her.

Roberta is cursing her fate of being Fina’s evil spawn and not Regina’s. What is she to do with that wicked mother who if she can convince the courts and the doctors that she is crazy is capable of anything. Regina comes into Roberta’s room to tell her she is going to the center and she is again so glad to have Roberta with her. Roberta feels even worse when she leaves.

Jero has a little melt down at the problems but Renata insists it is not his fault that Panal and the doctors at the prison left Nesme unguarded so he could escape. Besides Nesme loves Kari, he isn’t going to hurt her. Jero says he is an alcoholic and may love her when he is in his right mind but who knows how he could hurt her when he is blotto in a drunken rage. Renata tries to reassure him that all will be well.

Speak of the devil, Alvaro is in full rage while Kari sobs that she wants to be let go. Nesme keeps insisting that she is his property and he will take her off and they will have a new life, oblivious to the reality of how hated he is. I can’t write more detail on this scene, I need water. I need air.

The nurse accompanies Alfonsina to her house with the baby and says in all her years of working for the Dr. Nesme, she never thought he was such a bad person. Then she asks Alfonsina, did you really ever love him and Alfonsina says in truth, NO.

Back in the den of hell, Alvaro is torturing our long suffering Kari in mind and body with his nasty rough treatment and he hurts her further by threatening suicide by putting the gun in mouth. Stupidly Kari screams, no no. He then pretends he sees Laz out of the window and will shoot him and says he will shoot anyone like he did old Leoncio.

Gonzo comes downstairs and sees the maid making excuses of why Antonio can’t see Gonzo. Gonzo looks at the clothes and says why are you dressed like this? I am a seminarian, Antonio says. He wants to say goodbye and apologize again. He was a coward and did not reveal what he knew. He admits that he was Fina’s accomplice and that he know that Pepa and Fina were the same person long before any of them did. He lied when Gonzo asked him if she was. The kind Gonzo writes, it isn’t your fault and later we couldn’t have guessed what she would do. Gonzo calls Antonio a good man. Antonio thanks him, he wants to find a path to peace in a life with god. He owes the family a great debt. He will be going to Valle de Guadelupe near his daughter, which pleases Gonzo. Antonio vows he will do all he can to help them.

Zeke walks into Augies’ office as Augie immediately starts with the recriminations how did anyone miss Nesme’s non-death? Zeke jumps but says oh, we were all so surprised, no one had any idea. Augie wantd revenge on Nesme because he was a traitor, he says as he looks meaningfully at Zeke. Zeke says are you going to mount a hunt then? No, that wouldn’t look good if either I or my people were involved. Augie reasons that the police will get to Nesme who would far prefer to die than be sent to jail. You of all people know how awful that is. Wow, what a nasty thing to bring up, thinks Zeke as the color drains from the scene.

Next episode: It looks like everything heats up and nothing cools down, nothing. Renata gets out of that infernal red dress, leaves a note and goes to town.Others aren't so lucky.

Labels: Cuando

Here is the beautiful Jarocha under the statue of Benito Juarez and his Angels.

Mil gracias to Julia for her terrific guest recap last Monday. Mexico was divine. I will post this then add a picture or two. Oh I am so back! First I get to see Alvaro in his hoodie which makes him look strangely normal now toting the unconscious neighbor with Leoncio’s help to strip his clothes, tie him up and take his car.

Manuela shows off the freshly pressed white wedding gown to celebrate with Kari the only marriage she made for love. Alvaro dons his bad beard and wiggy wig, he is so proud of how unrecognizable he is, but he is clearly such a loco that it shouldn’t matter what disguise he puts on. Fina pouts in the jardin de locas bemoaning Roberta’s rejections while Augie bemoans Renata’s rejection while imagining Renata coming innocently through the woods in the red dress and him knocking her out then climbing on her to spray perfume then sniff/lick it off. He even shoots some of the scent on his own face, I’m hoping the spray hit his eyes, but I can’t say more, I’m gagging here.

The real Renata is talking to herself about being positive and getting the best out of this uncomfortable situation with Jero’s twins and double life. She gets a call from Augustin, He assures he doesn’t want to cause her problems with Jeronimo but wants to know about her other family problems like how is dad and good old mom? She says he is getting better, but the Mad Bad Mom had her day in court and is now in the funny farm. He wants to come comfort her but she says it is best to leave things as they are. He begs to see her and she says yes they can meet but only to return his engagement ring and the necklace. Not to give up ever, ever, he says he won’t accept them back.

Alvaro urges Leoncio to write some story about what happened didn’t quite make sense but on we go; poor Leo thinks if he is caught as an accomplice he will be lynched. Alvaro waves more peso notes that he will give him when his job is finished and adds the glasses to his costume that is nearly perfect now.

Senor Hernan X who was so moved by Matias’ talk at the conference is talking to Honario. Hernan declares he is impressed with their recuperation and wants to invest in the company to offer needed liquidity and to help them develop horizontally: they should take him on as a partner (socio.) Hernan’s theme music is vaguely ominous, I’m just warning you to listen up.

Roberta has a great new plan she shares with Gonzolo and Regina, she wants to do something and she wants to work at Empresas Monterrubio and she faces the shocked faces of her parents with saying she knows she isn’t as capable and experienced as Renata but she is smart and learns fast. Regina wants her to work at the center with her so they can spend more time together getting close. Roberta can’t do that but makes Regina feel guilty by telling her that she can’t enter the center because all those pregnant women around will only make her sad that she can’t be one of them. She wants her way and that is to work at EM, so dad writes on his electronic tablet that she should talk to Honorio and tell him that she will be working at the Empresa. Roberta is so pretty when she has just gotten her own way. They all bask in her brief sunshiny smile while the menacing, warning music swirls around her lovely coifed curls.

Manuela straightens his tie while she tries to calm Lorenzo who is shaking in his boots. Why this more than handsome man let them dress him so badly, who knows. Jero explains his dilemma of juggling the twins, trying to take part in every moment of their life. He insists that his interest in Marina is only as the mother of his offspring and he is dedicated to keeping Renata the happiest woman on the planet. Carlos acknowledges the difficulty Jero is facing. He wouldn’t want to be in either his or Renata’s shoes today.

And surprise, surprise even to Jero, Marina shows up first in THE RED DRESS. Carlos beats a hasty retreat with things to do. Jero asks how the pregnancy is going and she says she showed up because it might not be to anyone’s liking but if she is going to share but still lead her own life, she can do things like crash this wedding. Hmmm.

The beautifully white dressed bride is being accompanied by her group of girl friends. Renata comes to congratulate Kari in her happy day and for the love she has fought for so long. Kari is grateful that she is there in spite of her family’s problems in Mexico City. Renata wouldn’t have missed being with her friend. They all laugh that they are so glad to be there for Kari.

The suspicious looking JUDGE shows up but Lorenzo is too nervous to notice who it really is under all that nylon hair. Kari asks for a moment alone in the bedroom to thank the Virgin for making this her perfect wedding day.

The RED DRESSES finally meet and we can see that they are mirror images. Marina blames Renata for her situation and being there and if Renata had not insisted she would have gone away but no, Renata had to be honest and tell on her so she can’t escape so there! You get red dresses copied for making me do this. Marina still resembles a junior high school bratty girl with this little speech. Even after a refreshing week in Mexico, I am still annoyed at her adolescent blaming behavior but it is almost funny. Maybe she had a talk with Roberta while I was gone? No, just standing her ground, which she would probably like to crawl under. At least Marina and Renata both get to tell each other how uncomfortable this is for both of them without an audience to see the shame of matching dresses and hairdos and only one galan between them.

Renata approaches Jero outside to ask why didn’t you inform me that Marina was coming to the wedding? Because he didn’t know until she showed up. Renata admits that this is much more difficult than she imagined it would be. She is frustrated but he assures her he will keep her and Marina as far away from each other as possible. She reminds him that a relationship with his children will necessitate a relationship with Marina too, the mother of his children. They swear love to each other and another crisis is averted. I bet Renata would like to slip into her closet to get a different dress.

Adriana and Matias talk about how much they think the addition of Hernan would add to the liveliness and vibrance of the empresa and make it more than just a family business even though having more children will assure the family heritage of the the company’s future. Hernan’s only son is an artist and won’t want to join the nepotism game ever. They decide they will work on each of the Papas to convince them to accept Hernan. They kiss and wink at the idea of MORE children.

Constanza acknowledges Regina’s discomforty at being in Fina’s house of so many years. Regina says she knows how much the house means to them and she is happy to be with Gonzo where ever. She plans to add her own touches. I’d start with that evil black wallpaper on the bedroom wall. Gonzo sits in a bit of a stupor.

Honorio teases Adriana babout ut calling Gonzo suegro and she thinks Don Gonzo is too formal. Hon says Gonzo will be ver y happy to hear her call him suegro . He will talk to Gonzo about this Hernan proposition.

Chema breaks in through the receptionist while Adri and Matias manage another lovely kiss. Chema wants to announce the opeingi nof his new restaurinat. So fast? Chema tells how much his Papa has accomplished and now it is ready to open and he wants Adriana there with him and mentions to Matias that Julieta will be there too and he knows how much that means to Matias. Everyone swallows hard and agrees. Matias leaves. Chema talks of his dreams and hugs the patient Adriana.

The wedding starts the witnesses come forth to sign the register while Leoncito takes keys out of the cars (didn’t anyone’s father warn of the danger of leaving keys in the ignition?)

Augie drives along dreaming of licking Renata’s face and sees the tied up, underwear clad neighbor. He stops to untie him and learns that it was done by Dr. Alvaro Nesme, who is not so dead at all. He attacked me and took my car. Augie forgets the sniffing dream for a full minute while he calculates how this happened and who besides Jero is to blame for keeping him from his fun dominator/sniffer fantasy.

Leoncito grabs more keys from more ignitions while the wedding witnesses finish signing and then the judge asks Kari to come around to sign on his side of the table and she cheerfully does so while Lazaro looks on with an idiot’s smile. The nylon hirsute Alvaro/Judge pulls a gun, thrusts it in her ribs and grabs her around the neck as she shouts ALVARO. He totally has the upper hand and another frozen crowd watches him do what he wants.

THE TWO WHITE GOWNS enter the doctor’s office. To his question, now what do you want? Blanca tells him that if he wants to grant certain special favors, Fina is a very rich woman who would gladly share her fortune for some freedom. Fina smiles like the croc that swallowed the clock and says yes, it would be desirable (conviene) for her too.

Meanwhile back at the wedding turned nightmare in the vineyard. Everyone is screaming for Alvaro to let go of Kari and Jero points out that the police will get him he has fled from justice. He swears he will never go back to jail. He shoves Kari into the back of the red car as he fires off a shot and everyone hits the deck. Marina looks traumatized but I don’t think she or anyone else was hit.

Jero has the presence of mind to get to a phone and call Penal the officer who should have taken care of keeping Nesme out of circulation. He complains that they talked him into helping and now his people are in danger. Penal apologizes then assures him that he will bring out all the officers necessary to catch Nesme. He can’t believe this tragedy occurred at the happy wedding. Renata soothes him. It wasn’t his fault. She is always so positive that things will work out.

The ladies all come into the La Bonita livingroom buzzing around Marina who is having pains. She is having cramps and a bit of blood. They all curse Alvaro for ruining the perfect moment.

Alvaro is in the back seat of the little red car, man-handling Kari as if this would make her melt with desire, but she sobbingly tells him that she wants out and she loves Lorenzo. She pleads with Leoncio to not be an accomplice in this crime, to save him self and to save her. The wig and beard are ripped off, our suddenly agile doctor has time to shake and bruise Kari while taking off his disguise and thumping Leoncio in the head while he drives. It’s the hardest he has worked in the entire telenovela. The horses and SUV’s are in hot pursuit of this nasty little red car but all the horsepower in the world can’t seem to outrun this rent-a-wreck.

Jero is taking leave of Renata to go see what is happening in the pursuit and rescue mission when Matilde comes in to say Marina has taken ill. He rushes off to the living room where Marina is making small of the situation. Jero asks her to not put herself or the babies at risk (expongar) while Manuela begs her to tell Jero the truth. A small bit of placenta as broken loose and there is danger of a miscarriage if she doesn’t begin total bed rest immediately. (gee only that? Renata kind of rolls her eyes as we all do) Jero begs her to think of the babies’ well being and not the nasty political situation she has created by dressing like his wife and coming to this disaster of a wedding unannounced. Renata keeps her cool and is the voice of nobility as always suggesting they all keep cool until they find out what the doctor says.

The reign of the ignoble continues, Alvaro threatens his red car mates while leaning out of the car and shooting at Lazaro who is gaining ground with the magnificent black stallion. Lorenzo takes a hit and falls from the horse.

Jero is calling the Marina’s gynecologist who is in surgery so he will call Jero back soon. The Nurse says it is dangerous for Marina to move even though she keeps trying to say she wants to leave. Finally Renata tells her they should wait and please don’t feel uncomfortable. The babies welfare and her health are more important. They should wait for the doctor to call back with advice.

Alvaro has Leoncio pull over by the horse under a tree (look, I don’t know how he saw it either.) Alvaro orders him out of the car, takes a swig from the flask then gives Leoncio a drink from the bottomless flask. while Alvaro pulls his gun out of his belt with its unending supply of bullets. While telling Leoncio in a eerie voice how much he likes him (me caes bien) while he cocks the pistol. We stop the episode expecting the worst.

Next: Marina claims to be humiliated, Alvaro claims to be justified while Kari begs for mercy and Fina claims to really love Roberta and wants her out of the evil clutches of Regina (really she just wants all that money.) What can I say? She’s the one in a white gown with dreams of domination. Sorry for leaving you another mess to sweep up, Jules.

Labels: Cuando

All the ads are telling us that this is a “nueva etapa”, but it’s looking more like a crappy etapa since it starts off with our galan bumping little cars with Satan’s Spawn…AGAIN! But how much damage can the writers do to our psyche in 35 episodes? Right??? Let’s see…

Ivan throws a tantrum in the game room about his own stupidity, having sex with MP, again. Tony looks like he’s about to slap him silly, but seeing that Ivan must have already lost all his senses, since he slept with the evil ho, he decides to just talk sense to him. From this moment on, Lucia is dead to him (a lost cause). The next morning, said evil ho is shocked to wake up by herself. Ivan makes an early and hasty retreat with Alex. In the car Ivan and Alex are discussing all the sports he wants to play. Ivan asks how long it’s been since he called his Papa Gerry, Caro and Lucia. It’s been a while so Ivan encourages him to call so that they don’t get sad.

Tony calls Camilo to get the phone number for Ranch Socorro. At the ranch, they’re all moved in and Lucia’s started school. Carly gets Tony’s call and she apologizes for being out of touch. They chit chat about how their peeps are, then Tony gets right to the point and tells Carly to get Lucia to move on with her life (‘cause Ivan isn’t worth being sad about). He lets her know Ivan and MP are living as true man and wife. Carly can’t believe it. (Neither can we Carly!) Is he stupid or what, to fall again for that whore of a granddaughter of hers? She wonders if the only thing controlling Ivan are his…(she makes a cupping gesture) “desires”? Tony tries to smooth it over by saying Ivan’s just trying to make a normal family life for his son. Carly’s not having it. He’s shameless! Lucia can make her life with someone else. Carly doesn’t even want to speak to Tony again, and if he wants to take back their loan, do it! She hangs up on him. She tells Teodoro’s painting that all men are the same, even him (he did have an illegitimate daughter after all). Tony defends his actions to Bruno. Then he asks Bruno if he has a girlfriend. If not, he’ll find one for him.

At the office, Ivan has a bit of a psycho moment and yells at himself to NOT let it happen again.

Camilo arrives at the ranch to show Carly the books. She gets right to pressing him about asking Lucia to marry him. “Ivan is like my brother. He’s helped me a lot.” Carly tells him that Ivan has forgotten Lucia and she got it from a close source, Tony. Camilo can’t believe that Ivan slept with MP. Carly thinks kids these days just go where their hormones take them (says the lady who got pregnant out of wedlock by some guy who was just passing through town). She tells him that Lucia cares about him (querer).

Lucrezia interrupts their conversation. Without her even prying, they come right out and tell her Lucia’s business. She’s preggers and Camilo wants to do right by her. Camilo claims to be the father when Lucrezia asks! (Wait a minute! First they blab Lucia’s business. Then they create a lie for her! WTF?!) Lucrezia starts to lament how the story is being repeated (2 daughters impregnated by servants, out of wedlock) and wonders what SHE did wrong. She has enough sense to ask when this happened since Lucia was with Ivan and then so hung up on him. Camilo claims it was after Ivan left when Lucia was feeling alone, sad and vulnerable, and one thing led to another. Since it’s all about Lucrezia, she turns it into a personal tragedy. Everyone is going to think her daughters are whores!

Lucia arrives home completely oblivious to the fact that her grandmother and Camilo have just invented a new past, present and future for her, without her consent. Camilo greets her as she exits her car and says they need to talk. They stand next to the noisy fountain to make comprehension just that much more difficult for us. Cam admits he knows she’s preggers and that he wants to marry her. To him it’s not a sacrifice. “I love you Lucia. I’ve loved you from the first moment I met you.” He hugs her and Lucia looks completely shell shocked.

Judith tells JJ that she is not “getting back together” with Cam. It’s her life. JJ does not like being disobeyed. Judith says she’ll leave the house like her brothers. JJ scoffs at this. She doesn’t know how to do anything. Not even how find a man who will support her. Judith asks how he can treat his daughter like this. We all know how effective it is to talk to JJ about feelings and decency, and trivial stuff like that.

Carly catches Lucia as she comes into the house and tells her about the lie that she and Cam invented for her. Lucia is shockingly not pissed about this. Lucrezia isn’t as dumb as they think. She tells them she knows Lucia, and she knows how in love she is with Ivan, so she KNOWS this baby is Ivan’s, not Camilo’s. Lucia admits it.

Anto brings Caro flowers and out of the blue proposes…that they live together. She’s not offended by this, but does ask if he wants them to live together, without being married. To him it’s all the same, married or not married. Whatever she wants. He has a fixed job and a salary now, and isn’t in danger of being killed and dumped in the gutter. Now that Alex is gone, Caro doesn’t want to abandon Gerry. He’ll be all alone. “Your brother-in-law is a grown man.” (hombre hecho y derecho) “Princess, I want to be alone with you. I want to make love to you. Have babies with you. Wouldn’t you like that?” Caro is scared that her blindness will prevent her from taking care of their babies, and she doesn’t want to take advantage of his mother, although she has no issue with living with her. Anto suggests surgery as an option, but Caro doesn’t want him to waste so much money again. She’s scared, and Anto tries to kiss her worries away.

Although Lucrezia now knows who the real daddy is, she is still on board with the marry Camilo plan. She wants the wedding right away, before Lucia is showing. Lucia wants a small civil wedding at the ranch since she doesn’t think it right to get married in the Church already pregnant. The only other thing she requests is that no one tells MP or Ivan that she’s getting married. Lucrezia can’t believe they aren’t going to tell/invite the Mondragons.

In front of the noisy fountain, Lucia gives Cam the rundown on the wedding plans. Whatever she wants, he’s on board with it. He plans on building a house on his part of the land. In the meantime, they can rent an apartment since he’s sure she wouldn’t want to live with his mother. Lucia suggests they live in the big ranch house with her mom and grandmother (don’t do it!). Cam will do what she wants. He asks if she thinks one day she could love him. She tells him she hopes to and asks for time. He agrees and kisses her.

Lucia tells Carly again that she doesn’t want Ivan to know about the wedding, mostly for Camilo’s sake. Carly doesn’t think it matters since Ivan is living HAPPILY with his MUJER and son. Lucia is surprised to hear the happily part and Carly tries to brush it off. Lucia admits that although she wasn’t scared to be a single mother, she does think it’s good that her child will have a father.

In L.A., Ivan arrives home, greets Benito, and goes up to see Alex. Alex asks for help with his math homework.

Celia wonders if Lucia will be able to come to love Camilo as much as she loves Ivan. Camilo is not feeling as guilty as he was about it all a few days ago, and tells Celia about Ivan doing the horizontal mambo with MP. Celia is as shocked as we were. “But he hates her.” Celia thinks it must be a lie, then thinks Ivan just gave into his manly urges. She’s more worried about Cam getting hurt in this whole deal. Since he’s made up his mind, she gives him her blessing. Camilo promises he’ll win Lucia over (conquistarla).

MP has made herself comfortable on Ivan’s bed in her negligee. She is not deterred when Ivan says last night was a mistake and meant nothing. She thinks it meant that he still desires her. He tells her she has no pride/shame. This also doesn’t deter her so he pulls out the big guns and tells her he only saw and felt Lucia; he made love to Lucia last night. MP pauses for a half second, then goes in for the major mouth meld after saying it was HER he made love to. He pries her loose and they proceed to have a staring contest.

Carmen tells Camilo that she wants to study English and computation. If she really wants to study, then he’ll pay for it AND give her an allowance (mensualidad)! (He is obviously in a good mood.) Carmen can’t believe how easy that was. Celia tells her to stay on the straight and narrow or she’ll take away that allowance.

Anto and Gordo run into each other on the street. Gordo wonders if Anto caused Saul’s accident. Anto sticks to his divine justice story, while making it clear that’s the kind of justice that befalls anyone who messes with his family. He then tells the permanently scarred Gordo that he’ll see him around…in the mirror (espejo). Gordo makes a call to Casa Mondragon and pretends to be a friend of Saul’s to get info about his whereabouts. Esther tells him and he hangs up before she can get the name of this “good friend.”

MP is going out with her friends… again. Ivan tries to find out who these friends are and why they can’t meet them, and to convince her to rein in her spending since she’s once again exceeded her limit. She flounces off while he’s still yelling. Tony advises him to just raise her limit, let her do what she wants, and have peace in the house. Ivan can’t control himself since he HATES her!

Outside, Alex asks Maria and Benito why his parents fight so much. If they can’t get along, then they shouldn’t have gotten married. (Right on Alex!) Benito tries to cheer him up and tells him to be patient. Alex is too depressed by it all to even play with Bruno.

Despite the plea to keep the wedding intimate, Lucrezia is trying to invite people like the gossipy school mistress Olga who fired Lucia, and the Meandragons. Carly accepts the Meandragons, as long as JJ doesn’t tell Tony about the wedding.

Lucia finds a shirtless, sweaty, chiseled, uhm… where was I? Oh, yeah. Lucia finds Camilo working hard in the fields. She wants them to talk to her father, and she asks Cam once again if he has any regrets. Nope! And to show her, he sweeps her up into his manly, toned, strong, uhm…where was I? He picks her up into his arms, twirls her around, and gives her a gentle kiss. (Lucia is just as boring of a kisser with Camilo as she was with Ivan, but at least his kisses aren’t like a Hoover.)

They walk hand in hand through the part of the ranch house that isn’t finished yet, but will be theirs. They find Gerry and tell him they want to marry. He looks like he just swallowed his own tongue at this news, but finds it when he talks to Carly and Lucrezia later. He can’t believe it, since Lucia was just moping about Ivan five seconds ago! He thinks it’s too sudden and knows something is up (hay gato cerrado/there’s a cat in a bag/locked up). Carly talks about how depressed Lucia has been and now just wants to turn over a new leaf. Gerry thinks there’s a big difference between querer (to care for/love) and amar (romantic love/passionate love), and Lucia does not “ama” Camilo. Lucrezia brings up the fact that he didn’t “amar” his second wife, and they married mainly for Alex. “That was different. There was a child to think of. Hey, Lucia’s not pregnant is she?!” The Curiel women do what they do best, lie and deny. But they beg him not to let the McGuires know about the wedding.

Tomorrow: La boda de Lucia y Camilo!

Labels: Fuerza

Enters Candy with the barrio pot brigade yelling "We love you Pancho!" Rebe calls time out and yells at Pancho (Francisco) in private - "You're brilliant except when it comes to your family. With this circus, your credibility is shot. If you can't control your family, how can you control Irabien?" When he says they came to watch his back, she says "At Avon, I'll always have your back. You were managing perfectly well on your own."

Back at the circus Candy tells Arnold she has a mountain of ideas for the company. Vince asks her for a private massage - but not here! "Want me to put on my Catgirl uniform?"

Pancho to Rebe: "Chacho is my consultant, philoshoper. Chela is my boat and my anchor." Turns out, he wants work for all his kids (except Temo). He even wants his dog working at Avon (he has a good nose).

The accountaint tells Vince and Enzo "We made the decision - this meeting is informative, not a debate." "We will keep spending as before." "No. From now on, all expenses must be okayed by me, Rebe or Pancho." Vince, Arnold and Enzo leave; they complain about the "horde of nacos" invasion.

Arnold is stroking Vince when Pancho enters; he and Vince commence yelling at each other. Vince: "You want me to take you seriously, ha ha ha. You did this as revenge because I threw your sister-in-law out the other day." Pancho hears Chela was in Rebe's office. Vince insinuates that Chela might have been stealing things. Pancho punches him.

As usual, (1) Chela tells dead sister I love him in my bones and veins. Forgive me!" (2) Monica is chased down by Pepe at the elevator. She says "Keep dreaming, mechanico." "I dream of you every night."

Pina spending the day in bed, fretting that the magic drops were just a placebo and they didn't work! Adoracion drinks the rest of the not-very-magical flask.

Rebe pours out her woes to Barbara, who finds it all funny, especially the part where Rebe is so jealous of Chela!

Pancho's family talks about the Arab visit. Candy will prepare a "special number" for them. Chela will need money to make a "feast fit for kings" for them.

Vince walks and complains to his dog. Candy appears from behind a tree and whispers alluringly: "I have lava in my veins, little butterfly. You know what you and I could do?" When she tires of taunting him she leaves and he hits his sore nose on a tree.

Pancho has a credit card now - Chela offers us a public service announcement: "Be careful with that, credit cards can be a menace." He tells her HE sent the nanny -- so she wouldn't work so hard. He tells her to dress up sexy tonight, "like you did the other night when you looked like a giant kiwi," she asks why, he says it's a secret. Uh-oh.

Pepe gets Monica's friend Kari to help him out: "Naco, you're driving her crazy. But she will never give in - because she has a boyfriend, and because of her father - they are indivisible because her mom died so young. They adore each other." He catches Monica - asks if she'd like to go out with him - she says she's busy - he reminds her "you owe me a favor. Sit for a minute. I didn't know about your mom... I lost my mom too, I was older, she died when Temo was born. I had 12 years with her. I know how sad it is when your jefa (affectionate joke, means boss-lady) leaves and the world... I don't know what I would have done without my dad. So I understand." She runs away crying.

Candy and Pina sit over a snack. "You look sad, what's the matter? Problems with your husband?" "Yes, my husband doesn't want me." "Reconquer him! I know what you have to buy."

Vince is very nervous, his friends can't decide what he should do about Candy. He decides Avon should hire her! Arnold calls Candy and makes an appointment for tomorrow. Chela thinks it's a trick.

Rebeca asks Pancho to try out his English. It's not so good. He says no worries, he knows how to make himself understood. Ana shows up sad, nothing happens.

Tomorrow: Pina tries her pole dancing dressed in leather!

Labels: familia

We have a special treat provided to us by commenter Audrey. She was fortunate (and smart) enough to see Fernando Colunga LIVE in the play ¡Manos Quietas! She has generously provided a recap of the play for our enjoyment. Take it away Audrey...


Recap by Audrey


¡Manos Quietas! is a play written by Catalán author Piti Español which premiered in Madrid in 2010. Fernando Colunga liked the script and the Mexican production team adapted it to Mexican slang and recent pop TN culture. Currently on tour in the US, I saw it in McAllen on 11/4.

This one act play is set in a classroom at the end of the school year, where Manuel and his (almost ex-)wife have an interview with the (female) principal about their son’s progress.

* Fernando Colunga plays Manuel, an almost divorced husband and father, down on his luck. He thinks he is just in a trial separation with his wife.
* Giselle Blondet plays Esme, the principal, into politically correct inclusive language regarding gender and totally against corporal punishment.
* Lorena Rojas plays Aurora, Manuel’s about-to-be-ex wife, a real bully of a man-eater who is dumping Manuel because she is involved with another parent.
* Aylin Mujica plays Sra. Sonia Cortejo - the hysterical mother of a kid hit by a parent at the recent school picnic.
* Johnny Lozada plays Cristóbal - the school’s “pre-tech” teacher.


The main themes of the play are: political correctness; gossip; hypocrisy; and, um, maybe taking some things to extreme? I’d say another theme unique to this Mexican version is watching FC in a most unusual situation!

The play was really a hoot. Even if you are dependent on captions for watching Spanish TNs, you will still get a lot of it, especially if you read the recap ahead of time. The play is very physical with lots of exaggerated acting at times, so you’ll get tons of cues. And plenty of eye candy for both sexes and a few TN-related inside jokes.

The scenes are somewhat combined for brevity to cover the main plot and highlights. Some things are likely out of order anyway - after all, this is from memory, and I didn’t think of recapping it until afterwards.

____________________________________________________________

Cristóbal, a teacher, sweeps through the classroom straightening tables, and setting the room right. Esme, the school principal, comes in. They gossip about the shocking happenings at the recent school spring picnic where they had a big game between the Amarillos and Azules - those parents just love the colored shirts! But it seems one of the parents was seen making out with another (not her husband) - shocking! And even more shocking, one of the parents hit another parent’s kid! Unfortunately the kid’s hysterical mother is on the warpath and wants to sue/report the school! They both leave the room.

In marches Manuel (FC) [to massive applause, of course] dressed in a suit with briefcase and here for the interview with the principal about his son. He practices his speech to convince the principal to buy these new computers specialized for kids education. He’s under the gun financially - he recently lost his job at the car dealership.

[At this point you know who the main characters are and a bit of their background and prejudices, the premise, the gossip from the spring (picnic) party with yellow and blue teams and that Manuel and Aurora are recently separated at Aurora’s instigation. So this would be a place to stop if you are pretty fluent in Spanish and you wanted to see the play before reading the rest of the recap. If your Spanish is not so solid, reading ahead will help you follow the main plot, and there is still plenty of peripheral action that I did not cover.]

The principal, Esme, returns. Manuel is early! His wife knew the appointment was for half an hour later. Manuel pulls a blue t-shirt out of his briefcase and asks if he is supposed to return the shirt from the school picnic. They talk about his children. The principal has this pet peeve about gender prejudice in the Spanish language, and insists that all plural nouns be inclusive of both genders. For example, Manuel doesn’t have “dos niños”, he has “un niño y una niña”. Manuel, in salesman mode, gets with the equality-in-noun-gender program and works hard to convince Esme that her school should buy these great (iPad like) computers! But unfortunately, the batteries are dead so his demo bombs.

The subject changes to hitting children. Esme has heard rumors that Manuel was the parent who hit Sra. Cortejo’s kid at the spring picnic. Oh no! He might have rubbed the kid’s head a bit rough in play, but no hitting! Unfortunately for Manuel, Esme gets him to reveal that he doesn’t believe in no corporal punishment under any circumstances and might have spanked his kids once or twice. Manuel is subjected to a huge lecture.

Aurora, his (almost ex-)wife sails in. She lambasts Manuel for all sorts of injustices. Esme adds her disapproval that Manuel still believes in corporal punishment. And she has reason to believe that he hit another parent’s kid at the spring picnic! Horrors! Manuel denies anything more than maybe roughhousing with the kid a bit. Aurora takes advantage as she plans to fight for custody of the kids.

In sails the hysterical mother, Sonia (Aylin Mujica in new-age gypsy hippie garb), going on and on about her poor traumatized kid. Her kid told her Manuel was the culprit. Manuel emphatically denies it. Esme gangs up since Manuel had admitted he might have administered a spanking or two. Aurora piles on as well, claiming this shows what an unfit father he is! They go on as Manuel (yes, macho FC), cringes with the harangues, protesting and denying.

Crazy mother Sonia and principal Esme leave the room to talk to the poor traumatized kid who has been left alone in Sonia’s car (shock!!!). Manuel leaves to use the restroom. Aurora phones her new lover, Paco Menendez to tell him: “You know that kid you hit at the school picnic? Well, the hysterical mother is at the school ready to denounce everybody!” She’ll see what she can do, otherwise his PTA position might be in jeopardy!

When Manuel returns Aurora starts getting on his case again. This time, she tries to browbeat him into “confessing” even though he denies it emphatically. Finally, she cajoles him with offers to “maybe” reconsider their separation and her attempts to take away the children. Just go ahead and take the blame, and then the school won’t get sued, and everything will be hunky-dory.

Sonia and Esme return. After another round of escalating haranguing and denials from Manuel with Aurora claiming otherwise, Manuel decides to just go ahead and say he did it and apologize.

But poor Manuel - now he is from the frying pan into the fire! Rather than calming down, the ladies go ballistic. He apologizes and apologizes and begs forgiveness. With the apologies, Sonia is somewhat mollified and decides maybe she won’t sue anybody after all, and almost leaves. But wait! What a great idea she has (as her ideas are always brilliant!). She’s taking acting classes and Tai Chi which she mimes elaborately. She’ll publish an interview with an “admitted kid-hitter” - where Manuel admits how very wrong he was. As a lesson to everybody!

Manuel doesn’t like this - hey no fair! Manuel mimics Sonia’s taking “acting classes” and “tai chi” which has FC doing an elaborate tai chi parody that has the audience screaming with laughter. This totally sets Sonia off, she’s going to sue Manuel and the school!!! Oops!

Manuel backs down. The ladies decide that if just, for once, he agrees to see what it is like to be a woman, they might let him off the hooks. OK, he’ll try to understand and cooperate!

Sonia finds some cord and ties Manuel’s hands behind his back. Oh, no, Manuel doesn’t like that! The ladies complain about men who are always checking out their bust and behind. One of them unbuttons part of Manuel’s shirt and two ladies rummage about inside complaining about how men always just want to grab their breasts. Another complains about having to wear heels all her life and grabs his necktie pulling up to make him tip-toe around as if he were wearing heels. Finally, one of them unbuckles his pants and pulls them down around his ankles!!! [The audience is just screaming at this point]. He’s wearing fairly modest knit black undies and almost knee-length black socks. Nice legs FC!

Poor FC is hopping around the stage for quite a while with his pants around his ankles, pinched and poked and thoroughly woman-handled with threats of more. They very much tease the audience with what these out-of-control ladies might do next!

And imagine what it would be like, they admonish him, to be caught, terrified, on a dark street with three nasty guys, stronger than you are, harassing you. They call him !puta! and ¡zorra! and act like men demeaning a helpless woman they have cornered.

Aurora claims that now that he is an admitted kid-hitter, no way is she going to let him have custody of the children.

Finally Cristóbal comes in, shocked at this outrageous scene. He quickly unties Manuel and scolds the ladies. Manuel is able to put himself back together. “¡Pinches Viejas!” yells Manuel, and the crowd roars.

The ladies explain to Cristóbal that they were just giving Manuel a bit of “education” about how women are subjugated to all sorts of harassment. Manuel tries to get Cristobal to sympathize with him, but unfortunately gets too macho about it. This sets Cristobal off who, now revealed as a gay person, feels that he of everyone is by far the most harassed and handicapped. He scolds everyone using every possible gay cliché and physical parody, of course.

A distant car alarm goes off. Oh, no! Sonia freaks! It must be her kid who still locked in the car!!!! Off she runs again.

Manuel has had enough, and talks about his poor beleaguered life. How he has had to work hard and provide for everyone, and he thought he had accomplished his dream in marrying Aurora and having children, and now Aurora doesn’t want him anymore. And he’s been fired from his job, and kicked out of the house, and his wife is trying to take the kids away from him! He goes on and on about the trials of a man in today’s society. He even calls himself a poor a**hole! He gets a huge applause for his elaborate woe-is-me speech. Aurora taunts him. “Yeah, bravo! Great theatrical performance! What do you think - that there is a big audience out there listening to you?” [nudge-nudge, wink-wink, LOL!]

Sonia returns. Oh - her kid is so traumatized, he can’t even stand the color yellow anymore! Yellow? asks Manuel. Wait a minute - he was on the blue team! But Sonia says her kid knows that man who hit him was Aurora’s husband, because he was kissing Aurora under the stairs right beforehand! OOoooops! Manuel pulls out his blue team t-shirt and declares that furthermore, he was never under the stairs! Aurora is outed! Now Sonia is livid all over again. She’s going to sue Paco Menendez and it’s all going to come out and he won’t be re-elected to the PTA! Manuel suggests that Sonia, with all her theatrical and tai-chi training maybe should do that brilliant idea interview with Paco Menendez now, since he is the established kid-hitter. Sonia runs off all energized, and Aurora after her, trying to do damage control.

Manuel asks “What about the interview about my kid?” “Well,” Esme points out, “it’s gotten pretty late now, we had better do that another time.” With all they have put him through, asks Manuel, couldn’t Esme consider buying several of these great specialized computers for children? Manuel thinks the school should buy one for every student! Esme is not so sure. Manuel suggests they go out for dinner, and discuss this in an environment more conducive to um, discussion. Oh, now Esme is interested! She sidles over to Manuel, fishing for compliments. They embrace as Manuel assures her that, with her, no man could keep his manos quietas (hands still). CURTAIN!

Bows. And the audience rushes the stage with their camera phones going crazy - LOL!
___________________________________________________


Throughout the play they had fun with different phone ringtones for different characters, always some well known theme. A fun example near the end, (after she was established as the guilty party), Aurora’s phone plays the “Esa Hembra es Mala” theme from Teresa before she finally picks it up.

Plenty of just slightly off-color Mexican slang also - things that never seem that bad to me (like references to big goats and eggs (LOL!)) but always seem to get a Mexican audience roaring.

Of course the biggest joke of all enjoyed by the audience is seeing Fernando Colunga in a role completely opposite of his normal ultra-galán role. Tied up and touched all over by three rabid women? - surely some of the ladies in the audience wished they could join in the fun. Obviously FC chose this role for the irony and maybe a refreshing break from the usual? We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

US Tour Dates (posted by Variopinta a week ago - this is the most complete list I could find on the internet)
Brownsville TX 11/3, McAllen Tx 11/4
Chicago 11/6,
Miami (Coral Gables) 11/11,12,13,19,20,21
Laredo Tx 11/22, Eagle Pass Tx 11/23
L.A. 12/2,3,4,9,10,11

I get the impression from various interviews and articles that this US tour is actually the initial run for the play, trying it out before committing to a more extensive tour. I hope you get to go see it!

Labels: entertainment-news, stars

Labels: Fuerza

¡Hola a todos! Welcome to the wacky world of Telemundo novelas.

Labels: casa-lado, flor-salvaje, insiste, telemundo

Administrative announcement: I'm starting a new job a week from Monday. After that, I probably won't be able to continue doing two recaps a week even if they're puny.

Of course I'll be able to post a discussion header for the Tuesday episode, but Friday recaps may be on weekends rather than Friday nights.

Yeah, so, the unexpected nanny shows up and Chela is civilized about it until the nanny reveals that she was sent by Rebeca. THEN Chela loses it. "GOYA! MY BAG!!!"

Vince is selling hot dogs from a cart. Candy buys one with mustard for ten pesos. Oh, ha-ha, he's actually asleep at his desk. This is Vince's idea of a dirty dream? Pathetic. Vince notices Arnold watching Sandra, the bimbo secretary, walking out of the room. That's twice this week that Vince has caught Arnold doing something not-very-gay. Arnold asks what Vince needs with Candy when he has such a fine wife. V says Pina's too skinny; he can't do it. Arnold suggests the "blue pill"; Vince says it's not an equipment problem - he just isn't attracted to her. Arnold recommends that they try adding some novelty.

Tomás is sorry for breaking up with Lupita. "Do you know how many times you've asked my forgiveness lately?" Lupita asks.

A frightened accountant named Lamberto meets with Pancho. Pancho finds the man's name unbearably funny because it sounds like "lamento," so he decides to call him "Beto" (and later, "Lambi"). The poor man really is aptly named; he is sweating profusely, refuses an offer of coffee because it might make him nervous, and reveals that he suffers from chronic anxiety. He clutches a book of financial records in his sweaty hands and warns Pancho that the company is about to go down like the Titanic if things continue in their present trajectory. Pancho says he's noticed that Vince and Enzo have been using the company as their personal money-tree.

Pancho and Lambi/Beto compare notes and numbers for a while. Lambi relaxes and even enjoys their chat. Pancho invites him to tomorrow's meeting to discuss the executive expenses. Lambi (now "Mamerto") is delighted.

Chela ambushes Rebeca in her office and they have their usual argument. In short, Chela feels that Rebeca is messing with her family, and Rebeca (who visits Pancho's house and makes claims on Pancho's personal time whenever she pleases) doesn't like Chela coming to her office and her apartment. Rebecky also teases Chela yet again about her love for Pancho; nothing Chela does is ever wrong because it's in the name of love. Rebe also thinks that Chela must have a spy in the office to know about her conversation with Vince the other night. She wants to know who that spy is, and that person will be fired because of Chela! Chela says fine, then why don't you fire yourself for spying too, because you're the one who recorded Vicente bad-mouthing Fernanda!

Anyway, she didn't come here to talk about spying. She's here because of the nanny. (Man, I wish some horrible woman would send someone to my house to wash the dishes and vacuum. I promise not to complain.) Rebeca's gotta lotta nerve making decisions for Chela's family, etc. etc. Beca tries to tell her that it was actually Pancho's idea, but Chela doesn't let her finish. Rebeca gives a particularly withering speech about how she's heard so much about Chela being such a great second mother that she could recite it from memory; "so congratulations, Chela, for winning first place in the housewife contest!"

ARGH BITCH!!! Well excuuuuuuse Chela for taking care of the family and the house instead of spending the family's carrot money getting a PhD and buying designer shoes! Seriously, under any other circumstances I'd find Chela's grumpy self-righteousness the most annoying thing on the show, but then Rebeca will say something so ugly that I end up feeling sorry for Chela. I hope someday soon they have a catfight and both fall fully clothed into a swimming pool, except I'm a little worried that Chela's aprons and heavy sweaters might cause her to sink to the bottom and drown, like the Titanic. Or Avon.

Rebeca would like to get back to work. She tells Chela to leave and turns to walk away. Chela grabs her arm. Offended, Rebeca says "don't touch me - this is the second time you've done that." Rebeca goes away and Chela sits down to wait till Rebeca comes back for more abuse.

Barbara and Rebeca have coffee together and Rebeca tells Barbara all her woes about Pancho's family. Barbara thinks Chela feels threatened by Rebeca, and Barbara would too if she felt that she was competing against her. (I think that's what she says.)

Chela calls home to give Candy an update. Candy says Chela is jealous. Vince comes in, Chela gets lippy with him, and he calls Security to have her removed. She warns Vince about the wrath of her family and hits the security guys with her handbag and finally leaves.

At the office, Pancho calls off tonight's etiquette lesson so he can finish crunching some numbers for tomorrow's meeting. At home, Chela wants a family meeting.

Karina calls Pepe and makes Mónica talk to him. She tells him he doesn't suit her at all, and ever since he came into her life it's been filled with trouble and confusion and doubts. Pepe takes this as an encouraging sign.

At home, Vince puzzles over Arnold's advice to try making love with Pina on the floor and in other exotic locations. (I notice behind him that there's a framed photo of Vince kissing not his wife, but his dog. It's a very sweet and touching photo.) Pina comes in; Vince imagines Catgirl and kisses her, but then she's Pina again and he doesn't want any. She keeps switching between Pina and Catgirl. She stays Catgirl long enough for Vince to take one of his trademark flying leaps; sadly, he kind of lands on her neck, and besides, she is not as sturdy as Sandra. She protests that he is slitting her throat (degollando)! Catgirl doesn't care - she wants more. He lifts her up and spins her around and throws her on the bed. Pina doesn't like that, either. She wants a divorce! (Oh no! Would we survive the custody battle over Abejita and the granddogs?) She sorts through her Flores de Bach tinctures and takes a good swig from the Ego bottle.

Pancho brings some reports to the dinner table and tells his family about tomorrow's meeting. Chela is worried that it won't go well, but Pancho says things will be different at Avon after tomorrow.

Lupita asks Pancho for advice about Tomás. He's really, really sorry! (Here's my advice: tell him to stuff his sorries in a sack.) She thinks he's changed a lot lately. Pancho thinks it's Lupita who has changed - she's become more sensitive. Someone her age shouldn't suffer so much. You're only sixteen once! And Alex doesn't seem like such a bad guy. Pancho tells her to deal with one problem at a time: first Tomás, then Alex.

There's a breakfast scene which is interrupted by an awkwardly placed commercial from Comcast. Thanks, Comcast. Did everyone get this or was it just a local problem? Who else thinks it's cute when the cable company cuts in to run an ad over actual programming? I'm only missing about a minute, but now we're at Avon and the meeting is about to begin. Pancho's on the phone and Fernanda is reassuring him that he's making the right decision and he should follow his instincts.

(OK, now the proper, scheduled commercial break.)

Chela is meeting with the rest of the family, plus Big Boy and Kojak, to organize some kind of intervention to rescue Pancho from the evil Avonistas. She thinks he's going to get eaten alive. Ana disagrees. Candy doesn't think Vince is so bad, being such a guapo and all. Nope, Chela says he's a snake and Rebeca's right there with him. Nico has to go to the bathroom. They all agree to march on the company, except Chela herself because the guards kicked her out and she won't be able to get back in! (Chacho/Kojak is very concerned!)

Pancho, Lamberto, and Rebeca are finally meeting with Vince and Enzo about the "gastos de representación" (expense accounts). Oh, Arnold is there too but wisely says nothing. Vince tries to change the subject to the Arabs. Enzo tries to change it to Catgirl's smear on the company's reputation. Vince really doesn't want to talk about Paraíso! There are more stalling tactics, but Rebeca reminds them that Pancho's the boss. Pancho yells that the meeting is about MONEY. That gets their attention! But they don't need to look at no stinkin' balance sheets and statements. Vince throws his copy of the report onto the floor and stomps on it and has a tantrum about Pancho getting his name wrong again. (Is "Iracheta" really that much worse than "greengrocer"? I don't think so.)

Pancho rips the guys a new one for their extravagant expense accounts. He even shows a cheese chart (it's like a pie chart, except it's a wheel of Oaxaca cheese!) showing that their precious gastos are about a third of the company's money. Enzo and Vince try to diss Pancho's business chops, but they don't have much to say when Pancho questions why the company should pay for Mónica's college tuition, or the servant or the house phone or Wasp's dog food. Vince blames this last one on Popeye and the pregnancy. Pancho asks if Popeye and the pregnancy are also the reason Avon is paying for Pina's psychiatrist. Oh yes, the cuts are already underway and Fernanda knows all about them. Bwahahaha!!! Rebeca adds that if they don't make these cuts, the company will go bankrupt.

Sandra, Enriqueta, and Celeste with her little stuffed animal listen outside with shocked faces. Evidently no meeting like this has ever taken place at Avon before.

Now the Occupy Avon movement marches into the main lobby, banging pots and pans. Without the fearsome Celeste and her army of beanie dolls to hold them off, they continue unchallenged to the elevator, chanting and clanging.

Next time:
POW! Right in the kisser!

Labels: familia

Estimidos amigos! I was drastically behind this week and forcibly incomunicado. Even if my comments are absent, I'm still reading and appreciating everyone's hard work. Now, let's get started...

Jero admits to Nata that he slept with Marina because he felt rejected and hurt; he took refuge in Marina the same way that Nata did with Augie. Nata tells him she never slept with Augie. Jero apologizes and understands why Nata's feelings He was honest with Marina from the start about what their relationship was. None of that matters now, says Nata. Maritata is expecting his babies regardless. Jero assures Nata that they can face the future together. Nata wants to believe him but she is terrified that they won't be able to withstand it all. Jero holds her close and comforts her.

Augie asks Zeke if anyone has heard from Arely. He lectures Zeke on loyalty and I start fearing for his life.

Things have lightened up tenfold over at Jero and Nata's. They enjoy breakfast in bed and several flirty kisses. Nata hurries off to shower and Jero waxes poetic about becoming a father.

Chema's Padre and Adriana show Chema around his new restaurant. Needless to say, he is in love with the place.

He-Who-Should-Be-Pushing-Up-Daisies sneaks into a legitimate Doctor's office to steal money out of the safe.

All the ladies of the hacienda help Karina prepare for her wedding. She looks radiant.

Jero checks in with Marina. She is excited but nervous about having twins. They will need double the care and love. Jero agrees to help her every step of the way. He wants to cover all the expenses concerning their children. Marina softens to the idea.

Nata meets with Roberta in the hospital waiting room. Berta can't waste a good opportunity to pour salt in Nata's wounds about the twins. She calls Marina a home-wrecker but Nata doesn't feel that way. Nata and Jero were separated when Marina got pregnant. "But how can you accept it?" Berta asks. "Marina has already done your job by giving Jero children. And any babies you have with him will probably be born crazy like your mother." Oh, as if we needed more proof that Fina's viciousness is genetic. She's sitting right there on the couch talking out of her...uh...big mouth.

The psychiatrist looks over Fina's file and worries about her state of mind. Fina stares off unresponsively.

Nata begs Berta to keep a lid on it about the twins. Berta agrees but not before asking why Nata thinks Augie is a murderer. Nata tells her to keep her lip zipped about that too. Berta calls Augie to debrief him on the fact that Nata thinks he is a murderer like Fina. She warns him that if he doesn't clear his name soon, his plan is going to fall through.

Regina, Constanza, and Nata visit Gonzo. He's allowed to return home that very day! The ladies tell Nata that the Monterrubio Mansion is now Nata's. Nata how considerate Gonzo is but she doesn't need the house. As they continue talking, Nata succeeds in making Gonzo smile in his slumber.

In a montage of the next day, we see the doctor freaking out about his empty safe, Lazaro and Carlos fiddle around in the lab and Carlos injures himself, Gonzo is brought home and is comforted by his family, and Fina is evaluated by the prison psychiatrist. Fina whispers "I am Regina Soberon!" Hmm. This bit seems so rushed and out-of-place it makes me wonder if they cut scenes and edited this together to speed things up.

Nata and Jero arrive at the hacienda and are greeted warmly by Carlos and Matilde. Jero teases Carlos for how accident-prone he's been recently. Mati questions Nata about her family.

Meanwhile in the D.F, the day of Fina's sentencing has finally arrived. Regi & Antonio, Ines & Isidro, and Hon & Con wait with baited breath to hear the verdict. The judge declares Fina mentally unstable and decides to have her sent to the female manicomo. The Monterrubios and Friends are outraged and Regina bursts into tears. Fina sneaks a wink at Regina, which goes unnoticed by the cops and the press.

Alone in her room, Berta revels that Fina is going to spend the rest of her days behind bars. Though a momentary shadow of sadness crosses her face.

Regina cries to Connie and Ines about Fina's wink. She wonders what Fina would have to gain by playing crazy if she was going to be in jail regardless. Connie is sure it's because Fina will be treated much more gently in the madhouse than in prison. "How can the experts be so fooled by her?" Connie (and the audience) wonders. Regina takes small comfort in the fact that Fina will be in jail for life. Fina giggles in her mind. "You think this is a goodbye, but it's only a 'see you later', Regina. And to the rest of the Monterrubios!"

Matias gives Gonzo an iPad-like computer so he can type out his thoughts and listen to music. Of course, the song that's played is the Gonzo/Regina love theme. I have to wonder why no one thought to get one of these back when Connie was the mute in the family but I digress.

Matias promises Gonzo that Fina is going to jail and will never hurt any of them again. The entire family is going to support Gonzo's recovery. Mat reminisces about when he was a kid. He and Gonzo went fishing together and everyone called Gonzo "El Priata" (The Pirate) because he was always looking for treasure. Mat says the greatest treasure is the love and care that Gonzo has given him throughout the years. D'aww.

Regina speaks to the press about the crummy verdict. Monterrubio and Co. regroup outside. Antonio tells everyone that he is going to continue on the path to becoming a priest. He's going to study in a parish in Ensenada, mostly because Nata and Jero live there. As everyone strolls away, Regina can't get Fina's wink out of her mind.

La Bonita is all aflutter about the wedding. They're preparing a gorgeous outdoor ceremony and everyone is hard at work arranging chairs and setting tables.

Matilde and Alfonsina chat with Karina and tease her about pre-wedding jitters. Karina decides once and for all that Doc Nesme is dead to her. I can't imagine a better wedding gift than his head on a silver platter.

Leoncio greets the Disaster of Disguise at a bus stop. Leo will get paid for his efforts so long as he doesn't get cold feet.

Nurse Elsa convinces Marina to go to the wedding. Marina worries about seeing Nata and Jero there together but decides to go after all.

Zeke assures Augie that Nata and Jero will be at the wedding. Augie sniffs his magic bottle of perfume and lusts after Nata.

Nata calls Connie to ask about Fina's sentencing. Yep, Fina is going to be shacked up in the wacko-basket for life. Connie is hopeful that the nightmare is finally over. They can all move forward. Nata is still depressed by the news that her mother has completely lost touch with reality.

Regina returns home and happily hugs Gonzo. She tells Matias about the verdict and doesn't tell the Monterrubio men about the wink to avoid worrying them.

The cops take the handcuffs off Fina and leave her in the manicomo lawn. She and Blanca congratulate each other on their villainy. Blanca has the director under her thumb and will put in a good word for Fina. They agree to start their revenge immediately. Their first targets? Constanza and Regina.

Leoncio flags down an unsuspecting driver and Doc Nesme (who looks like a reject from a boxing ring) clocks the guy with a stick. Doc steals his clothes and glues a dollar-store costume beard to his face. He just won't give up on Kari. Blech.

Manuela delivers Karina's freshly pressed wedding gown. She's positive the wedding is going to be marvelous because Laz and Kari's love has withstood so many obstacles. Setting anvils up to watch 'em fall!

Fina is unsettled that Berta has not come to visit her. She has to get Berta back on her side.

Oh, what a lovely image to end on. Augie huffs his happy juice and looks back longingly on the time he chloroformed Nata. He gets crazier by the capitulo.

Avances: Renata is surprised to run into Marina at the wedding. Doc Please-Stop-Breathing-Our-Air interrupts the ceremony, grabs Karina, and shoots into the crowd. Ay, por favor! Another shooting at a wedding?!

Vocab:
cojeando - limping
guinarse - to wink
¡Me guiñó el ojo! - She winked at me!
tesoro - treasure

Labels: Cuando