Caray, Caray!

No. I see her, no I FEEL her, as precious, Carvajal." Omar laughs and looks mentally constipated.

Alicia exits the elevator and immediately sees something she likes. She struts over to the cuartel to affectionately say good morning and hello to each of them. She tells them how nice they look. She’s asks them for one-hundred “little” pesos. Martha doesn’t fall for it and tells Alicia to talk to her torta. If she had 100 pesos she would eat eight and a half tortas. Sara (the Giraffe) nor Juana (the Penguin) fall for it either. Lopez walks into the room but Alicia runs past him to Marcia’s office. She asks Marcia, who is staring towards nowhere, for money for the taxi. Marcia tells Alicia to leave and shut the door behind her. Alicia begs; Marcia rolls her eyes; Alicia whines; Marcia looks at the floor. (She manages never to blink through the whole speech!)

Lopez looks for Lola. She’s late! Martha points out that she is Lopez’s secretary. Why does he need Lola? Sanchez just doesn’t want employees thinking it’s okay to arrive late whether they’re his secretary or not. Sara tells Lopez that Lola is with her divorce attorney but that she once she’s done she come quickly to Conceptos. Lopez points out that she would still be late.

Lety cannot find anything that suits her. She needs something more discreet (aka a really, really ugly mu-mu). It was just a joke! Lety says there’s nothing in this store for her. Carolina says they can leave, but Lety sees something that she can wear.

Alicia begs Marcia some more; the taxi man looks capable of killing her for 100 pesos. Marcia calls Alicia her cross, her karma. She hands Alicia money for the taxi and tells her it’s the last time. Alicia finally picks up that something is wrong with Marcia and asks what’s up with her. Marcia lets Alicia know that Lety is coming to the office today; Marcia does not want to talk about it. Alicia tells Marcia not to worry because she spectacular and Lety is well…some little nothing who no one will notice. Alicia tells Marcia not to worry because she’ll pay her back in a fortnight. (Yes, I swear my dictionary said a fortnight!)

Celso tells the taxi man to wait a moment. Another vehicle pulls up to Conceptos. The camera switches to Lety’s point of view. She gets out of the car and approaches Celso. Celso sees her and looks very, very surprised and happy!

Lola impatiently waits for Efren and his lawyer. She needs to get to work and on top of that Efren is making her wait a long time. Lola wants to know what’s going in the lawyer’s office. Her attorney explains that they’re probably just reviewing the proposal of agreement for divorce that he and Lola gave. “Don’t they have to agree with what we are asking for?” Lola asks. “This depends on the quality of humanity of your husband.” her lawyer answers. This makes Lola nervous. This is never going to end! She exclaims. Efren leaves the office and asks her to come into the office. He asks her to be patient and gracious. Lola thinks he’s planning something. She asks him what he’s bringing. At that same moment, Yazmin exits the office and sarcastically compliments Lola’s appearance. Everyone walks into the office except Efren. Lola comes back out of the office and forces Efren to enter with just a look.

Lety says hello to Celso. He stops her and asks where she’s going. She tells him she’s going to see Humberto. Celso warns her that Marcia will fire him if he lets her enter. Lety decides to leave. She tells Celso to advise Don Humberto that she came, but that he wouldn’t allow her to pass. Celso chases Lety and asks Lety to allow him to advise management that she’s at Conceptos. Lety checks out her picture of her with Aldo and tells Celso that will be fine.

Ariel complains about waiting for Lety. He leaves the boardroom and runs into Saimon who effusively apologizes in English. Ariel pushes Saimon out of the way and into a chair. The cuartel laughs. PM tells the Saimon about Lopez looking for Lola. Alicia walks over to Saimon and tells him to go pay the taxi for her. She turns him around into Ariel who absolutely must use this opportunity to insult Alicia. He asks Alicia if she now has a taxi driver or a motocicleta (driver of a moto). He assumes that Saimon and Alicia have formalized their relationship since she looked so content getting onto his moto. Saimon gasps. PM is not happy! She confronts him and makes it certain that Saimon belongs to her, even if the moto belongs to Saimon – as Alicia so willingly points out. Ariel tries to calm her but warns that Alicia is very desperate. The phone rings and rings in the background.

Outside, Celso says that no one is answering. Lety gives a two minute deadline. Inside, PM throws a fit. Alicia tells PM that if she really wanted Saimon she would have him like that (snap, snap, snap of the fingers.) Saimon asks if Alicia really thinks that he can be conquered that easily. PM and Alicia say yes. He yells that they really don’t know that much about him. The fight ends with PM pulling Saimon away and Alicia reminding him to pay the taxi driver. The phone rings again and Alicia finally answers it. Celso tells her that Lety has arrived. Alicia prances over to the boardroom. Lopez enters the secretaries’ lobby and talks to Martha about Lola who tries to bribe him with her sandwich. He says that he’s going to find a stunner to replace her. Sara and Juana debate what they should do.

Lola is in the office complaining about Yazmin’s presence in the meeting. Yazmin accuses Lola of wanting to abuse her “Flaquito.” Efren yells at Lola that they shouldn’t fight. Things get worse from there. Lola tells Efren’s lawyer that he has not said a word and that they need to begin. She recognizes them! They’re Lety’s lawyers, Sanchez and Rosales. They kiss Lola’s hand in greeting.

Alicia stands in the boardroom and tells Humberto that Lety is waiting outside. He advises her to allow Lety to enter and that he will wait for her in the President’s office. Alicia cannot believe that Lety will be meeting in the President’s office. She compliments Teresita and leaves. Humberto walks into his office and catches Fernando and Omar in the seats around the desk. He cracks a smile when his back is turned to Fernando after watching Fernando scramble out of the chair. Humberto tells them that Lety has arrived and that he will be attending her in the office. They leave in a hurry for the boardroom.

Alicia calls Celso and says Lety may pass. He tells her welcome and directs into the building. She meekly passes PM and Saimon who are still arguing about him taking Alicia in his moto. PM exclaims how happy she is to see Lety and begs her to come talk with PM once Lety’s done with Humberto. Saimon says that the business has deteriorated without her there. Lety giggles, says thank you and tells them both that she loves them.

Lety enters the main floor of Conceptos. First, she runs into Juana who cannot say a word. Martha checks out Lety’s outfit and squeals. Sara joins the group and tells Lety how much they missed her. Alicia sees Lety and calls her the tlacoyo. “Yeah, but a good tlacoyo” Lety replies. (From Wikipedia - Tlacoyos are oval shaped fried cakes made of masa. They are similar to fresh corn tortillas, but are somewhat torpedo shaped and fatter. Sometimes tlacoyos are stuffed with refried beans, dry cheese, fava beans, or other ingredients. Tlacoyos are an excellent accompaniment to soups and stews. Most traditional tlacoyos do not have lard or salt in the masa, and if not eaten immediately after they are cooked, they become very tough and dry, even if reheated. The name tlacoyo is a variation of the Nahuatl word tlatlaoyo, a name given to an antojito typical of central Mexico. A larger version of the tlacoyo is the huarache. Alicia is using this word as an insult here – the full form she uses is tlacoyo bigaton. Julie has explained this insult previously, but unfortunately her explanation slipped my mind. If anyone has input, it would be appreciated!) Marcia leaves her office and gives Lety a look that tries to say you don’t matter, I don’t like you, I hate you, I’m better than you. I must admit she comes pretty close to pulling it off! The camera turns and we see Lety in a new suit. She looks… better… but still the same. Lety tells the cuartel that she’s dying to hang out with them. She walks over to the Presidency. They say she seems very content and happy. She agrees but says she’ll tell them later. After she walks away Alicia comments that Lety is such a cynic. Marcia stalks off to somewhere, probably to find Fernando.

Lola points out to Efren that his own lawyers threw out his mistress. Sanchez and Rosales they are respectful of the constitution, its laws and regulations. The little money he pays them will make them detain his current partner. Lola says that Yazmin is not Efren’s partner because Lola is still his spouse. Efren gets more and more upset. He tells his lawyers that he wants to leave as soon as possible. Lola says that he only wants to leave quickly to get to his mistress. The lawyers say that this is a delicate matter. Yazmin sneaks in and begs Efren not to leave her. Lola rushes her from the office. Efren’s lawyers say they need to hurry. They say that Lola’s proposal is far from the requests of their client. Uh-hu, his requests! She can just imagine them. Things do not look like they’re going well for Efren. He says that he does want to see his kids but Lola is asking for a fortune as though she wants the kids to go to Harvard. Sanchez says they’re two issues. The money that Lola wants, and the house. Lola cannot believe that Efren is still fighting for her house.

Humberto thanks Lety for coming. Lety advises Humberto that she will talk to Humberto about whatever he wants. She wants to get this over with as soon as possible. He replies that this is not a quick fix situation. He says that the situation of the business has been thoroughly studied. They’ve arrived at one conclusion, if she returns the business it would mean the end of Conceptos. Lety doesn’t understand what Humberto wants; there has to be a way to save the company. He replies that there is nothing viable left. He briefly explains that once she eliminates the embargo, the banks will liquidate Conceptos. Humberto says he intended to sell his houses, all of his things, but it’s not fair to Teresita to leave her in the streets at this point in her life. He gives a nice speech about the Mendiroels and their relationship with the bank for thirty-five years. Humberto says the only one who can help them now is Lety. He asks her not to return the business. Lety thinks to herself. “This cannot be. I would have to be with Fernando Mendiola again.”

Lety tells Humberto that his proposition is absurd. He asks Lety to listen. He asks her to maintain Filmo Imagen for six more months. They can pay the debts that she and Fernando created. Lety says she’ll be paying with her life, she already knows that she made a grave error. She tells Humberto that Fernando went to her house and called her a thief in front of her family. Her family is sacred for her. She understands that Humberto has suffered and she tells Humberto not to ask this – it wouldn’t be good for anyone. Humberto says that they needs this. He said he never imagined that he would call her to beg her not to return the business. Lety tells him that she’s had many problems with some of Conceptos’ employees – Marcia, Ariel and Fernando. Humberto replies that they know that this is the only resolution. Humberto says Lety must accept her responsibility for this situation. He cannot believe she wants to just wash her hands of this. Her father trusts her. They’re all in hell now. He tells her not to disappoint her father. Lety remembers one of Aldo’s speeches about fear. Lety says that if the board is willing, she will accept. First, she wants to call her lawyers. Humberto says that’s fine. He’ll wait for her in the boardroom for her to join the meeting to talk to the board. Lety is i-m-p-a-c-t-a-d-o.

Aldo and Caro talk in his house. He tells Caro that after Lety left Acapulco, he missed her. (so much so that he had to ride around the beach on an ATV yelling her name) He shows Caro the gift he brought from Acapulco. He tells Caro that he meant to give it to Lety in the airport, but he missed them. It’s a pearl. He replies that the ocean gave it to him when he was in Indonesia. He says he wants to take it to Lety and tell her that he’s in love with her. She makes him happy. Humberto tells Lety that they’re going to take care of this situation in the manner her father likes, as between gentlemen. She must go in front of the board. Humberto tells Lety to call her lawyers; he’ll wait in the boardroom. At the very least, she looks scared. Aldo talks some more. It’s not just that Lety changed his life, she helped his relationship with his father, she brought him “that” letter. She relieved him of the feeling of being a betrayed spouse. Aldo explains that with Lety he feels complete. He identifies with Lety. Caro asks if Aldo’s affection for Lety makes him see her as more than she really is. Aldo catches on that Caro is talking about Lety’s appearance. (Bad Caro!) Aldo defends Lety’s appearance. He sees her with the heart’s eyes. He’s fallen in love with her soul. He lists all of her good qualities; he fell in love with her solidarity, her nobility, her devotion, her sympathy, her honesty. He even loves her fears, her insecurities, her fragility. She confuses and inspires him. Caro doesn’t understand how Aldo can love Lety’s defects. Aldo explains that at first he identified with Lety’s pain. She helped him transform his pain into love for her. Caro says that she hopes someone will love her like that. Aldo replies that real love can be no other way.

Humberto enters the boardroom. Ariel questions what happened. Humberto tells him that Lety accepted. Fernando shakes his head and half smiles. Humberto asks Teresita to go get Marcia. Teresita asks if Marcia really has to be there. He says definitely; he wants the whole committee there. Ariel asks about Lety’s attitude. Humberto replies that it was not easy to convince her. There’s been a lot of injury because of this subject.

And just because we don’t really care at this moment, the show takes us back to the lawyer’s office. Yazmin tries to enter the conference room. Sanchez ends the consultation. Lola and Efren complain (he wants half of the house, she doesn’t want me to pay to much for my children… same as usual!) Sanchez tells Lola it will be impossible to negotiate a voluntary divorce and that they’ll have to get a judge to grant a divorce of necessity. Efren wants to know why his lawyers are helping Lola. Sanchez quits Efren’s employ. He calls Efren a liar and says he no longer works for him. Efren’s bad day and bad hair cut continue. Rosales helps move everyone out of the office.

Lety enters her former office and remembers the last hug that she and Fernando shared. She tears up a little and then remembers the day she left Conceptos. Lety turns to leave, but not before she remembers the confrontation with Marcia about the infamous black bag. She wipes her eyes and steels herself for the upcoming meeting. Caro worries about Lety going to Conceptos.

Caro asks Aldo why he’s staying in a house and not in a hotel. He says he preferred this house to all the hotels where he’s been staying. Caro asks Aldo if he plans on staying in Mexico City. Aldo says that depends on Lety.

In honor of tonight's State of the Union Address, here's a quote: "My No. 1 goal is to not go to jail." --Congresswoman-elect Michele Bachmann, during "freshman orientation" for new members of Congress

Labels: fea

A friend and fellow blogger, Terry Teachout, wrote this in his blog:

"Most commercial films are made on the assumption that audiences want to see moral struggle—but not too much of it.

"Much more often than not, we know as soon as the credits roll exactly what we're supposed to think the star ought to do (kiss the girl! give back the money!), and we spend the next hour and a half waiting for him to finally get around to doing it.

"When he does, we go home happy; if he doesn't, we go home feeling cheated, and tell all our friends to pick a different movie next weekend."

But in telenovelaland we have to wait months and months, or even a year!

Please try to enjoy the ride. Aldo is a right guy, even if he is kind of new-agey. And everything will work out, one way or the other. Don't gnash your teeth and lie awake at night!

Just a note from your concerned blog mother.

Labels: fea

More choppy scene editing folks. And so much yakity yak dialogue I found it hard to do anything other than recap. It’ll be up to the rest of the team to make us laugh this week.


--As tonight’s show opens, Jose is sitting on a public bench stuffing a letter into an envelope. His buddy, whose name escapes me, runs up to him and tells him to hurry up that they are going to be late for the truck. Jose says he just has to post a letter and he’ll catch up to him.


--Luba and Gaspar are walking and it’s night where they are. She’s upbraiding him for letting Flor/Alina escape. --Don Loco is riding around on his horse having wobbly hallucinations about Soledad and Alina meeting up with Jose and doing a happy family group hug. He catches up to Luba and Gaspar and accuses Gaspar of letting them escape. Don Loco dismounts and goes after him Luba tries to get between them but is unsuccessful. He picks up a big rock and starts using it to clobber Gaspar who is on the ground crying. Luba is screaming. Meanwhile Soledad and Alina are hiding in the bushes. They can’t let Gaspar pay for their escape so they give themselves up. Happy now, Don Loco accepts the surrender and grabs Soledad. He tells Alina “the next time you try to escape, your mother will pay the consequences.”Luba shakes her fist at him as he rides away with Soledad. She says, “damn you, Alvaro Montellano, you don’t know what could happen to you next, but you are going to remember me!” [I think that was supposed to be some kind of witches’ curse maybe? It sure sounds like that or at least a threat. And it rhymed in Spanish.]All the while, ominous music is playing and that screeching monkey sound effect is going at full blast. She goes back to tend Gaspar with Alina

--Back at Sierra Escondida, at Don Loco’s ranch, the next morning, the Don himself is seated calmly at his desk paying a big fat bribe to a guy and saying that he’s always had good relations with the authorities. He’s glad to have complete control over the area surrounding his Hacienda. So now we know why he was so eager to park Soledad and Alina there. Because not only is he the property owner, he’s also the law!

---Emilio takes Thelma the skank out to dinner and dancing. She’s all hot for him but he’s distant. Then we see why, he’s thinking about dancing with Alina instead. Next, the scene gets all dark and swanky jazz starts playing so we know it’s time for some horizontal jogging.

--And we’re back to Sierra Escondida again. Luba is teaching Alina/Flor the uses of various medicinal plants. One is Viagra, One is Sominex, One is Excedrin, one is Pepto-Bismol. She repeats them back to Luba. Luba is happy with Flor’s progress. Then Flor gets up and touches that little green bottle on the shelf that we saw in the last episode. Luba gets very excited and says “Never never touch that!” Do you hear me? Flor is surprised but agrees not to.

--Back at Casa Valteirra, Emilio and his sickly brother Angel are chatting. Emilio is wearing his dress blues. He has just graduated and got the highest marks. Angel says he’s proud of him and their parents would be too. Emilio gets a far away look in his eyes and agrees. Emilio says he’s going out to celebrate with the lads and would Angel like to join him. No (cough, cough) he’s too sick. He’s wearing a short sleeved polo shirt with the collar up and a scarf around it. It must mean he’s sick because it sure doesn’t make any sense. Emilio turns to the rest of the guys and calls out, Engineers! They rise to their feet. “Si, mi Capitan!” “Let’s go celebrate! says Emilio.

--Alina/Flor is near the river holding her holy card of the Virgin, looking at it and kissing it before putting it in her back pocket. Gaspar walks up to her. He has a present for her. He’s going away to make some money for her and his mother She’ll be able to buy some new clothes and shoes. Alina says she doesn’t need anything and that she’ll miss him. He gives her the present--It’s a puppy. Looks kind of like a German Shepherd to me, with a black face. He asks her what name will she give to the dog? She decides on Tonki (? Couldn’t quite make that out.) Cleverly, we see her playing with the dog and it gets bigger and the words “Two years later”) appear at the bottom of the screen. Tonki is now fully grown and a very handsome adult dog!

--It’s two years later and we now see that Emilio is well into his career as an Army Engineer and we see what they actually do. I guess they are like the national guard and do disaster relief, rescues, that sort of thing. There’s a flood somewhere. We see a number of action shots with Emilio rescuing a woman whose house has collapsed in a mudslide, he rescues a (fake) baby over a water fall, directs new home construction, organizes a queue for relief supplies etc. What a guy! And in case we didn’t notice, this message was brought to you by the Mexican National Army, always ready in times of distress, and to help people in rural areas. ---Back to the river at Sierra Escondida. Alina is sneaking up to the hacienda with Tonki beside her. Sergio is on horseback patrolling the hacienda.

--Back to the Mexican Army barracks. Orlando and another guy are sitting around. Orlando is reading the newspaper, which is full of the exploits of Captain Emilio Valtierra during the floods. The other guy razzes him about how Emilio has done pretty well for himself, and not just with the ladies! He’s now made Captain, first class. Orlando says yeah yeah, well he deserves it. Etc.

--Emilio himself is with Angel who is having a coughing fit. Angel is presenting him with a portrait he made of the new Captain, first class. Emilio is more worried about the cough and asks him if he’s seen the doctor. Angel says, yes. [he said something here that I couldn’t quite catch] The doctor did some tests and while he waits for the results, he said to eat well and get a change of air. [? It sounded like “eres” I think this would be cambio de aire so I am not sure what cambio de eres would be] Emilio is still worried. Angel reassures him, “I’ve always been sickly, don’t worry.“ Emilio tells him to rest. He himself is going to rest since he’s going out later with the boys to celebrate his promotion (must be great to be his bud, always with the celebrations). “Are you going out with Thelma?” asks Angel. “No, says Emilio, in the place we are going, they don’t allow women.” “You know, this picture I value more than any other present,” he tells Angel.

--Alina and Tonki are running along the river. In the next scene we see a woman’s legs as she strips off her dress. She plunges into the river to swim naked. She turns around, it’s a new girl, a pretty brunette about Alina’s age. She swims up to Alina. Alina calls out “Rosita!” She asks her about her mother. Rosita says that Senora Soledad is fine, a little sad but OK. Rosita has also brought some empanadas. Alina thanks her for being her friend and carrying messages. --Don Loco is talking with Sergio, whip in hand. He’s complaining that in two years, he hasn’t been able to break the will of Soledad and Alina. He thinks that the witch (Luba) hasn’t been hard enough on Alina. Sergio agrees and says that the people in the town like Alina and call her Little Flower (Florecita). Don Loco dismisses Sergio and says he’ll see about that. He puts on his gun holster.

--Emilio is getting ready for the party in his sparkling white terry bathrobe. Orlando is there, waiting for him. They talk about Thelma. Orlando asks him about her and Emilio says, she’s beautiful [huh?] They’ve spent some good times together. Orlando says, “Times? You’ve been together for more than two years.” He wants to know if Emilio is going to marry her or what. Emilio says no, not her or any other. Orlando says, “Why, because of that other girl you fell in love with?” “Did you ever see her again?” “No—it’s as if the earth swallowed her up” says Emilio. Meanwhile a brief cut to Alina/Flor and Rosita talking. Alina tells Rosita about her love for Emilio. His eyes shone…and switch to Emilio talking about Alina’s eyes. Emilio: I’ve never felt that way before or since. Alina: he was so kind. Emilio: Alina is in the past. She’s dead to me. Alina: He was wonderful. Orlando asks, so you’ve given up on her? Emilio: Yes. She betrayed me and because of her, I don’t believe in love anymore. Alina: “I believe he still loves me.” Rosita intervenes, “and what do you feel?” Alina: I will always love him. I am sure he would have saved me and my mother from this terror. Rosita asks Alina if she has tried to escape. Alina says yes, a few times but the last time, her father threatened to kill her mother if she did it again. “ My father is my worst enemy,” she says.

--cut to Don Loco in the cave talking to Luba. He wants to know why Alina is out walking around free. I guess he thought their deal was that she would stay inside the cave 24/7. Luba is trying to deflect the blame, saying that snot-nosed kid doesn’t listen to me. I’m just an old lady. Don Loco goads her about her son being gone. She says yes, my “bad son” hasn’t been back in two years. I haven’t even heard from him. It was he who tried to help the girl escape. Don Loco says, yes, I know. And tell her not to come around the hacienda and not to let Soledad see her. If she does, she (Soledad) will pay. Luba asks Don Loco, why Soledad has to pay and Don Loco tells her to mind her own business. Luba agrees. He leaves. Afterward, Luba is disgusted with herself for having to submit to the Don Loco threats but she tells herself it was to keep herself safe, because if she were forced to leave the mountain “they” would find her and burn her at the stake. For full effect, there is some kind of strange red flame burning on the cave wall, like a lighted torch behind her. Only, it’s burning an unnaturally bright red.

--Rosita and Alina/Flor are talking. Rosita wonders about Gaspar. Alina says that she doesn’t think he’s coming back. Instead she wonders about her godparents, Blanca and Elias and she says she has always hoped that one day, they would rescue her from captivity.

--At that precise moment, Blanca and Elias are in their house in Puebla. They’ve just returned from Canada. Elias tells Blanca that he’s talked to Hugo and Hugo swears that Alina is in Europe in school but he can’t tell her where. Blanca misses her. She wonders if Alvaro has hidden Soledad and Alina away at the Hacienda in Sierra Escondida. Elias says he doesn’t think so and yet, he can’t disprove it. Elias says he has a bunch of stuff to do first but as soon as he can he’ll go out to the Hacienda.

---Emilio and his buds are drinking together at a bar. Coral is with them. I guess certain kinds of women ARE allowed at this bar. And guess who works here? It’s Gaspar who is a waiter there. He’s telling the guy behind the counter, who appears to be the manager that he’s leaving to go home soon to see his Mom. The bartender is not too interested and tells him to hurry up and serve a bottle of wine to some customers while he waits on Captain Emilio and his friends. --Now we are at Thelma’s apartment. She’s dressed super-skanky in a low-cut red dress with a rhinestone buckle and a high slit skirt. She’s ticked that Emilio has stood her up. First she announces to her aunt that she’s going to get drunk and starts doing shots, with the bottle in one hand. While her aunt chastises her, she changes her mind and decides to go out looking for Emilio. She’s sure he’s with Coral. Next we see her at the bar. She’s got a black hooded cape on over her whore-ish red dress so now she just looks like a witch. She approaches the manager at the door and says that she’s a friend of Coral’s. He lets her in and leads her up to Coral’s room. She parks herself and starts drinking from a bottle she finds in there. Pretty soon she is wasted and stewing about the surprise she’s going to give them. Coral and Emilio do go up to the private room area for some hanky-panky but Coral either sees that Thelma (or someone) is in that room or Thelma is in the wrong room because she guides Emilio to another room along the corridor

--Luba and Alina are in the cave talking. Luba says Don Loco was here. He doesn’t want you near the hacienda. Alina says, “I know, but I’ve got to figure out something to help my mother and I escape.” “what are you thinking of?” asks Luba

--Back to the bar with the private suites. Still alone, Thelma is drunk and falls on the floor. She crawls over to the couch and passes out.

--at another bar/whorehouse somewhere near Sierra Escondida called Meson de Edelmira, the gay waiter, wearing diamond earrings, is urged by the madam/manager to get some music going. He waves at the band and then sashays by a table where Maximo and Don Loco are drinking together. Apparently Don Loco has taken Maximo’s advice and joined him at Maximo’s favorite whorehouse. Maximo counsels him to crack down on his workers, to make sure that they don’t side with his wife and daughter. “You’ve got to show them who is boss!” says Maximo. After so many drinks that he’s knocking the bottles off the table, Don Loco finally goes off with one of the working girls. When they get up to her room, he starts seeing her as Soledad.

--back at the cave, Luba and Alina are talking about Alina’s studies in herbalism. Alina asks if she can make some tea to take to her mother, to comfort her. Luba is wary of Soledad contacting her mother. She changes the subject to Gaspar and how much she misses him. She thinks that Gaspar has found himself a woman and he’ll never return. Alina exclaims, Gaspar, a woman? As if he were not –ahem—capable or interested in the ladies. Luba takes umbrage. Of course, she says, Gaspar is “muy macho!” Very masculine! She then proceeds to tell the tale of Gaspar. Apparently he wasn’t always mentally disabled. He was a lucha libre fighter. And he did well until some competitor rearranged his face on a metal pole. Luba said she thought that he would die, but he got better, but remained as you see, childlike. [closed head injury with severe brain trauma, no doubt.]

--back to the bar where Emilio and his friends are. Gaspar is talking to the manager again. The manager is telling him, If I don’t see you, have a nice trip!Emilio and Coral are in her room where they are making out. Coral complains that his kisses haven’t been the same since that girl dumped him. Emilio gets mad and tells her not to mention her again. They start kissing again and Emilio gets more in the mood by calling her Alina. At first Coral is taken aback but then she figures whatever it takes to get those hot kisses from Emilio.

--Alina and Luba are still talking in the cave. Alina starts talking again about how much she loves Emilio. Luba is surprised that she’s kept it secret for so long. It also explains why she is always so sad. Alina explains to her how they were going to decide how to proceed to formalize their courtship when Don Loco came to town and dragged Alina and her mother to Sierra Escondida, with no time to advise Emilio about what was happening. Every day she thinks about him and wishes he would rescue her but if he doesn’t, she will find a way to get to him. Luba chides her that she can’t let her escape again, she’s seen the problems that it causes with Don Loco. Alina says she doesn’t want to cause any problems for Luba. Luba also points out that nobody in Sierra Escondida will help her. They are all afraid of Don Loco and that he will kick them off his property if they help her. You’d have to pay them a lot, she says.At this an idea occurs to Alina. My mother has some jewelry. “We can sell it and use the proceeds to get people to help us.” Luba chides her—“you are not going anywhere to get into more trouble.”Orlando and that other soldier are chatting about Thelma again. Orlando says that Emilio never wants to marry. Meanwhile, Thelma is passed out upstairs, in one of the hookers’ suites in her skanky shiny red dress. Gaspar happens by and sees her. I imagine he’s thinks it’s his lucky night, one of the girls doesn’t have a client. He starts getting undressed and caresses her. Thelma who is half out of it, thinks he is Emilio and responds sleepily to his kisses.

--It’s night and Alina slips out of the cave while Luba is sleeping with Tonki. She explains to him that they have to talk to her mom about the idea of selling her jewels for an escape attempt.-

-At the hacienda, Soledad is sleeping. Don Loco comes in drunk and tries to make love to her. She wakes up and is horrified. They have the same conversation pretty much that they always have. Alvaro: I hate you, you betrayed me. Soledad: I did not, one day you will regret this. Why don’t you let us leave? Alvaro: No, I have to make you pay. In the end, she gets him to go away. If he actually got some action with the hooker earlier in the evening and he’d been drinking a lot, you’d think that maybe he didn’t have the wherewithal anyway.

--Coral and Emilio are done getting jiggy and are walking out of the suite area. Coral pokes her head into the room with Gaspar and Thelma and pops back out remarking [I think] about how Gaspar is with someone. “ Isn’t that strange?” She laughs and they walk down the stairs to the bar level. At that moment, Thelma wakes up to face Gaspar on top of her. She’s horrified and screams at him to get off of her and to let her go. Gaspar pleads with her and reminds her that she kissed him. Poor Gaspar! I guess he has fallen in love with this skanky witch! In any event, he isn’t about to let her go.

--Alina is trying to sneak into Soledad’s room at the hacienda. Using Tonki as a distraction to the men guarding her door. Alina slips in. --More struggling and yelling from Thelma results in the manager arriving on the scene. --Soledad is surprised to see Alina walk through the door. She gives her a bottle of some extract to put in tea as a sedative. Alina notes that her mother has been crying. She tells her that she can’t let that man mistreat her. “Oh, he’s just crazed from jealousy” says her mother and “that man” is your father. [Uh, lady, he’s made your daughter live in a cave and he’s locked you up in a room for two years. I think we’ve satisfied the definition of domestic abuse].Alina tells her mother about her plan to sell her mothers jewels to buy some help from somebody to escape. They go for the jewelry box. Surprise! The box is empty. “Alvaro must have taken them,” says Soledad. After some more small talk, “If only Emilio could rescue us…” Soledad says she deserves to be happy.

--Thelma is back in her witch’s cape staggering out of the bar. Orlando catches sight of her and she turns and runs away. He calls the manager over, whose name, I guess is “Luka.” “Who was that woman who just ran out of here from the private rooms?” Orlando asks. Luka says “I don’t know. She was an elegant [upper class?] woman.” “She was with that giant waiter.” Orlando and the other guy are left shaking their heads. “Thelma? It couldn’t be.” Emilio shows up and is ready to go. He looks at Orlando’s expression and says “you look like you’ve seen the devil.” “A she-devil,” says Orlando.

--Alina and her mom are continuing their conversation. Alina is recounting the splendid few days she spent with Emilio at the beach. And she tells how she had to leave him in the lurch when Don Loco grabbed her. Soledad explains to Alina why Don Loco is a jealous maniac, because of her Father’s harsh words toward them when they were eloping. And the letter. Alina wonders, “but who was that letter for?” Soledad just looks puzzled.

--Alina slips out of the house, before she can round the corner, Don Loco appears, calling for Adela and Alina hides in the shadows.

Labels: duelo

Remember Lety saying: "I'll never have to see Don Fern again" ? Well, she still doesn't see him.

In Marcia's apartment, Fern reassures her: "I won't see Lety - my dad and the lawyers will do it - she and I are finished." His reassurances become progressively less reassuring. "I have no way to get back with her - I'm trying to leave it all behind - please help me! I'm afraid." He hugs Marcia absently and takes her to bed where they snuggle in a gloomy and perfunctory manner.

Next morning Tomas is wheezing and stumbling around the park - Lety, dressed as an Easter bunny, has dragged him out for a nice trot, saying: "We have to take care of the body, thus we take care of the spirit." "Where'd you get this @#$%^ idea??!" "From an unforgettable friend in Acapulco."

That friend in Acapulco loses points with me as we see him roaring down the beach in a noisy ATV! Bad Aldo! He's shouting "I miss Lety!!" and cackling!

Cute little lawyer Sanchez calls Lety and welcomes her back to Mexico City air pollution and tells her the meeting has been cancelled, he doesn't know why, if she finds out will she let him know? and she should expect a call at home.

Julieta thinks Fern has something to do with the cancellation, Lety says "No, there's no way he wants to see me." She goes to her room in a panic, thought-bubbling: it takes all my strength just to think about talking to him. She remembers her courage during the dive with Aldo. "He helps me, and I can confide in him... Where are you? I wish I had your strength here with me, I miss you."

Aldo decides he wants to come find her in Mexico City. He talks to his friend Guillermo, head of the restauranteur association, who lives in town. "I want to start doing the things I used to do before my wife's death, renew my old friendships... yes, I would like to come see you ... how about today?"

Marcia and Fern arrive at Conceptos. Omar's there but Humbie hasn't arrived. Marcia and Fern kiss in front of the Feas, who sigh about lovely love. Fern looks very ill at ease.

He and Omar agree they are worried that Lety's the only hope for the business - as a lifesaver she's a penca de nopal (stalk of prickly-pear cactus). Fern: "She must hate me so much, why would she help?" "Are you tempted to talk to her?" "All I've been hoping for, all these days, is to talk to her, and yesterday was very difficult because I knew where she was, but I couldn't go, because I was with Marcia, we're giving it another try. Besides, Lety hates me, what can I do?" "It seems the responsibility for that hatred is all yours." "I'm afraid if I talk to her she'll get angry all over again and then she won't help with the business."

Humberto walks in; our Bobbsey twins in expensive suits jump up and knock things over; Humberto gets Lety's number and leaves to make The Phonecall; Fernando sneaks a peak as Humberto sits alone, shaping his thoughts. Fern goes to eavesdrop in the next room.

Meanwhile Julieta is feeding Erasmo (soon she'll be putting a bib on him and spooning stuff into his mouth so he doesn't have to exert himself). At least he compliments her: "Your chiliquitas would revive the dead." They rehash the Sanchez phone call.

Lety arrives, still in pink, and asks for cereal with fruit and yogurt for breakfast; the chiliquitas have too much fat and she wants to listen to what her body needs. "No diets in this house!" grumps Erasmo. "Let her eat what she wants," counters Julieta, "she wants to be prettier." "She is already beautiful, of course! She's a Padilla!" He invokes his fat aunt who was beautiful in every way. Julieta counters with her own beautiful elegant aunt. As Erasmo's dissertation on the "distinguished and classy Padillas" reaches a climax, Tomas arrives. He can barely hobble to the trough after his run around the park this morning. He commences shoveling food into his mouth. Erasmo gets cross. Lety says: "I know it's your house, dad, but I live here too and Tomas is my best friend, my brother, part of this family, even if he doesn't come up to the gorgeousness standard of the Padilla-Solis." "Thank God!" mutters Tomas, then "I meant, rather, thank God for this sacred food."

The Padilla phone rings. All crowd round to listen. It's Humberto, who says he's worried. Lety: "Why? We told you we wouldn't keep your business. We were going to sign the papers this morning, but the meeting was cancelled." "I know, it was I who cancelled the meeting. I appreciate your attitude. I want to see you, just the two of us alone, could you possibly come today?" "Where?" "Here, at Conceptos." "No, that's not convenient." "But I'll be making a series of decisions and I'll need the committee to ratify them. I don't want to postpone again, I need to know the future of the business. I'm begging you." She agrees. Erasmo gives her thumbs up.

Ariel enters the conference room and asks snidely after "our savior;" Humberto follows behind and says Lety's coming in. "Why here?" "I know you don't want to see her, but we must put pride aside. We need to let her in if we want her cooperation." Marcia starts to bolt, Humberto says "that's not the way a team player behaves, we must all make the sacrifice." She says she doesn't feel well and leaves. Asked how Lety reacted to the call, Humberto says she was disconcerted - she has no idea what's going to happen.

Fernando is sure she won't help. He remembers the Mendiroels snarling at Lety: "Never come back, don't expect a reference, you're a calamity." Fern: "We humiliated her!" They all remember times they kicked sand in her face. [Another reminder to us all that it's never safe to be creepy to anybody.] Fern: "We weren't just rotten to her that last day, but all the days and months before that."

Lety wants to go to the meeting alone as Humberto requested. "I'm brave! And they bent their knees to me!" Caro calls and, when told about the upcoming confrontation, suggests they meet for coffee. Julieta takes Lety aside and says, "I know how hard this is, I'll be praying for you." Lety dashes out; Humberto insisted on driving her but while his car won't start there's time for the local louts to taunt Lety: "You dress like a nun of the last century." She thanks them for their valuable feedback.

In a coffee shop, Caro is very fetching in pigtails and Daisy Dukes. She reminds her quivering friend to be the new Lety: brave, free and decisive. "When you're afraid, you don't see clearly." "I need Aldo, I think of him. It's scary when I think of seeing ... you know who." "It's your trial by fire, you can conquer it!" "I need Aldo to give me strength."

Caro's cellphone rings - naturally it's Aldo, just off the plane, asking where he can find Lety. "Hmm, that might be hard, she has a business meeting." "Well, I'd like to talk with her and tell her I'm here." Caro passes over the phone to the astonished Lety. "ALDO? What are you doing here?" "Well, the traffic jams of Mexico City have their enchantments of course, and I'm visiting my restaurant buddy who has a project for me to prepare." "Welcome." "Is that all? I was hoping for a hug." "I have to go to Conceptos now, but thanks - talking to you put my soul back in my body." [Note to Aldo haters: he looks pretty darn good to me right now. If I were in Lety's shoes, I'd be gladder than glad about this fortuitous arrival!]

Aldo hangs up and a cute kid (if Li'l Lui had been this cute, maybe he wouldn't have had to die) comes up trying to sell him a crummy little plastic box; he wants money to buy a snack. "My granny gave it to me, it's for keeping treasures in, when I was little I used to have a bottle cap collection." "Treasures?" muses Aldo, "OK, I'll buy it, I have treasures too." He opens the fancy box he'd taken to the airport to give Lety the time he was too late to see her off. He puts the pearl and some sand into the crummy box.

At Conceptos, Marcia asks Mama T if Lety's come yet, then snarls in frustration: "She's gonna take revenge on us! How can Humberto bring her here when we all said we didn't want to talk to her?!!!" "You're the most bothered, but remember, Humberto and Ariel don't know about Fern+Lety and I don't think this an opportune time to tell them. Be dignified, relax - we'll all lose if you crack when you see her."

At the coffeeshop, the newly buoyed Lety struts, chin up, "I'll walk like this, like you, Doña Carolina, when I enter the room." She feels more optimistic knowing Aldo's in town. Caro gives her a picture of Aldo hugging her. Lety: "I know they all hate me, but I don't resent them." "Because your heart's at peace." "When I see Fern I'll just remember I've forgiven him."

Suddenly Lety - who told Humberto ages ago she was coming right to the office - decides it's time to go clothes shopping with Caro. Caro remembers Aldo saying: "When Lety thinks it's time for a change, she'll change." Lety confides that her mom always bought her clothes, and furthermore, that she (Lety) often wore her mother's clothes, even her grandmother's clothes! "But I don't think they're really me." Caro of course agrees.

Fern paces, visits Lety's old hole of an office, remembers their ghastly parting - she saying she'd waited so long, in vain, for him to abandon Omar's heartless plan, he embracing her desperately and saying "I adore you" just as Marcia entered and led him off by the nose ...

Omar comes in, observes Fern's "little nostalgia," and asks how Fern is feeling about Lety's arrival. Fern: "I have tachycardia, I'm very nervous." "Have you indeed decided that Lety is of the past?" No answer. "Are you going to greet her coldly? It was all a mistake, you never loved her, is that it? You were a victim of temporary insanity. Your obsession grew from your wish to save the business, and now it's over. It was a - surreal stage of your life." Sarcastic applause from Fern. Omar pushes his luck: "Now you'll see her as she always was." "An - ugly woman?" "Well, a little bit ugly, well a little more than a little bit ugly." "No. I see her, no I FEEL her, as precious, Carvajal."

Labels: fea

Well this episode was full of drama, angst and medical problems... It was kinda like Grey's Anatomy only non of the medical staff was hawt and I did not see a single one groping either a patient or another medical personal.

Now on with our story....we begin with a refresher on Regina whining to Gabe, who then barges in to Demian's office right in the middle of a Turf War between Demian and Joselyn. Gabe starts yelling at Demian (yeah like that is gonna work), about how Gabe just can't allow Demian to abuse (I guess verbally) Regina over Demian's insane jealousy of his somewhat more physically fit, but mentally stunted twin brother. Joselyn has retired to a chair and looks like she could use some popcorn and a coke, she is all into the drama. Demain punches Gabe who counters with a body blow...nearly knocking Demian off his remaining good leg....Regina comes rushing in, she will divorce Demian if this crazy jealousy doesn't stop. Gabe declares he loves only one woman and that of course is sweet lil MA. Regina wants to talk to Demian, so Gabe excuses himself (of course there is more male posturing and chest puffing) and Regina tells Joselyn to hit the road.

Time for tears and cue up Percy "Whennnnnn a man", you know the rest. What about the happy times they have built? Demian is destroying this, Regina only loves Gabe as a brother.
Tears.....Demian has to get a grip....Regina leaves..

Like five seconds later, Gabe is all chuckles in MA's office. He's like Babe we need to talk...She's like I got nothin to say to you. He is all into discussing the groping kiss of the last episode. She tells him she does not love him. Ahhhhhh your "Boca" is saying no....but your "Ojos" are saying yes yes yes. He loves her and only her. MA wants him to just leave her in Peace....Personally I am having a little problem with that....you have a guy's kid, you believe he was also boinking his crazy wife, you want everyone to believe he's not the Daddy...so let me see, you move back into his wife's house and work at his company....Ahhhhh this plan is so subtle it's flawless.

Meanwhile Paulina & JC are in his office, getting their daily exercise patting themselves and each other on the back over what fine architects or whatever they are. Now JC has this special evening planned for them...and only them at their favorite eatery...Hugs, kisses, mi amors everywhere.

I forgot, but at the beginning Nic was telling MA about Dolores, it seems he is enamored with Dolores, yet has not acted on his feeling because of Tiberto. ****Yes Nic I've seen this many times on Dr. Phil, you just have to bide your time until Tiberto finishes school....Wait a minute Tibero is like 57 years old, he's is seriously like seventeen years older than his mother****
Anyhow, MA thinks Dolores is a swell Mom and all round great gal.

Now on to Dolores and Nic, he is re-enforcing good karma and telling Dolores that Tiberto will come around.

Later Dolores is just hanging around the dark mansion when Tiberto comes home. "How was school today Son?" "Grrrrr," Tiberto counters. "Well hows bout some good healthy food?" Dolores queries "We could have dinner together, like we could of over the past 20 years, if you would of ever come to see me in the Big House." Okay Okay she didn't mention the Big House. In a true Hallmark moment Tiberto has a change of heart and agrees to eat with Dolores.

Okay now we see Leo is babysitting the kid, MA's kid. "Oh you are not my son by blood, but I am your father in ever other way." ****I swear I want to patent this guy and sell him****, would a Leo not just be the perfect introductory gift for joining the Otilla man-eaters club? Just think he babysits, he cleans, he bedazzels... Fast forward to Leo conked out on the couch and one of those kid's talking books droning on and on....I guess he feel asleep while reading it himself cause the kid is off sleeping in the bedroom. MA comes by to pick up the kid and Leo makes subtle remarks about their relationship, which MA getting free babysitting chooses to ignore.

Cut to Candleabra & Leo doing runway walks thru the living room...Elsa slips in just before Leo goes into a full "Queer Eye for the Straight Mom" routine. Elsa is disheartened she could find no work. So Leo pulls out this paper and alcoholic gave him...it is the "Lord help me change" thing.
There isn't a dry eye in the apartment. Candy asks for a copy.

Now we go to the eatery, Paulina & JC are the only customers, a man is playing a violin, ****they are so happy, it makes me realize how grey and dismal my own violin free life is****Now they are into some deep kissing, while the band plays on...I gotta insert here that I admire those guys for being about to play while some Chatty Cathy's are sitting there rambling on and on and still on about all this personal stuff and making out like the violin guy isn't even there...Personally I couldn't do it there is just way too much mockability there. Now we cut to the happy couple in bed, candles, blah, blah, blah...their annoying theme song sounding...apparently this is like a freaking marathon..and the band plays on.

Cut to Gabe sitting alone in his apartment...he is all depressed having lost the endorpins from playing tonsil hockey earlier with MA...he rethinks the whole I love you, that's my kid thing, Gabe decides to leave and gathers up his coat and keys and takes off.

Joselyn is trying to get her "son" to knock it off and get some sleep, she mentions it is the 5th nite in a row. What are they paying that chubby chick for? I say get better help, the kid starts in with what appears to be a long night of whining and crying.

MA awakens startled from a sound sleep, she approaches the crib, OH NO....the baby is Blue.....She picks the kid up.

MA is carrying the kid and running down the street, she stops a car...OMG it's Gabe NO, Yes I am not kidding, what are the odds, why something like one in 20 million.
They take off for the hospital.

MA & Gabe hit the hospital, MA is in hysterics, the doctor takes the baby and MA & Gabe go off to pray to the Virgen Mary to help lil Luis David out.

Joselyn now appears in MA room, hmmmmm no one is home, she picks up the baby blanket and takes a deep sniff...subtle, yeah we get it, the blanket belongs to her genetic kid and that other brat won't shut-up and go to sleep.

Meanwhile back at the hospital, it seems there is something wrong with the circulation in the baby's heart and he will always have to struggle to survive.
MA & Gabe go back and watch over the baby who is in a crib with an oxygen tent over it...Kudos, to lil Luis David cause he gave a huge hacking cough at this point...fine acting son.
Gabe keeps talking about how it is their kid.

JC wakes up in a sweat, he is weak...Paulina Paulina...JC is muy mal.

Next morning the baby is better...MA thanks Gabe for supporting her during this crisis, but affirms yet again, it is not his son.

Joselyn comes in and she and Demian plan a scheme, she then gives Demian a kiss....
She leaves and Demian laughs saying, "Ah Joselyn you are very dangerous, but I am more dangerous." ***anvil***

JC is leaving for work and Paulina is floating around in the afterglow of their marvelous night of lovemaking, perhaps they made a baby....JC must leave and Paulina pouts no no no...once he is gone she places her hands on her abdomen, dreaming of a baby.

Oh No JC hasn't gone to work, he has gone to the hospital, where ever Leo is running a serious of tests...this can't be good...***anvil***

This episode ends with Joselyn mentioning to Gabe that MA & the baby were not at the house...knowing fully well they were in the hospital. Gabe tells her the baby was critical and was in the hospital and he spent the night there. Joselyn berates him and tells him once again...."You are so not the Daddy." "You have a perfectly good kid with me"

Poor Gabe....the look of confusion.
Ahhhh McClueless

Labels: mundo

Before we get started,
BEARS WIN BEARS WIN BEARS WIN

Back to our program -
While Alina and Soledad are clinging to each other outside of the cave, Soledad asks why Don Loco has brought them together to just tear them apart again. He says to make them suffer. What a great guy. Then Don Loco orders Gaspar to return Alina to the cave, Gaspar follows the order. I haven’t seen all the episodes this week, this is my first look at Gaspar. I think I saw him once at a Metallica concert, he’s not retarded, he just smoked too much pot. Really, I think that’s the guy. Soledad tells Don Loco that she will never forgive him for this and slaps him, he slaps her in return, which drives her to the ground. He wound up for that slap like he was trying to win a contest, the wimpy little ‘slap’ sound effect makes him seem like a real wuss. Well, he’s a bully, I guess he is a wuss. He beats up on women and has to use a gun to intimidate anyone else. Huge wuss. He tells Soledad to get up on her horse or Alina will pay the consequences. We’re supposed to believe that until now he was a reasonable man? There’s no way he developed these advanced mental cruelty techniques in just the last week. Gaspar roughly deposits Alina back in her cave. I’m pleased at the hotness level of our female lead in this show. She doesn’t look her best right now of course, but Ludwika/Alina is very pretty, nice body, the whole deal. The next novela needs to be the actresses who played Pamela and Babe Lawyer having lots of pajama pillow fights or something. But I digress.

Back in Puebla, Thelma is talking to Orlando about Emilio’s new girlfriend, playing the whole “ha ha I’m just curious not a completely psychotic stalker ha ha you know I’m just interested” angle. Orlando tells Thelma that Emilio told HIM (Orlando) that Alina just up and disappeared. Thelma says this is the best news he could have brought her. He says he deserves a prize and starts mashing on her like a high school kid. After letting him wag his tongue around in her mouth for a few seconds she backs off and says “enough already you got your prize.” It was quite possibly the most unromantic kiss I’ve ever seen. No, second most unromantic, first place goes to any/all attempts to kiss Miranda by Cesar back in Heridas. Now THAT was some disgusting kissing. This was close. Orlando starts in again about how she should forget about Emiliooooooo and she cuts him off. “Give it up! I’ve told you a million times that I’m in love with Emilio.”

Luba is doing some witch doctor stuff on some random woman that came to see her in the cave. I keep expecting Luba to look and act like Nati, it hasn’t been long enough since changing shows to get my mind all into the new one. I keep expecting a hard left turn in the story line. Luba hears a man’s voice in her head saying “you killed my son, you are going to die.” Is this an homage to the Princess Bride? Is the man whose voice we hear named Inigo Montoya? Luba goes over to her cave altar to pray to the virgin. This episode brought to you by the Virgin Mary and the letter E. She says that the virgin more than anyone knows he didn’t have to die, she (Luba) didn’t want it. The lady receiving the witch doctoring finally speaks up, “Luba, what the hell? I’m just standing over here with my arms in the air.” Actually she just said “que pasa?” Luba says nothing, nothing, then gives the lady something and kicks her out of the cave. Luba takes a small bottle with some green potion inside of it off of a shelf.

Emiliooooooooo! He’s looking at some book, he closes it as if he can’t keep his mind on his reading. His sickly brother walks up with the phone, it is cousin Maximo. How’s it going? Great. He tells his cousin that he’s busy rehearsing, he can’t leave Puebla for the whole month. Yes, cousin, I get the money you send every month. You are obviously the best choice to be the administrator of the hacienda, thanks for everything, see you soon I swear, hugs, bye. This was to establish that their cousin Maximo maintains Emilio’s hacienda. Now we know. Angle coughs some more. Angel says they should go to the hacienda, they haven’t been there in forever. Emilio says it reminds him too much of when their parents were alive. Angel asks if he has seen his new hottie girlfriend yet, Emilio says no, but he will be looking for her, he will see her again.

Said hottie girlfriend is sitting in the cave crying. Is she going to be the contractually obligated cryer? Does that automatically go to the female lead? I originally thought Soledad was going to be the daily cryer, but perhaps not. I’ll keep my eye on this. Alina cries out to the cave for Emilio to come help her. Emilioooooooooooooo!

Emilio is working with some of his army engineer buddies, he can only think of Alina. Then they are in a swim race, Emilio is such a stud he of course wins. Then they are shooting guns at targets, Emilio is again the best. Finally he kicks back with a shot of tequila or something at the café after his busy day. Thelma happens to show up. Thelma may be evil, and they have given her the ‘evil girl’ style of makeup to make sure we know it, but she is hot too. It may be the skimpy tank top distracting me. That girl Coral from the club though? SCARY. I’m studying Taekwondo and that woman still scares me. If we have to see some evil woman all the time, Thelma in skimpy clothing is ok by me. She tells Emilio that she went to his house looking for him and was told he was here. He says he wants to be alone. She says when you are sad, you need to be with friends. He’s looking at her like, “yeah right.” She asks him to let her be his friend. He orders her a drink. They toast to love. It was a longer toast than that, but basically about love. She downs the drink like a man would and smiles at him. He still gives her a ‘what the hell?’ look.

Gaspar sneaks into the cave when Alina is sleeping. Is he going to molest her or what? She wakes up and he puts his finger to his lips to tell her “shhhh.”

Don Loco looks in on Soledad while she sleeps, the room is very dark. He takes off his hat. Are we supposed to fear anything when his hat comes off, like when Cesar took off his glasses in Heridas? He leans over and gives Soledad a kiss. She kisses him back, then he wakes up. She turns on the light and right away he asks who she was dreaming about. She asks him to please not let his jealousy destroy their relationship. Uh, hello dummy, he has your DAUGHTER LOCKED UP IN A CAVE. I think you are already in trouble. She begs him to let Alina go. He says that he won’t give in to her, she has made him her enemy, a dangerous enemy. He puts his hat back on and leaves.

Alina tells Gaspar to get out. He says he won’t do anything bad. Wow did they give him a horrible voice. He has that sing-song phrasing at the end of each sentence, my wife says people from the Districta Federal/Mexico City have that accent. So he sounds like a fake mentally challenged person with a Chango accent. It’s horrible. Luba storms in and wants to know what’s going on. Gaspar says he just wanted to make sure Alina was ok, Luba kicks him out. She unnecessarily tells Alina that he isn’t bad, he has a problem, he’s sick. No duh, lady, why don’t you tell me how the sky is blue, too?

Thelma is trying the same “I’m not a psycho stalker” trick on Emilio, wanting to know all about Alina. A buddy shows up and says he has a message from Coral. Yikes. Emilio says he doesn’t want to hear anything about Coral, the only thing he wants is to see Alina again to tell her how much he loves her. Awwwwww.

Jose and some guy are at a bar talking about crossing the border. Before they start talking, we get a great shot of a fat waiter who is apparently super gay. He plays the gay thing up as much as possible, he even snaps his fingers with a limp wrist before prancing off the other direction. What was that all about? Anyway Jose’s friend says each crossing is more dangerous than the last. Arcadio is the other guy. Jose shows him photos of his woman and child. Arcadio comments on how pretty his daughter is and Jose gives him a killing glare. Arcadio stammers “with all due respect.” Jose is apparently satisfied with that and goes back to his beer. Some other guy sticks his head in the door and is alarmed at seeing Jose there, the guy then turns and runs out. I didn’t see Thursday’s episode, but I imagine this was one of the guys that beat him up before Arcadio helped him.

Adelea brings food to Soledad, she tells Soledad that she needs to eat! Soledad wants to starve to death. Adelea says if she dies, who will help Alina get away from Don Loco? Soledad does some rehashing (where are you Omar Carvajal?) for those who haven’t been watching all week. Is it Adelea or Adela? Can someone clear that up for me? I saw both ways written in this week’s recaps and I’m not sure which one it is.

Mariana is telling Malena how busy she is with her seamstressing work. MS Word says seamstressing isn’t a word but I couldn’t think of a better one. Malena tells her that the only important thing is that she is ready for the operation. Is she donating blood to her daughter? Mariana is also sure that Jose will succeed and return for her.

Emiliooooooo! His phone rings and he rushes to answer it. It’s Thelma and he’s visibly disappointed. Yes he got home ok, everything’s fine, yes. She apparently invites him to do something tomorrow, he says no but she should go and have fun. At least they have made her character believable at this point – this is very typical ex-girlfriend/ex-boyfriend behavior. Be all nice and hope the other person falls in love again. How often does it work? About never, I’d guess. Emilio flashes back to talking to Alina, looking great in a bikini top, and back in the present swears to find her. The scene fades to Alina in the cave, begging Emilio to help free her and her mother. Whimper whine cry.

Don Loco sits at his desk smoking a big fat stogie. He looks at a picture of his wife and daughter and has flashbacks of happier times when Soledad was pregnant, then when Alina was little. He drops the picture, muttering about how Alina isn’t his daughter after all. There is a knock on the door. He yells that he didn’t want to be bothered. The voice says he is Sergio and it’s important. He comes in and says that Jose Gomez has been seen in Sierra Escondida. Sergio knows the bar where he was seen. He says it’s a dangerous place to go with out permission from somebody named Maximo. Is this the same cousin Maximo that Emilio was talking to before? Don Loco says he’ll talk to Maximo. Sergio says he won’t be there until tomorrow, Don Loco says ok we’ll wait until tomorrow. He then swears that Jose will not escape him and that Jose will die. I think that if he finds out the truth, that Jose knocked up his sister, not his wife, that he would go crazy and kill him anyway. Que Macho.

The next day in Sierra Escondida, Don Loco is talking to Maximo, who does make mention of some cousin, so it’s the same guy. Good thing Emilio spoke with him on the phone earlier so we know who he is. Don Loco tells Maximo about wanting to find Jose. Maximo says sure, you can go, after you can tell me what happened. Don Loco and Sergio get on their horses and leave. The actor who plays Sergio is certainly no cowboy, he had a hell of a time getting up on his horse and looked very uncomfortable once he got there.

Alina is sitting by a stream feeling sorry for herself. They let her out of the cave? Gaspar runs up and again promises to take care of her, not do anything bad. He calls her Florecita, she corrects him and says her name is Alina. She asks if he will indeed do anything for her. She should probably not act like a bitch to him if she wants favors. He points out a whirlpool in the river and warns her to stay out of it, it’s dangerous. What? I thought she was about to test what he would do for her, instead we get a water safety message.

Don Loco and Sergio bust open the door of where Jose is staying. Loco tells Jose, “finally we are face to face!” Commercial. Coming out of commercial, the title screen for the show where the theme song plays, there is the funniest thing – the woman who started this mess by giving Don Loco the note is standing in a field holding a machete that is way too big for her, then she is doused with water, the whole time she just stands there. What in the world is that? Anyway, Don Loco and Jose stare at each other. They start yelling at each other saying “she” this and “she” that, of course they are talking about different people, Don Loco about Soledad and Jose about Mariana. I figure Mr. Roper is in the other room listening to the whole thing and finding this all to be further evidence that Jack Tripper is gay. Sergio says that Jose can’t talk to Don Loco that way, Jose blocks his punch and punches him back, in the face. Don Loco draws his gun and fires, Jose manages to get out and escape on horseback. Jose says he’s going to come back for her and his daughter. Doesn’t Don Loco realize that this guy is only about three years older than Alina and can’t possibly be her father? Hello Don Loco – Jose couldn’t have been getting busy with Soledad and fathering a child when he wasn’t out of diapers yet. This particular stretch is too much for me, more than anything else so far. Jose is like 25 years old. Give me a break. Don Loco runs outside and shoots after Jose, who is riding away on a horse. He swears vengeance, etc.

Emilioooooo has permission from his superior to go to Veracruz. Right after, Angel answers the phone and it’s Thelma, again. Emilio waves to Angel to say he’s not there. Angel wonders when Thelma will get the message, Emilio thinks when he finally marries Alina, who also, by the way, is the love of his life. Romantic music plays to show that he is serious about this.

Soledad is in her room and Adela (that’s the spelling in the captions) comes in to tell her that Don Loco found Jose. Soledad is happy, thinking the misunderstanding will now be sorted out. Adela agrees. I guess they didn’t hear all the Three’s Company style details.

Gaspar brings Alina a flower. Alina finally pushes him a bit further about helping her. She has something to be just be between the two of them. She then stops beating around the bush and says she wants help escaping and then rescuing her mom. Gaspar smiles. I’m trying to think of a name for him but haven’t come up with one yet. I don’t want to say anything disrespectful to the mentally handicapped.

Sergio reports that Jose got away. Don Loc tells him that he is an imbecile, so is everyone else, the whole world sucks, without him they would all have nothing. He tells everyone this and that he’s the boss of them, they have to do what he says, find that guy.

Gaspar thinks that Don Loco will get mad at him, or kill him, if he helps Alina with what she wants. He goes on about this in his horrible voice. Alina huffily says “thanks for nothing” and walks off.

Don Loco has some more flashbacks to happier times. When he is basically a completely different person. He recalls a makeout session with Soledad and then feels sad about it. Soledad runs down to see him and asks about seeing Jose. Don Loco of course misunderstood everything Jose said, thinking that he was referring to Soledad the whole time, so Don Loco starts being mean and making threats to Soledad. Also, he’s going to kill Jose like a dog in front of her, to make her suffer. Soledad cries and prays.

Hugo (that’s bandana guy’s name, right?) and the lady who gave Loco the card that started this mess, Alfonsina? By the way, for being some peasant, do nothing but hang around and cause trouble woman, she has a killer body. She has abs like an athlete. Where is the gym on this hacienda? She must spend a couple hours a day there. She is worried that Don Loco will get back together with his wife. Then, just as quickly, she is sure that it won’t happen. Crazy woman. She leaves and look who arrives – Emiliooooooo! He is looking for Alina and Hugo says that she left with her parents to go to Switzerland. Wow. He couldn’t come up with a better lie than that? Emilio can’t believe it. Hugo says that he doesn’t think they are coming back anytime soon, Alina is going to study there. Alfonsina stops Emilio as he is leaving and tells him that Alina is just like her mother, she messes around with other guys. She smiles and leaves, Emilio is confused. He gives a little Don Loco-ish “she cheated on me!” speech and curses Alina.

Don Loco reads ‘the letter’ AGAIN. A knock at the doo, it’s Adela. She says Maximo is looking for him.

Emilio is beating up the steering wheel of his car, he can’t believe that Alina is a bad person like Alfonsina told him, but he won’t let any woman ever make a fool of him again.

Gaspar catches up with Alina, she acts rude to him and he thinks she is mad, he says he’ll help her.

Maximo wants to talk about Don Loco’s problems, Don Loco doesn’t want to, so Maximo just talks about what a pain in the ass women are. Then he goes on about his favorite hookers, I think. He invites Don Loco to go out tonight. Loco declines. Some worker then runs in and says that there is some problem and Don Loco probably wants to know about it.

Back to Puebla, Coral is dancing and Emilio is watching. He talks to his buddies at the bar and orders some tequila. He’s going to get drunk, he says. I’m a little distracted by Coral’s mostly naked butt being right in the middle of the screen. She scares me, but this isn’t so bad. Is this Cinemax? Coral’s dance ends and she runs right over to Emilio for a kiss.

Alina gets into Soledad’s room and tries to get her to leave with her. Soledad says she has to get her jewels first. There is a noise and the women turn around, impactadas!

This show jumps around so #@%@#$% much it is driving me crazy. Each scene is about 30 seconds long. I’m going nuts. I’ve been writing this recap for about an hour and half so far. Pause pause pause come on and just let some scene develop, don’t keep jumping back and forth every time someone speaks. Emilio comes home and Angel asks if he spoke with Alina, Emilio says no, Alina is a trampy bitch and made a fool of him. Again, this will never happen again he says.

It was Adela making the noise, she says that Don Loco is home, they should go. Soledad stops to tell her thanks. I thought she would go looking for her big luggage again, but no.

Luba comes in the cave yelling for Gaspar, nobody is there. She calls Alina (“Flor”) but she isn’t there either.

Gaspar is showing Alina and Soledad this place where they can stay and then move on the next day. She gives him a kiss on the cheek to say thanks and he hyuck hyucks his way out. Alina thinks someone is coming to help them when they hear horses, but Soledad tells her no, it’s Don Loco! They try to hide.

Gaspar gets home and tells Luba that he helped Alina leave. She tells him that Don Loco will drive them away if Alina is gone. She hurries Gaspar out to go find them.

The ladies hid pretty good I guess, Don Loco is pissed because he couldn’t find anyone. Oh here they are – they are running through the forest to try and get away. Don Loco wants to look in the forest, his men say that at night he’ll never make it out alive. He calls them cowards and goes into the woods.

Back in Puebla, Emilio has flashbacks to making out on the beach with Alina, he whines and feels sorry for himself. He has to forget her, he can’t live with the pain. Whatever dude. Thelma calls him AGAIN. She says she loves him, he says he loves her too. Really? “Yes Thelma, you know how much I like you.” Uh Emilio that isn’t what she was asking. Anyway. He invites her to go out the next night to dance and have dinner, like the good old days. Thelma is pleased.

Mariana is laying in the hospital bed and having visions of Jose. Malena hears her and comes over to talk to her. The daughter’s body hasn’t rejected the transplant, she’s fine. Mariana says it wasn’t a sacrifice, she’d give her life for her daughter. Oh, any word from Jose? Malena says that Jose probably already forgot about them. Wow, way to be supportive!

Jose reads a letter that he is sending Mariana, he is going to cross the border with some guys, he’ll be back for her with some money as soon as he can.

Luba and Gaspar walk and search, slowly. She yells at him a lot. Luba decides that they need to leave before Don Loco runs them off. Just then, Don Loco’s voice can be heard. We see Don Loco himself, having one of his wobbly hallucinations, he sees Jose hugging Soledad and Alina. That’s the end of the show. Maybe we’ll find out that Don Loco does a lot of drugs, that will explain a lot.

This turned into quite a long recap, I think all the jumping around and the fact that I prattle on contributed equally. Go Bears!

Labels: duelo

In Acapulco

Aldo calls Caro and moans about wanting to go to the beach with Lety and see the sunset. Caro says he's a lost cause. He asks her to send him the photo she took of him and Lety. He says he's happy because he's in love with Lety.

Yes, all of this already happened last night. Nothing new happened today. I wonder if this scene was included only because... well, I'll finish this thought later in the recap.

At Casa Padilla

Lety tells Tomas she's sure her mother read her diary. He is shocked that she was so foolish as to write everything down, but Lety explains to him that that's why people have diaries, to write things in them for no one else to read. :-) She shows it to him, but doesn't let him read it - much to his disappointment. He says why not - it's too late now, since her mother's already read it. He asks why she didn't hide it more carefully. Lety said she didn't think it could happen right there in her own house, and she's going to throw it out along with anything else that gives her bad memories.

Tomas asks if she hates Fernando like he deserves. Lety says no, she's forgiven him, but it will take longer for her to feel kindly towards him. She doesn't ever want to see him again.

She resumes painting over the flowers on her wall that she drew after her and Fern's trip to Cuernavaca (that's why her bed is covered with plastic, to protect it from spatter). Tomas keeps trying to sneak a peek at the diary. She threatens to paint him too.

She takes a break from the painting and he makes himself comfortable on a nearby chair. His legs are crossed, man-style, causing his too-short pants to expose his white socks and a tiny bit of leg. I also notice that he's wearing his necktie short again, although he's still got that pompadour. They are discussing the debts of Conceptos. Lety is taking the situation lightly. She wonders why the Mendiolas and Villaroels (or Mendiroels, as I shall call them henceforth to save myself some typing) are in such a hurry to get her to sign the papers. Tomas thinks they must have found a way to pay off their debts. Lety doesn't much care - that's up to the Mendiroels now.

To clarify for those who are confused by all of this: if the Mendiroels own both Filmo-Imagen and Conceptos, their debts to FI will be canceled, but they will still owe more than $6 million (thanks to inflation, that's not enough to build a bionic man these days) because FI doesn't have nearly enough assets to cover Conceptos' debts. And now they will owe it all directly to the banks, with whom they do not have a good relationship - that's why they had to create FI in the first place, because banks wouldn't loan them money. In fact, without the protection of Filmo-Imagen's great credit rating, the debt of the Mendiroel Empire will be due immediately.

All of this is pretty clear to Tomas and Lety, as well as the lawyers, because they're all smart about money and can be objective about this because none of their own dinero is at stake. However, the Mendiroels are still too frothing-at-the-mouth-mad at Lety (and possibly financially ignorant) to see beyond their wounded pride.

Lety and Tomas agree that they will be happy tomorrow morning when all of this is over. Tomas asks what she will do after that. Lety says she'll keep working for Caro. Tomas says he's happy for her, but for his own part, he's going to hand out resumes, and when he's finished doing that, he'll do it some more.

Lety says (I think) that she just got lucky when Carolina helped her. She tells him to come over early tomorrow and they'll see what they can do. He happily agrees, but then remembers that RoboPop has banned him from returning to the house. He feels sorry for himself, not only being unemployed but also being unwelcome in the house because he hadn't told RoboPop about the problems with the Mendiroels. So RoboPop threw him out "like a dog," Tomas says (which is sorta funny when you think of how things turned out for little Moty). Erasmo couldn't throw Lety out since she's his daughter, but as for him... if Lety wants to see him again, they'll have to go out at night on a secret date.

"I'm not Alicia, Tomas," Lety says. "You're tellin' me," Tomas says. Lety doesn't think there will be a problem. He'll come over tomorrow and the whole thing will have blown over. Tomas says he hopes so, because he's already feeling a little hungry. All of his digestive organs will be grateful if Lety smoothes things over with RoboPop. Seriously, he says, he'd be really hurt if he wasn't allowed back in their house. Lety says they'd be even more hurt. And speaking of hurt, she says, how'd it end up with Alicia? Has he forgotten her luscious locks yet? He sadly says no - he still carries her photo next to his heart. He takes out the photo and kisses it.

He gets up to leave, still looking at the photo. "How pretty," he says. "I was talking to Alicia," he adds, waving the photo at Lety.

A while later, Mom comes up to Lety's room to talk. She asks how Lety is, and how her hand is. Lety says they're okay, but doesn't waste any more time on pleasantries. "Why'd you read my diary?" Lety's mom says she had to know what was going on with her. Lety says her diary was sacred to her. Mom says she understands that, but Lety's welfare is even more sacred to her. And it's a good thing she did, because now she understands Lety's rejection of Fernando, and her resignation. And she also understands her resolve, and her trip to Acapulco. She saw Lety suffering so much, and respected her silence, but it was very serious. And Lety has always confided in her before.

Lety reminds her mother that Fern was her boss, he was engaged, etc. - and she just couldn't face her mother with all that. She told a few things to Tomas, because for some reason, it wasn't as embarrassing.

Julieta says she's Lety's mother, not just though the happy parts of life, but also through its problems. She asks Lety not to deny her the right to comfort and advise her. Lety assures Julieta that she's learned her lesson!

Then, becoming more animated, Julieta asks Lety about her new attitude. She doesn't seem like the same Lety who left them. Lety agrees that it's strange, but before she went to Acapulco, she still felt like a little girl who liked her room decorated with dolls and flowers, but... but... "now I see that that is changing," her mother finishes for her, looking at the wall behind Lety. Lety has painted a new scene - the seashore. Lety says she wanted to bring with her the strength of the ocean the rescued her. And, Lety says, now she knows all of that strength was inside her. Lety admires her ring, but doesn't explain it to her mother (or maybe she explains it in between scenes).

Lety tells her mom about Aldo. (For some reason, Julieta giggles at his last name, Domensain. Dunno why.) Lety says he taught her how to dive, and he also taught her that fear doesn't exist - the only thing real is love. It's as powerful as anything in the universe. (Anyone else remember when she had that nightmare, and she said "if I feel fear, I can't feel love?") Julieta is very excited to hear about this, and wants to know when Lety is going to speak to him again. Lety gets nervous and squeaky and says no, he's in Acapulco and no human being would ever be able to leave there. She'll probably never see him again. Mom is disappointed, but Lety says it's okay because she's carrying him around inside - they're of the same spirit.

Gee. If only there were some way that people could communicate over long distances. Like some sort of device that would allow them to speak remotely, or an organization that could deliver written messages on paper, or perhaps a sophisticated, high-tech system for conveying words electronically.

Anyway, Lety continues, he will always be there on her wall - his strength, his intelligence, his wisdom (no mention of dexterity, constitution, or charisma... if you don't get my lame joke, never mind) as well as that of the sea. Julieta says Aldo must have done Lety some good - what a shame they can't see each other once in a while.

"Would you like me to help you with something?" Lety's mother asks. Lety gives her a strange look. (I'm not sure what she's thinking.) "I meant with your room," Julieta giggles. Lety asks her for a plastic bag to put away her stuffed animals. Mom happily agrees. Lety says the thing that makes her the happiest is that she won't have to see Fernando ever again. They share another happy giggle, but as Julieta leaves the room, Lety looks sad.

In the boardroom

Ariel is impatient. He wants Santamaria to spell it out for them: what is he proposing, exactly? Santamaria advises them to ask Lety to keep Filmo-Imagen and its lien on Conceptos. If she doesn't accept, Conceptos will disappear. But , he adds, the decision is theirs.

Humberto says that doesn't make any sense - the judge already ruled in favor of Filmo-Imagen seizing Conceptos. Santamaria points out that Lety could ask the judge for a six-month extension on the seizure.

"So we're still in Lety's hands?" Marcia asks bitterly. Santamaria confirms this. "It can't be," Marcia chuckles sardonically. Santamaria says he wouldn't want to get in the middle of whatever problems they've had with Lety, but she and her lawyers are in the better position, and Lety probably understands the consequences if FI should wind up in the Mendiroels' hands.

"In other words," Darth Teresita says incredulously, "we're going to have to beg her."

"We could say it that way," Santamaria says.

Humbo says he gets where their only way out is to keep the lien with Filmo Imagen, but it really bothers him that it means having to continue this game with all the creditors and banks.

Fern timidly raises his hand. He thinks it'll be okay because he and Lety had visited these banks together and explained that FI's loans were being extended to Conceptos. Santamaria explains that it will all be moot if FI's lien on Conceptos is cancelled. The banks have to protect themselves. Fern weakly protests that he had agreements with the banks. (I guess he doesn't understand that the agreements were based on the banks' high esteem of Lety.) Humbo says this is an embarrassment.

Santamaria says they need to decide amongst themselves, but make it quick, because either way, Lety has a date with the judge tomorrow. Just let him know what they decide. Humbo asks him to wait while they discuss it. Santamaria and Ariel's two useless lawyers file out of the room, and Humbo tells Ariel to shut the door.

Humbo lays it out for them: they can beg and plead with "that girl," or they can lose the business. What will it be?

Teresita, Marcia, Omar, and Ariel all look conflicted as they each mentally weigh their pride vs. all their earthly possessions. This doesn't take too long for Ariel, who doesn't have many possessions left since he's already sunk most of his assets into an apparently fruitless business deal. He says there's not much to discuss. They should liquidate Conceptos and split up what little remains and get on with their lives.

Humbo tells Ariel to stop being a jerk and sit down. He asks Ariel how he thinks he's going to get by on so little. Is he going to go out and look for little jobs to survive? How can he hold so little regard for what his parents left him? This business has given him life, and yet now, with the greatest coldness, he's saying "let's liquidate it." He's refusing to help pick up the pieces of 35 years' worth of work.

Ariel glares and sulks like a bratty little boy. "I remind you," he says self-righteously, "that I'm not the one who did this [literally, I didn't make those pieces]; your son is bringing them to you."

Impatiently, Fern points out that they are all trying to save their business, yet all Ariel can think about destroying it, as vengeance against Fern; and all because he didn't get to be president of Conceptos.

Teresita, the wonderful, loyal mommy, says that Ariel is just expressing his wishes.

Wow. I wonder if she's ever, even once, stood up for her own son the way she stands up for the Villaroels. Yes, it's sad that their parents died. But there's no way she can make up for that, and it's an insult to the senior Villaroels' memory that she's spoiled their kids.

She says that Ariel's wishes are not necessarily those of the committee; she proposes that they vote.

Ariel says they already know his vote: he wants to liquidate. And Humbo wants to try to stay afloat. Fern says he wants that too. Teresita says it's very complicated for her - her pride doesn't want to go with Lety, but she also wants to see her husband happy, and he doesn't deserve to see the death of his business. If there's any way to save it, she'll vote for that.

Omar says something like he represents the minor shareholders, and on their behalf, he votes that they talk to Lety. And Marcia says that as much as she would love to have Lety far away, she, like Humberto, feels that this company is her life. And he's like a father to her. She couldn't stand to see the company liquidated - for the sakes of Humberto and her own parents. That's much more important than any resentment she feels. Even if Ariel doesn't feel any moral obligation to their parents, and even if he lacks the integrity to put his hand on his heart for them (the committee), she'll do it herself. Even if she has to beg "that woman," she'll do it.

Ariel tells them to do what they want with Conceptos, but he's going to look out for what little capital is his. He's not going to be like the jerk that used to be in that office (referring to Fern's presidential office). He's going to expect results. (Of course, all that tough talk is just an effort to save face as he backs down.)

Humberto tells Ariel that's his right. (This halfhearted validation seems to take some of the wind out of Ariel's indignant sails.) He tells Marcia to go get Santamaria. She brings him back, along with the two useless lawyers. Humbo gives them the good news, and Santamaria says great, he's going to cancel his own meeting with Lety and her lawyers.

Teresita says why? How are we going to communicate with her?

Santamaria says he'll conduct the meeting if that's what they really want, but with all due respect, he thinks that would be incorrect. (Marcia bristles.) The situation is too delicate for her to discuss with a lawyer she doesn't even know. He reminds them that Lety would be doing them a favor. (Marcia bristles some more.) Omar voices his agreement with Santamaria, however; they are depending on Lety's goodwill.

There is some question as to which of them would be the best choice to speak with Lety. He, Omar, would love to do it, except Lety hates him - he doesn't know why. ;-)

Ariel says that he and Lety are natural enemies. Teresita says she's had very little contact with Lety herself, and isn't kindly disposed towards her anyway. Marcia says don't look at her - every time she and Lety talk, they insult one another.

All heads turn toward Fernando, who glances around defensively and says don't look at him either. He says they all know about the bad feelings between them. Ariel (more cheerfully now, after a commercial break) mischievously says he certainly remembers the moment when Lety gave him up to the committee, but he doesn't understand why. Everyone glares at him except Humbo, who ignores him and says fine, he'll speak with Lety himself. (Humberto is clearly the only adult among the shareholders.) She did ask his pardon when she resigned, so at least she has some respect for him. He tells Santamaria to also line up some plans for them with the banks, just in case they can't come to an agreement with "this girl."

Fern asks his father if he really wants the banks to know what's going on. Humbo says the banks are already aware of how things were before; so yes, he'd like for them to hear it from him. At least he will maintain that one shred of dignity. Humberto ends the meeting, saying he's tired.

Fern and Marcia wait for everyone else to leave, then exit the room together. Marcia notices that Alicia has already left, and wonders how she got home. Fern thanks Santamaria for the way he handled the case. Santamaria says nah, it's just his job. The lawyers leave. Marcia asks Fern if he will go home with her, or if he'd rather be alone to ponder the return of Leticia. She asks if he will go looking for her. He says he doesn't want to talk to Lety at all, and anyway, she hates him. (He doesn't say that he hates her.) He tells Marcia to go get her things.

He waits until she is out of sight, then retreats into his office to stare at a picture of Lety on his computer. So much for his reconciliation with Marcia.

He murmurs "Lety, my Lety." (Listen, Ferni - for the time being, she's not your Lety either.) Before long, Marcia screeches from the lobby that it's time to go. Fumbling with his mouse and keyboard, he closes the picture and leaves. (He does exactly what I do. He does a Ctrl-W to close it, then he realizes that the file he's trying to close isn't the active window, so he clicks with the mouse to select it, then does the Ctrl-W again to close it. This is silly - if you are going to reach for the mouse, you might as well use the mouse to close the file. But if you're a keyboard person, like I am and apparently Jaime is, you never think of that. Um, anyway... back to the recap.)

In the executive lobby

Alicia yawns at her desk while the cuartel chats excitedly about tomorrow - it will be a big day for Lola. She will be finalizing her divorce.

Meanwhile, El Cheque is on the phone at his office, upset about the divorce. Yazmin whines that he'll be giving Lola whatever she wants. (Something like that.) He sits her down - she cannot even take a seat without cheesecaking it up - and some bystander hands her a coffee. EC promises her that he won't give Lola anything except what's strictly necessary. And he wants her to go get her severence from Conceptos. She claims they won't talk to her, but he wants her to go there in person and pressure them to give it to her. She accuses him of making her go there because he wants Lola to be mean to her.

Noticing that they now have several male onlookers, he takes Yazmin aside and tells her that "we" need that money because he's short on cash. (They are now standing directly in front of someone's desk; Yazmin has her back to El Cheque, so the woman at the desk can see Yazmin rolling her eyes as he speaks!) He says it looks to him like she doesn't want to help him. He says he's going to leave, and stomps off. Immediately, the male onlookers start offering her water, coffee, etc... El Cheque rushes back in and ushers her out, saying they'll talk more at home.

Back at Conceptos, Lola says she'll bring down the full weight of the law on him. They head towards the elevator, where they are intercepted by Alicia. She tells them they can't leave, because the meeting hasn't ended yet. (They've had this conversation before.) Roller Derby Sara says that only applies to Alicia, because she's the waitress. The rest of them can leave because it's 8 o'clock. There is some foolishness as the whole group of feas keep walking in and out of the elevator to taunt Alicia about not being able to go home.

Martha comes back for a final insult (it's just a sarcastic "have a nice night"). "What did you say, fat lady?" Alicia demands. Martha turns to the elevator only to discover that the doors have closed and the rest of the cuartel has left.

"I'll take the stairs for the exercise," Martha says, running away in terror.

Luigi shows up. Alicia tattles to him that Irma has already escaped. Luigi is bummed because he wanted to do the proofs (or whatever "protecciones" are) for the lemon soda commercial. He needs a stand-in model for that. Alicia gets very enthusiastic and it sounds as though she will offer her services, but then she backs off, saying the job probably doesn't pay well, right? Luigi says he's sorry that "filthy" Yazmin got fired, because she had a good body for that sort of thing. Offended, Alicia points out that she has a good body, too. "Oh my God," Luigi says impatiently (in English). He says something about people making decisions in the boardroom without him, and him making decisions about something else, and something about a doll turning into a cheap hotel (obviously I've missed something).

Alicia offers him some gossip in exchange for a ride home, but he says he can't, because his dear Rulli is coming to pick him up. Then he says something about a guy named Alex and says it's tough to have a boyfriend these days. (Not that Alicia would know what that's like. ;-) Alicia says "tell me about it." So he tells her again. And Alicia says "tell me about it" again. Luigi retorts, "I just told you!"

Fortunately, the elevator arrives, and Luigi is whisked away from Alicia's vortex of stupidity. "Oh, now I get it," he says as the doors close between them. (I got the sneaking suspicion that this scene was ad-libbed.)

Alicia is counting her pocket-change when Santamaria and the two less useful lawyers step out of the boardroom to wait for Humbo and his gang to make a decision. She doesn't have enough money for a taxi, and there's no way she'll take a bus. One of the useless lawyers goes on an errand; another sits and looks through some papers. Santamaria approaches Alicia and asks if it's too late for a coffee. Motivated by poverty, Alicia graciously offers to find some for him, and perhaps a cookie as well. Santamaria strains to admire the view as she disappears around the corner.

Alicia pauses in the stairwell for a little prayer. (What, you can't pray and walk at the same time?) She is hoping to bum a ride home with the lawyer. She tells Jesus she needs a boyfriend now more than ever. If he gives her a miracle, she promises to talk less on her cell phone. (No doubt Jesus is tempted by this offer.) Wait, no - she reconsiders and says she'll offer something else instead, later. And, she asks, if possible, someone really rich, and with a car. An excellent car. New.

She comes back with coffee and a cookie. Pretending to make small talk, she says it's getting late and she is afraid to take a taxi home at this late hour - it might be dangerous. She is just about to come right out and ask Santamaria for a ride, when he interrupts and is just about to offer, when Marcia comes out to ask him back into the boardroom. Al complains about Marcia's bad timing, but Marcia is not in the mood to hear about it. (Again, I point out that their strange friendship is based on Alicia's seemingly endless emotional support of Marcia; in exchange, Marcia offers only material support, never emotional. I guess it works for them.)

Santamaria tells Alicia he'll finish the coffee later and leaves them. Al asks Marcia how much longer is this meeting going to go on, because it's getting late and she's tired. Marcia sarcastically tells her to go home, then. Alicia mimics her and prays some more for a boyfriend with money and a car. She says it's not so much to ask. She drinks Santamaria's coffee and eats his cookie.

Her prayers are promptly answered with the arrival of Saimon, singing. She tells the ceiling that she asked for a man with a car, not a motorcycle. A man with the wages of a president, not those of a messenger-boy. He tells her he's about to leave, but then flirts with her in his very wordy way. She tells him she's waiting for Marcia to take her home. He wishes her goodnight in several languages and then pantomimes skiing (?) to the elevator. She calls him back and he skis back to listen to her. He says he's going to his computer class. She asks him for a ride. He's only too happy to say yes.

He jubilantly breath-sprays his mouth. He says he hasn't used it in three months. (Last time I can remember was Patty Manterola, which was more than three months ago - or maybe it was with Christina Rivapalacios, but that was more than three months ago too.) Alicia complains about the smell and asks why. He says you never know who you might run into. She tells him to give up on his delusions - he's only dropping her off at her place.

In the parking garage, Saimon and Celso try to get Alicia to put on the helmet. (She is already wearing the yellow safety coat.) She says the helmet will ruin her "look." (Sanson, Celso's dog, sniffs her playfully.) Saimon says that's too bad, because it's the law - he can't take her if she won't put it on. (The dog starts snapping at the helmet in her hand, and it doesn't look so playful to me.) Saimon says the cops will easily notice her bleached hair and pull them over. Alicia protests that her hair color is natural. And perhaps it is, because if a nouveau-pobre like Alicia couldn't afford to go to the salon, her hair would either be showing some serious roots by now, or else some serious damage, because it is not so easy to keep up the maintenance on very long bleached hair all by yourself.

But I'm joking, of course. There's no way it's natural. I just think it's funny that her hair isn't a mess yet.

She also says the helmet stinks. Saimon babbles some more while Alicia coughs in disgust. Just then, Ariel steps outside, complaining to someone on the phone how things didn't work out the way he wanted them to.

Alicia is shoving the helmet at Celso, trying to get him to smell it and saying "gross" when she notices Ariel. Suddenly, she is all about the helmet. "He can't see me like this," she says. She puts it on and tells Saimon to go. She gets on the bike (the dog keeps snapping at her bag) and is desperate to leave. She nearly chokes Saimon in a death-grip. She won't put her hands where she's supposed to, and Saimon is babbling a lot about nothing and honking the horn while she continues to adjust her grip on him. She warns Saimon and Celso that no one must know about this! Flustered, Saimon yells very loudly that his word is like gold.

Finally Saimon and Alicia speed away on his wicked cool Vespa. Ariel ends his phone call just in time to hear Alicia's screams of outrage. He also recognizes her legs. He gloats, "ah, how to forget those legs, Alicia Ferreira."

In Acapulco

Aldo is talking to himself on his sofa, swooning over Lety. "What am I going to do with you, Leticia?" He chuckles to himself.

And... that's it for Aldo tonight.

There were only two Aldo scenes in this episode. I wonder if (as I started to say before) they're contractually obligated to give Juan Soler two scenes per episode. If so, it'd be nice if something would happen during those scenes... on second thought... perhaps not. ;-D

At Marcia's place

Fern and Marcia get to Marcia's place. He is still telling her that he doesn't in any way want to see Lety. Marcia is skeptical and is particularly worried that their need for Lety's cooperation will be a new chance for him to be with Lety again. Fern says no, she should know better than everyone just how finished that relationship is. He doesn't want any of that. He wants to forget it all - with Marcia's help.

Little does Marcia know that in an ironic twist of fate, she's become the rebound girlfriend!

---

Next week
Humberto makes Lety an offer she can't refuse.
Aldo proclaims his love from a variety of conveyances.
He wanders around without a shirt and decides to make a surprise visit to the city.

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