Caray, Caray!

Before we start, I have to ask a question that has been bugging me for a while and I keep forgetting to ask. Susanlynn – why do you always post under ‘Anonymous’ and then just put your name on the end? Get an ID! I am to the point now where I know it’s you just from reading your comment, before seeing your name, but I think it’s time! Sign up, be assimilated! One of us! One of us!

Edit - the masses have spoken in the comments. Susanlynn has created her own unique style of commenting and the overwhelming majority like it that way. I thought maybe she had trouble making a commitment :) Susanlynn - just know my comment above was all in good fun.

Ok on to the show. Emiliooo is slightly impactado to hear from Gaspar that Thelma was at the Devil’s Cave.

Blanca can’t believe that Alina is cooped up at Edelmira’s place. She says it’s a crime. Great insight there Blanca. Alina complains again about how bad this has all been for her and her mother. Blanca says she knows. Elias is tied up with the construction but Luba told Blanca where to find Alina. She tries to walk out with her, but Edelmira stops them. Blanca says that she is Alina’s godmother, but Edelmira doesn’t care. Alina then, since she’s a friggin genius, actually takes Edelmira’s side of the argument and tells Blancato leave. Blanca says she’ll leave, but she’ll be back to look for her. She says it won’t be good for Edelmira, Edelmira couldn’t care less. Blanca gives her one last dirty look and then leaves. Before she is even gone, Edelmira grabs Alina and says they are going to get this settled at once, steering her out of the room and into the office. One of the other girls looks on with concern but doesn’t say anything. I think it was concern, it may have just been “what is that girl’s problem?”

Santos and his sister/mom talk in his shack. She wants him to marry Rosita and get out of town. He says no, he’s making too much money working on the highway. Mom wants him as far away from Max as possible. Santos looks like he agrees, but maybe that was just pain from all the cuts and bruises on his face.

Edelmira flashes her long claw fingernails at Alina and tells her how it is. Alina says that she won’t let Edelmira talk to her that way. Edelmira slaps her across the face. Edelmira puts a claw up to her face and says that next time she’ll mark up her pretty face. With those claws I believe it. Plus, Edelmira isn’t really so pretty so she’s probably jealous and would enjoy clawing up some hottie.

Luba is waiting outside the meson, waiting for Blanca. She looks quite agitated, apparently it has been a while since she enjoyed some of her ‘calming herbs.’ Blanca comes out and Luba says she wanted to go in with her, but Blanca says not to worry. She’ll get Alina out. “How?” says Luba. Blanca says she’s going to go notify the authorities. Then she starts making excuses for not doing something before, she was in Canada, etc. The agree that Don Loco is muy loco. As you would expect, that is a short conversation. “He’s completely nuts!” “Agreed.” Blanca swears that she’ll save Alina, Luba smiles at that and says the virgin will be with Blanca.

Coral and the fabulous Granillo try to console Alina after her fight with the boss. They both tell her to cooperate and go with the flow. I suspect that Granillo is pretending to be sympathetic but will report back to the Wicked Witch what the others say. Coral says they need to keep their eyes open for the first chance to get Alina out of here. I guess Coral can come and go as she pleases but Alina is effectively on lockdown. What is it with everyone keeping people locked up? Everywhere, the biggest thing is to get in or out of some place. Are we supposed to believe that there is no way for Alina to just walk out the door? Alina says she’ll go along if the others think that is the best plan. Granillo starts talking about how wonderful he’s going to make her look. He even knocks Coral off the bed in the process of talking with his hands.

Mexico City – time for the Marianita/Jose double feature. Mariana tells Dr. Love that she wants to talk about ‘us.’ He is happy about that, but rather than letting her talk, he rambles on, ending with how much he wants to marry her. She wants time to think about it, basically telling him “I’ll say yes, but not yet.” He says fine. Marianita tells the singing boy that her mom and Dr. Love are going to be together. They cook up a plan to write a letter to her mom and pretend it’s from the Dr.

The lead military guy, whatever he’s called, is interrogating Jose. The guy is the same actor who was the accountant on La Fea at the beginning who got fired. I can’t remember his name. Somebody leave it in the comments and I’ll edit it in. Thanks. Anyway, he has a pouch of money that he found in Jose’s things, is it money that those guys paid him? Jose sticks to his getting lost story. Ah the bag wasn’t full of money, it was full of the gold that Jose and Arcadio found a long time ago. The sergeant (Jose finally called him that) told him that if he said what group he was with, the military will let him go back to Mexico. The sergeant tells him to think about it and leaves the room, leaving the gold where Jose can see it, to make him think.

There is a commercial for Destilando Amor, I can’t get over how funny the guy who played Cesar looks with his Village People moustache. It’s hilarious.

Elias comes home to his shack but can’t find Blanca. He finds Soledad’s hanky on the table and gives it a big creepy sniff. Not just a “oh her perfume” sniff, more like a pervert stealing panties kind of sniff. He really gets it up his nose. Blanca walks in and Elias asks her what the deal is with the hanky. She says she asks him the same thing! He said something like he didn’t realize he had it in his pocket, or who knows what. He looked guilty about it, that’s for sure. I used to think Blanca’s concern was silly, now Elias is acting in a way where he deserves the questions. Blanca starts to hammer him on the topic again now, he starts in with his usual “Oh for the love of God give it a rest” defense. He stomps out to go back to work. Blanca says after he leaves, “No Elias, I won’t give you any more problems, I’ll just do what I have to do, then I won’t bother you any more.”

Edelmira tells Don Loc about Blanca’s visit to her meson, she is worried about Blanca going to the authorities. Don Loco tells her not to worry, Blanca won’t do anything. He will stop her. He tells her to get back and make sure Alina doesn’t escape, and to keep a close eye on who gets close to her.

Blanca goes back to her room at the hacienda and packs her suitcase. Don Loco walks in and asks if she is leaving. She says yes, she can’t stand what he is doing to his daughter. “I don’t have a daughter.” Blanca says yes he does, Alina is his daughter, and look what he is doing to her. She is going to go find help and to free Alina and Soledad. Don Loco tells her she has committed a grave error, and errors pay dearly. Ominous music plays as he leaves the room. He shuts the door and we hear locks turning. Blanca pounds the door and says “Open up! You can’t do this!” Really Blanca? Where the hell have you been? This is the ONLY thing he DOES do. He locks people up. It is his hobby, his passion.

Gaspar tells the story of how he hit the skins with his munequita at the Devil’s Cave to Emilioooo. He never had another woman and later his munequita became Emiliooooo’s wife. Emilioooo repeats it back to him and asks if that is what he really means to say. Gaspar says “Uh yeah you dumbass that’s what I just told you.” Not really, but yes Gaspar confirms. He describes the red dress. Emiliooo gets mad and asks “What was she doing in that place?” Gaspar doesn’t know, cripes, he just saw opportunity and he took it. Come on, Emiliooo! Get with the program! Luba walks in and breaks it up. Luba tells Emiliooo that Gaspar is sick in the head and makes stuff up. Emiliooo says ok whatever, don’t come back to the house and bother Thelma. Luba tells Emiliooo “With all due respect, don’t yell in my house!” Emiliooo yells anyway, he tells Gaspar that his guards will have orders to shoot Gaspar if they see him around the house or Thelma again. He pushes Luba out of his way to leave. What a gentleman. Luba gives Gaspar quite a tongue-lashing after Emiliooo leaves, she is tired of hearing about this stupid munequita. Gaspar tries to argue, “But….” Luba yells “But WHAT?” Gaspar doesn’t say anything.

Back to Mexico City – Mariana tells Marianita to get ready, Dr. Love is coming over for dinner. Marianita gets the fake letter out of her bag and leaves it by her mom’s purse. Mom opens it and reads it. “To Marianita’s mom – I’m the doctor and I love you and I want to be Marinaita’s dad.” She sees of course that it is a fake. “Ah, Marianita!” She smiles, touched at what the girl did.

No Jose scene. They are throwing curveballs here! This is where Jose is supposed to be! HelllloooOOOOOO!

Rosita’s mom tells Santos that Rosita isn’t home. Castulo comes in and says that he saw Rosita with Max. Santos is impactado. Castulo says she’s smart, she knows that Max can make her a rich woman. Santos storms out to go talk to her, Castulo smirks. Rosita’s mom yells at Castulo, Rosita would only talk to Max about work, not whatever crap you have in your head!

Oh here’s Jose. A couple guys are surrounding him with guns drawn and pointed at him. They aren’t wearing uniforms. They are from the rebel camp, they came to cut him loose before he tells the military guys anything. They shoot the chain to free him and the run away. The army follows and shoots, they kill one of the other guys. Well, he looks as good as dead anyway. He starts yelling in pain so Jose drags him behind a tree. The army runs to the bottom of the hill, “Do you see anything?” They stand around like idiots. This is a horrible army. Jose was behind some plants RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM and they decided to run off and look somewhere else. Cripes. Jose has his hand over the other guy’s mouth to keep him quiet. The guy yells that he is going to die, Jose says no, he’s taking him to the camp where the others can cure him. Jose you idiot, run! Screw this guy! Get out of there! I have to point out again that Jose can’t be more than 5 years older than Alina, his supposed illegitimate daughter. Jose can’t be more than 30 years old.

Dr. Love tells Mariana that Marianita is responding very well to her treatment. He begs for the chance to make Mariana happy. She starts to argue but they start kissing. He tells her he loves her, again. He stands up and swears that she will be the happiest woman on earth and he leaves. Mariana immediately asks Jose for forgiveness. What? I thought she had settled that in her mind. Also, Jose didn’t seem to feel quite that guilty after nailing the rebel hoochie.

Emilioooo is throwing things around Thelma’s room, out of her closet. He stops and has a mental playback of Gaspar describing the red dress. He starts digging around some more. Thelma comes in and demands to know what he is doing. He says he’s looking for a red dress, do you have one like that? She looks guilty. Didn’t the dress get thrown out though, and someone else pulled it out of the garbage? I don’t remember. I guess we’ll find out after the commercial. Ok – she claims that she doesn’t have any red dress. Emilooo tells her his conversation with Gaspar. She pretends to not know who he is. They argue about it a bit more before Emiliooo says Gaspar must have confused her with someone else. After he leaves, Thelma seethes. She may be evil, but she sure is sexy. Even when seething.

Soledad complains to Adela that she doesn’t know anything about Alina. As Adela leaves, Don Loco enters. He’s glad to see her eating. Soledad asks if he brought Alina. Don Loco says no, now she lives in a place she can’t leave. Soledad says she’ll feel better and calm down if she can see Alina. Don Loco says fine, you’ll see her tonight, better she see with her own eyes.

Coral tells Alina that she looks really pretty. Alina asks Coral to please call her Flor, she doesn’t want to use her name Alina in this place. Granillo says whatever, she’s still a super hottie and it will be tough to keep all the drunks off of her. Coral agrees.

On the construction site, Orlando asks Emiliooo what’s wrong. “Ah, you fought with your wife again.” He says yeah, something stupid. Orlando is sure it’s about Alina, but Emiliooo says no. Orlando doesn’t give up on that idea, he finally says he’ll take Emiliooo somewhere where he won’t think about Alina at all. Well of course that will be to Edelmira’s place for Alina’s grand debut. Not very well hidden, this future plot event.

Thelma sneaks into Singing Aunt’s room and kicks her bed to wake her up. Thelma demands to know what happened to the red dress. SA said she threw it away. Thelma tells her about Emiliooo’s visit and makes her go find the dress. “But I threw it away, I remember very well!” SA insists. Thelma won’t hear it and sends her out to find it.

Rosita talks to her father, he says something about having air in his chest. I’m sure this is some precursor to him dropping dead later. He wants Rosita and Santos to move away from this troubled place, but he won’t go with, this is his place and he’s old. Rosita says she won’t leave him.

SA buttonholes Rosita’s mom, who answers “Si, Senora?” to which SA replies, “Senorita!” Singing Aunt asks her what happens with the garbage. Someone picks it up every third day and takes it far away. “Are you sure it is far away?” “Yes, why, did you lose something valuable?” SA says no, no, of course not. She was just curious. She feels much better now that she knows where the garbage goes. She sings her way out of the kitchen. Rosita’s mom says “She must have been looking for the red dress.” Hey – notice how these things are red? Red dress, La Bolsa Roja from La Fea? Red is a popular plot device color.

Rosita’s dad says he’ll be fine alone. Rosita doesn’t agree, then Santos shows up and says that she has to come to church with him, they have to get married right now! Rosita doesn’t look thrilled at this, just confused.

A great shot of the moon, signifying night time. Edelmira announces to the crowd that it is a special night. Emiliooo and Orlando walk in during her announcement. She announces the debut of Flor Del Campo! The crowd cheers and whistles, Emilioooo is impactado, of course. Alina gets pushed to the stage, where she stands looking confused and biting her bottom lip. Emiliooo asks what she is doing here, Orlando says you heard, this is a new feature! The men in the room start yelling “How much for her, Edelmira!” Jeremias walks up and takes Flor’s arm, announcing that he already bought her. Emiliooo runs up and tells him to let her go. Jeremias whines that it isn’t fair. Edelmira tells Emiliooo to get to her office, they have to talk. Emiliooo tells Alina to come with him, she tells him to get lost, he’s as bad as the creeps in this place. He grabs her arm and follows Edelmira with her. Coral is on some stairs, watching with Orlando. Orlando mocks Emiliooo (not very hard to do) but Coral says that Emiliooo loves Alina. Orlando says “Ah yes, but here I am single, with the same money as him.” Coral rolls her eyes.

Santos has turned into a complete and total idiot. Rosita wants to wait to get married, she always dreamed of a white dress, “Santos, go with your mom to get away from Max, when I have everything ready I’ll call you and you can come back, we’ll get married.” Santos says that she just wants him away so she can see someone else. She can’t believe it, of course. He says they have to get out of this town, she says she has to take care of her father. He accuses her of using that as a false pretext. He says Castulo told him, she was with Max. She of course says it is ridiculous, but he says they should break up and she says “Whatever you want.” He says adios and stomps out. He went from getting married to breaking up in less than one minute. On his way out, he says “And that is forever.” She cries, obviously.

Emiliooo takes Alina to her room. I guess they weren’t following Edelmira. Edelmira must have thought that Emiliooo was buying her, he is supposed to go see her in the office to pay afterwards. Alina tells Emiliooo that she isn’t for sale, especially for him. He says he’s having to pay for her anyway. She slaps him. He says that again she misjudged him, he is going to pay for her so he can get her out of here. She looks a little sorry, but not much. He says but as usual she doesn’t understand anything, or does she just prefer it here? She slaps him again. He says for each slap, he’s going to kiss her. So of course, she slaps him again and they make out, ending up on the bed. She starts to push his jacket off (What? What a slut!) but Emiliooo stops and says this isn’t the time or the place. He says “See you soon” and leaves the room.

Jose carries the guy who got shot into a cabin. I guess he knew his way back to their camp. Let me point out again how crappy that army was, that they couldn’t find the same guy they shot after he had been moved ten feet away. Jacinto is the injured guy’s name. He doesn’t want Jose to leave him alone, but Jose has to find help. Jacinto is the boss, I just realized. He tells Jose that he didn’t save him for himself, he did it for his sister. Jacinto wants Jose to promise that he won’t leave his sister. Jose says that Jacinto knows very well that he has a family in Mexico. Jacinto says he has a family here too, his sister is expecting his child! Jose is super duper impactado. Also let me say here that I am so glad that my wife and I don’t conceive babies every time we are within two feet of each other like the characters on these shows. These novela men are blessed with super sperm and the women ovulate 28 times a month. It is amazing.

Mariana tells Malena all about her hot makeout session with Dr. Love. She liked the kissing, but she feels guilty, etc. Whatever. Malena agrees with me, whatever. Malena tells her to get busy with Dr. Love already and get on with it. Mariana agrees, it is time to forget about Jose.

Blanca is STILL pounding on the door. It must be hours later. She finally has an idea and finds something hard to break a window pane.

Nurse Susi tells Angel he can’t go to the cave. Angel says her declaration of love is just a pretext to keep him here safe. She says it isn’t, but anyway Alina doesn’t love him. Angel immediately starts feeling sorry for himself as he agrees with her. “Who would believe in me?” What a whiner. Susi says there are many women who could love him, but Angel says he isn’t interested in other women. Listen, I know you ladies reading get all weak in the knees for poor sensitive Angel, but he’s an idiot. What a fool. “No I love this woman that my brother has been treating like dirt and who has told me directly that she doesn’t love me, yeah, I think this will work, forget the sexy nurse who wants to keep my bed warm.” You hear me ladies? IDIOT. He asks Susi to leave so he can sleep, she and her awesomely tight pants leave the room. Angel immediately gets out of bed and paces.

Blanca is sitting on the bed with a cut on her hand, Adela says she’ll get something to fix her up. She apparently escapes about as well as Soledad. Blanca says thanks, but what she really wants is to get out of this place. Adela says let me fix you up first, but I have to lock you in, boss’s orders. Blanca asks, “And where is that infeliz?” Adela says he left with Soledad, but doesn’t know to where.

Santos’s mom is telling Santos, nicely, that he really screwed up and he’s an idiot for what he did with Rosita. He finally says that he doesn’t know what to do with Max going after Rosita, since Max is his own father. He doesn’t know what to do. Buddy here’s what you DON’T do – go accuse your woman of getting it on with another guy. That won’t sort out your daddy issues. Santos says they need to leave tomorrow because if they don’t get out right away, he’s going to have to confront his father.

Rosita’s dad tries to calm her down. She shows us her great cleavage while she explains that Santos wanted to get married right away, but she wanted the wedding she has dreamed of, and she didn’t want to leave her father. Dad says that’s the way it is, kids grow up and leave. Rosita cries that she loves Santos and can’t live without him.

Emiliooo says he wants to get Alina out, but apparently having drinks at Edelmira’s is the place to plan it. He tells Orlando that he wants to get her out and that Don Loco is crazy. Granillo tells Emiliooo that Edelmira is waiting for him, will he come with? Granillo then gives Orlando a dirty look, Orlando just shrugs and downs his drink. Orlando wishes Emiliooo luck and takes off, Emiliooo follows the fabulous Granillo. Ha ha ha Granillo puts his arm out like a man would for a woman, Emiliooo looks at him like he’s crazy and they walk to the back.

Sexy nurse Susi is crying in her coffee in the kitchen with Rosita’s mom. She explains how Angel is obsessed with Alina but Alina doesn’t love him. Rosita’s mom says “But you do love him, right?” Susi says yes, but it’s like she doesn’t even exist to him. She’s just the nurse. Susi sobs. She tells Susi that Alina loves Emiliooo, who is married to Thelma…

Thelma says she is going to fight like a fury to defend her marriage. Singing Aunt says it looks difficult for her, Emiliooo only has eyes for Flor. SA says Alina is really pretty, Thelma says “What? I’m not?” SA says yes of course. Thelma says if she can’t have him, nobody can. SA says “Are you thinking of killing him?” She says that the same way she would say “Are you thinking of getting something to eat?” like it was nothing. Thelma says no, but she is capable of anything, even killing. SA is impactada, her mouth hangs open.

Granillo is waving his little fan around to make SURE we all understand he’s gay. We get it. He tells Alina, “You are still in love with that Captain, aren’t you!” She says of course not, she hates him. Granillo isn’t buying it. He tells her to get outside, show the Captain that she’s happy without him. She says yes, she’ll show him that with all his money he still can’t buy her. Granillo loves it.

Edelmira tells Emiliooo that if he offers a good price for Alina, great, if not, she’ll go with Jeremias. Emiliooo hands a huge wad of bills to her and she says “I thought we understand each other.” Emiliooo says surely the other guy didn’t offer more, Edelmira says yes, a little bit more. She says if Emiliooo’s offer is serious, he can come back tomorrow with more money. He says fine. He demands that she doesn’t go with anyone else before he brings the rest of the money. She says ok. After he leaves she laughs about how she can’t sell Alina to anyone but keeps getting money for her anyway!

Out in the hallway Emiliooo runs into Coral. He says he’ll take her home, but she says she isn’t going to stay there any more and thanks so much for the hospitality. Coral says she has finally realized she’ll never have Emiliooo, so it’s better for her if she leaves. He starts to say something but Coral tells him he doesn’t have to explain, she knows he loves Flor. She promises to take care of Flor. Emiliooo is grateful. As he leaves, Coral’s face drops and she tries not to cry.

Don Loco arrives, dragging Soledad with him with his hand under her armpit. Nobody would mistake this for her coming willingly. As they enter, some guy tips his hat at Soledad, Don Loco immediately grabs the guy and throws him to the side. It was pretty funny. He says, “Don’t you want to see your daughter? There she is.” Across the room Alina sees them and wants to go help her mom but Graniloo stops her. Soledad says she has to go get her daughter out of here but Don Loco tells her no. Soledad slaps Don Loco in slow motion. Alina is impactada. Don Loco slaps her back, knocking her down to the ground. Alina breaks away from the fabulous Granillo to run to her mother, everything still in slow motion.

Monday, another deal with the devil. Orlando offers to help Alina in exchange for her hand in marriage. Doesn’t he know that sort of thing will get him shot?

Labels: duelo

Poolside at Casa Irazabal. Bruna is wearing a natty charcoal skirt and vest, with a pink blouse that tells us she was feeling particularly girly this morning. Faux Marfil is in Stepford Wife Gone Haywire mode again. She doesn’t see Max doing his pageant walk towards them. Once they notice him, Bruna stands at attention with such panache that only a fascist salute would have made it complete. Max asks who Faux Marfil is hiding from. “Nobody, anybody can see me!” is her unconvincing response. He clearly doesn’t believe it. She elaborates in that grating tone that schizophrenically bounces from screech to whine. Bruna backs her up. Faux Marfil changes her tone and plays kissy-face with an unresponsive Max.

Paco’s bar. A good time is being had by all. Well, except for Diana, moping by herself in a dress borrowed from Gaviota. Gaby, who is inexplicably wearing her seventh-grade parochial school uniform, tells Diana she needs to fake it a little. Little Doormat gets the ball rolling by tickling her. Gaviota comes up while this heartwarming little romp is in progress. She’s glad to see them smiling. She’s got something to smile about, too. She’s almost sure that she has what she needs to ruin Octavia and take everything back, mansion included. She invites the girls, and Granny M, of course, to live there with her. But Diego – yes, Diego, too. After all, Casa Irascible holds such happy memories for the kids. Grannny M weaves up. She’s been making too much whoopee. She had two glasses of champagne and needs to go home. Gaby takes her out. Gaviota looks at Diana. “You can’t stop thinking about Maximiliano, can you?” No answer. “You’re still in love with him.” Diana 'fesses up. She likes 'em stolid and bovine, and that’s our boy Max. Gaviota slowly blinks.

Ignacio’s office. He’s with Andrés. He’s got a Styrofoam cup of coffee which he stirs compulsively as he verifies that Andrés has his testimony down. Andrés assures Dr. Evil that Diana will end in jail. The happiest moment in Ignacio’s life will be when the judge declares that dirty schemer guilty. How many years does Ignacio think she’ll get? Dr. Evil’s really getting off on this. All told, Diana will be withered, destroyed, finished when she gets out. Andrés is smiling, but he looks a little creeped out by the thrill Ignacio’s getting.

At Casa Soriano, Gaby has put Granny M to bed and is curled up on the red sofa. She tells Larry how much she misses him. There’s a pounding at the door. The parade of vengeful women isn’t quite over. Pilar storms in, followed by Rene in naco drag. Pilar is in full fiera mode, ready to kick some Soriano butt in her platform rope sandals. She accuses Gaby of ratting her out to Larry so Little Doormat could have him for herself. Rene tries to quiet her down, but she insists on making a big stink. He settles for keeping Pilar at bay while Gaby declares it’s not her fault Larry married her, she loved him. Pilar belittles her for being a servant and an ugly and blind one at that. Little Doormat’s reply is garbled by half-choked sobs. Pilar gets in her face and asks what her love was worth, what good it did her. Gaby shows an ounce of spunk. She won’t be insulted in her own house and wants them to get out. Pilar’s not done screaming, however. “Whether you want to or not, you’re going to divorce Larry because he’s going to marry me!”

We return to Ignacio’s office. Dr. Evil is yammering away about “that slut-nurse” being a gold-digger, rejecting a prime catch like himself for a millionaire. Andrés cheers him up by reminding him that Diana’s going to rot in jail. Once again Ignacio says how much he’ll enjoy hearing the judge sentence her.

Back in Gaby’s living room, Pilar is screaming more accusations and Little Doormat is making tearful denials. It’s essentially the same conversation as the previous scene with a change of vocabulary and a few embellishments. Rene drags his fingers over his face as if he’s having a delayed reaction to some drugs he did earlier. Pilar lunges at Gaby but Rene snaps out of it and restrains her. It’s time for Gaby to wake up, her Cinderella dream has turned into a nightmare. Rene insists that it’s time to go. Too late. The only one to wake up is Granny M, and boy, is she pissed! She thrusts Gaby behind her and shouts that if Little Doormat doesn’t know how to defend herself, she’s here to defend her. Okay, everybody, it’s hootenanny time. All four begin screaming at each other. Granny leaves the room. While Rene tries to shut her up and get her out, Pilar tells Little Doormat that Larry’s going to divorce her, etc. Uh-oh. Granny’s back on the scene with a large bucket of water. She douses Pilar and menaces her with the bucket, backing her towards the door, shouting “¡Fuera!” over and over. Gaby runs to her room in tears, throws herself on the bed, and sobs. Granny is right behind her to give her grandmotherly love and support. It’s all very poignant.

Gaviota and Diana are in the dressing room. While they have a mindless exchange about the faulty lamp on Gav’s dressing table, I wonder if she actually wears the page-boy wig on what looks like a human-sized Barbie head. I admire the feather boa collection draped over the folding screen in the corner and then Diana catches my attention when she claims to know a little something about electricity. Paco leans in to say it’s showtime. Admonishing her to be careful, Gaviota exits. Little Miss Fix-It unplugs the lamp and sits down. This does not bode well.

Onstage, Paco introduces Gaviota, who has “the prettiest voice in the whole city.” All seven extras whistle, applaud, and shout “Bravo”, trying to sound like an audience of at least fifteen. Since the writers have lifted this plotline from any number of “Woman Who Strays and Pays” epics of the Thirties, I’ve been anxious to see what kind of cabaret chanteuse Gaviota turns out to be. Are we in for the sardonic allure of Marlene Dietrich? the spangles and Weltschmerz of Pola Negri? the tarnished sophistication of Kay Francis? Nope. None of the above. The stage is bare and the lighting washes her out in favor of the tomato red shawl. (The black and red boa she left on her dressing-room chair would have been a better choice, anyway.) Her opening number, which sounds like electronic, imitation Jobim, is about a seagull without a nest, searching for happiness. I guess a gaviota hell-bent on revenge would be too obvious even for a telenovela. Now there’s a concept.

Back in the dressing room, Our Heroine is looking mighty pleased with herself. What exactly she did is unclear but I’ll bet y’all a buck I know the outcome. She plugs in the lamp – sparks – yup, it’s a blackout, right in the middle of Gav’s theme song. The seven extras try to sound like a panicked crowd. Paco tries to calm them down. Diana tries unplugging the lamp. The audience is quieted but the bar remains dark. After a minute the lights go back up and the patrons are gone. Gaviota and Paco are impactados. No puede ser. They look around as if they expect to find Gav’s fans hiding under the tables or behind the potted palms. Diana comes out onstage like a naughty second-grader, all “aw, gee, my bad, but I’m still cute, right?” After a moment they decide she is. Hilarity ensues.

At Casa Irazabal, Max is in bed, shirtless and alone. He’s treating us to a new pose from the “Studs in the Sack” calendar: on his side, propped up on his elbow, facing the camera. He’s obsessing about Diana and not liking it. Oh. No, he’s not alone. A female hand appears on his shoulder. It’s Faux Marfil, rising up behind him like Godzilla over a Tokyo skyline. She fondles him, murmuring sweet nothings. “Just let me love you,” she says in a breathy voice. I feel slightly queasy and am happy we are going to commercial.

Days later. Poolside at the mansion. Lala serves breakfast to Max and tía Yolanda. Doña Santa is being a naughty granny. She won’t take her meds or eat or listen to anyone but Max. And Max is always at the factory. Max doesn’t want another nurse in the house. He wants Yolanda to take charge of Granny S. She reiterates what a handful DS is, then heaves a sigh. It’s a pity what happened to Diana. Diana was able to handle her. Max asks Lala if Our Heroine’s trial is today. It is, and God willing she’s found innocent, Lala replies. She should have stopped there, but no. She informs Max of Diego and Diana’s intended wedding. Max just can’t nail “attractively impactado” for love or money. He looks at Lala, then Yolanda, then away. If this novela were in Latvian, I’d swear he was trying to remember where the heck he’d left his car keys.

The long-awaited courtroom scene. Behind Gaviota and Diana, we see Diego, Emilio, Gaby, and Granny M. Pan to Dr. Evil and his lawyer. Pan to Andrés, then to Paco. Everyone but the Surprise Witness is present and accounted for. Enter La Juez. She makes her little speech and Diana rises to hear the charges against her.

Back at Irascible Manor, Max can’t believe what Lala just told him. And if Diana is found guilty? They’ll get married just the same. Max furrows his brow as he works this one out. Lala excuses herself. Yolanda knows what’s going on here. Max tries to claim he doesn’t care, but she answers that isn’t true, he’s dying to be in the courtroom. Our Hero furrows his brow again, completely befuddled. We can almost see the wheels turning in his head. “Do I have a line here? I don’t think I have a line. This is just a close-up, right? I’m pretty sure I don’t say anything here…”

We leave Max to figure it out as best he can and return to Our Heroine’s trial. While the charges are read, Diana thought-bubbles: “Maximiliano. You didn’t come, blah, blah, blah. But of course you didn’t come, you don’t believe in me.” Mournful flute music.

Octavia’s happy home, where the coven has assembled in the parlor. Lady O pretends to drink from an empty porcelain cup. She remarks that the trial is probably starting. Faux Marfil hopes with all her might that they throw the book at Diana. Octavia almost cracks a smile as she says they all hope that. Bruna snickers. I’ve got to hand it to Alicia Plaza. Even when she doesn’t have a line, Bruna’s wacky, lovable malevolence really comes across.

We’re back in court and the prosecuting attorney is showboating through his opening arguments. As the music becomes louder, more insistent, more menacing, each of our friends gets a close-up. Granny M’s the last one and now we’re in flashback mode. Diana runs down the hall, she’s at the elevator, she’s frantically pushing the button for an elevator that won’t come. We all know what that’s like. It especially sucks when you’re in a hurry. And here comes Dr. Evil bolting down the hall, clad in bathrobe, disco chain, pajamas, and slippers. He has something white sprayed over one eye. They struggle, he falls down the stairs and sprawls face-down on the first landing. He’s not moving, so Diana starts down the stairs. (Excuse me, but didn’t he just try to rape her a few minutes ago?) A nifty PowerPoint wipe effect returns us to the present. Close-up of Diana, looking down in shame, with the Glycerine Tear of True Dolor rolling down one cheek. The Big Bad Prosecutor urges the jury to punish Diana to the full extent of the law, or something like that. The natives get restless, Diana loses it and starts to sob, and the judge calls for order. Gav tries to soothe her client. Diana just wants to get this hell over with.

Luscious Larry is out by the pool. Rene swims up. Has Larry seen Pilar? No, and he hasn’t been taking her calls, either. Rene says Larry won’t forgive Pilar because he’s afraid of appearing weak. Larry admits it. Rene climbs out of the pool and proceeds to tell Our Airhead Adonis that he was in his car outside the beachfront café that afternoon. Afterwards he drove Pilar to visit Little Doormat. Larry is impactado – “¡¿Quééé?!” Rene obligingly fills him in on the hijinks that followed, giving a special mention to Granny la Fiera. Pobrecita de Gaby. What? Didn’t Larry dump her? But Larry feels dirty, like he used her, and she didn’t deserve that. Little Doormat is so sweet, so affectionate, etc., etc. He even tells Rene about the love letters. Rene whistles. So what’s Lunkhead going to do? Find a lawyer, he supposes, get divorced from Gaby. Close-up of Larry, all tousled hair and Bambi eyes and bewilderment. Pobre de Larry.

Dr. Evil’s other lawyer is addressing the court now. He’s not saying anything about Our Heroine and her alleged crimes that we haven’t already heard. There’s a brief flashback of Diana in Ignacio’s apartment, picking up a candle and throwing hot wax in his face. This is attempted murder, says the lawyer. Our Heroine starts to lose it again. Disorder in the court, with the judge calling for silence and Granny M shouting “These are all lies!” Granny M rules.

We take a break from the legal shenanigans to check in at Casa Silvia. Elsa la Maestra de las Ciencias Ocultas is here. Camila’s looking almost demure in a ruffled, baby-blue top that starts below the collar bone and ends just under the bust. Maybe it’s the little sleeves. Anyway, Camila tells Elsa that she couldn’t get a pair of Maxi’s underwear, but Silvia fared better. Enter Larry’s black bikinis, followed by Sylvia. Today Silvia is Foxy Brown. An Anglo-Hispanic Foxy Brown, but Foxy Brown all the same. The afro wig is downright impressive. She gives Elsa the briefs. Elsa, too, is amazed at how tiny they are. Hmmm. Are they trying to tell us something here? Like…I don’t know…Luscious Larry has no cojones? Oh, yeah, the scene. Silvia gets all hot and bothered describing how babealicious Larry is. Elsa, fondling Larry’s underwear, is increasingly impactada, and after Silvia exclaims “What a sight he must be naked!” I expect them both to sigh and light up a couple cigarettes. Instead, Elsa tells Foxy/Sylvia to put the underwear in a basin of honey to sweeten Lunkhead’s heart and then throw in a few cinnamon sticks to tame him. Silvia repeats the ingredients and Elsa again demands $500.00. Camila reacts as offensively as before but after some three-way wrangling, Foxy/Sylvia reaches into her top for the money so that Elsa won’t put a curse on them. “¡Hasta nunca!” snaps the M.O.S. as she throws the briefs in Sylvia’s wig and stalks out. Camila’s peeved that Foxy wasted $500.00 when they’re broke. Sylvia doesn’t care. She’s off to get honey and cinnamon sticks. She asks Camila to take care of the sacred briefs and dashes to the door. Disgusted, Camila throws them at the wall.

Lala and Nancy outside. They’re discussing Diana’s trial. Nancy asks if Diego’s really going to marry Diana no matter what the verdict. Lala says he is. Nancy is crushed.

Meanwhile, back in the courtroom, Big Bad Prosecutor #2 is still at it. Diana Soriano is a criminal. The accused musters up her telepathic powers to have another mental chat with Max. Just over her shoulder we can see Granny M looking hopelessly bored. And no wonder, because Our Heroine isn’t saying anything new. The love we once had, etc., your child born in prison, etc., etc. Cut to Max in his office, looking up from his laptop with a WTF expression on his face. Dr. Evil has beat Our Heroine to the telepathic punch. We hear the usual about Diana. Close-up of Max looking perturbed. Cut back to Diana. “You doubted me, Maximiliano, believed the lies you were told, and all I wanted was a place in your heart.” Close-up of Diana with the GTTD. Prosecutor #2 hasn’t stopped talking and shows no signs of doing so anytime soon. Diana thought-bubbles to Max that she really is innocent. Cut back to Max, who’s doing some thought-bubbling of his own. “Why did you deceive me, blah, blah, blah.” And back to Our Heroine: “Now we’ll never be able to be together.” Commercial. Whew.

Lala and Nancy again. Nancy asks, with all due respect, what good this marriage will be for Diego if Diana doesn’t love him? Because Diego’s greatest hope in the world is that she will grow to love him. Once upon a time, a parent’s advice was sacred, but now the young ‘uns go with their feelings. Nancy remains doubtful. She’s one of the smartest characters on this show.

Licenciado Evil is still going. That man’s got stamina. Diana can’t take anymore, leaps to her feet, and cries out “It’s not true! I am innocent!” She startles Granny M out of her nap and Gaviota tries to restrain her, but she’s not done protesting her innocence. Close-up of Prosecutor #2 raising an eyebrow but otherwise unmoved. Andrés gets into the act and it’s hootenanny time again. Everybody gets up to point, shout, wave their arms. The clerk calls for order. Close-up of the prosecutor looking as if he’d just wiped the last canary feather off his lips. La Juez pounds her gavel and yells “¡Silencio!” to no avail.

The perfume factory. Octavia walks into Max’s office, still wearing the café-au-lait sack from her previous scene. She has some billing that needs to go out. Max isn’t listening. Max is sorry, uh, he was, uh, thinking, uh…He was thinking of the nurse, of course. Octavia wants to know if it will bother him if she’s found guilty. Max wants to know how she knew the date of the trial. I want to know why everyone is so sure Diana will be tried and sentenced today. Anyway, Mamacita’s reply is that Octavia Irazabal knows everything. She hopes Diana is convicted. And Max? “Why wish that Diana be found guilty?” Octav tells him to quit wasting his time thinking about that mujercita and to get that billing out. Exit Octavia. Max gropes for his cell phone and dials. He has that slightly stunned look on his face. Then he hangs up. “Doesn’t it occur to Emilio to keep me posted?” And miss a second of the excitement? I don’t think so, Max.

Back in the courtroom, la Juez is still banging her gavel and calling for silence. When she finally gets everyone to shut up, she declares a half hour recess. As people start clearing out, I see that the prosecution has about a dozen red and blue folders strewn over their table, compared to the two Gaviota has. Hmmm. Well, at least Gav has a snappy, bright red purse for carrying her I Am a Legal Professional glasses. Ignacio gives Our Heroine the Evil Eye as he passes their table.

Team Soriano gathers in the hall for a huddle. Granny M has a bad feeling about this. Gaby begs her not to say that. Wait. No puede ser. Somebody please tell me that Little Doormat is not wearing white Mary Janes and little white ankle socks. Tell me I imagined that. Sorry. So, Paco and Diego are outraged by the way Diana’s sterling character is being blackened. Andrés comes out and stops at the water cooler. Diego decides this would be a good opportunity to prove his manhood, defend his fiancée’s honor, and beat the crap out of someone from Team Montiel all at the same time. Paco tries to hold him off, but Diego is a fiera, damn it. He breaks free and manages to get one punch in before security intervenes. Andrés baits him, saying he won’t be prevented from testifying against Diana. Diego makes futile attempts to get free and tells Andrés it’s war as security hustles him out. Tú eres malcarado, says Paco.* Andrés isn’t terribly put out by this. He manages to set Paco off. Paco lunges at him, but an elderly gent I don’t recognize (Gaviota’s legal mentor?) and Granny M restrain him. Close-up of Paco burning with righteous indignation.

In the courtroom, Gaviota is giving Our Heroine a belated lesson in trial etiquette. But they were telling lies, whimpers Diana, I had to defend myself. If Diana’s ideas on sex are Victorian, her ideas on legal procedure are downright medieval. En fin. Gaviota’s lecture continues. Another outburst and you could go to jail for contempt. Diana’s afraid. She’s not feeling optimistic.

Out in the hall, Emilio takes out his cell phone and dials. Cut to Max in his office. He’s staring out the window. The phone rings and he bolts over to the desk. Max asks how it’s going. It’s a circus, answers Emilio, giving a recap of the trial so far. And Diana? Emilio says you’ve got to feel sorry for the girl, he might be wrong, but it seems to him she’s innocent. Close-up of Max, gamely trying for attractively impactado again.

In the courtroom, Gav offers to ask for a recess until tomorrow. No. Diana wants to keep going. Diana has to be brave. It’s only just begun. But the Big Bad Lawyer was so rude to her. Gaviota lets her know that’s nothing compared to what’s coming. The worst moments of her life could lie just ahead. Close-up of Diana, teary-eyed and pouting as if Gaviota had just told her there was no Santa Claus.

Now we’re in chambers. Dr. Evil and Licenciado Evil are having a drink. Ignacio congratulates the Big Bad Lawyer on his attack. Lic. Evil is confident that Team Montiel is going to win. Enter Andrés. After hearing what occurred in the hall, the BBL asks if he wants to press charges. (No case too small for this enterprising fellow.) Andrés declines. He’ll make Diego pay.

Max is still on the phone. Does Emilio think Diana will be found innocent? (Before lunch? Is he kidding?) Emilio doesn’t know, the trial just started. All he knows is that the prosecution is going full-force against Diana. Max is getting emotional here. Diana must be found innocent.

Speaking of Diana, here she is again, perched on the table and having a cup of air. Gav asks if she still feels nervous. She does. They fall silent, Diana scoots off the table, then turns and asks if Gaviota believes her. Sentimental guitar music as Gav tilts her head and gives Our Heroine a tender smile. Of course she does, blah, blah, blah. Diana’s afraid, the BBL told so many lies. Gav reassures her and then says “Your own innocence is your best defense.” I’m no lawyer, but if that’s the best Gaviota has in those two folders of hers, I’d say Our Heroine is in trouble.

Back to the hall to see what’s up with the remains of Team Soriano. Granny M asks Paco what’s going to happen to Diego. Paco’s not sure if he’s been arrested or not. Enter Andrés. Andrés should find another water cooler. This time Gaby goes after him. “You’re worthless,” she says. There’s more angry back and forth between Paco and Andrés. Little Doormat, feeling quite the grown woman in her white Mary Janes, tells Paco to lay off, Andrés isn’t worth fighting with, he’s just the accomplice of the doctor who’s after her sister. Close-up of Andrés nodding his head for no apparent reason.

Poolside at Casa Irascible. Paola’s on the phone. Today’s bikini is somewhat more conservative, just a plaid top with a solid bottom. Cut to Pancholón on a beach. We can’t see his bikini. Paola wants to know when he’ll be back from the Bahamas. In a few days. She asks if Caramelo went along. The waves drown out his reply but he seems to deny it, because Paola’s next question is who he went to the Bahamas with. In answer to that, we see Caramelo approaching Pancho. And the deal? Paola can’t wait for him to come back so they can get that going. She wants to live dangerously, walk on the wild side, have hot, primitive naco sex, etc., etc. After prolonged goodbyes she hangs up.

We’re in the courtroom. Round two is about to begin. So far it’s Team Montiel one, Team Soriano zero. La Juez announces that la licenciada Fedora Garcez is up at bat. Gaviota stands and takes a deep breath.

Casa Irascible again. Faux Marfil is alone in the living room. She picks up the phone and calls Octavia. This woman really ought to find herself a hobby, like hang-gliding or scrapbooking. Anyway, Our Little Blonde Weasel is checking in to see if Octavia’s heard any news about the trial. No. Faux Marfil appears nervous.

Gaviota is addressing the jury. Toying with her glasses, she declares her intention of proving the plaintiff’s testimony false. Diana was sexually harassed by Dr. Evil, etc. and so on. We all know the real story. The prosecution objects but is overruled. Gaviota continues her opening argument. Dr. Evil shakes his head. Flashback to Ignacio’s apartment on that Fateful Night. He’s using a dropper to put a date-rape drug in Our Heroine’s drink. He brings it over to her. She stands with her hands on her hips, looking at him disapprovingly. She’s not that kind of Sex Kitten. She takes the drink and throws it in his face. PowerPoint wipe effect to the present. The dozen or so actors on the set try to sound like fifty making noises of disbelief. They don’t really succeed. Again Dr. Evil shakes his head. Close-up of Diana looking a bit nauseous.

Poolside at the mansion. Paola and Rene frolic and gambol winsomely in the background. Luscious Larry sits at the table with his OJ and his cell phone, which starts to ring. “Pilar, Pilar,” he sighs, picking it up. After repeatedly saying he won’t answer, he answers. Pilar wants to see him. She wants to show him how much she loves him. Larry is stumped for a reply. Ominous violin music that continues into the next scene.

La Juez is banging her gavel again. She’s had enough fun today, they can all pick up again tomorrow. Team Soriano gathers outside the courtroom. Everyone offers Diana encouragement. Except for Granny M, who looks depressed and seems to think Our Heroine is screwed. Out comes Dr. Evil. “Don’t even dream of being declared innocent. I swear we’re going to sink you!” Group shot of Team Soriano impactados. Close-up of Diana looking pissed, followed by close-ups all around, ending with the same shot of Diana looking pissed.

Roll credits.

*I couldn’t find this in the dictionary. “You’ve got an ugly mug”?

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I know I'm being a bit over anxious here, with three weeks left of Mundo de Fieras to watch, but since the promos are now running on Univision, I thought you'd like to read the cast list and my translation of the summary from drama's official page on esmas.com.

Destilando Amor

Cast/Elenco

by/por: Redacción
Source/Fuente: esmas.com

A great cast forms for this telenovela - Meet then here!
Un gran elenco conforma esta telenovela ¡Conócelo!

Angélica Rivera: Gaviota, Teresa Hernandez-Mariana Franco

Eduardo Yánez (Te Amare en Silencio): Rodrigo Montalvo

Sergio Sendel(Heridas de Amor/La Esposa Virgen): Aarón Montalvo

Chantal Andere (La Ursurpadora/Amor Real/Barrera de Amor): Minerva Olmos

Martha Julia (La Madrastra): Isadora Duarte

Ana Patricia Rojo (Mujer de Madera/MLDB): Sofía Montalvo

Fernanda Castillo: Daniela Montalvo

Joaquín Cordero (Cuento de Navidad/AMF): Don Amador

Martha Roth: Doña Pilar Gil de Montalvo

Jorge Vargas (Amor Real/Apuesta por un Amor): Felipe Montalvo Gil

Irma Lozano: Constanza

Olivia Bucio (Alondra/Alborada): Fedra Iturbe de Montalvo

Alejandro Tomassi (Alborada/Amy La Nina de la Mochila Azul): Bruno Montalvo Gil

Jaime Garza: Román Quijano

Adriana Laffan: Ofelia

José Luis Resendez (Alborada/Heridas de Amor/La Madrastra): Hilario Quijano

Gustavo Rojo: Néstor Videgaray

Julio Alemán (Amor Real): Roberto Avellaneda

Jan (Alborada/Heridas de Amor/Navidad Sin Fin): Patricio Iturbe

Carlos de la Mota: James

Ana Martin (Amor Real/Duelo de Pasiones/La Madrastra): Clara Hernandez

Joana Benedek (special cameo part LFMB): Pamela

Roberto Vander: Ricardo

Norma Lazareno: Nuria Toledo de Duarte

Julio Camejo: Francisco de la Vega

Edgardo Tejeda: Elvis

María Prado: Doña José

______

Learn the story
Conoce la historia

by/por: Redacción
source/Fuente: esmas.com

Synopsis/Sinopsis


En el hermoso pueblo de Tequila, Jalisco, surge un amor ardiente, puro y fuerte, como el famoso destilado que lleva el nombre de esta cálida y fértil región donde se produce.

Teresa Hernández, a quien todos llaman Gaviota, es una jornalera de campo que recorre el país con su madre, Clara, trabajando las cosechas. Cada año, regresan a Tequila para la "jima" del agave azul en la hacienda La Montalveña, propiedad de Don Amador, el patriarca de los Montalvo, una familia de abolengo en la producción de tequila. Al inicio de la historia, Don Amador sabe que se acerca su fin y llega para pasar sus últimos días en esta tierra que tanto ama.

Cuando Don Amador muere, su familia se reúne para el funeral. Sus nietos, Rodrigo y su primo Aarón, viajan desde Londres, donde estudian un doctorado. Los primos han crecido como hermanos, pero el testamento de su abuelo despierta la ambición en Aarón, pues el control de la fortuna familiar finalmente recaerá sobre el primer hijo varón engendrado por uno de ellos dos. Aarón se siente confiado, sabiendo que Rodrigo nunca ha podido hacer el amor; sin embargo, la llegada de Gaviota a su vida cambiará el destino de Rodrigo.

Al conocerse, Rodrigo y la bella jimadora sienten por primera vez el inquietante llamado del amor; sus cuerpos despiertan a una pasión que los domina y ambos se entregan completamente. Rodrigo promete a Gaviota volver en un año cuando termine el doctorado para casarse con ella. Poco tiempo después, Gaviota descubre que está embarazada. Sin tener idea del tamaño del mundo, la inocente joven decide ir a Inglaterra a buscar a Rodrigo. Engañada por un fotógrafo local que le promete ayuda, Gaviota cae en manos de una banda de tratantes de blancas que la envían a un burdel en Paris.

La valiente joven escapa e inicia su peregrinaje en busca del hombre que ama. Sola, sin conocer el idioma, sólo su fe y su gran amor la sostendrán en los peores momentos. Auxiliada por un generoso italiano, y un grupo de religiosas inglesas, volverá a México para encontrar una vida muy diferente a la que dejó atrás; una vida de dolor y decepción. Una vida en la gran ciudad, donde reinan la ambición, el rencor y la mentira, una vida que podría convertir en piedra el corazón inocente que inició aquel fatídico viaje... Destilando Amor.


In the quaint town of Tequila, Jalisco, surges a burning, pure and strong love, like the famous distillery that carries the name of this quality and fertile region where it is produced.

Teresa Hernandez, whom everyone calls Gaviota, is a female fieldworker that travels the country with her mother, Clara, working the working the harvests. They return every year to Tequila for the harvest of the agave plant at the plantation "La Montalvena, owned by Don Amador, the patriarch of the Montalvo family, a family whose ancestry lays in the production of tequila. At the start of the story, Don Amador knows that he's close to the end and arrives to spend his last remaining days on the land that he loves so much.

When Don Amador dies, his family reunites for the funeral. His grandsons, Rodrigo and his cousin Aaron, travel to London, where they study for their doctorates. The cousins have grown up as brothers, but the will of their grandfather awakens the ambition in Aaron, where the control of the family fortune finally falls to the first male son born to either him or his cousin. Aaron fees confident, knowing that Rodrigo never has been able to make love; however, the arrival of Gaviota in his life will change Rodrigo's destiny.

As they meet, Rodrigo and the beautiful harvester feel for the first time the tremors called love; their bodies awaken a passion that dominates them and both give in completely. Rodrigo promises to Gaviota to return in a year when he finishes his doctorate to marry her. A short time later, Gaviota discovers that she is pregnant. With no idea of the size of the world, the innocent young lady decides to go to England to find Rodrigo. Deceived by a local fotographer that promises to help, Gaviota falls into the hands of a band of white dealers that send her to a brothel in Paris.

The brave young lady escapes and starts her pilgrimage in search of the man that she loves. Only, without knowing the language, her faith and her grand love will sustain her at the worst moments. Accompanied by a generous italian, and a group of english pastors, she will return to Mexico for to encounter a very different life than what she left behind; a life of pain and deception. A life in the big city, where ambition, grudges and lies reign, a life that could convert into a wall the innocent heart that initiated such fastidious trip... Destilando Amor.

Labels: Destilando, synopsis-cast

Tiberio finally talks his daddy, Don Demian Demento, into going upstairs to get himself cleaned up, shaved and put to bed. He calms him down by promising to take him back to the grave after he takes a long nap and eats something. It seems to break Tiberio's heart to see Demian literally out of his mind with grief.

El Coyote is let into the living room where Jos and Gabe are having coffee. He walks through the door and immediately shoves Cortito out of the way and looks over to find he's stepped into it big time. (Ruh-ro-o-oh......)

Gabe is impactado as hell and stands up and starts yelling at him, "What in blazes are you doing here??" Then Gabe turns around and howls at his ex, "What business do you have with this guy?" (King of the jungle growls start up in the background here so I suppose Gabe has finally grown his....... mane.) Even Jos is impactada we see, 'cause Jos actually looks petrified and she is silent for once.

Gabe keeps screaming at her, "Did you know this damned S.O.B. was the one who kidnapped Luisito?" Then he yells at El C., " What are you doing out of jail?" Jos finally shakes free of her fright and screams one of her best "How dare you!!" at El Coyote. "Get out of here or I'll call the police!!" He stumbles through till he hits on apologizing as his best excuse. "I c-came t-to t-to apologize! I have served my debt to society and I wanted to ask your pardon for all the harm I caused you. I'm full of remorse and I had to get it off my conscience."

Gabe isn't buying anything El Coyote is selling. "I don't believe a single word or tear of yours!" "I know you might not trust me and I'll understand. But I hope you'll forgive me for the suffering I've caused you." El Coyote backs out the way he came in and leaves.

When Ti leaves the bedroom Demian looks over at Regina's empty side of the bed and begins to hug her pillow and cry out her name over and over. "Your pillow still holds your scent." Then, Percy Sledge starts wailing When a Man Loves a Woman in the background. (I'm wondering just how much they paid for the right to use that song. It had to be a bundle considering how often we've had to listen to it by now. Regina's character is dead and buried but we still get it loud and long.........)

Dolores comes over to speak with Tiberio and finds out Demian is now back home. Ti tells her how he found him crying over the grave and that he'd been literally living at the gravesite ever since the funeral a month ago. She tells him she's staying in case Ti needs her help with him. Ti thanks her and leaves her on the couch a while. Before he goes he kisses her hand. So now it's Dolores time to remember.

Dolores remembers all the nasty incidents leading up to Tiberio's finally accepting her as his mother --especially the triumphant scene in the hospital when he broke down crying on her shoulder there. Yes, we get treated once again to him crying "mama....mama....mama....mama....mama....mama" twenty times on the shoulder of a woman who practically looks like his kid sister, while lullabye music tinkles and chimes so sweetly in the background. (When we get scenes like this one I thank God for FF>> and thumbs.)

Back in the kitchen, Mayeya and Cortito discuss El Coyote's so-called apology. They think he's lying for some reason. She reminds her new hubby that El Coyote never is sorry for anything and never ever apologizes to anybody.

On the street El Coyote is kicking himself for showing up at Jos' place without calling her first to let her know. He knows she's going to be one bad a$$ b*tch when he does finally speak to her. So, he tries to figure out a way to make sure Gabe doesn't realize they are involved together at all in any way.

Back at the manse Jos asks Gabe if she believes her when she says that she has no idea why El Coyote showed up. Gabe says he doesn't know if he should trust her. (Aw, are we back to that again?) Jos whines about this and says he's always dissin' her. He stops himself from saying anything else to her --thinking why waste his breath --then just says he'd better leave. He adds though, that he's taking Luis David with him until Mariangela returns, so that he can take care of him himself. She says that's ridiculous, but Jos eventually goes upstairs to get Nina and the baby's things. First, though, she takes a detour into her bedroom and takes out a small cassette recorder from a drawer. She sends Nina out of the room to get L.D.'s things packed and then tapes Luis David saying "momma."

Demian sits in bed. He says to himself that the whole bedroom speaks to him of Regina. He then remembers Regina lying dead in her hospital room. He again blames his son for killing "his own mother", and he promises himself that Juan Cristobal will pay for causing Regina's death.

J.C. at the same time is remembering his mother's death scene and his father later rushing in to his hospital bed, roaring that he's a murderer and then slapping him. He cries from the tremendous guilt and suffering he feels about her death.

Back at Gabe's apartment we see he's upset because Nic still hasn't heard anything from his sources about Mariangela's whereabouts. He hangs up the phone and says to himself, "We were so close to being happy. This happiness cannot just go up in smoke." He starts remembering how he won over Mariangela bit by bit and their finally making love together. He sits there thinking and says, "I hope you are alright, wherever you might find yourself." Then he says to himself, "I would even give her up as long as she'd be okay."

--Roll credits!

Labels: mundo

Hi everyone! Some of the Duelo de Pasiones recappers have been adding interesting/new vocabulary words to their recaps. I have been keeping a list of all these words, plus a few additions from some of the other recaps, and I thought I would share what we have so far. Thanks goes to Carmel for starting this educational and fun trend. If I have forgotten any choice phrases or words let me know and I'll add them to the list. Also, if I have misspelled anything please let me know and I will correct it.

ablandar = to soften
acomodo = job, arrangement
a la venta = on sale
andrajosa = in rags
amargado/a = bitter, also a noun meaning bitter person
a pesar de = in spite of
apestoso/a = stinky, foul
arrabatar = to snatch
atolondrar = to confuse
aventura = an affair, adventure
averiguar = find out
bocadillos = sandwiches, also a term for speech/thought bubbles
cachas = beefcake, hunk
canalla = scoundrel, cad, swine
canallada = rotten or mean thing to do
canijo = jerk
castrado = castrated
chamaca = slang for girl
conquistar = to win over (a person), and to conquer (for land acquisition)
consejo = advice
coraje = anger or courage
cortina = curtain
creída = conceited
cualquiera = floozy, nobody
cuernos = horns
(poner [los] cuernos a alguien = to cuckold somebody)
cuna = cradle
delito = crime, offense
desairar = to slight, snub, offend
desconocer = to not know
doblegar = to bend
embustero/a = lying or liar
empapado/a = sodden, soaked
energúmeno/a = lunatic
(se puso hecho un energúmeno = he went ape-shit)
enojón = irritable
entrenado = trained
escarmentar = to learn a lesson
esclava = a type of bracelet
esquivo/a = cold, aloof
estirado = snooty
extranjero = foreigner
fallecer = to pass away
farsa = farce
fingido/a = feigned, false, pretend
espantoso/a = terrible, horrific
fuetazo = lash
fuete = whip
galán = handsome young man
gallito = braggart, cocky (gallo = rooster/cock)
gaznápiro/a = simple-minded, dull-witted
gentuza = riffraff, rabble
Go Bears = Go Bears
grave = seriously ill
guera = blonde girl (careful, this is offensive in some countries!)
hada = fairy
hacendosa = hard-working
inmiscuirse = to interfere, meddle
juicio = judgement
lana = wool, slang for money/dough
lascivo/a = lascivious
limosnera = beggar
locura = madness
maldita sea! = damn it!
maldición! = damn!
mandar = command, be in charge of
menos mal = just as well, thank God
Mira el burro hablando de orejas! = Look at the donkey talking about ears!/That’s the pot calling the kettle black!
molestar = to distrub, to bother
nomina (de pago) = payroll
pachanga = party and /or partying
patadas= kicks
pantano = marsh, bogplomazo = bullet hole
polvos = powders
pordiosera/pordiosero = beggar
porfis = slang for por favor
por supuesto! = of course!
prometido = promised, engaged, fiancé
puñal = dagger
rabieta = tantrum
raices = roots
resbaladizo = slippery (surface)
señito = shortened version of señorita/señora
soborno = bribe
someter - subdue, to put down
sueldo = salary
tarado = idiot, defect
teniente = lieutenant
terco = obstinate, stubborn
tierno = affectionate
velorio = wake, part of funeral before the burial
vientre = belly, abdomen
zafado = nut case
zopenco = dummy

Labels: duelo, Vocabulary

*restrictions may apply
Friday Night Fights

Reviewing the melee so far, for scorekeeping purposes:

Aldo makes the Grand Gesture of yelling that he loves Lety. Fern does some yelling of his own. Great, now there are two lunatics yelling outside an office building... where's a cop when you need one? Fern says "see, I can yell too."

Fern then approaches Aldo in a threatening manner. Aldo punches him, more or less in self-defense. I wish I could say it was pure malice, but I'd do the same thing if someone were to approach me the way Fern did. So I'm calling it even at this point, in terms of aggression.

Fern quickly recovers and punches Aldo, "so you'll learn to stay out of my territory, you meddling interloper!" (Fern is now +1 for aggression.)

Fern takes a swing (Fern is now +2), which Aldo blocks. They struggle. Aldo says Lety should decide - Lety looks a little surprised. If I were Lety, I would tell both of them to go jump in the lake.

Aldo angrily approaches Fern and hits him again (so now Fern is back to +1). Lety tells Fern to leave.

Fern says "Lety made a commitment to me! ...a work-related commitment," he adds. (WEENIE!) And then he hits Aldo. (Fern back up to +2.) Lety tells Aldo maybe he should leave.

Aldo goes for another punch, which Fern blocks, and then swings again with his left, which I can't tell whether Fern blocked it or not, but now they're even again.

Then Fern swings (blocked) but gets Aldo with his other fist (we don't see this one land, but Aldo sags against him momentarily). Now Fern is +2 again and they are strangling each other. Lety tearfully runs away.

"Until you die," Aldo hisses. "You're gonna die," Fern gasps. "Your brain is smaller than mine. At least die quietly," Aldo rasps. They butt their heads together.

Meanwhile, in Marcia's office, Alicia is saying that Lety is doing the same thing to her that she did to Marcia. When Marcia was about to marry Fern, Lety got between them. Now Alicia is about to marry Aldo, and Lety's in the way again.

Marcia is kind enough not to laugh in Alicia's face. She reminds Alicia that she and Fern were together for three years, and even as a little girl she dreamed of marrying him. Alicia whines that Marcia just loves to belittle her problems, but even though she and Aldo have only been together a short time, it's been so intense and passionate that it's like she's known him all her life.

Marcia thinks it would be a good idea to check up on the fellas. Alone in Marcia's office, Alicia tells herself that what happened to Marcia won't happen to her, because she's so much better than Marcia - more attractive and interesting. She tries out her new name, "Alicia Ferreira de DomenzaEEN."

Lety and Marcia meet at the elevator, glare awkwardly at one another, then go their separate ways - Lety to hide in her office, and Marcia to witness the carnage outside.

Aldo and Fern are still locked in battle, so evenly matched that their body positions are nearly mirror-images; leaning into one another, still grabbing at each others' necks. Aldo's sneakers, denim & linen clothing, and blondish hair contrast sharply with Fern's good shoes, expensive suit, and darker coloring.

They sag to their knees simultaneously, still gasping and choking. Exhausted, they both drop their hands and pause to catch their breath. Just a moment later, Fern reaches for Aldo and resumes the fight (Fern now at +3). "I'm going to kill you," he tells Aldo, but they're too tired to fight, plus Aldo notes that Lety has already left. He pragmatically (teasingly?) suggests that they can stop fighting now that Lety's not there to see.

They nudge each other aggressively and circle warily. Fern asks Aldo what are his intentions towards "my Lety." Aldo says she's HIS Lety, and that he's not going to manipulate her the way Fern did. Fern accuses Aldo of poisoning Lety against him. He complains that ever since she met Aldo, she hasn't been the same around him. She's cold and stubborn and solemn. Aldo's the person who put out her "light."

Aldo says it was Fern, not him, who put out Lety's "light." Aldo's helping her recover it - and it will be his. "You're in love with Lety, right?" Aldo scoffs.

"You're just trying to use that against me," Fern says. Aldo says Fern's his own worst enemy. The love Fern feels for Lety is very fragile - he puts himself first. His love is conditional on being returned by Lety. He taunts Fern that Lety has to feel good so she can save the business that he destroyed. His love is twisted and false. He won't bring himself to say that he loves her, yet he'll fight openly for her?

Fern has been staring at Aldo through all of this speech as if Aldo's been speaking Klingonese or Elvish. Finally he says, "you don't know what I've done, or how I feel about Lety, or what I'm going to do for her."

Aldo says he's sure of his love for Lety. It's not false or conditional, and wants nothing in return.

Fern shoves Aldo and Aldo shoves him back; I've lost track of the score, but it's clear that Fern has been the more physically aggressive of the two (though it's also clear that Aldo enjoys baiting him).

Marcia comes running down the hill just as the shoving match begins to escalate. She interposes herself between the two snarling dogs. Fern politely tells Marcia to go away. She yells at him and demands an explanation. "It's about Lety, isn't it?"

Again, weenie Fernando cannot bring himself to admit the truth. "He bugs me," he complains. "Ever since he got here, Conceptos has lost its personality, its character, identity, beauty, y'know... it's different, it's awful."

She yells at him impatiently and he asks her to leave him alone. Aldo, the meddling interloper, tells Fernando that Marcia cares about him. Fern accuses Aldo of pretending to be nice, all the women of Conceptos are crazy about him, but nobody's buying into his boring philosophy; nobody!

"You're full of opinions," Aldo observes, and Fern steps forward, angrily promising to give him another "opinion." Marcia flings herself - all 100 pounds or whatever she is - against Fern to hold him back! (Okay, so she's not Emma Peel - but at least she's not running away and hiding! Not that I blame Lety, but today I have to give the prize to Marcia.) She tells him to go home, dress his wounds and get ready for his trip. He makes a feeble excuse about having things to do, but meekly lets her lead him back into the building. She throws a worried glance over her shoulder at Aldo, who waves her off. Fern looks back suspiciously and makes some aggressive-looking gestures at Aldo (something like "we're not finished yet - I'll meet you here later").

Lety and Tomas rehash

Lety doesn't quite make it back to her office before the cuartel surrounds her, asking questions. She says she'll tell them later, but they tell her not to be mean, they're worried and need to check out their suspicions. Lety begs off and says she needs to talk to Tomas, but Alicia interrupts. She starts to address Lety as "Garnacha" but cuts herself off and continues in a more civil tone, asking where Aldo is. Is he coming back?

"I have no idea," Lety says grumpily, and stomps off to Tomas's office. She is barely through the door when she bursts into tears. "I don't know what just happened," she tells him. She says Aldo and Fern were fighting and it came to blows. He asks why she didn't stop the fight. She says she was paralyzed - she felt even worse than that time when Fern and Tomas fought.

Hurt, Tomas wants to know why this time is worse. She says it's because Tomas is her friend, but Aldo had just finished saying that he was in love with her. Tomas, who has only known about this love for like an hour himself, says "finally he's told you!" He pulls up a chair, wanting all the juicy details. "You knew?" Lety asks sharply. He says Aldo told him when they were speaking man-to-man, blond-to-blond. Lety says this has all happened so fast. Tomas assures her that Aldo really does love her, but he also brings up the strange fact that Fernando was fighting with him. Lety says she's sure he wasn't fighting for her - he's defending the company's honor; he feels threatened by Aldo - maybe Aldo will get Lety to take the company away. (Not a crazy theory, since Fern's original conquest of Lety was meant to prevent Tomas from doing the same thing, back when Fern and Omar thought Lety and Tomas were an item.) But Aldo was defending her for real.

Tomas says that's a point in his favor. Lety says Aldo deserves better than for her to have a relationship with him only out of gratitude. (Maybe so, but I bet he'd take it.) He deserves someone to love him with all her heart - and she, Lety, can't do that, because she still has feelings for Don Fernando. (Yeah, she calls him Señor to his face, but behind his back he's still Don.) She's too confused to know what to say to Aldo.

Eager to keep Aldo away from Alicia, Tomas tells Lety to just think about it. She promises to do so and whines again about having to be near Fern.

Yeah, poor Lety, sucks to be you, huh?

In the Vortex of Stupidity

The Vortex of Stupidity is the place I used to call the executive lobby. If you don't know why I've decided to give it this particular name, consider some of the conversations that have taken place here:

• Fern informs Ariel that recycling has nothing to do with bicycles.
  
• Sara pretends to be interested in Lety's lawyer.
  
• Alicia tries to embezzle $50,000 from Conceptos to save her car.
  
• Alicia tells Luigi she just found out that Peking is now called Beijing, and it's the capitol of China.
  
• Lola destroys Yazmin's cell phone, and Alicia gleefully does a little flamenco-style dance on its remains.
  
• Ariel asks Alicia for a photo of herself in her underwear, so he can pimp her out to his alleged "friends."
  
• Lopez drools and threatens to fire one or more members of the cuartel.
  
• The cuartel chatters idly, or matches "wits" with Alicia.
  
• There is an uproar over a couple of red paper bags.

I could go on, but someone's probably waiting for me to finish this recap.

Aldo emerges from the stairwell at the same time Fern and Marcia step off the elevator. The two men both dash towards Lety's office. Fern runs into Lola's desk; Aldo taunts him mischievously. Alicia sees the bruise on Aldo's face and runs over to him, wanting to help. He tells her not to worry, and excuses himself, heading back to his own office.

Marcia tells Fern that they need to "talk." He tries to brush off her concern, and whispers to her that it was only a fight.

"FIGHT??" the nosy cuartel repeats loudly. Lety comes out of Tomas's office just in time to hear this. She and Fern look at each other, then hurriedly go to their respective offices.

Deep Thoughts

At his desk, Aldo remembers telling Lety that he'll fight to win her love.

Luigi is fighting on the phone with Ruli. He says he's met the man of his dreams. He tells Ruli it was nice while it lasted, but now it's over. He won't let Ruli talk. He denies receiving any gift from Ruli.

Irma's ears perk up and she tries valiantly to tell Luigi that the bear was from Ruli, but Luigi doesn't have time to listen. He tells Ruli they can still be friends if he wants, but apparently Ruli does not want. "Fine, then we're through. Goodbye forever!" Luigi hangs up and asks Irma what she wanted. She starts to say something about the bear, and Luigi realizes he hasn't thanked his Prince Charming for it yet. He dashes off with the bear, leaving Irma to answer the phone, which is already ringing.

Irma ignores the phone and follows Luigi into Aldo's office. Luigi takes one look at Aldo and panics about what happened to Aldo's pretty face. He offers to call for a helicopter. Irma comes in and he tells her to go get some first-aid stuff. Aldo assures them that he's okay. Luigi remembers the bear again and tries to thank Aldo for it and the very nice card. He tries to tell Aldo that he accepts Aldo's offer to be together for the rest of their lives, but Irma gets between them and, with much persistence and many apologies to Aldo, explains to Luigi that the gift was from Ruli.

Luigi leans against Aldo's desk, saying he's having not a mimisqui (palpitations) but a mim-oso (I guess some sort of pun about a bear-sized heart attack). He scolds Irma for not having told him before. He tries to say something to Aldo, but runs out of the room in humiliation!

He calls Saimon in for an explanation. Saimon just explains that Aldo only took the bear up for him, and he's sure the gift was from Ruli. Luigi berates Saimon; Saimon cries that "the receptionist out there" (PM) calls him a cricket and an insect and now Luigi is calling him a bug; would Luigi like to call him anything else?

Deflated, Luigi dismisses him. Irma counsels Luigi that Ruli obviously cares for him a lot, and there's nothing going on with Aldo. This isn't what Luigi wants to hear. He talks about chemistry and electricity. Irmita tactfully tries to tell him that Aldo isn't... but Luigi doesn't want to hear it. She urges him to speak with Ruli, but Luigi's still mad because Ruli told him to burn in hell!

He goes on some more about how much he likes Aldo, and not Ruli, and tells her to stop judging him with those probing eyes and go check on Diva, his dog. He whines that she doesn't understand him.

In the Well of Morons (it's not as deep as a vortex)

In Marcia's office, Alicia wants to hear all about those two men fighting over the Corncake. Marc says Lety wasn't there when she arrived, but they were still fighting. Afterwards, Fern claimed that they weren't fighting over Lety, but over Conceptos. (WEENIE!!!)

Alicia, for one, likes Fern's explanation. It means nobody was fighting over Lety.

Marcia says that when Fern talked ugly to Marcia, Aldo defended her to him. (Sorry, I had this backwards before.) Alicia is glad to hear that he is such a gentleman - a real Prince Charming. And all hers!

In the Hall of Idiots and Everlasting Rehash

I'm not sure what Omar is doing at his desk. It looks like he might be trying to clean his mouse and keyboard, but I think his real focus is ignoring Fern. That's right, Fern walked in with bruises all over his face... and Omar doesn't want to rehash.

Fern can't stand it and wants to tell Omar all about it. Omar guesses that it was Aldo. He thinks it's funny that their "presidentolita" inspired such passion. Fern wants to cancel his trip. Omar wants to know how Fern can justify this to Marcia and Lety. Fern thinks Marcia already knows enough that she won't need an explanation. As for Lety... Omar does a little impression of Fernando. "Lety, I'm staying because I'm not going to let you..."

Fern interrupts him impatiently, but yet again, these two actors are cracking each other up. They remind me of Tim Conway and Harvey Korman. They recover quickly and Fern accepts that he has to go to NY, but he makes Omar promise to keep an eye on Aldo. (Y'know, like Alicia used to spy on Fern for Marcia. LOL!)

Omar doesn't like this assignment to keep Lety and Aldo apart. Is his tie red, or is it orange? I can't tell. Was he wearing that at the restaurant people's meeting last week? I don't remember! Anyway, Fern doesn't care what Omar thinks. He just smiles and wiggles his eyebrows at Omar to let him know that's the way it's going to be.

They argue about this, and Fern has to beg a bit, but the outcome is that Omar promises to do it.

In the Lair of the Monster Ladyparts Seashell of Doom

Lety is sitting on the wrong side of her desk, gazing thoughtfully at what used to be Fern's chair. She plays with her little Zen garden - I guess she never noticed Fern's initials there - and the seashell painting behind her leaps off the wall and bites her, thinking she was a Cabbage Patch Kid.

Not really, but Aldo does sneak up on her. She says she's sorry she left him alone with Fern. He says no, the mistakes were all his. He shouldn't have taken her out of the office to tell her how he felt, but he wanted to tell her how important she is to him. She only replies "I'm sorry, I can't, I can't." He says he's the one who's sorry - his impulses got the better of him. He didn't mean to pressure her. She says it's not fair to him, and he doesn't know how happy she'd be if she could say she loved him too.

He says he's sure that one day, she will say it to him. In the meantime, she says, she feels awful that he makes her feel so wonderful, when she gives him nothing in return. His presence gives her strength, and his love gives her confidence.

He says that thanks to her, he's able to fight passionately for something. His love for her motivates him. It gives him the energy, strength, and focus to win her love.

In the Shrine of Alicia

Tomas is admiring his Alicia photos when Aldo comes a-knockin'. Tomas notices Aldo's bruises and says he knows that Fern has a heavy hand. Tomas proceeds to turn over all of the pictures on his wall, to reveal his additional Alicia photos. Aldo doesn't pay much attention to this as he wonders aloud why women, especially Lety and Marcia, are so attracted, so crazy, so in love with Fernando.

Tomas says he has money, and Aldo admits that he's likable. Tomas says - I kid you not - that Fern's "an adorable boy."

Aldo changes the subject to Alicia. Does she really think they're getting married? Tomas says yup, she's got the dress and everything. Aldo asks Tomas's opinion as to what it might take to convince Alicia that this is not so without hurting her. (My suggestion: a cashier's check.) Tomas replies that she's very sensitive - he lied to her once, and she'll never forgive him. He admits that he was pretty horrible to her, and she throws it in his face every chance she gets.

They joke briefly about Tomas's haircolor - Aldo pretends to be surprised that it's not natural. He braces himself to talk to Alicia; Tomas asks him to remind Alicia that he's available.

It's getting dark outside...

...but the Vortex of Stupidity is lit as brightly as ever. Lopez tries to get familiar with PM, and she rebuffs him. He's looking for Lety - he wants to give her her new name badge. They all ooh and ahh over it, and PM thinks they should throw a party in honor of its presentation. Lopez is as confused by this as I am; Sara explains that it's not just a badge, it's a symbol.

Oh, I see. In that case, break out the tequila!

In La Presidencia, Lety is telling her diary that sitting in Fern's old office, she's reliving everything. She wants to transform the room so it's more hers and less his. The cuartel and Lopez interrupt, sparing us a potential verbal rehash of the last 10 months. They start talking about the Knights of the Round Table. PM makes a little speech about heroism, efficiency, and friendship, and they present her new name badge. Woop-de-doo. Lety should check the drawers and see if Fern left any "Richard" behind. Lopez plays a fanfare on an imaginary bugle.

Back in the Vortex, Alicia is swooning over her engagement photo again. Aldo approaches and invites her out for coffee. Why not dinner, she asks? He says he just wants to chat with her in a quiet place. "I understand," Alicia says flirtatiously - totally not understanding. "You want us to make some plans?" "Actually, no, I would like to tell you about MY plans," Aldo answers. (Alicia has an auditory hallucination, er, flashback of Tomas warning her that Aldo isn't in love with her.) Suddenly, Alicia remembers - she can't go out with Aldo - she has other plans. He tells her he hopes it goes well. She looks disappointed.

Meanwhile, in the Shell Cave, Lety is touched by the name-badge presentation. She tearfully thanks them. Alicia comes in to lighten the mood. She calls them all spiders - "little spiders," she amends for the sake of civility, and tells Lety it's an endearment - and says Fern and Omar are looking for the cuartel. They all rush out to see.

Lopez obsequiously tells Lety he hopes she likes her new name badge. She says yes, she likes it. "Anything else?" he inquires hopefully. She says no, and he bows profusely and leaves.

She admires her badge, but wonders aloud if she can handle all of this.

---

Next week

Using techniques he read about in a comic book at the age of 9, Ariel suavely whines-and-dines Lety. Fern provides snacks.

handy words
botiquín=medicine cabinet
güero=blond man
metiche=meddlesome
príncipe azul=Prince Charming (literally "blue prince")

Labels: fea

Got to a late start on the blogging (like almost 24 hours late...) and when I pushed play realized that the satellite signal was so scrambled I couldn't even understand what D, Jossie, Gabe, MA and Leo were whining, fighting and fussing about. Many Mundo apologies.

Labels: mundo