Caray, Caray!

The episode opens where yesterday’s left off, Montero is forcing Esmeralda into consummating their marriage. She is fighting him and yelling at him to let her go. Monty, ever the smooth operator, whispers sweet nothings to Esme like: “It was so nice hearing you tell Diego good-bye.” “I knew even before Diego arrived that the weapon you were using was a fake.” “You see I’ve been in control all along, I’m always in control.” There is a knock at the door, Monty tells them to go away. It is Pizarro. He tells his boss that it is really important. Monty tells him “Not now, I’m busy.” Esme shouts “Don’t touch me.” Pizarro insists to Monty that it is urgent. They have a visitor, a representative for the king.

Meanwhile, Diego is meeting with Padre Tomas. PT is very happy that Diego has gotten his freedom and offers him congratulations. Diego tells him that he can’t be happy because it all came at such a great price. PT is confused, so Diego brings him up to speed on all that’s happened with Monty’s revenge on the de la Vega family and how Esme saw what Monty was doing and thought the only way to stop it would be to go back to him. Diego tells PT that he was too late in hearing about it and was unable to do anything. He’s also angry because she just went ahead with her plan and never ran it past him. PT says that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love Diego, in fact she sacrificed herself for him, it was an act of love. (Alas, the voice of reason, we can only hope that Diego will listen to the good padre). Diego says that he hates to think what Monty has forced Esme to do. PT doesn’t like this train of thought and he tells Diego that he is being unfair and rather hard on Esme. Diego says she let him down, in fact everyone has let him down even the padre. PT questions this. D-“You blessed their marriage.” PT-“No I did not, the ceremony I performed in Latin is no longer accepted as valid in the Church. So if their vows were completed the marriage would never have been sanctioned by the Church.” PT goes on to explain that the monk Diego met outside the church was part of the secret group PT meets with, the monk was there to help Diego. Still, Diego thinks that Montero now has the only woman he loves. PT assures Diego that Monty is in for a surprise and he’s going to pay dearly for all he’s done.

Monty has left Esme to go meet the king’s emissary. It is the Marquesa Carmen. Let me describe this woman (?). She looks like a very wrinkly man in drag. She has a deep voice, bad wig and the worse set of dentures I’ve ever seen. She’s arrived with an entourage that includes many servants, and by my count, three dogs of various sizes. Monty totally bows down to her and it appears that they have some sort established relationship/ or a history together, if you will. Monty-“We weren’t expecting you, and are not prepared, your grace.” The Marquesa lets Monty grovel for a bit. Then she reminds him that she hasn’t seen him in awhile, ever since that day he flirted shamelessly with her favorite niece, Josephina. “Wait, I do think I’ve seen you since then, oh yes in every tear that Josephina has cried remembering how you shamed her. You took advantage of her innocence.” Monty says it isn’t right to discuss a lady’s private life when she isn’t there to defend herself. The Marquesa goes on, “Pardon me for defending my family. I can’t help it, just like I can’t help to defend the king’s subjects.” Monty seems rather disturbed by all of this and trying to switch the subject tells the Marquesa that he’ll prepare a place for her to stay. She tells him not to bother, she’s going to stay with her good friend Alejandro de la Vega and his charming son, Diego. Monty tries to tell her that Al’s place is too far out of town and the Marquesa should remain, she’s probably tired. This woman is hip to Monty’s game, she doesn’t care, she’s anxious to go see that handsome Al. She also tells Monty that Al will be receiving some kind of honor/ award from the king. They call it the estrella de blah, blah, blah. I’ll just call it a medal.


Esme, now dressed in the lowest cut outfit I’ve seen to date on this show, is locked in her room at Monty’s residence. She pounds on the door demanding that someone let her out. A soldier comes to the door and tells her that she’s locked in for her own safety. If she needs to go out in town she will do so with an escort. Per Monty’s orders, she is to be under guard at all times. Esme sends the soldier away and begins to search the room for some paper. She finds both a pencil (that’s what it looked like to me) and paper and jots a quick note to Diego. Note-“I’m sorry for what I had to do, but I did it to save you and your family from Monty. You have to know that everything I said in front of Monty was lies. I know that you and your family are safe, and that is a comfort to me. I love you and will always love you. I’ll never be with Monty, he’ll never touch me. I will always be yours, Diego. Love, Esmeralda.”

While the narration of the letter is read, we see Diego walking the streets of Los Angeles quite despondent. He heads into the local bar and orders a bottle of wine. He gets hit on by the waitress, but pays her no mind. Catalina, walking around town, spots Diego heading into the cantina. Later she runs into Mariangel and fills her in on where she saw Diego go. MA rehashes with Cat and says that poor Diego needs to be comforted. MA thinks that if she can get close to Diego now, she’ll worm herself into his life and take Esme’s place. MA asks Cat to get Diego to meet her somewhere near the outskirts of town and MA will join them. Cat thinks that MA is proposing something kinky, and gets a little too excited in my opinion. MA catches on to Cat’s thought process and straightens her out. MA tells her that Diego doesn’t trust her (MA) and she needs Cat to intercede on her behalf, that’s all.

In the gypsy camp, Jonas is happy. Lucrecia, the vole messenger, has returned from Callao prison with a note on a piece of cloth. Now they know that Sara Kali, their queen, is alive and according to her note, ready to fight.

Hermes is tossed back into the cell with Sara Kali. He’s happy to see her since the soldiers had told him that SK was burned alive. She says no, they threw her in a well and the only thing that kept her alive was hope. Hermes says that is something he no longer has anymore. He’s been held prisoner for 20 years and he doesn’t even know why he is there. All he knows is that he in an innocent man. SK tells him to remember their promise, that they’ll both get out of there someday.

Pizarro and Monty rehash the arrival of the Marquesa (MC). Monty says that MC hates him because of what happened with Josephina. He says he was willing to marry Josephina, but MC, crazy as she is, disowned the girl. Monty is sure that MC is here to protect the de la Vegas and there to trap Monty—she’ll blame him for Diego’s arrest. Monty tells Pizarro about the medal that he has to give Al. Monty gets inspired and tells Pizarro that he can give the award to Al when he goes to give the official apology. Pizarro says no can do. Monty gets angry at his mano derecha (is it feminine because mano is feminine, or would it be masculine because Pizarro is a man?). Monty rants about how Pizarro is to blame for this mess (this is a terrible mess you’ve gotten us into Pizarro). To begin with, his evidence was weak against Diego-- a mask and a cape that’s it!! They needed something more substantial (OK, it was good enough for you at the time, mister and hindsight is always 20-20). Then there is the fact that Pizarro tortured Diego when he was in prison. That’s not going to set very well with Alejandro and thusly his good friend the Marquesa.

At the de la Vega’s the Marquesa arrives. MC and Al just gush gush gush over each other. Al’s all proper and calls MC, Marquesa. She tells him to call her Carmen. Dolores comes running out, she’s wearing a maid’s uniform. MC calls Dolores “negra” and ask her when she’ll come work for her. She wants Dolores to come to court with her. MC goes on and says that she knows its never going to happen because Dolores would never be willing to leave the employment of such a handsome man as Alejandro. Al and MC rehash what’s happened to Al—his wound and all. He tells her the worse part was being confined to his bed, but he’s getting better now (and it’s been what, two or three days?). They go on to rehash how Monty’s been a bad boy. Al tells MC how the framed Diego and tortured him in prison in order to get a confession out of him. Al tells MC that Monty is a danger to everyone. MC tells Al that Monty’s luck is going to change.

Nutty Nun meets with the forger that the doctor/dentist/undertaker recommended. She gives some message and asks him to write it in neat handwriting. The forger speculates that the note is from some monk and comments how the contents of the note are not very monk-like. NN gets a little testy with the forger and she says something about it being a message for God. On the way from meeting the forger NN is approached by someone who appears to be a slave (he’s got a metal collar around his neck) and speaking a foreign language. This freaks NN out. I think I must have missed something here because I don’t have any idea what if anything happened with the slave and NN. Anyone want to fill me in if I’m missing something. Thanks.

We next see Maria Pia praying to the Virgin asking for her help. She wants to erase Fernando from her mind.

Meanwhile, Monty goes to see Fernando and asks him if Maria Pia was responsible for getting FS to change his mind about allowing Monty and Esme to get married (that would be the first time he agreed to let Monty marry his daughter). Monty speculates that she must have some sort of control over FS. Monty comments that Fernando must really love this woman in order for him to grant her request. Fernando tells Monty to stay out of his private life.

Esme tells her guard that she needs to get out for some air. She is escorted. She comes across Azucena, the gypsy woman. The soldier roughs Azu up a bit. Esme intervenes. Azu asks if Esme would like her palm read, and Esme says yes. This gives the women an opportunity to chat. They talk about Esme being with the horrid Monty. Esme rehashes about that business and asks Azu if she’s seen Diego. Azu comments “Pobre Diego”, but no she hasn’t seen him. Azu tells Esme that they have news from Sara Kali. Esme’s happy she’s alive. The women discuss how they have to get SK out of that hell. Azu reads Esme’s palm, she tells her that Diego is the man who will make Esme happy. The two part ways, but first Esme gets the soldier to lend her money and she pays Azu for the palm reading. Azu warns Esme to be careful with Monty, and to not let him touch her.

Diego leaves the bar, a little worse for the wear. He wobbles out the doorway and pulls out some cool looking shades. It just amazed me when he put on the sunglasses, it looked so modern and frankly, he looks pretty hot in the gafas de sol. Cat spots him, corners him and starts talking. He’s really not interested in chatting right now, but that doesn’t stop Cat. MA is standing off to the side and jumps into the conversation at the first opening. She starts rehashing all the stuff that’s happened with Esme. Diego tells her that he doesn’t want to talk about it. MA tells Diego that they got off to the wrong start because MA was jealous of Esme, because she (MA) fell in love with Diego, too. She starts walking with Diego and tells him that they should get some wine and talk about this some more. Oh no!!! I think she’s going to get the chance to use her potion. Pobre Diego in deed!!

NN meets with the Cardinal (TC). She asks forgiveness from him. Then she goes on insisting that she was telling him the truth about Maria Pia. TC gets angry and tells NN that he wants to hear no more of this, Padre Tom has vouched for the integrity of Maria Pia, and that is enough for him. This does not set too well with NN.

Back to Fernando and Monty….obviously Monty has told FS that Al will be getting the medal. FS thinks it’s hilarious that Monty will be the one to bestow the honor on Al. They discuss MC and how her arrival changes the rules of the game. Monty insults MC, and FS tells him to be careful what he says, how he says it , and where he says it (he says this like he’s defending her—in addition to being a warning for Monty). Monty asks Fernando to speak with MC on his behalf. FS finds this to be slightly amusing and tells Monty that maybe, MAYBE, he will help Monty out and he leaves it at that.

Yumali and Dena are walking toward the de la Vega home. Dena has started her education of Yumi and apparently Yumi has shared some of her knowledge of plants with Dena. ***Note, I think Jeanne said in one of her comments that Yumi is willing to become a lady because she thinks this is one way she can get Al to fall for her. When I read that Jeanne, I thought you are so right on. Very obvious now, but totally flew past me before. Thanks Jeanne.*** Anyway, Yumi must have been going over some of the plants she used to help Al’s wound heal. As the women get closer they figure out that there is a visitor at the house. They go inside and Al presents Dena, his fiancée to MC. MC teases Dena about how did she get such a man as Al to propose marriage. She (MC) yammers on about how Al is a keeper. Then she catches sight of Yumi who is standing in the background. Al tells MC that Yumi, Guadalupe, is recently baptized and just learning their customs. MC is taken aback by the resemblance between Yumi and Regina, Al’s deceased wife (I think she actually said ex-mujer). Dena seems upset to hear MC say this and Al seems a bit uncomfortable himself.

Esme runs into Renzo, the cute gypsy. Her guard knocks Renzo down and tells Esme that it is getting dangerous out there, too many gypsies. He tells Esme they better return because Monty isn’t going to like it that she went out. Still thinking of her note, Esme finds a little boy selling apples. Out of earshot from her guard, she asks the boy if he knows who Diego is. He says yes. She slips the boy the note, tells him that it is a secret and asks him to make sure that Diego gets the note. The boy agrees. Esme tells him to come later to Monty’s home and she’ll make sure he gets rewarded. The soldiers get Esme to head back home, and who do they run into, but Diego with Mariangel. END OF EPISODE

Labels: Zorro

Labels: duelo

Owing to operator error (you'd think I'd remember I have to turn the VCR **OFF** or it doesn't record) I don't have a tape of Mundo, and I'd told Ruth I'd pinch-hit for her tonight. Misery! Shame!

I put out a call last night: "Anybody who saw the show, leave details in the comments. I'll collate them as a post later."

UPDATE: I KNEW YOU'D COME THROUGH! Two brand new writers have helped me out...



Anybody have anything to add? Please thank Anita and Anya!!!!

Labels: mundo

Lety tells Tomas, yes she’s jealous! She’s dying of jealousy but what would he have her do. She says she’s going to have to restrain herself from showing it. Tomas asks her if it’s for her or Fer. She says neither, for Aldo, he can’t find out. Because she cares for him. He says, oh really. She says yes, really. He says well, he doesn’t care for you, and she says what? He says, no he looooves you. Aww, isn’t that just special. Lety says that’s the biggest reason he can’t know about this.

Tomas tells her that Aldo is very observant and figures everything out, it will be very hard to keep this from him, and asks her how she’s going to hide her jealousy that shows up ever so slightly on her face. Lety says she knows. She reaches into her purse (which does not seem to be a Moty one for a change) and pulls out her Natalie Woods. He tells her those won’t work. All those are going to do is make it a little darker and that’s all, it’s not really going to hide that green.

In the editing room, Fer is showing off to Carloca about the console and how he doesn’t really know how to turn it on or off except that they make films etc. She is impressed by the technology, and says they have put a fortune into it, he says something about a young president so they are up on the tech stuff to be modern and as such they are ambitious. She asks him how he lost the presidency and he mumbles that he committed some errors. She says well never mind you don’t have to explain anything to me, remember I just came here to shake up and disorganize your life. He says on the contrary you came here to give me life, to which a spying Oxi utters a noise in shock.

Fer catches Alibubi by seeing her reflection and he runs after her. He makes a joke of her name in English. Of course she denies that she was spying on them and says something about how Marcia asked her to check up on certain machines to make sure they were running ok. He makes fun and asks if she learned engineering and audio technical stuff in her 6 semesters. She tries to leave, but he introduces her to Carla instead. And tells who she is and why she’s here, and he asks if she would like more info like her measurements, her birthplace etc. Oxi says no, of course not she’s very discreet. After she leaves Fer says he hates her but sometimes she’s ok. Carloca thinks she’s nice. He thinks he still hates her. Car asks if she’ll call Marcia and he says obviously.

Fer continues showing Carla stuff and then he discovers Martha wandering past. He catches her too, and he figures Lety sent her and he gets all happy faced. Martha denies it, and he keeps joking with her until she starts taking it seriously and starts to cry. He backs off his jokes and tells her to go back and tell them all how busy he is with his "Visitor." Carloca comes up then and asks who she is, mentioning she a secretary, no? F- Yes, of human resources. He tells her he thinks Lety is spying on him and he’s very happy about it.

Lety recalls the news about Fer’s visitor and Lety decides she’s going to play his game, and she calls Aldo’s cell, apparently she doesn’t call it very often because he is surprised. She wonders when he is coming back, and he says she misses him and she agrees. He’s at the expo and will be leaving soon, but wonders if Fer got back and if she talked to him etc. and she tells him they only talked business. He tells her he has a surprise for her and she gets all excited about that; that she loves surprises.

Fer shows Carla the commercial Sabor de la Vida, obviously annoyed at the catch phrase, which originated with Aldo. Carloca thinks it’s great and wants to know who came up with idea. Fer says of course my Lety, er, the Presidenta Padilla. Carloca says she wants to meet her. Fer’s right eye twitches ala Lety! Twice! I hope it’s not catchy, I wouldn’t want that. Can you imagine people around your office or on the street suddenly breaking into this twitch?

Martha rejoins the cuartel to give them the scoop that she failed. The enemy discovered her. But, the good news is that Oxi was caught too. She also tells them Fer thinks Lety put her up to it.

Lety actually does some work on the phone about the floral arrangements for the expo. PM is summoned and she spills the beans that Fer is running around all over the business with his “Visitor”

Aldo shows up with his present for Lety, and Yasmin, uh Jasmin, doesn’t lose an opportunity to flirt with him while telling him where Lety is. Luigi runs into Aldo coming in with the present for Lety. He asks him if the present is for him, well assumes it’s for him because he is so deserving of such things. Aldo says, actually he has something just the same upstairs for him, but this one just isn’t the right thing. Lui says "No, cut, cut and repeat the scene, the Galan did not say what he was supposed to. He should have come up and said this lovely gift is for me and is an expression of his great love. And he could give a kiss, well that would be extra." Aldo laughs him off and says he’ll get his too.

Jasmin tells Luigi something about "also," and Luigi wants a cut again, what does she mean "also." She thinks the gift must be for Aldo's girlfriend. Lui frets to himself about what girlfriend and who could it really be for. If he knew it was for the Orrnitorinco ese, no doubt he would have another miminsqui.

PM tells Lety that Don Fer is leading Carla all over the firm. She says Alicia was spying on him too, but then he caught her and he introduced her. He caught Martha too. Lety is mad because she thinks if Don Fer finds out they are following him, he will think she sent them and she doesn’t want him to know that she’s even thinking about him. She begs PM to ask the cuartel to stop spying on him. PM apologizes for them.

Fer & Carla, still touring, Fer says sure he’ll introduce Lety, anyway they are going to work together, so they should meet. Carla asks him if he’s worried that she talks to Lety. He asks why and she tells him because they went out and well now she’s starting her fight for him and … ring ring Fer frantically reaches to grab his cell. Busted. It’s not his, it’s hers and she calls him on it. Turns out some other coworkers have arrived and she needs to have dinner with them so she’ll have to see him later. He walks off then remembers he should take her to the exit.

Aldo & Tomas are together in Aldo’s office and Aldo is bragging about his present to Lety and saying how he can now share his philosophy with the world, blah, blah, blah. Tomas has good and bad news for Aldo. The bad is that the peace & harmony in the firm is gone because Fer is back. Aldo already knew, what’s the good? That Fer showed up with a guapa on his arm and he thinks they are going together. Aldo asks him if he really thinks that’s good. What about Marcia and Lety’s feelings because surely she’ll be upset to see him with another woman even though she’s trying to forget him. Tomas thinks back to his conversation with Lety and begins to tell him that nah, she didn’t act jealous at all. Aldo seems shocked.

Fer come up to Martha and whispers that he will share something with her that she can tell all her buddies. Martha gets excited. He says that his esteemed visitor has now left the building. Go ahead and tell them all. He eats a chicharron and then mumbles with his mouth full to the cuartel that he had a private conversation with Martha.

They beg her to come over and tell them what he said. Before she can get it out, Simon shows up singing Don’t Cry for me Argentina in English and gives PM a gift. She’s really excited. Don’t get too happy now. For this I have to say he is quite creative. It’s a calendar with colored markers so she can mark each meeting with all of her men and a different color for each so she can keep them straight. PM is impactada, and really shows a good sad face. I felt her pain. She starts cry-screaming and walks out. The cuartel calls him rude.

Aldo is confused that Lety isn’t acting jealous over Fer. He asks Tomas if he thinks she’s over him, or getting over him? Tomas begs himself pardon for lying but lies through his teeth and says yes. He says he respects Aldo so much that he is going to call him his “Just Like” brother in law, Aldo wonders why, and Tomas explains because Lety is “Just Like” his sister, so he is the same. Man, Tomas is in on this grand conspiracy of Rosy Ocampo too. What will happen to all these high hopes for Aldo if they don’t get together? I wouldn’t care actually, I like Aldo, but he’s wearing on me, and well, of course I’m still routing for Fer.

Omar comes into the joint office [I just think this is a brilliant idea by the writers. What opportunities for funnies. Sorry, but I think these are some of the best scenes nowadays.]and ask Fer just where the heck he has been. Fer tells him he was showing around his visitor. Omar wonders if she is the same bonbon from NY, he tells him yes and then starts teasing him. Fer wonders where he’s going with his comments and realizes he might be trying to get the seat, so he preemptively strikes and offers it to Omar.

Omar is glad he warmed it for him. Omar questions him about Carla and if they came back together, Fer says no I first, then she on a different flight. Omar asks and in what capacity is she here. Fer says as executive, but Omar says no capacity to you, lover, friend with benefits, etc. and Fer says he won’t tell and gets up to leave. Omar now offers him the seat to make him stay. Fer asks what reason could he use to get in to see Lety. He decides he can ask her about tomorrow’s invitees. Omar tells him he should just leave the gargoyle alone and Fer says her name is Lety. He says he needs to go in and see her to see if she is jealous or not.

Tomas comes in to tell Lety of his little white lies to Aldo. She starts to get mad, and puts back on the sunglasses, but then Aldo shows up with “the gift.” Tomas takes this opportunity to exit stage left. Aldo gets all mushy as he hands Lety the book. He takes her hands and tells her he’s giving her the most special thing, his first book copy. She smiles a silly smile back. At the precise moment, Fer walks in with the folder and apologizes for interrupting but he wanted to ask Lety something, though he now sees she’s occupied. She says yes, Aldo is here to give me a gift, wink wink, and I need to pay attention to him. Fer checks the gift and says well, it’s not food at least. Aldo mutters that it’s of food, at least. Fer says fine he’ll leave so as not to interrupt. He mutters between his teeth that he can’t wait until Aldo dies, and Aldo mutters back through his chiclets that he can’t wait until Fern asphyxiates. They elbow each other.

Fern leaves and Lety asks if something was said. Aldo blows it off as a new form of communication between the two of them. Fer waits outside of the office and hears Lety feeling sorry for Marcia about this new chic. Fer goes back to the joint office and complains to Omar how mad he is and that Lety thinks he’s the lowest scum.

Aldo thinks maybe he’ll come back but Lety wants to open it and she’s very excited and says how important this is for her too, and that she feels privileged to get the first copy. I’m not sure I like the cover. Anyway, Aldo says it’s great, but what’s greater is the dedication inside. She reads it. “So what is the taste of love? With you love tastes like bliss.” Lety is muy impactada and walks around her desk to give him a big slo mo hug.

Julieta & Erasmo are at Casa Padilla. Erasmo is complaining about Aldo. He says he made a circus and a theatre show and everything else to keep me from seeing what he wrote in the book he had. Aldo is going around very mysteriously. Juli laughs and asks if he ever found out. Erasmo tells her she’s just like him.

Back in Lety’s office, Lety gets close to kissing Aldo on the lips when the phone rings. He tells her duty calls, she moves back in close again to try to kiss him, but he essentially just walks out on her. That was weird. She curses the phone saying she’ll disconnect it forever. But first she says it’s not fair to take out her jealousy of Fer on Aldo.

Julieta prays to Saint Jude that her daughter gets together with and will be happy with Aldo. She really likes Aldo for Lety.

Fer is yelling at Omar, he realizes Aldo must be giving her the book about garnachas, and papitas, and botanas. He’s making fun of all these little commoner type simple plain munchies. Omar thinks that must have perturbed him. He makes fun of Omar’s deduction, and O says it’s intuition. O wants to remind him who was supposed to be making whom jealous. Omar gets up and Fer crawls under the desk to get to the seat. Omar tells him that’s called stealing. He wants to know if she was jealous of Carla or not. Fer says of course not, she wasn’t jealous I was the jealous one. He wishes he could just be firm and show her that she doesn’t matter nor does that fryguy Aldo. Omar says you wish that you could fake it or that it is true?

Oscar and Felix go out of the office and run into Aldo. Ok for those of you who don’t think Aldo has ulterior motives or an evil bone in his body, this next scene is for you. When Aldo runs into Fer, Fer greets him and makes fun of his new book, but Aldo instead notes Fer is the same womanizer as ever and asks Fer what Marcia would think about his new conquest. Sorry, but that’s low. He has no business saying anything of the sort. Needless to say, this almost brings Fer to blows and Omar has to intervene. He can be useful occasionally. More words about common food are slung as Omar coerces Fer away. Aldo walks away asking the cuartel to advise him when the meeting starts.

The cuartel descend on Lety’s office. They tell her that PM has left them because Simon did something mean to her. They need PM because of the Secretary’s day dance show and beg Lety to talk to PM. They notice the book. Grubby ingrates, they grab the book and practically rip the cover off to look at it, luckily Irma gets it away and hands it back to Lety but not before it suffers some rumples. Lety tries to smooth them out for the whole rest of their conversation. She agrees she’ll see what she can do.

Fer is screaming with Omar again about Aldo meddling in his private life. Omar tells him it looked as if he was going to punch him. Fer says O understands nothing. O says it’s hard to find the square in the circle. O thinks maybe he came back “pior” from NY which is worse than “peor” (which is worse) and wonders why he doesn’t go away for another month. Fer says if he goes for year, a decade, or a century it’s still worse because what I can’t get rid of is my feelings and I will not forget that Lety and Aldo slept together in that damned cabana for the whole night, one damned night, the whole night!!!!!

Tonight I just wanted to say something. Almost everyday we read in the comments thank yous to the recappers, well I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all the readers and especially the commenters for their contributions. Without you all, we’d not be much more than working to get carpal tunnel syndrome. (I say this after typing for a while and noticing the pains.. :) Anyway, thanks to you all for reading and sharing your comments and enjoying the recaps with us!!

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!!!

Labels: fea

Rosita and Flor cry together because Rosita was raped. Rosita tells Flor that guys who violate women aren't men, they are pigs, animals. Flor asks if Rosita has any idea who did it. Rosita says, "Yes, it was Maximo Valtierra and I hope he burns in hell!" Flor is surprised to hear this about Emilio's uncle. "Do you have proof?" she asks. Rosita cries, "Yes, that night I scratched him in the chest. I sank my nails in his skin trying to defend myself and had to have left a scar. Later I found out he returned to his hacienda scratched up. That means it was him. It was him!"

Castulo enters his cabin with an armload of wood and an unbuttoned shirt. After dropping the wood he walks to the mirror to inspect his manly physique. But no, I'm wrong! He opens his shirt to reveal deep scratch marks on his chest! As he inspects his injury Thelma enters and asks why his chest is scratched. He brushes her off, saying he did it cutting firewood.

Thelma instructs Castulo to look for Gaspar and tell him never to return to La Rinconada. "Yes Patrona," Castulo smirks,"but first pay me for the favor." He grabs her but she pushes him away, "I'm not in the mood." He suggests she go to the cave and deliver the message herself. "OK Castulo, OK," she agrees, then throws him on the bed. I wonder how Thelma would feel if she knew she was boinking the village rapist?

Flor tells Rosita she should denounce Don Max. Rosita says she can't because he is Santos' real father. Flor is all "Que????" Rosita says no way can she tell Santos that she is expecting his father's child.

Don Loco is having a discussion with Hugo. I think Don Loco asks, "What pretext to those who are dying of hunger have for going on strike?" (As if dying of hunger isn't enough!) Hugo says he thinks they are doing it so Don Loco will come out to see them. They say Don Loco no longer gives his attention to the sugar cane plantation. Don Loco advises Hugo to give them a little raise. Hugo says it's not that simple. The workers feel they don't have job security because Loco spends all his time at the coffee plantation. (Seeing as how Loco whips the workers whenever he visits I don't really buy this, but OK, it moves the plot along.) Don Loco agrees to go with Hugo to Veracruz the next day. Every day the cane plantation doesn't work is money lost. Loco tells Sergio to guard his wife with orders to shoot if she tries to escape. Hugo looks discomfited with this remark. As they leave Hugo makes some sort of sign to Sergio and almost walks into the wall.

Alina is walking in the La Rinconada garden haunted by Rosita's words "Can't tell Santos..." when she is joined by Angel. He tells her that Emilio is jealous of their friendship, he (Emilio) still loves her in spite of the fact that he is trying to forget her. She says he is going away because he's disappointed to see her as a maid. Angel says "That can't dull your beauty, Alina. You could be dressed in anything and you would still be beautiful." She gives him a smile, "You're just saying that to be nice." After she leaves he admits "No, I'm not nice, I just love you."

Sergio brings Soledad her dinner. When she asks why Adela didn't bring it he says he's just following Don Loco's orders. Don Loco went to Veracruz and he is allowed to shoot her if she tries to escape. Any attempt that she makes to leave her room will not go against her but against her daughter. Soledad waits a nanosecond before hauling off and smacking him on the face. "How dare you show me this lack of respect!" she shouts. "Wahh, the boss said I could," he whines. He holds his smarting face and leaves the room. She throws the dinner tray against the wall with a loud crash and calls him (Sergio or Alvaro?) stupid.

Jose and Arcadio are in jail. Jose can't sleep, he has to see Mariana. Conveniently for Jose a couple of jailbirds in a neighboring cell are planning their escape that very night. They look like losers but maybe they are great escape artists.

Santos admits to his mami that he's pining for Rosita. He wants to apologize to Rosita for being a stupid boob but he can't leave his mama while she's sick. Carmen feels bad and admits she was faking her illness to keep him there. I would say they have a sick relationship but she has a good reason, she doesn't want Santos to be around Don Max. He says he needs to be by Rosita's side and to spend his life with her. Ma cuts the apron strings and tells him to be very careful of Don Max.

Thelma returns to her room flushed and satisfied. She sees a figure in the dark and assumes it's Orlando, "I told you I don't like you coming in my room when I'm not here!" Aha! It's Emilio! He asks doesn't he have the right to be in his own wife's room? Where was she? "Uh...walking, and uh...I lost track of the time," she answers. Since he was looking out the window before she came in maybe he saw where she was. If so he doesn't seem to care. He tells her he has good news for her. They are going to Pueblo at the end of the week. She's thrilled, smooches all over him, and says she can't wait to tell her auntie.

There is a funny scene between the singing aunt and Don Max. Basically, she is hitting up on him as usual. She fans herself and tells him he's a charming conversationalist. "The only one talking is you," he retorts. "Tell me," she says, ignoring his sarcasm, "have you ever considered marriage? Having someone take care of you?" His answer is to pour himself a drink. As he passes her she says "Gracias!" and tries to grab it. "No, it's for me," he grunts.

She sprawls on his desk and rolls her rrrrr's dramatically, "Alguien quien yo puedo cuidarrrrrr, apapacharrrrrr, tengo tanto parrrrrra darrrrrr." (Somebody that I can take care of, to spoil, I have so much to give.") Don Max looks like he has indigestion. Thelma saves him by interrupting and sharing the good news that they are finally returning to Puebla. Max hands auntie the glass and remarks that he is glad they're leaving. She "sings", offers a toast, and slams down the booze.

Gaspar is in the cave and Luba returns with a basket of herbs. She complains about her age and aching bones. Gaspar points out that Flor used to gather the herbs. He misses Flor and Tonky. Luba says Emilio had better be treating her right. Gaspar doesn't have confidence in Señor Emilio, he still owes him one muñequita for saving his brother. He announces he will go see how Flor is doing. Luba orders him to stay put and get her some wacky weed. (OK, she says tobacco but I think we all know what it really is.)

Stupid Alina pines for Emilio, so near and yet so far. At the same time Stupid Emilio pines for her, "Alina is not for me, Thelma is expecting my child, must forget Alina, must flee from Alina."

The other two jailbirds reveal their brilliant plan. One of them will feign illness and the other will call the guards. I guess the guards have never watched cartoons, seen a TV, seen a movie, read a comic book or any other book because they fall for this lame trick. A big guard with a big stick goes into the cell and allows himself to be overpowered. The other guard must be deaf as he seems oblivious to the struggle. The jailbirds grab the first guard's gun and shoot the second guard on their way out. Jose and Arcadio steal the dead guard's keys and escape.

Sierra Escondido - Don Max and Emilio are admiring their coffee plantation. Stupid Emilio comments that it's surprising such a rich plantation is earning them so little money. Max gets all shifty-eyed and says it takes a while for profits to show. Stupid Emilio pats Max on the back and says he knows the plantation is in good hands. Emilio leaves and Don Max looks very thoughtful about something.

Castulo, who has been hanging out nearby, asks Don Max what's on his mind. Is he bummed out because his nephew is leaving? Max says no, it's something else. Yesterday Rebeca (the singing aunt) told him a man like him needed a woman to care for him, a wife. Castulo says it's hard to find a wife way up there. "Oh, I've already found her. I was thinking, if I take the blame for raping Rosita then maybe her dad will make her marry me. What do you think?" (I think Don Max got hit with the stupid stick and also has a death wish, but he didn't ask ME, he asked Castulo the village rapist.) "Gosh Don Maximo, don't tell me the girl was raped," Castulo says. "Yes, but let's keep it between ourselves," suggests Don Max, "I want to see Braulio's face when I tell him it was me." (OK, stupid stick and death wish for sure.) Castulo thought bubbles "Ah Don Maximo, if you only knew it was I who raped Rosita. You are so enamored with the girl you're willing to take the blame for what I did..." Ewwwww! Maldito violador!!!

Flor is cleaning La Rinconada and Thelma comes downstairs to torment her. She throws her napkin onto the ground and says she's glad to see Flor working, that way she won't have time to ruin her marriage to Emilio. Flor says Thelma is wrong, she thinks it's important that Emilio be respectful of Thelma for the sake of their child. Uh Oh...Gaspar peeks around the corner. He's eavesdropping! He must have snuck out while Luba was stoned. Thelma says Flor is a hypocrite, she is dying of envy knowing in just a few months Thelma will have Emilio's child.

Gaspar smiles, "All right! My muñequita IS going to have my child!" He runs out and grabs Thelma, "Why did you lie to me, why? why?" Thelma screams for him to let her go. Flor stares at them, completely baffled.

Thelma orders Flor to the kitchen as Gaspar continues to ask why she lied. Thelma slaps him and tells him to shut up, tomorrow she'll explain everything. He must leave now, does she have to get on her knees to beg? (Gets on knees.) Gaspar says no, she can come to the cave tomorrow. He surprises her with a quick kiss on the cheek before hopping out of the room. "Damn it!" she swears, wiping her cheek.

Puebla - General Ochoa tells Emilio's four friends, the cute soldiers that were party animals, that the military has received word of Jose and Arcadio's escape. The soldiers are to be dispatched to Sierra Escondido immediately. They are to report to Emilio who will head the posse to capture the fugitives.

Jose tells Arcadio he plans to go to his cabin then look for Mariana. He will tell Don Loco the truth that Alina is not his kid and that Soledad didn't betray him. He will approach the raging fire that is Don Loco and try to douse that fire with gasoline. Arcadio wisely decides it's time to separate. He give Jose his jacket and takes off.

Flor goes to the kitchen and tells Vera about the weird episode between Thelma and Gaspar. Vera says Gaspar is half crazy. Flor says no, he's not, and she intends to talk to him about it. Thelma comes in, fondles the chef's knife, and orders Flor to help her pack because Emilio is taking her from this horrible place tomorrow.

Jose enters his cabin which is oddly tidy considering the last person there was Don Loco who completely trashed the joint. He starts to carve Mariana's name in the wall, then he thinks, "Marianita can't die until she sees her mama, I'm going to find her now."

Flor weeps because Emilio is leaving. Suddenly he rides up and asks why she's crying, did Thelma do something? She says Thelma told her he is going to Puebla and they will never see each other again, boo hoo.

Soledad tells Adela that since Don Loco is in Veracruz she has to see Flor. They have the same old conversation. A="Sergio's on guard." S="You must help me."

Angel walks up while Emilio and Alina are saying a bunch of stupid stuff to each other. Angel says something stupid to Emilio and Emilio stupidly leaves in a huff. Stupid Alina says maybe it's better that Emilio completely forgets her. Angel and Alina look stupidly at each other.

Gaspar paces the cave in deep thought. He admits to Luba that he went to La Rinconada to see Flor. He tells Luba that Thelma lied to him about losing the baby. Luba is impactada.

Nora is surprised to see a strange man in Hacienda Loco. "Jose Gomez!" exclaims a startled Adela. He says he came to speak with Mariana. "MISS Mariana was here a day ago to tell her brother she is going to get married," says Adela. Jose = going to commercial impactado.

Adela asks Jose why he looks so pale. She says she's sure Mariana said she's getting married, she heard her say it with her own ears. Why does he care so much about the Patron's sister? Jose gives some ridiculous excuse about using Mariana as a mediator between him and Don Loco. He wants to fix things, nothing more. He doesn't wish to be the cause of Soledad's problems. He wants to talk to Soledad and explain things. Adela says she'll go distract Sergio first, but as luck would have it Sergio barges in and sees Jose.

Thelma tells auntie that Gaspar discovered she didn't lose the baby. She has to convince Emilio to leave for Puebla as quickly as possible. She'd have to go a lot farther than Puebla to get away from Gaspar.

Sergio and Jose try to fight but Adela breaks them up. They puff their chests at each other. Jose says he's leaving for now but he'll be back to settle things with Don Loco.

Luba has a hissy fit at Gaspar, "Everything that has to do with that Thelma is pure hell, it's damn hell!" Gaspar says Luba also lied by saying she believed Thelma's lie. He says Luba should have known because she's not stupid like Gaspar. He rubs his head as if he's trying to get rid of the stupid. He sobs that nobody fools Luba, that's why he trusted her, but she lied to him, "Why ma, why?" "For your own good son," she admits, "so you would forget her and this child that isn't yours." Gaspar rocks back and forth and cries, "No, it's mine but you don't want to believe me. You're as bad as Thelma! I don't want to live here anymore." He says there are other caves in the mountains and he knows how to work. Tomorrow he'll look for work at the coffee plantation. He stomps out of the cave and Luba prays to the Virgencita for help.

Efigenio is in Jose's cabin. He's asking about his cousin Arcadio. Jose says he left for Mexico City. Efigenio says Don Loco will kill Jose if he sees him. He agrees to loan Jose a horse so Jose can get out of Sierra Escondido.

Sexy Nurse Susi has changed her tight pants for a white headband that she's wearing as a skirt. She's taking Angel's blood pressure and if he were a real man the cuff would explode considering that SNS is bending way down over him. But noooo, stupid Angel continues to mope for Alina. Emilio shows up and they mope together.

Emilio is in the process of giving Orlando instructions about taking over for him when Vera arrives to say that their soldier buddies have just arrived and need to see them right away.

Darn, I thought I'd get through this episode without having to see Marianita! Juanito the singing patient tells her he is singing on TV again tonight and he'll dedicate his song to her. "Last night I dreamed of Estrellita," she weakly responds, "she's coming to take me to heaven." Juanito insists she's not going to die, he knows she'll be fine.

The soldiers tell Emilio he can't go to Puebla as planned. They need to hunt down the dangerous fugitive named...Jose Gomez! Flor hears the name and drops some pans on the floor with a crash. Apparently Jose Gomez is in Sierra Escondida and it's their mission to capture him. Emilio gives them their orders and they all leave. All except Orlando who sits brooding on the couch, "Once again I lose."

Dr. Love tells Mariana that it's time to take Marianita home. There's nothing more they can do. He apologizes for not being honest with her. She apologizes for being hard on him. He apologizes for being afraid to lose her. They have a mutual love and apology fest. They hug and make up. She says she needs him right now. If she only knew...

Gaspar is still pacing the cave, but it must be the morning after his last pacing as he is wearing a brand new shirt and looks very spiffy. This must be the morning that his muñequita has promised to come to "explain everything." Luba comments that she's glad he decided to stay. He says he's there because "she" promised to come. Luba tells him to leave "that woman" in peace. She finds the jacket that he bought for her in Puebla and puts it over his shoulders. He starts to smile and look dreamy. But no! He removes the jacket. "No ma, I don't forget anything, least of all that liar. She's not going to make a fool of me!" He stalks out of the cave. "That damn Thelma," Luba snarls, "I hope nothing happens..."

Orlando soothes his bad mood by informing Thelma that she might as well stop packing, she's not going to Puebla as planned. He graps her stuff and starts putting it back in her drawers.

Jose is smoking in bed. Doesn't he know that's dangerous? He recalls Adela's words that Mariana intends to marry. "No! I must stop her," he vows. Efigenio arrives with bad news. He just saw some soldiers and they are going to start searching for Jose.

Thelma comes downstairs and begins her usual rant. Gaspar jumps out and demands to know why she stood him up. "Because I can't stand you! Because you're repulsive," she shrieks. Gaspar grabs her skinny neck and starts to strangle her. Wow, it looks real. I wonder if she pissed him off in real life. Gaspar yells, "I'm going to kill you!" Emilio runs downstairs and pulls Gaspar off Thelma. Orlando pulls out his gun and shoots Gaspar in the ribs! Noooooo! He falls, bleeding. Thelma pants and Emilio is muy impactado.

Advance for tomorrow: speaking of shooting, it looks like Jose gets shot while trying to escape.

rasguño = scratch
cicatrix = scar
en heulgo = on strike
apapachar = to cuddle, to spoil
Maldito violador = Damn rapist!

Labels: duelo

* Nurse gives Leo the test results for LG and LD in the hospital hallway. He starts to read them and is shocked by what it says. He asks the nurse to bring Gabe and MA to the consultation room, he needs to speak with them ASAP.

* Leo enters the room - Gabe and MA are curious - Leo pauses at the desk and slowly tells MA the results of the tests show that LD isn't her son - she's in shock and Gabe is confused - Leo goes on to tell them that Jossie is the mother of LD, MA is the mother of LG. Gabe is in disbelief and yells his outrage. He wants an explanation. Leo can't offer any, only that the test results don't lie. Gabe and MA are having a difficult time understanding - Leo will go to discuss this with the two attending physicians at the time of the boys' births to find out more information. Leo leaves. Gabe gives MA a hug.

* German is finishing his destruction in Leo's rural route clinic. He laughs at his success in destroying all the medicine and vaccines in the place. He leaves.

* Leo meets with Dr. F and Dr. V to discover from Dr. F that Miriam ordered that Jossie and her son be released before it was safe to do so. Leo takes charge in questioning the nurses on duty at the nursery, as well as keep MA and Gabe abreast of the developments.

* Mastin drags Elsa's lifeless body to the hospital emergency room door.

* MA and Gabe stop Jossie in the hallway - MA scolds Jossie with the accusation that Jossie switched the babies - Jossie is shocked and mortified by the accusation and denies it. Gabe jumps into the argument on MA's side - Jossie yells louder than the two of them that she is innocent and is outraged that they would accuse her of doing such a thing. Gabe tells Jossie that there will be an investigation and he will see to it that those at fault will be brought to justice.

* Nurses find the limp Elsa outside the emergency room door and bring her inside.

* Leo talks with the nurse who was working at the nursery that night. She tells Leo that she remembers finding Miriam at the nursery door, and that she says she was looking at her grandson. Leo concludes that Miriam may be the culprit who made the switch.

* Calmed down a bit, Jossie and Gabe are alone in the hallway and continue to discuss MA's accusation of Jossie. Jossie continues to deny and say she is innocent. He is still skeptical. Jossie ends by accusing Gabe of starting the battle in the first place and then walks away.

* Leo and the nurse continue their discussion when another nurse enters frantic and tells Leo about the lady they just brought in unconscious. Leo ends the discussion and leaves with the frantic nurse.

* As the nurse brings Leo into the room, he sees Elsa in the bed not moving. He gives the nurse some orders, and starts to tend to his sister. He talks with her and kisses her forehead. He says he will do whatever medically necessary to save her life.

* German and Cecilia have a fierce discussion in their living room about his obsessive compulsive need to control her life. She wants some freedom to go out and have a life. He refuses to even consider it. She wants to see Leo - he forbids it. Before leaving the room, German tells Cecilia that Leo has returned to Mexico City/Cuencas, and insinuates that Leo has either a girlfriend back there or is already married. Cecilia has tears in her eyes.

* Gabe meets with Nick in the hallway - Gabe is determined to go to the police and start an investigation against Jossie, for switching LG and LD.

* Jossie returns to the palace and in the office tells Miriam that Gabe and MA have discovered the truth about LD and LG - and there may be grave consequences because of it.

* Demian sits alone in his office, contemplating his revenge scheme and his favor that he wants Jossie to carry out (to kill Gabe).

* Jossie is sitting in MA's bedroom holding LD in her arms.

* Candy and Sylvester find Leo in the hospital waiting room - Leo tells them the upsetting news that Elsa was brought in unconscious due to alcohol poisoning.

* Candy sits and cries at Elsa's bedside.

* Leo visits Miriam at her palace office. He confronts her about the switch of LD and LG - he asks her directly if she did it - she stares at him a moment, then responds in horror how mortified she is that he would even ask her that, she is his real mom after all. Leo says he knows that, but he also remembers that she is a fiera and is capable of anything. She is still shocked at his accusations and thinks Candy put the doubts in his head. Leo apologizes but restates that he has to investigate this, it is part of his job.

* Jossie is playing with LD in MA's bedroom - MA enters with an update on LG - Jossie isn't interested, LG isn't her son, she has her son right here in her arms. MA is starting to cry and wants to hold LD - Jossie denies her request. MA continues to whine and cry and beg - Jossie continues to deny the request, MA and Gabe now know the truth and they can take care of LG - she and only she will care for LD, he is her son. Jossie carries LD out the door, and leaves MA alone crying.

* Elsa starts to wake and sees Leo, Candy and Sylvester standing beside her bed. They start to talk to her - she cries that she wants to live - Candy says she will. Elsa says she needs help but won't return to the center - Candy and Sylvester promise she won't ever return there. Elsa apologizes for her actions and her alcoholism - Candy accepts the apology.

* Nick and Gabe meet again in the hallway. Gabe is more determined than ever to go full force and get the police involved. He also wants to go after Miriam, as Jossie's accomplice.

* At the palace, Mayeya opens the door - the police detective is there to speak with Miriam. Miriam comes downstairs and the detective tells her she needs to go with him to make a statement about Gabe's accusation of baby switching. Miriam suspects he is doing this because of Leo.

* Sylvester and Elsa have a heart-to-heart talk in private. She talks about her alcoholism and their relationship. She says he isn't to blame for her actions, the only one responsible for what happened is her. He is crying and frustrated. He wants to help her but she keeps rejecting him - she asks for forgiveness - he just wants to see her happy.

* Miriam arrives at the police squad room - Nick and Gabe are already there - she confronts Gabe and Nick about getting the police involved in this matter. Gabe and Nick defend their actions. Jossie enters to support her mom, and then gets into a shouting match with Gabe for getting the police involved and accusing her and her mom like this.

* Leo and Candy share a hug at the apartment before he leaves for the rural clinic.

* Cecilia returns home upset and confronts her father about destroying all the medicine and vaccines in Leo's office. German gets after her for accusing him - she continues - he slaps her - she yells at him that it was his fault that her mother ran away from him. He orders her to go to her room.

* Demian calls Jossie for an update but Jossie is busy and hangs up. Demian thinks that if Jossie doesn't kill Gabe, he will have to kill her.

* Elsa stands up in front of the AA meeting and introduces herself to the group. As she starts to tell her tragic tale with alcohol, Sylvester and Candy sit in the back of the room and listen with the rest of the group members. As Elsa talks, she starts to cry (buckets of telenovela tears). At the end, everyone applauds.

* Leo stands in the hacienda living room and confronts German for destroying all the medicine and vaccines in his office. German sits on the sofa with a gun in his hand and denies the charges. Leo continues to accuse German - German gets up and orders him to leave immediately - Leo goes nose to nose with German and then leaves. German grumbles about wanting to kill Leo - Cecilia enters the room and overhears his grumbling and asks him what he means by it.

* Jossie and Miriam are talking in the bedroom when Gabe enters. Miriam leaves. Gabe politely asks Jossie to permit MA to hold LD - she did care for him as his mother since infancy. Jossie outright refuses to even consider the request. Gabe is frustrated, and calmly tells Jossie to reconsider or be forced to comply. Gabe leaves.

* Mayeya and Tweety are cleaning in the office and amusing MA with their chatter. They start to pull out the drawer of the bureau. MA sees the envelope and pulls it from the bottom of the drawer. MA opens and reads it - it is the lost letter/will of Don Clemente saying that MA is his only heir. MA, Mayeya and Tweet are shocked and surprised. (AY! CARAY! CARAY!)

THE GRAND FINALE IS FRIDAY!

Labels: mundo

This is going to be short because I didn’t tape the episode and I had a lot of interruptions while watching it. So please, if I left out anything important, fill in the blanks.

The episode opens with Esmeralda threatening Montero with a gun. He asks her if she is crazy. All it would take would be one call to his men and she’d be dead. He goes on to make a joke about her wanting to be a widow once again. She says that she would be willing to die in order to save Diego, and she'd kill Monty before she’d be taken out by his men. She demands that he write out an order finding Diego de la Vega innocent of all charges --of being the outlaw Zorro, breaking out of prison , and kidnapping Esme. She also wants Montero to have this order read in the town plaza and an apology given to the entire de la Vega family. Monty tells Esme she’s got to be joking. She tells him that she is willing to cut a deal. She will accept that she is Monty’s spouse and live with him as his wife. She won’t back out of the deal because she knows he is a cruel and vengeful man, she is not willing to risk him harming her family or Diego’s family any more. Monty agrees to the deal and he writes out the order. Esme demands to read it over and reminds him that the official stamp of the military has to be placed on the document in order for it to be valid. Monty complies. Monty calls out for one of his soldiers and orders the man to have Pizarro read it in the plaza the next morning at dawn. Monty attempts to get Esme to drink a toast and put down the gun. Esme refuses and tells Monty she’ll continue to hold him at gunpoint until the order is read at dawn.

Nutty Nun gives Fernando a message “from” Maria Pia. She asks him to write one for her to deliver back to Maria Pia. Fernando questions this and NN says that Maria Pia is in the middle of a religious retreat. This all seems quite suspicious to FS. He’s not going to give NN what she wants. So NN goes to see the doctor and asks him if he knows someone with good handwriting. Me thinks she’s going to dabble into forgery. How naughty our nutty nun has become.

Almudena and Dolores have a plan to distract the soldiers stationed in the house. They want to provide Diego with a means of escape. They dangle a carrot, well literally a whole meal. Dolores cooks up some stuff in the kitchen and gets the soldiers to go eat supper. SAM thinks it might be nice if they could sample some of Alejandro’s wine to go with the meal. Dena goes to find Diego while the soldiers are eating. They rehash what’s happened with Esme and how Diego found out that the judge actually married Esme and Monty. Diego tells Dena that Esme took off again. Alejandro overhears this and is concerned. Diego tells Dena that he won’t be sneaking out right then, he wants to go to his room and think things over. Later he’ll sneak out his window. He and Bernardo head back to his room, where the two of them rehash what’s happened and discuss what they can do to save Esme. They mention that Esme might get into some serious trouble if she thinks that “pistol” lighter is really a gun (Oh No!!! She’s holding Monty up with a lighter. She’s going to be in trouble). Bernie suggests that Zorro save her, but Diego poo poos that idea, it is too risky and could lead to Monty really finding out that Diego is Zorro. Diego is determined to fix things himself.

Padre Tomas and the Cardinal are eating dinner together. The Cardinal lets PT know that he is seriously considering Maria Pia to become the Mother Superior. PT likes this news. The Cardinal (TC) says he hasn’t made his mind up for sure, in fact he’s waiting for a divine sign. He goes on to tell PT what the Nutty Nun had to say about Maria Pia and Fernando. PT suggests that NN’s jealous of MP and aiming for the job of Mother Superior herself. TC isn’t too convinced and he asks PT to tell him what he thinks about MP’s feeling for FS. Padre Tomas says that Fernando is part of Maria Pia’s past. Yes, she was in love with him and they were engaged, but that was a long time ago. TC questions further and PT says that MP probably remembers her past before devoting her life to God, just like the two of them remember their lives before entering the priesthood---the memories don't affect how devoted they are to their calling. PT goes one step further and says that he’d put his hands in the fire for Maria Pia, she is the right person for the job, in his opinion.

Meanwhile, Maria Pia shows up at Al’s home. She is surprised to find the soldiers there. SAM asks MP to not stay too long, he really shouldn't allow Al to have any visitors because Monty has ordered Al to remain incommunicado. MP gets brought up to speed from Dolores on what’s happened with Diego. The she finds Al and the two of them rehash some more on what’s happened with Diego and Esme. They get Dolores to spill the beans on the latest development, that Esme has gone back to Monty. Al is, get this, worried!!! (shocked aren’t you?) This time about Diego. They mutter poor Diego, how must he be feeling right now……

Diego is alone, out riding his white horse. He flashes back to all of the key points in his relationship with Esme---how they met, their first kiss, their interlude in the stream, etc. These flashbacks don’t make me feel so good, as they can only foretell bad things to come for our main couple. Oh woe is Diego…..

Yumali, dressed once again in her native garb, places a feather on her pillow. She recalls conversations she had with Dena and Dolores about Al. She decides that Dena is of the same class as Al and therefore Al should be with Dena, so Yumi plans on leaving. Dena catches her on her way out and asks where she is going. They rehash some stuff and Dena tells Yumi not to go, Al asked her to forgive Yumi for hurting Al. Yumi questions Dena, why would she want her to stay when Yumi tried to kill Dena’s brother, FS. Dena says she knows that her brother has hurt many people, including Yumi’s family. Dena wants to give Yumi a second chance and Yumi made up for it by helping heal Al. Dena wants to help Yumi by giving her an education. The two women come to some sort of truce. (Ed. Note---I see this as causing Dena some big problems down the road.)

Esme dozes off in her chair and Monty makes a move to take her “gun”. She wakes up and demands he show his hands. He tells her that he only needed to use the bathroom.

Pizarro gets Monty’s orders and questions them, this has got to be a joke. But ever the good follower, Pizarro says he'll go ahead and fulfill Monty’s request. However, he does not want to have to apologize to anyone in the de la Vega family. In fact, he’s still got a score to settle with Diego.

Dawn has come, and Esme falls asleep again, but luckily for her so did Monty. Unfortunately, Monty wakes up before she does. He sneaks over and removes her gun, only to discover that it is a harmless lighter---the worst Esme could do would be to set his bleached blond hair on fire.

Diego has arrived outside of Monty’s place. He calls out to Monty, telling him that he’s there to turn himself in. Diego demands to see Esme, he tells ehr that she doesn't have to do this. Monty tells Esme that if she’s going to keep her end of the deal, she’s got to go out and tell Diego that she’s agreed to remain with Monty. The two step out on the balcony and Monty tells Diego, per his wife’s request, he has issued a decree which finds Diego to be innocent of all charges. Esme tells Diego that after thinking things through, it is best for her to remain with her husband. Diego can’t believe it, but Montero makes a comment about what it took for Esme to convince him into doing this. The implication gets to Diego and he walks away, toward the plaza where Pizarro is publicly declaring Diego innocent. Pizarro and Diego exchange some words. Pizarro taunts Diego, reminding him of his prison torture. Diego promises Pizarro that there will be payback. Pizarro also tells Diego, that as they speak, the soldiers are leaving the de la Vega home---Al has been declared innocent of being a conspirator, since Diego has been declared innocent of being Zorro. To add further to Diego's doubts, Pizarro speculates about what kind of wedding gift Esme gave Montero in order for him to be so generous with Diego's pardon.

Mariangel hears that Diego has been cleared and that Esme has returned to Monty. Now, she is convinced, the time is right for her to make Diego hers. He’s obviously going to have a broken heart and be all alone. She goes home and gussies herself up. She pumps Olmos for compliments on how beautiful she looks. All her preparation for Diego makes Olmos jealous.

Diego goes back home, and is greeted by many of his employees. He finds Al and Maria Pia. He tells them what has happened with Esme, that she choose to be with Monty. Diego can only imagine what Esme did in order to convince Monty to declare him innocent. It is obvious to him that he and Esme weren’t meant to be together. Diego decides he was never meant to be in love. So that old Diego is dead—the new one I presume will be bitter and oblivious to the love that Esme has for him, blind to the sacrifices she’s made, even though her letter she left him pretty much spells it all out. Anyway, the new Diego, however, is not going to forgive and forget too easily. He states that Montero took the only woman he ever loved, and for that he’ll pay.

Alone with Monty, Esme threatens to kill herself when he tries to make her fulfill her wifely obligations. Montero laughs when she puts her “gun” to her forehead. He tells her to go ahead. She tells him that she’ll follow through on this before she’d ever let him touch her. Then inspiration strikes, she’ll take him out before she offs herself. Taunted by Monty, Esme aims the gun at his chest and pulls the trigger. She only gets a little flame. Now that she knows that she is basically defenseless, Montero goes in for the attack. He’s going to make her his wife in all sense of the word, and it can be done the hard way or the soft way. It’s up to her. END OF EPISODE

Labels: Zorro

At the editor's office, Aldo has the pleasure of hearing Erasmo's story about his wealthy uncle Lazaro who attained his fortune through hard work. Erasmo notices that Aldo is not listening and is instead writing in his book. Aldo explains that he is writing a dedication to someone very special. Erasmo wants to know who, but Aldo says he would like to hear more about Uncle Lazaro. Erasmo happily obliges and begins anew the story of his exception Uncle Lazaro.

Back at the office "the boys" go on about how much they missed each other. They walk through the secretaries lobby and embrace. The girls look at them as though this is a strange act. Once the men realize they're being stared at, they immediately separate. The men decide to be "manly" and instead slap each other on the back and say how much they missed each other. Omar excuses himself to go take care of some business with Luigi. Omar passes Juana and tells her she looks lovely today. Fernando walks over to Sara to ask if Lety is in her office. Sara affirms. Fernando turns to the rest of the secretaries and tells them that they are all pretty. He goes on for a while about how much he finds all women attractive. Alicia has a difficult time understanding this, but luckily she's saved by her ringing phone. It's Marcia, who's finally made it to México. Alicia tells Marcia to hurry to the office. Fernando's arrived and gone directly into Lety's office. Alicia understands that Marcia cannot do anything, but Alicia insists that is necessary that Marcia be present.

In Lety's office Fernando greets Ms. Padilla Solis. Lety whimsically glances at him and then drops her pen. It takes her a moment, but she stands up and greets him as well. She did not know that he already arrived. He explains that he wanted to prepare some things for her before coming to see her. Lety asks about the trip. He replies that the trip was excellent and that the campaign is ready for the United States. Lety thanks him as he hands her his papers. He tells her that the only thing they need now is for Marcia to arrive from Europe with good news. Lety agrees. Fernando asks about tomorrow's expo. She explains that Caro will be arriving later and they will have a small meeting about the expo. Lety then asks if he likes the new office decorations. He politely replies that it looks very pretty. He didn't realize that a rainbow was born from Conceptos. He also says that the painting gives a nice touch. Lety asks him to be present in the meeting later. He agrees and asks if all the guests for the expo have arrived. She says that most have. He asks if they are attended to well. She says yes, and not to worry about it. He tells her that someone very important to the campaign will be arriving in a few minutes. He then excuses himself and tells Lety that he will see her in the meeting. She watches him leave and then says her catchphrase "Don Fernando, tan divino." [Don Fernando, so divine.]

Arco iris - Rainbow

Now that he's outside of Lety's office, Fernando pumps his fist in triumph. He knows that he just scored a slam-dunk. None of the secretaries notice this. Alicia stands up and heads to the bathroom with her clown kit. She announces to the cuartel that she's going to the bathroom to make herself more beautiful. Luigi, Caro and Omar enter the secretaries' lobby. Luigi really does not want to go see the "platypus", Lety. Caro changes the subject and says how nice the office looks. . Omar agrees with Caro's compliments. Luigi strokes his own ego for a moment, then Caro greets the cuartel. PM advises Caro that Lety is waiting for the trio in her office. Caro turns and runs into Fernando. He tells Caro about how nice his trip was. Luigi thinks that if it was so nice, why didn't Fernando just stay there? Fernando responds by saying that he really missed Luigi as well. Fernando gives Luigi a hug. Luigi pushes him away and says that all Fernando has to see is something pretty and feminine and he goes right to it all because of his "macho" instincts. Fernando gets a kick out of Luigi's verbal assaults and does a cute little impression. Caro turns to Fernando and asks if he will be in the later meeting. He affirms. She leaves to take a moment with Lety.

In the president's office Caro and Lety greet one another. Caro compliments the new look for the office and then asks Lety about how she feels. Lety explains that she’s a little nervous about the expo tomorrow. Caro tells Lety that everything is going well. Caro asks if Lety has seen Fernando. Lety replies that she saw him and that he gave a report about his trip and then said nothing more. He said nothing about what he promised the last night they saw each other. Lety says that he didn't and that he seems to be a changed man. She thinks the trip helped. Caro asks if Lety preferred the man Fernando was before. Lety says she prefers this one because he will leave her in peace.

Outside, a taxi pulls up to the curb. Crazy Carla steps out and tells Celso to advise Fernando that she has arrived. Celso seems to be hypnotized by the Crazy Carla spell.

Lety says that she always knew that Fernando didn't really love Marcia. But if there was someone else, who he really liked, then Lety thinks it would be easier for her to forget him. Caro asks about Aldo. Lety smiles and says that they were really happy without Fernando around for twenty days. Lety calls PM to tell the executives that she's ready to start the meeting. Once Lety hangs up, Caro asks what Lety is going to do about the situations with Fernando and Aldo. Lety pouts and doesn't answer.

Saimon stands in the reception area flirting with Yazmin. Crazy Carla and Juana enter the area at practically the same time. Crazy Carla asks Saimon to advise Fernando that she has arrived. Saimon replies and says that Fernando is his hero.

The secretaries must have heard about this moment, because they're talking about an elegant and beautiful woman who has arrived at Conceptos. Carla steps off the elevator. The ladies immediately run back to their desks. Crazy Carla comes into their area asking for Fernando. Sara asks if Crazy Carla has an appointment with Fernando. Crazy Carla explains that she is an executive from a publicity agency in New York and that Fernando is waiting for her.

Now in the boardroom, Lety asks Luigi about the commercials for the campaign. He advises that they are all completed because he stayed up the whole night editing them. Omar points out that both he and Luigi stayed up doing the commercials. Luigi points out how pleasant it was to work with Omar. Everyone in the boardroom enjoys this moment. Lety points out that this project is a great one, it's going to show the real Mexico with all it's customs. Sara interrupts the meeting. Luigi complains but Sara cuts him short to tell Fernando that Carla Santibanez has arrived. Fernando explains that Carla is an important executive from New York and that she needs personal attention. Luigi uses this opportunity to take a personal dig at Fernando: if Fernando has to leave the meeting, they really won't miss him. Fernando sarcastically replies that he'll miss Luigi as well and then excuses himself from the meeting. Lety looks none too happy. Omar talks about how well the campaign is going. Lety half pays attention.

Back in the secretaries' lobby, Fernando happily greets Carla. He and the secretaries greet her. Carla responds that she's hear to mix up his life. "Just like I mixed it up in the United States!", Fernando responds. The secretaries look shocked. Fernando grasps Carla's hands and tells her that her nights in Mexico will be as seductive as the nights they spent in the United States. [Which basically means that Carla still ain't gettin' any.!] Carla looks thrilled. He embraces Carla to take her to his office and announces to the secretaries to tell Lety that he will not return to the meeting. This throws the secretaries into a gossip fury. Alicia jokes that they must be talking about her "qualities." The girls throw some insults at each other. (Nothing we haven't heard before.)

The only thing that Luigi wants out of the event is punctuality. Caro says that everything will be very punctual. PM interrupts Luigi, who complains about the cuartel's interruptions. PM advises the executives that Fernando will not be returning because he's attending a special guest. Needless to say, Luigi doesn't care. Lety looks worried. Luigi complains that some visitor is more important than all the executives in a meeting. Lety twitches.

PM and the cuartel gossip about Fernando. PM says that she didn't want to tell Lety much in front of everyone else. The elevator door opens and Juana comes sprinting into the room. She wants to know who this new woman is. Sara oversees Alicia listening to their conversation and says that this information is for friends only. Sara turns to Juana and explains that this woman and Don Fernando are "mixing up" each other's lives. They gossip a little more about the hug and the confidence Fernando seemed to have in this woman. Sara points out that the two are now shut in Fernando's office.

The conversation in the Mendiola-Carvajal office is probably less spectacular than what the cuartel assumes. Fernando tells Carla that he did enjoy the days they spent together and that he's happy that she's her. He asks if she wants to see Conceptos. She replies that she is at his disposal and that he knows what he can do with her. He says that she's making nervous. Sara comes into the office and frightens the pair. She asks Carla if she wants anything to drink. Fernando scolds Sara for entering without knocking. Sara reminds Fernando that he scolded her earlier for not offering Carla anything to drink. Carla asks for some calmantes. (calmantes = painkillers) Sara asks what type. Carla laughs and says any kind. Fernando tells Sara that Carla doesn't want anything. Sara tells Carla that she has fizzy painkillers or in pill form. Fernando urges Sara to leave. Sara swears that she will not ever enter again without knocking. Fernando tries to calm her and prevent her from crying. Since she won't leave, he gently "helps" her out of the office. Once Sara goes on, Fernando goes on and on about how much he liked the United States. Carla thinks that México City is just as nice.

The cuartel gossips about Sara's adventure in Fernando's office. She looked for lipstick marks on him, but saw nothing. His shirt wasn't even open. The pair was very cordially talking, as if they were friends. AT this moment Fernando and Carla exit the office. He announces that he's going to show Carla every single corner of Conceptos. He spots the cuartel following him and scares them away with a song. Since Lety's still in the meeting, he decides to show Carla the president's office first.

Fernando offers Carla one of the guest's chairs and immediately occupies the president's chair. He realizes his mistake and quickly stands. He thinks that the aqua color inspires vomit. Carla notes that he's talking as though this is the first time he was in this office. He explains that this used to be his office, but that it's really changed. Carla thinks that whoever did the decorations has really good taste. She asks if Lety did the changes. He explains that it was Luigi. Fernando overhears Lety ending the meeting in the boardroom. He rushes out of the office, realizes that he forgot Carla, runs back to get her and then pulls her out of the office. IN the process, he scares the hell out of the cuartel.

Lety enters her office and sniffs. Something is up; she just doesn't know what.

Luigi storms through the secretaries' lobby and complains about all the interruptions to the meeting. He storms away. Fernando begins to explain Luigi's identity but changes his mind and says that the boardroom is where that men exited. There was just a very important meeting. Carla points out that Fernando should have been present in the meeting. Fernando says that it was much more important to take care of her. Carla asks him when she gets to meet the president. She's very curious to get to know her. Fernando whispers in Carla's ear that she's talking to much about Lety. He notices that the cuartel is eavesdropping and asks them if they have any work. To get some privacy, he moves Carla from the area. Before they leave the room completely, Carla turns around and tells Fernando that they should kiss. She leans in. The cuartel loves all of it! Fernando pulls away. Fernando tells Carla that she should kiss him only if she wants to help with his funeral tomorrow when Marcia gets back from Europe. Carla asks him about who he's really considering - Lety or Marcia? She goes for a kiss again. Fernando literally dances around the subject. He says that he never mixes business with pleasure. (cough, cough). Carla doesn't believe him. She points out that Fernando kissed Lety many times in this office. She says they can delay the kiss for a little while. He likes this and decides to introduce her to Luigi.

Luigi says that Fernando's voice makes him nauseous. Fernando ignores this and introduces Carla. Luigi really likes Carla's look. He thinks that it's a shame that she's never professionally modeled. He leans in and warns Fernando to be careful with Fernando. Fernando overhears and defends himself. Omar is the great seduction artist of the office. Carla tells Luigi that she's non too worried about Fernando. Luigi takes Carla's hand and leads her away in order to show her how he creates his commercials.

Just because we need more re-hash, the cuartel gossips some more. They explain to Lety just how hot Carla really is. PM goes on and on about how Fernando and Carla greeted each other, their chemistry, how they hugged, etc. The cuartel conjectures that there is an adventurous romance between the two. Lety hurriedly excuses herself by saying that the conversation is interesting but she has a lot of work. She books it to her office. The cuartel follows. Lety asks the cuartel why they are telling her all of this. Sara and PM point out that this information is very important to Lety; she should appreciate it. Lety says that this is Marcia's problem, not hers. The cuartel gives up and leaves.

Alicia talks with Marcia on her phone. Alicia tells Marcia that there are now two women who want to take her boyfriend. One is horrible and the other is beautiful. Alicia thinks the executive is very dangerous. Alicia just wants to warn Marcia that she should get home as soon as possible. She'll keep Marcia informed.

Lety flings around her chair for a bit and then laments the "New York romance."

Tomas and Lopez see Fernando and Carla making their way through the office. All Tomas can do is stare at Carla. The two men part ways.

Tomas enters Lety's office. He tells Lety that there was a divine apparition in the office. It wasn't Alicia; it was a beautiful woman with Fernando. Tomas picks up that Lety is irritated and takes back his words. She wasn't very beautiful. In fact, she seemed a little silly. Lety doesn't believe him. Tomas says that maybe this woman snores. Lety says that snoring a lot is not a defect. Tomas still looks stupefied. He points out that Lety seems to be jealous. Lety pretends like it doesn't bother her at all. Tomas says that she's jealous of this executive.

The cuartel gossips some more. [This one line could really surmise their entire purpose in this episode.] Where did Fernando take that woman? The gossip about locations. They figure out that Alicia is listening to their conversation. Alicia, who is reading a magazine about rottweilers, says she's reading about the cuartel's relatives. The cuartel doesn't believe her. They accuse each other of being nosy. The cuartel accuses Alicia of being a spy for Marcia. The insults fly. Once Alicia leaves, the cuartel decides to elect someone to follow Fernando. They need an expert to do this.

Back in the president's office, Tomas asks Lety if she really thinks she can deceive him, her confidant. She admits that she's jealous. Her heart hurts. But she cannot do anything!

Labels: fea