Caray, Caray!

We start with the aforementioned cavorting in the waterfall with Alina and Emiliooooo – is this the same place where Alejandro and Miranda got busy? Whoa – Alina comes equipped with flotation devices – for a second I thought I was watching Cinemax. Turns out it was all a dream, this dream courtesy of Emilioooo.

Nora tells Adela about Hugo and the cofre. Adela admits to knowing something about the box. She doesn’t know what is in it, but she knows who it belongs to.

Elias yells a lot as he is brought into jail.

Alina and Luba keep watch over Emilioooo, who is apparently still having a sex dream about Alina. No tell-tale bump in the blanket, but who knows. Luba figures out that Alina still loves Emiliooo, meanwhile she holds the big bottle of booze like it’s a 40 oz. and she’s about to take a swig. Oh, she does. She drinks like a man. She says something comforting to Alina between gulps.

Elias gets some food at the prison cafeteria and sits down. Some other dude, who we saw in the last jail scene yelling out something to Elias when he was brought in, sits down and starts talking to him. He looks crazy. Elias wants to move away, crazy dude lets him go, but tells him to leave his food.

Luba tells Alina that Emiliooo loves her too. Alina mopes about Emiliooo having a baby, her father won’t permit them to be together, etc etc. Luba tells her to fight, she just whimpers and whines. She is sure Emiliooo is not her future. She becomes worried about Emilioooo’s temperature remaining so high.

Coral is looking fine in a shorty nightgown, Granillo is putting makeup on her. They discuss poor Alina and rehash what is happening with her. She asks Granillo to leave so she can change, he lifts up his own boobs and says she doesn’t have anything they don’t all have, then he leaves. Coral goes to her closet and discovers that all of her outfits have been vandalized, they are all torn to shreds. Gee, I wonder who did that?

Castulo is sitting at a table at El Meson, very drunk. He talks to himself about how Santos must have made a deal with the devil to survive. Braulio arrives in a comically large sombrero, he wants to know what Castulo has found out about Santos. Castulo babbles drunkenly about talking to some guy tomorrow about Santos, he doesn’t make much sense. Braulio just looks funny in his hat.

Sergio tells Don Loco that Elias has been locked up, which pleases DL. Alfonsina comes barging in, back in her field clothes (booo) and says that DL has to come quick and see what’s going on with Mariana. Well, I’m torn here. I appreciate the bare midriff, but other than that she might as well be wearing a sack, you can’t see anything. Also, when she tells DL to hurry up and come look, she looks like she’s doing the “I have to go pee” dance.

Braulio tells Rosita and Hottie Mom about his meeting with Castulo. They interpret Castulo’s ramblings to mean that Santos is still alive. Castulo gave the name Ramiro Leon to Braulio earlier, now they all want to know who this Ramiro Leon is.

Luba tells Alina that Emilioooo’s infection is getting worse, she can’t cure him. Alina fusses and whines. Luba says she has to amputate Emiliooo’s leg. Alina tries to inspire Luba to cure him with her miracle herbs. They come up with a plan that seems based on Alina not leaving his side, I guess that is supposed to do what medicine and herbs can’t. I just realized something – Alina’s big escape last week didn’t get her any farther than Luba’s cave? She used to go back and forth from there just like going to the bathroom, but this time it took an adventure to get there? Whatever.

Alfonsina shows DL what the big deal is – Mariana won’t eat. “See Patron, she’ll die, that won’t be my fault!” DL says he knows why she is doing this, she knew Soledad and Elias had a plan to get her out of here. He tells her that Dr. Love won’t ever be returning. He takes the food from Alfonsina and orders Mariana to open her mouth for some food. Can she open her mouth on her own now? Did I miss that part? I know she croaked out a sound the other day but I didn’t realize she could open her mouth. So she can breath, open her mouth, and also swallow on her own. I don’t see what keeps her from talking. DL just looks at her, with an extremely stupid look on his face, ordering her to eat. She thinks that she would rather die.

Edelmira asks the girls who damaged Coral’s clothes. Nobody will fess up. Edelmira explains loudly how Coral is the only one who brings money in, so one of the others needs to give her an outfit to wear. One girl says she won’t share with Coral. Edelmira says anyone who goes against Coral goes against her too. She tells the girls to leave.

DL can’t get Mariana to eat either. Alfonsina tries to convince Don Loco to put Mariana in a nursing home. DL asks if that’s what Mariana wants, of course she can’t answer, DL says fine. Alfonsina drops her food on the floor, then scoops it back into the bowl and tries to make Mariana eat it anyway. Of course she won’t. Alfonsina calls her stupid and slaps her, lolling her head to one side. What? There wasn’t anything supporting her head before and she was sitting straight up the whole time.

Thelma lies in bed while SA puts the baby down. SA says she needs to go lay down, Thelma angrily asks what happens if the baby cries? SA says to pick him up and hug him. Thelma continues to act bitchy and SA doesn’t care, she just wants to go lay down. SA tells her that she has plenty of milk to feed the baby. Vera comes in and wants to see the baby. Thelma asks her to not let anyone in all of SE find out she had the baby, I’m sure she is trying to keep the word away from Gaspar. She then asks Vera to stay and take care of the baby so she can sleep. Vera is more than happy to.

Alina talks to Emiliooo as he is passed out. She sorry, something about DL, whatever. She will stay with him. This must be part of her and Luba’s new miracle cure to save his leg.

Angel comes to Thelma’s room to see the baby. Thelma asks if the baby looks like Emiliooo, Angel says of course. Nobody knows where Emiliooo is, they realize.

Luba is worried about what would happen if Emiliooo died. Gaspar stupidly says that it would be great, then Thelma could tell the truth. Luba shushes him. Luba doesn’t feel well, she’s stressed about the cofre. She doesn’t know what might happen if anyone finds out what is in it. Alina overhears this last part and wants to know more.

DL comes to see Soledad to have the same conversation yet again. First they discuss Alina marrying or not marrying Orlando, then he gets right back to “Let’s get back to how we used to be.” Eventually he starts opening up her shirt, revealing some very unhealthy looking skin spots. Soledad actually helps him take the shirt off, I’m not sure what her plan is. They proceed to make out, it’s extremely uncomfortable to watch.

Luba tries to sidetrack Alina, asking why she left Emilioooo alone, Alina just wants to know what’s going on. Luba says there are bad herbs in the cofre, Alina says they should get the word out to return it if anyone finds it, Luba says yeah yeah that’s it, we’ll do that.

Thelma tells Vera to leave so she can talk to Angel alone. They discuss Emiliooo’s sudden disappearance and debate whether or not Orlando is involved. They decide that Emilioooo and Alina are together, Angel says in the morning he will go look for them. Hey, speaking of, Angel is looking quite healthy. He’s up and around, he’s even going to go outside. Seems to me he’s healthy enough to be boinking a hot nurse too, I’m just saying.

Luba sits in the dark and worries about where the cofre is.

Gasca looks at the cofre and wonders who put it in the hole. He determines that DL doesn’t know about what is in it and this is his ticket out of DL’s clutches. He is quite pleased with himself.

Adela wants to tell Luba that Gasca has the cofre, Nora convinces her not to, since Gasca would surely figure out that Nora was the one who told about it.

Groooooooooooossss DL and Soledad lie in bed naked, post-nookie. I am seriously grossed out by this. They get ready to do the deed a second time.

Alina thinks Emiliooo is doing better, the secret plan of “Alina sits here all night” has perhaps worked its magic. Luba says they need to move, people must know by now that Emiliooo and Alina are together and there must be people looking for them.

Orlando talks to some highway guys. The highway guy tells Orlando that Elias got locked up and he would like Orlando’s help to get him out, it was all due to Don Loco. Orlando says he will help. He issues the understatement of the year – “Strange things are going on around here.” WTF? Hasn’t he been right in the middle of at least half of them? How can he be surprised by that? Idiot.

Alina says a move could kill Emilioooo. Yes, yes, we know, but it has to happen.

SA brings max his breakfast, he was expecting Vera. SA gives him a hard time about his discretions, after making him nervous, she proposes formalizing their relationship. Obviously then she just wants the status of being his wife, she doesn’t seem to think much of him as a person any more.

A commercial for Destilando, featuring Cesar the mumbler. I see some things never change. I didn’t understand a single syllable coming out of his mouth. And that Village People moustache – Caray! He also plays a dirtbag here, apparently, he tries to force a kiss on some woman and gets smacked for it. Is his character named Cesar here too? It’s like the same guy, from what I can tell. Also, keeping up with their tradition, another great scantily clad commercial from Asi es la Vida.

Don Loco shaves and talks to himself about his re-conquest of Soledad. He thinks everything is back to normal. What a fool.

Castulo finds Santos, he tells him not to go near La Rinconada, he could wind up dead.

Max says you want a man at your side who doesn’t love you? She says it’s better than nothing. She tells him something about his own son, then about writing some note. I didn’t really understand what that was about, but it made Max start breathing hard. He is disgusted with the idea of marrying her.

Castulo and Santos talk some more, Santos says he found a nice guy who gave him a place to stay, he thanks Castulo for his help, calling him ‘Jaime.’

Now Emiliooo looks worse, a minute ago he looked better. These women can’t make up their mind. They argue about if they should move away from the cave or not.

Mexican Larry and Vera discuss things. Vera sure is a dumbass, they make her dumber every episode. ML at least has some sense, he thinks it’s strange that Thelma wants to keep the baby a secret. Vera just believes whatever she is told.

A guard at the jail accepts an envelope shoved under the fence by some mysterious man.

Don Loco complains to Sergio that the cofre hasn’t appeared yet. Sergio thinks Adela might know something. DL overreacts as usual and rants and raves, then does nothing.

Elias starts mopping a floor, then crazy inmate and some buddies come in to hassle him. Elias throws a bucket of water on crazy guy, the others hold crazy guy back. What? I thought they were his posse. I thought this was going to be a gang rape, like when Andy got trapped in the laundry supply room in Shawshank. This scene made no sense. Crazy guy just stood there, Elias finally threw some water on him, he reacted like he got kicked in the nuts. It was WATER. Also, when crazy guy was all wet and sputtering, he looked a little bit like a skinny Alec Baldwin. Have you seen him on 30 Rock? He deserved his Emmy. He deserved two Emmys, just for being that awesome on that show.

Angel and Ifgenio ride through some beautiful scenery. They decide to go look at the church. Angel coughs a bit, maybe he isn’t doing so well after all.

Crazy guy pulls a knife on Elias. Elias says if he’s going to kill him, get on with it. Crazy guy, who has a nice scar of his own, says maybe he’ll just cut up Elias’s face. Crazy guy keeps licking his lips like a lizard, it’s gross. Going to commercial, we see Alfonsina get doused with water. The first time I saw it I thought it was weird, now it’s just kind of sexy. I still want to know what that is all about, that must be a scene from the show, it’s too random to just be a commercial lead-in.

Orlando is also out looking for the escapees, he sees Donkey, he follows the dog. It leads him to Gaspar, on whom he pulls his gun. Totally unnecessary.

A guard comes in and saves Elias. Elias thanks him but doesn’t understand why he helped. The guard says someone on the outside has paid for his protection. The guard won’t say who, but says he will remain safe.

Orlando demands to know where Alina is. Gaspar says he hasn’t seen her. Orlando doesn’t believe him. Gaspar says he doesn’t know. Orlando turns to the dog – “Donkey, where’s Flor?” The dog runs off, Orlando sloooowwwly gets on his horse to follow.

The other women at Edelmira’s complain to each other about Edelmira and Coral, and then Alina for good measure, then swear to exact vengeance. This story I can get behind, so long as a good portion of it involves all the ladies being in their stripper outfits as it progresses.

Orlando charges into the cave with the dog, nobody is there. Gaspar says see? I don’t lie! Orlando pulls a gun on him again to satisfy his impotent rage. Ha I used that term before remembering his other impotence. This guy has issues.

Luba and Alina enter Nora’s place, Nora says “I don’t know why you’re here but I don’t know anything!” Luba is all WTF? Alina has her sweater open and thrown back on her shoulders so we can get the full effect of her tight tank top. That has become a feature of the last few minutes of each episode – “here are Alina’s boobs, ok here’s what will be on the next show.” Alina asks Nora for help to hide.

Orlando shoots his gun, misses Gaspar apparently, then Donkey jumps up and knocks the gun from Orlando’s hand. He and Gaspar fight, Gaspar busts out some wrestling moves and thrashes Orlando, finishing with a great body slam right from WWE. He may have done too well, Orlando isn’t moving now and Gaspar thinks he killed him.

Monday – Luba is impactada when Emiliooo wakes up, Alina looks confused.

Labels: duelo

I apologize for this very dilatory posting. But I won't let our three fans down!

We open with a scene of Diego having moved to the sofa. Nancy catches him and asks how he got there. He tries to cover up. He tells Pancho to take him to the factory so he can catch his wife smooching with Max.

Meanwhile, Diana has confirmed to Max that the baby is his. He asks why she hid it, and she says it was because of all his doubts and accusations. She wants to get to work,because she has a factory to run! But he wants to work out visitation. He says he will take her to court. She tells him to have a baby with his wife, but he says they have separated. It's nice that Max and Diana have coordinated brown outfits.

Rene is trying to get a very high Peyote to stop taking drugs. Now he's Mr. Straight Guy. Anyway, this actress's attempt to look high always amounts to her being very jumpy. She certainly doesn't look strung-out enough. It's not clear what kind of drug she takes. Is she suffering withdrawal, or is she high on some speed?
Rene tells her that Pancho is not worth is. She should go live with her brothers.

Lala, again the wise one, tells her to forget her son.

Max and Diana continue their dispute. He insults her perfume knowledge. She asks him of he is saying that a poor nurse can't run a perfume factory? I think he is saying exactly that, but anyway, she tells him she is the new Diana.
They continue fighting over the baby, he insists he has rights, she says Diego has the rights, etc.

Kiki and Gaby are at Drunkiota's hospital bed. Drunky sends Gaby away and asks Kiki for a big favor. She wants him to buy a bottle of whiskey.

Diana is telling Max that she doesn't want her baby around his wife, the viper Marfil. Clearly, she still doesn't remember anything about the kidnapping. Max says that the baby could live with the two of them, Max and Diana. No, it's impossible, she protests, but suddenly they are kissing. Max is using his best lip chomping abilities here.

Cut to the hospital bed. Kiki agrees under protest to get the booze.

Lala and Nancy discuss Diego. They agree that he is not happy.

Back at the factory, Diego and Pancho enter suddenly to interrupt the big smooch fest. What's he doing here, Diego inquires astutely.

Nancy and Lala continue their discussion. They review the unhappy Diana situation. She will never love him, he shouldn't have married her, etc. Nancy dares to ask if he ever asks about her. No. After Lala leaves, Nancy forlornly says that Diego will never love her.

Max and Diana are fighting still . The most important thing is saving Gaviota's business. (Hey, doesn't Maxi have to start his new competing perfume factory job?)
Isabel is on the phone with Andres. I can't believe what you are telling me. Rehash of kidnapping and flight through the jungle. She agrees that it's a good thing Diana doesn't remember what happened.

Max says the baby is legal his. Diego says it's legally his. Pancho adjusts his backwards baseball cap so he can get a good punch at Max. Emilio comes in and holds Pancho back. Pancho says it's all Max's fault. And he readjusts his cap for good measure. Pancho is wearing a sleeveless t-shirt with a hip-hop theme: fists with Love and Hate tattooed on the fingers. That nicely sums up his wives' feelings for him. Diana eyes have the usual glazed look.

Cut to Gaviota in the hospital bed. A flashback to how she learned about Octavia and Paco. Kiki enters and pulls out a small bottle of booze. This won't last long. He tells her to take care, but he helps her pour it in a styrofoam cup. Calm down, she says. I'm not going to become a drunk. He tries to get her with the scientific approach: he warns her that the booze might interfere with her meds!

Emilio and Diana share a quiet moment in the office. She thanks him for dispatching Pancho. New vocabulary: Paliza=beating. The wonder if Beatriz heard everything. Probably--and got on the horn to Octopus. Why doesn't Diana fire her ass? Emilio says that all the employees appreciate and respect Diana. But, he reminds her, they also appreciate and respect Max. Why don't they just get back together? No, it's impossible, Diana says.

Back at Iggy's place, Silvia is modeling a new wig: an orange version of the black tufts she wore yesterday. Her t-shirt tells all the world she's "Sexy" in matching orange letters. She is still wearing the neck brace and sporting a black eye. Camila is wearing the black halter and hat with her mini Catholic school skirt. Silvia is talking on the phone to Iggy. She is very excited that he is coming home.

Max comes in. Max and Camila discuss Diana and the baby. He can't believe she could have hidden the secret. Maybe he will go to court.

Debora goes to see Isabel at the little house. Andres is there walking with a cane. New vocabulary: chantaje=blackmail

Max goes to Paco's (also known as Mom's). Bruno answers the door.

Back at the little house Andres wants to blackmail Debora--otherwise he'll tell Max how she collaborated on the kidnapping (isn't Marfil awaiting trial on the baby kidnapping charges, by the way? I suppose those loose ends migrated to the same limbo where await Octavia's murder charges, Iggy's drug stealing charges and for good measure Kiki's kidnapping of Pilar. Oh, yeah, there's also Camila's baby with Iggy?

There is a long exchange about whose threats and blackmail are worse. Finally Debora's dulcet tones turn on the lightbulb for Andres: He realizes she is not Marfil, but Debora, his wife.

Max now blames his mother for his not having the baby.

Debora pulls that big gun she used a few weeks ago and runs out. She throws the gun in a dumpster, but Andres presses on, limping with his can. He calls her a smart bitch, explains how he knows she left and changed places in the prison cell. She knocks him down and beats him with the cane.

Max and his mother exchange more recriminations. Finally, he says he wishes his mother were Gaviota! Octopus slaps him. Cut to a perfect view of the giant plastic fish on the wall. How Octavia has come down in the world!

Lala and Diana are talking. Pancho comes in and tells her to stop seeing Max, etc. Look who's talking, she says--the man who has two wives. He tries to strike her, and his mom intercedes. Don't you dare, says Lala. Pancho says it's all Diana's fault his brother is a cripple (I guess Diego isn't sharing the good news with his brother).

Max now comes in to see Gaviota in the hospital. She quickly hides her drink. How are you, he asks. More dead than alive. First the disappearance of Diana and the marriage of Paco. Max says she should let Gaby and Larry be happy. He also says he's going to demand rights to his child. Drunky says she will not let her princess be with an Irascible. Why are you two getting involved with my daughters? She tells him to leave. Then she pulls out her IV and takes a few swigs directly from the bottle.

Silvia is on the phone with Iggy. She says it's good to hear from him--very erotic. No, he says, he's in a hospital bed. She wants to come and bath him. He hopes she'll wear a new wig. Anyway, he says he's coming home.

Silvia yells the good news to her cousin. Cousin Camila is not so thrilled. She'll have to get rid of Maxi Maxi.

Cut to the most hilarious scene of the night. Diana is bottle feeding her baby with Granny DS, who is feeding one of her dolls. Granny's doll looks more lifelike than Diana's stiff mound of blue toweling. Granny says she's going to have a baby, and Diana reminds her that she's too old. What funny things you say, Granny. Diana hands the blue lump to Lala, just in time to hear Diego ask why they're so happy. He has a new ultimatum. He forbids her to go to the factory. But I have to go--I have to save the factory for Gaviota. I can't let her down just because of your silly jealousy attack. It's not stupid, he says--he saw them together. You told Max about the baby. No, she didn't--Camila did, and Max threatened a lawsuit. Well, says Diego, you're not going!

Camila and Silvia are sparring. Silvia wants to call the swami again, it seems, but Camila is having none of it. Never mention that phony (farsante) again! Just then, Max comes in, and they pretend to hug--we love each other. He's upset. Camila offers to run him a tepid (tibio) bath so he can relax. Why not a hot bath? He says no, he's going back to Emilio's. He's going to divorce Marfil, and he thanks Camila for her help.

Debora sputters about how she's in the hands of Andres. No, he will not get away with it, no, no way.

Time for another heart-to-heart between Rene and Yolanda. This time he's the patient. He admits he's worried about Paola, and yes, he has used drugs too! Yolanda is impactada.

Back to the climactic fight between Diego and Diana. She must obey. She doesn't want to obey his craziness. He says Gaby can run the factory, and Diana can care for Gaviota. No, Gaby can't do it, and she has to fight for the factory. Diego tells Diana that if she uses the factory to see Max, he will kill them both--he'd rather see her dead! Diana reacts with her best glassy-eyed stare, but at least she tilts her head in two different directions.

Labels: acorralada

Fernando como pirata.
I am not sure if my heart will go pity-pat or not over this. It did however with the Alborada publicity picture of him and flowing brown locks.

Labels: Destilando

Over on my other blog I posted extracts from the Wall Street Journal's article about The difficulty of finding older actresses who actually look their age to play moms, etc. on tv and in movies. Reminds me of how, in our telenovelas, the moms are usually trying to look the same age as their supposed daughters...

Labels: entertainment-news

Note that they mention it's the most expensive tequilas which are doing best. So Aaron Montalvo is right!

Labels: Destilando

Oops I forgot to set the DVR for an extra half hour but I here's what I remember.

Alej tells Diego that Zorro saved him and Zorro is very impressive and all that. Diego feels useless next to Zorro but Alej tells him that he's proud of Diego and prefer his to be Diego and not Zorro.

Esme tries to scratch and remove the mask but its doesn't work. Auggie tells her to get used to it like her mom did. Esme continues to hope that Diego will rescue her.

At the de la Vega's they everbody is at the table able to have dinner. Dena asks that a setting be prepared for Yumi when Mangle comes in with the unfourtunate news of Esme's passing. Major hamming it up by Mangle. Everybody is impactado and Dena faints at the news. Alej asks for the smelling salts. Alej tells Mangle to stay with a shocked Dol while he brings Dena to the bedroom. Mangle offers Dol some water and smiles like a cat who ate the canary.

Alej brings a recovering Dena to the bedroom where they discuss Esme and the baby some more. I think Diego overhears the discussion of Esme's death and his face registers something (like a memory?).

If there is anything else, please feel free to add. Ulcer count, -6.

Labels: Zorro

Gavi is looking for a blue folder to finish the projections for Aaron's reports. Elvira takes perverse pleasure in letting her know that she handed the folder over to Sofia for something to show Rodrigo when she arrives back at the estate later that morning. Gavi is flustered that the woman would take it off her desk and without even checking with her about it. Elvira smarts off, "How should I know what's in your mind. After all, you go out cavorting with the boss!" "--Don't you spread gossip!"

Elvira smirks at Gaviota for being so eager and willing with the boss that his wife threw him out of his house last night. Gavi/Mariana tells her to watch it with the gossip. Elvira figures she's on a roll and gabs on about their little afternoon delights and Gavi finally blows her stack. She nearly jumps on the desk when she grabs the old biddy by her lapels and threatens to cut her tongue out, drag it along the floor and for added pleasure, she will even mop the bathrooms with it. (Gawd, you gotta love her! The scared-sour look on Elvira's face was priceless!)

Rod tries to speak to James to find out exactly what happened back at Melitón's that screwed so badly with his best bud's psyche . James refuses to go into details. He simply cries silently.

Sofia arrives at the plantation house, gives Rod the folder and tells him to thank Aaron's new assistant for the great job. Icedora tells Sofia not to mention that woman in her house since Minnie believes she's having an affair with her husband. Last night was the first night ever that Aaron spent away from her. Rod says, hmm, must be serious. Sofia says it is just another one of Minnie's jealous obsessions because the woman is beautiful as well as efficient.

Sofie finds out from Rod at that point that James is in a stupor and depressed literally beyond words because "you know who" left him. "You wouldn't have done that to him," he hints to her broadly. They leave her with him.

Sofia sidles in and asks James in a cloying voice if things between him and his "rancherita" (little ranch girl) aren't going so well right now. "Did she trade you in for another guy, poor baby?" (Rojo can really boast an irritating tone --literally-- when she tries to play the sickly-sweet Mexican Miss Muffet. Very hard on the ears for some of us.)

Aaron is chatting with Gavi about his headache. She happens to be bent over him as he gets out of his chair in the tight spot between her and the wall as E-Fedra walks in unannounced. (Well, E-Fedra, I thought you realized long time ago that when your son's voice begins to crack you start to respect his privacy. What is he now, in his mid-thirties, and with a kid of his own on the way?) Momma Bear immediately gets the wrong impression at that angle, having just come from her disagreeable discussion with her distraught and demanding daughter-in-law. She rudely asks if she's "interrupting."

Momma Bear snubs Mariana on her way out, then tells Aaron how upset his wife is. She warns him not to "get distracted" and lose sight of the goal. Aaron assures his mother that if Minerva is threatening again that he must choose between her and his assistant, then Minerva loses. Mariana Franco is more important for him at this point than his wife. E-Fedra reminds him she could care less about his little trysts, but warns that Minnie has threatened to deny them the child and, "that wouldn't suit us right now." (Are the cogs in your brain beginning to spin as smoothly as those in that less manageable part of your lower anatomy, son?) She tells him not to worry, that she put the fire out this time for him with his wife.

Melitón walks into the living room while Acacia is down on her knees washing the floor. He kicks the bucket so that the water slops all over and around her. "Where's Mister James? He hasn't come back here all day." "--I wouldn't know. I went to clean his room and saw all his things were gone." "--Ha! Hmm. I wonder what fly bit him."

Sofia and Icedora chat a bit about whether there has been any defrosting in Rod's bed. Ice tells her none. Sofia encourages her to try, try, again. Eventually he'll respond. He's a man, after all and parts is parts......Isa explains that even the extensive therapy he tried in Europe has not worked with her husband. "Well then, we have to do something to get him away from here." They both worry about the coming agave harvest because that means that that "working girl" will certainly be returning.

Aaron tells Mariana that the two of them are attending a luncheon with other of the tequila industrialists. As Aaron and Gavi/Mariana head out for the luncheon he explains that this group of businessmen have to protect certain common regional interests regarding tequila manufacturing. He notices she doesn't have a cell phone and a PDA like the other employees and promises to get her those (and bring her into the 21st century?) as they jump into his silver Audi 4 convertible and zoom away.

Rod wonders what James plans on doing with the peanut project since he refuses to return to Dry Gulch Acres. "What? Was the fight that bad, James?" Just then Sofia appears and wangles Rod away from him. Feigning sweetness and light she approaches her ex. "So, how is tequila treating you, James?"

James whines that he's ready to return to London now. He's made a mistake and it would probably be nice if they returned to London together and their old life. Sofia questions this. "I thought you loved this land. I never expected to hear this. I thought you decided to settle down here." "I had a glimpse, but it was a mirage.....They deceived me in the most vile, humbling way, Sofia." Taking advantage of his aparrent rejection and weakness, she moves in for the kiss and he returns it willingly.

During the luncheon, Aaron realizes that all the businessmen there are not just paying a heck of a lot of attention to Mariana's pretty face but to her ideas as well. He is very pleased with her and tells one of the businessmen that "Mariana is the woman he needs." (Minerva, watch out, honey..... Yo' time is almost uh-h-p!)

James apologizes for kissing Sofia. "I ought not to have done that. It was the desperation of the moment. Thankyou for your understanding." "--I didn't mind at all. It wouldn't have happened if there were not something great still between us." She thinks to herself though, "Fool. I didn't lend you my shoulder to cry on just so that you could return to that farmgirl. I want you back for myself!"

Acacia, curled in a fetal position on his bed, mourns her loss of James.

Gavi informally presents her marketing concepts to the tequila manufacturers around a campaign that stresses the "true tequila", tequila that is still manufactured and made from agave grown in the original, geographically historical areas of the country. This is a characteristic which will set them and the "Turquesa" brand apart.

Minnie complains to Isa on the phone about Aaron's not calling her yet to "make up". Isa tells her not to harm the baby by taking sedatives. Instead she needs to go shopping and to spoil herself a bit. (These wealthy women have just got too much free time on their hands. Men, money, manipulation and manicures is all that exists in their universe. Or what am I missing here?)

Rod tells James he understands his need to remain silent and is ready to return the favor of his friend's support during past painful times. James can count on him to be there for him for whatever he needs. "That's what friends are for." He says he will respect his need to be alone and walks off.

Aaron and Gavi discuss their success with this group of his business peers. He "orders" her to celebrate with him and they go to the bar downstairs. (Big Whoop, Aaron! Sheesh. A jazz ensemble doing Baroque with a sax and a guitar does not exactly spell "Party Down" or "Happy Hour" for me. "High Tea" is more like it.) Gavi takes a moment to express her professional fears, but Aaron says her drive and vision impress him and he's certain she will learn along the way. (Hmm. Is Aaron redeemable?) Just then Eduardo from the luncheon comes by their table and suggests Gavi go with him to speak to a French investor of his to sweeten up the guy's personality. Aaron and she join him.

Isa comes into the bedroom to bug Rodrigo again. She reminds him that it has been a year now since this Gaviota chick flew the coop and it doesn't seem she's coming back. He should realize that she is his future now. She moves in towards him, all sultry and sensuous. He should give himself another chance with another love. Then he would see that he cannot resist her caresses. He looks up at her with puppy-dog eyes and lets her kiss him.

Rod pushes her away finally and looks at her with a blank stare. Rudely he tells her, "You were already aware I feel nothing for you!" Isa, enraged, raises her hand to slap him, but he blocks it. She curses him and stomps out.

That evening, Aaron brings Gavi home in his sportin' car. She thanks him for the nice afternoon and the opportunity to practice her French. She moves to open the car door. He pounces on her like a cat with a canary, and tries to forcibly kiss her. Gavi hauls off and slaps him but hard on his would-be kisser. "This means I hand in my resignation tomorrow!" she yells at him. Then she slams the door in his face. Aaron, never having met this kind of regal resistance, is impactado.

Gavi goes upstairs and cries and sadly thinks how right Ma really was. Clarita tells her that maybe this is just a challenge for a guy like him.

Aaron arrives home. Minnie, having taken E-Fedra's advice to act nice or truly lose out to Mariana's winning combo of both brains and beauty, has transformed into the perfect Stepford Wife. She actually apologizes for her jealous behavior and promises there will be no repeats. He tells her, no problem. He fired Mariana already. (What a lying coward! I was actually getting to think he perhaps deserved a bit more respect.) Minnie Mouse is all smiles.

The next morning Aaron goes back to the office and orders Medina, the HR guy, to pay Mariana Franco her severance. Elvira is in seventh heaven. Aaron slams the door in her face. Mad as hell with himself he tries to put his presentations for the day together but he is missing certain data.

Elvira brings him in what she thinks he asked for, but it is incorrect and she gets screamed at again for her ineptitude. He slams the door. He takes numerous phone calls from his industrialist buddies who are wanting to date Mariana if she's "free." He tells Eduardo that he has fired her rear end and to tell all the guys the same 'cause he is F-E-D UP! Then he slams the phone down. (I am rolling on the floor about now and laughing so hard my side is splitting --but that's just me.)

Gavi comes in and Marguerita sympathetically asks her what in the world could have happened for him to fire her. Gavi explains that actually she quit and not the other way round. She goes up to sign her resignation papers.

Before leaving she goes in to say good-bye to Aaron. He opens the door and there she is. She offers to arrange things so he'll be able to find them. She also tells him she apologizes for slapping him because she simply wasn't expecting anything like that from him. After all, he was going through a number of difficulties, but no, she is not sorry that she slapped him. She then offers to give him a bit of advice for the next time he hires an assistant. (This was rich!) Gavi says that the next time he hires someone he needs to choose whether he really wants an assistant or a diversion, i.e., a mistress.

Aaron tells her if he had to choose between the two hells of that inept monster (Elvira) or somebody like her, well, he would stick with her. It's just he would rather she doesn't try to smack him again. She accepts and tells him he's chosen the worst of his two Hells. Aaron then asks Gavi to cancel all his appointments and says they should get back to work because in the evening she will be joining him for a tequila manufacturers' cocktail party. They've already lost half the morning. He clarifies for her sake that he will respect her space and maintain his professional distance. This satisfies her and she goes back out to her desk. Aaron sits there at his desk and thinks to himself, "For now, Mariana. In time....."

Gavi returns to her tasks and asks Elvira to tell her where a certain file is. Elvira asks her why since she doesn't work there any longer. Aaron comes out just then and tells her to obey Miss Franco. "Well, what do I do then?" "--Coffee. Cappucino." Aaron goes back into his office and shuts the door in her face. "What tricks did you use to get your job back?" "--Don't tell anyone, but these are the tricks I used....." Elvira moves in close. "I used the tricks of work, work and more work!" Elvira is bummed.

Pamela's mother comes home all excited. We find out that her husband, Pam's daddy, is a tequila manufacturer of some sort also. Pamela is going to some engagement that her mother cannot now attend due to an interview she has been granted by some film star. She asks if Pamela is worried she'll run into Aaron there. Pam says nope 'cause he'll be there with his wife, Minnie who will be the perfect restraint for her. Of course it will be a wonderful temptation, but--"You are playing with fire and will get burned, daughter." "That's life, Mom, and llife is a constant risk."

At the hacienda Isa goes into a fit of rage. She bitterly describes to Sofia how and why she has tried everything with her husband but has again suffered another, the worst sort of, humiliation. Isa refuses to be continually humiliated like this. She is at her wits' end. Sofia, cool and calculating as ever, tells her to try becoming Rod's best friend and the most caring of confidants. If nothing else, she should pretend disinterest in order to arouse his desire.

Sofia brags that she herself has been quite successful with James using this tactic and it should therefore work for Isa as well. (Sofia, honey, James is NOT wired to be a one-woman man like your brother aparrently is. James also has such a miserable self-image --as evidenced by entering a relationship with a domineering b!tch like yourself-- that he will actually fall for anything in skirts, and that scary, underaged "rancherita" of his is a darned good example of just how low he will go!) Isa rankles at the thought of commiserating over the reknowned Gaviota with her rude rube, Rod.

Rod and James enter then and he asks his sister to convince James to go with him to the election rally, in view of someone having been named leader of the agave planters in the area. He should come back to life and join the people who love him so much. James just isn't in the mood.

Sofia offers to join him. James asks if she's joking and she says, "You'll find out in the morning if I'm joking or not. How about it, Isa? Are you coming?" Isa looks away and says in a meek and helpless voice, "Well, I am not sure if Rodrigo really would want me there." Rod looks a little puzzled, gives her a look up and down and answers, "Well, you were invited 'since yesterday'......"

Elvira is on the phone with Minerva telling her that she doesn't know what tricks Mariana Franco used to persuade Aaron to take her back, but he did. Not only that but the two of them have gone out to some cocktail party together. Minerva is fit to be tied.

Labels: Destilando

Hi,

Our Thursday person has suddenly left us. If anybody would like to have this spot, let me know. Your advantage, should you decide to take this spot, is: you'll be in line for the PIRATE NOVELA with FERNANDO COLUNGA which will follow Destilando (not very soon, though).

Your recaps do NOT have to be as long or detailed as those that some of our wonderful recappers produce. They should, however, be coherent. Also, I need somebody who won't suddenly disappear, and who will give me advance notice if they can't recap on a given night...

If we don't get a fifth person for this show, we will limp along with four recaps a week. That won't be so bad.

So if you're interested, email me at caray@mappamundi.com!

Melinama

ps it's also fine with me if somebody in some other recap slot wants to take two - or wants to change time slot - or whatever -

P.P.S. several of our recappers said: "Whoever anonymous was who stepped in and helped with the Thursday recap - did an excellent job!" Want the slot, anonymous?

Labels: Destilando, recappers-needed

That's #266 by Univision's count; 268 hours of beautiful ugliness.

Gossip, by La Troupe

(That's French for "the cuartel." Just tryin' to keep them interesting!)

Martha is eating outdoors when Mr. Martha drives up, excited. Martha fears he's going to ask her for a divorce. Nope, he's decided it's time for them to buy a house. He explains that they have many financing options. (I'm sure this was a product placement ad, but the name of the lender must have been edited out... how sad. Not!) He wants to start looking at houses right now. Martha isn't happy to leave her taco behind, but he promises to buy her a sandwich on the way.

Back at Conceptos, when Tomas says he won't give Alicia the kind of wedding she wants, she accuses him of putting money above her happiness. He gets on his knees and offers to negotiate, but she ignores him.

The cuartel waits for Luigi so they can find out what he knows about Aurora. To kill time, they taunt Alicia for looking sad. She reveals that she canceled the wedding, and that desgraciado Tomas is going to suffer, now that he knows what it's like to have had her, and then to have lost her.

Luigi arrives, and they chase him into his studio to ask about Aurora. Alone, Alicia asks herself - did he lose her? Or did she lose him? She frowns thoughtfully. (Hey, that's some pretty deep thoughts, coming from our Oxi!)

Luigi stands next to the poster of himself in his office and strikes the same pose, trying to get the cuartel to talk to the hand. It doesn't work. Irmita (does she look different to anyone else?) explains that they need info on Aurora. He can't help them. He says he shouldn't have gotten up that morning - he should have stayed in bed with his Ruli. (He turns to the photo of his real-life girlfriend Isabella Camil - Jamie Camil's half- or step-sister - and prays for help!)

Don't cry over spilt tequila or you'll spill the beans too

It's night time. The houses on Lety's street are decorated for Christmas. Tomas is pacing on the sidewalk, talking to Alicia's photo. What's he going to do without her, how sad, etc., he hopes Lety's at home to cheer him up. He's so absorbed by the photo that he doesn't see Lety come out of house and get into her car - he's not aware of her until she's already speeding away. "I need you to console me!" he cries. He flags down a taxi and tells the driver to chase her. The driver almost takes off without him. "Hey - wait for me!"

Lety gets to the restaurant where she's to meet Jackson Reynolds, the RetroMod guy, and dashes to the bathroom to change her clothes, face, body, voice, posture, attitude, name, personality, etc. Tomas arrives a moment later and asks a waiter if he's seen a woman with glasses, whiskers, eyebrows, a little bit ugly. "A little?" the waiter replies, making a face. He tells Tomas she's in the restroom. Tomas orders a tequila and says he'll wait. He tells the Alicia photo that he'll drown his sorrows in tequila. He starts to cry and says his heart is destroyed.

Aurora comes out of the bathroom in a peach-colored dress with a gold capelet. (Are you telling me that Manuel has no emerald- or sapphire-colored dresses? Not one? Maybe amethyst? No?) She stands around waits for Jackson to show up. Tomas stares at Aurora and weighs his options. At first he thinks she's too much woman for him, but he entertains his other points of view as well.

Finally, he decides to approach Aurora. He takes off his glasses, trips over his feet either accidentally or on purpose - it's hard to tell - and lands in the seat opposite Aurora. Fortunately, with his glasses off, he can't make out the flustered look on her face. He flirts and squints. He tells her he's a single guy looking for love. His friends are the clouds, the sun, and the sea.

He turns to call for the "garçon." Luckily, he's so loud, he can't hear Lety's tittering. He whispers into the waiter's ear and sends him away. He says he'd like to tell her about his "millions." He says he feels like they've met in a previous life, as soulmates, and slyly asks if she senses it too.

Aurora's face starts twitching. Tomas tells her that he was going to say she looked like some actress, but with that parpadeo (blinking) she reminds him of someone else... except she's beautiful, not like... oh, good, the drinks are here, that was quick! He tells her that the drink is his invitation. Why don't they share a toast? He'd love to hear her voice again. (I think the only words he's heard her say so far were "Your millions? How interesting.")

"Thanks, but I don't drink." (Too bad he didn't order her an orange juice - that would have been a dead giveaway!) He wants to toast anyway and shoves the drink into her hand. "Ready? Salúd!" Aurora throws her drink at him, or maybe she just misses - it's not clear - but the drink winds up all over his face. Tomas jumps up in alarm. Aurora yells, "I'm sorry!" Lety-style. Tomas looks around for Lety, puts on his glasses, and peers at her suspiciously. Then he tells her no, it can't be, because his friend is horribly ugly! In her whiniest voice, she confirms his suspicions and tells him to stop telling people she's ugly.

Elated, Tomas jumps up and announces to everyone in the restaurant that she's his friend Lety - she's la fea más bella! People applaud, and she tells him to cool it. He sits down next to her and starts pawing and drooling! She freezes him in mid-slobber by simply saying "Alicia."

Jackson Reynolds shows up for their meeting and kisses her hand. She introduces Tomas as her agent, but Jackson quickly loses interest in him. Jackson is sure now that she's the woman he wants - no other will do - but she refuses, and tells him not to waste his time. He appreciates her honesty and asks her to let him know if she changes her mind. He adds that if she doesn't sign up, he'll go with a more professional place, because Conceptos tricked him. Sucks to be them, because they'll have to indemnify him big time.

He kisses her hand again and leaves, ignoring Tomas's outstretched hand (I think he was only expecting a handshake). Aurora makes a Lety-face.

They go back to Lety's place and Tomas watches Lety draw her eyebrows back on. They rehash her Aurora routine. Tomas agrees that Erasmo would kill her if he knew. Lety says he even ran into her once, but didn't recognize her. She swears him to secrecy. He says she's pretty, and she says she never dreamed anyone would say that to her. "Much less me," Tomas laughs.

He asks if she had plastic surgery. The answer is no. They rehash some more about the troubles with RetroMod. Lety says they'll discuss the details later, but now she wants to sleep.

Birds of a feather

Tomasa is on the couch with some pastry, laughing like a hyena at the TV. Alicia knocks on the door with her pathetic bandaged paws. Tomasa assumes it's her son, calls him a dog's ear, scolds him for losing his keys, and tells him to wait for a commercial, but Alibubis keeps knocking. Tomasa opens the door and doesn't even look at her - her eyes are glued to the TV and she immediately returns to the couch. Ali brings in all of her bags and notices the TV show. She starts laughing too. Tomasa still doesn't notice anything strange.

Alicia brings in the last bag and makes herself at home. She pulls Tomasa's legs off the couch and sits down, still laughing at the TV herself, and starts hitting Tomasa with a throw pillow. Tomasa makes a face like she just found half a worm in her apple.

You know... I think I see a future for these two. Laughing at the TV and yelling at Tomas is a lot of work, but if Alicia and his mom work in shifts, they can get it done in half the time!

The dog's ear finally gets home and trips over Alicia's bags in the dark. Alicia is snoring loudly on the couch. At first, he thinks it's his mother, and tries to shake her awake. Alicia rolls over and snores in her face. Apparently, he recognizes her by smell. He turns on the lights to confirm the diagnosis, thus waking her up. She screams in outrage. Happily, Tomas says "We don't have to get married because now you sleep here!" Tomasa comes out, snaps her fingers at him, says his teddy bear is all alone, and orders him to his room. She makes that half-worm apple face at Alicia again.

Omar and Fern tip the movers

Fern watches the movers take his stuff out of the house. Omar is keeping him company by complaining. Fern says he feels proud. Omar says he feels like an fool, because they sold all their stuff, but now the RetroMod campaign is going to save everything, they didn't have to sell anything! Fern disagrees. He says thanks to Omar's stupidity, now they'll owe a big fat indemnity too. He mocks Omar for being too lazy to read the fine print and predicts that Omar will end up in prison. Don't worry, Fern will bring him ajedreces (chess pieces?) and cigarettes, and once a month he'll get to visit with one of his little lady friends, and if not one of them, then maybe Luigi or someone. Also in prison, they like to play house. Omar can be the mommy.

Omar doesn't think so. At least, he hopes not. Fern says he's going to have to cough up $200,000, then (that's dollars, not pesos!). All Omar can really say is that he doesn't smoke, so Fern can skip the cigarettes. Fern stabs at something on the fireplace floor.

Hmm. Omar must have lived a very sheltered life if he doesn't know what the cigarettes are for. I guess with all the womanizing, he hasn't had time to watch much TV.

Later, the boys look around the new place as their stuff gets moved in. (Fern's tie matches the walls, terra-cotta and gold.) Omar complains that it's a hovel, it's worse than Fern's little office. Fern says no, it's much bigger and it has a window.

Fern says something about lighting and entertaining women. Omar says he doesn't want anyone, much less a woman, to find out that he lives here.

Fern verbally spits on the bedroom that has the bathroom, to claim it. Omar whines. One of the movers says the sofa won't fit through door. It's Omar's. It really won't fit. Fern tells them to keep it. They're happy, Omar not so much, he bought it on credit and hasn't finished paying for it yet! He says that's where he puts his feet up at night to watch TV (but obviously not prison shows).

Sunrise... Dawn... Aurora... BREAKFAST!

It's breakfast at the Padillas'. Aldo's there. Moty is cute. They rehash the Aurora problem for the parents' benefit. Nothing to see here, move along. Okay, one detail that might be important - Lety says that Aurora left for Europe early that morning.

Omar meets Carolina at a restaurant for breakfast. He's already drinking and she doesn't have good news. "I can't believe you're doing this to me!" he tells her. "ME??" She tells him Aurora went to Europe a few days ago and won't return. (If people start comparing notes, they might be confused by the discrepancy, but I think it's a red herring.) Omar says if Aurora doesn't show up, he'll end up in prison. He orders another whiskey. Caro puts her hand on his and assures him he won't go to jail.

He says he hoped it wouldn't come to this, but he's going to have to do something desperate, and everyone will be sorry. He looks at her intently and leaves. Caro says to herself, "Poor thing, he really is in love."

Meanwhile, at the Mora home, Alicia acts grateful for the honor of sleeping on Tomasa's couch. Tomasa tells Alicia she's still got one more test (right now she's working on test #2, ironing all of Tomas's shirts). Alicia whines about her poor hands.

Tomas comes in and greets his "family." Tomasa tells him to lose the smile. "We're going to have a serious talk later." Mom says if Alicia has no home and she's going to keep sleeping there, they need to get married. Tomas happily agrees.

It can't possibly get worse.

It's worse

The HaHas are in the Conceptos boardroom with Lety, Aldo, Marcia, and Fern, reviewing the RetroMod paperwork for loopholes. (Ha2 is Crispin on Destilando Amor.) Ha1 tells Marcia he can't see anything. Ha2 tells him to put on his glasses. Hahahahaha. Fern jokes to Marcia and Aldo that these guys are great - you'll only end up in jail if you're innocent. They don't see any loopholes at all. The contract is very well constructed and clear: indemnity and penalty.

Omar is in his office. A bedazzled Luigi shows up. They chat about Luigi's pashmina. Omar talks about wanting to try something out with Jackson. (Yes, they talk for a long time, but nothing substantive is revealed.)

Aldo says "so there's nothing we can do?" Ha1 says there's maybe one thing: they could pay the indemnity. (D'oh!) It's a lot of money, but 200,000 is less than what they'd have to pay otherwise - they might get sued.

Fern asks if they don't have any good news. Ha1 has some: he hasn't had a drink in two days. I think he adds. Hmm... you know, I think he was smarter when he was drinking, so maybe someone should start pouring! Fern again sarcastically remarks on their high-quality counsel. Ha1 starts kissing Marcia's fingers until she protests in disgust. The HaHas leave. Marcia wipes her hand on Fern.

Aldo begins to say "and it's all the fault of this..." pointing to Fern. Fern takes over with "...imbecile!" pointing to the door as Omar enters. "You called?" Fern and Aldo usher him to a chair. Fern asks how they should kill him. Aldo proposes removing Omar's eyebrows without anesthesia. (Aldo, you're so lame!) Fern says no, let's just cut his head off, it doesn't do anything anyway. But Omar says he has a great idea. He's spoken to JR and he has an idea that will save the company. Everyone groans, and Omar steps out to prepare his brilliant solution.

Lety, Aldo, Fern, and Marcia worry amongst themselves. Aldo says he hopes Omar's not creating false expectations.

Meanwhile, in Luigi's office, Omar and Luigi speak cryptically of their plan. Luigi tells Omar not to worry, and just enjoy his creations. (Oh boy this does not sound good, not good at all!)

JR and a white-haired man have joined the others in the boardroom. JR is saying that he had his doubts about Conceptos, but they hope they'll change his mind. Just in time, in comes Omar to announce that the moment has arrived to present the beautiful Aurora.

Someone comes in who's dressed and made up like Aurora... sort of. She's pretty, but not elegant. Her "fur" coat is obviously synthetic (and not the expensive kind of synthetic). She's about Luigi's size, and for a moment I think... but no. It's not Luigi.

Lety is momentarily confused too, but it's not her either.

Marcia asks the fake Aurora how she got interested in retro fashion. "I don't know," is the fake Aurora's high-pitched answer. Fern remarks on her pretty voice, and they all grin stupidly.

Omar ruefully thought-bubbles that this woman doesn't hold a candle to Aurora. JR says the same thing out loud, but more bluntly. "This woman is not Aurora!" Lety puts her head down. Aldo says they've only ever seen her in photos, so perhaps JR is wrong. JR says no, he met the real one last night, and this one is a terrible imitation. Omar says that can't be - JR must have met with the fake one.

Lety asks for another chance, but JR's patience has run out. He wants back the 2 million dollars he's already advanced them, plus the 200,000 dollars indemnity. Shell Man suggests that they negotiate, but JR cuts him off. "Pay up or I'll sue!"

Lety follows the RetroMod guys into the Vortex, begging some more. She tells them that this wasn't everybody's fault. Omar was trying to help, but he made a mistake and hired the wrong woman. JR says he doesn't care - Omar's an employee of Conceptos, and Conceptos will have to pay the consequences of his error. Bye.

Out in the Vortex, the Cuartel is attempting to calculate a launch window for the gossip satellite they've just built. Whoops, I misunderstood - they're discussing nothing as usual. Tomas and Alicia come in together, the happy couple. Tomas is humming the wedding march, and Alicia proudly has her hand on his arm and her nose in the air. Behind them, Juana throws imaginary confetti.

Tomas says they've announced a date, and Alicia says it's much sooner than they would have thought. Sara asks if she's pregnant. Alicia says she's not that sort of woman.

He's wearing the shirt she ironed for him. There's an iron-shaped patch on it. In a very tattletalish voice, Sara calls attention to it. Tomas says it's the mark of love. He airily tells Alicia that the youngsters (mozuelas) just don't understand. He throws his jacket down on the floor for Alicia to step across.

Luigi breezes through and asks Irmita for some valerian. (In reality I'm describing this scene slightly out of order; at this point, he's about to begin creating the fake Aurora.)

Saimon and Celso show up. Saimon says something about a half-dozen margaritas. Hmm, that sounds good right now, and technically it is cinco de mayo now... hmm... anyway... the cuartel has summoned them for a favor. They want the guys to put on a show for a bachelorette party. It doesn't have to be like "Solo Para Mujeres," but Saimon and Celso will be their strippers. Celso whips out his nightstick (that's not a euphemism) and pretends it's a stripper's pole. He begins practicing his dance.

Wow. Conceptos is a hell of a place to work.

The cuartel witnesses Lety's unhappy plea to JR. They're concerned, but she doesn't want to talk about it. They ask if they can take pictures with the Mystery Woman in the boardroom. Lety says sure, go ahead, take all the pictures they want. They cheer and hug Lety.

Lety goes back into the boardroom, where an impromptu birthday party is being held. Well... it's not exactly a party. And I don't think it's anyone's birthday. But there is a piñata. His name is Omar. :-( Fern yells at him for his new, even stupider idea to remedy the stupid mistake he made before. If he entered an idiot contest, he'd lose. It's a domino effect of idiocy. Marcia also scolds him for trying to pass off this model as Aurora. (The poor model is starting to look awfully glum.) Fern BEGS him not to try to fix the situation any further. Aldo adds that Omar's services - his BAD services - will no longer be needed.

"You're firing me?"

"It's great that he's so intuitive," Fern tells Aldo. Omar is impactado.

---

Next week
Fern is about to get a close-up look at Aurora in a kelly green dress. Oh well, it's better than peach.

Labels: fea

Our Thursday blogger suddenly left us. Here is a recap left by Anonymous - who'd be welcome to take the slot if he/she likes...

A quick snapshot of the action, from my memory and a glance at esmas.com:

Aaron tells Gavi that he's giving her a bonus for the work she did prior to the junta. First she declines, then he tells her to use it to go shopping for some clothes for her new position as his assistant. They have an appointment with the tequila regulators.

The evil corporate guy Quintana makes an unkind suggestion to Gavi about what she did to merit the bonus. She takes her bonus, socks him, and signs off of the bonus.

Rodrigo reports to the cantina and informs Crispin and James that the search is off. Gavi knows where to find him.

Bruno is not on board with Turquoise Tequila. Aaron tells his daddy that he's really a nothing and gets socked in return. Bruno demands that Aaron better bring in some cash with the new enterprise and storms out.

Acacia is fingering her musicbox and remembering when James gave it to her. Meliton demands to know where she got the musicbox and smashes it to the ground. She cries and picks on the broken pieces.

Gavi comes back to work in a bright red short skirt and matching pumps and handbag, all ready for their business meeting!

James sneaks back to Meliton's hacienda with a bunch of red roses, fumbling along the walls in the dark and talking to himself out loud. He starts opening doors looking for his beloved Acacia...He opens the door and there is Meliton's flabby arm draped over Acacia, the two of them are asleep together. James ducks back out into the hall and sinks to the ground. The horror!

The tequila regulators are impressed by Gavi's presentation. One takes Aaron aside and asks where he found Gavi. Aaron says that Gavi found him.

James packs his bags, Acacia cries.

Minverva threatens Aaron about Gavi, she heard from Elvira that he had gone out with Gavi.

Clarita wakes up and freaks out about Gavi working for the Montalvos (maybe it was the outfit Gavi came home in). Gavi assures her that it will be fine.

James comes back to the Montalvo hacienda in a fugue state. Roman and Rod have to get him out of the car. James is going back to Londres.

Gavi kindly gives the prof some of her cash for helping her out with the project and the reclaims Rod's watch at the pawnshop.

Elvira says some nasty words to Gavi about the state of her relationship with Aaron.

Labels: Destilando

EPISODE #58:
* Diego and Bernardo practice sword-fighting in Z-cave. Diego asks Bernardo about MA and what Alej was going to tell him when MA announced she was pregnant. Bernardo says he's crazy. He says maybe but he's still curious.

* Four-way standoff in meadow between Pizarro, Olmos, Geraldo and Renzo. Esmeralda uses her powers of persuasion to get Pizarro to back down - he will if Olmos drops his gun first; Esmeralda orders Olmos to drop his gun - Olmos does so. Pizarro aims his gun at Geraldo, who follows Olmos in dropping his gun. (Stand-off ends.)

* Natives with horses drag Brother Aaron and Don Fernando by rope along the trail. Don Fernando starts to turn into a fiera, breaks free from the rope, jumps on the horse and breaks the native's neck - Fer and the native fall to the ground. Fer then attacks and kills the other natives in the party. Brother Aaron is so impactado, he tries to call on Fer to stop in the name of humanity and G-d. Fer only looks up, grunts and runs away.

* Alej and Dena in bed together, they discuss Fernando the fieras. Dena wonders if this craziness isn't punishment for all the evil Fernando did in the past. Alej isn't sure, maybe it is. Dena is glad that Esmeralda is far away and soon will be with her mother and be safe and happy.

* Jonas the lead gypsy worries about Javier finding Laisha. He and Hermes discuss why Laisha ran. Jonas explains what happened to her husband, Miguel. SK is horrified that could happen to them because of her. Jonas says don't worry, Javier will return with Laisha.

* Javier bounds through the meadow, calling for Laisha. He trips and falls on the ground. Laisha comes from behind and whacks him on the back of the head. He's out cold. She says that when he wakes up, she will be long gone.

* Esmeralda is starting the discuss a plan between her, Pizarro and Olmos - Renzo tries to interrupt with his opinions (he doesn't trust the two men) but Esmeralda tells him to keep quiet. She continues to negotiate the plan to unite with SK and the gypsies.

(CUE OPENING CREDITS)

* MA meets with Montero in his office; they discuss Esmeralda and SK's great escape from under Montero's watch. Montero tells MA that her own sister is a princess. MA doesn't flinch with information and starts in on Montero about his problem in catching Zorro/Diego. Montero hands MA a glass of wine (?) as he changes the subject to her pregnancy. She lets it slip about Diego's amnesia. Montero is impactado and scolds her for not telling him about it. She says why should she? they aren't partners in crime. Montero sits at his desk and changes the subject back to Esmeralda and the search. MA wants him to kill Esmeralda for her. Montero realizes how cold and heartless MA is towards Esmeralda, and remarks that people won't believe that she is a future, sweet mother. MA calls Montero an imbecile.

* Alone, before Renzo leaves, Esmeralda and Renzo have a private conversation as they plan Renzo joining with the gypsies and protecting SK. Renzo tells Esmeralda how enchanted with her he has been. Esmeralda lets him down gently. (AW! a boyhood crush like Hipolita and Martin in Alborada).

* Diego, Bernardo and PT have sword/stick fighting practice in the Z-cave. Diego also practice using his whip to put out the candle flames.

* Cardinal visits MP. MP talks to him about giving Sor Loca another chance and letting her return to the church convent. She totally supports it; he still isn't convinced.

* Sor Carola and Sor Novincia have Camba move a heavy piece of furniture. Sor Loca enters the room and stops them. They explain what they are having Camba help them with. Sor Loca tells them that Camba is still healing and they shouldn't use him as a slave in the church. Sor Carola and Sor Novincia excuse themselves. Sor Loca starts to help Camba finish moving the furniture piece. Camba touches Sor Loca's hand; she pulls away quickly; he apologizes (I think); she says don't worry about it and quickly leaves; he has a big smile on his face (oo-oo! Camba you naughty boy).

* Dena stops MA in the front hall. Dena wants to know about control of Fernando's estate - MA says that he is crazy and starts in about his will and testament. Dena is aghast that MA would think like that - MA wonders how else should she think, her father went crazy in the streets of town and abandoned everything. Dena scolds her about it; and then starts in on MA's pregnancy.

* Pizarro talks with Esmeralda about Don Fernando. Esmeralda, to change the subject, asks for some privacy so she can go to the bathroom. Pizarro warns her not to use the excuse just so she can escape. Esmeralda does her best to convince him that she really needs to go. He lets her go alone, for one minute. Olmos approaches as Esmeralda leaves and asks Pizarro why Esmeralda is walking off alone - Pizarro says she is a lady who needs some private time. Olmos follows Esmeralda.

* As Esmeralda walks towards a clump of bushes, Olmos yells to her. She drops down behind the bushes and calls back not to approach - she's not decent. Olmos leaves (returns to the campsite).

* Diego changes into his everyday suit in his room. He finds a note from Esmeralda in his jacket pocket. He reads it. He's confused and needs more information.

* Esmeralda runs through the woods, searching for Renzo. Montero and his soldiers come from the opposite direction and surprise Esmeralda. Montero grabs Esmeralda at knife point and flares his disgusting insults and orders at her.

* Diego thinks Esmeralda is the woman in his dreams and wonders about what happened to them. He asks G-d for help. Dolores enters with a tray of food for Diego. She introduces herself as his nanny. He smiles and thanks her. She asks if he remembers her - he says no. He can just tell by her manners. He then asks her for information about Esmeralda.

* Dena doesn't believe MA is really pregnant - the dates just don't add up. MA is shocked that Dena doesn't believe her, but oh, well, it isn't important anyway. Dena starts to scold MA about her attitude. MA scoffs back at her aunt. Dena tells MA that she and Alej will be watching her like a hawk. MA says fine by me and leaves.

* Esmeralda tells Montero off - that her mom and the gypsies are safely on their way to catch a ship for Spain. Montero knows she's bluffing - he has spies everywhere and there is no sign of SK anywhere. He knows of the iron mask being taken off SK. Esmeralda warns Montero that when her mom takes back the throne, he will be punished. He laughs and tells her that he has more power than she can imagine right now and that she will soon die.

* Alej visits MP. He is so happy to see her; they hug at the door. He says it's a miracle that she survived. MP tells her brother that PT filled her in on what's been happening with him and Fer. Alej asks her why she didn't tell him about Fer's involvement with Regina/Purnia's death.

* Fer sneaks up on a campsite - the two mexicans are sound asleep. He takes a swig from the bottle and makes a sour face. The men don't wake when he hits their legs. He sneaks away with their sombrero, sacks and their donkey.

* MP explains to Alej why she didn't say anything to him. Alej knows that Fer killed Regina/Purnia.

* Olmos makes Pizarro realize that Esmeralda did indeed give him the slip and escape. Pizarro is walking back to the fire to order the soldiers to search for her when Montero drags Esmeralda back to the camp and the soldiers have their guns raised. Montero and Pizarro argue over whether Pizarro is a traitor or not. Esmeralda can't believe what Pizarro is saying to Montero.

* Dolores explains to Diego that Esmeralda is the only woman he's ever loved. Diego is delighted to hear this, and thanks Dolores for her honesty. Dolores stops him and continues with her worries over him doing something dangerous to be with her now. She reminds him that he is an excellent horseman, but yet he somehow fell off a horse and got a concussion and amnesia. Diego agrees that is a mystery to him too. She makes him promise not to do anything dangerous - she doesn't want to lose him. They hug.

* Alej tells MP about Diego's amnesia. MP is impactado. Alej tells her that he is recovering at the hacienda and it will take time for him to recover his memory. Alej then tells her that MA is using the amnesia to her advantage and telling Diego lies and half-truths. (Alej is disgusted with MA).

* Diego scolds Bernardo for not telling him anything about Esmeralda, or his marriage to MA. Bernardo stands there looking at Diego, not making any gestures. Diego can't understand how he could be in love with one woman and still marry another. He thinks the amnesia is a blessing and now he can correct past wrongs in his life. However now that MA is pregnant, he can't leave her.

* MA, in her room, grumbles about Dena's scoldings. She sits at her dressing table and looks in the mirror. She wonders if Montero is completing on her request to kill Esmeralda. She wants her child, and only hers, to be the lone heir of the de la Vega fortune.

* On her knees, Esmeralda yells at Pizarro for betraying her trust. Pizarro continues to weave his story to convince Montero he is loyal and trustworthy. Pizarro orders one of his soldiers to speak up and corroborate his story. The soldier does so - he says the plan was to use Esmeralda to find out where SK is. Pizarro says it is all true. Montero still doesn't believe him or his story. He orders Pizarro to turn in his arms, he strips him of his rank and places him under arrest - to have a tribunal and then be sentences to death as a traitor. Olmos and Geraldo watch with lumps in their throats. Esmeralda is impactado.

* Dolores runs to Yumi's room. Alej hasn't returned from his visit to MP. Yumi says they will wait awhile longer, if Alej still hasn't returned, she will go search for him. Dolores says no, she will go - Yumi will stay. Yumi is worried what could happen to Alej. on the road at night.

* MP asks if Dena knows that Fer killed Regina/Purnia. Alej says yes, she does. MP then asks how Alej found out. He says White Buffalo did. MP is surprised to discover Regina's family actually survived. Alej explains briefly how he met Yumi and her brothers, and White Buffalo. He tells MP that Yumi is Regina/Purnia's sister. MP realizes that since Yumi is his sister-in-law, and according to native mexican law, Yumi is now his second wife. Alej realizes this also. MP supposes Dena doesn't know about this. Alej say no, she doesn't. Alej isn't sure how Dena will react - the relationship between the two ladies is tenuous at best right now. Alej then confesses to his sister that he loves them both. MP asks what feelings he has for Yumi. He explains that he has a profound connection with Yumi, it is very distinct. MP realizes that his life is very complicated and that Dena for sure wouldn't understand native mexican law and customs. Alej says he's at a sort of crossroads between two ladies, and he has no idea who to choose - he loves them both equally and in different ways. She advises to give his heart time and wait for the answer to come. Then she tells him that she will soon become Mother Superior for the congregation. He congratulates his sister.

* In the bedroom, the surgeon is still working on Tobias' butt wound. As the surgeon stings and pats hard on the wound, Tobias cries out in pain. The two men also argue over whether Tobias is Zorro or there is another one. Surgeon doesn't believe there is another one - Tobias has the hat, cape and mask. They continue to argue as the surgeon packs up his medical bag. Cata enters to tell them to be quiet, maestro will hear. Cata asks about payment - surgeon says no charge, it was his pleasure to do this and if they need anything in the future, he will return. Surgeon leaves. Cata asks Tobias what happened. Tobias whines about surgeon convinced he is the real Zorro, what he's going to do now with the mess he created.

* Esmeralda is pushed down on the ground beside Olmos and Geraldo. Montero gives orders to soldiers, if they try to escape - shoot to kill. Olmos sputters to try and plead for his life - Montero isn't interested and Esmeralda tells Olmos pleading with Montero is pointless. Montero says listen to her, she knows me so well. Montero then orders Pizarro to talk in private. Montero leaves - Pizarro hesistates then follows.

* Diego sits in the living room with Sgt. Garcia. Garcia starts talking about Esmeralda - Diego is intrigued and asks Garcia to tell him about her. Garcia tells him that he (Diego) and Esmeralda were engaged and were going to be married. Diego is very intrigued and presses Garcia to tell him more. Garcia tells Diego the story of how Esmeralda and Zorro initially met (flashback). Diego is very intrigued and mutters to himself - Garcia asks what's wrong? Diego says nothing, he only wishes Esmeralda were there to help him remember. Garcias says that according to Pizarro, Esmeralda and her mother should be gone and sailing back to Spain soon - there's no hope of ever seeing her again.

* Alej and Juan and others stop on trail near rock cliffs to give their horses a rest. They are ambushed by a squadron of soldiers on the cliffs above them. They run for cover - Alej is cornered with no way out - he yells at the others to run to the hacienda for help. They don't want to leave, but Alej convinces him to go. They flee from the scene. The shooting stops. Lieutenant steps onto the cliff face. Alej stands up and pulls out his sword. Lieutenant orders him to drop the sword and surrender peacefully. Realizing he is outnumbered, Alej stabs his sword in the ground and surrenders. Lt. sends greetings from Montero, who will see him in the morning at Callao prison.

* Alone in the wooded clearing, Pizarro makes a solid attempt to convince Montero that he is loyal and faithful; he only went on his own to try and get SK back and prove his loyalty to Montero. Montero is still skeptical. Pizarro apologizes for not completing his orders, but his excuse is that it was all done to prove his loyalty. Montero, still skeptical, asks where SK is now. Pizarro tells him that Renzo was sent to meet with the gypsies and SK - he sent one of his soldiers to follow him. When Renzo gets to the group, the soldier will return and tell them the location.

* Renzo runs through the woods. Soldier follows him. He ducks behind a tree - the soldier loses Renzo in the dark. Renzo waits for the soldier to run past. Renzo realizes the soldier is sign that it was all a trap. He has to find the group and tell them - they need to develop another rescue plan, this time for Esmeralda. He doubles back and runs in the opposite direction from the soldier.

* By the tree, Esmeralda scolds Montero about Fer and encarcerating her mother for so many years and putting the iron mask on her. Montero spouts back to Esmeralda that Fer can't help her now, he's gone completely insane. Esmeralda is tan impactado with the news about Fer running through the town streets naked and abandoning his family, fortune and his duties as governor. By the campfire, Olmos asks the soldier guard for permission to speak with Montero - he has lots of information that Montero will want to hear. Soldier interrupts Montero and Esmeralda to tell Montero of Olmos' last request. Montero at first isn't interested but later changes his mind.

* Away from the group, Olmos starts to tell Montero about his position as chief administrator for Fer. Montero starts to leave, but returns to ask for information on who controls the estate and properties now that Fer has gone crazy and left. Olmos says he has all the papers including the last will and testament for Fer. Montero stops him as he starts to plead for his life and leaves.

Soldier asks Montero for orders to execute Olmos - Montero says no execution; the prisoners will be taken to Callao prison for further interrogation. They will continue their search for the fugitive.

* Lt. tells Alej again the plan for him to be taken to Callao prison where Montero will be there to see him in the morning. Alej starts to eloquently try to talk Lt. into switching sides before it is too late; to fight with Alej against the tyranny of Montero (for leniancy with the Queen of Spain). Lt. says despite everything you say or do, nothing and no one can save you now.

* Yumi wakes Dolores up - Alej hasn't come home yet. Dolores is worried. Dolores and Yumi run into the living room just as Juan appears and tells Diego and Bernardo about the ambush last night. Diego, confused, looks to Bernardo for help in handling the situation (what to say). Diego sends Juan out - Yumi leaves with him.

* Jonas tells the group to be very quiet, someone's coming. Soon, Renzo pops out and slides into home plate. Out of breath, he explains to SK, Jonas and others about Pizarro's trap and that they have Esmeralda. SK wants to go rescue her daughter - Jonas says she can't, it is too risky.

* Soldiers catch Laisha and drag her to Montero. She struggles to break free. Montero greets her cordially - she spits in his face. He pulls out his knife and holds it to her neck. Esmeralda shouts encouragement to Laisha. Montero grunts for her to tell him where SK is; Laisha refuses to say anything. Montero orders Pizarro to take Esmeralda to Callao prison - and follow the order to the letter. As Pizarro leaves with Esmeralda, Esmeralda shouts more encouragement to Laisha. Montero grabs Laisha and grunts that he will get her to talk. The soldiers drag her away.

* In the Z-cave, Bernardo hands a note to Diego - Diego reads it; Bernardo wrote down the explanation for Zorro disguise. As Diego reads the note, by television magic, Diego changes into Zorro.

* In the hallway of the prison, Pizarro and Aguirre explain orders for special prisoners at Callao. Esmeralda can't believe how two-faced Pizarro is - he's worse that Montero. Pizarro says everyone has a path to take, his is littered with blood. Then he pulls out the iron mask and tells Esmeralda that she will be now be the lady in the iron mask.

Labels: Zorro