Caray, Caray!

That's #276 by Univision's count; !!!!278!!!! hours of cuartel craziness.

Alicia and Tomas are back from their honeymoon. Alicia is wearing a Spring-friendly pink dress with straw hat (remember, it's like January now), while Tomas is wearing blue sunglasses under his new eyeglasses. Alicia announces to the cuartel: "Before you make a fatal error, keep in mind that I'm married to the VP of Finance." She adds that they now must respect and admire her.

This provokes Sara to begin spilling the beans on Alicia's little scheme, but she is shushed by the rest of the cuartel (I guess they don't want to have to explain how they came by that information). Lola asks the newlyweds to tell them about Acapulco. Suspicious, Tomas angrily defends his wife, and Aldo shows up just in time to interrupt any further conversational developments. That's okay, because Tomas wants to talk to him anyway. The two men take off. Alicia tells the cuartel she does so have friends, and goes to look for Marcia. When the cuartel is alone in the Vortex, Sara vents a bit. Irma advises her to cool it.

Meanwhile, Luigi, Marcia, Omar, and Fern and talking about Aurora. Marcia hasn't been able to get in touch with her. I think Marcia says her phone's out of service, after she's left 20 messages. Anyway, they can't reach her. Fern points out that Caro is friendly with Aurora, and ought to be able to find her. Marcia goes to call Caro. The guys goof off, Fern says if he can't do something he's going to kill someone, and Omar begs for mercy, saying he can't die without having Aurora's love. Luigi tells them not to loaf - they've got to prepare to shoot a new pilot with Aurora. Omar says they're already working on (or done with) the second and third episodes. He sends them out of his office, and stares lovingly at a photo of Aurora, moaning "my muse, my muse."

Aldo and Tomas talk about the honeymoon. Tomas explains to Aldo, I had her there in my bed, next to me, and... no action at all! He explains that it's an awful sacrifice to make for the sake of Alicia's desire for motherhood. Aldo points out that if she's so eager to be a mother, it doesn't make much sense for her to refuse sex with Tomas. Tomas puzzles over this for a bit. One thing he does know is that when those fertile days arrive, he's not even going to leave the house, he's going to be so passionate, so ardent, so... Aldo interrupts him. (THANK YOU ALDO!) Tomas thanks Aldo and says he's like a friend, brother, brother-in-law, savior of marriages.

Alicia and Marcia talk about the honeymoon. Marcia seems newly aghast when Alicia admits to marrying only to improve her standard of living. I'm not sure why Marcia is reacting as if she's hearing this for the first time. She disapprovingly rehashes Alicia's "no sex except during my fertile days" scam. Alicia asks herself what she's going to do when those days finally arrive.

Lety likes Fernando's next episode script. She says next thing, he'll want to go to Hollywood, but Fern denies having any such interests. He wants to be around her... and by that, he hastily adds, he means being around the thing Lety represents, the company... He describes the trouble they've had in finding Aurora. He complains about all her bad qualities, then slyly admits that she's kind of hot. Lety is impactada. He says that he's trying to get on with his life. Lety disapproves of his interest in Aurora and tries to discourage him. (I just noticed the candy-cane stripes on Fern's tie. Yummy!)

Fern retires to his batcave. Lety calls him out. He dutifully reappears at her side. She says "never mind" and sends him back. When he's gone, she tells herself, please no don't let Fern like Aurora, she'd just die.

Tomas (still wearing those blue shades with his regular glasses) in his office drools over the wedding photo and complains that while he's as hot as the Sahara desert, Alicia is as icy as the North Pole. Lety comes in and welcomes him back, jumping up and down like a human bobblehead. She updates him on the Aurora situation (no new information for us). Aurora will have to come in this afternoon. Lety asks Tomas to keep Aldo busy so that he won't run into Aurora and get a good look at her. He agrees, and they giggle.

Out in the Vortex, the cuartel asks Alicia where she and Tomas will share their nights of love. She says she doesn't know yet, but she's sure it'll be awesome. Just then, Tomas accosts Aldo passing through the Vortex and persuades him to go out for coffee. Sara teases Alicia that she'll have to continue chatting with them about her new home. Alicia runs to the elevator in terror. A moment later, Fern comes out of Lety's office, looking for Aldo. They tell him he's gone off with Tomas, but he knows Lety's gone too, so he makes loud "thinking in progress" noises and goes back to his little room.

At Carolina's house, Caro is impressed as she watches Lety apply Aurora makeup. She jokes that afterwards, Lety should make her up too. She confesses to Lety that she is worried about someone getting hurt. Lety mentions Aldo, then Fernando. Knowing who Caro has in mind, Lety playfully mentions Tomas. No, of course, Caro is referring to Omar. Lety chokes herself in mock disgust. Caro says he's learned his lesson already. Lety teases, "you're in love with Omar!" They joke around about Lety's vengefulness and discuss more practical matters: Lety whispers that Tomas is keeping Aldo away from Aurora for the day. Maybe Caro should call and ask for Aldo, just to make sure he's gone. "Why are we whispering?" asks Carolina. "We're hiding!" Lety answers. Carolina calls Fernando to confirm. Indeed, Aldo's not around.

Aldo and Tomas are waiting for a cab outside, when Alicia catches up. She tells Tomas she wants to see their new mansion right now. "Don't tell me this is one of your fertile days??" Tomas asks. She protests that that's private, and anyway, no she is not fertile today. Tomas asks if she can't please be more discreet! She repeats that she just wants to see their big new palace. Tomas says no, no, he has to go get coffee with Aldo. Since it was never Aldo's idea to get coffee in the first place, he excuses himself so he can get back to work. Alicia thanks him for being so understanding. Tomas thought-bubbles that Lety's going to kill him! A cab comes up and Alicia says "Come on, little dog-ear!"

In the Vortex, the cuartel laugh at the notion of Tomas buying a palace for his queen. Martha suggests some other things he could have bought for her instead - something sensible, like a meal or a lighter for the stove.

In the cab, Alicia and Tomy approach their new home. Alicia tries to peek through Tomy's fingers. She hears kids and is curious. Tomas takes his hand away. Ta-da! It's an apartment complex. A very modest one. It looks well-kept and kid-friendly, with adults and kids playing ball together in a big yard, but it's clearly not what Alicia was expecting. They'll be in building 7-D. Not too high, not too low, but right in the middle, and all hers. She'll be able to do her laundry on the roof. "This is our house?" Alicia mutters incredulously. "No, it's our PALACE!" Tomas exclaims joyfully.

The ball flies into Alicia's arms. She looks like she's going to cry. "If I have to live around here, we're getting divorced!" She throws the ball hard at Tomas and marches back to the cab. Tomas throws it over his shoulder to the dad.

Carolina and Aurora arrive at Conceptos. Caro hurries ahead to ask the cuartel if Aldo is around. They say no, he went out. (I guess they didn't seem him come back.) They say he was with Tomas and they were talking about the honeymoon. ("You know how gossipy men can be," Lola adds.) Sara eagerly offers to take a message so she can deliver it to him when he comes back. Carolina gives Aurora the all-clear, and then Aurora comes off the elevator alone, pretending to have wandered in by herself. (So is the front desk now completely unsupervised? Did Jazmin simply settle into her job in a competent and satisfactory manner, or did she get fired without us getting to enjoy the spectacle?)

Aurora snottily asks the cuartel where Luigi's studio is, and Caro pretends to be surprised to see her. (Aurora's dress is diagonally striped in almost exactly the color I wanted to see on her... but I wanted a solid. Ah well - at this rate there will be plenty more dresses!) Aldo approaches, and Aurora tries to walk away with her nose in the air. Aldo insists on introducing himself. He says he can tell that she's deeper than she appears. She's sensitive, spiritual, intelligent, etc. (It really does sound less stupid when he's the one saying it.) During all of this, Aurora keeps turning back to Caro to make all kinds of Lety faces. Then she turns back to Aldo with her haughty, vacant stare. It's hi-larious.

Aldo excuses himself and goes into Lety's office. Aurora is reassured that he didn't recognize her. Whispering, Aurora and Caro congratulate one another on their deception. Then Aldo comes back into the Vortex, gives Aurora a very amused (knowing?) look, and goes back to his own office.

Meanwhile, in the batcave, Fernando is recalling his words to Lety about restarting his life and liking Aurora. Marcia interrupts, and he sadly admits that he lied to Lety. Marcia, who is really getting on my good side these days, says "I hoped you had learned your lesson by now." She says she wants to be supportive, and wants to hear more, but Fern is reticent. He can't discuss all this Lety stuff with her. She scoffs, and says that she's like his sister now. "I know you're still aching for Lety," she prompts. Fern says of course he is. Marcia teases him and asks him what was the lie. Fern says he told Lety that he'd leave her alone for the sake of her relationship with Aldo, but it's been hard work. He's always on the brink of telling her that he loves her, so instead, he told her that maybe he might like Aurora.

Marcia is skeptical, and Fernando says no, of course not really, no one likes Aurora. She's an insufferable fake. Only a mentally defective person like Omar could love her. He smacks Marcia playfully on the arm, then quickly apologizes, saying that he felt like he was talking to a male friend. To make up the difference, they squeal like girlfriends. He says he's hoping to make Lety think that he's forgotten about her and moved on, so that she can feel good about being with Aldo.

Right now, I need to get up, fix myself a cup of internationally flavored instant coffee, and savor the irony of this moment. We can call it "Fern's Campaign of Horror, pt. II."

Luigi calls to tell them Aurora's here. Fernando gets up to notify Lety, and is surprised to see that she's still gone. Marcia teasingly notes that he really is in love with Lety, and not Aurora.

Aurora and Carolina are waiting with Luigi. L'Auroraty is thought-bubbling about Fern telling her that he might like Aurora. Fern, Omar, and Marcia arrive and the men flock around Aurora, a little too close for her liking. "Luigi," Aurora warns sharply, and Luigi commands them to give her some space. Aurora demands a formal meeting to discuss the role and the contract. Marcia beams as Fern struggles to control his temper.

Out in the Vortex, Alicia phones her Papi in front of the cuartel and loudly tells him that Tomas got her a mansion like a princess such as herself deserves. Passing through, Fern touches Aurora by mistake, and she protests. He says all kinds of suck-uppy things about how he's so glad she's working with them at Conceptos, she's so special, she smells special, etc. Omar witnesses this and is displeased. He whisks Aurora away, and for once she doesn't seem to mind.

Fernando makes it a point to tell the cuartel how hot he thinks she is. Sara asks if that means he's not in love with Lety any more. He's all, "oh, no, don't let Lety find out about this. What? Me flirting with Aurora? Yeah, no, definitely make sure you don't tell her anything, I'm serious." PM promises they won't tell. Fern says he knows he can count on their discretion. They all zip their lips (if only it were that easy) and he leaves.

Disappointed, Martha says she thought he had changed and was really in love with Lety. PM says a guapo like him never changes. The cuartel engages in some dull-witted debate on this weighty issue.

The execs reconvene with Aurora, this time in the boardroom. Fern explains his comedy show to Aurora. It's a once-a-week show. Aurora says she doesn't like to work with amateurs. Marcia says they were surprised to discover that Fern is not only a great writer, but a great actor. Caro and Luigi make supportive remarks too. Luigi adds that their sponsor loves it, and specifically asked for Aurora. Aurora disdainfully agrees to review a script to make sure her character really is the female lead. Omar says something about a contract. Bored, Aurora asks "Señor Mandolina" how much he plans to pay her. He suddenly finds himself unable to speak.

Tomas meets with Aldo in Aldo's office. Laughing, Aldo tells Tomas, "now that I've met Aurora, I think she'd be great for Fernando." Tomas is not listening. He says that Alicia threatened him with divorce. She said the place wasn't decent to live in, and she won't spend the night with him. He can't stand to be away from her for even a minute. Aldo suggests renting a property from the guy who owns the place where Aldo's staying. He's got places that are smaller and cheaper. He writes down some info for a property he thinks Tomas will be able to afford. Tomas thinks it's quite pricey, but is grateful that at least he'll get to sleep with his chica. He thanks Aldo and says he's like a friend, brother, brother-in-law, savior of marriages. (Yes, I know he said that earlier too.)

After Tomas leaves, Aldo calls his old pal Gerardo from the restaurant that Aldo built but never got to own. He tells G. that he got back some of his money, and wants to know if there's some way he can build a new restaurant. No? But what's this - maybe he can actually buy his original restaurant back?

Now Aurora is reviewing the contract. Fern is hovering over her shoulder ("don't touch me!" she scolds him again), trying to get her to sign the contract, but she's not finished reading every last word yet, plus she's even testier than before. She says she needs to show it to her agent and get his opinion. She gets up to leave. Fern says no, you've got to meet our president, Lety! Aurora scoffs. "Again, the concern over that woman? Look, Señor Mongolia, whatever, if she wants to meet me, she can come to these meetings. I won't consider waiting even a second for her." And she leaves in a huff!

Omar gets up to follow. Caro tries to delay his exit, but she's not fast enough. Marcia wonders aloud where Lety is. Fernando smugly points out that he never missed important stuff when he was president. (Yeah, except for that gigantic accounting error that started this entire mess all those many months ago. But let's not dwell on the past.)

Omar follows Aurora into the Vortex and asks her out. She just stares at him as the elevator doors closes in his face. Alicia laughs at Omar and taunts him. (She has her clown kit in one hand, and the cell phone is nestled in its usual place.) PM opens her big mouth about Fern flirting with Aurora. (Dammit, PM! You were supposed to tell Lety, not Omar!) PM says she likes Aurora better with Fern. Laughing, Alicia agrees.

I guess marriage really has mellowed Alicia. I think this is the first time she and PM have ever agreed on anything.

Omar stalks off to confront Fern, who's mumbling in his closet. "I told you 1000 times I'm dying for this woman! The only woman!" (Caro is standing in Lety's office and hearing every word.) "You know perfectly well that for the first time, I'm in love." (Lety arrives and listens with Caro.) Omar accuses Fern of flirting. They talk about girls they knew in grade school. "Ever since sixth grade, you sicky, you've been hung up on girls in miniskirts?" Fern asks. "Third grade," Omar corrects him.

Lety and Caro take off for the boardroom to cool off. Lety says that Aurora is complicating everyone's lives. She asks if it bothers Carolina to see Omar in love with Aurora, and now Fern in love with her too. Well, DUH, Lety! Lety hears Fern calling for her. Lety groans and gives Caro a hug. She leaves Caro alone in the boardroom to sulk.

Lety finds Fern sitting in the president's chair. He says he'll get up in just a second. He wants to know where she's been all afternoon. She says she left, and now she's back - ta-da! He says Aurora was there, and has Lety spoken with the cuartel yet? Because they're very gossipy and they saw him with Aurora.

Lety tells him to switch seats. She tells him that Aurora's no good for him. She doesn't want him to get hurt.

She tells him to switch seats again, so now Fern is back in the president's chair. She tells him she's going to go see Aldo, so if the phone rings, please answer it. She leaves.

"She's soooo jealous!" Fern squeals, clapping his hands.

Omar finds Carolina in the boardroom. Now they are each sulking in their own little world, but in the same room. Caro tells him to forget about Aurora. She says she doesn't want him to suffer. Omar says he appreciates her concern, but he's already a lost cause. He wanders out of the boardroom, but acknowledges her again with a grateful look. Caro prays that she won't have to suffer for Omar.

Lety gets to Aldo's office, where Aldo is telling Stalker Chick "You didn't tell me you were coming, and I've got a busy day, so why don't we meet later." Stalker Chick whines that she's been working on something, and she needs his opinion. He tells her to leave it with him, and he'll mail his comments to her! Aldo sees Lety and tells her they're just finishing up. SC boldly reaches across the desk to give Aldo a goodbye kiss on his face. She gives Lety's arm a friendly pat and leaves.

Lety prances clunkily around Aldo's desk and coughs, pretending the sight of them together has made her sick. He backs her against a narrow table (the one with the boat) and teasingly complains about the lack of privacy for kisses and carresses. Giggling, Lety ducks away from an attempted kiss. He then turns around and backs her against his desk. She says they should go out for a walk and talk about their Feelings. She says she depends on him, she cares for him, she concerns himself with his well-being. He feels the same way. He says he's a better person because he's with her. She says she's learned to see the world the way he does, and he says he sees life as if through her eyes.

"Leticia, I can't do this any more. Please marry me!"

Cue the balloons.

---

Monday
Julieta faints; Lety gets blinged.

As of Monday, we'll be in "últimos capítulos," which is a little bit closer to the end than mere "últimas semanas." I think it means we now have four weeks left. (The number of "last weeks" and "last episodes" seems to vary from one novela to another, I think, so I'm not sure.)

Am I ready for this? I don't know!!

Labels: fea

Friday May 18, 2007
Duelo de Pasiones

SHOWING THIS WEEK ONLY on a screen near you: “Two Funerals and a Wedding” plus a BONUS FEATURE, “Resurrection from the Dead!” (No Extra Charge)

¡Hola, todos! This is Schoolmarm Jeanne. I’m an apprentice for Ferro tonight. Thank you in advance for your patience with my recapping skills and thanks for any additions and corrections as needed! I welcome them!

We open to Adela comforting a still distraught Soledad in the woods, telling her she should not be dwelling on death, and Soledad points out that she is mourning her daughter because she can’t be with her daughter now (certainly seems a good reason to me for dwelling on death). Adela tells Soledad that Luba has sent her to share some good news—“Alina is NOT dead!” Soledad is disbelievingly impactada. She begs Adela not to play with her or lie to her. Adela assures her that she herself saw Alina in Luba’s cave and Luba’s fixing one of those potions of hers that she’ll use to fix Alina. There you go, simple as that, Ma’am. No Problem. She continues with this incredible story of Alina taking something to look dead so she wouldn’t have to get married. Then Luba took Alina from the grave and now she’s reviving Alina. Good as new in no time.

Soledad, who may not be a stupid as we have believed, is disbelieving this tale. Not to mention that she may be creeped out. Adela assures her it’s the truth, and though she’s always thought this stuff was from the devil, she sees it could be for the good. Soledad astutely says she can’t believe it……oh, wait. She’s talked herself into it. Another close one. We almost had here there to reality. She races off with Adela, thanks be to God for this good fortune.

Back at the Rinconada, one of our men in black is facing off with his esposa, her riding crop in his hand, accusing her of hitting Jaime with it and causing the mark on Jaime’s face and threatening Alina. Thelma, caught like a stuck pig and knowing the best defense is a good offense (and she is one offensive chick), tells Emilio “yeah, I did that, because the devil made me do it. It’s not my fault. I was blinded by jealousy.” That surely makes it acceptable. You humiliated me, you love Alina. So, it’s really your fault. You want to know the truth, I’m sorry. Emilio astutely tells her it’s a bit late for that, since Alina’s dead. Gee, you must be so satisfied that Alina is dead. Thelma denies that. She didn’t want Alina dead (no, we know that she wanted to keep tormenting Alina, so this is totally believable).

Emilio tells Thelma he never guessed she could be so bad and one such as her should not be a mother. (Ya think?) He says the boy stays with him. Thelma struggles with Emilio. Auntie comes running in, hearing the yelling, wondering what’s up here?

At Casa de Loco, Alfonsina is following DL and asking him if he remembers when Genaro tried to kill him (back at the sugar plantation he owns)? It was Hugo who found him. Don Loco looks at her accusingly. “How do you know that?” “Because I was eavesdropping.” (Surprise!) DL starts to backhand her but she’s saved by the bell when Sergio runs in, yelling for him. Soledad has escaped. DL tells him he’s not only a traitor, he’s useless. He storms out after Soledad.

Back at the Rinconada, Auntie is trying to calm the lovebirds down, trying to find out what the heck’s up. She reminds them the baby will be frightened. They tell her not to meddle, and then Emilio tells Thelma they’re finished! Thelma spits back, “no way!” There’s gonna be no divorce and the baby is mine. Auntie tells them to settle down and Emilio, tired of Thelma anyway, says okay, we’ll resolve this later and leaves with Thelma trailing. She slams the door and Auntie tells her, you’ve lost him. We’ll see. I swear he’s staying with me. (Fat chance).

Back in the woods, Soledad is jubilant that Alina is alive and now she can figure out how to escape. (She’s back in Never Never Land, gentle readers). She’s got to see her now, at Luba’s cave. Adela wants to go to Nora’s but Soledad insists.

Emilio, back at the Rinconada, is talking to God in his room alone. Why is she dead and why did she leave me (it’s always about you, isn’t it, Emilio?) Across the hall, we hear a knock on Angel’s door as he lies in the bed, resting on top of the covers in his black mourning clothes. (In fact, just in case you didn’t see this one today, everyone so far except Alfonsina and Sergio have been in mourning, IIRC). Thelma enters and begs a favor. Angel has the good sense to look wary. He tells her he’s tired and needs rest, and she says “I would not want to disturb you, but…..” and proceeds to disturb him. Thelma asks him to work on Emilio to not divorce her and stay with her and the baby. She plays on him, reminding him he had no parents since a very early age. She tells Angel that Emilio is only thinking about himself and never thinks about her. (It’s always about you, isn’t it, Thelma?) Angel says he will do it, but not as a favor to her and Emilio will have the last word. She thanks him and kisses him and leaves. (Judas kissed Jesus, too, as I recall).

Downstairs, Max is commiserating with Orlando about how he must be relieved not to have to get married. Orlando, who apparently realizes that it’s not socially acceptable to express such a feeling when the escape from marriage is the result of the bride’s death, denies he is relieved. He never wanted her dead (of course he didn’t, now he’ll never get what is Emilio’s). Vera enters with one of the soldiers (I forget which one) who wants Emilio. Orlando is impactado.

In the D. F., Dr. Love and Malena are rejoicing over Mariana’s first word and her progress. But, Malena is concerned that any time now Don Loco is going to show up and all will be lost. She’s hopeful that Mariana can tell it all by the time that her brother storms the place. Mariana, who has all her wits about her, thought bubbles that she hopes it’ll be enough to tell the truth because her brother is plumb loco and who knows how he’ll take the news?

At Max’s office, Orlando has asked if he could help and the soldier says, sorry, no can. I have orders to deal only with the Captain. Orlando is miffed. Oh, it’s Frank. Orlando tells him okay, Frank, it’s about the highway project, then? (Fishing for info, Orlando?) Max interrupts. Excuse me, Engineer, I never expected to see you in these parts again because I know you have issues with Álvaro. (Fishing for info, Max?) Elias agrees, but points out his work comes before any personal issues. Max gives him the bad news about Alina. Elias is commercial impactado.

(Ed. Note: from this moment on for a while, the scenes changed so fast it made me dizzy. I hope reading it doesn’t give you the same malady, gentle readers).

Elias is seated, shaking his head, with the guys standing around him. They think they better take him to the doctor. He leaves with a soldier, and Orlando leaves. Frank waits for Emilio while Max gets ready to leave for the fields.

Upstairs, Vera hunts for something to prove Luba poisoned Alina. She finds the flask, and thinks she knows what it is and what happened. “Bad old witch!” She runs out of Alina’s former room with the flask.

Elias leaves with the soldier in the jeep. Elias doesn’t want to see the doctor, he wants to see the person who saved his life first – Luba.

At the Meson, the girls are worried about Coral and want Grani to hunt for her. He says, no way, Luba is an authentic witch and I’m not messing with her. They agree they all better stay put.

At the cave, Luba throws Coral and Gaspar out of the back room where they’re grieving over Floralina’s body. Luba sends lots of prayers up for Flor and for herself. She doesn’t understand why it’s not working!

In the woods, Adela and Soledad are running to go to Luba’s. DL and Sergio appear on horses. DL calls Adela a traitor.

Back at the Rinconada, Emilio and Orlando are facing off. Emilio basically tells him to get the heck out of there and leave them with their problems, but Orlando says we’ve always been friends, and you are my superior, I have respected you. This personal problem is getting in the way. (It translated “this problem with a skirt,” and I am taking that to mean the problem fighting over a woman, so help, anyone!). Emilio contends it wasn’t a problem over a woman, it’s that Orlando behaved very badly with Alina. That’s what made him angry, not the competition (implied). Emilio is going to tell the General. Now that Alina is dead, Orlando can say he didn’t abuse her and get away with it. Finally, Orlando lets him know the boys are waiting with orders from the boss.

DL, in the woods on his horse, looks down at Soledad and tells her she ain’t goin’ nowhere. She begs to differ. She’ll find a way to get out at the first opportunity. Sergio lassoes her (I don’t know much about lassoing but it looked pretty amateurish to me, and darned awkward in the woods with all the branches. Soledad looked like she was stepping gingerly so as to not lose the lasso around her). Sergio gleefully pulls her in.

At the Rinconada, Emilio is sitting behind the big desk and talking to Frank. Frank tells him the General was very impacted by the letter, which Emilio says he feared hadn’t made it through. The General has sent to boys to help Emilio in whatever way he needs. Emilio says they’re going to take care of DL.

In the storeroom where Braulio is being guarded, Iffy asks if he should go for the authorities and Max says no, we’ll wait a while. Iffy leaves. Max sits across from Braulio. He tells Braulio that with any luck, his daughter will change her mind and be his. Braulio growls at him. They exchange insults and Iffy comes in to tell Max someone’s looking for them. It’s Rosita, who’s changing her mind so Papi can be free. At first Max can’t believe it, but she starts to convince them it’s for real. Max is oily when he’s jubilant.

At Luba’s, the antidote hasn’t worked. Coral is worried, Luba can’t believe it, and Gaspar is very upset. Elias comes in to see them standing over the body of Alina. He can’t believe it. He is impactado. Again.

Back at the Casa de Loco, Alvaro is packing everyone (well, all his gal pals) into the convertible for a ride in the country. He tells Sergio they’ll only be gone a little while and to keep everything in order up here. Emilio and Frank drive up, with Emilio half out of the jeep before they even stop, gun pointed at Don Loco. He tells Alvaro that he’s now officially detained. Alvaro is commercial impactado.

“Looks like you want vengeance, Captain!” “No, this is justice.” Sergio, behind the gals, turns tail and runs. Emilio shoots, and Sergio stops. Don Loco reaches for his piece and Emilio stops him.

Back at the cave, Cesar goes to check Floralina’s vital signs. No luck. Gaspar defends his Mami. Elias looks at Luba in disbelief. “Did you take her out of her grave?” Coral assures him “yes, but it all has an explanation.” “Don’t you realize it’s a profanity, and it could be a crime?” Cesar says, “She doesn’t have any vital signs! She is DEAD.” Luba, best evil eye in place, tells him she doesn’t now but she’s gonna. He replies that’s ridiculous and they are going forward (with action against Luba). Gaspar looks scared speechless.

At the Casa de Loco, Frank helps Soledad out of the carriage while the boys face off. Emilio makes DL throw down his gun. Frank’s gun is sticking out behind his back, so DL, who is close, grabs it and Alfi at the same time. He puts her in front of him with the gun to her head. The boys toss off dialogue to each other and they decide to save Alfi, they have to let DL escape with her.

At the Rinconada pseudo-dungeon, Max holds Rosita to his side and Braulio strains against his ropes, trying to tell her not to do this for him! She tells him she must. Max frees Braulio, who tries to charge him, but finds a gun at his chest. They all argue, and Rosita gets dragged off by Max, yelling for her father to go. Braulio is left and flexes the yellow rope that had bound him, as if he could garrote someone with it. (Don’t we wish! I guess the whirlpool is no longer the final resting place of choice, the swamp is. So, if the garrote doesn’t work, can we consider sending Max to the quicksand/swamp?)

At Luba’s, she’s still arguing about the rescue of Alina with Cesar. She’s not committed any crime. Flor’s not dead, so it’s not a crime. They all argue and Gaspar tries to protect Mami. Elias requests that Cesar gives Luba more time. Cesar is reluctant but agrees to Elias’ request. They all have a staring match.

At Casa de Loco, Emilio want to jail Sergio and asks if it can be in the very same grain barn where she had been (but Emilio may not know that). Sergio, true coward that he is, begs for mercy. She yells back at him about all the abuses he laid at her feet. Emilio tells him to shut up. He reassures Soledad that it will be well. He tells her how much he loved Alina. Frank is gone with Sergio then reappears quickly. Sergio is apparently locked up in the barn. (Nice touch, that. The writers do us justice every now and then.) Emilio excuses himself. Before he and Frank can leave, two more young soldiers come running up to tell him they are there to help him. He tells them they must all capture Don Loco. Alive. They jump in the jeep, and Soledad wonders if Emilio is sincere, but now she must concentrate on Alina.

In the woods, Alfonsina is decked out in her best hiking gear, being dragged along by the hand for an afternoon stroll with Don Loco. She begs him to stop and let her rest because she can’t breathe (with so much running after him). He says it isn’t going to be so easy to get out of there, and she wonders where they plan to go. He says he’s not planning to go anywhere without Soledad. (Is polygamy illegal in Mexico, too? This looks hinky to me). She says you can’t get away from the soldiers, and he tells her, no problem, they expect me to run away and I’m staying here, with what’s mine, and Soledad is mine. They don’t expect that. (Geez, Louise, he’s even more loco than we thought. I reckon he failed Logic I and II).

Cut to Hugo in the woods (makes one wonder, gentle reader, if he’s going to stumble on them or them on him sometime soon?). He complains to himself about Don Loco and “what a pretty mess I’m in.” He blames the traitor Alfi. He’s bleeding, has no hat out in the hot sun, and looks like he’s been running a while. “Here I am without a job, without a woman, without the box, without a single friend in a strange land (brother, you got that last part so right! What a strange land!)” He tells himself to calm down, be serene, vengeance is a dish eaten cold, and you are too hot now to think clearly.

Elias, with a look of total disbelief, is trying to understand the story Luba has shared about Alina’s “death” and the attempted revival. Luba tries to reassure him Flor is not dead, these are all the mysteries of her herbs. (I wanna know what she has for weight loss). These are herbs used for remedies that people have forgotten about. Elias asks “okay, if it’s what you say, how come she hasn’t awakened?” Luba doesn’t know. (Very reassuring, to be certain). What if the dose was so strong she’ll never wake? Well, then, for my stupidity I will be jailed. She begs Elias for one hour to work on Flor’s revival. Elias hesitates, thinks, and says all right. One hour. If it doesn’t work, there won’t be anything more I can do to help you. Luba talks to Flor while Elias watches. Cut to commercial.

In the woods, (there’s a lot going on in the woods tonight, gentle readers) Braulio prepares to use the rope to hang himself. He talks to himself and puts the noose around his neck. It’s a pretty sophisticated knot for an impromptu hanging. He’s standing on a conveniently cut stump next to a big tree from which the noose hangs, and as he puts it on, Santos conveniently finds him, running and yelling for him not to do it! Braulio keeps putting on the noose. Santos reminds him that Rosita needs him. Braulio is not being dissuaded. He gets read to jump off the short stump and does it. Santos keeps yelling, but has the good sense to grab Braulio’s legs and hold him so he can’t hang. Braulio gives it up and takes the noose off, coughing, and laments that poor Rosita is going to suffer. Santos asks why and Braulio tells him that she traded her freedom for Papi’s. Santos is impactado.

Back at Castulo’s former cottage, Rosita is on the bed suffering at Max’s hands. Literally. (Why he took her there, who knows, since his bedroom is probably empty at the moment. But, maybe he likes adding insult to injury, reminding her of Castulo.) She cries, Max tells her to calm down. (Easy for you to say, Max. This is your idea of fun). He gets up and tells her “Castulo slept here.” (Okay, that’s not a LITERAL translation, but she can imagine it from what he really said. She’s already so creeped out that this probably won’t make much difference). He tells her he’ll leave her now but they’ll get back to this after she settles a bit. He warns her about escaping, because Papi is still at risk. (You SLIMEBALL, Max, you.) And you are going to be mine, mine, totally mine. He leaves her crying.

In the woods, Emilio and Frank run after the trail with guns drawn. The tracks stop at the place they have found. Emilio gives everyone orders to break apart and search several areas. Elsewhere (presumably close by), Don Loco is still dragging Alfi around by the hand. She asks why he doesn’t let her go. He points out that while she’s with him, he’s got an ace with the soldiers. He starts to kiss her and PRESTO! It’s Soledad he’s kissing. He tells her he cannot leave her, he needs her. No jail time will be as bad a living without her. He kisses her again and it’s Alfi. She questions him and he says he thought for a moment she was Soledad. She questions his sanity and he refutes it angrily. (Alfonsina, honey, that was ill advised and we’d have told you so if you’d bothered to ask). He orders her forward and they move out.

At the Rinconada, Orlando is leaning behind Thelma, looking like he’s cooking up the next big scenario. He asks about the divorce Emilio requested. She affirms that happened, and she’s afraid now there is nothing she can do to hold him. Orlando reminds her of the child. She says she’ll use the child to blackmail him. She notices that Orlando is concerned about something. He says Emilio thinks he’ll report Orlando’s behavior to the General. Auntie barges in (doesn’t anyone knock in this place?) Thelma asks what the heck she wants, and she just wants to share a bit of gossip…..er…..news. Braulio killed Castulo. Now you don’t have to worry about him any more. She excuses herself with a smug smile. That IS good news for Thelma. One less enemy.

Max and Angel are talking in the office regarding Emilio’s whereabouts and activities. He’s out, probably highway project business. Max is feeding Angel info. He’s going to buy a 4x4 for the new highway. Angel says, nope, it surely wasn’t about the highway; the General must have gotten Emilio’s letter about Don Loco. Max is impactado—what letter? He tells Angel it isn’t going to be so easy to nail Don Loco. He’ll fight to the end to keep what’s his. Angel is impactado.

Elsewhere in the Rinconada, Jaime and Vera are discussing Vera’s discovery. Vera is trying to convince Jaime that the witch poisoned Flor with the Prell. Vera is sure she is right, though Jaime says they cannot prove it all. But, Vera says they can prove the flask was Luba’s if they ask Gaspar. Jaime agrees, this is a good idea.

At Luba’s cave, she’s desperately trying to revive Floralina before time runs out. She puts the antidote on Flor’s lips, and touches some to Flor’s tongue. She tells Flor to wake up, please! Don’t abandon me! Elias come in and asks what’s up? It’s been an hour and she looks the same to me. Luba says, it can’t fail! I can’t fail. Elias tells her she has to accept that Flor is dead. Luba cries. “I was wrong the other time and I’m wrong now.” Elias calls the Sergeant. Luba begs the Virgincita not to take Flor as we cut to commercial.

Back at the Casa de Loco, Soledad is saddling a horse when she hears Don Loco call her and turns, impactada. He approaches with Alf, “Where do you think you’re going?”

Back at the Rinconada, Max is talking to Angel, with his usual drink in hand. He’s going to send Iffy to the Casa de Loco to see what’s up there. He grabs his hat and gets ready to walk out, still facing Angel and talking to him Santos comes in behind Max, grabs him around the neck and puts a knife to his neck. (Nice move, smooth!) Angel asks him what he’s doing. Max says, it’s obvious, he’s trying to kill me like he tried with you. Santos holds the knife at his throat while we go back to Luba’s.

Luba and the crowd are in the living room of the cave. Gaspar, sweet boy, is still trying to verbally defend Mami, though it comes out as a whine. Luba looks resigned to her fate and Cesar is ready to take her away. Elias and Coral look sad. No one is going to win here. Elias is sorry, but he cannot help, and Cesar has to follow the law. Luba takes the blame and they walk away as the hoarse voice comes from the back room—“Luba?” Flor walks out and Luba smiles a little. Others smile, too. Flor looks confused and tired. (Well, it HAS been a trying day, gentle readers)

At Max’s office, Santos is arguing with Angel, who wants him to let Max go. Santos refuses (of course!). Max wants Angel to go for Jaime for help, and Angel wants to know what is happening. Santos replies that what is happening is that you boys don’t know what type of uncle you have. He raped my Mama, I’m his son and he tried to have me killed by Castulo. Angel is MUY impactado.

At the Casa de Loco, Soledad is defying Don Loco. He assures her that he’s not going to do anything except be with her. He sends Alfi to keep a watch so no one interferes. He just wants to be happy with Soledad. Above all, were husband and wife, we swore before the altar we’d be together through good and bad. I’ve never stopped loving you. But, Soledad advises him, I stopped loving you. He tells her she is just confused. (Like you really know what “confused” looks like, Alvaro!) Behind him, Emilio tells him to get away from her. He turns.

Back at Luba’s, she’s relieved and as happy as Luba ever gets. She thanks the Virgin for saving Flor. Elias grabs Flor, who looks woozy, and sits her down. Flor doesn’t feel so hot. (Imagine that!) She needs to rest and has a headache. Gaspar, Elias and Coral look on, smiling. Cesar is incensed. He does not understand any of it. This girl had no vital signs and they took her out of her grave! What’s up with that??!! Flor is impactada—“mi TUMBA??” Luba gazes on the Virgin’s picture.

Back at the Casa de Loco, things are hopping. Gunshots ensue. DL drags Soledad behind a stone wall that has a lovely low place perfect for his shooting hand to rest on and a nice sight line. Emilio is stuck with a tree, behind which he has to stand and periodically peer out to shoot. He’s younger, surely his hand is steadier and he doesn’t need the sight line. Besides, he practices shooting almost as much as Alvaro. The difference is, Emilio practices on paper targets.

Alina’s remembering taking the Prell. Gaspar is excited she’s alive, and so is Coral. Luba orders Gaspar to take her to the back room so she can rest because she’s weak. The army guy is still dumbfounded. He is still disbelieving what he just saw happen. Elias tells him, you didn’t see anything. And for Alina’s well-being, it’s better that everyone still thinks she is dead for the moment until we capture Alvaro. Coral tells them they need to get Alina out of the Sierra. But, Cesar argues he has to inform his superior. Coral assures him she will inform Emilio instead. Luba says she’ll tell the patrona that the daughter is okay. Elias gives his information to Coral, and Luba is still gazing on the Virgin’s picture as they depart.

Alfi, back at her room in the Casa de Loco, has thrown her stuff into a red suitcase and tells herself “I’m outta here!” She heads for the door.

On the road in the Sierra, Cesar is driving while Elias, whose arm is around Alina while he explains some of what is happening to her, away from Luba’s. They move on down the road. (So, how come Alvaro doesn’t use jeeps like these? How come these are the first real vehicles we’ve seen for the past four months in the Sierra? Why is Max just now thinking about a 4x4?)

Back outside the Casa de Loco, Alvaro points his gun then draws it back. We see him with Soledad from behind the wall. Soledad begs him to give up, surrender, this is craziness. Instead, he thrusts his gun back into the groove he’s using for the sight line, yells and starts to shoot again. I guess Soledad will need a new tack. Emilio tells him to surrender and walks toward Don Loco’s wall with Frank. “If you move, I kill you!” (Sounds like a plan to me). Don Loco moves to look through the sight line spot, nods, and pushes Soledad out with him. He throws the gun to Frank, and comes face to face with Emilio’s barrel in his neck. They stare at each other, unsmiling, as we fade to credits.


Vocabulary:
Reanimando – reviving (also means to cheer up, but that didn’t seem to fit this episode…..)
Falda- skirt
Una problema de falda – a problem with a skirt (fighting over a woman, correct me fast someone, if I’m misinterpreting)
Chantajear- blackmail


Jeanne (Ferro’s understudy)

Labels: duelo

Andres is still lying dead in Gaby's room, while Fidiota is telling everyone she shot Andres after he tried to rape Gaby. Gaby is inconsolable. Nancy goes downstairs and tells Diablo what happened.

The scene is still continuing among Bruno, Octopus, and Marfil. Marfil is playing the victim card, Bruno is hysterical that Debora is presumably dead, and Octopus has no expression whatsoever. Possibly her eyes are opened wider than normal. Octopus doesn't quite know what to make of this appalling story of twins changing places. Finally Octopus has had enough of Bruno and throws her out onto the street. Marfil is begging for Octopus' help in returning her to Maxi-Moron's side. Finally, Octopus agrees to help.

Andres is being rolled out in a body bag. The detectives are there and Fidiota is telling them she killed Andres. Little Doormat is still sobbing. The detective tries to ask Gaby something, but Fidiota says "What more do you want? I shot him myself!" The detective says "Bueno" and orders them to arrest Fidiota. Now both Diana and Gaby are sobbing. I kept expecting Gaby to tell everyone, "Don't take my mama!" but I guess she was too busy sobbing. Apparently Dimwit still has no idea.

Marfil is telling Isabel about what happened at Paco's Pesadilla. Bruno admitted to everything and Octopus agreed to help Marfil get Max back. Isabel asks what happened to Bruno.

Bruno is wandering the streets in her ugly black sweater, tweed skirt, and high-heeled black shoes. She is calling for Debora and her twins. She's clearly deranged. She then walks up to a palm tree and throws her arms around the trunk. "DEBORA!!!!" If I was Debora, I'd be insulted.

Back to Isabel and Marfil. They are toasting to the latest turn of events. Marfil wants to know where Andres is. He should be a part of their toast to success. Isabel has no idea. He went out and didn't say where he was going.

The cameraman/camerawoman is feeding the pigeons and filming them eating.

Fidiota is giving her statement to the police. She heard a noise from Gaby's room, went to investigate, saw that Andres was trying to rape Gaby, Gaby ran into the bathroom, and when Andres came after Fidiota, she grabbed one of her handy new guns and dusted him.

Diana walks into Gaby's room wearing a tight powder blue sweater-vest over a white blouse. It looks like the ugly twin of Max's too-tight powder blue sweater, minus the sleeves. Dimwit wants Little Doormat to come down and eat. Fidiota will be fine. Gaby is still sobbing. She manages to choke out "Gaviota is our…" but Dimwit is trying to placate her. Dimwit tells her to move forward, everything is going to be alright. Kind of like her telling Gaby, the day before, nothing will happen if they get guns.

The interrogation continues. At first Fidiota says the killing was an accident. Later she tells him Andres was worthless trash. The detective brings up the fact Fidiota did time for killing her husband. Nothing earth-shattering was revealed in the interrogation, despite the Orchestra of Doom kicking it up a notch. Commercial.

Octopus is wearing some sort of tight red jumpsuit from Frederick's of Hollywood. She's telling Paco about what transpired with Marfil. Paco is astounded. Octopus gathers up her keys to leave, telling Paco she's going to pay a visit to the nurse (Isabel) and see if Marfil's story is true. If it is, she's going bring Marfil to see Max.

Yolanda is at Maxi-Moron's bedside trying to talk him out of his hare-brained idea of marrying Camila. He doesn't love Camila. Max points out that Dimwit is still hitched with Diablo and he has no other choice. He needs Camila's eyes now that he's blind and useless. Perhaps he can take up painting. I'm sure the results would be as good as Diablo's handiwork.
Fidiota is taking up the one jail cell in all Miami. Not another soul in sight. Dimwit then comes to visit. Dimwit is going to get her the best attorney in the city. Nothing particularly exciting about this scene. More re-hashing of what happened the night before and Fidiota taking full responsibility. They mention something about her being a repeat offender, but still, nothing earth-shattering happens. Dimwit still doesn't know Fidiota is her mother.

Octopus is at Isabel's apartment. Apparently she now believes Marfil's tale of betrayal. Marfil wants to see Max, but Octopus tells her she needs to know something first.
Max is blind! Marfil is impactada and wants to know what happened. Octopus tells her Max was evicting Debora from the apartment and in a jealous rage, she threw something in his eyes. Marfil is aghast! "This time Debora went TOO far!"

Gaby is STILL sobbing in her room when Granny M comes a callin'. She tries to comfort Little Doorman who finally chokes out she knows Fidiota is her mother. Now we have quite the collection of violins playing a melancholy piece in the background. They briefly discuss that Fidiota was accused of killing her husband, but in reality, it was Octopus' husband who killed Little Doormat and Dimwit's dad. Finally Gaby fesses up that she's the one who killed Andres, not Fidiota. Granny M is impactada!

There's a knock at the door at Paco's. It's Dimwit coming to bring him some bad news. Fidiota is in jail. . .for killing a man! I think the powder blue vest has shrunk since I saw it a couple of scenes ago.

Octopus and Marfil are now at the hospital looking for Max. They run into Yolanda who's ready to call the police. Octopus talks her out of it and explains that Marfil has a twin, Debora, who is quite conveniently no longer walking the same planet. The whole sordid story gets repeated once again.

Paco comes to visit Fidiota in jail. He swears she's not going to spend the rest of her life in jail if he can help it. He grabs her hand through the jail cell and kisses it tenderly. Some singer is wailing in the background. I'm not sure if it's their love song, but you get the point. Paco has come to save his fair maiden.

Diana has come to the hospital to see Max. Yolanda stops her. She can't go into Max's room because Marfil's there. Dimwit gets all excited and wants to call the police. Big Doormat calms her down and we hear the story yet again. Dimwit asks, "Marfil has a twin named Debora? That name sounds familiar." Apparently our air-head amnesiac may be getting her memory back following the kidnapping.

Octopus is waking up Max. "You have a visitor. It's the real Marfil!" Max starts flipping out in the bed. We are treated to the same story for about the fifth time. Even with his head half bandaged, Max can still give us his best lemon-sucking impression! Commercial.

Maxi-Moron, Octopus, Marfil. We get the expanded version of the story. I'm not going to bother repeating it. If there are any new readers out there who want more information, send us a blog and we'll let you know. I suspect that anyone still watching this telenovela has seen it for awhile and knows it all by heart.

Yolanda and Dimwit are reiterating the story, YET AGAIN! Suddenly Dimwit has a flashback to when she was kidnapped. She now remembers Debora and Marfil are twins. The only problem is she can't remember who was responsible for the kidnapping. Yolanda breaks the sad news that Marfil has come back to reclaim her hubby. A glycerin tear of true dolor slips from our glassy-eyed heroine. Pobre de Dimwit.

Marfil is doing a great job of selling her role as a helpless victim. She and Max were BOTH Debora's victims. Max appears to be getting a headache just trying to digest what Marfil is telling him. You can definitely tell that he is Lunkhead's brother. He clearly needs a moment to digest this sensory overload! Commercial.

Gaby is, well, still sobbing. She can't let Fidiota pay for a crime that Fidiota didn't commit. Granny M tells her "That's what mothers do." Gaby gets increasingly hysterical until Granny M whaps her upside the head with a slap I could hear all the way across the country. Gaby can't live with herself knowing she has blood staining her hands. Pobre de Gaby. Finally she collapses in Granny M's arms and they both have a good cry.

Yolanda and Dimwit are continuing their little chat. Yolanda is asking her about the kidnapping, but Dimwit can't remember anything. Only that Marfil and Debora are twins.

Octopus excuses herself to get a cuppa Joe. Marfil is still pleading her pitiful case to Max. She wants to be his eyes, his life, his everything! Finally Max tells Marfil he doesn't know that things will ever return to where they were. Things have changed. He loves Diana. He and Diana have a love child. He will always love Diana. Marfil stands there, wearing the wide black belt of Fidiota's, with tears rolling down her cheeks.

Credits roll along with her tears.

Labels: acorralada

Here you go: more quotes from our beloved commenters and bloggers, as requested

Somebody sent me some of these. I just CAN'T keep track of all our posts, so if you write something particularly juicy - or if something somebody else wrote made you spit up on your keyboard - please feel free to email it to me and I'll save it for the next compendium.

Thanks all you funny people!

By the way, a guy who blogs the hispanic media contacted me today to do a story about our blog. I'll let you know if/when something materializes...

Labels: announcements, humor

We return to the escalation of the fight with Rod and the workers in the agave fields. One of the workers accuses Rod of not appreciating their work. Rod lunges toward him, and the worker accuses Rod of just being interested in the jimadoras. How many of them have you gotten pregnant?

The fight is on! SanJuana runs off.

In a carefully staged fight, Rod and the worker beat on each other and roll around in the dust. Rod beats the pulp out of the guy holds him in a half Nelson. Blood is streaming out of the guy’s nose.


Back at the Casa Montalvo, Dona Pilar and uncle Bruno are meeting with Mariana/Gavi to talk to her about some urgent matters related to the business. When Pilar talked to Nestor Videgaray, and she became alarmed that Nestor refused to come back to the corporativo Montalvo after his dispute with Aaron.

The corporativo is going through risky times. They need someone sensible, with good judgment. They turn to Mariana: someone like her. They trust Rod with matters related to cultivation, etc. , but he doesn’t have the depth of knowledge about administrative functions… And he is going through a rough time in his life, which prevents him from being more effective in his function at the corp. They need Mariana to help him work more efficiently.

Bruno steps out to take a phone call, and Pilar tells Mari/Gavi to come sit with her on the couch to learn about some history related to the family. Pilar tells Gavi that they tried for a long time to get Rod to come to the city with his wife to help at the corporativo, but with no success. So she’s not totally surprised that Rod has left now.

Bruno comes in and tells them that Rod has gone completely crazy. He’s gotten into a fight with the workers at the hacienda! Gavi is alarmed…they’ve got to do something! Bruno says he told the staff to call the police, there’s nothing else the family in DF can do at a distance.


Back at the fight, Rod has blood streaming from his mouth and he’s leering at the group, ready to fight the next person. Hilario and Roman try to stop him. Rod is going to teach the workers a lesson about insulting his Gaviota! San Juana runs up, she’s called Bruno, who’s advised them to call the police. Rod tells San Juana it’s his business, not hers. He yells, who’s next? A little guy runs up to fight Rod!

Hilario picks up a stick on the ground and stares at it with intention. He smacks Rod on the back of the head with the stick, knocking him out. Hilario shouts to everyone that the fight is finished. They pick up the big guy, Rod’s first knock out, and drag him off. Rod is out cold in the dust.

Back in DF, Minnie and Fedra are conferring about the shocking news of Isa’s planned artificial insemination in order to have a child with Rod. What to do? Minnie’s worried what will happen if her planned fertility treatment in the US doesn’t work out. How will Aaron react? This turn of events puts Minnie’s marriage to Aaron in danger. Fedra pats Minnie’s head and rolls her eyes.


Isa answers a knock at the door to her apartment – it’s Aaron. He wanted to see her again before he leaves for the states. No, she says. I’m not going to make that mistake again. He asks why she had come to his and Minnie’s apartment earlier. Doesn’t she desire him? She gives in and they start to kiss.


Back at the hacienda, Rod has an icepack on his head and Ofelia is dabbing a wound on his face with a cloth. He is talking to Pilar on the phone while Bruno and Mariana listen to Pilar’s end of the conversation. Pilar tells Rod that he could gave gotten himself killed. Rod says he’s not coming back to the city. She tells him to sleep, and they’ll talk about it tomorrow. He tells her she’ll just hear the same answer: he’s not coming back. He hangs up the phone and gives Ofelia a dirty look.

Mariana asks Pilar if they hurt Rod a lot. Yes, but it was not serious. Bruno suggests that they talk to a psychologist. Mariana takes her leave in a rush. Pilar comments on how sensitive Mariana is. Bruno agrees. It’s amazing that she’s as upset for Rod as they are!


Rod comes down the stairs at the hacienda. Hilario offers him some raw steak to put on his face. Rod looks at Hilario and the steak with disgust. Rod tries to put on his hat, but winces at the pain on his head. Rod asks, who was the coward who hit me from behind? Hilario apologizes and admits he hit Rod. Rod looks at him blankly, then asks for the keys to the truck. Rod punches Hilario and tells him they’re even. Hilario is on the ground, then starts to laugh at the situation.

At Isa’s, she and Aaron start going at it on the couch, and there’s another knock at the door. Could it be Rod?!

At a cantina, Gavi cries on the phone to her mom. Rod got into a fight with some guys at the hacienda! She feels so bad for Rod and what happened, she wishes she could protect him.

The doorbell at Isa’s rings again, as Isa and Aaron are scrambling. Isa tells Aaron to hide in the bathroom. Sophia is shouting from outside the door. Aaron runs with a grin into the bathroom. Isa opens the door to Sophia, as Aaron listens from the bathroom.

Sophie tells Isa that Rod has gone completely crazy. He got into a fight with the workers, he quit his job at the corporativo, and he told Dona Pilar that he’s not coming back. He’s not a man of his word. He says one thing, then does something else. What could be wrong with him?

Isa thinks that Gavi could be back. Aaron is listening intently from the hallway.

At the cantina, Margarita arrives and asks Gavi what is wrong. Gavi tells her not to ask any questions. Gavi confirms that Margarita knows how to drive, and then knocks back a tequila. Margarita tells Gavi not to look so dejected.

Isa is on the phone with San Juana. Where is Rod? Tell him to call me when he gets back. Sophie wants to use the bathroom. Isa panics, and directs her to the back bathroom. The main one isn’t in order. Aaron makes his escape.


At Arroyo Seco, Meliton is drunk at the table outside and calling for Acacia. She tries to force him to drink more and he falls to the ground. Rod drives up in his truck and picks Meliton off the ground. Rod asks, where is James? Rod leaves as Acacia and Meliton start their nightly routine.

James is sharpening a big blade….and is thrilled to see Rod! James asks Rod how he got hurt. Some workers insulted my Gaviota. James is down that there is no new news in the Gavi search…Rod tells James that he has seen Gavi, but it’s not good.

At the cantina, Gavi is singing a sad song about breaking up, with tears in her eyes…

James is shocked that Gavi is the famous Mariana Franco. Rod says Gavi’s all classy and educated and surrounded by men. She’s not the same. I’m sure she’s been with another man, I’m desperate, I feel that I’ve lost her.

James asks how Rod knows she’s been with another man. Rod says, a guy called her when I was there! James wants to know if Rod is sure about what he says. Rod says he doesn’t love Gavi any more, she’s not the same.

Rod’s going to give Isa the child she wants. Even though Rod doesn’t love Isa, she’s been so loyal to him… James is shocked! Have you had relations? Rod explains the artificial insemination idea.

James tells Rod to think very carefully before he takes this step. Don’t make a bad decision, like the marriage to Isa was. It could be the end of his relationship with Gaviota. This could have fatal consequences! Rod should talk to Gavi to find out from here about what is really going on. Rod looks puzzled, like why would he want to do that?


Aaron comes home to Minne, tells her Rod’s gone crazy, and gives her the brushoff.

SanJuana tells Rod to call Isa right away, she sounded worried! Rod sits down at the desk in his office and has a flashback to the rainy night in the worker’s shelter. Gavi, with tears in her eyes told him that he was her first and only man. No other man has touched her. Rod picks up the phone and dials.

Clarita is asleep on the couch and wakes up to answer the phone. It’s Rod. Gavi’s not in. Rod apologizes for calling so late, he’s not even sure why he’s calling. Clarita says, no worries. Rod pounds the receiver down and has an anger management moment. He’s sure she’s with another man!

Clarita is pacing in the apartment when Gavi gets home. Not to worry, Margarita drove them back. Clarita tells Gavi that Rod called, he and Gavi miss each other so much and are suffering for being apart, how long is this going to last? Gavi is angry, he’s married!

Rod is asleep on the couch, as dream smoke fills the air. Roman runs in. Wake up boss! I have a surprise that you’ve been dreaming about. Come see for yourself! Rod runs into the next room. Gaviota! No one is there, then he turns to see Gavi reporting for duty with a cheery smile on her face, a pink flowered dress and sandals. You came back! I couldn’t live without you! We’ll always be together! They kiss passionately.

Gavi is sleeping. In her dream, she and Rod are at the reception and dream smoke fills the air. She is in the blue dress, looking elegant. He looks sharp, in a suit with his hair slicked back. He tells her, you’re just the same, I love you. They kiss (with more restraint than in Rod’s dream)… Gavi wakes up and tells her mom she just had a real dream, a good one.


At Isa’s, she is screaming to Rod on the phone. Have you lost your mind? Why haven’t you returned my calls, I don’t know what’s going on. Rod says that he has problems. Aaron and Minnie are there. Aaron wants to talk to Rod. Aaron says they are not going to tolerate his irresponsibility. There’s a breakfast for Aaron planned at Pilar’s, and Rod’s issues will ruin it for everyone. Rod tells him not to be so dramatic and hangs up on him.

Gavi and Clarita are watching a telenovela. Marlene Favela is telling Sebastian Rulli how their love was a trap for her. Clarita is crying, Gavi is trying not to cry.

Rod and James are at the café. Rod’s dream was so real! James tells Rod that he knows Rod loves Gavi and can’t live without her. But Rod’s sure that she’s been with another man…James tells him that it’s not a coincidence that Gavi was working at the corporation and kept the watch Rod gave her. James says that Rod has to let go of his macho issues and realize that he didn’t keep his end of the deal with Gavi when he got married, Rod’s not in a position to demand anything from Gavi now! Rod says he won’t forgive Gavi if she’s been with another man. James tells Rod he has to talk to Gavi, or he won’t get out of the hell he’s in.

Gavi is drinking her breakfast juice, crying, and having a flashback to the car scene with Rod. Rod tells her that he has ended the agony of not knowing about her, he is glad she is doing well, he wants her to succeed and doesn’t want to hold her back with his sick jealousies. The phone rings. Goodbye ….Mariana Franco!


At a cantina, Crispin tries to tell Rod and James that they found Gavi in the mountains. Rod tells listens intently, then tells him off!


At Pilar’s the family is having breakfast. Pilar wants to know about Patricio, where is he? Aaron assures her that he won’t be there. Pilar leaves to take a call. Bruno demands to get the balance/transaction information from Aaron, who puts him off. The balances won’t be available until the middle of the week, they’re not ready. Bruno threatens Aaron that he needs to provide the details, Bruno’s not going to back off like Nestor.

Pilar comes back. Good news, Rod has agreed to come back to the corporativo! The family is surprised and thrilled.

Aaron wants to talk to his mom in private. He tells her that he wants her to convince Patricio to go in on his dirty deals. She asks if that won’t run some risk for the corporation, what will happen if the truth comes to light? He says not to worry, Rod and Mariana Franco will be the ones signing off on the transactions. Fedra raises an eyebrow.

Labels: Destilando

I am so sorry but unfortunately something happened to my dvd last night. I recorded it on a disc that had only one other zorro episode on it so I thought I had plenty of room for last night's episode - the player looked like it was recording last night - when I went to replay the episode and take my notes, something strange happened - NOTHING. the disc played through the episode I had taped on it from last week and then stopped - nothing appeared from last night.

Here is Carina Luna's excellent recap she posted in the comments. Thank you very much Carina - you're the best. J.R. :)

Let's see what I can remember... I'll try to keep this in an order that makes sense as it comes back to me.

Mangle tries unsucessfully to seduce Diego. He rehashes that no matter what, he'll never be able to let Esme out of his heart. She leaves, muttering to herself the entire way, then doubles over in pain. Problems with Monty's baby? It would relieve her of the bargaining chip she's been using by making Diego believe that he's the father.

MP confronts FS about stealing her box of memories from their courtship. He's being a pain, saying he knows she still loves him, yada, yada. She tells him to go ahead and burn the box and it's contents because it's full of bad memories now. He starts to force himself on her, but they're interrupted by Monty. MP slaps FS and leaves.

The marquesa meets with FS and Monty and tells them that their offices are now purely administrative--she's in charge now. Go Marquesa! Somehow I don't think the boys are too happy about it.

After the meeting with the marquesa, Montero tells Pizza he'll be in charge of the prison tonight because he's going to lead the troops against the de la Vegas. As soon as Monty's gone, Pizza tells SAM he's in charge of the prison because he has to go take care of something.

Alej seduces Dena into a bathtub with him. Later in the show, Alej and MP (who came by to rehash what's going on with her and FS) find Dena passed out on the floor. She wakes up easily enough, and MP asks Alej to leave so she can talk to Dena. Dena again rehashes how lonely life is without her little girl.

Yumi returns from the mountains, and WB asks her if she was able to get Alej out of her head. Yumi confesses that she couldn't, and WB tells her that maybe she was destined to love Alej.

SK convinced Agapito that once he's outlived his usefulness, Pizza will do away with him. He finds a way out of the locked barn, and while wandering around, finds the body of the guy Pizza whacked for following him the other day. Since Aga has no idea where he is, he can't find his way home and goes back to SK.

Olmos has a forger write a reply to Emse in Diego's handwriting. Olmos hands the letter over to Aggie to be given to Esme.

They show Emse playing with Lucrecia again at some point during the episode. I want to know where she keeps the little rodent hidden in her cell. My hamster would be scurrying down the prison halls if I didn't have him in a tightly sealed cage! The final scene is Esme's heartbroken reaction to whatever is in the letter.

And the preview shows her breaking down. Aggie trys to be a good guy and help her up, but she takes the opportunity to whack him over the head and escape... will she make it out of the prison???

Labels: Zorro

As promised, I am pinch hitting for Carmel this week:

NOTE - Margaret and I kind of stepped over each other a little bit, I wasn't very clear about subbing for Carmel so Margaret took the initiative and did her own quicki recap first. If you wish to be amused don't forget to scroll down and read her version too, a Friday treat for our faithful readers...


Emilio weeps over Alina's altar. The invisible choir sings as he kisses her. Soledad weeps. Emilio runs out. Orlando looks annoyed. I really can't tell what he's expressing, except it looks like he mouths the word "maldita..."

Alfonsina tells Don Loco she can't believe it, so Hugo was the one who stole The Cofre that DonLoco was looking for, eh? She swears she knew nothing about it. DonLoco says he has no doubt that Hugo is the one who also helped Elias kidnap his sister. He asks he if she knows what was in The Cofre. Alfonsina suggests he ask Luba, it from her that he got it right? And pay her if it's worth the trouble, because then he'll know how to deal with Hugo. Loco says he's not going to pay Hugo a fifth (of whatever?). Tomorrow they leave for Veracruz to find him.

Cut to Hugo in Jose's old cabin. He curses the damn cofre that hasn't turned up yet. He'd better get back to the cane fields before Don Loco suspects something. He thought bubbles he should just forget the damn cofre as if it never existed.

Luba's back in the cave making anti-poison pesto as Coral watches. Luba's anxious about getting to Flor in time to remove her from the grave and give her the antidote. Flor can only be under the Prell Spell for one day max, no more or it will be fatal! It's been mentioned that perhaps Luba could have planned her rescue a bit better, instead of running around higgledy piggledy hoping for the best.

The band plays as Flor's casket is carried by Emilio, Angel, Don Max, Iffy, Santos and Jaime. (Not Orlando ha ha) A parade of her adorers follows. Team Luba (Luba, Coral, Gaspar and Tonki) bring up the rear with Coral holding Gaspar's muscular arm. Gaspar carries shovels and a pickax.

Thelma admires her reflection and brushes blush onto her cleavage when Auntie enters her room. She wants to talk to Thelma about turning the superstitious servants against Luba and Gaspar.

Soledad screams in anguish at Flor's gravesite. Emilio vows never to forget her, then jumps on his horse and rides away. Team Luba watches from behind the tall grass and hopes the crowd gets on with the grieving, they have business with the body and can't wait forever.

Soledad keels over as they cart her away from the casket. Don Loco is absent from all of this. As they lower the casket into the ground Rosita sobs on Santos's shoulder. Don Max gazes at her, frowning. Finally the weeping masses depart.

Back at Hacienda de Locos Don Loco tells Alfonsina to beat it, he doesn't want the Mrs. to see his mistress hanging around. "She's already very upset over the death of my...of that girl, her daughter." She thought bubbles that she's surprised Don Loco wants her to go to Vera Cruz with him. In that case she hopes Hugo decides to stay in Sierra Escondida so she doesn't get whacked in the head.

Braulio tells Ifigy (who is guarding him) that he's not sorry for killing Castulo, his only regret is that he didn't kill Don Max who made Castulo do all his dirty work for him. (All except for raping Rosita; Castulo did that on his own.)

Don Max tells Angel and Auntie that he has Braulio locked up for killing Castulo. They can't believe it, Braulio is such a peaceful hardworking man. Auntie lets Don Max know that she's mighty suspicious about the situation. Max likes Rosita, now Rosita's dad won't be around to protect her, how convenient for Max.

Team Luba, still hiding in the graveyard, gets nervous about digging Flor up. They can't waste any more time. Just as they are about to come out of hiding Emilio shows up to weep some more over the grave.

Luba joins him and tries to get him to go home and rest. When that doesn't work she whips out a handful of herbs and and plasters them on his face, "Smell them, they'll calm you." I don't think I would be calmed by the local witch smothering my face with plants but Emilio doesn't seem perturbed. He keels over and the rest of Team Luba run over and start digging up the grave.

Gaspar lifts Flor out of the grave and lays her next to Emilio who is still out cold from Luba's smearing. They all grab shovels and start filling the grave back up with dirt.

Santos sneaks into Braulio's "prison" but Iffy wakes up. Braulio tells the well-intentioned but ineffectual Santos to go take care of Rosita, he killed the man who raped her and he'll pay the price.

Emilio wakes up next to Flor's grave. It looks as if it was never disturbed and he acts like he doesn't remember that Luba drugged him. He picks up where he left off with the weeping and wailing.

The corrupt police chief tells Don Loco that people fitting the description of Mariana, Malena and Elias took the bus back to Mexico City. Loco says after he finishes his business in Vera Cruz he'll go to Malena's house to get his sister.

Flor is stretched out on a cot in the back of the cave while Gaspar stands guard outside. Suddenly Adela runs in with some excuse about having to see Luba about a problem that Nora is having. Hyper Luba tells Adela that she must tell Soledad something important...her daughter isn't dead!

Hugo surprises Alfonsina by sneaking into Hacienda de Locos and asking her whose side is she on, his or Don Loco's? Duh, she's on whosever side she happens to be next to at the moment asshat.

Luba revives a fainting Adela with strong herbs that she smears on Adela's face. Adela, with leaves still stuck to to her head is led to the back of the cave. She sees Flor and crosses herself. She must figure out a way to get Soledad to the cave!

Don Loco wakes Soledad. He's in a hurry, they have to go to Vera Cruz (eh? I thought he was going with Alfonsina?) then they have to go to Mexico DF to get Mariana, then back to Escondidaville to get Elias who is out to besmirch his good name. Soledad says she's not leaving, his problems aren't her problems. He gets the mean pug dog look, "You'll obey my orders or else!" She says good, do her a favor and kill her so she can be reunited with her daughter.

Back to Hugo with his hand around Alfonsina's throat. She says of course she's on his side but he should leave right away. He wiggles his bony fingers at her and accuses her of hiding something, The Cofre, where is it? His evil eyes dart around the room. She says she's sick of playing this stupid game and acting as his go-between. "Ha, that's the burro talking about big ears," he laughs. He freaks out and demands she tell him where she's hidden The Cofre. He works himself into a lather and hits her again and again.

A couple of military jeeps carrying Elias and Gen. Ochoa make their way up the mountains into Sierra Escondida.

Oh darn, Love Dr. Love is back to being Orville Redenbacher. Yep, the bowtie is back. He helps Mariana stand up and tries to get her to walk. They kiss. She gazes into his eyes and says Or-O-Ville. Just kidding, She says Ri-Car-Do.

After the Locos finish their stupid argument Soledad puts her jacket on and mutters that she has to escape.

Luba tries to awaken Flor. She smears herbs on her face, she slaps her. Coral frets and Gaspar sways back and forth, "too much time, too much time." Luba fears too much time has passed. (Where's Tonki? Maybe he could bark Alina awake!)

Thelma cradles her baby and asks it when Emilio will return. Emilio walks in and says he wants to talk about their divorce.

Naturally, as Don Loco stalks down the hall he hears the commotion of Hugo beating Alfonsina. "What are you doing here you traitor?" he demands.

Gaspar cries that the potion has killed Flor, just like the Cacique's son. Coral finds this comment disturbing. Luba yells at Gaspar and Coral not to make her nervous. She runs out to mix up a stronger batch of anti-poison pesto.

Don Loco strangles Hugo and accuses him of working with Alfonsina to betray him. Alfonsina pipes up that Hugo has The Cofre, he told her he would get lots of dinero out of Don Loco and he wanted her to help him. When she told Hugo she was going to report him to Don Loco he beat her as Don Loco saw with his own eyes.

Don Loco says he'll kill Hugo now. He draws his gun but Hugo punches him and runs. Don Loco trips Hugo with a back kick and smacks him hard.

Emilio tells Thelma they need to divorce because he doesn't love her and what she feels for him is obsession, not love. Like he could tell the difference but OK. He says he wants to spend time alone with his baby. He rummages around in the closet for a blankie and finds the riding crop that was hidden there. He recalls when Jaime told him Thelma hit him in the face for trying to protect Flor. He shakes the whip at Thelma and demands an explanation.

Soledad sneaks by the room where Loco fights Hugo. She continues on unnoticed while Loco is preoccupied with asphyxiating Hugo. Alfonsina thought bubbles, "kill him, kill him!" Hugo breaks free and jumps on Don Loco. Alfonsina breaks a pot over Hugo's head and runs to get Don Loco's gun. Hugo runs away and Loco shoots but he misses. He turns to Alfonsina and asks, "don't you have anything to say?"

Sergio tries to stop Soledad from leaving. Adela sneaks up behind, hits him really hard with a big stick and knocks him out. Soledad gives his limp body a kick for good measure and the women run away.

Adela tells Soledad that she doesn't need to be dead to be with Alina. She has something important to tell Soledad, "Alina isn't dead, your daughter lives!" Soledad looks confused, happy, impactada.

Labels: duelo

Since nobody has put up a parking spot for the Thursday recap while Carmel is away, I volunteer. My shift key is on the fritz so you'll have to bear with the occasional channeling of e.e. cummings.

This episode revolved around alina being dead. At the end of the episode she's still dead although luba, coral, gaspar and then later adela, [who tells soledad] believe she's just pining for the fjords. Or is she? After waiting for the funeral party to depart and then dispatching a tearful Emilio--luba mashes a bunch of leaves in his face that we are supposed to believe have soporific powers--they go to the trouble of digging her up, trying to wake her up at graveside and then failing that, refilling the grave and replacing all the flowers on top of it. They haul her lifeless body back to the cave. While luba is trying to wake her up, Adela comes in and luba tries to explain to her what's going on. Adela gets all weak kneed and luba mashes a bunch of leaves in her face to keep her from passing out. Adela rushes over to hacienda montillano to tell Soledad the good news. we left them on their way back to luba's cave. Soledad escaped during an altercation between hugo, who had been discovered while trying to strangle alfonsina, don loco and adela beans sergio on the head with a log. luba better hurry up with the wakey-wakey or Soledad is in for another dissapointment. I am guessing that sleeping beauty can only be woken with a kiss from the prince so Emilio will have to be found and told. Alina may have to pine for the fjords for another episode or two.

Emilio got all the best scenes in this epi. He cried some more at the funeral. He was a pallbearer at the magnificent funeral procession. [So was Angel. Somebody explain that to me. I thought he was supposed to be dying.] He stood, on horseback in a clump of trees from afar when the gravesite ceremony was taking place. He showed up there after everyone had left and cried some more until luba knocked him out. After they had replaced everything and gone, he woke up and cried some more. Then he went home and asked Thelma for a divorce. While they are arguing, he goes to the wardrobe to get the baby a blanket for some reason, out pops the whip that Thelma had said before that she had never had. BUSTED.

Don Loco is finally feeling the heat. He knows the military is probably on it's way to arrest him. He thinks Hugo his trusted employee was trying to blackmail him with a secret he himself doesn't know, he's about to kill the guy. He knows Mariana is back in Mexico City with Malena. He plans a locomania tour, first to Veracruz to deposit Alfonsina [and, until he shows up in se, to kill the traitor, Hugo]. Next, it's over to DF to grab up Mariana and bring her back to an empty house in SE. Maybe he's thinking Sergio can take care of her. Then, he plans to flee the country. He wants Soledad to go with him. She tells him she's not going anywhere. She'd rather he just kill her now and get it over with. DL is starting to realize that the jig is up and says then he will just stay there. This is looking like a shootout, fight to the finish.

The military is on it's way to arrest DL, we've seen the jeeps ascending the mountain.

Santos tries to intervene to rescue Don Braulio but both Don Braulio and Ifigenio turn him away.

The SA believes Vera's theory that Thelma paid Luba to poison Flor. Thelma actually accepted responsibility but said that she paid Luba not to do it, afterward. SA doesn't buy it. SA has also figured out that Max has gotten Don Braulio in a jam so that he can get into Rosita's pants. She has smartened up, that one.

That's all I can remember at the moment.

Labels: duelo

Pancho and Caramelo are going over the Diego/Diana debacle in the parking lot. Caramelo wants him to stay out of things that aren't his business. Peyote comes up.



At the mansion, Lala, Diego and Nancy are talking to Emilio about the guns that Emilio is going to buy.
Diego wants to know if Diana is at the fabrica or the hospital.
Lala warns Diego to cut it out. Her warnings are likely to have as much success as her earlier ones.


At the parking lot, Camila and Paola continue their bitch-slap fest. He's my husband! No, he's my husband! Maybe they should play chin champu, like Fernando and Omar fighting over their desk chair.
Pancho takes charge in his macho way: He tells Paola that Caramelo is his wife, and he's not going to divorce her--take it or leave it.

Caramelo calls Paola a vaga (lazy good for nothing) and a drug addict. You were born in a "cuna de oro," gold cradle, but you are more "chusma," low-class, than I. (the definition of chusma in my dictionary is "rabble" or "mob"). Not to be cowed, Paola has a better way to get back at Caramelo--while Caramelo has been living at the mansion, Paola and Pancho have been making love every night. While you would expect that the Macho Man might want to advertise his talents, in this case he wisely opts for discretion. He tells his fierita to hold on and not spill all their secrets.


Suddenly Diana shows up in the parking lot, and she makes some command decisions. She tells Paola not to come back. Pancho asks who she is to tell his wife what to do: Well, she's the presidenta, you know.

Andres now for no good reason suddenly flashes back to the attempted assault on Gaby. He thought bubbles the uplifting idea that he should be celebrating the death of Debora, but no, he really wants Gaby.

Camila is wearing a green bandana halter over a white mini skirt. She is visiting Max in the hospital, but since he can't see, she needn't bother dressing up. She promises to be his lazarillo (blind person's guide; according to the dictionary, perro lazarillo is a guide dog.)

Max laments the eternal darkness, he will not see the beach, people, he can't stand it.

In the hall, Diana is talking to Yolanda. Diana is there to help. Yolanda tells her that Camila is trying to take advantage, but that Diana shouldn't worry about Max. Diana comes in, and Max is glad. Max says that when he hears her voice, he can see her as he saw her the first day she came to work at the mansion. That would sound very romantic if it weren't emerging from the lemon-sucking lips of our hero, whose thespian efforts are further hampered by the giant bandage.

Diana says they'll go to a specialist. Max objects that she can't leave Diego, the cripple. But he wants to kiss her and he can't live without her. The Diana theme rises.

Cut to a scene of Gaby in the shower. The window opens, and Andres comes in the bedroom. This is just sick, and I can't really recount this in detail. Andres awaits her coming out of the shower.

Back at Lala's, Paola is berating Pancho for kissing Caramelo. He tells her who's boss--Caramelo is his wife and he'll kiss her any time he wants. He's macho! There's some arguing about how she was at the fabrica looking for Emilio to get money for drugs. He says she is touching bottom, and she says it's because he won't divorce Caramelo. Pancho then is about to hit Paola, but Lala stops him.

Cut to Gaby's room. She comes out of the shower and Andres grabs her.

Diana comes home from work and plops on the sofa while Diego sits nearby in his wheelchair. He wants to know where she was--and he doesn't want her to tell him she was at the factory, because he won't believe it. Gaby and Caramelo came home a while ago. Well, they're not president, our presidenta tells him. Don't give me this baloney, says Diego--you were at the hospital. Now you want to tell me you are working as a nurse again?
You were with that blind imbecile!

Diana tells him not to talk like that about poor Max, but Diego says he'll call him a blind imbecil as many times as he likes. She's nothing but a cualquiera and he wants her to stop humiliating him. (Vocabulary digression: they keep using the word "burlarse" in this context, which the dictionary says means "make fun of," but that can't really be right. It's used more to denote humiliating or making a laughingstock of him. In English we would use the phrase "making fun of" if we were disparaging the person's own attributes, say, when we call Diego a chipmunk or sneer at his paintings.)

Bruno and Marfil are talking about Debora. Octy comes out and overhears.

Camila is back at the hospital bed for more stolen kisses. She tells Max she's going to take him out of the country for treatment. She's searching the internet for the best places!

Marfil tells Octy that she was the victim of Debora and Bruno--they stole her identity. For two years she languished, yada, yada, yada--we know this whole story. One thing I got to see for the first time--a scene from the very beginning where Marfil was shot by the swimming pool and fell in, thereby starting her coma.
Octy asks Bruno if all this is true. Bruno crumples into a pathetic heap.

Pancho and Lala are standing up and fighting over Paola's head. Paola looks really drugged out. Lala calls him a perfect vago, or lazy bum, essentially. You don't work, and I have the right to meddle in your affairs. I suffered with your father and Diego's (it seems there were two different fathers), but neither of them ever put a hand on me! She tells her worthless son that he is a swine and a coward and she hits him! Paolo softly manages to say "Lala."

Back at Psycho Mansion, Diego is forbidding Diana to go to the hospital.

Gaby and Andres are fighting it out in the bedroom. Gaby pushes him away and pulls out scissors.

Back at Paco's, Marfil is filling Octy in on more of the substitution. Finally Bruno breaks down into a complete sniveling wretch. She says she had to do it because Max was going to divorce Marfil for Diana. She had to hold Marfil's place. She never thought Debora would fall in love with Max. She never thought the sisters hated each other so much. (at this point, I still don't think Marfil knows that Bruno is her mother. Can anyone confirm?)

Lala now throws Pancho out of the house. He's a swine (canalla), a coward (cobarde), etc.
She tells Paola that both Paola and Caramelo made a mistake in marrying her son. Lala leaves, and Paola picks up the phone and calls Andres. No answer.

Diego and Diana default into the usual fight about Max and who is the real father of the baby.

Andres grabs Gaby again, but she escapes and opens a drawer and, as luck would have it, finds a gun. Emilio must have quickly stocked those bedrooms. She fires and hits Andres right in the chest. And at first he just stands there and doesn't move, or even slump. He sort of looks down at the wound. I'm ready to think that the gun was firing blanks, but then he remembers that he's supposed to fall down and collapses.

Downstairs, everyone exclaims that they heard shots (tiros).

Fedora runs to Gaby's door and, finding it locked, reaches for a key that's conveniently perched on the doorframe above the door! (Come on, does anyone hide interior door keys over their doorframes? Most interior doors don't even use a key.) She walks in and sees Gaby standing over the body.

Back to the Bruno rehash. Octy asks Bruno how she could have done it. Bruno says she thought it was a good idea at the time. Marfil continues the tale, including the attempted transfer to the manicomio in the middle of the jungle. They want to know where Debora is now. Marfil tells them that she is dead, that she burned up in the fire. I'm beginning to think that Debora might really be dead this time. Andres too! Maybe there will only be a few short weeks more of this show!

Gaby is explaining to Fedora that Andres was trying to rape her. She was looking for something to defend herself with and she opened the drawer and just happened to find the gun! Fedora says she'll take the rap. She's not going to let Gaby go to prison. Finally Darth Gaviota tells the truth--I am your mother! Gaby is impactada.

Everyone else comes running in--(except Diego, of course), so it's all the women of the house, including Granny M and Granny DS. Before they come in, Fedora repeats that she is Gaby's and Diana's mother, but she doesn't have time to explain. They have to get ready to face the others and stage the scene. The women come in, and Fedora tells Caramelo to call the police.
It's like a Lifetime movie of the week, the way the women array themselves across the room. Diana checks if Andres is dead, and she actually has a tear in her eye. This must mean something about her memories of the jungle. One thing missing here--no one tells Diana about her mother!

Back to Paco's house. Bruno is bringing down the house with what must be the singularly worst performance ever seen on this show, and there is plenty of competition. She is on her knees, "crying" hysterically, and raising her hands to the sky. Octy is looking on impassively.

Now we go back to the hospital, lest we forget our bandaged hero. Camila is continuing her plans when Yolanda and Larry come in and shove her to the side. She rolls her eyes. Max, however, now asks to let her stay. Out of the blue, he announces that he wants to marry Camila. Yolanda tries to stop him from succumbing to Camila's pressure, but he says no, she must respect his decision. (wasn't he planning to be with Diana about 10 minutes ago? What about his hijo?)

Diana asks Gaby why she killed Andres? Why didn't she just shoot him in the leg to wound him? Fedora orders Granny DS taken to her room. Granny leaves but not before saying that this deed is a disgrace. Now Fedora wipes prints off the gun and prepares to meet the cops.

Credits roll.

Labels: acorralada

Part 2 has been added!
Amidst smoke and flashy lights, Luigi presents the star of F.E.O., Inocencio Tenorio (that is, Fern in his nerd outfit), to everyone. Lety comments that Fern seems oddly familiar in that outfit. It’s hard for us to tell because they never show us his face.

Later, in an editing room, Luigi tells Marcia and Omar that Fern asked for some changes to the script and this one is even better than the original.

Now we are at the taping the show’s pilot. As the scene opens, a beautiful woman (the actress that gave the cuartel a hard time yesterday) walks into an office. She tells the guy there (an odd type with a trench coat and dark glasses) that she needs his help because they broke into her safe and stole her... He interrupts to tell her they don’t handle that sort of investigation. They deal with more sophisticated types of cases. Enter Inocencio Tenorio. He’s wearing a slick black tux. The camera moves from his feet upwards, but stops before we can see his face. The woman does see him, which causes such a shock that she faints. The sidekick in the trench coat, Jeronimo, catches the fainting woman. Apparently this is something he must do often. He moans that Inocencio scared ’em again! When he lifts his sunglasses we see that Jeronimo is cross-eyed, which Inocencio attributes to Jeronimo having looked at him (Inocencio) directly.

The cuartel is excited about Fern becoming a famous actor, but Lety explains Fern will only be in the pilot; if it gets picked up, they will get a real actor for the lead..

Lety tells Aldo that Luigi will work all nigh editing, and she if it’s no bother to Aldo, she will stay and supervise.

Fern, Lety, Aldo, Caro, and Marcia all watch as Luigi edits the videotape. They lean way over his head, invading his personal space and making him nervous. Fern tells Luigi he must put up with them or else. Caro remarks that Fern and Lety did a great job with the script. Fern and Lety share a small congratulatory hug, but Lety pulls away and turns to make sure Aldo didn’t get P.O.’ed over it. Fern leans over Luigi again to get a good look. He is practically breathes into Luigi’s ear. Instead of getting mad, Luigi says he might as well relax and enjoy it. This was a sure way to get Fern to jump back and give him space. Fern and Luigi bicker about how much of Fern’s lines to cut out. Luigi calls Fern Sergio Goyri (Don Loco on Duelo de Pasiones, who in addition to acting, is also a writer, director, and producer). Aldo makes an additional editing suggestion and Fern calls him Luis de Llano (T.V. producer, though the only thing I found for him on IMDb.com was Michael Jackson Live in Mexico: The Dangerous Tour ). The bickering continues until Lety reminds them that the important thing is that the pilot turn out well.

Sun rises over Conceptos. The gang is still hovering over Luigi. He finally finishes editing the pilot, which earns him a hug from Fern. Luigi then decides to review the tape of Aurora. Omar runs up and knocks over Fern to get a better view. Everyone, even Aldo, agrees she is a mega-hot babe. Fern adds that she is intolerable and caprichuda (fickle – he added a few syllables for effect).

The Retromode guys show up and they show them the pilot. Jacques hems and haws. He’s not sure how he feels about it. He asks to see a screen shot of the actress in pilot and one of Aurora next to each other. He reviews them and decides he wants Aurora and Fern together in the pilot. Lety, who is standing next to Fern, faints. Fern turns to where Lety was and asks where’s Lety? When he looks down and sees her on the floor, he calls “Lety!” with such concern that I want to say “aaaawh” but I can’t because I’m laughing too hard.

In Lety’s office, PM takes a phone message for Lety from Manuel. As she stands over Lety’s desk, she notices an that an e-mail has come in. For some reason the email opens itself up for PM to view. There’s a weird picture of a hand covering most of the view and someone’s feet in background.

Jacques repeats his request and Lety sways again. Caro explains that Lety is thinking about how difficult Aurora is to work with. Jacques says that Aurora is essential for the show to work. Fern thinks he’s kidding. Jacques says he is very serious -- Aurora and Fern together would be fantastic! Fern insists that he is not an actor. Aldo says that Fern and Aurora would be perfect together. Lety loses her balance again. Luigi wonders if she’s pregnant.

Lola delivers some paperwork to Marcia’s office and sees an email on Marcia’s computer screen. Incredibly, this email has opened itself up too and it has the same pic from Lety’s email.

In the vortex, Sarah and Martha gripe about not having anyone to pick on because Alicia is out. PM and Lola walk in. They have each printed the magical self-opening e-mails and brought them into the vortex for the cuartel’s review.

They read the email from Tomas to Lety first. In it, Tomas tells Lety about his night of passion with his new wife (Ewwh! I know they’re good friends, but come on, Lety does not need this much detail about his honeymoon!). He is excited that Alicia wants to have children right away.
Then they read Alicia’s email to Marcia. It tells of Alicia’s plan to evade her wifely obligations. She has told Tomas that her OB/GYN advised her that in order to ensure an expeditious pregnancy, they should not have relaciones except during her most fertile days. The cuartel think Alicia is a witch for stringing poor Tomas along this way. Um, yeah, she’s terrible – just about as terrible as someone who opens their boss’s personal email, prints it, and reads it aloud to all their co-workers!
Jacques tells the Conceptos team that the project could yield 4 million bucks!
The cuartel wants to tell Tomas about Alicia’s ploy. Irma scolds the for reading the email and tells them to mind their own business.
Fern walks into the vortex and the cuartel take a break from their gossiping. Fern stands amongst them and breathes deeply as he lifts his arms up and slowly turns 360 degrees around (there’s a name for this ballet pose, but I can’t think of it). They wonder if this is his way of expressing his anger. They hold their breaths. Fern stops, looks at them intently, then suddenly yells "We’re getting Conceptos back, and we’re going to be rich!" The cuartel yells too. He promises them all a raise. They all hug and celebrate with silly dancing and a chant of "Woof! Woof! Woof!"
In her office, Lety vents to Marcia about being forced to live a double life. She wishes she could just tell everyone she is Aurora. Caro says she will support Lety if she makes that decision. Fern, Marcy, and Aldo enter the office and announce that they need to write another 5 scripts. Fern cheerfully tells Lety, "ni modo [literally ‘no way’ but here it means ‘oh, well’] Lety, another long night of working together." Aldo steps in, puts his hands on Lety’s shoulders and advises that, actually, tonight Lety belongs to him (I'm sure he did not mean that in a psycho-boyfriend possive way).
In the "Three’s Company" apartment, Fern and Omar bicker about the scripts. Fern says Inocencio’s character has to be different type of hero; he must be enigmatico. Omar notes that woman love a mystery. This makes Fern light up. He says Omar has given him a great idea. Just then Caro and Marcy show up with a pizza.
Over dinner, Aldo expresses how happy that with the new project, since it means the Conceptos debt will be paid off and Lety will free. He has a surprise -- he is working on a new restaurant, which he will call Letizia with a "z" (he pronounces it with Spanish accent: "Letithia" which makes it sound very uppity]. Lety asks Aldo what if Aurora turns out to be a fraud; what if she is hiding her true identity. Aldo responds that in that case he wouldn’t respect her, because he doesn’t like dishonesty. Lety agrees with him, but her expression is shrieking "Yikes!" Aldo adds that he thinks Aruroa could be a good woman for Fern. Lety raises eyebrows reach for the sky!
The boys fall asleep on the couch and Caro pulls the notebook from Fern’s grip. She reads the script title "The Failed Seducers." Marcia covers them with a blanket. Caro asks Marcia if she still loves Fern. Marcia says she does, but now she loves him like a brother. She asks Caro about her crush on Omar. Caro admits that she feels the need to be near him, especially when she sees how he suffers for the diva, Aurora. Marcia warns her against pursuing a man who is preoccupied with someone else.
At home, Lety tells mom and pop says she has something important to talk to them about. She asks what they would think if she changed her appearance. They ask what kind of change she’s thinking about. She nonchalantly answers that she’d like less hairs. Then she adds that maybe she’d like to look like Aurora. Robopop goes ballistic! He asks if she’s forgotten what kind of family she comes from. He warns that if she wants to change, it better be to something very different from that woman Aurora because she (Lety) is a decent girl.
Fern wakes up very achy from sleeping on the couch. Omar starts to wake up but Fern makes shushing noises to lull him back to sleep.
Fern goes to the bedroom, which he now has all to himself. He thought bubbles how he’d love Lety to be here with him. He takes out his man-diary... uh... journal. He writes "My love for you is infinite. I can feel that you love me. Even though I must stay away, as I promised, I still have you in my heart….. I hope true love will win in the end. I abandoned my games of seduction to become a lonely enamorado (one who is in love). Instead of seducing women, here I am writing about love." A tear rolls down his cheek.
The next morning over breakfast, Caro tells Lety that she plans to forget about Omar. Caro then asks Lety if she told Aldo about her second personality. Lety says she tried to but she couldn’t do it. Caro thinks it might be too late to tell everyone the truth. Jacques might cancel the project. Lety pronounces dramatically that she is trapped in the body of Aurora.
In the vortex , the cuartel is busy yakking away when Tomas and Alicia enter. Alicia calls for their attention announces that she demands respect by virtue of being the wife of the vice prez of finance. Smoke comes out of Sarah ears and she snarls that maybe Alicia will get respect when she stops lying about not being able to… Yikes-- the women stop Sarah from saying any more, but she’s already said too much! Alicia and Tomas are impactados!

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