Caray, Caray!

Juancho is complaining to one of his buds that Foreman is a total ingrate for bringing in El Chino to run the new operation considering how well Juancho has run things up to now. As far as he’s concerned there ain’t room enough for the both of them at La Paisana’s. His bud suggests they can always kill him.

LaFont walks out to visit with Juancho and the other pirate. He commiserates with Juancho about being dumped as leader for the likes of the oriental. Juancho gripes that Foreman always has preferred types from the upper class and puts down the regular stiffs in the group. His bud asks if he really considers El Chino to be upper class, and Juancho says El Chino thinks he is, the same way El Antillano fancies himself to be.

Alberto pricks up his ears when he hears this little tidbit from Juancho. According to Juancho and his buddy, El Antillano is just a guy from La Mariana who is one of Foreman’s favorites since he can read and write but also can fight with the best of them and got hold of a couple of boats for himself. Juancho remarks that they hardly recognized him the last time he showed up because he’d cut his hair short. He was there puttin’ on airs and asking about his two chests that were apparently stolen during the last caravan heist. Bouffy asks about Antillano's real name, but they tell him that they don't know, nobody knows.

Back inside the pub area La Paisana mentions to Jorge that the guy who usually takes their contraband goods and sells them is named Castillo, from a town near Salvatierra. Jorge wants to do away with the middlemen and take the merchandise to sell directly, i.e., from Uriel’s newly “acquired” store. Foreman agrees. LaFont walks back in and Jorge asks him how things are coming along with his petition to annex Salvatierra to his San Fernando holdings. Bouffy says his chances are pretty good provided the judge doesn’t find there is a legitimate heir to it. (Not that that should matter once Bouffy offed him to clear the way for Jorge.) Jorge asks El Chino to change his appearance so that he looks Western when he arrives in San Fernando to do business with him later on. El Chino agrees and Foreman toasts with them all to their new business partnership.

While Mario and Ric are on their way to give the lawyer Ric’s copy of Timoteo’s will, the two discuss the likelihood of his hearing from the courts that Cami is being sued over the validity of the will. Ric again says they’ve no doubt held off till Foreman’s left or they’d have been served by now.

Foreman and La Paisana say good-bye to Jorge and his posse. Foreman assures Jorge that he'll do something in order to avoid the pirates attacking future caravans and murdering the inhabitants of the various country-houses in the area. (Apparently he cannot prohibit the pirates from attacking around the area because it is the means by which they maintain their families that live there.) Jorge suggests they set sail for somewhere else. Foreman cannot, but says he’ll think of something. They agree that La Paisana and El Chino will be their means of keeping in contact with each other.

Meanwhile back at the palace the women are all being entertained with Fortunata’s gossip about Gonzo’s death and how the archbishop, Ric’s godfather, insisted that Mario be let free under justified circumstances. Sofia sides with Cami and Jime. Ursula figures Daddy will have a difference of opinion with the archbishop’s methods once he gets back to town.

Back at La Paisana’s Pub, she says if Foreman disbands the pirates they’ll end up being killed, imprisoned or hung. They may be dogs, but they’re decent people with families to feed and as part of the team they deserve better. Maybe he could use them somehow since they are loyal men. Foreman gets angry and says there are way more people than he needs there and he’s not the King of England and isn’t obligated to feed and clothe the hordes. El Chino offers to take them in his boat to some other island where they can go their own way afterward. Foreman says it is all the same to him, they (we assume he, Jorge and Bouffy) just don’t want them around those parts any longer. Then La Paisana asks what’s up with El Antillano. Foreman answers he doesn’t know but suspects they cannot count on him any longer.

Ric gives his attorney, Castulo, a copy of his Uncle Tim's will so that he can study it and suggest a way to give the money to Lis without Cami being accused of noncompliance with its terms. He explains Cami never agreed with Tim’s giving her his fortune and denying his daughter even a dime of it. He asks Castulo to see if there is some loophole they can use to get a friend or a relative to receive it as a donation and avoid any unseen danger. Castulo says he’ll look through it and get back to him the next day.

On the ride back to San Fernando LaFont informs Jorge about his suspicions that Ric is “El Antillano” and one of the pirates, which means that Foreman knows very well exactly who Ric is: de Salamanca a.k.a. Lopez de Carvejal. Bouffy explains that El Antillano was there a few days back, and that although they never mentioned his name, they know now that it has to be him. Jorge notes that being the case, then Cami’s marriage is invalid. Bouffy says that’s not so important.

On the way back from Castulo’s Mario and Ric discuss their next step. Mario must go bring back La Salamandra and anchor it in the little inlet they saw on the map when they first arrived. This is where he and Cami will hide.

Mario comes to say good-bye to Jime. He tells her that he is going for La Salamandra and why. He tells her also that he’s asked Ric to allow him to take Jime along unless she’d rather stay. She says she wants to leave with them. He smiles just a bit and tells her that they’ll be seeing each other again in a few days. Slowly he moves in towards her. After a painful attempt to kiss because of Jime’s sore mouth, they finally embrace and kiss each other passionately.

Mario turns to leave, but looks at the ring on his finger and begins to play with it. He removes it finally and places it on Jime’s finger. He has had a difficult life, he says, but that she should give him a little room and not ask too much of him, as he kisses her hand and tells her that very soon she’ll have him eating out of it. Jime is speechless for once in her life as Mario cavalierly turns and goes out the doorway.
==============

While Ines is helping Vasco dress for Gonzo’s wake she complains about GRita having gone completely off the deep end over Camila with her foolish, constant jealous accusations. Vasco defends her and says they aren’t that much off the mark since everyone knows Santi is still pining away for Cami. Ines says, well hey, a love like his doesn’t simply disappear overnight. Anyway, they didn’t continue to see each other or to pursue the relationship. So, there’s just no reason for GRita to go on and on with those jealous rants like she does.

A few seconds afterward Ines starts to worry about him and questions Vasco about Ursula and whether he has seen her recently. He smiles charmingly and says, “What do you think, woman? Of course not,” then kisses her good-bye as he and Justo head off for Gonzo’s wake.

Speaking of Gonzo’s wake, suddenly we are there and we see him all laid out like a pig on a platter. The only thing missing is the apple. Ursula sees Vasco arrive and she cannot stop staring at him. His willpower is practically non-existant. He returns the stare, licking his lips and looking just as eager as she. Ursula gives him a signal she’s horny as heck and they go out into the back hallway corridor. Their intense desire gives way and the two kiss passionately. (So much for respecting the dead. Being that it’s Gonzo’s wake, is there any wonder the guests would rather mate like a couple of minks than mourn?)

Meanwhile, in Cami’s bedroom at the hacienda, she and Jime are having a heart-to-heart over what Mario just did. Jime admits she’s fallen in love with Mario, but is worried that when he says he’s got a woman in every port he meant it, even if it was a joke. She whines that he is not the marrying kind. Cami tries to cheer her up by telling her that she isn’t married like she’d expected either. She hugs her friend and says that single men always have their affairs, but eventually settle down and it could be that Jime and Mario will end up married in time.

Cami suddenly suggests Ascanio for Jime if the relationship with Mario doesn’t work out. Jime says she thought at one time in the beginning there was a little something, but somebody else must have caught his eye because she really desn’t grab his attention. She wonders what women he does have in mind. Cami says she hasn’t a clue since he’s always been rather mysterious. “In fact,” she tells Jime, “did you know that Ascanio knew beforehand who Ric was but never bothered to tell me?” They both wonder why he would keep quiet.

After her chat with Jime, Cami goes to speak with Ric who is writing in his journal about the history of piracy and using some of his personal experiences to illustrate the life. She tells him her gossip about Jimena’s falling in love with Mario. Ric answers that Mario is a good man with a noble heart. Cami tells him that Jime’s worried he’s such a playboy, and Ric says just like any man is until he falls in love. He wonders if Jime’s upset that Mario’s a pirate, but Cami says no, and that even she is getting used to the idea of Ric’s being a pirate too.

Cami brings up the business about Ric’s using the boat for them to escape if things go haywire. Ric says it’s just a precaution, but she says she figured everything would be solved once Lis agreed to her giving back the inheritance. She says she’s tired of one shock after another in her life. Ric says only saints resign themselves to their fate. Ordinary people like themselves, he says, are faced with challenges daily and fight to overcome them. He reminds her that she is a fighter, too. All she has to do is think about what she’s done since she was kidnapped and after she returned. “The important thing is never to let oneself become defeated, because only with that kind of fighting spirit can you manage to achieve what otherwise seems unattainable.”

Back at the wake in the rear hallway Ursula and Vasco make plans to go somewhere else to be together to finish what they’ve so unceremoniously just started.

Across town, there ain’t no way, no how that Santi is going to waste either his time or his breath praying for Gonzo’s safe passage through the pearly gates, knowing first hand it’s a lost cause. Instead of attending the wake he and Ascanio go out to eat supper at the local tavern --no doubt thinking somewhere along the line it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving guy. Ascanio is in the mood to talk for once. Santi has questions about his past so Ascanio gives him a rundown of everything that happened during his earlier life. Santi listens as Ascanio tells him how he murdered a man from an influential family who raped and nearly killed his sister; how Timoteo bribed the guards in the prison to change his crime from murder to debt, and then brought him home as a slave, that since the murdered man’s family swore vengeance he never heard from his sister again because she ran away, that his mother had eventually died and that he never saw either of them again.

Talk turns to the subject of the ED letter. Santi confides that if the matter doesn't manage to get resolved, then Lis will have no evidence against Cami. Ascanio tells him that Lis is not the sweet, helpless thing she pretends to be; but rather she uses her blindness to gain the sympathy of others in order to get her way. He says he doesn't blame her completely since her childhood was pretty miserable, considering the way her father treated her because of her disability. As far as the aunt who raised her, he says, the woman is wickedly harmful. The thought occurs to Ascanio that Santi is probably the only person who can help Cami regarding the letter by speaking with his father, Don Jorge. Santi winces more than a little at the thought of that.

In bed that night next to Cami, Ric has a hard time sleeping. He is upset with himself for not having taken precautions and perhaps asked for some quick cash from his godfather. He figures he’s got to hit a couple of merchant ships and if Cami leaves him because of it well, then let God figure it out. He wakes her up and they make love under the covers.
===============

The next morning Jorge and posse arrive back in San Fernando. Marcel and Dali (Uriel and Matteo) are assured they’re going to be a part of this new operation and ride off satisfied. LaFont tells Jorge he’s going to check with the judge to see about any progress there might be with ED letter investigations. Jorge wants to talk about that with Bouffy first but he refuses and says that he’s promised Lis and he’s going through with it. Jorge worries they’ll have trouble with Ric. Bouffy sneers and asks what’s Ric going to do, run to Foreman over it? All they have to do is claim he’s El Antillano and problem solved. Bouffy rides off then, leaving Jorge in the dust mulling it over.

When Jorge arrives home, the guard tells him that a Mario Fuentes, one of Ric’s men, killed Gonzalo and that Sofia went to the wake the night before. Jorge finds Sofia in her bedroom complaining about her (tired?) eyes making her look like an owl. (The comparison is lost on me.) Jorge says he heard that one of Ric’s men murdered Gonzo. Sofia proceeds to explain what happened and adds that it wasn’t murder but a justified killing instead with plenty of witnesses. He asks after Gonzo’s dad, and Sofia says of course he’s sad, inconsolable, etc., and drunk as ever.

Jorge is upset to find out that Mario was set free and wonders what Marcelino was thinking to have done that without waiting for him to return to determine things and the witnesses be damned. Sofia then explains who Archbishop Don Gaspar is, and how powerfully and politically well-connected, and explains how he was in town visiting Ric and that it was his decision to intervene. Jorge seems to want to leave it alone and accepts the archbishop’s ruling in his absence.

That same morning Ramona tells Santi at breakfast all the gory details of the sword fight between Gonzo and Mario. She adds that if it weren’t for Mario, Vasco would be dead. Ofelia comes out of the house with the baby. Santi chats a minute or two about godparents for little Ana and then he tells his mom that he’s pretty much finished with GRita. She offers to talk with GRita but he says she’s already done that numerous times. Ofelia then suggests being stricter with his wife, but he says beating her like other husbands is not going to work, either. Besides, he’s not that kind of person. Ofelia thinks it’s because he’s still in love with Cami, but he says even so, it is not that. It is that he simply cannot stand her any longer and he’s lost all patience. He’s decided to sleep separately from GRita in his own room from now on. That’s the way they leave it and he goes into town.

GRita comes out of the house after Santi leaves. In what passes for an apology, she admits to perhaps being a bit excitable the day before, but doesn't feel she deserved her father slapping her. Ofelia says let’s talk openly without any hemming and hawing. Ofelia accuses her of wanting Santi for herself, even when he was dating Cami. GRita says, so what. It’s not her fault, conveniently forgetting about her sister’s letter begging to be ransomed that GRita tore to pieces and buried. “I saw my opportunity and I took it. Is that a crime? Why rebuke me for it?” Ofelia says she isn’t complaining, but her attitude has driven Santi away.

GRita says she hasn’t driven Santi away at all. The problem is that Camila came back. “Even though she tells the whole world about her terrible misfortune, all she did was marry an old rich man. You know why? To get his money. She came back to town thinking she’d go after Santiago but when she realized he was married now, she up and marries another rich man, Ricardo. However, she’s determined to have my husband. She’s just like Ursula, sleeping around with any man at all.”

Ofelia just listens and shakes her head in amazement. GRita says that since Ofelia hasn’t said anything she must disagree. Ofelia snickers and says it doesn’t matter to GRita whether she might agree with her or not. What matters to Ofelia, though, is how GRita is turning her son’s life into one big tragedy, and to think she approved of their marrying once! She deeply regrets it now but she is refusing to let her destroy his life so completely.

Ofelia takes the baby from GRita and orders her to tell Ramona to bring the water into her bedroom because she is going to bathe the little one herself. GRita seethes as Ofelia walks away because again she’s been given what for and told to follow orders from her MIL. She starts griping to herself, “Who the heck does she think she is? She’s nothing more than a midwife and a quack medicine woman.” All of a sudden she starts to think that Ofelia, being a quack doctor, will try to poison her.

At the same time, Ric has gone to see Castulo. The lawyer says the question of the will is taking longer than he thought. Ric loses patience and wonders if Castulo is procrastinating in order to get Jorge’s consent. Castulo says no, it’s because he simply cannot find a loophole to keep Cami from being sent back into slavery. Ric says then find one ‘cause that’s what lawyers get the big bucks for. He leaves and makes his way over to the palace to speak with Lis.

At the palace Ric asks his cousin if their agreement is still standing as Fran listens. Lis says yes. He emphasizes that the only thing he worries about is not seeing Cami lose her liberty. Lis says rather snidely that she already understood that was the case, so Ric says, “Then in case the lawyer cannot find a proper way to resolve the problem, I’m going to tell you that we will leave things as they are and in one way or another you will have your money.” Lis says fine with her and Ric leaves.

Tia Fran begins to think of her and Timoteo doling out blood money to Bermejo way back when. She tells Lis that she thinks she should accept Ric’s proposition or otherwise if she displeases him he could take it out on Fran for being involved in the plot that forced him into piracy. Lis is unsympathetic. “Sooner or later if you make a mistake you pay for it, Auntie.” “—Do you want to see me in jail or on the gallows? I swear I had nothing to do with that. I swear! Frannie is desperate. “I raised you like a mother, was your eyes, I protected you!”

Lis says she is grateful, but nevertheless she will never forgive her and her father for being the cause of Ric’s feeling forced to flee and taking up a life of piracy. (It should be obvious by now that Lis comes by her nasty trait of holding grudges, quite naturally.) Fran loses patience and carelessly yells at Lis that even if Ric had stuck around and none of this had taken place, he still would have married anyone but a blind woman! Just then Sofia and Fortunata appear behind them on the stairs. They’re back from Gonzo’s funeral but obviously overheard something.

Upstairs Fortunata speculates with Sofia about who the man is that Lis and Fran were arguing over. She says it must be somebody from back in La Mariana. Sofia suggests it could very well be somebody right there in San Fernando. Fortunata’s light bulb finally goes off. “Ah! Ricardo!” Sofia and Fortunata begin looking for Ursula in her room, but the maid says she came in only to quickly change her clothes then left to visit Manuela. Sofia sends Fortunata off to check if Ursula really did go to Manuela’s.

At the same time Justo and Paco come to the mill to see Vasco. Higinio tells Justo that Vasco is there but that he has a visitor, Ursula. Justo doesn’t like what he’s just heard, expecting the worst. Instead of going up to the office, Justo leaves a message with Higinio that as soon as Vasco’s visitor has gone he’s to come to the house to talk with him.

Ric returns to speak with Cami at his hacienda. He tells her that the lawyer was not too encouraging. He’s stuck depending on Lis’ good will, but he doesn’t trust Lis not to change her mind at anytime and says until the business is resolved he’s not going to believe anybody, and that’s why he gave Mario the order to fetch the boat. Cami is definitely upset by this. “If she wants the money I’ll give it to her, but why is she so brutal with me? Her father deceived me and told me he’d never leave her unprotected and as far as I was concerned, the only thing I ever wanted was to be free again and to return here. Your cousin must understand?” “—Surely she does,” he agrees. “—Then what else could it be? A-hah! She is in love with you!” Finally the awful truth.

Ric denies it, but Cami says Lis has always loved him and certainly she thought that sooner or later he would marry her. “She knows your name is de Salamanca and that because of that our marriage is a sham! Why doesn’t she declare it publically? I’ll tell you why. She is in love with you and doesn’t want to harm you, but me she does! Because of jealousy, anger, envy! Because she still has hopes!” Ric says, “Alright, supposing she does, the only thing that is important to me is that nothing bad happens to you.” Cami asks him if the easy answer is to flee. He says the only other option is to kill Mancera, LaFont and whoever else comes after which would be useless, so in the end the only thing they can do is to escape from there.

Ric sees that cami is against it and asks what she prefers to do. Cami says that the most prudent thing might be to wait. Perhaps they’re conjuring up too much and all for nothing if LaFont really doesn’t have the letter after all. “—But if he does?” “—The fact is I am not to blame for what happened. Look, we cannot fight like this. The lawyer should allege that Timoteo did this of his own free will and even though old, he still was in his right mind. Ascanio can testify.” Ric says Ascanio’s testimony is worthless going up against LaFont. Cami says perhaps something might influence the outcome. The next thing she worries about is someone getting even with her by harming her family. Ric tells her to give him a bit to think about this and to see what they can do.

Labels: Pasion

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 9:16 AM 35 comments

Ok, just a couple random thoughts…..the other day I thought Constancio said something about ordering someone killed when he was speaking to Luci. It made no sense at the time, but now I’m sure he was talking about Francois. Speaking of Francois, Luci musta been drinking heavily 20 some years ago, that’s the only way I can see her falling for this crazy nut. Also, I’ve not been able to watch the last two episodes in their entirety, but did read the recaps to help me be brought up to speed, so some finer points might be missing in this recap as a result.

OK, onto tonight’s episode….we begin with some leftovers from Friday. Mili and the Olson Twins are celebrating Lina finding out that Horacio is her father. They talk about Roxana and Lina has no interest in her mother. The three girls hug….watching this makes me think about the dynamics of three girls in a friendship. It has been my experience (as a teacher and as a former teenage girl) that relationships among girls are best kept in even numbers, when there are odd numbers someone is always odd man out and it leads to hurt feelings. Of course, I will add the disclaimer that this isn’t always the case, but it happens A LOT. Girls are such sensitive critters, but then I digress. Dr. Cohen comes to see Constancio at Belmonte Industries.

Connie meets with the doctor and finds out that he’s a psychiatrist and he works in an institute where Regina comes to visit regularly. Connie is puzzled as to why his mother would visit a psychiatric facility, but the doctor goes on to explain that they have a rather strange inpatient who’s been yelling “muerte a Constancio”. Think it’s a coincidence, he asks.

Horacio and Morcky are talking outside the mansion. Horacio tells the chauffer that Lina is his daughter. Congratulations are offered and then Snotty Spice shows up. She sure can kill a good mood. She and Morcky are leaving and she’s riding in front which makes him excited---she’ll be at his side. Gloria comes up and has a conversation with Horacio about trees and then says something about him being the mechanic. Horacio takes offense, which I didn’t understand, but becomes important later.

Alejandro and his mom are talking. Luci is on crutches, she hurt her knee (I like how the writers can work these things into the story so subtly….I guess it is better than trying to work around it. I once watched a novela where one of the characters had a big herpes sore on his lip and they just had him talk with his hand in front of his mouth for almost a week----very distracting----however, he was a galan so it wouldn’t have been wise to add his condition of oral herpes into the script). OK, where was I…..Al and Luci talking. She tells her son to make sure that there is a pregnancy test done before he would marry Andrea. Al comments on how Andrea is insisting they get married and Luci says it is typical for her to try to blackmail him into a marriage. She wouldn’t be surprised if the whole pregnancy thing is invented. Again she tells her son to get a test done before he agrees to anything.

Braulio is in his room pouring over pictures of Rosario. He mutters that it isn’t possible, there has to be another explanation.

Mili hears Al and tries to hide from him. He finds her and tells her they need to talk. She gives him the same song and dance about a kid not having their father and she doesn’t want his child to hate him like she does her own father. Al says he’s not willing to marry a woman he doesn’t love, he is willing to give the child a name and to be a father to it, but he draws the line at marrying Andrea. Mili spouts out more garbage about the baby needing him and that she’ll feel at fault if Al’s not there for the baby. Al says that he doesn’t want to marry Andrea because he doesn’t love her and that he’ll only marry someone he loves. Mili tells him to look for another woman to love. He says that she is the only woman for him and he’ll love her always. He kisses her passionately tender (that’s the only way to describe it). Mili responds and then pushes him away and takes off running.

She ends up running to the maid dorm. By the time she reaches the room, she’s crying. She does the classic “dignified” crying while sinking down the wall---something only seen on television or in the movies---I myself flop on the bed while in hysterics. Lina asks what’s wrong and Mili answers nothing, nothing, nothing. She’s obviously lying.

Morcky and SS are stuck in the middle of nowhere because the car breaks down (obviously a set up---car trouble arranged by Horacio, the not a mechanic guy). SS can’t pick up a cell phone signal, so Morck goes to look for help, but can’t find any. It gets dark and they are still stuck. Morck pulls out a picnic basket with wine and empanadas. SS wrinkles her nose up at the food. There’s even a tape player, with romantic music.

Mili plans on leaving, it is the only way. Lina and Gloria are sad. She’s taking off in the middle of the night and asks the girls to keep quiet about it. She sneaks into Al’s room, while he’s sleeping and leaves him a note. She pauses for one last look before she takes off. As she’s about to leave by the front door (because sneaking out the back would have been way more noticeable), she’s caught by Brau. What are you doing, he asks. She says she’s leaving and asks him not to tell. He says she can’t go and she thinks he’s accusing her of stealing again. She shows him that there is nothing in her backpack that isn’t hers. Brau tells her that she can’t leave now that he’s found her. She can’t go because they can always be together and now is the time for her to know the truth. Commercial. Mili tells the majordomo that she doesn’t wanna know the truth, because she’s convinced by the way Brau is acting that he’s enamored with her. He tries to tell her that she doesn’t understand and Mili takes off. He thinks about what she said and how he reacted and realizes that Mili must think he was going to confess his love. He calls out after her and tries to follow, to no avail.

Lina and Gloria cry over Mili. They exchange words on who’s Mili’s best friend (see what I was talking about before). They wake up Karla and she tells them to keep it down. They tell her Mili’s left and they are sad. Karla says “she’s left before and always comes back.”

Brau goes to the kitchen and tells Socorro that Mili’s left. He says he couldn’t stop her from going and then he thinks to himself- Rosario please forgive me.

Val has to use the bathroom and she’s scared they’re in the middle of no where. Morck starts to tell a story about when he was younger. SS cuts him off. She wants to sleep. Morck asks if she’s going to sleep dressed? Is he crazy, she asks. He tells her he never sleeps in clothes and then gestures to take his own clothes off. She suddenly is not tired, but is hungry.

Mili is out walking the mean streets. She’s chased by some thugs, but finds refuge in a church. Mili tells the priest she’s out at night because she’s lost. The priest allows her to stay, but she’ll have to sleep on a pew.

Al wakes up and calls out for Mili. He goes to the maid dorm and knocks on the door. Lina answers and says she can’t wake Mili. Al takes things into his own hands and goes in there to wake her, instead he wakes up Gloria who is sleeping in Mili’s bunk (she didn’t waste any time in securing claim to the open real estate). Karla tells Al that Mili’s left. Al is shocked, she’s gone!

Morcky plays some romantic music and attempts to dance----it looks like he’s attempting to do sit ups, but in his defense it is hard to “dance” in a car. He changes tapes because SS isn’t enjoying it. This time it is a strip tease song and he’s compelled to unbutton his shirt and take off his tie. He attempts a Chippendale dance---it is disturbing to watch. ** The actress playing SS has a hard time keeping a straight face during this scene, can’t say I can blame her.

Al goes back to his room and finds the note from Mili. She says she can’t compete with a baby and she encourages him to love the child. She signs the note, “Carlitos”.

Asleep in the car, Val dreams of Sergio. Morcky dreams of Val. They end up kissing. SS gets upset with Rocky and he admits he was dreaming of her. She orders him to not dream about her…..she really is a primadonna.

Al asks Hugo if Mili told him she was leaving and if he knows where she went. Hugo says nope.

Brau tells Regina that Mili’s gone and he blames himself. Regina tells him that’s absurd, it isn’t his fault. They decide that Brau should look for Mili at the convent.

At the convent, Padre Manuel has a revolving door of visitors, all looking for Mili. First Al, followed by Hugo and then Brau shows up last.

Val and Morcky make it back home. She takes off in a huff after calling him some names. Horacio asks Rocky how it went and he tells Horacio that it didn’t work. There is some more conversation between the two men, but it basically is Horacio offering to give Rocky lessons on how to seduce a woman.

Connie finds out about Luci’s knee injury and asks if she was drinking at the time. Connie asks about Francois and if Luci’s in contact with him or thinks about him. She tells her husband she doesn’t think of other men. He reminds her of Eugenio.

Al calls Bobby for help. He tells his friend that Mili took off. Bobby agrees to help find her. Later Mili shows up at Bobby’s door. She needs a place to stay while looking for a job and she figured Bobby is Al’s friend so he’d help. He says that Al’s suffering and he can’t keep her whereabouts a secret from him. She tells Bobby that she’ll tell Al she spent the night there, in Bobby’s bed (did I get that right?). They go back and forth about not telling Al. Then Mili says, do you wanna kill Al’s baby? Then you need to help me. Bobby is just as confused by Mili’s twisted logic as we, the audience, are.

Dr. Cohen comes back and tells Connie that indeed the patient is Francois. He agrees to keep Francois locked up, where no one can find him. Of course, it is going to cost Connie. Connie agrees to the deal and gives us one of his devilish smiles.

Hugo tells Al he knows nothing about where Mili would have gone. He then says that he’s in love with her still and now he’s got some hope because Mili needs to forget Al. He tells Al that he intends to ask Mili to marry him, once she is found.

Bobby tells Mili that it seems like it is one extreme or another for her, and it doesn’t have to be that way. Al can still be with Mili and be a father to this baby. He tells Mili that it appears that Andrea is using the baby as a way to keep Mili and Al apart. Mili isn’t listening to the logical things he’s saying. She tells Bobby to keep his mouth shut about her whereabouts to Al, or she’ll take off forever.

Brau tells Regina he couldn’t find Mili. They think that Lina might be a good source of info on her.

Speak of the rey de roma, Mili gives Lina a call and let’s her know she’s doing OK.

In the mental hospital, one of the nurses comes in to give Francois his meds. He is slumped in the corner and when one of the orderlies attempts to move him, we see it isn’t Francois, but Dr. Cohen. Cohen comes to a bit and tells them that last night Francois hit him, took his keys, and escaped. END OF EPISODE

Labels: guapos

Willa and Cisco willingly demonstrate various relationship dramas for us.


We begin our usual repeat of the ending scenes of Friday. Paula gags over Cesar Luis, Juan cries over Paula as he cuddles with Lorena, Monica cuddles with Gustavo while she thinks of Gustavo, Cesar Luis thinks about power slipping through his fingers, Marely tells Paula about Juan leaving town probably forever while she gives her best but not too convincing rationalization for marrying Fernando.

Monica is extolling the virtue and brilliance of Gustavo's plans to overhaul Ferell's publicity campaigns to a smirking Cesar Luis, Gustavo's kiss to Monica's head draws another puff on the cigarette and eye rolling from CL. While across town Juan and Kike argue over loading more boxes on the truck and Kike reveals that he wants to go with them to Achichipico while Paula repeats how she is nauseated by CL while sweet Marely warns her her agitation is not only bad for her and CL but for the baby too. Paula confesses that her mind keeps focused on Juan Dominguez, Marely describes feeling Juan's strong hug as an omen that he is not coming back. Wonders why Juan and Fer were practically fighting when she arrived (if you only knew, be very afraid, Marely). She has time to think but only 3 months to plan her wedding. Paula says she feels she is in a dead end (callejón sin salida) and she hopes she can pass through this disgust (fastidio) she feels for CL Juan meanwhile is counseling Kike on his obligation to hang in and take care of his daughter. Kike cries with much justification, me thinks, that he is so tired. He is tired of arriving home to face the boxing gloves (guantes de boxeo), fighting continuously with Yadira. Juan advises him not to throw in the towell (toalla). Juan says everything has a solution except death and Kike has to remain in favor of life, matrimony, pardon. His encouragement is met with Kike's desperate need to end the torture. He feels like the best thing is to end this part of his life and get out of the city.

Fer comes up to Marely's desk offering to help her but she tells him to go home and rest and she will see him later.

While Ana and Nidia review the fabulous renovation of the gallery, Nidia confesses to Ana her affair with Fernando. Love has no age, says Nidia who remembers the young Fernando coming into her life at that time creating a Greek tragedy in her house. She is relying on Marely's innate good sense and just hopes this marriage never is realized. She hopes and prays that God doesn't begin to make her pay her debts now. At Farell, Fer steps on the elevator which Ivonne has craftily rushed to get on alone with him. Ivonne taunts him about his plans which she dubs as repeating the same old mistakes again and agian. He snaps back that if she continues to fixate on errors she will end up a bitter old maid. Touché. He adds Marely and he will marry. No more secrets now. Juan and Lorena are on the bus, she is doing her usual climbing all over him, as if anyone could blame her but Juan half resists with the old argument that he can't ethically romance the beauty contestants while he thought bubbles about his temptations. He puts her into a trance, hugs her and enjoys his dilemma while he promises that this contest will be the best of Mexico and the world.

Nidia is home with Alirio while he solicitously asks her how her first "double A" meeting went. She assures him it was divine, the meeting was so moving (conmovedor). She adds tauntingly that she was able to vent/get off her chest (desahogar) her troubles (enojos) and frustrations.

Anga is bemoaning that Enrique is not doing well at his bookkeeping,the expenses and revenues are all a mess, while Gaytan irons and bemuses what a good worker he is. Anga agrees that Kike's drive is enviable but he still needs and administrative person. Juan went wild with expenses while Anga was sick and Kike just can't do it. Gaytan offers to help, then offers up that he has the perfect person in mind to help, Paula.

After the break, CL and Paula dine while discussing that she is feeling better which she attributes to being happy to be helping her mother realize her gallery dreams. She adds that NIdia will organize the grand opening celebration to which CL snickers in an unkind way. Off on the bus, Juan still dreams of Paula and his love, Lorena dreams if it could only be her. Marely, tries to write to Juan about never being able to get into his heart then tears up the letter saying she can't betray Fernando. CL argues that his only concern is her well being and the babies. They argue for the umpteenth time about her boredness and his hurt at being avoided and rejected in bed, she says she is annoyed by food, people, the television. CL finishes her sentence, "and me". Yup! I can't stand you, she admits. He rolls his eyes in the maddened way.

Kike is yells his frustration at Yadira and stomps out telling her that she is wasting his time, they both are sick of fighting, she says her big mstake was to marry him, and he finally suggests that they should separate.

CL continues to attest that he loves Paula and the baby with all his life. He wants to have a happy life.

Yadira is sarcastic about being fine with a separation. Enrique tries to be reasonable suggesting that he and Yadira talk out their problems as adults without insults. She gripes that she won't be the villain in this film (mala en la pelicula). Later at the table Alirio adds to the sad story of Kike and Yadira, digging for the secret news they have to announce. Finally, Yadira says Kike will be leaving the house.

Monica and Gustavo over another romantinc moment with wine are bemoaning the difficulty of working with CL, but Gustavo observes that when they were all talking in the office she was watching every reaction of her ex. Gustaveo decides that she should spend the night with him as the way she can show she is not still too involved with CL. She doesn't think that is the way to prove anything (ED NOTE: His eyes are so sexy during this I had to play it several times and I wasn't having trouble with the vocabulary, whewww!, but where was I) He continues saying if she wants to over CL and wonders if she is willing (dispuesta) to break with the past. She is willing for everything and says lets go.

At the Cachon table, NIdia finally has had it with the scrappy couple and mostly ignoring Alirio tells the two to come immediately to the studio with her, the three of them are going to discuss this fighting in private.

Back at the love scene, Gustavo has the good taste to act a bit abashed that Monica has come so willingly to his hotel room and is ready for whatever. He relents and wanders if it is too fast, she assures him she wants to be there and proceed. She's just a little nervous because she hasn't been with anyone for a very long time and then only CL. As the passion gains altitude and we have lift off, we suddenly slip to the other bedroom where the not so loving couple is half awake, the CL half. He is reliving their arguments, Paula's rejections and Monica's taunts. He jumps out of bed heads to the bar and as he slugs down something strong he salves his ego with the promise that it is time for drastic measures.

Nidia giving expert marriage advice, tells the couple that they have to fight for their relationship and be kind to each other. Yadira good at flinging blame, says yeah like Parafan and you are so great. Nidia says they have to struggle to the last battle, but poor beleaguered Kike says, actuallky it is nothing but battles. Nidia continues that they should enjoy being together and not be embittered in silliness.

With that sexy music we get next morning toes, as the camera slowly washes over the amorous sleeping couple who awaken to profess they don't regret the night before in fact look ready to start over again.

Yadira and Marely talk about Nidia's jealousy that Marely has a happy new relationship. (Who does she think she is kidding?) Marely announces that Juan has gone back home while NIdia descends the stairs. She fusses over the fake loving couple assuring them that she will take the baby while Enrique drives Yadira to school. In the truck the battle ensues with the subject being fighting over who gets the baby who is the better parent, partner, hablahablehabla. Back to Nidia and Alirio, she is leaving him with the baby while she goes off to another AA meeting. Alirio screeches that he doesn't know how to take care of a baby, or even change diapers. Nidia tells him it is away to show the support he has been promising her. He looks genuinely panicked.

Monica is back at Laura's being grilled for juicy details but she is not too disposed to come down from her cloud nine and dish the dirt with Laura. Laura just wants her to confirm that she did not spend the night with CL. It started out being a get back at CL but now Monica says Gustavo is a great guy in his own right.

Speaking of great guys, Gustavo shows up at CL's office, we find out by CL's request. The two galan's square off for verbal repartee. CL accuses Gustavo of taking advantage of Monica to get business, living under the shadow of a woman. Gustavo returns the salvo with the observation that CL just lives under his own shadow. Monica shows up to take Gustavo into her office to discuss.

The funniest moment of the night, Alirio and Nacho Tapete are carring for the baby together. Nacho is more adept than Alirio which isn't hard I guess. While he swings the baby around a bit wildly, he explains his business idea to Alirio.

While Profa Amarga is intimidating Yadira in class with an assignment needing analysis, comparison of theories, original research, not from the internet, not from girls with long hair, short ideas and a pair of silicones. Anyone like that can just resign now because they are not going to pass her course. (This Profa would be so out the door in real life, but this is a telenovela). Yadira knows it is an insult but looks like she doesn't quite get it.

Monica and Gustavo in her office discuss what he is doing there and he reveals the real reason is the CL called him in and dissed his work and his motives. Monica is outraged, Gustavo is inclined to cancel the contract, he is uncomfortable. Monica stomps into CL's office yelling about his his insults, pretexts, lies. The door is open but the lounge lizards are glued to the windows of CL's office reminding this editor of those snails that one buys to suck clean the sides of the fish tank. Monica berates CL for his immaturity and inability to resolve his insecurities. She is screaming as she reminds CL that Gustavo is there because she had the right to bring him in.

Back at the gallery Nidia and Ana supervise the hanging of Ana's art pieces. While Gaytan and Marely discuss that Juan has gone home. We have all lost him for ever. On the bus, Juan waxes poetic in his thought dream of the toro being enamoured of the moon. Lorena and Juan arrive and disembark from the little green bus.

Gaytan and CL wax emotional about Juan's disappearance, which CL is happy about at least. Gaytan reminds CL that he can't interfere with what his ex-wife is doing. CL asserts that she is still his woman. Then Gaytan offers that Angarita is excited that Paula could be his adminstrator. CL has a small coronary while he screams how could Gaytan think he would be happy about having his wife work for the partner of the person he hates most in the world.

Back at Achichipico, Juan celebrates his city triumphs of getting sponsors and tv time for the beauty contest bragging for the benefit of Molondron and Herlinda who are quite the tight loving little couple these days. Juan's moment with reality comes right after he finds out that everyone of the beauty contestants has withdrawn. I hope Juanito isn't too far away.

Labels: Juan

We start off with Arturo in jail. They say the nut doesn't fall far from the tree and Mother Linares is a nasty piece of work. They don't have any money but she will do whatever it takes to get her son out of jail.

Soledad and Ester are going to the police station to swear out a complaint against Arturo and then visit Hugo's grave. Ester is not too enthusiastic about visit #2 but Soledad insists. Soledad tells Ursula that she had a dream that the person who saved her from Arturo and the fire was Hugo.

Hugo and his team are packing up to leave town. I have to say it is nice to see Hugo well dressed again and not wearing the peasant outfit and the horrible hat. We get an interesting hint about secrets in Boris' past that put him in Hugo's debt and the suggestion that Boris' loyalty to Hugo will come between him and Marina. Boris is also off to the police station to file a complaint against Arturo.

Meanwhile Paquito has gotten notice that Hugo's tomb is going to be opened that morning and he and Eloisa (you have to bring a date to a tomb opening) are going. Rebeca thinks that the events at the Hacienda the previous night will make a great excuse for her to visit the Obregons, inquire about Soledad and make another attempt to the get the treasure-clue books. Hercules has a spiffy striped vest and matching tie.

Los Burques (tonight the captions said "Los Burques" with an "s" while on other nights, it has been "Los Burque" with no "s". I wonder which is correct?) decide to go to the Obregons and ask to be paid for their heroism in saving Soledad. Helena wants to steal stuff too but Guillermo says no.

Boris and Soledad meet at the police station and find out about the tomb opening. Boris goes immediately to tell Hugo. Hugo says that if the tomb is opened, it will ruin everything.

The police go to fetch Dr. Max to the tomb opening. He packs his gun saying to himself that if the tomb is opened, it will ruin everything.

Team Hugo is hiding in he cemetery with some hair-brained plan to stop the exhumation and who knows what Dr. Max was going to do when Soledad arrives and gets the judge to change his mind about opening the tomb with an impassioned defense of Hugo. Soledad tells the judge that it was grief that caused her to claim that she saw Hugo after he was buried. Soledad appears to feel Hugo's presence several times. Ester retracts her sighting as well and Paquito is frustrated when the judge cancels the order and everybody leaves. Hugo is muy impacatado by Soledad's declaration and says that he must reveal the truth to her when he overhears Eloisa and Paquito spitefully rehashing what Ester told Rebeca, namely that Soledad never loved Hugo and was sleeping with Alcides when she was engaged to Hugo. Like all men on novelas, Hugo instantly believes all this and we are back to 'Soledad betrayed me.'

Lucas gives some money to Los Burques but while they are there, Rebeca shows up. Lucas is very cold to her while Ursula listens approvingly. Meanwhile, the baser instincts of Helena get the better of Guillermo and they steal a bunch of stuff from the Obregons including the treasure clue books.

Hugo is brooding about Soledad's supposed betrayal and wants to leave town but there is the problem of keeping people like Paquito from digging up the body in his grave. Boris hires a couple of guys to guard the grave for 3 months. Everything is loaded up and ready to go but Hugo tells Boris and Marina to go ahead and he'll catch up with them.

Meanwhile, Hercules has found Los Burques and is threatening them about where the missing pages of the treasure-clue books are. Of course, they don't know. In the nick of time, Dr. Max knocks out Hercules and saves them. He wants them to go dig up Hugo's grave again and disfigure the face of Miguel's corpse so that no one can tell it isn't Hugo. (Didn't Miguel have gray hair?) Los Burques are not happy about this assignment but they have no choice. They leave the treasure-clue books with the unconscious Hercules.

Paquito goes off to the cemetery to dig up Hugo himself.

Finally, Hugo apparently can't leave town without seeing Soledad once again. He sneaks into her bedroom and watches her when she is asleep. As he turns to leave, she sits up an says, "Hugo!" The credits roll.

Tomorrow it looks like Hugo and Soledad are reconciled only to have Ester's big mouth convince Hugo that Alcides is the father of Soledad's baby. It will be interesting to see how this plays out because we all thought that Hugo already believed the baby was Alcides' after the mine incident and of course, all Hugo's effort to get Soledad to believe he is dead is out the window.

Labels: la traicion

Chris will hopefully be back with us next week!

• We start with the noncommital note Bouffy sent Liz, it contains no news about her precious ED card.
  
  Sofia comes and asks, why didn't y'all come by the salon? "Oh, we knew you had visitors." "It was the Archbishop! He received Ricardo with such affection!"
  
  Sofia's hairdo is like unto Marge Simpson's though not as colorful. She (Sofia) asks, can't y'all just try to get along with Camila? No, no, we'll go back to Mariana and see who'll take us in.
  
  Sofia asks if they'd like her to talk to Ricardo for them. "No, no more humiliations, don't tell him!"
  
  
• Ric and the Archbishop (Arch from now on) pop out of a carriage into an admiring throng, the witnesses ready to testify that Gonzalo was drunk and was first to draw a weapon. It appears Mario will have to stay in jail until Jorge is back from his trip with Foreman.
  
  Arch finds out Marcellino is in charge while Jorge is away and goes to see him. He lays it on thick with poor snivelling Marcellino: "Oh, nobody understands bureaucracy better than I do! But we're not in the High Court of Madrid here, much less the Vatican."
  
  The other guy comes in and says the guards are interrogating the throng of witnesses, "there are too many of them."
  
  Marcellino whines that the dead guy was a Personal Friend of Don Jorge. "Ah," says Arch, "but the woman who was offended was practically my goddaughter." Marcellino, impactado, shows a rodent overbite and squeaks in dismay - to whom should he be pandering, so hard to choose!
  
  Arch presses on: "I have a Personal Interest. Gonzalo provoked the situation, let's consider that justice has been done. I have far more important matters to settle, matters of the Crown, I have to be on a boat tomorrow, to go to Madrid and then Rome, and what shall I tell His Majesty? That I missed the boat due to a ridiculous little problem in a podunk called San Fernando? I won't leave until you release Mario. Prepare a document saying he's innocent, he was defending a woman. I give you a half hour before he must be freed."
  
  The other guy comes back and Marcellino does a "Uh? What just happened?" The other guy says Arch was right, Gonzalo was indeed drunk and did indeed draw his sword first. "But what will I tell Don Jorge?" "That the Monsignor made you do it." "You told me you have evidence that Ricardo is not a decent man?" "I can't tell you."
  
  Arch strolls along complacently telling Ric he knows when to use persuasion and when to threaten. His advice: "If you're going to live in this town, keep a cap on your boys and avoid this sort of problem."
  
  Vasco kisses Arch's ring, Arch tells Vasco a miller is performing an important service. After that weighty comment he gets into the coach.
  
  Back at Ric's, his boys are impressed he has such a VIP friend. "Haven't you noticed, he's a gentleman!" "A gentleman is somebody who can read and write and understand maps, and is smarter than you guys."
  
  
• Santiago is feeding the baby. Rita (temporarily not shouting) smiles at him from bed. They dandle the baby together and tentatively name her Ana. She wants Vasco and Ines to be the godparents, Saintly thinks Vasco is unworthy. GRita sneers the names of Camila and Ricardo, Saintly denies he was going to suggest them.
  
  GRita tells him Cami came to visit, and is undoubtedly jealous of the baby. "After all she's had sex with so very many men and has never managed to get pregnant."
  
  "Why do you hate her?" "I don't hate her, I just know her better than the rest of you do." Chilled, he says he has to get back to the forge. "If you weren't so stubborn you wouldn't have to go to work." To his back she calls him stubborn, proud and stupid.
  
  Saintly asks his mother why he wasn't informed that Camila came to call. "I don't want you thinking about her." She tells him Ric and Cami don't want her non-rape by Jorge to be broadcast to the world, and yes, Saintly, that's what Cami wants (not just Ric). "Why revive this misery?"
  
  Saintly CAN'T FORGET. "I can't accept my father after the way he humiliated me." Stomps out.
  
  
• Foreman exposits to Jorge during their excursion: "The Crown is sucking us dry. Now that the war is over, the corsairs are embarrassed by us. England and France forget we filled their coffers when they fought against Spain." "How many times have peace treaties been signed and then it's war again? Centuries!" "Everything has an end, and our good little thing is going to be over soon, so let's take advantage while we can. By the way, is Ursula your only child?" "No, I have a male heir."
  
  Nearby, Uriel and Alberto rehash. They agree Ric is probably a spy - after having plundered for England, he now wants to work for Spain to get his pardon. His involvement means the contraband business is more dangerous. "Yes," says Bouffy, "but he has an Achilles Heel - his wife!"
  
  They head off and, looking fine on horseback, reach the pirate settlement at the beach. Foreman says Juancho is more animal than man but La Paisana, who is older, used to be very pretty. "She was a pirate?" "No, a whore."
  
  The beach pirates ask who the fancy visitors are. Foreman tells Jorge he allows them a lot of liberties (e.g. to be sassy) because they are a Pirate Brotherhood. "If they go too far we just slash their throats." Jorge smiles happily: "That's an excellent remedy."
  
  Foreman commands scantily clad handmaidens to fetch food and drink. "These gentlemen will be fencing our goods, Don Jorge here's a VIP."
  
  Juancho wonders angrily why these guys have been brought in to do what he's always done.
  
  Chino to Juancho: "I've told you a thousand times I'm tired of being called Chino. I'm Japanese. "I don't know what that is and I don't care."
  
  Chino and La Paisana are sick of Juancho and tell Foreman to get rid of him or "we'll bury him." "Bury him," agrees Foreman. "You make quick decisions," marvels Jorge.
  
  Chino's name is really "Josie-Jay" according to the subtitles.
  
  
• Camila is fussing over Jimena's bruises, Jimena is fussing that Mario's in jail, she doesn't want him condemned. "What difference would a few more blows have meant to me?"
  
  
• At the forge, rehashing. Chip says Gonzalo was a no-account and is glad he's gone. Saintly: "don't say that, it's a sin to kill." Vasco reminds Saintly he was no saint the night Cami was taken, then the blood ran. Saintly stomps off and remembers that awful night. Behind him a saying is muttered: "If a lamb lives in a world of wolves, he'll be eaten." "Santiago's no lamb." "No, but he wears that skin."
  
  
• Arch and Ric rehash in the house. "Now that England and France have signed a peace treaty, they want the pirates to disappear, pirates mess with commerce and that's bad for the tax base."
  
  Ric asks: "Who's going to fight us, government employees or hired guns? Because if the goverment is hiring [people to dismantle the pirate empire], I'd take the job in exchange for my pardon." "You would betray your friends?"
  
  I was perplexed by Ric's response. My son and I puzzled over it a bit. If somebody got it better than I did, I'll fix this - I think Ric said no he wouldn't, but the only one he feels loyalty to is Foreman, who is also thinking of "retiring;" any of the others would stab him in the back without giving him time for a last prayer.
  
  He wants, at least, to warn the other pirates they court death if they don't leave the profession. Arch: "You're dreaming. The smart ones have figured this out already and the poor ones won't pay any attention. And as for Foreman, I know him better than you do, he'd put a knife in your back without blinking."
  
  Arch gives a bundle of documents to Ric. They declare him innocent. "Guard them well." [Surely that means they will soon be stolen. --Ed.]
  
  Ricardo shakes a bit taking them in his arms. "For once in my life I really love a woman and want a family, I want to have children and watch them grow, I want to live in peace. I'll do anything I have to if you'll pardon me, I haven't lived the life I would have chosen." No problem, Arch forgives him.
  
  They stroll out with Camila. Arch: "I'm afraid I have to leave for my boat. These [small time bureaucrats] can't get away with it."
  
  Ric says in order to free Mario, if the authorities don't, he'll storm the prison with fire and blood if he has to. Arch says don't be impulsive and leaves.
  
  
• Predictably, Camila tells Ric he shouldn't try to save Mario, it's too dangerous. "But Mario was my family for all those years. We have affection and loyalty for each other, he saved my life many times." "But you'll be risking your own life!" "OK, we'll wait a night - if they don't free him I'll find a way to get him out of jail and send him to La Iguana like Claudio...
  
  "But the most important thing," he continues, "is to save you! I didn't tell you before because I didn't want to upset you - but you have to give all the money back to Lis. I'm pretty sure Alberto has the ED card and will use it to help Liz get the inheritance, maybe they'll marry, maybe this is why Tia and Liz moved to the palace."
  
  She reminds him she'd have to go back to being a servant, and that she's spent a lot of the money already. "I'll make up the shortfall." "How?"
  
  He asks her not to give herself up, if she goes to debtor's prison before he's had time to make back the money he'll go crazy.
  
  "Forget me," she whines, "I'm just a burden, I just cause problems." "I've lived with problems all my life. We're part of each other. Get it in your head, I love you," etc. They will get a lawyer and after everything is set up they'll talk to her family - they'll lose the mill - but Vasco is young and strong and will recoup somehow...
  
  
• Mario strolls up to the mill, Vasco is relieved to see he's been sprung from jail. He begs Mario to stop Cami from giving back all the money, and besides, she's spent a lot of it already. He's still hoping Bernabe ate the ED card before he died. "Wait? Like, until your sister is in jail?"
  
  He goes to Ric's and gets great hugs from Jimena, who is making blessings. "Blessings, yeah, because this is the first time you've hugged me like this." "Fool! I'm just glad you're out of jail, make no other insinuations. but thanks for defending me."
  
  "You're special to me." "Why?" "Haven't you noticed I'm stuck to your skirts?" He again offers her a house and money but declines to wed, so she asks: "Are you married, do you have a wife somewhere?" "I have one in every port, but if you'll say yes I'll dump them all." "You're never serious."
  
  Ric is delighted to see Mario a free man - one problem solved. Cami thanks Mario for saving her brother's life. "Aww, any decent man would have done it - I did it even though I'm not a decent man."
  
  
• I lost the little bit which came next. GRita gets the gossip from Vasco's son and staggers out of bed to ask Santi and Ofelia: "So it's CAMILA's fault Gonzalo is dead?" Everybody is totally teed off with her, Ines is shaking with rage. "We thought you were acting like a lunatic because you were pregnant, but you're not pregnant any more and you're still crazy!" GRita asks, "If you knew your hubby Vasco was still shagging Doña Ursula would you be this calm?" "My son never slept with Camila!" shouts Ofelia. "Oh, that's what YOU think!" shouts GRita and Justo slaps her.

Labels: Pasion

Pastor and Anga are having a hot cup of tea before bed in their robes, right where we left them last night. Pastor asks his brother not to rub it in because he feels bad enough already for making a bad decision. Anga concedes, and tells Pastor he does feel for him. Pastor feels like resigning. Anga reminds him about the situation—what is Pastor thinking he can pick up? Pastor whines like a puppy and gives his bro puppy eyes but Anga isn’t interested and rubs it in anyway that Pastor can’t come crying to him and heads off to bed. Pastor sighs deeply and shrugs in resignation. [Ed. Note: no pun intended.]

At the Casa Cachón, worried family members wait anxiously outside the office where Fern and Nidia are still closeted. Marely is worried, she tells Kike, because Mami is drunk. Who knows what she’ll say? They moan about what they can do except wait. Mami is capable of saying most anything when she’s like this. Kike calms Marely but he’s pretty anxious, too.

Fern wants to know what’s up with Nidia. She tells him she’s watching him. Why? She wants to know what he’s up to (¿qué traes entre los manos?) She sarcastically asks since when is he calling her “Doña?” Fern sees his life passing before his eyes as he gets a revelation that Nidia’s got some memory back. She asks if there wasn’t something between them, or was she mistaken? Fern can’t lie, so she knows the truth. Nidia tells him they had their kisses, their desires. [Ed. Note: Well, isn’t THAT subtle of you, Nidia?] She realizes that what flashed in her brain really happened. She thinks maybe he even had it going with Yadi. Fern can’t answer that either and she knows he’s on his third Cachón dama. He defends himself – it was before Yadi married Kike. And our thing was accidental. [Ed. Note: Well, THAT’S polite of you, Fern, when you and she were drunk as skunks and hot to trot.] She accuses him of cajoling her (me engatusaste – coaxed, but stronger). The nerve of him, the womanizer! Nidia’s standing now, but barely since she’s staggering around like a loon. She’s not going to let him disgrace her daughter’s life. Fern shakes his head in disbelief and anxiety. He defends himself; he loves Marely. Fern tries in vain to convince a totally irrational drunk that he has changed and loves her daughter. Nidia wants to know what Marely knows. Fern says Marely has no idea what happened between him and her Mami. Nidia takes another swig of her 80 proof comfort and asks what it is he’s wanting? Their money? Their social position? [Ed. Note: QUÉ?????] Well, he couldn’t do it with her or Yadi so he’s dug his fangs into Marely! Fern tries again to convince Nidia that he really loves Marely and it has NOTHING to do with what they had together. It ended because Nidia herself wanted it to end. The person who was hurt was Fern. He tries his best, but Fern is no match for Nidia in this condition. Or any condition. Fern leaves the study, frustrated and discouraged.

Marely, Delirio, Yadi and Kike wait anxiously outside the office as Fern emerges. Nidia follows him out and lets him have it with both barrels in front of the family, with every one completely dumbfounded by this. Nidia, however, throws him out of her house. Fern is directed to never darken her doorstep again. Marely is impactada, and so are the rest. What’s it about? Fern tells Marely not to look his direction, because whatever he tells her it won’t be enough. [Ed. Note: that is so true.] Marely presses her mother for info. Delirio tries his luck to get some info and gets pushed aside. Yadi has no better luck. Nidia says she’s a wild beast when she protects her home. She and Fern pull at Marely in a tug of war, and Fern tells Marely to never forget he loves her and heads out with Marely trying to trail until Nidia yanks her back. Nidia spins around and falls on her okole. Her family is impactadíssima.

Juan thought bubbles as he lies on the hotel bed in a room that seems very empty without Juanito’s bright smile. Juan tells himself that it’s dangerous to be there with Lorena, the flesh is weak, and he doesn’t need to get involved in any more messes (bronca – row, ticking off) than he already is and it’s time to say his farewell to his peeps there, leave the capital and get back home.

The family Cachón stands in the hall wondering qué the heck is going on—now that they’ve deposited her on her bed to sleep it off. Marely says this can’t continue as it is and Delirio thinks they all agree on that. She’s never been known for her good judgment but now she’s worse than ever. Marely calls it by its name: alcoholism and it’s a sickness. [Ed. Note: here’s a new PSA from Yo Amo a Juan. I want to know when they’ll get to one on smoking? Maybe never, since we noted that Ma Pat smokes.] Marely thinks they need to collaborate for ensuring they avoid situations that move her to drink too much. Delirio thinks that’s not going to happen, since Nidia thinks pretty much everything’s a cause for celebration. He pontificates that he’s warned them, but he’s preaching in the desert. Marely cuts the pompous old A** off, thank heaven, and points out the most important thing is she gets therapy, starting tomorrow! Kike pipes in—“Alcoholics Anonymous!” Yadi doubts Nidia will go with this program. Marely thinks it’s so serious they have to push it. Delirio finally says something I can agree with—Marely is the right one to propose it to Nidia, because Marely is the epitome of wisdom (prudencia) and diplomacy. She needs to do it first thing in the morning because then she’ll be sober. They all agree it has to be Marely, except Marely, who is not thrilled with the notion.

In the morning, CL is just a few steps short of on his knees begging forgiveness from Paula, but he tells her all he wants is to take care of her. He doesn’t want to watch every step she takes. She just doesn’t understand how much he cares about her. She sighs and starts to clear the table, not wanting to discuss anything with him. She wants a change of topic. Paula wants to go back to work. CL tells her she can count on his support; she’ll be well received in Farell. Nothing doing, she’s not working next door to Moni. Whatever makes you happy, dear. Paula looks irritated as he takes her hand to put it to his cheek. CL is at a loss and sighs.

We wonder if Nidia’s coffee is stout enough to attack that hangover. Marely has entered the lion’s den and is fixing to have The Talk with Mami. Nidia says if it’s about Fern, she’s just saved Marely from a Horrible Fate. Nope, Mami, it’s about you getting sloshed and you can’t keep doing it. Nidia’s head aches and she’s not interested in going there. [Ed. Note: We bet it does.] Marely begins an impassioned plea: the last thing she wants is to offend her mother, but enough is enough. They’re all worried sick because the alcohol is winning. She’s got Nidia’s full attention for a change. Marely continues that Nidia’s fighting the whole world, changing into someone they don’t know. Am I so serious? Nidia wants to know, so Marely continues to lovingly exhort her. Alcoholism is a sickness, and like any other, it requires treatment. Nidia, usually so bubbly, is crestfallen and looks like she aged ten years in the past minute. Marely continues that no one is cured unless they want it. She urges her mother to accept help, because by herself she won’t be able to do it all. Nidia is touched by Marely’s strong feelings and tells Marely not to cry. Marely asks Nidia to try AA and Nidia concedes that if Marely thinks it best, she’ll do it. [The spirit is willing….]

Lorena looks at Juan accusingly—she couldn’t sleep last night. Juan tells her not to begin with that. She can understand why he insists on being so solitary, as handsome and virile as he is. He needs a woman like her to spoil him, take care of him, and is a wild beast in bed. Juan is momentarily pensive, but pushes away and tells her they’re going back to Achichipico today. Lorena is irritated-impactada. Huh? There’s nothing to gain by being in the D. F.

Nidia tells Marely that she’s still the baby of the house in Nidia’s mind. She loves Marely and wants the best for her. If that’s to marry, then she’ll support Marely, if Marely is sure of her feelings for Fern. Marely starts to speak but Nidia continues that all she asks is that Marely THINK about what she’s doing. Don’t be impulsive or pressured. They’re both in tears as Nidia says women, including those like her, marry for lots of reasons—except for love. Love is something so sacred that it has no price. Marely has been the lifeline of the house, the sensible, responsible one. She shouldn’t do something crazy. It would be one of those kinds of mistakes that can’t be reversed. It’s better to say “no” in time than to say yes and end up with misfortune. Marely tells Nidia she knows and they hug.

I adore the new intros they’ve given us the last couple of weeks with Molondrón dancing and singing. His eyes knock me out. The rest of him has its charms, too.

Marely advises the family, gathered around the breakfast table, that they all need to be very aware of Nidia’s needs right now (very pendiente, expectant, so I’m loosely interpreting intent). They need to try to understand her, and support her. They all murmur assent. Marely continues that the most difficult times will be when she’s fighting the urge to drink. Yadi warns Delirio not to go looking for fights with Nidia and don’t make it bad. He retorts –you, too! Kike is hopeful that Nidia will actually follow through (cumple) because she’s strong and he’d like to see the harmony return to the house. [Ed. Note: Hear, hear, Kike!] Marely points out it’s not just her, but everyone.

Profa Amarga cheerfully [Ed. Note: Read that “snottily”] asks her hubby how his move to another department has gone. How does it feel? Is he proud (rozagante) and happy? He tells her it helps relieve some irritations, rejuvenates one. [Ed. Note: What, they talk about this in the hall at the U? They don’t live together any more?] She makes an obscure comment and he asks what she means. She obliquely talks about him getting off on the right foot and asks if he know who urgently wants to talk with him. Nope, no idea. The big cheese. He told me to let you know he wants you in his office. Right. Now. Topete is impactado and gulps. The Director.

CL has a Very Important task for Pastor. It’s just the kind Pastor loves. Pastor tells CL he has no idea where Juan is. Nope, it’s not about Juan, although CL still wants to find out his whereabouts (paradero). Paula needs work and Pastor’s going to find it for her. Pastor can contact all of CL’s cronies, surely one will have work for her. Nope, CL KNOWS his cronies too well and that’s exactly why Paula’s not going to work for that bunch. Pastor proceeds to tell CL that once he promotes Pastor, Paula can be the HR Director for Farell, and everyone will have a new office and…..YA! (Enough already!) The record skids to a stop. CL accuses Pastor of being opportunistic and always thinking only of himself. [Ed. Note: Takes one to know one.] Pastor tries to protest, but he’s overruled as usual. The position he’s to find can’t be in Farell. That’s her request. And second, it’s got to begin yesterday. See what you can come up with fast. Oh.

Topete slowly emerges from a University office. Profa Amarga is waiting like a wolf that’s spotted fresh meat. He glares and walks by her but she has the last word, as usual. [Ed. Note: Are we all beginning to get the idea why he wanders? Which came first, folks—the chicken or the egg?] What’s this face about, Nacho? What did the Director say? He turns back with determination—how was she involved in this? What are you talking about? He tells her she knows perfectly well—they fired him. Okay, so maybe it was she. Has she told him any lie? Does he think he can pass the Code of Conduct through the Arc de Triomphe? [Ed. Note: I consulted our Very Best Dicho Resource, and she says it’s coarse and doesn’t look like it, but it basically means disrespect the Code of Conduct. I know about this from my Univ teaching days—profs DON’T mix it up with students. Marga put it to Nacho coarsely, but it looks refined because it’s so subtle only a native would know what it really means. Thank you, Maricruz, for enlightening me.] IOW, does he think he can disrespect the Code of Conduct for a university professor? Topete wants to know why she did this to him. Amarga bares her horsy teeth and hisses that no one makes a fool of her, that’s why. He retorts that she’s odious and a real louse. He can’t comprehend how he could have taken up with her in the first place. (Fixed on her at some time). She snidely tells him to save his screeching for later, because this is just the beginning. That shameless woman, she’d better watch out, too, because Amarga won’t rest until they both pay for what they’ve done. Topete asks what they’ve done, the frustration clear in his face. She retorts they’ve made a fool of her and mocked her in front of the entire university. [Ed. Note: As if you weren’t doing it well enough yourself.] He spits back that she can do whatever she likes but the only one who’s going to be embittered is her. He’s going to come out on top. They stare each other down.

Yadi whines to Nidia that they can’t keep fighting forever. Nidia strokes the baby’s cheek and retorts. We note two things about the baby; it’s a girl, judging by the pierced earrings, and the kid is still doped up or whatever because she still isn’t stirring at all the commotion around her. This is one low maintenance kid. [Ed. Note: What I want to know is how come my first granddaughter was NEVER like this when I was babysitting her, no matter how hard I worked to placate her?] Nidia points out it began with Yadi’s lack of respect. Yadi continues her whine. She doesn’t want Mami mad with her. Nidia says Yadi’s on conditional probation (libertad condicional). Yadi hugs her Mami and tells Nidia that she doesn’t know how happy Yadi is that Nidia agreed to go to AA. She IS going, right? Well, of course! She gave her word to Marely. Nidia gives thanks to the heavens for her lovely daughters, and so good. They’ve made her respond and stopped her in time. Nidia gives Yadi all the right answers; they’ve done a lot for her and the rest is up to Nidia. She tells Yadi not to worry because their Mami is a new woman in every sense of the word. Yadi hugs her and says how happy she is. We wonder about what Nidia’s smile really means.

It’s a lovely day outside Farell. Kike stops the truck to drop Marely at work; Marely thanks him and he tells her she’s welcome. At least they get along. He stops her, though, because he has something to mention about Juan. What’s up with him? Well…Kike stutters….Juan wonders if Marely still cares for him. Marely is bemused by this question—where’s it coming from? Well, Kike doesn’t know and he told Juan that Fern proposed. Kike tries to confirm she’s in love with Fern, right? Doesn’t she want to marry him? Marely’s not sure. Kike tries to talk her into thinking about it, because if she still has feelings about Juan, it’s not too late. Marely says it’s really late and we don’t know if she means Juan or work. She thanks him again and bails. Kike chews his lip in concern for Marely.

Fern is waiting in the lobby at Farell, talking with some lobby lizards. He excuses himself quickly to walk with Marley to her desk. Marely apologizes profusely for her mother’s behavior the night before, excusing Nidia because she was so drunk. Fern tells her not to worry, he understands. Marely wants to know what they discussed in the study. Fern brushes it off. What’s important is Nidia doesn’t think he’s worthy of Marely. She tells him not to be offended because to her mother there’s not going to be a man who deserves her daughters. Ivonne watches avidly from behind them as they talk. Fern tells Marely it’s not important if her mother opposes their marriage. What’s important is that both of them are secure in what they’re doing and the rest of the world doesn’t matter. Marely tries to interrupt and Fern exhorts her that they are united in this. Their love will remain intact and the rest of the world will be below. He kisses her hand and she looks at him, a little concerned.

Kike is excited to see Juan waiting at the Central Market. Why is Juan here? He breaks the news that he’s saying his farewells to go back to Achichipico. Kike thinks it’s not a good idea, especially right now. Why? Nidia rejected Fern as the future husband for Marely. Juan is impactado. Between him and Juan, Kike’s sister-in-law still has feelings for Juan.

Juan is doubtful about that. He thinks Marely and Fern have it together. He reminds Kike that Kike himself said Marely’s dying for Fern. Kike waves Remolacho away and turns back to Juan. So what? If Doña Nidia won’t accept Fern marrying Marely, it won’t happen. Kike tells Juan it wasn’t the alcohol speaking, either, that made her react like that. Juan wonders if she finally remembered that something happened between her and Fern. Kike is sure of it. Remo comes back and Kike eyes him warily but keeps talking. It’s one thing for her to let Marely go out with the guy, but a whole different thing if he’s going to marry her. Kike tells Remo to get lost and Remo huffs away. Kike speculates that something more happened between Nidia and Fern than he wants to admit to them. Juan wonders if Fern and Marely ever have talked about it. Kike retorts—do you think Marely could be like nothing ever happened if she KNEW? C’mon, buddy. You know her. Nope, she’d have given him the brush off (sent Fern on vacation)….permanently. Juan is still doubtful.

Meanwhile, Ivonne spies behind Fern as he continues to reassure Marely and himself of his devotion and persuade her that they should marry in spite of Nidia’s outburst. He doesn’t want her to let her mother put ideas into Marely’s head. She tells him not to get anxious, it won’t happen. Last night’s scene was the product of the alcohol. She continues that her mother is sick and needs help; Fern agrees. She thanks God and Fern’s calmness – her mother has accepted to go to AA. He wonders if everything is still the same between him and her? Of course, silly—all Marely asks is that they realize what a serious step this is and take their time making the decisions. Marely thinks it’s reasonable; she doesn’t want to end up like her Mami and Delirio. [Ed. Note: How can she even BEGIN to think Fern is in the same weight class as Delirio? THAT doesn’t sound logical.] Anyway, Fern thinks it’s better for the present not to hang out at her house and Marely has to agree. Fern crouches so he’s eye to eye with Marely at her desk. He hesitantly tells her that maybe her mother doesn’t like him because in the past he made a lot of foolish mistakes, but that’s all changed and it’s behind him. Marely smiles sweetly—she understands and he doesn’t have to explain a thing to her. But, he wants to, he asserts. He wants her to know that since he fell in love with her, the old Fern died and there’s a new one born in his body. What he was before and what he is now are completely different even if the outside looks the same. Does she understand? Marely smiles again and tells him she does, and she appreciates the lovely things he says to her. She leans over and fondly touches him, telling him she loves/cares for him, too. They smile sweetly at each other while a thundercloud forms across the lobby at Ivonne’s desk.

Juan sits back and contemplates Kike’s revelation. He thinks Marely has to know the truth BEFORE she accepts Fern as her husband. Remo walks back and forth, but the boys keep talking. Juan thinks if nothing is said, and she marries someone’s going to spill the beans. Six months, tops. Then what? Kike does agree here, because these kinds of things always re-surface (come back to the light, relucir). But, who’s going to have the guts to tell her the truth? Kike won’t, not even in jest. Juan thinks it has to be Fern’s job. Kike chortles. Who’s going to convince Fern to dig that hole to bury himself—I’m just saying. Juan jumps to action—he’ll do it, and he’s going to strike while the iron’s hot [okay, that’s my loose translation.] Juan strides off and Kike follows, yelling “are you crazy?”

How exciting, Paula can still smile. Only when she’s talking to Marely, though. Wow, Fern gave her a ring? Yeah, but Paula should have seen the hissy Nidia threw (sainete - one-act farce). Why was she angry, Paula wonders—she doesn’t want Fern for a son-in-law? Marely blames the tequila again, and tells Paula that Nidia threw Fern out of the house. Paula thinks it’s amusing. Sheesh. Marely is sorry for poor Fern. Paula can just imagine Nidia’s meddling. Marely laments that neither of them well be well received by the other now. [Ed. Note: Oh, Marely, if you only knew.] Marely says she has more doubts all the time. She cuts Paula off because Fern is approaching; how about if they have lunch and keep talking then? She hangs up and greets Fern, who leans over briefly to look at her fondly as Ivonne glowers. [Ed. Note: This has to be the perfect punishment for Ivonne’s rejection of Fern—his new girlfriend faces her. It works for me.]

Juan and Kike drive toward the showdown at the OK Corral and Juan tells Kike he’s going to show Fern the light. After that, could Kike do him a favor and drop him at the hotel, then run him to the bus station? Kike thinks he should just take him directly to the hotel because at Farell he could run into CL. AND? Kike tells him not to be an idiot, this guy is his archenemy. He’s just looking for trouble—the earth shakes when these two face off. AND? No, he’s not going to watch over his shoulder for some rich dude, a loudmouth at that. If Juan’s going to bump into him, he’s going to bump into him—it’s God’s will. Kike warns him about getting into a mess.

It took all my strength to fast forward past the commercial for Pasión and not stop to watch it. Gotta finish before I can watch Pasión! ☺

Yadi probes about what came down between Nidia and Fern [Ed. Note: sorry, couldn’t help myself there.] How come Nidia is so opposed to him? Nidia groans, hand on hungover head. Yadi thinks he’d make Marely a good hubby. She loves him and he’s changed a lot. Nidia chuckles sarcastically. Yadi ramps up her questions about what might have happened in another life between Nidia and Fern. Some little “thing?” It was of no real importance. They should try to leave it in the past. Nidia denies that he liked her and if he had, she wouldn’t have liked him. Oh, really? She accuses Nidia of having selective amnesia. Nidia denies knowing what she’s talking about. Finally, Nidia tells Yadi she doesn’t like the idea of Fern as Marely’s husband for one simple reason—Marely doesn’t love him, she’s still hopelessly in love with Juan. Nidia sits up and looks Yadi in the eye, holding the bag of ice to head, to deliver this punch. Yadi has to admit she’s probably right there.

Gustavo, looking hot as ever, gives Moni a kiss as he enters her office with his portfolio. Moni admires his on-time performance. He wants to start off right with their new business association. Okay, then we’ll go see CL right off. Gustavo waves her on to lead the way. Moni looks back at Gustavo, remarking that she can’t wait to see CL’s face when he sees the surprise they have for him. Gustavo chuckles back at her, leaving us thinking we’ve missed some scene here.

CL, meanwhile, is stalking Paula by phone. Where has she gone? No, let me guess. She’s out to eat with her sis. No, he’s not a psychic, but that’s Paula’s habit. He looks like he ate a lemon whole. Moni sticks her head in the door—“May we?” CL tells Chelo goodbye and waves Moni in with Gustavo. They greet each other like the best of friends. Sheesh. What a pleasure, and a miracle to have you visit us, CL tells Gustavo. Double sheesh. Gustavo doesn’t want CL to think he’s forgotten his friends. Of course. Sheesh in italics, bold, and underlined. Hypocrisy, thy name is César Luis Farell. CL offers drinks, but everyone’s fine. CL stares as Gustavo seats Monica in her own ex spouse’s office. Gustavo smiles back at him. Once they’re all seated, CL asks about his business in Miami. Gustavo says it’s great; he never thought he’d have a company like the one he has now. He had CL as an example and here Gustavo is now, following his lead. “At the summit of Everest!” CL remarks. Not exactly that, but anyway….Gustavo wants to show the work he’s prepared for their campaign. CL does his best impression of “ecstatic to see an old friend.” Is Gustavo convinced?

Fern strolls down the street outside Farell. He’s just put Marely into a cab to go see Paula [Ed. Note: in a couple of years, couldn’t they be buying cars with the cab fare and the bus fare, etc.?]. We hear a honk, and Fern looks around to see Juan and Kike pull up in the truck. Juan wonders why he’s outside. [Ed. Note: I’d say it’s your dumb luck Fern’s outside, Juan, and you don’t have to run into CL plus there won’t be any collateral damage to the lobby at Farell from the fight that’s coming.] The boys greet each other. Fern wants to know why Juan’s there. Juan explains that he’s on the way back to his hometown, but on the way…..he stumbles around a bit…..he wanted to….he needs to have a few words with Fern. Could he? Sure. Rumor has it you proposed marriage to Marely. Yes….got some problem with that? He tells Juan he loves Marely with his whole heart. That much, my Fern? More than you can imagine. Like I never thought I could love anyone. Enough to tell her what happened between her mother and you? Juan asks gently, but firmly. Fern’s countenance darkens (if that’s even possible) and he looks cornered.

The cab has to turn back. Is there a problem?—Marely has forgotten her billfold. The cab driver slaps it into reverse and proceeds to back all the way to the office.

Fern denies that anything happened between him and Nidia. Don’t play the lunatic, Fern. The one who lost the memory is Nidia, not you. Something happened. Sure, something happened and it wasn’t any little old thing. Fern retorts that like they say, a gentleman has no memory. Ah, but not when you plan to marry the daughter. He’s not getting around it that easily. Who are you taking for a fool? (whose inexperience do you want to take advantage of - ¿A quién quieres a chamaquear?) Fern says it’s his own mess. Juan says in the long run, not really. In the end, he’s going to affect the one he says he adores so much. Or, what does he think about how Marely will feel when she finds out? Fern retorts there’s nothing to find out because Juan’s imagining things that didn’t happen. Juan spits back that he’s not imagining anything and sooner or later she’ll find out. Fern asks if Juan plans to be the snitch (rajón – tattletale, gossip). Juan tells him no, he’s gone soon, he’s not going to be the snitch so don’t worry there—but someone will. Doña Nidia, for example, someday might spill the beans (soup). Kike’s watching on, concerned. [Ed. Note: Juan’s something else when he’s righteously indignant. His shirt is open to the waist, his muscles bulge, and the shark’s tooth is prominent.] And then where will you be, and how will that leave Marely? I’m not saying all this to annoy you, but so you do things the right way. Fern retorts that he should look who’s talking, the expert in relationships who always tells the truth? Kike has gotten out of the truck; this discussion is almost out of control between his friends. Juan points out that’s exactly why he’s doing this, because he’s ended up wretched. If Marely hears this from someone else, Fern will end up losing her. Fern retaliates by pointing out that Juan’s Licenciada used him and discarded him when she tired of Juan. But that doesn’t give him the right to meddle in other’s lives. The keep arguing about Juan’s interference and Kike tries to get them to stop, but he’s not loud enough. The boys are still fighting about Juan’s interference when the cab pulls up. A very worried Marely hurries to see what’s wrong here and Kike tries to intervene. The boys have gotten a little bit physical as she angrily asks what’s happening.

Delirio yells up the stairs for Yadi, and when she doesn’t come instantly he grumbles and retreats into the office, closing the door behind him. Oops, he’s too slow. Yadi bursts into the office, smashing it in his face as he gets compressed behind it. He screams in pain and she screams that his screams are going to wake the baby. He tells her the telephone is for her. She tells him to hang it up so she can take it in the living room. He groans again, and tells her to hurry it up since he’s expecting an IMPORTANT international call. Yadi hears a familiar snide voice asking if Nacho has called her with his good news? Yadi wonders if Profa Amarga has nothing better to do than waste someone’s time? Amarga snidely tells Yadi she just called to update Yadi, but hasn’t Profe Topete told her anything? Anything about what? Oh, what a shame—she didn’t want to spoil the surprise, but anyway, Yadi should ask her dear lover. Amarga hangs up with a smug smile. Someone slap her, please.

Yadi makes the Fiera gesture at the phone (aka the “furious” American Sign Language sign) and grumbles as she hangs up. Nidia gingerly works her way down the stairs. She asks who it was and what’s happening. Yadi just looks at her and shakes her head a little. In the office, Delirio gently hangs up. He got an earful. He scratches his head and sits down to think about it, no doubt to figure the angle in it for him.

Yadi scolds the boys. What do you mean nothing happened, when I saw you pushing each other? Fern says it was just in fun (cotorreo), wasn’t it, buddy? Kike seconds the motion. Juan just faces off with Fern, hands on his hips, glaring. Some good fun. Kike explains Juan is leaving for his hometown and you know these two. They get all heated up. Juan says it’s more or less that, we have our differences, you know? You know what they say, between the jokes, the truth makes a brief appearance (entre broma y broma la verdad se asoma). He says this very pointedly to Fern. What differences, Marely wants to know. Fern says they’re all foolishness and Juan chimes in, cutting him off, that’s exactly what they are. The foolishness that people might do when they don’t think things through clearly. Wow, the consequences that might bring about! Fern stares back at Juan, concerned. Okay, Juan says, I just really came to say goodbye. He goes to kiss Marely and they hug while Fern looks irritated and thrusts his hands in his pockets. Juan asks Marely to give a hug and kiss to her Mami and Yadi for him, and even say goodbye to Perafán so he won’t feel left out. Marely reluctantly agrees to do it—she clearly doesn’t want Juan to go. He asks that she tell them all how much he cares for them. Marely wants to know if he’ll come to see them again, or is it forever this time? One never knows, my little rose garden, but I carry you always in this little chest. He’s holding her hand and brings it with his as he taps his chest. She smiles lovingly up at him. She sadly says that she’s suddenly feeling like she’ll never see him again. But, don’t pay any attention to me, those must just be my ideas. He leans over to kiss her again and Marely tells him to take good care of himself. He tells her to do the same. Fern protectively fishes her back to his side and says they don’t want to detain him any longer, because Juan wouldn’t want to miss his bus. Juan steps forward and with a serious look tells him to be careful (abusado). Fern shakes his hand and tells him the same. Kike urges Juan to hurry. Juan waves as Marely waves back sadly and Fern holds onto her protectively.

Nidia shakes her glass of Alka-Seltzer up and sighs. Yadi asks where she’s off to. Nidia’s going to her first AA meeting. She’s got to pay the bill for life’s pleasures. She hoists and says she’s going, before she begins to drink again. Then downs her drink of Alka-Seltzer. (Does anyone know what a “guarilaque” is? Nidia said that and all I can find is that it precedes a song name for download, like it means “musical selection” or something—or the name of the selection. It also seems to be the name of a place, but what?).

Fern and Marely walk back toward Farell while the taxi leaves. Fern (with all due respect and the great caring Fern has for him) has some kind of problem. He thinks he’s in the role of the Cachón guardian. What’s up with that? Marely points out that her father gave Juan that role before he died. Fern understands that clearly but he doesn’t like Juan being jealous, acting like the Papa with Fern, questioning Fern’s feelings for Marely. Really, though, nothing was happening there. Fine, Marely believes him. He hesitantly asks about her farewell with Juan—she was almost in tears. She sighs. It’s because she cares about him as a very good friend, like a brother. Her reality and her present is Fernando. That’s why she’s decided to married him. Fern is touched and thanks her for accepting his proposal of marriage. She thanks him for asking. So, when’s the wedding? Fern tells her in less than a month—A MONTH? Well, don’t tell me it’s too soon. How about next week, tomorrow, oh heck, let’s go find a judge! He calls for a taxi and picks her up, grinning. She makes him put her back down, laughing and calling him a goofball (loco). Three months would be better. Okay, Fern agrees, three months. Perfect. Marely asks how is it now between them? What? You know, my mother’s going to go nuts about this. Fern says he can do whatever’s necessary because he knows they’ll soon be together. He picks her up and kisses her [which makes your recapper cringe, but your recapper can’t say why, exactly].

Kike talks to a silent and sober Juan. Juan has done his part, and talked with Fernando. There’s nothing more he can do and he played his part. They exchange thoughts on the situation. Kike says if Fern tells her the truth, Marely might give him the brush off, and Juan says he sure hopes Fernando won’t fail to talk to Marely while he still has time. If not, she’s going to really suffer. Kike agrees—it’s going to be on Nidia’s and Fernando’s consciences otherwise.

Delirio asks Yadi who was on the phone—what little friend called and left you so deflated (patidifusa)? Yadi wonders why he wants to know, the old busybody? Busybody? Me? Yes, YOU! She slams her magazine shut and goes upstairs. Delirio remarks that these Cachón are so moody.

A cab has deposited Nidia in an abandoned looking part of town in front of a small whitewashed building with blue lettering on it. The large sign over the door says “San Angel.” Nidia shudders and starts toward the door after hesitantly looking the area over a little, then skids to a stop, turns, and minces rapidly down the street.

Gustavo describes his strategy to record into the public’s brain the products they’re selling. He moves around CL’s desk with his laptop, showing CL the screen with the prototype of the sales campaign visuals. He’s proposing a youthful slant to the campaign, and targeting places like NY, Miami, London, etc. Moni glows about this, Gustavo is a genius and this has her ecstatic (making me crazy—we bet he is, Moni). CL says it seems amazing (bárbaro) but he has a few doubts--and a big, fake smile. Moni has none—it fascinates her. She waxes eloquent about his proposal. He’s going to bring them out of the ice age. Gustavo leans over and kisses her, to CL’s annoyance. He describes how they’ll be into television, Internet, radio, etc. CL does his best impression of skeptical and puffs away.

Kike tells Juan there won’t be enough room for all the boxes of make-up, shoes, and dresses. Juan says they have to each be separately boxed so he knows where everything is. Lorena just stands by and admires the muscles as Juan hoists the boxes up onto the truck. Kike fusses and Juan wonders what’s wrong. Kike begins to allude to the problems at home. One begins to wonder if one’s really needed here. He begs Juan to let Kike go home to Achichipico with him. [Okay, good, he’s the only one who hasn’t visited except Marely, right? Oh, and CL.] Juan is impactado.

Paula is back to whining. It sucks to be her. She can’t stand when CL touches her, looks at her, talks to her, pretty much every time he breathes it irritates her [Okay, I added that last part.] It bothers her to hear him or feel him near her. She wishes it would all disappear and she could rub it out of her memory. Marely tries to calm her-these feelings don’t just affect CL, but also the baby. Paula knows but this is beyond her strength. Marely wonders if she’s sure this isn’t because of the pregnancy, and those raging hormones? Paula admits that’s what Ana tells her, that there are pregnant women who can’t stand their husbands through the pregnancy. She just needs to be patient, calm, this too shall pass. Sure, some of this has to do with the pregnancy, but some of the things are not related to it. Some things get bigger and bigger inside one over time. What things, Marely wants to know. Well, Juan Dominguez. Marely is struck, clearly uncomfortable. “Paula.” Paula wants to confess something. She’s at the point of taking off running to find him and tell him she loves him. She wants to get far away from here forever. Marely points out that isn’t going to happen. Juan’s gone back to his hometown and isn’t ever returning. [Ed. Note: Like that stopped Paula from running after him last time.] Paula is impactada and we’re thrilled to remember that any similarity to reality is purely coincidental.

Monday: Will CL have to do something drastic? Will Paula go to Achichipico again? Will Paula tell CL she can’t stand him?

Vocabulary

¿Qué traes entre los manos? – What’s he up to? (What’s he got between his hands?)
Me engatusaste – he coaxed me, cajoled me, but stronger—maybe even seduced me
Bronca – row, ticking off, mess
Prudencia –wisdom, my loose translation
Cumple – follow through
Rozagante – proud
¿Es que tu crees que puedes pasarte el reglamento por el Arco de Triunfo? – do you think you can disrespect the Code of Conduct?
Libertad condicional - conditional probation
sainete - one-act farce, but in Nidia’s case it’s a hissy
¿A quién quieres a chamaquear? – Who are you taking for a fool? (whose inexperience do you want to take advantage of )
Rajón – tattletale, gossip
Cotorreo – in fun
Patidifusa - deflated

Jeanne

Labels: Juan

Boris identifies the brother he and Marina found along the river as Hugo. Boris tells him that Soledad is safe and that Alcides is missing and presumed dead. Hugo whispers something to Boris, which probably was telling him not to let anyone else know know that he has survived. A totally unconvincing Boris tells Los Burques and Dr. Max that he's giving up the search and returning to the city since Hugo is certainly dead. Dr. Max is very suspicious but Boris takes off in the wagon with poor Hugo bouncing around the back under a blanket yet again. Soon, however, Hugo is having a catalepsy attack. Boris and Marina meet Ester and Soledad and Boris manages to make Soledad suspicious as well.

In a great scene, Ursula makes Rebeca trip and fall and warns her against home wrecking at the Obregon's. Ursula also chews out Lucas who immediately takes to drink in order to face Ester.

Enrico ends up with a few pages of the treasure-map book.

Boris takes Hugo to the Hacienda Montenegro and leaves him with Marina to go fetch the thermal coffin thingy from Dr. Max. Marina is nervous about being left alone and with good reason. In short order, Arturo and his henchmen show up looking for Alcides' money; Soledad and Ursula arrive looking for Boris and Los Burques come to what they believe will be an emply house looking to steal something.

Marina somehow manages to get Hugo under the bed when Arturo and Soledad come into his room. However, when Arturo threatens Soledad and a lamp is broken starting a smoky fire, Hugo gets the psychic call, wakes up and manages to get Soledad out of the burning house without her seeing her rescuer. Boris and Los Burques take care of Ursula and Marina. Ester and Lucas, in a ridiculous-looking hat, show up to collect Soledad and Ursula. Boris convinces Inspector Duarte that he has some reason to be at the house and Arturo and his henchmen are arrested. Hugo says that helping Soledad makes him feel much better.

The only other thing that happened is that Paquito has convinced the judge that there are sufficient irregularities with Hugo's death to open his grave. On Monday's episode, we see the now reduced Team Hugo of Boris, Marina and Hugo watching this from hiding.

There has been a lot of speculation on Telenovela World about whether this is really Hugo or Alcides pretending to be Hugo. For the reasons that I stated in my post yesterday, I am convinced that this is Hugo. We now have the situation where Soledad believes that Hugo is dead and that Alcides tried to kill her. If Hugo pretends to be Alcides, he will have to try and win Soledad back against her new prejudices against Alcides and her love for her dead fiancé.

On Telenovela world, there was also a posting about a Peruvian actor, Ismael de la Rosa, who just signed on to LT as a rival love interest for Soledad. We already know that Eloisa is going to go after Hugo/Alcides.

However, I am sure Alcides will be back eventually.

Labels: la traicion