Caray, Caray!

I plan to rate Consti each and every week on a scale of one to ten..on RatBastardness.
Now currently I rate him a nine, cause I know he married Luci and gave Al a name, but Al thinks he is his Dad and he has berated the kid for twenty some years, that is RatBastard, he covered the Andrea pregnancy and let Mili think she kill a fetus, he is letting his daughter marry a crazy boy….and so on

Sorry I went to look up a few of the finer points of this stellar drama and Egads, I forgot to erase my DVR and alas no data, thus this is from memory, so feel free to throw in corrections…Except correcting my opinion of Consti, cause sorry I still rate him a nine on the scale of RatBastardness.

Well the first few were wasted on the stupid slap stick reboxing match. A scene of Andrea in bed…I’m thinking fully naked and Consti prancing and preening.

Now then we pick up with Mili and Hugo returning after a hard day of wedding planning.
Now I am forced to wonder why Mili always travels dressed as a boy? The story line isn’t holding my interest, so I am forced to explore other quirky aspects of the show. Seriously how many t-shirts does this chick have? Were they all donated from some “Help our Poor Brothers and Sisters South of the Border” used clothing drive at an American Catholic Church? Cause they are always in English, but not the “Cool” T-Shirts I spotted kids wearing in Mexico City. My husband has started commenting on it and he barely keeps who is who straight. I mean I get it if she was 12 or 14 and feeling uncomfortable with pubescent changes, but please she has no trouble showing some leg at the Rodeo. I just don’t get the dressing like that when she goes to talk to people about the wedding. Gloria and Lina dress fine when they are off work. I gotta stop obsessing over bad fashion.

Al stays past Val the insipid, and tells him she has to quit pitting the two boys, Rocky & Bobby against each other, cause it will be really hard to replace those two with two other equally clueless, yet willing to perform inane slapstick acts. Val totally blows him off. How can you be that rich and that bored?

Anyway as they stand in front of the mansion, and Hugo is telling how he will buy them a house and groovy furniture, cause he has an inheritance from his mother.
I am thrilled as that one lame ass painting of naked dead girlfriend with new girlfriend’s head stuck on dead girlfriend’s body; probably isn’t gonna keep Mili in size x-large t-shirts.
Al creeps up with that smirky look on his face. He needs to talk to his Cuz a la Solo. This works to Hugo’s advantage as Mili gives Hugo a big kiss and manages not to wipe her mouth off. She goes into the mansion to dream of Hugo, would someone please rent the Spanish Version of Psycho and let her watch it.
Now then Al forces Hugo to agree to meet him at the “Office of No Work is ever done” the following day, to confront Andrea about the “Swan Dive of Miscarriage”, lie.

Meanwhile, Rocky is walking past Val, who acts all surprised when she sees him holding a piece of steak to his eye. Oh, Morgan if you are the winner, I will be yours totally.

Five seconds later she repeats the same nonsense to Bobby…

Back to the boys out on the Tennis Court shadow boxing as Horacio looks on. He finally says let’s settle this like men, in a bar. Awesome…the promise of more hijinks.

Mili goes upstairs to see Granny, who is in satin pj’s, I believe the shade to be “CK depression Grey”. She was all alone while Mili traveled the merry streets of Mexico City, macking on getting her boda set up. Jeez, Granny has the guilt cranker set on high. Don’t leave me Mili, you are the only one who comes to see me, my son hates me and will never forgive me for screwing up his life, plus I’ll never get to see my poor abandoned bastard grandchild. Mili says Granny needs to try and sleep. Granny has that base covered, she has taken sleeping pills and they aren’t working. (Does this give us some insight into her whining deep depression? A barbiturate overdose? Mili says she will stay with the Granster and tucks her in and then climbs up on the bed next to her and cranks out a lullaby to lull Granny to sleep.

Downstairs, Luci has returned from of hard day of cuckolding Consti. I gotta say I like this side of Luci. Consti falls all over himself patronizing Nestor. Nestor is all like, no seriously, the pleasure was all mine. Nestor is off to Europe for a few days, but he will be back and they can all get together then. Hee Hee Hee

Now over to the Bar, Horacio is plying the boys with Tequila, I’m having a Destilando flashback, but thank all the angels in heaven, that neither one of them start crying and lamenting “The Gull”. They pass out in simocast.

Now we are back at the Mansion, it late, we hear Marachi singers.
Down on the lawn, the Marachi are cranking out a tune for Val, Rocky, Bobby, Horacio and the rest of the Nacettes are singing back-up. In case you were wondering we get to see Damien and Karla dancing the horizontal Mambo, Karla queries the music, but Damien says something strange is always going on in that house.
Consti is complaining about the noise and Luci is purring from her prior encounter with Nestor. Hmmm Consti is a back sleeper you’d think he’d realize he’d been horned, Ah Cabron.
Mili and Hugo are out romantically hugging as the singing continues, Al is down there too, laughing until he sees Mili and Hugo kiss, that’s it, he does the five year old stiff leg stomp as he goes back to the house. Now the lil Princess, that all this display is trying to impress; is lying in bed with her ipod. Yep she misses the whole thing, but do not lament cause we are privy to her fantasy about Bobby dressed as maybe one of the Three Musketeers sword fighting with Morgan dressed as Zorro. She and her two model friends are dressed in left over Pasion Gowns. TelVista is so green, what great recyclers. The costumes are a clue to this being only a fantasy, but the biggest clue is that the two friends aren’t rolling their eyes behind her back. Both boys fall to the ground. OH NO….Val can’t choose between them…..
Back to the singing on the lawn, the boys are woozy…..

Hitchcock…fade-out

It is the next day.
Mili goes in to see the Patron and begs him to talk to his mother, she will die and she is so upset, she loves him so much and only begs his forgiveness. Consti, tears up. I realize a lot of you feel sorry for him when he tears up over his lil Nina, but sorry I still think he is a RatBastard. Like yeah I could acknowledge my kid, but hey who’d dust the living room? Anyway, Mili has this strange bond with Pa and he listens to her.

Now up in Granny’s room she is sitting on her bed and Lawyer guy Nestor from Destilando is on the bed next to her. Can it be? Of course not. Mili come in and seems a bit embarrassed, Granny kind of giggles, pleased that someone would think she could still rock someone’s world. Oh, let me introduce you, this is my lawyer, I’m cutting my will. Mili is like so that is what the seniors are calling it. She says she will come back later. Granny says no stay and she proceeds to say she has named Mili in her will and not just for some crappy lamp or uber lame ass poetry book, she is getting 25% of Granny’s bucks. Mili is muy muy muy impacted. Just think how impacted the rest of the clan is going to be. Lawyer guy leaves and for once Mili is cordial and actually shakes his hand. Once Lawyer splits, she starts yelling at Granny. She doesn’t need nor want the money. Too freakin bad cause Granny isn’t giving in. Mili is better to her than her worthless family, Jeez Granny wouldn’t that entitle the rest of the 20 million people in Mexico City for a piece of the pie. Oh after all these years the bar is soooooooo low.

Enter Consti stage left, he hears Mili calling his Ma, Granny and he has that stricken look, he so often has when he thinks the Bastard info is out, the one where he looks like he is going to puke. He catches on that it is just a term of endearment between Mili & Ma. Swallowing down the bile, he gets the news that Mili is getting a quarter of the pie. Egads…Mili exits stage left. He tells Ma how much he loves her and how much he doesn’t blame her that his life sucks. How it wasn’t her fault that he married for money, screwed over his “True Love”, wasn’t Rosario fortunate to hold that special place in his heart? Granny thinks that Consti is pissed cause she is cutting Mili in for a piece of famial pie. No, it is your money and it is to do with whatever you wish, I love you and I don’t blame you for anything.

----Okay readers let out a collective sigh of Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, sniff, sniff-------------
Now let me throw some muy fria agua on this, I think a bit of guilt was just lifted off Consti, now his bastard kid is taken care of and he didn’t have to lift a hand.

Hugo shows up at Andrea’s. He tells her that she has to cover for him with Al, she agrees.
Oh lil dreamer, that so isn’t going to happen.

Now Val wanders the yard and stumbles over passed out Rocky and Morgan, she screams Morgan. The boys jump up and start talking about the Marachi’s. Val can smell the alcohol. Rocky and Bobby are hanging with their story like brothers. Is it wrong for me to wish they would realize they have more in common than just Val and totally come out? Anyway, now the lil Princess sets a new task for the boyz, they must dazzle her with dancing.

Some conversation about this is continued with Horacio, Grocery Delivery Don Juan and so on…but I don’t have a clue what the next Val deflowing move will be.

Meanwhile over at the office Consti gets some letter, I guess he was trying to join a fraternity or something..sorry viewer, I missed what the hell it was about, all I know is he was blackballed, but Al, the Bastard was excepted. Andrea and Damien smirk. Poor Consti, never good enough. When push comes to shove seems like everyone rather party with Al.

Now Mili shows up at the office, she and Andrea trade barbs, then she asks to speak to Consti.
When she goes in his office of “No work ever done”, he starts yelling at her about being a gold digging little snot, he will break the will. Mili is all back in his face.

Exit Mili stage left…
Consti has a loving look of my little spitfire.

Mili runs into Hugo and Al. Al grabs her and thrusts her in front of Andrea. He tells Andrea to tell Mili the truth, how the whole idea was Hugos. Andrea says, while the fake preg was her idea, the staircase drama was all Norman Bates, oooops sorry Hugo’s idea, it was paint not blood. Hugo is crying and saying No don’t believe her, Mili is wailing, she tells Hugo she hates him. Al tries to comfort her, but she pulls away. Finally Consti gets up off his big leather chair and comes out. What the hell? Mili runs over and hugs him and he takes her in the office. Hugo and Al look UBER concerned, of course they don’t know he is her father and I am sure I can guess what they are thinking…Oh please, like they would be far off the mark?

Consti calms her down and she knows he isn’t her Pa, but gee it is such a comfort to talk to him, it is almost like she can talk to her DAD, except her real DAD is a RatBastard, well Mili the sixth sense. Anyhow he tells her calm down and go home.

Mili returns to the lobby and Damien has crawled out of his hole. He completely backs up Hugo and to the joy of psychotics everywhere Mili says sorry Hugo, forgive me.
Looks like the Boda is on….

I know I totally skimmed this, but talk amongst yourselves and feel free to add.

Now then folks…
Tomorrow night it looks like Consti tells the fraternity (whatever) that Al is an addict…an addict to pharmaceuticals, Hmmm I wonder if he knows about Granny’s stash?

And friends that is why Consti remains a NINE on my scale of RatBastardness.

Labels: guapos

Please fill in the gaps---I had to do a rush job watching this and an even more rushed job with the recap. I'm sure I missed a lot.

The episode starts with Mili pulling off Al’s towel, however the camera doesn’t drop any lower, so IMO there was no need to show this scene again. Al runs back upstairs and Nestor does not seem to be bothered by the strange goings on at the Belmonte home. He takes the opportunity to talk about the locuras of youth, but that if he had a second chance he’d still love the same woman. He says this while making googolly eyes at Luci. They drink some more, but Luci refrains from joining in (must have killed her). Nestor asks Luci a veiled question about the locuras of her youth. She replies that she was a responsible teenager. Connie asks Nestor when he’ll be returning to Europe, a couple days Nestor answers. Connie says that next time Nestor needs to bring his wife (?, is he married?), so Connie can compliment her. Connie starts to yawn and they call it an evening.

Mili runs into her room and starts to talk to a picture of her mother. She asks the picture what she should do, should she follow her heart and get back with Al, even though he always hurts her. She starts to repeat the mantra of “I love you” and Gloria enters the dorm. She tells Mili she loves her too, but then asks if Mili’s “I love you” was intended for her?

Karla shows up at Andrea’s apartment. She fills the skank in on Mili and Hugo’s wedding plans. Andrea tells Karla that she’ll need her help in getting Al back.

Later, Luci’s in bed with Connie. She tests to see if he’s really sound asleep. Assured that he’s really out for the night, she sneaks out of the room and makes a call to Nestor’s hotel. She asks him something I didn’t catch, perhaps about being married. He urges her to get out of the house right now and join him. She’s afraid, what if Connie finds her gone. Nestor tells her that he slipped a Mickey into Connie’s drink, he’ll be passed out all night.

In the kitchen, Al is fetching a glass of water when Snotty comes into the room. She just got back from hanging out with Pilar. She tells her brother that Pilar’s really got the hots for him. He tells Val he’s not interested in Pilar and he already told her that he’s in love with another. Val doesn’t like to hear this and tells her brother he needs to forget Mili, besides she’s going to marry Hugo. Al says we’ll see about that. At this point Mili walks into the kitchen and remains hidden as she listens to their conversation. Snotty goes on “imagine if you married her, no one in the family would come to your wedding, you’d be disowned and then you’d have to support her on a meager salary, how long before you would end up hating her for everything you had to sacrifice.” Al says nothing and Mili hears this all and runs off.

In the dorm, Gloria and Lina are still at odds over that boy. They have a tiff over the lights. Karla tells them to take it out into the garden and fight like cats. Karla goes into el bano and Mili enters the room. She’s crying and the two girls unite in comforting her. She fills Gloria and Lina in on what she overheard Snotty say. She realizes that she’ll be doing the same thing to Hugo, so she’s going to have to call off that wedding. Karla, now out of el bano, hears this.

Luci meets Nestor at his hotel suite. They drink champagne and talk about how he didn’t know she was Belmonte’s wife. He wonders what happened to the strong secure girl he used to know. She tells him she’s been stifled by Connie and she’s afraid he’ll kill her. Nestor goes into protection mode—something needs to be done. She pooh-poohs that and says that now she’s able to smile because she’s with Nestor again. He tells her he’s always dreamt of this moment and they move things to the bedroom.

Regina has a nightmare about her missing grandchild. She prays that she doesn’t have much time left, so she’s desperate to see her nieto. The next day Mili finds Regina crying when she comes in with breakfast. Regina tells her of the bad dream and how she’s afraid of dying without ever seeing her grandchild. Mili offers comfort, but Regina says to leave her alone for awhile. Mili obeys, but says that she’ll be back soon to check on her.

Bobby and Rocky each approach their seconds for the planned duel. Al (Bobby’s) and Horacio (Rocky’s) each point out the foolishness and the illegality of dueling. We find out it is a going to be a boxing match in the garden, that afternoon.

Karla finds Al and tells him she’s got a message for him from Mili.

Luci wakes Connie and he’s surprised she’s serving him breakfast in bed. Is it his birthday? Connie can’t eat and heads off to the bathroom. Luci laughs.

We are treated to a montage of silly scenes of Bobby and Rocky prepping for the duel.

Al goes to meet Mili, but it turns out to be Andrea who’s meeting him. He’s not happy. She says she has to talk to him and she goes on with the same old lies---she loves him, blah, blah. Al isn’t falling for it. She tells him that she only wants him to be happy and she’s willing to help him win the girl he loves. Al still isn’t falling for it. Then Andrea spills all the details of her deception, but says it was Hugo’s idea and plan in order to get Mili away from Al. Al says that this must be some new twisted plan hatched by Andrea and his father.

Mili tells Hugo she’s calling off the wedding. He wants an explanation and she says she doesn’t want him ending up hating her. She basically spits out the same scenario that Val painted for Al the night before. Hugo assures her that won’t happen. His father supports them and besides he’s got money of his own from his inheritance from his mother. He hugs her and starts to laugh---Mili questions this (as do I). Hugo tells her that he’s just imagining her playing soccer with their child. Child? Mili questions, a look of fear on her face, because she must now realize she’s going to have to sleep with Hugo if she marries him.

Nestor comes to the mansion and extends an invite to Connie and Luci to join him in Tepoxetlan. Connie can’t go because of work obligations but he suggests that Luci still go. She’s “reluctant” and Connie tells her that he needs her help, so he’s ordering her to go. Luci agrees, and smiles smugly to herself.

Hugo and Mili talk wedding plans with Braulio. Mili asks Brau to give her away. He cries. Mili and Hugo leave to go make more plans. Another montage of scenes, this time with Hugo and Mili looking at wedding details. Hugo’s definitely more into it than Mili. Al comes home and Brau gives him some of the wedding details, Al says that there will not be a wedding---it seems like he might be believing a bit of Andrea's tale. Al takes off and Brau says to himself-- he’s not going to allow Al to hurt his niece.

Karla and Andrea plot some more. Andrea tells Karla that she’s got the perfect thing to break up Al and Mili for good, and she’ll use it when the time is right.

The duel begins. It is full of comic hijinx. It ends up with both Rocky and Bobby down for the count. Horacio and Al call it a draw.

Karla catches Luci and Nestor snogging in the foyer. Luci offers her a check in exchange for silence. Karla hems and haws for more money and Luci tells her to take what’s offered and if she talks, Luci will kill her.

We are treated to yet another montage, this time of Nestor and Luci on their romantic little trip.

Hugo and Mili visit the convent.

Connie visits Andrea, and tells her he needs to clean up his image.

Labels: guapos

Key points are highlighted in maroon for quick reviewing convenience and bile avoidance.

Alternate titles:
- Can You Freakin' Believe Justo?!?!?!?!
- How Do You Solve a Problem Like Camila
- Booty Call Gets the Answering Machine
- Santi Liked the Music
- 7 Habits of Highly Ineffective Secret-Telling People
- Why Does Everything Happen to Justo

---

Camila and Jimena jump up and down with the joy of realizing that Camila is pregnant. Camila prays that Ric will get to meet his child.

A man sings the Pasión theme with Fernando Lima at Santiago's party. I would love to tell you who this man is, but I don't know. His audience must not be able to hear him too well because I don't see anyone crying. (While everyone else is looking at the singer, Justo seems to look around for someone... not sure if that was intentional, or if it was an out-of-character moment.)

During the song, Ric's friends carefully carry him back onto the ship for a potentially fatal journey.

Back at the party, everyone is still watching the singers. I notice Jorge is holding the baby. Vasco and Ines almost look at one another. Uriel watches Ursula, who ignores him.

Lis remarks on the beautiful singing. Lafont just shrugs, "yeah, real nice." He thinks this would be a good time to discuss whether Rita is "adequate" to be wife of the future señor of SF. She seems ambitious and unclassy. Lis is like, well, she's Camila's sister, so she can't be much better. She shushes Lafont so she can hear the singer better. Lucky for her, it's considered bad manners to beat your fiancee at your best friend's son's grand debut party.

Eustaquio the judge, Marcelino the town clerk, and a twerpy guy go to an outdoor pub afterwards. "Turns out that Ric guy's a pirate just like Gonzalo said, oooooooooo," etc... The judge remembers that Lafont warned him the man was dangerous and untrustworthy. The twerp wonders why they didn't turn him in. He feels sorry for Camila. His real name was Salamanca, yeah, that's Lis's cousin, ohmigosh...

The message to us is that everybody knows all about it now. The cat is out of the bag. The beans have been spilt. The can of worms has been opened. The bell has passed the point at which it can be unrung. The general tone is sympathetic towards Camila.

Therefore, one would suppose, Justo could start getting over it.

But hold on...

Jimena and Camila are discussing when to tell people about the pirate-sprout. Cami would like to wait until she hears some news of Ric first. She wishes he could know about this, since he's always wanted to have a family.

They hush when Ines and Vasco come along. Ines raves about the party. (Does Vasco hints that Santi is getting conceited?) Ines says of course he was flattered, but he'll never change. As for Rita, Ines says, mimicking, she was acting like the wife of the viceroy of New Spain. Cami says Justo was tired and is resting in his room. Vasco tells Cami there was a lot of gossipy talk about Ricard. "And about me?" Cami asks. She says she doesn't care, but runs away crying. He asks what he can do so she'll forgive him. She says he's not to blame for people finding out about Ric.

Santi, Rita, and Ana are at home. Rita gushes about the party. Santi says, "I liked the music." Rita says just imagine having music like that whenever you want it. Mr. Grumpypants warns her not to be corrupted by earthly pleasures, but she says even Jesus enjoyed some wine at the wedding in Caanan. Santi's jaw drops, and he looks down hurriedly. She insists that he'll like it - why shouldn't they be glad to be freed from the bonds of their lives?

Ofelia interrupts the blasphemy (as Santi sees it), and looks in on the baby. She doesn't say anything while Rita boasts about the great party they threw for her husband, the good music, the fancy food, how nice everyone was, Sofia was so friendly, and even asked about Ofelia. Ofelia soberly informs Rita that the baby needs changing. Rita takes the baby and cheerfully says she'll tell Ofelia the rest later.

Ofelia gets Santi some water and tells him she didn't go to the party because "that's not my world." She tells him not to think it means that she disapproves of what he's doing. (Their conversation has a chilly tone.)

He asks about Camila. Ofelia says she seemed sad and uncomfortable in church; it was probably hard for her to attend. He says he appreciates it because he knows what she did for him.

She asks if he thinks Ric is alive. He says he doesn't know, but if he is, it'd be better if he didn't come back. Ofelia just watches this strange man drinking water in her kitchen.

Night time. Cami is praying to Virgencita that Ric isn't dead. "Save him! You were a mother, please understand."

Later that night, Vasco wakes Ines in bed (she now sleeps in Paco's room). He needs to speak with her - it's important! He takes her into his room, and her vexation turns into regular anger when she realizes that it's essentially a booty call. Imagine someone waking you in the middle of the night to say that he's really horny, except he's saying "sorry" instead of "horny" as if you can't tell the difference. That's what this is like. She tells him off. She tells him to prove he loves her and not be looking at Ursula. ("But she was looking at me!") (I double-checked, and they weren't looking at each other at the party, at least not in tonight's scenes.) He needs Ines to help him with the temptation! She turns him down cold. If he wants her back he'll have to clean up his act. He makes a crack about her maybe preferring Ascanio. She gives him a dirty look and flounces out.

WAKE UP, SLACKERS! It's daytime already, hope you had a nice sleep. Vasco is still in a bad mood when he goes to the mill, where Ascanio is doing paperwork. He accuses Ascanio of being up to something with Ines - he's always finding them chatting together late at night. "We live in the same house," Ascanio says. Vasco says he doesn't have to talk to her. Ascanio takes Vasco's accusations about as well as Ines took his romantic noises last night. I think he's showing great restraint, considering he's had no action for... well, we can't even guess at how long. He reminds Vasco that she turned him down in favor of Vasco. Vasco says she has since rejected him and started sleeping in Paco's room. Ascanio says it wasn't because of him, and he's always treated them with respect, as well as Vasco's father. But he'll move out today if Vasco wants. Perhaps he's been abusing their friendship anyway.

Santi limps to the palacio in his finery. He and Jorge talk about the party; Santi says he shouldn't have taken so much trouble. Jorge asks what he thought of the singer; Santi says "I liked the music." (At this moment you have to be grateful that this is a period novela, because if this had been Destilando Amor, Frankie the Grifter would come in and tell you where to buy the MP3.) He thinks Jorge for his support and for letting "that man" (Ric) go. Jorge says he did it because Santi is his son and because he's not spiteful. Anyway, Ric's probably dead by now.

Jorge asks about Cami. Santi says he doesn't know - he hasn't spoken to her. Jorge says he'll forget her eventually. (Or she will forget him. Or it will be forgotten. Not good with those pronouns.) He says he's getting their rooms set up - one for him, and one for his wife and child. He wants them to move in as soon as possible.

He also says Fukuda wants to start the treatments. Yosihei has already left, and Fukuda can't hang around much longer. Santi is skeptical that he'll be healed, since his mom and Doc Nicanor said he can't be cured. Jorge says, well, these Oriental people have strange ways, so who knows? They could be fakes, or they could know more than we do. It doesn't hurt to try.

Jorge tells Saintly that being a señor isn't just about parties and orgies (francachelas). (Santi indicates that he's never really been into parties and orgies.) Jorge says that's his loss, but he wants to teach him about matters of - for lack of a better English word - señority. You have to mediate disagreements, work out infrastructure matters, collect taxes... Santiago doesn't look happy about this last subject (I think it was the excuse given for taking away Justo's mill and mercantile concessions).

Uriel, Mateo and Lafont are having drinks and eating peanuts at Friday's. They talk about how happy Jorge is with Santiago and wonder what will happen if Santi finds out about their scheme. Lafont thinks Jorge will be keeping him busy doing good deeds in the pueblo instead.

Lafont asks Uriel how it's going with Ursula. Uriel indicates that Ursula has... I'm not sure how to say it exactly... something like she's given him liberties. Lafont tells him to take advantage and show her what a macho he is.

Lafont says he himself will be married in less than two weeks. Mateo congratulates him on his catch, saying "that blind woman is worth a fortune." (Hello, doesn't anyone know her name?) Lafont tells Mateo to show more respect for his future wife. Uriel tries to stifle a smirk as Lafont turns to glare at him too.

"The blind woman" is snuggling in bed with her doll, weeping. Fran comes in and disapproves of the crying. Lis says she just can't accept that Ricardo is dead. Fran opens the window and tries to talk her niece out of her funk. Back in La Mariana, sometimes months or years would pass without them seeing him. Lis says doubt is not the same thing as certainty. Doesn't Fran feel anything? Fran shrugs and says sure - the death of my nephew. "The nephew whose life you ruined," Lis accuses. Fran says that was Lis's father's idea, not hers, and she couldn't defy his orders.

Fran wants them to go to the dressmaker tomorrow. Lis doesn't see why. "Did you forget? For your wedding dress!" Since she didn't want to go to Ofelia, Lafont sent for one from another town.

But Lis doesn't wanna get married. Fran scolds Lis for thinking she could sneak away with Ric - what else can she do now? Lis tells Fran to drop dead because it's her fault. Fran reminds her she's the one who started yelling when she found out Camila was going. Lis says Fran shouldn't have gone to warn Alberto.

"I did it because I knew you were going to do something crazy."
"Who asked you?"
"Though you may not want to admit it, I have been your eyes, your ears - I've been a mother to you."
"A bad mother."

Fran looks sad.

Telenovela experts, weigh in please: does condemning your aunt's mothering skills qualify you for the death sentence?

Ursula and Fortunata approach the forge. Fortunata sounds disapproving; Ursula is saying she wants to help Manuela. Fortunata says she doesn't want to help, she's just bored and looking for something to do.

Ursula flirts with the twins and asks for Ascanio. They redirect her to the mill. After she leaves, one of the twins asks the other if Ursula's interested in him now. I think the other one says "I hope so, because I don't like that fancy Uriel."

Ascanio (NO-SHIRT ALERT! NO-SHIRT ALERT!!) is helping some other men push the wheel at the mill when he sees his lady visitors and immediately puts on his shirt. Ursula eye-rapes him, pulls him aside and sets up a meeting with him tomorrow afternoon in a little stand of trees nearby. She wants to talk to him about Manuela. He is hesitant; she laughs at his interest and tells him to button up so he doesn't catch cold. After they leave, Ursula tells Fortunata she kinda wishes she'd made that appointment for herself. Fortunata scolds her - she's engaged! Ursula says she's not yet, and she can do what she wants until she does marry Uriel. She's slept with him, though, and it wasn't too bad, but she's not convinced yet!

Ines and Camila chat. Ines is complaining about Vasco and how when she turned him down he got jealous of Ascanio. Then she stops herself and says Cami's problems are greater. Cami says no, we're family, so your problems are my problems... but Ines wins and they talk about whether Ric is alive or dead. Ines is optimistic. Then Camila confides that the little stick turned blue. Paco overhears and hopes his new cousin will be boy.

Justo comes along at that moment, and before anyone has a chance to control the situation, Paco tells Justo he's getting a new cousin. Justo is happy when he thinks Ines is pregnant, but he is disgusted when Paco sets him straight.

Justo and Cami go in the house and he gives her hell for dishonoring the family with a pirate. She has filled the family with shame. He and his father before him and his grandfather and his father before that have always guarded the family's honor, and she's managed to cover them all in muck.

Hee tells her to sit down and says "this cannot continue. The child of a pirate - another sample of our shame!" Cami says a baby is always a blessing.

Justo says she's always been his favorite daughter, but maybe he doted on her too much. He should have been tougher on her and he has two other children and two grandchildren to think about.

Camila says that's fair enough, but she's not giving up her baby. Justo is impactado. I guess it doesn't occur to him that since everyone already knows about her and Ric, a baby isn't going to make things any worse.

Outside, a letter arrives for Camila. Ines and Jimena stare at it with excitement.

Cami is begging her father to let her have her baby. (I am pretty sure she means "let me keep it after it's born instead of giving it to the nuns" as opposed to... you know... but I gotta say, the way they're talking, it's hard to be sure. He really seems to want it to stop existing.)

He wants her to hide her "shame." She says you can't hide a pregnancy. He says yes you can. (Does he have reason to think so? Does he know someone who's done this? Sofia, maybe? Or is he just being insane?)

She gets on her knees and begs. She'll leave town if he wishes, as long as she can have her baby. He coldly agrees and says he'll work out where she'll go. She thanks him and says she always knew he was a pious man.

He says yes he is pious, but he also has to think about the family's good name. "And why? When Jorge ordered us to say that he had deflowered me, you agreed! You didn't think of MY good name!" He says she's been living with that "ruffian" too long who doesn't respect the norms, laws, and morals of society. She says he's wrong about Ric; Justo says SHE'S wrong. The negative talk about her WOULD calm down, but not if she's going around with a swollen belly.

He asks who knows. It's just Jimena, Ines, and Paco. Justo says no one else must find out about this.

Dad sends the maid out and tells Jimena and Ines that no one must know. NOBODY. (Except for the people he's going to blab it to in a few minutes.) Not Vasco, etc. Cami is crying her eyes out. He tells Ines to tell Paco not to tell. He stalks off.

Cami tells Ines and Jimena she has to leave town. They show her the letter from el Chino, which says that Ric's no longer at the Iguana. A few days ago they departed for parts unknown. His men will protect him, so they couldn't say any more about that, but they did he say he was doing poorly.

Justo goes to the forge, looking for Santiago. The twins ask him if Santi's told him anything about the future of the forge. Justo says no, but he doubts Santi would give up the forge. The twins say Santi hasn't told them anything and they've been a little worried.

He sees Rita nearby, chatting with well-dressed people. She greets him like someone she hasn't seen in ten years. She brags about moving into the palacio and the Oriental healer who's treating Santi. She fans herself haughtily and looks around to see if anyone's watching her fan herself.

Jorge and Marcelino are talking business. Marcelino is a bit confused by some paperwork he's been asked to sign. Jorge says he needs his help to "legalize" some goods for sale at Uriel's store. Marcelino says it's supposed to be overseas merchandise, yet it was made in Veracruz. "I know," Jorge says. "Make it so it doesn't come from Veracruz." Shocked, Marcelino asks point-blank if it's for contraband material. "You could say that," Jorge says. Marcelino says it's dangerous and difficult. He mops his brow. Jorge says nobody's going to stick their nose in those papers. Marcelino is very nervous.

"I don't have the proper seals."
"Have them made."
"Fakes? Here?"
"In Salvatierra, or in Valle City... wherever."

He continues to wince about it until Jorge gives him a choice between a piece of the action, or losing his job. This clarifies the situation for Marcelino, and he agrees to do it.

Justo arrives at the palacio as Santi is saying goodbye to Fukuda. I guess it didn't work out today, but they're going to look for another chi path or something tomorrow. After Fukuda leaves, Santi tells Justo how he was all covered with needles. Justo wishes him luck in getting rid of the limp and says that Camila needs to leave town because she's pregnant with Ric's pirate-spawn. (One extra person knows now.)

Ines is telling Paco not to tell anyone. Paco doesn't understand. Ines says it's because Ric had to leave. He still doesn't get - he's excited and wants to tell. Ines says Cami's going through some tough times, and if word gets out she will suffer for it.

Justo is telling Santi how awful it is for him, personally, the family honor, etc. etc. first with Vasco and Ines, and now this. Pirates, fake marriage, lost inheritance, jail, slavery... if it hadn't been for Santiago it would have ended right there... and now this.

Wow. It sucks to be Justo, huh? Like that time he went to jail... oh wait... that was Santi, then Ric, then Cami. Or that time Justo lost all of his money... oh wait, that was Ric and then Cami. Or that time he was a slave... oh wait... that was Cami too.

And then there was the time when that selfish bitch bought Justo the mill concession that had been in his honorable family for generations. And then when she went to jail, what's-his-name, that greedy SOB pirate husband of hers, went out and risked his life to raise the money to pay off EVERYTHING so that Justo wouldn't owe a cent.

No wonder Justo's full of self-pity, and anger against Cami and Ric. What's wrong with this picture?

Santiago looks even queasier than Camila right now, believe it or not. I can't tell whether he's nauseated more by Camila's actions, or by Justo's words, which are certainly making me queasy. He starts to tell Justo not to get so upset - it's bad for his health. Then Jorge comes in and wants to know what's happening. He can tell it's something really heavy. Santi tells Jorge. (Now two extra people know.) Jorge calls them into his chambers for a private talk.

Justo says he's hoping to send her away, and then after the baby is born... well, we'll see. It's just that when she starts to show, the people are never going to stop talking. Santiago adds that if Ric comes back he'll try to find her. Jorge doesn't think he's still alive, but he'll have guards to keep watch.

Justo suggests hooking her up with a convent, but Jorge disagrees. (I'm thinking that's the first place Ric would look.) They ponder how to explain Camila's extended absence.

The women talk in the bedroom. Camila thinks that if Ric were well, he'd send her a note. Jimena says it wouldn't have arrived yet. Ines is being optimistic again. She cajoles Camila into a better mood. Cami says she's not barfing too much. Cami prays for a healthy baby and looks forward to how happy Ric will be when he finds out about the baby. (Ines is so much better at this than Tia Fran is.)

Justo and Santi wrap up their conversation at the forge. He reminds Santiago not to tell anyone, not even Rita. Well... maybe Santi's mom, because she's a saint. Justo is in a much better mood now, and grateful to Jorge for taking the trouble to help them. They'll be in touch later.

Now Jorge is telling Lafont and warning him not to tell anyone. (Three extra people know.) He doesn't want Ric to find her, if by some miracle of God or the devil he's still alive, so they need a good hiding place. (I'm sure Lafont is thinking of that closet in his house.) Lafont remembers a property called Garbancillo that Jorge got in exchange for a debt. Small, easy to watch.

Lafont asks Jorge to be his best man at the wedding. He wants something from the Salamanca Bridal Collection to give to Lis. (I always thought Lafont kept that one ugly necklace, but maybe Jorge convinced him to leave it.) Jorge asks if Lafont wants to reward her for trying to escape with her cousin. Lafont says he will address her boldness in some other manner.

"You've always been perverse (sick)," Jorge chuckles.
"And you're getting soft over your saintly son," Lafont replies.
"We'll see who convinces (turns) whom," Jorge laughs.

Later, Jorge tells Santi they're going to send Cami to Garbancillo. He says he's sorry he can't come along, but Lafont has offered to lead the way. He assures Santi that Lafont is his right hand, but Santi says he doesn't trust him. "Don't worry, he won't blab." He'll just help out and meet with the servants - they know him. Jorge promises that Santi will be giving all the orders. Santi is grateful. Jorge says no, don't thank me - don't you know I'm glad to make you happy?

On the boat, Mario enters the makeshift sickbay in a foul mood. A busty wench is leaning all over Ric (Paisana is taking a break). He is still feverish, but his temperature has gone down. She says they're running low on herbs. She tells Mario that Ric's been mumbling things she doesn't understand about that chick Camila. Mario starts fiddling with the things on the table, probably to prepare another poultice.

Back in San Fernando, the time has come. Ines sees Santi and Justo crossing the yard. She runs into the bedroom and warns Cami and Jimena that Santi's here. Cami comes down and gets a frosty reception from the men. Justo tells her to sit down and tells her he asked Santi for help. They ask how far along she is - she thinks she's just over two months. They're going to send her to a little town, but they won't tell her where. "I'm going to be a prisoner?" "That's for your security," Santiago says, because "the pirate" (he and Lis are in the same boat, so to speak, in terms of no one wanting to say their names) might not be dead and could try to take her away.

"I hope so!" Camila cries. Justo grabs her and says if only she would just show some remorse! She says she has nothing to repent. She has no remorse for loving him, being his wife, or expecting his child.

He yells and shoves her around, and they struggle. "Control yourself! I didn't raise you to become the whore of a pirate!"

Santi reaches for them hesitantly, as if he hopes that waving his hands in their general direction will make them stop fighting.

---

Martes

¡¡¡¡ El Gran Final !!!!

Kidding. (Hey, it's April First!)

Lafont tells Lis about the pregnancy and the plan, then tells her not to tell anyone. (This makes four extra people who know... each of whom has been told to tell no one...)

Labels: Pasion

The review: Ana tries to keep Paula the stupida from tearing off to put herself in the middle of the fracas between Juan and Cesar Luis. Paula does a double feint then when she has tricked Ana into going into the kitchen on the pretext of making her tea, she scampers out the front door with Ana yelling you tricked me.

Favorite part of the review: CL says this isn't a gangsta' movie while the glimmering antique cars roll through the steamy fog and an impressively well dressed Juan emerges with his oozie for a shoot out with Cesar Luis taunting "This is my territory and you'll pay with your life, Bobo. They rat-a-tat-tat at each other, even Gaitan gets in the action. Oops, he said NOT, Juan reenters the office from the movie theater in the back of his head. [ed. note, best scene of entire telenovela in my opinion]. Cesar Luis is actually saying he has nothing to stay for,Paula was the only thing that had any meaning for him, he wishes him luck but he hopes to never see Juan Dominguez again. Juan exits shortly nearly knocking over the scattering lizards and makes insinuating sweet talk with Marely who pries for information with disappointment, but at least he says he hates to see CL so undone like this, calls her his little rose garden as he kisses her goodbye for now.

At Ferrell, Inc. Heriberto arrives, looks like he's going to wash up in the fountain of the lounge lizards then sweeps up Ivonne's hand in a grand courtly kiss. Gaitan scuddles up from behind startles Heri with his simpering joy at seeing him, it's a miracle. You work here? Gaitan avers he is the right arm to the president. Heri, asks in all innocence, of the Republic? No, Gaitan demurs, of the Company. Heri want to see CL but is swept off to Gaitan's office

Grabbing his briefcase, Cesar Luis makes his way without explaining anything nor even feeding the lounge lizards hanging hungrily on the edges. He says don't talk to me, if you want to know anything ask Juan Dominguez. [Ed note, it must require lessons to be able to spit out a proper name while making it sound like a string of vile swear words.

Juanito in his class is listening to Profe Pomposo while the class bullies pass him threatening notes and make throat cutting threats in jestures. [Ed. note, Maybe this is a nursery rhyme but what I understood of Pomposo's recital] The baby lost his bottle, they played with the ball, the wind made the king's crown fly away...

Back in Gaitan's office we find out that Heri is fed up with working with Anga at lowly manual work. Juan made lots of promises to him that weren't delivered. He's up to the eyebrow, ear and temple (ceja, oreja, y sien). Gaitan grasps that Heri's father is influential and Heri is certainly of a quality. He knows Anga is difficult and certainly for someone of Heri's international style who wouldn't be suited to bothersome procedures (tramites engorrosos).

Kike cries into the baby's blanket while Nidia tries to placate him with offers of help but he says if she can't help him get his daughter back, no one can help him, but thanks for her intentions.

Heri chases Ivonne around the desk a bit but Gaitan pulls him back with filling out the application form (llenada tu solicitude). Every once in a while he actually performs some minor human resources functions. They also need to get back to the strategies for buying the Campeoni Co.

Paula and Marely at lunch discuss the eerie calm civilized discussion between CL and Juan no blows, no screams. CL plans to leave the country perhaps forever. His boat is adrift. (barco va a deriva). In a taxi, Juan thought bubbles about CL's bitterness. Paula goes on that she is worried about money. She makes very little working for Anga, has to maintain the house and support Ana's gallery expenses. She's worried which Marely can barely believe.

Anga expresses his double bind frustration with Gaitan. On one hand he was sick of his ways, disgusted with most of it and yet he misses him after they had such a close time together. Juan reminds Anga that he brought Gaitan into his house. So the mequetrefe (good-for-nothing) can't be gotten rid of. He curses the day he came into his life.

Gaitan and Heri dine at an outdoor restaurant, Heri is slurping down wine and gobbling his food so loudly that dine isn't a good description. He notices the fastidious Gaitan is sitting, a bit green watching. Why aren't you eating much? Actually I am on a diet, I'm so fat. You don't seem so fat to me. Thanks for the compliment (flor) but I'm also having problems with my brother. But you might want dessert? Yes, Heri thinks he can find room still.

Juanito is being tutored in reading after school by Señora Pomposa who praises his progress and says they will go on to math next, when Lorenzo comes in and makes moves to go off to meetings. She throws a bit of a fit and they argue about how much he likes to go off with his work companions. He calls her jealous. Juan shows up to collect his son and a visibly upset Sra. P. goes off to get the reading list that Juanito will need from a bookstore. Juanito shares the confidence that the Pomps' just had a terrific row. [Ed. note, although these two seemed phony regarding the charm school, they are both terrific with teaching children]

Paula comes home and apologizes to Mom for sneaking off to butt in on the CL/Juan confrontation but reports that the big mystery of the century is that it wasn't a blow out at all so she didn't see them but went to lunch with Marely. A bit later Paula wants to talk to Juan about what is happening but not until he asks her pardon.

The Juans are at a bookstore gettng Itos books and Juan pretends he needs an easy book on finance for his buddy who isn't too bright. The book vendor brings out a thick book but assures him it is intermediate but very thorough and has lots of drawings. Juan jokes that they must sell it by the kilo.

Juan is giving repeated pep talks to a sleeping Kike about getting to work. Kike points out that he has no reason to work and can't talk to Yadira because he doesn't actually know where she is.

Paula sits in bed watching the phone [Ed. note, apparently knows nothing of either the watched pot nor the watched phone syndromes]. Instead the door bell rings as she leaps to get to the door she opens it up to Cesar Luis. She says, you're here. He returns, who were you expecting? BREAK
He asks to come in and tells her he is leaving the country and not ever returning. While across town Juan and Juanito study together, Juan dreams about Paula. If he could only see his shrill princess rip into Cesar Luis, that he needs to think things over calmly for a few days. He says he has nothing, the woman he loves doesn't love him and the company he built ends up being shared with his worst enemy. He is accepting defeat, quitting, taking another road. Paula insists he must fight for (you he asks) no the company. That doesn't mean anything to him anymore. One word from her one bit of hope and he would stay. But Paula says no, no, there is no possibility of that working out. CL says he offered his half of the business to Juan but if it can't be sold, she is still an owner by virtue of legally being his wife still.

Marely and the Juans are cooking together. Marely coos sweetly at Juanito about school and all, then they all turn to save the burning quesadillas, laughing all the way. Juanito makes an excuse that he has to go put his books in his backpack. He listens at the door and hides behind the sofa, thrilled that Juan and Marely are gettig on so well. They mention that Enrique is still suffering shut up in his room. Juan kisses Marely's singed fingers and everyone's expectations seem higher.

CL and Paula go one about the responsibility of the marriage, the finances, the company ad nauseam. With irony only visible to us, she lectures CL that he must not run from everything.

Behind the sofa Juanito listens while Marely and Juan discuss Paula. Juan says Paula thinks he betrayed her. Marely says you must talk to her, well no, well they switch to fighting about the food they are eating, she won't eat more or hear more and stomps away from the table.

After he has left Ana appears to ask why CL was there. To say goodbye. Ana sagely says just get him to speed up (agilizar) signing the divorce papers. The company is his problem not yours.

Back at casa Cachon, Marely corners Nidia and Alirio to ask what happened with telling Paula and Ana the truth about the will. Have they done it yet? Profound silence.

Paula finally dials Juan's number but Juanito answers and pretends she has a wrong number.

Nidia stutters that Paula has had such a painful time and has been so depressed. Alirio jumps in with the psychology of the situation needing assessment like Professor Sigmund Freud. Alirio's dithering always has erudite undertones drowned out by his lunacy but the two of them are for once allied in their excuse making. Marely finally threatens to tell the Davila's herself if they don't get it done. They try to forbid her but she says don't dare take a moral stance by trying to prohibit me from talking. They mutter about jail, death and the worst of their fears.

Ana gets a phone call from Willy [Ed note, funny old name but it's what my father William was called in his family]. Well he want to come see her tomorrow. She is not at all bothered by him calling...

Next day Alirio comes to Paula's house very early. He stutters through a dozen excuses and how this is not easy but he has to tell her about a crime he committed in the past that is weighing on his conscience like a block of cement. Then he drops that the crime was against Paula. Paula is impatient telling him she has much to do that day, so get to it. Well, it turns out that Paula father didn't leave the money to the shoeless Carmelite nuns (descalzas) but to YOU!.

Willy gives Ana a check which turns out to be for a good deal of money earned from sale of her art work. She is seeing the first of many checks, in fact she will be a millionaire soon.

Marely and Kike eat breakfast while Nidia comes down looking for Alirio who hasn't been seen.

Well, he is being screamed at at top volume by Paula who turns as red as her low cut dress as she launches into an endless volley of outrage. She is being robbed. She is sure that Nidia, Marely and Yadira are involved in the cover up and she will stop short of nothing to seek revenge for the outrage and on and on at shrieking level.

Nidia worrying at home thinks perhaps he acted on his sticken conscience then dismisses the idea because she knows what a coward he is.

Paula has escalated to calling him the stupidest lawyer in all of Mexico who will face the consequences of his confession. There are two two second scenes to carry Juanito and Kike and Juan on their respective projects in the middle of her hurricane strength tantrum. Interesting that Paula is on such a moral high horse when she was so unforgiving of her father before he died. But she does need the money I guess. The final scene ends with Alirio's plea for reason and clemency since he came forward. She wonders if he plans to share the booty (botín) with her after he gets out of jail. He urges her to think about what she is about to do. She swears she has nothing more to think about. We arrive at the end.

Next: Big showdowns all around as the Cachon women and Ana all learn about who knows about the robbery.

Labels: Juan

In the cemetery, Hugo rehashes his plan to avenge himself on those who have betrayed him. He tells Boris that from here on out the going gets rough and Boris doesn't have to hang around if he doesn't want to especially since Marina does not want to be part of the team. Boris pledges his loyalty to Hugo. He will participate in the vengeance plan even though he doesn't agree with it. Hugo tells Boris that he isn't just a servant, he is a friend, Hugo's only friend.

Arturo reacts badly to Eloisa' request that the wedding be postponed. The invitations have gone out and the church is reserved. Arturo immediately suspects that Eloisa is involved with another man. He grabs her and Paquito tells him to back off. Arturo punches Paquito and a fight is avoided when Rebeca shows up and orders Arturo to leave. Both Paquito and Rebeca think Eloisa is crazy to dump Arturo for Alcides, who is already married. Eloisa says that Soledad will never go back to Alcides and it is her life and she'll do what she wants.

Soledad is hysterical. Lucas sends for the police. Antonia looks guilty.

Dr. Max brings the baby to Elena who is immediately captivated by little Aurora. Dr. Max tells her to go out and get what she needs for the baby. Tomorrow, he will begin his "treatment." Elena is suspicious when Dr. Max tells her that the baby is ill. Dr. Max decides to give the baby an injection right away. Elena convinces him to wait.

Guillermo comes to see Hugo/Alcides and asks to work as his gardener. Hugo agrees and Guillermo makes it clear that he isn't interested in participating in any criminal work Alcides may be involved him. With a significant look at Boris, Guillermo says that he is not like some people who betray their masters as soon as they are dead. Amused, Hugo agrees not to make Guillermo do anything but work in the garden. He can also play the violin at the tavern in his free time. Outside the room, Guillermo marvels at the change a few months have made in Alcides.

Back at torture central, Beatriz continues to flog Alcides and then pours salt on his wounds. He tells her that her vengeance is worthless since he doesn't remember anything but Beatriz obviously gets her jollies by hurting people so she doesn't really care whether Alcides remembers or not. She has to go back to civilization but she will be back soon to continue with her fun. She will turn Alcides into a dog who will lick the soles of her shoes.

At the Obregon's, Inspector Duarte asks if Soledad has any idea who might have taken the baby. Antonia says Enrico and Ursula might have done it. Soledad doesn't agree. She thinks it might have been Alcides. After the police leave, it appears that Antonia drugs Soledad to keep her from doing anything crazy.

Enrico takes Ursula to his hideaway. Enrico says that he lives there with Jeremias and of course, Ursula points out that Jeremias died years ago. Enrico corrects himself and says that he lives with the memories of Jeremias. Ursula is sad that she didn't get to say goodbye to Soledad. They were like sisters. Who will help her with the baby? Ursula goes to sleep and Jeremias asks if Enrico likes her. He does.

Hugo discusses the situation with Boris and Marina. He has no alternative to continuing to pretend to be Alcides. Hugo will use Paquito's article to set a trap for all those who were after his money: the Obragons who planned it all and Arturo who helped Alcides try to kill him. 'And your plan for Soledad?' asks Marina. She will pay dearly for her betrayal, says Hugo. Boris asks how he is going to do that. Hugo says that while pretending to be Alcides, he will make Soledad fall in love with him. Boris and Marina are dubious about this plan and Marina is concerned that taking vengeance on Arturo could be dangerous not just for Hugo but for his servants as well. Boris tells her to be quiet; their duty is to help Hugo. I'm outta here, says Marina. Hugo tells Boris not to sacrifice his happiness for him. At this point, the police arrive and Hugo finds out that Aurora has been kidnapped. The police don't find the baby in the Hacienda. Hugo asks the Inspector to tell Soledad that he will look for the baby too.

Paquito tries to get into Eloisa's bed but she refuses his advances and even strikes him with a candlestick. Paquito tells her to be careful. If she won't be his, no one else will have her. He tells Rebeca how much he loves Eloisa and she suggests that maybe he needs a more experienced woman...

Beatriz goes to see Dr. Pablo. He wants to have a relationship with her but she is high on inflicting pain and is barely civil. He asks her about the disappearance of some medicines. She makes up a story about a patient needing the medicine and Dr. Pablo buys it.

Boris tries to get Marina to stay. She says that she cannot understand why Boris stays with Hugo. So Boris tells her. It turns out that as a boy, Boris escaped from a reformatory. He snuck into the Medina house and Hugo hid him for several days until Alicides found out and betrayed him. Hugo pleaded with his parents to let Boris live with them and he was raised and educated with Hugo and was like a real brother to him, not like Alcides. Boris swore that he would never leave Hugo alone with his terrible illness.

(Slight problem here: in the 2nd episode, Hugo tells Boris, as if he didn't know, about how no one had believed his mother when she begged them not to bury his father. They said she was crazy and she ended up really crazy. Boris says: That must have been terrible. Since now we know that Boris came into the Medina family before all this happened, he would have been there when Hugo's father died and he would know all this. Of course, the real purpose was to tell us about Hugo's past or maybe Hugo is one of those people who say, 'did I ever tell you about.." and then tell you a story you've heard a 100o times. ;-) )


Now Marina understands Boris' devotion to Hugo. She asks why he never told her before. He says that he was ashamed of his past as a juvenile delinquent. Marina says that she will stay and do anything Hugo wants. Boris is happy. Hugo is happy when he is told. Hugo tells the newly formed Team Hugo about his plan to find the baby. He whispers something to Boris and then tells him to get flyers printed up offering a reward for the return of the baby. Marina is surprised that Hugo wants to help find Soledad's baby but Hugo says that Aurora is his niece and an innocent victim. He can't let anything happen to her.

The next morning Soledad is up and dressed and insists on going out to find the baby. Ester goes with her. Jeremias tells Enrico to go find Ursula because her life is in danger. Everywhere in town, the flyers are being distributed saying that Alcides is offering a reward for the return of the baby. Soledad sees one and is confused about why Alcides would do such a thing.

Dr. Max finds Elena gone to buy things for the baby. She has taken Aurora with her so that Max can't hurt her.

Enrico finds Ursula in the woods picking flowers. They are chased by the police who shoot and wound Enrico.

Elena is carrying the baby in a basket. She gets one of the flyers and wonders if she has the missing baby. At that moment, the baby cries and Soledad, who is passing nearby, hears her, recognizes her baby and gives chase. Elena gets away but decides to give Aurora back to her family even if it means she goes to jail. However, Dr. Max finds her first. Ester wants to go to the police but Soledad runs off. Ester finds out that Soledad has gone home and gotten a gun (doubtless the gun she got from the Hacienda). Ester guesses rightly that Soledad has gone to confront Alcides. Sure enough, Soledad comes into the Hacienda and demands that he return the baby. The credits roll.

Tomorrow - Arturo takes the baby from Dr. Max??

Labels: la traicion

Here it is, finally the recap, after a series of unfortunate mistakes, and freak accidents without more delay and channeling JK Rollings I present to you:

Juan Q and the never ending plot.

Juan and Marely are talking about Kike and Yadira. Juan can believe Yadira could leave Kike for Topete. He says that Kike “se lleva de estomago a Topete” (wins for a stomach) Juan is at a lost on what to do to help him. Marely says that all they can do is to listen to him.

At Farrell Yvonne tries to talk to CL, but all he wants to know is if she has been able to locate Juan. She says that not yet, she doesn’t know where to look for him. CL loses it and starts yelling that that is not his problem. He wants Juan and he wants him now. Yvonne says that she’ll try, but there are no guaranties. CL calms down and apologizes. Yvonne says that he shouldn’t be mad at her; she hasn’t done anything to him…lately. CL says that he is sorry. Yvonne can’t believe her ears and thinks that maybe CL is sick, since it is not normal that CL apologizes. CL says he is not in a mood to argue. He asks why women can’t believe him. All of us join Yvonne in her sarcastic rhetorical question –I wonder why?

Back at the house of multiple infidelities AKA Cachon residence, Kike is caressing his daughter’s crib while trying to convince himself that he’ll be able to get the baby back. He says that he’ll talk to Licenciado Pereafan (We can see how desperate Kike is, since he is considering to consult Delirio), maybe he can get custody of little Nidia since Yadira abandoned the home. (I’m not too familiar with Mexico Family Law, but I know that this law of abandonment of the home is something that has been abused a lot by the husbands. If a wife leaves the home without a legal precedent, she could lose everything even the custody of the kids. That is why a lot of women stay in marriages even when they are being beaten or abused, because they don’t know how to get the legal permit to leave the house and they are afraid to be accused by the husband of abandonment.) Juan tells Kike to calm down and to remember that usually the mothers are the ones that get custody, and if he makes Yadira mad, he might not be able to see his daughter ever again. Kike says that that is not fair. He says that he is a better mother that Yadira, he doesn’t want to see his daughter only during the weekends.

At the Topete residence Yadira and Topete are sitting down to eat. Yadira is wondering if she is getting “Huevos ahogados en salsa verde” in stead she gets hard-cooked eggs; actually she only gets one egg. Yadira is not happy about it, and she tells Topete in not uncertain terms that she is used to better things and that she is going to give him a list of all things she needs.

Since Yadira couldn’t enjoy Huevos Ahogados en Salsa Verde, here is the recipe so that you can. This is not my recipe since I come from the south and these kind of fast dishes are not cooked there. This is my husband’s recipe. He is from the DF and he says that this is a very popular dish.

Huevos Ahogados en Salsa Verde (Poached Eggs in Green Sauce)

5 Medium size green tomatoes
2 Jalapeño peppers (or 1 or none depending on your spicy endurance)
¼ Clove of garlic
1 Tbsp. of chopped onion
1 Tbsp of chopped cilantro
4 Eggs
½ cup of water
Salt
Oil

In a small pot cook green tomatoes and jalapeño peppers. Blend cooked green tomatoes, jalapeños, garlic, onions, cilantro and water until smooth. Lightly grease a medium skillet (for 4 eggs) with the oil. Add the green tomatoes mixture. Season to taste with salt and bring to boil. Break one of the eggs into a measuring cup and carefully slide egg into simmering sauce taking care not to break the egg. Repeat with remaining eggs allowing each egg an equal amount of space.

Simmer eggs, uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes or until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard.

Remove eggs and serve on plates. Spoon green sauce on eggs.
Enjoy!

Back to our show

Kike is still in his room, he is telling Juan all the things he wants to do with his daughter. Juan tells him that if he doesn’t talk to Yadira, he won’t be able to see his daughter, so he needs to calm down and negotiate with her. Kike just cries.

Yadira is still writing her list. At the end she adds her facial creams. She gives the list to Topete. He can’t believe all the staff in the list. He thinks she is exaggerating. Yadira says that she is just asking for what she needs, since he told her that he would meet all of her needs. She says that she eats three times a day and she has expensive taste. Topete tries to make her understand that what she is asking for is a little too much. Yadira makes her signature pout and asks –Don’t I deserve it? Topete says yes but… Yadira doesn’t let him finish. She tells him that he needs to go to work, it is getting late. She kicks him out of the house without breakfast.

Juan is tucking a sleeping Kike while he is thought bubbling that finally Kike was able to sleep after an hour and a half of talking about his bad luck. Juan says that he doesn’t understand why if there are so many dead beat fathers, this is happening to Kike the best father he had ever known.

Juan comes down stairs and talks to Marely. He tells her that Kike is sleeping, Marely is very sad for everything that is happening to Kike. She says that Juan is a great friend, because only a great friend would be willing to just listen. Juan says that Kike is not his friend is his brother. Marely tells him that those kinds of actions are what make him such a lovable person. Juan thinks that Marely is declaring her love for him. Marely corrects him and says that she only wanted to state the obvious. Marely leaves for work, while Juan ponders the mystery of the heart, and why he can’t erase Paula from his heart when he had somebody as beautiful and smart as Marely by his side.

Later we see Juan in a taxi. He calls Angarita to let him know that Kike won’t go to work. Angarita tells him that Kike did not sleep at his house. Juan tells him that Kike stayed at the Cachon residence. Angarita asks if Kike and Yadira resolved their problems. Juan tells him that on the contraire; “Le esta lloviendo sobre mojado” (Things are worst. Lit is raining on wet ground) Juan tells him to use Heriberto to help to do the deliveries. Angarita informs him that Heriberto quitted, but he shouldn’t worry Remolacha will help him. They say their good byes, and almost as an after thought Angarita informs Juan that CL is looking for him.

Juan wonders about CL’s reason for calling him. He steels himself saying that “En caliente ni se siente” (It’s better to do it now. Lit. In the heat of it you don’t feel the pain). He calls CL. CL is extremely polite, he calls him Señor Juan. Juan is not impressed, he makes a point in telling CL “dime CL” (tu) in stead of the more polite “digame” (usted) CL tells him that they need to talk, Juan is not sure because he thinks that CL might want to kill him. CL tells him that they need to talk about the business since they are “socios” business partners. Juan says fine I’ll be there in a minute.

Juanito is having trouble. Three little bullies are trying to intimidate him. The leader of the little thugs takes away his sandwich. Juanito gives him an ultimatum –Give me my sandwich or else. The little thug throws it away and taunts him. Juanito get ready to give him a knuckle sandwich.

Juan arrives to the office and the lounge lizards receive him very cordially. Everybody wants to shake his hand and call him Señor. He tells Marely that he came to talk to CL. Marely tells him that maybe he should think about having his own office and maybe she could be his secretary. Juan says that first he needs to talk to CL. He asks Yvonne to announce him. She does, and he enters the office. CL greets him warmly and calls him Juan. Juan corrects him –It is DON Juan to you. CL doesn’t lose his cool, he greets him again. –Welcome, Don Juan. After a few minutes of niceties CL goes to the point. –I have a business proposal; buy my shares of the company and became sole proprietor of Industrias Farrell, Juan makes a commercial break impactado face.

At school Juanito and the bullies are fighting the other kids made a circle around them. Maestro Pomposo sees the brawl and stops it.

At Farrell Juan doesn’t understand CL. CL explains that he was used to be the sole proprietor of the company and is not used to sharing. He prefers to sell the company and travel far away from Mexico. Juan tells him that when he bought Monica’s shares, he used up all his money and any credits that he could get from the bank, so he doesn’t have any money. He concludes telling CL that he’ll have to sale to somebody else. CL is not happy with this answer. He gives Juan a hard stare and asks him why he bought the shares from Monica. Juan thinks about it for a minute and decides to answer truthfully; he bought them because he wanted revenge.

Cut to Paula. She is remembering Consuelo’s phone call and how desperate she sounded. She then remembers her mother’s advice that unless she is willing to forgive CL, she should not go back to him.

Back to CL and Juan.
CL asks again this time adding that he doesn’t think that buying Industrias Farrel was a long held dream of Juan’s. Juan thinks about it for a minute and decides to answer truthfully; he bought them not only because it was a good business but also because he wanted revenge. Outside the Lounge Lizards are trying to listen, but can’t. Pastor approaches and asks what the matter is. Yvonne tells him that Juan and CL are inside and since they can’t hear any noise, maybe they have killed each other. Inside the show down continues. CL says that he is surprised and thankful for Juan’s sincerity. He adds that because he has had everything since birth, he didn’t know what it was like to lose, however he is not bitter since the setbacks make you stronger, and look who is the one that taught him a lesson. Juan thought bubbles that maybe CL is insulting him. CL continues with his monologue.
–Somebody common, without family, without education. Somebody that starts as a chauffer, his rightful place, but because of sheer luck ends up stealing everything from me, and we are not talking only about the material things, those you can recover. Who would have thought that a nobody like you, so different from me would have won over me? Juan has been having his famous thought bubbles thru all of CL’s little speech. He thinks that CL called him to pick a fight “El hombre trae ganas de comer gallo” (Lit. The man wants to eat roster) however he is in control, and answer in the same polite menacing tone that CL has been using. –Yeah CL, who would have thought it, but you have to remember that life might not be fair, but sometimes things get even, and not necessarily by “golpes de suerte” (sheer luck) but you know you are right in one thing; we are very different, you were born with a silver spoon. Golden corrects CL, ok golden, but I have worked very hard for what I have. CL is very upset and tells Juan that he won and he is going away to enjoy the business. They drink to that.

Maestro Pomposo is listening to Juanito explain that the little thugs started the fight by stealing his cheese sandwich. MPomposo tells him that he shouldn’t fight. He should always look for the peaceful solution. What should I do then when they bother me? You should tell a teacher. (I worked at a school and I know this is the standard talk, however there are some kids that won’t stop until they get their just reward. I think Juanito will be ok now that he has shown them that he is not going to take their crap.)

Marely calls Paula to let her know that CL and Juan are talking and that she is afraid that they are going to kill each other. Paula wants to go to the office, but Ana won’t let her. She stands by the door and tells Paula that it’s none of her business what Juan and CL are doing. Paula seems to understand and asks her mother for a tea to calm her nerves; as soon as Ana enters the kitchen Paula grabs her purse and leaves. Ana chases her but alas it is too late, the little dove has escaped

Back at the office CL tells Juan that this is not a gangster’s movie what did he expected? Juan dreams that CL and Him are Gangsters and are shooting at each other. CL gets him out of his dream. –Good bye Juan Dominguez I hope I won’t see you ever again.
The end

Labels: Juan

Hugo makes sure that Soledad confirms the lie that she and Alcides were lovers before she met Hugo and that her baby is Alcides'. Poor Hugo looks like a ton of bricks fell on him. Soledad tells Hugo that even though they are still married she won't go back and live with him no matter what he does. He mistreated her and was violent. Hugo says that he is sorry for that but she can't claim to be the innocent victim since and Alcides were laughing at Hugo while they betrayed him. Soledad obviously doesn't want to go down this road so she says that now that Aurora is here everything is different and she can't tolerate Alcides' violence. Ester and Antonia are listening in the hall. Soledad says that now that she has answered his questions, she wants him to go away and not come back. Hugo says that he has changed but Soledad responds that she doesn't believe him. Hugo says that he has a right to see the baby and will be back to keep an eye on her. He leaves and Soledad asks her Hugo to forgive her. He will always be the only father of her baby.

Outside, Antonia introduces herself to Hugo. She appears to support the idea that Soledad should return to him. Hugo politely declines to discuss his personal affairs with her and kisses her hand and departs. (I'm surprised Antonia didn't turn into a frog right there. If Hugo kissed my hand, I'd melt into a little puddle.)

At the barn, Beatriz has stripped down to her corset to administer vengeance to Alcides. He is trussed up like a chicken and she injects him with something that is painful and then gets busy with a whip. She tells him that he raped her and she is going to make him pay for every tear she shed. Alcides cries for help but Beatriz has chosen an isolated place and told her landlord to stay away.

Paquito tells Eloisa that Boris paid for the burial of Dr. Chirac and Alcides attended the funeral. Paquito thinks this is very strange and he is not convinced that Boris really lost his inheritance from Hugo and had to work for Alcides whom he had always treated as an enemy. Eloisa is less convinced but she is intrigued enough to decide to visit Alcides. Paquito tells her not to possibly incur the wrath of Arturo by seeing Alcides but Eloisa doesn't care. It appears that Hercu-less overheard this conversation.

Soledad tells Ursula about her encounter with Alcides. She found it very strange that when she confirmed what he wanted to hear, namely that they had been lovers and that Aurora was his, he seemed very sad.

Hercu-less asks to speak to Arturo. Arturo says that H is Mom's boy now and nothing to him. H gets Arturo to think differently when he tells him he knows where Alcides is.

Back at the Hacienda, Hugo tells Boris that he was crazy to think that the baby might be his. Soledad confessed to being Alcides' lover before she met him. Boris responds that he already knew this but Hugo tells him that Soledad is even worse than he thought. If it weren't for his niece who deserves to live a normal life, he would leave town immediately. Hugo tells Boris that he is going to out into the woods looking for the blue orchid. Boris wants to accompany him but Hugo tells him to concentrate on finding Chirac's son. Hugo leaves and Boris moves to follow him anyway. Marina says, 'Don't you dare follow him. He doesn't deserve your loyalty.'

Leaving the Hacienda, Hugo runs into Eloisa. He tells her that he has gaps in his memory and doesn't remember her. He leaves without kissing her hand. Eloisa tells Paquito, who was waiting in the carriage, that they have a lot to investigate. Maybe this isn't Alcides but is Hugo de Medina.

Dr. Max is overcome by the sight of Elena in his wife's dress. He tells her that for a moment he thought she was his wife. Elena is dubious at this turn of events but plays along for the moment. Dr. Max wants to dance with her so they do a waltz. Guillermo sees them and concludes that it only took one fight for her to fall into the arms of another man. From this moment, he will erase her from his memory.

Rebeca comes to visit the Obragons. Antonia snoops around in Rebeca's carriage when she inside and finds the mysterious lady wig and figures out that Rebeca is the ML and therefore is he one who is seducing her brother. When she alone with Lucas and Ursula, Antonia gives Lucas a tongue lashing for betraying his family. When Ester returns and asks what is going on, Antonia smoothly tells her that they have agreed that Ursula should leave her employment because it was her fault that Soledad kept getting into trouble. I am not entirely sure why but Ursula agrees to this. Maybe she assumes that if she denied it, Antonia would tell Ester about Lucas and Rebeca. Ester already thinks Lucas is fooling around with the ML but Ursula doesn't know that. Anyway, the evil witch Antonia tells Ursula that she has to leave without telling Soledad. Lucas certainly believes that Ursula is taking a bullet for him and spinelessly lets her do it. Enrico is lurking in the bushes and he offers to let Ursula stay with him. Ursula refuses but while they are talking Soledad appears looking for Ursula. Soledad is devastated to learn that Ursula is leaving. While she begs her mother to reconsider, Ursula disappears.

Hugo comes up emptyhanded in the orchid search (it's probably the effect of global warming ;-)) but Arturo finds Hugo and ties him to a tree. Hercu-less also finds Boris who was following Arturo. Paquito and Eloisa watch from hiding. Arturo asks the obvious question of why Boris, Hugo's right hand man, is now working for Alcides. Hugo gives him the 'he sold me the estate' story. Arturo says that Hugo must have paid for it with the money that Alcides owes Arturo. Hugo says that he doesn't know what Arturo is talking about. Arturo responds that he doesn't believe that Alcides has lost his memory but that if he has, he will help him regain it. Arturo punches Boris and asks what he is doing with Alcides. Boris says that Alcides is his boss and he has to follow him. Arturo takes out a pistol and asks if Hugo has any problem if he kills Boris right there. 'Do what you please," says Hugo. Fortunately, Arturo doesn't shoot Boris. He sends Hercu-less to handle it. (Now, we know that Arturo made Alcides kill the judge right in front of him to demonstrate that he was evil enough to do business with Arturo. So it is a little surprising that Arturo, who doesn't have a high opinion of Hercu-less anyway, let him handle it on his own.)

When Arturo threatens to kill Hugo, Eloisa wants to intervene but Paquito is afraid of the consequences if Eloisa is seen to defend Alcides. He covers her mouth and drags her off bodily. Fortunately, we know from his previous kidnappings that Arturo is a lousy knot tier. Hugo gets free and knocks Arturo out cold with martial arts technique he doubtless learned in the Orient.
Hugo gets on his horse and goes off in search of Boris.

Hercu-less makes Boris kneel and tells him it's nothing personal, just his boss's orders. Fortunately, for Boris, Guillermo is in the neighborhood trying to kill himself because Elena has found another man. He whacks Hercu-less with a piece of wood and rescues Boris. Hugo finds them a few minutes later. Hugo thanks Guillermo for saving Boris and Guillermo is astonished that Boris is now working for Alcides. 'Everyone is betraying each other' he says. He decides not to kill himself.

Paquito tells Eloisa that he loves her but Eloisa says that she doesn't care about him. She wants a man with money, yes but she has the hots for Alcides. They see Hugo and Boris ride by and know that they escaped from Arturo. Eloisa doesn't believe that Hugo would have acted as he did towards Boris. Paquito agrees but he still isn't sure which brother this is.

Back at the Hacienda, Hugo says it is hopeless trying to find the orchid where he saw it as a boy. If they can't find any news about other sources of the flower, their only hope is Dr. Chirac's son. Marina tells Hugo that it sounds like he has no other reason to live. Hugo agrees. Marina asks him if he plans to just wait for his death in these four walls and drag her and Boris down with him. Boris scolds her but Hugo want to go out with Boris. Alone, Marina says that she will do anything to save her and Boris from this madness even if it means betraying Hugo.

Eloisa asks Arturo to postpone the wedding date.

Hugo tells Boris that he feels like a blindfold has been taken from his eyes. He now believes that Soledad is not a good person and the only feeling he has for her is hate. Further, Soledad and all those who hurt him will pay for what they did. As we predicted, Antonia paying the cemetery guards not to keep up Hugo grave has further convinced Hugo that Soledad never cared for him.

Soledad returns to the house to find the baby is gone! We see the baby at Dr. Max's where Antonia brought her. Dr. Max says that now he will be able to find a way to bring Eva back to life. Antonia hears this. (Is she going remind Dr. Max that he promised to leave the baby at a convent?)

Monday- Dr. Max is going to hurt that cute baby? Let's hope not.

Labels: la traicion

A lot happened in this exhausting two-hour episode. If I've missed something, please fill in. Some of this was easy to recap, but there was one scene between Granny and Mili that took a long time as I tried to note all the dialogue. I still don't know if I understand it all. There are some later scenes with the little boy that have a lot of slang, and I could not take the time to recap all of those.

We start with Luciana flashing back on her meeting with Nestor. We know this is a flashback because it's in black and white. She looks at his card and picks up the phone . . .

Connie and Andrea have a post-coital breakfast. Someone calls Connie about his "law project," and he seems upset. Andrea watches with a scheming look.

Mili checks Hugo's wounds, as he took it on the chin from Alex. Alex is a beast. Hugo tells Mili she inspires him and he can't wait to get married and share their lives. But watch out for Alex. He may try to stop us. Mili tries to get away--she has to help Granny. Before she leaves, she denies anything ever happened with Alex. Hugo grins like a madman.

Hugo goes straight to Alex's room. Alex starts to choke Hugo. Alex calls Hugo sick--what he did was not normal (he's talking about the baby episode, I think, not the banner). Hugo says what Alex did with Carmen was not normal. (Gee, I almost forgot about that story line . . .) Alex said that the situation was cleared up. They continue to butt heads in the hall. Al taunts Hugo, saying that Mili will never forget him. Hugo says that Mili will stay with him. They plan a test. Gloria, meanwhile, is watching and listening to all, not even bothering to hide behind a pillar.

Connie talks to Andrea. Damien set a trap. That lousy plan was a product of the opposition, as best as I can understand. Andrea seductively points out that if he let her come back to work, she can keep an eye on things for him--he can trust her . . .

Connie says she can return as the secretary. She says no--she will be his "personal assistant." Is that really higher in the hierarchy? Connie agrees that she can even be head of HR if she wants--he doesn't care. Seems like Little Connie is doing the thinking for Big Connie here. What a fool!

Gloria fills Mili in on the test plot.

Cut to commercial: Angelica Maria dressed as Mama Julieta from LFMB. She poses in a wacky set with cheesy vintage sixties furniture: gold cut-velvet sofa complete with plastic slipcovers. (When I grew up in the projects in Queens, this is what everyone's living room looked like, ours included. Pause while I get a bit misty-eyed.) This commercial features a tie-in between the DVD of LFMB and Coca Cola. Buy the DVD and get her recipes. Also, specially marked bottles of Coke have a prize. (Pause to remember LFMB fondly.)

Tonight's episode includes a running gag where Morgan and Valeria bait each other. She keeps trying to get his attention, and he keeps pretending not to notice. First, she jumps into the pool and performs some professional-looking synchronized swimming moves. Morgan pretends not to see her.

Al and Hugo are now arguing. Hugo has to hide behind a curtain for the test to work. Mili comes in. Did you want me, Boss? she asks Alex. She is now using the usted form with him, and he doesn't like it. She also calls him "joven," as a servant would. He wants her to forget this crazy marriage with Hugo. He kisses her. She slaps him and exits. Hugo jumps out from behind the curtain and gloats: Oh, so Mili is dying for you . . . sure . . . Ha!

Luciana and Nestor have met up again. They recall the past few years--she was drinking too much. He tells her he's going to take her to a surprise place for memories. Frankly, I think this is a very dull couple. No wonder she dumped him for BSC Frenchy.

Braulio tells Connie that Luciana came home late last night--he thinks she has a lover. Connie fumes.

Naco the grocery boy is flirting with Gloria in the Kitchen. Lina comes in and is jealous. Horacio tells Gloria to get back to work in the garden

Hugo introduces Mili to the wedding dress designer. She doesn't seem too enthusiastic.

Back to the kitchen. Naco wants Gloria. Lina invites him to the benefit at Rodeo, but he can't go. Gloria asks him, and he says yes. Lina overhears and gets angry.

Nestor now takes Luciana to their old school. They are sitting in a cinder-block classroom in the little kids' chairs, believe it or not. They reminisce about his bad spelling and penmanship. Remember the time we cut up a frog in biology class and hid parts in the teacher's desk? (I'm just making this up. The reality is more boring. She actually said "remember when the biology teacher almost caught me blowing a whistle in front of the class?" What a cut-up). I'm not sure if this is day or night anymore, as it feels like hours have passed. The phone rings, but Nestor tells her not to answer. It's Connie, of course, and he is fuming some more. Eventually Luci comes home, but I can't figure out when.

Alex comes to the office and sees Skanky. He asks how she got back there. She back to begging his forgiveness for the pregnancy stunt. Snouty enters and rubs herself all over Alex like the proverbial cheap suit. Later, Snouty and Alex have an extended conversation that I did not recap.

Mili and Regina have another wonderful bonding scene. I hope I am translating this correctly. Regina tells Mili that acting is very good because it helps us lose our inhibitions and understand our feelings. We use our own feelings to give the characters life. You have to do it with passion if you want it to work. It will be a mistake if you deliver something that doesn't work for you. Mili says that Regina must have acting in the blood-- se nota a la legua--it stands out a mile. Granny says it was a pity she had to leave acting behind. (I think she was talking about when she was young.) Mili then asks Regina to act something, she would love to see it.

Regina says she'll do a passage from Hamlet, a classic work of William Shakespeare, she tells Mili. The character Ofelia goes mad when she learns that Hamlet killed her father. Mili says "chirriones--eso suena regacho, verdad?" I can't find a translation of this but I guess it means "Yikes, that sounds awful, no?"
Granny now recites Ofelia's mad song in Spanish: Orig. Shakespeare follows.

He is dead and gone, lady,
He is dead and gone;
At his head a grass-green turf,
At his heels a stone.
Larded with sweet flowers
White his shroud as the mountain snow,--
Which bewept to the grave did go
With true-love showers.

What a sad grave, says Mili. Oh, that reminds me, she says--yesterday, I was putting flowers on my mother's grave and something very strange happened--I saw the Patron (Connie) there.
Regina calls Connie for an explanation. Connie quickly stammers that the Padre told him that Mili's mother's grave needed a stone, so he went to see it. But he doesn't know her name: He says: "Mama," I mean, I'm going to get a stone that says "Mama." Mili and Regina are touched. Mili says thank you. Question here--did Connie know that Rosario was dead before last week?

From the sublime to the ridiculous, as Val and Morgan continue their cat-and-mouse game. Val shows her leg and wants Morgan to touch it. He runs away, covering part of his anatomy . . . He then puts his hot hand in cold water, generating steam. Ha Ha Ha. Stop the insanity.

Luci has somehow returned home. She tries on various outfits for a big date, which she seems to have arranged when she last left Nestor.

At Rodeo, Mili is sitting with PM and the Mother Superior. They announce the big benefit show. Alex has his arm around Pilar at another table. Now they announce the big evening's entertainment. Whoopi Goldberg has nothing on this Sister Act: Sor Cachete and her backup group, the Sorettes. Wouldn't you know it--we have ourselves another Mexican Idol contestant. Sor gives a very good performance. Mili gets everyone dancing. There's a variety of interplay among the usual suspects. Mili and Hugo dance close in front of Alex and Snouty. Snouty asks Alex to pick a bug off her neck. Horacio wants to dance closer with Soco, who pushes him away.

Meanwhile, back at Casa Belmonte, Luci is singing and putting on her makeup. Enter Connie, who says she's too happy. He tells her that if she gives him horns, he'll kill her. He wants to know where she's going and with whom. She says she's going alone. They repeat this exchange a few times, and then he takes her cell phone and the land line.

Now we're over at Taco Naco. Mili is ordering tacos, and Lina asks her for help in getting back at Gloria for taking her boyfriend. Mili says she's not getting in the middle of this- Lina says thanks for nothing, "friend." Alex comes over and he and Mili start spitefully spilling soda on each other. All the actors try unsuccessfully to stifle their laughter. Snouty comes over and breaks up the party.

Braulio tells Regina that Luci has been locked up again on orders of Connie. Regina calls for Connie and scolds him. He says he might have to institutionalize Luciana again.

Mili keeps dancing with Hugo while Alex watches glumly with arms folded.

A big hair-pulling fight ensues between Gloria and Lina.

End of the first hour!

Luci is left drinking in her room. Braulio comes in with more "medicine," courtesy of hubby.
She tells Brau that she has an important meeting and he should let her go. He says he's only following orders.

Nestor is seen waiting.

Back in the kitchen, there's a lot of screeching among Mili, Gloria and Lina. Mili sends Gloria to bed and breaks it to Lina that Naco boy is just not that into her. Lina says that Mili is lucky, she has a boyfriend, and she's getting married.
Then she says she's not getting married: Huh? Lina says You mean you don't want to get married? Mili says that she already said yes. (Silently indicates that she's not sure.)

Breakfast time: Connie and Braulio review Luci's condition. The dinner tonight must be fabulous. Make sure Luci is okay. Luci comes in and learns there's an important guest coming--a valuable campaign donor. I'll give you three guesses who this will turn out to be.

Val's in the pool again, executing a perfect dive to attract Morgan. She feigns drowning in three feet of water. She says she's got a calambre (cramp on the leg). He puns "tiene hambre?" (you're hungry?). She says she can't swim (nadar). He says, oh is that a new dance (bailar).

The little boy, Gamoza, shows up at the mansion and is greeted by Braulio. He calls Brau "pinguino" (penguin). Gamuzo is looking for Mili, and Brau tells him that Mili is working and can't see friends. Gamoza wants to spar with Braulio. Braulio gives one of his exasperated looks and says that he knew this day would go badly--his horoscope was bad.
Braulio brings the boy to Mili.

Hugo is meeting with the Padre. The PM wants him to wait before marrying Mili to make sure things are right. Meanwhile, Hugo begs forgiveness for his past sins, lying to his family about his legs, and lying about the pregnancy situation. He says he did it to win Mili. Padre is shocked.

Mili tells Gamuzo not to call Braulio penguin. Gamuzo asks her if she's happy at the mansion. They have a sweet conversation about where he should live and so on. He then leaves.

Padre calls Connie. Andrea listens in on the conversation. Padre says he has news about Connie's hija. You mean Valeria? No, your other daughter, Mili. No puede ser, says Skanky. Andrea thought bubbles "Alex and Mili are hermanos. This relationship was doomed from the start. I'll be back with him in no time." Now there's another schemer in on the secret.

Gamuzo leaves. We see him getting beaten up by a man, who it turns out is his real father. He kicks the father and runs away.

Back to the phone conversation: Padre says Connie that he can't approve the marriage between Hugo and Mili--she doesn't love him. Connie says whaddya want me to do? He can't interfere without revealing the secret. Sorry, he can't help.

Alex is changing a flat tire and sees Gamoza, with his father in hot pursuit. What are the chances, both of Al's changing a flat tire and of his seeing Gamuza? Alex fends off the father and takes Gamoza to work with him. He wonders why Gamoza hasn't called the police. Gamoza tells him that it's not realistic to think the police would help. He asks if Alex and Mili can adopt him. Alex says no, 'cause Mili is not his girlfriend--she's going to marry his cousin, darn it. Alex warns Gamuza that Mili hates lies. He should tell her right away that he had lied about having no father.

Gamoza goes to the kitchen to look for Mili.

PM is talking to Mili in the yard. He thanks her for organizing the benefit. She tells him she will be getting married in two weeks. PM is aghast--she doesn't love Hugo. What about Alex? Alex has done bad things, she says. Hugo is good, and he loves her. PM says that he knows she loves Alex, she should fight for him.

Val now tries to get Morgan to massage her knee. Dipping his hand in water, he rehashes with Horacio. Horacio takes his temperature. It's 42 degrees Centigrade. I'm guessing that's pretty hot. (Here in NYC it's about 42 degrees Fahrenheit. It's very cold!) Morgan tells Horacio that his plan to "ignore" Val is going well. Naturally, because this is a telenovela,Val overhears. She'll get him back!

Gloria and Lina fight in the kitchen.

Bobby arrives and is told to see Val in the garden.

In the maid's room, Alex brings Gomuza for an apology. He apologizes for his lie. Mili asks about his mother, and he says this time it's the truth--he has no mama. Superhero Alex helped him.

Morgan bumps into Bobby and Val in the garden. Val asks if he's lost something. Bobby and Morgan engage in more of their upstairs/downstairs head butting. This scuffle turns into a full on kung fu match. Bobby says Morgan has watched too many kiddie films. Morgan falls backward into the pool, and I must say the stunt was neatly executed.

Mili goes to a slum with Gomuza. She brings him back to his miscreant father, who wants her to butt out. What is she--Mother Teresa? No, she's Miligol, she says, inexplicably. She brings various foods, but the father really wants money. She asks why he doesn't work. As best as I can understand, he says he lost jobs because he can't read. I wonder if this is a literacy PSA. Maybe they will take him to the convent for reading classes. Anyway, she warns him not to hit his son anymore.

Connie is now all lovey dovey with Lucy, 'cause he needs her for the big dinner. He even brings back the cell phone and land line. He says don't worry, he didn't look at her calls. He says he had the phone turned off the whole time. He reminds her that the dinner is very important, so she shouldn't do anything weird. Anyone taking bets? He leaves the room, and she calls Nestor. Don't call me back, she says desperately--don't call me back, pleeze!!

Downstairs, we see, no surprise, Nestor, hanging up his cell phone as Connie greets him. Connie says that his wife will be right down.

Towel scene alert: Mili has knocked on Alex's door to tell Alex about Gamoza. Alex answers in his towel. They agree that they will watch him. He'll be their special project. Alex takes another opportunity to tell her that he really loves her and she really loves him.

Over to Regina and Braulio, who are playing canasta! Braulio says he's worried about Mili--what will happen when Regina is gone. Regina says that Mili will be protected. Then Braulio wins a hand, 'cause Regina was distracted.

Alex and Mili continue their conversation, which on Mili's part has degenerated into sad wailing. she is quite torn. He says he knows she loves him, and she says "I don't know" three times fast.

Luci is now sitting awkwardly between the two men. Isn't it great how much good luck you have with your family. Nestor says that she must be proud of her husband. Is this guy creepy or what? Does anyone else agree with me that he tracked her down and planned this on purpose? Now for the fun part. Alex runs out in the towel, chasing Mili. What a great first look his real father will have. Mili says that Alex wants to eat "en cueros," or in the nude, and she pulls off the towel. Freeze, as everyone looks impactado.

Avances: Andrea tells Alex that the pregnancy plot was all Hugo's idea.

Labels: guapos

We looked east, we looked west. We waited patiently but alas, no pirates. Pasión will return. Hasta lunes amigos.

Labels: Pasion