Caray, Caray!

As for Sofia, from the moment she was taken to the clinic to rest she has had nothing but one visitor after another upsetting her about one thing or another. Now she has Augie looking glum and Sarita sighing and pacing the room all the while telling her to relax and that the baby is going to be fine. Sofia (I wonder how) senses they’re lying and says they must know something they’ve been trying to hide from her. She wants the truth about what the specialist has told them. Augie tells her “Don’t worry. Calm yourself. Be strong. You will probably lose your baby--but calm down and things should be fine.” Sofia of course is now anything but calm and relaxed. She immediately begins to thrash from side to side, wailing and moaning and pleading desperately for God and the virgencita to save her child. So much for all the lip service about rest and repose.

In Franco’s room across the hall the doctor tells Juan, Oscar and Pedro that he’s leaving them alone with Franco as long as they remember not to disturb or upset Franco. (Dunno, does this include shaking his bed so hard Franco nearly falls off the mattress? Juan wasn’t quite clear on that the last time he was in there with the comatose Franco.) Juan and the other two are excited at the fact he’s beginning to come out of his coma bit by bit. They act like the rubes they are, monkeying around, laughing and shaking Franco’s oxygen tent trying to get him to wake up and finally start speaking again. (I guess Juan gave up on shaking the bed.) Franco raises all his fingers and half of his hand in a subconscious response. They cheer.

Meanwhile, Sofia bravely asks Sarita and Augie not to tell Juan she now knows the baby is in danger of being lost. She thinks he feels bad enough and she doesn’t want to destroy his hope of being strong and encouraging for her sake. (I’ve stocked up on Kleenex cuz it’s obviously going to be another one of those episodios.) Sarita and Augie promise not to say a word to him about it.

Padre Tadeo returns and Quintina tells him that the specialist has confirmed Sofia may lose the baby. She adds that the one bright spot in the middle of this dark tragedy is that Franco is beginning to regain consciousness.
===========

Speaking of dark tragedies, Jimena returns to the hacienda with Fernando and Mama. Mama tells her she’s glad she chose her over Oscar because she, the presumptuous self-centered witch, needs her more than he does. Jimena looks anything but happy with her decision. Just then Fatima hands Fernando an envelope. It has the results of Gabi’s medical tests. Fernando tells Gabi that it seems she is worse off than they thought. Gabi is impactada and has to lean against the railing. He hugs and comforts his shocked MIL and turns to Jimena, asking her if she realizes how right her choice to return was since now her mother needs her more than ever. Jimena guiltily runs over to Gabi to give her a big hug, but her mama’s only thought is for Feo. Gabi holds out her free hand behind Jimena’s back and stares at him like a doomed lover.

Back at the clinic in Rosario’s room, Rosario and Eva are discussing Gabi’s last conversation with Eva. Rosario finds out that Gabi told Eva she really wasn’t Rosario’s mother. Rosario mentions that Ofelia never thought she was either. The two decide they feel like mother and daughter and that’s enough for them. They hug. “Mami.” “Little Daughter.”

In Gabriela’s bedroom, Jimena is plumping up Gabi’s pillow. Gabi is complaining that she can’t possibly be as sick as the tests say she is (but we can certainly all hope). Jimena tries to calm her down by saying she’ll be fine with the proper treatment. Our favorite harpy can only scream at Jimena that no, all she needs is to be left to live in peace! Immediately, though, she changes her tone and begins to whimper. She says she is surprised that Jimena, as rebellious as Sofia, actually chose her over that Oscar. Not to worry, though, Jimena will soon forget that filthy vulgar person. Jimena stares at her, helpless to do anything but listen to cruel and selfish outbursts.

Meanwhile at the clinic, Oscar tells Juan that Jimena preferred her mother over him and he’s moving back home. He is upset that he couldn’t please the old bag but he’d had his fill of her humiliating him constantly. To think , he says, he used to dream of being a hacienda owner. How idiotic! The most painful thing though, he adds, is that he’s had to leave his Jimena because in the end she refused to leave with him. They agree that love can really hurt at times.

Finally Sofia gets a little down-time. Alone in her hospital room she remembers her mother’s shocking confession that Sofia was actually Eva’s daughter; then Gabi’s bedside retraction and her begging Sofia to be forgiven. “I only told you that because of your rebelliousness; it was just the first thing that entered my mind to say. Please, please forgive me, Sofia! I really am your mother!” Sofia wonders which is the lie and which is the truth. (I’m secretly hoping there is a special place in Hell for people like Gabriela.)

Out in the patio area Pedro and Sarita discuss Franco’s progress. He asks her if now that he’s regaining consciousness she will be leaving the convent. Sarita’s expression suddenly turns stern and the prude in her sourly says she is determined to enter the novitiate. Nobody and nothing will ever get her to change her mind. (Sounds like she’s trying to convince herself right alongside everybody else, God included.) Pedro, still hoping for a chance to dazzle her with his own charismatic self, is bummed to hear it.

Now Padre Tadeo is visiting with Sofia. He tells her that it pains him to hear that Gabriela has lost her sense of morality. (By now this should not be quite such a revelation, Tadeo.) Sofia says she doesn’t know what to believe about who her actual mother is. Tadeo says he’s a witness to her having followed the commandment about honoring one’s parents, so right now all she must do is worry about the baby.

Back at the Hacienda de los Horrible, Gabi is in her room painting another one of her “Night Gallery” entries ( http://www.nightgallery.net/episodes.html ) while gloating to Feo over her little staged scene of “repentance” at Sofia’s bedside. She oh-so-gleefully describes how she begged Sofia to forgive her and the way the overly-gullible Sofia naturally bought it hook, line and sinker. Fernando holds back a minute then asks her when she is going to tell him who Eva’s daughter really is. She only giggles and teases with, “at the right moment,” before girlishly flitting back to her aghast-erpiece. (Ok. Ok. I’m making a special effort here not to throw my shoe at my TV. I’m biting my tongue and squeezing back a scrrreeam of gutter frustration with my couch pillow. --I need a shot of reposado and fast!) Fer decides to take a different tack and tries his own brand of emotional blackmail on the Widow Elizondo.

Fernando grabs Gabi in a big show of sexual desire (all done in silhouette behind the canvas) and then suddenly breaks away from her with impeccable timing. He complains she still doesn’t trust him and he is so upset at her that he feels like leaving immediately and never coming back. Gabi is negatively impactada and begins her signature mewling and whimpering. She begs him never to go. She covers his two faces with incessant kisses and says she doesn’t care if everybody else leaves her but not him. Please, not him! Just then they’re interrupted by a knock at the door. It’s Fatima with the news that there’s a visitor downstairs who says he’s a friend of Don Fernando’s. Fatima seems rather nervous and uncomfortable when she enters and looks at the two of them together there, but it’s not clear if it’s because she notices the collar of Gabi’s blouse is untied.

Back in the waiting room of the clinic Juan is encouraging Oscar to stay and fight for Jimena. He shouldn’t give up on their love, he tells Oscar. They tried to break up Sofia and him, he says, but they couldn’t do it because they had a real love.

At the hacienda it turns out that El Coyote is the unexpected visitor. He’s come to Gabi’s home with the intention of convincing her hacienda to participate in the Chili Pepper Festival, a longtime tradition, he explains (which Gabi, having lived there for the last two and a half decades, should know about by now); he is inviting them to try for the cash prize at the rodeo at his boss’s hacienda.

As El Coyote drives off he’s thinking Fernando will manage to convince Doña Gabriela to agree to the contest since Fernando is drawn by the smell of the money he could win there, and Gabi does promise Feo to think seriously about their entering.

At the little clinic Oscar is still talking to Juan about his problems living with Jimena’s mama (definitely a barking bitch desperately needing a muzzle). He tells Juan that he saw Gabriela and Fernando kissing. He knows they are lovers because he saw them kissing each other with his own eyes. They’ve been trying to hide it but it was obvious from their movements and their [beady] little eyes. Juan is impactado from this smarmy revelation and he advises Oscar that they shouldn’t tell anybody that they know about this. Oscar says for sure he’ll keep quiet about it, particularly when it concerns Jimena or her sisters. Juan smiles as he mulls over the possibilities. “This is a powerful weapon we can use if they meddle with any of the Reyes’s. We are going to put them in their place!” (High five for Oscar!)

Juan returns to Sofia’s room a bit later and urges her to cheer up. He assures her he will always be there for her and together they will overcome whatever happens. She thanks him for his love (sensual bread-making lessons being the added bonus here) and his support. She reminds him (and us for the umpteenth time) that it is only with him that she feels wholly protected and loved. He mentions then that the good news is that Franco is beginning to recover, and they both agree everything will be just as great as before, if not better, while both purposely avoid discussing any possibility of her losing the baby.

While Crabiela goes off for her beauty rest, Feo sneaks over to Raquel’s place to do some fast talking about why he felt he was forced to return to live with Gabriela as her lap-dance dog. Fer has the gigolo’s jig down to perfection; he swears to Raqui that he only went back to live with Gabi because he has no money to live on his own. Raqui calls his bluff and offers him whatever amount he feels he needs to make himself financially “independent” of her rival. She takes out her checkbook and says she will write him a check on the spot, but being a betting man he doesn’t accept it. It would seem he feels his odds are better off with his mitts on the Widow Elizondo’s fortune rather than messing around with a rich man’s wife, and he leaves.
==========

At the same time Oscar has returned to the hacienda and is in Jimena’s room stuffing his things into his drawstring bag. He sniffs at her heart pillow and tearfully draws in her essence, thinking of the way it could have and should have been between them. Suddenly Jimena comes in. She is surprised and overjoyed that he has returned to her. No, he says, he’s leaving her forever and doesn’t want to burden her any longer. She begs for him not to leave her. She loves him soooo much. He cannot leave her. Please don’t leave her. They hug. He breaks down and begs her to leave with him and to come live with him at Juan’s cozy, love-filled digs. She cannot, alas, because today the results came back from her mama’s tests and they confirm she’s very ill.

Oscar tells Jimena that he loves her too, but he doesn’t want to pressure her so he’s giving her back her freedom and says she should stay there with her mother. He picks up his bag and gets ready to leave. Suddenly Jimena decides she’ll leave with him. He’s elated to hear this and says they can go anywhere she wants, his place or anywhere. Let’s go! Just then Mama appears out of nowhere and angrily demands to know just where they think they are going.

Mama immediately marches Oscar downstairs to her office (Bad Boy! Baaad Boy!) She shuts the door and unloads with a slap upside his head. Oscar takes the first blow and stays quiet. “If you decided to leave then do it alone! Jimena’s not moving from here!” she screams at him. She tries for a second swipe at him but he blocks her. “Jimena is my wife and she is leaving with me! Got it?” He throws her off him and she regains her balance. “We’ll see about that!” she yells back at him and goes to her desk, grabs her gun out of the drawer, and points it at him. “If you’re going, do it alone. Otherwise they’ll be taking you out of here feet first!” It is a momentary checkmate for Oscar.

Back at the hospital Sofia begins getting strong pains in her belly. After taking what seems forever for Juan to figure out he’s got to go for the doctor he leaves. Sofia begs the virgencita to save her baby.

We beam back to Gabi and Oscar in the office at the hacienda. Oscar dares Gabriela to pull the trigger. “Come on, right here in the heart. Just realize that even dead I won’t stop loving your daughter.” Feo enters after hearing the commotion and asks what’s going on. “This damned loser wants to take Jimena off with him, but I’m not going to allow it!” Gabi explains. Fernando tells her not to involve herself. “This trash isn’t worth you dirtying your hands over.” Oscar answers the insult. “There is just no doubt you are just alike. The perversity you share makes you find each other and… to mate with each other.” Fernando growls and sneers, “What are you talking about, you miserable bastard?” “—Just what you heard, ‘Boss’, so don’t pretend.” Still aiming the gun at him Gabi snipes back, “Don’t you talk about Fernando that way. You don’t compare with him. Next to him you are worthless!”

Oscar agrees he does not then says anyway, he does understand. She has to defend him, since, well, it can’t be otherwise. “You have to defend a son-in-law,” he says, “or rather, a better way of putting it, your lover.” Both are impactado because they know they’ve just been BUSTED! Fernando starts to lunge at Oscar, but thinks better of it. Oscar looks at him with fained innocence and there is now a twinkle in his eye. “Sorry, ‘Boss’, but well, I saw you two kissing in a way…well, that just wasn’t the way a mother-in-law and a son-in-law do. So, well then, how do you talk to me about morality if YOU are trash, ‘Boss’? You are lovers. You …are… lovers.“
=============

Meanwhile, back in town at the clinic, the doctor examines Sofia. We suffer another time warp disorientation as the doctor checks the readings off his monitoring equipment and tells them the obvious, one more time, only this time it’s with feeling: the baby’s life is in danger, serious danger. Sofia and Juan share a look of extreme angst as the doctor’s words literally boomerang around the room. “It’s most likely that she’ll lose it,” he adds. Sofia urgently needs to be transferred to Puebla City to the hospital there where they can operate. The two of them begin to wail and moan, panicked, that they can’t lose the baby, not their baby! They look toward the statue of the virgencita (which looks ominously black and from this angle like it’s got its back to them and is not currently receiving prayers). Despite the fact that all that they can do is to wait for nature to take its course, Juan encourages her not to give in. “Fight for him!” says Juan. “Fight and don’t give in!”

Back again in Gabriela’s office, Oscar apologizes for offending Feo and her, but well, the two of them are always criticizing and offending others and it just seems to him that it’s a bit of the kettle calling the pot black. He quotes (appropriately enough, from Matthew) “You see straw in another’s eye but not the stick in your own,” then makes it clear to them that Jimena is his wife and that nobody will prevent him from taking her with him. He guarantees them that although he knows the truth he will not tell Jimena to avoid seeing her suffer and because he loves her.

“So do we have an understanding?” Oscar asks them. Gabriela has no other option but to resign herself to the situation. She puts down the gun and they follow Oscar out into the hallway where Jimena appears with her suitcase. She tells them she’s leaving with her husband. Gabi want’s to know if she is sure about this, but Jimena says it’s her obligation to follow the man she loves. Mama warns her she’ll regret going off to live in a pigsty and abandoning all the luxuries she’s accustomed to, and besides, she doesn’t do “work”. Oscar corrects Gabi and says that Jimena is not going to work. Gabi says well, she is used to living like decent people.

Finally Gabi has had enough and shoos the two of them off saying she’s certain Jimena will be back in no time. When Jimena comes to give her mama a kiss good-bye, Gabi (I guess the writers were still in the Easter Story mode here) screams “Judas” at her. (Could they be any more conspicuous with this script?)

Back in town, as the ambulance arrives for Sofia, everyone there is suffering a crisis of faith. As the attendants rush to wheel her out, despite its being an emergency, everybody but everybody stops her and wishes her well, and she is listening to and thanking each and every single solitary one of them. She even takes time to have Padre Tadeo say a blessing over her. Finally Juan and the doctor appear and scream for everybody to let them get rolling already.

As the ambulance races off with Sofia, Sarita turns to the image of the virgencita in the garden and silently prays. Pedro taps her on the shoulder, crosses himself, and prays alongside her.
=========

Across town, Oscar carries Jimena over the threshold to his overly humble abode. He promises that here she will find happiness and love despite the small size. (I say sure, until she wrecks her nails the first time she does dishes and gets blisters on her hands from scrubbing the floors. Dunno, maybe he figures that Sofia and Quintina are there and will do it for her.) They end up in Oscar’s bedroom doing what newlyweds normally do.

In Puebla City Sofia’s doctor has to literally block and tackle dufus Juan to keep him from pushing all the way through to the operating room just to be with his Sofia. Eventually he finds his way to the waiting room and paces seemingly hours, waiting for word on Sofia and the baby.

Back at Reyes Central, Quintina and Pablito accidentally barge in on Jimena and Oscar still nekkid in bed. Quintina asks why he didn’t put a “Do not disturb” sign on the door or, “Oscar Working” or even, “Danger, High Temperatures.” (I figure a simple lock on the door would do.) He tells them it’s his house and his room, so knock next time. (Is that a sock and a boot-top I see on the otherwise nekkid Oscar in that scene? Damn, what kind of contortion act was it to get out of those tight jeans with his boots still on? On the other hand, maybe Jimena likes it with his boots and socks on –just sayin’.) Before popping back out, Quintina informs Oscar that Sofia was rushed to the hospital in Puebla City in an ambulance.

Jimena and Oscar now race off to the hospital where Juan is still pacing. Juan tells them about possibly losing the baby and says he’s frightened he may lose both the baby and Sofia. Oscar encourages him to stay strong for Sofia’s sake.

Gabi and Fernando are back in her office mulling over what happened earlier in the day. Feo tells her to stop moping around about Jimena’s having left. “Remember that before all this we were thinking that it was better to stay here alone.” Gabi says that she needs someone there to take care of her now that she is sick. (Ever heard of a live-in nurse?) Feo gallantly says he will be there for her but Gabi says nothin’ doin’. That’s impossible after what Oscar told them now, that he knows about their relationship. Gabi figures that Fernando will have to leave the hacienda since people will gossip about them. Fernando wonders if she’s throwing him out again, but Gabi says no. However he cannot stay there any longer. Feo says, well then, if she is worried what people will say, then they will just keep people’s mouths shut the best way possible. They’ll get married. (I think that means that Sofia will finally get her divorce, if not a full out annulment, by default.) Gabi is thrilled to hear him say the magic words: “Do you want to marry me, Gabriela?”

Labels: Fuego

With voice failing and eyes tearing up, Lorena recounts for Ernesto and the class how she learned to cook the dish she’s demonstrating (they made hundreds). She never refers to the orphanage clearly, but talks about growing up and learning to cook. She tells how her best friend, Sara hung out in the kitchen and ran to the oven to be the first to eat the warm empanadas, then saved some for night so they wouldn’t be hungry. [Ed. Note: Yum. Had my first one in Watertown, MA in April. Highly recommend them!] Lorena chokes on Sara’s name. Paty is mesmerized at the breakdown and Ern steps waaaaay out of character and comes around to gently take her shoulders as she breaks down crying. He asks her “what’s wrong?” and tells Paty to take her out and get some air. Some witchy chica complains that there are folks who’ll do anything to get attention. Ern chides her to be respectful. He looks back at the direction Lorena disappeared with concern.

Bruno tries to talk his way out of the doghouse with Alonso, looking surprisingly convincing with his “apologies.” He wants Al to tell Sara to tell Diana he’s really sorry and Di should marry him. If it goes like the telephone game we played as kids, by the time Di gets the info she’ll think Bruno wants her to disappear into the Amazon jungle. (Maybe someone should just tell him to do that and save time). Al’s not so sure it would work anyway, it’s just a tad late in coming, and it’s up to Diana. What’s more, he doesn’t want to get involved. He tells Bruno not to do any more of his nonsense and he’s telling Bruno this in good faith. Bruno sighs and nods.

Lorena and Paty finally make it into the sunshine, so maybe she’ll settle down a little. Lore knows she messed up in there, making such a spectacle. Paty says she doesn’t think anyone’s going to think much of it and even the Ogre was concerned for her. Lorena says she was remembering times with Sara, but Paty thinks it’s more than that. Lore can tell her what happened if she wants and Lore spills her guts—“she betrayed me, in the most evil way.” (How can it be so evil? Two birds with one stone—Alonslow off the A list and Sara is out of your hair, Lore. Most of us think that’s a good day’s work, there. Git ‘r’ done!) The whole story comes out—we were sisters, she knew how much the break-up with Alonso hurt and now she’s with him. Lorena hasn’t been able to cry about it until right now. Paty gives great advice, IMO. “Give yourself the opportunity to FORGET it (sacarlo, tear it out of your mind). Lore can’t hate Sara even though she wants to—still, her heart is broken. Paty hugs her.

Apparently life is good other places. Acapulco is hopping and Paradise Exists! Julián is going to take Rossy to heaven (not if Maruja finds out, you aren’t). Wide-eyed Julián and Rossy have entered the building! They give the driver a great PDA (Public Display of Affection, prohibited per my High School Student Handbook just before the Dress Code), but all the driver really wants is a tip. Julián shakes his hand instead. Julián thought it was all expenses paid. Nope, not the tips. With that prompt, Julián gives the guy an insult - some minimal coin. He sighs and leaves Julián getting it on with Rossy in front of an audience—two muchachas recognize Julián from the program. Rossy spits nails while Julián beams and acknowledges it’s really him. Rossy tells them he really came to rest when they want to ask questions. Julián chides Rossy—he has to oblige his adoring public. They are thrilled when he answers correctly and want autographs. No paper? No problem, just sign my back. Rossy is disss-gusted, tells him it’s an autograph and not a tat, and muses to herself that the pen should be a razor. They giggle; Julián asks if they other girl wants an autograph and Rossy shoos them off, with the muchachas grumbling about her. According to Julián it’s the price of fame and he can’t be ugly with the fans. Rossy storms off with him trailing, bags in hand.

But hold on, it gets worse. The desk clerks know who he is and call him by name, they’ve been waiting. Rossy rolls her eyes, that annoying pout pasted on for life. For her, it’s becoming a nightmare. One of the clerks wants an autograph and tells him what to say. The other asks if Rossy is his companion. She snottily asks if they see anyone else standing there. The desk clerks tell Julián what’s included—apparently not all. There’s only one room, for example. Sorry, no changes in the reservation permitted. What time is dinner? Well, it’s not included, either, only breakfast. Julián is dismayed. The second clerk wants an autograph for her Papá. That’s it. Rossy stalks off again and tells him to catch up with her. Julián apologizes to the clerk and tells her he’ll be back—“she” is just a bit tired.

Lore thanks Paty for listening and missing class to do it. Paty assures her they’re friends. Not everyone’s like Sara (thank heaven), double-faced. Lorena can count on her. Lore tells Paty she never had the opportunity to see that side of Sara; they grew up together, and everything was accepted and forgiven all the time. Paty tells her this situation with Sara is like someone died. The Sara she thought she knew died. Lore agrees. Paty tells her to “bury” Sara. (We should be so lucky, but the TN would end too soon for the contracts). Lore smiles finally and sighs, asking Paty’s forgiveness for causing her to lose time in class. No problem. Lore’s a little concerned about the others, especially Ern. Paty points out he behaved superbly—even sensitive; Lorena’s domesticating him. Me? Yep, Paty assures her. They return to class, Paty’s hand around Lorena’s shoulder.

Meanwhile, in the land of sun and fun, Rossy’s not having any. She hates Julián’s fame, throws something on the bed and then throws herself on the bed. Julián comes into the room, and with Rossy lying on the bed, handles the situation totally the way any other red-blooded male would—wrong. He whistles low and walks right past his pouting princess to the balcony, admiring the view of the ocean. Rossy grumps at him and he tries to get her to look with him, then sighs when she just continues to pout. They have a mild fuss about him being the Mexican Idol, the flirting, etc., as he comes to join her on the bed, telling her not to be angry. Would she prefer him to behave badly with his fans? She nods. He was going to ask her to go out for a ride, but should he ask someone else, he teases. With a few well-placed kisses he cajoles her into a better mood. (That’d do it for me, too, except that Julián is a lousy kisser, IMO.)

Rossy and Julián take in the sights of Acapulco in a horse-drawn carriage, with lots of balloons and flowers on it. They laugh, smile, and have tons of fun because the horses move way too fast for any muchachas to stop them for autographs and flirting. Out of the carriage, though, they let gawkers take photos of the genio from the television and his princess—with Rossy’s camera. They spend the day enjoying Acapulco now that she’s made her position on other muchachas clear. Even muchachitas come for his autograph—Rossy doesn’t seem to mind them so much.

At the lesser house the happy little family (minus Julián) discusses the state of the world. Omar can’t wrap his brain around Sara going back to Snorty’s house. Zulema tries to explain it away—Snorty is so nervous about Vasco’s situation. Omar really can’t buy that – he knows his Mami way too well. She has no feelings whatever. Diana chimes in that Vasco’s out of danger and recovering so she can’t understand why Sara went over there. Zulema tries again—even if we don’t like it, they have a strong bond. Diana isn’t buying this, because Sara’s the strangest person in the world. Omar notes that Diana’s been pretty strange herself lately, what’s up with that? Diana jumps up to escape—she’s not going there. Omar is left with Zulema, asking her if there isn’t something she should be telling him. Nope. Whatever would she be hiding, and why ever would she want to? Omar wants to go try to talk Sara into coming back and Zulema tells him to leave her alone for the moment. Sooner or later she’ll realize they’re her real family. Okay, so what’s up with Diana? Bruno asked her to go back with him; he wants to marry her. Omar is totally disbelieving this. For such a naïve guy, Omar has good instincts.

Diana’s gone off to her room and gets a call….she realizes it’s Vasco. She answers and he wonders why she didn’t go to see him. Diana lies and says she had to stay late at work. She makes excuses and he hears something in her voice. He wants to know what’s up, and why she sounds so serious. She’s exhausted. Smart girl, she changes the subject—how is he feeling? Fed up with his mother’s over-the-top stuff. She’s treating him like a baby. Diana is unsettled.

The cat that ate the canary—ooops, Sara—strides into the living room. Snorty asks if she’s gotten her things settled in. Sure, what little there is. Snorty tells her she’ll need Sara with her early and she’d better go rest. Anything special? Snorty’s not saying at the moment, so Sara concedes and thanks Snorty for letting her stay at the house again. (Sheesh, Sara does sycophant so well). She’s not ready to leave, yet, though—how about a hug? Snorty isn’t accustomed to showing her feelings (there’s a mild understatement—except for her total annoyance). Sara points out that she hugs Vasco. That’s different. But Snorty knows how to compensate Sara for her loyalty. Sara’s so much like herself, she’s sure Sara will like what she has in mind far better than hugs. Sara chuckles, no doubt agreeing mentally that they’re a lot alike.

Lorena is wasting time wondering why Sara did this to her, and Alonso, too. She’s determined it won’t destroy her.

Back at Ern’s loooovely apartment, his sister tells him how pleased Raimundo was with the TV interview—great PR for the restaurant. He’s happy and hopes it will bring new clients. Sis looks in all his cupboards and tells him he seems less than delighted. He tells her he really is and the blonde interviewer wasn’t too bad, either. She tells him he’s incorrigible. And she changes the subject as fast as possible—any panqués from his student? He brightens up and gets a little softer–probably thinking about Lorena—and says tough luck, he ate them all. She tells him she hates him. Ern tries to tell her about Lorena’s crying jag. Why did she cry? He doesn’t know, but it touched him—this little gal has suffered a lot. Whoa, since when has he been concerned about anyone else’s suffering? Ern winces and squirms a little into the commercial.

Ern wonders why his sis talks about him as if he has no feelings whatever. Well, that could be because he thinks of himself first, and second, and third. He huffs that he surely must be the biggest egoist on the planet, then. She just can’t imagine him worrying his pretty head about the suffering of anyone else. He retorts that he’s not made of stone and she fondly tells him the very hardest of stone. He changes the subject back to the interviews. They’re the most important. His face hardens up—that’s the Ernesto she knows. He glares at her.

Greta, Maruja and Paula moan that Raimundo hasn’t called any of them. Maybe he made a mistake copying a number down. Nah, not all three numbers. They argue about who he’ll call and the bell rings—it’s Valeria for her first male-bashing session—oops, card game with the girls. Paula introduces her—a friend of Alonso’s. Greta wonders if she’s divorced, too. Nope, happily married. (Well, it all depends who you ask, I guess). Gee, what a miracle, that’s almost an extinct species, Greta tells her. They joke and get ready to play Canasta for blood. Or frijoles, whatever. Just not money. Lots of laughs around the group.

Ickturo’s not out with the girls, though, he’s home with Mami and the kidlets, glued to the tele. Mami thinks she hears the little ones but he’s sure they’re asleep. Mami can’t understand why he permitted Valeria to go out. He didn’t. She said she was going out with friends and that was that. Mami talks trash about Val, same old, same old. Isn’t he worried where she is? With whom? Apparently not. He looks totally bored at the thought. But she got his attention—what does she mean? He should know better than anyone, right? He knows his wife. Well, she thinks she knows you well, also. He grits his teeth and tells Mami he’s watching the news. She’s just saying. Ickturo gets thoughtful.

Valeria apparently hasn’t lost her touch at Canasta. If they were playing for Big Bucks, she’d be rich. They chatter about the game, the partner pairings, and Val thanks them for the invite. Paula tells her they raise the families and dedicate themselves to family things, then the hubbies divorce them and they end up as lonely as dogs. Greta and Maruja second the motion and the game goes on, Valeria all smiles again as she gathers her winning beans up.

The evening breeze sways the palm trees in Acapulco and Julián carries Rossy into their room “like newlyweds.” He drops her—good thing it was near the bed. They get a few seconds of hot lead-in action, peel some clothing off each other, and there’s a knock at the door. A voice on the other side asks for Julián Ruiz. Of course he opens the door. Some reporter (looks familiar) pokes a microphone in and talks about Julián the genius. We note there’s a camera running because we’re getting the camera’s viewpoint and it’s a top-notch shot of Julián with his shorts loosened and Rossy draped on the bed in a bikini, sure to make Maruja spout steam. The reporter asks questions about his trip and Rossy warns him not to get involved with this chick. Rossy grumbles when the reporter grabs Julián, drags him away and shoots back that she’ll return him later. Not to be thwarted, Rossy puts the bar on the door so Julián can’t get back in later. She flops on the bed and pouts.

In the greater house, Barbara takes breakfast in bed and wonders why Sara’s back. If she’d grown up without a mother and found her, she’d never let her Mami out of her sight. Jaime asks if she’s staying forever, and Barb is sure because Sara’s brought all her stuff. She doesn’t like Sara one bit. (Get in line, Barb.) Why, Jaime wants to know. Well, for all she says she loves his mother, etc., she can’t be trusted. (Of course not, when she knows about your amante).

Snorty walks into a dealership full of shiny new cars. Sara is skeptical that she’s going to like the sporty models here. Snorty agrees she probably wouldn’t but the car is perfect for Sara. Sara is predictably jubilant.

Lorena’s out streetwalking again, and her wares are selling like hotcakes. Ern watches her from a way off, sighing fondly to himself.

Sara blathers about the wonderful surprise; she never imagined it! Snorty reminds Sara she promised to compensate her. Sure, but with a car?! Snorty makes some altruistic remark about Sara deserving it (hah). Sara asks if she can give Snorty a hug, which Snorty reluctantly tolerates but might even be enjoying a little. But there are strings; Sara has to follow through with her work, not like these last few days. Of COURSE! Even more now that Sara’s returned to the Big House. Viewers are blinded by the smile.

Lorena finds Ern waiting for her on the curb and they greet each other. Did he come for panqués? She apologizes for her bad spell. He’s okay with it, no explanation needed. And he didn’t come for panqués, he came to see if she was all right. Lorena frowns a little. She’s doing better, thanks. Ern waxes philosophical—everyone has negative times in life; what matters is that they don’t hinder us. Maybe he’s an ogre but her tears touched him. He doesn’t know her well but has the impression that she’s a fighter, one who won’t let stuff conquer her. She looks down shyly—really, he believes that? He assures her he does, but what others think of her is not so important; it’s what she thinks of herself, what she feels she’s worth. Lorena looks up at him thoughtfully, no doubt reflecting on his words and wondering qué the heck happened to the guy in the white coat—is this his good twin or something?

Ernesto continues with his pep talk. Only the worth one has for oneself will help one more forward. He urges her not to let anyone trample on that. The rest of the world can deceive you, but you cannot deceive yourself. Thoroughly bemused, Lorena nods and agrees that he’s right. She smiles and thanks him for saying all this to her. He smiles back and tells her to think on it, meditate about it. They’re just words, but he hopes they serve her well for the rest of her life. She assures him they will, and she’ll never forget that he bothered to come and talk to her. He tells her not to worry about it; the spirit hit him and he just did it. It pleased him to be able to help. She thanks him again. She hands him panqués and tells him they’re to thank him. They play the “please take ‘em” “no, I can’t, really” game for a minute and he finally ends up taking the panqués, which we all know he really wanted anyway. With a huge smile. She wants him to know how much good he’s done for her.

Sara couldn’t wait to show off her new car, and who better to see it first than Alonslow? She’s beat a path to his door. He asks what make her decide to buy it. She tells yet another fib; she’d been thinking on it and couldn’t afford it so her Granny gave her a raise. Right. Wouldn’t Granny be thrilled to know that her cash payment for the car was reported out this way by her Grateful Grandkid? They chat about the car, and Snortensia—whom he’s heard is pretty demanding. He tells Sara not to let Granny down. She offers Al a test drive and he wonders if she knows how to drive. She calls him a goofball and they go.

Maruja’s joined Zulema for a cook-fest. What’s up with Zulema-her eyes are all swollen. Zulema denies there’s anything but won’t make eye contact. It’s from peeling onions. Maru, all cheery, launches into chatter about their kids having so much fun in Acapulco. (We doubt it—the last thing we saw was Rossy sliding the bar across the door so the key won’t open it). They talk about how good the kiddies are for each other—before Rossy, Julián thought he was worthless. Maru tells Zulema it’s great to see how much they care about each other and Zulema is glad someone’s happy. Maruja tries to get it out of Zulema, but no luck. Maru says Zulema can trust her, but Zulema doesn’t want to talk. Maruja frets and sighs.

On the beach, Rossy exults that no one recognizes Julián (hat and dark glasses help). It’s a dream! Julián wants to dream together. Rossy finds a place and wants his help to put on the sunscreen; she’s got the skin of a princess and doesn’t want to burn. (Not just the skin). He doesn’t need any, but he’s thrilled to be of service. Nearby, we note that Chalo’s vacation has Very Coincidentally brought him to this exact spot at this exact time. (Remind me why he’s on vacation if he’s unemployed, etc.?) Chalo thinks this is Too Good to be True. Rossy and Julián go off to the water and the wheels in Chalo’s Little Brain turn. He looks around for a plan.

Zulema and Maruja almost have the orders ready for the day. Zulema continues to tell Maruja about how good Rossy is for Julián’s self-esteem. Zulema is confident he’ll make it to the finals of the game show, too. Maruja tells Zulema about Rossy’s resignation from Snortensia’s place, what brought her to the point of walking out, and the new work that Lorena dragged her into….oops. Maruja knows when to shut up fast. Zulema changes the subject to making deliveries.

Speaking of the Princess and King of Rome, Rossy and Julián frolic in the water. Chalo greasily takes it in from a balcony, the wheels still turning. Sliding back to his seat, he eyes a pretty chica moving into the chair next to him, and his umbrella. He offers to share his umbrella. She doesn’t want to burn, does she? No problem, she just gets dark. The chica smears on high powered oil with no sunscreen. He asks about it and she tells him it speeds up browning—she’ll look like she spent a month in Hawaii. (The grass is always greener, isn’t it? Here she’s in Acapulco and she craves a Hawaii tan. Sheesh). She asks if he’ll watch her stuff while she goes in a second. Well, of COURSE he will. Not just look at it, either. He’ll tamper. Which he does, in one of the silliest looking transfers of liquid matter we’ve ever seen. Still, as telenovela plotlines go, this method of switching the sunscreen for the tanning accelerator works. After all, the point is that Julián’s going to be frustrated for a second straight night when Rossy gets second degree burns with blisters. It’s almost better than having two rooms or Maruja coming with them. [Ed. Note: With any other guy, I’d say we’re getting a treat seeing him in this Speedo with a nice build, etc. But this is Chalo, and that smarmy “mi Reina” has forever wiped any impure thoughts out of your Recapper’s mind]. His shifty eyes scan the environment as he makes the swap. To cap off this latest success, he takes the money out of the wallet that was safely hidden right on top of the table. Back at his seat, he replaces the new novia’s bronzing accelerator on the table and spins his head around several times.

Lorena still moves around, selling panqués in traffic. Sara and Alonslow by some wild coincidence are sitting in this very same traffic. Alonslow registers that Lorena’s out here. She’s selling stuff in the traffic? Sara supposes so. Isn’t the street just a perfect place for her? Alonslow wants Sara to get them the heck out of there, and Sara wonders if he wouldn’t like to buy something from Lorena. Alonslow gets downright irritated and panicky (not good for a surgeon, IMO). They argue and Sara kisses him to get him calmed down. Apparently, the long light turns and they move on.

Lorena clearly has made some friends on the street; several apparently have standing orders—not just Ern. She moves around, selling and thanking folks, making small talk about their orders. She’s done for the day, it looks like, and counts her cash while remembering Ernesto’s words. It doesn’t matter what others think of us, but what we think of ourselves. Never forget what matters. She tells herself she’s important, she’s worthy, she’s capable, intelligent, she can’t think what else at the moment, but she’s going to follow through with all her goals. Lorena sighs and nods in satisfaction and finishes the counting.

The chica with the tan toasts spending time with Chalo and asks him what he does. He gives her a wishy-washy answer about his bidness and taking a vacation after some work he did here. She doesn’t ask what his bidness is, lucky for Chalo. Pobrecita, she notices her bronzing stuff is all gone and it’s so expensive. She looks at him charmingly. Chalo whips out some bills, tells her to go get herself another, and he’ll move their stuff to the other side where they’ll get more sun. She runs off for bronzing stuff and Chalo grabs up their stuff to move away just as Rossy and Julián return. Julián’s living for tonight—it’ll be the best of their lives. Rossy apologizes for the lockout the night before; Julián tells her if she behaves well all will be forgiven. They can enjoy without spies or anything. She puts the glasses on him—and no admirers. Rossy doesn’t want to burn, though, and Julián starts re-applying the supposed sunscreen. Chalo smirks.

Diana’s coming in to work with Bruno in hot pursuit. He wants to talk and she wants to work. He wants her to forget the past and go back with him. She spits out that she can’t believe he presents himself like this at her work, and he grabs her and kisses her. In the lobby. At her reception desk. In broad daylight. Good time for a commercial.

Diana finally breaks away from Bruno’s kiss and backs off. Was she actively engaged? Hm, could be. Don’t do that again, she tells him angrily. Bruno wants her to tell him she didn’t enjoy that, that’s she’s forgotten how good it is, that she felt nothing. If she can say that, he won’t insist more. She just shakes her head and glares at him.

Banshee Barb has videos to watch with Vasco. Hasn’t Diana called? Nope. Didn’t she call his cell? No, that’s why he asked about Diana. Barb is going to enjoy watching the films with him but Vasco wants to call Diana so she can come over and enjoy them, too. Barb sighs. What, no answer? That’s odd. Sure, she’s all busy at work, Barb tells him. Vasco gets an insight and asks if Barb or his Granny have said something to Diana. Barb denies it; how can he even think it? If she makes him happy, she makes Barb and Granny happy, too. Hah. Vasco is skeptical.

Diana’s voice breaks as she passionately tells Bruno that nothing can be the same between them. He gave her so much pain she can’t forget it, can’t pretend nothing happened. She tells him to go and he wants to show her he’s a changed man. He asks for an opportunity; the separation showed him a lot. Diana tells him she doesn’t want to hurt Vasco—what, that’s it, that Vasco won’t suffer? Heck, he’ll be all over it in a few days. Diana can’t ruin her life for Vasco. She retorts that it was already ruined by Bruno. He brings out the “father of your child” argument again and she tells him she’s going to work. Bruno tells her he was wrong, but it’s not too late to fix the mistake. He cares about her and wants to go back with her. She turns around and reminds him that if she told him she felt nothing for him, he wouldn’t insist, so here it is: she feels NOTHING for him. He doesn’t believe it. He’s going to keep after her because he loves her and she loves him. Almost believable. She tells him to just go, please.

Valeria brings Alonslow something in a Ziploc back she thinks he’ll love. Why’s he so serious? Well, he saw Lorena on the street. (Yeah, literally). He shouldn’t be telling Valeria, just forget it. Val insists he should; it’s been recent and these kinds of wounds don’t heal so easily. Alonslow has to change the subject; he never imagined Val would get on so well with his Sis. Val tells him what a great time she had. They’re all so much fun. The Club of Divorcees, he chimes in. Well, now they’ve added a happily married one. Val can’t remember when she laughed so much. She just realized she hasn’t really had friends since she married—in fact, Ickturo separated her from them one by one—he found faults with every one of her friends. (Folks, if she can figure this out, why can’t she figure out what a slime ball he is?) Alonslow wants to know if it was really Ickturo—no one has to like someone they don’t want to. She retorts gently that no one has to love anyone they don’t want to, either. She brightens up and tells him she’s going to nurture her relationship with the gals. They’re really funny and she got on well with them.

Speaking of one of the princesses of Rome, Paula has to chastise herself for thinking that this guy she met in a bar would call and give her a job. Bettina comes in wondering whom Mami is talking to. To the telephone! What? Paula explains sheepishly that she was hoping for a call about some work. Bettina wants to run to the stationery shop and get school supplies-markers and such. Does Paula need anything? No, so Bettina gets a few pesos from Mami and scoots off. The phone rings but it’s just Greta moaning that she hasn’t had any calls, either and reports that Maruja hasn’t. Paula thinks it’s a lost cause.

The boyz in the ‘hood have a pick-up game going. With a basketball. Bettina passes by and gets bonked in the head by the stray ball. A curly haired joven comes to collect the ball and apologize. Bettina scolds him—it hurts. He insists he asked her pardon. The other boys gather behind with huge grins of appreciation for Bettina. He offers to massage it for her. She yells at him to stop it already and the boys all whistle in unison. She looks around at them with a scowl and the boy with the ball asks if she doesn’t like them whistling. No, especially not brats like you and your friends. He looks somber but the others laugh and smirk. The boy with the ball tells Bettina she’s the prettiest girl he’s met and she’s even better when she’s mad. He gives her an air kiss. She looks a little disgusted but turns to go on her way smiling to herself. The boys oooooh at the interact as he joins the game again, grinning a little himself.

Night falls in the D. F. Fanny, Ernesto’s housekeeper, asks if this is all he wants for tea. He asks her “what, only one panqué?” He wants one of each flavor. But he told her to hide them, right? Right, but not to hide them from him, just from visitors. The bell rings, how timely. It’s a visitor. Ern welcomes his sister and asks if she’s brought the design of the logo for the new restaurant. Yes, indeed. The shoes come off, the purse goes on the sofa, the designs come out, and so does Fanny with the platter of panqués. Oops, bad timing. Sis is sooo excited that these are his student’s panqués, the ones she adores. She doesn’t wait to decimate one. His phone rings and he goes to answer it, after a moment’s hesitation when he thought to save his panqués. Ern’s sister is blissful with the corn panqué, but the carrot one is wonderful, too. She’s eating two-fisted. Fanny brings coffee—and gets a big compliment from Ern’s sister. Fanny’s coffee and the panqués are the best. Fanny slides a nervous look at Ern as she rushes back to the kitchen. Finally, Ern’s off the phone and tries to save his panqués—what, is she going to eat them all? They struggle over the panqués. His sister scolds him, she knows him and she’s sure he has more saved out. He tells her to buy her own; he’ll ask Lorena to take care of it if she wants him to. He looks anxiously at the panqué disappearing into her mouth. Sis doesn’t want the temptation in her house because she’ll get fat. Ern points out she’ll get fat eating them at his house, too. Sis tells him not to be so jealous of them. She suddenly asks if he knows why Lorena cried in his class. Of course he doesn’t, why is she asking if she knows him so well, she asks herself out loud. Ern is apathetic and these things don’t concern him much. (This is a Smart Big Sister. She knows that the best way to get something out of him is to tell him she knows he would do the opposite. He’ll tell her just to say “ha, see there!”) He sighs resignedly and tells her she doesn’t know him as well as she thinks, as a matter of fact he did ask. Sis smiles a little too smugly. “You??” He nods.

Maruja brings coffee for herself and a beaming Lorena, who reports that she’s not sure if it was what he said or the way he said it, but the words of her teacher hit her where she lives (llegaron al alma—they arrived at the heart). Maruja can’t imagine him being in plain sight on the street giving good advice like that after the trash she’s heard about him from Lorena and Paty. Lorena chuckles—imagine my surprise! He made your day, right? He left her with her spirits up in the clouds and she got the strength to keep fighting. [Ed. Note: this could be the most cleavage we’ve seen with Lorena. We are sure our male contingent will approve.] She was reminded of the old fellow she encountered when she had just arrived. Maruja teases that there’s nothing old about her teacher. They laugh at the idea. Maruja says he’s young and very handsome, but it seems he also has a great heart. Lorena acknowledges that after what he did, her idea of him has changed radically. She appreciates all his words. They smile at each other and Lorena looks off dreamily into the future.

Ern admits he talked with Lorena, not to ask her specifically why she cried, but to get close to her. You did that?? He tells his Sis he gave her some good advice. His sis is surprised; she never thought he’d try to cheer a student up. Could this one be someone special for him? He looks at her warily, arms crossed and uncomfortable. He admits, though, that he can’t deny she wakes up a feeling of much tenderness in him. His sister cautions him—he could fall in love with her. Ern tells his sister not to worry. The woman who can make him lose his head hasn’t been born yet. (Cradle robber!) His sister asks him who knows? But with all the girlfriends he’s had, she never imagined ending up the sister-in-law of one who sells panqués in the street. The thought kills her! He grins big time. (Another Smart Big Sister Ploy—suggest that this is just an awful thought and he’ll go after it like Michael Phelps after Gold). Then reality hits and he swallows hard at the idea of marrying Lorena. Or anyone.

Lorena is making records on a steno notebook about where she’s taking her panqués to sell. Maruja comments that she’ll have to be very organized. Lorena wants to help pay expenses for the house, and she has to pay for school. Maruja doesn’t ant her to pay for staying with them; Lorena insists she wants to. Maruja points out that Lorena sleeps on the sofa and that’s not a private room, so she shouldn’t be sharing costs. Lorena doesn’t care about that. It’s her way of showing appreciation and no one’s going to stop her. After about three rounds of this “no, you can’t share expenses” and “but, I want to show my appreciation” Maruja finally accepts. And asks Lorena if she can forget the accounting stuff for the moment to go to the movies. They can catch the last showing!

Ern is pleased with the logo designs. Very satisfactory. Sis is happy; Ern is the fiercest critic so if he likes them, probably Raimundo will. Ernesto tells her that he’ll be happy with whatever she selects. She thanks him for his support and apologizes for the disaster her kiddies made in the house the other day. And, she’s eaten all his panqués and he wasn’t mad with her. Something’s happening here. She studies him intently. He tells her he’s maturing. Of course. Well, whatever is softening up his heart, she appreciates it infinitely. Off goes Ernesto’s sister, shoes and bag in hand, out the door. Before the door is even closed he’s calling Fanny for his hidden panqués. She didn’t get the wrong idea and serve up all his panqués, right? Fanny beams. Of course not! She held back some for him. Well, bring them because his glutton of a sister ate all of the others! Fanny chuckles and rushes to get the panqués before the poor man starves. Ernesto talks to an absent Lorena—“I hope that you don’t keep on crying, Lorena.” (Ferro would approve).

Sara and Alonslow chat about her fascination with her auto and she grabs him for a public kiss. Coincidentally, they’re right next to the box office of the only theater in the D. F. Lorena and Maruja get a clear shot of the kiss.

Monday: Lorena asks Zulema if Sara scotched her work with Zulema and got her kicked out of the lesser house. Sara seduces Alonslow, who doesn’t necessarily need much coercion.

Jeanne

Labels: enemiga

Oops! It seems we don't have a recap for last night.

And I didn't pay a lot of attention because I was recapping something else, and some of what I do remember may be from Wednesday night. Sorry bout that. But here's what I think I remember, in no particular order; please feel free to fill in the rest:

• A Very Special Specialist declares that Sofia has a very good chance of losing the baby.
  
  
• Gabi visits Sofia at the clinic. Sofi says, "what can I do for you, ma'am?" Her cold words echo in Gabi's head and Gabi seems to becomes distraught. (I think this is supposed to be for real, but like I said, I wasn't watching closely.) Gabi becomes apologetic and swears up and down that it's not true that Eva's her mother; Sofi really is Gabi's daughter. Sofi really doesn't care anymore, and rejects her.
  
  
• While Juan is yammering about something in Franco's room, a miniature rocking horse toy begins to rock all by itself. Juan turns around and sees that Franco is wiggling his finger.
  
  
• Libia's flower glows like crazy. Did ET phone home? I don't remember what was going on in this scene and maybe it was Wednesday, sorry.
  
  
• Grandpa demands that the Uribes give the Reyes their land back. Raq gets all upset and refuses to explain anything to Benito.
  
  
• Jimena finds Feo holding Gabi in broad daylight. Gabi says it's because she's so miserable and he was comforting her... but what she really needs is Jimena. And not Oscar. So Jimena has to stay and Oscar has to go. For the sake of Gabi's well-being. Jimena agrees. Idiot.
  

Labels: Fuego

It’s nighttime.

Rehash: Karla is bummed that Hugo has destroyed her painting. Hugo says you know how I am, and then he says If something is mine, I have the right to destroy it. Whoa! Run, Mili, run! Karla primes Hugo’s hormones and the heavy smooching begins.

The three gal pals are sitting on the bed and Gloria is blubbering. Socorro brings a tea and they joke around, trying to get Gloria to laugh, which she does, but then goes back to blubbering. If she loses Chamuco she’ll just die. He went all cold when she told him the truth about not being pregnant. Waaaaa!

Alex tells Valeria that he tried to call the clinic to talk to their ma, but they kept putting him off. The two decide to go see her tomorrow. They decide that if the doctors tell them they can’t see her, they’ll understand because the doctors know what’s best for her. Vale says she misses her and Alex says me too.

Apparently Bloody Mary has told Luci that she can stay overnight at her home and now they’ve arrived at chez BM, namely an alley full of far-gone bums, trash and graffiti. BM says the newspapers are nice and comfy. Luci, hugging a bottle, looks lost and scared. Kids, these are professional stunt drunks – do not try this at home.

Mili is out walking in the garden in the garden and Alex steps out to take some air. He is remembering their lovetalk on the island. He remembers telling her he wants to die in her arms at age 90, and he remembers their tender kiss.

Mili walks up and he is surprised. She touches his face tentatively and he touches her shoulder. He comes in closer, but she says not until we’re free. He swears to fight for their love. She says don’t give up! Don’t ever lose hope.

The sun rises over the DF.

Mini-bites: Alex is trying to change the baby’s diaper and Mili comes in, laughs, and shows him how. Flor and Rigo are walking in a heavily-wooded park, laughing and talking, and they walk off, he with his arm around her. Bobby’s trying to get a loan at the bank, but he gets refused. Chamuco is unloading groceries and Gloria is trying to talk to him, but he stuffs cotton in his ears. Alex is selling his giant Extinction SUV to a dealer. Bobby and Rocky show up and they exult – the first money! Looks like Bobby has sold the condo (I hope that’s not the family home). Rocky is signing off on something with the Rodeo owner and he receives a check. The three guys exult some more. Maybe he sold Taco Naco? Luci tries to steal booze out of a delivery truck. The trucker shoves her off and BM runs up while he’s not looking and grabs a couple of bottles. A decorator has just finished Andrea’s makeover of Luci’s room and Andrea loves it. No wonder, there are big portraits of her on the walls. Luci is in a shopping area, huddled against a trashcan, begging. She looks wretched, dirty, her hair a mess. Two ladies take pity on her and Luci’s hands shake as she accepts the coins. Mili is giving Rocky finishing lessons in proper speech. Luci is leaning against a wall and it looks like she has a cut on her face. BM comes up and hands her a bottle and they head off.

In the kitchen Mili is talking to Glora and Lina as they scrub the place. They tease Lina about not showing yet, but she says she’s just a month along. Mili says she was just with Flor’s baby, so endearing! She just doesn’t understand how Flor have so little interest in her. The girls agree and wonder where Flor goes all the time, she’s surely not working. Lina says that Bobby’s less available now that he’s starting a new business, and Gloria says well at least he’s talking to you, not like Chamuco with me.

Mili says she’s got to run – Sor Cachete has asked her to accompany her, but Mili’s not sure where, maybe to do some fundraising, so she takes off. Lina says she hates to see Gloria so sad and she’ll help her get Chamuco back.

At her apartment, Mari is tying to talk sense into Flor. She can’t believe that Flor has spent all this time with her ex while leaving the baby with a cook. Flor doesn’t look at all repentant, in fact she’s smiling, and she says Socorro loves the baby, plus she’s sure that when she’s gone, Mili runs right in to be with the baby. Mari says great, you’re giving your rival more ammo and besides your baby needs you.

Flor says I’m trying to re-make my life. Do you know how long it’s been since I was in love, since I was kissed by a man who was passionate, not one who is cold and distant? Rigo makes me feel like a woman again. Mari says you’re not a young girl! You have to think of the baby first. Flor says could you go now? Rigo is about to come and I want to be alone with him. Mari gives up and says whatever.

Mari encounters Rigo on her way out. She rolls her eyes and leaves. Rigo springs over the couch takes the happy Flor into his arms. They smooch and a tenor sax wails.

Alex, Bobby and Rocky are high-fiving in a nice spacious and modern wood-floored office with not a stick of furniture but there is one big potted palm. The logo on the wall says AB&R Construction. Alex pops open a bottle of champagne and they toast. Rocky looks like yuck when he tastes it. Bobby notes that they have few clients and that the rent is going to eat up all their money. Alex says don’t worry, we’re just beginning.

Alex says he sold his car but he’ll get another. Rocky says he’s sold Taco Naco but he’ll get another and another and have franchises. It seems that was his parents’ house that Bobby sold. I’m not sure, but I think he said that when they heard about his plans, they gave him the green light.

Rocky says he promised to meet Mili and Sor Cachete and he takes off. Alex’s cell rings – uh oh, it’s Marsela, who tells Alex to come to her apartment right away. Flor is in there alone with her ex. Alex is impactado.

We see Connie in his office talking to the good padre. He’s telling about Alex’s plans and the padre says gosh, you must be proud. Connie says he wanted to save him from disaster, so he told the banks not to lend to him. The padre says that’s a helluva thing to do to your son. Connie says I offered him the position of my right-hand man here and he told me to go to hell. I’d rather have that idiot Rocky as a partner.

The padre wants to know why he hasn’t been asked to marry Vale and Rocky. He’s plenty incensed, heck, he’s like part of the family so what’s up? Connie fumbles around and says you will marry them of course, when they do the church wedding, after they’ve been married for a while and are sure. The padre grunts.

Rigo and Flor are kissing, but she says no pressure please. Rigo says come away with me and bring the baby too. Flor says she’s confused, so Rigo says I’m not going to wreck your life, I’m going to fix it. Flor hesitates and he backs off and says you don’t believe me. Just say the word and I’m outta here, but I’m thinking maybe you still love me. Flor doesn’t want to say, but Rigo says your lips already told me. They go to kiss and doorbell rings and she jumps a mile. Rigo says don’t be so nervous, it’s Mari for sure. Flor goes to the door and says Who is it? Alex says it’s me, Alexandro. Time for an ad or two!

A tight little alley is full of street people sleeping and there is totally trashed-out Luci shaking with the DTs while BM worries. Luci sees the white light and right in the middle of it is Abuelita’s head, sending out rays and saying your children need you. Live! LIVE! Wow, that was pretty weird.

Here come Mili, the Sor and Rocky, tending to the poor. BM tells Mili she’s worried about this lady and Mili, not recognizing Luci, puts blankets over her and asks if she wants to see a doctor. Like something from Tales from the Crypt, Luci sticks out a bony hand and clutches Mili. Milagros! she gasps, don’t let me die. She is sobbing. Mili says Luciana?

Back at the apartment, Flor tells Rigo to hide while Alex pounds on the door. Everyone knows cheating lovers hide in the closet, everyone that is but Rigo, who decides to squat behind the kitchen counter. Alex starts asking questions. Why didn’t you open up? F: I didn’t want to talk to you. A: Why aren’t you home with the baby? F: I wanted to see my sister. A: and where is said sister? F: Leave! A: Why don’t you want me to be here? F: You bother me. A: okay, I’m off. Say hi to your ex for me.

Alex leaves, smiling. Flor and Rigo embrace. Busted!

In the alley, Mili tells Rocky to run for a doctor. Luci says I need a drink, I need a drink. Rocky says she’s as bad as my mother-in-law. (Where did Luci get that black eye?) It takes some convincing on the part of Mili for Rocky and Sor Cachete to realize it’s Luci. Rocky says Luci’s in the nuthouse and maybe she has a twin, and Mili says this isn’t a telenovela. Sor Cachete says it’s not a sin to have a twin, which, too bad, doesn’t rhyme in Spanish. Rocky runs for the car.

Bloody Mary tells Luci not to go to the cantina nobody returns from. Mili lays her head on Luci’s chest. Luci, shaking violently, holds her to her and runs her hand tenderly through Mili’s hair.

In the kitchen, Socorro is showing Lina a magazine about pregnancy which has diet, fashion and medical advice. Lina says Horacio must be excited about being a granddaddy. Socorro says he sure is.

Gloria has a big thick book of love spells and thinks if she tries some of them, she’ll get Chamuco back. Socorro and Lina are skeptical.

Flor and Rigo are trying to figure out how Alex knew they were together. Rigo suggests Bobby, but Flor says Bobby thinks she refused to speak to Rigo. They can’t think of anybody who ratted them out. Rigo says that guy doesn’t love you – he didn’t look jealous at all, but you look upset. Flor says of course because now how can I reproach him? About that Miligros girl? asks Rigo. Flor rips up the flor she is holding. Come away with me, says Rigo. Flor asks for time to get her mind straight.

In the waiting room of the hospital, Mili is pacing with nerves and Rocky is pacing with her. Sor Cachete tries to explain that a medical exam takes a while. Mili is beside herself wanting to know what the doctors have to say. The Sor suggests going to the cafeteria to eat and wait, but Mili says she’s not leaving. Finally the handsome family doctor comes out and tells them that Luci is in critical condition and that they saved her life by bringing her in.

Alex is hanging over the side of the very fancy brass crib, looking at the baby. Flor comes in and they eye each other. She wants to know why no questions. He says why? She says I ran you out. He says no, I went out on my own, that’s different. She confesses that she was with her ex, but she says nothing happened and they were just talking. She wants to know how he found out and Alex says Mari told me.

Sor Cachete tells Mili that seeing Luci that way would be a shock for Alex and Vale and that it’s better not to call them. Rocky agrees.

Braulio and Vale are having a grand time looking at bridal magazines which are spread out all over her bed. Braulio says get three dresses, one for the church, one for the reception and one for the photos. Vale sighs happily. But then she turns serious and says for her first marriage, Luci helped her pick. Braulio says that her mother is off getting well and will be with them for the wedding for sure, but you have me. You? says Vale, smiling. Braulio says he has exquisite taste. Vale says do you expect me to give you one of my dresses? Braulio fans himself and says the outfit that he wore to Connie’s speech was meant to be a joke. Braulio begins to swish slowly about the room, breathlessly imagining wedding gown, the waist, the sweeping train, the delicate veil! Vale claps and squeals. They high five.

Spy Guy has researched Ramses and he’s telling Connie that he comes from a very good family. Ramses’ parents are divorced, but his father is a very powerful man. Connie grunts with pleasure. He picks up the phone and says he is calling his future son-in-law.

The handsome doctor tells Mili, Rocky and Sor Cachete that Luci can’t have visitors because detoxification is a long and painful process. Sor Cachete says couldn’t she stay with her and offer a spiritual presence to support her? The doctor says don’t worry, she’ll be watched around the clock. He wants to know if the family has been notified and Mili says not yet – they think she’s in an institution. The doctor says I know. Why don’t you all go home and rest up? Apparently nobody is worried about who has her medical powers of attorney or about privacy laws.

Mili and Rocky leave and Sor Cachete asks the doctor why he’s been visiting the Mother Superior. The doctor is suddenly all about patient privacy and says you have to ask her yourself.

Flor is telling off Mari for ratting her out to Alex, and says why don’t you go straighten out your own life which by the way is a disaster? Mari says she is worried about her. Flor says it’s one thing to worry about me, it’s another to make decisions for me. Mari says you have problems with Alex already and you are just making them worse. Go tell Alex that your ex is making you feel things, talk to him. Alex wants to separate and you are leaning toward accepting Rigo’s proposal. Your marriage started out badly because you lied, don’t make it end badly. Mari goes to leave then turns and says do the right thing for once.

Sor Cachete is talking to the MS and says she’s thought it over and she’s going to inter her parents’ ashes in a niche in the church. The MS is glad and says now they can really rest in peace. The sor is sad because her sister can’t be there to do it with her and the MS says maybe it’s best to realize you may never see her again.

Then Sor Chachete asks why the doctor has been coming and says she’s been so worried. The MS says okay, but you mustn’t tell anyone. The sor says that she is pretty leaky when it comes to keeping secrets and MS says then I can’t tell you. Sor Cachete gets frantic and says please tell me. The MS says I’m dying. Freeze frame.

Avances: Flor tells Mili that she’s tired of trying to hang onto Alex and she’s handing him back to Mili.

Labels: guapos

Alt title: Everybody Loves Raimundo

Wow. Now I know what it's like to be too distraught to rewatch an episode even to recap it. I missed too much first time through, though, so I'm stuck. Ouch. Way traumatic.

Rosy sees Lorena's knife collection and is impressed - until Lorena says it came from Sara. "You should kill her with this knife for being such a phony!" Rosy beats around the bush for a while, saying strongly negative but vague things about Sara until Lorena finally convinces her to spit it out. "Alonso and Sara are dating!"

Lorena has a hard time believing it, even doubts it at first, but she knows that Rosy wouldn't lie or say something like that based just on idle gossip. Alonso's father told Maruja, who wanted to tell Lorena personally, Rosy wasn't going to say anything, but she couldn't take it when Lorena said the knives were a gift from Sara.

"My best friend is dating my ex-fiance, knowing it would hurt me?!" (Lorena's not always this slow. Honest.)

Lorena recalls that she just saw Sara a few hours ago, and she was feeling lonely because she didn't have anybody. Rosy calls Sara a lot of angry names and says she's got half a mind to go break Sara's face.

"And Alonso? How could he?" (Soon she'll catch up with the rest of the class.)

"He's another jerk, first he didn't believe in you and then he gets mixed up with your so-called best friend."

Lorena screams and hurls the knife set onto the floor.

Meanwhile, Sara and Alonslow are totally getting it on. At one point, some of her drool on his chest is reflected in the light. As sex scenes go, this is like when you're eating at a restaurant and they have these chocolate-colored desserts that you think are going to be so rich and good, but when you get one it's stale and tastes like sawdust.

Maruja, Paula, and Greta are chatting about them right now. Of course Paula believes what her brother believes and thinks the worst of Lorena; Maruja defends her and thinks Sara's horrible. I think Paula says she doesn't like either of those "puny orphans" for Alonso. Greta doesn't want to hear any more about other people; they're supposed to be out hunting for men. Paula says "you make us sound desperate." "That's why we make fools of ourselves," Greta replies. Maruja indicates that she won't be throwing herself at anyone. Paula says she won't either. Greta mocks their attitudes.

Lorena is still processing her betrayal. (I keep noticing this old portrait of a little blond girl on the wall behind her.) What kind of person would do this, she asks? They were practically sisters, lifelong friends. "She doesn't know what friendship is," Rosy says. Lorena remembers telling Sara that she longed to call to Alonso and rush into his arms, but Sara told her that it wasn't worthwhile to think of someone who wasn't thinking of her.

Rosy thinks Sara's been after him for a while. Lorena remembers Sara flirting with 'Slow at the engagement party, and how when Lorena confronted her afterwards, Sara said Lorena was hallucinating.

Rosy says there are plenty of men in the world, but Sara went for him. Lorena is sad that 'Slow did this to her, but with Sara it hurts even more.

(They're doin' it at Alonso's place right now.)

Lorena tells Rosy about the conversation she had with Sara after the engagement party. Rosy just keeps getting madder and madder. Sara's very skilled (hábil) at sweet-talking people (engatusar) and coming across as a good person, like Lorena. Lorena says she's a good person, but she's not an idiot. She grabs her phone to give Sara a piece of her mind right away. Alas, Sara's not at home. Lorena tries to reach her cell. Oh the suspense. Will Sara stop what she's doing to take a phone call?? (The answer is no.)

The man-huntin' ladies are at a bar. While Greta is in the restroom, Maruja confides to Paula that she's hoping to meet a man. This was on Paula's father's advice, I guess. She doesn't want to admit this in front of Greta. :o) She downs a shot to give her some courage.

Greta comes back from the restroom and says she saw two guys who were alone, and one of the men was looking at them. The one who's looking is the lesser of the two, in Greta's opinion, so she'll let them have him, and she'll take the better one.

The better one is interested in some other woman, but the lesser one is definitely looking at them. The women debate which of them he's is interested in. He comes over and orders a round of drinks. Holy smokes, it's Raimundo, Ernesto's business partner from the restaurant!

Betina and grandpa are dancing, more or less. He talks about his wife loving to dance, and how sad he was when she died. Bets says when she hears him talk that way, she can believe in love. He notes that she sounds like she's had her heart broken a thousand times already, when she hasn't even been in love once. She doesn't want to fall in love and end up like her parents. He tries to tell her that love is a beautiful feeling, even if sometimes you suffer. I think he tells her that he wants to meet the first boy who gives her butterflies in her stomach.

Greta bats her eyelashes at Raimundo and asks what's a guy like him doing alone at a bar. "Are you single?" He says he's a widower and has a daughter. He asks the women what they do. Greta says she looks for men. Paula says she's looking for work, but for now she's caring for her daughter. Maruja says she was working for a caterer. The man is excited - he owns a chain of restaurants! He knows of Snorty by reputation, but not personally. (Greta says she's so old, she's a "tyrant"osaur.) Maruja tries to have a more professional attitude.

Rai says he's opening a restaurant that will be exclusively devoted to fine Mexican food. Maruja offers to give him her resume. Greta whines that she wants him to call her too! Paula wants a job too, through from the look on her face she'd be just as happy to get in his pants. He offers to take the numbers of all three enchanting ladies.

It looks like Sara and Alonso are done now, though she still has her dress on. I guess he's not a boob guy - just a boob. She asks him how he feels. Although he seems contented, he answers with a somewhat impersonal "you're very beautiful, you could make anyone happy." "I don't want 'anyone,' I only want you." It seems he's ready for round 2.

Lorena's annoyed that Sara's not answering her phone. (Whoa, Lorena, you think THAT'S annoying...) She and Rosy both have a pretty good idea of where she is. Lorena wants to go to her house and wait for her to come home. Rosy thinks it'd be better to wait till tomorrow and then they'll both go over there and kick her ass.

Lorena guesses that Sara's been bad-mouthing her behind her back. Now she wants to go over there and tell Zulema all that's been going on. Rosy disagrees - Z won't support Lorena over her own daughter. Lorena realizes that this is why she was fired.

It's morning. Ernesto and his sister are at a TV studio. He's going to do a show to promote his book.

Maruja and Lorena rehash Sara's bitchery and wonder why Sara gave her the knives. (If there was a scheme to get Lorena's fingerprints on the knives, I must point out that Rosy handled at least one of them.) Lorena decided not to talk smack about Sara to Zulema because it would only hurt her, but she is going to go see Sara.

Paty comes over to tell them the professor is going to be on TV. They watch together. The talk show hostess says his book is selling like hotcakes. (Har, har.) He talks about the virtues of Mexican food. Hostess says that "they" say that all of his dishes are works of art.

Rosy, Paty, and Maruja are panting at the sight of this ultra-spanking-hot specimen of TBLMOE-ness. Lorena grumpily says that's why he's a womanizer. Women fall all over him as if bewitched.

Ernesto says something taking high cuisine off its pedestal so that we can each become our own chef. The most important ingredient is your own love and energy. That's why you shouldn't cook in a bad mood. For his own part, he's very seldom in a bad mood.

Paty guffaws at this... he's always in a bad mood! He's an ogre! Lorena backpedals a bit to defend him. They tease her.

The hostess asks him what he'd ask for if he had one hour left to live. (She never asks anything cool, like "boxers or briefs?") He says there are these little panques he buys from a street vendor. She asks if he has a girlfriend ("no") and what's his ideal woman. He tells the blue-eyed blond hostess that he likes blue-eyed blondes! His greatest conquests have always been outside the kitchen! "Would you like me to prepare something for you?" he asks the hostess.

Lorena snaps the TV off in a huff. They tease her about being a blue-eyed blonde. He wants to add her to his harem! Lorena says he was talking about the hostess. Maruja's impressed that he likes her panques so much.

Paty leaves. Maruja says she liked her. Rosy acts jealous.

In a taxi, Sara talks to Chalo in Acapulco and says she's just dying to go out there and join him, but she just can't; y'know, work. She tells him to have fun for both of them. Then she tells herself that before she goes to her nothing job, she's got something more important to do.

Rosy wants to go with Lorena confront Sara. They are saved the trouble of arguing because Sara shows up looking sweetly remorseful. Rosy is ready to beat her to a pulp, but Maruja drags Rosy away to safety.

Alonslow tells his father they're out of food and need groceries. The old man disgustedly says that from the store they'll just end up with more frozen dinners. 'Slow sarcastically (let's imagine he sounds sarcastic) asks Dad if he knows of any other place they can find pre-made meals. Dad suggests having Zulema make up some dinners for them. 'Slow reminds Dad that she's Sara's mom. Dad says "and you're already pretty involved with her, aren't you." Alonso doesn't want to talk about it. Fine, he'll order food from her, and if Julian delivers it there won't be a problem.

Hmm. Does this mean he wants to avoid Sara? Does he know that this is just going to make him look like an even bigger jerk?

Sara tells Lorena she's very sorry - for not spending enough time together! She tries to get Lorena to ditch her panque sale and hang out at the National Museum of Anthropology. She'll just buy out Lorena's wares for the day. "I want us to be together as we are - best friends!"

Finally she notices Lorena's frosty attitude. Lorena tears into her, throwing one accusation after another:

- How cynical you've become, I'm surprised at how false you are, you can quit the theatrics, I know you're with Alonso. He just broke up with me and you didn't even wait to get involved with him. Etc.

Sara says she fell in love with him. Lorena says nobody falls in love in two days; she was waiting for something to happen so she could trap him. "You are my friend. What lies did you tell him to make him hate me so much?"

Sara said that was all Chalo, she had nothing to do with it. "And you took advantage of the situation, didn't you? Hypocrite!" Sara whines about their friendship. "What friendship are you talking about? You knew I loved him, don't you dare talk to me about friendship. Don't cry, because you're full of it. I don't believe you."

Rosy and Maruja are listening at the door. Rosy wants to go out there and support her friend. Maruja says Lorena's got her big-girl panties on and she can take care of it herself. They go back to listening at the door.

Lorena accuses Sara of getting her fired. Sara says Zulema heard everything from Alonso. L says she just took advantage of that too. Sara tries a new tactic: "I was going to tell you everything, I was just waiting for some time to pass." She claims she didn't intend to betray Lorena. "That wasn't a betrayal? Then what was it? Here, take your gift back. If you had stabbed me in the back with all of those knives, it would have hurt me less than what you did. You can have Alonso. You're made for each other (son tal para cuál). Go away and don't come back, you don't exist. Scram. Don't make me throw you out." SLAM

Sara takes the knives and hails a cab.

Rosy and Maruja try to comfort Lorena. It's time to see about that new job. They'll try and get something for Maruja too. Maruja says she met a restaurant guy last night who might call her. Rosy wants to know how her mother met this guy. Zulema lies and says Greta introduces them. Then she gets testy and says she doesn't owe her an explanation!

Paula goes to Alonso's office for a prescription. He's not around, but Valeria is there. Greta calls, no one's heard from that guy yet. Paula feels the need to explain to Valeria that they're not desperate or anything. She recruits Valeria to join their canasta game this evening.

Ernesto tries to dissuade his niece from taking a panquecito on the grounds that you shouldn't eat food you bought on the street. She points out that he's eating one, so he gives in and lets her have one. He warns her not to get crumbs everywhere. She like Cookie Monster - nothing really goes in, it all falls out of her mouth. He pulls out the hand-vac and vacuums her chin and shirt and the floor in front of her while she's still "eating". (I think it's not really on, or it'd be pulling her hair.) She loves it and giggles uncontrollably. He tells her to chew with her mouth shut.

His sister walks in on this and is Not Amused. She thinks sugar will make her daughter hyperactive. "That's a myth. I ate plenty of sugar as a kid and nothing happened." She reminds him that he set fire to their garage and then flooded the car trying to put out the fire.

They talk about how they will promote the new restaurant. He asks his niece what would be in her ideal restaurant: she wants game machines. (He nixes this.) Sis wants to do viral marketing on the Internet and printed inserts in newspapers. Maybe electronic media too, even though expensive. Raimundo has told Ernesto that money is no object. He resumes vacuuming his niece from head to toe. She and her mother both laugh.

Barb brings Vasco breakfast in bed. He grumps that there's too much. He wants his laptop so he can work. She doesn't want him to work while he's recovering, but he says he'll get out of bed for it if she doesn't bring it to him. She tries to shove food into his mouth.

Sara goes home and accuses Zulema of telling Lorena about her and Alonso. Zulema denies it, but Sara insists it couldn't have been anyone else. Sara doesn't believe her... or in any case she's happy to have an excuse to move back to the Big House. She says that for someone who's been alone all her life, the only thing that matters is trust, and she's lost her trust in Zulema. "You spent more than 20 years without me; it won't be hard for you to get used to it again. Me cruel? You're the one who's cruel, you just showed me that how unimportant I am in your life." Zulema keeps denying it and asks what she'll say to Omar, etc. Sara tells her to say she moved out to be near Vasco and Granny because they need her.

Lorena and Rosy approach the new restaurant. Lorena assures Rosy that she'll get over it eventually.

There's a long line at the restaurant, all people wanting a job. Rosy cuts the line by kissing a cute guy and saying traffic was crazy and thanks for holding her place in line. He goes along with it when others complain and even claims Lorena as his sister. Rosy discreetly scolds him for being grabby and warns that they'll soon have their first lovers' quarrel if he doesn't let go. He asks his "sister" for some support.

It turns out that this guy's never had a job before. He's just about to explain why, but it's his turn to be interviewed. He meets with Raimundo's daughter, the chick who doesn't like Ernesto. Rosy tells Lorena that this is worse than waiting for the dentist.

Zulema sees through Sara's ploy to use Z's alleged big mouth as an excuse to move out. However Lorena found out, it's working out just fine for Sara, Z says, but this time she's not getting her way. She'll keep Sara there by force if necessary! She's offended that Sara prefers her grandmother. Sara says Snorty's a great example for Sara, of how to be "someone" in life. "Without caring who you have to trample (pisotear) to get it, right?"

"You don't know anything," the brat hisses as she repacks the suitcase that Zulema turned over. "I may be a poor woman, but I have nothing to be ashamed of," Z says. Sara asks what's so great about being poor and smelling like garlic and onions?

Z sends her to the moon with a dandy pimp-slap. She's immediately horrified, but Sara doesn't miss a beat. "So many years dreaming to have a mother - for this." Zulema reaches to comfort her, and Sara shoves her away. "THIS is why I'm moving in with Granny!" "But your grandmother is only buying you, don't you understand?"

Hate to tell you this, Z, but your fake daughter is very much for sale. She's like an overpriced Blue Light Special.

Sara says that her grandmother has never reproached her, much less laid a hand on her. (True - not to hit her, and not to hug her either.)

Z is heartbroken. Sara warns her not to take any retaliation (represalias) against Granny because Sara is not going to be in their lives. And no bright ideas about turning Snorty in, either, or else she will come back here and make Zulema die (I think that's what she says - otherwise it's "I'll come back to die for you" which makes very little sense). Takes her suitcase and goes.

Restaurant Chick/Raimundo's daughter tells Rosy's boyfriend-for-a-day, Felipe, that she only wants people with experience. He begs her to give him a chance; he likes challenges. She'll think about it. Felipe says goodbye to Rosy and Lorena and hopes they'll meet again.

Restaurant Chick tells Lorena she's already set aside a waitress job for her. Still no kitchen job, but let's see what happens. Lorena puts in a good word for Rosy too, saying she has more experience. Restaurant Chick agrees to interview. Rosy drags Lore with her.

Sara shows up late for work. Snorty is angry (one is tempted to say "reproachful"), but Sara appeases her by saying that she moved out because Zulema put Snorty down. But first she told Zulema that if she ever touched on that subject again, Sara would be totally out of her life. Therefore, she would like to move into the Big House. "Thank you, Grandma."

Lorena and Rosy got the jobs. Lorena teases Rosy about Felipe and jokingly threatens to tell Julian about him. (Why not just start a rumor that Rosy's seeing Chalo?)

Diana goes to the big house to see Vasco. Barbara won't let her in. They exchange bitter words, and Barb says she'll do anything to defend her child. "He loves me," Diana insists. "But I don't. You're going to have a child. What would you do if he wanted to be with someone like you?" OOOH! BURN! Do we have time for another slap? No, the judges are shaking their heads. Barb goes in the house and Diana stares weepily into the camera.

Rosy's packed up and waiting for Julian to take her to Acapulco. She's packed two outfits (mudas, i.e. "changes"), a toothbrush, deodorant, and 5 bikinis. Maruja doesn't want her to go around half-naked like the Brazilians, or somesuch. Rosy asks her not to mention Sara and Lorena. M says of course not, she didn't even go to Zulema's today because she didn't want to say hurtful things about her daughter.

Julian arrives and they tell him about the new job. Maruja says she was too tired today to go to Zulema's. She tells them to have fun and behave. "I trust you more than I trust her," she tells Julian.

At school, Paty asks Lorena what happened to the knives her friend gave her. "Sara's not my friend," Lorena says pointlessly. (It's a Lorena Swifty.)

Bruno approaches Alonso and says "I need your help as a friend." This takes Alonso by surprise. Bruno admits he's been a lousy friend, but he wants to take responsibility for Diana's kid. In that case, Alonso's eager to help!

It's show 'n' tell time in cooking class. Lorena has prepared empanadas - "they call them 'pastries,'" she explains. She describes their preparation in a subdued tone. Professor Ogre asks who taught her to make them.

It's one of those moments that we all dread, either as participants or spectators, when a simple question hits a nerve so raw that there's no way to respond short of a total meltdown.

She starts off calmly, but quickly descends into a full-blown core dump about her childhood, about the woman who was like a mother to her, who let Lore help her cook when she was very small, taught her how to make the dough, later how to use the oven. They made hundreds of empanadas. Her friend Sara loved them... sniffle sniffle... she would show up at the kitchen waiting for the first ones out of the oven. She would even save some to eat at night, so as not to get hungry.

(Sara's still hungry. She'll always be hungry. She'll steal all of your empanadas and still worry about being hungry. You might feel sorry for her until you realize that it's fine with her if you starve to death.)

Lorena breaks down crying in front of her classmates. Ernesto comes around the table, concerned, and asks her what's wrong as she sobs and sobs.

Next time:
Alonso sees Lorena talking to Ernesto in the street.
Sara acts like a jerk.

Labels: enemiga

We interrupt this broadcast for a cross-cultural event. No, not the Olympics, which I am also following. Last night, I was privileged to attend the 40th anniversary revival production of "Hair" in Central Park. (Tickets are free if you are willing to wait on line in the park all day for them. Or you can buy some in advance, which I was lucky enough to be able to do.) It was a magical night, sitting under the stars with almost a full moon, hearing some of the greatest music ever written performed by a stellar cast of young hopefuls (who, of course, were not even born when the show premiered in 1968). The crowd runs on stage to dance at the end.

I saw the show on Broadway in 1971, when I was in high school (and a member of the "American Tribal Love Rock Musical" generation), but this experience was more powerful with the benefit of hindsight to give perspective to the yearnings of youth. The songs hold up really well. If anyone can get here to see it, I recommend it without reservation. (In case you can't tell, I really liked it!)

Okay, back to earth: Don't worry, fans--I still watched Guapos.

We review Tuesday's flashbacks: Connie is trying to make amends with Al, and Bobby is over at Marisela's awaiting the arrival of the star-crossed lovers Rigo and Flor. I avert my eyes when I see how Marisela's loud red print Diane Von Furstenburg wrap dress clashes with the loud lime green print decor of her apartment. Marisela is taking the 70s thing too far.
Flor arrives and wants to know what's going on. The bell rings, and Thuggybear is at the door. I'm sorry, I'm just not feeling the love--he's got the bad ponytail, and he also has a childish smile. He tries to tell her that everything was her dad's fault, and Bobby chimes in in support, but she leaves.

Back at the office, Connie is losing the high ground he has achieved by demeaning Al's efforts. His father (Connie's father, I guess) built up one of the greatest companies in Mexico, and all Al did was plaster his pretty face on posters. He claims he's trying to protect Al from himself. Al reminds him that he's not his father, but Connie says he's the father who gave him a name. Al says he's always been an obstacle, but Connie wants him to be VP. Too bad he's got a blunderbuss method of offering the peace pipe. Al says it's too little too late, and he's starting his own business. Connie thinks he's taking money from Nestor, but Al says he's joining forces with Bobby. Connie thinks they'll last no more than three months. Al says he's also adding Rocky to the team. Now Connie scoffs that they'll only last a month. Connie roars with fake devilish laughter. Then Al leaves and Connie ceases laughing.

Flor meets Thuggy in the hall, and he persuades her to adjourn to a nearby Starbucks and give him 20 minutes to explain.

Comic relief segment: Chamuco is delivering the wrong order to Socorro and is falling asleep on his feet from having too many jobs. He thinks he's driving a taxi and wakes up and wonders why Socorro is there.

Lina, Mili and Gloria are watching the baby, who is still unnamed. They joke about naming her Milagros. They wonder what Lina's baby will be named, and they go through some funny choices. Mili will be Godmother. Then they turn to Gloria, and they seem to have persuaded her to reveal the non-pregnant truth to Chamuco.

Back to the kitchen. Chamuco is out cold, and Dr. Rocky shines a flashlight in his eyes. This is like what happened to a friend of his, of course. They prepare a giant funnel and pour coffee down his throat (call PETA, as it looks like the apparatus they use to force feed geese for fois gras) , but he barely wakes up. Gloria comes in and asks to be left alone with Chamu. She reveals the truth, but he is still fast asleep. Finally, she gets him awake and tells him the truth, and he turns and walks out silently. Socorro gives her a hug. I'm sure this will not be the last we see of Chamuco.

Luci is back on the street with her filthy drunken friend, who we now learn is the mysterious Bloody Mary (real name Maria). BM wants Luci to tell her her name, and Luci lies and says it's Enriqueta. BM baptizes her with a nickname, "Jaybolera." I can't find anything about what this might mean. BM will school Luci in street smarts.

Over at Starbucks, today's product placement shows that Flor nurses a grande latte while Thuggy dips into a venti. Flor still doesn't believe his story about how her father "disappeared" him, so he shows her a bullet hole in his chest. As best as I can understand, dad's goon shot him and left him for dead. Rigo begs forgiveness but he was too scared to come forward and reveal himself. He still loves her and asks if she is happy. Music booms ominously.

Al packs to leave the office and flirts with the new girl on the way out. Enter Hugo and Damian on the elevator. This is a good opportunity for Damian to chastise Hugo about how he's letting his wife wear the pants. Hugo vows to do better.

Back at the bag lady academy, it's Shoplifting 101 at the supermercado, as BM teaches Luci how to create a distraction. Luci drops a bottle of water from the refrigerator while BM steals two bottles of booze. They repair to a nearby trashpile and each slugs joyously from her own personal bottle. Luci's attention is suddenly drawn through her stupor to the shreds of junk next to her, from which she extracts a perfectly clean copy of today's paper, showing "Constancio Belmonte is innocent." She is outraged.

Back to Starbucks. Flor says that Al never loved her, but she had hope that he would come to love her. She admits she doesn't really know if she loves Al either, there's lots of fighting and bitterness in their relationship. And he has another love. Rigo says he's an idiot for not recognizing what a great woman he has. Rigo asks her to dump Al and come with him. Too soon: Flor leaves in a huff, and he smiles goofily.

Connie and Damian are back at the office discussing politics. Damian cautions Connie that if Mili's parentage is revealed it would still be a big scandal. Connie is outraged, but Damian tells him that's no way to talk to the future party president. Connie sputters.

Al tries to change a diaper on nameless baby (he calls her Princesa). They're using a real baby today, so they are obligated to bleep out her tiny tushy for our sensitive eyes. Flor comes in and lies about her whereabouts while continuing to ignore baby. She feels Al out--is there hope for them? Maybe they should go out tonight, but he doesn't want to. She offers to forgive him for his transgressions if he'll make an effort, and he reminds her that he's not about to forgive her for hers. She says she loves him, but just in time Marisela shows up, still wearing the eye-shattering dress.

Al leaves the room, and Mari pumps sis for information. Marisela cuddles the baby while Flor looks on coldly. Mari doesn't believe Rigo's story, but Flor tries to convince her.

Having finished their bottles of booze, BM and Luci look for new opportunities. BM says they'll go to a local bar where the patrons will spend money on them, 'cause Luci still has her looks. She only has one or two layers of filth, while BM is in the 9th circle of hell. They sit at a table where some random guy takes Luci on his lap and says the words that are music to her ears: Tequila and Whiskey for all! (The bar owner must be reading Star Magazine, because they have adopted the new Hollywood trend of "bottle service.")

Mili comes into Hugo's studio and sees the painting of Karla. Hugo walks in. Cut to commercial as impactado looks sink in. Back from commercial, Mili expresses outrage. When did he paint this? Hugo says he did it three years ago when he had amnesia and he was with Karla at Andrea's house. (Guapos historians: pop quiz at 11.) Why did he save it? Going on the offensive, he says who is she to ask? She's the traitor. He'll never forgive her. She leaves, and he smashes the painting on a chair.

Mari wants to know if Flor will go back to Rigo to get revenge on Alex. She is unsure of her motives. Al comes to the door and asks if he's interrupting. Oops.

Back at the bar, Luci's swain has gone to the bathroom, and she wants to get out, but BM reminds her that there are further opportunities for scams. Another guy comes along and flirts with our fallen flower. The first guy comes back and starts a fight, leaving BM and Luci the opportunity to flee with two more bottles of hootch.

Rocky comes to see Mili, who is moping in her room. Why is her happiness so short? She was so happy when she forgot everything but Al and her and how their two hearts beat as one (flashback to island). Rocky says that everyone knows she and Al were meant to be together. Flor and Hugo knew, so where's the betrayal? (Again, Rocky still doesn't know about Flor's real betrayal, as he is still in the dark about Mili's parentage.)

Flor is in her room ignoring the baby. She now flashes back to the argument with Hugo at the hotel, where he told her that she had ruined everyone's life.

Over to Hugo, who is making like Lady Macbeth in his studio. He is rubbing his hands together, and then hitting one hand with another to stop it from acting naughty. Then to hammer it home, he flashes back on the painting incident. (Students, there is no doubt anymore that Hugo is the mad slasher.) Karla comes in and wants to know what happened to her painting. He tells her that it's his, and he had a right to destroy it. Not realizing how psycho he is, she jokingly tries to get him to paint another. Methinks Hugo is headed for the manicomio pronto.

Avances: Flor kisses Rigo while Al knocks at the door.

Labels: guapos

Dínora comes to see Feonando at the Hacienda and literally under Grabi's nose.


Juan and Norma come back to the Hacienda from their honeymoon


Juan David, too.


Feonando's hickies tell Grabi that Sarita might be telling the truth

Grabi sees for herself


With all the suspicious people around like Malcom and Carmela, it was kind of dumb for Grabi to have the police come to the Hacienda.

Labels: gavilanes