Caray, Caray!

Rocío stalls Onelia and Balbina and sends them away from Blanca’s room and Viv’s corpse. Balbina encourages Onelia to go to bed, but she’s not having it. She wants to find Viv because she’s sure that she needs her mommy after fighting with Juanmi.

The hoodlums who are attempting to kidnap Marichuy’s baby are running into even more bad luck, first they can’t get the window open, then they have no success entering the room once they’ve broken the window, and now Mari and Cande are back in the room and feeding the baby. Cande notices that the window is broken and when Mica comes in to say good night, Cande sends her off to get the window repaired, because Marichuy is a little freaked out by the broken window and glass all over the floor. Meanwhile, Piraña tells his buddy that they’ll wait on the balcony until the chance to snatch the baby arrives.

Juanmi tries to reach passed Ivette and communicate with Blanca. He’s successful and Blanca is upset that her glasses are missing and she’s disturbed by the clothes she’s wearing. JM tries to break it to her that she’s suffering from multiple personalities. Then Blanca catches sight of Viv and asks if she’s dead. JM tells her yes and Blanca is upset, she repeats that it was her, it was her. No, JM tells her, it was Ivette. JM tells her that she’s a peaceful person, and it is really a rare thing to have another personality take over, but that’s what happened.

Leo comes to the room and checks out the broken window. He tells Mari that it will be fixed first thing in the morning. He then takes a look outside to see if he can see any danger, but the hoodlums are plastered against the side of the hacienda, so they aren’t seen. Still, Leo’s not one to take chances, he orders more guards in the garden and he has some of the handymen come up and board the window closed for the evening. Piraña and friend take off to the barn and Piraña has a hissy fit because he’s been thwarted once again.

JM lays Viv’s body in the bed and covers it with a sheet. Blanca is upset about the (figurative) blood on her hands. JM suggests Rocío take Blanca out of there and get her to rest. Rocío suggests that the police be called and that they tell Onelia what happened to her daughter. Neither one thinks for a minute that Blanca can slip back into Ivette form and once again pose a danger, but as you’ll see later, there isn’t a whole lot of rational thought going on in la casa de San Roman.

After the commercial break, JM has Rocío remove Ivette’s things and hid them in her room. He tells his sister that he’s going to avoid scandal, but that he’ll take care of things. JM leaves the room and asks Rocío to send Onelia to his home office. Once in his office, JM has a few moments of sadness at the manner in which Viv met her demise and then he laments over the baby that she was carrying. Onelia comes in and JM gives her the bad news. No puede ser!!, she cries. She runs out of the room searching for her daughter. JM follows and they run into Rocío and Balbina in the foyer. Rocío sends Balbina to keep Mayita occupied and then she takes Onelia to see Viv. Onelia weeps over her daughter’s body and then runs out of the room screaming : Murderer!! She finds JM and pounds on his chest accusing him of murdering her daughter. Rocío follows and tells JM to tell Onelia what really happened. JM tells Rocío to be quiet, he alone will fix things. Onelia demands to know what happened and why Viv’s body is in that woman’s bed.

Cande talks to Marichuy about finding out more about her parents. MC isn’t receptive to the idea. Cande asks if there is any way that Mari can forgive them and MC says nope. Cande says that Padre Anselmo mentioned that Mari’s mother is really suffering and MC says perhaps that’s the punishment for abandoning her when she was a baby.

Rocío yells at JM for not clearing up what really happened. She warns Juanmi that Onelia will most likely call the police and denounce him as Viv’s murderer. This gets no reaction from JM and Rocío says there is no way that she’s going to let her brother take the blame for what happened and no way she’ll let him go to jail for it. JM says that he’s doing what he has to, because at the base of it all, he’s to blame (stupid man). Rocío (our voice of reason in this episode) tells him he’s being absurd!

Cande suggests to Marichuy that it would be nice to introduce her parents to their grandson. MC isn’t in favor of the idea. Cande suggests that MC sleep on it.

Back in DF—Amador meets with Isa and Stefi. They discuss how the kidnapping is progressing and how soon they can get to the pueblo. Amador says that traveling there is difficult because there are some serious storms in the area. Stefi mentions that Viv is getting anxious to have everything worked out because she’s afraid that JM will end up finding out that he’s got a kid with MC. They end up discussing a test—can I assume that they are going to attempt to pass the baby off as Viv’s? and that these tests are going to be paternity tests that Viv will fix? Anyway, Amador questions if Viv will be successful with whatever their plan is and Stefi says that Viv is a woman who’s capable of getting anything accomplished (not any more).

Marichuy daydreams of happy times with her and JM with their baby. After her fantasy, she flashes back to the last time she saw JM and how he told her to go away.

JM apparently has called Eduardo for some help because he’s arrived at the house first thing in the morning. JM starts to psycho-babble to Ed about defense mechanisms and disassociate disorders. JM ends up telling Ed that he found Viv dead and that it was Ivette, Blanca’s dual personality, standing over her with a bloody dagger.

Stefi goes to the San Roman house and when she asks for Viv, Balbina tells her that there’s no way she can talk to her.

Onelia is back sobbing over Viv’s body and Stefi enters the room. Stefi demands to know what happened and Onelia tells her that JM killed her. Stefi asks if Onelia is sure and Onelia says he admitted it (okaaay???), then she goes on about how she accused him and he didn’t deny it (there is some really skewed logic on this show). Onelia swears that JM will pay for his crime.

JM mentions Viv’s pregnancy to Ed and Ed questions if it were real (thank you!). Ed asks more questions, such as where is the body? What’s going to happen with Mayita? JM asks Ed to take Mayita away for awhile and Ed agrees to have her go visit his aunt in Acapulco. Ed says that this is only a stall tactic, JM’s going to have to fill Mayita in on what happened with her mother. JM then tells Ed that he intends to take the blame for Viv’s death. Ed tells him that’s crazy.

Onelia tells Stefi she’s called the police. They arrive downstairs at that moment and Balbina goes to tell JM. JM meets them in the foyer and they inform JM they got a call from Onelia regarding her daughter’s death and that Onelia’s blamed JM. Juanmi flashes to Ed telling him “that’s crazy”, to Blanca blaming herself, and to Mayita giving him a hug. END OF EPISODE.

alimentar- to feed
apacible- peaceful
colocar- (en lugar) to put or place
desalmado/a- cruel, heartless
manchado/a - stained
sosegar- to calm
tablón- plank
vidrio- glass

Labels: Cuidado

December 29

Santos demands that Meléndez release Marisela or he will shoot. Meléndez says that Santos isn't a killer. Santos replies that he will drill Meléndez full of holes for Marisela. Meléndez asks in what capacity Santos is speaking, as a boyfriend or father? With what right does he come and to speak to Meléndez that way? Santos replies that he has the right to defend a woman from a man like him. Meléndez lets Marisela go and asks what Santos is going to do now - shoot the four of them? If he does so, he will be shot the next day.

DB tells Cecilia that Marisela needs to leave the Arauca to see the world and forget her family - DB, her father. "And Santos," says Cecilia. "Especially Santos," says DB. She tells Cecilia that Santos is the first man to open Marisela's eyes as a woman. She and Cecilia know that the first love isn't the only one or the most important. "You fear her that much," says Cecilia. "That much," replies DB.

Pajarote thinks that María Nieves' desire to learn to read and write and create poems is ridiculous. He should forget about Altagracia and be like Pajarote - a different woman every day. Carmelito comes in and says that he agrees with MN. Further, he will go to school with him. When Pajarote asks why, Carmelito says that doesn't want his son to think he is a dummy (burro). "What's wrong with being a dummy?" says Pajarote.

DB says that she doesn't fear her daughter who is still a child but she fears the woman that she will become. She says that is the problem. Every days she finds Marisela becoming more and more like her and that isn't good. Cecilia says that DB doubts Santos. DB says that even though Santos is the best man in the world, he is still a man. DB says that she doesn't want to start a fight like she had with Luisana. Cecilia accuses DB of having maternal feelings for Marisela. DB says she doesn't know but she doesn't want to hurt her daughter anymore than she already has. DB asks Cecilia if she will help her. Cecilia says that she can speak the absolute truth - for the first time, she would like to help DB but she can't. Only Marisela can command the feelings in her heart.

Meléndez tells Santos that he is condemning himself to death. He has witnesses that Santos threatened him with death. Santos tells Marisela to leave. She doesn't want to but he insists. She starts to leave but Guerrero grabs her. Santos says that if Meléndez will let Marisela go, he will turn himself in. Meléndez won't deal while Santos is pointing the pistol at him so Santos puts it down. At that moment, another guard comes in. Guerrero grabs his gun and points it at Santos. Meléndez orders Santos and Marisela arrested for contempt, kidnapping and attempted murder. Santos is outraged that Meléndez refuses to release Marisela and says that he has no honor. Meléndez says that he doesn't understand what honor is.

DB tells Cecilia that it is strange that they have suceeded in reaching an understanding even though Cecilia detests her. Cecilia says DB has done some detestable things but she doesn't detest her. Cecilia says that something has changed in DB. DB suggests jokingly that Santos' love has turned her into a saint. At this point, Juan Primito bursts in and tells DB that Marisela was arrested and Santos went to town to get her out. DB tells Cecilia not to worry. She will get Santos and Marisela out whatever it takes.

In their jail cell, Santos tells Marisela that this is the result of her not paying attention to what he told her. Marisela asks him to forgive her. Santos says that it isn't a matter of forgiveness. She has to think before acting. He told her not to leave Altamira so that she wouldn't get into problems like this. Santos guesses that she was going to see Gonzalo. She replies that she knows she is stupid but she just wanted to bring food to the guys. She didn't want to cause any problems least of all for him. He holds her and Marisela says that she was terrified they were going to kill him. If anything happened to him, she would die.

Lorenzo asks where Marisela has been all day. Cecilia lies badly. Lorenzo asks what she is hiding from him. Cecilia says that it is nothing. Marisela will be back soon and he should rest.

Meléndez is yelling that Santos threatened him and swears that he will 'disappear' Santos (in Latin America, 'desaparacer' can be used as a transitive verb generally applied to political dissidents.) DB comes in and tells him not to swear in vain. Meléndez says that he has witnesses to the fact that Santos threatened him and held a pistol to his head. DB says that Santos is a man of peace and wouldn't threaten anyone without reason. Meléndez says that Santos and Marisela are in prison and they'll stay there for threatening the authorities and complicity with the rebels. DB tells Pernalete and Mujiquita to leave. Meléndez says that he gives the orders. DB asks if he is afraid to be alone with her or does he prefer that she speak in front of them. Meléndez tells them to leave. DB tells Melendez to let Santos and Marisela go. They had an agrement that he wouldn't mess with what is hers in return for her not going public with his past. Meléndez tells her that she doesn't know who she is dealing with. He has power and knows important people. DB tells him to put it to the test. She says that she suspects that he has a lot of enemies in the government. Meléndez says that he will release Marisela but not Santos. DB won't accept that. She says that Santos and Marisela must be released or she will destroy him.

Evidently, Meléndez blinked because he releases Santos and Marisela but he says that Santos will regret it. Santos tells Meléndez that he can't put on a uniform just to threaten and to abuse the power he is given. Meléndez says that Santos threatened him in front of witnesses. He will be waiting.

Santos asks DB how she got him out of jail. He recognizes that Marisela is a minor but for him, what? DB says that she threatened Meléndez with abuse of a minor. She says that she knows how to deal with people like Meléndez. Once again, Santos asks if DB has something on Meléndez or knew him from before. She doesn't answer but asks to take Marisela back to Altamira so she can talk to her. Santos leaves without a word.

DB starts by scolding Marisela for getting everyone in trouble but backs off when Marisela says that she just wanted to bring a cake to the guys. "You wanted to see Gonzalo?" she asks. Marisela asks DB not to take it wrong or get mad but were she and Meléndez lovers? DB replies that she has only had two loves, not men, which isn't the same. The first was Asdrúbal, a good boy and this one, her grand love, the man of her life, her Santos Luzardo.

Santos comes into the bar in the hotel and sits down with Antonio. Antonio says that he looks like he has a lot of problems and asks if he wants a beer. Santos says no, if he drinks when he is as furious as he is, he will lose his head. He needs to have a clear head. He tells Antonio about what happened with Marisela and Meléndez. Antonio asks how come he isn't in jail. Santos says it was DB. Santos is upset that he went against his principles and used violence. Antonio says that with people like Meléndez and Pernalete, you don't get anywhere by being nice. Santos says that everything is going wrong at the same time: DB only does what she wants to; Marisela is getting in trouble; Lorenzo's health is getting worse every day; the hacienda isn't progressing and there's something he hasn't told Antonio. Santos says that he is sure that DB and Meléndez knew each other in the past. He says that he has to find out the secret that they share.

DB brings Marisela back to Altamira and Cecilia is relieved to see her. Marisela goes to see her father and Cecilia warns her not to say anything to him about what happened. Cecilia thanks DB for what she did. DB asks Cecilia once again to help Marisela forget about Santos. She says that it's a crime that Marisela is waiting around for crumbs of affection from Santos when he will never love her as a woman because the only woman for him is DB.

Santos tells Antonio that he knows that DB loves him. Antonio asks if Santos loves DB. Santos says that he cares about her but he can't believe her because she is lying all the time and hiding part of the truth. It's the lack of faith in her that's killing him. Santos says that sometimes she seems to be monster capable of doing anything to get what she wants and at other times she is fragile, loving and needs affection. Antonio says that Santos knows what he thinks of that woman. He has heard too much to have confidence in her. Danger comes into the bar. He tells Santos that saw him stolling romantically with Dr. Arias last night under the full moon.

The notary that DB left her accusation with is arrested.

DB tells Melquíades that Meléndez has become too dangerous to her and especially to Santos. It would have been better to have more time to plan but they have to play with the bad cards they've been dealt. Melquíades says that she doesn't have to say more. What does she want him to do? DB says that she can't contain Meléndez any more. They will have to act. He should get ready. Melquíades says that Meléndez is always surrounded by a lot of soldiers. They will have to hit him silently so that death comes without him realizing what happened. DB says that she has a plan. Meléndez' hour has come.

Danger tells Santos says that DB has told him not to tell anyone about what he saw and he won't. Santos asks why he is talking about it then. Danger tells him that DB promised to give him La Chusmita. Santos is annoyed. He says that the ownership of La Chusmita has been in litigation since the time of his father. It never belonged to El Miedo. Danger says that if DB can't give it to him then Santos has to.

Marisela tells her father that she is afraid for him, for Santos for the guys, for everything and she doesn't like living with this fear.

Cecilia runs into Lucía and Don Encarnacíon. Lucía mentions that she asked to visit Cecilia. Meanwhile Federica and Josefa see them talking. Federica recognizes Lucía and says that she thought she was dead in the Capital. She says that Lucía was very ill when she was a little girl.

Genoveva decides to take a shower outside because it is so hot. Pajarote is hanging around and he says he has a surprise for her.

Santos returns to El Miedo and yells furiously for DB. He yells at her for promising to give La Chusmita to Danger.

Pajarote dangles a snake in front of Genoveva while she is in the shower. She reacts as you would expect.

DB points out correctly to Santos that Danger knows everything and has them by the short and curlies. She had no choice but to agree to give him La Chusmita. Santos admits that he was wrong [duh]. DB smiles and says that he had a bad day. Santos says that he likes it when she looks at him like that. "Like what?" asks DB. Santos says that she looks tamed (mansa), as if she has been domesticated. She tells him that only he can tame her wild beasts (fieras) and she is eating out of his hand.

Guerrero tells Meléndez that he has good news. They found the notary where DB left her information and detained him. "I've got you, Barbarita," says Meléndez, "I've got you."

In the cellar, Andrés is feeling a lot better. He doesn't know where he is so the other rebels tell him and say that the situation outside is very bad. There are soldiers everywhere searching for them. Gonzalo thinks that they should think about leaving. It's becoming too dangerous. He wonders what is going on outside, why Marisela hasn't come back.

Outside, Melquíades is supervising the movement of a large freezer. Leon and Tigre ask why the Doña needs one and Melquíades tells them not to ask questions.

Santos tells the rebels what happened with him, Marisela, Meléndez and DB. The fact that Santos and his family have been put at such risk makes it clear to the rebels that they have to leave.

DB is relaxing when first Juan Primito and then Melquíades comes to say that Meléndez has come. DB sends Melquíades to warn Santos and cover any trace of the entrance. Meléndez and his soldiers come in. DB says that he who has nothing to hide has nothing to fear. She says that there is nothing at El Miedo but cows and horses. Meléndez says that he doesn't believe her. He orders his men to search the place inch by inch.

In church, Cecilia prays that the soldiers leave forever. She prays to the Virgin for the child she is carrying; to watch over Lorenzo who is so sick. She prays that Santos and Marisela find their way to happienss and she prays for her Antonio. She says that she loves him and even though he isn't for her, she prays that he will be happy and that one day he forgive her. As she leaves the Church, she sees Antonio there with DE and Lucía. When DE and Lucía come out of the church, Federica comes up to Lucía and reminds her that they were in school together in San Fernando. Federica asks why they were with Antonio. When Lucía asks if Federica knows Antonio, Federica replies that he is a bad person. He got her pregnant and left her just like the got the 'vieja' at Altamira pregnant.

Lorenzo says that he wants to talk to Marisela about her birthday.

The soldiers are trashing El Miedo.

Melquíades comes to the cellar and tells Santos and the rebels not to move. The soldiers have come.

Just as Melquíades is covering up the entrance to the cellar, Meléndez and the soldiers come in. Meléndez asks what this room is for. DB says that it for the animal feed. There is only equipment and fodder here. Meléndez says that he doesn't believe her. He tells the soldiers to seach everything. Meléndez tells DB that she is going to lose everything. The notary that she entrusted her papers with has been found. He says that once again she is in his hands.

December 30

In the presence of the searching soldiers, DB yells at Meléndez to kill her just like he did to her father. Meléndez tells her to be quiet.

In the cellar, Santos says that DB might be in danger and he wants to leave the cellar. Gonzalo points out correctly that if he does that, they will all lose, including DB.

DB keeps throwing accusations at Meléndez and then she knees him in the crotch and runs out of the room and back into the main room of the house. She tells her men to be quiet. Meléndez comes in pointing a gun at her. She tells him to hit her just like he and four others did before. Melquíades is watching from outside. Meléndez does hit her.

Marisela tells Lorenzo that she doesn't like her birthday because it brings bad memories of not receiving any gifts when she was a child. Lorenzo says from now on they will celebrate all her birthdays because life has to be celebrated with happiness and hope because it is so beautiful and so short at the same time. He says that this year she will receive many gifts even if DB doesn't fulfill her promise to hand over El Miedo. Marisela says that she doesn't care about that. Lorenzo says that she has to be happy because she will be the mistress of her own life. Marisela asks what that means. Lorenzo says that it means that she she will assume responsibilities and no one can tell her what to do. Marisela says that the only thing she wants is for Lorenzo to be ok. He says that he is ok and is so proud of her.

DB keeps provoking Meléndez. She asks if it makes him feel macho to abuse a woman. She demands that he tell everyone there the story of his being a murderer, thief and rapist. "Tell your men about your great deeds!" says DB. She knees him the crotch again.

Lucía can't believe that Antonio got Federica and Cecilia pregnant. Federica repeats that it is true. She claims that Antonio courted her and they were engaged and he only left her when he found out she was pregnant. Federica tells Lucía to ask around and she will find out that Antonio is a bad guy.

Don Encarnación tells Antonio that Lucía is the most important thing in his life and there is nothing that he wouldn't do for her. When she was little, she was very ill and on the point of death. She needed a kidney transplant and he didn't hesitate to give her one of his. He would give her his heart if she needed it. She is his treasure. DE says that he knows his daughter and that she is interested in Antonio. He doesn't want her to suffer. DE says that he doesn't have any problem if they are a couple because Antonio is a gentlemen but he doesn't want Lucía to be hurt. Antonio tells DE that he isn't in love with Lucía. He offers to resign if that would prevent misunderstandings. Lucía comes up behind him and coldly says that won't be necessary. She admits that she fell in love with him by herself and she will fall out of love the same way.

DB keeps provoking Meléndez and he hits her again.

Danger has some papers drawn up.

The guys in the cellar can tell that the action has moved away from the room with the trap door but Gonzalo tells Santos that they can't leave until they are told it is ok.

Melquíades is about to use his blowgun on Meléndez when DB staggers over and tells him not to do it here.

Again, something was cut because after the credits, we have DB holding a knife to Meléndez' throat and he is holding a gun to Melquíades' head. DB says that they were looking for rebels and they didn't find any so they should leave her hacienda. Meléndez orders that the hacienda be sealed off. No one may leave or enter. They are looking for Santos who is accused of making death threats on Meléndez. Meléndez and his men leave.

Danger tells BP that everything is going well and he asks BP to drink with him.

Meléndez returns to the police station and tells Pernalete that DB and Melquíades tried to kill him. He tells Guererro that he wants 24 hour security at the hotel. Meléndez sends Pernalete for Mujiquita and says to himself that he can't do it in public. He needs to get DB alone like before. He says that Santos and she are going to pay him with their lives.

Eustaquia is cleaning up DB. She asks why DB provoked Meléndez. DB replies that it was the only way to prevent the rebels from being discovered. Eustaquia says that they owe her their lives. DB says that she will make Meléndez regret that he was born. Melquíades comes in. He says that there are soldiers all around the hacienda. DB tells him to wait until after dark and bring food to the rebels but not let Santos out of the basement. She doesn't want him to see her like this. DB asks Eustaquia to leave and she knows what that means. She begs DB not to mess with that man.

Meléndez makes Mujiquita sign the accusation against Santos. To himelf, Mujiquita says that he is a Judas who is betraying his friend in the worst way.

The soldiers come looking for Santos at Altamira but Cecilia tells them that he isn't there. Marisela is snarky with Guerrero but Lorenzo comes down, apologizes for the impetuousity of his daughter and says he will do what he can to help them.

Santos comes out of the cellar and sees that DB has been beaten up. He guesses that it was Meléndez and is all agitated and grabs DB's gun.

Guerrero reports to Meléndez that Santos has disappeared. Meléndez is angry and tells Guerrero that Santos must be with the rebels. He says that Santos threatened his life but he isn't that easy to kill. They will die first.

Santos says that he will kill Meléndez but DB tells him to leave it. Does he want to be killed? She would be left defenseless if he is taken. She says that if Meléndez kills him, everything she did will be for nothing. "You provoked him, right?" asks Santos. DB says that it was the only alternative she had. They were about to discover the hidden door. She tells Santos that he has to be more civilized than ever. He can't go crazy because she needs him. Santos calls her his woman of iron, his courageous woman and a wild beast.

Mujiquita is drowning his sorrows in drink with Antonio. He says that Santos will never forgive him. He is the worst thing in Progresso. He says that he is worse than Judas Iscariot who sold our Lord for 3o pieces of silver. He points at Josefa who is fooling around with Meléndez at the bar and Antonio tries to quiet him down. Josefa leads a drunk Meléndez out of the bar and says it is time for them to relax. We see that Melquíades is in the bar. I guess he knows how to get out of El Miedo without being seen.

The next morning Santos and DB are in bed. He asks if she realizes that he will have to leave with the rebels. He is a danger to her and everyone. DB says that he can never leave her. They will be together until the end of the world.

The terneras are doing the laundry by beating it on rocks in the river! The general sentiment is that Pajarote and the snake was a joke and Genoveva shouldn't be so offended. She, however, wants revenge. Marisela is nearby and the terneras ask her for an idea to make Pajarote look foolish. She suggests rubbing his clothes with the Pica Pica plant that grows near their house. (Wikipedia says that the term Pica Pica is used commonly to refer to various plants that cause skin irritation.)

Marisela tells Cecilia that she is worried about Santos. Meléndez is very dangerous. Cecilia reassures Marisela that Santos is smarter than Meléndez and he's a lawyer, too. Marisela says that of course Santos can defend himself with words but what about against bullets? Marisela tells Cecilia that she is also worried about her father. He has been very nice to her almost as if he were saying goodbye. She asks Cecilia if Lorenzo is going to die. Cecilia tells her not to think about such things. She has been very tense and stressed out with all that has happened. Lucía drops in for a visit.

The terneras put the Pica Pica plan into operation with Pajarote and María Nieves' underwear.

Lucías tries to get Cecilia to talk about Antonio but she refuses to gossip.

Pajarote and MN put on their clothes including the treated shorts. Pajarote thinks that learning to read and write is useless in getting women. Women like their men to be animals.

Danger brings the property transfer document to DB. She says that it is very well prepared. Danger refuses to tell her who wrote it. She says that her signature on the document is worthless since the property has been disputed in court for years. Danger asks if she will get Santos to sign it. DB asks what he wants with the property. There is only quicksand and weeds there. Danger says first that he wants it for sentimental reasons but DB isn't buying. Danger says that he will invest some money in the place and sell it. He is only interested in money. He reminds her that the gift of the property is to buy his silence for what he saw. DB says that she will keep the papers and get Santos to sign. Tomorrow, La Chusmita will be his.

The Pica Pica has the desired effect on Pajarote and María Nieves much to the amusement of the terneras.

DB sends for BP and she tells him that Danger came and told her that it was he who was interested in getting the reward for betraying Santos. BP swears that he would never betray her and DB says that she believes him and that he is incabable of betraying her. (The actor who plays BP is so good.) She asks if anything unusual has been happening at La Chusmita. BP says that Danger was there with some gringos. DB asks what they were saying and BP says that he doesn't know. They were talking gringo. When they left, Danger was very happy and said things like 'I am rich.' BP says that he was too happy.

Mujiquita is terribly hung over in the bar of the hotel when Josefa comes down and starts ordering the staff around. Mujiquita protests but Josefa says that she is the Colonel's woman now - the 'Coronela.' Meanwhile Melquíades, who I guess has been standing in the bar all night, slips out.

Lucía takes her leave of Cecilia. Marisela offers to show her out. She tells Lucía that she knows this wasn't a courtesy visit. If Lucía wants information, she can ask Marisela. Lucía says ok and asks Marisela what is the relationship between Antonio Sandoval and Cecilia.

DB comes into the basement where Gonzalo is pacing like a caged lion. She needs to talk to Santos. She says that Danger brought this document to Santos and he has to sign it. She says that it is a false sale ('venta falsa') of the land around La Chusmita. She says Danger gave her an ultimatum. Either sign or he will tell Meléndez what he saw.

Meléndez wakes up hung over. He calls for Josefa. Melquíades is outside the window with his blowgun. He shoots a dart at Meléndez. [Let's hope that Dr. Arias is as clueless about what is wrong with Meléndez as he was about Orestes Prieto and the Meléndez has a long horrible death.]

Labels: barbara

Melquíades alerts DB to the fact that Meléndez has come into room. She lowers her hand from Marisela's cheek. DB tells Melquíades to take Marisela back to Altamira. Marisela says that she doesn't want to go without her friends. DB tells her to leave that to her. She will make sure that they all return to Altamira right away. DB asks Marisela to remember what she said. They have to keep Santos out of trouble. Marisela nods and leaves with Melquíades.

Santos tells the rebels that Dr. Arias has risked a lot in coming to see Andrés. Dr. Arias says that Andrés is having an allergic reaction to the antibiotic but he can treat that.

Danger finds the entrance to the tunnel. He says that DB is crazy for Santos but this is a secret that he is going to keep. He will get paid for it later.

Lucía asks Antonio what is going on. He says that this isn't going to happen. He has had enough of spoiled and flighty girls like her. Lucía says that it was just a kiss. She couldn't help herself. Antonio tells her to find someone else because she isn't going to play with him. Lucía asks who is the other 'crazy woman' he referred to. She guesses that it is Cecilia.

DB tells one of Pernalete's men that if the drunk soldiers haven't been arrested, the Altamira folk should be released. Meléndez comes in and says that he has conducted an investigation and the Altamira folk should be released because the soldiers were drunk.
"Barbarita," says Meléndez, "I saw you with your daughter. Tender (tierno)!, Very tender. And I'm thinking which one is better, the mother or the daughter. Or should I take both ('me quedo con las dos')? DB turns to leave. "You forgot to thank me," says Meléndez.

DB leaves without a world. "Both of you will pay ('Las cobro')," says Meléndez.

Dr. Arias says that Andrés has responded very well to his treatment and he will be ok. The doctor has to go back to town.

Cecilia gives Lorenzo a glass of something and tells me that he is tired and should go to bed. "This is how it should always have been ('Así debió haber sido siempre')," says Lorenzo.

Antonio reluctantly confirms that Cecilia was the woman who destroyed his life and love. He says that it is over between them. Lucía replies that if it is really over between him and Cecilia, why can't he find a new love or is he still in love with Cecilia? Antonio denies that he is in love with anyone. He offers her his friendship but right now, he doesn't want anything to do with love. He leaves and Lucía says that something happened with that woman and she is going to find out what it was.

Cecilia sits down with Marisela and asks what is going on and why Melquíades brought her home. She tells Cecilia about how they got into a fight with the drunken soldiers and everyone was arrested except her because DB got her away.

Santos returns to El Miedo after taking Dr. Arias back to town. He ask Eustaquia where DB is. She tries to lie but he guesses that DB went to town against his orders. He is angry.

Marisela tells Cecilia that there's more. "La Doña was very strange. She took me by the hands and seemed worried about me. She sent Melquíades with me to watch out for me on the road."
"Bárbara Gjualmarán is an enigma," says Cecilia, "A woman who is appears to be very evil but once in a while, when one least expects it, does something good."
"Yes," says Marisela, "I also felt that she was two people. I saw in her eyes that she was really worried about me. She asked me to watch out for this disgusting guy, because she said... she said that this Meléndez is disgusting. She doesn't trust him, Aunt. This has to stay between us, only between us, ok?" Cecilia agrees. "She thinks that this pig has bad intentions towards me. She said that he was her enemy and I had to watch out for him." Cecilia says since she has been warned, she should be very careful. "This time," says Cecilia, "you should do what your mother says."

Meléndez comes into his room at the hotel and finds Josefa in his bed. He first tells her to leave but she flatters him about how good it was the last time (while she makes a face behind his back)

and this time it will be better. She can also continue to talk about DB.

DB comes back to El Miedo and Santos angrily asks where she was. She says that she couldn't stand around and do nothing while Meléndez could grab him. That was why she followed him to town. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry for what I did. I should have done what you told me but I couldn't.
"'Sorry,' 'should have,'" says Santos, " You always find a way to justify what you do but you never do what you promise." "Please," says DB, "understand that I am not a woman who sits around quietly. I am used to moving around, finding solutions. If you are annoyed with me, you are completely correct and I make my apologies. But in the final analysis, what I did behind your back helped you a lot. I found my daughter in town involved in a big problem."
Santos urgently asks what happened to Marisela. "Marisela matters to you, doesn't she?" says DB, "she matters more to you that I do." [That's pure jealousy talking. Santos knows DB is all right.]
[Something got skipped here. After the commercial, it started with DB in mid sentence.] DB seems to be justifying what she did for Marisela. Santos asks how they got involved with the soldiers. Are they crazy? Then DB tells him that she got all the Altamira folks released from prison. "So in the end, it wasn't such a bad thing ('no fue en balde,' I'm guessing here. Literally, it means, 'it wasn't in a bucket') that I went to town. Santos apologizes for getting all worked up but he says that she keeps getting carried away by anger, by jealousy. DB says that it is true, she has behaved like a crazy person but she says she went to town because she was afraid. If something happens to him, she says that she will die. They kiss.

The next morning DB wakes up and speaks to the sleeping Santos. "What is happening to me?" she says, "I didn't know love would be this way." In his dream, Santos says his name for Marisela, 'my sunshine.' DB curses the fact that Santos says Marisela's name but she notes that although he is dreaming of Marisela, he is doing it in her bed, with her.

Marisela brings Lorenzo's breakfast to his bed. She asks why he didn't come down and eat with them as he usually does. Is he ok? Lorenzo say that he woke up a little lazy and wants to spend the day in bed reading and writing. Marisela asks if she is sure that is all. He tells her not to look at him with such concern. The only thing he has is a little fatigue. He tells her that he isn't going to die - at least not right now.

DB and Eustaquia-
DB: Santos is dreaming of Marisela, vieja.
E: Are you sure?
DB: Completely. He called her name in his dreams and he's done it before. I'm dying of jealousy.
E: She's your daughter. That man loves you. He is with you. He left everything to love you. What more do you want to be secure? You don't have any reason to be jealous of a dream.
DB: I know that I don't but I can't avoid it. I'm jealous of my daughter. What is happening to me, vieja? Why am I so insecure with Santos Luzardo?
E: Because you've never really loved before, mi hija.
DB: Yes, I am so afraid of losing him, vieja.

Danger comes in. He says that he has to talk to DB.

Eustaquia brings the rebels their breakfast. They tell her that Gonzalo had another attack of claustrophobia and went outside. We see Gonzalo narrowly miss being seen by soldiers patrolling the riverbank.

Danger tells DB that last night he saw Santos and Dr. Arias disappear by the kapok tree. He can put two and two together and he has figured out that DB and Santos are harboring the rebels. DB denies it and Danger accuses her of lying. He says that he is her friend and they have watched each other's backs. He says that he has come to tell her that Santos is being watched and that there is a reward for anyone who can prove that Santos is hiding the students. Danger tells her that BP and her men (Tigre and Leon) think that there is something very suspicious going on at El Miedo. DB asks why he is telling her this if BP is living at his house. She asks what he wants. Danger says that he does want something - La Chusmita. He says that DB owes him La Chusmita. [Interesting. We recall that La Chusmita is the hut where DB sent Lorenzo and Marisela to live when she threw them out of El Miedo. We know from Novelera's posting on the novel that the ownership of La Chusmita has been disputed between Altamira and La Barquereña since the time of Santos' and Lorenzo's fathers and that an argument about a cow stuck in quicksand there resulted in Santos' father killing Lorenzo's father.]

Santos sure likes to scold people. He is chewing Gonzalo out for risking everything by leaving the cellar. Gonzalo says that being locked up in the cellar is driving him crazy. He is a man of action. Santos asks Gonzalo if he remembers a José Martí that he liked so much. Gonzalo isn't sure and Santos quotes poetry: (my attempt at a literal translation) "In silence he had to be. Because there are things, to achieve them, they had to be hidden." ("En silencio ha tenido que ser. Porque hay cosas que, para lograrlas, han de estar ocultas." For more information on José Martí, the Cuban poet and revolutionary, see the Wikipedia entry.) Gonzalo says that he remembers. Santos says that being in hiding doesn't mean he is less courageous. "This country doesn't need more martyrs," says Santos, "We want you alive and healthy."

Meléndez gets a progress report from his lieutenant, Guerrero. Guerrero says that there is no news on the seach for the notary and that it seems like the earth has swallowed up the rebels. Meléndez suddenly remembers that during the revolution, many landowners in this area dug cellars to store arms and jewelry. He is sure that the rebels are hiding in a cellar. Guerrero asks if Meléndez thinks that the rebels could be in a cellar at Altamira. "Or at El Miedo," replies Meléndez.

Marisela is making a banana cake ('pastel de plátano') to bring to El Miedo. Casilda is suspicious about why Marisela is making such a large cake and asks what mischief she is getting into, now. Marisela says that she wants everyone to know that she is a good cook. Casilda replies that she thinks that Marisela is up to something.

Now Santos is scolding the terneras and the Altamira vaqueros for going to town and getting into trouble. He forbids them to go to Progresso when the soldiers are there. "Even to visit the whorehouse?" asks Pajarote. "No way," replies Santos. He asks who started the fight and they all answer that it was Marisela. Santos asks where Marisela is but nobody knows. She didn't come to go to school with them.

Marisela is at an army checkpoint on her way to bringing the cake to El Miedo. Marisela is snarky. The soldiers order her to get out of the truck.

DB lays into Tigre and Léon. She calls them a bunch of rustlers (cuatreros), cowards (cobardes) and cheats (tramposos). She says that she knows everything and will never forget. She turns her back and what do they do? They scheme (confabularse) with BP against her. She says that they owe their freedom to her. If it weren't for her, they would be rotting in jail. And this is how they repay her. Léon claims what she was told is a lie. DB grabs him and says that if he betrays her, he will pay with his life. Léon says that there are rumors around. "But Balbino Paiba said it, not me," says Léon, "that Doctor Santos Luzardo is the ringleader (cabecilla) of the rebels and they have to watch him. That if we catch him redhanded ('con las manos en la masa', literally, 'with his hands in the dough'), we will get a reward. DB goes back to cursing them: dimwits (torpes), girly men ('poco hombre'), vermin (sabandijas). "I'm going to kill you, Balbina Paiba," says DB, "I'm going to make you eat your own entrails."

The soldiers find and confiscate (incautar) Marisela's cake claiming that they are checking to see if contains any prohibited items and finally they arrest her. The ubiquitous Juan Primito sees this.

Altagracia reads her essay in class. It appears to be a poetic description of a horse. María Nieves is listening outside and remembering Altagracia asking why he doesn't write her a poem.

BP is harassing an animal, probably a jaguar, in a cage at Danger's house when DB comes up behind him and puts a knife to his throat.

She says that with one movement of her hand she will send him to the other world if it exists. She tells him not to mess with her man if he doesn't want to wake up with a mouth full ants. She says that killing him is the least of what he deserves. "You know," says DB, "that Melquíades is an expert in castrating bulls to make them into steers (buey), right? Do you want to be a steer?" She suggests that he forget Santos and the reward that has been offered. If not, he will find out about what happens to the little bull (torito).

Santos is looking for Marisela and Casilda says that she went out. Casilda says that she is worried about Lorenzo. He hasn't gotten out of bed and seems to be in a bad way. Santos says that he will go to see Lorenzo when JP bursts in with the news that Marisela has been arrested.

María Nieves comes to see Cecilia. After first thinking that he has been sent by Casilda, she manages to get out of him that he wants to be a poet. He says that he wants to read nicely (bonito), speak and write nicely.

Marisela is put in a chair outside her cell with Meléndez, Guerrero, Pernalete, Mujiquita and some other guards present.

Guerrero says that they found her prowling around El Meido.
"I wasn't prowling around anywhere," says Marisela, "That's my mother's house. I was bringing her a banana cake but these abusers ate the whole thing!" Guerrero says that they were only checking to see if the cake contained any foreign matter. When Marisela yells that it only had bananas in it, Guerrero says that she is arrogant and she broke the head of one of his soldiers. Mujiquita steps up and says, "With regard to Señorita Marisela, here present, she posesses the complete right to circulate in the environs of the houses of her relatives. In other words, judicially, it is not appropriate to keep her detained here in the jail." (I have translated this in the same kind of formal legal language that Mujiquita used.) Pernalete expresses himself more casually, "If it was just a cake, where the harm in that?" Meléndez says that he is one who decides. He orders his lieutenant to make everyone leave. He will interogate Marisela alone.

Meléndez: Why don't you want to stay with me? Are you afraid of me? Too bad, because on the contrary, I like you a lot. You have very fresh skin, very beautiful eyes. You are very beautiful. You've cast a spell on me with the same spirit as your mother.
Marisela: Ask me what you want.
Meléndez: I want you to tell me why you were bringing a cake to your mother. As far I know, you hate each other, or not?

Cecilia says that she will help María Nieves to 'talk pretty'. DB comes to the schoolhouse and says that she has to talk to Cecilia. Cecilia says that she isn't sure she wants to talk to DB but DB says that it is about something very important for the good of everyone.

Meléndez tells Marisela that he knows that DB threw her out and made her live in a hut with her drunken father so why is she bringing her a cake. Marisela says that isn't any of his business. Meléndez says that he wants her to tell the truth. He asks what she was doing at El Miedo. When Marisela doesn't answer, he grabs he hair and pulls her head back.

He asks who Gonzalo Zuloaga is and if Marisela knows him. Marisela asks him to let go of her hair and Meléndez makes her say please. Then Marisela denies ever meeting Gonzalo.

Mujiquita whispers to Pernalete that what is going on here isn't right. It's an abuse. Pernalete asks him to stop whispering so that they won't look like conspirators to Guerrero. Santos comes in demanding to see Marisela and when Guerrero does not respond, Santos grabs Guerrero's gun and asks if he is listening now.

DB says that Marisela loves and respects Cecilia. Everything that Cecilia says is holy writ (palabra santa) for her. DB says that she came to ask Cecilia to try and convince her daughter that her best option for happiness is with Gonzalo Zuloaga.

Marisela continue to deny that she knows Gonzalo or that Santos ever spoke of him. Meléndez grabs Marisela by the hair again and holds her against the bars of the cell.

He says that she shouldn't play with him. He can do her harm. At this point Santos bursts in with Guerrero, Pernalete and Mujiquita at gunpoint. He tells Meléndez to release Marisela or the one doing harm will be him.

Labels: barbara

From before: Pat is questioning Alicia about the photo of him as a kid, which is missing from its normal spot. Alicia says to ask the maid. Pat says wasn’t your mother here? Alicia says you’re nuts, I’m going to exercise. As she leaves, Pat says to himself, “it was Gregoria” (Suegrita)

In the antro, Charly and Lucía are happy after their first kiss. They think they might be novios, but quickly realize they have to leave, ‘cause it’s late. They run out. And about this time, Santiago is stumbing around in the darkness of Lucía and Rocío’s room. Sleeping Rocío swings her arm and almost hits him. He goes over to the bunched up covers of Lucía’s bed, and she’s not in it!

Now, the new stuff.

Meño and Candy are drying dishes. Meño explains that Pat showed him the photo, and Meño didn’t give anything away, BUT Pat saw a lot of things in Meño and Candy’s place, and Pat’s not going to let it drop. Meño asks Candy why she’s chatting with Pat (online). Candy says she wants to protect Chava. She has to maintain distance from Pat. Meño shows her with his hands, that the distance is getting smaller and smaller. The time has come to tell the truth, that you’re alive, Chava is his son, etc. That’s what you do, and “away with the pain” (his famous line, fuera dolor). I don’t think Candy’s convinced.

Lucía sneaks into her room, glad nobody noticed she left. So thinks Rocío looks cute (until sleeping Rocío swings her arm and almost conks her). Lucía is dying of sleepiness, but there’s her little bed. And out jumps Santi! He starts giving Lucía the third degree for sneaking out, going to the nightclub. Rocío keeps making noises in her sleep, but Santi keeps shushing her. Lucía says it was worth it. This doesn’t make Santi any happier. He’d die if something happened to her. Lucía says please forgive me, I’m sorry. Santi says promise me you won’t do it again. Lucía says please don’t prohibit me from doing things that make me happy, but I will promise not to do anything I’ll regret later. Santi’s okay with this. But he can’t see how she can sleep with all the noise Rocío makes.

At the breakfast table at Santi’s, Isabel fires Donato again. Santi unfires him. Santi wants to know about Isabel’s male friend, and is still upset that his mother has a boyfriend. She says he’s not my novio, we’re just friends. Santiago thinks Isabel should only have women friends. Lucía thinks it’s unfair that Abuela can have a novio, but she has people checking her computer, and not letting her go to an antro. Rocío wants to know what an antro is.

In a restaurant, Candy sits down at Santi’s table. He was going to meet Marissa and explain what Marissa overheard the other day (when Candy reminded him of all the advances he’s made to her). Candy say’s it’ll be breakfast for three.

Pat shows the picture to Suegrita. This picture is of me, right? Yes. Step two, why did you rob it, and why did I find it in your brother-in-law’s (Meño’s) house?

At the restaurant, Mari shows up. Candy and she embrace, to the chagrin of Santi. Mari then says if the two of you are together, I’m fine, I’ll leave, no problem. Candy tries to stop her, but Mari says to Candy, no more games, be sincere. Do you love him? Yes, I love him, says Candy.

Meño is shaving, and Chava has lathered himself up, too, and is copying his tio abuelo. He asks why can’t the little dog make pipi in the bathroom like Chava. Because he has to go outside, says Meño. But I’m little and he’s little, says Chava. He asks the dog if he wants them to take him out to the street to make pipi, then asks Meño if he (Chava) missed any spots with the shaving. (I remember a scene like this with my own son, who now has a full beard.)

It’s a little tense in the restaurant, since Candy said she loved Santi. All three are grabbing croissants, but not really eating them. All three are sputtering, until Candy says, sure I love him (Santi), because he a nice boy, in fact he’s a classic chameleon macho. What’s that? Candy says she had the idea, and she’ll explain it to Marissa at the Institute. Her idea is to have a “machogram” or maybe a macho meter, to identify the various types of macho guys. Candy leaves, and Marissa tells Santi if you want a sincere, adult relation, just tell me. She leaves, and Santi is left dumbfounded, asking the waiter why the restaurant is empty, and bring me some juice.

While Alicia stretches, Pat shows the picture to Suegrita, and Alicia says, yeah, why was the picture in Meño’s house? Pat says, tell the truth this time, Suegrita, wouldn’t that be sexy? (Pat sure is pompous). Suegrita says well, there’s a kid there who could almost be your son, he looks just like you (Pat) as a child. Pat says it’s true, my son is friends with another boy who is Meño’s adopted son. Hmmmm.

Mari enters Candy’s office, and Candy asks how the breakfast ended. Mari’s not sure. Mari asks Candy if she loves Santi. Candy admits she does, but she loves herself more. She keeps telling Santi to leave her alone, but he doesn’t pay attention to her pleas. Well, then maybe he loves you, says Mari. No, says Candy, he’s your novio, and I think he’s just like all men, trying to get as many girls in bed before the wedding. Candy doesn’t want to hurt Mari, and really wants to be her friend. They hug. Then Candy starts telling Mari about the machogram. For he column, she’s classifying all males as different types of macho men. And Mari’s novio is a chameleon macho, the biggest liar of them all. All females look good to this breed of macho. To unmask him, all one needs to do is say I’ll only go to bed with you if you marry me. He’ll go running for the nearest exit. Mari’s laughing, but she asks Candy, should I laugh, or should I cry?

Santi and Ed are about to do an operation on a sleeping female patient, but they’re more interested in talking about things. Santi tells Ed that Candy called him a chameleon macho, and he has no idea what that is. But the worst was that Mari wants to split with him. No way could that happen, there would be legal problems, because Santi and Mari have stock together, they’re partners, and what’s more, women don’t break up with me, I break up with them! The two nurses groan. Santi says you girls be quiet, in the operating room you should be just like men and just agree with everything. Ed says, but you do ask their opinions, no? Santi says I don’t care, women don’t break up with me, I break up with them, and I’m gonna break up with Candi. Yes, I’m starting to take control right now. Okay (to the nurse), give me a scalpel, put on some rock-pop music like Jesse y Joy, and we’ll do the operation. The song Espacio Sideral by Jesse y Joy (who also sing the Tontas theme song) begins.

Candy is helping Victoria pick out clothes for Vicki’s new image (Candy is the image consultant of the Institute now). Vicki wants a white top, but Candy thinks dark would look better. Vicki’s phone rings and it’s Santi, who says why haven’t you called about your preop tests? Don’t you want to look great? Vicki says I’m super busy, but I can’t wait for the results. Bye. Candy says why didn’t you tell him the truth? Vicki says I should have, but you know, he’s so handsome, and that gaze of his (mirada), is so, you know? Candy says, yes, I know. But let’s go find that black top.

The 3 kids, dressed nicely (school uniforms), are talking on a bench. Chava says he told his mom he wants a dad, but not as her novio. He asks Beto, do you want Patricio as your Papa? Beto says my Dad is in California, and I’m going to find him. Rocío says, is that far away? Yes, very far. Chava asks, is it farther than the Chivas’ stadium? No, I don’t think that far, says Beto. Do you have the money to go, and are you going to miss school? Beto says I’m saving up, and I’m not going to miss school . I’ll just go tomorrow after class!

Isabel is telling Santi that Lucía’s not even 15 but already is responsible. Santi says don’t praise her, she just snuck out last night. Isabel says our little girl is in love! What? says Santi. But I’ll talk to her, says Isabel. Santi says well I was going to, and I know I should, but, but… Isabel says don’t worry, I’ll talk to her. Santi says okay, but please, none of that peace and love, free love, hippy sixties stuff, you know? Isabel laughs.

Chava and Beto run out of school and are greeted by Pat. Chava says we want some coins. Why? To go find Beto’s Dad. Meño shows up, grabs Chava. Pat wants to talk about the photo, but Meño says he’s in a hurry, and Pat leaves. Chava says he said I was your son, but that’s wrong. Meño says sometimes I say that, but we have to go now.

Ed and Santi are talking while Ed’s putting lots of sugar in Santi’s coffee. Santi says, remember that chubby patient with a virtual novio? She didn’t show up. He has a bad premonition. Ed says it’s not the first patient who left at the last minute, things are fine. Santi says I feel something is starting, like the start of the diabetes you’re gonna get with all that sugar in the coffee. Remember Candi said she was robbing our patients to turn into her clients? I think she’s actually doing it. Ed says all you talk about is Candy, don’t worry so much. He gives the coffee to Santi, who almost chokes on it, from way too much sugar.

It’s time for the Isabel-Lucía talk. Lucía is looking at her computer, saying Wow! Isabel rushes in, and says stop looking at porn! However, it was just a computer screen with Charly Charly Charly written all over it. So they have a talk. Isabel says, you may not believe it, but when I was your age, love had the same feeling as you have now. So tell me the details! We kissed, gushes Lucía. That’s beautiful, says Isabel and hugs her. Lucía says she can’t stop thinking about Charly. Who’s Charly? asks Isabel. Well, I met him at the hamburger stand, and actually I don’t really know much about him. Isabel says you should find out if he’s from a good family, that’s important. Isabel says, I’m not talking about a family with money, but a family that is sensitive, compassionate, humane.

Meño says to Chava, California is way far away, much farther than the Chivas’ stadium, in fact it’s in another country, the United States. So, says Chava, I guess Beto will have to miss a day of school. No, Chava, little boys can’t go to other countries without their parents. But Beto wants to find his real father, says Chava. Meño says, well, Patricio is Beto’s real father. No, says Chava, Beto just wants Patricio to be a friend.

Santi is spying now on Candy at the Institute, hiding behind a screen or room divider. Vicki is the center of attention, dressed in her new outfit, picked out by Candy. All the women (and Meño) are oohing and aahing. Vicki doesn’t want to go on her date with the virtual novio alone, she needs support. Candy says, well the novio doesn’t know us, we can all go to the restaurant with you, and be there watching without his knowledge. You see how the Institute supports its clients? My patient, interjects Santi, halfway tripping over the screen. Because Victoria Garza is my patient, and you certainly look beautiful today, Victoria, he says, gallantly kissing her hand. But what are you doing here? Candy says I told you I was going to take your clients. Patients! Says Santi. Now, Victoria does look nice, you’ve done a good job. But you can’t deny that surgery would do a more substantial change. Candy says but only the physical would change. Vicky says she feels good. She never would have thought it, but the Institute worked! Santi realizes he’s outnumbered, and leaves (sneakily grabbing a magazine or brochure on the way out).

Lucía and her three amigas want to talk to Isabel, but Donato stops them (since Isabel is with Jaime). We see Isabel rehearsing a song in English with Jaime on the piano..

In the restaurant, all the women have come to support Vicki at her date with the virtual novio. No one seems to match the photo (of Sebastian Rulli). They see a chubby, nerdy guy with a flower, sitting by himself, and decide he’s the one. But they have to warn Vicky. Candy calls Vicky on the cell phone, and says, would it matter if your novio was not as handsome as Sebastian Rulli? Well, says Vicki, it would bother me a little, since I don’t like being fooled. But I myself am not really super beautiful, I’m just charming or enchanting, so I’ll give it a shot. Okay, says Candy, pointing to the chubby guy. Say hello to your virtual novio, who looks a little bashful (penosito), no? Vicki hesitates, but with gestures of encouragement from the group, strides up to Ignacio and confidently sits down. He’s apologetic about the photo. Well, then show me you’re as nice as the guy who wrote to me online. He extends his flower, but it flops over. He says it was pretty when he bought it, but in his nervousness the flower sort of wilted. But the truth is, he says, that the flower is nothing (indigno-unworthy) compared to your beauty. Vicky takes the flower and says you ARE charming, my ex virtual novio. High fives at the ladies’ table.

Santi’s telling Ed he’s mad about the Vicky thing. He’s miffed that they’re actually succeeding in stealng his patients. Ed says well, did they really make the girl prettier? Santi says well, she was still a bit ugly, but she looked beautiful, he can’t explain it. Bell rings and Marissa and Chayo enter. They’re really happy, especially since they had the success with Vicki, who found her “gordito”. Ah, says Santi, he was fat, so he fooled her. Everyone lies on the internet. Yes, say the girls, but thanks to our Institute, they found love anyway. Mari tells the score: Institute One, Clinic, Zero. Santi says we lost a battle, but not the war. We’re going to be strong. Rocks, boulders. Calm down, says Ed. Rocks, says Santi.

The teenage girls and Lucía want to talk with Isabel. She cracks the door. They want her help with the Sixties party, which is for the orphan children. Isabel assures them she has not forgotten about it at all, and promises it will be a deluxe party (fiesta de lujo).

Soledad opens the door and is impactada to see that it’s Jorge. I came to see my son, he says.

Pat shows the money to Alicia she had given to Soledad (which she gave back to Pat). Pat is mad and warns Alicia not to try to make Soledad leave.

In the park, Beto and Chava are playing soccer when they see Jorge. Beto runs to him, joyfully hugging him, yelling “Papá!”.

Soledad visits Candy, and they go into Candy’s bedroom, where no one can hear them. I have two things to talk about, says Soledad. First, Jorge came back. Candy says he couldn’t live without you. No, he came back for Beto. Now Beto has two Dads. And secondly, I have a question, says Soledad. I know you said not to tell Pat about you, but he showed me this photo, and what’s up with that. Okay, I’ll tell you the truth, says Candy. I was married to Pat. Chava is his son. So your son and my son are brothers.

After the commercial, Soledad says, so they’re half brothers? No, all that half this and half that bothers me, they’re just brothers, says Candy. Soledad says they should be told. No way, Pat would find out, and he can’t. Why? Because for him, and for my sister, I’m dead. What? Well, I made them believe I’m dead, and now Pat can’t find out, or he could take away Chava. Faking your death is a serious crime, what would the judge think? I even faked the death certificate, there were some ashes…. Just swear to me you won't tell Patricio! Okay, okay, I swear I won’t tell him, says Soledad. But isn’t it too bad the boys can’t know this wonderful thing, that they’re brothers? Brothers!

Jorge tells Beto, I’m your Dad, not the guy who was with your mother before I married her. I know, says Beto, you’re my Dad. Chava says Beto was going to find him, but kids can’t find parents who are lost. I wasn’t lost, says Jorge, just on a trip, and now I’m back. So are you going to live with us now, asks Beto? Jorge hugs him, but doesn’t answer, fighting back tears.

The girls are talking with Isabel. She tells them they have to agree to one thing. The girls say okay, but only if your handsome son comes to the party. Isabel will work on that, but here’s the condition: The fiesta has to have a slogan and a theme (un lema y un tema). The theme will be Peace and Love. If we’re going to have a 60’s party, we have to use the philosophy of the sixties. Rejection of war, harmony with nature. Happiness, respect, kindness. The girls think this is fantastic. And if there’s any fighting, I leave, says Isabel. No problem, says Lucía, the fiesta will be Peace and Love. They all start chanting “peace and love”, dancing sixties dances and flashing the two-fingered peace sign.

Alicia is mad at Pat. She asks Pat if he understands why she gave Soledad the money. Sure, to make her leave. But that’s not all, says Alicia. She’s afraid of losing Pat. She lost her sister. She lost her father. She has a family with Pat. Okay, I understand, says Pat (slightly moved, but not too much). And, adds Alicia, who is Rojiblanca! Oh, you were spying on me. You didn’t answer my question, says Ali. He doesn’t answer her, just acts outraged that she doesn’t trust him, her jealousy is incredible. He walks out. She frowns.

Santi asks Isabel if she’s joking. No, I want you to resurrect (desempolver, which is funny since polvo is dust, so it’s sort of undusting) your old rock group. Mineral water, madame, asks Donato? No thanks, says Isabel. No, says, Donato, that was the name of the group, Agua Mineral. Oh. What song would they sing? Donato says, “so many guests and so few tacos”. Isabel says no tacos at the party, it’s vegetarian. No, says Santi, that was the name of the SONG Ed and I composed long ago! But I can’t sing anymore, that was years ago. Would you do it for Lucía? Well, did she ask? No, but she’d like it, and won’t you do it for me? Well, Santi says I can’t do it now, I’m a great plastic surgeon, and not a rock singer, blah, blah, blah to commercial.

Jorge is yelling at Soledad. Why did you let that man in the house? He’s Beto’s father. But I’m his father, says Jorge. Who fed him? Who taught him fútbol? Chava and Beto overhear, and Soledad tells them to go to their room. Chava says we have to go so they can have an argument. The kids leave. What was I supposed to do?, asks Soledad. Wait for you forever, beg you to come back? You left us alone. The doorbell rings. Jorge knows who it is. He opens the door, it’s Pat, and Jorge punches him. Please leave says Soledad. I’ll go out of respect for a lady, says Pat.

Zamora is giving Toño love lessons, so Toño can woo Candy (right!). He’s going to teach Toño about the first kiss. Toño wants to go to the bathroom, but Zamora tells him to bear it like a man. Professor Zamora needs an assistant. Fortunately, there’s a girl right there (named Alma), and Zamora asks if she’ll volunteer for the lesson. She agrees. He gallantly encircles her waist, tilts her back, and plants a big deep kiss on her, to the fascination of Toño. Zamora then suavely hustles the lady into the back room, singing a love song (with a pretty good voice), and motioning for Toño that he can’t see this part of the lesson. As they leave, Toño muses that teachers have all the luck.

Candy is talking to Lulu, wondering why Santi hasn’t called. Lulu thought Candy didn’t want to talk about Santi anyway. Candy says, well, she just wants to stay informed. And by the way, about the picture Candy took of Lulu….Lulu asks if she’s going to be famous in a magazine. Well, not exactly. Candy explains she sent it to her ex, Patricio, and called herself Rojiblanca. Who’s Rojiblanca? You, Lulu, and you’re going to meet with Patricio, she says with her mischievous smile..

Bárbara sees Cecelia put a flower on Candy’s desk AGAIN.

Ed comes to Santi’s house, and asks Donato where Santi is, since his phone is off. Donato says maybe buying a new electric guitar, since he threw out the old one years ago. But why? asks Ed. Well, he’s going to reform your old group, Agua Mineral, and you guys are going to play at a sixties party being organized by Señora Isabel. Ed looks intrigued.

Bárbara has followed Cece into the ladies room, and is grinning from ear to ear. Cece asks what’s up, and Bárbara says, I saw you putting the flower on Candy’s desk. Cece’s a little mad about this. (I was just thinking, that Bárbara is supposed to have been divorced two times, according to the synopsis. I don’t think Cece is ever going to get anywhere with Candy, but could Bárbara also be secretly bi?).

Isabel is having tea with Marissa in Mari’s apartment. Mari wonders why Santi hasn’t called. Isabel thought they broke up. Well, not really, says Mari. Mari says I know you think that Santi isn’t the man for me. Isabel says, no, actually, this may hurt, but I don’t think you’re the woman for my son. He needs a wife, a mother for his children, someone to light the flames of passion. And you’re not that woman. What do you mean, I don’t light the flames of passion for Santi, asks Marissa. Well, has he called? No, says Mari. If I were you, adds Isabel, I’d be asking myself why.

End of episode.

Previews: Candy returns a big bunch of flowers to Santi. But he says I didn’t send them. I’m not sending you anything. And in another scene, he brings flowers, and Candy thinks they’re for her, but they’re for Marissa. Is Santiago using some psychology here?

Labels: Tontas

Capítulo 167

In what is now once again Mama’s office at the Double E (Hacienda de las Elizondo y aún del Escandon) Ruthless Root has just been told by Gabi that because she is so much more like her and liked by her than is Sofia, Root gets the whole Elizondo enchilada when Gabi becomes worm food. (Yes, yes, Gabi also told her that Papa Bear and Gabi were lovers who should’ve gotten married and lived happily ever after with Root as their daughter but she conveniently skipped over the part that Root really IS their daughter.) Root is now Gabi’s sole heir.

At Trinkets R Us meanwhile, Augie is saying his good-bye’s to his granddaughters and Eva. He tells Eva that he hopes God rewards her for the great love she’s always shown towards his granddaughters. The old guy is heartbroken about Gabi (presumably by her not coming to his wedding). The girls tell him not to let Mama’s continued rejection wreck his big day, and they remind him that he’s got a new life full of love and happiness ahead with Santi now.

Back at the Double E, Root tells Gabi that she really liked Augie and by the way, he gave her a letter for Gabi. Root hands Gabi the letter from him telling her he still loves her despite her rejection of him, that he hopes God will pardon her for everything, and that he hopes she might see the error of her ways. “Eh! He shouldn’t have bothered. The best thing for me is that he married that old broad and got the heck out of my life!” Root asks why she hates her father so much. Gabi says (as she slurps down another brandy) because he was always a drunk and treated her mother badly, then also because he was forever against her and then helped turn her daughters against her. --But, she got even with him. For years she tortured him by making him and everyone else believe a big lie about him being the one who was driving and who killed her mother in the car accident years ago that left him paralyzed.

Root asks who was the one driving then and Gabi admits that she was, but she was driving because he was too drunk. So essentially he was to blame, and she told him and everybody else around that it was him. He was blackballed socially ever since. She admits that she has no compunction or regret for having condemned him to a wheelchair. Root seems uncomfortable (and just might not be quite as ruthless as her momma). She asks how Gabi could be so cruel to her own father. Gabi says Root should learn right now that nobody stops Gabi Elizondo and if they mess with her, sooner or later they pay for it. She and Root are just alike that way she adds. Gabi smiles cruelly then and says she’ll write back just to let him know it, too.

In town, mother superior informs Rigo and Eugenia that they can adopt a child from the orphanage and gives them a beautiful little boy about the same age as Sofia’s girls are. They of course give the virgencita her prayerful due.

In the office a bit later, Darth Rico is telling Gabi he’s upset and wants to know why the change in her attitude? First she runs the three of them off, and then she prevents them from leaving, and now she has named Root as her sole heir. “Just what are you up to?” He wants the truth and now. Gabi smiles smugly and tells him that Root really is his daughter. Rico is confused and angry because, he says, they just finished telling him otherwise. Gabi says to forget everything they told them before because she just found out herself. She smiles at him. “Root is our daughter. She is ours!” Ricardo Uribe is now properly wide-eyed impactado. He’s not sure if he understood her. “For once in your life, woman, could you be honest with me?” Gabi pours the two of them a brandy (dunno how many this makes for her OR why Gabi never ever seems to get the slightest bit tipsy from all those brandies) and she fills him in on the details.

Back at Trinkets, Rigo and Eugenia come in to show the three Elizondo sisters their new little boy and everybody oohs and ahhs.

We’re shunted back to the Double E office again. Gabi tells Darth that he always wanted a child. She was the only woman who could give him one. Talk turns to the “call of the blood”. He says he never could see Root as either Eva or Bernie’s and always felt there was some blood tie between them. Gabi admits to him that she never felt as if Sofia was ever her own, but the moment she met Root she sensed a special something. So, Gabi says, whether they like it or not, there is a tie that binds them together for life.

Upstairs Root meets with Feo in the bedroom and tells him that she is now Gabi’s sole heir. Feo gives her a huge hug and says they ought to probably get rid of Gabi as soon as possible. (Viewerville is left to wonder if Root realizes just how permanently and irreversibly he means.) Root says, well then he’s got to help her with Juan. Fernando says Juan’s become an obsession for her because Juan’s the first man to ever refuse her charms. Fer is quick to add that Juan is not the right man for her. (Do we need three guesses to figure out who he thinks is?) She denies Juan is an obsession and insists he’s just a means to get even with Sofia. They make-out.

Over at the Double R (Hacienda de los Robles-Reyes) after much persuasion from Tio V.O. for his rube nephews to give them some privacy, the specialist is FINALLY left alone with Oscar to examine him. He walks back out a bit later and tells the others that with therapy Oscar just might be able to walk again. Cheers all around.

Feo agrees to help Root with Juan provided that the two of them can come to an agreement that benefits them both.

Back across the way at the Double R, Juan and Sofia are again telling each other that they don’t need to know which little girl is theirs since they love all three the same. (Besides being ridiculous, this line is gettin' old!) Then Rigo and Eugenia come by so that Juan can get to see little namesake, Juan Diego.

A while later, Root walks down the big staircase and thinks back to Fernando’s telling her they ought to get rid of Gabi as soon as possible. Papa Bear appears at the foot of the stairs and greets her with a huge smile. They share a giant father-daughter hug.

Later, at Bungalow del Bruto, Darth is all smiles now that he knows he is definitely Root’s father. However, he’s not quite sure how great it is that Gabi also happens to be her mother. That means Gabi will be able to control him then and that makes him start to wonder who shot at him while he was riding earlier.

At the same time, said shooter, El Coyote, is hanging his hat in a dark hallway of a very nice house. He sits down next to a woman who appears to have been burned and blinded and that room is also dark. “How are you, Mother?” he asks her. (I just choked on my copa. Gasp! --OMG! El Coyote has a past!)

The whole Reyes clan meanwhile, including Esperanza and Caridad, is now visiting together and enjoying themselves in the warmth of the Double R’s kitchen. Rigo and Eugenia show off little Juan Diego. Hortensia and Quintina are elated. Afterwards, Sofia and Juan discuss their now being able to have a church wedding. They are also thrilled that that the specialist has said Oscar might be able to walk again.

Upstairs Jimena tells Oscar that she is very excited over what the doctor says, that if he makes a consistent effort he will probably be able to walk again. Oscar now apologizes to her for his rotten attitude before. Jimena says there’s no need to and that she loves him and only wants the best for him.

In contrast to all the excitement and laughter at the Reyes’s, Coyote’s mother sits in her darkened living room. She quietly tells him that she’s been fine. Coyote looks at her with tears in his eyes and fights the urge to touch the scars on her face. (Everybody take a deep breath now. And another...)

At the Double R, Juan and Sofia are all smiles and they run up to visit with Jimena and Oscar about the good news that the doctor gave them all earlier. (The director and editor are pretty much banging us over the head with this contrast thing, aren't they?) Oscar promises them to make the effort to successfully walk again. Sofia leaves for home. Oscar gives Juan the big hint to follow her so he and Jimena can kiss and make up. Downstairs, Franco and Sarita are now alone in the kitchen. Sarita tells Franco that she only came to see how Oscar was doing. Franco looks hurt and asks her why she doesn’t ask how he is or how he’s been suffering. He says he’s tired of asking to be forgiven and asks her how long till she’s going to forgive him. He tells her it’s been so obvious that he's loved her since the first time he saw her. He wants to know if she forgives him or not?

Meanwhile, Coyote’s mother asks him if Ricardo Uribe has really returned. Coyote says yes, he’s finally come back and so now it’s time to get even (ajustar cuentas). She reprimands him and says that he cannot. He must remember the man is his father. (Ruh-Roh! OMG x2! Viewerville is now both drop-jaw and wide-eyed impactado, not to mention this seems to be another interesting detail Gabi has conveniently left out.) El Coyote says he detests the man and will never accept him as his father because he’s to blame for what happened to her. His mother says no, Ricardo Uribe didn’t do anything to her. She was the one who fell in love with him and when he learned she was pregnant with E.C. he left her. She can’t complain about it and besides, she forgot and forgave years ago. Coyote says he hasn’t and he can’t because of the humiliation they went through all because of him, and especially because of Gabriela’s viciousness.

“You were left blind, mother. Why did she set fire to our house? She was crazy jealous and wanted to get even with you --but I’ve been waiting to get back at her all these years… for what she did to you.” She tells Coyote not to be bitter, because it all happened so many years ago. “It could be an eternity; those two will pay,” he insists. She says no, God wanted it that way. (I have just gone through my 3rd hankie. This is my first 4-hankie scene, ever!) Coyote swears they will pay for it. He says he’ll get Ricardo Uribe right where it hurts him most: his daughter will be his victim.

Said victim and half-sister, Root, meanwhile, is schmoozing Juan in the kitchen while he’s baking. Juan says he’s wise to her but she says that’s not why she’s there. She understands now that he’s not going to pay attention to her. Juan says that’s right, nobody and nothing will separate him from Sofia. Root says she just wants him and her to be friends. Juan asks how since she hates Sofia. She insists she’s not the nasty person they all think she is. He finally gives in as long as she keeps her distance. Root asks him for a favor afterwards (and gets to what she really wanted from him all along). Root fidgets and says she grew up in the hacienda and so she really would like to walk around through it again for old times’ sake. He gives in to her again, dumb trusting soul that he unfortunately is, and says fine, but only out of respect for Eva’s need to be close to her.

In Oscar’s room, Franco and Sarita tell Jimena and Oscar that they’re an item again. Jimena says that when Oscar can walk she wants them to get married in the church. Franco says he and Sarita will too.

Root has gone upstairs to root around in Pablito’s room for the little box but he walks in on her almost immediately.

Downstairs Juan kneads bread dough and thinks about making love to Sofia and finally getting married. Padre Tadeo walks into the kitchen and snaps Juan out of his mental flagrante delicto. Pad Tad says he’s got an urgent need to discuss something with him and that Augie had asked him to. It concerns the safety of his granddaughters.

Root tells Pablito that Juan gave her permission to walk around the place and they get chummy when she tells him it used to be her room. She charms him into telling her that he found something of hers, a little chest he keeps his secrets in. Just as he’s about to show her where he hides it Quintina shows up and chases Root out. Quintina warns Pablito that Root might be Eva’s daughter, but she’s not to be trusted.

That night Root returns to the Double E and goes straight to Sofia’s room to harass her about having made up with Juan. Sofia says she doesn’t believe her and kicks her out of her bedroom. Root taunts on her way out and says that many relationships start as friendships. “Today we’re friends, but who knows what tomorrow will bring, right?” Sofia shuts the door on her and frowns good riddance, then tells herself that if Root thinks she’s going to make her doubt Juan she’s mistaken. She knows Juan loves her and she will never, never doubt him. (We know, though Sofia still doesn’t, you never say “never” in Mexi-doom.)

At Bungalow del Bruto, Rico is reading Raqui the riot act about her switching the two newborn baby girls. He informs her that he now knows that Root is his and Gabi’s. Raqui sniffs and says if it bothers him that much despite his cheating on her, then she’ll leave. Darth grabs her by the arm and says Raqui’s not leaving there till he says; and she won’t be leaving because he’s got a nice little surprise cooked up for her. “You’ll find out in good time what it is, too, all in good time!” Raqui swallows big-time.

Sofia is saying good night to Eva, meanwhile, in the main hall of the Double E and she thanks her for taking such good care of the little girls. Fernando saunters inside. He sneers at the way the two are together so much and are always hugging. “Might as well be mother and daughter.” Eva emphasizes again that she would give her life for Sofia. (Not a good sign, here, Eva. This is the third time you’ve said this about somebody in the past few days.) Sofia says they do share a mother-daughter affection. Feo calls them a couple of prissies. Sofia tells Feo not to bother trying to harass them about it and adds that he doesn’t know how to love. She doubts that he has ever loved anyone in his life, or that anyone has ever loved him. He shoots back that Gabi loves him and he loves her. Sofia says yes, so much that he’s fooling around with Root. Feo stops chewing his cheroot in mid-chew. He’s impactado 'cuz Eva apparently saw them and just admitted she told Sofia.

Sofia threatens Fer then that she’ll tell Mama if he tries anything with Root again. Feo threatens back that he’ll have Gabi run Sofia off the place if she keeps talking to him in that tone. Sofia tells him to save it; she is not going to be there much longer anyway because she’s moving out as soon as she marries Juan. Fer sneers his way up the stairs as Sofia sees Eva out the door.

Sofia is about to go upstairs to bed when Darth enters the main hall. She tells him to get out of her house, but he says it’s not her house, it’s Gabi’s. She replies defiantly that it’s Bernardo Elizondo’s house, as in “her father’s,” and so she does not want to see him there again. He snaps back that whether she wants to or not she will see him, and continually. Sofia stares him down. “If I told you what I know about you, you’d be out like a shot.” He tells her to stop with the innuendos. “So, let’s see. What do you know, you foolish little girl? What?” Root eavesdrops from the balcony as Sofia takes a deep breath and lets Darth have it right between the eyes: “--that you… (Sofia! Spit. it. out!) That you killed the Reyes’s parents!”

Now it’s Rico’s turn to swallow big-time.

Labels: Fuego

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 12:23 PM 65 comments

Cute pic of Mario as PJ/S while he is telling Valeria not to be afraid and that he won't hurt her.
PJ/S and Valeria.

Andrés calls a meeting of the Board of Directors of the company.

Andrés demands that PJ/S and his boss resign for firing people from the firm without cause and promoting unqualified people (Simón). Unfortunately, PJ/S has all the documentation on the bad things that the fired employees did.

PJ/S watches while Isabel stops supporting Andrés and he loses it.

Andrés pours out his troubles to his mistress who is supposedly Isabel's friend.

Andrés tries to insult Antonio by suggesting that PJ/S fathered Ángela's baby. Andrés is impactado when Antonio tells him that is like suggesting that PJ would have relations with his own daughter and that thinking about that can drive you crazy.

Labels: cuerpo