Caray, Caray!

-Helen Rowland (lucky Erika, then, it's like she's already married to him)

Bienvenidos al recap of Colunga's Jaw es Para Siempre. Let's see how many more unpleasant surprises are in store for Fernanda this evening.

Franco begs Lili to reconsider taking this trip, and if she does go, he wants her not to leave without saying goodbye. They're both choked up. Franco says she's the most screwed-over person he knows and also the best person. Even Ciro's crying.

Barbie has to cover for her unhappiness over Artemio's plan. She says she wants whatever he wants. She does, however want to know what he's going to do with all the money. He says that's on a need to know basis, but he does plan to read Gonzalo the diary. Well, that's going to be a little difficult. Franco comes back into the office. Barbie says she's got to go, Artie invites Franco to have a seat. Artemio wants to know how Lili's doing. Franco says she seems calm. Artie finds it funny that Lili trusts him. Really, really funny.

Fer tells Aurora that she wants her out of there, especially because she's the best person to find out what Barbie wants with her. And also, she doesn't want Aurora to give Damian any information. Aurora trusts her and says she has since the day they met. The Mother Superior knocks on the door, interrupting the pajama party, and is introduced to Fernanda.

Franco and Barbie leave Artemio's office.

Erika cries over Fernanda's betrayal. I mean, screw Franco--Fer is her BFF. She screams at the picture that being separated from Damian doesn't give Fer the right to steal Erika's future husband. "No se vale" (that's just not done; you don't do that; that's not cricket). Erika weeps piteously.

Fer and the Madre (con) Superior(es facultades mentales que la mayoría de los personajes de este novela*) go back to MS's office. They talk about how/why they kept missing each other. MS says she's realized that Fer is the person Aurora trusts most. Fer is worried about all the different people threatening Aurora.

Venus is pissy with Esteve. She says "isn't this what you wanted?" and says they're going to get it, but HER way. She won't tell him what's going to happen at the party, so if he and Franco want to know, then they'll have to show up. Esteve says he won't insist, he just wants to ask her something on Franco's behalf, since he knows she wants nothing to do with him (Esteve) anymore. Esteve tells her to remember that innocent people are going to be harmed by what she's planning--people like Franco and Esteve, and even Venus herself. That's all he wants from her is to think about that. Venus looks upset and walks out.

Martina walks into Las Animas with the party invitations. Venus pulls one out of the envelope and reads it to Martina. "Lovely Norton y Camilo Elizalde Rivera tienen el honor de invitar a usted y a su apreciable familia a la recepción que se dará con motivo del anuncio de su compromiso matrimonial." A little wordy for my taste, but that's formal invitations for you. It reads: "Lovely Norton and Camilo Elizalde (whose mother's maiden name was Rivera) have the honor of inviting you and your dear family to the reception that will be given for the reason of announcing their wedding engagement." And, seriously, once you've sent invitations saying you're going to be announcing something, then why should people bother showing up? They already read it on the invitation. It's like a rerun. Well, a rerun with an open bar. Venus announces that this particular invitation is going to "la Natacha esa" (that Natacha). Venus is going to get someone (not sure who) to give her Natacha's address by pretending to be a secretary calling from Grupo Lactos. Martina really wants her to cool it, but Venus has had enough of being treated like a washer or a blender-- "something you just turn on and off." To her, that's how Esteve is treating her…he hired her, gave her lessons, she learned it all, then he wants to call the whole thing off. Martina says "donde manda el capitán no gobierno el marinero" which means "Donnie Amanda is the captain not the governor of marinara." No, wait, that's not it…"Where a captain leads, the sailor doesn't ." Or "What the boss says, goes." There's a similar saying on the sidebar (let's see who finds it!). Venus says "yo no me bajo de mi macho!" Meaning she's going to ride that macho man until…oh, no, wait. What is wrong with me tonight! This is a reference to a "macho" being a male animal that one would mount or ride…no, not like that…more like a "high horse"…so Venus is saying that she refuses to stop throwing her tantrum. Martina reminds her that people are going to get hurt, blah, blah, blah. Venus says that's tough because they were planning to tell everyone she was the town ho when it was all over, so what does she care about outing them.

Fer tells the Madre Superior she just found out the truth about what happened with Aurora (that Camilo drugged her and raped her…maybe, I'm still on the fence about whether he actually did the deed). Fer supposes Camilo had some help and she thinks that person not only helped him, but…this is the fault of a terrible woman, her stepmother. The Madre Superior covers her mouth, but come on, she was already thinking it days ago.

Franco fills Barbie in on Artemio's travel plans, but she doubts the reliability of his source, continuing to think that Lili is crazy.

Lili scarfs down her dinner salad and swears (kind of--since she didn't actually say "I swear," just waved her hand in his general direction) to Artemio that she didn't say anything to anyone. Because otherwise she won't get to see the pyramids. Artemio praises her for being intelligent. Sucka!

Barbie thinks its weird that Lili would give Franco this information, but he tells her that's what happens when he flexes his magical jaw muscles and lets glycerine tears of pure dolor roll down his cheeks. Mhm. Ladies Love Cool Franco. Barbie still thinks it's weird. Franco says maybe he reminds her of someone. Barbie still thinks maybe it's a fantasy of Lili's. Franco says if she disappears, their deal is off. He's not going to spare any expense to make sure the Elizaldes get back what's theirs and he'll make sure they know everything she's been responsible for (well, not the old guy down the hill, cause he doesn't know about that). Barbie looks uncomfortable. As she should. Here Artemio's made her bang the old guy for 15 years, bump people off, and wear way too much eye makeup. Now he wants her to hand over all the money and he says she can have Lili, but may actually be planning to take her away. So what's she left with? Well, nothing, as far as Artemio knows. I'm pretty sure nobody from Lactos is going to write her a reference.

Venus is telling someone that it's important to Camilo that this person be at "the meeting". It turns out to be Natacha. Esteve comes in after she gets off the phone. Venus shows him the invitations. He wants to ask her another questions. She reminds him that he and Franco have nothing to worry about. She's not going to "hacer una fregadera" (meaning she's not going to screw them over). Esteve says that's not the question, but thanks for the info. So what's the question. His question is "When this is all over, what are you thinking of doing?" Venus says she's leaving. Why? Esteve says the day after the reception, he's going back home. Would one of you two grow a pair of something already! I'm not asking for a wordy declaration of love in iambic pentameter, I'm just saying…look, you're in a room with a bed, just somebody jump somebody else's bones already!

Franco and Fer run into each other in front of the elevators. She asks to see him in her office after she's heard that he was meeting with Barbie. Fer tells Flor to hold her calls and Gardenia overhears and gets pissy. Has her hair gotten darker? Gardenia assumes they're heading to her office to do it on the desk. Well, sure, just because that's what she would do. Flor tells her to get her mind out of the gutter, people think about other things than romance. Gardenia wonders what else they could be doing in there. Flor tells her to keep her big mouth shut, because she knows what kind of problems it could cause if people find out who he is. Gardenia snits that maybe Fer's already recognized his breath. Flor has had ENOUGH, and in a move I had to go back and watch a couple of times, smacks Gardenia clear across the mouth. Now that was satisfying. Gardenia tells Flor that if she's kept her mouth shut it was out of the kindness of her heart, but she threatens, for about the millionth time, that if they piss her off, so help her, she's going to spill all the frijoles and tell everyone that Franco is really Eduardo.

Fer cries in her office and then apologizes for crying. She tells Franco she's found out something that tops the list of crappy things she's found out about her family. She tells him about Aurora and that Camilo, with Barbie's help, drugged her and raped her. And also that Aurora's pregnant and Barbie's trying to get Aurora to go away with her. And also that somehow Damian is involved in all this. She needs a big hug from him. She begs him not to betray her…"not you, not you!" She does that hyperventilating cry and Franco shakes his head. Not sure how he's going to get himself out of this one.

Erika has decided, in a very Stepford way, that she's not going to cry. Not all is lost. She's going to fight for Franco's love and count on the fact that he's given his word as a gentleman. She'll get her strength from that. And if Fer wants a fight, she'll have it. The extreme closeup was creepy.

Fer whines that she's going to completely lose it if she can't count on anyone. She promises once they've got Lili back, she'll quit bothering him with her problems. Franco's phone rings and he ignores the call from Erika. Fer pretends to be ok and tells him to answer his phone, but Franco says they've got to find a solution. Fer is surprised at the way Barbie is tearing the family to pieces. She's worried Daddy's going to croak when he finds out what Camilo did. And she needs to tell Santi that Aurora is pregnant. Franco thinks they should wait it out until they find out what Damian and Barbie are up to with Aurora. Fer thinks they're trying to get rid of her so that Camilo's crime will go unpunished. Yeah, but doesn't that defeat the purpose of destroying the whole family? Franco thinks she's right, though, but he also thinks Aurora's safe with the nuns. Fer wants to tell Damian she knows all, but Franco tells her not to. He doesn't want to upset Barbie. He tells her that Artemio is thinking of taking Lili out of the country. Franco tells her they're counting on Barbie to keep that from happening. Fer wonders why this is all happening. In reply, Franco pulls out Ana Gregoria's diary.

At the generic bar/restaurant, Damian and Vlad drink to having DNA results soon. Damian has the receipt for the results, which he won't hand over. He says Cousin Jacobo will take on the case and the DNA test and the video will be their proof. Vlad thinks he's the best friend ever and asks him, very sincerely, to be the baby's godfather. Damian says he doesn't deserve it, but he accepts. They drink to it and Vlad calls him "compadre" (literally, "co-parent" as the godparents are responsible for the child's spiritual upbringing; to the child, the godparents are "padrino" and "madrina"; to the godparents, the child is an "ahijado" or "ahijada"; and the parents and godparents are each other's "compadre" or "comadre"; when I was growing up, this was used by my parents and their friends as a way to indicate a close friendship, not necessarily that they were the godparents of each other's children, so it took me a while to figure out the literal meaning). Damian thought bubbles that the weak get devoured in the jungle and now it's Vlad's turn. Oh, that Damian, he's such a sentimental guy.

Erika sits at a restaurant with a pink drink in a martini glass and takes the photo out of the envelope for what I suspect is the hundredth time today at least. Franco shows up and she brushes off his late arrival. She supposes he was busy with the attaché of commerce (and I had to check to make sure, but it was in my last recap that he originally told this lie, so really things aren't moving any faster time-wise, we just have more of it crammed into each costume change). Tee hee. She shows him a travel brochure for a cruise, it sounds like, of some glaciers, Easter Island, and other assorted locations where she'll have to refrain from pushing him over the rail of the cruise ship on their HONEYMOON. Franco looks terrified and I hear the wheel creak as the hamster gets cranking. How is our un-galan-ly galan going to get out of this?

Fer reads all about Ana Gregoria and Abuelo Jeronimo getting it on. She's actually finding it a bit of a turn-on herself, it looks like.

Franco says the trip sounds "fine" and they can make the reservations whenever she wants. The lack of interest is palpable, but as Erika said earlier, she doesn't care. How long will that last before she gets tired of him having a headache every night of the cruise? Come to think of it, do we even suspect that Franco has had sex with anyone? Who? Erika wants to make another suggestion, she says it's silly, but she hopes he'll say "yes." Which, like a dumbass, he does without waiting to hear what it is. She wants a kinda-sorta-joint bachelor and bachelorette party at her family's "finca" (country house) in Tabasco and she wants to invite someone who's vacationed there before…Fer! Ugh.

Fer reads about Soledad being angry at Ana Gregoria because Ana Gregoria wasn't hanging out with her as much. Then she reads about how even Abuela Altagracia noticed that Ana Gregoria wasn't feeling so good and stopped chastising her for not doing such a good job of dusting.

Erika talks about all the fun times she and Fer used to have at the finca…learning to drive a tractor, smoking their first cigarettes, getting drunk for the first time, talking about what the men of their dreams would be like. Erika giggles that every year, her man was different, but Fer always dreamt of the same one. She doesn't remember what the guy was "like" but she knows who the guy was…the cook's son. Erika repeats the story of Fer and Eddie getting busted kissing on the day of Fer's first Communion and Eddie being sent away. Erika laughs that it didn't matter, since Fer wasn't going to marry a servant's son anyway, hahaha! Erika says that Fer sent letters, but Eddie never answered. They toast (Franco is drinking water). Erika offers to show him a picture of a boy they both met in college…Miguel…the only guy Fer would have wanted to be with besides Eddie. He went into economics and is out in Spain working for…I kid you not…Economists Without Borders. Erika suggests they invite Miguel to the finca with them. Franco asks if that's convenient, in the middle of all the problems Fer is having, but Erika says it will be just the thing to cheer Fer up. And, yes, Virginia, there really is an Economistas Sin Fronteras http://www.eurosif.org/member_affiliates/list_of_member_affiliates/esf.

Damian gives Jacobo all the information about Vlad and tells him he wants a clean job. Jake says his buddy is a pro at this, and not to worry. Damian shows him a bag full of money. Jacobo stalls, saying it's going to take some time to study the target, blah, blah, blah. He's using some medical analogy and now says it's going to be an express healing.

Erika goes on and on about how Miguel is just soooo hot and sooooo smart and yet mysteriously single. Miguel and Fer never hooked up, despite Miguel's repeated advances. But Erika's hoping that now the time is ripe, Miguel is coming to Mexico and she thinks he's the perfect guy for Fer. OK, let me get this straight…that photoshopped hottie was into Fer in college, then she came back to Mexico and gave Franco 1 year to come claim her. When he didn't, she instead went for Damian, who she'd just met, instead of looking up Miguel? What. Ever.

Erika is all excited about getting Miguel and Fer together. Franco says it sounds like she's thought it all out. He agrees to inviting Fer and Miguel to join them at the finca. He wonders if Fer will be interested in Miguel. Erika doesn't know, but she's looking forward to playing cupid.

Fer reads about Abuela Altagracia throwing Ana Gregoria and baby Artemio out in a rainstorm. And if this wasn't written down in Ana Gregoria's diary, it would be one of those stories that gets worse every time she tells it…"I was in labor with you for 36 hours and five minutes after I had you my patrona threw me out of the house in sleeting rain with a flash flood warning and lightning strikes every two seconds, and I had to shield you from falling tree branches with nothing by my skinny shoulders while walked barefoot, uphill, and cried my eyes out, so don't you sass me, young man!"

At Margie and Jacinto's house, they eat some tostadas and talk about how Gardenia is soooo stubborn. Margie thinks Gardenia takes after her Abuelo Pantaleon, who was not just stubborn, but also a loudmouth. Margie and Jacinto hear a cat meowing outside, but they ignore it. Jacinto pulls a wrapped present out from the middle of the couch cushions. Margie says it's not her birthday, but Jacinto says it's not really for her. It's a rattle. This is his way of saying he'd like to procreate now. Margie's down with the plan. Jacinto says he just hopes the baby doesn't come out like her Abuelo Pantaleon. They hug. I nominate Jacinto and Margie for Prom King and Queen.

Franco asks what would have happened if Eddie had come back. Erika doesn't think anything would have happened, it was just a childhood crush. And the Elizaldes never would have permitted it. Erika says Fer would have realized eventually the futility of her romance with a hired hand. "Imagine!" says Erika, "It would have been like marrying a country boy like Jacinto!" Lady, you could do worse on this show. A lot worse. And you will. That's where we end it for tonight.

Tomorrow: Erika works on getting rid of Fernanda and Gardenia wants to know what's going on between Franco and Fer.

*Mother with Superior mental faculties than most of the characters in this novela

Labels: manana

Yep, and not only that...there were some juicy love scenes. Beto and Connie clamped down on each other with passion and flipped off the chaise lounge; whereas back in the barrio, Mauricio and Moni wrapped around each other, kissing deeply and sweetly and dadgummit.... thoroughly! All in all, a quite satisfactory night, viewer-wise.

Oh yeah, and some other stuff happened too. I'll get to that. And do I need to remind you what happened last night? Luisa has transformed herself into a blonde valley girl, Mauricio and Beto are going to be arrested for assaulting Rolu (the actor playing Salvador couldn't keep a straight face when the pompous little policeguy Cris gave him the news) and treacherous Connie (sorry Carlos, I know you have a soft spot for her) has led Mauricio to the fight ring...and the truth...about Moni's other life.

Okay. So now we're up to speed. Mau catches sight of Moni in the ring. She catches sight of him....and freezes. La Guerrera knocks her out. Ohhhh nooooo.....We'd worry except we all know it will work out in record time. And we're not complaining, right?

At home, Mauricio finds out Aldo and the girls knew all along that Moni was a boxer. Coni jumps in and says, not only does she lie but she gets your kids to lie to you as well! She also pretends to love Luisa's new hair color but Mauricio is appalled and we trust that Teresa will take charge of that little number....and she does.

Back in the barrio, the police arrive for Beto and for once he's surprised. But I'm innocent, he protests as they haul him off, Monita trailing behind. But his last words are to order his "jefa" (mom) to start making some sandwiches for him in prison. Love how even under pressure, Beto stays on top of his priorities.

Mauricio has been arrested also and Oscar, instead of helping, is finagling it so Mau will have to stay in jail overnight. "Equal justice for the rich and poor"...well, luckily Mau will be with Beto who knows the ropes. Before he gets behind bars, though, Mau confronts a tearful Moni with "I thought I knew you but I didn't at all.' Pobrecita. No time to grieve though...Beto packs her off to pick up mom's picnic lunch.

Our bad boys Oscar and Jeri, are back scheming at the office and Sal threatens Oscar to get Mau out now or suffer the consequences. Jeri thinks the consequence should be getting rid of Sal who's "chocheando" (getting ga-ga) Actually, except for that regrettable lapse with Anastacia, Sal is the smartest one in the bunch. Coni's upset with Mau's arrest until Jeri explains (with hands firmly planted on her derriere) that if they portray Mau as a violent man, the judge will surely rescind the adoption request and presto! the brats are out of the will. Coni sees the wisdom of this but still wants his hands off her butt. S.l.o.w.l.y he withdraws them.

Some quick scenes. Teresa's restoring Luisa's brown tresses. Aldo tells her to pack her and Dani's bags because they're getting out of there. Beto, at the station, asks Mau if he can "hablar de tu". "No is the reply. Our funny refrain coming back again. Undeterred, our favorite naco plows on and explains that Moni is a world-class fighter, Don Cesar is her trainer, and she's soooo good she could go to Vegas. We see light slowly dawning in Mauricio's dim but attractive eyes. And then our two galans are whisked off to their cell where an old buddy "Abrelatas" (Can opener) awaits. I'm thinking this guy must be a safecracker but can't say for sure. Any thoughts, readers?

Well, the kids didn't run far. They all end up at a tearful Monita's and propose to spend the night in her tiny room. Well heck, I can remember back in slumber party days that sleeping on the floor in limited space was no big deal. Everyone seems happy with the arrangements......well, not so much back at the jail. Mau and Beto are playing dominos with Abrelatas and el Jaivo. Mau doesn't get Beto's hysterically funny facial signals and makes the wrong move. Things get dicey all the way around, with the two other fellas accusing them of being "a couple" and pretty soon Beto and Mau are wrapped around the bars yelling for the guards. Over the rest of the night, well...we'll just pass a veil.

Next day, a cranky Nieves is in high dudgeon over the kids being around Estrella, whom she brands a "nalga prontas" (believe me, this one is not in ANY dictionary that I've got but I'll settle for "hot buns") I'm thinking Nieves must be going through menopause....her mood swings are pretty wild (been there, done that) and she really goes on a tear when Aldo appears, in all his adolescent glory, wrapped in a towel, fresh and clean from the shower. Of course Nieves assumes he's hot and dirty from a romp with Estrella....and honestly, the flirting between those two in this episode was so cute, I'm ready to give my stamp of approval to this lopsided romance.
Anyway, Nieves is an equal opportunity critic. She castigates Moni for putting other people's kids, her boss and friends ahead of Beto and promptly sends her off with Beto's lunch box. Her baby has to eat!

Actually her baby right now is planning to escape the jail. Mau has learned from Sal that his kids are not at the house and he's frantic to get out. Beto warns him that the poli aim at the head when shooting escaping prisoners but that's no deterrant. So he counsels Mau to look like he's going to "dar portazo la rata" (just a wild guess, but given the bathroom component of this tele, I figure he's advising Mau to look like he's got to dash for the john) and off they go... and... just like that! they're free.

More quick scenes. They learn of the escape at the office and Gabriela's doing a little "told you so" number on Sal for alarming Mau about the kids. Guess she's already forgotten about that nice candy he brought her. Jeri is lording it over everyone, claiming he's large and in charge now that Mau's in the clink (or was) and soon heads will roll." Mientras tanto" , Connie's having hysterics at the jailhouse insisting they they can't incarcerate her fiancé...why, he was NASCAR champion twice! She and Moni trade insults. Moni knocks her out (hooray!) and deftly avoids trouble by telling our policeguy Chris that Connie fainted.

Another quickie...Mau and Beto are in the bushes. Beto says they'll have a better chance if they split up....but first he explains that Moni kept her boxing career a secret for fear of being labeled a "marimacho" (tomboy, lesbian) by the folks at Sermeño Group.

So where does Beto head after he takes off?....you know it... right to Connie, who's conveniently reclining on a chaise lounge at her lingerie boutique. Whew...she starts wriggling the minute she sees him...all the while protesting "no" and then wriggling and writhing some more. Sizzling stuff. Beto's thought exactly. Eat me like a bun hot from the oven! he implores. (wouldn't you know his pillow talk would involve food!). They flip off the chaise and the rest is left to our imagination. Mine's rolling along pretty well. How about yours?

A more decorous scene at Monita's room. She finds Mauricio waiting for her, tender and accepting. Of course it's fine that she's a boxer! She could be an astronaut, a fireperson, a whatever!...she's the most incredible woman he knows. He loves her. And seals it with a very fine kiss. She shudders a little in his arms and he wraps her in close. Mmmmm....so fine. Thorough, complete, uninterrupted by cellphones. Gotta say, I love the height differential here. She's a lot shorter than Mr. Mau. I'm tall and the best kisses of my life came from a fella who was a good 8 inches taller. Nothing like being lifted up and.....but I digress. Back to business.

The kisses start travling and he hits a tender part of her cheek where la Guerrera planted the knockout punch. He kisses it again and it feels better. Well then, where else does it hurt? he asks. My lips, ALL OVER MY LIPS, Monita assures him so he dives in for more kisses but then....we ARE interrupted. (sorry, not "we"...I'm really getting into this..) THEY are interrupted by Dani...who looks like pleased to see they're so chummy. They both sweep her up into a hug and look like quite the happy family. Shades of things to come? Sure hope so.

Yikes. But things seem to be fizzling twixt Beto and Connie. She's determined to marry Mau so can't have an "aventura" (affair) with Beto. He's outraged. He's just an AFFAIR!? Hey, maybe the problem is I'm not in my Vengadora outfit he reaons (gotta love this guy's confidence) but no matter, he'll strip off his clothes and get down to business. An AFFAIR...just an AFFAIR!? Nevah.

Alright. In keeping with our instant resolutions, all charges against Beto and Mau have been dropped (don't know how, don't care). The kids are happy and headed home with Mau. Estrella bids a fond and flirtateous farewell to Aldo (man, these two are cute together!) and Estrella reminds Moni that now that Mau's okay with her being a boxer, the next best thing she has to do is break up with Beto. Uh oh.

The news hasn't hit the office yet and Jeri and Oscar, our inept villanos, are exulting over the kids heading back to "la coladera" (drain, gutter if you will) where they belong. Our recently minted career gal, Ximena, arrives in the office and they send her off for coffee. She tells 'em she'll bring it "light" and without sugar since they're both looking a little "pesadito de pesa" (overweight).

Thanks to Oscar's call to the judge, his male secretary (assistent) has arrived to say the kids will have to leave the house for now but Mauricio can schedule a meeting with the family court judge to explain why they should still be with him. Mau's about to fly off the handle but Aldo...get this!...is the one to calm him down, remind him not to do anything that would jeopardize the custody arrangements, and reassures him that he will take care of his sisters.

Our Aldo is growing up. Really acting a lot more mature than most of the adults. Good stuff. And just in time too.

Mientras tanto (ya, ya!, Carlos) our eternal adolescent Beto, is about to get dumped for the second time today. Monita, looking very serious (compungida) has just uttered the most terrifying words in any language. WE NEED TO TALK. (This is far worse than the other most dreaded phrase "some assembly required" or even "batteries not included") Beto thinks he should have a sandwich first but Monita plows ahead. What if I told you we were over? Beto laughs...then looks stunned...then slowly understands and the tears start to roll down his grungy cheeks. You mean I'm getting dumped again today? he blurts out.

What do you mean "again" snaps Monita. Are you cheating on me? Beto obfuscates with a lot of palaver and attacks of his own....accusing Monita of kicking him like a dog (me pateas como perro) and how could she think of him cheating on her?! She's known him for 8 years...but doesn't really know him if she thinks that!! Okay. He's a liar. But so is she. So is everybody from what I can tell. Still....love 'em all. They're bad but they're so good at being bad, you just have to cut 'em some slack....even the loathsome Oscar and reprehensible Rolu.

And let's face it....the bad guys are inept. Like Connie. She waltzes in with an "Hola Guapo" and pretends to be surprised about the kids being removed from Mau's custody. Just when I was getting so fond of them, she sighs. But time and distance will heal your grief, she continues, so how about we go away somewhere for a few weeks.

You're right, snarls Mau. Time and distance are what I need.....from you! That's your idea of consoling me for the loss of my children....to take a vacation!!!??? Pobrecita. She's blown it again. Moni, on the other hand, says just the right thing. When Mau collapses in her arms, weeping over his loss, she wraps him up tight in her arms and says I swear that as long as I live, that judge won't take your kids.

And on that hopeful note, we end.

Previews: Mauricio is all dressed up like a clown, surrounded by balloons and impressing the judge with his dedication to his kids.

Jeronimo is mad with power, reducing Gabriela to coffee room quarters and a job as Paula's assistent. And Sal's job will go to Beto Ochoa. Qué!?

And Beto celebrates his new position by clambering on top of a willing Connie desktop...and Jeri interrupts them!

Vocabulary:
la coladera = drain
la mula = domino piece, mula de seises = double six
tienes un tino = have a gift for, have sound judgment, good sense
nalgapronta or nalga pronta = my guess? hot buns, easy pickins'
rugiendo las tripas = my stomach's growling, lit. my guts are roaring (guess who said this)
dar portazo la rata = just a guess...really need to "go"
alzadas = stuckup bitches, arrogant females
alcantarilla = drain
esperelo sentada = lit. wait for it sitting down.....in other words, not likely, you've got another think coming
enana, enano = dwarf, midget, affectionate term for little kid
pasar de lanza = getting forward, taking liberties
cara de compungida = sad, remorseful, contrite face
me estás cortando = you're breaking up with me, dumping me
un poco pasadito (a) de peso = a little bit overweight

Dicho of the Day

Nunca está más oscuro que cuando va a amanecer. It's always darkest before the dawn. (And fortunately we seem to have a new "dawn" every episode with this one. We like these quick resolutions!)

Labels: gancho

Oooops - first off, I forgot yesterday was even a Monday. I asked my wife if she wanted to watch an episode of Monk we recorded and hadn't watched yet, she said "what, the novela wasn't on today?" So I thought oh duh, it's Monday. So we watched the show. Then, this morning in the shower, I thought "oh crap I think it was my turn to recap this week!" So basically I have failed. Here's a rundown of what happened last night, the best I can remember -

Damian convinces Bladimir that he is his friend and really wants to help him. Bladimir records a video spilling his guts about everything that has happened for them to use as blackmail.

We don't see Anibal, Priscilla, Camilo, Venus, Esteve, or Martina at all this episode.

Fernanda and Madre Superiora both travel to see each other, so of course neither one is where they are supposed to be for the other to find them. Finally, for the first time in novela history, someone uses a cell phone in a situation that so clearly calls for a cell phone. Flor calls Fernanda to tell her that MS is there for her, Fer tells her to wait and she'll be right back. Oh and hide her so Barbara doesn't see her. Flor the dutiful soldier does all as ordered.

Aurora wants to go catch Fernanda before she leaves but one of the nuns won't let her out, it's against the rules. Eventually Aurora talks her way out and catches Fernanda. She invites her in, also against the rules, Fernanda calls Flor back and says she'll wait at the nunnery for MS to come back. A second good use of cell phone. During the conversation, Fernanda is able to straighten out a bunch of misconceptions Aurora has - 1) Barbara is the devil, don't trust her. 2) Santiago knows nothing about anything, he has no idea that Barbara is visiting Aurora, etc. He's in Italy and in the dark.
Aurora then tells Fernanda that she is pregnant and that it's Santiago's, with no more proof than "I just know it's his, I was with him first." They didn't teach sex ed at her school I guess. Then, finally, she tells how Camilo drugged her and took advantage of her. My wife still believes that Camilo didn't actually rape her, but just got in the bed. I guess we'll see if that's what Camilo claims in the end, but why should we believe him?
Meanwhile Flor has to wrap up MS like a statue, covered in paper, to sneak her out of the office. Gardenia tries her best to screw it all up like usual but Flor wins this battle.

Erika has frappucinos with her friend who isn't really a friend. She really enjoys asking her are you SURE Franco is so perfect 50 times before showing her the picture and breaking her heart. She revels in it and then says she is just being a good friend by telling her because she loves her like a sister. Yeah right bitch.

Fr/Ed goes to visit Lily with Barbara, Lily isn't supposed to tell that she and Artemio are leaving but Fr/Ed gets it out of her. He talks and they cry about how he and her family don't want her to leave, he basically uses her emotional state to get her to give him the diary as something to remember her by.

I hope I covered all the major points - please chime in with anything I have forgotten. My apologies for the late recap. We are in for a good week of shows, or week and a half, whatever is left, now that things are finally happening. I can't wait until Camilo gets what is coming to him.

Labels: manana

The subtitles for another show are running under our show! Names are being mentioned that I’ve never heard before. Funny.

Old: Carlota has stopped by Camila’s to refuse her offer of paying for Paloma’s university.

Brand spanking new: German comes by Emiliano’s office and says he has to tell him the whole truth about how things were before he came to Real del Monte. Then he thoughtbubbles to himself How can I tell him Romina and were lovers? Emiliano says what? Is it about Orlando, or what? German says that’s it. Then he says mumble mumble mumble coward mumble mumble. The subtitles say And did you come with your wife? Somebody who understood, please fill us in.

Romina is on the phone yelling at her private investigator. I already know he’s in Mexico! What’s his phone number? His address? I’ll give you one more week and if you can’t find him, I’m hiring someone else.

It’s nighttime in Real del Monte. With creepy music following, Aron comes home and sits down at his computer. He looks at someone’s calling card, then starts an e-mail. He starts off “hola…”

Oh good, now the correct captions have come on.

Mexico City. Alonso is at his office, working and looking very cranky. He gets up and looks at a framed photo of Inaki and some lovely guitar music starts up. Why not sax? He remembers playing chess with Inaki, asking about Inaki’s love life and music and studies, how he and laughing Inaki agreed they should spend more time together.

Alonso tearfully tells the photo if you’d only listened to me and stayed away from that family! You’d be with me. He breaks down. How I miss you! His secretary comes in and stands behind him and begins to rub his shoulders. Can I offer you anything else? she asks embracing his neck. He smiles and rubs her arm. The music is shocked.

Back to Aron’s e-mail which turns out to be an IM to Romina. Oops, I see he spells his name Aaron. Romina IMs back how did you get my e-mail address? He says you’ll see. I’d like to make a deal in which you get what you want and I get what I want. Romina smiles at the screen. He says he’ll wait for her outside school.

Alonso comes home and finds Natalie waiting up. She is kind to him, but he’s cool and distant. She suggests a vacation and he says you know why I’m in not mood for that. She says he’s in such bad shape, maybe he should get some professional help. He doesn’t tell her he just came from getting some professional help. Oh, wrong profession, I guess.

Alonso says he can’t get over Inaki’s death because it never should have happened and she’s partly at fault for aiding and abetting him. He says he doesn’t think Inaki died of natural causes. Natalia is taken aback. Alonso says that aunt of Paloma’s - she was totally against their marriage and then suddenly she was all sweetness and light. Don’t you think that’s fishy? And then Inaki is found dead the very day of their wedding?

Natalia says do you really think Carlota did him in? Alonso says yes, and I ‘m not going to rest until I prove it. (Here we might imagine him strapping on his superhero cape and flying off to fight for truth, justice and the Mexican way, but heck, he’s become a cheating ratbastard, so so much for that.)

Diana is frantically telling Emiliano not to sign a partnership with Orlando until he’s talked to his father. Em says that his father completely supports it, but as she gets more agitated, he says okay I’ll talk to him first.

He admires Diana’s new look. She starts to mention Romina but his cell rings and he takes the call, saying he doesn’t want to talk about Romina. Diana says to herself that he’s going to listen to her no matter what.

Angelica has fallen asleep on her laptop and Inez wakes her up. Inez says she’s been thinking about Angelica’s history with that college professor that didn’t work out. Does she still love him? Angelica says she still has feelings, but she was probably just a fling for him and he stayed with the other woman.

Inez wistfully says I envy you. I wish I’d had a love experience. At least you’ve lived. Angelica says maybe one day. I think this is telenovelaspeak for yes, you absolutely will have a love adventure before this show is done, so go buy some new glasses. Angelica has to rush off to see Paloma.

Paloma has gone to a nighttime mass just to ask Padre JuanChris if he has Natalia’s phone number. He says he’ll look it up. She gives him her number so he can call her later with it. He says remember I’m always here for you.

Rufi and Mac are still talking about Rufi thinking she saw Chris. Rufi apologizes and says I shouldn’t have brought it up while you’re getting ready to have the first man since him over for dinner. Mac says don’t apologize, not one day has passed in almost 20 years that I don’t think of him.

Rufi says you told me you just tore up all your remembrances and now I’ve brought him up again. Mac says maybe now that my life is taking a new path, I need to be honest and loyal to Rodolfo.

Rodolfo has had a bouquet of red roses delivered to his office. He smells them and we watch his face. He smiles a small smile – does that mean we can hope he wasn’t brainwashed by Carlota?

Mac is waiting – Rodolfo is 15 minutes late. Carlota comes in and says so you’ve been stood up? Mac says you can’t get me stirred up. I plan to accept him. Carlota says just for money. Mac says no, and I want the half of our inheritance. I want it for Paloma. Carlota says for what? Mac says so she can live her dreams. I’m fighting for her – I’m fighting for my daughter. I am her one and only true mother! Ta DUMMMMMM says the music.

Chris has called Natalia. She is very happy to hear that he has connected with Paloma. He says he didn’t want to give out her number without consulting her first because he didn’t want it to create problems with Alonso. Natalia says if she needs me, I will always be here for her. Chris gives her Paloma’s number.

Okay, here’s the big scene we’ve been waiting for. Carlota and Mac are having an explosive fight, and hidden truths are flying around like shrapnel.

Carlota: You gave Paloma up! Nobody made you.

Mac: Circumstances did. Our father died and then he (meaning Chris, no doubt) died… I couldn’t provide her with a father or a proper last name. I didn’t want her to go through life with that burden.

C: It was your disgraceful behavior that created the situation. It would have been a disaster for her to have you as a mother.

M: Yes, but now it’s a disaster for her that she doesn’t have a mother who supports her, who helps her spread her wings and fly.

C: You have never been a mother to her. A real mother fights for her child tooth and nail.
You are so weak. To cover up your shame you gave her over to Javier and Sagrario.

M: It broke my heart to give her up, but I did it because you talked me into it.

C: Well, aren’t you just the obedient little thing? If Paloma had been my child, I would have fought to the very death to keep her. You agreed because it was what you wanted to hear.Don’t play the victim. It’s your own fault. You abandoned her, you gave her away.

M: (tearfully) It’s true, but because I wasn’t brave or strong enough. I never abandoned her - I was always close to her.

C: Oh yeah right.. An aunt with no authority. Even Javier had no faith in you and named me as guardian. Paloma is the result of a sin.

M: It was the sin of love.

C: A sin is a sin. And I very strongly suggest you keep your secret for your own good and for Paloma’s good. If you tell she’ll think you’re weak and you abandoned her.

M: I’m going to tell her anyway.

C: I wonder if you’re going to be as brave as now when you’re face to face with her. What is she going to think of her mommy, huh? And as for the house, forget it. I’m not selling it until one of dies. And if you keep up with this, I’ll tell Paloma myself what a tramp she has for a mother.

Carlota sweeps off, her cape swirling like a Disney villainess's, and Mac is left crying.

Rodolfo we can’t help but notice, has not showed.

Paloma is having coffee with Angelica. She reports that Mac is furious about her wanting to leave town and doesn’t like any of her plans. For a second there, she had thought maybe she and Emiliano… Angelica says why not? Romina told you she’s step out of the way. Why eliminate possibilities? Paloma says but Romina would be sacrificing herself for me. Angelica says she’s probably just testing you. Paloma is confundida.

Angelica says is it that she attempted suicide, or that they slept together? Paloma says both – if she slept with him it would be because she loved him so deeply. Angelica says I don’t think Romina’s motives are always so pure and direct. Paloma says but I trust her. Angelica says even after that girlfight thing? Paloma says she was afraid to get kicked out of school.

It’s 8:35 and Mac is still waiting. Violins play a dirge. Mac has an audio flashback of her telling Carlota that she is pregnant and how glad she is to be carrying his child, a memory of their love. Shut up! says Carlota’s voice. That child cannot be born. Mac’s voice says of course it will be. Carlota says you’ve brought shame down on our house. First you cause our father’s death and now this. I won’t let you make us the laughingstock of the city.

Rufi in the background sees Mac in sorrowful thought and shakes her head sadly.

Paloma is slowly walking home at night, thinking. She remembers various sweet moments with Emiliano. She sits on a curb and thinks to herself why did I have to fall in love with you?

Now Mac is thoughtbubbling out loud. She says I should have been braver. I should have taken Paloma and run away to where nobody knew us and had her all to myself, with the memory of a father who died before she was born. Sob.

Padre M and Chris are having dinner. Padre M tells him that Paloma has had a hard life but he believes she will land on her feet. He’s glad Chris has taken an interest in her. Chris he just feels like he’d like to stay close to her and support her. Padre M says she’s not alone, you know. She has her aunt Carlota who takes good care of her. Chris says but I don’t think she’s happy- she has such an air of sadness. Padre M looks startled, apparently having forgotten that she recently lost her almost husband.

Carlota is on the phone with her lawyer. She says she’ll meet up with him in Mexico City. He says he’ll be in the same hotel and he’ll meet her in the bar. Oddly, this is okay with her. She asks him if he knows a good P.I. She wants to try to find someone she hasn’t seen in over 18 years. He wants to know if she has any information about this guy, maybe a photo. She says she doesn’t think so. She needs to know if he’s dead or alive.

Mac is still waiting for no-show Rodolfo when Paloma walks in. Mac quickly dries her tears. Paloma urges her to call him – maybe he had an emergency. Mac says you think so?

Meantime, Carlota is rooting around Mac’s room. She finds the Box of Memories, but it’s empty. Drat.

Carlota comes down and says still waiting? Oh, and didn’t you have something you wanted to tell Paloma here? Mac says um, yes. Paloma guesses that she has decided to accept Rodolfo’s proposal. Mac says, yes, that’s what it is. Paloma goes on up to bed.

Carlota says see? You don’t have the nerve. Mac says don’t provoke me or one day I will have too much nerve.

Rodolfo is in his office sadly drinking wine and fiddling with the telephone. He is remembering what Carlota told him. Sure enough, we hear her telling him that Mac abandoned her child, who is Paloma. She slept with this guy for money and when he got tired of her, he dumped her. My brother and I tried to talk her into keeping Paloma, but she was determined to give her away. Rodolfo looks like he might dial the phone. Carlota’s voice goes on: That’s why our brother raised Paloma and named me guardian in case anything happened.

We see Mac sadly clearing the unused dishes from the table.

Carlota continued: That’s why I wonder about my sister’s way of thinking, and why I felt obligated to inform you. It’s a secret we’ve kept for Paloma’s good. But is this the class of woman you want to marry? Rodolfo sadly closes the little ring box.

Mac turns out the lights, blows out the candles, and slowly goes on up to bed.

Yeah, it’s sad that she’s going to lose this real nice gentleman suitor who looks a little like Omar Sharif. But, call me middle-aged, the big tragedy is that she’s going to lose a really good doctor.

Emiliano is having pizza and watching TV. Diana comes in and wants to talk about Romina. He can’t stave her off. She says it’s not right for a man to run away from a situation like this. You have to marry her! Don’t be so self-centered. Em says I’m not, I’m being realistic. I don’t love her. Why do you want me to marry someone I don’t love? Diana says love comes with time. She gorgeous, rich, comes from a good family, and she is crazy about you. Em says I don’t love her.

Diana says so it’s Paloma? Em says why do you bring her up? Di says gossip flies fast. That girl isn’t up to your level. Em says every day I’m noticing that you and I have a totally different way of looking at the world. He stomps off to his room.

Rafa in his office holds up an ugly modern orange and white dinner plate and is thrilled. He tells Joel that Camila’s going to come by to check out the samples. He’s stoked that she’s part of the project. Joel says so you can be closer, wink wink? Rafa smiles.

Romina is in bed and Camila tells her she’s going to leave her door open in case she needs anything. She wants Romina to know that she can always count on her. Romina says not always. It seems like I see things one way and you see them another way. But I’m trying to understand your way of looking at things. Camila says When we’re young we can make the wrong decisions. If I had supported you in wanting to marry Emiliano, one day you’d be regretting it.

Romina says I’ll never know because you didn’t support me, and neither did Emiliano. Camila says a marriage needs love. We’re past the days where people married for money or social position. Romina says you married for love and it didn’t work. Camila says if there hadn’t been love at first, believe me, it would have been much worse.

Romina says I found out Paloma is in love with Em. Camila is impactada. Romina says I’ve listened to you and realized it won’t work without love, so I told Paloma she can go ahead. Camila says that’s very noble of you. Romina says just so you can believe I’m being honest, you can ask her.

But I’ll never be in love again like I am with Em. The same as with you and Papa. You have never felt that again, have you? Or do you have some feelings for that Orlando guy? Camila says I’m much older. There’s no reason you should repeat my history. You’re young and other loves will come along. Romina says you know it doesn’t work like that. You’re just telling me that to make me feel better. Camila looks defeated and heads to bed. Romina looks sulky.

Finally that tortuous night is over and now it’s the next morning. Camila has come by Rafa’s office early since she has to go on to her shop. She’s never been there and says how nice is place of business is. We see a more traditional set of dishes on display, so her design must be a radical change for the company. He’s glad he didn’t have to close, since his workers will all keep their jobs. Whadda guy! He offers her a tour.

Back in the DF, Alonso is reading his paper and little Sagrario has to get to school. She comes over and asks him why he’s mad. He says he isn’t. Natalia gives her a loving send-off, then tells Alonso that his daughter needs him. Inaki wasn’t his only child, even if he seems to have forgotten that fact.

Paloma is off to school. She gives Carlota a peck and wishes her a good trip and does she have the ring. Carlota says what ring? Paloma says the one you’re going to sell. Carlota says oh, of course. Paloma begs her to get as much as she can for it and Carlota says I will. Rufi comes back from the bakery and Mac comes down in her jammies.

Rufi says she got held up by all the gossip. Everyone’s still talking about Arcadia, she reports. We can tell that Carlota’s blood pressure just shot up, but she pretends to be only mildly interested. The police want to close the case, but Arcadia’s niece insists they find the person who ran her over with a car. The police say they don’t have enough clues, so they’re giving up. Carlota smiles, probably at their stupidity in not checking all two car repair places in their small town.

In her jammies, Angelica is checking her e-mail and gets a shock. Inez comes in and Angelica shows her. It’s from Dario, that professor, and it says I want to see you. Angelica doesn’t know what to respond. Inez says if he cheated on you once, he’ll do it again.

Rafa shows Camila samples of the plates she helped to design. She’s thrilled – they look so much better than they did on paper. He’s very pleased with how modern and stylish they are. She says congratulations and throws her arms around him. Suddenly she looks stunned, like she’s been stabbed in the back. But it’s okay, it’s just cupid. She backs her face up a bit and they look one another in the eyes, their love song gushes, he leans in for a kiss, and freeze frame.

Avances: Carlota leaves home. She makes a phone call from her hotel room. Mac gets a phone call about Paloma but I couldn’t understand it, maybe something about an inheritance. Paloma looks smug with Romina, Romina feels the giant thorns on a flower and looks smug too, Aaron hides behind a corner spying on Paloma.

Labels: amor

Labels: gancho

Hi everyone. Sorry I was stuck out of town without any cable access and the slowest internet (if you can call it that) connection ever. It was like I was back in time. Nothing wrong with me, sorry to leave you worried. My Grandma, 91, had broken her hip. Also, sorry you were short a recap last week, with no notice from me. I am trying to catch up on the episodes I missed, so my recap will be a little late today. Gotta get back to watching.

Paloma talks to Macarena about Cami’s offer to lend her money for college. She realizes she can’t accept it. She fills Mac in on her new plan. She’s going to work for a year, save some money, and then head to uni when her program is open for enrollment the next year. She tells Mac that she’s got to get out of Real del Monte. This plan saddens Mac.

Liliana is having a chat with her friend (Sandi/Candi?). They talk about Romina and her suicide attempt. Lili feels bad, even though she hates Romi. Scandi says don’t feel bad, Romi is a terrible person, who has no friends. Except Paloma, but then Romi isn’t much of a friend to Pal. Lili is depressed because of Germán and his feelings for Romi. Scandi tries to get Lili to have some hot chocolate, it will make her feel better---I agree, everything is easier to deal with once chocolate is involved.

Aron asks Angelica if the gossip he heard was true, that Romi tried to kill herself. Angelica, apparently not tied to patient confidentiality, is quick to say “yes”. Then it isn’t gossip, Aron replies. I won’t get into the moral issues his comment brings up, just to say if the news (whether true or false) was delivered with malicious intent, then it falls under the realm of gossip. Then there is the whole Schadenfreude (pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others) aspect to this whole situation. That aside, Aron decides he needs to talk to Pal, better yet he needs to see her. So he takes off.

Diana is visiting Romi. They both blame Paloma for the entire situation. Romi says she’ll never talk to her again. Di says that’s not the way to work it, it is time to fight a battle a la Paloma-style (do I need to add that Paloma isn't even fighting a battle, so how can she have a style?). You’ve got to keep your enemy close. If Romi were to push Pal away it would only make Romi look bad and Pal the be the victim. The real victim is Romi and that is how Romi needs to make it appear.

Scandi tries to make Lili feel better. She warns her friend that even if Germie were to stay away from Romi, he’s already established a pattern…there will be other women. Scandi tells Lili that there are other men out there, who will treat her much better and besides Germie isn’t worth it. Just then Scandi’s primo, Eric, shows up. He’s now working in Real del Monte. He teases that they didn’t even invite him for a coffee. Lili is quick to insist he join them.

Inés asks Angelica about Aron. They discuss how he’s in love with Paloma. Inés seems to isapprove. The two women talk of love and Inés presses Angie for some info on her past love life. Angie is reluctant at first, but ends up telling Inés that she was in love with one of her professors and that they got involved while Angie was helping him write one of his books. It ended badly when Angie realized that although he was married, he was involved with another woman quite seriously.

Dr. Rodolfo is looking at the engagement ring he has for Mac while he’s on the phone with her. He wants to see her this evening. Mac says this is her home, too, and invites him over for dinner. Carlota overhears this and frankly she’s not happy with Mac’s attitude. She slinks off to do no good.

Diana gives Emiliano a call and tells him that they’ve got to speak—tonight!

Cruelota makes a phone call to Dr. Rodolfo. She needs to tell him something. Since we don't hear his side of the conversation, he apparently agreed to see her later that afternoon.

Aron visits Pal. He’s worried about how she’s doing in light of the whole Romi drama. Speak of the she-devil, Pal gets a call from Romi. Romi would like to see her. Pal is very concerned with how her friend is doing. Aron warns Pal to be careful, he’s sure that Romi intends to lay the blame all at Paloma’s feet.

Eric is really funny---or so we are lead to believe by the amount of laughing from Lili and Scandi. Lili hates to cut it short, but she told her mother she’d be home early. She gets up and Eric assists her with her chair. He insists on walking her home, so he can at least explain to her mother why she was running late. Lili agrees to let him escort her.

Rufi tells Mac that she’s got to tell her something, even though it seems crazy. She tells her about thinking she saw Cristobal outside the church. Mac is sure it was just her eyes playing tricks. Mac is a little dreamy when she whistfully says she’d love to be able to see him, his eyes, again.

Pal arrives at Romi’s. She expresses her worry and concern. She genuinely fawns over Romi. Romi seems like she’s hopped up on some meds (perhaps they didn’t pump her stomach thoroughly). Romi asks Pal if she’s in love with Emiliano, because if she is, then Romi is willing to step aside so Pal can be happy.

Diana visits Rafa. She is insistent that he bring Emiliano into the company. Rafa tells her he can’t do that right now. E is working for an established, stable company. Right now that offers him some security and a chance to develop professionally. Rafa’s company is just starting up, it can’t offer E that stability for now. Di isn’t happy to hear this and she lets into Rafa. If he doesn’t get E away from that Orlando man, he’s going to lose their son. Rafa can’t understand Diana’s hysterical dramatics.

Pal asks Romi why she thinks this. Romi says because of the kiss. Pal says the kiss meant nothing. Romi again says she’ll step aside, it won’t be easy and will cost her, but she’s that type of friend, one willing to sacrafice. Pal tells Romi that she’s going to leave Real del Monte when they finish up at la prepa. So does Pal love Emiliano? Romy asks. Pal avoids answering, instead she says—don’t worry, when I leave I’ll never see Emiliano again. A small smile forms on Romi's face.

Eric lets Scandi know he’s interested in Lili. Scandi is happy and she tells Eric that Lili’s just coming out of a bad relationship. Eric says that guy must have been crazy to let a great girl like Lili go. Scandi is even more delighted to hear this.

Cami comes to talk to Romi after Pal leaves. She wants to encourage Romi to start being honest. She tells Romi that she’s concerned because Romi’s version of events doesn’t line up with Emiliano’s version of events. Romi is upset to realize her mother doesn’t believe her. Cami tells Romi she needs to start being honest, not only with others, but with herself. All Cami wants for her daughter is for her to find some peace and to start making good decisions. Cami wants Romi to get some help and she suggests that Romi talk to Angelica. Romi isn’t keen on that idea. She’s willing to talk to someone, but not Angelica.

Aron’s worried that Pal is willing to take the fall for Romi’s poor choice. She fills Aron in on her conversation with Romi. Aron states that he thinks it is weird that Romi is willing to step aside for Pal. Romi’s not the type of person willing to make sacrafices for others.

In the D.F., Natalia tells her friend (who just returned from being out of town and also who’s name escapes me) that Alfonso and she have been having problems. Alfie has been cold and closed off since Iñaki died. Natalia thinks they might be at the point of separation.

Pal talks to Mac about her conversation with Romi. She tells Mac that leaving town really is her best option. She’s decided she’ll go to the D.F. Mac is concerned, it is a big city and Pal will be alone. Pal says that she’s got Natalia there, she can help her. Pal tells Mac that Natalia and Padre Juan know each other. Pal intends to talk to Padre Juan some more, he can be of help.

Padre Juan/Cristobal tells Padre Mateo his story---how he was a heavy drinker and ended up finding his calling after hitting rock bottom.

Cruelota meets with Rodolfo. She tells him that she wants to talk about Mac. He’s not willing to do this and tells her she should leave. Cruelota is insistent, that things aren’t as they seem, that Mac is an expert at making appearances be deceiving. This catches Rodolfo’s attention. Cruelota tells him that there are secrets in their family, and Mac is at the heart of them all. We don’t get to hear what Cruelota tells Rodolfo. We just get to see her leave his office and then he pulls out the engagement ring once again, to look at it and to look sad.

Mac is making a cake for the doctor. Rufi comments that it has been 20 years since Mac has cooked for a man. Mac comments that although she isn’t in love with Rodolfo, she is very fond of him and has great respect for him.

Orlando is on the phone with Cami. She thanks him for the flowers he sent to Romi. He invites her to come over for dinner. Cami tells him that now isn’t a good time, with Romi just home from the hospital. He is persistent and suggests he could come there. Cami kindly declines, it is best she spend time alone with Romi. Their call is cut short by the doorbell ringing. It is Cruelota. She’s there to give Cami what-for. She doesn’t like the fact that Cami is offering Pal money for college….their family isn’t a charity case. Cami insists she wasn’t offering charity. Paloma is Romi’s good friend and Cami would like to help her out. Cruelota tells her that the offer isn’t appreciated, won’t be accepted, and that she shouldn’t bother offering to help Paloma again. END OF EPISODE

Labels: amor

Permalink posted by Cathy @ 6:11 AM 7 comments

As we return to the day-to-day of the effete elite of Villa Madero, Estev and Errorika continue their ruse with Padre Arcadio in order to secure a fake “replacement” baptism record for Franco by circumventing Padre Bosco and using Estev as the “witness” for Franco Santoro’s baptism; Aurora gets ready to tell the mother superior how things went this time with La Sra. Barbara; La Sra., aka Bad-ass Barbie, is on her way back to Grupo and in seventh heaven over her reconciliation with Aurora. At Grupo, Fernanda looks on as Fr/Eduardo comes up with an excuse to convince Camilo that Barbara’s getting control of Grupo Lactos from Gonzalo will benefit them all financially.

The convoluted explanation Fr/Eddie gives is that Barbara Greco is the only executive in management at Grupo that the supposed “executive board” of Powhere Meelk knows and trusts should anything major happen to Gonzo. (Said another way, the big shots from PM figure Gonzo is pretty much past his sell by date.) Unfortunately, Cad is not in the mood to be convinced and refuses to go along with Step-Mommie Dearest taking full ownership of the family enterprise. He’s pissed at Fer for bowing at the feet of PM who he thinks is taking advantage of the Elizalde’s rotten financial situation. Fr/Ed tells him the contract says Gonzo’s children will get all the profits [utilidades] from the business for the next ten years and that would essentially be worth twice what Barbara stands to make off this deal. Cad remains adamantly opposed to the whole proposition. “Only over my dead body will that woman get my father’s business!” They’ve been warned. He slams the door on his way out.

After Cad storms out of Fer’s office, Fer worries that the strategy won’t work. Fr/Ed says it will because Barbara and Cad are thick as the thieves they are, and he is certain she will make sure Cad doesn’t screw with her plans. Fer remembers then that she learned another secret regarding Barbara. She asks Fr/Ed if he knows Aurora.

Rory, meanwhile, tells the mother superior how changed La Sra. Barbara was this visit and how La Sra. seemed so sorry for the way she’d treated her. The nun wants to know why the woman’s attitude has changed. Aurora says La Sra. has forgiven her as apparently Cad admitted drugging Aurora in order to rape her. Once Rory brings up the business then with the bloody cross and words scrawled on the bathroom mirror, the nun gets a bit suspicious. (I would too, especially since there was no hint of indignation on the part of La Sra. regarding the vile act of rape by one of her step-sons. I mean, doesn’t everybody’s kid do it?) The nun says she wants a detailed rundown of absolutely everything that happened to Rory while she was living with the Elizalde’s, starting from the first moment she met Sra. Elizalde. (Query: ever notice it’s the nuns in these things that get justicia for their flock in the end? Ten points, Team Mother Superior!)

Fer tells Fr/Ed about Flo seeing Babs entering the convent and fills him in on how Barbara had thrown out Rory after so conveniently catching her in bed with another man even though Rory really loves Santiago. Nobody knows who the man was and Barb wouldn’t say. (¡Qué suspicaz!) Wheels start to turn in Fr/Ed’s head.

Cad goes into Barb’s office to call her. He screams at her on the phone about his father giving her the ownership of Grupo and threatens her over it. Barb says she’ll discuss it with him once she gets back there. It won’t change his mind, he says, and he threatens her again.

Meanwhile, Fer tells Fr/Ed she believes there’s some link between Aurora and Barb and she plans to find out just exactly what it could be. Fr/Ed warns her to be careful and then gets ready to go before Barb returns and finds him there with her. They thank each other for the support they’ve been giving each other throughout. (Yawn.) He holds his hand out to shake hers as he leaves. (Excuse me? What a lame move.) Fer kisses him on the cheek instead (another lame move). Fr/Ed touches his cheek and then his lips. (It’s enough for Fer, but definitely not for Viewerville, who is starved for something more than pre-teen daydreams of kissy-faced romance on sandy beaches.) He smiles at her like a little boy with a big secret and leaves. (Yeah, pocket that dude. You will need it soon enough when Nanda finds out just exactly what that big secret is.) Fer sighs and smiles herself. (Viewerville marks its disappointment with a communal harrumph.)

At Bravo’s manse in the big city, Lili comes in for a little chat with her Uncle Artie. (The place must be agreeing with her. She’s finally wearing something besides those gawd awful sweats for a change.) Lili asks if she ever told him he is very much like her father. This angers him but she says they are brothers and both are the sons of her Abuelo Jeronimo. Artie tries convincing her that was only an accident of birth and says he and she are not like the rest of the Elizalde’s. They only have each other, now. Lili should realize, he says, after 15 years that none of the others stopped going on about their daily lives for an instant to worry about her after they learned she’d left the clinic. (I’m sure she remembers that Fer did.) He then changes the subject and suggests they go off together to travel the world and see all the unique places of interest. Lili gets excited at the idea of seeing Egypt and the Pyramids and perhaps, various museums. Bravo says they’ll go off together, take care of one another, and be companions for the rest of their lives. (Like that’s a cheery scenario for a young woman of twenty-something.) Lili’s eyebrows go up and we can only assume she’s considering what that might entail. (Travel is grand, but I’d rather imagine it with my Mr. Wonderful –and an old goat like Bravo ain’t exactly what I’d say passes for anybody’s Mr. Wonderful.)

Back at Grupo a bit later, Fer tells Flor that she’s going to visit the convent herself the next day to speak with the mother superior about what she might know about the connection between Aurora and Barbara. Barb comes out of the elevator just as they’re finishing their discussion. She makes a show of saying hello to Fer who makes a point of saying nothing back. After Barb struts off, Fer wonders if Barb heard their conversation, but Flor is certain that she didn’t. Fer then has Flor sketch [un croquis = a sketch] a map of how to get to the convent.

Cad is waiting for Barb in her office and angrily warns her again that he won’t go along with the transfer of the company to her, but she convinces him he’s got too much on her for her not to continue their partnership. All he has to do is marry Lovely Norton as planned and she’ll take care of the rest, assuring him she’ll make him a millionaire to the end of his days. Cad takes the peso pacifier and reverts to type, figuring it’s easier to let Barb do the heavy lifting and let the easy money roll in.

That evening, Estev and Err are still chatting it up with Padre Arcadio. Estev really gets into it and makes up all sorts of nifty little details about his life spent with his childhood friend, Franco, including being at Franco’s first communion and reception.

Barb now calls Fr/Ed to tell him she’s surprised but appreciative of what he did in demonstrating his loyalty towards her by getting Fer to persuade Gonzo. He says it’ll cost her. He wants to see Lili again. “That’s it?” she asks. He says yes. She says fine, whenever he wants. Fr/Ed says he wants to visit Lili the next day at noon. Barb agrees to it. After she hangs up the batty b!tch smiles to herself about her nearing day of liberation and how having her daughter has begun to give her life meaning. [cobrar sentido]

Anibal now pays a visit to Damian. He is anxious to know how trustworthy the people Dam has in mind are regarding the job he wants done with Vladimir. Dam wonders what’s up and AnyBalls explains he can’t trust Vlad to keep his mouth shut about the baby.

At the same time, Pris is remembering Vlad’s plea not to let her husband separate him from his child. Pris says to herself that she realizes now how much Vladimir loves her child and for his own good he should leave and get far away from all of them.

Cowardly Anyballs, proving once again he wishes he actually had some, tells Dam he’ll pay him half the money the next morning and the rest after the job is finished. Dam wonders when he wants it done. AB says the sooner the better. Dam tells him he’s dealing with major leaguers here. (Oh that’s rich, considering it’s Jacobo and Company.) Dam asks if he should just try persuasion, but AB says that only opens the door for the guy to threaten him with exposing him anytime he gets the urge, and that would mean he and Pris and the baby would lose the inheritance. Dam is pesos-in-his-pupils impactado with this revelation and he gets ready to push the advantage. AB hints he needs something more permanent. Dam says greedily that that will cost AB double.

Errika calls Fer to invite her to join her for a couple of hours the next day at the MUNAL, El Museo National de Arte, with Franco and Estev. Fer agrees to go and says she will take Margarita for the cultural excursion, but Fer needs Errika to take Marge back home afterwards since Fer needs to make a trip to the convent to speak with the mother superior afterwards. Err makes some stupid joke about Fer deciding to become a nun now which Fer does not appreciate. (I got to admit that I don’t much appreciate much of what Dolly’s ditzy daughter does or says these days, myself.)

Across the way at Las Animas, meanwhile, Estev has just told Eddie what he was doing at Padre Arcadio’s with Errika. Eddie puts up such a fuss that Estev thinks Ed’s wanted to avoid the baptism record altogether as a way to get out of his engagement to Errika. “Tell me. Do you want to cancel your wedding with Errika?” Ed struggles cuz it’s obvious he’d love to but…..

At the same time, Fer has gotten hold of Santi and told him how badly Cad took Gonzo’s decision to give Barbara the family business. Moping mop-top Santi says it’s all the same to him; he won’t lose any sleep over it. Santi then changes the subject to Lili. Fer explains that eventually Gonzo will want to bring in the police, and then Barb will tell Bravo and their chances for getting her back will disappear. Santi thinks it’s time Gonzo is told the truth, but Fer tells him that Gonzo has heart problems and his doctor says any sudden shock would be fatal for him. So, the lie must continue.

Back at Las Animas, Ed says he gave his word and he’s sticking by it. This makes Estev snicker. (Me too. This line is gettin’ stale.) Ed explains to Estev how Padre Bosco refused to allow the wedding or to accept any baptismal record from “Franco Santoro.” He gets an even bigger guffaw from his buddy when Franco says he doesn’t want the wedding to proceed if it’s based on a lie. (No duh. This begs the question: which lie of the many are we talking about here, considering Err doesn’t know the biggest one of all yet, that she’d really be marrying Eduardo Juarez, the son of the Elizalde’s housekeeper.) Estev asks Ed again if he really is going to go through with marrying Err. Ed says yes and he’ll make the effort to make her happy. (How thoughtful. How generous.) “What about your love for Fernanda?” Estev poignantly poses the question. Ed says he’ll carry that in his heart till the day he dies. (Eddie-boy is making it very difficult for me not to want to wash my hands of him at this point. Kudo’s to Estev for soldiering on in hopes of eventually making his BFF see reason.)

Santi tells Fer he thinks he jumped the gun by running off to Italy, but she says no, things with Lili could be resolved at any time. She changes the subject to her going to see the mother superior at the convent to find out what she can about Aurora. She tells him she found out that Barb has been going to visit Rory there and it seems a little fishy to her. [darle mala espina= to feel uneasy] Santi is still angry about Rory cheating on him and says nothing will change the facts, even if he knew the name of the man Barb found her with. Fer sympathizes and says to wait till after she’s talked with the woman and they’ll have the answers they need. That should clear up whatever doubts they might still have about Aurora. He says go ahead because he simply cannot continue living through the Hell he’s had to.

Meanwhile, Aurora sleeps the sleep of the innocent and dreams of a forgiving Santi coming back for her and the baby.

The next morning Fernanda and Marge meet up with Estev and Errika in front of the MUNAL. Fast Eddie rides up on a motorcycle lookin’ hot in leather and denim. (He loses points with hubby, though, for the nerdy helmet.)

Dam gives Vlad an early morning call during breakfast. Vlad’s in no mood to speak to his ex-pal. Dam accuses him of eating scorpions (instead of Cheerios) for breakfast. He only wants to help his friend out after all. Vlad says Dam doesn’t know the meaning of the word and remains suspicious. “Don’t waste my time. I’ve got to get to work.” Dam says he’s got a plan that should interest him since it has to do with Pris and the baby. Vlad is all ears.

The tour of the MUNAL and our Mexican art history lesson (PSA #1199) begins. The only thing notable for many (me included) is the way Errorika drapes herself all over Fr/Eddie and the furtive glances he and Fer alternately share. (For those who care and are artistically inclined, hubby says Orozco is vastly overrated and the only one worthwhile of the artists mentioned was Diego Rivera but, the pre-Columbian sculpture was worth the price of admission. I say, “Ehh! To each his own, and” --you should pardon the pun—“different strokes for different folks…..” The only Mexican work of art worth looking at in my opinion was Fernando Colunga. Yowza!! Love the way he fills out those gringo blue jeans!) FF>>

Back at Grupo, Denia has a hard time deciding with cousin Flor what kind of “career” she wants to study for. She’s no good at numbers and it would seem, not so great at learning English either….. bada-boom. Forget computers, bookkeeping or being a bilingual sexratary.

The mother superior prays to the virgencita for guidance.

Vlad agrees to see Dam who tells him nobody has the right to separate him from either his child or the woman he loves. He says that’s why it surprises him that Vlad agreed to accept Anibal’s offer. Vlad immediately wonders how he found out. Dam says that doesn’t matter. What’s important is that he has a very good source that tells him Anyballs is ready to comply with what he promised. Vlad figures out it was AB that sent him and yells at Dam that he can go back and tell Anyballs he doesn’t believe a word of it. Dam says Vlad doesn’t have any choice and is being stupid if he doesn’t believe him. Vlad suffers another moment of indecision. (Will he or won’t he fall for the ruse?)

The mother superior (now that the phones are apparently working again) calls Grupo looking for Fernanda, but she hangs up without leaving her name when she finds out from Flor that Fer isn’t there.

Dam manages to calm down Vlad and tells him he’s got it wrong. He’s not there on behalf of anybody, much less a tyrant like Anibal. Vlad, he says, runs off at the mouth and needs to learn to keep his mouth shut from time to time. Vlad agrees and says his problem is that he’s become confused with everything that’s been going on. Good pal Dam says that’s precisely why he decided to come see him, to offer his help and support by seeing that Anibal doesn’t end up with his kid. Vlad says thanks, but it’s all been handled now. Dam doesn’t understand. Vlad says he couldn’t be expected to sit around with his arms crossed and do nothing while the guy tries to take his child and wife from him. Dam asks if he’s saying he’s seen Pris again.

Vlad says he had to see Pris again and that now she understands and says he’s right about everything. Dam tells him he’s an idiot; that he should realize Pris is really on Anibal’s side. Vlad refuses to believe that of his “angel”. Dam tells him to shut up and listen. “You can’t really think that she would risk losing the Elizalde fortune her kid will inherit, do you? Settle down. Get used to it! [aterrizar] You are so naïve! All the rich are the same. They’re all trash!! Among the rich it’s all understood.” (Could it be that Dam is out to double-cross the double-crossing Elizalde’s?) Vladi is as confused as ever. (So am I. What’s he suddenly doing with a 5:00 shadow at 8 AM?)

Bravo is examining Lili’s birth certificate when he gets a call from the security guard that Fr/Ed and Barbara are out front. He carefully puts the document into an envelope and throws the envelope into his desk drawer. Barb and Fr/Ed walk in. Barb tells Bravo that as part of their agreement, Franco has come to see Lili again. She thinks it’s the least they can do considering the impeccable behavior he’s demonstrated towards them the last day or two. Bravo says he’s happy to hear things are progressing positively for them, but he cannot comply with Santoro’s request. Barb becomes visibly upset and asks why. Bravo says it’s because Lili isn’t there. Fr/Ed frowns and is obviously upset with this disturbing turn of events.

Labels: manana

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