Caray, Caray!

We’ll open with a cute Dani pic since I love her expressions so much, but you saw this all yesterday. The new biz starts with Mona being approached by her Ma. You could safely say Mona ripped her a new one, how dare she show up after all she did to her, the only thing she knows about the word daughter is how to write it, blah blah. Ok, she leaves.

Lore Loca walks up to Gabi who is leaving to get ready for a romantic dinner. Lore thinks it’s with her husband. Gabi says no way and stop blaming your failing marriage on me. She tells Lore she has to do something to spice it up, like trap him in a hotel room or something. Loreloca likes this idea but fears her conservative hubby won’t go for it. They havn’t moved out of missionary position in all these years. Gabi is sad for her and says then she needs to trick him. Gabi gives Lore an idea to fake that someone is meeting him for negocios but to turn it into a hot tryst. Lore can get behind that (ha) and declares that Gabi is maybe not so bad after all. Gabi says of herself, of course she’s charming, and wishes her luck.


Mona goes after her Ma. This delights Ma, who makes an eerie smile but she turns around repentive to Mona who wants to get a bunch of crap off her chest.


Ma continues with the forgive mes and I don’t deserves. Mo says she had to force herself not to forget Ma’s face because she was afraid they might pass each other in the street and she might not recognize her own Ma. Blah blah and Mona goes back in. Ma smiles again then corrects herself and carries on. I guess we are supposed to hate her.



Loreloca is chatting with Sal and tells him the client he’s been trying to reach all week called him and wants to meet him in the Hotel del Rincon del San Angel to listen to his job proposals. Sal thinks that’s great until he realizes the time is the same as that when Gabi will be waiting for him.


Jero tells Sal, Mau has to get to Merida very quickly. Sal thinks Jero should work and talks Jero into meeting the business guy Mandiola at 9 despite Jero first thinking Sal meant for him to go to Merida and began protesting.

Jero goes out and tells this to Oscar, who offers to go in his place. Oh this will be fun.

So Oscar is there and a bell boy brings him a key and a mask that he is supposed to put on and go up to a room where Mandiola is waiting with some chicas. Oski “understands” and proclaims how much he loves “business dinners” !! Sheesh, of course.



So Gabi is set up for dinner and opens the door to find Sal with champagne. She tries to tell him something, but he pops the cork and spills it everywhere.


She worries he’ll liquor her up and he says yes, but with his kisses. She admits she looooves him, but there is this little matter of your loca wife and me being “the other woman.”


Mona tells her gals the story of her Mafrontation. She thought she would feel better after yelling at her Ma, but of course doesn’t. Pau and Estre fight over advising her. Despite Moni wanting them to stop, Estre says it helps distract Mona. They leave.

In enters Beto offering her some chicken stew, more specifically stew of a “broody hen” oh now that sweetens it for me, and he jokes about how hard it was to get her into the pot, but she is not in the mood for jokes. She cries as he leaves eating the stew.

Oski enters the room and immediately get whipped. He is told to not say a word, lay down in the bed and that this is the end of the missionary position forever. He’s her slave.



Mientras tanto, Sal and Gabi are having a romantic dinner. They talk about her and Oski, and thank Pau for hearing wrong. He promises he wants to divorce. Afterall, Lore is getting better. Hmm, she doesn’t recognize her own husband only with a blindfold on, not sure if she’s better. Anyway, one thing leads to the next and Sal and Gabi proclaim their love to each other and proceed to make out. And, fuego en la mesa. The tablecloth gets yanked and the candle falls starting the cloth on fire and they mill about trying to figure out where there is water to put it out.

Oski and Lore are relaxing post tryst until the lights come on and the masks come off. AAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! I think we see his uvula. :)




The stew returns this time with Nieves who swears she made it not Beto so don’t be afraid to eat it. Mona says she wants to be alone. She thanks Nieves for taking care of her, and doing all the Mom things like explaining when her body was changing. Nieves laughs at how Moni thought she was cut by something when she passed into womanhood. Nieves sticks up for her Ma saying she feels guilt and has lived hell since she left Mona and Mona should really forgive her, once can‘t buy life and maybe she‘ll regret it someday. Mona isn’t sure. Nieves forces herself to tell Mona maybe she came back so Mona would have more of her than the memory that she abandoned her.


The stew has now changed hands and Mau offers it to her. He gets her to eat it and says he doesn’t want to see her get hit but ends up promising her he’ll beat her fight.

Dias despues and we are in the ring for the national rooster weight championship. Mona and Mariana La Barbie Juarez are announced with their weights and fight history.

Everyone cheers her, except Mau who is not there. Beto tells his Ma Coni will make sure dollhead doesn’t come. Ma tells B that he needs to let Mona go because Mau really cares for her. Beto of course says she’s hurting him and leaves. I love the monita t-shirts and the poor monkey who shifts nervously from all the crowd hoopla.


Oh for Pete’s sake, all she comes up with is slashing tires? Sheesh.



They announce the famous Jose Guadalupe Garcia willl be refing the bout.

The fight begins and Mona looks around nervously for Mau. Mona gets dropped but gets up in time.

Mau gets final things in order and rushes off only to find his tires flat. Coni to the rescue agrees to drive him. The fight continues and Moni gets in a good jab.

Of course Coni has taken Mau right into a horrible traffic jam but believes this was the better way. He gets fed up and gets out of the car. She protests.

Of course more worrying about the prince not having arrived yet. Estre gives her a pep talk.

La loquita shows up again to arrange Xime and Rolu’s wedding.

The happiness is interrupted when dingleberry Jero parades Rolu in while Xime is in her wedding dress. She runs off to kill herself because they will have a failed marriage since the groom has seen her before the wedding.



Rolu likes the sound of that and his eyes tell us.



Back at the ring we see slo mos of the fight so that each can get their punches in without really hurting themselves. Finally Mau arrives and cheers for Mona as she gets slogged and falls.

But he’s not the icing on the cake. Isabel appears screaming at her daughter to get up and a cara impactada is all we see until manana.

Labels: gancho

Emiliano talks to Angelica about his feelings for Paloma. He tells her that he loved her from the first moment they met. Although he didn't know it at first. He can't imagine his life without her.

Liliana runs into German at the cafe. He compliments her and says how he has always liked her. Are you still with your boyfriend? Liliana tells him that her boyfriend is waiting outside for her. German says that her boyfriend doesn't make her feel the same way he did. Liliana disses him and pretty much says her new boyfriend is better then him. She also gets onto him for allowing Emiliano to stay at his house where he slept with Romina. She tells him to come clean with Emiliano.

Orlando and Angelica are going over the day's events in his office. He tells her he doesn't know what to do if she leaves. She says perhaps I don't have too. He gets excited and says "Really"? No replies Angelica. I have to go to Mexico City and publish my book. She asks if she can leave early to out to dinner with Joel. Sure responds Orlando. Where are you going? She tells him the restaurant that Joel is taking her and he says that he heard that place is great. He has always wanted to try it out. Angelica says perhaps one day they can both go together. Okay replies Orlando. Then thinks about it and asks why don't the 4 of them go together tonight? Angelica loses her smile, but agrees to it.

Samuel goes back to his friend's apartment to get the rest of his things. His friend tells him that Camila and his daughter were both there looking for him. What!? How? asks Samuel. A private detective was hired responds his friend. Samuel is excited and thinks that it means they want him to be a part of their lives. He thinks the the letters he sent Camila woke up her desires for him again. His friend tells him not to get all worked up. That was not the impression that Camila gave him. More like she wanted to protect her daughter. She didn't come alone, but with her boyfriend. Samuel doesn't believe him.

Orlando tries to talk Camila into going out to dinner tonight with Angelica and Joel. He just wants to make her happy.

Joel is excited about his date tonight with Angelica. Rafael reiterates to Joel that he is breaking off pursuing Camila since Diana doesn't want to give him a divorce. Joel asks if he knows a secret that will make Diana give him the divorce. No replies Rafael. Even if I did, I would not do that. I want to break things off in the most pleasant way.

Paloma tells Rufi that she is going to the cemetery.

Diana visits Romina in her room and suggests they watch a movie. Romina complains that she is feeling sick and believes it's all because of Paloma.

Paloma is visiting Macarena and asks her "Why did you leave, mom?" I am so angry with you for dying. Cristobal comes to visit Macarena and Paloma wants to know why he's there bringing her flowers. He tells her that Macarena's death effected him greatly. She asks him why Macarena wanted to see him when she was dying? Because we have known each other for years replies Cristobal. Before I became a priest. It must have given her comfort to have me there. Is that why she asked you to watch over me asks Paloma. I'm sure responds Cristobal. I was a man she had great confidence in and now I'm a priest.

Rufi and Carlota are packing up Macarena's things. Carlota cannot believe that Cristobal didn't show up at Macarena's funeral services or burial. Rufi says that he was very affected by her death. Carlota replies that they all were. And as a priest he should know how to handle it better. She wonders why he hasn't been giving mass lately. Ask him next time you see him. Perhaps he is no longer interested in being a priest. Rufi asks how can she say that? What makes her think that it can be true? I don't know replies Carlota. Just that he claimed Macarena was the love of his life and can't even officiate the funeral service. He just hides. What a weird guy.

Cristobal tells Paloma that she will eventually accept the death of her aunt with time. He is convinced that she is in heaven. Paloma tells him that she will never understand why God took Macarena away from her. Or all the people that she has loved. Death is part of life replies Cristobal. We are all going to die at one point. Yes, but after have lived life first responds Paloma. My parents, Inaki and Macarena. They still had a lot to live. God is mad at me and now I want nothing to do with him, the church or you. Cristobal tells her that he understands her anger, but not to doubt God or his great love for you. If he loved me so much, he would never have let me suffer so replies Paloma. Cristobal tells her to think of it as they have completed their mission and have moved on to a better life. Then I don't understand my mission in this life responds Paloma. Is it to suffer? Be an orphan? Witness the man I was going to marry die? Is that what God wants for me? Doesn't that appear to be too cruel? Cristobal says you may not believe me, but I understand how you feel. I have lived through all of that too. Twice I have lost the most important person in my life. The first time I was not a priest. I lost my zest for life that I wanted to die. That's how I feel replies Paloma. Too die. Cristobal says if God has not brought you to his side, it's because there is something left for you to do. And I'm telling you from personal experience. That is why I am asking you not to turn your back to God, the church or me. Don't take it personally replies Paloma. It's just who you represent. Just take your time says Cristobal. You have a lot of pain that you need to go through and sort out. Then we'll talk again. Paloma doesn't believe that she'll change her mind. She doesn't want to talk about it again.

Natalia comes back from vacation with her Alonzo and their daughter. He tells her he's going to the office. She gets upset and says she doesn't understand him. The whole time they were on vacation he was upset. She and Sagario spent most of the time alone. Things cannot keep going on like this. Ever since Inaki's death you have been closed off and I don't know what to do. If you want to drown in your sorrow fine. But I am not going to let you take me and Sagario with you.

Carlota is upset and wonders where those papers are. Tomorrow they will look at the rest of the house she tells Rufi. Paloma comes in and wonders what's going on. Carlota explains that they had to clear out her mother's room. It just couldn't stay that way. But she can look in the box and take what she wants. Carlota asks her where was she and Paloma replies at the cemetery. Carlota tells her that she doesn't like her to go there alone. If you want to pray for Macarena then go to church. I will never go back to the church yells Paloma. And don't obligate me to go there. I have my reasons. Even Padre Juan (Cristobal) tried to convince me to go back, but failed. So there is no one that can make me go back to the church. Carlota is shocked and asks if she talked to Cristobal. I mean Padre Juan? I found him at the cemetery replies Paloma. Rufi tells Paloma that Macarena wouldn't want her to turn her back on God or Padre Juan. But she's not here anymore replies Paloma. Carlota tells Paloma that she understands her anger even if she doesn't agree with it. But she will respect her feelings. She tells Rufi to take the boxes downstairs and they will resume looking for the papers tomorrow. Papers? asks Paloma. Yes, some papers your mom was going to give me replies Carlota. Paloma walks out of the room and finds the papers. She gives them to Carlota who opens it and is visibly disturbed by it's content. What is it, asks Paloma. Carlota tells her it's regarding some analysis about Macarena's diabetes.

Cristobal goes to Emiliano and hopes that he can help Paloma. He doesn't want her to turn her back to God and the church. Emiliano promises to help her not lose faith in God. Emiliano tells Cristobal about Macarena's visit the day before she died. She had commented to him that the relationship between Paloma and him reminded her of a love that she had when she was younger. She also said to be careful of Romina. Because a woman obsessed could wreck havoc. Yes that is true replies Cristobal. Make sure that no one comes puts obstacles in your path of love. Don't let anyone separate you from each other. Orlando comes in and interrupts.

Carlota reads the papers that Inaki's investigators drew up and wonders how they obtained the information. She recalls a conversation that she had with Alonzo (Inaki's father) saying how Inaki found out that Paloma's parents had left her money. She wonders how the papers fell into Macarena's hands and is glad that her death came in the nick of time. If she had read these papers, it would have been the end of her. She lights a match and burns the papers. Rufi witnesses the papers being burned and wonder if they are the same papers as Carmen gave Macarena.

Paloma is in her mom's empty room lying with her box of memories.

Carlota questions Rufi if anyone visited Macarena days before her death. Rufi lies and says that she does not remember anyone.

Orlando and Cristobal are walking and he thanks Orlando for his advice. He talks about Paloma and her anger. Orlando suggests that if Cristobal tells Paloma of his history with Macarena he can probably help her more. Cristobal says perhaps. Macarena wanted to tell her about us. She was going to have Paloma leave Real de Monte with us. Cristobal doesn't want to tell Paloma about it though.

Rufi takes the burned papers out of the trash can and puts them into a plastic bag.

Rufi brings Paloma water and notices that Paloma stayed with her mother's memory box. Paloma comments that the most valuable thing she had was the pearl necklace and she's going to get it back. Rufi tells her the most valuable thing Macarena had was you. Paloma wants to buy back the necklace and Rufi offers to give her the money. Paloma asks if the necklace was given to Macarena from her father? Even though you don't want to answer I know it is so. Rufi goes to leave to make dinner and Paloma stops her. She tells her that she met up with Rodolfo and he offered to pay for her housing and schooling. Rufi says he is a good man and thinks to herself that he can help her find out about the papers Carmen brought.

Inez gets a visit from her secret admirer. He drops a letter on the floor without Inez noticing and says look a letter on the floor. Inez reads it and realizes it's from her secret admirer. He tells her that he knows she's going through a difficult time with the loss of her friend. Don't forget to smile because it makes you look more beautiful.

Orlando, Camila, Joel and Angelica are out to dinner.

Rafael is home alone drinking and thinking about the day things changed between him and Camila. And various other encounters. He starts to cry.

Diana tells Romina to go to her house tomorrow for the rest of her things. She wants her future daughter-in-law to stay with her. Romina agrees as long as she pays some rent. Okay agrees Diana. As long as Emiliano does not find out.

The dinner group are talking about Angelica's book. Camila has to go on a bathroom break. Orlando walks with her and wonders if she's okay. She tells him that all she thinks about right now is Macarena and Romina. Orlando says he understands about Macarena, but not Romina. She should get use to not having Romina around. He doesn't think that she will be coming back. Really asks Camila. Kids today are more independent and she is old enough to live on her own. Camila gets offended and says that Romina is not ready for that. If she wanted to spread her wings then she would understand. But instead she wants to hurt her. And that is wrong.

Romina calls Aron and says that without a doubt Emiliano and Paloma are an item. Aron says that they will make sure that they are not together long. Romina wants to start now.

Orlando returns to the table and Joel leaves for a bathroom break. Angelica asks Orlando what's wrong. He says that Romina will always be between Camila and I. Camila is constantly thinking about Romina and says that she is her number one priority. Angelica tells him that all moms think that way. Either quit competing with your girlfriend's child or find a woman without kids.

Emiliano visits Paloma. She tells him that they have to be careful. Carlota was asking her this morning about them. Emiliano doesn't want to hide anymore. Paloma says for right now that is how it has to be. I need you now more then ever. This house is not the same without my mother. I miss her so much. I have never gotten along with Carlota. I respected her, but out of fear. And now I have lost all confidence in her. Emiliano tells her that she has to have confidence in the people that she loves. She says I only have confidence in you. Last night I had a dream that I left with you. And if we made that dream true asks Emiliano. I have been thinking of ways to make you smile and now I know. What replies Paloma. Let me talk to your aunt says Emiliano. Let me tell her about us. Not yet replies Paloma. I just want you to leave with house, this story. And make one of our own. Let's get married. Let's start a new life as man and wife. What do you say?

Manana: Paloma says yes to Emiliano's proposal; Paloma accuses Carlota of separating her mom and her dad; Paloma gets bitch slapped by Carlota.

Labels: amor

Hey folks,

I just realized that:

1) We didn't have a topic for people to discuss the MEPS cast on the Cristina show, and

2) I missed part 2 this week in addition to part 1 last week.

So I didn't see any of it and have no comments, but if anyone does, now you have a place to post them.

Labels: manana

In yesterday’s dismal installment, dim bulb Paloma lacked the mental acuity to 1. Remember that Auntie Maim is evil and hates her, 2. Realize that letting the doctors use the paddles might be a better way to revive Mac than jumping on her and shaking her shattered head, 3. Keep evil auntie from suspecting her relationship with Emiliano. Thus, Mac went off to the sweet shop in the sky, and Emo had better watch his back.

Cristóbal confides to Orlando he and Mac had planned to marry. Orlando, always a source of solace, says too bad, so sad. Life screwed him over (jugar chueca = to play dirty), so now he’ll just go back to being a priest; that’s that. Padre Almostnotawaste doesn’t know whether he can.

Rafael and Joel are in their office, as they were barely acquainted with Mac. Poor Joel, always unlucky in love, was supposed to have a date with Angélica but it was cancelled because she wanted to be with Camila and Paloma. Rafael wishes he could be with Camila to comfort her.

Over at the funeral, a respectable number of people are dressed in black and sobbing. Liliana, Eric, and Germán even slip in just as the service begins. Romina thinks that during the prayer is a good time to edge through the crowd, have a little chat with Aaron, and escape with him for more evile strategery.

Over at the house o’ sleezy lawyerin’, Licenciado Rosas is informed by his secretary that Mac has died. Rosas is impactado. The secretary, who needs a bigger role and a better boss, thinks it’s very strange Mac could have fallen in such a way; it’s more likely that she was pushed.

Romina and Aaron puzzle and stew in a cafeteria. They figure Paloma and Emo must have a little something going on. But how? Our dastardly duo needs a plan to split them up. Fortunately, they are not very good at scheming, and Emoo is good at avoiding Romina and not falling for her whining. Romina thinks she can use the fact that all Paloma’s loved ones die. Oh, this should be good.

The mourners are sitting around comforting Paloma. Lili gives her an angel figurine. Angélica offers anything she needs, including professional counseling. Eric and Emo sit by looking vaguely supportive while Paloma draws on her eternal spring of tears. Romina drifts back in, and Germy hassles her about leaving. They agree Paloma’s situation is salada (means salted, but also ruined, having bad luck). Germy hides his face and slides out when Camila comes around the corner, ha. Cami tells Romina this all shows them that life is short and unpredictable and they should patch up their disagreements. Romina is unmoved and just whines about hating funeral parlors and leaves.

Rodolfo walks up behind Camila and the music is so menacing I think he is going to stab her in the back. He does not. He offers a handkerchief. With chloroform?! No, the music changes, and he plays the part of the grieving widower, blubbering about how he was going to marry Mac and adopt Paloma (who is weeks shy of 18 by now, surely) and have a beautiful family life, EVEN THOUGH Mac told him pretty clearly she didn’t love him and wasn’t really into the idea of marrying him. No matter, she’s gone now and he can delude himself into believing anything he wanted would have happened, had she lived. Cami and Rodolfo comment that bad romantic luck seems to be in the air in Real del Monte.

Everyone looks ghoulish in bad light at the graveside service. Cruelota thought-bubblingly wonders where Cris is. Doesn’t he want to be here to see that hindrance who was keeping them apart put in the ground? Everyone has good memories of Macarena as they put roses on the casket, except for Carlota, who remembers the excellent time that Mac slapped her really hard. Okay, that’s a good memory for us, at least. Romina drops her rose in dramatic slow motion for some reason.

Over in the D.F., Cris is wearing non-priestly clothes and conferring with Padre Benito. PB thinks all this happened to make Cris a better person and a better priest. None of my loved ones need to die to make me a better person; I’ll accept being flawed, thanks. Just throwing that out there to the universe. Cris says he is a tormented sheep. PB tells him to meditate and come to a decision.

Days later…

Paloma is lying on Mac’s bed, reminiscing in sepia tones to the melancholy strains of “Fin de Capítulo,” as she did when Iñaki died. Cruelota tells her to quit it and get on with life. Paloma doesn’t want to do anything or see anyone. “Not even Emiliano?” asks Cruel. Carlota needles Paloma about the way Emo shows up everywhere to take care of her. Paloma just stomps out of the room. It’s a start. After she goes, Cruelota snickers to Mac that the people she loved most, Pal and Cris, were with her when she died but now they’re stuck here with Cruel, bwahahahaha. Why doesn’t Paloma ever eavesdrop?

Camila returns to work at her shop. She tells Meche she’s still pretty depressed, but she wants to move on and not leave so many things undone, like Mac did. She’s worried about her relationship with her daughter. Meche is worried about her grandson, Chava. She’d hoped he would get involved with Padre Juan’s group, but they haven’t heard from PJ in awhile; he hasn’t even been giving mass. Camila says maybe he caught the flu that Padre Mateo had.

Romina calls Aaron and his over-gelled hair to say she will go visit Emiliano under the pretext of worrying about Paloma, who still hasn’t returned to school. Aaron thinks that’s brilliant.

Meche is glad Emiliano is mentoring Chava. She and Camila both think he’s such a great guy…good thing he went away to school in Monterrey, says Meche, because if Diana had raised him, who knows how awful he would be!

Rafael calls Camila to offer condolences. Their love theme plays. Rafael wants to talk to her about something very important, and they agree to meet at her house the next day.

Cruelota reads some papers and woo-hoo!s at top volume about how great her investment of Paloma’s fortune is doing. Then she remembers Rufi’s mention of important life-changing papers. She goes to search for them. Well, to grill Rufi about them. She claims Mac was going to show them to her. Rufi just says they don’t know what happened to them. Cruel demands purply that Rufi find them. Gee, why don’t any of them ask THE ONLY OTHER PERSON IN THE HOUSE? Cruelota and I do agree that the giant birdcage should not be in the kitchen.

Cris puts his vestments back on. He’s resigned to his priestly fate.

Carlota hunts high and low, making a huge mess which she’ll probably yell at Rufi about. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Rufi deduces that she probably shouldn’t give Cruel any information, or the envelope if she finds it. Ya think?!

Padre Six-Eyes Mateo is all frantic as usual. Cris says he’s back in black, and offers to take over mass. PM is thrilled.

Paloma is still not out of tears. Emiliano hugs and kisses her muchly on the sidewalk. Romina drives by and sees them. She is furious, and immediately calls Diana. Diana, freshly cured of her rash and having an uncommon fit of common sense, says that Emoo is not Romina’s novio and he can date whomever he pleases. Romi doesn’t like that answer and wants to go make a scene. Diana demands that she calm down and come over right away without talking to the lovebirds. Who is this woman, and what has she done with screechy-tantrum-loving Diana? Paloma and Emo continue to smooch through this entire conversation.

Cruel is still trashing the house. Neither she nor Rufi can find the papers. Cruel says she’s going to go through everything in Mac’s room and give it to the dispensario. Rufi thinks it’s too soon. Carlota is, shockingly, not sentimental. Rufi now doubts her own good sense, and demands that Mac intervene from beyond the grave: if she wants the papers given to Carlota, she should help Rufi find them, and if not, keep them well hidden.

Emiliano cheers up Paloma. “What would I do without you?” she asks. He says she’ll never have to find out. Seems a little anvilicious, seeing as how these writers have no qualms about killing off main characters and he’s walking around with a target on his back.

Diana tells Romina to be less ranty and more intelligent. Do as she says, not as she does, I suppose. Diana’s plan is for Romina to be Paloma’s bestest friend and control the situation through Jedi mind tricks. Ro says Paloma isn’t as easy to manipulate as she used to be. Diana thinks they can still work on her guilt, since everyone she loves dies. Romina declares there is no way Paloma will take Emo away from her, even if she has to sell her soul to the devil. Diana approves.

Paloma is wandering home in a daze and Rodolfo stops her to ask how she is. He invites her to come to him for anything she needs. He’s still trying to play the grieving widower and caring stepdaddy. He says he’s moving to the D.F. in a few months, and he’s willing to help her out with housing, tuition, whatever, so she can go to school.

Paloma stops at home just to tell Rufi she’s going to the cemetery. Rufi doesn’t think to ask about the envelope. I guess if anyone could remember something super important for more than five seconds, we would have a very short story.

Emiliano gets all teary telling Ange how much he loves Paloma.

Avances: Romina is up to no good. Paloma and Cris meet up at Mac’s grave.

Labels: amor

Alejandro is pretty roughly questioning Maria Jose about her relationship with Bruno. The man himself shows up and tells Alex to quit mistreating the goods. He's doing a good job of making himself look good and make Alex look like a complete ass. Alex says as long as she's got his last name, he owns her. Nice going, caveman. MaryJo gets between them and says she's had it with them both, she's not anyone's property and she's getting the hell out of there. "And don't try to stop me," she says to Alex. Well, there's one for the drinking game--drink every time MaryJo says she's leaving; and twice every time someone talks her out of it. After she leaves, Bruno tells Alex to leave her alone, that it's not very manly to keep a woman who doesn't want you. But Alex is going to see if that's really true. They have the whole conversation at almost-kissing range.

MaryJo is frantically packing as Alex comes in (without knocking!) and says he's not going to let her leave. MaryJo says it makes no sense for her to stay if she's a complete stranger to him. She's already told him she made a mistake, she doesn't love him, so why won't he give her a divorce, already? He wants to find out why he married her. She resents the idea that she should stick around so he can study her. "If I'm not an object, I'm certainly not a slave, and you can't keep me from leaving here whenever I want to!" He dares her to try leaving and says she'll never make it past the garden gate. Then he leaves. MaryJo takes a bunch of deep breaths and tries to stop crying.

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Labels: sortilegio

Yes, there were mood swings galore tonight. But it's like that every night on Gancho. My lead should really be the great question: ¿Eres o te haces? (Loosely translated," Are you naturally idiotic or do you work at it?")

That is just a gem. Nieves lets go with this one when she confronts Beto about his silly suspicions of her. So keep that question in the back of your mind while we gallop through the events of tonight's episode. Sure, it applied to Beto, the longest breast-feeding hijo in the universe. But it could also apply to Ximena, Paula, Mauricio, Monita, Nieves herself, Oscar, Jeronimo. "¿Eres o te haces?" Heck, it could even apply to most of us.

Leaving those philosophical musings aside, let's backtrack. First, there's a little beso interruptus between Luisa and Ivan. Aldo storms up and says Don't touch my siser, imbecil. While back at home, Mauricio actually seems to prefer the thought of Ivan being with Aldo, Katja and Luisa at the movies because he can "protect" them. Teresa is flummoxed but wisely holds her ground and her tongue.

And included in the rehash is poor Rolu who can't hold his tongue or do much of anything with it. Condemned to just sitting there in a full-body cast, he's holding a sign asking Ximena to marry him (thanks to Jeronimo). Ximena's only momentarily entranced. She quickly launches into Three Things: she's not going to fall for that cheap joke, she knows he can't write in that cast, and something else I didn't get but who cares? The picture really gets murky when Ximensa can't remember if one blink means "yes" or "no". And our desperate Rolu launches into multiple frantic blinks which can only mean one thing: He's dying to marry her!

And frantic is the word for Beto and Monita who have discovered that Nieves is missing. No time to take those generic drugs sonny boy picked up, she headed out on a bus to find Isabel. Beto and Valentina storm down to the police station to report her missing. Christian informs them a woman answering Nieves' description has been exposing herself in public. Beto wonders if Mom's been taking hussy pills (pastillas de coscolinas) and is so relieved when the woman turns out to be someone else, he plants a solid kiss on the unknown hussy's lips. But wait! there's more. If that's not the one, the police have found one malodorous shoe (Beto sniffs it and identifies the stench as his madre) and Monita confirms the size. No problem. Now they're looking for the rest of the body. For some reason, this does not reassure our worried pair. But at least now we know the provenance of Beto's overwhelming aroma--it's in the genes.

Now that this burning question has been answered, we can focus on the continuing saga of Monita's elusive mother. Nieves contacts Mauricio for help on deciding whether or not to tell Monita about her mother. She thinks of Mauricio as "culto, viajado e intelligente" (educated, well-traveled, intelligent...that last is a stretch) and wants his advice. Of course she's also there to make sure Mauricio is not just using Valentina for a pastime and he seems to convince her. Now what to do about that "mala entraña" (heartless, callous) mother. Even though Isabel's dying, she doesn't want to face up to her daughter. What should Nieves do?

Back at the barrio, Val and Beto (and Estrella not so much) are still fretting about Nieves when lo! she appears. "Mala hierba nunca muere" quips our Star. Beto's overjoyed because he's hungry and missed the aroma of her stews and" milaneses con papas". Paula somehow thinks this is an opportunity to gossip about Gabriela but no one wants to hear. So then let's dish about Monita's hunky boyfriend. Nope, she's not on board with that either. They're feuding again. Paula makes another stab at discussing infidelity and Gaby and relationships and what have you but no dice. Eres o te haces?

And the group still hasn't established where Nieves was all this time. Well, er, she was at a funeral? All this time? NO WAY. Well, then be happy she's "vivito and coleando" (alive and kicking). Yeah, kicking it up with whom, snarls Beto. Well, no matter, he'll forive her if she'll make those yummy enchiladas for him. Poor woman, barely out of the hospital, exhausted from a five hour going and coming bus trip, emotional confrontation with both Isabel and Mauricio., now relegated to the kitchen. Makes you want to swear off motherhood, doesn't it?

Suddenly we're flipped back to the movie theatre where Aldo and Ivan are mending fences. Aldo is speaking wistfully of lovers from two different worlds having to give up a relationship and Katja assumes he's speaking about her. She'll find out differently later. In the meantime, Aldo reminds Ivan that even if he and Luisa are novios, another kiss like that and he'll break his face and a few teeth besides. Okay then. Setting boundaries.

Monita's curled up in bed trying to relax. Pounding at the door. Go away! Whoops, it's Mauricio. He came to see how she was. Did he do wrong? He's bothered by her boxing. He doesn't like the idea of her being hit. He wants to protect her.

Monita sets him straight. His mistrust hurts her a lot more than any punch could do. She accepts his three kids. They're a family. Why can't he accept her "family" of Beto and Nieves. I will never abandon them like my mother did me! Mauricio looks suitably glum, does a little Latino stonewalling number (or should we call this a well-practiced male pout and sulk, Carlos?)
and leaves.

Now at the gymnasium, Monita pounds the punching bag while reminiscing about her fruitless searches for her mother. And Mauricio? Well, he did more than sulk. He went to find Isabel himself. The lady, quite cool and collected, informs him that she knew he'd come. And like Nieves, she wants to know if indeed, he really loves Monita and would do anything for her. He does and he would. And he thinks the two should get together. She disagrees. She's not looking for "me", she doesn't know the type of monster I am. He assures her that Monita would forgive anything. Well, you're a businessman so I'm going to make you an offer you can't refuse. And on that cliffhanger, we break for an ad.

Of course, when we come back, we don't know what the offer actually was. It's been made and Mauricio is loath to answer. But he finally does...and agrees. Should he sign something? No, his word is good enough. And now she will go with him to Mexico City. Ay yi yi...big mystery!

Back to the gym now. Don Cesar with his electrified hair, is dressed in matching lilac and pink along with Monita. This has me so entranced I could hardly follow the dialogue but it's essentially this. Jab, jab, a boxer is only as good as his left! Got that?

Monita though is still walking down Memory Lane and it's a painful stroll. We see her mother, very 80's looking, fending off a clinging Valentina while Nieves, also outrageously 80's, begs her to stay. Beto consoles her and after Isabel complains that she's like a "chango" (monkey) clamped to her, he promises her his tender care and reassures her that she's a "monita preciosa" (pretty little monkey). This memory brings on another flurry of hard punches.

As for the mysterious contract, Isabel won't even tell Alicia what it is. But she assures her that she'll see Monita and ask for her forgiveness. However she doesn't want her to know of her illness. One day, she'll have to know, remarks Alicia and when she does, I know "she'll do it for you" (I assume this means the bone marrow donation.)

Pretty heavy stuff but they flip us back again to some humor in the barrio. Nieves is asking Beto to wash his hands for supper. No way is he dining with a "vieja coscolinas" (old brazen hussy). Seems the fellow whose funeral she attended was seen walking around the neighborhood today. Busted.

Well heck, we have more lighthearted stuff. We can always count on Ximena, right? A plastered blinking Rolu is now subjected to hearing all the wedding plans: plans our Ximena has been working on since age 10. There's the dress. And then the decorations...a little "ochentosos" (eighties in style) but no matter. And the church! And the date! How about next Sunday? Super. More frantic blinking. Fab. Means he likes the idea.

Nieves is still in hot water. If she wasn't carousing with some old fart, where was she? Seems she was at Old Doll's Hair house. Even worse. You're trading me in for him!? ¿ERES O TE HACES? They work it out, namely because Beto find out she's cooked "milaneses" and if they get cold, he doesn't know how to warm them up. Our independent lad takes off for dinner. Maternal problem solved. But more problems to come. Monita has overheard the conversation. Learns that Nieves knows something about her mom and heads over to Mauricio's to find out what's up.

More light stuff, thank goodness. The three amigos, Jerry, Oscar and Constanza, are having a wet lunch and cooking up plans. She's tired of hearing about Ximena's wedding project. She just wants Monita and Mauricio separated. As for the adoption, she can handle that herself. But break up that couple, you two baboons! Agreed. They toast, especially since Constanza is a lot nicer with a second martini under her itty bitty belt.

More minor shenanigans. Monita's at the office looking for Mau. She's waylaid by Gabriela who's looking for friendship. Seems with Paula's gossip about her, she's become a pariah in the office. The only way she can clean up her reputation is to hook up with Oscar. (Eres or te haces, Gabriela?)

Oh dear. Back to menacing music and the cool, collected,seemingly heartless Isabel. She's arrived at the barrio and confronts a hostile Nieves. I've changed my mind. I've come back. Dum de dum dum.

Anvils are falling at the office also. Monita wants to know what Mau and Nieves talked about. Beto, he answers. Lies! screams Moni. She told you something about my mother and I want to know what it was. What follows is the usual sturming and dranging that we've been through before. I'll never forgive her. I'll never forgive you for going behind my back. You know, the same old borderline personality I HATE YOU! DON'T LEAVE ME! stuff these telenovelas run on. After Monita storms out, Mauricio, our culto, viajado e intelligente galan, muses that maybe he did wrong. ¿Eres o te haces?)

The two madres are running a bit of sturm and drang themselves, only sotto voce. (How's that for throwing in a lot of furrin words?) Isabel is promising to be the mother Monita always wanted. And with a sweetly romantic story about how she came to be conceived. Not the ugly truth. Promise me you will never tell her that, she entreats Nieves. After all, I'm sick...dying. If you really love Monita as you say you do, you'll agree to this.

Back to the whippersnappers. Ivan and Aldo are horsing around in the yard. Ivan calls him "cuñado" and Aldo tells him to cool it. He doesn't want Teresa to find out about Ivan's forbidden romance and call a halt to all those doughnuts he's been scarfing. The talk turns to Estrella and the impossible love Aldo was referring to earlier. Katja overhears, and even though Aldo calls Katja his "chava" (his girl) she knows she's running second-best in the romance department. Aldo "sigue clavado con ella" (Aldo's still hooked on Estrella).

Estrella, meanwhile, is being treated pretty roughly by Monita who's in a black mood indeed. Our feisty redhead tells her to stuff it (bajale a tu caracter). After all, Estrella's been her most loyal friend in the barrio. Take that girlfriend! Monita goes back to her boxing and Estrella promises they'll talk later.

And our other girlfriend? The very misunderstood Gabriela? Well, she's trying to rehab the rep by planning out loud a rendezvous with Oscar. Give him this letter, please, she tells the comely receptionist. We'll dine at my house at 9pm. But I'm on my way to the hairdressers; and then on to Connie's lingerie store to pick up something sexy for this evening. Wink wink.

Paula intervenes. She wants that letter. Right now. She's got a lot of power here. She's in the union. So hand it over. Totally misunderstanding the intent, she assumes the letter is for Salvador. And tells him Gaby will be waiting for him nude. No need to see the actual letter. Tidy Paula tears it up. We'll definitely stay tuned for tomorrow. And hoping Kris gives us pictures.

Now we find ourselves at Connie's apartment. Katja's wailing about Aldo's infatuation. There's some dissing of Estrella ("pinta de zorra"...looks like a slut) and equal opportunity dissing of Beto (your scummy chauffeur) and then the 411 on Luisa's noviocito Ivan. There's some news that Connie can use. All in good time.

Brief scene with cutie pie Dany playing tea party. Mauricio is supposed to be taking the part of Monita but he's trying to think through his decision with Isabel. Was it wrong? He thinks so. Backs out of the tea party and tries to back out of the contract but Isabel won't let him. I'm just a few yards away from my daughter's gym and I'm going to play to repentant mother.

The two women meet. Tears seem to be brimming in both their eyes. Stay tuned y'all!

Previews:
The usual crazy stuff. Salvador and Gabriela are hot to trot and the dinner table explodes in fire.
Mona appears to be knocked out in the ring.
Connie is vowing to deep-six Mauricio with her new knowledge.
And Monita and her mother have their long-awaited confrontation.

Vocabulary:
mala entraña = heartless, callous
del tingo al tango = all over the place, everywhere
vivito y coleando = alive and kicking
no manches = no kidding
pastillas de coscolinas = hussy pills
marchita por dentro = all withered inside (Monita's mom)
zarrapastroso = scruffy person (Katja referring to Beto)
pinta de zorra = slutty look

Dicho of the Day:
Estrella's dismissal of Nieves. "Hierba mala nunca muere". Weeds never die.

Labels: gancho

Friday: Macarena wings her way to a permanently Carlota-free zone. Paloma is in hysterics.

But unfortunately the rest of us are all still stuck here with Carlota. In the waiting room, she tells Dr B that she has the right to go in and hear whatever it is that Mac says to Chris and Paloma. It’s her right, dammit! Camila, Rufi, Orlando and Emiliano are taken aback by her rant. Dr B says no way.

A nurse rushes up to get Dr B and off he runs, Carlota in tow. Those left behind wring their hands.

Dr B and the nurse and Carlota arrive in the hospital room to find the sad scene. No puede ser! exclaims Carlota disingenuously. She puts her arms around Paloma, who is sure Mac is going to revive any minute. Dr B says no, she’s gone. Paloma screams and runs down the hall. Chris wants to follow her, but Carlota catches his arm and says no, Paloma wants to be alone.

Dr B weeps over Mac and says te amo. He leaves. Chris walks in, Carlota following and eyeing him. As he stands at the end of the bed, Carlota says who is standing in front of Macarena, the man or the priest? He says It grieves me that your heart never learned to love, it really does.

Carlota gets down to business. Did she tell you anything? Like what? says Chris. Carlota says, well she wanted to talk to you and Paloma, she must have wanted to tell you something. Canny Chris says if you’re so sure there was something, tell me what it was that she had to say to us. Carlota glares at him and leaves.

Alone now, Chris tenderly looks at Mac and holds her hand.

Paloma rushes into Emiliano’s arms, wailing. Everyone in the waiting room, which also includes Inez and a church lady, weeps. Rufi and Camila are devastated. Carlota comes slowly down the hall and makes a show of leaning on a wall and weeping. Paloma goes from Emiliano’s arms and holds onto Carlota. Rufi thoughtbubbles Why now, when she was just starting to be happy again?

Carlota wails that Mac has left them alone, that it’s just her and Paloma now.

Still at the bedside, Chris wonders why Mac was taken just at this moment. What does it mean? Was it meant as a punishment for him? (Maybe that giant M of light on the church floor meant “murder” instead of “Macarena.” It’s tricky reading signs.) He says when I first thought you were dead, I just about went crazy. And now you’re dead for real. I don’t think I can live without you without the priesthood.

Emiliano is comforting Paloma. She says first my parents, then Inaki and now my mother. Emiliano says they are terrible blows. Paloma says why? I want to understand. Is God testing me? Emiliano tells her she’s not alone, he will always be with her.

Chris is kneeling silently at Mac’s bedside when Dr B comes in and says they have to remove her now. I wish you’d known her better, says Dr B. Her heart was as big as her soul. I know, says Chris, gazing soulfully into the middle distance. Dr B says you do? I guess it was obvious to everyone. I was going to take her away, give her the life she deserved. She and her niña Paloma. It’s all the will of God, I guess. But it’s hard to think she was taken so young.

Chris steps back, tearful, and Dr B says Macarena, we will see each other again in another place. Thank you for helping me to feel again, to love again. Chris blesses her.

It’s really something that Macarena has two fine and handsome men weeping at her deathbed. When I go, I will probably have the company of a gum-chewing nurse reading People magazine. Sigh.

Romina has come and Paloma gives her the news. Romina is surprised and looks genuinely shaken– she had thought it was just another sugar crises. Behind Paloma, Emiliano is watching Romina closely. It’s hard to tell how sincere Romina is, or if she’s just aware of Emiliano’s gaze. Romina says count on me. It’s no fair – first your parents and then your novio and now your aunt. Romina! says Emiliano warningly. It’s true, says Romina, tears falling.

Carlota calls Paloma away. Romina says to Em How long have you been here? All along, he says. Romina dries up and says every time anything happens to Paloma, you’re right there. You know, this just shows that death can grab anyone and that we need to tell the people we love that we love them. Hint hint.

Em says straighten things out with your mother – she misses you. He leaves. Romina huffs.

Camila asks Rufi how it all happened. Rufi talks about how she was making breakfast, how Mac had been looking for papers that Carmen brought, how Carlota had been holed up in her room since the night before, mad about something. Camila asks if maybe Mac and Carlota had been fighting, but Rufi said she didn’t hear anything and besides Mac had been in such a good mood.

Rufi goes on about the missing papers – that they were supposed to change everyone’s life, but mainly Paloma’s. Carlota, approaching from the hall, hears this morsel and stops to eavesdrop. Rufi says maybe she found the papers and read something in them that made her lose her balance and fall.

Camila says we have to find those papers! We have to find out how this happened! Mac was my confidant, my friend. Camila weeps copiously. Rufi says she was like the daughter I never had. Around the corner, Carlota thoughtbubbles that she has to find those papers first.

At Diana’s house, we see Romina getting into a little black dress while Diana, still puffed up and spotty with hives, watches. Romina laments that Em is always around Paloma. Diana says I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, but Em told me he was in love with someone. It figures that it must be Paloma. That little runt must have something attractive about her. The best course would be to be very attentive to her. Romina says I just can’t stand seeing them together. Diana if you’re smart, you’ll put up with it, and stick yourself to her like duct tape.

Dr B offers to Carlota that he will arrange the service, but Carlota says it’s for the family to do. He wants to know how it happened and Paloma says I need to know too.

Coming down the hospital hallway, Orlando has his arm over Chris’s shoulders and says I know what Mac meant to you. They arrive in the waiting room.

Carlota says I was getting dressed, and I heard that Mac got a phone call. I don’t know who it was – she slides her eyes over at Chris. Maybe that call upset her. She was fine before that – we’d just been talking. We’ll never know what might have happened to her, or what she heard, before she fell. Carlota pretends to break down and Paloma runs to her. Sobbing.

Orlando says to Chris are you okay? Chris says no. I don’t know if I can ever be okay again.

Emiliano is at German’s, putting on his tie, and telling German about it all. German says he’ll just finish up his e-mails and he’ll be along. Em leaves.

Paloma, attired in black up to her neck, is in Mac’s room, kneeling at Mac’s little altar. Carlota comes in and says it’s time to go, but Paloma says I don’t know how I’ll live without her. She was my mother. Carlota says she’s so relieved that Paloma knows the truth and that she and Mac were able to embrace one another as mother and child. Carlota asks Did she say anything to you before she died? Paloma says just that I should fight for my happiness.

Carlota says is that all? Paloma says she could hardly speak. Why do you ask? Carlota does the boo-hoo act and says I was hoping she’d have some words for me. Paloma goes to her and hugs her and over Paloma’s shoulder we see Carlota smirking.

Paloma says she will always be here in the house with us. Carlota says no, she’s gone. But this house won’t be the same without her.

They go down the stairs, but Carlota hesitates. Paloma near the bottom spots where her mother’s blood has stained the tiles. Rufi comes out and walks her away. On the stairs, Carlota’s eyes grow wide a second. She looks at the space where the window was, then down, and she sees Mac’s body there, pool of blood and all. She looks disconcerted. I’m wondering how she can fit this into those prayers of hers where she tells God she does everything she does in order to keep the family together.

Padre Mateo comes into a church sitting room and finds Chris staring. He offers his apologies and says you have to be resigned. God knows the reason. Chris leaps up and says how can I be resigned? He bursts into tears. Just give me one reason – one! - why God would take the woman I’ve loved all these years. Padre M says careful, don’t offend God.

Chris says I prayed for a sign, and I got one. And then when I was ready to act, she’s taken from me. Why?? Accept it says Padre M. Chris says He doesn’t seem to like me. Padre M says obviously your mission here isn’t finished yet. Maybe serving a mass would brighten you up a little. Chris wails no! And certainly not her mass. Without her, I can’t serve God. He falls into Padre M’s arms and wails. Padre M, who doesn’t seem to be up to complicated challenges, looks heavenward for guidance.

We’re at the wake. Everyone (read: our characters) is there, in black, weeping or looking appropriately gloomy. Paloma wishes she’d die along with Mac. Em holds her and says what would I do without you? Carlota pulls her aside and says it doesn’t look right, her hanging on her friend’s ex-novio, and Paloma can come to her for comfort.

Mateo comes up to them and gives his condolences and says he’s ready to start the mass. Carlota says you? What about Padre Juan?

JuanChris is sitting alone in a darkened room and remembering, a wine bottle and a glass in front of him. He remembers kissing Mac, and her last moments. Tears run down his face. He agonizes. He pours a glass of wine and stares at it. He lifts it to his lips, hesitates. Someone is pounding on the door. He hesitates again. Wine? Door? Wine? Door? Finally he throws the glass, and goes to open. It’s Orlando, worried about him. Chris says you came just at the right moment. I almost did something stupid. He throws his arms around Orlando. I almost took a drink.

Orlando, who is a bit tone-deaf when it comes to other people’s feelings, is surprised that Chris is that shattered. Chris tells him that he was about to give up the priesthood and marry Mac. Orlando is impactado.

At the wake, Aron approaches Em and says I guess you heard that Pal and I broke up. Em says don’t b.s. – there was never anything between you two. Aron says that’s not true. Em says this isn’t the time or place. Aron hisses threateningly that he’s not giving up.

Romina pulls Em aside and says she’s really worried. Everyone around Paloma seems to keel over. What if she’s next?

Chris tells Orlando he gave up everything for Mac, and now she’s gone. Why couldn’t she live to be happy? Orlando says she was in her last days. Maybe that was the plan, having your history be resolved. People change over the years, maybe things would have been different between you. Chris scoffs. Orlando says you were adults now, not young like you used to be. Old relationships can be romanticized. You became a priest. Chris says but she was alive!

Orlando says but she’s gone! Accept it! You have to decide if you want to continue as a man, or as a priest.

Carlota has taken Rufi aside and tells her that the family secrets have to remain secret. Mac had time to divulge them and didn’t, so we have to respect that. Rufi says maybe she didn’t have enough time. Maybe she wanted to see Chris and Paloma together. She did, says Carlota, and she didn’t say a thing. You’re not a member of the family – I’m the last member who has the right to tell, and I’m not going to say anything. Get my drift? Rufi nods.

Orlando tells Chris maybe you and Mac were meant just to close the circle of your love. She wasn’t healthy, and when she knew that you loved each other, she could die. Now your calling should be even more powerful. Chris says being a priest is no small matter. How can I go back like nothing ever happened? Orlando says you were honest with everyone, yourself included. Your business as a man is finished now. You were lucky to have the opportunity to tell her that you didn’t abandon her.

Chris says the problem is that I’m so angry about her death. You’re the only the second person I’ve told – we even kissed! Orlando says but that’s wonderful! You were able to clarify everything between you. Would you have given up the priesthood for anything else? No no no says Chris. There you are! says Orlando. Accept it. Go to your confessor and talk it out. But just think – you were able to make her happy.

Their theme song starts up and Chris smiles a little. Orlando says decide what you want to do with your life. Chris is still smiling.

Avances: hard to understand. A blond lady goes to the lawyer about Mac. At Mac’s graveside service, Carlota pulls Paloma away from Emiliano again.

Labels: amor

Labels: gancho

This novela bolted out of the starting gate but it stalled tonight while Alejandro was mulling incessantly over this strange situation: he now remembers almost everything, EXCEPT his sister-in-law Paula and his wife MJ whom he's supposedly known for months. And why did he hide his supposed marriage from everybody, even his best friend Fernando? And why did he tell MJ so many lies?

I am not, readers, going to repeat this conversation, but he did, many times.

Paula tells MJ again and again: (1) he's very pretty; (2) we'll go to jail if you don't string him along; (3) it's not fair I should suffer for the mess you've gotten us into; (4) life here is a dream and (5) he's very pretty. MJ points out that Alejandro is no idiot and she fears he has figured out that something's rotten in the state of Denmark.

Ezekiel the servant keeps seeing Bruno and MJ together.

Bruno confirms the marriage is legit: he met the witnesses and MJ's father, the signature on the marriage certificat is indeed Alejandro's, there is a picture of the loving couple at the girls' hovel.

Bruno yells at his henchman because Alejandro is so alive instead of being dead at the bottom of a ravine. The henchman thoughtbubbles: if it weren't for the good pay I'd be out of here, I'm tired of this guy.

Bruno's sis Raquel rehashes to Maura (Alejandro's erstwhile girlfriend), who is chagrined to hear Alejandro has not been asking for her. "Give up on him," counsels Raquel, "find another one, and find me one too."

Bruno tells Alejandro he should divorce MJ. "But I'm not inclined to give her half my inheritance. And anyway, I'm not going to divorce her until I remember what happened. If she didn't know I was wealthy, then she didn't marry me for money - she must have loved me. What's bothering you, anyway?"

Mother Victoria is puzzled that MJ has shown her supposed husband so little affection and shown so little joy.

Paula scolds MJ for making the bed - what will the servant think? Paula goes down to breakfast while MJ hides in their bedroom.

Meanwhile, over bagels Raquel has been insulting the country girls to mom. "That sister is an idiot, everybody will ridicule her." "If Alejandro married MJ, she must have good qualities." "Well, I don't see them." "Shut up. MJ is your brother's wife and you must treat her as such."

Paula comes in. "Where's your sister?" "She's not coming." "Maybe she'd be more comfortable eating in the kitchen with the servants" snipes Raquel.

MJ should have gone down with sis, because now Bruno comes in and bullies her some more in her bedroom. He tells her to trust him and gives her creepy caresses. She is having none. She says she's only putting up with this for the sake of her sister and her father, and that Bruno must promise to get her out of this, get her far away, or she's squealing. He promises, but that promise is worth the paper it's written on I'd say...

His shirt is unbuttoned like Damian's, it's a characteristic of villains I guess. They both leave the room. Ezekiel is watching.

Alejandro tries to draw her out. He says she's treating him like a stranger, and while he may have lost her memory, surely she hasn't, so nu?

She doesn't know how he takes his coffee.

She again says she's mortified because he lied to her about having money. He interrogates her about the wedding, why were there no friends there? "You didn't want them, you said we'd have a party after the church wedding." "Were you pressured into it? Are you pregnant?" "No, I told you there's been no congress between us."

Again she says she wants a divorce, she runs away and cries.

Raquel's hubby takes Paula for a spin through the city, and to an expensive restaurant for lunch, she likes that. The doctor comes and gives Alejandro a clean bill of health, but Alejandro says he wants to go to the hospital next day and get some studies anyway because of not remembering his wife.

MJ is outside and Bruno sneaks up behind her again. They watch Maura arrive and Bruno says she's one of Alejandro's many lovers, and that the flow of amantes won't slow down now merely because of the marriage. Ezekiel is watching.

Maura, dressed to kill, flirts with Alejandro and asks about the marriage. "I thought WE ..." "Our relationship was agreeable but we never talked about marriage." "I thought it was obvious, I thought our intimacy implied..." "If 'intimacy' always led to marriage you'd have been married long ago." She is huffy.

MJ comes in, doesn't need to be introduced to Maura, is also huffy. There'll be a party to celebrate the marriage. Alex accompanies Maura to her car. She says, "You better buy your wife some clothes if you want our social world to treat her well."

Ezekiel tells Alex he saw Bruno and MJ together in the garden.

Alejandro comes into MJ's room, tells her she's very odd. He moves in for a kiss, she evades it, he gets real close and keeps asking what's going on, he kisses her shoulder, he tells her she's pretty and has a sweet face, she gets up, he says he can see her soul in her eyes, KISS! It's hot! She pulls away, he is very convincing, KISS AGAIN! They're down on the bed! Mmmm, but then -

Bruno busts in! He didn't knock! On the bed, MJ is fearful and mortified. Alex is very annoyed. Bruno says, Fernando's downstairs to see you. Alex says, you could have sent a servant, and never come in here without knocking - and I forbid you to enter my wife's room!

Alex goes downstairs saying "we'll talk later." MJ cries.

Bruno lurks, then goes in and yells at her. "What were you doing in the bed with him?" "Mind your own beeswax." He shakes her and shouts, "You liked it, you whore!"

Talking the situation through with Fernando, Alex remembers the tractor trailer coming right at him, trying to kill him, and reasons that somebody wants him dead, and now he's sure he never married MJ, the marriage scam is connected to the attempted murder. Somebody wanted the widow to inherit. "There must have been an accomplice who knows my movements very well!"

Fernando tells Victoria about his conversation with Alejandro and asks her not to tell that he told her! They have a sweetie-pie moment.

MJ's dad's sleazy friend fishes keys out of the grass and goes into the hovel where the contraband goods are kept. There's MJ's dad, he's been waiting for his sleazy friend for two days. "Are you really smuggling drugs and weapons?" "Jeez no, what are you thinking, well, did you find any?" "Well, no."

Alejandro meets MJ and Paula downstairs. MJ was about to call her dad and catch him up on things, but she asks Paula to do it instead. "Why didn't you want to talk to your father in front of me?" "Paula can do it just as well."

MJ is hesitant to enter Alejandro's room with him. "I'm not in the habit of violating women, don't worry." "You wouldn't have to, they put themselves on the rug for you, especially Maura."

He grins and sends for breakfast for the two of them. He asks if she's a virgin, well yes she is.

"Why do you want a divorce?" "Because you lied and you live in this big house." "Hah, that's the first time I've heard of a woman wanting a divorce because her husband is rich." "I don't love you." "Well, that's not very flattering (halagador). But you did before. Was I bad to you?" "Yes, that's it." "Well, I offer a thousand apologies, because I'm not usually like that. You intrigue me."

"Well, we were in love, but now we're not!" "Don't speak for me! I want to get to the bottom of this. And what about Bruno, how did he convince you to come back for my burial?" He's closing in on the truth, loud and angry and in her face, when, Bruno busts in again!

Tomorrow: MJ tells Bruno it would serve him right if she and Alejandro come to know each other carnally.

Labels: sortilegio

Hello friends,

Cathy, who currently covers En Nombre de Amor on Fridays, is going to have to quit. Would anybody like to take a shot at it?

Email me (caray@mappamundi.com) if you want to give it a whirl.

Thanks,

Melinama (aka Chapel Hill Fiddler)

Labels: amor, recappers-needed

Padre Juan Cristobal visits the hospital and questions a sleeping Macarena, “what happened?” He tells her that he has dreams that they’ll be together and he doesn’t want destiny to separate them. He tells her she has to live, he needs her, he needs their love. He kisses her and whispers that she needs to be strong. Just then an alarm goes off and Mac’s vitals go haywire. The Doctor comes in and starts ordering Epi and charges up the paddles. He asks PJC to leave the room as they administer to Mac.

Out in the waiting room, Rufi, Paloma and Emiliano are all waiting. Liliana comes in and tells Pal that they’ve been worried at school. She asks how Mac is doing and Pal tells her things are pretty grave. Lili says that the nuns and all the students are praying for her to recover. PJC joins their group and tells them that things have taken a bad turn with Mac.

In the chapel, Ines, Cruelota and other women are praying for Mac. Ines questions Cruelota on what happened with Mac, how could she fall? The women comment on how good of a person Mac is and how this is all pretty unbelievable. Cruelota doesn’t like hearing nice things about her sister. She tells them that death is for the good and the bad. She starts to “sob” about her sister, eliciting sympathy from the other women. The camera pans a close up to her and we can see what we’ve already known, there are no tears in her eyes.

Rufi and PJC discuss what could have happened to Mac, why she fell. Rufi starts humming a song and PJC can hear the tune being pulled from a memory. He tells Rufi that was their song. Rufi comments on how Pal and she both know it. Rufi almost lets is slip that Mac is Pal’s mom, but covers at the last moment. The two discuss how Mac kept her secret from Pal.

Germán runs into Lili outside the hospital. He tries to talk to her, but she wants to blow him off. He asks that she be patient with him. He tells her that he’s had a rough family life---his step-mother is his aunt, his mother’s sister. Things are not peachy keen at home. He tells Lili that there is nothing he wouldn’t give to have a family life like hers. Lili is pulled in by his words…..I find it kind of creepy because my mom used to read the “murderer of the month” club books (that’s what we called them) so I know that Ted Bundy used sympathy to lure in his victims. Be careful Lili.

The Doctor comes out to tell the crowd in the waiting room that Mac has gone into a coma. Cruelota has just arrived at the hospital, so she hears this news. She’s the only one happy to hear it. Pal breaks down and Cruelota comforts her. It is hard to stomach.

Romina goes to Emiliano’s office. Angelica tells her he’s not there, he’s at the hospital. Angie lets Ro know that the Mother Superior asked her to come back to her old job. She gives some psycho-babble speech to Ro about things not always going the way she manipulates them (or something similar to that).

We return to the waiting room. Everyone is distraught. Creepy music starts to play and the camera again pans into Cruelota.

Rafael goes to see Camila at her shop. He finds out she’s not there, but at the hospital. He leaves a message that he’s got something important to discuss with her, but he’s leaving town for a few days. He asks the woman to whom he is speaking to make sure she lets Cami know.

Mac’s eyes open and the nurse in the room goes running out to find the Doctor. He comes in and tries to talk to her. She can’t talk, so he tells her to blink once for yes and twice for no. He starts to ask a series of questions and is able to determine that she wants to see Pal and PJC, at the same time. The Doctor professes his love to Mac and then goes to get Pal and PJC.

Cami and Lando suggest that a breath of fresh air might be what they need. Pal and Rufi both tell them they want to stay around for any news. Cami and Lando head outside.

The Doctor comes across Pal and tells her that she’s been requested by Mac. Pal is happy, says it’s a miracle and she rushes off to see her aunt/mother. Cruelota questions what’s going on with Mac. The Doctor tells her that Mac can’t speak. Then he tells her that Mac wants to see the priest. Cruelota doesn’t like the sound of this. She says how can she communicate what she wants if she can’t speak. The Doctor tells her of his nifty little system. Cruelota speculates what would happen if Mac can never speak. She likes the thought of this. Cruelota tries to tell the Doctor she’s Mac’s sister and should be able to go see her. The Doctor tells her that was not Mac’s wishes and what matters now is what Mac wants, not what Cruelota wants.

The Doctor finds PJC and tells him that Mac’s requested him. Oh, by the way, Doctor adds, if she’s willing to marry me when she comes out of this, it would sure be great if you would preside over the ceremony. PJC is disturbed by these words, but doesn’t say anything to the Doctor.

Pal gushes over Mac. They hug. Behind Pal’s back Cruelota holds up an engagement ring. Mac starts to go in distress and Pal runs out to get some help. Cruelota comes in to taunt her sister. She shows her the ring and tells her that she will end up marring PJC, Mac will see. Cruelota undoes Mac’s oxygen and tells her it is best if she remains unable to speak.

Cami and Lando discuss Romina and her feelings for E. Cami says it looks like Pal and E are pretty close and she wishes it weren’t so, since Pal and Ro are friends. Cami does say in a town this small, things like that are bound to happen.

PJC comes in to sleeping Mac. He tells her he loves her and has never loved anyone the way he loves her. He begs her to get well, so he can complete his promises of making her happy. He urges her to be strong and kisses her again.

Germie runs into Ro. He’s still hot for her, but she blows him off. He questions if her plan of staying at Diana’s is working. Ro blows him off some more. He tells her she is difficult to please. Rather than being offended, Ro agrees and walks away.

Mac is awake again, but now she’s speaking. She tells the Doctor that she wants to see Pal and PJC together. The Doctor doesn’t question this, doesn’t even roll his eyes and say “here we go again.” He just tells Mac that he loves her and sends another doctor to go get Pal and PJC.

Pal comes in first. Mac tells her to forgive her. Pal says no need for forgiveness on her part, but that Mac should forgive her because she was an awful brat when she learned the truth about Mac being her momma. Mac warns Pal that it would be best if she continued to guard her secret. Pal seems a little confused by this, but she agrees. Mac urges Pal to fight for her own happiness. PJC comes in and Mac begs him to look after Pal, to care for her always. The three hold hands. Mac closes her eyes and the camera soars over the clouds. Music is playing and people are happy. It looks like a wedding….Mac’s and PJC’s. Mac looks lovely in her white suit. PJC looks handsome in his, too. Javier and Sagario are there, as are many other people from town. Noticeably missing is Cruelota. Even Padre Mateo is there, he’s officiating the ceremony. We are taken up to the balcony of the church. Cruelota is there and she looks ticked. The ceremony continues, everyone but Cruelota looks overjoyed. There is much celebrating and Pal hugs her parents. We fly over the clouds again and are back in the hospital room. Macarena gasps her last breath and flat lines. Paloma screams, “No!” and begs her not to die. PJC tries to comfort her as he tries to grasp the reality that the love of his life is gone. END OF EPISODE

Labels: amor