Caray, Caray!

Capítulo 52

As Viewerville loads up with NoDoz for a rather uneventful evening we return to Merida at Casa de Locos y Lobos, the manor at which lodge our beloved licentious, lazy, and lunatic Lombardo’s. Bruno has returned, unauthorized, to take his mother to the hearing. He’s asked her to publically declare her illicit liaison so that she can legally claim he and Raquel were Antonio’s depraved...er...deprived offspring, and so he and Raquel can thus be (Oh happy day!) officially recognized as legitimate Lombardo’s. While Victoria changes into appropriate attire, Bruno calls his hound of a reporter, Saldivar, to give him the heads up.

Alex, meanwhile, is waiting in the leased truck outside the hospital to see if Meche and Gabriel show up since it’s Gabe’s regular day for therapy. Success! He spies them getting out of the cab with Chucho and runs over to greet them. Surprise! The three are caught in the act arriving in a cab. Alex says hey! Chucho tries to act like he just ran into them by accident. Alex says he doesn’t believe him so not to bother pretending. Yes, Gabe can and should continue his therapy. The four walk inside together.

El Bruto de Bruno finds his sister in her chalet. He tells Raquel to get her heels on and hurry with him to the hearing. She refuses at first because she is embarrassed and says she doesn’t want to be publically humiliated like this. El Bruto warns her if she doesn’t go with him that he will keep whatever she was going to gain financially from the new will for himself. Roberto advises his hysterical other half that they’ll send a summons otherwise. He suggests she might as well give in and go. The threat of Raqui’s being financially cut off is stronger than her sense of shame and she agrees to leave with Bruno. Hubby Bobo, pondering the possible parcel of pesos he’s been counting on, lets out a silent sigh of relief as Raqui races off to catch up with her brother.

Mary Jo comes into the kitchen to ask Felipa if that wasn’t Bruno’s voice she heard a minute ago and why he was there. Felipa explains that Bruno came to fetch his mother for the hearing, and adds his name change is not as important to him as the money he’ll be fighting over once he is officially recognized as a Lombardo.

Vicki, Bruto, and Raqui arrive at the courthouse and are immediately accosted by Saldivar and numerous other ravenous reporters as they enter. Raquel has a fit over being served up as their lead story in the evening news. Bruno’s lawyer greets them and apologizes for the mass of reporters outside, saying he’d tried to arrange for a more discrete arrival. Vicki sniffs and says not to bother himself over it. She throws an accusing glance at #1 Son and says she has a good idea how the reporters found out. Bruno hurriedly herds them into the judge’s chambers.

Back inside the hospital on the way to Gabe’s physical therapy session, Meche explains to Alex why she lied to him and pleads for mercy. Alex asks Meche and Gabe if it was Bruno who gave them the money. Gabe shuffles along while giving him the man’s description. Meche says she is certain it was him. Chucho agrees it had to be Bruno and adds that it wasn’t a coincidence that Erick was the one who suggested the whole deal to them, either. Meche pleads for Alex not to send them to jail and worries about Erick killing them before they ever could make it behind bars. Gabe admits they knew they were doing wrong and says they will go to jail if they have to. Alex tells them he understands their situation and says that he had no intention of hurting them. He tells Gabe to continue with his therapy and once he returns from his trip they will discuss it further. He then wants Chucho to go to Erick’s house with a warning that if he ever tries anything again with these two he’ll have to deal with Alex. Alex gets ready to go, but first sternly warns Chucho that the next time he asks him something he’d better tell him the truth.

Once the hearing is over, Raquel and Vicki sneak out the back way. Bruno’s lawyer tells him that once the judge’s ruling is issued and the name change is granted, they’ll begin to challenge the will.

In the hotel room, Alex packs for his trip to Nueva York. Fernando is raging over Bruno’s messing with his kid sister. “How could the miserable swine get involved with a minor like that?” (This must be a rhetorical question, Fer. You just said it: he’s a miserable swine.) “Even though she denies it, I am sure they slept together! I’ve got a good notion to beat the crap out of him!” Alex says not to bother. He’s wanted to kill him himself for a while, thinking that it would end all their problems, but no, it wouldn’t. He hands Nando the papers giving him power of attorney while he’s gone and asks him to take care of his wife and his mother. Fer tells him he will and not to worry about anything.

That night at home Fernando receives an e-mail from the judge telling him he’s about to leave on his next safari. If Fer wants to join it, he’d better hurry.

Across town Bruno and his buttlick, Erick, drink a toast to his successfully getting his name changed to Lombardo and his chance to challenge the will so that he can finally enjoy what his father refused to give him. Maura and Lisset show up at the bar and Bruno orders a bottle of champagne. He tells them his good news and that he’s celebrating. Erick is still standing there with his drink, listening to the chitchat. Bruno rudely snaps his fingers at Erick and yells at him to scram and find another table somewhere away from them.

Alex is now going through security at the airport. He gets a last-minute call on his cell from Fernando. Of course Katia is lurking on the landing and listening as Nando tells Alex about the judge’s e-mail. He suggests that if they hurry they can catch up with the judge and get him to testify that Bruno bribed him to falsify the marriage certificate; that then nothing will keep Bruno from going to jail. In the corner of the landing, Crotchya is ya-don’t-say! impactada.

Back at the bar, Lis listens while Bruno surprisingly suggests a selfish marriage of convenience with Mau. He says that by combining their two fortunes they could expand the construction company throughout Latin America. Mau is coolly unresponsive and says she’s waiting for Alex’s divorce. Bruno starts slobbering slimy little kisses down her shoulder and arm. (I’m having a cringe attack.) “He’s isn’t a man of his word. He is a coward. He’ll never get a divorce.” Mau frowns and pulls away from Bruno, though Mr. Self-Absorbed doesn’t seem to notice the slight. There’s an inopportune ring on his cell. It’s Crotchya calling. “Excuse me. It’s an admirer.” Mau rolls her eyes as Bruno gets up to take the call.

Bruno finds out from Katia what her brother and Alex are up to with the judge and the photo safari. “He says they’re going to put you in jail!” Bruno tells her to meet him at his hotel in a half an hour and rushes out, absent-mindedly leaving Mau with the bill. Mau tells Lis it had to be something serious for him to rush out like that. She has an idea. She walks over to Erick and tells him she’ll pay him triple (his salary, presumably) if he tells her everything Bruno does. (Something tells me this is the buttlick’s big chance to get even.) Mau gives Erick her phone number and repeats the offer for triple what he’s getting now.

Across town at Lombardo, Inc., Alex and Nando meet secretly with Licenciado Quiñones to tell them what they’re planning to do. They figure they’ll be gone a couple of weeks or so. LQ says fine, just give him authorization to act for Alex once the divorce action is granted. Unfortunately, they will have to meet with a legal notary to do that. Nando is worried about the legality of the marriage if the judge admits he falsified the certificate. LQ says since it wasn’t nullified officially and Mary Jo was tricked, the marriage is still legitimate so there won’t be a problem with the divorce. Alex brings up the woman who witnessed the attempted murder with the 18-wheeler and Erick’s cousin possibly being involved since he drives one. LQ advises them not to spend too much time out of the country getting the judge to agree to testify because they’ll need to be back for the challenge to the will. Fer suddenly decides he’s going to go with Alex because it will be dangerous and they don’t know how the judge will react once he realizes he’s been found out. The only loose end is what to do with Katia while they’re gone.

Mari comes in and tells Alex the notary can’t meet with them till the next day. That means they can’t leave until the paperwork is finished. That means Alex and Fer can’t leave the country till the day after. Their trip to find the judge will have to be postponed for two days. They agree to have Katia stay with Vicki at Casa de Locos. Alex calls MJ to let her know.

Meanwhile, Crotchya and Bruno have Fer’s laptop and are reading through his e-mails from the judge. Bruno wonders how Nando figured out the judge’s user name. Katia mentions the blog as a possibility. Bruno says he’s going to send an e-mail using his own name and telling him he urgently needs to get in touch with him. She warns him that it could be risky because everyone will be able to read his e-mail, including Fernando. (Katia is right. This is not smart on Bruno’s part. He couldn’t take five minutes to walk to the front desk and ask to use the computer in the hotel’s business office?)

Later that night Bruno calls Erick to tell him what’s up and decides to fly out that night to avoid running into Alex or Fernando on the plane. They agree that Erick will stay in Merida and keep in contact in case something comes up. Afterwards, Bruno calls his lawyer to let him know he’s flying out of the country that night and why.

The next morning Bruno arrives in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. (Wow! Neat cap! Hope Santa brings me one of those--not!) The Amazing Race-Dominican Republic is on. A driver, Horacio, from “the agency” picks him up at the airport. Bruno tells him he wants to go straight to the “agency” rather than to the hotel.

Back in Merida, Alex and Fernando discuss last minute details with Mari. He mentions Lic. Quiñones will be getting in touch with her about the arrangements for his divorce. This takes her by surprise and he tells her not to say a word about it to anyone. They decide to give power of attorney to Victoria. Nando asks where Katia is. Knowing they were coming, Mari sent her to the third floor to make copies so they’ll be able to get out without her seeing them. Fernando emphasizes that mum’s the word with Katia. (Hey, we’re talking Rose-Mari Woods here. She’d go to the grave keeping their secret.) Alex and Fer head out.

At the same time, Bobo runs into MJ outside on the grounds of the estate. He mentions he found out that Raquel and Bruno got their names legally changed to Lombardo. She asks Bobo who side he’s on. He says neither. She’s curious that he never seems to make decisions in his life. He says he sees their problem as a fight between brothers and feels that Alex is about to lose. MJ asks why. He says Alex is too weak. She disagrees. He says, well, let’s just say he’s conscientious and Bruno, on the other hand, is an animal with neither scruples nor mercy. “He’s willing to even kill to get what he wants. Didn’t he try killing Alex a few months ago?” Mary Jo is surprised he knows about that and asks who told him. “--Dear, one listens, hears, and makes assumptions.” She gets up and changes the subject to Paula.

Mary Jo asks Bobo what he’s up to with her sister because they’re always hanging out together. He laughs at that and explains that she simply reminds him of his younger sister who died from leukemia twelve years earlier. MJ says she’s worried that, even so, Paula might fall in love with him. He laughs and sidesteps the issue by saying he’s not a good candidate for any woman. (Ain’t that the truth!) Just then a black pick-up drives by and Alex and Fer get out. Bobo says he thought Alex had left on a trip. Alex says his trip was postponed and then goes off to speak to Vicki. Bobo and his irritatingly ugly furry zit are left to surmise a bit more.

In Santo Domingo, Horacio is dutifully trying to suggest to Bruno all the great tourist sites they can see. Bruno gets agitated and says he’ll have to wait to see what his “friend” decides.

Back inside at the manse, Vicki tells Alex the whole thing seems awfully risky. Mary Jo wonders what he’ll do if the judge refuses. Alex says he’ll get the judge to give his statement whether he wants to or not. Vicki wonders how he’ll force him. Alex says he’ll figure it out there. Fernando asks Vicki to keep Katia there while they’re gone. Alex has him tell her about Crotchya’s involvement with Bruno. Fernando tells Vicki it seems Crotchya has a crush on Bruno, but more than that, he also thinks they’ve been fooling around. She winces as if to say that was all they needed now on top of everything else that’s going on. Alex asks if Vicki thinks she can control her. Vicki says she’ll try, but adds she really can’t stop the girl from coming and going. She doesn’t have the authority to.

Alex and MJ go upstairs for him to pack and to share a little time alone together. He tells her he loves her and that he’ll be thinking of her while he’s gone. (How many times have they done this now?) MJ says she’s worried because the trip will be dangerous. Alex says he’ll call her daily. They smooch and …..whatever.

Downstairs on the back terrace Fernando and Vicki say their woe-filled good-byes. She’s worried for the two of them. He reminds her they’re grown men. (Now, that is a red flag if ever there was one! Picture it. Every time something major comes up and Vicki worries, he gets to remind her that she still sees him as a kid. Won’t that do wonders for their relationship? Somehow, I think, somebody rearranged the furniture on this guy’s top floor and put it all back in the wrong rooms.) Fer hugs Vicki and then caresses her face. He begs her not to ask him to act as if there’s nothing between them. “We can’t avoid what we feel for each other. It makes me grateful to know I matter to you.” (Grateful??? Geez! Didn’t this pathetic puppy ever date once he hit puberty? As The Hubster said a while back, somebody needs to take Nando to a decent singles bar and get him good and drunk so he could find out what a woman his own age has to offer! “Let him spend a couple of hot nights with a couple of young hard-bodies and then see if he still tries hitting on some nursing home prom queen!”) Vicki tells Nando that of course he matters to her. They kiss. (I’m getting more of the creepy-crawlies again. My hand starts searching for that paper bag. Deep breaths. De-e-e-p breaths.) He gets upset at the thought of her going out with Dr. Hernan. She tries to get him to understand that Hernan is simply an old friend. (Yeah, let’s emphasize that word, O-L-D!) Fer doggedly hounds her to promise him she won’t accept Hernan’s proposal while he’s gone. She does. He looks at her dolefully with those big, round, pitiful, puppy-dog eyes of his. (Sorry, Cuko. I know. I know. Even you have your limits.) Fer whines. “I’ll die if I lose you.” They kiss again. (What a prissy little smooch, too!) They hug. (Blech! I could handle a bit of charmingly crass cougardom, but Nando looks like a sniveling little kid hugging his mommy after getting an ow-w-wie. My reflex to retch for the wretchedly ridiculous here is beyond my control. I am fighting the urge to hit the remote button and change the channel. Even Hubby wants to put his hands over his eyes. He settles for a morose moan. I sacrifice for the night’s recapping duties.) FF>>FF>>>>>>>>>

We beam back to the Dominican Republic. (Good. I needed a change of scene.) Finally Bruno makes it to the agency that arranges tours. He is irritated and complains to the agent who apologizes and patiently looks up the safari that Juventino Romero has set up. He finds out that the tour left early the day before. She can arrange for a guide to help him catch up with the tour, but it will be expensive. He anxiously says he’ll pay whatever it costs. (Viewerville notes the guy hasn’t even stopped to shave.)

Back in Merida, Pedro shows Gabe and Meche the new shop and says they’re only waiting for the merchandise in order to open for business. He explains that Sr. Alex is backing them financially. Gabe and Meche agree that the guy is a saint, if for no other reason than he understood their problem and will not be sending them to jail after all. Pedro agrees his SIL has a heart of gold and talks about all the unique stuff they’ll carry that nobody else will have. Chucho will even make original dinnerware on his own potter’s wheel for the shop. Meche is thrilled. FF>>

Meanwhile, Chucho is back at Erick’s little stone cottage sneaking peeks in the windows. Erick’s gone. Erick suddenly races up in his car. He gets out and screams at the old man. They exchange a few rude “Indio ladino” insults with each other before Chucho gets to the point. [Indio ladino = a slur meaning Indians who adopt Spanish language and customs] Chucho tells Buttlick that Meche and Gabe are back and now Sr. Alex knows what happened to them. If he dares try anything with either Meche or Gabe again Chucho threatens to slit him open [abrir en canal] himself. He walks off and leaves Erick to stew over it. El Buttlick is not a happy camper.

That night at dinner the lady agent tries to entice Bruno with a touristy dinner of D.R. specialties and a description of the private tour she’s arranged for him. He’s more interested in getting himself a sleeping bag, binoculars and a good knife. She explains the safari is going to be a couple days trip through some nearly inaccessible terrain. She adds if he really needs a knife, the guide will have one. He fudges and says he’d like to be personally well-equipped for the trip. She gives in graciously and says she knows where he can find what he’s looking for. Bruno buys a knife that’s got at least a 12 inch blade on it.

The next morning Alex and Fer take the copter to the airport to catch the flight. Alex says he’s worried about the mischief Bruno can cause while they’re gone. Fernando thinks Bruno will be too occupied with his lawyers to cause MJ any grief. Alex says yeah, but Bruno is so evil that God only knows what might occur to him to do while they’re off stuck in the wild. Fer tells him now that they’re committed to finding the judge it doesn’t do any good to drive himself crazy [romper la cabeza] over it. They’ve got to finish what they’ve started.

In Santo Domingo, Horacio meets up with the lady agent and Bruno. He reminds them both that he is in a hurry to join up with the photo safari. She says they’ll go as quickly as they can, but it won’t be as quick and easy as he thinks because the terrain is rugged and a pretty rough trek. Bruno only half listens, then jumps in the truck with Horacio and the two men drive off.

Back at the Lombardo’s, Paula spies Bobo drying off after a swim with Crotchya. He notices her watching them. Pau gives him a nasty look and walks off. Crotchya looks over at Pau and frowns. “--What’s she looking at?” He smiles at the bratty wench, but it’s obvious that he’s a bit disturbed by what just happened.

Inside the main house Vicki, MJ, and Felipa discuss the news that Katia and Bruno are supposedly now an item. MJ stutters as she politely tries to suggest that Bruno is not exactly a suitable match for the girl. Felipa says something like Katia isn’t exactly all sweetness and light herself. She thinks they are two of a kind [son tal para cual]. Vicki is sure Bruno doesn’t take her seriously and that Katia is being naïve [ilusionada]. “He’s going to disappoint her I fear.” Felipa says let him. MJ tries to find the most tactful way of putting her thoughts into words. Vicki tells her not to worry about it and to say exactly what’s on her mind. Mary Jo says she thinks he has to be looking to get something out of her; and that he only gets involved romantically with someone when he can benefit from it. Vicki can’t imagine what he would want from a girl like her, though. Felipa says perhaps she’s trying to learn what her brother is doing because then she could find out about Alex. Vicki exclaims that that would be a horrible thing!

Vicki gets up and tells the others that she’s got to get ready for a dinner date with Hernan. She looks less than excited by the idea. Felipa wonders about Fer’s reaction. Vicki says Fernando and her are not going to happen. “Fernando isn’t for me.” Felipa offers up that the doctor is even less her cup o’ tea. (Man! I agree. Slim pickin’s! Where’s a good Matchdotcom de México when you really need one?) The oboes in the background play their woe-is-me-Victoria theme as she leaves to change. MJ tells Felipa she thought the two loved each other. Felipa says Vicki still can’t get her head around the age thing. Felipa leaves with Cuko. MJ tries calling Alex but his phone is off. Just then Pau comes into the room all in a huff over Bobo and the blonde bimbette she just saw yucking it up together. “Gr-rrr! I just can’t stand that clown, Katia! She’s such a smart-ass! A man-eater! ¡Ay!!” MJ says she realizes Pau likes Roberto a lot, but she’s got to cool-it where he’s concerned. Pau slouches in a chair and gripes about Alex being gone (since obviously that’s why Katia is there). MJ lies that he had to go to N.Y. on business. “It will only be for a couple of weeks and you have to get back to school!” Pau is not in the mood, but Mary Jo tells her they’re going together the next morning to see about her getting re-enrolled.

Alex, wearing a funky straw Fedora (what’s with all the horriculous, horribuglious hats in this episodio?) and Fernando, wearing his funkulous …er…way-cool RayBan sun-gees, have finally made it to their all-inclusive tourist-tastic, happenin’ hotel in Santo Domingo. (Hey, I thought this was supposed to be a drama-filled drudge through the boonies they were dealing with here. Hearing those dramatic refrains in the background as they jump onto their trolley and look at sight-seeing fliers seems pretty lame editing.)

Meanwhile, Bobo pumps Crotchya for info on Alex and Fernando’s whereabouts. She teases him and says she’s not telling. “Sounds like you know but aren’t saying.” (Maybe if he’d slipped some booze in that Coke she’s drinking he’d have had better luck.) She asks him where Raquel is and he says he knows, but he’s not telling, either. They munch on potato chips. (Sly dog.) FF>>

Alex calls MJ and lets her know he’s in Santo Domingo. They tell each other how much they miss each other. (Come on! It’s only been a few hours.) Nothing’s happening. All quiet on the home front so far. They beso good-bye via Bell-tone. Fernando tells Alex they’re only a few blocks from the touring agency offices, so they head over there to see what they can find out.

We beam back to Ulises’ new pad where he and Raqui have just finished a tumble in the sheets. He asks if Alex being gone won’t set the legal proceedings back a bit. Raqui doesn’t think so, but says Bruno will handle it. He asks whether Bruno won’t be a pain about her share of the inheritance. She doubts he will. Brotherly love will win out in the end she thinks. However, just talking about it makes her nervous and so she tries to call Bruno but can’t reach him. She calls his hotel and the clerk tells her Bruno checked out a couple of days ago without leaving a forwarding address. Uli rolls his eyes and smirks.

Crotchya has better luck. Bruno tells her he’s on the road trying to find the judge and persuade him not to let Alex convince him to talk. “I’m sure Alex will try offering him money to talk, so I have to offer him a lot more.” He reminds her not to tell anyone where he’s gone or about their relationship. She promises she won’t. He asks her not to try calling him again, then says he’ll call her when he can. Click. She gets pissed.

Horacio tells Bruno the safari tour group has a couple of days lead and will eventually be taking a ferry over to an island to take pictures. Bruno is emphatic about reaching them before they head over to the island. Horacio mentions a number of spots they can see along the way. Poor Horacio is still under the impression that Bruno wants a tour guide, not just a driver. He doesn’t understand why Bruno doesn’t want to stop and take advantage of all the marvelous sights along the way.

Alex has already changed into another hat by the time he and Fer make it over to the tour agency. (He must have bought a sh!t-load of them before he left.) The tour agent mistakes them for Americans [norteamericanos] because they’re blonde, yada, yada. Once that’s cleared up Alex tells her they’re looking to catch up with a photo safari that a guy named Juventino Romero is leading. She says that’s a coinkydink since there was another man from Mexico there the day before asking to do the same thing. She says she set him up with a private tour and guide. Alex asks what his name was. The woman says she thinks his name was Bruno. Duhn-duhn-duhn-duhnnn! Fer and Alex exchange worried frowns. “Bruno? Bruno Albeniz? Or, Lombardo?” She smiles politely. “--Yes. Bruno Lombardo.” Alex and Nando are I-think-we-are-screwed impactado.

Labels: sortilegio

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 4:23 PM 63 comments

Episode 122

Someone pointed out yesterday that the actress playing Connie is doing an excellent job of portraying the character’s shifting moods, with subtle changes of expression. This is true, and we seem to have a somewhat unique situation in our novela – a lead villainess who might actually be redeemed (maybe not, but it’s possible). Constanza has been very mean, she’s been devious, dishonest – but she hasn’t killed anyone. And she has a weakness. Her secret love for Beto. She denies it, ignores it, but it’s there, simmering, flowering, growing along with Beto’s baby in her belly. She keeps trying to deny it, to cling to her desire for money and status. But her face shows us the inner turmoil. Will that chilling visage oneday transform into one of warmth and love? We have 100 epis left in which to find out.

We begin with mariachis. The three girls (Katia, Luisa and Dani) are gleefully listening at the upstairs window. The music stops, and Katia thinks her Mom Jackie must have run them off. But it starts again, and Katia now thinks her Mom must be really mad at Jerry for hiring these guys. Nothing could be further from the truth, though, as Jackie finds them enchanting, takes a huge swig of tequila, and proceeds to sing along as the group sings “I tell you, crying with rage, I’m not coming back” (Te lo digo llorando de rabia, no volveré) No Volveré).

Connie doesn’t like the singing, but she tries to ignore it, and keeps insisting that Mau send Aldo to military school. Mau’s in agreement, until Aldo says that Mau lies, too. Why not tell Connie about La Furia Enmascarada? Connie remembers meeting him at the gym, but what’s that got to do with Mau? Mau knows something’s up, tells Aldo to go to his room, and they’ll talk. Connie warns Mau not to wimp out, saying Aldo needs a strong hand, and tells Mau he always gives in (tú te ablandas a cada rato). Mau gets right in her face, tells her to butt out.

Connie goes outside to shut up the singers, but to no avail. Jackie had to get away from all that tension inside, now she’s waaay relaxed. Jerry offers Connie the bottle. Connie’s a killjoy as usual, but fortunately for us, the joy is too big for her to kill.

Aldo comes clean with Mau, explaining that he was super jealous when Estrella went after La Furia, that’s why he hit him. But when he found that letter from Moni in Mau’s trenchcoat (gabardino), he read it, and understood all. So why’d you stay quiet? asks Mau. Aldo explains that he knew Mau didn’t have a thing for Estre, so he was no longer jealous. But why didn’t you realize I was going through a tough time? - You didn’t seem to care about me, adds Aldo. Mau denies this, he’s always cared, but Aldo’s conduct wasn’t too good. Well, what about yours? retorts Aldo.

Outside, Connie warns her Mom that the noise will wake up the neighbors, who might call the police. Jackie agrees, bring the party inside! Connie tries vainly to stop the parade. Jackie goes in, too, but tells Jerry, who’s holding the bottle, that this is an alcohol-free house, so…Bye! She slams the door in Jerry’s face. A despondent (and drunk) Jerry bangs on the door for his Jacqueline, crying that they haven’t yet sung the chorus!

Mau reminds Aldo that different rules apply to adults and teenagers, and although Aldo had permission to go out in the afternoon, he wasn’t allowed to go out at night. Where did he go? Aldo admits he went to the storeroom (bodega) where Mau changes. He wanted to know everything. He took the keys from the trenchcoat Mau had given Terry. Aldo starts to smile as he relates how he saw the costume, the cape, the mask, it was so cool, he put it on, because Mau has no idea how proud he is of his Dad. When he saw Mau in the wrestling ring, throwing himself (aventandose) through the ropes, doing those moves, you know what? He thanked God for giving him a father like Mau. He wanted to shout to all the people, that’s my Dad! Mau melts, draws Aldo to him, and gives him a warm, fatherly hug.

Moni’s dream. Our cute little heroine is sleeping. Everything starts out fine as she relives her kiss with Mau when they promised to be faithful para siempre. Mau tells her Connie no longer exists. But Connie suddenly appears, saying “are you sure?” The lights go out. Don’t let her take you, screams Moni. All of a sudden, La Furia appears. She tells him she lost Mau, and he calms her down. Nothing’s going to happen. But then Estrella shows up. Sorry, Monita, she says, but he’s my guy. Find your own. They leave. Monita laments, why does everyone leave? But then Isabel appears. Valentina, are you suffering? Well, poor you, she says, and laughs at Moni’s misery. Moni wakes up upset, as the music sings Cansada, estresada (tired, stressed out).

Happier music is filling the Mau house, though, as Jackie sings along fairly well with the mariachis. Connie applauds weakly, okay, that’s enough, guys, you can leave now. But wait. Jackie wants to sing another, and this one’s dedicated to Connie. It’s called Secret of Love (or maybe My Secret Love, or My Love Secret). Here are the lyrics: Secreto de Amor. Connie looks guilty, she can’t face what her mother is gently telling her.

Back upstairs, Mau has now explained to Aldo why he invented the character La Furia Enmascarada, so he could see Moni without Connie’s knowledge. Aldo thinks it’s great. Mau cautions him, though, not a word to Constanza. Aldo apologizes for having opened his big mouth (mi bocote) out in the hall before, but promises to keep the secret from now on. But please don’t make me leave the house. Don’t worry, replies Mau, I care for all of you kids, and I think you and I both deserve another chance, okay? I love you a ton (un montón) is the answer, and they hug again.

Connie bursts in, my Mom invited those darn mariachis into the house, and I can’t get them out! We see the mariachis swaying back and forth to the Secret Love song. The three girls, in their pj’s, are also swayin’,


as is Jackie. Jackie grabs a violin, pretends to play, and invites the kids to dance, which they gladly do. Connie’s appalled, but Mau is enthralled, the kids are happy, they’re dancing! He and Aldo start dancing, too, and Terry brings in some snacks. Forget that, it’s time to conga, as Mau drags her, smiling, into the conga line. Connie thinks it’s late, but Mau chides her, tomorrow’s Sunday, a little fun won’t hurt the kids. They dance the night away.

The music fades, and it’s Sunday morning. It appears a little fun wasn’t too kind to our grown-up kids Rolu and Jero, who have a cruda-wakening. That is, they’re both nursing mean hangovers (crudas), seated with ice-packs at the table. Xime greets them with a "Bonjour",


bubbling as usual, she slept great! She had a “maraviguau” (combination of wonderful and wow) night with her husband. The guys want her to lower her voice a bit. Xime has her three things to tell Jero: 1) It’s not her fault that he got hammered last night (he was una araña fumigada, a sprayed spider, slang for being drunk or zonked out); 2) If you want quiet, go to your room, and 3) Can I have a drink of your tomato juice, porfis? She helps herself, realizes it’s a Bloody Mary, and that’s even better. Jerry insults her, she’s a descent on the evolutionary scale, which prompts Rolu to leap to the defense of his mujer, delighting Xime, who calls him her héroe maxissisimo.

So what’s up down in the vecindad this A.M.? It’s laundry day, and Nieves sees Moni’s not her chipper self. Moni says she had a nightmare, and Nieves comforts her, reminding her of how as a child, Moni used to jump in bed with Nieves when she had bad dreams. But what did you dream about? My Mamá. She was laughing at me. And now she died, and I have so many unanswered questions. Why did she leave me when I was little? Nieves continues to comfort as Moni wails about how she just has one picture of her Mom. Don’t cry, Monita, says Nieves as she hugs our moping Moni.

Rolu and Xime are now kissing away at the breakfast table, and Jerry tells ‘em to get a room for that. Sorry, bud, says Rolu, it’s not our fault Jackie gave you the shaft. Yeah, well have you forgotten about Beto? Oh, Rolu’s going to forgive Xime, and he asks her to break it off with Beto. Xime says she’ll ASK Beto if that’s okay. Huh, why do you have to ask? Xime assures him it's nothing personal, and she pulls him to her breast to smooth over any bad feelings. Jerry calls him a perro faldero (a lapdog). The phone rings, and Jerry springs up like a barking terrier, it could be Jacqueline! (Woof, woof! pants lapdog Jerry. Maybe he's a Springer Spaniel. A Jerry Springer Spaniel:) Nope, it’s Oscar (haven’t seen him in a while).

Back at laundry day, Cristian’s doing a little washing as Paula tells her invisible Papá to rest, remember what the Doctor said. We then have a little déjà vu, in that they proceed to have a PSA for the Seguro Popular. I recapped a very similar scene about two months ago, where the characters took turns telling anecdotes about how wonderful this Mexican health program is. This happens again, but then Paula tells how great it’ll be when the Seguro Popular pays for the birth of their kid, after Cris asks her to marry, and……wait a sec, says Cris. Marriage? A child? Umm, he just remembered, there’s a 2-7 in progress. Bye, honey. As he leaves, Paula folds her arms in resignation, saying Damn that Cristian, as soon as I mention marriage, he’s out the door, fleeing. Coward!

Nieves remembers her conversation with Isabel, warning her not to hurt Moni. Isabel had given a cryptic response, saying what’s wrong with giving Moni some happy memories, and Nieves’ doubt sensors start heating up, as she remembers Isabel saying “I’m not a monster”.

At that, a big, cute monster wakes up, namely Don Cesar in his flannel airplane jammies (and shades), stretching to greet the day. What’s on your mind, my little cotton pillow (mi almohadita de algodón), he asks Nieves. She tells him her thoughts about Isabel, but the conversation soon turns to breakfast. They hear Beto snoring away, and decide to eat at the market so as not to wake him. Nieves tempts her Cesarin with the idea of some nice memelas .

At the big house, it’s also breakfast time. (Note that nobody’s going to church. This show is very light in the religion department). I don’t recall seeing this room, but anyway, they’re all having scrambled eggs, rolls and juice (no authentic Mexican dishes for the rich folk). Luisa brings in the fruit, raving about those cute mariachis last night. Katia agrees, and little Dani says she loved singing the Secret Love song (she starts singing it). Terry chimes in that in her day, they had serenades all the time. Bitter Connie spits out that nobody cares what happened in “your day”, and I’m tired of all this laughing and smiling. By the way, tell Mauricio to come to breakfast. But, Senora, he left early. They wonder (for 2 seconds) where he went, when he shows up (Jackie even says “Good morning, Papá”, just like the kids). He wants to talk to Connie alone, though.

In the hall, he gives her a home pregnancy test kit, and urges her to do the test right now, to remove any doubts. At first she balks, let’s do it later, I’ve got a craving (un antojo) for hotcakes (said in English, pronounced “hawt-cakes”). A craving? asks Mau, worried that that means pregnancy. Fine, she’ll do the test now.

Xime’s wheeling her Rolu into the barrio, isn’t it picturesque? Nope, he says, go talk to that swine (gandalla), get rid of him, and we’re outta here. But first, here comes Estrella! She’s wearing a silver jacket, looking better than ever, and she’s on cloud 9 from her noche de amor with La Furia. La Furia was so passionate! Xime had a great night, too, although Rolu was half drunk, half asleep, but it was maraviguau (see above) just the same. Rolu interrupts the squealing gals to get Xime back to business. Of course Xime can’t remember why they came. Oh right, Beto! She asks Estrella to watch Rolu, then changes her mind, maybe that’s not a good idea, amiguita, I know how you always steal boyfriends, don’t want you to be tempted, you know? Estrella’s a little indignant as Xime asks some homely neighborhood ladies to watch her prize.

She pops into Robi’s house, but he’s asleep. She shakes him and he grabs her, yelling in his sleep “cucharita” (teaspoon), and (somewhat) against her will, they’re spooning in his bed, with him still half asleep. She says sueltame a few times, but his manly grip is too much.

Outside, Moni enters the scene, carrying a green blow-up plastic monkey toy (no, I didn’t make that up),


and wonders why Rolu’s sitting there. Estre says Xime brought him, and she’s talking to Beto. Rolu asks Moni if she’s interested in Beto again, now that she’s lost Mauricio. No, why? Because I want that bum to stop bothering my wife. What are you talking about? inquires Moni. Rolu lays it down – Ximena and Beto are lovers. Both Moni and Estre go “¡¿Qué?!” Moni slams the monkey into Rolu’s jewels, Estre kicks his cast, and as he doubles over in pain, the two rush over to Beto’s abode. They push back the bead curtains to find the “lovers” still spooning. Ooops, says Ximena (notice where Beto has his hand).



Mau’s sitting on the bed, waiting for the results of Connie’s little test. She comes out of the bathroom, stares at him. Tell me, Constanza, that you’re not pregnant. She looks at him. He looks at her. She looks at him. He looks at her. She looks at him. I look at my watch. I look at a commercial. Oh, those telenovela moments of truth. Don’t you just love ‘em?

Congratulations, handsome, says Connie. Mau’s aghast, you mean you’re pregnant? Connie pauses about 3 seconds, then says, no, in fact the results were negative, I’m congratulating you that I’m NOT pregnant, that’s the least thing we need now (oh, you sly Connie). Mau signs with relief, as Connie jerks his chain a little more, telling him these home tests aren’t infallible. And they only made love about a week ago, so maybe she should get checked out by a doctor. But she doubts she could be pregnant, she’s been taking her birth control pills (mentirosa!). So let’s have breakfast. Mau’s lost his appetite. But Connie hasn’t. She wants those hotcakes now!

Moni and Estre take turns reading the riot act to the still spooning Beto and Xime. How could you?! Beto’s still asleep, and Xime’s imprisoned in his manly grip, quiet as a mouse (for once). The plan? Moni will unlock Beto’s arms, and Estre will pick up Xime. It doesn’t quite work, they both tumble into bed, and Beto wakes up to his fondest dream come true – surrounded by babes! He’s so happy, Xime, Monita, Estrella in his bed, the only one missing is Constanzia! Moni and Estre struggle to extricate themselves from his manly mayhem.

Aldo’s staring straight ahead, eyes glowing with pride and power, silently musing, dreaming of his night of passion.


Jackie, sitting next to him, knows that smile, she knows men. She quietly tells him his smile gives him away (te delata). You’ve become a man, right? She subtly pats him on the shoulder. No one else notices, and Mau stares at Connie across the table with a chilly look.

Beto can’t remember, how did he end up in bed with all three gals, must have been great. Not in your dreams, shoots back Estre. Moni makes a fist, she’ll break his head if he doesn’t tell them right now what he’s doing with Ximena. Both Ximmy and Betito siguen calladito (remain silent).

Jackie gets up, says thanks for the breakfast, but she and Katia are going shopping! (on Sunday, no less). Mau’s going to spend the day with his kids. Dani says I love you, Daddy, and Jackie says he’s a good father. Connie tells Aldo to enjoy his last fun time before military school, but Mau says, No, I’ve changed my mind, he’s not going. Connie protests, but Mau ignores her, telling the kids to get their jackets (chamarras) and brush their teeth. Connie’s royally pissed off (again).

Moni’s disgusted with Beto, lying there with Xime like an animal. An animal, maybe, but not an ugly animal, corrects Beto. Moni can’t believe it, first La Momia, now Xime, and she’s married. Xime finally speaks up – that doesn’t really count, she says. Moni says well, that’s your life, but Beto’s like my brother. Estre thinks Moni and Beto should talk alone, beckons Xime, your husband is waiting outside, remember? Oh, him, right, yeah, let’s go, as she pops up, and let’s not deny what I was doing, porfis. Estre is flabbergasted. You want to TELL Rolu? Xime has three answers, as that little pinky goes up to start the list. 1) Robi is divine, 2) You can’t imagine how happy I am, I’m eternally grateful and 3) thanks to Robi, my life is changing! She exits theatrically, with air kisses and an “Au revoir”, as Beto waves with a “Ciao, Xi!” Estre goes to check out the Rolu fireworks, and Moni crosses her arms for the Beto interrogation to come. Beto smiles weakly, coughs guiltily, and we’ll have to wait ‘til Monday to find out what happens next.

And you know what? Monday looks "maraviguau" (Carlos, they always give you good days, don’t they?), with EVERYONE going to the amusement park. Not only that, Connie appears to lose control and SLAP Luisa. Big mistake!

Vocabulario:

Ablandarse – to soften, to give in. Connie said tú te ablandas a cada rato, or you give in each time
Gabardino – a trenchcoat, or raincoat
Mi bocote – my big mouth
Una cruda – a hangover
Maraviguau – not a real word, Xime speak, a combination of marvelous or wonderful and wow, we could say Wonderwow (if we were Xime)
Quedar como una araña fumigada – to be zonked out, hammered, literally to be like a sprayed spider, another similar expression is quedar hasta las chanclas
Un perro faldero – a lapdog, literally a skirt dog, falda is a skirt, Jerry and Rolu currently fit this category
Gandalla – another of the numerous words we’ve learned meaning “swine”, or a crook, a lowlife
Delatarse – to give oneself away
Chamarras – (sheepskin) jackets

Labels: gancho

For discussion of the Friday Dec. 11 ENDA episode.

Labels: amor

Camila tells Paloma that Rufi called and that Romina will be moving soon. Romina catches Emiliano mooning over Paloma and scolds him.

Padre Juan Cristobal informs Padre Benito about how he passed out with Carlota in the room, but he’s sure that nothing happened between them. Cris is also sure that she went towards his water glass. But he doesn’t know why she did all this. PB says that Bishop Calixto is back and will give priority to Cris’s case, but he has to act impeccably.

Apparently Real del Monte does have a Kinko’s--Carlota is there gleefully printing out the photos of her macking on Cris, which she says (along with the photos of Cris and Natalia) are her proof that Cris that is immoral.

Alonso does the Macarena and walks by an important document (Arcadia’s letter) without looking at it.

Diana waits outside Emil’s office and pounces on him when he walks by, demanding that he not reject her; he repeats that he doesn’t want anything to do with her--she’s going from bad to worse, exhibit A being the scene she made at Camila’s. Emil says that Cami and Rafael aren’t lovers, but even if they were, Diana doesn’t have a right to judge them considering her lies to him, Rafa and Orlando. Emil tells her not to seek him out until she realizes the bad she’s doing and gives Rafa a divorce; she refuses (again) to do that.

Paloma and Liliana talk about Romi and Emil moving out and how Pal can’t stand Gabriel.

Monica tells Camila about the hotel reservation info/confirmation that Rafa dropped off for the convention (he paid for the room). Cami leaves the store and gets into her car; Diana just happens to be driving by and follows her.

Emiliano goes to play soccer with Chava et al.

Licha, a girl in the painting class Pal is teaching, collapses--the other girls say she’s on drugs again, they think it was “el tiner”. My dictionaries don’t have that word but I’m guessing it’s paint thinner or something. Pal freaks out and runs off to get help.

Romina looks at bedroom stuff on the computer with her interior designer and calls Emil to ask what color he wants. I guess the building where Pal teaches that class doesn’t have a phone, and Real del Monte doesn’t have 911, because she ran to the soccer field to get Emil. Just as Emil picks up Romi’s call, Pal runs up yelling for help, which Romi overhears.

Cami arrives at Rafa’s office and returns the hotel reservation info. She says she can’t go and asks him to cancel the room. Diana barges in and yells at them for being together; Cami takes off. Rafa shoves Diana out and locks the door.

At the hospital, Pal cries to Emil that it’s all her fault that the girl got high and passed out. Emil tries to comfort her, in a rather inappropriate manner I might add (holding her face in his hands and leaning in close), considering that he’s married. Romi, despite orders to be on bed rest, shows up and witnesses this. She pretends that she feels bad so she came to see the doctor. While Emil goes off to find Romi’s doc, Romi reminds Pal that she was going to stay away from Emil, but she’s not going to scold Pal, she’s glad to see her because she misses Pal. She puts Pal’s hand on her abdomen and asks if she feels the baby. Pal says she misses Romi too.

PJC asks Gabriel about how the restoration is going--the process is laborious so Gabriel will be there for a long time. PJC also asks about the mystery woman and Gabe says it’s Paloma. PJC says you don’t know how important she is to me. Gabriel comments that she has “mal carácter”, or bad character (I take that to mean "snotty attitude").

Emil comes back to the waiting room to take Romi to the doctor’s office--she hangs all over him while Pal blames herself again and Emil says they all should have foreseen the problem with the paint thinner. The writers/producers/director try to get us to feel sorry for Pal by having Emil and Romi walk off down the hall together to the tune of Emil’s and Pal’s love song, leaving Pal sad and alone in the waiting room.

PJC explains to Gabriel that Paloma’s life hasn’t been easy--her parents died, her fiancé died, and her aunt that was practically a mother to her died. Gabriel somehow doesn’t notice how contrived that all is and instead says that life has shown him that everyone has a cross to bear--you have the possibility of feeling sorry for yourself or closing yourself off, or you learn to live with it. Gabe thinks that the Pal he knows has nothing to do with the “mujer” (nevermind that she’s still a schoolgirl) PJC is talking about. PJC says he knows Pal better than Gabe does, and he thinks that Gabe was talking about himself re: having a cross to bear. Gabe admits that his cross hasn’t been easy to bear, but he has learned to live to the fullest at every moment. He wasn’t going to say anything about it, but he wants to share his secret with PJC.

German calls Crazylota to tell her that he picked up her papers in Mexico City and will deliver them to her right away.

The gynecologist says that Romina is fine. She asks about the baby, claiming that it’s the most important to her, and the doc says they are both fine. He tells her to go home and rest and for Emil to take care of her.

PJC says that to look at him, one would think Gabriel has an easy life. Gabe explains that once he accepted that this was his life, he decided to do things to the max. What for many people would be a punishment has become a challenge for him. PJC tells him not to lose faith, because miracles exist. He assures Gabe that his secret is safe with him. Just then the janitor (I think) comes up to tell PJC that Emil called to say he’s at the hospital with Paloma. Gabe offers to take PJC there.

Emil and Romi are back in the waiting room with Pal, and Romi rubs it in that the doctor told her to rest and for Emil to pamper her. Pal tells them to go home but Emil doesn’t want to leave until PJC arrives because he doesn’t want Pal to be alone.

German hands the papers to Carlota. He says you know you can trust me and offers to be at her service. Carlota asks if he’s seen the papers; he answers no, the envelope came sealed and he didn’t think it ethical to check them since he wasn’t in charge of the case from the beginning, but if she finds any errors to let him know.

PJC and Gabriel arrive at the hospital and ask what happened. Gabe gets on Pal’s case for allowing the paint thinner or whatever it was to be around kids with drug problems (Pal says she didn’t know it could be used that way) and Emil yells at him not to talk to Pal like that. PJC tells them to shut it and says this is a reminder that they have to be much more careful with the materials they give to kids that have drug addictions. Pal explains that Licha woke up but her mom doesn’t have money to pay the hospital bill--Gabe offers to pay, but Emil immediately says no, he will pay. Pal thinks she should pay, but Romi points out that she doesn’t have any money, so she and Emil will pay the bill. Emil thanks Romi but he wants it to be his responsibility.

Camila comes by Orlando’s office to accept his invitation to go the US. He asks what changed her mind and she says she got to thinking that it’s (I’m not sure what “it” is . . . their relationship?) the most important thing in her life. Kissy-kissy.

Rafa and Joel discuss Cami refusing Rafa’s invitation to the ceramics convention--she doesn’t want to be near him. Rafa doesn’t want to go now, but Joel tells him he has to go, because the convention has a lot to do with the future of their business.

Diana tries to get an appointment with her lawyer but nothing is available until the following week. After she hangs up, a travel agent calls to talk to Rafa about his trip. She immediately calls Rafa to demand an explanation and wants to know if he’s going with Camila. He tells her no and hangs up, but she continues ranting about Cami being a tramp, etc.

Back at the hospital, PJC asks Gabe to advise him and Pal on what materials should be controlled (I guess they mean supervised, or kept under lock and key) in the classroom; he agrees and takes his leave. Romi asks Pal what’s the deal with that guy--Pal says he’s a know-it-all who’s also her art teacher. Emil overhears this and is about to ask about it but PJC tells him and Romi to head home and he’ll wait there with Pal.

La Loca reads the part of the will about Pal not receiving her money or even knowing about it until she’s 21. She then talks to herself about how even after Pal is 21, she’ll continue living with her, because she’ll have done so many things that Pal’s love for life will be wiped out--you (Pal) are going to pay for your father rejecting me; maybe you yourself will get close to me, and the three of us can live on what my brother left.

Pal wonders if she should quit this volunteer social work gig, but PJC doesn’t want her to. Licha’s mom runs up and thanks PJC and Pal--she thinks that with their help, her daughter will stop getting caught up in these messes.

PJC escorts Pal home. She tells him that he’s going to think she’s crazy but she likes it when he calls her “hija”. They hug but are interrupted by Her Royal Purpleness, who proceeds to yell at Pal for being late. PJC tries to defend her but Carlota tells him not to interfere in her upbringing of Pal. Carlota says she’s mad at Pal, so Pal retorts oh yeah, well I’m mad at you for not telling me that Rufi called and that you fired her. And if Rufi doesn’t come back, I’m going to live with her, wherever that may be. PJC pipes up that Pal and Rufi have his support. He tries to leave but Carlota insists on talking with him alone.

Emil thinks back to seeing Pal that day and laughs; when Romi asks why, he claims it was about an email he got. She thoughtbubbles that she knows he’s thinking about that d@#n Paloma.

German sits in a café and thinks that although he promised Emil he wouldn’t go after Pal, it would kill two birds with one stone: Romi would die of jealousy, and he would be a millionaire. Liliana comes in and sits down, so Germs goes over to hassle her and brag about getting a new car.

Pal declares that she isn’t going to give up on the volunteer work, and PJC pointedly remarks that she has the same generous heart as her mother, that’s why everyone loved her. After she goes upstairs, Carlota claims that if Pal is the way she is, it’s because of her, not Macarena--she knew how to raise her to be decent, educated, and above all, virginal, but it would have been different if Mac had raised her; Pal would be a slut just like Mac. PJC removes his collar thingy and says that in this instance, Cris the man is going to speak to her: this is the last time that I’ll allow you talk that way about the only woman I’ve loved in my life. PJC says he knows that Carlota drugged him. She thinks God brought Cris to her door tonight for something, but he says it was only so Pal would know she’s not alone, that she can count on him and God. As he goes to leave, Carlota cryptically says “You’re still in time.” He asks in time for what? “To avoid regretting for the rest of your life that you rejected me.”

German asks Lili to tell him about Paloma; when she declines he accuses her of being jealous. She denies it and he grabs her and kisses her--she claims she hates it when he kisses her, and he replies “that’s not what your lips say.”

Back in Crazytown, Carlota says she’s ready to forgive PJC's rejection if he asks her for another chance. PJC shoots that down by saying if it wasn’t for Pal, he wouldn’t ever say one word to her. Carlota says fine, you asked for it to be that way--everyone makes his own destiny. PJC notes to Carlota that in the end, her destiny will be full of loneliness and misery. After he leaves she talks to herself again: “we’ll see if you don’t end up begging me to give you a little bit of my love, a little help.”

Then we hear Rufi’s voice say that in 24 hours, Carlota will be discovered--what will she do?

In the previews, Pal tells Carlota she’s going to live in Mexico City w/Rufi and Dr. Bermudez; Alonso reads Arcadia’s letter; someone grabs Carlota as she walks down the street.

Labels: amor

From yesterday:
Replay of love scene.

Today:
Alex is getting ready to leave. Arturo is pumping Ez for info. Ez says Alex is going on a trip. MJ is crying because he is leaving. He tries to reassure her They kiss. He worries about the baby and she says the baby is fine and has him feel the non-existent baby bump.

Victoria and Alex are coming down the stairs and Felipa wishes him well. EZ is crying. He can't believe it. Alex tells him it is just for a little while. Alex gives him a man-hug and tells him to take care of his family. EZ swears that he will. With everyone occupied, Cuko can put his plan into action. He darts out of the house making a break for freedom.

Raquel runs up screeching at Alex about going on a trip now. She says it is all over the papers that the DNA was positive and that she and Bruno are bastards. Well, if the shoe fits... Alex says sorry Raquel. Curses, foiled again! Cuko is discovered and runs back into the house or maybe he's just trying to get away from Raquel's screeching. Without taking a breath Raquel continues her tirade, It's true mama, none of this would have happened if Alex hadn't married MJ. It is all her fault. She starts to say it was her mothers fault because--SMACK --Viewerville gives Victoria a round of applause. Unfortunately for Raquel she doesn't know when to quit while she's ahead. This is the opportunity that Felipa has been waiting for—She tells her to watch her tongue. Her mother married the father of her children. She hits Raquel with both barrels and asks her about her lover Useless. You know, the one you visit in his apartment. Raquel calls her an f-ing liar. EZ walks in and tells her she better zip it or he's going to speak also. She calls him a desgraciado infeliz which I just learned is not a very nice name. She says she'll throw them on the street. Oh yeah, you and what army? Vicky asks Felipa and Ez to come here please. They go off in another room to have a chat.

Fer gets a call from Alex. It sounds urgent. He tells him he's on the way. He tells Bratia to get a move on. She comes down the stairs and says she is sick. He wants her to go to a doctor. She says, no she took some pills. He kisses her and leaves. Ewww, do you know where her face has been? Yuck. Amazingly she feels much better once Fer leaves and she pops up looking for trouble. She pulls out his laptop. She can't get the right password. Obviously she didn't read the recap from yesterday. Uh oh, It looks like she finally figured it out and is now looking for intel. She finds a file that looks promising and opens it up. It looks like some kind of memo with photographs. (Did anybody catch what it was?) She can't figure out why her brother is interested in photographs.

Vicky wants to know if they are sure about Raquel. Felipa says she is a married woman visiting a single man in his apartment. Ez says she goes alone without Arturo. She didn't want us to say a word about it to you. Vicky speculates that must be why Raquel asked for a divorce. She wants to know about Useless. Felipa says he doesn't work (not sure about that, help). MJ comes downstairs and fake kissess all around. MJ asks Vicky if it is ok for her sister to come stay with her for awhile. Vicky says of course. You don't have to ask permission it's your house. Sweet! MJ looks worried and asks if something happened. Vicky says the results are in on the DNA and it is in the paper. I still don't get why it is a big deal. The parents did marry after all.

Fer arrives at the hotel where Alex is staying. Fer says the obvious, you've already left the house. Yes. Alex's phone rings. It's the Abogado. Apparently the results are in on the DNA. Alex says that Bruno is trying to rush the will contest and it will be in a week in Cancun. Fer asks when the divorce would be final and Alex says the judge thought it will take a month. Fer says the problem will be what happens after (I couldn't get the rest.)

Paula is happy to see MJ. Pedro is with her. Paula is so happy she is turning in circles like I used to when I was a kid. But I would always smack into the wall and fall down. She sees Roberto and they give each other a great big brotherly/sisterly hug. Pedro is worried about Roberto and Paula. Roberto wants to know if Pedro is coming back too. Pedro says he and Chucho have a little place in town. Roberto always trying to get the 411, wants to know where Alex went. MJ says he went on a small trip. Why does everybody want to know where Alex is?

PDE slinks out of the shadows and accosts Tomas. He's fishing for information about Meche. Tomas doesn't know who she is. PDE finds out that Alex went on a trip and that Paula was back staying with MJ. I would sure hate everybody knowing my business like that.

Bruno is in pool talking with Erik. Bruno wants to know what is going on with MJ. Ole Buttlick says MJ is here but Alex went on a trip. Bruno wants to know what kind of trip. He calls his mom. (Yeah, like she's going to tell you.) He asks her where Alex went and she says he didn't say. He hangs up and gets a call from Bratia who tells him that she got into the computer and found some pictures. Bruno is not interested and hangs up. Bruno says he has to talk to the attorney right away.

Back at the office Chucho is making faces at Mari. She looks at him strangely. (Seriously, wouldn't you look at some old guy strangely who was sitting in the lobby making googly eyes at you) She is saved by Alex and says that Alex will see him now. Whew, what a relief. He gives her googly eyes again and Alex laughs as she shuts the door. What's up dude? I brought you the papers to look over. Alex looks at the papers and they make small talk about Chucho's new “business.” Alex asks him if he's heard any news of Meche and Gabe. Chucho lies and says no. Somehow I think that is going to come back and bite Chucho in the butt.

Fernando calls Victoria and they have some kind of boring conversation where Vicky says she doesn't want to lose him and that she and Herman are just friends. Fer says if you need me I'll be at your side. Sorry, FF>>

Back at the casa. MJ and Paula are talking. MJ wants the scoop on Roberto.. Paula says nothing is going on. Can't I have a friend? MJ is worried about what people will say. Paula tells her to relax. MJ says she trusts her. R i g h t!

Alex calls and MJ answers the phone. He's worried about her. He will see her tonight. Don't worry. Has something happened? Alex calls Mari and says he needs to rent a car. Everything is strictly confidential. He will rent one today and then a different one tomorrow. Mari is worried and asks if he needs help with anything. He says no. It's under control.

Bruno calls Raquel. Let's meet in ½ an hour. Well, ok. Raquel goes to Useless' apartment. He's not there. She worries.

Meanwhile useless is at Moora's and she is filling him in on the situation with Mario Aguirre. He can't believe that she actually told Alex. She didn't tell him anything about Useless. (Well that certainly is a relief.) She tells him that Bruno was behind it. Moora wants to know what is going on with Useless and he says he has his little secrets. Hmmm, do we really want to know what all of them are?

Raquel is waiting for Bruno He shows up in a nice blue shirt without a scarf—oh wait, there it is. You can barely see it peeking out. Background noise. He is cussing Alex for taking a trip now. He wants her to find out from Vicky where he went. Ha, like that is going to happen. Maybe when Hell freezes over. He leaves and she calls him stupid.

Chucho and Pedro are tidying up. Why do they have a hammock in their living room? Meche and Gabe show up and they show them where their new room will be. FF>>.

Alex calls EZ and tells him he will be there shortly. He arrives at the house and tells Arturo to tell no one that he is there. Alex goes up to see Victoria. Ez wants to know what is going on he is very worried. He prays and asks Don Antonio to help his son.

Fer arrives home. He sees Bratia's phone on the couch. Ah hah!. He looks at the numbers and finds she calls Bruno a lot. He is not very happy. What to do, what to do? He goes looking for Katia. She is sleeping. He wants to know why she calls Bruno so much. He tells her that she knows that Bruno and Alex are enemies. She is astounded and incensed that he would look at her phone. She whines about it being her life. Enough. It is my house and I don't want you calling him. He's my boyfriend. Oh, no, Fernando is going to have a stroke. He tells her that Bruno could go to jail. (I think he should go to Hell wearing gasoline underpants, personally.)

Katia calls and he wants to know what she wants. It is late. She tells him that Fer saw she's been calling him. I told him we were novios. He' s not happy. Aren't we novios? Yessssss, of course, he says with a forked tongue, but it could be a lot of trouble. Of coursssse I love you, he hisses. Whatever!

Alex and MJ are together. He wants her to do stuff with Paula and his mom. He assures her the time will pass quickly. He's got a lot going on. He thinks about her a lot. More kissing.

Next day. Alex is leaving for work. She doesn't want him to go. More crying.

Fer and Bratia. She wants to go to work with him. Bruno is a bad person he reminds her. Why? He does other very bad things. It is personal for Alex. Be very careful. Do not tell him anything. Are you coming with me? Yes.

MJ and Alex are talking about Meche. Nobody knows anything about her. Alex isn't sure they are telling the truth. EZ tells him his truck is ready. Please be careful. Take care of our baby. They hug. She is overcome with sadness. Crying on the stairs again. Ez has a bad feeling. He has to sit down on the bench.

Alex in a towel. Calling Mari. Talking about work. Be discrete. Who cares? Let's go back to Alex in a towel.

Gab and Chucho are talking about Gab's therapy. I don't really like that kid. I'm not sure why. he always has a kind of snotty look on his face. Chucho will go with him. Meche says he has stuff to do. He says it is ok. They head off to the hospital. She is crying—again.

Bruno goes to the house. He is not allowed in the house. Ez won't let him see his mother. Bruno orders him to get his mother. Felipa and Victoria are talking. They are missing Alex. (filler) It is so empty. EZ knocks on the door. Bruno is waiting downstairs asking for you. Tell him I 'll be there shortly. Bruno is snooping around. He wants to reclaim the family name. He needs her to come down and proove something? (not sure) He calls the reporter.

Labels: sortilegio

Alternate title: It's Ladies Night!!

Tonight was a great night for most of the ladies, don't you think? Let's see what happened...

We recall from last night that Mau has set up the double date from hell (Coni's hell anyway) by insisting she join him, Beto and Xime for dinner. Beto and Xime can't seem to keep their hands off each other and the charade is making Coni steam. Mau excuses Beto so he can speak to Xime and Coni alone. Mau asks Coni why did Ximena tell him she (Coni) is pregnant? Coni's eyes throw daggers at her amiga.

Now we have some clever wordplay with Xime sidestepping and saying she didn't tell Mau she told Beto because she can't keep a secret from her lover of course. She throws in an y tu mama también and some other stuff while Coni nervously avers there is no way she can be pregnant because they are GETTING A DIVORCE, this is all a confession, er confusion that is Xime's mistake (more dagger eyes). On Monday she will see her gynecologist to prove it. Dagger eyes from Ximena. Dagger eyes from Coni.

Nieves Pau and Moni are having lunch and talking about what a great pair Fantasma and Furia make. Nieves thinks this is Beto's chance to make the big time and actually earn money. "To spend on chelas (beers) and women," guffaws Paula. Nieves notices that Moni is pensive and asks what fly is biting her (what's eating her)? Moni says it's because Estrella hasn't come back yet. Nieves makes a crack about Furia and Estrella being in full cuchiplancha by now. Moni jumps up to make a phone call. Ooh jealous.

Meanwhile, over at the Furia hideout, Estre is trying to unmask her silent Fury when her phone rings. "Estrella Falcon Actríz." Gotta love her professionalism. Furia eavesdrops from behind his cape while Estrella talks to Moni, gushes over him and blows him kisses. Moni cautions her about rushing into the romance too rapidly but Estre is done talking, tonight is her night for love. A forlorn Monita hangs up the phone while Nieves and Pau nod their heads knowingly.

Estrella gets back to buggy business with her green mantis. He's clearly interested but refuses to remove his mask. She reasons if you won't remove your mask how can we kiss? Her idea is she'll wear a blindfold. She slaps her shapely tush a couple of times with a black scarf and invites Furia to blindfold her. Furia covers her eyes, rolls back his mask and lays a big romantic kiss on her. Dang, I found this scene kind of hot. Excuse me while I get a glass of ice water. Whoo!

OK, that helped. We are back at the restaurant and Beto has rejoined the trio. He and Xime are having a grand time pretending to be lovers. Xime gets close to him while Coni steams. He calls Xime his queen while Coni steams. He rubs noses with Xime while Coni steams. He makes goo-goo talk and says she tastes like strawberries while Coni steams. He cops a feel while Coni steams. Mau scolds Xime for cheating on her husband, he doesn't understand how she can love Beto. Coni blurts out she doesn't understand either! Beto does a Coni or fresa imitation (not sure which), que paso, que paso? Brilliant!

Back at the love shack Estrella is dizzy from her romantic kissing with Furia. She waves her arms around and begs Furia to kiss her some more, he's such a MAN. And he does. "Make love to me" she begs. Aldo hesitates but she persists, throws her leg over him, and tells him to get a condom from her purse because she's prepared! (Good PSA, nice and short.) He rifles through her purse, pulls out a condom, hesitates and pulls out another one. Yowza, you go kid!

At the restaurant Xime tells made up stories about how she and Beto got together, he was her trainer yada yada love was inevitable. Coni has about melted with rage. Mau is not so happy either. I, however, am enjoying myself immensely. Beto says they are madly in love but the only problem is that she is married. Mau has an about face, he didn't realize they were so in love, and announces he will help Rolu see the light and give her a divorce. "De verdad?" they exclaim in unison. Uh oh, Xime and Beto are impactados.

Rolu is at home sulking. Jero joins him and they toast to unfaithful women, women who toss them over for someone else. Jero whines how could Jacqui dump him, young and handsome, for that old dude Sal? Rolu says how could Xime dump him for that naco...Beto! "Beto?!?" Jero is incredulous.

Beto publicly snuggles and asks Xime if she wants to get a hotel room with scratchy towels. Coni can't stand it and tells Mau it's making her sick, she wants to leave. As she departs Beto and Coni glare at each other. She gives him one last look backward so he gives Xime a kiss on the lips as a final kiss-off to Coni. "Wow," Xime says as she kisses him back, hard. "No wonder Coni goes nuts for you."

Jero is baffled by Beto and Xime, he thought Beto loved Coni. Rolu is baffled because he is used to women falling all over him. Xime on the other hand is having an affair in front of his eyes. He tells Jero that Xime is exceptional and he never thought he would suffer because of her. The boys pine over the exceptional women who are cheating on them and proceed to get drunk. They're pathetic, but decide to fight for their loves.

Gabi is looking up model agencies in the phone book. She wants to hire an Adonis model, young but not too young, happy, dark, blue or green eyes, full lips but no collagen, well-chiseled muscels, elegant, well dressed, most importantly a real gentleman. Money is no object and she'll begin interviews tomorrow. She may not be able to compete with Jacqueline but Sal will know that she can have an Adonis in her life.

It looks like Estrella, still blindfolded, has woken up from a very satisfying evening of love, the best ever. She sighs and says she will never forget this night. I know I should think this is wrong, but the writers did a good job of making it feel right.

Aldo is taking a taxi home and has what is called a "s**t eatin' grin" on his face, i.e. he is deeply satisfied and somewhat amazed.

Rolu is a bit tipsy by the time Ximena comes home. He tells her he's in love with her, he's suffering thinking of her with el Fantasma Vengador. She tries to tell him it's not really true but he interrupts. He begs her to give him another chance. He'll be the perfect romantic husband. OK, OOPS, she lets slip that she and Robi are lovers but maybe she won't dump Rolu for Beto after all. Rolu grabs her and smothers her with kisses. Hmmph, we'll see, but well played Ximena.

Enough of the fun stuff, let's dive down to the dismal domain of Mau and Coni. They bicker because she didn't want to stop at the pharmacy to get a pregnancy test. We find out he didn't use protection that night (dope) but surely she couldn't be pregnant and he wants to move forward with the divorce. Coni's all No way could I be pregnant but if I were boy howdy that sure would change things and I could never split up with you. Cara impactada de Mau.

Our dunderheaded hero blows his stack while Coni lies and says no no it can't be...but they should consider the possibility. Mau calls himself stupid and of course he's right. He insists she go to a pharmacy right away for a pregnancy test so they can move forward with the divorce. Tere interrupts to tell them she can't find Aldo anywhere.

Estrella writes a note to Furia, kisses it, and leaves it on a cushion for him.

Back at the barrio Monita is preoccupied but won't admit it to Nieves. Nieves says she knows Moni like the palm of her hand and Moni doesn't like Estre playing la tanga fácil (I think this means sleeping around) with Furia. Moni denies it and says she just wants Estre to be happy. Nieves snorts that Estre changes men about as often as she changes her chones (undies).

Coni badmouths Aldo but Tere sticks up for him. Coni says he's a bad seed and suggests they send him to military school. Jacqui reacts negatively to this and reminds Coni she was no angel as a kid. Remember when she was in school and kept getting expelled for kissing all the boys? She had to change schools three times until Jacqui was ready to send her to school with the nuns. Ay, she was precocious for her age! Mau and Tere are highly amused.

Moni complains to Pau that Estre isn't around, she's worried about her. Speaking of the queen of Rome, who should walk up in the best mood ever? Estrella, that's who. What a marvelous night, what a man! She loves him she loves him she loves him! She talks as fast as a gatling gun. He's so mysterious, she had to wear a blindfold. Pau wants all the details, how is he...down there? That's it for our silently suffering monkey, Moni has something else to do.

Moni seeks refuge in her cute little house and lights a candle to the virgin. Then she pouts and recalls Furia. Head in hands she asks why does he affect her so much?

Aldo arrives home and his bliss turns to bummer as Mau jumps down his throat. Aldo tries to explain but the grownups don't want too hear. Coni butts in like the shrewish harpy she is. Mau tells him no more mistakes, this week he's calling the military school and that's his last word. Coni smirks.

Estre goes on and on to Pau that the Furia is a fury indeed. She says he is that man she has always looked for. Estre couldn't be happier, Monita is acting a bit odd though. She must really be missing her prince. "Dang I'm tired," she says. Ya think?

Drunk Jero staggers up to Jacqi's pad with his mariachis in tow. They start their sad refrain as Jero, gripping his tequila bottle, wails drunkenly for his Jacqueline.

Inside, Aldo tries to plead his case while the mariachis and Jero obliterate the conversation. Jacqui looks pleased as punch as the others try to talk over them. Jacqui is finally persuaded to go out and try to quiet Jero and the Mariachis. Speaking of quiet, Aldo asks coni to please shut up. Has she forgotten the filthy things she did to Mau to get him to marry her? He tells Mau what Coni did to them is far worse than anything he's done. Point to Aldo.

Luisa, Katia and Dani stare out the window at the romantic scene outside. Katia is sure that her mama will kill these guys and send Jeronimo packing. Instead Jacqui grabs Jero's tequila bottle, takes a swig and joins in on the refrain.

Aldo claims he's not the only one lying, Mau has been lying too. Why doesn't he tell Coni who la Furia Enmascarada is? Mau is impactado. Coni looks confused.

Has Aldo played his cards too soon?

Mañana: Coni tries to ruin Jero and Jacqui's fun, but instead of making the mariachis go away Jacqui invites them inside. Mau gives Coni the pregnancy test. Later he begs her to tell him she's not pregnant. Oops.


Vocabulary:
Some of these are repeats but they are worth it.

Chelas = beers
Chones = undies
Cuchiplanchar = the horizontal bop
Que mosca te pico? = What's eating you? (Lit. what fly is biting you?)
Una tanga fácil = someone who sleeps around (Lit. easy underwear? not sure)

Labels: gancho

My turn to be a spatnik. So I return from a late dr appt to find my DVD jammed up and no recording. No worries, I finally found the right download episode so I'll work on throwing something together for you folks today as time permits. Hang in there Capn, and anyone in early time zones I know you like your gancho with your morning coffee. I on the other hand would like to gancho my DvD player!!! :>)

Ok I think I found the episode again, but now I have to wait to recap it. Oh well.

So far we have a very uneven lucha match not going terribly well for our heroes, and a jealous Gabi spying on Sal in the restaurant. Interesting.

Labels: gancho

Capítulo 50

From yesterday.. Katia trying to figure out password. Useless telling Maura he has an apartment. Ale and MJ talking about Ale going back to old life. Mario wanting money to keep quiet.

Tonight..

Victoria and Felipe are talking about Hernan and Fernando. Victoria says that what she feels for Fernando is a dream an illusion. Felipe says opportunity doesn't come knock'n every day. Victoria writes a poem.

Las alas cubrieron el espejo sin reflejar mal los pies en un ancla, el mar hollado en la renuncia de un puerto, mi viaje y sonar.

Fernando comes home all thoughtful and love sick.

In Ciudad de Mexico Ale and MJ are getting ready for their meeting.

Chucho is eating with Meche and Gabriel. Meche and Gabe are trying to figure out what they should do. Gabe says his therapy is most important to him.

Maura calls EZ for Ale and leaves an urgent message to have Ale call her. .

Bruno is talking to Katia, to see what good information she has for him. Katia doesn't and Bruno is to busy to talk more. Bruno goes back to talking to I don't know who. Are they board guys? I don't know why they are participating. They tell Bruno that Alex is good and has more experience in running the business, but, never the less, they are in with Bruno. Bruno gets a call confirming the results of the "ADN" (DNA) tests that prove he is really a bastard. Oops.. really a Lombardo.

The helicopter brings Ale and MJ home. Victoria greests MJ and says she will walk her to her room. MJ is sad and says that in 3 weeks they will be divorced. Victoria says it is only temporary. MJ cries, she doesn't want Ale going back to his old life. Victoria tells MJ that Ale trusts her, has given her everything. MJ says she needs Ale with her by her side. Victoria tells MJ that she can be strong and get through it.

Ale comes in and greets his Madre MJ and ALE hold each other. Victoria tells Ale that she got the results of DNA.

In their room, MJ cries and says she it is difficult to imagine this. When is he moving? Ale says he will move to a hotel tomorrow. Ale comforts her. Ale says that she should have Paula move back to keep her company. MJ worries about her Padre. Ale says he will be fine with Chucho.

Ale comes down the stairs and EZ gives him the urgent message to call Maura.

Ale goes to Maura's. Maura asks how MJ is and Ale says fine. Maura says she wants to be straight with Ale. Maura spills her guts about the whole Mario Aguierre thing. How she wanted Ale to think that MJ had a lover. That Bruno found out some how and hired the guy to be Mario. Useless helped and Roberto knew about it, but wasn't a part of it. Bruno sent Mario to Cancun and the reason she is telling him now is Mario wanted to blackmail her. Ale is a wee bit upset. Maura, though looks like she is repentant. Do you think? Ale thanks her for telling him.

Roberto and Paula are have lunch an Roberto asks Paula how her Mother mother died. Paula doesn't know. There is only one picture of her and her father never talks about her. Roberto asks Paula if besides MJ does she have another sister? They talk some more but I didn't catch it.

Ale goes to Bruno's hotel and gets his room number. Bruno is having a massage on his bed when Ale knocks.
"Well, well what a surprise" Bruno says. Ale says, " I also was surprised again to hear of your dirty games."
Bruno says "All is fair in love and war." Ale says he understand the war part but the love? Bruno answers" MJ". Ale says for your good or not, my woman is expecting my child. Bruno says it could be his. Ale tells Bruno not to continue with his stupidities. Ale goes on about Brunos lack of respect for his Mother, that he knows how he hired Gariel and Meche to lie about Paula's accident, and other crimes that Bruno has done. Like Mario Aguirre.
I really liked how Ale got right into Bruno's space when he told about Mario. Bruno did not like hearing this. ale says don't mess with his family.

Bruno calls Maura to find out how Ale found out about Mario. Maura says she is no idiot and puts Bruno in his place and hangs up on him. Bruno curses her.

Roberto takes Paula home. They decide they are friends. Chucho and Pedro happen to see Paula and Roberto talking at the door. Pedro gets upset that Paula is hanging out with a married man. Paula throws a tantrum.

The European group IL DIVO are having dinner at the Lombardo's casa. Felipe is really glad to meet them. IL Divo share a bit of their español with us. They talk about their tour. Rachel comes in and shares her English with us. Rachel pulls up a chair and has IL Divo ( one of them) pour her some wine. Roberto comes to save us from her. Roberto practically drags her out. Victoria asks their pardon for her daugter and then they all stand and toast. Salud!

MJ is putting hearts all over the bedroom as she talks with Papa. MJ asks Papa if Paula can come and stay with her, starting tomorrow. Pedro thanks the Virgencita for making this happen. Papa also asks the Virgencita to make sure Roberto has no bad intentions towards Paula. Papa runs in to tell Paula, who is so happy. Paula tells Papa that she and Roberto are just friends.

Ale comes home, and Victoria greets him. Victoria would like to spend some time with him here in the dining room. Ale tells her it is his last night home and he would like spend it with MJ. It is nothing important that she wants is it? No. Of course not. Interesting look that Victoria has as she watches Ale go up the stairs. She knows whats gonna go on.

The bedroom must have a thousand candles. Long stemmed red roses are everywhere. MJ is hiding behind the door as Ale comes in. MJ has a heart the size of her face on her face and it says Te amo. Ale puts the heart on his face and says te amo. MJ holds his hand while she lights more candles. MJ tells Ale that she told her Papa that Paula could come tomorrow. Ale tells her he doesn't want her to suffer and maybe tomorrow he should call the lawyer and tell him they don't want a divorce it is not worth it. MJ tells him no, and reminds him off all the horrible things Bruno is. That it will be better to continue with their plan. It is not for the money but for justice for everyone that he has hurt. Ale asks her if she is sure. Completely she answers.. Ale says he knew she was a woman that was different. MJ says they started off very badly, and Ale says later he fell in love with her more than she knows. They finally start that good kissin. There are rose petals all over the bed and roses petals are soft on the skin.

Bruno meets with reporter Señor Zaldivar. Bruno tells him to call him Señor Lombardo. It is official, they are the children of Antonio Lombardo.

Ale and MJ are talking again. Ale wants to no why she made the "sacred space" for them. She asks him if he likes it. Yes, it is all very beautiful, but why? Because I love you, because your my life, because this is our farewell and because tonight she wanted to take him by the hand .... They kiss and do what this couple can do great in front of the lights and camera under the direction or our award winning director. Later They thank each other for loving each other, for being each other. They are very much in love!

My dvr ends here.

Labels: sortilegio

PJC reads the letter Carloca gave him that is supposedly from Macarena while drinking the belladonna juice. Carloca is watching from behind a door.

Paloma is talking to herself about Gabriel and Emiliano comes up on her.

PJC starts feeling the effects of the belladonna and passes out. Carloca goes over to him and starts kissing him. She locks the door and takes a picture of them kissing. She unbuttons his shirt and caresses him then takes more pictures.

Emiliano tries to kiss Paloma and the phone rings. It's Romina. Paloma goes into the house.

Rafael tells Joel that he is still going to try to convince Camila to go to the conference.

Diana wants to make an appointment with an attorney regarding Rafael's infidelity. She doesn't want a divorce, but wants to make him so miserable that he will rethink leaving her.

Emiiano goes into Romina's room and rushes to the balcony where he spots Paloma staring out her window.

Carlota takes more pictures of her and PJC together.

Rufi tells Edmundo that she lost her job. He promises to fix it.

Orlando comes to bring Camila flowers and finds her crying. She tells him thanks to Diana the whole town thinks she's a golfa. Orlando tells her that they need to get married right away and then everyone will respect her again.

PJC finally wakes up and tells Carloca to leave. This is god's house and do not offend him anymore. Carloca says she is the one offended. She will no longer allow it. He calls her crazy and tells her to get out. Carloca says that the saying goes "La locura cura". Now you will know my fury. What you have seen so far pales to what you will face now. He tells her to get out again. That she makes his skin crawl. Get out and do not offend the house of god. I'll leave replies Carloca. But not because you want me to, but because I have completed what I came to do.

Rufi calls Camila and tells her that Carloca fired her. She's sad because she hasn't had a chance to talk to Paloma. She wonders if Camila can give Paloma a message for her. Camila tells her she will and when Rufi returns she can stay at her house.

Gabriel has a web cam talk with his dad. He talks about Paloma and her interest in the beca.

Paloma talks to Liliana about her encounter with Emiliano. He told her how much he misses kissing her and touching her. Just like you feel replies Liliana. How can I forget him if he lives right across the street asks Paloma to Liliana. I see him everyday. Do you fear that you will succumb to him asks Liliana. Yes replies Paloma. Emiliano is a great temptation. Our separation was not because we feel out of love, but because destiny pulled us apart.

Emiliano watches Romina eat and tells her that he will wait until her mother comes for him to eat wit her. Is there anything else you wantasks Emiliano. Just you replies Romina. Emiliano just sighs. Camila walks in. Romina says that by the end of the week they will be moving to their house. Camila thinks it's a bad idea because she is on bed rest. Romina says that she hired a decorator to fix up the place, hired a nurse to care for hern and a maid to cook and clean. Emiliano tells Romina that he can't afford all that. Romina says I have money and I can pay for it. Emiliano says it's a bad idea. Camila agrees. Romina gets ugly with her and Emiliano comes to her defense. He also says their not leaving without permission from the doctor. Romina says she will call him today to come over. Depending on what he says they will leave or stay.

Rafael goes to Camila's shop to bring the invitation to the conference to her. Since she's not there he givess it to Monica.

Carloca looks at a picture of Macarena and says that PJC will fall for her. Then rips up the picture. She calls the archbishop's office and wonders if he's back yet. She makes an appointment to see him now that he's back. She pulls out the engagement ring that PJC gave Macarena.

PJC is trying to get up and falls back down again. Then passes out.

Paloma leaves her house and Emiliano walks up on her again. She tells him that she can't see him everyday. It hurts. So please keep your distance from me and walks away.

The doctor tells Romina that she will have to be on bed rest for most of her pregnancy. Romina whines and complains. Camila reminds her that this is best for the baby. Romina asks Camila to get her a glass of water so that she is out of the room when she asks the doctor to help her out. Romina says that she just got married and has grand dreams of setting up her own house with her husband. She says that her mother is wonderful, but is constantly at her side and doesn't want any problems with her husband because of that. He agrees to help her.

Angelica tells Orlando that she finally finished her book. Orlando wants to read it. Her ex-boyfriend Dario comes up on her and says finally you have written your own book.

Sounds like Romina got her way since the doctor is telling Camila that it's okay for Romina to move into her own home.

Diana is talking to a kid that she hired to spy on Camila's store. She finds out that Rafael came to visit, but Camila was not there. Inez asks her what she is doing. Diana explains hiring the kid to report to her anything going on at Camila's store. Inez thinks she's lost her marbles. Inez gets up to leave, but Diana begs her to stay. They argue.

Angelica wants to know what Darios's doing there. He wants to know if she's interested in Orlando. Why do you care asks Angelica. He says he knows her well and the way she's acting with Orlando is the same way she acted with him. What do you want asks Angelica. He tells her that he no longer works for the company. He gives her his new card and says that she is very important to him. Angelica tells him to leave. He offers to help her locate a good editor/publisher for her book. She declines his offer. He tries again. She says she'll think about it.

Paloma goes to visit Gabriel and tells him that she has decided to take lessons from him on Mondays and Thursdays from 4 to 6. Without looking at her he tells her to mark it on his calender. She gives him a funny look. (because he's not flirting with her) He smiles. She asks for a list of all her supplies she needs, but he shows her the bag with her supplies in it. Paloma gets upset because she didn't ask him to buy it, she was. He tells her that his dad bought it for her. Part of the beca she got.

Romina tells Emiliano that the doctor gave her permission to move. Emiliano hangs up on her and asks himself how can be live alone in a house with her?

Padre Benito finds PJC in his bed passed out. He wakes him up and PJC says that she was here. PB pulls a sweater out of PJC's hand and wants to know what this means. PJC just mumbles.

Inez's secret admirer walks up to her. He wants to know if she's okay. Inez just replies that you think you know someone. He invites her a cup of coffee. Inez looks like she is excited then declines. Then changes her mind and accepts.

Images of Gabriel thinking of Paloma, Paloma getting ready for bed, Emiliano fixing up the couch to get some zzzzzz's and Romina alone in her bed.

Paloma is leaving for school and Camila calls out her name. She tells Paloma that she has a message for her from Rufi. Emiliano spots Camila and Paloma on the street talking. Paloma gets upset by what Camila told her about Rufi. She wants to talk to her. Camila says I don't have her number, but she will be calling me tomorrow morning at home. Come over before leaving for school. Paloma is grateful and asks Camila how Romina is fairing. She informs her that Romina will be leaving to move to her own place.

Romina comes out of the bathroom and notices Emiliano on the balcony. She finds Emiliano staring at Paloma and starts in on him. Emiliano frustrated walks inside and asks Romina why she always likes to pick fights? Romina says that is the only way for you to respect me. He says find then respect others so they respect you and walks out.

PJC tells Padre Benito about his night and how he felt. PB wants to know if anything happened between him and Carloca. PJC says no, of course not.

My recording stopped so I don't know what is left. Please fill in. Thanks.

Labels: amor

Paloma wears her old-lady fuddy-duddy clothes and little-girl barrette to the church and tells Padre Juan/Cris she’d rather forget about FauxDaddy; PJC is the only father figure she wants in her life. He agrees he’d like to have a daughter like her.

Brave and/or suicidal Camila goes over to hostile Diana’s house for a chat.

Over in the House of Gloom and Doom, the Grinch gets an awful idea. She goes to her bathroom cabinet and pulls out the bottle of belladonna (what, you don’t keep some on hand?) and mixes up “the correct dose” in another bottle. She smiles smugly and says to herself that this is the perfect pretext to get some alone time with Cris. But who will be the pawn in this game?

Diana yells at Camila for stealing the man she owns. Cami retorts that men can’t be owned. “Only a slut would say that!” says Diana. Camila isn’t going to stand for Di’s insults, and says Diana drove Rafael away herself, and it must suck for Diana that both of her exes only want Camila. Diana assures her that both men will come back to her. (What will she do with both of them? Move to a compound and borrow dresses from Paloma?)

Edmundo feeds soup to Rufi, who is still in bed recovering from her stomach infection. She whines that she feels like she’s been knocked upside the head (cachetada = box on the ear). Ed says she’s better now due to the medicine and his tender loving care. She tries to throw him out repeatedly; he asks why she’s so difficult. Rufi says “they say the mule isn’t stubborn/churlish” (la mula no es arisca) and I don’t really quite know what she means by that…maybe that she isn’t deliberately acting this way to annoy him, it’s just how she is or how the situation is? That’s my best guess.

Edmundo begs Rufi to forgive and accept him. She thinks he’s living in a fantasy land because what they had was over many many years ago. He says it may seem like a long time to her, but it’s been like no time at all to him and he’s never stopped thinking about her. “All that time while you were married to someone else and raising a big loving family?” Rufi retorts. Ed says his wife Dolores was in dolor all that time knowing he was with her but in love with another lady (yeah, dude, that makes it better). Rufi says her family is Paloma, maybe even Carloca, but that’s it. (Well, what’s a family without a crazy antagonizer?)

Carlota makes Paloma a sandwich to pack for school. Paloma should not eat that sandwich. While she works, Carloca tells Paloma they can probably figure out a way for her to go to art school in Pachuca. Paloma says thanks but no; she’s going to take the scholarship. She’ll be able to start her studies here in Real del Monte and then continue in the Ciudad de México. After Paloma leaves, Cruel says to herself that there’s no way Paloma is going off to the big city. She’ll get rid of Rodolfo if she has to. Paloma can’t possibly leave her without his help. Carlota then starts in on the daily grind of abusing and demoralizing the new maid. Felipa doesn’t seem inclined to put up with much of this.

As Paloma heads out the door, shoving the sandwich (of death?!) into her bag. Emiliano is out on Romina’s balcony, glowing in the orange morning light. He smiles at her and looks all moony and drippy; Paloma gives him a brief stony acknowledgement and heads off to school. Romina bellows for Emiliano to come cater to her every whim. She wants some water, and for them to rent some movies to watch. (She says “rentamos” which I think is English creeping in... “rentar” in Spanish means to produce or yield). He asks what she wants to see and says he’ll get it for her. Romememena wants him to stay so they can watch together; it is their honeymoon after all. “No way; I have to go to work; call with a list of what you want and I’ll bring it; take care of the baby, buh-bye” and Emo is out of there. Romi throws a little tantrum.

Downstairs, Camila interrupts her phone call with Angélica to try to get Emiliano to eat some breakfast and encourage him to feel at home there. She tells him she’s asked Josefina to come every day to take care of Romina (subtext—he needn’t feel guilty about fleeing). Back to Ange, Camila sympathizes with her unrequited feelings for Orlando and says she didn’t mean to hurt her. She says she wants to marry Orlando but feels bad about how Ange is being dismissed, especially after seeing the way Romina snagged Emiliano and hurt so many people. Angélica tells her not to feel bad; it’s not the same at all. Cami and Orlando chose each other fair and square with no coercion (maybe just a little pushiness on Orlando’s part), and no one is to blame that Orlando didn’t feel the same way about Ange.

Juanita and Arcadia’s niece stroll in the marketplace and talk about lighting candles for the deceased. The niece says she’s been having dreams about both Arcadia and the gachupín (Spanish settler; I assume she means Iñaki). She thinks that’s strange because she was only a little acquainted with Iñaki; maybe the dead aren’t resting in peace. María, another maid, comes along and reports that Padre Juan has helped her get a job. She’s now working for Natalia, who is married to the gachupín’s father! What a small world.

Alonso goes to Germán’s office and fiddles with a cigar while saying he needs to see the will of Javier and Sagrario. He happens to have a whole briefcase full of cash which just might accidentally get left behind.

Back at home, Arcadia’s niece lights a candle on her little altar shelf and clutches an envelope which must be important.

Well, Germs listens fast when money is doing the talking. He hands Alonso the will and says he understands there were to be changes made. “How can the will be changed when they are dead?” Germy claims to not know anything about it, nor to have read it. So is this the original will which still says Paloma inherits at 18? Don’t know.

In her dark office, Carlota finds some letters of Mac’s in a box of documents and gets to work with a pen.

Alonso walks in a park and muses that Iñaki must have wanted to wait until after the wedding to tell Paloma about her inheritance and confront Carlota. Carlota must have suspected something, and pretended to accept Iñaki in order to keep him close, knowing the wedding would never happen.

Carlota writes some note, admiring her own cleverness.

In the school courtyard, Paloma tells Liliana she’s been thinking about Iñaki a lot. His death affected a lot of people. Paloma mentions that Romina suspected that Carlota may have killed him. Liliana says that’s crazy; only a sicko would even think such a thing.

Arcadia’s niece goes to the Iparraguirre home and explains to Alonso her connection to him without giving her name. She gives him the envelope and says she found it in Arcadia’s things and it was meant for Carmen, but since Carmen is no longer around she’ll give it to him instead.

Carlota puts the letter in an envelope and shuffles through her so-not-incriminating photos of Cris with Natalia, gloating out loud that she is such a genius and Cris will never see this coming, and now everything will change.

Natalia and Alonso talk on the phone with their invisible daughter Sagrario, who has somehow been away at camp when it’s still a school term for everyone else. Fortunately, she seems to want to go stay with her friend Ximena for a few days now that camp is over, so her parents still needn’t be bothered with her.

Carlota puts the letter in her purse and takes the two belladonna bottles from the cabinet. She pours more belladonna into the small bottle and says now it’s perfect.

Orlando tells Emiliano he knows things are difficult and their relationship has changed, but he’s glad he’s giving him a chance. Emiliano is over being mad at Orlando, now he says he’s becoming more disillusioned with his mother every day. Camila is a good person and doesn’t deserve the way Diana is treating her. Orlando is super diplomatic and says Diana is just impulsive and doesn’t think about other people. Fortunately, despite Diana, Rafael did a good job of raising Emiliano. I guess Orlando can be gracious now that he’s getting what he wants.

The shop ladies gossip about Diana. Some customers come in and then rudely sneer at Camila and leave, remarking LOUDLY that they heard the shop owner is a husband-thief.

Rufi calls Carlota and says she would have returned by now, but she’s been too sick. Carlota is nasty to her at great length and says they no longer need her services. Rufi is very distraught. Carlota says to herself that Rufi must never return; she’s the only other one who knows that Cris is Paloma’s father.

Paloma goes to Gabriel’s workshop to ask for a list of materials she’ll need for class, and can hardly bring herself to enter the room because then she would be In!A!Room!With!A!Man! Gabriel thinks she’s weird and says he doesn’t know how he’s going to teach her if she won’t come inside. Paloma reaffirms her bold new independent stance and takes a few more steps. Gabriel says he doesn’t know why she’s so sad, but she doesn’t need to wear armor around him.

Carlota visits Romeana and critiques her bedroom décor, which Romi does not appreciate. She would rather have advice on how to make Emiliano fall in love with her; she thinks he’s still hung up on Paloma. “Too bad for you; all the Espinosa de los Monteros women are hard to forget,” says Carlota. Romi thinks Paloma should go away and never return. Cruel says Paloma will never ever leave. No way. “But Paloma said she is leaving, and she doesn’t lie,” replies Romina. “Del dicho y hecho, hay mucho trecho,” says Cruel (there’s a big stretch between what’s said and what’s done). She recommends that Romina use witchcraft on Emo, or, better yet, ask her mother for advice. After all, Camila managed to inveigle (engatusar) both Rafael and Orlando and the whole town is talking about how immoral she is, so she must know how to do it. Romina looks furious. Insulting Camila is HER job.

Samuel calls Misery Manor and leaves a message for Carlota, saying that her admirer called and wants a date and won’t take no for an answer. After he hangs up he says to himself that if she doesn’t cave soon he’ll have to go back to the capital. He’s running out of money and Camila is proving even more difficult.

Carlota is changing clothes. She seems to think she looks very sexy in her sparkly sleeveless button-up gunny sack.

Gabriel gives Paloma a schedule of when he is available to work with her, calling her “princesa.” She tells him not to call her princesa or mystery woman. He says he sees a lot of mystery in her artwork. Oh, I’ll have to remember that euphemism for “lack of skill.” She says she doesn’t think it’s mysterious but he may interpret it however he likes. He must sense that he’s not winning her over because he says he has to get back to work. She sure is copping a lot of attitude considering he’s her teacher and really doing her a huge favor.

Felipa gives the admirer’s message to Carlota. This pleases Carlota so much that she tells Felipa she’s hired for good as Rufi won’t be returning.

Padre Mateo is heading out to bless someone’s house and Padre Benito is in Pachuca, so Cris is left alone in the rectory. UH-OH. So much for changing the locks. Carlota slips in immediately, and we get a full horror-movie zoom on Cris’s face as he turns around and sees her. When Cris walks into the other room to get away from her, she pours the belladonna into his drink. Then she gives him the letter “Macarena” wrote to “Juan” which proves Carloca’s claims.

After she leaves, he absentmindedly sips from the glass while deciding whether to open the letter, then swigs the whole thing and starts to open the envelope. Carlota spies from behind the door.

Paloma stomps home, griping about that awful Gabriel and his presumptuous friendliness. Emiliano sees her since he now lives in the street, and runs up.

Cris reads the letter and staggers around and clutches his throat. He collapses on the floor and loosens his collar.

Tomorrow: Will Cris survive? Also, Paloma wears more ugly new clothes and moons over Emiliano.

Labels: amor