Caray, Caray!

Well, it was a torrid night, filled with romance, drama, life-threatening allergies, life-threatening accidents, betrayals, emotional and physical abuse, and oh yeah....a little humor. But not much, campers! Not much. In short, quite a rollercoaster.

Here's what the writers served up for us tonight: Monita and Mauricio are smooching big-time at the amusement park and Dany notes with amazement( and a touch of horror) that they're kissing on the MOUTH. And how! And elsewhere in the park, Estrella and Aldo are strolling around while he reassures her that he's absolutely not jealous, ready to just be her buddy and perfectly capable of hearing about her tryst with Furia without a problem. As she gets in gear, sharing how she'll never have eyes for another man, not after those torrid, life-changing kisses with Furia, Aldo just smiles. Hey man, he's happy for her. Estrella looks more and more upset. And Aldo looks more and more smug. As well he might. What a confidence builder!

Tryst-wise, things aren't going as well at Gabriela's. Our Marlon Brando hunkalicious lookalike has been transformed into a swollen blotchy mess (face-wise anyway). Seems the appetizer snacks had crab (or crayfish) in them and he's wildly allergic. Finito romance. Finito escort service. For David anyway. Gabriela advises him to head for the hospital while she telephones the agency and asks for a replacement. Cold. Very cold. But she concludes the call in her usual polished way "Te agradezco infinito".

Let's get back to Estrella who's still raving about her fabulous interlude with Furia. Those kisses...ah, those kisses. Fervent with the yearning of an adolescent, yet meaningful as only the kisses of a mature man ,ready to fall in love, could ever be. More smug smiles from Aldo. But how about the rest? Did he take care of you? Did he use a condom (capuchón)? No, really, he reassures her....I'm not jealous, just want to make sure you were protected.

Estrella is really conflicted now. On the one hand she's knows that she's waited all her life for a loverman like Furia. On the other hand, she's crestfallen because her "cachorro" (cub) doesn't care for her anymore. And Aldo? He just keeps smiling.

Well, speaking of love...Dany has seen enough, thank you. Stop kissing! she yelps to M&M, and get me a dolly. Mauricio, try as he might, can't connect. So Monita steps up and yes, you guessed it, hits three in a row and wins Dany the little bear she wanted.

And our last glimpse of Estrella and Aldo? She concludes her ode to Superlover by saying "It was worth the wait. I will NEVER be interested in any other man." Our delighted Aldo muses to himself, "Not bad for my first time". Indeed.

Now let's take a big dive down into awfulness. Yes, Connie is on a real tear. It's as if she waited for Carlos to return before she really hit the dark side. She rips into Teresa who's preparing a tray for the incarcerated Luisa. And after insulting her as an "igualada sirvienta" (uppity servant) she makes off with the tray herself, muttering that she'll just eat it herself. (Carlos, I know she hasn't killed anybody yet, but I'm ready to take out a contract on her myself! Really!)

Back at the amusement park, night has fallen and it's time for our ill-fated lovers to part. Christian, Paula and Estrella are heading back to the barrio with Monita. Mauricio, Dany and a very self-satisfied Aldo must return to the house. But nobody can get Mau and Moni unglued from each other. More kisses, more hugs, more I can't say good-byes, more....whoops...Mau mentions that he made an "arreglo" (arrangement) with Connie that guarentees that she'll divorce him. And what "arreglo" is that? He looks uncomfortable and fails to answer. But even Monita knows enough to be worried. What is Connie if just playing with you? she muses. We break for ads while this loaded question hangs in the air.

When we come back, Monita is still worried. You don't want to answer me? The "arreglo" is THAT serious? Why ruin our farewell thinking about Connie, Mau reassures her. And just then the romantic music swells, there's more smooching, more plaintive good-bying, longing looks and finally, the two lovers slowly back away from each other, eyes still locked as their bodies draw further apart. Ay yi yi...what anguish. We viewers know some bad stuff is coming fer sure.

Back at the barrio, we have some lighthearted banter. Besos are being compared to criminal offenses and Christian and Paula have "committed" almost as many as M&M, but only to get Christian over his fear of roller coaster rides!. Beto emerges in a foul mood, snarls at Paula and Christian to "get a room" and then wades into Monita. He wants to explain what was really going on with him and Ximena that morning. Monita could care less. This enrages Beto even more, and after insulting Christian by telling him he lets Paula push him around (eres muy mandilón) he wants to know why everyone is so goshdarned happy. Christian's the one who inadvertantly drops the dime on our lovers and lets Beto know that Mauricio and Monita were together at the park. Sure, they shouldn't have been together...but who can fault them?...they're so in love, concludes Christian.

Well, we know who can fault them. And Mauricio's trying to avoid just that. Remember, mum's the word, he cautions Dany and Aldo. And in passing, he notes that he's really happy Aldo's over his infatuation (deslumbramiento) with Estrella. I mean, she's a nice lady...but way too old for you. And Aldo? He just smiles, the little dickens.

Alright. Smiles over. Teresa arrives with the story of Connie's mistreatment of Luisa, including preventing Teresa from taking her any food. Mauricio is furious. "Esto es el colmo" (this is the last straw!) We briefly hope for a real confrontation with the witch goddess but it is not to be.

Here's how it goes down. Vicious Connie is idly thumbing though a magazine when Beto calls. He gives her the 411 on Mauricio and Monita being together at the park, billing and cooing in front of everybody. Fully armed and dangerous now, Connie is ready to turn Mauricio every which way but loose. And she does. And calmly threatens Aldo with military school after our angry adolescent storms into her room. Clearly she still holds all the cards, even without Beto's betrayal of the lovers' secrets. But it's not over yet. For one thing, Nieves has overhead her criatura's cruel phone betrayal. What will come of that?

After the ads, the scenario unfolds. Nieves is pacing like the angry lioness she is. And Don Cesar is dying of hunger. When's he going to get some of those "enfrijoladas"? (a great concoction of beans, tortillas, Manchego cheese, chiles de arból and crema). Enter Beto who wants some too. And with lots of cheese, lots of cream, lots of.....Holy Moley, Nieves slams that big ol' plate of enfrijoladas right in his chest! Beto is stunned. Cesar is amused. And Nieves is just gettin' started!

I hate to leave this delicious scene but we find ourselves back with the despicable Constanza. She's mounting a glacial defense of her actions, complaining that the children don't respect her, don't treat her well and she's teaching them some manners. Mauricio huffily reminds her that good manners don't include striking a child. And let's face it. They don't like you and neither do I. Connie simply smiles and says "How's Valentina? And don't bother lying. I know very well that you two were together all day." This is Cold War. And a nasty one. Let's get back to the Hot War going on in the barrio.

Nieves is going after Beto hammer and tongs. But every time Cesar tries to join in, she swats him a good one. This is MY son! I'll handle it! In between swats, hair pulls and pummels, she berates Beto for betraying Monita. She's FAMILY. You grew up together. If you can't be loyal to family, you're beneath contempt. Hear hear!

Alas, back to the Cold War. Mau's trying to explain that their meeting was just a coincidence. They didn't plan it. If Connie doesn't believe him, well that's her problem. Oh no, you've got the problem, replies Constanza silkily. You broke the rules. So we're not separating and we're not divorcing. Ugh. She's got him by the short hairs for sure.

Back to the barrio again. Estrella wants Moni to tell Paula about finding Beto in bed with Ximena that morning. Paula can't believe those two are lovers. Oh yeah, mumbles Monita, he's got it goin' on with three women. And those are only the ones we know about, quips Paula.

More mayhem chez Nieves. She's belting Beto with shoes. Cesar joins in with some pillows. Cesar suggests running Beto off permanently. Nieves tells him to shaddup, this is between her and her son. Cesar, undeterred, suggested she use "el jab" when punching her offspring.

More insidious cold war at the mansion. Connie is coyly suggesting that since Mauricio is such a communicator, perhaps he told Monita about their making love the other night. No? He didn't?! Well, he left out "the most interesting part of the film". She'd better get right down to the neighborhood and let that chimpanzee know all about it. Mauricio begs her not to. She grabs her car keys and heads down to the garage, triumphant.

Things are still hot at Casa Nieves. She's not covering up for her son anymore. He's gotta tell Monita what he did. Beto's whining about being picked on, it's always the "perro mas flaco del rancho" that gets beaten. But sure, he's "macho", he can face up to it, he'll go tell her and zip! he's out the door, heading in the opposite direction from Moni's room, with Nieves and Cesar in hot pursuit.

Mauricio's in hot pursuit as well. First, he plants himself in front of Constanza's car, hoping to stop her. She starts up and accelerates as he jumps out of the way. Plan B. He gets in his own car and follows her. Night driving. Worried looks. A police siren wailing. More worried looks. More driving. Angst-type music. Bad stuff comin' doncha know.

In the meantime, Beto is dodging wildly through the park, our portly lovers chugging along behind. Momentary lull while Beto hides behind a tree. Then he's off again And starts to dart across the street just as Connie speeds up.....and hits him.

Well, it couldn't happen to a more deserving guy.

Previews:
Mauricio appears to be confessing to Monita about his "arreglo" with Constanza.
Constanza is draped over Beto in the hospital, begging him to be strong and recover, for the sake of "our baby". Nieves, muy impactada, overhears.

Vocabulary:
cangrejo = crayfish or crabmeat
repuesto = replacement, spare part
panchote = not in dictionary, but from context, I'd say it was a "big scene" like what happened with Monita when she saw Beto in bed with Ximena
retentiva = memory (Connie mentioned this when she was chastising and insulting Teresa)
deslumbramiento = something dazzling, in this context it meant "infatuation"
afligida = very upset (Teresa)
esto es el colmo! ( a stock telenovela phrase. This is the last straw!)
el mundo es un pañuelo = lit. the world is a handkerchief. In other words, it's a small world.
andar de tapadura = act as a coverup....something Nieves is not going to do anymore
el perro más flaco del rancho = the poor picked on underdog. Beto's self-characterization
cachorro = cub, puppy
igualada sirvienta =uppity servant
capuchón = condom
arreglo = agreement, solution
mandilón= word to characterize man who's very accomodating with his woman

Dicho of the Day

Genio y figura hasta la sepultura You can't get a leopard to change his spots.

Question: Carlos thinks Connie is redeemable. If she is, this dicho is wrong, verdad? We shall see. Perhaps true love and a little Betito on the way will change her very ugly spots.

Labels: gancho

Friday: Carlota is all tied up in a cellar with Alonso, looking a bit nutsy himself, pouring some drink down her throat and generally gloating that he has found her out. She begs him to let her go, offering money (no thanks, he has plenty) and telling him to think of his wife and daughter (no fears, they’ll never find out) and offering maybe herself (no thanks, you make me want to puke).

How does it feel to be controlled by someone else, to have no power? He asks, smiling.

I don’t know how Carlota feels, but I’m feeling pretty great right now. On with tonight’s show:

Diana, who has unexpectedly dropped in on Orlando, says I just wanted to talk, is that so bad? Orlando says everything connected with you turns out bad. She comes on strong to him, caressing him, and he backs up. She says things between us have changed, our secret is out in the open, and there’s our son we have together. She smooches his hands and says she remembers all those hot times. She drops her jacket, revealing some shoulder. Poor Orlando is trying to fight her off, but suddenly it seems like she has thousand arms.

Orlando says You go shouting from the rooftops that Camila is a golfa, and look at you, you’re way worse. That does the job. Diana turns her back, arms folded, wounded. He says that the disrespect that Em has for you is even less than you deserve. He tells her to get out and she gits, spitting rancor as she goes.

Split screen of Camila at home, leaning on her suitcase, undecided, and Rafa packing his and sighing.

Inez is shyly walking with her secret admirer. It seems like he wants to have lunch together. She titters okay, but next time her place. Into this sweet little scene comes Diana running. She wants Inez to come eat with her, so she can talk, but Inez says she just promised Juancho. Diana says cancel. Juancho graciously says we can do it another time. Inez stands her ground and says I’m going to have lunch with Juancho and you can come talk afterwards.

Camila is ready to go and Orlando has come to pick her up. Romina tells them bye, and don’t forget to buy me all the stuff on my list. Orlando tells her the agent has the keys to her new place. Whoopie claps Romina. They say they don’t know how long they’ll be gone and off they go. Alone, Romina is ecstatic that she can play house alone with Em now.

Angelica is picking up papers from Orlando’s desk and finds the slim manila envelope that holds her book. In all these months in Real del Monte, it looks like she’s only managed to turn out a 50-pager. He didn’t even care enough to read it, she sighs. And wouldn’t you know, just then the phone rings and it’s that skunk Dario. Hey, he’s in Pachuca and can drive over for lunch. No need, says Angelica. He says oh, but you’re so important to me.

She tries to wave him off by saying she’s the only one in the office and she can’t leave. He says he’ll bring food and he’s dying to talk about her book. She caves and says okay, but make it short.

Oh boy, we’re back where we want to be, namely in a dark dank cellar where somebody has turned on a fog machine. Carlota says I’m not scared of you or anybody else. Alonso says shut up and listen, and the he begins to read her Arcadia’s letter about how Carlota did in Inaki.

We are treated to all kinds of effects, the late Arcadia in sort of a light blue fuzzy light doing an echoey voiceover of what she’s writing, the image hovering over Carlota, who says would you believe that low-life woman? Shut up! says Alonso again, and now he takes up reading. Soon it’s Arcadia’s voice again and we see a ghostly-colored reenactment of her trip to the market and how she saw Carlota buying something, and how she asked the seller what that herb was, and how she found out it could stop a person’s heart.

Chris rings Natalia's doorbell and she, in high strappy heels, a form-fitting dress and of course her tumbling curls, answers and hugs him in greeting. They go in, and a complete stranger, a man, stops on the sidewalk and asks himself out loud Who is that woman that Padre Chris is greeting so tenderly?

Another thing about Real del Monte: The people there talk to themselves. Out loud.

Romina is on the phone with Diana. She says she understands, but she feels split loyalties; it’s her mother and her mother-in-law after all. Plus she didn’t like that Diana used her wedding to air her grievances. Diana said she just couldn’t help it, it was making her blood boil. Romina says but didn’t you think it would create a problem between you and me? Diana says you mean you and Em don’t want to talk to me?

Romina says I can’t receive you in my mother’s house, and if Em doesn’t want to talk to you, that’s his decision. I really miss you, but if that’s what my husband says, that’s what I have to do. Diana says but I really need you. We can meet secretly. Romina says you know my situation with Em is delicate. But maybe with my mama gone, things’ll get better.

Gone? Where? Diana wants to know. With who? Romina says I don’t know how long she’ll be gone, but when she gets back, Em and I will be in the house Orlando got for us. A house??? Diana says. It’s wonderful says Romina, well, gotta go now, buh bye. She clicks off the phone while we hear Diana still ranting on the other end and saying If she went somewhere with Rafa, I’ll kill her.

Chris asks Natalia how things are going with the investigation into The Will. Natalia’s girlfriend Ivonne is there too, hanging out. Natalia says Alonso hasn’t had any luck so far. Chris says he hopes all this gets found out before he leaves. For where? asks Natalia. Chris doesn’t know yet. Natalia says it looks like they’ll be in Real del Monte a while, Alonso really likes it. Chris asks where he is, and Natalia says she hasn’t seen him since morning.

Paloma is visiting Licha, the girl who sniffed the paint thinner, in the hospital. Licha begs her not to drop her from the art class. Paloma says of course not, but you have to promise not to sniff any more art supplies. Licha says but I like to. Paloma says we have to work on that together. Well, says Paloma, I have to go because my aunt gets really cranky if I’m late for lunch.

Carlota says just because I bought some herb in the market doesn’t mean I poisoned anybody. Arcadia’s voice starts up and we have flashbacks of her going to Carlota’s house to blackmail her about Inaki’s death. Arcadia says she should have gone to the police, but she needed money.

Closeup of present-day Carlota grimacing like she’s going to bite someone.

Long-gone Arcadia continues: I didn’t realize what evil that woman is capable of. I am writing this letter in case anything happens to me. If it does, you’ll know she was responsible.

Alonso folds up the letter. He says to Carlota Is there anything you want to say before…
Before what? says Carlota.

Musica de suspenso! The violins scrape furiously. Greenish light darkly illuminates the basement. Alonso turns his back, then turns to approach Carlota, a small earthenware pitcher in his hand. He sneers.

Em is at the hospital desk, paying Licha’s bill. Paloma comes by and sees him. They chat a little about Licha being better, then Paloma says I understand you’re moving to your new home with Romina in a week. Em says yes, and I won’t be able to look across the street and see you every day.

Paloma says it’s painful to see you. Anyway, I don’t think the young girl you knew exists anymore. I don’t believe in happy endings anymore. The day you married Romina, I lost all my illusions. The girl who believed love conquers all has died.

I still love you, Em says. Paloma says but what use is that? Em says maybe one day we can be together again. Both are tearful by now, natch. Paloma says I don’t believe it. It’s happened to me twice now - first with Inaki who died the day of our wedding, and now this with you.

Em says our love will last forever. Paloma says you are beginning your new life, and I have to go make mine. Our love isn’t eternal.

Em is holding her face, caressing it lightly with his thumb when who should walk into the hospital but Gabriel because people in Real del Monte hang out at the hospital a lot. Maybe the cafeteria food is really cheap. He studies them thoughtfully. He’s not talking aloud to himself, or even thoughtbubbling, but I can read his mind. Say, he’s thinking, this might make a great subject for another swell drawing! I could even do it on velvet, maybe put some glitterglue for the teardrops.

Diana has materialized at Rafa’s office and is yelling at him for going out of town with Camila. Rafa retorts that he’s going to the ceramics convention in Valle de Bravo and no, Camila isn’t coming. Diana says I know Camila is going out of town and I’m not stupid. Rafa says she’s going to the U.S. with Orlando.

Ha! says Diana. Now you’re the one who got left for someone else. Rafa says get out. I’m tired of you putting on scenes. You’re not allowed in my office from now on.

Diana scoffs and points to her wedding ring. She says I’m you’re wife. Rafa says but you’re not anything at this factory, or for me. Get out!

Orlando and Camila are eating at a casual outdoor café overlooking a scenic parking lot. He tells her that Diana tried to seduce him, and that it was the second time. He wants her to know so she won’t feel bad about Diana, who’s the bad one in town, not her. Orlando thinks that Diana’s sending Em to Monterrey was the best thing that could have happened to him, so he wasn’t under her influence. Camila says maybe people are just born the way they are. She brought up Romina, but Romina’s very much like Samuel.

Orlando says maybe she’ll grow out of it. Camila is doubtful, but she hopes being a mother will change Romina.

Romina is walking along a tree-shaded sidewalk and runs into Lili, who snarks at her about not being on bed rest. Romina brags that she’s going to see her new house, and unfortunately she’s going to be her neighbor. But when she and Em have their second child, she’ll need a bigger house in a better neighborhood.

You won’t be having one with him, I assure you, snipes Lili. They trade insults. Lili tells Romina how bad pregnancy makes her look, her skin, her weight gain. Romina brushes by her, but looks doubtful.

Joel stops by the shop and tells Monica he’s leaving town for a while, but when he comes back, he wants to have a long talk with her.

Gabriel has brought Licha a drawing pad and a set of chalks to draw with. She is thrilled and tries one out. He points out that these don’t require thinner or any kind of chemical.

Paloma has come home and is astonished that Carlota isn’t there for lunch. Felipa doesn’t know where she is.

Back to the green-glowing cellar. Alonso pours some of his potion down Carlota’s throat. She struggles and says I didn’t kill him! Alonso pours more and says I know you did, and you have to pay for it. You’re going to feel just what he felt.

Carlota gasps and laughs. You should have seen how happy he was, she says. He thought he’d won, investigating the inheritance. He thought he’d vanquished me when he married Paloma.

A: Shut up!
C: That night he drank everything – everything! – that I gave him. That belladonna is great stuff and it doesn’t leave a clue.
A: You’re an evil woman.
C: Not evil, just a woman who always gets what she wants.
A: Well this time you’ve failed. How long will it take you to die? You’re going to suffer hours of terrible pains, of gasping for air.
C: Same as Inaki felt.
A: Rot in hell!

He leaves. Carlota struggles against her bonds.

It’s bright and sunny out, and Alonso has a nice white Mercedes. But he’s anguished. He leans on the car’s hood and, looking heavenward, tells Inaki that’s he’s avenged him. He covers his eyes and sobs.

Carlota has escaped! Chin down, her eyes shooting fire, she slowly sneaks up on him and wham! whaps him a powerful one on the back of the head with a big chunk of wood. He staggers and looks back at her.

Captions: Gritos. Ruidos.

Both reeling, they stare at each other like castmembers of the Night of the Living Dead. A truck drives by, and Carlota shoves Alonso in front of it.

Alonso is left on the street, one shoe off, blood pooling under his face. The truck driver jumps out, looks at him, and runs back to his truck and screeches off. Closeup of Carlota looking evil but also relieved.

Chris is leaving Natalia’s house. She has to go on an errand near the church, so can she walk with him? They both wonder where Alonso got to. Maybe his cell phone batteries died. Natalia says if he’s not home when she gets back, she’ll start to worry. Across the street, the same fellow who wondered aloud why Chris was so friendly with her is knocking on a door. He watches them leave together and asks himself what’s going on with them. We see he has a Madonna statue in his hands. Is that the same man who along with his wife gifted Chris with a statue the other day?

Paloma is remembering Mac giving her her pearl necklace and putting it on her. She remembers sobbing over Inaki dead in bed. How happy my mother was to give me this necklace, thinking that I would be happy with Inaki. And I wasn’t even able to find happiness with Emiliano.

German shows his new red convertible to Em, who says they must be paying him very well. German wants to take him for a spin, but Em says Romina’s not doing well and he has to stay with her. German teases him that now he’s married, he has a good reason to want to be at home.

Em says quite the opposite. He leaves as early as he can.

Dario and Angelica have finished up the sushi he brought. He wants to know when they can do it again, and she is unenthusiastic. He says give me a copy of your book and I’ll look at it, and then we can do dinner. Okay, she says wearily, and gets it for him. When she’s not looking, he gloats over the manuscript.

We see Gabriel returning to his studio when Don Eugenio calls. He says he’s transferred the money for Paloma’s paintings into Gabriel’s account and wants Gabriel to go get it out in cash and give it to Paloma. Gabriel says sure. Don Eugenio says keep me posted on her progress.

Paloma has given up on waiting for Carlota and tells Felipa that she’s going to go out and tell Carlota that she’ll be back. Felipa says Why don’t you like me? Paloma is surprised, as she was being very polite. Felipa says she knows Paloma is upset Rufi is gone. Paloma explains that it’s nothing to do with Felipa, it’s just that Rufi is like a grandmother to her and it’s not fair that Carlota let her go just because she asked for a few days off.

Felipa says how did you know? Paloma says I talked to Rufi. She’ll be back in a week. Felipa says and I’ll be out in the street. Paloma says I don’t know what will happen when Rufi comes back to town, but I do know that in two months (is that when her birthday is?) she and I will be moving out of town, and my aunt will need help in the house. Felipa beams. Gracias, señorita!

Señorita! Paloma repeats the word, surprised. I’m a señorita now and not la niña Paloma.

Edmundo is discussing Mac’s medication and Carlota with Rufi. He thinks a sister wouldn’t kill another sister, but that maybe she was trying to control how fast she got better. Rufi says Mac never could rely on her health, and so Carlota was able to control her.

Carlota is staggering along, clinging to a rock wall and dry heaving. A tax driver comes by and stops to help her. She says take me to a hospital!

Edmundo tells Rufi you better forget what you know about Mac and about Carlota, because if what you suspect is true, your own life is in danger. Rufi gasps.

The taxi driver brings Carlota to the hospital. The emergency staff set her in a wheelchair and a bunch of them run down the hall with her.

Paloma is visiting Dr. B. She asks him if Rufi can stay in his house. He says of course, and you too. Paloma says she can’t until she’s 18, but she’s so grateful about Rufi.

Back to the hospital: Carlota is starting to rave vaguely. The doctor says they’re going to pump her stomach. Carlota begs him repeatedly not to tell her family that she’s there. Don’t tell anyone!

Natalia comes home and Ivonne tells her Alonso hasn’t come back yet. Natalia is worried.

Paloma is in church asking God why bad things happen to good people, like her for example. What doesn’t she understand that she’s supposed to? Why does everyone she loves go away? Please don’t let her fall in love again.

Padre Chris comes by her pew and she tells him why she’s so sad. She’s holding the pearl necklace. He asks her where she got it. She says from her mother, her father gave it to her. Padre Chris says are you sure it’s from him? Paloma says it’s from the man my mother said was her true love, and she also told me I was born from love. My father was the only man she loved. Although maybe he didn’t love her the same way, or so it seemed when I saw him.

When I found this necklace this morning, it really came over me. I miss her so much and wish she could give me a hug. Chris says I’m here – can I give you a hug? Please, says Paloma, hug me as if you were my father. He does.

The doctor tells an improved Carlota that they got her just in time to avoid a heart attack. Her heart was racing. They are going to run tests to find out what she was poisoned with. I was poisoned? Says Carlota. The doctor says you told us so yourself. Who poisoned you?

Carlota turns her head away. Nobody. The doctor says don’t be afraid. I can call the police right now. Who was it?

Avances: Paloma wonders where Carlota is. Natalia wonders where Alonso is. The doctor says the police should be called and Carlota’s eyes open wide.

Labels: amor

Lisette and Maura are in the White Palace discussing why Maura is willing to pay so much to Erik for dirt on Bruno. It seems to boil down to her thinking she might get some grain of information that will help her get Alex back. As they are talking Erik calls and says he has some important news for her related to Bruno and Alex. He refuses to spill the dirt before he sees the money, and they arrange to meet at her house later.

Alex and Fer are trying to find a way to catch up to Bruno and the judge, but the agency has no one available to accompany them. Alex and Fer spin a tale about the 3 of them (Alex, Fer and Bruno) traveling around the world together, and if they don’t meet up with Bruno they’ll have to go on to Haiti and leave him behind. (What the heck kind of a tale is that??!?!?But Alex is obviously having to make it up on the spur of the moment, so the feebleness is understandable I guess.) Can’t she please help them? The travel agent is going to try and figure something out, and will call them the following afternoon to tell them what she has arranged. Despite Alex’s sigh of frustration, good looks and Gatsby-like beanie, they can’t get Senora Maya at the travel agency to move things along any faster.

Erik comes to the pink heart of the Maura’s white palace and they settle on a price of 700,000 pesos for the information he has for her. That’s about $55,000 – a chunk o’ change for dirt. Erik then tells Maura how Bruno got MariaJose to fall in love with him and married her using Alejandro’s name, though she didn’t know of his deceit.

Hernán and Victoria are out on a boating date, he looking like a chef in his white guayabera and chubby tummy and she looking wistful and is no doubt thinking of the distinctly un-chubby Fer. Hernán wonders why Alex left when the important trial date was coming up, and Victoria asks if he will support them by testifying that her husband was indeed in his right mind when he made his will. He assures he will because 1) it is true and 2) there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for her. He kisses her hand and gazes significantly into her eyes but she merely looks ill at ease (and it’s not seasickness). They toast with champagne. I’ve been following the Fer/Vicki/hernan love triangle discussion from last week and I have to agree that I don’t feel any chemistry between Fer and Vicki, perhaps because she is so solidly MATRONLY in her behaviour and the way she dresses – it’s hard to get past that. But the thing with Hernán is just gross, frankly. There’s something gucky about the idea of making love with him, or the idea of seeing the two of them locked in a passionate embrace.

In the meantime Ulises and Raquel are walking in lockstep through the apartment she has provided him with, their adorable matching ponytails practically bouncing in unison. He is assuring her that of course he is going to marry he. I almost (almost) manage to feel sorry for the poor girl; she must be so desperate if she can’t see the connection between the money and his promises. He nudges her out the door with the excuse that he has to make a business call. She agrees to go so that he won’t accuse her of being a harpy (“un martirio que está atrás de ti todo el tiempo), but leaves him with the charming threat that he better not let her down again or he can forget todo esto (pointing to their love nest). He reasserts that she is the only one he loves, practically shoves her out the door, heaves a big sigh and makes a call to Elena, Sandra's mother. We see that his t-shirt says “Killer Look” in big bold letters. Is this a message t-shirt, or simply a wardrobe choice?

He asks Elena if she’s had any news of Sandra, and she replies that she calls her from time to time but that Sandra doesn’t always answer. She can’t go see Sandra anytime soon because Jorge, her husband, is busy developing some new drugs. Ulises offers to go with her if she pays for the trip but she prefers to wait until Jorge can go with her, as he’s the only one who could convince Sandra to come back with her. Ulises says with a cocky grin that he would be able to convince her but Elena still turns down his offer. He asks after Don Porfirio and sends his regards, but Elena refuses to pass them along seeing as the two of them (Ulises and Porfirio) have never gotten along (nunca fuiste santo de su devoción). When he hangs up he curses her for not letting him get anywhere near Sandra, and says he has to find some way of separating Raquel and her money (estafarme de Raquel I think he says).

Erik is explaining to Maura that the reason MariaJose didn’t say anything about the fraudulent wedding is because Bruno threatened to have her father sent to prison due to his crooked business dealings. Maura wonders if Alex is aware of Pedro’s goings on and Erik says yes but – expressive shrug – he fell in love. Maura looks both pained and disgusted. Maura says she suspected there was something wrong there, and Erik offers her another equally interesting tidbit for a mere 100, 000 pesos (about $7800) more. She bites and he tells her that Alex went to find the judge who agreed to perform the fake marriage, with Bruno going after him to stop him – she can imagine why, right? (Does anyone else wonder why Erik continues to work with Bruno given all the money he is making on the side? With the money he made off of Gabriel, and now this he could set up his own little market stand and get out from under Bruno’s thumb.)

In the Dominican Republic, Alex wonders about renting a jeep and going on their own but Fer is not so sure it’s a good idea. They don’t know the roads, and Bruno’s got a big jump on them. They decide to spend their time wisely while they are waiting and visit the “Alcazar de Colón” In another QTF moment, Fer informs Alex this the first Gothic Renaissance structure in America, and off they go. QTF!?!?!? Where did that scene come from?

Back in Merida, Katia runs (yes runs) up to the chalet to find Roberto, hoping he will take her clubbing, and comes across a semi-drunk Raquel instead. They get into a spat, with Raquel telling Katia stop annoying her husband and Katia calling Raquel a bitter hag. The spat ends in a tie, with Raquel tossing the remains of her drink in Katia’s face, and Katia wiping it off and splashing it back onto Raquel.

Maura is telling Roberto what Erik has told her, which she acknowledges is basically a confirmation of what Raquel already told them. She says that she is confiding in him because she needs to talk about it and that, although Ulises is a good guy (Maura, I thought you were smarter than that. Evil,yes, but smart.) she doesn’t trust him. Roberto sums up the situation nicely: they are all in the Dominican republic, Bruno to kill the judge and Alex to stop him. Roberto wants to know why Maura is working so hard to get this information and says he doesn’t think Alex will leave MariaJose for her, especially not now that MJ is pregnant. She says she loves Alex and doesn’t want anything to happen to him, and acknowledges that Roberto is right when he says that she wants Alex’s thanks and hopes that he will go back to her some day. Roberto gives her his cell phone and tells her to call Alex and let him know what is going on.

In a restaurant Alex and Fer are stewing over how Bruno could have gotten to the DR ahead of them and wondering who could have told him. Could MariaJose have told Paula? Alex doesn’t think so. Alex’s cell phone rings. It’s Roberto, wondering how things are in the DR. Is there anyone who doesn’t know about their trip?!?! Roberto passes the phone to Maura, who tells him that Bruno is in the DR, but her attempt to ingratiate herself with Alex falls flat and he tells her he already knows. She sends him a kiss and hangs up, and it’s clever Roberto who once again stumbles across the truth – he thinks it must be Katia, who may have overheard a conversation between her brother and Alex, who told Bruno that Alex and Fer were going to the DR. Maura can hardly believe what a snake she is, but of course it takes a snake to recognize a snake.

Alas, I was hoping we would be spared a tour of the Alcazar but we’re obliged to sit through it. Isn’t William with his shirt off socially redeeming in and of itself? Do they have to subject us to this cultural tour? At least they keep it short.

Señora Maya has found a solution to Alex and Fer’s problems. There are no more tours at the agency this week and so she herself can accompany them. They will leave in a few hours but, as Fer reminds Alex, Bruno is a whole day ahead of them.

MariaJose and Victoria are sharing a girly girl talk in the office and MJ asks why Victoria doesn’t go for it with Fer. She says it’s because her position and social prestige depend on what people say and that people judge very harshly when an older woman has an affair with a younger man. Given all that’s going on with the trial and the revelations about her affair with Antonio while she was married to Samuel, news about an affair would be the straw that broke the camels back (la gota que termina derramando el vaso ie, the drop of water that causes the glass to overflow). All their stockholders and acquaintances would be against her.

Katia interrupts their chat, complaining that there is no one to take her out. Victoria won’t let her go alone and says that she doesn’t want to have to tell her brother that something happened to her. Katria snottily accuses her of only worrying because she wants to get in good with Fer and asks her if she’s not embarrassed to be going out with a younger man (or is it, she asks her, in an alarming image, that you like “fresh meat”). Victoria angrily asks her to have a little decency and Katia tells her before stalking out that if only decent people lived in the house it would be empty.

MariaJose goes after Katia to try and talk some sense into her (as if that’s likely- Katia and Bruno are tal para cual – two of a kind - and there’s no reasoning with either one of those monstrous egos). Back in the office the phone rings and it’s Fernando. A gasp and worry from Victoria, who chats with Fer while Katia is accusing MJ of offering her charms to Alex to get at his money. Paula charges up and tells her to leave her sister alone. (Yeah Paula. Sometimes her energy is a little misplaced but here she is right on. I love seeing those sisters defend each other in spite of all their arguing and disagreements.) Katia insults Paula in her turn, accusing her of living off of her impostor of a sister, and they get into a hair pulling match. In the fray MariaJose gets knocked aside but neither Paula nor Katia notice. Poor Ezequiel tries to separate them and is completely outclassed in this flyweight category; they push him to the side and continue the battle. Finally Felipa separates them by giving them both a slap, which I think was unfair to Paula. (Katia needs much more than the slap that feeble Felipa was able to give. She needs someone to crazy glue her mouth shut.)

Upstairs in the bedroom Hernán is pompously informing MariaJose that she really has to avoid situations like this one and think of the baby she’s expecting. As if she could have avoided the crazed Katia. Really, if Victoria ends up with Hernán it will be so annoying. Later, Victoria is walking Hernán out and he asks what is going on. She says she agreed to keep an eye on Katia for Fernando, but Katia is pretty rebellious and it’s harder than she thought. Hernán asks jealously why Fer is dragging her into his problems, but she cuts him right off. Hernán gets the hint and changes the subject to Alex and the upcoming trial: he is glad it’s being pushed back due to Alex’s absence because the delay will allow Victoria time to prepare for the coming brouhaha that will result from the trial

In the DR Alex has, thank God, changed the beanie for a straw panama hat and Fer is going hatless. Pretty bold of that blondie under all that sun. The Bobsey Twins and Señora Maya get into a van, Fer driving. I’ve gotten confused about the timing of this because it looked like the afternoon when Alex said they were going to leave in a few hours. It was nighttime when Fer called, at which point they still hadn’t left, and now it looks like day again when they get into the van. Have I missed something?

Various filler scenes of Mari giving a complaining Katia some work, Tomás helping Paula into the car to bring her to school, and Chucho singing in their market stall as Gabriel weaves and MariaJose paints pottery. Life goes on even when the boys are gone.

Bruno is berating the driver yet again about how long it’s taking to catch up to the judge. The driver says he reckons they can catch up to him at a nearby waterfall. Cut to the van that the Dynamic Duo and their sidekick Señora Maya are traveling in, and we discover via a phone call by Señora Maya to her office that they are now only a few hours behind Bruno and his driver, who have had to stop and rest. Madame Maya thinks they may be able to catch the group before they all get on the boat to the island. Alex comments that he can’t get any cell phone coverage and hasn’t been able to talk to his wife in days. Again I’m confused by the timing – wasn’t Fer just able to get through to Victoria the evening before?

MJ and Victoria comment that they haven’t heard from Alex for several days, and Vic says it must be due to poor cell phone coverage.

Bruno and his driver are pulling up to the dock as Alex and company are breaking down. Fer says he knows about floor mechanics, not car mechanics, and when Fer asks Alex if he knows about cars Alex gives him a what-the-hell-are-you-talking-about-hombre look. Back at Bruno’s point of departure Bruno asks why the tour stops there and his driver tells him it’s because there is beautiful scenery and a spectacular waterfall. Significant music plays and Bruno gets a look in his eye as he repeats, “waterfall?" and asks "How do I get there?” He runs off in the direction of the waterfall. Back with the Bobseys, Maya proposes that they "all" push the van until they find a town where someone might be mechanically inclined or they might find a mechanics shop. How far? Not far – 3-4 kilometers only. She hops in and they “all” begin to push which means that Lady Maya steers and urges the boys to push harder.

Someone we can only assume to be the judge is taking pictures of the water just above the falls and commenting to Bruno how great it was that he could come to see the beautiful sight. He turns and recognizes Bruno and has only time to sputter “no, no” before Bruno pushes him into the water; we see a body going over the falls. Bruno runs back into the jungle and we see a shot of the judge floating face up in the water, spread eagle with his eyes are closed. He doesn’t look merely stunned by the unexpected trip over the falls - he looks dead.

The driver of the tour bus finds Bruno shopping in the market and asks him if he’s seen Señor Romero. Bruno tells him that he looked and looked but wasn’t able to find him. The driver instructs everyone to go back to the bus. Thy are all sitting waiting when men come back with the news that Señor Romero has tragically fallen over the falls and died– a big surprise since it’s never happened before in such a safe place.

**Sorry - I may have missed a scene here.**

Victoria and Felipa are commenting on still not being able to get in touch with Alex when Cuco quivers and cowers: it's Raquel, and he senses the presence of great evil. Raquel says she hasn’t been around because of the presence of the two cats at the table, and I’m confused again. Cuco has fur like a Siamese but is clearly not a cat. Is Raquel referring to her sister in law and Felipa as cats? Why would she do this? Is this a big insult in Mexico? Anyway, she, like everyone else, wants to know where Alex and Bruno are but her mother puts her off with the standard line ‘Alex is in NY, I don’t know where Bruno is.” Raquel informs her mother that Bruno is no longer staying at the hotel, but nobody knows where he is living. Vicki asks Felipa to leave so that she can talk to Raquel alone. She then asks Raquel how serious her relationship with Ulises is, and Raquel tells her that they love each other. Victoria wonders what her young man does and Raquel tells her he is a businessman, but says she doesn’t get into his business and ask him what kind. Victoria says she should ask and Raquel raises a very good point: she knew what Roberto did, and he had a lot of money, but he ran through it all and now lives off of her. If she’s maintaining Ulises, well, at least it’s he loves her (Raquel, you poor deluded thing) and makes her happy, whereas Roberto doesn’t. As soon as the whole mess with the company is done with she’s going to divorce Robert and marry Ulises.

Roberto is clearly trying to hook up with two sisters in a bar. He is indeed a liberal fellow. Ulises comes up and asks if they can talk, and they walk off to the side. Ulises doesn’t like that Roberto is still angry with him, but Roberto insists that he’s not angry; he understands that that’s just how Ulises is. But still, Roberto has his limits: he knows Ulises needs the money but he shouldn’t have chosen Roberto's wife to become parasitically attached to when there are so many others around – like that one in Madrid, who has a lot more money than Raquel. Ulises acknowledges that yes, she's a possibility, but she’s a mess (es un relajo de chava) even though she is madly in love with him (I guess she’d have to be a mess to be madly in love with him). Roberto seems to see Ulises and the girl as a potentially perfect couple: why doesn’t Ulises go get her, bring her back, marry her and live happily ever after on her money. Ulises says it’s not that easy – he doesn’t have the money for the plane ticket to go get her, her mother doesn’t like him, and her grandfather, who holds the purses strings, can’t stand him. Roberto asks if Ulises will share her money with him if he, Roberto, pays for the plane ticket, and U says why not – they can share both the money and the woman. Roberto looks pensive rather than revolted. There is something so repellant and attractive about his character – he’s level-headed, recognizes he’s a parasite and tries to stay out of trouble – but also is willing to accept anything and EVERYTHING – nothing seems to shock his sensibilities. Is he really any worse than Ulises? Is this the modern metrosexual - so modern he can understand anything?

Maura refuses to pay “Mario Aguirre” a red cent (un cuerno) for his silence when he calls, and suggests that he get in touch with Alex. Mario immediately calls the Lombardo compound and when Ezequiel picks up he asks to talk to Alex or MariaJose. Always alert to trouble Ezequiel says they’re both gone but refuses to give any more information, though he does offer to take a message for them. Mario says he’ll think about it and hangs up, but Ezequiel gets his callback number from the phone. He swears that he’ll get him!

MariaJose is failing yet again to get in touch with Alex when Paula knocks on her door. MJ lies and tells Paula that she has in fact just talked to Alex and that he’ll back in about a week or so. She changes the subject by getting Paula to hold some yarn while she re-winds it into a ball (isn’t there a name for that activity?). Paula recounts all her frustrations to MJ: she’s getting bored just going back and forth from school to the house and wants to go out. She’d even be willing to go out with that snot (sangrona) Katia but Victoria won’t let them, and she doesn’t want anything to do with Don Pedro or Chucho, who are old, or with Gabriela or Meche, who are not only poverty stricken but also almost landed her in prison. She gets so worked up that by the end of the scene the yarn is wrapped around her neck in a tangled mess. MariaJose points out that she and Paula are no different from Gabriel and Meche - they did what they had to in order to survive.

Pedro and Chucho are commenting on how well the business is going and Meche wonders why Paula never comes by. Chucho comments she’s kind of a spoiled brat (engreída - similar to sangrona but not so slangy) and Gabriel, who is also winding up a ball of yarn, says he would like to meet her so that he and Meche can apologize for the problems they caused her.

A shirtless Alex and Fer are pushing the van along when Lady Maya waggles her hand out the window and says there’s an emergency - she has to go pee (useful vocab: hacer chis). As she is getting back in the van a car rolls up and the driver stops to help them. While the guys are looking manfully at the engine a truck comes by and also stops to help them. One of the passengers gets out because she wants a picture taken with the Alex, the shirtless wonder, and the bus driver gets out a tool kit. A spontaneous party forms and there is an impromptu street dance which looks like a heck of a lot of fun; they also manage to get the van started.

In the meantime, back at the dock, the authorities have given the tour group the OK to leave. Bruno says he’ll take the bus back to Santo Domingo rather than go on with the group.

Victoria is asking Ezequiel if he is sure it was Mario Aguirre on the phone, and he says that Mario himself gave his name. Felipa thinks this is really odd given that Bruno is nowhere around and they are all confounded at what is going on. Victoria proposes calling Mario, telling him that Alex wants to see him, and then going in Alex’s place. Felipa points out that this is madness (“uuy santa del dia de hoy” accompanied by a heavy sigh and a glance raised to the heavens), but Ezequiel offers to go along and take care of her. Felipa smirks and gives Ezquiel a little poke, which causes him to lose his balance; it’s clear he’s not up to protecting his lady. Felipa proposes that Victoria ask Roberto to accompany her, and Victoria looks quite taken with the idea, but before they can discuss it more Paula and MJ come down to join them for dinner and the idea is dropped.

As they go to dinner Victoria says that Alex has been subpoenaed to appear in court that week at the trial contesting the will, and everything will be delayed until he shows up. MariaJose manages to get through to him on the phone and tells him that the subpoenas are piling up and he needs to get back. She asks about Bruno and he tells her they don’t know what’s going on with him – he’s probably hiding out someplace behind his lawyers – but that he and Fer think they’ll be able to see the judge tomorrow. (When Fer asks why he lied about Bruno Alex says he doesn’t want to worry her.) Alex tells MJ that he hopes to get back in time for the trial but that he probably won’t be able to be in touch from the island and so she shouldn’t worry if she doesn’t hear from him. This, of course, is almost as fatal as saying “nothing can ever separate us, and in fact in the scenes for tomorrow we see Alex and Fer leaping from a burning boat, and Ezquiel telling Maura that they haven’t been able to track down Alex.

Labels: sortilegio

lashes out at Coni, Coni lashes back, Teri speaks up and is repelled. Ivan lashes out at Coni, Coni smacks him down, having mustered up more spunk, Teri sternly whimpers a complaint brushed quickly away by a defiant Coni who then banishes Luisa to her room. Coni then advises Terri that she is prohibited from having visitors in the parlor and to use the service entrance rather than the front door. Uuuh!

Labels: gancho

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

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