Caray, Caray!

From yesterday: Aldo's hangin' with the hopped-up homies, Marcos offers Beto a job as the Director General (not to be confused with Inspector General) of Grupo Sermeño. Beto tries out his suegro's chair for size and likes it.


The tables are turned and Moni is training an already-bedraggled but still color-coordinated Don Cesar. Even while working out his hair defies gravity. He begs a 5 minute break which aligns perfectly with Estrella's arrival. For once DC is too tired to get on Estrella's case about coming to the gym. "Saved by the bell," he gasps.

As DC hunkers down for nap time in the ring Moni warns Estre not to talk smack about her mama. Estre says no way we're friends in good times and bad.

Beto and Marcos visit Nieves to tell her some news. "What he got another woman pregnant like he did to isabel?" (Oooh, bitter.) Beto asks her not to be so hard, her son is now the General Dirctor of Sermeno Group. Isabel's excited but not in a good way. She lunges several times toward Marcos. I'm sure Beto calling him suegrito doesn't help. But Beto's on a roll, soon the biz will be called Grupo Ochoa. He lets slip that he's helping La Momia at the gym, news that sits ill with both Nieves and Marcos. He dashes off, leaving the couple to their tentative minuette of apologies and reproaches. When it comes to her baby Nieves is apt to soften, and she's grateful for Beto's new job. Instead of hugging the undeserving Marcos she hugs her fuzzy purse and agrees to join him for dinner.

Over at the enemy gym (aka Gym Jimmy) Beto begins tutoring Coni in stretching, mainly so he can check out her bubis at various angles.

Guerrera, who had been chatting with Beto at Gym Jimmy, visits our home gym to taunt Moni about fighting La Momia; and guess who La Momia's new coach is? No other than Beto and he's training her to kick your a**. BETO?!?!!

Isabel and ner nattering nanny Alicia are at the clinic. Ali mentions to the handsome doctor that Isa had a bone marrow transplant for leukemia recently so shouldn't she get her health checked? Dr. agrees and is fully occupied giving Alicia an impromptu blood pressure test while Isabel steals a blank prescription from his pad. I'm guessing for some tranquilizers for Alicia, but time will tell.

Por casualidad (yes, I remember) Marcos is also at the clinic to visit a doctor, undoubtedly yet another professional who is in his hip pocket. Let's see...there's some chat about the doctor's love of dancing with his wife Mabel then Marcos cuts to the chase. He has an enormous favor to ask him. He's an oncologist no? Marcos needs the doc to convince a woman who had leukemia that she only has a short time to live (Oh come on!) and Marcos won't leave until he gets his way.

Well I'm not sure how effective Beto is at being a coach. First he accidentally cuffs coni in the face knocking her down, then he leaps on top of her to comfort her, then they end up making out on the floor of the ring. This is the position that Monita finds them in when she storms into the gym followed by Estrella. "BETO!!!" The funniest part is when Beto tries to help Coni up but gets distracted by Moni and Coni falls to the ground again, heh heh.

Moni yells and Coni taunts. Beto tries to mollify Moni and gets a punch in the nuts for his troubles. Coni (stifling a laugh I swear) turns away displaying her beautifully indifferent profile to an agonized Beto who squeals in soprano "aqui, aqui!".

Under Christian's watchful eye Mau and the girls get ready to leave. Jacqui tells the girls the house won't be the same without them and she'll let Aldo know what's up when he gets home. Tia Jacqueline hugs the girls goodbye and wishes them the best.

Cut to Aldo who is a stoned out waste product sitting on a pile of cardboard and hanging with the ne'er do wells. They figure he's got money since his clothes are nice. He tells them he has no parents, he's an orphan but his adoptive mom bought his stuff. He agrees to take them to his place to eat. What were we saying about choices?

Marcos coerces his venal pal Doctor Edgar, this is the only way to weaken Isabel. If she thinks she's going to die it will be a tremendous setback to her. (Ya think??) It's the only way she'll let him get close to his daughter. Do it for him and his daughter, it's the only possible solution. Edgar, unlike the judge, at least hesitates for half a second before giving in to Marcos. What if this Isabel doesn't react as predicted? What about his Hippocratic oath? Oh what the heck she's just a crazy dame, sure why not. (I paraphrased.) Ah, now we get some background, Edgar was about to lose his license way back when and Marcos stepped in and saved him. Payback's a bitch Edgar and Marcos wants his, pronto. A Hypocritic Handshake seals the deal.

Moni and Estre storm down the street and are followed by Beto in a wide-legged double nut crunch stagger. He finally catches up and swears to Monita he's not betraying her or the neighborhood. He is on her side AND he has a right to fight for the woman he loves. Moni won't be swayed, he's a damn liar and he should go back to train his Momia because Moni's going to smash her to pieces, Beto's no longer her brother or her friend.

Back in Gym Jimmy Coni's in a snit because Beto left her as lonely as a finger to chase the hysterical chimpanzee. She consoles herself by using him as a punching bag but he swears he's not giving her up and he won't crack. She's flirtatious and leaves the ring and he tells the air this damn fight isn't going to happen or his name isn't Roberto Ochoa.

Mientras tanto, in the vecindad Nieves retrieves her wash with a song in her voice and spring in her step that attracts Tere's notice. Is she going out with Don Cesar? No she's going out with Marcos to a very nice lakeside restaurant. "Et tu, Nieves?" asks Monita who has overheard. She supposes that now Nieves is also stabbing her in the back, eh? What else would she be doing with that man?

Luisa and Danny are thrilled to be home with Mau and especially in Furia Enmascarada's hideout. The girls lobby to go get Monita right now but Mau says he's sure she'll come right over the moment she hears they are at his place. Dani keeps pushing, "you're going to go get Monita, right?" "And Tere, and Ivan," adds Luisa. Sounds like the bat cave is about to get crowded if the girls have their way. Gosh it's good to finally see them happy. Doh...anvils.

Back at the barrio Monita's on a tear getting all up in Nieves' face about Beto the Betrayer. Actually, I'm growing weary of Monita's rants and we've heard it all before. There is nothing new, trust me. FF>>

Coni's now in the street and her cell phone rings. It's the villanous vibora hissing in Coni's ear. Coni reports that she has successfully separated Beto from Monita in record time. Isabel hisses that her latest big nuisance is Estrella. "Leave it to me," assures Coni, confident in her ability to destroy.

Isabel goes to the pharmacy to pick up her prescription, pills and syringes. Syringes? Must be the fake prescription, viper!!

Monita, currently in danger of joining the Sisters of the Perpetually Pissed Off, is taking out her aggressions on her apartment. Estrella tries to console her by telling her Beto can't help it, he's thinking with his little head as all men do. However Monita is so angry she's ready to trash every one of her old friends. She gets close to losing it with Estrella when she suspects Estrella is 1) defending Beto, 2) on Mauricio's side, and 3) also against her mother. No no no no no, Estrella reassures her she doesn't even know her ma and thinks they should get to know her together.

Like lambs to the slaughter, Chris and Mau approach the vecindad. They first see Paula and Tano leaving on their second date. Chris reacts negatively and calls Pau his novia. She snaps back "EX novia". Chris threatens Tano that he's got his eyes on him. Tano give Mau the "we're only friends, heh heh" story. Enough about themm Mau has the good news that he's got the kids back and now he's looking for Aldo.

Beto arrives all het up about his altercation with Monita. Pau's about to pow him but Tano drags her back. Beto claims Moni got away before he could explain and now she refuses to see him.

Jacqui's leaving the lonely house to meet her ex-husband (ruh-roh, rivals at the lakeside restaurant) and gives Britney Sophia a letter for Aldo. It's muy importante that BS not forget to give it to him! "Si Señito!" which is naca for yes ma'am. As soon as she leaves BS calls her pal, "hey, remember I told you I'd call you when the two witches left for a while?.."

Meanwhile Aldo and his rotten pals approach the house and see Jacqui leave. Aldo tells them to wait outside while he checks things out. The dirty dudes do some checking out of their own. They figure this Aldo is too careful so one of them needs to distract him while the other cases the joint.

While Chris drags Beto off for some reason Mau happily tells Tere and Ivan that he's got the kids and they'll be together forever. (Forever = anvils) Tere sees Monita and tells her the glorious news. Even Miss Cranky Pants cracks a big smile for this. Mau tells her that it's all due to Marcos, her father who is not quite the jerk she thinks. Monita is about to agree to go with Mau to see them when the terminal wet blanket arrives. Hissy is all pathetic and "where are you going?" so Moni sadly tells Mau to give the girls a kiss for her. Damn the viper!! The other three happily depart.

Isabel tells Moni that everything went well, ouch the pain. They are interrupted by a loud rapping on the door. Aieeeeee! Enter the Mummy! She says she's there to see Isabel. Moni calls Coni out and Coni, to give her props, pops back "just say where and when!" Monita says here and now and Coni retorts "no, tonight at the gym, where we won't be interrupted." Stare down between the mummy and the monkey.


Mañana: aldo and his pals lurk outside. christ shows up and the two steal his gun and conk him over the head with it. Isabel gives Estrella an injection. Coni's ready to rumble

Dicho for Aldo, Monita, Coni, Xime, Tano, Pau, Estrella, Nieves... heck, for so many:
Mejor solo que mal acompañado = better to be alone than with the wrong person

Vocab from tonight:
Cantón = slang for place, house (what Aldo's pals said)
Manita = slang for female pal (short for hermanita, what Britney Sophia said)
Me salvo la campana = Saved by the bell
No soy infiel, soy débil = I'm not unfaithful, I'm weak (Beto's shirt)
Revés tremendo = tremendous setback
Solo/a como dedo = all alone (alone/lonely as a finger)
Tu eres la que esta demas = you're the other [woman] (what Coni told Moni at the gym regarding Beto)
La voy a hacer pedazos = I'm going to smash her to pieces
No voy a rajar = I'm not going to crack

Labels: gancho

We start with Ale announcing that there are two people left, Marino and Rafa. Marino turns to Rafa convinced he is number one, tells everyone to enjoy this moment, when Ale announces Rafa as the number one sales person of the month. Marino looks as him he is going to be sick.

Rafa smiles humbly and everyone congratulates him. Marino is shouting to wait a minute, this can’t be. He wants to know how this guy could be vendor of the month. Ale tells Marino to calm down and not yell at her. She tells him Rafa sold two cars and a fleet of trucks. She says she doesn’t owe him an explanation. But she will give him one. Bow-tie guy leans over to Marino and says (I think) something like now she’s yelling.

She begins to explain the process Rafa went through to obtain his sales. She chides how in the beginning his list of clients was robbed from him, looking right at Marino. Then Rafa went into the city of Mexico and found the market over-saturated . So he went outside the city and found a new market. He was able to sell several million pesos worth of trucks in one single sale. She looks again at Marino and says is that clear.

She then continues to announce that they have a new promising vendor, and congratulates Rafa for his good work. That she is proud of him and aware of the hard work he put forth, and thanks him for being at Auto Siglo. She goes to shake his hand; she is smiling and Rafa is standing, he is still angry about the house. Bebe (bless his sweet heart) thinks Ale should be congratulated as well because of all the help she was to Rafa so he could make this sale.

Ale continues with not only is he the number one vendor, but also the winner of this months prize. Susana shows off the bike, and whispers to Ale that everyone thought this month the prize would go to Marino.

Dandy tells Marino that second place isn’t so bad. Sweet Ramiro approaches Marino and says congratulations and welcome to the world of mediocre. He says the king is dead (referring to Marino) and turns to Rafa and says the king lives.

Claudia wonders what Rafa is going to do with a bike since he doesn’t have kids. Rafa says I don’t have kids but I have lots of debt. Ale says she knows he doesn’t have kids but the bike is his to take home and celebrate his success.

She approaches Rafa now and says as general manger of sales I hope I can continue to count on you to have the same enthusiasm for many more years. Rafa stands and says for at least three more years Boss.
There are some very tense glares between the two of them.

Ale says now we will change the photo and put in its place the photo of their new sales person of the month. Susana takes Marinos’ photo down and replaces it with Rafa’s. Bow-tie guy tells Marino it is best to not look at it. Marino continues to look like he is going to be sick.

Ale congratulates them all and they start a little pep cheer, as Beltran walks around the corner all excited because it sounds like great success. He wants to make sure that what he is hearing is indeed success. Ale assures him it is, and says they were celebrating the success of the best vendor of the month. Beltran heads towards Marino to congratulate him. Ale informs him it is Rafa.

He wants figures for the month and Ale shows him the sales records. Beltran starts crying with joy and states his little mantra of Money, money, money. It is delightful music he is hearing. He tells Ale he knew Rafa would be a great vendor, (Oh right) and goes over to Rafa to congratulate him. Then he asks Marino what happened, how did he loose. Dandy says not only did he loose, but he lost by a lot.

Then Beltran wants to know how Claudia did. Ale says she wasn’t the best, then Claudia stands and says next month she promises to do her best, as she struts her stuff. Beltran congratulates Claudia and asks for everyone to applaud her. They all stand to applaud Claudia.

Rosaura stands and says and what about us. And starts shouting check and they all start shouting for their paychecks. He says fine and there is a stampede to payroll, leaving Susana , Ale and Beltran alone in the meeting room.

We have our obligatory odd scene now. Two policemen walk into the neighborhood salon for haircuts. This scene was stranger than usual.

Beltran inquires about the bike and tells Ale to get it out of the showroom. I think he told Susana she looked exotic, referring to her necklace but that look doesn’t belong at Auto Siglo.

He’s still worried about the sales. He says they were acceptable but not worth such a fiesta, but very pleased with Rafa and will keep his eye on him. He says corporate wants more sales. Next month has to be better then ever. Ale reminds him that she needs to take next month off for the operation she needs.
Beltran grabs at his chest. Ale says she has to go.

We have a long line at payroll with everyone waiting for their paychecks. Claudia tries to cut in front, Marino chides her for this, and she tells him to bug off, he’s not that important anymore. Isabel grabs her and takes her to the back of the line. There is a silly little conversation about lines and a reference to lines in Alaska. But there really are only about 5 people that live in Alaska and 2 of them are bears. (or something like that.

Bow-tie guy is telling Marino that he has to recuperate his first place next month because right now he has lost all his respect. Marino blows this off saying he is better then all of them. He says that Medina just had good luck. Bow-tie guy tells him it wasn’t luck but the fact that Rafa used his sales method. Marino chides him and says if it is so successful how come you didn’t do better.. This shuts Bowt-tie guy up and Marino continues to insist it was nothing more than luck.

Rafa is up next for his check. Claudia is curious as to how much he made. Rosaura lets curiosity get the best of her and peeks over Rafas’ shoulder. His check is for 135,900 pesos. (I think). Claudia gets a lustful look in her eye and unbuttons her shirt.

Rafa is enjoying his success. Dandy comes over to congratulate him and tells him what luxuries he can enjoy with all that money. Ramiro tells him he deserves it. Susana comes over and tells him Ale is waiting for him in her office. (I wonder what she wants)

Vicky calls. (we had to have one those moments) She starts talking about the wedding and all the things she needs to do to get ready. Rafa is “what the heck?” Then she asks him where he is. He tells her at Siglo. She wants to know why he is there Does he want to continue to be humiliated. He tells her he has to get his commission and clear up a few things.

She tells him he has to leave right a way, he needs to take care of his family, and he needs to ask papa for her hand in marriage. At first papa will be a little upset but we can convince him that this is for the best. Rafa’s dumbstruck with this . Vicky says we will continue this conversation at home. I will be waiting for you. And hangs up.

This next few minutes were very conversation laden, with each employee talking to their significant other on the phone discussing what needed to be done with their paychecks. Ramiro has rent payment problems. They are in the rears. Rosario is discussing what to do about her hair. Isabel is in debt to someone. Claudia lies and says she wasn’t paid and is asking some poor sucker for a loan. Bebe is dreaming of his retirement. Dandy has plans for the night in some cabana. For some reason he remembers that this month has 5 Saturdays. Huh?


Bow-tie guy is talking to his mother about his book he is writing. They talk about what’s for supper. He then approaches Marino and asks him if he is okay. Marino tells him he promised the bike to his son. Bow-tie guy asks which one and Marino says junior as he holds up a picture of him and junior.

At this point we see junior sitting on a table flirting with a couple of floor models. Marino panics and says he cant see him like this. He tells bow-tie guy to distract junior while he comes up with a plan.

Rafa enters Ales office and asks if she needed something? Ale extends her hand and Rafa gives a side-five. He is all excited, but that’s not what Ale had in mind. She was reaching for his check. Rafa tries to talk her out of giving her all of it. She rants on at him and reminds him that she is already paying 4100 pesos of her own money to cover all her debts and that is sufficient enough. Rafa reluctantly hands over the check.

Rafa tells her he has never seen a check like that before. She says well you better keep seeing them like that and with 4100 pesos more every month for the next three years.

She tells him to sit down. He tells her he has not finished typing his letter of resignation. She wants to know if he still is insisting on resigning. He tells her yes he has to go take care of being kicked out of their house. She asks if he didn’t hear what she said at the meeting. He tells her she said to go home and enjoy his house. She asks if he understood what she meant. He says well with you one never knows. She asks if he understood her and he says, your not going to sell my house? She says that’s right.

She clarifies that it was never her idea to sell the house but that of Marcos. She explains that Marco is not only her boyfriend but her lawyer and sometimes acts on his own. And she doesn’t always agree with his decisions. She says in regards to the subject of the house, she doesn’t agree with it and will not permit him to sell it and asks for him to beg her pardon to his mom.

She hands him the phone. He stares for a moment and she asks if he is till insisting on resigning. We have a little game of hurt feelings and who’s idea was it to resign anyway. Not Ales’. She plays a little mind game with Rafa.

She says now what did I say in Meeting about you meeting your commitments for the next three years. Rafa says does that mean I will be here three years. Ale smile and says. Very good Rafa. They have a brief sweet silent moment, then Ale tells him to get out. Rafa stands She tells him to go sell. She wants to know where he is going to go find his lions. He says in the jungle. She smiles and says Rafa you can do this. Off he goes with Ale giving one great big smile.

Marino approaches Rafa. Rafa wants to know if he is going to continuing to bug him. Marino says no I want to buy the bike from you. He offers Rafa 1000 pesos. Rafa says the bike is worth at least 1500. Marino says fine. Rafa says for you I wouldn’t sell it for less then 2000 pesos. Marino says here’s your 2000 pesos and sticks it in Rafas’ pocket. Rafa says no, no no, I said I wouldn’t sell it to you for less then 2000 pesos but never said that was the price. I would sell it to you for 2200 pesos and sticks the money back in Marino’s pocket. And walks away

Now sweet Ramiro approaches Rafa and asks if he can buy the bike from him. Rafa says sure and sells it to him for I think 1000 pesos. Marino gets up in Rafas’ face and says what did you sell it to him so cheap for? Rafa tells him, well you said I was a terrible salesman and I make bad sales.

We have another annoying Vicky call. She wants to know why he is still at Siglo. He says yes I am still here and I will continue to be here. She wants to know why he would still be there after they threw him out in the street and threatened jail.

He explains to Vicky it was all a misunderstanding. And Ale promises it will never happen again. Vicky says and you believe her? Rafa then tells her that there really isn’t any hurry with the subject of the wedding. She warns him not to play with her. He continues to tell her that he was salesman of the month. Vicky screams so what do I care, continues yelling at him. Rafa tells her he has to go and they will talk at home. Vicky is steaming and says, you better believe we will talk at home. (or something like that ). He hangs up as Ale walks around the corner

Now Marino is off after Ramiro to buy the bike. Ramiro sells him the bike for 2000 pesos (I think). Marino chews him out for selling it for that much and tells him not to count on him in the future for any favors. Ramiro smiles and walks off with his gains.

Bow-tie guy approaches Marino and asks if he got the bike. He tells him Junior is waiting for it. He also tells him to be careful when he gives it to him because he is not alone. He tells him there is a pack of hounds waiting for him with all their kids.

There is a group of women and children outside waiting for Marino. They turn out to be all former and current lovers of Marino and they all have kids and are waiting for their monthly child support payments. Marino is crouching in fear as bow-tie guy explains which ones are there.

Ramiro thanks Rafa for selling him the bike and how it is going to help him out with all his debts. He says when he turns on the lights he will think of Rafa (I think). We get a cute little ira ira ira from Rafa. Then they spy all the women outside waiting for Marino.

Bow-tie guy is calming them all down. He says Marino will give them each 30 seconds of his time. Then we have a very long painful scene of Marino talking with each one and giving them what he feels they have coming. I am not going to spend any more time on this. Except there had to be at least 8 women all with at least one-two kids. Yikes!!!!


Rafa asks if this happens every month and Isabel says it does and it gets worse because Marino doesn’t pay his monthly support to them. Dandy wants to know who the new woman is.


After he has settled all of this he goes back inside and gives Junior his bike. He tells him not to tell anyone where he got the bike. Junior tells him not to worry he is going to sell it. He asks junior how much he is going to sell it for and Junior says 1000 pesos. Marino says, what you are practically giving it away.

Junior thinks he made a great deal after all Marino got the bike for nothing. Marino says it is worth at least 2000 pesos. Junior tells him, it isn’t worth much and he should know, he knows bikes.

Our last little scene is Claudia approaching Rafa very seductively. I wonder what she’s up too? She wants to know how they are going to celebrate his commission. She knows a very upscale place they could go to.

She sits on the desk and continues her little seduction. Rafa is very nervous. He tells her all this money is spoken for. She says the only think they need to do is enjoy themselves. She leans against him and promises a great time where they will be very happy. He won’t regret it and nobody needs to find out. And thats where we end.

Labels: dinero

We open with Oski and Jero discussing their state of affairs…shouldn’t have given Coni so long to cough up the dough, the police are looking for you, we shouldn’t trust that woman Issy, what if Aldo talks. Oski is calm and worries about nothing; Issy is their ears.

Estrella and Nieves discuss Estrella’s encounter with the Vibora, and she tells her she was so nice, blech. Some how this breaks down into Nieves chastising her for almost marrying her cachorro. Oooh raw topic, Estre has no interest in talking about that and smacks Nieves about being left at the church 30 years ago.

Ick, more molasses from Mami Vibora who doesn’t want to see Mona sad. She fought with Beto but doesn’t want to talk about it. Ma thinks sometimes it’s good to enjoy silence. Careful, too much and we’ll hear that hissing of yours.

Nieves tells Estre they should be united now, not fight. Beto walks in all sad because Mona won’t listen to him either. A few sparks fly about Mau and not getting in line for him who is now single, and anyway they all muse what they might do about Mona.

Pau and Tano arrive very happy having thoroughly enjoyed the movie together. Cris is slinking along behind them. Tano had such a great time he invites her to dinner tomorrow night and with a smirk of Cris, Pau says of course, and she had the best time.

We see the cardboard multi-colored flowers and know that we must be at Estrella’s pad. Gabi is there and Pau and Estre walk in and learn that Pau had a great time, but she knew Cris was following them. Gabi thinks it’s tough now a days to find a single, mature, heterosexual man who wants to commit. Ah Sal was that and more.

Now we go to the Planter’s nut farm where Lorenza is yelling at Sal for uttering Gabi’s name again. She flips out.

Now the tres chicas are consoling Estre that clearly Oski took advantage of Aldo. Gabi thinks Oscar deserves horrible happenings. Pau says careful you almost sound like you might end up liking him. Huh?? Anvil? Ugh no way.

Back at the nut farm, Aldo shows up to see Oski and finds Lore. Oski tells her to run after Sal. Al needs money and threatens to expose Oski for having Lore and also that the police are looking for him. O almost chokes Al that he will regret it if he does this. He throws some money at Al and tells him to scram.

Xime brings Rolu his meal in bed. Rolu continues with his bad boy act. He doesn’t like the food, he’s not comfortable, she’s stupid etc. She should stay home and cook for him and act like the wife she is. For some reason she says this gives her pause to kiss him. DOUBLE BLECH!!!

She crawls toward him and kisses him. They end up making out. Hmmm.

Now to Mona and Ma. She feels lonely. But Ma is there. Nope she misses Mau. Ma thinks hopefully they will reconcile but he’s united himself with the worst enemy Marcos. Ma won’t leave her lonely. Alright, if she hates Mona so much eventually this has to give. Mona reminisces about the fountain. Mau about when they adopted the kids.

Aldo is not sin drogas. He is paying someone for drugs.

Lalu shows up at Xime’s for Arnie. Xime yells for Arni, and Rolu yells at her for making a scene. Lalu yells at him for being rude to her. She calms them all down. Lalu isn’t in on the turn of events apparently.
Eventually Xime convinces Arni to go for his daily dose of gayland and Rolu acts rude to her again.

Val leaves Ali and Issy. Issy springs she has a plan to make Val happy with Mau again and Ali agrees to be in on it. More molasses extra thick. Yuck, Ali’s head is soooo stuck in it, I can see it dripping slowly down her face..

Marcos shows up to Mau’s to tell him he is now legally the Pa of the kids. Amazing what money can buy, eh? Sheesh. Mau signs some papers and boom it’s all back to normal again! Ah the shining saint of Marcos.

Issy has to go to the docs.

We are back with Xime, who is standing on her head? She is wondering what else she can do to show him she has something in her head. He just wants her out of his sight.

Marc is happy Mau is happy and thinks this will make her happy too. Ah but he now hears Mona has fallen victim to the Vibora venom. Marc swears he’ll incapacitate that woman and help get Val back.

Rolu continues with the insults. Xime skips her first thing but tells him how hot she gets when he talks that way and smiles his mad smile. She says if he could only walk they could make love like crazy. He tells her there are other ways to make her feel “love” Atta Boy!!! He tells her to lay there next to him. Ah they share smiles and we have to wonder…. :)

Arni and Lalu chat and the nugget is that Xime has self esteem problems. Arni thinks he needs to help her since she is helping him. Lalu wants his help to just kiss him. Nope.

Mona is practicing at the gym with Cesar she spews bitter things about her Pa she tries to convince Cesar that Marc is going to poison Nieves. Cesar doesn’t take too long to fall and swears he’ll protect Nieves. She encourages him to practice fighting. He ends up training instead!!!

Mau is about to leave to go see his kids when Beto shows up. Marc wonders where he’s been he was supposed to work. Beto learns the news about the kids. Marc tells him to keep quiet for now not to upset Coni.

After commercial, Coni is going to the gym and Jacqui has yogurt on her face because she is getting together with Marc tonight and wants to look good while they reminisce about old times. Has anyone ever put yogurt on his or her face? Does it do anything? Just as Coni is repulsed by her Ma talking about her Dad, Mau shows up with some police to take back his kids. Coni bites back, but our ever lawful Cris says sorry but you have to follow what is written. Dani and Lu come out and there is a super happy reunion. Lu spits a little at the momia, who of course spits back. Nice. Ma is pleased at all this.

We see Aldo walking the long journey. He sees some drugged out kids and joins them in their vice.

Marc is telling Beto he doesn’t want a janitor for a son in law he wants a general director of Sermeno Group. Beto is all offended thinking he’s out of the running and how could he say this now, but turns out he’s movin’ on up….to the top…because Beto is going to be the new general director…. :) Oh heavens…..

Labels: gancho

Meanwhile back at the daisy petal plucking method of choosing men, then the crypt of Constanza. Regina says no one can fill the hole of a lost mother. She wonders who MdeRosario can be and Leonarda muses that she is so talented that no one suspects that she killed Constanza and no one suspects that Rosario’s crypt is actually empty but she effectively killed her too.

Said Rosario is thanking the whining servant thanking for her help and saying she is her only friend and just seems to have noticed that the woman cannot speak.

Juan looks at the nets and the stars and says he could find his mother in one of the stars as Orion sits in the background. If not for Remegio he would not have survived so he needs to search for him. he owes him much. A youth steals a fish off the fire and is chased down by the laughing men.

Back at the convent, draped in 3 times the white gown needed Regina prays to be accepted in the house of god and cured of her wounds. Another nun in black tells her that Mother X will receive her now.

Juan talks about worry the youngster they saw last night. The lad professes to fish better that all these old men. and Juan invites him to tell of family. He says he has no mother or father and flinches to the ground at Juan’s touch. Juan reveals his whip slashed back. Were do you live? Show me your house. Juan and the men follow the child.

Mother Superior ask Regina if her father has permitted this, yes. Why do you want to take the habit and orders. Regina says a man whom she loved with all her out has elijedo, chosen another woman.

The tough child beater confronts Juan and the kid. Juan offers to take the kid off his hands.

MomSuper says this is not a good enough excuse, it is for those who chose the saintly rooms. Regina then confesses that she is being forced by her father. to marry a man whom she does not love. She begs for an opportunity. This convent is not a place to disobey your father. Is it worse to trick a man whom you do not love than to disobey your father.

Noel asks Rodrigo why he punishes Regina and urges him to Noel then cuts to the chase why has Rodrigo kept his anger about Rosario all these years and her desire to be with Juan de Dios?
***

Where did you find the child of Rosario this Noel says that the child survived. He tells him he received a letter fro mJuan de Dios but Rodrigo was out gadding about so Noel got it. The love child of M de Rosario is wandering around Are you going to abandon your own blood. So he took him in . Who died falling off the horse. The child must be taken care of . My son is honest and just and he will protect Juan like some one of the family and he has done it. Rodrigo tears up the letter and threatens that if this subject isn’t dead to all of them it will be terrible for all of them. HIs eyes flicker in nerves bursting out of his neck.

Juan finishes thrashing the unrepentant father of the child who claims he is so white and that somehow justifies his abuse, Juan leads the crying lad off away from the sandy defeated father.

Juan plays beach games with the well clad fisherman. Juan professes that he is going to get all dressed up to go ask for the hand of Aimee.

Aimee admires herself in the mirror and says that Renato is tender and thoughtful and it will be better to have his fortune than just her father’s, although aren’t they the same thing. Aimee, thinks deeply that Renato is giving such lovely flattering attention and she cannot fathom why her sister Regina urged her to promise to be faithful to Renato if she decides to marry him. Aimee promises Clemencia that she is incapable of hurting Renato. Clemencia says Regina told her of the intrigue with a strange man on the ship. Aimee denies all and begs Clemencia to believe her.

Arcadio complains that Leo has not come to see him since Rod has returned. and she says she doesn't’ t want to be discovered. Arcadio would like to Rod to know that after all these years she has been someone else and been his.

Rodrigo says this bastard had nothing to do with the Ocas. Noel says he is unjust. Rodrigo shows his eye tic again saying since the death of M de Rosario he has no interest in the bastard or anything associated with it.
***
Fop Federico follows Fulgencio into a cave, (is this his father?) He asks for help and Fulgencio directs him to a trunk which has bags of something and a rifle. Don Fulgencio demands that he work with him again if he wants help. He throws him a few coins and says he must discover who is against him (flash of someone being shot from a horse and hitting his head on a stone, sorry I missed this scene?)

Back on the fishing boat the men joke with the boy and Juan says he will take care of him.

Federico talks with Gabriel and Gab want s to know why Fed is being so inquisitive about his boss.

Rod and Fed meet in front of an impressive door and he says he must help Don Fulgencio. This seems to please Rodrigo who must be involved in the smuggling business to enhance his upper class investment activity. Rod says lets go have a coffee which is of course a stronger drink in a brandy snifter. They discuss that perhaps Regina will come to her senses and accept him and reject the convent. Rodrigo opines Ojala this come to pass.

Regina enters her rather opulent convent room which has beautiful pictures candles and lots of niceties . She prays and cries, prays and cries.

Renato looks at a huge diamond ring (the ice) with a jeweler. He does not care what the cost is of this big rock looks like at least 3 carats, He prays all he desires is Aimee will accept his love.

Leo sends Rosenda off and scolds Aimee that she is not to mention Rosario again. She was a traitor to her father and must not be . She hears a voice and says perhaps her father just suffers because of the betrayal of a woman. She thinks a man of the same class is who she should marry and that would be Renato but who she truly loves is the fiery Juan (the fire). She thinks back on the passion.while she does the daisy thing again with Renato or Juan. Renato or Juan she kisses the petals sensually on the Juan petals. the Renato petals drop quietly to the floor. hmmmm.
***

Rodrigo and Federico stroll and see Madam Marlena and her bevy of beauties. He asks them to join him for a little party at the Finca and won’t take no for an answer. The Frenchman finally accepts when Rod says he won’t take no of and answer. Marlena hides behind her fan.
***
Last scene and next time: The villagers sell vegetables and fish while the sombrero one watches from the grass. Maid keeps flowers and remembers that gardenias were found at Rosario's grave. Who could have brought those special flowers.

Juan shares all the money handing it out to the fishermen and the child. he avers he doesn’t need any of it and he is very proud of them. His friend remembers how just and good his father was. too.

Renato has something to say to Aimee and gives her the box I hope you will like it . She starts to protest abut remembers her fathers’ threat of the convent. and she says she cannot go with Juan and passion because she needs the life she is accustomed to. Renato professes his love since he saw her again when she . She doesn’t know what to say. He only wants her to say she will accept, he wants her to want to marry him. We exit to a fiery shirtless Juan. Tomorrow decisions come to a head: passion or position, fresh fish or diamonds, fire or ice. Later we will get to the convent -vs- the fop.

Labels: salvaje

I'm sure my recap won't be as amusing as the one Paula did yesterday. Of course, I don't have as good material. Instead of the mad scientist, we have the consumed-with-guilt scientist and the broccoli rubber band was barely in this episode. On the other hand, we did not have another screaming match with Leo and Cristina so that's a good thing.



This is guilt-stricken Albieri. Dora thanks him for making her baby and Albieri looks stricken. Silvia asks what is the matter and what happened to the other 31 eggs and Albieri looks stricken.






Marisa and Lucas discuss yesterday's kiss. Marisa says that she didn't kiss Lucas because she thought he was Diego. Lucas tells her how he used to pretend that he was Diego and kiss Diego's girlfriends but not her. When Marisa says that she wouldn't have been deceived, Lucas agrees that the women preferred Diego's kisses. Shameless manipulator that she is, Marisa tells Diego that she liked his kiss a lot more; it was passionate, very emotional and tender. It's too bad she got here after Lucas is all happy with Jade.

A guilt-stricken Albieri tells Silvia that there was an accident with the eggs and he asks her to forgive him, then he runs out.

Luisa tells Silvia that she thinks Albieri fell asleep in the lab. Silvia says that she deserves an explanation. Then Luisa does something really stupid. Without asking Albieri, she replaces the picture of his dead fiancee with her picture in the frame on Albieri's desk. Silvia is dubious but Luisa has it all figured out: Albieri went to seminary but lost his faith and then he fell in love with a woman who died and that is why it is hard for him to give his heart. Luisa has convinced herself that Albieri is changing - didn't he propose to her? Silvia can't imagine Albieri in a seminary. She says that he is the biggest atheist (ateo) she has ever met.

Dora tells Vicki that she is sure that she is pregnant. She is going to take of herself and read parenting books so that she will be the best mother in the world.





A guilt-stricken Albieri goes into a church and asks the Lord what he has done.








Leo and Enrique are in a bar with a couple of women. Of all the bars in Miami, Norma is in this one, too. She calls Cristina to let her know. Naturally Cristina has to go there. In vain does Vicki tell her indifference will hurt Leo the most. Cristina is in such a hurry that she won't answer the phone.

It's Jade calling. Latifa points out to her that things aren't working too well with Lucas' plan to marry her - every day it's another excuse. Jade makes more excuses: Lucas is a student; they're waiting for his father to support them; Lucas can't just take any job. Latifa contrasts this with the sacrifice of family and religion that Jade is making. She says that Lucas had better get his act together because Ali is leaving next week and taking Jade with him back to Morocco.



A guilt-stricken Albieri is at home while Luisa tells him not to worry about about the incident with the eggs. She is sure that the embryo implanted in Dora will take. Albieri smiles weakly.











Nariza is the mouth that never stops. She harasses Mohamed to tell her what he said that got Said so worried.













Finally, Mohamed can't take it anymore. He tells her that the problem is that Jade doesn't want to marry Said because she is in love with a Westerner. That shuts her up for a second.






Cristina comes to the bar and sees Leo dancing with another woman. Instead of confrontation, thank God, she decides to make Leo jealous by dancing with and kissing a random guy. Enrique keeps Leo from confronting her and Leo leaves the bar. This is interspersed with flashback by both of them to happier times. Cristina tells Vicki that from now on Leo is dead to her. She will never mention his name again. [We should be so lucky.]




A guilt-stricken Albieri is having dinner with Luisa. She asked how it was that he became an atheist. He says that it was the solitude. It was hard to believe in God when he felt so alone. The doorbell rings. It's Lucas. He wants Albieri to talk to Leo about Islamic customs and why Jade isn't taking advantage of him and why Lucas needs to marry Jade. Albieri agrees. Lucas says that there isn't much time. Ali is taking Jade back to Morocco next week. Albieri is surprised to learn that Ali is in town.



The mouth is still going. Nariza has decided that Ali has come to Miami to get Jade married to Said right away to keep the shame from his family. Nariza is determined that the marriage must not happen and she is going back to Morocco to give Said a piece of her mouth, I mean mind. Latifa is unable to conceal her joy at news that Nazira is leaving, much to Mohamed's annoyance.

Enrique tries to interest Leo in his new girlfriend but he is focused on Cristina.



Lucas is trying to get a job but is not doing too well since he doesn't have the education or experience for the positions he is seeking.









Leo sends for Lucas to come to the office. Lucas complains about always having to do what his father wants and contrasts his experience with Diego who didn't let himself be pushed around. Mama Rosa says that Diego and Leo were exactly the same and they understood each other but Lucas is like his mother - tranquil and calm. She liked music and art. Lucas tries to summon some backbone. He says that if he has to, he will fight with his father. No one will choose his destiny for him.






Albieri finds the photo switch on his desk and lashes out at Luisa. She apologizes and then tells him in a hurt voice where the other photo is and walks out.








Poor Albieri, now he has two things to feel guilty about. Albieri is about to apologize when someone comes into the lab and the opportunity is lost. Albieri gets Dora's address off the computer in Silvia's office and lies to Luisa about that and about where he is going.







The mouth is packing up her stuff to return to Morocco. She tells Jade that lenient people like Ali are not punishing people who violate the customs and this is sending the whole society to hell in a handbasket. Jade escapes from the mouth and sits down next to Ali. Nariza tells Latifa that she will return soon to take care of her brothers. When Ali says that since Nazira is returning to Morocco, the date of Jade's wedding could be moved up, everybody throws cold water on that idea.

A scantily clad woman scandalizes Latifa and Mohamed. The tolerant Ali says that every group of people have their own culture that they think is superior to the others. Nariza takes the opportunity to say that the cultures shouldn't mix. As an example, she says that someone raised in the West couldn't adapt to Moroccan culture. Ali doesn't respond. Everyone but Jade leaves for the airport.

Jade calls Cristina. Cristina says that Lucas won't take her calls. She is sure that it is Leo's fault. Jade arranges to come and talk to Cristina.

Albieri drives to where Dora lives. He meets her on the street but he can't do whatever it was he had in mind. They have a mindless conversation and Albieri pretends that he is looking for an address.

A very glum Said meets Zoraida in the medina. She tells him that Nazira is on her way back to Morocco and that Ali and Jade are coming back the following week. Said refuses her invitation to go home with her for some mint tea that will make him feel better. Zoraida returns home and tells another woman who works in the house that Jade is in love with Lucas. Said is lurking outside the lattice and overhears. He is impactado.





The credits roll.

Labels: clon

Latifa burns the expensive supper and goes to pieces. She blames it on the oven, the pans.. Anything, to keep from collapsing into a heap of weep. Her loving, long-suffering husband Desi says, “No, Lucy, I like my meat well done! (click here)” O algo asi. Actually he promises to pick up dinner at the restaurant every night, so no one will find out. Ali overhears but decides it would be wise to NOT share his wisdom in this situation. I like Ali. But he does suggest to Latifa that they ask Zoraida for some recipes.

Jade, who was supposedly sleeping, walks through the front door, carrying bags, followed by the bigger bag, Nariza. Everyone cringes to see her, but the rest hide it better than Jade. Ali asks her how she got outside, and Jade “dissimilates.” Badly. Ali adds it to his tally of suspicious happenings.

At a bar on the beach, Lucas tells Marisa about how he met Jade, and that he rarely gets to see her because she’s not supposed to leave the house. Marisa speculates that it must be horrible to be involved with someone you never get to see (in contrast to someone like me who is VERY available.). Ahem. He asks about her life: college? Novio? No, she explains, no one has been able to match up to Diego. “But with you everything is wonderful.” Ahem. Lucas suggests they leave and she assumes that her plan is working perfectly. Except that he walks away without waiting for her to join him. She sees she’ll need to ramp it up, She says that if he were Diego they’d… and she kisses him. Not a first kiss kind of kiss. More of the kiss the hero gives the sweet young thing just before she loses her virginity. Lucas’ answer? “Ahem.” So she runs off and Lucas just stands there, perplexed.

I’m trying to figure out what her dress looks like. I know! You know those really thick rubber bands they put around broccoli in the grocery store? Well, I think her dress is made of one of those. Or maybe two. Maybe. But certainly no more than two.

Cut to the lab. Albieri looks through the microscope and considers going through with the cloning. He debates with himself. The demon and the angel, Molly Brown and Molina, sit on his left and right shoulders, urging him to go through with it, or stop. He imagines the glory and fame he’ll get for creating the first human clone. We shall call this scene “Albieri debates.” Whenever I say that in this recap, come back and reread this paragraph since they repeat the same scene.

Luisa is waiting up for Albieri. And waiting. She calls the lab but he doesn’t answer the phone. The distraction breaks his concentration, and he fails to implant Lucas’ DNA in the ovule he’s working on. He gets frustrated, shouts “Arg!”, and wonders if he should give up because he hasn’t got what it takes. We shall call this scene, “Albieri says ‘Arg!’ “ Fortunately he has 32 eggs to work with.

Dora is excited that her baby could already exist. Vicky tells her it’s a locura for a baby to start life inside a refrigerator. She tells Vicky she’ll look at Osvaldo’s picture every day so her baby looks like him. Vicky suggests, “Wouldn’t it be better to look at a papacito like Dr Armando.. Oops! Ricky Martin.”

Albieri says “Arg!” Albieri debates.

I find it interesting, that even though it took years of research and a big team of specialists to clone a sheep in the real world, Albieri is cloning the very first human, all by himself, sleep deprived, timing his procedure with a wristwatch which has five-minute increments, with eggs that were harvested for IVF, not cloning, with skin cells from a possibly cancerous mole, in a Petri dish that has been endlessly jostled as Albieri debates, “to be or not to be,” while he wipes his sweaty brow with his gloved hand, the hand that is doing the procedure. Oops, beanie slipping. Tighten it a little more.

Albieri says “Arg!” Albieri debates.

Leo tells Enrique how difficult his grief is. Enrique says Diego communicated with his friend who is a medium, and said that he’s happy and will soon be reincarnated. Okey-dokey. Leo says Enrique was more sensible back when he was drunk and high.

Albieri succeeds in inserting Lucas’ cells into the egg. He dances around the room triumphantly, shouting, "I made a clone of Lucas!" Visions of Rocky at the top of the steps (click here), shouting victoriously. At this moment in the show, my son walked into the room and asked, “Is that the mad scientist?” You don’t have to be a rocket scientist..

I’m reminded of the priest who ditched church to play golf. St Peter tattled on him, “GOD! Look what he’s doing!”
God: I see it.
Peter: Aren’t you going to do something to punish him?
God: Yes. Watch this.
The priest tees off and gets a hole-in-one.
Peter: GOD! I thought you were going to punish him! You gave him a hole-in-one!
God: Yes. But who can he tell?
Albieri has apparently reached his life’s dream, but he can’t tell anyone.

At Miami’s Little Morocco, Nariza keeps trying to get the upper hand in the conversation, but Ali keeps slapping her down with a velvet glove. Back in Big Morocco, Said is chatting with Abdul about Nariza’s doubts regarding Jade. He assures Abdul, Jade pleases him very much, and he will marry her, regardless of Nariza’s disapproval or anything else. Abdul silently ponders the “anything else” part, but tells Said that if that is his decision, adalante, but he will need to teach his wife how to behave. Abdul says that if there is no grave charge against her, he gives his blessing to the marriage, but he will not permit Jade to bring disgrace to their family.

Rosa reveals why she doesn’t want Lucas to marry Jade - he’ll move far away and they won’t see him anymore.

Nariza barges into Jade’s bedroom and tells Latifa that she made the bed all wrong, and besides, she doesn’t know how to do anything right.

Albieri worships his creation and imagines all the glory he’ll receive. Albieri debates. He concludes that he must destroy this clone. He takes it to the sink to pour it away, debating all the way, but he can’t bring himself destroy his crowning achievement. He procrastinates, “I’ll get rid of it tomorrow.”

It’s 5 AM, and Luisa is still waiting up for Albieri. He’s on the pier, pondering. He gets home and talks to his wife (what a concept!). He asks whether she thinks a human clone might already exist. She reminds him what he said at a conference in Chicago. Human cloning is theoretically possible, but it’s an aberration, because before there was a successful one, there would most likely be many abortions and many babies born with serious birth defects. Albieri rationalizes, what if it was for a really good reason, like a father lost a son and could get him back. (Bite your tongue, Paula.)

Jade and Lucas are on the beach. She warns that Ali will soon take her back to Morocco, and they’ll never see each other again. IOW, what are you waiting for, Buster? Lucas claims that he’s really trying, but gee, shucks, no jobs have fallen into his lap. He mentions going out with Marisa last night, and let’s just say that doesn’t sit well with Jade. Lucas decides maybe he shouldn’t tell Jade about the ignition kiss Marissa gave him. She says she will not tolerate sharing him with anyone. He teases her and they play in the surf.

Luisa brings Albieri his breakfast. He’s curled up, fetal. She’s shocked that he didn’t prepare Dora’s embryos. Albieri tries to blow her off.

Latifa and Ali talk about the situation. Ali is controlling his temper, not giving Jade the punishment she deserves. Latifa pipes up that Jade only thinks about herself, no one else, and Ali agrees. Ali settles on a plan. Westerners have no patience, so if he keeps Jade from seeing him, after awhile he’ll get tired of waiting and forget about her. That Ali, he’s one smart baklava.

Luisa takes a call from Dr Sylvia. She returned early from the conference. Albieri intends to go back to work without sleeping, but he sits down on the bed and falls asleep, and Luisa doesn’t waken him since Sylvia is covering the clinic. She says, “There‘s nothing important you have to do today.” (I did that once. I’d been awake 40 hours, no kidding. I sat down on the bed for just a minute, I didn’t even lie down, and the next thing I knew, it was 14 hours later.)

At the clinic, Sylvia wonders why there is only one embryo, what happened to the others? Just then, Dora arrives for her procedure. Sylvia will proceed with just one.

Cris meets her friends by the pool. Norma can’t wait to echar la chisme, she saw Leo and a buddy out last night, with two hotties. Cris says she’ll find that woman and bust her face. Today Cris is not wearing green eye shadow. Does anyone remember the MASH episode where a practical joker put ink on Col. Potter's binocular eyepieces, so that he got gobs of black ink on his eyelids when he used them? Well, I think Cris borrowed Col. Potter's binoculars.

Leo counsels Lucas, and Ali counsels Jade, that this choice is unwise and they will find love somewhere else. Just then Marisa arrives. She tries to explain to Lucas what happened last night, she felt like she was with Diego. She apologizes and insists that he go to the beach with her, which he does.

Albieri wakes up and is surprised by how late it is. He races through the clinic like OJ at the airport. But I guess OJ was in better physical condition; Albieri arrives too late, just as Sylvia finishes implanting the embryo in Dora. Dora thanks Albieri, “Ya sé que fue usted quien creó a mi hijo.” I know you are the one who created my son.

Labels: clon

Like a warm desert breeze from the west, she enters…a cloud of dark hair, eyes alert for any opportunity to snark, un-corseted bosoms heaving with mirth, fingers poised above the keyboard…she is Keel-haulin' Kat, your Tuesday night recapper!**

First, review: Regina begs Aimee to swear that if she marries Renato, she won't screw around on him--and Aimee's an idiot if she doesn't figure out what this really means.

Rod and Noel are having some guy time at a café. Rod says he has a hard time coming back to the finca because of his memories of Maria del Rosario. A nearby dude named Raul comes over to say hello. He heard that a businessman was on the same boat as Rod, and he's interested in building a casino. Rod loves that idea--it would be a good place for boys' night out. Rod is convinced the owner of the boat must be a total barbarian.

Juan waits impatiently for Aimee.

Aimee waits impatiently for Regina to fall asleep. She keeps replaying Renato's confession of love over and over in her head and crying. Aimee wonders what's upsetting Regina…not because she really cares, just because she wants her to go to sleep so she can get some sweet, savage lovin'.

Clemencia chats with the Virgen. She asks her to give Regina strength to survive Renato being in love with Aimee.

Aimee thought bubbles that her "savage" doesn't know anything about her, or he would have busted in there already. Yeah, he totally would have.

Juan sees a light up in the hills.

A man in a vest and pants tells a man dressed like one of the fishermen that if he doesn't find out who's been stealing from him, the fisherman will pay. Since the man keeps his face in shadow, we don't know who he is.

Aimee makes it down to the beach and Juan grabs her and tells her to be quiet or they'll get caught. He tells her he thought he saw some lights earlier. Aimee pretty much blows him off. Juan starts interrogating her about what took her so long. Aimee, as usual, blames Regina for not going to sleep quickly. Juan jokes, "What sin did she commit that wouldn't let her sleep?" Aimee starts to tell Juan about Regina making her swear, but she's got a short attention span and he's got an unbuttoned shirt. She says she wants to eat him up with kisses. He says a lot of stuff I can't hear because of the surf. They suck face.

Fisherman-looking guy interrogates a bunch of other guys about who took something. One guy looks too shifty and the others figure it was him. First guy says he'll pay, but then a man in a suit walks in. It's Don Fulgencio, of the trampy wife who was making eyes at Renato the other day. Fulgencio stabs a random guy, not the one being accused of stealing.

Aimee is corsetless, but that doesn't hold onto Juan's attention when he sees the light go on up in the hills again. Aimee threatens to leave, and this gets his attention again.

The other dudes carry the dead dude out. It's hard when they don't have names. I guess I could call them the gun runners. Deputy Head Gun Runner comes in and reports to Don Fulgencio that the house nearby appears to be occupied, and there are lights on. Fulgencio gets upset and says he picked this hiding place because that house was vacant. He tells DHGR their interests are in danger.

Madame Marlene is scoping out her new house of ill repute. One of the girls gets very excited about the house having a piano and a stage. She's also excited about not having to pretend to be something she's not anymore. The other two girls agree with her, although…the one who was flirting with Federico on the boat did like that he thought she really was a decent girl. Madame Marlene tells the gals to save the smiles for their new clients because soon they will be starting up the new branch of Madame Marlene's House (London, Paris, Veracruz). The girls bid Madame a good night, laughing all the while at their imitation of decent ladies. Madame Marlene wonders what Rosenda's life must be like.

Noel and Rod come home and hand their hats to Rosenda. Rod gets an eyeful and acts like he might like to have more than that. When she leaves, he asks Noel who she is. When he finds out, he thought bubbles that she's the daughter of the woman who stole his coins.

Regina wakes up sweating and gasping. She notices that Aimee isn't in bed. She wonders where she would have gone at this hour.

Aimee, now dressed, but not bothering to put her corset back on, has a moonlit walk on the beach with Juan. Juan is very curious to know what was going on earlier with Regina. He comments that the two of them are so very different. Aimee wants him to quit talking about Reggie. Ha! About time you got to know what it feels like! Aimee would rather he talk about himself. For example, why did he decide to call himself "Juan del Diablo." He doesn't care for the question. He confesses that he is originally from Veracruz. Aimee asks what he does for a living, and says he looks like a fisherman. Juan says that's enough questions from her. He needs to know if she's talked to her dad yet, what her name is, where she lives. Aimee won't tell him where she lives or he'll show up and cause a scandal. Juan wants her to swear that no one and nothing can separate them. Aimee whines for him to let her go because he's hurting her. She says he's "her" savage. They suck face some more. He says he's going on a trip tomorrow, for something important that will keep him away for a while, but he'll be back soon. He will tell her that it's not another woman. Aimee wants to know what the big mystery of his life is. He says someday, she'll know. Aimee says she can't come see him early to say goodbye. Juan won't let her go without promising she will, so she does. Juan says he'll be waiting for her and Aimee agrees they'll see each other on the beach. Juan keeps pulling her back for more kisses.

Juan walks the beach in his proto-Speedo the next morning while the fishermen tell him to hurry up and ask who he's waiting for. Juan finally gives up waiting and starts swimming for the boat. One of the fishermen says the boat doesn't have a name. While swimming, Juan says they'll name the boat…Osmel? Like the guy who's one of the judges on Nuestra Belleza Latina? I guess I'll have to wait for them to paint the name on the side to find out.

Regina comes downstairs and tells Renato and Aimee that she won't be going out with them, since she'd rather stay and take some photos. Aimee rolls her eyes and says, "let's go, already," and Renato lets himself be pulled along. Regina watches them and cries.

Aimee and Renato ride horses and chat.

Regina takes pictures of a worker in the fields. Aimee and Renato end up where Regina is and Regina gets caught crying by Remigio.

Gabriel goes to see Noel and tells him that he's the agent of Santiago's son. He says that he's in town, but is busy doing Rod's daughter. No, he says he's busy with other matters right now. He asks Noel not to inform Mr. Montes de Oca until all three of them are able to meet FACE TO FACE. He says it in a menacing way, like Noel should be shaking in his boots.

Jimena gives Gypsy Dearest a bunch of money that she earned telling fortunes. Gypsy Dearest says she'd better get back out there and get some more money or GD will turn her over to the knife throwing guy.

Rod toasts to the future happiness of the couple--Regina and Federico. Everyone else joins in the toast but Regina. Rod says they've got to pick a date. Regina interrupts him and says she's been telling him since the boat that she won't marry Fed. She announces that since Rod threatened her with the convent, she's decided to go join up of her own free will and no one or nothing will make her change her mind. She says she'd rather be a nun than marry someone she doesn't love. Everyone sits there with their mouths hanging open as we go to commercials.

When we get back, Rod asks her what she's on about. Reggie says she'd rather go to a convent than be shackled to someone for life that she doesn't love. Rod says love doesn't exist, it's nothing more than the worst pain a person can inflict on another. Regina asks if there was someone in his life who didn't return his love. Rod slaps her and really freaks out the rest of the family, as if they weren't freaked out enough already. Rod says she will marry Fed, because he says so. Regina acts like she's about to say something, but doesn't get it out before everyone sits back down. Then she says she won't marry Federico and leaves the dining room.

Regina runs upstairs and kneels at the foot of her bed. She prays to God to give her peace and let her into his house so that the pain in her heart can be healed and her love for Renato can end. She asks for her heart to be cleaned of human love. She wants to devote her life to helping others in His name.

Rodrigo declares that Regina won't get her way. He's going to go talk to her right away and if he has to, he'll drag her in to the wedding! Leonarda agrees with him and says if he doesn't put his foot down now, she's going to get completely out of hand. Oh, shut up, Leo. Rodrigo says he can't believe this is happening when all he wants is to make sure she's happy and he's convinced that Federico is the best man for her. Federico says Rod's doing him a favor. Rod says he's going to go upstairs right now and talk to her. Noel asks him to wait until he calms down and asks if he can talk to Regina for Rod. Rod agrees. Rod is a brainless idiot. Does it not occur to him to wonder what kind of man would put up with all this drama instead of saying "You know what, there are plenty of other girls in this town and I don't need to be stuck with your daughter!" Why does he not find it suspicious that Fed seems to have a total lack of pride and is willing to marry someone who doesn't want him. If he's such a good catch, shouldn't he have some other prospects lined up?

Regina kisses her medal of the Virgin and says goodbye to Renato. She says she's made this decision for him. Noel comes in and Regina hugs him and cries.

Rodrigo apologizes to Fed for the scene and the humiliation. Fed says Regina is just confused, but she'll end up loving him. His love for her is so great that he's willing to do anything for her. Yuck. Rod hugs him. Rod walks Fed to the door and tells him not to be a stranger.

Jimena plies her wares in the town square and sees Gabriel. Gabriel tries to get away, but Jimena recognizes him and tells him he met a girl on a boat and he'll see her again. Gabriel asks where and when and Jimena gives him a meaningful look and says she's closer than he thinks. Gabriel, however, would like GPS coordinates to his dream girl. Jimena whispers in his ear "I can't tell you" and runs off. Gabriel looks at his hand and smiles.

Federico gets driven home and says to himself that he needs some help and there's only one person who can help him.

Fed goes to visit Don Fulgencio, but Don F isn't available. His wife, however, is. She reminds him of when they used to go out. Don F comes in while they're standing just a little too close together. Fed says he's got to talk to Don F right away.

Leonarda tells Rod to hurry up and whip Reggie into shape. Rod thinks he should just let her join a convent and she'll be begging to come back and marry Fed inside of a day.

Aimee has her medal of the Virgen pinned right under her cleavage. She claims that she's never taken it off since Renato gave it to her. Dumbass is probably going to believe it, too. Renato is happy to hear it. He says he's pretty upset about Regina's attitude. Aimee tells him that Regina is "caprichosa"(impulsive) and "voluble" (fickle). Renato doesn't think so. He always thought she was sweet and obedient. He can understand her feelings about not wanting to marry Fed if she's in love with someone else. Aimee says that someone must be someone from Spain, who she's never going to see again anyway, so she ought to just marry Fed like Daddy wants.

Noel begs Regina to please confide in him and he'll never tell anyone. Regina says she's completely in love with another man, but he chose someone else and that's why she'd rather not be around him so that he can be happy with the woman his heart chose. She wants him to be happy, even if he's not with her.

Renato is surprised that Aimee's never had a boyfriend and never been in love. Yes, Renato, and she's also the owner of a very famous bridge that you can buy from her for a low, low price. Aimee says she was at an all-girls' school with very strict rules and besides, daddy would never let her date anyone. Daddy watches the two of them talking together with an inscrutable expression. Aimee says that her heart still doesn't know what love is. Renato says she has a clean, pure soul and any man would fall at her feet. Aimee says she'd love to hook up with that guy. She'd really like to know love.

Oh, they named the ship Lusbel. Beautiful light?

Fulgencio says Fed's in some financial trouble. Fed says he's desperate. Fully asks what he'd be willing to do for money. Fed will do anything Fully orders him to. So Fully says they'll meet tomorrow and he'll send word about the time and place. "Thanks, I owe you one!" says Fed. Doña F comes in pretending not to know who Fed is and asking about him. Fulgencio says he's a guy from Europe who needed some help.

Rod tells Noel to just let her go to a convent. Noel says all Regina wants right now is not to get married, so can't Rod cut her some slack and let her pick her own guy? Well, Rod's not into all that hippie dippie free love crap, so it's his way or the convent!

The fishermen pull up empty nets. Juan says they won't go back until they have a decent catch, but then he agrees to stop so they can rest and eat.

Regina comes to Rod's office. Rod says that Noel has told him that she's determined to disobey him. He'll respect her decision and she can join the convent, but before…he wants them to visit her mother's tomb, as a family. Regina says she'll go get ready. Leonarda walks in and Rod tells her that they're going to Constanza's tomb. He grabs Leo's wrist and says she'd better not mention Maria del Rosario's name ever again. The past is past and he wants no more uncomfortable questions.

The fishermen, with their two measly fish, come back to shore to cook said fish. Juan thought bubbles, "This is my home. My home. This is me." He says he should honor his land, but to do so he needs to revenge the death of his parents.

The family go to their mausoleum. There are gardenias on Maria del Rosario's tomb, which freaks Leonarda right out. Though, I can't understand why Rod would be worried about her not saying the name again if her grave is right next to Constanza's. Leo blames Clemencia, but she says she only leaves wildflowers there. Rod cryptically says that MdR was well-loved as an explanation for the flowers. Reggie kneels at her mother's tomb and says she's really missed her mother. Renato looks troubled. Aimee is sauntering in as if there's someone there for her to seduce…sure, yeah, you pick up the best men at mausoleums. Reggie continues, saying she has the emptiness of not having a mother. Aimee sees the name "Maria del Rosario" and thought bubbles that she's the woman who died for love. Aimee wonders how it all went down. Leonarda thought bubbles that if Constanza could rise from the grave, she'd point Leo out as her murderer. "Good thing the dead don't talk." Leo thinks, "Maria del Rosario…no one knows that's an empty tomb. No one suspects I've kept you locked up, more dead than alive, and that's how you'll stay for the rest of your days!"

The mute woman tries to feed Maria del Rosario. MdR refuses the food, but tells the mute woman that she's grateful for the care. She realizes the other woman isn't talking because she doesn't know how. She says she'll teach both the woman and her child how to talk since he doesn't know how to talk either.

Juan and the fishermen are on the beach. Juan is looking for the star that is his mother, but he can't find it. The fishermen say that she was such a fine woman, she could be any of those stars. Juan says that being a Montes de Oca, she did the worst thing possible--falling in love with a fisherman like his dad. It hurts that he's never seen the face of his mother. He says he never would have survived without Remigio. He owes him for his life, but he doesn't know where he is right now. Juan thinks they need a bigger crew for the boat. They bust a kid stealing their fish and chase him down. Juan jokes that they'll eat the kid instead, but he's got to be properly cooked. Well, at least we think he's joking.

Regina is in the convent. She's all covered up…well, slightly more than usual, anyway…and praying to God to heal her pain.

Tomorrow: Renato buys an engagement ring; Aimee has to make a difficult choice, poor thing.

**The narrator cracks me up. I highly suggest you make up your own Narrator-esque introduction and use it to preface a comment.

Labels: salvaje

From yesterday: Rafa spits the too-sweet coffee in the janitor's face, ugh. He goes home and sees the funereal faces - finds out Marco called, crowing that tomorrow they'll be out on the street. "You haven't complied, he said, so you'll go to jail." Vicki squeals: "We'll NEVER get married!"

• Rafa, betrayed, tells Jaime about the lovely apology Ale made this very same night: "She touched me - right here - I can still smell her - she congratulated me - her pearly smile..." he flashes back to the great time they had at the wedding... He tells Jaime how close he came to kissing her, but he didn't dare... "I thought she'd stopped hating me, but I'm an imbecile! But she'll hear from me tomorrow!"
  
  
• Marco's night out on the town with Ale is tepid at best. She's mad at him. She will only drink water, and since she says it's bad luck to toast with water, there will be no toasts. He gets crabby about her drinking with Medina - she says it was business-related and points out: he, Marco, gets drunk with the uber-important Urdiales all the time and calls it business.
  
  And speak of the devil, in walks Urdiales himself. Marco is mortified and hides behind his menu. He wants to leave. Ale is surprised he doesn't say hello - and asks him, several times, to introduce her to Urdiales.
  
  Marco wants the check, but Ale wants dessert! He has another whiskey. She stares at him. He goes to the cloak room where Urdiales is getting ready to leave and makes like a starry-eyed fan asking for an autograph. "It would mean so much to me if you'd come by our table and say hi!" Urdiales does so but very perfunctorily and walks away.
  
  Ale: "He wasn't very friendly." Marco: "I've told him he must respect my private space." Suddenly she wants to go home.
  
  
• Ale fell asleep in the car and dreamed of the fiesta. When Marco stops the car at her house, she tells him not to get out and gives him a cool peck of a kiss. In her bedroom, she grins at her bouquet (from the wedding) and hugs it as she goes to sleep and she dreams...
  
  ... that she (in a really hot scarlet dress and no neck brace) is helped out of a limousine by Rafa and taken into a very expensive restaurant and he is all urbane and orders expensive wine, and tells her he loves her, and he loves her dad too, and they kiss... Ale smiles in her sleep...
  
  
• Rafa tosses in his bed, furious, calling her a witch, a false friend, but then sleeps and dreams...
  
  ... that she (in an apron) is cooking nice greasy comida tipica for him and his mother and sister, and they kiss... he smiles in his sleep.
  
  
• The phone rings and wakes up Rafa's mother - it's Alejandra! "He's not here, he left for the office."
  
  
• Rafa is cleaning out his cubicle, he doesn't want to leave anything behind. Ale is close behind. She can't get a word in edgewise, he is furious and shouting. "What did you do? Where will my family go? Will the police come for me in front of them, for the whole world to see? Nobody has the right to make my mother cry! How would your mother like that?" "My mother is dead." This slows him down for a minute, but his ire returns, he tells he has to get home to spend a few hours with his family before he's taken to jail.
  
  
• Ale calls Marco and rips him a new one. "How could you call his mother and torture her? I would never have permitted that!" He is eating in bed and doesn't think much of her complaints - he's on top of it and "doesn't feel the need to tell her every detail." Ale: "Leave Rafa's family in peace!" "You are defending this animal?" "In future, you must consult me first!"
  
  Marco tells Chavez, who is really pissed, because he had a client ready to pounce on the property.
  
  
• Rafa painstakingly writes his letter of renunciation, which veers from austere to poetic: "I was like a bird shattered against a window..."
  
  He takes the letter to Ale who calmly says she will not accept a hand-written letter, he must quit correctly! it must be typed, and in Arial not Times Roman. He has never used a computer so it takes him a mighty long time to type out the first few words, using just one finger... He gets a call from Vicki, who is happy, she has discovered they can get married BEFORE he goes to jail!
  
  
• All the salespeople come in. Marino has had his henchman (Moustache) complain to Susana that he already has all the microwaves, televisions, and miniature refrigerators he can use (these are the prizes for "Salesman of the Month") so can't she come up with something different?
  
  So Susanna shows up with a bicycle. Marino calls his son, who reports that school is going well, and he gave the bribe to his math teacher as Marino had proposed. "Son, I have a brand new bike as Salesman of the Month and I'm giving it to you!" "Great, dad, I already have a client for it, a guy who's menso (is this like from MENSA the organization for nerdy smart people? does it really mean dumb?) and has lots of money. "I sold him my sandwich, I told him it was ham and cheese but it was really pork, hahaha! I'll make him give me a cash advance for the bike!" Marino: "Make sure you get a 50% premium." He hangs up and says "my boy is such a genius!"
  
  
• So Ale calls the sales meeting. Rafa says he's not coming, he has nothing to do with this now, but Ale says until he comes up with an acceptable letter of resignation he is still her employee. Long story short, she gives the figures for the month: The professor in last/ninth place (applause); Rosaura in 8th place; Moustache in 7th place; Claudia in 6th place; Dandy is #5, Jimenez is #4 ("4th place? they'll kick me out of the house, dios mio!") and the Marxist is #3.
  
  Marino is ready to receive his customary accolades, but no, Medina is Salesman of the Month. Hugs and congratulations all round. His face says he doesn't know what to think.

Labels: dinero

Alright you guys, enough! It's a good thing dear, sweet, lovable little Tano reappeared on my watch. I'm not going to savage him the way some of you heartless- forever- to -remain- nameless folks have. Nopis. Throwing down the gauntlet.

Still, Tanecito wasn't a real big part of the action tonight. Most of the drama centered around three main couples: Mauricio/Monita; Connie/Beto; and Ximena/Rolu. Isabel was a lethal bit player, working around the edges continuing to slowly drip poison into every relationship Monita has ever had. There was our usual assortment of hilarious bits, combined with chilling deceptions.....all part of the Gancho ecosystem, as Carlos says. Never a dull moment.

We start the episode with a little ex-marital spat. Jacqui's still steamed about Marcos' infidelities....and with such naco types! He dismisses it as ancient history, and to drive the shaft in even deeper, adds that their marriage was doomed to failure practically from the moment they exchanged "argollas"(rings). Jeez, Marcos, would it have hurt to say you'd only loved Jacqui and the rest were just passing fancies? Guess not. But our pro gets her revenge. She knows about Marcos' plans to change the custody agreement but will only keep her mouth shut if he gives over (dinero...what were you thinking?) and a fancy dinner at an even fancier restaurant. Round I to Jacqui.

Beto, meanwhile, is planning a cut-rate Mauricio seduction of Connie, who's intensely training at the gym. He can't hoist her in his arms, so he carries her off piggyback. There's no lush park outside, so he drags her off to a scrubby little wasteland. And they step in dog doo. But hey, he's brought doves of peace. DOVES OF PEACE!!!DOVES OF PEACE!!!. Finally, Costeño releases the little buggers who promptly drop more doo-doo. On Connie's shoulder and Beto's forehead. It's a pooporama. But she laughs. And he apologizes. And they kiss. And it's absolutely great. Both tender and passionate.

The end.

Oh man, I wish the episode had stopped right there but it didn't.

Here's what else happened. Jeronimo, in addition to dismissing Rolu as a pathetic er..."twit", goes on to give him some truly deplorable love advice. You had Ximena in the palm of your hand when you despised her and mistreated her, says big bro'. Dump this corny, pleading approach and go back to being a brute with her. She'll fall for you all over again. Rolu appears to be giving this deep thought.

Mientras tanto, tender smooching and a few ant bites later, Beto and Connie have completely reconciled. He's happy to be back in her thrall, especially since she frightened off the friendly dog that was scaring him. "Domar a las bestias, tu eres domadora"he gasps, entranced. And our favorite dominatrix proceeds to do a number on him, resulting in his eventual agreement to help her train for her boxing bout with Monita. Ay Beto, how little we knew thee.

Meanwhile, a telenovela staple: Our main couple, heartbroken, apart and distraught, amble down Memory Lane, complete with sound track. For Monita: the clown skit, her Charlie Chaplin number, slow, sexy dancing with Furia Enmascadora in the ring. For Mauricio: Romantic evening in Meridia saying "te amo"in indigenous lingo, cruising on the love boat while pink flamingos swirl about , and our personal favorite, hot lovin' in the cenote. Told ya' water scenes were all about passion. She's crying; he's gloomy. It's so sad. Breaking up is hard to do.

So thank God we have a comedy scene with Beto. The money wasn't enough to cover mariachis (who were off-key anyway) so he had to settle for a serenade from Costeño and some luchadores. They're off-key as well...but cheaper. Kudo's to Connie on this one. She's horrified, she's trying not to laugh or not to hurl. Grimacing wildly, biting her lip, chewing her fingers. Fortunately Beto interprets this as a sign of passion. Hilarious scene.

On to the vecindad and poisoned apple Isabel. She's snagged Estrella (In another mismatched outfit. Liked the top but not with the leggings) and is running her devoted mama number on her. Estrella listens, wide-eyed, then jumps up and applauds the acting. Really, she could learn a lot from Isabel! What skill! Almost had her believing it. Let me take some tips from you, lady, çause you really know how to bring it. And out goes Estrella. Leaving Isabel looking mega-lethal. Methinks our pregnant little actress doesn't have long to live, with a look like that. Scary, scary, scary. ( As a child I had nightmares after seeing Snow White and the Wicked Queen. Think I may have some more nightmares tonight.)

Our lovers Connie and Beto are finally back ringside, dreamily reminiscing about the first time they did the deed....in the ring, where else? And she's all over him now that he's agreed to be her trainer. Heck, if I'd known you'd be that grateful, I'd had offered earlier, smiles Beto. Not good. Not good.

Okay. Here it comes. Certain people may want to skip this paragraph. It's about you know who. He's reassuring Estrella that she did the right thing canceling the wedding. Aldo needs to grow up some more. When he does, he'll understand it was for the best. Mebbe so, but Estrella's still worried about her little cub.

And well she should be. He's back at the drug lair and his supplier is no longer Santa Claus. He wants money, he wants Oscar and if he doesn't get both, he wants revenge. No drugs for Aldo but trouble a'plenty.

Okay. More of my favorite guy. He's suggesting a funny movie to lift Estrella's spirits. She's not in the mood, but Paula invites herself along( once she sees Christian arriving ) Off she trots, arm in arm with Tano, while our distraught policeman gears up for Operativo Cuernos Paula. We're rollin'. Tano and Paula are gaily traipsing through the mall with Christian in glum pursuit. Once he has to pose like a mannequin to avoid detection. Then forced to crouch behind a woman with a large popcorn bucket, crawl underneath, lurch into the movie theatre, watch in horror (and through binoculars) as our pair share popcorn, giggles and ye gods! Tano appears to have put his arm across the back of Paula's chair. What new intimacies await!? Next episode.

Meanwhile, Isabel is weaving her spell with Monita. She's overheard the conversation between Estrella and Moni in the courtyard and knows that her daughter has broken up with Mauricio. Again, that lethal look. But it all changes in an instant when Monita enters her room. Tender, compassionate, warm motherly love and understanding await. Isabel knows something is wrong. A mother always does, you know. Little by little, she coaxes what she already knows out of Monita and pretends to reassure her that true love will win in the end. (But not if Mom has anything to do with it!) Then she gently probes for details on Monita's friendship with Estrella. Really tight, right? Like uña y mugre (thick as thieves). How wonderful. Isabel's so happy she has a good friend like that. (not!) And now excuse her, she just has to go out for a minute. The reason? to talk to someone about renting the house in Moreleon. We'll soon see that it's actually for some skullduggery with arch-evil Connie, but why rush into that part?

Let's check back with hermanos de alma, Mauricio and Beto. Our naco galan can't wait to share all the juicy details of his pigeon poop reconciliation with Connie. Her fleshy lips, her waves of hotness, her...Mauricio's looking nauseated...okay, on to the bottom line. He's agreed to be her trainer for the boxing match. Now Mauricio's looking outraged, furious...or at least trying to. Beto outlines his plan. He's not working against Monita; in fact he's going to persuade Connie, little by little, that she's outmatched and should give up the whole idea of a fight. Mauricio knows her better. She's "terca"(stubborn) and relentless. She'll never change. For once, Mau's looking like the smarter of the two.

Now, back to the dark side. Connie, ravishing in a well-fitted, scoop-necked black sheath, silvery rose at neckline, silverly earrings in her lovely lobes (there! are ya' happy, Carlos?) is hatching up some hellish plans with Isabel. They exchange a few insults before Isabel drops the happy bomb that Mau and Monita are broken up for good.

And speaking of insults, Rolu has taken Jerry's advice to heart and once Ximena arrives home, he's on her case, yelling, berating, insulting, demeaning and....oh no, tell me it isn't true...seemingly winning back Ximena's mixed up heart. After that barrage of abuse, she's suddenly thinking he looks more attractive than ever. Not that Rolu hears this. He's literally tuned her out by turning on his ipod and rocking out to the music. Let's hope Arny clears up this misunderstanding soon. Poor Ximena!

And poor Monita! Really ugly plans are afoot as Isabel lays out her plan and her need for Connie's alliance. Long slow windup. Connie wants to win the bout, right? But Monita's a national champion. No chance. Unless she joins with Isabel in her guerilla warfare. Okay. Losing's not an option so Connie's on board. What's the deal? Beto and Nieves are an enormous problem. You must keep Beto away from Monita. That's Job One. Estrella's also an obstacle. But I'll destroy her, concludes Isabel.

Said Beto is indeed with Monita and trying to make her see the light, but it's futile. How could she break up with Mauricio?! And why do you suppose all the people who love you are warning you about your perfidious (okay, he didn't say that!) mother? Connect your hormones! (I think he was supposed to say Connect your neurones. But that's Beto for you.) Figure it out! I'm not gonna shut up. Even if you try and beat me up. No use. Moni won't stand for any such talk about her mama. And no way will she ever accept Connie as her half-sister or Marcos as her father. Punto. Beto makes one last try. Marcos has to be a great guy. Look at what he created. Two luscious, sexy, gorgeous, adorable women. Hey, he's another Leonardo da Vinci. An artist! Not like that wicked Snow White of a mother you've got. Still no headway. She thinks his love for la Momia has made him blind and stupid. He thinks her love for her mother has had the same effect. Okay. Enough. He heads out. Brotherly advice over. But think about it.

Meanwhile, la Momia and Wicked Witch are still sparring. Connie is chuckling at the plan Isabel has outlined. Our cobra is suprised...didn't know Constanza had a sense of humor. Imagine! a woman like Connie, eaten up with rancor, can still laugh. Sure, Connie can laugh. But let's get one thing straight. She's on board for the plan but no messing with Beto, leave him alone. My, how you defend him, Isabel coos. Is it love? Aren't you suffocated by his stench? Keep him out of my way, she adds, or I''ll send him back to you, embalmed and in a coffin. And by the way, Oscar sends his regards. He has a few asuntos pendientes with you. Dulces sueños. Connie's smile fades as Isabel's widens. And there we end.

Previews:
Aldo and Oscar are meeting. Aldo's threatening to spill the beans about the country house, Lorenza and Salvador unless Oscar helps him. Oscar threatens him back.
The lawyer, Marcos and Mauricio meet in order for our galan to regain custody of his children. Mauricio smiles!

Vocabulary:
un dechado de perfecciones, de virtudes = a paragon of virtues
argollas = rings (as in wedding rings)
se hizo en mi brazo = he (it) pooped on my arm
me van a reventar los timpanos = they're going to bust my eardrums (Constanza, appreciating
the luchador mariachi serenade
ni pichas ni cachas ni dejas batear = you don't take a stand. Estrella, criticizing Christian for his reluctance to commit to Paula
capcioso= cunning, artful (Arny, talking about Rolu)
metiendo las patotas = messing up (Beto talking to Monita)
asuntos pendientes = unfinished business
dulces sueños = sweet dreams
domar a las bestias = dominate (train) animals
domadora =dominatrix
uña y mugre = lit. nail and dirt....thick as thieves
terca = stubborn
Operative Cuernos Paula = Cheatin'Paula Mission

Dicho of the Day
Nunca está más oscuro que cuando va a amanecer.
It's always darkest before the dawn.
And things look dark indeed for our little Monita. But fear not, it's a telenovela. There's gotta be a happy ending.

Labels: gancho