Friday, April 09, 2010
Dinero #60, 4/9/10: Leaving on a Jet Plane
Vicky sics her hermanos on Rafa and blocks him from the door.
The beauty salon is buzzing when an Italian man wanders in and speaks a mixture of Italian and Spanish (Italish...) He’s in Mexico in hopes of becoming the next Andrea Bocelli.
Ale promises Jorge and Rosario she’ll call them once she gets to Playa Estrella. She tells Marco that Beltran is forcing her to go on the business trip with Rafa. He is not happy but Ale says it’s the only way to end all their problems; once Rafa makes the sale, his debt to her will be all cleared up. Marco is still steamed and pulls a puppy-dog face about their second hotel date being cancelled.
Rafa limps out of his room with Vicky clutching his leg. She eventually gets up and squeezes Rafa, refusing to let him go. Leonor tries to pry Vicky off but it’s useless. Rafa gets a call from Ale; she’s already on her way to the airport. Rafa swears he’s on his way. Just then, Vicky’s hermanos start banging on the front door.
Rafa manages to squirm out of Vicky’s grip, leaving her a squealing mess on the floor. He grabs his luggage and hides as Leonor opens the front door. The hermanos flood into the room and hurry to Vicky’s side. Rafa darts out the door while they’re preoccupied. Leonor tries to stop them as they ravage the house looking for Rafa.
At the airport, Ale is anxious because Rafa hasn’t arrived. Marco doesn’t understand the worry. Why can’t she close the deal without him? “Because he knows the people and has all the contacts!” Marco claims Ale is still entitled to the commission but Ale says the money is going to end up hers anyway. She can take care of her own problem and can’t wait until Rafa is out of her life.
Rafa grabs a cab but the street is completely gridlocked. It’s beginning to look hopeless until Rafa sees a guy weaving through traffic on a motorcycle. Rafa offers to pay the guy to give him a ride to the airport; he has got to get there because he’s going on a trip with the love of his life. (Aw.) The guy agrees, helps Rafa put on a helmet, and they speed off.
Susana is on the phone making a reservation for Ale’s business trip. Dandy comments on how alone the two of them are but Susana is busy on the phone with a hotel on Playa Estrella. Dandy is thrilled by the idea of a hotel on the beach for the two of them but Susana sets him straight. She gets back to work but Dandy makes it difficult by continually bugging her.
Just as Ale is about to lose it, Rafa sprints into the lobby. She begs the clerk to let them board the plane. The clerk says it’s too late. Ale explains they have a huge business deal on the line. When that doesn’t work, Ale lays down a threat. “If you don’t let us through, you are going to be responsible for a murder because I am going to kill him and take the pieces with me in my luggage.” (Lol)
Marco shouts at Rafa for being so irresponsible but Rafa says he had trouble at home. Ale keeps begging and turns on some fake sobs. The clerk finally relents and starts to process Rafa’s ticket. Marco warns Rafa that if he fails, he has no idea how much it’s going to cost him. Rafa remembers seeing Marco smooching a hoochie and tries to say something but Ale rushes him away from the counter.
Marco tells Ale to call him if Rafa steps out of line; he has several police contacts. Rafa isn’t fazed. Marco suddenly remembers being “attacked” by a man with a pen and wonders if it could have been Rafa.
Leonor is furious at Vicky for being so foolishly jealous. Vicky cries that even though Ale hates Rafa, she still can’t stand the thought of her Pajarito alone with another woman. Leonor says she’s crazy. (Hahaha!) The hermanos stampede into the room and vow to get Rafa when he comes back. Leonor grabs a nearby cucumber and threatens to call the police on the hermanos, even Vicky, if they pull something like this again. The brothers promise to make Rafa pay in blood but Leonor says they’ll have to go through her first. (All right, Leonor!!)
Jaime and Julieta get mixed into the fray and Jaime tries to reason with the hermanos. Bigger brother picks him up by the shirttail and ends that pretty quickly. Finally, Don Gaston arrives and wants to know what the hell is going on. He makes his hijos put Jaime down. Leonor, cucumber in hand, explains the entire ridiculous situation to Gaston.
Vicky cries to her padre about Rafa leaving with his jefa but he tells her to knock it off. “Stop being so stupid, Vicky! Think like a mature woman. A man has to be respected in business. Rafa is a working man and if you’re going to marry him, you have to learn to respect him.” Vicky is silent, at last.
Leonor then tells Gaston about his hijos threatening to beat Rafa. Gaston can’t believe his sons would spew threats in a woman’s house. He sarcastically calls them brave and muy machos. Gaston slaps the both of them for being so pigheaded (all right!) and yells at them and Vicky to get home pronto.
Gaston apologizes and tells Leonor if they do anything like this again, go ahead and call the police. He’ll come running to give them a good kick in the pants. Gaston asks Leonor to talk to Rafa; he doesn’t like to see his daughter cry and just wants her to be respected.
Rafa and Ale board the plane and Rafa is fascinated by everything. “It’s like a bus with wings!” He had no idea what the inside of a plane looked like and Ale teases him for it.
Rafa is surprised they can make phone calls in the plane and pulls out his cell phone. He sits on the arm of Ale’s seat and she’s disgusted pushes him off. “What? I bathe.” Rafa sits in his seat and calls Leonor. Ale “reads” a magazine as a cover for her obvious eavesdropping.
Leonor tells Rafa about how Don Gaston solved the commotion and there’s nothing for him to worry about. Rafa gushes about how amazing it is inside the plane and Leonor is happy for him. He tells her to take care of his hermana while he’s gone, which makes Ale smile.
A voice-over on the plane says to turn off all electronics and Rafa talks back to the voice. Ale lets him know he doesn’t have to reply.
Chucho wanders the Hacienda grounds very late at night. An owl hoots and there are sounds of footsteps in the distance. Sure enough, Chucho finds footprints in the mud and thinks it’s a ghost. He runs off screaming for help.
Martin takes Dolores out on a date. He orders a beer for himself and the finest wine for Dolores. He demands to hear some music and the waiter guarantees he has some music they will like. The two of them chat and flirt until loud opera music spoils the mood. The waiter (I think he’s the Italian from the beauty shop) is bellowing a song from behind the bar.
Dandy tries way too hard to get Susana to go out with him. She does agree to let him take her home. Marino has a sleazy smile and hands Dandy a packet of condoms, just in time for two ladies to notice them holding the packet at the same time. The ladies giggle and the guys scatter.
The waiter promises to change the music and Martin continues charming Dolores. He’s very proud of how the dance turned out and wants to redecorate the trancazo. Dolores asks to know more about him. Martin was married, willingly divorced, and claims to have fallen in love at first sight with Dodo. They chat some more and Martin thoughtbubbles something but I couldn’t get a good translation.
Gaston tells Vicky to go to her room; he doesn’t want to hear anymore from her. She cries that he’ll never hear anything from her again and slams the bedroom door behind her. The hermanos are still out for Rafa’s blood and plan on getting him no matter what their padre said.
Dolores and Martin’s date comes to a screeching halt when Dolores’ chair breaks from underneath her. She lands on the floor hard and gets up with a better understanding of how her customers feel.
Leonor offers a solid piece of advice: a passionate love may seem attractive but it isn’t strong enough to last very long. A sincere and noble love is one that will last a lifetime.
Rafa asks the flight attendant if he can open a window because he’s claustrophobic. Ale is mortified and laughs it off as though Rafa were telling a joke. Poor Rafa had no idea the windows can’t be opened on an airplane.
Once the attendant leaves, Ale rounds on him for asking such silly questions. Rafa sticks to his guns; he only wanted to open the window for a little air like on buses and cars. It makes total sense to him. Rafa is horrified when Ale tells him airplanes don’t have lights like cars. “How do they see to take off?!” Ale explains that they have instruments to help them see.
Rafa bites his nails nervously but Ale tells him not to worry. (Though she is enjoying watching him squirm.) The flight attendant tells Rafa to buckle his seatbelt and Ale reaches over to do it for him. Rafa jumps, fidgets, and makes it all around awkward. (It’s a lot better to see than read about. Very funny little moment!)
Labels: dinero
El Clon, Fri, April 9- We finally move forward in time but the plot - not so much
She heads for the Ladies with Dora and Vicki right behind. She vows that she will make Leo regret what he has done. She will get married (me caso). "But Cristina," says Dora, "you already got married (ya te casaste)." "What have I done!" she wails.
Although Leo is assaulted with flashbacks as he drives home from the wedding, he says that he has finally freed himself from Cristina.
Now we move forward 3 years indicated by Daniel changing from the little Aztec baby as they call him over on TW to an older child. Albieri has been spoiling the child rotten for the last three years so that, as her mother predicted, he doesn't want to be with Dora, he wants to be with 'his father.' [What happened to Julio's concern that Dora be told the truth?]
Latifa has finally gotten pregnant. As usual when Mohamed is deeply moved, he refers to himself in the third person.
Mohamed says that their baby will be born in Morocco. They will go immediately. The happy news reaches Morocco. Nariza pretends to be happy for Latifa. This news gives her less to complain about and diminishes her status in the family. Said tells Jade that the only thing alloying the happiness of the news is that she isn't carrying his baby.
Mohamed distributes food to what appears to be total strangers in celebration of the news. [Mohamed and Latifa are really a cute couple and about the only sympathetic characters in the novela.]
Joy and celebration reign as Mohamed and Latifa return to Ali's house except for Nariza, appropriately dressed in black, who says that the baby had better be a boy.
Up in her room, Latifa tells Jade that the child will be a boy, named Mohamed. She tells Jade that she is very happy and asks Jade if she is happy with her rich husband who covers her with gold. Jade tell Latifa that she if she had another chance, she would live her life the same way, so wonderful was the happiness she had with Lucas. Latifa suggest that she will feel differently when she has children. Jade says that she won't have any children.
Lucas tells Rosa that he doesn't want any more children.
Said tells Jade that he wants a child and he is taking her to doctor. [Of course, he assumes that it is her fault.] Then Jade sees an opportunity. She tells Said that the best fertility doctor is in Miami in the US. She claims not to remember the doctor's name and suggests that they not tell Uncle Ali about this. Said asks why and Jade replies that Ali thinks the best doctors are in Morocco and it would be kinder not to disillusion him and maybe the treatment would be for both of them. Said says no, Muslim men are very fertile.
Zoraida gives Latifa a folk remedy for morning sickness - holding a key. Then she and Jade retire to the kitchen for a chat. She tells Zoraida about the Miami trip. Zoraida can't believe that Said would take Jade to the same city where Lucas lives. Jade replies that she hasn't mentioned Lucas in years; Said has forgotten about him. But for her time hasn't passed. She loves him as much as she did before. Zoraida says that time doesn't pass for Jade. That's what she read in the coffee grounds. Except that it wasn't. Here, from Paula's recap of the Feb 24 episode is what Zoraida read in the coffee grounds:
“A love that will last your entire life. Joy that turns to sadness that turns to joy.” Jade inserts, with excitement, “Then we’ll be together! He’s el amor de mi vida! I knew it the moment I saw him!” Zoraida continues, “You’ll meet the same man two times (i.e. Jade will meet him for the first time, twice. Time will pass for you but not for him. The past and the future will cross in front of you, and you will decide whether to take the path that leads backwards, or to continue forward. Love will last a lifetime, but it doesn’t say you will be together. Perhaps you will lose him and re-find him later.”
Bad prophecy? Sloppy writing?
Jade wonders if Lucas still thinks of her.
Well, of course he does. To illustrate this, Leo is playing some really kitchy Moroccan music. Lucas turns off the CD player. Always sympathetic to the feelings of others, Leo tells Lucas to grow up and if he doesn't like the music, he can go to his room. [Whatever happened to, 'this is now your house, treat me like a guest?']
Danelito #3 is not a great actor. He tells his mom that he doesn't want to be poor like her and insists that Albieri is his father. When Dora says that Albieri is only his godfather, the kid wants to know who his father is.
Luisa wants to take Danielito to visit the Ferrers and she can't understand why Albieri keeps making excuses about why this can't happen. Albieri is interrupted by Danielito calling to ask Albieri to pick him up. He says that he is Daniel's father.
We see that of course Danielito has the birthmark that Diego and Lucas had/have. Marisa sees the birthmark on Lucas and he tells her for our benefit that Natalia will not have it. It is inherited from the mother. Then Marisa tells her friend that Lucas is so not like Diego. Diego was passionate and all the girls adored him. She says that it was strange. She lost the man that she adored and then all of a sudden, there he was. She mentions that when she met Lucas he had a Moroccan girlfriend, nothing serious. When her friend asks if she knows where the old girlfriend is now, Marisa says that she hopes that she is lost in the desert sands and never shows up again.
Jade, of course, is hoping for the opposite. She tells Zoraida that Said will tell her whether she can go to Miami with him after the party for Latifa. Zoraida hopes the answer is no. She is afraid of what would happen if Said and Lucas came face to face. Jade says that she won't get close to Lucas. She made the promise to Allah to give him up if his life was spared. If she had the courage to do it then, she can do it now.
A spying servant (who seems to have learned Spanish while Jade hasn't learned any Arabic) has told Ali about Jade's plan to go to Miami. Ali is totally opposed and says that he will convince Said not to permit the trip.
Jade tells Zoraida that they will see who has more power over Said, Ali or her.
Jade knows how to persuade Said. She gets all gussied up for the party.
When Nariza makes snide comments about how much gold Said is throwing away on her, Said tells her not to pay attention. He says that Nariza has a 'carácter fuerte,' a strong personality, a euphemism for someone who is really obnoxious. But, he continues, she has a good heart. "She works hard to hide it," replies Jade. Said tells Jade how much he loves her and that he will give her anything. "Take me to Miami," says Jade.
Leo recalls to Enrique that it was in this bar that he saw Cristina the day that Natalia was born. Enrique says that he hasn't seen Cristina around. Leo replies that he believes that she went to Argentina with her husband. Enrique says it is too bad that Leo couldn't get past what happened with Cristina and Diego. Leo replies that it's worse than that. He says he will never forgive himself for not preventing the accident that killed Diego. He should have paid more attention to Diego but instead he was besotted with Cristina. [So Leo is going to torture himself with guilt about not paying enough attention to the son he no longer has while he pays no attention to the problems of the son he still has. Way to go, Leo.]
Of course, Cristina is now arriving back in Miami.
Dora tells Vicki that she has heard Osvaldo is back in town and she is dying to see him. There is at knock at the door. It's Cristina.
She fills us in on what happened with Armando. He was a swindler - all lies. He never had any money. One day he just vanished and now his creditors are after her. She lost the money Leo gave her in a bad investment so now she is dead broke. However, she says that Leo will pay for all that has happened because it was his fault- he didn't stop her wedding to Armando.
At the party for Latifa, Ali doles out wisdom from the Koran to Mohamed and Latifa while Jade bewitches Said with her dancing. He is like putty in her hands and agrees to take her to Miami.
When they arrive, Said takes Jade to a nice hotel. He says that he was only in Miami before when he was a boy and doesn't remember anything. Jade announces that since they are in America, she is taking off her veil. Said refuses to let her. She must not show herself to anyone but him. Jade won't give up. She points out that the Koran does not require that a woman cover herself and that many women in Morocco don't wear a veil. Said replies that all the women in his family cover themselves. Her beauty is reserved just for him. He doesn't want her to 'exhibit' herself to any other men. We see how seriously Jade takes her vow not to see Lucas. As soon as Said goes to take a shower, Jade looks up the telephone number of the Ferrer house and calls on her cell.
We don't see who, if anyone, answers the call. Lucas is playing tennis. He agrees to meet Marisa later at a restaurant.
Cristina shows up at Leo's office. Now here's how I would have written it: Cristina: 'Leo, I behaved like a complete idiot in marrying Armando to make you jealous. How about we start over as friends and have lunch.' But no. Cristina rants and raves. She accuses Leo of ruining her life and asks why he didn't stop her from marrying Armando and throws her unpaid bills on his desk.
Of course, of all the restaurants in Miami, Jade and Said are in the same one where Marisa is waiting for Lucas. [We seemed to have missed something here. The woman with Marisa at the pool and at the restaurant is named Adriana and since she arrives with Enrique, she must be his wife or girlfriend.] When Jade goes to the bathroom, Marisa hears Said say her name. She instantly knows that this is Lucas's Jade.
The credits roll.
Labels: clon
Mujeres Asesinas 2, Thursday, April 8: The case of murder or mercy.
A woman stands outside a room. Inside, we see medical equipment and hear some unpleasant snorty sounds. She approaches the bed and picks up a syringe from the bedside table. She pushes the needle into an IV tube and injects it. Another, younger woman walks in, says "Dad?" and then looks surprised.
Gloria seems confident this will be as twisted and bloody as every other week, but I'm not getting that impression just yet.
The body on the stretcher leads the way out of the house. Then comes Ofelia, the older woman, in cuffs. The younger one, Ximena, is being restrained by two hunky DIEM guys as she screams that Ofelia is a murderer who killed Ximena's daddy. Aranda looks troubled and lets the doc know that the body, the suspect, and the witness are all on their way.
Flashback: A man and a woman walk in the woods. The guy is Ricardo, not yet deceased, but he's coughing. It's 11 months ago. Ofelia, not yet a murder suspect, thinks he's smoking too much, but he thinks the best way to stay healthy is to stay away from the doctor. Har, har, har. They move on to talking about Ximena. She's fighting with Roberto a lot lately. Ofelia can't understand young people today--they're together, they're not together. I'm betting she's not on Facebook. That would blow her mind. Ricardo says she asked him what the formula was for being together 20 years, like the two of them. My thoughts: a really big closet and not sharing a bathroom sink. Ok, ok, I guess things like having common interests, honesty, openness, and kindness are important too, but nothing keeps love alive like not having to look at the aftermath of the Sunday night shave. Ricardo told her that every day he asks himself if he would choose Ofelia again. "And? Would you?" I can't quite make out his answer, but something like ask me again later and I'll tell you. He laughs and then starts coughing.
Ricardo and Ofelia are getting ready for bed. They both agree they had fun at the get-together earlier. Ricardo starts coughing and grabs his side. He ends up falling on the floor.
Ricardo is in the hospital. Ofelia leaves another guy in the room with him and goes out to the hallway to talk to the doctor. The doc says that Ricardo has a tumor in his right lung, but this is all preliminary. They need to do further tests to confirm it. He repeats this when she asks if he can be cured. He says they might be able to operate. He tells her not to lose faith.
Ofelia sits in the dining room, stirring her coffee. Ricardo walks in. He touches her gently, but it still startles her. She gives him crap for being out of bed and he gripes that he's been in bed for two weeks. She reminds him he's supposed to rest. "I'll rest when I'm dead!" She brings him into the kitchen and he says it was just a joke. She chops carrots and says she'll make him a carrot and meatball soup. "Has anyone told you you look beautiful today?" "Well, no, you're the only nutjob who tells me that." He says she's beautiful. He's fighting back the coughing and it's hard for him to even be standing up. Finally, the coughing gets the better of him. She pours him a glass of water, which he has trouble getting down. She talks him into going back to bed. In the hallway, he tells her he can make it on his own, but he only gets a few steps before he has to lean on a table for support. He takes the opportunity to tell her to put salt in the meatballs. She won't, though, because the doctors said salt was bad for him. "Doctors don't know everything! And don't even think I'll go to a hospital. I want to read." He goes into his library instead of going back to bed.
Ofelia tells Ximena that cancer was the diagnosis, but she doesn't want Ricardo to know. She wants him to be able to stay home so she can be the one to fuss over him. Ximena, smoking a cigarette, says he has to be in a hospital. He can't stay home like there's nothing wrong with him. Ofelia says that he refuses to go and the doctor said he was fine at home, where he could be more relaxed and have his books. Ximena accuses Ofelia of only caring about what's convenient for her and not caring about Ricardo's health. Ofelia storms off.
Present: Capellan and Aranda discuss the case. Aranda tells Capellan that as soon as they walked in, Ofelia admitted to having killed him. And the stepdaughter confirms it. Capellan asks if they've started the autopsy.
Past: Ofelia serves Ricardo some of the meatball soup, which looks to me more like meatballs with a thick sauce. He has to get his breathing under control before he can talk to her. He asks if she remembers what his mom used to say, "Talk! It's free!" Ofelia laughs. "What would she say if she could see me now, and what it costs me to talk," Ricardo asks. Ofelia tells him with proper nutrition, they'll get him better.
The doctor tells Ofelia that a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of cancer, but an operation isn't possible anymore. She asks the doctor if he's going to be in pain. "The cancer has metastasized. It's gone into other organs. If we're going to have any chance, the chemo will have to be very aggressive. Unfortunately, there's no other way to handle this. The cancer is aggressive and the prognosis isn't good." Without the treatment, he'll definitely die.
Ricardo is coughing up blood into the toilet. Ofelia comes running in. When he can gather enough breath, he asks her if he's sexy. "The sexiest man in the world!" she agrees. I like his sense of humor. She tries to get him to bed, but he misses another opportunity at innuendo and asks her to take him dancing instead. Ofelia puts on a cd and they dance. And kiss. And he coughs the whole time.
Ximena comes to see her dad. She brings him flowers and says his wife forgets the important details. She tells him to leave his oxygen mask on. He asks her if she had her meeting and presented her project yet. She says she did and it went well. A few revisions and they'll publish it. She asks him to review it for her. Ricardo says it's very exciting, her first novel! Ximena says she wrote it for her mom and for him. Ricardo is overcome with coughing. Ximena is asking if he's really fine, if he's taking his medicine, if he should be working. Ricardo tells her that Ofelia doesn't do anything but take care of him. He asks her when he'll see…. "Dad, she's not my mother and I…." Ofelia comes in and tells them dinner is ready.
Ofelia and Ricardo sit outside. Ofelia is sketching with some pastels. Ricardo is in a wheelchair now. He complains about his back and Ofelia rubs it for a little while. Ricardo tells her to sit down. He says his daughter can be kind of bitchy, but if the two of them could just get along…she's suffered too.
One year ago: Ximena and Ricardo are in his office. Ricardo smokes his pipe and reads. He "hmmmmm"'s. Ximena says "you don't like it." She gets up and lights a cigarette. Ricardo says he loves the story, but she added a violence that seems excessive. "Well, not everything in life is rosy, dad!" He agrees, but says not everything is black or white either, there are colors, "there are options." Ximena says she wanted some encouragement from him. "Sometimes I need it." He says she's his favorite author, the most talented. "Yes, yes, as long as Ofelia doesn't start writing too, right?" She noticed a manuscript on his desk titled "Sin…" by Ofelia Millan Lombardo. "We're talking about your work right now," he says. "Sometimes I think I'm going to die without seeing you at peace with my wife." Ximena says she just can't deal with her.
Ofelia reassures Ricardo that she'll be there both for him and for Ximena.
Present: Moran tells Gerardo that the blood tests showed morphine. Gerardo says in advanced cases of cancer, it's used to control pain. He says Ricardo's body was completely "invaded" and he wouldn't have lived much longer. "Then what's the point of giving him an overdose?" "So he won't feel his death." Gerardo smiles at Moran as if to say, "Catch a clue, you dumb schmuck."
Past: Ofelia goes to the front gate and lets in Jorge, the guy who was with her at the hospital when Ricardo first went in. Jorge asks about Ricardo. Ofelia says he's in his library, reading. Jorge brought him some more books. Ofelia cuts him off and says she heard he was going to buy the library from her. She wants him to tell Ricardo that he changed his mind because Ricardo is going to die and he doesn't know it yet. Jorge tells her that as long as there's life, there's hope. Ofelia doesn't know what to do anymore. She tells Jorge the cancer has metastasized. "Sometimes I want to believe that he's going to get better, but the truth is, he's dying." Ricardo wheels himself down the hall as Ofelia and Jorge head for an open door. He hears her saying to Jorge that she wants Ricardo to believe he's going to get better and things are going to be like they were before. Ricardo interrupts them and asks what they're whispering about.
Ofelia heads for the gate and opens it to Sandra. Sandra asks how things are. "The same. Now he's calm. Jorge came to see him and that lifted his spirits." Sandra asks how Ofelia is doing. The truth is, she really hasn't had time to think about it. She only has time for him. Sandra hopes she won't be offended, but the neighborhood has organized themselves to pray for her and Ricardo. Ofelia says she's not offended, even if she and Ricardo aren't believers. Sandra tells her they're going to pray at her house at 6 that evening. She asks if Ofelia needs anything. Ofelia thanks her and hugs her.
Jorge begs Ricardo to put his oxygen mask back on, but Ricardo refuses. He tells Jorge that he's dying, but Ofelia can't or won't understand. Ofelia stands outside the door and listens to him tell Jorge that he's dying. He can feel it inside. He asks Jorge not to tell anyone what they talked about. Ofelia knocks on the door and Jorge grabs a book off the desk and shoves it in his bag. He looks guilty as Ofelia walks in. He says "Oh, good, you're here. I was just telling Ricardo to put the oxygen mask back on, but he won't, he's very stubborn!" Ofelia says it's fine. She tells Ricardo they'll eat soon. Jorge takes his leave and Ofelia asks them what they're plotting. Ricardo says she can't know everything, "It's guy stuff." She gives a disbelieving look and says she'll walk Jorge out.
She thanks Jorge for coming. Jorge pulls out his wallet and says "Oh, I forgot, I owe Ricardo some money, would you give it to him, please?" Ofelia tells him to keep it, they've got plenty of money from her retirement and Ricardo's grant. "And don't play along with him." Jorge says Ricardo asked and he can't refuse. Ofelia says, "You know what I always loved about Ricardo? He was always a bad liar." Jorge laughs and says that's right.
Present: Sandra looks at a picture of Ricardo and tells Capellan that Ricardo and Ofelia were very much in love when they got married. When Ricardo got sick, Ofelia learned how to do everything to take care of him. Capellan asks how the daughter got along with her stepmother. Sandra says that it was a difficult relationship, that Ximena never accepted her parents' divorce and she blamed Ofelia for it.
Past: Ofelia comes home with groceries. Ximena comes down the stairs and Ofelia thanks her for taking care of her dad while she was out. Ximena asks Ofelia what her plans are for after her dad is gone. "I don't know. Learn to survive without him, know what life is like without him, live without him." "Without him, without his house, without his friends." "Ximena, you're not hurting me, you're hurting yourself. The blow is coming for both of us, why keep fighting?" Ximena says if she doesn't fight, she doesn't exist. She says that because of Ofelia she had to leave her own house and stay away from her father. "No one has pushed you aside! Your father adores you!" "And you love me a lot too, don't you?" Ximena asks sarcastically. "Yeah, right," she answers herself when Ofelia doesn't say anything. Little punk.
Ofelia helps Ricardo into bed. He asks her for an injection and she says he's supposed to wait another two hours. He asks again and says the pain in his back is killing him. Ofelia agrees and goes to wash her hands. She pulls open a drawer on the nightstand and pulls out a syringe and a box with "morphine" on it. She remembers talking to the doctor and being shocked that she would be giving him morphine. The doctor tells her the pain is strong and they'll start with one ampoule every four hours. If he's not going to be in the hospital, only the morphine will be able to control the pain. Ofelia tells the doctor that he does have his good days--friends come to visit, he reads, writes, he talks to his daughter. The doctor says the good days will be fewer. Ofelia worries that the morphine cold kill him. "Only in a high dose. It would cause respiratory depression and he'd suffocate. For that you'd have to inject him with 3 or 4 ampoules. Don't worry. I'm only prescribing one. It's nothing." Ofelia gives Ricardo the injection in his IV. He feels the relief immediately. He pats the bed so Ofelia will get in with him. She curls up next to him and he asks her if Jorge paid the money he owed. Ofelia lies and says he did and not to worry about it. He tells her he doesn't understand how such an intelligent woman ever paid any attention to him. She says it's because he looks just like Pedro Infante. "Good thing you're going blind," he says, and laughs. He says she must be angry at him because he promised he'd take care of her when she got old. "Well, I'm already old." "But I'm the one who's dying." Ofelia insists he's going to get better.
The neighbors pray the rosary and walk down the street with candles. Ofelia thought bubbles, "I don't believe in God. I believed in Ricardo and he's dying. It's hard for me to believe in things I can't see, even though I would like to believe, because I realize that it makes people feel better to believe, right?"
Present: Capellan talks to Jorge. Jorge tells her that that he and Ricardo had been friends for 45 years. They grew up together in the same neighborhood. Capellan says that Ofelia has declared herself guilty of murdering her husband. Jorge says she suffered a lot with Ricardo's illness. "Did he know he was dying?" Jorge says he felt it and he even gave Jorge a book a few days before he died, to give to his daughter. "I think you should read it." It looks like a journal.
Past: Ofelia gripes at Ricardo for getting out of bed by himself. He says he's just going to the bathroom. He finally gets in there and she offers to help him, but he says he can do it himself. They both look down and realize it's too late. She says she'll help him get changed and he says he'll do it himself. She leaves the bathroom and says she'll be right outside if he needs anything. She closes the door and they both cry. Dudes, this one is just sad. I don't think there's a twist or anything. I can't even consider it murder at this point, unless there's something we haven't seen yet that changes things.
Present: Moran tells Gerardo he believes the handwriting is the same. Capellan comes in and says, "People, I've got a murderess who confessed and you have nothing to say?" Gerardo says the victim had a high dose of morphine. Moran says the handwriting is a 100% match. "He asked for it, Sofia," says Gerardo.
Past: Ofelia helps Ricardo into bed. He says he's better. He refuses the oxygen mask. Ricardo does the "you've got something on your face" bit and kisses her. "You've got a kiss there." She calls him a liar. "The only liar here is you. Ofelia, in the name of the love that we have for each other, don't let me lose my dignity. Not that, please. Promise me." Ofelia nods and says she promises.
Ofelia paces the kitchen and cries. "Not lose dignity? How does one do that?"
Ofelia feeds Ricardo some soup. He tells her it was good. "We've had a good life together, haven't we?" Ofelia agrees.
11 months ago: Ricardo and Ofelia hold champagne glasses. Ricardo tells the assembled guests, "They say there's always some madness in love." Ofelia interrupts and says there's also reason in madness. Ricardo says he'd like to tell them there's no madness in love. "Love IS madness or it's nothing. So we'd like you to toast with us for these 21 years of immense madness and happiness." Everyone toasts. Ofelia thanks them all for being there. Everybody laughs and has a good time. Ricardo lights up his pipe. (This is possibly the same night he goes to the hospital, since he was talking about having fun at a get-together.)
Ricardo asks what time it is. Ofelia says it's 8:30 and goes to get his sedative so he can sleep. Ricardo says he doesn't want it. "Did you call Ximena?" She's coming later. "And does she know?" "Yes."
Present: Capellan and Ximena have their showdown. Ximena gets up in Capellan's face and says "Tell me why she killed him," or at least that's what I think she said. Capellan puts up her hands and Ximena sits down. She asks about the relationship between Ricardo and Ofelia. "She destroyed my family. When they divorced, my mother went to live in the United States. I didn't want to live with them, so my dad had me sent to school. Why did she kill him?"
Past: The neighbors walk down the street with candles, praying. They pray for Ricardo's family at a shrine they set up outside. Inside, Ricardo struggles to breathe and Ofelia holds his hand.
Present: Capellan sits down with Ofelia. "We try not to get hurt. How absurd. As if pain can be avoided." Capellan says that even if our loved ones are in pain, it doesn't justify that we decide whether they live or die. "But I already knew what was coming. All I could hear was the noise he made when he tried to breathe. The asphyxia, the coughing. You know, I didn't want to see him like that anymore."
Past: the neighbors keep praying.
Present: "It's strange, killing. As if one stops being normal when one kills another person, don't you think? But I wanted to protect my husband, you know? Have you ever been in love?" Capellan doesn't answer.
Past: Ricardo coughs and struggles to breathe. Ofelia starts to prepare another injection. Ricardo takes off the oxygen mask. He whispers something to her, I think "it's time." She puts the injection into his IV tube and cries.
Present: Ximena sits in DIEM and reads her father's journal. "Ximena, adored daughter, I've lost the battle. My heart tells me, and the silence of your eyes and of Ofelia's. Don't worry. Time will make you understand that living with rancor suffocates you, it holds you back, and that the best good in the world is living life with complete loyalty. The battle is over. Only Ofelia's immense love has saved me from this abyss. I've asked her to help me not lose dignity and be able to die like what I've been--an honest, faithful man, faithful to himself. Forgive me if I wasn't able to be the father you dreamed of. I adore you." Ximena closes the book and cries. Aranda looks on.
Ofelia and Ximena enter the hallway on opposite sides. Ximena is hugging the book. Ofelia looks at her and says "I did it for love." She keeps walking and Ximena sits down.
Past: Four ampoules are now sitting on the nightstand, empty. Ricardo is still struggling to breathe. Ofelia picks up the syringe and injects it into the IV tube. Ricardo keeps gasping and looking surprised. His breathing stops and his face relaxes somewhat. Ofelia cries.
"Ofelia Millan Lombardo was sentenced to two years in prison. Due to the evidence presented by Sofia Capellan to the judge, her sentence was commuted to house arrest for six months. Ximena visits her frequently. The legality of a living will or the right that people have to refuse medical treatment in case of terminal illness is currently being debated in Congress. Helping someone die is today in Mexico, and it many countries in America, an offense according to criminal law."
Labels: asesinas
Corazon Salvaje April 8, 2010 Are You My Enemy?
MdR is on the loose. Nobody will help me except for Rod.
Juan and Renato and Remigio are at Paraiso. Remigio has to go and he and Juan act like they don’t know each other. Juan is surprised by Renato’s generosity. He was very fortunate and he wants to help those less fortunate. Juan looks confused. He’s running out of people to hate. The first house is ready. Let’s go have a look.
Tonight:
Back at the Finca, Rod is talking about Regina. Noel is disgusted with the whole thing. After Aimee and Renato’s wedding he’ll deal with her.
MdR finds the keys dropped by Orca. Oh look, something shiny! Uh oh!
Renato and Juan return to the house. Renato wants to know if Juan liked his project. Juan says it is a very ambitious project. He finally tells him that his name is Juan San Roman. Renato realizes he is the one that Rod had an altercation with in town.
Leo announces that Renato saw Aimee’s wedding dress. Oh the horror! Rod and Noel look at her like she is a whack job, which, of course, she is. Rod is sick of Leo’s superstitions. She is predicting doom and gloom for the marriage. Noel wants him to back off of his daughters and to be more fair.
Juan asks Renato if that changes his opinion of him. Juan explains the situation to him. Nobody insults my parents. What would you do if you were in my place? He mumbles something I don’t catch. Juan smiles that special smile of his so it must have been a good answer. He thinks Renato is doing a fine job. Renato tells him it is a dream he had with his friend Regina when they were children.
MdR has the keys and is letting herself out. She stops and says she can’t abandon her son. She goes back for the rag baby.
This is why I built Paraiso. To keep promises. You are a man who keeps his word.
Regina and Aimee are coming out of the house when they spy Juan. Regina pushes Aimee back in the house. Renato introduces him to Regina. Oh yeah, I know him. He’s the one that attacked my father. Juan says that Renato saved his life. He shakes Renato’s hand. Regina snubs him. He tells Renato he is indebted to him for saving his life. He grabs Regina’s hand and kisses it. Regina looks at him like he has cooties. Juan leaves.
Regina wants to know how he saved his life. He explains. Renato has a funny feeling that he knows this man from somewhere before.
Leo and Rosie are coming down the staircase of doom. Leo is going somewhere and doesn’t want Rosenda to go with her. Rosenda thinks she is nervous. Where is she going in such a hurry. Hmmm.
Aimee wants to go after Juan but Regina says no way, no how. She reminds her of her promise regarding Renato.
Juan is ranting that he must get even with Rod for killing his parents and for abandoning him in the jungle like a dog. Pedro says he has to tell Juan something -- Leo is the one that abandoned you in the forest. Juan looks impactada Now he knows who to blame. His own aunt, his own blood. Looks like his Death List is getting pretty short.
Leo heads to the gypsy camp to pay Griselda for her tarot reading the other night. Oh and by the way, since I’m in the neighborhood could we look at the cards one more time?
Rod runs into Dr. Pablo in town. Rod makes it very clear that the only way he is welcome in their house is in his capacity as doctor and NOTHING MORE. Pablo is heartbroken.
Leo is told a man that she loves will have serious problems. Griselda tries to wrangle more money out of Leo. Another man comes out of the past. Leo looks a little worried.
Gabe gives Juan a note. He is being summoned to Havana. Juan tells Gabe to get the ship ready and that they will be heading to Europe after Cuba. Gabe is bummed because he won’t see Estrella again.
Jimena is thinking about Gabe. Does he think of me or of Estrella? Griselda shows up to ruin the day. She says the lady from last night came back. All she cares about is the love of one man. I am going to help her. Jimena wants to know what she is going to do. Griselda says it doesn’t matter because all that matters is the money. FF>>
Orca comes back looking for his keys. He finds that MdR is gone. He kicks the mute girl. Meanwhile MdR is wandering the beach with her rag baby. Remigio sees her,
Back at the Can Can’t Club Jimena is crying about losing Gabe. Lulu says love is not an illusion it is pure and clean. FF>>
Someone has discovered the fire. Ful says they need to find out who is coming to the cave.
Fed is talking to someone who opens the door and Eliosa is waiting in bed for Fed.
Orca finds MdR and roughly grabs here. Remigio says not so fast buddy. Leave her alone. Orca, using his one brain cell, says she is his wife. Remigio doesn’t believe him. He says he didn’t know Orca had a wife. Orca says to leave them in peace. Remigio looks worried.
Ful gets home looking for Eloisa. There is a note saying she is out with Aimee shopping. I don’t think he believes it.
Fed and Eloisa are doing the wild thing.
Orca slaps MdR and the mute runs up and tries to stop him. He whips out a pitchfork and tells her next time he is going to kill both of them. He stomps out. I sure hope there is an anvil in his near future. MdR tells the mute girl that for one moment she was happy.
Regina is telling Celestina how she wants to help Aimee. She swears in the name of her mother she will help her. Is it me or does that dress glow in the dark?
Gabe tells Jimena he is leaving for Havana and then to Europe. Then you will be gone for good? Estrella is sick and won’t see me. And you? Do you think of me? He says he thinks of her. He asks her not to cry. We are the best of friends. It is better than nothing. He wants her to give a letter to Estrella. She turns away with a tear, she turns back and kisses him. She breaks away and runs. He looks stunned.
Back at the Can Can’t Club we are treated to a really terrible belly dancing number. Where is Shakira when you need her? The whole gang is there. Renato and Rod show up. Rod wants to know where the guy is that attacked him. Ful fills him in on his little “test” to see if he was the one that robbed their shipment.
Raul thinks they should be enjoying the dancers. You can’t be serious?
Aimee is sneaking out to go look for Juan but is busted by Regina. Don’t bother me. I’m going to the beach to look at the sea. R-i-g-h-t Regina more accurately believes she is looking for Juan’s boat.
Juan is preparing to leave and looking at the terrible picture of his dad. He says he can’t do anything he promised his father.
Aimee wants Regina to stop worrying about her. She is going to marry Renato. Regina is still afraid she’s going to hurt Renato. Look me in the eye, why can’t you tell me the truth. Aimee is just plain sick of it and wants her to leave her alone. Regina is defending her happiness with Renato. She wants them to be happy. Aimee hates Renato. With all of her soul.
Juan is ready to leave. He wants to know why Gabe is so sad. I’ll miss Estrella. I promise you that you will return to Estrella. The ship sails. He is saying good-bye forever. Gabe is thinking about Jimena and Estrella. Jimena reads the letter and cries. Juan is thinking about Aimee and remembering their times together.
The next day Aimee is looking for Juan. She’s told that he sailed last night. Aimee looks devastated. What will I do without your kisses, without your caresses? What will I do without you? I say suck it up sister and get over it.
The girls are taking a break. Lulu would like to find a man that loves her and would protect her. The other girls try giving advice to Lulu. Because after all, they are so up on that subject.
The ship arrives in Cuba. Juan is going to the office.
Noel is talking to Renato about his Paraiso project. He is glad that Renato remembers he swore to find Juan. He wants to search for him. He wants to keep his promise. Noel wants to help him. Tell me about him. Mom says he was a bastard. Who was he and why were you worried about him?
Everything is in order and they will be leaving for Europe. Gabe brings him news about a shipment of wood. Juan says they are changing their plans. Gabe doesn’t get it (like what else is new). Vengeance--at whatever price.
Jimena is entertaining the crowd and collecting money. She thinks she sees Gabriel. Nope. She is still thinking about him.
Gabe says the ship is waiting. Juan says they are going back to Vera Cruz. Gabe is relieved.
Tomorrow:
Juan goes back for Aimee. Gabe dreams of Estrella. Aimee is dressed for the wedding.
Labels: salvaje
Thursday, April 08, 2010
El Clon 4/8/10 Cap 38: In which Jade does the sword dance but Marisa wields the knife -- and Zoraida dreams up a way to come home.
An angry mob is awaiting Jade when she reaches home – oh wait, that’s her family. Where have you been and by the way, where the heck is Zoraida? Dunno, says Jade, I’ve been out looking for her myself.
Meanwhile back in
Tio Ali rants about Zoraida’s betrayal for leaving his household, calling her an ingrate, a bad woman (mala mujer). “Let her drown in her own tears!” Tio Abdul fans the flames by telling him that there’s been something cooking between Zoraida and the fruit seller. Abdul concedes that Zoraida’s a good-looking woman and the fruit seller in fact ‘tiene buen ojo’ (has a good eye). Ali continues to rant that she’s an exhibitionist (huh??) and if she wanted a husband, she should have come to him, he’d have found one for her.
And as the gang in
[My question: Wasn’t Diego killed in the helicopter crash exactly one year ago trying to go to a birthday party for Marisa? Doesn’t this ‘anniversary’ give anyone else, especially Leonardo, ‘mala espina’, a bad feeling, premonition?]
-- Lucas discovers that the key to his safe box is missing. No worries, Mama Rosa will get a locksmith (cerrajero) to open it and they’ll do it when Marisa’s not looking. “I’d never forgive myself if I lost Jade’s necklace” says Lucas.
Cristina interrupts Leo in a meeting in his office, bursting in with an invitation to her wedding and asking if he’ll be ‘padrino’ (literally ‘godfather’ but here, ‘best man’). It’s to be on the 4th of July -- to celebrate her independence from Leo. And in the Mandarin Hotel, no less, where these two had planned to wed.
Afterwards, Leo acknowledges to Enrique that of course her plans bother him. The best way to show your indifference is by going to the stupid thing, says Enrique.
Back in
Osvaldo and Dora do their mating dance at the club –
He: Without your papi, you’re nobody (Sin tu papi tú eres nadie)
She: If war is what you want, war is what you’ll get. (Si quieres guerra, guerra tendrás.) Boasts. Insults. She leaves.
Our girl Jade, duly chastened, is praying that Allah protect Zoraida. It’s all my fault, she says.
Tio Ali still hasn’t found Zoraida. I want to find her to curse her (maldecirla) he says.
In
At Mansion Ferrer, Marisa is upstairs primping, preparing to give Lucas the surprise of his life. Lucas is greeting the guests. Mama Rosa wants to know what’s up, why doesn’t she come down already, the guests and press are here. She just wants to call attention to herself says Lucas (tiene ganas de llamar la atención).
Looking gorgeous and melancholy, Jade is lying on a couch, gazing at a candle flame while Said watches from the doorway. He is remembering when she danced the sword dance (la danza de la espada) for him and he thought she was starting to love him. Were you, he asks. I don’t know. Will you dance for me again? Yes. And she does, exquisitely, erotically, for a spellbound Said. The dance climaxes with the point of the sword at the partner’s throat. He has put himself completely at her mercy.
In
Tio Abdul has found Zoraida working in the Café Asis. He and Ali go there, quarrel about whether it would be a sin to go inside because they sell alcohol there (But we’re not drinking it, reasons Ali). They see Zoraida sweeping. Ok says Ali, I can curse her from out here. Again with the ingrata, mala mujer, this is how you repay me song.
At home Jade hugs Zoraida and tells everyone that Zoraida left because of a dream. Yes, says Zoraida, I dreamed Ali had threatened to return me to the desert. (These women are good!) That’s just superstition says Ali. You can see he’s relieved.
Nazira says snidely (well, ok, she says everything snidely): One sinner defending another. Surprisingly Abdul reproaches her: Watch your tongue or the lashes will be for you! (Snap!)
“Infeliz cumpleaños” (unhappy birthday) shrieks Lucas (well, not really) as he rips Jade’s necklace off Marisa’s neck. They run off, they argue. No mating dance here. Just genuine dislike on one side and attempt to control on the other. Marisa says she’s leaving. So go, says Lucas. Leo convinces him that he has everything to lose if she does, that she’ll take Natalia away. Find a way to make her stay, he says.
So Lucas sort of apologizes for lying about the necklace. Marisa says: Get rid of it or I leave. That woman or me. You choose. I choose my life with you, he says.
Luisa tells Albieri she couldn’t convince Dora to take Danielito with her to LA. The kid’s going to NY with grandma. In that case, says Albi, tell her the LA deal is off.
Dora then tells her ma that the kid will stay with her in
And now Cris and Leo’s, I mean, Armando’s wedding –
Cris is trying to squeeze into her Gilda dress. Armando sees Leo come in and wonders what the heck Cris was thinking when she invited him. Invited him? He’s the best man! Poor Armando is reduced to a bit player in this production. Cris makes her entrance, peels off one Gilda glove (for Leo), and takes Armando by the arm. Cris and Leo are the principals. She can’t stop looking at him, thinking about him, even as she exchanges her vows with Armando.
Los declaro marido y mujer – I now pronounce you husband and wife.
Labels: clon
Dinero #59 - 4/08/10: Pack my bags too! I’d love to go to the beach.
Ale returns to her office and finds a glum Rafa. She tells him that everything is all set for his trip to Playa Estrella and soon their association will come to an end. “Like you said, we’d be together till money do us part.” Neither one of them look like they’re excited about this, despite putting up a good front.
They start arguing over how much Rafa still owes Ale and how much will be left for Rafa after he’s paid Ale. Turns out he will pocket 290,000 (dos cientos noveta y mil) pesos. Rafa is pleasantly surprised. He then asks Ale, “How do I leave?” As in, how do I formally resign from Autos Siglo? Ale, ever the queen of sarcasm, flippantly answers him, “Through the door.” (Lol!) Rafa gives her a dirty look and clarifies what he means. Does he write a resignation letter, or what? Ale confirms that that is what he will need to do. He tells her it’s been a pleasure to meet her and shakes her hand. For a brief second it looks like she is melting, but then she hardens again and mentions the dummy incident. Rafa can’t believe she’s still going on about that, and of course she won’t let him explain what really happened.
Rafa turns to leave Ale’s office in a huff, but Ale stops him. “Medina. Buena suerte.” She gives him a big smile and a thumbs up. Rafa exits her office in deep thought and hardly hears Susana as she tells him about his trip preparations. He wanders off in a cloud of thought.
Ale is also in deep thought in her office. “Medina, Medina. Is this the end of our relationship?” She starts to remember the sweet words Rafa has said to her and tender looks he has given her on many occasions. She sighs. She remembers the first business lunch they went to, when Rafa mistook what pene (pasta) was. She laughs. She remembers the gallant words he said to her about how he would treat her if she were his girlfriend. She states out loud that, “Yes, Rafa is a gentleman.” She remembers finding him and Dandy practicing their dance moves in the showroom. She says, “And he dances so well!” (Ha! Lol!) Many more memories...the time he comforted her when she was freaking out and in a lot of pain and he told her about taking her to the hospital; singing together at the boda; the car ride and the Almost Kiss. She sighs some more. The time Rafa asked her to please not ask him to forget about the great time they had at the boda. She says, “I also won’t be able to forget.” She remembers his drunken joy at making his first large sale. She sheds a tear. She then remembers his strip tease in her office. She admits to herself, “The truth is, I’m going to miss him.” (Wow! She’s made a breakthrough!)
Meanwhile, Rafa’s at his desk and calls his family to let them know he will be flying to Playa Estrella that night to close a big deal for work. Rafa still looks really nervous about flying. Everyone (Leonora, Julieta, and Jaime) are excited for him. Rafa asks his mama to pack a suitcase for him and to put Jaime on the phone. Rafa asks Jaime to get the legal paperwork ready for the end of his debt contract with Ale. Jaime wants to know what Rafa will do after he’s closed the deal. “Leave Autos Siglo, of course.” Jaime is all for this, as Rafa will finally be free of that harpy, Ale. But, he reminds Rafa, he still has to deal with Vicky. Oops! Rafa forgot about her and the family dinner he’s supposed to attend that night. He calls Vicky, who has her usual favorite accessory in her hand- a large knife. She’s also standing over a huge chunk of raw meat. She is excited to present Rafa to her tias that evening and wants Rafa to come over a bit early to help her prep the food. Rafa informs her that not only will he NOT be able to do this, he is NOT going to make it to dinner. Needless to say, Vicky is NOT happy about this. She. Goes. Apesh!t. That’s the only way to describe it. She reaches a new level of crazy, which for her, is pretty darn crazy. She screams, “NO!!!!”, and points the knife at the phone threateningly. No amount of logic will quell her and she lets him know that if her father comes after him for this, she will not stop him from killing Rafa. He assures her it’s for business, that it will mean his debt is settled and he won’t have to work for Ale anymore, and besides, he’s going alone (uh oh!). He hangs up and just then, Beltran walks up to Rafa’s desk.
Beltran is so happy about the monster sale that Rafa’s about to close that he does a happy little jig. The expectation of all that money has miraculously cured him. He tells Rafa he is proud of him and asks him if he’s ready to close such a large, important deal. Rafa assures him he is and tries to impress him by mentioning a large sale of women’s blouses he once made. Beltran asks him if he’s been to Playa Estrella before. Nope. Beltran keeps on a happy face as he dances away, but heads straight to Ale’s office with some concerns. He tells Ale that he doesn’t think Rafa has the experience it takes to close such an important deal. He can’t risk it with the Board of Directors breathing down his neck. “You have to go with him.” Ale is left mouth open, cara impactada. “Qué? Please, not me.” “You’re the boss and it’s your responsibility. You go with Medina. It’s an order!” He leaves. “No, no, no. Con Medina? En la playa? Yo? No!”
Rafa’s in the midst of saying farewell to Susana, as he does not intend to ever return to Autos Siglo. He won’t say his farewells to everyone now, and he’ll have his things sent to him later. They are interrupted by Ale, “Medina! Come to my office!” She explains that Beltran is ordering her to go with him. He’s offended that they don’t think he’s experienced enough. He mentions his past sales of perfume and ropa intima. He then wants to know if this means he will have to split his commission with Ale (like the first time he sold a car). She assures him no (although it’s practically all going to her anyway). They are both cranky and griping at each other. She sends one of her trademark sarcastic zingers his way as he leaves her office, telling him to make sure he uses a suitcase and not a plastic bag to pack his clothes. (Why so mean Ale?)
Ale bitches and moans to Susana as she has her make all her travel arrangements. She’s not pleased she will be on the same flight as Rafa, and she nearly loses it when Susana suggests she change Rafa’s hotel so that they can be in the same hotel. She thinks she will return in time to make her afternoon appointment with the lawyer (I have some serious doubts she will), and wanders off griping some more about going on the trip with Rafa. Methinks she doth protest too much, and so does Susana by the look of the smile on her face.
Back at La Casa Loca, aka Vicky’s house, Don Gaston and his boys have returned home to a gruesome scene. No, Vicky didn’t kill herself, or anyone else….yet. But it looks like she has. There are hunks of raw meat stuck to the walls and streaks of blood where they’ve slid down. (Isn’t she the one who will have to clean this mess up?) Don G. calls for Vicky and she comes running out of the kitchen screaming, bloody knife in hand. Don G looks horrified and the boys look scared (not an easy thing to achieve). Somehow they understand her screams enough to interpret that Rafa will be a no show at dinner. They threaten to go after Rafa, but Vicky tells them she’ll do it HERSELF! Don G and the boys look really worried now and call to her as she’s heading out the door. She tells them she won’t do anything crazy (Really? They believe that?), drops the knife and runs out. (Vicky sometimes tries my patience, but this scene was hilarious and I could not stop laughing. This actress really throws herself into this role and I have to admire that kind of commitment.)
Ale has returned home to pack. Tia Rosario wants to know how Ale can travel so close to the wedding with so much left to do. Ale tells her she is sure that Rosario and Marco can take care of everything. Uh oh. “Marco!” Seems that Ale has forgotten her date that evening with the man she is about to marry. Speak of the devil, in saunters the man himself. He wants to know why she’s packing a bag. She tells him she has to travel to Playa Estrella. Cara impactada de Marco.
At Rafa’s house, another fiancé is not so pleased about this upcoming trip either. Leonor hands him the suitcase she’s prepared and lets Rafa know Vicky is waiting for him in his room. He contemplates taking off without going in to see her, but Leonor convinces him that it would not be the right thing to do. (Good moral values from a good mama. Nice to see in a telenovela as all the ones on right now seem to be filled with evil mamas.) When Rafa enters his room, Vicky actually seems relatively calm. Of course she’s turned away from him, and Rafa can’t see her hands clutching his comforter until her knuckles turn white, or the tears streaming down her face. He tries to reason with her. When that doesn’t work he uses threats- “If you make me lose this opportunity I will never forgive you. This will be the last time we see each other.” “No, no, no! I won’t stop you.”
For a while it seems that this is going to work. Vicky watches as Rafa finishes packing his suitcase. She puts up a bit of a fight when she sees him packing swim trunks, imagining all the possibilities for temptation on a beach. He assures her he won’t have time to even go to the beach and she calms down a bit. Unfortunately, Ale chooses just then to call Rafa’s cell phone, and Vicky hears Rafa say we’ll see each other there (the airport). Vicky wants to know who he was speaking to and what did he mean. Rafa explains who his travelling companion will be. This does not go over well. “I will NOT permit it! That woman is a witch!” Rafa assures Vicky that Ale hates him (meaning nothing could possibly happen between them). Rafa is saved by the bell when Vicky’s brothers call checking to see how she’s doing. “Did he hurt you?” “Sí!!!!” That’s all the Brothers Grimm need to hear before they rush out with knives drawn to take care of the bastard who’s hurting their baby sister. Rafa tries to leave his bedroom, but Vicky blocks the door, looking crazed and swearing she won’t let him leave. Rafa looks frustrated.
There was frustration of another sort in our random scene of the evening: Jimenez takes the advice of the sex therapist and has an “intimate” conversation with his wife Elvira. He wants them to go back to doing the things they did before they created their kids (hint, hint). At first Elvira is not excited about the prospect of having any more kids, but Jimenez clarifies that he means just getting the passion back. She seems game. So game in fact, that later that night she slinks into their bedroom wearing a sexy pink and black teddy with black stocking and a garter. She’s even put on lipstick! This is not quite the vision of loveliness Jimenez imagined. In fact, he seems to only get excited when he squints or closes his eyes and imagines the sex therapist in the pink and black number. Every time he opens his eyes and sees Elvira, however, his soldier cannot maintain its stance at attention. Elvira gets frustrated, slaps him and leaves. And for once, I am cheering her on. I mean, for an older woman, who’s had a few kids, I don’t think she looked bad in the outfit. She at least was making an effort, and Jimenez is no WL/EY/FC (insert your favorite telenovio here). Jimenez is happy to continue fantasizing about Dr. Feelgood after Elvira storms out.
Tomorrow: Marco is not pleased to learn Ale is travelling with Rafa. Rafa has to leave his room dragging Vicky, who is attached to his leg. The Brothers Grimm bust into Casa Medina looking for Rafa, but it looks like he escapes and makes it just in time for his flight.
Labels: dinero
Gancho Thurs 4/8/10 A Mysterious Mago Causes Snow to Disappear and Constanza’s Red-letter-day Finds Her Caught Between a Gangster and a Cobra.
Jeronimo comes to Coni’s apartment to pick up the blackmail money. Coni is not home from the party, but, in the meanwhile, Jacqui puts the moves on Jero saying she regrets the end of their relationship. Jero, ever jorny, begins to growl and paw at Jacqui. She calls him her Doberman, and advises “Calma, calma”. (Good dog, Jero). He obeys his mistresses command.
In la vecindad, Moni and Lobo have returned from the Grupo Semeño party and Lobo (bad dog!) moves in to punish Valentina with a goodnight grope. Punish, you ask? Yes, punish. Lobo has cottoned on to the fact that M&M have some serious history and is not amused at being used (mad dog!). A rough kiss ensues, but is not returned by Valentina. Why? Well, she tells Lobo that she has lots of history with Mauricio—she loves him but is unable to forgive him for cheating on her with her best friend, Estrella. Lobo looks impactada. Sad dog, sad dog.
Naturally, in the way of telenovelas, we in the audience see a lurking Mau, who observes the whole scene and manages to misinterpret it entirely. Sigh.
Back at the Grupo fiesta I am happy to say we are finally finished with Andres’ INTERMINABLE pop warbling (yesterday’s capitulo). I am telling you, the kid needs lessons from our Hombre. I could cut him some slack if I had heard one solid note sung in a major key, but NO…what we got was wanna-be-Mariah warbling, which only works if you really do have nearly perfect pitch and a multi-octave range. Think Minnie Rippington. Anyway, the only one who seems to be impressed is Luisa, who casts fatuous looks at the stage while Ivan walks off in a huff to be cornered by the man-eating Alexandra. Grrrr.
Now Beto, or, more properly, Roberto “Beto” Ochoa as he styles himself, presents the last act at the Fiesta—a Magician (mago) in a neon blue turban-hat. In fact, it’s such a lame looking turban that this could be the turban equivalent of a clip-on bow tie. The camera pans to the audience where Coni, looking absolutely gorgeous in a black cocktail dress, is very proud of her man Beto and gives him a winsome smile that knocks my socks off. The camera moves right, bringing Marcos into view. He is (somewhat aggressively) brandishing an engagement ring in Nieves’ face. You will recall that in yesterday’s episode he asked Nieves to marry him and he is still awaiting a reply. Nieves questions the size of the offering (Ay, Nieves, NEVER question the size of a love offering!) and bats her eyes in what appears to be surprise. (Viewerville knows Nieves is faking surprise because Beto already let slip Marcos’ intentions). Just as this tender moment is unfolding, El Mago has finished his perusal of the audience seeking a volunteer and has chosen—Nieves!—to join him in the magic act. He explains that his next act of magic will be to make a beautiful woman disappear. And they say timing is everything.
For once the ever-dapper Marcos is caught off-guard and is left waving the ‘tan chiquito’ engagement ring at Nieves ample backside as she heads to the stage for her next adventure. To assist him in the disappearing act, El Mago has recruited some serious blonde talent, a hot tamale in a tomato red dress who ushers a blindfolded Nieves into a large box that looks like a satin-cutained tin coffin standing on it’s head. El Mago makes magician-like sounds, Abra cadabera, abre usted, etc. When the scarlet-garbed blond assistant reopens the box Nieves has disappeared!
Isabel runs into Mau in the courtyard of la vecindad, tortures him for a moment about his reemplazo (replacement-Lobo) and then toddles of with Alicia for a cup of coffee. As usual Alicia is nattering on about what KIND of coffee they will have.
Back at Moni’s place, Lobo is sitting at the kitchen table and she makes him a plain cup of black coffee. Moni asks him what happened with his ex. We learn that she is called “Carolina” and that their relationship of many years duration ended when she cheated on him with his manager, who was like a father to him. ¡Como no! (I can’t imagine why we need to know the ex’s name unless she is somehow going to appear in the story later on).
Back at the Grupo Semeño fiesta, Alexandra joins Luisa center stage with a sharp hip thrust, elastic cleavage and a Mardanin orange-colored dress. Whoa. Serious hubba-hubba. She gives Luisa the once-over with her eyes and announces her intentions. The she-wolf lunges! Alexandra likes Ivan—very much. He is a man and needs a woman like herself—not a girl. (I must say I have to agree with her). Alexandra notes that Luisa is cute…but…Luisa pouts (or maybe she is terrified or furious or sad, but quien sabe when the actress has but one facial expression). Andres comes over to Luisa and she asks him to do her a favor and take her home. Moments later Ivan returns and the Scheming Tangerine Alexandra informs him that Luisa has just departed with the singer from the band, looking very happy. (Bad dog, Alexandra).
“Los pies”, Coni complains about her poor sore feet as she returns from the party to her apartment. Behind her, Jaqui swooshes by from stage left to stage right and offers her daughter a quick hello. Jacqui is in her robe and looks like she is ready to roll. (Of course, when have we ever known Jaqui NOT to be ready to roll)? Coni answers a call from Isabel with a charming, “What do you want, Isabel”? Behind Coni Jacqui now makes a return swoosh across from stage right to stage left, holding a can of whipping cream as she asks Coni not to disturb her. Just then, who should make his own move, skipping from stage left to stage right, but Jorny Jero, dressed only in boxers and a T-shirt. It cannot be!
Meanwhile on the telephone, Isabel is proposing to help???? Coni. They agree to meet early tomorrow morning. Coni, now off the telephone, is muy impactada at the sight of Jeronimo and asks what he is doing. Jero replies that he wants the blackmail money from Coni. Oh no!
As the party winds down Marcos is pissed that Nieves has truly disappeared. He unmasks El Mago as Don Cesar and is ready to take action when El Mago pulls a trick out of his sleeve. Pouf, there is a large amount of smoke and Cesar disappears.
Beto and Mauricio are en la vecindad. Mau knows that Monita has gone into her home with Lobo. Mau discovered them kissing but he trusts Beto to make a distraction to interrupt Lobo and Monita. Beto says he has the situation under control. Mau knocks on the door, runs away to hide and leaves Beto to answer to an angry Moni. (Wow, Mau, that took some stones). “What do you want Beto”? Beto, thinking on his feet, asks Monita if she wants to help find his Mama because she disappeared at la fiesta. Moni isn’t buying it. She slaps Beto and orders him back to his Mommia.
In her apartment, L Mommia Constanza drops the maletin (briefcase) full of money that she got from her Daddy in front of Jero. And now, wow-wow, we have found what makes Jero truly happy. He disappears into groans of orgiastic excess, kissing and caressing the greenbacks. Finally he remembers that Jacqueline is waiting and he skips off to get drinks and enjoy an evening of passion.
Nieves’ blindfold is coming off. She has been kidnapped—by Don Cesar. He has prepared them a candlelit love nest, and begins the verbal seduction, “No puedo perder…Tu es la mujer de mi vida, Nieves me engañaste”, cries Don Cesar. (I cannot lose you, you are the woman of my life, Nieves, you cheated me…) Cesar continues his love talk; he believes he will make her very happy. “Vuelve con mi, regresa a mi, Nieves,” Cesar croons. Nieves is overcome by these romantic words of love and falls into Don Cesar’s open arms. (Don Cesar is so darling and romantic that I think I would fall into his arms, and he is NOT my type).
Isabel comes home to Monita’s and Lobo takes his leave of them both. Hissy says that Lobo is muy guapo and Moni confesses their kiss but her heart is still with Mauricio.
At Coni’s place, Jero heads back to Jacqui’s bedroom caressing his malatin like, no doubt, he hopes he will soon be caressing Jaqueliney. Seduction begins but Jero is no Hero. He can’t get truly into it until he shows Jacqueline the money. Sigh. Such a romantic scene (NOT!) and the maletin (the real source of Jero’s desire) moves just out of viewerville’s sight as Jero promises Jaqui the world and she proclaims him rich as a King. With the extra lubrication provided by el dinero they do the deed.
The night of passion has passed and Jero wakes up to an empty maletin and a note from Jaqui thanking him for the money. He curses himself for a fool (too right!) and a stupid person (Duh!) and slaps his own face after each insult. He tries to call Jaqui but receives no answer because…
Jaqui and Costeño are meeting Mau at the airport! Jaqui waxes poetic about the experience of Venice by moonlight because she and Costeño are on their way to Italy. Jaqui hands Mau the much-traveled (bank to Marcos to Coni to Jeronimo to Jaqui) maletin full of money and says that this is the best she could do to recover Mau’s money for him. Now she is off to a sweet trip with Costi. “Costeño, mi amor, vamanos”! And with a “Toodles” glance over her shoulder, she sashays on to the plane. What a woman! I’ll miss her.
We now have a moment with Nieves and Don Cesar in the afterglow of love and 1000 candles. They have on matching pink feathered headbands and thank each other for the magical night of love. Sweet.
Cut back to Moni’s place, where Isabel and Coni begin their rendezvous with an exchange of nasty attitude. Unbeknownst to Isabel, Alicia is lurking within with her laundry basket, and hears all of Hissy’s evil plans for Monita. Yes, Isabel says that in their upcoming fight, Coni will best Moni in the ring and that on that day Valentina will die. Coni’s face shows that she cannot believe it (Yeah! She does have a conscience!). “What are you saying Isabel”? Coni asks Isabel if she is really serious.
Isabel says, “Yes, I am serious, Valentina is going to die”. Coni is shocked and tells Isabel that she is capricious, to which Isabel replies that, “Death is capricious”. OK, Isabel has moved into a clear diagnosis of BSC (Bat Sh!# Crazy). Right now, she could give Carlota from ENDA a run for her money. “Do you understand the opportunity I am offering you”, Hissy asks Constanza? Coni looks truly horrified while Alicia—still lurking with the laundry—finally grocks just who Hissy is.
Quick cut to a nightmare inside Rolu’s head. (Who cares)? Rolu dreams he is falling—again. This time Arnie has pushed him off the balcony. Xime hears Rolu cry out and bustles in to explain the nightmare by recapping his previous history of falling off of high places. (Yawn.)
Jero is desperate. He has just ripped off Oscar and, been ripped off in turn by Jacqueline. He tries to call Jacqui. No luck there, so he is on the horn to Gabriella. Where is the money she promised him? He tells her that the detective is a goner and offers Gabi one last chance to trap Oscar.
To the great relief of your recapper and Gancholandia Coni says “No”, to Isabel’s hideous offer and weakly suggests that she will win anyway. Just then, Isabel pulls out the dread red envelope, given to Hissy by evil Oscar, in which she has the incriminating photos of Coni and “dead” Sal. “Valentina will die, anyway”, hisses Issy. Still eavesdropping, Alicia looks like she is going to suffer a stroke as she hears the full extent of Isabel’s perfidy. Isabel threatens Coni to force her to cooperate in Hissy’s dastardly scheme, and our lanky beauty finds herself trapped between the gangster and the cobra. Which way will she turn?
Gancholanders: Please correct anything that needs correcting and add anything you find edifying. I am sure I missed some details.
Elna June
Labels: gancho
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