Caray, Caray!

Buenos dias a todos! We've had a busy week so let's get to it.

Rafa walks in the front door just as Vicky pries her lips off Jaime. He greets Rafa and leaves in a hurry. Vicky hugs close to Rafa; she just missed him so much. Rafa pulls away because the last time they talked, their relationship was over. Vicky says there is no way they could be broken up; she forgives him and now they’re going to be married. Rafa tries to get Vicky to understand that it isn’t that simple.

Marco pushes Ale to get Rafa to pay off his debt as soon as possible. Ale is short with him but apologizes. Marco notices Rafa’s shirt in Ale’s suitcase and asks where it came from. Ale evades the truth but has to own up to it; she must have accidentally picked up Rafa’s shirt while she was packing. Marco says since Ale and Rafa have done so much traveling together, they must be great friends by now. Ale tells him to cut it out; the deal will be official the following day and Rafa will be leaving the Siglo.

Marco leaves and takes the shirt so he can burn it. Ale tries to stop him but chickens out.

Vicky’s hermanos stop by Rafa’s and pull out their knives. They’re ready to annihilate Rafa for breaking up with their sister. Vicky says as long as Rafa is her novio, her brothers have no right to kill him. They are back together and better than ever. Rafa hesitates, but since he would rather not see the business end of a knife, he agrees. The hermanos threaten Rafa as usual and drag Vicky home.

Rafa unpacks in his room when Leonor gives him a big hug to welcome him home. She’s thrilled to hear Rafa has nearly closed the deal; if he hadn’t, he would have ended up in jail again. Leonor asks if he’ll still work at the Siglo but he says no, it would be impossible. He digs through his suitcase and can’t find his favorite shirt. Rafa figures it must have been mixed in with Ale’s things.

Ale admires a picture from the famous wedding reception when Azucena interrupts to ask what she should do with Rafa’s shirt. Ale takes the shirt and says she’ll take care of it. She tenderly wraps the picture in the shirt and smells it before throwing it dismissively into a drawer. Ale, still clearly conflicted, grabs her cell phone and asks Susana to meet her for some girl talk.

Similarly, Rafa calls Jaime and asks to talk with him right away. Jaime flips out and thinks Rafa want to talk about his tryst with Vicky. Rafa tells Jaime to stop panicking; he just needs to talk with a friend.

The Siglo crew, minus Ismael, has drinks at the Trancazo. Marino, being the self-declared best salesman, offers to buy drinks for all of them. Ramiro tries to cut out because of his demon of a mujer. Dandy tells Ramiro he needs to use his “powers of seduction” like Dandy did to get Susana under his control. (Bah. He spends too much time with Marino.) Speaking of Marino, Ramirez pulls off Marino’s wig to reveal a full head of hair.

Marco is furious about Rafa’s shirt being in Ale’s suitcase. He tells Chavez the Ale is behaving strangely; he suspects something happened between Ale and Rafa.

Susana and Ale sit down at a nice restaurant and get straight to the good stuff. What happened at Playa Estrella? Ale says she “had a romance with a killer”. Straight-laced Susana flags down a waiter and orders a martini to prepare for the rest of the story.

Rafa meets Jaime in a bar. Jaime is a nervous wreck; he orders a double tequila and lights up a cigarette. Rafa is concerned since Jaime never used to drink or smoke. Jaime asks how it went with Vicky. Rafa tells him they’re novios again because her brothers forced him into it. Rafa would rather talk about something other than Vicky: the fact that he is in love with Alejandra Alvarez del Castillo.

Ale tells Susana all about pretending to be married to Rafa; she says he was very caring but very immature at times. They danced, he sang to her, and they kissed when the crowed started chanting. And it wasn’t fake or the only one. Susana is riveted and asks if Rafa is a good kisser. Ale nods and Susana melts.

Rafa tells Jaime he went along with the marriage story and began to feel as though it were real. “There was a moment that she took me by the hand in a different way. She wasn’t acting. And those kisses, God, they felt so real. I was happy and I thought my life had changed forever because of that night. That only night we spent together in that room in front of the ocean and the sunrise with her sleeping in my arms.” Jaime asks if anything else happened. “Of course not! I’m a gentleman. I watched her sleep. I swear I have never been so happy to see someone sleeping.”

Ale is gushing in a similar way to Susana. “I was so unlike myself. So happy and moved by the ocean, the dancing, and the night. If I hadn’t fallen asleep, we might have slept together.” Susana doesn’t think it would have been such a terrible thing but Ale is sure she would’ve regretted it. She’s getting married to Marco in 2 days and he doesn’t deserve to be treated that way.

Susana says Ale should cancel the wedding but it isn’t that simple. Susana makes Ale look her in the eyes when she asks Ale if she loves Rafa. Ale cries that she can’t afford to think about it. She can’t be in love with him and blames what happened on the alcohol. Susana doesn’t buy it for a second and gets Ale to admit she has feelings for Rafa.

Rafa is upset he fooled himself so badly. Ale is still getting married in 2 days. If Marco found out about what happened during the trip, he would do anything he could to get Rafa thrown in jail or have Leonor’s house taken. Besides, Rafa could hardly leave Vicky for another woman, let alone Ale, because of her father and brothers.

The Siglo crew is toasted and enjoying themselves at the Trancazo. Marino swears he’s going to make Rafa regret he ever messed with “Edgar Marino, the best salesman!” Dandy tells everyone that Ale and Rafa are supposed to be back the next morning. Ramiro, with Marino’s wig on his head, bumps into Claudia as he’s leaving and gets bopped on the head for staring at her chest.

At everyone’s favorite beauty salon, B/V and Ovi talk about astronauts after seeing an article in a magazine.

Jaime asks Rafa what Ale thinks about that night. “She said to forget it. I can’t have such fantasies anymore. Ale is so refined and so beautiful. She needs an elegant man of means, unlike myself or that vicious novio of her’s. I should have told her what I saw him doing.” Jaime thinks telling Ale about Marco’s wandering eye would just drive a bigger wedge between her and Rafa. Rafa says it’s the only weapon he has to fight for her. “But it’s a weapon with wet gunpowder.” (“Un arma con pólvora mojada”)

Ale says she can’t think about her feelings for Rafa because then she would have to think of what to say to her family if she canceled the wedding and the huge scandal that would erupt at the Siglo. The most important thing for Ale is that Rafa disappears as soon as possible. She never wants to see him again because having him around is a danger to her marriage and family.

Marco is still pacing because of the shirt in Ale’s bag. Chavez thinks the allures of the beach would be very tempting and says if he were Rafa, he would have gone for it. Marco keeps repeating to himself that Ale is loyal and would never trade him for a mess like Rafa. “If something did happen between them, rest assured I will have him jailed, shot, and killed.”

Meanwhile, Ale hopes Marco doesn’t suspect because of the shirt. She doesn’t want Marco to have reason to be jealous. Ale says that the next day, she and Rafa will finish with his debt and they will both return to their own lives. In 2 days, she will be married to Marco.

Jaime asks what Rafa is going to do about Vicky once he gets his debt squared away. He isn’t looking forward to a life of being under her thumb. Rafa decides he needs a woman with integrity, who truly loves him. “My mom, sister, her, and you are the only people I trust in the world.” Jaime downs another shot and says he needs to tell Rafa something.

Avances: Vicky makes out with Jaime again. Rafa tells Ale he loves her and when they hug an enraged Marco pulls her away.

Labels: dinero

Some Arab guy named Said called this house? says Lucas to Mama Rosa. And he spoke Spanish? Pues, sí. (So um.. Mama Rosa could have taken a message in Arabic?).
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Allah sometimes puts the faithful to the test (a veces pone a prueba a sus fieles), Tío Ali explains to Jade. If she can’t avoid seeing Lucas in Miami, she must prepare herself for the experience. Nazira enters demurely. ¡Que verguenza!, she bleats, am I interrupting something? She withdraws with exaggerated modesty, leaving Ali scratching his head. She’s taking the test to be your fourth wife (Se está poniendo a prueba para ser su cuarta esposa), explains an amused Jade.
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Hola Ozzie, coos Karla with a K as Ozvaldo pulls up in his fancy wheels (it’s his lunes a viernes car – you gotta see the one he drives on the weekend!) He agrees to let her drive while he tells her all about his ‘management.’
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At Gloria’s, Ramon serves up a meal to aspiring luchador Alejandro and tells him he wants in on the luchas. I can start by helping out with the Karla v Diana match, he says. Uh oh. You didn’t know about that? Apparently not. Pablo’s gonna put my girlfriend up against my ex? says Alej incredulously.

¿Cómo se te ocurre? (what the hell were you thinking?) Alej says to Pablo, now on the scene too. Take it easy, man, (tómalo suave) they don’t have to know about each other. (ok, the ladies aren’t Nobel Prize material, but really, how dumb do you think they are?)
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¡Este sitio es super nice! enthuses Karla as she and Ozzie scan the menu in a pricey South Beach bistro. Virgencita de la Agarradera, thought-bubbles Ozzie, qué caro. Mi negro, quiero todo bubbles K thoughtlessly. She orders lobster and calamari; he orders tomato soup. He’s eaten here so often, he’s tired of the menu.

Later, in Caliente, Osvaldo brags to Miguel about his date with K. Whatcha doing with dos hembritas a la vez? (two woman at the same time)? Dora was looking for you, says Miguel.

Karla tells her mother, Hilda, about the date. Mom tells her to wise up and not trust Ozzie, Alej or Pablo. You need a man who can take care of you. Alej no tiene donde caerse muerto (he’s so poor, he doesn’t even have a place to fall down dead)
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Dora comes into Caliente. A young guy was asking for you, says Miguel. His name? Um, I think he said ‘Daniel’… ¡Es mi hijo! cries Dora. It’s my son! And I wasn’t here for him! Vicki steers the tearful Dora to the exit just as Ozzie approaches, ready to greet her with a hug. She’s too upset to pay attention to him.

Back at the apartment, Dora agonizes about Daniel wandering alone in an unfamiliar city, but Vicki reminds her he is a grown man. They read a postcard from Cris who’s now in Madrid: Madrid es bella, alegre, igual a nosotras. Besos. (M is beautiful, happy, just like us. Kisses)
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Elsewhere in Miami Enrique remarks to Leo that a friend saw Cristina in a restaurant in Madrid and she is más bonita que nunca (more beautiful than ever). Not possible to be more beautiful, says Leo. By the way, my new squeeze is Sofia Johns, a smart, classy, stylish lady. Nothing like Cris.

Enter Lucas with Carolina, his new assistant. Enrique seems smitten.
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The boy prince Amin is leafing through some papers in a small box, looking very sneaky. Mohamed rushes in and frantically tells Latifa that some cartulinas (poster boards? cards?) are gone from the store. We wuz robbed!
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Meanwhile Prince Amin’s sister Zamira and their cousin are spying on the energetically affectionate couple, Alej and Karla, across the street (Apparently my tv station was as scandalized as Latifa would have been since they totally blocked the picture for a few seconds!) When I’m the champ, he says, we’ll have so much money even your ma will accept me. Who’s my opponent in the fight, she asks. Dunno, he lies.
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Albieri and his assistant, Escobar, are debating the ethics of cloning. Es una locura (madness) says Escobar. Albi’s hypocritical claptrap is cut short when the doorbell rings. It’s Dora: ¡Mi hijo apareció!

Albi does not drop dead from fear, thus displaying a surprising level of cardiovascular fitness. Dora hasn’t actually seen him, just knows that he’s in Miami.

And Luisa and Señora Escobar, that is, Clara, Leo’s new secretary are talking kids. Luisa shows Daniel’s picture to Clara, says they haven’t seen him for years, he’d be twenty (yes, twenty!) by now. Clara boasts a little, kvetches a little, as moms will do, about her son Fernando. Her cell rings. It’s her boy, asking to borrow her car so he can go to a bar. But he’s not gonna drink. ‘I’m under 21 – they won’t sell alcohol to me.’

Natalia and Andrea are with Fernando, listening to his conversation with his ma. What a liar you are, says Nat, you’re drinking a beer right now. Beer’s not drinking, he says. No seas tan anticuada (don’t be so old-fashioned). Yo gotta be cool, man (No kidding, he actually says this. In English. God, I’m so glad I’m not a teenager).

Natalia heads home (smart girl!) instead of going with Fer and Andrea. Mama Rosa is there to greet her. ‘Te parezco bonita?’ asks the quietly lovely Natalia. (Do you think I’m pretty?) ‘Mama dice que no tengo gracia.’ (Mama says that I have no grace/elegance). She tells Rosa she feels tormented by everyone’s expectations of her.

You need to talk to your daughter, Rosa tells Marisa, she’s got problems. Marisa looks bored. But she’ll give it a shot. She explains to Natalia that women have to make themselves beautiful to attract men. It’s what’s on the outside that counts. Remember, Todos los hombres son iguales. (All men are the same). All they care about is having a beautiful woman, marrying her, and showing her off to their friends.
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Jade and Jadiyah are also talking about love and marriage. Jade wants her daughter to study a profession, be independent, then choose a man she loves to be her husband. Jadiyah is quite happy to have Tío Ali pick someone for her, as long as he’s guapo y rico y que me llene de oro. (handsome and rich and he fills/showers me with gold.) Tío Ali later admonishes Jade for imposing her frustrated dreams on her daughter. Jadiyah, he tells her, has both feet firmly planted here while you are straddling two worlds.
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Q: Did dad marry you because you were beautiful? Natalia asks Marisa.
A: Well no, I tricked him into marrying me because I wanted his money and position and his twin brother, who I really had the hots for, had died. Ok, she didn’t say that. She said ‘That was one of the reasons.’ [Have I mentioned how much I despise this character?]

Q: Were you in love with dad?
A: For a marriage to last so many years, believe me, the last thing that matters is love. (and yes, gentle reader, she really did say that).
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In Fez, the love and marriage catechism continues.
Q: Are you in love with my dad? asks Jadiya
A: He’s a very good and generous man, asks Jade kindly, if obliquely.
So then you are in love says Jadiya happily.
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Dora sees Daniel in Caliente, goes up and touches his shoulder. A stranger turns around and stares at her. Oh Dora.
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Nazira tells Said she’d like to go to Miami with the family.

Ali is teaching his children about the Koran. Nazira joins them. It turns out she loooves to listen to the Koran. Who’d a thunk it?

Zoraida tells Jade she hopes Nazira doesn’t snare Ali. Jade thinks it’s unlikely, but as Zoraida says los hombres siempre se pierden por los ojos. (men always get themselves into trouble by their eyes). And Nazira, she says, is a beautiful woman.
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Lucas tells Roberto that he doesn’t want to be in any meetings with the Arab investors. He also asks him to find out if Said is married.

Leo introduces his novia, Sofia, to Lucas and Roberto. Never saw your dad so enthusiastic about a woman, Roberto remarks to Lucas. That’s cuz you didn’t know him in Cristina’s time, says Lucas.

Natalia is getting ready to go to the beach. She’s in a bikini and cover-up. ¿No me veo muy vulgar? (I don’t look too vulgar, do I?) [Too bad Marisa never thought to ask herself that question.] Apparently Fernando doesn’t think so. At the beach, as Andrea looks on approvingly, he swoops Natalia up in his arms, carries her into the sea, and gives her a big fat cinematic kiss.
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Karla and Diana are practicing their moves in the lucha gym. Alej watches, hidden, thinking what an idiot Pablo was to put those two in the ring together.

Ramon is pasting notices about the match on a street post outside the Gloria’s bar. Little Amin is there helping, selling tickets. [Maybe they made the posters from the cartulinas Amin stole from the store?]
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Natalia comes home smiling, calls Andrea to ask if Fernando said they were novios? Oh no, well, he didn’t say we weren’t. Same thing, right?
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Zamira, whose lot in life seems to be spying from the window (maybe that’s how Nazira’s character was formed) sees Amin go off with Gloria’s boys. She tells Latifa, then goes across the street to ask where they went. To the lucha gym. Mohamed sees her clenches his fists, assumes his wild-eyed crazy man face. Zamira deflects his rage by telling him: ¡Amin desapareció! (Amin has disappeared)
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Marisa is out with Lucia (Roberto’s wife) when they spot Lucas sitting at a table with a woman. You caught him con las manos en la masa (with his hands in the dough, ie red-handed) says Lucia. I’ll tear her into shreds for you, she offers helpfully. (La despedazo para ti) Marisa needs to think it through.
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Mohamed has reached the gym and, stunned by the sight of the mamacitas in the ring, seems to have lost track of his errand – to fetch the little prince.
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In the final scene, Lucas asks Roberto: ¿Averiguaste? Did you find out? Yes, Said is coming with his wife and daughter. His wife’s name is…..Jade!

Labels: clon

Noel mentions Juan San Roman to Rod. Enough already says Rod. Noel thinks it is more than a coincidence. Rod still thinks he’s a ruffian and is not of their class. Whatever. Rod and Raul (a/k/a Twitchy) have a discussion about wood. Noel watches Rod. FF>>

Juan and Gabe are also talking about wood. Juan says that if the price of wood falls here and in America Rod will be in ruin. They gloat gleefully. Gabe can’t figure him out. He has a great fortune but he hangs out with the fisher folk. Well that’s where I came from.

Some woman is praying to the Virgin about her daughter. (I’m assuming Jimena’s mom). She implores the Virgin to let her see her daughter again. Meanwhile….

Jimena is in church also praying for her mother. A couple and a young girl enter and pause next to Mena. She looks at the girl like she knows her (was this the one that was kidnapped?)

In town a woman is informing the masses that the girl was returned to her parents. It was a miracle, a miracle. Servando and Tia are hovering and hear the great news.

Tia is looking for her next sucker--uh, client. Some soldiers run up, look retarded, then leave. Servando says they should get back to the camp.

Fed wants to talk to Rod. Rod wants to know what about. Well, at your daughter’s wedding I tried to kiss Regina. It was all very innocent. Yeah, right. Rod looks a little pissed but Fed says something way too fast and Rod says no problema. Don’t worry about it. You are a righteous dude. On the day of your wedding you will receive a fortune. Fed’s eyes light up with dollar signs at the news.

Leo is nervously pacing the tent waiting for Tia to return. Tia is very happy to see her. I have been waiting for hours. Well, I’ve been thinking about you. I could come to the house. Oh, no. Never come to the house. Leo wants to know about the man that she loves. Tia lays the cards on the table.

Rod returns home to find Rosenda waiting for him. She takes his walking cane sensuously from his hand. Where is Leonarda? She left. No one is at home at the moment. Famous last words.

Tia says that the man Leo loves will have problems. He needs her more than ever. If you help him he will be in your debt always.

Randy Rod is putting his grubby mitts on Rosenda’s face. He loves her skin. Gack! He moves in for the kill--uh, the kiss. Uh oh! Regina is looking for her jailer--I mean her dad. Holy Mother of God! What is that thing she is wearing?! If you popped those sleeves do you think she would whiz around the room like a balloon? Rod says he talked to Fed and he told him what happened at the wedding. You interpreted it wrong. I’m telling you again that you will marry Fed or else. It’s your decision. (Which really means you will do it BECAUSE I SAID SO.)

Fed is fondly recalling the fact that he will receive a fortune when he marries. Doorbell. It is Fifi come to pay a visit. The houseman who acts more like a policeman directing traffic shows her in. Ever tactful, Fed demands to know what she is doing here. Oh don’t worry lover-boy nobody saw me. She brought him a coin for good luck. They start sucking face. What a man-whore.

Santos has a hot date. The guys give him a hard time. They wonder where Curly is. FF>>
Curly is down on the beach doing his important job of watching the caves. He drinks some water and spits it out. His trusty sidekick must be thirsty too because it looks like he’s drinking the water that spilled on Curly’s shoulder. He reports to Juan (with the bird in his hair) that he saw nobody on the beach. Juan pays him for his services. (Do you know how much fun it is to get bird poop out of your hair?) Gross. Juan wants to make a wager with him. Curly thinks about it and the bird says ok. Heads or tails? Heads. Oh imagine that! He wins! Juan pays him double. He reminds Curly to keep his eyes open and to report immediately if he sees anything.

At the Finca Remi brings Clemencia a huge bag of sugar. Clemencia asks him a question. How do you know Juan? Remi says that when he was a child he found Juan abandoned in the forest. He brought him home and they raised him as part of the family. She is amazed that he is the one that saved Juan. There was a letter that said to name him Juan de Dios. Clemencia fesses up and says she is the one that wrote the letter. Clemencia says that thanks to him Juan is alive. We see a tear slowing trickle down Remi’s face. Clemencia thinks it was a miracle.

At the Can Can’t Club we are again going to be entertained (NOT) by another fabulous dance. Frenchie the Fop introduces the girls and their magnificent dance of the veil. Will the madness ever end? Actually it was one of their better performances. The audience is all atwitter.

Juan sits morosely in his study remembering the day he ran into Renato and his woman. Your woman was mine. He comes to some decision and hurriedly gets up and grabs his coat. This can’t be good but at least he does it quietly.

Aimee is awake next to Renato. She is thinking about Juan. (I’m thinking how long does it take to get that glow-in-the-dark red lipstick out of the white sheets?) She needs some air. Renato stirs. Juan rides through the night and stops outside the house. Luckily for him he’s had plenty of practice climbing up on balconies with a rather large sombrero on so this time it should be a piece of cake. Aimee goes out on the balcony and magically Juan appears at her side and scares the bejesus out of her. She freaks. What are you doing here. They argue about her being married. She tries to explain it to him. It was her father’s fault. He forced her to marry Renato. (Because he said so, of course.) Surely someone would hear this by now. He is very hurt. He sort of kisses her. She goes back inside. Rento hears a horse and wakes up. Where were you? I couldn’t sleep. I heard a horse. There is no one. Aimee is relieved. He wants a little something, something, but she is too tired. Juan rides off into the night.

The next day Regina comes downstairs to find Fed waiting for her. She reminds him that they don’t have anything to talk about. Rod interrupts and tells her that she is a Montes de Oca and she will comport herself befitting that name. I invited him here so you could talk. She obviously doesn’t want to talk to him so get over it. Rod has a pain in his chest. Woo hoo! His life alert must have gone off because Leo comes in to see what happened. Everybody flutters around him. Leo wants Regina to get lost. Fed takes her outside. Leo helps him to his room. Outside Regina wants Fed to leave her alone.

Mena tells Gabe she went to church to pray for her mother. They talk about her mother, Gabe tells her she is his best friend. Yawn. FF>>

Renato comes downstairs to find Juan waiting for him. He’s glad to see him. Juan would like to help him out at the Finca. Renato doesn’t know what to think. Aimee hides on the stairs and listens. Renato thinks it is a great idea. Juan says great and he leaves. Aimee is not real happy about the whole idea. She voices her concern but me thinks the lady doth protest too much. Renato is a little confused by her reaction.

Regina and Fed are still arguing. She does not love him in her heart. Well that’s ok because Fed only loves her in his wallet.

Aimee is still stewing. She’s afraid the savage will ruin the family. It is dangerous. She thinks her dad will be pissed. Think what you are doing. Something bad will happen. Renato looks frustrated and says she is worrying for nothing. Regina’s lines, Renato’s lines. Shut the hell up already. She bites her fan. What to do, what to do?

Fed and Regina are still arguing. He wants them to spend time together to get to know each other better. He kisses her hand. She looks like she wants to barf.

Renato is thinking about Aimee’s words. He runs into the Doc. Renato tells Doc he looks tired. Well, we’ve had a lot of sick folks to take care of. He tells him about the epidemic at the Finca. Renato hasn’t got a clue. He didn’t know anything about it. Regina has been helping us. He seems surprised. Renato wants to know if the doc thinks Regina could have a secret love. Are you serious? He doesn’t think so.

(Gag alert, gag alert!)
Orca is manhandling Leo. He’s about run out of patience. Leo tells him he doesn’t have to worry. She thinks she can change Renato’s mind and he can have his job back. They argue. She strokes his face lovingly and makes googly eyes at him. (Gag! I told you.)

Aimee is still worrying about Juan. She doesn’t know what she will do. Renato sneaks up on her and she jumps. She is crying and he is worried about her. He tells her they are heading back to the Finca. He just found out there is an epidemic at the Finca and he needs to go see what is going on. She doesn’t look very happy. He wants her to go to dinner with him. She thinks she and Juan will be face to face.

Tomorrow: More Jimena and Gabe, Renato and Aimee are in bed, Juan climbs the balcony--again.

Labels: salvaje

Todays' show is a real winner if you are a Ximena fan. Please try to watch this one if you are.

Two great things from last night...Gabi finally found out that Salvador is alive and Monita gave her daddy a royal telling off. She really lit into him, how could he abandon Coni? Who gives a cumin what the "proof" looked like? Yes, La Momia has hurt her a lot, but Monita looked into Coni's eyes and believed her, she was set up by Oscar. How could Marcos not believe his own daughter? For shame!

Jero has summoned Hissy to his hospital bedside. She stands there smiling smugly while he throws some feeble threats her way. He knows she got poison from Oscar to kill her daughter, her life is in his hands. (Horizontal dude definitely doesn't know our viper.) He tells her to stop looking at him with lust, he has a weakness for women with strong characters, especially older ones. "Shut up stupid" she warns. She tells him he presents no danger to her and Oscar is dead so he'd better figure out some other way to threaten her.

Jero is stricken, his friend, his teacher, he with the deep voice, dead! A moment of silence please. Hissy sez go to hell, she's off to tell the cops that Jero is awake and ready for jail. Jero tells her he'll keep his big mouth shut about her questionable activities if she helps him get out of the hospital.

OK, I think we are going to have Jarocha's favorite Ximena scene tonight. And who gets to recap it? Yopis!! Xime and Lalu are at the club drinking pink girlie drinks. Lalu accuses her of not wanting to go home as evidenced by the fact she's already had ten Daquiris. (Yikes!!) She staggers a bit then says something weird is going on between Arni and Rolu, they are serious all the time. Oh but she's going to play a trick on them and Estre has been giving her acting lessons. She performs for Lalu. Standing, she flings her hair over her shoulders, assumes a wide stance and scolds her absent husband: "It's simply not done, Rolando, No! A fragile, tender and lovely woman like me, well I have to have a heart of stone so that it will not break. Watch me laugh, hahaha, at your misdeeds Rolando. I LAUGH AT YOUR MISDEEDS!" Gathering a few stares she ends with a mighty "Bwahahaha!" She's fantastic and Lalu claps. Oh how I wish that tonight of all nights I knew how to post a snapshot!

Hissy sighs and tells Jero the Airhead fine, he can count on her. She has contacts and ways to help him. He mentions to her that Aldo knows about the dirty trick she played on Mau and the yummy Estrella. He found out the truth because he overheard her at the Cabaña of Crazy. And be careful because Aldo and Sal can turn into her worst nightmare. Hissy says she'll take care of everything, and when she says everything she means...everything. She stares cooly and ominously at Jero. He has been warned dear readers, but alas he's too silly to know it.

Lalu gives Xime the skinny, that the reason Arni and Rolu are mad all the time is because Arni's in love with Xime. She poo-poohs it away and tells him to stop going out of focus. Lalu keeps pressing, is she really in love with her husband? Actually he calls Rolu her "mareado" (which means nauseous or seasick) instead of her marido, funny stuff. And doesn't she like Arni just a little? She holds up two fingers and sez she's gonna tell him three things. One, Rolu is her greatest love, savage, sexy and dangerous. Two, Arnie is adorable, cute, sweet, she kisses her fingers to prove it. Three, if only they were one single man they would be her absolute ideal! Ruh roh.

The Kranky brothers Klunder are kvetching back at the pad. Apparently Rolu thinks Xime's visiting her brother, oh if he only knew. Arni goes upstairs to make a call with the cordless, but wait, brother Rolu picks up the phone downstairs! Lalu tells Arni that Xime's wasted, can Arni come and get her? Rolu rushes out to get a head start on retrieving HIS woman.

Estre, Aldo and Mau are over at the vecindad waiting for Monita and trying to figure out where she could be. Aldo is anxious that Moni learn the truth about her puppet master mother. Mau calls home, talks to Marcos, and instructs him to detain Monita.

Mientras tanto over at Mau's place the doorbell rings; it's Sal and Gabi! Tere thinks she's seing a ghost. Moni's thrilled. Marcos, very happy that Sal is alive, pays off the cab so I guess they escaped from La Loca. Gabi happily tells the story about thinking Sal was a ghost and Moni nearly knocks him over with a hug. "She hasn't changed much" Sal comments.

Moni tells Sal what Coni said about Isa being present when Sal died. La Momia was wrong, right? No, Isa was there and they had strong words. Moni wants to know everything.

Back at the vecindad Hissy arrives home and phones her daughter. She weeps, "where are you daughter, I feel really bad and I'm afraid I'm dying"; she pushes over a chair so Moni will hear the crash. Friggin' drama queen. Moni dashes out, sprints down the drive and hails a taxi seconds before Mau arrives home.
Things are moving quickly now. Gabi is complimenting Salvador on his cute buns, she could just squeeze them! And Marcos wants to know what brand trousers he wears. Mau comes in hoping to see Monita but is even happier to see Sal. Gabi interrupts the happy reunion to tell Mau that Moni left before they could tell her about Isa. Sal thinks Mau should head right out and intercept Moni because Isa's lies are on the verge of collapse. Mau wisely drags Aldo along for backup.

Gabi compliments Sal's hot buns yet again. Sal, you need to get that girl to a room pronto! And Marcos still wants to know where to get a pair of those bun-hugging pants.

Let's head back over to the club. Xime is doing the shimmy in her seat and enjoying her pink drinks. Lalu says her name and she thinks he's telling her to groan (gime) so she does her best Meg Ryan impression. She gets all amped up, orders a mango margarita, grabs the karaoke menu from the waiter and leaps for the stage, tripping only once on the way up. The lights magically turn on and she says she dedicates this song to auch, el amor.

The music starts and she sings, quite nicely I might add. We hear another beautiful voice, male, and Xime clears her thoat once or twice. What happened to her voice? Suddenly she's joined by Rolu who's got a great set of pipes. Rolu entrances her with his sexy rendition of Dejame and she falls off the stage!..but is caught by a waiter. Dang, I would fall over too if some guy serenaded me like that. Honestly, this scene was very hot. Did I say I hated Rolu? I might change my mind on this one.

Poor Arni pushes his way in but is too late. He looks around, sees that his beloved has eyes only for his brother and he knows he's lost. Lalu notes he's eaten up by jealousy. Arni crushes his glasses and orders a Mango Margarita (Same thing that Xime ordered! Lalu thinks this is a sign.) while his sweet Ximena sways to the dulcet tones of her husband. Poor Arni is stricken.

More racing around, this time it's Moni into the vecindad where she is stopped by Estre, Moni has to listen to her cachorro. Isa stumbles out of the house and begs Moni to take her to the doctor.

Sal reassures Marcos that Coni had nothing to do with his heart attack. Marcos is relieved but ashamed. However Gabi's not so forgiving. She insists that Coni's still "a real gem" (said sarcastically) who kills with her words. Yikes, remind me not to get on Gabi's bad side. Sal says Coni wanted to help him but Oscar stopped her. Still, Gabi says, Coni does horrible things and shouldn't be forgiven so easily. She goes on and on until Sal shushes her and tells Marcos that Coni shouldn't be in jail. Tomorrow morning they'll get her out. (What, they can't get her out tonight?)

Moni and Isa are stopped by Nieves, Beto, and then Mau and Aldo. Mau tells Moni it's very important that she know what Isa did to him and Estrella. Isa faints while Moni flutters. Nieves decides to rain on Isa's parade, grabs a bucket of water and dumps it over the witch. Are we going to take bets on whether she melts or not? What a world, what a world.

Isa jumps up, sodden and bedraggled. I think it's going to be a free for all here folks. Estrella calls her a witch, Mau joins in, Aldo stands in front of them tells Moni she has the right to hear the truth about her ma. When he was trapped at the cabaña he heard Isa tell Oscar herself that she put Mau and Estre nude in Estre's bed as a trap.

Isa tries to cry but they all jump in, "open your eyes, listen to us, see the truth". Moni looks around like a trapped animal and focuses on her ma. How could she do it? Estrella was her best friend and Mau was the love of her life. Isa says if she prefers to believe all these people rather than her own mother then she'll go to the hospital by herself; and if she dies then God forgive Moni for treating her mother like this.

Stares all around and Moni runs after her mother. Moni says she wants to help but Isa pushes her away. Nieves tells Isa not to play the martyr. Lies all lies insists Isa as she drives off. Moni is frantic and the eternally faithful Mau volunteers to drive in pursuit. Those who remain behind gripe about Isa and hope that Mau and Monita will finally get back togehter. Nieves predicts that one by one Isabel's lies will fall out, they'll see.

Over at the club Rolu has finished his song and Xime collapses in his arms, more drunk than swoony I'll wager. They kiss passionately and Arni orders another Mango margarita. However Lalu insists that Rolu doesn't deserve her. (Cut to Xime and Rolu kissing passionately). He says if Darleenk loves her he should fight for her! Lalu pushes Arnie up on stage so he can sing a song. Oh dear.

Xime introduces him and Rolu says he's ridiculous and can't sing. "Oh yeah" challenges Arni?

"Why Mau, Why" our poor little monkey weeps. Mau says Isa knew exactly what she was doing. Moni thought bubbles back to when Isa was persistently indignant that Mau and Estre had betrayed Moni. Moni starts gasping and orders Mau to pull over. She gets out and staggers onto the sidewalk. Mau follows her and for once gives her space, unsure how to handle her grief, and with that she falls into his arms.

It's Arni's turn to sing; alas he's not as good as Rolu but Xime simply loves it. In fact, she exclaims that she can't believe that Arni is as good as Rolu!.. (She points at Lalu who redirects her.) ..."As you Rolu!" she says. Lalu pipes up "better in fact". The former scaredy cat certainly gives it all he's got, I'll give him that. Xime takes off her glasses and looks at him with a new eye, sighs, nay swoons, and gives him a standing ovation. Folks, our Ximena has had a hell of a night.

Moni and Mau are at the hospital and she can't believe her ma's been lying to her all this time. "My mom doesn't love me, why?" More blubbering which Mau eases with a big hug. He may be a dummy but the guy gives good hugs.

Speaking of dummies, Jero, amusing himself by counting his heartbeats, is joined by Isa. She says she'll help him but he's got to do something for her too.

And with that I pass the baton to the Man of Mystery.


Mañana: El Gran Final will be Lunes 3, and promises emociones, intrigas, secretos, gasps!


Vocab:
A punto de venirse abajo = on the point of collapse (Isa's lies)
Dar la espalda = to turn one's back on someone (what Marcos did to Coni)
Gime = groans (what Xime thought Lalu was telling her to do)
Marca = brand, trademark (Marcos wants to copy Sal)
Mareado/a = nauseous, seasick, dizzy
Pompis = buns, as in buttocks (Marcos is jealous of Sal's)
Que pena! = How sad! For shame! (what Moni said to Marcos)
Sabrosa/o = yummy, tasty (how Jero described Estrella)
Ser una perita en dulce = a real gem, meant sarcastically, Gabi has called Coni this before (Lit. to be a pear in syrup)

Dicho:
Encontrar la horma de su zapato- To meet one's match (Lit. to find the form of your shoe) Has Isa finally met hers in her daughter? We'll see...

Grammar fun:
I noticed in this episode there was a lot of "finding out" going on, and they used the verb "saber" which typically means "to know (a fact)". However when used in its preterite tense then "I know" becomes "I found out". In other words, the meaning of the verb changes when used in a different tense. So how do you say "I knew"? Easy, you just use the other past tense, the imperfect, if you want to say "I knew". Here's how it goes...
Present:
Yo sé que mi madre es una vibora. = I know that my mother is a viper.
Preterite:
Supe que mi madre es una vibora. = I found out that my mother is a viper.
Imperfect :
Sabía que mi madre es una vibora. = I knew that my mother is a viper.

There are other verbs that also change meaning when used in their past tense. Maybe we will come across some of these later.

Labels: gancho

Marco tells Chavez "I'll behave like a prince (when Ale comes back). Meanwhile he is committing, uh, "artistry" as he calls it with Claudia in bed. She arouses his suspicions reciting all the reasons the folks at Siglo are suspecting Ale and Rafe of ... something.

Rafe enters the bedroom with a wonderful non-greasy breakfast he's created especially for Ale, with fruit and whole-wheat toast! He is happy until she gives the usual, "This Never Happened" speech and tells him to forget it all. He says he refuses to forget the happiest night of his life. She says "Marco didn't deserve this," and Rafa, remembering the night he saw Marco making some babe in a bar, bites his tongue.

He goes outside and revisits the scene of his happiness. Beautiful moody music plays as he sifts through the ashes of the fire and the sand falls through his fingers. He is so sad. Ale watches through the window.

`At Siglo Susana cheerfully shakes every hand and doesn't seem to mind that neither Dandy nor Claudia are in attendance. Claudia rushes in late and Marino mocks her for being in the same clothes as yesterday: "What business were you closing - or rather opening?" "I spent the night with a girlfriend." "A rich one with a moustache?" he guesses... they all ask if Ale and Rafe closed the deal, Susana says, ask them when they get back.

Rafa calls Jaime, who is in church talking to God asking what to do about the fact he kissed VVV, Rafa's girlfriend. Come to realize VVV broke up with Rafa, he is overjoyed. He tells what happened with Ale, that they slept in the same bed but nothing happened. He would like to tell her about Marco, but Jaime says that would be a mistake - she wouldn't believe him, and there were no witnesses.

Maria posted the rest of the recap. Thank you. You did a fantastic job! Maria writes:
Since I’m one of those people who speak English with an accent, this might not be standard everyone is used to on this website, but hope it helps those who missed the episode.

The team is coming back from the sales meeting. Rosaura asks if anyone noticed that Susana was strange today, but in a good way. The team decides, someone accomplished the mission. At the same time Dandy walks in and is welcomed with smiles. He starts telling the team about his victory. He can’t finish because Susana comes from behind and she is serious and all business. She asks why he missed the sales meeting. He gives her some excuses that students went out on the streets and the streets were closed to traffic. They exchange some coy smiles and Susana tells him to bring her the report. As she leaves he starts his trophy dance in front of the team.

Susana is on the phone with Marco. He wants to know when Ale is going to be at the airport. She tells him that the flight had been confirmed, but Ale not.

Everyone is at the Villa of fun. Rafa and Ale are thanking the Refri men and their wives for the unforgettable moments. Ledezma (?) doesn’t think the party has to end and says they could meet tomorrow in Mexico City to celebrate the closing of the sale. Ale cuts in and tells them she and Rafa had to stay prudent so that nobody suspects there is something going on between the two of them. The Refri people insist some more and Ale promises they will get together some time as friends in any place they like. The yacht just arrived and Ale and Rafa say their good byes. Rafa gets an extra long hug from the playful niece, and Ale jumps right in between them. They board the yacht. The ride back is rather somber and the two try to stay out of each other’s way. They arrive in Puerto Vallarta.

Back at the Siglo the “Ay, Dios mio” approaches Dandy and then the rest of the team and all want to know what exactly happened with Susana. Dandy says he is quite impressed with the sexual abilities of Susana (mentions the Kama sutra) but now back to business, everyone owns him one car. Marino wants proofs otherwise no cars. Dandy wants some time and even though he doesn’t have a video he will deliver a good proof. Marino wants know what he found out about Ale and Rafa. Marino tells them, nothing, he was just doing his (other) job.

At the Airport Marco is waiting with big bunch of red roses. Ale comes out. At first she doesn’t notice Marco. Once they start talking she is very uncomfortable. She takes the roses. Shortly after that Medina comes out. When Ale sees him, she throws the roses back to Marco. Rafa looks sad and serious and asks Ale if he should go to the office. She tells him to go home and report tomorrow to take care of the last details. Rafa leaves. “How was this degenerate, by the way,” asks Marco. With dreamy eyes Ale answers, “Oh really great” but she corrects herself right away saying, “More or less, like always, you know.” Then she drops her wallet. And then says she wants to be alone to make a phone call and gives him back the roses. Marco looks more and more disoriented and leaves her to call Susana.

Ale tells Susana she needs to talk to her and they make a date for tonight. Dandy is waiting with his report at Susana’s desk. He now knows Ale is back in Mexico City. He goes back to the sales room and tells Marino, Rosaura and Ramirez to follow him into Ale’s office in a few minutes to see the proof of accomplishing the mission. He grabs Susana, and in Ale’s office he demands a kiss because he can’t focus on work. Susana does not comply – they are at work. Meanwhile the three are looking through a gap in the door. Dandy kisses Susana almost with force and shows a thumb up Marino, Ramirez and Rosaura.

Marco drives Ale home. When they stop he asks her what really happened in Playa Bonita. Ale gets uneasy and Marco clarifies that he wants to know how the business went. He is happy to hear the topic Medina will be closed soon. She is very frazzled.

In the house Jorche and Tia are discussing the guest list as Ale walks in. Tia announces that all is ready for the wedding. She just needs some details about how to decorate the club. Ale says she is too tired for that now.

Back at the Siglo Marino and Bebe are in the middle of the moral dispute about business and feelings. No need to recap Marino’s arguments. He just warns Bebe, that if he opens his mouth nobody is going to support or believe him. And if all of them end up on the street he will too, and with his small sales numbers he will never be able get another job and support his wife.

Jamie drops by at Rafa’s. Mom asks him, how was Vicky’s company. Talk about the devil – VVV walks in. Jamie feels very uneasy. Vicky is pressing him to talk about what happened between them the other day. And then she plants another kiss on him. And then we have some more of the insanity, threatening about telling Rafa, another kiss. Oy vey.

Tomorrow: Marco finds Rafa’s yellow shirt in Ale’s luggage.

Labels: dinero

Episode 44,

Thanks again to Jeri who is filling in for vacationing Cheryl

Starting with the new scenes, on the beachwalk Juan greets Renato and
Aimee to apologize for busting up their wedding, and Renato is
gracious. He understands there's a woman Juan was looking for, and
Juan agrees. A woman who toyed with his affections; but they can be
sure he will forget her just as assiduously as he cared about her,
Juan says in front of Aimee.

Renato forgives Juan, shakes on it, and as an afterthought introduces
his wife. Juan mentions they met shipboard, but don't worry -- it was
no big deal. And who knew she would turn out to be your wife? Renato
explains while nuzzling Aimee that they weren't engaged until she
returned, and Juan remarks what a beauty she is.

Shopping in town, continuing with Marlene's fright at being recognized
by Clemencia, Marlene begs her not to say anything in front of
Rosenda. As Rosenda approaches, Clemencia feigns they were conversing
about colliding on the sidewalk. Rosenda berates Clemencia for even
talking to this trashy woman, whereupon Marlene's three constant
companions set upon Rosenda for insulting their benefactress. Rosenda
continues unabated, insulting the girls themselves for good measure.

Marlene bids the girls back off and not make a scene in the street;
the girls relent but warn Rosenda she'd better not try it again. The
girls take their leave, and Marlene asks her daughter why she treats
them like that, when she doesn't even know them. Rosenda claims that
her mother was no good, but she never stooped to being a madame.
Rosenda would die if anybody knew Marlene was her mother, she says.

At the park, Gabriel is mortified at catching himself kissing Jimena
and apologizes profusely. Jimena loved it, but is also horrified
Gabriel will think ill of her. She rushes to explain it must be
because of the lovely romantic setting and conversation about love
that overcame them. Gabriel latches onto to that excuse eagerly; he
thanks her again for bringing the letter from "Estrella." Right; he's
so convinced that upon taking his leave, he rushes back and holds
Jimena's face in his hands and plants a very tender, lingering kiss
goodbye on it.

Back at the beachwalk, Juan repeats his congratulations and commends
Renato for picking the right woman -- unlike other dopes who can't
pick a good one, he says. Renato beams and declares he and his wife
were born for each other, which prompts Juan to laugh out loud. Oh,
everybody can see that, he says, glancing around. Renato expresses
how happy he is that Juan is freed from jail, and Juan declares it was
Renato's father's doing, who believed in his innocence. Renato agrees
that his father is a great warrior for justice; and Juan says Noel
saved his life, and he hopes he'll have the chance soon to repay him.
Juan is a man who doesn't enjoy being indebted, he says.

Again at the shops, Clemencia attempts to quell Rosenda's disgust of
her mother, but Marlene admits Rosenda has every right and begs
Rosenda most abjectly to please forgive her. Rosenda practically
spits on Marlene and won't listen, stalking away. Clemencia tries to
assuage Marlene's pain, but regrettably has to admit Rosenda seems to
be worsening -- and what's more becoming way too ambitious. Marlene
understands all too well, as she was the same.

It's what ruined herself; she couldn't take the misery and chose the
easy way out, forging a chain of mistakes that brought her down to
where she is now. Marlene is beside herself and weeping woefully.
She's so sorry she abandoned her daughter; it's why she came back --
to try to make it up and earn Rosenda's forgiveness and love.
Clemencia promises to come see Marlene at the casino and talk, which
brightens Marlene. Clemencia knows life throws lots of curve balls
and isn't there to judge people, she says.

Juan is leaving Renato and Aimee at the beach walk, and Renato
declares Juan should call on him should he need anything. Juan thanks
Renato graciously, so those two are all good now. After Juan departs,
Renato tells Aimee there's something so familiar about that guy. Juan
doesn't get far along the walk again before being stopped by
Fulgencio, who is walking with Eloísa.

Fulgencio takes the chance meeting to express his sincere admiration
for the kind of daring, entrepid fellow Juan is. Juan has to
chuckle. Not only that, Fulgencio also offers Juan a job, if he ever
needs one; one never knows. Fulgencio wants Juan to see him as a
friend and confidant. Eloísa is frankly nonplussed and insists they
continue with their stroll now. At their retreat, Juan marvels a bit
at this exchange.

Further on, Eloísa takes Fulgencio aside and berates him for talking
to this jerk -- and offering to be his friend! Has he gone nuts?
Fulgencio has his reasons, he says. Business reasons. Who else
should appear then, of course, than Federico -- who also begins shop
talk. Eloísa is fed up with shop talk; she's in a bad mood over
Renato and Aimee acting decent to the guy who ruined their wedding.
She can't understand it; Renato must have atole running in his veins,
she says. I have no idea what she intends, except that atole is a
comfort food. Maybe she thinks he's a namby pamby.

At the farm in the kitchen, Clemencia berates Rosenda for insulting
Marlene and the three girls; she can't know what might have made them
that way, she insists. Rosenda is mystified why Clemencia defends
them -- and asks if Clemencia already knows them. Clemencia says
pointedly that one mistake can ruin a life -- and she's looking at
you, kid. That's twice Clemencia has given a warning about something
bad happening to Rosenda, so I'm anticipating what it might be.
Meanwhile, Marlene weeps piteously at the feet of the Virgin de
Guadalupe figure in church, begging forgiveness and help to get her
daughter back.

Juan pays a sudden visit to Noel's office, startling him. He thanks
Noel for his help; but -- reminiscent of Spock's father, Sarek,
declaring "One does not thank logic" -- Noel says not to thank him;
he would help anyone who needed him. Justice doesn't distinguish.
Juan then mystifies Noel, insisting it's not the first time Nnoel has
helped him; but doesn't clarify. Juan merely exits the office on the
verge of tears, informing Noel that he doesn't forget his debts. And
that he's in debt to Noel forever.

At Juan's house, Gabriel reads Estrella's letter and rhapsodizes, then
immediately berates himself for kissing Jimena. He can't stop himself
thinking of her and wondering why he did that. Juan enters and
notices Gabriel's discomfort, whereaupon Gabriel admits what he did.
Juan coaxes, rather tongue in cheek, that Gabriel should pay attention
to what his heart is telling him. Gabriel must care about Jimena,
Juan says; but Gabriel insists he can't. She's a gypsy! They're
different! He can't be in love with her. He loves Estrella. No, no,
no. Juan insists no one commands the heart; take it from him. He
loves Aimee and wants to forget her; but he can't so far.

Meanwhile at their apartments in the townhouse, Aimee berates Renato
for offering to help Juan. If Juan came to work at the farm, her
father would go ballistic. Does Renato want to divide the family?
And then there's Regina, she says; but when Renato evinces doubt that
Regina is the woman Juan sought, Aimee insists she has to be. Who else?

In her own room, Regina talks to God. She made good on her promise to
see Aimee married to Renato. Now, when they have their first child,
she's going to try again to go back to the convent. Please, God,
don't abandon her, she prays. Meanwhile at the clinic, Ignacio waxes
effusive about Regina, who saved his life; and Dr. Pablo can only
agree what a good and beautiful soul she is.

Pablo thinks to himself, though, that it's a soul that suffers, and he
wants to make it better. He wishes he were the one to do so, but
Regina has someone else in her heart; and he wonders who it is. Again
at the townhouse, alone now Renato reviews the conversation with Aimee
and wonders -- what if the woman Juan sought indeed was Regina? Then
what? He quaffs his brandy and mulls it over.

Jimena also goes to church -- for the first time ever, and she thinks
it's beautiful. She watches another parishioner and makes the same
motions. Across town, Griselda and Servando discuss Jimena. They
reminisce how they abducted the little girl from a very rich family in
Puebla. Segue to a bedroom in Puebla, where a woman, Mariela, prays
wretchedly over having lost her daughter.

She wishes only to see her again before she dies. Another woman
enters who bids her own daughter take heart -- they might hear
something from the investigator her husband has hired to find news of
"Angela." So, apparently Jimena has at least a mother and two
grandparents in Puebla. I wonder who the father is. Back at the
church, Jimena prays about her mother and begins to tell the Virgin
all about her love for Gabriel.

At the club, the girls are outraged that Marlene wouldn't let them
pound that rude woman in the street. Who is she, they ask? At the
farm, Rosenda is helping Leonarda dress -- and she notes Leonarda is
strangely radiant lately. What's up with that, she wonders. Leonarda
will be off on an errand by herself and won't tell Rosenda where (but
we know it must be to ask Griselda to read more Rodrigo in the
cards). In passing, Rosenda rats out Clemencia for talking to that
bordello owner in the street, which enrages Leonarda -- who will just
see about that right away!

First, Rosenda heads to the catacombs to tattle to Arcadio how
Leonarda is glowing, how very long Leonarda is spending primping to go
out somewhere and how mysterious she was about it. She thinks Arcadio
should be more grateful for her tattling, but he's glum. Relenting,
he says if Leonarda doesn't return his foreman's job to him, then
he'll divulge the family secrets to Rosenda. When Rosenda doesn't
leave promptly at his order, Arcadio draws up a fist to convince her;
and she scurries away.

Down in the kichen, Leonarda tries to rake Clemencia over the coals
for consorting with trash, but Clemencia quotes the Biblical, "...Let
he who is without sin cast the first stone..." at Leonarda. Meanwhile
at the club, Marlene agonizes about her punishment and declares that
Clemencia is the only hope she has left. Back in the kitchen,
Leonarda complains bitterly that Clemencia always defends everybody
else and judges Leonarda instead. She'd better watch out, or she'll
be in the street one day, Leonarda warns. Clemencia is not impressed.

The Associates sit together at a table in the port cafe, discussing
Noel defending Juan. Noel pronounces the complete name: "Juan San
Roman," which gives Rodrigo a start, in recognition. Noel claims it's
a coincidence. Rodrigo doesn't want to hear about that guy anymore
and is going to stay away from him. Raúl mentions he intends to do as
Noel said and sell all his lumber interests.

When Rodrigo objects, Raúl says Noel's not the only person advising
that; someone else did, too. (Juan did yesterday, as Raúl was leaving
the blackmailing meeting. A handy crumb Juan tossed his way.) Raúl
will not be dissuaded, though, and Rodrigo declares ok, whatever Raúl
sells, he'll buy up. Nobody knows more about business than he does,
Rodrigo says. Famous last words. Over in his office, Juan notes that
all the news from Europe shows lumber prices down; if they plunge in
America, Rodrigo Montes de Oca will be ruined. Isn't that nice.
We'll find out tomorrow or sometime: same bat time, same bat channel.

Labels: salvaje

“Since the invention of the kiss, there have been five kisses rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind.” This is one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite movies, THE PRINCESS BRIDE. It is the description of the final kiss between Buttercup and Westley. That is exactly how I would describe our first real kiss between Rafa and Ale. It was tender and very sweet. It was passionate and yearning. If I am not careful my entire recap could be nothing more than describing this kiss.

But we have another 43 minutes ahead of us. And it was quite the episode. We had songs, more kisses, passion, infidelity, a little head standing yoga and a very bittersweet ending. So lets get started.

We start out with Rafa and Ale being encouraged to kiss. We get a silly little peck to start out with. That was not going to satisfy the Refri crowd. (Nor me) They chant for another. Then the moment all of us Dineronites have been waiting for, the Kiss. Definatly worth the wait.

Sadly we are interrupted with a little Marco whining. He is telling his sad tales to Jorge and Tia. Tia reassures Marco that Ale adores him. Marco tells her it doesn’t look that way to him. After all she has been gone practically the entire weekend just days before their wedding. Jorge assures him not to worry, after all they all know how obsessive Ale is about work. He tells Marco he is about to marry an executive, not some submissive housewife.

Marco playing the poor ignored fiancé tells Jorge that is not the issue. He feels Ale has been acting very strangely. This sets Jorge off. He wants to know if Marco is doubting Ale. Tia wants to know if Marco is suggesting that Ale might be up to something with someone else. Tia says she is offended by his doubts about Ale. Jorge agrees with this. Marco sadly tells them he does not doubt Ale. She is incapable of betraying him like that. ( Oh, they do not know our Ale).

We are now at Siglo with the crew reminding Dandy what is at stake. Dandy assures everyone that he will not loose their bet. We are briefly interrupted by Susana telling everyone good night. Dandy turns to the crew and tells them to start preparing themselves psychologically to pay him all their commissions.

Marino chides him, telling him he knows he is not going to get anywhere with the little vegetarian but at least try and get the scoop on Rafa and Ale. Our beloved defender of the universe (Bebe) tells them all they repulse him and leaves. Ramiro hopes that Bebe just doesn’t open his mouth and say anything. And Dandy is off.

Our passionate kiss has ended to applause. Ale is breathless. Rafa tries to tell her something and Ale gently touching his face tells him he doesn’t have to say anything. She doesn’t want to have to think about anything and their gaze melts into one as they begin to kiss again. They are left alone in each others arms smiling very contently.

Not so contently we see Vicki decked out on the couch as if her world has ended. The door bell rings and in walks Jaimie. He is hurled into the house by Vicky. He wants to know what the urgency to get there was. Vicky ushers him into the living room. We hear the Brothers Grimm in the background wanting to know what’s going on. They enter the room with butcher knives in hand and are relieved to find it is only Jaimie. A very nervous Jaimie tries to explain to them he knew it wasn’t a good idea to come over at such late hours. The BGs smile and tell Jaimie not to worry and leave him alone with Vicky. (oh Jaimie you better be worried now).

Vicky tells Jaimie they all adore him. She drags him over to the chair and pushes him down. Jaimie wants to know what she wants to talk about. She needs to talk about Rafa. Jaimie doesn’t understand this as they have been talking about Rafa all afternoon. Vicky tells him there are still things that she doesn’t understand and only Jaimie can help her out. Jaimie reluctantly agrees but tells her to make it quick because he has a class early in the morning. Vicky whines on that she wants to be able to make it fast but there is just so much spinning around in that silly little head of hers. She wants to know what love is. Jaimie looks very stressed.

Ale and Rafa are slow dancing, and Ale tells Rafa she hasn’t danced in a long time. Rafa says me too and Ale calls him a liar and reminds him about the little tryst back at the fleabag motel. Rafa smiles and gives his cute little ira ira ira and tells her she is beautiful when she is jealous. Ale throws a little ira ira ira right back at him and wants to know who said she was jealous. Then Rafa has the perfect comeback. “You are more beautiful when you smile.” Ale smiles so sweetly and tells him thank you. Still dancing very closely they begin kissing once again.

We see a candle being lit at Susanas’ apartment. Susana asks Dandy if he wants something to drink. Dandy wants to know if she has any thing really strong. Susana tells him she doesn’t drink, but does have some ginger extract. That’s just dandy with our Dandy, and Susana is off to collect the drinks. Dandy pulls a face as she walks off.

Susana wants to know what has him all bothered. Dandy wants to know if she really wants him to be honest with her. Well of course she does as she returns with the ginger and Dandy has resigned himself to sitting on the floor as he chokes down his drink. He confesses he has strong feelings for her. He tells her he can’t stop thinking about her. He can’t concentrate on work. He can’t sleep and when he does, she appears. (Oh he is smooth). He tells her it is like they have things pending from past lives. Susana doesn’t understand, what past lives.

Dandy must have been doing his homework because he weaves an incredible little tale about past lives. Susana is quite surprised as Dandy is creeping ever (but awkwardly ) closer to her on the floor. Susana tells him he has never appeared to her in her past lives. (This whole conversation had me a little confused). About the only thing I really understood was he finally told her they were obliged to be together in this life. Susana seems a little skeptic. Dandy wants to know if she doesn’t feel anything for him. Susana tells him he is just a work mate and she does care about him but not like that. Not in this life or any past lives.

We are back with crazy Vicky and a petrified Jaimie. Vicky wants to know what Rafa is thinking now. Jaimie doesn’t have a clue. He has told her this a million times and this question is going to give him nightmares. Vicky is offended and tells him he doesn’t have to talk to her like that. After all he is Rafas’ best friend and knows him better than anyone. She whines she knew she couldn’t count on him.

Vicky has now lost it and poor Jaimie stands to try and quiet her. He glances back to make sure the BGs are not coming back. She cries her life is being destroyed and accuses Jaimie of yelling at her. She tells him he sees her abandoned, humiliated and alone with her heart broken in a thousand pieces and her voice gets louder and her demeanor more crazed as she grabs poor Jaimie by the neck of his shirt Screaming “the only thing you are concerned about is the one question I have asked you.” Poor Jaimie more than a little concerned about her brothers returning keeps looking over his shoulder.

Jaimie tries to calm her down and asks her to forgive him. She screams you don’t care about comforting me. Jaimie goes to give her a comforting hug and pats her on the back. Vicky suddenly goes in for a kiss. (As much as we all complain about our crazy Vicky she is so funny to watch in action).

The kiss ends and Jaimie looks like he is about to be sick. Vicky goes in for another kiss. I am not sure what is going on in poor Jaimies brain but he goes to touch Vickys’ shoulders to console her and she suddenly pushes him away. She screams at him and asks him why he did that. Jaimie doesn’t have a clue what is going on. And Vicky goes in for another lip lock, only to push him away again. This, what can only be called lip-lock abuse, goes on for awhile until an insane Vicky finally pushes away a terrified Jaimie one final time.

Now insane Vicky tells terrified Jaimie that it is best if they never tell Rafa about this. He might misinterpret this and that would only end badly and make poor Vicky cry more ending up in the hospital at the point of death. And what about the brothers. They can’t find out because they would certainly murder Jaimie. Poor Jaimie. Finally Vicky thanks him for listening and tells him they can never kiss again and goes in for one final assault, I mean kiss. She finishes, pushes him away and tells him he can leave. Jaimie runs for the door and Vicky is left with a big smile on her face. Still running for his life Jaimie stops to take a breath, wondering what he is going to do about Rafa.

Susana accuses Dandy of being a professional womanizer. He tells her she is wrong. It is just a disguise he uses to combat his loneliness, his inability to have the woman he truly needs. He asks her if she has sexual feelings. He puts her hand on his chest and asks her to listen and tell him what she feels. Susana tells him she feels his heart beating very fast and he needs to go to the doctor. Dandy tells her if she doesn’t want to get to know him better they should just end this.

Susana tells him there is one sure way to find out if they are compatible. Dandy is all eager about this. Especially if it involves taking his clothes off. Susana smiles and tells him no. She wants to know when his birthday is. He hesitates a little but tells her. She goes to her lap top telling him he is younger than her. She wants to know what hour he was born. Susana has pulled up a compatibility chart.

Marco is assuring Jorge and Tia that he has never doubted Ales’ fidelity. He could certainly accuse her of working to much and being obsessive about her things but never of being unfaithful. She is as faithful as he is. Marcos’ phone rings and he tells them it is Urdiales. Marco talking into the phone says Urdiales I will be there shortly and hangs up. We see a confused Claudia on the other end of the phone. Jorge is upset with the call and tells Marco to tell Urdiales to go to the devil. Marco tells them work calls. Tia tells him to calm down and have faith in Ale. He tells them he believes in Ale, feigns sadness as he leaves

We have night stars and a low hanging moon and a large heart shape in the sand encircling large letters A and R. Then we are treated to very lovely Rafa song. (Can this episode get any better? Oh I bet it can) Rafa gently and sweetly serenades Ale against the gentle waves of the ocean. “Amarte la Antigua.” ( I am not certain of the translation but I think it means I will love you forever. Any other ideas? ) This was a very lovely and enchanting scene.

We now have a distraught Susana telling Dandy they are not compatible. Things would turn out very badly if they were together. Dandy can‘t quite wrap his head around any of this mumble jumble and reaches for the lap top. He wants to know how a computer program could know how things would turn out between them. I apologize I didn‘t understand too much of what Susana was telling Dandy about the astrological charts or such but it was a cute scene.

Susana assures Dandy that there might be some things they are compatible at. She takes the lap top away from him in search of these things. As she explains things to him he starts putting the moves on her. He starts nuzzling her neck. You can be sure this is having an effect on our sweet innocent Susana. There is a problem with the Scorpion house and again I was totally lost. I am sure Dandy didn‘t have a clue what she was talking about either but he continued with his seductive moves.

Susana attempts to continue, she tells Dandy he isn‘t very stable but she is. Susana tells them they don’t have a chance at a future together. She is sure they could never have a family together. Susana is weakening to Dandys’ moves. There is talk about their sun and moon straying. Dandy calls her his sun and he will be her moon and before we know it Susana has lost all control and fallen victim to the wiles of a dandy.


Marco and Claudia have arrived at Marcos apartment. We have another little cat and mouse seduction scene. Those two were meant for each other. Slime (Marco) and conniving (Claudia) . Claudia feigns discomfort at betraying Ale. She is afraid Ale might find out. Marco goes to the bedroom pretending to find papers that Claudia is looking for. Well we know all know where this is going and they end up in bed together.



Rafa and Ale continue to dance with each other oblivious to their surroundings when they are interrupted by their host offering them another tequila. They both decline stating they are tired. They say their good nights and walk closely together arms wrapped around one another. They arrive to their room and Rafa gently helps Ale to the bed. He takes her shoes off and Ale is in a soft drifty sleep while Rafa stands and prays to god wanting to know if this is real and that he doesn’t want to wake up yet.

Ale wakens and Rafa asks her if she is okay. She tells Rafa to come close. He sits down on the bed with her and they snuggle very closely. She tells him she wants to be in his arms. Ale wants to know what time it is. Rafa tells her he is not sure but that the night is almost over. Ale is gently kissing him and tells him she does not want morning to come. Rafa says another little prayer for the night to not end and Ale sweetly laughs at him.

She says his name and he answers yes? She tells him he sings beautifully all the while gazing into his eyes. She tells him he sang to her and it was so romantic. Rafa has died and gone to heaven. Ale continue to caress his face and tells him this was the best night of her life. She asks him to sing to her again. She starts sweetly singing the song and he continues, then tells her he can’t remember anymore, he tells her it is like he can’t see and that he has forgotten everything.

They smile at one another. Ale tells Rafa she is very tired but very happy. She tells him to ask the night not to leave. Rafa tells the night not to leave. Rafa confesses to Ale this was the happiest night of his life. We have another sweet kiss. Now Rafa seems a little concerned as he tells Ale they have a little problem. There is no place for him to sleep. Ale sits up slightly and tells him “here” . Rafa questions this and she says yes here. We have our theme music and a very sweet lovely scene of Ale and Rafa side by side on the bed
.

THE MORNING AFTER

ACT I

Claudia and Marco are in bed together. Marco is snuggling a sleeping Claudia. She wakes and wants to know where she is. Claudia feigns innocence and assures Marco this isn’t how she really is. Marco slyly smiles and says me neither. And there night of wild passion is not over.


ACT II

We see a sleeping Dandy on a futon on the floor. He is snoring loudly, then we pan across the room to a
Humming Susana practicing her yoga while standing on her head. Dandy awakens slightly confused and greets Susana who shushes him. Then she asks him how he slept. Dandy wants to know how long she has been up. Long enough as she list all the things she has already accomplished.

She tells him she made him some juice and has cereal with soy milk. Dandy pretends to be pleased with this. Susana is all business and energy at this point and is off to work. Dandy attempts to get out of bed and has some kind of spasm. He complains about the positions she had him in last night. Somehow I think she got his ankle behind his head. (I don’t need to hear any more. ) Susana is off and Dandy asks for a kiss before she leaves. Susana gives a very sweet peck on the lips and gently taps him, telling him to hurry. Dandy has a goofy smile on his face. He can barely get out of bed without spasms of pain.

ACT III

Rafa and Ale are lying next to each other wrapped in each others arms peacefully asleep. Still fully clothed. Ale awakens, seemingly aghast at what transpired. She goes into the bathroom and touches her engagement ring and wonders how she could ever do this to Marco. We see a flashback of a supposedly happier time when Ale was going to buy the apartment for Marco. Ale starts crying, walks to the shower turns it on; sits on the floor and begins to cry.

Rafa has awoken, and starts hugging the pillow, still half asleep thinking it is Ale. He fully wakens. remembering the night and smiles saying it all wasn’t a dream. Ale really cares for him. We see scenes from the night. Then we have the most bittersweet split screen scene I have ever seen. Ale crying inconsolably on the bathroom floor and Rafa with the sweetest smile lying on the bed thinking about his beloved Ale.

Labels: dinero

What can I say.....I will have to post later, but feel free to chat among yourselves until then. And HUGE thanks to Hombre who filled in for me last week when I got in a bind. I thought I would get to it tonight, but alas....I have a new old refrigerator instead.... :0)

Labels: gancho

We continue to have more and more new characters but the clone is still AWOL. Usually when this happens in a novela, it's because the producers are desperately trying to get more viewers but apparently we are still following the script of the (to me) inexplicably popular original version of the novela. I was not inspired to grab pictures of all new characters. I took a few shots of Jadiyah and one of Zamira.

Dora comes to visit Albieri and Luisa. She tells them that she hasn't seen Daniel for months. She says that she finally understands that Daniel will only find peace with Albieri even if it leaves her destroyed.

Marisa wants Lucas to go to a party with her but he says that he is not interested in parties, fashion shows (desfile) or red carpet (alfombra roja) events. Marisa acknowledges that it is better to go alone than in bad company.

Lucas must be hard up for confidants if he is telling his matrimonial troubles to Leo. He says that Marisa is very frivolous (frívola) and he can't stand her. He doesn't know why he didn't separate from her when they signed the divorce papers but everything fell apart when Natalia had psychological problems. Now he and Marisa are locked in a cage without an exit ('encerrado en una jaula sin salida'.) [Why can't they get divorced now?] Leo says that as time goes on the love diminishes in a marriage. Lucas flashes back to watching Jade dance for him and tells Leo that he doesn't agree with him.

Nariza tells Said and Jade that Jadiya is at Ali's helping him to find his fourth wife. Jadiya tells Ali that she can find him a wife. Ali asks her to describe the woman he should marry. Jadiya descbribes Nariza, pretty [maybe in the eyes of a 10-year old]; black hair, dances well and not too young. Ali agrees to let her find him a wife. He warns her not to pull a fast one on him ('no me puedes pasar gato por liebre,' literally, 'you can't pass a cat off as a hare on me').

Natalia's friend, Andrea, forces her to go to South Beach to see a boy that she likes. Before they go, Marisa makes nasty comments about Natalia's appearance.

Dora is at the dance club. She asks about Osvaldo but Vicki hasn't seen him. Miguel shows up and says that Osvaldo is running after a model.

Osvaldo tells Karla [who is dancing to the same song that they played in the club at least 10 years ago] that he is a talent agent. She is all excited [They all say that honey. You should Google him.] Alejandro shows up and is jealous. His fight with the 'killer' isn't on yet. His manager Pablo is setting it up but meanwhile Pablo has an idea to have two women fight in a cage. He doesn't want professionals but rather two babes who will pull each others hair (se jalan las greñas) and attract a crowd with money.

Amine blackmails his sister and cousin into giving him their chocolate. Zamira complains that the worst thing that happened to her was to have a brother. Everything in the house is for him.

Back in Morocco, Said tell Jadiya that he wouldn't trade her for 10 boy children. Said tells Jade that he is expanding his hotel business into Miami. He is going there to inaugurate the project and wants Jade to go with him.


Of course, Leo's company is involved in Said's project. Enrique asks if Leo has heard from Cristina. Leo hasn't. Enrique tells him that the bar he bought for her is a big success.

Natalia is too shy to talk to Fernando, the guy she likes. She abandons her friend and drives home. [According to the internet, you can drive at 16 in Florida so Natalia must be at least 16.]

Marisa and Lucia come back from their party. Lucia complains again about the problem of being married to a handsome man. She calls him all the time. She has good reason to be suspicious. Her husband, Roberto, is having a massage but he tells his wife that he is in a business meeting. He works for Leo.

Hilda, a pretty newcomer to the neighborhood (played by Luly Bossa, from Zorro) visits Mohamed's store. Latifa is jealous.

Dora tells Vicki that Daniel has made contact with her mother and Dora believes that he is in Miami.

Luisa suggests to Albieri that they have Dora over for dinner. He gets all weird and leaves the room. We also see yet another new character, Escobar, an assistant in the lab.

Leo has a new secretary, Clara, played by the actress who was the long-suffering Lina Maria in Victorinos. Leo finds out that the head investor in the hotel project is named Said but that doesn't ring a bell for Leo.

Jade tells Zoraida that she doesn't want to go the States with Said. There are too many bad memories and losing Lucas still hurts a lot.

Lucas must be hard up for confidants if he is telling Rosa that losing Jade still hurts him a lot. He says that he has never felt such intensity of emotion since. "Ah, adolescent love," replies Rosa.

It appears that Leo's new secretary, Clara, is the mother of Fernando, the guy Natalia likes. She is also married to Escobar, Albieri's assistant. Fernando calls Natalia to get the address of Leo's office. Fernando calls his mother to ask for $500to buy a surfboard (tabla) but she says that she just started a new job and doesn't have any money. She tells him to stop bothering her at work or she will cut off his allowance (mesada).

Enrique tells Leo and Roberto that Said is coming to Miami. They work out their strategy to close the deal.

Said tells Jade that he has been contacted by a food exporting company that wants to meet with them in Miami. When Jade finds out this is Leo Ferrer's company, she lies and says that she has never heard of them and immediately has a headache and has to go lie down. Jadiyah is watching. As they say, little pitchers have big ears.

Karla wants to be one of the women cage fighters but Alejandro doesn't want to see his future wife half naked in a cage while 100 guys drool over her.

More sibling inequality at Mohamed's. Amine is on his bike all day but Zamira doesn't even have a bike. She and Latifa plead with Mohamed to get her one and finally he agrees.


Mohamed tells Latifa that he is concerned about raising his children so far from their customs. Latifa thinks that they should cut the kids some slack, so that they aren't different from all other children. Mohamed considers returning to Morocco for that reason. He is afraid that Zamira will turn out like Jade. Latifa reminds Mohamed that Jade has made his brother happy. She says that Zamira won't make them suffer the way Jade made Uncle Ali suffer.

Jadiya asks Ali what he admires most in a woman. Ali says that she should be quiet, religious, submissive, lowering her eyes when she approaches a man and that she is quiet when her husband speaks. [Sounds a lot like Nariza, right?] Jadiya says that in that case she knows just the person for him and he knows her too. She goes to get this paragon. Zoraida wonders how a little girl can be so devious. Ali says that Allah made men stronger but women smarter so that they can overcome a man's strength.

Jade, Said and Nariza come over to Ali's house. Jadiyah tells Nariza that she has to be very submissive (soumisa). Nariza's reaction:

Jadiyah's reaction:


In a very funny scene, Nariza pretends to be submissive and religious in front of her astonished family. They keep asking if she is feeling ok. She says that she is so overcome with emotion about Ali's wonderful nieces and nephews that will carry on her family name that she has to go and pray. Zoraida hopes that this change to Nariza is permanent.


Said tells Ali that the chief investor in his project is Leo Ferrer. Ali pretends that he doesn't know the name. Jade leaves the room followed by Zoraida and Jadiyah. She tells Zoraida she can't take any more. Jadiyah wants to know who this Leo Ferrer is. She says that whenever he is mentioned, Jade gets all nervous. Jade protests that she doesn't know him. Jade tells Zoraida that she has a bad feeling about going to the States.

Leo has no sympathy for Lucas' desire not to be involved in the Moroccan project. Leo says that his firm can't miss an opportunity to invest in the Middle East because of Lucas' adolescent love. Lucas asks what is the problem with Enrique handling the the transaction and keeping Lucas informed (mantener al tanto). Leo says the problem is that he doesn't trust someone who can't control himself. "And you can?" asks Lucas sarcastically.

Karla convinces Alejandro to let her do the cage fight. Meanwhile Pablo is setting up a grudge match. He gets Alejandro's former girlfriend, Diana, to do the fight and lies tells her that Al doesn't have a new girlfriend.

For some reason Rosa gets a business call for Leo. The only thing she can remember about the call is that it was from someone named Said. Lucas is impactado.

The credits roll.

Labels: clon

Test

Labels: recapper-intro

Said looks from his crying baby daughter to his crying baby wife, and he lets her stay in the house. In what status? They never say. Does she try to get along with him? Does she just coexist in the house without ever talking to Said? It’s hard to tell.

Ali is heard quoting something in the background. Allah created time, the creator and destroyer of all things, the giver and taker of life. But time is a mystery. We are taken to a time about 10 years later.

Little Jadiyah dances for the party, and Jade dances with her. Jadiyah has eyes only for her daddy, and daddy has eyes only for Jade. While Nariza, in full clown makeup, is making eyes at Ali. And Ali would rather gouge his eyes out than look at her.

Across the sea, Natalia, who looks about 14, is getting an award for being a star student. Lucas and Pop agree she’ll go far. But she’s terribly shy speaking in front of the crowd. (A 14-year-old girl who is awkward in social situations outside her age group? No puede serrrr!) Everyone is glowing except Marisa, crabby as ever. Backstage Natalia talks to her Cristina-in-training friend. Doesn’t Natalia know that to be friends, you have to dress exactly the same as everyone in your clique? Her friend cares nothing for studies, only boys. Lucas, Leo, and Rosa tell Natalia how proud they are. Marisa criticizes her clothing, her shoes, and her lack of make-up. You can tell this is telenovelaland. A real 13-14 year old girl would scream at her mother, “You hate me! You’ve always hated me! You want to ruin my life! Nobody understands me! I never want to see you again as long as I live! And can you take me and Cristy to the mall?”

Jadiyah has her mind on boys too. Only about 10, she wants to know if anyone has asked for her (hand) yet. Papa says she’s too young. Mama says she needs education and a profession first. Tio Abdul says that a women with an education puts her family in danger. Jade tells her daughter, “I’ve always told you, ignore what Tio Abdul says.” But Jadiyah doesn’t care about an education, only a husband, lots of kids, and lots of gold.

Marisa and Natalia continue their argument at home. Marisa says Natalia doesn’t pay enough attention to her appearance. I say she’s wrong. A person can’t find a shirt THAT ugly without looking hard for it. Naty tells Pop and Grandpop that none of her friends care who gets an academic medal.

At Casa Mohamed, Gloria and the Wild Ones move in across the street. She’s opening a bar, and her shirtless son and his two buddies are helping. The son has a round tattoo in the same place as Lucas’ mole. Not sure why. Gloria hollers across the street and invites them to her new bar. Latifa is scandalized. You’d think that after living in Miami for 15 years, she wouldn’t have seizures every time she sees a bare-chested man. Mohamed and Latifa hustle into the house. Gloria is offended by the snub. Doesn’t Islam value hospitality?

Little Amin goes snooping on the new neighbors. Ramon, the one with the shirt, catches him. He explains that Gloria’s son, Alejandro, is a cage fighter, and there’s a fight tomorrow night. Does Amin want to come? Gee, that’s a good way to lose your liquor license on the first day of business!

Said brings Jade a gold bracelet and says he remembers the first day he saw her. He thought, “I want to make that woman happy for the rest of her life.” I guess he never heard the song. He wants to know if he succeeded. Jade only answers that she couldn’t have a better husband. Later she tells Zoraida that Said is always bringing her presents. Z asks if she’s happy. Not happy, but tranquiliza - she has accepted this life.

Ali is fighting with one of his wives, and he declares that he’s going to get a fourth wife because the others don’t make him happy. Jadiyah overhears this and runs to tell Tia Nariza. Nariza sees her big chance, and she gets Jadiyah to agree to help her rope in Ali.

Latifa, wearing clown make-up and a very low-cut V-neck smock, asks Samira where her brother is. They can’t find him. Mohamed asks the neighbor (the one he snubbed yesterday) whether she’s seen him. She says no. Amin is actually inside watching the cage fighting. Okay, just a few oddities.
A. The business has café tables outside, and a general café environment, while inside it‘s crowded with rowdy people watching cage fighting.
B. It opened yesterday and already they have a big event with lots of patrons.
C. It‘s a bar, but nobody is holding any drinks, not even a bottle of beer.
D. This is Gloria‘s bar, and this is her big event, but she is outside sweeping the sidewalk.
E. Nobody has a problem with a 10 year old boy in the bar.
Time for a new beanie.

Latifa wants to call the police, and Mohamed urges calm. Amin comes home after the fight, and he tells his parents that he fell asleep in the mosque, because he was so tired from studying all last night. Latifa and Mohamed are uber-proud of their son. Amin and Samira pass glances, expressing how stupid they think their parents are for believing such a tale.

Dora shows up at Vicky’s door. She says she hasn’t heard anything from Daniel in five months. The problems started when they moved to NY. (No, Sister, they started long before that.) He never forgave her for taking him away from Albieri. She lost her house and would like to stay with them for awhile. Vicky says that Cristina met some gringo and is traveling with him. Vicky and another guy are running the bar. Dora’s ready to start a new life. Vicky says Osvaldo has been showing up at the bar. Dora muses that she would like to be with Osvaldo again. (New life? Isn’t that her old life?)

Meanwhile Ozzie is watching dancing bimbos. He fancies that one of them has an eye on him, but she walks right past him to her young, buff boyfriend, Alejandro who just won $2,000 in the cage fighting.

At la casa grande, Leo is in a mood (no puede serrrr!). Enrique says it’s because Cristina left with that gringo. She has some sort of hold on him. It’s as if Leo has lost the will to live. Leo goes to Diego’s old bedroom, still left in shrine condition. He thinks about the loss of Diego.

Odd scene. By the pool, Lucas and Marisa meet up with the parents of Natalia’s friend. The men go off to the gym. The wife complains how hard it is to be married to such a handsome husband because all the bimbos are drawn to him like flies.

The bare boys of the neighborhood decide to visit Mohamed’s store. Latifa is scandalized by their bare chests and starts screaming. They just look at her, perplexed. Mohamed comes and kicks them out. They offer to put on shirts to make him happy, but he just wants them to leave. Back at the bar/café, Alejandro tells Gloria that he only needs to win two more fights to go to Nationals, with TV coverage and lots of money. His buddy says that he needs to do something to get some publicity. Like fight the hulk at the local gym. Victor “The Murderer” Guzman. He’s never lost a fight. They go down to the gym and watch him pulverize somebody.

At the mall, Marisa tells the other lady that her marriage is important to her, but Lucas is a hopeless case. The woman asks if that woman in Morocco is still a problem. Marisa says no way, she’s been out of his life for a long time. Meanwhile Lucas finds and old picture of Jade in some old books.

At the clinic, Luisa reads Albi an article about the ethics of parents choosing the gender of their offspring. Albi says that if that is accepted, maybe soon the public will accept human cloning. Luisa is surprised that he would even consider such a thing, given all the ethical issues. Albi says maybe a human clone already exists. At home, Albi decides that if Daniel appeared in his life, it would be a scandal; “it would be the end of me.” Just then the doorbell rings. It‘s Dora..

Labels: clon