Wednesday, May 05, 2010
El Clon 54 May 4: In which Nazira moves back in with Mohamed & Latifa or: There goes the neighborhood.
The family Ferrer discusses the upcoming dinner at Mohamed’s place. Leo can’t understand why Jade’s presence should bother Lucas so much. He thinks his son is being un inmaduro to risk a valuable business deal because of some old affair of the heart. Marisa agrees there’s no problem. In fact, she’ll try to persuade him to go along.
Lucas tries to get some sympathy from Mama Rosa, but she’s firmly in the Leo/Marisa camp on this one.
Lucas answers his cell phone and tells Jessica (Jessica!) that they’re not going to be able to see each other anymore. [This is the first confirmed naming of one of the storied amantes of Lucas, as far as I can tell]
Here comes the sun (not)…
A black cloud of frustrated ambition and resentment arrives at Latifa’s doorstep. It’s Tía Nazira! Gloria, Pedro and Ramon watch from across the street. Mohamed runs upstairs with the first load of suitcases leaving an irate Nazira waiting on the sidewalk. The bare-chested Pedro dashes across the street and gallantly offers to help her with her bags. She shows him all of her teeth, but he seems unafraid. He picks up her suitcases as she imagines herself swept up in his arms. Ever-vigilant Amin is watching. La tía Nazira is coming upstairs with a half-naked man, he reports helpfully and Mohamed explodes into one of his tizzies. Nazira unleashes her usual rant at Mohamed (It’s your fault I have no home, no husband…) and then warmly embraces the children.
Abdul phones Said from Morocco to advise that there are business problems in New York. Said tells Jade he’s got to fly up there, but there’s no reason to cancel the dinner at Mohamed’s, just make it a bit later. Jade’s in no mood to go with Said to greet the newly arrived Nazira.
Lucas wonders if he should send the necklace to Jade at her hotel. Marisa comes in and assures him that Jade’s presence is no problem for her.
The Alej and Naty story, parte dos:
Alej drives Naty and Andrea to a bar where they’re planning to meet Fernando. Don’t come in with me, Natalia warns Alej. At Andrea’s urging, Naty goes in alone only to spot Fernando with his arms around a girl he’s delighted to introduce as Aisha, the dancer from the Ferrer party and now his ‘novia’. She tries to put a brave face on it saying she needs to see if Andrea found a place to park and goes out, gets in the car with Alej and leaves clueless Andrea behind, still yakking into her cell.
“Where to?” asks Alej. A cualquier lugar menos mi casa. (Anywhere but home) says a tearful Naty. Sólo quiero morirme, (I just want to die) mourns Naty. Don’t even think a thing like that – besides you’d get me in trouble, Alej says teasing gently. No me haga perder mi trabajo. (Don’t make me lose my job!). Hey, wanna get something to eat? I know a place with una comida pa’ chuparse los dedos (food that makes you suck/lick your fingers, finger-licking good).
Mother – daughter quality time:
Karla complains to her mom, Hilda, that Alej has a new love interest. Mom wisely counsels her to fall in love with the checkbook, not the heart (Enamórate de la chequera, no del corazón).
¿Se enamora antes o después del matrimonio? (Do you fall in love before or after marriage?)
Tío Ali is at Mohamed’s place (Nazira’s in her room pouting) and the kids are with him. Zamira wants to know what would happen if a Moslem fell in love with a norteamericano. That’s not how it works, he explains. First you marry someone appropriate and then you come to love them. But what if…persists Zamira. Then it’s el marmol del infierno for you, insists Amin. Ali puts it perhaps more delicately: No sería una relación bendecida. (It wouldn’t be a blessed relationship)
¿Cuántos clones hay? (How many clones are there?)
Ali warns Latifa that she’s going to have problems with Zamira because her heart is divided between two worlds. A veces parece un clon de Jade (At times she seems like a clone of Jade), warns Ali. Ala no pone dos corazones en el pecho. (Allah doesn’t put two hearts in our chests.
Alej and Naty are at the hot dog stand and the guy at the counter says Alej’s girlfriend is pretty. She’s not my girlfriend, says Alej, … Somos amigos, says Naty. We’re friends. And it looks like they are.
They continue their conversation outside the Ferrer home. That boy did something to you, says Alej. No, says Naty, we’re just friends. Like us, smiles Alej. And thanks for saying that – although I’m not trying to pretend to be something I’m not. I’m your driver.
Naty invites him inside. Alej tries to console her: No vale la pena llorar por nadie. (No one is worth crying over) In reply to her question, he tells her he used to be a fighter but: pasé por un mal rollo y tuve que retirarme (I had some problems and I had to retire.) He also lost his girlfriend, he confesses, looking a bit tearful himself. She left me for a famous fighter. Se saca un clavo con otro clavo, he says ruefully. (One removes a nail with another nail, here, she got over our relationship by getting together with another guy). I know men aren’t supposed to cry, but I’m sentimental. Nice to know there are sentimental guys in the world, says Naty.
[I know I have gone into a lot of detail here, but I couldn’t help myself. I really like these two. ]
Alone in her room, Naty tears up a photo of Fernando and weeps.
Carolina, Lucas’s assistant, is charmed when Enrique sends her flowers.
Said leaves for New York, instructing Jade to be ready to go to the reunión (meeting, ie the dinner at Mohamed’s) when he gets back.
Lucas asks Enrique if he knows where Jade is staying because he’d like to send her necklace back to her. He explains its importance. Enrique persuades him to go to the dinner and give it to her then, as discreetly as possible.
How do you take your revenge?
Marisa rants to Lucia about how Jade has ruined her life and now it’s time to get her revenge. Lucia tells her to cool off, that: La venganza es un plato que se come frío. (Revenge is a dish best served cold)
Marisa is so grateful for Dave’s services that she gives him an outrageously expensive watch, un detallito cortesía de mi esposo. (a little gift courtesy of my husband).
Naty is playing with the torn pieces of Fernando’s photo when Rosa comes in and asks how it went. Todo salió mal. (everything went badly). Rosa tries to comfort her but she insists: Soy insignificante, soy una mujer invisible. (I’m insignificant, I’m an invisible woman.)
Not insignificant or invisible to Alej, however, who is telling Pablo about how much that jerk Fernando has hurt Naty. Pablo can’t believe he’s so sympathetic to this spoiled brat. I know how she feels, says Alej. Meanwhile, Nazira is ogling Pablo from across the street.
Alicia is out for blood … or in this case DNA.
Luisa explains how she alone is entrusted with handling the DNA results because any error would be disastrous. Imagine giving someone wrong information about paternity, she says. Oooh, se me pone la piel de gallina (it gives me gooseflesh – well, chicken skin, literally) just to think of it says Alicia. Escobar distracts Luisa just long enough for Alicia to SWITCH DNA REPORTS. (But really, I mean don’t they look at the names on the reports? Just put it in the wrong envelope and that’s it??)
Marisa decides to ambush… uh… welcome Said at his hotel.
Julio is heard talking to a certain abogado (attorney) who is complaining about an error in a DNA test. Not possible, says Julio. Dr. Albieri ran the test himself. Feel free to have the sample retested at another lab. I’m sure the results will be confirmed.
Marisa accidentally on purpose bumps into Said as he arrives at the hotel. Qué casualidad! (What a coincidence!), says she. La casualidad no existe, says he. Want to get a drink? he asks (and if Jade had a drink with another man, say Lucas??) Love to, she says, but I have to get ready for Mohamed’s party.
Said demands to know why Jade isn’t ready. He tells her he’s frustrated by her unwillingness to confront her past and admit that she was just an affair for Lucas, not a great love. She says she used to think Said was motivated by love but now she understands he is driven by resentment, and pride. Said says he is going to hurt Lucas, he is going to make him suffer as much as he, Said, has suffered all these years, knowing that Jade was comparing him to Lucas, dreaming of an idealized life with Lucas.
Lucas is slipping Jade’s necklace into his pocket as Marisa enters and says: I’m sorry, I’ve been impossible lately. Why don’t we start over? Gee, says Lucas, I’ve heard that before.
Some like it hot:
Roberto and Lucia arrive at the Ferrers'. Lucas complains about Leo’s insistence that he go to Mohamed’s. Upstairs, Lucia is telling Marisa she’s nuts to have gone to see Said at his hotel. (estás loca de remate). Well, says our girl, la venganza es un plato que me lo voy a comer muy caliente (Revenge is a dish that I’m going to eat hot.)
Ramón show Alej a newspaper photo of Karla with a K with Victor el asesino. Lárgate antes de que te rompa el hocico, snarls Alej. (Get out of here before I break your face—literally snout)
Karla’s primping for a night out even though Victor’s away. Hilda warns her someone might see her and tell Victor. Are you kidding, says Karla, with so many discos in this city??? [The writers haven’t told her about TODIM apparently.]
At Caliente, Osvaldo is in a funk because of the sexual assault rap hanging over his head. His goose is cooked unless Karla withdraws the charges. Vicki and Cris remark that Osvaldo parece un alma en pena (looks like a soul in pain) and they assume it’s because Dora hasn’t been around for a while. Then Dora herself shows up, dances up to Osvaldo. He walks right past her lost in his own misery. Ouch.
At Mohamed’s place Ali warns Said that his feelings are getting the upper hand: Estás poniendo la inteligencia al servicio de los sentidos. El hombre sabio hace lo contrario. (Your putting your intelligence at the service of your feelings: the wise man does the opposite.)
Nazira is instructing Amin to keep his eyes open for Osvaldo and report back to her.
Mohamed remarks to Latifa that their Zamira is such a beautiful girl. Strange that she hasn’t gotten her period yet.
Enter Lucas and Marisa with Roberto and Lucia
Labels: clon
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Dinero May 4: Dandy embraces his inner vegetarian and receives a house guest.
The hotpants girls can't resist Rafa's charms. He fixes the bombon mobile and tells the driver, "give my card to your boss, this is a very old truck, he should buy a new one." They give him a ride - he has some clients to see, then home for his sister's birthday.
- Dandy tells Susana he has a new apartment -- and the first new furniture he's ever owned. She suggests dinner tonight at his place to get friendly with the new couch.
- Remember how this has been a terrible month for sales at Auto Siglo? It's the last day of the month, when quotas are due. The sales team is desperate for money. They badger Dandy to get Susana to bend the rules and allow them to count some of next month's sales this month.
Jimenez: "Lend us all a hand, we're in trouble here, I'm going to lose my house." Marino: "And my nine wives and nine sons are going to be here for money soon..." Rosaura: "I don't have the money to pay my children's private-school bills."
Dandy says he doesn't want to do it, he doesn't want to 'use' Susana. "Hey, that's why we PAID you, to get her to fall in love so you COULD use her." "Well things have changed, now I'm in love with her."
Jimenez is mad and... - ... won't help Dandy when a bombon arrives with a suitcase. She is Lucia, a 2009 conquest who had gone back to her husband. Dandy had said, "If you ever leave him, come to me," and now she's done it.
"But that was a year ago!" "There was no time limit on your offer!" He says there's somebody new in his life. Lucia demands he put her up at least until she finds work. He says he'll buy her plane ticket to Miami where her sister lives. That's not what she wants. He gives her the keys to his apartment! "I'll be waiting for you" she purrs warningly. - Beltran threatens Ale: the new guy better be as good as Medina. Ale is miserable to hear that M-word again. She complains to Susana: "When I stop torturing the salesforce, they don't sell."
Susana tells her Rafa called to say "Even if Ale hates me, I will comply with my promise and show up with the money first thing in the morning." - Ale hauls the new guy into her office. He hasn't tried selling yet, he is still analyzing the macroeconomic climate of Mexico City. "You've been talking to Ramirez, haven't you!" "I bought three of his books." "Oh, and after you finish analyzing those tomes, I suppose you'll be ready for a vacation?" Zetina is happily ready to accept vacation time (he doesn't get it about sarcasm)
- Auntie Rosario calls from the hospital: Jorge is awake. Auntie extols Marco's devoted attentions. Marco would force-feed Jorge if necessary, since Jorge must survive long enough to sign over the hacienda.
- In actual fact the hacienda is no longer under embargo and Chavez is no longer administrator. However, since Marco was able to intercept the official notification, the family doesn't know it yet. Chavez and Marco must keep it quiet until the marriage, or they will both be behind bars. This letter was a hand grenade. Chavez doesn't have important enough friends to hold back the notifications any longer.
- Add to Marco's problems, he has the smoldering hots for Karen. Remember how he wheedled her into getting her uncle out of town last time he visited? Because the uncle is friends with Jorge and could have facilitated the end of the embargo? Well, now the uncle's in town for tests in the very same hospital as Jorge!
Flashback: Marco's previous parting from Karen. He was afraid her attentions would come to the attention of Ale's family, so he pretended to be a paranoid nutcase and busted up her apartment.
Now, he doesn't want the uncle to know Jorge is in the same hospital, so says he's here visiting, uh, uh, CHAVEZ! Chavez is sick.
Hilariously, he then calls Chavez (who is poolside) and tells him to come to the hospital and be sick! Chavez (unconvincingly disguised in sunglasses) shows up and tries to book a cheap hospital room.
Marco says Chavez must get his fixers to fix things. "How can I do that if I'm here in the hospital?"
He groans in bed and Karen is convinced; she tells Marco she'll be in the hospital all night and he can come back if he likes. After she leaves, Chavez asks why Marco is doing this. "Because she is a bombonzazo."
It's going to take the sale of an awful lot of cows to cover the hospital bills.
Chavez is a delirious, inspired poet describing how Rafa and Ale may sometime have a chance encounter which will began with whips and chains and end with them naked and writhing on the desk. "Where there was fire, [hot] ashes remain." His fantasy does not dim in the least even though Marco calls Claudia and finds out Rafa is persona non grata with Ale and Beltran.
They hatch a plot: Rafa is technically in breach of contract today since he didn't pay his monthly obligation to Ale in the morning. Marco will go seize Rafa's home this very night - and do it in Ale's name. - Pepeta meets up with Rafa. We find out Rafa's dad was an alcoholic and abandoned the family; Rafa still misses him.
Pepeta wants to get Julieta (now that she is "of age") something nice to put a sparkle in her eye. Rafa doesn't care for that, but Pepeto protests: "Do you want your sister to die a virgin?"
Rafa would also disapprove if he knew Jaime is carrying a big bunch of flowers for her birthday party. Jaime advises Rafa via telephone to forget Ale. Rafa is still wondering why Susana accused him of having a "long tongue." - The workday is ending. Nelson/Dandy rushes back to his apartment where Lucia is wearing a scanty negligee and expecting to seduce him. But he keeps his fly zipped, gets his clothes, and leaves.
- Another birthday, another party. Julieta has been primping anxiously. Bell rings, it's Jaime, with the roses and a necklace. When Leonora is in the kitchen the two profess their love, Jaime gives Julieta a much better kiss than he'd have come up with before the many VVV attacks he's suffered recently, and they declare themselves boyfriend and girlfriend. Mom comes in, sees their kiss, is shocked, then gives her approval.
- More mariachis (courtesy of Don Gaston this time), Rafa sings Las Mananitas again.
- Dandy arrives at Susana's place with his spare clothes. He is sweet: "I want to say my life has changed since I've been with you, now it's full of vegetables, incense, meditation, and my wish is to be with you for many years. "My life has changed too." "I don't see that - you haven't had a taco or pastor, not a gram of meat." "But I've gotten to know your skin."
His phone rings. Don't answer it! He doesn't! It's Lucia; he pretends it's work. "Our time is sacred." Kisses. - No longer a cardiac patient, Chavez is frolicking with his callgirls in the hacienda's pool when the doorbell rings. It's Enrique Quintana, supposed friend of the Alvarez family and erstwhile wooer of Rosario, and he's come to investigate. He tells the girls he's an official with the hacienda secretariat (?) but admits to Chavez he's on the take too. "You don't want Jorge to know the place is free of embargo and that you are using it. And neither of us wants to close down this gold mine, so why not share the benefits?" "How much money are we talking?" Quintana wants some time to poke around and see if he should ask for more. In the mean time, he settles in with one of Chavez' "little friends."
- While singing, Rafa frowns at Jaime and Julieta sitting so close. After, he takes Jaime into the kitchen and asks what's going on. "We dared to take a step forward." He promises it only just now happened. "Why my sister?" "I always have loved her. I never thought until now that she could want me too."
At last Rafa says OK - just, take care of her. Out in the party: "I just found out my sister and best friend are together now and she's in good hands."
Vicki Vicki Vicki's brothers offer Rafa their knives: "We have experience taking care of sisters." - Ominously, VVV pulls Jaime into a corner and throws him down again and again. "Why didn't you tell me [about Julieta], you make fun of me - don't do this to me, you have to respect me!"
- There's a banging at door. It's Marco and the police. "Look at this, now with the debt you owe me you're celebrating? Ale is tired of this." Rafa is indignant: "I've paid every single month, I am bringing her money tomorrow." "Well, the money is due by 6 pm today."
Rafa offers to pay part tonight and the rest in the morning, but no deal.
They start an inventory of the house contents - including VVV's tape recorder! The "pseudo-lawyer" Jaime can't stop them. VVV starts shouting for her dad. The brothers grab Marco and threaten with their knives. "Don't go to jail for killing a fifth-rate lawyer" their father advises.
Labels: dinero
Corazon Salvaje - May 3
Editor's Note: I fell asleep and missed the entire episode. Thank you Jeri for providing us with this brief recap. You're the best! JR.
Juan isn't fooled by Aimee and rips off the habit to see red hair. Aimee is delighted that Juan recognized her just by kiss and touch.
Back at the house, Rosenda knows Aimee is gone and has to distract Renato until she returns. Rosenda fakes an ankle sprain, and Renato helps her.
With so much contact, Renato notices disconcertedly the medallion Rosenda is wearing, the one he gave Aimee.
Down in the catacombs, Leonarda tries to placate Arcadio with jewels again, but he's had enough of that. He's tired of sharing her.
When she insults Arcadio in favor of Rodrigo, Arcadio actually strikes her, knocking Leonarda down.
She is terrified; and when he threatens to put her in jail over the letter if she doesn't swear off any man but him, she must concede.
Aimee returns to the house, happy with herself; but things change drastically when Renato appears in the bedroom.
He's very upset Aimee gave the medallion away to Rosenda; it was the first thing he gave her, and it meant something. An argument heats up.
Petulant Aimee blows off his concerns and accuses him of persecuting both her and Rosenda.
Renato has an epiphany and decides he will have to view Aimee as a child; what he wants is for her to belong to him body and soul the same way he does to her.
If she ever doesn't, he's likely to kill her, he says. Renato is angry and won't let Aimee kiss him before he exits.
At the casino, Federico asks about Fifi of Philippe, who informs Federico that she returned in quite a state. Federico says he has no idea why, and Philippe seems to believe him.
In their room, Fifi cries to Lulu about her terrible experience; and back at Federico's house, Servando returns and is about to break in once again.
There is a lovely scene in the tack room between Regina and Juan with a lot of dialog; if someone wants to take this on, it'd be great.
Essentially, Regina gets to see the side of Juan that Jimena was telling her about the other day, the side of him that has suffered.
He explains really without specifics about his childhood and how it was; he does mention that Noel is one person who was kind to him.
Regina comes away with a bit of an epiphany herself, but a good one -- and is more sympathetic toward Juan.
In a later scene, Hummingbird slips and tells Regina Juan's real name is Juan de Dios; and it turns out Hummingbird will be going to the finca school to learn to read and write.
Finally, Jimena and Gabriel meet accidentally in front of the church and enter together. Jimena prays that the Virgin will serve as her mother, and Gabriel prays that Estrella will be returned to health and to him.
Gabriel is overcome with how pure and sweet Jimena appears in her mantilla; and once outside again, he tells her that were he not in love with Estrella, he surely would be in love with Jimena.
Gabriel is just about to kiss Jimena on the lips when "aunt" Griselda shows up and shouts at Jimena, looking horrified. Roll Televisa logo.
Labels: salvaje
un Gancho al Corazón Mon. 5/3/10 Por Fin, el Fin
All good things come to an end, and so it is with un Gancho al Corazón, one of the most consistently entertaining telenovelas ever. On June 15th last year, Melinama (our beloved den mother) kicked it off with a short plot synopsis setting the stage for our daily gathering to review and discuss the show from the previous evening. The first episode was recapped by the incomparable Nickster and the very first comment was offered up by Jeff. With one exception, the recappers have remained the same throughout. Nickster dexterously manipulated Monday's episodes. JudyB taught us on Tuesday. Gancho de los Dedos, formerly Fuego de Rosca de Reyes, aka Kris interrupted her whirlwind schedule to handle Wednesday's chores. Cap'n Sylvia Sharkbait anchored on Thursday, and el Hombre de Misterio mystified us on Friday. In July, Nickster's hormones began raging, struggling to express themselves as he was preparing to embark on the university experience at Ohio State University and simultaneously discovering comely coeds. He was released from his contract and replaced by a completely unknown doddering old physician named Carlos who made a rather inauspicious debut on August 3. There have been two guest recappers, the famous Stephe and the perky Elna June, both eloquent yarn spinners who offered the occasional respite from the tedium of old Carlos. Thus it has been until today when we gather for the last time to revel in the final episode. So take a moment to prepare a tall cool beverage, take a comfortable seat, and let's put this horse in the barn one last time.
Valentina and her evil mom have taken to the road. Our Monita, starved for the affection of this reptilian parental unit, is blithely unaware of the awful fate that that this vindictive vicious vile venomous viper has planned for her. Isabel has already attempted once and failed to off her oblivious offspring. Hot on their heels are Mauricio, the pretty but vacuous hunk who has pursued, won and lost and won and lost the affection of the hopelessly fickle, vacillating Valentina. He is accompanied by his charming odiferous sidekick, Beto.
We join Isabel as she consults with a very unkind mirror which, instead of truly presenting her visage as others might perceive it, reflects the hideous depth of her irreparably damage soul. Not a pretty sight. With Moni momentarily away, she sits on her bed and dials her cell phone.
As penance for past crimes and naughty deeds, Constanza has been relegated to the role of apprentice hausfrau under the tutelage of that stern taskmistress Nieves who is not convinced that she is worthy of her son, that paragon of manly virtue, Beto. She has reluctantly accepted the fact that said paragon will not be happy with any other consort so she has dedicated her efforts to training this recovering pampered princess in worthy wifely ways. Thus we join Coni on the barrio patio as she answers her cell phone. I'm surprised that Nieves hasn't confiscated that device. It's Isabel the Snake who is a little peeved at Coni for botching and revealing her failed murder attempt on Monita. Now she insists that she join her and her sister somewhere on down the road. If she does not... well it's adios Monita. Cautioning her not to tell nor bring anyone else, She gives her directions, "Take the highway to Pachuca. I'll call you later with more directions," and abruptly hangs up. Coni wants more information "¡Isabel!" Isabel's gone but Nieves overhears that last shout. She is scandalized, "Whom were you talking to? It was Isabel, ¿Verdad?" Coni of course denies it, "No, Nieves." As Nieves forcefully responds, they are joined by Marcos. Nieves tells him that all this time, Coni has been allied with Isabel. Coni tearfully denies this.
Magically and mercifully we suddenly find ourselves at that trendy new in-spot, Mararvigua. Gee... how the heck did that happen? If you recall, Sal has welcomed his bride-to-be only to discover there's been a bait-and-switch. At this point, our favorite flatfoot, Officer Cristian, decked out in natty plainclothes, confronts the substitute bride.
I must admit to having been worried about our favorite-daughter-of-the-moon, Loriloca. Clearly, she's been resourceful, having survived in the wild for the past few days. Christian offers to escort her to the nuthouse where the reception is to be held. Lorenza, decked out in a bridal gown of purest white, is tracking well enough to know that she hasn't even said her wedding vows yet. Sal intercedes and pleads with her to reveal what she's done with Gabriela, the originally scheduled bride. She answers by humming the Wedding March from Lohengrin. Not much help there. An officer spirits her away. Aldo suggests that they check the bodega. Sal joins him. While he has a free moment, Cristian orders the apprehension of a rather fey looking Jero who had been transformed by the modestly talented plastic surgeon, Dr. Isqierdo, into a striking likeness of a notorious and dangerous drug trafficker who has escaped prison and for whom there is a generous bounty. Jero objects and pleads with Ximy to recognize him. 
Does she? Nopis. He is hauled away shouting that he is a victim of Isabel's deviousness.Back in the "hood, Marcos is very disappointed in Coni for aligning with Isabel. Poor Coni, a few errors in judgement along the way, and folks are willing to believe the worst. No time for this, she has a sister to save. As Marcos rants
and she verbally spars, she stealthily filches his car keys, bolts past him and heads for his car. He makes chase but she's too fast (been training as a boxer don'cha know), and leaves himstanding by helpless as she drives away in his black Mercedes. He consults briefly with colorfully clad Cesar and Nieves, then suddenly has an inspiration, "The chip!" He remembers the GPS in his car. The flamboyantly color-coordinated couple (She in lime green dress with matching feather boa and he in a royal blue suit with a lime green shirt open at the collar and his ever-present gold chain) feign comprehension, "Of course the chip!" He hails a cab.In Mao's bat cave, Sal and Aldo discover A very annoyed and frightened Gabi bound to a chair. She complains bitterly but Sal helps her focus, "¡La boda, la boda, la boda! No one can prevent us from getting married."
We take a moment to check on the soul brothers, Mao and Beto. They are vainly searching for Moni and Issy.
Meintras tanto (sigh, the last), an impatient Marcos is trying to get Charly from las Tontas (good to see him with a job) to hurry up with a rental car and I suppose the GPS tracking device.
Four cars, containing Moni and Issy, Coni, and Marcos, Mao and Beto, are all headed for a rendezvous somewhere on the road to Pachuca.
The first to arrive at their fateful destination in the mountains NE of Mexico City are Isabel and Moni. Issy parks on the edge of a sheer cliff overlooking a beautiful view (paisaje) of the surrounding mountains and the beautiful valley far below. Well isn't this special? A prominent feature of many of my best nightmares is just such a vista. It certainly doesn't take a lot of genius to see where this is headed. Issy directs Moni to walk ahead, "I'm tired and need to rest a bit. I'll catch up with you in a moment." Moni strolls to the edge of the precipice and looks out at the valley stretching out into the distance far below. Dazzling and dizzying. Moni sits on a boulder, thinks of Mao and takes advantage of this moment of solitude to give him a call. She tells him that instead of punching him last night, she should have told him that she loves him. "Where are you?" he asks.
Still driving, Coni gets a call. Surprise, it's Isabel also taking advantage of the time alone to place a call. She asks Coni where she is. She's taken the mountain detour, just as she was instructed. "You're very close. Don't delay."
At Maravigua, Nieves has filled Cristian, Pau, and Estre in on Coni's alleged treachery. They aren't really surprised. At another table, Ximy and Lalo are communing. Ximy can tell that Lalo is disappointed that his prospective new love turned out to be a drug lord. "Yes, I'm unlucky, and we won't be having the banquet because of the rat poison we found in the kitchen.
Across the room a whiny Iván is apologizing again to Luisa for his thoughtless behavior with Alejandra.
She says that she is tired of all romantic relationships for the moment. He asks if she is in love with Andres and she replies that she really doesn't know. She is trying to find that out.
Up on the cliff, Moni is perched on a rock with Isabel standing behind, stroking her hair and rubbing her shoulders.Isabel observes what a spectacular view it is. Moni agrees. Issy thinks that Alicia would have loved this view but she never brought her here because she couldn't stand her. Moni doesn't trust her ears, "Qué?" She is taken aback. Run little Monkey, things are about to get very ugly. "Why do you say that?" Well, Isabel is dying and has grown weary of her deception, so now she begins to puke the vile poisonous contents of her evil mind all over Monita.
She tells Moni that doubtless Mauricio is hot on their heels and that Moni is so stupid that she would forgive him and welcome him back. "Mauricio has been telling you the truth all this time." Moni's desperation for a mother's love has blinded her to the way Issy truly feels about her. "I feel an immense and profound hatred for you." Moni is stunned. Issy continues, "I hate you with all my being. I've always hated you and ill hate you forever. Do you know how long forever is?" Even after hearing it directly from the serpent's tongue, Moni is not willing to believe. Now I'm so frustrated with Monita's stupidity, I'm almost ready for her to jump. She actually argues with her mom, pointing out that she even took a bullet for her. Issy tells her that she planned that with Oscar and had she known at that time that her disease had returned, "I would have had him kill you right then and there." Moni contines deluding herself as Isabel sinks deeper and deeper into a dark madness. She begins enumerating her crimes telling Moni of the murder of Alicia because she overheard her recruiting Coni into her plan to poison Monita.While Isabel continues her unbonding with her daughter, the wedding back home in DF continues. Happy faces abound. Aldo smoiles at Estre, Sal and Gabi look ecstatic, Cristian and Paula kiss, Nieves snuggles with Cesar, Lalo, ever resilient, flirts with a waiter across the room. Papers are signed. Ximy picks up the pen and with a flourish, marks a bold X. That seems just right. Hers is followed by a masculine hand. As others sign we still don't know whom Ximy chose. She smiles winningly, beckons to Dani, and they sweetly hug.
The increasingly insane Isabel proudly continues her litany of sins, leaving nothing out. "Who are you?" Moni sobs. Isabel goes on and on and on... Moni still can't believe it. Issy tells her about the Jero tape and of the elaborate joke she pulled on Jero.
Speaking of Jero, we are treated to a brief glimpse of him, a changed man, pleading that it was all a big mistake, "I'm Jerónimo Sermeño!"
Finally the truth sinks home. "It's all been a huge lie! Why do you hate me so much?" Isabel explain about her impossible, unshared love for Marcos. He rejected her after making her pregnant. The thing that irks her the most is how Moni is surrounded with love. Moni says that Isabel is envious. Isabel briefly considers this, then continues her raving. Bottom line, Moni won't be able to apologize to all thosw whom she refused to listen to because Isabel has brought her to this spot to accompany her in death.
At this point, Coni arrives. More talks. Issy rebukes Coni for backing out of the deal to poison Moni. She calls Coni a traitor. Coni offers to trade places with Moni. The snake who has morphed into a spider entices Coni into her deadly web. Now completely BSC, she has entered a murderous frenzy. Now both sisters will join her in death.
It's about time! Marcos arrives,"Don't do it!"
A long white limo pulls up tom the reception. The driver opens a gull-wing door fo Ximy who gracefully steps inside after blowing an enthusiastic kiss to the well-wishers. Sal and Gabi are ready to depart next,
even though Lalo asks them to wait and enjoy the pizzas he has ordered. Salvador smirks and emits a naughty laugh. He and Gabi have a matter pending, "Know what I mean?" Most do. Gabi says that at last she will have her wedding night. Dani points out that it's still daytime. Gabi reminds her that the sooner to bed the sooner to rise. Poor Dani, "I don't understand."
Marcos is trying to dissuade a rabid Isabel to release his daughters. He confess that he concocted the deception that Isabel is dying. "You are healthy. You don't have leukemia. The tests were faked." Isy's unconvinced and says that it wouldn't matter. She doesn't want to die in prison. He pleads,"Por favor, Isabel, por favor!" As he reaches for her she backs off the precipice dragging the sisters with her. Marcos grabs both daughters, one in each hand. He clings to them for dear life as they dangle from his hands.
Both see that he can save only one and each pleads for him to drop her and save the other. Fortunately, the soul brothers arrive and each takes ahold of his favorite sister.Now we're really voyeurs.We find ourselves in the limo with Ximy and her new spouse. The camera lovingly pans up those impossibly long legs wrapped in white patterned stockings. They are sharing Champagne.
She offers up... what else? ...tres cosas. It was worth the trouble to wait. Dos. You must have known for a long time that it was going to be you. Tres. Tell me that you don't have another brother." Now it's Rolu's (yes Rolu) to say tres cosas. "Una. I knew for a long time that I wasn't the man you hoped for but I you in order to learn how to love. Dos. I'm very lucky and proud that you chose me to share your life with. Gracias for being so maravigua. Te amo. Tres. I have you tattooed on my heart. The looks Ximy gives him (and us) make this scene one of the cutest ever. Big kiss.Our girls are rescued. Marcos is sorry he doubted Coni. Moni is sorry that she rejected Marcos. Beto tells Moni that she has had a mom who loves her all along... Nieves. Hugs and kisses all around.
Semanas despues
We find ourselves in a beautiful landscape for the big boda. Aldo talks with Estrella.
He's leaving tomorrow to enroll in UCLA. Pau is hungry and wants refried beans and creama marmalada (?). Whatever it is she wants it now. Sal is telling Beto about their honeymoon in South Africa. Beto wants to get married in Las Vegas. By Elvis. Nieves flirtds with Marcos as Cesar tries to break it up. Everyone is Happy. The wedding proceeds accompanied by the hauntingly beautiful Que Hago Yo by Ha Ash. Very nice, but strange words for a wedding.¿Qué Hago Yo?
Entraste como un rayo de luz
Como un aire encantador
Liberaste con tu hechizo
A mi recluso corazón
Tu dulzura corrió por mis venas
Creí en tu intención
No pensé que fuese un engaño
Ni una mentira tu amor
Me dices que te esta llamando
Te vas sin un adiós
Sé muy bien que harás en sus brazos
Dime que hago yo
CORO
Que hago con mis labios
Si me ruegan tus besos
Que hago con mis manos
Cuando suplican tu regreso
Que hago con mis noches
Que hago con mis días
Que hago con tu esencia que se aferra a la mía
Dime que hago yo
Hablamos solo cuando puedes
Te abrazo al esconder
Que no haría para tenerte
A mi lado al amanecer
Mis amigos dicen que te olvide
Que antes de ti no era igual
Antes de ti mi vida no tenia sentido
Antes de ti no sabia amar
Coro x 2
Que hago yo
What do I Do?
You entered as a ray of light
Like an enchanted breeze
With your magic you liberated
My reclusive heart
Your sweetness coursed through my veins
I believed in your intentions
I didn't think that your love
Would be a deception or a lie
You say that she's calling you
You're going without a goodbye
I know very well whom you'll have in your arms
Tell me, what do I do
CHORUS
What do I do with my lips
If they beg for your kisses
What do I do with my hands
When they plead for your return
What do I do with my nights
What do I do with my days
What do I do with your essence that clings to mine
Tell me what do I do
We talk only when you can
I hug you in secret
I can't have you by my
Side when I awaken
My friends say forget you
That I was different before you
Before you my life didn't make sense
Before you I didn't know love
Chorus x 2
What do I do
The priest intones, " En el nombre del Padre, el Hijo, y el Espiritú Santo..."
The camera takes us away.
Fin
Carlos
Labels: gancho
Monday, May 03, 2010
Dinero Tuesday May 3, 2010 A New Lamb To The Slaughter
Over at Auto Siglo, it's one shaky step up from hell, as the new sacrificial lamb Zetina (sounds too much like Medina, right?) is about to find out.
But let's go back to the beginning, where a shaky Jaime is chugalugging champagne and trying not to leer at a frustrated Vicky, looking muy fine in a hot pink bra and black bikini bottom and garters. When next we see him, he's under the covers, plump shoulders on full view as well as a sad little patch of chest hair. Completely nude? Looks like it. But did they do the deed? Vicky maintains they did and that he managed quite well in spite of being completely drunk. Our timid galan perks up a bit at this and even thanks her for the compliment. Meanwhile Vicky is working the "poor little woman seduced by a lusty male" bit for all she's worth. Gosh maybe she should tell her brothers....or her dad? Whaddya think? Final decision. It will be just their secret--to spare Jaime's life.
One bedroom scene behind us. Now we have a quartet. Split screen shows Rafa, Alejandra, Jorge and Marcos all tossing and turning in their beds. Not much sleep for anybody tonight, evidently.
Next morning Alejandra is having breakfast with Tia Rosario and trying to explain why she's not ready to commit to Marcos. Tia wants to know why but Alejandra doesn't have time to explain. She's gotta get to work. And the last thing she needs is pressure!
Parallel breakfast showing Rafa with mom and Julieta. And it's little sis' birthday so he's planning on a special celebration tonight. Doorbell rings. It's the reference letter. He's off to his new job, after a brief blessing by Mom. After he leaves, Julieta notes that he's in love. Nope, sez Mom, he's CRAZY in love. Indeed. And not with VickyVicky, alas.
Right outside the door, he bumps into a slinking, guilty-looking Jaime....who swears he wasn't with Vicky last night. Rafa shares the sad news that his attempt to talk to Alejandra failed. Marcos was already there serenading her and she invited him in. Guess we'll have to wait a little longer for our two lovers to reunite.
Meanwhile, there's always Vicky. Who appears suddenly and wants to know where the hell Rafa was last night. And how could he stand her up like that!? He escapes in Pepeto's car but not before his work pal gives Vicky the new office number. Looks like poor Rafa will be besieged at his new job as well.
Chavez is as much of a pain as Vicky. He's hammering on the door bright and early to find out how the reconciliation went. Marcos has had a sleepless night. Gosh, this bodes well. Rolling around in the sheets with Alejandra? Not hardly. She needs time. To decide. And that's what we have the least of. But can't force her to go back with me. Well, did you talk to the family? Chavez prods. Yeah. They were happy to see me but I think I blew it when I told old Jorge Alejandra is still reluctant to marry me.
And now we meet the latest lamb to be slaughtered at Auto Siglo. A hapless bloke named Zetina, Efraim Zetina, he of the sweaty palms and nervous mannerisms. No confidence. And that was before Alejandra, Marino and Ramirez started pounding on him. Painful to watch, really. As was Alejandra's humiliation by Beltran. He's continuing to subvert her authority, handing over her duties to others (like the loathsome Marino) in order to "cover his back". She stands up for herself, but all in all, it was a miserable beginning for both the new salesman and our hapless heroine.
Let's compress all these painful scenes and just tell you that Zetina's training resembled a boot camp run by sadistic sergeants. Alejandra puts him through his paces, coming on like a super-sexy (is she channeling Claudia?) empty-headed dame, looking for a new car (to be paid for by her rich husband). He stammers out a few technical details about the car and she delivers a punishing reprimand. He'll never sell to that kind of woman unless he appeals to her emotions. Immediately she has a vision of Rafa, and how he'd make the pitch. Emphasizing how secure and safe she'd feel in the car. The comfort, the luxury of the interior, etc. Poor Zetina. The worst is yet to come. Once he lands in the hands of Marino, he presents a picture of hell where the least careless mistake will get him a knife in the back. Only the strong survive here, he warns. We're gladiators. We'll eat you alive. And your bosses and superiors won't talk to you. They'll YELL. Got that? So toughen up. Don't flinch when I yell at you. Control yourself.
And Zetina? Well, he flinches, he stutters, his palms continue to sweat, and frankly we find ourselves wondering if he'll even show up for work the next day. One of the salespeople counsels him to pray to San Judas Tadeo (the saint of hopeless causes) because that's the only way Zetina will be able to fill the gap left by the departing Rafa.
For Rafa, it's a different story. Goals? Well his new boss will wait to hear his goals and mission statement after he's gotten acclimated. Personal calls? Well, sure. Personal calls are permitted. (Dang. More access for our annoying Vicky.) And of course tomorrow he'll have that little advance to tide him over. As for the curt recommendation letter that Susana wrote, his boss merely smiles and says Hmm...very succint. It's all golden so far for our barrio boy. Well, except for his hallucinations of Alejandra, castigating him for jumping to the competition and dismissing his boss as a hopeless softie. No matter. This strangely complacent boss is thrilled when Rafa assures him that he's not waiting for clients to show up in the salesroom, or from working a list someone gave him. Nosireee...he's going to go out and hunt those lions in the jungle! Big smile. Great start. Maybe he can get poor Zetina a job there.
So what else happened tonight? Well, old Jorge had an apparent heart attack. He's unconscious when Tia Rosario goes in to wake him and since she's on the phone with Marcos, our skanky novio is quickly on the scene to get Papa to the hospital and try and save his investment. And with the luck of the villains, he intercepts the letter from the mailman announcing the lifting of the embargo on Jorge's hacienda. Double dang. More problems for our skank. Time to talk to partner in crime Chavez. He's as worried as Marcos. But thank God no one else but Marcos has seen the letter. More skullduggery to come, no doubt.
We have a brief scene where all the salespeople at Auto Siglo are doing their usual....NOT selling cars but dealing badly with their personal lives. Tuition isn't paid because Rosaura blew it on a new pair of shoes. Marino's having trouble keeping up with his seven wives and numerous children and school costs. Ramiro rears up and actually tells off his mother-in-law and vows to move out. But where will he find the money for an apartment? And they all decide they'll have to collect from Dandy to finance this brave new move. Stay tuned.
Mientras tanto, Alejandra gets the news that her beloved papa is in the hospital and begs for time off to go see him, even though it's the end of the month. Beltran grudgingly grants it but warns her to keep her cellphone turned on. After all, if they don't make their quota, it's not Auto Siglo who'll pay for his funeral...and he'll surely be the next to go after Jorge.
Big switch now. We're at the hacienda. Chavez is consulting with the groundskeeper who's sure there are ghosts haunting the place. He's seen and heard strange things. Maybe it's old Jorge's wife Maria Consuela, come back to punish us. Chavez dismisses these notions until something drops from the trees near their heads. Yikes. And then there's a strange rumbling sound. Double yikes. Chavez gets control. If you leave, he threatens the gardener, I'll tell everybody you're a no good drunk. That works. Poor guy shuffles off. And then Chavez starts to sweat. I don't know whether to laugh, cry or tremble, he muses. Man, this hacienda is causing me more problems every day.
Meanwhile, Marcos is at the hospital, playing the concerned fiancé, promising to handle all the costs of Jorge's stay and insisting on a private room for his would be father-in-law. Alejandra arrives, makes a face when she sees him, and promises to pay him back for all the costs, as soon as she gets her debt cleared up with Rafa. There's some reasonably cozy chitchat, with Marcos doing a little breastbeating, feeling guilty for his talk with Jorge after the serenade. Yes, he dashed Papa's dreams by telling him he and Alejandra hadn't made up...his erstwhile fiancée still needed time to think about it. Alejandra reminds him that all he did was tell the truth. Yes, but I should have told him a "mentira piadosa" (little white lie). (Sure Rafa, that's nothing compared to the whoppers you usually tell.) Some more palaver about hospital costs, insurance and finally Marcos decides he should be the one to collect the debt money from Rafa like always. This doesn't bode well. Alejandra leaves to go see Papa.
Have we had a hospital scene before in this one? If not, here's the obligatory medical bit, oxygen tube in nose, sleeping patient, weeping visitor. The usual pleas to just get well, I'll never do anything to disappoint you again, guilty tears, and "I'll do anything to make you happy". Punto. Enjoy because for sure, there'll be a few more hospital stays for somebody before this is over.
That's the last we see of Don Jorge for now. And our last glimpse of Zetina is hardly more promising. Ramirez is promising to make Zetina a star salesman, heck! salesman of the month! All he has to do is buy German's theoretical books on the subject. Not for sale in any store, but for you amigo! A deal. And also four cassettes, headphones, a little carrying case...all this for just a little down payment. You can pay me the rest at the end of the month. Poor doofus. He's in for it now.
We find ourselves back at the hospital. Tia is heading for the tocador (powder room). In walks Karen with her uncle. Marcos looks nervous. But of course, neither Alejandra nor Tia are there to see the guilty confrontation. Seems Karen's uncle is having health problems and is there for a checkup. More confusing conversation with Marcos trying to avoid being alone with Karen. Seems he's looking for food for Chavez, who's also in the hospital and needs a hamburger. She sees through this lame story pretty quickly.
Alright. Another weird scene change. Guess we have to get used to them in this novela. We see our loopy hairdressers driving a van full of models. They're tootling along when they almost crash into another car. Driven by....mafia? Well, scary guys in dark glasses, that's for sure. They say they're bodyguards. And we're JLo and Madonna quips the blond hairdresser. Our buxom gal hairdresser (sorry...names?) quickly intervenes and excuses her lad as having a weird sense of humor. Eventually the corrupt cops arrive and more confusion ensues and the horde of skimpily dressed models pour out of the car.
Whoops. Now we're in a bar. Sleazy lawyer type, Enrique Quintana, is talking to another oily man about the hacienda and Jorge. He's heard that the embargo is lifted and old buddy Jorge will soon be in possession again. So now he needs to wangle getting hired so he can manage the place and take advantage of all the money possibilities there. When he calls Rosario and learns Jorge's had a heart attack, he's muy displeased to learn Marcos is on site helping out the family. Well, hope springs eternal. He'll visit the hacienda and find out who's in charge. The camera pans to another guy at the bar who seems to be listening. More skullduggery? Stay tuned.
Brief scene. Rafa in a taxi. Driver trying to keep him entertained, gives him a magazine with a bevy of beauties for him to look at. (Must be angling for a big tip.)
Back at the hospital, Marcos has gone up to the room with Karen and her uncle. Uncle is wheeled out to be examined and the two are left to clear up some old misunderstandings. She doesn't believe the story about Chavez being in the hospital and needing a hamburger. Nope. Marcos, you're terribly handsome but you're a liar. You have some real behavior problems. Are you getting help? He says he is. (Hah!) Well, she doesn't want to pressure him but when he's ready, he knows where to find her. Now, "adios". He starts to leave. Hesitates. Turns again. Hesitates. Turns back. Adios! Karen repeats. And out he goes.
Back to our strange traffic encounter. Insults are being exchanged. Cops are muddled. Innocence is protested. Models are swarming, tight little buns hanging out of even tighter short shorts. Rafa arrives on the scene. They swarm around him like hungry fish. Alejandra also appears on the street. Sees Rafa surrounded by babes stroking his arm and hugging like piranhas. "No es posible" she stammers. And there we end.
Vocabulary:
desvalida = helpless (what Vicky claims to be)
hombre recorrido = experienced man, a guy who's been "around" (what Vicky claims Jaime is)
empeñada = committed to, involved with (Tia asking if Alejandra is still involved with Rafa)
renglones = lines (a comment about the few short sentences in Rafa's reference letter)
escueto = succint (the letter)
San Judas Tadeo = patron saint of lost causes (perfect for Zetina)
descuidos = careless mistakes (what Zetina better not make)
mentira piadosa = lit. pious lie, little white lie
lengua larga = big mouth (supposedly Rafa for blabbing about his romance with Ale)
lanzarme al ruedo = jump right in, what Rafa's going to do in his new job
tocador = powder room
Dicho of the Day
Del árbol caido todos hacen leña lit. everyone makes firewood out of a fallen tree
real meaning: Everyone takes advantage of a person when he's down. (Could apply to Rafa, could apply to poor Zetina. You decide.)
Labels: dinero
El Clon 54, May 3 - Wicked women 2-Nice women 0 and Romance of the Lamb??
Lucas is conspicuous by his absence. Mohamed gives Leo a gift (obsequio). Rosa admires the arab dress of the women but Marisa finds it a little 'too folkloric' (I guess folkloric is any dress that couldn't do double duty as a broccoli rubber band). Leo introduces Marisa as the party organizer and as his daughter in law (nuera). Lucia tells Carolina that she is envious of the fact that the arab women never have to go to the beauty parlor. Carolina thinks that their veils are very sexy. When she hears that, Lucia is off to grab Roberto to make sure he isn't tempted.
Natalia tells Alej that he can leave but Alej replies that he only takes orders from Leo.
Ali warns Jade to stay by her family. He says that the evening is full of temptations and dangers. One of those dangers, Lucas, is lurking in a doorway watching Jade.
Leo shows Ali around his house and they sit down for a conversation. Leo tells Ali that the Muslim belief in destiny would seem to make life simpler and is a way for people who make mistakes to avoid responsibility. Ali says no, there is still free will (libre albedrío) and taking responsibility. He says that destiny means that Allah knows everything that you will do in your life. Leo isn't much of a philosopher and he replies that the concept is interesting, contradictory, but interesting. Then he finds out that Ali is Albieri's Moroccan friend and the one who took Lucas in after his 'accident' in the desert.
Jadiyah tells Rosa that men and women don't mix in Moroccan parties.
Fernando wants to leave the party early and have his band rehearse (ensayar) at his house. Clara refuses permission and says that there are rules in their 'gated community.' She tries to get Escobar to back her up but he refuses and walks out. Clara calls Fernando back and tells him it is ok for him to rehearse his band at the house.
In the cultural miscommunication department, Lucia tells Latifa that she can't imagine being a Muslim and letting her husband have four wives. Latifa says that she feels the same way. She doesn't want Mohamed to take another wife and she has 'tricks' (trucos) to keep him happy. Lucia suggests that they exchange tricks because she has some north American ones. Lucia tells Latifa that she knows a doctor who does liposuction (hace unas lipos con laser) that doesn't leave a mark on, or any fat in, your body. Latifa says that she likes her little bit of fat. She likes to 'fill up the bed.' Lucia can't believe it. Then Latifa says that she dances for her husband. Latifa starts a sentence, 'Hace poco, él tuve deseos de que yo..., (literally, 'A while ago, he wished that I...) Lucia hears, 'tubo,' which means a lot of things including a pole. Lucia asks if Latifa also does pole dancing (bailas en el tubo)? 'What pole?' says Latifa, confused.
Said insists on introducing Jade to Marisa.
Carolina admires Marisa's necklace and Marisa claims that it was a gift from Lucas and drags Jade off to see the rest of the jewelry that Lucas 'gave' her. (It was his money so he did 'give' it to her in a way but not out of love.) Jade says to herself that she has spent the last 20 years imagining living in this house with Lucas. [You didn't imagine having a house of your own?]
Then wicked woman #1 starts off with the lies. She tells Jade that it was love at first sight for her and Lucas and that when they met, he had an Arab girlfriend, from Morocco. What a coincidence! Jade is from Morocco, too! It was just a summer romance. She and Lucas laugh so much when they remember her. She says that Lucas calls their romance a 'slip' (desliz) something that happens when you are young and do things that you regret the rest of your life. Marisa says that Lucas told this 'Arab girlfriend' so many things and that he feels guilty because he thinks that she believed what he said. "I don't think that the women in your part of the world are that dumb (tonta). Right, Jade?" Poor Jade can't take any more and she runs out of the room. At least Carolina, who is Lucas' assistant, was a witness to this so there is a way for Lucas to find out what Marisa told Jade.
Jade comes face to face with Lucas and there is a sort of hopeful, hurt puppydog look on his side and a hurt look on her side and they pass like ships in the night. He tells Rosa that this is his Jade.
Said tells Leo that he wants to buy a house in Miami so he can keep an eye on his business. Leo approves.
Andrea continues to give Natalia hope about her relationship with Fernando. Fernando tells Natalia that he has to go rehearse his band but he would like to stay because the party is like Hallowe'en.
A belly dancer performs while the watchers have thought bubbles about their own problems.
Clara's plan works well. When Fernando's band starts playing, Escobar runs downstairs and demands to know where Clara is.
Now it's the day after the party-
Evil woman #2, Alicia, is working on some plan to separate Luisa from Albieri. She gets Albieri's favorite jam (mermelada) when Luisa has forgotten to buy it and she starts to suggest that Luisa go on a vacation by herself.
Clara complains to Carolina about her marriage. She says that it is like being married to herself. She has to work but in addition she has to be the housekeeper (ama de casa, literally, soul of the house), she has to be a mother, she has to be a cook, a banker, everything. She says that she's had enough.
Alicia puts on a 'how come you don't like me?' performance for Albieri and the dummy falls for it. He wonders if he he has been too hard on her. She is only trying to please him.
Leo is happy about the results of the party. Now that he knows the Ali/Albieri/Lucas connection, he says that Lucas is the key element (pieza clave) for their next step.
Just when you think Marisa couldn't get any nastier (honestly, milk must sour when she looks at it), she lays into Lucas on the morning after the party. She accuses him of bringing his lover to the house where his daughter lives. She says that he did it on purpose to humiliate her. He tells her to leave him alone. She says that she won't leave him alone. He is trying to blame her for the fact that he didn't have the courage to after his 'true love' when he could have. She says that he is a coward. Lucas tells Marisa that he stayed with her because he thought that in time he could love her but all Marisa did was run Jade down and try and destroy the memories he had of her so that he would love Marisa. He says that it didn't work. All it did was destroy what he felt for Marisa.
Natalia comes in and assumes (with Marisa's suggestion) that they are fighting about her.
Natalia goes online and her unknown correspondent suggests that drugs are the way to forget her problems.
Jade calls Zoraida and tells her that her coffee grounds reading that said that she would meet Lucas when the past and the future met has come true. [Let's hope she isn't right. We were hoping for some clone related meaning to the prophecy.] She says that Lucas has changed a lot but is still the same. She starts to tell Zoraida that something horrible has happened when Said comes in and she has to hang up.
Said asks Jade what she felt when she saw Lucas. Jade replies that she didn't feel anything. She says that Said thinks more about Lucas that she does. It's over.
Lucas broods over Jade pendant and says to himself how strange it is that the pendant reappeared in his life at the same time as Jade. [It would only be strange if you weren't in a telenovela, Lucas.]
Luisa urges Albieri to take a vacation with her but he doesn't want to leave town in case the clone shows up. Albieri wonders what the clone is like now since he couldn't give the clone the same life experience as Lucas [why doesn't he say Diego? This would have been the perfect moment to have our first view of the clone - but no.]
Since Albieri doesn't want to go away with Luisa, the devious Alicia suggests that Luisa go away by herself. Albieri will miss her and value her more when she comes back. And before she goes, she can teach Alicia how to run the clinic.
Alicia brings Julio and Escobar coffee. Escobar tells Julio that Alicia is nicer than his b*tch of a wife. 'Why don't you separate from her?' asks Julio. Clara and Carolina are having the same conversation. Clara says that she keeps hoping things will get better and then there's the kid.
Oh goody, Karla with a K is back. Who knows what is motivating Pablo but he tells Karla that Alej is back with his old girlfriend, Diana, and is very happy.
Leo tells Lucas that they have to get closer to the family of the Arab investors and this should be Lucas' job because of his past history with Ali. Lucas explains why that isn't such a good idea - Said's wife, Jade, is his true love Jade. Never the one to be concerned about anyone else's feelings, Leo replies that was in the past and there is no place for emotions in the business world. He tells Lucas that they can't miss this opportunity and that as Leo's successor as head of the business, it is his responsibility to do this. Lucas still refuses and Leo gets angry and fires him.
Jade tells Latifa about what Marisa told her at the party. She says that Marisa didn't know who she was and had no reason to lie to her. [Your recapper is going to rant now. This is so typical of novelas - the 'good' character believes the lies of the 'bad' character. But here it is so stupid. Wouldn't you be a little suspicious if someone you just met started telling you about a casual relationship her husband had 20 years ago?! Marisa said that it was a summer romance and then she met Lucas and they fell in love and were happy ever after. Jade knows that isn't true. Lucas came for her at least twice after he was married, told her he was leaving his wife, sacrificing everything for her. Arrgh! Rant over.]
Lucas tells Enrique that Jade has lost her girlish innocence and is now a cold woman. [What did he expect her to do with her husband and family there - jump into his arms?] He says that he thought he knew everything about her but now he doesn't know what she feels and thinks. Enrique says that Jade is beautiful and wants to know what Lucas felt when he saw her. Lucas replies that he doesn't want to talk about Jade. That's all in the past. Lucas tells Enrique that he won't back down and do what Leo wants. "Then you're saying that Jade isn't out of your life," says Enrique. "Subject closed," replies Lucas.
Latifa tells Jade that Mohamed has invited the Ferrer's to dinner. Jade tells Latifa that she will have to think of something because she can't face Lucas. "Do you know what it is like to idealize a person and then from one day to the next, their image crumbles like sand (desmorone como la arena)," says Jade.
Ali doesn't seem to feel that there is any religious problem with ogling the flesh on display outside Mohamed's house. His compliment to Hilda that she is worth a lot of camels - goes awry. Then he goes to talk to Gloria and compares lamb preparation recipes with her. [Is Ali interested in Gloria? Heaven forfend. I didn't think Mexican/Cuban cuisine used a lot of lamb.]
Natalia makes Alej take her to the beach and stand there and get roasted while she lies on a beach chair. Then she boasts about it to Andrea. Natalia gets gussied up (for her) and goes out to a bar with Andrea. [Where is Alej?]
Leo invites Marisa to go with them to the dinner at Mohamed's.
The credits roll.
Labels: clon
Saturday, May 01, 2010
Dinero #79 and #80, 4/30/10: A misunderstanding and a serenade from the wrong man.
Felicitaciones a todos! We survived our first week of double-up episodes. Have a tequila to celebrate!
Ale takes off to meet with Rafa and the Siglo is buzzing about her and Rafa. As their chatter continues, Susana overhears Marino and Ramirez making some unflattering comments about Ale and drags them into the office. She reads them the riot act for spreading such vicious gossip. Marino says it isn’t their fault that Rafa wouldn’t shut up about sleeping with Ale; they’re just trying to find out if it’s true.
Ale apparently learned a lesson from her accident and uses a Bluetooth to answer a call while she’s driving. Ismael warns her about the gossip concerning her relationship with Rafa. Ale calls Susana to find out exactly what everyone is saying. Susana doesn’t want to say but admits the rumor is that Ale and Rafa slept together. And that Ale is bad in bed. Susana also has to tell Ale that everyone claims Rafa is the one who started the rumors.
Everyone at the Siglo moos at Marco when he visits and Isabel mocks him even more when he asks why they’re doing it. Claudia meets him outside and Marco yells at her. She pleads innocence and says Rafa started the gossip. Marco’s rage starts bubbling to the surface again.
Ale meets Rafa at a very pretty outdoor café. Before they can even properly greet each other, Ale asks Rafa if he told the Siglo employees about what happened at Puerto Vallarta. Rafa swears on his mother that the only people who know what happened are the two of them. Ale swings and slaps Rafa so abruptly it knocks him off his feet.
“When I crashed I thought you were a criminal but now I know you’re worse!” She tears his recommendation to pieces. “To think I believed there was something between us! I even felt love for you but you’re a disgrace! Don’t come looking for me and don’t call me! I am dead to you!” Rafa is stunned as he gathers the pieces of the letter.
Rafa keeps calling Ale and leaving messages for her. He’s determined to talk to her and set the record straight. Meanwhile, Ale sobs in her car. She loved Rafa and blames herself for being such a fool.
Ale is still on edge when she gets back to work. She explains what happened to Susana and cries; she was so blind. Susana defends Rafa but Ale won’t hear it. Who else knew about the fake esposos? Susana and Marco both knew but Ale doesn’t believe either of them started the rumors. It had to have been Rafa. “The whole reason he wanted to work here was to seduce me. He seemed so wonderful, said the sweetest things I ever heard in my life, and made me feel special just so I would forgive his debt.”
Rafa meets Jaime in a bar and recounts his horrible “date” with Ale. He’s awfully depressed about it and recites a line from a poem. “I want to sleep to not think of you, I want to sleep eternally”. (Quiero dormir cansada para no pensar en ti, quiero dormir eternamente)
Later, Jaime and Rafa try to piece together the shreds of the recommendation letter. They get phrases here and there to make sense. “A model employee with special qualification, tireless, committed to his responsibilities, creative, and able to succeed in adverse situations. I have never known a better person.” Rafa is even more confused. If Ale wrote such a complimentary letter, why did she hit him?
Ale holds an impromptu meeting with the employees to salvage her reputation. She explains the trip with Rafa was a business trip and any other gossip about it is the result of an overactive imagination. She warns them to never talk about her private life again. Too bad a threat isn’t enough to stall the rumor mill. Ramiro and Dandy suspect Marino and Ramirez started the rumors but they deny it.
Jaime and Rafa are still puzzling the letter together. Jaime thinks the letter is evidence that Ale was in love with Rafa; Rafa wonders what someone could have told her about him to make her so angry. He tries to call Susana for information but she hangs up on him. Jaime, as Rafa’s lawyer, calls Susana. He says Rafa needs certification that he worked at the Siglo since Rafa’s getting a new job at CloAutos. Susana won’t do anything to help the competition and hangs up again. Dandy tells Susana he’s angry how unjust the employees have been with Rafa; there’s no way he started the rumors because he only ever had respectful things to say about Ale. He always said nothing happened between them.
Susana lets Ale know that Rafa and his lawyer called. The lawyer wants proof Rafa worked at the Siglo. Ale refuses to do it. Susana thinks she should because Rafa isn’t the one who started the rumors; Dandy never heard him gossip. Ale doesn’t believe it since Dandy is the biggest womanizer in the city. He and Rafa are cut from the same cloth and she won’t believe Rafa is innocent.
Vicky asks for permission from her padre to go to a baby shower. He and her hermanos are scandalized the woman isn’t married. Vicky says if she were pregnant by Rafa, he would marry her in no time. The guys don’t like the sound of that and give her money for the party. Later, we find out Vicky plans to use the money for a hotel room date with Rafa.
Rosario brings Jorge breakfast and opens the shades; it’s time to stop being a drama queen. He isn’t having it and wonders where he went wrong with Ale. Rosario assures him he did nothing wrong but Jorge refuses to eat until everything is back to normal.
Vicky calls Rafa but he asks Jaime to answer it for him. Jaime doesn’t want to but Rafa convinces him. She flirts with Jaime and gives him the address of the hotel for Rafa. He has no interest; the only thing he cares about is Ale. Jaime tells Rafa to stop torturing himself and meet Vicky. Rafa thinks it isn’t fair to stay with Vicky when he’s thinking of another woman. He leaves to find Ale.
Marco starts chugging the booze and singing the blues to Chavez that Ale slept with Rafa. Now the Siglo employees are mocking him because of all the talk. Chavez is sure it is just gossip, especially the part about Ale being bad in bed. Marco swears he will kill Rafa. Chavez says Marco may have to make a sacrifice and ask forgive Ale, considering the problem with the hacienda. They need to make a plan to get Ale back.
Rosario welcomes Ale home after work. Jorge is still moping and Ale is overwhelmed. She goes up to her room and pulls Rafa’s shirt out of the drawer. Ale stomps on it and comes across the fiesta pictures. She laughs and cries while looking at them and hears mariachi music outside. “Medina?!”
Ale’s excitement deflates (as does ours) when she sees Marco outside with a mariachi band. Rosario rushes into Ale’s room but Ale is too confused to know what to do. Rosario convinces her that Marco still loves her; the music is his way of saying he forgives her. Rafa walks up to Ale’s house with a bouquet of roses and sees the festival outside. He gets a call from Vicky but hangs up without answering. Rafa tosses the roses to the ground and stomps on them when he sees Marco and Ale talking.
Ale thanks Marco for the song but isn’t so thrilled when Rosario invites him in for coffee. She runs off into the kitchen and leaves them alone. Marco kisses Ale, tells her how much he loves her, and promises there won’t be any more misunderstandings between them. He was wrong not to believe her but he understands why she wasn’t honest with him. Ale is not very receptive but eavesdropper Jorge hurries downstairs to congratulate them for making up. Jorge apologizes for being so childish and leaves to get something to eat. Ale is delighted her padre has snapped out of it but she still looks uncomfortable with Marco.
Julieta runs into Jaime on the street and guesses he’s been acting so strangely because he has a novia. When Jaime says he does have a novia, Julieta snuggles up to him, flirts, and kisses him. Jaime snaps out of it when Vicky calls and demands he meet her because Rafa stood her up.
Marco tells Ale it would make him so happy to be reunited with her. Ale needs time to think. Marco promises he will be there for her when she decides. He offers her a rose but she doesn’t take it. Jorge tiptoes outside and catches Marco before he leaves. Jorge is excited to have Marco back in the family; he could die happy knowing Ale is safe with Marco. Marco says Jorge has been like a padre for him but Ale isn’t so set on getting back together. Jorge is saddened by the news and goes back inside.
Jaime catches up with Vicky. She wants to know where Rafa is but Jaime avoids telling her. Vicky makes Jaime come with her to see the lover’s suite. She asks Jaime to open the champagne so it won’t go to waste. Then Vicky pulls off her coat to show him her lingerie (presumably so it won’t go to waste either…)
Avances: More hot Vicky and Jaime action.
Labels: dinero
© Caray, Caray! 2006-2022. Duplication of this material for use on any other site is strictly prohibited.
