Caray, Caray!

I decided in the time between the end of Dueña and the start of tonight's ep, under the influence of too much cocoa powder and decaf coffee, that if I were serious, I mean really serious about my sacred duty as a recapper, I would set myself some goals for improvement of my craft. Don't worry, I'm sure it will wear off soon enough, but I realized it's been such a long time since I've waxed rhapsodic about some point of grammar or an idiomatic phrase or even included a single vocabulary word. So I'm going to work on that. Baby steps, mind you, like maybe I'll shoot for five vocabulary words this episode. We'll see how it goes.

I will dispense with the extensive rehashing of Aimee's paltry excuses to Renato, which we know are complete BS. Am I a terrible person for being gleeful at Renato's smacking her around? Yeah, I suck. Come on, though, it's fictional. And it's not that I condone spousal violence, just that sometimes I'd really like to smack her around, and this way I can do it vicariously. Yeah, I'm going straight to hell.

Juan is ready to tell the verdad*, the whole verdad, and nothing but the verdad. But Renato thinks he already knows it. Reggie freaks out. Juan says he's taking "her" over Renato's objections. Renato demands that he marry "her" first. Say what? Aimee chimes in, moaning and groaning about how Juan needs to just fess up already, that he's got her sister acorralada*, blah, blah, blah. Juan's two brain cells are having trouble communicating with each other. He finally gets out a "hold on, let's clear this up right now," but Renato wants to hear from Reggie if what her sister says is true. He gives her a choice between "either you are in love with Juan, or Aimee lied to me." Yikes. Juan sees all the looks between Aimee and Regina and keeps his big, Cro-Magnon mouth shut. Damnit!

Leonarda, as Mr. 5ft puts it, is being haunted by the not-dead. She's remembering Arcadio's words about killing Maria del Rosario and Mirta and disfiguring their faces by bashing them in with rocks. She dreams about being in MdR's cell and going loca*. In her dream, MdR confronts her about having her killed. MdR says she'll go, but Leo needs to look on her one last time. She puts the veil over Leo's face and proclaims her crazy. "Maldita loca!"* Leo wakes up with a start, screaming that she's not crazy. She tries to go back to sleep.

Maria del Rosario, sans veil, goes to her grave. She sees Constanza's first, though. She remembers that Leo envenenó a* Constanza, according to the letter. Then she sees her own tomb. Say what!?

Reggie fesses up to her love for Juan. Renato insists Juan marry her, but Reggie doesn't want him interfering. Noel pulls up in his ride. Juan dramatically grabs Reggie and asks if she's willing to accept Juan del Diablo as her legitimo esposo*. Noel is not having it with the young people and their shenanigans! Reggie says Juan has proposed and she accepts. "Say what?"-s all around. Renato tells Noel to butt out. While Ren and Noel are yelling at each other, Juan catches Aimee's eye and gives her the most precious look. Just priceless. Feel free to caption it yourself, but my idea of what's in Juan's thought bubble is "Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, ya spoiled, whoring, heartbreaking bitch!" Renato insists the marriage take place ASAP. Aimee seethes. Renato's idea of ASAP is tomorrow. Naw, come on, man, wake up the priest now and lets get this over with!

Mariela contemplates Angela/Jimena's baby clothes. Her mom comes in to see why she's still awake. Mom tries her best not to look at the clothes. She wants Mariela to quit tormenting herself and suffering. They're going to have the same argument as always. Mom doesn't know how to console Mariela anymore and Mariela won't give up. She feels cerca* to her hija*.

Who is currently on the beach nursing Gabe's wound as Gabe claims it's nothing. Pfft! Jimena says all the gypsies will now gang up on her to force her to keep her word. Gabe wants to run off now and he won't arriesgar* her going back. He wants her to leave everything and go with him. Smoochies.

Maria del Rosario thinks her tombstone means she's actually dead. She sits down on it, then lies down and cries. She says she's going to stay there and descansar* forever, until Juan DD comes for her.

Arcadio drinks and laughs. By himself. He's sure Renato must be thrilled with that letter, jajaja. Then he realizes that Leonarda might be angry. But then again, with Constanza's letter, he's protected. Then he remembers the joyas* that belonged to MdR…if he finds them that's more ammo for him. He goes off to search.

Doc is reading while he keeps watch over Rosenda. Marlene comes to visit to stay with Rosie for the evening. Doc agrees to let her. He lets her know Rosie's fine, but there's no indication she'll wake. It could happen any time though, so they'll esperar*. Marlene is convinced this is a punishment for her, but Doc denies it. Sometimes life just kicks you around so you can toughen up. Marlene says she'd trade her life for Rosenda's. So of course, eventually she will, according to the laws of TN utterances.

Gabe and Jimena, those crazy kids, came to get Mariela's help. She says Jimena will stay the night there and Gabe will come by in the morning and they'll talk. She's not letting them just go running off. Mariela tries to look stern, but she fails miserably.

Salma gives Branko a little leg. He's caught up on the breaking of the vow and on Jimena wanting to marry a White guy. He swears she'll marry him and learn to love him. Now Salma gives Branko a little smoldering action, but he's not up for it. Salma swears he won't marry Jimena.

Marlene wants to be the first person Rosenda sees when she wakes up, but she's afraid, as usual, that Rosenda will reject her. Marlene cries. She tells Rosenda she never stopped thinking about her the whole time they were apart.

Renato isn't much appeased. He drags Aimee home and shoves her into the bedroom. He tells her to rest, tomorrow will be a long day. He grabs a drink and then goes off to prepare for the quickie wedding. He locks Aimee in their room…and then explains to his mom that yes, he did just lock his wife in their bedroom. Leo is concerned about what Rod will think. Renato says he's doing this to save the family name so, shut it! Leo blames his angry attitude on Juan. "What are you thinking mom? If I suspected Aimee, she wouldn't be alive right now. Juan and Reggie are getting married tomorrow and NO ONE will stop it!"

The soon-to-be-happy couple sit downstairs, not talking. He doesn't want to talk or argue. He understands her reasons, but she still wants to whine about it. He wanted to see how far it would go. He's sick of the hypocrisy of her sister. Reggie begs him to run away tonight. It's a big world and a wide sea. Lots of room to get lost in. Juan calls himself stupid and says the two girls must have planned it between them. Reggie denies it. Juan doesn't want to think she's like Aimee, but now he thinks she's just like her. "I won't be deceived again, so get yer ass ready, girl, we's gettin' married tomorrow!"

The menfolk sit around a fire and ponder luuuuuuurve. Only Pedro is unmoved and looks at them the way the designated driver looks at the drunken fools he'll have to take home later. Santos says he's cranky because he doesn't have anyone to throw a lazo* on him. Pedro's response is "I'm not a freekin' cow, dude." Eusebio comes up and Pedro jokes not to get infected by the other guys. But where's Juan? It's after midnight. Pedro tells them to look lively, cause as soon as Juan gets there, they're taking off. Colibri signals to Juan, but Juan has to break it to him that they're not running off. Some really grave* stuff has gone down and they need to talk to the fishermen. Celia comes running up and tells Juan that Aimee needs to talk to him. She's still all dizzy from being hit over the head. She can't remember what Aimee said. "She's desperate, sick from so much crying." She can't remember the rest of what she said, but she wants Juan to go to the balcony. Juan sends Colibri to report this to the fishermen and goes off to see Aimee.

Juan goes to Aimee's room and she throws herself at him, literally. She begs him to understand, she needs him, she had to lie to Ren, because he found the letter and he was going to kill her! Whatever. What do you want? She just needed to see him and be sure he won't go away hating her. "What else can you do?" Juan says he would have done anything for her, even betray his own blood to have her. He no longer even thinks Reggie is honorable. He says he's going to marry Reggie and Aimee will be the madrina*. Aimee refuses. AND…hoo boy, this is a big one…he's going to ask his cuz for half the finca as a wedding present! Cause he's a Montes de Oca too, damnit! "But you never wanted…" "Well, I changed my mind, just like you!" He leaves and she screams at him not to leave her. Reggie hears the screams and comes running. Aimee's desperate for Reggie to open the door and sends her to find the key. That was quite enjoyable.

Renato breaks the news to Rod that Reggie has to marry Juan and, apparently, that she shagged him. Leo tells him to calm down. Rod says he now understands her leaving Fed at the altar. Renato says to add insult to injury, Aimee was also lying to cover up the relationship. Rod wants nothing more to do with Reggie and refuses to go to the wedding. Cool, then it will be a real party. Leo tells him not to be carreid away by his anger or he won't get Reggie's money. She says this right in front of Renato, who doesn't even object. Rod is talked around. Ren says if they're all in agreement, the wedding will be tomorrow. Dollar signs light up in Rod's eyes.

Branko and Servando. Oh, who cares, really. Branko needs to kill Whitey or he's a coward. Blah, blah, blah.

Colibri really can't explain QTH is going on.

Juan talks to Clemencia. He realizes Aimee was lying about loving him and wanting to run off with him. He tells her about Reggie coming to see him and Aimee lying to Ren. He's sure Reggie and Aimee were in cahoots, so he's going to marry Reggie and take her far away. He doesn't care that he doesn't love her, but he'll take her. Clem understands his pain, but she doesn't agree to let Reggie share his suffering. Juan says he won't listen to her this time. It's one more way to get revenge on the Montes de Ocas. Well, when he knows Daddy wants her gone, I suppose he'll want to stick around instead?

Reggie gets the door unlocked. Aimee wants to go find Juan, but Reggie won't let her. She's upset that Juan is marrying Reggie out of spite. She can't bear the thought of Juan and Reggie…. She figures Reggie is thrilled about this. Chick fight. Renato comes in and Aimee claims Reggie is mad at her for ratting her out and that Reggie likes Juan, but doesn't want to marry him. Renato once again turns to Reggie to ask if this is true. While Reggie and Aimee stare daggers at each other, Reggie declares she'll marry Juan and go wherever he wants her to and that's the last word she'll say on the subject! Stick that in your fan and chew it! Aw, rats, that's all for tonight.

Tomorrow: "crucial moments." Oh, bite me. I better get some wedding action already!

Vocab
Verdad=truth
Acorralada=trapped
Loca=crazy [woman]
Maldita loca=damned crazy [woman], freekin' nutjob, etc.
Envenenó a=poisoned (envenenar is "to poison" and it's one of those verbs where you specify who exactly; you need the "a" with it to specify the who)
Legitimo esposo=lawfully married [male] spouse
Cerca=close
Hija=daughter
Arriesgar=to risk
Descansar=to rest
Joyas=jewels, jewelry
Esperar=to wait
Lazo=lasso
Grave=serious
Madrina=sponsor

Okay, class, pop quiz:
1. Explain why it's "loca" for MdR, "hija" for Angela/Jimena, and "legitimo esposo" for Juan (as opposed to "loco", "hijo", and "legitima esposa").
2. Explain why the "lazo" bit is funnier than I made it sound. Hint: it's something to do with weddings.
3. Explain the concept of "madrina" in the context of a wedding, and include what you call the men in the same role.

I'm verklempt! Discuss amongst yourselves!

Labels: salvaje

This was an unbearable episode and I'm guessing you don't want to read about it any more than I want to write about it. It can be summarized by Marco's comment: "the worst delinquents, they don't look the part at all." That would be Marco himself and Vicki Vicki Vicki...

... who has taken to her bed, groaning, sighing, pale and languishing while anybody is watching, flipping through fashion magazines as soon as they leave. Her brothers are anguished because she's a very good cook and they are losing weight in her absence. They'd like to put her in front of the stove and shake her and see if a few gorditas might fall onto their plates...

They also want to kill Rafa but their dad points out this is likely to kill Vicki too...

Jaime continues conferring with Jesus and goes to see Vicki - he talks to Li'l Jaime in her belly, using his hands as a megaphone. VVV says the only thing he (Big Jaime) can do to save her life is to prevent Rafa from breaking up with her.

Today, the villains have it. Rafa and his mom are toast because, as planned, the papers signed by Leonor when she thought she'd won a radio prize - and the money deposited in Rafa's new bank account - convince Jorge, Rosario, and, mostly, Ale that Rafa and his mom planned to sell the house out from under its encumbrance (the debt to Ale) and then renege on the payments...

Ale is tearful and calls Frank (the supposed house-buyer), who comes and confirms the whole swindle. Then Rosario calls Marco and he comes over and rubs their faces in the delinquency of the Medina Nunez family. Jorge has trouble believing the nice Leonor, whom he met, was such a criminal, but Marco sadly replies: "Decent people like you and I, Jorge, there are just a handful of us in this world."

Ale calls Rafa and he denies except except the preposterous story about his mom winning a prize on the radio.

Everybody at Siglo wonders why there is no morning meeting. Finally Ale arrives and shows the papers to Rafa. He is perplexed.

It's all sad and pathetic.

Rafa has a meeting with Celeste later this same day; I remember her now as the girlfriend of the phone-throwing villain in a previous novela - she never got out of her bikini in that one.

Labels: dinero

All others welcome!

So, fellow Ganchitos...any news? Funny stories?

Share it all here.

Labels: gancho

Ep. 77

Review: Aimee writes the letter to Juan de Dios and gives it to Celia, she is followed and knocked out by Arcadio. Arca acts like he just found her that way and runs to tell Leo and Aimee that something happened to her. Celia muttering about having to go to the church, and then talking about the carta being gone. Arcadio looking on with a mixture of disgust/knowing that here is an opportunity. Aimee trying to get it across to the stunned Celia that it’s her Aimee, don’t say anything else bitch, desperate not to be given away. Arcadio and Aimee stare darkly at each other.

We go to Feddy and Servando talking about finding the guy who tried to rob them, what do we do when we find him, Servi says matarlo, and return the money to Fully, we can’t afford the risk of him finding out what we did. Feddy tries to weasel out saying you don’t need me for that, you can do it yourself. Servando says Dude we are in this together and don’t you forget it.

Mariella, her folks and Raul are discussing how good Mari’s friendship with Jimena has been for her health. Mari says but fate seems to want to take away anything I care about. What do you mean, they ask? Gabe and Jimena are in love and are going to run away. They all agree that the mixing of the races is not well looked upon. Mari says precisely for this they are going away.

We go to the lovers themselves under the full moon walking around the town continually kissing and hanging on each other. Townspeople keep walking by making disparaging comments, scandalous, a gypsy and a blanco, no puede ser! Maybe it’s me but could be the public displays of affection are offensive in themselves. Gabe says our love is not a sin, Jimena says let’s go to the beach.

Leo wants to know what letter Celia is talking about. Aimee desperately jumps in saying she’s had a hard knock on the head and doesn’t know what she is talking about. I’ll take care of her. Madrina doesn’t want to let it go so easily and asks Celia where she was going at this time of night. Aimee jumps in again and says she needs to rest, let me take care of her. Leo looks puzzled, Arcadio looks intense. The girls walk away, and Leo says that that was a strange accident, Arca says too strange, and there are plenty of strange goings on in this house these days. Leo purses her lips.

As soon as Aimee gets the hapless Celia into her room she starts shoving her around and yelling at her, what happened to the letter? What the hell happened to you? She pushes Celia around some more, pushes her onto the bed, Celia is trying to explain, crying, talking too fast for me to follow. She tells Aimee it was Arcadio who hit her and took the letter. She falls at Aimee’s feet begging for forgiveness, Aimee kicks her, nasty heifer. Aimee starts chewing on her glove. What am I going to do now?! If Arcadio gives it to Renato, No!! No!! Aimee says she is going to go find him right now (Arcadio or Renato, I’m not sure). Celia tries again to explain and Aimee becomes even meaner and slaps her and pulls her hair - wait her for me and don’t tell anyone, don’t tell anyone!! As she goes out the door she calls Celia estupida and good for nothing.

The music tells us we’re back to Jimena and Gabriel at the beach, now they’re pushing sand around and throwing it at each other, it’s hard to tell exactly what they’re doing, it doesn’t look like a sand castle. Intervals of running, lying on the sand kissing, Gabe picking her up and whirling around, throwing water at each other, more kissing, young love. Finally we see they somehow built a heart out of sand and rocks with their initials in the middle, made of flowers? Weeds? Some yellow stuff, and they roll around on top of that but careful not to mess up the initials, we pan out to see them entwined inside the heart.

Ominous music and we are back at the Finca, Aimee is yelling for Arcadio. She finds Colibri instead and starts to shake him, que haces aqui mocoso (brat)? Spoiled brat that SHE is, she’s getting even more out of control. He gets across that he is Colibri, Juan’s little sidekick. She shakes him some more demanding that he tell her where Juan is. He says that’s what he sent me here for if you’d stop shaking me and listen. He tells her Juan is at the church expecting her and the fishermen are going to be ready with the Luzbel. Coli runs off and Aimee says no, ain’t happening, no, no, y no!

Thunder, big lightning strike and Leo is awake in her bed replaying the scene in her head when Orca tells her he killed MdR and Mirta and disfigured them to disguise their bodies. She pulls the covers up looking anguished and at the same time kind of disgusted like she always looks. Another thunder clap and more lightning. She sees her whole past with MdR, Woody and the wedding to Juan de Dios, Juan’s birth, then MdR being locked up by Arcadio, the black veil over her face, more thunder and lightning, and Leo sits up saying “ No No No No No, I‘m not guilty, I didn’t do it! It was all her, all MdR’s fault, she chose her destiny, her own death. Arcadio is right, I didn’t kill her, it was her fault!” Then something about the curse, more thunder and lightning. MdR is running, tripping and falling and running on the sand, thunder and lightning overhead.

We hear Aimee yelling for Regina, she bursts into Clem’s room and tells Clem to get the hell out and leave me alone with my sister. Regi says don’t treat her like that. Clem says, okay okay, I’m leaving already. Regi wants to know what is going on, “que tienes?, have you gone crazy?” Yes I am crazy or about to go crazy, I need your help! Something terrible‘s happened, I don’t know what to do! What is going on Aimee, you’re scaring me! She says she is lost, and she kneels down clutching Regi and begging her to forgive her and help her. If you don’t help me I’ll be taken by Juan!

Juan is on his horse riding to the church with another horse in tow, presumably for Aimee. He’s telling himself at last Aimee will come with him, at last she’ll be his. Back to Aimee and Regi - she is telling Regi she doesn’t want to commit this infamia for Renato’s sake, how terrible it will be. Renato is a good man, I don’t want to do this to him! Regi says haven’t I been telling you this all along, and now you get it? Renato is such a good man, I beg you for his sake, help me, it’s for him!. OMG. Aimee keeps begging and Regi looks torn and doesn’t give in, Aimee goes on about how dangerous this is, Renato and Juan could fight, Juan could kill Renato. Regi says now you finally think about this? All along you only thought about yourself and Juan. You said so many times you didn’t love Renato. But that’s not true, I do love him with all my soul, she says with gritted teeth looking up at Clem’s virgincita doll. Regi’s not having it, don’t lie more Aimee! Yes yes I do love him. But why now? It’s late, it’s too late.

Thunder and lightning, crashing waves, then boring scene with Santos and girlfriend him telling her he has to go away with Juan, but he will marry her when he comes back. She will wait for him until the end of her life if necessary.

Thunder and lighting, rain pouring on the Finca. Aimee is now telling Regi even though you don’t believe me, I regret what I did, I am sorry, I am desperate, I love Renato but Juan won’t leave me alone! Cut it out Aimee, it’s you who wouldn’t leave him alone, he told me himself. Aimee plays her last card - okay, you’re right, I won’t deny it. But I do repent and now I’m going to tell Renato the whole truth. She starts to leave, Regi says you’re crazy. Yes I am, but I’d rather die than have Renato fight Juan, I’d rather he kill me. I’m going to tell him the truth. Regi says wait, you can’t do that. Aimee plays it up, desperately melodramatic, I have no alternative! Regi finally relents, she says just calm down and tell me what you want me to do.

Thunder and lighting, Jimena and Gabriel in the rain close to the gypsy camp. Jimena wants him to leave her there and not get any closer to the camp. Gabe is foolishly not worried, but says he will defend her with his life if he has to. Enter Branco and Branco’s knife. Fight ensues with Jimena and Salma both shouting at them to stop, ya basta!!

Thunder and lightning strike above the Finca. Aimee tells Regina that Juan is waiting at the church and expecting her at midnight. If she doesn’t show up Juan will come to the Finca looking for her and all will be lost with Renato. Dios mio Dios mio, what did you do, Aimee?!! Aimee tells her to run to the church, I think to persuade Juan to leave. The music gets more and more dramatic, Aimee is crying, begging, run Regina run!! Regi hesitates for a moment, looking anguished and ready to chew on her own white gloves, then heads out the door. Aimee kneels to the virgin looking like she is praying for real.

Back to Branco and Gabriel, Branco has the upper hand, now Gabe has the upper hand, Salma and Jimena continue to yell - Cuidado, ya basta!! The other gypsies have gathered around now, and Servando is holding his own knife ready to intervene.

Thunder and lightning strike again above the Finca. Arcadio is talking to himself about the loca having escaped. How could he let that happen? He’s going to get his vengeance for all they’ve done to him, but before that he has to take care of business with Renato. The new bad Renato is smoking another cigar. Arca says I need to talk to you, Renato says okay. Arca says it’s time you knew the truth, people have been making a fool of you. What are you talking about? This letter will reveal everything. Lightning strikes!! Intense looks between Arca and Ren as he hands him the letter addressed to Juan de Dios. Ren looks up, Arca says don‘t you recognize the writing? Ren grabs Arca, who wrote this letter?!! Senora Aimee gave it to that idiot Celia to give to Juan, she is going with Juan, he is robbing her from you, they are leaving together!! Huge lightning strike overhead, and Ren is in slow motion, muy impactado. Ren backs up, Arca says I am just telling you the truth. Ren grabs him, trying to choke him, mientos mientos!! Thunder and lightining. Arca says kill me! Kill me!! But it’s time you knew the truth. Ren lets him go, throws around some furniture and storms out. Arcadio very nicely shuts a cupboard door that came open during the fracas. He has a look like, boy do I need a new job, and takes a swig of Renato’s brandy.

Knife fight interlude, Gabe gets the upper hand. Then Colibri is with Juan, who is asking him if he gave the letter to Aimee (what letter?). Coli says she was kind of nervous and afraid but I told her. Juan tells him to go tell the Pescadores to take the Luzbel back or steal another ship and that they will go to Pinon del Diablo. Colibri says, steal? No,no we’ll just borrow it. Coli accepts this bit of rationalization, and they both turn and look up at the cross on the wall and cutely cross themselves in unison. After Coli runs off, lightning strikes above and Juan tells himself he needs to say goodbye to Clem, she has been like a mother to him.

Gabe has Branco with the knife to his throat. Branco says kill me, kill me! Gabe says I’m not a murderer, I love Jimena and she is coming with me. He lets Branco go, which shames him more than if he had killed him. You will have to kill me to get Jimena, at which she shouts I don’t love you Branco, I don’t love you! Branco says you are going to pay for this, as he staggers away. Gabe and Jimena hug and kiss in the rain, Gabe is bleeding from his arm.

Lightning and thunder above the Finca. Aimee is pacing in her room, Ren is yelling as he bursts in, slaps Aimee and grabs her by the throat calling her a hypocrite, saying you didn’t think I would kill you? Holding the letter in her face. Don’t you recognize this letter? He roughs her up some more pushes her around the room, shoves the letter in her face, saying you wrote this!!! Aimee sure must have distinctive writing. This is to another man, Aimee chews on her glove a little and says I’m not guilty, it’s her, it’s her! She’s guilty, not me!!! What are you saying? It’s Regina, I’m not guilty, it’s her, I beg you! She falls to her knees and grabs his leg as Ren looks slightly perplexed in his rage. Aimee clings to his leg, I beg you, I beg you, please!!!

Regi approaches Juan at the church wearing a ridiculous cape. Juan says I have nothing to say to you, Aimee promised and she is going to keep her word. Regi says she sent me to tell you to leave here, she doesn’t want to go with you, leave para siempre! Juan doesn’t buy this and is agitated and short with Regi.

Ren grabs Aimee from his leg and roughs her up some more, “No me mientes!!! No mientes!!!” Aimee says I’m not lying, it’s her, it’s her, I swear on my mother’s memory! She continues begging and crying, it’s Regina, it’s her! Ren stops, “it’s Regina?’ It’s Regina, my poor sister, she is crazy! Ren doesn’t quite believe her, grabs her by the throat, and says “really?” I assure you I assure you, you have to rescue my sister from the clutches of that hombre!

Meanwhile Juan asks Regina if Aimee is joking with him? Regi says no, believe me, she wants to have her life with her husband, not with you. That exchange started out civil, but then Juan gets mad again, well then she’d better come tell me to my face, I’m not going to believe anything! If she doesn’t keep her word I’m going to the Finca to get her!

Aimee is still trying to convince Renato, telling him Regi is like a slave to Juan, she has lost all reason, he has control of her. I assure you mi amor! I can’t deny it, I wrote the letter for her, that’s why I wrote it! (Good one Aimee). Aimee starts Right now! and then Ren grabs her by the hair and starts shaking her again, right now what!! He’s at the church right now! I am begging you to tell him to leave her in peace, that’s all I’m asking! Have pity on me, have pity on my poor sister! Ren says, then we are going to go find them right now! He grabs Aimee roughly again by the hair, knocks over a table and drags her out the door.

Lightning strikes again above the Finca. Clem comes out to see what’s going on and starts to yell at Renato. He yells back, shut up I don’t have time!! And continues to drag Aimee out the door. Clem runs to get Noel who is coming out anyway to see what’s going on. She begs him to follow Renato and stop him. Clouds clearing with a full moon behind. Regina is telling Juan again that Aimee told her to come talk to him. He doesn’t believe it, Aimee gave him her word. He is calm now, though, and says excuse me Santa Regina, but there is nothing for you do to here. Then we see Regina backing up, looking frightened as here comes Renato pulling Aimee along. Renato wants to know the truth, and Juan is ready to tell him, he has wanted to clear this matter up for a long time. Regina wants to stop him, Renato says Aimee has already told him - Aimee, Juan and Regi look perplexed and muy impactados all around!

　

Labels: salvaje

Marisa tells Lucia that she is calling the police because her necklace is missing and that means someone stole it and someone is going to go jail for that.

Labels: clon

Yep, Medina got lucky again last night (though we didn't get to see it) and presumably, so did the flirtatious but dim Mariachi. Marino did not. Neither did Ramirez (unless you count escaping death at the hands of an enraged husband). And the five hapless men cornered by Rosaura to listen to her life story? Definitely not lucky. Not even close.

But these guys will wake up to an okay day, we assume. Medina will wake up to a nightmare, now that Ale thinks he's pulling a fast one selling the house. Marcos and Chavez score again. Dang!

Here's how things unfolded: We get a replay of the Mariachi interrupting every kiss and Rafa losing his temper. Some great Latino hand signals of the sort, c'mon dude, wanna fight with me?, fine, anytime,... chicken!!!!and so forth.

Next thing y'know, we're in a restaurant and Marino is wooing yet another unsuspecting "friend". Don't know her name but she's the gal who lost her job at the perfume shop. However, life is looking up. Her good buddy is taking her out for fine dining, French wine (since Marino doesn't know from "house wine") , tons of shellfish (seafood for "performance" perhaps?) and a ring to boot. She's impressed that he's "tirando la casa por la ventana" (going all out) and doesn't suspect his ulterior motives. (how long has she known this guy?)

Okay. Back to Rafa. He's ready to take on the Mariachi flirt and confronts him, with all his musician buds, in the back. Heartbroken Mariachi babe convinces them a sing-off would be better than fisticuffs and a bottle of tequila seals the deal. Rafa sings and not only is Ale entranced, the entire restaurant is in his thrall, including the head singer.

Lots of glowing Ale smiles. Some new words to the theme song. A prolonged kiss. And the flirty singer hugs Rafa like a brother and whispers "Esa hembra te quiere. Cuidala." (that female loves you. Take care of her.) Rafa returns the favor by explaining to the dimwit that the woman singing with him is madly in love with him. Duh what? And we end up with two happy couples. Mariachi guy and gal, and Rafa and Ale.

Cheek to cheek dancing. Sweet nothings. Ale's afraid her car's going to turn into a pumpkin. Cinderella needs to get some shut-eye before tomorrow morning when her "boss" will wake her up with a phone call and order her into work. Boss has a better idea. Well, you know where this is going. Dancing in the sheets. Crazy kids. Well, who needs sleep when you're in love? Even I can remember that.

Rosaura, mientras tanto, is torturing one guy after another with her endless life story. We get to hear about her and hubby's experiences in the United States, watching the snow fall (and watching the guy fall off his chair asleep). As each man reaches his limit, another is shoved into his place, ending at last with the lawyer who, like Rosaura, is separated. But he's been separated 7 years. She demands to know what he's thinking, what MEN think, but never lets the poor shell-shocked guy get a word in edge-wise.

Back to Marino and his victim of the evening. He asks her about novios and she confides that she has a pretendiente who she's crazy about. And she'd love for Marino to meet him. Not! Down to business babe. Ya think I bought you a ring, paid for French wine and dinner for nothing!? We're going to a motel! No we're not. Fine, then we're splitting the bill. And give me the ring back! Quite a tussle ensues, damsel is desperate. No job, no money. After Marino suggests the waiter call the police, she caves and agrees to the motel idea. Thank God the phone rings. It's Marino's karma coming due.

Who's calling? Our pompous Romeo Ramirez. To whom Marino owes a big one. He's skulking in a lavatory stall with a scrumptious redhead, Raquelita. Drunken husband, holding a broken bottle is skulking outside, waiting for them. Ramirez' golden tongue will not solve this problem. Only Marino's muscle will.

Will friendship prevail? Well, here's the deal. Ramirez promises to be his faithful servant again. What's more, he won't tell the staff Marino abandoned him at the bar the other night. Marino grudgingly agrees to come, makes one last lunge for the ring, crashes into the waiter, breaks some glasses, swills the rest of the wine and is off the save Ramirez' tush.

Creepy Seducer arrives at the bar, storms into the bathroom and peeks into the wrong stall. Outraged shrieks. Then finds the guilty couple. Grabs drunken hubby , twists his arm, gives him a little tongue-lashing (if your woman's unfaithful it's because you didn't measure up as a man) and Ramirez and his sexy redhead scoot out unharmed. The sermons don't stop there. Why are you going out with married women Ramirez? Grow up! (Goodness? who knew Marino had a moral code?) And off they go.

Next morning, Marcos opens the door to Frank. No handshake! No hug! That's about as close to "good morning" as Marcos can get. Wants to grill Frank about the papers but Frank has no memory when he's hungry. After scarfing up Marcos' orange juice, he proceeds to dismantle the refrigerator. Eggs? yes. Tamales? Are you kidding? He makes do. And Marcos seethes.

Make that "Marcos howls "...when he finds out Chavez is waiting at the house and Medina and Ale are just now arriving( in Marcos' "ex-automobile".) Where have they been and what have they been doing? Bars and restaurants close at 3 am. Ah, but motels stay open all night, Chavez notes helpfully.

Hmmm. Most sweet nothings. Lingering kisses. Te amo's. Me haces tan feliz. Plans to introduce him to her family and make everything all right. Plans delayed while Rafa hails a taxi (Can you believe a taxi appears the minute he hops out of the car? Me neither.) He'll go home, shower, change and then they'll do the meet the family thing.

Our Cinderella creeps in the door and is surprised by Azucena. She's cool with keeping the secret that Ale is just now getting home. Fast nip into the bedroom to shower and change but first a cozy phone call from Rafa. More sweet nothings. Giggles. Goofy smiles. ( (Enjoy folks 'cause we're gonna be on short rations real soon.) Tia knocks on the door to awaken her. Big yawn and a promise to be out for breakfast soon.

Breakfast, as it turns out, is downright chilly. Jorge turns his head away when Tia tries to kiss him good-morning. Turns out he checked the movie listings and no Don King movie was being shown last night. Liar liar pants on fire. Tia explains that the movie was King Kong (not my idea of a romantic date) and he's still not mollified. Quintana is okay as a friend and socio, perhaps, but certainly not as a brother-in-law! Sniff sniff. Tia is equally sniff sniff. She doesn't like being treated like a 15-year-old.

Our Cinderella bids them cease fighting and enjoy the beautiful morning. She's so radiant, even our two fusty old folks realize something is up. Indeed. And she wants to tell them right now. It's great news. Not easy to tell perhaps but still....

Ding Dong. Jorge thinks it's the telephone. Actually it's the doorbell.....of doom. A large envelope that must be delivered personally to Alejandra Alvarez de Castillo. Let's skip the depressing details. Pages of legalese (read in Frank's voice) tell of being offered the house for sale, depositing money in the account, and then finding out that it's not free to sell, because of the debt to Ale.

We hear those fatal telenovela words...."No puede ser". Our deflated Cinderella stammers to herself "Rafa is lying to me.". Ack. Double ack. More misunderstanding and suspicion. Just when things were getting juicy. Sorry folks. And there we end.

Previews:
Nothing too exciting. We see Rafa talking to Jaime and exclaiming that something is weird.
And we see Vicky talking to Rafa and doing her dying swan number.
And we see that goldurned infernal Marcos working his number again. A pox on the man!

Vocabulary:
tirando la casa por la ventana = going all out, sparing no expense
ya es muy noche = it's really late
existe en el país de nunca jamás = exists in never never land (General talking to Rosaura)

Dicho of the Day

Palo dado, ni Dios lo quita. Don't cry over spilled milk.

But dang it, I want to. Don't like these reversals of fortune. We know eventually our lovers will be reunited but for now, it's stormy weather and no lovin' in sight.

Labels: dinero

Aimee caresses her pillow, I think she is about to start making out with it. She despairs over Juan. Yes, yes we know. She curses Regina. She thinks she is interested in Juan and that’s why she decided not to get married. She frolics on the bed happily. “I will run away with Juan and have the passion and fortune in the same man.” Stupid cow.

At the finca, a fight ensues. Rod grabs Regina roughly and proclaims he never wants to see him again. Well the feeling is mutual, buddy. “You want Juan, don’t you. Go away, leave my sight.” Juan jumps to her defense, telling him he has no right to treat his daughter like that. He insults MDR. He goes crazy and Renato defends Rod. What the hell? Wow Renato has really changed this last week. He’s turned into a real asshole. Noel tries to intervene but Renato takes out a fun. Where was it? He points it at Juan and they huff and puff like testosterone filled men.

Aimee has called for maid assistance but Rosenda doesn’t show up like she wanted her to. Celia tells her that Rosenda is gone.

Regina runs after Juan. He thinks she is about to insult him as well but he says no. She thanks him for defending her from her stupid ass father. He knocks his head from a hanging potted plant, lol. Regina says she went to his mom’s tomb to apologize to his mother for all the wrong they have done to his family. She holds his hand and they look tenderly at each other. “Regina, you are an exceptional woman.” Renato spies them from a window and he is none too pleased.

Noel argues with Leo and Rod. Yes you tell them. He is going to stay to protect them. He knows Juan and knows how much Juan hates them and a savage they both created. That is so true. “You are both responsible for all that is happening. If tragedy were to strike on this home, it would be your fault.” They go on arguing. “You should ask Juan’s forgiveness and give him his rightful place.” Oh Noel, your heart is in the right place but those two don’t deserve even your advice.

Regina is pensive and sad. Renato approaches her and says sorry for not defending you. She blames herself for the situation as usual. “Juan was right when he reproached me for not defending you.” He tells her she loves her very much and caresses her face. He definitely has feelings for her and is jealous of Juans attentions to her. He wants everyone’s attention, even if he did marry that skank.

Gabriel irrupts into the room where Mariella and Jimena are at. Mariella is coughing and it doesn’t sound too good. She tells them they should go out and enjoy their love.

Fed and Fulgencio’s wife talk about their renewed plan to kill Fulgencio. She looks pretty pleased about the situation. “I am the one who has the money, other men can give me what you give me.” Oh snap. Haha he deserves it but she is a biatch. She laughs and blows him a kiss. Wow, the kitty certainly let her claws out, not that we didn’t know she had titanium claws.

Jimena and Gabriel walk along the Puerto, kissing at every all and tree. It is so sweet, reminds me of my first love and who we couldn’t stop kissing constantly, haha. He spins her around and they gaze into each other’s eyes. AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW, too sweet, one of the sweetest scenes in the novella so far.

Oh crap that other gitana shows up and yells at them. “How dare you Jimena, I will let everyone know and you have no idea what Branco might be able to do.” She tries to grab Jimena, the shrew but Gabriel pulls her back. Spitefully she curses Gabriel. “Let all gipsy curses rain upon you.” Oh please -yawns-. That chick is way too intense. Shouldn’t she be plotting her way into Branco’s heart once Jimena leaves. How stupid is she? This is her chance.

The alguacil is harassing the fishermen again. Apparently they can’t even congregate in their little hut. He orders his guards to shoot to kill. God, this is so annoying. Honestly, I could do without this whole storyline. The Pescadores argue, some want to follow Juan, some follow the bad men to make a living. At the end only the most loyal stay standing at the beach.

Renato the fop and irrational man (what happened to him) is badmouthing Juan to Noel.

More fishermen talk. Juan blames himself.

At the gypsy camp, the crazy bat lady with the huge flower on her head comes running up to Branco yelling like a crazy woman. “I saw them kissing! You must stop him, cause him revenge.”

Leonarda is attempting to continue to poison Renato towards Juan. I thought they were going to end up being allies but I can see this will not be. He will be on Leo’s and Rod’s side. “Now I know who Juan really is. I am sorry about everything I have done.” Oh no, this is not good. “I want you to promise you will kick Juan go.”

Branco goes to the Puerto screaming and grabbing people asking them if they’ve seen Jimena. What the heck, how are they going to know who the hell Jimena is. “Once she comes to the campamento tonight…” Branco isn’t such a good guy is he?

Fulgencio, Fed, Cervando’s eyebrows are arguing about the theft of the last weapon delivery. I bet Cervando isn’t too happy he accepted that job anymore, is he?

Leo and Woody talk. Renato is finally seeing the light. Madame Marlene won’t do anything because she doesn’t want Rosenda to know she is her mother. They know she is alive, how?

Meanwhile Doctorcito and MM speak about Rosenda’s situation. She might never wake up, he says.

Wow that was random. Griselda is at the finca with her cards. Leo is worried about a curse befalling her home. Woman, your whole life has been a curse. Griselda tells her there are two young men joined by blood that are against each other.

Talking about the two young (?) men face each other. Renato threatens him. “Do no harm my family. All I did was trying to be your friend.” He does have a point, I wouldn’t like it if someone did that to my mom, and he doesn’t know how evil she is. I don’t like seeing them argue. “I thought you were a man who I could trust. Now I see you are just a thief, a savage.” Juan tells him next time he will not let him speak to him like that. Juan looks heart broken and turns away. Renato looks none too happy. He throws a thick file at the door and now all the scenes from the upcoming episodes have happened.

Aimee is egging her father on to punish Regina in an exceptional way. “Lock her up somewhere.” She holds his hand. “Regina doesn’t deserve your forgiveness/” I cannot believe how low she will stoop.

Juan is at the caves and sadly thinks about all the things Renato. He now is free to take what is his. Aimee of course.

Talking about the devil, Aimee plans on meeting up with Juan tonight. Celia walks in with wine and a sleeping potion. Now she is going to drug her husband? She giggles. She wants him asleep all night so she can do whatever she wants. Ergo, have nasty hot sex with that stallion Juan. Oh Juan, you disappoint me for I know what will happen soon.

Rod sucks up to Renato. Finally he is happy with him because he is on his side now. Crap. He vows Juan will never return to the finca. Renato hands Rod a bag with coins. They embrace. I guess evil IS contagious. “I am so happy you finally realized I was right.”

Juan and his friend are congregated. He tells them he wants to go far far away. Will you all follow me. Yes we will.

Aimee and Renato suck face. She claims she wants them to be happy and asks for his forgiveness. “Let’s toast our love.” Aimee repeats the toast. I wish lighting would strike her at that moment. They kiss. Aimee starts removing his clothes. An appetizer for things to come? What a ho. He falls asleep right in the middle of the act apparently. “Oh Renato how beautiful you look asleep.” Psycho!

As expected Juan and Aimee meet at the cave. Oh Juan…

Labels: salvaje

Episode 76

Juan is sleeping in the love cave waiting for Aimee. Hell must have frozen over because she actually shows up. She wakes him with a rose. She’s lucky he didn’t shoot her. Juan wakes up and is surprised that she is there. She is a slave at his feet. She is his and no one will separate them. Kissing ensues. Don’t do it Juan. She professes her love. We’ll see how much she loves him when she sees the shack awaiting her on Penon del Diablo. More face sucking. Suddenly he pushes her away. You tell me you love me but why didn’t you go with me? Just like all the other times. She tries to sweet-talk her way out of it. He doubts her sincerity. But Juan, mi amor…Aimee, just shut up already. If you don’t want to come with me. She wants him to listen to her. He doesn’t feel like it. What more does she have to say? She says ok, I’ll go with you. He is so happy. Me--not so much. She will go with him to the ends of the earth or wherever he wants. Uh huh, right. He still is skeptical and she tells him to look into her eyes as she swears to him that she will go with him. He turns into a moron thinking with the wrong part of his body. She just wants the money with a little passion on the side. We have to get ready.

Leo is chewing out Orca for not killing Rosenda. I hit her with all my strength. Well, you must be a real girlie man because she’s still alive. Then she tells him that MdR is the mother of Juan del Diablo. Orca looks stunned. He didn’t know that little tidbit of information. (That’s why it is a secret.) Leo says Rosenda knows all this stuff about her and that if anyone found out they would all wind up in jail. Only Leo and Woody know what’s going on. She tells Orca to kill her. She leaves but pops her head in again and says kill her. He scrunches his face.

Juan and Aimee are doing the deed in the love cave. They look so happy. I’m getting pretty darn sick of it really.

Back at the Finca, Orca is drinking and listening to MdR cry out Juan de Dios about a zillion times. I think it would drive me crazy too. He can’t take it any more. He stomps into MdR cell and starts smacking her around telling her he’s going to kill her. She cries out in pain.

Juan is looking for Curly who’s out on the beach. Isn’t it a little past his bedtime? He’s ready let’s go. Curly wants to know where they are going and Juan says Penon del Diablo. Oh goody, a field trip. He cautions Curly not to say a word to anyone. We are leaving and won’t return. Curly is worried about not seeing Regina again. Juan says to forget her. We’re leaving.

Orca is ripping MdR’s dress. He has a knife. Before I kill you, you’re going to give Papi some sugar. Gross. What a pig. He holds her down on the bed and she’s still fighting. That little bastard has to sleep sometime. I’m just saying….. She’s screaming for help. Poor thing. I can’t watch. FF>>

Aimee is back at the Finca sneaking in. Regina walks in. You are so busted! Regina accuses her of being with HIM. Aimee says she was just out in the garden. You lying little heifer. Regina doesn’t believe her. And neither do we. She chastises Aimee for not having more discretion. Oh, like you did when you ran out of the church and didn’t marry Fed. Not marrying Fed has made you crazy. She thinks Regina should leave the finca. Go back to the convent or wherever she wants. Regina says she’ll do it on one condition. After she leaves Aimee has to leave Juan forever. Just then Renato walks in. Does that guy have timing or what? Aimee looks guilty. Really, everyone looks guilty.

Mirta finally hears MdR’s cries and rushes in to help her. She hits Orca over the head with a bottle. It stuns him. She gets MdR and turns for one final blow but she can’t do it. They run out of the cell.

Aimee tries to charm Renato but I think maybe he’s getting sick of the same old song. She tells Renato that after what happened today Regina thinks it is best for her to leave the finca. Renato looks surprised. I’ve told you many times that this is your home too. Aimee starts to tell another lie and Regina says whoa Nellie, you misinterpreted my words. I’m not leaving the Finca. If you permit me I will retire.

Mirta and Mdr are trying to get the gate open. Hurry, hurry! Remember that guy has 9 lives. He grabs Mirta and takes the knife from her. He stabs her. Noooooo. Her expression makes me so sad. Where’s a freakin’ anvil when you need one?

Renato is worrying about Regina. Aimee is getting sick of it. He tells her to calm down. Regina didn’t want to marry someone she didn’t love. I respect that. Aimee thinks she was just thinking about Juan. Renato doesn’t think that is true. He doesn’t have as much confidence in Juan as he used to. He could be very dangerous for us. Very dangerous.

Back In the dungeon Orca watches Mirta die. He curses her and has to now figure out what to do with her body.

Back in the house Renato couldn’t sleep and is smoking a nasty stinking cigar. Regina walks in and wants to know why he is still up. She wants to know what he’s thinking about. Various things. He tells her he’s not as confident in Juan as he was before. He wants to know what she thinks of Juan. What were his motives to come into this house? He gets angry. Regina wants to know what his problem is. He apologizes. She tells him that Aimee needs him now more than ever. She asks him to spend as much time with her as possible. He wonders where all this is coming from. She says she’s tired and it’s been a bad day for her. She tells him they will talk in the morning. She urges him to try to get some sleep.

Meanwhile the little ho is up in her room thinking about Juan and his passion and his--money. Juan climbs through the window. Does he ever use a door? She is surprised to see him. He says he has to see her one more time tonight before they meet. He is so happy. She tries to talk to him but he turns to leave. As he’s climbing out the window he admonishes her to not fail him. At 12:00 he will meet her at the church. She can’t be late. Not even one second late. He leaves. She thinks about how much she loves him.

Curly is at the finca. He hears a noise and tries to hide under a bench. It’s Regina and she spies him instantly. What are you doing here? Don’t you want to answer me? Don’t you have confidence in me? I have confidence in you but my captain said not to tell. He said it was very important not to say anything. Not even me? Not even you says Juan as he walks in. Curly is worried that he is in trouble but Juan says not to worry. Aren’t you ashamed to deceive the boy with your smile and your false words? You misinterpreted my intentions. Juan hustles Curly out and says they have to go. Where are you going? To sea. I thought you’d be happy that I was leaving. I’m just interested. The only thing you are interested in is Renato. I’m leaving. He turns and leaves. Regina thinks about his leaving. For once Aimee didn’t lie. He really is leaving.

Over at the Can Can’t Club Felipe is talking to the girls about Rosenda. They are not going to open the casino tonight. The doorbell rings. It’s Remi looking for Malu. Remi starts to go into the kitchen. Felipe intercepts him and asks him to wait. He tells Lulu that Remi is looking for Malu. Felipe is just too funny and I love his toile vest. He’s one of my favorite characters. Malu thinks the flowers are beautiful. Remi has come to tell her that he is leaving for a while. This is goodbye then? No. I love you. I don’t have much to offer you but he asks her to marry him. Of course she accepts. He is so excited. I’m so happy for Remi. He tells her he loves her and they kiss a very sweet kiss. If he only knew.

Orca is walking around the finca with a pounding headache. Good. He’s looking for Leo. He barges into her bedroom. He wakes her up. I was hoping she’d have a heart attack but sadly--no. She tells him to get out. Something has happened. Tell me quick. The crazy tried to escape and I killed them both. Leo is shocked.

Lulu tells everyone the good news. They are all so happy for her. They are worried about what will happen if he finds out what she really does. Madame shows up from the doctors. She says things are bad. The doctor isn’t sure she will regain consciousness. They want to help her. She needs money now more than ever to help her daughter.

Doctorcito is thinking how beautiful Rosenda is.

Leo is in a panic. What to do? What to do? She wants him to hide the bodies.

Noel and Clemencia are having a pow-wow about Juan. They are worried about him. He could lose everything in this whole pirating deal. Aimee is listening to all this as she tries to sneak out of the house. She hears the part about Juan having nothing and starts to panic.

Leo is going crazy. I killed my own blood.

Aimee is waiting for the maid. She wants her to meet Juan and tell him she’s not coming. Tell him that I am sick. Really sick. Listen to what I tell you. Tell him we will have to postpone our plans. The maid suggests she write a letter and she will bring it to him. She asks the maid to swear that she only deliver the letter to Juan. No one else. This could be good.

Leo is beside herself. I don’t know why she really cares. Orca grabs her and she slaps him. She tells him to get out.

Aimee finishes the letter and gives it to the maid. She tells her to find her immediately when she gets back. The maid leaves to take the letter and Arcadio sees her. He wants to know where she’s going at this hour. She comes up with a lie. He grabs her arm. She gets up in the coach. He grabs her hair and throws her down and she gets knocked out. He sees the letter and reads it.

Aimee is pacing in the living room. Leo finds her and wants to know what the deal is. Arcado comes in saying he found the girl lying in the driveway. They rush out to help her. She wakes up saying she has to get to the church. Aimee makes sure she knows she is there. The maid starts babbling about the letter. The letter. Where is the letter. Aimee gets worried. She looks at Arcadio. He looks at her like he knows what’s up.

Labels: salvaje

*Give Vicky a whiff and a good healthy dose of reality while you’re at it. But I’m getting ahead of myself…

Vicky passes out during dinner, which sends her dad and brothers into a frenzy. The brothers scoop her up and take her in the bedroom.

Susana and Ale have a girl’s night out at a small bar. Ale tells Susana how romantic it was in Cocoyoc with Rafa. Susana wants to know the down-and-dirty: “Did you spend the night together?” Ale’s giggles suffice as a definite yes. Susana is so happy for her mejor amgia but wonders if Marco is still going to be hanging around. Ale says Marco hasn’t tried to contact her but he probably still talks to Rosario and Jorge. Susana worries Marco might know Ale is with Rafa. Ale doesn’t think Marco knows but it would be horrible if he did; she promised Marco she would never get involved with Rafa and Marco has always been jealous of him.

Susana thinks it over and decides Marco must not know, considering the scandal he caused the last time he thought Ale and Rafa were together. Ale lays some of the blame for that on the Siglo employees; someone had to have told Marco the name of the restaurant where they were meeting the Refri executives.

Ramirez gets a phone call from an “amiga” named Raquel. Marino gives Ramirez the third degree when he overhears him set up a date. Turns out, Ramirez met her at the bar after Marino gave him a shiner. Marino drapes his arm around Ramirez, undoubtedly about to give him some sleazy advice, but Ramirez shrugs him off and run over to help a client.

Rafa lets Pepeto know he is heading out to Vicky’s house. Pepeto is impressed with Rafa’s ability to juggle two ladies at once. “You spend the night with your boss and now you spend the night with your girlfriend!” Rafa tells him to lower his voice, which offends Pepeto. “Why won’t you tell me what’s going on? Do you not trust me?” Rafa comes clean: he strikes his signature pose and admits he is Alejandra’s novio. Now he has to go convince Vicky they are over for good. Pepeto asks what VVV’s brothers think about it but Rafa is through with playing games. He is going to make it clear to all of them that his relationship with Vicky is done. Pepeto shakes Rafa’s hand and says it was nice knowing him. (LOL)

Ale decides her mission for the night is going to be telling her padre about the split with Marco and about her new relationship with Rafa. Susana is supports her 100%. “You can’t negotiate your happiness with your family.” Ale hopes she can convince them; Rafa is the best man for her, no matter what they might think of him now.

Speaking of discussions that aren’t going to go well, Rafa has arrived at VVV’s house. Biggest brother Felipe drags Rafa Vicky’s room to show him the damage he caused. A doctor takes Vicky’s blood pressure while she whimpers and moans. Rafa is concerned when Don Gaston tells him about VVV’s fainting spell. The doctor can’t find anything wrong and asks if Vicky might be pregnant. A chorus of “No!” breaks out with Rafa protesting the loudest.

The doctor says it’s probably just stress brought on by depression. Vicky whimpers her love for her pajarito and VVV’s family stares at Rafa. He tries to comfort Vicky but the hermanos toss Rafa out so as not to upset her even more. Once everyone has left the room, Vicky dries her tears and chows down on a bag of chips. She vows it isn’t going to be that easy for Rafa to get rid of her.

Chavez hands over a bunch of paperwork to Marco including the deed to Leonor’s house and Rafa’s debt deposit. They plan on meeting at seven the next morning to show off their handiwork to Ale. Chavez reminds Marco to fulfill his promises to Carmela or else they will both end up penniless and in jail. Marco is sure once he has finally squashed Rafa, he can end their business with Carmela.

Rafa joins Julieta and Leonor as they write up a plan for what to do with all the money Leonor won from the radio contest. Rafa asks Leonor if she is sure the contest was legitimate; she is positive but Rafa calls the bank to make sure. The bank confirms that the money is in Rafa’s account. Leonor wants Rafa to keep the winnings and use it to pay off his debt to Ale. Rafa refuses but Leonor and Julieta agree that he deserves it for his hard work. Rafa is firm that the money is Leonor’s alone and leaves to get ready for a date. This peaks Leonor’s curiosity since she knows Rafa broke up with Vicky.

Ale frets about what’s going to happen with the hacienda now that Marco’s gone. Susana tells Ale needs to be rid of him once and for all. “You and Rafa can’t have a successful relationship if your exes are breathing down your necks!” After Ale promises to have a talk with Marco, she squeals like a teenager when Rafa calls. He relays Vicky’s illness but assures Ale that the relationship is over. Rafa asks for the address of the bar so he can pick her up for a surprise date.

Rosaura and the General stop by a local bar to let off some steam. The naughty poet (I think his name is Tadeo) from Ramrio’s party just happens to be there and he wastes no time in reciting a few stanzas for her. Rosaura is also introduced to Mario (a painter), Rodolofo (another salesman), and Victor (a lawyer for ‘poor folks’). Rosaura is, as usual, out of her element around the blue-collar crowd.

Julieta is short with Jaime when he visits but he is desperate to talk to Rafa. Rafa tells everyone about Vicky’s fainting spell and Julieta thinks VVV must be pregnant. Jaime is horrified but Rafa says it would be impossible. Jaime starts hyperventilating.

The General explains Rosaura’s situation and the naughty poet freaks her out with some more choice verses. Everyone gets up to dance while Rosaura and the poet stay behind. They chat for a while and Rosaura ends up thrilled to have someone to talk to. He promises to be a devout listener as she starts telling her life story to the poor guy.

Don Gaston tries to get a dour Vicky to eat some soup. She moans for Rafa and Gaston’s heart breaks for his hija. Once he’s gone, Vicky breaks out the chips again.

Rosario calls Ale because Jorge refuses to go to bed until Ale gets home. Ale tells them not to wait up but Rosario won’t be waiting anyway: Quintana invited her to the movies. Ale is delighted for her Tia and tells her to have a good time. Rafa arrives for Ale and the two of them flirt and tease each other. Susana loves seeing them so happy and refuses to let Rafa pay for their drinks.

The General notices Rosaura boring the poet to death so they dance over to rescue him. The poet retreats to the bathroom so Rosaura sets her sights on the other guys.

Rafa brings Ale to a restaurant with a live Mariachi band. Their banter and playful flirting carries on as usual. A Mariachi guy notices Ale and starts to drool over her. Rafa mentions he brought his mother to the same restaurant for her birthday; he had wanted to treat her to something special because she misses his father. Rafa’s father left the family and they don’t know what happened to him. Rafa had to take on the responsibility after he disappeared. Ale loves him for being so honorable but her kiss is interrupted by the Mariachi hovering by their table.

Rafa invites Ale to his house the following night so she can meet his family. Ale would love it but she’s afraid to go because of how rudely she behaved in the past. Rafa promises they will welcome her. Their kiss is yet again intercepted by the Mariachi. Ale is also going to tell her family about Rafa the following day and she wants him to be there. Rafa says it’s a very different thing for him to be at her house than vice versa. Ale understands but is sure her family will accept him. (Seriously? Has she met them?)

Rafa loses his cool when the Mariachi interrupts their third try at a kiss. Ale reins Rafa in to avoid causing more of a scene. She doesn’t want him to be so jealous. They hug and Rafa exchanges ugly looks with the Mariachi over Ale’s shoulder. I predict a Mariachi sing-off on Monday.

Avances: Rafa and Ale dance at the restaurant and Chavez stakes out Ale’s house the next morning.

Labels: dinero

Marisa tells Rosa that her diamond necklace had better show up or she is calling the police. The maid wisely sees where the blame is likely to go and protests her innocence. When Rosa says that no one has accused her, the maid says,
Rosa, tú sabes que la cuerda siempre se revienta por el lado más flaco.
Rosa, you know that the chain breaks at the weakest link (literally, the cord breaks at the thinnest side.) Marisa describes the chain for Rosa and says that it is like a choker (una gargantilla (a little throat).

The sight of a street party at Gloria's nearly brings on a heart attack for Tío Abdul.

Having now seen the wicked ways of Westerners, Abdul says that he was wrong to let Said marry someone who was raised in the US. While Ali protests to Abdul that the world is greater than their Fez, the Naz slips out to participate in the wickedness.

Osvaldo asks Miguel the bartender to help him get a pass for a beach club for Karla. He says it's not what Miguel thinks but it is a matter of life and death.

Leo has finally found a hotel room. He keeps apologizing to Amalia. Then he gets a call from a weepy Cristina who pretends to know nothing about the cancellation of the hotel reservation. She says that she is calling to bid him farewell. She is leaving this world. Cristina tells Vicki that she has a better plan than screwing up Leo's travel arrangements. She says that if it works, Leo will be back in Miami right away. [If it doesn't work, she will have to commit suicide or forever lose any credibility with Leo.]

Cristina furthers her plan by giving Enrique a note for Leo and continuing to appear to be depressed.

It's time for Jade to go to Mohamed's. Zoraida says that she is afraid for Jade but Jade replies that,
Lo peor que me pueda pasar va a ser lo mejor para mí.
The worst that can happen will be the best thing for me. Jadiya asks her mother to reconcile with Said.

At Mohamed's house, there is a knock at the door. The women and children are cleared out. Jade and Zoraida come in.

Ali and Abdul, as the oldest members of Said's and Jade's families state that they will resolve the problems with this couple. Amin is listening from hiding.

Jade gets to present her quejas (complaints) first. She says that she wants a divorce because she isn't happy with Said. Abdul goes through the bases for a divorce that a wife may claim and that we already know: husband doesn't provide enough food or clothing; the husband beats his wife severely enough to cause bruises (magulladuras) or bleeding (sangrado); husband lets wife sleep alone for more than a month. Jade admits that none of those causes exist. Jade says that Said kept her a prisoner in his house and wouldn't let her see her family or use the telephone. Said says,
Lo hago para que no llenes mi casa de vergüenza.
I did it so that you wouldn't fill my house with shame.

Jade denies this. She says that he did it to humiliate her because he has known from the first day of their marriage that she didn't want to be with him. Said replies that Jade had an opportunity during the ceremony to get out of marrying him and she didn't take it. He says that he did everything he was supposed to do and she did none of the things that Ali promised for her. He dares her to deny it and of course she can't because he is right.

Said accuses Jade of betraying him. Ali says that if Said can prove that Jade betrayed him with another man, he will wash his hands of her. Jade and Said accuse each other of adultery but neither of them have the required witnesses. Jade says that all she wants is to get a divorce and be free. Said finally says that he wants a divorce, too.

Just like the last time Jade and Said got divorced, she has to wait for 3 menstrual cycles to make sure that she isn't pregnant. Ali goes through the rules and both parties agree. Ali announces that they are divorced. Nobody says anything about Jadiya.

Enrique calls Leo to tell him about Cristina's visit and letter. Leo blows it off. Later, though, he gets up from bed with Amalia, calls Enrique and has him read the note. He buys the suicide threat and decides to return to Miami the next day.

Nati is not as astute as the maid. She takes the news of the missing necklace lightly and tells her mother to search her things if she wants to.

It appears that Lucas wants Enrique to act as his divorce lawyer. That is a really bad idea. If anything would drive someone to drink, it would be dealing with Marisa in a divorce. Enrique doesn't want to do it either. Lucas tells him to give Marisa whatever money she asks for. He just wants to be free of her.

Zoraida wants Latifa to call Lucas and give him the news about Jade's divorce. Latifa makes Zoraida place the call. Lucas says that he will wait for Jade forever.

Jade tells Rania that she is Said's first and only wife.

The Chump tells Malicia that Luisa's candidate got the job in the bar. Malicia tells him no worries. She will get the job for herself.
Yo no creo que puedas ablandarle el corazón a tu tía.
I don't believe that you can soften your aunt's heart, says the Chump.
Hay muchas maneras de convencer al la gente.
There are lots of way to change people's minds, replies Malicia.

Fernando goes to see his dad. He wants the Chump to tell him why he left Clara and took a lover. The Chump says that Alicia isn't his lover. He manages to convince Fernando that his relationship with Malicia started when Clara threw him out of the house and that was when he realized that he was very much in love with her. Fernando buys this but asks his dad to come alone to the launching of his band since Clara will be there.

Alej tell Ramoncito that the encouragement and moral support he is getting from his girlfriend is what he was lacking before in his fight career.

Nati tells Andrea and Rosa how happy she is and that the only thing missing is for Leo to give Alej a job so he doesn't have to worry about money. Andrea says that Alej will be more successful than Oscar de la Hoya . Nati replies that there is one difference - Alej is much handsomer. [Nati may be showing her prejudice here. Oscar de la Hoya was pretty handsome.] Everybody is laughing and having a good time until Marisa comes into the room and and spreads a pall over everything like a corpse at a feast. She asks if Rosa has found her necklace. Rosa says not yet.
Bien. Haré lo que tuve que haber hecho desde un principio.
Fine. I will do what I should have done from the beginning, says the bruja.

The credits roll.

Labels: clon