Caray, Caray!

Roberto gulps at Olvera's rough revelation that the guy threatened him with the cops to comply, and he must accept the couple are truly married. A moment later from the condo, Carlos calls again; and he and Adolfo are both astounded to learn the real-life husband is David -- Carlos more so that crazy David would marry a waitress!

Adolfo kneads his brow, shaking like a leaf, and exits as Yolanda enters and notices the shattered cup and saucer he just dropped. Carlos marvels Adolfo would care, but Yolanda seems rather intrigued at the development when he angrily tells her.

At Juan José's suite, Asunción returns and spins Juan José's impatient anxiety into abject, toe-tapping glee at the news they can buy the hotel. Meanwhile at Gabriela's, her fears were well founded that David thought the worst, as she explains her beach-house story. He maintains too many coincidences happened for it to be true.

Her dad conveniently did not return home, the plane conveniently malfunctioned, Roberto conveniently failed to show, leaving them alone! Gabriela mentions Félix, the man with the patch; but when David still fails to trust her, she angrily demands why he married her. He won't answer and exits, with Gabriela crying in frustration.

At the architectural studio, Alejandra apprises Mina of the strange news and Mario's unbridled happiness, while Mina is tickled to report Alejandra's admirer's visit. They're just both agreeing he's very attractive -- if a bit odd -- when Juan José appears, Alejandra grinning and admitting his ears must be burning.

Luckily, Mina exits for a doctor appointment, so Juan José can gush in private over Alejandra. Commencing with a thinly veiled dinner invitation posing as a strategy meeting, Juan José angles his way into her intimate family marriage feast -- and her heart -- by passionately proclaiming that any man would be comfortable anywhere with her, even in hell. Alejandra is totally bowled over.

At the bedbug hotel, the couple on the lam are deliberating leaving town for the beach -- and as usual, baby making. Meanwhile at the condo, Adolfo conjectures to Yolanda what the recent marriage means about the diamonds.

Yolanda maintains they're just a couple of good kids; but Adolfo ponders if David knows already or will find out about the smuggling from Gabriela. Everyone has their price, and Adolfo charges Yolanda once again with uncovering the truth from Gabriela.

While Juan dresses for dinner and muses blissfully about Alejandra's eyes and mouth and even her walk, Asunción takes him to task about Elsa; but Juan contends after eleven years in jail, he's taking himself off the shelf. When Juan reckons a guy twice his age cannot understand, Asunción informs him in fact, he is still looking for his other half himself.

In Bertha's bedroom, she and Alejandra have a dust up over Bertha's obstinate interest in David. Confused to hear about the supposed fake wedding and Bertha's schadenfreude toward Gabriela, Alejandra declines to get involved, infuriating Bertha. When Bertha assails her decision to bring a guest, Alejandra cares not a whit and blows her off.

In Mario's office, he's expounding on the church wedding and the dinner to square things for Gabriela, when a confounded David interrupts to announce he wants an annulment! Admitting he behaved shamefully, he still should not have to wed a woman he doesn't trust, he shouts.

Mario resolutely refutes David's account of events, pressing his point that she's telling the truth. When David lists his string of coincidences making holes in her story, Mario refuses to believe it. He's sure Gabriela loves David and was happy to marry him. He's not going to permit an annulment.

Hapless Roberto gets the bad luck of the draw, when only Mario is available to answer his doorbell -- and Mario gathers his strength and bodily ejects Roberto, who has the temerity to snicker and claim the fake wedding was "just a joke!"

At the hotel suite, when Elsa enters, Asunción lies that Juan José has gone for a walk; and she is downcast from a string of misfortunes lately: her brother, her boss, etc. She explains she quit her job, and when Asunción shrugs that she's part of Juan José's family, that sets her off again.

She feels differently, and Asunción knows it; but counsels her to give Juan José time after his prison term. When he claims Juan José needs some fun, Elsa explodes that he should have fun with HER! Shaking his head, he insists she's not a girl to fool around with. He wouldn't even allow it; and she admits it.

But all the time he was in jail, she was dreaming of the two of them having a relationship together. Asunción counsels her once again to just have a little patience, and Elsa agrees and thanks him for being like the father she never had. When Asunción asks about Mauricio Medina, Elsa admits he's got a lot going for him; but it's so tedious! Her heart is already taken long ago.

At Gabriela's, Julieta is just contending that David is only jealous, when Leonardo comes to the door. He's almost speechless to learn that Gabriela and David were married. How? When? he asks, slack jawed.

At Mario's, Bertha answers the door to an extremely sharp looking Juan José, and she definitely likes what she sees and treats him very solicitously. He learns she's Alejandra's sister.

In the kitchen, Abelardo gossips with Dora a moment and finds she's known David since he was a little tyke, but has never been married herself. She says she fell in love with someone at 17, but that he deserted her for the United States and now she has no family. But David is like a son, she avers.

Alejandra greets Juan José looking sexy as hell in a black gown nearly frontless and backless; and when they sit together closely on a love seat, he's moved to huskily whisper inanities about her house to her. They share a mutual nervous laugh until she mentions it's her uncle's house -- which sobers Juan José up.

Presently a hopeful and happy Mario emerges and greets Juan José -- as Juan Ocampo -- in a fateful handshake. Finding his tongue, Juan José expresses his admiration for Mario's beautiful niece; and as they sit to wait for cocktails, Dora is bringing a tray of hors d'oeuvres when she spies Juan José and begins gasping for air.

Labels: verdad

Capitulo 75.
Read Julie’s original recap which covers Cap’s 75 to 79. Then come back here to discuss it.

1. Alicia answers Lety’s phone and talks to Tomás. He says he’s a partner with FI and trys his usual call-my-chauffer schtick. The difference is, Alicia buys it and turns sweet. Marcia rummages Fernando’s desk and finds the Paty M photo.

2. Alicia tells Lety that Tom called. The cuartel says he’s Lety’s novio and laughs at Ali because Lety has a rich novio and she has none. She brags that she has an address book full of the best men in the country, and she can snap her fingers and they come running. Ariel hears all this and asks if she thinks he’ll come running. He compares Lety to Frida Kahlo and says that it is amazing that Lety got a novio.. and Alicia is an old maid (solterona).

3. Fernando interrupts Jaimito’s baseball play, then brags to Omar what a good catcher he is. Too bad he doesn’t know which direction goes to first base! (I also discovered on AxM that he throws like a girl.) The cuartel realizes that Tom is a partner of FI, who does business with Conceptos. Lety gets nervous.

4. Ariel humiliates Lety. See the transcript. Fernando comes in, furious, and kicks him out. Lety says, “Don’t worry. He’s right.” She tells him she did it for him. He says that it looks nice, but he likes her old look better, the Lety he knows. He goes back to his office and wants to wash his eyes out with something pretty. Marcia’s photo? Not pretty enough. His toy car!!

5. Alicia complains that the cuartel says she can’t get a novio. Marcia says, “Then introduce them to your novio.” Alicia plans to steal Lety’s boyfriend, both for revenge and because he’s rich. Marcia says that if he’s Lety’s boyfriend, imagine how low class he is. Saimon turns down a lunch date with Jazmín because of a prior commitment to Jaimito. Paula, if you want a father for your son…

6. An attorney threatens to reposess Alicia’s car. Sara tells her to snap her fingers and get one of those rich novios. Lety tells Tom to stop talking to Alicia about FI, and she informs him that he’s her official novio.

---

Capitulo 76.
Read Julie’s original recap which covers Cap’s 75 to 79. Then come back here to discuss it.

1. Lola was scared to tell her kids they’re getting divorced, but the kids say it’s the same as it is now. I recommend that you skip the scenes with Efren. They’re even worse than usual.

2. Alicia needs money to keep her car from being repo’d. She asks for a 500K pesos ($40,700 USD) loan from Omar, Luigi (who tells her to put “the girls” to work!), Fernando (she tells him, “not a half million, only 500K), and Ariel (who says he’d have to pimp her for 100 nights to pay it off)

3. Marcia starts telling Fernando about their wild night ahead, while Lety’s still in the room.

4. MamaJ tells Erasmo that Lety is changing her look because she wants to be married, and no boys notice her. Lety explains that she told the cuartel that Tomás is her novio. Tom realizes it will destroy his chance of romance with Alicia. Lety gives Tom advice that could apply to her as well. “That woman is not for you. Leave the romance in the photos where it belongs. It’s too dangerous.”

5. Lety tries to figure out her relationship. Loosely: “It seems like Fernando only admires me. It’s too much to hope that he would desire me. He has Marcia and the models. Paula says that if he likes me, he’ll desire me. He’s never said he loves me. He doesn’t seem to desire me. Something’s missing. It’s a nightmare to see him every day and not be able to hold him. I need him. I do desire him” Meanwhile at the apartment, Fernando is ravenous for Marcia.

6. A few days later they go out, and Lety’s desire has been building up. She can’t keep her hands off him, and he feels guilty. She suffocates him with her goodnight kiss, and she gets him to promise that next time, they’ll go somewhere alone. Meanwhile he’s getting text messages from someone calling him desgraciado and a fraud.

Lety gets home after midnight so now it’s her saint’s day, and tomorrow (the sunrise after the next one) will be her birthday. Mama suggests that it would be special to Lety if Fernando did something nice for her birthday. Boy howdy!

---

Spanish Lesson: Ariel vs. Lety
In Fernando’s office, Ariel humiliates Lety’s look. Fernando listens behind the door.
L: I’ll deposit your money tomorrow. I give you my word.
A: Is your word as serious as your look? Because You don’t look like and assistant to the president. More like an assistant to the circus.
L: Pardon?
A: Of course. Fernando is a clown. But that doesn’t mean that everyone here has to be a mockery. Be more discreet.
L: You’re offending me.
(Fernando is listening behind the door.)
A: I’m not offending you. YOU are offending the company. This get-up. What were you thinking? Did you think you looked divine? No! you look worse!
L: I ask you to respect me. You’re getting personal.
A: No, you are damaging the image of MY company. Do me a favor. Act like a human, why don’t you?
Fernando enters, quietly seething. Lety fixes her eyes on him.
F: Do me a favor. Don’t disrespect my assistant.
A: Then she should respect herself. Someone with so much responsibility can’t go in public like that.
F to Lety: I don’t think he speaks Spanish.
F to A: I asked you to leave. Get out! NOW! Ariel leaves.
F to L: I don’t like that he messes with you. I will not tolerate him offending you.
L: Don’t worry, Don Fernando. When all is said and done, he’s right. Excuse me.

F to L’s office. Don’t mind Ariel.
L: it’s true.
F: No, that luke.. quite a luke.
L: (glows.) Really? I did it for you! So I’d look different for you. If you like it, I don’t care what everyone else thinks. If you like it, I’m happy.
F: Yes, I like it. But do you want me to be honest? I liked much more, how you looked before. Yes, it may seem strange, but when I see you like that, I don’t know what happened to Lety, captivating, that was here. With her childish smiles. Her arranged her. Her sweet dresses. Coordinated colors.
L: You really prefer how I looked before?
F: YES. I want you to bring back the Lety that I carry here. (points to heart then changes to head.)
L: Okay. I thought you didn’t like how I looked before. That’s why I changed.
F: Aw, what are you talking about? The truth is, at first – you want me to be honest, right? – well, I wasn’t charmed by it.
L: I understand.
F: But later, everything magically changed. I discovered an enchanting woman. And I started to find things that fascinated me about you. So that now, I couldn’t live without them
L: DF, tomorrow I’ll go back to the same as I was before. As always. The Lety that you querer. The Lety that adores you.
F: Can I ask you a favor? We can’t go out tonight, maybe not until next week.
L: I understand. When you can, we’ll go out. I’ll wait.

Labels: fea-2010

If you’ve seen the first few episodes of Aurora, you’ve surely noticed the family resemblance to El Clon. In fact, it seems we are in the presence of a new genre of telenovela, one part science fiction, one part fairy tale. It’s a romance that’s not a comedy (at least not intentionally), but it isn’t a tragedy either with the blood sacrifices that would require.

Take one pair of star-crossed lovers, one set of snooty-patooty parents and one mad scientist with a God complex, season with envy, stir gently, and marinate in the refrigerator for twenty years.

The princess here is a lovely twenty-something dance student, Aurora, who falls in love with Lorenzo, a talented and beautiful dancer. They are kept apart by false friends, social class, their own stubborn pride and finally, by Aurora’s illness, an infection certain to be fatal. Her father, Dr Gustavo Ponce de Leon [hah!], won’t allow her to die. He keeps her frozen in his very own cryonics laboratory while he waits for medicine to find a cure for her illness. She is La Bella Durmiente (Sleeping Beauty) for our time. La Princesa de Hielo (The Ice Princess). And just to show us what a sentimental guy he really is, the doc has also turned Aurora’s dog, Lucero, (not so inside joke?) -- who was dying of sadness after losing her mistress – into a pooch on ice, complete with her own cryocapsule.

Gustavo spends a lot of time contemplating his daughter turned popsicle, wrapped in her cryo-undies and suspended in her capsule. It feels a bit creepy and vaguely incestuous.

And then -- a twenty year leap forward. Aurora still looks like Aurora (Sara Maldonado), except she’s um… well, not exactly alive. But all the other twenty-somethings have morphed into different actors.

Eugenio Siller’s winsome young Lorenzo, for example, has matured into a hunky forty-something Jorge Luis Pila. [Now I understand why all the twenty-somethings looked exactly the same twenty years later on El Clon: they were kept on ice!]

And their offspring, the new generation of twenty-somethings are the spitting image of their like-sexed parent. [If we didn’t know better, we’d be tempted to say they were clones! Perhaps after the Bedouins rescued Albieri in the desert, he found refuge in the more permissive environment of the New York medical community and was responsible for cloning this new generation.] Lorenzo’s young son, Martín, has grown up to be Eugenio Siller. You can see how confusing it will be for Aurora.

The only non-clonish member of this new generation is Aurora’s own daughter, Blanca. Blanca never knew her mother. She thinks Dr. and Sra Ponce de Leon are her parents and Aurora is her sister. Lorenzo, her actual father, doesn’t know of her existence.

Blanca resents Aurora – she refers to her contemptuously as ‘La congelada’ (the frozen one). She perceives (accurately) that Dr. Ponce de Leon has spent all his emotional capital on Sleeping Beauty and has nothing left for Bitter Blanca.

[The over-forty actors get to play themselves twenty years later. I mean really, between forty and death, well, who the hell cares?]

The world hasn’t stopped spinning while Beauty has been asleep. It should be easy enough for her to get used to cell phones and computers and the death of Celia Cruz. But it will be harder to assimilate the changes in her Prince’s life: for the past fifteen years, he has been married to Aurora’s best friend, Natalia. They have raised 3 children: his Martín (identical to young Lorenzo); her Nina (identical to young Natalia; we don’t know who Nina’s biological father is); and their César.

There are lots of close-ups of lovely faces, touristy images of Manhattan, pretty dance studio shots. The actors are engaging and know their job. The Mexican Spanish is easy to follow and the Spanish captions, thus far, have been working well. All told, the ice may be a little thin, but it should be fun to skate on for a while.

And on bleak nights, we can always count on the occasional howler to keep us amused. Check out the writing over Martín’s bed: STRENGHT & HONOR! Indeed.

Anyone else watching? ¿Alguien más lo mira?

Labels: aurora, clon, telemundo

We start out with Daniel walking through the big house calling out to Renata. He ends up in the kitchen and is surprised to see Eva standing there.


He asks her what she is doing there. She seems just as surprised and is struck silent staring at him.


He repeats his question and she smarts back to him “Not you again.”
Dan stands his ground and repeats his question. She tells him she is working. This causes him to laugh stating “Now I understand Leo’s game.”



Eva seems confused and Daniel continues that it looks like she is the new help. Eva wants to know if he lives there as well. He tells her no but wants to know who hired her. “It was Leo right?” She tells him yes, and wonders if there is a problem. Dan tells her Leo is crazy. Eva argues with that and says she believes he is a decent person. He found her and apologized for what happened the other day. He felt bad that she lost her job. She continues to tell Dan that because of him she lost two jobs. She gets ready to leave and calls him an idiot. He grabs her arm and pulls her back asking if she really thinks that badly of him.

Vicky and Claudia are having some girl chat on the phone as Claudia is driving around in her snappy convertible. Claudia is crying to her chum that she is afraid she is loosing Leo. Vicky tells her she certainly will loose him if she doesn’t hurry up and get to the house immediately.


We are at the quaint little pension where Justa is talking with Alicia. They are discussing Eva’s new job. Alicia hopes she keeps this one because they need the money. Justa tells her not to worry because Eva is smart and a very good person. Alicia hopes her new employees think the same.

Back to the big house. Dan and Eva continue at one another. He still has her in a strong grip and she demands he let go of her.



Dan wants to know what will happen if he doesn’t. “Will you hit me again?” Eva is mad and disentangles from him He tells her to take it easy and not to forget this is her first day. Eva says “what are you going to do? Get me fired from this job too?” He tells her he should because he knows what a temper she has. She tells him he should respect her and tells him she needs to get back to work. Dan gets a cheeky smile on his face and asks her to get him a glass of water.

This does not go over well with Eva and she informs him she works for the owners of the house. She is not there to attend visitors. Renata enters and curiously asks Dan if something is wrong.

We have a new character added to the pension crew. It is Ricardo Guzman and he is defiantly sweet on Justa as he brings her some flowers.


Alicia approaches and is impressed with the flowers.

Dan is assuring Renata that nothing is the matter and he was looking for her. He wants to know where he can find Marcella. She tells him she just got home but is in Julio’s room. She wants to know if it is important and he tells her no he will catch up with her later. Renata now turns on Eva and wants to know what she is doing there listening into the conversation. She tells her to get Julio’s snack to him. She tells her to just go in without knocking. And to not make any noise that would startle him. She snaps at her for not addressing her as Miss Renata. (Those two are going to get along just fine. Ha ha!) She also tells Eva she wasn’t able to tell Marcella that she is working there but she will find out soon enough and before she leaves she chews her out because the apples don’t look right and turns to Dan asking if he needs anything else. Dan tells her he is fine and hangs out a little longer in the kitchen eating his apple.

More info on Ricky. It turns out he also lives at the pension. Justa introduces him to Alicia and tells her he trains boxers and when he was younger he was a great boxer. Alicia is quite impressed and tells him she loves boxing. He tells her he will get her tickets to the next match. Marisol suddenly enters and looks scared to death.

But that will have to wait as we go back to the mansion and where Eva is thanking Dan for not saying anything to Renata because she really needs this job. He tells her he is not the idiot she thinks he is. In walks Vicky who is smiling. She wants to know what Dan is doing in the kitchen. She sees Eva and gets a clue. She turns to her and wants to know who she is.

Marisol is tearing at her hair and Alicia wonders what’s up. She tells them if any one comes looking for her not to let them in.


Justa tells her she doesn’t like those kind of problems here and we suddenly hear loud banging on the door that has sent Marisol into a tail spin. She begs Ricky to help her. “Don’t let that man touch me!” (Holy spit!!!)

We are changing scenes so quickly here it is hard to keep up as we go back to Victoria who is now giving Eva the once over. She wasn’t aware that they had hired anyone yet and introduces herself to Eva. Eva offers her hand and an introduction and Victoria rudely turns her back to her to ask Dan what he is doing in the kitchen with the servant. (duh!! ) Something is said about her crazy brother Leo and suddenly Dan changes the subject and says lets go to the pool. Victoria is psyched for this and approaches Dan her man and takes the half eaten apple out of his hand. She turns to Eva and says “Here, what ever your name is, throw this away” setting the half eaten apple on the counter. They both leave.

The knocking is louder and the terror of the pensioners is heightened as Ricky says he will take care of this matter. Marisol tells him to be careful because this man is really dangerous. Ricky pumping his fist and heading to the door says he is too. In barges a very threatening looking man in a white straw hat yelling at Marisol saying this is the women he needs to talk too.





After a clever little commercial promoting this show we are now poolside. Claudia has entered and is telling Leo they have to talk. Leo tells her he doesn’t like to be controlled. She promises that it won’t happen again and asks him to forgive her.

We see Marisol cowering behind tiny Alicia telling hat man to take a hike and leave her alone. Ricky tapping him from behind tells him they don’t want any scandals and he tells him to leave as well. Hat man now enraged turns to Ricky and says “No one tells me what to do. Not until I fix my problems with Marisol.”



Ricky pulls him back from approaching Marisol with fists ready and warns him about all the fights he has won and adds another knockout to his scorecard as he punches the man out as the women look on in shock.


Leo is walking away from Claudia as she asks him if they are back together. No response is given as Dan and Vicky have joined the party. Leo wants to know if he found Marcela. Dan tells him no. Vicky looks confused and wants to know what game they are up to now. Then she asks if he and Leo have made up. Leo smiling dangerously says yes as he kisses Claudia and says they have an understanding. Vicky and Claudia thrilled at news are off to have some girl friend chat.

Leo now sitting down asks Dan what he thinks about his surprise. Dan wants to know why he did it. He tells him maybe it was to test himself. Dan shaking his head tells him he doesn’t understand what he is up to and it seems ridiculous. Leo gives a very creepy smile.



Marcela is in Julio’s room arranging flowers as we see a disinterested Julio lying in bed. She goes on about the goofy flowers. He is not impressed. She wants to know what she needs to do to make it right with him. Eva has entered the room with Julio’s food. She is met with a snipping Marcela demanding to know who she is. She wants to know why she would enter the room with out knocking. Eva stammers and tells her who she is and that she works here and says Renata told her to bring the food because Julio wasn’t feeling well. She seems petrified and asks if the dog bites. (I would be more afraid that Marcela might bite.) Marcela snarls at her and tells her to leave the food and gives her a hard time about where she puts it. She tells her to get out and wait for her outside the door.

Julio laughing, says to Marcella “It looks like you didn’t know anything about this new girl working here. Renata tells him no, but she will resolve it later. Eva is waiting for Marcella all in a fret praying she won’t get fired. Marcella approaches her and tells her to follow her.

Ricky, shaking his "knock out hand" as he closes the door, brags to the women that when you learn something you never forget it. Marisol goes to comfort him and wants to know if he needs ice for his hand. He tells her he is fine but she needs to fix her problem with the hat man. What would have happened if he hadn’t been there today. Justa chews her out telling her it better not happen again and that they need to have a serious talk. She knows the house rules. Marisol meekly nods her head in agreement.

Justa walks over to Ricky and invites him into the kitchen so she can fix his injured hand. Alicia is left behind with Marisol asking her who that hat guy was.

Marcela is yelling for Renata as Eva wrings her hands in fear. She turns to Eva and asks her what she is doing at there house. Eva explains that Leo hired her. Marcela is outraged. Her son doesn’t do the hiring around the house. She is the only one who does that. She continues snapping at Eva and Eva snaps back saying instead of yelling at me why don’t you go ask your son.


Alicia wants more info about the hat guy. Marisol isn’t talking. She tells her there’s things about her she doesn’t know yet and heads up to her room. King Tony arrives with lollipop in mouth and cheerfully tells everyone he is home. He notices the tension in the house and that Alicia looks quite upset. He sits down beside her and asks her what’s wrong. She tells him about the angry hat man. And if Ricky hadn’t been there she thinks he would have killed Marisol. Tony looks quite concerned.

Marisol enters her room and is soon surprised by said angry hat man who grabs her and holds a knife to her neck telling her if she screams he will kill her. (Holy double spit!!)



Dan and Leo are having drinks by the pool as Leo tells him Eva’s name. Dan still can’t believe that he brought Eva to the house. Leo tells him that since she rejected him before he finds her challenging. She has a strong character and he really like that. Dan wants to know what he is going to do with her there. Leo answers “What do you think?” Dan tells him to be careful. She needs this job and furthermore she seems like a decent girl.

Marcel has entered the party and angrily asks Leo since when does he bring some unknown to the house without her permission first. Leo is to his feet as he tells her he was going to talk to her first thing. She tells him it is to late cuz’ she just fired her. Dan telling Marcella he doesn’t want to meddle, pleads with her not to fire Eva. This is met with a strong look from Leo.

Marcella is surprised that Dan is defending her. He doesn’t think it is just for her to fire Eva. Dan continues his pleading and tells her that when he talked with Eva in the kitchen she told him she really needed this job. He was moved by her words. Marcella than asks him what he wanted to talk to her about in the first place. He starts talking shop and Marcella shaking her head tells him this isn’t the place to talk business and they will discuss it at the office.

Now she’s back on Leo’s case and wants to know why he would hire Eva without talking to her first. Leo goes over to her and pours on the charm. Marcella is not impressed and tells him to stop playing the clown and answer her. She scolds him reminding him she has asked him to keep his skirt chasing away from the house. Leo calms her down and tells her Eva has nothing to do with his skirt chasing affairs. He tells her she is wrong. He felt sorry for Eva and all he wants to do is help her. Marcella asks who told him this was a house of benefactors. She grabs him by the ear and wants to know if he thinks his pity will result in her going to bed with him.




We find out hat guy has a name. It is Damian. He still has Marisol in a choke hold with the knife to her throat. He doesn’t like the fact that she is holding out on him. She denies this, but Damien isn’t convinced.
How else could she afford such an expensive flat screen TV. (scary dude)

Renata is filling in Claudia and Vicky on the latest house gossip. She tells Vicky that her mother was really upset when she found out that Leo hired Eva. Vicky seems more concerned because she is pretty. Renata disagrees with that and says she is just a plain looking girl. The girls agree that they both have to watch out for their men with Eva around. Renata reminds Vicky that she had nothing to do with hiring Eva. It was Leo that brought her to the house and hired her. This does not sit well with Claudia as she perks her ears and says “What?” Renata tells her she has nothing to worry about because Marcela fired her.

Leo is still trying to convince Marcella not to fire Eva. After all she is not his type. He asks her if he could imagine her son with such a common women? Dan is listening in to all this baloney. Leo continues that Julio needs someone to look after him and Eva fills that bill. Subject closed. He tells her to give her one month and if she isn’t happy with her (Or has her killed first) he will fire her himself. Marcella finally agrees to just one month.

Tony is making the big come on to Alicia. She tells him she can’t go out with him because Eva would kill her if she found out.

Damian is still holding the knife to Marisol, and still threatening her. He tells her the TV she bought was with his money. She denies this and he tells her he doesn’t believe her. He slashes the TV with his knife and tells her the next time she holds back money from him it will be her face as he holds the knife to her face.

Damian is leaving the house via the court yard where Alicia and Tony are hanging out. Alicia sees him and tells Tony that was the guy that was looking for Marisol. Tony says “That’s strange. That guy told me he was just looking for a room. That’s why I let him in.” Alicia rushes off to check on Marisol.



Marisol is hovering on her bed when Alicia rushes to her to ask her if she is okay. Tony rushes in and asks her who the guy was. Marisol tells them it was an ex-boyfriend. Alicia notices the broken TV and wants to call the police. Marisol pleads with her not to. If the police show up he will kill her.

Eva is in the kitchen and Renata comes in chirping, she knew she wouldn’t last long. She knew once she met Marcella she would get fired. Eva now mad as a wet hornet turns to Renata and says she knew Marcella would be upset when she saw her and that’s why she gave her all the bad advice about not knocking on the door. Renata proud of herself, tells Eva it doesn’t matter now and tells her to get out. She is stopped by Marcela who tells her she needs to talk to her.

More poolside chat as Leo informs Vicky and Claudia that Eva gets to stay. This is not met with cheers and applause. Renata is getting the same news and she is not applauding either as she questions Marcella. Marcella tells her Eva stays and that it will be her job to orient her to her new position. Marcella tells Eva the most important part of her job will be to make sure Julio gets his medicine and not to miss one single dose. Marcella begs her leave and tells everyone she has had a tough day.

She reminds Eva this is just a test run. If she makes one mistake she is gone. Eva tells her not to worry and tries to thank her as heartless Marcela walks away. Eva turns triumphantly to smile at Renata.




Vicky sitting close to Dan, tells them it is time to change the subject. They don’t have to keep talking about the new girl. After all she knows Dan only has eyes for her. Leo agrees with this and tells Dan as well that he only has eyes for his sister. Subject being changed, Vicky wants to celebrate that her brother and Claudia are back together. Dan tries to beg off telling her he is busy. Vicky isn’t letting him off so easy and says it will be an early night. The girls are off to make themselves beautiful and Dan and Leo are left alone.

Dan gets up to leave as well but is stopped by Leo. He wants to make a bet with him. (Is that on any ones bingo card?) Dan isn’t into to this but reluctantly asks what the bet is about this time. Leo tells him that he will bet $500 that within two months He will get Eva to sleep with him. Dan walks away in disgust as Leo dogs him to bet with him.

Tony now trying to cheer Alicia up invites her to tour Hollywood. Alicia is delighted with this and rewards him with a big hug. More on this later.

We are back to Dan and Leo. Leo tells Dan that the reason he doesn’t want to bet is because he is scared that the sweet girl will fall for him and that he will loose the bet. Dan tells him he just doesn’t want to bet with him. Besides he doesn’t think Eva will fall for his tricks. Leo assures him that she will eventually come around. Dan shaking his head in disgust tells him he will see him later tonight and leaves. Leo is left saying to no one in particular with a smug look on his face. “Bet or no bet, I always win. Eva will eventually fall for me.”

We get a little tour of Beverly hills courtesy of Tony and Alicia. They end up in a book store and Alicia is ranting about all the great magazines. Tony being ever the suave young suitor tells her he will buy her one. After all he has credit at this store. We see them leaving the store with him hiding the magazine behind his back leaving us to wonder if he maybe he did steal her money.





We see that it has become night time and Leo is telling Eva that he had to beg his mother not to fire her. She graciously thanks him. He asks her if she lives with her parents. She tells him her mother left when she was little and her father was killed. Leo expresses his sympathy and wants to know what happened.

Eva tells him that she really doesn’t want to talk about her papa right now. It still hurts to think about him. Leo tells her he understands. He didn’t intent to make her feel bad. He knows what it is like to loose a father. His father died when he was 8 years old. Than his mom met Julio and he treated him like a son.
Now that Julio is sick, he is certain that she is the perfect person to take care of him. Eva smiling tells him thanks and that he won’t regret giving her this chance. He tells her she can count on him for any thing she might need.

Alicia and Tony are still out on the town. They are at a restaurant and Tony suggests tequila. I think they settle for milkshakes or beer. I am not certain. And I don’t care.

We have a little scene with Justa arranging the flowers that Ricky brought her. She is lamenting that she can’t give him the affection that he deserves. (I am sure we will learn more about that sad story. Next)

We see Victoria standing in front of a mirror admiring herself. (Not even picture worthy)

Dan is tucking in little Laurita reading her a story. (I think that his her name.) She wants another story. And guilts him about leaving. She tells him he always has to go out with Vicky. He reminds her that Vicky is his girlfriend kissing her on top of her head and tells her to go to sleep. She asks if he is going to marry Vicky. Laurita goes on again about the woman in her picture and wants that woman to be her mother. Dan explains that she needs a real mother and sweetly tells her he will stay with her until she falls asleep.

Some more torment by the evil maid as Eva is finishing her first day. Eva asks about the dog. She admits that the dog scares her. She wants to know if it bites. Renata tells her it depends. So far he hasn’t bitten anyone. but he is there to protect Julio. She goes on to say if she is frightened by the dog she can still quit. She would be doing them both a big favor as she leans in to tell her this. More rules are laid down and Renata snidely tells her that servants must always use the back door. Eva quips back “The same door you use.” This does nothing to endear Eva to her and Renata snips back she will pay for that remark.

Tony and Alicia are finishing up their drinks. The check arrives and as Tony reaches his back pocket he comes up empty handed and tells Alicia that he doesn’t have any money to pay the bill.

Vicky has become impatient and calls Dan’s house to see if he has left yet. Jacky assures him he has left. He had to spend a little longer time to settle Laurita. Vicky is not pleased with this as she throws her phone down cursing the little girl for interfering with her plans. She tells herself she has to do something about her so that she can finally marry Dan.

Our final scene is of Eva walking out the back door. We see the evil Renata with the scary looking dog going out another door. Max (the dog’s name I believe) seems a bit twitchy and Renata figures out he has just spied Eva walking across the lawn. She gets a evil grimace and sicks the dog on an unsuspecting Eva.

A panicked Eva sees Mad Max tearing a path straight towards her and runs off in a panic. She is able to escape and gets on the other side of the fence. Still panicked she walks off backwards and falls right in front of a car. The driver stops suddenly and quickly gets out. It happens to be Dan. He quickly goes to attend to her She tells him the dog really frightened her. He swears to her that he just barely saw her running away from the house. Dan gently brushes her forehead and sweetly tells her to calm down. Longing glances are exchanged and there we end.

Labels: eva

In the club office, Adolfo grills Gabriela about her choice of husband as much as he dare, considering it might even be Leonardo, the cop. But all he learns is who it's not -- and that she's not leaving the D.F.

At the hotel, Caramelo desultorily picks at her new, healthy dinner, already pining for the street food she grew up on. After she retires, Juan José whispers menacingly to Asunción about posing to Mario as a wealthy hotel buyer in his vengeance plan to ruin the Ávilas through buying up their properties one by one.

Asunción wishes a good man like Juan José wouldn't change, concentrating instead on his future; but Juan José insists what can't change is the rage he feels. Later, talking quietly with Elsa about car buying, Juan José flashes back to happy days dreaming with Piedád about his ambitions at the hotel chain.

When he bitterly regrets being framed, Elsa reminds him he would never have met Gregorio and reaped the huge fortune he now possesses. But Juan José claims he'd gladly have forgone the fortune to avoid prison and the death of his mother.

Next day, Gabriela, the lovely bride, and pretty Julieta arrive at the crisply decorated hotel wedding chamber, attended by the club waitresses and pianist from the taco feast. The registry judge arrives, who is definitely not Roberto's plant; and finally an ill-at-ease David appears.

Gabriela smiles through the ceremony, with David pensive and nervous. Meanwhile, Adolfo phones Roberto at home digging for facts about the marriage; and Roberto can only deny it, but promises to dig deeper. At the hotel, Gabriela happily signs the registry; and then after great hesitation, David also signs.

Taking the marriage license from the judge, Gabriela follows David, who's turned to leave; catching up with him, he apologizes sadly and continues away. Meeting up with Roberto at the elevator, David furiously blames him for getting him in all this trouble and exits into the arriving car.

Roberto heads for the wedding, where he gleefully mortifies Gabriela in front of the laughing guests by announcing it was all a big, fat joke! At Mario's, Asunción arrives dressed to the nines and mashes on Dora while she shows him in. Clumsily grabbing a few cigars, he mystifies her, gracing her with a flower from one of their own pots.

Asunción delights Mario with his hapless, unwitting jokes; luckily, Mario only thinks Asunción is pleasantly casual and funny for a business man and instantly likes him. At Gabriela's, the two sisters weep piteously and wonder at the cruel joke -- and how if Santiago knew, he'd kill the jokers.

Instead of having Leonardo arrest them like Julieta suggests, Gabriela decides to give them a piece of her mind herself and exits. Meanwhile, Juan José visits the architect studio and is disappointed to find Alejandra absent; he can hardly hide his disinterest in Mina showing him their auto-CAD plan display instead.

At Mario's, David stalks upstairs without taking Roberto's call from Bertha; and Alejandra sets up a work detail with Perez for the remodel, oblivious to Bertha's agitation at the pot boiling around them. In contrast, inside Mario's office Abelardo is all-too-aware of Asunción's embarrassing gaffs.

After Abelardo gives Asuncíon details on firming the hotel sale at the notary, he rolls his eyes at Asunción happily lampooning Abelardo's name as something you'd call a bird, which elicits a laugh from Mario. Asunción would rather Dora show him out when Abelardo rather does.

On their exit, they pass the two furious Guillén girls entering, getting past pugnacious Bertha. Gabriela yelling to speak to David brings Mario around the corner; and he escorts her to his office. Beginning to weep, she gives him the supposedly fake marriage license; but he amazes her insisting the document is legitimate.

Mario quickly claims David escaped the wedding on account of Mario's health; bids her to wait; and heads upstairs to roust a sullen, pouting David out of his bed. Julieta joins Gabriela and rejoices with relief to hear the good news.

Upstairs, Mario berates and amazes David with the fact that he replaced Roberto's ringer with a real judge and that the couple are truly married. David apologizes but resists, accusing angrily that Gabriela's involved with Carlos. Mario furiously rejects the notion, explaining the story cooked up by Roberto; which David seems liable to grudgingly accept.

Mario insists David play along to save Gabriela's feelings -- and man up to his responsibilities. David and Gabriela meet alone in Mario's office; and when he simply asks if she truly loves him -- and she simply assents -- David can't resist taking her in his arms again and thoroughly kissing her.

Outside the office, Mario mystifies Bertha and Alejandra by requesting a celebration dinner for David and Gabriela's marriage. Alejandra comes to her senses and congratulates them; but not Bertha, who launches herself out of the room. The plan is to hold the church wedding next week after Santiago returns, and Mario is elated.

At the condo, Carlos is astounded to learn from Adolfo that Gabriela resigned to get married; he doesn't know who the husband would be either and is frantic to know if it's true from Roberto. At Roberto's, when he gets an angry visit from Bertha, who expected he would be on her side helping her, he insists the marriage is fake.

He's explaining the fake judge and thinks they should wait to see what happens, when the fake judge, Olvera, arrives; and Bertha leaves with the promise Roberto will get back to her. Alone, Olvera angrily throws the facts into Roberto's face: that a guy visited him, demanding that the marriage would indeed take place -- and be real!

Labels: verdad

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Finally, the long-awaited contest has arrived. Marianela's fat suit has deflated somewhat, she's got fake eyelashes top to bottom and a new sprayed-down bang style coiffure. Emanuel and Brandon are both dazzled. Kristel and Ilitia both frazzled. And Nereida and Delicia are rooting for different teams. Ditto for Emiliano and Fedra. Can this marriage be saved? Sure hope not. Here's how the evening shook out tonight.

Marianela makes her grand entrance downstairs. Professional makeup and spiffy outfit. Two galans , Brandon and Emmanuel, fighting over who gets to take her to the ball...er...Sports Club Beauty Contest. Turns out she's going with her fairy godmother Tia Netty, so calm down guys. After a little huffing and puffing, they do. But Emanuel hangs around because He Has Something Very Important To Tell Her.

Switch to Kristel who's kvetching about the horrible taste of the brew Nereida's served up. What's the use of drinking this bilge if I'm still pregnant!? I'll end up fatter than la gordita. Nereida's happy to feed that little fantasy. You sure will. And after 9 months, even after giving birth, you'll still have a paunch hanging there like an old bag. Kristel takes the high road. This means I HAVE to win the contest while I still have my great body and THEN get rid of the kid.

Had enough of that? Well, let's get back to Emanuel. He's whimpering about the misery of the last few days without Marianela. She's more focused on getting to the contest in time. Fine, but afterwards, we have to talk about US, he insists.

Enter Begoña, who's packing her bags and saying good-bye to everybody now ,since she's leaving early in the morning. (Maybe earlier than that, unlucky lady, if Lorenzo's plan goes according to Hoyle.) She thanks everyone for their support, promises to send lots of postcards, and is advised to forget Lorenzo and fall in love with some hunky Italian.

Time for a trip to the House of Horrors and head horrorosa Fedra. She's still conjuring up guilty parties for the robbery. Could it be Gretel? she wonders. No way. She would have been too foggy from the injection the doctor gave her, counters Bernardo. Next, we see Gretel, happily schlepping dishes at the restaurant and smooching with Oliver outside the kitchen. Well, happy until she lays eyes on the newspaper which features a huge picture of her with the caption, Millionaire Daughter Kidnapped. What if the café manager sees this? She'll be fired for sure.

Ay yi yi. Nervous women everywhere. Marianela's calmed somewhat by her well-wishers, Emanuel's chaste kiss on the cheek (don't ruin that makeup buddy!) and a final pep-talk from the doomed Begoña, Forget about those hateful skinny gals, she advises. You have a beautiful smile. That's all you need.

Our final scene before we break for ads is Axel rolling around in bed with Lorena. He is evidently catching up for several years of celibacy in just a couple of days. Ah youth! Nothing more to say about this scene. We see him later, pretty much on the same trajectory, with Lorena pinned to a tree, sneaking in a few more heavy kisses. She'd like to get to the contest and finally breaks away.

Now that everybody's cleared out for the Sports Club and Marianela's hoped for triumph, our slimeball Lorenzo creeps in. Evidently he's taking credit for Muñeca's solo trip by telling Begoña he got rid of his wife so they could have a blissful last week together before her exit for Italy. Some heavy breathing and canoodling and then he's ready to kiss the baby good-bye and leave. Begoña suggests they not wake the baby but get in some heavier bedroom action since everybody's gone. He's on board. What a send-off. Nausea inducing.

Which is sort of what Paula is feeling. She's got that "llama de la sangre" (call of the blood) thing going on which means Gretel's in danger. And sure 'nough, a creepy, suspicious looking guy has come in the café and ordered a mineral water. As Gretel heads to the kitchen, he mutters, I've found you. You're mine. Must be one of Bernardo's minions. Hello Dark Side. Good-bye Oliver.

Back to the Bickersons. Emiliano can't take Fedra in his car to the club. He's full up with Kristel, Marianela, , Delicia, Nereida, Axel etc. Not sure about all that but anyway, he's giving an excuse for not having Fedra with him. And he's not happy about Axel's memory lapse and involvement with Lorena either. Fedra on the other hand hopes Axel NEVER recovers his memory. We shall see.

What we don't want to see is any more of Begoña and Lorenzo. But we do. Rumpled sheets in the background, post-coital glow, him murmuring sweet nothings about the taste of her lips and the fragrance of her skin, and our little single mom anxious about the trip. And given the trip he has planned, you should be, Begoña! He assures her it'll all come up roses, kisses the baby good-bye and leaves her.....looking very worried and pensive. Think she's getting an intuition of something? My hopeful prediction is something will mess up his dastardly plan. But I could be wrong.

More ads and then fun and frolic at the Sports Club. Ilitia and Kristel are swanning in front of the reporters and cameramen when suddenly they all break and run for Marianela. Evidently she's the story of the night. Reporters all want to know why a "llenita" (let's translate that as plus-sized woman) would enter a beauty contest. Well, we chubbies have our own appeal, she counters smoothly. My mother always told me True Beauty is not what we see, but what is in the heart and soul. Write that down folks. It's the take-home message of the story. It'll be on the Final.

Fedra's fuming about all the attention being paid to the Whale and mutters that she wants her to swallow every one of those Death Chocolates now!

A final scene with Begoña. I only include it because the baby was so darn cute. While she's talking to him about what a great trip it will be and how often his "papi" will visit, the little mini-ham is chattering away, waving his arms and legs and being quite the scene stealer.

Now we find ourselves at the Sports Club bar, flanked by Lorenzo, Orange Boy and the skanky master of ceremonies. MC leaves and Lorenzo's two mob flunkies arrive to indiscreetly finalize plans to bump off Begoña. Low reiterates he wants no foul-ups. And to show what a really classy guy he is, makes sure they know he enjoyed a pre-kill romp in the sheets as a parting gift. What a prince.

Back to Gretel. She tells the suspicious creep at the table he looks familiar. He plays dumb. She frets to Oliver that somethings up. She's nervous and scared. And should be.

Now for a catty dressing room just us gals scene. Some svelte chippie is wondering if obesity is a family trait. Kristel is sure getting a paunch on her.

And then the Chocolates of Death arrive. With a purported note for Marianela from Emanuel. Best way to calm anxiety. Inhale chocolates. Honestly, I would have thought these were off-limits, given her diet. Just annoys the hell out of me to see her nibble these now. And speaking of annoying. Here comes Ilitia. She's delighted, assuming Emanuel is there for her. And annoyed that Brandon has showed up too. And furious when she finds out they're both here for Marianela. What's a skinny bitch to do?

Orange Boy, meanwhile, is ready to move up to the big leagues, mob-wise. He's telling Lorenzo's two henchmen about his adulterated illegal liquor imports and they assure him he has a future in their organization. But if it works out, the one guy wants a commision for recommending him. Lorenzo seems dubious when he hears about his move. Hope you don't regret it, he mutters.

Okay. A set-up scene. The MC is worried because the make-up artist hasn't shown up. This is Doris' big chance. She'll do the makeup and win his heart. Except she doesn't. He's so freaked out by learning her experience has been primarily with corpses that he wants no part of her. Not to worry. I'm sure eventually they'll end up together. And he'll be a much better guy than he is now. The Power of Love.

Oh yeah. The Power. That's what Ilitia's talking about. She's thrilled that Emmanuel has finally clarified his feelings. Until she finds out the clarity means he knows he is TOTALLY IN LOVE with Marianela. We break for ads. Will it still be true when we come back?

Nooooooooo, says Ilitia. Yesssssssss, says Emanuel. Marianela is "la mujer de mi vida" (How many times have we heard that, viewerville?) Reporters converge on our unhappy couple and ask Ilitia how she feels now that she's about to hand over her crown to tonight's winner. Well....mixed feelings. Um hum. And how about the gossip that not all is well with you and your fiancé? Just gossip. Nothing to it.

Our image conscious Fedra is trying to pull off the same stunt. Draping herself over Emiliano, she reminisces about what a fabulous family they have, the envy of everyone, and advises that they keep up that happy image, at least for tonight. Nettie is standing there glowering at them. She and the lawyer come up for their ritual Fedra insults "actriz de cuarto", "abogado de quinta". Another lovely evening with the Ruiz family. It gets better though. A big guy and an even bigger lady, dressed in fancy duds enter and sit near them. Who are these yokels? sneers Fedra. The president of the Club and his wife, sez Emiliano. And also members of the jury for the contest. Aha! Take that skinny head bitch.

Back to skullduggery. The fellow Brandon is grooming as an informant has overheard Orange Boy's proposed liquor deal with the bad guys. Brandon braces Lorenzo about the liquor he's supplying for the club. Looks at the receipts. Pretends to be satisfied but lets his snitch know that Lorenzo is clearly crooked and he's gonna get him.

Some dressing room sabotage is going on with Marianela's shoes but Doris finds them in time. But the dress our gordita is to change into later has been torn. Ay yi yi. Weeping and wailing. Enter MC who feels bad, figuring the tears are for him. He apologizes for his rudeness earlier and kisses her hand. Okay, Romance is definitely in the wind. But in the meantime, the problem of the dress remains.

Okay folks. Curtain is going up. Grand entrance. The whole slew of contestants parade in and do a little group dance. Very Miss Universe. Marianela acquits herself well and flashes that million-dollar smile as Begoña advised. Lots of whooping and hollering. Delicia flashes her Marianela sign. Nereida waves her Kristel one. Exit all our lasses with Kristel doing a major flaunt the butt strut off.

But wait! There's more. Now there's a special call out for Marianela," the contestant who has stolen all our hearts with her her courage and her beauty". Enraptured Emanuel laps it all up and adds, And tonight I'm going to steal you away!

And on that exciting note we end.

But wait! There's previews ....

A lot of rapid-fire scenes but what stands out is someone dumps a big vat of chocolate on Marianela (Orange Boy's secret plan?) and Marianela slaps Ilitia a good one and tells her "A mi me respetas!"

Vocabulary:

tu vas a quedar con las ganas = tough luck, not gonna happen (Brandon to Emanuel about taking Marianela to the Sports Club)
mocoso = kid, squirt, pipsqueak, snot-nosed kid (Kristel's tender name for her baby-to-be)
choncho, choncha = adjective meaning big, hefty (Delicia and Nereida bickering over their placards. N. suggest "letras chonchas" for Marianela's sign.)
recapacitar = reconsider, think again (what Ilitia would like Emanuel to do)
la friego = I ruin it..... from "fregar" which means to scrub, but also means to ruin (Doris, lamenting her goof with the MC)
escalofrios = shivers, shudders (What Nettie feels every time she sees Fedra)

Dicho of the Day

Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho. lit. It's a long way from the word to the deed. Fig. Easier said than done.
Well, let's hope this is true for Lorenzo's plans and that Begoña escapes with her life.

Labels: llena

Capitulo 73.
Read Julie’s original recap which covers Cap’s 70 to 74. Then come back here to discuss it.

1. The cuartel thinks that Marcia gave Fernando the bruises. Fernando entertains Lola and Marta with the story of the fight. Alicia begs them to not fire Paula (so she doesn’t get demoted to receptionist), but Marcia doesn’t interfere with Fernando’s orders. When Saimon takes them all to witness Paula and Jaimito’s condition, Fernando leaves so they don’t see him blubber, and Alicia stands completely alone.

2. Marcia counsels Paula to stop running around with men who just want to use her, and establish a relationship with someone who cares about her. She thinks the ricos will solve her problems but she ends up worse than when she started. Marcia tries to steer her toward Saimon, but Paula says he doesn’t make enough money.

3. Lety arrives with her new luke, The Green Nightmare, and everyone is stunned. Marcia is enticing Fernando when Lety walks in (note his body language with Marcia and with Lety), and Marcia gapes at the new luke. Lety hears Marcia ridiculing her, and Fern tells Marcia to stop.

4. Fernando walks up as Marcia and Alicia ridicule Lety some more. Marcia tells him not to be angry since they’re not laughing at Lety but at her poor novio.

---

Capitulo 74.
Read Julie’s original recap which covers Cap’s 70 to 74. Then come back here to discuss it.

1. Saimon is working on Jazmín once again.

2. Fernando tells Omar that Lety changed her look and he’s upset because everyone has been laughing at her. Omar calls Lety “mostrete” and Fernando orders him to stop immediately. Once again, Fernando shows compassion for Lety, so Omar throws a particularly cruel monologue against her, so Fern literally puts him up against the wall.

3. See transcript. Paula tells Lety that if she wants to hang on to Tomás she needs to sleep with him. (After all, who knows about keeping a man, better than Paula?) If Tom doesn’t initiate, Lety needs to. Meanwhile, Omar asks Fernando what he’ll do when Lety gets frisky. Fern says no way will he sleep with her, but Omar says he certainly can’t reject her.

4. Omar tells Fernando that the purpose of an amante is wild sex. Fern answers that he’s got Marcia for that, and the sex is incredible. In fact, that’s the only thing they have. Paula tells Lety that if he’s not getting it from her, he’ll get it elsewhere. Lety says it seems like he doesn’t desire her.

5. The cuartel agrees that they need to tell Lety that her new look is awful, but who will bell the cat?

6. Omar says Fernando should arrange plastic surgery for Lety. Fern says there’s no way to suggest changing her face without hurting her feelings. And Marcia would find out he paid for it, since she reviews all his statements.

---

Spanish Lesson: Parallel conversations
This is a VERY loose translation. The conversation ping-pongs between Paula and Lety in one restaurant, and Omar and Fernando in another.

Paula: when will you sleep with him?
L: We have an intellectual relationship. He hasn’t made moves.
P: Then you need to jump him.

F: No way will I sleep with her. To kiss her takes a bottle of whiskey, psychological conditioning, and the Paty photo (not anymore; only a small cringe). Besides, she’s not asking for it.
O: She needs more. You need to be prepared. What will you do when she makes moves? Reject her? Run away?
F: Our attention is on other things.

P: If you don’t, he’ll get it elsewhere. He’ll satisfy his needs with una otra. (repeats later)

Pay close attention to their definition of an amante.
O: Why else would you have an amante. To talk politics? No. An amante is to have passionate sex with.
F: That’s what I have Marcia for, remember? With her, pardon me, but it’s incredible. But it’s all we have. It’s what keeps us together. It’s all there is. With Lety, it’s a relationship. more cerebral. (Notice he doesn’t say “relationship” regarding Marcia.)

L: He admires my intellect, etc. but I don’t think he desires me.
P: Then either he’s gay or he’s not attracted to you.

O: Seducing her is how you show you’re crazy about her.
F: But I’m not crazy about her, I don’t desire her, especially not with the new luke. And the cuartel doesn’t have the heart to tell her.

Labels: fea-2010

Eva Luna Episode 2

Disclaimer: I lost it a few times and my comprehension is not perfect, so as always, PLEASE, fill in any blanks and correct any of my errors. Thank you!

We review yesterday, where Eva and her dad are walking down a road and a (rhymes with "stick") driving a cherry red sports car is whizzing down the road.

Meanwhile, evil gloved witch Marcela Arismendi (Señora Weirdo) is kvetching with someone on the phone when the repressed-looking housekeeper comes in and tells her that a policeman wants to talk to her.

Eva's dad stops Eva to tell her how proud he is of her and her sister. Aforementioned "rhymes with stick" hits poor Eva's dad with flashy red sports car. We see the guy's face and it's Daniel (our galán's) friend, Leonardo. He pauses a moment and sees Eva cry out in distress and anger, then screeches on by. Eva continues to cry for help.

At the pension where Eva's family is staying, the young hottie from the bus busts in on Eva's little sister Alicia as she is nekked in the shower. She screams at him to leave, as he says "Wow!" with mixture of wide-eyed delight and lust. Outside the door, he mentally gives himself a high-five and she seems momentarily pleased to see him there—then she remembers, he stole her money on the bus! Another guy who is (rhymes with stick). Bummer!

Señora Weirdo with the Glove is greeting a Los Angeles police officer who is investigating the death of her assistant. It was premeditated, he says. She feigns shock.

Eva looks on as her injured father is loaded onto an ambulance. He's wearing a neckbrace. She is allowed to accompany him in the ambulance, but he seems unconscious.

More with Señora Weirdo and the police detective. What a shame about her assistant. She hopes they'll find out who did it.

Leonardo (aka rhymes with stick) drives back to the party with Daniel and the bimbos at the boat. He seems a little out of sorts. When asked, he says that he's sorry, but the car got hit, but it's okay. "What happened?" someone asks. Cue suspenseful music as we return to Eva following her dad's stretcher as he is wheeled into the emergency room.

Leonardo says he lost control of the car. (I think he says that there was not a scratch? Or a line? Not sure about this.) Daniel says don't worry about it, forget about it.

Back at the unusually opulent pension where Eva's family is staying, Alicia's hottie suspected thief is chatting animatedly with the lady who runs the pension. She's asking how business is going, he says it's great, and presents wads of cash from his wallet and pays her a sum that he apparently owes. Of course Viewerville is left wondering how much of this money is Alicia's, and Viewerville is probably also figuring out that they wouldn't waste a perfectly decent hottie by making him a thief. (But maybe it's just me who thinks that. Moving on.) Anyway, hottie doles out lots of cash to pension lady for next month's rent. She gushes over him and says what good boy he is.

Alicia comes stomping in, a woman with a mission. Hottie wolf whistles. (Subtle? Not.) She confronts hottie (whose name is Tony) and accuses him of theft. He swears he's innocent. She then gets a call from Eva, and hears the news of her father being hit by a car. (Thanks to Juanita for the correction.)

Daniel, Leonardo and bimbos drink a toast to a year of great margaritas (I think that's what they said). Daniel says, the only bad thing was what happened to his car. Leonardo says (I think) he has a friend who specializes in these kinds of cars.

Alicia and pension lady meet Eva at the hospital. A doctor walks up and gives the bad news—dad didn't make it. Much distress and shock at the news. We then transition to a funeral, as papa's coffin is carried down a street by pallbearers with a priest walking in front and Eva and Alicia and other mourners following.

We then return to Leonardo, who is dressed in all black with a hot pink tie. Okay, whatever. I found that distracting. Anyway, Leonardo looks pensive and stressed and flashes back to the hit-and-run of Eva's dad. He yells at himself, "Stupid! I have to forget this accident."

At the cemetery, dad's coffin is at the grave side and Alicia throws herself on the coffin and cries, overcome with grief. Tia Tilde and her friend (pension lady) are there, trying to hold back tears.

Back to Leonardo, saying something else that I didn't catch, then we return to Alicia and Eva throwing flowers into the open grave, and Alicia saying that she'll never forget, never, never . . .

Leonardo is drinking some liquor and saying that it's going to be okay.

Back in the cemetery, Eva swears that she will avenge her father's death.

Días después at the pensión, Tia Tilde is talking to the girls about what they're going to do now. (My brain got a little Spanished-out and I started to lose it a little here so I switched to the English closed captions on CC3—oh my gosh, what gibberish! I don't know what Univision is paying to have CC3 in English, but they're getting ripped off.) Anyway, back to Spanish CC, I think Eva and Alicia are saying they'll pay Tia Tilde back (some money) and that they don't know what they're going to do now. They won't return with Tia Tilde back to her home, but think they must stay there in L.A. Tilde warns them that life in this city is not easy. Eva talks about the secret her dad held that died with him. I think Eva wants to stay in L.A. to hopefully find out what this secret is.

We're in Señora Weirdo With the Black Glove's bedroom and she's in a dressing gown, looking at herself in the mirror and seeming unhappy with what she sees. She's talking about Botox. Repressed Housekeeper tells her that she's very beautiful the way she is, but Señora Weirdo isn't so sure and keeps on poking at her face and looking in the mirror. She tells Renata (Repressed Housekeeper) that she is not to tell anyone else about this, and I think she asked Repressed Housekeeper if she has put or will put the medicine in Julio (her ailing husband's) coffee. Renata says yes.

Stock video of downtown L.A. and then we go to a what is obviously a fashion show that is still being set up, where pretty models are practicing strutting the catwalk as a man looks on and says approving things.

Bimbo 1 and Bimbo 2 (Victoria and Claudia—girlfriends of Daniel and Leonardo) are two of the models and they sit down to apply lipstick and talk girl talk. I think I have lost the will to live. Anyway. I think they are talking about Bimbo 1 (Daniel's girlfriend) "taking control" and getting pregnant in order to trap him into marriage. Bimbos! Where's my Telenovela Bingo card, I think we'll be checking off one of the boxes pretty soon.

Señora Weirdo is talking with her ailing husband Julio, who is wheeling around his office in his electric wheelchair. She's saying that she's working and doing her part to try to reconcile their marriage. Julio doesn't want any of this, and agitatedly says that he wants the divorce to go through so they can end this farce of a marriage. As he talks, he gets more and more wheezy and looks like he's actually having some sort of attack. Señora Weirdo looks on passively, as if it would suit her just fine if he croaked right there. He asks for her help as she looks at him with cold eyes.

Now we're at a car show where of course the announcer is speaking in Spanish. In L.A. Because as we know, Everyone In L.A. Speaks Spanish All The Time. Where is my beanie? Oh well, this is the Telenovela Los Angeles.

Okay, at the car show in come "rhymes with stick" Leonardo and Daniel, looking at the new cars. They find another pretty red car on display and caress it. Daniel wants the car, but in blue. Behind them is Eva Luna, dressed in a short red wig and an even shorter skirt, working as one of the girls who poses in front of cars at car shows. Leonardo spots her and points her out to Daniel. They both stop to admire her. Leonardo says that she will be his next conquest. Yeah, in your dreams, dude.

Back from the break, Leonardo bets Daniel 100 dollars that he can get a kiss and a phone number from her. Daniel asks about his girlfriend, and Leonardo says that it's easy, he's a man that has to be on the hunt. The bet is on between him and Daniel for 100 dollars. At this point I'm not liking either of these guys all that much. But I digress.

Julio is gasping for air as a large black dog barks and Señora Weirdo looks on dispassionately at him (Julio, not the dog). He looks like he's about to expire. Señora Weirdo seems reluctant to do anything, until Renata (Repressed Housekeeper) walks in, looks alarmed, and all of a sudden Señora Weirdo pretends to care and puts a thin stick between her husband's teeth and has the housekeeper call the doctor.

Ugh. Creepy Leonardo puts the moves on Eva. He asks to have his picture taken with her, and says his friends won't believe him when he saw the most beautiful girl ever. He's trying to get a date but she's not interested; she's working. He persists, holding her arm and not letting her go. He wants her to kiss him on the cheek. Her lips tighten and you can tell she is Not Amused. He keeps pestering her about the kiss on the cheek, so she hauls off and slaps him across the cheek. Cool! You asked for that, dude. Daniel walks up and is laughing. He says that he now remembers her—she's the masseuse! She still doesn't look amused.

Bimbo 1 and 2 are still talking about pregnancy as a vehicle to trap Daniel into marriage. Bimbo 1 is not so sure—she's doing great with her career.

Eva is talking with Daniel and Leonardo looks on. Yeah, she's the masseuse, so what? He says that he can't forget her, due to his painful shoulder. She bitches to him something about his lack of respect. (Not sure here.) She is not amused at all. She turns to walk away and trips, but our galán catches her and they pause and look into each other's eyes and have A Moment as the theme song to this TN swells in the background. Then Daniel says with a smirk something about "Yes I see you are afraid" (?) and she looks even more ticked off and slaps his face (she sure does a lot of slapping!) and stalks off as he looks befuddled and at a loss for words.

Back at the mansion, Julio is pretty much incapacitated in his wheelchair as a doctor has arrived and is examining him.

Eva is approached by her boss at the car show and what do you guess—she loses this job too, for slapping clients. (See, I could have told her this would happen.) She tries to explain, but the boss doesn't want to hear it. This is twice now that Daniel has been indirectly the cause of her losing a job!

One of the other pension residents, Isabel, is showing delivery men where to put a HUUUGE widescreen TV. Alicia and Isabel squeee at each other and say that now they'll be able to watch telenovelas! LOL.

Of course, the question Viewerville is asking themselves is, How is Isabel affording all of this stuff? Alicia is thinking the same thing. Isabel says that . . . um . . . pretty girls like her and Alicia don't have to buy things, there will be . . . uh . . . men friends who will do that. I think we can see where this is heading, can't we?

Daniel and Leonardo are chilling at someone's home and Leonardo is congratulating Daniel on the new car. They start talking about their encounter with Eva, and to Daniel getting his cheek slapped. Daniel says that she's a masseuse that he met earlier. Bimbo 1 comes out and hears them talking like this. She wants to know who they're talking about. Daniel says, nothing, just a girl at the auto show (Spanish CC says it's "all show" *cough* ).

Eva returns to the pension and sits in the spacious and gorgeous kitchen (which would be way too expensive for her to afford), drinks a glass of water, and talks about how she misses her dad. She meets a little boy who says he is Adrian Reyes. He lives with his dad, but his dad doesn't let him leave his room much. (This sounds intriguing!) They sit down to chat as Adrian drinks what looks like radioactive limeade and Eva says they've been there for about a week and she's looking for work. They're having a nice chat when a singularly goofy-looking, middle-aged man comes in, yells at the kid. Apparently this is the dad. I confess I am not as intrigued now. (Thanks to martaivett for corrections!)

Tony The Hottie is walking through the pension and almost runs into Eva, who recognizes him immediately as the thief from the bus. She gives him the stinkeye as he looks innocently at her.

Back from the break, Eva is still chewing out Tony the Hottie and he's saying, "You talking to me?" because he doesn't know what she's talking about. I also don't think he recognizes her from the bus. Eva wants to call the police. Pension lady walks in and wants to know what the yelling is about.

Francisco the chauffeur and Daniel's daughter and a dark-haired lady named Jackie are exercising by the pool and Francisco has a back spasm and doesn't want to go on. Daniel comes by carrying some huge unidentifiable stuffed animal (I think it's a dog), to give to his daughter. They walk off. Francisco then makes one more gesture of agony about his back, then seems to immediately recover, and follows Daniel and the daughter. Jackie is left wondering if Francisco was faking the whole back thing.

Back to the drama at the pension. Tony the Hottie is claiming innocence, saying he's a good person. Pension lady (Doña Justa) is backing him up, saying he's been staying there a long time and has never been any trouble. Alicia reminds Eva that they were sleeping when the money was stolen, and they never saw who stole it. Doña Justa I think is saying that they can call the police if they want, but she believes Tony. Eva seems to back off and walks away.

Back at Señora Weirdo's house, Repressed Housekeeper is trying to hire a new assistant or helper for Julio, but the woman she's interviewing doesn't have references, so no good.

Eva is telling her sister about the same guy that caused her to lose her masseuse job now was the reason she lost the car show job! Alicia I think is trying to imply to Eva that maybe she causes some of this herself—something about how Eva is very hard on men (I think) and Eva says she wants respect.

Repressed Housekeeper is explaining to Leonardo that they need a competent assistant, not just one with a pretty face. Leonardo says that sometimes a pretty face is the best medicine. He eats an apple and smirks.

Eva says she'll have to return the clothes she had for the car show, and she'll have a small paycheck. Alicia asks her if the guy that caused her trouble was handsome and had money. Eva, exasperated, says yeah, but it's not important. She needs money and Eva talks about Alicia going to college. (Or is it high school? Thank you Julia for the correction.) Eva will work day and night so Alicia can continue her studies.

It looks like our "rhymes with stick" pal Leonardo has an idea for an assistant for Julio. He's back at the car show and is trying to get Eva's former boss to tell him how to reach Eva. The boss says he can't help because he hasn't got confidential information. Just then Eva shows up at the car show to pick up her check. He says he's been looking for her, but she just wants to get out of there. She asks him to tell his friend (meaning Daniel) that this is the second job that Daniel has cost her. Oh, but Leonardo has an idea to help her. It's a job, and absolutely decent job. She looks interested.

Repressed Housekeeper is looking after Julio and spoon-feeding him. Then she starts talking about how she wants to look after him and it looks like she's very devoted to him.

Daniel walks into his room, shirtless, and stretches his painful shoulder. He dresses in front of the mirror and I think he says something about where is he going to encounter her (Eva) again.

Leonardo returns to the house with Eva in tow, asking for Repressed Housekeeper, Renata. He presents Eva as the new assistant for his step-father Julio. Renata at first balks, talking about the strict requirements they have for the job, but Leonardo is insistent and pulls rank on her.

Señora Weirdo is paying off the doctor and he's chortling as he takes the money. They talk about slipping something into Julio's coffee. The doctor tells her to watch it, one false move and she'll be found out. She replies that she knows, but remember, she's got experience in this. The doctor seems happy to help her, and to keep her secret safe.

Alicia is helping out at the pension, cleaning up and being a housekeeper. Tony the Hottie comes out to chat and talks about how she was born to be famous and in commercials and magazines. (I sort of lost it here.) She seems flattered.

Leonardo is lazing on a lawn chair on the patio. Daniel and Bimbo 1 come see him and ask him about his girlfriend, who I think he's dumping. (I am losing it again now.) Bimbo 1 leaves and Leonardo tells Daniel about his new conquest—his step-dad's new assistant. Daniel just shakes his head, amused.

Tony the Hottie is totally shoveling the BS to Alicia, pretending to view her through a camera viewfinder and flattering her with how perfect she is for Hollywood. She's actually buying this. Tony claims to be a Hollywood agent. Yeah right. All Hollywood agents travel via Greyhound. Even Alicia doesn't buy this. He elaborates that he knows all sorts of famous people. She's starting to buy it. He asks about her sister. Alicia says that Eva has a new job.

Eva at her new job. She is in the kitchen. Daniel comes in looking for someone else, sees her there, and looks astonished. They share another impactado moment as the theme song swells. My recording timed out here so that's all I've got.

Thanks, Elvira (aka Sweeney)

Update: Please read blog comments because several people added more detail and possible corrections to what happened in this episode. THANK YOU everybody!

Labels: eva

Capitulo 71.
Read Julie’s original recap which covers Cap’s 70 to 74. Then come back here to discuss it.

1. Fernando says Lety rejected him. Let Tom keep her, good riddance! Omar holds loss of Conceptos over his head. Fern says he’s never had to beg a woman to be with him, much less one like Lety.

2. Alicia steals Omar’s keys then offers him a ride. Tonight’s squeeze says they can take her car instead.

3. Fernando begs Lety to come talk. He employs all his salesman skills to win her back and tells her how meaningful their relationship is, while wrenching his hand from hers and dodging kisses. He seems about to close the deal, when she repeats that they need to break up.

4. Roman’s gang harasses them and Fernando faces them, but when they see that he was kissing Lety they start howling. They say now Tomás has some competition and call her The Fea of Mexico City. Fernando orders Roman to respect her and punches him. The gang does all the rest of the punching.

5. RoboPop dispenses with the gang. Fernando says they were very disrespectful to Lety and he could not tolerate that. Pop says Tom faced them all to defend Lety. Fernando says he’s never been so angry. He came to ask her back, and he’s leaving empty handed, with punches and emotional wounds besides (milk it!). Lety says he’s her superhero and she’s not willing to leave him either. Of course she wants a kiss. Fernando is somewhat less enthusiastic. He tells her to say Tomás is her novio to avoid suspicions.


6. Fernando tells Marcia a crazy story that 15 thugs carjacked him. She jokes that he’s her superhero, and he remembers Lety saying it sincerely. Lety tells her diary how he defended her. How can she walk away from a many who, “every day shows me more and more, how much me quiere?”

7. Marcia tends his wounds (Hey! A nurturing moment!) and asks him why he’s been behaving differently (moment passed) and what’s going on inside his head. He says that what bothers him is her, invading his privacy and inventing romances. They see Lety on TV, and she dedicates her song to Fernando. Marcia yells, “Does this mean Lety is your amante?” Fernando screams, “NOOOO!!!!”

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Capitulo 72.
Read Julie’s original recap which covers Cap’s 70 to 74. Then come back here to discuss it.

1. After the TV show fantasy, Marcia says if someone wants to take him, it’ll take more than poems and chocolates. Fernando says he doesn’t want anyone to take him. Lety tells her diary that he fought for her and she’s going to change for him. She won’t be Lety la Fea anymore.

2. Lety calls Fernando for permission to come in late. She gets jealous when she realizes he spent the night at Marcia’s, so she’s a bit defiant when she tells him she’s using Tom’s phone. Take that! She tells Mama and Tom that she’s changing her look. She makes a point of telling both, “I’m not going to be the same anymore.”

3. Alicia shows Lopez that Paula is late again. Lopez says she’s fired. Ali’s thrilled. Marcia tells Saimon she’s run out of second chances, she’s fired. Marcia looks at Fernando; he doesn’t dare object although he wants to. Alicia crows about her victory. Fernando announces the replacement: Alicia! The scene is magnificent.

4. Omar asks if Marcia punched Fernando. Fernando says the gang (15 of them) said cruel things to Lety and he couldn’t stand it. It really upset him, so he fixed it with his fists.

5. Paula arrives and says her parents kicked her out. Ali has the gall to say, “It’s your fault I’m having problems (demoted).” Lopez fires her. She calls this week’s squeeze and tells him she’s fired and homeless; can she and her son move in with him? He suddenly remembers he leaves for Greece today.

Labels: fea-2010