Caray, Caray!

Queridos, discuple por la tardañza! Life just gets in the way sometimes.

In the aftermath of Roberta's inquisition, Nata tracks Jero down in the parking garage. She thanks him for helping everyone realize that they were being victimized by Fina and Berta. They need to have a serious talk soon but Jero needs to get to the bottom of his brother's murder first. Nata worries it might be too late for them by the time that happens. Jero is touched by her words. Tears in her eyes, Nata holds Jero's hand and hopes he finds in Marina what he did not find in her. Jero wishes the same for Nata and Augie, despite Augie not being the man Nata thinks he is.

Chema sits down with Selene at the health club. He tells her that Connie and Honorio have gotten back together; the damage she caused is over. Selene thanks him for not holding it against her.

Gonzo is still in a CAPSLOCK RAGE over Soto's tampering with Matias and Berta's pre-nup agreement. He and Matias take turns yelling at him. Soto lied, he's sorry, but he couldn't help it because Fina seduced him. Now Gonzo really has something to shout about.

Nata tells Adriana about her sad goodbye with Jero. Adri is upset that Nata didn't tell Jero that she was sent to live with Augie to avoid jail during the Blanca debacle. Nata did not want to tell Jero that she got engaged to Augie out of anger. Adriana is sad that her amiga is in such a tough spot now that things have been squared away with Jero for good.

Not only did Soto try to sleep with Gonzo's ex-wife, he was also the guy who took the snapshots of Gonzo and Regina that ended up in Fina's hands. Gonzo fires Soto on the spot and scolds him for not knowing the difference between right and wrong. Gonzo's mind is reeling now that he has realized the woman he knew for 15 years is a perfect stranger.

Roberta paces in her room. She hates everyone, including Mami Dearest. Everyone knows that her baby was Rafael's because the gynecologist squealed and everyone knows that Fina was the mastermind of it all.

Gonzo vents to Regina about feeling betrayed and humiliated by Fina. He wants Fina to pay for what she has done to his family. He toys with the idea of getting revenge but rejects the thought. He just feels like a fool for falling for Fina's lies for so many years. And now his daughters are in jeopardy since everyone has caught on to Fina's treachery. Regina understands how Gonzo feels because of what Roberto did to her years ago. Gonzo appreciates having someone to talk to.

Fina sneers at Berta for thinking that Gonzo would ever take her side. Berta seethes that she shares the same blood as Nata; she's glad that Nata is not Fina's daughter. Fina says Berta should go along with her plan to trick Regina into thinking that Berta is her daughter. "Yes, it's true. Regina Soberón is Renata's rightful mother."

Adriana commiserates with Nata about her own love troubles. They both lament how difficult their love lives have been. Nata thinks that it's just life getting in their way. She starts getting teary when she mentions that friends and other loved ones can sometimes be more supportive and caring than blood family. Adriana agrees and considers Nata a sister to her. Of course Nata agrees and they hug.

Jero hangs out alone in his apartment and kicks himself for having to give Nata up forever. Dozens of clips from happier times play as Jero mourns their relationship: the Enrique concert, the wedding, their day at the beach, the grape harvest festival, etc. (I can't help but think of The Brady Bunch when a sobbing Jero is surrounded by eight pictures of Renata. He makes one sad Alice.)

Berta now understands why Fina hates Regina so much. Fina thinks it's the perfect time to take revenge for the past as well as for the present. They can get back at everyone! Berta agrees to do it and Fina grins with glee. She will work everything out so that a DNA test will prove that Roberta is Regina's daughter.

Matias admits to having despised Fina when he was a kid. Honorio says that he and Connie never liked her either. Now it makes sense to them why Fina and Berta always ganged up on Nata. Matias vows to buy his freedom from Berta. If all Berta cares about is money, he will give it to her just to get her out of his life.

Fina drills it into Berta's head that money is what makes the world go round. If Berta succeeds in passing off herself as Regina's daughter, she will end up with Roberto's inheritance plus the Monterrubio inheritance once Gonzo dies. He is almost surely going to marry Regina. Fina wants to make sure that Regina never gets to enjoy what should have been hers. "Your papá and your new mamá will not be happy for very long. I will do whatever is necessary to make sure they never live happily ever after."

Regina tells Gonzo that she does not care at all how much money she has to pay as long as it gets her one step closer to finding her daughter. She will take the risk in order to get her daughter back. Gonzo warns her that going broke will not help her but he admires Regi for how little money and position matter to her. Gonzo promises that he and Regi will be together with her daughter one day.

Nata tells Adriana that she wants to get an apartment and live a new life. Adri suggests they both move into Honorio's old apartment. He moved back in with Connie, so now the apartment is empty. They immediately start making plans.

Jero tells Carlos over the phone that he is finally done with the Monterrubios for good. He will return to the hacienda the following day to start a life without Nata...without the love of his life. D'aww.

Matilde visits Dr. Marina for a check up before the wedding. La Doctora asks Mati about Jero. She really does love Jero; she would give up everything for him.

Now for the best scene of the night: Karina sits down next to a drippy fountain with Lazaro. He admits that he has been waiting for her is whole life. They could have a wonderful life together. Karina thinks he's right. She wants to marry him and Lazaro's jaw drops. "What here? Now?!" Lazaro gets down on one knee and proposes properly. Karina would love to be his wife. He lets out an award-winning shout of joy. "Karina is going to marry me! FINALLY!" LOL. They kiss and viewerville cheers.

Oh, yuck. We cut away to a shot of Dr. WhyIsHeNotDeadYet in hospital bed. He mumbles that he needs to talk to Jero immediately.

Ezequiel has a chat with Alfonsina in the fields. She wonders why he is being so pleasant with her. He has not forgiven her but he wants to be on good terms.

Matias visits the Monterrubio Mansion of Misery to offer Berta whatever amount of money she wants for a divorce. She won't settle for less than 100 million dollars. Matias tried to be nice but now he's going to play dirty. He will drag Berta through the courts to get a divorce. She will be publicly humiliated, especially now that she has no one to protect her.

Gonzo, Nata, Hon, and Adri sit down for an informal business meeting. Honorio tells them that Jero is their bank advisor and it was because of him that the bank gave them a loan. Nata is shocked and remembers telling Jero about the Empresa falling on hard times. Jero did offer to help her then.

Augie unexpectedly shows up at the Empresa and gets a lukewarm greeting from Nata. He presses her on why she had paperwork that involved Jero.

Meanwhile, Jero has invited Constanza out for coffee. He needs her help getting the full story on Fina. Knowing Fina as she does, Connie tells Jero to expect the worst from her. Connie has no doubt that Fina would do anything out of self interest. "Even murder?" Jero asks. Connie has to think about that one.

Fina calls Regina at the Hope Center. She tells Regina that she is Pepa, the woman who kidnapped her daughter. (!!!) We're left to squirm until Monday over what happens next.

Avances: Jero tells Connie he is almost positive that Fina killed his brother, Regina screams at PepaFina to tell her where her daughter is, and Nata forces Fina to listen to something she has to say.

Vocab: (there was a wealth of dichos in this episode)

Estoy cavando mi tumba - I'm digging my grave (Soto to Gonzo).
El motor que mueve al mundo es el dinero - The motor that moves the world is money. (Fina to Berta)
Amigos son la familia que nosotros escogemos - Friends are the family we choose. (Adri to Nata)
arriesgarse - to take a chance (Regi to Gonzo)
scar provecho - to profit / to derive (Berta to Fina)

Labels: Cuando

Summary: Pola is dragged before Sámano who wants her to repent. He has been warned that executing her could cause trouble in the city. The executions of Torres, Caldo and Jorge Tadeo barely raised an eyebrow says he.

The execution stage is under construction in the square. María Ignacia is pleased with herself because she believes that it is Pola who will be executed - until she finds out that all of the prisoners, including Alejo are to be executed.

Meanwhile, Pedrito makes a valiant effort to reach the Almeida brothers' camp. He rides through heavily guarded roads and gives plausible explanation - that he is on General Sámano's mission and cannnot reveal the message.

Pola succeeds in getting Pérez López to allow her to wash. She gets the three guards to turn their backs so that she can have some privacy. She runs back into the jail, overpowers a guard and tries to shoot the lock off Alejo's cell. She is captured.

María Ignacia pleads with Sámano to spare Alejo. He sends her to the prison to try to convince Pola to recant.

Labels: LaPola

A note to new readers: Jean and I set out a page each week to talk about the primetime novelas on Telemundo. Right now we’re following: Mi Corazón Insiste, Flor Salvaje and La Casa de al Lado.

How our page differs from most on CarayCaray:

1. The recaps are, for the most part, in the comments and not in the text above.
(One exception: whoever starts the week’s page has the option of putting that first summary in the text box. Since it’s my week and I’m watching La Casa de al Lado, I get to put my two cents worth in the text box today.)

2. Jean and I may be doing the posting but right now the most important and prolific writers on the page are Hombre de Misterio and Novelera. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know these are two of the very best writers around here – both of them literate and funny and always listening for interesting Spanish phrases or vocabulary to share. (Hombre has also shown a surprising flair for fashion commentary – check out his description’s of Lola’s sexy outfits in Mi Corazón Insiste. We may need to start calling him Hombre de Modo.)

3. Because we follow more than one novela in a single space, we try to remember to label each comment. That way, people can find what interests them and not get bogged down in the process.

4. And because we post on the weekend, the discussion begins with the previous Friday’s episode; it continues through Thursday’s episode with comments added each day. So, for example, a typical comment might begin –

La Casa de al Lado -- jueves

5. In this space we have been refining the art of the mini-recap or ‘recapette’, a brief review of each episode that acts as a springboard for conversation. Typically, a recapette fits in a single comment space though occasionally it spills over into a second comment.

So if you are enjoying any of the Telemundo programs and want to check us out, take a peek at the comments that are added each day in the course of the week. And of course we’d love to hear what you all have to say!
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La Casa de al Lado – viernes

Extreme birth control
Gonzalo slips into the cheap motel room, chloroforms Ignacia and does a horrifying Psycho number on studmuffin Pedro – no donation will be made tonight.

His knife is raised over Ignacia’s unconscious form but he’s distracted by a knock on the door. Ignacia is saved by the potatoes.

She wakes up hours later to find herself in bed with Pedro’s slashed and bloody corpse. She calls – who else? – Gonzalo. Gonzo races to her side, calls the police, plays attorney and supportive but disappointed spouse. Ig isn’t completely off the hook legally but she is finally free to go home.

Since Ignacia can’t remember anything, it’s easy for Gonzo to convince her that she may well be the murderer. Hey, she might have murdered Adolfo or Leonardo or whatever his name is. Ignacia is ... grateful.

Business as usual at la casa Ruiz
Javier is pretty cranky when he returns home from the fool’s errand Gonzalo sent him on. No one makes a fool of him. No one. He appears just after the still-traumatized Diego has asked his mother if she knows who abducted him. Diego is sent back to his lonely, scary room. Pilar is left to cower and simper.

The next morning Rebeca tries to resist Javier’s blandishments but it seems she’s just a girl who can’t say no.

Tres meses después
Hilda, still in Zacatecas, appears to be going into labor. (Why is she always alone in the Mexico scenes? Low budget or high art?)

Emilio shows signs of recovering his vision but without Hilda and his unborn child, he feels no joy.

Carola, despite Javier's braggadocio, is still smoldering and moldering in jail and still refuses to see her family. The good news: she should be nicely detoxed by now.

Opening Night
Ignacia has been fiendishly busy channelling all her angst into her art. Tonight she gets to show what she has accomplished. It is time for the opening celebration of her new exhibition. The usual suspects gather.

Despite Eva’s tart warning to stay away from Pilar, Gonzalo goes right up to his skittish neighbor and begs for a chance to talk. She refuses, saying she can’t trust herself with him.

Javier slimes over Rebeca. It’s clear that these two are back in their old groove. The new, improved Rebeca didn’t last very long.

Ignacia herself is like a quinceañera, basking in the attention and adulation of the crowd. But then Javier sidles up and reminds her that it was on precisely such an occasion that she first met Adolfo. She is suspicious – how could he know that? And now her bright night is clouded: her mind strays back to that earlier show when Adolfo introduced himself with a scribbled note on a cocktail napkin and asked a waiter to deliver it to her.

She is startled back to the present when a waiter hands her a note scribbled on a cocktail napkin: Estoy muy cerca.

She is instantly sure that Adolfo is back and runs out looking for him. But the only one she finds is Gonzalo. He pretends to be unconvinced – it can’t be Adolfo. But the truth is otherwise. He is also sure Ismael/Adolfo is back.

Las casualidades no existen
The camera shows a strange long-haired figure in a black shirt and green jacket sending an email from an internet café.

Rebeca gets a weird email message (ACh 611938 it says) and no one knows where it came from or what it means.

Karen hears a noise in the house and finds a chair overturned in the kitchen. A window upstairs is open.

Pilar finds a red rose under her pillow and no one in the house knows how it got there.

Javier denies sending Ignacia the note at the gallery opening.

He’s back.
The creepy email guy pulls off his wig and turns to face the camera: It’s Ismael.

Labels: casa-lado, flor-salvaje, insiste, telemundo

Leftovers: In the hospital chapel, Esperanza cries that she doesn’t think she can go on living without her son. Hernán el Galán tries to comfort her.

Labels: Teresa

Today's episode is covered in Melinama's Recap #29, Thursday segment, at this link.

On YouTube, haguilar78's clips for Cap 77 start at this link.

Thank you, Carlos, for today's wonderful triptych!
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Most Likeable

Most Likely to Succeed

Labels: Alborada

RECAP IS FINALLY DONE!!!

This time I was able to get an HD capture of the episode, so hopefully will have a few screenshots.

Here's a preview of one that's worth quite a bit of discussion:

Poor Professor Hottie's face as he is finally told that Fernando dumped Luisa for . . . TERESA!!!

I'm going to post this recap in installments, as I down my Pepsi and get through this episode! 

EPISODE 139:

A drunken Arturo is told by Mariano that Teresa has left him for Fernando. Professor Hottie, who is completely sloshed, doesn't believe him. Aeeeda comes in and observes that Professor Hottie is "super borracho."

Teresa is talking with Fernando. He's worried about how Luisa is doing after the bad news.

Mariano and Aeeeeda drag a very baked Arturo back to his apartment, where Lucia is waiting. They deposit him on a couch.

Juana and Cutberto are sitting on a couch at Juana's place. Teresa is there and she asks if she can spend the night there. She is talking about her pending divorce and how things have become with Professor Hottie. Juana says it's not good to be here alone with Fernando. Teresa says she's going to go talk to her parents and she hugs Juana.

Mariano, Aeeeda, and Lucia have deposited a prone and totally baked Professor Hottie on the couch. They all look down on his peaceful, prone form and talk about the whole marriage mess between him and Teresa. Mariano leaves, first leaving his card with Lucia and saying his apartment is room 209 if she needs any help. We see Professor Hottie utter "Teresa! Teresa!" in his drunken sleep.


Quick shot of poor Luisa remembering happier times with that dirty dog Fernando, as she leans against a wall at the hospital and quietly cries.

Teresa is visiting her parents and telling them the big news about dumping that loser Professor Hottie. Refugio immediately starts having some sort of attack. Armando quickly gets her her pills and she gulps it down as she gasps for air and looks generally distressed.

She says that Teresa should not consider divorce, that if there are problems, a woman tries to help work things out and is supportive. But Teresa says that's just not how it's working and that Professor Hottie isn't doing his part since he's a sloppy drunk and all. Mom suggests that maybe Teresa doesn't really love Professor Hottie. Teresa says (with some sincerity) that she adores him, but can't take what he's doing.

Luisa sees Aurora at the hospital and in a crumple of tears, she wants to know where Mariano is, she needs to talk to him! Aurora offers to help and wants to know what's going on. Luisa just keeps saying that she wants to tell him that he was right, he was right. Aurora is mightily confused.

Some scene between Hernan the Galán and Esperanza. They talk about the check that Mayra gave her to help in her search for little Rodrigo. Hernan says he'll hang onto the check and hope that they don't need to use it. He's not quite sure why she was given so much money. Esperanza says that maybe because Mayra is a mother and a woman too and understands what Espe is going through, and maybe she wants to set an example for Aeeeeda.

Aeeeeda has returned to Mariano's apartment with him and they're chatting. Conversation turns to how things are going with Aurora. Not well. Then Aeeeeda zones in for the kill, planting a big kiss on Mariano's lips. He seems to be semi-responsive.


But after the break, we see that he pulls away. She of course starts to whine about this. He explains his thing with Aurora. Blah blah blah. Then when it's obvious he's not going to relent, they start talking about Espe's baby. Aeeeda doesn't believe the suggestions that her dad may have been behind the kid's being missing.

Aurora has taken Luisa back to her place and wants to medicate her in order to calm her down. Luisa says no. She starts to dissolve in tears and cries about how she wants to die. Poor Aurora gives her a hug as she cries some more.

The source of all this current pain, Teresa, is talking on the phone with the other source of pain, Fernando. He's worried about Luisa. Teresa says in that calm, creepy sharky voice that Luisa is fine, she's with Aurora who is a doctor. She plans to meet Fernando at a hotel. Fernando just looks sick with worry. After Teresa hangs up, she has a flashback of happiness with Professor Hottie and says to herself, he's the one she loves, and that Fernando is just there for the money. She looks at her big fat diamond ring and cries, lamenting, "Oh, Arturo. Why were you so stupid?"


At the Professor Hottie apartment, both Lucia and Professor Hottie are sleeping on couches or chairs, covered with blankets. Lucia wakes up and realizes that they've got an appointment with the Germans, it's time to get up! She tries to shake Professor Hottie awake.

Teresa's on the phone with a frustrated and angry Fernando. She didn't show up at the hotel last night! She gives some smooth excuse about being with her parents, her mom is very traditional and upset about the whole divorce thing. She couldn't call either because she left her phone with her madrina, blah blah blah. Fernando says he wants to talk to Luisa to explain things, ALONE. Teresa wants to go with him, but no, ALONE.

Lucia is artfully pouring water on a hungover, sleepy Professor Hottie, to wake him up. He wakes up with a start, accidentally breaks the glass vase that she was using to pour water on him. She asks how he's doing. Well, BAD. He starts in with how sad he is that Teresa is divorcing him. She says that he should fight for her. But he sees no point in fighting for a love that doesn't exist. She only wanted his money. It's his turn to dissolve into tears as Lucia gives him a comforting hug.

Professor Hottie's sister is in an equally bad way. She's telling a sympathetic Aurora about how she regarded Teresa as a sister, never thinking she'd do this. There is no excuse for what either Teresa or Fernando has done.

Fernando's mom busts into the house, all enthusiastic about his suit for the wedding. He looks severe and serious and just blurts it all out in one sentence. "I'm not going to marry Luisa because I'm in love with Teresa."

The look on Oriana's face is really, just priceless.


More with poor Luisa and Aurora. Luisa wants to warn her brother. Aurora says that's not something you can say over the phone. Luisa talks about how Mariano warned her but she didn't believe him. Something in the way she tells this gets Aurora's antennae up. So Mariano was really visiting Luisa and not Teresa? This changes everything, you can see it in Aurora's face.

End of the first installment of this recap. 

As you would expect, a BIG SCENE between Fernando and mama over this shocking news. A BIG slap on the face is administered to Fernando. Then she commences with ripping him a new one. Everything she says is right-on. He's betraying his best friend, going off with a married woman, is he CRAZY? Fernando is defiant, says he's already told Luisa, that it's better this way since he doesn't love her. "Better for for whom? For Teresa? Certainly not for Arturo and especially not for Luisa!" She pretty much nails all the finer points. This is selfish and crazy and Teresa is only doing it for the money.

A crying Luisa is talking more about her misfortune. She's not a strong woman and this is just too much for her. Aurora tries to comfort her. Aurora says to herself that she was stupid (this in regards to doubting Mariano, I think).

More with Fernando and his mom. She thinks that if he hasn't yet told Professor Hottie, it's not too late to undo this. Go back, talk to Luisa, take it all back and things can go on as before, and they can get married. But Fernando doesn't want to do this because he doesn't love Luisa. She yells at him that what he feels for Teresa is not love, and better to be dead (? I think) then get hooked up with this social climber. Wow, that's intense!

Luisa is still crying. She lost the love of her life and her best friend at the same time! She then remembers, that they were all at Zacatecas together. She then wonders how she lost Fernando.

More with mom and Fernando. She keeps saying that Teresa is just a social climbing fortunehunter. She really loved Mariano and only married Professor Hottie for the money. Fernando has of course drunk all of Teresa's Kool Aid and doesn't believe any of this.

Lucia and Professor Hottie are chit-chatting over coffee. Professor Hottie has cleaned up and looks sane and sober again. Teresa walks in and has the nerve to act jealous at this scene. Professor Hottie doesn't miss a beat and says, "Do you believe that you're the only woman in the world?" He plays the situation to his advantage for once, praising all of Lucia's good qualities, as poor Lucia looks on uncomfortably at this way-too-personal domestic dispute unfolds in front of her.


Even more with Momma and Fernando. She says, by all means, sleep with Teresa but don't marry her! You don't love her! You'll never be happy with her, after knowing what you did to poor Arturo and Luisa! Fernando gets in a snit and walks off, saying that they're not able to talk about this any more. Momma looks very impactado and worn out from all the screeching. She breathes heavily and actually starts to clutch her chest.

End of second installment of this recap. 

More with the awkward scene between Teresa, Professor Hottie, and poor Lucia. Professor Hottie says that Teresa is just pretending to be jealous, when all along she never could feel any such thing. Lucia just wants to get out of there. Professor Hottie says no, it's okay, he has nothing left to say to Teresa. He escorts Lucia out as they both leave the apartment, leaving Teresa looking upset. When they're gone, she breaks out into tears and says that he's not going to go with that "tipa"!


In the hallway, Lucia and Professor Hottie talk a little more. He says that he shouldn't have said anything about her to Teresa. She says, but it's only the truth, you could get another good woman. He says, not in his case, he wants Teresa more than his life.

A nice little scene where Aeeeda actually tells Aurora about her encounter with Mariano, and how he didn't respond to her and how he still loves Aurora. Aurora is very encouraged by this. Aurora is a little surprised that Aeeeeda tells her all of this and seems accepting that she's lost Mariano. Maybe I'm maturing, Aeeeda laughs. They hug and Aeeeda wishes Aurora happiness, and during the hug you see the sadness on Aeeeda's face.

Oriana is prone on a couch as the servant lady hovers over her. Oriana looks a bit worn out. She tries to get up and stumbles a little. She calls and leaves a message with Luisa—"I know what stupidity my son wants to do, call me back, please."

Professor Hottie and Lucia are coming out of a pretty building, I am assuming their business meeting went well. He gets a message on his phone, it's from Oriana. He's not going to answer right back, I don't think he has the time (?) yet. He says that Oriana will be happy to hear that he's divorcing Teresa. He says that Oriana has been like a mother to him sometimes, but she doesn't understand how he feels about Teresa. Lucia takes his hand lovingly and says, "You're not able to stop thinking of her, are you?"

Aeeeda is looking bummed. Pop asks her what's gong on. Man trouble, she loves Mariano, lost him for good this time, blah blah blah. She's thinking of leaving Mexico and staying with her mom in Spain for a while. Pop says something ranty about Mariano, but she's actually reasonable and says it's not his fault. She actually sounds resolved and sane throughout the whole conversation.

Teresa's waiting at her parents' apartment and Professor Hottie comes in. He wants to talk. "About the divorce?" She asks. The law has made it much easier to divorce. But Professor Hottie has other things on his mind. He wants her back. He goes in for a deep kiss and she responds as their love song swells in the background.


More kissing. He wants her back, all he wants is her, blah blah blah. He tells her to reconsider, because today he's going to fix things. She looks moved and transfixed as he slowly withdraws and goes off to presumably fix things.

Aurora calls Professor Hottie and says that she's got something sensitive to tell him and it's better that she see him alone (not with Teresa).

Mariano chats with his dad. The subjects discussed include Professor Hottie arriving drunk at his apartment, what could he do but help. Aurora is a great girl, dad approves. Dad also approved of Aeeeda when Mariano was with her. But Mariano doesn't love Aeeeda, even though she's a great girl. What he feels for Aurora has no comparison.

Juana and Refigio sit over coffee and get caught up on everything that's going on, so people who have missed a few episodes can find out about what they missed. Refugio wants Teresa to give Professor Hottie another chance, not divorce him. Get him to Alcoholics Anonymous or something.


At the hospital, Esperanza goes to the chapel and prays to the Virgin Mary to get her son back. Hernan the Galán comes in and kneels by her side, supportively.

Teresa is talking with her parents about the divorce. She is not sure what to now—she seems a bit rattled by Professor Hottie's hot kisses, I think. Her mom says to listen to your heart, it's never mistaken.

Rubigote and Geno are talking about something. I guess about how Mariano and others are suspecting him of taking the baby? I need another infusion of Pepsi if I'm going to follow their conversation, I apologize. FF>>>


The final, big scene. Professor Hottie is ushered in to see a sleeping and crying Luisa, who is staying at Aurora's place. She tells him, brokenly, through tears, that she's not going to marry Fernando, that he called off the wedding. Professor Hottie erupts in outrage over this news. Then Luisa says, "that's not all." No, Fernando not only dumped her, but dumped of for someone else. Before she can spit out who "someone else" is, Professor Hottie is again ranting and raving in protective, brotherly rage. But finally she is able to get out that final tidbit. Fernando is leaving her because he says he's in love with Teresa! There is a look of disbelief on poor Professor Hottie's face and that is where we end the episode!

Labels: Teresa

Alejo and his band are captured on the road to Los Llanos. They are forced to march through the streets of Santa Fé to prison. Sámano is determined to capture the woman who is their leader. Iglesias convinces him that there was no woman with those who were captured.

María Ignacia pleads with Sámano to release Alejo. He brushes her off and tells her that she promised to deliver Policarpa. She gives him more information.

Sámano gets up close and personal as Alejo is being whipped mercilessly. He demands to know the whereabouts of Pola, the mestiza whom Alejo loves. He spits at Alejo, and Alejo spits back at him. The whipping continues.

Iglesias makes a deal with Sámano. If he captures La Pola, then Sámano will promote him to an officer’s rank. Iglesias pretends he wants to join the rebels and asks Candelaria how he can contact Pola. She doesn’t believe him. Finally, he stages a scene where he punches an officer who is making a pass at Candelaria. He momentarily gains her confidence. She says that she doesn’t know Pola’s whereabouts, but her brother probably does.

With that information, Iglesias tails Vivianito to the safe house and captures Pola. She passes Alejo’s cell in the jail. To set an example, Sámano has Vivianito whipped so that Pola can hear him crying out in pain. He is released later.

The trials begin. First Arcos is condemned. Then Pola is brought in, accused, tried and condemned to death. Pérez Delgado makes an argument that killing a woman could make trouble in the town. He is ignored and overruled.

As to Sámano, he will follow the law and kill them all twice – once by firing squad and once by hanging.

Labels: LaPola

Gerardo LIES to Ivan and says he had nothing to do with his mother's death or the disappearance of his son. He does admit to knowing how Alicia died, but says he didn't talk to Alicia much about anything but Ivan. Ivan says the graveyard caretaker has filled him in on the mystery man who was bringing flowers to his mother's grave. "From the description, it sounds like it could be you." Gerry says there's lots of guys who look like him, but it's not him. "Why do you suspect me, Ivan? Do you think I'm the kind of person who would get a woman pregnant and leave her to her fate?" Ivan accuses him of having left his own grandson to his fate.

Gordo visits his cousin out in the boonies. He says he's got a business proposition for her. "I need a kid, about 10 years old or so. Not for anything bad…on the contrary, it would be really good for him and his family." Gordo's an idiot.

Gerry says he only found out the truth about the "kidnapping" recently and there was nothing to do. Lucia told him. "How old is your son," Ivan asks. He's 10. "So, you met your second wife after your divorce? I'm thinking that if you got married after your divorce, your kid should be younger, no?" Gerry now says that Alex is his second wife's son by another man, who he adopted. "Please don't tell anyone. I wouldn't want him to find out and get hurt. He thinks I'm his real dad and he's happy thinking that." The waiter comes back and Gerry says he's lost his appetite and he needs to get back to the offices. He wants to finish up and turn the office over to Ivan tomorrow. I don't know if Ivan bought any of what Gerry was selling or not. He asks for the check and looks suspicious.

Celia yells at Camilo to quit poking around. Camilo says that Ivan has every right to know who got his mom pregnant…uh, the second time, that is. He notices that Celia is really upset and accuses her of being upset because she knows something. Celia says it's just time for Ivan to bury the past and Camilo should be helping him to do it. "No, if I were him, I'd also want to know who was the jerk who screwed up my mom's life." "What for?" "For whatever! And don't change the subject! What do you know that's gotten you so furious?" Celia says she's done with the conversation and she doesn't want to talk about it ever again in this house! Camilo asks her if she really thinks that the man who got her "comadre" (co-mother; as Ivan's godmother, she shares mothering duties with Alicia; also sometimes used to mean "BFF", since who else would you trust with the job of being your child's godparent?) pregnant and then left her to be killed getting a back-alley abortion really deserves for her to protect him? Celia repeats that she doesn't know anything and she wouldn't tell him if she did. "I made a promise." She sticks to her story, but Camilo doesn't believe her. He even asks if maybe it was Antolín. This really gets Celia riled up and she asks how he could dare say such a thing about his brother! Um, because it's Antolín, duh.

Lucrezia is actually convinced that Maripaz is behind the extortion plot. But even if it's a real extortion plot, she's willing to let Ivan take care of it. Carlota says Ivan doesn't really care if the whole world knows he had a kid with Maripaz…and besides, men can get away with everything! Maripaz shows up, hung over, swearing she cancelled her party, but Lucrezia can smell the alcohol on her. She gripes her out for making up this stupid plot. Maripaz swears she didn't. "Well if Ivan doesn't pay, don't expect any help from us!" She's not moved by Maripaz's whining that "everyone" will be talking about her…they're already talking about her for being a lazy drunk. She says that having Maripaz announce that it's a "love nest" isn't scoring her any points either. "I only did it to piss off Lucia!" Well, Lucrezia doesn't care. She wants Maripaz to move out of the apartment and back into the house like a decent woman! Damn you, Lucrezia…if you keep making the jokes for me, what the hell am I supposed to put in the recaps? Maripaz won't move back home since she's finally become (okay, swallow any liquids now) independent (see, I told you). Lucrezia's not buying that. She tells Maripaz she got the apartment with lies and threats, so if she's such a smarty-pants, she can take care of the extortion on her own too. Lucrezia won't give her a penny. Maripaz tries to threaten her grandmother, but that isn't going to fly! Carlota won't forgive her for "ruining" Lucia's life. "She ruined my life first, by getting between Ivan and I!" Well, we all know that's a lie. Carlota says if the truth about her having a baby 10 years ago comes out, then Maripaz can just deal with it. Maripaz says this is their fault for being stupid and giving Ivan part of the ranch. If they hadn't done that, she says, they could have sold it off and used the money to pay off the dumbass extortionists. Carlota says it was an act of justice and, between clenched teeth, wishes Maripaz luck. Maripaz says it's impossible that her own family has turned their backs on her! Well, no, dear, empirically it's not.

Saul meets Lucia on her way out of school and invites her out for a sandwich. Seriously? A sandwich? You've got no game, Saul. No game at all. Since she turns down his generous offer, he asks if it's because she's gotten back together with Ivan. Since that's not the case, he wants to whine to her about how badly Ivan and his daddy have treated him and all the other farmers. Lucia's not interested.

Ivan goes to visit Toni in the hospital and tell him about the blackmail. His logic is that if someone's calling to try to get money out of him and no one knows about the kid except Maripaz's family and Celia's family…and since he trusts Celia's family…. Toni asks what about Antolín. Ivan says he doesn't think Antolín knows, unless he recently got told by Celia or Camilo. Ivan says regardless, he can't let any stone remain unturned. Toni agrees he has the right to that. Ivan didn't really believe Gerry when he said he didn't know anything about Ivan's mom or his son. Toni changes the subject and lets Ivan know that David told him that Torres, the subdirector of Agricultural Affairs for the area, sent a letter about the "complaints" he's received and he wants to talk to Toni. Ivan is sure that JJ complained. Toni thinks JJ is going to cause trouble. He agrees to Ivan taking the meeting for him and then changes the subject and asks when he's getting out of the hospital. In a few days. Well, that's good news to Toni's ears. He won't settle for just one piece of good news, though, he'd love another…like that Ivan and Lucia are back together. Unfortunately, Ivan says she won't talk to him or return his e-mails. Toni says he's going to talk to her, but Ivan doesn't want him to. "Fine, I'll talk to Carlota, then, which is practically the same thing, but you can't forbid it!" Ivan can't argue with that one.

Ivan meets Camilo in the waiting room and tells him it will be a few days before Toni gets out. In the meantime he wants Camilo to finish furnishing the house, get his sister to coordinate with the maids the agency is sending over, get Benito to start landscaping…basically, get the house ready for Toni. Camilo tells Ivan that after careful interrogation of his mother, he's sure she knows something because she said she swore she wouldn't tell. He thinks maybe if Ivan does the asking, he can get Celia to spill the beans. Ivan asks if Antolín knew about the baby he had with Maripaz, but Camilo doesn't think so.

Antolín is hanging out at Carolina's house with her and Alex. Alex is happy because Gerry has promised that if he gets the prize for math, he'll take him to see the ocean. Alex asks if Antolín has a girlfriend and Antolín says he doesn't, but he returns the question. Alex says he does have a girlfriend, which is news to Carolina. "Her name is Elisabeta and she's the prettiest girl in the school." Antolín thought that Alex went to an all-boys school, but no, it's co-ed. "And what do you like better…your girlfriend or fútbol?" Well, fútbol, por supuesto! Antolín laughs that we'll see if he says the same thing in a few years. Carolina sends him off to go do his homework and brush his teeth. Antolín comments on Alex liking math and fútbol. Carolina just smiles and asks Antolín what's been going on with him lately while he looks at her suspiciously.

Gordo comments that Antolín wasn't about to get any info out of "the blind chick," and gets threatened never to call her that again. "Her name is Carolina!" Antolín says he has a likely candidate for Ivan's kid and he knows where the kid goes to school. He figures the school will have the info that was on the kid's birth certificate and once they figure out how to get their hands on it, they can probably draw a few conclusions from that. Gordo has his own plan, though…they'll just buy a kid off a woman who has too many. Antolín asks if Gordo has ever heard about DNA, duh! "Besides, around here, we do what I say…so are you with me or not?" Gordo says he was just trying to help and he and Antolín drive off in the pimpmobile.

Gerry and Carolina are talking to Lucia. She tells them that Ivan has sent her emails, but she hasn't talked to him. Gerry tells them that Ivan asked him point-blank what he knew and he lied. He doesn't know if Ivan believed him or not. Carolina says he can suspect all he wants, he doesn't have any proof. Um, you mean the "proof" you keep telling to brush his teeth? Gerry feels guilty, like a traitor, but Carolina says that betrayal would be giving Alex up. She thinks that if Lucia marries Ivan that will solve all their problems. Ivan could be around his son after all.

Lucia actually tells Carlota this and Carlota says that's not a valid reason for her to marry him! "But you married my grandpa while you were carrying another man's child!" Well, yes, but Teodoro knew that. She encourages Lucia to tell Ivan the truth and maybe he'll be understanding enough to let Gerry keep raising him while he sticks around as Tio Ivan. "But if you lie to him, he'll only end up hating you." I think Carlota's right. Lucia goes to check her email for the millionth time. Carlota says Lucia is old enough to make her own decisions, but she will tell her this…well, I didn't quite get all the words, but basically she says Lucia shouldn't pay for other people's mistakes. Lucia reads Ivan's email, "I would have liked to talk to you first so what I'm going to do won't take you by surprise, but understand me--I'll do whatever it takes to find out the truth. Regardless, my love for you is still the same." Lucia wonders what Ivan is going to do.

Benito meets the women the agency sent over--Soledad and Agustina. Camilo comes over with Carmen, who immediately starts laying down the law. Camilo pulls her aside and tells her she's just as much an employee as the rest of them and being a bitch is only going to get her fired. He doesn't buy her logic of having to show them who's boss. Carmen relents and goes back over to say they should all go inside and she can explain their duties to them…but she heads for the wrong entrance and Camilo has to point her in the right direction. Benito and Camilo exchange a look.

Camilo goes into the office area, where Gerry is directing the rest of the move-in process. Gerry and Camilo go to see if the truck is done being unloaded and while Gerry is reassuring Camilo that everything appears to be in order, but he'll come back around if any additional work is needed…Ivan walks up with the caretaker from the graveyard who confirms that, yep, the older man standing there is indeed the one. Ivan, I hereby dub thee the most intelligent galán since Alex on Sortilegio! Ivan comes up and Gerry keeps trying to hold up his lie, but the caretaker will NOT budge. He remembers talking to Gerry a few times, too, and he noticed Gerry stopped showing up after Ivan got there. Gerry tries to take off, saying the old man is confused. Ivan grabs him and accuses him of knocking his mom up and being responsible for her death. He tells Gerry to be a man and own up to it and quit swearing since they both know he's lying. Gerry pulls himself together…and walks off. Ivan tells Camilo to let Gerry go. He asks him to drive the caretaker back to the graveyard. The caretaker is confused about why Gerry would pretend not to know him. He remembers that Camilo's dad is buried in Lot 3. For the benefit of those of us who had any lingering doubts about the reliability of the caretaker's memory.

Lucia reads over Ivan's e-mail again, still wondering what it means. She takes a call from Maripaz, who has apparently already turned her posh apartment into a craphole by leaving clothes strewn all over and drinks on the table. I bet she doesn't even use coasters, the bitch! She wants to talk to Lucia, but not over the phone. Lucia is busy, but she caves and agrees to a meeting.

The landlady/superintendent person comes over to Maripaz's and Maripaz starts whining about needing a maid STAT! The super says none of the applicants have had references and she won't hire from an agency because it costs too much money. Maripaz says she doesn't care what it costs and she's accustomed to having people wait on her! If that's the way it is, says the super, she'll call an agency right away. Maripaz rudely dismisses her.

Ivan goes over to visit Celia. "I talked to Camilo about my mom yesterday. I already know who it was--Gerardo Lomeli. There's no reason to keep hiding it. One of the caretakers at the cemetery recognized him and we confronted him. Please, godmother, tell me everything!" Celia says his mom asked her not to tell him ever. "You didn't tell me. I found out. Please, I'm begging you, tell me how it happened. Why did he abandon her?" "He never knew. She didn't dare tell him she was pregnant." "Why?"

Gerry goes home and tells Carolina that Ivan knows about Alicia from the caretaker at the cemetery. Carolina didn't know he was leaving flowers at her grave. She says he's made a serious mistake and panics, thinking that just like he found out about his mother, Ivan will find out about Alex. She says he never should have told Lucia. "We have to leave here! To another town, anywhere!" She starts crying, saying they can't take Alex away from her, she couldn't handle it!

Ivan goes back to the hospital. He tells Toni what Celia told him. Toni believes what Celia said about Alicia not ever telling Gerry because she didn't want to screw things up for him. Ivan wonders what he's supposed to do now with his quest for justice. Toni says that's life. When his wife and son died, he wanted the other driver thrown in jail, but then they found out his son had had a few drinks and was the one who caused the accident. Ivan says he's really sorry, but this is different. "What if it's not true? What if she did tell him and he blew her off?" Toni says if when she was dying that's what she told his godmother, then it must be true. Besides, Gerry took flowers to her grave every week and only a man in love would do that. Ivan agrees, but now he doesn't know what they're there for. Toni says it's to get rid of Ivan's ghosts. They now know about his mother, so it's time to see what they can find out about his son. He advises Ivan to go talk to Gerry. "Do you think Lucia knew about my mother?" Toni tells him to ask her.

JJ goes to ask Lucrezia about her loan. She got 10 million pesos from the McGuires, which JJ says is a pittance and not nearly as much as they need. Lucrezia says the McGuires also sent Camilo to help run the ranch. JJ says he's just some loser friend of Ivan's, which Lucrezia agrees with. JJ wants her to give back the money. He says most of the farmers haven't accepted the handout. He's talked to the director of Agricultural affairs, who's a good friend of his (*snort*) and he intends to make the gringos pay double, and then they'll really be able to make the land productive. Where the hell does this guy get off? How about those gringos just leave and you keep struggling? He tells her they have to remain united and if she lets him run her ranch, he can do what her husband and her thieving overseers never could, it will be the ranch it was back in her father's day. Lucrezia seems willing, but technically the ranch belongs to her mother. JJ basically says "screw her, she's old," and asks if Lucrezia always has to ask her mother for permission to spend money on the ranch, to buy seeds and whatnot. Lucrezia tells him she has authority for that, and has for years. JJ says to just take out the money in case. He thinks there's no risk. Since they came to do business, if no one will cooperate and no one is growing any crops, they won't have anything to process at the plant. Lucrezia looks like she's considering it.

Ivan sits in the Ag director's office and says things aren't as JJ has said. He's brought David with him…this catches the director's attention and he seems impressed that David is JJ's son but he's working with Ivan. David has all the info on the size of the ranches, their crops, and the amount being offered to each rancher. David hands over a disk of info, which the director says he'll review and then set up a meeting with JJ. He goes to ask his assistant to draw up a receipt. David tells Ivan that his dad won't let up. Even if Torres, the director, sides with them, JJ will just play dirty. He'll pressure and threaten the ranchers and turn them against Ivan. Ivan says he can deal with it. "Did I tell you that Maripaz and I already signed the divorce papers?" "And? Did it hurt?" "No. I even feel relieved." "Good." "And you. Are you still with Lucia?" "No." "Why?" "I've got a lot of problems, David. Personal problems." "Well, if you need help, you know you can count on me." Torres comes back in with the receipt for them.

Carmen clashes with the decorator when she tries to direct the furniture delivery.

Lucia comes over to the Crap Shack. Maripaz tells her, first off, that she lied about Ivan giving her the apartment. It's old news to Lucia. Now Maripaz brings up the blackmail. "They want to destroy my reputation, Lucia!" She whines that Ivan said he'd pay, but now she's not sure he will. "So talk to Ivan about it." Maripaz whines that Ivan won't take her calls. "Even though I've been the crappiest sister EVER, you've gotta come through for me Lucia." Maripaz wants Lucia to ask Ivan to pay the blackmailers off. "My mom and my grandma both think this is all a plot of yours to get money." Maripaz swears to God and the Virgen that it's not true. She tells Lucia that it was Lucrezia's idea to ask Ivan to pay it off, since Lucrezia and Carlota refuse to help her. Lucia says she's done with Ivan and she isn't concerned about the "dishonor" to the family. Maripaz tries to use her twisted logic on Lucia. It amounts to "Everyone will think I'm a big 'ol ho for sleeping with Ivan and since you're my sister they'd think you slept with him too." Lucia has had enough and leaves. Maripaz calls Ivan and asks him if he's going to pay up or not. "If they tell me where he is, I'll give them more than they asked for." And if they don't know? Then he won't give them a penny. Maripaz asks if he doesn't care about dragging Lucia into this. "If that guy doesn't get his money, he's going to tell everyone we had a kid and I'm going to look like a slut. And so is my sister! My own sister, going after my baby daddy. Juicy story, isn't it?" Ivan hangs up on her.

Carmen and the decorator keep arguing about where the furniture should go. Camilo tells her to let the "architect" do his job. Ivan comes in and Camilo introduces el arquitecto Cisneros, who is in charge of the decorating. Oh. That answers that question. Cisneros says that Toni picked out all the furniture, except for the paintings and the carpets, but if they want to make changes, they can. Carmen says it all looks too serious. They all ignore her and Cisneros says he'll bring the bedroom furniture in the afternoon, then the "cristalería" (glassware) and the "vajilla" (dishes; dinner service) tomorrow. He brought catalogs for the bedding, but Ivan tells him to choose. Cisneros says the house would be ready for move-in day after tomorrow. Carmen whines that she can pick the bedding, but Ivan says Cisneros already knows his father's taste. Cisneros thanks him for the vote of confidence and Carmen poutily does the same and stomps off. Camilo asks to speak to Ivan alone and Cisneros goes outside. Camilo tells Ivan they have a meeting first thing tomorrow with the Ag Association's accountant. Even though Ivan knows that JJ had nothing to do with his mother's death, he still thinks he needs to go down for all the crimes he's committed. Camilo warns that JJ has already turned a lot of the ranchers against them. Ivan says what they need to do is take away the power JJ has over them, and they can do it by showing he's been dishonest. Camilo asks what about Gerry. Ivan says he talked to Celia and she told him everything. It seems that Gerry really didn't know about Alicia being pregnant. But Ivan is still pissed that Gerry was married and seeing his mom on the side. "And if he did it 'for love' then why didn't he divorce Lucrezia and give my mother her place?" Camilo supposes it was because she was a servant. "Exactly! Good enough to take to bed, but not good enough to be Mrs. Lomeli!" Ay, yi, yi…they both severely overestimate Gerry's backbone.

Ivan accosts Lucia after school. He demands she answer a question. Lucia says she's got one first and asks what he meant by his e-mail--what is it that he did? "I found out who got my mother pregnant. Did you know about what was going on between my mother and your father?" Dude, I'm ok with the question, but the grabbing her by the arms and shaking? That is behavior unbecoming a galán.

Tomorrow: Lucia goes running to Camilo; Camilo has a thing for Lucia.

Labels: Fuerza

Ahoy all, I got home late from the theater so there are bound to be some comprehension errors. Please let me know if you have a different take on anything or if there are any glaring mistakes.



Last night we were impressed that Doc Tatarrific tells Jero he should go to the DF. She senses he has doubts and the only way to dispel doubts is to confront the situation. He says she is a unique woman, she’s marvelous.

Chema thanks Adri for meeting him, is it because she feels something for him? Don’t deny it, he says, there is something between them. She says she loves Matias and Chema had something going with her daddy’s wife, so it’s all a bit weird. “Didn’t my kiss provoke (induce) anything?” he asks. All he knows is that he likes her. So much so he provokes her with another kiss. She eventually pulls away saying she’s not sure about Matias or Chema, and so she hobbles away.

Over at EM, Hit-N-Run Spare Girl pays a visit to ias. She gushes that she’s happy Adri is doing better and she whips out a couple of cheap trinkets as a testimony of her relentless and omnipresent regret. She mentions, again, how thankful she is for his friendship. She’s gotta run and gives him a cheek peck, pausing mid beso just long enough to intrigue him. Sap.

Cool. Hons and Cons are drinking champagne and nuzzling. She’ s not wearing a pink suit, but rather a single-sleeved black number. It’s gonna be a special night; he suggests a second honeymoon and she tells him she’ll love him until the end of the world. The one he’s gonna rock tonight.

Adri arrives home to find Nata crashed out on the bed. She gently covers her friend.

Heh, Roberta’s lit up at La Mentira, griping to the bartender that her mom is revolting. (Es un ASSSCOOO. I had to do a double take, it sounded like A**Hole.) “All this time my life has been a huge lie. Give me another drink.” More slurring about Monster Mom and whiny demands for more booze. Her phone rings and she tells it she HATES her mom.

Malafina (who has been trying to call Berta) yells at the maid for not knowing Berta’s whereabouts. She mutters she doesn’t know what she’s going to do with Berta.
Grumpías arrives at Coni’s and Adri tells him Nata is in the bedroom sound asleep. He gives her the trinkets and she’s happy, thinking they are from him. He rudely tells her they are from Hit-N-Run, here is her telephone number, call her, good-night. Jerk.

Next morning Coni finds a cheerful note from Nata that she’s off to do some things, thanks for letting her stay, and she’ll see her later that day.

Nata and Gonzo have an affectionate and happy reunion. They have so many things to tell each other. He starts right in with the news that he is going to marry Regina. Nata frowns but sees he is happy, so she is happy too. He tells her now it’s her turn. She has a favor to ask him...

As much as Gonzo and Nata are happy, Fina and Berta are bitchy. Breakfast is on the table and Fina comments that Berta doesn’t seem to have an appetite. “I just lost it,” grumbles the hell-spawn. I don’t blame her, the food looks like white glop. They gripe at each other. Fina: You’re a thankless wretch. Berta: You only used me as a pretext for your own ambition. Fina: Fine, then take care of your own future, economical and emotional, because if you want nothing from me then that’s what you’ll get.

As much as Fina and Berta are cold and rude, Adri and Cons are pleasant and loving. Adri is thrilled that Cons and Hons are back together. Mopías strolls through long enough to kiss Cons and snub Adri. Yes little man, we see you are trying hard to make your point. Adri denies to Cons that something is wrong between them. Adri limped with her cane last night but this morning she is in very high spike heels. It’s a miracle!!

Hons meets with the bank manager Luciana to thank her personally for the bank’s support during his rough patch. She gets a call and has to step out for a moment. Hons peeks at her laptop and sees a folder titled “Jeronimo Linares” just as Luciana loudly exclaims “See you later Jeronimo.” Que??? He asks does Jeronimo Linares bank there? Claro, he’s one of their most important clients.

Berta’s in bed nursing her hangover when Daddy calls. He wants to see her right away. He’s sorry that she doesn’t feel well he wants to see her NOW! “For what?” she thought-bubbles as she rubs her aching temples.

Ezequiel, the servant that satisfies, strolls amongst the vines in deep thought. He recalls last night in split screen. On the left he’s about to get horizontal with the house-guest. On the right Augi is warning him against biting the hand that feeds him; he remembers what happened to Alvaro, doesn’t he? Ez hisses at himself for being an incredible dumba**, then whines a bit about Alfonsina, then wonders about Berta’s particular interest in the vine cuttings. She had asked him how could a vine cutting be so valuable, one that is worth gold? She heard Augi threaten someone because he replied “with your life if anything happens to it”. Ez wonders, could it be true what the señorita said, that the patrón has a valuable cutting? Because that would be very odd.

Ines and Isidro are having a tense breakfast. He says he’s glad they are alone so that they can talk calmly, but then he immediately jumps down Inez’s throat because he wants her answer about Guadalajara. How calm of him. She doesn’t have an answer yet and he gets all bent out of shape, saying her silence pains him. Dude, do you have a brain tumor or something? What happened to Mexico’s perfect couple of yesterday? Maybe he’s going through manopause.

I didn’t understand this next conversation and I probably got it wrong: Ezek approaches Augi with something on his mind. He’s been thinking they should reserve some cuttings in case they get hit by the plague. Augi tells Zeke that he knows better than anyone that the only cuttings worth a fortune are the ones from La Bonita. They are the only ones worth preserving. Ez says somehthing and Augi tells Zeke he has very tiny mind.

Carlos and Mati visit El Padre to ask him to marry them.

Laz joins Kari on the beautiful patio that overlooks the wine country. He starts to get a little romantic until she shuts him down by reminding him she is still in mourning. This guy is a saint. He says he understands tradition, however he can’t help dreaming of her. Chica, are you human? I would be so all over that bad boy’s bones right now. In fact I need to get a glass of ice water just to cool myself off a little.

Speaking of ice water, Sulkías who is all Mr. Happy Face because Renata is in his good graces again, hugs his “sis” and exclaims how happy he is to see her. Adri comes in and Nata rightfully forgets her bro in her gal pal excitement. Nata mentions she’s happy A&M are in love but then it’s weird trips incorporated as A&M glance at each other guiltily.

Over at Chez Garce (that’s French for B**ch House) Berta’s dressed and ready to go to the showdown. She’s still pithed at mamacita who says if Berta is going to papa for money she is very wrong. “No you’re the one who is wrong,” snips Berta, not knowing she’s about to be skewered by the rest of the family. Fina warns her not to reveal her diabolical secret or Berta will regret it the rest of her life.

At the Regina Center Coni gets a call from someone and she plans to meet them at a nearby restaurant. Chema joins her in the kitchen and apologizes for inconveniencing her. Well, maybe not her but her husband. He gets a bad headache which worries Cons, she says she feels he is like family, but he reminds her, yet again, he’s not a kid and leaves.

When Berta gets to EM she is rude to Beth. She goes into the conference room and faces the firing squad of Matias, Nata and Jero. Pop asks why did she lie about Jero being the baby daddy? “Because it was the truth”, insists Berta. Jero accuses her and says he knows that the baby daddy was...his brother Rafael!

Berta bares her bodacious chops at him and denies all, but Jero offers of the proof that shows what kind of woman she is. Nata pipes up that the record shows Berta did NOT lose the baby as a result of falling down the stairs. Berta says their having her record is illegal, but oh, right, Jero got it as a result of wallowing with La Doctora. Gonzo is very disappointed in Berta. “So you’re against me too Papa?” Gonzo says he is on the side of truth. Matias with his apish stance has been chomping at the bit, dying to spout off in anger and he does, saying Berta is a demon. No argument there. They all glare at each other.

Laz and Ezequiel talk about the plague and Ez says he doesn’t think he’ll be working at Cruz de Amor much longer. He messed up by gettin’ jiggy with Renata’s sister.

Alfonsina and Kari are shopping for a dress that will hopefully drive Ezequiel wild.

Back at the family BBQ Berta is just about medium-well. Nata says that both she and Jero believe that Fina was in on these lies from the beginning. Matias is gleefully enraged, “damn you both.” No, damn only mom, insists Berta. She says she’ll tell the truth, Fina is the one who concocted everything and made Berta comply with her plot. Fina is at fault for everything, blah blah blah boo hoo for me. Jero asks why didn’t Berta just refuse? She says she was between the sword and the wall. Matias calls bull**it on Berta and Nata agrees. Berta had a choice.

Ez swears he didn’t mean to boink the Berta but he couldn’t say no. Laz totally understands and Ez admits he now has an inkling of what happened with Alfonsina. Some discussion about Augi being engaged to Renata but also doing Berta, blah blah blah. Laz asks, does Nata know about what’s going on between Augi and Berta? Oh hell no.

Fina pulls out some documentation about Gonzo’s life insurance and sees that it pays out double in case of accidental death. She cackles as she happily recalls the other ‘accidental’ deaths that she caused, Roberto’s and Rafa’s. Hee hee hee, Gonzo is worth more to her dead than alive. She’s got to take advantage of the situation before he changes his beneficiary.

Aw jeez, Gonzo is still ripping on Berta and he’s in overdrive. Enough of the tribunal already. He screams at her on behalf of Matías and she tells him that his lawyer changed their marriage contract because Fina asked. Fina manipulated everything. Nata yells that Berta was responsible for her own deelio. Jero takes a turn too, then apologizes to Matías for the breach in their friendship. He also sincerely apologizes to Renata for his prior craziness. He excuses himself and leaves Berta at the mercy of the heavy breathing Monterrubios.

Jero runs into Hons at the elevator. They discuss the coincidence of their banking at the same establishment. Hons becomes suspicious.

Ez is in the vineyard instructing the workers to fumigate with the magic anti-plague concoction provided by La Bonita. Augi approaches and is not happy but Ez tells the workers to move out. He then tells Augi that Jero isn’t even around because he took the first plane to the capital. “To the capital?” asks Augi. “Yes, to the capital”, assures Ez. Let’s say capital just a couple more times. Augie juts out his lower jaw as he realizes that Nata is in the capital too.

Berta gripes to her family about the doctora’s lack of professional ethics but they stay on track with the fact that Berta and Fina are liars. Gonzo tells her to get out, it’s all over. She begs him not to abandon her. He says after what he did to Matías, Nata and him, she gave up everything for ambition, envy and hate. He leaves and she gets the Fina look on her face. Back to the dark side for you missy.

The kilt-clad Nata catches up with Jero in the garage to thank him for his part in revealing the truth. She says they have a lot to talk about and they have the usual “it’s too late for us, you’re engaged, you have another girlfriend” conversation. She tells him she hopes he finds in Marina that which he could never find in her. He wishes the same for her but Augi is not the guy; please look for another because Augi’s not the man she thinks he is.

Avances: Fina tells Berta that Regina is Renata’s real mother.

Grito de Dolores a todos!!!!

Labels: Cuando

Today's episode is covered in Melinama's Recap #29, Thursday segment, at this link.

On YouTube, haguilar78's clips for Cap 76 start at this link.

Thank you, Carlos, for today's two moving screenshots.

Labels: Alborada