Caray, Caray!

Carolina has just broken the happy news to Antolín that she has a bun in the oven and he needs to chill out with all the twirling he’s doing with her in his arms. He is sure that any baby of his will be big and strong, and able to take a few whirls. They are both over the moon and celebrate with kisses (and hopefully more).

At Rancho Curiel, Ivan has come to visit Lucia to come clean about the conversation he had with Camilo about his intentions towards Lucia. Ivan initiated the conversation because he wants to be friends with Camilo again. He tells Lucia that Cam has accepted that Lucia is not for him, but admitted that he is still really in love with her. Ivan’s hoping that Cam will get over it. Lucia isn’t so sure it’s that easy. Either way, Ivan knows this situation is none of their faults; it’s just life. He apologizes for getting jealous. He trusts her and she’s free to do what she wants and befriend whom she wants. He was just being stupid.

MP interrupts them to report on Lucrezia’s continued weakened condition and vomiting. She asks Ivan if she can come see Alex that day, but he will be at Caro’s. MP gets permission to visit him tomorrow instead. She does all of this politely and then immediately leaves, to all of Viewerville’s surprise. Lucia seems to be softening too, because she tells Ivan of MP’s seemingly sincere desperate need for Alex to start loving her. Ivan doesn’t know what to do because Alex is scared of her. “We each reap what we sow”, says Lucia. (Cada quien cosecha lo que siembra.) Ivan tells Lucia about Carmen and Lichita’s disappearance.

Camilo and Anto have met up at a restaurant to discuss the same thing. They’ve had no luck with their inquiries of taxi drivers. They are sure Carmen went chasing after Saul, and if they are together they are probably hatching some plan to get money, like kidnapping someone. Anto thinks Cam could be a potential target (with his new job and all) so he should get his hands on a gun for protection.

JJ meets with a lawyer to see about formally acknowledging Carmen as his son’s woman and Lil’ Alicia as his grandchild. The lawyer wants him to be careful of this young woman living with him and asking for money. And on top of it, she’s Antolin’s sister! It all might just be a scheme to get money out of JJ.

In their new bedroom, Carmen has more important things to do, like watching her telenovela and filing her nails, than listening to her daughter. Lichita wants to go to school, instead of being cooped up in a room all day. Carmen ignores a call from Celia and Lichita questions why she hung up. She lies to Lichita that it wasn’t her grams and tells her to shut up. (Mother of the Year material, that one.)

Ivan visits Celia and tries to assure her that Carmen wouldn’t do something stupid (ha!), and is probably just with friends. The Galvan boys return home with no news.

At Casa Less-Meandragon, JJ has brought back a bag of new toys for Lichita. She’s initially pleased, but then complains that she already has plenty of dolls. What she wants is a toy dish/tea set (vajilla). JJ says he’ll get on it. He then orders Carmen off her lazy butt to the kitchen to help the maid prepare dinner. He actually does it fairly politely (for JJ), but there’s no doubt it’s an order. Carmen is still in enough doubt about her position in the Mondragon house to agree and hops to it.

Anto gives Celia something to be happy about by sharing the pregnancy news. Hugs all around from his mom, brother and Ivan. They all think that Carmen is a grown woman (mujer hecha y derecha) and can do what she wants, but Lichita is the real concern. Ivan wonders if she has a galan elsewhere. Celia thinks it’s her fault Carmen left because of their last big fight. She’ll check Lichita’s school tomorrow to see if Carmen has taken her.

MP cuddles her mom in bed and whines about how no one loves her, and how Lucia and Tony are saying things against her to Alex. Lucrezia urges patience. MP swears she’s sorry for the things she’s done, but now SHE needs love/affection (cariño). She NEEDS people to love her. The love of Lucrezia, who has always loved her no matter what, is not enough. Lucrezia advises her to behave and do good deeds. Having never attempted good deeds, MP even needs advice on what those could be. Lucrezia shakes her head.

Gordo and Saul get together in a bar in Hermosillo and discuss the addition of Gordo’s cousin to the plan. Soon, Saul will be able to leave his little rat buddies behind and live in luxury. They discuss the kidnapping plan. Gordo thinks Alex staying with blind Caro (guess he doesn’t know about the surgery) so often is the key to getting their hands on the kid.

Judith comes home and for the first time meets Lichita, who is having a fine time playing cards with her abuelo. (It’s kind of cute actually. Never thought I’d say that about a scene with JJ.)

Judith is even more shocked to see Carmen emerge from the kitchen decked in an apron and announcing that dinner is ready. JJ tells Judith that the house won’t feel so lonely anymore and bids them all to go to the dining room to eat.

David is just as shocked to hear this news from Judith later on the phone. Ditto Esther, when he passes the news on to her. Esther wonders if JJ is messing around with Carmen, but even David thinks that would be going too far for JJ to get involved with his son’s woman. He thinks it’s more likely that Carmen is holding something over JJ to blackmail him. Esther agrees that he sure as heck is NOT doing it out of the goodness (bondad) of his heart. (They both are underestimating the power of loneliness.)

Camilo tries to calm her, but Celia can’t sleep because of her worry about her daughter and granddaughter. David pays them a late night house call to break the news about Carmen and Lichita being the newest additions to the Mondragon household. They all think Carmen must have done something or is holding something over JJ to convince him to take her and Lichita in. Camilo takes off immediately with David to bring them back home. Celia insists on going too.

Ivan and Lucia have a pre-bedtime phone call, exchange love talk, talk of marriage, and gossip about Anto and Caro having a baby. Lucia asks Ivan if he’ll make any distinctions between Perla and Alex and any children they may have together. Of course not! Ivan is all for making their own version of “Yours, Mine and Ours”.

JJ’s peaceful night is disturbed by Camilo and Celia barging their way into his home and starting a screaming match with Carmen. Both Camilo and David start interrogating him about his reasons for letting Carmen and Lichita live with him. He says he doesn’t have to give them explanations. (I agree with him. Carmen’s a grown woman and Lichita’s his grandchild.) Celia says that Carmen DOES have to give her an explanation. Carmen says she’s tired of being treated like a second class citizen at home. (I don’t think she’ll like being treated like a servant and the nanny of his grandchild by JJ either.) She refuses Celia’s and Cam’s demands and pleas for her to return with them. JJ tells them to get out and pulls a gun on them all! Celia yells at him to shoot (dispare)! Shoot so that he can be hauled off to prison! Lichita is awakened by all this noise and wanders into the living room. She looks on in terror when she sees her new grandpa holding a gun to her beloved grandma.

Saul and Gordo sarcastically toast to a long life for JJ. (Anvil alert?)

JJ immediately lowers the gun under Lichita’s fearful gaze, and says he only wanted a better life for the little girl and to fix Saul’s error. Celia doesn’t think the way to do it is by buying her off with gifts and toys, but not with love and affection, which he’ll never be able to give her. Camilo insists they are taking Lichita with them. Carmen begs JJ to let her stay on her own, but his only interest was Lichita. He tells her to pack her stuff and go with her family. He says farewell to Lichita and tells her to behave. Carmen continues to beg, but Lichita is ready to go home and also encourages her mom to pack their stuff. (You know you’re acting a fool when a six year old is acting more mature than you are.) Lichita hugs her uncle and grandma, and Camilo thanks David for his help. After they leave, David and Judith wonder what JJ could have been thinking. Judith thinks it’s loneliness and mentions JJ’s request that she and Carlos live with him. David says he offered him the same thing with Bernie.

In Casa Galvan, Lichita says JJ is a good guy, but she wanted to return home. She says goodnight to Celia and Camilo, who tells her he NEVER wants her to leave this house. Lichita drags her wayward mommy off to bed. Celia asks Cam what they are going to do with Carmen. Cam doesn’t know. She can do what she pleases, but they sure as heck won’t let her take Lichita with her again. Celia can’t help but be worried about them both. Cam decides to call Anto with the news so that he can stop worrying and just enjoy the news of his baby with his wife.

Esther talks to the McGuire family lawyer, who I guess is now her lawyer, about her divorce case outside the judge’s chambers. JJ arrives for the appointment. He doesn’t bring a lawyer, but asks for some time alone with Esther. JJ admits that he learned too late what he was losing. He accepts that he was a blockhead (torpe). She doesn’t let him off the hook and reminds him how he continued his old ways, even after she came back to care for him. And to top it off, he was willing to frame her for his fraud! It’s better that it ends this way. She asks him to not make it more difficult. “Our relationship (lo nuestro) is over forever.” JJ accepts this as the last word and goes with her and her lawyer into the judge’s chambers.

Saul and Gordo discuss how to avoid a run-in with Anto when they attempt to kidnap Alex. They both want to get rid of him. They figure that he must be working regular office hours at the Ag Association now that his brother is the president. They decide they need to contact Carmen to get the inside scoop.

Lucia hangs out with Alex in his room and asks him to give MP a chance- tell her his stuff, share his music with her, and such. Ivan comes in to tell Alex MP has arrived. Alex agrees to chat with her for only a bit (un ratito). Once he’s out of the room, Lucia and Ivan discuss the situation. Ivan adored his mother because she was good and loving. But Lucia also loves her mother, who is anything but those things. They chuckle about this. Lucia loves her mom because they’ve shared some good moments, and Lucia understands her faults (defectos). Plus, she’s her mother. Ivan doesn’t think it’s good for Alex to be afraid of his mother. If he can get over that, he will be better off for it.

In the living room, MP is asking Alex if Tony or Lucia have been badmouthing her. She presses him when he denies it and asks if he’s lying. “I don’t lie!” (A trait he did NOT inherit from her. Actually, his looks are the only thing he inherited from her.) MP tells him she regrets the things she did and wants him to love her, because she’s his mother. “And that’s the only reason why I should love you?” “All kids love their mothers!”

Ivan waits nervously with Lucia in Alex’s room for the MP-Alex session to end. He finds the picture MP gave Alex of herself, turned face down on his shelves. In the living room, things are going a bit better, as Alex has taken Lucia’s advice to share about his favorite things with MP. He wonders why she doesn’t like Bruno. Because, he’s an animal. “Bruno is not an animal; he’s my friend!” MP is not impressed by friendships with perros. You would think she would be, considering she’s a perra. (Oops! Did I just say that out loud?) Tony interrupts before this argument can escalate. He has Alex take Bruno for a walk and sits down to chat with MP. She immediately starts accusing them of badmouthing her, and that’s why Alex won’t warm up to her. She’ll show them all that she’s BETTER than Lucia! As she’s leaving, Tony freaks her out by pretending Bruno has wandered back into the room. MP jumps half a foot in the air, causing Tony, and most of Viewerville, to chuckle.

Gordo stuffs his face as usual while he keeps an eye on Casa Galvan. Also as usual, Celia is cooking up something delicious in the kitchen. Camilo kisses her goodbye, and Carmen gives her plenty of sass before going out. Gordo follows her. She’s not happy to see him or to know anything about that good for nothing rapist Saul, but Gordo tells her it wasn’t like that.

MP is cuddling her mommy and whining, AGAIN. Lucrezia tells her to resign herself (resignate) to the situation, but MP refuses to let Lucia “win.” Everyone sees Lucia as being “buena, noble, generosa” and MP is sure she can be those things too. Lucrezia wonders what it is she wants—to win Ivan back by winning the heart of Alex? No, she just wants people to think she has changed and that she’s not a bad person. Lucrezia says she never thought she was a bad person. She just thought she was a bit wayward (descarriada) and different/odd (rara). She kisses her favorite child on the top of her head as they cuddle.

Speaking of wayward daughters, Carmen has decided to believe Gordo and Saul, of all people, above Lucia’s version of events. She knew Lucia offered herself up! She complains about how hard her life is and then readily offers up gossip about her brothers. This includes the news that Anto is married, that Caro now has sight, and Anto is working on Camilo’s ranch.

Gloria can’t lure Lucrezia out of bed nor tempt her with Jello and chicken soup. Just as Gloria is taking the tray of food away, Lucrezia cries out in excruciating pain and clutches her side while writhing on the bed. Lucia and MP come running. Lucia goes to call an ambulance as Carly comes in on the upsetting scene.

At the hospital, the Curiel women, minus Lucrezia, and with Ivan, meet with the doctor. It’s not good news. The treatment is no longer effective, her kidneys have totally failed, and a transplant is needed as soon as possible. Carly offers hers up. The doctor rules her out because of her age. Ivan and Lucia next offer their kidneys. MP seems to feel the peer pressure and hesitantly offers to donate hers. The doctor asks if she’s married or planning on having kids. Nope. Since Lucia does plan to marry and have more kids, the doctor warns her about all the dangers having one kidney poses on a pregnant woman. He warns her to think about it carefully. Ivan says they can also find other potential donors. They’ll begin to test everyone for compatibility. The ladies go in to see Lucrezia and Ivan gives Lucia a kiss for luck.

Lucrezia is in bed and on pain meds. When they tell her about the need for the transplant, she says she doesn’t want them sacrificing a kidney for her, given what a bad mother she’s been. Lucia says she’s made mistakes like everyone else, but she’s not a bad mother. (Lucia is a far nicer person than I.) MP says she has nothing to complain about. (Very true.) Lucia says they love her and they’re family. Lucrezia’s having a real redemption moment now. She is tearful and feeling very unworthy, especially considering how she tried to manipulate their lives. Lucia reminds her that she gave them life and stayed by their sides. MP says they need her. Carly urges her to be strong and fight. She’s important to all of them. She kisses her only daughter on her head and strokes her face.

Ivan accompanies Lucia and MP home. They will go do the compatibility studies tomorrow. If he’s a match, Ivan would much rather donate so that Lucia can be healthy to have children in the future. He’s sure Camilo and Antolin would also be willing. He knows she has the last word, and he’ll support whatever choice she makes. It doesn’t change their love for each other. They already have two kids anyway- Alex and Perlita.

Gordo reports on the conversation with Carmen to Saul. The fact that Anto is now living with his wife Caro, and therefore sleeping in the house at night, complicates things. Anto might recognize him, even if he’s masked. Considering his girth, Saul doesn’t think this would be so difficult for anyone. Saul thinks they should just kill anyone who gets in the way, and just be done with it. They think about what a good time they’ll have with lots of women (viejas) once they have their money.

Ivan discusses his desire to have a baby with Lucia with Tony; it’s his dream. To have a child with the woman you love is a blessing. But he is also pleased with the children they already have- Alex who is his, and Perla who is Lucia’s. “And like they say, what’s yours is mine.” Tony points out how he lost both his only child and the woman he loved, but look at him now. He has the son he chose. If all fathers could choose their sons, Tony bets JJ wouldn’t choose Saul. Benito announces Camilo. Ivan called him over to ask him something important. First, Cam tells him where they found Carmen.

Carly asks MP about her hesitation in offering to donate her kidney. She’s pretty sure Lucia is going to be the one ending up donating hers. MP gets offended. “Lucia, Lucia, always Lucia!” Doesn’t Carly think she’s capable of doing something so noble (digno)? “Well, are you?” MP wants to show the whole world that she can be better than Lucia. Carly doesn’t understand this obsession with competing with Lucia when Lucia has always loved MP. MP says it’s not true; Lucia has always envied her! She took her man and her child! “Ay Maripaz, Maripaz.”

Camilo accepts getting tested for compatibility; Tony’s age and heart condition prohibit him. Camilo is concerned for how much Lucia must be suffering.

Well folks, time has passed, and the results are in! (Drum roll please…) And the lone compatible person is…..Maripaz Lomeli!! Come on down!!!!! Oh wait, MP’s face does NOT look like someone who has won a coveted prize. She looks downright terrified, in fact. Lucia asks about her own compatibility, but she is not a match. Ivan offers himself, Camilo and Antolin, but MP seems resigned to her fate. They’ll get started on the paperwork right away.

Carly checks in on Lucrezia and gives her the news about MP’s compatibility. Lucrezia starts to cry. She would prefer to die than have her daughter go through that. Carly gives her a pep talk. She and MP will be fine soon, but of course they will then have to take certain precautions. MP will give Lucrezia life, just like Lucrezia gave her life. “It’s not fair mama. It’s not fair.”

Avances: MP thinks she’s won the nobility game and gloats to Lucia. MP kisses Alex, who wonders if perhaps she isn’t as bad as he thought, and he visits her in the hospital. MP and Lucrezia hold hands before surgery. Something goes horribly wrong during the procedure and the doctor says we’re losing her! The doctor comes to the waiting room with a grim look on his face. Did one of them not make it? Who could it be?

Labels: Fuerza

... and Pancho does a pretty bad "sleazy waiter."

Pancho reveals that he isn't just going to sit around while Vicente (maybe "vice" would be a better nickname) plots against him. He, too, has a plan. Which he will not reveal to everyone (though everyone is clearly concerned that this will be a hairbrained scheme).

Chacho bursts in and informs everyone that Chela's got a boy. His buds circle round to chatter and gossip. Pancho says they need to find out who that suspedocho is.

Meanwhile, Chela is rehashing the jealousy plan. She swore Chacho to secrecy, so half of Mexico knows already.

Lena is still moaning. It's been days. One new detail: she swears she'll have vengeance, which I take to be a positive sign.

Vice is shocked to see "Tomas Plomero" in the house again and tries to show him off, but Pina flounces down the stairs and tell him the sob story about T's family. Meanwhile, Tomas heads off to snoop around the house. Adoracion races off to gawk at him or something.

Monica is with Pepe, rehashing her chat with Fred. Nothing new, but they're pretty cute.

Tomas carries his tools into Fred's room and sees the racing trophy. He begins stroking it and dreaming about what would've happened if he'd been born rich. He sees the plumber off with some rudeness, then sits on the bed inexplicably clutching his heart.

Alex is wearing a ridiculous scarf. He's trying to get back in Lupita's good graces... he claims he can't be held accountable for Fred's actions. She asks why is he still friends with the Fraud? Good question. One explanation: the gayness of his scarf is a clue that Alex and Fred will end up together in the end of the show.

Vice and Candi are at the Avon offices, smooching in the elevator. "How many times have I told you that you drive me crazy?" "Not enough." They stumble into a handy office, and Vice once again admits his mistaken identity scheme. Just like the Emperor spinning his chair to reveal his presence in "Return of the Jedi," Pancho spins around in his huge office chair with a raised eyebrow and a cough of indignation.

Vice claims that this was all to protect Pancho... Seeing as to how we've seen no indications of any other motive, I'll go with that. Pancho is not convinced. As they yell at each other, Beca appears in the doorway just as Vins accidentally blurts out that he's got something going on with Yuriko. Jealous, Candi flounces out as Beca flounces in. She's not happy, but doesn't really support Pancho, a viewpoint she carries through the episode.

The only other thing that happened that really interested me was the hilarious meeting with the Japanese. Fake Pancho and Beca sit down to the meeting, and in walks... Pancho, with a greasy ponytail and a waiter-suit. He attends the meeting, running back and forth whispering in peoples' ears. Then he tell's V that he's actually doing a pretty good impression, but he just needs to laugh more.

The Japanese want 20% of Avon, but Pancho disagrees. He doesn't even want to settle for 15%. He also doesn't want V to sign any documents, so he spills coffee all over the papers. Everyone yells at Lamberto. I'm falling asleep.... Good night, guys!


Also, could anyone cover for us tomorrow night? Thanks!

Labels: familia

Hi all,
Your Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday blogging team Melinama and Ezra are both going to be out tomorrow night. Anybody want to do the tuesday recap for us?

Labels: familia

It was a dark and snowy night with icicles everywhere and roads blocked, but hey, that’s real life in New Mexico and old news. Let’s get on with our review of the last CME: Honorio gets the news in his office that Constanza will be released due to the confession of Corina. He promises to take care of Beth’s complaint about sleazy Germy’s proposition as soon as he gets Consta sprung. At La Bonita, Antonio questions Regina if she has ever doubted that Roberta is her daughter. You never ask anything for no reason, what are you getting at? Renata brings the box of pictures and papers into Jero’s office and shows Regina that they are Roberta’s not hers although she is is some of the pictures. Antonio pockets the real birth certificate with Roberta’s name on it proving she is Fina’s evil spawn.

The crib scene, mystery suit puts mobiles up with Maritata saying how much her twins will love this bedroom with the balloon mural and the matching cribs with mobile arms over them. But we don’t see who it is. This is a very mean, very nasty, very cruel, very RED HERRING in a black suit jacket! And Red Herrings never, never look as good in a suit jacket as Jeronimo does. But at least we know where the Tata is hanging these days.

At the police station, the nylon coifed Corina spills that the director of the manicomio hired her to pose with the Trojan baby and it was for money (anyone surprised?) She further reveals that his office attendants were inmates named Blanca and Fina who prompted her to present the baby at the Centro Regina and to roll in the Trojan stroller to leave with Constanza. Honorio tells the lawyer that he will go give good news to Consta while the paperwork is cleared up. After his cell phone call, Gonzo tells that Blanca’s body was found at bottom of a bridge but with ligatures around her neck so they know she was strangled. And, Fina’s teeth don’t sync with any of the bodies found so Fina is still missing. Gonzo and Hon compare notes that they are all in danger if Fina is at large. They both know that with all she has done she is capable of anything. Gonzo fears that Renata‘s newly revealed heart condition make it necessary to hide news of Fina from her until the appropriate time. Hon realizes that Renata’s heart condition is too much of a coincidence. In parallel discoveries, Augie and Roberta talk about the same thing. Augie is sure he knows the truth, he already knew Renata had heart problems when he sniffed her unconscious body at his hacienda after her accident. Remember that sickening scene? Roberta lies anyway maintaining her public image as Regina’s daughter. Something in this estupida tells her not to totally trust Augie’s invitation to tell him everything. Augie admits he would rather have a jailed Fina be his mother-in-law than Regina who is too honest for his taste and a great friend of Jeronimo’s. She would cause more problems in the long run.

Padre Severino at La Bonita in the chemical room, gets the truth from Carlos that PrissyPants kissed him, you know how women are he says with more irony than he realizes. It seems it was momentarily exciting but she is a part of my past while only Matilde is part of my future he swears. Matilde overhears and grins behind the door. Finally she has heard a complete sentence of truth.

Anibal shows up at La Bonita with his wounded paw which Alison notices. Anibal says at first, oh it’s nothing, then tells how badly Augie hurt him when he discovered the computer hacking. They both decide it is time to tell Renata the truth. Augie decides with Melecio that it is also time to move forward with his next step. He demands that Melecio find out who at La Bonita knew that the vines were taken to Cruz Sin Amor.

Matilde tells her side of the story to a confused Padre. She doesn’t think the wedding is off. So she takes Padre in hand to go talk to Carlos out in the chem room. We draw a quick breath before they appear as Prissypants shows up and tries to woman handle her Charlie. Now she is wearing alluring dresses with frilly décolletage. Finally, for crying out loud, Carlos backs away without an audience to impress and when Matilde arrives moments later she confronts him sweetly, Padre says that we are not going to get married! Carlos, did you say that? Of course, he stumbles and stutters, I still want to marry you. They play back and forth with who feels what all the while, PPants is listening outside the door. Carlos finally gets on bended knee to ask her to marry him once again. This time Matilde is the one getting kisses while the green PPants looks on and finally leaves in a pouty huff as Matilde and Carlos squeal with delight and kiss in front of the Padre.

The seeds of doubt are in Regina’s talk with Antonio about her bad feelings about her daughter Roberta. She believes she is her daughter but is haunted by Panchita’s story of seeing Roberta and Fina outside of the house handing off that box. So she still has only drops of doubt, but Antonio says casually well, let’s show the photos to Gonzo because he will know which girl is which. He lived with them from the time they were nine.

Matilde gets to show Carlos love and kisses in front of her rival. But Ppants thinks a lot of her pants and swears this gata will not get over on her. We will see who will win this she says as she stomps off.

Anibal shows his hurt hand and reveals his fears of Augie. Padre thinks Anibal must stay away from Augie who is clearly dangerous. Marina must be found then she can tell them whether she left town with Jero or not.

Augie has a sword fight with himself and that menacing sword in a steel arm on the wall, as he swears vengeance is his. He threatens to rid all those against him especially now this means Anibal better find a new place to sleep. Well, who is going to win this match? Augie is talking to himself way too much.

Renata is sad in her room in such a real way, this is hard to watch. She remembers so many loving moments between her and Jero, in jail, on the beach, around the hacienda. We hear him say she is the only woman he will love for the rest of his life. As the lyrics repeat, no me abandones accompanies raucous laughter, rending of clothes and fun wrestling on the bed. It still doesn’t add up. She cries on Adriana’s shoulder who reminds her that it isn’t time to jump to conclusions.

Carlos is getting smarter by the minute now that his head seems to have cleared. At his side, Bitchybritches points out that Matilde is voluble (voluable) and not to be trusted. She argues her point of superiority with Carlos, sometimes we lose ourselves and we are so crazy in love we forget who we are says Bitchybritches suggesting Carlos needs a high class piece of pants like her?

Back to the hysterical scene with Adriana trying to get Renata to await final judgment since they don’t know really what happened. He may not have left, he might have been kidnapped. Renata anguishes but he might have had an accident then Adri begs her to calm herself and think of the health of her baby when she is so upset herself.

Anibal and Alison are eating in the kitchen when Alison becomes almost as disgusting of Bbritches as she spits food into her napkin then drops the filth on the floor. Anibal sees her do it and says well you are not eating and she protests that she can’t eat because she is ugly, fat and unworthy. He thinks she is sick and so do I This is another hard scene to watch. I am not so interested in teen angst and realize the psychologists will have a field day with this important public announcement but it makes me feel dizzy. Let’s get on with the detective work, please.

Back at the only jail cell in Ensenada, Hon explains Corina’s testimony to Constanza and that Blanca has been found but when she asks about Fina, he says no, neither Fina nor her remains have been found. They have to assume she is still out there threatening the peace.

Fina steps into a cab in her new hairdo and clothes. Gonzo alerts a surprised Roberta that Fina is loose and all of them have to be on guard. She plays dumb surprise with real energy. He brings up the Germy trip to finish his project. Roberta plays kitten, gee Pa is it important that I go with Germy? Gonzo thinks that she will learn a lot about the business (Germy will give her the business). She says what ever you like, Pa. I wlll go if you think I should. Gonzo hands her her alibi: It may be safer for you to be out of town for a few days with that wicked Fina lurking about.

Fina in her little fur shawl enters the post office where she retrieves two huge envelopes both filled with lots of pesos, dollars and euros. She grins and counts and grins and sniffs right at the boxes which seems stupid but no one else is watching her and she does look over her shoulder often but grins more than we have seen for along time.

Constanza is popped out uf the slammer and hugs her husband and brother with relief and joy. She wants to go home and find clean pink clothes and a pink bubble bath, well at least a bath. She tells the lawyer who says all the paper work is finished and she is free to go. She asks him that if he talks to the baby’s parents, they will know now that she was not at fault, but they should also know that she took excellent care of their baby while she was with her.

Padre Sev comes home with Antonio whom he asks to go to D.F. to look for Marina. He has to know she arrived safely but he has been out of the parish for so much time with his illness so he wants him to go soon. Antonio agrees to go at the end of the week. Padre goes to get a drink of water while Antonio opens the purloined birth certificate.

Renata and Matias and Adrina eat while discussing that Julieta saw Roberta kissing Germy down the hall from her apartment. Renata is surprised but Adriana pushes on with the news that they doubt if she was raped by Zeke when he took her back to Augie’s after the Padre’s party. This is a pure lie, insists Adriana while Kari listens intently outside the door.

Regina hears by phone from Gonzo that Constanza is finally free. Everything is returning to normal she declares. Well not everything say Gonzo. Fina has disappeared so they have to all be alert. (Something tells me that with this much insisting they are not going to be alert..) They decide that Renata must be told about Fina but Gonzo wants to tell her in person. Regina then asks him does he think he can tell Roberta and Renata apart in photos when they were children. Of course he can.

Antonio reads the birth certificate with satisfaction then calls Isidro to discuss that Renata is the true daughter. Antonio wants to tell Regina right away but Isidro wants to get the other proofs together to present all the evidence to Regina and the authorities at one time. Antonio says, she is coming to DF tomorrow so we need to get everything together quickly. Isidro gets off the line to update Inez and they laugh that the proof is finally clear. The birth certificate made a day or two after Roberta was born was made out with Fina as Mom and Roberto as Pa It was her original name and has finger prints too. So Fina must have changed baby Regina’s name to Renata. She later passed Roberta off as Regina’s daughter so she could get close to the inheritance and all will be revealed now they are now sure they have solved the mystery. At least someone is laughing tonight.

Antonio tells Padre he will go to DF tomorrow on the first flight. Why not the weekend like you planned? Well I have other things to do. Padre writes out Tata’s address in the city so Antonio can go look for her.

We get more bittersweet romantic scenes in Renata’s memory of kissing, laughing and again, Jero’s and her words at the jail that nothing else will ever separate us again. Jero keeps swearing his eternal love, even all the way back to the heart carved into the tree. A few bad moments are revealed of Jero’s rejection, but mostly lovely ones fill the screen. He teases her freckles that he can’t do with out. She grips her stomach and remembers. She sinks onto the bed of so many passionate scenes, candles but only has pillows to hug. She looks longingly at the door as though he will suddenly appear through it.

Next time or so: Constanza joyfully learns Renata is pregnant. Fina at last has money. She seems joyful too. Antonio reaches Marina de Tatas’ house. She swears that Jero did not leave on the plane with her. So Antonio asks the question we all have, if he didn’t come with you, where did he go? And I want to know, who Augie paid off to falsify the manifest of passengers then?

Labels: Cuando

Enzo is not happy with the sight he comes home to. Frauddie snaps his fingers at Pepe. Pepe tells Enzo he's leaving, but only bodily. And he gives Mónica another kiss first! Enzo again pressures Moni to promise never to see him again. This time she screams in his face! "We have a big problem, Super-Suegro," Frauddie tells Enzo.

Back to the restaurant. Vince confesses to Candy that he's been pretending to be Pancho with Yuri, but swears he's not having a thing with her. Candy's mad, but he begs her to help him out. (Since Candy's been saying all along that she wants to get revenge on Vince, this would be the time to throw him under the bus. Well, the latest of many, that is.)

Yuri and Pancho have been seated in the lounge because the regular dining area is full. Yuri, who is still convinced that Pancho is a chauffeur, tries to get him to wait outside in "that thing." Pancho defends La Burra's honor. Candy comes over and pretends to be with the restaurant and tells Yuri that her table is ready and Mr. Lopez is waiting. Yuri again ignores Pancho when he says he's Lopez and she goes to Vince's table. Candy tells Pancho she works here now and didn't want to tell him. He doesn't buy her story, but she promises to explain everything when they get home.

Manuel tells Ana his life story. His family had some money, but they wanted him to study business administration and he didn't want to, so he left home at a young age to make his own life. Turns out his family owns a record label! Ana's eyes get very big.

Vince has had a lot to drink. He keeps up the Pancho pretense - he's got the vocabulary down, more or less (at least to where a Japanese woman can't tell the difference). She wants to hear more of his folksy talk. He keeps trying to sidetrack the conversation to business. She wants to skip dinner entirely, take him to her room, and do something else. Her husband arrives in Mexico tomorrow. He trusts her blindly, and if she tells him to sign, he'll sign.

Adoración tries to make nice with Tomás. Pina tries to get her to do some housework so she can have Tommy all to herself. Tomas wants his job back. He explains that he and his sister are orphans, their parents died in an accident, and they really need the money. Pina is touched and promises to convince her husband. Tomas is so grateful he almost kisses her face, but then backs off and kisses her hand. Ado is jealous! "Where's my kiss?"

Yuri wants Vince to talk to her in "Mexican;" he can say whatever he likes. He says all kinds of crazy stuff, most of which goes over my head, but I do get something about rocking the cradle and making the baby dizzy, and "ay mamacita, you're so curvy, and me without brakes." (This reminds me of that movie where Jamie Lee Curtis would go crazy whenever she heard someone speaking Russian. I wish I could remember the movie.) She wants to rip his clothes off. Flustered, he says (in English) "Business are business." She'll speak to her husband on only one condition: that she and Vince spend the night together. Vince whimpers. Yuri offers him a massage - in her suite, of course.

Pancho is at home with Candy. Finally she explains that Vince is posing as Pancho. She assures him, however, that Vince is going to close the deal. He needs the deal just as much as they do. But Pancho is not assured at all and goes back there to make sure.

Back to Enzo and Frauddie. Enzo mentions Frauddie's recent trip to Brazil with the plumber's sister. Frauddie says he shouldn't have done it. "You're just like your father," Enzo says. "Mónica doesn't deserve that." Apparently, however, it's not a deal-breaker in Enzo's book. F tells E that SHE broke up with HIM. She's super-obsessed with Pepe. He says there are thousands of "girls like Mónica." Enzo takes offense and gets a bit intimidating with him and says Mónica is unique. They agree that Frauddie will fix this because he and Mo are in love.

Moni calls Pepe from her room. She says she doesn't know why he loves her. "Do you love me?" he asks. "I adore you." "That's all I wanted to hear!"

By the time Pancho gets back to the restaurant, Vince and Yuri have already been gone for an hour. He calls Vince, who is now in the hotel lobby with Yuri. Vince doesn't answer the phone, but tells Yuri he has to go home to a sick child. She thinks his servants should take care of that. Then he says he has a problem "muy embarazoso." (Not to be confused with "embarazada"!) She says he's never been with a Japanese woman before, but they can always buy one of those little blue pills. He backpedals and says that's not it. She kisses him and says he will be hers - the deal depends on it!

Enzo wants Moni to talk to Frauddie. She doesn't want to be with a guy who's only interested in himself. Enzo says better that than the son of a greengrocer. She asks Enzo why he isn't putting her happiness first. But she agrees to talk to Frauddie.

---------------------------

Pancho visits Pina; or as he calls, her, Quina. (She tells him it's Pina with a P; he later calls her "Tina with a P.") She calls him Sancho. He says he's looking for Vince. He puts a lot of doubts in her mind about Vince and Yuri.

Frauddie tells himself Daddy and Enzo are right, he can't let Pepe have his chick. Moni comes in and tells him to leave her alone. He says he's sorry and such. He says all the right things, but his tone barely approaches wheedling, much less begging. Then he suggests that they could just be great friends, no strings attached. She says she's in love with Pepe. He says she deserves better. (Well, that still leaves Frauddie out of the picture!) Moni says if he wants to be friends, then fine, but that's all it will be. She doesn't even want him kissing her hand.

Pancho goes home and talks to Laurita's photo. Then Fer comes in and he tells her what Vince is up to. She is impactada.

Tom and Pepe at the garage... Pepe is rehashing everything to Tom, and Tom warns that Pepe's going to fill up the car with "melcocha" - far as I can tell, it's some kind of gooey sweet like treacle or possibly taffy or toffee (not that taffy and toffee are much alike). As for Tom, I guess he feels like he pulled one over on Pina.

Candy is at the old house, scolding Chela for leaving without saying goodbye. Chela tells Candy how bummed she is about Pancho being in love with Rebeca. Candy's a bit put out that Chela turned to Jess instead of her, too. Chela says fixing herself up for Pancho didn't work anyway. But Jess told her she should try making Pancho jealous.

Meanwhile, Pancho is telling Fernanda that he loves Rebeca, but it's making things very complicated. He's not sure he's doing well at his job, what with Lamberto always crying doom (hecatombe). And Rebeca's off dealing with a problem at one of the plants. Fer says Rebeca is afraid, but not because of work. It's fear of surrendering herself, fear of losing control, fear of loving him unconditionally.

Alex is visiting with Frauddie. Frauddie wants to split up Mónica and Pepe... and he wants Alex to help.

Next morning, Lambi says the employees' phones aren't getting good signals. Pancho says they need good tools to do their job and promises to take care of it. I cannot imagine that this is a plot point. I smell a product placement on the horizon.

With a smirk, Pina tells Vince at breakfast that he came home so late she didn't hear him. Also, Pancho came by last night. He told her that he was supposed to be at dinner with the Japanese woman, but they weren't there. And he said something very folksy that she didn't understand. She even does a really feeble impression of him.

Popeye barks at breakfast. Oh good, he's still alive. We hadn't seen him in a while. Maybe he was getting fixed. Anyway, Chela's there. Everyone wants her to stay this time. She doesn't say yes but she does agree to help out in the kitchen. Candy tells the others to be patient.

Vince asks Ado what means "hacer de chivo los tamales" (the folksy expression Pina didn't understand, it's literally "to make young goats into tamales"). She says it's like giving a cat for a hare, or giving something that's not what it seems. Frauddie comes to breakfast.

Chacho's in the kitchen with Chela. Somehow in that shirt, he looks like a little bald kid. She wants to tell him a big secret.

Nico is at the office, asking what's Pancho going to do about Vince's deception. Pancho says he has a plan that can't fail. Before he can say what it is, Chacho comes in with Chela's big secret: she's got a guy!

Next time:
Beca comes back.

Labels: familia

Labels: Fuerza

¡Feliz Navidad!

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

Queridos, we're headed into the home stretch of CME and I can't believe we only have a handful of weeks left of our lovely Nata, fearsome Fina, repulsive Roberta, and our anti-hero Jero. Let's savor what little time we have left!

Augie repeats his indecent proposal to Nata about becoming a father figure for her baby. He wants to give the little critter everything because of how much he cares about her. Nata reacts with shock and confusion.

Karina assures Lazaro that she feels nothing for Doc PlotTumor except pity. She wants to visit him only to give him a bit of peace. Lazaro gives his sweetie a kiss and admires her compassion.

Nata tells Matias and Adriana about her heart condition diagnosis but promises it's nothing to worry about. Oh, and Augie offered to be the father of her baby. There's that little fact too. Adriana thinks it's odd that Augie would offer to be a father figure for the baby of a man he hates. Nata is torn; Augie has always been there for her when times get tough yet something feels wrong about his offer.

Anibal does his best Nancy Drew sleuthing on Augie's laptop. He finds out that Augie has been investigating Marina and Saul.

Regina and Matias convene in Jero's office. They both agree to keep mum about Fina's possible death and will wait for confirmation before they distress Nata with the news. "When will all the suffering end for Renata?" Regina asks. "When?"

Nata says her goodbyes to Gitana as they walk together in the field. "Amgia, we have to leave all this behind again. The vineyard, the hacienda, and Jero. And we're not coming back this time." Nata swears to send for Gitana as soon as she can and sobs into Gitana's beautiful neck.

Anibal barely escapes discovery when Augie bursts into his office. Ani hides in the curtains as Augie manifestos to himself that Nata will be his.

Prissy strolls by Matilde with a smug smile. Mati wastes no time in shoving Prissy in the mud. LOL. Prissy gets up in a snit. "You pushed me!" (Tú me empujaste!) Prissy calls Mati a low-class nobody. "Yes, but at least I defend what's mine," Mati counters. "As long you you stay in this hacienda, I will make your life impossible!"

Honorio pays a visit to everyone's favorite unfairly accused jailbird. Constanza admits she hated Fina but she never would have wished such a terrible death upon her. Connie changes gears and whimpers about getting out of jail. Honorio does his best to give her hope. The cops are searching round-the-clock for Corina.

Meanwhile, the mistress of disguise gives herself a haircut and giggles about Blanca's stupidity. Now she's dead and Fina gets all her money. Ja, ja, ja.

Gonzo gives Jero's information to a private detective in hopes that Jero will be found quickly. The detective agrees to keep everything confidential.

Berta arrives at work to an awaiting German. He's got a house in the country and he wants her to come with him for the weekend. Beth, the secretary, peeks in just in time to see Berta deep-tonguing German. "No puede ser!" Beth sighs to herself.

Nata says her goodbyes to the ladies of the hacienda. There's not a dry eye in the house as Nata tells everyone that she's leaving for good. She asks all of them to keep quiet about her pregnancy. The last thing she wants is for Jero to find out about her baby. They promise to keep it a secret. Nata sobs that she will never forget any of them. Of course, none of the ladies will forget her either. Sobby group hug!

Fina and her kicky new haircut peruse the newspaper. She's pleased to read her own name on the list of deaths in the madhouse fire. Though she gets nervous when Blanca's name isn't mentioned at all. "No! She has to be dead!"

Indeed, she is. Blanca is on the slab at the morgue right that very moment. A supposed suicide note was found in Blanca's pocket (penned by Fina) but the detective doesn't buy it. "A ligature on the victim's neck suggests she was strangled (fue ahorcada)."

Berta asks German to let her visit his apartment early. She wants to decorate it as a surprise. He has no problem with it. In fact, his place is in the same building as Julieta and Matias's apartment. Berta's hackles raise at the news.

Not-Quite-Padre Antonio and Padre Severino have a chat. Padre wants to pay a visit to La Bonita; he's desperate for word from Marina.

Augie opens his computer and gets his angry face on. Uh-oh. Anibal broke one of the cardinal rules of Junior Sleuthing: always cover your tracks. Augie charges Anibal and the two of them end up in a fencing match. (Isn't this how all arguments should be solved?)

Augie holds the sword to Anibal's throat and warns him that nobody betrays him. Anibal plays innocent but when that doesn't work he gives a different excuse about using the computer.

Carlos walks in on Prissy changing clothes. He gets agitated and leaves the room.

Allison and Herminia gossip about Nata, Jero, and Augie's torrid affairs. Trust us, writers, we already know this stuff.

Nata packs the last of her bags and reminisces about Jero's cuddles, kisses, and pillow talk. "You're the most important thing in my life," Jero said. Nata cries. "Then why did you leave? Why did you lie?" Manuela interrupts to give Nata a box of photos and some sage advice. "Time heals all wounds, even the most painful ones." ("El tiempo lo cura todo, aún los dolores más fuertes")

Karina warmly greets Padre and Tony. No, she hasn't heard anything from Jero or Marina. But she does want to ask Padre to take her to see Doc. He's in an awful way and she wants to offer a little comfort. She's too kind for her own good.

Corina, in a Fina-worthy wig, is captured by undercover cops. They handcuff her and drag her away.

Beth delivers Honorio a cup of coffee and comes clean to him about German's constant sexual harassment. He made advances and intimidated her. Beth is on the verge of telling Hon about what she saw between German and Berta but Hon is interrupted by the news about Corina's capture. Hon promises to follow up on her complaints as soon as he can.

Berta and Fina cackle and spit at each other in their lair. Berta is uncomfortable that the entire world knows that Fina is a murderer. She mocks Fina for calling herself free when she's stuck hiding in an apartment.

Antonio mulls over the news that both Roberta and Renata have their father's heart condition. Tony asks if Regi ever doubted that Berta was her daughter. "Of course not," says Regi.

Nata interrupts to give Regina the box of old photographs. She shows Regi the photos of herself and Berta as children. Regina's head starts spinning. Antonio pockets a few of the pictures while her back is turned.

Marina goes shopping for a baby crib with a man. We never see his face. Is it Jero? Saul? Her twin brother? Padre Severino's illegitimate son that he doesn't know exists? I guess we'll never know...

Gonzo and Honorio sit in on the interrogation as Corina gets raked over the coals. Corina admits she was hired by Blanca and Fina to entrap Connie. Hon and Gonzo snap into action. Looks like Connie will be out of the clink by Monday. Gonzo gets a phone call from a different set of detectives. Blanca was murdered and Fina's body was not recovered in the fire. She's missing. "Do you realize what this means?"

Avances: Ultimos Capitulos! Ay, dios mio. "Renata is Regina's daughter!" Tony says with certainty. He also turns up unexpectedly at Marina''s in search of Jero.

Vocab:
empujar - to push
bosillos del pantalón - pants pocket
ahorcada - strangled / hanged.
husmeado - sniffed (ie: sniffing around, snooping)
acoso sexual - sexual harassment

Labels: Cuando

Ivan drops Lucia off at home after their "wonderful" night together. Lucia praises him for making her feel loved and important. Ivan says he'd be capable of doing the impossible for her. She says he has, what with the sex therapy. They finish smooching their goodbyes.

Lucia runs into Carlota and giddily announces that Ivan's the love of her life. Carlota was surprised to find that when Lucia said "the love of my life" what she really meant was "Grandma, we TOTALLY did it!" Lucia says she's hoping that she can convince her mom to talk to Berenice. She thinks Berenice can bust through her mom's stubbornness. Lucia goes back to waxing rhapsodic about Ivan's attributes. She doesn't seem too optimistic about the long-term effects of his nookie, though, since she tells her grandma that yes, "this time" she was able to overcome her fears.

David is couching it at his place. Mom comes in to find out why he's pouty. She tells him things with him and Berenice will be ok and he's got to buck up because sleeping on that couch is going to suck bad enough without him also having a sucky attitude. She says once the divorce is final and the property is all divvied up, she'll find her own apartment. David is planning to go ask his dad tomorrow for a statement of assets so he can turn it over to Esther's lawyer. Esther doesn't expect him to take it well (puh-leeze, when does JJ take anything well?). She's definitely made up her mind about divorcing him, but that doesn't keep it from hurting, despite David's reassurances that she really did try her best and even gave him another chance. She worries, though, about Judith being stuck in the house with JJ. David tells her she's always worrying about everyone and not to worry about Judith--they'll get her out of the house.

Arcelia asks Camilo what's going to happen to JJ, financially speaking. Camilo doesn't expect him to end up broke, since he'll still have his lands and the money he can get from selling his crops. "But even if that's not enough for him, too bad. What's right is for him to give back the money he took!" Carmen and Lichita both giggle at the idea of the "pomposo" Mr. Mondragon being just as broke as they are. Lichita especially giggles at the sound of the word "pomposo" and announces that she plans to be "pomposa" when she grows up. Like mother, like daughter. Lack of money certainly never kept Carmen from putting on airs! Arcelia sagely points out that in fashion, one day you're in and the next day you're out…digo…in life one day you're up and the next day you're down. JJ's broke now and look at Ivan, who started with nothing and is now a big shot. Camilo gets that old jealous look in his eyes.

JJ remembers telling Ivan when he was younger that he'd end up in jail. He wonders what he's done. Wait, JJ repenting? Say it ain't so!

Ivan drops Alex off at school, verifies that he has his homework…then Alex verifies that Ivan called Carolina to ask if he could visit 2 days a week. Alex is hoping that Antolín might be there too, so they can play soccer or "luchas" (literally, "fights", he probably means "wrestling" as in "lucha libre"). Ivan extracts a promise that Alex will behave himself (when does he not?) while Gordo fusses at Ivan to just leave the damn kid already. Gordo fusses some more because Ivan walks Alex into the building.

Carlota tries to guilt Lucrezia into following through with her treatment, by saying it's not fair to make Lucia worry about her. Berenice walks up, prompting Carlota to announce that they have a visitor. Lucrezia gripes, "We don't have anything. Berenice is coming to see Lucia. No one remembers we exist anymore. We've become nothing [un cero al izquierda, a zero to the left] to our friends." Berenice greets Carlota and Lucrezia and Carlota leaves to bring Berenice a coffee. She sits down and tells Lucrezia that Lucia is worried about her and hasn't Lucia suffered enough? She realizes it's taking Lucrezia some time to accept her situation, but she needs to just say it coldly. "It's dialysis or death, ma'am. There are no other paths. 'But' nothing, ma'am! Death means not seeing your daughters again, not seeing your grandchildren grow up. It's the end of everything. This isn't a game, ma'am!"

Ivan goes over to Carolina and Antolín's. He asks her if she'd be ok with Alex coming to spend 2 afternoons a week with him. Ivan worries that he's spending too much time alone at the house. Carolina is thrilled. Ivan thanks her and says that he knows Alex loves her too. They joke about Caro and Antolín wanting kids and Alex being practice, so they'll know what to expect. Ivan says he's going over to the Curiel's to see how Lucrezia is doing. This is the first Carolina has heard about anything being wrong with her.

Carlota and Lucia wait in the living room, wondering if Berenice has said anything to Lucrezia yet. Lucia has faith in Berenice's confrontational techniques. Berenice comes into the living room and announces that Lucrezia agreed to go to her appointment tomorrow. "But how did you do it?" Lucia wonders. Berenice grins and says she has her secrets. Carlota tells Berenice that she's definitely earned her place in heaven…in many, many years, when it's time.

David and Judith talk about their parents. Judith didn't know her mom had left, since she got home late and tired. David lets her know that Esther is staying in his tiny apartment and that anyplace is better for her than being with JJ.

Cuthberto comes up to Antolín to bring him something to eat. He's grateful to Antolín and Camilo for keeping an eye on JJ. He offers to relieve him, but Antolín turns him down, saying JJ will probably come out any time now. And sure enough, once Cuthberto walks off, JJ leaves the house. Antolín calls Camilo to tell him JJ left the house, but without any suitcases. Camilo tells him to follow him anyway--he could be on his way to the bank to take out all his money before he runs off.

JJ goes out to the cemetery to see Alicia. "I guess you never expected me to come see you, Alicia. I didn't either. Maybe because I always felt that I was better than you. But you see that life has taken care of showing me that's not true. You raised an exemplary son and I have a son that's a good for nothing. And the other two want nothing to do with me. Much less ours, Ivan." Ivan gets on the horn to Camilo to tell him "I bet you can't imagine where Mondragon went." JJ: "Well, anyway, I admit I made a mistake. I shouldn't have looked down on either you or Ivan. I'm sorry and…and I ask for your pardon." He leaves a red rose on Alicia's tomb. Okay, fine, but just because he repents doesn't mean I have to like him.

Gordo complains to Saul (who is busy playing with a puppy that obviously has no sense) that their kidnapping plan won't be easy. It could take weeks to find an opening to snatch the kid. Saul tells him "I told you so!" but Gordo won't be talked out of it. He says they failed last time because they depended on Carmen for information, and it was second- and third-hand at that. Gordo says they've got to get up close and learn all his movements and those of the people close to him. But there's one problem…one of those people close to him is Antolín. Gordo hopes Antolín doesn't catch him in the act. Saul says he can't get close either. "Then we'll need help." Saul complains that this means splitting the ransom three ways. How do they not suffocate from their stupidity sucking all the oxygen out of that damn barn? Even if they did somehow manage to grab Alex, I still put money on the kid outwitting them all by himself. Never has a single one of their stupid plots gone well for them! Have they not wondered if maybe it's them? Gah!

Antolin calls Camilo and tells him that something is going on with JJ and he thinks it has something to do with Ivan.

Carlos flirts with Judith. He tells her to kiss him. Just a little one, though. She complains that they're at work and they're totally gonna get busted! He bats his eyelashes and she relents. And right then JJ walks in. Sorry, Carlos, but that was way too traumatic and you're never getting any office smoochies again! JJ asks if Judith isn't going to introduce him. She does. JJ asks to speak to Ivan. Judith goes to find Ivan's secretary and JJ tells her that tonight, the two of them will need to sit down and have a talk. Aw, crap. If he apologizes for being an ass all her life…well, that would explain the bizarre weather we've been having lately.

JJ goes into Ivan's office. Ivan says he only agreed to see him because it would be rude not to. "What brings you here? I doubt you came to tell me where Saul is." JJ says he would tell him if he knew. Ivan says that Saul is probably hiding like the rat he is. JJ starts to talk about what a stupid thing Saul did, but Ivan asks him why he came there. JJ asks if Ivan has heard about his troubles with the association. Yep, says Ivan, he's heard all about the "desfalco" (embezzlement) and supposes JJ will make like Saul. JJ tells him he has no intention of running, but that's not what he came to talk about (then why bring it up?). He came to propose that Ivan manage his ranch. "Or should I say, yours. Because, like it or not, you're a Mondragon. And that ranch belongs to you too." Ivan's not interested. "Let your legitimate sons manage it. I'm only your bastard. And don't call me 'son'!" JJ says he deserves Ivan's anger, but he's sorry. "Perdoname." Whoa! And there was much amazed cursing in the 5ft household. Mr. 5ft is optimistic, however, that what this really means is that JJ is either going to try to stab Ivan in the back or is about to die. And, sorry, for those who don't know, "Perdoname" is "forgive me." Ivan's response is to stand up, open the office door, and bid JJ a good day. "How can I show you that I'm sorry?" Ivan says there's no need. JJ can carry his repentance around for the rest of his life, although he doesn't think JJ really knows what it means to be repentant. JJ gives the office a last look before walking out. Ivan shuts his laptop and looks like he's trying to figure out what JJ's angle is.

Ivan fills Toni in on the conversation. He thinks JJ is desperate because of what's been going on with the Association. If he's going to live off his land, he needs it to be better managed. Since JJ never treated Ivan's mother or Ivan well, Ivan doesn't have any reason to believe him now. Ivan says it's just too late now and he doesn't buy it. Benito announces Camilo is there. Once Camilo comes in, Ivan asks Benito to go pick up Alex.

Lucia tells Lucrezia that she's glad she agreed to the treatment. "Your friend helped me see that I'm not ready to die." Lucia will take Lucrezia to her treatment tomorrow. "And you'll see that you feel much better." Lucrezia says Lucia's the one that looks better (it's that special after-nookie glow). Lucia just grins. Cleto and Maripaz come in. Maripaz is grumpy about having to be announced like a stranger. Carlota starts to chew her out, but Lucrezia whines at her not to start. Maripaz says she was prepared for it. She asks to come back to the house.

Camilo tells Ivan and Toni that JJ was at the cemetery. He tells them Antolín followed JJ and saw him leave flowers at Alicia's tomb. Toni thinks it must mean something, but Ivan says that JJ feeling repentant doesn't obligate him to forgive. Camilo is surprised to hear that JJ asked for forgiveness. Ivan says it doesn't fix anything--not his mother's hard work, his own need for a father, etc. So he won't forgive him. Toni agrees the damage is done, but he says Ivan is the only one who can erase the damage. "By forgetting and forgiving." Ivan says he can't and he doesn't want to talk about it anymore. He leaves the office. Camilo understands. He wonders what JJ is after. "To have Ivan fill the holes his other sons have left? If he wants to ingratiate himself with Ivan, he's going to have to offer more than an apology." Toni asks what Camilo will have to do to make up for what he did to his friend--setting his sights on the woman Ivan loved.

Maripaz says she hasn't forgotten what she did. She accepts that she behaved badly. She tells Lucia that it's over with her and Camilo. Lucrezia doesn't want them to fight. Maripaz just wants to come back home. She says she needs her family. "Why? Because we're the only ones who put up with you? Everyone's already gotten tired of you?" Carlota hit the nail right on the head. Maripaz admits that Carlota is right. Everyone has turned their backs on her. "You can't go around hurting and disappointing people! You have to understand that no one here trusts you. You've blackmailed your mother; you've done horrible things to Lucia; and you've even stolen from me!" Maripaz swears she won't do it again. Carlota tells her that putting on an innocent face and crying a few tears isn't going to be enough. Lucrezia begs for another chance for Maipaz. Carlota says she'll give her another chance when she's earned one. "We've turned a blind eye to all your bad behavior, but not anymore." Maripaz says fine, thanks, and walks out. Lucrezia whines about Maripaz needing her family. "If she needs us, she'll come back. But with proof that she's changed, not tears."

Maripaz runs out to her car and cries that she doesn't want to end up alone. She drives off.

Ivan remembers JJ meeting him and being a dick. Alex comes in. He wants Ivan to have Lucia come there so he can surprise her with a drawing. Alex makes fun of Ivan calling Lucia "mi amor." Lucia happily tells him that Lucrezia has agreed to going to dialysis. Ivan tells her that someone she knows has invited her to come over to see a surprise. Lucia guesses that it's Alex. Ivan offers to send Benito to pick her up and says she can drive herself back in the other car. Lucia fusses about the car again. Ivan repeats his offer that she just borrow the car until she buys herself a new one. She agrees to the loan. Alex makes fun of him again for calling her "mi amor." Ivan tells Alex he's going to get jealous, "What's this about you giving MY girlfriend a present?" Alex warns him that if he doesn't watch out, he'll steal her away. That would be funnier if this weren't a telenovela, and if there weren't some precedent for tialoving.

Antolín tells Camilo he has nothing to report. JJ went back to the house and the accountant came over. Antolín supposes that if JJ were going to make a run for it, he would have done it already. Camilo agrees and tells him to go home. Antolín is glad, since he was starting to get tired of surveillance work, but says it was just part of his job. Camilo tells him to come by the office tomorrow for a reward. JJ will be paying off his debt tomorrow.

JJ tells the accountant that Ivan won't manage his ranch and since David hates him, he's not going to ask him to do it. The accountant tells him that after tomorrow, his situation's going to get a lot worse. JJ's going to have to fire all his servants, and the accountant. The accountant gives him one last piece of advice…"You still have time to run off with the money. You don't have to give it to the Association. Go. Nothing ties you to Alamos anymore. Your wife and kids left you. I'll buy your lands. You can say I sold them to you a long time ago. Listen to me, Juan Jaime…go before you end up in ruins!" JJ looks like he's considering it.

Ivan and Alex wait outside for Lucia. Alex shows her his drawing. They're all unpleasantly surprised to see Maripaz come sashaying up. She's come to see Alex and reminds them she has a right. Alex asks Lucia to get rid of her. Maripaz asks Alex not to be afraid. She tells him she's changed and she wants to be good to him. She says she knows she treated him badly in the past and she's really sorry. Ivan pulls her aside to ask what this is about. Maripaz says it's not fair for Ivan to have Alex all to himself and she wants a chance to win his affections. Ivan reminds her she's never been interested in Alex before. "Well, I am now. I feel really lonely, Ivan." Lucia reassures Alex that everything will be ok. She reminds him that Maripaz can't take him away again because of the judge's order that he live with his dad. Alex tells her that Maripaz wanted to kill Bruno and that she was really mean to him. Maripaz reminds Ivan that she does have a right and he can't deny her visitation or she'll go complain to the judge. Maripaz reassures him that she has no intentions of hurting him, she just wants a chance to win him over. Ivan doesn't believe it. She asks for a chance. Maripaz goes over to Alex and tells him he doesn't have to be afraid of her. Lucia tells her to give it a rest already. Maripaz tells Alex that little by little, he'll realize it's the truth. She gives him a kiss and says she'll come by tomorrow so they can spend some time together. Alex begs Ivan not to let her come back.

JJ sips his tequila, remembering what the accountant said. He says out loud that he's not a coward. The maid comes running, thinking he called her. JJ just wants to be left alone.

Alex whines about having to obey the judge, since he doesn't know Maripaz is bad! Ivan tells him that if they don't follow the judge's orders he's the one who's going to get punished. Lucia reminds him that the judge also said that Maripaz can't be alone with him, so she won't be able to do anything bad to him or to Bruno. Alex wonders why they want him to spend time with Maripaz if she doesn't love him. Ivan says it could be true that Maripaz has changed. Alex says maybe it's a lie and she's just waiting for them to let their guard down so she can take him away. Ivan tells him that won't happen, but Alex is just too scared of Maripaz. Lucia asks to speak to Alex alone. She reminds him that he used to be afraid of Ivan. "Because my aunt Carolina said he was bad." Lucia tells him that when you get to know people, you realize that sometimes they're better than you thought. Alex reminds her that he lived with her, so he knows what she's like. Lucia tells him sometimes people change. "And if she hasn't changed, then we'll see what we have to do to get the judge to change his decision." Alex agrees, under duress.

Maripaz goes shopping for presents for Alex. She buys him a toy car, some clothes, and a giant happy face balloon.

Lucia tells Ivan that Alex read her a little of his pirate book, and it seems like he's forgotten about Maripaz for now. Lucia would like to be there when Maripaz spends time with him, but she has to take Lucrezia to dialysis. Ivan says he'll be there and tells her not to worry. Lucia is worried this is a ploy and Maripaz is trying to get in good with Ivan again. She doesn't trust Maripaz, but Ivan doesn't trust her either. Lucia tells him that Maripaz even went over to the house to beg to move back in. He wonders if she really is changing. He gives Lucia the keys to the car she's borrowing. Smoochies.

Lucrezia is moping around in the front yard by the fountain. She begs Carlota that if the treatment doesn't work and her life is in danger, she'll let Maripaz move back into the house. Carlota agrees, but she's sure Lucrezia will get better. "I hope your daughter really has mended her ways, if that does happen." Lucia comes up in her new, uh, borrowed car. Lucrezia tells Lucia that she's feeling weak and depressed.

Toni doesn't trust Maripaz either, but he does think it's time for Alex not to be afraid of her anymore. Ivan lets Toni know that Lucrezia is sick.

Carlota talks to the painting of Teodoro. Cleto announces Toni. She's glad to see him. They decide to have a tequila together, but not in celebration…to fortify themselves. Toni wants her to be optimistic.

JJ hides his tequila under the table when he hears Judith coming home. He tells her that his mother filed for divorce, her brothers, well, she knows, and he supposes her boyfriend told her what was going on at the Association. Judith sits down and JJ tells her he's glad she has a boyfriend. All Judith tells him is that he's an engineer who works for the McGuires. "And when are you getting married?" She says they haven't been together for long. JJ says he's been thinking that after they get married, they should live in the house instead of spending money on an apartment. "That way we can keep each other company." Judith looks horrified at the thought.

Antolín and Carolina are in bed and Carolina is whining that she should be pregnant already. Antolín reminds her that the gyno told her to be patient. "But you want a kid!" "Well, so do you! But the doctor said, if you keep being anxious about it, it's not going to happen." Caro is worried that Antolín will be disappointed in her. Antolín reminds her that he married her because he loved her and not so she could be a baby factory! Caro whines some more about wanting to have a baby to fill the void Alex left. Antolín doesn't want this to turn into an obsession. More lovey-dovey talk. If they'll accept a consejo from Dr. 5ft (I'm not a doctor, nor have I played one on TV…yet…it could happen) I think I've identified the problem. Too much talking in bed and not enough nookie!

Toni and Carlota sip their tequilas. He reminds her that they're friends, and she should have picked up the phone to tell him what was going on. He says that Alex and Ivan have their own lives and sometimes he feels alone. He'd like a friend to talk to as well, and Carlota is the ideal one for him. She complains about not wanting to be a bother, but he says that there's a lot of affection between them. They drink to that. He says they've got to stick together and they toast to their friendship.

Gordo watches Alex some more and complains that the kid is never alone.

Lucia and Carlota bring Lucrezia to her first dialysis session. Carlota tries for a pep talk in the lobby.

JJ brings Camilo a certified check and Camilo gives him a receipt. JJ tries to whine about being broke, but Camilo's not buying it. "I'm getting divorced. I'm going to have to give my wife half of what's left." "I'm sorry about that." "No. You don't feel anything. And I don't even have anyone to manage the ranch. Saul's always been a good for nothing, and besides he's off hiding. Didn't Ivan tell you why? Aren't you guys best buds? About a year ago Saul raped Lucia. Her daughter is Saul's." "Are you sure?" "Saul confessed it to me himself." "Why are you just now tell me?" "I just found out. Saul ran away. Go on, then, gloat about how far I've fallen….Your friend Ivan has gotten his revenge." JJ leaves and Camilo picks up the phone. Camilo calls the Curiel house and finds out from Gloria that Lucrezia is sick and Lucia took her to the hospital.

Benito drives Alex to Carolina's house, where he waits for him outside. Gordo takes heart, thinking he's found his opportunity.

Lucia and Carlota wait for Lucrezia. Lucia notices she has a missed call from Camilo. Her phone rings again, but this time it's Ivan. She turns down his offer of company at the hospital, but makes a date for later.

Toni figures Lucrezia will be fine since she's such a tough lady. He wonders if a kidney transplant would be better and asks Ivan how you go about getting a kidney…can you buy one? Ivan says that's illegal. It has to come from a donor or a family member. Toni's never been fond of Lucrezia, but he doesn't like seeing Carlota's suffering. "Are you in love with her?" Toni says Ivan is too young to understand what he feels for Carlota.

And tomorrow: Camilo visits Lucia and Ivan gets jealous. Stupid boys! And we're heading for the Gran Final on the 26th.

Labels: Fuerza

Labels: familia