Caray, Caray!

El Talisman, the new show, is starting January 30 - so this week and next week there will be double sessions of Una Familia, 7-9.

Vince's first tasks for Lamberto: to reactivate the Vince-and-Enzo personal credit cards. Glad he's taking his job seriously.

Pancho, brooding, considers Chela as a possible novia: after alll, she knows him so well and has been with his family so long. Lupe tells him it's ridiculous, though, because he loves Rebe, and he agrees.

Enzo tries to tell Moni she doesn't need a mother, *he's* all she needs. She disagrees. He insists he knows nothing of her mother's whereabouts, but we know from his thought bubbles: it's a honking lie.

Pina wants nobody to ever see Avispa's puppies. Mean!

Manuel asks Ana what she feels for Freddy - he saw her drooling over him, but can't understand why she likes him. She has no good reason, her reason is "what can you do?" Elsewhere, Freddy smirks, realizing Ana has the hots for him.

Sandrucha brings Vince his fancy new business cards and asks if they can celebrate alone, somewhere intimate, with less clothes on. "Didn't you just tell me you don't want to be a sexual object?" he asks. She says she feels differently now that she's secretary to the president.

Fernanda's health continues to deteriorate as she notices how lonely and empty her house is without Pancho and his family. Suddenly she hears Ana and her band practicing for their audition. She goes to listen happily. Soon, however, she remembers Rebe accusing her of arrogance the previous night and has another little attack.

Candy, who couldn't get past Sandra the previous day, texts Vince from the antechamber; he comes and gets her. She wants to know what's going to happen with her radio program, Also, she's furious: "You treat me like an old rag..." He apologizes and flatters her and then kisses her. She points out he's married, "and I don't want to be another floozy like your Sandrucha. How far would you go for me? Would you respect my family, would you lose everything - your presidency, your marriage, all your money? I love you like crazy but I won't be 'the other.' "

Fer ruefully tells Ana she's feeling poorly because she interrupted her treatment in Germany to come back to Mexico "and wreck your dad's life" and now she's feeling the consequences.

Meanwhile, for Adoracion's benefit Pina models a Parisian negligee bought to seduce "... the plumber?" asks Adoracion. "No, obviously my husband!" "How can you still love him after all the things he's done? I'm worried because you suffer all the time." "This time I'm sure everything will be super different."

Rebe peeks in Pancho's window and sees the Lopez family enjoying Chela's delicious food. Chela lets her in - uh oh, Pancho is still mad! "I'm eating with my family," he informs Rebe frostily. "I just came to bring your last check; good night." He feels remorseful later and Lupe points out he forgave Fernanda, so why not Rebe? Rebe's crime didn't deserve such punishment. "You still love her, why hang around crying?"

Rebe cries in her car and Chela sees her.

Fraud wanders into Moni's office again and is irate that her screen saver is a picture of her and Pepe kissing. He reads the stuff on her desk. Moni and Pepe come in and catch him spying. Freddy: "Moni! You went to Valle to Bravo with him!?? I threw four years of my life in the garbage." Moni: "Well, I feel the same." Freddy: "Well, now I see you're pretty low class, Moni, look who you hang out with. You're no better than a cualquiera," which means literally "any kind of somebody" but is used to mean "hussy/floozy." So Pepe punches him but good. They leave and Freddy, rising from the ground with very thick red blood all over his face, vows Pepe will rue this day.

Pancho regrets being mean to Rebe and remembers her saying "I'll love you whether you're a grocer or an astronaut." His reverie is interrupted by the arrival of ... a new character. Named Chato. I guess the actor playing Chacho's pal has gone off to some other job and the jolly goings-on require a new sidekick. Anyway, this Chato is an old friend of Pancho's, come back to Mexico after discovering that with the recession there was no more work in the States. They admire his panzon (big belly).

Vince moans over Fraud's bloody nose and pledges vengeance against the mecaninaco. Freddy says he has a plan to make Pepe suffer but we don't hear what it is.

Pepe tells Monica he couldn't let Fraud talk trash about her. Monica points out Pepe was noble not to call her dad a hypocrite during the "you are a naco" diatribes - Pepe knew Enzo himself had been a mere naco car-washer as a teenager. Pepe says he was just following the Golden Rule. He gets kisses.

At Pina's house, Vince is in a bad mood and not receptive to the low-light sexy atmosphere Pina's tried to set up. "Is this a voodoo session?" He ignores Pina in her "baby doll" nighty. He's sulky and sad. She gives up.

Back to Chato, who can't believe Pancho gave up the Avon presidency. Pancho denounces the "venemous insects and vipers" who worked for him there. More about Chato, in case it later turns out to be important: he's been gone seven years (which is why they recap the whole plot for him). He was practically starving in the US. Chacho and Chato trade baldness / long nose jokes. Of Avon, Pancho muses: "Now I'm where I should be, it all seems like it was a dream." But Chacho points out he still loves Rebe...

... and that causes Pancho to rip off his apron and stamp off to see his bombon. Of which, more in the second hour.

Things go well in the recording studio. "Your band's not bad," says the producer who is Manuel's father, "But I'm only interested in you, Ana, as a soloist." Uh-oh. "I could make you a big star." Through soundproof glass the boys in the band are watching hopefully.

Chela tells Lupe: "I want to finish high school, learn how to dress, become cultured, get a job and become a boss so Pancho will find me interesting."

Pina asks Vince: why did you receive Candy last night? He says she came to get authorization for her radio show. "If you give it to her, I'm asking for a divorce." But if he doesn't let Candy's show go forward, Candy will disappear. Dilemma! Enzo points out: Vince will be ruined if Pina divorces him, so there shouldn't be a question. Vince doesn't look convinced.

Monica goes through her dad's papers to try and find clues to her mother's whearabouts while Pepe watches. They find no marriage certificate. Maybe they were never married? Over to you, Ezra...

Labels: familia

Labels: no-podia

Here’s to peace, equality and justice for all on this Martin Luther King Day.

Enzo shares with Vicente that he doesn’t want his daughter to suffer. Vaincente would rather talk about his problems with Candi but offers that something will occur to him to help Enzo. Monica’s girlfriend comes to see her and she hears all about Moni’s romantic interlude in Valle de Bravo with Jose (the Pepe formerly known as naco.) She describes the cabana, candles, all the delightful details, dinner saxaphone player, flowers, etc. She couldn’t believe she could be so happy. So what is she so upset about, did Jose do something? No, no he behaved so perfectly well. {This may give hope to CHFiddler, et. al. about what they did NOT do.) Instead Monica reveals her pain is caused by learning that her mother is alive!

Enzo reminds Vin the Vain that he has always been with him in business and economic crises and even with his drama with Candi. Vin assures him he is going to be with Enzo now in his problem with his daughter as he demonstrates by almost jumping on him while they both remain standing.

Monica questions why her mother left her and why her father had to raise her alone. Didn’t she love her? What did she do wrong.

Pancho continues tormenting Fernanda and Rebe who have shown up at the vecindad hoping to persuade him to stay with Avon. But he rebuffs their arguments saying that he needs to talk to his family because they have so much to decide with all the changes coming in their life. Fernanda asks pathetically, was it all bad, was nothing good? Rebe asks Pancho’s forgiveness once again with no apparent effect on Pancho but it brings a smirky smile to Chela’s face. The two executive ladies leave in defeat. Pancho is hugged by his kids while Chela smirks on. Outside Fernanda tears up the resignation letter. Rebe tells her that not only has Pancho resigned but she is going to leave the company too. She is sorry but this decision is also irrevocable. As Rebe walks away, Fernanda half falls into chauffeur Gonzolo’s arms as he helps her into her limo.

Arnaldo fills in Vicente that Candi will have a radio program that will replace the time slot occupied by Pina Opina. Vicente doesn’t know what to do, if he ever does but Arnie will go talk to Pancho. Arnie kisses Vicente then threatens to kiss Enzo who threatens to trade a punch for any kiss that lands on him.

The family all talk about how happy they are to return to the barrio, except the Pompé the dog. He wants to meet his puppies (cochorros.) And Ana will miss Freddie. Meanwhile Freddie is being counseled by his mother Pina la Paina who is mostly concerned with her program being upstaged by Candi’s program. Does she not know that Candi is upstaging her with more than radios? And here comes the cachorros in a bread basket brought by Adoración. Pina won’t even look at the little white rat-sized bundles of joy calling them mangy vagabonds. Freddie takes a look then picks up one to coo at. He gets Pina to put one on a velvet pillow beside her saying, it is your nieto MOM.

Pancho discusses with his children that they have nothing left to do with the mansion of Dona Fernanda but each will have adjustments to make. He especially has his job to change. Looks like he is headed back to the world of vegetables. Candi is proud she will have a radio program to put together. Tomás comes in on the conversation, petting little Popeye. Tomas tells them that doggy daddy Popeye has puppies that he witnessed being born yesterday.

Back at the Irabiéns, Adoración is watching the three white pups who each look almost as big as Mama Abeja who looks at them with surprise that they came out of her. Small wonder there had to be an emergency cesarean delivery. Popeye comes over with Ana to visit his hijos. He tells Abeja at last he gets to see his pups he is so excited. Que emoción.

Pina comes down the stairs with a snarl on her high class lips, but what kind of scandal is here, she cries. What is the delinquent dog Popeye doing in her house?

Chela asks Pancho if he is sure of what he is doing. He reminds her she always wanted this. She demures that she has only wanted what is best for him. After being a complete beach all this time, now Chela is the one who reminds him to be proud of his work with the Arabs and the Japanese deals he was able to carry out and fixing the company with his honest business practices. What Pancho says he could never understand is why someone like Vicente was kept on in the company as a rat with two feet (rata de dos patas.) Well he is her nephew reminds Chela. Fernanda was not sincere with him, he whines. Chlelsa defends her. He can’t believe that Rebe betrayed him too. Chela looks mysterious but twinkly eyed and silent at this remark.

Rebe cries with her lovely friend that Pancho is lost to her forever, boohoohoo. The friend reminds her that Pancho never stopped defending for her and now she should not give up fighting for him.

Pina tells Ana that these flea bitten bastardos can’t be seen in the light of day. No one must see how ugly they are. Ana points out that the Popeye as the father of these pups has rights too. Ana threatens to carry the puppies away too if Popeye has to go. But you can’t take Abeja. Pina orders them out especially Popeye. Pina is always pretty silly but outdoes herself ordering new Mama Abeja to leave the puppies and come with her. Abeja ignores her like a good mommy should. She’s a well trained dog, she stays beside the basket through the entire scene.

Candi is discussing her radio program with the producer when Vicente arrives. He pushes the producer out of the room so he can talk to Candi. He reminds her that she drives him crazy. She can’t forgive his behavior of last night.

Fernanda has come to the children and tells them she wants to talk to them telling them how much she needs them.

Candi lets Vin know that they will no longer be neighbors and he will never see them again. Why not, he whines. Because my brother has resigned from the presidency. Vin does his signature hot finger shake with sizzle sound effects.

(The cream being sold is por nacos para nacas se llama nacar. Right? Better than killing all those thousands of turtles and who cares about abalone or mussels or whoever is being killed to make our skin softer.)

Vin can’t believe that Pancho renounced the presidency. Vin is confused but yells out his door with great glee that the greengrocer has resigned.

Fernanda is making them all feel bad, she had talked with all of them when they came to the her side of the city and hoped they were happy. Rebe comes to talk to the greengrocer and tells him that she has resigned too. She wants him to know that she doesn’t care if he is a green grocer or a president she sincerely loves him for himself. She only wants him to know her sincerity in this love. She leaves. He says but love you too, Rebe, he says to the door. But you failed me.

Fernanda tells them that no one has been as honest and capable as Pancho Lopez. And she is so sorry he is so bitter. She has come to think of them as her own grandchildren. They give her their support and love, especially Ana and Temoc. Candi comes in saying her mission was awful. Fernanda says she hopes the whole experience wasn’t a horrible bother and unhappy for all of them. Candi assures her that she loved living in this house and the neighborhood. Fernanda wants to talk with Pancho once more.

Vicente rushes in, hugs a delirious Arnaldo crowing that Pancho has resigned and his fortune is about to change. They kiss and jump up and down with what this must mean for Vicente. Vicente goes off to give Enzo the joyful news and Arnie says he has come to the moment of a big decision.

Chela tells Candi how happy she is to think they are all returning the neighborhood. Candi is not so happy. How can you compare this (all the wonder of the mansion) with our old neighborhood? Chela says there is no comparison, but she is sure that they will return to their old happy life. Candi asks her if she thinks it will really all be like it was.

Fernanda tells the veggie toting Pancho that she feels so alone it’s a torture (calvario.) He assures her that it is not all was bad. She begs him to know that her intentions were honorable and he kindly tells her NO it wasn’t all bad it began well but things happened she couldn’t (didn’t) control. She sits or really slumps in a chair. He says you shouldn‘t feel bad about this supposed failure (fracaso.) His family loves her. You saved my life, she adds. And it is her fault that Rebe and he can’t work it out. He says that’s a different matter. Water and oil don’t mix (agua y aciete no mezcla) He tells her he has begun to think of her like his mother. (forshadowing her search of some episodes ago?) They decide to hug and kiss to seal the deal. They agree completely on one thing: Love is the most important thing in life.

Enzo and Vicente do a happy dance and song that Pancho is nowhere to be found. The support staff look on with alarm at this bit of antics.

Chela kneels and prays to the Virgin in a chapel that Pancho will be like he always was and will lose the bitterness. She only wants what she thought was hers, they were so happy.

Why can Pina see Candi's rehearsal or program on her computer? She says more ugly things about Candi who looks beautiful, something Pina can never do. Vicente comes home to tell Pina that Pancho resigned. She can’t even be excited for him but knows something big is up.

Tomas brings a welcome home bear to Lupe. It is nothing, he says as she begins to reject his advances initially.

Chela swells that she has won and Pancho is home. Candi is unhappy in the old digs. The kids are mixed.

Fernanda comes in to tell Vicente of the resignation and the new president will be him she adds quietly.

Candi says you have no idea what hope I had to have my own radio program. Pancho thinks that Fernanda might let her keep it.

Vicente is so happy that he will get the chance this time to be president but Fernanda warns him not to get back to the dirty business practices (basura) like before. He says it will be so happy and he will convert the company into the grandest empire. Fernanda doesn’t look so sure.

Chela is so happy that the children will have to change back to their poor schools and Pepe and Lupe can go to a public university. She is so happy for herself she doesn’t see the hurt In Pancho’s eyes.

Vicente toasts champagne with Enzo for their future and the future of their businesses. He asks, what has happened to Arnaldo? Enzo says, well he had something to do. How could it be more important than this moment?

Arnaldo drinks soberly with Rebe at her apartment. He wonders about Pancho and her and she says he won’t return. I don’t want to talk about him. And he says but what will you do. She lost Pancho because she agreed with Fernanda to trick Pancho and he won’t forgive her. Arnold says what if you had the love of your life in front of you? She shrinks back. No literally right in front of you, he continues. He proclaims his love for her.

Jose/Pepe has to tell Monica that his circumstances have changed too and does that mean anything to her. Monica says don’t worry about me. Pepe wants her to be happy and wanted to make good with her dad and thinks she could try to get close to him to repair the break between them.

Rebe says but you are gay, in reaction to Arnie’s soulful confession. No, I have never been gay and I am totally in love with you.

Enzo and Vicente celebrate that they will now have control of all the company’s money for their own business deals.

Enzo gets a call from Monica. She wants to talk to him. Vicente is telling him to say in command. Enzo is so excited that Monica will come that he ignores him. Monica gets off having made the meeting and tells Pepe she is scared. What he will say about her mother. They can’t do without each other they swear as they melt into a kiss. (At least one relationship seems good in this mess.)

Arnold says there were many reasons to hide who he really is but Rebe rejects him saying she loved Pancho profoundly and will for the rest of her life. She ask his forgiveness. He says he has always been profoundly in love with her and will now be unconditionally her friend.

Enzo in tears is telling Monica, your mother was a very impetuous woman (muy alocada). IS, says Monica. Yes, is, he corrects himself. Your mother was very rich and her parents were going to reject me as a mate for her. Monica wonders, why were you like that with Pepe if you came from poorer circumstances? To save you the pain I had. (not so logical pops) Her parents objected so we married in secret, she was determined to keep her baby (interesting wording, he is not ready to tell Monica the whole story.) What happened? One day, she simply left with no trace. Monica wants to know why and where, but he has no idea where she went or where she is now. He looked for about eight years but she vanished without explanation. He asks Monica’s forgiveness for lying to her but he didn’t know what to tell her. She softens during this description then forgives him and they kiss with tears. Ah, Enzo is acting so human for once and his reward is Monica’s support.

Pancho snores and Popeye tickles him awake. Then all the kids come in to bounce on his bed. Chela smirks how happy her life is. All welcome him home to their old apartment except Candi who is sarcasitic, oh oh happy happy. Chela woos them all with breakfast. They all pile on Pancho, Chlea waits for her chance.

Back in the Avon offices, Rebe is explaining the story to Monica that Fernanda hired her back to guide Pancho and now she has no reason to be there. Monica is so sorry. Rebe adds, but Pancho broke off with her. She brings her an envelope that tells her about the project she wanted to do (with Pepe? ) being awarded as one of the projects for Avon. (Correction thanks to CHF, Pepe entered this ocntest under the pseudonym Serenita so now he will have to work directly with Enzo, oh my) She starts to tell Rebe her problems, it isn’t Pepe but her mother.

Enzo says Monica returned home. Vince doesn’t want any more details. He has his own thoughts to pursue.

Rebe begs pardon of Fernanda for being so strong with her the other night. She wants them to be friends like always forever. And Fernanda says that is the same thing that Pancho said. Fernanda says come with me. This afternoon I will name Vicente Irabién as the President and I don’t want to go alone. In the name of our friendship please come with me. She weakly holds her head again and Rebe worries.

Pancho stands on a soap box, literally, to announce the whole market that as of yesterday, I am no longer the President of Avon. And I am here to tell you that I will return to my old job with energy and enthusiasm right and correct. He is as happy here as any where. Greengrocers rock.

Arnold comes back to Rebe’s office she tries to fend him off but he says what he really needs is that regarding what they said to each other yesterday, no one else should hear of it. They both agree to be discreet.

Monica opens the envelope telling her she has won the contest that Rebe encouraged her to try out for with her project. She shares her excitement with Pepe. The only downer is that the head of the entire project of which hers is one part is none other than her father.

Enzo chides Vicente about turning aside his triumph and thinking only of his love for Candi. He says he sees her as his queen and the prize for his victory. She should be on his arm. Enzo hides his face in his hand. (Vicente will jettison Pina? Not that I could blame him, but really?)

Candi shows up to argue with Vicente’s secretary who tells her that the president is very busy. Candi is surprised that Vicente has only been named President so quickly. The secretary says he will be busy for a long time. Tell him when he has time that I want to talk to him about my radio program. The secretary has that yeah never, look on her face.

Alex complains to Freddie that Lupe has returned to the same neighborhood as Tomas, his old rival for her affections. Freddie tells him he is going to lose her from his own jealousy, but why would he care. Pina interrupts in a cocktail dress to swoon over the big moment of the Daddy they need to get ready to attend. Things are going to be as they should have been since the beginning, opines Pina.

Candi comes in to tell Chela, Pancho and Pepe that Fernanda lost no time in making Vicente the president. They had been congratulating Pepe on winning the project contest. I guess he is involved too or just his usual supportive self for Monica’s success.

Out in the courtyard, Lupe greets old friends and Alex and Tomas show up and approach her from opposite sides. She considers both then advances to Alex to give him a big kiss as a crestfallen Tomás looks on.

Back at the Fernanda’s house, Temo and Ana receive the baby puppies from Adoración who has brought them out into the garden to see papa Popeye. They say will if Pina is going to abandon them then we could take them home. Adoración looks on with horror.

The Avon announcement is catered with drinks and snacks. The every day is doomsday accountant is comparing the end of Pancho’s presidency as the sinking of the Titanic.

Vicente sees himself on the throne taking on his imperial crown. Doesn’t he look like a butter commercial? Fernanda comes in looking quite ill and wilted and the boys comment on how soon she will fall. Pina and Freddie push themselves up to the front to be close to the stage. She tells the audience that Pancho has resigned the presidency and she has to take care of her health so Vicente Irabien will become the new President. The video that immediately plays shows him as a Harvard graduate, charts proclaim his business acumen and he is successful in his personal life with his wife Pina who is responsible for the boy child Freddie. The faces reflect the mixed reaction to the value of this particular achievement.

Taking the stage in a bound, the elated Vicente declares, the world in chaos will return to harmony. Pina tries to get Candi to leave but Candi insists loudly that she has come to represent her brother and she has a right to be there since she still works there. She takes the stand and says the best president is me carnal Pancho Lopez! The secretaries try to stop her but and Vicente almost passes out with Candi’s denunciation. After she saunters out curls a bouncin’, he takes the microphone back and says his presidency will make Pancho’s seem insignificant in comparison. He immediately names Enzo as his Vice President. They hug endlessly at the podium. Fernanda looks like she is going to have another relapse soon. Rebe is as purple as her suit jacket.

All this time, Ana and Temo have been arguing about the puppies when Manuel shows up with the giddy news for Ana that his father will give their band an audition tomorrow. Freddie magically shows up at home from the ceremony and tries to kick Andres out of the garden. Ana wants a ride home with the puppies but Fraudie says he only takes his girlfriends on rides. Ana tells him it’s a shame that a handsome man like him is such a jerk (mala onda).

Alex and Lupe seem to argue about this change of her living arrangements will be a threat to their romance.

Vicente gives the old presidential office secretary the boot and she leaves crying. His old chair shows up with much chaos and then Arnold says he has something to say. He opens the refrigerator and they make bad jokes about the smelly food. But Arnold takes the food out with care. Enzo is told to call the architect to take everything that reminds them of Pancho out of this office. Arnold casually resigns as he leaves. Enzo and Vicente hug some more not seeming to notice. They are too excited about getting back to business as usual.

Lupe and her dad talk about Alex and she asks him if he might be making a mistake about Rebe. Rebe is in her office and dreams of all the good kisses and romantic moments. Arnold comes in for a hug, while a man comes for her boxes. Arnie says never forget that you can always count on me.

The accountant is told to take everything to the new Vice President Enzo regarding numbers. He wants to know if there is anything else. He wants to know if he can count on him. As he escapes the room, he runs into the old secretary. Are you leaving too? he asks. No, but my job has been degraded, she sobs. And the Accountant of Doom screams, It’s Armageddon!

Chela and Candi discuss Candi’s appearance at the announcement. Chela can’t believe Candi is still enchanted with Vicente.

Monica congratulates her father on his new Vice Presidency. For a change he is so happy. Monica then asks, is it true that he knows absolutely nothing of her mother now? She wants to know why she left, why did she abandon them. Enzo looks unprepared to give her a satisfactory answer.

Next up: Vicente and Candi spark, and Pina snarks and harps for a divorce. Rebe shows up at Pancho’s humble digs much to Pancho’s delight or at least surprise to hear her voice and Chela’s dismay.

Vocabulary:

Vecindad – neighborhood or tenement building
Cachorro – Puppy, kitten or any baby animal
Nieto – grandson
¡Que emoción! – How exciting!
Vagabundos sarnosos – mangy bums or vagabonds
Rata de dos patas – two legged rat, i.e., a man,
see Paquita la del Barrio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G03edz_1DmE
Calvario – a torture, a hell, also Calvary
Fracaso – failure, disappointment
Agua y aciete no mezcla – water and oil don’t mix. They were talking about different issues.
Alocada – impetuous, rash
Guiar – to guide

Labels: familia

There was a question recently about episode numbers. I had been counting the episodes in one-hour increments and numbering them accordingly. Not surprisingly, these numbers don't match up with the official numbers on the esmas website. I haven't been looking there because I want to avoid spoilers. The ep numbers tend to get out of sync because of differences between the way Televisa creates these shows to be aired in Mexico, and the way Univision chooses to broadcast them (for example, I think someone mentioned an Easter special that we didn't see).

To avoid confusion, I'll stop numbering the episodes with my hourly count. That way you don't go looking for the wrong episode number on YouTube or whatever.

Part 1: No more Mr. Howdy Doody

Tom is sighing at Lupita's window (I guess he's recovered from Pina's rejection) when Pina comes outside with Abeja, who is whining painfully. Abeja and Popeye exchange joyful but longing greetings from afar. Pina tries to get rid of Tomás, but he insists on helping out with the trip to the vet.

At the awards event, everyone is shocked to see Pancho show up with his entire family. (I have no idea WHY they're surprised.) Rebe sees Pancho and glammed-up Chela exchange proud glances and suddenly looks a little insecure. The press flocks around him with easy questions, and one reporter even says he's their favorite businessman!

Vince expresses relief to his beloved Inés that Pancho's family didn't bring the dog this time. She takes one look at Candy and tells Vince she's the epitome of vulgarity. (When this actress was in Querida Enemiga, we called her character "Snorty" partly because of the disapproving face she'd make as she sniffed each dish prepared by her catering staff. NOBODY makes a better disapproving face than Maria Rubio.) Then she pretends not to recognize Rebeca, whom she's already met.

Pancho tries to make nice with Inés and introduces Chela. Chela offers her hand, which Inés accepts with obvious reservation. Chela recoils slightly. Rebeca, of all people, asks if she's all right. Chela confides that Inés gives her the creeps. She actually felt a shiver when they shook hands. Rebe observes that this may be the first time they agree about something.

Candy is fending off admirers when Vince beckons to her from behind a potted plant. She refuses to wish him luck over her own brother. She gives him only the tiniest kiss, but he obviously enjoys it.

The ceremony is starting. Amazingly, the compere is none other than Pancho's stuttering speech coach! He's not stuttering tonight. Vince gets back to his table, looking flustered, with a leaf from the potted plant still in his hair. His son and fellow Pesketeers notice.

The compere asks Vice and Pancho to come to the podium. Chela gets her family to cheer for Pancho. Arnold leads Vice's table in a competing cheer. Pancho and Vice approach the stage arm-in-arm. Candy frets over the tension. Vice winks at Inés. Pancho is suspicious of Vice's overconfident air.

Mónica is at home (the Lopez home), plugging names into search engines, looking for her mother. Popeye scratches at the door. She takes him outside and he runs through his little routine of tricks. Moni can see that he wants to tell her something, but she can't figure out what.

The compere introduces Inés. Rebeca grumbles to Chela what a horrid woman she is, but stops herself in time to avoid divulging that the woman was buying votes for Vice. But Chela notices the awkward break.

Vice and Pancho trash-talk while Snorty, er, Inés disdainfully opens the envelope. Guess who the winner is? Just guess.

Vice gloats. Pancho and his family are sad. Vice gives an icky speech about how tenacity and professionalism triumph over vulgarity, and his award is a symbol of class, good breeding, and culture defeating coarseness and barbarity. He takes Pancho aside and tells him, "this is the beginning of your end."

Fernanda shows up unexpectedly and tells the crowd that the award is a fraud and a lie, based upon the lowest kind of corruption. ("I'll kill her," Inés grumbles.) She reveals that Inés paid millions of dollars for a vote. The two of them trade ugly accusations in front of an open mike. Beto offers to turn the microphone off, but Fernanda says she wants everyone to know what sort of vermin Inés is.

Meanwhile, the vet tells Pina that Abeja will be having her pups very soon. Pina wants to stay and hold Abeja's "hand," but the vet won't allow it. Pina is suddenly very excited about becoming a grandmother! The doctor says Abeja is depressed and anxious because she needs to be with the father of her puppies, and Pina's attitude isn't good for her.

Inés ends the bitchfest with Fernanda by saying "drop dead - oh excuse me, that is going to happen very soon, right?" Even the Pesketeers are horrified by that.

Pancho is still stunned to hear that the whole thing was rigged. Stunned and angry. Rebeca tearfully admits that Fer even tried to get her to bribe that guy twice as much as Inés, but she couldn't do it. Now he's REALLY angry to know that she and Fernanda have been working him like a puppet for a prize that's no more than a battle between two rich and powerful women. He knew Fernanda manipulated him into signing that contract in the first place, but didn't think Rebeca would do such a thing, he got all dressed up and brought his whole family for this thing, he doesn't ever want to see her again. NEVER!

Vice stops Pancho on his way out and gloats some more that the party is just beginning and "you and your families are losers and you'll have to go back to the market and the 'hood." Candy hears this and screams in Vice's face that she'll never forgive him. NEVER!

Rebeca begs Pancho's forgiveness. Unfortunately, he's not in the ladies' room to hear her.

Fernanda tells Pancho that she did everything she could to ensure his win. (Wow, lady, you REALLY don't get it, do you?) He doesn't want to hear about it. He says it's time he set some things straight while he still has his dignity. He and his family file into La Burra, leaving Fernanda looking ashamed and bewildered.

At the awards event, Vice tells the Pesketeers and Fraud that this will lead to juicier contracts and they're going to be rich. Pina calls and tells Fraud that he's about to become an uncle. Vice runs away with trophy still clutched in his hand!

At the vet's, Tomás excuses himself and Pina thanks him for his help.

At home, Pancho goes to his room and cries. Candy also wants to be alone. The family frets. Moni shows up and says Popeye is agitated.

Pancho, still crying, is now packing a suitcase angrily. I guess that bag is gonna pay, even if no one else does!

Rebe and Fer compare notes. Rebe thinks she's going to lose Pancho and she doesn't blame him. She wants to be alone.

Pancho tells the family he's leaving. They offer to go with him, but he needs to be alone. (Hey, I just noticed, Chacho cleans up pretty nice. Too bad Chela never looks at him!)

Pina and Vice fret in the vet's waiting room. Abeja's going to need a C-section, because she's very small, while the pups are large and many. They and Abeja will all DIE if he doesn't open her up soon. He needs their permission. There is much melodrama.

Chela serves some chocolate. Fernanda comes over and they won't tell her where Pancho went. She explains what happened with the vote. They think Pancho will forgive her in time. Chela asks if she'd like anything brought up to her room; Fer says she's staying at a hotel. She feels the house is now more theirs than hers. Chela promises to tell Pancho next time she sees him that Fernanda's sorry.

Ana notes that Pancho left without any supper. She suggests that Chela bring him something to heat up. (Sure, go ahead. He's still not going to fall in love with you, though.)

At the clinic, the vet has bad news: everyone's okay, but none of the pups look like Abejita. They're all bushy and dark like Popeye. Vice and Pina are devastated. They ask him to keep their secret. I'm surprised they don't ask him to put them in a sack and take them to the river.

Popeye paces in frustration around the foyer at home. Rebeca arrives, wanting to see Pancho. Ana isn't helpful, but Rebe thinks she knows where she can find him.

Sure enough, Chela has gone to the Casa Popular with some food. She can't leave him alone for ONE HOUR! She gives him another speech about Who We Are and Where We Belong. She relays Fernanda's regrets and puts in a good word for forgiveness.

And also sure enough, Rebeca shows up there just in time to see them hugging, and not exactly kissing, but their mouths are close enough to make an insecure woman worry. Chela says "you two have much to discuss," and excuses herself. She walks out to the sidewalk with moist eyes.

Adoración, now totally recovered from her mystery illness, wants to talk about Abeja's lovely puppies. Pina says they're all trampy half-breeds like their father.

Pancho is still bitterly disillusioned with Rebeca. Nothing she says makes any difference. "I've never loved anyone like I love you, Pancho." He slams the door behind her.

Part 2: Fernanda's chickens come home to roost

Next day, at the market, Pancho tells Chacho, "Chela was right all along." He never should have left this place, his people. A tall guy who looks like my cousin James teases Pancho about his presidency and high position and offers to make Pancho a "lite" quesadilla. Pancho is hurt. Later he tells Chacho that he has to decide what to do with his life.

Chela tries to soothe Candy's broken heart by reminding her what a bum Vice is. Married, worst enemy of your brother, you're a bad friend to Pina, etc.

Fernanda tells Rebe that this will all pass. Rebeca chews her out for all of her arrogance. "You think you know everything." She wants to manipulate everyone at all times. She manipulated Pancho, Rebeca, Vice, Inés, and it's not going to work any more because she's gone too far and hurt too many people. It's irreversible. You shouldn't play with a good man's heart.

Candy is too distracted by her own heartbreak to discuss her new show with Ortiz, the producer. Arnold overhears and can't wait to tell Pina that Ortiz is doing a show with Candy. He's there to talk Ana into being the face of the new Avon campaign. She's already decided to do it, but she's worried that this might be some trick from Vice and Enzo. He swears on his beloved cat Adelaide that it's not a trick, and that the campaign is best for the company and he's a total professional (which may be true, since he's the only one I've ever seen doing any work). They pinkie-swear, which we all know is as legally valid as a notarized triplicate form signed by the mayor.

Pancho angsts and agonizes and then decides to take the kids from the Casa Popular daycare to a field with a big tree full of toys. Each kid makes a resolution of some sort, like to be less rude, or brush three times a day, or to become an astronaut or an accountant. Then they all get to take a toy from the tree. Whee.

Lambi is worried that something's happened to Pancho because he's not in the office yet. He needs Pancho to make a decision and sign a document. Apparently it's something that Fernanda can't sign, so Vice signs it himself because he's the vice president.

Oh, one kid is sad because he's an orphan and all the other kids make fun of him, so Pancho promises to be "like his father" and be at his side forever. He tells Laurita that they've got one more kid and he's going to have to sell more vegetables.

Arnold tells Pina about Candy's show. Pina is angry but then employs some twisted logic to convince herself that Candy's show won't be a threat. She gives him a whole bottle of some flor de Bach.

Vice tells Enzo about Pancho's strange, quiet reaction to his insults last night. He's sure that he'll soon be president of Avon.

Ortiz tells Pina that her own show is going to get moved to a different time, and Candy's show will take its place. He had nothing to do with it; he just wanted to give her a heads-up. She threatens to stop doing her own show. "Okay then," Ortiz calls her bluff. Pina storms over to the house to confront Candy. Candy knows nothing about the schedule decision. Pina calls her a cheap copy (remedo) of a show host and insinuates that she used her body to get the show. Chela tells Pina to leave. After Pina's gone, Lupita says this is what Candy gets for fooling around with her friend's husband.

The family and Fernanda go to Casa Popular. Rebeca shows up separately. Pancho has something to say. Actually, since Rebe and Fernanda don't respect anything he says, he's written it down - his resignation. They say he can't do it, but he can and he will. Thanks for everything, but he had a nice quiet life before and now he's got enemies. He wants his old life back. There's a world of difference between them, they manage their lives in different ways. "My resignation is definitiva." Chela beams.

Vice promises to make Enzo his vice-president and tells him to make things right with Mónica. Enzo doesn't want to make her suffer. Vice tells him that uncertainty will be worse for her. He tries to force a smile onto Enzo's face. Enzo tells Vice he's always been there for him, through all his crises with Candy, but now he needs Vice's support. "Give me a hug," Vice says, and takes a flying leap into Enzo's arms!

Karina goes to visit Moni at Avon. Mo tells her about the trip to Valle de Bravo, but doesn't say whether or not they had sex (I say they did). Then she tells Kari her mother's alive. For once, Kari is speechless. Mo wonders why her mother left her and made her father raise her alone.

Fernanda wants to speak to Pancho alone, but he doesn't want any. He wants her and Rebeca to leave so he can talk to his family. "Was it all bad? Was everything a loss?" Fernanda asks. "Wasn't there even one good thing?" Pancho asks them again to leave.

Outside, Rebeca tells Fernanda that with Pancho's resignation, her own mission at Avon is done too. She leaves. Fernanda nearly keels over, says she doesn't feel well, and lets Gonzalo help her into the car.

Next time:
The Three Pesketeers celebrate Pancho's resignation, but now they must face the Wrath of Candy.

Labels: familia

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