Caray, Caray!

Labels: duelo

We open with Aldo inviting Carolina to go with him to his friend Guillermo’s restaurant. She jokes no then says yes.

Now Marcia is recalling the Trash Bag Inquisition. Alicia walks in and finds Marcia worrying about seeing Lety again and tells her she shouldn’t because if she decides to support Humb she can do it from her house and we won’t see her. Tere comes in begging Marcia to come back. Now the baby whining begins; Marci doesn’t want to go and see her even though Tere tells her Humb says she’s indispensable. M finally agrees and T leaves. Alicia tells M no matter how dressed up Lety is that she is still ugly etc. and Marcia says, however she is, Fer fell in love with her. Alicia trys to build up her esteem by telling her how superior she is and elegant and distinguished (you know all those empty shell adjectives); that she used to crawl over Persian rugs. But she does say that M should go in with force and look decisive and destroy Lety with her look. She demonstrates the look. Yeah, that might destroy a few things!

Outside the cuartel is trying to figure out why Lety is there. They speculate as to how they might find out more. They turn to discussing the look on Marcia’s face when Lety walked in and saying how awful, and upset etc. She catches them and they fake talking about Lola’s telenovela again. Marcia tells them to get to work.

Marcia walks in to the conference room and wants to know where “she” is. Humb says she’s making some calls. H- Lety will cooperate with us, but it was very difficult to convince her because she is anxious to get all this over with once and for all.
Marcia wants to know what she wants. Humb said right now nothing, but she’ll tell us.

Lety tells her Mom she accepted coming back. She tells her it’s partly her fault anyway. Mom asks her if she is going to sign anything and Lety says not until the lawyers arrive. She tells her to tell her Papa that everything is fine. Mom asks her if she is prepared to encounter Don Fer, she says no but she has to confront it and tolerate him. Mom is proud and tells her to march right in there. J - You are not the same as when you were secretary; now you are brave and sure of yourself. And she does…..

Fer watches her with a nervous but little boy smile like he can’t stand looking at the candy and not being able to eat it. Lety is quite reserved. Don't know about you, but this whole encounter was quite anti-climactic to me. What a bummer.

Ariel says she doesn’t know how much they were waiting for her. She flashes back to Aldo’s advice. Fer thinks “Mi Lety”

Aldo & Caro are with Guillermo. G asks A, “Do you remember you told me you were writing a book about a year ago. Have you finished it?” Aldo wonders if he thinks people will read it. He wonders if Guillermo wants him to edit for his restuarant association but he says no, he wants to put it into a package. He has an idea and wants Aldo to promote Mexican Cuisine at the international level. They smile "wow".


Everyone is looking very tense and stern. Except Fer. Fern seems like a 7 year old amusing himself as the only child at an all adult function. (Now go color in the corner little boy....) We see Fer sketching a doodle of Lety. It’s not too bad actually. Wonder if he really drew it or it’s a prop. Can’t figure out why he does this, but he leaves the room. I guess to compose. He excuses himself and goes to the rest room. He sighs and then takes out his fea picture of Lety and kisses it, then smiles. Why couldn’t he have the cajones to kiss the real thing!!! MI LETY. She is claimed again.

Humb also wonders why he left, but says they won’t wait for him.

Fer returns. Humb knows there have been problems, with what Lety and Fer did, but we need to put that all aside. Fer and Lety exchange knowing yet nervous looks. Humb asks for the next 6months that everyone works as hard as possible to get the business out of it’s mess. He expects their maximum cooperation.

Ariel asks Lety what her conditions are to save the business from the crisis that Fern, with her help got us into. Lety says we better wait for the lawyers to show up. Marcia asks then why isn’t their lawyer Santamaria there? Humb says the lawyers are on their way, but remember they are not here to resolve quarrels between us, only to advise us about legal implications. Everyone is a little impactado, but Teresita just pouts looking bored.

We go back outside of the court room where Lola and Cheque are parting and he tells her that he thinks they should get rid of the lawyers and put aside their differences and handle it between themselves. This pisses Yasmin off as she perceives him warming up to Lola. He shrugs her off. Lola notes how interested the husband stealer is in all this because she wants my house and all my money, and my children’s inheritance etc. Yasmin denies and says she just wants it over, so he can marry her. Cheque tells Lola she needs to at least give him time to find another lawyer. She offers him hers. Che says he’s good for nothing. She says she knows, that’s why he can have him. Lola then tells off her lawyer that he didn’t open his mouth the entire time and she’s going to get another one to solve all her problems. She takes his brief case away and then throws it back at him! Che calls her rude. Yasmin essentially yells at him for being a wuss.

The HHAs show up at Conceptos, HHA1 brings chocolates for Sara. Marta tries to take them. He tries to tell S they have a conversation pending. He gives Marta the empty gift bag. The HHAs comment on Sara's look during the gifting and then walk over to Oxi "bella dama" telling them they are here to see Lety and ask her if she will advise her that they are here. She tells them she works for the president and doesn’t have to advise Lety of anything. WWWWhhhhhaaattssssss wwwiiittthh all the sttttttttt udddderrring? He doesn’t always do that! Must be the “shoulder pads.”

Sara tells Oxi she better go because they are obviously here for something important so go and see. Oxi tells her not to order her around. Sara tells her fine stay there and keep painting herself pretty while she goes in to announce them. Oxi says go ahead, then when Sara does, she asks where S is going and she goes instead and announces them. She comes out to send them in and they have chocolates for Oxi too. The HHAs thoroughly enjoyed the cat fight and make observations about the two women. HHA 2 says he saw the passion with which Oxi took the chocolates from him! HHA 1 tells him chocolates never fail, take it from an expert. They discuss the crime of love. As they walk away Oxi calls him an impotent ualado?


Alicia banana fana bo banadana fallana (or whatever) enters to announce the HaHAs. The lawyers enter the conf. room. They begin confirming the telephone conversation. We hear essentially the same discussion as always about how they need to keep FI to avoid the banks calling in the debts of Conceptos. And that they expect to cure the debts after 6 mos. Tomorrow is the latest they should oppose the judicial decision, they decide.

Again the banana interrupts and announces Santamaria. The HHAs greet him enthusiastically. Again a rehash to him from Humb. The lawyers explain that legally Lety is responsible for FI, so how Conceptos is handled depends directly on her. Lety looks around nervously. Fern smiles.


Aldo says he’s a chef, not a publicist. He doesn’t see how he can promote Mexican Cuisine, but his friend convinces him that no one knows the cuisine better than he does and that he’s the best for it. He knows all the food origins etc. He wants Aldo’s perspective like he writes in his book. Aldo accepts, deciding he’d like people to know the meanings and the unity of natural ingredients, water, land etc. Of course something existential. The friend agrees and wants it to be about the flavor of life, which of course is Aldo’s restaurant idea.

Back at Conceptos, Tere’s little pea brain doesn’t quite comprehend what HHA 1 is saying. They explain it again. This time Santamaria does it again.

Ariel interrupts again, his brain is slightly larger, but he doesn’t quite get it either. He still thinks Lety is forcing them to let her manage the business for her own gain.

Fer continues his masterpiece unphased by the adult happenings around him.

Lety says on the contrary what she wants is to be as far away from all this as possible. The lawyers say again how much the business is wrapped around her and her good will, and that she is vital to keeping things going. Besides everything is registered in her name so she has every reason to be vigilant and on the up and up. Lety pipes up saying she doesn’t like this one bit and though she doesn't mind keeping FI in exsistence, she doesn’t want to have anything to do with all of them. So, Ari says then Conceptos will just be on paper again and we’ll just make up some reports to give to her every so often to keep her happy .

IT SPEAKS! Fer interrupts to clarify that it’s not just a sham company but that it gets the loans to support Conceptos and pay suppliers etc.. Ariel says ok, so then FI only needs a legal representative to keep Conc. functioning as it should. Fer mocks him and says that’s right and that he finally understands, and that so the president of FI is much more important than the Prez of Conceptos! Lety smiles then catches herself and stiffens up again. And he returns to drawing his princess. But I noticed there is already a signature at the bottom. Don’t most people sign it when they are done????


Aldo asks when he can see Lety, and Caro tells him she doesn’t know , but she has to fix all the things with Conceptos etc. She reminds him he needs to give her time to fix everything. Aldo can’t stand it he wants to tell her how much he loves her. Caro doesn’t know if Lety is prepared to deal with love again. He manages to convince her that even though he knows all this he needs to have an opportunity to pursue Lety. It never hurts someone to know that someone really loves them. He begs her for the address of Conceptos, she says she’ll give it to him but later, because she has an important meal, and she wants him to invite her to dinner later so they can discuss Gui’s tempting proposition.


Lola finally gets there, of course all out of sorts, mad she was late and she recounts the fact that Lety’s lawyer was Cheque’s and dumped him on the spot. She finds out Sanchez is there and wants to see if he’ll take her case.

Saimon walzes in singing and flirting with PM. He asks if there is any gossip of Lety. Out of nowhere Yasmin pops in and he drops PM's hand and she falls backwards. She gets up with hair in her face… Yasmin tries her femine charm to get Saimon to let her upstairs.

PM says she may not even be authorized to go upstairs, she calls Lola and tells her the witch is here asking about her severance. Lola says hell no, she can come another day her money’s not ready. She sneaks upstairs anyway when PM is yelling at Simon so PM calls back and tells Lola she’s coming anyway. When she gets up there, she snubs Oxi who comments that someone must have left the chicken coop door open. Lola tells her her check isn’t ready yet, didn’t she get that, no, of course not all she knows is how to steal husbands. Yasmin threatens to get Lopez, but Lola says no sorry, he ain’t here. She’ll speak with any of the officers, but Lola explains they are all in the meeting. Y says she’ll wait, but they say they’ll be really late.

Back at the meeting Ariel says well if she’s going to be responsible for both businesses then they need to elect a new president. Lety says she has the right to decide and she picks Humb. M agrees. Fer runs down what that means. Humb objects quite defiantly. Santamaria interjects that Conceptos should maintain the image it had under Fer, Ariels says the image of debt? Santamaria proposes Lety should be in charge. Lety protests. There is much discussion about why she should and finally Lety accepts. Marcia says then she will leave. Lety tells her not to, but Marcia says everyone needs you more than they need me so you need to stay, but I can’t hang around. Lety leaves too. Tere is mad about Lety being pres, Humb is mad at her and he tells her everyone needs to be right where they are.

So now Humb goes to talk to Lety. She doesn’t want to assume this position under such conditions, having to see Fer and Omar, and Marci has now resigned. He tells her that she was partly responsible for what happened and this is the price she has to pay to fix it, it’s not a reward. If she really wants to help them then she’ll do what he says. {Come on little girl, jump in my van….} He asks her if she hates Conceptos so much, she says no, she has friends etc. he says well then it’s more tolerable of a penance. She wants to think on it and he lets her off until tomorrow and thanks her. After he leaves, she asks herself why she is being tested so hard.

Labels: fea

* Tiberio is in his office remembering his temper tantrum at the home office and Dolores handing him the report she found in the trash. He looks at the report in his hands as he remembers that she waited to have dinner with him. He wonders if she really does love him.

* Jossie visits Gabriel in his office. He tells her that LD was rushed to the hospital last night, and that he stayed with MA the whole time. Jossie is shocked about LD, and reminds him that MA doesn't want anything to do with him and has said repeatedly that LD isn't his. She says that he is dreaming of something that will never happen. Jossie leaves. Gabriel starts to remember all the times MA had said that LD wasn't his son and wonders if it's true.

* Otilia works on Candy's fitting for the style show as Di and Soraya help with the other models. Otilia and Candy talk about MA and LD's health scare last night; then they discuss the show and the publicity. Candy is excited. In the middle of the conversation, Otilia sticks Candy with a pin (accidentally of course).

* Miriam thinks about Jossie's stern warning about not selling anymore of her jewelry to save the design house. Ingrid enters to tell her about Otilia's style show. Miriam can't believe the luck Otilia is having.

* MA talks on the phone with Leo as LD plays in his crib. MA hangs up as Candy stops by to visit. Candy plays tug-o-war with LD.

* Rogelio enters the palace and sprints upstairs. Mayeya hears his footsteps and follows him upstairs. Rogelio goes straight into Miriam's bedroom and to the safe box. Mayeya spies on Rogelio through the door. She is shocked and leaves. When he has what he came in for, he closes the safe and leaves.

* Tweet sits in the kitchen as Mayeya enters. She sits down and tells Tweet that she just saw Rogelio in Miriam's safe box again. Tweet thinks they should just leave it alone, it isn't their problem.

* Rogelio smiles and is pleased with himself as he leaves the palace.

* Tweet changes the subject and jokes around with Mayeya about her appearance in the style show.

* On the stairs, MA and Candy talk about her fitting for the style show. Miriam enters the palace and isn't in a very good mood. Candy antagonizes her with mention of being a model in Otilia's style show. Miriam insults Candy - Candy argues back - Miriam goes upstairs still throwing insults at Candy. When Miriam has disappeared from view, Candy talks with MA about knowing more than enough about Miriam's cold heart. Candy confides in MA that Miriam is Leo's real mother. MA is shocked. (Candy you are such a blabber mouth.) MA hugs Candy and is in disbelief about Miriam and Leo. Candy says it's true and they both wonder about what Leo's reaction may be when and if he finds this out. Candy leaves as soon as Gabriel enters. MA says Jossie isn't there. Gabriel wants to have a paternity test on LD to determine once and for all if he is the father.

* Regina visits JC in his office. She sees that he doesn't look well and asks him. He says not to worry, he's just tired that's all. She smiles, kisses his forehead and leaves. JC has another dizzy spell.

* Gabriel asks again for a paternity test. MA is offended and refuses to permit it. Gabriel continues to press for it. She is adamantly opposed to his having anything to do with her and her son. He thinks all this animosity is a front for her true feelings. He loves her and he thinks she still loves him. She stays silent as he leaves. She prays for strength not to melt into Gabriel's arms.

* Rogelio meets with Uncle Demian about buying his shares in the company. Demian is busy now but if Rogelio is serious he can stop by the mansion and discuss with tonight with him and Tiberio. Rogelio is unsure of Gabriel's reaction to this deal. Demian assures him. He agrees. Before Rogelio leaves, Demian asks where he is getting the money - Rogelio isn't specific.

* Candy prays to her home altar. Leo comes out asking for help choosing a tie. He reminds her to scoot outside - for wardrobe and make-up preparations. He gives her a blessing. Before she leaves, he jokes around and puts a book on her head. She takes it off and leaves. Leo laughs, then he shakes his head and says, "Ay, Mamacita."

* Elsa is frustrated by her job search, and stops by a liquor store. She stands at the door and thinks about taking just one drink. Sylvester finds her and talks her out of it. He gives her a pep talk to stay strong and clean. He wants her to feel like she can lean on him for support. She tells him to stop it. He loves her too much to stop and leans in to kiss her - she turns her head to refuse.

* Otilia, Di and Soraya supervise the final preparations before the style show. Otilia is nervous and Di and Soraya give her a pep talk. (The style show location is the De Lara apartment complex courtyard.)

* When the mariachi band stops playing, Otilia takes the stage to give her introduction speech for the style show. During the show, Leo, Tweet and Sylvester give catcalls and commentaries from the audience to the ladies and the fashions. Mayeya appears twice: once in a red sundress, then in a black elegant evening gown. Candy appears at the end in a black evening top and skirt. Leo hands her a yellow carnation from one of the flower arrangements on the side of the stage. Ingrid spies on the show from behind a column.

* After the show, Leo, Candy, Otilia, Tweet, Mayeya, Di and Soraya laugh and celebrate the style show's success. Leo leads Candy to the dance floor, Tweet and Mayeya follow them. Everyone dances to the mariachi band (it's party time).

* At the palace, MA talks with LD. Dolores will be there soon to take care of him. She leaves the room. Gabriel sneaks in and starts talking to LD saying he's his "Papa". Gabriel picks LD up from the crib and hugs and kisses the child. MA returns and is upset by Gabriel holding LD. Gabriel says that he knows without a doubt that LD is their son, his and MA's. She is still upset. MA pulls LD from Gabriel's arms and puts him back in the crib. Gabriel still thinks he's right. MA again explains that he is totally and completely wrong and has overstepped his bounds again. LD is her son, her's alone and her son doesn't need a father figure in his life. Gabriel can't believe she has changed at all - she goes into her lecture about how she did change due to all the circumstances and events she's had to deal with in her life. Gabriel tries to seduce her. She continues to stand her ground against him. She then reminds him about Jossie and their child together. Gabriel claims to not remember anything. She is still hurt and refuses to buy it as an excuse. She tells him to leave - he does so.

* Gabriel visits CB in his crib. Jossie enters the room and scolds him about his continued interest in MA and LD. He claims the children are brothers. She is offended by Gabriel's comments, picks CB up and carries him out of the room.

* Ingrid is livid as she returns to Miriam's office to report about the style show and shows Miriam all the rave reviews Otilia is receiving. As Miriam reads the articles, Ingrid pressures her to produce an equally successful style show or they will go out of business. Miriam rips up the newspapers.

* In the office, Otilia and Candy discuss Candy's image as a model. Candy loves her rich mexican food too much to diet and give them up.

* Sylvester continues to ask Elsa to give him a chance. She continues to refuse and walk away from him.

* JC and Dolores sit in Leo's office talking as they wait for the exam results. Leo enters with a worried look on his face. They ask if he's received the results. Leo sits down at the desk and prepares them for the news.

* Miriam looks at the remaining jewelry and hopes it will be sufficient for her to mount a challenge to Otilia's style show.

* Rogelio and Demian are in a meeting in Demian's office about Rogelio's share purchase. Rogelio laughs at the thought of Gabriel's reaction.

* Leo tells JC and Dolores the shocking results - JC has leukemia.

Labels: mundo

Alina has snuck into the hacienda to see her mother. She noisily runs down the stairs as Don Loco hears "something suspicious" and yells for Adela. Luckily Adela arrives with a candle. She sees Flor/Alina hiding but doesn't rat her out to Don Loco. Adela helps Flor escape through the kitchen.

Mexico City - The doctor tells Mariana that her daughter Marianita has come out of remission and must undergo chemotherapy treatment. We see a pale Marianita asleep with a bandana on her head. Malena says Jose seems to have forgotten he has a daughter. Mariana is sure something has impeded him, sometimes she thinks that maybe he is dead. Mariana says she has to see her brother, she's out of money. Malena warns her against this, doesn't she remember Don Loco told her never to go to Sierra Escondido? Mariana says it's time her brother knows she has a daughter by Jose Gomez.

Puebla - Thelma runs home in a dither. Auntie wants to know what happened. It looks like Thelma's going to jump out the window, hurrah!! But no, it's a shower, not a window, and we can see through the clouded glass that she's removing her clothes. She scrubs and scrubs.

Mariana and Malena argue about going to see Don Loco and asking him for money. Mariana says she's willing to risk her brother's wrath in order to save her daughter from cancer, after all Marianita is his blood, no? If she loses Marianita she doesn't want to live.

Thelma the Repugnant cries to her Auntie that "he was repugnant." Auntie says she warned Thelma not to go to that dangerous place. I imagine any place is dangerous if you add a bottle of tequila to the mix. Thelma vows to forget "that night" and never drink again.

Meanwhile Orlando sits on his bed and thinks to himself "So Thelma went to that place and ended up making love to a waiter; yep, that was her face I saw at the Devil's Cave."

Emilio is doing pull-ups and aha! We catch him with his foot on the ground giving himself a little boost. Orlando shows up and smugly asks how his romance with Thelma is going. He wonders if it would bother El Capitan if Thelma were with another man. Emilio says "If you know something tell me." Orlando laughs it off, "No no, who would believe that Thelma could betray you? She's crazy for you." Orlando challenges Emilio to one-handed pull-ups. Any guess who will win?

Rosita, Flor's beautiful friend, is standing by the river. She disrobes and steps into the water. Don Maximo is hiding on the shore drooling and twisting his moustache. After she swims and puts her clothes back on Don Maximo sneaks up behind her and attacks her. He wants her to be his, all his. Rosita screams and struggles. Flor and Tonqui the wonder dog hear her screams and run to her aid. Flor demands that he let her go, "Sueltela!" Don Max tells her to mind her own business and to shut up the dog or he'll put a bullet hole in him. Tonqui barks viciously and bares his teeth. No snoring for this doggie! Rosita pushes Maximo into the water. He swears at them as they run away. I liked this scene a lot, I had to rewind it a couple of times. Tonqui's teeth look very sharp.

Angel shows up to visit Emilio at work. He says his Dr. told him he needs a change of air so he's moving to Sierra Escondido. In the next scene Emilio's commander, General Ochoa, tells Emilio that they're opening a base in Sierra Escondido and Emilio will be stationed there.

Mariana is at Marianita's bedside in the hospital. Marianita is asleep and another young child, pale and with a bandana and IV unit, arrives and speaks to Mariana. She also has cancer but the Dr. loaned her his coat so she is a doctor now. She has come to cure Marianita of cancer. They will get well together and play together. Her name is Estrellita and she's going to get well so she can become the best doctor. Sad violin music closes the scene. Seconds later we are interrupted by...

Coral's muscular calves dancing to the beat of drums. Gaspar shows up at the Devil's Cave. Lucas the owner is surprised, he thought Gaspar was going home. Gaspar would rather stay and wait for his munequita in the red dress. Lucas tells Gaspar she's a little out of his league, (Esas pulgas no brincan en tu petate = Those fleas don't jump in your bedroll.) Lucas doesn't know who the lady is. She was obviously a society lady. (Snort!) That's how those rich dames are, just looking for an affair. Gaspar sticks out his bottom lip but his eyes look like he's about to crack up.

Emilio is at a stop light, not singing for once, and a girl approaches selling bouquets for the poor. He stares at her necklace, or maybe down her blouse because he is a hopeless horn dog. He has a flashback of..."Alina," he asks? But no, it's not Alina. "Why can't I get her out of my mind? I must remove Alina from my heart."

Luba and Flor are picking flowers on the river bank. Luba wants to show Flor the seven flowers...Passion flowers, Chamomile, and she must go to the other side for the the others. Flor tells Luba to be careful. Luba laughs, she's crossed the river a million times. Of course she puts two feet in the river and immediately does a face plant. She gets swept downstream as Flor shrieks for help and runs along the river. Flor finally finds a big stick and tries to help Luba but all we see are Luba's boots sticking straight up out of the water, like when we were kids and used to do handstands in the pool. Flor pokes at Luba who is finally able to grab the stick. Flor pulls her to shore and Luba is saved!

Don Maximo is telling his foreman Braulio not to forget to give his nephews their money. He pulls a rosebud out of the vase and caresses it. Rosita...get it? He tells Braulio that he's noticed Braulio's daughter has become very insolent. Braulio looks unhappy with this conversation. Don Max asks if she's got a boyfriend. Braulio says she's very enthusiastic about that guy Santos, one of the coffee plantation workers. Don Max cackles and Braulio looks even more unhappy. The patron says, "Look Braulio, don't you want Rosita to marry a rich guy...like me?" Braulio says with all due respect Don Maximo could be Rosita's grandpa. Don Max gets mad and orders Braulio to talk to Rosita on his behalf. After Braulio leaves Don Maximo french kisses the rosebud.

Poor Gaspar is roaming the streets accosting women in red dresses and crying out for his baby doll.

Thelma and Auntie discuss their money situation. They are getting low on funds. Thelma says she's having dinner with Emilio that night and she will think of something to convince him to marry her. Soon she'll be Mrs. Valtierra.

At dinner that night Thelma tells Emilio she no longer wants to be his lover, she wants to be his wife. He is impactado. The camera pans down and rests on her cleavage. Which reminds me, her character is such an extreme skank that I wondered if the actress looks like Thelma in real life or if she is actually a nice girl-next-door made up to look like a clap trap. All I can say is do a Google image search on the actress Fabiola Campomanes and you'll get an eyeful just like I did! OK, back to the recap.

Rosita is making out with Santos and they stop to discuss his mother. He just got back from visiting her in San Mateo, she's doing just OK. He really wanted to bring her back with him but whenever he brings up the subject she gets very nervous and says she'll never return to Sierra Escondida. She used to work at the Valtierra Hacienda, later, when she became pregnant, she went to live in town, that's where Santos was born. Rosita asks him did his mother never speak of his father? Santos replies, not much except to say that he died in the mountains.

Luba is recovering in the cave while Flor tends to her with herbal remedies. Luba caresses Flor's head and says she has learned the secrets of the herbs well. Flor saved her life and she will never forget it. Flor tells Luba to rest and tries to kiss her forehead but Luba turns away. "Forgive me," Luba says, "but life has been very surly to me."

Emilio tells Thelma he's never lied to her. He's sorry for her pain but he never wants to marry her or anyone. He has to leave Puebla soon by orders of General Ochoa. Thelma says she could go too but Emilio says in his upcoming situation he must behave with discretion. He tells her three different ways he doesn't want to marry her. He suggests she stop wasting her time with him.

Estrellita asks Marianita if she wants to play doctors but Marianita doesn't feel well. Estrellita says it's because of the super-hero rays that they are getting, called chemotherapy. Estrellita tries to cheer Marianita up with a little joke, what did one flea say to the other flea? Are we going to jump or should we take a dog? Marianita smiles. These kids are really cute and this story line is starting to concern me.

At the plantation Flor is curing the locals with her herbs. In every new scene her pants are more tattered, her hair is messier, and her face gets dirtier. Rosita flirts with Santos and tells Flor that they are in love. Flor says she was happy with Emilio when they were at the beach. He will always be in her heart. Rosita says she she's going to help Flor escape from Sierra Escondido. First she should take Flor to the river and give her a bath. I know at least gentleman who would like that very much, not counting Don Max.

At the military compound in Puebla Orlando tells Emilio that Thelma is inside talking to General Ochoa. Emilio looks all UH OH. Thelma friendlies up to the General and tries to get the location of Emilio's new assignment out of him but Ochoa tells her it's top secret, he won't tell her.

Gaspar is outside the military compound eating an ice cream cone and looking for his baby doll. He looks and looks but can't find her anywhere. As he walks away Thelma strolls onto the street. She sees Orlando and she agrees to see him later. She staggers across the cobblestones in her high heels and gets into the very car Gaspar was looking just a few moments ago. Whew! Another close call.

Flor tells Rosita she can't leave without her mother. Rosita has a great idea, "Didn't you tell me your boyfriend was in the military? He can help you free your mom." Flor says no, he's forgotten her, it's been two years since she left with no explanation. He must hate her by now. Of course we know that Emilio still thinks about her a lot, in between having sex with Thelma every day and Coral every night. Rosita is determined to help Flor escape.

Rosita and her father Braulio are eating and Braulio is about to ruin the meal. He tells her that Don Maximo has been very good to him, promoted him, and given them a nice place to live. Rosita frowns and says they have earned everything fair and square. Braulio tells her Don Maximo wants to marry her and she almost loses her lunch. She would rather die than marry that old fart. His money can't buy happiness. Santos is poor but she loves him. She doesn't care how rich Don Maximo is, she will NEVER marry him!

Orlando asks Thelma what was she doing the other night in the Devil's Cave. Thelma is impactada. After the commercial she swats his hand away and tells him he was crazy drunk. He says he saw her leaving the private chambers and he knows she made love to one of the waiters. Would she like for him to track this waiter down and confirm it?

Angel and Emilio are talking about how boring life might be in Sierra Escondido. Emilio says maybe he'll invite Coral and some of her amigas to come down and entertain them. Angel doesn't think that's a good idea, Uncle Maximo might be bothered by having women in the hacienda. (Only if he's at the whorehouse paying instead of getting it free at home.) Emilio tells Angel not to forget that they are the true owners and can do what they want. Angel says he's not into Emilio's scene, he's happy with his painting.

Thelma tells Orlando she was desperate when she went looking for Emilio at the Devil's Cave. She drank too much, passed out, and that guy took advantage of her. Orlando asks why didn't she report him? Thelma answers that she wanted to avoid a scandal. She begs him not to tell anyone.

Don Maximo surprises Don Loco with an after hours visit. There is something Don Loco should know. He just found out that there is a change of authorities in San Mateo. He will have to win over these new guys if he doesn't want them messing around in his...business. Don Loco says he will have to pay them off. Hopefully they won't be too difficult to persuade because otherwise he'll be in a mess. The people of Sierra Escondido might lose their fear of them and anyone could help the bastard and her mother escape.

Santos tells Rosita he'll help Flor but they have to be very careful. Don Loco is capable of killing them, he is a real nut case. Rosita says no s**t, he forced his daughter to live in a cave with that witch. Flor's real name is Alina Montellano but that loco claims she's not his daughter. Santos says he'll do what he can to unite Flor with her mother. He'll do it for Rosita because he loves her.

Flor talks to Tonqui and tells him she has to talk to her mom. She'll escape and return for her (mom? Luba?) and Tonqui too. If she escapes maybe she can meet up with Emilio. She has a flashback of a long kiss with Emilio..."Emiliooooo," she sighs.

Emilio is complaining to everybody he sees about Thelma wanting to marry him and now it's Orlando's turn. The writers are very heavy-handed and obviously think we don't GET THE HINT that Emilio doesn't want to marry Thelma and that sometime very soon he will be forced to do just that. Yes we get it, now let's move on.

Flor and Tonqui are sneaking around the hacienda waiting for Santos to get Rutilio drunk.

Thelma tells Auntie that Orlando knows everything about "that night." Auntie is worried he will tell Emilio but Thelma says no, Orlando hates Emilio. If he had the chance he would kill him. Auntie crosses herself.

It's nighttime so of course Emilio and Orlando are at the the Devil's Cave. Emilio toasts Orlando, his best friend, while Coral's muscular butt gyrates in the background. Orlando tells Emilio he can count on him for anything. Gaspar wanders into the bar still looking for his baby doll.

Luba is having a nightmare. In her dream a young man dressed in white stands before her. She chants and brushes him with herbs. She is like Naty but way more dangerous because she's got black boots and a knife. She holds the little green bottle and says "Drink this sacred potion, big boy" then she blows smoke in his face. Suddenly she wakes up and cries "I don't want to remember, help me Madrita, I don't want to remember this dream!"

Rutilio is drunk and asks Santos to guard the door while he takes a leak (or something). Flor runs into Soledad's room and they embrace. She tells Soledad that in a few days they'll make their escape with the help of Santos and Rosita. Flor says she despises Don Loco. Soledad, reminding us that she is Mrs. Loco, tells Flor "Don't say those things; don't forget, good or bad, he is still your father." Flor says she resents him and she wants to get out of Dodge. Soledad says she's sure Elias would help them if only he knew.

Some guy, the boss maybe, is telling Elias he did good work in Canada and the clients love him. Elias wants to take a few days off to visit Sierra Escondido but the boss says there is too much work right now that has to be done before any little trips. Elias tells Blanca they will have to wait. They look concerned.

Days later - Thelma comes home and is having a hissy fit, throwing things and stomping around the house. Auntie tries to calm her and says she's acting crazy. Thelma says, "I am crazy, I'M PREGNANT!"

plomazo - bullet hole
una aventura - an affair
lana - wool but also slang for money/dough
zafado - nut case

Labels: duelo

No. I see her, no I FEEL her, as precious, Carvajal." Omar laughs and looks mentally constipated.

Alicia exits the elevator and immediately sees something she likes. She struts over to the cuartel to affectionately say good morning and hello to each of them. She tells them how nice they look. She’s asks them for one-hundred “little” pesos. Martha doesn’t fall for it and tells Alicia to talk to her torta. If she had 100 pesos she would eat eight and a half tortas. Sara (the Giraffe) nor Juana (the Penguin) fall for it either. Lopez walks into the room but Alicia runs past him to Marcia’s office. She asks Marcia, who is staring towards nowhere, for money for the taxi. Marcia tells Alicia to leave and shut the door behind her. Alicia begs; Marcia rolls her eyes; Alicia whines; Marcia looks at the floor. (She manages never to blink through the whole speech!)

Lopez looks for Lola. She’s late! Martha points out that she is Lopez’s secretary. Why does he need Lola? Sanchez just doesn’t want employees thinking it’s okay to arrive late whether they’re his secretary or not. Sara tells Lopez that Lola is with her divorce attorney but that she once she’s done she come quickly to Conceptos. Lopez points out that she would still be late.

Lety cannot find anything that suits her. She needs something more discreet (aka a really, really ugly mu-mu). It was just a joke! Lety says there’s nothing in this store for her. Carolina says they can leave, but Lety sees something that she can wear.

Alicia begs Marcia some more; the taxi man looks capable of killing her for 100 pesos. Marcia calls Alicia her cross, her karma. She hands Alicia money for the taxi and tells her it’s the last time. Alicia finally picks up that something is wrong with Marcia and asks what’s up with her. Marcia lets Alicia know that Lety is coming to the office today; Marcia does not want to talk about it. Alicia tells Marcia not to worry because she spectacular and Lety is well…some little nothing who no one will notice. Alicia tells Marcia not to worry because she’ll pay her back in a fortnight. (Yes, I swear my dictionary said a fortnight!)

Celso tells the taxi man to wait a moment. Another vehicle pulls up to Conceptos. The camera switches to Lety’s point of view. She gets out of the car and approaches Celso. Celso sees her and looks very, very surprised and happy!

Lola impatiently waits for Efren and his lawyer. She needs to get to work and on top of that Efren is making her wait a long time. Lola wants to know what’s going in the lawyer’s office. Her attorney explains that they’re probably just reviewing the proposal of agreement for divorce that he and Lola gave. “Don’t they have to agree with what we are asking for?” Lola asks. “This depends on the quality of humanity of your husband.” her lawyer answers. This makes Lola nervous. This is never going to end! She exclaims. Efren leaves the office and asks her to come into the office. He asks her to be patient and gracious. Lola thinks he’s planning something. She asks him what he’s bringing. At that same moment, Yazmin exits the office and sarcastically compliments Lola’s appearance. Everyone walks into the office except Efren. Lola comes back out of the office and forces Efren to enter with just a look.

Lety says hello to Celso. He stops her and asks where she’s going. She tells him she’s going to see Humberto. Celso warns her that Marcia will fire him if he lets her enter. Lety decides to leave. She tells Celso to advise Don Humberto that she came, but that he wouldn’t allow her to pass. Celso chases Lety and asks Lety to allow him to advise management that she’s at Conceptos. Lety checks out her picture of her with Aldo and tells Celso that will be fine.

Ariel complains about waiting for Lety. He leaves the boardroom and runs into Saimon who effusively apologizes in English. Ariel pushes Saimon out of the way and into a chair. The cuartel laughs. PM tells the Saimon about Lopez looking for Lola. Alicia walks over to Saimon and tells him to go pay the taxi for her. She turns him around into Ariel who absolutely must use this opportunity to insult Alicia. He asks Alicia if she now has a taxi driver or a motocicleta (driver of a moto). He assumes that Saimon and Alicia have formalized their relationship since she looked so content getting onto his moto. Saimon gasps. PM is not happy! She confronts him and makes it certain that Saimon belongs to her, even if the moto belongs to Saimon – as Alicia so willingly points out. Ariel tries to calm her but warns that Alicia is very desperate. The phone rings and rings in the background.

Outside, Celso says that no one is answering. Lety gives a two minute deadline. Inside, PM throws a fit. Alicia tells PM that if she really wanted Saimon she would have him like that (snap, snap, snap of the fingers.) Saimon asks if Alicia really thinks that he can be conquered that easily. PM and Alicia say yes. He yells that they really don’t know that much about him. The fight ends with PM pulling Saimon away and Alicia reminding him to pay the taxi driver. The phone rings again and Alicia finally answers it. Celso tells her that Lety has arrived. Alicia prances over to the boardroom. Lopez enters the secretaries’ lobby and talks to Martha about Lola who tries to bribe him with her sandwich. He says that he’s going to find a stunner to replace her. Sara and Juana debate what they should do.

Lola is in the office complaining about Yazmin’s presence in the meeting. Yazmin accuses Lola of wanting to abuse her “Flaquito.” Efren yells at Lola that they shouldn’t fight. Things get worse from there. Lola tells Efren’s lawyer that he has not said a word and that they need to begin. She recognizes them! They’re Lety’s lawyers, Sanchez and Rosales. They kiss Lola’s hand in greeting.

Alicia stands in the boardroom and tells Humberto that Lety is waiting outside. He advises her to allow Lety to enter and that he will wait for her in the President’s office. Alicia cannot believe that Lety will be meeting in the President’s office. She compliments Teresita and leaves. Humberto walks into his office and catches Fernando and Omar in the seats around the desk. He cracks a smile when his back is turned to Fernando after watching Fernando scramble out of the chair. Humberto tells them that Lety has arrived and that he will be attending her in the office. They leave in a hurry for the boardroom.

Alicia calls Celso and says Lety may pass. He tells her welcome and directs into the building. She meekly passes PM and Saimon who are still arguing about him taking Alicia in his moto. PM exclaims how happy she is to see Lety and begs her to come talk with PM once Lety’s done with Humberto. Saimon says that the business has deteriorated without her there. Lety giggles, says thank you and tells them both that she loves them.

Lety enters the main floor of Conceptos. First, she runs into Juana who cannot say a word. Martha checks out Lety’s outfit and squeals. Sara joins the group and tells Lety how much they missed her. Alicia sees Lety and calls her the tlacoyo. “Yeah, but a good tlacoyo” Lety replies. (From Wikipedia - Tlacoyos are oval shaped fried cakes made of masa. They are similar to fresh corn tortillas, but are somewhat torpedo shaped and fatter. Sometimes tlacoyos are stuffed with refried beans, dry cheese, fava beans, or other ingredients. Tlacoyos are an excellent accompaniment to soups and stews. Most traditional tlacoyos do not have lard or salt in the masa, and if not eaten immediately after they are cooked, they become very tough and dry, even if reheated. The name tlacoyo is a variation of the Nahuatl word tlatlaoyo, a name given to an antojito typical of central Mexico. A larger version of the tlacoyo is the huarache. Alicia is using this word as an insult here – the full form she uses is tlacoyo bigaton. Julie has explained this insult previously, but unfortunately her explanation slipped my mind. If anyone has input, it would be appreciated!) Marcia leaves her office and gives Lety a look that tries to say you don’t matter, I don’t like you, I hate you, I’m better than you. I must admit she comes pretty close to pulling it off! The camera turns and we see Lety in a new suit. She looks… better… but still the same. Lety tells the cuartel that she’s dying to hang out with them. She walks over to the Presidency. They say she seems very content and happy. She agrees but says she’ll tell them later. After she walks away Alicia comments that Lety is such a cynic. Marcia stalks off to somewhere, probably to find Fernando.

Lola points out to Efren that his own lawyers threw out his mistress. Sanchez and Rosales they are respectful of the constitution, its laws and regulations. The little money he pays them will make them detain his current partner. Lola says that Yazmin is not Efren’s partner because Lola is still his spouse. Efren gets more and more upset. He tells his lawyers that he wants to leave as soon as possible. Lola says that he only wants to leave quickly to get to his mistress. The lawyers say that this is a delicate matter. Yazmin sneaks in and begs Efren not to leave her. Lola rushes her from the office. Efren’s lawyers say they need to hurry. They say that Lola’s proposal is far from the requests of their client. Uh-hu, his requests! She can just imagine them. Things do not look like they’re going well for Efren. He says that he does want to see his kids but Lola is asking for a fortune as though she wants the kids to go to Harvard. Sanchez says they’re two issues. The money that Lola wants, and the house. Lola cannot believe that Efren is still fighting for her house.

Humberto thanks Lety for coming. Lety advises Humberto that she will talk to Humberto about whatever he wants. She wants to get this over with as soon as possible. He replies that this is not a quick fix situation. He says that the situation of the business has been thoroughly studied. They’ve arrived at one conclusion, if she returns the business it would mean the end of Conceptos. Lety doesn’t understand what Humberto wants; there has to be a way to save the company. He replies that there is nothing viable left. He briefly explains that once she eliminates the embargo, the banks will liquidate Conceptos. Humberto says he intended to sell his houses, all of his things, but it’s not fair to Teresita to leave her in the streets at this point in her life. He gives a nice speech about the Mendiroels and their relationship with the bank for thirty-five years. Humberto says the only one who can help them now is Lety. He asks her not to return the business. Lety thinks to herself. “This cannot be. I would have to be with Fernando Mendiola again.”

Lety tells Humberto that his proposition is absurd. He asks Lety to listen. He asks her to maintain Filmo Imagen for six more months. They can pay the debts that she and Fernando created. Lety says she’ll be paying with her life, she already knows that she made a grave error. She tells Humberto that Fernando went to her house and called her a thief in front of her family. Her family is sacred for her. She understands that Humberto has suffered and she tells Humberto not to ask this – it wouldn’t be good for anyone. Humberto says that they needs this. He said he never imagined that he would call her to beg her not to return the business. Lety tells him that she’s had many problems with some of Conceptos’ employees – Marcia, Ariel and Fernando. Humberto replies that they know that this is the only resolution. Humberto says Lety must accept her responsibility for this situation. He cannot believe she wants to just wash her hands of this. Her father trusts her. They’re all in hell now. He tells her not to disappoint her father. Lety remembers one of Aldo’s speeches about fear. Lety says that if the board is willing, she will accept. First, she wants to call her lawyers. Humberto says that’s fine. He’ll wait for her in the boardroom for her to join the meeting to talk to the board. Lety is i-m-p-a-c-t-a-d-o.

Aldo and Caro talk in his house. He tells Caro that after Lety left Acapulco, he missed her. (so much so that he had to ride around the beach on an ATV yelling her name) He shows Caro the gift he brought from Acapulco. He tells Caro that he meant to give it to Lety in the airport, but he missed them. It’s a pearl. He replies that the ocean gave it to him when he was in Indonesia. He says he wants to take it to Lety and tell her that he’s in love with her. She makes him happy. Humberto tells Lety that they’re going to take care of this situation in the manner her father likes, as between gentlemen. She must go in front of the board. Humberto tells Lety to call her lawyers; he’ll wait in the boardroom. At the very least, she looks scared. Aldo talks some more. It’s not just that Lety changed his life, she helped his relationship with his father, she brought him “that” letter. She relieved him of the feeling of being a betrayed spouse. Aldo explains that with Lety he feels complete. He identifies with Lety. Caro asks if Aldo’s affection for Lety makes him see her as more than she really is. Aldo catches on that Caro is talking about Lety’s appearance. (Bad Caro!) Aldo defends Lety’s appearance. He sees her with the heart’s eyes. He’s fallen in love with her soul. He lists all of her good qualities; he fell in love with her solidarity, her nobility, her devotion, her sympathy, her honesty. He even loves her fears, her insecurities, her fragility. She confuses and inspires him. Caro doesn’t understand how Aldo can love Lety’s defects. Aldo explains that at first he identified with Lety’s pain. She helped him transform his pain into love for her. Caro says that she hopes someone will love her like that. Aldo replies that real love can be no other way.

Humberto enters the boardroom. Ariel questions what happened. Humberto tells him that Lety accepted. Fernando shakes his head and half smiles. Humberto asks Teresita to go get Marcia. Teresita asks if Marcia really has to be there. He says definitely; he wants the whole committee there. Ariel asks about Lety’s attitude. Humberto replies that it was not easy to convince her. There’s been a lot of injury because of this subject.

And just because we don’t really care at this moment, the show takes us back to the lawyer’s office. Yazmin tries to enter the conference room. Sanchez ends the consultation. Lola and Efren complain (he wants half of the house, she doesn’t want me to pay to much for my children… same as usual!) Sanchez tells Lola it will be impossible to negotiate a voluntary divorce and that they’ll have to get a judge to grant a divorce of necessity. Efren wants to know why his lawyers are helping Lola. Sanchez quits Efren’s employ. He calls Efren a liar and says he no longer works for him. Efren’s bad day and bad hair cut continue. Rosales helps move everyone out of the office.

Lety enters her former office and remembers the last hug that she and Fernando shared. She tears up a little and then remembers the day she left Conceptos. Lety turns to leave, but not before she remembers the confrontation with Marcia about the infamous black bag. She wipes her eyes and steels herself for the upcoming meeting. Caro worries about Lety going to Conceptos.

Caro asks Aldo why he’s staying in a house and not in a hotel. He says he preferred this house to all the hotels where he’s been staying. Caro asks Aldo if he plans on staying in Mexico City. Aldo says that depends on Lety.

In honor of tonight's State of the Union Address, here's a quote: "My No. 1 goal is to not go to jail." --Congresswoman-elect Michele Bachmann, during "freshman orientation" for new members of Congress

Labels: fea

A friend and fellow blogger, Terry Teachout, wrote this in his blog:

"Most commercial films are made on the assumption that audiences want to see moral struggle—but not too much of it.

"Much more often than not, we know as soon as the credits roll exactly what we're supposed to think the star ought to do (kiss the girl! give back the money!), and we spend the next hour and a half waiting for him to finally get around to doing it.

"When he does, we go home happy; if he doesn't, we go home feeling cheated, and tell all our friends to pick a different movie next weekend."

But in telenovelaland we have to wait months and months, or even a year!

Please try to enjoy the ride. Aldo is a right guy, even if he is kind of new-agey. And everything will work out, one way or the other. Don't gnash your teeth and lie awake at night!

Just a note from your concerned blog mother.

Labels: fea

More choppy scene editing folks. And so much yakity yak dialogue I found it hard to do anything other than recap. It’ll be up to the rest of the team to make us laugh this week.


--As tonight’s show opens, Jose is sitting on a public bench stuffing a letter into an envelope. His buddy, whose name escapes me, runs up to him and tells him to hurry up that they are going to be late for the truck. Jose says he just has to post a letter and he’ll catch up to him.


--Luba and Gaspar are walking and it’s night where they are. She’s upbraiding him for letting Flor/Alina escape. --Don Loco is riding around on his horse having wobbly hallucinations about Soledad and Alina meeting up with Jose and doing a happy family group hug. He catches up to Luba and Gaspar and accuses Gaspar of letting them escape. Don Loco dismounts and goes after him Luba tries to get between them but is unsuccessful. He picks up a big rock and starts using it to clobber Gaspar who is on the ground crying. Luba is screaming. Meanwhile Soledad and Alina are hiding in the bushes. They can’t let Gaspar pay for their escape so they give themselves up. Happy now, Don Loco accepts the surrender and grabs Soledad. He tells Alina “the next time you try to escape, your mother will pay the consequences.”Luba shakes her fist at him as he rides away with Soledad. She says, “damn you, Alvaro Montellano, you don’t know what could happen to you next, but you are going to remember me!” [I think that was supposed to be some kind of witches’ curse maybe? It sure sounds like that or at least a threat. And it rhymed in Spanish.]All the while, ominous music is playing and that screeching monkey sound effect is going at full blast. She goes back to tend Gaspar with Alina

--Back at Sierra Escondida, at Don Loco’s ranch, the next morning, the Don himself is seated calmly at his desk paying a big fat bribe to a guy and saying that he’s always had good relations with the authorities. He’s glad to have complete control over the area surrounding his Hacienda. So now we know why he was so eager to park Soledad and Alina there. Because not only is he the property owner, he’s also the law!

---Emilio takes Thelma the skank out to dinner and dancing. She’s all hot for him but he’s distant. Then we see why, he’s thinking about dancing with Alina instead. Next, the scene gets all dark and swanky jazz starts playing so we know it’s time for some horizontal jogging.

--And we’re back to Sierra Escondida again. Luba is teaching Alina/Flor the uses of various medicinal plants. One is Viagra, One is Sominex, One is Excedrin, one is Pepto-Bismol. She repeats them back to Luba. Luba is happy with Flor’s progress. Then Flor gets up and touches that little green bottle on the shelf that we saw in the last episode. Luba gets very excited and says “Never never touch that!” Do you hear me? Flor is surprised but agrees not to.

--Back at Casa Valteirra, Emilio and his sickly brother Angel are chatting. Emilio is wearing his dress blues. He has just graduated and got the highest marks. Angel says he’s proud of him and their parents would be too. Emilio gets a far away look in his eyes and agrees. Emilio says he’s going out to celebrate with the lads and would Angel like to join him. No (cough, cough) he’s too sick. He’s wearing a short sleeved polo shirt with the collar up and a scarf around it. It must mean he’s sick because it sure doesn’t make any sense. Emilio turns to the rest of the guys and calls out, Engineers! They rise to their feet. “Si, mi Capitan!” “Let’s go celebrate! says Emilio.

--Alina/Flor is near the river holding her holy card of the Virgin, looking at it and kissing it before putting it in her back pocket. Gaspar walks up to her. He has a present for her. He’s going away to make some money for her and his mother She’ll be able to buy some new clothes and shoes. Alina says she doesn’t need anything and that she’ll miss him. He gives her the present--It’s a puppy. Looks kind of like a German Shepherd to me, with a black face. He asks her what name will she give to the dog? She decides on Tonki (? Couldn’t quite make that out.) Cleverly, we see her playing with the dog and it gets bigger and the words “Two years later”) appear at the bottom of the screen. Tonki is now fully grown and a very handsome adult dog!

--It’s two years later and we now see that Emilio is well into his career as an Army Engineer and we see what they actually do. I guess they are like the national guard and do disaster relief, rescues, that sort of thing. There’s a flood somewhere. We see a number of action shots with Emilio rescuing a woman whose house has collapsed in a mudslide, he rescues a (fake) baby over a water fall, directs new home construction, organizes a queue for relief supplies etc. What a guy! And in case we didn’t notice, this message was brought to you by the Mexican National Army, always ready in times of distress, and to help people in rural areas. ---Back to the river at Sierra Escondida. Alina is sneaking up to the hacienda with Tonki beside her. Sergio is on horseback patrolling the hacienda.

--Back to the Mexican Army barracks. Orlando and another guy are sitting around. Orlando is reading the newspaper, which is full of the exploits of Captain Emilio Valtierra during the floods. The other guy razzes him about how Emilio has done pretty well for himself, and not just with the ladies! He’s now made Captain, first class. Orlando says yeah yeah, well he deserves it. Etc.

--Emilio himself is with Angel who is having a coughing fit. Angel is presenting him with a portrait he made of the new Captain, first class. Emilio is more worried about the cough and asks him if he’s seen the doctor. Angel says, yes. [he said something here that I couldn’t quite catch] The doctor did some tests and while he waits for the results, he said to eat well and get a change of air. [? It sounded like “eres” I think this would be cambio de aire so I am not sure what cambio de eres would be] Emilio is still worried. Angel reassures him, “I’ve always been sickly, don’t worry.“ Emilio tells him to rest. He himself is going to rest since he’s going out later with the boys to celebrate his promotion (must be great to be his bud, always with the celebrations). “Are you going out with Thelma?” asks Angel. “No, says Emilio, in the place we are going, they don’t allow women.” “You know, this picture I value more than any other present,” he tells Angel.

--Alina and Tonki are running along the river. In the next scene we see a woman’s legs as she strips off her dress. She plunges into the river to swim naked. She turns around, it’s a new girl, a pretty brunette about Alina’s age. She swims up to Alina. Alina calls out “Rosita!” She asks her about her mother. Rosita says that Senora Soledad is fine, a little sad but OK. Rosita has also brought some empanadas. Alina thanks her for being her friend and carrying messages. --Don Loco is talking with Sergio, whip in hand. He’s complaining that in two years, he hasn’t been able to break the will of Soledad and Alina. He thinks that the witch (Luba) hasn’t been hard enough on Alina. Sergio agrees and says that the people in the town like Alina and call her Little Flower (Florecita). Don Loco dismisses Sergio and says he’ll see about that. He puts on his gun holster.

--Emilio is getting ready for the party in his sparkling white terry bathrobe. Orlando is there, waiting for him. They talk about Thelma. Orlando asks him about her and Emilio says, she’s beautiful [huh?] They’ve spent some good times together. Orlando says, “Times? You’ve been together for more than two years.” He wants to know if Emilio is going to marry her or what. Emilio says no, not her or any other. Orlando says, “Why, because of that other girl you fell in love with?” “Did you ever see her again?” “No—it’s as if the earth swallowed her up” says Emilio. Meanwhile a brief cut to Alina/Flor and Rosita talking. Alina tells Rosita about her love for Emilio. His eyes shone…and switch to Emilio talking about Alina’s eyes. Emilio: I’ve never felt that way before or since. Alina: he was so kind. Emilio: Alina is in the past. She’s dead to me. Alina: He was wonderful. Orlando asks, so you’ve given up on her? Emilio: Yes. She betrayed me and because of her, I don’t believe in love anymore. Alina: “I believe he still loves me.” Rosita intervenes, “and what do you feel?” Alina: I will always love him. I am sure he would have saved me and my mother from this terror. Rosita asks Alina if she has tried to escape. Alina says yes, a few times but the last time, her father threatened to kill her mother if she did it again. “ My father is my worst enemy,” she says.

--cut to Don Loco in the cave talking to Luba. He wants to know why Alina is out walking around free. I guess he thought their deal was that she would stay inside the cave 24/7. Luba is trying to deflect the blame, saying that snot-nosed kid doesn’t listen to me. I’m just an old lady. Don Loco goads her about her son being gone. She says yes, my “bad son” hasn’t been back in two years. I haven’t even heard from him. It was he who tried to help the girl escape. Don Loco says, yes, I know. And tell her not to come around the hacienda and not to let Soledad see her. If she does, she (Soledad) will pay. Luba asks Don Loco, why Soledad has to pay and Don Loco tells her to mind her own business. Luba agrees. He leaves. Afterward, Luba is disgusted with herself for having to submit to the Don Loco threats but she tells herself it was to keep herself safe, because if she were forced to leave the mountain “they” would find her and burn her at the stake. For full effect, there is some kind of strange red flame burning on the cave wall, like a lighted torch behind her. Only, it’s burning an unnaturally bright red.

--Rosita and Alina/Flor are talking. Rosita wonders about Gaspar. Alina says that she doesn’t think he’s coming back. Instead she wonders about her godparents, Blanca and Elias and she says she has always hoped that one day, they would rescue her from captivity.

--At that precise moment, Blanca and Elias are in their house in Puebla. They’ve just returned from Canada. Elias tells Blanca that he’s talked to Hugo and Hugo swears that Alina is in Europe in school but he can’t tell her where. Blanca misses her. She wonders if Alvaro has hidden Soledad and Alina away at the Hacienda in Sierra Escondida. Elias says he doesn’t think so and yet, he can’t disprove it. Elias says he has a bunch of stuff to do first but as soon as he can he’ll go out to the Hacienda.

---Emilio and his buds are drinking together at a bar. Coral is with them. I guess certain kinds of women ARE allowed at this bar. And guess who works here? It’s Gaspar who is a waiter there. He’s telling the guy behind the counter, who appears to be the manager that he’s leaving to go home soon to see his Mom. The bartender is not too interested and tells him to hurry up and serve a bottle of wine to some customers while he waits on Captain Emilio and his friends. --Now we are at Thelma’s apartment. She’s dressed super-skanky in a low-cut red dress with a rhinestone buckle and a high slit skirt. She’s ticked that Emilio has stood her up. First she announces to her aunt that she’s going to get drunk and starts doing shots, with the bottle in one hand. While her aunt chastises her, she changes her mind and decides to go out looking for Emilio. She’s sure he’s with Coral. Next we see her at the bar. She’s got a black hooded cape on over her whore-ish red dress so now she just looks like a witch. She approaches the manager at the door and says that she’s a friend of Coral’s. He lets her in and leads her up to Coral’s room. She parks herself and starts drinking from a bottle she finds in there. Pretty soon she is wasted and stewing about the surprise she’s going to give them. Coral and Emilio do go up to the private room area for some hanky-panky but Coral either sees that Thelma (or someone) is in that room or Thelma is in the wrong room because she guides Emilio to another room along the corridor

--Luba and Alina are in the cave talking. Luba says Don Loco was here. He doesn’t want you near the hacienda. Alina says, “I know, but I’ve got to figure out something to help my mother and I escape.” “what are you thinking of?” asks Luba

--Back to the bar with the private suites. Still alone, Thelma is drunk and falls on the floor. She crawls over to the couch and passes out.

--at another bar/whorehouse somewhere near Sierra Escondida called Meson de Edelmira, the gay waiter, wearing diamond earrings, is urged by the madam/manager to get some music going. He waves at the band and then sashays by a table where Maximo and Don Loco are drinking together. Apparently Don Loco has taken Maximo’s advice and joined him at Maximo’s favorite whorehouse. Maximo counsels him to crack down on his workers, to make sure that they don’t side with his wife and daughter. “You’ve got to show them who is boss!” says Maximo. After so many drinks that he’s knocking the bottles off the table, Don Loco finally goes off with one of the working girls. When they get up to her room, he starts seeing her as Soledad.

--back at the cave, Luba and Alina are talking about Alina’s studies in herbalism. Alina asks if she can make some tea to take to her mother, to comfort her. Luba is wary of Soledad contacting her mother. She changes the subject to Gaspar and how much she misses him. She thinks that Gaspar has found himself a woman and he’ll never return. Alina exclaims, Gaspar, a woman? As if he were not –ahem—capable or interested in the ladies. Luba takes umbrage. Of course, she says, Gaspar is “muy macho!” Very masculine! She then proceeds to tell the tale of Gaspar. Apparently he wasn’t always mentally disabled. He was a lucha libre fighter. And he did well until some competitor rearranged his face on a metal pole. Luba said she thought that he would die, but he got better, but remained as you see, childlike. [closed head injury with severe brain trauma, no doubt.]

--back to the bar where Emilio and his friends are. Gaspar is talking to the manager again. The manager is telling him, If I don’t see you, have a nice trip!Emilio and Coral are in her room where they are making out. Coral complains that his kisses haven’t been the same since that girl dumped him. Emilio gets mad and tells her not to mention her again. They start kissing again and Emilio gets more in the mood by calling her Alina. At first Coral is taken aback but then she figures whatever it takes to get those hot kisses from Emilio.

--Alina and Luba are still talking in the cave. Alina starts talking again about how much she loves Emilio. Luba is surprised that she’s kept it secret for so long. It also explains why she is always so sad. Alina explains to her how they were going to decide how to proceed to formalize their courtship when Don Loco came to town and dragged Alina and her mother to Sierra Escondida, with no time to advise Emilio about what was happening. Every day she thinks about him and wishes he would rescue her but if he doesn’t, she will find a way to get to him. Luba chides her that she can’t let her escape again, she’s seen the problems that it causes with Don Loco. Alina says she doesn’t want to cause any problems for Luba. Luba also points out that nobody in Sierra Escondida will help her. They are all afraid of Don Loco and that he will kick them off his property if they help her. You’d have to pay them a lot, she says.At this an idea occurs to Alina. My mother has some jewelry. “We can sell it and use the proceeds to get people to help us.” Luba chides her—“you are not going anywhere to get into more trouble.”Orlando and that other soldier are chatting about Thelma again. Orlando says that Emilio never wants to marry. Meanwhile, Thelma is passed out upstairs, in one of the hookers’ suites in her skanky shiny red dress. Gaspar happens by and sees her. I imagine he’s thinks it’s his lucky night, one of the girls doesn’t have a client. He starts getting undressed and caresses her. Thelma who is half out of it, thinks he is Emilio and responds sleepily to his kisses.

--It’s night and Alina slips out of the cave while Luba is sleeping with Tonki. She explains to him that they have to talk to her mom about the idea of selling her jewels for an escape attempt.-

-At the hacienda, Soledad is sleeping. Don Loco comes in drunk and tries to make love to her. She wakes up and is horrified. They have the same conversation pretty much that they always have. Alvaro: I hate you, you betrayed me. Soledad: I did not, one day you will regret this. Why don’t you let us leave? Alvaro: No, I have to make you pay. In the end, she gets him to go away. If he actually got some action with the hooker earlier in the evening and he’d been drinking a lot, you’d think that maybe he didn’t have the wherewithal anyway.

--Coral and Emilio are done getting jiggy and are walking out of the suite area. Coral pokes her head into the room with Gaspar and Thelma and pops back out remarking [I think] about how Gaspar is with someone. “ Isn’t that strange?” She laughs and they walk down the stairs to the bar level. At that moment, Thelma wakes up to face Gaspar on top of her. She’s horrified and screams at him to get off of her and to let her go. Gaspar pleads with her and reminds her that she kissed him. Poor Gaspar! I guess he has fallen in love with this skanky witch! In any event, he isn’t about to let her go.

--Alina is trying to sneak into Soledad’s room at the hacienda. Using Tonki as a distraction to the men guarding her door. Alina slips in. --More struggling and yelling from Thelma results in the manager arriving on the scene. --Soledad is surprised to see Alina walk through the door. She gives her a bottle of some extract to put in tea as a sedative. Alina notes that her mother has been crying. She tells her that she can’t let that man mistreat her. “Oh, he’s just crazed from jealousy” says her mother and “that man” is your father. [Uh, lady, he’s made your daughter live in a cave and he’s locked you up in a room for two years. I think we’ve satisfied the definition of domestic abuse].Alina tells her mother about her plan to sell her mothers jewels to buy some help from somebody to escape. They go for the jewelry box. Surprise! The box is empty. “Alvaro must have taken them,” says Soledad. After some more small talk, “If only Emilio could rescue us…” Soledad says she deserves to be happy.

--Thelma is back in her witch’s cape staggering out of the bar. Orlando catches sight of her and she turns and runs away. He calls the manager over, whose name, I guess is “Luka.” “Who was that woman who just ran out of here from the private rooms?” Orlando asks. Luka says “I don’t know. She was an elegant [upper class?] woman.” “She was with that giant waiter.” Orlando and the other guy are left shaking their heads. “Thelma? It couldn’t be.” Emilio shows up and is ready to go. He looks at Orlando’s expression and says “you look like you’ve seen the devil.” “A she-devil,” says Orlando.

--Alina and her mom are continuing their conversation. Alina is recounting the splendid few days she spent with Emilio at the beach. And she tells how she had to leave him in the lurch when Don Loco grabbed her. Soledad explains to Alina why Don Loco is a jealous maniac, because of her Father’s harsh words toward them when they were eloping. And the letter. Alina wonders, “but who was that letter for?” Soledad just looks puzzled.

--Alina slips out of the house, before she can round the corner, Don Loco appears, calling for Adela and Alina hides in the shadows.

Labels: duelo

Remember Lety saying: "I'll never have to see Don Fern again" ? Well, she still doesn't see him.

In Marcia's apartment, Fern reassures her: "I won't see Lety - my dad and the lawyers will do it - she and I are finished." His reassurances become progressively less reassuring. "I have no way to get back with her - I'm trying to leave it all behind - please help me! I'm afraid." He hugs Marcia absently and takes her to bed where they snuggle in a gloomy and perfunctory manner.

Next morning Tomas is wheezing and stumbling around the park - Lety, dressed as an Easter bunny, has dragged him out for a nice trot, saying: "We have to take care of the body, thus we take care of the spirit." "Where'd you get this @#$%^ idea??!" "From an unforgettable friend in Acapulco."

That friend in Acapulco loses points with me as we see him roaring down the beach in a noisy ATV! Bad Aldo! He's shouting "I miss Lety!!" and cackling!

Cute little lawyer Sanchez calls Lety and welcomes her back to Mexico City air pollution and tells her the meeting has been cancelled, he doesn't know why, if she finds out will she let him know? and she should expect a call at home.

Julieta thinks Fern has something to do with the cancellation, Lety says "No, there's no way he wants to see me." She goes to her room in a panic, thought-bubbling: it takes all my strength just to think about talking to him. She remembers her courage during the dive with Aldo. "He helps me, and I can confide in him... Where are you? I wish I had your strength here with me, I miss you."

Aldo decides he wants to come find her in Mexico City. He talks to his friend Guillermo, head of the restauranteur association, who lives in town. "I want to start doing the things I used to do before my wife's death, renew my old friendships... yes, I would like to come see you ... how about today?"

Marcia and Fern arrive at Conceptos. Omar's there but Humbie hasn't arrived. Marcia and Fern kiss in front of the Feas, who sigh about lovely love. Fern looks very ill at ease.

He and Omar agree they are worried that Lety's the only hope for the business - as a lifesaver she's a penca de nopal (stalk of prickly-pear cactus). Fern: "She must hate me so much, why would she help?" "Are you tempted to talk to her?" "All I've been hoping for, all these days, is to talk to her, and yesterday was very difficult because I knew where she was, but I couldn't go, because I was with Marcia, we're giving it another try. Besides, Lety hates me, what can I do?" "It seems the responsibility for that hatred is all yours." "I'm afraid if I talk to her she'll get angry all over again and then she won't help with the business."

Humberto walks in; our Bobbsey twins in expensive suits jump up and knock things over; Humberto gets Lety's number and leaves to make The Phonecall; Fernando sneaks a peak as Humberto sits alone, shaping his thoughts. Fern goes to eavesdrop in the next room.

Meanwhile Julieta is feeding Erasmo (soon she'll be putting a bib on him and spooning stuff into his mouth so he doesn't have to exert himself). At least he compliments her: "Your chiliquitas would revive the dead." They rehash the Sanchez phone call.

Lety arrives, still in pink, and asks for cereal with fruit and yogurt for breakfast; the chiliquitas have too much fat and she wants to listen to what her body needs. "No diets in this house!" grumps Erasmo. "Let her eat what she wants," counters Julieta, "she wants to be prettier." "She is already beautiful, of course! She's a Padilla!" He invokes his fat aunt who was beautiful in every way. Julieta counters with her own beautiful elegant aunt. As Erasmo's dissertation on the "distinguished and classy Padillas" reaches a climax, Tomas arrives. He can barely hobble to the trough after his run around the park this morning. He commences shoveling food into his mouth. Erasmo gets cross. Lety says: "I know it's your house, dad, but I live here too and Tomas is my best friend, my brother, part of this family, even if he doesn't come up to the gorgeousness standard of the Padilla-Solis." "Thank God!" mutters Tomas, then "I meant, rather, thank God for this sacred food."

The Padilla phone rings. All crowd round to listen. It's Humberto, who says he's worried. Lety: "Why? We told you we wouldn't keep your business. We were going to sign the papers this morning, but the meeting was cancelled." "I know, it was I who cancelled the meeting. I appreciate your attitude. I want to see you, just the two of us alone, could you possibly come today?" "Where?" "Here, at Conceptos." "No, that's not convenient." "But I'll be making a series of decisions and I'll need the committee to ratify them. I don't want to postpone again, I need to know the future of the business. I'm begging you." She agrees. Erasmo gives her thumbs up.

Ariel enters the conference room and asks snidely after "our savior;" Humberto follows behind and says Lety's coming in. "Why here?" "I know you don't want to see her, but we must put pride aside. We need to let her in if we want her cooperation." Marcia starts to bolt, Humberto says "that's not the way a team player behaves, we must all make the sacrifice." She says she doesn't feel well and leaves. Asked how Lety reacted to the call, Humberto says she was disconcerted - she has no idea what's going to happen.

Fernando is sure she won't help. He remembers the Mendiroels snarling at Lety: "Never come back, don't expect a reference, you're a calamity." Fern: "We humiliated her!" They all remember times they kicked sand in her face. [Another reminder to us all that it's never safe to be creepy to anybody.] Fern: "We weren't just rotten to her that last day, but all the days and months before that."

Lety wants to go to the meeting alone as Humberto requested. "I'm brave! And they bent their knees to me!" Caro calls and, when told about the upcoming confrontation, suggests they meet for coffee. Julieta takes Lety aside and says, "I know how hard this is, I'll be praying for you." Lety dashes out; Humberto insisted on driving her but while his car won't start there's time for the local louts to taunt Lety: "You dress like a nun of the last century." She thanks them for their valuable feedback.

In a coffee shop, Caro is very fetching in pigtails and Daisy Dukes. She reminds her quivering friend to be the new Lety: brave, free and decisive. "When you're afraid, you don't see clearly." "I need Aldo, I think of him. It's scary when I think of seeing ... you know who." "It's your trial by fire, you can conquer it!" "I need Aldo to give me strength."

Caro's cellphone rings - naturally it's Aldo, just off the plane, asking where he can find Lety. "Hmm, that might be hard, she has a business meeting." "Well, I'd like to talk with her and tell her I'm here." Caro passes over the phone to the astonished Lety. "ALDO? What are you doing here?" "Well, the traffic jams of Mexico City have their enchantments of course, and I'm visiting my restaurant buddy who has a project for me to prepare." "Welcome." "Is that all? I was hoping for a hug." "I have to go to Conceptos now, but thanks - talking to you put my soul back in my body." [Note to Aldo haters: he looks pretty darn good to me right now. If I were in Lety's shoes, I'd be gladder than glad about this fortuitous arrival!]

Aldo hangs up and a cute kid (if Li'l Lui had been this cute, maybe he wouldn't have had to die) comes up trying to sell him a crummy little plastic box; he wants money to buy a snack. "My granny gave it to me, it's for keeping treasures in, when I was little I used to have a bottle cap collection." "Treasures?" muses Aldo, "OK, I'll buy it, I have treasures too." He opens the fancy box he'd taken to the airport to give Lety the time he was too late to see her off. He puts the pearl and some sand into the crummy box.

At Conceptos, Marcia asks Mama T if Lety's come yet, then snarls in frustration: "She's gonna take revenge on us! How can Humberto bring her here when we all said we didn't want to talk to her?!!!" "You're the most bothered, but remember, Humberto and Ariel don't know about Fern+Lety and I don't think this an opportune time to tell them. Be dignified, relax - we'll all lose if you crack when you see her."

At the coffeeshop, the newly buoyed Lety struts, chin up, "I'll walk like this, like you, Doña Carolina, when I enter the room." She feels more optimistic knowing Aldo's in town. Caro gives her a picture of Aldo hugging her. Lety: "I know they all hate me, but I don't resent them." "Because your heart's at peace." "When I see Fern I'll just remember I've forgiven him."

Suddenly Lety - who told Humberto ages ago she was coming right to the office - decides it's time to go clothes shopping with Caro. Caro remembers Aldo saying: "When Lety thinks it's time for a change, she'll change." Lety confides that her mom always bought her clothes, and furthermore, that she (Lety) often wore her mother's clothes, even her grandmother's clothes! "But I don't think they're really me." Caro of course agrees.

Fern paces, visits Lety's old hole of an office, remembers their ghastly parting - she saying she'd waited so long, in vain, for him to abandon Omar's heartless plan, he embracing her desperately and saying "I adore you" just as Marcia entered and led him off by the nose ...

Omar comes in, observes Fern's "little nostalgia," and asks how Fern is feeling about Lety's arrival. Fern: "I have tachycardia, I'm very nervous." "Have you indeed decided that Lety is of the past?" No answer. "Are you going to greet her coldly? It was all a mistake, you never loved her, is that it? You were a victim of temporary insanity. Your obsession grew from your wish to save the business, and now it's over. It was a - surreal stage of your life." Sarcastic applause from Fern. Omar pushes his luck: "Now you'll see her as she always was." "An - ugly woman?" "Well, a little bit ugly, well a little more than a little bit ugly." "No. I see her, no I FEEL her, as precious, Carvajal."

Labels: fea