Caray, Caray!

Picture this: "Marfil" is wearing a blue pleather vest and an evil grin as she pours yellow liquid into a pestle. She's asked Max to come and have one last talk with him before she moves out. He arrives and tells tia Yolanda that he and "Marfil" are finally separating, then he walks right into "Marfil"'s little trap. He asks what "Marfil" wants to talk about, and make it quick because I've got to get back to the fabrica and make sure that Diana's not making it with Alvarro. "Marfil" tells him he will not ever see again as she throws the liquid into his eyes. Max is screaming and writhing in pain as she storms out the door with her suitcase in tow. Yolanda tries to stop her, but we all know that Yolanda is no match for this fiera. "Marfil" pushes her onto the couch and walks out. Max calls out to Yolanda to call an ambulance.

Meanwhile, the ratfink Alvaro is calling Diego to let him know that Diana has given Max a job at the fabrica. Diego is impactado. Pancho is there with him, so we get another scene of "worthless Diana" talk.

After Alavaro hangs up the phone, he proceeds to stand at the reception desk and talk to himself about how this will all work out - now Diego will get rid of Max, and Alvarro will have Diana all to himself. Caramelo overhears this and runs to tell Diana the news.

Diana is impactada. She didn't know that he was capable of such a thing! Emilio threatens to rearrange Alvaro's face, but Diana takes charge and fires Alvaro instead.

Next we're transported to the shack where Ignacio held Diana and Marfil/Debora captive. "Marfil" and Ignacio are very pleased with the sneak attack that will ruin Max's life forever.
At hospital TeleMiami, the Doctor and Yolanda are standing in the hallway discussing Max's prognosis. He won't know if Max's blindness will be permanent until they know more about the liquid. If it was acid, it will be serious. Their discussion is cut short by Max's screams, and they run in to try to reason with him and explain that he should stay calm while they run some tests.

Back to "Marfil" and Ignacio, who are still giddy with the success of their evil plan. What bad luck Diana has - a husband who's paralyzed and a lover who's blind. Ignacio comments that both Max and Diana will suffer greatly for all of their lives - as they should since Diana is the one to blame for Ignacio losing his license. All of this success seems to be making Ignacio frisky - as the scene ends, he slithers up close to "Marfil" and looks like he's thinking about putting the moves on her. Now wouldn't they be the perfect match!

Psycho Mansion: Diego is screaming for Gaviota. Is she aware that Max is working at the fabrica? A very pickled Gaviota is surprised to hear this.

We return to the fabrica, where the executive team has been reduced to Diana, Gaby, and Caramelo. They're discussing how Diana is going to explain to Diego that she's rehired Max. It's a surprise that they're so nervous about Diego's reaction - Diego's always sunshine and light!
Speaking of sunshine and light, at the mansion, Diego is continuing his talk with Gaviota. He's explaining the call that he received, and that he doesn't want them working together. Gaviota agrees - she doesn't want any stinking Irazabal working at her fabrica.

Larry's arrived at the hospital and learns from Yolanda that Max has been blinded by a liquid that Marfil threw in his face. Larry is impactado.

Diana is at her desk contemplating her next move, telling herself that Gaby and Caramelo are right - she's going to have to tell Diego the truth. She hopes he'll understand. Just then her phone rings - it's Larry calling to tell her that Max has been blinded by the liquid. (am I the only one singing "blinded by the light" right now? I think not). Violins take us to commercial.

Back from commercial, Diana is still on the phone with Larry. Max is at the same hospital that Diana worked at, and she should come quick. At the reception desk, Beatriz is telling Emilio about how unfair it was of Diana to fire Alvaro. Emilio disagrees, the guy wasn't a good employee anyway. They're interrupted by Diana, who runs in to tell them that she's going to the hospital to see Max. she presses the button for the elevator and immediately the doors open and Camila comes crashing out of the doors - runs into Diana and tells Diana to watch where she's going. Diana tells Emilio what hospital she's going to (as if there's more than one option) and leaves. camila asks what's going on, but Emilio is reluctant to tell her. He says it's best if she doesn't know, and walks away. Beatriz fills her in, and Camila instructs her to call Octavia immediately. Then she's off like she's been shot out of a cannon.

At the hospital, Max's head has been wrapped in gauze and he's screaming that he can't see. He's thrashing around in the bed and Larry's doing his best to hold one leg down as he tells Max to calm down, he's sure the doctors will be able to do something. Besides, Diana is on her way to see him. Max totally loses it when he hears this. He doesn't want Diana to see him like this. Yolanda runs to get the Doctor, who returns and tells the nurse to prepare a calmate. Then he proceeds to physically restrain Max while telling him to calm down. How's that for state of the art healthcare?

We return to psycho mansion, where dramatic piano music plays as Diego rolls himself out to the gazebo so that he can practice standing. He's getting out of his wheelchair pretty easily now, he just pulls himself up and grasps on to the nearest pillar. Too bad he can never let Diana know about this.

Back to Max: he's resting peacefully now, and Larry is at his side. Diana arrives and learns from Yolanda about Marfil's sneak attack. Diana enters Max's room and he awakes and tells her that he didn't want her to see him like that. She tells him to stop that foolish talk, she had to be there at his side. He tells her this is a nightmare, and she assures him that she will be by his side while he needs her. In the hallway, Yolanda is telling Larry that Marfil escaped, she wasn't able to detain her, when Camila comes barging in asking what room Max is in. They try to prevent her from going in, but she's stubborn as a bulldog. She'll open every door until she finds him!

As Camila is searching for him, Max and Diana are having a heart to heart. He wants to leave the hospital, but she tells him he must stay, and the important thing is that he's surrounded by loved ones. Max wants to know if she'll stay by his side, but before she can answer Camil storms into the room and tell her to get away from the bed.

In the hallway, Larry is telling Yolanda and Pilar's lies when Octavia and Paco arrive and want to know where Max is.

In Max's room, the ladies are fighting for the right to stay by Max's side. Camila reminds him that Diana lied to him about his son, but when asked to choose, we all know that he chose his glassy eyed maiden. Camila stomps out of the room, and Max tells Diana what a high price he had to pay to get her by his side. Cue the violins, and we're saved by the commercial.

Back from commercial, Yolanda tells Octavia and Paco what's happened and Octavia is not surprised to hear it. After all, Max has rejected her repeatedly over several months. Paco is impactado to hear Octavia try to defend the attack, and Larry is quick to tell her that it's not Max's fault. Just then Camila stomps out of Max's room and informs Octavia that Diana has thrown her out of Max's room. Octavia says that she will intervene in the affair (tomar cartas en el asunto), but Paco tells her this is not the time for a scandal.

In Max's room, the violins continue to play as Max and Diana have the same discussion they always have, except now Max is heartbroken that he won't see his son's first steps. Enter Octavia and Paco, and Diana announces their entrance and says she will leave him alone with them. Octavia tells him that now he's dealing with the consequences of his treatment of Marfil. Paco tries to get her to shut up, but that's like trying to get Caramelo to wear a real blouse that actually covers something. Max tells her that if she's just come to torment him, it's best if she leaves. Cue the synthesizers of doom.

We're transported to the convent in the selva, where Andres has managed to steal a nun's habit for the real Marfil to use in her plan for revenge. Tomorrow they will return to Miami, where they will take down Ignacio, Diana, and "Marfil." None of them can imagine what awaits them!

Back at the mansion, Gaby and Caramelo are talking about how furious Diego is going to be when he hears what's happened. Caramelo says that she imagines that fire will come out of his mouth. Little does she know that our little Mr. Sunshine is rolling up behind her, and he hears everything she says. He asks what they're talking about and Gaby tells him about "Marfil's" attack on Max. Much to Gaby and Caramelo's surprise, he's thrilled to hear it, but is less than thrilled to hear that Diana has gone to the hospital to be by his side.

At the hospital, Rene has heard the news and has come to check on Yolanda. Yolanda updates him on Max's condition - they still don't know if the blindness is permanent. It hurts her so to see Max like this, it's too much. Rene, ever the gentleman, offers his shoulder to cry on, but Yolanda pulls away and tells him that the kiss shouldn't have happened. Rene admits that he's completely in love with her, and we break for commercial.

Back from commercial, Diana is still at Max's side, and he's asking her to stay with him, don't go home and sleep with Diego. Their theme song begins to play as Diana confesses that they don't sleep together, and they never have. This is enough to appease Max, along with the promise that she'll return tomorrow.

In the hallway, Yolanda tells Rene that he's not in love, he's just confused. She's old enough to be his mother! Her friends, her family would think she's crazy! Rene is so cute as he pleads with her - age doesn't matter. She's special, unique. He knew it from the first time he saw her.
Gaviota's room at psycho mansion: Gaby has come to talk to her, and finds her drunk again. Gav explains that she needs it to help her forget Paco, and this is the only way she can escape. Gaby tells her the news about Max.

Rene is still pleading with Yolanda. It's true love, and doesn't she feel the same way? Yolanda tells him to stop this foolishness and be on his way. He agrees, but says that he's sure they'll talk about this again, so she needs to decide if she wants to see him again. Pobre de Rene!

At Casa Naca, Lala and Pancho are discussing what's happened. Pancho has no pity for this tipo, but Lala tells him that Diego's suffering is not Max's fault. She thinks it's best if they keep this a secret from Paola, who's already having a problem with drugs. Paola, meanwhile, is in the bedroom leaving a message for Andres to call her when he returns to Miama. Pancho enters and wants to know why she doesn't consider going into rehab. She says she's not an addict, and she has no intention of leaving him alone so that he can hook up with Caramelo. She says the only way they will be happy is if Caramelo is dead! She's not a murderer, but she can't stop wishing for bad things to happen to Caramelo. She should just multiply by zero.

Diana has returned home and is met by a cheery Diego, who's been waiting for her. Cut to commercial.

When we return from commercial, we learn that both of Max's corneas have been burned, but they're still not sure what the liquid was. They're still testing. As they talk, Max awakes and demands to know whether he will see again. The doctor says they don't know yet, and leaves the room. Yolanda and Larry give Max a pep talk about keeping the faith.

At Paco's apartment, he's questioning her behavior at the hospital. What does she have against Diana, is it just that she's Gaviota's daughter. She says yes, it's that, and that the "dead fly" got pregnant by her son on purpose, so that she could become an Irazabal. Paco tries to reason with her, and gets a glimpse of the real Octavia when she gets in his face and yells at him not to contradict her! He tells her that it's the first and last time she'll raise her voice to him. What happened to the woman he married in Key West? She tells him that he's getting to know the real Octavia, a strong woman, and don't critize me! Paco tells her that he's realizing that it was a big mistake to marry her, and walks out. Bruna enters the room and tells Octavia that maybe she should be a little more amiable with Paco, if she treats him badly she'll push him into the arms of Gaviota. She explains that she can't help it - Gaviota or her daughters are always in her way! Bruna says that she heard them saying that Max is in the hospital, what's happened? Octavia tells her that Marfil has thrown liquid in his eyes that's blinded him forever. Bruna is impactada.

Back to the funhouse, where Diego is berating Diana for going to the hospital. It's the same argument as always, up until Diego accuses her of being unfaithful, which she denies. She tells him that Max is the true father of her son, and is rewarded by a slap upside her head. Credits roll.

Labels: acorralada

Part One

Vera continues her rant against Luba to the Singing Aunt. She believes that Thelma asked Luba to bewitch Alina. Thelma overhears Veras suspicions and adds to them telling Vera and the aunt that she did ask Luba to do this. She states that she doesnt doubt that Luba and Gaspar had something to do with the death of Alina. Way to go Thelma taking advantage of the servants fears.

Labels: duelo

(Apologies for the late posting.


Today’s capítulo begins with a replay of the scene in Pilar’s hospital room. She’s had a comb-out, retouched her make-up, and looks ready to hop out of bed, throw on something skimpy, and dance the night away in a pricey little antro. Bueno, Pilar rehashes her latest evil scheme and swears Kique to secrecy. Larry is out in the hall, listening at the door. The consummate actor, he delays his entrance until she says, “Larry will never know that Gaby is innocent!” Kique denies any involvement and high-tails it when Larry threatens to break his face. Once they’re alone, Larry confronts while Pilar lies and denies. He calls her “basura” and tells her that he wants her out of his life forever.

Out in the hall, Kique runs into Sandy and warns her that now might not be the best time to visit Pilar. Larry’s in there, he knows everything, and he’s a fiera. Sandy is glad to hear it. Kique raises his eyebrows as the String Quartet of Doom strikes an ominous chord. He thought she and Pilar were friends. Sandy’s no longer sure about that. Pili’s gone too far with this lie. Gaby deserves happiness, more than Kique or Pilar do. Close-up of Our Evil Studmuffin, unsure if he should be impactado.

At Casa Naco, Paola is pacing the living room like a caged fiera. She’s got a mean case of the Dopehead Blues. She sits down on the couch and calls Andrés. On the end table is a framed photo of Pancholón, arms folded, smirking at the camera as if to say, “I’m the hottest macho that ever swung cojones.” Cut to Andrés, in Mother Superior’s office. He tells Peyola that he can’t sell her any wacky dust today, he’s out of town. Tomorrow. He goes on to suggest that she could pay with something other than cash. After all, it’s not like she’s legally married, and she wouldn’t be calling him if Pancho really made her happy. Paola gets up indignantly and replies that she’s only interested in the wacky dust. “Maybe you’ll change your mind tomorrow,” he says with a leer. She hangs up on him and paces, uncertain how else to score. I’ll bet Kique has a connection, but this does not occur to our simple-minded fierita. She sits back down on the couch and huddles in a fetal position. Lala would not be happy if her sofa cushions were punctured by the four-inch spike heels on Peyola’s ankle-strap sandals. Cue Maudlin Flute Ensemble. It’s all Pancho’s fault. Why does he love Caramelo better than her? Why doesn’t he divorce her? Why can’t he be hers alone?

Over at Perfumes Gaviota, Emilio tries to placate Max, who is fuming over Alvaro, saying he should have fired that loser when he had the chance. Gaby is about to enter, but she hears Diana’s name and stops at the door. She gets the scoop on Alvaro’s real intentions towards la Señora Presidenta. This comes as a big surprise to Little Doormat, despite the fact that three-quarters of the men on this show have wanted to bed Our Heroine at one time or another. En fin, Max thinks it would be an excellent idea to call Diego to clue him in and Gaby decides to nip that idea in the bud. She bursts into the office crying out, “Don’t you dare!” Diana’s having enough problems with Diego, thanks to Max and that photo of the infamous makeout session. (Little Doormat just fails to appreciate how sublimely ridiculous tele-suerte can be.) She gives the boys a lecture on office etiquette. They should stop gossiping and get back to work. Exit la Señora Vicepresidenta. Max and Emilio try to look suitably chastised.

Meanwhile, Alvaro and Diana are having a nice lunch at a beachfront restaurant. As predicted by Our Hero, Alvaro is making the moves on Diana, who fends him off with her gauche, la-de-da impression of a Lady of Quality. She didn’t accept his lunch invitation to discuss her private life. If he and Max don’t stop fighting, she’ll have to fire one of them. Alvaro’s not taking her act seriously. Diana sternly warns him not to fall in love with her. She is, after all, a Married Woman. He’s not put off by her schoolgirl airs and graces. He’s willing to bide his time.

Meanwhile, Gaby is cracking the executive whip in Diana’s absence. She enters Max’s office to ask if he’s signed the orders yet. Ever the professional, Our Hero responds with a question of his own: “Has Diana returned from lunch with that cretino Alvaro Ferrer?” “No.” Close-up of Max rubbing his forehead.

Back at the hospital, Pilar tearfully tries to convince Lunkhead that he just misunderstood. He can ask Sandy if he wants. “I was an idiot to believe your lies” / “I’m not lying, it’s the truth.” We’ve all heard this argument before, although Larry gives it a twist by crediting God with his fortuitous discovery of Pilar’s latest intrigue. Pilar keeps going. She seems to think if she keeps accusing Gaby long enough, Larry will eventually cave. Instead he tells her that she’s basura. Enter Sandy. Pilar frantically begs Sandy to tell Larry the truth. “Nuestra verdad,” she says loudly and emphatically. Sandy lets her down by telling Lunkhead what really happened. Larry is impactado. If looks could kill, Pilar’s fiera glare would have Sandy leaving the room in a body-bag.

We return to Perfumes R Us. Little Doormat hands a batch of invoices to Beatriz, telling her to review them, enter them into the computer, and file the originals. Our Secretary-Spy takes the folder and inexplicably heads for the elevator being vacated by Diana and Alvaro. They part amicably and Gaby hurries over to Diana to get the scoop. There is none, Our Heroine declares. She is a Married Woman. It was a business lunch. Gaby is worried that Max will get jealous and try to take away Maxito. “Let him try,” is Our Heroine’s defiant response.

Inside her office, Diana gets down to business. She is rummaging through her little handbag when Max enters. He wants to know how lunch with that imbécil Alvaro was. Our Heroine puts on a fresh coat of lipstick, aiming for smart, sophisticated nonchalance as she tells Max what a swell guy Alvaro is. Max forces her to abandon that silly pose as he grills her about her indiscreet behavior. Again she plays the Married Woman card. “Exactly,” counters Max. “Diego doesn’t deserve this.” Diana can’t believe she just heard that and for a moment I can’t, either. Then Max asks if Alvaro kissed her. Because if he did, Max will break his face. Close-up of Diana, impactada. Commercial.

We are outside. In the foreground, a silver crucifix dangles from a rosary. In the background, a snowy white statue of the Virgin. Cue Orchestra of Doom. Dissolve to Bruna, sobbing and praying behind a lovely arrangement of white roses. She performs an eloquent hand ballet with her rosary, covering her face at the end. She holds that pose for a moment, then grips the iron railing before her and raises herself up. Eyes shifting dementedly from side to side, Bruna says she must tell the truth about her daughters, all of it, so that the Virgin will forgive her. She sinks down again. Dissolve back to the statue, looking down serenely, hands folded in prayer. Dissolve to Bruna, who gets to her feet again. “The guilt is driving me crazy!” she cries. “I’m going crazy!” She repeats this three more times, matching the Orchestra of Doom’s rising hysteria, then snatches up her purse and runs off as if pursued by the Furies. Pobre de Bruna.

Back in Diana’s office, Max continues the interrogation. He tells Diana that if she has an affair with Alvaro, he will use it against her to gain sole custody. She questions his chances of winning, considering what kind of family the Irascibles are. Since this is a dull exchange, let’s just ignore them for a moment and break that statement down. With los Irazabal, Mini Maxi gets a bankrupt, homeless father; an unhinged, sociopathic stepmother; a drugged-out aunt; a criminal “uncle”; and a homicidal grandmother. With the Garcés-Soriano-Suárez clan, he gets a dim-witted mother; an insanely jealous stepfather; a dim-witted aunt; a criminal uncle; and an alcoholic grandmother. No, either way the poor kid is screwed. En fin, Max declares his intention of divorcing Marfil. More bickering. Our Hero then tells Diana that the girl he loved was just a mirage. The Nueva Diana can have all the flings she wants, with anyone in the fábrica. At this point he’s just inside his office, and the doors close on him. “I hate him!” Diana says. “But I also love him.” Close-up of Our Heroine, confundida.

Over at Emilio’s, Yolanda is sitting on the couch in that fugly brown dress with pale turquoise trim. I’d really like to know just what the hell Ofelia Cano did to offend Grisel Torres, the fanciful but economy-minded fahionista who dresses the cast. Bueno, Yolanda is flashing back to the kiss on the beach. Why did René kiss her? He could be her son. But it was sweet madness. Her reverie is cut short by a phone call from Max. He wants to speak to Marfil. Yolanda calls Our Little Blonde Weasel, who comes prancing out of the bedroom. She’s perky and lovey-dovey when she takes the phone from Yolanda, but Max quickly bursts her little bubble. Cue String Quartet of Doom. He wants her to move out. Now. Close-up of Debora, impactada, moving her eyes from side to side. She gulps. Close-up of Max, sternly telling her he doesn’t want to see her when he gets home. Close-up of Debora, impactada, moving her eyes from side to side.

Time to check in with Larry. Sandy repeats that Gaby is innocent and Pilar tells her not to lie. Our Airhead Adonis is still in fiera mode. He turns on Pilar and says she no longer has a chance with him. She has no scruples, he doesn’t want to see or hear her, etc. He’s off to beg Gaby’s forgiveness. Pilar becomes hysterical, but her tears fail to detain him. Close-up of Pilar, weeping; the door shuts; the sob turns into a snarl of rage and she begins shrieking at Sandy the traitor. Sandy apologizes, but Our Scheming Sex Kitten isn’t having any. She throws her pillows at Sandy, screaming at her to get out. Alone, pillows gone, she stops, panting, sweating, hair hanging in her face. She’s gone from fiera to she-demon. “I can’t lose Larry! I won’t lose him!”

We return to Emilio’s. Debora’s in Chihuahua-on-crack mode. She still hasn’t figured out that this never gets her the desired results. It doesn’t work this time, either. Max explains that no judge will give him custody as long as he’s saddled with a violent, hysterical wife, so she’s got to go. Debora vows to make him pay. She’ll never let him be happy with Diana. She hangs up, refuses to answer Yolanda’s questions, grabs her purse, and storms out.

Back at Perfumes R Us, las hermanas Soriano are in Diana’s office. La Señora Presidenta is having second thoughts about her decision to hire Max. Ever the shrewd and prescient observer of human behavior, Little Doormat says she knew that lunch with Alvaro would have consequences. They quibble about our star-crossed lovers’ tortured relationship. Diana concludes that Max is a cretin. Gaby agrees, but he’s a cretin Diana loves madly. Our Heroine has no answer to that. Close-up of Diana, sulking.

Meanwhile, right next door, Max is at his desk, poking himself in the forehead with a pen. Maybe this is his way of trying to stimulate an idea. Enter Emilio. Max rehashes his phone call. Menacing chords from the Orchestra of Doom as Emilio warns Max to watch out for Marfil. She’s capable of anything. Close-up of Max, distracted.

From there we go to Dr. Evil’s Lair. Someone’s at the door. With Andrés gone, Ignacio has to open the door himself. And what do you know, it’s Debora. She starts right in to crabbing about her latest problem. Dr. Evil is perfectly willing to put her up, but she’ll have to share his bed and tolerate Camila and Silvia. Debora’s not feelin’ it. She taps her little foot, waiting for a better offer. Iggy tries again. He’ll kick the girls out, but in return…She vigorously rebuffs his advances, then fusses and whines about Max going back to Diana. If “Marfil” can’t have him, nobody can. Okay, fine. Dr. Evil will help. After all, what’s one more crime on his rap sheet? He’ll give her something that will destroy Maximiliano’s life forever. Debora smiles. Commercial.

Back in Diana’s office, the girls are still jawing on about Our Heroine’s love-hate relationship with Max. After a while Gaby asks if they can’t work it out somehow. Of course not; Max doubted her innocence, blah, blah, blah. (Get over it already!) Anyway, Little Doormat reminds her that Max is the father of her child. Diana replies that Diego is the only father her child has. Pobre de Maxito.

Cut to reception where Larry gets off the elevator. We get a few bars of “Acorralada” before Gaby appears and asks what he’s doing there. Cue Gaby-Larry theme song. Lunkhead rattles off his apology, but Little Doormat isn’t interested. She has work to do. She starts to walk away, but Larry stops her. He begs her to listen. Close-up of Gaby, sighing.

Time to see what Debora and Dr. Evil are up to. He saunters over to Our Little Blonde Weasel holding up a travel shampoo bottle of lemon-yellow liquid. If she throws this in Maximiliano’s eyes, he will never be happy again. Close-up of Debora, clueless as to what’s actually in the bottle, but digging the sales pitch. A splash of this will avenge her. She takes the bottle, thinking “This is so totally freakin’ cool!”

Back at Perfumes Gaviota, we see Max at his desk. He’s finally signing those orders Gaby asked him about. Enter Diana, asking for those very orders. He gives them to her, grabs her hand, and tries to make her admit that when she’s near him she goes all a-tremble. Cue theme song. She denies it, pulls her hand free, and turns her back. Instead of leaving, she sits on the edge of his desk. He tells her that she makes him nervous. She suggests they seal the communicating doors between their offices and conduct all future business by phone. Max disagrees. He comes around the desk and suggests, at some length, that they knock down the wall, wipe away all the rancor between them with a kiss. Diana stares blankly at him, occasionally blinking her eyes, then asks if he really believes his kisses have that much power. “Let’s try it.” Diana continues to stare blankly at him until commercial.

We return to Paco’s love-nest, where everyone’s favorite víbora, Lady O, is grumbling that she’s bored. All her prestigious, high-society friends have turned their backs on her. Not that she wouldn’t have done the same had this happened to one of them, but still. “I must be reborn like the phoenix. I must rise from the ashes.” Again, a great opportunity for an over-the-top, melodramatic gesture wasted. Bruna enters, still weeping. “My daughter doesn’t love me,” she moans. “She hates me.” How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child, etc. Cue Orchestra of Doom. Octavia stares uncomprehendingly as Bruna shifts into madwoman mode. Speaking in a hoarse whisper, her black-ringed eyes darting about, she says her daughter is evil. She’s going to have to tell the whole truth about Marfil and Debora. What truth? And who’s Debora? Bruna sinks down to the couch in tears. She reverts back to her usual voice and repeats that her daughter doesn’t love her, Debora is evil, etc., etc. Lady Octopus is oddly agitated by all this. Bruna recovers herself and claims not to know who Debora is. She’s upset, confused. She’s going to her room. She grabs her purse and keys and hurries away. Octavia stares after her. “What’s wrong with Bruna? Could she be going crazy?” If Octavia’s face had any mobility left, she would have looked impactada.

Over at the fábrica, Larry and Gaby are having the “Please forgive me” / “Never” conversation. Little Doormat ends it by telling Lunkhead to forgive Pilar yet again and go back to her. Close-up of Larry, completely out of ideas.

Cut to Max and Diana. More blather about his super-besos. He moves in to plant one on her, but she pulls away. He may enjoy this game, but she thinks it’s “sumamente estúpido.” Exit Diana.

Meanwhile, Debora has returned to Emilio’s. She calls Max and says she’d like to have one last chat before she leaves. Max unquestioningly gets his keys and leaves the office. Cut to Debora, who waves her bottle says that Max will never be happy with her, Diana, or anyone else when she gets through with him. Close-up of the sinister bottle of liquid, followed by a close-up of Debora with a smug, evil little smile. Commercial.

We return to the reception area of the fábrica, where Alvaro is conducting some legitimate business with Beatriz. Max approaches and confronts Alvaro, warning him off Diana. Alvaro responds with “You’re not the boss of me.” Beatriz watches and listens, no doubt taking mental notes for her daily call to Octavia. After Max leaves, she tells Alvaro that they’re both wasting their time. Diana is a Married Woman. Besides, she will never leave her invalid husband. Exit Beatriz. Close-up of Alvaro as he tells us it would interesting if Diego were to find out that Max was working at the fábrica.

Hablando del rey de Roma, the Suárez brothers are out behind the villa, having a clandestine physical therapy session. Once again Pancho wants to tell Mamá, but Diego nixes that idea. Lala will tell Diana, who will divorce him, and then he’ll no longer be a millstone around her neck. His only remaining ambition is to make Diana’s life miserable. The phone rings. It’s Alvaro. He tells Diego that Our Heroine has given Max a job at Perfumes R Us. Diego sputters in disbelief.

Back at Emilio’s, Yolanda is sitting on the couch, sipping an espresso and thinking of René. Enter Max. He asks where Marfil is. Cut to the bedroom, where Debora gleefully pours the evil yellow mystery fluid into a bowl. Cut back to Max, who tells Yolanda what’s going on. He then goes into the bedroom. So, does Debora want money or what? He has to get back to work. She’s toying with him. She tells him he’ll never see Diana again. Max isn’t following this. What does she mean? “What do I mean?” She looks up, taps her upper lip with her index finger and turns away. She sashays over to the nightstand, mockingly repeating “What do I mean?” three or four times. She picks up the bowl, whirls around, and throws the mystery fluid in Max’s face. Our Hero covers his eyes and howls with pain. Debora watches, laughing with satanic glee as Max falls back against the dresser, screaming “My eyes! My eyes!” “No one makes a fool out of me!” says Our Little Blonde Weasel as she grabs her suitcase. She makes it as far as the living room, where Yolanda demands to know what’s going on, why is Maxi yelping like that, what did Marfil do to him? She threatens to call the police, but Debora slaps her down and bolts out of the apartment. Yolanda gets up and runs into the bedroom, where Max is still thrashing around and screaming. Rather than call 911, she tries to find out what happened. Max is not very forthcoming. He cries out, “My eyes are burning!” several times and finally Yolanda runs for the phone.

Roll credits

Labels: acorralada

In the lioness’s den, er Aldo’s office, Carmaniac and her stooge listen to Aldo philosophizing again about culinary ethnic delights. He proceeds, “Every dish has it’s own identity, that represents each region, each area. Let me put it this way. The palate is the true heritage of a man. Wherever an individual travels in whatever part of the world he brings his palate with the flavors of his childhood his whole life, his mom’s cooking and grandma’s deserts."

Stooge agrees, that no one makes the chiles de nogada like my Abue. He says that’s it, exactly! He asks what comes to mind if he says white rice and raw fish, and Carmaniac very proudly thinks of Japan, and he says yes, the Orient. He says imagine this scene, we come upon a man in the middle of the Salar de Uyuni “One to Savor” (so clever), and he is longing for the flavor of a good maté, a corte, coming out of the boca juniors soccer field to buy a choripan.


They think that’s beautiful and finally understand that he wants to fuse where one is living with culinary culture. He confirms that’s what he’s refering to. In the case of Oaxaca, food made with many spices and hundreds of ingredients. And all those are going to reflect our southwest of Mexico. He leaves to see the editor. Carmaniac tells her friend she loves him and would give her life for him. Stooge tells her to keep her life until after we finish this book, eh?

The cuartel also can’t believe Fer is going to act. Lola pipes in that that is no news because men are always good actors. They wonder about their dinner with Fer Colunga. PM calls Juan José Origel (Pepillo) at the La Oreja show to find out, she mispronounced his name at first but pretends that she is his best friend. He knows nothing yet and tells them not to worry though.

Fer tells Lety he’s nervous because Luigi made him doubt himself. Lety doesn’t know if Luigi will let him do it, but if he really wants to do it, well then she admires him for that. He says Really? L- Really. He proclaims that is enough for him then.

He asks her what she is doing and she says that besides Retromode they still need more biz so she’s going to make some client calls. He wanders over to her side of the desk to check out her work and she looks up at him just as he looks down and again they are close enough to invoke the spring sound. They back up quickly and Fer begs her pardon and leaves. Lety makes her funky pout face as she appears to contemplate what just happened. Maybe she’s finally breaking under his heat. She has to verbally remind herself to work.

Fer peeks in to Luigi’s office where all the others are reading the script. He asks if they are done and what they thought. Luigi first acts like it’s no good, then says it’s genius. Everyone agrees that it is wonderful, and they want to know where he found such an excellent writer. Fer starts to think of something to say then busts out that he wrote it. Everyone laughs and Luigi mocks, ha, "just like when Lety said she was Aurora." Fer is befuddled. Luigi asks everyone to leave so he can be alone to concentrate. Fer double checks that Lui really likes it. He kicks Fer out.


Here at Conceptos where we have this giant building and presumably quite a number of people working in it…have you noticed the randoms that wander through the vortex periodically…and we have the president doing marketing? Anyway, Lety is on the phone pitching Conceptos to additional prospective clients for work besides the Retromode campaign. She promises to send them a proposal for their review.

Then she whips out her best baby voice and calls Aldo. He asks if something's wrong because he thinks it's strange that she called when they just saw each other in the morning. She said she’s fine she just wanted to hear his voice. He says that makes him happy. She asks if they can eat together and he says unfortunately he’s very busy with the book and can’t get away. She asks if he’s with the editora and he says yes. She asks herself what she should do because that woman wants to steal her boyfriend!!

Just then, commercial break that doesn’t make sense, and then we come back to her telling Aldo she’s not jealous. She’ll await him later when he’s unoccupied.

Marcia comes in to her office mocking that Fer would have such multi-talents. She looks at her computer and it’s an e-mail photo of Ali and Tomy on their Luna de Miel, eating of course. Ali tells Mar not to be jealous of how queenly she’s being treated, and that they are eating incredible banquets like this one all day long.

Lety in her office is looking at a similar e-mail and Tomy tells her they are having fun, but they have no money and can only eat during the hotel's free breakfast so they fill up on this for the whole day. Lety wonders what he got himself into with this marriage.The cuartel miraculously appears and is surrounding Lety. PM says she and Saimon would have had more fun because they wouldn’t have come out of the room!!

Simon in the F&O office says to Fer even though you are only an assistant now, you are still my hero. Simon says he’ll follow his orders because they are brothers and that now they are at the same level at the firm. Simon tells him he’s now earning 1 % of what he was earning when he first started. Don Omi makes fun until Simon tells him he has no compensation, because he is on commission as a freelancer and gets paid only when he brings in clients. Simon leaves. Omar whines. They discuss that he should be happy to have what he has and Fer admits he hasn’t lost hope with Lety.

The cuartel beg Lety to eat with them. She says ok, how about we go to a great restaurant. They get excited. We then flash to O and F counting their pennies to try and get lunch. Fer says they can go to the Comidilla, and he’ll buy if they want. Marcia interjects can you imagine the Mendiola-Villaroels eating at almost the same table as the cuartel? Omar can’t stomach that (pun intended). Fer essentially says they have two choices, they either die of hunger or they go to the Comidilla. Omar wants Marcia to invite them to Le Noir.

The cuartel is discussing restaurants when Omar goes out to find out if they are going to the Comidilla. He finds out they are going elsewhere and that makes him happy. They ask where he’s going and he says probably Le Noir because they like the finer things. Martha says maybe you’ll invite us then. Omar says yes, then no.

Lety then asks if they decided and of course they couldn’t agree. Just then Saimon comes up and says he knows the menu for the Comidilla. He tells them the delicious foods and they get really hungry for it.

The trio continue discussing whether or not they should got to the Comidilla. Fer tells him each time he looks more like his ex girlfriend Alicia. Omar bawks. Fer continues to tell Omar "don’t act like that, you have your past."

They then decide to play Chin Chan Pu to decide if they should go to the Comidilla. Marcia grows impatient and tells them just let’s go.

So then we are there. They are enjoying the food, Mar thinks it’s good but a little greasy, but the boys are fine. Of course the cuartel shows up. They discuss how life can turn it’s tables and how they ought to handle running into them. Juana says very casually lets walk by. She then screams for them and runs over to the table. Fer asks them all to join them for lunch. He smiles a very cute smile.

We suddenly leave this great opportunity for funnies and go to the studios where Luigi is walking through the script on the set, [Notice the logo and initials of the agent FEO, again clever..] and he decides that something is missing and that maybe a few things need to be changed.

The trio shows up asking if Lui is ready. He says yes and that he’s just making the final changes to the script and waiting for the actress. Fer gets mad and asked who authorized him to make changes to his masterpiece. Luigi mocks that he is challenging the director’s right to modify the script to make it more ingenious. Fer looks at it and mocks that changing a comma or one word makes it so much more ingenius? Luigi says yes, that lastima is not the same as lastima (with accent- one is pity or shame and the other is hurt)

Fer begins to berate him. Uh oh…Fer begins to tell Luigi to come back down to earth, that he is common and ordinary, and nothing special or extra ordinary. And you know who drives you mad, Ruly, you know why he’s not answering the phone, because he’s left you!! At this, Lui loses it and B-slaps Fer right across the face!! Mar jumps in and pulls them apart.

We come back from the commercial to chaos. Mar checks his face and says there is only a small scratch. Omar holds back Fer as he lounges toward Lui. He tells Omar he’s not going to hit an old lady. Fer complains it won’t stay this way, and Lui says of course not, it’s going to swell.

Luigi apologizes to the whole studio, but says that Fer brought out the beast that lives within him and noone has said such horrible things to me before. Fer says that’s because no one has told you the truth. He complains about being scratched and that he can’t film this way and that he’s not in sequence, as the phrase says. Luigi tells him not to worry because the only thing in sequence is wardrobe. Lui tells him he shouldn’t have messed with him and anyway he’s going to be in character and besides make up will hide it.

Omar restrains him again and Fer tells him, look I’m not going to hit him Carvajal. Fer calls him a little girl among other things and Mar tells him to quit.

They discuss that he is going to be in character as a super seducer, but it’s a secret. If Reynard accepts the program then you concede that we’ll have to get a real actor right? Mar reminds them of their debt and that they should get to work. Fer says he works and doesn’t scratch people.

Mar asks for them to each extend their hands. Reluctantly they both agree, finally Luigi grabs Fers and shakes it but then leans in for a kiss. Fer freaks saying only the hand.

In the vortex Irma calls for a code red and describes the bloodshed when a playboy bunny type shows up looking for Luigi. They lead her back.

The make up woman is touching Fer up. Fer asks Omar how it looks, and O says it looks like it’s starting to swell. Fer screams for a mirror fast to look at his face. Mar teases that he’s more vain than Aurora. Fer tells her, I’m not vain, it’s just that actors have to….and he cuts himself off and gives back the mirror.

They get ready for Fer to start. He does his “acting calisthenics” and reminds himself to enunciate. He then launches into a sensational description about the pilot.

"We present a program based on a very special personality, different. The person is a secret agent a spy and dynamic visionary of the federation of expert operatives of the ultra secret international agency. Your lead character does come with certain defects, yes he is an interesting, adventurous, and valiant man, but, and there is a big but….Woman don’t pay him any mind why you ask? You will see when the show continues with the Federation of Expert Operatives, FEO secret agent."

Omar runs up and wants his autograph. Luigi is muy impactado and pleased. They all think he did a great job.

Aldo and Lety are together and she is saying that right about now they are making up Don Fer. Aldo laughs that he is going to be dressed up as character. Aldo says he misses Lety. She says she misses him to. More baby talk about how she is the reason for his existence etc.

We go back to the studio where now on stage is a steel fermentation barrel. Luigi knocks on it to ask if Fer is ready, and he doesn’t want to come out.

Luigi runs around to the back and tells him he has to be ready. The suspense mounts. The barrel spins. Fireworks light up. Through the smoke we start at the floor and follow some light colored sort of striped pants up to the very nice buttocks, and we get a glimpse of an arm holding a large black weapon.

We flash to a surprised audience and then a muy, pero muy, impactado Lety!!! and cut!

Labels: fea

We get a second look at the deliciously disgraceful scene Rodrigo made at the reception where Gav/Mariana wore her strapless plum dress (such an improvement over Clarita's previous creations). He'd made a scene with Señor Trejo and his wife. Why didn't Rod's family notice he was suffering baying spasms of jealousy and screaming?

Trejo (who's about to have his Hawaii shipments adulterated by Aaron's crooked henchmen) lets Rod know he is quite offended by this behavior; he and his wife leave as Rod mutters this lame excuse: "I've had a bit to drink." Rod glugs out of the bottle watching everybody, including Mariana/Gav, leave.

The valet outside the reception rolls up in Gaviota's new car. After a quick entreaty to San Sebastian she gets in (surely she doesn't have a driver's license?????) and drives away with jerks and squeaks. Right behind, our dear drunken Rod drives Sofia and Isa in car #2. This is not modeling of good behavior. There should be a sober person behind the wheel.

Anyway, car #2 doesn't get far down the road when car #1 is encountered, stopped dead at the roundabout at the foot of that famous statue (they've scraped many a telenovela villain off those very pavers). Gaviota has managed to stall out her car and can't get it started. "THIS is how you repay my affection?" she scolds it.

Sofia says let's help her! so Rod gets out and goes over to help. Mariana/Gaviota tells him to leave. "I can't leave you here, it's dangerous." "Not as dangerous as being by your side. This city has been more dangerous since you showed up." "No, this city is more dangerous cause there are people driving around who, like you, don't know what they're doing."

Sofia suggests Rod could drive Mariana home. He gets the car started and tells her to get in, she says she won't ("I'd rather go in an ambulance"), he makes her.

Their inane elementary school squabble continues as she says he's driving her crazy and he says she should just be quiet till he gets her home. "You're not the boss of me and anyway, I quit as of this very minute." "You can't quit, you signed a contract." "Well I don't have to put up with your asedios (badgering/stalking)."

They fight over the radio on/off button. "I'll complain if I want." "I deserve this for leaving my beloved hacienda to be at your side - to live for you - now I have all these problems - for this I betrayed the memory of gramps and pops and myself?" She tries to get out while the car barrels along - he, drunk, says he'll drive as fast as he can to get her home ASAP - "The less time we're together, the better" - "You got THAT right!" - "Finally we agree on something!"

I imagine the car is swaying back and forth and Gav starts to think Rod actually wants to cause a scene that will be noticed from car #2. "Do you want to reveal our secret?" "You're playing with me." "I'm laughing, ha. ha. ha." "This is the most hellish night of my life." "No, mine is more hellish than yours."

Meanwhile, Sofia cheerfully tells Isa she likes Mariana despite her odd and evasive (esquiva) tendencies. She asks Isa: "Do you distrust her as Minerva does?" "No, and anyway I don't want to repeat Minerva's mistake and pull jealous tantrums. I only have to worry about Gaviota."

They get a little bit lost and don't notice Gav and Rod parked...

... continuing their battle. "Hell is sweet compared to this! It's a good thing we DIDN'T meet last March 21, what a huge mistake that would have been." "Monday I quit." "Tell it to Aaron, cause I'm leaving for the hacienda and I'm not coming back EVER EVER."

Her huge eyes fill with quiet tears. He calms a bit. "It was beautiful to see you again, even though it just proved my efforts have been futile. You're not the same Gaviota. Those times we shared are just precious memories, the happiest times I ever lived. You made me a man. I'd be lying if I said I'm at peace going back without you, but at least I know now I can't hope for anything from you. I'm glad you're doing well and have overcome so much..." (he's just inches away) "... I don't want to hold you back with my stupid, sick jealousy ... I don't want to keep you from flying..." they are nanoseconds from a kiss but her phone rings and she answers it and it's Trejo, "my wife and I didn't get to say goodbye, come meet us at the bar," and Rod gets all jealous again and bolts out of the car saying ADIOS MARIANA FRANCO and car #2 rolls up and he gets in yelling LET'S GO and Gav cries in her car. (Moral: don't let your cellphone be the boss of you.)

Gav wakes up her mom as she enters the apartment weeping. "Ay, you left so dolled up and gorgeous and this is how the world returns you to me!" "Rod sent me to the devil - for him, Gaviota is a dream that's over." Clarita made more sense tonight than she ever has before: "He's in love with you and wounded by your desplantes (insolence, acts of defiance) and he's dying of jealousy." Gav says quitting is now more complicated because, with Rod leaving for the hacienda and Aaron leaving for Miami, she's really needed - she'll quit but it can't be just now.

"If I've lived without him this long I can live without him for the rest of my life." "You lived without him but you were obsessed, thinking about him all the time, don't deceive yourself." They give the car keys to St Sebastian for the night and Clarita goes to bed leaving Gav to drink and cry.

Rod is drinking and sulking (he appeared to pour one whole glass of tequila into his own lap) when Isa wanders in wearing her usual red satin shortie. "You're gonna keep drinking?" He continues with his infantile conversation style: "If you don't like it don't watch." "You have an early flight, haven't you had enough?" "Aren't you meddling? I need more booze." "How long is it going to be this way, when are you going to forgive me for wanting to bear your child?"

He says that's not it, he just vants to be alonnne. "You haven't said if you want me to go with you to the hacienda tomorrow." "That's because I DON'T want you to go with me. I vant to be alonnne."

She knows there's more wrong than usual and thinks it's that Gaviota didn't show up for the harvest. "No, I have a lot of problems, I'm worried. Just go to bed." "For a moment forget I'm your wife, treat me as you did when we first knew each other, when we were good friends. [pause] OK, I'll respect your silence, I just want you to know I love you profoundly and will always be at your side." Kisses his hand and thoughtbubbles that he will soon let her have a baby by artificial insemination.

Next day, a clot of jimadores are getting stirred by a union agitator. They are waving their paddles and shouting as he chants his talking points: "We must fight for our rights. We want a raise. If there is no raise there will be no harvest." Some mutter that the patron has always been good to them but they are afraid to speak against the majority.

Rod arrives from the airport and Roman warns gravely: "That agitator Liborio is putting ideas in their heads." "I'll go talk to them." "You'd better be armed." "Armed? They say the best weapon is the force of the word."

Roman tries to give an update on the unsuccessful Gaviota hunt but Rod, rubbing his hungover head, says he never wants to hear another word about it." "You forgot her already?" "No, but I'm trying, and I don't wanna see anything around here that reminds me of her. So use that little house of hers, or destroy it."

That morning Gav complains that: "The driving instructor said I'm a danger to the city. He filled my buche con piedritas (he filled my maw with pebbles??), no me pique la cresta [don't peck at my cockscomb?]." Clarita is clever again when she says: "Rotten girl, you're used to succeeding at everything, you have to be patient in life."

The phone rings, it's Pilar inviting Mariana to tea! Gav's afraid she's been found out, but it turns out that Pilar had asked Bruno (Aaron's father) to come back from NYC because of her worries about what's been going on, and now Pilar and Bruno have decided to trust Mariana and take her into their confidence: "There are things you need to know about the family..."

Rodrigo drives up to the clot of workers, Liborio recites the talking points: "we get a 25% raise or you lose your agave." "That's abuse!" shouts Rod and he addresses the group: "You know I pay better than any of the other owners. This plantation is all I have and if you don't harvest, we all lose. I can't get more workers this late, and you'll find that the other plantations already have the workers they need." "But you can afford to give us a raise." "Don't you think I would have if I could? Now we're all in a bad place - you'll lose a season's work but I'll lose everything."

Suddenly he edges a little closer to madness. "The devil take it, I don't care. Hilario, Roman, bring me gasoline! Here you see a man who's ready to lose everything, to die! I'll burn these lousy agaves! I don't want you to leave empty handed. Ponganle precio a la quema (??) and bring bottles of tequila too, we'll toast the ruin of this hacienda!"

Hilario and Roman obediently trundle back to the hacienda to get gas. Ofelia wrings her hands (she's like Lassie's Timmy's mother in this scene) as she watches them heave tanks of gasoline into the truck. SanJuana shows up - she tried to call Isa but no answer - Roman says they shouldn't alarm the family but SanJuana disagrees: "They should know Rod's behaving like a rabid dog." Hilario tells her not to meddle but she bundles herself into the back of the truck and off they go.

Back in the City, Isa is blabbing languidly with Minerva ("thank goodness Gaviota didn't show up - at least this year") when Aaron makes an appearance. Minerva says Isa's staying to dinner, Aaron says he has business and leaves. Min says she's going to Miami with Aaron and will see some specialist who'll help her get pregnant again ASAP. Isa cheerfully says she'll soon convince Rod to have (hmm, my friends in the gay community used to call these "turkey-baster babies" but I'm sure somebody will jump down my throat if I use the term so I won't) and maybe she'll get preg before Minerva does. Minerva's smile at this news is less than convincing.

It turns out Aaron's meeting is with Patricio, whom he's trying to convince to rehire some dirty employee (or maybe more than one). "I have to make irregular exports in order to realize immediate gains. You have to help me." "Forget it!" "Hey, you and I will look clean, just set some guy up to sign the papers, I'll take care of the rest." "You'll be found out and ruined." "Not if you help me. It's your chance to escape a life as a mediocre salaryman, we could do great things together." Patricio says no and walks out.

Back in the agave fields, Rod has ripped off his shirt and is making like the fountains of Versailles with his gasoline. He continues to yell: "I NEEDED YOU TO HARVEST THE AGAVES, BUT I CAN BURN THEM UP ALL BY MYSELF! HILARIO, GIVE ME FIRE!"

"Patron, don't do something you'll regret." "HERE LIES THE END OF EVERYONE'S DREAMS. YOU NEEDED THIS WORK AND I NEEDED YOU." Agitator mutters: "He's making fun of us. He doesn't appreciate us." "WHO SAID THAT?" Rod shouts more - he's always valued the workers, it's their place as well as his, it's been their life as it's been his. Agitator sneers: "All YOU care about is the jimadoras. How many have you gotten pregnant?"

Things deteriorate, the testosterone level mounts, soon it's a fight "TO THE HOSPITAL - OR TO THE TOMB!" The two of them roll in the dirt and Rod has his hands around Liborio's throat and Liborio's eyes are bugging out and it's - the circle of goodbye.

Labels: Destilando

The judge tries to serve the arrest warrant or whatever it is on Alej. Alej contests the authority of the judge to issue the order. Meanwhile, Montero is watching the proceedings through his telescope. Pizarro tries to get Alej to go inside. He keeps looking back at Montero. Alej notices that Pizarro is agitated. Montero wonders why Pizarro doesn’t shoot. It’s the perfect moment to rid the world of Don Alej and then Pizarro can die gloriously at the hands of Alej’s men.

Diego tells Mangle that he wants to separate. He cannot be with someone that he doesn’t love and she wouldn’t want to be with someone who is tied to a memory. Mangle tries to convince Diego that she does love him but he isn’t moved. He believes a separation would be the best for the three of them – Mangle, Diego and their child.

Poor Pizarro is trying to convince Alej to go inside to discuss the judge’s business but Alej won’t play. Up on the hill, Montero wonders what Pizarro is playing at and says that Pizarro had better not be betraying him.

Diego joins his father and asks what is going on. Alej tells him that the judge has brought a decree ordering he and Diego to come in for questioning. Diego is suspicious. It’s not Montero’s style to send an order in writing. He believes something else is going on. Up on the hill, Montero is saying that Pizarro will never again have an opportunity like this and he should shoot Alej and Diego in the head and kill them.

Dolores has brought some food to Almudena and is urging her to eat. She tries but immediately becomes nauseous. [Pregnancy is looking good as the cause of her illness.]

Back at the standoff, Pizarro continues to try and speak to Alej alone. Alej refuses. All of a sudden, who should appear but the Marquesa! Montero is very annoyed that she has turned up again to interfere in his business. He vows that he won’t let her push him around again and if necessary, he will kill her himself.

The Marquesa says that she got word in Mexico that Alej and Diego were in danger. Diego asks how she found out so quickly and she says that gossip travels faster than official communications. She asks what Alej is doing with the judge and the soldiers. She thinks that he should not permit armed men to approach him. But, she says, that she has come to protect Alej & Diego and cut off a few heads if necessary.

Now we get to see MP in her nun’s outfit. She seems to have a white veil and a giant bib over her blue nun wannabee dress with the weird flared sleeves. MP and PT discuss the lack of news from NN and Camba and they have the suspicion that they fell into the hands of the soulless slave hunters. Up rides Prudencio in his giant floppy hat with the news that FS is taking back the land that mission is on and the nuns and PT have to vacate the premises immediately. They are impactados.

Brother Aaron has been brought to the Governor’s house. FS says that Aaron didn’t take advantage of him but gave him friendship when Aaron found him completely devastated on the road. FS tells Aaron that he even thought of following him and saving his soul. Aaron says that FS gave that up without even trying and FS says that there is an evil in his heart that will never go away. He fears for MP, the woman he loves. He wants Aaron to convince MP that becoming a religious was a mistake. FS will do anything to get her back.

PT tells Prudencio that FS gave this land to the mission long ago and he can’t just take it back. Prudencio says that he is just following orders. MP asks him to tell FS that she will continue on the path she has chosen to help the poor even if she has to do it in a field. PT tells Prudencio to tell FS that they won’t be turned out of the mission and they will fight to the end to stay there.

Aaron tells FS that he is about to commit a sacrilege and God is going to punish him. FS tells Aaron that he knows that MP still loves him. They love each other. He has held her and can feel it. Aaron tells FS that he is at the gates of hell. He can give in to this useless passion but he will die. FS begs Aaron in the name of their friendship to convince MP that she should give up her ‘nun’s rags’ and come back to him. Aaron is looking at FS like he is possessed by the devil. He tells FS that he had dedicated his life to fighting the devil and he isn’t going to be his accomplice. He leaves.

Back at the hacienda, Pizarro wants to end the confrontation and leave. Alej rips up the judge's document and throws the pieces on the ground. Pizarro and the judge leave. Alej tells the Marquesa that he has problems and she says that is why she has returned. Montero didn’t heed her warnings and now he is going to pay dearly for his disobedience.

A drunken Olmos tells the barmaid the sad story of his life. His mother died, he was taken in by an aunt who found him disgusting and made him sleep in the stables. Then she died and he took care of the animals for a neighbor. Olmos demonstrates how he ran after the chickens on the table in the bar much to the amusement of the other patrons. Olmos tells the barmaid that his life got better until ‘she’ appeared. 'She' is the woman who reminds him that he came into the world solely to suffer. The barmaid asks who ‘she’ is but Olmos doesn’t say. She is the woman who hurts him whenever he looks at her but he can’t stop looking at her. He will end up burned in the fires of her passion but he accepts that death.

Montero curses the inopportune arrival of the Marquesa to Pizarro. Then Montero asks Pizarro why he didn’t carry out his orders. He could have killed the de la Vegas and he didn’t do it. Pizarro tells Montero that he was about to do it when the unexpected arrival of the Marquesa occurred. Montero says that he is lying. He was watching Pizarro’s every movement and he had many opportunities to kill Alej and Diego and didn’t do it. Montero calls Pizarro a coward. Pizarro denies it saying that he would only get one shot [this is true unless he had more than one pistol. They are not using revolvers, which hadn’t been invented yet.] Pizarro tells Montero that he was waiting for an opportunity to kill both de la Vegas with one shot. Pizarro tells Montero that Alej tore up the judge’s order and Montero says that of course, now the de la Vegas think that the Marquesa will protect them. Montero says that he won’t let the Marquesa humiliate him again and no one will take away the power that he has over the city.

The Marquesa apologizes to Alej for being in a bad mood but she says that he and Diego are the only ones she can trust. Dolores tells Alej that Almudena is in a bad way and can’t eat. Dolores recommends calling the doctor but Alej asks her to continue to try and help Almudena get better.

Prudencio tells FS that PT and the nuns intend to defend their right to the mission. FS reacts badly when Prudencio refers to MP as ‘madre.’ FS tells Prudencio to round up his men. They will attack the mission.

At the mission, MP tells the sisters that they have to defend the mission by making barricades of furniture. PT tells the nuns that they FS will have to kill them all to get the mission. PT and the nuns start stacking up furniture outside the mission. [This seems like a stupid idea. If the mission is like ones I have seen in the southwest, the adobe walls are about 3’ thick. PT and the nuns would be much smarter to stay inside and barricade the entrances to the mission.]

NN and Renzo running from the slave hunters find Camba in the woods. Renzo is dubious but NN wants to help him.

MP feels guilty for dragging all the nuns and PT into FS’s obsession with her. PT says that MP gave FS a chance and he didn’t take it. He says that before he dares to touch MP, FS will have to kill all of them. [Since FS is wacko enough to do just that, that’s not a very comforting thought.]

Montero comes to see FS. He wants FS to go with him to make peace with the de la Vegas. FS says why should he? Montero says that the situation with Esme and SK is partly his fault. FS believes Montero is hiding something. Montero didn’t hesitate to disobey FS’s orders and do what he pleased. Why this sudden change? FS warns Montero that if this is one of his tricks, he will regret it.

Diego asks the Marquesa if the woman who was held in the Callao prison is really the true Queen of Spain. The Marquesa confirms that this is true and that her real name is Mercedes Mayorga de Aragon. The Marquesa knew her mother many years ago. Alej asks what happened back then that no one helped her. The Marquesa says that times were difficult back then – people were crazy with ambition. Mercedes had to leave or she would have been killed. A law was passed that only males could govern. At this time, the Marquesa says, FS appeared from nowhere and somehow trapped Mercedes. 'He married her', says Alej. 'Later he betrayed her', says the Marquesa. 'He was always very ambitious.' Alej asks for clarificatrion on one point. Does the current Queen of Spain know about how she got the throne? The Marquesa says that she is unaware of the plot. 'Then', says Alej, 'Mercedes could reclaim her title at any time?' 'Not without the shedding of blood,' says the Marquesa. 'That is why we have to keep the secret very well. Those who have seen or know Mercedes are condemned.'

Pizarro comes to check on SK. Agapito tells him that SK is still alive but he doesn’t know for how much longer. He can’t get her to swallow anything and she’s very weak. Pizarro clarifies to Agapito that his continued existence depends on SK staying alive. He locks Agapito in the barn with SK.

Aguirre brings Esme some tea. She is still shivering but seems somewhat better. She asks if Olmos delivered her letter to Diego. Aguirre says that he doesn’t know. Esme asks Aguirre to bring Olmos. She has to know whether Diego got the letter. Aguirre tells her not to worry. When he is gone, Esme tells her baby not to worry – very soon his father will come for them.

The Marquesa tells Diego that he has changed. There is pain in his face. He says that it must be because of Esme’s death. The Marquesa says that she is very sorry about what happened. Had she known what would happen, she would have taken Esme with her to protect her. Diego says that she did all she could. The Marquesa asks Diego to tell her how Esme died. Diego recaps the prison escape story and mentions that a bandit called ‘Zorro’ was involved. The Marquesa says that she has heard of Zorro. Diego says, 'really?' Obviously his is pleased that his fame has spread. The Marquesa asks where Esme is buried. She would like to visit her grave. Diego tells her that Esme supposedly fell down a cliff and her body was never found. The Marquesa says that Montero will pay for what he did.

FS tells Montero that he is in trouble since the Marquesa has returned. Montero says that FS is involved too since doubtless the Marquesa knows about him locking SK up. Montero urges FS to ally with him since they could both end up on the gallows.'Fine,' says FS, 'let’s wait for the Marquesa to summon us. Meanwhile, I have something to do.' Montero offers to replace FS’s bandit army with his soldiers. FS refuses saying that they are allies only out of necessity. He finds Montero to be repulsive. Montero counters that FS is just as bad.' Maybe worse,' says FS, 'but I never stepped on your turf.' He goes on to tell Montero that he abused his power and let things get out of control and the price he will pay for that will be very high. [FS has a nerve here. He didn't 'tred on Montero's turf' but he abandoned the citizens of LA to Montero while he chased after MP and he about to go attack a convent.]

Olmos is staggering drunk through town. He meets Aguirre. Aguirre tells Olmos that Esme’s health is declining. She believes that Olmos gave Diego her letter. Olmos says he would never do that. If I tell her that, says Aguirre, she will lose all her confidence in me.'Lie to her,' says Olmos, 'deceive her.'

Renzo and NN escape from the slave catchers by getting on a raft on one of the large bodies of water around LA. Camba gets on the raft too.

FS and his men ride up to the barricade around the mission. We see Sister Carola sighting up a rifle. MP and PT refuse to abandon the mission and vow to defend it with their lives. FS says that if that is how the Mother Superior wants it, that’s how it will be.

Aguirre tells Esme that Diego doesn’t want anything to do with her. She is impactada.
The credits roll.

Labels: Zorro

* At Montalvo Corp. offices, Rod pleads his case with Gavi in her office. Nestor enters and interrupts; he asks Mari to get him some important papers from her files. Aaron enters and orders Mari to leave the papers alone. Nestor and Aaron get into heated argument in front of Rod and Mari. Nestor shouts his resignation over the disrespectful attitude of Aaron. Aaron shouts his acceptance of the resignation. Before Nestor leaves, Aaron demands Nestor give him control of the business according to the will; Nestor tells him so be it - spoiled little boy - and Nestor feels a twinge of pity for Aaron. This angers Aaron, and he grumbles for Nestor to leave immediately, you're no longer employed as a lawyer here. Nestor reminds him that he is still the family lawyer and will always be watching and leaves. Aaron catches his breath and thoughts - Rod approaches Aaron, he tries to clear up his bewilderment over what just happened and get Aaron to change his mind over letting Nestor walk out of the business like that. Aaron reasons that he sees Nestor as old and out-dated and the business needs someone with new fresh ideas and approaches. Rod still baffled leaves. Mari tries her luck with changing Aaron's mind about Nestor, but Aaron won't listen; his mind is made up. Aaron leaves. Mari sits down and feels sorry for Nestor Vidagaray.

* At the ranch, in Isa's bedroom, Hilario is up on a ladder taking down the curtains to be cleaned. TWB Jr. (SanJuana) is sitting on the bed and bothering Hilario with the notion that she wants to go to the movies with him - there's a hot romantic one playing at the town theater. Hilario tells her no to the idea, and tells her to stop bothering him, he has lots of work to do. She gets upset with his rejection. Phone rings. TWB Jr. answers it - it's Isa to tell them that she and Rod will return to the ranch first thing tomorrow, and to have everything ready when they get there. Before hanging up, Isa asks TWB Jr. to keep watch for any signs that Gavi has returned - like a good little soldier, TWB Jr. agrees. Hilario asks who it was. TWB Jr. tells him Isa to say the she and Rod will return tomorrow. Hilario wants more details - TWB Jr. makes like a stubborn clam - TWB Jr. throws her suspicions of his love interest in Isa. Hilario tosses the curtain at TWB Jr. and climbs back up the ladder. She gives him an evil scowl.

* At the condo, Sofia tries to cheer Isa up - Isa is still worried about Gavi showing up and returning to Rod's life. Door bell rings. Isa goes to answer it. Sofia checks out the photo album. She flips through the pages and stops on a photo of her, Rod and James - she remembers her dreams of reconciling with him and his dashing those hopes; she's still heartbroken over his choosing Acacia the farm girl over her. Minnie enters, with Isa following. Minnie greets Sofia and invites both to go shopping with her for dresses for tonight cocktail party for the closing of the ag. convention. Isa isn't interested, besides Rod doesn't really want her to go. Minnie and Sofia use their debate skills to convince her to join them and the family for the party at least. Isa grumbles her jealousy over Gavi and Rod.

* Rod sits and talks with Nestor has he cleans out his desk. Rod tries to get Nestor to reconsider and stay at the company. Nestor says no way, Aaron disrespected him and he can't stay because of him and Aaron's new associate friend. Nestor gives Rod a warning to be careful of those two - there could be real trouble. Nestor leaves.

* Aaron and associate in Aaron's office talking - associate mentions his other clients. Aaron brings up the subject of their business deal.

* As Mariana is in a hurry leaving her office, Margarita stops her outside in the hall and tells her that Rod has been asking lots of questions about her. Mariana asks what kinds of questions? Margarita responds, about all the flowers on the reception desk; don't worry, I told him the truth, that we have no idea who sent them. As the two are about to leave, Rod exits his office and stops them. Margarita leaves - Rod tries desperately to talk with Mariana but gets frustrated when Mari only wants to leave. Aaron approaches and walks Rod back to his office to talk. Mari leaves.

* At the apartment, Clara and Dona Jose are chopping up vegetables in the kitchen and talking about Gavi and her new boss, Rod. Clara has to remind Dona Jose that her daughter's name is Mariana now, not Gaviota.

* Aaron explains to Rod his reasons for hiring a new corporate lawyer to replace Nestor Vidagaray. Rod doesn't like it but will go along with Aaron's decision, after all Aaron is in charge. Aaron continues with his explanation. Rod gets him to stop and warns Aaron to be prepared for the onslaught of arguments from the family when they discovered what happened. Rod excuses himself - he has to get ready for the convention closing meeting/dinner party. Aaron wishes him well, and asks if Isa is going - Rod says no. Rod asks about Mariana attending - Aaron responds about how mysterious and unattached Mariana is. Rod is very curious and intrigued. Rod has to do some fancy work to cover up his curious interest in Mariana Franco. Aaron suspects something is up, but goes along with Rod's explanation. Rod leaves quickly.

* Outside the door, Rod takes a breath and mutters to himself about Gaviota, how he's waited a whole year to be with her and she keeps rejecting him. He's frustrated. Elvira walks up and asks Rod what's the matter. Rod says "nothing, nothing" and walks away.

* Gavi is in her new white car with the driving instructor in the passenger seat shouting for her to use the clutch, her mom's hyperventilating in the back seat, especially when she grinds the shifts and jerks the car to stop in the spot right in front of their building. As they climb out of the car, Clara tries to catch her breath and calm down. The instructor can't believe what a lousy driver Gavi is - Gavi defends her driving style. Instructor asks Gavi if she is going to park in the parking lot. Gavi says no, it is perfectly find right where it is. Instructor holds up his hands and walks away. Gavi and Clara go to the door of the apartment; Gavi is in a hurry to get ready for tonight's convention party. Clara is still recovering from almost having a heart attack during the car drive home.

* Rod wanders in and around the ballroom where everyone is gathering for the pre-dinner convocation cocktail party. He's searching for someone who hasn't arrived yet.

* Clara irons as Gavi puts on her make-up at the dressing table mirror. Gavi tells Clara about Aaron and Nestor's argument and Nestor's resignation because of it. Clara says what a wonderful and kind man Nestor is. Gavi mentions that in the heat of the argument, Nestor mentioned something about a Montalvo having an affair with someone who died - Clara is intrigued - Gavi said he only mentioned that in the argument as well as on a specific date all will be arranged. (Que curiosa!) Clara finishes ironing and holds up the beautiful dark blue strapless evening gown that Gavi will be wearing to the party. Clara thinks that she will knock Rod's socks off with the dress. Gavi reminds her mom she is wearing it for the benefit of Montalvo Corporation's image, not for Rod. Gavi takes the gown and runs to the bathroom to change - she's so excited. Gavi shouts to mom about accompanying Artemio and his wife at the convocation party. Clara picks up Gavi's shoes, sits down and tells Gavi her comments. Gavi walks out of the bathroom. Clara is enchanted and tells her that Rod is going to be blown away, like all the flowers he's been sending her. Clara compares Gavi to a heroine in one of her favorite telenovelas, and that Rod is her charming prince. Gavi reminds Clara that dream had died when Rod got married to Isa. Clara tries to make her daughter keep an open mind because Rod still loves her; Clara reminds Gavi of all the problem areas of Rod and Isa's marriage. Gavi turns to her mom - the taxi cab horn honks outside. Gavi tells mom to give her a huge blessing for tonight - Clara blesses her and ends with a wish of forgiveness for Rod. Gavi leaves. Clara prays.

* Outside, Mariana walks over to cab - she looks at her car parked on street - she pays the cabbie and cabbie drives away. She crosses herself and climbs into her car. She drives herself to the event.

* Isa is camped out on the sofa in front of the television; she thinks about Rod's statement of no children between them. Isa grumbles.

* Hilario is deep in thought, seated outside on the adobe planter box, whittling a stick. He is thinking about Isa. TWB Jr. walks up behind him and asks him what he's thinking about. He tells her to buzz off. She leans on the box beside him and continues to antagonize him over his crush on Isa. He tells her to shut up and leave him alone. She refuses and threatens to tell Rod all about it; threatens to get him fired. Hilario is shocked. TWB Jr. gives him an ultimatum - her silence for him agreeing to marry her. She'll let him think about it overnight and will wait for his answer tomorrow. She leaves him in shock.

* At the cocktail party, the Televisa gossip patrol is mingling around talking with the party guests. Rod talks with Roberto, Aaron and Minnie (Minnie is wearing a off-the-shoulder bright red dress). Rod is nervous and excuses himself to walk away. Rod greets Sofia and Granny, who just arrived - he points them to Aaron and Minnie and Roberto - he continues to wander. After Sofia and Granny greet the others, Sofia leaves to find Rod. Rod is talking with Francisco, Artemio and wife. Sofia comes over and politely pulls Rod away to talk to him. She wants to know why he didn't bring Isa with him - he explains - she then casually on purpose brings up the subject of kids and the artificial insemination discussions - Rod is aghast that his own sister would bring that up then and there - she continues. Rod glances at the door, and goes into shock as Gaviota walks in wearing her glamorous blue dress. Everyone turns to stare at her. She locks gazes with Rod as she walks into the room. She walks away from him - he turns to the buffet table, shaking and looking like he needs oxygen - Sofia asks him if he's alright - he is, he assures her as he takes some deep breaths.

* Mariana walks over to Granny, Aaron, Minnie and Roberto at the sofa. Granny introduces Mariana to Roberto and explains to him what her position with the family company is. Rod and Sofia join the group. Mariana excuses herself to greet others. Rod wants so much to follow Mariana away, but Roberto stops him to toast his speech at the convocation dinner. Rod thanks him, toasts himself, drinks and leaves. Roberto leaves. Aaron sits beside Granny and mumbles to Granny about his argument with Nestor Vidagaray, and Nestor has resigned effective immediately. In fact Aaron has already replaced him. Granny is really upset and mortified by the news. Aaron mumbles his side of the story.

* Nestor is at home, in his pajamas and robe, drinking a glass of wine and talking to Grandpa Amador's photo.

* Granny scolds Aaron for replacing Nestor and she wants him to apologize and talk Nestor into returning. Aaron adamantly refuses to even consider it. He raises his voice to his granny that he will resign if Nestor returns. Minnie sits beside Aaron on the sofa - she and Sofia try to calm Aaron down before he causes a scandal in public. With the raised voice of Aaron, everyone stares at them. Aaron looks around and calms down to mumble again to Granny his disgust over her request and tries to force her to decide right there who is more important to the business - him or Nestor. She's won't choose on the spot - Aaron grumbles that he can't work with Nestor and doesn't want him at the company anymore.

* Mariana is having a wonderful conversation on the other side of the ballroom with Artemio and Eduardo. Rod, in a fit of rage and jealousy, comes over and interrupts the conversation to pull Mariana away. Alone, he grumbles about her always rejecting him at the office and in the ballroom. He is frustrated and angry. She tells him to stop being so ridiculous. He swigs a shot of tequila. Eduardo and Artemio are watching Mariana and Rod's exchange from across the room. Rod asks Gavi point blank if there's any hope for them or if that has completely died. Gavi can't believe he would even dare to ask her that; she tells him for the upteenth time that their relationship ended the day he married Isa. Right now, she sees him only as her boss. He is adamant, he won't let it go, he needs to know if there is anyone else in her life - she blurts out "well, there isn't anyone else, so what?" He's caught off guard, and takes a moment to respond - he desperately begs her to return to the ranch with him tomorrow. She is in disbelief with the request - then Isa appears and says "Hello, My Love!" Mariana looks at Rod and can only shake her head "no". Isa greets Mariana and Mariana quickly, politely excuses herself and leaves. Rod is upset by Isa's presence at the party. He wants to know why she came - she responds - he directs her over to where the rest of the family has gathered. Before they can go, Roberto introduces Rod to Don Francisco and wife - Don Francisco is old acquaintance and business associate of his dad and uncle (Don Francisco didn't even know who Rod's dad was, he had to ask). Roberto reminds Rod to introduce Isa, of which Isa had to give her own name. Rod excuses himself and Isa, and drags her away after she started to respond incorrectly to the question from Don Francisco's wife about children.

* Alone, Rod scolds Isa for her answer and reminds her of their marriage agreement includes NO SEX and NO CHILDREN!!! Isa can't believe his attitude and anger. He scowls and growls at her. She runs away as he gulps down some more tequila.

* Gaviota is hiding in the bathroom, fixing her make-up and giving herself a peptalk to not let Rod get to her tonight.

* Artemio and Granny talk together about Aaron's work at the company; Artemio compares Aaron to his father and grandpa.

* Minnie and Sofia talk with Isa about Rod and Mariana. Minnie advises Isa to stick like glue to her husband Rod; as well as keep an eye on Mariana, she's dangerous.

* Artemio leaves Granny; Aaron joins Minnie, Sofia and Isa. Aaron mentions Rod and Isa leaving for the ranch - Sofia says of course, she's going, they're married. Isa says that Gaviota hasn't appeared and probably won't. Aaron thinks that is reason enough for Isa to stay in town (Aaron want more loving from Isa).

* By the buffet table, Mariana pours herself a glass of water to drink. Artemio walks over and talks with her about dinner afterward with him and his wife at a mexican restaurant - Mariana laughs and would love to join them, especially if there's a mariachi band - Artemio will see about hiring one just for her. That's when Rod appears, and is angry and jealous. Mariana has to step in front of Rod and explains about the dinner invitation with Artemio and his wife. Rod is still angry and jealous. He thinks it is only a way of stealing her away from him. She tells him outright that she is the one who sought Artemio and asked for work. "I'm no one's property, least of all Montalvo Corp." (YIKES!)

Labels: Destilando