Caray, Caray!

Ana teases Paula that she and Cesar Luis once had a torrid romance. [Ding, dong] It's the Silver Fox (aka The Devil) at the door.

Pastor complains to Ivonne that Juan hasn't returned the company car to work. It should be used for business only, not for personal use. Ivonne tells Pastor not to complicate his own life, no man is worth the heartache, she should know. Pastor wants the phone number of Juan's house, if Ivonne won't give it to him then he'll find it on his own.

CL tells a smiling Paula and a suspicious Ana that two beautiful women should not be sad on Ana's birthday. He's going to take them to the best restaurant in Mexico. He makes a big show of giving Ana an expensive-looking necklace as a present. It's completely inappropriate. Heh, I wouldn't be surprised if it belongs to his wife, he's such a cad. Ana looks at it askance as he proudly beams at Paula.

Ivonne calls Nidia's Nut House and asks for Juan. Nidia demands to know who is calling; Ivonne and Pastor chicken out and hang up. "Where is that ingrate," wonders Pastor?

Cut to Juan and Kike (Enrique) driving in the company car with the mariachis stuffed in the back seat. Kike's excited because two women await them for a night of music, food and fun. Juan breaks the news to him - Kike's not invited. Kike tries to make like Juan's pulling his leg but no, Juan says seriously, the party is for him only. Kike is distraught, even the mariachis try to convince Juan to include his friend, but Juan answers that they will party some other time. He drops Kike off on a dark street with only a torn ticket (or bill) in his hand. Pretty shabby treatment from a supposed friend.

Paula thanks CL for inviting them to dinner but they have other plans. He says he supposes they have to leave soon. "Yes!" says Ma; "No," says Paula simultaneously, "errr, we're waiting for one of mom's friends, but you can stay and eat with us." Ana tries to get him to leave but after Paula's invite no way will he leave.

Juan drives up with his mariachis and bag of tamales. He lines the musicians up and thought bubbles that this act should make Paula, his corazón de melon (melon-heart, sweetest part of the fruit) take him seriously.

Pastor sadly paces the empty garage at work. He recalls his lunch "date" with Juan...lunch, shoe shopping, all the romantic details. He imagines he sees Juan materialize across the garage. Juan runs toward Pastor in slo-mo, blowing kisses, long locks flying, hearts swirling around him. But no, it's not real, and Pastor weeps into his hands. This scene alone was worth the price of admission tonight.

Juan coaches the mariachis, he wants it to be a magical night. As they begin playing Juan silently asks Paula to forgive him. Tonight this song will not be for her mother, but from him to her.

Inside the house Ana is still trying to get rid of CL when the music starts. They go outside and Ana smiles at last, happy to see Juan and the musicians. Paula says it's perfect. Juan looks ecstatic until CL joins them. Juan hangs his head sadly. He thought bubbles that seeing CL gives him a bad feeling, he fears he's too late.

Poor Juan sadly holds his bag of tamales while the mariachis sing their hearts out. The ladies love the music but CL keeps looking at his watch. Juan is screwed and both he and CL know it.

Marely telephones her girlfriends to see if any of them can go out with her tomorrow night (on her employment date with Juan and Fernando) but none of them can make it.

After the serenade Juan gives the musicians taxi money, pullling his last pesos from his boot, while Paula, Ana and Cesar go into the house. The phone rings and it's Rosario, Ana's friend. She's working late and cannot make it to the house for Ana's celebration. CL is thrilled, now they can go to dinner with him.

Juan rushes in, he's hyper about the delicious tamales they're going to eat. CL bursts Juan's bubble. There will be no partying down for Juan tonight. CL tells Juan he plans to take the ladies to dinner. Clearly Juan will not be included in these plans.

Ana graciously thanks Juan for all his work, every detail was lovely. "Mucho gusto," he smiles at her, but he thought bubbles "my gusto has turned into disgusto." Poor Juan puts on an ebullient face but we know his heart is breaking. How do we know? Ours are too.

Back in the car Juan thinks he has never felt so humiliated and stupid in his life, he's a Grand Imbecile. He won't trip over the same stone twice. Paula's just another woman...so why does he feel so much pain? And what's he going to do with all those tamales?

Marely is desperate, none of her friends will go out with her tomorrow night so she asks Yadira. Yadira is suspicious and basically not interested until she hears that Juan is involved. She even stops filing her nails.

Nidia comes downstairs, her face smeared with a hideous facial masque. She asks about Juan and states that she's nervous when he's not around. "Ay, speaking of the king of rome, here he is now," laughs Yadira. Juan enters and Nidia tries to hide her face but Juan is unfazed. He whips out his tamales and the girls are delighted. Juan thinks that even though they make him feel
welcome, winning this battle doesn't compensate for the war he just lost.

Next day: Ana tells Paula she still has her doubts about CL, yada yada same old conversation, she doesn't want what happened between her and Samuel to happen to Paula.

Nidia is in her room on the treadmill, reading a magazine, eating sweets, and watching the TV. The treadmill is on but her feet are on the sides so she's not actually exercising. As soon as Yadira enters she jumps on the tread and starts milling. Yadira has something odd to tell mom, Marely asked her to double-date with Juan and another guy. Nidia is impactada. She is the queen of impactada.

Paula apologizes to Juan as he drives her to work. She appreciates all he did for her mom, and the tamales looked delicious, but she had no choice but to go out with CL, he insisted. "Bah," Juan thought-bubbles, "from now on I'm thinking of me first, no more tears for you, missy!"

At work Juan reminds Fernando about their double-date that night. One thing, the girls don't know he's a chauffeur so could Fernando pretend that Juan is an important executive? Oh, and Fernando can pretend to be one too. Fernando's not completely on board with Juan's tall tales.

Nidia confronts Marely about why she wants to go out with Juan. Marely admits that she's trying to get a job and she's going to get it with or without Nidia's permission. Furthermore, she'll go out whenever she wants and with whomever she wants. She stomps out of her room and down the stairs, stopping on her way out to yell at Yadira for having a big mouth.

Juan does a little party dance and manages to get Fernando to crack a smile; he agrees to go along with Juan's charade. Juan says they'll take the biggest car in the garage to impress the chicks. Fernando tries to talk Juan out of this, he says it's one thing to lie to a couple of girls but another to take company property. Pastor is already too strict, why would Juan want to turn him into a fiera? Juan poo-poo's Fernando's concerns, his jefa will approve his taking the car.

Cut to Pastor yelling at Paula that she is too lenient with Juan. He is only a chauffeur and no better than anyone else. Mr. Juan Dominguez acts like the car is his and he breaks a strict company rule when he takes the car for his own use. Paula informs pastor that she agrees with him, however last night Juan used the car for company business, not for personal use. (Her mom's birthday party is company business? OK, whatever.) She concludes that next time
Pastor should be better informed before complaining to her about her employee.

Ivonne enters and says CL needs Paula in his office. Both Ivonne and Pastor seethe behind Paula's back.

CL asks Paula if Pastor told her about the seminar in Taxco. He has a question for her and he wants her to respond sincerely...will she have a problem if they travel there together?

CL tells her that if their going together in any way bothers or inconveniences her he will send Pastor in his place. (Hmmm...I'm not so sure that's better. I'd rather go with the sexy snake than the petulant petunia.) Paula smiles sweetly at CL. I think the sweet smile is in her contract, something like a total of five minutes of smiling sweetly per episode. Maybe more.

Meanwhile, Monica (CL's wife) calls his office. Ivonne is uncharacteristically gracious to her because now she gets to interrupt CL and hopefully get him in trouble with Paula. She tells Monica that CL will be thrilled to hear from her.

In the office, Paula leans over the desk toward CL and provocatively asks him if there is any reason WHY she should have a problem with going to the seminar with him? He looks pleased and a little surprised at her question.

Ivonne rings through to CL's office; "Que pena, it's your wife," she says smugly.

Monica is all lovey-dovey but CL tries to sound brusque for Paula's benefit. It's great to watch CL squirm as he tries to 1) not piss off the wife, and 2) not make Paula suspicious. Dang, the SOB pulls it off! He convinces Monica that something bad is happening in the office so he can't talk. After he hangs up he tells Paula it was his wife and she nagged as usual, they cannot communicate. He and Paula will leave for their seminar on Friday.

Here commences a great scene between Yadira and Nidia. They go round and round as Nidia tries to find out what might be going on between Marely and Juan and Yadira investigates her mother's true feelings for Juan. Nidia insists it's her right as a mother to know what's going on in her daughters' lives. If Marely is about to commit one of the seven deadly sins she should know about it. Nidia says it's one thing that Juan is a very good person but another thing entirely if he wants to be her son-in-law.

Yadira finally asks Nidia if she's jealous. Nidia shakes her head NO but her faces says YES. Yadira keeps prodding Nidia and finally says she also wouldn't mind "charging his batteries." Nidia is impactada, "Don't tell me that you love my Juanito too?"

Juan is summoned to Paula's office. Unfortunately she has to tell him that the car must stay in the garage overnight. People have complained that he gets special treatment and is allowed to break the rules. "Ah caray," he moans, "who's the ratfink?" He's still working the angle for his date that night though, "OK, starting tomorrow I'll be happy to leave the car here," he says cheerily. This doesn't get by Paula; she says he has to leave the car there starting tonight. Juan makes his funny faces while he thinks about how this is messing up his plans. Paula, watching his facial contortions, asks him if anything is bothering him.

Yadira asks her mom how could she possibly think that she (Yadira) likes Juan. (I guess she's forgotten she tried to seduce him just a couple of nights ago!) Yadira says she likes Juan, but for Nidia, not for herself. Yadira urges Nidia to fight for Juan. If Nidia would change her attitude and act casual then Juan will surely fall for her. Just look at Enrique!

In his office Pastor tries to calm himself by playing "Clair de Lune" very loudly. Juan knocks on the door. Pastor is all business. Juan asks Pastor what's going on. He thought they were friends. Pastor responds coldly that Juan's concept of friendship is different from his own.

Yadira tells Nidia to look at Marely, she has Juan eating out of her hand. Marely acts distant and unobtainable and Juan can't resist it. I didn't get all the conversation that went on between them, but Yadira concludes by telling Nidia she has a plan for making Juan jealous. Nidia gets excited, will they hire a telenovela actor to be her suitor? No...Yadira says the ideal candidate is in front of Nidia's nose. It's someone who is already madly in love with her.

Cut to Alirio twirling his moustache. Slimy Gutierrez is in his office demanding payment for the will he forged. Alirio tries to stall, it takes time to collect that amount from his stocks and investments. Gutierrez puts his cigar out on Alirio's desk and tells him he will give him one week only. After that he'll open his mouth and reveal that he forged Samuel's will.

Alirio's phone rings. It's Nidia. She flirts with him and he is under her spell.

Juan asks Pastor if he can borrow the car for the night. He needs it for a surprise...a surprise for Pastor. He can't tell him what it is, otherwise it wouldn't be a surprise, right? (Oh Juan, this is low, even for one who sports a mullet.) Pastor asks, "Am I wearing a Grand Imbecile sign on my head?"

Pastor eventually relents, sort of. He'll give Juan one chance. "You're going to loan me the car?" asks Juan hopefully. No chance, but if Juan demonstrates to Pastor that his intention to change is sincere then they can resume their friendship along with all the "advantages" that it implies. Juan stumbles over a few words while Pastor continues...he will continue to enforce the company's regulations while Juan proves to Pastor that his intentions are sincere.

Pastor's mouth continues to move while Juan puts on a fake wide grin and thought bubbles, "I'm in a hurry to get my wheels and this lump with legs not only refuses me but makes me put up with his tantrum! He had me in his hands and he knew it, all the while I was giving my all wholeheartedly. What can I do to speed up my request?"


Advance-It looks like Juan might hit up the big boss (CL) for use of the company car.

guateque = party, fiesta
hablando del rey de roma = speaking of the devil (lit. the king of rome)
jolgorio = partying down, merrymaking
rollitos = tall tales

Labels: Juan

Pasta is yelling at Yolanda. Why didn't anyone tell him before that Peyote is his daughter? Why did they allow him to spew all his venom at her? The whole situation with Caramel could have been avoided.

Caramel sadly tells Emili-Oh that she has dumped Puncho for good. Emili-Oh can barely contain his enthusiasm.

Pasta can't believe Octopus could be so evil as to not tell him about Peyote. Pasta then wants to know why Yolanda never spilled the beans. "You know my sister. She made me keep silent. I know what she's capable of!" Pasta than begs for Peyote's forgiveness for all the evil things he's said to her in the past. "Mi Hija! Please don't die!"

Puncho is spread out on his cot in the jail cell. He still has tears in his eyes as he remembers all the rotten things he's done to Caramel and Peyote. The lies he told Caramel when he was in Florida with Peyote, as well as lying to Peyote when he said he had to work but was in reality marrying Caramel.

Isabel and Debora are still plotting against Dimwit. Debora want to live with Isabel since they are going to be working together. Currently she's staying in a horrible hotel. She will even pay Isabel for a room. Isabel wants to know where Debora is going to get the money. Debora says she used to be a career thief. Getting money won't be a problem.

Puncho is still lamenting his past; his wedding day to Caramel and how he hit Peyote when Peyote confronted him about his marriage to Caramel.

Marfil comes running into Merciless Medical. Luscious says Peyote is with her dad. Pasta. Marfil is impactada!

Pasta is still begging for forgiveness in front of the comatose Peyote. He apologizes for every evil thing he's done and said to/about her. "Wait until Caramel finds out." Etc.

Diablo is squawking to himself about how he is now united with Doc Evil and how Dimwit is going to pay for dumping him.

Dimwit is trying to talk Maxi-Moron out of his escape plan. No, he's not crazy, but he's not well either. Maxi-Moron wants to know all about Dimwit.

Camila is worried Max is going to get his memory back if he doesn't get another dose of the mystery drug. "Don't worry," says Doc Evil, "Max will never get out. Even if I have to burn that asylum to the ground with all the crazies inside!"

Octopus walks into Peyote's hospital room. Pasta wants to know how she could keep such a huge secret from him. Orchestra of Doom. Commercial.

Lunkhead tells the Big Doormat she did the right thing in telling Pasta the truth about Peyote. Marfil still can't believe it. Suddenly Marfil's phone rings and she runs around the corner to answer it. It's Diablo and he says he's alone. He wants to see her and take off her clothes. EEEWWWW!!!! She can't leave right now because Peyote is in the hospital and might die. Diablo says Peyote was pretty useless and it doesn't matter if she dies or not. He really wants to see Marfil right now. "Make it happen."

Maxi-Moron is hitting on Dimwit big time. When he escapes, he wants to see her again. Dimwit doesn't want him to escape. She has her hand leaning on a tree and he puts his hand over hers. Are we supposed to be sighing in ecstasy that he is falling in love with Dimwit all over again without knowing it? Frankly, who cares?! I'd rather Luscious and Gaby get together. Now THEIR relationship makes me sigh!

Granny DS is coming to talk to Gaby. Where is Dimwit? Gaby tells her Dimwit moved away because she had a fight with Fidiota. Granny DS says children shouldn't fight with their parents. Granny DS says she's so sad, she's going to cry and they'll have to change the carpet because it will be so wet. She then asks why Gaby seems so sad. Little Doormat changes the subject by offering to go to Granny DS's room and play dolls with her.

Pasta and Octopus are still fighting about Peyote. "How could you let me hate her more and more each day?" The fight is broken up by a weak "Mama!" out of Peyote. Peyote wants "that man" to get out of her room.

Emili-Oh walks into Caramel's office. Lunkhead is outside and wants to talk to her. Caramel says "No way! He wants me to help him see Gaby and I don't want to get involved." Emili-Oh says that not why Larry has come. Caramel is now worried and tells Emili-Oh to send Luscious in. Luscious stands there and looks at her with those big eyes of his. He starts digging deep within himself to get his eyes to water. "Your father and I just found out a secret. Peyote…….is……….your sister! Caramel is impactada!

Dulce and Dimwit are discussing Maxi-Mundane. "He's in your heart, isn't he?" Dimwit says it can never be. Maxi-Torpid is married and I'm married to a heartless man who will never let me go. Dulce tells Dimwit she has a right to be loved, and if that love happens to be her patient, she needs to do everything in her power to help him. Besides, Maxi-Amnesia is getting better and more lucid each day!

Caramel still doesn't believe Peyote is her sister. Finally Limpid Larry convinces her by repeating the same sordid story we've been hearing for awhile. Caramel is speechless. Finally she asks Limpid to take her to the hospital to be with her father.

Dimwit is in Maxi-Morose's room at the manicomio. We get to see a flashback of the first time she saw Max. She was being taken to jail. It was love at first sight. She then saw him the next day. Back in the here and now, Dimwit is hugging Max's pillow. Their sappy love song plays in the background as Dimwit laments that they were born into different worlds. Commercial.

Princess Fi walks into Pasta's Palace and notices the broken door knob. At first she suspects a robbery and runs to the back of the apartment to investigate. Once she realizes there are no dead bodies or sexy criminals, she helps herself to a stiff drink and starts plotting on ways to break up Maxi-Mundane and Dimwit. She's going to bring Diablo to the asylum! Suspenseful music plays.

Emili-Oh, the dutiful lackey, comes in and tells Fidiota (still clutching her drink) that Pasta just found out that Peyote is his daughter. Fidiota is muy impactada!

Peyote is again asking why "that man" is in her room. She then asks if he's crying for her. Pasta replies "yes." Peyote wants to know why. Pasta then chokes out, " I …am…your…real" Yolanda and Rene walk in and make Octopus and Pasta leave. They tell Peyote she needs to rest. So now everyone in the world knows about Peyote's father except Peyote.

Pasta starts yelling at Octopus in the waiting area; "If Peyote dies without knowing I'm her father, I'll never forgive you for the rest of my life!"

Fidiota has figured out the whole sordid story without Emili-Oh even needing to explain. After Emili-Oh is gone, Fidiota tells herself Pasta will never forgive Octopus, and will soon be a free man. Too bad she's engaged to Roddy now. Another slug from the ever-present drink. The Orchestra of Tragedy plays.

Crazy Pedro comes shuffling into the room with a glass of juice and a smirk. He looks like the proverbial cat that ate the canary. Sure enough Nurse Wretched comes blustering in. "You took my juice!!! Now you're going to get a bath in ice water!!" She comes after Poor Pedro, but Mighty-Max comes to his rescue. He yells at Nurse Wretched to leave his friend alone. "I'm crazy and I will kill you if you so much as touch Pedro!" Nurse Wretched runs out to tattle to the director.

Diablo and Marfil are having themselves a little afternoon delight when apparently Diablo calls Marfil "Diana." Marfil is not happy. He is trying to make excuses when the phone rings. It's Princess Fi. She has some news for him. Diablo makes some generic small talk and tells her to let him know what she finds out. Meanwhile Marfil is wrapped up in a sheet wanting to know "What the heck? Who's that?" Diablo says it's a piano student and starts getting all frisky again. Gross!

Pedro is in tears he is so grateful to Max. Mighty-Max is the grandson he never had. Poor Pedro, if that's the best he can do for a grandson, I feel doubly bad for him. Of course Maxi-Mundane turns everything around to be about Dimwit. Boring. Finally they head out to the patio.

Caramel comes rushing into her father's arms. "Is it true?" "Yes." replies Pasta shooting evil death-ray glares in Octopus' direction. "Peyote is your sister."

Fidiota is telling Roddy about Pasta. Roddy asks, "Can't we talk about something else besides Pasta's problems?" "Of course," says Fidiota. "How about if I pour you a drink." They then discuss her drinking. He wants to go with her to AA. She says she doesn't have a problem, she can stop whenever she wants. She drinks "por nada." "Don't worry about me, I'm fine! Salud!" says our sodden siren.

Caramelo is still hugging Pasta and telling him everything is going to be fine. Caramel then turns her wrath on Octopus. "How could you do this to my daddy? You are detestable!" She throws out some other insults when Yolanda comes running in. "Peyote is dying!" The whole happy circus goes charging into Peyote's room. Not one of these clowns thinks to call the doctor. They all crowd around her bed and Pasta begs her not to die. Peyote sounds like she's having an asthma attack. She's probably allergic to all the make-up they have plastered on her face.

Dulce and Dimwit are talking about…what else...Max! Dulce refers to Dimwit as Azucena. "Oops, only Maxi-Morose can call you that! My bad!" Suddenly Nurse Wretched breaks up the happy party, while the stereotypical "crazy person" is sitting reading a book at Dimwit's side. Nurse Wretched tells Dulce to make like a banana and split (it's getting late, fan(s), and I'm getting tired.) Nurse Wretched will not be happy until Dimwit is fired and Maxi-Torpid is in a straight jacket.

Everyone is still crowded around a gasping Peyote. Finally Caramel, ever the voice of logic, tells Lunkhead to go get a doctor. Pasta keeps telling her she can't die. She can't die without forgiving him. He's her father. Her true father! I half expect Peyote to stop gasping, but actually her gasps get higher and squeakier. We then spend the next five minutes listening to her gasp and wheeze, until…

Credits roll!

Labels: acorralada

Vera and her pack of pitchfork-wielding idiots menaced Luba and Gaspar. Suddenly Raquel produced a shotgun -- where the heck did that come from? -- and pointed it at the mob, telling them to get off her property.

Ifigenio and Vera warned Raquel that Luba and Gaspar were bad people. Luba told Raquel their accusations were false.

Raquel said no one would help her when she needed it except Luba and Gaspar. Vera shrieked that Luba was a "witch of the devil" who would put the evil eye on Raquel's baby. Geesh, what century is she living in?

Luba did her mean witch act to scare the idiots, who ran off.

Meanwhile: Angel asked Coral if Claudia could stay with her to get away from her evil stepfather Rosendo. Coral sympathetically agreed. Angel said he'd go see Claudia's mother and explain.

Later Claudia told Coral she hadn't known Angel for long but she loved him, "I've never known a boy like him."

At Rodrigo's house: Gaby answered the telephone and found herself speaking to Thelma, who said, "It's good that you finally answered, kid."

Gaby hysterically assured her that she had told Rodrigo to move far away with Alina, then yelled, "Leave me in peace!" and hung up. She told the confused Tina, "We have to leave!"

Tina questioned her, and Gaby said the caller was a very bad woman who wanted to kill her. She admitted that her father knew the woman but wouldn't tell Tina who it was. While trying to comfort Gaby, Tina said to herself, "Who, who could it be?"

No-Longer-Singing Aunt Rebeca scolded Thelma for scaring Gaby. Thelma said, "The difference is my son has a mother to defend him, and this kid has a mother who's in the ground." Rebeca said, "How cruel you are."

At the military camp: Alina sat in a jeep in the rain, waiting for a driver to take her back to town. Her nursing teacher showed up to talk Alina out of leaving.

Emilio told Frank it wouldn't be easy working with Rodrigo because he had been engaged to Alina. (At this point, who hasn't been engaged to Alina, aside from Frank himself?)

Frank asked about Karla. Emilio said Karla was attractive but he was only interested in Alina. Frank admitted that he'd told Rodrigo about seeing Karla leaving Emilio's tent.

Just then Alina and her teacher entered the tent. Emilio and Alina stared at each other. Emilio said, "Alina!" Alina said, "Emilio!" Always such great conversationalists, those two.

Alina's teacher said this must be the Emilio she'd heard so much about. Emilio asked if Alina had told her good things about him. The teacher said yes.

When they were alone, Emilio told Alina he was always thinking about her. "I can't go on living without you. I need you. Please come back to me." They kissed.

Alina said, "I love you with all my heart."

More kissing. The scowling Rodrigo watched them from outside the tent.

Alina said, "If you divorce Thelma, we can make plans." Emilo asked if Alina wanted to marry him. She said, "Yes, that's what I want the most."

Finally they spotted Rodrigo. He apologized for interrupting them and left. Alina told Emilio she would go after him alone and talk to him.

Back in the city: Angel went to Claudia's neighborhood and saw Rosendo passing by. He said to himself, "Rosendo, very soon you are going to pay for all you've done."

Then Angel encountered Claudia's mother carrying a heavy bucket. He offered to help her and she rudely refused. Angel told her Claudia couldn't live with Rosendo any more, saying, "He has tried to abuse her many times."

Claudia's mother shrieked that Rosendo had always been a father to Claudia etc. etc.

Angel said Claudia was his girlfriend. The mother said, "The girl is a flirt." Angel said, "That isn't true," that Claudia loved her mother but wouldn't return home while Rosendo was there. Mom stormed into her house.

At Old Ranch (Raquel's ranch): Luba told Gaspar they would eventually have to leave with the cofre, but she didn't know how.

Meanwhile, Raquel yelled at Hernan for not being there to help her deal with the lynch mob, or should I say the witch-burning mob. He tried to convince her not to trust Luba and Gaspar, but Raquel said, "I trust them and I want to trust them."

Orlando arrived, looking for Luba and Gaspar. Raquel said they were not only her employees, they were under her protection.

Hernan asked Orlando if it was true that Luba was a witch who had killed a girl. Orlando said no. He convinced Raquel to take him to Luba.

After they left the room, Hernan snickered that at last he would get rid of Luba and Raquel, and without them Raquel would have no choice but to sell the ranch! (Too bad Hernan doesn't have a mustache to twirl... Obviously I'm still missing Maximo.)

Luba was still ranting to Gaspar about Vera and her band of idiot villagers. I think she said she would use their fear to help Raquel.

Raquel entered their room with Orlando. Luba told Raquel that Orlando had tried to kill her son. Orlando said he'd only done it because Gaspar was obsessed with a woman (Thelma) and that he had come to take Gaspar to see his son.

Gaspar was delighted at the idea of seeing his little cub, but Luba said she didn't trust Orlando. Orlando pretended to leave and Gaspar got upset.

Luba pulled Raquel aside and told Raquel she had "a great heart," and said (I think?) that she trusted Raquel, then told Orlando she and Gaspar would leave with him tomorrow. I didn't understand all of this scene but Luba appeared to be planning something.

Elsewhere: Thelma told Rebeca she was thinking of returning to the mountain to deal with the infeliz (I'm not sure if she meant Orlando or Gaspar).

Rebeca warned her not to trust Orlando and offered to go with her. Thelma said she could take care of herself and besides, her aunt had to stay behind to take care of the baby. She added that she wished Luba and Gaspar were dead.

At the military camp: Alina found Rodrigo and told him she didn't want him to think badly of her, that she was grateful for his love.

Rodrigo said he would never love anyone else but, "I only want to see you happy, although not at my side." They leaned their heads together and for a moment it looked as if Alina was going to kiss him. (Duhlina, you idiot, make up your idiotic mind!)

Finally Alina pulled away and Rodrigo apologized. He said he would try to give her up, but warned that Emilio wasn't as honest as she presumed. I think he mentioned something about someone being in Emilio's tent, but he refused to say any more, telling her to ask Emilio about it.

Meanwhile, Alina's teacher was telling Emilio how Karla had treated Alina, saying Alina didn't deserve it.

In San Mateo: Agent Vargas called Elias and Soledad to tell them about the deaths of Hugo, Alfonsina, and Mauro. Soledad said, "My god. It was Alvaro. He killed them!"

Vargas warned Elias, "This man is looking for revenge against you. You are in grave danger."

After hanging up, Elias told Soledad he wasn't surprised by Hugo's death, but he didn't understand why had Alvaro killed Alfonsina. Bitterly Soledad said it was Alfonsina's fault that Alvaro had believed she'd had an affair with Jose.

Elias said Alvaro wouldn't rest until he found him, so for Soledad's safety they should separate. Soledad protested, "I can't stand the idea of losing you. You have given me a new vision of life, and I don't want to lose it."

Elias kissed her, thanked her, and said he would protect her forever. (Does that mean he's going to stay with her, after all? Not sure because I didn't catch everything he said.)

At the military camp: Alina and her teacher nursed the sick flood victims. Alina said all her dreams had come true (because she was reunited with Emilio).

Meanwhile, Emilio went to Karla's tent and said he wanted to talk about her problem with Alina. Karla observed, "This girl is very special for you." Emilio said he couldn't deny it, so Karla said, "Alina will find a friend in me."

After Emilio left, Karla said to herself yes, she and Alina were going to be friends, but only so she could find out everything about Alina.

Emilio told Alina he was worried about her spending so much time with contagious people. (Exactly what does Duhmilio think nurses do for a living??)

Duhlina said not to worry, just being with him made her feel stronger than ever. (I'm sure she thinks everyone in that tent will soon be healed by his mere presence.)

Alina's teacher announced that they were out of antibiotics and needed more. It was night and still raining, but Alina and Emilio set off in a jeep with some guy who warned them that the road was bad.

Big surprise: The jeep got stuck in the mud. I'll bet you didn't see that coming. The guy with them kept repeating that another storm was likely, then pointed out that the radiator had overheated. Emilio picked Alina up and carried her from the jeep, I suppose to protect her white uniform from the mud.

(Gee, I wonder if there's an empty cabin nearby where Alina and Emilio can spend the night...?)

At Coral's house: Tina arrived, looking for Alina. She told Angel, Coral, and Claudia about the woman who had called Gaby, saying Gaby had mentioned the name Thelma. "Do you know who this woman is?"

At La Rinconada: Orlando was arguing with Vera about what to do with Luba and Gaspar when Thelma entered the room, to Orlando's surprise. (She sure got there fast. Emilio and Elias must have built a magic highway.)

In the countryside somewhere: What a surprise! That guy took Emilio and Alina to a cabin, then said he would join his family at another cabin and conveniently left the lovebirds alone.

Emilio observed in his usual insightful way, "It seems we are going to have to share the cabin. Do you still have doubts about my love?"

Alina said no, so they started making out and taking off their clothes. Who could have expected, when that jeep got stuck in the mud, that it would lead to this?

Vocabulary word:
compartir = to share

Labels: duelo

Translated from the esmas.com site:

AZUL (Karyme Lozano) is beautiful and intelligent, sensitive, mature and responsible, but a bit of a manipulator. She wants her opinion to be taken into account and is simple and generous with others, but complicated in her emotional relationships. She likes the good life, even though not in exchange for others' suffering. She is engaged and audacious, capable of risking everything for her love.

DIEGO (Valentino Lanús) is likeable, strong, intelligent, and creative. A little immature in his way of forging his future. He likes the easy life. Daring and brave, he can struggle even unto death to defend his love. He's a man of firm principles who knows how to keep his word.

MAURICIO (René Strickler) is an enchanting man who hides a perverse soul. He is stingy, ambitious, and determined. He uses the power of money and influence to impose his will. He uses people and removes them from the road when they hinder him.

SILVANA (Mónika Sánchez): Distinguished, solitary and attractive, sometimes disoriented by her sufferings and psychological disorders caused by the death of her son. She is audacious and determined, obsessed with vengeance. She gives herself completely to one who shows compassion, which indicates her goodness and her absolute need for love.

CLEMENCIA (Maria Sorté) is kind, tireless in work, a responsible and self-sacrificing mother and wife. She respects the personal life of her two sons, but always wants to help them. She's generous with those who have less than she does and struggles for their rights, but what matters most to her is the unity of her family.


ALFREDO (Otto Sirgo): Likeable, distracted, too trusting, totally enamored of science, Alfredo dreams of contributing something valuable to benefit mankind. With his family he's dry, but does his best to be an understanding father. Even though he's stubborn, he almost always gives in eventually (though sometimes too late).

AURELIO (José Carlos Ruiz) is an older man, serious and hardworking. He profoundly loves his daughter Clemencia and his grandson Diego. Though he doesn't have money, he's rich in family and personal values. He is a man of integrity, strong, responsible, and with much wisdom which he uses to guide those he loves.

LEONARDA (Alma Muriel): an arrogant, dominating woman, taught to despise those she considers to be her inferiors. She is dominating, possessive and jealous, loyal to the point of covering up and justifying any atrocity. A psycopath capable of assassination and calling herself a good Catholic at the same time.

ISELA (Isaura Espinoza): mature, sensual, flirtatious, provocative, funny and exotic at any hour, she has an intense sexual life and doesn't care who knows it, but despite her frivolity always thinks of others and expresses her concern with kindnesses. She is tender, sensible, fair, and a provider of good advice to the young men of the neighborhood who visit the bar.

GLORIA (Socorro Bonilla) is an older, still attractive woman, an adventurer by nature. Seeking liberty, she abandoned her daughter, something that weighs on her conscience. For fear of disappointment and abandonment, she avoids developing longterm relationships.

EMILIA (Lourdes Munguía): a sexy intelligent psychiatrist/therapist with orthodox training, sensitive and always willing to help. She is very secure in her profession but weak in her personal and emotional life. Her love relationships haven't been very successful. Her greatest hope is to find true love.

INÉS (Diana Golden) is a healthy, sexy woman of a good family, who resents having to live a hidden love. She feels shame, frustration, and fear of losing her lover, for whom she'd be willing to abandon everything. She is a sensitive artist who doesn't realize her internal strength.

MANUEL (Marco Muñoz) is imprudent, agressive and inconsiderate, full of bitterness and resentment. He sees his son as a rival and tries to hide his ignorance behind an intransigent attitude. He hates his poverty and tries to take advantage of everything.

Labels: amar, synopsis-cast

Translation of the sinopsis from the esmas.com site (see below): Diego Morán works as a seller in a men's clothing house and carries the trade of tailor in his blood. He lived with Valeria but couldn't find a way to build his life with her. Valeria abandoned him, taking with her the few valuable things they owned, the savings he had earmarked for buying a car, and the money he'd given her punctually for the apartment rent. Thrown out of his home, ruined and disillusioned, Diego returns temporarily to his parents' home, where he doesn't get as nice a reception as he'd expected. Not just abandoned, but also swindled by his last lover, Diego takes refuge in his family, especially with his grandfather, with whom he has much in common. His friends Isela and Paco also help him get over his romantic disaster. Shortly after returning to his parents' house, Deigo meets and falls in love with Azul Toscano, but she is already engaged to marry Mauricio Duarte, a successful businessman whose success hides various shady deals. Diego and Azul meet a few times and a grand attraction is born between them, but owing to the circumstances, each follows his/her own road and they believe they will never see each other again. Diego becomes close friend to Silvana Lombardo, a woman who lost a small son two years ago. Since this tragedy occured, nothing and nobody has been able to dissuade her from a belief that Mauricio is responsible for her child's death. Silvana can't find consolation for her pain and decides to kill Mauricio. Diego discovers her intentions and, unable to keep her from commiting this crime, ends up saving Mauricio's life. From then on, Mauricio wants Diego to work for him, considering him almost a lucky charm. Used to getting what he wants, nothing stops him until he succeeds. It's only when Diego accepts the job and enters Mauricio's house that he discovers: Azul, the woman he has loved most in life, is wife to the man who is now his boss and whom he is economically dependent. At first Diego sees nothing suspicious in Mauricio's professional activities, even though he isn't happy about having to work for the man who snatched the most important person in his life. Nevertheless, he accepts her loss with resignation, convinced that she preferred Mauricio because she found qualities and advantages with him that Diego could not offer her. Little by little Diego will be discovering the true aim of Mauricio's schemes and his nefarious tricks with influential groups. Realizing Azul's husband is actually a man without scruples, capable of limitless acts of cruelty and immorality, costs Diego very dearly. When he tries to leave, in order to denounce all the crimes committed in that place and to save Azul, he realizes it won't be possible to leave - at least, alive. Further, Diego won't dare to leave Azul alone in danger that she doesn't perceive. Azul doesn't know who Mauricio really is. Her father is also in danger - Alfredo Toscano, a prestigious scientist Mauricio had sought to hire before meeting Azul, whom she had convinced to work for Mauricio. Mauricio needs Alfredo's scientific knowledge in order to carry out one of his most dishonest and ambitious plans. Diego's dilemma: to surrender before the reality he lives, or to struggle bravely to save the woman he loves, even within the hell that traps them both.

Labels: amar, synopsis-cast

Caray, I missed a few minutes here (not used to this early time slot) not much happened I think, but I guess I missed Perafan’s conversation with Juan as the first thing I saw was Cesar Luis telling Perafan that Juan isn’t just a simple executive, he’s my right hand man. I think Juan told Per that he’s an executive instead of a chauffeur, and CL played along. Juan thanks El Nino again for his assistance. Cl tells Perafan they have to go to an important meeting. Juan tells Per he’s sorry he can’t chat but he’s got to go obviously.

They drive off with Fernando at the wheel and Juan in the backseat with CL. He asks Fer to stop and leave them alone. They rehash this in the car, and CL knows perfectly well what kind of a bad person Perafan is but wants to know why Juan lied. Juan tells him the truth is that he did it for love because he’s in love and the girl won’t be interested in him if he’s just a chauffeur. CL tells Juan that he is a sucker for being a romantic, so he is in luck, CL lets him off the hook and won't fire him, but he does bank this as a favor owed in the future. Juan’s happy for now that he managed his way out of this mess and tells CL he’ll never forget this, (nor will CL).

Ana is burning, literally, mementos of Cachon Transporte and Samuel, pictures of them together and she is crying.

Fer drops CL, and asks him what happened with Juan. Cl says well he likes women by the way. Fer says well he could play both sides. CL says maybe anyway he doesn’t care what people do with their lives and he’s got to get to his meeting.

GAYtan bugs Juan about where he went during work hours and Juan says he left because CL asked him to go. Juan says, what if he wanted me for personal things. Isn’t he the one who gives orders around here? G says look he orders me, and I order you. They bitch fight about this a little until Paula shows up.

Nidia awaits Perafan at Cachon. She’s mad because he was late. He says don’t be mad I have bad news. She worries then that Juan is taking advantage of her. Perafan says on the contrary everything is true about his story. She’s happy because she knew it!

Juan is driving Paula who wonders what’s wrong. He says he knows she’s asking because she overheard his conversation with GAYtan. He says look, that guy thinks he’s in a market and that he can just take out his wallet and buy people cheaply as if they were things and I’m not accustomed to that kind of defrauding. She thinks maybe he did something to let him think he could act that way. Juan says, no way, I have always been really clear with him. She says OK, but maybe you are interpreting things to harshly, she asks how long they have been “friends.” He says not long, we met in the business and she says well maybe this is normal when you are just getting to know someone. He decides maybe he should just shut up because he can’t imagine what story she’s got going on in her head, and he’s trying to score points with her.

Nidia now berates Perafan for even suggesting that Juan is hiding something.

Pastor is crying about his conversation with Juan to Yvonne. Among other things she consoles him by saying that he really needs to just ask Juan straight up if he has the same feelings for Pastor as Pastor has for him. Pastor says he has a grand fear of being direct like that with people. She says well, he really needs to do it so he stops suffering on this emotional roller coaster.

Paula goes into see her Mama who is still crying about her situation. Paula tells her she should be happy on her birthday. Mama tells her she just doesn’t understand the circumstances. The love of her life is gone, and she wonders if her devotion was at all worth it, and he didn’t recognize us by leaving us anything. She cries that it’s as if he didn’t care about us at all, and she questions living as a second hand love for nothing. Paula asks her why she is feeling this way and if she went to see the Cachons. She finally admits that she went and saw the will. Paula wants to know why she would do this on her birthday, it hurts her to see her this way.

Nidia tells Per that she went to Ana’s house. He thinks that was a bad idea to provoke them because he has everything under control with their strategy. He tells her to be more prudent. Nidia says she only warned Ana a little to leave well enough alone with all this stuff. She tells him as Samuel’s wife for 20 years it was her who helped him build the business etc. and she deserves to protect her place. He tells her she might be screwing this all up. She says she wants to do it her way.

Paula begs Juan’s pardon that she can’t go to eat with him because her Mama is upset right now. He wonders if she’ll be ok for tonight’s surprise. She says yes. He asks if he can have the afternoon free then in order to arrange everything because tonight is going to be very special. She agrees, and he beams at her again.

Paula calls CL to let him know this situation, that her mom is depressed, and he says she should stay home with her Mom in this circumstance. She thanks him. He then tells Yvonne that she should get the largest arrangement of flowers and send it over. Of course she doesn’t like this idea and gives him attitude.

Juan gets home and sees Marely’s backside and dreams again of how lovely she is. She wonders where he snuck up from. She asks him if he shouldn’t be working. He says yes, but he’s had a horrible day so far with meeting after meeting, solving all kinds of problems, so they told him to take the afternoon off.

Marely asks him about her request for him to help get her a job. He tells himself he hates lying, but flesh is weak, and he tells her that he’d like her to come for a meeting tomorrow, he’s got a friend who has a business and he’s mentioned her to him, so they should talk with him, as it will hurry up the process of maybe getting a job to have his attention for a bit. She tells him to avoid problems with her mom who doesn’t like her to go by herself, she wants to bring a friend. He is happy because of course that was his plan, and she came up with it first!!

Paula is still trying to cheer up her Mom and tells her that CL sends his birthday greetings. Ana tells Paula there’s something she didn’t mention yet, that Nidia came this morning. Paula gets really mad that this chick would dare to show up in their home. Mama says this is between her and me so nevermind. Paula says yes, but it concerns me to. She wants to go over and give her a piece of her mind. Ana forbids her and won’t give the address.

Kike is telling Juan in the study about all of the arrangements he made for him for Ana’s birthday celebration. Kike tells him the mariachis and food and everything are top notch. Juan tells him it’s a secret and not to tell Nidia or the girls. Just then Nidia, who was listening in at the end through the door crack wants to know what secret he keeps. He says he wants to talk to her. He wants to know what Perafan was doing at his office. He yells at her that they don’t trust him and if not, maybe he should just leave the house. She says no, she didn’t know Perafan would go, but he knows that guy wouldn’t move a finger if she didn’t say so. He tells himself something in his soliloquy that I missed. My machine bugged out for a few seconds.

Back at the house with Ana, Paula finally agrees she won’t go slam Nidia because her Mom asked and she’ll try to calm down. She wants to make her up so she feels better. Just then the door bell rings and that large arrangement of flowers shows up. Paula begs her Mom to come down to see and they discover they are from CL. Paula speculates that maybe CL is in love with her. Her Mom jokes with her that she had a torrid romance with him a while back.

Yvonne is trying to get some from CL. He’s got other things on his mind and asks her for Paula’s address. She claims she doesn’t have it, and he says he knows she does because she sent the flowers. She huffs giving it to him. On the way out GAYtan asks if Paula is coming in and CL says no, he gave her the afternoon off to be with her Mom. (Wish I could pull this stuff). He wonders where Juan is in that case.

We go to the Plaza Garibaldi to pick up the mariachis. Juan thinks Kike did poorly with the tamales in a plastic bag that he got, that they are not special enough for this occasion. They are negotiating with a mariachi who seems to charge more than he told Kike on the phone. Juan says to Kike to just give him the extra money because this is special. Kike realizes he doesn’t have enough. They end up compromising by taking only four people for the reduced price, instead of the full band.

Back at the house, Ana & Paula are still chatting, and Ana thinks CL has never done anything like this for her in all the years he’s known her, so she wonders what’s up. Just then the doorbell rings, and it’s the devil, CL.

Happy 4th!!

Labels: Juan

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Labels: index

I thought I would post some youtube excerpts I found of some of the additional conversations in case you were off partying on the 4th and didn't see or record this. (yeah, I show up in the audience in some of these, he,he)

Just follow these links (Thanks marcela555):

Jaime discusses projects and bigotonas

Angelica as judge of Jaime's girlfriends

Angelica gives more details about her inner beauty

Sergio tells more about beauty

More from Angelica Maria

Hi all, this special covered the last two Monday's Cristina shows combined but had way fewer commercials and hence aired a lot more of the conversations! Much better editing in my opinion, because the extra material set the context up for what we already saw. I wish they had shown this version on a Monday special. I can't believe they still didn't show Angelica and Jaime singing together!!!!!! Ugh. Maybe there will be a third installment?? :)

I think what I will eventually do is supplement the original show recaps with the extra parts that they aired during this special, and I will highlight them accordingly so you know which was part of the first airing and which part of the second.

So check back to the original posts for these extra conversations. If anyone got a high quality, high resolution DVD recording of this entire special, post here if you might be interested in sharing it.

Happy 4th Everyone!!!

Labels: fea

Diego denies that he is Zorro to SM. He is a simple, peace-loving landowner. SM says in essence that a leopard can't change its spots. Some men are born to power and Diego is one of them. Then SM tells Diego that he came to LA to find Diego. Their fellow students from the military academy are rich landowners. They have made a bet with SM and if he defeats Diego in swordplay, he will win a fortune.
“Fine,” says Diego. “Tell them that you defeated me and collect your fortune.”
“You don't understands,” responds SM. “To win I have to kill you.” Diego is impactado.

Esme meets Garcia at their rendezvous. Esme is ready to proceed with her plan to get justice and vengeance. Garcia tells her that her card has already been delivered to the Queen – by Camba. Esme is surprised that Camba is a reliable messenger since he doesn't speak Spanish. Garcia assures her that he and Camba speak the same language – 'vino tole.'

Garcia shows Esme the clothes he bought for her and she is pleased with his selections. He fills her in on the deal with the impoverished Count. He sold his title and his house in LA to Esme so now they have a place to stay in town. Esme compliments Garcia on his intelligence. Garcia tells her he's not doing all this for free – he wants to be the one who arrests Montero. Esme says, “consider it done. You will be there when Montero pays for what he has done.”

SM tries to force Diego to fight him. Diego succeeds in disarming SM and tells him that he never thought SM would sell himself for a few gold coins. SM laughs and tell Diego that he was lying. He just wanted to see if Diego had lost his skill. Diego tells SM that Zorro is much better than he is. SM tells Diego that he believes that he isn't Zorro. Diego warns SM not to go around talking about Zorro. Diego already has a lot of problems and he doesn't need any more. SM agrees in a mocking way and Diego reluctantly shakes his hand.

Al takes Almudena to a place with a nice view. He is proccupied and finally tells her that it was Mangle, not Yumalai who poisoned her. Almudena is impactada.

Mangle is pacing in Montero's office cursing the fact that Diego threw her out of the hacienda, she's lost a few days and the repulsive Olmos abused her. Montero is not sympathetic and just wants nookie himself. He tells Mangle that with all the problems he has with the Queen, SK, the identity of Zorro, etc., her problems are not important and maybe Olmos didn't do anything to her. Mangle is furious and fights him off when he tries to kiss her.

After the credits, Mangle seems to have gotten over her fury and is reciprocating Montero's kisses. She thinks Olmos gave her a potion and she says that she feels bad. Montero says that she needs a real man.

SM and Diego are in town. Diego tells SM that the whole city is under a reign of terror by Montero. SM asks why no one has stood up to him. Diego replies that until recently Montero had too many allies including FS. SM asks what happened to FS and Diego says that nobody knows. He abandoned his post and disappeared. Diego tells SM that he keeps his ability with the sword quiet so that he isn't seen as a threat to Montero. SM appears to accept this explanation but as he leaves he says to himself, “Quien zorro eres, amigo.” The English subtitles translated this as, “You're so cunning, my friend.” “You are as cunning as a fox,” would be a better translation but no English translation can capture the double entendre in Spanish.

[We know that Al is a famous general. We know that Diego went to the military academy in Spain and was the best swordsman in Spain. Some of Al's buddies from the army were surely at the academy. Is it likely that not a single word of this got to Al? We know from when Diego was preparing for his duel with Montero that Al didn't think Diego could handle a sword at all. What did he think Diego was doing at the military academy? I know it's pointless to expect logic here but until SM appeared, we didn't know how public Diego's military education was.]

Al tells Almudena about Diego's discovery of Mangle 's poisoning plot. She instantly is concerned that she refused to listen to Yumalai. Almudena wants to speak to Yumalai and beg her forgiveness. Al says when Almudena is stronger, he will arrange it.

Dolores tells MP that a monk with a strange voice has come to see her. Since none of the menfolk are home, Dolores is nervous about leaving MP alone with the man. MP remembers the monk that she saw in town who she was sure was FS. She comes into the room where he is waiting and says his name.

FS has come to ask MP's forgiveness and, surprisingly for someone who was a nun and was therefore in the forgiveness business, she won't give it. She can't forgive him for killing Regina right in front of Diego and leaving Al without love & companionship until he found Regina. [Of all FS's many sins, killing Regina seems one of the most forgive-able to me. He didn't know the woman he killed was Regina and he had had the traumatic experience of seeing his parents killed by indians. To me, keeping your wife in prison locked up in an iron mask for 20 years was a much worse sin that might not be able to be forgiven.] Anyway, MP says she can't forgive FS unless Al and Diego forgive him first.

Wow! We see Esme is a nice gown for the first time in ages. As was also apparent in her more revealing Amazon outfit, even though she had been locked up in a windowless cellar for 6 months, Esme managed to maintain the beautiful tan over her entire body. She given up her 'warrior' hairdo, too. Her hair is curly again. Esme thanks the seamstress who leaves as Garcia comes in. Esme asks if she looks like a Countess and Garcia, ever gallant, says that she looks like a Queen. Garcia once again asks Esme to give up her plan of vengeance but she says that it is too late. She then asks Garcia how her son died. Garcia doesn't want to say but Esme insists. She wants to know if Montero killed her son. Garcia says no. Montero gave the baby to Pizarro who left it in a cemetery. The weather that night... Esme stops Garcia. She has heard enough. She tells Garcia that she wants to find the baby's remains, bury them in a nice place where she can pray over them every day until she is reunited with her child.

Montero is fooling around with Mangle. He tells her that he wants her to bring him his baby. Mangle refuses and says that she is first going to negotiate with Diego and take advantage of the fact that Montero is going to announce publicly that Diego is Zorro. Montero says that Mangle had better be right about that. Montero says that if Diego is Zorro, he probably knows about SK and will try and protect her. That is, he will try and protect her if he makes it to the masquerade ball. Montero has a surprise for him. His men will be waiting to capture him. Mangle says that they soon will know if it is true that Diego is Zorro. SM is on the job and he so desperate for money that he will do anything. Montero says that if it is true, Zorro will be dead soon and Mangle will be his widow and inherit everything. Mangle says that she won't count on that. She can use the child to get everything. Montero tells her not to be silly. He wants her to bring him the baby. He wants to humiliate Diego and let him know before he dies that the baby is Montero's and that Diego will die without leaving any heirs.

Diego is in little Al's room. SM comes in and is fishing for information. Since Diego isn't interested in Mangle, has he fallen in love with someone else? Diego tells him that he does love a woman but he doesn't know where she is or if she is alive or dead. SM wants more details but Diego refuses.

Esme, now dressed in mourning, is practicing her swordplay with Garcia. Esme appears to be using a regular sword rather than the broadsword that the Amazons gave her. Naturally, she defeats him. He compliments her on what she learned in her 3 days with the Amazons. Esme asks Garcia if he believes that Diego still loves her. Garcia says that any person who had fallen in love with her would have to be crazy to forget her and Diego isn't crazy.

Back to Diego and SM. SM is impactado that Diego is in love with Esme. Diego tells SM that Montero killed Esme. SM tells Diego about his relationship with Esme and Mangle when they were in Spain. He was infatuated with Esme but Esme wasn't interested in him. SM says that Mangle was infatuated with him. She always liked a challenge. Diego says that who knows what is wrong with Mangle. He tells SM that he threw Mangle out of the house because she was poisoning Almudena. SM is impactado. He tells Diego that Mangle is investigating him because he told her that Diego is a great swordsman. Mangle offered him money to find out all his secrets. Diego is concerned but SM responds, “Our friendship has no price. Anyway, you aren't Zorro, although there are certain similarities. Trust me. I won't get you into trouble.” Has SM gone over to the good side? Hard to tell since he is a pathological liar.

Mangle goes to see the judge with the bad hair (Catalina's father). She tells him Diego has thrown her out of the hacienda and wants to know her rights with regard to the child. The judge asks if the child has been baptized and registered? Mangle says no. It was a difficult delivery and she was ill. The judge recommends that she take care of that right away. If Diego registers the baby and does not put her down as the mother or puts down the name of some other woman, Mangle will not have any legal rights with the child. Mangle is impactada. “How can this be?” she says, “I gave birth to the child.” The judge asks if there were any witnesses to the birth. Mangle says that there was a witness but she doesn't think he will be very helpful. Mangle tells the judge that she will take of matters.

Olmos is being tortured on the rack. No one is asking him any questions. He says, “Do whatever you want to me. Nothing can take away the pleasure of making her mine. She was mine!” He laughs manically, “Mine!”

Al and Almudena are in a carriage when Almudena tells the driver to stop. She recognizes a spot with a lot of yellow flowers as the place that she saw Regina in a vision when she was dying. [How can she tell? It was dark and there were torches.] Al asks her not to talk about it anymore. “But,” he says, “it's very strange. I come down this path every day to the hacienda and these flowers were never here before.” Almudena says that she has to speak to Yumalai right away.

Diego invites SM to the masquerade ball. SM relishes the opportunity to meet all the beautiful women in the city. Maybe the Queen will fall for his charms now that she is a widow. He and Diego are about to go look for a costume for him when MP asks to speak to Diego. She tells him that FS was just at the hacienda. MP believes that he has changed now that he is a monk and she tells Diego that FS has asked for his and Al's forgiveness. Diego says that he believes that anyone can change except FS. He will speak to his father but he doesn't think he can forgive FS.

At the indian village, Al tells Almudena that Yumalai isn't in her teepee. He will ask the Council of Elders where she is but according to indian customs, this is a guys only thing. He says Almudena looks tired and suggests that they go home and send someone to inquire about Yumalai later. Almudena tells him to stop treating her like an invalid. She feels fine and she must speak with Yumalai right away. Al agrees and goes off to find the Council. Alone, Almudena says that she had a bad feeling about the Yumalai situation.

Agapito is hiding at Tobias' house. He is nervous that Pizarro will find him since it is known that Pizarro is a frequent visitor there. Tobias tells him not to worry. He has a brilliant plan to destroy Pizarro at the masquerade ball.

Pizarro comes in to interrogate Olmos and dismisses the torturer. Pizarro apologizes to Olmos for not being able to help him before. Montero is watching him like a hawk and if he makes a mistake, he will take Olmos' place on the rack. Pizarro tells Olmos that Montero knows that SK is alive. That is why the situation is so dangerous. Montero will kill Pizarro if he knows that he tried to protect SK. Olmos' shouldn't have abused Mangle. Unfortunately, his fate is sealed. Pizarro's only chance is to kill Montero and run away from LA. He asks Olmos for his contacts.

Montero instructs his soldiers to search every inch of the walls of the room where the ball will be held to make sure that there aren't any secret passages where uninvited guests can enter. DJ comes in. Montero assures him that the ballroom will be secure for the Queen. DJ looks at Montero and says that he can see fear in men's eyes and he sees fear in Montero's eyes. Is there something he should know? [like SK is alive and at large maybe?] Montero says that everything is under control. DJ says that he expects that the security operation will not distract the invited guests. If Montero's men remove an intruder, they should do it quietly so that no one notices. Montero agrees.

PT tells the Queen that SK is alive and with the gypsies. The Queen is very happy. She wants to go visit her. PT warns her that if she acts openly, SK and all the gypsies will be killed. However, the masquerade ball will be an opportunity for SK to approach the Queen. The Queen is thrilled. If SK can get to her side at the masquerade ball, she will do justice and treat her as a sister.

Almudena sees more flowers like the ones where she had the vision. She picks a couple and Yumalai appears in front of her.

Dolores is walking around with little Al in the town! What a stupid thing to do. Didn't she get the message that the baby was to be kept locked up at the hacienda? Mangle approaches and says that Dolores has saved her the trouble of going to the hacienda. She demands the baby. Dolores refuses. Things are getting ugly when the wet nurse whips a knife out of her leg holster and protects Dolores and the baby.

Diego and SM are walking in some other part of town and SM is strewing compliments to all the ladies he sees. SM wanders off and Diego is nearly run down by a carriage driven by Camba. Esme looks out of the window of the carriage to see what is going on. She conceals her face with her fan while Diego gives her a confused look.

The credits roll.

Labels: Zorro

No episode on TV Wednesday because of holiday schedule with a La Fea Mas Bella special and a Jose Jose homenaje! Hola!
But only 70 episodes left!

Alternatively, you might want to tune in to the Nathan's hot dog eating contest. This year, they say, the defending Japanese champ may have some serious competition. It's pretty disgusting viewing, however. But no more disgraceful than the appearance of Niurka on the Cristina show, for those who caught it! (P.S. to above: the results are in--the challenger won, 66-63 hot dogs.)

Now, back to our show. Every time you want to kill the writers, they give us a good episode like this. There are some moving scenes. There are even some interesting new vocabulary words. Bonus: no Kike or Diego or Fedora!
(BTW, remember that where they cut back and forth before finishing a scene, I am often compressing into one complete recap of the scene.).

We open with a recap of scenes from Monday. Max and his roommate Pedro discuss Nurse Ratched. Samanta is quickly revealing herself to be a perfect replacement for Bruno. We needed a new sirvienta with all the resentful class-consciousness of our late lamented lunatic.

Samanta catches Diana chatting with another nurse and castigates them for moving like turtles. She asks Diana whether it's true that Max has "baptized" (bautizar) her Azucena (white lily). Por favor, she sputters (English: "puh-leeze"). He may have lost his mind, she says, but he has not lost his "cursi" (pretentiousness or affectedness).

Diana asks why she has to be so venemous.


Larry and Rene talk about how it will be hard for Gaby to go against her mother.


Diana and Samanta continue to wrangle. Samanta wants Diana to obey (acatar).


In the manicomio office, Diana greets Fiona, who wants to visit Max. Diana puts the kibosh on that and talks to her about Eduardo. I love how Diana is becoming Eduardo's Cyrano.


Granny M calls Larry to tell him that Gaby went on a two-month honeymoon with KickMe. Larry looks impactado. Back to Granny M. The camera cuts away to reveal a stricken Gaby lying on the bed, looking close to comatose. She says it is better that Larry believe she is gone for a long time so he won't call. Fans, let's hope that Lunkhead works his two brain cells to see through this ruse.


Over at Casa Paco, Paola is trying to break down the front door with a hammer, and Octy is trying to stop her. Octy is having trouble because the cleavage on her black halter is too low and she might fall out. Not to mention her stiletto heels are keeping her off balance. Paola manages to knock her over and starts a great screaming fit. She rivals Debora in her best weasel-on-crack days. She also starts choking Octy. Finally she lets go and manages to get out the door. Octy staggers to her feet and runs after her. Paola runs out into traffic, Octy screams, and oh, no, Paola has been run over. It looks to be the same street where Paola and Silvia had their accident two weeks ago. Paola lies on the street with a lot of fake blood on her face and the orchestra of doom swelling.


Cut to Paco. He is chatting with that old guy at the bar (I don't even know his name) about the Paola situation. At the same instant as the accident, he hears Paola's name and is startled. He drops his glass. Paola--this crazy girl, he says, who I hate. Why am I hearing her name?


Back at the manicomio, Max and Pedro are talking about how much Max wants to kiss Diana. Pedro eggs him on. Diana comes in. Followed by Samanta, who sneers that she figured Diana would be there.


Now for some fun stuff: We cut to Miami's only jail cell, where our orange-clad Puncho is weeping bitterly while Caramelo visits. (I wonder why Puncho is the only prisoner who has been given the orange jumpsuit. All the others have worn their street clothes.) She is finally dumping him! He says he only wanted two women to be happy. She reminds him that two women can never be happy with the same man. He's really turning on the waterworks. He begs forgiveness. But she says no. She is burying their love (enterrar-ah, Eng. cognate inter).

Octy gets into the ambulance with Paola. She mutters that Paola can't die. The camera cuts to a poignant picture of Paola's flipflops on the street next to the bloodstains. Octy now calls Paco to tell him about the accident. He asks how Paola got out of the house. She says it doesn't matter--just call Larry and Yolanda. The Irascibles will pull together!


Back at the manicomio, Diana tells Max that she loves him but they have to be professional. No kissing. He wants to know why he can't remember.


Larry, Rene and Yolanda arrive at the hospital and get clued in by Paco. Who is going to go in the room. Larry wants to go in, but Yolanda says that Paco should have the honors. Paco goes in, and Larry wants to know why, since they hate each other. Yolanda reveals the secret to Larry. Larry is impactado again today!


Back at the manicomio, Max tells Diana he's beginning to feel better and less confused. He has more nitidez, or clarity. He remembers he has three enemies: Their names are Diego, Ignacio, and Pancholon! He wants to flee (fugarse) immediately and start fighting them.


Over at Emilio's Silvia is sporting a day-glo green wig. She opens to the door to Isabel, who wants to see Diana. Silvia blabs that Diana is no longer at the fabrica, but she's working as a nurse again at the manicomio--the same one where Max is. Who is Max? (it's not clear to me why Isabel can't remember Max's name.) Silvia reveals that she is taking care of the chilpayate (kid). She jumps at the chance to get Isabel as a baby sitter, as it will give her time to land a new boyfriend. (she wants to pescar--fish--for galanes--boys). She will give Diana the message, as she knows Diana will love the idea of Isabel taking care of the escuincle (also kid)since Isabel took such good care of Maxito during the kidnapping.

Octy goes to the lobby. Paco is sorry. He talks to Paola. Although they have their differences, he cares. She is young, and she must recover. The others are all crying in the lobby. They ask why Octy hid the secret for so long. Octy just lays into Yolanda.

It's life or death, and Larry wants to tell Paola the truth.

Debora and Isabel are rehashing Isabel's visit to Silvia. Debora wonders why they would be so trusting, but it's because Isabel gave the baby back safely after the kidnapping. Anyone notice that Debora now looks like Valerie Bertinelli with her new wig? (save for the large face bandage, of course).
Debora thinks they'll have to be very careful, since there are too many people at the mansion. But no, Diana's not at the mansion, etc. Isabel fills her in. This "tipa de pelucas," that is Silvia, or the gal wearing wigs, is a real charlatana (charlatan, but here a slang for chatterbox or blabbermouth). She told her all about Max being in the manicomio, etc. Isabel kind of forgets Max's name again, inexplicably, or is she playing dumb? Debora says they only lack one thing . . .I'm not sure what it is.

Caramelo talks to Emilio at the fabrica. She looks sad. She tells him that she has thrown Puncho over forever. Emilio smiles.

Samanta is supposed to give Max another injection but he escapes her clutches. She gives the injection to the pillow. She calls Iggy, who rails at her incompetence. Here's something I could not understand. He wanted her to put herself in pilas--a sink or basin? I just went through this quickly and didn't review, so if anyone else understands this, please fill in.

Back at the hospital, Yolanda comes into Paola's bedside, and Paco wants to leave. Yolanda tells him to stay, that he has more right than anyone. You hate each other, but you should know the truth. Octy kept this secret for a long time and only I knew. Paola is your daughter, and you are her real father.
Orchestra of doom crescendo. Paco is impactadissimo. What are you saying?

Meanwhile, Larry is telling his mother that it would be terrible if Paola died without knowing. Octy is furious, because if Paola finds out Caramelo is her sister, it would be worse. Rene butts in, saying that if she had known earlier, the whole Puncho thing could have been avoided. (we could add that if Rene hadn't given Paola drugs, she wouldn't have had a drug problem, but they seem to want us to forget that Rene used to be her connection, now that he is new Rene. I'll play along.) Octy just fumes some more.

This is perhaps the best scene ever in this dumb show. I really want to do it justice.
Yolanda is explaining the scheme to Paco. When he and Octy first met 20 years ago, she had a reputation to protect. She had her daughter pass as her husband's. That's why she never told him her name was Octavia.

Paco now has the scene we have long been waiting for. He says he can understand, but how could she not have told him before they got married. It is crazy. He says that Octavia was a mute witness to all the hate between them. He is appalled. She let Caramelo and Paola hate each other for no reason. Octavia's evil knows no limits. Her silence was unjustifiable. Yolanda tells him that she didn't dare to tell him because she was afraid of Octavia.

Now he kneels near Paola tearfully. (She manages not to move a muscle through all this. She has blood painted on her face and a ventilator and bandages on her head.) He addresses her sorrowfully. You were a daughter I hated. And now you are dying. I want you to open your eyes and I will beg forgiveness--Paola, my true daughter. Yolanda cries too, as the credits roll.

Labels: acorralada