Caray, Caray!

Hello all – I have finally made it back to Telenovelaland. Thanks again to Klee for covering for me these last couple weeks. I didn’t realize that most of the Amar recappers have been pulling double duty, doing both this show and Accorolada! That’s commitment. Anyway, I’ve caught up with recaps and watching a few episodes. The weirdest unexplained thing so far is Leonarda and Andres. WTF. She looks embalmed and I can’t figure out what the relationship is between the two of them. The whole thing is creepy. On with the show –

We see, again, Azul’s happy reunion with Arnaldo. She is insistent that something is different about him. My wife subscribes to TV y Novelas magazine and they don’t believe in saving spoilers, so I know what it is that is so ‘different’ about him, but I won’t say. I have to remember to not read that magazine until it is two weeks old already. For example, it had a spread on the Fernando/Lety wedding at the end of La Fea before the show was actually over. Maybe we’ll get to see what’s up with Arnaldo this very episode so I don’t have to keep secrets.

We also see again Mauricio (I like the use of Morris or Mo here, so if I use either of those that’s who I am referring to. I also LOVE ‘Morticia’ for Silvana. It’s perfect.) Morris is let into the apartment, where he explains to Gloria that he’s looking for Morticia because it was his wife who died in the same accident as Nicolas. Gloria says she is Nicolas’s grandmother, confirming Morris’s and Andres’s suspicions. He says he wants to offer Morticia help, Gloria tells him that she’s still all messed up in the head about the accident and isn’t likely to want to talk about it. He gives Gloria one of his cards and asks to have Morticia call him. He puts on a good show of being genuinely concerned, which of course is total BS.

Arnaldo gives Azul some nice thong panties as a gift. We are totally ripped off, she doesn’t go try them on and model them. I read in a recap a while back that the camera was obsessed with Azul’s butt, that must have been for just that episode. I haven’t seen any lingering shots in the episodes I’ve watched, and here we get denied a thong. Ah well, there is bound to be something for me in here. You ladies all seem to think Diego is quite a piece, and he keeps taking his shirt off or something, so there will something for us guys sooner or later. Anyway, Arnaldo senses that there is a story behind Azul, Morris, and this ‘other guy.’ Azul doesn’t want to get into it. She turns it on him – why is he so sad? He doesn’t go into detail but says he had some problems and sometimes they even make him cry. Cecilia enters and they are introduced. She has the hots for him immediately and it’s obvious.

Ines practices her cello and cries, I guess she isn’t playing well enough. Grouchy scientist dude (I can’t remember the full abbreviation, I’m going back to GSD for now) tries to encourage her. He does a pretty good job, he goes so far as to basically tell her it makes him horny to hear her play, even out of practice.

Mama wants to know what’s up with Diego and Morticia, are they fighting? He says no, they just aren’t together at the moment. He tries to blow it off. She asks about the ‘mother of her grandchildren’ and Diego doesn’t really answer, just says something like “what are we going to do with you?” I’m noticing that so far I haven’t been able to hate on anybody really, or make fun of anybody, this show seems to be much more well-written and well-acted than Duelo (by a long shot) and Heridas. I remember being able to mock Heridas endlessly due to some horrible writing. Maybe something will show up here, I need to mock something to feel right about writing recaps. It’s part of the process.

Cecilia confesses to Azul about wanting to jump Arnaldo, Azul tells her to calm down. Arnaldo comes in and offers to cook for them. Cecilia throws herself at him and takes him to the kitchen. Wasn’t she about to do Diego the other day, now this?

Morris scowls his way back into his own house and has a flashback of the day of the accident, with Leonarda telling him that his wife ran off with the kids and anything could happen. We don’t have any colors in the flashback, the previous shows I watched all had some colored flashbacks. Everything is much more serious here. Back in the present, he gets a phone call but he ignores it. Azul was calling, she leaves a message that she wants to talk to him about something. Morris goes to his reflecting pool and scowls some more.

Paco and Lidia are fighting, he tells her to go off with her boss then, whatever. She makes some excuse that doesn’t really make sense. I’m with Paco (mostly) on this, his woman is screwing him over.

Diego is having a meal with abuelo and his buddy. They discuss abuelo’s work at the Men’s Wearhouse. Abuelo gripes that he couldn’t find work now because everyone wants young women instead of someone like him with 50 years of experience. The buddy suggests having abuelo work full time at the Men’s Wearhouse, abuelo says “Really? You think I could?” Diego says of course he could. (Duh, why would abuelo think he couldn’t? There are already other old guys working there anyway and Diego seems to be the boss. What was he thinking?) They toast the idea.

Morticia is back at Gloria’s, beside herself with the news that Morris had been there. She goes nuts at the idea that Morris wanted to help her. Gloria tries to defend him but Morticia calls him a maldita desgraciado, not a very nice thing. Morticia wants to know if Gloria told where she was staying, Gloria says no, because Morticia doesn’t tell her anything anyway!

Diego hangs up the phone with a sad look on his face, pretending to deliver bad news. He tells abuelo that he can start the next morning. Ha ha what a great joke. They all laugh and celebrate.

Morris asks Leonarda what’s for dinner, she’s making some sort of salmon. He leaves. Azul calls looking for Morris, Leonarda lies and says he isn’t there. She says he’s doing yoga or something like that and says she’ll deliver the message. Morris comes back in and says he’s taking a bath before dinner. He says it like he’s inviting her to join him, or something. Every scene with Leonarda doesn’t make sense. I’m getting a little irritated at that. We need to know what’s up with her already.

Lidia and her boss are discussing some percentage of something when boss’s wife arrives. The boss complains about the babysitter being late. Lidia compliments the wife on her slit up to her waist dress, they look at each other like they want to go to the other room and strip each other down. Lots of weird undercurrents going on in this show. Tell me, anyone, if it didn’t look like they were about to lunge at each other and start doing the lamprey kiss like Lidia and the boss. It totally looked like that.

Morris is moping outside and drinking wine. Azul is calling him again, finally gets him on the phone. She invites him over, he says he doesn’t feel like it. Morris says something about the contract with GSD and says not to tell him, Azul says he isn’t there, and besides Arnaldo isn’t in a hurry to talk to him so he isn’t coming. Then she says there isn’t any problem between them. (confusing, please tell me if I missed something) Morris does his charming act and gives her a kiss over the phone and hangs up.

Now it appears that Lidia is going to watch the kids so boss and boss’s wife can go out. Lots of small talk about nothing. Boss seems like he doesn’t like the idea, but the women tell him it’s fine.

Morticia has a flashback to Morris’s wife in the car with the kids, calling her in a panic. Morticia wants to know what she discovered, but the flashback ends before we get an answer. Back in the present, she mopes some more.

Lidia goes through boss’s wife’s closet. She gets a phone call from boss, she rolls around in the boss’s be when she’s talking to him. I don’t know why she enjoys this so much, but whatever.

Diego comes into Morticia’s room, she runs to him like he saved her from a fire. She tells him that Morris is looking for her. Diego tries to defend Morris like Gloria before, Morticia just acts freaked out.

Arnaldo yells at the girls to wake up and eat breakfast, he has put out a huge spread. The ladies dig in.

Morris and Andres discuss Morticia, that she is very angry and nutty as a loon. Morris doesn’t understand why she hates him so much, what did his wife tell her before the accident? He wants to find out.

Ines practices some more, she sounds better. It has only been one day, wow! The doorbell rings and she angrily wants to know who it is, it turns out to be Arnaldo and she is very excited to see him. We get a camera angle from behind the cello, with Arnaldo looking at it in fear. WTF? Did he have an unfortunate cello accident when he was younger and now he’s scared of them?

Diego and Morticia have coffee. Diego wants her to call Morris, she doesn’t want to. He offers to talk to Morris for her.

Azul arrives for work and is greeted by Morris. Just then his phone rings, it is Diego calling him. Morticia takes the phone away from Diego, she wants to know why he is looking for her. Morris tells her that he has some of Nico’s things at his house. He fast talks and gets off the phone fast, to leave her confused.

GSD nags Azul about finishing her degree. She tells him that Arnaldo arrived and invites him over. GSD is all tweaked that he’s back in Mexico after all this time and couldn’t even call. What a grouch. He wants to know where Arnie is staying, Azul says with a female friend.

Right now, Arnie is with Ines. She immediately tries to get into his love life. He says he’s staying in Mexico and she’ll understand when he tells his story. He changes the subject to her cello, she tells that she was invited to join a quartet but she’s nervous about it.

Diego tries to talk Morticia into going to Morris’s house to get Nico’s stuff that he has there.

Azul enters Morris’s office. She wants to know about his conversation with Morticia. Azul thinks everything will work out fine.

At work, Lidia’s boss is asking her if she looked in his night table, everything at his house looked like she had been going through it. She wants to know what the big deal is, what does he have in there? A diary? She is acting more and more psycho in each scene. What does boss expect anyway, having his teenage piece on the side alone in the house with his kids? She tells him that only wives snoop and she would never marry someone like him. She thinks she’s being flirtatious, apparently, though it’s lost on me. I’ve also noticed that towards the second half of this episode the scenes have gotten shorter, I’m getting some Duelo déjà vu.

Caty comes into Azul’s office. She didn’t dream about Nicolas last night, she wants to know if that’s good or bad. Azul’s answer is so melodramatic that Caty worries that she’s sad. Azul cheers up falsely and says some BS about everyone being happy and loving each other and working together.

Arnaldo returns to the apartment and Cecilia tries to fix her hair up with her hands, she wants him bad. He invites her to join him clothes shopping. She loves his clothes already, but yes she’ll go.

Abuelo arrives with Diego to the Men’s Wearhouse for his first day of work. He is welcomed warmly, especially by the other old guy that is always so nice to Diego. For some reason Lidia shows up and asks Diego a favor. She has a drawing of a dress, she says it’s from a picture from a magazine, he recognizes immediately who the designer is, she wants him to make her a knockoff. I’m guessing it’s the dress that boss’s wife was wearing, or one she found in the closet. Diego says he can’t make a knockoff, but she pouts and he agrees. Chucho – that’s the old guy’s name. Diego says Chuco will make the dress, he’s the best guy for that. Perla, the woman who works on the floor, show sup and Diego introduces her to Lidia. Diego sure likes to hug and kiss people, I don’t question his intent but most of his touchy feely behavior would get him in a lot of harassment trouble here in the U.S.

Morticia tells Gloria about the conversation with Morris. Gloria is muy impactada at the idea that Morris has something of Nicolas’s at his house. She begs Morticia to go get these ‘things.’ She gets waaaay bent out of shape and dramatic about it. Morticia calls Morris to arrange a meet. She tells him to not forget to bring Nicolas’s things. After hanging up, Morris tells Andres to buy some stuff that would belong to a little boy to give to Morticia. Morris tells Andres that he (Andres) is his right hand man for these kind of things. Andres doesn’t seem to like this at all.

Papa goes to the pool hall to see Gisela. She sees him and is not pleased. He says he wants to be friends. She says she’s busy. Paco shows up and says sorry he’s late. Gisela says this is his last chance, show up late again and he’s fired. Papa wants to know why he isn’t on the trip with Lidia’s boss.

Andres has a box full of toys, Leonarda says it all smells too new. She says it’s no good, they need something more personal. She goes to see Caty and has her draw a picture, but not put her name on it. I guess they’ll pass it off as Nico’s. Leonarda is pleased with herself. Andres says he could have drawn that himself, but Leonarda rightly points out that anyone would know if an adult drew it.

Morticia tells Diego by phone of her meeting with Morris. Diego agrees to go with her. Cecilia shows up with Arnaldo, he’s looking for a suit. I would guess that Cecilia told Arnaldo who Diego is, but there doesn’t seem to be any awkwardness, like “this is the guy who wants to do your sister.” Anyway, Diego helps them look for a suit. When Arnaldo goes to try on the suit, Cecilia tries to get metiche and wants to know how Diego is doing, and doesn’t he want to know about Azul? Diego plays it cool. He wants to know, though, why she brought the brother here. I guess Arnaldo doesn’t have any idea who Diego is. She says she came to see him, to see how he was, and besides he’s the best tailor in Mexico. Sure. She’s just a huge gossip. Arnaldo returns and says he likes the stuff, then starts asking about how Diego and Azul know each other. Diego says he knows her less than he would like, Arnaldo asks how would he like to know her? Diego says he wants to marry her. Impactado looks all around. The impactado looks here are better than the other shows I’ve done recently, more realistic. None of that overly dramatic stuff. At least not so far.

Monday – Arnaldo appears to tell Azul that Diego wants to marry her, and Morticia meets with Morris. Then we see her hiding behind a plant and firing a gun. Does anyone really believe she shoots him? Me neither.

Labels: amar

Diego is kissing Morticia. They come up for air and he makes a comment about the kiss. I'm sorry, but it's late and I've re-wound this several times and what he says makes no sense. They talk about something being a lie, and he says if they stay there, he's going to kiss her again. Morticia is more than willing to continue with the kiss.

Suddenly Papa bursts into the kitchen with Mama and Lidia in tow. Diego and Morticia were missed at Lidia's celebration (undoubtedly for her new promotion). Lidia pipes up that it appears Diego and Morticia have been having their own celebration.

Meanwhile Azul and Mo are kissing alongside the pool. At least he seems to kiss better than Piero the Lamprey. He tells Azul that he loves her and she tells him how much she missed him. More kissing. He then announces he wants to spend the rest of his life with her and he doesn't want to fight any more. Neither does Azul. He whisks her off her feet and carries her into the house. Of course the little scene is dragged out in slow motion.

Diego is crashed out on the sofa when Papa comes in. Papa wants to know why Diego is sleeping on the sofa and not in his room. That leads Papa to ask if he caught Diego kissing Morticia. Either Papa's confused or he makes a comment about Diego being confused since he must realize Morticia is not the woman Diego was so madly in love with. Papa goes on to talk about love, or whatever, and Diego asks if Papa is referring to Diego or Papa's life. Papa says he's talking about love "in general." Papa is actually being understanding; father and son have a nice heart-to-heart chat and the scene ends poignantly with them grasping each others' hands. It's a father-son bonding moment and the heart-tugging music adds to the ambience.

Morticia is back to her dark and brooding ways the next morning, as she's lurking in the kitchen with Mama. She grabs another cup and Mama says it won't be needed, Diego left early. Mama asks Morticia if she knows what Diego is up to. Morticia says Diego hasn't said a word to her. Papa then enters and asks how Morticia is doing. She glumly answers "bien." Papa then asks if she means a little "bien," more or less "bien," or very "bien." She mumbles "muy bien" and Papa flatly says he's happy. Mama gives these two a look like, "what the heck is going on?!"

Diego is visiting Abuelo and talking to him about "The Kiss" with Morticia. I'm not really sure what they are specifically saying. One of Abuelo's buddies come in and offers to fix them breakfast, I think. They then start talking about Abuelo coming to work with Diego the next day. Abuelo's hands always kept him fed. If anyone wants to add to this scene, feel free to comment.

Azul and Katy are hanging out at the pool. Azul asks if Katy likes the idea about Azul coming to work with Mo. Katy whimpers yes. Azul then asks why Katy is so sad. Is it because she's missing her mother? Tragic music plays.

Morticia is telling Emilia that something happened. Morticia wasn't prepared for it. Emilia says it was just a kiss. . .Morticia replies how important Diego is to her; she really needs his support. She doesn't want to lose him!

Katy is telling Azul how she dreams about Nico every night. Azul asks if Katy has told her dad. Katy replies that Mo gets very angry with her when she mentions Nicolas. Mo has told Katy to forget about the accident, but she can't. Azul tells Katy she loves her. More of the tragic music. Commercial.

Emilia tells Morticia it's normal that she feels isolated from people. After all, she spent a year in a clinic. I missed the part about Diego, but Emilia assures Morticia the risk will be worth the pain.

Mo is recounting to Andres how he ran into Morticia. He can't tell if she's dangerous or not. Mo then asks if everything is ready for the arrival of GCSSD. Azul appears and assures Mo that her father is always late, however he will eventually arrive. Andres leaves and Azul announces that she wants to take about Liliana's accident. Katy wants to know. The Exorcist theme plays.

Morticia arrives at Gloria's apartment. Gloria makes some excuses about being really busy. Morticia says she doesn't have time to chat. She just wants to know if she can stay with Mommie Dearest for a few days. Mommie looks nervous.

Mo doesn't believe Katy has anything to do with Azul wanting to know more about the accident. Mo wants to know why Azul is so interested. The Exorcist music continues to play in the background. Azul says the accident is a big deal for a little girl Katy's age. Mo claims Katy has no memory of the accident, and it's better that way. Azul begs to differ. Mo doesn't want to discuss it any further. Now he switches into his "good guy" role. "Today is too important a day to throw away," he says with an evil smile and the accompanying evil music.

Morticia says she doesn't want to depend on Diego and his family. Gloria reminds Morticia that she (Gloria) is Morticia's family. This strikes a raw nerve with Morticia. Morticia just states she has some decisions to make. Gloria wants to know what type of decisions. She admits she's never been involved with Morticia's life before, but asks that Morticia humor her with an answer. Finally Gloria hands Morticia keys to the apartment. "You can come and live whenever you'd like."

Mo is giving a pep-talk to Andres, Hannibaletta, Azul, and a bunch of extras. They are all hanging out under a gazebo in the garden. He wants them to grow the business in the industry, whatever that industry is. Given the creepy background music, we're apparently supposed to be left hanging. "This is the beginning of a wonderful association. This is not a business, it's a family and I respect and care for each and every one of you…" Hannibaletta smiles placatingly; Andre looks grim as always. You know, Andres is pretty hot for a lackey. I wonder if he has dimples. Since I've never seen him smile, I have no idea. So far he doesn't seem to be really excited about Mo's evil empire. Maybe he has a heart of gold under that sullen exterior. I digress. Now Mo is going on about how happy he is to introduce Azul as his Personnel Director and Public Relations Manager. Mo refers to Azul as "Licencia Toscano." Does that mean she's an attorney? An attorney who doesn't read either her or GCSSD's contracts? Suddenly Hannibaletta isn't so smiley. From the background GCSSD suddenly appears; obviously late to this stand up meeting. Mo introduces a flustered GCSSD as the new head of the lab. GCSSD looks totally distracted and flustered. Everyone applauds.

Hannibaletta is cooking up some evil fare in the kitchen with the spineless-but-hot Andres. I believe she tells Andres that Morticia is a threat to Mo and Andres needs to take care of the problem. Hannibaletta starts kissing the hand of Andres, who's grimly clutching a glass of milk.

Morticia is now wearing a blood-red dress and staring at herself in the camera's lens. There's a knock on the door. It's Mama. Mama wants to know if Morticia would like to go grocery shopping with her. Morticia can't, she has things to do. Mama then comments how different (and better) Morticia looks. Morticia says it's because she put on lipstick. Mama says it's more than that; Morticia's eyes seem more brilliant.

Azul is in Mo's office reading the contract her dad signed. Not only does she point out Mo has exaggerated the earnings of the business, she doesn't particularly like the fact that GCSSD signed such an inflexible contract. Mo says, "you know those crazy lawyers. . .they assured me I can easily change the contract if needed. This contract is just a formality. You know very well that intellectual properties belong to the individual." Azul then points out that the contract can't be easily broken. Mo basically tells her to "trust him." Next Azul starts in about the contracts of the other workers. They have no insurance. It's better to pay a little more, because it will save headaches and money later. Mo then blames everything on Andres.

Gloria has comes to lay some calla lilies on Nico's grave. Andres lurks in the background.

Diego and Morticia are at a restaurant. He tells her she looks particularly marvelous. They discuss the events of the previous evening (The Kiss). They both admit it was rather strange, but neither seem to be complaining. Morticia tells Diego it doesn't change anything between them. She then points out he didn't spend the night in "their" room. Diego asks, "We're you waiting for me?" Azul and Diego's love theme starts playing. What is this, a shared love theme now?

Apparently Mo agrees with Azul's suggestions. Azul then points out he's in rare form and asks, "What gives?" Mo's been acting strangely since he saw Morticia and since Azul started asking questions about Liliana. Mo gives this psychotic smile and says he's got to run to a meeting.

Morticia arrives at an ugly apartment building. A bunch of street urchins are playing in the parking lot. She grabs keys and starts to walk away, but she returns. Suddenly Gloria appears and is almost hit with a ball the urchins are playing with. She basically chides the kids. Inside, Morticia pulls out a handgun from her purse and hides it behind some books. Gloria walks in, "What a beautiful surprise! Have you decided to move in with me?" "No," replies Morticia. "I've just come for a visit." Gloria makes some comment how she's not used to someone waiting for her. She then goes on to say she went to the cemetery. Morticia looks impactada. Outside, Andres is continuing to lurk. Suspenseful music plays. Back at Gloria's, Gloria admits missing Nico. Morticia seems touched and asks if she and Gloria can have dinner together.

Gisela wants to know why Paco isn't having dinner with Lidia. "Are you fighting or what?" Paco says, "No."

At Mama and Papa's house, Diego, Lidia, and Mama are getting ready to serve dinner. Diego starts kidding Lidia about continuing the celebration. Mama tells Diego to leave his sister alone. Lidia says it normally doesn't bother her when she's in a good mood. Diego then makes nice. As they are sitting down to dinner, everyone asks where Paco is. She makes some excuse about him being an early bird? I don't get it.

Paco admits to Gisela that he and Lidia are fighting. He seems to be confused about what's going on. He obviously doesn't know what a conniving zorra his Lidia is.

Gloria asks, "with all due respect," if everything is going well with Diego. Gloria makes some comment about spying through the keyhole. Morticia replies if you were spying through the keyhole, you'd know all was well.

Dinner with Mama, Papa, Lidia, and Diego. They are discussing her new, more powerful position. She's going to meet a bunch of important people. They are all so proud!

Poor Paco is spilling his guts to Gisela. He loves Lidia so much, but now she has this new important job and makes more money. He's basically having an identity crisis and is convinced Lidia is losing interest in him because he's a nobody. Tears are in Paco's eyes as he asks Gisela for a shot of tequila. Gisela volunteers to give him the whole bottle. Pobre de Paco!

Gloria is rattling on and on about life, art, and traveling. Gloria seems to be a party animal. She tries to talk Morticia into traveling with her. At least this is the gist I got of the conversation.

Andres is reporting in to Mo about seeing a woman, who appears to be Nico's grandmother, at his grave. Mo didn't know Nico had a grandmother. Mo wants Andres to stick close to Morticia, but to remain discreet. Mo then chides Andres for not including insurance for the workers in their contracts. Azul found it. Mo pats Andres' cheek and tells him he's going to have to do a better job of hiding things from Azul. Exorcist music plays. Pobre de Andres, he's not making Mo happy, and if Mo isn't happy, Hannibaletta won't be happy either. Big sigh and head shake by Andres.

Azul is burning up the keyboard talking to her brother, Arnaldo. She tells him about her first day on the job. She asks Arnaldo about his day, but he says he can't chat with her right now. They can chat tomorrow. She points out she thought Brazil was boring. He dodges that topic and asks about Diego. Azul essentially writes back, "Diego, who?" She claims she's already forgotten about him.

Andres is glowering in the bedroom as Hannibaletta is turning down the bed. Andres is upset that Mo yelled at him about the contract. He says Azul "Esta Buscando Tres Pies al Gato," which I believe means Azul is splitting hairs. Hannibaletta tells him not to worry, Mo will forget all about it tomorrow. Hannibaletta then goes on to say that Azul is nothing more than a pawn, a social climber, a prostitute for Mo. She then asks if Andres has the hots for Azul. Hannibaletta, who has the straps of her peasant top falling off her shoulder, starts breathily asking "Te gusta?" ('Do you like her?') "Have you been checking her out?" I thought Hannibaletta was his mom. She sure seems to be a little too possessive of Andres. Andres clearly seems nervous and twitchy. Hannibaletta tells Andres that Azul is pretty but "bad." Now they are both sitting on the bed. She then languidly reaches into her nightstand and pulls out nail polish so Andres can do her nails. She then rolls her head back in ecstasy as he paints her nails. On the Gross Meter of one to ten, this is a 10+! 5Ft correctly points out we seem to have the Norman Bates' thing going on.

Diego is moping on his bed. Papa comes in and asks about Morticia. Diego says she's having dinner with her mother. Papa asks if Diego misses her and Diego replies, "For the moment, yes." Papa thinks that's a good sign, until Diego says he doesn't want to discuss Morticia with Papa. "Very well," says Papa, "I'll let you rest." Diego thanks him and Papa leaves. Diego continues to mope.

Azul comes into GCSSD's lab and wants to start asking him questions about the equipment and supplies. As they are talking, the phone rings. It's Inez. I think she said something about GCSSD's former employer wanting to talk to him. She also says something about her cello. I believe it's in the shop and she can't get it out until GCSSD pays for the repairs? I didn't catch the whole conversation. She's also surprised Azul answered the phone. GCSSD basically says they'll talk later and starts talking to Azul about the questionnaire before Azul can ask why Inez not only knows the phone number, but is also calling. There may be more to this scene than that, so feel free to jump in and fill in the blanks.

MOPPET ALERT!!! Katy is playing with her two dolls next to the pool. One doll is asking the other doll if he wants to go for a ride in the boat. The other doll wants to go for a ride in the car. The first doll doesn't want the second doll to ride in the car. The dolls then start fighting. Mo appears and wants to know if Katy has something to tell him and asks why one of Katy's dolls sounds so angry. Katy doesn't want to talk about it and asks, "Where's Azul?" Mo says she's working. Mo offers to play dolls with her but Katy refuses, taking her dolls and leaving. Exorcist music plays.

Morticia and Diego are taking a stroll. Diego whines she disappeared on him. Morticia asks if he was worried. He must have said he was concerned, since Morticia says she likes how much he cares for her.

Hannibaletta brings Azul a coffee. Azul thinks it would be a swell idea if they could provide coffee makers for all the employees so they can have coffee whenever they'd like. That's the way other businesses do it. Hannibaletta tells her "Whatever!" and walks out. Azul seems a bit taken aback by Hannibaletta's attitude.

Morticia is at her therapy session with. . .Diego! He does dishes, makes clothes, dances. . .and goes to therapy with stray women! This guy is truly a saint! Anyway, they discuss Morticia's stressful week; seeing Mo on the street, her mother's sudden reappearance. . .Morticia says she didn't sleep well at her mother's house last night. Diego pipes up that he didn't sleep well either. Emilia smiles knowingly and alludes to "The Kiss." Diego is surprised Emilia knows about it.

Inez and GCSSD are shacked up somewhere. Inez is worried about not being able to practice the cello and she apparently has a concert coming up. Suddenly GCSSD walks off and Inez wants to know where he's going. GCSSD appears from the other room with Inez' prized cello. She says the cello is broken. "Not any more!" says GCSSD. It's an "aw shucks!" moment. Apparently GCSSD has finally come through for her.

Azul is on the computer and can't understand why Arnaldo isn't responding to her message. The door bell rings and. . .lo and behold. . .it's Arnaldo!!!! We have a heart-warming reunion. Lots of "you look great's" and "I love you's!" Hugs all around as well.

Mo is driving in his car and flashing back to that fateful day when Liliana died. They are having a knock-down, drag-out fight. She says he's a disgrace and capable of anything. She also accuses him of being a killer and refuses to be his accomplice. She asks if he plans to kill her next. She starts running from the house and he's in hot pursuit asking where she thinks she's going. He threatens to kill her!

The happy reunion continues between Azul and Arnaldo. He looks so different! He asks if she's in love, and Azul replies she believes so.

Mo pulls up in front of Gloria's apartment and rings her doorbell. Gloria moves a red hat to look through the peep hole. "Who is it?" asks Gloria. Mo gives her his name and says he's looking for Morticia. The whole time the Exorcist theme is playing in the background. Gloria looks confused.

Credits roll!

Labels: amar

As always, folks…..correct me if I’m wrong!

We find Nidia talking about true love to Enrique, a refresher from yesterday. She waxes eloquent about love, with a suggestion of hoisting just out of our range. [Ed. Note to the Directors: if she’s gotta hoist, this is a good way to do it and spare us]. True love has to be nourished, she says, if it’s going to succeed, and this is an appropriate moment for that to happen. She encourages him to go up to Yadi and get with the program. He says he’ll go see her, he thinks she might need a good friend and he’ll listen. Nidia is thrilled and pushes him off to the stairs.

Yadi is in her very orange room, almost in tears, moaning to Marely, who listens sympathetically. She tells her sister that Fernando was the real man of her life, the one she hoped for. Marely sweetly takes her sister’s hand and tells her that things aren’t always what they seem. [Ed. Note: mild understatement]. He might not be the guy you think he is. She tells her sister she might be enamored of an illusion that doesn’t exist. Is she sure that Fern is who she thinks? Yadi wonders why she says that. Enrique’s at the door asking if he could come in.

Marely runs downstairs to ask her mother if it was her idea to send Enrique up there. Nidia says it was. Marely doesn’t think it was such a great idea to get him mixed up in this. Nidia disagrees, but suddenly they are interrupted by Pastor greeting them as he walks in with an unhappy Juan trailing behind him. Pastor is enchanted to meet them, Nidia and Marely are impactadas, and Juan is resigned to his fate. The night is not going well for him……he thought bubbles a prayer for help. He gestures at Pastor in front of him, “he’s….he’s…” Pastor interrupts, “His friend Pastor.” Pastor grins at the ladies Cachón and gestures behind him at Juan, whose face is toward the floor with hands on his hips. [Ed. Note: this looks like a stance that says “d*** this is bad” but no one seems to notice how put out Juan is except us]. Pastor is at their service. Nidia offers him a little glass of something. Marely looks distinctly uncomfortable while Pastor turns and beams over his shoulder up at Juan, who is trying to make the best of it. [Ed. Note: nice try, Juanito, but no cigar. There’s no way to pull this one out, you can only hope that a sinkhole is going to appear and suck you into the earth.]

At Ana’s home, Paula and she are sitting down to dinner. They have resolved their recent fight and are chatting like always. Ana tells her that CL came. Paula wants to know what he said. Ana reports that he said he loves Paula. She’s trying to understand her daughter’s perspective. They talk about her decision to resign. Paula says it was because she met CL’s wife. She wasn’t what Paula expected at all. She thought the woman was older and ugly, but she is young and lovely. What’s more, she’s a business woman! When she saw the wife with CL, she wanted to die. Ana says, well, we’ll both be unemployed. Paula tells her mother that she changed her mind and will stay. Ana advises her that she’s going to need to be smart about it, because there will always be the ghost of the ex around. [Ed. Note: Hear, hear! Excellent point!] Paula thanks her for the change of attitude. Ana says that she trusts Paula and wants her to have everything that she desires. Paula is pleased; she has never been in love with anyone like she is with CL—he drives her crazy. [Ed. Note: if you only knew how crazy he’s gonna drive you in the next year, muchacha].

Enrique shifts on both feet uncomfortably in Yadi’s room, his very orange shirt blending beautifully with her very orange room. They can’t make eye contact. Yadi, still sitting on her bed holding a very orange pillow in front of her, wonders why he is so quiet. He tells her he doesn’t know what to say. She guesses they told him what has happened. Well, more or less. She asks how it could be more or less? Either they told him or not. Yes, he stammers, they told him. Well, exactly what did they tell him. Well, that she was doing badly so he came up to cheer her up. She smiles a little. He tells her he didn’t know what to say and her mother pushed him. Yadi smiles a bit and shakes her head. She tells him to relax, be serene. He doesn’t have to be there if he doesn’t want to be. He comes closer, telling her it’s hard for him, but he is always going to be there for her if she needs him. She smiles and gives a little laugh, looking grateful for his gracious offer.

Down in the living room, Nidia and Marely are sitting across from Pastor, who has planted himself so close to a very, very uncomfortable Juan on the long sofa that they’re almost touching. Juan is playing with his tie and not making any eye contact while Nidia and Pastor talk about how Pastor knew her deceased husband and the coincidence of Juan’s living with the Cachón family. Nidia eggs Pastor on with LOTS of questions and lets him talk. Marely gives a very polite, very tight smile and nods while Pastor remarks on her being CL’s goddaughter. Pastor babbles on about all the coincidences, touching Juan on his crossed legs every so often, marking his territory. Pastor says, “silly, why didn’t you tell me?” Juan rolls his eyes toward the wall and thought bubbles that it was for exactly this reason, and his reputation couldn’t get much lower. Nidia offers Pastor another little glass of something. No, he’d rather have a glass of water. Juan shoots up from the sofa and says he’ll get it; Pastor’s hand shoots out and grabs him back. “What an attentive man!” Nidia is enjoying the drama. Marely is getting concerned. [Ed. Note: Totally wierded out is a better term but schoolmarms don’t use it.] Pastor says Juan should stay in the chat and drags him back down to the sofa, babbling on about what an enchanting man Juan is. Nidia looks nauseated. Pastor touches Juan and Juan removes his hand, thought bubbling a fervent prayer to the Blessed Child of Atocha to send a meteor immediately. He is totally disgusted impactado.

Enrique tells Yadi that to be honest, seeing the woman he loves suffering on account of another man is horrible. [Ed. Note: You go, guy! Tell her like it is!] But, it’s preferable to not seeing her at all. She says it’s clear he must love her very much and thanks him. He affirms he does, more than she can imagine. She cries and tells him he should be looking for the woman he deserves. One who will love him. He tells her yes, but the heart is capricious. She reaches for his hand, and he sits with her on the bed. He hopes that sooner or later she will realize how he is the man of her life, and that lovely face will never have tears on it again. They will be the happiest people on earth. But, she tells him not to fool himself, she just cannot love him in return again. Both are nearly in tears. He tells her he’s not asking for anything now; he’s learned one thing in this life—patience. She tells him no, but Enrique says he’s waiting for a miracle. He smiles gently. [Ed. Note: Wow. Who’d a thunk Enrique had this in him?] Yadi leans up on her knees to give him a kiss; she takes his neck in her hand and kisses him….firmly on the forehead, and thanks him.

Nidia is still egging Pastor on, enjoying this spectacle enormously. Juan is still looking at the ceiling for the meteor he requested. The bell rings and Juan jumps up too fast for Pastor to grab him back. Nidia thanks him for going to the door, calling him “Papi Rico.” Pastor LOVES this nickname. [Ed. Note: let’s expect Pastor to use this in the most inconvenient places and times now.] Pastor flirts outrageously toward Juan and Juan thought bubbles angry thoughts at Pastor about what he’d like to do about this.

Juan opens the door. D***, here’s all they needed, Alirio, he thought bubbles. Now the gang’s all here. He welcomes Alirio. The go into the living room and exchange pleasantries. Alirio and Juan continue to stand—Juan has strategically placed Alirio closer to Pastor.

Enrique, prince of a guy that he is (and clearly in love with an undeserving wench), hugs her and Yadi moves away as he strokes her cheek. She tells him they need to leave it like this. Like how? Like this. She doesn’t want him to have illusions. He says he’s never giving up this illusion. He smiles encouragingly and their conversation is interrupted by laughter from downstairs.

Juan is back on the sofa, and what’s this? Is Pastor actually batting his eyes at Juan? Juan is trying to make himself as small as he can against the arm of the sofa. That’s a lost cause for a guy his size. Pastor is telling funny stories. Nidia says they love to laugh. Juan thought bubbles about what Pastor is trying to get from him. Nidia and Pastor laugh wildly, and Marely and Alirio are just taking this all in, looking unsure qué the heck to make of it.

Paula is leaving but Ana wants her to stay. Paula thanks her, but it’s best for her to go, she says. Ana wheedles, but Paula insists; her mother insists on taking her instead of Paula taking a taxi. Paula tells her mother she’s stupendous. Ana says Paula only needs to love her as she loves Paula. They smile lovingly at each other. Ana runs for her keys.

In the dining room of Casa Cachón, Nidia asks how Pastor enjoyed the meal. He tells her it was delicious and wonders if she cooked it. She tells him how much she loves to cook. [Sheesh]. He tells her his Mami cooks like this. They exchange small talk, with the other five just staring uncomfortably. Alirio chimes in that his Nidia is a wonderful cook, you know the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Marely asks how Pastor decided to come to the house? Juan, sitting too close to Pastor for comfort, thought bubbles – he’s promising the Blessed child of Atocha that he’ll never tell another lie if Pastor doesn’t’ give him away. No such luck. Pastor looks at Juan fondly and says they’ll have to ask Juan, since Juan asked him. [Ed. Note: Boy, that’s a whopper if we ever heard one, Pastor. You bullied the living daylights out of the muchacho to get into that house.] Juan babbles rapidly then realizes that he’s busted himself as he says that he owed Pastor an invitation because Pastor had invited him to his own house and that was very special with him…..Juan thought bubbles to himself – qué the heck is he saying? Shut up, already! By now, only Nidia and Pastor are making eye contact….Pastor implies that they are very, very familiar now. Alirio asks about Juan at work. Pastor says he’s divine. [Ed. Note: laying it on a little thick, aren’t you, Pastor?] Enrique comments to Pastor about Juan, who gives him an ugly look. Pastor gushes about Juan. He doesn’t know what the business would do without Juan. Enrique is proud Juan is his friend, and Nidia says she always knew that Juan was a diamond in the rough. Pastor promises to polish him, and do it very well. Nidia is eating it up. Pastor proposes a toast for the man of the hour, who is fiddling with his collar—apparently it’s choking him. They toast Juan. He’s not pleased and looks at Pastor like “qué the heck? Let me be!”

CL is in his office at the steelhouse, dialing hotels one after another to find out if Paula is there. Okay, mis amigos, just how many hotels are there in the D. F.? Will he be dialing all night? Will Monica bust him? Enquiring minds want to know. He’s frustrated again and again. He watches the door nervously.

In the Cachón living room, the night is the longest of Juan’s life. [Ed. Note: Juan, muchacho, exactly why have you let Pastor weasel you into the tiny space next to him on the sofa again?] Nidia and Pastor are laughing like hyenas at some joke. Juan jumps up and tells Pastor it’s time to go. Nidia wants to know what’s the rush? [Ed. Note: We bet this is the most fun you’ve had in a long time, Nidia. We bet when you were a kid you thought it was fun to pull the wings off of flies, too. Poor Juan!] Juan makes excuses and tries to rush Pastor, who agrees, it’s time. But he’s so happy, happy! He tells them if Juan doesn’t come back home, they’ll know to send a rescue out. Nidia and Pastor giggle. Nidia bids him goodbye. It’s his house. Pastor tells them they’re all invited to his house some day. Nidia is titillated and accepts. Pastor begins to talk about details, and Juan YELLS “NO!” He’s had it up to his lovely neck. EVERYONE IS IMPACTADO. Juan babbles that Pastor is too busy, and Pastor is thrilled that Juan’s so concerned for him. He says goodbye to everyone….and Juan spins him and shoves him out the door. [Ed. Note: Juanito, you could have done that hours ago….]

Nidia wants to know if they’re thinking what she’s thinking. Enrique reminds them he told them, but they didn’t believe it. Alirio can’t believe what surprises life brings. The ladies Cachón are distressed and speechless.

Pastor thanks Juan before he goes into his house, outside the gate. Juan says he’s welcome. Pastor says he lives with lovely folks. [Pastor shakes his finger fondly at Juan, flirting to beat the band]. Juan assures him that Pastor was the life of the party. Pastor is thrilled and moves closer as he tells Juan they’ll see each other tomorrow in the office. He offers his cheek for a kiss, which puzzles Juan, who grabs his hand and pumps it hard. Pastor rubs his wounded hand and looks up at the window, suddenly realizing that Mami might be snooping. He glows with joy about his “date,” wiggles his fingers goodbye at the long-since departed Juan, and walks into the closed gate…..Pastor looks around and hurriedly opens the gate to go in.

Nidia is fussing at Alirio in her study, while he holds a check out at her. He assures her that he isn’t tricking her, this is a certified check. She tells him she’s a women of her word, so they’ll marry as he wishes. She flirts and puts the check into her cleavage. He wants a little kiss….she hoists her chest, gets up from her chair, coquettishly takes his face in her hands across the desk, and plants a big, red kiss on his forehead. [Ed. Note: Yadi must have learned it from her Mami]. There’s his kiss. It’s late, so time to go to bed. [Please Note: she doesn’t invite him up.] Alirio protests while he leaves.

CL has finally found the right hotel. She’s not there, though, and they don’t know when she’ll return. He’s satisfied for now.

The ladies Cachón are having a lively discussion about what just came down in their house. They’re astounded that they hadn’t realized about Juan. Is he or isn’t he? It seems pretty clear he IS. Nidia confesses she tried to get him interested, but he didn’t show any at all. [Ed. Note. Duh. You think this is because he’s GAY? Think again, honey.] Yadi confesses about trying to trap him, too. Nidia and Marely are so incensed they call her by her full name! Yadira de Pilar! She tells them how she had her sexiest PJs, and how she was on his bed when he came in….and nothing! He threw her out! Her mother is incensed now—this is a decent house! Well, nothing happened…..they turn to Marely……You, too??? Well, she hedges, it’s not what you think! She tells them what she saw between Juan and Pastor at work. Pastor seemed a little…..A LITTLE?? Yadi and Nidia look at each other. Marely continues to tell them what she saw. Pastor was jealous, Nidia and Yadi figure. Is there any doubt now? The ladies Cachón are all sad about Juan. They heave a collective sigh as the girls rest their heads on Mami’s shoulders.

We find Alirio and Enrique ambling away from the house in the yard, musing about the strange evening. Enrique tells him that Juan’s talked about having a girl here a girl there….(he’s puzzling this one out). Alirio asks if he’s noticed anything, seen anything concrete. Enrique says really, no, there was nothing. There was one time he was going to serenade someone from work (female), but Juan let him out of the car before he got there for the serenade. Alirio has it! It must not have been a female colleague, but a male! A little male! Enrique asks “do you think?” Alirio is sure, because there are some folks who don’t take the risk of coming out of the closet. They may look like womanizers….but……Alirio thinks that serenade was for Pastor. Enrique looks doubtful, then says “like the song says, life is full of surprises, and surprises give life.”

Juan is sitting on the side of his bed, in his boxer/jammies, tank undershirt, and boots. His head is bowed, hands clasped in front of him. He’s muttering thought bubbles to himself….these have not been among the best moments of his life. He’s had trouble with his little caramel-mouth, (his relationship with her got doused ), he’s given them a lot to talk about in this house, and they’re wondering what’s up with Pastor and him—As if that weren’t enough, Pastor can’t keep his little paws off Juan. [Ed. Note: tough to translate, but I think that’s the basic idea, folks]. He’s wondering why he came here from his hometown. Why? To complicate his existence? [Ed. Note: Okay, Juan is miserable….but check those muscles out!] He realizes that at times he is so thick! He hits himself on the forehead.

The ladies Cachón are enjoying a lovely breakfast together. Marely is surprised that Mami is up so early—she looks at the shower cap Mami is sporting. Nidia tells her that she’s trying a new hair treatment. Yadi wants to know what it is. It’s a cream with an extract of cacahuamilpa—Nidia stumbles over the word. She lets Marely peek under the cap. Marely looks doubtful and asks if it isn’t cacaguananche (??). Nidia says of course, that’s it! Juan comes in all cheerful, dressed for work in a suit and bright lime green shirt. [Ed. Note: watch Juan’s tie in various scenes. Most of the time it’s too short. CL’s is always just right, breaking at the belt buckle. Juan ties his like a country boy, an inch or more above the belt. Once in a while, in a special scene where he is supposed to be very serious and looking suave, is his tie breaking at the buckle. Do you think I have too much time on my hands? Or, maybe it’s sheer distractibility?] The ladies greet him a bit nervously, glad to see him feeling so well. A cricket chirps with increasing loudness as the silence in the room grows and the ladies eye him with a mixture of discomfort and speculation. [Ed. Note: I had to turn off the sound and read the captions, and play this back to check on the cricket. We live in a big, old farm house and often get crickets at this time of year in our basement family room….I thought it was our cricket.] Juan realizes something’s up and asks, “¿Qué?” [Ed. Note: Aw, C’MON, Juan, what qué? It should be pretty obvious!] They deny any problem, everything is fine, and look at each other nervously. Chirping [this morning as I recap, I realize for sure it’s not OUR cricket, because I’m watching on the second floor where the crickets don’t come]. Nidia takes the bull by the tail (not the horns, that would be way too direct), and asks Juan if there isn’t some little thing he wants to tell them? Marely rivets a gaze on Juan to see what he’ll do. He reaches for something on the table. “About what?” Marely gives her mother a glare and mutters “nothing.” He asks if they can assure him nothing is wrong. They all affirm they’re very sure nothing is wrong. He eats and looks at them suspiciously, thought bubbling that he knew this would happen eventually. But, he’s not going to let them have a single word in response from him if they want to know, until they ask him up front, directly. He compliments the breakfast. Nidia takes another route: “don’t you want me to wrap a couple to take them to Don Pastor?” He tells her not to trouble herself, he always arrives early, well-fed. She looks a little startled, it’s not the response she wanted. He thought bubbles that this is going to be way more complicated than he imagined. They all chuckle nervously and look around; Juan looks a little smug. He won this round.

At the steelhouse, CL is trying to make a good knot on his tie. Monica tells him he hasn’t ever learned to do it right, and he tells her not to get up as she tries to help him. She expertly (and very sweetly) ties it perfectly for him while they chat about the knot and she tells him what she’s thinking about setting up her business. She’ll need a good assistant, one she can trust. She needs his help; he knows many folks in Mexico.. He’s going, and doesn’t want her to move out of the bed. She pulls off the band-aid on her forehead, which smarts a little. She promises to do stay in bed, and asks if she can expect him at dinner. He tells her no. He has too much work. He moves to leave and she calls him back. He turns but doesn’t come over to kiss her or hug her. She says he’s very handsome. He thanks her abruptly and leaves. Monica is disappointed by the response.

Juan waits for Paula outside her hotel. She strides toward him, and greets him. He gives an apology for being foolish. She tells him it’s forgotten. They smile at each other and she tells him she has a proposal if he wants to help her. She realizes that there’s gossip that’s getting worse. She wants him to tell her what he hears. Juan doesn’t want to be passing gossip he’ll just take action (beat on them?), but she convinces him she needs to know what’s said about her. He agrees. She thanks him for worrying about her and apologizes for her reaction. It’s nothing. Juan is happy again.

Pastor is describing his special night to Ivonne. He’s so happy! What, she asks, do you trust him again? What could he do, Juan is a prince among princes, Pastor tells her. He was received by the family so warmly and they’d cooked a special meal just for him. They are all charmed with him. They got along so well. She says, so you’re in the clouds. But, Pastor says, that’s not even the best part. You’ll never guess who Juan lives with? She’s intrigued, who!?? With Samuel Cachón’s widow and daughters. Ivonne is impactada! Marely is one of the daughters. Ivonne wonders how she ended up as a secretary if she’s so rich? He goes on that Paula’s mother was the secretary of Samuel….and she was other things, too….Ivonne is more impactada! They had a daughter who works here. Paula. Ivonne bites one hand so she won’t scream and then shakes it! Wow. This certainly is great chisme!!! No!!! Pastor smiles smugly at his triumph.

In the garage, Paula and Juan say goodbye for the day. Juan watches her leave; she passes Fernando and greets him. Fernando walks toward the cars, where Juan has just removed his coat. Paula calls back to him; has he seen CL? Yes, he was here early. Juan dances over to Fernando cheerfully greeting him and arranging his lapels. Fern smiles and slyly asks if he’s resolved the problem with his boss, or was it with Pastor? Juan remarks on there being a lot of gossip, it seems. Well, he’s resolved the misunderstanding with his boss. Fernando makes a crack about Paula and his boss. Juan hauls off and belts him to the floor. Fern is bleeding and glaring up at Juan who is glaring back down at him menacingly.

Ivonne fusses at Pastor – why didn’t tell her about Paula being illegitimate before? Pastor didn’t want her using it against Paula. She pouts. Pastor tells her that only he and CL had known this. Ivonne suddenly realizes that Paula and Marely are sisters. Yes, Pastor confirms, half-sisters. Ivonne thinks this is really, really good. Pastor wonders what she’s cooking up here. He tells her not to deny it, he knows her like he knows the palm of his hand. [Ed. Note: and so it wouldn’t be the crafty smile on her face that cued you in here, Pastor?] Ivonne tries to look innocent as the driven snow. [Ed. Note: more likely snow that’s been driven on]. He tells her to keep her mouth shut. She says she’ll never say a thing. She wonders if this isn’t too big a coincidence. Pastor reminds her that maybe not, they say that truth is stranger than fiction. Ivonne thinks the office is going to be very amusing!

Paula gets a shock as she comes into her office; CL is waiting there for her. She laughs and tells him not to scare her like that. Why is he there? He tells her he’s followed through with his wife, yesterday they worked out details and today he’s a free man. They signed the divorce papers. Paula is impactada. [Ed. Note: So am I. Not to put too fine a point on it, but this is possible the biggest, ugliest whopper I’ve ever heard. He must have been up all night thinking this one through. Apparently he didn’t think about four or five months beyond this minute, however. Getting busted is going to be waaay too good for this guy.] He’s all smiles.

When we come back after the commercial, he’s on the other side of the desk, telling her more lies about the divorce papers. Monica is going to stay in the house a few more days and then live away from there. Paula didn’t expect it and doesn’t know what to say. He asks if she doesn’t believe him. [Ed. Note: pay attention, Paula, honey. This is your cue to disbelieve.] He hopes this will change her image of him. [Sheesh.] He is free and he just wanted her to know. He goes to leave the office, looking back seductively over his shoulder. Paula is speechless and smiling.

The fight in the basement garage has escalated into high gear. Juan is spitting out blood; Fern has gotten in some good blows. They exchange insults. A security guard comes in to separate them. Juan calls Fern the son of the seven swords, and pushes the guard away. The muchachos keep insulting each other. Fern tells him, just look at how much fear I have of you. They face off and a crowd begins to gather. They go at each other, and Juan delivers a good head butt that knocks Fern off his feet. Then, he dives prone on top of Fern. They continue their battle horizontally. Someone comes with a German Shepherd on a leash---probably not a guide dog. The dog barks at the fighters; he’s spoiling to get into the action, too. The crowd looks concerned and the boys keep fighting.

The guard runs to a phone to get Pastor to come down and stop the two chauffeurs from fighting. The boys roll around on the concrete floor. Ouch. Pastor shuffles as fast as he can, his short little legs pumping. He mutters about what’s happening. It’s urgent! People join his trail as he moves through the office. Marely asks a woman what’s happening, and she tells Marely about Juan and Fern. Marely is upset and a little disgusted.

The boys are on their feet, waltzing while they choke each other. Pastor arrives just in time to save Fern’s lovely face from Juan’s fist. He wants to know what this is about, and Juan yells at him but faces off with Fern. Ivonne runs to protect Fern. Juan says Pastor stopped him from finishing off this guy. Pastor spins him around and tells him this fight is over (strategically using the Latin phrase, ipso facto, “by this very fact” it’s done.) He strides between them,, yelling where do they think they are? A cantina? Are the men or beasts? Juan points to Fern—he’s a beast. He insults Pastor, too, who slaps him. The crowd titters behind hands. Pastor yells that Juan shouldn’t compel him to behave like a savage. Juan hangs his head. Pastor wants to see them both. In his office. Right now! He sends the others back to work and tells the boys to obey. Even Ivonne runs. The guard is the only one left, with a smile. Pastor yells at him, too. What’s he smiling about? The guard makes himself scarce. Pastor straightens his toupee, his lapels, and huffs away to his office, following the delinquents. [Ed. Note: I’m about as tall as Pastor, and this looked suspiciously like déjà vu for me. I’ve been here, done this, and hauled delinquents off to my office. It’s really bad form to slap them, though. ;-) ]

Coming off the elevator, Pastor is stalking on ahead of the boys, who are eyeing each other as they walk beside each other. Ivonne is in front of them, so she can’t see it, either. Juan steps in front of Fern to trip him up, but Fern recovers. Fast. They play “I’ll get there before you do” the rest of the way to Pastor’s office. Marely sees them coming and runs to Paula’s office to tell her the chisme. Paula is staring dreamily at the ceiling and Marely asks why she’s so happy? Paula wonders how she noticed. Marely says she’s got a big sign out there in front. Paula says she’s happy, and Marely wants to know why? Paula says no reason, but she’s seeing life in another color now. Marely lets her know not everyone seems to be having such a good day. She tells Paula about the big fight with blows exchanged. Paula thought they were friends. Marely affirms this and gives her take on what might have happened; Gaitán looked like a Mother Superior [Ed. Note: good call on that, Marely. Spot on.] She can only imagine what made this happen. Paula thinks Fern said something he shouldn’t have.

Pastor is in his chair, “waiting for an answer, sirs.” Juan and Fern, standing shoulder to shoulder in front of the desk, exchange wary glares. Pastor wants to know who stared it and why. He’ll wait her all day until he hears a reason. He demands an explanation. He’ll apply the policy in all its force. Are they sure they want to lose their jobs? The exchange glares again. Fern’s fades first and he looks at the floor but tells Pastor it’s not worth that. He tells Fern he’ll get a pink slip, and Fern says, no, no….I think….Pastor interrupts. Juan says he wanted to say it’s not Fern’s fault. Pastor asks if he started the grotesque spectacle. Juan affirms that he threw the first blow. Pastor is disgusted. He asks Fern if that’s right. Fern nods and says it is. Pastor tells Fern to leave him alone with Juan, but don’t have any illusions that you won’t have discipline, because a fight needs two people. Fern excuses himself and looks back at Juan who gestures at the floor and holds his arms out, like “what do you want?” Pastor wants an explanation. Juan freezes.

Paula and Marely see Fern in the lobby. Paula asks him what happened? He says nothing, but she says it wasn’t "nothing," look at your face! Why were you fighting? He tells her foolishness and excuses himself. [He looks pretty busted when he has to look her in the face and tell her it was foolishness. He was gossiping about her, after all].

Marely wonders who might know what happened. Ivonne says “what happened?” She tells them about the fight in the basement, but who knows why?

Pastor is trying to worm the reason for the fight out of Juan. Juan evades the real reason. Pastor wants to know if Fern provoked him in some way. Juan says Fern looked at me ugly, that’s what. Nothing more. I have hot blood. Pastor sarcastically points out he says he’s always so cool. Isn’t he ashamed of this spectacle? Of course, Juan responds. Pastor says he hopes never to get on Juan’s bad side. [Ed. Note. Nonsense. You just want to be on any side of Juan. Don’t try to fool us.] He wants Juan to control his hot blood and channel the energy to more positive activities. What will he do with his Juanito? He strokes his toupee. Juan’s eyebrow shoots up. He’s going easy on Juan this time, but if there’s one more barbarian act, he’ll have to suspend Juan. Juan appreciates it very much. Pastor reminds him that it’s costing him a lot to overlook the policy. He hopes Juan realizes just how much he esteems Juan. He looks at Juan meaningfully and it dawns on Juan that he should be careful what he hopes for. He warily thanks Pastor and excuses himself. Pastor sighs: “Ay, men, men, men.”

Out in the lobby, Marely and Juan look at each other as he walks across. Paula is waiting to grab him and haul him into her office. He reluctantly follows, motioning to Marely to “sh.” Paula confronts him: was the fight about her? He won’t tell her. She tells him she needs to know the truth; they were talking about her, right? She makes him look at her eyes. It was, wasn’t it? He tells her that Fern made a comment, and he, Juan, doesn’t want to be involved with gossip. She tells him she appreciates it, but he does not need to go to such extreme lengths on her behalf. He thought bubbles about how he had to do it, she’s his reason for living. He visibly struggles with something, and thought bubbles that moments like this give him the desire to shout, “Woman, I’m allowed to love you!” And we are reminded that any comparison with real life is purely a coincidence.

Jeanne

Labels: Juan

So, the hacienda is now in the middle of the agave harvest and it's back to mornings of "menudo" and mango for Rod. He is asking Roman why Hilario left the sudden way he did. Roman thinks to himself, "No way I'm telling the boss my kid ran off because he fell in love with his wife!" Rod smiles, "I'm certain I'll find out one of these days, huh?" ("Never" would be too soon for Roman.) Roman welcomes him home. Rod looks out onto the agave fields and thinks to himself how this is his refuge and how it all reminds him of his Gaviota.

SJ is having too much fun leading Carmello, the cantina owner, around like a giant puppy on a leash. She has been for the last two months. He whines during their walk in the park that she still hasn't given him a "yes". Carmello assured her he's serious but she still puts him off, leaving him and his dazzling dental work in a daze of 'Does she or don't she? Will she or won't she?' He scrambles after her. SJ gives him her story of how Hilario walked out on her after proposing. She bats her eyelashes and asks for more time.
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That evening Demetrio and Mariana/Gavi arrive at their elegant hotel in Guadalajara and he explains their itinerary over the next few days. Yadda, yadda. The important thing is day after tomorrow she'll head out for Tequila to meet with the jima cutters. Mariana also meets Gelasio and the gang from Arandas and Tequila, who are pleased to put a face to the name--and what a face! Gelasio stands there with his tongue practically on the floor. (Get a grip.)

Back at Montalveña the cat's away and so Rod gets to play. He is grinning from ear to ear and Gavi's cassette is just blasting away. James comes by to welcome his best friend back to his hacienda hide-away. James is in a hurry since he's left Acacia alone at the ranch. Rod asks after her and James admits he doesn't quite know how to respond. She's acting strange these days. (as compared to what?) Acacia cries alot, day and night and most times when he's mentioned Meliton to her Acacia acts indifferent. It's almost as if Meliton does not exist. The local sheriff, he adds, was even around recently asking for Meliton, but like they told him, neither of them has heard a peep out of Meliton since he came back that once for the rest of his things.

In the end, the two guys chalk it all up to Acacia's fall and the resultant coma, along with the years of mental and physical abuse she suffered from her uncle. James says he has faith that in time she'll improve. So, finally James gets around to asking Rod what's come of his relationship with Gaviota. Rod answers he'd rather stay there forever and feels only at the hacienda can he resist the tempation to call Gavi up, or worse, stop at her office at the CRT. Isa will never forgive him for the pain or the scandal he caused over Gaviota, and oh, yeah. Isa is coming in for Sofia's wedding.

James is impactado when he hears about Sofia's wedding. In all these months Rod hasn't even mentioned Sofia's engagement let alone the wedding. Rod apologizes for this and invites him formally. James suddenly realizes Gaviota is singing in the background on the tape and these two sorry sad sacks start to talk about whether Rod has gotten over her and if he will ever leave Isa. Rod says he hasn't heard from Gavi in a while; it's difficult to imagine, but he has got to get used to the idea of their never seeing each other again (and I'm having to get used to keeping an uncorked bottle of Tequila near the couch). In any event, he has the child to look forward to and that should help him forget about her. (I keep getting flashes of those metrosexual Geico cavemen.) James does not look very convinced and, for the life of me, Rod does not look very convincing.
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Mariana/Gavi and Demetrio give their initial presentation to the agave growers at the hotel in Guadalajara that evening. (I know. Boooorrrring topic. Dry as dirt.) Gavi zones out and thinks to herself then that very soon she'll be back in the same fields where she first met and made love with Rodrigo.

At the same time the hunky hombre is taking a walk through the mescal fields, much like old Amador used to do, if not, thank Gawd, with the same senile old look on his face. Rod remembers the conversation he and his father had about raising organically grown agave and the pledge he made to his father to continue the project to completion, and he swears on his father's memory to eventually make that dream a reality. He takes a breath: the air, the dirt, even the wind has Gaviota's scent in it. He came there to forget her, but each time he feels her closer to him.

Sitting on the ground in the middle of the field, Rod tells himself it is absurd to try forgetting her any longer. She's everywhere there, a part of everything, the same as her song. (This is where I'd like to think he's simply asleep in the field and not actually suffering from the D.T.'s.) Rod hears a rustling noise by "their " tree. Gavi is sitting there, waiting for him. Rod goes to her and kisses her but she disappears. She reappears on the little ridge above him and he climbs it to grab for her, but she disappears again. He yells out for her in frustration.

In a Jane Eyre moment Gaviota, who is sleeping in her hotel room, wakes with a start after hearing his voice calling her at the very same moment Rod called out to her from the mescal fields. She thinks to herself he's still haunting her dreams calling for her to join him even though he has to have forgotten her by now.
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A couple days later Gavi calls Clarita to tell her that she's going to be travelling to Tequila and to Montalveña. Clarita worries Rodrigo or one of the family might recognize her there and it will mean trouble. Gavi says not to worry since she's only planning to see and speak with the jima cutters. There's no reason to go up to the hacienda. She won't even have a chance to say hello to Roman. Gavi tells Clarita that she wants her to come by plane to Tequila because it's quicker, but Clarita would rather come by bus. Clarita will come on Saturday because she has to help Liliana check the medicines at the little hospital before she goes.

As Gavi zips her suitcase she remembers the day she and Clarita fled the town hidden away on that old bus while Rod raced alongside looking for a glimpse of her. She gets disgusted with herself and thinks she can't live a sheltered life forever so she'd better grow up and learn to deal.

At Montalveña Isidro and Roman tell Rod that the CRT representatives are due to come by soon with their techs to instruct the jima cutters out in the fields. Rod goes to meet James in town and Isidro tells Roman afterward that he always thought Mr. Rod would leave his wife and marry Gaviota. Roman answers that they all came to think that too, because theirs was true love if ever there was. However, Mr. Rod these days only thinks about work and the baby.
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Back in Mexico City, Isa excuses herself on the phone for not having attended Sofia's bachelorette party; she was just too deathly ill. Sofia is in a very forgiving mood, and raves to her about how Frankie has her on her knees with all the attention he gives her. He ended last night with a serenade for her. Isa meows that Frankie is just a detail hound for sure. Sofia chatters about wanting her to drive with them today to the hacienda and to help her with the wedding preparations. Isa will get to surprise Rod at the same time.

Isa fights the urge to hiss and says no to going with Sofia and Frankie. (At this point I have to say it took me a minute or three to get over the shock of being forced to see Isa in a sexy, tight midriff top with that naked swollen belly of hers, and a a navel ring stuck in it--ouch--to complete "the look." NOBODY and I mean NOBODY I've ever known looks that elegant, let alone, SEXY??? when they're pregnant, puking and pooped all the time. --Yeah, yeah, I know we'd all like to feel like we look that good, but we all know that it just i'n't happ'nin'.) Sophia chirps on and on till finally Isa rudely slams down the phone on her.

Mommie Dearest scolds her for acting rude simply because she's jealous over Frankie worthless-what's-his-name. In fact, Nuria demands Isa call back Sofia and accept the offer to travel to the hacienda with them today. (Well, not everything can be blamed on hormones.) Isa gripes that she is in no mood to watch the two of them play kissy-face all the way there. (Isa has a point.) Nuria reminds her daughter that she's carrying Rodrigo Montalvo's child (conveniently forgetting a rather all-important detail here) and is the mistress of Montalveña. She had better drop the attitude and not risk losing everything by treating the Montalvo's like dirt.

Isa is frustrated. "For how long, Mom, huh? As soon as Gaviota shows up and finds out what Aaron and the family did to her and tells Rod, he'll kick me out without a second glance, pregnant or not." Mommie Dearest counters with an assurance that there's no reason to be worried. The subterfuge worked and Gaviota is far away and long gone, undoubtedly pained and angry thinking she was used and abused by a two-timing jerk.
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James, Rod and Crispin go into Tequila together. Rod invites Crispin to his sister's wedding and Crispin is impactado to have been invited to celebrate with the effete elite of the area. (Actually it's probably because, aside from James, Crispin is the only other halfway intelligent and educated person he can have a meaningful conversation with around there.) The three of them then discuss the fact that the blight has put a stop to the "Tequila Trail" project indefinitely.

While they're there they notice how the uneducated small time agave farmers gather around a traveling medicine man with his bottles of snake-oil who tells them all it's the only thing that will solve the agave blight. Crispin explains that these people are ignorant and uneducated and the old medicine man is fleecing the desperate by insisting they have to pray to diseased agave. Rod shakes his head in disbelief and asks why nobody reports him to the police. James says it seems the police are as ignorant as the rest of the town and the 21st century is allowed to pass them by as a result.

Demetrio and Gavi/Mariana finish giving their lecture for the growers in the area at the Tequila Lions Club. (Since there are no problems at his place, Rod didn't attend. Besides, as he already told Isidro and Roman, they're already scheduled to lecture his workers and that's enough for him. Don't forget the guy has a doctorate in agronomy and already is wise to this stuff.) Afterward Demetrio tells her that they must now split up to give their talks to the various communities in the area. She'll need to give her talks to the jima cutters beginning with Montalveña's he says.

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Returning to her penthouse in the city, Minnie complains to Patricio that he didn't say a word to her about Aaron's marrying Pamela. She had to find it out by seeing the spread in a magazine. Pat tells her that nobody from the family will be attending his wedding as they all still consider her Aaron's true wife. Her wedding present to Aaron, she replies, is the divorce which is official on this weekend, so he can marry without being a bigamist.

They go back and forth: Minnie whines that her plan has failed. Pat says Aaron constantly asks about her. She says it's only because she hasn't turned him into the police yet. She wonders if he's taking Pammy to Sofia's wedding. Pat says she's not invited and so he's not attending then, either. Minnie agrees to go to Sofia's wedding, but only to say a final good bye to the family. After that none of them will ever hear from her again, not even Pat.

Rod enters the cantina to invite Carmello of the charismatic smile to his wedding. Carmello asks if SJ will be there. Rod says sure, all the staff at the hacienda will be there, of course. Carmello confides to him, man to man, that he's been courting SJ and hopes that she'll eventually agree to marry him; he'll want Rod to stand up for him if he gets lucky. Rod, true to form, is puzzled to hear that SJ is now with Carmello. Yep, even the likes of Carmello is gettin' some he figures. "Well, even if I cannot be with the woman I love, at least perhaps my friends might be."

At the very same time, Gavi stops across the street from the cantina to get a soft-drink. She remembers going there with Rod on their first date, her singing to him and their dancing their first dance together. "Rodrigo, my Rodrigo." Little does Gavi know that Rod is having a drink inside there at the bar, looking around, and remembering the very same things. He thinks to himself how that night was the first time he realized he had fallen in love with her. He does not come outside though, and soon the CRT truck comes by to pick up Gavi and take her to Montalveña to the jima cutters.

In Miami, Fedra and Pammy are decorating for the pre-nuptial affair and getting ready to pick up her parents at the airport. Pammy goes to see about Aaron. She stops at the door to his office and overhears him speaking about the irregular tequila shipments, saying that he's worried Minnie may say something to the wrong people about it all. Patricio assures him this is not the case. "Well, how's Minerva taking my marriage?" "--How do you think? It's not been easy. She had to find out from a magazine....."

Aaron looks up at that instant, just like a little boy caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar. He sees Pammy standing there and freezes. Coolly, Pammy asks him if he intends to go with her to the airport or not. He tells her he has business to attend to and to take his mother instead. With a cold and deliberate stare she turns and leaves him alone.

Back at the penthouse again, Minnie appears finally calm and collected. She turns to Aaron's picture, taps it and says to herself, "Aaron, you have no idea what's waiting for you. Very soon you'll be begging me on your knees to forgive you."

Rod is back in his office at the hacienda and eagerly puts Gavi's cassette back on. SJ knocks with his coffee and he rushes to turn it off. (Better invest in a pair of earbuds, Burly Bear or Isa's house-snitch SJ will be running to your wife about it first chance she gets.) After SJ leaves, Rod starts playing Gavi's cassette again. It's like a drug to him. He says to himself that apart from his memories and her love, these songs are the only thing that remains of her for him.

Gavi sees the hacienda and feels like her heart is going to explode out of her chest. As they go through Montalveña's front entrance, Gavi hunkers down in the CRT truck so that nobody will recognize her. She arrives at the fields and tries to introduce herself, to ask them if they remember her. "I'm Clarita's daughter. I'm La Gaviota!" The workers pretty much snub her. (Well, maybe it's the flouncy french cuffs, pink-lens Carrera shades and English riding boots that are a turn off.) "So you forget folks that quickly, huh?"

Gavi calls them out one by one. Gavi explains she's there because she works for the CRT now and they thought since she used to be a jima cutter she'd be able to get through to them. She needs them to get everyone together to talk about sanitary methods working the agave. They all laugh at her.

Rosa finally says they remember her, but she's stopped being one of them a while ago. If she was really a jima cutter, she'd remember that they work by the piece; they cannot afford to waste their time with her. Another woman asks doesn't she remember how many agave you can cut in 15 minutes? Gavi says she does remember. Five. So Rosa bets if she grabbed a coa (bladed pole) she'd end up blistering her princess's hands now. Gavi is game and she challenges them, saying she bets she can still cut more agave than they can.

Labels: Destilando

Reprise of yesterday: Marfil is trying to seduce "Alejandro."

Emilio is practicing walking with Caramelo. Yolando and Paco show up. Yolanda tells about the party. Her sister is strange. She wants to return to her previous "shine," (brillar), in society, so she gave this party.

We cut to a bodega, where our favorite miscreants, Pancho and Halcon, are staging an armed robbery. Pancho has a stocking over his face. Halcon shoots a nice old lady when she starts screaming. Her goddaughter comes up as the ambulance comes and cries for her "madrina" (godmother).

Sharon is lying in bed with her dad, I kid you not. I just don't know what to say about this really gross scene. She is wearing an extremely short blue dress and cuddling with Roddy like a lover. I shudder just to think about it. Anyway, she is playing him for the fool about Fedora. Yada Yada Yada.

Roddy now talks to Fedora about the daughter. Sharon taunts Gaby with how she's going to steal Larry from her.

Back at the party, Octy throws "Alejandro" out when he dares to mention how he thought Fedora was innocent and was deprived of her fortune.

Iggy tells her that they needed Alejandro, and Octy was a fool.

Pancho and Halcon argue over Haldon's blunder. Why did you shoot an old lady? Because she was screaming and would draw the police. Duh. Aren't the police going to be called anyway?

Maricela, the new character, is at the hospital asking about her godmother.

Pedro and "Alejandro" review the party. Alejandro calls Diana and asks if she's upset at how he beat up her husband. No way! He's worthless. He then tells about how Octy threw him out. She invites him for coffee to discuss it. He says sure, but first he has to go to the hospital to see Emilio.

Marfil and Fiona gossip about how Octy throw "Alejandro" out.

"Alejandro" sees Maricela crying in the hospital. He offers his help.

Diego and Camila discuss whether Alejandro is Max. There are numerous boring coversations like this throughout the episode among various characters. Each minute one person believes it and tries to convince the other. As soon as the other changes her mind, the first one reverses position.

Diego saw "Alejandro" kissing Diana just like Max would. He is going to kill him!

Diana is suspicious. Alejandro hit Diego as only Max would.
Incidentally, Diana is sporting a new fashion don't: A white cotton sun dress suspended by a gigantic black beaded necklace. There's also an ugly green border on the skirt. The bodice does nothing for her bustline.

Maricela is upset because godmom might be blind. How will they live. Here's a good idea offered by Dulce the nurse: She should marry Dr. Leonard Valladares--he's always loved Maricela. No matter that she doesn't love him!

Camila and Diego are still arguing. Camila thought bubbles that she thinks Alejandro is Max. She will gain his trust and then his economic support.

Paco and the others discuss how much Alejandro looks like Max.

Diego calls Diana and berates her for kissing "Alejandro."
She tells him to leave her alone. She will never get her back. Etc. He threatens to kill Max.
Diego seems to realize that Max has a revenge plot going.

"Alejandro" says he will pay godmom's hospital bill. This will let Maricela off the hook for marrying Dr. L.
Godmom has bandages over her eyes. I wonder how Max manages to hold back from discussing his own experience being blind with bandages over his eyes. Don't worry, he could say, you'll recover just like I did!

Dr. Leonardo comes in, and he looks miffed that Max is there.

Emilio and Caramelo are playing kissy face. She is feeding him lunch, and she says a kiss will be dessert. Too bad her phone rings. It's Pancholon. He says she'd better come quick or he's coming to the hospital to kill Emilio. Emilio is suspicious, but she lies and tells him it's her father. DUMB!

She leaves.

Silvia and Diana discuss whether Alejandro is Max. Diana wants it with all her fuerzas.

Camila and Iggy are discussing the end of the party. Iggy is sorry Octy threw Alejandro out. He wanted to take advantage of their new friendship, but nooooo. The doorbell rings, and it's Diego. More talk about whether Alejandro is Max.

Pancho tries to rape Caramelo at the car repair shop! Fortunately, she escapes.

Alejandro and Pedro discuss the plot. Alejandro is inviting all his enemies over the next day: Diego, Marfil, Iggy and Camila--and Diana. He wants to confuse them. Pedro scoffs. Just then the doorbell rings: It's Fiona. She's there to sleep with Max, and it looks like they're going to do the deed.

At the end, we see Diana giving a glassy-eyed head tilt as the credits roll.

Labels: acorralada