Caray, Caray!

Hugo wonders why Soledad is going into the mine. He says that for him, going into the mine is like returning to the coffin. Flashback to Hugo being buried alive. "Now, what do I do?" he asks himself.

Beatriz grabs Alcides' gun and says that she remembers that it was he who raped her. She says that she will kill him. Alcides goes down on his knees.

Hercules, Rebeca and Elois bicker about how things went with Ester.

Alcides uses his kneeling position to grab some dirt and throw it in Beatriz' face. Then he overpowers her. He says that he has to kill her and is about to do so when Arturo shows up.
Hugo puts on his bandido mask and goes into the mine with the police in pursuit. [Ah, the mine. What adventures we will have in this mine.] Hugo finds Soledad and asks why she is following him. Soledad says that she has to know who he is. He says that the mine is dangerous and they have to leave.

Alcides tells Arturo that when he found Beatriz, she attacked him. Beatriz tells Arturo that she isn't crazy and won't go back to the sanatorium. Alcides insists to Arturo that Beatriz is in bad shape. Artuto tells Alcides that he should be worried about his wife , not Beatriz. He tells Alcides that Soledad was last seen following the robber towards the mine.

Lucas scolds Ester for being rude to Rebeca and Eloisa. Ester replies that she thinks Rebeca is a gold digger. She scolds Lucas for offering to give away their posessions when they are in a precarious financial condition. When Lucas tells her that the stuff Jeremias' gave them has no value, Ester doesn't agree. She says that if Rebeca wants the stuff, it must be more valuable than it appears.

Hugo and Soledad run around in the collapsing mine. He tells her to trust him ('Confia en mi') just like he did when they were courting. They fall down in each other's arms.

The Inspector and his men reach the entrance to the mine. Hugo and Soledad have the entrance in sight. The Inspector tells Hugo to come out with his hands up.

Rebeca, Eloisa and Hercules return to the house they have sold to Hugo and find it trashed. They hear noises upstairs.

In the mine, Hugo comes over all woozy and then he passes out. Soledad tells the Inspector that she is in the mine.

Hercules and the carriage driver chase the thief and shoot at him.

Soledad can't rouse Hugo. She says that she doesn't know what to do. She decides to find out who he is and starts to pull his mask down. At that moment, Boris, also in a mask, stops her. However, Soledad is sucessful in pulling Boris' mask down.

Rebeca tells Eloisa that the thief in the house is undoubtedly, Enrico, the servant of her dead husband.

Soledad is full of questions about why Boris is in the mine but he only tells her that she has to get out of the mine and that he will take care of the mysterious masked man. Soledad heads for the entrance to the mine.

Boris returns to the still unconscious Hugo and says that he is afraid Hugo is having another catalepsy attack.

The police are about to go into the mine when Alcides rides up. He accuses the Inspector of cowardice and says that he will go into the mine after is wife when Soledad comes out of the mine. Elena witnesses this.

Eloisa and Rebeca determine that nothing is missing from the house. Rebeca concludes that Enrico came back to look for clues to the treasure of her dead husband. Meanwhile, Enrico gets the drop on Hercules and tells him that he knows that he and Rebeca killed Jeremias and that Hercules has no right to the treasure. The coachman shoots and wounds Enrico.

Back at the cabaña in the forest, Elena tells Dr. Max that Hugo is trapped in the mine by the police. Dr. Max remembers the air ducts for the mine and tells Los Burque that they can rescue Hugo that way.

Hugo comes around. Boris reassures him that Soledad didn't discover his identity. Hugo tells Boris that he knows where the air ducts are for the mine. The police demand that Hugo come out of the mine.

Soledad tells Ursula, Marina and Paquito that she didn't find out who the masked bandit was but if she didn't know that Hugo was dead, she would have sworn it was Hugo. She stells them that Boris was in the mine and stopped her from removing Hugo's mask.

Beatriz threatens to kill herself if Arturo takes her back to the sanatorium. Arturo swears that he won't do that.

Hercules loses Enrico's trail.

Waiting outside the mine, Alcides picks up what Hugo is feeling in the same way he did when Hugo woke up in his grave: he almost passes out and chokes. [I did not remember this scene before. It explains how Alcides knew that Hugo would be incapacitated in the mine when he traps him there with Soledad a few episodes later. It didn't make sense that Alcides would have been able to guess that because as we have seen, Hugo did not have a problem with enclosed spaces before he was buried alive. This scene also must be when Alcides figures out that Hugo is still alive.] Alcides insists on going into the mine. Duarte and the police follow. Soledad wants to go back in there, too to keep the police from hurting the man who saved her life. Paquito won't let her go back into the mine.

Boris helps Hugo walk until they find the ventilation shaft. They are wondering how they will get out through the shaft when a rope comes down. It's Los Burke and Dr. Max.

Meanwhile Alcides is looking for Boris in the mine. He stands right under Hugo and Boris who are dangling at the end of the rope. Fortunately, he doesn't look up or wonder where the daylight is coming from. Alcides and the police finally figure out that team Hugo escaped by the air shaft.

Team Hugo is running away from the mine. While they rest for a minute, Dr. Max tells Hugo that Beatriz escaped. Hugo says that they have to find her - she know that it was Alcides who attacked her.

Arturo takes Beatriz to his house (Hugo's old house) and she has a tearful reunion with her mother.

Alcides and the police come out of the mine and tells Soledad and Úrsula that the bandidos escaped. Alcides pulls Marina aside and demands to know where the criminals are hiding. Marina denies knowing anything. Alcides is about to hit her when first Soledad and then Inspector Duarte intervene. At first Alcides refuses to let Marina come to the hacienda with Soledad but Paquito persuades him to change his mind. He tells Alcides that he should keep Marina close by until he finds out who is behind all this. Alcides agrees.

He tells Paquito to take the women to the hacienda while he takes care of some other business. Soledad thanks him. To himself, Paquito says that nothing is in this life is free.

Back at Hugo's old house, Alcides tells Arturo that Boris and Los Burke were behind the thefts from the vault. Alcides says that he will get them. Arturo replies that he better get the items to repay his loan or he will take it from Alcides' inheritence. Alcides tells Arturo that he assumes that Beatriz has been returned to the Sanatorium. Arturo and then Doña Gladis tell him that Beatriz is not returning to the sanatorium. She will stay at home and receive medical treatment there. Alcides mentions that Beatriz mistook him for Hugo and tried to kill him earlier. Arturo assures him that he and Gladis will keep Beatriz safe. Dr. Max arrives to consult about Beatriz and Alcides asks to get some things from his old room.

Alcides goes to Beatriz' room where she is sleeping and starts to smother her with a pillow. He is attacked from behind.

Dr. Max promotes treating Beatriz by hypnotism. Arturo wants Dr. Max to see Beatriz at once. He makes excuses about why he can't see her that night. Arturo wonders if there was some other motive for his visit.

Meanwhile, back in Beatriz' room, Hugo succeeds in overpowering Alcides. Arturo, Gladis and Dr. Max rush upstairs when they hear a loud noise from Beatriz' room. She tells them that she fell out of bed and is ok. Dr. Max sees that Hugo is in the room and says that he wants to speak ot Beatriz alone. Gladis is suspicious but Arturo persuades her to leave with him. Once they are gone, Hugo pops out of the closet with the unconscious Alcides and tells Dr. Max that Alcides tried to suffocate Beatriz.

Hercules reports his failure to find Enrico to Rebeca. He tells her that Enrico knows that they murdered Jeremias and that Enrico was wounded by a bullet and might be dead.

Enrico is staggering through the woods.

Soledad, Úrsula, Marina and Paquito have stopped on the road to wait for Alcides. Paquito asks why Soledad was so interested in going after the bandido who looked like Hugo. Soledad says that it was Hugo's voice, his look, the way he spoke to her. It seemed as if Hugo were there. She goes on to tell Paquito about the other times that she had seen or felt Hugo's presence since he died. She describes her psychic link with Hugo when he was alive. She says that this is different. It's real and she has to find out who is behind it all. She tells Paquito that sometimes she thinks she is going crazy. At that moment, Enrico staggers into the clearing and collapes.

Dr. Max injects Alcides with something to keep him asleep. Beatriz wants Hugo to finish him off but Hugo says that he has a better plan. He will make it so that Alcides is wracked with guilt his whole life.

The credits roll.

Labels: la traicion

Due to the Premio lo Nuestro awards.

Labels: Pasion

The judge is receiving persons in the courtroom. Alcides comes up to him. The judge looks up and says that he can't believe that Alcides has the nerve to appear before him. Alcides says that he doesn't understand. The judge says that Alcides can hardly expect his threats to be effective here where the judge is surrounded by police officers. Alcides says that he only came to ask for a date to be set... The judge interrupts and says that he knows why Alcides has come and he finds Alcides' haste to get his hands on his inheritance worrisome. Alcides asks what he means. The judge says that he will take all the time necessary to investigate Alcides' claim to the inheritence and if he finds anything suspicious, he will cancel the transfer of the property. Alcides says that the judge has no right to do this. The judge says that Alcides had no right to come and threaten him. If he does anything else, he will pay dearly. He calls for the next person in line. Poor Alcides has no idea what is going on. He walks slowly away from the judge and towards Arturo who is shaking his head.

At Hugo's townhouse, Rebeca tells Eloisa that Soledad's father, Lucas, may have some clues as to where Jeremias' treasure can be found. Hercules tells Eloisa that according to Manrique, Jeremias gave Lucas de Obragon a bunch of stuff, which would be very unusual for someone as stingy (tacaño) as Jeremias. Hercules says that he is sure that amongst that stuff, there is a clue to where the treasure is. Rebeca says that is why they are going to pay a visit to the Obragon house. Paquito staggers in out of breath to report that a visit won't be necessary. The Obragons have come to the townhouse to visit their daughter. Rebeca and Hercules leave. "Last night I saw Alcides leaving your room," Paquito says to Eloisa, "Congratulations. I see you haven't wasted any time." Eloisa says that he knows her and she has Alcides is eating out of her hand. Paquito tells her to be careful and not fall in love with him.

Soledad receives her parents in the courtyard of the house. Ursula has told them that about her trip to San Marino and they've come to say goodbye. Soledad says that she will miss them. She asks after her father's health. He says that he is better and is just starting to ask why Soledad is so sad when Rebeca shows up pretending to be all amazed to see him again. Lucas introduces her to Ester as the widow of his old friend Jeremias de Montenegro. Rebeca says that being in the city again brings back so many memories of her dead husband. She says that she wants to ask him a favor. Lucas is all gallant and has totally forgotten about his concern for Soledad. Rebeca says that she understands that her late husband gave Lucas some stuff and she would like it back. It has a sentimental value to her. "Yes," says Lucas, "he gave me some things and I never could understand why. They are in the house. Stop by whenever and get them." Ester is giving Lucas a look. Rebeca thanks Lucas and says that she has to go and finish packing. Lucas is waving goodbye when Ester pushes his hand down. "Widow," she says, "she really doesn't look like one to me."

Leaving the court building, Arturo asks Alcides if he can explain what the judge meant about threatening him. Alcides says that he didn't understand it at all. Arturo tells Alcides that he hopes this isn't one of his tricks to get out of paying what Alcides owes him. Alcides says that Arturo can come this afternoon and he will transfer the house to him. Arturo reminds him that that the house was to repay the money that Arturo lent Alcides to settle the debt and save the house of his inlaws. He te;;s Alcides that in return for helping him get rid of Hugo, Arturo was promised part of the inheritence. Alcides says that in Hugo's safe there are jewels and relics that Arturo can sell for a lot of money. "We'll see about that," says Arturo. Hugo and Boris are watching in their campesino disguises. "This pair of hyenas are already beginning to tear each other to pieces (despedezarse)," says Hugo.

Guillermo is drinking in the taverna when Margot comes up to him. She asks where he has been. Did he succeed in getting into the safe? Helena comes up behind Margot and asks what business that is of hers. Margot says that it is her business because she and fatso (gordo) were partners in that. Helena waves a diamond necklace in front of Margot and Margot turns furiously on Guillermo and asks if Helena got it from the safe.

Margot attacks Guillermo and he says that he and Helena have been together for many years and he had to respect her seniority is matters such as this. Helena scornfully sends Margot off to wait tables. The diminutive duo come out of the tavern talking about selling the necklace when Inspector Duarte snatches it away from them and asks where they got it. They reply that Hugo gave it to them before he died. Duarte say that he needs to look into the matter and has them taken to the police station. It turns out that it was Margot who ratted on Los Burke. Duarte thanks her.

Alcides is showing Arturo around the townhouse. He gives him the key. Arturo asks about the valuables in the safe. Alcides says that it is in the basement. They encounter Rebeca and Eloisa who are about to leave. It transpires that Rebeca knows Arturo because Jeremias was friends with his mother. Paquito appears and says that Rebeca's carriage is ready. They leave. Eloisa says goodbye to Alcides and looks forward to when they will be neighbors in San Marino. She tells Soledad that if she needs a friend, she can call on her. Soledad tells Alcides that she has had the household stuff loaded onto the carriage. Alcides compliments her efficiency. He tells her to get ready, they will be leaving soon. "For a newlywed, she doesn't look too happy," Arturo says to Alcides. Alcides asks what business it is of his.

At the cabaña in the forest, Dr. Max tells Hugo and Boris that Los Burke have been arrested trying to sell a necklace that appears to be stolen. Boris reminds Hugo that he told him that Los Burke were not to be trusted. Hugo says that it's too late for recriminations. They have to get Los Burke out of jail before they reveal his secret. Boris offers to go the polices station and pay their bail. Dr. Max doesn't think that is a good idea. It could appear that Boris is in league with Los Burke. Hugo agrees. He says that Los Burke have to be sprung from jail by more radical means.

Arturo tells Alcides that he hopes the stuff in the vault is as valuable as Alcides said it was. Alcides opens the door of the vault and it is empty, completely empty. Team Hugo even managed to get the thermal chamber out of there without anyone in the house hearing. "This can't be," says Alcides. Arturo asks if this is a joke.

Alcides pushes him aside and leaves the vault. Alcides calls Marina and asks what happened to the stuff in the cellar.

When she doesn't reply, he hits her and asks again what she did with the stuff in the cellar. Soledad and Úrsula come down the stairs and try to stop Alcides from hitting Marina. He tells her to butt out. He hits Marina again and she says that she doesn't know what he is talking about. She hasn't robbed anyone. Duarte comes in and asks what is going on. Alcides says that he is glad Duarte has come. The safe with all the treasure of the Medina family has been robbed and he says that Marina was involved. Alcides says that there were valuable objects in the cellar. "Like this?" says Duarte, dangling the necklace that he took from Los Burke in front of Alcides. He tells them how Los Burke were trying to sell it outside the taverna and claimed that Hugo had given it to them and now they are in custody. Alcides says that he has to talk to them. He, Duarte and Arturo leave.

Soledad tries to comfort a sobbing Marina. She points out the the police said that she wasn't involved. Marina tells Soledad that there is something she doesn't know - Boris was involved in the robbery. She tells Soledad that she saw Boris in the cellar the previous night with Los Burke and they were taking things but he said that he wasn't stealing them. Boris told her that they were Hugo's things and he was taking them before Alcides destroyed them. Soledad says that Boris has always been a very faithful employee. She can't believe that he would have bad intentions. Marina agrees but says that if the police arrest Los Burke, Boris will be accused and she will end up in jail. Soledad says that Boris would never get her involved but Úrsula says that she has no such confidence in Los Burke. Soledad reassures Marina. She says that she will take Marina to her parents' house and convince them to hire her. She can't allow Alcides to hurt Marina anymore. Soledad goes to leave Marina's room, opens the door and there is Paquito, listening. He says that he can't allow three women to travel alone. He insists on accompanying them.

In prison, Los Burke are exchanging recriminations about Guillermo's involvement with Margot that Helena believes led them to be arrested. Suddenly, a stone comes through the window of their cell. A note is wrapped around the stone and it says, "For your safety, stay away from the wall. We're getting you out."

Duarte ushers Alcides and Arturo into his office. Los Burke are crouched against the door of the cell.

There is a large explosion. Duarte and his visitors go to see what happened. Los Burke climb out of the hole in the wall of the cell. Guillermo thanks Hugo and says that he knew Hugo wouldn't abandon them. Hugo tells Guillermo that it was stupid to rob his things and this has created lots of problems for them. Boris says the police will be coming soon and they have to go. Hugo tells Boris to take Los Burke to the north side of the forest near his father's mine. He is going to divert pursuit and will meet them there in an hour. Hugo pulls a mask over his face and puts on his horrible hat.

Hugo holds up Soledad's carriage at gunpoint. Paquito tells him not to shoot; there are women in the carriage. Meanwhile, the police are in pursuit. Hugo jumps into the carriage and tells Paquito to drive on. There is a wild gunfight between the police and Hugo in the streets of the town. Hugo tells the women in the carriage to stay down and nothing will happen to them. Soledad recognizes Hugo's voice. "Who are you?" she asks. "This isn't the right time to answer your questions," replies Hugo. In pursuit, Alcides tells Duarte not to shoot. His wife is in the carriage.

At the cabaña in the forest, Boris scolds Los Burke for not listening to his instructions and stealing things. Hes calls them a pair of rats. Helena objects and says that they aren't rats but independent businessmen and not servants like him. Guillermo tells Helena not to be ungrateful to Boris. He got them out of prison. Helena says Boris didn't have anything to do with getting them out of jail. Boris tells them to thank Hugo. He says that if it were up to him, they would still be in jail. Beatrice and Dr. Max come out of the house. Beatrice says she has to find Hugo. Dr. Max says that she isn't going anywhere. Boris says he can't allow this to get more complicated they will have to tie Beatrice up.

Hugo in his bandido outfit succeeds in throwing off the pursuit. He tells Paquito to drive the carriage down the opposite street. Soledad says that if he isn't being followed, he should leave them there. Hugo apologizes and says that he doesn't want to harm them but he has to get out of the city and needs their help. Soledad offers to stay if he will let the others go. Hugo says that there isn't time to argue. He tells Paquito to drive on.

Los Burke tie Beatriz up. Boris apologizes to her but says that she has to stay tied up until Hugo returns. He can't risk her doing something crazy. Boris tells Dr. Max that he has to meet Hugo in the forest and in view of what happened, he can't leave Los Burke here alone. Dr. Max says that he will take care of them. Dr. Max stays that in her condition, Beatriz is a danger to them and they should get rid of her. Boris replies that Beatriz is under Hugo's protection and he'll decide what to do. Boris warns Dr. Max not to do anything to Beatriz until Hugo returns.

The carriage careens along. Soledad wonders who the masked man is. There is something about his voice and the way he looks at her. Úrsula tells her to be careful. The man looks dangerous. Soledad asks why the police are pursuing him. Hugo says that he doesn't have to answer her questions. "Do I know you from somewhere?" asks Soledad. "I don't think so," replies Hugo, "but even if that were so, they say that you never really know women." Not surprisingly, Soledad asks what he means by that and he tells her that if she doesn't shut up, he will prevent her from speaking. Soledad says that she won't say anything more.

Hercules, Rebeca and Eloisa are on their way back to San Marino. Hercules questions why Rebeca hasn't gone immediately to get the stuff from the Obragron house. Rebeca says that she doesn't want to appear too eager. Eloisa defends her. Hercules says that if they don't try and get the stuff now, they will regret it for the rest of their lives. Rebeca agrees but says that she will do the talking.

Alcides, the Inspector and Arturo reunite. An officer says that there is no trace of the carriage. Arturo offers his men to help search. Inspector Duarte is hestitent but Alcides insists since his wife is missing.

Ester receives Rebeca, Eloisa and Hercules with a marked lack of enthusiasm. She says that she didn't expect to see them again so soon. Rebeca says that they couldn't leave the city without visiting the home of such a prestigious family. She asks if Lucas is home. Ester says that he isn't available. Rebeca et all are about to leave when Lucas appears and invites them in.

In the secret basement room in the cabaña in the forest, Los Burke are guarding Beatriz, who is tied up. Dr. Max comes in and tells Los Burke to go get something to eat. Beatriz begs Dr. Max to let her go. She says that she isn't dangerous, she just wants to help Hugo. He needs her. [Right after Beatriz says, "El me necessita," we hear wild turkeys gobbling. I believe this is the first appearance of this sound effect that will be be heard all the time when the action in the novela shifts to the Hacienda Montenegro.] Dr. Max say that he will untie Beatriz. He does so and tells her to get out before he changes his mind. When she has gone, he takes a pistol out of his waistband and goes after her.

Rebeca tells Lucas and Ester how difficult it has been for her since Jeremias died. Good ol' Hercules comes right to the point. He asks to see the stuff that Jeremias gave to Lucas. Rebeca says that regaining the stuff would help with her grief.

In the carriage, Soledad tells Hugo-Bandido that he should let them go as he promised now that they are outside the city. Hugo says that he can't yet. They have to get closer to the mine. Hugo takes a watch out of his pocket and looks at it. Soledad looks at it and has has flashback to sitting by a noisy fountain in the courtyard of Hugo's house and giving him this watch as an engagement gift to symbolize that they will be together all the time. Úrsula asks why Soledad is pale all of a sudden. She says that the watch belongs to Hugo and the bandido's look... Soledad asks who he is and why does he have a watch that belongs to Hugo de Medina.

Lucas lays out all the junk that Jeremias gave him on the table.

Rebeca asks if he is sure that this is all the stuff? Lucas thinks of something he forgot. While he is gone, Rebeca is pessimistic that any of this stuff contains a clue. Hercules replies that they can't be sure. They had better take it all. Rebeca pretends that this stuff reminds her of the pleasant times she shared with her dead husband. Eloisa says that they should pack up the stuff and go when Ester announces that the stuff belongs to her and isn't going anywhere.

Beatriz heads off down the road saying that she has to find Hugo. Dr. Max follows and raises his pistol. Los Burke grab him to prevent him from shooting Beatriz. There is a struggle and Guillermo is shot.

Soledad demands to know where Hugo got the watch. Marina says that Hugo is clearly an accomplice of Los Burke who were in Hugo's house the previous night. Presumably, they stole it. Soledad says that it belongs to her and wants it back. "What is your interest, Señora?" asks Hugo, "I can't believe that it has a sentimental value for you." Soledad replies that she doesn't have to explain herself to him. Hugo goes on to say that he knows that she was engaged to Hugo de Medina. Soledad says that she wants the watch as a remembrance. Hugo says to himself that if she really wanted to remember him, she would be wearing the locket he gave her. Flashback to him giving her locket. [This is not the last time that the locket will fail to do its duty to make Hugo realize that Soledad still loves him.] Soledad asks why Hugo is looking at her that way. He says that he doesn't think she wants to keep a souvenir of Hugo de Medina. Soledad says how dare he give his opinion about her personal life. Hugo says that a woman who marries someone else two days after burying her fiance is a tramp. Soledad says that she doesn't care what he thinks. She wants the watch back now. Hugo flashes back to the kiss in the cabaña. Hugo says that he doesn't believe her but if she wants to hold on to it, she can. He takes that watch out and after dangling it in front of Soledad, he throws it out of the carriage onto the road. Soledad calls for Paquito to stop the carriage and she tries to jump out. Hugo tells Paquito not to dare stop and Úrsula and Marina prevent Soledad from jumping out. Hugo then holds his gun in such a way that Soledad can see that it has his name engraved on it.

Naturally, it turns out that Guillermo barely has a scratch from the bullet. Dr. Max tells Los Burke to go find Beatriz. He says that if she opens her mouth and tells anyone that she has seen Hugo de Medina, they'll all be in trouble.

Ester refused to let any of Jeremias' things out of the house and nothing that Rebeca, Hercules or Lucas says can change her mind.

Duarte, Alcides, Arturo and his men are following the trail of the carriage. Duarte splits the men into two groups and warns them not to shoot unless he says so. Alcides tells Arturo to tell his men to turn the hijacker in to the police if they find him. He wants to know who is behind this.

Hugo orders the carriage to stop and makes Paquito and the women get down. Paquito tells Hugo that he is a journalist and wants to know more about the robber's exciting life. Does he have a moniker - the Falcon? the Shadow? Hugo says that he is just a thief. Soledad says that she doesn't believe it and demands that Hugo show his face. At that moment, the pursuit arrives and Hugo starts shooting at them. Hugo escapes the pursuit on foot. Soledad has taken cover with the other women and Paquito. She says that the has to follow and and find out who the man is and goes after him. [This is a typical crazy stunt of Soledad.] She heads across a field ignoring a sign that says, "Danger - Mine."

Boris hears shots as he comes to meet Hugo. Paquito, Marina and Úrsula surrender to the police. Duarte asks where Soledad is and they tell him that she went towards the mine. Boris is watching. Duarte is angry that Arturo's men started shooting without his authorization. He tells Arturo and his men to leave.

Running through the forest looking for Hugo, Beatriz finds Alcides.

Hugo is out of breath and stops to rest behind some trees. He sees Soledad approach and then go into the mine. "What is she doing?" he asks, "Why did she go into the mine?"

Labels: la traicion

Hello to all. Since I have to leave at a ridiculous hour of the morning (and still look good) and next week is just as bad so it’d be pointless to trade, I will be doing the recap in 2 parts: one now, another tonight in the afternoon/early evening with any grammar corrections I might have made (I hope that doesn’t throw too much of a monkey wrench since there is no episode tonight). Now, on with the show.

Episode 51 – We start with yesterday’s portion in which Jorge and Alberto discuss the pros and cons of Santi becoming Jorge’s heir. Sofia enters and starts needling Jorge to hurry him up and threatening to go with the chisme to the archbishop. Al questions how this will affect Whoresula, Jorge says Sofi has her way of looking at things and that some of it actually makes some sense.

Back at Chez Ric, Cami tells Ric her concern that Al will find Bernabe, and thus the letter. Ric says he hopes the authorities will be their usual procrastinating selves and that Mario will beat them to the puch. He then confers with MMM (Main Man Mario) who says he got the 411 from Ascanio. He doesn’t really know the lay of the land, but he’ll manage, then he’ll track Bernie down and open up a can of whoopass ‘till he fesses up.

At Chez Santi, Grita kvetches about always being out of the loop and starts asking Ofelia who raped her, saying she has a right to now what’s eating up her hubby. Ofelia tells her that she doesn’t have to answer. Honestly, the nerve of that b#$%h nagging her poor mother in law about getting raped. We’re not talking about the family tortilla recipe here. It’s kinda personal! Anywhoo, her long list of possible candidates is interrupted by Ramona who tells Ofi that Ascanio is there to see her. Over by the kitchen, Ascanio tells Ofi that Santi doesn’t like being Jorge’s kid after the Cami incident. She asks what he thinks about her. He says Santi’s a just guy and he’ll come around. He’s gone off to the Monte Carmelo mission to contemplate his navel and make sense of things. Alas, Grita hears the whole thing and just about starts doing cartwheels at the thought that her hubby is the heir apparent to the Don of San Fer. Now, on to the new stuff.

Over at the pub named “La Paloma “ (the dove), Al tells Gonzalo to simmer down, and that if he’s told anyone about their “business” deals, he and his dad are both dead men. Gonzo gets upset ‘cause his dad has nothing to do with this. Al says he doesn’t car, and remember that he keeps his promises (or threats in this case). He tells Gonzo to lay low and not to do any “burradas” (stupid things, like a donkey/dunce would do). Even if Jorge has Gonzo on a short leash, Al can sweet-talk him into forgiving Gonzo’s little tiffs. Gonzo complains that Jorge made a lot of promises he didn’t keep. Al says, “Man proposes, God decides” and tells him to be patient. He says it’s in his best interest to stay in the good graces of the Señor of his hometown. Gonzo than says Jorge promised him Camila. Al reminds him that Camila is now married, and if Jorge couldn’t get past her hubby, there’s no way Gonzo will. He throws one of his handy money pouches on the table and walks away laughing. Gonzo then muses to himself, “we’ll see who can do more, your Señor of San Fernando, or me.” He then starts yelling at his fellow patrons for causing a racket.

Now at Chez Alberto, Manuela practices calligraphy while telling her dueña (can’t remember the woman’s name) the chisme that Santi is Jorge’s kid. She tells her that Ursula told her about it, and that Jorge had forbid Ursula from going out or getting visitors. Dueña asks why, and Manuela explains he must have gotten wind that Whoresula was after Santi. She crosses herself at her chasing her own brother, and Manuela calmly explains that Ursula didn’t know it at the time. Dueña tells her that family is cursed!

Back at Chez Ric, our hero tells Pablo how if he doesn’t find his money, he’ll have no choice but to go back to sea. Pablo says ya gotta do what ya gotta do, and Ric says that’s not what he wanted. He’d hoped to buy a plantation and transfer the folks from La Iguana there, give them a decent life. Pablo remarks that would have been nice. Ric laments that if Tim’s testament is overturned via the ED letter, he won’t have enough money to repay the money she’s spent and she’ll get thrown in jail! He laments that it seems that every time he tries to leave that life something happens that forces him to stay. It’s like a curse! Wait a minute, didn’t I just see this in the “Godfather” movie everyone wants to forget?

Over by the church, Don Agustin (da priest) tells Ofelia that Al was there when he told Jorge he was a proud papa. Ofi wants to know what Jorge will do, and Agustin says he thinks he will do his duty and recognize Santi as his son. Ofi says Santi won’t like that, and neither will she. He asks her where the lad is. She tells him Ascanio told her Monte Carmelo for a few days. He says he hopes that The Lord will show him the right path to follow. Ofi cries that he resents her. Padre suggests that he pray to the Virgin Mary. She was a mother too, and she will influence Santi’s heart to forgive Ofi. Now, if ya don’t mind, I got to go give the last rights to Don Eusebio. She is surprised by this. He says, “see, some sorrows are greater than yours.” He gives her his blessing and goes off.

Camila is in her room holding a book and sighing about dust in love. Jimena enters and asks her what’s going on. Cami tells her she’s been reading a poetry book that she found among Ricardo’s things. She points to a poem and Jime walks away with it and says aah (which is funny ‘cause I seem to recall she can’t read). Cami laughs and tells her this poem talks about how “even if he dies, and his bones turn to dust, it will be dust in love.” Jime smiles and says “can you imagine feeling something so strong?” Cami says her love for Ric is like that. She will love him forever and after this life.

A very large Grita runs to Chez Justo to bring Ines some great news (good where? Planet Reebok?) She asks about Vasco and Justo, and Ines tells her they’re at the mill and resting respectively. So, spill it. Rita says guess who’s kid Santi is. Rita says duh? My mom and dad’s. Rita says, mom’s yes, but not your dad’s. Ines asks what she’s insinuating. Rita says Santi is the son of Jorge Mancera. Ines says that’s not true. Rita says sure, she heard Ascanio and Ofi talking about it and that prior to that she’d overheard Ofi tell Santi someone raped her. Ofi denied it was Jorge, but Rita thinks he took his “first night” rights and now her hubby is the son of the Señor of San Fernando! Ines asks if Santi knows and Rita says yeah, he went to some retreat in Monte Carmelo. Ines tells Rita that she doesn’t know what she’s so happy about. Can’t you see what this will do to him. He’ll die of anger and pain! Rita says, yeah, yeah, ‘cause Whorehey boinked Cami.... Ines adds: and he raped our mother! Rita dismisses it and says it was a long time ago and he needs to get over it and think about his family, about the baby, about you guys, about ME! If Jorge recognizes him, when he dies, Santi can be the new Lord of the Land. Ines yells “what about his pain?” “what about the shame of knowing his dad raped the woman he was going to marry and his own mother?” Rita says she could care less about Cami and the Ofi thing is a shame, but that’s life. Ines finally tells her to shut up, ‘cause if she keeps talking so selfishly and shamelessly she’ll forget she’s pregnant and slap her around. Then she stomps off. Rita can’t believe Ines would talk to her like that. I mean “who does she think she is?” Looks like Rita’s already wearing the imaginary crown of ‘Señora de San Fernando’ and can’t imagine that others don’t see it. Man, don’t you just want to punch her lights out?

Back at chez Ric, Fran tells Lis over breakfast that if Al finds the ED letter, he’ll probably hold on to giving it to her until she agrees to formally announcing their engagement. Lis says she’ll try to stretch it out and Tia Fran warns that Al is not the kind of man who will take the stretching things out. Lis screams that she doesn’t want to marry Al. Not him or not anyone. Fran says she knows, anyone but Ric, but he’s married even if the marriage means bubkas. “When you get to be my age, alone, without a husband or children, you’ll realize how silly you’re being now. Can’t you see you can’t pass up this opportunity? How many men have shown interest in you? None! And how many do you think you’ll bump into of Don Alberto’s class?” Lis replies she’s not ready to give up just yet. Ric walks in and asks Fran what she was doing at Al’s this morning. Fran quickly says that she went to see Manuela ‘cause she’s come to see them so many times and it’s not their turn. Lis was going to come but she wasn’t feeling wel... Ric interrupts telling her not to lie. He knows Manuela left shortly after she got there and that she stayed for a while talking to LaFont. Fran complains that now he’s having her followed and he says: Yes, if it’s necessary. She asks Lis if she should tell him. Lis asks what? She says: what Al wants, to marry you. Lis interjects that she doesn’t want to marry Al, she swears. Ric says fine. If that’s her decision he’ll back her up. Then he storms off leaving a very angry Lis asking Fran why she told him that. Fran says she had no choice. Ric is no fool and she couldn’t risk him finding out about the letter. Lis complain that Fran ratted her out to save her own skin and Fran explains that it’s THEIR skin. Lis reminds her that she didn’t want her talking to Al and Fran says they couldn’t just leave it out there. Who else was going to help them? Lis says she doesn’t want to have to marry him and Fran tells that she might as well forget getting her father’s money back. She storms out and leaves Lis calling her name out. This is especially cruel since poor Lis now starts wandering through the house looking for her.

Well, this is definitely later than early evening! Sorry ;(

And now, on to part II:

Over at Cami’s room, Jimena tells her that Mario is very smart and surely he will get to the letter. Cami reminds her that Ascanio already tried, and Jimena says, yeah, but he was trying to be nice about it, whereas Mario will probably rip the cousins guts out. Cami is horrified at the thought and Jimena says Cami must think they’re in a world of Saints. Everyone kills and steals. Even Jorge & Al who give themselves all those airs are a bunch of thieves. Oh and by the by, do you realize you’re castrating your husband? Cami is impactada, and Jimena explains that Ric needs money and Cami is keeping him from making more. Cami says it’s ‘cause she doesn’t want him to go back to his old life. Can’t he just get a job? Jimena asks if she thinks that getting a job, like Ascanio did, will be enough for such a huge man as Ric. Do you want him to be unhappy? Besides, too many people depend on him: Mario, Pablo, Jesus, and a whole slew of others. What’s Ric supposed to tell them? Sorry folks, you’ll have to use your own nails for scratching. At this point, Lis walks by, still looking for tía, and Cami tells her she’s not there. Jimena comments that Lis gives her shivers.

Lis makes her way to the courtyard where she finally trips. Lucky for her, sexy Ric is there to help her up. He tells her that Fran is over in the orchard and he can walk her there. Lis says she’d rather talk to Ric instead. She complains to him that he originally came to SF to help them get dad’s money back; but now he’s doing nothing because he liked the widow. Ric sighs and tells her that he told them from the beginning that if Tim decided to leave Cami his money, that was his choice. Lis says Cami wrapped Tim up because she’s a “mañosa” (a trickster). Ric replies that Cami is no mañosa and Lis replies that she bewitched her dad and now she’s bewitched Ric. Ric replies that he doesn’t believe in those things, even if some of his buddies do. She cries that the money was hers, and Ric’s. He asks what she’s getting at and she tells him to leave Cami. She’s only with him for money, not because she loves him (faulty logic when you consider that Cami has the money, but there ya have it). Ric replies that Cami does love him. Lis tells him he’s wrong; and sooner or later he’ll realize that the only woman that truly loves him and will never betray him is herself. Then she starts feeling him up (eek!), and then mercifully (for us) walks away.

We return from commercials to find Cami cleaning up some Rose petals in her room (where the heck did they come from?) and Ric walking in. She tells him that Jimena told her that she’s been castrating him. He makes the cutest mortified face and says: “Holy God, I hope not!” She laughs and tells him she means that she (Cami) doesn’t want him to return to what he used to do. He tells her that their world is difficult, cruel and violent. Cami got to see it when she got kidnapped. The war that has been waged between the powers for many years is spiteful and full of “garrapiña” (This usually refers to “garrapiñar” which means to sugar coat or caramelize. But I found it as another word for “garrafiñar,” which means to take away by grabbing. I’m guessing they meant this one.) and a struggle over a territory. Her people are lucky because it doesn’t reach them. But in the islands and the coasts, there is destruction and death. People loose their homes and possessions. Mothers loose their sons and wives their husbands. For those in the sea, it is terrible. It is merciless and without contemplations. But as they were saying, he will have to return to his life sooner or later whether he likes it or not. He says he’s been meaning to tell her something. When it’s about feelings, sometimes people won’t speak and become cowards. Camila can’t imagine Ric as a coward. He says it would be out of fear of losing what matters the most to him, the only thing, which is Cami. She tells him to spill it already! He explains that he rushed things because of Mancera. She says she remembers he wanted to wait until he followed Gaspar’s instructions. He says yes, to get his pardon. This would imply other things. He asks her if she ever wondered how a wanted man like himself, who could be punished by death, would show up in her town using his real name? She asks for an explanation. He explains that he used a false identity. Ric was his baptismal name, but he is actually Ricardo de Salamanca. She asks who she married then? He tells her he used another person’s documents. She blurts out as she realizes that they are not married, she’s actually his “querida” (mistress, kept woman, girl on the side, etc.). She asks how he could do this to her? He lied to her, her father, the entire town. He says her dad forced his hand because it was a desperate situation. She tells him not to blame her dad for this. He tells her he’s not blaming her dad, he considered it necessary. At any rate, he doesn’t think of her as his mistress or his lover, but as his wife. She reminds him they are not married and he says they are because his oath at the altar was sincere and came from his heart. She says no, she will not be his mockery. As she starts grabbing clothes out of draweres, she says she understood and accepted that he was a freebooter, but she will not live in “amaciato” (the closest word I found was “amación” which means enamored or in passionate love. I’m guessing it’s another word for living as married. Either that or I misheard) with a man who would tell her such a horrendous lie. He tries to explain that he wanted to tell her, but was afraid she’d react this way. She says he was right to be afraid. He made her think she was his wife and he says she IS because he loves her. She tells him if he loved her, he wouldn’t have subjected her to such shame, he would have told her the truth. He says things happened too fast: Her dad’s illness, the taking of the concessions, Mancera’s pernada demands. She says she would have preferred it. It would have been less painful than realizing he lied to her. Come to think of it, maybe there is no Don Gaspar. Maybe he married her because he was left without any money and figured he’d live at her expense. He says she can’t possibly believe that and she says she does because it’s what she sees. He gives up and says if that’s what she thinks, then has nothing else to say. He exits as Cami hugs her clothes and bursts into tears.

We now see Ric looking through the window as Cami goes off in the carriage. Cleo the chismosa also watches and runs to tell Lis and Fran. They speculate it could be a trip, or Ric is sending her ahead and plans to join her somewhere. Cleo says she doubts it because he didn’t even say goodbye. Lis and Fran do an internal happy dance. Lis goes to Ric’s room and asks if Cami left on a trip. He tells her no, he told her he’s Salamanca and she left him. Lis asks if Cami will turn him in and he says she won’t because she loves him. Lis reminds him hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. She then tells him she’s afraid, let’s run off somewhere! He says he can’t because he has things to do. She says all his comings and goings have her worried. Is he planning an assault on Veracruz City with his buddies? He tells her he’s not; but the success in his commission will determine his future. She asks him to tell her about it. He says he can’t because he no longer trusts her. She begs him not to mistrust her and tells him she loves him too much to do anything that would hurt him. She bursts into tears and he reluctantly hugs her.

Over at the palace, Ursula asks Sofia what her interest is in having Santi recognized. Sofi tells her it would insure an heir to be the new SSF (Señor de San Fernando). Ursu replies that’s why she’s getting married and it’s only fair that her son becomes the new SSF. Sofi says if Ursu has a boy they can see. But until then, Jorge has a right to take some precautions. Ursu complains that this is all Sofi’s doing and it’s because she hates Ursu and wants Jorge to recognize Santi so he can replace her. Sofi says those are not her intentions. She does love Ursu, but she feels that after all these years of the townsfolk having to deal with Jorge’s abuses they deserve a good and just ruler. Ursu asks where that leaves her. Will she have to share with the bastard and his wife the maid and his mom the midwife? Fortunata, who’s been there the whole time, interjects they hadn’t thought about this and asks Sofi if Santi would move to the palace with his whole family. Ursu asks if they can imagine the “runfla” (a gang, or just a bunch of people) of plebians filling the palace. And Santi’s wife is pregnant and it will be worse when the baby’s born. She says Sofi just wants revenge on Jorge because he no longer loves her and on Ursu because she didn’t turn sour and bitter like Sofi. But she’s not putting up with it, and she stabs the bread with a knife for emphasis before she runs out. Fortunata turns to Sofi and asks if there was any truth in what Ursu said. Sofi says in parts. She does love her in spite of her character and defects. Besides, she’s her daughter, she gave birth to her. But she was also sincere when she spoke of the people. Fortu says that Jorge’s not a bad ruler, the people respect him. Sofi says it’s ‘cause they fear him, because he’s a despot that recognizes no law but his own. He runs over, abuses, destroys families, destroys lives. Fortu points out Sofi won’t forgive what he did to Justo and Sofi says no. He took advantage of and old and sick man because of his lechery in wanting to sleep with his daughter. This cannot be forgiven even by God. Fortu says fine, but that’s not Ursu’s fault. Sofi points out that she’s too much like her dad. The people are tired of having an unjust libertine for a ruler, and for them to fall in the hands of a woman who’s depraved and capricious would just be too much.

The carriage arrives at Chez Camila, and a happy and surprised Candida greets Cami who goes crying to her room followed by Jimena. Jim (I kinda like this one for her) tells Cami she’s making a huge mistake. Who cares what his name is?! She loves him and he loves her, end of story. Cami says she wouldn’t understand and Jim says of course, ‘cause she’s a donkey, a woman who was born by the stream and knows nothing about decency or any of that. But “good people” like them also hide their refuse. Didn’t she tell her that Vasco had to marry Ines because he boinked her? And what about what Vasco did with Bernie? Did she publish to the four winds how Santi was hounding her, Cami says he didn’t, and Jim continues that he did, but off course the dirty laundry is washed at home. Cami cries out that Ric tricked her to get what he wanted, to make her his mistress because pirates or whatever they want to call themselves have no morals, or law or religion, and to them it’s all the same: shacking up or stealing a woman or romancing her and that’s what he did, he romanced her and she fell for him like an idiot. Jim says fine, what are you gonna do tomorrow? What will you say when people figure out you left your husband’s house? Are you gonna tell them it’s because you discovered he’s Ricardo de Salamanca, a pirated known as El Antillano? Cami pouts and says “Maybe.” Then cries into her pillow.

It’s now nighttime as Vasco arrives at Chez Justo and Ines asks why he’s so late? She thought he was only going to the mill. Did he go to see Santi? He says no, someone broke in and stole a bunch of sacks of grain. He and Jeremías took up a new inventory and lost track of time, even though he’s famished. She starts to serve him dinner as he asks about his dad. She says he’s fine and you won’t believe who came over? Your sister Rita. He asks how she’s doing and Ines replies that she saw her quite improved. “Do you know what she told me? That my brother is the son of Jorge Mancera. She said she overheard mother and Ascanio talking about it and that if Don Jorge recognizes him, he could be the future SSF. I didn’t dare talk to my mother because I figured she’d be very upset with the news and according to Rita, Don Jorge forced her. She heard her talking about it with Ascanio.” Vasco asks if Ascanio’s home and she says yes. Vasco starts to go in the house and Rita tells him to wait until tomorrow. She couldn’t bring herself to ask him and Ascanio went straight to his room and was very serious, didn’t even have supper. Vasco mulls it over and says he can’t believe it. Wonder if he’ll recognize him? Rita looks worried. I wonder if it’s over the situation or over the fact that her hubby is almost as cold about it as his crazy sister. Maybe it came from Mom.

Sexy bedroom shot of a shirtless Ric brooding. Alternating shot of Cami sitting in bed crying, taking off her wedding ring and looking at it. The two shots take turns until Camila finally puts the ring back on and kisses it.

Next morning, Vasco goes to the forge looking for Ascanio. He asks him why he left the house so early. He says he woke up and just went straight there. Vasco asks if Santi’s home and Ascanio asks why. Vasco explains that Rita went over and told Ines that Santi is Mancera’s bastard and wants to know if it’s true. Ascanio is uncomfortable. The poor man is one of the few that can actually keep a secret around here! Vasco tells him that he knows Ascanio knows so don’t pretend. Ascanio says it’s true. Vasco asks where Santi is and Ascanio tells him Monte Carmelo. Vasco comments that with how much Santi hates Jorge, it must have landed like a kick from a mule. He asks Ascanio how this all came to light and Ascanio looks pensive.

Ric is dressed again (sigh) sitting at his desk writing a letter to his padrino. He writes that unfortunately, he hasn’t been able to get any evidence, but he is convinced that one of the bands of robbers is captained by the SSF. On another issue, he would like to learn about the possibility of lending his services to the Spanish crown. It is vital that he obtain his pardon because if he can’t achieve it, his life will cease to have a reason. As he leaves his room, he runs into Lis. She tells him to come with her because she wants to show him something, in her room. He looks uncomfortable and asks why she can’t just tell him. She says he has to see. She takes him to the strongbox and tells him she had it make to store valuable things. She wasn’t able to rescue too many of her father’s jewels, and it’s not like they had a lot of money, but here it is. She opens the big box and there is a smaller box inside filled with gold coins. She asks if he remembers the money they once found on his mother’s doorstep. Ric has a flashback to asking Cami if she knew anything about it and her telling him she doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He tells her she’s a terrible liar, and that’s one of the things he likes about her. Back in the present (ok, theirs, not ours) Lis tells Ric that it’s his. He thanks her, but says he has no intention of touching it, and don’t worry about him. She says of course she’ll worry. He has no money, and she’s offering it with all her heart. Ric says no, but thanks. He leaves and she slowly comes to her knees with tears down her cheeks with surprisingly little drama.

Ric finally makes it to courtyard where he tells Pablo he wants him and Jesus to be ready ‘cause tonight they are going to go see if the caravan gets attacked. Pablo asks “Just the three of us?” Ric assures him they will do nothing, just observe and see if they recognize anyone. Pablo smiles and says good (probably having no desire to meet with the same guys that he saw when he got stabbed!). Ric asks if they installed his wife and if Pablo heard anything between her and Jim. Pablo says he wouldn’t know if they said anything inside the carriage, but when they exited they were both very serious. He asks if they had a problem and Ric shooshes him. Pablo says allright.

A carriage arrives at Monte Carmelo with Ofelia, who asks the driver to wait for her. She makes her way past the poor and kisses the priests hand. She then enters and sees Santi in the courtyard reading. She asks how he is and he says he’s calmer. He asks how she is and she says worried about him. He tells her not to worry and they hug.

Next episode:

Mario and Foreman discuss how Ric got married. Foreman tells Mario that he was planning to visit Ric in SF. Ominous music plays. Maybe Mario will have to change his plans to warn Ric. Cami runs into Ric. Will they reconcile? All will be known on Friday.

Labels: Pasion

Juan is praying to Santo Nino that everything goes well with him and Pau. He says the Santo knows better than everyone the story between the two of them, and he asks for help that he and Pau reunite their lives and have many children together. Pau is also praying at that same time for guidance...something tells me she's not praying for lots of children. And the bus rolls on down the road toward the Capitol.

At the departmento, [You know, what happened to the sexy cavernous modern sterile house he used to have? Why is this filthy rich businessman living in a small apartment in the city? I must have been out of town because I missed that transition.] anyway, he shows up with a gigantic fluffed bear and presents it to Pau that it’s nothing compared to what the kid will have. Pau is less than appreciative of her new friend. The discussion turns to are you still in love with that naco Juan and did you sleep with him. Pau says she’s not a betrayer. Cl suggests that she wishes it was Juan’s kid instead of his. She takes huge offense. Eventually he backs down and kisses her feet and he’s sorry, and this kid is a sign that they deserve a second chance. I think it’s a sign that they didn’t use protection. Anyway....

At the market Nid is chatting with Kike about him knowing the secret of the inheritance. He tries to shame her and confirms he knows and he thinks she’s despicable for it. Nid says well what if I told you I was giving it all back to them little by little. Kike thinks that’s the least she should do. He agrees he’s not going to say anything, but she’ll have to live with this shame for the rest of her life. Ah if it were that easy. Whatever happened to shame? I guarantee you that the world would be very different if we had more of it. But I’m digressing.

Ok, so Nid makes some "I’m shamed" faces and moves on to Anga cooing the baby. She’s still hoppin’ from finding out about his exploits with her cousin. He verbally slaps her that yes he was with her, so what, he’s got nothing to hide, he even wanted to marry Delfina but, in the end everything went to hell, so there. He insults her for yelling at him, her being married and all, and says that he’s spent 30 years going in circles with her. She gets mad and tries to wrench her grandchild out of his hands like a ragdoll. Poor baby. Luckily I think it slept through most of that. Kike shows up before it’s ripped in two and intervenes. He tells Nid the baby stays, sorry. She goes off in a fit. Anga seems to have a small stress attack which he attributes to lack of sleep and Nid’s antics.

We are treated to Juan welcoming the village girls to the big city, the really big city.

OK, this part is incredibly realistic, Cheryl having just returned can probably attest to this. The phone booth gag has been around for ever, (started in Britain?), but I tell you the Mexicans have mastered the art of fitting as many people as possible into a moving vehicle. A four seater really means eight or nine, so if you are claustrophobic or extremely prone to motion sickness, don't bother coming to this country, you won't get your money's worth and you'll miss out on a super tradition of togetherness. We are treated to a glimpse of this phenomenon with the taxi ride around the city. They go to the zocalo, the center, drive on the Paseo de la Reforma, pass La Torre Latino Americano, and the Angel de Independencia, the Palacio de Bellas Artes, and more.

They end up at the Hotel Montreal, where Juan bargains with the desk clerk to get a cheaper rate which she can only do if she says he's her relative. He can only get two rooms, so one for the boys and one for the girls. He hides from them that it's all he can afford by telling the girls the hotel is full.

At Casa Cachon, the phone rings, Kike answers and it's Juan. He tells Kike he's back and going to the station tomorrow with his beauty queens to show the producer his ideas. Kike thinks that's great. He tells everyone that Juan is back in town and he'll come over for dinner. OK, this scene is a fine example of how goofy it is the way they set up the scenes. There is no way real people would sit at the dinner table this way. One person, Mar on one side, Nid at the end, so far so good, but then three on the other side, and the centerpiece diagonal across the front of the table. Uh uh. No way. That just looks silly. Sorry...

Juan isn't ready to snuggle in just yet. He struggles whether or not to make one more call. This time to his Palomita. He caves. Pau is surprised he's calling her there, being the apartment where she lives with her husband, go figure. He asks God why he let him call. He says they need to see each other. She says she doesn't know, but she shouldn't be talking to him here and well she finishes the call talking to Marely just as CL walks in. She very forwardly tells him it was Marely. He wonders if something is wrong because she looks so pale. She says no. Me thinks she is not just feeling hormonal effects.

Marely is talking to Yadi she says she suddenly feels a world of possibilities has opened for her, but what's wrong is that she married and had a baby really fast. She tells Mar not to look at her that way, she loves Kike, and adores her daughter but she feels she has an opportunity now. Mar thinks she's confusing the professor with the classes. She admits the professor is hot, but she likes the classes too.

Juan gets a visitor in the middle of the night. Lorena crawls into bed with him, AND HIS SON!!!! Ok, this is just not right. Juan agrees and is shocked. He moves quickly to sleep on the couch. How uncomfortable for a guy his size.

The next morning Chelo is chatting on the phone as usual with Monicia telling her that she heard screaming, and not the fear kind if you catch my drift. But wait, is that CL pupeteering from the sidelines. Why yes, she's working for him now to keep her ars out of the sling and so now she's giving Moni a run for her money courtesy of CL.

Juan is pep talking his chicas telling them he wants them very flirtatious. Juanito affirms. He tells them that they should have their chests out and their smiles up. Juanito affirms this as well, but Juan realizes he got it wrong and it's chests up and smiles on the outside.

Pau and Mar discuss Juan showing up and that he called Cachon's too about his plans and that he's supposedly staying in a luxury hotel. He told Kike "7" stars. Ha.

Juan shows up at Televisa and everyone gets excited to go in to see MaPat. He shows off his son and his harem and they all get badges to go up. They sit in reception while MaPat chats on the phone about having to put something on the air right away. It's not the contest though, it's a telenovela. She tells him they have to cancel his project.

Back at the departmento, Chelo has taken to her new role well as she rats out Pau as telling Marely that she doesn't want the baby. She is very sorry about this and he wants to know exactly what she said. She tells him that Pau doesn't think she should bring a child into the world under these conditions, and that she wants to separate from him because Juan is stuck in her head. Cl of course doesn't like this and warns Chelo to report her every move to him.

Juan is begging MaPat to help him out. She looks at the sorry bunch, and focuses on Juanito's sad puss and decides maybe other producers would be interested and she'll see if she can call a friend to get him in to see him. The group do the college cheer for MaPat. Something tells me in real life she is much shrewder and would not give these pueblitos the time of day. But maybe I'm wrong. That would be nice.

At Anga's, Pastor and Anga are eating breakfast and Pastor is telling him he was thinking, and he's changed his mind about the business plan he proposed and that maybe Anga was right and the deal is bad. Anga wonders why he switched so fast because yesterday this idea was a gold mine. He wants a mirror to see what part looks like a donkey on him. He suspects it has something to do with Pastor's meeting with cockroach CL. Pastor denies this but Anga pins him that he's probably going to return to Farell. Up against the wall Pastor admits yes, probably, CL apologized and gave me certain conditions. Anga can't believe the betrayal, Pastor promises the business will be ok. Anga says he's not worried about the business he's disgusted by Pastor's conduct and that he's a loser. Pastor yells at him that at least Cl has treated him better than An ga. At that Anga has an "episode."

At Televisa, the pueblitos got loose and are roaming the halls and bothering the stars by trying to hob knob. Juan first greets Galilea Montijo and then runs up to Rene Strickler. Surely there for the novela that just ended. All the girls kiss him and Rene tries really hard to figure out how he knew Juan. Aha! Isn't he Colunga's brother? Really funny, considering he was dating Susana Gonzales in real life until they just recently broke up and well she stars as Colunga's wife. Anyway, they wander onto the soundstage for TV de noche and ask for Sen. Muniz.

Muniz treats Juan as his best friend, sends the ladies off to be retouched to appear on the show to talk about the contest. He introduces Juan to his two colleagues (read eye candy) and leaves Juan in their hands. He's content. They must be pretty tall. They have high spikes on, but they are still not that much shorter than he is and he's really tall!!!

Kike and Marely are chatting about telling Juan his problems. Mar thinks that's a bad idea, he isn't the best when it comes to love. Kike says he knows about business though and recites the contest details again. Mar says she doesn't think he'll be around here that long though. Kike wants to know why she thinks that and she tries to blow it off and says no reason. Kike believes she knows something and wants to know what it is.

Juan charms the hosts on the show talking about the beauties from Achichipico. They want to know about the older lady. He says well, he thinks that a woman deserves to be in the contest simply for being a woman, and well, this was always her dream, so she's in. The ladies agree it's nice that the contest is so open and there's no problem. Juan confesses that dancing is his passion and especially the Cachibombo. The ladies seem familiar with this.

Marely does open up to Kike that Juan doesn't know what's going on. She tells Kike that Pau has plans to divorce CL. Kike can't believe it, but Mar then says but there's an issue. She breaks that Pau is pregnant. Kike is muy impactado!!!

At the show, Juan is announced with his ladies, and that Achichipico will be world famous soon, it's a real place to the scoffing audience. The crowd cheers and begs the girls to do a turn for them. Each does so in their personal way, including Juan who does the thing with his hands by his head like he's swatting away bees.

Chelo tells Pau she can prepare something healthy and yummy for her that she will need it now that her little belly will need the vitamins. Pau is annoyed as usual and wonders how she knew. Chelo says CL told her.

Back at the show, the ladies talk to Juan about the contest, and anthuriums, and the ladies. He tells himself that when the show airs, he hopes his palomita will see what he has become. The ladies then ask him to show his dance, and the whole group does a version of the cachibombo. We are left with the butt shaking until Fri night. This actually was a fun episode.

WOW, bless you all for such kind comments and extreme patience. You didn't think you'd have to wait this long did you. Ugh, well, neither did I. Anyway, I haven't been here since last week, sadly, but.......here's my deal. I watched tonight, and have the beginning for you. I'll catch up with the rest tomorrow....and....I have half of last Wed written as well, and still haven't seen the end, so I thought since tomorrow is a Juan night off (Premios lo Nuestro) I will finish and post last weeks by Fri am so that if you feel like it, there will still be a new post to read before Friday night and the weekend. Anyway, thanks, thanks, for your patience.

Labels: Juan

So, in case you missed it last night, Andrea attempts suicide to hang on to Alejandro. Mili's still not into Hugo. Hugo plants the seeds of doubt that if Mili and Alejandro get together now, Andrea might just make another attempt.

Valeria chats with Andrea. Valeria's going to be the substitute receptionist tomorrow. She can't understand why Andrea would try to off herself for Alejandro, that loser who can't make up his mind about what he wants and who's barely out of diapers compared to Andrea. OK, possibly I'm making some of that stuff up. Anyway, Andrea says she feels her impending doom, uh, marriage is hanging by a thread with that dang servant wench around all the time. Valeria makes some noise about Abuela Regina needing to fire said wench ASAP.

Now, the scene we got in the previews. Somehow a tarantula (not a spider as Luciana clarifies) got onto the pristine white comforter and Luciana didn't notice until she was close enough to take refuge behind the curtains. Damian pretends he doesn't see it and picks it up while he's blocking her view (was it real? It kind of hung on to the sheet there). He blames it on Luciana hitting the Fun Flask a little harder than usual.

Mili and Alejandro talk on the steps. Alejandro says that Andrea's fine, but the doctor told him she's going to need lots of support to get through this. In an unexpected fit of maturity he says this is his fault because he was stupid enough let things get so far as to agree to marry her when he doesn't love her. I don't agree with the "fault" part, but the rest of it's accurate. He asks Mili to just hold him. Regina finds them just then. She's glad they're both together because she'd like to know qué the hell is going on.

Damian accepts a check from Constancio for the tarantula trick. Seriously, dude, if you're getting paid to drive your own sister crazy, I'd ask for cash--he can cancel that check as soon as you walk out the door. Which is exactly where Damian is going. Constancio supposes it's to gamble the money away.

Regina's glad to see Mili and Alejandro together, but she's also thinking things have gotten way out of hand and the two of them suck at communicating. No, Regina's a classy lady, she didn't say "suck." She thinks Alejandro needs to let Andrea down easy, but maybe not just now. Mili agrees and asks Alejandro not to say anything to Andrea or his parents until "la greña" (the lock of tangled hair) is all better. I'm guessing if Mili sent her a get well card, that wouldn't help.

Luciana, now under the no-longer-tarantula-infested-covers explains to Constancio that it wasn't a spider, it was a tarantula and she, like, saw it, for realz. Constancio deadpans that it was wearing his pajamas, right? Ha! I mean, if you're going to drive your wife nuts you should at least do it in a way that entertains me. Valeria comes knocking to find out what mom was shouting about an hour ago or whenever (mhm, and daddy's coffee tomorrow is going to show up at half past noon, plus he won't get his phone messages until Andrea comes back to work in a few weeks). Constancio keeps up the mocking about the tarantula, but pretends to be concerned about Luciana (mi amor, etc.) and says he'll look for that big bad spider (tarantula, damnit!) and take care of it. He mumbles to Valeria to look for a spider with his pajamas on.

Alejandro isn't too keen on hiding the relationship, but Mili talks him into it by telling him her mommy died for love (or pneumonia, whatever). Regina says they should wait a while and then Alejandro can start letting Andrea know little by little that he's just not that into her. Alejandro agrees to keep his and Mili's luuuuurve a secret, but that's got to mean it's secret from everyone including Hugo. Regina tells them that their luuuuuuuurve shines out of their eyes ('cause she's a classy lady, so she said "eyes") so maybe they should only meet outside the house. Then she complains that the two of them keep hugging each other and they're not sharing.

Sitting in some mostly-dark room of the house, Constancio breaks the news to Valeria that her mother's a drunk…again. And poor Constancio has been putting up with her drunky ways for a while now. Why, that lush of a mother of hers has even gone so far as to hit him for prying a glass out of her cold drunk hands. Yep, and baby girl's gotta prepare herself because he may have to have mommy admitted somewhere…again. Yeah, he'll make a fine politician.

Damian tries to go to Roxana's Refuge of Roulette to spend his hard-earned check, but the bouncers won't let him in. He even tries to tell them that Roxana's his girlfriend, but that doesn't make a dent. Poor Damian has to go find solace elsewhere.

Valeria comes to talk to Alejandro the next morning. She makes a crack about him being shy about getting dressed (he's trying to hide his hideously large bandage from the knifing) but not about macking on servant wenches. Alejandro tells her to chill, he's not going to give Andrea any more reasons to pop pills. Valeria also informs him that Mom's been drinking again, worse than before, and she's even seeing spiders! (tarantulas!) Valeria worries that Mom may have to be admitted…again.

Remember the good old days when doctors used to make house calls and carry those black bags? Well, if you're filthy rich and live in a telenovela they still do that, except now they apparently carry fishing tackle boxes. Luciana won't let her guy check her out. But I checked him out and he's young and not bad looking--not galan material, but maybe galan's best friend? Constancio comes in and she asks Constancio to get rid of the guy.

Hugo quizzes Milagros about whether she and Alejandro are on again or off again. Mili makes some excuses that amount to she and Alejandro are off again to give Andrea time to recover from her "repression"…digo, depression. Hugo thinks this seems like a good time for him and Mili to date, but Mili says no to that idea. She tells Hugo he's got a whole world out there that he's been missing since he's been locked in his room. Hugo wants Mili to be his personal guide to the outside world.

Constancio walks the doc downstairs and asks for his opinion. Dr "call me Ruben" says it looks like a relapse and asks about her therapy. Constancio says her shrink went to Italy, so that's probably why she relapsed. Oh, not because he left, but because they were LOVERS. Oh, and I can trust you to keep that quiet, right. Yes, my wife and her psychiatrist were LOVERS. Constancio monologues about how despite all she's put him through, he loves his wife and needs her. Dr. Ruben says they'll get Luciana feeling better.

Damian catches up to Mili as she's leaving Hugo's room and comes on to her. What? You wanted details? Use your imagination; I was too busy saying "ewww!"

Alejandro takes his leave of Andrea for the day. She begs him not to leave her, like ever. We're still getting the evil grin behind his back, so, not to worry, she's just pretending to be that needy. Although, if she has to go that far to hang on to a man….

Constancio chews Luciana out for sending the doctor away. He tells her he'd like her to die and leave him in peace once and for all. To help her on her way, he pulls out a bottle from the nightstand and pours her a glass, which he leaves on the post at the foot of the bed. Luciana's in tears. Alejandro comes in and asks what's up. Constancio plays the martyr some more and blames the glass of hooch on Luciana, saying he caught her with it. Then he leaves. Luciana swears to Alejandro that she's not hallucinating. She promises Alejandro she won't drink and tells him she's still going on her trip, which Alejandro supports.

Mili tells Doña Regina she's go to go meet Alejandro to go "somewhere." Regina reminds her not to let Alejandro, uh, get too far. Mili recites another of Sor Cachete's lessons that you should always play hard to get. And how does Sor Cachete know so much about men? Oh, she reads a lot. Mili tells Regina that she lost her medal, but lies that someone stole it on the street. Regina knows it happened when Mili went out dancing. She tells Mili she's not angry at her for that, only for the fact that she's picking up more and more of Mili's slang. Mili leaves and Regina says that Mili needs more classes…and she needs an intensive course.

Valeria's at the receptionist desk dropping papers everywhere. The young thug who stole Mili's medal walks in and they make noncommittal eyes at each other.

Luciana calls Eugenio in Italy, but Milena picks up the phone and tells her that Eugenio welcomed her back with open arms. Luciana hangs up and hits the Fun (or not-so-Fun) Flask.

Mili visits Alejandro on a jobsite. She's wearing a yellow hard hat, but somehow I think the dress and the shoes still constitute a safety hazard. The foreman catches them kissing and asks Alejandro to sign some paperwork. As he tells Alejandro that he can tell Mili's his girlfriend, Alejandro gets a look on his face…like maybe he's realizing it's going to be hard to keep things quiet when gossip goes through the company mill.

Damian makes some snotty remarks about Mili to Hugo and Hugo tells him to quit it. Damian tells Hugo the "truth" that he'd been hiding while Hugo was in the wheelchair. He says that Carmen was quiet on the drive to the party and quiet at the party not because she had a headache, but because Damian had caught her kissing Alejandro while Hugo was getting dressed. I say "truth" because this is Damian we're talking about and I wouldn't put it past him to sully a dead woman's reputation just to score himself a few points. Hugo doesn't believe him. Damian gives more details: that he saw her in the garden really going at it with Alejandro and that she came into the house a few minutes after he did and lied about where she'd been. Damian says he was drinking a lot because he'd decided to tell Hugo the truth as soon as they got home. Hugo says he wants to be left alone and Damian leaves.

Back at the jobsite, Mili asks Alejandro about the guy she sees eating a sammich. Alejandro says most of the workers bring lunch, but sometimes they order out for tacos. I think Mili's coming up with another business plan.

Young Thug Whose Name Begins With C, aka Lupe's kid, came about an ad in the paper for a messenger. Valeria has no idea about the job and since neither Andrea nor Daddy are around she tells him to come back another day. Only she says it a bunch of times and in a really snotty tone. Lupe's kid leaves with the parting shot "get married already." Rorgan smarmily agrees that Valeria really should get married…and I'm sure we all know who he thinks she should marry.

Horacio goes to Damian in the study and tries to get Roxana's address by saying that since she liked the flowers, a good "detalle" would be for Damian to send her some. He volunteers to do the arrangement himself and to take them over if Damian gives him the address. Damian thanks him for the idea, but says he'll not be seeing her again.

Horacio comes into the kitchen, where Socorro is taking out her frustrations on some dough. Socorro has already told Lina about the long-lost-daughter, so Lina suggests that the next time "that woman" comes over, Horacio should wring her neck until she tells him where his daughter is. Karla walks in as Horacio says she won't be coming back because Damian broke up with her. Karla squeals at the news and scampers off as Socorro gives her a deathly glare.

Both Valeria and Rorgan are bored and sleepy and Valeria orders Rorgan to get her a coffee. A more-or-less good looking guy in a suit comes in for an appointment with Constancio. He's pissed that Constancio's not there, but he's sure that taking Valeria out for coffee will make it all better. Valeria gets rid of Rorgan and goes out with Suit Guy. I guess Andrea never told her that reception was a good way to pick up guys.

Karla goes into the study to try to get back in Damian's good graces…or pants, whichever…but he shuts her down.

Valeria and Suit Guy drink coffee and flirt. She hides the fact that she's Constancio's daughter from him. He tells her he was sent by the party to help Constancio out by being his private secretary.

Mili comes home and tells Lina about their new business venture: selling tortas to the guys at Alejandro's jobsite. I think Paula Deen started out much the same way. Socorro suggests they celebrate the new business by going to Coyoacan and taking Horacio. Lina fills Mili in about the long-lost-daughter. She does mention that Damian's ex is the mother, so I don't think we're going to end up with Mili thinking Horacio's her father.

Luciana cries to Damian about how her last chance at happiness is gone. Hey, lady, you snooze you lose.

Hugo watches some old home movies with him, Carmen, and Alejandro. I guess whoever was holding the camera was narrating a telenovela. They tell Alejandro "you're the bad guy, come on, get between them." The Hugo, Carmen, and Alejandro onscreen are laughing, but the Hugo in the room is crying. Karla comes in and tells him she wanted him to know that she still wants to be his model and she's not afraid of getting naked. Then she gets naked. Hugo stands up, as do, presumably, certain parts of his anatomy, one of which takes over his brain. Hugo kisses Karla. Because sometimes, any naked woman will do.

While Luciana's in the bathroom, Damian switches the paintings in the bedroom around. Subtle, but it would definitely drive me crazy. She makes him put the paintings back while he acts like he has no idea what was wrong with them in the first place. Luciana says she's going to take a bath and try to clear her head. He's probably going to move the paintings around again. Or, heck, just redecorate the whole room. This kind of reminds me of the time my college roommate got angry because one of her paintings fell off the wall and I accidentally put it back up upside down. Hey, it was abstract art--how was I supposed to know?

Bobby and Alejandro play tennis. They take a break and Bobby tells Alejandro that his parents are back together in Rome. Alejandro says he's happy for Bobby.

Like I wasn't going to hell already. Damian switched the paintings around again and Luciana's screaming about it. That just cracks me up. He reminds her that she saw him put the paintings where she told him to. She insists he must have moved them back to try to make her crazy. Regina and Braulio come in, wondering what's up. Luciana, of course, sounds crazy as she screams that the paintings are all switched around. Regina seems to think it's from the drinking and asks Braulio to make Luciana some coffee. Not Irish Coffee, one presumes. Braulio is sure Luciana's right about the paintings. Damn straight! You don't win Tightass Butler of the Year without knowing where everything in the house is. But Luciana thinks he's just humoring her and throws him out. And it's back to the fun flask.

Damian comes to Hugo's room and finds a naked Karla in bed and a naked Hugo coming out of the shower in a towel. Damian is run off. Hugo gets dressed and says he's got to go out. Karla's lobbying for spending more time getting to know each other.

Damian goes back to his room and thought bubbles about all the praise that Hugo heaped on Milagros. He gets an evil grin on his face. I don't know what he's thinking but I'm sure it's something nasty.

Braulio comes down the stairs holding Luciana's purse. Luciana can't hold it because she's got the banister in one hand and a glass in the other. Damian catches up to them both and gets Luciana to agree that she shouldn't leave the house alone and Braulio should go with her.

Constancio finally comes into the office, wondering why Valeria's there. He gets this disappointed look on his face like "drat, no afternoon quickie today!" She gets some info from him about Suit Guy, Sergio, who is apparently a young hotshot lawyer. Constancio gives Valeria a stack of stuff to copy and asks her to bring him coffee. The other day, one of my coworkers went into the copy room to make a copy of something and accidentally shredded it instead. He at least had a copy on his computer. Just saying.

Milagros comes downstairs with a tray and Damian hits on her again. She runs off. Andrea comes downstairs. Damian warns her that her ploy won't work for long.

Rorgan's already out with Valeria. Braulio is out with Luciana. Karla's upstairs with Hugo. Now Socorro, Horacio, and Lina are going out. And they're leaving Mili in charge of the house. I'm already shuddering even before Socorro tells her not to do anything crazy.

Damian sneaks upstairs and steals the key out of Regina's door while she half-dozes in her chair. He locks her in. Then he goes downstairs and attempts to force himself on Milagros. I guess we'll find out how far he gets on Friday--tomorrow are the Premios Lo Nuestro.

Also Friday: Constancio tells Andrea he's leaving all his money to Valeria and his lost child, and he does know who the child is. Pandroso is unmasked.

Labels: guapos