Caray, Caray!

¡Chinches Bravas! Este cuento sigue desarrollar como si fuéramos todos en un manicomio, ¿no?

The opening scenario has become like a history of this very long TN. It's kind of fun to see back to the early days of Juan encountering this crazy family and the version of DF. We join Juan at the market telling Angarita that he should remove all his economic support from Yadira and eaveryone will be happy, while Anga shoots back that he can't do that. Further from this point Juan says they are no longer friends and he cancels their contract to do business together. Anga asks Juan not to be so drastic. Anga insists that he has his reasons for helping her but he can't speak about them. What a disgrace (vergüenza) yells Juan as he turns his back to exit. Wait, wait Anga breaks, I am going to tell you the truth [ed. finally, Anga boy, this delay is a vergüenza for us all]. "Because she is my daughter!" Juan probes about proofs and Anga answers that they have a certain characteristic in common and he loved her from the time he first saw her. He goes on to fill Juan in on his early love for Nidia who even though she married Samuel, she was involved with him first. Juan warns him that these hunches or impulsive acts (corazonados) are hurting the Cachon family. Angarita defends his right to give her money and help.

Pastor can't believe that Ivonne saw two Sandros but she insists that this means that Cesar Luis is not dead. She reveals that she followed Sandro and still has keys to CL's apartment. Pastor thinks perhaps Sandro came home, then changed clothes to go out again but Ivonne isn't giving up her discovery so easily. Then he posits that the sighting of two CL/Sandro's was because Sandro came back through the parking garage (estacionamiento). He warns her of her obsession about Sandro just as Fernando approaches to hear just that part of the conversation.

Juan and Anga continue their heart to heart confession and Anga tells Juan he doesn't want others to know about this or to have a joke made of it. Juan points out that while Yadira is a half slow (conchuda) by nature but she isn't an idiot by any means. What is Anga going to do when sooner or later she questions why he is being so generous? Anga supposes he will tell her the truth. Juan seizes the moment to urge him to save (ahorrar) time and money and tell her now. Anga fears doing that before she has learned to love and respect him. Anga thanks Juan for his advice but this time he is going to do it his way. Anga asks Juan only one thing, to defend his reputation against the stains of the gossips. Do what you can. Juan's concern is that Anga is supporting Yadira in her quest to take the baby from Kike.

Fernando finally faces Yvonne and tells her he has been thinking their relationship won't work, he was mistaken to start up something serious with her. She assures him this wasn't a game to her. In his hurt he adds that what he feels for her isn't love. Their relationship is just a farse. Ivonne may be realizing her sneakiness isn't paying off for her.

Back to the Juan and Anga conversation that Yadira has a right to leave a house and relationship where she isn't happy. But he also says both Yadira and Kike will have to give in (ceder) in the end. The life and well being of the baby, Anga seems to like saying granddaughter (nieta) is of utmost importance. He points out when Yadira went to live with that professor, Yadira realized the baby would be better with her father. Juan does his internal dialoging while listening and realizes that they both need to help with peace negotiations.

Fern is acting out his hurt and Yvonne takes offense that she never wanted his pity and so from now on they are nothing and have no relationship. She leaves in tears and Fern looks surprised by her reaction, like the spotlight somehow shined on his ignorance. [Well, really I think that, he doesn't have more than the merest clue]. Heri is sneering at his discomfort behind his back.

Juanito reacts with jealousy when the boys are challenging his exclusive relationship with Flor. He brings her a frozen treat (paleta) and the usual suspects poke fun and suggestions his way while flirting with Flor. [the micro-hombre who hasn't a clue].

Paula comes out to give proposals to Marely to send on to Sandro's, Marely in irritated fashion slams them into her in basket and excuses herself that she is preoccupied with work and school. Paula looks confused at Marely's abruptness but perhaps the writers are showing us that not having a clue is not a gender based flaw. When Marely hands CL ill disguised as Sandro the papers, he slaps them down with a rude thanks. She starts to leave but returns to slap an index card down when he asks what it is she lets loose with how he is two-timing her with Paula and he's a hypocrite. She begins to yell and refuses his request to lower his voice. He doesn't see why she has to create a scandal and she stomps out after calling him an imbecile and telling him to go to the devil and she wants nothing to do with him ever again. A pure CL evil grin spreads on "Sandro's" face. Break.

Pastor says he believed Fern's sincerity for once in his life when Yvonne tells him she figured out Fern was with her just for pity. She says at least she didn't have to tell him that she couldn't have children. But she vows that though she is dying on the inside, he will see nothing in her comportment on the outside or have the pleasure of seeing her suffer. Down in the garage Fern is talking to himself, when Juan drives up in the convertible and asks him what he his ruminations (rumias) are about. Fern tells him that he and Yvonne have broken it off and because of her going after Sandro. Juan leaps out of the care and says she is giving kisses or sweet stuff (dar guayabas) to the little short twin boy?? Fern pours out his jealousy telling how he saw Yvonne follow Sandro to his apartment and follow him inside and this is proof of her intent and he is not going to be the butt of a joke and games again. Juan consoles Fern and listens while he thinks his own thoughts that always lead to his undying love for Paula.

Yvonne listens while Pastor waxes poetic over his crush on Heri and how the spa workout and treatments were so painful but so worth it. Then he goes on about Toribio and his message and talent and how he made Pastor scream in pleasure/pain that surely Heri must have heard... Then he goes on to tell of his technique to reduce the crows feet lines around his eyes.

Meanwhile a stiff Kike approaches Anga and asks what deliveries (entregas) he has for him today. He only has one but then goes on to tell Kike that he is going with Yadira to the lawyer today. He feels it is better if Kike knows ahead of time so as not to be surprised. But then he softens to tell him that he thinks that he and Yadira need to come to a civilized arrangement and they share custody. Kike can't hear it at this moment and vows to fight for total control to the end.

Juan and Fern enter the L Lounge and as Juan encounters Paula he gives her a friendly but cursory hello then waves papers and flaunts his business then kisses the hand of Laura, on to the office while Paula looks green watching it all.

Anga tells Kike he needs a plan, Kike says he will have a great one. At least Anga has invited him to come along to the lawyer but if he doesn't cooperate the lawyer can make a salad of him.

Juan serves marshmallows and informs Fern that he knows that now is seeing the TWIN, Fern asks hopefully if Juan plans to fire him... Break

Laura approaches Marely to ask if she can see Juan, his secretary isn't at her desk. She begins to approach Juan's office as Paula exits the elevator. As Laura peers through the clear glass, Paula assaults her verbally about her protocol of not entering the president's office without being announced. When she tells Paula that Marely told her she could go in, Paula begins to tell her about Juan's important, rich girlfriend that she has to compete with. The usual spitting match is imminent. Inside Fern continues to advise Juan. Laura approaches Marely again to consult on the truth of this girlfriend story. Marely has snapped for the day by the look of her and spits out that their is a line of broken hearts around Juan for her information. Marely is interrupted by a call that is for her.

Yadira is with the baby in her fancy new apartment when the door bell rings and Anga AND Kike are at the door.

Sandro calls Yvonne into his office to ask her why she was spying on him at his home last night. She protests ignorance but he hands the telltale earring to her [notice she doesn't ask how he knows it is hers but perhaps she is in shock].

Paula asks Marely why she was shooting sparks earlier and now is smiling brilliantly. Marely tells her she is so happy she just got news that she received her grant and will be going to Spain!

And now when CL/Sandro asks her what she has to say for herself, Yvonne does ask him how he knows the earrings were hers, these are so common. They parry but he says he SAW her and she confesses that she was so in love with his brother, didn't he know? He sneers that he can't keep track of the lives of the secretaries of the company. Yvonne plays the love card a bit more how she just couldn't avoid being attracted to him he is so exactly like Cesar Luis, may he rest in peace. He caresses her shoulders in an intimate, old way but tells her if she comes to his building again, she will lose her job. That's it, you can go. She goes out, he looks worried.

Paula is amazed that Marely didn't tell her of this move but Marely shoots back, even though with her characteristic sweetness that Paula was too busy with Juan and Sandro and all so she hasn't had time. She excuses herself so she can advise Pastor to begin looking for her replacement but Paula asks why all the hurry? Well, she has to leave in one week! Break

Kike bounces the baby on his knee while he and Yadira trade insults, from the dining area, Anga tells them not to argue but Kike in mocking tones tells her how impressive this huge apartment is with all the light. She is certainly progressing from her days with the misery of that professor Topete. Anga tells him he isn't cooperating and Kike says he is just complimenting her for improving her lovers. Gasp says Yadira! Anga demands he respect Yadira. Yadira and Kike then have that ridiculous argument over who loves the baby Nidia Michela MORE....no me, no me..... The upshot is that Kike gets in all his resentment and ends saying the baby will be in better hands with him than in a jam (atrabancada) with her streetwalker (callejera) mother. He fears by 10 she will be trading favors for sweets as she learns from her mother's example. Anga intrudes yelling, the baby is crying and Y and K haven't stopped screaming. Anga tells Kike to go and he does saying he doesn't want to have Anga blow up (sulfurarse). He runs out the door with the baby in his arms while Yadira screams louder.

Paula and Marely have tea and discuss the promptness of this big event. Marely says she hasnt' told her mother yet and Paula is not to tell Ana or for sure the secret will be out.

Enrique drives off in the truck while Yadira sobs in Anga's arma. He'll bring her back.

Yvonne swoops into Pastor's office to tell him that Sandro acts and talks exactly like Cesar Luis now, there is no difference. Pastor says it's her imagination (figuraciónes). She goes on with the detail of the bracelet links. How would he know? Well he gave it to her when they were having an affair. [Yvonne has indeed broken the code, as one of our commenters noted recently] Pastor is astounded, Yvonne is worried about losing her job. There will be a complaint. - Break

Juan asks Sandro if he has money and then tells him he wants to sell him his shares in Farell. While Pastor and Yvonne discuss that CL is shark food lost in the sea unless his spirit came back in the form of another body. Juan pushes Sandro for his interest in buying or not. Sandro feigns the need to analyze the situation before he can make up his mind. But when Juan leaves the room, CL/Sandro gloats that he will get his company back! Back to Pastor who thinks they better buy amulets to neutralize this evil spirit. Yvonne, who rightly thinks that if this is reincarnation, CL has come back in the form of a poisonous (ponzoñoso) scorpion (alacrán). Pastor thinks about how Paula would feel learning that her husband is not only alive but living and working near her. Heriberto bursts into the room and makes more inappropriate, salacious remarks to Yvonne about her yummy hips (caderas), while Pastor tries to get him under control.

CL/barely Sandro calls really Sandro on the phone to tell him of Juan's offer to sell his shares. Sandro congratulates him for achieving what he has wanted but CL says the other thing really important is to destroy these wretches. And what happened with Yvonne? Well CL brags he handled her and put her in her place. They discuss who she might tell or who might guess. CL is so convinced that she is stupid that he has the upper hand. CL tells Sandro that Yvonne says she is attracted to Sandro because he reminds her so much of CL. Then Sandro is impactado that CL had an affair with his secretary and then with Paula. CL is prouder than embarrassed. Sandro labels CL a narcissist. Then CL drops the bomb that he has insulted Marely so much that she told him to go to the devil. Sandro looks doomed. Yeap. Surely this is more than a coincidence that it seems like real life. Tahtah for now amigos y amigas!

A bit of vocabulary:

Este cuento sigue desarrollar como si fuéramos todos en un manicomio = This story continues to develop as if we were all in an insane asylum
Vergüenza (f) = a disgrace, shame, embarrassment
Corazonados (m) = hunches or impulsive acts
Estacionamiento (m) = parking place or garage
Conchudo(a) = slow, also stubborn in Puerto Rico, but we aren't in PR here
Ahorrar = to save
Ceder = Give in, cede, back down
Rumias (f) = ruminations, meditations
Guayabas (f) = kisses or sweetness, also the fruit guava
Entregas (f) = deliveries
Atrabancada = a jam, a mess
Callejera (f) = steetwalker
Sulfurarse = to blow up, to get riled
Figuraciónes = imagination
Ponzoñoso(a) = poisonous
Alacrán (m) = scorpion
Caderas (f) = hips

Labels: Juan

"I've told you many times," they often say. WE KNOW. So, gentle readers, if you want "detail," ie all the repetitions, just read the recap three or four times.

Watching the meet-the-future-husbands lunch party, Oscar longs to break the knuckles of Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee. He fears losing Ximena's fine dowry (including his future title, Lordship of the Manor). Juan (in a very good humor after his dreamy chat with Sofia) and Franco (in a very good humor after his nekkid swim with Rosario) tease him. Juan: "Are you really in love with Ximena? Let's make a comparison: in this hand, a bag full of gold and diamonds. In the other (indicating curvaceous babe) Ximena. Which do you choose?" "Well, both!" Franco reminds Juan that Sofia's married to Furd, Juan points out Furd is on a business trip, Franco wonders how that can be since Furd never works. Oscar says Furd's work is to lick his mother-in-law's boots. "I wonder what he did before he married Sofia." Oscar will periodically be mocked through the episode for losing his chance to jump on the Elizondo gravy train.

They wonder about how "Cristina" or "Quintana" (the subtitles call her both) is doing back at the bakery. Long story short, this is how: she squirts a lot of lighter fluid into the oven, drops in a match, there's an explosion and a big fire, but since happy music is playing you know this is just comic relief and her sister Hortensia and family put it out. Quintana's face is all blackened by the blast, isn't that funny? Hah hah. "You don't even know how to turn on an oven, no wonder you never married." "Well, you've lit a lot of ovens but no man ever stayed at your side." Hortensia's recent guy Tobias has split, but her son Rigo has returned (he hugs her).

Through the telescope Gramps sees the "Beatas Mojigatas" (excessively devout prudes) arriving for the party: Maria and Maria, friends of Gabriela's who have made new clothes for all the saint-statues at church. Gramps dresses as the devil and flirts with the wet-cat Marias and generally irks his daughter Gabriela mercilessly. Sofia reminds him of Gab's "delicate health," he says "don't be deceived by appearances, she's lying, and she's trying to get rid of me, she'll send me to the asylum."

Father Bouffy suggests they go see the new cabana and greet the bricklayers. Gabriela is shocked that he knows them. He says everybody is part of his flock. He reminds her that Juan won a lot of money for the church during the fair.

Jimena and Sarita flirt with the Tweedles intentionally, watching the Reyes Bros. crack their knuckles in anguish...

Sofia tells the Padre she is so much calmer when Furd is gone. She (again) says she's worried her ma is marrying off the sisters without love. Gabriela butts in: "Padre, I hope you're reminding her that marriage is sacred and cannot be dissolved... one must please one's mate and provide children." Father Bouffy says there are exceptions, times when the bond should be dissolved. "Never! Take me, I always put the commandments before my best interests, of course I'm human and I failed at times -- but very few times, so why did tragedy befall me? I was the best of wives to Bernardo (Gramps coughs skeptically) and he betrayed me but I pray for him every night, now that's the comportment of a good wife."

All go off to ogle the bricklayers, uh, to inspect the cabana - Gabriela dallies a bit to knock back a bit more booze. The Marias (drunk) drool over the Reyes Bros. The Padre suggests he'd like to see the Reyes Bros. in church.

Gabriela (drunk) arrives and barks, "Put your shirts on." "We're workers, this is how we work, clothes get in our way." Oscar still has his shirt on, Ximena (drunk) chants that he should take it off and he's doing so when odd editing has the scene come to an abrupt end.

Rosario at the Bad Love Bar: again praying, wondering where her son is. Furd's goons tell her they know but can't tell - unless she puts out... she throws them out of her dressing room and heads for church.

Eva stands up for Sofia, Gab barks: "Shut up, you know nothing of being a mother, you're a bad mother!" Eva runs out and runs into the Padre, saying she can't take any more, he says he'll talk to her in church later.

The Tweedles, observing that Ximena is passed out on her bed, say goodbye thanks for the party. Gabriela oozes a goodbye, Sofia asks how she feels. "How you want expect me to feel if the arguments don't stop!?"

The Tweedles have made it to their car, nervously eyeing the Reyes' approach. Oscar, choking a Tweedle, queries: "Which of you is going to marry Ximena?" "We don't have to talk to guys of your class. Neither of us is marrying her." "Well, which of you does Gabriela plan to have marry Ximena?" The boys seem very surprised that Gabriela has any such designs.

Juan says: "Sofia, get your stuff and we'll leave." "No, I can't leave my mom when she needs me most, I'd be unhappy for the rest of my life. "OK, but know you'll always be protected at my side."

In church, Rosario is praying aloud as Eva eavesdrops: "Holy mother, I made lots of mistakes, I'm desperate, but I'm not a bad person, I have nobody but you, AS YOU KNOW I never knew my own mother, she abandoned me when I was little..." Eva approaches, muy impactada ... she'd like to reveal ... but Rosario leaves. "Could she be mine?"

Nice horse-riding scene! Franco and Juan gallup up, meeting Oscar, who's on foot, now somehow he got ahead of them without having either a horse or a truck. ¿Como asi? All three strip and jump into the water, having first guessed that Franco is smirking cause he went swimming nekkid with Rosario in this very spot. All their nekkid bums are artfully blurred by digital magic. Sarita, after dreaming about Franco vs. a Tweedle, gets on her horse and rides directly to this very place; she hides behind a stone and watches the guys playing in the water.

Ximena wakes up, still drunk, sings in her room, Gabriela locks her in and then goes to have a repeat conversation with her dad (who is writing about how the prudes were drooling over the bricklayers). You want to kill me, dad, like you killed ma, no I didn't do it yes you did, it's your fault, no it's your fault, you assassinated mother, no you did. Gabriela says we won't fight, soon I'll bring you a very disagreeable surprise to pay you back for everything. He cries.

Eva tells her sob story to the padre and says she thinks she's found her daughter -- when she's sure about it, he'll be the first to know. Meanwhile Rosario tells her dresser how oddly Eva was treating her in church, "She looked at me like a mother with her daughter!"

Knock on Gabriela's door - she swigs more wine and gets in bed. It's Sofia: "Do you feel better?" "I feel worse, your sister is drunk, my father fought with me, everybody wants to kill me, Ximena chanted ribald suggestions to the workers in front of the Tweedles, so just go away!"

The Tweedles wonder if Gab really wants them to marry the sisters. "You know this will never be!"

Sofia gets Gramps to promise good behavior towards Ma and asks what he thinks of the Tweedles. "As far as I'm concerned, they could go up in front of a firing squad, I like the bricklayers much better."

Father Bouffy finishes with Eva, then remembers Furd's confession of rape and worries that he hasn't gotten a response to his letter (to the higher-ups I guess) recommending the anullment of Sofia and Furd's marriage. "Furd has to leave the hacienda as soon as possible, Sofia is in grave danger."

And there he is, fresh back from his business trip - Furd! He snatches Sofia, she recoils in disgust. He points out to her: "You recoiled in disgust." She says it wasn't disgust, just surprise. He goes and tattles to Mommy: "Sofia recoiled in disgust." Mommy: "Don't worry, things are going to be going your way very soon."

Eva asks Gramps, "Are you sure? This is going to complicate our lives." "Go to the village and find out." Ooh a mystery!

The Reyes, post-skinny-dip, ask Oscar if he'd really marry Ximena. "Why not? And after the wedding Gabriela would pardon us and I'd be lord of the hacienda!" Juan says Sofia turned him down. He's having a hard time believing in Gab's illness. They wonder if Eva is guilty of Libia's death. "What if it was an accident, what if nobody is to blame, then what do we do?"

Juan: "It's time for you to know who we really are. We were rich folk, our parents had lots of money, but they lost it all, it was probably taken away from them wrongly, that's why they were killed."

Tomorrow: Juan says it's time for the boys to get back what's rightfully theirs, the Reyes Oaks Hacienda. Gabriela insists Sofia go back to sleeping with Furd. Rosario tells Furd if he hurts her son she will reveal all to the Elizondos.

Labels: Fuego

As always, the producers want to remind us what happened last night, and since JudyB did a stellar job I quote:

“Cesar Luis and Sandro are fighting about our " lovely little rose garden", Marely. Sandro wants to call off the arrangement. When he agreed to it, he didn't know Marely. Now that he does, the game has changed.

Not for Cesar. He's going to get his vengeance and nothing is going to stop that. Not even the great luuuuuve (he sneers) that Sandro feels for Marely. Beside, he adds, she'll never be yours.

She hates you. I've made sure of that. And if you really love her, you'll spare her the horror of finding out you've been fooling everybody...and all for a cold-hearted act of vengeance.

Forget about going to Farrell, about looking for her and about betraying me, Cesar finishes.

And mercifully, that's where this very unpleasant episode ends. Bring on "ultimas capitulos" por favor!!!!”

Your prayers are answered: “Últimos Capítulos” appeared for the VERY first time last night at the end when they advertised for tonight!!!!!!!

HOORAY!

CL sneers that he hopes Sandro won’t be so vile and so low as to confess this little arrangement because it’s going to shatter his life if he does. Don’t even think about betraying CL. Sandro is on his wavelength and not the least bit happy with it. And WE are surprised that CL thinks it’s a problem that someone might be vile and low enough to bust him. We think it would be a coup.

Imagine this, there’s a gym in the D. F. called “Fissic.” Pastor and Heri are signing up. An instructor tells them he can give them private lessons in the morning or afternoon, and describes all the other fun activities, including the sauna. Pastor wants that to relax his body. Heri, OTOH, wants to know who gives massages. Is it some chick or some guy? It’s a guy, so ask for Toribio. Heri will do without, thanks so much. If some guy dares to touch Heri, he’ll plant him a facer. Pastor tells him to chill and the trainer welcomes them. Heri gives Pastor the sign in sheet and urges him to sign on the dotted line.

Gutis is disgusted big-time with the rat on two feet who hasn’t shown. He curses Delirio, who’s left him high and dry (me dejó plantado- he stood me up).

Speaking of the King of Rome, Hillary is thanking Delirio and Nidia for the warm welcome into La Casa Cachón. Nidia hopes they’ll do it again and Delirio toadies. There’s a surprise. Juan thinks it’s really time to blow that pop stand and extricates Hillary as quickly as he can. They both have appointments the next day, hablablablabla. Nidia is given charge of Juanito and they get out of Dodge as fast as they can.

The gym must be a happenin’ place—Heri can press big time and Pastor –not so much. Heri does his reps and Pastor….does his best. Or whatever. The band plays on. Pastor gets himself hung in some exercise equipment. Heri hugs him around the waist and gets him down. The band plays on. Pastor gets in trouble again on another piece of equipment and Heri jumps off the equipment he’s on to go to the rescue. He hugs Pastor and grins. Heri does great sit-ups, albeit slow ones, and Pastor….tries his best. With a spotter. The band plays on. Heri sees a chick he wants to meet and springs up from the sit-up apparatus. He slinks around the equipment she’s on and loooooks her over. Then he leans in and introduces himself—apparently he hasn’t noticed her boxing gloves until they connect with his face. It’s a KNOCKOUT! Pastor quickly waddles over to Heri’s recue! [Ed. Note: Give the recappers more dialogue like this, writers!] The band drags to a stop.

Perafán wants to know what happened with Kike with Yadira. Well, he confronted Anga and Anga sent him to the devil (me mandó al carambas—Kike doesn’t curse). Anga’s insisting his intentions toward Yadi are clean and pure. Delirio tells him sure, and I’m Mandrake the Magician. This guy’s not clean in his body or heart. He didn’t dare to fire Kike, but tomorrow Kike’s going to surprise Anga with his resignation—right in Anga’s mug (jeta – face/mug). Delirio disabuses him of this plan—he needs to keep his job so he can keep his daughter. No job, no custody. He can’t win if he resigns. Kike is discouraged—he thinks Lady Luck has a bee in her bonnet where he’s concerned. (La diosa Fortuna me trae entre ceja y ceja – the goddess Fortune has me between her eyebrows).

Pastor is having a FABULOUS massage, judging by the shouting from the cuarto de masajes (massage room). It actually reminds one of the scene in “When Harry met Sally” where she fakes it. [For those of you too young to know the movie, so sorry.] Heri overhears this and determines massages ‘r’ not us. He’s out of there.

Ivonne awakes from a doze-off to note someone leaving the apartment building where she used to “share” time (so to speak) with CL. It’s that CL clone, “Sandro.” She’s irritated and smacks the cab driver, who wasn’t as watchful as she wanted. He thinks it’s her boyfriend and she denies it. He tells her that he saw a movie where the girlfriend watched her boyfriend leave and searched his apartment using her key. Ivonne is bummed—she forgot her key, but it’s not a bad idea. The cabbie thinks this guy will be a while in getting back and Ivonne looks at him with new respect. As JudyB noted, he’s one of the two cabbies in the D. F.

Hillary wants to know if Juan will tell her what happened in the office. Juan gets parked and deliberates over the consequences of telling her the truth vs. not telling her the truth. Her lovely, tender eyes make him think which way is better or worse. He compliments her—but it’s sincere. She’s the sweetest woman in the world and he wouldn’t want to miss out on knowing her. He wonders if they should go out for a drink and then to her house, but she tells him no. She throws him a curve—she has something important to tell him. She’s in love with him. Juan is I.M.P.A.C.T.A.D.O.

Ivonne skulks outside the apartment building until a woman with a child leaves and she scoots in, thanking them. The cabbie taps on his wheel, bored to tears with it all.

Juan comments on the curve Hillary threw. Why, she asks? He thought bubbles about how he could deserve a woman like this. She’s never known a guy like him, she says—but what little she knows, she likes. He wonders if it’s not just an impression. Nope, she’s sure. She’s ready to talk to Papi. Juan knows she trips his trigger (moves his switch), but he’s not so sure about talking to Papi yet. Hillary tells him now’s the time. She’s very serious about this. Juan is speechless, which is probably a first.

Ivonne makes her way to the floor where CL’s apartment is. She digs out the key and tries to open the door. It’s not working and something alerts her to run back to the stairwell she came up. Sandro leaves—looking for Marely? She peeps out at him going on the elevator, wearing different clothes than the guy who left in the car. Ivonne is bemused-impactada.

Anga is all smiles, telling Yadi by phone he’s taking her to a lawyer in the morning and give the baby a kiss. Pastor gets home to hear the end of the chat. He remarks on how it sounds like Anga chatting with his “Segundo frente” or queried—beloved. Anga scoffs and tells him not to be a mischief maker (digas tarugadas – say bits of mischief). Pastor points out how easy it would be for Nidia to just say that Yadi is Anga’s own blood and thus avoid the “relationship” that people think they have. Anga gets thoughtful while Pastor concludes that since she hasn’t done that, Yadi’s not his daughter. Simple, really. Anga negates it—Nidia would never ‘fess up because of Samuel’s name. Pastor thinks she’d find that preferable to having her daughter in Anga’s clutches. Anga tells Pastor that Nidia’s behaving like any mother, warning and all that, but deep down she knows Anga’s a man with principles (principios – principles, beginnings). Pastor retorts “and of endings (finales) because he’s spending so much on this chick that he’s going to be left with just his smile—as Pastor walks out. Anga calls after his brother not to talk trash about his daughter and Pastor returns to the room to tell him that Yadi may be his “daughter” out of necessity or lots of other reasons including pure pleasure, but there’s no proof she’s really his daughter. Anga wants to know what about that family mark? Pastor thinks it could be most anything; it remains to be seen. Anga smiles—his heart tells him she’s his daughter. Pastor reminds him his hearts not working so well. Anga tells Pastor to knock it off, she’s my daughter, period. He stalks away while Pastor rolls his eyes.

Ivonne, You Silly Girl! CL thought of EVERYTHING! He changed the locks! Her key gets stuck as the elevator door opens; something breaks off in the lock, and something drops on the floor—parts of a key or something else? A building security guy wants to know what’s up. She makes up a lame story that she’s such a fool, she always forgets the floor she needs and that’s why it didn’t work. She runs to the still open elevator and gets away before he strolls back, looking suspiciously at the elevator.

Paula’s dressed to kill in something that actually looks rather conservative compared to what she wears to work, and in strikingly similar style and color to Hillary’s dress from earlier in the day. She descends the stairs to chat with Ana a few minutes before her date with “Sandro.” Ana’s on edge about the exhibit. Only God knows what Nidia’s got planned. Paula can’t imagine why she gave charge of the details to Nidia, and for that matter, neither can we. Ana sarcastically remarks on what great moral support (apoyo moral) she’s getting from her daughter in a moment of great anxiety (angustia). Paula then does try to calm her, reminding her that not even Nidia can detract from the quality of Ana’s works. At the end of the day, it’s about her talent, not what Nidia does or doesn’t do. They both chuckle about what Nidia really could do—and just how gaudily dressed (guacamaya, Puerto Rican adjective) she might show up. Speaking of gaudily dressed, Ana wonders at Paula’s lovely get-up and thinks is could be a tad provocative. [Ed. Note: Ana, you haven’t been paying attention. Paula looks like a Barefoot Carmelite tonight, relatively speaking.] Paula just wanted to look pretty, and so what? She tells Ana the A to Z of why she’s so dressed up, to get Juan out of her mind. It’s more than time she fell in love again. With Sandro Arenas? Paula admits it—Sandro, whoever. Ana turns away and scowls.

Nidia wants to know why Marely is sobbing her heart out, but Marely’s not inclined to talk about it. It’s not because of man. What? It’s the fault of a woman. Nidia goes into a full-blown tizzy. Marely explains there’s always a woman blocking her way, and lamentably, it’s someone she cares a lot about. Nidia gets it; it’s Paula, of course. Marely cries that Paula’s always stealing her boyfriends and she can’t stand it any more. Nidia does an uncharacteristically loving, motherly thing and simply holds her tearful child.

Ana gets very direct with Paula—not Sandro, not anyone will make you feel happy and fulfilled. Paula’s not so sure and Ana wonders why Paula never listens to her. Why is she always looks in the wrong doors? Paula says the wrong thing is to think there can be something with her and Juan. Ana argues in support of Juan and Paula disagrees. Hablablablabla. Paula is just sure Juan isn’t interested in her as a woman. He’s going out with others. Ana wonders why Paula doesn’t just TELL the man already that she loves him. Paula’s pity party isn’t over, though. Well, she’s waiting for Sandro to come and Ivonne is out with Fern, so she won’t come for dinner. Paula kisses Ana and gets ready to go wait for Sandro. Ana reminds her not to come home too late because Ana doesn’t sleep until she’s in. Paula opens the door to find “Sandro,” who compliments her, comes in a moment and assures Ana he’ll take good care of Paula. Ana talks over her shoulder at him, refusing to make eye contact and looking sullen, rolling her eyes at his flowery promise to care for Paula, this valuable treasure.

Nidia is indignant about what’s happening to Marely and rails on about it. It’s not really Paula, it’s that Hillary Paris! Marely sniffles that it won’t work, since Paula’s got his heart. Nidia thinks marely hasn’t really done anything to conquer Juan. She’s letting others eat that cake! Marely cries about how she’s working on forgetting about him, even studying to redirect her attention. Why so much drama, then? It’s not about Juan, it’s about Sandro. Who’s Sandro? Marely reminds her about CL’s twin. But I didn’t know you were interested in him. Great! No, not so great—he came looking for me (was interested in me), interested in my work and—now he’s got his eyes set on Paula. Of course, she’s pretty, she’s intelligent…and I’m nothing, Mami. Nidia holds her again while Marely cries.

A corner flower lady greets Sandro, who is wandering aimlessly in the neighborhood. He absently returns the greeting. The lady tries to sell him all kinds of flowers for all kinds of females—a wife, a girlfriend…whoever. Sandro wants flowers for a “good friend.” What kind of friend? Well, I’d like it to be more than a good friend….the flower lady will make up an arrangement that will have her falling at his feet.

Nidia wonders when this all happened to Marely—she’s not said a word. Marely tells her that she’s always so busy with her stuff, but Nidia fusses that she has time for her daughters—she loves them most in the whole world! But, she’s not a mind reader and they have to come and let her know when they have problems. Marely cries that she wants someone to love HER and not get distracted by Paula. [Ed. Note: Fern wasn’t fixed on Paula. Ever.] Nidia points out that she’s a little nun, very serious, and that might not keep the boys lining up. Nidia thinks it wouldn’t hurt for her to be a little livelier—guys are like cars and gals like stoplights—you have to give them the green, not the red. Marely tries to explain—she wants them to like her for her mind and what’s inside, not how she looks. [Nidia’s not sure this is HER daughter here]. She gives marely tips on how to attract guys, and not with intellect. Marely has to grudgingly acknowledge the point. All men are womanizers, liars, and betrayers. Nidia hugs her and wonders why her daughters’ fate is to suffer so much.

In the Big House, Hillary’s Papi tells her the accountant advised him that Hillary’s spending big bucks and she’s overextended. He’s glad she’s got this work she’s doing, but….She’ll be more careful. He’s heard that she bought a convertible in the car dealership. Yep. A good friend needed it. Hm. What good friend? You haven’t met him, Papá. It’s a new friend (not the son of one of Daddy’s friends as usual) and Hillary wants to present him. So, where’d you meet him? Don’t be telling me he’s a good-for-nothing you met on the street. Hillary proudly tells Papi that he’s a businessman…..and that’s she’s in love with the guy. Papá Paris is impactado….then pleased…. and we hear commercial break music.

Juan finds Kike in the dark and asks him what’s up. Kike’s not only in the dark, he’s on the floor. Kike wants Juan to join him in a drink. Kike gets up and cheers up a little to congratulate Juan on his new girlfriend. He sits down on the coffee table in front of the sofa just feet from Juan. Juan responds that she’s just a friend of the moment. Too bad Kike wasn’t around to get an intro! Kike gets serious. He’s dying. Juan tells him not to say that stuff. But Kike has to tell what he’s dying of: Love, rage, anger, and all the synonyms for fury. He hurts so much he almost can’t breathe. Juan looks at Kike with concern and clinks his beer bottle against Kike’s.

Hillary’s Papi wonders who the heck this guy is, if he’s never heard the name. Hillary explains that Juan is half owner of Farell. He bought the shares. He’s a good worker, and little by little, he’s arrived…. ”to my house?” Papi wants to know. This guy’s really clever, because look at who he’s found! He indicates his daughter. Papi thinks it’s the money and at the end of the story, they are all fortune hunters, but Hillary assures him Juan’s not that way and Papi will see it once he meets Juan. Is he your boyfriend? Not yet. Okay, before he is, he has to talk with me. Hillary protests that she’s of age, and can choose for herself. Papi responds that he’s only asking this, to talk to Juan. When will she be bringing him by? Hillary tells Papi to let her ask Juan and Papi shakes a stern finger to tell her it has to be This Week. Hillary gives him a Look as he goes. Nice to know that even the best kids have issues with their folks, huh? She sighs in frustration as he gets out of sight.

Kike scoffs that Anga has tried to tell him that he’s only helping Yadira, it’s all clean and pure, oh Puh-Leeze. Another dog with this bone. Kike is sure something’s going on here and the worst of ti is that Delirio told him he can’t quit so he’ll have a job to support his daughter and have a shot at custody. Juan thinks that’s pretty lame (canijo—weak, feeble). Kike thinks they should spend a little and establish their own transport company—but Juan is living from paycheck to paycheck. He’s paying off the loans he got to purchase Farell. Kike wishes they’d been business associates before they became friends. Juan thought bubbles that he’s run into bad luck since buying Farell—lost Paula, and now he can’t help his best friend. Juan is downcast.

Paula and “Sandro” are enjoying a lovely dinner with red wine. “Sandro” tells Paula that when he’s seeing her outside the office, those are some of the best times he’s had with her. Paula fiddles with her food and listens, not making much eye contact. They exchange chitchat about being friends in or out of the office. Paula asks if he remembers wondering if there was something between her and Juan. Yes, but she didn’t respond. Well, today, she’s telling him. Between her and Juan there is NOTHING. Was there something? Not important, though, and he doesn’t want to know. The present and future are all that are important. He flirts seductively and she pulls back—she’s suffered and had a lot of pain. [Sheesh.] She doesn’t want to be pressured. He’ll give her all the time she needs—he rubs her cheek and hopes he can heal the wounds, dry the tears, [Ed. Note: rolling my eyes].

Sandro has taken the flower lady’s arrangement to leave at Marely’s doorstep. He looks up anxiously and puts the card into the arrangement, then looks up again and beats a hasty path away.

“Sandro” has paid and thanked the server, and Paula thanks him for the dinner. She had a lovely time. He’s so pleased, because he’s had a lovely evening. He leans in for the kill—er, kiss, and she jerks up out of her seat, leaving him staring directly at her décolletage. He jerks back up as Paula wonders if it isn’t time for them to go. She’s promised Mami she won’t be late. Our smooth-talking, seductive and wheedling ghost of CL is back, wondering what’s up with that? Are you bothered that I want to steal one kiss? I think you want it as much as I me. “Sandro” strokes her cheek, ala CL. Paula begins to cave. Suddenly, she’s kissing Juan passionately. [Pardon me, gentle readers while I run and turn the AC on.] She pulls back abruptly, leaving “Sandro” frustrated. No, no—understand, please. I’m not ready for this, not yet. Why? [Ed. Note: Paula, LISTEN. “Sandro” wheedles EXACTLY like César Luis!] Is it because when you’re with me you’re thinking you’re with César Luis? [Nice touch, pal.] Well, maybe some of that. “Sandro” tells her that CL and he are very different. She agrees hesitantly. Well, what should I do? Change my face? [I think they call that cognitive behavioral therapy and it’s working with Paula.] No, she just has to get used to it. He offers to get plastic surgery and she tells him of course not, and he jokes that’s good because hospitals terrify him (me dan pavor, give me dread)….one time I….well enough of that. Paula gives him a pensive look before they leave.

Juan can’t sleep though Juanito can. Juan muses to himself that he’s never seen his best pal suffering so (like a pig – como marrano). He’s got to find a way to help Kike and to help himself, too. “Sandro” is like a thorn in his shoe. Juan gets the picture of Paula with “Sandro” reading her palm in his head. This wasn’t part of the plan, he tells himself, shaking his head.

“Sandro” arrives home and can’t get his key into the lock and they drop. He sees the broken pieces on the floor and thinks about what it means.

After the commercial break, we are treated to a loooong-ago lead-in of Juan with his lovely locks cut, and the light blue-gray jacket and silk tie, hugging Kike who has just spent his life savings on Juan’s dress-to-impress wardrobe. That must have been from when? August or September? Of 2005 or so?

Morning is bright and lovely in the D. F. Juan and Kike talk out by the front entrance of Casa Cachón. Juan urges Kike to be patient. Surely God will give us a hand here! Cheer up! Kike retorts that he doesn’t need a hand at the moment, he needs the whole arm! He looks to heaven, beseeching. Juan tells him to come by the office around noon the next day. Kike wants to know what he’s up to. Juan tells him to calm down, this will work. Kike quietly thanks Juan for not leaving him alone right now. Juan wants to know if he’s nuts or what, with how good Kike’s been to him. Juan reminds him they’re soul brothers. Juanito comes out – he’s ready and has his teeth brushed. He gives the clean teeth grimace so Papi can see how clean they are. Juan dances down the sidewalk, urging Kike to cheer up. [Ed. Note: A woman would just hug the living daylights out of Kike like Julia did, but Real Men don’t do that, right Anon #1?] They walk to the street, hands on each other’s shoulders, with Juanito chattering to them. Wow, here are some flowers, and who could have left them? Juanito reads the card—they’re for Marely. He scolds his Papi—see, you’re going to lose that girl! Kike calls Nidia to let her know about the flowers, because the boys have to go. Juan looks at the delightful arrangement in shock and is impactadoooo.

In Pastor’s office, we of course get the great view of Ana’s painting of Juan in his prime. Paula has asked Pastor to come in early to talk about Laura Berrocal. Pastor is motionless in his chair and asks her to give him the meds for muscle aches since every since muscle in his body aches. He can’t even get up from the seat. She fiddles with the bottle and hands it over while he details what all is aching. It’s just that I began to exercise. [Ed. Note: Uh-huh. Right.] It was a challenge to get dressed. Paula’s heard enough. Now, about Laura. She’s been hired as your personal assistant with the idea that you’re going to make her life in Farell impossible, Paula advises him. Excuuuuse me? Pastor looks up warily. Paula wonders if he was lifting weights with his ears and they atrophied. [Sheesh. Is that what you call sarcasm, Paula?] Pastor chuckles with equal sarcasm—always so congenial! Paula makes it clear that he can do about anything as long as she ends up resigning. Pastor grins from ear to ear and mutters “me?”

Nidia hustles the lovely flowers in for Marely while she eats her breakfast. Marely is stunned by the lovely arrangement—don’t tell me the Licenciado Perafán sent those to you! Don’t be kidding me, he doesn’t even buy bread around here, Nidia laughs at her, touching her elbows to emphasize his tightfisted ways. Nope, they’re YOURS! She makes Marely look at the card (my bitter cucumber). “Perdóname (Forgive me)– Sandro” Marely is disgusted and sweeps the flowers onto the floor with one quick shove – “hypocrite!” Nidia is impactada. Poor flowers, what fault do they have? Marely announces that she’s really late, grabs her purse and stalks out. Nidia talks to the flowers while she restores them to their proper place at the table.

“Sandro” talks to Sandro (who looks really nice in a green v-neck sweater and black jeans). Sandro wants to know if CL is sure that’s Ivonne’s as CL brandishes the piece he found on the floor in his hand. Sure he knows it’s Ivonne; this is a piece of a bracelet (pulsera) he gave her. Sandro cautions him to be careful what he’s accusing her of, because he doesn’t have proof. CL says he knows exactly what he has to do. Sandro stops him from leaving—he says he has to let CL know he bought flowers for Marely the night before and left them at her house. “¿¡Qué?!” Are you nuts or what? I was with Paula! If she talks with Paula….”no one saw me.” He explains how he left them as a gesture to calm his conscience. It was his way of saying farewell to her. CL scoffs that he wonders what the h*** convinced him to involve Sandro in this. [Ed. Note: Could be the reasonable facsimile to yourself, ya think?] Sandro desperately reminds CL he had to do it that way and still needs Sandro to pull it off. CL stalks out and Sandro is still desperate.

Juanito is still scolding his Papi about those flowers. He hasn’t even given the girl a stick of gum and he’s gonna lose her for sure. Juan tells him to cut it out, already, he’s been scolding the entire way and what mosquito bit him anyway? Juanito accusingly tells Juan that last night Marely cried her eyes out and it’s Juan’s fault. What, she cried? Yes, she was JEALOUS of Hillary. Juanito wrinkles his nose in disgust with Papi. Juan protests that he’s a bachelor and can go around with whoever he wants. Juanito asserts that no woman will ever love him like Marely does, no matter how pretty or rich. Juan explains that he can’t order his heart around and he would like to do with Marely, but it won’t work. He babbles on while he “explains” this to his son and shoves him in the direction of his class. Juanito waves and Juan tells him he loves Juanito and urges him on into class.

As Ivonne gets off the elevator and the lobby lizards congregate, Pastor hobbles toward Ivonne to tell her the latest scoop—she can’t imagine what the Lic Paula has just asked him to do. She wants me to make Laura’s life impossible so she ends up quitting. She’s as hateful as Medulla, huh? Ivonne defends Paula—she has her reasons. Julia and her LL friend listen intently from the background. Ivonne continues about Laura—this gal played them dirty—both with Paula and her mother. Ivonne lectures a surprised Pastor. She was Monica’s spy when Paula married CL! No! Pastor is impactado. It’s logical Paula doesn’t want to see Laura—even in a painting! She remarks on the gossips. She drags him off to tell him what happened the night before and he moans about his aching body. She gets him as far as her desk, not so far away from the madding crowd, but tells him that she followed “Sandro” to his apartment. Huh…what for? Well, to clear up some doubts I had, she continues. Pastor tells her she’s always putting herself in the wolf’s mouth. This cloak and dagger complex of hers (complejo de caperucita – complex of cloak) is going to bring her lots of problems in her life. She scolds him for foreseeing her future instead of letting her tell her story. She tries to sit him down but he’s too achy-breaky. She lowers her voice and tells him she saw….TWO Sandros. TWO! TWO??? Ivonne scowls. “Two César Luises!” She declares that there are identical men in the apartment, and who knows if in place of two there are triplets! (Trillizos) One of those men IS César Luis Farell. She kisses her hand in confirmation (last part of the sign for crossing herself?). Pastor is muy skeptical. He looks over his shoulder and shakes his head in doubt and …fear? with an “Oh, Please, God, NO!” look.

There’s a new face in Anga’s market storefront with Remolacho. Kike strides in. he’s taking charge of the truck today, and makes a pointed remark about the patron only to find Anga right behind him when Remo tells him Anga’s arrived. Anga got the message. They face off and Kike stalks off. Anga says nothing, then asks Remo why he hasn’t cleaned the office. Remo reminds him that it’s because the day before he was a nanny. Anga cuts him off--any excuse is always enough to slack off. Hurry, the shop looks like a pigpen. Remo orders the new guy off to sweep out the pigpen. Juan comes into the store behind Anga. They greet each other, but we know there’s not so much warmth in Juan’s greeting today. Juan’s not here on business. It’s personal. Anga doesn’t even ask what it’s about—who cried first? Nidia or Kike? Juan tells him that what he’s up to is nothing good. Anga wonders if Juan, too, is thinking he’s a dirty old man? Juan scolds him for taking up with not only a young thing, but also the daughter of a former love! [Ed. Note: No, Juan, that was Fernando who did that, only in reverse.] Juan lets him know just how bad that really is. Anga shakes his head. He’ll tell Juan exactly what he told the other two. He’s helping Yadira unselfishly (desinteresadamente). Juan’s not buying it. He thought Anga was upright (cabal), proper. Anga asserts he is. Yeah??? Yeah. Well, tell Yadira to go home and if you want a young chick, go look for one but not at the Casa Cachón! Juan, please, Anga sighs. Believe me. Juan wonders how he can believe Anga when all the evidence is against it. You want me to believe you? Take back all the fiscal support you’re giving Yadira. Everyone will be happy. Nope, can’t do that, Anga shakes his head and sighs. You can’t? Juan challenges him. Fine, from now on we’re not friends and the contract we have is cancelled, Mr. Angarita Calvo. Anga asks him to not be so drastic, please. I swear I have….reasons to help….Juan interrupts, yelling. What reasons, man? Anga can’t tell him. He bows his head as he sits at his desk. Juan’s face is screwed up in fury. He looks at Anga in disgust and tells Anga what a sense of shame Anga is giving him. Juan stalks away in anger. Anga calls him back—he’ll share the truth with Juan. [Ed. Note: it’s Friday and the 59th minute of YAAJQ, so there has to be a revelation. That’s the rules of the game, folks.] I’m helping Yadira because….she’s my daughter! Juan is predictably impactidíssimo, and we are advised that any similarity to reality is purely coincidental.

Monday: Will Ivonne find out if there really are two? Will Ivonne keep leaving a trail while she stalks him/them? Are we really in Últimos Capítulos? Will we all make it?

Vocabulary

Segundo frente—beloved, lover (second front)
Me dejó plantado - left me high and dry (stood me up, left me planted)
Me mandó al carambas - sent me to the devil (Kike doesn’t curse)
Jeta – mug (face/mug)
La diosa Fortuna me trae entre ceja y ceja - Lady Luck has a bee in her bonnet where I’m concerned. (The goddess Fortune has me between her eyebrows).
Cuarto de masajes - massage room
Digas tarugadas - be a mischief maker (say bits of mischief)
Principios - principles (OR beginnings)
Apoyo moral - moral support
Angustia - anxiety
Guacamaya - gaudily dressed (Puerto Rican adjective)
Canijo - pretty lame (weak, feeble)
Me dan pavor - terrify me (give me dread)
Perdóname - forgive me
Complejo de caperucita - cloak and dagger complex (complex of cloak)

Have a lovely Memorial Day, Everyone!

Jeanne

Labels: Juan

In this episode, Mili debuts a new look that's more grown up. I think she looks great.

Bobby has taken a picture of Val and Rocky smooching. Rocky tries to get the camera. Val gets Horacio to help. First there's a misunderstanding--when she tells them her boyfriend is going to get killed, Horacio thinks it's Bobby.

Rocky and Bobby try arm wrestling for the photos: first Rocky is winning, then Bobby has the advantage. Rocky compares himself to Rocky Balboa. (Trivia alert: Sylvester "Rocky" Stallone once starred in Over the Top, a legendary turkey about a trucker who wants to make good for his son by . . . you guessed it: arm wrestling. I suffered through it on an airplane in 1987.)

Finally, Bobby yells "Tilin, tilin," which seems to mean "ding ding." Is that like crying Uncle? Anyway, his neck hurts, and Rocky starts to massage it. Just then Horacio comes in and thinks that Rocky is strangling Bobby. No matter: they still don't have the incriminating photos.

Chamuco and Socorro are talking in the kitchen. Chamuco mentions that Mili now has a brother, just like Gamuza. Just then Luci walks in looking for Al and overhears. She jumps to the conclusion that everyone knows about Mili's secret.

Gloria is telling Mili that she is glad she has a new little brother, but that other guy is not really her father: he is drunk and ugly. Mili says that she shouldn't be so negative, but Gloria calls her on that, because Mili always said that if she met her real father, she'd hate him too . . .

Connie asks Mili if she's ready for the meeting. Who will vote her shares? Not you, she says. He asks if Al will do it? No answer yet.

Damian and Hugo get ready for the big meeting. I think he says that Luci signed the papers that morning.

Al and Luci are riding to the meeting in the Hummer. She is thought bubbling about how she thinks Mili told Alex about Connie. Alex asks what's up, but she says "nada."

Braulio is at Rosario's grave, laying out roses. The grave is now labeled with the name "Mama," as Connie had promised.

He cries that he regrets what happened when she told him that she was pregnant with Connie's baby. Flashback: a young Braulio is washing a car (it's pretty clever how they make him up to look younger) and his sister comes up waving a piece of paper--good news, she just got an A in Spelling--no, she's pregnant! He's furious and calls her a golfa (trollop) and slaps her! If the "vieja" finds out, she'll fire them both. No, she says: the "vieja, as you call her" is the grandmother of this baby. She walks away, and young Brau thought bubbles that the baby is the child of Constancio Belmonte. Back to the present: Brau regrets that because of his actions, they left you nothing. Maybe we are to learn that Braulio is the real guilty party in the loss of Rosario.

Everyone assembles for the big meeting. Who is going to vote Mili's shares. She introduces our friend Mat "The Rat" Robledo. We know why Connie doesn't want him, but he says it's because Belmonte Construction has always been a family business. Mat says that Mili can appoint anyone. Al asks what's going on, and she says it's because she doesn't trust any of them. Luci pushes them to move on. Damian pipes up: Luci, aren't you going to 'splain what you did? Enter Hugo, saying Hi, Y'all. Connie says that this is a board meeting--what is Hugo doing there. That's exactly why I'm here. I'm a 20 percent shareholder. Al is impactado. Damian points out that his sister gave his son her shares. Luci looks stricken.

Morgan is trying to wash the car, but he's so nervous about the incriminating photos that he's just swatting it ineffectually with a rag. He whines to Horacio about his need to get those photos back.

Al, Connie and Luci exit the meeting for a side chat. Al and Connie are symbolically aligned on one side of the room, believe it or not, while they both thunder at Luci for her dunderheaded move. She retorts that they're her shares and she can do whatever she wants with them. Al leaves, and Connie says that he can't believe what she did. Business has always come first with him, but with her, it was always Alex this and Alex that. Since his mother's shares went all for Mili, his shares will all go to Val. Now there is nothing for her bastard son. He will be begging on the street.

Bobby asks Al what is going on--he's been acting like a caged lion. Al reveals that his mother has given her shares to Hugo. Bobby tries to shrug it off, since Hugo is family, but Al says no, Hugo hates him. And there's more--the limit of malefaction has been reached when he learned that Mili has appointed Mat as her representative.

Luci comes in and asks to speak to Al alone.

Connie meets Andrea in one of the offices. Hulk mad! she observes. He asks where Mili is, and Andrea tells him that Mili is in the meeting room with Mat. Andrea produces a photo disk and says tantalizingly that she's got some compromising photos. They start kissing, and the photo disk falls on the desk. Bobby comes in, Connie leaves, and Bobby asks Andrea for coffee. She says she'll get it in a little while (she's not exactly jumping to fill Bobby's java order.)
Bobby pulls out his photos and thought bubbles that when Luci sees his photos, he'll be able to conquer Val. He drops his disk and it gets mixed up with the other one, which looks identical. Keep your eye on those disks, ladies and gentleman . . .

Luci tries to talk to Alex, but he won't listen. She says she should not judge him. He asks how she could hate him so much? Why would she give her shares to his enemy? She says she has nothing to explain. He says that if that's her answer, she should get out. It's not just the shares, but also the way she has treated Milagros. Get out and forget you have a son . . . "Luciana."

Connie brings Mat into his office. Luci grabs Mili for a talk. She says that her son hates her. Why did you open your mouth and tell him he's your brother? Luci says the guy from the market was talking, so I know you blabbed. Oops: Bobby and Andrea are standing right there. Mili says You jerk--I didn't say anything. You heard wrong. Chalupa was just talking about Gloria and her little brother. Luci says, you mean that little snotnose I saw in the hall? Yeah. Al knows nothing, but now he will, because you've just revealed it to everyone.

Connie is reading the riot act to Mat again. He knows what Mat is up to. Mat says that no, Regina trusted him to protect Mili--although they never realized what hyenas surrounded her. Connie points out that he asked about Mili just before the reading of the will. Mat says no, he was falling in love with Mili before, when he was her teacher. He leaves and Connie vows : get used to it boy, I'll be watching you, that's for sure.

Luci has now sought Damian for help. She tells him that her son hates her and she begs him to return the shares. Lotsa luck, lady. He tells her that she should tell him that his real father is Nestor, so he can marry Mili. No, never. Please return my son to me, she pleads.

Gloria and her little brother share a sandwich. They are trying to bond. He tries to get her to think that their father isn't so bad.

Al calls Flor. She says he sounds weird. She screeches.

Bobby gets Mili for a heart to heart talk about the bombshell just revealed. She says that it's true--she is the daughter of Constancio Belmonte. So that's why you didn't want to marry Al, it dawns on Bobby. Why didn't you tell him. She goes through Luci's tortured logic. Better he should hate her than to feel the dirtiness of thinking he was in love with his own sister. Please promise you won't tell, she begs desperately. Bobby tries to dissuade her, but she insists.

Connie is crying to Andrea about how his idiot wife gave her shares to Hugo. Andrea observes drily that Luci must be drinking even more than they thought. Connie threatens to kill Luci. Andrea rubs it in some more--she told Connie those shares would never be his. But why doesn't Luci prefer her own son? Connie says there's something else bothering him--that Mili picked Mat to manage her shares. Andrea complains that Regina, her godmother, forgot her in the will. Connie points out that Regina forgot everyone, including him, her own son. But if she sticks with him, she won't lack for anything.
Andrea tells him to close his eyes. He does eagerly, as he loves her surprises. When he opens them, she has handed him a watch that is engraved "Andrea and Connie forever."

In a parallel universe, Luci and Nestor are at a bar. He has her close her eyes and he gives her a surprise: a ring engraved "Luci and Nestor forever." She loves it, but she says it's risky. She downs a couple of glasses of red wine. He says he doesn't care about Connie, he will never notice the ring. She slugs some more wine. Nestor tries to steer the conversation to Alex. He says Alex has suffered enough, and he wants him to know the truth. She just drinks more, and he says that drinking is not the solution. He reminds her that the secret is out. She asks him to forget Alex, and he says he can't.

Avances: Luci prepares to look at photos while Bobby watches triumphantly and Val and Rocky tremble next to her: She pulls out a photo of Andrea smooching with Connie. She gasps, and Val says, Mom, I can explain. Luci says she doesn't have to explain--Bobby is a pervert.

Meanwhile, Connie is opening his set of photos, thinking it's going to be the fun pix of him and Andrea. Oops: it's Val and Rocky. He gasps.

Next: Val and Rocky jump up and down on her bed saying We're saved, we're saved. Mili debuts yet another new look: a Carlitos hat without the pins and raggedy edges, worn with her nice dresses. The announcer says that it's a perfect condition for Flor's and her father's plan. Flor's father threatens Al again.

Labels: guapos

Labels: la traicion

Tonight's episode was a double-feature - that is, two hours of old stuff. It was your big chance to get caught up on the first two episodes, in which:

- We are introduced to Libia Reyes and Bernardo Elizondo, who are having a March-December romance. We also meet Libia's volatile brothers (heroic Juan, intellectual dreamer Franco, and fun Oscar) and Bernardo's daughters (heroic Sofia, intellectual dreamer Sarita, and fun Jimena). The Reyes brothers immediately dislike Bernardo and assume that he's using their sister.

- We see that the Reyes are orphans who have a bakery and are barely scraping by financially. The Elizondos have a hacienda which is apparently very profitable even though there's no hint as to what is grown/produced there.

- We watch concha-baker Juan and concha-enthusiast Sofia have their very first simultaneous split-screen conchagasm.

- We discover that Bernardo's wife, Crabi/Gabriela, is a raging bitch who won't have sex with her husband nor allow a separation; guilts her daughters mercilessly and doesn't permit them to have a social life; forced her oldest daughter Sofia to marry a slimeball named Fe*nando shortly after being raped; and dreams of someday having her eccentric but observant father institutionalized.

- We are told that Sofia finds Fe*nando repulsive, doesn't love him, will never love him, experiences post-traumatic stress about the rape every time he touches her, and married him only with the understanding that she won't have sex with him. He is obviously frustrated by this arrangement, but tolerates it for reasons that seem obvious to everyone watching this telenovela, yet none of the Elizondos (except maybe Grandpa Agustin, but he's not an Elizondo, he's an Acevedo).

- We find that Fe*nando spends his spare time raping and otherwise abusing a nightclub performer named Rosario, whose act consists of one song about a killer bonbon (or possibly a bonbon killer, I'm not sure which). We also see that Rosario and Franco are a potential item.

- We meet Eva, the housekeeper, who is in love with Bernardo and is treated like garbage by Crabiela.

- We witness Libia using the only high-tech gadget in town - a pregnancy test - to discover she's pregnant; meanwhile Bernardo plans to separate from his bitter, crabby, self-proclaimed irreproachable wife.

- We watch as Fe*nando semi-accidentally kills Bernardo in a scuffle and pins the accident on some local guys, then later bludgeons/chokes/drowns Libia (who threw a fit at Bernardo's wake when she found out he was married) after discovering that Lidia's unborn child could inherit some of Bernardo's estate. He also steals Libia's mother's necklace.

Monday: Oscar and Franco make friends with the Uribe twits, Tall One and Piglet.

Labels: Fuego

Labels: la traicion