Caray, Caray!

I wasn’t going to recap at all, because I’m rather short on time this week, but I don’t think anyone else offered and I did skim through the show quickly last night, so here are what I think were the key points:

Viviana thinks Juan Miguel must be cheating on her. She wants them to go away for a vacation together, but he says he can’t right now, which of course makes her mad. Her mom, Onelia, threatens JM and says if he doesn’t go, she won’t be responsible for what happens to Viv, whatever that means.

JM thinks he is busy with his new project to rehabilitate the young and mildly delinquent. He mentions having some experience with being that way; Viv doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He meets with judge Patricio about the project but the judge doesn’t have anyone for him to work with at the moment. Youth being what they are, he’s sure there will be someone soon.

Eduardo (played by Jorge de Silva, one of my Top Ten Telenovios, hello, hottie!) gets a call from his skanky girlfriend who was making out with some other guy at the party. He is all smoochy on the phone. JM laughs at him, but not as much as I would have.

Meanwhile, Marichuy needs to be told by the priest that the Virgencita probably doesn’t want stolen flowers as an offering. They have a long teary chat while she wears a see-through belly-exposing shirt. She’s mad at her mother for abandoning her and will never forgive her, nunca!

Patricio and his wife discuss that the only thing they lack for happiness is a child. He asks if she wants to adopt one of the orphans. She says no, those abandoned children make her sad (so wouldn’t adopting one help that?). He says parents who abandon their children are unforgivable, and she looks all stricken, cluing us in that she abandoned a child. She tries to alleviate her guilt by giving lots of money to the nuns.

Mari tells more Little Red Riding Hood to the barrio kids. Odd choice of story, given her nightmare and past experience. The girl in the animation looks like her, and the bad wolf guy looks maybe like Amador, or maybe the artist guy, or maybe the guy in the neighborhood who is her friend and was talking to Candelaria. Later, Mari tells Cande she (M) will never marry, which of course means she will.

Mari dances with Amador at a party, and he gets handsy. She objects, and a brawl breaks out. The party people get hauled down to the police station, and judge Patricio calls Juan Miguel to come down. Mari recognizes him.

I’ll start up for real with a careful viewing and full recap next week.

Labels: Cuidado

Once again, I didn't have time to do the pictures. Timoteo, if you want to post your usual summary/comment, I will put it in here.

Labels: barbara

PJ/S reads a book in French.

Isabel tells the staff that Valeria is going to take over running the house from Abigail.

Rebeca tells Valeria that they are in same position. They are dependant on Isabel for everything so they have to obey and support her. Rebeca is turning out to be pretty evil and her eavesdropping is out of control.

Azur attacks and bites Andrés. His action is understandable but it's hard to defend a dog that bites people.

Later, Isabel tries to get rid of Azur by sending him off to be tested for rabies but Ángela forbids it.


PJ/S demonstrates that he can spell 'otolaryngology' and knows what is it. He knows who the Pope is and who Winston Churchill is. However, he doesn't know where he is.

PJ/S is upset because this isn't his body. Would he rather have his 70-year old body back?
The police, the doctor and the priest fight about what to do with PJ/S.

Ángela goes to see Gaetana to asks about PJ's relationship with Isabel. Gaetana recommends this guy to be her lawyer.
We keep having power issues between Isabel and Ángela. Wasn't there a will?

Labels: cuerpo

Aaaarrrggh...I have some kind of mild (as if) stomach virus and this episode didn't help one bit. I'm going to rush through the nasty part (like a written fast forward) but there's no getting around it. Sara scored a big one tonight.

But let's start at the beginning...with a brief rehash. Dario and Paula are about to get down to serious reconciliation business when Bettina bounds in and wants to sleep with them. They cave and so the first night back together is spent in a family sandwich in a very small bed. My parents had a small bed and when we lived by the finger lakes of New York and we got scared by the frequent thunderstorms, my sister and I would high-tail it in there and spend the night squished between them. So I know it can be done. And they still managed to have a third child...don't ask me how.

In the meantime Alonso is sitting alone, looking at a picture of Lorena and breathing heavily. 'Nuff said.

And Lorena is looking googly-eyes at Ernesto, now that she knows the kids are back and that he's really a big teddy bear underneath that neurotic ,narcissistic exterior. Some kisses, Mmmm good, and then some more...but wait! she draws back, suddenly afraid she's going to be just one more on his long list of conquests. He assures her that this is the real thing. We can but hope!

Okay. New stuff. Sara calls. Alonso's sick of her. (so are we!) He's preparing to leave for Quebec and his workshop in bariatric surgery. Has a nice farewell with Papa Toribio even though there's some grousing from Mr. T. about how Alonso and Paula treat him like he's over the hill and incompetent to take care of himself.

Now a happy scene twixt Maruja Rossy and Lorena, toasting the reconciliation of our young lovers and Ernesto's character improvement. Doorbell rings; it's Jaime. Maruja is happy, Rossy is making faces and Lorena , ever the peacemaker, drags her off so Jaime and Maruja can talk business. Jaime thinks maybe they should go elsewhere but Maruja assures him that eventually Rossy will come around.

So Jaime got a mixed reception. But Sara....whoa...very cold welcome from Toribio when she barges into the apartment. She tries to schmooze him with some talk about planning an event for "seniors" and he wastes no time letting her know he doesn't want to be patronized and doesn't want her around...he's busy. And by the way, Alonso has gone to Canada. Punto. She protests that he's hurting her feelings but he hustles her out anyway.

At Ernesto's, everything is hunky-dory. Gina and Alex are happy. Lorena's around again and they're "like family". Ernesto jumps in and adds, they can get married right now if Lorena's game.

Hey, I'm for it. Happy ending and onto another telenovela. But wait, no we have to have more wickedness from Sara first. Much more, I fear.

Now another reconciliation...this time with Ivan and Bettina. He arrives with flowers and apologies. She receives him with a number of hugs. Not happy that he just considers them "amigos" but I'm sure that will change pronto.

Sara's doing her crazy ass girlfriend number at the clinic. Badgering the desk nurse to tell her where Alonso has gone (if he's your boyfriend, call him yourself and ask him, she replies) and then demanding that Bruno give her the 411. He's even nastier. Don't bother trying to follow him, it's a waste of time and money....he'd just send you packing.

But folks, if you think any of this discourages our Sara, you're wrong. She's still got lots more nasty up her sleeve.

Back at Paula's, the" sadder but wiser gals" are meeting for their weekly tequila and cards bash. Dario's in the bedroom watching TV with Bettina and when Greta finds out they've reconciled, she wants the lowdown on their lovelife. Nothin' doing but Paula does admit he still "me hace bum! el corazoncito". However things turn sour when she tells Bettina it's time for bed and Dario protests. "Are your friends going home?" he adds. "They just got here," she snaps. Hmmm...very bad start.

Things are pretty bad at Arturo's as well. Jacqui has made off with badmom's porcelain figurines which mom claims are Limoges. Jacqui claims they're crap and go with the crappy decor of the whole place....which SHE intends to change. Ickturo lays down the law...if they don't get along, he's outta there. Jacqui grabs him and promises an aromatherapy bath and massage. Mom promises his favorite frijole dish. Mom wins. Then he requires them to hug which they do with gritted teeth. Man, his appeal escapes me entirely, but these two females are fighting over him like he's.....well, like he's Fernando Colunga....which he is so not!

Back to Paula and Dario. Her gal pals have finally left and he's ready to be helpful taking off her sweater. Another lost recap opportunity for Ferro. He wants her to relax, enjoy his kisses (she's still steamed about his contradicting her with Bettina) but the scene ends with possible bedroom action about to commence. She looks like her mind is elsewhere though. Still her hand is around his neck, even if she's not returning his kisses. We can but hope.

Sara's at school, catches sight of Lorena happily chatting with Ernesto and sneers, Be happy while you can. I'm going to win the contest. Aaarrgh, my stomach's roiling just writing this.

Monica and the randy hostess are discussing Monica's lovelife or lack thereof. Hostess wonders why she's so obsessed with Chef Hawt. Monica just is...that's all. She wants Ernesto to use her and lose her (Lorena) but hostess wisely point out that even if he does, that doesn't mean he's coming back to Monica. Instead, why not come with me to a Singles evening, she suggests. Monica doesn't want to seem "for sale" but finally agrees.

All right...on to the contest for who's going to work on TV with Chef Whasshisname. I'm going to compress this because it's just too darned awful. First Sara , who's among the five finalists, overhears Lorena talking to Ernesto about what "platillo" she's going to prepare for the tryout and gets on the phone with the business chef to consult on how to sabotage it. Then at
the studio, she bribes the makeup artist to put some awful hive-inducing powder on Lorena's face. Not content with that, she goes into the studio and substitutes wrong, yukky tasting ingredients for those in Lorena's bin and refrigerator holdings.

The tryout is a disaster for Lorena. She looks like hell; she's distracted by all the itching and the strange ingredients; her final dish tastes as bad as she looks, and Sara wins the contest. Ugh and double ugh. The head of the school is surprised by Lorena's poor performance but is impressed when later, a simpering Sara tells the TV chef and the producer that cooking is in her genes, after all, she is Hortensia Armendariz' granddaughter. More points for our villaness. I just hate episodes like this!

Lorena confronts Sara in the dressing room and even though Lorena defends herself well... it isn't satisfying. Sara still won and is gloating about it. Lorena reminds her that Sara is really a failure. She can only win by hurting others. Basically she is alone; even Alonso doesn't want her. Whereas Lorena is surrounded by people who love her. And finally, if you want me for an enemy rather than a friend, watch out Sara! ( Okay, I know we're supposed to feel better after this but somehow I don't...and I doubt if Lorena does either.)

But at least Chef Hawt is waiting for our lamb outside and he doesn't seem too put off by her horrible face. He notes that the rightful person doesn't always win the contest. Yes, but Lorena was hoping to have a little money, learn to drive, maybe get a car. Our hunky chef has all the answers....he'll teach her to drive, she can borrow the car when she wants and hey, he loves her. She's not alone. HE'LL ALWAYS BE WITH HER.

Oh no, the fatal telenovela words. A breakup must be just around the corner. Dang.

Now we have one of those zingy collage things to tell us time is passing. Alonso's up in Canada learning lots about surgery and telling his dad the hospital is terrific. Of course he's still staring at Lorena's picture while studying. Zulema's still eating mucho while Omar tentatively slips an arm around her shoulders. Rossy and a shirtless Justin (thanks, writers) are looking at wedding dresses. Diana is sitting up in bed with her usual glum look while Bruno, his back turned to her, sleeps away. Maruja and Jaime are toasting with champagne. Dario looks on disgusted as Paula plays cards with her buddies. Monica has evidently snagged a beau at singles night and is introducing him to dad. Chalo and Barbara are happily chowing down at the neighborhood quesadilla place. Amalia tries to talk to Toribio at the elevator and gets the brushoff. A couple of "happy family" scenes with Lorena, Ernesto and the kids ending with Lorena making panquecitos for the little 'uns and a big smooch between Ernesto and Lorena. I'm trying to enjoy this but just feel a big anvil coming.

Okay, now back to nasty Sara. She's at the mall signing autographs for two devoted fans of the Chef and Sara show. Diana and Zulema are also at the mall and Zully wants to talk to Sara, over Diana's vehement protests. Sara gives her a cool look, tells her she must be mistaken, she doesn't know her and starts to sweep off. Diana grabs her and tells her not to treat her mother that way. You're "basura" (garbage) she adds. One pays for what one does, adds Zulema. Typical consolation of "losers" sneers Sara and flounces off.

This brings on labor pains for Diana, ( and more abdominal cramps for me!) and off they go to the hospital. Naturally, Bruno can't be found. He's off cooking up some illegal deal for selling medication from the clinic inventory to some sleazeball for half-price. He ignores all of Omar's attempts to phone him (even ignoring the concerns of his sleazeball client) and only arrives at the hospital afte the baby is born....by C-section.

He breezes in with nary an apology, curtly acknowledges that he already knows it's a boy and in general is just a (well I can't write the word but it starts with "p"). The baby, by the way, is incredibly cute and is definitely not a newborn, but why quibble? When Julian starts to touch it, Rossy holds him back...it's not a football after all! And everybody looks happy except Bruno, who's a skank....well, and Diana who always looks worried...but in this case, she's entitled.

Communication is going great guns with Nurse Ratchet and Hortensia. Our stroke victim can now communicate with the index finger as well as the eyes, and the upshot is that she still doesn't want to let Vasco in on her secret; she has other plans.

So has Sara. Seeing Lorena with Ernesto at school, she fumes that her nemesis is happy while, she Sara, doesn't have Alonso. Time to do some more dastardly deeds. First she grabs Leticia (who was one of the five finalists for the Chef show) and insinutates that Lorena's good grades and scholarship are all because of her romance with Ernesto. Leticia is better than Lorena by far and look! she got turned down for a scholarship. You and the other students should protest, she adds.

First anvil falls. Ernesto's called into the office. The head tells him about the complaints, and while she sees nothing wrong with the relationship (you're both adults) she will have to withdraw Lorena's half-tuition scholarship in order to head off a revolt.

Sara wins another round. If Lorena lives happily ever after, it's not during this episode, folks. So sorry.

Vocabulary:

tianguis = Mexican word for street market. (where Jacqui thinks badmom got her "Limoges porcelain figurines)

vetado = vetoed (how Toribio feels at no longer being trusted to handle administrative details for apartment)

salada = jinxed (what Lorena feels....and boy is she right!)

trato hecho = it's a deal (sleazeball client and Bruno)

Labels: enemiga

did anyone watch? There were some great moments, but I don't have time to recap in total.

First Cesar came out, and we also got to meet his family. Laura Flores could not come, but she will come in two weeks.

Cesar is somewhat modest and says he's not very handsome and often plays villains. We got to see a scene of him wearing a weird hairstyle and an eyepatch (Mundo de Fieras? which I didn't watch, but I gather many of you did) and watching Laura Flores go out with some cute blond guy who I didn't recognize.

We got to see Mili and Al singing. Rocky did part of his standup comedy routine (he has a background in that).

Allison was asked about being only 15 and never been kissed and how she played the role.

Cesar was very complimentary to the young actors. It sounds like they had a lot of fun doing the comic scenes. They showed Al taming tigers on that other show he did.

Labels: guapos

Howdy folks: I had a class last night and I have an early meeting this morning so I haven't had enough time to post pictures. If I get home early enough from my meeting, I will do some then.

Luisana is suffering from dengue fever, not a curse.

DB discovers that Marisela was in the altar room and removed Luisana's stuff. She wonders if the curse is still working.

After making a bad decision from lust (getting involved with DB), Santos is now making a bad decision by deciding to marry Luisana out of guilt.

Cecilia refuses Antonio's marriage proposal because she thinks she is too old for him.

Genovesia admits to Genoveva that she is pregnant.

A partially eaten body is found but Juan Primito has the proof that it is Julian Barreto's body.

Was that Mauricio in drag writing romance novels??????

DB shows up at Altamira.

Labels: barbara

Well it’s been a long hiatus for everyone, huh. Hope you all didn’t forget what it means to live in our zany world of Ciudad Serdan. The shock might come over you like an ice cream headache.

Welcome back to the boys learning they "won" the hearing and the Hacienda Uribe is theirs now. The boys open the massive hacienda doors and find it’s time to go to FAMSA. Turns out they have no furniture. Juan doesn’t care. Why should they anyway, how long have they slept in their "kid twins" at the old place? Oscar whines, they’ll bring all their own furniture then and Juan chimes in they’ll bring their posse too, because everyone will fit here. Oscar now remembers this place, even Libia running around these rooms and mourns that the parents aren’t here.

Tio says it’s time for him to leave, his mission is accomplished, in the spirit of the sombrero wearing superhero that he is. Everyone thanks him and he is welcome anytime.

Back in Puebla, the losers of the turf war have checked in to their hotel. Raquel doesn’t feel bad, she feels good because guess what, says she’s left them a surprise. Can’t wait to see her idea of a surprise.

The Reyes are wandering through the courtyard when the commisario shows up explaining the house has a lien and they need to pay. Lien? No one said anything about that. Duh, where’s your due diligence three kings.....

Quinti and cutie Pablito are taking a ride in the moto out to the hacienda when the moto cracks up. Amazingly a fully dressed horse is just right there and Quinti finds the solution.

In the fields the boys are apparently trying to till the soil caveman style with an old plow and oxen, poor things. And hacking away with one sickle. That will get them far for sure.

Like moths to the flame they run up for lunch when Quinti and Pab show up on a horse driven contraption.

Rosi shows up to see a sweeping Sofi saying she learned about the store and can help. She convinces Stupid Sofi that Juan doesn’t want to take away the spawn, just care for it, and anyway you know a kid should be with both pas. Rosi continues that Juan has a big heart. Good thing because he sure doesn’t have a big brain. Swimming scenes reveal what else might be big though, wink.

Eva is bantering for the 200th time about getting forgiveness from the girls.

Crabby rejects Tio again. He tells her she can’t escape the past and he knows she’s been fakin’ this whole time and knew exactly who the Reyes were kids of. He said very soon all the truth will come out so watch out. And like the flash he’s out of there.

She tells herself of course she knew and that’s why she wants revenge, especially on Juan who looks the most like his Pa. Ok, obviously there’s some love lost here.

Feo is smooching Raquel, she reminds him Benito is with her. Benito walks up and Feo greets him as easy as taking candy from a baby, or ice cream from a grown man who lives with his Ma. Same diff. He tells him that he won’t have competition anymore from Tumbao now that it’s closed. Feo pats him on the back and thinks that's just great.

Raqui tells Feo they need to be careful so Bene doesn’t catch them. Uh, too late. He sees from afar and wastes his replacement ice cream on his frustration throwing it to the pavement. Not bright, could have been other things to throw down than a yummy ice cream.

Crabby is talking to a lawyer about her daughters’ divorces. That should be easy because there are no kids. The hacienda on the other hand is not an easy matter. Abo fears she might have to lose the lands.

Sofi gets faint, well its about time, isn’t she like 24 months pregnant? Juan shows up and helps her. He wants to carry her things, she says no, but her hands say yes as she hands him the packages.

Juan wants to see her purchases. Stupid man. He proceeds to ruin all her wrapping paper tearing the packages open like a maniac. He wants to give one to her so he buys the red one in name of their passion and gives some compliments in hopes that one day she forgives him.

He tells her of the trick by Raquel and that they will have to work hard to hang on to the place.

He knows she’s mad about the revenge, but if it wasn’t for that they would never have met. They almost kiss, she wants it but her prissy alter ego simply won’t allow it, so he kindly kisses her on the forhead and she ponders this kiss.

Benito begs Eugenia to go with him, what did she decide? After lots of cue card reading she agrees. It appears Rigoberto, who has snuck up in the background doesn’t like this idea much.

Quniti announces at the market that they are all going to live in the big house and need help moving all their naco belongings in, because "nothing was left in the house."

They pack up their kitsch and one by one, the bros kiss Libbi’s picture.

Everyone helps with the parade of junk from the pick up. It really doesn’t look that bad though after they get it set up. They place Libbi’s pic in the kitchen on the devotional shelf.

Crabby tells the girls their divorces will go fast so they’ll go over to the guys to get the sigs.

Beware of the honking SUV, Crabby wants them to sign the papers. Our boys ask the girls if it’s what they want but Crabby says it doesn’t matter what they say, Crab orders it.

The boys say the girls should decide, of course Sara fesses up first saying of course she wants a divorce. The boys say sorry but no deal, nothing will separate us from our women. She offers them money but they don’t want to take it, despite being in dire straits.

Someone rides up looking for Crabby telling her there are people at the Eye of Water urgently looking for her. Oscar gets one last jab at Jime in, but she walks away.

The horn honks as they drive off and the guy on the horse runs after them. The boys’ horse got spooked and ran away...wonder if they caught him.

Surveyors and engineers are measuring the land. Crabby drives up in her honking big black tank. She pulls the whole "these are MY lands not yours get out." She gets sick at this scene so she hugs the tree. Whoops there’s those darn initials again. FR. She is oblivious.

Back in Pueblo, Raqui tells Feo that she left everything leveraged. Feo is proud of her badness. Guess there the loan travels with the property and not the person.

The boys discuss whether they should use the money they won and saved to pay off the hacienda. Juan invited Eva to come and help out. Pablo offers to help too, but they said he must be in school. They rehash the divorce paper incident to Juan, and tell that people went to see Crabbi and Juan recognizes those are the lands in question.

Sofi learns from the girls where they were and why Ma is sick again. They talk about the divorces and Jime doesn’t want to but Sara does so they argue. Just then Doc comes out and says anyone else would be dead, but this damn woman keeps on ticking, but please no more pressure or she may pass. They agree. Oh please God do us a favor and take her to save her from her miserable self.

Mad Crabby is sulking in bed. She feels dead because of the boys. Sofi reminds her the lands belong to them. Of course she launches the classic manipulation response, you are always against me, you hate me. She says no, she doesn’t want anything bad to happen to her Ma. "If you love me you will help me. Beg Juan on your knees if necessary to give us back the lands." Thank goodness Sofi says no. Crabby reminds her, then she is worthless. Nice. Really, with a Ma like this it’s no wonder these gals are all loca and uptight.

Eva is at the hacienda, thankful for the opportunity. Pablo tries to carry her bag for her but it’s wayyy too heavy...

Abue tells Sofi she did the right thing because Ma should not obligate her. He reminds her how selfish and stubborn Crabby is. He tells her that Crabby supposedly knew the Reyes parents according to the Tio. Sofi is impactada.

Crabby is hugging a white box. In it, a photo of a man in charro outfit. She whines to herself why couldn’t he love her and why did he have to marry someone else. For that, her love turned into hate. She was thrilled at his death and especially that of his wife, she muses they deserved it.

Sara interrupts her pity fest to bring Crabi another document that was delivered. There is another hearing.

In Puebla at said hearing, they determine that the lands belong to the boys.


OK REJOICE EVERYONE!!! ACCORDING TO THE PREVIEWS WE WILL ACTUALLY SEE A BABY BUMP TOMORROW!!!! WHOO HOOO!!!!!!!!!!

Labels: Fuego

Episode 1:
* Marichuy peddles her bicycle through the streets of Centro Historico and the Zocalo, Mexico City.

* At her barrio stairs, Marichuy (Chuy) tells the kids the story of "Little Red Riding Hood" (with accompanying computer animation) on the stairs. Grandma comes down and tells the children to get to school. Children leave reluctantly. Grandma and Chuy talk before Chuy leaves.

* Candelaria (Cande) is working on the piles of laundry in her home as she listens to her radio. Chuy brings in a sack of tamales. Cande hands Chuy her next laundry delivery with instructions of where to deliver it. Cande blesses Chuy before she leaves. Cande does her little ironing dance (plancha - iron).

* Outside the barrio, Chuy has a conversation with a lady in a balcony. Chuy walks away. Chuy sneaks over to a garden of roses in pots. She looks around and picks some roses. Casilda sees her and chases after Chuy, through the barrio plaza.

* Chuy runs along the street and into the church. She kneels at the altar, prays and leaves the roses on the table. Chuy leaves to make her delivery. Padre walks over to the table and finds the roses; wonders who left them.

* Outside the church, Casilda runs up to Padre and complains about Chuy stealing her roses again. Padre realizes Chuy was the one who left the roses inside, and tries to defend her to Casilda. Casilda is furious and wants Chuy to be punished for stealing her roses.

* Vicente is in his studio, sketching a portrait of Angel Chuy - Chuy is getting stiff, holding her position for so long.

* Juan Miguel (JM) and his wife Viviana are arguing in the car.

* Vicente continues to sketch Chuy's angel portrait.

* JM parks the car - argument stops as Viviana climbs out of the car.

* Adrian stops by the laundry/home and talks with Cande - he's worried about Chuy.

* Four friends stop by Vicente's studio, interrumpting the sketch session with Chuy.

* Adrian and Cande discuss Adrian's worries - Cande tries to assure him that Chuy is fine and not to worry.

* Chuy excuses herself from the studio - she has to get back to work. Before she leaves, Vicente reminds her of a party he's holding at the studio. After Chuy leaves, one girl makes a remark about Chuy to Vicente.

* Back on the road in the car, Viviana and JM continue their argument.

* Chuy arrives at a mansion with the laundry delivery. The lady answers the door and Chuy waits for her to return with the payment.

* Outside the mansion, JM parks the car as Viviana jumps out and storms towards the house. The two start to argue at the door and into the entry hall. Chuy spies on their argument from the doorway. JM storms off. Viviana looks over and spots Chuy fleeing from the door. Viviana follows her to the living room and pulls Chuy back to the entry hall. Chuy has to explain that she's waiting for payment for the laundry delivery. Viviana pulls out some pesos from her purse and Chuy leaves.

* JM meets his best buddy Eduardo in the local cafe plaza. JM grumbles to Eduardo about his frustration over Viviana's constant jealousy and arguments over his profession, friends, everything. Eduardo listens.

* Chuy returns home and talks with Cande about the mansion and the couple that were arguing. Chuy is enchanted by the mansion and the life of the rich. Chuy smiles as she tells Cande about the party she will be attending tonight.

* JM and Eduardo continue to talk - JM is torn about a secret from his past.

* Chuy talks with Cande about a secret from her past.

* Onelia (the grouch) scolds and insults Mayita in the mansion living room. Mayita talks back to Onelia in defense of her mom and dad. Viviana enters; Onelia grumbles about Mayita's attitude to her; JM enters and gives his daughter a hug.

* Amador and Vicente meet before the party - they discuss how the sketching session went with Chuy earlier. Amador is obsessed and wants Chuy for himself.

* Chuy cries to herself at home - about how unlucky she is with her life.

* Cecilia and Patricio are with friends at their anniversary party. Viviana, JM and Eduardo walk out to the patio - they look over at Cecilia and Patricio talking with friends - Viviana tells JM and Eduardo about the juicy gossip she's discovered about Cecilia and Patricio's long relationship, forced separation and their long-awaited reunion and marriage. JM sees Cecilia and Patricio are moving over to them and tells Viviana to hush up. The couple join the threesome. Viviana, JM and Eduardo congratulate Cecilia and Patricio on their wedding anniversary. Viviana bluntly asks if they had any children?

* Vicente and Amador are in the midst of their party at the studio. Amador is anxious; Chuy hasn't arrived yet. Vicente tells him to be gentle; Chuy is distinct. At that moment, Chuy enters. Amador greets her - Chuy doesn't really pay attention to him and looks around the room at the other guests.

* JM, Viviana and Eduardo continue talking with Cecilia and Patricio. JM and Patricio leave to talk inside in private.

* The party at the studio continues - Chuy sits on the side with Amador. Amador offers to get her something to drink; she declines and continues to look at the other guests. He continues to look longingly at her.

* In the office, JM and Patricio talk about JM's idea for them to work together on a project for children. Patricio loves the idea and agrees to work on it.

* Party at the studio continues. Amador and Chuy are alone in another room.

* JM returns outside and tells Eduardo about his meeting inside with Patricio.

* Alone in the second room, Amador attacks Chuy - Chuy slaps back and runs out. Vicente attempts to run after her. The other guests watch and laugh.

* Chuy walks alone through the cobblestone streets at night.

* Chuy cries as she returns home. She sees Cande asleep at the table and turns off the radio. Chuy climbs up to her loft sleeping quarters. She cries to the angels.

* JM and Viviana return home. Viviana is in the mood for l-o-v-e. JM isn't in the mood; and excuses himself to the office. Viviana acts understanding and goes upstairs alone.

* In the bedroom, Viviana has a little temper tantrum; she thinks he has another woman, that's why he won't sleep with her.

* Nightmare flashback -- Chuy is running in a swamp forest; she runs into a strange man who scares her; she escapes from him and runs away; she's caught in a downpour trying to run away from the strange man.

Chuy starts to scream in her sleep from the nightmare. Cande wakes up and runs over to the stairs and calls up to Chuy - Chuy wakes up with her screams and tells Cande about her nightmare. It was horrible. Chuy comes downstairs and gives Cande several details about the strange scary man in her nightmare. Cande is consoling and talks with Chuy about the nightmare.

* JM cries as he sits by himself on the floor of the office. Mayita runs in and gives him a hug.

* Cande sits with Chuy and calms her down. Cande gives her advice on life and not to think too much about the nightmare. Chuy is still scared.

* JM and Mayita sit together in the office. She tells him what happened today with her grandmother and mother. Mayita asks him why he's sad and crying. He explains it has to do with a girl he once knew but couldn't be friends with her. They talk and hug.

* Next day, JM is in the bathroom shaving and answering his cell phone. Eduardo is on the other end, near his car on the street. They agree to meet later at the office.

* Chuy is on her bicycle going through the streets of the city.

* Chuy is home again, serving Cande breakfast and tortillas. Cande asks her about her morning - Chuy will visit Padre at church. Cande tells her about all the piles of laundry she has to clean at the house.

* Chuy walks to the mansion front door. When she gets to the door, JM is leaving. She's stunned. He asks what she wants.

Labels: Cuidado

Well some other things happened on the novela today but I am devoting the pictures (with one exception) to the resurrection of Salvador's body with PJ's soul. They changed to the opening credits to give Mario top billing. So what do we call him? PJ 2.0?

After busting out of the coffin, PJ runs away from the mob conveniently losing his shirt in the process.

PJ/Salvador is taken to the police station.
The police think Cantalicia tried to have her huband buried alive.
They take PJ/Salvador to the hospital to be examined by the Doctor.
He can't figure out what is going on.
He looks in a mirror.
He takes off Salvador' clothes...
The nurse gives him a blanket and he sits looking at the mirror.
He tells the doctor that he is PJ Donoso and that he has a 23 year old daughter. Not surprisingly, everybody things he's crazy. So what is it about catalepsy and these Telemundo novelas? First, Don Martín in PdG has something that is like catalepsy; he appears to be dead. Then here in ECDD, the doctor suggests that Salvador had an attack of catalepsy and that was why his wife thought he was dead; and, of course, in LT Mario played a character who actually had catalepsy.
PJ/Salvador takes a shower and the nurse gets and eyeful.
Here are the books that are in a hospital room: Reader's digest and another kind of condensed novels, a book on Matisse and The Age of Voltaire.

Labels: cuerpo

I know this is up super early, but I did it from Youtube as I have obligations around the house tonight that don’t leave me time to recap after the broadcast of the show. I think posting it just a couple hours before the show airs doesn’t count as a spoiler. If it does, please let me know and I’ll hold off next time.

OK I won’t make this post all about ME but I mentioned in Friday’s comments so the secret is out – I have a baby girl on the way, due between Christmas and New Year’s. Yay! My son has been asking for a little brother since he could talk (he’s almost nine now so that has been quite a while) but has accepted having a sister. I guess having 476 friends living within two blocks has softened his “it has to be a brother” stance. On with the show –

Alonso’s Lorena look-alike patient dies. Alonso tries to emote sadness and anger but it doesn’t really work.

Monica tries to tell Ern that he did the right thing with the kids, he’s not so sure. He mentions Lorena and Monica gets all jealous/bitchy about it. Ern tells her to shut off the lights when she leaves, peace out.

Alonso and his boss discuss the girl that died, she says he did all he could and shouldn’t feel bad. He cries anyway.

Maruja gets a phone call from Jaime that has a romantic tone, she gets off the phone when Rosy starts listening in. Rosy reproaches her but Lorena tells them to knock it off.

Ern’s sister calls him to complain that Alex is hitting her son. Ern tries to say maybe the other kid started it, the woman gets all mad about it. The nerve to suggest that her perfect little brats could possibly do anything wrong! Surely in the 12 hours he was taking care of the kids he turned them into hoodlums.

Maruja gets a text from Jaime and sighs happily, Rosy mocks her. Maruja admits to being ‘something’ with Jaime, Rosy is pissed. She can’t believe it after what ‘that man’ did to Julian’s family. There is about to be a huge rift between Maruja and Rosy here, I think. I suppose it is time for a couple new plotlines anyway, this beats amnesia. Please Hortensia don’t have amnesia, I’d like to see the end of this show to see what happens, don’t make me quit.

Vasco comes to see Jaime, he doesn’t know why Jaime is so happy if he’s getting divorced. Jaime tells him about Maruja, Vasco is happy for him. Vasco wants to have lunch together, but Jaime has to go see his novia.

Rosy jumps all over Lorena for knowing about Jaime and Maruja and not telling her. Lorena actually defends Jaime and says it’s Maruja’s business. Rosy isn’t at all ready to back down yet. She waves her hands around a lot, her nails look like claws.

Ern’s sister, who the other day knew so much more than him, who couldn’t believe he had the nerve to try and take care of the kids, etc etc, is now trying to dump the kids back on him. Some nerve. She makes excuses about the kids being difficult and her husband giving her an ultimatum to get the kids out of the house. I suppose her precious little angels are perfect and these normal kids are screwing it up. Sorry I guess you can tell I hate it when parents think their own kids are above reproach. I’ll always defend my kid(s), but I’ll be the first one to admit that they screw up and do stupid stuff just as much as other kids do. They’re kids! Sister says if Ern won’t take them, she’s taking them to an orphanage. These same kids that the other day didn’t belong anywhere in the world but with her. Hypocrite. Ern says he’ll take them back right away.

Jaime arrives at Maruja’s house and gives her a kiss. Things certainly have moved along in two weeks! They talk business, she will be the chef, he’ll be the business man, they think they are going to be a big hit. They hug and Rosy walks out and sees it, scowling. She drops about 1,000 pounds of attitude on them as she leaves.

Dario is being really stupid. He’s whining to Paula that if she won’t move to is apartment (she refuses to sleep where that slut Jackie slept and I agree with her) then why won’t she invite him back to the house? She says divorce first, then we’ll talk. Yeah sheesh. I can’t believe him. She wants him to be patient and he is being bull headed and won’t listen. I guess if you’re a cheater maybe you don’t understand these things the way you would if you were on the other end of it. He wants her to have confidence in him. Uh yeah, like before when you were screwing that whore?

The kids all return to Ern’s house. The kids, understandably, want to know what’s the deal with all the moving around and wet blanket Ivan says they’re headed for an orphanage soon enough. Ern says no, they can stay here forever. The little kids have a happy reunion with the housekeeper. She takes them off so Ern can talk to Ivan. Ivan is as rude as ever. Ern wants to have peace, but Ivan doesn’t cooperate.

The little kids tell the housekeeper that it was crappy living with Gladys. The kids think Ern is a bad guy but housekeeper defends him.

Bettina shows Toribio some more of the workings of the dating site and the internet. He wants privacy so she leaves. Toribio makes an internet call to some lady and chats with her.

Paula visits Alonso at work. He tells about the girl dying from leukemia. She tells him that Dario wants to come back to the house.

The poor little girl (can’t remember her name) thinks Ern is going to send her away again for eating a cookie outside of the kitchen. Ern says no and talks nice to the kids, Ivan is grosero like always. They make the sleeping arrangements. Ivan acts like he’s playing his PSP (handheld video game), but I have one too and you can’t play it while leaning on one elbow on a bed. You can’t move around right that way.

Sara arrives at clinic #23 looking for Alonso. Bruno happily tells her that the patient died.

At the restaurant in the kitchen, Lorena tells Maruja that Ern isn’t coming to work but she doesn’t know why and no she won’t call him. Maruja thinks that them fighting is stupid.

Alonso tries to push out a dump. No wait, he’s not constipated, he’s sad. Sara tries to say that she’s sorry for Florencia dying but Alonso isn’t biting. She tries to use this as a pretense to seduce Alonso again, since he is stupid he accepts her kiss and kisses her back. Then finally after the commercial breaks away. He gets his head straight again and tells her to get lost. Sara huffs and puffs and leaves.

Ern’s housekeeper is cleaning the carpet, Ern tells her not to worry about it. She thinks he has been reprogrammed by aliens. Ern says with kids around he’s going to have to be more practical about this sort of thing. In general I agree with him, but I still have a no shoes/no food rule in my own house for carpeted areas. I don’t get into a tizzy like Ern, but my son isn’t allowed to eat nacho Doritos on the couch in front of the tv either. And so you don’t think I’m an ogre, my huge TV is easily visible from the kitchen, where he can gorge on chips to his heart’s delight. The housekeeper wants to know if he told Lorena yet, but he says no, he doesn’t want her to think he brought the kids back just to get her back, because that isn’t why anyway.

Paula, wearing a wonderfully tight sweater (whoever said the other day about her shirt being good for me to see was right), meets Dario for lunch and says he can move back to the house and she’ll do everything she can do to make it work. Her “live for today” talk with Alonso has inspired her I guess. Dario says he isn’t the same idiot that failed her before, he has seen the light. Paula doesn’t look like she’s so sure of what she just said, like “oh crap what did I just do.”

Alonso’s boss tries to cheer him up, this is something doctors have to deal with. She says this might help – she tells him that he’s the top candidate for a scholarship to some medical course in Quebec. I’m sure it’s some advanced medical thing that is a big deal, but with my regular people Spanish skills, I didn’t understand all the medical terminology she used. I’m also watching on Youtube with no captions. Someone will have to help me out here. If he wants to go, he has to decide right now because he’d have to leave tomorrow. For some reason he is actually waiting and thinking about it. Let me give you a hint you dumbass – YES. Some free way to travel AND advance your career? AND get away from the crazy woman who won’t leave you alone? What’s to think about?

Ern tries to serve breakfast. Like anyone with kids knows, it’s complicated. Who sits where, what to eat, etc. Somehow Ivan even isn’t his usual ass self and even cracks a joke.

Lorena and Rosy start talking about Rosy’s wedding. Rosy wants Lorena in charge of food of course, but there isn’t a lot of money to go around.

After a happy breakfast, the little kids run off and Ern gives Ivan his own set of keys and tells him that he loves him, and gives him a hug. I guess this works, because Ivan says he loves Ern too and apologizes, he’s angry at life and about his parents, etc. Basically all the stuff we all knew but Ivan finally fesses up to it. They have another hug.

Paula tells Bettina that Dario is moving back home. Toribio doesn’t like it, but it’s Paula’s decision and he will honor it. Too bad in real life this doesn’t really ever happen, if any kids are watching this show they will think that if they nag enough daddy will come back home. Dario arrives, he couldn’t wait. Toribio smiles, because at least Bettina is happy.

Alonso comes into his office, Lorena is sitting there waiting for him. I suspect dream sequence, we go to commercial. Nope, I was wrong. She is returning the money he gave her school for her ‘beca’. He doesn’t want it. She thanks him anyway, since it allowed her to begin her studies. She wants to leave, he wants to talk about ‘us’. She says no, sorry, nothing to talk about, then she leaves.

Ivan asks Fanny where Lorena is. Fanny doesn’t answer, Ivan says did Ern choose the other, Monica? No no no. Fanny hopes that Ern gets back together with her. She makes it sound like Lorena broke up with Ern because he got rid of the kids and that he got the kids back just for her. So Ivan is sure to go back to his sullen ways.

Alonso goes over to Paula’s house, she is still wearing that great sweater. Everyone else is busy, so he just tells her – he’s going to Canada to study. He’d be happier but the whole Lorena thing…. Paula hopes he finds some Canadian hottie to help him forget.

Black Widow neighbor lady finds Toribio on the elevator and cries, he says he can’t forgive her for what she did.

Chalo and Barbara enter some room at the mansion and make out. Chalo makes me crazy with the way he talks. They hear footsteps and Chalo hides behind some furniture. It’s Sara, looking for Chalo. She wants to fire him and find someone else for his job. Barbara says no, he needs the work and “he’s a good driver.” Yeah Barbara, I know what you’re talking about. She runs Chalo down to Sara to cover her tracks, which Chalos doesn’t like. After Sara leaves he acts offended, he’ll only be mollified by her calling him ‘mi Rey’, which she does. Barf. This kid is a good actor but all scenes with Chalo make me feel slimy. They make out some more. Chalo says he’ll straighten things out with Sara.

Ivan shows up at the restaurant kitchen looking for Lorena. He wants to apologize for being mean and rude to her. He says he and his brother and sister are with Ern again, and that Ern didn’t tell her so it didn’t look like he was doing it to try and get her back. I’m surprised – I thought after the housekeeper ran her mouth before that Ivan would get cynical again and think Ern was doing all this for Lorena and his ‘I love you’ talk was for show. I guess I was wrong. So here is Ivan trying to help Ern out.

Chalo goes to see Sara, she has already figured out that Chalo and Barbara are getting it on. She teases him, Chalo tells her to watch it.

Lorena accepts Ivan’s apology. He says Ern loves her, then ducks out. Lorena tells Maruja and Rosy the good news, that the kids are back with Ern. They all get happy about a potential reconciliation between Lorena and Ern.

Toribio has returned to Alonso’s house, Alonso is happy about that. Alonso tells him about his trip to Canada.

Lorena brings something to Ern in the kitchen, he starts to say something, then says something kitchen related. Lorena is sad, she was hoping for some kind of apology or something.

Paula is wearing nice nightclothes, revealing t-shirt and pajama pants, but Dario is wearing old man pajamas. Nobody dresses for bed like that for real, do they? I haven’t owned a proper pair of pajamas since I was ten years old. Is it just me? Do people have the full on button shirt pajamas still, as grownups? Anyway Paula is nervous, so she claims to not be ready for bed yet, but Dario is obviously horny. He tries to be nice and say that nothing will happen that she doesn’t want, but doesn’t she want it to happen? He carries her to bed, she complains about his cold feet, and they start making out. Bettina barges in without knocking, good thing Dario still has the old man pajamas on and was under the covers. She wants to sleep with them, Paula says she isn’t two years old any more! Bettina says she wants them to hold her and promise that they’ll never be separated again. Dario says ok, but just for tonight. All three of them climb into their barely bigger than a twin size bed.

Alonso stares at a picture of Lorena and tries to emote again. Doesn’t work.

After work Ern finds Lorena, who just smiles at him and starts kissing him. I guess she is ready for more Ern. Ern, who is much smarter than Alonso, doesn’t ask why she changed her mind, he just goes with the flow.

Tomorrow – no idea. I did this recap from Youtube so there was no preview. I hope we get some scenes with Arturo, Jackie, and other assorted slimy people, often what the bad guys are doing is more interesting than the wooden faced lead actor and his angst. Oops did I say that out loud?

Labels: enemiga

-W. Somerset Maugham

Hola Guapistas! Here we are at the final recap. Thanks to all my fellow recappers who shared their talents in this mix of translation and snark that is recapping. Thank you also to those faithful readers who stuck it out with us to this, the bitter end. Now settle in with your tequila or your hot chocolate, cause we've got a bumpy road ahead!

Karla lies in the hospital bed remembering talking to Hugo after sex that one time…okay, after one of the many times…about how she's really in love with him and doesn't care that he's using her for sex. Socorro walks in and Karla wants a hug. She cries about having her heart broken. Socorro says that Hugo really loves her and said he'd realized how she really is a nice girl. Socorro says she always knew it, but Karla always tried so hard to hide it. "Hugo just wanted to know if he could give you his heart." Socorro begs clemency for Hugo. She says she always prayed for a good man for Karla and she feels like her prayers have been answered.

Constancio gets wheeled in and Alejandro begs Dr. Aro, aka, the only Doctor in Mexico City, to save his daddy. Hugo and Horacio are in the same waiting room and Alejandro tells them what happened. Now everyone else comes over from the Rodeo. Alejandro explains to Hugo that Rigo was really trying to kill him. Valeria passes on the news that Rigo killed Florencia.

Break for PSA:
In the US, four women and eight children die each day as a result of domestic violence. Most domestic-violence related homicides, at least in the US, happen when the victim is in the process of leaving. We should not put the focus and the blame on the victim by asking "Why doesn't she/he leave?" What we should be asking is "Why does the abuser abuse?" The answer is power and control--it's not about anger management. Leaving is a dangerous business because it challenges the abuser's sense of power and control over the victim. The number for the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233. For more information about what constitutes domestic violence, go to http://www.ndvh.org/educate/what_is_dv.html. End of PSA

Karla tells Socorro that she needs to think about the Hugo situation, but really right now she wants to get out of there. Socorro tells her that the doctor wants her to stay overnight for observation. A nurse comes in with a wheelchair to take Karla to her room.

Hugo tells Mili and Alejandro that Karla's there also and that she lost the baby. Mili is surprised to hear that Hugo always knew where she was. Hugo fills Mili in on what's up with him and Karla. Mili looks either confused or constipated. He's all excited that Karla really fell in love with him, but sad that she rejected him. Mili gives Hugo a big hug while Alejandro looks on suspiciously. Dr. Aro comes out to tell them all that Constancio's going to live. Everybody's happy.

The next day Karla and Mili have a heart-to-heart. Karla says she used to hate Mili…did she, really? I never noticed…because she thought that Mili had everything and she had nothing. Karla appears to have decided not to give Hugo a chance mostly because she doesn't think he can ever love her the way he loved Mili. Um, you mean in that obsessive, controlling, potentially homicidal way that calls into question his use of the word "love"? I should certainly hope not! Karla doesn't want to feel like seconds. She tells Mili about Hugo's dress up games. She says Hugo will never forget Mili and she can't live with that. With Mau, however, she didn't have to fight to drive some other woman out of his heart--he was all hers. Mili has gone back to that confused/constipated look. Karla mourns the loss of her beloved Pandroso: "I never felt this before. I've never missed someone so much. I've never counted the hours to see someone again." Mili approaches cautiously, and gets up in Karla's face, as if she's trying to see if the tears are real. She hugs Karla and then says that Hugo told her that he was in love with Karla. Karla's surprised that Hugo said that to Mili. Mili says that he fell in love with her sincerely and feels bad about hurting her. "I've never seen so much love in his eyes as when he told me about everything he did to be with you." Karla looks a little more hopeful now. Hugo walks in.

Valeria and Rocky go to visit Constancio. Everybody makes up. Constancio even wants to hug Rocky. He tells them he quit politics because he loves and misses his family…and that's going to include Rocky. Constancio says he's going to show them that he's not the same guy he was. Constancio tells Rocky he wants him to be a prince because Valeria deserves no less. Rocky says he'll be a king.

Mili leaves Karla and Hugo alone. Hugo asks for forgiveness and says he should have done things differently. Karla says she started to feel things for him back when they were sneaking around. She didn't want to feel alone, but she felt alone every morning when she left his room. With Mau she felt loved and she thought she was getting the relationship she'd always dreamed of. Hugo says it was real, he is in love with her, and it's his fault that she fell in love with a disguise. He's sorry he threw it all away. He promises he'll never bother her again. Karla asks him not to leave quite so fast and to give her a kiss. It's one of those weepy desperate ones. She pushes him away and looks like she's going to cry some more, but then she says "hey, you really do love me!" Hugo jumps her on the hospital bed and they get to making up for lost time.

Alejandro and Constancio chat. Constancio jokes that "mala yerba nunca muere" ("bad grass never dies" in other words "I'm too much of a ratbastard for Satan to want competition"). He calls Alejandro "son" and says there's a part of him that still thinks of Alejandro as a son. Alejandro says there's a part of him that still thinks of Constancio as a father, and oh, by the way, thanks for saving my life. Constancio says he couldn't let Alejandro be taken out like that. He says he never hated Al, he hated what Al represented--a young man with courage and intelligence and the "garra" ("fighting spirit") and guts to confront his father--everything Constancio wasn't in his youth. Constancio wants Al to know that he was always proud of him even though he didn't say so, he admires him and loves him, but his arrogance ("soberbia") kept him from admitting it. He asks Alejandro not to stop calling him Dad. They hug and cry. Mili walks in and sees them and Alejandro asks if she doesn't want to join in. They all hug. Constancio jokes that he's going to be Alejandro's father AND his father-in-law. He wants to know when he'll have more grandkids on the way. Dude, recover from your gunshot wound first!

Mili goes to church to bring her Cuatacho some vino. She thanks him for giving back her mom and for her dad being ok and for her having her family back, all thanks to Cuatacho. She says the vino isn't a bribe…well, only a little one…she wants Alejandro to be happy. Alejandro brings in his own glass of vino. Cuatacho says, "hey people, I like a little nip now and then, but what kind of lush do you think I am?" Alejandro tells Cuatacho thanks for Mili and sorry cause he's going to need to borrow her for a minute. He takes her outside the church.

A: I love you Carlitos
M: Carlitos las pelotas!
A: See, that's why I took you outside! I didn't want you to say that in the church. What would Cuatacho say about you?
M: That I'm a crazy, crazy woman!
A: Oh, so you are a woman? [he kisses her] That was to prove whether you're a woman.
M: Oh, yeah? Want me to prove whether you're a man.

Heh. That was fun while it lasted, but Alejandro remembers what happened the last time she said that and he's going to need his equipment intact if he's going to give Constancio all those grandchildren. He swears he's a man, so Mili kisses him. Padre Manuel and Sor Cachete come outside to ogle. PM says the story isn't over, it's just beginning.

Days later, Damian is being wheeled around the pool by Erika. In a bikini. He's pissed that he had to give Luciana all her money back. And that Hugo forbid him from coming to the wedding. And that his relatives are getting married to members of the unwashed masses and are happy about it. Erika says it's not so bad, it's like the two of them--she's a secretary who's going to marry her boss. An optimist, that one. Damian says he's fine as a bachelor. Erika starts yelling at him about everything she's done for him since the accident including certain personal hygiene tasks that shall remain nameless. She's aiming him at the pool and it makes Damian nervous. She says she can have any man she wants, but she stayed with him because she thought marriage was in the offing. She demands that he tell her right now that they're getting married and when he won't say it, she dumps him in the pool and walks off.

We next find ourselves at the wedding site, Estadio Azteca, home of "El Tri" (the Mexican national team) and Club América. This, my friends, is where the infamous "Hand of God" goal was scored by Maradona. They have the wedding tent set up at one end of the field. I wonder which one. The guests mix and mingle.

Padre Manuel tells Constancio he's gratified that all his prayers for Constancio's salvation have finally been answered. Well, his and Mili's.

Paolo asks Braulio what he's going to do now that he's not working. Braulio's feeling a little odd, having worked all his life with no vacations (except for that time he went fishing) and not knowing what to do. He says he's at least had Paolo's excellent company. He mentions that he's never been out of the country…he's never even seen the ocean! Paolo invites him, breathlessly, to travel the world with him. Braulio says that would be maaaaaaahvelous as they clasp hands and wonder how soon they can reasonably blow this pop stand and get to the hot monkey love.

Rosario I tells Constancio that the girls are on their way. She says she's happy he's better. After all, he is her baby daddy. Constancio would like it to be for more than just that reason, but Rosario I says he was very important in her life back in the day. Constancio says he still loves her, but he thinks now she must hate him. Rosario I says she no longer either loves or hates him. Constancio says maybe with time…but Rosario I shoots him down. "We've been down different paths." Constancio says that now that their paths have crossed again, maybe they only have one path left --together. He kisses her and I finally see that the miracle of miracles has happened. Yes, my friends, it took a long time to get to this point, but at long last Rosario I isn't wearing that same pair of FM heels! I'd like to thank the costume department for collecting that $10 and rushing to Payless five minutes before closing just to bring me this long-awaited moment. Rosario I tells Constancio that the kiss has confirmed that she no longer feels anything for him. She leaves and Luciana comes up and tells Constancio he still has a chance and don't give up. They laugh and hug.

Back at Casa Belmonte we see several wet spots on the carpet, leading to a drenched Damian who grins at his recovered ability to walk.

At the wedding, a horse-drawn carriage pulls up with Karla inside. Horacio waits for her. They're both carrying umbrellas and the path to the tent is lined with little trees and soccer balls. Horacio helps Karla out of the carriage and walks her into the tent. She's in a long, blue dress with a little sparkle around the bodice. It's got one shoulder and some gathering at one hip, but basically falls straight to the floor. I'm not usually a fan of asymmetry, but this works. She could wear it to the Oscars, I think. No veil, but a light blue flower in her hair. Horacio walks her in and hands her off to Hugo. She's all yours now, dude…no returns, no refunds.

Next comes Valeria's carriage. She steps out in a different wedding dress that we don't get a look at right away, since Constancio also has to wait for Mili. Or is it Vanilli? Mili's wearing a big white poufy dress with, I kid you not, a white pimp hat with a flower on one side and some tulle hanging off the back. As her carriage arrives we see that Valeria is wearing a pretty simple long satin-y pink dress with minimal bling and no pouf whatsoever. Oh, I get it, this is Mili's world and the rest of them are just living in it. Constancio helps Mili and her big pouffy off-white dress out of the carriage. Her skirt has a bunch of layers that I don't quite understand and some of the layers look wrinkled. And, oh my…the pimp hat is pinstriped with sequins. I need a moment.

Constancio walks his girls into the tent and does the handoffs. I'm distracted by the pimp hat. And the ponytail on one side and pulled over one shoulder. *sigh* No one else seems to care and they all smile and get weepy. Lina holds a blanket covered bundle that we're meant to assume is her offspring, but is probably just a ten pound sack of flour. We don't get any words in the ceremony, just the visuals of rings being slipped on, then Padre Manuel declaring them all husband(s) and wife(s). Rocky gets all excited and asks if he can kiss Valeria now. Alejandro says they all want kisses and Hugo adds "lluvia de besos" (a rain of kisses). To that I say, what you do in the privacy of your own five star hotel suite in Paris is your business. Padre Manuel gives them all the green light. Everybody sucks face. But first, Mili has to tell Alejandro she loves him. The band from the Rodeo starts up and everybody dances. Then they start trickling out of the tent in pairs…like going into the ark. Unfortunately, it appears that Rosella's FM shoes migrated to Socorro. Curse you costume department. Mili and Alejandro stay behind after everyone else leaves so they can mack some more. Oh, the pimp hat. What were you smoking, costume people? Now they head out, slowly. Alejandro stops outside the tent and picks up one of the soccer balls. "Jueges o te rajas?" ("Play, or are you too chicken?") Mili says she'll play and tosses her bouquet. Once again, I question the costume department's choice of mind-altering chemicals. Mili hikes up her (voluminous) skirts and we see that she's wearing white lacy knee socks and silver cleats. The run off to the goal area on the other side of the field. Mili tosses off the pimp hat and puts on a white baseball cap. Alejandro sets up in goal and Mili, of course, scores (as long as you ignore the angle of the kick, which, as Mr. 5ft informs me, would have gone waaaaay over the goal…actually Mr. 5ft has been complaining about Mili's bad technique, as aided by the editing department to look like she knows what she's doing, through the whole show). And Fin.

Well, all good things must come to an end. Thanks for all the comments and I'm sure I'll be seeing you around.

What?

Well, that's where they should have ended it, but it wasn't only the costume department who was getting out of hand. Mrs. Sanchez' 8th grade class had already handed in the final episode, but then, since Josh Lowenstein, aka "Josue," invited the whole class over to a party at his house while his parents were out of town the weekend before finals and they all raided his parents' liquor cabinet and ate too much pizza…

Five or fewer years later: There's a family reunion on the lawn of Casa Belmonte. Rosario II is old enough to walk and be tossed around by Constancio. Mili and Alejandro have a second baby. Rosario I is also there. Valeria and Rocky have a couple of toddler boys--twins, perhaps? Nestor and Luci are still into each other. Karla pushes Damian in his wheelchair and then lets him roll down a hill when Hugo distracts her. He crashes into a tree and everybody laughs--no one louder than Karla and Hugo.

Ten years later: People have aged to an alarming degree that only 8th graders would imagine is realistic (seeing as how they tend to think that 25 is "old"). Alejandro has grown an unfortunate moustache. There's a picture of him, Luciana, and Valeria, where they all look sad. Luciana's wearing a depressing grey jacket and glasses that are way too big for her. There are also pictures of Luciana with the grandkids (in that same hideous jacket and uncomfortable smile). I would guess the two in front are Rosario II and her younger brother and the two in the back are Rocky and Valeria's boys, who look less like twins in this picture. Luciana is dying of one of those vague diseases that afflict people in their fifties, cause, you know, that's ancient. It may be possible that all those years of drinking caught up with her, but once she stopped, her liver should have either healed or at least stabilized, unless it's from some disease she caught while living out on the streets. Mili and Valeria weep. Nestor has also grown an unfortunate moustache and gotten tanner than George Hamilton. Luciana dies.

On the soccer field, it's time for the next generation to play while Mili, Alejandro, Lina, Bobby (another one who grew facial hair for no apparent reason), Valeria, Rocky, Gloria, Chamuco, Karla, and Hugo coach. Yikes! It's not clear whether Karla and Hugo have a kid of their own or if they're just taking a picture with one of their many pseudo-nieces/nephews. Gloria and Chamuco have a boy.

Twelve years later: Karla somehow has a daughter older than twelve…or else she shouldn't be letting her twelve-year-old dress like that. Karla scolds Nameless Daughter that she doesn't care if she's got a party, they are staying here at Dad's gallery show. Karla helps an exhausted-looking Socorro onto a bench. Socorro's probably thinking "Like mother, like daughter" as Karla complains about how Nameless Daughter talks to her. Heh. Hugo and his moustache come over to give Karla a glass of wine and lead her over to a painting he wants her to see. I think it's a painting of Karla on velvet. What? That's what it looks like. Socorro sees a light come down from above and coalesce into Angel!Horacio. He flirts with her, as usual. She responds in a croaky voice and puts her head down in his non-corporeal lap. Karla cries over her dead body.

After re-thinking the math, they must mean another twelve years after the original ten, for a total of 22 years later, otherwise people's ages really don't make sense.

Alejandro and Mili are at Padre Manuel's church, all dressed up for their daughter Rosario's wedding, at which her Nameless Brother will be officiating. Alejandro now has grey hair in addition to the unfortunate moustache. Mili just has her hair pulled back into a giant knot. Rosario comes up in her wedding dress and gets hugs from her parents. Everyone walks into the church.

Five years later: okay, so 27 years total. Casa Belmonte has completely gone to seed. Constancio hasn't cut his hair in years and has grown a beard. Damian still lives with him and is still pretending to be unable to walk. A nurse comes in and gives Constancio his medicine. Damian takes advantage of his back being turned to shuffle over and steal Constancio's concha (a type of sweet bread, really good with coffee). Constancio busts him walking and gets pissed off. They shuffle around the couch and then Constancio clutches his chest and falls over. Damian freaks out. Constancio laughs at having faked Damian out, but now he dies for real. Damian begs him not to die because he loves him. Where's the nurse? And why did Constancio end up alone? And why is the house in such bad shape? What happened to the construction company? And why, in 27 years, does it look like no technological advances have been made? No robot butlers? No new, younger bodies?

Seven years later: 34 years total. Casa Belmonte is restored to its former glory, and no longer full of angry, bitter people. Valeria and Rocky watch their grandkids open Christmas gifts. There are four adults around, the parents, one presumes, but no way of knowing which grandkids belong to whom. Rocky has taught the grandkids to say "ay, papantla!" Aw, granddad, that's slang from, like, forty years ago. Valeria gives a grandmotherish "obvio, si!" They hug all the grandkids.

Many years later: in other words, enough to get to 90. Mili and Alejandro shuffle up a sand dune. Once again, I am amazed at the lack of technological advancement. No hover scooters? We get flashbacks of their time on the beach the first time. Meanwhile, future Mili and Alejandro sit down on a conveniently placed wicker bench in their love den (which is still there, for some reason). Future Mili's face seems to be stuck on one expression--slight confusion with an open mouth--including when she kisses Future Alejandro. More flashback to Past Mili and Al macking on the beach. Future Mili and Al look rather shocked as they remember having sex right on this very spot, many, many years ago. Alejandro dies. How ungentlemanly of him to go first. A few seconds later Mili dies. The screen reads "Un amor que perduró mas allá del tiempo" (a love that lasted beyond time) below "FIN."

Okay, people, that's all they wrote. If you missed it the first time around, it looks like there's a repeat next Sunday (check your local listings). Also, the cast will be on Cristina on Monday night.

Labels: guapos

Lots of pictures from Friday's episode because there was a lot going on and I have more time on Fridays ;-).

Marisela finds the missing picture of Luisana on DB's altar and it has obviously been used for sorcery.

Federica tries to 'be friends' with Antonio. He is suspicious but finally agrees to shake her hand. Federica is following some plan devised by Josefa.

Marisela is afraid in DB's altar room but she perseveres in her attempt to defeat the spell. She sprays what appears to be a perfume atomizer on the altar and repeats what a priest says when he sprinkles holy water.

Locked in the altar room, Marisela tries to say the Hail Mary but she can't remember beyond the first line. She tells God that he knows what she is trying to say and begs him to help her get out of the room.

Genoveva tells Cecilia that Marisela has gone to El Miedo and Cecilia tells Santos who goes there to find her. He comes upon DB who is just starting to take her revenge on Julian Barreta. When DB asks Santos about the health of those at Altamira, he accuses her causing Luisana's illness. She doesn't deny it. "She messed with what is mine, and she is paying for it." ["Ella se metió con lo mío, y lo está pagando."]

Eustaquia gets Marisela out of the altar room and signals to Santos that everything is ok and that he should leave.

Lovely, sweet Eustaquia

DB toys with Julian Barreta like a cat with a mouse.

Medicine is failing Luisana. The doctor is clueless. Now religion fails. Luisana asks for the priest to come. She doesn't want him to give her the last rites; she wants him to do an exorcism. He refuses saying that she's not possessed by a demon and anyway, he'd have to ask the archbishop and that would take time. He scuttles out like the coward he is.

As Timoteo said, Marisela is the one who is taking charge. She encourages Luisana to fight and suggests that she think of whatever she loves most. Luisana replies Santos, of course. Unfazed even though she loves Santos too, Marisela describes a beautiful wedding to Luisana. "Isn't that something to live for?" Marisela asks Luisana. "Santos is something to live for," replies Luisana.

Santos overhears Marisela's description of the wedding. Marisela tells him that she thinks Luisana doesn't want to live. Santos says that maybe he should marry Luisana to make her happy.

DB is going to kill Juan Barreto in a very grisly way involving rope and 4 guys on horses.

Cecilia is trying to cheer Luisana up by brushing her hair when it starts to come out in hanks. Poor Luisana is horrified.

Labels: barbara

OK, finally it happens. Ángela is an idiot (and I agree with you completely, Marie Celeste, that she is the worst dresser. It looks like she's auditioning for the Dallas Cowboy cheerleaders or something). She blurts out to her father that Isabel has a lover. He doesn't believe her, of course, and has another attack, of course.


Salvador gets a bath. Neanderthal is right, Marie Celeste. Either that or he's had a stroke.

Now Ángela discovers that Isabel's lover is none other than her supposed boyfriend and daddy's right hand man at the factory, Andrés!

Isabel and Andrés caught in flagrante delicto.

Ángela runs to tell Daddy. Since the first revelation didn't kill him outright, this one certainly will but it's too late. PJ has played his last chord.

The bright white light of death has come for Salvador, too. Either that or it's the mother ship.

Gaetana feels the psychic disruption...

PJ's burial.

Salvador's velorio.

Salvador's funeral procession


PJ's soul or something brings Salvador's body back to life.

Salvador's coffin starts moving and the pallbearers drop it.


Out of the coffin (notice the cross effect..)


Here you go, Cindy. A promise of things to come-

Labels: cuerpo