Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Doña Bárbara - Mon., Dec. 8 - The terneras strip to protect the rebels while DB protects Gonzalo

Pernalete surprises María Nieves dressing in the worker's housing.

Casilda asks Melesio to hide Cósme and the poet. He doesn't think much of their politics but says that if Santos is giving them refuge, that's all he needs to know. He and Casilda wonder where Gonzalo is.

Gonzalo is drunk and at El Miedo. He has come to ask Santos an important question but he won't tell DB what it is. DB tells Gonzalo that she knows he is a rebel who has organized subversive activities and who is being sought by the political police. Gonzalo asks if Santos told her those lies and DB replies that she saw his wanted poster at the police station. She advises him to be nice to her because he is in her power. She can be very nice when she is next to her man but as an enemy.. she doesn't recommend it.

Santos rides away from the well. "What has happened?" he asks himself, "Everyone was right. Marisela has changed. She has turned into a (he flashes back to Marisela bathing in the well).. beautiful woman." Antonio rides up and tells Santos about Mujiquita's warning. They go to Altamira.

DB asks Gonzalo again what it is that he wants to ask Santos. Gonzalo says that he isn't one of her workers who can be ordered around. He acknowledges that she is pretty and says that Santos always had good taste in woman but he doesn't like her. DB replies that it is mutual. Gonzalo says that she is a despot and detestable. Then he passes out.

The terneras don't understand why they have to hide the rebels in their room. The rebels tell the terneras that they are students and rebels and are on the run from the politcal police.

When Santos and Antonio return to Altamira, Cecilia fills him in on what happened. Carmelito and Pajarote come in and tell Santos that Pernalete and the police are searching the stables. Santos goes after them.

When Pernalete observes that Santos has a lot of land, Lorenzo asks what he is looking for. Pernalete maintains that he isn't looking for anything. He's just inspecting. Lorenzo asks if he wants to inspect the chicken coop.

Melquiades has gone to Progresso looking for Pernalete. Mujiquita tells him that Pernalete has gone to Altamira.

The terneras tell Melesio that Pernalete and the guards are approaching their house. Melesio tells the terneras to hide the rebels in their room and create a diversion to not let the guards in. After some initial confusion, Genoveva takes charge. She tells the rebels to hide under their beds. Then she tells the other terneras to strip down to their underwear (ropa interior).

Pernalete comes to Melesio's house and orders that the place be searched. Santos arrives and Pernalete says that he is making a routine visit to all the haciendas. He says that Santos looks very tense. Santos asks what Pernalete is doing. He replies that he has orders. There are robbers (facinerosos) in the area and his responsibility is to protect the honor, the property and the lives of decent people, like Santos. He goes on to tell Santos that he is looking for the rebels and knows that Santos went to school with their leader and for that reason he has strong suspicions that they are hidden here. He is going to search Santos' hacienda inch by inch (palmo a palmo). Santos asks Pernalete if he has a search warrant (orden de cateo) because without one, he can't do anything. Pernalete tries the old, 'if you have nothing to hide, what is the problem?' (el que nada debe, nada teme, literally, he who owes nothing, fears nothing). Pernalete orders the guards to search every room of Melesio's house.

Outside, Santos and Antonio wonder if the rebels had time to get out of Melesio's house. Antonio asks about Gonzalo and Santos says that he went to El Miedo. Antonio offers to go there and warn him. Santos thanks him but Antonio says that he isn't doing it for Santos, he is doing it because he likes Gonzalo much more than Santos.

Marisela comes to Melesio's house and asks what is going on. Santos can't look at her. He orders her to go back to the big house. She leaves thinking that Gonzalo must have told Santos that she is hopelessly in love with him and now he can't look her in the face.

The guards knock on the door of the ternera's room. Genoveva puts her plan into action. She tells the guards that they can't come in, her cousins aren't presentable.


She tells the terneras that she will open the door and they should scream and attack the guards with whatever they can grab. When the door opens, the girls scream and attack the guards with pillows and push them out. The guards come running out and tell Pernalete that these crazy women wouldn't let them enter. Genoveva is right behind them wrapped in a sheet and carrying a feather duster like a weapon.

She says that that the guards are abusers and degenerates. She says that they forced their way in and began to fondle (manosear) and pinch (pellizcar) the girls. Santos feigns outrage and orders the guards and Pernalete to leave Altamira immediately.

Pernalete asks if Santos is in favor of or opposed to justice because it seems to him that Santos is protecting the criminals so that they can't be found. Santos says that Pernalete can do whatever he wants as long as he doesn't break the law and the law requires a search warrant to enter private property. Pernalete says that 'national security' concerns give him the ability to speed up the formalities. He can't be expected to be looking for permission when the criminals are escaping. "And that is what you did," replies Santos, "And what happened? These men wanted to take liberties with my nieces!" Santos tells Pernalete to get out of Altamira and not return. Furious, but with no alternative, Pernalete orders his men to withdraw. "The government is watching you," he says, "we know that you are friends of our enemies and those who are not with us are against us."

Genoveva returns to the terneras' room and says that the police have gone. The rebels come out from under the beds and the terneras hurriedly get dressed. Pajarote, Carmelito and Melesio come in. When Pajarote sees the half-dressed terneras, he says, "Praised be to God!" ("¡Alabado sea Dios!") Melesio is shocked and throws all the men out and yells at the girls to get dressed.

Antonio comes to El Miedo. He says that he is looking for a friend. "A friend of yours or a friend of Santos?" asks DB. Antonio asks if she has seen Gonzalo. DB asks who sent him to ask for Gonzalo and Antonio answers that Santos sent him. "What a hunk (hombraso) is my husband," says DB, "you've gone back to being his boot licker."

The vaqueros and the rebels discuss what they saw of the terneras undressed. They are concerned about Gonzalo's whereabouts, however.

Lorenzo tells Santos that the rebels cannot stay at Altamira. It is too dangerous. Santos is in danger too now that the government has shown an interest in him. Santos says that he has to get the rebels over the frontier but he doesn't know how. He needs to consult with Gonzalo.

Back at El Miedo, Antonio says that he isn't anyone's boot licker. He asks why DB is trying to alienate him from Santos. Did it bother her so much that he and Santos were friends? DB responds that she is Santos' woman. He can't compete with the woman who shares his boss's bed. "Why would I want to?" asks Antonio, "What is it you want, señora, that Santos not have any friends?" DB says that she wants Santos to make better choices. She will tell Santos that he shouldn't confide in a resentful worker. Tiring of the argument, DB tells Santos that Gonzalo is sleeping one off. At that moment, Pernalete arrives at El Miedo.

Pernalete is surprised to see Antonio. Antonio makes a good comeback by saying that he was looking for Federica at all the haciendas because he knows how much she likes to get it on with the workers. When he didn't find her at Altamira, he decided to see if she was sampling the action at El Miedo. Antonio leaves and DB grabs Pernalete and says that he should never do what he did to Santos.

Marisela tries to talk to Santos but he doesn't want to.

Pernalete says to DB that he was just following orders from above. She slaps him and says that even if he has to betray or kill his superiors, no harm can come to Santos. If because of him, anything happens to Santos, DB says that she will kill Pernlete and he knows what she is capable of.

Genoveva and Pajarote exchange insults of the kind that indicate that they will shortly fall in love.

Antonio rides up and tells Pajarote and Carmalito to tell Santos that Gonzalo is safely hidden at El Miedo.

Marisela thinks that Santos won't talk to her because of what Gonzalo told him. She tells him that what Gonzalo is a lie, then she qualifies it to half a lie and then she admits it's the truth. She loves him and she thinks he is afraid of her because of that. At this moment, Carmelito appears and tells Santos that Gonzalo is at El Miedo. Santos walks away from Marisela without a word. She thinks that he is angry with her and that it is all Gonzalo's fault.

Pernalete is trying to justify his actions to DB when Gonzalo appears behind him. DB keeps Pernalete occupied until Melquiades grabs Gonzalo and drags him off. Melquiades tells Gonzalo who Pernalete is and tells him to stay quietly in the room.

Marisela tells Cecilia and Lorenzo that Santos is acting very strangely. He seems to be ashamed to look at her. She thinks it is because Gonzalo told Santos that she loves him. Lorenzo says that can't be right. Santos has known that for a long time. Marisela says that he doesn't know how much she loves him. He thinks that she a girl's crush on him. He doesn't know that it is true love. She says that hates Gonzalo. Cecilia replies that Gonzalo is in love with her. Marisela admits that Gonzalo is funny and handsome and he speaks intelligently. Women are stupid, says Marisela. They fall in love with those who don't love them back. Lorenzo asks Marisela how hard it would be to fall in love with Gonzalo.

Santos comes to El Miedo. Gonzalo thanks DB very handsomely for her help in hiding him from Pernalete. Santos and Gonzalo go to DB's study so Gonzalo can ask Santos an important question.

Antonio wants Federica to find out the combination of her father's safe. Antonio promises Federica that if she finds out the combination, he will have sex with her on their honeymoon. (I assume. I couldn't quite get the word he was using - the titles having stopped about 3/4 of the way through the episode). She promises to get the combination.

While DB listens outside, Gonzalo asks Santos if he is in love with Marisela.


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Las tontas no van, Mon. 12/8, #6. It’s not a hot night, but it sure is warm.

Beto tells Chava his father left, but Chava suggests that his father died and his mother said that to make him feel better, like when your cat ‘runs away.’ When Rocío arrives, she wants to play novios but Chava wants to play wild animals.

Santiago and Rocío try to help Chava, since Santiago knows his grandfather died. Rocío, the chattering little bird, tells Chava that they want to cheer him up because his grandpa died, while Santiago is trying to hush her lack of tact. He invites Chava to join a plan to make his mama happy. Chava loves that idea, and Santiago is shamelessly proud of himself.

Back at the restaurant, Ole hears Sven on the phone, “Who is the man of the house? Me, that’s who.” Ole thinks he’s talking to his novia. Nope, it’s his mama.

On TV, Soledad sees Pat in an interview about his export business. Pat emphasizes that he has absolutely nothing to do with his father’s business. (Note, Pat has broken all business ties with his father, moved to a different city, and broken most personal ties – remember his marriage was a surprise to Arturo? Pat has put the lizard out of his life.) Soledad is stunned when she recognizes Pat. She grabs the phone and tries to reach him..

At home, Chava asks Candy if she’s depressed because his grandpa died. How are you going to run away from this one, Candy?

Candy tears into Meño for telling Chava his grandpa died. “Don’t deny it, you’re the only one who knew.” Wrong again, Tutz. Meño reminds her that Santiago knows because Candy told him herself. He gives us today’s dicho: Una mujer es dueña de su silencio, pero victima de sus palabras. A woman is owner of her silence but victim of her words. She apologizes for accusing him and not believing him. Wait! You readers didn’t hear any apology? Don’t feel bad, neither did Meño.

The soccer team has prepared a surprise for Candy. They line up, each holding a paper over his face, with a big smile on it. Chava explains that the smiles are for her, so now she never has to be sad. SWEET! Candy collects each boy’s happy-face and thanks him. Behind one of the happy faces she finds Santiago. “They told me you needed smiles because you were sad, so I brought you mine.”

Candy gets pissy. She tells him that if he’s trying to seduce her, it won’t work. He protests that he was just trying to help her. He wants to teach her to accept compassion, and I want to teach my cat to fetch. I think I have the better chance. Santiago offers proof that he’s genuine and sincere with no hidden agenda – she’s not allergic to him today. Candy is also mad that he told Chava that her father died. Santiago defends it as an honest mistake, but to make it up to her he’ll referee the soccer game.

Can someone explain this? Why does Candy have such a seduction obsession? Candy was the one who initiated relations with Pat after a three-year courtship, a week or two before her wedding. Pat didn’t love her and leave her; he loved her and betrayed her. No other man has taken advantage of her. And Santiago, although seduction is his goal, certainly hasn’t been blatant or aggressive about it. Why is she so obsessed with fear of seduction? You’d think she would be afraid of a man two-timing her, but no, she barely mentions that with Santiago, a man who has a formal girlfriend.

Lucía tells her chesty friend Evangelina, the one getting all the attention from the boys, that today she’ll ask her tío for new bubis. To make sure no one misses the point, the friend takes a big bite from her two big, round scoops of ice cream.

Back at the soccer game, Candy is screaming at Referee (Autoridad) Santiago, like a bad Little League parent on Dr. Phil. He tells her to stop but nobody can tell Candy Morales nuthin’, not never. Santi says the kid wasn’t fouled, he dived – he’s the cousin of Fernando Platas (Mexican high diver, won Olympic silver). Another parent joins the fray. Santi calls the dad mandilón – a man who wears the apron and his wife wears the pants. Candy tries to come between them, she gets knocked over, Santiago sees red, and the poor dad sees the dirt, face first. We need this scene just in case anyone forgot how much Santiago likes Candy. He sneaks out, crawling beneath the ensuing fracas, to make sure Candy is okay. He reminds her this isn’t boxing, it’s soccer – he calls it soccer, not fútbol.

The three contrite parents attempt a teachable moment with the soccer team. “Violence never solves anything,” yada yada. The mandilón is still rubbing his jaw. Camil puts on his bad English (as opposed to his good English) for a chorus of All You Need Is Love. They hope words speak louder than actions, but Chava isn’t buying it.

Meño is disturbed by all his sagging parts – his párpados (eyelids), papadas (jowls), arrugas (wrinkles), cejas de azotador (?), and his one ear higher than the other. He finds a solution – cover the mirror! Fuera dolor!

Soledad sees an article about Pat’s art export business in the newspaper, and remembers the night Beto was conceived. First we see them drunk at the disco, then back at his hotel room.

As Marissa’s big brother, Raúl urges Santiago to marry her, doggone it. Santiago tries to tease his way out of it, but Raúl won’t let him. He recognizes that Santiago chases skirts (remember Raúl assumes all husbands do); regardless, Santiago should define their relationship or marry his sister now. Notice “break it off” is not one of the choices.

Meño consults with Dr. Santiago for his new face. Meño is particularly sensitive about his uneven ears. Santi offers a deal: get me a date alone with Candy tonight, and I’ll do the operation for free. Santiago’s parting smile as he anticipates the date? Priceless!

What’s going on here? Raúl asked Meño to introduce him to Candy, Raúl told Santiago to marry his sister, and Santiago bargained with Meño to get a date with Candy. Are all the town matchmakers away at a convention?

Candy admits to Chava that his grandpa died. Chava wonders about the second one – other kids have two grandpas. Candy isn’t willing to answer. Chava tries to bring his box of lies so mama will have to tell the truth. Little does he realize that a caja de mentiras is no match for a mama de mentiras.

At the restaurant, Meño tells Candy an important, rich customer has reserved the restaurant for tonight, and he wants Candy to work. Candy assumes it must be some man cheating on his wife.

Lucía asks Santiago for birthday bubis surgery. She employs the age-old argument, “My friends can.” He tells her he is totally against it for girls her age. He employs the age-old parent answer, “You don’t need it, you’re beautiful. Your father would agree. He was smart and loved her very much. I’m not as smart, but I love you just as much.” What a papa!

Meño tells Sven & Ole he has a secret assignment for them. He ponders, “How can I explain this? Your minds are so small.” They will work as phony crooks, so that Candy will stay here alone with her date. Does Meño’s plan make sense to anyone else? Meño wants Candy and Santiago to be alone, so he sends Sven and Ole to help them be alone???

Soledad is still trying to contact Pat. She’s going out and makes arrangements for a babysitter.

The restaurant is filled with candles, flowers, and chilled champagne. Candy is wearing an elegant black dress. She steps into the dining room and hears that familiar voice, “Welcome to a magical evening. I’m the client who reserved the restaurant.”
Candy: “So it’s for your girlfriend? Or a mistress?”
Santiago: “No, this is all for a date with a very beautiful woman.” (Is that a little jealousy or a little disappointment in Candy’s eyes?)
Candy: “Then let me know when she arrives, so I can serve you.”
Santiago: “No, I’m going to serve, cook, and do everything.”
Candy: “Very well, then you won’t be needing me. Con permiso.”
Santiago: “Candy, no, wait! This beautiful, spectacular, marvelous woman I’m waiting for is you. Please. Take a seat.”
Readers, mark this moment. She has buried her heart for seven years, but her face tells us it can’t stay buried forever. We see the very first crack in Candy’s wall. It’s only a hairline fracture in a very thick wall, but it’s a start.
Santiago proposes a toast to a marvelous night. She glares at him suspiciously. “Drink with me, Candy. Can you deny that I’ve behaved like a perfect gentleman?”
She grudgingly accepts the toast, but still must object, “The night is not over yet.”
Santiago: “You’re cruel! We’re having a normal dinner, carrying on conversation. This is not some seduction plot. I’m simply having dinner with a very special woman that I like very much. Nothing more.”
Candy: “Hmm. I’ll try to believe you.”
Santiago: “Thank you. Since we’re trying new things, do you think you could try to smile a little, too? You’ve been very serious all night. Doesn’t a nice chilango like me deserve it?”
Candy makes a big, toothy smile like an 8-year-old’s school picture. Santiago laughs at her and says, “That’s no smile. That’s the face a piranha makes just before it bites!” She laughs. “There! A beautiful smile.” With that, her amargada (sour, crabby) face returns.
Santiago: “What did I tell you? One compliment, one flattery, and you think it’s a blow to the head. Learn to accept them.”
Candy: “Are you sure this won’t end in bed?”
Santiago looks around the room. “I don’t see a bed in here. Normal people end dinner with dessert.”
Santiago gets up to clear the plates, and while he’s not looking, Candy allows herself a big smile, anticipating a magical dinner with such an enchanting man.

At home, Rocío wants Lucía to help with her computer game. Luc is on the phone, looking in the mirror with “enhancements” stuffed in her bra. She is still trying to get those new bubis. Her latest plan? Find another doctor who will do it.

Back at the restaurant, does anyone notice how bad Jaime Camil looks in a suit? How do they do that??? True, there was ‘more of him to love’ in the early episodes, but I don’t think that is sufficient explanation. Don’t you remember? He was born in a necktie! The candy cane one was delicious, and the metallic blue with dark stripes was divine. How can he look bad in a suit now? Cómo puede ser?

As he’s clearing the plates, two crooks in masks barge in, guns drawn. Two very short crooks. Santiago hears them talking, and wonders, “That voice? Where have I heard that voice before?” “Rocky, that was me…” Oops, wrong universe. Realizing that the crooks are the bumbling waiters, Sven and Ole, Santiago plays the heroic defender of fair (?) Candy. “Leave her alone! Do what you want to me, but don’t touch her.” Ole is as tall as Santiago’s armpit, but still tries to shove him aside. Santi laughs. Failing that, Ole pistol whips him. Laughing stops.

Ole orders Candy to undress, but Sven tries to nix that. Candy loudly refuses, but Santiago tries to reason with her. “These are dangerous criminals; we’d better do what they say.” Nudge nudge wink wink. I guess a peep show opportunity trumps heroic defender role. Candy cringes and starts to undress; Santiago willingly does the same, “for solidarity.”

Candy strips down to her black scanties. Santiago enjoys the view (claro!), but is suddenly impactado. As she screams, “Don’t look!” he has a flashback – a wedding on the beach, a beautiful woman he has the hots for, a bride who strips down to her white scanties! He has a vivid – very vivid – memory of her chest and a mole. The chest and mole match Candy’s exactly. (Finally we know why Santiago never recognized Candy before. In Guadalajara she has kept her clothing on, and at the wedding he never paid attention to her face! This might also be a clue about his career choice.)

Santiago, shocked, bug-eyed, and gaping-mouthed, looks at Candy and fumbles for words. “I know you.. your neck.. your shoulders.. your mole.. the wedding.” Candy is seriously worried. She tries to protest that he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, but he continues, barely breathing for excitement. The memories are pouring in more quickly. “Acapulco. Your husband with your sister. Your mother-in-law introduced us. You despised me. YOU’RE ALIVE!!!”

Candy is ready to grasp any escape. She says it‘s just an excuse to see her undressed. We hear Sven say, “Candy es amiga.” Candy recognizes the voice and starts shrieking. Santi tries to chase them. But his pants are down around his ankles (briefs; black), so he trips and hits his head. We get a fleeting view of a sight rarely seen: Jaime Camil’s chicken legs. The man has great hair, gorgeous eyes, sensuous lips, good tush, and passable thighs, but his calves are just plain silly. That’s why you almost never see them.

Candy is worried for him. She rushes over and kneels above him. She’s careful not to laugh at his silly calves. “Are you okay?” He answers suggestively, she takes offense, and storms off.
Santiago resolves, he is going to “unbury” Candy, and he intends multiple meanings, I’m sure.

Soledad ambushes Patricio as he leaves work. First he thinks she wants work, and he turns her down. When she says they used to go out, he thinks she wants to reignite an old flame, and he refuses that too. He ducks into his car as quickly as he can, and Soledad is left, pleading to his Ferrari exhaust.

In the midst of Meño’s nightly beauty treatment, Candy drags in Sven & Ole. Meño chews out the boys for their botched effort, and when he discovers Ole made her undress, Meño’s ready to kill him.

Candy is working on throwing out Santiago. She doesn’t like surprises; well he doesn’t like lies. She lies that she doesn’t lie. He insists that he won’t budge until he gets the truth, so she gives him her best logical answer: a kick in the shins (assault score: 3). Never discouraged, Santiago still tries for a goodnight kiss. He’s like Wile E. Coyote. No matter how many times he gets crushed, hit, or exploded, he continues, unfazed.

With Santi and the boys gone, Candy lays into Meño. Why did he do it? Because she is alone, and the doctor promised him a facelift. She reveals her latest problem: the plastic doctor knows her secret.

At the market, Soledad tells Candy that her husband left her for another woman. Sol asks Candy what happened to Chava’s father, and Candy reminds her of their agreement to never talk about it.

Pat is hanging a plaque in his office, “Never leave the door open, because you don’t know who might enter.” On cue, Alicia barges in. Pat says the sign reminds him how expensive an error can be. Alicia reminds him that because of an open door, they are married. Ali is pleased; Pat not so much.

Candy remembers Santi’s discovery, their talk of whether she is alive or dead, and her wedding day. She resolves, that Candy is dead.

Tomorrow, Marissa wants to know what Santiago and Candy are doing together.

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Fuego, Monday 12/8 (#152): You can't handle the troot!

Rerun of Gabi and Darth Ricardo's happy reunion getting interrupted by Raquel, who seems to notice their rapport but doesn't seem particularly surprised by it.

Also rerun of Sofi confronting Feo with the evidence of his treachery. He agrees to work off his debt to avoid prison. (I'm not sure this was a brilliant idea on Sofi's part, but time will tell.)

Juan and Oscar are fantasizing about the great riches they'll be getting with that tractor. Someone comes in and says Juan is urgently needed at Don Clemente's hacienda; it's about Juliana.

Sofi and Rosendo talk about the crops. They've only lost the one so far, they don't want to lose the rest. They need to find a way to irrigate. Rosendo says he heard that Don Clemente just bought a fancy irrigation system; she should ask him about it. She asks him to take her over there right now. "From now on, things are going to change here at the hacienda," she says. Rosendo's happy that the hacienda's in the right hands now.

Gabi needlessly rehashes the situation with Feo (Sofi's in charge, she can put him in jail if she wants to) while he sulks. She says she knows he favors the dark side of the Force (okay, she didn't mention the Force by name) and she never reproached him for that because she's the same way. But she never thought that he'd turn against her too. He took advantage of her love, but that's all over now, and he's going to have to submit to Sofi now whether he likes it or not.

He denies everything and says he can't let himself be humiliated this way. Gabi stands her ground. "Prison awaits. You decide." She offers him some advice: He likes snakes, so act like one. When the time comes, attack. But this is not the best time to challenge Sofia.

Sofi arrives at Don Clemente's house, where Juan is already waiting. Don C. greets them both of them in a surprised tone; he didn't send for Juan. Juliana comes down the stairs and admits that she sent for him. She starts groping Juan. Sofi is visibly annoyed, but Don C. doesn't notice. She and Don C. talk in his office. Sympathetically, he says his irrigation system is way more expensive than Sofi can afford right now. He would love to help, but he's dealing with a tough family problem and needs all of his resources. Sofi says she only came to ask for advice, not financial assistance.

Juan is exasperated with Juliana. She doesn't understand why. He has lots of work to, he can't come see her whenever she feels like it. She says she can't stop thinking about him. She's never been in love before, until she saw him. She gropes him, he pushes her away, she reverts to the "fine, we'll go on being friends, right?" tactic, then "I want to know what it is to love, and to be loved." Then a kiss attack, just in time for Sofi and Don C. to walk in. Sofi glares at Juan but politely says goodbye. Now Don C. wants to talk to Juan.

Raquel is looking around in Grandpa's ex-cottage when Ricardo comes in and ignores her. Then Root shows up, and she and Daddy have a joyful reunion, ignoring Raquel. Root is excited that they'll be getting their property back soon and offers him a drink. "You're not going to offer me anything," Raquel half-asks. Darth Ricardo tells Root to give her mother a drink, but then tells Raq to finish it quickly and so she can start unpacking. He calls her useless. She says she doesn't know why he agreed to stay in this cottage - they would have been better off staying in a hotel. He tells her to shut up and not question his decisions, if he agreed to stay here it's because it suits him. "Mother, really, you never understand anything," Ruth adds. She says she's staying in Feo's room, but she'll come to the cottage some nights to be with them too.

"What are you waiting for?" Darth Ricardo barks at Raquel, who's holding some unpacked piece of luggage. "Hurry up!"

Sofi and the nuns play with the girls. Sofi wonders what will become of her and Juan and their love, but right now she's worried about bringing back the hacienda to what it was before.

Clem tells Juan that San Agustin is hitting the skids. They really need to be able to irrigate their crops. He asks Juan if he can't get them the water they need. Juan stalls and says he'll deal with that later, but first he wants to address the Juliana thing. He's in love with someone else, who he's promised to love forever. He wants to tell her about Juliana so that she won't misunderstand the situation. She's a decent person and won't blab. Clem agrees to this.

Eva tells Padre Tadeo that she wants to tell Root that she's her mom. Tadeo says he agreed with this at first, but after getting to know Ruth a little better, he's got some doubts. Eva should be cautious. If she rushes in, she'll probably lose Ruth forever. Eva's despondent than she's lost Rosario, hasn't heard from Luisito in ages, now her real daughter has shown up and she has no morals or principles. She can't be quiet! She's her mother - she has to "save" her!

Fatima is dusting in Ruth/Feo's room when Ruth comes in and slams the door. Fatima drops a perfume bottle, and it breaks. Root cusses her out and even accuses her of breaking it on purpose, out of envy because she can't afford such perfume herself; she's going to tell Gabi and have her take it out of Fatima's pay. Sofi hears them and tells Root that, however she's used to treating her own employees, when she's in Sofi's house she'll show respect or else she'll have to find someplace else to stay. Root says Sofi must be mad because she found out that Root was in Juan's bed. He's soooo macho, he's made for a woman like Root. Uh-huh. Sofi doubts Root's story, but says that's Juan's business.

Then Ruth brings up that old, as-yet unexplained incident from their past. Sofi says Root must be sick to still be thinking about that, it was a foolish thing, years ago. She's explained a thousand times that it hadn't been her fault, there were "others" who wanted to hurt Ruth, and she fell for their trap. She should forget it for her own good. Ruth refuses, she never forgets anyone who's hurt her, and that's the day her hate for Sofi began. "If you hate me so much, what are you doing in my house?" "I wasn't going to miss the chance to torment you." Sofi warns, if Root messes with Sofi or her peeps, she's outta here. Ruth mocks sulkily, but thought-bubbles that Sofi has changed.

Santa and Abuelo are in the hallway; he wonders if she isn't worried what people think of her being in his room. She says she's not Little Red Riding-Hood (Caperucita Roja), and he's not the big bad wolf. Anyway, they're engaged. Ruth runs into them; Grandpa introduces the women. Root is much more polite with them, and even tries to sit in his lap; he protests that he's a general, but he's never done rear attacks. Ruth comments on Santa's name; Santa says she's never let her name keep her from having fun. Ruth congratulates them on their engagement.

Grandpa asks Rosendo to move Santa's things into his room. Crabi complains that immorality has taken up residence in her home. Abuelo jokes that Gabi must be referring to herself, now that Feo's back. Root tells Gabi not to be old-fashioned (anticuada) and would also like to have Santa's room so that she doesn't have to stay in that nasty cottage. Gabi consents to this, but Santa says they don't need her permission. Abuelo says Ruth is invited to the wedding, but Crabi's not. Everyone laughs except Crabi.

Raquel is looking nervously at some snake sculptures (or one snake sculpture and one coiled whip) when Rico throws a fit because he can't find his snake belt. She says it probably got lost in the move. He threatens her, it had better not be lost or she'll pay! She says it's not her fault if he lost his belt. Anyway, she found it much too ostentatious (llamativo). "That belt has always brought me good luck! It was my favorite, I want it back. Go find it!" She tries to cajole him, he's got thousands of belts, he yells at her and shoves her. "You're useless, by God, you're good for nothing! Get out of here! Look for it!" He's serious about that damn belt!

Eva stops her en route (to wherever - perhaps the Crap from Afar shop to buy a new belt), "we have to talk." Raquel defensively tells her to leave her alone. Eva says, "It's about Root! Yes, it's about my daughter."

Raq says Ruth isn't Eva's, and for everyone's benefit Eva had better be quiet because Darth Rico is very violent and if Eva confronts him she'll be screwed. Eva's not afraid of Raq's threats, she'll get her daughter back no matter what. She'll tell Ruth EVERYTHING. Raq freaks out and runs away.

At Crap from Afar, Jimena tells Sarita she's going to stay married to Oscar. Sarita is aghast, Oscar's dating that Elena chick... Sofi comes in. They are about to tell her about the recent arrival of... (who? Maybe those two guys from last week?) when Juan jingles in. The younger sisters clear out to give them some privacy. Sofi doesn't want to listen to his explanation, but he finally tells her that Juliana's dying, and until then, he's supposed to not reject her, she's in love with him. Sofi says Juliana's situation is very sad, but he's a free man, he can do what he likes with her, or with Ruth in his bed... and by the way is Ruth sick too? She doesn't care to hear his side of the Ruth story, not that she could hear it anyway with Vicente Fernandez singing "Estos Celos" so loudly.

Ruth finds Feo's cologne and likes it. Feo catches her liking it and sprays some on himself and offers to let her smell it off of him. She's like, uh no, maybe some other time, thanks. "Don't tell me you're afraid." She laughs, but she doesn't look happy. "Don't touch me. Nobody touches me if I don't want them to. Learn right now that things happen when I want them to." She kicks him out of the room, it's hers for now, Gabi said so. He has things in this room. She says he needs her permission to come in.

He leaves, and she smells her cologney hand.

Raq is gulping Gabi's brandy and nervously worrying that Eva's going to blab. She wants Gabi's help to convince Ricardo to leave right away. Gabi is sure he won't leave until he gets his revenge against the Reyes. Raq questions whether he's really the one who wants revenge, or if Gabi's putting him up to it. Raq thinks Gabi's hatching a plot of her own. Gabi says they just need to keep Eva from talking. "We have to make sure Rico and Ruth don't know the truth," Raquel repeats loudly just as Ruth walks in behind her. "And of what truth are you speaking?"

Juan and Oscar discuss Sofi's hacienda problems. Oscar wants to help. So does Juan, but he's not sure how, since Sofi's angry and she thinks he likes Juliana and Ruth. Oscar teases him. Darth Ricardo comes up, I might add that his jacket is covered with snakeskins (come to think of it, he and Coyote may shop at the same snakeskin jacket mart), and after ascertaining that Oscar and Juan are the Reyes boys, he tells them that this land is his and he wants it back.

Ah, so finally you show up, Juan says. If you were so interested, why didn't you show up with the papers and defend this property with your wife and show that it legally belongs to you? Ricard replies, "There are other ways to get what one wants, laddie." Oscar says Reyes/kings only like justice and law. Darth Rico says "this hacienda is mine by right. I've come to get it back, even if I have to -"

"Kill us?" Juan cuts in. Ricardo gives him a poker face. "Like Bernardo Elizondo killed our parents?" Juan adds. Ricardo's face twitches. "Who told you that?" Juan explains that Gabi told them her husband killed them to get their land. Darth Ricardo tries to hide his rage behind his mustache, and all we can see is a pained grimace as he rides away wordlessly.

Gabi tells Root that she and Raquel were planning a surprise for Root and her father. Root doesn't buy this - for one thing, her mother knows she doesn't like surprises. Raquel is visibly nervous. Root says it wouldn't be the first time Raq lied, so for her own good she'd better be telling the truth. Root stomps out. Gabi just looks disgusted with her incompetent co-conspirator. She wants to know what else Raq has lied about. Raq won't say, and brings the conversation back to Eva's blabbermouth and the wrath of Darth Rico.

Rico wanders the highlands of Serdán and wonders why Gabi lied about killing the Robles. She's going to have to explain right now.

Juan and Oscar say Darth Rico looked surprised when they mentioned that Bernardo killed their parents - as if he didn't know about it. Odd. And if Bernardo killed their parents for the land, how did it end up with Darth Rico? (Pensive frowns.)

In the cottage, Root wants a real explanation from her mother. Raq sticks to her ridiculous story, but Root says she'll tell her father and then see what Raq tells him. Raq asks why she enjoys seeing her father mistreat her. Root says she hopes someday her mother will confront him. She can't stand the way she never defends herself. Raq says not everyone can be like Root. Root replies, too bad for them, huh? She's grateful her father taught her his strength. Gabriela is the same way. She's noticed that Feo is an abusive jerk, too, though attractive enough. "Isn't that right, Mom?" Raquel looks up guiltily.

Padre Tadeo tells Sofia that Eva's upset and is about to reveal all. Gabi bursts in, you'd better stop her, she slept with my husband, she is immoral and has no right to destroy any more lives. Tadeo shuts her down but does agree that this is not the time for Eva to talk. He asks Sofi to please get Eva to act prudently. Desperation makes us do things we regret later. Gabi turns to give Sofi a meaningful look, which Sofi ignores.

Eva tries to get support from Juan, like he doesn't have enough on his mind. Now that he's banned Root from the house, Eva may not get to see her ever again! Juan agrees to let her visit, as long as she stays away from the rest of them. Eva is grateful.

Sofi arrives with Tadeo. She wants to talk to Eva. Juan gets clumsy. Padre tries to talk him down and again tries to get him to quit the guilt trip he's holding over Sofia. "What would happen if you and your brothers found out that in reality, Bernardo Elizondo wasn't the killer of your parents? Would you ask Sofia to forgive you?" And what if she denied him?? Juan doesn't like the thought of that.

Darth Rico tells Gabi he was "disconcerted" to be told that Bernardo killed the Reyes' parents, but even more disconcerted that Gabi was the one who had told them this. She says she was protecting him. He says he can protect himself.

"What, you want I should have said that you killed them, so that when you showed up they'd finish you off? Juan is violent and impulsive..."

"No more than I, I assure you! I appreciate your having protected me, but you denied my great moment of vengeance when I proved that nobody laughs at Ricardo Uribe - nobody!"

Mexico airdate: 19 de agosto
Next time: Ricardo's got clocks to clean, wagons to fix, and hash to settle; and he doesn't have time for little reindeer games. Root disses Eva after Sofi hints that she should treat her as if she were her mother. Meanwhile, Juan gets groped by Root again and kneads bread with Juliana.

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Monday, December 08, 2008

Cuidado con el Angel - Monday, Dec. 8 - let the games begin!

Episode 53:
* Nellie with a huge smile on her face runs downstairs to tell Steffie and Blanca about her wonderful phone call with JM; Viv's returning home! Nellie tells Balbina to prepare the bedroom and everything for her arrival.

* MC and Cande talk in the front of the hacienda. MC is taking her laundry down to the river to do; Cande reminds her that the house has a full-service laundry room inside; MC prefers the outdoors; Cande is worried about MC and the baby; MC assures her that she'll be fine and leaves. Cande has a bad feeling about it.

* At the river, MC hangs the laundry on the rocks and trees to dry. She talks with her little dove and puts it on a rock. Cisco spies from a nearby tree as MC walks down to the riverbank, and takes a plunge to swim in a shallow pool.

* Nellie, Steffie and Blanca are at the stairs when JM and Viv walk inside. Nellie skips over to welcome Viv back home. Viv is dazed and looking around. JM asks her if she recognizes anything?

* MC continues with her swim and sees Cisco spying on her.

* JM talks with Viv - Viv doesn't recognize anything. JM tells Blanca to get Mayita and bring her to see her mom. Blanca leaves.

* MC is angry and tries to leave. Cisco stops her.

* Mayita runs down the stairs and up to mommy and talks with her. Viv stares at her. Everyone observes the moment, including JM who is suspicious.

* Cisco tells MC that he's not as bad as the rumors make him. MC hopes not and gives him some advice. She starts to leave. He says that this is the second time he's seen her at the river.

* Mayita asks Viv about coming to her school. Viv has a flashback to that moment, but asks like she doesn't remember a thing. Blanca and Nellie walk Viv and Mayita out of the hall. JM and Steffie talk.

* Cisco and MC talk, mention how "Leopardo" Don Omar owns all the land. MC reminds him to just come over and talk to her instead of spying next time. He smiles. She leaves.

* MC walks her bike and the laundry and her little dove back up the hill - she thought bubbles to herself.

* Ceci meets with Padre at the church again about where MC is? Padre is still refusing to reveal MC's location.

* Ed visits JM at the castle living room. They discuss Viv's reactions and non-reactions to visiting Mayita at her school. They also discuss Viv's odd behavior.

* Ceci remembers talking with MC.

* Amador is at a restaurant. Ed stops by the table, to talk about Bea and her baby. Amador refuses to accept his responsibility. (correction by riberajoe) Amador told Eduardo that the baby was not planned.

* Nellie and JM talk during breakfast.

* Ed tries to reason with Amador - instead Amador refuses, laughs. (correction by riberajoe and julia:) After Ed extolled Beatriz's virtues, Amador said, "then you marry her!" and Ed said, "that's a good idea!" Ed leaves.

* JM and Nellie discuss MC and then the odd reactions by Viv when she returned home. JM leaves.

* In the hallway, JM and Blanca discuss Viv's return. Blanca asks if Viv knows about MC.

* Vincente visits Rocio in the hospital (Rocio is back to having her full head bandaged again). She's happy to see him.

* JM explains to Blanca how Viv's reappearance in his life invalidated his marriage to MC and that MC has disappeared. Add by riberajoe and pasofino: When Blanca mentioned to JM that Mayita was waiting for MC to return, she also mentioned Mayita was waiting for MC to return with a little brother/sister for her. JuanMi gets the "confused" look.

* Vincente cries to Rocio about how he's missed her. Doctor interrupts to check on Rocio's bandaged head.

* Nellie sits and talks with Viv in the living room. Nellie has to explain who Steffie is and why she's in the castle/she's just a close friend of JM - a short lived fling, nothing to worry about now. Viv then asks about MC.

* MC and Magda (Padre's sister) sit outside and talk about Cisco at the river. (addition by Margarita) Micaela tells Mari that there’s nobody in town to deliver her baby. One doctor is too old, another is a drunk, and the last one is Omar/Leopardo!

* Don Omar "Leopardo" sits in his office and finds a paper with JM's name on it. He looks upset. (addition by Margarita) where O/L looks pissed at JM’s name, we find out he’s just surprised to find the note and that they were actually buddies once upon a time. O/L wonders what his old buddy’s up to.

* Viv asks about MC again. Nellie tries her best to deflect and tells Viv not to worry about her; just concentrate on being home again, darling.

* JM visits with Padre in the hospital corridor. JM asks him about MC and Cande. Padre tells him that they are fine and well taken care of. Padre doesn't reveal where they are.

* MC sits on a log and thinks.

* JM visits Rocio at the hospital. They discuss MC and what little information Padre told him about her. She asks if he loves her. He says yes, but that MC has to be out of his life because of Viv.

* Steffie and Isa are at their little apartment window, discussing Viv's return home.

* Viv, alone in her bedroom, smokes a cigarette and lays on the bed. JM enters the room and comments about her knowing how to smoke. She puts out the cigarette and then starts to seduce JM with a sensual kiss on the lips. JM pulls back and refuses. She tries to seduce him again. He has to explain how and why they are no longer together intimately. He leaves. She's frustrated.

* JM talks with Blanca in the front hall - he tells her to move all his clothes and stuff to another room. Blanca will do that after she checks on Mayita. She leaves.

* In the bedroom, Blanca is gathering JM's clothes together and talking to Balbina about JM's orders. Balbina leaves. Soon after, Viv enters and goes ballistic about Blanca touching JM's clothing. Blanca has to calmly explain JM's orders.

* JM drives his car at night, and thinking about MC.

* Viv in a fit of jealousy yells at Blanca about JM's orders. Nellie has to enter and send Blanca out of the room. Nellie has to calm Viv down.

* In her bedroom, Blanca locks the door and cries. She sits and takes off her glasses.

* Nellie talks with Viv about letting JM have his way and move his things to another bedroom.

* Amador pops his head in the window. Steffie welcomes him into the apartment, much to Isa's chagrin. Isa goes to get some coffee. Steffie and Amador discuss their plan to find out where MC is.

* MC sits by the fireplace, remembering her wedding day to JM. She cries from her heartbreak.

* Isa joins Amador and Steffie in the discussion of their plan to find MC - he is sure that Padre knows where she is, but is keeping it some deep dark secret.

* Alone in her bedroom, Viv smokes her cigarette and thinks about where JM is? and with whom?

* JM is at the nightclub, thinking. Ivette the tramp pops out from around the corner and eyeballs JM.

* Amador visits Padre in the church rectory. He asks Padre where MC is.

* JM reaches for his drink. He turns and looks as Ivette pulls a glass of champagne by him.

* Amador and Padre discuss MC's location - Padre still won't reveal the actual location, only that she's fine and that he will be visiting her next Tuesday.

* Amador uses his cellphone to call Steffie with the news about Padre's visit to MC next Tuesday - Steffie is very intrigued about their plan to follow Padre.

* Ivette and JM share a clink and a drink at the bar.

* MC and Cande outside the hacienda. They discuss MC's desire to get the nursery ready for her little baby now. (addition by Margarita) Mari tells Cande she wants to use the little money she has left from her TV gig to find a hospital in another town to deliver her baby and Cande thinks it’s a good idea. MC leaves.

* On the dirt road, Don Omar rides up alongside MC and yells at her for walking alone. MC explains she's going to the river. He can't believe she's not scared. (addition by Margarita:) O/L and Mari have a very silly exchange of her saying she’ll come back when she wants and him telling her he doesn’t care and won’t be waiting. She continues on her way. He turns his horse around and returns to the hacienda.

* Cisco lies in wait in the bushes and spies on MC arriving at the riverbank.

ADVANCE: MC falls into Cisco's bear trap and Don Omar has to rescue her. Viv and JM continue to play their cat and doctor games.

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El Cuerpo del Deseo, Wed-Fri, Dec. 3-5 - PJ/S stands up Isabel and Rebeca to get drunk with Antonio

Sorry that I'm so behind on this novela.

12-3

Angela tells PJ/S that she is pregnant.

PJ/S tells Gaetana that he disappointed with life. Gaetana tells him that he came back to protect and care for his daughter, not judge her and condemn her. Others will do that when they find out the truth.

PJ/S broods and has flashbacks while he waits in the car for Angela to finish her doctor's appointment.

PJ/S looks at the present Rebeca gave him and says that he is going to stand up two women tonight.

Valeria tells PJ/S that PJ isn't dead to her. PJ/S says, "You are right. Maybe he is very close to you, admiring you, just as I am at this moment."


12-4


PJ/S tells Antonio that Angela is pregnant with his child. They get drunk together.

Andres follows Isabel to her love nest where she is waiting for PJ/S. When no one shows up, Andres tries to rape Isabel and she threatens to kill him. At the last moment, they are interrupted by the person from whom she is borrowing the apartment.



12-5

Rebeca is so pitifully grateful to be given some flowers by PJ/S that she forgives him for standing her up.

PJ/S gives Valeria one rose with his love.

Some gratuitous Mario shower scenes.







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Cuidado: Friday 12/5/08 "Mari doesn't heed the warnings of Cande and Leo and could find herself up to her neck in trouble"

In the hospital, Viviana’s freaking out and screaming doesn’t stop Juan Miguel from administering the electro-shock therapy, although unwise to have a husband administer this to his wife (tho I’m sure there are some husbands who’d love it, and wives as well) apparently there are some budget cuts at the mental hospital and JM has taken on the technician's responsibility……Onelia gets all hysterical ranting at JM that he’s hurt Viv and most likely killed her. JM tells her to knock it off with the hysteria. He says Onelia’s name and Viv weakly says “Mama?”. Juanmi puts on his puzzled face and starts to ask what happened, does she remember? Viv cries out that she doesn’t remember anything.

Marichuy is in her room sewing and Cande comes into the room. They discuss MC’s need for larger clothes soon, how to hide a pregnancy, how some women get so big it looks like they are carrying a 10 kilo watermelon, and how Leo will most likely fire MC when he finds out she’s pregnant.

Leo, meanwhile, is out on the steps and he’s crying. MC walks passed on her way to the kitchen and she doubles back. She asks her boss what happened and he flinches when he realizes she’s there. He goes on about having nightmares, but now they occur in the daytime and how it is something so terrible he can’t escape from it. MC can relate because of her nightmares about what happened years ago with JM. She tries to let Leo know she’s empathetic, but he tells her that he’s not interested in her problems and then he tries to deflect the attention off of himself. He asks MC why she is there and what is she running away from. MC says she wants to help him and he tells her to go. Once MC leaves he cries for Ivett.

Back at casa de San Roman, Blanca (the nanny) is digging through her suitcase. She finds something, but we can’t see it. Is it smaller than a bread box? Yes, it fits into the palm of her hand. Balbina knocks on the door and Blanca reacts like she's up to no good. She continues to hide whatever object is in her hands.

Mayita talks with her abuelita, they rehash and to be honest, if any major plot developments occurred in this scene, I missed it (tho I doubt they did).

Micaela is in the kitchen and MC starts to tell her what happened with Leo. Doña Mic (that’s what MC calls her, I like it) starts to give MC a little background about Leo (who’s real name is Omar), not a whole lot of detail to take away the air of mystery, but she does reveal that he used to be happy but a woman destroyed his life. Doña Mic speculates that something big must have happened between them, but Leo wouldn’t tell her exactly what happened (he’s keeping up the air of mystery, too).

JM's at the office and instead of working, he's asking no one in particular why MC left.

MC has flashbacks to all the romantic moments she shared with JM.

JM, now at home and taking off his shirt (drool), also has flashbacks (I think they could have just had him have "voice over" flashbacks so we could still admire his fine form some more, but no, they had prior scenes playing in the thought bubble-darn! Oh well we got to see the first kiss again). He mutters “Marichuy, mi amor” two times and then he takes off his wedding ring and sets it on the dresser.

MC mutters to the dove, that she can’t help but still loving Juanmi.

Elsa visits Rocio at the hospital (Vicente, who can’t walk has gone home, but Rocio with a couple of bandages on her face is still there, I hope this was authorized by her insurance company, because if this was in the US the hospital would end up owning the San Roman castle). The women gossip a bit about Viviana’s return and then Elsa fills Rocio in on MC disappearing.

Vicente is depressed and laying in his bed at home, with the wheelchair at the foot of his bed.

Leo's combing his horse and his hired hand, Cosme, comes in. Cosme offers up some advice, Leo can't be alone forever. Leo's not in the mood to hear this.

Elsa goes home, Nelson is attempting to write, but making little progress. She encourages her husband to keep writing. She knows someday she’ll be married to a great writer.

Little Bo Peep, I mean Marichuy chases after sheep.

Mercedes is now visiting Rocio and they talk about Vicente---he's depressed. JM comes into the room and Mercedes leaves. Juanmi introduces Rocio to her new (very cute) doctor, Humberto Tinoco (?). He’ll be operating tomorrow. The two shake hands and there is a long pause and a look passed between them (professional?-no, possible love triangle?- yes). The doctor leaves and Rocio asks JM if he’ll go and talk to Vicente. She then asks what’s going on with Viv and MC. JM says he knows nothing about MC. ***Rocio, if you’d get up and leave the hospital, you could find out some of this info for yourself and you could go visit Vicente yourself. Woman you are going to develop bed sores!

MC goes off with the dove and hangs out down by the river. Pirana(?) watches her from behind a tree---leering at her is more like it. No question, he’s bad news---Question: For people who watched La Fea, is the guy who's playing this part the same one who played Leti's neighbor- Roman(?), the one Fernando ended up punching out?

Juanmi tells Viviana that they are married. He tries to get her to remember more about the accident and what happened after. He tells her that they have a daughter, this brings a smile to her lips. JM asks if she’d like to go home, there they’ll work on getting her well.

MC gets a little lecture from Cande about wandering off. They discuss how MC needs to start concentrating on becoming a mother and forgetting her crazy ways.

Ed visits Beatriz at work (if she’s just started the job, it probably isn’t a good idea for friends to drop into her place of employment, even if it is the person responsible for her getting the job, I'm just saying....). It looks like it might be some financial place (a bank?), Ed talked about opening an account. They flirt a little. Beatriz asks Ed about Elsa, if he’s over her yet. Ed asks about Amador, if he came to Bea that day and asked to get married, what would she say? Bea says that’ll never happen, she’s resigned herself to knowing her child will be raised without a father. Ed offers up some sort of complement and holds her hand. Across the room, Stefi’s arrived and witnesses the exchange, she doesn’t look happy.

Leo cleans his gun and MC happens by. He warns MC about not going down to the river and straying too far from the house.

JM visits Vicente and tells him about Rocio’s operation tomorrow and how she needs him. Vicente gets upset and asks JM to leave, he doesn’t want to hear any more.

Stefi goes to the castle. She exchanges pleasantries with Blanca, like how’s the new job, etc. Stefi asks if Blanca is seeing to JM’s needs (double entendre--that Stefi sees a threat in every woman and apparently feels proprietary over every man).

Rocio and Vicente talk on the phone. She tells him that even though he can’t walk, he’s still strong. After she gets off the phone, cute doctor comes in and he offers her some comfort. After he gets off the phone, Vicente tries to get into the wheelchair, but ends up falling on the floor, crying out that he can’t do this.

“He’s bringing her home!” Onelia shouts to the household. She calls for Balbina to get stuff ready. Stefi (yep, she’s still there) acts like she’s excited and Blanca doesn’t know what to think.

MC is heading to the river to do her washing. Cande tries to talk her out of it, but MC is determined. The river is so peaceful and quiet, so different from the DF.

She’s down there alone (or so she thinks) and now has the clothes spread out over the rocks. MC decides it is a good time for a swim and she jumps into the water (with her denim capris on—that’s going to chafe). She’s doing a back float staring up at the beautiful sky, not realizing that Pirana is watching/leering again. What’s our heroine going to do? She’s got no chance of escaping……she’ll never be able to run away in those wet jeans!!! END OF EPISODE

Vocabulario
alcanzar- to reach, to catch
chale- you're kidding
chapuzón-dip (darse un chapuzón- to have a dip)
chillar- to scream (persona=de dolor,miedo), to shout, to yell (colloq.); to screech (pájaro); to squeal (cerdo); to squeak (ratón)
darse una vuelta- take a walk
derrotista- defeated
desconchinflar- to wreak, to bust
escaleras-stairs

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Sunday, December 07, 2008

Doña Bárbara - Friday, Dec., 5 - Santos is exceptionally dense when it comes to Marisela until he gets a revelation at the well

Gonzalo tries to tell Marisela that it is impossible for her to get Santos. He is her cousin and he is hopelessly in love with Marisela's mother. He says that of all the men around her, she has fallen in love with one who is forbidden to her. Marisela says that the only thing forbidden to her is to kiss a man that she doesn't love.

DB tells Melquiades not to bring Melendez to her. It's too dangerous with Santos in the house. Melquiades says that he will take care of everything. Melendez is so close to El Miedo - it's now or never. DB repeats that she said no. She will tell him when where and how to do it.

Santos angrily tells Casilda that it is impossible that Gonzalo is in love with Marisela. She's just a girl. Santos storms out to see Lorenzo and says that he has to talk to him about Marisela and Gonzalo. Like all the other sentient beings at Altamira except for Santos, Lorenzo is aware that Gonzalo is in love with Marisela and he is fine with that. Santos is surprised that Lorenzo is being so permissive with Marisela. Lorenzo replies that if he doesn't let Marisela be with whom she wants, she'll do it anyway behind his back. Lorenzo asks what is bothering Santos. Does he want Marisela to be in love with him her whole life?

Marisela tells Gonzalo that DB has bewitched Santos and someday he will realize that and she will be waiting for him.

Santos tries to convince Lorenzo that it isn't that he doesn't want Marisela to fall in love with someone. It's just that it should be someone other than Gonzalo who is being pursued by the police. Lorenzo says that Marisela has to choose the life she wants to have. If she wants Gonzalo, then he is welcome. Santos says that he can't talk to Lorenzo.

Melendez tells Pernalete and Mujiquita that he is sure that Santos is involved with the rebels because Santos went to school with Gonzalo (Mujiquita chokes because he too was in school with Gonzalo.) Melendez says that he arrested Santos but he had to let him go because he had influential friends. Melendez asks Pernalete to go to Altamira and look for any trace of the rebels. If he can find any of the rebels at Altamira, no one will able to protect Santos. Mujiquita asks for permission to return to Progresso to catch up on his work. Pernalete says that they will go back together but Mujiquita's question has aroused the suspicions of Melendez.

The terneras tell Marisela that the only one who doesn't know that she is in love with Santos is Santos, himself. Marisela doesn't want Gonzalo to be the one to tell Santos this.

Santos has ridden after Gonzalo. Gonzalo tells Santos that he is formally courting Marisela. Santos replies that if he hadn't noticed, Marisela is a child. (Marisela is watching them.) Gonzalo asks how she can be a child with the body she has... Santos tell him not to be disrespectful. Gonzalo replies that he would never be disrespectful to the woman he is going to marry.

Antonio comes looking for Pernalete's papers at his house. Federica tells him that the papers are in the safe and she doesn't have the combination.

Gonzalo repeats to Santos that he is serious about Marisela. Santos replies that Marisela doesn't love him and Gonzalo acknowledges that is true. She loves Santos. Gonzalo tells Santos that it is unseemly that the daughter of the woman he is in love with is in love with him. Santos needs to open Marisela's eyes to the truth once and for all. Santos says that he doesn't want to lose another friend and so they had better leave the matter and Gonzalo should stay away from Marisela. "In your dreams," says Gonzalo as Santos rides away.

Santos is looking for Marisela but he finds Cecilia. When she indicates that she approves of Gonzalo, Santos says that he can't believe that she wants Marisela to end up with that old guy, Gonzalo. Cecilia asks Santos what is his problem with age. First, he sees her as too old to fall in love and now he sees Marisela as an adolescent who is incapable of wanting to look at a man. She reminds him that he, Antonio and Gonzalo are all the same age. Are they old men or not? She says that she and Santos' mother are to blame for spoiling him and turning him into a monster of egoism. She says that Santos wants all the women around him to adore him 24 hours a day. He is like a dog in the manger - he doesn't eat and he won't let anyone else eat either.

The terneras manage to turn the conversation around and tell Marisela about the well that Pajarote convinced them made those who bathed in it irresistible to all men.

While he changes a tire on the way back from San Fernando, Mujiquita tries to think of some way to get to Altamira and warn Santos and the rebels. However, Pernalete tells Mujiquita to go to Progresso and bring the police to Altamira.

DB tells Eustaquia that she can't get the thought of taking vengeance on Melendez out of her mind.

Antonio is in the bar wondering if he has fallen into a trap of Pernalete's. He wishes he could ask Santos's help. In comes Santos to the bar. Antonio offers a toast to former friends and their pride. Santos offers a toast to friendship that doesn't exist anymore. Antonio agrees that it doesn't exist because if it did, his friend would be helping him right now to resolve a question about land titles. Santos asks what the problem with the signatures is. Surely, Antonio has the copy of the documents he signed. "Copies?" aks Antonio. Santos tells him that a property owner has the right to a copy of the title deed. When he understands that Antonio not only doesn't have a copy of the title deed but didn't read what he was signing, he tells him that he should be worried. He has been tricked by his father in law.

Santos goes on to tell Antonio about his concern that Marisela is getting involved with Gonzalo. He doesn't understand why everyone thinks this is ok. Antonio says that the problem isn't Marisela, it's Santos. He should reflect carefully and decide who he really cares for, what he really feels. He says that Santos is more tangled up than a hank of oakum (una madeja de estopa).

A drunk Gonzalo gets on a horse and tells it to go El Miedo.

Mujiquita tells Antonio that Santos is in danger. He explains about Pernalete going to Altamira to look for the rebels and tells Antonio to warn the folks at Altamira.

Melquiades tells Juan Primito that DB isn't the same. Since Santos came, she been tamed (mansa). DB comes in and tells Melquiades to get up and go find out everything that Pernalete learned from Melendez. As he leaves, JP says, "She doesn't seem that tame."

Just as Lorenzo is talking to Cecilia about the rebels, Pernalete comes in. Pernalete says that he has come to see Santos and if he isn't there, he will look around. He says that Don Encarnación has made some complaints about robberies. Lorenzo says that they have nothing to do with that. Pernalete is about to go look around when Cecilia insists that he have some coffee or juice. Reluctantly, Pernalete agrees and Cecilia goes off to give the order. "How do feel about the current political situation, Barquero?" asks Pernalete. "I'm just a poor invalid, Pernalete," replies Lorenzo, "and here at Altamira, we never talk about politics."

Meanwhile Cecilia tells Casilda to warn the rebels in the caney to hide at Melesio's house.

Antonio rides toward Altamira saying that he has to help Santos.

Santos, meanwhile, is riding around looking for Marisela. He finds her bathing naked in the supposedly magic well where he first saw DB bathing naked.


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Doña Bárbara - Thurs., Dec. 4 - DB finds that Santos' love has a high price

Marisela doesn't let Gonzalo kiss her. She says that she is saving her kisses for the man she loves and she refuses to tell Gonzalo who that is.

Santos tries to reconcile with Antonio. He says that they are like brothers, together since they were little children. "You've crossed the line that marks the difference between friendship and respect, Santos," says Antonio. He says that all the insults and humiliations that Santos has inflicted on him in public can't be made right by a couple of nice words or a handshake.

DB is in church praying to the Virgin Mary to help her bear Santos' child. She says that having a child will both take away the heartbreak and fear that she has lived with all these years; it will also unite her and Santos forever. The priest comes in. DB says not to worry. She is leaving. Even the witch of El Miedo has to ask a favor of the Virgin sometimes. She asks the priest if anyone is listening up there. He says that the Virgin will hear if requests are made with true faith. DB says she is not sure if she has faith or desperation. She says that if her request is granted, she will build the priest a big new church. When DB has left, the priest says to God that one of his prodigal daughters has returned.

Mujiquita threatens to kill Josefa and Leon. He throws Josefa out.

Santos tells Marisela that he is afraid that he has lost Antonio's friendship forever. Marisela says that Antonio's anger will pass. He has never been spiteful. Santos says that he hopes so. Marisela urges him to stay the night at Altamira but he says he has to return to El Miedo. He kisses Marisela on the forehead and leaves. "Things are messed up," says Marisela, "the man I love kisses me on the forehead and the one I don't love wants to kiss me on the lips. I'm jinxed, completely jinxed."

Federica asks Antonio to spend the night with her. "You don't know what I can give you," she says. "Yes," replies Antonio, "you can give me nausea." He leaves and Josefa comes in looking for a place to stay since Mujiquita threw her out.

Melquiades asks why DB is behaving so strangely and going to the church. She says that she went to ask for a child.

Melesio tells Carmelito and Gervasio that this is one of the happiest days of his life. He tells them that he will reveal to them the great secret of life: to love and care for one another and never lose respect for another or say anything that you regret later. Bad words and thoughts will ruin any family. Carmelito asks to call Melesio grandfather. Melesio says that he will give them a little land to build a house on. Melesio looks to heaven and tells his dead wife: one down and four to go.
Marisela tells Cecilia about how Gonzalo tried to kiss her but she is saving her lips for Santos. Marisela asks Cecilia what it is like to be kissed. Marisela says that the day Santos kisses her, she will die.

Melquiades tells Santos that since he came to El Miedo, DB has changed a lot, maybe too much. She is vulnerable now and the man who hurts her, makes her cry or leaves her is a dead man. Santos asks if Melquiades is threatening him. Melquiades says that he isn't going to fight with Santos unless he harms DB.

Antonio looks at the cattle Pernalete is giving him and thinks, "These are first-rate cattle. Why is Pernalete giving them to me?" Antonio asks why the cattle aren't branded and why Pernalete is being so generous.

The next morning Santos leaves and DB tells Eustaquia that she is happy for the first time. She wonders if it is possible to forget the hate. Eustaquia is sure that love makes it possible and that DB has already begun. DB tries to rip up the picture of the rapists but she can't. She gives the picture to Eustaquia and tells her to keep it away from her. DB says that when she can't see it anymore, she can leave the hate behind and let love take its place.

Pernalete tells Antonio that he bought the cattle recently and they are good quality because nothing is too good for the man who is marrying his only daughter.

Gonzalo comes to the school to ask Marisela if there is another man in her life. She refuses to answer.

Mujiquita is telling Pernalete how he threw Josefa out when a telegram arrives ordering them to go to San Fernando to meet with the head of the political police.

Santos finds that the El Miedo employees have failed to finish the fence separating that hacienda from that of Santos and Don Encarnación. He tells Carmelito to get the men and finish the fence themselves.

Pernalete tells Melquiades to give a message to DB that he is going to see Colonel Melendez in San Fernando.

DB finds Santos working on the fence and asks why he is building the fence when their two haciendas will be joined into the largest in the Arauca. Santos reminds her that she promised to give El Miedo to Marisela and therefore there needs to be a boundry. DB asks why he keeps reminding her of that promise. Does he doubt her word? Santos says that if they are going to be together, he needs to be sure that she will give El Barquereña to Marisela when she turns 18. Angrily, DB says that since he needs to hear it so much, she repeats that she will give the land to Marisela.

Antonio tells himself that he has land and doesn't have to bow to anyone but something doesn't feel right.

When Marisela finds out that Casilda is making lunch for the fence workers, including Santos, she offers to take it to them.

When Marisela brings lunch to the fence workers, Gonzalo begins to realize that it is Santos she is in love with.

Eustaquia calls DB to lunch and finds her brooding about having to give the hacienda to Marisela. She doesn't want to give everything she has worked so hard for but she knows that if she doesn't do it, she' ll lose Santos. Eustaquia says that she will have to pay a high price for Santos' love. DB has to decide whether her happiness is worth this estate.

Antonio comes to Pernalete's office looking for the papers he signed.

Melquiades tells DB that Melendez is in San Fernando. Does she want to get her vengeance on him or not?

Casilda tells Santos that Gonzalo is in love with Marisela. He is angry.

Meanwhile, Gonzalo tells Marisela that Santos is not for her. He doesn't love her and never will.

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Saturday, December 06, 2008

Las tontas no van a cielo, Dec. 5, cap 5. Candy and Marissa spend more time together.

We’re treated to the kissing scene again. Ain’t it grand, we don’t have to wait 60 episodes for our heroes’ first kiss? It’s such a great way to start the show, I propose we review it. Any objections?

If Candy has any doubts whether Santiago likes kissing women, he is more than happy to provide plenty of proof with a big kiss. Since she is amazed by the audacity of the kiss, he feels it is his duty to make sure she understands it completely – with another demonstration. This time, instead of being amazed by the audacity, she is dazzled by the kiss itself, and she makes a feeble attempt to recover her cool. In a fury she wipes her mouth with the handkerchief, recalls that it is his hanky, and stores it for safekeeping, with a look that says she doesn’t completely hate him!

In DF (Mexico City), 17-year-old Charly is trying to make sense of the puzzle of his father. Mama Laura tries to explain that the marriage didn’t work. Charlie wants to know, “Why doesn’t he want to see me?”
Laura says, “He did, but I wouldn’t let him because he hurt me. He is an hombre equivocado (incorrect, mistaken). She warns Charlie to not look for him.

Candy and Lulu are decorating her new office with a poster that says, “Never lie to another woman.” Which implies that lying to men is peachy??? Candy tells Lu that the plastic doctor kissed her twice. Candy remembers when she and Veronica caught Alicia kissing a boy, and squeezed all the juicy details out of her. When they get to the tongue part, all young Candy can say is Guácala – gross! It sounds like Alicia has always been “accessible” to men.

Lulu is lost in dreamland, thinking about how romantic it must’ve been, to be kissed by those lips, while Candy keeps protesting that it was abuse – he opened his mouth like a shark and almost gobbled her up!

Pondering the plastic doctor who sells artificial beauty, Candy decides to devote her institute to inner beauty, surgery of the soul, and the refining of the emotions. While Candy waxes philosophical about inner beauty, Lulu is painting her face to welcome that dreamy doctor. If Candy suffered such abuse, Lulu wishes she’d get to suffer like that once in awhile. Some folks have all the luck! Ah, shark kisses!

Candy decides to go scream at Santiago for awhile. (Vocabulary: satiro. satyr or lecher.) She bullies her way past Hortensia and breaks in on Santiago and Marissa in a lip-lock. “Ah-ha! I caught you with your hand in the cookie jar (literally in the dough)! What are you, the kiss-delivery-boy of the building?”

Marissa wonders what this woman is doing here, and Santiago practices his “I’m cool; I have nothing to hide” façade, saying she wants me to fix those saggy boobs. Candy starts to explain, not about boobs, but kisses, and Santiago’s cool façade quickly desserts him, replaced by alarm, trying to shut her up. In response, Candy bites his finger. Marissa wants to know about these kisses. Candy accuses him of lying (and who would know better about lying?). Santiago is adamant that he doesn’t lie. His secretary is obligated to protest, “Ay, Doctor, por favor!” Santiago’s alarm quickly progresses to panic when Candy pulls Marissa out of the room to give her all the details.

In her new office, Candy tries to illuminate Marissa, woman to woman, that her boyfriend is a Don Juan. “Hold on, Honey,” warns Marissa. “I’m going to marry that man. Why should I believe you?”
Candy’s proof? “I’m a woman. (Y que?) I said he kissed me because he did. And if he does it again, I’ll take the garden shears to him, and you’ll be married to a eunuch.” (So far, Candy has kicked him in the jewels, bitten his finger, and threatened castration. And she says Santiago is abusive???)

Wandering through a park, Pat is detained by a palm reader. “You are chasing a ghost, someone who exists, and you don’t think exists. When you stop running, when you stop fleeing, she will come close to you. Pat yanks his hand away like he was electrocuted. Pat asks her name. “Candida. But they say (not ‘they call me’) Candy.” Pat is spooked by all this.

Candy scolds Chava for going to the park alone. Candy warns him, “If you tell lies, things will turn out bad. (Are you listening, Candy?) We promised we’d always tell each other the truth” Candy decides it’s time to show Chava a treasure from her childhood, the box of lies. When he wants to tell a lie, he should put it into the box so it can’t get out.

Marissa and Santiago march into his office arguing, while Hortensia sustains a very loud annoying tapping. Marissa wants him to come clean about this kissing thing. He puts on his most innocent voice and asks, “Do you really believe I’d be capable of kissing anyone other than you, my sweet?”
“In a New York second!” She reminds him that he always surrounds himself with beautiful women, but of course he justifies that it is strictly professional. As the high priest of beauty… no, she’s not buying that one, either. By the way, notice the woman in the red sweater sitting on the couch? Her name is Eileen, because if you were built like that, you’d lean too!

In Santiago’s office, Candy has placed the sign, “Don’t buy into unconditional love. Men have their brain are between their legs.” Santiago disputes this. “What a lie! Then if we didn’t have the reproductive equipment..” Someone help me. The cc says, “que piensan mejor que la otra pero iguales.” That one ‘beat my lips” (old Army term for a passage that baffles the translator).

In the restaurant, Candy demands to know why Chava found Meño crying, but he refuses to answer. She asks the waiters, whom I call Sven and Ole (rhymes with holy), whether Meño was crying. Sven says he must’ve broken up with his boyfriend. Loosely translated, “Don’t get me wrong,” he explains. “I’m as modern as the next guy. It doesn’t bother me at all. Who he likes doesn’t make him any less of a man. Less macho, of course. And rather loose in the hips. Oh, and the way he sashays. And it’s just not right, what he does with his hanky…” He finally notices how Candy is glaring at him. “Um, I think I’d better stop.” Ole doesn’t get it. Why did Sven say all that? Meño is a man. In answer, Sven demonstrates Meño’s sashay.

Candy gets a phone call. “Who is this?”
Santiago answers, “It’s the kiss you want, the satyr, the long tongue, El Tiburon (all the the words Candy used when she was bullying Hortensia). He thanks her for the delightful poster she put in his office, and advises her that he returned the favor. She tries to protest that he can’t do such a thing, but she’s left speaking to the dial tone. All the while, Hortensia is helping him put on his lab coat, while helping herself to his shoulders, his chest, his arms... At one point he complains that she “hace manita de puerco” – make the hoof of the pig. It’s an idiom used like we use “twist my arm,” but she is literally twisting his arm. Is this a play on words with feet in two languages?

In his office, Raúl is reading Candy’s first column to his sister. “Why don’t wives know their husbands’ salaries?” He thinks the column is fabulous; Marissa couldn’t care less.
She is tormented; “I think Santiago has a mistress.”
Raúl, the understanding, protector big brother says, “Oh, is that all? We all do! So marry him already!” Raúl offers to talk to him. No, Marissa will handle it herself. She determines, he’s not gonna’ get away. She’s gonna’ bag herself a doctor husband; she refuses to be the eternal novia of some womanizer, believe you me.

The poster Santiago put in Candy’s office reads, “Why are women almost perfect? Because they come from the rib of a man.” (Notice that every time people see a sign, they read it aloud? Maybe Televisa assumes that an important part of their audience is illiterate.)

In the restaurant kitchen, Meño is gathering his strength to tell Candy her father died. Meño remembers the happy, simple time when he was living a lie. His brother sent him away for being who he is. Lulu doesn’t understand, and Meño wishes the whole world were as naïve as Lulu.

Santiago and Candy are holding dueling posters.
Candy: “That’s just how I am (never a good excuse for bad behavior). I always say what I think.”
Santiago: “You represent everything men do to destroy me.”
Santiago: “I didn’t hurt you, Candy.”
Candy: “Of course you did. You kissed me. It’s a game to you, and I don’t want to play. That’s what hurt me.”
Santiago: “Forgive me. I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”
Candy: “Well, it did. It makes me feel like all men will deceive me.”
Santiago puts both signs away, in an effort to stop throwing accusations.
Santiago: “You want the truth? I liked the kiss. I like kissing you very much. I don’t want to make you feel bad, but I enjoy kissing you.”
She steps toward him so they’re almost touching, chest to chest, and she cranes her head forward, while she tries to convince him that she doesn’t like it at all. And what’s more, I have this bridge for sale. She tells him, “Don’t try to be friends. You’re my enemy.” She turns on her heel and leaves.
Santiago continues the conversation by himself. “She liked it. And she likes me too.”
She pokes her head in the door. “Did not!”

Candy is in the kitchen with onion tears. Meño breaks the news: her father died a year ago. Candy does the only thing she knows how, when something bad happens. She runs away. She takes out the handkerchief, Santiago’s handkerchief, and takes some comfort, some strength from it.

Meanwhile, Santiago and Ed are hauling a heavy potted plant into the lobby. Actually Ed is hefting the load; Santiago is supervising. He explains that it is a peace offering. He kissed her and she didn’t want him to. Candy dashes by, crying.

Santiago chases after her, and finds her collapsed on the floor of her office, crying. The very way he kneels down conveys his compassion. “My papa died.” Santiago is deeply moved. He holds her; there’s nothing else he can do. He offers to take her there; she needs to be with family right now. She says Meño is her only family. Well then she needs to handle his affairs. She’s perplexed. She tells him, “No, I’m dead too.” Santiago realizes this is not the time for reason.

Back at their house, Lucía and Rocío are scrapping like sisters. Lucía calls her nosy; Rocío like every little sister ever born, says “I’m gonna’ tell!” Lucía imagines her new self, after she convinces her tío to give her a boob job.

Santiago has come to Meño to try to decipher Candy’s reaction to her father’s death; he wants to take her back for the funeral. Meño says they’ve already buried him. Santiago wants to know, how could they? His own daughter just learned of his death. Meño hustles him out.

Waiter Sven gets a phone call, and makes a big flourish, for Ole’s sake, of sweet-talking the woman on the other end, who is apparently jealous of how he’s spending his time. Ole takes it all in, including the point when Sven loses his cool, and whispers, “NO! I won’t be late, Mama!” Sven turns and sees Ole; Busted! Ole speculates that Sven is still attached at the umbilical cord.

In Soledad’s apartment, Beto asks when his papa will come back from California. Soledad dodges as best she can. Beto says, “If he doesn’t come back, it means he doesn’t love me. Send him a letter and tell him I want to be with him.”

At Santiago’s dinner table, he mentions Rocío’s day in the hippy van, and also whispers that he was created in that van. Now, THAT’S an overshare! Lucía starts to ask her tío for something. “As long as it’s not a car (sore subject).” She starts to explain that it’s about her birthday present, but Isabela shushes her. Note the simple smile and nod that Santiago gives his mama. He completely trusts her judgment and admires her wisdom.

Back at Casa de Meño, he and Candy are discussing her father. Yes, he was hardheaded. Candy adds that he cheated on her mother. But still, he was wonderful. He gave her Grandma’s medallion. Notice that Candy recognizes that her father had serious faults, but still she loved him. On the other hand, she is completely intolerant of faults in anyone else.

She remembers her quinciñera. Pat enters, and Gregoria is scandalized that the boss’s son should see their nacos party. Pat started dating Candy as of her quinciñera. Since that is traditionally when a girl may start dating, Pat was “waiting at the door” for the first moment she would become available. Likewise, they made love the day she turned 18, the moment she became legally available. Say what you like about Pat, but his love/obsession for Candy is deeply rooted.

Candy asks Meño about his divorce. He explains to her that Clem forced him to marry Laura, with the intention of “curing” him. Poor Laura got pregnant right away, but after Charly was born Meño couldn’t tolerate living a lie anymore. Candy asks, “And they gave you up for dead?” Exactly. Candy asserts that it’s just the same as her situation, but she is conveniently forgetting just a few minor details – that she is living a lie, that she caused unbelievable heartbreak to her family and Pat, that she brought on her father’s death, that she is depriving her son of his father and the father of his son, that she made the decision to be “dead” rather than having it forced upon her, that seven years later she is filled with bitterness not only for Pat but for all men… but other than that, we’re exactly the same. Yeah, Honey, nice try. A otro perro con eso hueso (throw that bone to another dog).!

Candy regrets that she didn’t get to give her papa one last hug

Meanwhile, Charly is still working on his mama, about finding his father. She realizes he won’t relent, so she gives Charly his last known address.

Santiago and his mama are so cute together, please indulge me while I detail an insignificant conversation. What is he doing? Why, he’s checking that his personal things are still arranged perfectly like he likes them. She recalls, as a child, how he would make sure his socks were perfectly lined up, arranged by color. Her words, her voice, her hands, her eyes all convey how much it baffles her, his need for perfect order. He certainly didn’t get it from her, nor from his papa. His bearing equally communicates how perfectly normal it is to want things that way, just as nature itself. “But I imagine you didn’t come here to discuss my obsessive-compulsive disorder (trastorno).” For just an instant, the actress has to stifle a laugh, but she quickly composes herself. I wonder it this bit was thrown in as a reflection of Camil himself. I could believe it of him.

Isabela says that for Lucía’s birthday, she wants … new boobies.
Santiago absentmindedly says, “Then buy them for her.”
Mama says, “What?”
Santiago shrieks, ”WHAT???”

Pardon me, I love the timing on this scene; I love the magnificent chemistry between these two. The love between them just glows, and their scenes together are magical. I haven’t seen any of Silvia Mariscal’s other work, but my theory is that she is a very talented actress, and both of them are delighted to share a scene with someone of comparable skill. Just my theory.

Mama explains that one of her friends got plastic surgery for her fifteenth birthday. Santiago goes into a rant; this is obviously a topic that pushes his buttons. “Well isn’t that just dandy? She’s nuts! No, her parents are nuts for giving their permission. I would never operate on a girl that age.” Isabela warns him to tread lightly when he talks to Lucía because she has her hopes set on it (anda muy illusionada con eso).

Meño, finding Candy asleep in Chava’s room, sends her off to bed, blesses Chava, and makes sure he’s well tucked in. In contrast, on the other side of town, Pat can’t sleep, disturbed once again by nightmares and memories. And no thank you, he responds to the woman who instigated his life’s destruction, he doesn’t want to talk about it.

Candy, sleeping peacefully on her Target-Stores-sponsored pillow, is visited by her father, there to get the hug she regrets not giving him while he was alive. She asks his forgiveness for her lie (doesn’t true penitence also require repentance?).

Candy comes down to breakfast in a mood as bright as the Meño’s décor. They banter about Chava’s future as a chef (or soccer player). Candy tells Tío about her dream, and now she feels at peace about her father’s death. (Too bad she doesn’t have any extra peace to share with her suffering mama.)

Santiago enters the operating room and the nurses put on his smock, gloves, and mask. His patient wishes he would’ve done that before he spread his germs in the room. Ed is disgusted by what his wife wants. “Is it a divorce?” Santiago asks. “Is she finally divorcing you?” No, worse than that, she wants a job. Santiago doesn’t understand why that should bother his philandering, chauvinistic, Philistine buddy. Perhaps because then she won’t be able to wait on him hand and foot, and leap to his every whim, the purpose Ed believes women were created for.

Santiago asks the nurse to turn on music to operate by. Today it will be by Camila (a favorite of Jaime Camil), “Todo Cambió,” another shout-out to LFMB. The doctor famous for boobs, butts, and bags (under the eyes) starts his incision on the bellybutton. Perhaps he is a famous navel architect as well.

After surgery, Santiago surprises Marissa searching his private computer files. She scolds him for keeping her waiting for an hour and a half. He promises to make it up to her. How might that be, she wonders, as she twiddles his chest hair to inspire a few ideas. His perfect pay-back? “We’ll make a date this weekend, and you can be an hour and a half late for me!” It appears that Santiago is losing his appetite for the Galatea (or Frankenstein) he sculpted from the thighs up. Marissa has to take out the blowtorch to try to force that fire back to life. Santiago may be losing his appetite, but it’s not gone entirely. Apparantly he can still stomach just one more piece of tart.

In an upscale antiques gallery, Alicia is coaxing Pat to let her work for him. He resists the idea because he’s immersed in serious business; she’d be out of her league. She flirts her way into the position.

Monday: Santiago reserves Meño’s whole restaurant for a special romantic evening. I apologize that this took me so long; I’m still pretty slow at the process. I welcome any and all corrections or additions of points I missed. None of us is as smart as all of us, and you don’t have to worry about stepping on my toes. I have very short toes, and you have to aim VERY carefully if you want to step on them.

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