Caray, Caray!

Life isn't fair, is it? Everybody wants Candy....Patricio, Santiago, Raúl, Toño, even Ceci....while other women sulk and fume, scheme and smoulder, cry and lament. Reminds me a bit of a situation in my brother's first grade class (eons ago). All the little boys were in love with ONE girl, in spite of the fact that there were many charming little girls in the class, including this girl's IDENTICAL TWIN. But all the little guys converged on one. (I think fruit flies do the same thing. Don't quote me though).

Anyway, it's the same old same old but here we go again. First the brief rehash of Paulina trying to wheedle Santiago into letting Rocio go with her back to New York. Nothin' doin'. The previews led us to believe that Rocio might say she wanted to go, but she doesn't. And Santiago packs her off to her room and gets down and dirty with Paulina, saying that there's no way she's going and no way he's going. When Paulina raises the red flag of motherhood, he sneers, You were just the incubator. In no way were you ever the mother. And if you keep pushing this, I'll prohibit you from seeing her at all. Okay...Dr. Plastico is coming on strong. Will Paulina kidnap Rocio now that she has two airplane tickets? We'll see.

In the meantime, Marissa is communing with her inner Nazi. This voice (we all have one, alas) is torturing her by replaying the conversation of Santiago declaring his love for Candy. All this while doing the mirror dance that we women do (don't know about you guys) where we hold up various outfits, realize "they make us look fat", lament our bodies and generally go on a pity party. Since she's pregnant, Lord knows she's allowed to have a belly but evidently this is no consolation. More grievous thoughts about being "stupid" and "everyone mocking me" and so forth. She vacillates between positive self-talk...Everything is going to be fine...to self-downing...he only cares about Rocio and the baby. Once the baby is born I'll be nothing to him. More misery with the clothes that don't fit. This poor woman is in total Hell. I don't like her but I feel sorry for her.

Okay, as prescribed, our little light-hearted break from this miserable scene. Zamora and Toño have been tarted up for the makeover. Zamora doesn't look too bad. Toño is simply awful with some kind of Julius Cesar/Marlon Brando comb down over his forehead.

So now, on to romance. With Candy, who else? She's waiting for a taxi and a white stretch limo pulls up. A huge bouquet of flowers emerge, followed by Patricio's squirrely face. He's begging for another chance and emphasizes it by addressing her as Señora Molina. He's pretty eloquent in his pleas. Points out that they have fought more than they have talked. But it's a miracle that she's here...alive...and he begs her to come along with him. You're crazy, she says. You're beautiful, he replies. She gets into the car.

Oh yes, we're waiting with bated breath but the writers are all for delayed gratification, aren't they? We get a little verbal scuffle with Meño and Charly. Meño voicing what we've all been thinking....motorcycles are dangerous and there's no way he's going to buy one for his son. A friend of mine who worked in the Emergency Department called them "Donorcycles". That alone should give one pause. Meño concludes the discussion by saying I prefer an angry son to a dead son.

Alright, back to romance. And it's big-time. A table set for two on the giant heart from their parachuting/will you marry me? days. Champagne. Romantic music playing in the background which we can hear even if she can't. He starts to sing the Mana song but she stops him. Too painful. He wants to kiss again, she refuses. I need your kisses to live, he pleads. And if you leave this heart, it will break. And I will break. Don't go. It's dangerous, he adds, for a beautiful woman to be alone in this park. There are wolves, bears, scorpions, snakes....(she's starting to smile, maybe there's hope...) And you can't leave without kissing me. If you grow old here, waiting to kiss me, that's alright. Because my dream was to grow old with you.

Whew. Patricio had some good lines there. I'm feeling all mushy and forgiving and I don't even like the guy. We break for an ad while I get ahold of myself.

When we come back, it's to the Eduardo/Chayo story. Chayo has received a second delivery of flowers (thanks to Barbara) and Lalo's worried enough now to track his wife down at the Institute. But they've already sequestered her and told Soledad to inform him that she left several hours ago, looking very excited. Now she's sent off to spend a couple of hours at the movies. I find this whole scenario manipulative and stupid but hey, they didn't ask me. We'll see how it plays out.

Back to our erstwhile lovers. She's commenting on the champagne, the candles, the tablecloth that is the same plaid as her school uniform. But what's this, she says, holding up an ordinary sandwich, rather than the tortas ahogadas and pozole she loved as a girl. We need a miracle, they conclude.

Now some brief scenes. First with Raúl and one of the Iron John buddies, said buddy giving good advice. Stay out of Marissa and Santiago's business. It's their business not yours. Did you like it when family interfered in your marriage?

And then a fast-moving scene with Santiago and the groovy old mom/pal cum wedding planner who's trying to hit him up for a check ahead of time, arguing that all the arrangements will be cheaper if they can be prepaid. He winds Santiago up big-time by referring to mom as the "panther of the Colonia de Valle". All the men were after her until your father came along. By this time Santiago is frothing at the mouth (what if this creep had been my father!?) and bemoaning being trapped into marrying Marissa as well. And then there's Paulina trying to take away Rocio. Donato joins him in some kind of therapeutic blubbering and lamenting.

And that's not the only therapy going on. Evidently Marissa is seeing a counselor (good!) but the lady isn't making much of a dent in Marissa's feast of reason and flow of soul. You pay for everything in life, right? asks Marissa. And then answers herself.... And Candy and Santiago will pay for what they're doing to me!

Are you marrying for revenge? asks the counselor. There's no room for happiness if there is bitterness and rancor. I'm fighting a clean fight, counters Marissa. I love Santiago. All I have to do is get rid of Candy. Candy out. Me happy. (Sounds like a plan, but it's not working Marissa dear).

Back to romance. The tired sandwich that Candy has brought along is being munched on by Patricio. He raises a toast to the two of them and proclaims her a marvelous cook. It's the best sandwich he's ever tasted.

All right, "now we're down to the raisins", or as Hombre de Misterio says, the pivotal scene of the episode. Patricio ask Candy to tell him all that she felt that day of the wedding....all that she felt but didn't say. At first she refuses, but then the words come tumbling out.

C: You were my everything.... everything. You left me with nothing. Nothing but a broken heart that never worked again.

P: Of course it worked again. You love our son.

C: I love him with another heart. The heart I had was broken beyond repair. You destroyed my trust in men.

P: One day our son will become a man. And he'll make mistakes. Possibly like I did. Do you believe that your son won't deserve a second chance?

P: I'm not proud of what I did. But I learned from it. And my heart was broken too. I suffered for both of us (thinking you were dead). My life was broken without you.

C: But you consoled yourself with Alicia.

P: Yes, with Alicia and a thousand other women. But none had the fragrance, the perfume of your body. I tried to anesthetize myself in the beds of thousands of women....but I never "made love" again. You are the only woman in this world for me...in this world in which thousands of women exist. Yes, there were mistakes...but do those mistakes wipe out all the love between us, the caring, the tender moments? If Life works that way...I don't like it....and I don't understand it.

Whew. Another eloquent plea. I'm a basket case again. Thank God there are some ads and I can cool down a bit.

When we come back, we're in Candy's office with weird psychic Jorge guy who's congratulating her on her success (although reminding her she's alone in bed) and giving her some advice concerning a lovelorn woman who took back her cheating husband only to have him cheat on her again. (I guess this means Patricio is toast.)

So here's our loser, happily unaware that psychic guy is taking him out of the picture. He's coaching some goal-scoring moves with his sons and facing up to some tough questions. Like How come Beto and I have one father but two mothers? Did you" dance "with my mom (Candy) first and then with Beto's mom? And my mom got mad 'cause you then "danced" with someone else? Uh, yeah, that's more or less it, mumbles Patricio and then hugs and wrestles with them
both, saying I love you the same and you're best friends. How great is that!?

Okay, we get it. Patricio is a good dad. That will work out. Getting Candy back? Not so much.

But speaking of cheating husbands and put-upon wives...we're back with Chayo and Lalo, the latter demanding to know where she's been all this time....(at the office. You're lying!) and asking who's sending her flowers. What flowers? The ones I threw in the garbage. You're jealous. GRRRRRRRR. No, I'm not jealous. Jealous? GRRRRRRRR. No I'm not. He IS, she thinks happily.

Candy, via Meño, has sent Santiago back weird psychic guy Jorge medallion. And adds a note, saying It's not good that I have something of yours. As he takes out his own medallion and sadly puts them together, he thinks....once again...She's the woman of my life.

And the woman of his life has been tricked by Barbara into meeting with Ceci. When she discovers Ceci there, she starts to leave, but the poor gal begs her to stay and just listen. I'd never hurt you. I just wanted to be your friend. Yes, but your "friendship" counters Candy.... No, no...I just want to be a loyal friend, work for you. Forgive me. I let things get out of hand. Boom. Just like that, Candy forgives her. It's all hunky-dory. They have apple pie and vanilla ice cream to celebrate (reminiscent of the cheesecake reconciliations in Golden Girls?) and that's that.

I guess we're supposed to see that little by little Candy is growing up and maturing. Frankly I still find her a gigantic pain in the patootie, but that's just me.

Patricio has brought Beto back to the house and packs Beto off for a "bull bath" (only washing ears and tail). And then a sad little conversation with Soledad where she tells him he can only see Beto for a couple of hours every week. She has to distance herself from him and so the visits are restricted. Sad face Soledad. Equally sad face Patricio, for different reasons. Another ad.

Now another pivotal scene. (Can we have two, Hombre?) Santiago runs into Candy in the park and it's just who he wanted to see. He tells her about this strange person (I certainly agree there) who gave him this medallion in order to recognize the "woman in his life". But since she doesn't want to be" the woman in his life."...he guesses he will..... But suddenly the talk stops and the kissing begins. The first one looks a bit smash-mouth but it gets better after that. Much better. Little kisses, Bigger kisses, wraparound kisses, delicious kisses, lingering kisses, drop-to-your-knees kisses. Make this moment last! Well, we do, but only because stalker Alicia is there taking a picture of those kisses on her cellphone.

And suddenly Candy pulls back. I don't want to kiss, she stammers. Alright, then I'll yell, answers Santiago. I LOVE YOU!!!!, he bellows.

I love you too.

Stunned look by Santiago. Feel my heart! he whispers. This is the first time you've told me that. And love is simple. You'll send off Patricio, I'll break up with Marissa and.....Of course Candy says no way.

Okay, back to the easily expendable Marissa (in Santiago's view any way). Barb has just brought in some baby clothes and while Marissa gushes about them and pretends to be pleased, once Barbara leaves, she curls her lip and says What am I going to do with these? Yuck. Evidently she and Barbara do not have the same taste.

Meanwhile Meño and Gregoria are still sparring over her mystery date the other night and he's using it as leverage in their cook negotiations. She wants to be the restaurant chef since Lulu's so busy at the Institute and he counters that she'll get the job if she gives up the name of her novio. Not my novio! Oh, is he married, then, slyly jabs Meño. The scene ends with a near electrocution when she turns on the power as he has his hands in the water of the fountain. Not sure the point of that scene....but there it was.

Our episode ends with our Alicia bringing Marissa a "surprise" but not a pleasant one, and certainly not a baby gift. Instead she shows her the photo of Candy and Santiago kissing and notes that they really seem to be getting along.

Previews: Alicia arrives at the door of Casa Meño saying How great that all the family is together. Candy, I know you don't want to see me after all that's happened, but I want you to know that Patricio is innocent. He's not guilty of anything.

And Candy is telling Santiago to forget the kisses and that she said I loved you.

And Santiago, flanked by a warmly sympathetic Hortensia, is holding a photo of those to-be-forgotten kisses and observing that he's got a real problem.

Vocabulary

alacranes = scorpions

afinelar = to tune an instrument or to tune up a motor

brindar = to toast (with a drink)

atorado = blocked up, jammed shut

Labels: Tontas

Wed. Feb. 11 (partial)
While PJ/S is asleep, he has a dream about the fight with Miguel. Here, the dream has woken him up.

Then we have a shower scene, which could be the same one they already showed but we don't care.

Gaetana tells PJ/S that she is worried about this happening again. PJ/S (in his purple shirt) says that it is inevitable. He only hopes that he has enough time to complete his mission. The rest is up to God. Gaetana says that she would be more at ease if she knew what the mission was but at that moment Matilda comes in and the opportunity is lost.

PJ/S goes out to dinner with Isabel. She says that in spite of the bruises, he looks very handsome. He suggests that that they put a bold face on their engagement and have a big party to announce their engagement. Isabel says that she likes challenges.

PJ/S tells Gaetana that if Salvador gets his body back, he won't give it up again and PJ will never return again.

Thurs. 2/12

The the big engagement party takes place. Afterwards, PJ/S refuses to stay with Isabel. He is leaving the Donoso house and there is some psychic tension and he turns and Rebeca is pointing a gun at him. She fires but misses.

PJ/S looks on with sardonic satisfaction as Rebeca is forced to confess how she pursued PJ/S. PJ/S tells Isabel that he wants Rebeca to stay at the Donoso house. Rebeca tells Walter that she has one more card to play.

Fri. 2/13

Ángela, Abigail, Antonio and Simón ask Isabel if she is going to bring PJ/S to live in the house. After what happened with Valeria and Rebeca, they are afraid that his presence will be even more disruptive than when Andrés lived there. Isabel asks what happened to all of their great affection for PJ/S. She says that she still has the right to live in the house and if they don't want to live with PJ/S, they should leave.

PJ/S invites Gaetana, Camilo, Lupe and Matilda to his wedding. He says that once he marries Isabel all the need for secrecy and mystery is over.

Cantalicia sees the picture of PJ/S and Isabel in the newspaper. She gets a neighbor to read the wedding notice to her. Cantalicia is destrozada.

The gang of four (Ángela, Abigail, Antonio and Simón) tell PJ/S that they don't want him to live at the house because of the conflicts that it will cause. PJ/S says that he won't give up on the people he loves. He asks for one month to show that he isn't an opportunist who is after their money. PJ/S says that he is here for a reason that he can't disclose.

Labels: cuerpo

...because revenge is a dish best served cold, and she's the entree.

Eva finally tells Sofía that they're really mother and daughter. Gabi stands in the background for a while, then walks away mumbling that she's not going to hang around listening to stupid chatter. They ignore her completely. She goes up to the balcony and watches with an evil smirk as they cry and hug.

The Padre is praying. He gives thanks, and adds, "as for Gabriela, your will be done." (I am sure God was just waiting for that green light from the padre!)

Gabriela polishes off another glass of brandy and worries what will happen to her.

Sofía and Eva bond over having their daughters taken away soon after birth. Eva always felt awful when Gabi was unkind to Sofía and felt united to her in some way. Sofía felt it too.

The Reyes brothers and Fermin want Feo arrested. Comisario Muttonchops says he needs proof. Juan replies that they've got plenty of proof, but they have to catch him first! Oscar tells Muttonchops to close all entrances to town - watch the train station and roads. Muttonchops agrees to this and tells his guys to do it. Whew. Good thing he had Juan and Oscar there to tell him how these things are done. He asks Fermin if he isn't going to go back on his word when it's time to turn Fernando in. Fermin says no - he came back so that Feo would pay for his crimes. Franco says they just want justice.

Feo is napping in the graveyard's toolshed. He wakes with a start when a scythe is returned to its rack. He looks up just in time to see someone come in. No, it's not the Reaper - he wears finer clothes. This guy is the groundskeeper. He's missing an eye. His face is deeply scarred, as if he got caught in one of Gabi's trademark conflagrations.

Eva tells Sofía she found out about the switcheroo from Juan. He didn't want her to tell Sofía right away for fear that it would destroy her world. (Are you kidding me? It would MAKE her world!) But Eva felt the time had come. She had to confront Gabi as Sofía's mother and defend her. They talk for a long, long time about how awesome it is that they're mother and daughter. Sofía forgives Eva (remember, Eva thinks she's awful for "letting" this happen) and accepts her as her mother.

Lots and lots more mush about how much Gabi sucks as a mom and how great Eva is, and it was all very sad before but now they're together and happy, oh I was afraid you'd reject me and be ashamed of me like Ruth was, what no never, etc. etc. etc. This goes on FOREVER. Don't get me wrong, it's nice and all, but we get the idea. Meanwhile, a swarm of little gnats pesters them as they talk and cry.

Feo gives the groundskeeper a thick roll of bills and says there's plenty more where those came from if he lets Feo hide out there and doesn't tell anyone. The groundskeeper agrees with a creepy smile. "Whatever you say, patrón."

The Reyes brothers are sitting around in the kitchen. Prompted, I guess, by Fermin's revelation on Friday that Feo killed Rosario, Franco is reminiscing sadly about her. Juan encourages him to cry it out. He and Oscar give him some privacy. (I was thinking it seemed like he wanted to talk. He could have found some other room to cry in if he wanted to.) Instead of remembering their fleeting happy moments together, Franco remembers Rosario's stage show in a lovely video montage. "Then, and only then, you will cry," she sings. Franco has a good cry.

Sofía is going to talk to Gabi. Eva offers to go with, afraid Sofía will be hurt again. Sofía's not worried. Now that she knows there are no ties binding her and Gabi, nothing will stop them from talking like they've never talked before. Eva gives her a blessing.

Sofía confronts Gabi and asks why she didn't tell her the truth. Gabi admits she found out only a short time ago herself. She never liked Sofía, but never figured it was because Sofía wasn't her own.

Sofi asks, why did Gabi let her stay at the hacienda even when she know she wasn't her daughter? Gabi replies that she just couldn't allow Sofi and Eva be happy together. Eva betrayed Gabi with her husband, and Sofía was the fruit of that betrayal. The best way to get revenge on Eva was to let her suffer on Sofía's account. Sofía expresses her pain of being rejected, mistreated, and unable to gain Gabi's love, meanwhile Gabi enjoyed making her cry and ruining her life.

Gabi says she didn't give her life, but she cared for her, fed her, and educated her, and Sofi owes her respect. Sofi says love and respect are earned, not requested. "You, ma'am" (she almost calls her "Mama," but catches herself in time), "the only thing you've earned is my CONTEMPT."

"We're paying with the same currency, because ever since you were born I began to lose. That's why I hate you. I began to lose my youth, my hopes, the attention of my family, the love of Bernardo. Even without being my daughter, you took everything away from me. Thus, without doing any more, without any right, you me me lose. The loser has always been me. That's why I hate you and all you love - my father, your sisters, my husband, I hate them all because of you. And if now you think I'm going to ask your pardon, you're very mistaken."

"You don't need to ask my pardon, because I've already forgiven you, though I'll never forget. Never! Tell me now, Gabriela Acevedo, will you be able to forgive yourself, forgive all the evil you've done to me?"

"You're no one to judge me."

"It's true, I'm no one to you. But I can say that all the bad you've done to me, all the bad you've caused, you will pay for it by being left ALONE."

Now it's Gabi's turn to cry. Ha-ha!

Rigo gets his test results from the doctor. His tumor hasn't grown, he won't need an operation, but he will need to keep getting treatments. Yay! He's definitely not going to die, perhaps!

Sofía and Jimena are at the clinic, helping Sarita get ready to leave. She has evidently shared her Mommy news with her sisters; they reassure her that they're still her sisters through their father. They'll be sisters foreverty-ever! Eva shows up with the brothers. Sofía lets Juan know that the Mommy cat is out of the bag. They are all super-happy. Then buzzkills Franco and Oscar say that Feo is the one who killed Rosario. Eva reminisces about what a great not-daughter (naughter?) she was. Juan promises justice.

Gabi wanders around in her dark house with a candelabra. Is she looking for Vincent Price? Fearing arrest, she packs a bag full of money. She considers Feo's proposal to bury her alive, and decides she'd rather die a thousand times than go to jail. She ties her coat with determination.

The Padre gives a special Mass for Sofía and Eva. Afterwards, everyone dances outside.

Feo goes outside. He's surprised to see a full-color "Se Busca" ("Wanted") poster with his photo on it. (This was the best photo the cops could get their hands on? Just half his face, the rest in shadow?) There's a bounty, er, reward of 500,000 pesos, which is about US$34,500. He tears it down and thought-bubbles that the whole town will be hunting for him.

Juan stops the festivities to formally ask Eva for Sofía's hand. Eva agrees. Sofía kisses him, or perhaps his chin-strap. Oscar and Franco ask for Jimena and Sarita's hands too. They're not Eva's to give, but she does anyway.

When the moon's been full for months, what can you do to signal that something extra-freaky's going to happen? You have to make it even more blindingly bright.

Feo sneaks into the hacienda and tells Gabi there's a price on his head. She tells him to take the money. He says it's tempting, but they can't leave. First he has to get his revenge on the Reyes. He's going to teach them what Fernando Escandón is capable of!

Fermin has just finished teaching a crowd of people what Fernando Escandón is capable of. They disapprove. "And to assist him in these misdeeds, Gabriela Acevedo protected him! This woman, whom we all know was excommunicated, has dedicated herself to protecting evil!" The angry mob agrees that she must pay. They'll bring her to justice! They arm themselves with torches. (I don't see any pitchforks. Too bad. That would have been a nice touch.)

A lone man in black follows behind the rest of the crowd as they approach Frankenstein Castle.

Gabi is alone now, still wearing her coat. Well, not totally alone - she's got Brandy! An open Bible catches her eye. She gasps and knocks it off the table. She does the same with a cross, but neglects the rosary on the wall. She opens the suitcase and buries her face in the money. She puts a cloak on over her coat.

The lights get all blinky and crazy, then go out. The ghost of Bernardo turns the light back on and taunts her about her guilty conscience while a choir blares. The gang of angry ruffians is getting closer to the house; someone is carrying a sturdy rope with a noose.

Gabi sobs and tells Bernardo he has no right - he should be burning in hell! She'll pray that he burns there for centuries. He asks if she thinks her prayers are worth anything, since she's the personification of wickedness and depravity. She tells him to shut up and go away; he doesn't exist. He says he's in her conscience, which won't leave her in peace.

Fatima passes by the door with a stack of clean towels and hears Gabi crying that she has a clear conscience; she's always behaved honestly with all of them. Gabi accuses him of cheating with Libia. That's when her torment began. Even in death he doesn't leave her alone. GET OUT!!!

Fatima peeks inside and sees Gabi alone on the floor. She concludes that Gabi's lost her marbles.

Bernardo tells Gabi that because he's in her conscience, as long as she's alive he'll be with her.

One of the works comes in, warning Fatima that the people of the town are on their way to hang Gabi. Fatima passes the word to Gabi, but she is still reacting to Bernardo and yelling at him.

Meanwhile, the sisters assure Sofía that she's still their sister, which should actually go without saying since they still have the same father and also because they already discussed this at the clinic. They also say that she's still welcome at their house. She doesn't think their mother will want to see her again. Jimena says in that case, they'll all live at Grandpa's cottage. Sarita points out that it's their father's house and he willed it all to Sofía anyway. Sofi doesn't want it, but they're excited about the triple-wedding and they want to be together. She'll never leave them, even if Gabi opposes it.

Gabi wanders outside; I'm not sure if she's even aware of the mob at first. A terrific pain seizes her chest, and she falls to the ground. She struggles to her feet, and now she's definitely aware of the mob. She tries to get away, but she can barely walk. Finally she works up a good run, but since the crowd is about five feet behind her at this point, she doesn't get very far.

The Reaper paces patiently in the foreground as they catch up with her.

As usual, she demands that they leave her alone, and insists that she did nothing. Fermin accuses her of harboring Feo, who has been identified as Pad Tad's intended killer (I'm not sure how they knew about this). Some of the guys throw the rope over a stout branch. Gabi wails in despair as they place the noose around her neck.

Why the blue recap? Because I'm sad. After more than two and a half years of recapping, I have to stop... at least for a while. For reasons that don't exactly need to be a secret but I don't really want to discuss, I need to downgrade to basic cable for a while. Comcast doesn't include Univision in basic service for my city, even though it's a Boston station. (I can still watch YouTube, but my connection is really slow and it's pretty miserable to watch anything on the computer for more than a few minutes at a time.)

When I eventually get Univision back, unfortunately, I may not have enough flexibility in my work schedule to handle a late night (getting up at 5 or earlier for a long commute). So it might be quite some time before I can recap again.

I cannot tell you all how much I have enjoyed recapping, and how much I appreciate all the fun, support, and camaraderie I've found here. I'll do my best to keep up with MEPS via the recaps here so I don't totally miss out on everything!

Mexico airdate: 24 y 27 de octubre

Labels: Fuego

Episode 100:
* MC and Pat confront each other in Pat's office. She tells him off about his lousy attitude and insults towards her; how well she's doing with her career and finances; that she doesn't need anything from him or his family. He's frustrated and wants her to leave. She won't leave until he answers her question - is he her real father? He finally blurts out, "Yes, I am your father!"

* JM brings Blanca home to his castle.

* MC continues to tell Pat off about his insults and indignation towards her; how he and Ceci abandoned her to an orphanage and then to a miserable life on the streets. Pat defends his wife. MC is still hurt and bitter towards both of them.

* JM talks with Nellie about Viv and her secret trip abroad (I think) and he suggests that maybe Nellie should do the same and leave the castle - it is his home and he wants to start his life free and new, with Mayita and Blanca. Nellie reluctantly agrees.

* MC continues her tirade against Pat and Ceci in Pat's office. Pat wants her to stop and leave. She continues to badger him - He tries to interject comments but she shuts him up before he can speak. She blasts him about his treatment towards her while she lived in his house; how he gave preferential treatment towards Steffie over her. He can only listen to her arguments.

* Nellie cries to Balbina about having to leave the castle.

* MC tells Pat that she doesn't want his last name or money or anything from him or Ceci; only to be left in peace and never to see them ever again. MC stomps out.

* MC rides her bike along the street.

* Cande sits and plays with JM Jr. in the living room. MC rolls into the room, crying, and tells Cande that it's true, the Velardes are her real parents. Cande leaves MC with JM Jr. MC cries to her son about her broken heart and her regrets over arguing with Pat, her real dad.

* At the castle, Balbina talks with Mayita about Nellie leaving on a trip. Mayita and Cuate leave the play room.

* In Nellie's room, Mayita asks Nellie about her trip. Nellie explains why she's taking it as well as promises to return with gifts for Mayita. Mayita is excited about the gifts.

* Back in her bedroom, Blanca cries to Rocio about her worries and fears over returning to the castle. Rocio has to work hard to calm Blanca down. Mayita enters and hugs Blanca and welcomes her back to the castle. Mayita then informs her and Rocio that Nellie is leaving on a trip. Mayita leaves. Rocio assures Blanca that there is definitely nothing to worry about. Blanca is content.

* MC, in her costume backstage, is off in her own little thought bubble. Amador comes up behind her and tries to get her to focus on the performance tonight. MC is thinking about her argument with Pat but covers with a story about her nerves. Amador introduces her to the new leading man for the play (Ramon?). Ramon(?) leaves for his dressing room. Amador asks MC what's really the matter?

* Omar and JM are talking in the living room about Blanca's court trial - the shooting - the verdict. JM informs Omar that Blanca is back living at the castle with him. Omar is stunned.

* MC tells Amador that she now knows the truth - that Pat and Ceci are her real parents. Amador says he knows - everyone does. MC is upset and crying about learning the truth; all the questions she needs answered. Amador works to calm her down and focus on her performance tonight. He pushes her onstage - she takes her place but her mind is still thinking about Pat and Ceci.

* Omar finds Blanca sitting in the kitchen. She's startled by his voice.

* Mayita talks with Granny in fantasyland about Nellie's sudden vacation trip. Granny doesn't think Nellie will be leaving.

* Omar enters the kitchen and Blanca is impactado as they stare at each other.

* Granny and Mayita finish their talk. Granny blesses her and they kiss and hug good night.

* JM presents Omar to Blanca. Omar tells him that Blanca is impactado by him. Blanca shakes it off as Balbina enters to tells JM that Mayita is waiting for him to kiss her good night. He leaves with Balbina. Omar asks Blanca if she remembers him.

* Back in her dressing room, MC is still visibly upset. Amador is so excited over her success in the stage play and tells her to continue to focus on her career and forget all about Pat and Ceci - she doesn't need them; in fact he tries to convince her to hate them for abandoning her.

* Omar talks with Blanca about a woman he once knew that looks surprisingly like her. She stares at him in silence.

* Olga helps MC get ready for the next act in the play.

* Omar gives Blanca a compliment. He then explains his friendship - brotherhood with JM. Blanca is nervous and leaves. Omar thought bubbles about Blanca and Ivette. JM enters and talks with Omar about Blanca and her mental disorder.

* At the cafe restaurant, Nellie and Isa have lunch and discuss Viv's past crimes, that she wasn't really pregnant and that JM brought her killer back to the castle. Isa is intrigued.

* Cande sorts out sweet rolls into a basket at the table - she talks to herself about Olga and MC.

* MC is in the living room, playing with JM Jr. Amador watches and comments. MC assures him of her goal to work and raise her son. Amador reads the paper and then shows her the article about JM and Blanca (Blanca's release).

* Nellie and Isa continue their discussion about Blanca. Nellie is paranoid that Blanca could snap and kill again. Nellie grumbles about Blanca and JM's marriage plan.

* Amador is critical about JM and Blanca getting married - MC gets really annoyed and irritated and tells Amador to stop.

* Nellie thought bubbles in her room about her plan for revenge in her daughter's memory.

* MC continues to scold Amador - Amador leaves for work. MC holds JM Jr. and tells him that the two of them are family and will always be together.

* Rocio and Blanca talk in the bedroom - Rocio wants to give Blanca a make-over. Blanca is nervous and refuses (because of her other personality).

* Rocio walks into the hallway and takes the phone from Balbina. Ceci is on the phone, asking for MC's address. Rocio doesn't have it yet, but when she does, she will call. Ceci will be patient and wait.

* Omar and JM meet with Padre in the family room. Omar tells Padre about talking with Liria and his plans to return to the hacienda soon. Omar leaves. JM and Padre talk about JM's continual, undying love for MC and that he knows about her son.

* Cande and MC feed JM Jr. and talk about the baptism.

* JM tells Padre that Amador will be her husband, since he is her baby's father. Padre is impactado and tells JM, 'that's a lie!" JM is stunned and asks, 'then who's the father?" Padre comes right out and says, 'You are!'

* Steffie keeps Isa company at the restaurant. Isa relays the information from Nellie about JM and Blanca at the castle. Steffie doesn't see any point or motive to interfere. Isa thinks there must be a way to do something.

* JM is confused by Padre telling him one thing and MC telling him something else - he doesn't know what to believe. Padre assures him that he is the father of MC's son; that MC told him so herself at the church right before he helped her leave town many months ago and hide out at Omar's hacienda with fake names. Padre tells JM the entire story, the cover-up, everything. JM wonders about all the secrets? Why did they need to do that? Padre says MC is the only one who can answer that.

* In the audience at the theater, MC talks with another actor as they finish for the night.

* JM confronts Cande at the apartment door about where MC is. Cande won't tell him and wonders why he wants to see her; what ties he has with her? JM says it's because of their son. Cande is impactado.

* Nellie returns to the castle and asks Balbina about her room; in an instant, Nellie fakes a back injury and Balbina comes to her aid.

* In the room, JM asks MC point-blank why all the lies and secrets about their son? MC says that her baby is hers alone. JM doesn't believe it and demands an answer. She finally says, "for love. I did it for love."

ADVANCE: Blanca wants JM; Nellie is suspicious and paranoid about her; JM confronts MC about her secrets and their son.

Labels: Cuidado

Tonight’s competition begins in the underground parking lot, where Patricio has brought a giant bouquet of roses to give to Candy. (I wonder if flowers are cheaper in Mexico. They’re always giving these gigantic bouquets. As someone who just gave my beautiful wife a dozen roses for Valentine’s Day (and we’re also planning our daughter’s wedding, for which the flower bill is humongous), I know flowers aren’t cheap here, but who knows what it’s like in Guadalajara? Ed’s bouquet from the other day must have been about 6 dozen).

Oh, sorry, almost forgot we have a show to recap. Anyway, Santi throws a bucket of water on Pat, to douse his flames, and after Candy says she had it under control, Pat returns the favor, and they’re both wet. Pat’s not upset about being wet, ‘cause he’s an eagle, and eagles can be happy when they’re wet from head to toe (in Spanish they say de la pie a la cabeza). Turns out this is the symbol of the Américas fútbol club, and when Santi realizes that both he and Pat are Américas, they high five and jump up and down to the consternation of Candy, who as we know, likes the arch rival Chivas.

Back at the mansion, Paulina confirms by cell that there are two tickets ready for New York, including one for Rocío. She then continues with her plan to get Rocío to come to live with her. Rocío is upset that her Dad and Mari are going to have a little boy, when she wanted a sister. Paulina uses dollhouse furniture to show how she’s making a pretty room just for Rocío, when Rocío comes to her house. Rocío wants to bring her dog, Pau is allergic to animals, but says the dog can come. Rocío wonders if her Dad will let her go. Sure, responds Pau. You know that once that little hermanito is born, your Dad won’t have any time for you. So of course he'll be happy for you to go with me. But remember, let’s keep this all a big secret.

Meño wondered why Gregoria wasn’t at dinner last night. Gregoria was with an amigo (which of course means a MALE friend), and Meño is surprised. He notices that Greg is quite content today. Well, she has her health, her grandson is healthy too, it’s a pretty day. Right, but yesterday you had all that, too. Did something happen? Meño assures Greg it’s not a sin to have a partner and make love! Gregoria is shocked, and points out she’s a widow and would you please stop talking about disgusting things (cochinadas).

In the parking lot, Pat has gone to change. Santi doesn’t have anything to change into, so he’s going home, but he also wants Candy’s help with the patient who was hurt by the quack doctor. Candy reminds him that her sister Verónica died from a guy who was Santi’s friend, and Santi reminds her that as soon as he found out, he reported the guy. Anyway, he’s cold now, so he goes to change.

We next see them in Santi’s clinic, and the patient with the botched surgery is in a hospital bed, her daughter by her side. Santiago introduces Candy, who has an Institute to help people with their emotional problems. Candy tells her not only will they help with emotional support, they’ll help sue the quack doctor, just give her the doctor’s address and she’ll start investigating.

Pat arrives home to a friendly Alicia, who says she’s much calmer now (then when he left her after sex, telling her he didn’t love her), and everything’s fine. No, responds Pat, your little plan didn’t work. The plan with the photo. Yes, Candy criticized him at first, and that wasn’t “sexy”. But now she has agreed to be the model, so ha ha. So everything’s fine, right, coos Alicia. No, snaps Pat. It’s not fine. I’m angry. He drops her photo face down on the desk, and says “Goodbye, louse” (his other favorite word, piojosa).

Bárbara enters Candy’s office to find that Candy is still upset about the patient with the botched surgery (whose name is Elvira). Barb sees Candy is working on her column, and inquires about this week’s theme. It’s infidelity, but not with men, with women. What does a woman do when she likes two guys (sound familiar?). Barb has the answer. She suffers. When a man has two women, he celebrates. When a woman has two guys and can’t decide, she suffers. Speaking of suffering, Barb implores Candy to be nicer to Cecilia. Candy says she really can’t think about that now, and besides, she has a matter to take care of. She wants to check out a doctor who is disfiguring patients.

You may recall the other day, Hortensia tried her mighty best to keep someone (can’t remember who) from bothering Santi, but when the person burst in anyway, Santi acted thrilled to see them, scolding Hortensia (in a playful way) for not admitting this person Santi was just dying to see. Well, they repeat the joke twice tonight. Paulina is stopped by loyal Hort, and they have a little tete a tete, with mutual insults (e.g., when Pau calls Hortensia señora, Hort correct it to señorita, and Paulina says, oh, still?) Anyway, Hort is firmly insisting Pau needs an appointment, but Santi enters, and of course he’ll see Paulina, what was Hort thinking? As Pau goes off to the office, Hort begs Santi not to ring the bell, and he tells her no way, I’d first ring it with you, which has her dreamin’of bliss.

So what did Pau want? She SAYS she wants him to operate on her, but he’s not falling for this, first recommending another doctor who was second in Santi’s class (we know who was first), then suggesting a padded bra (brassier relleno), which Pau doesn’t find too funny. Santi’s phone rings, and it’s Marissa, whom Santi proceeds to sweet talk for Pau’s benefit. The banter continues as Santi talks about protecting himself from snakes (like Paulina), but Pau says he seemed to like her when they were IN BED the other day. Not any more, and close the door on your way out. He claps his hands, Hort appears to usher Miss EX out.

Back in Candy’s office, it’s time for another visitor, this time Soledad, who feels pretty bad. She knew Pat was a married man, but he didn’t love his wife, so she thought….Candy points out that the majority of women who go out with married men think the guy will divorce, but it almost never happens. Soledad sadly relates how things were going well until Pat discovered Candy was alive. Candy consoles her, noting how strange it is, she’s still married to Pat, so she’s the wife, consoling the lover! They laugh and hug.

Ed thinks they’re losing money, first with Natalie leaving, and now Santi is going to operate for free on Doña Elvira. Santi says it’s not that much money, they have 25 patients a day, and it’s getting him in good with Candy. Into her bed? Inquires Ed. No, no, he just wants to help Candy stop the charlatan who disfigured Elvira, Ed is for that, since these guys give the good doctors like them a bad name.

Candy, meanwhile, has found the guy’s address. The man who answers the door says the doctor (Doctor Hurtado, how appropriate!) hasn’t been there for a few days, and he doesn’t know the guy’s home address. Candy is about to leave when the guy (apparently wowed by Candy’charm) calls her back, adding that Dr. Hurt is in jail. He’s had tons of lawsuits by women on whom he operated and left in horrible conditions. Candy is impactada.

Meño is giving his salsa class to about six happy young ladies, with Gregoria observing in the back of the room. The class ends, and he’ll see them next Tuesday, reminding them to “loosen their hips”, but only with dancing, please! They leave, and it’s Gregoria’s turn! At first she resists, but he charms her into letting go of some of her inhibitions.

In the restaurant, Patricio gives Toño a wad of bills. T excitedly goes over to Zamora to let him know they’ve been hired to give a serenade for Candy at 10:00 tonight. Zamora quickly makes sure he gets all the bills, and tells T that they can do a double serenade, because he’s just been hired, too!

Bárbara is back in Candy’s office, having made the decision to adopt the baby from Renata’s friend. Candy is happy for her, but Barb is sad and frustrated, because she lost contact with the woman. Barb had been contacting the pregnant woman through Renata, the woman who had been injected with oil into her body. But Renata has died! It was massive organ failure. Candy is stricken with sadness, but hopes that at least something good will happen, because that woman’s story prompted Candy’s column last week, warning women NEVER to inject anything into their bodies, without real medical supervision.

We go to commercial, and it’s for tonight’s Christina, which is about (you guessed it) the horrors of plastic surgery done by incompetent or fake doctors. Good timing, no?

Gregoria’s dance lesson is over, and she’s happy, but exhausted and a bit sore. Meño reminds her to come again next week, and tries to get her to have fun, he’s sorry he jumped to the conclusion about her male friend, but she should enjoy herself. She says she dances alone (but I’m not so sure).

Santi consoles Candy about Renata, saying it was a lost cause, but Candy’s column did some good. As they hug, he sneaks a little kiss on her head (and she doesn’t recoil, as she did with Ceci). He then thanks the Virgencita de Zapopan. Candy wonders why. Well, he prayed he wouldn’t rip off Candy’s clothes and make love to her right there on the sofa! Candy pushes him away, and he cries out, “It’s a miracle! Thank you for separating us. Thank you Virgencita”, as Candy gives him a look and he gives a guilty little boy look back.

It’s a late dinner at Candy’s house. Chava and Charly are eating, Gregoria is serving, Meño is cooking and Candy is in her bedroom. We get ready for the central scene of tonight’s episode. The doorbell rings, Chava and Charly rush to answer, and when they and Meño see who it is, Chava is dispatched to get Candy at top speed. Candy runs down to see a romantic band of mariachis enter the house, led by Zamora and Toño, but followed by a smiling Patricio, as they sing Solamente Una Vez Ame en la Vida (you only love once in your life, which is of course Pat’s song). This goes on for a few bars, until the song changes to Shark in View, and Santi sings his way in, bearing another large bouquet of roses. He stops the music, and tells Candy he is not going to marry Marissa, because he loves Candy. At this, Meño and Charly look happy, Gregoria looks sad. Santi says now let’s shout the song Prisionero, but Zamora needs some more money for that. Santi pays they start singing, and PAT stops the music. He wants his song again, which requires more payment. Then back to Santi with his song (and more bills). But Candy flashes to Marissa showing her the sonagrams, and decides this has to stop. She asks Santi how can he DARE to serenade her, when she is here with her HUSBAND (she grabs Pat’s arm). Santi doesn’t believe her. She told him she had broken up with Pat, didn’t love him anymore. He doesn’t believe her. Oh no?, she challenges, and lays a big wet kiss on Patricio! Zamora wants Santi to fight back, but he’s a gentleman, and he gracefully exits, telling the guys they can sing Solamente Una Vez. But after he leaves, Candy is affected by his actions, and stops the singers.

A distraught Santi is sitting in his car in the dark, telling himself he’s an idiot, when he sees himself sitting in the other seat, and his other self tells him he should definitely be with Marissa, raise her child, Rocío likes her, what was he thinking? But he loves Candy, responds good Santi. Oh what is love, says the other Santi. It’s really overrated. No, love is hard work, and you have to keep fighting for it every day, responds the true Santi, who thinks he’s going nuts. He calls Marissa, though, and tells her he loves her and misses her.

Cut to Marissa, telling Raúl she doesn’t believe a word of it. Santi is just saying these things because he wants the baby to develop properly. Santi just loves the baby, and once the baby is born, Santi won’t want anything to do with Mari. Raúl promises he won’t let anything happen to Mari, since he once lost his wife and child, and he can’t permit any harm to come to Mari. He’ll take care of her. Mari says don’t worry about my health, maybe you should worry about my future husband (and we hear an ominous sound effect). What are you saying, replies a concerned Raúl. Well just imagine a man who has to be married to a woman he doesn’t love, she answers.

Back at Candy’s, she tells Pat that the kiss she gave him was a lie, she just did it to get rid of Dr. Plástico. Pat says it wasn’t a lie, she loves him. Candy then grabs Zamora and shoots back you’re not going to make me kiss Zamora to get rid of you, are you? Zamora puckers up, but Chava comes downstairs, wants a goodnight kiss from Pat. He gets one, and one from Candy, who then tells everyone that’s it for the kisses. Pat disagrees, and says he’ll keep coming back and coming back and coming back, which prompts the guys to sing Volver (to come back, or return), at which point Candy says okay, leave the house. Of course they sing Volver y Volver again.

Candy, Meño and Gregoria discuss what happened. Meño thinks she was crazy to kiss Patricio when she doesn’t love him. Gregoria thinks it was okay. Meño cautions Candy that she made a big mistake with Pat the first time, don’t do it again. Now Gregoria agrees with Meño, saying Pat is the husband of Alicia, and is still married to Candy, and is the father of Candy’s child, and is also the father of Soledad’s child, and she’s getting a headache, she’s going to bed. She leaves, and Meño implores Candy not to let her true love for Santi slip away. But she can’t get the ultrasound pictures out of her mind. Okay, fine, he’s washing his hands of it, says Meño. In her bedroom, Candy screams her name into the pillow, over and over.

Back home, Santi can’t take it anymore, and dials Candy’s number. He immediately tells her not to hang up, please just hear him out. He knows he left like a rat abandoning a burning ship, but the truth is this: When she hears him say “I do” in the church, don’t believe it. When she sees him put that ring on Marissa’s finger, don’t believe it. When she sees him acting all happy, don’t believe it. Because that kiss of Pat killed him. It just killed him. On the other end of the phone, MEÑO apologizes for answering Candy’s phone, but he understands very clearly that Santi will never kiss him (hah!).

After the commercial, we have a funny segment in which Candy is taking the “before” pictures of Zamora and Toño for her image design project. Zamora is worried that he doesn’t look too good (he doesn’t), but Candy (with Soledad, Chayo and Lulu looking on bemusedly) tells him he should just look natural. So they all have great fun posing for Candida’s camera.

Over to our recurring joke with Santi telling Hortensia not to let anyone in, even family and friends, after which Patricio rings the bell, walks into the office, Santi greets him warmly, and Hortensia has to do a 180 and act as if she meant to welcome him in all the time. Santi begins by wondering if Pat is convinced to have plastic surgery, since he’s Santi’s worst client, already having a perfect face, but actually Pat is serious, and he came to apologize, as he didn’t realize that Santi cared so much about Candy. Pat thinks that changed everything. Santi negates this, saying that Pat is Candy’s husband, he can reconquer Candy, Santi is going to marry Marissa, there’s nothing else they can do, and he and Pat should be friends. They shake hands.

Charly spies a hot motorcycle. Lucía is worried about the danger. Charly pooh poohs that, he’s tough, and in response to Luc’s concerns about the money, Charly simply states he’ll just ask his Dad, who owes him. Why does Meño owe Charly? Because of all those years of no gifts, after Meño left, this’ll make up for that. Lucía is still worried about an accident (and we telenovela fans know this worry is justified).

We see a close up of Zamora, with a hand squeezing his cheeks. It’s Chayo, who’s getting ideas for the makeover. Zamora is afraid. Toño says Zamora is afraid of losing what little hair he has left. Candy and Chayo whisper in each other’s ears their plans, as Zamora and Toño cower in fear. It doesn’t help when Chayo says they’re going to look “divine”. Uh oh!

Paulina tells Santi that Rocío has to study in the U.S. She can’t understand why Santi would want Rocío to study in Mexico, when everyone wants to go to the U.S. No, counters Santi. He lives here, he studied here, he’s done very well. Rocío will study here, period. Well then, why don’t the two of you come to my house in New York for a while, hisses back our sneaky snakette. Then we’ll let our baby girl decide. No way, says Santi, and besides, what about my wedding? Well, I wasn’t even invited, says Pau. Okay, fine, I hereby invite you, but remember, I am the father of our daughter and I have custody. And until she’s 18, I make the decisions, and she’s not going to live with you period. Aren’t you going to listen to your daughter? Shoots back Pau. She’s a person, she can talk, and here she is! Rocío enters on cue, and Paulina takes her into her lap, and smugly says “Okay, baby girl. Tell your Daddy that you want to live with your Mamá!”

Next time: Pat begins his reconquest with a gigantic heart, made of roses.

Labels: Tontas

DB proceeds to knock down a bunch of fence posts with a tractor until Santos jumps into the cab and turns off the ignition.


Pajarote tries to get Genoveva drunk again with some cooking wine.

DB's counsel makes his opening statement saying that DB owns La Barquereña legally and Marisela's claim should fail.

Mujica gets a telegram. He tells Acosta that, "this is the kind of thing that drags me down into an ontological and existencial doubt comparable only to that of Hamlet. To do it or not to do it? I will do it. This man has already had too many misfortunes."

Mujica comes to see Pernalete at the moment when he is trying to walk again.

Mujica says that he can't walk. He has to be in bad shape. Mujica says that the new government is investigating the corrupt officials of the former regime. They have asked for Pernalete's file and if he sends it, they will want to know if he is capable of being tried and sent to prison for life. Federica and Josefa tell Pernalete to stay in his wheelchair.

Labels: barbara

The serenata continues with all the drunk guys singing and a good sized crowd of spectators. Marisela runs outside, yells, "Santos, how could you do this!" whacks Santos with the bouquet and runs inside. Santos asks his buddies what do since the ladies have retired. (You definitely get the feeling the actors are having a good time here.) Santos tells the musicians to play again.

DB is furious that Santos would do a serenata for anyone but her and off she goes to spoil another party.

Cecilia tells Marisela that men give serenatas to those they love. Marisela says that she doesn't want Santos' love and Cecilia tells her not to fool herself.

DB comes up to Santos screaming that he never gave her a serenata or brought her flowers and she slaps him silly.

Cecilia and Marisela come outside in time to hear DB tells Santos that he wants to take away her man and her hacienda. She swears that she will make him pay for this humiliation. Then she says that she will make both of them pay.

Inside, Marisela tells Cecilia that she just wants what is hers.

Josefa pumps Fausto for information about his boss and what he plans to do in Progresso. He is pretty vague on details but he shows Josefa a picture of his boss, that from the brief look we get of it, is from his younger days if it is him at all.

Cecilia tells Santos that Marisela doesn't want to see him. Santos says that what happened isn't his fault. Cecilia replies that it was his fault. It was imprudent. He should know how DB follows him around full of rage, jealousy and craziness. Santos says that everything he says or doesn't say comes out wrong. He is going crazy. He begs Cecilia to let him speak to Marisela. Cecilia refuses and tells him to go home and sleep it off. Then she turns on Antonio, reminds him that he has a wife at home and he had better go and take care of her.

Marisela is crying. She tells Cecilia that she doesn't know if it is good or it is bad. She doesn't understand anything.

Santos is back at the bar and now he blames Antonio for everything and himself for letting Antonio convince him to do it. Santos tells Antonio and Mujica that Cecilia was right. It was crazy to do the serenata and worst of all DB is now beside herself with fury. With Federica listening behind them, Santos, Antonio and Mujica discusss what DB might do to avenge her humiliation.

DB returns to El Miedo and tells Eustaquia that Santos humiliated her by giving a serenata to Marisela. She says that Santos never brought flowers or sang to her. Now Eustaquia can't deny that Santos loves Marisela. DB says that her worst nightmare has come true. Eustaquia hands DB a letter that was put under the door. It is anonymous and says:

The man that you love is singing at your daughter's window. You've lost your husband and you are about to lose your land. Find a good lawyer because your ex and your own daughter are uniting to destroy you. A friend.

While Eustaquia and Melquíades look on, DB rips up the letter and says that whoever sent it wants to drive her crazy. She deduces from the way the letter was written that it isn't from anyone in Progresso. She decides that it had to have come from Fausto Borrego on someone else's orders - El Sapo. She starts to cry and says, "But Santos... Santos is the biggest traitor of them all!"

Santos tells Antonio that in spite of all harm DB has done, he still doesn't like to see her suffer. Antonio asks if Santos still loves DB. Santos says that he couldn't love her after all she has done. He says that he did love her and at one time thought about making a life with her but no more. Santos says that he is a disaster. All his life he has tried to make women happy and they all end up hating him. Santos laughs at the memory of him and Antonio, two idiots giving a serenata to an angry girl. Maybe Federica was waiting for this but when Lucía comes into the bar looking for Antonio, Federica intercepts her and tells her that Antonio and Santos gave a serenata to Marisela and Cecilia. Lucía reacts as one would expect and Antonio goes after her.

Eustaquia tries to comfort DB but she is convinced that Santos and Marisela are working together to destroy her. Then DB accuses Eustaquia of defending Marisela and being against DB.

Lucía accuses Antonio of giving a serenata to his lover, Cecilia. He denies it and tries to explain but Lucía won't listen. She calls him a liar and slaps him.

Eustaquia is walking slowly along the corridor and supporting herself against the wall. Melquíades asks what is wrong. She replies that life is weighing on her more than usual. That and the feeling she has had in the last few days that doesn't let her breathe. It's as if a premonition of something bad is penetrating her bones. She tells Melquíades that she had the same feeling before DB was raped when she was a young girl. She tells Melquíades that he has to take care of DB. She has many enemies and the worst one is herself. For her there is nothing between love and hate. She says that she is afraid for DB. Melquíades says that he feels it, too. Bad times are coming for everyone. He tells Eustaquia to go to bed. He will take care of DB.

DB has a long series of flashbacks to times with Santos. Then she says, "I am worse than before I met you because now I know what love is and I can't have him. I'm alone. I'm completely alone."
Melquíades is outside her door. He starts to cry and says to himself, "You aren't alone. You have me. Me, your faithful dog, your shadow. Tell me to kill those wretches who are making you suffer, mi Doña. Just tell me: Do it, Melquíades and I'll put them down, mi doña, because only I know who you are and how you think, me Doña."

Cecilia brings morning coffee to Marisela. Marisela says that the whole town must be talking about what happened. She couldn't sleep a wink for thinking about DB and how horrible she must feel. It's not right for a daughter to take her mother's lover. Cecilia says they have talked about this before. DB was never a mother to Marisela and what Santos feels for her isn't isn't her fault. She tells Marisela to drink her coffee and come with her to work at the school. Cecilia thinks that Marisela is exaggerating when she says that everyone in the town will have heard about the serenata.

Eustaquia brings DB coffee but she won't open the door. Melquíades tells her that DB cried all night like a soul in torment. Everyone at El Miedo congregates outside her door. Finally, DB says that she is hears them and they should go away and leave her in peace.

Antonio asks Lucía to forgive him for doing something stupid. She asks him to promise not to do anything more to make her jealous. They make up.

Santos and a full crew are putting up the fence around Altamira. Santos asks Carmelito if all of Don Encarnación's cattle got safely to Altamira and Carmelito replies that they did. Santos tells Carmelito that he wants the fence finished before the judicial hearing on the transfer of La Barquereña. BP sees the fencing activity.

Fausto reports to El Sapo, who seems to have gotten out out the storeroom he was in and is making a selection on a jukebox. He says that DB got the anonymous letter. Fausto also tells El Sapo that on orders of DB, he is being pumped for information by the prostitutes in Progresso. El Sapo asks about the legal proceeding on DB's hacienda and he orders Fausto to make sure that the judge doesn't give DB any respite.

Melquíades tells DB, who is still in bed, that Santos is working on the fence around Altamira again with a large number of men and he's almost finished. Leon chimes in and says that Santos is taking back the lands that they put so much effort into stealing from Altamira. DB gets up and says that Santos has given her no option. She puts her red dress on. Melquíades tells Los Mondragon that DB is going to pay Santos back in full for what he has done to her. The grand vengeance of DB starts now.

DB says that once Santos told her that he liked her dressed in red. She is putting red on now - the color of war, of fire. She is dressed in blood for him. The time has come.

Eustaquia says that something bad is going to happen today. DB comes outside in her red dress without a word. Eustaquia says that this is the beginning of the end.

As Marisela predicted, everyone in Progresso knows about the serenata and has some comment. The priest suggests that Santos should sing in the choir, Dr. Arias compliments Marisela on her serenata and Mujica says that Santos can sing at the next festival in town - he is better than Quitadolores. Marisela grits her teeth and keeps on walking.

Gervasia tells the terneras about the serenata and DB's reaction. She heard it from Carmelito. The other ternera husbands didn't tell their wives about it.

Cecilia introduces Marisela to the students in the class and one little girl asks about the serenata.

DB approaches comes up on the fence builders in a tractor. She tells them to stop or she'll kill them.

Labels: barbara

Marichuy rides around the D.F. with Juan Miguelito in the baby-bike carrier.

At la casa de San Roman, Rocío has to endure a visit from Stefi, who is there to gather information for her nefarious plans. Sweet Rocío spills the beans unknowingly. She tells Stefi that Ceci’s asked her to help find where Mari is living. Stefi, pretending to be all wise rather than all evil, says that’s not such a good idea. Patricio opposes the idea of finding Marichuy because Ceci’s accident was all MC’s fault. Rocío starts to defend MC when Leo/Omar walks in on the conversation and is a little startled to see Stefi there. He comments that el mundo es un pañuelo (lit. the world is a handkerchief, fig. it’s a small world). Rocío is surprised that Stefi and Omar know each other. He says that Stefi was at his hacienda and then he saw her with Amador, Lirio’s baby’s daddy. Rocío is shocked to hear this, but doesn’t have time to ask questions because Omar is there to tell her he’s heading out and won’t be home for dinner, could she pass the info onto Juan Miguel.

In court we are forced to witness Blanca being grilled about how she came to find out she suffers from multiple personalities. The lawyer is trying to blow holes in the defense, but all he appears to be doing is bullying Blanca. He wants to know how she could go for years not knowing that she had another personality. Blanca explains that there were strange things. Like what he asks. Well, periods of time where she didn’t know what she had done or what happened and there were things that she’d find that she had no idea where they came from, she didn’t buy them. The lawyer pushes her for more about Ivett’s accessories---her make-up, wig, clothing. Surely these things must have captured her attention, where were they being kept. Blanca says that there was a suitcase (maleta) filled with strange things but she was afraid to find out the answers. The lawyer starts to ask her questions about why she didn’t seek help. Blanca says that she had no one to turn to and she was filled with fear. However, that changed when she became Mayita’s governess. Juanmi was willing to help her. The lawyer starts to ask her about JM and if she’s in love with him. After the commercial break, the lawyer doesn’t wait for an answer he starts to talk of JM trying to influence her into getting rid of Viviana. He wants to know why she did it and under duress Blanca says she doesn’t know, but that she did it for JM. Then Blanca screams and the screen goes all weird with low budget sci-fi special effects. So the audience is supposed to know something is happening. The lawyer tries to talk to her some more, but she’s all trance-like and the she starts to laugh. You’re not going to send me away to prison, Ivett informs the lawyer. She laughs some more and everyone in the room is confused by this behavior. The lawyer tries to question her some more and then she grabs for him.

Rocío is upset to learn that Amador has fathered another child out of wedlock. What will that mean for poor Beatriz and her baby with him.

Omar goes to visit Lirio/MC. He’s happy to see the baby and tells Mari that for some reason JM thought her baby was dead, but that he knew otherwise. He tells MC that he’d like to take her out to dinner, so they can talk. MC declines his invitation. Omar laments that he and JM have a similar struggle trying to protect their loved ones. Only he’s got another man to fight and JM’s got the law to fight. This reminder of JM’s involvement with Blanca obviously upsets MC. Omar starts to talk about Amador and how it appears he’s hanging out with other women. Omar mentions that Stefi was at JM’s house and he speculates there is some relationship between Amador and Stefi. MC tells him she’s not worried, that there is nothing between them. Omar questions how she would know that information and she says that she knows that Stefi is Judge Velarde’s daughter. Omar recognizes that name, oh that’s the father of Marichuy he says. MC is shocked to hear this, but Omar doesn’t notice her reaction. She asks him where he heard this and he goes on to tell her that he learned it at JM’s house when the judge came to visit. The judge was upset because his wife had gotten into an accident after having words with their daughter, Marichuy.

Ivett chokes the lawyer as the other people in the courtroom scramble to do something. In the confusion, she is able to grab a gun. She points it at them and warns everyone to stand back.

Mayita heads up to the attic with Cuate. She gets stopped by Onelia on the way. Onelia wants to know where she’s going. When Mayita tells her granny that she’s going up there to have a nice conversation with her Abuelita Mariana, Onelia tells the girl she’s spending too much time in the attic. Mayita tells Onelia that if she were to spend some time up there, she might have a good time too.

Ivett says that she’s not going to be taken that easy. Juan Miguel enters the courtroom and tries to talk her into dropping the gun. She tells him to not come closer or she’ll kill him, she’ll kill all of them (I don’t think there are enough bullets in the gun to accomplish this, but that doesn’t seem to affect the dramatic tension this situation has created). JM, known for his looks, not his brains, is as dumb as ever and makes a move toward her. She shoots. The momentum of the bullet throws him backward and he collapses onto the floor. Ivett/Blanca is shocked. The audience is supposed to believe the protagonist is seriously wounded, because he's laying there motionless. We go to commercial.

Marichuy says that can’t be. Omar, not realizing how devastating this is to her, proceeds to tell her all he learned when Judge Velarde visited Juan Miguel’s house. MC says again that she can’t believe it.

Ceci tells Patricio that she intends to start looking for Marichuy again, with the help of Rocío. He expresses some shock at this, he thought this was a dead subject. She reminds him that she never said she’d stop looking for their daughter.

Omar appears to have left MC’s place and she continues to freak out. Wondering, how can this be possible---she can't be Patricio and Ceci's daughter. She has some flashbacks to some of the harsher encounters with Patricio.

Pat says that he won’t allow MC to demean Ceci again. Ceci says she’ll find her and Pat says that they need to forget her, forget she ever existed. Ceci says there is no way. Then Pat tells her that a choice must be made, Ceci needs to decide because it is either MC or him. Ceci tells her husband that she can’t believe he’s capable of asking her this. She’ll never forget their daughter and he needs to remember that MC is his child too. The judge gets a phone call, he learns of the events that have taken place in Blanca’s trial.

In the courtroom, they are able to wrestle the gun from Ivett and try to subdue her as others attend to JM. After another commercial break, JM has been removed from the room (no traces of blood on the floor) and suddenly Blanca is back. She wants to know what happened. She demands they tell her. Her lawyer gently tells her that JM was shot (recibió un balazo) in the arm. She freaks and says that it would be best if they were to lock her up. Her lawyer tells her to calm down.

Outside the courtroom, JM is getting medical treatment and tells the doctor that it was just a scratch (rozadura). The presiding judge comes out and says that it appears they need to stop becauseJM is in no condition to continue. JM insists it was just a scratch (rasguño) and he asks that the judge reconsider, they need to continue. The judge agrees and they go back into the courtroom. Blanca is now in her cage and she’s visibly upset. She mutters it would be better if she were to die.

Marichuy asks Cande if she knew that Patricio and Ceci are her parents. Cande laughs at the idea. MC fills her in on the info that Omar gave her. Cande is shocked and says that there is nothing she can say, but there is someone MC can talk to, to find out answers. Padre Anselmo. MC thinks that’s a great idea and she takes off right away. When she gets to the church she learns that PA is out. She decides she needs answers right away. She calls the Velarde home and learns that the judge is in his office.

Back in the courtroom, two cops come in and tell the court that Viviana has been implicated in the murder and attempted murder of two people (they don’t appear to make any attempt at showing any relevance this information has upon the case, but it appears that now everyone knows that Viv was an evil person, therefore it is okay that she’s dead). The judge hands out a verdict. He says that obviously Blanca is ill and she will be found not responsible for the death of Viv as a result of her sickness. She will be given an conditional release--she has to undergo treatment under Juan Miguel (now there’s no conflict of interest there, at all). JM smiles at Blanca and she returns with a smile. He walks over and takes her hand.

Marichuy finds Pat in his office and he demands to know why she’s dared to come there.

Onelia learns of the verdict from her lawyer; she thought for sure there would be a conviction. She is upset. Her lawyer then tells her that Viv wasn’t pregnant and also killed a man and attempted to kill her friend in Spain. Onelia is quite upset to hear this from her lawyer, she didn't pay him to tell her terrible things about her child.

Pat tells MC that she’s to blame for Ceci’s accident. He adds how he wishes she never crossed their path.

Blanca (the crazy person) suggests that she be put into a sanitarium. Juan Miguel (the sane person) says no way, even though you just shot me and obviously do not have you multiple personality under control, I’d rather you stay in my home, where my young daughter and sister live. I’m sure that you’ll bring no harm to them and I can show the world what a terrific psychologist (or is he a psychiatrist? Didn’t he go to medical school with Omar?) I am by curing you. Blanca agrees, but is still blaming herself. JM asks her to let go of the blame and promise he’ll give her a normal life (at the expense of the safety of his own family). Blanca worries about how Onelia will react when she returns back to the San Roman home. JM says that he’s got to decide what he’s going to do with Onelia (like send her on a long walk off a short pier).

The next scene switches to Marichuy in Patricio’s office, she’s asking why he hates her so much AND MY TAPE ENDS.

Labels: Cuidado