Caray, Caray!

Patience, folks, it's always hard to get everybody straight at first, and to make sense of all the "as you knows" that come tumbling out...

Mexico City, 1992.

It takes a helicopter a long time to arrive; grim-looking guys in suits wait for it to touch down. The gravelly voice villain makes a call: "Come to me immediately."

He and a leather-clad woman on a motorcycle convene in a fancy office building. He (who will turn out to be Artemio Bravo, Gonzalo's half-brother, according to the avances) tells her: "Rebeca, the hour has come!"

"I'm afraid!" "It's THEY who should be afraid!" He gives her a fake resume, with her new fake name (Barbara Greco); she will give it to Gonzalo Elizalde.

"Barbara?" "In honor of your mother, it's an amiable gesture, in view of what you did." "I didn't do anything to them that they didn't deserve."

My subtitles aren't working so I don't know what he subsequently says about her mother and father, but the avances said she assassinated them!

Gravel-voice Cigarman instructs her to worm her way into the Elizalde household, and marry Gonzalo! "But first, be sure to 'nullify' the housekeeper, Soledad Cruz, who is important because she's the only living person who knows that I exist, hence she is a danger to my plans of vengeance, so she must be 'muzzled,' especially because she has been trusted by the family for so many years, and has been nanny to the five children. But now she has a very weak side - her son Eduardo!"

"It won't be easy to get rid of your wife Montserrat," sez Rebeca/Barbara. "It won't be much different than what you learned to do as a child," sez Cigarman, adding that she must also gain the confidence of all the children, take over the business, and eventually there should not be a single drop of Elizalde blood left on this earth. Tall order! She glowers.

Somewhere in the country, also 1992.

On the grounds of Elizalde manor, a very cute girl (Fernanda, youngest daughter of aforementioned Gonzalo Elizalde) with a basket runs up to a very cute boy (Eduardo, son of Soledad the housekeeper). She snuck away from the Big House while her mother was on the phone - they go off to pick apples together. Did I mention they are very cute?

In the kitchen of the big house: blond Montserrat, Gonzalo's crabby wife, clearly likes to have her kids where she can keep an eye on them, and she doesn't want them mixing with the help. She asks the housekeeper/cook, Soledad: Where's Fernanda? Soledad pretends she doesn't know but sends another kid to fetch her back pronto.

Montserrat sits at the head of the table next to her eldest son Anibal, who is soon going back to university. Two more sons (annoying Camilo, cute Santiago) and the two daughters (sassy pseudo-Goth Liliana, Fernanda) arrive and last, the husband, who is sweet and affectionate with the kids.

Gonzalo complains, as he did earlier to his assistant in the cow house, that none of the personal-assistant candidates are suitable - they don't speak English, or don't like the hours, "or they look like prehistoric lizards..." giggles a kid. Another adds: "Be careful, if you get a sexy one Mom won't like it" The mother sez she just absolutely HAS to have somebody, ASAP, to help with the party.

After the commercials, Barbara gets the job, thanks to the superb recommendations etc. that Cigarman cooked up, starting immediately, with the First Communion party.

Out on the grounds, big sis teases Eduardo: "Stop calling me Señorita Liliana!" She crosses her eyes and says she'll punish him.

Oh, mom's asking for her kids again, they must come immediately, "the marvelous new assistant is arriving shortly."

All the kids love Soledad.

Up at the Big House, Barbara gives unctuous compliments as she is introduced to the family. She and ma want to get to work on the reception immediately, but dad says, "One more thing, let me introduce our beloved nana, Soledad." Soledad and Barbara exchange snake eyes.

Weeks later: Eduardo grooms a white horse saying he should be read for Fernanda to ride. Camilo, the annoying Elizalde brother, rides up and says something annoying.

It's the day of Fernanda's confession. Montserrat rises from her bed and after a bad night's sleep receives her asthma medicine (UH-OH! UH-OH!) from Barbara and gratefully sez: "I don't know what I'd do without you!" [Prolly live longer.]

Eduardo and his fine side-kick Jacinto gape at Massa's fine goings-on: caterers, florists, etc.

Barbara comes down the lawn stairs coldly barking orders as Eduardo and Jacinto look on. The astute young sidekick says something like: "Ay, here comes the Hyena." "The what?" "La Hiena - people say she laughs as she kills ..." [Thanks, Cheryl!] "...The workers say if you make a single mistake, she'll send you to the devil with a smile."

In the kitchen Soledad is also bossing people around. The boys run in and gape at an ice sculpture. Barbara comes up behind and icily orders them out.

Soledad sez, you don't rule here in my kitchen, and you especially don't get to boss my son around. "Conmigo, bueno y poco." [?] Barbara hisses: "Enjoy your power while you can, cook, it won't last long! And you can't come to Fernanda's communion." Soledad tells the boys they should stay away from the big house, the woman is gunning for them.

Leaving, Jacinto says Soledad is way brave. Eduardo thinks his mom better not get Barbara too worked up, he doesn't want to get sent to the devil like the others.

They go to see the blacksmith, whom Eduardo has been paying on layaway to make a lucky charm for Fernanda out of a horseshoe. It says FE (faith) on it - that's also their initials, Fernanda y Eduardo ...

At the big house, Ma comes in to help Fernanda get into her fancy dress - it's time for her to go to the priest, confess her sins, and be given a penitence. Sister Liliana mocks. Ma sez, you don't know cause you refused to have a first communion.

"But ma, what sins can a ten year old girl have? Father Arcadio should rather be confessing to my sister, because he surely has more sins than she does."

The mother starts asthma-gasping furiously. "Lili, don't do this to mom, she's sick." "OK, I'll find another sport."

Dad tells Barbara, with her clipboard, "You're now my right hand." She snipes about Soledad a bit. He, changing the subject, worries that in modernizing his plant he'll take jobs from workers; she says not necessarily, they can expand and perhaps can hire more workers.

Wifey hustles up to them gasping: "I can't take it any more, Lili is so insolent and blasphemous, go to the house, hubby, and straighten her out!" Dad leaves. Montserrat foreshadows: "One of these days she'll kill me" She goes to lie down. Barbara smirks an evil smirk. [I like Lucero as a bad guy more than I liked her as the love interest in Alborada.]

Dad kisses lil Fernanda and then goes to see Lili. He passes by - uh-oh - a STAIRWAY OF DEATH!!!

Barbara lurks while Soledad and Fernanda discuss Montserrat's sickness. [Continuity problem, I don't think the dad ever made it to Lili's room...]

Lili is dancing and singing to karaoke in her room. Barbara lurks and then busts in. "Don't come in without an invitation, you didn't knock." "You're making your ma sick!" "That's my problem, not yours, and you don't fool me, everybody else trusts you and your sweet face, but you're wasting your time with me!" Barbara's thought-bubble: "I'll take care of you soon, you snotnose."

The string quartet plays, Fernanda kneels at the little outdoor altar and receives communion. Annoying middle brother Camilo asks utterly adorable little brother Santiago if he likes Erika. Santiago whispers yes. Camilo goes to Erika and lies: "Santiago said your dress makes you look like a pinata." [Thanks, Jody!]

Mom wheezes to Dad: "Lili's not here because she's in her room listening to her awful music, she wouldn't come to the festivities, everything she does is done to mortify me."

Jacinto and Eduardo watch from a tree. Eduardo unfurls a yellow flag; Fernanda sees him and smiles and waves very cutely. Jacinto's leg falls asleep and he falls out of the tree.

Barbara takes advantage of the diversion to sneak away to make a call from Elizalde's office. Lili sneaks carefully down the stairway of death to listen behind the door. And the episode ends.

Tomorrow: Eduardo gets caught kissing Fernanda (cutely) and is going to be sent away.

Labels: manana

Stand off at El Miedo. The official produces the eviction order supposedly signed by Santos.

Marisela swears she didn't know anything about it. Things are tense and then Santos shows up. He swears he didn't sign the order either. He tells the official that neither he nor Marisela have any intention of evicting DB and the official and his men should leave. They do. Santos is ready to take Marisela back to Altamira but she says that she came alone and she'll leave alone. Santos leaves. Marisela tells DB that they should go back inside and continue discussing their agreement.
DB accepts Marisela's offer to return the hacienda in exchange for her promise not to hurt Santos. They agree to sign the papers at noon the next day in the police station. BP overhears.

DB tells Eustaquia that Marisela is stupid. DB won't stop until she and Santos are destroyed and reduced to nothing (hechos polvo). DB tells Melquíades that she doesn't believe that Santos signed the eviction order or that Marsisela knew about it. She says that they have to find out who it was.

BP comes to see El Sapo. He tells him that the eviction not happen. El Sapo is angry.
BP says that El Sapo needs to know something else.

Santos has gone to see the judge to find out how the eviction order got signed. The judge plays dumb.

Marisela tells Andrés that she wants him to draft a legal document transferring El Miedo back to DB. Andrés can't believe she wants to do that but Marisela explains that is the only way to save Santos. Andrés agrees to draft the property transfer deed and he swears that he won't say a word about it to Santos.

The judge says that Santos should be pleased, his interests coincided with those of an important person who was helping Santos get what he wanted. The judge refuses to say anymore and Santos says that he will get to the bottom of this and the judge will pay for what he had done.

BP tells El Sapo about Marisela's intention to transfer El Miedo back to DB. The judge comes to see El Sapo at poolside and tells him about Santos' confrontation with him.

Melesia is furious that Andrés refuses to break his promise and tell Santos about what Marisela is planning to do with El Miedo. Melesio has overheard and he says that he will tell Santos.

Driving back to Progresso, Santos wonders which of DB's enemies could be powerful enough to buy a judge.

El Sapo, Fausto and BP discuss the problem of Santos. They says that he is difficult to manipulate because he is stubborn and honest (honrado). El Sapo says that Santos is causing them a lot of problems and it's time to eliminate him. El Sapo orders BP to kill Santos. BP says that he isn't a good enough shot and El Sapo should get a professional. El Sapo agrees but says that BP has to identify Santos to the killer.

Eustaquia tells DB how much Marisela must love Santos to give up El Miedo for him. She says that DB never gave anything up for Santos. DB says that it is easy to give up something that never belonged to you that you never worked yourself to the bone for. Eustaquia says that she is wrong. Marisela has suffered a whole life's worth of humiliations to get back what is hers. She says that DB who has been humiliated herself should understand that.

Little Toñito has a fever (fortunately he looks extremely healthy). This will put Cecilia in Dr. Arias' office for what is going to happen.

María Nieves' plan to pretend to not care about Altagracia is working well. Later, Pajarote helps things along by telling Altagracia that MN has another girl in Pilar.

Gervasia tells Carmelito that she is pregnant.

Santos comes to ask Andrés to confirm that Marisela is transfering El Miedo back to DB. Andrés says that it is true and that Marisela is doing it to protect Santos from DB. Santos realizes that Marisela loves him. He finds out when the transfer is going to take place.

Pernalete, Josefa and Federica arrive at El Sapo's place. All of them find the girls there worthy of attention.

DB tells Mujica not to make an enemy of her. Mujica stammers that he had no alternative but to come with the official.

BP identifies Santos to the hired killer.

El Sapo gets rid of Josefa and Federica and sits down for a talk with Pernalete. He tells Pernalete that he has enough evidence to send him to prison unless Pernalete helps him. El Sapo tells Pernalete that his friend DB is El Sapo's enemy and unless Pernalete changes teams, he will be El Sapo's enemy, too.

Dr. Arias tells Cecilia that Toñito has nothing serious. Cecilia is relieved but she says that she has been very nervous lately. She feels like she did just before Lorenzo died.

DB and Marisela are in the police station. DB signs the property transfer deed first.

Santos and Antonio are walking down the street. The assassin takes aim.

Antonio sees the shooter and pulls Santos down but he is hit. Marisela hears the shot and runs out of the police station before she signs the document.

She and DB find Santos lying in the street. Marisela accuses DB of shooting Santos.

Labels: barbara

Marisela kneels next to Santos, "You killed him!" she cries, "Are you crazy?" Santos comes to and says that it is only a scratch on his arm. Marisela asks for help from the El Miedo folk to get Santos into the truck so she can take him to the doctor.

DB tells her men to stay put. Marisela says that if anything happens to Santos, she'll... "You'll do what?" asks DB, "kill me like you did Meléndez? You and I are the same. That's why Santos wants you in his bed. In that area, we aren't equal becasue I am more of a woman (hembra) than you! Your days are numbered Santos Luzardo!"

The judge tells El Sapo that only Marisela can request an order of eviction (desalojo). El Sapo tells the judge to forget about the law and just do what he says. He promises that there won't be any consequences for the judge.

Federica models for Josefa the dress she wants to wear to the party for her father. Josefa says that she looks like a parrot disguised as a canary.
Federica and Josefa agree that they need to have something very chic to wear for the party in San Fernando.

Marisela dares DB to kill her now in front of everyone. DB says that she can oblige Marisela and she can be with her father, the drunk. Juan Primito comes running out begging DB not to shoot the "girl of his eyes." If she wants to kill someone, she should kill him because Marisela hasn't done anything. DB tells JP to get out of the way but he refuses.

Santos tells Marisela to come away before something happens to JP. Marisela gets in the truck and asks Santos if his wound hurts. She says that DB could have killed him. Santos says no. DB is a better shot than that. If she had wanted to kill him, she would have done so. As Marisela starts the truck up, DB yells that the only person responsible for all this is Santos. She yells that she has a bullet with his name on it. As the folks at El Miedo disperse, Melquíades says to himself, "My Doña has returned, Doña Bárbara."

Eustaquia tells DB that this time she has gone too far. DB says that she is fed up with Eustaquia always defending Marisela. Eustaquia should go and serve Santos and Marisela food after they have had sex. "Leave with that ungrateful wretch!" says DB. Eustaquia asks DB why she thinks Marisela should be grateful to her - for the miserable life DB gave her? for everything she took from Marisela's father? She says that DB walked all over Marisela and spit on her and how she thinks that Marisela should be grateful? DB walks away and shoves Eustaquia. Eustaquia says that DB is stark staring crazy ('loca de remate'). "You are going to end badly, very badly, Barbarita," says Eustaquia, "and your misfortune is going to drag all of us into the abyss."

Antonio tells Cecilia that the party is a dud, even the hosts have left. He asks to speak to Cecilia. She says he can always speak to her. "Yes, I know," says Antonio, "You are mother of my son and in all things related to him, we will be together making sure of his happiness." "But apart from that," says Cecilia, "I would like... I would like to be your friend." Antonio thanks her and they hold hands as friends.

Marisela yells at Santos for interfering, without permission in her life by going to El Miedo. She asks who gave him that right. "My love, my love gave it to me," says Santos. Marisela tells him not to say such ridiculous things. "Ridiculous or not, you realize who that woman is? She, who moved you so much that you want to give her back the hacienda. That is the real Bárbara Guaimarán." "She hates us," says Marisela, "She looked like she could kill us." Santos says that DB wouldn't kil Marisela but DB thinks that Santos is managing Marisela in all this. He says that DB thinks that they are lovera. Marisela says that DB hates Santos a lot because she loved him a lot. Santos winces and Marisela asks him if it hurts. He replies that her insults hurt worse but as she can see, he is staying alive. She hits him and Santos says that is was a joke. Marisela replies that there isn't anything funny about what happened, "That woman made a serious threat against you, Santos!"

DB says to herself that she wanted to kill Santos but she couldn't because in spite of everything, he is the best thing that has happened to her in her miserable life. He doesn't love her anymore and she is without God or the devil - totally empty. But that won't stop her from getting revenge. They will have to kill her first.

Melesio tells Cecilia that he thinks things are as bad as when Santos' father killed his eldest son. He says that if DB loses her hacienda, she won't let things be. Something bad will happen. Melesio says that the old times of war will return and he hopes it won't take the lives of any young people. [the camera cuts to Carmelito and Gervasia - is that a hint?]

Bartolo tells Mujica that he is going to marry Altagracia. Mujica is convulsed with laughter. He says that Altagracia is 'too much of a laundress for so little cloth' ('es demasiado lavandera para tan poco trapo').

Santos and Marisela return to Altamira. Santos tells Cecilia that DB would never kill him. Marisela replies that DB was like a crazy person. Santos repeats that if DB had wanted to, she could have killed him. She missed on purpose.
M: On purpose or not. Don't meddle in my business! You should respect my decisions. You are no one, no one to decide for me.
S: So now I am no one. Marisela, are you serious? I am no one?
M: No one.
S: Fine. If that's what you want, that's what will be. From now on, I won't meddle in your business even if you want to give the hacienda to DB. Go ahead. Get rid of everything but don't count on me any more.
M: That is what I want - that you get out of my life and stay far away from me.

The Altamira vaqueros, tenera husbands and Melesio discuss the DB situation. Pajarote urges Carmelito or Melesio to urge Santos to arm the vaqueros. Carmelito says that Santos won't do it and Melesio says that Santos has seen too much blood at Altamira. He knows what he is doing.
Pajarote tells María Nieves that he isn't tired and suggests a visit to Federica. MN is not interested. Pajarote sees Bartolo leaving when he arrives.

Josefa tells Pernalete that he should be proud, Federica is the most requested girl in the place. Pernalete says that she should get a medal for 'churnia'.

BP starts to instill doubts in Los Mondragon. He suggests that they shouldn't risk their lives for DB who will toss them aside when she doesn't need them. Leon ask why BP is hanging around if that is what he thinks. BP tells him that he is in something much better, something where there is a lots and lots of money. BP says that they won't have to wait much longer for the new boss to appear. He has new ideas ('cabeza fresca,' literally, 'a fresh head') not like DB who is toast (tostada).

DB tells Melquíades that now all they can do is wait. "Let me kill him, mi doña" says Melquíades, "the 'doctorcito's' time is up." "Be quiet, Melquíades," says DB. "Order it. Let me do it. If you want me to bring him to you wounded, I will bring him like I did the others so that you can finish him off as you think best, mi doña. This man has insulted you and now he is getting together with your daughter to take away everthing that is yours."

Santos tells Andrés that seeing DB humiliated and suffering and is too much for a heart like Marisela's when it is mixed with her goodness and naiveté. Andrés says that it is only natural for a daughter to feel compassion for her mother. Santos says that he feels compassion for DB too. She has a tragic history but that doesn't give her the right to do what she had done. Santos says that the worst thing is that she has never repented for what she has done. Santos says that he waited a year, gave her every opporunity and it never happened. He did everything he could for their relationship and she never made the slightest effort to change. She continued to lie and rob and he was a right idiot. Andrés asks if Santos has told Marisela what DB did. Santos says that he was DB's lover and Marisela is her daughter. He is the last person who should tell her such things about her mother. Santos curses the fact that they lost the diary. Marisela could have read it and learned about all the death that DB drags around with her.

Marisela tells Cecilia that DB wasn't playing. She really threatened to kill Santos and he treated it as if it was a joke. Cecilia says that Marisela should defer to Santos' judgment of the situation. Marisela doesn't agree. She says that she knows DB better and she could show up at any time and kill Santos. Marisela sasy that she is afraid for him. Cecilia tells Marisela that if DB wants to harm Santos, there isn't anything she can do to prevent it. However, Cecilia is still of the opinion that that DB, sicko that the she may be, won't harm Santos because she loves him. Marisela says that she has to do something to protect Santos.

Andrés suggests that he should tell Marisela about DB but Santos says that she wouldn't believe him. Andrés wishes they had the diary. Santos says that they have to do something. Marisela has to learn the truth about her mother.

Melquíades repeats his offer to bring Santos and DB's ungrateful daughter to her. "Get out!" says DB. Melquíades back away from her. "I only needed to say, yes," says DB, "but I can't. What's happening to me? Why did I become weak? How will I order them to be killed? For as much as I hate them... I will see what I have to do. My land cries out a single word - vengeance, vengeance, vengeance. No, I can't, I can't."

Marisela can't sleep for thinking about what DB might do. She gets up saying that she can't wait any more.

Pajarote says Genoveva's name while he is having sex with Federica. She slaps him and tells him that from now on, he will have to pay like everyone else.

Marisela sneaks into El Miedo.

Eustaquia tells Melquíades that DB has gone to bed but she doesn't think that she will sleep. Melquíades says that no matter what happens, he will be there. "Do what you like," replies Eustaquia, "but nothing can calm her fury or lift her sadness." DB comes out of her room and asks what Melquíades is doing. "Keeping watch," he replies. She tells him that she doesn't need him outside her door. The real danger is outside. She is sure that the traitors will return. She tells him that no one is as faithful as he and she thanks him.

An official from San Fernando gets Mujica out of bed and insists that an eviction order be served on DB that very night. Mujica doesn't want to be involved but the official insists. Pajarote overhears part of the conversation.

Lucía has to ruin a romantic moment with Antonio by asking if he loves her as much as he loved Cecilia. He tells her that there is nothing between him and Santos and he will never fail her.

Cecilia has a nightmare that DB shoots Santos and Marisela when they are together in bed.

Cecilia wakes up screaming. She goes and wakes Santos up to tell him that Marisela isn't in her room.

Marisela sneaks into DB's bedroom and takes the gun that is lying on her bed. She fires it into the ceiling. DB sits up, surprised. "I wanted to know how to fire a weapon," says Marisela, "I don't like it. You can have it back. Now you can shoot me if you want to." All the vaqueros and Eustauqia burst into DB's room.
DB: What are you doing here?
M: I want to talk. I came in through the passage and no one saw me. If I were the killer you accused me of being today, you would be dead now.
Eustaquia: Don't talk nonsense, my child, you couldn't hurt a fly.
M: Who knows? Remember that I have bad blood. I inherited it from my mommy.
Melquíades: What should we do, doña?
M: Answer him. The indian is dying to kill me.
DB: You don't talk that way to me. Tell me why the hell you have come.
M: I already told you. To talk. To make a deal. Alone. Tell them to leave.
DB: Make a deal about what?
M: About this. These four walls that are so important to you. We talk or I'm leaving.
DB signals for everyone to leave.
DB: Talk.

While Santos gets dressed, Cecilia tells him that Marisela isn't in the house. She says that she had a nightmare and she has bad feeling. She tells Santos about her earlier conversation with Marisela about her need to do something so that DB wouldn't harm Santos. Santos concludes that Marisela has gone to El Miedo. At this moment, Pajarote comes with news that about Santos signing an eviction order against DB. Santos decides to go to El Miedo.

DB and Marisela-
DB: You will turn over El Miedo to me with a property deed and everything.
M: I will cede the property to you, the land, the cattle, everthing with this one condition.
DB: That I don't touch a single hair on the head of your precious Santitos.
M: Not one, not even one.
DB: Now deny that you are involved with him.
M: I deny it. Even though you won't believe it.
DB: Because it's the truth. You're lovers.
M: We're not. What do you care? Do we or do we not have a deal?

Melquíades finds BP listening outside the door of DB's room. He warns BP that he knows he is playing for another team. BP denies it and says that everyone knows that DB is sacred to him. Melquíades thanks him for protecting DB and tells him to get lost.

The vaqueros see an official car approach the hacienda. Melquíades goes to tell DB.

DB and Marisela-
DB: How can I understand this foolishness? You take me to court, cheat, win the hacienda and now you are ready to give back all you won for a man that you say isn't yours? No, Marisela Barquero, I don't buy it. No one gives something for nothing.
M: I'm going to give you what is mine for the life of a man. A man that you threatened this afternoon.
Melquíades bursts in and says that it was a trap. Guards are coming here.
DB: (grabs Marisela) What are you playing at, Marisela Barquero?
M: But I didn't do anything!
The official says that he has come from San Fernando with an eviction order for DB. Mujica is trying to make himself invisible.

Marisela swears to DB that she didn't do it. The official says the order was signed by Santos Luzardo. DB asks if this is the man that she wants to save, this traitor. "It's he who is throwing me out of my house," says DB, "No one but him!"
DB tells the official that they are going to have to take her out of her hacienda feet first.
It's a standoff.

Labels: barbara

Labels: Fuego

Our amazing evening begins with two short scenes from the other day. First, Chayo, surrounded by friends at the Institute, receives a call from Eduardo's lover, who warns Chayo that Ed is going to divorce her, and then marry the amante. In the other scene, Lucía tells Meño that Charly is selling drugs.

In Santi’s office, Paulina complains that Isabel showed a lack of taste and breeding by not inviting Pau to the boda. Santi calmly points out that the wedding was for guests, friends and family, and Pau doesn’t fall into any of these categories. Pau then insults Isabel, calling her a cartoon hippie. Now Santi’s not so calm. He stands up, tells Pau that the only time he has ever laid a hand on a woman was when he operated – don’t make him break that record now! Paulina snarls some more, when Arturo’s Mom Margarita enters, accompanied by Hortenisa, who ushers Pau out of the office (crying “no me toques” all the way). Margarita wants to be prettier, younger, what can Santi do? Turns out the real problem is that Arturo has a lover.

At a fancy outdoor restaurant, Patricio confronts his Dad about having a lover again. Art tells Pat not to meddle in his private life. Fine, replies Pat, then take back this key to the safe deposit box if you don’t want me to meddle. Art denies this is meddling, rather it’s to save Pat’s mother’s life after Arturo dies.

Back in his office, Santi advises Margarita that plastic surgery isn’t going to solve her problems, she needs another kind of help. He suggests some kind of therapist (maybe another of Santi’s patients will become one of Candy’s clients!).

Well, Pat was given specific instructions not to open the safe deposit box until Arturo died. So where is he now? At the bank, as the attendant carries a silver gray metal box to him, leaving him to determine what Dad was hiding.

It’s evening, and Ed has prepared a romantic dinner for him and Chayo. As he finishes pouring the wine, Chayo walks in, and slams the door, obviously angry. She throws down her pocketbook, as he wonders what’s up. She grabs the wine glass, and downs it in one gulp. She informs him that the tonta (her) who doesn’t criticize, and who didn’t get mad out of fear, is no more. She’s had it. She’s going to be in charge of her own life. She drinks HIS glass of wine. If he wants a divorce, fine. Ed’s getting frantic, and after Chayo relates that the amante called her, HE pours two more glasses, which they both drink. He says the amante is lying. Chayo doesn’t trust either of them. Ed says he’ll prove he is through with the lover, and everything the lover says is a lie. Deal, responds Chayo, and they clink glasses.

Now we see our darling Marissa, in Candy’s office, looking at Candy’s computer diary, talking on the phone to a friend. As she’s talking, Candy happens to approach the doorway, and hears and sees all. Marissa tells her phone friend what she thinks of Candy – Candy acts like a friend, then wants to stab you in the back. Mari picks up a letter opener/knife and says if Candy had a pocketknife like what I have in my hand, she’d be stabbing me right now. Mari looks down at her tummy, and as she ends the conversation with the friend, complains about her escuincle (which seems to show she’s not even so happy about her little baby to be. I think escuincle just means a kid, but it’s not such an endearing term. Or maybe it’s a “low-class” word, I’m not sure). Candy repeats the word to herself with a questioning face, as she quietly exits.

Santiago is sadly remembering that Mari made him swear to forget Candy, and they both swore, although their fingers were crossed. Donato brings him a drink to deaden the pain.

Candy is walking at night, talking on the phone to Lulu, telling Lu about the baby clothes, the reading of the diary, the escuincle remark, what’s up with Marissa? Lu thinks Mari doesn’t really want (or love, it’s the same word, quiere) the baby. Candy doesn’t think things are too bad, but Lulu cautions her, watch out for Marissa! Please!

After the commercial, Ed asks Chayo are you ready? Ready, she answers, as they clink glasses, down another round each, and he dials the amante, with the phone on the table, on speaker. After the amante answers, Ed asks her what was the deal with telling his wife he was going to divorce her? Amante admits she made it up (Ed’s happily gesturing see, see?), but amante adds does he think she’s going to stand idly by with him happy with his wife, and sending her (the amante) to the devil? (at this, Chayo wants to strangle the phone). Ed grabs Chayo’s hands, and tells the amante okay, that’s all I wanted to know, but the amante says, wait, remember the great time we had when….Ed quickly presses the hangup button, as Chayo grabs his hands to stop it. Ed thinks he’s proven his point, but Chayo says you’re not getting off that easily.

We switch to Candy, at home on the computer, staring off into space. Chava comes in without knocking, is sent back to enter again properly, which he does. When he comes back in, he wants his bedtime kiss, but notices that Candy is a little sad. She denies this, wants about 35 kisses, they hug, and he tells her he got a perfect 10 on the homework she helped him with, and the teacher likes him, and said he was the only one who got everything right. Candy praises the teacher, and tells Chava how he’s her whole life. They hug and kiss some more, as Chava goes off to bed. At least Candy does have this one bright spot in amongst her troubles, but she then flashes back again to the wedding, where she swore (with fingers crossed) to forget Santiago. She thinks to herself the baby needs a papa who loves him, and therefore, there’s nothing more to consider. Candy will have to forget about Santiago.

Well, I guess Ed is trying to convince Chayo a little more, because at this point, they’re slow dancing (remember how much wine they drank!). She has pardoned him, but she still doesn’t trust him. He smiles and wants to know if she wants a little test of his love. She’s up for that, but she also wants him to be committed to her. He says, that’s the problem, he doesn’t exactly know how to behave to show he’s committed. He wants her to help. Can’t she help? They’re both smiling now, and kissing a little, and hugging a little, as he jokes about her little kiss, saying eso estuve medio chafa – literally that was half shoddy, but she’s laughing and hugging him. It’s nice to see them happy.

We switch gears to a weeping Lucía. Donato knocks, tells her that Charly has asked for her twice now, what should Donato tell him. Nothing. Lucía doesn’t want to see him now.

Meño is pacing the floor at home, waiting for Charly. (Let me just say in advance, I don’t think he’s handled this too well. When Charly wanted a moto, Meño just said forget about it, I’d rather have an angry son than a dead son. But that’s not the way to deal with things. I think Meño should have stayed calm, said maybe one day you can get one, but you should save up, and in the meantime, research motorcycles on line, give him some articles, say maybe in a few years, and with safety classes, something like that. Meño’s quick and extreme response wasn’t enough. It’s just like when everyone told Charly and Luc about sex. Use a condom. That was it, one sentence. Of course it didn’t work. They need to take more time with their teenagers. Of course we’re just seeing snaphots, and maybe there were more conversations, but the results speak for themselves).

Okay, end of sermon. It’s time for tonight’s key scene (or scenes, a lot is going on). Charly comes home, Meño grabs the front of his shirt violently, saying we have to talk! Candy comes downstairs, what’s going on? Don’t meddle, reponds, Meño. Doorbell rings, and it’s Santi, so Candy and Santi go outside to talk.

Meanwhile, in Mexico City, Patricio confronts a drinking Arturo in Art’s office. Pat slams a manila envelope down on the desk, demanding, what’s this?

Santi and Candy are walking along at night, Santi pretending to shield Candy from paparazzi, he doesn’t want any more photos of them kissing, but Candy says not to worry, there won’t be any more kissing. Santi can’t even remember what he wanted to talk about, but Candy has come to a decision. They should forget each other. This will be their adios. Santi is acting calm, sure, that’s fine. Candy is getting a little teary, as she adds that she shouldn’t be the godmother of the baby either. Santi agrees, they both say adios, Candy starts to walk away. Santi says this is when, in the old movies, the hero and the beautiful girl make up, but Candy says this isn’t a movie, it’s real life. Goodbye.

But their hearts are breaking, as Santi gets in his car and drives off.

Back home, Meño is reading Charly the riot act. There are only two places to end up with drugs, dead or in jail. Charly protests, so now you care, when you abandoned me years ago! Meño argues that his mother kicked him out. Oh, you poor victim, says Charly sarcastically to his father. If I want to sell drugs, I’ll sell them. If I want to buy a moto, I’ll buy it. Candy comes in, telling Charly she understands he wants to be a rebel, but this is a crime. Charly shoots back, yeah, well wasn’t what YOU did, pretending to be dead, a crime? Meño yells at Charly you’re not gonna sell drugs, or else I’ll…..Or else what, screams Charly, are you going to hit me? And Meño does. He slaps him, and Charly runs out. Candy runs after. She tries to grab him. He tells her to leave him in peace! He runs into the middle of the street, just as Santiago’s car zooms around the bend, and despite his braking, crashes into Charly! Charly’s out cold on the ground, bleeding from his forehead. Candy is distraught. Santi is calmer, checks Charly, don’t worry, he’s going to be okay. Meño runs up, also distraught. Santi reassures them, and calls for an ambulance, it’s urgent!

In our parallel storm, Arturo scolds Pat for opening the safe deposit box before he died. But now Pat knows. Right, Pat says he now knows his father is a murderer. It turns out that Arturo has built a number of buildings not to code, to save money. He used third rate materials, and the buildings are structurally unsound. Pat is incensed. It’s a crime, and people could die. This report says the buildings are unsafe. Yeah, well, the inspector changed the official report, so the one that’s filed says everything’s fine, counters Art. Pat shouts back of course! You bought that contractor, the way you buy everything. But what am I supposed to do with these papers? Art tells him that when Art dies, Pat will have to manage things, so he has to know about this. Pat keeps insisting, what if a building collapses, or there’s an earthquake? Well, we’d lose everything, and your mother would be on the street. But don’t worry, none of my buildings has ever collapsed (telenovela famous last words:)). Pat wants nothing to do with any of this. Really? Arturo reponds. How long have you been in your little artisan business? Not long. Whereas look around you. I have an empire! Don’t you want to give that to your children, to your wife? Because Candy still happens to be your wife, he throws out, hitting Pat like a thunderbolt.

The ambulance has arrived, Charly is strapped onto a stretcher. Santi and Candy will ride in the ambulance, I think Meño will drive separately, Gregoria will watch Chava, the police will take Santi’s car into custody.

Pat can’t believe all Arturo’s money came from risking people’s lives. Arturo (still drinking) reminds Pat that he grew up in luxury. He never asked where any of the money came from. Pat informs Art that Art got all this money for himself, not for Pat, and Pat would have traded all the money for the love of a father. He would gladly have preferred his Dad taking him to play fútbol, or to a bullfight, rather than have any of that money. He would glady have traded the money for a Dad who would help him blow out the candles on his birthday cake. Arturo thinks these are nice words, but he insists he did everything for Pat. Pat knows it’s not true. Arturo did it all for himself, for his lovers, for his macho pride. And look at him now, drinking to anesthetize himself. Arturo warns Pat to respect him. Pat walks out, telling his father just keep on drinking. Which he does.

In the ambulance, Santi explains he was driving to Candy’s house to see her, he came around the corner, may have been a little distracted, didn’t see Charly until it was too late. Candy reassures him, as Charly moans a little, his head immobilized to protect against neck injury. Doctor Santi asks if Charly knows who he is, and who Candy is, and since Charly does, that’s a good sign. Although Charly can’t remember what happened, he’s conscious, nothing is broken, they’ll be at the hospital in 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, I guess to remind us that things are NOT okay, we see Isabel sitting in her robe at Jaime’s house, looking wistful. She thinks about Rocío, Lucía, Santiago. Jaime comes in, what’s wrong? She asks what he hears. Nothing. Well, that’s the problem. She misses the shouts of Santiago, the smell of the kitchen, all the excitement at her old house. Jaime comforts her, saying she’ll get used to the sounds and smells of this house. Yes, maybe, she answers, but would he be mad if she asked him for something? Whatever you want, my love, says Jaime, clasping her hands. A divorce, she answers, as he lets go of her hands, and looks at her with a mixture of mild shock, but maybe some amusement (hopefully he’ll change her mind).

At the hospital, Meño has arrived at the same time as Candy, Santi and Charly. As Santi goes with Charly on the stretcher, Meño admits to Candy that he hasn’t done this in a long time, but he prayed the whole way to the hospital. Candy hugs him as he says that if Charly dies, he’ll die. Fortunately, the doctor comes out, and Charly is fine, no broken bones, no brain damage, they just have to keep him overnight for observation. Santi explains that Charly’s blank about the accident is normal, it’s a defense mechanism against trauma. Meño wants to stay with Charly, and Candy says she’ll stay too. This prompts Santi to volunteer as well (since he wants to be with Candy). But Meño gets rid of them, knowing Santi wants to talk to Candy.

Santi runs out after Candy, who was going to take a taxi. He wants to walk and talk (and I think he knows yet another magic place to show her). She thinks he’ll never give up, he’s so stubborn. No, he just wants to talk, he won’t try to convince her of anything. Besides, this is their farewell night.

Meño is talking to a sleeping Charly. He feels guilty. He remembers when Charly was born, he held him in his arms, and promised never, never would he let Charly be cold, hungry or afraid, because Meño would always be with him. Please forgive me, he says emotionally to his sleeping son. I failed you. I didn’t fulfill my promise.

Yes, Santi has brought Candy to another magical place, a pretty park, with picturesque trees, as they talk under the moonlight. He tells Candy he will always love her. He wants to sleep with her, wake up with her, bring her breakfast in bed every day, and he wants a home, a home with Chava, Lucía, Rocío, and the two of them, a family, and he wants to love her for his entire life. Thank you, says Candy. For what? Candy explains that she has wanted something like that her whole life too, and she thought the only place one’s soul could be cured was at the Institute, but now Santi has just put a little bandaid on her heart. She thought she would have to bring up Chava alone, but now she realizes that if she wants, if she needs someone in her life…Santi now says thank you, and Candy asks why. For talking with honesty, and from the heart. Santi also has had problems, raising Rocío alone, and Lucía, and caring for his mother, and he never had a woman at his side. They sit down in front of a huge double oak tree, as Santi tells Candy that she is the love of his life, his only love. Is he the love of her life? Does she have to answer right now? Well, at least before dawn, says Santi. Candy feels a bit cold, and Santiago gently wraps his arms around her.

Night turns to day, and our lovers have fallen asleep, sitting in front of the large tree. A drop of fresh dew falls on Santi’s cheek, and he wakes up smiling. He whispers her name, and she awakes. He dreamed she was his. He asks why people say farewell at night. Does the night hurt less? The day is much harder. But you never answered my question. She says it’s time to leave, and they stand up. She says she’ll always be there when he needs her. She wants his heart to be happy, and for him to have a good life. They hug deeply, then break apart, holding hands, staring into each others’ eyes, tranquil at last. As she walks away, she turns back, and says, “and the question you asked me? The answer is yes.”

(I just have to say this was the most beautiful scene in this telenovela so far for me, and it brought tears to my eyes, both when I watched it live, and again doing the recap).

Of course, we’re not done yet. Pat is back at his own office, and puts the envelope with Arturo’s incriminating papers in his safe, just as Alicia breezes in. She wonders what the papers are, and he tells her they have to do with his father, but don’t ask further. She’s fine with that, how about they talk a bath together, as she rubs up against him. No, he’s going to play fútbol with his sons. She still wants him to bathe her, or maybe she’ll go with him to the game? Nope, you don’t like fútbol, bye, enjoy your day, as he walks out. She looks at the safe and makes a face.

Santiago is having a tea for breakfast, as Donato says he looks a little tired. No, he’s fine, today is an easy day at the office, only one surgery, an ear job, and everything is great (estoy a todo dar). Besides, last night was one of the best nights of his life. So, Donato queries, you were thinking about last night? Not really, says Santiago, and he starts talking about how he’s wanted a son for a long time. Of course, this is our telenovela cue for trouble, as Rocío has come downstairs, hears this, and listens in behind the door. Santi tells Donato how he’s wanted to teach a son how to play fútbol, how to head the ball, etc., as we see a concerned Rocío.

And in Candy’s office, Patricio and Chava have come to visit, and they’re both wearing Americas’ jerseys! They jump up and down, as she remarks he can’t wear that shirt, it’s a filthy thing (me da roña), and she whips it off of Chava, gets out the kids’ Chivas jersey she just happens to have behind her desk and quickly puts it on him, reminding him and Pat that Chava is a Chiva just like his Mom. Well he has some eagle (Americas) blood in him, too, says Pat. Candy tells Pat he can make Beto an eagle, but not her Chava. Pat then says the real reason he came is to invite the two of them to the big stadium, because the Americas are playing Chivas. Really? Yes, says Pat, just the three of us, like a family.

Next time: More rivalry, Candy vs. Marissa for Santi, Santi vs. Pat for Candy.

Vocabulario:

Eso estuve medio chafa – That was half shoddy. Probably used better in the negative, eso no estuve medio chafa – that was not half bad. Also means not authentic, see comments for more explanation.
Escuincle – a kid, maybe a brat
Estoy a todo dar – everything is great
Me da roña – That’s disgusting (it gives me filth, or scabies!)

Labels: Tontas

We begin at the end, the end of the three pair of lovers enjoying the afterglow of celabratory SEX now that the Twosome of Terror, Cruella Gabriela and Felonious Fer, have supposedly both met their befittingly horrific ends.

The next morning the whole gang, including Ofelia and Margarita who’ve come back for the big bash, are at the Bat Cave to celebrate El Dia de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). --I guess that means that Fer actually offed himself, appropriately enough, the day before on Halloween.-- Pablito’s abuela, Bernie, Rosario, Libia, JuanJo and Maria Libia, are all fondly remembered. All sorts of traditional foods are left per the custom. (So the ants and the wild animals get to party hearty once the humans have their say and split. What I wanna know is who really gets to drink that bottle of reservado tequila Tío Vincente just left for Juanjo?) Padre Tadeo officiates and Libia’s Lily lights up with mucho appreciation.

At the same time, the one-eyed grave-digger returns to the ghoul-shed at the cemetery and finds Feo’s forgotten bag of booty with the stolen sacristy goodies, while the mini-light on that coffin-cam lets Viewerville peek inside the otherwise pitch black casket to see that Gabi is still 6 foot under, still alive, and still screaming in terror for Fernando. (How many days and nights has it been already? Three or two? That b!tch is as stubborn as the day is long, but no way even she should last that amount of time without air.) Another night falls and another full moon rises. The grave digger finally shows up the next morning and starts digging the coffin up to steal the money Fer told him was buried inside it.

Meanwhile, across town the Reyes’s hold a rodeo and riding competition to benefit the local orphanage. The three Elizondo sisters are wearing their Petticoat Junction best. Eva’s sitting there next to Sofia and it looks like she’s been to Puebla City for a much needed coif and ‘cure. Juan, Franco, and Oscar entertain the crowd with their singing (which has miraculously much improved since that fiasco of a serenade a few weeks ago. Viewerville accordingly sends its best to the A-team in sound production who finally got back from vacation.) Even Capricho, who obviously knows that he’s been the real headliner in this horse sh!t show, busts a move and prances for the cheering crowd. (Take a bow, big boy. Take. A. Bow! You’re one handsome hunk o’ horseflesh and the only thing worth an instant replay today.) The singing eventually ends and the competition begins.

Juan comes over to play kissy-face with Sofia a few times and the camera goes into slow-mo as a mysterious hand secretly aims a rifle at the two of them and waits to take its best shot.

Tío V.O. sings for the crowd a bit later and the crowd goes wild again, especially Maria Esperanza. (Don’t overdo it, Essie. At your age you might pull something.) Again the mysterious hand takes aim at Juan and Sofia, but doesn’t shoot.

The announcer tells the crowd that the Reyes’s made a special cash donation to Padre Tadeo’s orphanage and they all applaud.

Finally comes the “Pass of Death” competition and Juan appears in the ring. Just as Juan is about to jump onto the second horse to make “the pass” a shot rings out. Juan falls from his horse and for a minute or two nobody can tell if he’s been hit or not. The shot missed him but apparently the loud noise of the shot surprised him. Anyway, Juan tells the crowd he’s fine and the fun will continue. He gets back on his horse and tries the trick again and, of course, wins the competition. (Come on. Did we actually think he wouldn’t?)

Sofia hands over the donation to Padre Tadeo who thanks them for their charitable gift and lectures us all that there is nothing more important in life than a child. Everyone cheers again. (Oh! There’s Hortensia in the crowd, smiling. Hmm. Maybe if she’s lucky next Mother’s Day, Rigo and his brother will go in on a little cosmetic dentistry for Horty, maybe pay for a veneer for that hideous tooth of hers.) All of a sudden, the town’s favorite top cop, our dear Comisario Muttonchops, runs over to Juan and Sofia and tells them it was the grave digger who shot at Juan earlier, but he’s been caught now and is behind bars. Juan says then on with the party and the crowd cheers again. All the little children there (all dressed in cute little charro outfits) get balls and other toys for gifts.

Night falls and the full moon rises on Cd. Serdán again. The grave-digger apparently gave up and decided it would be more fun to take pot-shots at Juan, cuz Gabi's still in there and this is the night that she finally gasps her last. Whether it was the ol' bum ticker or suffocation that got her, it’s not quite clear; but we see her mouth and eyes are open in a gruesome death mask at the end. In both her eyes is Feo’s smiling reflection, as if he might just have come back for her after all. Boo-wa-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaa!

The town celebrates that night after the rodeo competition with a charity bazaar. Everyone dances to the beat of the magically musical refrains of Margarita (the Goddess of the Cumbia who is back from... wherever). At the end of the night there are fireworks displays ablaze with each of the couples’ names. (What better reason for another kiss?) Fireworks continue to go off, muy symbolic of the lovers’ feelings for each other.

The next morning is the triple boda. Juan and the boys are getting ready. We don’t get a shower scene, but we do get the next best thing: bare torsos with towels wrapped around otherwise bared buttocks as Quintina helps Juan and the others get dressed for their big day. In between questions and complaints they stop to tell her how much they love her and that she’s been like a mother to them. They thank her for all the support that she has offered them, especially as their “paño de lagrimas” (crying towel). She's going to miss them once they've gotten married. Guess she's movin' in with Rigo and Horty. (Anybody stop to wonder who's taking over the Hacienda de Horrores and who's got dibs on the Double R? And BTW, who's gonna get the short straw and where are they going to live?)

Meanwhile, Sofia and her sisters are waiting down at the end of the drive of the hacienda for some mysterious somebody that Eva says was looking for them. Suddenly they hear Grampa Augie’s voice and are thrilled to see him there for the wedding. (Santi doesn’t show up, though.) He tells them Rosendo filled him in on what had happened there after he left. Through his tears Augie says it was a shame that Gabi had to die the way she did, but that he warned her Fernando would be the ruination of her. She just would not listen. Suddenly Sofia feels a bit awkward and leaves the group. Augie tells her he knows she must feel strange now because they’re not blood relatives. He tells her it doesn’t matter to him one bit and doesn’t change a thing. They all share another group hug. Ah yes. The family’s complete now that he’s come back for the wedding. (Viwerville dabs its eyes.)

Later that day the Reyes’s make their way to the church on their valiant and beautiful steeds to await their brides’ arrival. The brides make their arrival in individual carriages at the Temple of God (Cholula on the Pyramid), the big beautiful church on the crest of the hill above where the rodeo was held. They get out at the entrance to the church. Rodeo riders are lined up in costumes while kids do rope tricks with their lariats. (Is that Sarita with all that exposed cleavage this time? Truly a plunging neckline Root and Rosario would be envious of.) They walk in on the arms of their grooms. (Looks like Sofia has the most beautiful dress, full of sparklies and of course, the longest train. Sort of reminds me of a giant white caterpillar crawling behind her. Juan’s got his shirt unbuttoned like the slob he is, while his brothers are dressed to the nines in their best white charros. Oh well, with a build like that, he’s allowed.) The three couples arrive together at the altar. The whole town is there with the exception of Uncle El Jefe, who’s apparently still doin’ time, and Pedro.

Padre Tadeo officiates the marriage mass. (Ah, ok. Juan finally had the sense to button up and look respectable. Lordy, he does clean up nice, though!) FF>> When Pad Tad finishes and they’ve all said their vows, the happy couples kiss. Everyone makes their way outside to celebrate their wedding in one hell of a big boda bash. Pad Tad smiles and gives them his blessing and then thinks to himself that “as always, love triumphs.”

Bobby Pulido and his band are there to entertain along with the Margarita. There’s dancin’ and romancin’ for one and all.

When the new brides hurl their bouquets, Maria Esperanza and Quintina both catch one.

Juan and his brothers each serenade their brides. (EY must have been practicing long and hard because this time he stays on key and actually pulls it off. Thank gawd for small favors and a decent audio tech.) As the afternoon sun begins to set, each couple demonstrates their abiding love with tender, impassioned kisses.

In the end only Juan and Sofia remain. They are locked in each other’s arms and in a kiss that seems destined to last as long as this damned novela has.

El FIN ¡POR FIN!

Labels: Fuego

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 3:22 AM 116 comments

DB reacts badly to the verdict. She screams that Marisela can't win anything. She slaps her lawyer when he tells her to sit down. She accuses Santos of buying the verdict. The judge orders the guards to arrest DB. She screams at guards not to touch her, that no one touches Doña Bárbara. The guards start to drag her out. Melquíades goes to her assistance and is knocked out by a guard. The guards finally succeed in dragging DB out while the people in courtroom sit stunned.

In the hall, DB, still being held by the guards, says that Santos must be happy that he has killed three birds with one stone: he has her hacienda; he can get it on with Marisela and now he has gotten rid of her as well. Santos asks her to calm down but she curses him and Marisela as she is led off to jail.

A guard wakes Melquíades up. He asks what they did with his Doña. The guard says that she might be detained for some time. He staggers off and Fausto slinks in. Fausto offers the guard a wad of money and asks for a copy of the book that all the witnesses signed. While he is waiting, he spots the volume of Danger's diary that Andrés carelessly left on the plaintiff's table. He puts it into his bag.

DB fiercely resists being locked up but eventually the guards get her into a cell. She says that the guards will pay for what they have done. She calls for Melquíades, for Eustaquia for Balbino but they aren't there. Then softly she calls for Santos, her Santos and starts to cry.

Marisela says that is was terrifying to see DB that way. She never thought the litigation over the hacienda would end that way. Santos says that he doesn't have any words for what happened. He tells Andrés to get Danger's diary while he puts their stuff in the car. Santos tells Marisela not to be so upset. She couldn't do anything for DB. These are the consequences of her actions. She will return as the legitimate owner of La Barquereña and it will never be called El Miedo again. Marisela says nothing.

Fausto tells El Sapo that he got the Danger's diary back. El Sapo approves. He says that he may need it in the future. He asks if Fausto got what he wanted. Fausto says that he got a copy of Santos Luzardo's signature. El Sapo says that he will get an artist to reproduce the signature. Having Santos' signature will be very useful.

In the restaurant, Santos and Marisela sit silently each with different flashbacks. Santos flashes back to DB destroying the fence and fighting with the guards in court. Meanwhile Marisela is flashing back to DB trying to save her when Meléndez was going to rape her. They are interrupted by Andrés who tells them that apparently someone stole the diary of the gringo.

Melquíades burst into the office of DB's lawyer and tells him that he is going to get her out of jail right this minute. The lawyer says that he can't. Someone has to pay her bail. Melquíades tells him to pay it and DB will reimburse him. If he doesn't, Melquíades will kill him.

Pajarote and María Nieves bring Bartolo to see the terneras. MN tells Bartolo that they want him to talk. Talking is his great talent. MN tells Bartolo to talk to Altagracia all day long. Altagracia gives MN the look. At that moment, Carmelito bursts in to say that Marisela won the case and is back in town. There will be a party at Altamira.

DB gets let out of jail. She gives her lawyer the look. He says that thank to his efforts, she is free. DB says that he is a disaster, a good for nothing. She says that it is his fault that she lost the case. The lawyer says that DB will pay for hitting him in public and she will pay with interest the sum that he paid as her bail. DB says that he is a bigger fool than she thought. She isn't going to waste her time with him.

Marisela wants to go to Cecilia's house in Progresso but Santos says that Cecilia and everyone else is at Altamira to celebrate her victory. Cecilia offers a toast to Andrés and tells Marisela that Lorenzo must be very content in heaven right now. She congratulates Marisela. Marisela says that she has nothing to say. "I have nothing to celebrate," says Marisela, "DB has just had her home taken away. Should I be happy? No, I'm not happy."

DB comes to see the judge. "How much were you paid to make that decision?" asks DB. The judge tells her to leave immediately if she doesn't want to go back to jail. DB says that she won't do anything to him. She just wants to know who paid him. She asks if it was Santos or Marisela. She says that she won't tell anyone and will give more money than Santos did. At that moment, a guard comes in and says that the lawyers for the next case are waiting. The judge makes his escape. DB tells Melquíades that she is sure that the judge was bought but she doesn't know by whom.

El Sapo is reading Danger's diary. He says that DB is dangerous. She would rot in jail for the rest of her life for half the things that are described in the diary. Fausto agrees. He says that he is in danger and may not be of much use to El Sapo in Progresso anymore. DB suspects him and may end up killing him. El Sapo asks if Fausto is afraid. Fausto says that with what DB knows about him, he has reason to be afraid. She has threatened him. El Sapo tells him not to worry. He will get someone else to divert all the suspicion that DB has about him. Fausto says that is good but who will he get? El Sapo says that he has a candidate.

Cut to Pernalete [One would assume that the next scene would indicate who the person El Sapo has in mind is but Pernalete?] As translated by Federica, Pernalete complains that his life has no dignity and he wants to die. Then he insults his daughter and Josefa. Josefa angrily replies that she and Federica are earning more in their line of work that he did as police chief. She tells him to relax and enjoy life.

Still in San Fernando, DB says that no one will take El Miedo away from her.

Santos comes to see Marisela. He says that everyone has come to celebrate. Marisela replies that she doesn't want to celebrate. She has fulfilled her father's last wishes but they weren't her wishes. Santos says that she has recovered the land of her father and grandfather. That is very important. Marisela says that it isn't important to her. She has been very unhappy because of that land. Santos replies that it wasn't the land; it was her, it was DB that made Marisela suffer. Santos tells Marisela that there is oil at La Chusmita and probably in their other lands. She can't give that up. She asks why he didn't tell her before. He said that there was a lot going on and he didn't get around to it. But he is telling her now. She is going to be very rich. "You too, right?" asks Marisela. Santos replies that he is worried about the oil. She might not believe it but he doesn't like it. If the oil deposits are exploited, this place will never be the same and he likes his land the way it is: green, fertile and clean. "Don't you like it this way?" he asks.

Antonio comes to the party to congratulate Marisela but Cecilia tells him that Marisela needs to be alone now. Cecilia asks about Lucía and Antonio says that she is fine. Antonio says to Cecilia that he feels very guilty.

Santos tells Marisela that if the oilfield is developed, all this would disappear. He is sure that DB wanted to exploit the oil deposit. He says that all the haciendas would disappear, one by one and be replaced by a lot of people and trucks. Nothing would remain of what their ancestors built. He asks if she understands the importance of what would happen. He asks if she is interested in what he is saying. Marisela says that she wants to be alone. She doesn't want him to bother or confuse her anymore.

María Nieves comes into the kitchen where Altagracia is about to start washing the dishes. He congratulates her on the fantastic fiancé she has won. "Everyone speaks well of him," says MN. Altagracia says that she is sure he is happy that she is marrying someone else. MN grabs Altagracia and and says that he will be happy when Bartolo holds Altagracia like this and kisses her like this. "Make the most of it," says MN and walks away.

Santos tells Antonio that he doesn't know what to say to him about his situation. Antonio says that the worst thing is that there isn't anything he can do except pray that nothing happens to his wife and child. "You love Lucía, right?" asks Santos. "It's difficult not to like her, Santos ," replies Antonio, "She is good and caring. She adores Toñito. She adores me. I will do everything possible to support her, to make her happy but love continues to be embedded in my heart." "Cecilia" says Santos. "Yes, Cecilia, always Cecilia," replies Antonio. Antonio offers a toast to the love that never dies.

DB has returned to El Miedo and she is as mad as a wet cat. Eustaquia asks what happened. DB says that Marisela won the case but she swears that she will never give up El Miedo. She says that the old DB is back. She tells Juan Primito to put food out for the rebullones. JP tells her that they died a long time ago. She tells him to revive them because this hacienda will return to the way it was before. This is the hacienda of fear.

Santos tells Antonio that Marisela doesn't want to love him because he lived with her mother for almost a year. She thinks that what he feels for her is a small reflection of what he felt for her mother. Antonio asks if that isn't true. Santos says no. Living with DB was a hell that he doesn't recommend to anyone. She was consuming him like she did with Lorenzo. He says that DB had a lot of traumas and hidden demons. Antonio asks if Santos doesn't love Marisela because she resembles her mother. Santos say no. Marsiela has some of DB's explosive temper and a few of her gestures are the same but in fundamentals, they are very different. Marisela is transparent, incapable of resentment. He isn't saying that sometimes he would like to strangle her for being so stubborn but he knows that he could live with her the rest of his life.

At this point Marisela comes up and says that she has thought about it and decided that she doesn't want El Miedo. She wants to return it to DB. Santos asks if she is crazy. They just spent a whole month fighting to get back what belongs to her, to fufill her father's wishes. Marisela says that the problem - it was her father's wish. She has never dreamed about the hacienda, the money, the cattle and not even the oil that has appeared. Antonio asks about the oil and Santos explains that oil has been found at La Chusmita. Marisela says that DB is suffering and she has caused it. "Santos," she says, "What's going on with you? Doesn't it hurt you to see DB like that?"

DB is telling herself that she will get revenge on everyone when she hears Lorenzo's voice saying that he is here to torment her day and night to get his revenge. Melquíades has armed DB's guys. DB tells BP that he has to decide whose side he is on. Melquíades tells the vaqueros that they are watchmen. Now, the war has started for real.

DB tells Eustaquia that she has lost everything - her hacienda and her one true love, Santos. Now Santos is her worse enemy. Eustaquia tells her not to talk that way. She should take time to think. DB says that there isn't anything to think about. Santos has left her for her daughter and now he has taken her hacienda, her lands, everything. Eustaquia urges DB to leave and start again somewhere else. DB replies that she won't leave her hacienda. She will wait for Santos here. She gets her gun out and says that before she has to hand everything over, she will kill him and herself.

Santos tells Marsisela that DB doesn't deserve her compassion. She has enough money to buy two haciendas like El Miedo. Marisela repeats that DB has lost everything - her hacienda and... Santos finishes her sentence by saying that she feels guilty because she is a sort of consolation prize for Santos after he left DB. Marisela denies that she is any kind of a prize and says that she hates Santos when he is so proud and insupportable. She turns to leave but Santos says that she has to stay until she understands that she has the right to claim what by law belongs to her - La Barquereña and his love. At this point Antonio leaves.

Pajarote tries to get Genoveva drunk again. She takes a glass but throws the contents on him and yells at him.

Marisela asks why Santos says that she has a right to his love. Santos starts to speak but Marisela interrupts and says that her final word is that she has the the right to give the hacienda to whomever she pleases.

Santos tells Antonio and Cecilia that Marisela has gone crazy. JP comes running up to report that DB has returned to El Miedo in a foul temper and is saying horrible things that have made JP run away. Santos leaves to prevent DB from doing something stupid.

Marisela interrupts Cecilia's prayers to ask where Santos went. Without Cecilia having to answer, Marisela figures out that he went to El Miedo.

DB, now dressed all in black, passes out cartidge boxes to her employees. She tells them to be vigilent. The war has started and she won't be taken from El Miedo alive.

BP starts to walk away and Melquíades jumps him with a knife asking where he is going. BP says that he is just to pee.

Marisela gets into the truck and says to herself that Santos thinks he can make decisions for her but he will find out who the real Marisela Barquero is.

Meanwhile Santos is sadddling his horse and saying to himself how stubborn and foolish Marisela is to reject the hacienda they just put so much effort into getting.

Fausto delivers an invitation for Pernalete to attend a gala party in San Fernando recognizing all he has done for Progresso. Both Josefa and Federica ask to accompany him and Fausto says that they both can go.

El Sapo tells the judge that Marisela needs a lot of help to recover what his hers. El Sapo says that he wants to send DB an eviction order requested by Santos. When the judge says that Santos hasn't requested any such order, El Sapo shows him a request signed by Santos and now we know why El Sapo wanted Santos' signature.

Santos rides to El Miedo. DB appears, shoots her gun into the air and asks what he is doing there. Santos says that they have to talk. DB points her gun at Santos and says that she doesn't have anything to to say to him. At this moment, Marisela is arriving in the pickup. DB fires and hits Santos who falls off his horse. Marisela jumps out the truck yelling Santos' name and saying the DB has killed Santos.

Labels: barbara

From last night: There is a hubbub in the restaurant and slap-fest in the kitchen. Lulu thinks Eduardo is Don Juan Tenorio but Chayo's not impressed and gives him a purse whack. If he gets to see women when he wants then she can see guys when she wants!

It's the wedding day and everyone is present and dressed to the nines. The Abandonados are drinking, Jaime is nervous and it looks like his son (and a pal) showed up after all. The bride is lovely and her son his hot hot hot. Bigger-than-life size cut-outs of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band silently observe the festivities.

Hola mi amorrrrr! Alicia surprises Pato at the office. She shows him a necklace she'd like to have. "Yes, my little lice, whatever you want" he sighs. She bounds out of the office like a fiendish energizer bunny and he puts his face in his hands.

The rickety dude who's performing the wedding says the union is much more serious than what's on paper. They're going to celebrate a natural union, a zoological union (Que??? chimes the crowd), an animal union where the panther of the suburbs is marrying the dinosaur of Coyoacán. (Que?? chimes the recapper.) He sprinkles them with a wet flower and pronounces them marido y mujer.

Marissa pulls Candy and Santi aside to extract a promise from them, she wants them to forget each other for a bunch of good reasons. Santi wants to discuss it in private with Marissa but Candy pipes up "I promise!", so Santi promises too and they all three toast. Weird. When Mari goes to play with the kids Santi tells Candy he knows she had her fingers crossed.

The kids discuss grandparents and Chava wonders, if Beto's abuelo is Pat's dad then why isn't he Chava's abuelo too? Good question.

Rickety dude limps through the kitchen pretending to snoopervise but it's an excuse to drink all the booze, rub against Tina and stuff food in his pockets. Donato offers to pack him a lunch (itacate = packed lunch) but the dude prefers to cram his pockets and cheeks with food. Tina's pissed.

Santi tries to make a toast but rickety drunk dude gropes Isa and calles her his panther. He flashes the peace sign as Lalo leads our obligatory drunk wedding guest away.

Santi makes his toast and semi-graciously welcomes Jaime into the family.

Meanwhile Charly's new "friend" German heaves pebbles at Charly and lures him away from the crowd. He's got the goods and I think his plan is for Charly to buy the mota and then share the profits. Doesn't sound like the best plan to me. Good luck Charly.

Pato admits to his crabby mom that dad visited him for a couple of days and of course she thinks dad's got a lover. Whatever, she's here to visit Dr. Plastico and she heard Candy's alive. Pato confirms it and he manages to put a big smile on Crabby's face, she's got two grandsons!

The newlyweds kiss and celebrate and are ready to leave for their honeymoon. Isa is used to micro-managing the household and tries to give Santi detailed instructions on everything. She even thinks Marissa should stick around to help to see if she's up to running the household. Isa still doesn't think Mari's the one for Santi but it's too late for Candy.

Drunk rickety dude stumbles through their goodbyes, "make love not war, stop the war in Vietnam." I think I just figured out where Charly could get better drugs.

Santi tucks Lucia into bed VERY TIGHTLY. She has a question, has he ever (pretends to hold a joint and puffs)? He freaks until she assures him she's not smoking, but he knows how it is, right? This gives him the opportunity to give her a long PSA against drugs and peer pressure. Meanwhile Rocio's in a pipi holding pattern on the pot waiting for papa to provide the missing papel.

Charly meets German to receive the goods. He tells the guy he doesn't smoke pot he just wants to make some money, but before he knows it Charly's going to German's house to meet some girls and German's got some good s**t too.


Candy lolls around on her bed stuffing her face with popcorn and thinking she can't forget either Santi or Pato. Deja vu anyone? Mom in a flannel nightgown and cap joins her and has something to say that she's been wanting to share for some time now. She wants Candy to forgive her sister; Al is very unstable and will try to kill herself if Pato leaves her. I'm not sure what that has to do with Candy forgiving Al but Greg seems certain.

Several quick scenes at the Instituto, Candy's apple computer, Ceci wistfully watches Candy, Barb gets into an elevator and some guy, one of the Abandonados I think, joins her. He flirts but she cuts him short, she's been married twice, had lots of guys and he's not her type. Suddenly the elevator lurches and the lights go out. Barb freaks and the guy tries to calm her, somehow they both end up with flashlights. When the lights go back on her shirt is unbuttoned and his is off so he can fan her with it. "Thank you" she cries as she hugs him. The elevator doors open and Lulu gets an eyeful of Barb hugging the half naked guy. He hands Barb his card and quickly exits for his appointment with Dr. Plastico.

Lulu is impressed, she wants to be just like Barb. "What, claustrophobic?" asks Barb. "No, liberated" gushes Lulu as Barb quickly zips up her blouse.

Gregoria is mopping the floor at home when she receives a surprise guest, Pato's mom Margarita. Arturo told her everything (Greg gasps), that Candy is alive (Greg is relieved) and she has a grandkid. Margarita kisses Chava's photograph.

Isa calls Santi from her honeymoon to say she absolutely knows she is needed at home. I gather this isn't the first time she has called. Some honeymoon.

Charly and German talk about the best place for him to sell his mota, and that would be school of course. German comments how much the little blonde liked Charly, he used a condom, right? Because last year she got pregnant and it cost German some dough to get rid of the kid. Charly's impactado, she was his girlfriend? The friend keeps pressing, "were you careful, you were careful, right?" Charly reluctantly lies that he was. Oh dear.

Chava meets his new abuela and happily gives her a kiss and calls her Abi. Abi comments how much Chava looks like Arturo, he's got his eyes, doesn't he? Greg lies and says she hasn't seen Art's eyes. She needs a cup of tea.

Abi makes Chava sit on her lap and they discuss Soccer teams. Greg keeps pulling Chava away from abuela Abi and Abi pulls him away from abuela Gogo.

Santi is in consultation with his pal when a sobbing Hortensia tells him his novia called to summon him to the church so they can discuss the final details of their wedding, boo hoo. Santi's friend tries to console Horty by calling her baby baby baby and saying "Call me" in English. Then, in a sort of Spanglish he reminds Santi he doesn't love Marissa and it's a mistake to marry her.

Ceci fears that Candy is working too hard and Candy admits she's doing it to keep her mind off Santi. "You're anesthetizing yourself," Ceci observes.

Now we have a romantic Kany Garcia song (Hoy ya me voy amor) and some romantic flashbacks of Santi and Candy...he wipes dog crap in her hand, she wipes it on his face, they argue, they kiss, she cries, he consoles her, she tells him she's in love, Marissa announces she's very pregnant, Santi shows her the pendant. Back in the present she drops said pendant on the ground and vows she doesn't love him. Pato must have followed he because he picks it up a little later.

Meño waits for the elevator and Lulu joins him. She still wants to cure him even though he insists he's not sick. He escapes into the elevator not realizing he has just entered Lulu's most recent fantasy, love in the elevator a la Barb. Que barbara!

Candy's in the church praying again, she's confused and needs help getting Santi out of her head. She hears the wedding march play and Oh Crap she's in the same church where Santi and Mari are rehearsing! She quickly hides but Santi glimpses her. Mari hugs Santi as Candy and Santi gaze sadly at each other.

Charly's hangin with the homeys when Lucia strolls by. She loves him but she doesn't like him being around German and his bad business. Surprisingly she puts her foot down, if he sells drugs they're quits; she doesn't want to visit him in jail.

Instead of leaving the church Candy stands in her little corner praying loudly to the virgin, woman to woman.

Meño and Lulu burst out of the elevator. He tells her once and for all He Is Gay. Does she know what that is? She says it's a sickness, like alcoholism, and she's going to cure him. How many times are we going to beat this dead horse? Enough already!

Later on Lucia catches Charly flirting with her friends. "Charly!" she shrieks and boy howdy does he jump. One girl Daniela butts in, they're only buying a little pot, silly. This sets Lucia off, she says the silly people use drugs, the smart ones say no. She screams at Charly not to touch her, not to call her, he's dead to her!

Isa sneaks around her honeymoon hotel room with the phone. Jaimes sneaks behind her holding something. She doesn't see him so she tries to call home. Aha! Guess who's holding the unplugged phone? He scolds her for calling 17 times in the morning and 11 times after breakfast. OK fine, call home if you want to! And she does. At this rate they're going to beat Renee Zellweger and Kenny Chesney's short wedding record.

Lalo and Raul are practicing their hip moves again and frankly they are hilarious. Their ties are especially fetching.

Chayo tells her gal pals that Eduardo has promised to never see his girlfriend again. Ever. Candy advises her not to make up with him until she's sure. The telephone rings. Whoever do we suppose it is? Chayo's face falls, "You're a cynic!" she blurts into the phone. It was Eduardo's lover and she told Chayo to prepare herself because Eduardo is going to divorce Chayo and marry her. Candy does an about-face and advises Chayo that it could be a trick. "And what if it's not?" asks Chayo.

Lucia visits Meño at the restaurant. She needs to talk, she's not a gossip or a traitor but she's worried about Charly and Meño should know that Charly's bad. He wants to buy that damn moto so he's selling mota.

Tomorrow: Candy tells Santiago goodbye and they both cry. Lulu warns Candy to watch out for Marissa.

Labels: Tontas