Caray, Caray!

Well that was a nice Countdown with Keith Olbermann intro. Speaking of interesting music; let’s drum-up a gay afternoon orchestra and play light, airy British picnic music as Gabi tells herself she’s the Angel of the Apocalypse…Bwahahahaha. More like Angel of halter tops gone amiss. Clearly, the musical director kicked back a few of whatever Ricky keeps in his secret pouch before compiling today’s melodious mix of mishap. It’s the perfect interlude for a declaration of war—that is, if you’re fighting over who get’s the last short bread cookie at a riverside brunch…

Sally Scarface feels compelled and confident enough to repeat something Six-feet under Raquel told her about Sofia; it’s probably not true. As if we didn’t know since day one, Sofia’s real mommy is Eva. And everyone in North America knows, except Sofa who, among other things, lacks a cable connection and much less a tin can and string. Don’t you all be so surprised all at once.

Well, we know Gabi is thinking clearly again on account of the flowing amounts of liquor. Some people are simply better when they’re not conscious. As if this weren’t enough, Coyote is now officially public enemy “numero uno,” and will probably attack her at any time now. That’s why she has taken up the custom of shooting at anything that isn’t her beloved goblet. Then again, maybe she shouldn’t shoot her ex-husband because, as Thomas Jefferson Washington Carver so prophetically said; the enemy of my enemy is my husband…

Seems that PadTad had a run-in with one wild, demonic donkey and lived to tell about it. The whole town, or at least the small handful of people who weren’t holding out for his downfall, is present and is lead in a recalcitrant chant commemorating the great Paddy by the ever-clueless Quinti. However, nothing was sweeter to my ears than the heartfelt rendition of “Ave Maria” Franco so generously regaled to us. I am confident that you will appreciate the true beauty after considering that this is post-South Beach marijuana bust; it’s obviously taken a lot for him to return to voice-over quality in a sound-controlled booth. Hallelujah, PadTad, Jesus and the Saints.

After many years of desperately searching for a reason to be bitter and kill innocent people, Sally finally summons Juan to get payback for Ricky’s brutal murder of the only remaining proof that someone actually found her desirable many, many moons ago. Can’t you see that memories of the drunken sex-capade are all she has left to cling to? You must kill Ricky, Juan-y.

The girls are all like “what a lovely mass, and Franco should open the SuperBowl, blah, etc., blah.” Gabi’s all like “did he die, did he die? God, I hope so.” No, he’s alive and preaching to any inanimate objects that will listen. “What a pity,” only she thought bubbles this one because she’s so drunk she forgot about her own personal vendettas and is just more “chill” like this. Note to criticizing AA rep. Sofia and discerning reader: If the traps, landmines, tree explosions, cyanide pills, heart conditions, and hidden strings on the steps didn’t kill her, it’s almost certain that the alcohol won’t either.

In a performance worthy of Mighty Joe Juan Robles-Reyes, Ricky goes to Sally in a fearful fit of tears and “forgive me’s.” She breaks down into one of her blind rages and delivers a performance curiously reminiscent of that of little Hellen Keller in the 2000 ABC remake of “The Miracle Worker.” No, honey, that's the well, I'm over hear. That’s just like life to introduce us to our estranged narco-trafficking children and take them away before we can formally accept to ourselves and others that they are the biological fruits of our loins.

In keeping with tonight’s British country side war scene Sundays, Juan is on his own less-taken war path of vengeance for Ricky’s wrongdoings. Just when you thought his thickheaded astuteness and insistence were unbreakable, Root convinces him not to kill the father of her late brother. As if he were even remotely capable, he asserts that he will gather the compromising evidence to ruin Ricky for good. See, look, I have a piece of paper he once signed in my armoire—clearly that means he killed Raquel. And see this belt; Gabi had it in her possession, so that means he killed my parents. And he thought Fernie would have been old enough to kill his parents… Yes, this scene is the culmination of a year of torturous ignorance and naïveté. Pinch me, I’m dreaming…

After taking his own son’s life, the only way Ricky can make it right is by taking more lives. Like, for instance, Gabi, who, as we all know, forced Ricky to kill Coyote. Then of course, there’s that whore Sofia who probably looked at Coyote the wrong way. Quick, while he lets go of Sofia, go tell Juan that he’s got Sofia at gun point. The monstrous Ricky goes for a stab at Gabi. Just then Fernie intervenes with his gun. If she dies, then there’s no hope at him becoming universal heir or even horse-shit scooper-upper. Not so fast, because faster than a speeding bullet is a speeding 45-year-old man in boots and mariachi gear. Take that, old man, and that, and that. How do those spurs taste? Just like WWF, Juan runs up the stairs, sits on Ricky’s face, then rolls him down the stairs. You killed my parents, I kill you. Now taste this leather belt. Gasp! If only we could all put 40 years of history behind us and all get lives… “Beg me, beg me.” Juan contemplates killing Ricky. Yes, even though this is something Juan thought about every day of his life and dreamed about in the womb, the subject still requires more contemplation. In this side of the ring, Gabi is encouraging the death of this murderer. In the other corner Sofia, who is pretty much the town psychologist, convinces Juan to not kill Ricky. That’s right; turn him over to the local (equally incompetent) authorities. Just when you thought the sheriff was going to lock Ricky away for the night, Ricky punched him out and ran away. I am so putting in for a federal grant for this police locale…

Thus, we have our wild horse chase. Which, I’m willing to bet is the same exact scene they used when Juan’s baby was missing and he went tumbling down the waterfall for a moon-light swim.

The other happy couple, i.e. Gabi and Fernie, are enjoying a nice cognac in bed while contemplating whom to kill next. How about my licentious daughter Root? We will kill her for having a better leather push-up. Indeed, dear.

So, Ricky is all out and about and shooting at shadows or anything else that moves. Then he sees Juan right in front of him and stops shooting. Just for that, he deserves to die. Anyway, the gangs all there in their Disneyworld ponchos and BB guns. I hope he’s ready to meet his maker…

Well, it just goes to show you, as in every other episode, if you get enough alcohol and barbiturates in someone, you can get them to make you the universal heir to their fortune. Provided they haven’t wasted it on halter tops and brandy.

Once an incompetent buffoon, always an incompetent buffoon. I can’t even describe how stupid this death scene was. But, if you have to know… Juan had several opportunities to kill his father’s assassin; but he didn’t. Then, Ricky almost killed Juan on several occasions; but he didn’t. Then Ricky almost fell off a cliff after Juan shot his snake belt (funny that the thing that killed his parents saved him), but Franco told Juan to pull him back up because “the Reyes aren’t killers.” So, Juan turned his back to the storm and almost got stabbed, except a Gardner snake slithered on Ricky’s boot and, sadly enough, forced him to drop his knife and fall off the cliff which was easily 30 yards away. Now the Reyes will never have to feel guilty about beating up an old man who might not have killed their parents. Yay for moral justice!

Labels: Fuego

Labels: barbara

who saw Ceci pass out at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it’s pretty serious.

At the jail visiting room, Blanca swears to Juan Miguel that she had nothing to do with her sister’s death. Apropos of nothing, JM responds to that by mentioning that he has a friend staying with him, a guy who’s had some bad luck. He wants Blanca to meet him. Blanca looks baffled by the non sequitur. However, she’s used to being baffled.

Patricio and Estefanía sit in the garden. Pat tells Stefi that he doesn’t want her to leave because of Marichuy. If Ceci brings Marichuy back, he’ll pretend to be all nice to her for Ceci’s sake even though he thinks she’s a nasty brat. Martirio brings the phone out; the Red Cross is calling to say Ceci’s been in a serious accident. They all run off.

Marichuy tells Cande how she drove Ceci away. Cande thinks she did the right thing, but notes that it must have really hurt Ceci.

Pat and Stefi arrive at the hospital and ask about Ceci. Thus commences an overly long chat with the medical staff about whether they want her moved to a fancier hospital since she’s got medical insurance and why they aren’t allowed to go into the treatment area to see her, which seems like a waste of time when people need urgent medical attention. Pat surprises me by saying the Red Cross hospital is fine; he doesn’t want her moved.

Maite Perroni was totally sick when this episode was filmed. Her voice sounds painfully scratchy. She and Cande chat in Marichuy’s bedroom, which Amador has decorated rather like I imagine a bordello looks. Cande’s heading out to visit Olga. Mari mentions that she wants to talk to Olga also about helping her with her wardrobe and such at the theater. Amador told her she could hire an assistant, and who better than Olga? Cande looks offended by that, but Marichuy laughs and says Cande can’t do it because she takes care of the baby. Someday maybe they’ll be able to afford a nanny, though. Cande is skeptical about the quality of care a nanny would provide. She’s happy to be with the baby. All is well.

Pat continues to argue with the nurse about wanting to see Ceci rather than letting her care for patients. Finally the nurse escapes, and Stef points out that Ceci could die and not even have Patricio by her side in her last moments. Thanks, Stef, so helpful. Pat’s look of horror/disgust/pain doesn’t stop her, so she continues along this pessimistic line with comments about how it’s a shame Ceci will probably die just because she wanted to go find that worthless Marichuy. Try to use the words “die” and “death” a little more, Stefi, I’m sure it will really endear you to Patricio.

Marichuy talks to BabyJM, worrying that she may have been too harsh with Ceci.

The nurse finally says that Ceci can have a visitor, but only one. She asks Stefi if she is Ceci’s daughter, because the whole time Ceci has been asking for her daughter. Pat goes to see his wife, and Stef gets the grim details of the accident—Ceci hit a concrete barrier near the theater.

Ceci lies in a hospital bed, all scraped up. The doctor tells Pat that her condition is very delicate. Pat hovers over her and pleads with her not to die.

Meanwhile, in the waiting room, Stef hopes that Ceci dies, because then she won’t have to worry about that guacha claiming her rightful place in the Velarde family.

Cande and Olga sit in the courtyard at the old building. Some neighbor lady comes by and gives Olga a big slice of cake. I want to live in a neighborhood with cake service like that. None fer Cande, though, which displeases her. She tries to continue the conversation, but is distracted by the cake and insists on trying it, to make sure it is okay. Olga lets her eat cake. Cande mentions the job helping Marichuy, and Olga says she’s happy to do it, even for free. That settled, Cande starts squealing about the baby, when suddenly Juan Miguel appears. He tells Cande he wants to see Marichuy. They have a staring contest. Is it just me, or does JM look especially like a funeral director today?

Ceci mumbles for Marichuy through her oxygen mask. She mumbles a bunch more stuff, and tells Pat she’s atolondrada (confused). Regarding her condition, Pat tells her, “te sacaron unas placas” and I’m not exactly sure what that means, put together in this context. They extracted something? Had to pull pieces of metal out of her, maybe? Ceci tells Pat that she went to the theater to see Marichuy. He’s all mad.

JM wants Cande to tell him where to find Marichuy, and she refuses. He goes up the stairs to knock on the door of the old apartment. Cande tries to sneak away while he’s up there, but he sees her. She screams and tries to run away from him, which was the best tiny moment of comedy I have ever seen on this show.

Meanwhile, Marichuy is walking toward the building with the baby.

Juan Miguel catches up with Cande, obvio, and Cande begs him to let her go, because if she brings him to Marichuy, Mari will “me pone como lazo de cochino” (literally, she’ll make me like a pig’s rope. She’ll yell at me; she’ll tear me apart). Juan Miguel doesn’t believe that Mari doesn’t love him anymore, so he wants to talk to her. Marichuy walks up right behind him, and nearly flips her lid when she sees him. Cande, who fortunately is not a poker player, makes the most comically exaggerated astonished expression when she sees Mari, then badly tries to turn it into a forced grin at JM. JM doesn’t react to the hammy gasp, but even he isn’t dumb enough to buy that Cande is really smiling at him, so he turns around. Mari must have run off. He looks at Cande, puzzled (as usual).

Mayita visits Abuela Mariana and tells her about Beatriz’s baby’s upcoming baptism. She mentions again how much she wants a little brother like Marichuy promised her, so granny brings her a flying cartoon baby with wings, which is actually much less weird than that dancing baby on that one show with Calista Flockhart. Mayita tries to catch the baby like it’s a butterfly. Which also, I guess, is not any weirder than having kids believe that storks bring babies. I’m getting to sort of enjoy these odd little forays into Mayita’s mind.

Ceci tells Pat that Marichuy rejected her, so she left the theater feeling destroyed, then had the run-in with Amadork. As she was driving she decided to go back and tell Marichuy everything, no matter what, but she was too nervous to drive and thus crashed.

“What’s up with you?,” JM asks Cande. “Me? Huh? What’s up with you?,” Cande waffles. Cande tells him Marichuy never wants to see him and she’s going to marry someone else soon. He says he’s also going to marry soon, to a good woman who needs him and will be a good mother. “Yeah, a good woman who’s in jail because she goes around killing people!,” says Cande. JM has no clever comeback for that. Marichuy has ducked into a store and wonders aloud why JM is following her everywhere when he’s already replaced her. BabyJM looks indignant.

JM walks right past Marichuy in slo-mo, and even turns back, but of course doesn’t see her. Sigh.

Pat returns to the waiting room and Stef hopefully asks whether Ceci died. Nice, Stefi.

Cande, Olga, and Marichuy have a boring rehash conversation while Cande munches on a loaf of bread bigger than her head. Possibly even bigger than a breadbox. Why does Cande have to be constantly eating so much? It seems kind of rude on the part of the writers or directors to me, like they’re just trying to draw attention to the excess weight of a great actress. Cande assures Mari that JM won’t look for her anymore, and Marichuy looks sad and says she’ll never be able to forget about him.

It’s now Thursday, which we know because Rocio talks to Balbina about getting Mayita ready for the baptism.

Pat tells Stef he has decided to move Ceci to a different hospital, but he’s going to give a big donation to the Red Cross because if not for them his wife would have died. Stef looks disgusted with the Red Cross and their blasted lifesaving ways.

In the loft, Vicente is standing (!) and getting ready for the baptism. He seems to have no trouble using his legs, but apparently needs the physical therapist to do his tie for him. He quickly sits back in the wheelchair when Mercedes appears at the door. She’s delighted to see her son looking so happy, but he won’t let her come closer to give him a hug. Instead, he stands up and walks to her, and there is much rejoicing.

Rocio and Mayita are ready to go to the baptism, and they’re all happy, which means it’s time for our least favorite ogre to make an appearance. Ornerylia says that Mayita can’t go to a party and have fun after what happened to her mother. “Screw you, witch!,” says Rocio, although out loud she only says, “Let’s go, Mayita.” Ornerylia gnashes her fangs and spits poison.

Vicente tells his mom that he didn’t tell her he was learning to walk again because…the PT who really missed his calling as a jolly ice cream man chimes in that it was a surprise. For mother’s day, just a little late. She says it’s the best surprise ever, and they hug some more and cry and grin and Vicente pinches her cheeks, which oddly does not seem to annoy her. She’s just THAT happy.

Elsa’s parents’ backyard is all done up for a party, and Beatriz is greeting the guests and hoping Amador doesn’t make an appearance. Padre Anselmo tries to be comforting and priestly to Nelson, who is lounging under a blanket and stewing pessimistically about his chances in the hereafter. Eduardo arrives and looks way hot. Rocio and Mayita arrive with slimy Dr. Humberto and steal the baby. Ed asks Beatriz why she seems scared, just as Amador walks in. How hard would it have been to spend a little money on security, Party Planner Elsa? Eduardo tells Amador to leave. Amador just stands there, and they grin at each other and have the following silent conversation:

E: You look like a dork. I shall burn you to a crisp using only the fact that I am hot as hell.
A: I am evil; hell is my home base. Fire does not hurt me.
E: Loser!
A: If I just keep grinning maybe he’ll think I won the fight.

Martirio calls Castle San Roman and leaves a message with Balbina about Ceci’s accident.

Ed and Amador turn verbal and Ed tells Amador to leave because he has no reason to be there. The baby’s father is Eduardo.

Olga goes to the convent to visit Purita, who is wearing nun clothing and has angel music following her wherever she goes. She gives Olga some kind of tchochke as a gift.

Ed and Amador’s argument devolves into fisticuffs when Ed says he’s going to marry Beatriz and adopt the baby, but Elsa’s dad breaks it up right away and throws Amador out. On the one hand, I’m glad mi querido Eduardo is too much a gentleman to stoop to Amador’s level, but on the other, I really wish someone would give the jerk a good pounding.

Olga tells Purita that things are much better for her around the neighborhood, and asks if Purita if she’ll come back, but Purita says she’s happy where she is and is going to stay forever.

Balbina tells JM and Leo about Ceci, and JM leaves to see her. Leo asks Balbina who Ceci is, and Balbina tries to fill him in, although she lies outright when she calls Stefi “a friend of the family.” Leo rolls his eyes at JM’s complicated life.

Ed apologizes for the scene, but Elsa’s parents are like, “Whatever! Let’s party!” Elsa remarks that Ed was quick, making up that story about marrying Beatriz to get rid of Amador. OMG, is she really that thick? Beatriz named her baby after Ed, they went to Acapulco together, and they are pretty much attached at the hip. Ed and Beatriz exchange sly looks but don’t bother to tell Elsa it’s true.

Amador rants to Marichuy about having been thrown out of the baptism party, but he came to the wrong lady for sympathy. Marichuy reams him out and says he never wanted the baby and is only trying to claim him now because of ego, not love, so he should stay away and let Beatriz marry Eduardo.

The baby is baptized; everyone claps. Humberto is sticking to Rocio like a leech (sanguijuela, FYI), which means it’s time for Vicente to turn up. Sure enough, there he is standing (!) in the doorway looking hurt.

Mari tells Amador he should stay away from the baby; he just needs a mother and a father for a happy home and he’ll have that, so naturally Amador says that Mari’s baby doesn’t know his father. What if Amador told JM about his son? “It wouldn’t matter,” says Marichuy. Amador says JM would take the baby away from her.

Avances: Pat tells JM that Ceci went to visit Marichuy at the theater. Hmmm…will JM try to find her there also (preferably without the follow-up medical trauma)?

Labels: Cuidado

Last of my recaps for Cheryl, who'll be back from Mexico any day now...

"Die, Soledad! But first, tell me who your son is! I tried to burn you alive once before, I'll get you this time, here, sniff this gas!" That's Gabriela yelling as she flings gasoline all around Soledad's place and throws a match in it. Obediently, Soledad sniffs, gasps, chokes, and stands stock-still instead of leaving the house.

Gab brains her with a crucifix, yes, this has got to be about the top of the list of punishable offenses. Only thing worse, braining your own mother with a crucifix. Or a baby.

Gab just about runs her truck into Coyote's truck, yes, I see why we were discussing his neckwear yesterday. My mother had one of those fox fur neckpieces...

"Be more careful, Gab." "I was, uh, distracted." "Well, can't stand here and chat, I have to go see Juan." "Juan? He and those brothers are my worst enemies!" "Well, then, so am I. You never noticed I was faking my affection for you? I'm your worst enemy." Big reveal: his parentage. She counters: "Well, don't worry about your mother's happiness, I just took care of it. She won't be suffering any longer."

Juan busts into Soledad's house, scoops her up a la the Incredible Hulk, takes her outside, goes back in and extinguishes the fire in about 25 seconds. Soledad anxiously orders him to find Coyote.

He finds Coyote. As Darth rolls his bug-eyes emotionlessly behind a tree - imagining that Coyote is ratting him out for killing Juan's parents - Coyote is actually trying to tell Juan who assassinated Libia. However, he pauses so frequently, so portentously, and with so many ellipses that Darth shoots him before any helpful information gets out. If they put their minds to it, these people could tell each other all they need to know in about four seconds. --Ed.]

It's a bad day for Soledad: first almost burned to death again, then her son gets shot. As she cradles him in her arms shouting "Hijo! Hijo!" at him, he asks for her blessing and dies. She sobs and gives a lot of speeches. She sends all the silent awkward looking extras away.

Father Bouffy (now you've really got me staring at his forehead trying to find the wig line) is asphyxiating in bed (if you read the closed captions, they tell you so). Bouffy is muttering about breaking the sacrament of the confessional because he has to stop the evil of Gabriela and Fernando. He calls for Commandant Muttonchops! Mutton comes stumbling in and asks "Who shot you?" [No harm in trying to make his work easier. --Ed.]

"I don't know, I have a suspicion, but that's not why I called you here. I denounce ... (asfixia) I denounce ... " Too late! Too many ellipses!

Muttonchops watches him dying without bothering to call for the doctor. Luckily, though, the doctor happens by just then and, luckily, he has with him today's most cutting edge technology: a stethoscope, which he applies firmly to Pad's writhing torso.

The Reyes brothers and their girls are reviewing in the next room. A shout brings them scurrying to Pad's bed. They count off, all present! "Love each other! Guard your love!" "Oh we will we will!" "Don't squabble!" And he seems to be gone! We cut to church, it's a funeral, some preacher is telling our grieving assembled cast: "Don't let your light become darkness!" Then we snap back to the hospital bed where Juan's big argument in favor of Tad not dying is: "You promised you'd perform our marriage!"

Why doesn't the doctor give Bouffy some oxygen? "I go in peace!" And there's a bright light, and Tad is dressed in white, and it's the pearly gates, and he spreads his arms, but then he breaks into song:

Whoah, Death come a knockin' on that Christian's door,
Said, "Old Christian, are you ready to go?"
He said, "No, no, no, no, no, no, no,
Because I ain't got on my travelin' shoes...
(Ain't paid my dues, yes, sayin'...)
...No, no, no, Oh Lordy, no, no, no
Because I ain't got on my travelin' shoes..."
Pad explains to God: "I left a job unfinished," so boom, he's back in his hospital bed looking pretty darn good. It's a miracle!

[If you taped this, go back and look at the doctor in the background: he spreads his arms in pious amazement and then stares all astonished at his stethoscope like, "Whoah, stethoscope, according to you this guy was gonna be dead!" Fine method acting. --Ed.]

Bouffy recaps his whole pearly-gates experience to his boss, His Eminency (previously seen as that sleazy lawyer guy in Juan Querendón) and says he didn't actually break his sacrament; he'll have to "stop the evil" himself.

Elsewhere, Ruth is all happy, thinking about her brother. "You're my only, last hope!" She innocently adds: "He won't fail me!"

But Darth, a relaxed and cheerful drunk, arrives to boast: he's gotten rid of one of his worst enemies, now there's only Furd and Gabriela to deal with. "Who'd you get rid of?" "Coyote of course, he bothered me, he bothered me right much!" "You killed him?" "He was my enemy, he had to die!"

She screams and hits him, he's confused. "You killed my brother! Your own son!" He rolls his bug eyes. Ruth shrieks and breaks things. "I'm alone again, my father is an assassin." She considers shooting herself in the mouth.

It's another full moon!

Gab is reading something pretty dreadful, or else she's just monologuing as she stares in her book: "I am the Angel of the Apocalypse! ... burning people ... sending of plagues..." what is she wearing, it looks like a black straitjacket pulled down over a white blouse. She's mad at herself for not figuring out that Coyote was the vengeful son, and she gives snake eyes to her pill bottle - she thinks Coyote put poison in it. "War is Declared!" she declares, hmm, what was it before?

Soledad has gone to a convent to end her days. She will pray for her son and make sad speeches. Juan goes to visit her and offer his assistance. "Don't blame yourself, Juan, he chose the path of hate and vengeance. Now sit down, I have to tell you: Raquel confessed to me that Sofia is not Gabriela's daughter, she is the daughter of Eva." Whoah, be still my heart. Where are my travelin' shoes? I'm out of here, Cheryl, back to you!

Labels: Fuego

Alternative title: What Goes 'Round Comes 'Round

Hope this doesn't offend anyone's religious sentiments, but I kept thinking of the Stations of the Cross tonight (Via Dolorosa) because of all the suffering and emotional flagellation going on. There's the obvious difference that we visit and remember Christ's sufferings for our sins while doing the stations, whereas these people revisit "stations" (decisions) in their lives that caused their own suffering and that of others. And the recurrent cry is "my fault, my fault" (mi culpa, mi culpa). Also a lot of flinging blame around to others...but we'll get to that in due time. First, the rehash.

Pato is at Soledad's house, asking about his favorite penalty kicker, Chava. He has leukemia answers Soledad. Patricio's stunned and saddened. But...he can die from that, right? No, says Candy, suddenly appearing. You can save him. In the space of a few seconds, Pato learns Candy is alive and that they have a son who is dying. I swear even a young man could have a heart attack trying to process news like that all of a sudden. He's angry of course and bewildered. How could she do this to him? She destroyed his life. And a son? How could they have a son?

New stuff: Remember my 18th birthday? Candy asks. And of course he does. The tender lovemaking on a rose-covered bed. Chava, at least, was conceived in love, rather than the drunken romp that led to Beto's arrival in this world. I want to see my son, Patricio continues angrily...OUR son...I WANT TO SEE HIM. Candy slips out the door. He turns to follow her but first gives Soledad an angry look as well, realizing that she knew all about Chava and Candy but didn't tell him. A tear slides down Soledad's cheek as the door closes. First staion of the cross. Multiple suffering.

Next station. Raúl and Marissa. She's letting him know she saw the fateful e-mail from Santiago telling Raúl that he'll do the right thing by Marissa and his baby but don't expect him to be happy, because he's giving up the woman he loves....Candy. Raúl of course assumes Marissa will give up her wedding plans but no way...she's decided she can't live without Santiago and is determined to have him at all costs.

Another station. Candy waits for Patricio to open the car door for her (even now she has that attitude of entitlement) and once in the car (which is always a very intimate venue for a man and woman. Just think back to your dating days) he remembers their rides as sweethearts....Candy singing a Mana song...and the memory is so poignant and powerful, he has to get out of the car and groan. Finally he gets back in and tells her that from now on, only their son counts. For him, she remains a ghost, a dead person.

Back to the unpleasant Raúl/Marissa scene. She's bad-mouthing Lucia and promising to take her down a peg or two once she's married to Santiago. She also decries Lucia's "empalagosa"(sickeningly sweet) romance with Charly. You mean...she's happy, right? answers Raúl gently. Like you were when you were 15 and in love. All Marissa wants is payback for her crappy life and that means Santiago. But the conversation leads her back to memories of her abortion. We see a very young girl, doubled over with cramps (I've had a miscarriage so I know how painful those contractions can be) while a brisk, and not particularly sympathetic nurse watches over her. Marissa assumes her boyfriend is waiting for her, but the nurse bluntly tells her that he left after handing over the money. No man's worth your tears, she adds, while the girl silently weeps from both emotional and physical pain. They get what they want and then they're gone. But you're young, you'll fall in love again. Next time just use protection.

He used me and then threw me away, Marissa tells Raúl angrily. He destroyed me. From now on I'll do the hurting.

A powerful and painful scene. We're left hoping that one day Chava will listen to Marissa's heart and find that she's a good person. But for now she's filled with resentment and vengeance.

After the ads (which tonight were a relief rather than an annoyance) we see Meño entering Charly's room, finding him gone and the closet empty. At least he has left his dad a note, saying "I don't want to force you to lie. Good-bye." Meño immediately goes into self-blame...The time came and I couldn't be honest. Mi culpa. Mi culpa. Another station of the cross.

At last, a somewhat light-hearted break. Donato is circling Tina in the kitchen trying to reassure her about the results of the tests. Don't worry...you're a good person. You'll be alright. Even good people get sick and die, retorts Tina. Well, I'll fix you a delicious dinner with three kisses, how about that. Really! And the kisses begin. First one cheek. Then the other. Then her mouth. Bof! Another kiss on the mouth. Another "bofetada" (slap) Donato figures it's worth it and takes his punishment gladly. This does not qualify as a station.

And a tender scene with Santiago, Rocio and Lucia singing together. Pretty off-key ("desafinado") to begin with, and some teasing about Santiago's alternative rock group but then Lucia sings a song her dad (Santiago's brother sang to her) and her voice is really lovely. The words are poignant "Reloj, deten tu camino porque mi vida apaga" (Clock, slow down because my life is slipping away).

The next scene is at the hospital and Patricio is impatient with the whole process. He doesn't want explanations of what's going to happen. Just do it. My son's life is in the balance. Candy is babbling her thanks but Pato silences her with a look as he dials his cellphone and tells Alicia to come to the hospital....and hurry! Gregoria enters the room, thanking God that Candy is finally there because Chava is asking for her. So Patricio's anger and pain increase as he learns that Gregoria knew Candy was alive also. Yes...but only recently, stammers Gregoria. She lied to me too.

Another light break. Jaime and Santiago are in his office. Clearly Jaime is there to tell him of his wedding plans but Santiago's having none of it. "Don't do a Beethoven" chides Jaime. (don't be deaf to my words) and of course, regardless of what Santiago says, Jaime's going to marry his mom. Punto.

The doctor reassures Chava about the procedure (Just imagine you're in a space ship). Patricio learns from Alicia's reaction that she too knew about Candy. Everybody but stupid Patricio, he mutters angrily. Santiago greets Candy in the hallway and hands her a rosary that comforted him when his father was undergoing an operation. And of course he asks about Pato's reaction to the news and tries to reassure her that while he doesn't know Pato well, he really doesn't think he'll try to take her son.

Pato is indeed a good match for Chava and Candy at his bedside stammers her gratitude, adding that she'd give anything to be in his place. Alicia stomps in, marks her territory by pushing Candy aside, kissing Patricio and giving little sis the LOOK. (nice try Alicia, but you've already lost this battle). Then Gregoria arrives, kisses Candy as she's on her way out (further enraging Alicia) who then goes on to say I don't care a thing about that kid. I'm only going along with this because it's important to Patricio. Big slap from Gregoria.

Lots of pain being passed around here. Physical and emotional. And lots of stations still to go, alas.

Everybody's pacing around, waiting for the surgery. Once Patricio's part is over, Alicia wants him to leave with her but he refuses. He wants to stay for his son, naturally. But it's not natural to her and she's angry and frustrated, angry that he never listens to her or considers HER feelings. Basta! enough, he shouts. I'm staying.

An odd shift here where Candy is back at home (this makes no sense...in real life she would never leave the hospital at this time) listening to Meño lamenting the rupture with Charly. He suffered so much when his own family rejected him...but being rejected by his son is even worse. Candy is somewhat dismissive. Well, if Charlie's prejudiced he'll just have to change. People who discriminate are never happy. This fails to comfort Meño who hates seeing his son suffer because of his fault...more cries of "mi culpa, mi culpa".

Then we have a little twin scene format so dear to the heart of telenovelists. Lucia goes down to the basement with a tray, trying to get Charly to eat. He angrily refuses. And Candy's outside Meño's door with a tray trying the same thing with the same results. Nada. Leave me alone.

Pato has also left the hospital, running, trying to work off his emotional storm with physical exertion (this part makes perfect sense to me). He remembers the romance, the wedding, the fateful kiss, the rupture, the news of her death, her ashes, the brutal reality of finding her alive and learning a son he didn't know he had is dying of leukemia...and suddenly he breaks out in shouts of gratitude, laughter, weeping and more Gracias Diosito, gracias, gracias. Candy's alive! Candy's alive!

I loved that scene. It seemed real to me and well-acted. When Patricio is trying to act stunned, I'm afraid those chipmunk teeth ruin it . But this exhuberant flailing happiness he did well.

Candy now calls Charly's mom to see if she's heard from him, alarming her and bringing forth more cries of it's all Meño's fault. Then Santiago arrives to take Candy to the hospital and we see Alicia at home, going through Patricio's old photos of him with Candy and setting fire to them. More stations, more suffering.

Well it's THAT TIME. You know .......the long chat with the Virgencita. Candy's in the hospital chapel briefly acknowledging her faults (I know I've been thoughtless and hurt a lot of people) and remembering Chava's birth and Meño gentle remonstrances about her lies;and how Chava was named Salvador because he saved her life and gave her a reason for living. And you know what it is to lose a son, she reminds the Virgin, you know the infinite pain, so you must save him. If I could, I'd take his place. But care for him, Virgincita, care for him.

Santiago comes into the chapel, sits beside her. Tells he he's here for her and will be here for her. She leans her head on his shoulder. Patricio enters. The final betrayal. Even his "hermano" Santiago knew about Candy. And in spite of knowing how Patricio suffered from her death, didn't tell him "the secret". Pato storms out. Santiago tells Candy to follow him. After she leaves, he looks sideways at the Virgincita as if to say "Now what?" Indeed.

Meño calls Lucia to see if she knows Charly's whereabouts. She lies and says she doesn't. Well if you do, tell him I need to see him immediately, pleads Meño and then looks sadly at a photo Charly took of them in chefs' hats with his cellphone. Good times. Gone forever? Who knows.
This sad scene is capped by an angry telephone conversation with Charly's mother. He's MY son. In your life he was just an accident. Everything's YOUR fault. "Mi culpa, mi culpa" echoes Meño sadly.

Surgery on Chava is about to begin. Patricio is remembering his times with the little guy, playing soccer, asking for his help with Beto, going to the game with the two of them, wrapping his arms around them affectionately. Candy and Meño are encouraging the little guy, explaining they can't be with him in the operating room but will be praying for him. And he should pray too. "God bless you. I love you." The universal words of comfort and support.

And herewith endeth the lesson for tonight.

Previews: Candy sees Patricio leaning tenderly over Chava as he is in recovery.
Alicia is angrily stating that Patricio is HER husband. Actually, I'm still married to Candy, he replies flatly.

Vocabulary

empalagosa = sickly sweet, gooey, cloying
apagar = to go out, as in a light going out
la verdad sale a flote = the truth comes out in a big way
bofetada = slap, punch
desafinado = off-key

Labels: Tontas

At the pozo, DB responds to Santos' accusations. She denies stealing Cecilia's letters. Then Santos accuses her of hiding the information about the discovery of oil at La Chusmita. DB claims that she was going to tell Santos about it at their wedding but Santos doesn't believe her. Then Santos brings up how Danger discovered the hiding place of the rebels and then disappeared. DB asks if Santos thinks she murders people. Santos says that she doesn't murder people herself. She orders other people to do it. He shows DB the blowgun dart and accuses Melquiades of killing people on her orders.

Confronted by Cecilia, Melquiades leaves her house without returning the letters. Outside, he says that he has failed DB for the second time.

BP is dumped out of a truck. He has figured out that his captor was the remaining rapist, Sapo. He recognized Sapo from DB's photo. So I guess Sapo wasn't involved in the oil business. It's not clear how Sapo found out about BP or Danger's house.

Eustaquia complains to herself about how her food doesn't turn out right in the kitchen at Altamira. She wishes DB had never brought her there.

Santos tells DB that he was so in love with her that he believed she would change but she is the same. She can't love him because deep down she despises him like all men. She is just a big lie.

Bartolo brings flowers to Altagracia but he is allergic to the garlic they are using to cook.

Santos tells DB that doesn't believe in her anymore and he wants to separate.

Cecilia comes to Altamira and tells Santos that Melquiades was at her house to return her letters, which confirms that DB took them. Santos says that he knew that DB was involved but when he confronted her, she denied it. DB comes in and admits that she took the letter but says that she has the right to know where her daughter is. She says that she found out that Marisela is ok. She has gone abroad because of Santos. Santos says that if she is talking about rights, he has the right to be alone.

Santos gets a telegram that Antonio and Maria Nieves are being released from prison the next morning. He tells Melesio and immediately goes to the capital.

DB accuses Cecilia of trying to separate her from Santos and Cecilia says that DB has done it all herself. DB slaps her.

DB comes into the bedroom where Santos is packing up his stuff. She begs him to stay but he says that he needs to be alone to think and decide what he wants to do.

DB castigates Melquiades for failing to return Cecilia's letters without being caught and for leaving evidence of the blowgun. He says that he didn't fail her. It is the bad luck that is all around them. She humiliates him by saying that he is as big an imbecile as the Mondragon brothers.

Carmelito tells Cecilia that Antonio is going to be released. She tells the baby that he will see his father.

Lucia gets Antonio out of the prison the night before he is scheduled to be released. She seduces him.

DB has her rape nightmare again. She wakes up screaming and tells Eustaquia that it is the same as always but now she can't see the faces of the men.

Cecilia did keep the property transfer document and Lorenzo's letter in the same unlocked and accesible secretary as Marisela's letters. Fortunately, no one has stolen them. She takes out Lorenzo's letter and reads it. It contains Lorenzo's final request for Marisela. We don't know what it is but Cecilia decides that it is time to share the contents of the letter with Marisela.

DB has devised some plan to get Santos back but we don't know what that is either.


Santos comes to the prison to wait for Antonio and MN to be released. He sees Marisela there. She is in a hat I did not find attractive at all and we still only see her from the neck up.

Labels: barbara

Tonight is an extravaganza of ugly. Ugly situations, ugly attitudes, ugly reactions, ugly results. Feo, feo, feo. The writers used their entire February ration of ugly all in one episode, so maybe they won’t have any left for the rest of the month. Ojala! Tonight is also Episode #42. Perhaps Pat will begin to find the answer to life, the universe, and everything.

Gregoria tells Alicia that Chava has leukemia, and Alicia says she doesn’t want to tell Pat, just as Pat walks in and insists on knowing their secret. Suegrita suggests, “I’ll tell my secrets if you tell me yours.” Pat prefers to go see a man about a dog.

Lulu shows up at the park looking ridiculous, as our pair of metiches spies on her. They see Meño arrive for his mystery date, discover that it’s Lulu, and leave without being seen. Lulu waits, feels rejected, gives up, and leaves. The writers have treated Lulu badly all along, but tonight they were at their worst. Feo, feo, feo. Charly and Luc conclude that Meño isn’t interest in Lulu. Charly speculates that maybe his dad really is gay.

I’d like to forget that scene. Fortunately for me, Santiago is wearing an orange sweater that makes me forget every feo thought I’ve ever had. I always thought Camil looked best in black; I was wrong. In orange, he looks as good as Colunga. No, I lied. But Dang! He looks good!

Santiago takes Rocío to see her good friend Chava. She’s healthy and masked against germs. Chava says that when he gets well, he’ll be Rocío’s novio. Roc makes a hearts-and-flowers picture of the two of them so she can always be with him. Can anyone tell what Chava’s picture is? A monster? A germ? Meanwhile the doctor advises Candy, Santiago, and Meño about marrow donor compatibility. A brother is the most likely match. Lacking that, Santiago gently suggests Chava’s father. Candy is not willing to talk to Pat. She tells the doctor that Chava has no father. Santi has been wrestling with himself, debating how much to push and how much to respect her choices, but he can’t take it anymore. “Candy, you’re playing with your son’s life.” She still refuses. Feo, feo, feo. The doctor brings up the subject of costs, and Santiago assures them that he’ll be responsible for the costs. Outside by the noisy fountains, Santiago again promises Candy his complete support. They give each other warm looks. I give Santiago and his sweater warm looks.

Raúl starts reading Santiago’s e-mail, the one where Santiago tells him he’s in love with Candy yet he’ll marry Marissa, but Raúl shouldn’t ask him to be happy about giving up the woman he loves. Raúl gets called away without closing his e-mail. Gee, I wonder what will happen next.

Back at the institute, Chayo tries to talk to Lulu, still in the pink dress, but Lulu has a mental block against all reason because of the way the writers portray women who are unattractive. Feo, feo, feo (the writers, not Lulu). Lulu even speculates that maybe the anonymous card was someone‘s cruel joke. Bull’s-eye!

A power outage strikes Raúl’s office, and his e-mail from Santi is lost before anyone else reads it. Yeah, and if you believe that, you also believe Sophia when she says, “I’ll never doubt you again, Juan.” Actually Marissa comes in, reads the e-mail, and throws an ugly fit, throwing papers everywhere. Feo.

Meño counsels Candy on the couch. If she’s not a viable donor, she’ll ask Soledad to get Beto tested. But not Pat. Anyone but Pat. Meño tells her to think positively, and to take care of herself so she doesn’t get sick too.

Santiago consults with a new patient, Pilar. She wants the works, a total rebuild. Santi brings up the question of cost. Pilar says that is no problem, since Santiago will be doing it for free. Santiago is of course curious about why he would operate for free. Because if he doesn’t, she’ll cry rape. Feo, feo, feo. (He hasn’t had good luck with that name. I think he should refuse to work with anyone named “Pilar.”) She admits that many won’t believe her, but the doubts will be enough to ruin his reputation. As Pilar lists her demands, he’s interrupted by a call from Chava’s doctor, to remind us how many demands weigh on Santiago. He can’t believe Pilar would do this. I can’t believe someone in his position isn’t prepared for such situations. And as if that weren’t bad enough, he’s not wearing the orange sweater anymore. Que lastima!

Gregoria also tries to talks sense to Candy, to save Chava’s life. If Candy’s not compatible, she needs to ask Pat. Candy won’t budge. She’s the one who makes the medical decisions for Chava, and Pat must never know he has a son. Feo, feo, feo.

Meño answers the door to Raúl. Note Meño’s formal and deferential language. Raúl offers his support as well. Meño later encourages Candy in her office, reminding her of when she played Super Mama with a little fair-haired, fair skinned, square-faced boy who is supposed to be Chava. He reminds her that she needs to call on Super Mama again. The conversation shifts to Lulu. He told her directly that he’s gay, but she refuses to listen.

Tina talks to Isabel about her fear about her medical test results. Isabel tells Tina about when she got her diagnosis, and Tina asks Isabel to pray with her.

In Candy’s office, Chava’s doctor (has anyone heard his name?) shows Santiago the projected cost, Santi again agrees to cover it, and they join in a PSA for charities for kids who can’t afford medical treatment. We know the PSA was shoved in because Candy actually shows concern for someone other than herself! Note, Jaime Camil always participates in Teletón Mexico, an annual event which supports children’s rehabilitation facilities.

Isabel and Jaime talk about her son’s jealousy, their upcoming wedding, and decisions they need to make before that time. While they talk about their mutual attraction, Donato manages a well-aimed accidental spritzing, trying to dampen the fire.

Chava’s doctor makes another house call to introduce the nurse that will care for Chava. And there is encouraging news. The orange sweater is back! Chava wants to thank Santiago for paying for his operation. Chava promises that when he gets better, he’ll pay Santiago with lots of kisses because he likes him so much. For now, they trade man-hugs. Santiago is such a papa!

Charly goes to the restaurant and tries to get answers from his dad. Meño avoids him.

Outside, Santiago tells Candy how moved he was by Chava’s hug. Candy is moved as well, moved to kiss Santiago, but Raúl interrupts them before they can, setting the stage for dueling galáns. The battle is as much in their stance as their words. Santi takes a step back to allow them room to talk.
Raúl informs Candy that he has set up a bank account in her name to cover medical expenses. He’ll provide whatever she needs. He strokes her hands to express his concern for her son. At least that’s his pretexto.
Santiago moves in and removes Raúl’s hands from Candy’s and tells him that won’t be necessary since Santi has already offered to pay all expenses.
Raúl tells his sister’s fiancée that he should save his money (and his affection) for his new wife and family. Smacked down, Santi steps away again, Raúl takes her hands again, and Santi moves back in again. Raúl says he doesn’t want them to ever lack for anything; he wants to be the father to her son.
Santiago can’t restrain himself any longer. “I can’t believe what I just heard!”
Raúl tries to pull Candy away to talk, but Santiago follows.
Santiago sets Raúl straight. “Chava already has a father.” Candy tries to say something because she thinks she’s involved in this conversation. Santiago cuts her off because he thinks she’s not. He’s not willing to risk Raúl scoring any points, so he has to think fast. “Candy, don’t you realize he’s taking advantage of your crisis, of this vulnerable time in your life, to capture/win you?”
Raúl protests, “That’s a low blow. You know I’m not like that.”
Santiago hates to admit it, but he knows Raúl’s right. Failing to score his point, he steps back.
Raúl, seizing his momentary advantage, moves in to close the sale. He takes Candy‘s hands yet again and says, “You know I’m in love with you.”
Santiago moves into panic mode and steps between Raúl and Candy. He asks, “Raúl, do you have the half talisman?” Raúl is totally baffled, but he says he doesn’t. Santiago turns to Candy for the first time in this conversation, and he’s getting desperate (he does ‘desperate‘ really well, don‘t you think?). “See? He doesn’t have it.” Turning back to Raúl, “You’re not the love of her life. She’s waiting for someone else.”
Raúl asks if Santiago has been smoking his mother’s weed again, and Santiago insists that he has never smoked.

I know I devoted lots of attention to a relatively unimportant scene, but we had so much sadness Friday, and so much ugliness today, wasn’t it fun to focus on something fun and pleasant? Did you notice that while Santiago was obviously defending Candy as if she were his territory, she never protested?

At the restaurant, Charly tries again to talk to Meño about an important question, but Meño avoids him again.

Pat calls Santi to invite him for poker. Pat asks Santi not to tell anyone what he said about Candy. Pat implores him in the name of their friendship, even brother to brother because he feels so close, not to betray him in this. Santi says, “Who would I tell?” but all the while he recalls telling Candy, “Pat still loves you and feels responsible for your death.” Several things were odd about this scene. 1. Pat only met Santiago recently, but he acts like he is his very best friend. I think Santiago is his only friend. 2. Why is it suddenly so urgent to Pat that Santiago doesn’t tell anyone? Alicia already knows he still loves Candy. 3. Does Santiago’s hair look much shorter? The sun is on the wrong side so he’s usually in shadow, but it seems really different. If his hair is shorter, then they shot this scene long after the surrounding parts. It seems like an unnecessary scene. Why would they tape something useless, long after this phase in the show?

Rocío and Beto are once again trying to figure out how the world works. Beto knows that when people get sick, they die, since his grandmother got sick and she died. Rocío counters that only old people die, not kids (we’re with you, Rocío; run with that thought!). She remembers she had a cold and she didn’t die. You can’t argue with logic like that!

Gregoria asks the doctor what will happen if Candy is not a qualified donor.

Candy tells Santiago that Chava will be in the hospital for two or three weeks, and she’ll really need his support. He is glad to offer it. Then she says she’ll tell Marissa so she’s not jealous, and Santi is not so glad. He tells her it’s unnecessary since they’re not doing anything for Mar to be jealous of. Candy insists on telling Marissa anyway. In other words, “Pay a mountain of money to save my son’s life. Come running whenever I call. Support me because I’d be a basket case without you. But I‘m keeping my distance from you.” Feo, feo, feo.

Charly is angry because his dad keeps running away from his questions. He takes out his anger on Lucía. Feo.

Santiago takes Candy to a church and reminds her of all the things in their favor. Candy says that she used to think she could manage everything, but now she has to leave her son’s life in the hands of others, and she realizes how much she needs God.

TWO WEEKS LATER
At the institute, the staff talks about Chava’s upcoming operation. Soledad says that tomorrow they’ll test Candy for compatibility.

Charly goes to talk to Meño with a chip on his shoulder because his dad has been evading him. Charly says, “Are you gay or not?” Meño lies with the truth. “I feel like an animal being chased. And I’m not!” Feo.

At the hospital, the shorter doctor, Martin, a leukemia specialist, explains the procedure to Candy. Candy is surprised to learn that if all goes well, when Chava recovers he’ll be able to live a normal life. He’s already been admitted to the hospital.

Santiago takes Candy home, and the strain is just too much for her. She begs him to promise that she’ll be a match and Chava will be alright. He would do anything for love, but he won‘t do that. Candy breaks down. He holds her and promises that he’ll never leave her alone, that he’ll always be with her.

The next morning, Dr. Martin gives Candy the news – she is not a match; she cannot be a marrow donor. Candy, grasping at straws, suggests Beto as an alternative. Santiago once again tries to convince her to contact Pat, because she is playing with her son’s life.

Pat takes Beto home and counsels him about soccer. Beto misses Chava and tells Pat that he’s sick. A girl in his class says Chava might die. Pat is visibly shaken by the news, the universal tragedy of a terminally ill child.

Candy tells Soledad that she is not a qualified donor, but Beto is a possibility because siblings have the best chances. Soledad starts to tell Candy that she is afraid to put Beto through the procedure. Candy interrupts her because what Soledad wants doesn’t really matter, does it? Candy wants Soledad to subject her son to surgery, because Candy isn’t willing to face Pat to save her own son. Feo, feo, feo. Es tan feo que, por eso se inventaron la palabra feo.

Charly goes to tell Lucía that he’s leaving town. He’s fed up with the way his dad treats him, not talking to him. Luc is desperate to keep him from leaving, and she suggests that she can hide him in the basement (sótano).

Back at the apartment, the doorbell rings. Soledad warns Candy that it’s Pat, and Candy hides in the bedroom. Pat sends Beto to the bathtub and asks Sol what’s wrong with Chava; Pat heard he’s very sick. She tells him that it’s leukemia. Pat is taken aback by the news and asks, “He could die from that, couldn’t he?”

“No, he’s not going to die,” says Candy, coming out of hiding. “You’ll save him.” Pat tries to stand up but his legs fail him. He tries to talk but his mouth fails him. All he can stammer out is “Candy.” Before Pat can corral his thoughts and emotions, while he’s still trying to comprehend what his eyes are telling him, the second Richter 8.2 earthquake strikes. “Our son needs you. Chava is yours.” And the third, “You can save his life.” Pat looks like he got hit in the gut by a meteor.

Welcome to Paris. The weatherman says it’ll be a dark and stormy night.

Labels: Tontas

We start with Coyote and his loyal dead pets learning that Feo killed Libia.

Evil Uribe is fretting to Ruth because he can’t get close to Soledad, that the house is surrounded.

Pa Uribe tells Root someone tried to kill el Padre and he found a dagger in the horse stalls so knows it was Fer that tried to kill him. He has it hidden and won’t tell her where it is. Root adds to the hatred by telling Pa said Fer tried to abuse her last night, but Coyote saved her. Uribe warns her she needs to stay close or her enemies will get her. Root wants to leave here for a new life but first wants to find out who her brother is, and she thinks that Sole and her brother might actually forgive him if he tells the truth that he was a victim of Gabi and they can all go somewhere and live together far away from here. What is she smoking? These people have sworn vengence for 40 years and all of a sudden they are going to play nice nice? Didn’t they already live somewhere else for a long time anyway? Hmm…

Ruth tells Pa she’ll see if she can’t change things, she’s going to look for Sole. She tells him…don’t move. He’s thinkin’ “I won’t but I’ll drink this fifth of tequila….”

Fer gives money to Gabi as and advance on the contract they signed. He does it as a sign of his “loyalty” for Gabi she accuses him of having something to do with Ruth, of course he denies it and yells at her for trusting a guy whose full name she doesn’t even know over him? Well, he does have a point there.

Ruth is interrogating Sole and tells her she knows her Dad and he really loved Sole. She wants to know who he bro is. Bro, with pets in tow, shows up and admits to her he is the brother.

Ruth is all excited. Sole leaves them to chat. He tells her how much he wished that he could have gotten to know her, but life didn’t allow it. She syas they still have time to be together and start over. He says he almost wishes she wasn’t around him. He can’t tell her why and asks her to leave, but he’ll look for her later. She begs him not to disappoint her that he is her only hope. She gives him a huge backwards hug. He makes that funky sad smile and proclaims he will have to disappoint even against his will, sorry, he’s got to kill Daddy, or something.

Fer is yelling some crap at Gabi but she’s not listening. Oh no, she’s telling herself she thinks it’s best if he thinks she does believe in him, and if he betrays her she’ll undo him. She then says she has to go see the padre and asks him to come in.

Ruth goes to look for Pa but he’s not there. She wants to tell him who his son is but he betrayed her and left. And we see indeed he drank nearly that whole tequila bottle. I’m surprised he could walk anywhere.

Gabi shows up to see the padre but Juan wants to prevent her from going in. Juan warns Feo he suspects him of doing this but Feo says nope, besides I’ve confessed to him many times that makes it impossible for me to kill him. Juan says watch out, if he dies you will be first on my sh*t list.

Gabi tells Pad that she never really repented, ha! He goes into shock and she tells him nothing would thrill her more than if he died. Nice. The nun goes for the doc and Juan comes in and is told by Pad to go and find the bishop.

Ruth is on happy pills as she paces and wonders where her drunkard Pa went off to so she can tell him who’s her bro.

Juan essentially kidnaps the bishop from Puebla.

Feo returns Ma to rest and proclaims that damn priest has more lives than a cat. That’s because he lives in Telenovela land. He walks into his office and who is there but evil Uribe who shows him the bag that had the hidden dagger in it. Evil Uribe says now they are even that he knows the secet so don’t f with him.

Juan returns with the Bishop who kicks Juan out. Finally this guy has some balls. Tad wants to reveal a secret of confession to the bishop. Bish is impactado.

Ruth and Crabbi’s turn to face off. Crabbi throws out insults about Juan rejecting her and that they are the sameshe knows Ruth pulled the serpent on the babies. Nope, Ruth doesn’t want to end up like her it gave her pleasure to be bad to people but Ruth had no choice but she will be saved. Ruth swears she will be saved by her brother. The son of the only woman that Ricardo really loved. Crabbi will know soon enough who he is. So take that.

Coyote is spying on Ruth leaving the hacienda and he deduces that something is bothering her. He wonders if he should give up his revenge to help her out. He has to think really hard about this. I say don’t think too hard lest you crack that egghead of yours. He recalls that Feo killed Libia and decides that Juan needs to know this.

Bishop refuses Pad’s request. Pad’s talking anyway he decides. Let God judge him.

Juan gets the news that Coyote wants to see him. He tells Oscar he has to go because it’s about Libia. Somehow evil drunk Uribe marches on the scene. He makes fun of Juan as the hero and Juan says look I know you offed Raquel you had a motive, remember those documents. Justice will catch up with you and you’ll pay. Urbie jibes, yeah just like it did the killer of your parents, you lost. This was great. Buffed Juan is no match for the Uber drunk Uribe and he clocks him to the floor. Uribe gets up eventually and wonders what Juan is going to Coyote for and maybe he needs to see Gabi about it.

Gabi goes to see Sole. She wants to know who the son is. Sole of course isn’t giving up the goods. Crabi curses her and then comes back with a can of gas and waives it in front of Sole’s face. She can of course smell what it is and screams. The thing I’m wondering is, this happened once before, so wouldn’t your next move be to try to run out the door? I know she’s blind and all, but she knows how to get to her front door I think, she could at least try while psycho beatch is pouring gas all over the place. But, alas, she waits too long and gets knocked out with a giant cross instead. Now she’s done for.

Uribe catches up with Coyote on the road to his house and wants to ask him what he’s going to tell Juan. He tells him it’s about a Reyes death, why? Might you have something to do with one? He says people have thought so, but I killed no one if Gabi said so it’s a big fat lie. Hmmmm Coyote whips out his trusty peace of snakeskin and says well what’s this??? Uribe looks impactado. Coyote says I know you killed Raquel, but I’ll have to deal with you later. His gunmen move it to make sure of that.

Looks like Sole is coughing so maybe she’ll be ok.

Coyote is not far now, but of course he almost runs into Gabi as she is trying to get away. He tells her to watch her driving. She wants him to hang out a little, but he says nope, I have to talk to Juan, sorry. She says, Juan he’s my enemy what business do you have with him? He says well that’s just it. How stupid you are. I got close to you to do away with you, you are my enemy, I am the son of Uribe and Soledad you idiot. Gabi is impactado.

We are left with a millisecond of a brawny guy in a giant sombrero busting in the door on the burning house. Guess Juan saves the day?? We’ll see tomorrow.

Labels: Fuego

EPISODE 91:
* JM and Omar are talking in the study - Leo tells JM that he is searching for a young lady.

* Beatrix walks out of the house and is confronted by Amador, who checks out her notebook with all the information about her son's baptism. He starts to become very interested in HIS son (Yea, right, now you want to be a daddy). Nelson watches as Bea y Amador go toe-to-toe over the whole paternity issue and whether or not Amador is welcome to come and about his new found interest in HER son. He steals a kiss and Bea is totally disgusted. (Baptism will be on Thursday).

* Omar and JM continue to discuss women - they need them but at the same time they run away from them. Omar and JM then discuss Viv's death and the trial.

* At the hearings, the prosecutor (Lic. Villar) grand stands his objections to Padre's testimony in the case.

* Omar and JM talk about Blanca, the nanny, standing accused of the murder. JM tells Omar her name is Blanca Silva.

* At the theater, MC is sitting in the audience focused on learning her lines. Ceci walks down and sits right next to MC. Ceci is happy to see her again. MC doesn't feel the same way - she's impacto and wants to know why Ceci is there?

* JM tells Omar about Blanca's role in the murder and about Viv faking her own death so she could be free and single, when her money ran out, she came back and faked mental illness. Leo is intrigued. JM then mentions Marichuy by name.

* Ceci explains that she wanted to see MC again. MC is still hurting from the way Pat and Steffie and Tia Isa ganged up and forced her to leave the mansion. Ceci tries to explain and apologize. MC doesn't want to hear it and spouts off against Ceci, Pat and everyone - especially Ceci who MC says just stood by and said nothing. MC continues to rant against Steffie, saying Steffie is her daughter and she's only a street kid that they let stay at their house. MC tells Ceci never to return to see her again. Ceci cries.

* JM tells Omar about his continuing love for Marichuy.

* MC continues to scold Ceci about Pat's attitude towards her and that she should tell her husband about her life now, it's good, it's just, she's not stealing anymore, and repeats all the insulting nicknames that Steffie and Pat had used against her. Ceci cries and her heart break even more.

* Ceci cries and asks if there's any chance that MC will forgive them. MC says no. MC isn't interested in listening to Ceci anymore and asks her to leave. Ceci gets up and walks to the aisle. Ceci turns to look at MC, cries, and leaves. MC looks towarsds the stage and covers her face to hide her tears.

* JM and Omar continue their conversation. Leo says that he's staying at a local hotel; he's trying to stop thinking about someone. JM asks about the lady.

* Nelson is laying on the sofa inside the house. Elsa is rocking Bea's son in her arms. Nelson is melancholy over his illness in impending death. He thinks that some time in the near future another man will be in Elsa's life.

* At the door to the theater, Ceci and Amador talk about the visit with MC. Ceci is disillusioned. Amador gives her some advise about MC. Amador goes into the theater.

* Amador walks over to where MC is still sitting in the audience chairs. He talks with her about Ceci's conversation. MC is still fuming against Ceci and the harsh treatment she received in the past. Amador changes the subject with news about her career plans.

* Omar mentions to JM the lady that lived at his hacienda and recently gave birth. Omar mentions that they were happy and planning their wedding. Omar calls her "Liria".

* Amador talks with MC about interviews and classes in acting, and leaving town.

* Omar continues to tell JM about Liria and her son. JM comments about dreams. Omar mentions the reality of how Liria left and he really wants to confront her to find out why she left so suddenly. He thinks it's hopeless to find her and thinks of giving up. JM advises him that if he loves her, he should continue to search. In fact, JM offers to help Omar in the search of "Liria."

* JM's lawyer brings him the paper - and the news about Blanca's insanity defense may just be accepted. JM is happy about the news.

* Vince is sitting in his wheelchair, looking out the window. He thinks about his life and that Rocio is now with Doctor. Mom stops by to visit. She does her best to cheer him up and convince him to move back home - she and his dad have fixed up a room for him to use as his studio and everything. She admires his paintings. He asks her for help tomorrow. She agrees.

* Rocio talks on the phone to Doctor. She hangs up and thinks about Vince - she prays for a way to get back together with him. Rocio makes a call on her cell phone. Vince reaches for his cell phone and answers it. Rocio says hello, vince, it's me, Rocio.

* Elsa and Bea are outside in the garden discuss Amador's badgering about the baptism and him attending as the father. Bea wonders about Ed's feelings. Elsa thinks Ed will understand.

* Rocio asks Vince if she can visit right now. Vince pauses and says no she can't visit him. He thanks her for the phone call and hangs up. Vince celebrates because he knows she still loves him.

* JM and Omar meet Rocio at the stairs in the front hall of the castle. Rocio is sad and runs upstairs. JM asks Omar to go to the jail and visit Blanca with him.

* MC thinks about Ceci's visit at the theater; about her mother and her son. Amador comes over with career news.

* JM and Omar leave the castle to visit Blanca.

* Ceci is in her car, driving, and thinking about Amador's advice. Ceci can't forget about MC and promises herself that she needs to see MC again - she needs to talk with her. Ceci drives recklessly on the streets and makes other motorists honk at her.

* Backstage at the theater -- MC and Amador are in the middle of a photo session. MC isn't in the mood but goes along with it for Amador's sake.

* Omar and JM meet with the attorney in his office. The attorney remembers Blanca mentioned "Omar" during one of their visits.

* MC shouts to a director on the landing above her. Director leaves. Amador gets her ready for a television interview with a "La Oreja" reporter. Amador informs the reporter about the trip planned for Alejandra Robles and that she is a true professional that the audience will adore. Amador does most of the talking.

* Omar talks with the attorney and JM about Blanca Silva.

* Rocio snaps and argues with Nellie in the front hall.

* Omar gets a phone call - he needs to leave for the hacienda, it's an emergency. Omar tells JM that maybe another time he can meet Blanca. JM walks him out the door so Omar can return to the castle.

* Rocio and Nellie continue their debate in the front hall.

* Outside on the patio, Pat and Steffie discuss Steffie's obsession with marrying JM and seeing every lady that comes in contact with JM as her rival. Pat suspects that Steffie had something to do with Blanca being in jail.

* In the prison visiting room, JM meets with Blanca. He tells her about how the hearing is progressing, her defense strategy. He asks her something and she starts to stutter and get really nervous.

* Pat scowls at Steffie, as she whines about his accusation. Pat apologizes. He sits down and wonders where Ceci is. He shocks Steffie with news that Ceci went to visit MC at the theater.

* In the apartment, MC is at home with JM Jr. and Cande. She and Cande discuss her work and her wish to hear JM Jr. call her 'mama'. MC then talks with Cande about all the interviews she had to do. Also, MC tells Cande about Ceci's visit at the theater.

* Steffie and Pat discuss Ceci's visit with MC at the theater. Steffie doesn't approve. Pat supports his wife. Steffie wonders if Pat is trying to offend her so she will leave the house voluntarily.

* JM tells Blanca about his good friend, who is almost like a brother to him.

* Pat and Steffie continue to discuss Pat's decision to recognize MC as his daughter. Martirio brings the phone out to Pat. Pat talks with the Red Cross employee about Ceci being in a serious car accident. Pat and Steffie are impactado.

ADVANCE: Decisive moments tomorrow -- Will Ceci survive her car accident? What happens when JM finds Cande, MC and JM Jr. on the Mexico City streets?

Labels: Cuidado

Mauricio tells DB (in return for putting out her cigar) that Marisela is in the big apple (la gran manzana- NYC) with Luisana. He tells DB that Marisela has no intention of returning to the Arauca.


Meanwhile Santos has found the information about the soil analysis at La Chusmita. He rapidly figures out that DB has been lying to him for a long time. Melquíades tries to get the papers back but Santos says that Melquíades doesn't scare him. Melquíades demands the papers from Santos. "What are you going to do?" asks Santos, "Are you going to shoot me or knife me? Isn't that what DB would usually do?"

Mujica's nephew, Bartolo, spouts poetic nonsense to Altagracia and she swoons with admiration.

Meanwhile, Mujiquita is cleaning out Pernalete's desk. He finds the evidence bag for the ring that was taken from Julian Barreto's severed hand. The ring isn't in the bag but Mujiquita knows where to find it. He goes to Pernalete's house where Federica and Josefa are fighting about the proceeds of their business. He pulls the ring off Pernalete's finger.

Santos tells Cecilia that he is furious but he will only say that is a terrible betrayal.

We also don't see the person who has kidnapped BP except for his thick lips and a strange ring.

In the capital, the doctor tells DB that the fertility treatments haven't worked and she can't get pregnant. She tells him to keep trying until they succeed or she decides to stop.

Mujiquita also finds an evidence bag with the some of the (charred) remains of the body in the jeep identified as Meléndez. Mujiquita doesn't want it but Bartolo puts it in a drawer. Finally Mujiquita finds the evidence bag with the blowgun dart that Dr. Arias determined was used to drug Meléndez in the hotel. Mujiquita handles it carelessly (fortunately, it wasn't a poison dart) and gets drugged himself.

Santos goes to Danger's house and wonders if DB had him killed.

Santos goes to town and comes into Mujiquita's office just in time to hear Dr. Arias' conclusions about the poison dart, Orestes Prieto's death and Melendez' being drugged.

Altagracia tells Genoveva that she wants to marry Bartolo. Pajarote and Carmelito overhear and decide to check Bartolo out for their absent buddy, María Nieves.

Mauricio tells an invisible Marisela about DB's visit.

In a taxi, DB says to herself that she is glad Marisela isn't around because if she were, she would be an enemy and DB doesn't recommend that anyone make an enemy of DB.

Santos is riding and drinking. He tells himself that DB isn't capable of doing something like that.
He flashes back to the day of the flower beauty contest (Concurso de los Flores) when Orestes Prieto died.

Santos goes to see Eustaquia who is putting flowers in a vase. He asks her if it isn't true that pure-blooded Indians like Melquiades use blowpipes (cerbatana) in hunting. Eustaquia drops the flower vase. Santos asks Eustaquia to tell him that DB didn't order Melquiades to kill Orestes Prieto. He demands that she tell him whether Melquíades is a kller. Eustaquia only says that DB adores Santos. She won't answer his question.

Santos shows Eustaquia the papers about the oil. He tells her that the paper is a translation into Spanish that DB sent away to have done. "She and I live together," says DB, "Your boss, who says that she loves me more than anything in the world, has been lying to me since the beginning. Your boss is and continues to be the same as when I met her. She hasn't changed."

BP spills his guts and it rapidly becomes apparent that the questioner is Sapo, the last rapist. I'm not sure if he was involved with Danger before or whether BP recognized him from the picture of the rapists.

Santos tells Eustaquia that Lorenzo was correct in calling DB the "devourer of men" ("la devoradora de hombres"). Eustaquia tells Santos that DB loves him. "She doesn't love," replies Santos, "she owns, she posesses and what she can't buy she steals." He tells Eustaquia that he wants the truth. "It was always under my nose and I didn't want to see it," he says, "Why? Because I loved her. When I saw your boss dying, I understood that this woman that I loved and hated at the same time with the same intensity, this mysterious woman who had such a terrible live, merited a second chance to live and I thought I was the only one who could give her that. My God, what a conceited idiot I am! Me, the salvation of lost causes. Lorenzo told me that a thousand times. Everyone told me and I didn't listen. And now I'm the one falling into the bottomless pit that named DB. Eustaquia, I can't continue to love your boss. I want to save what's left of my life." Eustaquia begs him not to say that. She says that DB will come back and clear up all his doubts. Santos replies that DB will only lie to him again.

On the boat back to Progresso, DB is sure that Marisela is gone and was only an accident in her and Santos' life.

Santos tells Eustaquia that he is sure now that DB was behind Marisela leaving. DB threatened her and she left. Santos says that he will find Marisela. He says that he was so stupid. All this times, DB was laughing at him. She lied to him. She doesn't love him. He says that she's a liar. Eustaquia says that DB isn't bad. She acted out of fear that she would be left alone, that Santos would abandon her. Santos tells Eustaquia that DB will be left alone because all she has succeeded in doing is defraud him. The only thing he feels for her now is a profound disillusion. "It's over, Eustaquia," I am sorry to tell you that from the bottom of my heart I feel that that it's over."


In prison, MN formally asks Antonio for Altagracia's hand in marriage.

Labels: barbara

Due to my unplanned attention to the SuperBowl game, here's a very rushed recap of Friday's episode. Please fill in anything I missed or correct anything that I got wrong. I'll try to add the vocabulary I gathered to the comments later.

Adrian is escorted into Marichuy and Cande’s apartment by Cande. She is very excited to point out that the building has an elevator. Once up in the apartment, Adrian is surprised to see a baby and Marichuy fills her friend in on the history of her marriage & annulment with Juan Miguel, all due to the return of Viviana from the dead. And now, she tells him, it is a year later and Viv’s been murdered (dead for real now) and JM apparently prefers the company of the murderess to me.

Nelson is reading in the garden and Ed shows up. They exchange comments about how they think the other doesn’t like them, all because of Elsa. Ed says that Elsa is her own person, she doesn’t belong to either Nelson or Ed (how very enlightened of him). Nelson believes he lost Elsa. What, questions Ed. Yes, I lost her when we couldn’t have a child.

Mercedes is at Vicente’s and learns he’s ready to paint again. She happily throws off the dust covers from his easel.

Padre Anselmo is still testifying on Blanca’s behalf. He tells the court that Blanca wasn’t responsible for the crime which was committed.

Marichuy and Adrian discuss Purita and Adrian lets her know that he blames his mother. I think MC was encouraging him to not be so hard on his mother, which makes me think she needs to practice what she preaches. I might have gotten that wrong, let me know if I’ve messed up on translation. MC asks Adrian to keep it a secret about the baby and he agrees.

Stefi and Isa arrive at the hacienda. They find Nacho hard at work and start to ask him about Leo. Since they haven’t read the book “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, they just end up insulting Nacho and he’s not willing to give them any news on Leo’s whereabouts. Mica shows up and tells Nacho she’ll take care of the “ladies”. She tells them that Leo’s not at the hacienda and they tell her they need to leave him a message. They tell her to tell Leo that the woman he’s looking for is not named Lirio, it is Marichuy. If these two were any good at reading people, they’d be able to tell this wasn’t brand new information for Mica, who pretends she’ll pass the message along to her employer (at least I think she’s pretending, since she’s known how MC can be found and hasn’t told Leo as of yet). They leave a note about where he can find MC. They head back to town and seem pretty confident that Mica will deliver it to Leo.

Humberto is at the castle and asking Rocío for news about Beatriz’s baby’s baptism. He finds out the date and is excited because he doesn’t have appointments that day. Pretty presumptuous to think he’s invited, but what do I know, maybe he is invited. He gets up to leave and tells Rocío to remember that he loves her. She doesn’t reply.

Becky visits Vicente and they talk about Israel a bit and then they start to talk of Marichuy. Becky tells Vic that she heard about MC from Rocío. Vic looks moved to hear Rocío's name and we see he’s been working on her painting. Becky says she thought he was trying to forget her. He doesn’t respond to that directly, but instead shows Becky that he’s got some slight movement in his legs.

Rocío flashes back to some of the happy times with Vicente and then hears Humberto say he loves her. She's conflicted.

Vicente works with some dude in hospital scrubs, named Sergio. Vicente gets Sergio to help him stand up from the wheelchair. Vicente waves his arms to keep his balance, but he succeeds in standing on his own.

Padre Anselmo says that Viviana did not live the purest life and perhaps what befell her was a form of punishment from the Lord. The Lawyer is shocked at what the priest is insinuating (as am I, I have to admit). The Lawyer asks about PA’s relationship with Juanmi. PA says he admires JM and knows him pretty well. The Lawyer questions JM’s involvement in Viv’s death and PA says that all JM tried to do was protect Blanca from unjust punishment, he had nothing to do with it otherwise. He adds that he knows Blanca, as two people—first he met her as Blanca, but soon after saw her as Ivette. They are two different people, the priest tells the court. The fact that the priest seems to think she's suffering under this disorder seems to rock the courtroom.

Ceci cries to Patricio about how PA was not at the church. Pat reminds his wife that PA is testifying for JM. They talk about Ceci’s conversation with JM and how JM thinks that MC might have been back in town to get papers for her wedding. Ceci is upset to think that their daughter might be getting married without them.

Marichuy talks to Olga about Purita and Adrian. Olga asks about Leo and MC tells her about how Leo got his nickname. Olga asks about MC leaving him, when they were to get married. MC says she hopes he’ll find someone new, who can really love him.

Stefi visits JM and he asks why she’s always coming around and why she failed to mention that MC was at the house. Stefi says she thought Rocío would have given him the 4-1-1. He says she didn’t, not until recently. He runs through what he knows and Stefi says she’s got nothing more to add other than MC telling her that she’s leaving D.F., to go some place Far, Far Away (perhaps to hang with Shrek and Fiona). To be with whom?, JM asks. Stefi says, “Come on, you know that we don’t have that kind of relationship, there’s no way MC would tell me.” He buys that answer. Then, Stefi asks about Blanca’s case and JM fills her in on the latest, and how the court isn’t accepting the idea of her having multiple personalities.

Padre Anselmo tells the court (with accompanying flashbacks) about meeting Blanca when Rocío brought her to the church for help. He says that she confessed to him that she killed Viviana. The Lawyer questions why the priest hadn’t come forward with this information and PA reminds him that confessional secrets are binding.

Leo goes to visit JM at the castle. The two men are happy to see each other and hug. They talk about how many years it has been since they've seen each other and JM asks Leo what he’s been doing. Leo talks about his travels, and how he’s there today because he’s looking for a woman.

Marichuy tells Cande how Amador has suggested he might have her wearing a wig. She goes on to tell Cande how her name will be on the marquee and Cande clarifies that it will be MC’s professional name, Alejandra Robles. MC says how her picture will be in magazines.

Meanwhile, Pat is reading and comes across an article about the play MC’s doing, along with her picture. He goes and shows it to Ceci. Stefi appears to be shocked that MC might be located with such ease. Ceci is happy to know that they’ll soon be with their daughter. Pat basically tells her, hey I’ve shown you how to find MC, which you want so badly, but don’t ask too much from me, I’m not the one bound and determined to be reunited with her. Pat leaves and Stefi asks her what she’s going to do. Find her, Ceci answers. What if she rejects you? Stefi questions.

MC adds her personal touch to the apartment. She takes photos of her, Cande, and the baby and puts them up over the photos Amador has of himself around. She thinks of Juanmi and how Padre Anselmo’s been wanting to tell her who her parents are.

Amador visits Nelson and gets some news about the upcoming baptism of his son. He learns that Beatriz named the baby Eduardo. He’s not too happy to hear that his son is being named after Ed. Nelson tells him that Ed is adored by everyone at that house, and that Nelson, himself, doesn’t think Ed’s such a bad guy. Just then Beatriz comes outside and sees Amador talking with Nelson.

Marichuy’s in the theatre, sitting in the audience during a rehearsal. Ceci walks in and spots her. Ceci comes up to Marichuy and says her name. Marichuy looks up and says “Usted?” END OF EPISODE

Labels: Cuidado