Caray, Caray!

Our beloved novela has so many facets. We have a love triangle, lots of PSA’s, and of course, a bunch of adorable kids. Tonight, it seems we have more than a bunch of adorable kids. In fact, just about every character is acting like a child, or a baby. It’s like the playground in third grade (I’m still mad at Stevie Strauss for throwing that dodgeball at me when I wasn’t looking!). Okay, let’s check out tonight’s maturity meter.

Paulina is still trying to break up Santi and Candy. She tells him that Candy is two-timing him. He doesn’t believe her. She says Candy is an untrustworthy woman. Santi laughs it off, look who’s talking, you who cheated on me with my friend Mario. Pau doesn’t give up, she snuggles into him in his consultorio chair, so he slides out of her grasp and out of the chair. She then opines that the detective is robbing Santi, and not finding the baby, how long is that going to continue? Santi tells her to butt out.

Meanwhile, Lulu has been talking to Candy at the receptionist desk, asking if she minds that Santi’s ex is in his office. Candy has faith in Santi. When Pau comes out, she informs Candy that Candy’s destroying Santi’s life (by supposedly still seeing Pat), and not to deny it.

So did Pau’s plan work? Not at all. Candy enters Santi’s office, all smiles, and they have a cute repeat of the other day’s mini-spat, in which Candy accused Santi of jealousy, and Santi, pointing to his handsomeness, said who, me? This time, Santi accuses Candy of jealousy, Candy points to her sexiness, says who, me? They both agree to trust each other, they seal it with a kiss, and make a date for lunch. So, I guess we’ll have no more problems tonight, right? Well……….

We have a silly scene with Isabel and Jaime, puffing out their figurative chests, she’s a great cook, he’s better at piano, both think they earn more than the other at their new “jobs” at Meño’s restaurant. Grow up, people!

Meanwhile, yesterday, Pat fell off some steps, and we’ve all been waiting to see if he has amnesia, is blind, paralyzed, or whatever, but it’s nothing nearly that dramatic. He’s back in the house, in pain, and rather than calling an ambulance, big boy Pat has Chava call his Mommy (Chava’s Mommy, not Pat’s, although I think Pat wants Candy to be his Mommy at this point). Candy rushes out, tells Horti and Lulu she has to go to Pat right away (no details given), as Horti, ever protective of her Santi, smiles knowingly at Lulu. After Candy leaves, Santi comes out, ready for the lunch date, Horti informs him that Miss Candy has gone to Mr. Piojoso’s house. Fortunately, Santi has just agreed to have total confidence in Candy, so no hay problema, right? Well…………….

Candy has arrived at Pat’s in record time, she opens the door for the paramedics. Pat says he’s fine, but his shoulder, foot and hand hurt a lot. He begs Candy to come with him in the ambulance, don’t leave him alone. (Poor baby). At this point, Candy is holding Patito, and tells all the boys that someone has to watch the three smaller ones, and besides, she doesn’t want problems with Santiago.

Back in the Institute, Santi is having a major meltdown, pacing back and forth in front of Horti and Lulu’s desk. What could have been so dire that Candy had to leave like a rocket? Lulu is defending Candy, saying there must be a good reason, while Horti is on Santi’s side, the novio comes first! Santi finally stops pacing, asks Hort to call his house, he’ll have lunch with them, he’s not gonna eat alone, like some dog!

We immediately cut to Santi’s house, as Isabel tells Paulina that Santi’s not coming home for lunch, so there’s no point in waiting. Oh, but I didn’t come to see Santi, I came for Rocío, says Pau. However, Pau then tells Rocío, sorry, she has important things to do, can’t have lunch with them today. Phone rings, Santi IS coming for lunch, and guess what? Paulina WILL cancel her important appointment, and have lunch with Rocío.

Well, here’s the cute Doctora we’ve been waiting for. She has long, lush hair (a la Candy’s “new look”, must be the same stylist), and she tells Pat he has a broken pinky (dedo meñique), a bruised shoulder and he’s sprained (esguince) his ankle. Am I gonna die, Doc? No, she’ll just do a few more tests (will they hurt?, asks our big boy) to see if he tore any ligaments, and he’s going to have to rest at home for a week or two. Pat can’t do that. He’s gotta take care of three kids (and himself). Doctora jokingly volunteers to come to his house to be his personal nurse.

Santi enters his dining room, the two girls, Jaime and Isabel are sitting at the table, he tells them how upset he is that Candy ditched him (me dejo plantado) for that (he then makes a motion of pulling something out of his hair). Jaime asks, pulgoso (flea-man)?. No, piojoso (lice-man, or louse), chime in the other three. It’s funny until Paulina enters, says I told you Candy was untrustworthy, and this gets Santi a little PO’ed. He takes Pau aside, what’s she doing there, doesn’t she have her own house now? She tells him she doesn’t know how to cook, and the food is so good here. He lays into her for criticizing Candy, but she says it’s for his own good, Candy can’t be trusted, and he’s jealous. He again counters with the Mario betrayal, but after she goes back into the dining room, he looks in the mirror and wonders if she’s at least partially right. Why is he becoming half-bitter (medio amargado)?

At Pat’s the medical guys have set him up on his bed, and he doesn’t know how he’s going to do the ironing and make all the breakfasts for two weeks. Candy assures him she’ll take care of everything. Chava comes in, Santi’s calling. Okay, give me the phone. No, he’s at the door, says Chava (that Santi doesn’t waste time). Candy goes to greet him, and he immediately asks what was so urgent that she ditched him. Well, Pat had an accident, they put his hand in a cast (enyesar la mano) and bandaged his ankle. Fine, he’s all set, let’s go. Nope, gotta stay, says Candy. Santi almost blows up, counts to diez, first she had to stay for Chava, now for Pat, what’s up? Candy tells him since Pat can’t care for the kids, she’ll have to stay here a few days (again, why not hire someone?). Santi is really upset, he rants about how all Pat’s photos are here, Candy at the wedding with Pat, Pat’s going to try to reconquer Candy, the best thing may be that they have a little…. “tiempo”, a time-out or break in their relationship. Sorry, Candy doesn’t believe in time-outs. Oh, then you want to break up (terminar)? Candy looks impactada.

Lucía is on her computer when Isa enters, says she has to go to work, but can Luc look out for Rocío, make sure Pau doesn’t poison her mind? Sure, says Lucía, gets a little smile, and calls Charly (all right!)

Candy says she never said she wanted to break up, but stubborn Santi says if she didn’t want a time-out that means she wanted to break up. She tells him to stop acting childish, but he walks out the door, and she says to herself I can’t stand it that he’s childish (me choca que sea infantil). We then have a funny split screen where they both have their arms crossed, both absolutely sure the other will apologize. They’re each saying the same thing, one after the other. I’ll give him/her a few minutes, he/she will come running back to admit I was right. Well, it’s been a few minutes, he/she isn’t here yet. Well, if that’s the way you want it, terminamos (bye bye love).

The two male nurses have helped Pat onto the bed, they’ll be back tonight to check up on him. He tells Patito isn’t that something, that Candy hired two male nurses, he might have preferred some female nurses. He wonders for a minute if Candy would be jealous of female nurses, maybe she is warming up to him. No, he reassures Patito, Candy loves that louse Santiago.

The boys come in, looking guilty. Daddy, can you forgive us? Chava thinks that because of what they did, Pat looks like a mummy (momia). He tells them he’s fine, he thinks he looks sexy, they shouldn’t feel bad at all. But, he does have a favor to ask, he adds with a tone of mischief. Can they tell Candy to send some better nurses? They jump on top of him in fun.

There’s another silly scene where Jaime takes a cab to his job, and as soon as he leaves, Isa has Donato fire up the SUV, they’ve got to get there first! They zip out of the driveway.

Santi’s zipping along himself, driving his sports car in the countryside, deep in thought.

Candy calls her Mom in tears, tells her how mad Santi is, Gregoria thinks it’ll pass, but Candy disagrees, because they broke up.

Meanwhile, Patito (in his crib in Pat’s room) starts crying. Pat realizes it’s feeding time, calls for Candy, who can’t hear him, then struggles to get up with all his casts and slings. Candy comes in and picks up Patito, but Pat sees that she was crying. She tells him that she and Santi broke up.

Sure enough, back in the big house, Paulina is poisoning Rocío’s mind over a game of Chinese Checkers (can’t believe they still play that – sure brings back memories). Fortunately, no sooner can Pau get in one remark about that “crazy Candy”, when Lucía shows up with Charly. As Rocío goes to greet Charly, Luc quietly tells Pau her brainwashing (lavada de coco) time is up. Lucía and Charly says they can all four play, maybe get some french fries and coke.

On the empty highway, Santi’s phone rings, and it’s Eduardo, where are you, Man? Out driving, and I’m not coming in, either. Ed can’t believe he’d leave his patients hanging to have fun with his girlfriend. What girlfriend, we broke up. Ed’s concerned, where is Santi? 12 miles from Tequila (must be the Mexican version of down on Bourbon Street). Ed’s coming right away to support his bud.

We now have the one time in this episode where someone does act grownup. As Candy gently rocks the baby, Patricio tells her he feels terrible about what happened with Santi, he’ll call and try to talk to him. Candy thanks him, but no, Santi’s just being stubborn, childish and inflexible, always wants things his own way. Pat says she has her life, he can hire someone, but she says she’s fine, she’ll get the girls at the Institute to cover for her. Pat then says the magic words, I admire you. You always put your child first (oh yeah, he knows how to push those buttons!). Although I do have a broken heart (corazon hecho pedacitos – torn into little pieces), says Candy sadly.

Santi and Ed are no longer 12 miles from Tequila, they’re drowning in it, sitting in a little bar, venting. Santi still can’t understand why Candy has to jump everytime Pat hurts his little finger, but Ed says I told you women were dangerous. Don’t be ridiculous, answers Santi, let’s go back in time, to when we were little. Remember your first girlfriend? The one you first kissed, put your arms around, noticed that parts of her body were softer than others? (lol) Sure, María Sofía. Ed gets a glazed-over, happy look. Okay, says Santi, hold that thought, fast forward to today, you have problems with Chayo, you treat her badly. Now, what if María Sofía appeared today? Ed wouldn’t let her get away again (He'd tirarle el perro - come on to her). Right, says Santi, it’s the same with Pat. He has pictures of their wedding still up, it’s been ten years, but he has this chance to recapture her again, see what I mean? (Jaime Camil then completely forgets his lines, remarks that he must be drunk, so the guys have a shot). Salud!

We have a short scene in which Candy is holding Patito, helping Chava and Beto with their homework, telling them she’s very happy (but she’s not really).

Back in the bar, our two abandonados are totally sloshed, hugging each other and singing in slurred voices. I love you, Man! We have to forget those dames. Right, says Ed, I have to forget Candy, and you have to forget Chayo (he IS drunk). Santi’s phone rings, he gives it to Ed, if it’s Candy, YOU answer. But it can’t be Candy, says Ed, because it’s coming from your house. So Santi answers, totally drunk. Heelllloooo? It’s Rocío, with Paulina prompting her, ask him where he is. Where are you, Daddy? He says he’s at a medical conference. Pau says tell him to hurry. Daddy, can you come home fast? Sure, no problem. Paulina says “yes!”. The guys hug again in their drunken stupor. (I’m thinking they’d better not try to drive home in their condition!)

Back in the restaurant, it’s the Isabel/Jaime competition, Isa with her toque serving a special dish, Jaime dishing out a tune on the ivories. She kids him about playing the piano, he says he was just hungry, and saw a piano, just decided to play it for fun. But what about her hat, she looks life a chef. No, for his information, this is the latest fashion. They then start yelling at each other that they discovered the other one is actually working there. Meño stops them, get back to work you two, he can’t believe their attitude for minimum wage earners. Minimum wage? they gasp in unison.

The Chinese Checkers game is going great, Charly, Lucía and Rocío playing, Paulina having fallen asleep on the couch. Lucía sees this, shushes the others, then at the top of her lungs yells “I won!”, thus waking up Paulina, which they all find amusing. Pau takes Rocío off to bed, Charly thanks Lucía for inviting him, and at least things are looking better for these two.

At Pat’s house, the male nurse (enfermero) has given him his meds, and Pat has dinner in front of him. But of course he can’t cut the food (who picked this meal?), so Candy cuts the chicken, but she doesn’t seem to be enjoying herself. Pat, though, is milking this as much as he can, asks if Candy can cut the avocados, too. Candy’s not so enthusiastic about this, she’ll get the nurse to help him.

Good news, Santiago made it home (I was picturing him in an accident, Candy having to choose, but he’s fine, just still very drunk). Paulina sees him come in the door, and now I’m thinking she could very easily take him upstairs, get him undressed, and… Well, let’s see. Pau asks why he drank so much. Because she brushed me off, dumped me (la mandé por un tubo). Paulina comforts him. So maybe they aren’t going upstairs, but Santi’s really in a bad way, and Paulina’s right there for him.

So, it’s Friday, but there’s no impactado moment, no car crash, nobody catches anyone kissing, we just have a sad Santi, no baby to bond with, too worn out to work, his wealth is waning, his girl is gone, down in the dumps.

And to me, the only one who can save him is Candy. Yes, I think it’s time our heroine showed she really can work miracles.


Vocabulario:

Dedo meñique – little finger, or pinky
Esguince – a sprain or strain
Me dejo plantado – she ditched me, or she stood me up
Enyesar – to put in a plaster cast
Me choca que sea infantil – I can’t stand it that he’s childish
Momia – a mummy
Lavada de coco – brainwashing, literally, washing the coconut, which is sort of like a head
Tirarle el perro - Coming on to someone you like - Literally, to pull the dog to her/him/you (thanks to JudyB and Jarocha for this one)
Mandar por un tubo – to dump somebody, or give them the brush off -literally, to send through a pipe

Labels: Tontas

From yesterday: Ed tells Fer that Barb is a mysterious person and difficult to know and wants to know why she asked. She saw Damian and is doubting his words that Barb is behind all the problems in the family and the company. How could she have lived her life with such a cheat.

Meanwhile Barb is looking for Dr. O. Adolfina tells Barb that Dr. O has gone to see his sick mother in Vera Cruz. Barb asks about Lili and Adolfina says better than ever. Barb wants to see her and Adolfina tries to tell Barb that Lili can’t have visitors. Too bad about the rules says Barb, they are meant to be broken.

FrEd tells Fer that he doesn’t know Gonzo enough to figure out the effect his spouse has on him. She has no doubt all these problems could be the end of her family. FrEd says that if you trust Damian over Barbara?? She doubts everything. What about your marriage. Her marriage exists on paper only.

Both Dam and Vlad try to comfort Pris and calm her down. She insists that Dam tell her why he is there. She starts to make a call to Anibal. Vlad is muy impactado.

Ed gives Fer a drink of tequila and says it will be good for you. He wants to know what Fer wants of him. She says that Damian said Barb has the $3million. She has no proof that Barb has it in a personal account. She wants to know if Barb spoke to him about different accounts than those of Lactos. He shakes his head but does not give us a clue if it’s a “yes” or a “no.”

In a very disturbing scene, Barb visits Lili who is clearly terrorized. Barb reminds Lili that very soon she’s going to be an orphan and that she is going to be responsible for her father’s death. Barb rubs it in calling Lili an assesina, etc. Anibal and Camilo already accuse you of killing your mother. A very physical fight ensues. Barb slugs Lili and calls her more names. You will be alone and crazy in this Hell. Enter Adolfina who wants to know what happened. The poor thing fell, lies Barb, while she was dancing. Lili curls up in her chair.

At Pueblo Purificacion: Aurora, who is dressed as a milkmaid, is arranging flowers in a little walled garden in Dominga’s hovel while Santi cooks dinner. She compliments his cooking. He made the meal especially for her. And, if she goes with him, he’ll become a great chef. He wants her to go with him because the worst thing would be to be separated from her. She wants to know if he thinks it’s a good idea. She reminds him of her faults: no family, education, talent. And that his family doesn’t know who she is. He doesn’t care. She’s afraid they’ll hate her for having told lies. They swear a pact never to tell. So, then, she’ll return with him. Finally, she agrees to go with him. They kiss and then hear a loud, insistent knock at the door. She goes to see who is at the door. She peeks from behind the curtains and sees a man with a goatee and scary look on his face. Sorry, folks, he’s not disfigured and is not a single-eyed Cyclops. Just a man and she is terrified.

FrEd asks Fer if your stepmother was aware of secret accounts and if you found out about them, what would you do? It would show that my husband was telling the truth. He asks and if it proved that Damian had lied to you?

Vlad gives Pris a pill. But the Dynamic Duo’s concern for pregnant Pris doesn’t last long. Dam says what are you thinking of telling your husband. Call him, but I am going to tell the truth that you are about to lose your baby and the identity of the real father of your baby. You miserable pig, say Pris. Go on, Dam says, call him or I will. Vlad tries to stop Dam’s rant. Dam wants Pris to stay there. Vlad invites Dam to step outside – later, says Dam. Dam doesn’t want to miss Pris’ call.

Fer says there are two options if Bar is innocent – my marriage is over and it will be a tragedy for my family. FrEd says what if both are guilty? A third option is both are guilty. Is there a third option or are both guilty. He says it’s a possibility, but it doesn’t matter. Fer keeps at him: Are you willing to help me find out the truth, she asks. First he says, what do you know about Artemio Bravo.

Santi asks Aurora about what’s going on? Then he sees The Man in Black and notes that The Man looks just like his father except he has a beard, a moustache, and he’s younger. They wonder who it could be. Let’s ask, says Santi.

Fer says she doesn’t know Artemio Bravo. FrEd says this man has a lot to do with what is going on. She never heard this name. How about Rebeca Sanchez – she hasn’t heard that one either.

Barb keeps comforting Lili in her own inimitable way. She reminds Lili that her father is sick and wants to visit her and that she should behave herself. Where is Martina???? Barb, on her way out tells Adolfina to tell Dr. O to call her. Finally, the old witch leaves. Adolfina tries to comfort Lili. She says Martina will be back soon to take care of her. Lili is distraught.

Fer asks why these people are so important. He has to find out. Maybe they can help determine Dam’s guilt or not. She still wants his help because for one thing she has to know the truth about Damian. FrEd knows she’s thinking of her father and her family. She also wants to find out what’s up with her stepmother. He wants to know if she’s willing to do what he asks. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. Sure, she says.

Santi and Aurora discuss the man at the door. Aurora is afraid she will lose her freedom. She thinks they know Dominga. They get away from the door. Santi realizes that those guys aren’t going to leave so he has to develop a strategy. He sees women’s high-heeled shoes by the door that inspire him.

Pris accuses Vlad of being a liar and cheat. He begs her to let him explain. She says no. She’s leaving and doesn’t want to know anything about them. She tells Vlad to shut up. Dam says enough Pris. You’re exaggerating. I’m accused of robbing money that I didn’t rob and you are pregnant by a man who isn’t your husband. We’re partners. She wants to spit at him. Now they have secrets to keep.

Santi, dressed as a peasant woman opens the door. He is covered up with a serape and gloves. The Man says he is looking for Dominga. Santi says don’t come near me because I have a cold. Yes, this is Dominga’s house. The Man is looking for her. Who? – a friend says the man. Santi says he’s a neighbor. The Man keeps asking where is Dominga. Santi tells him she died. The Man wants to know how she died. In an accident, says Santi in a village where a hotel burned. And what about the girl who lived with her? Where is she? Santi says the girl is dead, too. The Man looks shocked.

Little Rocio brings coffee to Fer and FrEd. FrEd is once again talking to her about Lili and says that it’s not sufficient to transfer Lili to Stockholm. What do mean freeing her. Do you remember the day I talked to you about the Jinete Justiciero? What does Lili have to do with this. Fer explains that her sister is sick. He tells her that what surrounds her family surrounds him, too. They have to make decisions now. He is sure that Lili needs help from specialists. Fer says there’s something else. What?

Santi keeps up his act. The Man is visibly moved. Santi says they are both charcoal and ashes and asks if the man knew them. He did. They weren’t friends they were more than that. Man One in Black runs to open the Jeep door for Artemio Bravo while the other two MIB get in the car. Finally they leave. Ed: It’s just a little hard to believe that a man who is bringing down a Titan in the milk industry could fall for such a lame act. Anyway, ahem.

Fred says he does not know his enemy but there are people who are interested in him. Why does Camilo want to hurt you? He doesn’t know. What does Lili have to do with this. The names of Artemio Bravo and Rebeca Sanchez mean something to Lili. So that’s why they are pursuing her. She wants to know what it all means and he says the same person who is responsible for having Lili locked up is the same person who is his enemy, and Lili knows the enemy.

AB thinks to himself – dead, Aurora dead. Editor: We missed a little glycerin tear running down his cheek, gee whiz. He left Aurora with a mean-spirited drunk and now he misses her. Yeah, right.

Aurora said she nearly fainted when she saw the man because he looked like Gonzo. Aurora says she’s never seen this man and that he must be Dominga’s friend. Aurora says they have to get out of there. Where could he have come from? Santi says his eyes were cold when I told him Dominga was dead. He asks her did you know this man.

The secret that Lili has is terrible says Ed. That’s why she’s locked up. They did it to turn her into a vegetable. Fer says if that’s true it’s a monstrous crime. He wants Fer’s help in freeing Lili. He asks her help again in freeing Lili. Who’s going to believe Lili – whatever she says could be a hallucination or fantasy. Do you really believe that. He says they have the solution in their hands. Lili can be rehabilitated and you can do something to help your sister. We have to get her out of that clinic and get her rehabbed. Fer understands. Haven’t you seen that Lili has made progress. He says can I count on you?

Back at Vlad’s, Vlad asks Pris what’s she going to do. She says I’m going home. He asks her forgiveness. Call me a taxi or I will. Dam says to Vlad what are you going to do. Vlad’s says he’s going with her. Dam wants a moment to talk to her alone. She says I already told Vlad I wasn’t going to stay here. Dam says I don’t have anything against you. It’s just a coincidence that we’re in this together. If you forget what you saw, it will be good for both of us. You'll have your baby, and your husband will never know. She’s not sure. Take your time, he says, think about it. You are an intelligent woman. And if she doesn’t accept? He’ll have to flee and prove his innocence and when your father, your brother and family find out that the baby you expect isn’t your husband's they all turn their back on you.

Anibal yells at a flabbergasted Flor – how did these reports get in the hands of Franco Alvear? They are minutes of the Board of Directors – they got in the hands of my enemies. The documents are from the files to which poor Flor has access. A raging Ani wants to know how they got in his wife’s brother’s hands. He accuses Flor of being a traitor and traitors have to be banished.

Dam says that Ani never played fair. Ani has always been a jerk. It’s the entire Elizalde family’s fault. Ani has been using her money all along. So what, that’s my affair, says Pris. Now that Vlad is in the company, he can watch out for you. Don’t worry because Vlad is completely looking out for her interests. Vlad, she calls out. Dumb ass Vlad enters wearing an apron and asks her if she’s hungry. Call me a taxi. But, but says Vlad. Dam, who now thinks he has Pris in the palm of his hands, tells Vlad never to contradict a pregnant woman.

At Lactos, Flor is crying as she is turning over documents to Osvaldo. Ani wants to know why she’s still there and that he could send her to jail and complain to the rest of his family. He accuses her of espionage. Flor turns in her ID.

Fer says that what you see is easy, but I am terrified. I will open my eyes and see something strange like a nightmare. Why does the earth shake. He says that is reality they are confronting themselves. Her anguish is to believe lies and to trust people who lied. He says that the worst lie is not to confront terror. She says I trusted and was fooled and since then I am dying of fear and am not able to do anything. Then feel fear, he says – turn it into your ally. She says now fear and you are my only allies. Yes, he says and reaches for her hand. Theme music plays. She kisses his hand and he wipes her tears away, moves in closer and puts his forehead next to hers and finally they kiss.

Avances: AB talks to Barb. She further twists Gonzo around her finger. Fer and FrEd are allies.

Someone - please tag this for me. Thanks.

Labels: manana

After Candy asserts that she loathes Pat with all her soul Art reveals it was he who arranged to have Chava taken away from her; Patricio knew nothing about it. Art did it to win back the love of his son. Jerk. Grrrr! I love the way Pat raises his eyebrow to Candy like "toldja so beeatch".

Candy apologizes to Pat. She wants to denounce the judge but decides she doesn't want to see her son's grandpa in jail. Looks like Art is off the hook again although clearly he's persona non grata in Guadalajara.

Lalo and Horti help Santi pack up his office while Santi attempts to negotiate his new digs.

Santi takes Horti to the instituto and shoehorns her next to Lulu where they will share receptionist duties, he talks really fast and Horti steps on Lulu's toes. Lalo "casually" asks Lulu about Chayo. He steps on Lulu's toes too.

Meanwhile Chayo complains to Ceci about Lalo, that he's always hanging around all day long and now Horti's here to rub salt in the wound. Ceci tells Chayo to ignore Horti and Chayo tells Ceci she filed for divorce.

Candy is finally in a good mood and Chava asks she still mad at papa? No, she acted like a jerk but they made up and are happy. Just another 5 second miracle in Guadalajara.

The inhabitants of the big house sit down to eat. Santi blabs and Rocio keeps trying to ask him something. She asks about her little brother, when they find him will dad return to his office? Santi says "Al palo que a uno le de Dios ya no lo regresa", the stick that God gives you can't be returned, i.e. you can never go back. Yet he is optimistic.

Jaime tells Isa that Santi's problem is bigger than he thought and he feels impotent. "Again my love?" asks Isa. No, impotent because he can't help Santi economically. Isa says it's her son and her problem but Jaime is all "hoo hoo you married a millionaire and never worked a day in your life." Isa tells Jaime he is completely wrong and she'll prove it. He lays down a bet and she accepts.

Pat meets his pal Maxemiliano who is kind of miffed because Pat toted Patito along. Pato says better yet he brought two expert critics for the private kid's film. Chava and Beto are there too!

"Every boy has a hero..." The boys love the beginning of the animated film. Pato's got to dash but he leaves his two experts there to review and critique the film. How very odd, would this happen in real life?

Isa tells Don and Tina that she wants to help Santi by pulling her own weight. Lots of eye rolling by Don and Tina. Don asks Isa what is her specialty? She hems and haws...ah yes!! maybe not...oh perhaps!...not that either, oh darn she's good for nothing! Donato says "Si no sabes hacer una cosa por que no contrates a alguien que lo sepa hacer?" If you don't know how to do a thing hire someone to do it for you. Ummmm...not quite what Isa had in mind.

Jaime visits Sven and Ole to try to get a gig playing at a restaurant. S and O think it's a good idea, and hey what about this place? Meño strolls by and accuses them of too much chit chat (tertulias). Zamora acts like it's in the bag. The three amigos descend on Meño and talk him into letting Jaime play Chopin, whatever. Meño agrees, Jaime had better not bore the patrons or else. Jaime sees Isa arrive and quickly hides.

Pat and Candy (holding Patito) tell the dirty judge that Art told them everything. He (very confidently) warns them that even if they report him he will deny everything and sue them for defamation of character. He agrees to overturn Pato's claim to parental rights. What a guy.

Santi and Lalo converse in Santi's new office. Santi talks a mile a minute and as usual the closed captions can't keep up. Lalo tries to be a friend but he's preoccupied by his own problems.

Isa proposes to Meño that he hire her to renovate the menu. He acts insulted but she insists, give her an opportunity to design more sophisticated meals. "La Maison de Don Meñon" suggests Zamora. Guess what? He reluctantly agrees. Isa starts planning...Mexican cuisine but with a toque.

Candy calls Santi to tell him Arturo admitted his perfidy. Santiago is incensed, "first you protect the son and now..."

Beto and Chava give Pat a debriefing on the movie project. Candy arrives followed by some other guy who has them sign the papers giving Chava back to Candy. Candy gives Pato a huge hug and at that moment Santi arrives. Sinister music indicates Santi is not happy. Pato grins.

Isa sneaks into the big house kitchen with Donato, Tina and their secret gourmet ingredients but Jaime catches them. She smugly tells him she got a job. He brags he did too and he's making what she's making but more. She says Ha she's making what he's making but less...oops she means more, much more.

Candy ignores Santi's sour puss, hugs him and shares the good news. Santi can't wait to leave and gags when Candy almost hugs Pat goodbye. Then they leave without Chavo. Eh?

Lalo is aimelessly arranging the art in Santi's office when Barb arrives. Lalo remains distracted and he keeps looking for Chayo; he spies her warmly greeting Osvaldo. Barb drags him away in order to cool off.

Santi and Candy have a rather tame argument about her kissing Pato. She tries to leave and of course he runs after her. "Hey Morales!" They continue their tame and boring disagreement. She leaves, he runs after.

At the restaurant Jaime plays and Zam sings. Toño suggests the music is tasteful as long as Zam doesn't begin singing like an impetuous wolf. Meño's not convinced, he thinks the music is very slow.

Isa is in the restaurant kitchen wearing her toque. Don and Tina try to help Isa cook but frankly she doesn't know the difference between an ant and an elephant says Don. Lulu shows up and is not happy to see the invasion in her kitchen. Isa mollifies Lulu by begging her assistance.

Santi and Candy kiss and make up when he apologizes for being a macho man.

They go to a nice restaurant for dinner and make sweet talk and kissy face. He promises not to be jealous and she promises not to give him reason to be.

Barb counsels Lalo and ends up unpacking his boxes while he lounges on the couch and plots to win back Chava.

Meanwhile Osvaldo is at Chava's door trying to get invited in. She doesn't look happy when he suggests she needs to get used to her new life as a single. She gazes dolefully at her sterile and empty apartment.

Jaime and Zam have jazzed things up with bongo drums. Meño is thrilled to have hired someone with such talent. After their set Meño congratulates Don Jaime. No, not on the music but on the magnificent success of his wife's menu enhancements! No comment on the music and point to Isa.

Santi finally gets Candy to bed and she falls asleep. He tries to wake her but a snore is her reply. Chiste! Just kidding. Next scene is sunrise. Did they?..

Over in man land Pato irons and accidentally burns Chava's only shirt, then he tries to teach the boys how to feed Patito.

Paulina goes to Santi's office and a hunky contractor tells her Santi moved up to the Instituto .

Lulu paints a line down the middle of the desk to mark her territory from Hortensia's. Paulina walks in just as Horti gossips that Candy is putting the horns on Santiago with Patricio. Pau makes her "oh goody goody" face.

Santiago is giving Paulina what for, he wants her to stop being a barrier between him and Candy, stop making things hard, etc. Oops, it's not the real Pau but a frowny face on Santi's punching bag. "I thank you. You helped me resolve many problems. But we’re finished. I’m in love with Candy, I have nothing with you. You helped me in your time, get rid of stress I had in certain areas. I’m happy now. I’ll donate you to a gym."Paulina bursts in to tell him she heard Candy is seeing both Pat and Santiago at the same time! Yawn...dude, consider the source.

The boys play futbol in their room. Pat stops them, Patito...is...sleeping! He chases them outside and gives them 5 minutes. He agrees to play with them and promptly hurls himself into the shrubbery. What a climax.

This ending was kind of stupid, but to be fair I missed it and had to fill in from youtube. Did I get it right? Not only do we have last-minute houseguests for a long weekend (that is already busy) but my honey bit a bee while he was cycling, got a swollen tongue, and I had to pick him up from the emergency room tonight, which leads me to the dicho du jour:

Las desgracias nunca vienen solas = misfortune never comes alone, i.e. when it rains it pours.

Labels: Tontas

If you are out to describe the truth, leave elegance to the tailor. A. Einstein

Seekers of Secrets: Erika wants Fernanda to discover who her rival is. Ed/Franc wants Padre Anselmo to stay out of danger and not go to meet Artemio Bravo who is really looking for him anyway. Fernanda wants to follow Vladimir to discover if he is hiding Damian.

Again the real action is in the Grupo Lactos Garage in what looks all the world like a major auto endorsement, Vladimir leaves in his green, racer striped Mini Cooper (a BMW product by the way), Fernanda waits in her hot yellow Toyota FJ1 Cruiser, follows with all caution to see if he will lead her to Damian. Franco in his all white Buick MKZ looks for the address of the Crow. The street sign says Congreso, an elderly straw hatted gentleman says, yes this is the address. Caw, caw (Nevermore) says the crow, Franco knows he has been HAD. Weren't you going in? says the cemetary caretaker with unwitting irony.

Vladi in his Mini Cooper pulls up to his garage with out seeing Fernanda in the Yellow Toyota. Nanda tells her self that she is sure that following Vladi will lead her to Damian but, Priscilla gets out of a silver car (too boring to identify) and goes in. She is buzzed in by guard who doesn't check her ID. What is going on here, says the watching Nanda.

Franco approaches the WTC desk, and the receptionist recognizes him, Aren't you the man who came a while ago? (hace rato) Franco nods wanting to talk to his secretary, he knows they have moved, he goes back up to the offices of Artemio Bravo.

Yellow Toyota awaits, Priscila walks into the eager Vladi's apartment, gives him two really good slaps. Don't tell me anything personal in front of anyone. She accuses him of being clingy (empalagosa) . Damian watches with alarm. You dare call me senora linda

Franco returns to the now totally empty offices The ocelot is gone . Even the evil little devil statues are gone, They may have even vacuumed, the packing boxes are gone, it is totally empty.

Vladi tells Pris that her fit is bad for baby. The only reality she wants him to acknowledge is that I am married, and I am having my husband's baby. Stay away from me. So far so good until, she begins to clutch her stomach, my son, I am going to lose my baby. Vladi, freaky on the best of days, beseeches her, Don't say this Don't say this.

Franco sees an envelope for the messenger (enviado) of Padre Bosco. Touches door to closet, empty looks out big glass windows, looking for clues, leaves empty handed again..

Fernanda waits with presentiment (corazonada) that Damian will show up, but Priscilla arrives.

Priscilla is being laid back onto the couch by Vladi who tenderly attends to her feet with pillows. He rubs her feet. What is happening do you have a little cotton she asks. Damian doesn't want him in bathroom so he cries as she insists on her purse for her phone. She gets to the phone, and Fernanda starts to call. Love those large screened iPods
==========
Prisc answers, as Fernanda drives away but says she wants her future nephew to grow so can she invite her to lunch. She's in a massage Pris pretends, and they are working on the knots (nudos) of her shoulders and her nephew is perfect. Fernanda registers the lie, They will talk later.

Vladi is afraid of losing the baby. I beg you to bring a cotton pad (algodón). Damian is seething, I am not here, Vladi, says, let me go I have to go now, I'm coming (notice use of Voy- go not Vengo = come like English).

Barbara chides Cami why did you vote against me and for Franco. He may take from you the only thing you have, your company. We don't really know who he is. CamilHo says, We know what we ought to know: he is an executive of Power Milk and he paid out (desembolsara) the $10 million, Santoro has a secret agenda, Barbara hisses, We have to protect the family, next thing you know he will seize (se apoderará) the business.

Steve asks Jacinto, why is Barb helping her son by marriage (hijo politico or could use hijastro = stepson). She is covering up (alcahueteando) for him. explains Jacinto This is getting more interesting because it looks like Barbara ordered Cam to sniff around (husmear) Santoro's. Jacinto corrects some of Steve's Spanish about killing two birds with one stone (dos pajaros con un tiro)

Lost of scene flipping, Barbara continues working Camilho's weak brain over, You are the only one who can help me because Anibal and Fernanda are kissing his a** no really, she said, eating out of his hand. Even Fernanda? ask a disbelieving Camilo. Yes, after her recent husband problems she will be running for refuge in the arms of Franco and he will take advantage by taking over.(adueñarse de) Grupo Lackng.

Once more in that famous garage, Fr/Ed stops Fernanda, you were looking for me? YEA, it WAS urgent. But I bet you were too busy, Well, I am here now. You don't know how happy I am. We can talk now orrrrr are you busy. Well can we talk somewhere else in total privacy.I know a place about a half hour from here, can we go in my SUV (camioneta) They get back in her yellow Toyota. What a galan, he opens her drivers door, so suave, sigh.

If Franco controls Fernanda he also controls Santiago Santi does what ever your sister says. A babe just can't help being a babe, Barbara fondles Cami's tie and he is looking seriously confused like the true spawn of Gonzo, he wants to know her plan. We are going to take advantage quickly to know exactly who he is, He is someone else. Oh yeah, she assures Cami, he is another person and I don't know who that is.
============
Pris has crampy muscle spasms, Vladi returns with cotton stuff from the pharmacy. She needs to go to the bathroom Help me . NO you can't, hiding Damian has suddenly gotten so awkward, I will take you to my bedroom. Don't make any effort, he picks her up like a bridegroom. Let me down I can go alone. She ejects him from the room. He clings to the door, I will be right outside. She can't wait to be alone, I am closing the door. She really ought to be nicer to someone so interested in saving her.

Damian isn't pleased being out of the center of attention: WHAT are you doing . Vladiis still gentle but the strains are evident. I am trying to save the life of my child . Well then call an ambulance. This is serious, how are we going to resolve this. He bangs on the door and she tells him not to pressure her.

How many times do I have to meet Camilo at the stables (caballerizas). The Hyena is not doing acts of charity (caridad). What is the arrangement (arreglo) between them is what Steve wants to know. Tomorrow you will tell Cam that he can find his Daddy's car here at Las Animas then play the poker face so that Camilo will show his game. He needs only one pretext to kill you and he will really kill you.

Gardenia tries to block the arrival of Venus and Martina. Saying Franco is not available but they manage to squeeze in where Esteve is at the computeri, saying, keep this house. and looks up to slinky, jazzy music. Jacinto collars him and says this is Martina and her friend looking for Franco. Ummmmm big smiles and Venus fingers her gum. Esteve apparently has not been to either BigCups or Matamentes Medical Center.

Drink this water, Vlad wants to know if she talked to the doctor. Yes, but he was just stepping onto surgery and he will call her later. He did say she has to stay quiet until the hemorrhaging stops as she is in danger of losing the baby. And Damian hears the words that she has to keep absolutely quiet for at least 24 hours . What will you tell your husband, that I am at brother Rolands. No problem, I want to save our baby and this is your house and also our little baby's.

A very cute child feeds grass to an even cuter lamb. Fernanda introduces Farmer Macario.who takes care of everything and teases the girl where is the bothersome child (latosa niña). Have you been behaving. Does Franco know these people? Lovely gardens expensive stone driveway. This is my secret refuge. Secret is only a saying . Because no one else in the family comes here. Papa built it with the idea of spending weekends with the family but with his marriage to Barbara every thing changed. This is where I can have privacy. Franco agrees It breaths peace and tranquility. She takes him into the humble weekend abode.

Esteve remarks that coffee recently ground (molido). smells good. Gardenia fumbles with jealousy and leaves Steve to serve the pretty visitors. Gardenia whispers a veiled threat in Jacinto's ear, what Margarita might know about these two visitors.

Venus rolls her gum and eats a cookie at the same time washing all around with her coffee. Charming and talented too. Martina explains that Venus to find out if Franco might have work for her. What is it exactly that you know how to do? grins Steve with genuine interest. I am a fighter, well I am a woman of life, well of the vida alegre. Esteve is even more enthused.
============

The guards are surrounding Las Animas, Esteve says, he doesn't know what Franco might need of this ummm, trade or of this office. But but let's wait and see what he says he needs.

Forgive the preamble rambles Fernanda. Franco jumps in, and the matter has to do with your husband .He noticed the tension among the family members at the board meeting earlier about Damian. She asks if he has been told the stories of what he did.I learned it is impossible to love when you feel distrust (disconfianza) and I have to admit the love I once felt for my husband today is in doubt.

Pris asks for the phone. I will wait for the doctor's report then I will go home. a tray is dropped and draws Valdi out to the livingroom, Maybe it's the neighbors cat who sometimes comes in through the window. Damian the cat is beside himself, what are you going to do and he wants her out. This is too dangerous and I can't hide in the bathroom until she goes Vladi has found strength, I can't risk my baby just so they wont discover you. What are we going to do with Pris , I don't know, he whines.

Fernanda says everything is okay now but if I give you all the information you want what happens He can't betray the confidence she has put in him. . She says, Do you know what it is like to see someones' eyes and see someone you feel you have known all your life? NO. he answers I have never done that.

Finally she says last night I saw my husband and I didn't believe what he said to me.

Vladi calls in that he is putting the cat outside. Pris tells Vlad that her Anibal isn't worried because she told him she is in her brother's house for the night.

Vladi says to Damian, don't ask me again to have Pris leave. Just then Pris comes out of the bedroom and says Vladimir and then with even more surprise, Damian????
==============
And the wind up: As the bird chirping continues around the weekend house, .she tells him of following Vladi to find out if he was harboring Damian but sees Priscila going into Vladi's apartment. Franco doesn't get it, Your sister-in-law? I know my brother is a calamity as a husband but Priscilla lied when I called her to see if she would go to lunch with me. Suddenly she asks, What do you think of Barbara?

Barbara asks Adolfina, where is Dr. Obregon? i need to talk to him. Adolfina, is stunned.

Barbara is a mysterious person and difficult to know says the ever diplomatic Eduardo. Fernanda is telling all, She tells of Damian's condemnation of Barbara who framed him. Now I am afraid to believe her I am afraid to think that the woman that my father loves with all his sole has been a swindler (estafadora) all these years

Adolfina says he has gone on vacation, he left for Veracruz, well really his mama is ill. Barbara, says when he gets here tell him I want to talk to him at once. She asks about Lili. and wants to see her. Adolfina says she is fine but this is not the day for visitors. Those are the rules. Barbara retorts, rules are made to be broken!

Franco wants to know how Fernanda can believe her beloved husband over Barbara, what's the problem?.

She drops the bomb, my marriage sadly is is on paper only. Ooohhh he likes the sound of that.

As the credits roll, we are treated to cigar smoke and lots of teeth but only on the sculpture in Artemio's office.

Next: Babara threatens Lili gets a bit of shaking and strangling as a reward for her surprise visit.
Fernanda learns so much so fast. Barbara is an embezzler (desfalco), oh my!

=============================
Okay kids, try to be good and do be gentle with the wonderful substitute recappers. The next two weeks, I will be off photographing wild horses, volcanic cones, geysers y que más in wonderful Wyoming, my girlhood home. See you all in July, Jody has graciously agreed to fill in for me the next two weeks, I will return for three weeks then we are pulling a major switch and I will step down for a few months and Jody will finish Wednesday MEPS. I need to concentrate on my photography for a time.

Labels: manana

Sorry, I was at work tonight until almost midnight so I watched super quick and gave you a run down. Not sure if I'll have time to post pics, but I'll try. There were some cute ones for sure. Anyway, hope this is enough for you to keep up. I'm sad this is ending, but I'm just so slammed.

So Issy tells Pau of Santi's mounting deficit.

Santi qvetches to Lalo about Candi...Lalo thinks women are lost causes.

Pato comes upon Candi bathing the baby with the boys and thinking that this should have been his family.

Charly and Lu talk about his wounds, and that some just don't heal.

A real estate agent and gringo come to look at Santi's office...he touches everything and Santi freaks because he's obsessive compulsive.

Pau calls the bank to find out about Santi's accounts. She learns he has nothing.

Abue chats with Llu about the reality that hurts. Charly still loves her and he's great and she's in conflict with her own feelings.

Charly shows up to the restaurant, everyone worries over him.

Arturo shows up and demands to speak to Greg, Meno calls him el Tunco Maclovia.

Chava calls Candi at home and wants her to come back. He thinks he's sick. She says she'll come back and leaves a note for everyone. Candi leaves a message with Isabel re same.

Turns out Santi is at Patos and the kids are playing. Pato chides him about "checking up" on his novia.

Arturo tells Greg he needs comfort because he can't make up with his son. She demands he tell her what he did.

Santi decides Roci wants to stay overnight with them and gives him all the instructions on her meds.

The kids are hungry and want hot cakes and they force him to cook for them. Pato wants Pizza or sandwiches. What I don't get is that he has this huge house with big money yet no domestic help. No way...

Arturo and Greg keep chatting. He digs about Candi a little. Greg assures him she'll get her son back, despite Art assuring judges never change their opinions.

Social services pays a visit to Pat to make sure Chava is there and fine.

Santi chats with Lu issy interrupts but he doesn't want the message now. Lu can't stand up to Fede and Santi says he doesn't like Fede.

Candy gives Chava medicine Pat comes in and offers her Ali's room, but she wants to stay with the boys.

Lu leaves, Santi tries Candi. Pau comes in to talk to Santi. Candi calls Santi.

Pau says she's worried about the future of her daughter and worries about the money he spends and thinks he'll never find his son.

All the boys go to school. Santi meets up with them and Chava says they are almost a family because his mom stayed over. Uh oh.

Santi goes off on jealous rant.

Lu blasts Fede for his behavior and his drinking.

Back at this institute Candi and Santi continue fighting. She finally calls him jealous, he denies it, but yes he is. He calls her sister Candida that she is responsible for all the orphans of Guad.

Pato chats about the movie with his buddy. He begs him not to bring the baby to the next meeting.

Candi and Barb have another session about the Santi incident. Lulu eavesdrops.

Real estate agent shows up again. She tells him the office is sold, but not for the price he wanted.

Meno and Chayo dance and Lulu interrupts that Candi and Santi need their help to reconcile. Meno gets an idea.

Santi and Lalo muse the selling of the office and wonder how they are going to work. Santi thinks they can volunteer in hospitals and eventually they will get work.

The girls including Meno pray to the Virgin Zapopan. Candi and Santi listen in as they invoke the saints. Santi apologizes. He agrees he's been a tonto, but wants Pato locked in his room when she is there. He asks her for a space to give his consultations. She says he can have the bodega for free. He is happy to be near to her. They kiss a bunch.


Art shows up to see Gogo. She says she's prohibited from talking to her boyfriend. He came to tell her he knows how to fix the Candi and Pato issue, he can't tell what, but requires her to keep on caring for him no matter what.

Candi shows Santi his little space. He makes fun but is grateful. When it comes to Horty sharing reception, Santi says no way she'll kill Lulu, Candi thinks Horty is great and will love being with them. He's not sure which Horty she speaks of.

Candi shows up at Pato's with the kids. He wants to talk but she doesn't want to listen. Just then Art comes in and spills the beans, it was all his doing, Pato knew nothing. Impactado look from Candi.

Labels: Tontas

Capitulo 81 –

From last night: SWAT Team is guarding Las Animas. We get treated to Esteve’s verbal beating of Fr/Ed – Jesus Lopez!!!!! (Thanks, Kalilah!) Really is there any need to Esteve to yell and scream at him?

Fr/Ed says he understands what Steve’s trying to tell him, while his voice cracks and his beautiful, deep brown, sexy eyes fill up with big ‘ol alligator tears. (Thankfully, no high pitched squealing!)

Vlad comes to visit Nanda in her office. She begins to grill Vlad as to Damian’s whereabouts. She says Damian called her and she asks if he thinks it’s a coincidence since she had recently asked Vlad about Damian. Vlad pretends to act surprised. She asks once again, if he knows where Damian is – Vlad takes a big gulp – I don’t think Vlad’s a very good liar!

Back at Dominga’s Dump, Santi is helping Abora pack up her stuff. Santi finds a book from when Abora was a little girl in school. Santi tells a boring story about when he was a little girl. Blah, blah, Abora goes on about her sad past. Poor me. No, make that, poor us. FF>

Padre Bosco and Gardenia are trying to convince the ESWAT Team that they are welcome at Las Animas. Instead of checking with Franco, Eswat Jefe lets them through – brilliant.

Fr/Ed is pissed off because Fernanda desecrated the old barn that was their secret place by going there with Dumian. Denia runs in and tells Fr/Ed that Padre Bosco was almost murdered last night. Fr/Ed and Esteve are muy impactados.

Babs and Gonzo are at the office discussing the new developments on the Board of Grupo Lactos with their new board member Franco. Babs says she feels helpless because she doesn’t have any of the company shares in her own name – she reminds Gonzo she married him for love, not money. Gonzo looks confused – so what else is new.

Nanda and Florecita literally collide in the hallway outside Gonzo’s office. Flor rushes off and just as Nanda’s about to knock on the door, she overhears Gonzo’s conversation with Babs. He’s telling Babs she’s the most important person in his life, and that even though Nanda is Daddy’s Little Girl, he’ll never let Nanda say or do anything against Barb, and that if he winds up having to choose between Babs or his children, the choice is clear – he chooses Babs. Nanda can’t believe what she’s hearing and walks away from the door. She finally realizes that Babs has Gonzo’s cojones locked up in the safe with her jewelry. Babs hugs Gonzo.

Fr/Ed forbids Padre Bosco from going to Artemio Bravo’s office to confront him. Fr/Ed assures Gardenia she’ll be safe at Las Animas now that he’s hired the guards. She thinks it’s really sweet that he’s done that – Gardenia showing shades of Errorika. Esteve goes on to say it’s better if Artemio Bravo doesn’t know who Franco Santoro is for now.

Nanda is acting like her childish friend Errorika also, talking to the phone and begging Franco to call. Errorika comes rushing in squealing with joy – she needs Nanda’s opinion of something. Errorika tells Nanda that she’s been keeping the truth from her all this time – that she and Franco are not boyfriend and girlfriend. She explains how the whole situation between them came about. Nanda looks relieved. Errorika tells Nanda about Franco’s plan to announce their “engagement” the night of the big party. Nanda’s not so happy anymore.

Fr/Ed’s going to pay Artemio a visit and assured Padre Bosco he’ll be fine.

Errorika tells Nanda she’s sure Franco wants to go through with this farce in order to make another woman jealous. Nanda asks Errorika if she knows who the woman is and she says no, but it’s obvious that Franco is in love with this woman. Erika says since Nanda and Franco work together, Nanda has to try and find out who Erika’s secret rival is. Doesn’t look like Errorika is giving up any time soon!

Back at Vlad’s Pad, Damian is trying to get it through his mother’s head that she cannot tell Fernanda that he’s shackin’ up with Vlad. Mommy wants to know if Nanda is going to help Damian prove his innocence. Dam’s pissed and doesn’t want to listen to anything Mommy has to say and treats his mother really badly.

Erika tells Nanda the only reason why Franco hasn’t gone after Nanda is because Nanda is married – or “semi-married”. Nanda tells Erika that’s foolish, but she will try to find out who the mystery woman is.

Erika leaves and Nanda picks up the phone to call Franco who’s driving to Cigarman’s office right now. Franco’s phone rings – he sees that it’s Nanda calling and doesn’t answer it. He enters the lobby and asks for Artemio Bravo’s office. He gets a pass to go upstairs – some security, huh?

Gonzo comes to see Nanda in her office. He knows there’s something important she wants to talk to him about. She tells him she’s very worried and blames it all on Damian’s disappearance, and they haven’t heard from the police. Gonzo reassures her everything will work out with the company, and they’ll continue to look for Damian. Daddy Gonzo leaves and she stares at her cell phone waiting for Franco’s call.

Franco enters Cigarman’s Inner Sanctum – no questions asks. He tells a secretary he’s there to see Artemio Bravo, actually in place of someone that had an appointment at noon. She says unfortunately they’re in the middle of moving their offices and that unfortunately Senor Cigarman has already gone to the new offices. She more than willingly hands over a card with the new office address on it. Hijole – this is a set up! She calls Cigarman to alert him that the man is on his way to the address she gave him.

At Dominga’s Dump once again, we find Santi and Abora canoodling on a mattress on the floor. Sweet sapping kissing, professing their love to each other. Uh oh, Santi’s shirt is off and he takes Abora’s dress off. (I cannot believe she’s let herself be deflowered this easily! She couldn’t even stand to tell a lie less than a week ago!) I really DON’T want to see the two of them doing this at all. I want leading man material!!!! Please stop the insanity!

Thank goodness, back to the normal world. Fer asks Flor for copies of some papers when Prisci shows up in the lobby and Vlad almost comes unglued and asks if it’s a girl or a boy. The girls look at Vlad like he’s a psycho – which he is - he skulks off.

Tomasa’s in the kitchen when Jacinto arrives at the back door to deliver invitations to the Elizaldes for the big bash. Tomasa catches Jacinto up on all the gossip at the Hacienda, including that supposedly Gonzo’s car was stolen while Babs had it at the office. He tells Tomasa it’s weird because Cadmilho has been coming around looking for his Dad’s car.

After the lovin’ – Aurora cries tears of joy. They discuss the joys of sex and how she never thought it would be that nice. (Countdown to pregnancy?)

Cad comes looking for Jacinto at the Elizalde stables. Jacinto says he thought Cad had forgotten that he was waiting for him. I don’t remember them making a date. Did I miss something? Cad wants the car back and Jacinto tells him too bad he has to wait or he’s going to tell Gonzo it’s not true that the car was stolen from Barb at the office. Jacinto says he’ll be waiting there for him tomorrow, and he hopes he’ll show up a little earlier – Go Jacinto!

Nanda goes to her Nandamobile but tries to call Franco once more before she drives off – no answer. Vlad slinks out to his Mini Cooper and Nanda watches him from her rearview mirror and it looks like she decides to follow him.

Franco pulls up to the AB’s new office address given to him by the secretary – it looks like a house. He asks a man if he’s got the right address. He continues walking only to find a cemetery with a black crow sitting on top of one of the headstones. Oh yeah, that was the same crow that was in the cemetery the night they buried Gabriela from FELS! Hmmmm . . .the crow sure gets a lot of work - must be Union.

Sorry guys, this was from You Tube, and I can’t even stay awake to watch the previews here in Phoenix. I’m exhausted from work and preparing for our trip. We’re leaving for Mexico on Saturday, and hubby’s visa appointment in Ciudad Juarez is next Tuesday – wish us luck! Then we head off to Mexico City. Thanks again to Julie who will be doing my recaps for the next 2 Tuesdays. But I’ll be checking in periodically!

Labels: manana

Oh boy, there are so many anvils falling, pie carts arriving, storm clouds brewing, ill winds blowing and s**t hitting the fan..... I hardly know where to start. Let's just trudge through from the beginning.

Patricio arrives late to the meeting of potential film investors ( who are already looking cranky and impatient) with baby in tow, à la Mr. Mom. All goes well for about a nanosecond, and then the baby starts to wail, darned near drowning out Patricio's frantic presentation.

We're biologically programmed to be VERY DISTURBED by a baby's cry so that we'll desperately try all kinds of things (eventually the right one) to meet the little Majesty's needs. However, the programming isn't working for the investors. They're impactados but not in a good way. And no one tries to help.

Patricio finally hands Patito off to a horrified macho type near him, sticks a baby bottle in his hand and tells him to feed the little mite. Meeting the needs of hungry children is important, he adds. As well as making this wonderful film he has in mind with a superhero and also a villain (Nemesis). It's a great project, you won't regret investing in it, Patricio adds hopefully. The potential investors look less than convinced. But at least the baby has stopped crying.

And of course, a baby segué...Santiago is on the phone with that sketchy Ambrosini who's asking for additional money and sounding more like a con artist every minute. Santiago's money is tied up in investments (even if he wanted to throw good money after bad...and that's what this looks like) so he needs time...to sell property or whatever to finance the deal. Ambrosini keeps insisting he needs the money now. Very suspicious.

Alright then...on to our AIDS theme. Charlie's about to give his presentation (which Candy, in her current stress situation has forgotten). He wonders if she's going to wish him luck. She replies that when work is done with "amor y fuerzo" (love and strength) no luck is needed. Big smiles all 'round. Lucia arrives and she and Charlie agree that they won't fight every time they meet and Charlie promises not to let Fede push his buttons. That promise is about to be put to a very big test.

Next is what the French call "un dialogue de sourds" (literally a dialogue of the deaf...but refers to two people talking and neither one actually listening to the other) Lalo's lamenting his marital situation and Santiago's trying to figure out how he's going to pay for more detecting. They're both talking but not hearing each other. Sound familiar? The upshot though is Santiago is considering selling part of the clinic.

Back at the office, Candy is phoning the Institute's lawyer, this time for herself....she wants help getting back custody of Chava. Out in the main room, Charlie's video presentation is going well. A couple of young men are "sharing their hope and experience" and stressing that if you value yourself, you'll take care of yourself. Prevent AIDS by using condoms, or live with AIDS by taking medication, living a healthy lifestyle, and going after your goals. You can LIVE with AIDS, but it's better to live without it...so use those condoms! is the ultimate message. And people with AIDS have a right to health care and respect from others....also part of the message.

Now back to our Mr. Mom. The deflated organizer is telling Patricio he must have "nervios de acero" (nerves of steel) but clearly the message did not go over with the cranky audience. Patricio is undeterred. Who needs these hypocrites?...I'm looking for people who really like kids to invest in this project. Gotta say, our boy is pretty unflappable.

Charlie's presentation went over much better than Patricio's but then our snake-in-the-grass Fede jumps to his feet shouting "It's all lies. He found people in the street and paid them to make those videos!" At this pseudo dramatic moment, we break for an ad and those annoying bee-beeps signalling "ultimos capitulos" starts blasting. Ugh. Getting on my last nerve.

When we come back Lucia is reaming out Fede. (at last!) Telling him "no es manera" (that's no way to act) but the little vermin nevertheless persuades her to come out to eat with him and gives Charlie a snotty victory sign to indicate he's winning the skirt war. Ugh and double ugh.

Santiago has popped down from his clinic to talk with Candy about his financial dilemma. As usual, she doesn't really listen to him but wants to talk about HER problem...getting Chava back. She's leading up to giving him the news that she's decided to help Patricio out by going to the house and taking care of Patito, Chava and Beto. She actually brings up the idea of a nanny and dismisses it, saying no nanny can match the care of a mother. (Just an aside, one of my daughter's acquaintances in Charlotte, a stay-at-home mom has THREE nannies, one for each of her children. Good God!) Anyway, Miss Candy wants none of that. She tells Santiago her plan and then makes a big" whoops-I Love Lucy" face. (Have you noticed she does have a wide mouth like Lucille Ball? Just sayin')

Santiago is horrified by the idea. Naturally. She ripostes by saying, We're only been engaged a short time and you're already telling me what I can and cannot do!? Uh no...uh yes! he stammers. Poor guy. Wish he'd just ditch her and find someone else. But their discussion continues. He's worried, yes, he admits to being a little macho and possessive. Sure. Plus "donde hubo fuego cenizas quedan" and he's worried she'll get involved again. No way! "No lo quiero ver ni en pintura" (I can't stand him!) but I do want to be there for Chava and yada yada yada. He proposes a little Red Riding Hood visit with baskets of food and then vamoose but of course our sweet Candy has something more sustained in mind.

More annoying beeping and flashing lights for ultimos días.

Time for a little Lalo-Chayo action. He comes looking for her at the Institute and Lulu brushes him off. So he nuzzles her ear and whispers his request and bingo, she tells him where Chayo is. But to no avail. Chayo wants a divorce "y punto". He won't give her one "y punto". And that's it for our lovebirds.

Icky stuff going on meanwhile at the restaurant. Fede and his degenerate groups of friends are slugging down tequilas and he literally pours one down Lucia's throat. Scary music throbs in the background and all I could think of was date-rape drugs. Although tequila on an empty stomach is probably the equivalent. Let's just compress these scenes...Lucia keeps trying to phone home but Fede keeps the phone away from her. Granny and Santiago are fretting because she hasn't shown up for dinner and hasn't phoned. Santiago finally phones Charlie and asks him to go look for Lucia and tell her to come home. . Charlie does. Fede punches him out. Blood is shed. Fede's friends are worried he's contracted AIDS by getting Charlie's blood on him. The punks continue to insult Charlie in the bathroom, where they're all trying to clean up, calling him a "mariquita" (fairy..as in "gay") Lucia tries to help him but he doesn't want her to touch his blood. Finally they get home, Granny and Lucia both put latex gloves on and tenderly clean him up, while castigating Fede as a "salvaje" (savage). Indeed. Okay, thank God that's over.

Back to our other simmering dramas. Gogo is asking Candy why she's going over to help Patricio.... Is she still hesitating between her two suitors? No way, Candy replies. She's definitely in love with Santiago and feels nothing for Patricio...but she MUST be with her son.

Meanwhile, a smirking Arturo (Think he might be related to Fede? They're both repulsive.) is greeting Beto and Chava and asking for a hug. Demanding a hug rather... that's more his style. When he crows over the custody decision, the dime drops for Patricio and he realizes his dad was behind the fateful court decision. Dad thinks it's great and it will bring Candy back. Patricio thinks it stinks and now Candy hates him big-time. They start to get into a battle royale but first Pato sends the boys off to change out of their school uniforms.

Father and son are still disputing whether having custody of Chava will bring Candy back when....voilà, our heroine appears. She looks at them both like they're roadkill and flounces off to be with the children.

Chava and Beto are in their bedrooms having a mini heart-to-heart. Chava misses his mom because she makes yummy breakfasts and sings him little songs to go to sleep. Beto decides he misses his mom too....even though life with Patricio is super-fun.

Candy is still acting like the Snow Queen. Refusing to sit down with Patricio and the boys for lunch, claiming she's already eaten. (Which we KNOW isn't true. Not with that figure). And then more flouncing as she leaves the room with Patito. (Man, I'd put in a call to a nanny agency right then and there!)

Now our favorite father figure, Arturo, has brought his charm to the restaurant, looking for Gregoria. Meño's not having any. Gregoria's working. No one to take over for her. She'll get off when she's finished. Not saying when that is. And who is Arturo to order him around!? This is HIS restaurant. We don't like dictators in Mexico. Goodbye! Arturo backs down a little (not much) and asks him to tell Gogo he'd like to see her.)

Back to the boys. They're slurping down ice cream parfaits. (Did they have an actual lunch or is this it?) Anyway, Candy flounces IN this time, tells them to park the parfaits in the fridge 'cause it's time to study for their geography test. They can eat the ice cream later. (Wow. It's great to have mom here.)

The study session is rather cute. The baby looks fascinated. The boys less so, but they more or less answer all the questions. (We have a twin scene with Rocio going over her geography with Paulina and our little senorita knows ALL the answers without any prodding. Definitely a better student than our little rascals.) But Chava has a question for his mom. Is she going to keep on treating Dad so badly? Candy hems and haws and says she's angry but.....Anyway, the fellas persuade her to stay and tell them bedtime stories. And HERE COMES THE ANVIL. Get ready folks.

Santiago, having completed his afternoon surgery, calls to invite Candy to dinner. Can't go. Has to wait for Patricio to get home. He's at work. Santiago goes into a little riff about how they're like husband and wife and just what is going on.....Excuse me? asks Candy. Er, no, the lines just got crossed, Santiago stammers. But you see where this is going don't you? His fiancée is too busy bailing our her former husband to have dinner with her current novio. Not good. Not good at all. Ill winds blowing for sure.

Meanwhile, Patricio is at the office wheeling and dealing and taking a break to glance at Candy's picture and sigh that "even angry, she looks beautiful". Meddling Arturo arrives at this moment (What a shame he's retired. Now he's free to be a full-time "metiche".) Patricio keeps trying to explain that Candy won't believe he didn't betray her and ask for custody. Arturo wants to tell her himself but Patricio tells him to stay out of it. We'll work it out, he adds. (Now that's Patricio to a "t". He really is quite an optimist and incredibly persistent. These can be good qualities or crazy-making ones. Just depends.)

Our final scene was downright delicious. I love it when Isabella confronts Paulina and this scene definitely seemed to go Chabelli's way. You'll soon be able to stop pretending to be a "good mother" she sneers, after Paulina's little geography study session with Rocio. And why? Because Santiago is going to have to sell this house and all his properties in order to finance the search for his baby son. He'll no doubt be left without a penny. Still interested in getting him back?

Impactado look from Paulina. And that's it for tonight folks. The one thing I like about ultimos capitulos is that there are no previews. You get what you get. No teasers. But look what we got!...one yucky scene after another. And more to come, no doubt. Still the end is in sight. Hang on for those few minutes of happy ending we all are awaiting.

Vocabulary:

y punto = and that's it
cruzar palabras = (lit. to cross words. but meaning to talk, to chat...what Lalo wanted to do with Chayo...but it degenerated into a slanging match)
no es manera = that's no way to go about it
donde hubo fuego, cenizas quedan = where there was fire (passion) ashes remain. "where there's smoke, there's fire" is a similar, though not exactly equivalent saying in English.
no lo quiero ver ni en pintura = I want nothing to do with him, I can't stand him
nervios de acero = nerves of steel
estan bien atendidas? Is everything alright? Are you being well taken care of? Meño asking some of his diners at a table
tocar una regañiza a alguien = ream somebody out, give somebody a good scolding. (What Rocio was afraid Lucia would get from Santiago)
se va a armar = there's going to be a fight (what Isabella predicted would happen if Santiago sent Charlie to check on Lucia and Fede)
la jalas de los pelos = drag her out by her hair (what Santiago wanted Charlie to do if necessary)
mariquita = derogatory word for a gay man

Dicho of the Day

Con dinero baila el perro. (lit. with money you can even make a dog dance) Money makes the world go round.

Well, it worked for Arturo. He bribed the judge. And it was motivating Paulina to try and get Santiago back. We shall see.

Labels: Tontas

Where do we stand? The wedding is postponed and everything has been thrown into chaos because the bribed judge is forcing Pat to take custody. As Hombre de Misterio observed Friday, the premise is ludicrous. “A hearing the same day? Ignoring the wishes of both parents? Threatening to put the father in jail and the kid in an institution? Give me a break!”

Well, my mama always taught me, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” So here is my recap.
Alicia leaves with Mario.
Chayo leaves Ed.
Chava leaves to move in with Pat. Candy cries a lot. No one believes Pat when he says he dropped the case.
Margarita leaves.
Pat is left alone caring for his three sons.
Santiago imagines how he should be spending his wedding night.
Roll credits.

What? You want more detail than that? Okay, you twisted my arm.

Pat shows Ali’s note to Margarita. Marg can’t believe Ali would just leave like that and abandon her baby. Pat is fed up with the way she did it, but he’s glad she’s gone and that she left Patito with him. He says, “I’d die if I didn’t have Patito.” Dangerous words in a telenovela.

Meanwhile at the airport, Ali tells Mario that Pat is probably glad that she’s gone. Mario says that if Pat never loved her, it’s good that she left him. Ali says she can’t stand babies, and that’s just fine with Mario because he doesn’t want to share her attention. They agree they are tal para cual - made for each other, or two of a kind.

Pau arrives home and is delighted that Mario left. She reads his note. “I’m going back to New York but not alone. I’m taking a delightful woman who is much more attractive, intelligent, and sensual than you. I wish you luck with Chanti but I don’t think you’ll have any luck there. With the small love I have left for you, Mario.”

At their apartment, Chayo is dividing their belongings into His and Hers while Ed tries to convince her that they are a pair and belong together. He asks, “Don’t you feel bad at all, just leaving me like this?” She answers, “Well, didn’t you feel bad at all, cheating on me with every woman who crossed your path for years and years?”

Meño and Gregoria say tearful goodbyes to Chava. Candy tells Chava how much she will miss him. More tears. The doorbell rings. Santiago tells her that Pat has arrived with the court official. She begs Santi to do something. He tells her it’s the law, but he will work to get Chava back. I have to wonder how Candy got that turtleneck over that hairstyle. Maybe she had a beanie to protect it. They go downstairs. More tears. The official warns, if Chava doesn’t go to live with Pat, she is instructed to take him to an orphanage. Would you permit me one little rant? They pour on the tears so we’ll feel the pain of the situation. All I feel is that the whole contrived situation is preposterous. Done! I rant quickly.

Ed and Chayo fight over the fry pan. Did you see that, Emilia? I’m sure you could give her some suggestions.
Chayo: You don’t need this. You can’t boil water.
Ed: No, but I can learn. I can find recipes on the internet.
Chayo: You don’t know how to use the internet either.
Chayo watches the last chair go onto the moving truck. Ed secretly watches too, and he follows as they drive away.

Paulina shows up at the big house. Vultures don’t wait long, do they? Roc tells her she’s sad because Pat took Chava. She wants Chava to live with them.

Santi implores Pat, “Don’t do this. Don’t you see the harm you’re causing?” Pat says he didn’t do it. He halted the custody action. No one believes him, and Santi is disgusted that he doesn’t even have the calzones to own up to what he did. Pat promises he will fight this. Candy says, “I don’t believe you. I can’t trust you.” More goodbyes, more tears. In her room, Meño consoles Candy. More tears. Candy takes a call from Alicia. She has moved to New York with her new boyfriend.

At Pat’s house, Beto tries to cheer up Chava. Didn’t he want to live with his dad? No, not when he saw his mom crying. Pat spills his frustration to Margarita. He doesn’t want to do this to Candy. But if he doesn’t take Chava, the court will take him. He’s sure someone else interfered, but who? Margarita gets a call, her sister is dying. More tears. She needs to go be with her. It strikes Pat that he’ll be left alone with his three sons. Gee, too bad that in a place like Mexico, a man with a Ferrari can’t afford to hire a cook, housekeeper, nanny, etc. In fact Marg suggests that but Pat refuses. Do we see a contrived situation on the horizon?

Art the weasel is having dinner with Gregoria. He minimizes Candy’s problem. He’s sure Pat will do something to make Candy happy.

Paulina the weasel is at Santi’s house when he gets home. She tries to sound compassionate. Roc is worried for Chava, and Pau says that of course children are only happy when their parents are together. Santi politely boots her sorry butt out of the house.

Candy is amazed that Ali could just leave like that with someone she just met. Meño’s dicho: Genio y figura hasta la sepultura (a strong personality until the grave, or a leopard never changes his spots). He says she’s always been frivolous and casco ligero (flighty or fickle, literally thin of hull or helmet). He says people don’t change their nature. She wonders how she’ll survive without Chava. More tears. All I can think is, at a time like this, shouldn’t she be leaning on her near-husband? He tried to stick around to support her and she said she wanted to be alone. Now she’s “alone” crying on Meño’s shoulder. Women, if you had a life crisis days before your wedding, who would you talk to?

Pat says goodbye to his mother. He turns around, tells the boys it’s pizza for supper, they yell their approval, and the baby wakes up crying. Pat struggles to get him back to sleep.

Ed spies while Chayo moves in to her new apartment, and he sees Osvaldo making some moves too. Osvaldo helps her unpack, and sitting beside her, he asks what her plans are. Just then Ed shows up at the door. She slams it in his face.

Santi lies in bed, unable to sleep, thinking of how he should be spending the night making love to his bride.

Candy calls Pat to say goodnight to Chava, but he’s already asleep. More tears. Max calls Pat to remind him about the important meeting tomorrow morning. They need to present the movie project to the investors, and this meeting is critical to the success of the project.

Candy meets Pat when he drops the boys at school, and she discovers that he is caring for the three boys alone. Ever helpful, she says she’ll take Chava and then he’ll only have Patito and Beto. (Wouldn’t it be more “helpful” to take Beto and the baby, instead of the only one who is court-ordered to stay with Pat? Or maybe to stop being such an amargada with him?)

This little scene was fun, and we could all use a fun scene in this cap, no? Hortensia tells Santi that she filled his schedule today so he wouldn’t have time to be sad. He thanks her, “You’re the only woman who understands me.” She says he has consultations all morning. Then he takes her out for lunch. Two surgeries. He takes her out for a stroll in the park. Two more surgeries. He takes her out for ice cream or coffee. He breaks in with an ad lib – gaznate (a filled pastry)! Horti doesn’t miss a beat, but Camil falls into his own trap and has trouble stifling his giggles.

First he wants to call Detective Ambrosini, but before he can find the number in his agenda, Horti has already dialed it from memory. Santi warns her that she has the attitude of a serial killer. Hortensia tells him he’d better be careful then, and she makes Norman Bates style mechanical hacking/slashing gestures.

Ambro says it’s not easy to find someone who has fled the country. Santi understands, but considering how much money he’s paid, he should be seeing some results. Ambro has some bad news. Santi needs to make another payment of the same amount into the account. Santi says, “Wait a minute!” He has already paid a huge sum, and nobody has accomplished anything. Ambro says there are a lot of expenses. Can Santi make the payment or not? (Does anyone else smell a rat?) Santi says he doesn’t have that much in liquid assets, so he’ll have to figure something out.

At the office, Candy discovers that today is Charly’s AIDS presentation, and the front room is filled with teenagers.

At the investors’ meeting, Max is apologizing for Pat who hasn’t shown up yet. The investors are all looking impatient and frustrated. Just then Pat enters, briefcase and diaper bag on one arm, and baby carrier and toys in the other. Everyone turns and stares at him.

Phrases
tal para cual - made for each other, or two of a kind
Genio y figura hasta la sepultura - a strong personality until the grave, or a leopard never changes his spots.
casco ligero - flighty or fickle, literally thin of hull or helmet.

Labels: Tontas

This episode was, happily, light on dialogue because Fr/Ed spent so much time gritting his teeth and the rabble spent so much time waving their torches.

Redux: Fer doesn't call Fr/Ed though she yearns to. "He's my best friend's sweetie!" Meanwhile Erika wheedles for the name of the woman who's broken Fr/Ed's heart, but in vain.

• The padre's own personal rabble (he calls them "the faithful") wave torches. He sends Gardenia to call them off, but instead they torpidly trudge forward into the house.
  
  The hooligans, terrified of the aimless mass/es, reveal Artemio's name, and also his address.
  
  Father Bosco lets them out the back way so they won't get lynched, and says: "Tell Artemio I'll be there at noon tomorrow to ask why he's trying to kill me." After the goons leave he tells the sky: "At last you and I, Bravo, will be face to face!"
  
  Then he goes down to calm his faithful, telling them he dialed the red telephone by accident. "Stand down, everybody."
  
  They make kissy faces and signs of the cross and leave. "How the village loves you!" explains Gardenia. She says these were the same goons that locked her in the truck with the snake. Bosco says they won't be back. [See trapdoor, below. --Ed.]
  
  
• After Fr/Ed has finished repeating to Erika that he loves another, she says she'll support him as promised, pretending to be his fiancee at the big party, but after that she doesn't want to see him any more, it makes her too sad because she's in love with him. She makes a few last feeble tries to touch him but he's impervious.
  
  And, frankly, boring. This is the worst Colunga role ever.
  
  "I'm the worst possible candidate, in fact I'm worse even than Camilo," he explains. [How I would hate to be listening to this if I were her! -- Ed.] "I have things I must resolve, I have no confidence and trust nobody, not even myself."
  
  
• Fer and Prisila have sleepover pillow talk. Pris says she hasn't ever seen Anibal so happy as he's been since the ten mil got deposited in the company account - "he's practically bouncing on the bed like a kid." Fer: "It's the first time ever both he and Camilo agreed with me!"
  
  Fer: "I suspect Barbara's dislike of Franco is a front."
  
  Pris points out: Franco is sexy and Barbara has surely noticed. Fer indignantly points out Barb is married to daddy. Pris sez that doesn't keep a woman from noticing a goodlooking guy - "But I'm not surprised, Fer, if after your experience with Damian you might distrust sexy men."
  
  "I think maybe Damian didn't do it." "If he didn't, who then? Well, don't worry, the truth will out."
  
  
• Meanwhile Damian crows to his sidekick Vlad: "Fer still loves me, she believes in my innocence and will help clear my name with her family, and then we'll live together. Also, I unmasked that villanous Barbara, she's garbage!"
  
  Later, Vlad pulls out partial notes from one of the board meetings. He's pretty uncomfortable as a spy, and worries about having framed the receptionist.
  
  Damian tells him to pull himself together and be a rat, I mean, a man; their whole plan will be ruined otherwise.
  
  Vlad frets: "Prisila has been so laconic on the phone." "La-what?" asks Damian. "Brief! Cold! I've lost her!" "Be patient and you'll have her eating out of your hand!"
  
  Vlad is clinging to a dream of Prisila divorcing Anibal and then marrying him, Vlad, and the two of them will live with Baby and tweety birds will fly around the cottage door.
  
  
• Barbara glowers into her mirror. Daddy Elizalde comes to comfort her. She tells him she's worried about Fer, such an odd girl ever since Damian disappeared. "I suspect she voted, not FOR Franco Santoro, but AGAINST me! I know she's the apple of your eye..."
  
  "Yes, she is, but you're my wife!" Clueless old geezer embraces viper. What a uxorious ditz he is. (I was gonna say p-s-y-whipped but figured I'd get in trouble with our beloved readers.)
  
  
• In another room, Fer wonders whether Barbara is, in fact, lethal, and whether she does, in fact, hold the entire Elizalde family in mortal danger. And lastly, to the sky: "You confuse me, Damian - when you said you loved me, why did I feel you were lying?"
  
  
• In yet another room, Fr/Ed sulks remembering Damian and Fer standing so close together in the parking lot. He makes the muscles in his jaw pooch out. [Fine acting for you! --Ed.]
  
  
• Our village idiot, Aurora, is in Dominga's house (with very fake brick walls). The phone is ringing and ringing, she isn't answering (it's Artemio Bravo calling). Then Santiago drives up and starts banging on the door. Does she let him in? She does not. she sits on the floor hiding and crying. The phone ringing and door banging continue.
  
  A neighbor comes up and says Dominga is away, and so is Aurora, and they'd fought so Aurora probably is never coming back. Santiago leaves a woeful message for her and drives away. Aurora comes out of the house and calls after him. Too late!
  
  No it isn't! He comes back, jumps out of the jeep, they have a tearful reunion, she confesses: the whole thing about another boyfriend was a lie. They kiss and make up, he tries to answer the phone but she won't let him.
  
  
• Well we still don't see Cigarman's face, but I'm sure it won't live up to this buildup unless he is a Cyclops. The two goons come in - in suits! - and confess they did not off the padre owing to his fearsome Torch Squad. "You're fired!"
  
  More goons in suits come in - Bravo tells them to take Frick and Frack away - is there a special trap door somewhere nearby?
  
  
• Grupo Lactos is having a meeting, and here's Fr/Ed for his first appearance.
  
  He tells them to up the price paid to small milk providers. In the last ten years 75% of the little guys have been driven out of business. "Soon you won't have anything but that crappy POWDERED MILK to sell your customers."
  
  Daddy is of course on board with this and vows to correct the situation immediately. He points out that powdered milk would annoy the customers. Uh.
  
  Fer agrees too. She slips Franco a note: "I need to talk with you urgently."
  
  Fr/Ed says he has business elsewhere and leaves. Barb: "Thus begins a new epoch" and leaves. Daddy: "Fr/Ed has shown us our errors. I thought I'd passed my fine values onto my sons but I see I was wrong." He leaves.
  
  
• Fr/Ed is in the underground Lactos garage, and there are menacing bongo drums so I thought there would be trouble, but nothing happened.
  
  He goes home and tells all to Esteve, including: "And SHE gave me a note! she has to see me urgently!" "She has to see you, so see her." "No, I don't wanna." "You moron, she is your only ally and you're going to let her down?"
  
  "She isn't playing fair. I saw her with Damian." "You nitwit, you're letting the lovelorn Edwardo dominate and it's a mistake. Remember, they're MARRIED! What, you think she should be turning him in?
  
  "Be less Eduardo and more Franco. Franco has a business relationship with Fer.
  
  "It's risky what you're doing - remember, Lili's life depends on you! Artemio Bravo and Barbara are behind all the evil doings - and only Franco can save the day. If your love distracts you, any further victims will be your fault."

Labels: manana