Caray, Caray!

Carlota goes to church, not to seek inspiration or forgiveness, but to inform the powers that be in “prayer” that what she did was right. That task completed, she slips into the very nonprivate confessional, but we don’t get to find out what exactly she intended to confess, because when she hears the very familiar voice of Padre Juan/Cris her eyes go all high-speed ping-pong match and she flees the church. Padre JC steps out of the booth and looks perplexed.

Good boy/suckup Aron is mopping the kitchen floor when Angélica comes along, talking about a meeting she has with the editor for the book she’s written. Why is she always there? She must live with them. Aron mentions the scholarship Paloma is trying to get (Angie says Paloma is such a great student, she’d have to REALLY screw up to not get it…hmmmm, I wonder what she’ll do?) and says he’d like to get a scholarship and go to college himself. She seems amenable to helping him.

Inés leaves the church with some giggly friends and tells them she met the new priest, and what a hottie. One friend says they aren’t supposed to see priests that way, but Inés says God made the handsomeness and surely wouldn’t mind having his fine work admired. They decide to get right to work planning a welcome party, which they want to have at Mac and Carlota’s house.

Paloma and Macarena talk with Clara. Paloma decides to resume her art classes. After Clara leaves them, Paloma says that now the only thing left on her to-do list is to return the heirloom ring to Carmen. She isn’t sure Emiliano will get the address or phone number for her. Mac suggests that if Emiliano doesn’t have it, she could ask Natalia, but Paloma doesn’t like that idea because Alonso hates her so much and she doesn’t want to cause problems between him and Nat. Paloma suggests that Carmen’s housekeeper must know where to find her, but Mac informs her that Arcadia was run over and killed. Paloma is shocked at the rash of sudden deaths. Mac tells her not to take it personally and sends her off to talk to Emiliano.

Diana comes home to find Rafael packing his suitcase and, like her hair has already done, flips out. She thinks getting on her knees and wailing will help. It does not. He tells her it’s over, and no, there isn’t anyone else. She indulges in a little ugly crying.

Mac tells Inés she’d be happy to host the welcome party, but she’ll have to check with Carlota. Inés says when she meets that handsome Padre Juan, she must look at him very carefully. Inés thinks he seems really familiar, but she doesn’t know why, and she wants Mac to help her figure it out.

Chava is in Emiliano’s office, spinning and zooming around in a wheeled chair like I used to do when I was his age. Okay, I still do that. It really bugs Grandma. Emiliano says they can talk about whatever is bothering him, even if it’s something he wouldn’t be comfortable talking to his grandmother about. They agree to go out for tacos after their soccer match the next day. As Emiliano escorts Chava out, they find Paloma waiting. Chava and Paloma are fast friends, as Paloma says if she were a boy, she would have been a fútbol player, and Chava says girls can play; in fact the girl he’d like to be his novia is great at it. Title IX never found its way to the Espinoza de los Monteros household, however. Chava privately tells Emiliano that Paloma is nice and he should make her his girlfriend instead of Romina. Emiliano, as ever, looks moony and frustrated.

Romina prances into Germán’s place and says, “let’s get it on.” They do.

Emiliano gives Paloma Carmen’s information, barely looking at her. She asks whether he’s mad at her, because he’s acting very cold and it seems like he doesn’t want to be friends anymore. He says that’s true, he doesn’t want to be friends. She looks hurt. He says it’s hard to be friends, because he’s so in love with her, like he never thought he’d love anyone.

Well, Romina is just a tease, and she leaves Germy high and dry after a little argument in which she denies that she dumped Emil so that she could date him openly. After she flounces out, Germs swears that she’ll get addicted to being with him.

Paloma tells Emiliano he’s nuts; he can’t have just fallen in love with her all of a sudden. He says he’s felt this way for a long time, and his life has been hellish seeing her with someone else, but he did everything he could to help her be with Iñaki because he wanted her to be happy. She’s impressed by that display of devotion, but still says no way, because he is the novio of her best friend. Not anymore, says he. Paloma knows the wrath of Romina, however, and says it’s not happening, and Romina must never find out how he feels. Well, that didn’t go exactly as he planned.

Camila vaguely chats with Orlando on the phone and blames Romina’s emotional difficulties for her lukewarm response to Orly’s wooing.

Emiliano says he tried to fall in love with Romina, but couldn’t. Paloma doesn’t think they can be friends anymore. He says he knew that was a possibility, but he had to take the chance and tell her how he feels. She says she would rather not have known, and adios. He looks…that’s right, moony and frustrated.

Camila calls Orly regarding the weird-looking thing wrapped in cellophane he sent to her. He asks her to let him be near her. She smiles. I don’t get what’s going on with them. Does she like him or doesn’t she?

Paloma walks around town all upset.

Mac tells Carlota that Inés wants to have the party at their house. Carlota gripes about Inés and her plans to always stick other people with the work, but says they can’t refuse. Dr. Bermúdez drops by, and Carlota glowers and glows purple.

The doc came to bring Mac a rose and again suggest that she accept his offer of marriage. She thanks him but says she doesn’t think they should see each other; she doesn’t want him to get his hopes up for something that will probably never happen. He says he can handle the risk. Carlota eavesdrops and looks evil.

Paloma is in the church, praying about what to do about Emiliano and Romina, totally out loud, which I’m sure doesn’t at all bother the other people who are trying to pray. Padre Cris and the other priest walk into the front of the church while Cris talks about the albergue (shelter) for alcoholics he ran in the D.F., and says he’d like to run a similar program here. The other priest says that’s a good idea, then segues awkwardly into gossip by saying that people don’t only suffer from addictions, but also from loss, like that girl there. She lost her parents and then her fiancé. The priest says he wants to introduce Cris to Paloma; maybe he can help her. Cris wonders how he can avoid this.

Carlota makes fun of Macarena, repeating in a nasty singsong voice doc’s offer to make her a queen. She says really he just wants her to be his servant. “Well, that wouldn’t be worse than living here, plus I wouldn’t have to put up with you,” Mac smiles sweetly. Cruel thinks Mac is acting ridiculous; Mac thinks Cruel is just jealous because Mac inspires passion despite her age and feebleness, and Carlota does not. Carl gets all indignant and says she is too desirable; she just doesn’t end up sleeping with men because she has principles. Mac says Carlota hasn’t been in bed with anyone because no one’s asked. Mac, on the other hand, slept with a man out of love. Carlota argues that it wasn’t love, it was trampiness (golfería), and she’s besmirched the name of the whole family. Mac says she’d do it again for just one second of that love. Carlota gives up and stomps away.

She marches straight to her office and calls her lawyer for an immediate appointment.

Orlando sympathizes with Emiliano about Paloma’s rejection, but says he also understands that Paloma wouldn’t want to betray her friend (um, and also her fiancé just died, guys). Emiliano says he’s sad but also relieved that he said something and doesn’t have that hanging over him, and maybe he should just move far away. Orlando knows that good employees, even moony ones who have to squeeze work in around their courting of high school girls, are hard to find, so he talks Emil out of that and says to just give Paloma time to process everything.

Angélica sees Paloma on the street and notices that she’s upset and offers to chat.

Diana calls Emiliano at work to report the latest bad news.

Paloma tells Angie about the murky situation with Emiliano. Angie asks how she feels about him and Paloma responds with a list of social complications. Angie says those are thoughts, not feelings, and she needs to figure out how she actually feels about him deep down, as if he hadn’t been dating Romina or friends with Iñaki. Angie seems strangely overinvested in Paloma’s romantic life. Paloma says it would do no good to find out how she feels if being in love with him would cause such chaos, and besides it seems weird since she’d be married to Iñaki if he were still alive. Angie says he’s gone, so it’s not relevant, love will find a way, la la la. Good grief, everyone lay off the poor girl.

Inés tries to discourage Aron from seeing Paloma, and tells him Carlota will change her current welcoming act toward him if she finds out he wants to be Paloma’s novio and not just her friend.

Romina stops Paloma on the sidewalk to inform her that she’s broken up with Emiliano, and also to get in a thinly-veiled threat that no one snags Emiliano away from her and gets away with it.

Diana cries all over Emiliano about Rafael’s leaving and claims she is more in love with him than ever. She’s sure he has another woman; that is the only reason a man leaves his wife. Emiliano looks doubtful. Diana begs him to go talk to his dad and find out.

Padre JuanCris and Padre Otherguy continue their gossip about Paloma. Padre O says her faith is faltering because she thinks everyone she loves dies tragically, and he wants Padre JC to help her. He says she’s so lucky to have her aunt Carlota to take care of her, because Carlota is so devout and beneficent. “Oh, reeeeaaally?,” says Cris. I can’t believe he doesn’t even mention Mac. Well, okay, I can believe it; we have a lot of episodes to fill.

Paloma has finally made it home after everyone in town has harassed her. She phones someone and says she needs to see that unidentified person.

The lawyer says he’s found a way to keep Paloma from her inheritance, but it isn’t exactly legal and they’d have to convince a lot of people. Carlota likes it and makes a Grinch face.

Rafael stops by Camila’s shop for a friendly platonic chat about his divorce and how Emiliano might take it. Camila thinks it won’t be nearly as bad as it was for Romina, because St. Emil is a lot older, and Rafael is sticking around and being upfront about things rather than running away like a coward and never seeing his kid again the way Samuel did.

Paloma meets Emiliano at a café. He looks hopeful. She asks him to stay away from her forever. He asks why. She says it’s because Romina loves him. He says that’s crazy, and he was willing to step aside while she was with Iñaki because they were in love, but it makes no sense to give up because of Romina, as he doesn’t love her and never will. Is that really why she wants him to go away? No, she says. She does feel something for him. He must have read Angie’s book, because he repeats her lines about Paloma needing to identify what she really feels for him. He gets to hold her hand as he says this, so already his day is looking up.

The lawyer tells Carlota they’ll need to go to México to talk to some people, and they need to do it soon since Paloma’s birthday is coming up. She agrees and swears him to silence.

Paloma walks through town crying and looking confused yet again.

Diana and Romina commiserate on the phone about their respective ditching and how they can’t live without their men. Diana swears she’ll help Romina get Emiliano back. I don’t know why she hates her own son so much.

Emiliano drinks beers with Rafael and sympathizes completely about his desire for a divorce. Then he tells Rafa he’s broken up with Romina because he’s in love with Paloma. Oy, thinks Rafael.

Paloma sits in her room looking at her engagement ring and thinking about what Emiliano said.

Avances: Paloma tells Carmen she needs her address to send the ring back. Carlota tells Paloma that Macarena once had a gentleman caller, and after he gave her the necklace she never saw him again. Diana and Romina plot. Paloma hugs Aron, and Emiliano sees. He looks…no! Not moony! Offended!

Labels: amor

Happy Uruguayan Independence Day!

Barbie tells Damian that his mission is to infiltrate the convent and spring Aurora.

Lovely comes to visit Esteve and asks for a favor. She needs him to "encarrilar a" Camilo for her (get him back on the rails). She wants Esteve to pressure him to make their engagement formal.

Franco has his own parking spot in the GL garage, interestingly. Once he parks the car, Flor tells him not to worry, that she'll keep quiet. He asks if she'll also help him, but she thinks it's risky. He wants her to tell him if there's anything going on that could hurt him or Fer. But, duh, she was going to do that anyway. He opens the door for her. She comments that she's so amazed that the little "chamaco" (kid) she used to hang with is now this total babe. She tells him that he really does need to watch it with Gardenia because she could blow the whole plan out of "despecho" (spite). But, duh, he already knew that.

Gardenia seems to be having problems with the phone systems. She giddily transfers someone and says that she's not "mensa" (a dummy…gives a whole new meaning to the name of the club for people with a high IQ). Fer and Erika walk in. Gardenia's a little cold to them. She complains about Flor not being there and having to take messages. Fer mentions that Franco is driving her over in his car and she'll be there shortly. Gardenia prays to Chuchito that that "chismosa" (gossip) Flor doesn't tell Eddie about the "mentirota" (big fat lie) she told about him. Well, isn't that a little like the chismosa calling the other chismosa a chismosa? She worries Eddie will be mad at her.

Damian wants an explanation of his mission, but Barbie tells him that information is on a need to know basis. What he needs to know for now is that Aurora will have to be taken out because she won't leave on her own and the nuns are like "perros guardianes" (guard dogs). She tells him not to worry about Santi anymore, but Santi is the carrot that will get Aurora to leave with Damian--he's to tell her that he will take her to Santi, but will really bring her to Evil Barbie instead. He's to tell her that Santi knows about the baby and wants to marry her.

Flor and Franco walk into the GL Presidencia lobby. Gardenia tells them Fer is already there and in her office. She lets Fer know that Franco is there, but Flor has to dial for her. Franco looks really, really angry.

Damian complains that only Santi would be able to get her out of there. He wonders why she wants Aurora. They're just going round and round about the same issue.

Franco walks in on Fer and Erika and says he had an "atoron" (a jam; i.e., he hit traffic) which is why it took so long to get there. Erika tells him the "bad" news that Fer separated from Damian, and it's for good. Then she asks if Franco has any eligible friends, but Fer objects. Franco says he's sorry to hear the news, which is to say, he's sorry to hear the news now that he's not in a position to back out of his impending marriage to Erika. Erika, that kiss ass, worries out loud that the same thing may happen to her and her beloved Franco. He says they'll just have to work hard at their marriage and Erika beams. Franco asks about the fake plans, which she has, and Erika, being allergic to any kind of work that doesn't involve shopping, makes her excuses to leave. She magnanimously tells Fer that Fer don't need no stinkin' man and gives her a hug goodbye. Then she tells Franco "The closer we get to our wedding, the handsomer you get. Call me!" And finally she's out the door. Good. Now they can get busy on the desk. Franco repeats that he's sorry because it means a failure for her. She wants them to get down to the real business. He says, "Vi a Liliana" (I saw Lili). Fer is appropriately impactada as we go to commercials.

At Evil HQ v 2.0, Ciro continues to read from the diary. Ana Gregoria is afraid of what might happen to her and her child. And those are the last words she wrote. Lili is moved by the sad ending. "Pobrecita!" (Poor woman!) Ciro says now they understand Artemio's hate.

Franco has to shut Fernanda up before he can explain about Lili. Franco says her freedom depends on what they do. He says she is safe, but that can change. If the person who has her gets the wrong idea, everything could tank. Fer still thinks it was Obregon, but Franco says Obregon really didn't have anything to do with it, it was Evil Barbie. Now he tells her he made a "pacto" (agreement, pact, deal) with EB to gain her confidence and that's why he lied before. Fer wonders why he didn't tell her before--oh, to protect her and keep her from worrying. He swears to her that he's on her side and he's only screwing with EB to get to the truth.

Gardenia gripes at Flor for being in Franco's car. She accuses Flor of spilling the beans to Franco and to Fer. She's surprised that Flor didn't do it, but Flor says that unlike Gardenia she listened long enough to realize that Lili's life was at stake and she believes it's their duty not only to keep his secret, but to help him. "And that includes not jumping Franco Santoro OR Eduardo Juarez' bones!" Gardenia looks pissy.

Fer wants to know where Lili is. Franco says she's in "un lugar inacessible" (an place that's inacessible)but she's safe and surrounded by "comodidad" (comfort), treated with a lot of "consideración" (consideration) and is free to move around. Fer now understands about the recorded message. Franco now brings the name Artemio Bravo into play, and lets her know that he hates the family and will kill to get his revenge.

Camilo goes over to Las Animas.

Fer wonders how Lili got into Artemio's hands, but Franco doesn't know all the details yet. He does know that Artemio knows "milimetricamente" (to the milimeter) everything about the Elizalde clan. Fer wants to know why he hates them, but all Franco knows for sure is that Ana Gregoria Bravo has something to do with their family. Fer remembers the birth certificate. Franco asks her what she knows about her grandparents, but she didn't know them, only what her father told her: that they were a very united couple, generous to people in the region, her grandmother was "a saint". Franco says she's not going to like what he has to say, but according to Ana Gregoria's diary, she had a fling with Jeronimo and had his baby. Fer puts two and two together and comes up with Artemio. She is impactadissima!

Damian drinks and asks more pointless questions about Aurora. EB keeps telling him not to ask questions and get to work. Barbie gives him some cash and says she'll call him. She tells him this isn't a game. She asks why he called Prissy this morning.

The lady in question is sitting on a bench outside what I imagine to be a yoga studio crying as she remembers Anibal announcing that the baby's name will be Vladimir Elizalde. This poor woman. I mean, I know it's not the nicest thing in the world to pass another man's child off as your husband's but out of all these people, she seems so alone. The closest thing she has to a friend is her brother, who she can't tell what's really going on. Basically, she can't tell anyone what she's going through except for Vlad the Obsessed Impaler and Anibal, who inherited grandma Altagracia's mean gene.

Barbie and Damian talk and talk and say nothing.

Franco says he's allowed to visit Lili whenever he wants to, but he has to keep Barbie thinking he's on her side. He doesn't know what the relationship is between them, but he thinks Artemio is the only person Barbie really fears. He says to keep Barbie on his side, he at least has to make it look like he's helping her achieve her biggest goal yet--"acabar con los Elizalde!" (finish off the Elizaldes) More impactada-ness from Fer as we go to commercials again.

Lovely serves Esteve and Camilo coffee. Esteve asks her to leave them alone as she makes frustrated faces behind Camilo's back. Once she leaves, Esteve starts off by asking Camilo whether he (Esteve) speaks good Spanish. You know, whether it's understandable, like, Every. Single. Word. Of course, Camilo says yes, and Esteve accuses Camilo of thinking the Nortons are stupid.

Fer is still processing that Artemio and Evil Barbie want the family finished off. She says it's getting hard to pretend she doesn't know what's going on. He dangles the usual threat to Lili's life over her head. Fer wants him to call the cops, but Franco claims that Artemio will just kill Lili off. Franco tells her that it was Artemio who ordered Evil Barbie to kill off Fer's Mommy. Wow, we're just going to lay it all out now, is that it? Fer is impactada for the, uh, fourth time tonight. Fortunately, she's young and in good health, so she's not going to faint or die or anything. I don't think.

Esteve pulls out the big guns and informs Camilo that when someone "se atreve" (dares) to insult the Nortons, they pay…with their lives! That is so freakin' ridiculous coming from him. Maybe if he had literally pulled out a big gun I could take him a little more seriously. He wants to know if Camilo is screwing with them. If Camilo treats Lovely like he treats other women, that ain't good. Camilo tries to explain or ask questions, but Esteve screams at him to "wait here" and then leaves the room.

In the gals' room, Venus is folding laundry and pouting, yes, pouting because Esteve didn't let her stay and hear the gossip. "No exageres" (quit exaggerating) replies Martina, who thinks she's got Esteve so wrapped around her little finger that he'll do anything for her. Esteve comes into the room. Venus wants to know why he threw her out. Esteve gets all grumpy and says he's doing what she asked him to. But Venus doesn't think it's right for him to just tell her to get out like that "a golpe" (all of a sudden; literally, "with a hit"). Esteve takes issue with her description (thinking probably of the literal) and Martina has to step in and referee. "Ya bajale, Venus," (come down already, come off it) she says, adding that Esteve "te está cumpliendo todos tus caprichos" (is giving in to all your caprices). Venus, chastised, asks what happened. Esteve says Camilo wants to know what to do, but Esteve hasn't told him yet, so he can come in here and "la princessa" can tell him what to tell Camilo to do. Oh, hell, chuck Camilo out the house and get to work on international relations already.

Fer tells Franco she trusts him, but it's hard for her to be around this guy who's going to marry her best friend, but is trying to seduce her and "acoso a" (sexually harassed) Gardenia. Franco tries to say it's not what it looks like, but that never works. Fer wants a real explanation. Franco tries to remind her that what happens at the country house…. That doesn't work either. He says he doesn't have a way to explain what she saw at the house, but he's sorry for it. Fer cries and whines that she has to support him whether she likes it or not. Franco says he knows it's a lot to ask for her to trust him "ciegamente" (blindly). Oh, no, I think we've broken Fer. She's all upset that her whole life, basically, has been based on lies. Yeesh. There's really no way to deny that, is there? Even her spotless image of her grandparents is gone now. She's worried about how many more lies there are to discover and who else is going to "despojarse de su careta ante mi" (divest themselves of their masks before her) Franco says he understands. Fer says that trusting him blindly, she has a request. If he also has a mask to remove, she wants it off now! But will he take the bait? We go to commercials before we can find out.

Venus demands a big party, but she won't say why--she just wants him to take care of it. She wants everybody who's everybody to be there and for Camilo to announce their engagement. Esteve says that sounds fine, but why not get a wedding date out of him while they're at it. Venus says that will be dealt with later, just get him to throw the party. Their eyes, however, are reading from a whole different script that says something more like "Don't you like me? Haven't you had enough yet? No way, I can't make the first move--you might reject me! But I've got such a crush on you! Don't you want me?"

Fer asks if Franco is really what he looks like. "Te lo ruego" (I beg you) she says, "please tell me." And what does her respond? "Yo solo soy lo que parezco" (I'm only what I appear to be). Dude, I better not hear any whining about this later when she finds out the truth. You had your chance and you blew it. Fer asks him to get her sister back as soon as he can and to keep her informed, even if it's bad news. He promises. Fer says she hopes he gets to read the whole diary because she really needs to know how it ends. Franco picks up his visitor badge and leaves because if he doesn't he won't be able to resist kissing her. Only he says it with more words. After breathing into each other's faces for a minute, he leaves.

Fer explains the phones to Gardenia. "Cuando sea una conferencia tripartita…" (When it's a 3-way call)But Gardenia is already lost--she asks what you eat that with (wah wah wah wah). Flor, almost sexily, wishes the departing Mr. Santoro a very good day. Franco gives her a big smile and says he'll see her later. Fer, over the intercom, asks Flor to come to her office. Flor leaves and Franco and Gardenia give each other dirty looks. Franco gets into an Evil-Barbie-infested elevator.

Now Fer wants to know what Flor wanted to tell her before.

Camilo whines that the situation is absurd, waiting around for a verdict and sentencing as if he'd commited some horrible crime. Blah, blah, blah. Camilo says "virgin" isn't even a word in the dictionary anymore and he thinks the whole story about Abdul Hassan was a load of crap. Esteve says he'll take this out of the 1001 Nights context and put it in modern terms. Camilo is confused. Esteve promises an explanation.

Flor tells Fer about how she, Gardenia, and Margie (I think) are all on her side. Which is nice, but doesn't answer Fernanda's question. Flor apologizes for just showing up like that, which still doesn't answer the question. So now, Flor tells her that it was something Gardenia said about Fer's wedding and she just felt so horrible about it, etc. etc. She finally says that Gardenia saw Damian and Barbie doing, uh, things, in the car. Fer is impactada for the fifth time tonight. But really, but this point, can she summon up any more surprise about anything Dam or Barbie have done? I completely thought that Flor was going to rat out Gardenia for lying about that kiss. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

Down in the garage, Barbie tells Franco to "neutralizar" (neutralize) Fernanda. She wants Fer's nose out of a certain business. Franco denies knowing what she's talking about, even though Barbie claims that only he and Flor knew about Villasana showing up that day. Franco laughingly asks if she wants him to ask Fernanda how she got the information. Barbie says, more than that, she wants to know what Fer is "tramando" (plotting). Franco says he doesn't think he can get the info, but Barbie says his path is "despejado" (clear) and he can freely seduce Fer. Franco says no way because he's marrying Erika. Barbie says if he wants to keep Lili alive, he needs to find out what Fer is doing and keep her from doing anything against Barbie. Franco glares.

Fer wonders why Gardenia never said anything. Flor makes excuses. Flor says Gardenia may be gossipy, and nosy, but she wouldn't make something up just to hurt someone else (ha!) so that's how Flor knows it's true. Flor laments this is quite a blow for Fer, but Fer says it's just one more added to all the other interesting news she's gotten today. Flor says she doesn't know how to help Fer, but she does want to give her some advice: "Have faith and trust in Franco Santoro."

Esteve reveals Gonzalo's car to Camilo. He says Camilo used it to get into Las Animas. Camilo wants to know what Esteve's getting at. Esteve says they need to get down to business, but Camilo thinks it's odd to arrange a marriage like a business deal. Esteve laughs and says he has "ternura" (tenderness) for Camilo. "Where I'm from, my people understand a marriage as uniting forces for a practical objective." He mentions marriages to consolidate royal families, end wars. Camilo says no one does that anymore, but Esteve corrects him--no one says it. Esteve says it's crap that people like Camilo marry for love. Esteve says Camilo needs to set a date to introduce Lovely to society as his fiancee and he's got one month to do it in. He holds out the keys to Gonzo's car. It's Camilo's choice--either he sets a date and takes the car now, or Esteve returns the car to Gonzo and explains what Camilo was doing with it. And we end on that note.

Tomorrow: Franco reads more of the diary; Barbie confides her suspicion of Franco to Artemio; and possibly Fer busts Barbie being mean to Flor.

Labels: manana

After the dizzying swirl of "bochornosos besos" of last night, Moni and Mauricio's hot romance has hit a few roadblocks. But we regular viewers are on quaaludes, right? We know it's all in good fun and eventually (say in 12 months or so) we'll see those little hot bods get together for real, and in the meantime we'll just sit back and enjoy the raunchy reckless fun. That's what I plan to do anyway. So what kind of shenanigans went on tonight?

Old stuff: Madre is confronting Bad Boy Beto about his romp with Connie. He claims she's "bien de familia". She says Connie's "bien zorra! (slut). My, how their perspectives differ. "Individual differences" my husband likes to say. Monita comes in on the tail end of the conversation and is suspicious.

New Stuff:
Nieves and Beto both backpedal quickly and Beto quickly figures out the best defense is offense so he wants to know WHERE THE HECK Monita has been and why does she have those stars in her eyes?! Hmmm...let me just pause here and remember those steamy kisses. We really got double and triple helpings last night. Well, somebody did anyway.

So...back to dreary reality now. We're at the big house and our somewhat dim hero is trying to figure out who tipped the judge. Teresa comes in with the news that Connie went ballistic last night and started shaking Dani. Sal is there but heading out for a dinner with Gabi. He'll be in touch though if Mau needs him.

Connie meanwhile, has invaded the office once more on the hunt for Mauricio. Whoops, our gal Gabi has spotted the huge hickey (chupetón) on Connie's neck and is offering her some makeup for coverage. Connie's spinning alibis...hit myself on a hangar. Nope, actually it was Mauricio...he's a wild man. Gabi's not buying any of it, but she's amused for sure.

Well, evidently Mau IS a wild man. At least in Estrella's opinion he is. She's dubbed him the Love Machine and Moni, temporarily awakened from her post-beso haze, is suddenly worried Estrella might try to nick him from her. No waaaaay, smiles Estrella. (Do we believe her?...Sure we do. The gal is loyal first and foremost.) And now, will Moni cancel the wedding?

Oh dear, our heroine is waffling. How can she do that after all Beto's family (think Nieves) has done for her. Fine, snaps Estrella. Stick with Beto and his "ojos de perro tragón" (greedy, gluttonous doggie eyes) and I'll take your Prince Charming. Gee...Bachelor No. 1 or No. 2? It's a no-brainer for me.

More dreary scheming. Jeronimo, our incompetent villain, has noticed the huge hickey on Connie's neck also. " His women, his many many women", have tried to cover up theirs with makeup also. But it won't work! This line of reasoning is diverted when the phone rings and Connie gets hysterical. She's afraid to answer. Mau is going to blame her for everything. Jeri counsels her to deal with it. Otherwise she might as well buy a one-way ticket to Greenland.

Rumble, rumble...back to romance. Mau's on the phone to Monita. He needed to hear her voice. With all the judicial problems, he has to be with his kids tonight but he's wondering how he can go that many hours without seeing his little Monita again. (I'm wondering too. Getting a hot flash just thinking about it). But it gets worse! (or better, depending on your point of view) They decide they'll both imagine and remember those kisses, those hugs, that walking hand in hand. They'll think about it ALL NIGHT LONG. They'll be exhausted in the morning but it'll be worth it. (Okay, taking a break here. Will be right back.)

Okay. Looked for my quaaludes. Don't have any. Will Advil do? Just kidding. BUT...things are heating up as I'm sure you've noticed. And Connie is striking back. With the help of Jeri and some bogus psychiatrist (our own beloved Tio Meño) she's pretending to be catatonic, paranoid, bipolar and a few other diagnoses as well. Mix and match. Mauricio's clueless so it really doesn't matter if her mental mix makes no sense.

And our Beto is trying out a new persona as well. He's taking a shot at being a sensitive New Age man, and waggling a flower (una flor por otra flor...ahhhhh) at poor Monita. But wait! There's more. He's decided Mauricio should be the one to lead Monita to the altar and be the padrino. And the best part of all? Since Mau's famous all the tv cameramen will be there and they can get their wedding video for free! (Doncha just love it? Pure Beto.)

When we come back from the ads, we see that our phony psych is arguing that Connie is not safe on her own. She needs to stay at Mauricio's to ensure that she won't harm herself while in this fragile state. And he warns Mau not to use this as an excuse to break up with "this poor woman". Mau looks confused. (This is a sentence we could use a lot.)

And our favorite illicit would-be lovers, Sal and Gabi, are having a somewhat rocky time at the restaurant. Gabi's in a foul mood. Lorenza's name comes up. Oh, and should I start talking about Oscar? she snaps. No, groans Sal, but please....trust me...tell me what has happened to make you so angry.

Now back to the barrio. The wedding discussion has escalated to "If you won't tell him (Mauricio) that we're really novios, I will! sez Beto. Moni floats the interesting argument that finding out Paula is not his novia will interfere with her oft-cited "carrera empresarial" (business career). Fortunately this feeble reasoning is interrupted by Estrella. So you're back, quips Beto. Good thing my mom's taking her pills 'cause otherwise she'd have a heart attack, knowing you're around again.

Off he goes and our three mousketeers, Estrella, Paula and Moni, huddle to chat about the hot kisses again. And don't forget who got you the job, adds Paula, as she settles in for some juicy love gossip. (And we thought it was only guys who discussed their conquests with each other.) Final verdict. No way will Monita be able to sleep tonight....not with those hot memories bubbling away in her brain.

Ah, brains...evidently Connie's are fried. Or that's what the psych is saying. Maybe she and Mau should have some "therapia de pareja bipolar". Ya mean I'm one pole and she's the other? queries our handsome galan of very average intelligence and education. Oh well.....who cares? When he kisses you, you see multicolored stars. The guy's a wizard.

So back to our real bipolar couple...Gabi and Sal. She's explaining that she's not mad. SHE'S INDIGNANT!.. And why. Because morals are no longer the same. Standard's have slipped. You and me here. That's all wrong. And Connie walking around with a hickey from God knows who. Wrong wrong wrong.

Sal has just made the wise suggestion that they get rid of all the extraneous people who seem to be at their table...Lorenza, Oscar, Connie....and just focus on the two. of. them. right. here. right. now.

Beautiful.

And then Ximene crashes in. Lots of typical Xime babbling about food and how she doesn't have a peso so how wonderful that she can eat with them (and drink their wine which she quickly does) and screeching for the waiter, she prepares to order up a large feast. Gabi and Sal look suitably glum.

Poor befuddled Mauricio is still being led around by the nose. As the phony doc prepares to depart, he intones "Cogito ergo sum". "Huh" says Mau. " I think therefore I am", explains Tio Meño. This clears up nothing for Mau, but let's not quibble. The guy is hot.

And who's not? Jeri. But he does put the bite on for 500 pesos. And since Mau doesn't have change, he actually makes off with a 1,000. Gotta admit, Jeri and Xime are doing pretty well living off others.

After the ads, we see that Mauricio has rolled the bedspread over a sleeping Connie and has left the room in order to focus more completely on remembered kisses and embraces with Moni. And from there to the decision to go seek out our little barrio gal and leave Aldo in charge of the mental case. Aldo agrees but only if Dad will tell Estrella how much son misses here. Trato hecho (it's a deal).

Alas, our Monita has the same idea and is heading out to the big house to see her big handsome galoot.

In the meantime, Xime is still shoveling in pasta like a stevedore while a crestfallen Gabi and Sal call for the check. Time to bring this lovely evening to a close, no? Ay yi yi...it's Rolu at the restaurant with his latest conquest. Gabi advises Xime to forget him. No way. Our lovelorn lass will make a BIG scene...but not until after finishing her pasta and dessert. Waving a fork as a weapon, Xime sashays over and wants to know if Rolu got treatment for the warts on his feet, and ummm, for that impotency problem he had...and something else I didn't catch...but you get the picture, right? She's putting a bit of a damper on the evening.

And so is Connie. She intercepts Moni in the kitchen. Tells her she can't see Mauricio and chides her for waking her up when she was sleeping. If she want's to see Mau, do it in the office. That's where EMPLOYEES see their BOSSES. Uh oh. Mauricio's barrio welcome is even worse. Beto, who seems to have serious intestinal issues (Crohn's? Irritable bowel sydrome? Too many frijoles?) is exiting the barrio john, leaving a putrid odor in his wake. Who are you looking for at this hour? he asks Mau.

Now you know our galan couldn't come up with a nifty rejoinder; but luckily Estrella shows up, nibbles on his ear and tells him to follow her and she'll save his bacon. Beto has no problem believing his super macho boss (let's just forget that little unpleasantness with the mustachioed guy) is ready for some late night dalliance with the neighborhood round heels. His final rationale is that Mauricio must be a "metroflexible". Love it.

Things have gone from bad to worse at the restaurant. Rolu insults Xime. She retaliates with a big boff but she hits poor Sal instead of her slimey ex-novio. Never mind. The main thing is she can't stand to see Rolu with another woman. Well get used to it, he snarls because I'll be with her from now on. (Whoops...the gal has left the premises. Smart lady.)

I need to tell you THREE THINGS, Xime continues. First, I love you. Second, accept that. "Ni drogado vuelvo contigo" (wouldn't even come back to you drugged!) mutters Rolu. Wait, Xime counters, I haven't said the third thing. We NEED to be novios! And she's off on a roll, exulting that they're so united it's wonderful. Hug me, Rolu! she adds. He looks bewildered, confused and defeated. Kinda nice to see.

It's the dawn of a new day and Teresa is waking up Mauricio from his night on the couch so he can get over to see the judge. And she'll fix up the guest bedroom for Connie who hopefully will only be there a few days. And at the barrio, Estrella's confiding that Mau told her last night that he's absolutely crazy about Monita.

Great news. Or it would be if Beto didn't show up right then insisting that they get down to the courhouse at 2 o'clock sharp to confirm the date of their wedding. Uh oh again.

But now we're at the office. First scene: Mau, Sal, Aldo and Jeronimo are all trying to figure out who the briber could be. Well, Mau's trying to figure it out. Jeri, Sal and Aldo know darned well who it was. Whatever. Aldo gets the word that he'll have to take the exam again in a week....and PASS...on his own.

Next, Mauricio sneaks up behind Monita in the coffee room and she immediately knows what sexy man has his hands over her eyes. She could recognize him even if he were disguised as a Franciscan monk. (Interesting thought. Forbidden fruit always has a special allure.) They smooch and babble a little bit and he tells her to "tutearme" but she can't do it. They babble some more about how they'll break the news to their respective novios in a few days. Riiiiiight.

And Connie and Jeri are still befuddled. The plan isn't working. The judge is giving Aldo a second chance. Well, don't forget that thanks to me, you're still in Mauricio's bed, argues Jeri. GUEST BED! snaps Connie. Oh well.....Don't worry, counters Jeri...I'll take care of Aldo.

Alright. We worry about the latest nefarious plan while they sling a bunch of ads at us. The number of ads seems to increase as the hour goes along. Bummer. When we come back, we see Monita spraying her underarms with deodorant. Honestly. Let's draw a veil over some of these scenes.

And Mauricio overhears the tail end of Jeri's phone call with Connie and wants to know what's up. Stay away from my son, Mau adds. Oh, I just wanted you to know you could count on me for whatever, stammers his primo.

Actually, it looks like Aldo's capable of sabotaging himself without any help from others. He and Ivan are listening to their iPods without a care in the world. Good girl Luisa is trying to get him to study and Ivan backs her up, but Aldo wants no part of it. Connie wanders in, pretends to be dizzy but also fakes being concerned. Jeri arrives, trumpeting himself as "Tio Alegria" but then wonders why the kids all have that "cara de guacala" (yucky faces). Because they're adolescents.....and because they hate me, Connie adds, when she and Jeri are alone.

No prob. Jeri has yet another harebrained plan. Since Aldo's hormones are running wild, and no one can resist Connie's multiple charms, she should win him over by.....ugh, let's not even go there.

And Moni has met Beto at the courthouse and says..."Beto, You and I aren't getting married..."

Wow. What a finale.

But wait! There's more. Previews anyway.

Connie appears to be trying to seduce a half-naked Aldo.
Nieves is grilling Monita about stolen kisses.
And Xime catches Connie with her hands on Aldo and both of them on Mauricio's bed.
(If this were any other telenovela, I'd worry. But nothing too awful actually happens in this one. Not yet, anyway.)

Vocabulary:

trato hecho = it's a deal
zorra = slut, round heels, shady lady, streetwalker (female fox)
metroflexible = Beto's attempt at "metrosexual". Good try Beto!
recovecos = a road full of twists and turns
cara de guacala = yucky face
zafar los tornillos = loosen the screws, get a little screwy
arguineras = squabbling females
camellón = traffic island
ojo de perro tragón = greedy gluttonous doggie eyes (Beto)
chupetón = hickey

Dicho of the Day

Poderoso caballero es don dinero.
Con dinero baila el perro.
Both phrases mean "money makes the world go round". And this seems to be the main motivation for Jeri, Oscar, Connie and possibly Beto. But we know Love is pulling everybody else's strings.

Labels: gancho

From Friday: At the movies, German figures out that Emiliano has a thing for Paloma. Romina overhears.

New tonight: Inside the movie, Paloma looks around and tells Aron she thought she saw Emiliano and Romina coming in, but now she doesn’t see them.

Romina has fled to the refuge of all women, the ladies’ room. Tearfully she tells herself that it can’t be. Paloma isn’t better than her – in fact, nobody is. She comes out and tells Emiliano that she feels urpy and she doesn’t want to see the movie. They leave.

German looks after them and smiles. Paloma comes out and asks him if he’s seen Romina. He tells her they left. She asks if it bothers him that she’s there with Aron, since it kinda looked to her like it did. He says Doesn’t bother me.

Diana is in her bedroom, squirting on clouds of cologne. She has on a silky bathrobe. She goes out to the living room where Rafa is in his bathrobe, reading on the couch. She says you aren’t going to sleep here are you? and he says Yup. She tries to get kissy with him. She says they’re reconciling, but he says no, he realizes she was just being ambitious and greedy and it’s all over for them. The music starts to sound woo woo like a ghost story. He says if the factory were still closing, she wouldn’t be all nicey-nicey. He doesn’t trust her and it’s over and that’s that.

At Romina’s front door, she tells Emiliano she really doesn’t feel well and is going to go to bed. He says we still need to talk. She says don’t forgot that I love you, that you’re my everything. She kisses him.

Back at the movie, Paloma is sitting between German and Aron. Apparently she and Aron are the annoying types who talk during the movie. Nobody glares at them though. She is fondling her engagement ring and Aron asks why she still wears it. She says it’s a remembrance of her engagement. He points out that there is no longer an engagement. Harsh, Aron! He says one day another man’s ring will be there.

Emiliano is driving home, but he pulls over to agonize over having seen Paloma in the theater. Why did I have to fall in love with Paloma? he wails to the telenovela gods. You are so doomed, dude. You have months of misery ahead of you.

Romina at home is agonizing too. She wails, she boo-hoos, she pounds the furniture. She won’t, won’t be like her momma! She can’t be left! Emiliano, you have to stay with me forever and ever. Misery is coming to you, too, my pretty. In fact, it has already arrived.

Camila, out to dinner with Orlando, brings him up to speed on her ex, how he sent that letter out of the blue, how Romina has a detective looking for him, how apparently he’s now in Mexico and how she hasn’t told Romina about the letter. Then she tells him it was no fun being left for another woman, but she understands Romina’s need to find him.
Orlando says were you very in love with him? (Here’s a hint, Orlando: She married him.) Yes, says Camila. Orlando wants to know if she still loves him. Camila says I don’t think so, but I wouldn’t know unless I saw him face to face. But what she’s worried about is that he will show up and disappear again and Romina will get hurt. Orlando offers that maybe Samuel is regretting having abandoned them. Camila says there’s no way I would get back with him. Orlando smiles and the love song kicks in.

Rufi tells Mac that she’s giving up too early. If she keeps going out with the good doctor, maybe she’ll develop feelings for him. Mac says she doesn’t think so, plus now that Paloma has gone on a date with Aron, she doesn’t need to set any more examples about getting out into life. Rufi says you need to keep it up. Mac scoffs.

Chris is in his room. He talks to the Virgin and wonders if he’ll ever feel comfortable in Real del Monte and wonders why he still thinks of his lost love. He thinks he’s been brought here to get over it all. From now on, he’s Padre Juan and Padre Cristobal is over and done with.

Angelica is having lunch at Inez’s. Inez tells her that she’s not keen on Aron going out with Paloma. She thought at first it would be a good idea, and Paloma’s family is very prestigious, but now she thinks Paloma has a curse on her or something. Angelica praises Paloma and says just because of what happened to Inaki, that’s no reason to worry. But I do, says Inez. People around Paloma get suddenly dead. What I wanted to ask you is to help me persuade Aron that it’s a bad idea to go out with her, but I’m gathering you’re not willing to help. Angelica says she thinks they would be good for one another.

Aron brings Paloma home and they find Carlota waiting up. He says here’s Paloma, safe and sound and on time. Carlota is pleased and says you can come visit anytime. Really? says Paloma. Carlota says you can come for dinner! Aron politely leaves and Paloma thanks Carlota for treating her like her age, and even gives her a grateful hug. She goes up to bed and Carlota thinks sucker! I hope I don’t have to do another um…sacrifice.

We’re at Arcadia’s funeral and her niece is weeping and everyone is shaking their heads and tsking. The niece says the police are still investigating.

Orlando has brought Camila home. He says it was fun and let’s do it again. She says she was really nervous since she hasn’t been on a date in so long. He says he’ll call tomorrow and he tentatively tries for a kiss. She turns away and says she wants to go slow. He’s gentlemanly and apologizes and says he hasn’t gone out with anyone in a long time either. He tells her he really likes her and their song starts up. She goes on in. He stares at the door for a while and smiles. Inside, Camila feels her cheek that he pecked.

Also inside, we see Romina dissolved in her room. Her eyes are all swollen. Camila rushes in and asks what happened. Romina says leave me alone! I hate you! What did you do to make my father leave? Get out! She shoves her mother out of the room. She leans against the door and sobs. On the other side of the door, Camila starts crying and says why are you talking to me like that? What’s wrong?

Paloma wants to tell Mac about her date, but Mac’s still asleep. Paloma says she’s going over to Romina’s to see how she is. Rufi says better check with Carlota first. Paloma says it’s okay. Rufi says she’s heading for the store. I have no idea why they included this scene.

Emiliano has come home and Juanita, the maid, tells him that his dad slept on the couch, and then left and his mother hasn’t come out of her room. Emiliano says weird. Where did my dad go? Call my cell if my father comes back, or my mother comes out.

Paloma is visiting Romina who is more smiley today. Romina wants to know how Aron was and is he a potential beau. Paloma says more like a friend. She babbles on about the movie and Romina thoughtbubbles to herself that Emiliano couldn’t possibly be interested in Paloma, she’s so dorky.

Paloma asks Romina what she thinks about her wearing Inaki’s ring. Romina thinks she should leave it on. Because otherwise if she changes boyfriends so easily, she’ll get a bad reputation. Paloma is taken aback and says but you encouraged me to start going out. Romina says well I re-thought it and I think it would show a lack of respect to Inaki if you start going out with Aron or anybody else.

Rufi is in town and another woman tells her about Arcadia’s death and how she was run down. She says two people from the same house – Inaki and Arcadia! That house is cursed.

The car repair guy has brought the car for Carlota and Carlota is furious about it. She said I told you I’d pick it up myself. I’ll go get the money. Rufi comes home just then and asks the waiting fellow what he wants. He says I brought the car back from the repair – it had a couple of dents in the front. Carlota shows up and makes nice. The guy leaves and Rufi says where did you dent your car? Carlota says in front of the bank.

Rufi asks Carlota if she remembers that Arcadia. She was run over and killed! The police are hot on the case. Rufi looks at Carlota significantly. (Does she suspect?) Rufi goes in and Carlota takes some deep breaths to steady herself.

Paloma, disconcerted, leaves Romina. As soon as she’s gone, Romina throws her pillow and says I wish you were dead. I bet you flirt with Emiliano when I’m not there.

As she leaves Romina’s house, Paloma runs into Emiliano coming in. They say hi and gaze at one another a bit. For a moment, they both look about 13. She takes off and he looks moonily after her.

Emiliano hollers up at Romina who is thrilled and says she’ll be down in a moment. She quick changes into a bathrobe and comes down. Emiliano says isn’t your mother here? Nope. He says well, I guess it’s never a good time for this. She looks hopeful. He tells her they can’t continue. He wants to call it off. Her face falls. She opens his jacket and begins kissing his neck. It looks like his hormones and his brain are battling. Which will win?

Ad break!

The brain wins. Emiliano pushes her away gently. She says don’t you want me? He’s gentlemanly and says it’s just that I don’t love you. She protests that she could make him happy, but he says it’s over. She quietly says okay and goes up to her room. He feels like a skunk.

Rafa rents an apartment. I think it’s the same one as Flor was in in Guapos with that unusual huge indented area where now there are plants but in Guapos there were large art forms. Oh, maybe not. In Flor’s, the kitchen was on the right. But they could be using part of an old set.

At work Camila is distracted. Meche asks her why and Camila says Romina’s all upset and she doesn’t know why. Meche says we all have problems with our kids time to time. Camila says that nice boy Emiliano never seems to be a problem. Meche says but there are plenty of problems in that family – the parents argue. Camila is surprised. She thought it was a perfect marriage. Meche says that’s what Diana always tries to portray. But she’s the problem. Rafa is a great guy. Apparently Meche didn’t sign a confidentiality contract.

Paloma is telling Mac and Rufi about her date. She says she doesn’t feel for Aron what she felt for Inaki. Rufi says that’s normal, he’s just a friend. Paloma says Emiliano’s just a friend and I don’t feel the same way about Aron as I do about him. Mac says the important thing is just to get out and experience life.

Paloma says some people think it’s too early for me to go out. Mac guesses Carlota, but Paloma says no, surprisingly she’s okay with it.

Carlota is in her study and suddenly looks up from her papers. In black and white, she re-lives the whole scene of running over Arcadia, and then remembers watching Inaki sip down the fatal drink. She remembers herself smiling. It seems to have suddenly dawned on her that maybe just maybe these might be sins. She jumps from her chair and kneels before her big crucifix.

It was the right thing, she swears to Jesus. The right thing for my family. You know it was the right thing. She then prays fervently but silently, her lips moving.

Paloma leaves Mac and Rufi cooking and heads up to her room. Rufi asks Mac if she believes in this climate change in Carlota. Mac says she hopes she’s changed, but she has her doubts. Rufi says maybe it’ll go better with Aron because he’s Inez’s nephew. Mac says he’s a good boy, and their families have the same customs and beliefs.

Rufi remembers to tell Mac about Arcadia. She says now she’ll never know why Arcadia came to see Carlota. There was something odd about that. Mac says how so? Rufi goes over and closes the kitchen door. She says I think Arcadia was a spy for Carlota in Inaki’s house.

Emliano runs into German on the street and tells him that he broke up with Romina. That’s good news says German, since you’re in love with Paloma. How long have you been in love with her? Emiliano says it took me a while to realize it, but since I first laid eyes on her. German says when are you going to tell her? Emiliano says I don’t think she feels the same for me. German says you won’t know until you ask. Emiliano swears German to silence and he promises and says he understands better than Emiliano knows.

Romina is languishing on her bed, hugging her pillow and gets a text message on her cell. It’s from German saying I know you’ve broken up with Emiliano. I’m at home and waiting for you. Don’t tell me you’re too busy. Romina pounds the bed, furious.

Camila comes in bearing Romina’s favorite chocolates to cheer her up. Camila wails. I’m so unhappy! Camila comforts her.

In her room, Paloma is looking at her ring and remembering Inaki’s proposal. In black and white, she remembers their pretend marriage in the church. Then she remembers Aron saying one day someone else’s ring will be on that finger. Paloma thinks to herself that by all rights Carmen should have that ring, since it was a family heirloom. How can she find her? She realizes that Emiliano might have Carmen’s number in Spain. She runs to the phone and dials.

She reaches him at his office. He is very brusque with her, says he’ll look for the number and says don’t call me, I’ll call you. He hangs up on her and she is puzzled. At his office, he paces and stares at his cell phone.

Romina is weeping to her mother that she had to break it off with Emiliano. She just couldn’t take it. He was so distant, so cold. Camila says she’s proud of her for keeping her dignity and not staying in a relationship where she wasn’t valued. Romina boo hoos that it was so hard since she loves him so much. Camila says then she admires her even more for being so strong. Romina says I know he loves me, he’s just confused. Maybe he’ll realize it over time. Camila says maybe now you can understand why I didn’t want to stay with a man who didn’t love me anymore.

Carlota is at the café where Arcadia’s niece works. She gives the niece her regrets and also gives her a packet to cover the funeral expenses plus a bit extra. The niece says you’ve always been so kind. If there were more people like you, the world would be a better place. (We know it would be a less populated place.)

Orlando is telling Emiliano how terrific Camila is. Emiliano agrees. Then he says that he ran into Paloma at the movies with another guy, and that German guessed that he’s in love with her, and that he’s broken up with Romina. He wonders if he should say something to Paloma. Orlando says nothing ventured, nothing gained. But be ready – it might go either way.

Carlota is kneeling at church. She prays You know I did the right thing. She goes into the confessional. On the other side of the grid Ave Maria says the priest formerly known at Christobal. Carlota’s eyes open wide. Ave Maria, he tries again. She looks horrified.

Avances: Aron asks Angelica if maybe he could get a scholarship too. Looks like a weepy Diana is trying to get Rafa back but he says no way. Inez raves to Mac and others about the handsome new priest. Later she asks Mac if they could throw a potluck for him at Mac’s house. There’s something kind of familiar about him that she can’t put her finger on. German and Romina make out. Paloma asks Emiliano if she did something to make him mad. Maybe he doesn’t want to be friends anymore. He says maybe that’s what I want. He professes his love.

Labels: amor

Wow I just opened up the word document from the last time I recapped, it was the night Liliana was kidnapped trying to get back into the manicomio while the three stooges spent 20 minutes talking before going outside to look for her. That feels like a year ago. On with the show –

Anibal puts on a great act of being so nice, a loving husband, polite and friendly to the help, then announces that the baby is a boy! His name will be Vladimir! I was waiting for someone to ask why that name, since they all knew Vladimir Sr. at work and how he got fired, etc, but they were all too stupid to ask. Well, not Fernanda, but she is keeping her mouth shut about everything now.

Gardenia shows up at Jacinto and Margarita’s house to find Flor there, the two Lactos employees (Gardenia even makes the lame Lactos uniform look sexy) accuse each other of being the more chismosa. After Gardenia yells at Flor for wanting to tell Fernanda about Fr/Ed’s true identity, Flor says “yeah well SHE WAS KISSING EDUARDO” and runs out to go back to work.

Anibal is cracking me up with his nice guy act, it’s the first time I’ve ever enjoyed his character. Pris gets a call, Anibal takes the phone and sees the caller ID and asks out loud, “why is Damian calling you?” She then HAS to take the call since she got called out, she tries to hint to Damian that she can’t talk right now. He demands help from her to get out of some of his problems. She says she’ll talk to him later. Fernanda asks what Damian wanted, Pris says to tell her about his marriage ending. Fernanda says “oh I didn’t realize you two were such good friends!” Busted.

Fr/Ed wants to tell Fernanda that Lily is ok, but Esteve wisely says it’s a bad idea. It is a bad idea, because then he’d have to tell HOW he saw her, etc. They discuss whether Fr/Ed should just tell Fernanda everything about his deal with Barbara then, so she can know about Lily. Fr/Ed says his plan is to rescue Lily, then run away with Erika to start over somewhere else. Esteve says the only way he is going to win back the total confidence of Fernanda is to tell her everything about his deal with La Hiena.

Barbara pretends to care about Fernanda’s marriage trouble, she tells Gonzalo that perhaps Fer and Damian should go to couple’s therapy. Gonzalo says no, butt out, he promised to stay out of it so she should too.

While Fernanda is giving instructions to another servant to clean Santiago’s room but leave it the same for when he returns (someday), Tomasa tells her that she has two visitors, Erika and Flor. She goes to see Flor first, who tells her she has to tell her something URGENT. This guarantees that it will take forever to actually tell. She will tell her how urgent it is 50 times, but then not actually tell her. I’m having Querida Enemiga Alonso/Lorena flashbacks.

Barbara tells Damian by phone to string his marriage along for a few more months. He says he has tried everything but can’t do it!

I was right – since Flor took so long telling Fernanda how urgent her news was, Erika got bored and came looking for Fernanda and interrupts. Fernanda then tells Flor to wait, even though she knows Flor has URGENT news, while she goes to hear what Erika has to tell her. While Flor is waiting in the main room, Barbara comes down the stairs. Flor hides under the stairs so Barbara doesn’t see her.

Erika’s big important news is to deliver Fernanda’s wedding invitation. Fer doesn’t really care. She ends up telling Erika that she and Damian are through.

Damian is at his cousin Jacobo’s office, he grabs him by the shirt and tells him to fix this legal problem, he refuses to go back to jail!

Fernanda doesn’t want to get into the Damian story with Erika, it’s a long story.

Loavely calls Camilo to tease him and try to lead him on, he blows her off and hangs up. She vows revenge. Martina rolls her eyes, as do I.

Since Fernanda said she WASN’T going to talk about Damian, of course she talks about Damian. She says there is zero chance of fixing the relationship, that’s why she gave up on it. She feels good now. Erika leaves, now it’s Flor’s turn. Flor tells her AGAIN how urgent it is, then gets up to close the door, then wastes more time. Of course, the door bursts open, it’s Erika again, and look who’s here! Franco! Fer obviously doesn’t care. Fr/Ed’s phone rings, it’s Jacinto telling him that Flor is going to tell Fer his true identity. Fr/Ed mildly panics. He hangs up and very smoothly gets the group separated, sending Erika with Fernanda to get some blueprints from the Lactos office and offering to take Flor back to work himself. Flor looks worried.

At the Elizalde country house, Barbara arrives to meet up with Damian (I don’t remember hearing them plan to meet there, but they are both there). The little girl asks Barbara if she knows where grandpa is, he hasn’t been seen in days and they are thinking about calling the cops. Barb remembers kicking him down the hill. She lies to the girl and says he told her he was going to go visit some relatives. The girl immediately believes her and goes back inside. Barb asks Damian how Fernanda found out about his legal problem. Damian says for sure it was his cousin.

Eduardo tells Flor that if she reveals his identity, she will be putting Lily in danger.

Jacinto and Margarita sit and worry.

Ed wants to know why when the Elizaldes, Camilo and Anibal and Barbara, all lie and cheat and manipulate nobody says anything, but when he, the son of the cook, has a secret all of a sudden all must be revealed? He rants on about class unfairness for a bit. He says he no longer wants revenge but by the time he realized it Franco Santoro was in place and it was too late. He has to continue on to save Liliana. He doesn’t think he’ll ever tell Fernanda the truth because she’ll never forgive him. Flor is convinced to not tell Fernanda about his identity.

Erika suggest Esteve as a galan for Fernanda, Fernanda hits her and says NO WAY. Dang huge diss on Esteve. He’ll have to comfort himself by rolling around with 10/10 Venus. Poor guy. Erika confesses that Fr/Ed doesn’t seem to be forgetting about his past love like she had hoped he would, she’s becoming a bit worried about it. Of course Fernanda is interested in that but can’t say anything.

Flor tells Fr/Ed that if Eduardo were to show up and offer his love, Fernanda never forgot him and would go against anything her family said to be with him.

Damian is sure that Fernanda hasn’t said anything to Barbara about Damian because she must have some plan.

Fr/Ed remembers his talk long ago where Fernanda said she would feel hate for Eduardo if he showed up again. He tells Flor that Fernanda would not welcome Eduardo anymore, she would hate him.

Fernanda is sure all will turn out ok with Liliana, Erika shouldn’t worry about it. Erika says again that Fernanda will need a man in her life, then confesses that she is just DYING to hit the sheets with Franco. Fernanda is aghast! The things you think about Erika! Puhleeze, like she hasn’t had daydreams about it for weeks. Or a week. Or however much time has actually passed on this show.

Flor begs Fr/Ed to help Fernanda defeat Barbara, Fr/Ed says that’s what he is doing. She says that even as Franco Santoro, he owns Fernanda’s heart – her eyes light up whenever he’s around. He says even that way isn’t possible, the truth will come out some day and she would never forgive him.

Barbara tells Damian to find a place to hide out, he is under her protection. This, obviously, doesn’t comfort him. She wants everything cool for a bit while Gonzalo puts all his stuff in her name, she doesn’t want anything to mess that up. Damian is worried she will screw him over like she did before. They decide again that Fernanda won’t say anything to anyone, especially Gonzalo, because she must have some plan. Damian asks why he doesn’t just disappear now, Barbara says she needs his help with something.

Aurora sings to herself… dammit I thought I had won the lottery and had an Aurora-free night. She tells the nun that she’s so happy, she did the right thing by completely denying a very kind, loving, and generous man the right to know his own child. How thoughtful and Christian of you Aurora! Ugh.

Barbara tells Damian to go to the convent and pretend to be Santiago’s best friend in order to get Aurora out of there.

Tomorrow – hopefully Barbara will have a good excuse as to why she is interested in Aurora, surely Damian will want to know. I’m sure she won’t tell him that she once shot him in the leg to get RID of Aurora, now it was all a waste. Also – Fr/Ed finds out that Damian is out of the picture.

Labels: manana

In the coffee room, where Beto’s devouring some chicken, Jerry enters, gives Beto a sealed envelope to deliver to Professor Nuñez, along with some cash as Beto’s fee. Beto burps, starts asking what’s in the envelope, and Jerry says you don’t need to know. Beto then has second thoughts, he likes Mauricio, doesn’t want to mess things up for him. Jerry threatens him, he could have Beto fired, no job, no wedding, so shut up and do your job. Beto’s not scared, thinks Jerry would come out worse. Jerry’s fed up, grabs the envelope, and demands the cash, too. Nope, that’s payment for my silence, now get out! Jerry’s messed up again. He gathers up the chicken as a consolation prize, but I think Beto has proven who’s the wiser. As soon as Jerry gets out of the room, he dumps the disgusting (to him) chicken in Paula’s trash cart. Back in the room, Beto’s not upset about the chicken, with this money he can buy a hundred more chickens, and still have money left for a few sticky buns (chongos).

We begin today's happy misunderstanding with Pau informing Moni that Mao is aware of Moni's, till now, well-guarded secret...she is, indeed, a boxer. As they speak the somber king of Rome summons Moni to his office for a little chat. "We need to talk." (Who is not always thrilled or comforted to hear those very words?)

Well, Mao informs Moni that he knows what her dark secret is and is fully aware of her other vocation. Now it is quickly clear to us, the audience, that they are each talking about something entirely different so we look on in amused horror as she tells him that she is pursuing a childhood dream, her passion, and is not in it for the money though someday it will make her rich. That she's good at it, aspires go to Las Vegas to be the very best in the world. She, of course is talking about boxing while he is thinking...table dancing.

Outside the school, Jerry,wearing the clever disguise of an incongruous mustache, is making good on the bribe he offered the school official to assure Aldo's successful performance on the entrance exam, and Jerry doesn't want just success, he wants a perfect score. This is of course the professor's first time. "Yes, you seem like it's your first time," Jerry notes. (It's good to see that academicians in Mexico cling to high ethical values, much as do doctors and judges of that country.)

Mauricio is stunned. He and Moni are from distictly different worlds but who could have guessed their moral values would differ so much. Moni thinks that he is ashamed of her. He is. "I'm not," he lies. Mauricio pouts. Moni leaves and seeks solace from Pau.

Mao mopes. Sal offers comfort, Mao is having none of it. "Moni is a table dancer." Sal is likewise stunned, but recovers nicely. "It's a job like any other," he points out. Mauricio relates that she's done since she was fifteen years old, it's her passion and she wants to go to Las Vegas and become the world's best. "Well, it's no different than you pursuing your dream as auto racer and becoming the world's greatest." "You're right," Mao concedes. This philosophical discussion is interrupted by Connie who has brought along Luisa and Aldo. ¡Buenas noticias! Both did well on the exam and are slated for admittance to the exclusive school. Luisa is beaming but Aldo seems less than thrilled. Mau congratulates and hugs both.

With a long, sad face, Moni is back in the 'hood. Glowing, and none the worse for wear, Estrella welcomes her with the news that her acting career is back on track. She has a part in a period telenovela, with a great costume with a narrow waist and showing lots of cleavage.I'm on board with that. Things aren't so cheery for Moni. Mao has found out that she is a boxer and is scandalized. He is ashamed of her, thus they can never be together.

At Mao's place it's time to toast the successful scholars. Connie breaks out the Champagne. Aldo is not in a festive mood. He is puzzled as to how he could have possibly passed the exam since he made absolutely no effort. He retreats to his room and Mao follows. There is no possibility he passed this exam much less with a ten, since he answered the questions alternating A and B. Someone must have bribed the professor. Couldn't have been Mao or Connie...hmm. "Well, Connie was very confident and even winked..." This father-son conference is interrupted by a phone call from Estrella. She is on the telenovela set dressed in a eighteenth century French finery, complete with big tall hair. She can't believe that the prince, of all people would hurt Monita like he did. He wants to talk to her but not on the phone. "What's the address?" Of course Aldo wants to tag along. After all he definitely has a dog in this fight.

Jerry, who it looks like has gotten some new shoes, touches base with Oscar. Success. The professor approved the brat's (esquincle, I love this word) application, so Oscar can go ahead and tell the judge. Uh oh.

On the telenovela set, Mao and Aldo spot Estrella. She tells Mao how wonderful it was that Moni came to the club and joined her dancing on
stage while she convinced Estrella to return home...wait a second! Mao is struck by a sudden flash of clarity and revelation. So Moni isn't a
teibolera after all. But why then was she so enthusiastic about it and wanting to be the best and go to Las Vegas? Aldo explains that...sort of. So let's get Moni up here and straighten this mess out. Estrella calls Moni. She needs her to bring her the black dress out of her closet. Right now! Hurry! OK, I'm on my way." Mau, whose normally lame lethargic brain seems to be really clicking now, has an idea.

At home in the girl's room, Luisa pumps Dani for information. "Where did Mauricio go in such a hurry?" "Well, Estrella called about Monita and..." Connie overhears "...Monita," and has a little different style of interrogation. Taking a firm grip on little Dani's shoulders, she literally attempts to shake the truth out. Luisa objects with an old reliable, "¡Suéltala!" and Teresa comes in an puts a halt to her brutal questioning. I think there must be a great trust between the two actresses that play Connie and Dani.

Monita arrives, dress in hand, to find there's been a change in plans. Turns out that another extra is needed, Moni is here, and well... Moni emerges from the dressing trailer decked out as a French noblewoman of the era. Even has on lace gloves. Nice touch. Estrella positions her in the center of the courtyard and leaves her standing there all alone. Gee, I wonder what might happen next.

Ximena is in the barrio to invite Paula for another night of clubbing. Paula is not up to it this time. Then they will eat here with your papuchis (Ximenese for dad), she adores his virile voice.

We didn't have to wait long. Prince Mauricio decked out in period costume including flowing blond hair neatly secured in a masculine ponytail and sporting a rather jaunty mouche beneath his lower lip (you can see how it got it's name which is French for housefly), lopes up on a beautiful black horse with a white blaze, using suspiciously modern-looking tack including Mexican-style saddle, much to the surprise and delight of Monita. We the viewers, not quite so surprised but certainly are delighted. He dismounts and swaggers up to Moni offering her a single rose and pleading for forgiveness. She gives it though neither fully understands what the other is saying,(who really cares?) and then...payoff. A full-blown, steaming hot, telenovela slow-spin, bochornoso beso, complete with dizzying, vertiginous camerawork. Well it's about time. She's trembling, she saw colored stars,"I love you." "I love you, too." "I'm the happiest man in the world..." OK,OK, now go get a room, you two. Whoops, they're not done. She asks for another kiss and he gives it, then another. Don't make me have to turn the watering-hose on you guys.

At the office Gabi is contemplating a flower imprisoned in a glass case that Oscar, hoping for another chance has sent. She is fretting over her short-lived romantic interlude with oily Oscar. The hostage bloom apparently is not sufficient. Sal offers friendship and comfort.

Back in Renaissance France the happy couple are still at it, but suddenly harsh reality grabs Moni. They can't be doing this, both have novios... Nope, now that he has her he's staying with her for the rest of his life. "Really?"

OK, now we're really getting somewhere. Connie has arrived in the barrio and is looking for Beto. She is clad all in black with a wide-brimmed black hat, short little black dress, but with what looks to be black Spandex biking shorts which can only get in the way. She is cleverly disguised in dark glasses (fooled me).Shocked, Nieves looks on from across the patio, peering though the legs of a pair of jeans hanging from the clothesline. Connie knocks and a sleepy Beto appears at the door. He escorts her across the patio as Nieves looks on dumbfounded.

The gallant Sal offers to take Gabi to someplace pleasant to help her get over Oscar. Once bitten, twice shy, she accuses him of trying totake advantage of her vulnerability. No he's just trying to help out. No matter. The phone rings. It's Teresa. Crisis. Gotta go!

Well, once he's tasted her, the French nobleman can't keep his mouth off the pretty maiden as he escorts her arm in arm across the courtyard. He even invites her to dance for him sometime. You rascal!

Back at Moni's apartment... Hold on just a stinkin' minute! What the heck are Beto and Connie doing in Monita's apartment? This is apostasy. Well, we're here now, might as well watch. He pushes her back on the bed and even as she objects, she just wants a consoling hug, she is taking off her little jacket. "Whose place is this, anyway?" she asks even as she suspects the answer. "This is Monita's room," she observes as she discovers a rather capacious bra on the bed. "It doesn't matter," he replies as he asks for a kiss. "Not on the mouth." "Then where?" As he caresses her thighs stares at her nether regions. Is it getting hot in here? She wants him to bite her as she exposes her neck(pescuezo). He does, and is now ready for just about anything. "Now bite me!" They wrestle on the bed, groping each other and cavorting like little rutting rodents, and are kissing each other on the mouth after all...dang, I'm needing a cigarette in the worst way, and I haven't smoked in thirty-five years.

Nieves is listening at the door trying to figure out what is happening to her little Beto as Pau and Ximy approach. Ximy recognizes someof the amorous moans emanating from Mointa's apartment.

They are wrapping up the shoot at the telenovela set.Estrella runs in front of a carriage shouting "Here they come!" She was great. Aldo is impressed. Jeez, if only he weren't so young.

Outside the door of Monita's apartment, suspicions are high, but Ximy doesn't want to betray a friend. They prepare to enter, and Ximy readies her pepper spray. Oops, for the second time, she maces herself. You gotta hate when that happens. Good thing she didn't choose a pistola for personal protection. As Nieves and Pau push in, Beto pops out. He's been watching a noisy movie. Well, that certainly explains things for me; and for Nieves as well. "Nothing's happening here," as she shoos away the other two.

The aristocratic French couple are still pitching woo as Estrella and the precocious Aldo approach. Moni and Mau have never been better.Everyone is happy.

Undaunted by the rude interruption, Beto is back pressing his case with with Connie, but her ardor has diminished somewhat. Beto relents, but, "We're not finished here," he cautions. By the way she acts, she is in full agreement. Nieves barges in, Beto introduces his little friend, Nieves is not amused. Connie leaves Beto with a bit of 'splainin' to do. She bumps into Ximena on the way out. "I knew it was you!" But, a little more venal than I would have thought, she suggests that a deal could affect her memory. She wants full access to Connie's extensive and expensive wardrobe. Everything.

In Mao's SUV, he and Moni are in front and Estrella and Aldo are in back. He's brought Moni and Estrella home, but the mood is still alive as he says goodbye. Noticing the couple in the backseat, mood broken, restrained goodbyes all around. After Mao and Aldo pull away, the two of them share a bonding moment while Moni proclaims her happiness to Estrella.

Mao is cheerfully greeted by Luisa who asks about Moni. Nice. Not so nice... Sal is there with the judge's toady, inquiring about Aldo's miraculous performance on that pesky entrance exam. Unfortunately the judge is aware of the bribe. Mauricio is not, however.

Meintras tanto (everyone knows by now that means meanwhile), back in the barrio, Nieves is berating Beto. She thinks Connie was hooker, but Beto explains that he never has to pay for sex (he actually said that to his mom). She lays in again saying that she had to stop up her ears. "She sounded like a cat in heat (una gata en celo)." Hmm, Moni thought the samething previously. There's more. An excerpt: ...in Monita's house, much less in Monita's bed." You get the picture. She chews his butt even more and of course, just as Moni is walking in, "...and what if Monita finds out you are frolicking in her bed with another woman?"

Carlos

Labels: gancho

Due to a family emergency, I have to head out of town and won't be able to do Friday's recap. Could someone please give a brief fill in on what happened and post it in the comment section. Thanks.

Labels: amor

Capítulo 133

First the video redux in brief: Santiago is back at the convent to apologize to Aurora for the way he dumped on her earlier that day and to get her side of the seduction story; Priscila is humiliated to tears and forced to admit to Vladimir and Anibal that the baby she’s expecting is really Vlad’s.

Santiago apologizes to Rory for his actions and says he knows his stepmother has tried to separate the two of them. He asks Aurora what kind of fraudulent argument she used to trick her into admitting her despicable slur of having slept with another man. “Did she promise to help you find your mother’s whereabouts?” Rory says it wasn’t a slur; that she doesn’t know how things happened, but she was with another man. Santi refuses to believe a word of it because he knows he was the first man in her life. (First, last and always, right? Puh-leese!) Dear Ah-wah-wah says she knows the pain she’s caused him and so, the only way to make amends is to spend the rest of her days in the convent doing penance. Santi has just been hit over the head with the same two-by-four and is down for the count. She wants him to forget her and says she will pray that God lets him find a good woman to settle down with. (Hubbie's all for that!) Santi is in shock. He leaves.

At Hacienda de los Elizalde meanwhile, Geezer Gonzo is reading a letter from Santi when Babs walks in. Gonzo is his usual puzzled self, but actually has a reason to be this time. Santi’s letter only says that he is leaving and relocating to Florence, Italy. It doesn’t say a thing about his wedding plans with Ah-wah-wah. Babs must oh-so-sadly explain that she found Ah-wah-wah in bed with another man and so Santi and the little slut broke it off.

Fernanda now arrives at the honeymoon luxury suite where an overly eager Damian has burning candles lit everywhere. (Viewerville waits expectantly for the smoke alarm, but is disappointed.) Dopey techno tunes are playing in the background. Fer walks in and smiles invitingly at him.

At Las Animas, The Hardy Boys are discussing Ed’s meeting with Artemio Bravo. Eduardo is reminding Estev that Bravo doesn’t dare suspect the deal he and Barbara have made or they’ll never get word of Liliana again. Estev wonders why the guy is so interested in keeping Lili. Ed says he isn’t clear on that yet, but it’s obvious Bravo is a man “surrounded by mystery and very powerful.” He obtains whatever he’s set his sights on, too, says Ed. What surprised him most of all, he tells Estev, was the way Artemio Bravo physically looks almost identical to Gonzalo Elizalde.

Over at the hacienda, Gonzo tells Babs that he finds it hard to believe of Rory who seemed so decent. They’re certain Santiago is heartbroken, but agree it was a good thing they found out what a whore she was beforehand. Babs convinces the ever-confused Gonzo to give Santi his space so that he has time to get over the girl. Gonzo nods.

Back across the way at Las Animas, Eddie explains to Estev about Ana Gregoria’s diary and how Lili had him read part of it. They are certain the answers to their questions are in that diary, especially why Barbara Greco relentlessly harassed his mother from the day she arrived at the Elizalde’s. They figure that from what little Ed was able to read of it, Ana fell in love with Don Jeronimo Elizalde, her patron, and that that’s the reason Artemio Bravo bears such a resemblance to Don Gonzo. Supposedly, Soledad, who was a little girl then, found out about the diary. Unfortunately, before Eddie managed to read anything more, Bravo came into the room. One way or another, the key is the diary and he’ll have to finish reading it.

Estev wonders again why Bravo has Lili under his control now. Ed says he doesn’t have a clue and it seems almost impossible that he’ll be able to get her away from there. At least, for some unknown reason, Bravo is happy to have him come visit her whenever he likes. Estev remarks that his meeting Bravo turned out to be rather beneficial in that sense. Ed mentions that since they’ve now gotten to know the man it doesn’t make sense to keep the security guards there any longer. He plans to cancel the service the next day. Just then Martina shows up. She has a meeting with him so he can fill her in on Lili, too.

At Hotel Honeymoon, Fer and Dam share a champagne toast to their relationship. Dam says it seems like a lie to him. Fer laughs slyly and says for her too. He gives her a negligee as a gift and she makes out like she loves it. He wants to help her put it on. She looks coyly over at him and asks what he sees. He says he sees a lovely goddess. Suddenly she turns on him and throws the negligee in his face. “NO! What you see is an idiot! That’s what it seems I’ve been to you, right? The most idiotic female on earth!” Dam knits his brows in a muddle of confusion and then smiles sheepishly. Fer jumps at him. “Ah! You’re smiling because I’m right!” “—No…it’s just that I’ve never heard you talk like this before.” “—I know! You’re smiling because perhaps that’s not the right word. Perhaps the right word is silly, or stupid or foolish?” Dam stutters out that it’s nothing like that. Fer says then would it be ‘trusting’, or ‘sweet,’ or ‘naïve.’ He keeps stuttering in the negative. She screams then that they all describe her to a T! He frowns again. This was obviously not in Mama’s playbook.

Back at Las Animas, Eddie explains to Martina that they know now where Lili is and that she won’t be coming back to live with them at the other house, at least for a while. Martina is relieved that at least Lili is all right.

Martina goes to check on Venus in her room. Venus is on the phone with Cad, who is still pretty miffed at her for leaving him high without the dry the night before (not to mention, the resulting nasty case of swollen gonads…..Ehh! Well, it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy). He’s in bed, though, at the other end of the line, getting his jollies with Natasha. He lies to Nattie that his brother’s on the line and then conveniently lies to Venus/Loafly that the noise in the background is from the telelvision. (Sneaky jerkwad.) Venus tells him that they need to talk. He tells her he’s decided that he doesn’t want to see her again until they get married. Venus is negatively impactada. Nat walks back into the bedroom and Cad quickly tells Loafly he’ll call her tomorrow. Click. Nattie babies him with a snack “to regain his strength.” (Gag me!)

Martina walks in and wants to know why Venus is disobeying Estev’s orders. Venus drags her out the door with her and says she’s got to come with, but that she’ll explain on the way.

Back at Honeymoon Central, Fer tells Dam that she could be innocent, trusting, even in love, but never an idiot. She’s going to do them both a favor. “Look at me and imprint this in your memory so that whenever you look at me you remember that Fernanda Elizalde is no fool!” He continues to play dumb. “What’s going on? What is the matter with you?” She says the question is more like what’s the matter with him because this only has to do with him. He still continues to play dumb. (Well, maybe he’s not playing.) “What’s going on?” Fer tells him to search his memory. He wants an explanation. She says fine. How about the friendship you have with Barbara Greco? --And, with the swindle you pulled on Rubiel Villasana’s mother in which you stole her money from her and which, thanks to Barbara’s statement, you saved yourself from going to jail??!!” Dam is swallow-hard impactado. He stares at Fer like a little kid caught swiping cookies from the cookie-jar.

Meanwhile, Martina stops Venus for an immediate explanation why they are leaving the house that late at night. Venus angrily says she’s certain Cad is with another woman. Martina stops to remind her that Estev is in love with her. Venus says she’s crazy if she thinks that. “The only thing I am to him is his little puppet. The most important thing for him is for me not to ruin his plans! –And I swear that I am not going to do that because I wouldn’t hurt Don Franco. As for the gringo, I’m not nailed down to him!” Somebody like her, Venus says, would be off limits. Martina won’t argue with her about that, but asks that if all men are the same, then what’s the big deal if Camilo Elizalde’s with another woman? Venus says it’s got nothing to do with either Estev Norton or Franco Santoro. It’s a personal slight. Martina doesn’t argue further and the two leave together for Cad’s apartment.

At the same time, in another part of Las Animas, Ed and Estev are arguing over what Estev does or does not want to admit regarding his feelings for Venus and vice versa. Estev says the whole thing is ridiculous and wouldn’t go anywhere anyway since his life is in New York. Ed wonders if things were different and he did live and work in Mexico? Estev doesn’t answer. Ed says, well, all that aside, he still wonders if Estev is willing to let Venus marry somebody else? His friend is too flustered to answer him.

Santiago drives off from the convent and leaves a message on Fer’s voice-mail that it was a bust with Aurora, so he’s flying out and will call her once he’s gotten himself situated. He never wants to hear Aurora’s name again. He just wants to bury her memory.

Ah-wah-wah tearfully (what else?) prays to the virgencita, meanwhile, to thank her for one last chance to have spoken with Santiago. She is sorry for the way she disappointed him but knows it’s for the best since there could never have really been anything between them. (Geez, for being the spawn of Greco this gal is disappointingly lame!) She wants only the best for him and hopes the virgencita will bless him and console him in his time of need. (Is it my dinner or this scene? I need to speak to Ralph. Get me a couple of Alka-seltzers, puh-leese.) FF>>

Back with the inharmonious honeymooners again, Damian tries to lie his way out of it with Fer by saying he doesn’t know who Rubiel Villasana is. He tells Fer she’s mistaken and he can’t understand why this man would want to lie about him this way. “Poor you, Damian. It’s got to be rough always being slandered like this, right?” “—What do you mean, Fernanda?” “--What? Do I have to repeat it again? Such a coinkydink! Both in the embezzlement at Grupo and with the swindle with Sra. Villasana, that what freed you from all culpability was Barbara Greco’s testimony.” He still denies knowing Rubiel Villasana. Fer doesn’t back down. She’s like a dog with a bone. “Well, how strange this guy should come to me and the first thing he does is accuse you of being a swindler”. Damn stutters his inability to comprehend it all. She says she does understand. “It just has to be that the whole world is so envious of you. I just wonder which one of those envious people chased you down and shot you in the leg? Who would it be?”

Damian whines that Fer is being unfair. “--Really?” “--Yes!” He swallows nervously again. “Well, if you’re so convinced that all these lies are true, what are you thinking of doing?” “--Well, for starters, this is the last time that we two will be in the same place as husband and wife. If you like, remember it as the honeymoon we never had. You have two choices: one is to run away –as that’s your style--and you can disappear from my life completely.” He says she can’t be serious. “Two: refuse and I swear to you that you’ll pay for all your crimes rotting in a jail cell!” He shakes his head in disbelief. “Well, all right. Choose, Damian.” (What a rout. She is Woman; hear her roar! You go, girl!)

Damian looks at her and considers his options while she waits for an answer. Unbelievably, the weasel still tries to deny he knows Rubiel Villasana and says she’s wrong to believe whatever the man told her. (This guy has only one play in his playbook. Sheesh. I was hoping for more from this turkey. A beautiful bod, blue eyes to die for but, alas! No brains! Bummer.) Fer tells him it doesn’t matter. She’s not changing her mind because they are finished. (Oof! There went the meal ticket.) He hangs his head and gives her his best imitation of a wounded puppy. (I guess without the playbook from either BB or Mama, this guy is totally lost.) Fer is amazed that the guy just won’t give it up.

Martina and Venus now take a cab to Cad’s apartment. On the way Martina asks how Venus can be so sure he’s there. Venus thinks he is because of the strange way he acted on the phone. She’s determined to give the guy enough cord to hang himself.

Meanwhile, Ed and Estev are still in the middle of their heart-to-heart about Venus. Estev says she’s intelligent enough to eventually realize that a worm like Cad Elizalde is not an option. Ed says sure, but she’s beautiful and once the game with Elizalde is done, she’s going to have all sorts of guys interested in her. So, is Estev sure that he wants to risk losing such a special gal because he’s afraid of failing at romance? Estev thinks this is rich coming from a guy who is marrying one woman when he’s in love with another. Ed yells back that his situation is very different from Estev’s. (Let me count the ways.) Ed yells at Estev that his buddy is only being held back by prejudice and that he should only have that problem with Fernanda.

Eduardo lets it all hang out. “If I’d had all the information I succeeded in getting today, I would have arrived the day of her wedding and told her ‘Here is Eduardo Juarez! The Eduardo Juarez that never stopped loving you for an instant and who came back in order to marry you!’ –But for an abundance of reasons as you well know, Eduardo Juarez had to be killed in order to give life to Franco Santoro!! Franco Santoro is the one in charge of completing a mission, and at the completion of this mission do you know what is going to happen? He has to leave here, giving up that love! --Because I am sure Fernanda will never forgive me for having deceived her. –And you? What about you? You are shutting the doors to happiness and why? Why are you shutting them? ”

Estev finally finds his voice. “I swear it’s not for cowardice, Eduardo! The fact is that Venus is in love with her…Pygmalion! That idealized teacher. She doesn’t know the real Steve! That disaster of a man who is a total misfit! That man who is…who is afraid of love.” He walks off leaving Ed ashamed and shocked at having emotionally disrobed himself as well as his best friend that way. (Hey, it works for me.)

Fer now hands back the bracelet to Damian. “--But I bought that especially for you.” “—With what? With which company credit card?” (My thoughts, exactly! --What a girl! What a gal! What an Amazon!) He tells her he’s offended. She tells him that it wasn’t her intention to offend him, much less to keep it and BTW, regarding his things, not to worry because first thing in the morning she’s sending them to his mother’s place (ouch!) along with the divorce papers for him to sign. (Ruh-roh!!) “Don’t bother delivering them to me in person. I’ll send somebody over to pick them up from you. OK?” (Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!) “Something else, Damian. When I say disappear, I mean disappear from everything that has anything to do with my life, including my family, too. Don’t try to come anywhere near me because I swear I will throw you in jail! Get it straight!! I am giving you your freedom in exchange for never seeing you again. Good riddance, Damian!” He tries to stop her but she tells him not another word. She throws her wedding rings at him and exits stage left. (Viewerville is on its feet with a standing “O.”) Damian is genuinely flat on his ass-ets now.

With her spare key to Cad’s pad, Venus and Martina let themselves in. Sexy music is playing loudly on the stereo. Martina stops Venus and tries to get her to leave before they do something they’ll be sorry for. Venus tells her if she wants she can wait for her in the taxi, but Martina isn’t about to leave her friend alone in there. Venus whispers that she’s got a little bit of business to take care of with this miserable jerkwad and she’s going to cause a ruckus that the entire building will hear about. Cad, meanwhile, is batching it up in a bubble bath with his number one bubble head, Nattie. Natasha is cooing. “Do you like this, Baby?” “--Yup. Lots.” Nattie starts to massage his shoulders. “¡Ay! Don’t stop. Don’t stop!”

Venus walks into the bedroom next and sees the bedcovers all messed up and a woman’s slip carelessly flung onto the floor. She frowns and then hears bawdy laughter coming from the bathroom. She quietly opens the door to it and hears Cad moan and tell Natasha that she’s tremendous. Venus sees the two of them in mid…er…corporeal embrace and says to herself under her breath, “So now [conque] it’s Natasha!” Martina’s arm swoops in just in the nick of time and pulls her friend out of there. Venus hisses at Martina that she told her to stay the heck out of this, but Martina grabs her arm firmly again and refuses to let go. “You listen to me first and I give my word afterwards you can do whatever you have a mind to without me lifting a finger!” “—What then?!!” “—Let’s speak outside!” They go back into the living room.

Martina asks Venus if she’s having a sudden attack of jealousy or what. Venus sneers and says she’s got to be kidding. Martina wonders then if she’s intending to have some big scandalous chat with Camilo just for grins or what. “You’re going to regret it for the rest of your life, Venus, if you do!” “--How so?” Martina explains she’d essentially be kicking both Don Estev and Don Franco in the essentials. Venus has second thoughts now. She asks if that means “that pig of an Elizalde would start malicious gossip” about them. (Hell yeah! That would be the least of it, probably!) Martina says of course, because he would discover she’s not the ‘refined Loafly Norton.’ Venus still wants her pound of flesh, but Martina makes her see that if she really wants to get even she doesn’t do it by causing a scandal in the guy’s own apartment. Venus finally gets it. “You’re right! That idle slacker deserves more than a scandal, something more that he should remember the whole of his totally measley life!”

Fer has now returned to the hacienda and is returning Santi’s phone call. She tells him she’s really sorry things didn’t work out for Rory and him but that he can count on her support for whatever comes up. Santi says no use talking about it any longer. He left a note for Gonzo telling him he’d be in Florence for a while and tells her the jeep is in the parking garage at Lactos. He changes the subject to her and Damian and wants to know how she left it. Fer says she did what he suggested the day that she got married. There’s a flashback to him telling her to promise him that if in the future she realizes she made a mistake to have the courage to recognize it and to have the courage to correct that mistake. “I corrected the mistake and I’m divorcing Damian.”

The next morning Eduardo is wishing he had the courage --or good sense-- to do the same and break it off with Errorika. She’s there at Las Animas with him going over the wedding invitations. Err wants him to put his parents’ names on the invitation along with hers but, knowing that that’s impossible, he suggests that they break with tradition and just put their names on it. She kisses him and says fine. She’ll do anything he wants. (She’s so excited at the chance to hook this yummy Alpha-male. I can’t exactly say that I blame her, either!) She’s all giggles. (Yeesh.) “Only one month till we are husband and wife!” (Yippee-skippee!) He smiles back sheepishly. (Yeah. Yip-yip. Yahoo.) Err giggles again, totally blinded by luhhv and desire. (Oy vey.)

At the same time, Florecita is shooting with both barrels at Margarita and Jacinto for keeping Eduardo’s true identity from her. Cinto is sure it was Gardenia who let the cat out of the bag and Flor says it sure was and good on her for doing it, too. Margie tries to explain they couldn’t exactly go broadcasting something like that especially when they were asked not to say anything. Flor claims self-righteously that she now knows why Fernanda told her she couldn’t trust a single soul around there, and why she had her swear that she would stand by Fer and deal straight with her. She looks scornfully over at the two of them. “—Not like the others around here! –And that’s exactly what I’m going to do! I’m not going to give myself over to lies and deception. The truth is above all else with me!” Marge and Cinto want to know what she means to do. Flor says she is going to tell Fernanda the truth about Eduardo Juarez.

Jacinto angrily tells Florecita that she’s got no right getting involved in this fuss. She insists that loyalty is topmost and she will get involved in it because she owes so much to Fernanda that she feels she must. It’s the right thing to do and the only thing to do. Margarita tries to make her see that they owe much more to the man who has been like a brother to them. Flor doesn’t see it that way. “No way! A boy that left here years ago and that we never heard from again?!!” “—But what about his sainted mother, Soledad?” “—If you want to talk about being thankful, then remember that the sin that hurts our Lord most is being ungrateful. You have been spewing lies and deceit. You’ve been dishonest and disloyal! You are betraying the trust Sra. Fernanda has shown you her entire life. You’re a couple of ingrates!”

Jacinto tells Flor that she doesn’t understand. (Why should she? She’s been kept out of it the loop. –On the other hand, maybe Ms. Goodie Two-Shoes might stop long enough to ask why the two of them were told not to say anything; or maybe she should have learned something from being wrongly accused herself a couple of weeks back, hmmm????) “No! What I don’t understand is why you two are behaving like a couple of low-lives! Flor stands on top of the moral pedestal she’s climbed onto. “--But there you are; you and your conscience.” Cinto has had enough. “Well, you can’t get blood from a turnip trying to get a donkey to see reason! [pedirle peras al olmo] “—You’re calling me a donkey?” Cinto tells her to take it any way she likes and stomps off to the bedroom. (Yeah. I say if the shoe fits, wear it.) Marge turns her back on her cousin and refuses to speak to her any further.

Back in the city, Dam is on the phone in the lobby screaming at Vlad to be let upstairs to the apartment. “What are you thinking, Vladimir? What do you mean you’re not going to see me?” Seems that Vlad now has grown back that shrunken little pair of his own. “Just what I said, Damian. Don’t insist because I’ve told the concierge not to let you come up.” Dam threatens him with telling Anibal the truth. Vlad sneers at him to do whatever the heck he feels like! Click. (Whoosh! A free throw and two points Team Vladimir!) Dam picks up the nearest thing he can find (Oops! Oh? It’s not his cellphone? Crap!) and pitches it against the elevator door. (Guess it’s back to Mama’s for Damian: Heaven for her; shear Hell on Earth for him.)

We beam over for breakfast time at the Elizalde’s. Nanda smiles over at Babs as she explains to her papi she’s split from Dam. “So Damian is no longer in my life, nor in Lactos, in the house, nor in the family. Gonzo wakes from his senile stupor long enough to tell her he simply can’t understand what could have happened between them. Babs innocently turns around to face her and asks what is it they don’t know about the two of them. Nanda explains that they never consummated their marriage and says that under those conditions it was useless to continue together. “I’d rather not go into detail about it.” Gonzo, still under the starry-eyed misperception that the two must love each other, tries to suggest that all couples have their problems but eventually get over them. (Just what does this dunderheaded dairyman not understand about “no sex” between newlyweds during six weeks of a marriage????? Viewerville strains in an effort to uncross its eyes.) Babs chimes in sweetly. "You’re father is right. Is there anything we can do to help?”

Fernanda turns around and says, “Yes! I’d appreciate no more questions.” Daddy, though, must be counting the thousands of dollars he just spent to insure her matrimonial send-off was such a social success. He tells her he and Babs are worried that she’s ending her marriage without a solid reason. (Excuse me?? Can we say annulment, class? Earth to Gonzo!) Nanda says it doesn’t matter. Her mind is made up. (Gonzo is humanity’s reason for sterilizing the entire Elizalede gene pool. --Speaking of a sterile gene pool…..) Anyballs and Pris appear in the dining room. AB is starving. Pris meekly asks for fruit. Everyone is imapactado at AB’s cheery attitude and overt demonstration of affection for his wife. He says they’re very happy to tell them they now know the sex of the baby. It’s a boy! “Want to know what we’re going to name him?” Everybody of course is excited and wants to know. “--Vladimir! Vladimir Elizalde! Don’t you like the way it sounds?” Smiles turn to confused grimaces. The spotlight is on Pris. Her humiliation is complete –or maybe not quite—as the family waits for some sort of a meaningful explanation.

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