Caray, Caray!

(last scene of Part 4 - "Firebug" Rebeca Sanchez pours rubbing alcohol on herself and then takes the cigarrette lighter from the desk and lights herself on fire. As she burns, she runs around the prison doctor's office/exam room crying out for her daughter Aurora. (She hopes that Aurora will stay with her, even if it's out of pity.)

Part 5 (beginning of the third hour of the finale):
* In the hospital cafeteria, Fer and Miguel sit and have some coffee. Fer raves about all the wonderful progress Lili is making with her therapy and that she is so very happy. Miguel notes a little sadness and nostalgia in Fer's mood and vocal tone. Fer admits that she is thinking about someone - Eduardo - she knows that he's alive.

* Lili meets with her psychologist in the office. They discuss Eduardo. Lili is worried about her sister being so sad and lonely because Eduardo went away and hasn't returned. Lili knows her sister loves him, but they have no idea where he is or how to contact him.

* Fer tells Miguel all the harsh words and how she treated him before he left; that she asked him to leave; and so he did as she requested. Miguel tries to say that he will be there and wait for her. Fer stops him. She tells him not to do it. It wouldn't be fair or right to him. He agrees with her, then proposes that they be friends, very good close friends. She likes that idea. He then changes the subject to talking about her community center project - that he has experience in other parts of the world working on project like this. Fer is surprised. He speaks the words "I accept" in Nahuatl (the native mexican language). They laugh and continue talking.

* During the session, Doctor is called out of the office for a moment. Just long enough for Ciro to visit Lili for the last time. She doesn't want him to go. He says, don't worry, soon you will have someone very special enter your life. She smiles.

* Gonzo visits Anibal and Priscilla in the maternity room. Priscilla lets Gonzo hold his grandson. Gonzo gives Anibal his son. Anibal announces the baby will be named "Anibal Elizalde" and will be the next president of Grupo Lactos. Just then -- SURPRISE! SURPRISE! SURPRISE! -- Vladimir enters and wants to see his son and takes the baby from Anibal. Gonzo is totally impactado (stunned). Priscilla tells him it's true, the baby isn't an Elizalde.

* Margie and another teacher bring a line of little children to the front door of the community center. Farmer Jacinto is there at the gate to welcome the little farmers to the school to learn all about agriculture. The kids squeal with joy and excitement. They follow Farmer Jacinto inside.

* In the office of Grupo Lactos, Gonzo scolds and reprimands Anibal for his arrogance and greed and lies and schemes. Anibal is totally impactado (stunned) when his dad punishes him with a complete demotion in the company.

* Short video tour of the completed community center.

* In the office, Gardenia brings Miguel some papers to review. He asks where is Fer? he needs to talk with her about something. Gardenia says she's working with Lili in the conference room. Miguel says he'll wait and find her later.

* Another short video of Fer and Lili and staff in their conference. Fer takes a break and walks outside. She walks to the garden patio where a group of children are having a class. A little girl runs over to her. She hands Fer the necklace with the "FE" pendant and says a man told her to give it to Fer. Fer asks who the man is. The little girl doesn't know his name, only that he is waiting in another part of the patio area.

* Fer walks to the front garden/entrance area. She smiles as she sees Eduardo walk down the stairs, smiling, and come towards her. He tells her that Padre Bosco had written him short letters about the center. He mentions the "Jinete Justiciero" and then he smiles and is honored that they named the center after his mom, "Soledad Cruz". Fer and Eduardo smile and hug.

* Fer is so excited to show Eduardo the center - she takes his hand and becomes his (and our) guide through the center. (Video tour of all the artisans, markets, cooking areas, craft areas, etc.) Eduardo smiles, listens and observes as Fer holds his hand and they tour the center. At the main entrance hall, Fer tells Eduardo that Jacinto is the center's director. Eduardo is happy to hear it. They laugh. Just then, Miguel appears and pulls Fer away to talk to her about center business. Eduardo is a little disappointed and disappears. As Fer attempts to stop the conversation with Miguel, and to introduce him to Eduardo, she looks around and can't find Eduardo anywhere. Miguel is stunned.

* Gonzo visits Camilo in prison. Camilo tells his daddy that he is really repentant for all the harm and malicious things he did. He assures his dad that when he is released from prison, he is totally and completely a new person. Gonzo is happy to hear this. They hug.

* Anibal is hard at work -- in the cattle barn -- with the other ranch hands. (Uh, Anibal, I hope you learned when the tail goes up, you step far away.)

* Eduardo visits his mom's vault at the church. He kneels down and prays to his mom about finding out that no one needs him there; he wonders what he should now do with his life, will he forever be waiting and wishing for something that never comes... Just then, Fer appears in the chapel. She says he forgot something and holds up the "FE" necklace. He says that's yours. She urges him to put it on her. He does so. Then he asks why? He reveals that he is jealous of her and Miguel. She laughs and tells him he's being stupid and jealous over nothing. Miguel is her friend and colleague, plus he's dating her sister Lili. She scolds him for not calling her or keeping in touch. Then she asks him how much longer will she have to wait before he asks to marry her. Eduardo smiles, says, "Fer. my first and only love." They kiss passionately.

And so ends my part of this three hour finale...

Labels: manana

So, here we are at the top of hour 2 of our actual 3-hour final. I'm so excited that we get a whole three hours of new information!

So, when last we left Eddie, he was riding down a bunch of stairs and away from his pursuers. Go, Eddie, go!

Back at Hacienda Elizalde, Esteve hands over Lili's inheritance papers to Fernanda. He tells her it's all there, complete with the registrations for Ciro's patents. Esteve explains that Eduardo was using this money to finance his extravagant lifestyle. The account is now in Fernanda's name, since Lili won't be able to handle it on her own. Esteve tells them Eddie is off getting Obregon to agree to testify against Barbara. Fer says they're going to turn Barbie in to the cops today. Fer asks Esteve for a favor, to give the silver heart to Eduardo and tell him it's his. Esteve says he will as soon as he sees him. Santiago walks Esteve to the door.

Fer calls Eduardo on his cell and begs him to answer, but Eduardo is busy riding through the countryside on his trusty steed, er, dirt bike.

Evil Barbie, in a smokin' hot red dress and smoking like a chimney, discusses with Artie that they've got to get their spawn back. The plan is for Barbie to get Aurora to the lake, where Artemio's helicopter will be waiting for them to take them to the border. In a few days, they'll be off in some foreign country. He can't have his grandchild growing up with the Elizaldes. Artemio won't promise not to take Aurora and the baby away from Barbie, either, since she's been such a terrible mother. Well that's a little like the terrible parent calling the other parent a terrible parent. Artemio gets a call and instructs the person on the phone to let him/her in. Then he tells Barbie they're in luck. Aurora walks in and everyone is impactada (including me!).

Eduardo rides up to Las Animas and does some fancy dismounting (the East German judge still gives him an 8, though). He tosses his gloves around and takes off his motorcycle jacket (to reveal yet another preppy sweater--please, Fer, marry this man and burn all his preppy sweaters). Borja comes out from behind the bushes, calls to him, and after politely explaining that he has his orders, shoots him once in the chest, once in the back, and then about another 3 in the chest (2 of them after he's already on the ground). Eddie lies on the ground bleeding as Borja walks away. Idiot. You always check the body. Hasn't Bravo taught his henchmen anything?

Jacinto and Esteve scream about Eduardo having been shot. They send Venus into the house to call an ambulance. Eddie tells them to take him far away to die. He mumbles that his last wish is that Fer doesn't find out. He doesn't want her to suffer. "Tell her that I already left." Then he shuts his eyes as Jacinto and Esteve cry.

Aurora tells her parents she had a feeling she would find them there. She wants to talk to her mommy and daddy. She says despite everything, she's happy they're not dead, even though she never imagined she'd see them. Then she starts screaming at them…"Why did you even have me?" Barbie says it was her choice. Aurora was her greatest hope after having lost everything. "You mean, after burning your parents to death!" Aurora says, "you said that was an accident." But Barbie defends herself, saying she burned down the house with her parents inside. She was only twelve and it was the only way she could think of to free herself from their abuses and punishments. She talks about how they used to drink a lot and that the only reason she didn't have scars was because while her father would torture her, her mother would constantly remind her father not to scar her. They had plans to sell her off later. That's why she burned the house down with them inside. The only thing she's sorry for, though is hooking up with Artie. She brings up that it was Artie who took Aurora away from her. Artie says Aurora's life would have sucked with Barbie for a mom. Aurora then talks about her lovely life with Dominga. Artie and Barbie both look pretty sad and guilty.

Fer tells Santi she's given the cops Artie's address. Santi tells Fer he can't find Aurora. He's sure Barbie has her and he wants to go looking for her. Fer tries to call Eduardo, so Santi doesn't go alone. She ends up leaving him a message asking him to call ASAP.

Aurora reminds Barbie about how she treated her when she first got to the hacienda. She brings up having Camilo rape her. Artie takes offense, but she calls Artie on having no right to be upset since Dominga intended to sell her off. "Who gave you the right to go around killing innocent people like Montserrat Elizalde?" Barbie's defense is that Artie made her do it. Aurora is terrified to be their daughter. Barbie tries to pull an "I'm your mother and you owe me your life!" But Aurora says she can't be the daughter of a pair of murderers. She wonders what she's supposed to tell her kid about its grandparents. She hopes she can get rid of their whole cursed inheritance. Artie reminds her the grandchild has his blood. Aurora says it's not blood she's worried about, but soul, and at least the baby has his/her own. Aurora leaves, telling them to leave her alone. Barbie tries to stop her, then appeals to Artemio to do something, but he says they have no right to keep her. He calls downstairs and gives instructions to "let the young lady go." Once he hangs up, Barbie whips out a guy with a silencer and pops him one right in the middle of his forehead. Artie drops to his chair and his head hits the desk. Barbie tells him to rot in hell and then takes a seat. Yep, just like that.

Eduardo is being wheeled into the hospital.

Fer is praying to the Virgencita, wondering why Eduardo isn't returning her calls, especially now that he's gotten the necklace back.

Eddie is in surgery.

Fer tells the Virgen that she doesn't hate Eddie and she needs to tell him that she doesn't hate him, she's just afraid of what will happen, since she knows Artemio won't quit until Eddie's dead. Fer would rather him be far away than dead like her mother.

More surgery, a rib spreader, one extracted bullet, some stitches, machines beep.

Fer wonders why she has the feeling she's not going to see Eduardo again.

Aurora comes back to the hacienda. Out on the lawn, she runs into Santi and she tells him her name is Aurora and that's all she wants to know about her past, but she has a question about her future. Is there room for her in the Elizalde family and in his heart? He says there's been room for her in the family since the beginning and there is only room in his heart for her. He'll love her forever. They hug. And kiss.

The cops have come to collect Artie. His body is lying on a stretcher in front of Barbie as Barbie still sits in the same chair. Comandante Lozoya asks Barbie if she found the body. She says she did, and she heard the shot too. "And where were you at that moment?"
"In front of him."
"You were in front of him?"
"Yes."
"So you're saying it was suicide, then?"
She uncovers his face and looks at it. "No. I killed him." She looks down at his face and looks completely blank.

At the hospital, Anibal tells Pris he went to Damian's funeral. He wanted to make sure Damian was really dead. Now no one can blackmail them anymore and their kid, rather than Santi's, is the one who will be the heir. Pris tells him he's going to get lost in his ambition. He tells her he finds her comments irritating.

In another waiting room, Padre Bosco asks what the doctors have to say. Esteve says they have to reconstruct some organs, it's complicated, and there are few possibilities he will live. Padre B, Jacinto, Esteve, and Venus all cry. Esteve says they're going to fly him to Houston. That's they're only hope to save his life.

Fer gets off the phone and, shocked, tells Aurora and Santi that Barbie has been detained for killing Artemio. Aurora loses her balance briefly.

They take Esteve off an ambulance at an airplane hangar. Padre Bosco gives Eduardo a blessing, then they load Eduardo into the plane. Jacinto also stops them to remind Eduardo that the Lone Ranger can't die. Esteve asks Padre Bosco to pray because he's sure only the Padre's prayers will save Eduardo now. Before he can get into the plane with Venus and Eduardo, Esteve gets a call from Fer. She's sitting in the hospital waiting room. She asks him about Eddie, but he says he can't really answer her because Ed already got on a plane for the US. Fer thanks him and hangs up. Fer starts to cry over Eduardo leaving without saying goodbye. Santi and Aurora console her.

Padre Bosco and Jacinto cry as the plane takes off.

And thus endeth my part of this recap. Y'all have been a fabulous audience. Hope you enjoy the rest of the show and I also hope you'll be joining us for Sortilegio. Hasta mañana!

Labels: manana

Ditto what Melinama said about recapping while watching. Therefore, I'm posting this hasty rendition for now, and I'll polish it up afterwards.
Polished!

Much to Babs's surprise, no one is moved by her pleas. Santi says he doesn't want this murderer to ever meet his child. Ed reminds him that the only way to prevent Babs from doing more damage is to let Aurora decide if she wants to go with her mother. Fer says it's not up to them to decide without consulting her.

Santi refuses to deal with la Hiena and storms off. Ed reminds Babs that her freedom is in the Elizaldes' hands. Babs looks confused. "Did you forget you killed my mother?" Fer asks. Babs blames that on Lili, and Fer gives her a fantastic slap. Ed separates them while Fer screams at Babs for having Lili committed all those years. Ed says they're not referring to Lili's testimony, but to Bravo's.

Babs scoffs at the notion that Bravo would ever side with them and laughs like a hyena. "He's not going to change his plans just because you ask!" Then she tries to drop the big bomb about Franco being Ed, and gloats over what an effort it must have been for him to pass himself off as a gentleman, but Ed says that this was much easier for him than it was for her to pass for a lady!

Babs tries again, saying that he's just a cook's son in fancy clothes, but this effort fizzles as well. Fer says, "speaking of origins, why don't we talk about Rebeca Sanchez?" Babs tells them to mind their own business! Fer tells her to leave. Bab claims it's her house as long as she's married to Gonzo and she wants to see Aurora. Ed taunts that she's in no position to demand anything. Fer says tomorrow Aurora will decide whether to go with Babs or not. Barbeca Grec-chez whips her housekeys out of her purse, flings them onto the floor, and leaves. Wow Babs, you sure showed them!

Aurora and Santi have a happy reunion with essential kisses.

Ed visits Gonzo at the hospital. He says he's Franco Santoro and wants to say goodbye before going back to the EEUU. Gonzo thanks him for being the family's guardian angel... he inherited that noble quality from his mother Soledad! Gonzo apologizes to Ed for sending him away and credits his brother for opening his eyes to the truth. (Sure, after several decades' delay...) Now he can die! Ed says no, your family needs you. Gonzo says that if God gives him another chance, he promises to fix all of his errors.

Santi introduces Lili and Aurora. Lili (wearing regular clothes for the first time in forever!) says they will have the happiest baby in the world.

Ed is saying goodbye to Jacinto before leaving for the US. (Apparently, going by his jacket, he will morph into some kind of magical zord for the trip home a la Power Rangers. Thanks Doris for pinpointing what he looks like!) He leaves a ton of documents with Esteve and takes off.

Esteve tries to cheer Jacinto up, but Jacinto is uneasy. "I've got a bad feeling about this."

Meanwhile, Bravo is on the phone with his henchmen who are following Ed. He tells them to stand by for his order.

Santi tells Aurora all about how Babs murdered his mother, framed Lili for it, had her committed at Miraflores for 15 years, etc. And the person who was behind it all? Artemio Bravo, Aurora's father! And Babs put Camilo up to the rape, too and even supplied the knockout drops.

Aurora is horrified and doesn't want to hear any more. Santi tries to calm her down, but Aurora says she needs time to think. Santi agrees to wait for her decision.

Ed takes his bike to a nightclub, where our long-lost Dr. Obregon is - I kid you not - choreographing a cancan act. In a red feather boa. Somehow he looks at home. The henchmen wait outside.

Fer and Santi talk about Aurora being upset. She waited her whole life to meet her mother. But they have to wait for her to decide before they turn Babs in.

Obregon eagerly agrees to testify against Babs - he wants her to pay for all her crimes. All he asks for is a little immunity. He will be overjoyed to see her rot in a ditch (rough translation of "pudrirse tras las rejas").

Santi asks Fer why she she was so hard on Franco when they met in the elevator in the hospital before. She tells him that Franco's really Eduardo Juarez. Santi is impactado.

Henchman tells Bravo they're ready for Ed, just waiting for the right moment. Bravo tells them to do away with him. Ed comes out of the nightclub, but his Spidey-sense warns him of danger and he takes off before the guys can get a shot. He leaves in such a hurry that he drops his helmet, but that's the least of his worries now!

Fernanda rants and raves about how awful Ed was, he had a thousand chances to tell her who he was. Santi thinks she's being unfair and points out that although his name was false, his desire to help the family was real and since she still loves him, she should forgive him too.

Ed, the bad guys, and a bunch of other stunt drivers go on a spectacular chase during which he pops some seemingly gratuitous wheelies. He dodges into a parking garage, then straight into a hotel lobby... two bad guys follow him on foot, tripping over chairs in a seminar room.

Now he's riding down an access hallway and emerging out the back of the building, the two guys still following him on foot, and the bad guy car is waiting for him, but he evades, goes down a narrow street where there's an unrelated car blocking the way. He does an abrupt U-turn, but the guys on foot are right behind him, and their car is there too.

So he turns around again and looks at the parked car blocking the narrow street. The car doors are open; people are obliviously getting out of the car. The way is completely blocked.

No problem. Eduardo jumps the car with his bike! The other guys climb over the car, the badguy driver curses, and Ed rides down a long outdoor stairway to safety!

For now...

Labels: manana

From Friday: Mao whines to Tano, "Never offer me advice again." He believes that by following his advice, he now faces the prospect of Moni fleeing to Las Vegas with Beto. Tano offers to help but Mauricio declines, it'll only make matters worse. The only way to prevent their trip is to climb in the ring with Beto and fight to the death for Moni.

Devastated (she should be somewhat accustomed to this by now) Moni seeks out Beto in the gym and announces, I'm ready for you to take me to
las Vegas. The sooner, the better." Beto is delighted. Moni, umm, not so much. There are tears in her eyes and a defeated look of resignation in her visage.

Discussing matters with Estre, Moni does not find support for her decision. Esterella tries to keep the dream alive as she is about to offer up information about the conspiracy afoot to thwart the fairy tale, but first Moni must swear not to murder anyone.

Nieves presents Beto with the money from Connie. A little out of character Beto questions the source. I believe he asks if she frolicked with a a millionaire. Nieves is insulted. "Then where did you get this money?" At that very moment, Moni, accompanied by Estrella, bursts in echoing the question. Hey, Beto asks the questions here! Nieves says that she did it for Moni and Beto, as Moni snatches the money. She declares that she is going to return it. "¡De ninguna manera! (No way!), Beto shouts. She's gone in a flash, trailing sparks in her wake.

Ximena, looking great as always, welcomes Lalo. She shuts her eyes puckers her lips and leans in, expecting a kiss. Now, Ximena, who is lacking in the more intricate skills needed for analyzing both body and spoken language, has not yet considered that Lalo may play for the other team. He brushes by, asks about Jerry, then, as we have, appreciates her look especially her cleavage. She offers to display more. He expresses envy for her bra. I'm not kidding. She offers that she is single but he wants to know about Jero. Ignoring the question, she confesses that she has been looking for that special someone and suspects that she may have found him. Hey, Lalo, too. She pounces and begins mauling him like a love-starved panther shouting,"¡Te amo!". He is almost speechless but manages to say, "Your tickling me! Don't be a lesbian! Wait!" What we got here is failure to communicate.

Uh oh, ominous percussion as Nieves open her door to...Alicia. Astonished, Nieves drops her plastic bucket. Nieves orders her to leave and the threatens to break her face. It sounds as though Nieves believes Isabel and Alicia may be lovers. Nieves looks persuasive but Alicia insists that Nieves must listen to her. Hey, what can it hurt?

Connie, showing no fear of the PETA people, is wearing a rabbit fur vest. Looks good on her,if you don't consider the little bunnies running around naked, shivering in the cold, so that she can look fashionable. She is perched at the foot of Mao's bed and is in an altruistic self-sacrificing mode. She realizes that he must wed to keep the kids. She is willing to marry him,live apart and later divorce him if he desires. Her only concern is that he be allowed to stay with his children. How very noble. I believe we can all wrap our arms around that; Can't we, gang?... Gang?

Looks as though Nieves has relented as she ushers Alicia to a seat at her table. Incidentally, it appears that the demented dog groomer is still on the loose, as Nieves's hair is once again styled in Shih Tzu chic. They have an ugly discussion surrounding Moni's origins. A great deal is revealed. Isabel's pregnancy was the result of a brutal rape and the three of them, Nieves, Alicia, and Isabel have vowed never to tell Monita the facts, indicating of course, that she will soon know everything. Nieves tries to dismiss Alicia.

A tender moment between Connie and Mao, they are embracing, is intruded upon by a still fuming, still sparking Monita. Doesn't anyone knock in this? She flings the money at Connie as a confused Mao looks on. Connie has a look of desperation. Busted!

Nieves is still trying to get rid of Alicia, who tenaciously pursues her mission. Nieves wants to hear none of it. Isabel abandoned Monita to Nieves rather than at the door of the church. Nieves has been her mother all the years and Monita has no need for a reunion. Alicia thinks otherwise. Monita's mother needs her now more than ever. Beto, pausing at the door to eavesdrop, overhears this last bit. Alicia departs but not before telling Nieves not to judge Isabel's rancor too harshly since she suffers from the same. Huh? An angry, frustrated Nieves energetically clears the table. Beto enters to confront. "You lied to me. Moni has been looking for her mom." Nieves gives him a whithering look.

Connie denies, expresses exasperation and hides in the bathroom. Mauricio shouts after her,"We'll talk!" Moni lets Mao have it as well, "I lie to you out of love, she lies to promote her own interest." She stalks off. Mauricio turns his attention to Connie, insisting that she come out. She doesn't. "Then do what you want!"

Looks as though Lalo is continuing having problems making himself clear to Ximena. Somewhat disheveled, he cowers, whimpering in the corner near the door. He gathers his courage, rearranges his clothing, and tries to clarify his position. He encourages her to listen closely. When he was in school, he would rather play jump rope with the girls than play football with the boys. Thank goodness at last Ximena understands... just more that they have in common. Well no, not exactly his point. "Listen closely, I'm with another person." "Ouch!" That Ximena understood. "Ay, no, no, don't tell me tha...tell me, do I know her?" Ximena is heart-broken and yet still does not see the big picture.

Mauricio catches up to Moni and we have another replay of a scene that has become all too frequent. He's sorry but she misunderstands, he has no intention of marrying Connie. She is sorry but he misunderstands, she was only going to go off with Beto because she had lost hope in having him. Well from now on they neither will be so impulsive and talk things out instead. Yeah, sure. They hug, kiss, and he offers to take her home. Lurking, Connie looks on to the accompaniment of that blasted ominous percussion.

Jerry arrives to find an exfruspertrated Lalo perched on the sofa. Lalo tries to enlist the sympathy of a confused Jerry over his assault by Ximena, confusing him more by referring to his horoscope and, "You and me; us." He whines about Jero's sister falling in love with him and as he exits, he invites Jero to dinner at his place, "You won't regret it." Jerry is even more confused and uneasy.

Beto and Nieves are discussing the fact that Moni's mom is alive. "Monita should know," he declares. She explains that Moni's mother does not care for her. Beto, in uncustomary defiance of Nieves asserts that Nieves does not care about Moni, nor him either for that matter. This whole story line seems a bit dark for my taste. Oh well, the writers haven't let us down thus far. Patience, Carlos.

Ximena is distraught when she stumbles over Lalo's agenda. She lovingly sniffs it. In it is a note which begins, "Amado Lalo," and refers to shared desire and the shape of Lalo's hips and is signed..."Jerónimo Sermeño". Oops! Boy, Ximena is frosted. Jero descends the stairs and is confronted by an indignant Ximena. She shows him the letter which he repudiates. She stomps off, urging him to go back in the closet, leaving him to mutter that someone will pay for this. Now, this is more in the spirit of the show.

Parked in the barrio, M&M share sweet talk and a kiss which is witnessed by Beto, who is strolling by. More ominous percussion. He is stunned and runs off. More sweet talk, more kisses and...Voilá, novios once more. Moni sticks her head out the car window and shouts it to the world. We'll believe with a little more tangible evidence. Mauricio's philosophy seems to be, "If you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with."

Beto has found his way to Connie's pad and she lets him in. He has on a distressing black tee shirt picturing a calavera-inspired luchador's mask. She is still wearing her dead bunnies. He saw it all, they were kissing each other on the mouth...in plain view. He grabs Connie and graphically demonstrates. She pushes him away and complains that it's his and Nieves' fault that Moni found out about the money. Now it's time for Beto to stand up and assert his masculinity. He refuses to kill them. No need to be so extreme. Beto thinks that maybe a spanking would do the trick. Well, maybe not that, Coni will murder them both if he does. She sends him off to fix things and put a stop to that chimpanzee.

Beto arrives at Moni's door to set her straight. Unfortunately he had a few drinks on the way home. Sleepily Moni appears at the door, as Beto is removing his belt. Not a wise decision, because now Moni begins to pummel him with punches till Nieves rescues him by intervening. Moni, flanked now by Paula and Estrella uses the forum to announced her engagement to Mau. It is met with squeals of delight from the Moni contingent and a devastatingly icy stare from Nieves.

Poor Ximena, in the office, her sad tale of her, Lalo, and Jero is met with uncontrollable laughter from Gabi and Sal. She is OK with Jero being gay, that happens and she'll support him, but why did he choose her guy to pervert? Sal walks away laughing while Gabi agrees to listen and Ximy has three things to say. One, she doesn't like Jero meddling with Lalo because he is in love with her. Two, she will fight to the end of days for Lalo. This sets Gabi to laughing once more. She doesn't want to hear the third thing, she doesn't think she could take it. She walks off leaving Ximy looking befuddled, the third thing unsaid, but suddenly a light goes on. Now she understands...no, she decides that she doesn't understand any of it after all.

Back at Moni's the three amigas are rejoicing about, gushing over, and basking in Moni's good fortune. The fairy tail is coming true. Just a few details, she feels very badly about Beto and Nieves. Moni is off to take a bath.

In the office, Oscar is amused by Jero's letter to Lalo, ghost written by Sal. Lalo pops in and scolds Jero for standing him up for dinner. He waited for him till three in the morning. Jero bluntly tells him that he likes women. Well, Lalo doesn't understand the letter Jero wrote. Oscar explains that Sal wrote the letter. Jero wants revenge. Oooh!

Beto, now looking sober, emerges from Paula's munching a sandwich. Nieves taking clothes off the clothesline, clothespins attached to the neck of her blouse. He has changed tee shirts and is in a hurry and it looks as though he's hiding something that is bulging in his pants. No, not that. She wants to know where he's going, but he evades the question, "What does it matter to you?" and scurries off.

Ximena confers with Connie who is struggling to apply a bra to a busty mannequin. Connie assures her that there is no way that that Jero is gay. She goes on to say right out that Lalo is gay. "No, Jero is gay..." "He goes out with other men," Connie persists. Ximy closes off her ears. She wants to hear none of this. Connie just doesn't like the idea of Ximy with Lalo. Yeah, that's it. Lalo, at this moment comes skipping in and confirms Ximy's worst (well, maybe not) nightmare. He is not gay. He is very gay. Ximy reacts badly, "No, no, no, no!" and bolts out of the boutique.

Lalo races after her and catches up. He adores her, she is divine, great to be with, beautiful, but he can't... She points out that they are gemelas de alma (soulmates) and he agrees. He goes after men. So does she. Not with women. Likewise. Inspiration hits our Ximena. Has Lalo ever been with a woman? "Well, with Jesús in Vera Cruz, Cristo Rey de Monterrey but I broke out in a lumpy itchy rash." "So how do you know you don't like it if you haven't tried it?" "Oops, you killed me." She announces, "Lalo you are my new project." He takes flight and she gives chase. Good luck Ximena. You make a cute couple.

Moni and Pau come rushing into the office and are instructed by Gabi to give their names and take a seat. The friendly bickering that ensues is interrupted by Mau who is delighted to see Monita, he and she are going out to lunch. As they get in the elevator, Pau informs Gabi that M&M are novios. Thrilled, Gabi grabs her friend's hand and they rush off after the happy pair.

Downstairs, arm in arm or lovebirds are accosted by a perturbed Connie. This time Mauricio wastes no time and minces no words, "Monita and I are novios." Before she has time to react with more than,"¿Qué?", Beto, looking unusually surly and intense, pops up, "¡Mauricio Sermaño!" "Beto, what are you doing here?" a startled Moni inquires. He responds by pulling a gun, pointing it directly at Mao and says with chilling iciness, "¡Te voy a matar! (I'm going to kill you!)"


Yikes! and double yikes!!

Carlos

Labels: gancho

I hadn't anticipated how difficult it would be to write this recap while trying to watch the rest of the show! Therefore, little editorial comment.

Fer gets her moment to scald Fr/Ed for his deception. "Are you going to sign as Franco or Eduardo? What cynicism! At least Artemio Bravo, the worst enemy of my family, told the truth. In contrast - you lied no matter how many times I asked for the truth ... I owe so much to Franco, but I hate Eduardo" ...

Barbara hovers over Daffy, who gasps out "Assassin! Barbara Greco or Rebeca Sanchez - under which name will you go to prison?"

Barbara tells the nurse "my husband is delirious, so rush out of here for help, leaving him completely alone so I may murder him!"

To Daffy: "For fifteen years I tolerated you, you decrepit old codger, I'm glad you know now. The repugnance I felt! Now I just want to kill you!" "Why?" "This is no moment for questions - better prepare for your Maker." She pulls his plugs and walks out.

Santi, waiting uselessly in the hospital hallway, gets a call from Fer: "Don't let Her hurt Daddy." Barbara sashays by, saying: "Go to him - you shouldn't have left him alone." "Go away and never come back." "It's your lucky day, because you're never going to see me again."

Daddy is having seizures. Again with the appalling lack of security and monitoring in the Mexican hospitals...

Back to Fer and Fr/Ed. He: "I know you won't forgive me and that's why I'm leaving forever." He explains his rage over his mother's death and his despair when he arrived to see her marrying Damian.

"Why didn't you tell me? I would have left him that moment!" "Because you told me you were in love with him." "I was wrong."

She thinks and gets madder. "You made me feel guilty about your suicide! You sent flowers in your mother's name! Do you know how I cried? Your death destroyed my soul! Then I fell for Franco - but even in our most intimate moments you continued to lie." He reiterates, he'll leave forever once Aurora is safe. She wails, "It isn't fair - I loved Eduardo, but he's dead, and I loved Franco, but he never existed!"

Flor calls: Damian is mortally wounded. Damian's mother is wailing over his bed: "God will give you another chance." "There's no time, mom! ask God for me!" Fr/Ed and Fer have rushed to the hospital and she enters. "Pardon me, I failed you again," Damian murmurs (referring to his promise to return Aurora), and dies. Fer is a widow.

Lucio foolishly demands ransom money via cellphone while Aurora huddles in the corner. Barbara says she'll pay whatever he asks. He gets in her car and fondles the bundles of cash exultantly!

Lucio takes her to Aurora who embraces her happily. "Where is Santi?" "Let's go to a hotel, you can wash up and get pretty for him." Aurora luckily calls Fer from the hotel, happily saying she's waiting for Santi. Fer and Fr/Ed evidently rescue her - Barbara returns (after a smoke break?) to an empty room!

Artemio hears that Lucio has gotten the ransom and given Aurora (this is like a shell game) to Barbie. "You work too fast, Rebeca, but you won't get far with my daughter." Barb calls, finds out from Artemio that Aurora is at the Elizalde home, and that Franco is Eduardo. she's shocked to find out she's had her worst enemy at her side all this time. "Does Fer know?" "Why don't you ask her?" sez Artemio.

At some point along the way, Artemio's goons get Lucio and dispatch him, I assume.

At the hotel, Fer and Santi wonder how to tell Aurora her mother is an assassin. But here's Barbara bursting in! She begs on her knees that they give Aurora back. They agree Aurora has a right to choose for herself and that Barbara will get an answer next day.

To be continued...

Labels: manana

Even though I'm not recapping, I thought you'd like to see the partial cast list that I found on esmas.com (I put my notes in parenthesis of where we have seen the actor/actress before now).

▪ Alejandro Lombardo - 
William Levy (accoralada; pasion; cuidado con el angel) He is an orphan from his mother. Grew up with his father, stepmother, and two half-siblings, Rachel and Bruno



▪ María José Samaniego Miranda - 
Jacqueline Bracamontes (Maribel, Rubi: Miranda, Heridas de Amor; Candy, Las Tontas) She ignores that she has been the victim of a deceit, making her to pass through Alex Lombardo, Bruno marries her for to involve her in his plan.



▪ Victoria Viuda de Lombardo 
- Daniela Romo (alborada) Distinguish lady that comes from a good family, housewife and dedicated to her family. She is stepmother to Alex and mother of Bruno and Rachel



▪ Fernando Alanis - 
Gabriel Soto (sonadores; querida enemiga; 'ladron que roba a ladron')
 Young and loving man of the middle class. For him, Alex is like his brother. He and Victoria are in love.


▪ Maura - 
Ana Brenda Contreras (juro que te amo) Young and independent lady that comes from a high class family. She is profoundly in love with Alex and reserves the hope for to be someothing more than an adventure for him


▪ Bruno Albeniz 
- David Zepeda 
 Young with an arrogant attitude grew up in a high class family, ambitious and arrogant. He hates his half brother Alex and pays attention against Alex's life.



▪ Raquel Albeniz - 
Chantal Andere (amor real; la ursupadora) 
Superficial, insecure and embittered young lady. Victoria's daughter and Bruno's sister. She feels attracted to Alex, ignoring that he is her half-brother.


▪ Paula Samaniego Miranda - 
Wendy González 
Joyful, kind and interesting young lady. She is Maria Jose's sister and attempts to take advantage of her marriage for to take her own opportunity.


▪ Roberto 
- Marcelo Córdoba (MARCOS! alborada; ASCANIOOOOOO! pasion; ANDRES, amar sin limites; MAX, juro que te amo)
 
Young and cordial man coming from a good family that stayed in ruins. He carries on a double life despite being married with Rachel, he has a lover.


▪ Ulises - 
Julián Gil 
Attractive and charismatic man that in reality is a social climber that passes himself off as rich. To him, he is interested in nothing more than his own benefit.


▪ Felipa 
 - María Victoria Woman of mature age and serene attitude. Victoria's friend and servant, always advises her as a good companion.


▪ Samuel Albeniz - 
Alejandro Tommasi (alborada; tormenta en el paraiso)
 He is a frustrated writer and in love with his wife, Victoria. In his fight of death, he asks her to return to her lover. Es un escritor frustrado y enamorado de su esposa Victoria. En su lecho de muerte le pide a ésta que regrese con su amante. 



▪ Erick Díaz 
- Alberto Parra (alborada; destilando amor; manana es para siempre)
 Mature, ambitious and resentful man of the lower middle class. He doesn't have the education and Bruno takes advantage of him.


▪ Chucho Gavira - 
José Carlos Ruiz (sonadoras; tormenta en el paraiso)
 
Mature man and graciously imprudent. He is who finds Alex wounded after the accident and rescues him.


▪ Pedro Samaniego - 
Héctor Sáez (Silvano, Amor Real) Maria Jose and Paula's father, humble and of good sense.

Labels: sortilegio, synopsis-cast

As we begin, Artemio Bravo has been getting his evil jollies admitting to Gonzalo, his captive audience of one, that not only is he Gonzo’s bastard half-brother, but that Art has been the e-e-e-vile genius behind all the Elizalde’s misfortunes lo these past fifteen years; and that it was he who had Monserrat murdered at the hands of none other than Gonzo’s gorgeous, then assistant and would-be merry widow, Barbara Greco!! Duhn-duhn-duhn-duhhhhn! (The whole of Viewerville gives up a prayer that Gonzo doesn’t kick the bucket before Bravo delivers every dastardly detail.) Gonzo, who is literally struggling-for-breath-impactado from these shocking revelations, manages a “No! No! No!” in disbelief. He squirms in pain as his blood pressure rises to dangerous levels and ugly rivulets of sweat roll off his cheeks and ever-more furrowing forehead.

Bravo continues his taunting tirade. “Liliana told you the whole time but you ignored her. Not only that, you had her locked up in an insane asylum where, under Barbara’s orders, they kept her drugged up for years, killing her spirit, the aim of Dr. Obregon, who would administer them to her. Obregon was the puppet for your dear wife’s orders. You see, Gonzalo? Everything has been a lie. Liliana wasn’t crazy. No! You all drove her to it!”

--And nope. He isn’t done yet. He's just gettin' started. “Now, we should talk about Eduardo Juarez. Do you remember him? Soledad’s son, who never intended to abuse Fernanda. Barbara made up the whole thing to keep a tight rein on his mother.” Gonzo manages to ask why Barbie kept Soledad away. Art explains it was because Sole and Padre Bosco were the only ones who knew of his existence and it was extremely important for him that they never revealed it to anyone. Bravo’s power was based on it. “--and B-B-Barbara? “--Ha! That woman has belonged to me since she was twelve.” “—W-What do you mean that she has been yours?” “—Exactly that, Gonzalo. I took her out of the reformatory a few days after she burned down the house she and her parents lived in. She burned them up. I raised her and trained her so that she would be who she is.” Gonzo struggles to comprehend. “My…my wife?” “—Yes, Gonzalo. Therefore, the first task was for us to get rid of Monserrat.”

Bravo struts and preens. “You see, Gonzalo. It was all a big lie. And, since we’re speaking plainly, I will clarify for you that she… she isn’t named Barbara. That was the name she used with you these past fifteen years. Her name is really Rebeca Sanchez.” Gonzo thrashes about and strains to catch a breath. “—Rebeca…Sanchez? (Beep, beep, beep! That monitor is bleeping off the scale by now and still no one has come in to check on it.) “--The woman who…pressed charges…against…Camilo?” “—Exactly! The grandmother of your future grandchild.” Gonzo wheezes uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, La Barbie is trying to negotiate with Fernanda by phone while Fer is still in her meeting with Bosco and Fr/Ed. “Don’t try to act smart, Fernanda! You know who has my daughter, or otherwise, how do you explain why Padre Bosco went to visit Damian? He’s told me how to get her back. Are you interested in finding out, yes or no?” Fer agrees to come by and discuss the plan with Barb ASAP. Franco offers to go with Fer but she says it’s time she learns to confront her problems alone. “—We’ll see each other later back at the hospital.”

Back in Gonzo’s hospital room, Gonzo’s monitor is beeping faster and faster. Gonzo at last finds enough strength to mouth a “no puede ser” in disbelief and Artie gleefully chides him for it. “Denying the truth is something only a boy would do, not an old man on his death bed.” Everything he’s told him, Art says, is the truth. “I have never lied. There is no weapon more forceful than the truth. One learns that when he’s born a bastard—and banished [desterrar]!!”

Art grins ghoulishly and says he himself is going to be a grandfather. “I, the bastard, will have the privilege of seeing him raised” and BTW, the child he is referring to, he informs Gonzo, is Aurora and Santiago’s--another belly blow for Gonzo. “Yes, I am Aurora’s father, and Barbara, your faithful wife, is her mother.” The monitor is beeping like crazy now. (So did Artie bribe the charge nurse or are they all taking taco breaks or what? There’s still no sign of the nursing staff.) Gonzo says he refuses to listen to any more, but Artemio happily reminds him he doesn’t exactly have a choice in the matter. “Now we should talk about Franco Santoro. His real name is…Eduardo Juarez, the son of Soledad Cruz!” --More gasping from Gonzo.

Back in Bosco’s parish office, the padre advises Eddie it’s time to tell Fer the truth about his identity. Bosco says he feels guilty for all the harm he’s caused by advising Sole to keep silent all those years. “Padre, I told you already. Fernanda is going to hate me.” Bosco says she’ll get over it in time and will thank him for being honest with her. Eddie remains unconvinced.

Art continues his discourse on the agrieved Eduardo. “Just like me he’s devoted to destroying the Elizalde family because like me he was condemned to the pain of being banished.”

Outside in the hallway, Gardenia comes back to watch over Gonzo, but “Nurse” Hilda is there as lookout and tells her that he’s being seen by a specialist right now. She persuades Denia to wait in the waiting room till she comes get her. Inside, meanwhile, Artemio goads Gonzo. Gonzo chokes out a request to speak with Eduardo. Art mocks him and says, sure he’d like to fulfill the wish of a dying man, but he will be depriving him of the pleasure of his last request. Gonzo grabs his chest. “There’s no time now for you to speak to Eduardo Juarez because soon you are going to die—and he also!” Suddenly Gonzo starts flatlining. Artemio smiles over at him and leers. (Uh, crash carts? Code blue? Anybody there at the other end of this monitor?) Bravo coolly walks out of the hospital room and into the quiet hallway with Hilda and his henchman.

They finally call the emergency just as Bravo hits the nurses’ station and sees Santiago come out of the elevator. He and Uncle Artie exchange glares. Art comes in close and tells Santi that he’s sorry about his father then adds that the next to die will be Franco Santoro. Dr. Castellanos, the heart specialist, arrives and rushes off to Gonzo’s room. (Still no crash cart or crash team uh, but sounds like it’s been ordered. Sheesh.)

Back at the hacienda, Barbie’s lit up and fuming (literally as well as figuratively). She tells Fer, with a bit of embellishment, that the conditions Dam set for them to get Rory back is Fer’s agreeing to go back with him. Fer refuses and says it’s impossible. In between puffs of sophisticated plumes off her Virginia Slim, Barbie says she realizes it is, but if Fer at least pretends to go back with Dam, then they would be able to negotiate and rescue Rory. Barb promises to sign over to Fer all the stock options Gonzo put into Barbie’s name once Aurora is back safe with them. Fer says she’ll have to think about it. Just then Fer gets a call from Santiago and says she’s got to race back to the hospital. Papi’s taken a turn for the worse. Barb wants to know what’s going on. “—Good news for you. My father’s dying.” Fer slams the door behind her and races off to the hospital. Barb says to herself well, she'd rather he would have died already, and then takes another puff.

A while later, family and friends are waiting at the hospital for word from the doctor about Gonzo’s condition. Santi comes out and tells Fer and the others that there’s still no word from the doctor. Fer says she doesn’t understand how this could have happened since Daddy was responding so well. Denia guiltily explains to the two of them that she was told to stay out of the room because the doctor and nurse told her they were doing studies on him. Estev calms her down as Fer turns to Fr/Ed and asks if he thinks they should let Lili know about her papi’s situation. He says no because her sister’s in no condition to get this kind of news, least of all with La Hiena there; it would only upset her.

Cerisola tells Barb that he blames himself for causing Gonzo’s heart attack. If it weren’t for him telling Gonzo about the charges Aurora’s mother --some woman named Rebeca Sanchez-- made against Cadmilo, Gonzo wouldn’t be at Death’s door like this. Barbara lies about not knowing who he’s talking about and adds that if she were in her shoes she’d have done the same because, even though Cad’s her stepson, he ought to pay for his crime. (Yeah, La Barbie is definitely selective when it comes to crime and punishment.)

Speaking of said delinquent, we beam over to the prison where Cad is rudely awakened from his beauty sleep by one of the other prisoners getting a good yuk or two out of warning him about what they do to rapists in there.

Back at the hospital, Anibal arrives right before the doctor comes out with his diagnosis. Looks like Gonzo made it through but will need a double by-pass. The gang all go to the chapel where Padre Bosco leads them --everyone but Bitch Barbie-- in prayer for a successful surgery.

At the same time, Lili wakes up from a nightmare. She tells Martina that she was dreaming that her mother had come to get her father. Martina’s explanation is that it was a bad dream from eating too many corn tamales at supper. (Under other circumstances, I’d probably have to agree….)

In the lounge at the hospital, AnyBalls is apparently impatient to get his mits on Jr.’s money. He tells Cerisola to give him access to his son’s inheritance right away. Cerisola says he cannot. AB will just have to wait till the child is born. Pris cannot believe what a Milk dud she married. Pris asks him why he thinks he has to rush things. AB tells her to butt out and then tells Cerisola he needs it to be able to take charge of the company while his father is recuperating. Cerisola says too bad, but it won’t change a thing. He will still have to wait for the baby to be born and legally registered as the first Elizalde grandchild as stipulated by the agreement.

The heart specialist eventually comes back out from the operation which, he tells them all, was a success. Gonzo will be in Intensive Care and all visitors are strictly prohibited. Everyone but Fer and Santi start to leave. Fr/Ed says he’ll be back after taking Padre Bosco back to the parish. Once they’re all gone, Santi tells Nanda that he thinks the one responsible for their father’s heart attack was Artemio Bravo. He says he ran into him at the elevator as he was coming out of Gonzo’s room; and he was with a nurse and a doctor who must have been the people who told Denia to leave Gonzo’s room. He mentions the threat Bravo made on Franco’s life. Once Fr/Ed returns they inform him that Bravo was the last one to speak to Gonzo. Fr/Ed agrees that whatever Bravo told Gonzo must have caused his heart attack. Fer says she doesn’t doubt it and mentions he was even cynical enough to “pay his respects” to Santi afterward.

Fer sends Santi off for coffee so she can have a private word with Fr/Ed who offers to hire security round the clock for her father now. She says fine, that’s the only way she’d feel comfortable leaving to meet with Damian anyway. Fr/Ed mentions that Padre Bosco called the prison director and requested a safe place for her to meet with Dam. He wants to know then what Barbara and she discussed at the hacienda. Nanda explains the deal with Damian and adds that Barbara also promised to sign her over the stock from Lactos once Aurora’s back safe and sound. Fr/Ed looks at her. “Barbara won’t be able to sleep tonight, but not because of Gonzo. It will be because she’s anxious to see her daughter again knowing that it will depend totally on you!”

Barbara, meanwhile, is back at the hacienda and telling herself that she no longer needs Fernanda Elizalde because she now has her own infallible means of getting her daughter back, and that neither Fer nor Santiago will ever again see Rory in their entire cursed existence.

Still in the hospital lounge, Fer tells Fr/Ed that she has two things more to ask him and that she hopes it will be the last time she ever has to ask him anything again. Fr/Eddie smiles accommodatingly and says he’s game for whatever she wants. He tells her he is thrilled she’s begun to use the familiar “tú” with him again. She ignores that and says the first thing is that after speaking with Dam, she wants to speak with Artemio Bravo. The second favor is that once that’s over, she needs to ask him to disappear for good! Fr/Ed frowns and is muy, but muy, negatively impactado at the apparent rejection.

Fer tells him she has her reasons for asking. Obviously hurt and disappointed, he says he’d like to know what they are. Fer tries to explain. “I know to you I must seem like the most ungrateful person you know, but I need your word that you will leave.” “—Why?” “—Because your life is in danger. Santiago told me that Bravo says you will be the next to die. That man always keeps his word.” Fr/Eddie says he still doesn’t understand why she needs to speak with Bravo. “Absursdly enough, he’s a blood relation and has tirelessly persisted in the destruction of our lives--” Fr/Ed wonders if she thinks by talking to him she is going to suddenly make him see the light and change his evil ways. Nanda says of course not, but she’s going to let him know that she’s aware he was the one who tried to kill her father and that she will be going to the police. She’s had enough of living under his malevolent yoke. (I just love it when these writers finally manage to put $4 words in their character’s mouths.)

The next day Barb is back at Bravo’s and still nervously smoking up a storm. She says she’s worried that Damian will try to get even with her by giving Fernanda the address where he’s keeping her daughter. Artie sneers that he’s not going to leave it up to Fernanda to free his daughter. Barb asks what he’s got in mind. Bravo says, “Let’s just say that today is not the day for conjugal visits at the prison.” Barbara then complains that Damian has become a headache for them and their plans. Art comments that essentially, neither he nor Santoro are useful to them anymore. If he does come across her whereabouts, he will inevitably hand her over to the Elizalde’s. So, that being the case, Bravo says he’s just going to have to make Gallardo an offer he can’t refuse.

In the meantime, Fernanda meets with Damian in the warden’s office alone. Dam thanks her for coming. She says she didn’t exactly have a choice and wants to know if he knows where Aurora is. He says first she has to make a deal with him. Fer says if he means he wants her to agree to go back with him, the answer is “N-O, NO.” Dam looks wounded. “--Wouldn’t you say our destinies are still connected?” Fer says there’s a big difference between destiny and damnation. Damian replies that it seems that there is something more behind that pretty face of the foolish little rich girl he used to know. “Tell me why Aurora is so important for La Hiena.” Before Fer will answer she wants proof he has her. Dam says to call her step-mother. Barbara will tell her whatever she asks her. Fer takes him up on it and calls Barb.

In her office at Lactos, La Barbie has just opened up an envelope with a photo taken of the aforementioned kidnap victim. Barbara’s hands are shaking as she answers her cell. She screams at Fer that a picture of Rory has just arrived. In full panic mode Barbara begs Fer to give Damian anything he asks. “—Whatever he asks for, please!!!” Fer puts down her cell phone, obviously shocked at the change in the woman. Dam tells her he now is ready to listen and Fer obliges. “Aurora is Barbara’s daughter.” Damian is stutter-and-stammer impactado.

Once Damian gets his wits about him he tells Fer she’s just given him some excellent news, and with it a great opportunity to get even with La Hiena, “the unfortunate b!tch.” “--I’m going to make her eat dirt, make her pay for all those miserable years I spent working under her (Er…not to mention those over and in the proverbial clover, but I digress…) suffering her insults and her humiliations, having accused me of fraud at Lactos, shooting me mercilessly in the leg, and now this. They arrested me for terrorism after she had asked me to get her all those explosives. (For a good price he forgets to add, but no need to quibble now.) --But she’s going to pay very dearly for it now, because I’m going to get her where it hurts her most, with her daughter!”

Ah-wah-wah is once again tearfully praying to the virgencita for a miracle that will save her and her child from Damian’s boogy-men so that she can be reunited with the man she luhhhhvs. (It’s crunch time and the virgencita has been working overtime with all the Elizalde requests lately, but Viewerville is certain she’ll manage to squeeze her in somewhere.)

Santi, meanwhile, has come to pay Cad a visit in prison. Cad laughs and says it’s a good thing there’s a reinforced glass panel between them right now because it’s obvious from the look in his eyes that Santi is ready to jump him. Santi says he’s got that right. He’s more than ready to beat him to a pulp for raping the woman he loves, but he wants to know why Cad did it. Cad shrugs and says he won’t deny he always was enticed by her, but really, by that time he was interested in Loafly, and only did it because La Hiena insisted. “She was the one who set it all up. She wanted to get rid of Aurora because according to what she told me, the girl was a menace to the family. She worked it so that Aurora would be alone, even gave me knock-out drops to make the whole business go simpler.”

Cad’s in a hopeful mood. “Little bro, it’s not a nice place here, and Barbara promised to get me out, but things have gotten complicated. The supposed mother of Aurora, some woman named Rebeca Sanchez, has brought charges against me for what I did. Help me, little bro, because I am really sorry for what I did already. Please? Tell Barb to keep her word. Please????” Santi frowns and tells him he’s wasting his time because Rebeca Sanchez, the woman claiming to be Aurora’s mother, is none other than Barbara Greco herself, and the one who murdered their mother.

Cad’s just been kicked in the proverbial gonads; his mouth is back to catching flies as his beady little eyes go wide with the realization that he’s been screwed six ways from sundown (or will be once the big boys in the back get hold of him). Yes, indeed. His fate is sealed and as solid as the bullet-proof glass wall in front of him. (Hmm. What was that prisoner saying about rapists in prison?)

Speaking of prison visits, Fer now tells Dam that whatever revenge he’s planning with Aurora is only going to harm the family more than even Artemio Bravo and Barbara Greco have. Bravo, she explains, is the man for whom she was working, and they have caused them harm for years. “Following his instructions for revenge, Barbara killed my mother, locked my sister away for years in a psychiatric clinic, and my father is now fighting for his life. Damian, if there is anything good left in you, please hand me over Aurora, because she belongs with Santiago. Please.” Dam turns to the window and begins to consider things in a new light as Fer continues her plea. “In your hands, Damian, are people who might marry, might be happy, or rather, they might be what we could never have been.”

Dam turns to face Fernanda and admits that even though she might never believe it, he did fall in love with her. She sighs. He did commit numerous mistakes, he admits, and so he wasn’t worthy of her. She tells him she doesn’t think now is the time to talk about themselves and again asks him to help her. “All right. I’ll give instructions to get her and so you should be able to have her back at the hacienda by this afternoon.” The guards come to return him to his cell. He gives her a final farewell. “Hasta siempre, Fernanda.” Fer picks up her purse and leaves.

Back at Bravo’s manse, Art’s got Barb on the phone. He tells her the situation with Damian is beginning to percolate [actually, cocinando = cooking]. As for Gonzalo Elizalde, since there’s such a contingent of security around him at the hospital, he says Barb, as the grieving wife, will be the only one likely to be able to break through it to get to him. She asks what she’s supposed to do. “--Make sure you are left a widow!”

Fer meets Fr/Ed back at Las Animas now and tells him she’s sure that Barbara Greco is no doubt playing both sides against the middle and of course won’t let them in on it. Fr/Ed asks her if she’s afraid that once Fer finds out where Aurora is that she’ll double-cross them and make off with Rory. Fer says that’s about the size of it because Barb’s degree of selfishness won’t allow her to let her or Santi anywhere near her daughter and grandchild. She can only hope that Dam will keep his word because Santi and Rory’s happiness depend on it.

Dam, meanwhile, gives Jacobo a call and tells him there’s been a change in plans. He wants Jacobo to take Aurora back to the hacienda and personally hand her over to Fernanda. Jacobo wonders what this is all about. “Let’s just say she caught me in a good mood.” Jacobo warns him that his generosity is going to cost them a lot of moo-lah. Dam says not to worry about that because once Anyball’s kid inherits, they’ll get it back with interest.

Back at Las Animas Fer demands to speak with Bravo. Fr/Ed says he’s worried that the man intends to hurt her. “And do you want me to continue being scared and intimidated by him until he’s done away with all of us?” Fr/Eddie gives in and says fine, just let him stick with her while she’s there. She says sure thing. He calls Bravo to arrange it and tells him he has to see him immediately about a personal matter.

At the prison, Damian is now “visited” by a bunch of oversized goons as he returns to his cell. Lead Goon says, “They sent us to have a chat with you.” Damian’s suspicious. “—What kind of roaches are you?” “--The finest.” Lead Goon takes out a thin rubber strap while the others force Damian’s hands behind his back. They begin to beat him and ask for the address. When he doesn’t answer Lead Goon puts the rubber strap around Damian’s neck and starts strangling him. (Gotta admit it’s tough to answer if they’re crushing your vocal cords and making it impossible to breathe at the same time, but then, these aren’t the brightest baddies, just the biggest). As the camera fades out Dam is left to his fate and Viewerville is left to wonder if he will break or go to his grave with it.

A while later, Bravo gives somebody an address at 127 Alta Tension. (Is this for real or are the writers playing with us? #127 High Pressure Street?) He tells the person to go there right away. He then asks, “What about the guy?” An ambulance speeds away from the prison. The warden asks his head guard if anybody saw anything. The commander says apparently it was a well-paid job because nobody is saying anything. The warden asks about Damian then. “He can’t speak. He was nearly dead. [reventado] The paramedic doesn’t think he’ll manage to make it to the hospital.”

Meanwhile, Lucio gets a tipoff from Jacobo about Dam’s little run-in at the prison. He hangs up and starts to pace. “This is going to get ugly.” Always a survivor, Lucio starts thinking about an out.

Fernanda enters Artemio’s lair. Art’s a little surprised as he realizes who it is. “Welcome…Fernanda Elizalde.”

At the hospital, Babs is back in business and feigns concern over Gonzo’s condition with the specialist. She asks if she can see her husband for just a second. The doctor falls for the act and leads the way. As he disappears around the corner, Santi grabs Babs’ arm at the last second and warns her not to try anything because he will make sure she regrets it. She breaks free and sneers back at him before catching up with the doctor.

Fernanda fearlessly faces off with her Uncle Artie as Fr/Ed stands guard off to the side. “After what you did to my father, I want to know what else we can expect from you!” Art compliments her on her directness and says he appreciates it because that way they won’t squander [malgastar] their time. “I know that you went to speak to my father, and whatever you told him provoked a new attack and it has him at the edge of death.” “—Yes, your brother saw me come out of the place. I was with him, but that doesn’t make me responsible for him being at Death’s door [agonizar].” The self-righteous gargoyle looks down his nose at her. “If your father dies, it won’t be I who has caused his death, but the truth!” Fer wrinkles her little nose and screams up at him. “—What ‘truth?’ ” “--The same truth that you’ve been uncovering…thanks to your… er… friend, Franco Santoro.”

Nanda asks if Art means Ana Gregoria’s diary. He says that’s part of it, yes. “--Or, rather, the start of it.” Fer angrily hisses at him that her father isn’t to blame for what her grandparents did. Bravo replies that neither is she to blame for her father’s mistakes, but she’s suffering because of them all the same. (More egomaniacal claptrap here that I’m at a loss to decipher. Just go with it guys.) “--Neither am I to blame for what my mother did, but here I am. We are all the heirs of what pertains to our parents. That includes despicable acts!” “--Certainly if my father had known about you he’d have—“ Bravo cuts her off. “—He would have done the same with me as they did to your sister Liliana! --Or don’t you remember what he did when she dared to tell him what they were going through at your home at that moment?”

Artie doesn’t stop even to catch his breath. “Your sister had the courage to confront Barbara and it was she who heard the order I myself gave Barbara over the phone to kill your mother! That weakling Gonzalo preferred to take the word of a newly arrived employee over that of his own daughter. –What were you expecting Fernanda? That I would say to him: ‘I’m your brother. Our parents were undesirable scoundrels and I need a family’? --Ah, come on, Fernanda! You always lived in a fantasy world!” Fer refuses to respond to the insult. “--Just when are you going to put an end to your vengeance?” “—Very soon. There’s just one thing left to do. I’ve got to have my daughter, Aurora, at my side.” Fernanda is finally at a loss for words.

Jacobo gets back to the hideout and yells at Lucio to get Rory ready so they can take her with them. Just then machine gun bullets start piercing the front door to the shack and Jacobo takes cover. The gunmen break in and demand to know where she is. Jacobo doesn’t realize it, but Lucio and Aurora are now truckin’ through the back woods, a step ahead of Bravo’s henchmen. Lucio pushes her to keep her moving.

Back at Bravo’s, Fer reminds Art that just because Santi’s son is also Art’s grandchild, that doesn’t give him the right to take him away from Santi. “Let’s stop talking about rights and talk instead about ‘justice’, Fernanda. Years ago Altagracia and Jeronimo cut me off from my mother. You don’t think that now it is fair that I take my grandson away from you?” Fer is ready to scratch the old troll’s eyes out when Fr/Ed steps in and tells her it’s time to go because they aren’t going to get a thing from the man. Bravo tells him that’s being excessive. He’s just given them a banquet full. Fer says well, then he should understand why they don’t intend to thank him for his ‘gift’. She throws a curse at him in ever increasing decibels. “What I will assure you of, though, is that with an unlucky SOB like you, whose heart is so full of hate and vengeance, God will deny you the privilege of ever enjoying your grandchild!!”

In his room in Intensive Care, Bab’s tries to sweet-talk the nurse into leaving her alone with Gonzo. The nurse has specific instructions not to leave the patient alone for even an instant. Barb decides to take a different tack and leans over his bed. “Vida, do you hear me?" He moves his finger yes but his eyes are still closed. He opens his eyes and slowly moves his head around for a good squint. “--You’re in the hospital. You gave us a terrible fright, but very soon you’re going to be fine.” Gonzo starts gasping for air through his oxygen mask and his eyes go wide. He begins to scream at her. “Murderer! Murderer!” Unfortunately for him, his voice is muffled under that mask and the noise from the monitors around him doesn’t help things. The nurse continues working diligently on her paperwork in the corner and (of course) doesn’t hear. (Viewerville is on the edge of its seat, to see if the Barbot will surface and make her play now. Unfortunately, Viewereville will have to wait till the finale to find out.)

Fer and Fr/Ed walk out onto the curb in front of Bravo’s to discuss what just went on inside. She tells him she wants him to take her to the police station to report Artemio to the police for having murdered her mother. Fr/Ed doesn’t like the idea and starts to say something but she stops him short. “NO! It’s obvious that neither he nor Barbara will give up Aurora. My brother’s going to lose her and I am not going to allow it!” Fr/Ed gives in and says fine, then she can count on him and he’ll act as her witness. She turns around suddenly to face him and says, “ Ok. And just how are you going to sign the complaint –as Franco Santoro or as Eduardo Juarez????” (Ruh-rohI) It’s finally come to Jesus time for the Edster…..

Labels: manana

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 7:31 PM 160 comments

Mi nombre es Serendipitypb or PB.

Several years ago I had what I thought was a novel idea. :) (I seriously have to roll my eyes now that it was a novel idea.) I would learn Spanish by watching Spanish Television and listen to Spanish in my car as I drove from place to place with my job.

I started recording a show but as I flipped stations my hubby said he would be more apt to watch if I record this one (that he saw pass by) instead of the one I was recording. So I changed my recording, and soon had about 30 or so episodes. Trying to get the television from hubby who likes football isn't easy.

Hubby had to leave town for week and I had a weekend marathon that took me to the first time Leti and Don Fernando were together. I became a LFMB addict. Yes, an addict. Hubby watched with me when he came back, at least for a few months. I had missed months in the beginning because of my timing but I sure started watching at the best time. Of course, I could understand practically nothing, so I searched and searched on the WEB, and finally came across Caray, Caray, where I could learn what I missed, and I have been grateful for this site ever since. I did have a very difficult time getting over my disappointment with how LFMB played out, but I was stuck to the very painful end.

Since then I have been silently with you all through Pasión, Tontas, MEPS and I can't remember what others. I bought several full length telenovelas including Betty la Fea, L FMB, Pasion de Gavilanes and cut versions of Alborado, Amor Real to name a few. You have all helped me turn the light bulb on with your recaps and comments. Thank all of you for your dedication and hard work, and Melinama for starting Caray, Caray!

Some of my time has been freed up recently and I thought that I would try to give back. I am going to attempt to recap Sortiliego on Wednesdays. Note that I did not say a good recap. I am sure I really have no idea what I am in for, and if any of you recappers have any advice, I sure could use it. I don’t have a beanie, but I had instructions somewhere on how to make one. I could use help though, with some instructions on how to post this so that it goes to the right place.

Gracias.
PB

Labels: manana, recapper-intro, sortilegio

Beto’s mad. His Mama kicked him out, and when Moni does the same (gently, however), he lays a major guilt trip on her, vowing to live in the streets like a dog. He packs his tee-shirts in his duffel, and heads on out.

Over at Jerry/Xime’s housey, the bell rings. Jerry’s downstairs engrossed in a super important game of solitaire, and Xime’s way upstairs, but Jerry’s too cool to answer the door, so he summons his sis, who comes down wondering why he called her. Then, when he says “ask who it is” she says “who is it?” – to Jerry. He finally gets through to her to answer the door, but ask who it is first. She opens the door without asking. Fortunately, it’s no crook, it’s La Loquita, the wedding planner. He’s crying, and needs a hug from Xime. He’s sees Jerry, looks him up and down, and needs a “back hug” from Jerry.



Moni needs company, feels guilty about kicking out Beto, knocks on Estrella’s door, but she’s not in. A neighborhood gossip confirms she’s with her new beau. So Moni goes to see Nieves, who’s crying on her bed, hugging a doll. Moni admits she and Beto argued a little, and she kicked him out. How could you? asks Nieves. Well, you did it first. Sure, but I only did it so you’d take him in! How could you leave him destitute (desamparado)? Moni explains that she loves Beto, but like a brother. And she’s in love with Mauricio. One day they’ll get married. Nieves doesn’t think so. She thinks that as soon as Mau gets Moni in the cama, he’ll drop her like a hot potato, the way all guys do (speaking from experience?) Moni tells how Mau called off the wedding with Connie, but Nieves thinks Mau is deceiving Moni, and asks her to leave. As Moni exits, Nieves continues crying.

As does Connie, despondent at Mau’s shocking statement that he may have to get married in two weeks, but not to Connie. Katia tells her not to worry, Mau and she have argued before, but Connie knows it’s different this time, Mau’s really going to get married, and with the monkey of the circus! Great, says Kat, so you made me steal that stuff for nothing, and jeopardize my relationship with Aldo! Connie ignores this, vows revenge. There’s a knock on the door, and guess who’s coming to dinner? It’s Beto, who after giving Kat a lewd looking over, informs Connie that his Mom kicked him out, as did Moni, so he’s movin’ in! He plunks his duffel down on the table. Kat’s amused, who is this guy?

Lalo wants some whiskey, requests it out of Jerry’s half finished glass. He tells Jerry if you drink from the same cup, you’re bound together for life. At this, Xime perks up, she wants to drink from that glass, but too late! Lalo gulped it all down. He’s still worried about doing a wedding in two weeks, it’s impossible, he’s an artist, he’s fashion, he can’t compromise his standards. Jerry encourages him with flattery, if anyone can do it, it’s you. And I’ll reward you with extras (con creces, or an increase in money). Ooooh, coos Lalo, with those extras, how can I say no? He strokes his hair, freaking Jerry out a bit, but of course Xime misses it all, and thinks he’s divine.

Beto’s making himself at home, asks where the remote is, informs Connie he has dirty laundry in his backpack, she can wash it tomorrow. No way, says Connie. Katia still wonders who he is, but when Beto tells her not to worry “cuñada” (sister-in-law), she holds her nose and asks if Connie’s going with this filthy pig (guarro). Connie says no, he’s the novia of La Monita, we’re just “friends”, we help each other. Right, affirms Beto, and we haven’t finished helping each other, you understand? I think Katia does. Connie dismisses her. As soon as the Kat’s away, the mice will play. They’re both sad they’ve been dumped on by their mates, so of course they start kissing. He wants to go to the bedroom. She says no, then yes, then no! If he wants her totally, he’ll have to destroy Mauricio in the ring. He wants his reward now, and tries to kiss her again, but she pushes him toward the door, throws him his duffel, and says he’ll have to sleep in the streets, at the gym, wherever, she doesn’t care. Fine, he counters, but when I win, I’m going to claim my reward. He lays a last hot kiss on her and leaves, as she falls back onto the bed, gasping for breath, ecstatic.

Moni’s still thinking about Nieves’ warning when her phone rings. It’s Mau, who asks if she broke it off with Beto. She did, and no, she doesn’t feel bad, she feels liberated. But he senses her unease. She asks if he’d ever deceive her, and he promises he wouldn’t. She promises the same. Night falls, and we’ll see what the new day brings.

It’s starts off great. Estrella gushes over the night she spent at Tano’s, and Moni gives her the news that she finally ended it with Beto. Also, Mauricio called off his wedding! Knock, knock, it’s Ximena, who wants a favor from Estrella. Estre wonders, aren’t you still mad at me? Ximmy’s forgotten, was she? Anyway, she’s found the love of her life. Again? asks Estre. No, she just met him yesterday for the first time (!) And it’s time for Xime’s 3 things – 1) she needs advice as to how to woo Lalo, 2) this time, Estrella, don’t steal him, and 3)let’s all go get dresses for Mau’s wedding! Moni fills her in – the wedding’s off. Wrong, says Xime, it’s on, in two weeks (15 days is how you say two weeks in the latino world). Moni’s worried now, but Estre tells her to chill, get all prettied up, go to the office, and see what the real story is, it’s probably just a misunderstanding.

Nieves dials the barrio phone, calls the gym, where Beto’s bunking. Don Cesar picks up, hands the phone to Beto. He starts out insulting his Mom, what’s the matter, you remembered you had a kid, whom you carried inside you, whom you breastfed (amamantaste) till the age of 8? She shuts him up, gives him some advice (which we don’t hear). In the next scene, Moni meets Beto for breakfast. He says if you’re really sure you want to marry Mau, I won’t stand in your way. He blesses her (to her surprise), adding that if it turns out Mau was deceiving her, Beto will still be there for her. Moni’s doubtometer is rising. Beto says we could leave for Las Vegas now, I’m ready. Let’s go. You’ll never be really be happy with old doll hair. Think about it. Moni’s face gives it away, she just can’t stop that doubtometer. But she knows Nieves is behind this. Meanwhile, she has to go to work.

Estrella’s missing her blouse (no she’s wearing one, it’s a different one, what were you thinking? :). She thinks Nieves accidentally took it from the clothesline (tendedero), and she goes into Nieves’ apartment to search for it, when she hears voices, and hides. It’s Nieves and Connie. Nieves tells Connie the good news – Beto’s going to try to convince Moni to go to Las Vegas. That way, she’ll be away from Mauricio, and the field will be open for Connie and Mau. The bad news? She sticks out her palm. I need 30,000 pesos so Beto and La Monita will leave forever! Estrella is all ears (behind the beaded curtains). Connie thinks it’s funny, it’s a bargain (ganga). She immediately writes out a check. As they go outside, Estrella is outraged.

Mau can’t understand why the judge is so extreme, it’s extortion. Oscar thinks it’s normal, but Salvador agrees that it’s strange. Oscar reminds Mau that Judge Durán is the judge they have, so they have to do what he wants, or lose the adoption case. He leaves, Moni comes in, hears Sal, Mau and the word wedding, says “So you’re getting married in two weeks. Fine, I’m going to Las Vegas with Beto!” Mau asks Sal to leave them alone, can’t understand why yesterday Moni said she broke up with Beto. Maybe I lied. But I’m leaving as soon as possible. Fine, he replies. Go fight, win all your fights, you can live your life hitting and wounding people. Looks who’s talking, she answers, you who play with people’s lives. Maybe I can’t be your wife, but I sure won’t be your lover! She turns and leaves him in shock (again).

Into the coffee room she goes, where Paula tries to make her see reason, but to no avail. She goes to leave the office, and when Gabi asks just where does she think she’s going, she answers Las Vegas. Gabi didn’t authorize this vacation, but Moni’s not listening. She’s on her way out, when the elevator opens, and a laughing Connie and Lalo come out. She tells Connie it’s nice you’re getting married in two weeks, you and Mauricio were made for each other (son tal para cual).

Aldo is very understanding with Katia at school. She’d understand if he’d want some distance after what happened, but he doesn’t. He’s very tender and kind to her. Luisa comes up and makes fun of Katia as a klepto (spelled with a “c” in spanish), but Aldo tells her to leave, and lets Katia know his sister is just being foolish, don’t mind her. Katia says she hopes her sister never marries Mauricio. (It seems she’s one of the good guys now).

Connie’s in Mau’s office, sees how upset he is, but isn’t really consoling him much. He tells her Moni’s going to Las Vegas with Beto, and she remarks that it’s typical of such low class people. He should never have lowered himself. He wonders if she’s enjoying this. She says she’s not, but what about the judge? He says he’ll find another solution. Fine, because she’s not so sure she even wants to get back with him now, he’s hurt her so much. This pain you feel from Monita, imagine ten thousand times more, and that’s how much you hurt me. Have a nice day! She leaves.

And guess what? That lil ol’ microphone is still under Mau’s desk, picking up every word! Well, maybe they took it out at some point, but Jerry and Oscar heard this last conversation. Jerry’s proud of himself. The next step – video! The two guys are so happy, they just can’t help hugging each other (and this is at least the third time – could there be more than mere male bonding?). Well, Lalo certainly thinks so, as he enters just in time to see our boys bond. And he’s jealous, thought he had some chemistry with Jerry. He tells them he’s young, he’s hot, he’s a queen, and he’s gonna fight for Jerry like a she-wolf in heat! (una loba en celo). As he leaves, Oscar’s amused. He’s sure Lalo’s gonna plan a wedding, but it might be with Jerry! He wants to be the best man.

Sal asks Gabi to send a fax, but she wants to take an hour off. Lalo comes out with Connie, asks if the wedding is still on. She says there’s nothing definitive, but keep working. Before they leave, Lalo asks Sal to give a little pink note to Jerry. He stayed up for hours last night working on it, it’s very heartfelt (sentida), and of course Sal will deliver it.

But not before reading it. Here’s how it starts. “Dear Jero, I can’t stop thinking about your strong hugs…” Salvador gets a mischievous look, tucks it into his vest pocket, and we go to commercial.

Pau’s in the coffee room, sad. Gabi tells her to cheer up, she’ll miss Moni, too, when she goes to Las Vegas, of course as a friend. As an employee she left much to be desired. Paula’s still sad about Cristian, though. Gabi reminds her she’s the one who decided not to go. Pau doesn’t think Gabi can understand, being an old maid (solterona), while Paula’s still young with her life ahead of her. Me an old maid, shoots back Gabi, how many times have you been married? Right, answers oblivious Paula, I’m way younger than you, thanks for cheering me up. She’s happy now, and leaves. Gabi, not so much. Sal comes in, and Gabi’s not happy with him, either. Her biological clock is ticking, and he’s making her lose time. But he has something to show her, a love letter. He extracts the pink letter from his breast pocket, as Gabi’s eyes light up.

We get to hear the rest of the letter. “I can’t stop thinking about your strong hugs that consoled me when I needed it most. The hug we had was almost a caress, a magical moment when I knew love for the first time”. Uyyyy! Sal gets a sneaky look, tells Gabi that with this note, Jerry will pay for everything he’s done.

Xime and Jero are walking through a cemetery, she’s carrying flowers, but raving about her connection with Lalo. She stubs her toe, wonders why there are so many tombstones (lápidas) here. Apparently they’ve come to visit their father’s grave. But Xime just has Lalo on the brain. Xime thinks they have a lot in common, and now that she’s over 16 years old, and Jerry’s almost 50, can he give her a little advice on how to attract Lalo? Jerry thinks she has a problem, because the guy is dying for HIM. You killed him? she answers, not getting it at all. Is that why we’re in the cemetery? Where did you bury him? Right there, he points, to shut her up. It’s an open grave, and our bum pushes Xime right in! What’s up, bro? He lays down the law. From now on, if you want advice, you’ll have to consult the I Ching, a chiropractor, a kinesiologist, a card reader, or anyone else but me. Is that clear?! Got it, thanks brother, you’re the best. He then walks away, leaving poor Ximena six feet down, unable to climb out, calling for help. Auxilio!

Salvador has Lalo sign some contract he’d forgotten to sign. Lalo asks if he delivered the note (to Jerry). Sal says yes, and says there’s an answer, too. To Lalo’s delight, Sal gives him a folded up note, which Lalo kisses, saying it smells of MAN. He’s off, and Gabi laughs. Sal asks her out to dinner, but she reminds him he’s married, so the answer is no. She happily exits, leaving him pensive.

At the gym, Mau is training with El Cibernético. And he’s doing well, has Ciber in a headlock. (Do we care that these matches are usually scripted, and there’s no real wrestling? Of course not. I believe, I believe. BTW, here's a muscle shot for you ladies.) Muscleman Ciber goes off to make some calls, as Tano comes to visit. Mau has a favor to ask. Never give me advice again. Huh? Mau relates how he cancelled the wedding, declared his love for Moni. And what happened? Moni’s going to Vegas with Beto. So whatcha gonna do? inquires Tano. There’s only one way to stop Moni. Get in that ring, and fight for her, to the death.

In another gym, Beto’s also doing well, has Costeño’s arm bent back, holding his head down, telling Costeño to cry uncle (he actually says “dime vaquero” which is literally say cowboy). Moni’s watching. She tells Beto she’s made her decision. She’ll go with him to Las Vegas (tears are in her eyes, though). Beto’s overjoyed, Moni’s heartbroken, wants to leave as soon as possible.

And that’s it. Love is doomed, it just was not to be.

But wait! In the previews: Connie wants to get married, finalize the adoption, then get divorced (okay, sounds reasonable to me). Moni discovers the money trail, and Mau and Moni are kissing again! Oh, why did I ever doubt. I’ve got to work on my doubtometer.

Vocabulario:

Desamparado – destitute
Con creces – and more, or with extras, for example, le devolví con creces su dinero, I paid him back all his money and more
Un guarro – a filthy pig
Amamantar - to breastfeed
Tendedero – clothesline
Ganga – a bargain
Son tal para cual – they’re just as bad as each other, two of a kind
Una loba en celo – a she-wolf in heat

Labels: gancho