Caray, Caray!

So, Bruno calls his mom a ho and Alex gets upset and grabs him by the shirt. MaryJo tries to get between them. Bruno eventually says that this only makes things worse between them, gets loose, and goes away. Worse? Seriously? Como diablos could things between them get worse?

Vicky lets Hernán and Felipa know that she told Bruno who his Daddy really was. And what's more, she actually feels better for having done it…except that Bruno was looking at her with "asco" (revulsion, disgust). Hernán advises her to get some rest and says that they support her decision. Vicky takes her meds.

When Hernán goes downstairs, Bruno has harsh words with him. Hernán knew all along and Bruno is pissed about it. He refuses to acknowledge Antonio as his father and insists that Sam is his daddy and he hates Antonio. He takes every opportunity to savor the words as he says Antonio seduced his mother, making her a "ramera" and a "golfa" (both basically, ho). After he spews all that crap he goes back upstairs. But he stops on the stairs to shout to the whole house that he curses the woman who bore him ("que me engendró") and who slept with another man. This brings Ezequiel running, well walking really fast anyway, and now Bruno comes back downstairs to unload on him, saying that even the "criado" (servant) knew before he did and that Zeke must have been her "alcahuete" (person who facilitated the affair, pimp, lookout). Zeke has no flippin' clue what Bruno is talking about. Bruno calls them both trash and storms out. Yay! Goody! Change the locks now while you have the chance and tell security not to let him back in por nada! Hernán just tells Zeke that Bruno is having "personal problems" and says that Bruno isn't acting like a demon, he is one!

Still wearing their robes from the Macy's Hot Married People Who Can't Be Bothered With Actual Clothes line, Alex and MaryJo finish their dinner and talk about what just happened. Alex figures that Vicky must have just felt like Bruno needed to know. MaryJo and Alex both suppose that now Bruno is going to break it to Raquel. Oh, yeah, baby, and in the meanest, nastiest way possible. Alex: "Do you realize, we've all got the same blood and there is nothing in common between them and me." MaryJo: "Luckily!" Ha! I like it when my snark is written for me. Alex is worried about Vicky's health and MaryJo agrees with him that they need to give her lots of love and support. They also agree that Bruno is going to be furious now. Alex wants MaryJo to quit taking on responsibility for all the crap that happens in that house…"you see that we had problems long before you showed up!" They give each other a long, soulful hug as Alex tells her to calm down. I predict there will be some calm-down nookie going on soon. Cause nothing chills a person out better than sweet, sweet lovin' on high-thread-count sheets.

At whatever trashy party is going on tonight, Maura and Ulises discuss Raquel. Basically, Maura lets it be known that there's interest in a hook-up. Ulises winks at Raquel from across the room.

Felipa and Ezequiel start having a conversation, but I can't understand a word because I am stuck on the horrid paint job on the fridge. Is it possible I never noticed it before? How? It's hot and pale pink with white circles. It's blinding me to the closed captions. Seriously? These people are supposed to be rich. How about a little stainless steel, eh? Maybe some granite countertops? A nice sage green paint job on the actual paintable surfaces? Instead of the fridge from the Barbie Dream House?

Okay, back to the show. Felipa and Ezequiel talk vaguely about what happened. They suppose it must have been a fight with Bruno because MaryJo and Alex were in "their" room. Felipa refuses to discuss what the fight was about, even after Zeke complains that Bruno called him a pimp. She reminds him that they see and hear, but keep their mouths shut. She's planning on spending the night in Vicky's room in case Vicky wakes up and needs anything.

Roberto takes a female party guest upstairs to get it on. He makes fun of her for wondering if the host will get mad that they're using one of the bedrooms. "Duh, what do you think these parties are for?" Funny, I never saw a bowl of keys.

Ulises begins the seduction of Raquel. She agrees she'd find him most "apetible" (appetizing).

Maura comments on it to Lizette who thinks it's a shame, because she had her eye on Ulises too. Maura reminds her that he's a "mantenido" (a kept man, a moocher), but Lizette thinks she's perfectly capable of being mooched off of.

Raquel wants some assurances that Ulises isn't just messing around with her and really wants her. So he kisses her. That's apparently enough evidence for her. She says he kisses better than she thought. He tells her that he's been thinking about her since he got back and that he's always liked her. He says that she's special and has qualities he can't find in anyone else. She wants to believe him, but she gets all nervy and tells him this is actually the first time she's cheated on Roberto. He's surprised, but he wants to be the first.

Bruno pours out his troubles to Erick. He's shocked. Bruno is pissed that he's carrying the same blood as Alex. Erick tells him it's an outrage that as the first born he has even more right to everything than Alex has. Bruno starts talking about killing Alex again, but Erick is like, "dude, he's the cat that keeps coming back, enough already!" Bruno says he'll just have to keep trying until he manages to kill off Alex, but for realz this time. Erick wants him to calm down and think about how to do it without raising suspicious. Bruno takes offense because Erick isn't acknowledging his righteous anger, yo.

MaryJo pouts to Alex about being alone in the house all day. She needs to do something and she's used to working. Alex wants to talk about it later, but maybe for now she can hang out with his mom and convince her that she's really in love with him. They kiss goodbye and he goes to see how Vicky's doing before he goes to work.

Vicky is feeling better this morning and wants to chat with Alex for a bit. She wants him to know what happened, but he already does because Bruno told him. Alex thinks Bruno's anger will pass. He feeds Vicky a bite of her waffle and tells her it's time to start thinking about herself. Felipa agrees. Vicky objects that it's about her son and Alex says "hey, I'm your son too, right?" He reminds her that she's not just his mom, she's a woman. He wants her to leave behind her "lastres" (burdens) and write and travel. Maybe she could go look at some land they bought with Fernando…wouldn't she like that? Vicky agrees, so Alex is going to let Fernando know. Mhm, who's the alcahuete now, eh? He kisses both his mom and Felipa goodbye and leaves. Vicky wonders why Bruno is the way he is. Felipa sagely says it's because "nunca falta un negrito en el arroz" (the rice never lacks a speck…maybe something like, there's always a black sheep in the family, or everything can't be perfect).

Downstairs, Zeke takes a minute to discuss household matters with Alex. Bruno came home in the "madrugada" (early morning hours) drunk as a skunk. He is concerned about Erick driving Paula around because Raquel is getting upset. Alex tells Zeke to hire another driver for Raquel and Zeke suggests a cousin of his. Alex agrees. Zeke also wants to consider letting the nurse go, as Pedro is getting around much better. Alex says to ask Pedro what he thinks and then gets driven off to work.

Ulises and Maura chat on the phone. Ulises doesn't want to give up a lot of details about his rendezvous with Raquel, except to say that she's very "fogosa" (fiery) and he can tell that Roberto hasn't been doing his husbandly duty. He also opted to rent a (very tackily) furnished apartment and pay for a maid rather than live in a hotel. He figured he'd get more privacy that way. Maura rolls her eyes at him and says she hopes it's an apartment with an address worthy of their social circle. She also reminds him to call MaryJo.

Chucho fills Pedro in on the goings-on at the big house while he mops the floors. He goes off to get fresh water as MaryJo walks up. Pedro lets MaryJo know that he told Zeke to let the nurse go. He can move his knee around even better than before. Pedro wants an update on Vicky from MaryJo. She supposes that Bruno gave her yet another "disgusto" (upset) and her blood pressure went up. Paula comes stalking up to the house complaining that all the spots in the morning classes were taken and now she has to take classes in the afternoon. MaryJo says it's just important to get her education. ShutUp!Paula, however, has different plans--namely, to marry rich like her sister. The nurse comes in to say goodbye. Pedro feels guilty for getting better so quickly and taking her job away from her, but she says she'll now have time to take care of her baby. Although, Pedro is her "consentido" (favorite).

Alex tells Fernando that Bruno knows who his real daddy is. Fernando's first concern, of course, is Vicky. So Alex gives him the job of distracting Vicky by taking her to that archeological site they just purchased. "Dude, but you know how I feel about your mom!" Yep, and that's exactly why he wants Fernando to be the one to distract her. So much so that he practically orders Fernando, who is insecure about Vicky's feelings for him, to give his unfinished work to some other guy so that he can go visit Vicky and start planning their trip. Did he just offer up his best friend to his mother on a silver platter or the other way around?

Roberto needles a rather pissy-looking Raquel about leaving the party early. She tells him that Ulises brought her home. She gets even more upset when she sees the Samaniego bunch outside. Roberto piles it on, saying he's going to go say hello to them. He walks off as she's screaming "don't you dare!"

Papa Pedro greets him and Chucho offers him a beer, but Roberto, ever the thoughtful guest, has brought a drink of his own. (There's a drinking game…if Roberto doesn't have a drink in his hand, drink!) Hellos are exchanged all around. Paula fills Roberto in on the start of her classes. MaryJo leaves to go check on Vicky, and Pedro asks her to pass on his good wishes for a quick recovery. As she leaves, we see Raquel watching from her front porch, making a snotty face. Paula and Chucho start to gossip about what went down at the big house, but Pedro admonishes them not to talk about "family" business. Roberto reminds them that he is family, but "sin voz ni voto" (without a voice or a vote). Everyone looks uncomfortable.

As MaryJo heads into the house, Ulises makes his phone call from a pay phone. This time he tells Zeke that he is Mario Aguirre, but MaryJo doesn't know anyone by that name. Bruno, unfortunately, is there and angrily takes the phone, demanding to know who it is. MaryJo is pissed. Even if she doesn't know a Mario Aguirre, that doesn't give Bruno the right to be all up in her business! She storms upstairs. Bruno, bringing the crazy, delivers unto Zeke the following speech: "Not a word to anyone, understand, not even Alex. In case you didn't know, I've got the same rights in this house as he does, since Antonio f'ed my mother before they were married. Got it? I'm the eldest! Idiot." Or something to that effect. I don't know what word he actually used for "f'ed" but they bleeped it out.

MaryJo tries to visit Vicky, but Felipa tells her that she's with Fernando right now. MaryJo offers to come back later. Felipa sees that she is obviously upset ("you look like you've seen a ghost") but she can't get MaryJo to tell her what's up.

Fernando very passionately explains to Vicky the history of the land. They bought it, but then some archeologists found artifacts and ruins and now, since they can't build on it, Alex wants to give it to the indigenous people in the area so that they can run some sort of cooperative enterprise with it. They want to build a museum to show off the artifacts that were found there. Fernando says they'll need "INA"s permission and for someone to talk to people to convince them of what a good idea it all is. He and Alex thought Vicky could be that person. Vicky hesitates about going out there, but then remembers she needs a distraction and agrees. Fernando very enthusiastically kisses her hand and holds on to it just a bit too long, causing Vicky to remove her hand from his and give it a little pat. Oh, he is so like a puppy.

Ezequiel is going to burst if he doesn't tell Felipa what just happened. So he does. He wants her to confirm or deny that what Bruno told him is true. She says that (a) she doesn't know, (b) Bruno's making things up, and (c) they shouldn't be gossiping. Ezequiel looks no less burst-y than he did before the conversation.

Bruno goes to visit a lawyer, one Felipe Archundia, to ask him if after 10 years it's possible to contest a will. Mr. A says it depends on the circumstances and ominous music plays and Bruno looks just as smug and rat-bastardy as ever.

Paula comes to visit MaryJo. MaryJo asks if she knows who this Mario Aguirre is, but the name doesn't ring a bell for Paula either. Paula wonders if it's someone MaryJo met at the store, but MaryJo says she couldn't have given someone the number when she didn't know it herself. Paula now panics a little and wonders if it's something to do with Papi's shady business associates. MaryJo sincerely hopes not, and crosses herself to ward it off. Paula wants her to tell Alex, but MaryJo isn't sure she should. Paula and I both roll our eyes.

Ulises tells Maura what happened when he called. He tries to get more money out of her, but she says she's already give him more than enough for two phone calls. I agree. He didn't even do the classic "is your refrigerator running?" joke.

Bruno comes back to the house and is pissed off that Fernando was there. He thinks Fernando is hitting on a "vieja" (old lady). Fernando objects to calling Vicky "old." Fernando refuses to answer the question of why he was there and leaves. Bruno goes out to the front steps to tell him that he is forbidden to enter the house again. Puh-leeze. Then, since Felipa is coming up the stairs, he tells her to get back in the kitchen where she belongs. Felipa serenely says that his mother asked her to get some flowers, so she did, since it's Vicky who's in charge here. As Bruno stomps off, she just as serenely calls him an "engreido" (spoiled brat) and "presumido" (arrogant). And not mumbling, and not precisely behind his back, just that he was walking away at the time.

Bruno heads into the kitchen to very rudely tell Ezequiel that he wants everyone at dinner tonight because they have important things to discuss. Ezequiel very shakily asks who exactly he means by "everyone" and Bruno tells him not that drunk Pedro and not Paula, and then calls Zeke an idiot. He leaves and Zeke stands there trembling as he says that Bruno has never talked to him like that before. Really?

Felipa, who is well known for not gossiping, tells Vicky what happened with Mario Aguirre calling and asking for MaryJo. Vicky gets Felipa to make excuses for why MaryJo can't see her.

Out on the front porch of Pedro's house, he and Roberto shoot the bull. Ulises comes up and joins the conversation. Chucho spies. Ulises wants to confirm that Pedro only has two daughters, then asks for Raquel. Roberto gives him permission to go over and say hi to her. Pedro basically likes anyone who says his daughters are pretty, so he thinks Ulises is a fine young man. I have this horrible premonition…do we have any idea what happened to MaryJo's mom? Did she possibly leave Pedro and have another kid who, though younger, looks a lot like MaryJo? Please tell me we're not getting a 2-for-1, long-lost sister and long-lost mother.

Ulises comes into Raquel's house. She's surprised to see him, and even more surprised that he attacks her and throws her down on the table. She doesn't want to get busted by Roberto, but Ulises says that Robert gave him permission to come in and say hello. She tries to get out of their previously agreed on meeting at his apartment later, but he talks her into it. Or nibbles her into it, whatever. He leaves and she's all giddy and disheveled.

Maura pulls up to Alex's place of business. Alex is giving Mari two cell phones, one for Paula and one for MaryJo. Another secretary announces Maura over the speakerphone. She tries to French kiss him hello, but he resists. He also refuses her invitation to lunch. She says she has something interesting to tell him. She's heard rumors from Bruno and Raquel that he needs to hear about. He's really not interested, but she tells him he's smart enough to know if she's making things up, so what is there for him to worry about. Ugh.

Raquel angrily screams at someone to call her a taxi. She goes to meet Ulises at his apartment. As he macks on her, he asks if he can fix her an exotic drink…he was, after all, a bartender in Europe. She wants to talk, but not really. She tells him she hasn't done it with Roberto in years because he says she's disagreeable and repellent. Ulises sweet talks her…"you're beautiful, sweet, distinguished." What. Ever.

Maura rehashes the weirdness of Alex coming home and not remembering being married, then remembering, then blaming it all on Bruno. Alex is surprised she knows all this. She tells him she listens when people whisper. She says that Bruno told her some guy, Mario Aguirre, from Saqui keeps calling the house, but she doesn't know why. She gets him to promise not to tell who she heard it from, but since she says Bruno told her, he doesn't believe her. She says she's sure Bruno forbid Ezequiel from telling him, and she's sure MaryJo isn't going to tell him, so she's just being a good friend and trying to keep him from looking like an idiot.

MaryJo irons and Pedro shines his shoes while Paula reads a magazine. Pedro thinks that Vicky is just tired, but MaryJo thinks Vicky is avoiding her. Ezequiel very stiffly comes in and tells MaryJo that she's to be at dinner that evening. Paula gets all excited, but Zeke bursts her bubble, telling her the message was only for MaryJo. Paula is offended and MaryJo can't buy Paula off with the excuse that it's a "family" dinner. Pedro says that it's probably something personal that they want to discuss in private. MaryJo reminds Paula that despite all the luxury they're living in, they're still what they are. Pedro backs her up.

Felipa passes on the message about Bruno's dinner to Vicky. They wonder what the dinner's about, given that the "family" only will be present. Vicky doesn't like the sound of this.

Raquel and Ulises' afternoon of illicit nookie is interrupted by a call to Raquel's phone, but Ulises tells her to leave it..."si lo encuentras no te conviene" (if you find it, it's not in your best interest).

Alex pulls up to the house in the evening. He goes inside and finds his bedroom empty. He has to go to "her" bedroom to find her. She's all shaky as she says that it's easier for her to be in that room since all her clothes are there. She tells him that Bruno called for a dinner, but she doesn't know what it's about. He asks if something happened and if she has something to tell him. She says no, so he laughs and says he's going to have a shower and change clothes. MaryJo is upset that she didn't get a kiss or a smile from him.

Roberto has been waiting for Raquel and tells her to hurry up and change for dinner. He seems suspicious and upset, but didn't he tell her to cheat on him?

Bruno finally shows up at the dinner table and orders Felipa to go away, since she's not "family." Everyone rolls their eyes and Vicky stands up and insists that Felipa is family, to her. Bruno gives up and announces that he's contesting "his" father's will. Raquel is impactada as she asks "your father?"

Tomorrow: Raquel finds out who her daddy is; Bruno calls Vicky a ho yet again; Alex and Bruno get into a fistfight at the dinner table, or rather, on the dinner table.

Labels: sortilegio

Pasofino offered first, thanks to others who offered, you are the tops!
Melinama

Labels: sortilegio

All kinds of bad things are happening to our menfolk in this one. Aldo has become resigned to his fate in the orphanage. Mauricio caves in to Constanza's cruel pressure. And Sal is twitching and blinking and seeing conspiracies everywhere. ( Well, he' s right! Someone is out to get him.)

Not to mention poor Monita in a coma for six months. At least we can stop worrying about her being pregnant....can't we? Well, I for one didn't see a baby bump under that sheet, but who knows? Here's what DID happen for sure....

We begin with a 110 miles per hour conversation between Paula and Estrella in the barrio. Gist: they both want to visit Monita. Presence is important. But Estrella has a casting call for a movie and Paula needs to get to work. They decide that Estrella will visit later if she has time, and Paula will prevail on Gaby for time off to sneak in a visit. And since "Sermeño Group" is always there, it's not like our little comatose boxer is lonely.

But Nieves sure is. We see her crying and sniffling as she hugs one of Beto's abandoned t-shirts which evidently still smells of Beto. (what an image). And the lament goes like this: How could you leave me after I nursed you for 8 years? Let's just take a moment to think that one over.

Okay. Moving on. We're at the office and Gaby and a twitchy Sal are lamenting the fact that Mauricio is never in the office and is letting the business slide. The camera pans back and forth between them and the sneaky Oscar/Jeronimo duo looking appropriately guilty and furtive. Jerry is also feeling bereft now that his planned and paid for night of Pasha passion turned into a "desvalijada" (getting robbed and ransacked) instead. By golly, he's going to have to take out a loan from the firm to refurnish his pad. Oscar firmly suggests that he work instead. (Horrified look from Jeronimo) But it has to be done if we're going to take Mauricio out of the game, counsels Oscar.

But wait...there's breaking news back at the barrio. Don Cesar and Nieves are about to get it on. I don't want to think about this any more than I want to imagine her nursing Beto 'till age 8.
But lo, we do have a middle-aged paunchy love scene, with both confessing their loneliness and Nieves tugging on his love chain until those two little paunches meet and squeeze. Nothing like a December/December romance to warm the cockles of your heart.

Mauricio's romance, on other hand, is in the doldrums. He's hanging around the hospital night and day gaping at Monita and murmuring sweet nothings., Not sleeping, not eating, and justifying this by saying Monita's more important. Sal, a bit more rational in spite of the coffee poisoning, is suggesting Mau "retomar las riendas (take up the reins again) of the business, and at least sign these daggone papers he brought to the hospital. Mau reminds Sal that the reason he has Salvador is to run the business! No need for him to come back. All he cares about are Monita and the children.

We see the sun rising, clouds floating...and know another day has gone by....maybe more. Nieves and Alicia are hip to hip at Monita's bedside, fighting over who gets to stroke her hair and pat her cheek. The kids find a moment for a group hug at the orphanage, and Lorenza continues her furtive poisoning of Sal's coffee. Monita's been moved to a regular bed. She's off the ventilator by the way. Mau and Teresa huddle together and feel sad. Salvador's tics get worse and we learn that six months have passed.

And things have changed. Aldo has knuckled down, on the surface anyway, to the regime of the fierce school matron. (Anybody remember Ida Lupino playing prison matrons in the old black and white movies? This lady gives me the same vibe even though physically she doesn't resemble her.) Luisa is horrified to see her brother kowtowing to the witch but he shrugs resignedly and says by now Mauricio has forgotten about them. This is their life now. Might as well make the best of it.

And Salvador is becoming gaga...to Gaby's horror and Oscar and Jerry's delight. Gabriela was looking forward to at least 20 good years of passion with her beau but alas, his "fecha de caducidad" (expiration date) is evidently already tattooed on his forehead. And Oscar and Jerry make jokes about him being just a piece of furniture in the office...and "apolillado" (worm-eaten, fusty, aniquated) furniture at that. Then they word play with "pollino" which can mean "idiot or silly ass" and ugh...I'm really hating this storyline, language aside. However, Gaby's suggestion that they hang dog-tags around Sal's neck with his name and address on it, isn't a bad one. Paula's quick to chime in with horror stories about old friends going ga-ga ("chocheando") from one day to the next, and this scene ends with the sad admission that furthermore Monita "sigue igual" (is just the same, no improvement).

Whew. We break for ads. Almost a relief. When we come back...Yea! Siss boom bah! It's Ximena. So glad to see our little airhead. She hasn't changed. Entranced with our pretty Monita's looks, she's considering being put in a sleep coma herself. But wait! first let's check out the wedding album and talk about her fab honeymoon. She's got three things to say: 1) It's a very special day 'cause she's visiting Monita. 2) Rolu's getting his body cast off today (I keep remembering what Carlos said about the ripe aroma that develops after some time in a cast) and 3) Tonight will be their real wedding night and boy has she got an evening prepared for him. (Let's hope it includes a loooong sexy shower.)

Rolu, unsheathed, is looking rather unattractive. The beard does nothing for him and neither do the moans of pain about his legs not functioning. He runs a few memories through his head of the fateful tattoo, the lunge over the parking garage and the sham wedding. And his first words? I want to see my wife.

Gosh, could our Rolu have fallen madly in love after all? As Ximena expects? Stay tuned.

Nieves and Alicia are still hip to hip and squabbling...this time at the laundry tubs.
Suddenly it's like the Second Coming....

Beto arrives. Time stops.

And comprehension too.

'Cause he keeps speaking in English. He's astonished that Monita lost the fight and ended up in the hospital but blows it off as "gajes del oficio" (part of the job). Alicia, angry over his absence and his cavalier attitude, starts in on him but Nieves cruelly cuts her off as a "vientre seco" (empty womb) who has no motherly rights to mess in either Monita or Beto's business. She'll take Beto to the hospital and tosses her undies ("chones") towards Alicia telling her to finish the laundry. Harsh.

Back at the hospital, Estrella is dealing some harsh facts to Ximena as well (not that Xime is paying any attention). Our feisty redhead is trying to explain that Rolu must be furious about all this. But no, Ximensa replies, there are THREE reasons why not. 1) He asked me to marry him. (really?) 2) I took care of him. 3) Eyes don't lie and I can tell by his eyes that he loves me.

Wow. I want to live in Ximena's world. It's such a happy one.

Estrella protests that while she loves Ximena dearly, she has to admit that her girlfriend is the worst thing to happen to Rolu ever! Just then a nurse enters, saying Rolu's asking for his wife. With what kind of face? stutters Ximena...angry or mushy and yearning? Errr...he's just "un poco intranquilo" hedges the nurse. Ahhh, he's gonna kill her, thinks Estrella.

And Paula's gonna kill Constanza! Yes, she just heard that Connie's back in the office and she has her plastic knife ready. Go Paula!

Back to our curious lovebirds. Rolu says to Ximena "Why did you leave me alone for so long. You're my wife and I missed you." Ximena shrieks with joy and plops on his lap, which leaves Rolu shrieking also.....with other feelings. Hmmm....can't wait to see how this plays out. But I don't see a loooong sexy shower in their future.

The long-awaited reunion with Constanza is also not going well. She's got Mauricio by the short hairs. As soon as he starts to yell about her betrayal, she smoothly heads for the door, saying she'll give him another six months to cool off and discuss this in a civilized manner. He can see HER kids tomorrow or he can wait another six months. But she has the power to decide. Harsh, harsh, harsh.

And the long-awaited reunion with Beto and Monita is also hitting some rough spots...namely Estrella who's castigating him for disappearing for months "en meses ni tus luces" and stinking up the hospital room now that he's back. He slinks off with his trademark insult to Estrella: "Tu sigues siendo nadie" (you're still a nobody)

Constanza, continuing her torture of the hapless Mauricio, has made it to the elevator, where Paula holds her hostage with her plastic knife. Lorenza, concerned, runs off to get her a real blade! how many times have I told you?! plastic won't do the trick! I felt some real affection for Lorenza at this point. Sometimes her heart is truly in the right place.

Constanza continues twisting the screws. I suppose you think I'm responsible for Monita losing the fight because I sprayed her eyes. But it's HER fault. She's the one who insisted on going ahead with the bout. I'm not responsible.

We take a little break back in the hospital room where Nieves and Estrella are now in a heart to heart. Nieves is admitting that Beto has many defects of character and that raising him alone, she may had made mistakes. But at her age, she can't be alone. And Don Cesar is just temporary solace. He's like all men, he'll move on. Estrella, of all people, can understand that....that men move on. In fact, that's why Nieves is so hard on her. Because she sees herself in Estrella and the bad choices she's made.

Ah. Well at least that's settled. We'll all been opining that for months.

Now back to our beaatch (sorry Carlos) and her take-down scene with Mauricio. She's enjoying pretending to be sorry about Monita and her coma and Mau is furious with her hypocrisy. But he has to keep it toned down or she'll walk out again. I don't hate her like you think I do, coos Connie. Not really. I feel terrible about your adorable chimpanzee. (Aaargh, I could stab her right now with a plastic knife myself!)

So now the Big Question: What does Mau have to do to see the children again? Simple. He has to marry Constanza. TA DAH. And there the episode ends.

Previews: They don't bode well, folks. Rolu is vowing to Jeronimo that he's going to make Ximena's life a living hell. Nieves is reaming out Beto again, concluding that Mauricio is more of a man that Roberto is. Harsh! Tano is wisely advising Mauricio that if he marries Connie he'll ruin his life. But Mau bleats sadly: It's the only way I'll get my kids back. On to the little bus for you Mauricio!

Vocabulary:

desvalijar = ransack, rob, clean out
paliduchas = pale-skinned women. Americans. (Nieves' lament about Beto going north)
sacar a la jugada = take out of the game (Oscar scheming)
apolillado = worm eaten, fusty, antiquated
apolillar = to snooze
apolillarse = to get moth eaten, to get infested with wormwood
pollino =idiot, silly ass
tatuada su fecha de caducidad =stamped with his expiration date (Salvador)
gajes del oficio = all part of the job
en meses ni tus luces = no sight of you in months
"bella durmiente" - Sleeping Beauty (Monita)
no seas gacha = don't be snotty (Beto to Estrella)
tu sigues siendo nadie = you're still a nobody, you're still a nothing
los chones = undies, lingerie. (This is the first slang word I learned after a few months of studying Spanish. My friend from Spain didn't know what it meant. My teacher who'd studied in Mexico didn't know what it meant. Neither did her Peruvian husband. Finally found the definition on the internet, after coming across it in Fronteras, a Spanish language newspaper.

Dicho of the Day:

I've used this before but it fits. And besides "review and learn new".

Mejor solo que mal acompañado. Better to be alone than in a bad relationship. Don't marry her, Mauricio! NOOOOOOOOO

Labels: gancho

Hi friends,

I'll be in Connecticut away from the television next Monday. If somebody would like to take a crack at the recap (Incog??) leave me a note in the comments with your email address or write me at caray@mappamundi.com

If you want to try it once but not sign up for a regular spot you can email your recap to me and I'll post it for you.

THANKS
Melinama/Chapel Hill Fiddler

Labels: recappers-needed, sortilegio

Friday: Paloma is visiting Natalia and she asks if Natalia can see Chris comfortably, after what happened plus now he’s a priest. Natalia realizes Pal knows they almost married, and says it was a long time ago, and it’s probably the same as it was for Macarena. ¿¿¿Que??? says Paloma.

And thus starts a fun-filled new week for us as we follow the zany capers of those wacky, endearing denizens of Real del Monte. Or I guess it’s actually more like the agonies of those tortured souls, but what the hey. Don’t touch that dial!

Angelica has come back to work, to Orlando’s surprise and delight, as she’s such a good worker. She says she really had to give it a lot of thought, but she wants to keep her commitment. Things won’t be the same, though, she says. Orlando tells her that he’s talked to Camila and found out she’d overheard Angie. Angie’s relieved that Camila didn’t find out through him. Orlando says hey, we’ll just drop the subject. Angie says we’ll try. Emotional klutz Orlando goes to give her a friendly hug and she demurs.

Emiliano is standing in Romina’s living room looking like the wrath of… okay, the wrath of Emiliano. The timpani thunder. Here comes Romina trotting down the stairs. Emiliano focuses in like a laser beam: I know you are, or were, having, an affair with German. Romina gasps I never did! He was chasing me, he even kissed me by force once. Emiliano isn’t buying it. People had been talking about it for some time, and now they’re wondering if the child is his. Que? says Romina, pretending to be astonished.

Emiliano says either you do a paternity test, or you can forget ever seeing me again.

Somehow Paloma has waited until lunch is on the table to continue asking Natalia about Macarena and Chris. She gathers that Natalia identifies with Mac. Were Mac and Chris novios too at one time? She has been wanting to know more about Mac, about her past, about the man she was in love with once.

Natalia can tell she’s in touchy territory. What did Mac tell you? she stalls. Paloma says not much, she was very reserved. I didn’t know she’d known Chris before. Now I’m interested to know more about him, and, since Tia Carlota just tells me half truths, I’m going to ask him. Natalia is relieved and says yes, ask him. I really don’t know much.

Natalia asks Paloma if she’s dating. Paloma is embarrassed to say that she’s been seeing Emiliano, Inaki’s friend. Natalia is understanding and says Inaki would want you to live your life, and he would like it that you’re with someone he trusted.

Paloma says but we broke up – the women in my family are destined to be unlucky in love. Natalia says not just you – a lot of women are unlucky that way. What happened? Well, says Paloma, apparently launching into her tale of woe, but we don’t hear it.

German has come to see Orlando to ask for his help with Em. Orlando says you’ll have to tell me the truth, and German fesses up. Yup, he slept with her. How could you? gasps Orlando, conveniently forgetting that his own hormones slosh around time to time. German says we were going out before she started seeing Em, but we never told him. Tsk! tsks Orlando. German says haven’t you even been loco for a woman?

Orlando feels his pain. I lost everything, money, the woman, a son, says he. German says I lost a friend and maybe a son. Please, he respects you. Talk to him, tell him that I feel horrible about it. I was just crazy in love. A repentant tear runs down his cheek.

Orlando says that girl is trouble – she’s really playing Em along. Do you think the baby is Em’s? German says fat chance. Talk Em into working with me – that’s the only way we can get Romina to tell the truth.

Cut to Romina who is not telling the truth. How can you say that? she huffs to Em. Easy, he says. People saw you kissing him, going into his place. There are photos of you two making out. Bullroar, says Romina. It’s not my fault German was obsessed with me, or that other girls are envious and make up stuff. Em says Where there’s smoke there’s fire (or, as the Spanish dicho goes, the river makes noise because there’s water in it).

Why, Romina’s just devastated that he doesn’t believe her. Em says sorry, but I have to know if the baby is mine. Romina says isn’t my word good enough? Nope, says Em. Romina says I can’t buleeeve that you and German think of me like some, some… easy girl. Sorry, says Em, but my future is hanging in the balance.

So many guys would want what I’m offering you: a family, a child, my unconditional love. And this is the way you treat me?

Em is really furious now: I never lied to you. I was very clear – we were so over. And the only reason we’re talking now is because of this baby. I can’t help it, Romina wails, I’m still in love with you. Em: We go tomorrow to get the test. Romina: And if I don’t? Em: Then you’ll never see me again. Okay, says Romina, but with one condition. If the test shows it’s yours, you have to marry me. I want this child born into a family, into a marriage. Em’s lips tighten but finally he says All right.

Angelica meets happy Joel in a café. He says I’m glad to see you mi amor. Angelica says it’s best you don’t call me mi amor – our relationship can’t continue. Joel says but we get on so well! Angelica says I can’t fall in love with you, because I’m already in love… with Orlando.

Angie has not learned to keep her mouth shut.

She tells him she’s going to finish up her promised time at the plateria, and then she’s going back to the DF and she’s never coming back to Real del Monte. Poor Joel! He’s a prince of a guy, but let’s face it, he just doesn’t have Orlando’s hair.

Rufi goes to the church looking for P. Mateo, but Chris says he’s out. She says she has something on her mind, but she’d rather talk with PM. Chris says I’m all you’ve got right now – tell me. So Rufi says mmmm, well, I promised a person who’s dead now that I wouldn’t tell a secret, but that secret affects another person and now that person now feels betrayed by me for not telling, plus it could affect an additional person. Should I tell?

Chris’s mind boggles. I don’t get it – you’ll have to give me the details, says he. I can’t tell you more, says Rufi. Chris says so are we talking about Mac…. and Paloma? Yes, says Rufi, but I can’t tell you any more so never mind. Chris takes her arm to keep her there. Maybe you’d feel better telling me in confession? Rufi says glurp.

You know, I’d rather not talk to you about certain things, I’ll just be running along now and I’ll see you at Natalia’s. Hold it, says Chris, taking her arm again. Rufi says I have to get back to work. Chris says okay, but don’t leave it like this – talk to Mateo. I will, she promises, and she leaves. Chris looks after her with narrowed eyes.

Carlota has stopped by the bank and asks the manager to bring her her safe deposit box.

Chris is talking to Mateo, and wants to know if Rufi has talked to him. Mateo smiles thinking about what a cheerful soul Rufi is, but says no, she hasn’t come by. I have some good news, says Mateo – I’m being transferred. Why is that good news? asks Chris. We’ve had some differences of opinion, but that’s all in the past. Mateo says it’s good news because guess who’s replacing me? Padre Benito!

Smiling Carlota is pulling things from her large safe deposit box, which from our view looks like a pirate’s treasure. Strings of pearls, great stacks of cash. She gets out a large jewelry box and opens it to display a fabulous diamond necklace worthy of a raja. Our father left this to you, Macarena, too bad you couldn’t use it. You could have paid Paloma’s schooling. It looks better on me anyway.

She gets out the photos she took of Chris and Natalia and says yuck, she has no class. You better figure out that I’m the one who should be in your arms, because if you don’t, even your cassock won’t save you. She puts the pictures in the box, then opens a ring box and takes out a diamond ring which I think was Mac’s ring from Chris, and turns it in the light.

Aron is at Romina’s and he’s telling her she’s completely nuts, agreeing to that test. She says enough with the criticisms, think up something. This is the time you can go for Paloma, I’ve cleared the way for you.

Holy cow, is she suggesting he rape Paloma? Did I understand that correctly? Romina says that way Em will lose all respect for Paloma. Aaron is shocked. Em will do the opposite, he says, he’ll rush to her aid and they’ll throw me in jail for messing with a minor. Romina says then what use are you to me? Aron says and what use are YOU to me? When the results of the test come back, Em’s going to go running to Paloma and we’ll both have lost.

Romina says I thought you were a lot smarter than that. Aron says And I think you were an idiot to have slept with both of them. Romina slaps him. He stomps towards the door. Get out! Romina yells, but grabs him by the sweater. Be warned -I always get what I want, and I’m going to marry Emiliano. You can forget Paloma, I’ll make sure you evaporate from her life. Aron grabs her threateningly and says don’t you even dare! Because if you talk trash about me, I’m going to open my mouth. He shoves her roughly onto the couch and leaves. Romina looks scared.

Carlota comes home and Paloma comes home a few seconds later. Where were you? asks Carlota. Out, says Paloma. I don’t want to be the good an obedient girl anymore. You don’t tell me what I want to know, so I don’t tell you what you want to know.

Carlota says it’s to protect you. Paloma says I don’t want to hear that same old tired song and dance. You aren’t protecting me. And those half-truths you like so much! If you want to know about my life, tell me who my father is. Paloma heads up the stairs, temporarily victorious. Carlota gets all slitty-eyed contemplating this turn of events.

Aron comes home and there’s Angelica. He plops down and asks her please please to tell him how to get Paloma interested in him. Angelica says either love is there, or it isn’t, and there’s nothing he can do. Aron says talk to her – tell her that Em’s going to get married. Angelica says I’m not an option, you’re wasting your time anyway.

I just noticed Angie’s once bouncy hair seems flatter, almost like she’s been out in the rain. I guess it’s all just part of her deflated spirits.

Em calls Paloma on her cell and says he has news. She agrees to meet him in the park.

Tearful Romina calls Carlota and says I have to talk to you – can you come over? Carlota sighs okay. Just as she’s leaving, Paloma is coming down the stairs. Carlota asks where she’s going and Paloma says Who is my father? then flounces out.

Carlota thoughtbubbles I didn’t want to hurt you, but it looks like there’s no other way.

Emiliano is just wrapping up work. Who’d want to work in a room with dark, stone-gray walls? Gloomy, I’d say. Orlando comes in and wants to talk to him about German. Em says I don’t want anything to do with him. Orlando says the guy just got overcome by passion. Em says he should have told me!

Orlando says you fell in love with Paloma! Em says I was just friends with Inaki a short time, not since childhood like with German. And besides, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere near her when he was with her. Orlando says not everyone is so virtuous as you, hijo. Em says don’t project on me what you wish your son might have done. I’m not the son you lost. If I’m virtuous, it’s because my father brought me up that way. Don’t stick up for German. Em stomps out.

Frantic violins swarm in the background while Orlando calls up the lab that is doing his DNA testing. No, the results aren’t in yet. He tells the lady he’s in a hurry and to call as soon as they are in.

Romina tells Carlota Em will marry her if she goes for the test, but it’s German’s child. I knew it, says Carlota, you’re a tramp. Thanks a lot, says Romina. Think of something, or you’ll end up with Paloma married to Em. Carlota sighs angrily, but starts thinking.

A red rose is being set on Camila’s desk at her shop. It’s Orlando, apologizing for losing his head. She apologizes for not telling him about kissing Rafa. He observes that it’s a small town, and everyone knows everything. Forgive me? He leans in to kiss her, but she turns away a little and says she’s been thinking, and she’s just too upset about Romina right now. He says I’ve got some stuff going on too. Camila says I think we should each get our lives together first. It’s better that we call it off. Great, now there’s not one couple left in Real del Monte.

Em meets Paloma in the park. They hug and declare their love. Paloma says I heard you know now. Em says yes, and I’ve talked to German and Romina. She’s going to do a paternity test. I kind of put her on the spot. It’s probably German’s. Paloma says and what if it’s yours? Em gulps.

Carlota tells Romina to act all outraged, but to take the test. Romina says are you sure you know what you’re doing? Carlota says leave it to me. When you go, I’ll already be coming back. Whatever that means.

Pal says you’ll marry Romina? Em says if it’s mine, yes, but if it’s not, we get married. It’s an all-or-nothing deal. Deal, says Pal, and they kiss. Paloma says if it’s yours, you’ll have to forget me forever. Em says I’m sure it’s German’s. That night umm, the conditions weren’t ummm .. I’m sure it’s not mine. Innocent Paloma probably has no clue what he’s referring to.

Another thing, says Pal. If you have to marry Romina, I don’t ever want her to know about us, that we wanted to marry. Em says I’m not going to have to marry her, but I promise. They kiss. The telenovela gods grunt as they push another anvil from the clouds.

Orlando doesn’t want to break up, but Camila says she needs her space, to deal with Romina. Orlando gets mad and says is it really about Romina, or is it about Rafael? Camila says I already told you I broke off with him. Orlando says only because he’s not available at the moment. Camila says I don’t want fights in a relationship. We need to separate for a while. Time will tell.

Big Good Guy action meeting at Natalia’s to do some excellent plotting. Rufi is there, Dr. Bermudez, and Chris. Natalia reports that Paloma’s adopted parents had a big house and no debt that she was aware of. Rufi says Mac wasn’t aware of that. Chris asks if anyone has found anything out. Dr B says he practically threatened Carlota’s lawyer, but no luck, the guy blew town for an unspecified length of time. Rufi figures that he fled. Natalia says surely the papers that Carlota burned were about an investigation Inaki had done that Carmen had brought to Mac, but she doesn’t know if Inaki found out anything.

Dr B says probably Inaki was going to wait until he had married Paloma, and then unmask Carlota. Natalia says right now we’re where Inaki was before he initiated the investigation, and we can’t find Carmen. Chris says it looks like we’ll just have to start over.

Paloma is praying to the virgin in her room. She says she doesn’t wish Romina anything bad, but if she enters into a loveless marriage with Em, it won’t be good for the baby or for anyone else. But if the baby is German’s, it must have come from love, and Romina and he can form a family for the baby. Please don’t let it be Em’s.

Dr B says the young man who took Lic R’s place came to see him - his mother was Dr B’s patient – and Dr B is going to talk to him to see if they can find out about the will. Natalia says she’ll ask her friend Ivonne see if she knows someone they can contact to do an investigation. They all regret that they don’t know who did the first investigation. It doesn’t occur to any of them to do the easy thing and track down Carmen.

Chris says he’s going to press Carlota to tell the truth. Dr B says step carefully. Carlota already knows I’m sniffing around, and if she thinks I’m not alone, things could get worse. Chris asks Natalia if they can keep meeting at her place and she says of course.

Camila kisses Romina good night and wonders why Em came by. Romina says he wants me to do a paternity test. Camila is surprised, and asks Romina if she’d slept with anyone else. Romina says of course not, but people saw me with German and said stuff. Camila says I’m not surprised. You went to Mexico City with him. It’s a small town, people talk.

Romina says see – you’re always against me! She flounces around the room. Camila says I’m on your side, but I did tell you. Romina says the test is tomorrow and Em will be there. Camila says she will go too, but please give up on the idea of marrying Em. Romina says right now all I care about proving it’s Em’s baby.

It’s the next day, and Romina has called Paloma to come over. She tells Pal somebody to talk to. Em has offended her big time – he’s insisting she take a paternity test and she would never, never play around about something so serious as this. I may be rebellious, a little wild, but I would never lie about my baby.

So did you talk to Em about me? she asks. Paloma says I talked to him, but not about that. Romina says don’t tell me you were the one who put it into his head that the baby is German’s! She holds Paloma’s face and says tell me yes or no!

Avances: Romina is lying on a table, a nurse by her with a giant needle. Em and Camila are at her side. Romina squeezes her eyes shut.

Labels: amor

Hello everyone,

Thanks again for your patience last time, and for your encouraging comments! I'm getting this up as quick as I can so you can read it over breakfast tomorrow morning:) Let me know if I went too fast and missed anything.


Scenes from last show:
MJ at Alex are at the cenote and, after confessing their mutual adoration, they make love in the water.

Chapter 25:
Alejandro, wearing an all-white suit and looking fine, is taking off in the helicopter; MJ and his mother wave him off. He is off to get brain scans in Mexico City to prove he doesn’t have brain damage and isn’t crazy.

Back at the office after Alejandro leaves, Fernando overhears the secretary of the head of the board of directors asking to reserve the meeting room for a secret meeting of the board. Fer calls Alex to let him know of this development but, in a moment of dramatic tension (we know it because the music swells), Alex’s phone is turned off and he can’t be reached! The tension is ratcheted even higher when Fer calls Victoria and discovers she can’t be reached either - she’s in her yoga class! Fer goes over to the Lombardo compound to make sure Victoria knows about the meeting as soon as she returns.

Now the tension is almost unbearable as we see Alex being put into what looks like a CAT scan. Images of his brain scan flash on the screen. Is anything missing, we wonder? Is that his cerebellum that we don’t see, destroyed in the accident?

The directors know they have to back off the tension a bit or our blood pressure will rise just like Victoria’s. By way of a breathing space they offer a scene with Fer and Victoria after her yoga class in what seems like a convivial chat. They are together when Gilberto, head of the board of directors, calls. He tells Victoria there will be a meeting of the board that afternoon at 5pm but it’s better that Alex not be present because it’s a delicate matter relating to his mental health. Bruno arrives and confirms that there is indeed a meeting. He maintains that he called the meeting because Alex will destroy the company in his present, mad state, and the other partners are in agreement that he should be removed quickly.

Arguments follow and Bruno gives Fer a shove, which Fer returns. The sisters intervene and MariaJose, convinced that Alex is suspected of being crazy because of his inconsistent stories about how they met and married, shrieks that he was only doing it to protect Victoria from the truth about her son. She tries to tell the whole sordid story but Bruno gives her a tremendous blow that knocks her down and cuts her off. Paula rushes in to protect her sister and Bruno, manly man that he is, flings her aside as if she were a mere woman only five feet tall. Fer intervenes in his turn and he and Bruno fall to the floor fighting. There is a hilarious scene of Paula creeping away on all fours under someone’s legs to get out of the way. Vicky feels ill to see this violence once again in her household and sags gracefully. MariaJose runs to call the doctor and the others thunder out. Alone in the living room Paula gets the best line of the day: Esta es una casa de locos (this is a mad house!).

In front of the Lombardo mansion, Ulises and Robetero walk up to join Bruno, who has just left the fray and is still fuming. He is spoiling for a fight, but they talk him down and go have a drink together.

Cut to Felipa, Fer and Victoria. Felipa is admiring Fer’s muscles and saying that Bruno has always needed a good spanking. (I don’t think she is either consciously or unconsciously relating the two – that’s just the way my sentence came out.) Vicky asks to talk to MariaJose and Fer goes to find her. Alone with Victoria, Felipa asks her why she is so weak with her own children, why she doesn’t correct them. Victoria maintains that she can’t since her own behaviour was worse. Felipa points out that she has two sons who are always at each other’s throats and a hysterical daughter; it’s time to put her house in order (ponga orden!).

Bruno, Ulises and Roberto see Fer arriving in search of MariaJose. This sets Bruno to ranting and he threatens to kill Alejandro. Roberto and Ulises don’t seem to take the threat of murder seriously but do offer to help Bruno with his Alex problem. Bruno refuses to even discuss it with them because, he says, they wouldn’t have the guts (las agallas – what a great word) to do anything about it anyway. After Bruno leaves Ulises tells Roberto that if enough money were involved he would be willing to kill someone. Robert doesn’t believe him.

In the hospital in Mexico City, Fer is finally able to reach Alex and tell him about the meeting. Alex asks him to postpone it for as long as he can to give him time to get his test results and get back to Merida.

MaJo is explaining to Victoria what happened with her, Bruno and Alex. Vicki’s maternal deny-o-lator is dialed to high and she refuses to believe any of it, though significant glances from Felipa underscore what Majo is saying. It’s hard to believe that any mother could see her son punch Majo the way Bruno did and still believe in his innocence, but así es. MJ asks Victoria not to say anything to Alex or Bruno because she is afraid Alex will get mad, and she is simply afraid of Bruno. Later, Fer asks MariaJose if Victoria believed her and she says she doesn’t think so.

Victoria talks to Gilberto and tries to postpone the board meeting by alleging that her blood pressure is too high. He says she doesn’t need to be there but she insists and they agree to postpone it for two hours. When Gilberto tells Bruno about the delay, though, Bruno refuses to allow it. Victoria sends Fer to the office just to keep an eye on things and to alert them if anything untoward is happening.

Now the board meeting is taking place and the tension is mounting again. Will Alex get there in time? Will he be removed from presidency? Will Bruno take over? Fortunately, Alex has a helicopter available to whisk him from the capital back to Merida (a quick 1500 k, about 900 miles), and so we can bet he will make it on time. Phew!

We cut to the conference room where the meeting is beginning without Victoria. The board members are just about to vote on removing Alex from his position as president when Victoria arrives and asks for a complete, detailed, long-winded explanation of exactly what is going on. That should delay the meeting at least a few minutes.

At the last moment, when it seems like Victoria can’t spin out the talking anymore, Alex arrives – tum ta ta tum – and hands the test results to Hernán, who confirms that they are normal and demonstrate that Alex has not sustained a traumatic brain injury that would make him unable to lead Lombardo Construction. Alex goes to the head of the conference table and with a tremendous smirk on his face orders Bruno, “get out of the way – you’re in my place” (hazte de un lado que este es mi lugar). Alex tells the board that he gave Bruno a $500K check, which Bruno cashed, and says it was in exchange for the vice presidency. Bruno denies it, but can’t explain why he accepted the check. He skulks off, back hunched, and Alex proposes Fer as vice president now that Bruno is out. Many nods around the table and everyone agrees. How did they change their minds so quickly? What is this strange power Alex has over them?

Later in Alex’s office Fer refuses the vice presidency, saying it would be too difficult for Victoria if he were to take her son’s place.

Back at the mansion, Alex has returned and Majo runs eagerly up to the bedroom to find him. They neck, and he must somehow get her out of her contraption of a shirt because in the next scene of them together MJ is putting on a bathrobe and a semi-nude Alex is asking how she could possibly have told the truth when he told her to lie! His mother has high blood pressure – the truth could kill her! (They are very fragile down there in Merida - perhaps it’s the heat.) They lie in bed, arms crossed and obviously angry with one another. Oddly enough, he has not noticed the bruise/lump/swelling/cuts from the punch Bruno gave her, or else she has miraculous healing powers. This isn’t the first time that Bruno has belted her and Alex hasn’t noticed, which is making me think she has Road Runner-like recuperative powers. I wonder if she could get crushed under a falling anvil and still spring up with nary a mark and ready to make love.

Felipa is telling Victoria what she thinks about her children but Victoria angrily tells her to stop talking like that or she, Victoria, will get angry(er). It appears to me that Felipa’s role is kind of like the fool in Shakespeare’s plays: the only one able to tell the truth, but still always at risk of getting his head cut off. Anyway, it seems that for all Victoria’s protestations that Felipa is a member of the family, she is a servant and has to be careful what she says.

Bruno, Ulises and Roberto are together again and Bruno is complaining to them about that lying, devious Alex. He’s not sure what he’s going to do but he’s going to do something. After he leaves Ulises asks Roberto if MariaJose has any other sisters besides Paula, because he knows a woman who looks exactly like MariaJose – “es identica.” Roberto says that everyone has a double someplace, and now this is looking to me suspiciously like that tired old theme of the double. Come on, writers! Get some game on.

Later that evening Victoria waits for Bruno and, when he arrives, asks him what he thinks he is doing. She tells him that MaJo has told her everything, and they begin arguing about who Victoria loves the best: him or Alejandro. It hasn’t been the same since Alejandro came to the house all those years ago, Bruno claims. Alex stole Victoria’s affection from him, she always loved him the best, and she and her second husband, Antonio, always treated Alex better than they treated him. After trying in vain to convince Bruno that it wasn’t so Victoria finally screams that all three of them are Antonio's children – that he, Alex and Raquel all have the same father. Bruno is stunned and Victoria, whose blood pressure tops out after revealing the secret, faints.

The entire family gathers at Victoria’s bedside to make sure she’s alright. Alex tells her he’s glad she’s alright and calls her mother, upon which Bruno snarls, “she’s not your mother.” After they leave Alex and Bruno confront one another in the hallway. Bruno tells him he knows now that they all have the same father, which means, according to Bruno, that his daddy was a dog and his momma was a tramp. (Soy el hijo de un perro y una ramera). Nostrils flare as tempers rise and Alex tells his brother to shut up about their mother.

Sorry – I missed the preview of tomorrow. I predict more flaring nostrils!

Labels: sortilegio

Monita is making last minute preparations for her upcoming defense of her Nacional Bantamweight title when she looks up to find that she has been joined by Coni (who as usual, looks great in a simple print dress and tan blazer). Where is security? (Moni by the way is once again pretty in pink with matching gloves, her hair pulled back in a loose single braid). Moni is all set to get it on and circles the trainer's table with fists raised. Uh oh, Coni is packing heat...well, sorta. She quickly counters by whipping out a can of bug-spray, oh wait, make that pepper-spray. SECURITY! They then engage in an unpleasant conversation regarding the two of them, Mao, and the children. Moni offers to let go of Mauricio for the release of the children. OK, that and convince Mao to marry Coni. Moni refuses and Coni gives the MACE a little warning pfft. SECURITY! Moni orders Coni to leave, and as she turns to leave she says to Moni whose back is now to her, "Monita!" Monita wheels around, "Whadayawant!" She aims the spray at Moni's eyes and blasts her with it. Shoulda called security, Monita. It's getting harder and harder to support Coni, cute as she might be.

Moni drops to her knees clutching her face as Coni walks out, running into Beto just outside the dressing room door. He is surprised but delighted to see her. She has been looking for him. She tells him that she's going away for awhile. He doesn't want her to go. She removes her jacket (must be getting warm in here) and they indulge in urgent, fervent, furtive kisses. She then presents Beto with airline tickets. The plane leaves at midnight. She's going with or without him. He's going to Nueva York! With Coni!

Meantras tanto, Sal is busy hiring a PI to find Mauricio's kids. Done, he turns to Gabi who reminds him that they are going to Moni's fight. As he turns he suddenly becomes vertiginous and spots a gigantic tarantula on Gabi's right shoulder. Looks like Loriloca's drugging of Sal is succeeding. My guess, belladonna, old fashioned but reliable and effective. He points it out to Gabi who is frightened until she sees for herself there is no spider. She scolds him for a lousy joke, but he insists. She humors him. Phone rings. It's Mao. She reminds him of Moni's fight then tells him that she's worried about Sal and the effect that all this stress is having on him, he's seeing tarantulas and Constanza isn't even there.

Back in Moni's dressing room, Estrella is helping Moni, gloves off for the moment, rinse her eyes. Careful of the makeup, ladies. Like everyone else she thought that Coni was out of the city. Estrella applies drops to Moni's eyes while suggesting that Moni tell don Cesar. Moni won't hear of it. "No, he would cancel the fight." Well I would hope.

At ringside Nieves is sitting next to Alicia who does not seem thrilled to be seated next to the young monkey wrangler on the other side with said monkey decked out in a pink monkey jacket. Nieves jumps up, thrusting a large plush bear she was clutching into Alicia's lap. In the aisle she talks with Beto who informs her that he has found work up north, in Gringolandia, and will be leaving right now. He asks for her blessing and they end up blessing each other before he leaves. She is distraught.

Ivan is preparing Teresa a little snack when Granny Teri walks in. She has gotten bored lying in bed and wants to call Coni's and speak with the kids. He tries to hurry her off to bed but she balks, "Tell me the truth about what's going on." He does. She is stunned to hear that Coni has taken off with the kids.

At the reformatory, Dani and Luisa are seated together at a group table as Aldo is ushered in by Dr. Phil (well he looks like Dr. Phil). Dani hops up yo greet him but is detained by a more cautious Luisa. The wicked wardeness strolls over and greets him with a word of caution as he seats himself at the boys' table. She retreats and to Dani's delight, he makes a face. "¡Silenco!" growls the evil educator.

Up in the ring now, Moni seems to be holding her own, even though her vision is markedly blurred. (Coni, you scamp.) Oops, I spoke too soon. She is really not able to focus on her opponent who lands a telling blow almost knocking Moni down just before the bell ending the round. (Coni, you rat!) In her corner her handlers, especially don Cesar are concerned and apprehensive. She insists that she is OK. Hey, check her eyes.

Back at Stow-A-Stray, Luisa and Dani lag behind the march to their room and there is no guard bringing up the rear. The elusive Aldo detours them into a classroom for a group-hug.

Back in the ring things are not going well for our little monkey. She is struggling to focus and flailing wildly. There is a cut above her right eye. Why doesn't Cesar throw in the towel, or the referee stop this? Oh and great, Pretty Boy is just now showing up. Get a bigger watch! Moni is standing flatfooted and defenseless, her opponent delivers a brutal, possibly fatal uppercut to the chin and down goes Moni in a limp lifeless heap. I told you guys to stop the fight.

"... ocho, nueve, fuera!" The referee counts over the unhearing pink mass on the canvass. Confetti spills from the sky, but this time it's not for our Monita. The ring physician (we recognize him by the helpless stethoscope draped around his neck) shines a Penlite at her unseeing eyes.

We peek in on the kids in the classroom. The femsibs tell Aldo that Dani spoke with Mao on the telephone but was caught, and besides, she doesn't even know where they are. Aldo reckons that Mao must be going nuts looking for them. Hugs. He checks the hall, all clear, and sends them to bed. Kind of an unfruitful meeting considering the chances taken, but I have faith in the resourcefulness of the kiddos.

Monita is wheeled out of the arena accompanied by Mau,medicos, and medical attendants. Her entourage delays enough for Nieves to wail, for Estrella to claim blame, and for Sal to astutely observe that she received a strong blow to the head rendering her unconscious. Well at least he didn't see spiders crawling over her. Cesar knows very well what a blow like that can do. Yes, well why didn't you stop it when you saw how helpless she was?

Aldo is stealthily trying to creep back to his room but is nabbed by the plaid-clad dragon lady. Dang.

At the hospital, is a matter of consoling and being consoled. Cesar for Nieves, Cristian for Estre and Pau, Sal and Gabi for Mau. Well here's the Dr. let's hear what he has to say. "¡Coma!" Chilling in English and Spanish, and viewer's sentence to tedium for the foreseeable future. "Valentina may come to in a couple of days or a couple of months, or... never." Drat! For the record, Moni has a brain contusion...actual bruising. More serious than a concussion, less severe than a laceration (tear). Definitely not a good thing.

Aldo is returned to the punishment room. Since a night didn't improve his attitude, perhaps a week will help. Bwahaha!

The Dr is still conferring with Moni's concerned groupies. Estrella is especially rough on the Dr. but is rebuffed by the others. He understands her exasperation. Cristian asks, "In a coma? Like a plant needing to be watered everyday?" He is promptly shushed. Estrella turns on herself for not stopping Moni after her encounter with la Momia. Mau wants to know what Coni has to do with this. Estre only knows that Moni had trouble seeing after a spat with Coni during which Coni sprayed a gas into Moni's eyes. "Ya really shoulda told me! Estrella," Cesar complains. "I'm going to see Monita, " Mao asserts.

At Ximy's apartment, Jero's sharing a well-deserved toast of the riddance of Ximena with his bosom buddy, Oscar. The doorbell rings and Jero wecomes two slim attractive scantily clad blondes. He dubs them Constancia and Valentina. He wants to be flagellated. What a sportsman. Oscar excuses himself (so both of these are for Jero?). They seat him on the sofa and proceed to undress him.

Moni, meanwhile is occupied by keeping up a steady, oddly reassuring beep on the cardiac monitor. Mauricio enters, kneels at her bedside, leans over her face and pulling down his surgical mask so we can view his sparkling teeth, tells her once again how much he needs her. Now pull that mask back up, Buster.

Jero is now in his shirt and boxers and blindfolded with his tie. He's enjoying the attention as one of the lovelies gets up and opens the door for Oscar and some other guys. Oscar has brought rope (mecate) and as the ladies proceed to tie Jero up (amarrar), the other men begin emptying the apartment. Jero suggests that they call him cowboy. Oscar joins in the fun by gently whipping Jero with a length of rope. Then, (and this I must condemn) he wraps it around Jero's neck and playfully but menacingly pretends to choke him. (OK, maybe I'll make an exception in Jero's case.) Even Jero mildly protests this. Then, the apartment stripped, they exit leaving Jero tied up on the couch, blindfolded, wondering where the girls have gone.

Gabi's talking at Sal so rapidly that even he has trouble understanding her. She is insisting that something must be done about Coni. His head is about to explode (estallar) (don't forget, he's been poisoned). She suggests that since they are in the hospital, he should get checked. No, all he needs is an analgesic... and her silence. Cristian offers to get coffee for the remaining Amigas, and Nieves and Alicia engage in a petty squabble over whom is deserving of Moni's affection and who should go in to see her first. Cesar reminds them where they are. While they argue, Estre and Pau go in to see Moni, effectively replacing Mao. They, in contrast, keep their masks up. As Mao, they too are wearing blue paper gowns and the nifty type of paper surgical caps, not the dorky net shower caps. Of course all three have bountiful tresses flowing out from under the caps thus negating the intended purpose, but it does look cooler, and I see no reason for Moni to be in isolation in the first place. They give the same type of bedside speeches as Mao offering encouragement and support (dang I hate comas in these shows) as they each hold a hand.

Mao is peering through the window. Sal takes him by the arm, Mao blubbers about how he already is suffering from his loss and will miss her little misdeeds and his capuchino. Sal tries to reassure him and tells him to buck up.

Estre and Pau are still standing watch over Monita as Alicia, Nieves, and Cesar enter the room. Nieves and Alicia continue their bickering and Cesar, even in the dimly lit room still is wearing dark shades. Monita please wake up! This is turning into a telenovela. Estrella exhorts the two older ladies to behave. Jeez I hate this. Nieves wimpers her little bedside speech and is joined by Alicia in the maudlin outpourings followed by Cesar who calls her a warrior. Next! Mercifully, Moni is deaf to all of this. The downside... we are not.

Before they leave Gabi and Sal offer their support and concern, Gabi gives him a sweet peck on the cheek (gee, I bet she smells nice), Sal gives him a manly hug (I doubt that he smells nearly so good), and they leave him with his thoughts.

Lost in those thoughts he is interrupted by Cristian who offers consoling encouraging words. Moni doesn't look so bad. He's seen much worse, and then he proceeds to describe an example of a woman with her brain crushed (apachurrado) in an accident. Thanks for that, Cristian. He does add that the love that Mao and Moni share may result in a miracle. That's a little better.

The rest emerge, Nieves tries to send Mao on his way, Alicia on the otherhand thinks that his presence is good medicine. Estrella rescues Mao and she and Pau escort him back to Moni's room stationing themselves at the door. Cristian, with a little nudge by Paula, reminds the rest that they are misbehaving in an hospital and gently but firmly escorts them out. Back to the 'hood with these rowdy nacos!

Alone with Moni, Mauricio kneels at her bedside once again and kisses her cheek, "Monita, my love, I implore you, don't leave me. I love you with my entire soul and I need for you to get well. I can't live without you. If you leave, I want to go with you."

Carlos

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