Caray, Caray!

Recapper Julia is out of town this week, so there's no recap for Tuesday's show. But here's a space for your comments...

Labels: amor

Friday: Dario copyrights Angie’s book as his own. Meantime, she frantically e-mails him to return her manuscript. He thoughtbubbles Sorry, but your book is fabulous and I’m between a rock and hard place. The police come by and put Natalia and Chris under arrest for the death of Alonso. No puede ser! Carlota, who has butted into this scene, gloats.

Okay, I’m working without a net tonight – no captions. Corrections and additions are very welcome. Also, I’m pooped from all the holiday preparations, so this’ll be a bit slapdash. Here we go:

Carlota tells the police it’s all an outrage. Natalia protests that she was about to leave for Mexico city for Alonso’s funeral. Sorry, say the police, you can’t leave town.

Romina arrives at somebody’s home (Camila’s?) just as Emiliano does. She says she thought he had to work. She came to get some last things, and he says he had a rough day, so he left work. No, he hasn’t picked up his clothes from his dad’s place or from his mom’s place

Romina notices he has the two roses in his hand. What are those for? Emiliano looks a little urpy, but he remembers Angelica’s advice, and tells Romina they’re for her. She lights up. He says let’s live in peace. She throws her arms around him and he looks even more urpy.

Sandra comes to take her art lessons from Gabriel. She says she’s not as good as Paloma, who they both agree has lots of talent. Gabriel asks if she knows what’s up with Paloma and that Emiliano guy. Whooo! says Sandra. That’s a real love story. Including the part about Romina. Gabriel says that pretty blonde? Sandra says you may think she’s pretty, but she’s a bad person who has hurt Paloma a lot. Tell me about her, says Gabriel. If I understand what’s going on inside my students, I can bring that out in their art. Okay! says Sandra settling into her seat and relishing getting to tell the tale. Gabriel looks like sheesh.

German runs into Lili on the street and they start trading angry words about him wanting to take Paloma out. Lili says it’s not about being jealous of you, it’s about trying to protect her from you. Tough, says German. I have a verrrry special interest in her, which doesn’t mean you and I couldn’t have a little something. He swaggers and tries to give Lili a kiss, but she says yuck, I can’t believe I ever saw anything in you. German comes close and says believe it or not, I remember your kisses, your caresses. Lili looks swoony for a few seconds, then comes to herself and runs away.

While Carlota chats with the police (drat – we can’t eavesdrop!), Chris tells Natalia don’t worry. We’ll just go and talk to the police and they’ll see it’s not us, and we can get on to Mexico City.

Now we can overhear Carlota. She is proclaiming to the officers that Natalia and Chris are sterling people, beyond suspicion. Paloma wants to know why they focused on them. The police say they can’t discuss that.

Natalia asks Ivonne to take care of everything in Mexico City, and to take care of her daughter. Ivonne assures her she will. Rufi pats Natalia’s arm sympathetically.

Paloma tells Chris that it’s an outrage. Chris says don’t worry, Natalia and I didn’t do anything and sooner or later that’ll become obvious. Carlota listens and smiles complacently.

Diana is sneaking around the lobby of the convention hotel. She hides from Rafa but spots Luz, the lady who has been so friendly with him. She runs over to Luz, who is bemused. Diana points out that she’s been married to “Rafi” for 25 years. You don’t say! says Luz. Yes, I do say, says Diana. Stay away from him - he’s a married man. Luz says I LOVE married men!

Just then, Rafa approaches, sees them talking, and flees.

Luz laughs and says married men are totally hot. Passionate, attentive. Diana’s mouth falls open. You don’t have to wash their clothes, says Luz, or clean the house. I’m so grateful to you! To me? says Diana. Yes, says Luz, you take care of all that and I take care of the sex. He is sooo hot in bed. She walks off, leaving Diana hissing and sputtering.

Paloma wants to go to the police station with Chris. Chris and Carlota tell her she can’t. She hugs him and says she’ll just die if anything happens to him. Then she tells Natalia that she can count on her for whatever she needs.

Emiliano is packing and notes he doesn’t have much. Romina says she had closets full plus she had to bring the things for their son. Son? says Em, thrilled. How do you know? Romina says it was on the paternity test, but we were so emotional at the time, we didn’t pay attention. Em hugs her with joy. And she, still clutching her roses, is blissfully happy.

And what if it had been a girl? she asks. Em says A girl would have been good too. But I can teach a boy soccer! (rats, I missed the next lines, but I think Em said something about being united, and that Romina says when you love me). She tilts her face up and he has the urge to kiss her. Just then the maid Juanita comes in the door. She said she thought she heard noises.

The appearance of Juanita tells us that we are in Diana’s house. How did we get there? Why would Em go there if he doesn’t want to talk to his mother, even if he needed his old socks? Did I miss something?

Em asks where his mother is and Juanita says she’s on a trip – she went to Valle de Bravo. Romina, says ooooh I get it! Now I get why my mother came home.

Carlota asks the police if she can talk to Chris for a second. Okay, says the policeman, stepping away.
Carlota: Cristobal…
Chris: (interrupting) Padre Juan Cristobal.
Ca: Whatever. You know you can count on me.
Ch: Thanks, but that won’t be necessary.
Ca: I’m ready to sell my soul to help you.
Ch: I don’t doubt it. But I’m innocent.
Ca: The law is the law.
Ch: There’s a higher law that regulates everything.
Ca: I don’t think so – we aren’t always rewarded in this life. Otherwise, you’d be with me.
Ch: I’m where I’m supposed to be, and with whom I’m supposed to be, namely God.
Ca: But maybe He won’t be able to save you, as He wasn’t able to save Macarena, remember? And maybe I have a way to save you.
Ch: I’m not afraid, don’t you understand? Natalia and I had nothing to do with Alonso’s death. I don’t need you.
Ca: Sure? I might really surprise you.
Ch: Oh, for Pete’s sake. I’m leaving this in the hands of God.

The police put them in the squad car, and a couple of onlookers marvel and gossip. One says Padre Chris is a saint.

Night has fallen in this corner of the planet and Diana is sitting primly on a lounger poolside, her purse in her lap, crying. Nobody is around. But I love you Rafa, why don’t you love me? she cries quietly. I’m so much better than Camila, I know it. And certainly better than that broad here. Why can’t you love me?

We know the answer to this, but, unlike Luz, we don’t like to twist the knife when we see someone so distressed.

Luz and Rafa are having dinner and they are laughing about her encounter with Diana. Luz says now that I know you a little, I can’t imagine you married to someone like Diana. Rafa says Diana has a fun side, and she was a single mother and I saw the opportunity to form a family. I ended up with a wonderful son. Luz gushes that she’d love to meet him. Really? says Rafa, whipping out his wallet to show her a photo.

He’s so handsome, Luz raves. He could be your real son, you resemble each other so much. He’s like my own, says Rafa. I was afraid when he found out he wasn’t, things would be horrible, but we’re closer than ever. Luz bats her eyelashes in approval.

Back to Diana, now sitting silently erect on the lounger. Joel is walking past the pool area and spots her. He comes over.

Diana wonders out loud how it has come to this. Joel says you want to hear the truth, or what you want to hear? Diana selects the truth. Joel says if ever a man was in love with his wife, it was Rafa. He would have done anything for you. Diana interrupts Until that golfa Camila came along! Joel says no, You just didn’t value him, you weren’t understanding, compassionate.

You think so? says Diana sadly. If you would have given him that, if you would have given him what a man needs from his wife, I’m sure he would still be with you right now.

Diana thinks, then jumps up. Thank you! She says, ecstatic. I know just what I’m going to do! She trots off.

What did I say? Joel wonders.

Back to Luz and Rafa: She understands how he stuck with Diana for his son, but he says it would be unfair to characterize it like that: He and Diana had a lot of good years, but she changed and there were a number of bad years. Years! says Luz. I don’t see how a person can stay in a bad relationship for years. Rafa says life is made up of both good and bad moments. You try to overcome the bad ones and carry on together. Luz, headlights on bright, says But everything has its limits. If I were in that situation, I’d leave and look elsewhere for happiness. And even if you don’t believe it, I think you feel the same as me. Salud! she says, smiling hugely and holding up her shot glass.

Is she trying to liquor up this middle-aged softy?

Rufi, Carlota and Paloma arrive home. Paloma is still upset that she couldn’t go to the police station. Carlota says even if everybody thinks Chris is so great since he’s a man of the cloth, they wouldn’t have hauled him in if they didn’t have some sort of proof.

Paloma says You’re wrong! I’m sure he didn’t do it. Rufi is outraged too and says, I agree! I’m sure your father is innocent.

Paloma swings around to look at her, surprised, and Carlota makes big eyes. Rufi says um, I was referring to Padre Juan, of course! The gears in Paloma’s brain are turning. Carlota tells Paloma she doesn’t want her in that police station, Paloma protests and Carlota yells enough! Paloma runs out of the kitchen.

And you, Rufi, Carlota snarls. Take care what you say! Rufi removes herself too.

Carlota thoughtbubbles: And you, Cristobal, you will beg me to save you. I will go to war with you and your God. Ahhhhhhhh sing some basso profundos.

Police station. The police put Chris and Nat in a room together. Apparently it doesn’t occur to the police that a pair of suspects might jump on the opportunity to cook up fake stories if they’re left alone together in detention.

Of course we know they’re innocent so all that happens is Chris again says don’t worry and she again complains that her place is with her husband’s body in Mexico City. She leans on him and he hugs her. Unfortunately they’re in a room with a big glass window through which we see the police staff staring at them hugging. Chris looks over and sees them. He closes the Venetian blinds. That oughta throw them off!

What happened? says Nat. Never mind, he says, hugging her some more.

Paloma frantically paces in her room, thinking. She has her cell in her hand.

Em and Romina have been to Starbucks and how they’re walking arm in arm. She asks if he wants to talk to his mother. E: No thanks, What for? R: She’s your mother. E: I know, but as long as she keeps copping this attitude, as long as she keeps following my father and won’t give him his freedom, I don’t want anything to do with her. R: I think she keeps hoping he’ll get back with her. E: It’s never going to happen. Their relationship is permanently destroyed.

Em’s phone rings. Romina pulls at his arm and looks at the number, then furiously says Paloma! He takes the call anyway. Paloma says she’s sorry to bother him, but something horrible has happened and she needs his help. She tells him what happened and asks him to help her escape from her house so she can get to the police station.

Chris is sitting nearby and someone is typing in the background while Nat tells the detective that they couldn’t have done it – in fact, she came to this very station to report him missing. Why do they suspect her and Chris? The policeman shoves Carlota’s accusing letter made of clipped out words across the desk towards her. Chris jumps up to look at it.

TUM TUM TUM go the timpani.

Chris says this isn’t any kind of proof. Anybody could put something like this together. True, says the policeman. But there are also these photos. They show you two being awfully affectionate. Nat flips through them. She and Chris are stunned.

Carlota is happily draped on a fainting couch, delighted with her success. Rufi approaches the door with a cup of tea just in time to hear her say You fell right into my trap. But unfortunately she then switches to thoughtbubbling. Thank you Alfonso, for trying to kill me. Aloud: You’ll end up being mine in the end.

Rufi backs away from the door and does her own thoughtbubbling: Dios mio! Help Cristobal. Macarena, wherever you are, help him!

Who took these photos? Natalia wonders. Chris says who cares? The reality is that Nat and I just have a great friendship. Natalia weepily swears on her dead husband and her daughter that there was never anything between her and Chris. I guess she means recently.

Chris says wait – is this a formal questioning? Why is that person taking down what we say? The detective says it is more or less. Chris says we have the right to a lawyer. Stop typing he tells the typist, who does. This isn’t a formal declaration, states Chris. Okay, says the detective, closing his file. It’s your right. I can get you a lawyer.

He leaves, and Nat melodramatically asks Chris who took those photos and why. I don’t know, says Chris, but all this will get straightened out. Put your confidence in God.

Romina and Em have just come home and she says if you go, I’m going with you. He says what are you thinking, you in your condition? Romina says I’m tired of not being able to do anything because I’m pregnant. Don’t go! We were just starting to get along; we’d stopped fighting. Paloma calls, and everything gets complicated again. If it weren’t for Paloma, we’d be so happy, Em.

Don’t be like my mother, Romina, he says. Paloma isn’t the cause of our problems. Then why do you go the minute she calls? Because it’s important for me. And because whenever she needs me, I’ll be there. Besides, it has to do with Padre Juan.

Great, says Romina, then I’m stuck here alone. Em goes over to her and tries to be nice, but now he’s talking softly instead of yelling and has his back turned, and the music is thundering so I can’t make out what he’s saying. I think he ends up saying that they are married and need to make peace with one another. Don’t wait up. He leaves.

Romina struggles with tears, feels her stomach and addresses her fetus, but the violins are too loud for me to understand her.

Orlando is checked through airport security, takes a few paces and opens the jewelry box and looks long and lovingly at the diamond ring, oblivious to the possibility of greedy criminal eyes in the crowd which might spot it. He could get mugged in the parking lot.

I don’t know if you’re going to accept his after your time in Valle de Bravo but I have to trust in you, Camila, he thinks. My love for you is TAN GRANDE.

Em is hurrying down the street while on his cell with German. He tells him to get right down to the police station – Padre Juan needs a lawyer!

Camila is at the airport waiting for Orlando, trying to talk herself into being happy. She knows she has the right to be, and now she just needs the strength to follow through. Or something like that; the background music is too loud.

Chris calls Padre B and fills him in. Padre M flutters nearby. Padre B tells Chris to keep in touch and that he and Padre M will pray for him. It looks like Padre M has already started without being told “go.” Padre B hangs up and he and Padre M discuss everything and hope it resolves very quickly.

Em is below Paloma’s balcony and he calls on her cell. They’re all set. She gets ready to go on the balcony when Carlota comes in and sees her parting the curtains. I thought you’d be in bed!

German shows up at the station, surprising Chris. German says I’m a lawyer and Em told me you needed me. Chris wonders how Em found out but Germ doesn’t know. Natalia says we’re innocent. German says he’ll go out and talk to the police to see what’s up. He leaves, and Chris looks kindly at Natalia and takes her hand.

Em is waiting under the balcony wondering what’s up. Meantime, Paloma nervouses around her bedroom and tells Carlota she couldn’t settle down. Carlota says well at least go to bed. Paloma goes to her wardrobe, switches the light briefly off and then back on (a signal to Em?) gets out her robe. She does the light thing again. Carlota says knock it off, what’s wrong with you?

Em texts What’s up?

Paloma goes in the bathroom, shuts the door, and says I’m changing – goodnight, Tia! She puts her robe on over her clothes. She texts Em I’m in the bathroom. Wait.

Carlota hollers if you can’t sleep, come to my room and I’ll give you a tablet. Okay! hollers Paloma back.

Now with her robe covering her clothes, Paloma again parts the curtains when Carlota bursts back in. She says I don’t want to happen to you what happened with your mother. You have big illusions about Natalia and Padre Juan. Don’t put your hands in the fire for anybody. You could get burned. Just because he wears priests’ robes doesn’t mean it’ll save him from doing bad things.
Paloma says I think he’s a wonderful person and I trust in him completely. Carlota says that’s exactly why I said that. Don’t be so nervous. Go to sleep. Why are you in bed with your robe on? I’m cold, says Paloma.

Okay, goodnight, and Carlota leaves.

Paloma locks her door from inside, takes off her robe and starts to climb over her balcony. I always wear heels when I’m climbing over a balcony, don’t you? Paloma too!

Luz the leech has got hold of Rafa’s arm while they’re walking the resort hotel’s grounds. She says look at all the stars! and drags him out to the lawn, and down onto the grass to lay on their backs to see the stars better. I haven’t done this in years Rafa says smiling. And why not? Says Luz. Rafa says it wasn’t the sort of thing Diana liked to do.

I love the stars! Says Luz. She twines her fingers in his. Rafa says you do know what I’m feeling, don’t you? Luz says I do! I love feeling your skin. I like being next to you.

Rafa says it’s magic. Luz says it is.

Paloma has reached the ground now. She and Em look at each other, but then off they run down the street.

Chris is in a small cell, arms folded, looking annoyed. Who could have done this? We hear Carlota saying Now you will know my fury! Chris says to himself “Carlota.”

AHHHHHHHHHH sing the bassos.

Avances: German tells Chris and Natalia that things look very bad. They must have an enemy who framed them.

Labels: amor

Sorry for the delay, I couldn't get to the show till it was over! Then I forgot to post it to the sidebar last night, I was so tired... Also, this episode had a week's worth of talking in it. They never stopped talking, ay caray!

• We see the happy guys with glowing sunburns jumping in the surf - the beautiful purple helicopter comes to rescue them after four months! They don't have four months' worth of beard in my opinion...
  
  They are taken to the capital, Santo Domingo, where they are met by a flotilla of bureaucrats. Curiously, it is going to take many days for them to get their Mexican passports etc. in order - and oddly, they don't call home to say they're ok.
  
  The little boy will go to live with other relatives nearby - oh, sad, he doesn't want to say goodbye to his sunburned friends - Alex says they'll send him letters when he learns to read. And that's it for our beachboys tonight.
  
  
• In a car, Useless tells Elena not to tell Maura or Roberta her maiden name, they might tell MJ. Elena says too late, I did already, and besides there are a lot of people named Miranda in Mexico.
  
  He goes on, "Also don't tell anybody your daughter's my girlfriend." "Why? Do you have a woman here?" "No, no way, it's just I don't want people knowing my business." "I did it to compromise/commit you. But I promise - you help me find Sandra and I'll help get her to marry you." He likes that, "as long as she's not the way she was."
  
  Elena marvels at what a rich widow MJ is now, and says she'd like to see her "for curiosity's sake." And he tells her another guy died too, Fer, and she's surprised - she knows Fer because his grandfather lives next to her father-in-law. She's titillated to hear of Fer's love for the aged Victoria.
  
  
• Maura, what a busybody! She asks Roberto if he's told his wife Raqhell that her lover (Useless) has another girlfriend. "No, I'm keeping that one in reserve." "And the baby she's expecting, is it yours or his?" "Dunno." "Divorce her!" "And be left with nothing?" "Well, now that MJ's got it all your family's going to be in the street anyway."
  
  She reminds us how odd it is that MJ evidently has a twin. [Oh sigh, sigh, sigh, I CAN'T STAND those evil-twin subplots, why must they torture us with another one? Sigh, sigh, sigh. --Ed.]
  
  She says the first time they all thought Alex was dead, she was sad, but this time it's much worse because she is so furious with Bruno.
  
  Roberto says if Maura goes public with what she knows it's going to be horrible for Victoria, and he questions what will happen to the company.
  
  It occurs to Maura to buy MJ's shares - she wants to punish Bruno. She's got enough dough to do it. Roberto says, "don't forget me," and she says he's always been a good friend.
  
  
• MJ is fondling a black dress, she wants to wear mourning, Vic says that would be too depressing for a pregnant woman (?)
  
  The old doc comes to get Victoria to take her to the board meeting. MJ says she'd like to give some of her shares to Vic, Vic says no, she doesn't need them and Alex wanted MJ to have them.
  
  The ol' doc tries to persuade Vic to go out for a bite after the meeting but she says forget it, and he keeps begging but to no avail.
  
  
• Around the boardroom table - which is a hideous aqua color and clashes with Bruno's purple shirt - and couldn't he have buttoned it up at least for an important meeting? - Raquel squeaks "That's ALL?" at the math that ends up with her getting 11.6 percent, that's to say 1/3 of her Mom's 35% of the shares. "What about the house, my chalet, my expenses?"
  
  The doc is indignant about dividing Mom's house but Vic says she doesn't care. The lawyers point out it won't look good to the public if Vic gets thrown out of the house. Bruno says Raq can keep the chalet and he'll share the house with Vic. Vic says MJ won't like him to come back but he doesn't care.
  
  Then the doc says, it's time to talk about the company and what MJ plans to do with her 65% of the shares. Roberto says Maura wants to buy them. B & R = shocked.
  
  Some lawyer dudes say, well they'd be interested in buying too. Raquel yells, they're going to get rich off OUR patrimony? Doc says they'll have to have a meeting with MJ to discuss it.
  
  Bruno then points out that with Alex DEAD the presidency is open and this time surely nobody will oppose his ascension. His ma starts to protest and he asks, "Do you doubt my ability?"
  
  He has supporters at the table but is reminded there has to be a vote, "and MJ is not here." Bruno says it will be four against three - "or won't you vote for me?" he asks his sister.
  
  
• Meanwhile Maura visits MJ, offers condolences, and offers to buy the shares. MJ isn't ready to think about that. Maura leaves. Paula thinks MJ should sell - Alex isn't coming back, and they'll have a pot of money! MJ isn't convinced Alex is dead.
  
  
• Chucho, Pedro, Metiche and Crutches-boy listen while Paula says she wants MJ to sell out and take the family someplace else. Chucho thinks the business shouldn't be deserted - Pedro says it's the first time he's had something of his own and doesn't want to leave Metiche and crutches-boy without a job FF>>
  
  
• Roberto tells MJ about the meeting. If she sells shares to Maura and Lisette, it will be five to four, and Bruno won't be pres. MJ can be pres! She sez, I dunno nothing about construction. She asks Roberto what his interests are. He says, since he got friendly with Paula he's gotten to know MJ and likes her.
  
  
• Raquel tells Useless about the meeting, or rather yells about it. She's furious because she won't be rich any more and also because she knows he's got another rich woman "and I want to know who she is!"
  
  "Oh, such jealousy, oh, your deplorable lack of faith in me." "Oh, I know! You want me to keep maintaining you while you have another woman." "You seem to be suggesting that I'm a gold-digger." He's hurt. She says she loves him and stomps out. He groans: "How much longer do I have to tolerate this woman?"
  
  
• The bald chauffeur comes for Paula. Erick is lurking behind a building and lets the air out of two tires.
  
  
• Bruno wants to talk to MJ but she's not interested. "Ah, you're judging me harshly," he says, "I had nothing to do with their deaths." "Ah, but you did with the judge, I know perfectly well you went after him and nobody's heard from him since." He says he went and offered money so the judge would stay quiet. "And when he wouldn't, you killed him! All you need to do now to bury what you've done completely - is to kill me." "I'll never do that because I want you." He grabs her, she shakes him off and leaves down another Stairway of Death but does not fall - at least this time.
  
  
• MJ meets Roberto at the bottom of the stairs and says "Tell Maura I'll sell 20% of my shares, 10% for her and 10% for her sister, as long as they promise to be on my side and not let Bruno be president."
  
  "Do you have a job for me?" Roberto asks with a winning smile, "though you might not believe it, I'm licensed in international relations." He warns her that Bruno's back and might want to get her in the sack. "Don't worry, I'm not the fool I used to be."
  
  
• Felipa and Vic listen from the doorway. Vic puts her hand to her heart. They go inside and Vic moans about her monstrous son.
  
  Bruno comes to the door - Filipa tells him his ma is indisposed but he pushes in as usual, to say he's moved his things into the chalet, it's his right. "MJ won't like it," says ma, "I don't care." "At least talk to her." "I tried but she blames me for everything." "Do you only think about yourself," cries Vic.
  
  "Do you want me to build a wall down the middle of the house? Because I'm going to live here and eat here and comport myself in complete liberty." [How I loved Bruno tonight, what a great villain. --Ed.] "But she, in her tender state?"
  
  He breaks down, "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!" No, actually he said, "Her her her, always her, can't you think about ME for even a moment?"
  
  Vic sinks into her chair. Bruno he falls to his knees and takes her hand: "Don't abandon me, I've done wrong but even the worse sinner deserves a chance to change his ways." "You've sinned so much though," she sighs.
  
  He immediately brings up her adultery and turns to leave. Felipa: "the trunk that grows twisted will never straighten out." She calls him a scorpion; Vic says automatically don't talk that way about my son. Felipa continues: "I call it like I see it. I predict he'll start out all sweet because what he wants besides the money is that girl MJ, and he's planning to conquer her and marry her."
  
  Vic asks, do you think they were talking about the judge that officiated at the false marriage? Felipa: "Duh." "And can Bruno really have murdered him?" "Lord knows - why don't you ask Maya (The lady at the safari office.)?"
  
  
• Roberto and Useless meet at a restaurant. "Hey, your mother-in-law is sexy, have you slept with her yet?" "No... aww Jeez, Raquel had another jealous fit today." "What do you want me to say? You got yourself into this." "Help me!" "Why should I help you, you got my wife pregnant." "I told you a thousand times, she threw herself at me."
  
  Again with the "the baby could be yours or mine."
  
  Roberto changes the subject: "Tell me the story about your mother in law with the splendid boobs." "OK, but I'm warning you, if you mess me up I'm going to tell people you are bisexual." "So what, it's fashionable, and besides, I only indulge once in a while to avoid being bored, and I'm discreet so who's going to believe you?"
  
  Roberto: "You told me MJ and your fiance are twins but it's complicated and preposterous, so for the benefit of our audience, please go through it again."
  
  "Her mother married Don Pedro and had three kids: Sandra, Maria Jose and Paula." "But Paula doesn't look anything like Maria Jose." "Probably Elena messed around with the milkman. Later, she met a guy of a good family - Porfirio - who would accept Sandra as his child and lied to his father saying the child was his and that Elena was a widow, and the grandfather really loves Sandra... [I was confused here, any help appreciated. -Ed.]
  
  ... and years later Elena married a scientist, he does some Frankenstein stuff, and the old guy subsidizes his lab, and old pot-o'-gold will die soon, but he wants to see Sandra, and if she shows up she'll inherit everything, so Elena's desperate to find her." "So what's your plan?" "Find her, slam her in rehab, and marry her, I'll have her eating out of my hand."
  
  "Aren't you afraid I'll tell all this to MJ and her family?" "No, because deep down I think you still love me." "And do you love me?" "Of course." "No, I don't believe that, I think we're using each other, any kind of love - homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual - has to be based in honesty, and you're not honest with me, you're messing with my wife." "Whoah, I didn't think you were so macho and possessive."
  
  "Well, no matter what's gone down with you..." "and others," adds Useless... "and others, I am still a man." He puts down some money and gets up, but Useless tries to detain him: "Roberto, despite all, we're still friends." "Friends don't do what you've done." Exit.
  
  Well, Useless isn't alone for long. A creepy guy with blond hair is just behind him. It's Mateo with a ridiculous dye job! They mutually wink and leer.
  
  
• Ahheeeeee this episode refuses to end.
  
  
• Crutches boy saw Erick let the air out of Paula's chauffeur Arturo's tires. Paula shows up, Erick tries to say hi but she blows him off: "Arturo, let's go,"
  
  Well, they can't, cause the tires have no air, "Oh that's ok," says Erick innocently, "I can take Paula home." Paula says she wouldn't go to the corner with him.
  
  Crutches boy, whoops now he's cane-boy, comes up and says, "What's happenin' Paula?"
  
  
• Cane boy accompanies her home in a taxi, warning her not to trust Erick. "I don't trust anybody these days." "I guess that includes me?" "Oh, no," she says sarcastically, but then admits he helped her out just now. "Glad I'm good for something" he says humbly.
  
  
• Mateo tells Useless: "After all I did for them, they sent me to the devil." "But you allied with our enemy!" "Oh, you mean that guy who called himself Mario Aguirre? What could I do? He threatened me - and you and Maura turned your back on me."
  
  This bit of review completed, Useless says he has a little job for Mateo: find Sandra.
  
  
• Roberto tells Maura and Lisette: MJ will sell them shares if they promise to act against Bruno. Maura says that's exactly what she wants, Lisette says "Bruno's been our friend for years," but Maura is in an unforgiving mood.
  
  
• Katia gossips and complains to Elena about how low-down MJ and her family are, and that Don Pedro (Elena's first husband, father of her children) is a drunk with a crummy store in the marketplace. Elena fake-laughs about this and asks about Paula. More complaints.
  
  Useless calls and asks if Elena's gotten the bank records yet. Not yet.
  
  
• Back to the ugly boardroom. Bruno thinks the presidency is in the bag, but MJ says she sold her shares that morning to Maura and Lisette and they might not be voting for Bruno.
  
  
• Bruno runs over to Maura's place and asks why she bought the shares. "It's a good business." "Neither you nor your sister know about construction." "We just want to vote against you." "You know how much I've waited for this." "Yeah, enough to kill Alex!" He says no he didn't, she says he's an unscrupulous animal, he says Alex never loved her, she says "He did so but you messed it up by bringing that other woman around, all my troubles are your fault."
  
  He is vaguely threatening and leaves and thank God, it's over!

Tomorrow: Alex and Fernando return.

Labels: sortilegio

Labels: gancho

Capítulo 57

[I was caught unawares as my cable provider went premium digital with Uni. So, now, I guess, I’ll have to also! The recap follows, but it's from what I could make out on YouTube and from esmas notes. If something seems wrong, feel free to add or correct it. –ed.]

Alex and Fernando are still playing Robinson Crusoe while Bruno plays chauffeur for Katia, taking her to her great uncle’s rancho out in the boonies.

Bruno tells the old T.A. (tío abuelo) that Fernando is missing and probably dead and so Katia felt she was better off with him for a while. Crotchya immediately interjects that Bruno is her fiancé and that they plan to get married in a few months. This is news to Bruno! He decides to cut this inopportune visit short and says it’s time to go. Crotcha walks him out. Once they’re alone in the courtyard he asks why she had to tell her uncle that they were engaged! The naïve little twit whines that she thought they were! (I immediately wonder where she’s packed the wedding day paper dolls.) He tells her that with everything on his mind right now, the last thing he needs is to be thinking about a wedding. Little Miss Clinging Vine wants reassurances that he won’t forget her there and will call her every day. She whines that she’s afraid he’s brought her there as a way to get rid of her. He kisses her (after checking for lollipop goo, I’m sure) and says he’ll never forget her; and no, of course he’s not dumping her! He promises he’ll call, but says it can’t be every day. Too much is going on right now. They kiss and he drives off, probably secretly very glad to be rid of her--at least for a while, till she’s useful again.

Inside the main house, the housekeeper and TA have a good cry over Fernando’s untimely demise. “Such a fine, intelligent, handsome young man!” Sob. Sob. He tells the housekeeper that supposedly Fer went on vacation with his boss, Alejandro Lombardo, and they had some sort of accident. The housekeeper remembers then that a Victoria Lombardo called earlier for him. Lombardo? Oh noes! He calls Vicki back immediately. Vicki tells him not to give up hope because she hasn’t. They should meet sometime. Hopefully under better circumstances, yada, yada. Yes. Crotchya’s there. Her fiancé brought her. Who? Bruno. Victoria takes a minute to let that troublesome tidbit sink in. They say their polite good-byes and hang up. Crotchya comes in to the room right afterward.

TA tells Crotchya that he was just talking to Sra. Lombardo who called because she was worried about her. The brat calls her a nosy old whore who treats her son like trash. When the old guy asks how she could dare say something so rude, she tells him how Vicki got pregnant by her lover and that Bruno was the result. “That’s pretty shameless, wouldn’t you say?” The old guy wasn’t exactly expecting his young grand-niece to be privy to this kind of Peyton Place backgrounder, let alone having her mouth off so matter-of-factly to him about it. (Times have changed, old man! Get your groove on!) She struts away while he turns five different shades of red and waits for the old ticker to slow back down.

Time passes. Days go by. The Castaways continue to build their raft. They fish, eat, swim, work on their tans, sleep and dream about home. FF>>

The hearing for the challenge to the will starts a few days later. Vicki corners Bruno right before they go in to see the judge and she accuses him of tricking her over the business with the will. He plays dumb and blames it all on greedy Raquel.

Back at the manse, meanwhile, Mary Jo informs Paula and Papa Smurf, aka Papi Pedro, about her divorce. The good news–at least for Pau—is that Alex left MJ everything as part of the divorce settlement. Material Sis is all smiles. Neon $$$ signs gleam in her eyes.

In downtown Merida at the hearing, Dr. Hernan testifies that Antonio Lombardo was in full control of his faculties at the time of his accidental death and that he never showed signs, in his medical opinion, of being otherwise. Bruno’s lawyers accuse Hernan of favoritism towards Sra. Lombardo since he’s been a family friend for years. Bruno secretly cheers as Hernan is forced to admit that he knew about Antonio’s adulterous affair with Vicki but covered for Antonio. (Like he was supposed to sever his professional or personal relationship over that? Tsk. Tsk.)

Days pass. At a second hearing, the two bribed board members claim that they have proof Antonio was mentally incompetent. They claim he was making absurd business decisions and suffered wild mood swings. Vicki’s lawyers argue that Dr. Hernan’s medical opinion should hold more weight with the court than unqualified observations from Rocas or the other board member. The judge disagrees and says Dr. Hernan’s testimony wasn’t objective due to his friendship with the family. Bruno has a nasty smile on his face. He’s sure he’s got this case in the bag now.

Meanwhile, across town at Maura’s palatial Think Pink! pad, she and Lisset are discussing Victoria’s legal situation. Mau’s worried that Vicki will lose the case without Alex there to take charge of things. She tells Lis that if Alex really is dead, then Bruno had something to do with it. Alex mentioned something to her about his suspicions. Anyway, Bruno’s crafty and Vicki’s no match for him she thinks. It’s a shame Alex isn’t there because she’s sure he’d be giving Bruno a real run for his money.

Back at the hearing, Bruno’s attorneys don’t want to wait any longer for Alex to return. They ask for Alex to be considered deceased and to have Antonio’s will changed and his fortune divided up in equal parts with his other (now) legitimatized heirs. Vicki’s lawyers object, saying they must legally wait for a full year before declaring someone dead. The judge says he understands that Alex left his fortune to his heirs before he went missing. Surprise #1! Bruno is caught-with-his-pants-down-impactado. Lic. Quiñones clarifies to the judge that if Alex is declared dead, he has no widow. Bruno says that’s crazy and tells him Mary Jo is his widow. Surprise #2!! Vicki’s other lawyer informs the judge that Alex divorced her two months ago and gave his entire fortune, all his holdings, and half the house to her as part of the settlement. Consequently, there’s no inheritance to divvy up.

Bruno is WTF impactadissimo! It’s pure chaos now as Bruno jumps to his feet, mad as a whole swarm of hornets, and claims that Alex is either dead or hiding out to avoid the trial. “If he’s really hiding then that is fraud!” (Viewerville is on its feet, cheering and clapping.) He wants justice! Raquel screams at her mother for allowing it to happen. Vicki stares blankly at her and says nothing. Hernan’s watching Bruno’s reaction. He’s smiling like the Cheshire cat who just pounced on a rat seeing El Bruto get a royal screw job. Victoria now defends herself and says she and MJ haven’t heard a word from Alex and are still worried sick about what’s happened to him. Bruno yells “Liar!” The judge calls for order and demands Bruno show some respect for his mother! Bruno zips it real quick. (A second cheer goes up from Viewerville, though there’s a silent hope that somehow he gets charged with contempt and thrown in the slammer anyway.) Raquel jumps up now. (Whack-a-mole, anyone?) She angrily demands that MJ be called in to testify because she doesn’t believe one word of anything Vicki’s lawyer has said. LQ presents the signed agreement to the judge as proof. (Take that, you greedy, grumbling bitch with a bad dye job!)

The story comes out in the papers the next day. Mau reads it to Lis. Mau bemoans the fact that poor Victoria is being touted as a whore while MJ’s gotten everything: the company, the properties and half ownership of the mansion. She can’t believe it’s come to this! Lamebrain Lis, though, is bored with it all. Mau figures Bruno didn’t lie and makes a mental note that he told her Alex was getting a divorce. Lis yawns and heads in for breakfast. Mau goes too. FF>>

Another week or two passes. At the next hearing Mary Jo is there. The judge asks Mary Jo if she and Alex Lombardo married with communal property rights, i.e., share and share alike. She confirms that they did. He recognizes that that being the case, she ought to have gotten only half. MJ states that Alex wanted it that way because they loved each other. The judge asks why they divorced if they loved each other. Mary Jo turns towards Bruno with hate in her eyes. She replies because Bruno demanded it. She stands up and becomes extremely agitated and then lets Bruno have it between the legal eagle eyeballs. She tells the judge that she and her child were at death’s door. She turns accusingly toward Bruno and screams at him. “You were the only one who could give blood! Alex begged you to do it, but you wouldn’t till he agreed to divorce me!!” She turns back to the judge. “Alex, as a man of his word, did it and complied.” (Don’t ya just wonder how Judge Judy would handle Bruno after testimony like that?) Bruno yells back at her that she’s crazy. He swears he did it out of the kindness of his heart. (Viewerville starts screaming at the screen. “Liar, liar, pants on fire!”) Mary Jo answers back that he told her himself what he did to Alex. He turns to his Mama and whines for some emotional back-up, but she refuses. Surprise #3!!! Mama tells him she heard him herself telling Mary Jo what he did! Everybody’s in shock. Bruno screams at the judge that they’re both lying. He yells now that he hates her as much as he hates Alex. (Like “Nannie, nannie, boo-boo!” goes really far in a court of law, Bruno.)

The judge calls for a recess to discuss it with the lawyers. “This new information puts a new spin on the situation.” Raqui rushes over to Bruno in the hallway after and bitches him out for not telling her the truth. He tells her Alex isn’t the only one who can play dirty. “Anyway, this whole hearing has been nothing but a pile of crap!” The crap-meister in chief stomps off.

Back inside the hearing the judge tells the lawyers that he’s not inclined to believe Bruno Lombardo has a case any longer in light of the new testimony. He suggests to Bruno’s lawyers that they convince him to stop before the case becomes any more complicated. In plain lingo, Bruno had better quit while he’s ahead. LQ reminds the judge that even if MJs testimony were false, the divorce settlement is solid. So, there’s nothing to challenge any longer. The judge agrees.

Bruno’s lawyers come out and tell him that Mary Jo’s claim to the fortune is solid and this changes the whole situation. There’s nothing more they can do. Raquel gripes in frustration that nobody knew anything about any of it. Bruno says as far as he’s concerned, Alex is hiding out somewhere and avoiding facing him in court. He wants blood.

Back in Boonieland, Porferio commiserates with his old pal, Nando’s TA, and remarks that the good always die young while the old farts are left to carry on. A minute later Elena appears and greets her ex-FIL with a forced smile. She pours herself a drink or three and chatters on about her current hubby’s terrific work at the clinic. Porfe glares at her. He could give a rat’s patooty about Jorge the Doctor. TA mentions Fer’s supposed death and having Crotchya with him now. Elena remembers her as a little girl with braids or something. He complains that she’s grown up and he doesn’t know what to do with her. She doesn’t care to do much of anything and sits around all day with her phone stuck to her ear like a 5th appendage. Porfe suggests Elena could take her for an ice-cream at the mall or something. TA says she’s a bit old for that, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea if Elena could hang with her for a little bit of female- to-female quality time. Elena struggles to hide a grimace behind a triple-shot of tequila. She says sure, she could try it if that’s what the old guy would like.

Porfe asks about Sandra. Elena gives him a line about her doing fine and says she and Jorge were thinking of going to bring her back, but there’s been no time to because of the demands of the clinic. Blah, blah, blah. Porfe pretty much tells her to cut the crap. He knows Elena could care less about his granddaughter; and her husband, Jorge, might as well not even know she exists! (Lovely old man, isn’t he?) He threatens Elena that if Sandra hasn’t been properly raised and demonstrates otherwise, Elena and Jorge won’t inherit a single centavo from him. As for Jorge and his clinic, it can rot! He stomps out of the room. TA pours Elena another drink. (Easy to see why she’s always got a glass in her hand around the old buzzard!)

Meanwhile, back on Gilligan’s island, Alex goes for a swim and remembers his romantic time in the ocean with Mary Jo.

Elena goes to the clinic to speak with Jorge and tell him what’s just happened with Porferio. Jorge could give a rap. He blames Elena for everything wrong with Sandra. He tells her It’s her problem. Elena caused it, so she can deal with it. The slime-bucket throws her out of his office.

Outside again, Elena calls Sandra’s number but finds out it has been disconnected. She calls one of Sandra’s friends trying to find out if the girl knows anything. (We note the Alice Cooper/Kiss groupie attire, complete with black and blue make-up, scruffy coiffeur, body rings and tats. For a couple of seconds, Viewerville allows itself to sympathize with Elena’s predicament—but only a couple.) The girl is thumbing through fashion magazines (why, when she’s dressed like that, escapes me) and she does not appreciate having her quality reading time interrupted. She rudely tells Elena that Sandra returned to Mexico a week or so ago. She has no idea where she is and no, she doesn’t have her new phone number. Elena’s back to square one.

Mary Jo and Vicki return to the manse. MJ goes upstairs, lies down on her bed and cries. Pau hears her and comes in to see what happened with the judge --and the money. MJ says she doesn’t care. She’d give it all away just to have Alex back again. Pau tells her that’s a lost cause. He’s gone. She needs to realize it and get on with her life. Mary Jo refuses and says she’ll never give up on him coming back. Never!

Across the hall, Felipa has come in to see Vicki and ask about the results of the hearing. Vicki tells her about MJ’s testimony and Bruno’s dumbfounded reaction. Felipa says it serves him right for all the crap he’s pulled. She then convinces Vicki it’s time to face facts about Alex and Fernando and suggests they have a memorial mass there “to commend their souls to God.”

Outside on the grounds, Raqui (definitely the kind o’ gal a guy is glad to know married the other chump) is giving Roberto the low-down on her low-life brother’s reversal of fortunes at the hearing. Bottom line: MJ got everything due to the divorce settlement he signed before he went missing, and they get bupkis. Bobo is let-me-get-this-straight-impactado. They head inside while he gets his head around that and the she-dog howls about Vicki’s complicity in it all. Bobo taunts his other half, saying that Uli will be dumping her once he learns they lost the case. She pours herself a tall drink. She’s dying to know who her supposed competition is. Bobo makes a proposition. “Give me back the use of my credit cards and I’ll tell you.” He goes into the bedroom. Raqui screams at him for being the ultimate jerkwad.

Elena, meanwhile, decides to call Uli for a confab. She tells him Sandra’s back in Mexico now, but she doesn’t know where. They’ve got to discuss it in person with him. He agrees.

Somewhere else in Merida, Bruno has a chat with Erick to tell him about the hearing. He tells Erick his suspicion that Alex is hiding out somewhere. He suddenly changes the subject and asks if Erick knows what’s going on with Paula. Buttlick pulls a blank because he’s not been allowed back to the manse since he got fired. Bruto screams at him to do a little investigating then. “That’s what I pay you for!!” Erick is left to figure out something.

Paula and Arturo are dropping off Gabriel at the mall. Soon he won't have to use his cane at all. Gabe gets out and thanks her for the lift. He decides to apologize for lying about her to the authorities and explains why he did it. She grudgingly accepts his apology. No harm. No foul. But, as she and Artie drive off, she says what those two pulled on her was unpardonable even for God. Art says something like God always forgives. She reminds him that she’s not God.

El Broodo pays Mama a visit to complain about her part in what happened at the hearing. “Alex is hiding out! You know he did this just to get my goat! He’s laughing at me right now behind my back!” Yada, yada, yada…. Vicki ignores him and lets her thoughts about love drown him out. Bruno continues the harangue about MJ having everything and leaving her nothing. He rants on that if she thinks things are bad now, just wait. Without money and all the luxuries she’s accustomed to, life will really be a drag. She isn’t listening though. She doesn’t care. He realizes this when he finally pauses to take a breath. He asks if she’s heard a word he’s said. She says no. She doesn’t want to listen to anything he has to say. “--Well, then, that’s your problem!” He storms out of the room.

More time passes. Another hearing takes place, but this time Vicki and Mary Jo aren’t there. LQ says they’re grieving for Alex and Fernando and can’t bring themselves to appear at this hearing. The judge finds for Bruno and Raquel in that he believes Antonio was not competent when making out his will. Hernan’s and Rocas’ shares will not change. What was left to Victoria, however, is all that can be divvied up with Bruno and Raqui because the divorce settlement is also valid. Raquel is beside herself. She wants to challenge the divorce settlement because, she says, Alex had no right to give away what belonged to her and Bruno. The judge says that, as it appears, Alex was simply securing his child’s future, so the agreement stands. He won’t agree to a challenge of the divorce settlement. (Too bad. So sad. No mon, honeybun!) Bruno isn’t ready to give in so soon. He asks what would happen if the kid is actually his.

At the same time, Elena shows up at Uli’s –or rather, Raquel’s—apartment to discuss the details about the predicament with Sandra. She tells him that she called Sandra’s best friend in Spain and was told Sandra had left Spain over a week ago and came back to Mexico. Uli, a guy who has made living off other people’s credit cards a fine art, suggests they can locate her from her credit card receipts. All Elena needs to do is to go to the bank and explain she’s the one paying the bills and then demand to see a record of the current charges. He’ll do the rest, he says. The doorbell rings. It’s Mau and Bobo come to discuss the latest gossip about Raquel and Bruno. He introduces them to Elena, who then explains that she’s his fiance’s mother and that she has known Uli for just about forever. Mau and Bobo exchange looks. (Definitely an eyebrow raiser.) Mau teases Uli about not knowing who the lucky girl is that he’s been hiding from them all this time. While he and Elena go over to the bar to fix some drinks, Bobo whispers a few of the choice details about Sandra to Mau and says that she’s apparently the spittin’ image of Maria Jose. Mau is elated to have some new and delicious gossip. She wonders if Elena could be MJ’s mother. Bobo just smiles conspiratorially at her.

Back at Casa de Lobos, the rest of the family holds a memorial service for Alex and Fer.

Speaking of Crusoe and Friday, they finally have their makeshift raft ready and set out to sea. Suddenly there’s a helicopter above and they begin waiving and screaming in hopes the pilot will see them. He does. (It’s a good thing, too, because that raft was about as sea-worthy as a sieve.) The helicopter lands. They hug the pilot, who immediately puts the three of them inside it. Alex and Nando give a prayer of thanks as they take off and head back to home and civilization --or what passes for it in loco Lombardo-land.

[The next two Fridays are both holidays, so obviously there won’t be anything to recap. Here’s hoping you all have a terrific holiday season and a happy and prosperous new year! —ed.]

Labels: sortilegio

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 3:34 PM 80 comments

Episode 127

I’m back home after a sumptuous holiday meal at my parents’ house. About 15 family members gathered around the big dining room table. We had turkey, brisket, potato pancakes with applesauce, string beans, squash and salad, and for dessert, my mother baked delicious sugar cookies with little dreidels and stars on them (she may be 79, but her baking is better than ever). We lit the lights, sang the songs and had a wonderful time making predictions about the snowstorm that’s supposed to strand half of us tomorrow. I’m pleasantly stuffed, and am anxiously waiting to see what kind of meal our little novela served up tonight. Let’s load up our plates and dig in.

We begin with Wilhimena Tell, apple on head, telling Jerry she’s willing to die for love, so does Jerry shoot her? We’ll have to wait, because we switch to Moni in the gym, hitting the bag, tearfully collapsing into the arms of La Furia Enmascarada.

Jacky enters Sal’s office to find him in deep contemplation about the upcoming duel. She tries to talk him out of it, explaining that Jeronimo has nothing going with Gabi, he was just trying to win back Jacky, so there’s really no point in the duel. Sal doesn’t care, he accepted Jerry’s challenge. Besides, he can’t stand the fact that Gabi would play games by going with Jerry, who is such an imbecile. Jacky keeps trying to dissuade him, but Sal wants to fight for his love with Gabi, no matter what the cost. Fine, says Jacky, and walks out. As she closes the door, she says to herself (but loud enough for Sal to hear) “You fools.” (necios)

Moni feels better now. Strangely, when she’s near La Furia, he inspires confidence in her (Hmmm. She doesn’t recognize his hands, his eyes, his slightly disguised voice, his musculature……oh, I’ll just go along with it). He says he just wants to help, she can tell him anything, she can count on him. She’s thankful (and I notice she’s tutearing him – remember how long it took for her to tutear Mau? Of course that was her boss, and this is her workout buddy, so I guess it’s different). But now they have to train, so she resumes her workout, and he slowly backs away.

So what happened? asks Gabi of Jacky. Jacky couldn’t convince Sal not to duel, but points out that Sal loves Gabi totally. Gabi says she loves him, too, but their relationship has been strewn with obstacles. At least she’s glad Jacky is not really going with Sal, and has been upfront with Gabi. Jacky says she was sort of thinking of converting Sal to be more than an amigo in the future, but there was always a speedbump, or doorstop (un tope). What was it? His profound love for Gabi. She realized Sal and Gabi were made for each other. And along the way, she’s now also realized that maybe Jerry could actually be the guy for her, with a little work, of course. The two ladies can see they have lot in common. They’re amigas. But neither wants her guy to die in some stupid duel. What can they do? Jackie has a plan.

Well, finally we’re back at with Wilhimena Tell, and just as Jerry almost sorta kinda gets around to pulling the trigger,


Oscar pops in, grabs the gun away, and reminds Jerry how stupid he is. But Jerry whines that he really needs practice, since he’s never actually fired a gun. Oh, you’re afraid, huh? chides Oscar. No way, says Jerry. Way, says Rolu, coolly observing from his wheelchair. Oscar hustles Jerry out, they don’t want to be late, as Xime, still balancing the apple on her head, bemoans the fact that since Jerry didn’t shoot her, Rolu won’t forgive her (for the stuff with Beto). Too bad, says Rolu, you missed your chance. Well, can’t I at least eat the apple? Nope, says Rolu, grabbing it and biting in like the snake he is.

Beto’s been discharged from the hospital, and he enters his apartment accompanied by Cesar and Estrella, still (maybe) amnesic. What place is this? And what’s that smell? We live here, says Cesar. Beto’s repelled by the cow pocketbook, thinks this place is a pigsty. He really lives here? Yes, with Nieves, adds Estrella. Who’s that? Cesar reminds him he remembered last night, while eating enchiladas. Well that’s it – Beto needs food to get those brain cells going. Don Cesar’s had enough, he’s going to the gym. Wait, don’t leave me with him, pleads Estrella, but to no avail. Cesar leaves, and Beto walks up to Estre, and seeing that she seems to be a nice respectable young lady, could she tell him one thing? Who is he? You, she responds………You’re nobody (tú no eres nadie, the same thing he always said to HER!). This doesn’t seem to throw him too much, as long as she can cook. She can.

So where was Nieves all this time? She’s come to visit Connie (!). Instead of the cow purse, she now has one that looks a little like a baby lion.


And here’s Connie. So whadya want? says Connie dismissively. Nieves wants to talk about the baby she’s carrying, Beto’s baby. Connie says she’s wrong, but Nieves tells Connie she overheard her in the hospital, crying her eyes out over Beto, telling him not to die, for the sake of his baby she was carrying. Connie is impactada.

It’s a beautiful day for a duel. Oscar has the box with the weapons, Jerry and Sal, both wearing suits (Jerry’s is unbuttoned) are facing each other, and Gabi and Jackie are worriedly observing in the background.


It’s going to be a duel of six paces. Gabi will count. Oscar sets forth some rules. If you fall dead, you can’t participate in the following duel. Guess not. Jerry tells Jacky that although he has no money, if he dies, he gives her all his love. Yes, yes, says Jackie, but let’s get on with this, she’s got a pressing appointment for a massage, a collagen injection and a masque from a mandrill’s placenta (I think). Gabi’s totally into this, where can she get one? The guys are flabbergasted, but Oscar implores silence – the duel must go on. Gabi gives Sal a kiss for luck as she tells him she has a craving. Right here and now? questions Sal, but she corrects him, a craving for that mandrill placenta masque, sounds so intriguing.

Sal confidently takes his gun, but Jerry’s nervous and jumpy. They glare at each other, go back to back. Gabi counts it off – Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, SEIS! They turn, and both FIRE! (and we go to commercial).

We’re back, but before we find out about the duel, it’s back to Coni and Nieves. Connie says Nieves misheard it, since she’s an old coot. Nieves knows what she heard. Connie says she and her husband aren’t even sure she’s pregnant yet. Nieves thinks that’s a bunch of bull. She knows the truth, and that’s why she didn’t press charges against Connie for running over her son. Fine, says Connie, how much do you want to keep quiet? I’ll pay all of Beto’s “expenses”. She gets out her checkbook. Somehow, I don’t think Nieves is going to back down this time.

Out in the fields, Jerry and Sal are both still standing. Jerry checks his chest, his manly areas, gee, it’s all still there. Same with Sal. Oscar announces that after all that, they didn’t hit anyone. Yes they did, says Gabi weakly. Me, and she sinks to the ground. Sal runs to her. Leave me on the ground, she says softly. No, Gabi, no, cries Sal in desperation!

In the gym, Moni just can’t continue with her workout, she’s so distraught. Furia sees this, goes to her, please tell me, what did they do to you? They broke my heart, she replies.

As Sal cradles Gabi’s head gently, she tells him she’s leaving. She’s going to see her dear parents, her Grandpa José. No, no, cries Sal. I’m arriving at the great beyond. I see a white light. No, no, no. And you know what? I feel peace, so much peace. Sal yells, call an ambulance. Oscar grabs the almost unconscious (but I think she’s faking) Gabi, saying I can’t let go of these arms, this wonderful body…..Sal roughly grabs her back, then Oscar, as she’s tossed back and forth like a rag doll (not too good for her if she were shot, I don’t think). Call the ambulance, demands Sal. Well, Oscar forgot his cellphone. Same with Jackie, left it at home. Jerry has his, but I think he used up all his minutes, and they froze his account. Sal, filled with emotion, tells Gabi it can’t end this way. Gabi softly says this is how it ends. She slumps to the ground. Jerry looks around. Is she dead? Well, then let’s skeedaddle before the police come, says brave Oscar. They’re about to leave, but Sal won’t leave, he has a death grip on Gabi, saying, no, no, no, and I guess our little game is over, as Gabi starts coughing, asks him to loosen that grip, he’s choking her (Jacky’s fanning her). She gets to her feet, complaining that he won’t even let her die in peace, then breaks into a big smile, as Jackie tells her, good job, girlfriend! Absolutely first rate (the boys looks as if they have egg on their faces).

Moni and Furia give each other a few more words of encouragement. Borriiing.

Connie’s ready to write the check. But Nieves doesn’t want her money. Fine, then leave, says cold calculating Connie. Nieves lays it down – she knows Connie loves her son, and although she’s not happy about it, Beto loves the Señora, too. And there’s the baby. Connie interrupts, Beto was just an adventure, and she’s going to raise the baby with Mauricio. Nieves has the last word. If Constanza can’t admit the love she has, if she can’t love Beto freely, she’ll never love the baby, and the best thing for the baby would be to disappear from Connie’s life forever.

Gabi and Jacky are proud of their act, they taught the boys a lesson. It was simple, they just switched the guns for ones with blanks (balas de salva). But you have blood on your blouse, says Jerry. Ah, just a trick from a novelty shop, you wear this little thing, press a button, and the “blood” comes out. It was Jacqueline’s idea. Anyway, she wants to get back to the office. Jerry wants to get that collagen masque, sounds divine. Jacky agrees if he’ll carry her purse. Woof, woof, barks Jerry, and heels for his Lady. They leave, as does Oscar. Gabi feels so happy, like a kid, but then she notices Sal's sort of in shock.

At school, it’s recess, and Aldo’s dreaming of his love adventure. Katia calls him back to reality, says she knows he was dreaming of Estrella, and that’s cool. She’ll even help him visit her. After all, they’re amigos. Aldo is a little taken aback, as Katia’s game is working. Maybe. Aldo has to go to history class, and Katia’s smile fades just a bit.

Sal’s looking a little green in the gills as Gabi teases him, come on, it was just a little lesson, how stupid was that duel thing? Yes, but he was really scared. He really thought she was going to die. In fact, he really wants a glass of water. Oh come on, where are we going to get a glass of water in the middle of the woods? says Gabi. Uh oh, Sal starts to clutch at his arm, he’s grimacing in pain, it really hurts! He’s down on his knees, as Gabi gets frantic, Salvador, Salvador! Everyone left, and we’re alone. Try to hold on, I’ll get you to the car and take you to the hospital. But no, he collapses to the ground, it’s too late! She’s crying, no, no God, it’s my fault! Please forgive me, Salvador, I forgot you were too old for scares. She hugs his body in desperation, tears streaming down, and he…..breaks into a big fat smile. Gotcha! He was just giving her a taste of her own medicine (have to admit I could see this a mile away, but didn’t want to spoil the narrative – what fun!)

He’s laughing, she’s complaining, but then she’s laughing, too, and they hug sweetly, together on the ground in the woods, the sun beaming down on their beaming faces.


Awwwwww!

Ummmm, good, says Beto, Estrella’s not a bad cook, he likes these albóndigas. Estrella, (looking very pretty today)


learned from her Mom when she was little. Beto thinks she could open a chain of restaurants. She’d earn a bunch, she can’t be making much money as an extra. Wait a minute, says Estre, you can’t remember squat, but you know I'm an extra? Well, that lady in the hospital who says she’s my mother told me. You’re an extra who wants to be an actress, but lacks the lust (lujuria) to deliver the job (unlike the Beto we know, he’s using big words, like curriculum). Estre isn’t happy with Nieves talking about her like that. Yes, she’s an actress, she has a resume, and as for lust, well, that depends, no? Beto has another question (he’s talking formally with her, she’s tutearing him). Is he really a wrestler? Yep, not just a wrestler, you’re the Fantasma Vengador! Hmmm, what an interesting name, he remarks. Estre has an idea. Let’s go down to the gym, and when you see all your cuates, maybe it’ll jar your memory. And this’ll be a good excuse for me to see my Furia Enmascarada. Beto doesn’t know who that is either, but he’ll go to the gym. However, first he has to wash up (asearme), brush his teeth, rinse (enjuage), gargle and perfume himself! Estre can only stare in disbelief. What has this guy done with our Beto?! He looks for the bathroom. Where are the toilettes? Outside, Beto. Outside? What a strange house, he muses. He then opens the door and actually says "After you” to a shocked Estrella.

At the gym, Furia has Costeño in a tight hold, as Costeño begs for mercy from the super skilled Furia. It looks as if Moni’s ready to unburden herself of her problems now (desahogarse), and Furia’s ready to listen. Furia figures it has something to do with that guy, what was his name, Mauricio, right? He was going to separate from his dame (he uses the word mina, Argentine slang for a dame or broad), and soon you guys would be together. Moni agrees, but remarks that at least Furia should be happy, he has Estrella. And who should show up right then, but our Estre, yelling “Bombon”, arms open to embrace her sugarplum, as she bounces into his lap and plants a big one on his masked mouth. Beto says to Moni, now THAT’s a macho man, if I were like that, I wouldn’t have any problems. Moni’s annoyed, and lightly punches him, and he goes, what’s up, Mona? You wound me. (I think it’s all coming back – or not).

Gabi and Sal are now having a nice breakfast in a restaurant. Gabi’s nervous, don’t they have to get to work? Sal calmly assures her that Grupo Sermeño can survive a few hours without them. He looks in her eyes, tells her how destroyed he was when he thought she was shot, that without her, his life has no meaning. She says the same, when he had that heart attack, her sadness was overwhelming. As he chuckles about their silliness, she seriously says that she loves him. But she was so jealous. Don’t be, says Sal, you’re the only woman for me, you’re like a glass of champagne, delicate, bubbling. And you, Salvador, are like the most exquisite wine, aged in oak barrels (añejado en barricas de roble)…Wait a minute, what’s with this “aged” thing, he complains. Are you saying I’m old, I’m out of it, I’m - she shuts him up with a kiss, and we can feel the sparks.

Not so sparky with Estre and Furia, he’s leaning back as far as he can to escape her kisses. Beto thinks it’s hot, though, thinks they’re about to do the horizontal bop (he uses the mess up the parrot’s hair phrase for sex, I think he’s slipping more and more back into his old naco self), as Moni hits him again. Furia begs Estre to stop, and she breathlessly remarks she forgot where she was. Moni observes that this may be why Don Cesar gets mad at you for coming to the gym. Estre just wants to keep kissing, tells Furia it’s not the same when you’re dressed, right? to which he goes Huh? and she then wants to go the park to make out. Why not a hotel? suggests Beto, as Moni hits his shoulder a third time. Estre convinces Moni to take Beto away, give them some space, and Moni grudgingly agrees.

Alone with her prince (in the gym, tho), Estre asks if he got her love note. No, he doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She keeps hugging, caressing, so happy about what they have, but he firmly pushes her back. He tells her she’s cute, but he’s just not interested in her, because he loves another chick. Whoa, you could knock Estre over with a feather.

But not for long, as she lays into him, were you just toying with me? Furia assures her he never meant to lead her on, and nothing really happened. Oh, nothing really happened?, Estre rages. I can’t believe it, all you men are the same, and I’m the same as always, an estúpida, I can’t believe I did it again. She grabs her purse and stalks out, berating herself, as Mau/Furia is confused (his usual state anyway).

Cut to a hand and some keys. I guess Aldo’s fun days may be ending, too, as he picks them up, full of anticipation. Terry comes in, food’s ready, but Aldo’s going out, and has Mau’s permission. He’s out the door, when here comes Estrella in tears. She needs a hug. He hugs her, what happened? My heart’s been torn to pieces (she says me acaban de ser cachitos el corazón – a cachito is a 20th of a lottery ticket). Ironically, maybe Aldo’s fun days are NOT over. Clever writers.

Furia offers Moni some bottled water, what happened to Beto? Well, maybe he’s recovering his memory faster than we thought. Don Cesar offered to go out for beers, and he jumped at the chance. But what about Estrella? Oh, she had to go. So tell me more about your problems with that guy, says Furia. Moni wonders what does it matter to him. YOU matter to me, he says, using the Argentinian familiar “vos”. She tells him that Mauricio’s wife is pregnant. And what really hurts is that he broke his promise. He swore he’d never touch that woman. She painfully adds that now La Momia is expecting a child. Although in truth, it might not be his. At this, Furia’s ears REALLY perk up (under the mask, that is). Yeah, she’s been sleeping with another guy for a long time! Furia’s eyes just about bug out of his uniform, and so ends tonight’s feast.

Previews: At the spa, Jacky thinks Jero should dump someone (maybe Oscar), the Moni/Furia unburdening continues, and Beto’s back!

Oh, and it seems that the next two Fridays are Christmas and New Year’s, so I probably won’t have anything to recap. Of course, I’ll be commenting as always, but I’d like to take this opportunity to wish one and all, a very happy, healthy and tasty holiday season.

Now bring on that snowstorm!

Vocabulario:

Un tope – the top or the limit. It also means a doorstop or a speedbump, something which stops you
Balas de salva – blanks (as in bullets)
Asearse – to wash up, tidy up oneself
Enjuagar – to rinse
Una mina – Argentinian slang for a dame, broad, girlfriend
Añejado – aged or mature, as in añejado en barricas de roble, aged in oak barrels
Un cachito – a 20th of a lottery ticket. Estrella said Me acaban de ser cachitos el corazón, or my heart’s just ended up in 20 pieces

Labels: gancho