Caray, Caray!

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

For discussion of the Friday Dec. 18 ENDA episode.

Labels: amor

Rafael tells Camila that it’s hard for him to look at her as a friend and business associate, so he’d rather not do it anymore. He’s sad that what she feels for him isn’t strong enough to fight all the obstacles in their way and thinks that if she loved him like he loves her, she wouldn’t leave.

Romina is in her new house and thinks to herself that she has everything except Emiliano—she’d trade all of this for just a little of his love.

Emiliano asks Padre Juan Cristobal about Gabriel.

Paloma arrives at Gabe’s place for her art class (he’s standing on his head, against a wall).

Crazylota wears her lace shawl while cutting and pasting letters into a note that accuses Natalia and her (alleged) lover, Cris, of killing Alonso. She includes the pictures she took of Nat and Cris together.

Cris assures Emil that he doesn’t have to worry—Gabriel needs to share his artistic legacy before . . . before leaving, so his interest in Paloma is strictly professional.

We finally get a Gabriel scene without his theme music playing—all the theme songs are just so tired now, IMO. Anyway, Sandra shows up and asks if she can join the art class, but Gabe says no because Pal is at a higher level and he has an agreement with his dad that she advance as quickly as possible; she requires all his attention. Pal tries to protest but he puts his foot down because he’s the one who makes the rules. But he says that Sandra can come to one of his other classes.

Liliana talks with her boyfriend (whose name I forgot) about her graduation. German butts in and asks who Pal is going with--would she go with him? Lili’s boyfriend tells him to ask Pal himself and leave Lili alone or else.

Joel tells Monica about his older brother Victor, who had Down’s syndrome, and how he was loved and accepted by everyone. Monica asks him to help her completely integrate (is that the right word?) her son into her life and the world at large.

Gabe gets annoyed with Paloma for not concentrating enough, she’s got to get these techniques down ASAP. She doesn’t understand what’s the big hurry. He replies that time doesn’t stop, and we can’t waste it—I know what I’m saying.

Out in the street, Rafa runs into Luz, the lady he met at the convention. She offers to listen to his tale of woe re: Camila.

In Houston, Orlando shops for baby stuff.

German is waiting for Pal outside her house when she walks up muttering to herself about Gabriel, just in case we viewers haven’t gotten the hint yet that she doesn’t like him. The way they keep hammering us with this makes me think Pal will eventually grow fond of Gabe, a la “When Harry Met Sally.” Anyhoo, German asks if he can be her date for graduation but she declines, because of his relationship with Lili. Romina sees them talking and calls him after Pal goes inside. He gloats about wanting Pal and laughs at Romi when she doesn’t believe him.

Carlota agrees that Rufi can stay, but she’s only doing it for Pal, so that when she leaves town, she’ll remember how much Carlota loved her.

Cris comes to see Natalia. Yvonne calls Dr. B. to ask that he recommend something to calm Nat down; he says he’ll come to the house himself to see her.

Pal and Rufi celebrate in the kitchen. Rufi comments that only God could separate them, but Pal hopes not even him, because she already told him that she couldn’t take one more death (sounds like an anvil to me). Pal promises Felipa, who has been in the background looking sad all this time, that she’ll get Padre Cris to help her find a job.

Camila and Monica walk with Joel and they decide to leave the next day. Joel then starts talking about his brother and Monica’s son but Camila can’t hear him because her theme music drowns him out.

Luz dispenses advice to Rafa: pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice. You have to ask yourself, what are you going to do with that pain? Are you going to suffer the rest of your life? Better to accept that pain and decide to move forward. Don’t look back, nothing is forever. Rafa doesn’t know if he can, but Luz encourages him to try.

Pal is on the phone with Liliana discussing German—Lili says she has no problem if Pal wants to go with him. But Pal isn’t interested in him and doesn’t want to go out with a friend’s ex because she learned her lesson with Romi and Emil. Lili admits that it would have affected/hurt her if Pal had gone with Germy.

Emiliano throws a pity party with flashbacks to various encounters with Pal, then envisions Pal and Gabriel having good times together. Romi enters and informs him the house is ready and they move tomorrow. Emil decides to go to bed—if it were up to him he’d just dedicate himself to his job and sleep, that’s it. For some reason he gives her a kiss on the forehead before heading upstairs.

Joel tells Rafa about Cami’s decision to leave the convention, and is he going to do anything to stop her?

Dr. B. checks Natalia and says her blood pressure is low; Cris counsels her to try to relax. The phone rings and Cris takes the call—it’s the police and they want them to come identify a body the next morning. Nat cries that it can’t be Alonso.

Rafa asks Camila if he can do anything to prevent her leaving. No, she answers. He asks for one last hug and they embrace, both crying. Luz sees this from afar and looks sympathetic.

Natalia, Yvonne and Cris are in a room that seems too dark for anyone to properly identify a body, but Natalia recognizes Alonso immediately and starts sobbing.

Carlota is still in bed when Rufi brings her tea. Rufi asks about her visit to the doctor, claiming that she’s asking out of worry, she notices Carlota’s been a little pensive. Carlota says she is fine and asks for the newspaper. She thinks to herself, “patience, patience. Is it known already that you’re dead, Alonso?” She flashes back to pushing Alonso in front of the truck. “You thought that I would be in your place, but now the one who’s really cold is you. You don’t know how useful you are going to be to me that way.”

Natalia continues sobbing. The police say that it appears to be an accident, that Alonso was run over outside Pachuca, but they haven’t been able to locate any witnesses. Nat can’t believe it that he’s dead too—first Inaki, now Alonso.

Carlota doesn’t find the news she’s looking for. She has to investigate what Alonso said to her—it could be very dangerous for her. She wonders who Alonso might have told about the will.

Joel asks Rafa if he’ll go back to Diana but he says no, of course not. He fell in love with Camila, and it was his turn to lose. Now he feels dry and withered up inside.

As they drive home, Monica asks why Cami doesn’t go back and tell Rafa she loves him if it hurts so much to leave. Cami replies that she realized love isn’t everything. Monica disagrees, she thinks that love makes miracles happen. Cami recounts how that didn’t happen with Samuel—she loved him deeply but was unhappy with him. Monica suggests that was because Sam didn’t love her, but she thinks Rafa does. Cami thinks maybe Rafa just came into her life to show her that she could love again. She loves Orlando, but in a different way from Rafa.

Orly continues his shopping spree, this time looking for a ring for Cami.

Nat, Cris and Yvonne walk down the hall with Nat asking why did this have to happen, what was Alonso doing in Pachuca? She thinks she should go back and look again, because maybe she made a mistake and it’s not really Alonso, and runs back to the body. Cris tries to console her and pull her away; he says that the body is Alonso, he recognized him. Nat doesn’t want to accept it.

Emil tells Romi he can’t take time off from work to move her stuff to the new place that morning; he suggests they use the company’s truck and maybe a couple guys can help her move everything. She insists that she’s in a hurry and is dying to leave her mom’s house, but Emil isn’t having it and leaves. Romi takes out the photo of her and Pal as kids and looks at it.

Cris talks with Nat about how he understands her pain, because of Macarena. Nat cries that it’s not fair, because Alonso came back so they could start over. That’s how it was for Cris and Mac too, they were just about to begin a new life together when she died. He thinks in time Nat will be able to understand things. She asks if he has made sense of Macarena’s death yet?

At school, Lili and Pal talk about continuing their friendship after graduation and promise to be friends forever. When Pal gets called away by one of the nuns, Lili looks up a number on Pal’s phone and types it into her own, which Sandra sees. Pal returns with the news that the mother superior wants her to give a speech at graduation, but she’s not happy about it because Mac and Emil won’t be there to share it with her. Pal heads back to class while Lili ducks into the bathroom.

Lili calls Emil (who’s in a meeting with a client) to warn him that German is after Pal. After she hangs up, Sandra confronts her: did you do that for Paloma, or for yourself? Could it be that you’re dying of jealousy? It wouldn’t be fair if you were playing with my cousin like that.

Pal sits in class listening to classmates talk about their dates and looks sad.

Luz runs into Rafa and Joel at the convention and asks Rafa for his factory’s contact info—she likes their designs and wants to take them abroad. While Joel goes off to chat with someone, she asks what Rafa’s plans are. He was going to rest a bit but she invites him to come with her—she doesn’t say where but that it will be such a good time it’ll even get rid of his tiredness, or something along those lines.

On his way out, Emil ltells Angelica that he’s leaving to find German, blah blah blah. Gabriel just happens to be walking by as Emil exits the building so he stops Gabe and says they have to talk about Pal. Dun Dun DUN!

Labels: amor

Bad things happen tonight, but the icy strength of our favorite snowball is fortified by the cold truth, and if you think this snowball is going to melt easily think again.

We left off with Mau and Coni having yet another disagreement. Coni threatens that since they're already at the hospital she might as well have a pregnancy test. Mau disagrees, it's been a long day. Coni juts her jaw out and tells Mau she's not moving from her spot until she talks to Valentina.

"How convenient, because here I am, Mummy" announces our sprightly heroine. For having just run over her lover Coni is amazingly uncontrite. She and Moni have it out with Moni accusing Coni of trying to kill Beto, Coni assuring her that Mau is a witness that it was an accident, and Coni reminding Moni she is supposed to stay 10 metres away from Her Husband. As usual, Mauricio stands by doing nothing, impotent (figuratively speaking). Moni rubs Coni's face in it by kissing Mau right in front of Coni. "What are you going to do about it, Mummy?" she asks. Something tells me this is going to cost our little monkey dearly.

Gabi arrives home and is startled by Sal standing in her doorway. She tells him he has the wrong address, Jacqueline doesn't live there. Sal's not confused, he's right where he wants to be. He wants to tell Gabi not to be jealous of Jacqueline, they have a great friendship and they spend all their time talking about Gabi. Gabi corrects him, she's not jealous but she's tired of Sal needing time, time that he is spending going out with another woman. She wishes him luck on his duel. He reveals he's going through with this ridiculous duel for her honor. She softens somewhat, her eyes sparkle, then she shakes it off, "Good luck on the duel anyway", and leaves him on the front step.

Coni sarcastically applauds Moni and Mau's great kiss, then comments "But it's really too bad". Moni arches her eyebrow and asks is Coni bugged that Mau will never kiss her much less spend the night with her? "Why don't you go ahead and tell her?" Coni asks Mau. She warns Moni that Mau is not as faithful as she thinks. Coni is just about to spill the beans when...

...Xime rolls Rolu up, grabs Moni and Coni and drags them down the hall.

Pau reassures Nieves that Christian will make sure Coni spends the night behind bars this very night. NO!! yells Nieves. Estrella starts to tell Nieves she understands..."SHUT UP!!" yells Nieves. Caesar also gets the same treatment. She can't bring herself to tell them that she doesn't want her son's Baby Mama going to jail. They are interrupted by...

...the doctor who tells them Beto suffers from some trauma. He doesn't remember his name. Didn't we already go through this once? I wonder if Nieves will go in and bonk him on the head to try to cure him? It worked before.

Jero is back with his old pal Oscar who is highly amused by the upcoming duel. He is telling Jero he's crazy for dueling Sal when they are interrupted by...

...Jacqueline who hopes she isn't bothering them. "Don't worry JacquelEEENAY," Oski says sarcastically, "I was just leaving." He departs, snickering about the duel. Jero tells her he's doing the duel for her. I guess this makes her hot because she starts to jump his bones.

The doc says Beto's trauma is only temporary. Nieves wails that she wants to see her Betito, her BETEEEEETO! She staggers off toward his room followed by Don Cesar.

Estre and Pau optimistically discuss the possibility of Beto losing his memory forever and leaving Monita in peace.

Monita and peace, I don't think those words are going to be together for a while yet.

Lets go back to the wacky trio of Xime, Coni and Moni. Xime accuses Coni of trying to kill Beto. She says Coni made a mistake because she (Xime) and Beto were just pretending to be lovers. She has three things to tell them. Una, Robiru and she are not lovers and never have been. Dos, they only did it to make Consti mad. Tres, if Coni didn't kill her (Xime) when Coni thought they were lovers please don't kill her now that she knows they are not. Moni looks like she is trying to process this logic.

The colorful couple of Nieves and Don Cesar rush to Beto's bedside. Beto pulls his hand away from Mami and stares at them blankly. "Excuse me Señora but who are you?" She does her whole I gave birth to you and nursed you for eight years speech. Beto scrunches his face and grunts at her bosom. "And is this man my father?" She says no, it's her boyfriend, they all live together. "Oh, so I have a Señora Cusca for a mother," comments our new and morally improved Beto.

Don Cesar pipes up that having amnesia doesn't give Beto the right to be disrespectful. Damn straight. DC asks him does he know El Fantasma Vengador? Nope. Nieves is convinced her baby really can't remember anything. "Give me some enchiladas," Beto demands.

Xime tells Coni and Moni her affair with Robi was all "a fake". Moni tries to leave but Coni stops her to tell her Mau is weak like all men. There is more she said she said between our two nemeses; in summary:
Moni - "Mauricio can't stand you." She raises her fist.
Coni - "Be very careful, you'd better not hit me because I'm pregnant."
Moni - Gasp.

Beto says he can't remember anything and the only thing he feels is hunger. Why haven't they brought him any tortas de milanesas? This gives Nieves hope, it's his favorite food! Does he remember? He says in his head no, but in his stomach yes. (It growls for effect.)

DC tries to jog his memory by mentioning Monita and the wife of Sermeño. Beto is all excuse me but who is La Monita, who is Sermeño, who is Constancia? Aha! Nobody mentioned Constanza. Beto backpedals, no he doesn't remember ConstanZA, ConstanZA. Beto mutters in his head no, but in the other (looks down at the family jewels), yes. DC insists Beto remembers everything, he's a cucuruchito! (Not sure what this is, maybe a character who is a pathological liar?) Nieves wants to be alone with her baby.

Beto comments on Nieves' weird hair bow and tells her he has never seen her in his life. "You don't remember me? You don't remember that The Flauta is expecting your child?" "How did you know that Jefa!?!" he yells. Aha! He is really truly busted this time. She whacks him in the head and beats him with his pillow.

Coni tells Valentina it's true, she and Mau are expecting a baby. "You are bad Coni, really bad," pipes up Ximena. Moni says in spite of everything she doesn't believe Coni. If Coni is pregnant then it's by Beto and she's going to tell this to Mauricio right now.

Moni jets off, Coni tries to follow, Xime grabs Coni by her hair and yanks her back. Hooray Ximena!! She really is Wonder Woman, in fact she strikes the wonder woman pose, almost does the splits (my, she's very limber!) and refuses to let Moni pass. However this doesn't last long. Coni alpha dogs Xime and races off, leaving poor Xime rubbing her nearly-strangled throat.

Xime and Rolu are talking about Rolu and Xime's marriage and are interrupted by...

...Monita who says Coni is going around saying she's pregnant by Mauricio. "Monita, forgive me," he begs. "Forgive you for what? You slept with her?" asks an incredulous Moni. Coni has planted herself behind Moni and raises her eyebrow at Mau. It's the bitchiest eyebrow-raise I have ever seen. Monita responds to Mauricio like she does to most strife, she punches him in the stomach and runs away. Coni stops Mau from following his love. Why he doesn't just step around her is beyond me. Why does everyone do what La Momia wants?

Nieves is still whacking Beto with his pillow and calling him a blockhead (tarugo) for impregnating Coni. She thought she taught him better. She tells him she needs to talk to him about his son. What son? Beto is still feigning (?) amnesia and calling her Señora. He insists he doesn't know any ConstanZA. He remembers nothing and nobody. Then he strikes his Vengador pose and Nieves whacks anew.

Jacqueline tells Jero he's acting like a penniless schmuck. Jero is highly insulted, he's the owner of a business. Jacqui points out it's really too bad that he's sharing his profits with Oski and not with her. Jero doesn't know what she sees in Salvador, he's just a waste of a man. He's got money yes, but he's not a millionaire like Jero (and his cousin he adds, as an aside).

Jacqui says Jero doesn't know Salvador very well. Jero says he does know Sal. Sal is stingy, envious, truculent, grumpy, ailing, and regurgitates when he talks. She says Sal is mature, established, a gentleman in every sense of the word but she prefers a pet, a slave, i.e. Jero. There he goes slapping himself on the ass again. She stands up while he follows her around on his knees. She won't spend the night with him because he needs his rest to be bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning. She'll see him tomorrow, and if he survives the duel they can talk.

Beto is still feigning (or not?) amnesia to Nieves, he doesn't know a Monita. He congratulates her on being a grandma but can he have his Milanese sandwich? If she gets him a sandwich maybe it will help him remember. She says fine, she'll get him his sandwich and he'd better not try to escape. "The kid's not mine!" he wails. Nieves whacks him again with the pillow, she is absolutely certain the kid is his because she heard that skinny bitc...Beto cries he can't think because he's starving.

Moni is standing alone and crying in the hospital hallway. Estrella runs up to report that for some reason Nieves won't say a thing against the Mummy and that Beto has amnesia.

Coni threatens Mau that if he tries to see Moni he will have broken his contract and he'll never see his kids again. She calls Moni a stupid chimpanzee boxer. He flexes his jaw in impotent rage. (Yes I know I already called him impotent once, but if the description fits.) They leave together, she triumphant, he impote...er, silently angry.

Back to the waiting room where Rolu confronts Ximena with her charade. Rolu says, "You mean you don't have a lover?" "Nopis," answers Xime. "It was all a lie?" asks Rolu. "Sipis." How could she let him think she was seeing that old smelly cat? She says Una Dos Tres it was worth it to prove all the love Rolu has for her and to have him promise he will never be unfaithful to her again. He turns all mean and nasty, i.e. his old self, and tells her to get out of his sight! He doesn't want her near him and as soon as he get out of his casts he is out of there. She cries ouch, her heart is breaking. He says she is the WORST thing that has ever happened to him. Our poor beautiful Xime covers her ears but she can still hear him shouting "the worst!!" Shall we take bets on how long it will be before he takes another flyer?

Monita and Estrella visit Beto. Does he know them? Of course, "hello Monita" he says to Estrella. He tells Monita maybe he does know her because when he looks into her eyes he feels a warmth in his heart. The nice things he says to Monita are negated by his flatulence and he lets one fly. It's censored of course but we know by now when our stinky cat farts. Estrella is driven from the room but Monita doesn't seem to notice. She tells him they have to talk about The Mummy. No problem, Beto loves that movie, what special effects, wow! "No Beto, Constanza." He says he doesn't know that person. She says he better remember soon because he's going to be the father of her son.

She begs him to remember. He's trying but he remembers nothing. He keeps asking her who are all these people? She tries to jog his memory, Constanza is tall, skinny and crazy. Mauricio is her husband. Beto says then of course the baby must be Mauricio's as a result of (he demonstrates with his hands) intercourse.

She cries, she won't believe it. This makes Beto sad. Somehow he seems to know she's a boxer.

Yum, it's a torta stand! Nieves and DC are ordering dos Milaneses with chipotles, salsa roja and peppers in vinegar for Beto. DC says he wants a Cubana (woman from Cuba). This elicits a pinch from Nieves. No, a Torta Cubana, what's eating Nieves tonight? She admits it's not Beto's accident but what she heard the Flauta say when she thought nobody was listening. She said...no she can't bring herself to say it. DC tells her no matter what happens he'll be by her side.

Next morning Mau drops the kiddies off at school and even Katia gets a kiss goodbye. Thre is a Father/Son discussion about La Furia Enmascarada and Mau ends up loaning Aldo the keys to the Bat Cave. Looks like Aldo's going to get some today.

Ximena wears a Golden Delicious apple-colored dress and puts an apple on her head. Oh man, don't tell me Jero is doing target practice William Tell style using Xime as a target! Xime wisely stops the nonsense and says three things. Una, aim well. Dos, don't kill me. Tres, I didn't eat dinner last night and my stomach is growling. Rolu butts in and I think he says if Jero shoots her, in the head for example, instead of the apple then he'll forgive her for lying to him. She tells Jero in that case aim for her, aim for love. Circus music plays while Jero aims. Oh wait, I wonder if Jero will accidentally shoot Rolu instead? All of a sudden I'm in a much better mood!

Furia goes to the gym, sees Moni punching the bag, asks what's the matter, and she falls into his arms, crying. "I'm very sad," she weeps.

Mañana-Estrella jumps into Furia's lap and covers him with kisses. Jero and Sal are at their duel, they turn and fire. Nieves tells Coni she knows the truth and they have a stare-down.


Tacaño, envidioso, truculento, cascarrabias, achacoso, regurgita cuando habla = stingy, envious, truculent, grumpy, ailing, and regurgitates when he talks
Cucurucho = pointed hat, dunce hat? (Maybe Cucuruchito was a character who lied?)
Fresco como una lechuga = bright eyed and busy tailed, fresh (Lit . fresh like lettuce)
Un gato apestoso = a smelly cat
Lo peor = the worst
Muerto de hambre = penniless schmuck, a nobody
Un residuo de hombre = A waste of a man
Señora Cusca = streetwalker, loose woman
Tarugo = blockhead
Vete a la fregada = Bugger off, get out of my sight, brush off.

*Oscar Wilde

Labels: gancho

From yesterday we have a replay of the meeting of the abogados. They will talk to the judge and try to delay the the proceeding for 2 weeks What with Raquel being in an accident and all and Alex not being there. MJ tells Bruno that if he did anything to Alex she will see that he spends the rest of his days in prison. Bruno tries to convince everyone present that MJ is crazy. Victoria steps in and says MJ is not crazy and she storms out too. The abogado asks Bruno if he wants to go ahead with the proceeding and he says no. After they leave Bruno asks Vicky if she is happy.

Today:
Our castaways (with pants on) are trying to make a raft. Sure doesn't look very sturdy to me. Maybe they should try a little harder.

Back at the Casa the abogados are talking as they wait for their car. The first one says that he thinks it's really strange that Bruno has given up the will contest #2 says he thinks so too. Hmmmm...The plot thickens.

Victoria pays MJ a visit in her room. MJ is still wound up from the meeting. She understands Victoria's pain as a mother but she has to understand her desperation. Vicky says she feels the same. Do you think it is easy for me to kiss my son when I think he is a monster? We don't even know that what he says is the truth. MJ is convinced that Bruno went there with the intention of killing Alex. Victoria thinks they don't really know that for sure. All they have are suspicions. She asks MJ to think about her father and her sister. Bruno can't be responsible for everything (?). MJ isn't having any of it. She's says there is no way that Bruno is innocent. Duh! Victoria says something behind her hand about Fernando and MJ says how is she supposed to think calmly when the man she loves could be dead. Vicky is convinced that they will be found. They have to have faith. Vicky goes on some more about the will contest and MJ says she doesn't care about it. She just wants Bruno to pay for what he's done. Vicky understands but MJ must think about this family because it is her family now too. Think about your sister and you. MJ says I will have patience and I will wait. And if he doesn't return I will get even. By whatever manner I will get even. Dun dun dun!

Back to the island Alex is thinking about MJ and all the good times they've had together. Ah, those were the days. Big sigh.. He promises that he will be back at her side.

In the hospital Her Royal Majesty is sitting on her throne—uh-a wheel chair and gives a snotty look at the nurse. In walks Bruno with a huge bouquet of roses. She is glad to see him and he gives her a kiss on the cheek. He says he was really worried about her and she thanks him for taking an interest in her. He says of course, she's his sister. He doesn't like her being alone. She says Roberto o o has been there but she wants to divorce his sorry a$$. He says yeah, he's pretty much a Loser. Princess whines that her mom isn't with her on the whole divorce issue. He wants to know if she has another. She looks impish and says yes (like it's a big secret). He pulls her closer and wants to know who it is. She says it's none other than our boy Useless. He laughs. Yeah, I'm laughing too. That's another loser with a capital L. Still laughing he says get out—no way! She says yes way and I'm expecting his baby. Bruno says he's with her on the divorce but he would like to ask her a favor. Uh oh! He wants her to get involved in the will contest She wants to know why he can't do it. He's having some problems with MJ and his mother. She is worried about the scandal it would cause (but she's really afraid of losing her money.) He clucks that annoying cluck that he does. He says it is too late regarding the scandal. It's already been in the papers and people are on our side. Then he adds that Alex has disappeared and might be dead so now is a good time to do it. Raquel is impactada. Bruno says he went on a trip and nobody knows what happened. They can't find him anywhere. She gets up from the wheelchair and he grabs her-- flowers. Silly me, I thought he was going to help her because of her injury. Think about your future. You could have a life far away from Roberto o o. She's still freaking out about Alex. He tells her it is a long story. Can I count on you? Yes or no? Hey, no pressure there. She says you can count on me but I want to know what happened to Alex.

Back on Sorti Island Ferdumbo is still working on he raft, Charlie is fishing and Alex is gathering. (Yep, pants are still on and are still the same color.)

Back to the hospital. Bruno says that Ferdumbo and Alex went on a trip to the Dominican Republic. Raquel asks why they went on this trip. Bruno says, duh, to kill me of course because of the Will. Raquel is beside herself. Bruno says they went out on a boat and something happened. Raquel is still skeptical and Bruno says they got the info from the travel agency. So, MJ and Victoria have made accusations against me so that is why I can't carry on with the Will contest. That is why I need you to do it. Raquel can't believe it and wants to know why no one will explain it to her. We are saved by Roberto o o who has come to take Raquel home. Bruno says he'll see them at home. Roberto o o has a funny look on his face and wants to know what is going on. She says my brother brought me flowers FF>> just a little.

Vicky asks EZ to find out from Mari whether the little heifer showed up at work today. He scampers off to do her bidding. Seriously, where can I get one of those? Meanwhile Vicky is calling the consulate. Ez is talking to Mari and asks if heifer-ho showed up at work today. Back to Vicky and the consulate. She is told that the Governor of Mexico won't intervene because Alex is a foreigner. They have to get permission from authorities in the DR to look for him. She then asks what Sherlock Mari said. Ez says that Miss High and Mighty didn't show up for work today. Work? Ez should have asked her if Katia showed up to talk-on-the-cell-phone-drink-coffee-and -spy -on-people. And she didn't even call to say she wasn't going to be there. And you are surprised because...? She asks for Ez to get the car. You know, I've tried to get the dogs to bring me my car but it just doesn't work. I started off with “get me some coffee” and when that didn't work I should have known better. She asks for MJ and Felipa says she is in her room. Go figure! Felipa and Vicky head out. MJ and Paula are coming down the stairs. The phone rings and MJ answers it. It is the lady from the travel agency. Great you know what that means—yep, more crying. MJ says she is the wife of Alex and what news do you have. Senora Maya says that they went out on a boat but didn't arrive at the place where the tour was and they didn't come back. Perhaps they are lost at sea. MJ thanks her for everything she is doing. Senora Maya says that Alex was looking for his brother Bruno.

MJ and Paula are being driven to the town. MJ is explaining about Alex looking for the judge that performed the fake marriage that Bruno paid off. MJ was afraid that Bruno was going there to kill him. Paula can't believe it. MJ is worried that Arturo is listening to what they are saying so she asks him to please not tell anyone what they have been discussing. Arturo reassures her that she can count on him. Paula asks about Erik and Arturo says that Alex canned him when he kicked out Bruno. MJ says that he must know many things. Arturo says yes I do. For instance he knows about Katia too. MJ wants to know what the scoop is on that. He says that the day Bruno came back Katia went to the hotel. MJ says yes, she knows. She saw her there.

Vicky shows up at Ferdumbo's house to have a little chat with Katia. While the maid is getting Katia, she looks around the house and touches Fernando's stuff. She picks up a book and hugs it to herself. Heifer-ho comes down the stairs and lips off to Vicky first thing. Vicky says she didn't come here to fight. She came here to talk. HH says she doesn't want to hear anything from her. Victoria comments on her insolence. She says that she knows very well that Katia told Bruno that Alex and Fernando were going to DR. I really can't stand listening to her so if someone wants to fill that in go ahead. Vicky tells her that she could be responsible for the death of Alex and Fernando. That shuts her pie-hole as Vicky explains that the two of them are missing and no one has heard from them. Katie looks upset and starts to cry. I'm sorry, I don't feel sorry for her at all.

Charlie seems to be having a good time frolicking with his new friends in the water. I can't hear what they are saying over the waves. It doesn't look very important though.

MJ and Paula are at their dad's house. MJ tells her dad what is going on with Alex. They have disappeared and could be dead. They went looking for the judge and Bruno went there too. Now Alex and Fernando are missing. She cries.

Katia is hysterical. Good! Vicky wants her to come back to the house with her because she promised Fernando that she would take care of her. She doesn't want to but Victoria tells her she can live with her or can go live with her tio-abuelo. Vicky takes her hand. Still not feeling sorry for her. Nope.

Pedro and Chucho are trying to comfort MJ. Pedro tells her not to lose the faith.

More island frolicking. They still have their pants on and they are the same color and size as the last scene. Whew! What a relief.

Useless meets Bruno in a restaurant. Bruno tells him that Raquel has been in an accident and she says that Useless is the father of her child. He tells him that Raquel thinks she is getting a divorce so she can marry him. Useless smirks. He tells him that when Raquel wins the Will contest she will be very rich. Useless tells him that when he gets back from his trip they will talk. He tells Bruno that marriage to his sister would not be easy. Bruno tells him that it is his problem. He whips out a big wad of money. He throws it at Useless and tells him to pay the check. Useless gleefully thumbs through the cash. What a scum-sucking dog.

An ambulance is bringing Raquel home from the hospital. Don't they have cars? Felipa makes the mistake of asking her how she's feeling. Raquel tells her not to talk to her. Roberto heaves a big sigh. Ez shurgs his shoulders as Roberto o slowly pushes Raquel back to their house.

More half-naked swimming. Don't you think that salt water in that cut of Fernando's would sting just a little?

Bruno is on the phone talking to his reporter friend. He tells him that he has more news that he might find interesting. He says that his brother and Fernando went to the DR and there was an accident with the boat and now they have disappeared. It's possible that he could be dead. Katia shows up and wants to know if it is true that her brother is dead. He wants to know who told her and she says his mother told her. She came to my house looking for me. She screams at him and asks if it is true that her brother could be dead. He says he doesn't know for sure.

Victoria goes to visit Raquel. I think she feels sorry for Roberto o o. She finds Raquel in the living room. She is fine and the baby is fine. Vicky says she talked to the consulate but there's really nothing they can do. Roberto wants to know if they think he is dead. She says yes. Raquel being ever so tactful wants to know what happens to the company and her money. With the emphasis again on "money."

Roberto goes to see Moora to tell her the news about Alex. (How did he get there so fast anyway?) Moora thinks it is Bruno's fault and cries and clings to Roberto. You know the old saying “If it looks like sh!t, and smells like sh!t, then it is a darn good bet that it is sh!t.” And Moora thinks the whole story stinks to high heavens.

MJ and family to go church to pray. Pedro prays for MJ and for Alex . He thinks she has suffered so much. Please help her. MJ asks what she must do to bring Alex back to her. Please bring him back she begs. He can't be dead. FF>>.

The next day I'm assuming, MJ is eating breakfast outside talking to Paula. Paula thinks she has to have faith that he is alive. Victoria comes up. I talked to the consulate and they say that they are not going to look for them any more. MJ cries.

Raquel and Bruno are meeting with the abogado. Perhaps it would be more convenient for him to just move into the little house that Pedro was living in. But of course, then he wouldn't be able to charge mileage. Bruno informs him that he is not contesting the Will but Raquel is going to handle it all. Raquel wants to hurry up and sign the papers.

Back at the big house Felipa informs Vicky that Katia is gone. They think she has run off to go live with her tio-abuelo. Ah, but we see the real story as Bruno picks her and her suitcase up to go stay with him at the hotel. Ah, the little Minx. She thinks she is just so clever but let me tell you Katia, gasoline underpants come in your size too. She gives him a kiss.

Another abogado presents MJ with her divorce papers. She is now legally divorced from Alex, which is good he says because your sister-in-law has filed a claim against the estate of her father. Since Alex gave everything to you in the divorce there is nothing they can do. Victoria laughs but not a happy kind of laugh but more of a QTF laugh. She is sure that Bruno put Raquel up to it. Victoria and MJ cry on each other.

Raquel is talking to Useless. She's upset that he didn't come to see her. He wants her to have patience. She tells him about the will contest and he wants to know what the story is. Roberto shows up so she doesn't get to tell him what happened. He wants to know if she was talking to her lover. He tells her that Useless is not going to marry her. He tells her he's got another prospect. She frantically calls Useless again. He ignores her call and leaves. I can't blame him for that.

Pedro is talking to Meche and Gabriel and filling them in on what's going on. Chucho wants to go look for them and take the matter into their own hands. Pedro tries to tell him that violence gets them no where. Chucho looks determined and says where he's going there are no rules. He believes in justice with his own hands. I told you he was old school. Pedro thinks it will complicate things more. I say shut the hell up Pedro.

Felipa is talking to Mari. She tracked down the tio-abuelo. Victoria gives him a call. Apparently he is not in the house. She asks the maid if Katia is there. Cut to two viejitos playing dominos, smoking cigars and drinking tequila. The first old guy asks the second old guy about Fernando and Katia. Second old guy says Fernando works and has a good job. He says Katia is in the US attending school. Apparently the first old guy is Sandra's grandfather but I have a hard time understanding him.

Bruno and HH are in a restaurant. Not sure where they are.

MJ is crying in her room-- big surprise--and spraying Alejandro's shirt with cologne. She touches her baby bump and cries some more.

Tomorrow.
Probably more crying from MJ and it looks like MJ foils the evil twins bid to take over the money and the company.

Labels: sortilegio

I was out until late tonight, so only got part done, I'll finish the rest in the morning....

We open with Nieves screaming bloody murder because Beto has been bonked by the hood of Mau’s car. Cesar restrains her. Briefly we flash to Jacqui and Kati in the restaurant with Sal, they have been chatting all afternoon, it‘s dinner already, Jacqui accepts Sal‘s offer of another drink, Kati just wants to go home.

Return to the screaming fest Betito!!!! Betito!!!!! Breath!!!! Coni looks on in terror as Beto just lays there.

Gabi is at the restaurant when gorgeous hunk from the modeling agency shows up. We don’t learn his name but we learn he drinks water and is giving up alcohol. Gabi goes to the restroom, when, oh, cute waiter guy bring a Tamarindo margarita for our handsome model on the house, and don’t you know he sips it, and absorbs a wink from said cute waiter. Alright, what is going on here? Male flirting or is this some trick? Guess we shall see.

In the tocador Gabi runs into Jacqui, who sings Sal’s praises. Gabi is not alone however, she is with quite the virile young man this Sunday evening. Uh oh, this sounds like an anvil. They agree to join each other for dinner. Jacqui of course tells this to Sal, and that Gabi’s new man was described as quite virile. When Gabi gets back we see cute model has really racked them up on the margarita side. Oooh and the hunk waiter side. Turns out the guy is now off from his shift so cute model goes with him leaving poor Gabi distraught that she has no man with her. As Sal saunters over she turns around and clings to the first man she comes across. Sal wants to meet him, but ha, we already know him, it’s none other than our Jero boy, there to save the day. Bizarre looks all around.

Back to Jacqui and Kati, where Jacqui explains, look she’s doing this to facilitate another love, she’s pushing just a little on Sal. She know he likes Gabi and she thinks he should get off his high horse and go after her, but of course he won’t listen if she tells him that, so she has to set up a “trap” of sorts. She sends poor bored Kati off in a cab for home, she’ll understand this someday. The more you draw back from a man, the more like a little boy they come after you. Is this true guys? I think sort of. Anyway, Kati leaves.

Mona worries she’s heard nothing of Beto

Sal tells Gabi he gave her some time not to go out with other people, and least of all with this one who isn’t even people. She says then what are you doing with Jac? He says she’s misinterpreting things, and of course Jero chides him too. Sal reminds them Jac is waiting. Gab and Jero argue, turns out he’s there to be with Jac and he knows she with Sal so they simply must go over for dinner now.

Back to the wailing scene. Not much has happened in all this time, finally the ambulance arrives to take Beto away. Coni wants to go but Nieves calls her a disgrace!!!

Chris moves in to take statements. Coni follows the ambulance.

Mona is still worrying about Beto, Estrella bragging about the Furia. Evertone notes that she is still pinig for Aldo when he's around so what the hell. Chris busts in with the news and eventually tells them the mummy ran Beto over.

Luisa thanks Aldo for defending her against the Mummy. He’s the best bro her promises to get her out of that house soon and that Mummy will never lay a hand on her.

Aldo tells Kati about the Mummy trying to beat Luisa. She is shocked. She then remembers her Ma’s advice re laying off the man, and tells Aldo she’ll just quietly be his friend she knows he’s in love with another and doesn’t want to get in the way. Aldo likes this.

Mona wants to go to the hospital ut everyone is telling her what a baaaddd idea that is. She is not phased. She won't leave Nieves alone to deal with this.

At said hospital Momia is having a firm discussion with Ma Nieves. Nieves wants her to leave Beto alone, and it’s her fault he’s here, but Momia says they are the same and anyway it all was an accident. Ma complains to the boys she wants mummy gone, they tell her to chill out.

Xime and Rolu are playing a game with questions and being kissy face and Rolu tells her soon she’ll forget the naco. She says what naco and eats up his kisses. Just then Mau calls with the news about said naco. Whoops they have to go to the hospital. Rolu is not pleased.

We now go to the dinner between the four lust monkeys. This doesn’t end well. Insults are thrown and well, Jero ends up challenging Sal to a duel. He first insults Sal's health and toupe etc. Of course the women try to make sense of it all.

Mona shows up at the hospital to find out about Beto, Mau reassures her but tells her she should go because Mummy is there. She doesn't give a sh*t about the Momia and wants him to tell HER to leave she ain't going anywhere.

OK so now the famous scene. Momia is crying over the still lifeless Beto. She pours her heart out to him. She doesn't want him to die and he needs to get better for his little Beto that she is expecting. Ooops, Mama is listening to this. Yep safe to say she is impactada!!! She listens to a bit more, but the most exciting part for her is that she will be an abuela, grandma!!!

Mona and Mau still argue over whether mummy did this on purpose. Mau notes that she was really upset about the whole thing and he saw, it definitely was not on purpose.

The boys joke more about the possible duel. Sal thinks it's silly, Jero thinks he's chicken. They end up agreeing to it.

Mau explains this happened because Mommy found out about them being together. Mona wonders how she found out. She agrees to see Beto and Mau says before she finds the Mommy well he has something to explain to her. Yikes, another anvil. Mona rushes off to the room only to find Nieves blocking her way (becaue Mummy is still inside...doh

Labels: gancho