Caray, Caray!

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Labels: announcements

We begin with a rehash of Leonor offering her house to Alejandra and Marco for one million pesos; she promises that Rafael will work off the rest of his debt little by little. They thaw to the idea.

Leonor and Jaime visit Rafa and they drop a 4.5 million-peso anvil on him. Leonor tells him she had to offer the house as payment. Rafa is worried they could lose their home but Leonor tries to assure him the house doesn’t matter, the only important thing is that he gets out of jail. Jaime tells Rafa if he doesn’t accept the terms, he could go to jail for 20 years.

Rafa holds a shred of hope and asks what Alejandra said. Leonor says Ale hates him and wants him in jail for life. He’s just a poor devil to Ale and her novio. Rafa vows to show Ale that he is not so insignificant and tells Jamie he agrees to the conditions.

Back in the hospital, Alejandra has not finished her whining yet. Marco assures her he’s going to get justice and will have Rafa sign a strict contract. Ale wants everything paid off in a year; 375,000 pesos a month. Jaime calls Marco and tells him that Rafa has agreed to the demands and they plan to meet to go over the particulars. Ale makes Marco promise to rip Rafa’s eyes out. She hates him and never wants to see him ever again. (So, who wants to take bets on how soon she sees him again? Two capitulos? Three?)

Rafa’s cellmates delight in his predicament and comment on how crazy it is to pay such a fortune to a woman who hates him. Saved by the cop, Rafa is led out because Marco has arrived.

Ramiro, an employee at the dealership, struggles to sell a car and his cell phone rings during the sales pitch. From the sound on the other line, he gets an urgent call from a chipmunk who is apparently his wife. Ramiro has to leave and the client tells him to visit again in 10 days. (Basically, Ramiro just blew it.)

Rafa and Jaime meet with Marco. Jaime says the demand has now gone up to 5 million pesos. The plan is for Marco to take out a loan that Rafa can pay back in monthly payments for a year. Rafa agrees but wants to know why he has to pay so much money.

Vicky is crying because her Pajarito is in jail; she just can’t live without him. We’re treated to a montage of mushy moments between them we’ve never seen, complete with cotton candy, balloons, and lots of smooching. When we return from Vicky’s daydreaming, we see she’s actually been chopping up an onion during her reminiscing and that’s why she’s crying so profusely. She still professes her undying love, onion or no onion.

Alejandra tells Papa Jorge and Tia Rosario that she plans on taking Rafa for everything he’s worth and then some. Ale’s papa doesn’t approve of her using someone who is so misfortunate; He’s going to solve the problem himself and decides to sell the house. Ale goes over the edge and wails that he can’t sell the house, he just can’t!

Rafa, Marco, and Jaime discuss how all the losses add up to 5 million pesos: Ale’s lost business deal with the florist in Cuernavaca, cost of the car insurance, the wedding expenses, etc.

Ramiro meets up with his wife (who is not a chipmunk) and mother-in-law (who looks and acts like Scrooge with curlers) and gets chewed out for not paying the kids’ school tuition, among other things.

A car door opens and a pair of legs attached to a black ace bandage of a skirt saunters into the car dealership. Legs says she’s there for a job interview with Licenciado Beltran (Ale’s boss). During all of this we never get a good look at her face. A couple of female employees gossip that Legs has been brought in to replace Ale.

More bickering over details about why Rafa has to pay so much to Marco and Ale, most reasons having to do with wedding costs: the ridiculously expensive menu, the flower arrangements, the honeymoon in Hawaii, etc. Rafa’s head is spinning with the outrageous price tag on this now-defunct wedding.

Leonor stops by the market for groceries but can’t pay the bill. She promises Rafa will be back soon to pay it off.

Continued arguing over the cost of the wedding that Rafa now has to pay for. There were some amusing one-liners from Rafa but nothing that really moved the plot along.

In Licenciado Beltran’s office, we find out that the legs have a name: Claudia Bermudez. She’s a niece of Gustavo (?) and came looking for a job. Claudia whimpers that she has no experience in sales but Lic. Beltran says, while looking directly at her chest, he will teach her everything she needs to know. Down, boy! Keep it up and someone will have to mop the drool up off the floor.

Back to the wedding cost squabble. These scenes were amusing the first few times but now it’s just getting tedious. Finally, Marco puts his foot down and says Rafa will meet the demands or he will never be let out of jail.

Alejandra, aka Debbie Downer, tries to call in to work but Susana stops her. Susana says Jorge insists on selling the house but is going to wait until Ale is out of the hospital. Ale demands to have a mirror so she can doll herself up before Marco gets back. Ale takes one look at herself and howls in horror. She wants to call Marco and make him get 100 million pesos more from Rafa because of her deformed face.

Yes, how dare he save her life and leave her with a barely visible bruise above her eyebrow. Seriously, honey, if that’s the worst you’ve ever looked, you’re doing pretty well for yourself.

We’re finally winding down on the contract particulars. Marco wanted the 5 million pesos paid in a year but Rafa manages to negotiate it to three years with a monthly payment of 140,000 pesos. Marco reminds Rafa if he misses a payment, he automatically loses his mother’s house and will go straight back to jail. And if Alejandra has any physical or emotional damage in the future, Rafa will pay for that too.

The ultimatum: Sign the contract or stay in jail for 20 years. Rafa grabs the pen and promises to pay back every cent "Hasta que el dinero nos separe".

En lunes: Rafa signs the contact, a huge party is thrown at Rafa’s with the stuff from Ale’s non-wedding, and Vicky looks celosa when Rafa dances with another woman.

Labels: dinero

For discussion of the Friday ENDA episode.

Labels: amor

Emiliano is at the hospital showing Anamar his baby when Romina calls and wants to know where he is; he gets annoyed hangs up on her.

Eugenio tells Luz to go see Leticia Lopez in Pachuca for help on the Xochitl situation, then scolds her for not doing things by the book. After Luz leaves the room to get Xochitl, Rafa thanks Eug for his help with exporting the ceramics. Euge replies that he wouldn’t have agreed to help if the products had been poor quality.

Carlota thinks about her encounter with Eugenio and wonders who he really is. She doesn’t like that his presence unnerves her.

The prosecutor reads a piece of paper and says today is going to be a very important day in the trial thanks to this information--he's going to show that Cristobal was just a man hiding under his priest’s garb. The clerk asks who sent it but the prosecutor doesn’t know. He seems to think that if wins the case he’ll be the next Johnnie Cochran or something. The clerk thinks Cris is innocent, which makes the lawyer spout off about how amoral Cris is, etc.

At the trial, the prosecutor calls Cris to the stand and asks about Macarena. Cris has a flashback of his reunion with Mac and explains that he and Mac realized they’d been duped by the evil one into thinking the other was dead. The lawyer asks if learning that Mac was alive made him doubt his vocation and think of leaving the priesthood. Cris admits that he did, and he had thought about it seriously. (Mientras tanto, Euge has entered the courtroom.) Prosecutor asks if Cris told Mac this. Flashback of Cris proposing to Mac and her accepting. Euge whispers to Madeleine that German should have told Cris not to answer. Cris answers anyway: he proposed to her the day before her accident--he left the church for her. Paloma is impactada. But when Mac was dying he went back to religious life so that she could go in peace. The prosecutor says, oh, so you can take the habits off and just like that? Uproar from the peanut gallery.

The prosecutor asks who else knew about Cris’s plans to propose to Mac and leave the church. Cris only told Padre Benito, Orlando and Natalia. The lawyer asks if Cris had a romantic relationship with her when she was alone in Real del Monte. Cris gets mad and yells no, no, y NO! More uproar. Prosecutor gets all dramatic, claiming that Cris was seen getting into Nat’s car the day of Alonso’s accident, but Cris says she was just taking him to the church. German objects that he’s badgering his client; I think the judge sustains the objection (“ha lugar”--thank you closed captioning) and says ok, that’s enough for today, we’ll reconvene tomorrow.

As Cris leaves, Paloma throws a tantrum about him and Mac deceiving her. What she felt for him has just died FOREVER. Cris tries to explain that they had reasons for keeping quiet and Pal was going to be the first to know--I give you my word it’s the truth. Pal just rants at him that his word means nothing to her and he isn’t who she thought he was. She yells that she’s never coming back to the courthouse again and runs out. German advises Cris to give her time--you know how women are (!!!). Eugenio thinks Pal needs to get her faith and trust in Cris back, and the first step towards that is for him to demonstrate his innocence. Cris agrees and tells German, sorry, you’re fired. Euge is taking my case.

Luz and Rafa are with Xochitl at what I suppose is a social worker’s office. She explains that they have to do a physical and psychological evaluation first, then they can discuss what will happen with Xochi.

Rufi tells Dr. B. that she didn’t know about Cris and Mac’s plans to marry. Dr. B. understands now why Mac didn’t want to marry him. Rufi wonders why Mac didn’t tell her about the proposal when she had always told Rufi everything before. Dr. B. says he feels like an idiot and is totally bummed out.

When Emiliano comes home, Romi pretends that she wanted to meet Anamar so as to know more about Emil; she suggests they invite Anamar to dinner. Romi says she made dinner and is going to take cooking classes--she wants to be a good wife--but Emil claims he’s not hungry and goes off to bed.

Back to Rafa and Luz. The social worker or whoever she is returns and reports that Xochi has been physically abused. And that will have important psychological implications. Rafa asks if they can take Xochitl home with them while things are worked out. The lady agrees to make an exception--they can take her for a couple of days. Luz is elated.

Anamar thinks to herself that she couldn’t have come at a better time, and maybe now there is a real chance for her and Emil. She’s willing to move there to be with him.

Gabriel walks Pal home. She confesses that Mac was her mother, not her aunt. But Cris isn’t her father. Now she understands why Cris reacted the way he did when she told him Mac was her mom, because Mac never told him. Pal says she doesn’t want to feel anything, but Gabriel tells her to allow herself to feel her pain and sadness, and paint it. It’s fine to feel the anger and hurt, but then let it go. If you need me I’m just a call away. She thanks him, saying “you don’t know how important you are to me,” then goes inside. Not as important as you are to me, Gabe thinks.

As Cris is being led to the police car to take him back to jail, German begs him to reconsider--this is going to seriously affect my career. Cris questions whether German worked on this case with honesty--Germy claims he did, but Cris doesn’t seem to believe him. He advises Germy to do some self-introspection and bids him good night.

Angelica is awakened late at night by the doorbell and stupidly doesn’t look through the peephole before opening the door. Lucky for her, it’s only Miriam, who’s crying and upset. Turns out that Dario found her and threatened her that if they continue with this, it’s going to get bad for them. Miriam says she can’t go back to Mexico City.

Carlota is at the dining table with a glum-looking Pal (of course) and she can’t believe that Cris admitted to proposing to Mac while he was still a priest. Maybe that’s why God allowed that accident that took her life, Crazylota muses, he was punishing her. Rufi disagrees and says they can’t judge Macarena, especially when she’s not there to defend herself. Pal wants to know why did they hide it, why didn’t Cris leave the church first before proposing? Gee, I don’t know, maybe because it would be game over once the Purple One found out? Carlota rants some more about Mac dishonoring the family. Rufi sticks it to Carlota here and says she’s glad that Mac left this world happy--look of death from Carlota--and knowing that she was loved by the man that she loved so much. Rufi thinks Mac deserved to be happy because life was very UNFAIR [pointedly looking at Carlota here] to her. So, she advises Pal, don’t judge your mother, because one day you could regret it.

German is at a bar throwing back drinks. He’s all mad and thinks no, this can’t be happening to me! What do I do? Carlota will be furious. Ha, ya think?

Angelica brings Miriam some tea and tries to calm her down. Did you report Dario to the police? No. Miriam says she was afraid and only went home long enough to grab some clothes and leave--she’s never seen Dario like that before. Ange tells her she can stay there as long as she wants and offers to talk to Orlando to see if there might be a job available at the office.

Montage of Pal drawing and crying (and it looks like she’s writing something too) while Gabe and Emil sit around looking tortured, with Gabe thinking he doesn’t have much time and wants to take advantage of it with Pal at his side, and Emil thinking he has to have Pal far away. Oh, the agony.

Madeleine is happy that Eugenio has taken Cris’s case and wants to pay him, but Euge insists that it’s not necessary, he’s doing this for her. After she leaves, Gabe tells Euge he knows something that might be important to the case: Mac is Pal’s mom. Euge gets very animated, saying that could be the motive for Carlota wanting to ruin Cris. He’s not sure if it’s for jealousy or wounded pride, but she could be behind the whole Cris Is the Worst Person in the World campaign. Euge thinks not only is she controlling German, but she could also be helping the prosecutor, because he knows too much, info that nobody knew. Euge believes she’s dangerous and is capable of manipulating both the defense and prosecution.

Pal feels bad about Dr. B. being deceived by Mac and is sure that his offer to live with him in Mexico City is down the tubes, so now she won’t be able to leave RdM--he doesn’t have any reason to take responsibility for them. After Pal goes off to art class, Rufi wonders if Pal could be right (about Dr. B’s offer, I guess).

Orlando and Emiliano chat at the office about the trial and about Cris changing lawyers. Emil mentions that he’s continuing with the volunteer work and that he and Pal are going their separate ways, blah blah blah. Orlando asks if Emil has thought about taking his name; Emil replies that it’s a no go. Sorry Dad, I’m Emiliano Saenz even though I have your blood.

Pal shows her drawing to Gabe--it's a picture of Emil. He lights a candle and says, burn it, then tell me how you feel. She tears it up and then lights the pieces on fire while Gabe watches in the background.

Rafa brings some new clothes for Xochi. Luz thinks she wasn’t mistaken with him--he is exactly like she imagined. She felt very good when he presented her to the social worker as his girlfriend. She likes being his woman because she doesn’t feel like half of something, but like a whole that shares with another whole. They say they love each other and kiss.

Camila paces in her shop and tells Meche she can’t stop thinking about Rafa, but she doesn’t know why.

Pal has told Gabe about Dr. B. no longer being her ticket out of town, but he points out that she’s making an assumption and it’s better to find out for sure first. Anyway, there’s another way for her to go to the city--she can go with him and live with Rufi, and he can teach her even more than what they’ll teach under the scholarship from his dad. He offers to give her a loan and she can pay him when she gets her inheritance. Pal doesn’t understand why he’s helping her; he admits that it’s because he luuuuuvs her. Cara impactada de Paloma, otra vez.

In the avances Carlota finds out that Germy got fired and has a hissy fit, natch. And it says Ultimas Semanas, hooray!

Labels: amor

From Yesterday
MJ sleeping and dreaming.

Alex is at the hospital talking to the nurse. Hernan walks in looking very serious. He has something that Alex needs to see with his own eyes.
There is no scar! So that means…..It must be Sandra! Viewerville breathes a big sigh that we don’t have to sit through two more weeks of that. Hernan comments that someone took the time to sandblast her tattoos. Alex is relieved because he realizes that MJ must be alive! Oh happy days! She’s ALIVE!

Today:
SMJ is painting like a 2-year old. Bruno walks in to spoil the mood. He kisses her on the cheek. She turns away. Why do you avoid my kisses? (Maybe it’s because you are total slimeball and you have bad energy.) Oh wait, it’s because she’s not an easy woman. She’s going to make him work for it. He play acts the gentleman. Now there’s a stretch. She says he’s joking. He must do it again with feeling. He gets on his knees and tells her that he’s profoundly in love with her. She giggles. I want to barf.

Alex tells the family that it is Sandra and not MJ that was dropped off at the house like a sack of potatoes. Alex thinks that since Sandra was in a coma they needed MJ for something. Alex wants to know about this Jorge “Freddie” Kruger. Hernan has read several of his scientific papers. His work is in memory erasing. Pedro, not crying (for the moment), says it can’t be. Oh but it can be. Alex tells everyone that Dr. Evil is the new husband of Elena. Hernan says he is a well known scientist but his methods are not necessarily approved of by the medical community. So basically Dr. E-vil is a mind erasing monster that doesn’t give a rat’s patootie about anybody but himself. Yes, I think that sums it up pretty well. Pedro wants to know if he is doing these experiments on MJ. Uh, yeah! It’s obvious that Pedro must have taken the short bus to school.--without his helmet. Alex thinks they need a PLAN. Good thinking. Hernan is concerned that seeing Alex could put her into shock. He tells Hernan not to worry. Everybody has to zip it. No talking to anyone about “The Plan.” Oh by they way, where is Bruno. Victoria our resident Queen of Denial says he’s in Toluca. But she is sure that he didn’t have anything to do with it. Talk about living in your own reality.

Bruno is arguing with Dr. E-vil. He says something about professional etiquette. Dr. E-vil says that Bruno can’t come to the party because Fernando and Alex are going to be there. Dr. E-vil doesn’t understand why Bruno is so upset.

SMJ and Bruno. Bruno the horn dog is trying to put the moves on her--again. He certainly is a persistent little bugger isn’t he? It’s a lover’s moon. She is trying to resist him. Why can’t we make love like before? She dreams of another but she can’t see his face. Bruno is trying his best but MJ is strong. She runs off and he says don’t go. D-E-N-I-E-D—again. Sucks to be you dude!

Dias despues at the fiesta

Porfirio and Tio are celebrating early with some tequila. We have a rodeo and rope tricks, and bronco busting. There are pretty girls in pretty dresses. SMJ shows up with Elena in a charra outfit. Thank God she wasn’t wearing that horrid pink creation that Slofia wore in FELS. Porfirio is very excited. He gives Dr. and Mrs. E-vil the stink eye and they have to go sit with the regular folks all back-of-the-bus. Alex and Fernando show up in their best rodeo attire. They go their separate ways so they won't look so matchy, matchy. Alex is casing the place from behind the SUV. Ah, he sees her. Elena greets Fernando. I need to talk with you. Is your boss here? He says no. (Background noise). Can we talk later? More fancy riding. I have no idea what Dr. E-vil says. And frankly, does anyone really care? Tio greets Fernando. He is happy to see him. Where’s Alex? Speaking of our hero, Alex is threading his way through the crowd keeping an eye on his mujer. Fernando is looking mighty fine. Actually the best he’s looked in this whole show. He meets “Sandra.” You can tell that Fernando knows it is MJ right away because he has that fish-out-of-water googley eyed look on his face that he does so well. Alex is still skulking in the background. Porfirio makes an announcement and introduces his nieta Sandra. (How embarssing). She stands up. Thank you everyone. She needs to practice her parade wave. I like her earrings. Fernando helps her down the stairs. MJ is going to ride a horse for some reason and rides to the center of the ring while riders make a circle around her. She looks like she is having fun. Fernando looks constipated. Nope, it’s the fish-out-of-water look again. I’d personally like to see more horses. Porfirio thinks things are going well. Alex watches.

Elena gives SMJ her pills. SMJ says she feels like she is starting to remember. Elena looks worried. Alex and Fernando meet up. It appears that she doesn’t remember anything.

Dr E-vil says she doesn’t remember anything. (See, what did I just say.) Her memory could be permanently erased. You should have more confidence in my abilities. We will maintain her condition at least one more month. I’m going to my lab. I vote for letting all the animals out so they can do experiments on Dr. E-vil.

Phone rings. Maura is calling. She, who will be redeemed when pigs fly, has been trying to call Elena all day. Bruno changed his number and I can’t reach him. Are you crazy for dropping off MJ at the Lombardo house? Ruh roh Scooby Doo, Elena is impactada. What!? Elena has a light bulb moment and says it was Sandra. Oh noes! What is going on? Elena says something that we don’t hear. She calls her husband a bad name and hurrys to confront him in his lab. Why did you lie to me? She was dropped off like a bag of trash. We are in this together. Why didn’t you tell me? He looks at her like “shut the hell up .” I am legend in my own mind. Don't you know that by now. Get the hell out. She stomps out.

SMJ who must have gone to the Gabriella Escandon School of Art is “painting” if you can call it that. More red! Let the feelings flow! Bruno the stalker walks up and disturbs her again. He’s all snuggly. They talk about the party and about Fernando. Fernando is handsome. I like him. Why do you ask me all these questions?

Alex is watching Elena and Fernando. If he had ordered the mood ring with the built in multi-directional receiver from spys-r-us.com he would actually be able to hear what they were saying. If he had ordered it in the first 5 minutes he could have gotten it for only $19.95 (postage and shipping extra.) But no, he waited too long and it went back to the original price of three easy payments of $39.95. Elena tells him the story of Pedro and the twins. She’s not emotionally stable right now. I understand. We don’t know what happened. Loud background noise. Thank you for everything. Have a good trip back. Alex walks in with his hat over his face. Very incognito. What did she say? She told me everything. They take a cab home. Victoria is on the phone talking to Hernan. He’s trying to arrange treatment. The boys are back. I’ll call you later. We saw her. Felipa is excited.

Just when I thought we’d get through an episode with RaqHell, I was really disappointed when we beam to RaqHell and Roberto talking to the Judge. What a seriously weird way to conduct a hearing if that is what it was. Now the heifer wants her baby. She’s never even touched or looked at her. She’s not giving him anything.

Victoria can’t believe she didn’t recognize them. Fernando is right nothing good can come from this. Victoria believes that Bruno hasn’t had anything to do with this. Sometimes I just want to smack some sense in her. Fernando says that MJ’s mother talked to him and told me the story. She abandoned Pedro and MJ and Paula. She took Sandra. Blah, blah, blah, snore. Felipa can’t believe they took MJ to replace Sandra. I don’t see why that is just so hard for everyone to believe.

Chucho is going on about the situation. Alex shows up. Good news Pedro. He wants them to sit down. MJ is ok. The one they dropped off was Sandra. Pedro is crying. Big surprise.

MJ is playing pool with Elena and Bruno is “helping.” She’s having fun but not doing very well. Porfirio shows up unexpectedly and SMJ runs off to see him Bruno asks Elena what this is all about. She says she spoke with Jorge who told her about Sandra being dumped in Merida and was not dead after all. We transported her to Merida. Elena looks like she wants to kill him. Hey, heifer, take a number and stand in line.

Back at Lombardo Central Alex calls Mari into his office and wants her to find him a house to rent in Toluca under the name Nicholas something that I didn’t catch. And of course this is all TOP SECRET and part of THE PLAN.

Porfirio is outside with his nurse at the swingset. SMJ wants to know what he is doing here. He says that he is remembering when she was a child. She thanks him for the party and he is glad that she enjoyed it. He says he’s not doing well. She wants to know why he doesn’t like her mother and Jorge. He basically thinks Jorge is a scumbag. She is curious about the kind of clinic that he runs. He studies the nervous system and the brain. He wants her to find a man that is not interested in her money. Fernando is the guy. He’s nice. He’s decent. She wants to marry for love. He says whatever. It’s not real. He wants her to marry someone who will respect her and she should have lots of children. I like Fernando. She tells him about her boyfriend in Madrid. Who, Useless? He’s a good for nothing. No Damian.

Roberto is telling Paula what happened in court. All of a sudden Raquel wants the baby. Can you imagine what kind of life she will have with a mother that is an alcoholic? She knows other things about me. Paula wants to know what kind of things. Just things. Tell me. You don’t know anything. You are too innocent. Alex walks up. Alex wants to talk to Paula a minute. She tells him that Roberto is upset because Raquel doesn’t want him to have the baby. Alex changes the subject and tells her that he needs her to go on vacation with him to Toluca. She is excited. He says her father can come but nobody else. It’s all part of THE PLAN.

Tomorrow:
Arturo is asking directions and sees Joven Bruno.
Alex is spying
Victoria and Fernando smoochie face
Elena wants MJ to sleep with somebody

Labels: sortilegio

Since I did not see Capitulo 1, this is the first time I have heard Alejandra speak. This is also the first time that I’ve desired that a telenovela protagonist remain in a coma…

Marco, Susana, Alejandra’s papa (Jorge) and aunt (Rosario) are in the waiting room and are joined by Jaime, Rafael’s law student friend who pleads Rafael’s case. Marco, who by the looks of his frosted/highlighted hair, is a high class lawyer, is not impressed by Jaime’s qualifications from the National University Law School. He throws Jaime out of the waiting room and proceeds to whine some more about the wedding that will have to be cancelled and frets that checks for the wedding costs will bounce.

This greatly concerns Ale’s papa. You know, the one with the HEART CONDITION! Susana, who is much more emotionally intelligent than Marco, calms Jorge’s fears by telling them that Ale secured the needed money, but admits to Marco that she doesn’t know for sure.

As the doctors hover over her, Ale dreams of all the anvils that are about to fall on her pretty little head- the contract for the trucks with the florist that she failed to close; the 2 million peso loan she took out with her father’s home (which is worth 20 million pesos) as collateral; and the appointment that she had at 12 PM with the real estate agent to purchase the apartment for which she has put down a 450,000 peso non-refundable deposit.

Ale’s boss arrives and seems to have forgotten the reason people typically visit others in the hospital. You know, moral support, sympathy, etc. Well, Licensiado Francisco is there to find out if Ale closed the deal with the florists, where is the contract and where is the check? He leaves Susana with instructions to get the 411 from Ale once she wakes up.

Jaime heads to the jail to tell Rafael that Ale is alive. Rafael thinks this is a good thing, but Jamie is not inclined to agree since that means she can testify against him. Jamie informs Rafa that the accident also means that Ale’s wedding, that was supposed to take place that weekend, will be cancelled and gives a rundown of all of Ale’s injuries. Rafa seems most upset to learn that such a “mamacita” with legs like that will not be able to put those legs to good use for a long time. He also thinks that since Ale is rich, SURELY she has insurance that will cover all the damages, and OF COURSE she will be grateful when she finds out all he did to save her. Yeah, right!

Said grateful mamacita has finally woken up, and I really wish she hadn’t. After a lot of b*tching and moaning and confirming where she is and what happened, the first thing she asks is the time, aware that she has missed the appointment with the real estate agent. She then has presence of mind to ask if she is paralyzed. Susana, who clearly doesn’t seem to know Alejandra, tells her that with a positive attitude, she’ll be right as rain soon enough! Ale finally realizes that all this talk of paralyzation, cancelled weddings and lost money may not be good for her dear old dad with the bad heart, and asks Rosario to take him home. They have a warm, tearful goodbye with Jorge telling her that she can’t leave this world before him and that he loves her.

Once Jorge and Rosario are gone, Ale gets down to business. She calls the florist and finds out they went with another company; she calls the real estate agent and finds out he just sold the apartment. She admits all to Susana and Marco. “How could you lose 2 million pesos?”, he asks. Not helping Marco…

This sets off a screaming, b*tching and moaning session from Ale that is so loud and annoying that it drives other patients to do the same (sort of like how a dog howling in the middle of the night will get others dogs going). This scene between Ale, Susana and Marco repeats itself over and over again with the money Ale owes going higher each time they calculate- the lost contract, the lost 2 million on wedding expenses, money lost on the wedding dress (although since they still intend to get married, this isn’t really lost), money lost on the apartment, etc. It all adds up to about 5 million pesos! “I am going to kill that jerk!” (so much for gratitude)

Rafa’s Mama (Leonor), little sis (Julieta) and girlfriend (Vicky) come to bring him clean clothes and a blanket in prison. They are deeply pained to see him behind bars. But apparently no one feels more affected than Vicky as she pushes her way ahead of Julieta and Leonor to show Rafa her pain up close and personal. Leonor wants to sell the house in order to settle this legal matter and get Rafa out of jail, but he is against it. He urges her to go to the hospital and plead his case with Alejandra, oh so sure that this nice rich lady, who does not need their money and is oh so grateful for him saving her life, will let the whole thing go. Uhn huh… When the ladies leave, Rafa’s VERY friendly cellmates wonder why he’s so concerned about this rich lady if he’s as in love with his girlfriend like he says.

Ale’s just received word that she can get out of bed in a week and start work in a month, although she will require therapy and will be in a brace and on crutches for a while. Hearing all of this, Marco thinks, “Great! That means we can get married in a week!” (This guy is a prince. Where can I find one like him? Sigh!) Ale is NOT going to get married on crutches, plus the only thing she can think about is getting back to work to earn some money and figuring out how to save her papa’s house.

They are interrupted by Leonor, Julieta and Jaime who once again try to appeal to Ale’s and Marco’s sympathy by explaining that it was just an accident, that Rafa was not drunk, that he saved Ale, that he’ll work hard to pay back the debt, and that he has been the family’s only breadwinner since his father left them when he was a boy. They are countered by Marco and Ale who claim that Rafa gave false statements and attempted to murder Ale, which merits 20 years in prison. Plus, says Ale, she has to work for her money, no one ever handed it to her, she has to pay, so why shouldn’t he? blah, blah, blah, whine, whine, whine…

Finally it seems that Ale and Marco are won over when Leonor offers up her house worth 1 million pesos and promises that Rafa will work to pay off the 4.5 million they say he owes little by little. Rafa is impactado when he hears from Leonor later at the jail the price of his freedom.

End of episode.

Labels: dinero

Tonight starts with the unfolding of a classic domestic drama. Pepillo is trying to convince Beto and Nieves that he has never laid eyes on Nieves before today. Beto keeps trying to remind Pepi of the Acapulcan night that never was and nearly convinces Nieves to show off her hooters to shock Pepi's memory. Luckily Nieves is saved by DC who puts the kibosh on the cleavage. Speaking of which, Beto once again mentions his favorite topic, that of breast-feeding until he's eight (closed captions said eighteen LOL) And how can Pepillo think of suing them for damages? What about the damage to his Mami's bubis that are hanging to the floor? Nice one Beto.

A peek next door reminds us that Jacqui has snuck on over to the hood to give Moni the 411 about Coni's most recent plot to hurt Moni; it has to do with Moni's mami. Cara impactada de Monita.

Jacqui thinks this time Coni has gone too far and she tosses out a slew of slurs describing her peccant progeny, Coni is toxic, disrespectful, opportunistic, ugly, well maybe not ugly but not as beautiful as her mother, and when she was fourteen she raised her skirt in front of a male teacher, etc. Moni startles Jacqui by revealing that her mami is dead and Jacqui asks "Are you sure?"

Now Jacqui is mortified that she brought up the sensitive subject of Moni's mami but que the hell is going on, why is Coni insisting that Moni's ma is alive? Jacqui recounts the tale about running into this strange, pale woman at the restaurant, where by the way her pasta was NOT al dente. "Al grano!" interrupts Alicia, "Get to the point!" OK, they tried to chase down this pale woman and...

...they are interrupted by Pau and Estre screaming bloody hell because Oragel (uh, thanks for that Julia) is next door. Moni knows no good can come of this and Jacqui is horrified because that means the paparazzi will be around. Will she be busted in the barrio? Alicia tries to get Jacqui to hang out so they can clear up this Isabel confusion but Jacqui is so outta there. Ciao bella!

Family time at Casa Ochoa has taken a decidedly weird turn as Nieves serenades Pepillo about sharing souls in Acapulco and Beto declares himself to be Beto Origel Ochoa. That's it for Pepillo and he tells Beto to be very careful or he'll sue him for slander (calumnia). Slander?!?!? This sets Mama Bear Nieves in a rage and she threatens to tear out Pepillo's perfectly tight eyes. Don Cesar jumps in and begs Nieves to tell the truth. Nieves suggests a meal first, would Pepillo care for a Milanesa with potatoes? No he can't stand them!

Beto gasps and jumps back, indeed this man is NOT his father if he hates Milanesas. Nieves admits the truth, "Pepillo Origel no es tu papa".

Christian stands guard outside the door protecting Pepillo from the gathering crowd of neighbors and paparazzi. He must be ticked off because half of what he yells at them is censored. Pau and Estrella try the hardest the break his resolve but our cop stands firm and he warns Pau not to compromise him in front of the press. For her parting shot Pau kisses him off by telling him sometimes she can't stand him. (A veces me caes bien gordo.)

Enough comedy, the tragedy that is Aldo ensues. He visits Coni in her room and tearfully asks her can he go out? He has to take care of some business. Surprisingly she agrees and her lip almost twitches up when he thanks her. What's up her nasty little sleeve?

Oh dear, now Nieves is announcing to the crowd that nothing she said was true, there was nothing between her and Señor don Pepillo. "See," Pepillo says about Beto, "this guy's not my kid." Pepillo pats Beto on the shoulder, tells him to be strong and go to his mama to patch things up.

Estre sees her chance and tells Pepi she's Estrella Falcón, really good actress, currently not in anything, but looking hard. Estrella jumps right into her audition; she's multi-poly-faceted and plurifunctional and can do drama (and does), melodrama (and does), comedy, tragedy, villain, (does all) etc. The crowd is entranced and applauds enthusiastically. I was entranced, too, and had to do a rewind. Pepillo is, well, he gives her his card. But hey, he recognizes Valentina Lopez the famous boxeadora and compliments her on being a champion.

Pau and Estre scream and gush over Pepillo's business card, but Monita steps away to comfort a disconsolate Beto. He's stricken and humiliated, the whole world will think El Fantasma Vengador is a putz. Why would his ma tell him his father is a luminary, a celebrity? Why would she lie? Why does she never give him a straight answer when he asks about his pa? Monita sets him down and reveals that Alicia told her the whole story. Beto's father left Nieves at the altar and the truth was just too painful to tell her son."Everybody makes mistakes Beto, even you."

Meanwhile Don Cesar holds Nieves and calls her his little sugar heart. Awww. She never imagined that one tiny lie would end like this. Their tender scene is interrupted by Beto who wants to talk to mami alone.

"Why mami why?" Mona told him what Alicia said, that Nieves was pregnant and abandoned at the altar. Nieves sets him down and finally tells the truth. In reality she doesn't know who his father is. "Then I am a child of sin."

Nieves, now weeping, insists he is NOT a child of sin, try to understand. But the scene ends here and we are left wondering, well then what is he and who is Beto's father?

Jeronimo and Oski are in a restaurant congratulating themselves on the impending success of their depraved and egregious plot, the business deal of a lifetime. The take a quick look around and, certain that nobody is looking, cross their arms in a very friendly toast. (cross-arm toast = cruzadito) I think we need Lalo the in-bed wedding planner to help move this relationship along.
Aldo heads straight over to the barrio and Coni follows in her car.

The neighborhood is playing music and enjoying an impromptu fiesta to celebrate the recent luminarian visit, their boxeadora champion, whatever. They owe it all to Beto, Nieves and her tremendous lie. Cranky-pants Aldo stumbles in and crankier-pants Beto stalks through calling Nieves Pecadora. (Sinner)

A stranger approaches the group. He is a lawyer, Fausto Pineda, who represents the new owners. He has come to announce that the neighborhood will be demolished and they have 72 hours to vacate. Hey, don't kill the messenger, that's just how things go. The crowd gets ugly but he insists he's just the intermediary. None of them have rental contracts so nothing else is owed them. Paula dashes off in anger which is always a worry, and Christian accuses Pinedo of arbitrariness (arbitrariedad, what a word).

Monita pleads with Pinedo to have a heart, old people and children live there. Nieves says some of them have lived here their whole lives. Beto leads the crowd in a chant, "el pueblo, vencido, jamas sera unido!" (The people, united, will never be defeated!)

Pinedo says if they don't vacate the owners will call the police. Suddenly Paula runs out with a big gun, "You want war? You've got war!". Chris tries to grab the gun away and they inadvertently terrorize the crowd as they madly swing the weapon in sweeping arcs. Pinedo scampers away repeating his threats over his shoulder.

Meanwhile Estre and Aldo are having a heart-to-heart in her crib. Estrella does drama but she's not acting now; she's bummed about the neighborhood bad news and thank goodness she's NOT pregnant she tells him for what seems like the seventh time this week. He tells her if she were he'd marry her right now and find them a place to live. Dang, that kid's turning me to mush again. During the Furia fight Tano told him to grow up, accept it's over with Estrella and act like a man, so that's what he's decided to do. Basically he says goodbye forever to her.

Jacqui has made it safely home only to find her youngest is in a deep funk. Katia's had a crappy morning, Coni's not home, Ma has neglected her all her life, and she's in love with Aldo, wah! One of those get's Jacqui's attention...in love with Aldo?

Speaking of which, our tragic teen, or should I say young man, is thanking Estrella, his star, for all she has given him and taught him. This is one of the classiest break-ups I've ever seen. He accepts that she'll have her life and he'll have his, go to university, marry and have kids, but he'll remember her until the day he dies. He kisses her goodbye and our faintly shining Star pulls back a little, afraid of the closeness. After Aldo leaves Estrella does tragedy.

Back in Beto's abode he's still on the I'm-a-child-of-sin rant. Moni tires of the self-pity and firmly scolds him. In short, Nieves has been both a mother and father to Beto AND to Monita. Moni tells Nieves she loves her like a mother.

The evil music plays as Isabel sits alone in her room waiting for the phone to ring. "I was waiting for your call." She reapplies her lip liner.

Moni continues scolding Beto for turning his back on a mother's love, a mother's kisses, a mother's hugs. She would give anything to be in his shoes and be in the arms of her mother. Blockhead Beto finally gets it and wants to be part of the hugfest. Beto will you forgive me? No ma, will you forgive me? Hugs, kisses and making up.

Mañana - Coni's spying on Aldo leads her to see Mau and Monita together. Isabel meets up with some handsome guy and says it won't be so easy getting back into Monita's life what with Alicia and Nieves hanging around. He perks up his ears, "Nieves? Nieves Ochoa?" Cut to Nieves cursing Isabel, thanks to her Nieves lost the love of her life. She caresses a black and white photo of Eric del Castillo.

Dicho of the day: el pan y el carino no han de ser recalentados = bread and love should not be reheated

Labels: gancho

Well you know I actually worked from home today and got to watch this show at air time...problem is I really had to work i.e. finish a project which didn't go so well while I was watching so I had to not write while watching and before two events including one to benefit Haiti. I hope things brighten a little for those poor folks. So this is a quicky. A good episdoe though from what I could tell at a glance.

So I can briefly tell you that Moni outsmarted the Momia with a gaggle of green guys and foiled her attempts at trying to unmask the masked avenger/fury/pick your power adjective here.

Beto announced he is el Pepillo's son at the fight to the world.

Of course our benevolent goofy duo wins the darn thing.

The press is all over the vecinidad after hearing of Beto's progeny and Estrella takes to them swimmingly.

Aldo has a conversation with Katia about how could he cross the woman he loves so horribly, Estrella, that is. I think we hear that they (the girlfriends - not Aldo, he of course still has no clue) know Estre is preg for sure because she took a test that came out positivo. I'm wondering with all this reappearance of Tano if they are going to try to pull that it's his. That would kind of suck in my opinion. 'Course a 16 yr old as a dad kind of sucks too, but hell, he already takes care of his little sister, so he's definitely equipped.

Arnoldo is clearly impressed with Ximena's intelligence and tells Jero that she is mas listo en que lo pensaba. In other words, he digs her bones. He might even like her spit on his eyebrow.

Rolu wants to, you know, with her despite the fact that he supposedly doesn't work from the waist down. Xime apparently knows this, and tells Arnoldo not to worry about surgery.

Juan Jose Origel himself chases down the Beto family, poses for some shots, won't allow him to touch his Parisian suit and confirms he "did not have sexual relations with...that...woman..."

At the end, Jacqui pays a visit to Monita, she has something important to tell her...about her MOM. Uh oh.

Wish I had time for more, but alas I'm just stretched. I might get some pics, so maybe tomorrow I can post, course by then Thurs show will be on already....holy toledo. I haven't even finished readin Judy's cap yet!!! Argh...stay happy folks!!

Labels: gancho

capítulo 76

Maura tries to call Bruno but his phone is busy.

Bruno tell Erick that she will die.

Jorge tells Elena that Sandra is dead. Elena is a little upset.

Emiliano tells Elena that Fernando has invited his boss Alejandro Lombardo to the fiesta. Elena notes that SMJ's ears didn't burn when she heard the name Alejandro. SMJ asks Elena about her driving lesson, and Emiliano is surprised, he thought all the girls, nowadays, know how to drive. SMJ says doesn't so what is his problem.

At the hospital, Ale, Victoria and Fernando are talking with Hernan. Hernan tells them that MJ is in a coma. MJ is in a vegetable state. Ale asks if she will recover. Hernan says there have been cases but it would be a miracle.
Hernan says MJ's heart is weak. Fernando asks how she got into this state. Hernan says it was a drug overdose. Hernan thinks whoever kidnapped her drugged her. Ale loses it and beats the examining bed. Then Ale says he wants to see MJ. Victoria says she doesn't know how Ale will be able to live with his grief. Fernando tells her little by little Ale will come to terms. Victoria cries and wonders why these animals did this?
Fernando says look, anyone can go at any moment. That it is not important if you are young or old, that we all need to live life to the fullest. Fer tells Vic that he wants to be by her side through the good and the bad. He asks her please don't reject him. Vitoria cries harder as she come in for a hug.

Ale enters MJ's room where he is told he can have a few minutes. He cries and tells her it is he, Alex that is her. He tells her to fight for their son for herself, to fight for him. Fight! Ale cries...

Elena is on SMJ for being rude to Emiliano. SMJ she is tired of the lies. Why can't she just tell the truth. Elena asks SMJ to think about how her grandfather would feel if he knew she had spent all those years on drugs. SMJ says she is sorry, but without her memories she feels empty. Elena tells her to have patience. SMJ says she is tired of patience. Her patience is exhausted with the bursts of reality, and it kills the dreams. SMJ is crying.

At casa Lombardo Roberto comes in and ask where Ale is. EZ tells him Ale is at the hospital and about the kidnappers dropping her off etc.

Ale is visiting MAURA. I want to slap him. I want to slap her too. Maura says she is sorry and Ale thanks her. Maura wonders about MJ being in a coma or is it Sandra?

At the mercado Ale comes looking for Pedro. Chucho tells him he is at the house.

At Pedro's house Pedro is crying on MJ's picture. Paula answers the door and it is Ale. Paula asks if he is there with news of MJ and Ale says yes. Ale tells them how she was dropped off in front of the house. Pedro and Paula a happy for a couple of seconds when Pedro realizes something is wrong. Ale tells them she is a the hospital in a coma in critcal condition. Pedro wants to see her.

Elena tells Jorge she is worried about Ale coming to the fiesta. Jorge tells her that SMJ is not MJ. SMJ over hears and asks who MJ is.

Pedro is at the hospital visiting MJ, telling her how much he loves her.

In the waiting room Roberto and Paula are talking when Pedro comes out. Pedro tells Paula that she looks like she is sleeping. Paula wants to go in but Pedro says tomorrow would be better. Roberto offers to take them home. Ale says he is waiting for news on Maura. Ale tells Pedro how Lis has lukemia and Maura is the donor.

Elena and SMJ have been shopping.

Hernan tells Ale the operation with Maura is happening and it is long and that they are with specialists. Ale should go home and rest. He has had difficult days. Hernan says that if they don't see an improvement in MJ they will want to prepare to take her to Mexico. Ale says he doesn't want to be apart from her. Hernan says to trust him.
Ale thanks him and leave.

Ale comes home. The kidnapper specialist says that his job is done. Ale says he won't stop until he find the b*st*rds. Felipe offers Ale tea.

Ale is comparing the phone picture of Sandra and a picture of MJ. He tells Victoria about Sandra. Fernando comes in. Ale tells Fer to explain to Victoria about Sandra and MJ. Fer shares what he knows.

Pedro has his head on the table when Ale stops by. Pedro asks if he has bad news. Ale says no, that everything is the same at the hospital. Ale asks if he is alone. Pedro says yes. Ale wants to talk to him. Ale wants to about Elena Pedro's wife and MJ and Sandra. It is necessary that he knows the truth for the good of MJ. Ale says he is desperate. Ale wants to know who did this to his woman, and crying, Ale says please, tell him the truth.

Fernando and Victoria, in denial, are talking about how it would have to be a sick somebody to come up with this. Victoria gets a call from Bruno who is asking if there is news of MJ. Victoria says yes she showed up. Dead? Bruno asks. No she is in a coma. Bruno tells Victoria he is sorry really sorry. Victoria asks how he is and he is fine and now she has his new cell number. He was just calling to see if there was news of MJ. Kisses.
Bruno and Erick look a little worried that she is not dead.

Ale is back at the hospital and Katia is there. Katia says that Lis and Maura are recuperating and that she is sorry about MJ. Ale thanks her. Katia asks if he knows anything of Bruno? Ale just walks away.

Hernan tells Ale that MJ condition is the same. Ale asks if they are going to take her to Mexico. Ale wants to know if he can bring Tony to see her? Hernan says no.

Ale visits MJ again. He tells her that he tried to bring Tony but babies are not allowed. Ale holds her hand. Ale cries.

Elena and SMJ are coming back from another driving lesson that SMJ isn't picking up too easy. A maid helps SMJ take paint canvas's out of the car. The maid asks about her other novio. Useless.

Ale visits Maura and asks how she is feeling. Maura is weak. Maura asks about MJ and Ale says she is the same. That they will be moving her to Mexico. Maura asks if Hernan says there is any hope? Ale says very little. Maura says she is sorry then asks please for a kiss. Ale kisses her cheek. Maura says die already!

Ale is at home visiting a crying Tony. Ale cries.

Victoria is telling Felipe the story about MJ's twin. Ale comes in and tells her they are moving her tomorrow. Victoria gives him a blessing.

Elena comes in to make sure SMJ takes her medicine. SMJ asks her about her other novio Useless and and Elena drops the pills. SMJ prays to the Virgencita to help her. SMJ dreams of nursing Tony, of being in the water with Ale.

Ale is at the hospital but Hernan is attending an emergency. Hernan comes at takes Ale to MJ's room. Hernan says he wanted Ale to see with his own eyes. Ale says he doesn't understand is she dead? Hernan rolls her over and shows that there is no scar. Ale examines her and says she is not MJ.

Labels: sortilegio

We were left with Rafael's lie about to be exposed. Marco is quite shaken with the news that the husband brought in Alejandra when he is the fiance.

Rafael manages to nervously let Marco know that this was all just a confusion and hurries off. Marco is in close pursuit convinced something is not right. "this man is an impostor"

Rafael manages to get almost out the door. As he rounds the corner He overhears the nurse talking with the detective. She thinks it is going to get quite interesting when the husband(who she thinks is Rafael) meets the boyfriend .

Rafael sees his opportunity and just about is out the door, when our little gossiping nurse looks up and asks where if he going. He says he needs to get some fresh air.

Marco continues on Rafael's trail. He asks the nurse if she has seen Rafael, she asks him if he means Alejandra husband. This does not bode well with Marco. He is enraged at this point and wanting the police to chase after Rafael.

Rafael is about to get into his car when he is stopped by the Captain. Rafael is trying to explain what happened. Getting himself in deeper and deeper. All he wants to do is go home. He was just trying to be a good guy. He doesn't even need any compensation.


There is a big truck, big boots and a big belt buckle, attached to this big guy. We Find out that this is Don Gaston. Vicky and Felipe's Father. There was a lot of talking going on, I really did not get to much of it.

We are back at the hospital Rafael is trying once again to explain himself to the Captain and Marco. He just wanted to help. He came upon the accident . He saw her in the ditch. He took her to the hospital . Now he just wants to go. Marco is eyeing our little Rafael, his brain spinning, and he wondering where the blood on Rafaels' face is from, or the bruises.

Poor Rafael. Things are really getting complicated for him. He tries to explain that he got robbed at the market and.got in a fight with the robbers. (this was on yesterdays show)
Now the captain is remembering the words of Alejandra when she was first brought into the hospital. "a black car". This is not going well for poor Rafael standing in front of his black car with a dent in it and him with a bloody nose.

Rafael is beside himself. The captain is searching his car, pulls out a bottle of whiskey, now they all think he has been drinking. This is not going well. All Marco wants at this time is to have Rafael arrested.

Back at the hospital The Dr. is informing Marco and Susana that it was rough going , but Alejandra is stable now but she needs surgery. she has a fractured femur, as well as other serios injuries. The Dr. is looking for the husband whom he believes to be Rafael. Marco is quite fed up with all of this husband stuff. He wants everyone to know that he is the fiance. Susana is more concerned about her friends well being and tells the Dr. to do what is necessary. Marco is all in a twit wondering why this is happening to HIM.

Alejandra's father and Aunt show up and want to know what happened. Marco explains his version about the Drunk Ruffian who was the cause of all of this.
Rafael has been arrested and we meet a couple of his colorful cell mates. That is all I am saying about them.

Rafael has managed to call his friend and layer Jaimie, explaining the accident, how the police found the whiskey in the car, and believed him to be drinking, when he wasn't.
Jamie questions Rafael how women is doing. Rafael tells him they were taking her to surgery, but that she was in bad shape. Jaime tells Rafael that since she is the only other witness to the accident it would be better is she died. Rafaels' face at this moment lets us know that this is not want he wants.
We have scenes back and forth from the jail and with Alejandra in surgery. Jaime is concerned that Alejandra's family would want to hurt him. Rafael can't believe that such a woman, such a woman would hurt them. Jaimie has agreed to go the hospital to see how Alejandra is doing


At the hospital, we have Marco talking on the phone. He is very anious and the call is a little mysterious. If Alejandra does not survive the operation Macro does not know what he is going to do. This sounds more like a concern for his needs, not so much for the thought of loosing her. He cuts the call short when he sees Alejandra coming down the hall on a cart.

She looks pretty rough, Marco is ranting on about when will she be up and about, and that they are going to get married. He is wondering if she is going to be well enough to get married as planned.
Suzanna has a look of disbelief at what she is hearing from Marco. She tells Marco Alejandra just had surgery , and all you can think about is the wedding. Marco!! Forget about the wedding. The Doctor seconds this. She is going to have to recuperate. It could take weeks, months. Marcos not very happy about this.

Jaimie arrives at the hospital. I think he is a little disapointed to see that Alajandra has survived. This does not bode well for the poor Rafita. We see Jaimie discussing with the family, and we know there is going to be rough times ahead. Marco wants him to rot in jail.

This is the end of my recap. I know I missed alot at the end, please feel free to add or correct.

Labels: dinero

Camila informs Orlando that she will never move away from her daughter or grandson. She will go on many trips with him, but never leave Real de Monte permanently.

Ivonne comes to talk to Dr. Bermudez in a nice dress, but ugly white shoes. Anyway she tells him that visited Natalia and feels awful. Dr. Bermudez thinks that the trial is not going very well and doesn't see any hope that they will be freed. Ivonne shows the picture that Natalia gave to her to give to her daughter that has the secret letter in the back of the frame.

Emiliano's in the park and his old friend from Monterrey drives by. She yells out his name. Paloma hears this and witnesses his friend, Anamar, running up to him to give him a hug. She's in Mexico to visit her old boyfriend. This turns out to be Emiliano. He's happy to see her. She can't believe that she let him go. Paloma hides from their view and spies on them. Celos. Mucho celos from Paloma. Anamar finds out he's married and can't believe she lost him.

Eugenio is talking on the phone with Madeleine. She suggests Eugenio talk to the priests Benito and Mateo. He thinks it's a great idea.

Carloca tells Rufi how unhappy she is with her and how she always preferred Macarena over her. Rufi spells out all the things that Carloca did that were not right. You lied to Macarena about Cristobal's death and lied to Paloma about who her real dad is. Carloca says I know you don't agree with the things I did, but I have my conscience clear. (Really? Killing a dog, telling lies, mistreating everyone in your home and killing people. Only a crazy person would have a clear conscience) Anyway Carloca says I may have made a couple of mistakes, but to be considered a monster by you? It really hurts me. Rufi says sorry, but I explained why I felt that way. Carloca pretty much says whatever and walks away. Rufi asks herself why it appears Carloca is guilty of nothing when inside she feels she is.

Rafa finally comes home and Luz takes him into the bedroom and shows him Xochi who is sleeping. He asks her what she is doing here. Luz says I found her and explains what she did. Rafa says do you realize that you stole a little girl? This is a crime.

Orlando walks into his office thinking to himself how he can convince Camila to move away with him. Not only would it be good for business, but also for their relationship. Angelica asks Orlando if everything is okay. Fine replies Orlando. Have you heard from Dario? No replies Angelica. He tells her that he contacted an attorney for her and has pre-paid for 3 office visits. And if more is needed he'll take care of it. What he did to you he must pay for. Don't be scared to confront him. Paloma comes in to speak with Angelica. Paloma tells her that she saw Emiliano with another.

Romina visits Camila. What are you doing here asks Camila. I came because I was bored replies Romina. How can you be bored asks Camila. Soon you will have a little baby to take care of and you have lots to learn. You should take a course. Romina tells her that's not necessary. She's going to have 2 nurses to take care of him and when he's well a nanny. Then what are you going to do asks Camila. Why supervise Bernando replies Romina. Bernando says Camila. Yes. We are going to name him after your dad says Romina. Camila is so happy. She tells Romina that she's going to have a special place in her store for him so that Romina can bring him everyday to see her. Romina wants her to take care of her son well so that she can dedicate her time to her husband. Camila says why don't you work here and we both can take care of Bernando. That way you don't have to hire a nanny. Romina says thanks but no thanks. I was not born to work. So forget it.

Angelica tells Paloma not to let her celos make her see things that are not true. Celos asks Paloma? Yes replies Angelica. Celos because you saw Emiliano hugging a woman that you do not know. Paloma denies being celosa. But then asks if this is the same feeling that Emiliano gets when he sees her with Gabriel. Yes answers Angelica. Paloma thinks this is a horrible feeling. (All this celos talk reminds me of the Marc Anthony song "Celos". It's a good song. If you have never heard it, it's worth a listen. Really any of his songs are. The man can sing)

Emiliano accompanies Anamar to check in at her hotel. He invites her out to eat.

Rufi is cleaning Carloca's office and is going through a recipe book. She comes up with an idea to gather recipes from the ladies from the church and sell them. What would you do with the money asks Rufi. Use it for the dispensary replies Carloca. Rufi thinks it's a good idea. Phone rings and its Padre Benito. He wants her to come and talk to him. Carloca wonders what's going on.

Romina visits Gabriel at the church. She wants to know if he can give her classes. Says she has lots of time on her hands and has the money to pay him. It's a win-win situation. All this time she is getting closer to him and openly flirting. He turns away and says that there are things that money can't buy. And painting is one of them. Can't you show me asks Romina. German walks by and spots Romina and Gabriel talking. He goes up to them and says to Romina that he can't believe she's at church.

Luz asks Rafa why he can't understand her. Rafa says it's not that he can't understand her; it's the fact that you stole her away. It's impulsive. Luz defends herself by saying she's always been that way. Rafa tells her that she needs to start thinking first. Do you realize the danger it was for you to enter a strange house with a drunk man in it? You put not only your life but that of the little girl in danger. And what will happen if that man accuses you of kidnapping? Luz says we know that the little girl is not his. That is what they told you replies Rafa. But we are not sure. This is not the way things are done. She can't stay here. Luz replies that if Xochi can't stay here then neither will she.

Romina calls German an idiot. German accuses her of making eyes at Gabriel. Romina says she only has eyes for her husband. German doesn't believe her. He knows her too well. Then grabs her and kisses her. In broad daylight in the streets. She tries to push away, but ends up kissing him back.

Paloma tells herself that it's best that she forget about Emiliano. She doesn't like the way she feels. She remembers back to the time when she met Emiliano at the park. He tells her that there are lots of way to make love. Looking at you, caressing you, feeling you close. Says other things but the darn music is too loud to hear his words. Gabriel interrupts her daydreaming. Paloma tells him that she drew a picture and wants to show him. He invites her out to eat.

Emiliano and Anamar are at a restaurant catching up on what's been going on in their lives. Seems like she loved him more then he loved her.

Paloma tells Rufi that she will be going to lunch with Gabriel.

Rafa tries to reason with Luz. He just wants things to be done right. Luz finally agrees.

Eugenio asks Padre Mateo if he thinks that Carloca bought off German. He says I do. That woman is like the devil. We have witnessed her lies and when she accosted Cristobal. Eugenio says accosted? Do you mean sexually? Padre Mateo says yes. One day Carloca tried to get into Cristobal's bed here. Eugenio is impactado.

Paloma and Gabriel walk into the same restaurant where Emiliano and Anamar are. Emiliano spots her and calls out her name. He comes over with Anamar and introduces her to Paloma. Then goes back to his table. Gabriel asks if she wants to go. No replies Paloma. Gabriel asks if she wants to talk about it. She tells him that she saw them at the park today hugging. Gabriel says Emiliano introduced her as his friend. There's nothing wrong with that. So you can live with him being married, but not with another woman? Paloma asks if he has ever felt celos before. He says he thought he was immune until he met a woman that made him finally feel it. Like she has made me feel love. I never thought I would feel it replies Paloma. Emiliano and Paloma stare at each other.

Padre Benito tells Carloca that she is no longer allowed back at the church until she has confessed all her sins. Carloca says he is nobody to deny her anything. You are mistaken replies PB. I am a representative of god here on earth and am a witness to your lies and deception. Carloca says she's going to complain to his supervisors. He can't deny her communion. This situation will not stay that way. PB says I won't deny you coming here, but I can with the communion. You do not deserve to accept the blood and body of Christ. You are perverse. If you think that replies Carloca, not only are you to show me respect but you should also fear me. As she storms away from PB she runs into Eugenio. She says that she didn't realize how religious he was to be here at this hour at church. Eugenio says no one is aware of what people are capable of. Carloca agrees. If you had know PJC then you would never have imagined him doing what he did. It appears you have found him guilty replies Eugenio. Let's just say it's what I have seen. She tells him she has to go home. They are waiting for her to eat. To bad replies Eugenio. I would have liked to talk to you more. About what asks Camila? About how you are a very intense, wound up woman. A woman that is quite a mystery. I would love to get to know that mystery. Carloca feels uncomfortable and says she has to go.

Emiliano tells Anamar that the girl is Paloma. The love of his life. Anamar tells him that it looks like Paloma is trying to make a new life with Gabriel. It's obvious that Gabriel is in love with her. And Paloma may end up falling in love with him. Looks like she's trying to forget you. I also know that you married someone you don't love. So start the divorce process immediately. She can't take your child away from you. You are the father and the law will protect you. Look for our happiness.

PM tells PB that Eugenio was here and thinks that Cristobal needs to drop German. PB agrees. PM tells PB that he told Eugenio about Carloca trying to get in bed with Cristobal. He looks like he expects a scolding, but PB says if it saves Cristobal then oh well. PM asks how it went with Carloca. He crosses himself and gulps. She went away very angry, but it had to be done.

German is doing business at the same restaurant where Emiliano is. He calls Romina and tells her that Emiliano is at the restaurant with a very good looking woman. Romina says don't lie. I'm not replies German. And Paloma is here with her teacher. Emiliano and Anamar leave. Gabriel asks Paloma when she is turning 18. Next week replies Paloma. Why? Because I want to throw you a party says Gabriel. Paloma doesn't think that Carloca would foot the bill to throw the party. Gabriel says he'll take care of it all. They'll throw the party at his crib.

Luz is feeding Xochi and gets a call from Eugenio. She wants him to come over.

Romina goes to the restaurant and questions the waiter about seeing Emiliano. She calls him up and asks him where he is. At the hospital with the baby answers Emiliano? What are you doing there at this hour asks Romina. Introducing Anamar to the baby. Romina gets pissed and says that he should have introduced her first to his friend. Emiliano gets mad and hangs up on her.

Eugenio calls a friend in Pachuca. He tells Luz and Rafa to go to see his friend who will help them. Luz wants to know if they will take Xochi away from her. Eugenio gets to the point with Luz. What she did was wrong. You have to denounce the guardian and fight for custody.

Carloca is in her office recalling Eugenio's words to her. She feels uncomfortable around him.

Manana: Cristobal fires German; Anamar is plotting to get back Emiliano

Labels: amor

But not for long, right? Right?

The trial has broken up for the day. Carlota sticks her snooty snoot up in the air and tells Paloma she had no choice but to keep the inheritance a secret, but she doesn’t want this to lead to lies and mistrust in their relationship. Crueloca swans off for some fresh air (better enjoy it while it lasts; she’ll be smelling sulfur soon enough) and Gabriel steps in. Paloma is upset that her parents would have wanted to keep the money from her when she would need it for her education. Gabriel tells her she can get by without it, like she was planning to do anyway.

Rufi says to Doc Bermúdez she’s not convinced Javier’s will actually said that. If so, why did Carmen tell Macarena that the results of Iñaki’s investigation would change Paloma’s life? Doc B says maybe she just meant in a few years, when Paloma is 21. {Anyone here see or read Tuck Everlasting? I suspect by the time Paloma is 21, Rufi, Carlota, Doc B, Emiliano, everyone will be long dead of old age.} In that case, Rufi wonders if maybe they’ve been wrong to suspect Carlota. No, Doc B still thinks something is off.

In chambers, the judge and Eugenio are all chummy.

Paloma tells Gabriel that she and Emiliano have said goodbye forever, and this time they really mean it. They’re so serious about avoiding each other that they are going to go visit the baby at separate times. Gabe doesn’t say much, but his expression says he believes her about as much as we do.

Night has fallen, and it can’t get up. Emiliano is finally doing a little work. Orlando drops in and reports the day’s trial proceedings. Emo is surprised to hear that Paloma will inherit a fortune, but doesn’t have time to get into details as he is heading out to the hospital with Romina. Orlando asks if they’ve registered the baby and Emiliano says they can’t until he’s out of the incubator?????WHY??? Well, good, because Orlando wants his last name to be Ferrer, and he wants Emo to change his own last name to Ferrer also so Orly will have everything possible stamped as his property. Emo says he’ll think about it, but the answer is probably no. He leaves in an uncomfortable hurry and Orly looks peeved.

The remaining members of the Padre Cadre catch Germán as he struts out of the courthouse. They tell him Carlota is lying about her relationship with Juan Cristóbal. They think that showing Carloca is a liar could open the way to proving JC is innocent. Germs condescendingly tells them it has nothing to do with the trial, and he is the lawyer and knows best.

Liliana meets Eric in a restaurant and says she loves him and has done nothing but think about him all the time. He asks about Germán. Lili says he’s become intolerable since he went over to the dark side even more. Eric agrees to be her novio again, and they are both deliriously happy.

Angélica and Miriam say Dario is a jerk and discuss how he snookered them with his debatable charms. Miriam says it’s a good thing Ange had Orlando there, because things could have turned very ugly. Ange gets all sad because she doesn’t have Orlando with her the way she wants him. “Are you in love with Orlando?!” asks Miriam. Yeah, I can’t believe it either, lady.

Emoo and Romina hold the baby. The doctora says he can go home soon. Romememena asks for a recommendation for a nurse. The doc knows two good ones who are available. Romi says she’ll hire both, one for day and one for night. Emo is a little surprised and disapproving, but I think he should embrace the idea, because even a devoted and responsible new mother can use some help, and Romememena is neither devoted nor responsible. They agree to name the baby Bernardo after Camila’s father.

Gabriel preps the fruit and cheese while Eugenio fetches the wine and tells him about the priests saying La Loca was lying. He’s going to visit JC in the morning and try to take on the case. Gabriel asks him to be sensitive to Paloma’s delicate feelings, as she’s gotten more shocking news than she can process already in this kangaroo court.

Miriam and Ange are also drinking wine, and Ange is getting all melancholy. She’s been hanging around Emo too much. Blah, blah, blah, it’s hard to be near Orlando and see him control and steamroll another woman’s life (not exactly her words), but she’ll be leaving soon and going back to the big city anyway. “What pants you have!” says Miriam (exactly her words, directly translated). She doesn’t think she’d have the strength to live so near to, and yet so far from, a delectable dictatorly dreamboat such as Oily Orly.

Crueloca snarls at Rufi for daring to say negative things about her and get involved in the investigation. “But I just told them that you said Javier’s house was mortgaged (hipotecada) and he had debts and no money, and it didn’t make sense.” Cruel claims she had to do this to keep the secret. Paloma is now getting irate, yelling that she doesn’t understand any of them. Why all the mystery, and why didn’t Mac know about any of this? If she had, they wouldn’t have been so worried about finding money for Paloma to go to school. What good have all these shenanigans accomplished?! As usual when she is challenged, Carloca just ups the volume and claims this is all hurting her more than anyone else. Well, Paloma is mad as hell, and she is not taking it anymore. If there was all this money, she shrieks, why did Tia Loca spend all these years telling Paloma and Mac they were her charity cases and treating them badly, when it’s surely been Paloma’s money supporting them all this time? Paloma storms out and Rufi glares.

Don YouGenius and Gabriel meet Juan Cris at the prison and tell him that Germy is a lousy lawyer and is under Carlota’s thumb besides. Eugenio offers to represent him. JC is more worried about Natalia, and Eugenio says not to worry; he will represent her also. You can tell Don E is a better lawyer already, because he wants to hear about JC and Carlota’s entire history. Cris isn’t sure about switching counsel.

Paloma is back at the hospital, wearing a blue gown and hat and breathing right in the baby’s face. Romina apparently didn’t get the 3-way-custody schedule, because she appears and demands to know what Paloma is doing holding HER baby. Paloma does her best Bambi eyes and stammers that she loves newborns and didn’t think Romina would mind. So Romi does a 180 and says it’s so nice that Paloma still cares about her and her family, when she thought Paloma would hate the baby for separating her from Emiliano. Meanwhile, Emiliano has been SOOO affectionate lately, and finally Romina has the loving happy family she wanted. Gosh, if only you could find such a man and this happiness for yourself, dear friend, Romina smirks.

Rafael and Joel: business, blah, blah, Joel’s afraid because everything is going so well for him it must just be fixing to go bad, don’t be afraid, you deserve it all.

Luz sees her favorite little urchin on the sidewalk. Little urchin’s name is Xochitln, and some nasty man yells at her and shakes her because she didn’t sell enough of whatever. He shoves her into a car and drives away. Luz runs after the car and hits it with her purse.

Natalia tells Ivonne that she thinks that will is absurd. However, if it was valid, does that mean that Carlota had nothing to do with Alonso’s death? Ivonne still thinks his death was an accident. Natalia says maybe, but what was he doing in Pachuca? She gives Ivonne a letter and the photo to give to little Sagrario. Ivonne tells her to stop being such a pessimist. Soon she’ll be home and can tell Sagrario everything in person. Nat is not convinced, and says if things don’t work out, she wants Sagrario to think her mother is dead. Has anyone told her yet that her father is dead?

Cris paces his cell and asks God why Carlota can get away with whatever she wants and hurt everyone. He’s sure she’s bought Germy off, but he’s going to give the slimy slacker a chance to redeem himself.

Natalia wants Ivonne to adopt Sagrario and take all Nat’s assets to raise her, rather than letting her daughter find out that mom is accused of killing dad to run off with another man. We get a lingering look at the back cover of the photo, which refuses to cooperate and fall off.

Carlota smugly reminisces about her perjury and says out loud that she hasn’t given up hope that Cris will get so lonely in prison that he’ll accept her conjugal visits. Uh, Loca? He was a priest. I think he’s fine with celibacy.

Dastardly Dario assaults Miriam in a parking lot back in the city and threatens that she and Ange are going to pay.

Back at the studio, Eugenio says he thinks Cris doesn’t want to hurt Germán’s career, so he’ll give him one last chance, and then let the lawyer who actually has a little skill take over. He notices Gabe is looking better and smiling. Gabriel says he’s decided to declare his love for Paloma. He wants to live simply and honestly, even just for a moment. Dad is surprised but happy.

Romina tries to brainwash the baby into hating Paloma (who has departed). She calls Emiliano at work and tells him she’s holding Bernito; he’s so snuggly (he is in the incubator and she is not even touching or looking at him). The baby starts to cry and Emo asks if that is their little Bernito. Of course not, says Ro, it’s another baby. She thanks Emo for giving her the best gift ever. He looks conflicted.

Mean guy pulls up in front of some modest dwelling and Xochitln runs inside and cowers on her bed. Mean guy immediately hits the bottle and yells at her some more. She hasn’t sold anything, which is why he hasn’t been able to drink for two days! (Am I misunderstanding him? He’s got a bottle right there, and he’s swilling freely). Luz has followed them and she eavesdrops.

Gabriel’s bravado has evaporated. Now he is huddled on the floor, worrying that it is not fair to Paloma to have a relationship with her when he knows he is going to leave. Eugenio says they have no idea when he’ll go, they thought it would be years ago but he is still here. They keep using irse, to go, not to die or anything. Why can’t they just say what is wrong with him? Until they actually say, I am now deciding that he is going to be called into service by the Israeli army, and whatever made him collapse is incidental. Anyway, Eugenio thinks he should just go for Paloma, and if he persists she’ll decide she loves him eventually. That sounds stalkerific.

Orlando/Angélica/Emiliano confab. Orlando: It seems like Germán is defending Carlota more than Cris. Ange: Didn’t I say I thought he was too inexperienced? Emo: I agree. He’s doing a lousy job of defending the padre. Also I don’t trust him. Ange: We need to find another lawyer.

Germy visits Carlota at home, claiming he came to see Paloma. He compliments Cruel’s cool-as-a-cucumber perjury skills. Even innocent people are more nervous than that! Anyway, he wants to let Paloma know that he’ll take her to visit Cris at noon tomorrow. La Loca gets all yelly and says he has to cancel the appointment. The two of them can NOT see each other!

Luz peeks through the windows until DrunkDad passes out. She sneaks in and rushes Xochi out to her car. DrunkDad wakes up and stumbles after them, yelling “she’s mine!” as Luz peels out.

Madeleine worries that it might be too late to help Cris. Eugenio tries to reassure her.

Rafa and Joel are interrupted in their chatter by Luz, who requests that Rafa meet her at the apartment ASAP.

Orlando brings Camila an orchid, because he thinks of her all the time. He only cares about what she wants, he claims, so he’s willing to compromise and go on a shorter honeymoon. Then, eventually, they will move to the U.S. “WHAT?! NO.” He actually seems surprised that she doesn’t want to move. “Business. Daughter. Grandson. Home,” she spells out for him. She’s okay with taking short trips wherever he wants to go, but she is not moving away. Orly looks perplexed that she’s making this so difficult. After he brought her an orchid and everything!

Ivonne flails into Doc B’s office, crying about her talk with Natalia. Doc B empathizes but thinks the case may be hopeless. She gives him the letter and photo, and again we linger on the back of the frame. Someone drop that and break the glass already.

Paloma sits in the park and sketches. Emiliano sits across the park and doesn’t see her. Some young lady gets out of a taxi and calls to him. “Anamar!” he says. They smile and hug tightly. Paloma sees and is impactada.

Coming attractions: Germán sees Romina flirting with Gabriel and gets all jealous, and later forcefully kisses Romi, right out in public as usual.

Labels: amor

After the accident, Rafael debates with himself: should I help her or escape? If he sticks around and helps her, he could get into big trouble about the accident. But if he leaves, no one will be around to help her. “The Debate” keeps popping up throughout the episode.

Rafael scrambles down the hill. We hear moaning so she must be alive, but the car is empty. Then he spots her, thrown from the car. Remember: always wear your seat belt. She crashed, rolled the car several times, had the sudden impact hitting the bottom of the ravine (remember, falling doesn’t hurt you; it’s that sudden stopping that hurts you!), and flew from the car. So of course, no injuries more serious than some significant abrasions, bruises, and perhaps some broken ribs. The Debate. He decides to take her for medical help, and pays special attention to recovering her purse and reviewing her legs. He manages to carry her up the hill and prepares to put her into the car. The Debate.

There is a big party related to the wedding tomorrow. I believe it’s at Alejandra’s parents’ house. Marco, the novio, is telling his associates (not friends; slime molds don’t have friends) all about their plans – the wedding, money, money, the honeymoon, money, money, their apartment, money, money, and by the way, money, money. He’s confident it’s exactly what he deserves.

Susana is worried that Alejandra is not there yet. She tries to tell Marco but he blows her off – her business meeting probably ran long. Susana should know better than to bother Marco about insignificant details such as his novia, when he’s preoccupied with important things like his wedding.

Marco takes a call from somebody, and goes to another room so he cannot be heard. Rest easy, Marco, you can’t be heard, not even by the recapper. Anybody know what the conversation was about?

Ramon goes to Rafael’s house to collect his debt. Leonor (Rafael’s mom) asks him in, have some food, get comfortable, Rafael will be here soon. This is the friendliest repo man you’ve ever met, but when Rafael doesn’t show up after awhile, Ramon and his helpers start hauling out the collateral, IOW Leonor’s possessions.

Rafael gets to the emergency clinic, and there is no stretcher available. Nor doctors. Nor medicine. Nor blankets. But they do have plenty of one thing: forms to fill out! He takes her to the examining room and wants to escape, but the admissions nurse wants to fill out her form. Rafael says he needs to collect the patient’s purse from his car. Out in the car, The Debate. As he rifles her purse, he discovers the details of her life – several credit cars, a work badge identifying her high position, good health insurance, car insurance (most people in Mexico don’t get car insurance), and I think a club membership. Rafael goes back to give the nurse Alejandra’s information. The police captain (?) and his staff come into the clinic to see if they can drum up some police business.

The police start asking Rafael questions, and Rafael starts lying, making up his story as he goes. He explains that he is the patient’s husband, and gives a false name. He’s feeling more motivated to leave, now that Ale is safely in the clinic, and the police are getting too close.

The Debate. Rafael checks on Ale before he goes, and is bothered that no one is taking care of her. The clinic doesn’t even have medicine to give her, so he goes to the pharmacy, hocks his watch, and brings her medicine. He also covers her with his coat because no one has given her a blanket. He takes her hand, and she grasps his tightly. Through it all, he’s becoming more concerned that she’ll be okay. Too bad her fiancé isn’t as concerned for her.

Susanna keeps trying to get Marco to do something because Ale hasn’t shown up yet. She calls the florist in Cuernavaca and finds out Ale left long ago. She pushes Marco to call the police. When he calls, he tells them how terribly worried he is for his fiancé. He also gives them her license plate number. Soon he gets a call back, telling him that Ale was in an accident. Susanna says they should go together to find her, and not worry the parents. Marco immediately tells Alejandra’s father, the one with the bad heart.

At the clinic, finally Ale has her medicine and a doctor is attending her. The Debate. It looks like Rafael can finally leave. Just then, Marco and Susanna arrive. Marco tells the admissions nurse that he’s the patient’s novio. The nurse raises her eyebrows but keeps her mouth shut, rin-chin-chin. Marco asks the emergency room nurse who brought in Alejandra. Pointing to Rafael, the nurse says, “He did – the husband.”

Tomorrow: No good deed goes unpunished.

Labels: dinero

The kidnap expert suggests to Alex: "Maybe your wife had a lover and just pretended to be kidnapped? Or maybe she's dead!" Alex loses it. Pedro also loses it (yet again), he sobs while his "nearest and dearest" comfort him with tedious platitudes. FF>>

Speaking of tedious platitudes, their diminutive queen (Filipa) asks Vic, she who is still tediously pining for Fernando: "What do you care about more, "them" (as in "what would *they* say") or Fernando and your own happiness?"

Raquel gets her chauffeur to drive her home where she yells at Victoria, tells her MJ is probably dead and who cares anyway. She wants a divorce, she hates Roberto, and [to get this over with] - at first she says not only will Roberto not get a peso in the divorce but he can't have the baby either, but Vic points out to Raquel: "Well you don't want her!" She nags until Raquel yields and says Roberto can have Vic Jr.

Roberto reminds everyone he has a degree in International Relations and Alex agrees to give him a job. Awkwardly Vic says he better move out of the big house because sooner or later Raquel will come back ... "but you can stay in Bruno's chalet until then." Alex is impactado to hear Bruno's been gone for a couple weeks, ostensibly working in the capital...

... but as we know, Bruno's actually been in the country trying to win MJ back, with nice dinners and flowers and kisses etc. She is friendly, happy even, but not budging much, and is drinking nothing "because of how things were in Spain." She tells him, "To be honest, I dreamed about a baby and a man - and the man wasn't you." "You probably saw him in a film or a magazine."

Alex pretty much figures out the whole scheme - that MJ has been kidnapped to pass for Sandra - when he hears about the Doc he googles him and finds out Jorge does experiments on - MEMORY ERASURE! Ah, if real life were only this simple. We never get that música de suspenso to clue us in when clues fall into place... The next day Fer says he'll get Alex an invite to the big party in the country so he can see for himself.

Bruno tells Doctor Jorge about MJ's dream - is she getting her memory back? Jorge is not worried, he has stronger drugs that will completely burn out any possibility of her recovering her memory and will use them if necessary! He tells Bruno: "I am famous! I win prizes and publish in prestigious journals!" He says: "Sandra is in a nigh-vegetative state but I've sandblasted her tattoos away, so it's time!" Bruno says he'll do it...

Elena brings MJ-as-Sandra to the grandfather, who tells Elena to beat it. Elena goes to the clinc and tells Jorge she's worried: "Maybe MJ will slip up without me there to run interference." Jorge doesn't care.

Gramps teaches MJ how to play chess and they take a long walk and she pushes him on a swing and generally enchants him. She even beats him at chess. While they're all together, later, Fer calls about the party. Gramps reports to Fer: "Sandra's here and she has such a gorgeous smile." Fer reports to Alex who says: "It must be MJ, nobody else has that smile."

Paula graduates. Ezekiel and Vic and Pedro and Roberto and Meche and Gabriel come to the ceremony. Some band plays a tune with lyrics I would not want at my graduation: "Kill me - do with me as you please." The girls clap along, but not on the beat. Roberto gives Paula flowers and dances with her and a bunch of other girls in white and looks very happy and relaxed. Seeing that, Gabriel frowns.

Bruno and his sidekick Erick get an anonymous-looking black SUV and use it to dump the comatose Sandra, wrapped like a mummy in a sheet, in front of the Lombardo mansion. Utter pandemonium! She's carried into the house and an ambulance is summoned.

Alex is at the hospital with Maura, who's about to be a donor for her sister Lisette. She tries to get at least one on-the-mouth pity kiss but he deflects it affectionately. He gets the call that MJ has been dumped and is coming straight to the hospital.

Have you noticed Hernan is absolutely the only doctor anywhere? There he was about to deal with Lisette and Maura and now he's hauling in the gurney with Sandra-as-MJ on it!

Alex totally loses it - again. And Maura is muy impactada to hear that Sandra has appeared, "dropped like a dog" Alex says. Remember, Maura's in on these devilish doings. She calls Bruno but his phone is busy. "What did you do?" she asks rhetorically.

Erick and Bruno speed away from the scene of the crime. "What if she wakes up?" "No, the doc sez she'll die, and he is the winner of prestigious awards."

Elena appears at the clinic, Jorge roughly asks why she's here. "To see Sandra." "She's not here. She died." "Died? When?" "Two days ago. She had a heart attack." Elena gets upset, which exasperates Jorge. "Why are you upset? You never cared about her."

"I couldn't see her one last time? You jerk." "What, should I tell all the world?" [He can't really announce Sandra's death if he's trying to pass MJ off in her place, now, can he? be reasonable. --Ed.] "It's better this way." "What did you do with the body?" "Incinerated it." Elena says, as if this were any sort of revelation: "You're a man without sentiment." DUH. "You're inhuman, you have no scruples. How can I be around you?" "Takes one to know one. Anyway, you have your other daughter now, so shut up." She cries.

A lot will happen tomorrow! MJ will overhear Jorge mention "Maria Jose" and will ask: "Who is Maria Jose?" Alex will realize this comatose woman does not have the scar MJ has.

Labels: sortilegio

Good Lord! Here I am recapping Gancho when I should be heading off for an early bird dinner at Denny's. What is the world coming to? Univision, the AARP will picketing your studios real soon. In the meantime, I feel slightly dirty. Watching television in the afternoon seems perverse. Next thing you know I'll be drinking before lunch. When is lunch anyway? I'm all confused. You know how old folks are.

Well, and you know how Jeronimo is. As the episode begins this afternoon, Jeronimo is dishing out his usual insults to Ximena. Tarada. Taradita. Stupid. Stoopid!-- and so on. Our new, adorable-in-love Rolu defends her. (Jeez, I hope you menfolk don't hate Rolu also. 'Cause he is hawt, now that he's treating Xime right.) Xime is still teflon-coated. The insults slide right off and she hops over to bond with her sobrinitas (little nieces).

Back at the ring, the well choreographed lucha is still going on. Connie looks sexually aroused as she yells at the bad guys, Take it off! Take it all off! (The mask. What were you thinking?)

Meanwhile, Aldo has returned home in full adolescent sulk. Man, that brings back memories. He lurches through the room, not talking to anyone. Even Xime sniffs" Que educado!" (what manners!) Jacqui, ever positive, suggests they eat and then play some poker. (Guess who's going to rake in all the chips). She tells Katia to hustle off to the kitchen, put the food on plates and we have a second adolescent sulk in full gear. WHY DO I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING!? More memories.

Xime heads out to the kitchen to help and get the 411 on the real reason Katia's upset. After a little food talk (I learned "rollitos de parra": stuffed grape leaves. Is it dinner time yet?) and right away Xime digs out the real trouble. A guy, right? At school, right? Tell me all with "lujo de detalles" (with all the juicy details). Well, you know where this is going. Xime advises that Katja show Aldo that she can give him all the supposed other skanknovia can and MORE. The mothers among us shudder at the thought. Katia has a big grin on her face. Oh dear, oh no, oh crap!

A brief look at Aldo, opening his drawer with trembling hands, about to take a handful of pills. More oh no's. And Monita wants to jump in the ring to save Mauricio. Absolutely not. She'll get killed. The opponents ("contrincantes" as Hombre taught you the other day) are bad guys.

And speaking of bad guys, Count Oscar is still trying to put the moves on Gabriela, undeterred by a little red wine running down his face. She wants him out of her house. He wants her to remember their hot times together. She reminds him he's chasing Jacqui. He reminds her they're both adults, Sal's away, and why not enjoy a night together. I'd never betray Salvador and ESPECIALLY NOT WITH YOU, sniffs Gaby. Well said, amiga.

Some more quick scenes flashing back and forth from the ring to Aldo's room. Monita drags Cesar off to warn him about the de-masking plot. Tano (Love you, Tano, love you! don't care what Carlos says) and Costeño are standing guard by the ring. And Aldo is interrupted by a knock at the door. Good grief, is it Katja? I'm not ready for this. Whew...it's little Dany. Wondering why he's all alone. Would he like her to stay with him? Maybe play a game together. Crawls up in his lap, snuggles in and tells him she loves him. Awwwww. Let the healing begin. Good ol' Dany speaks really slowly and clearly. No need for closed captions. This reminds me of when I was a totally confused Hoosier provincial, living in Geneva, not understanding a word of the French I heard all around me, except for the little kids in the streetcars. Them I could understand fine. Long live the little folks! And in the dressing room, Monita, along with Estrella, Paula and Christian, are trying to convince Cesar to stop the fight.

Ugh. Back to Oscar and his nefarious seduction attempt. What if Sal has been reconsidering? he suggests. You know we men love our freedom. And his marriage to Loriloca was a disaster. Maybe the reason he hasn't returned your calls is he's too busy with all those gorgeous women in Venezuela. Gaby doesn't budge. He'll come back, she answers calmly and we'll get married. With him I've found "refugio y amor" so" Vete". And Oscar does, oozing out the door the same way he came in.

Okay, trying to stay on task here. But it's a quarter to 5! Surely dinner-time, no? Focus. Focus. Connie is reaming out her lucha thugs for not dispatching Furia and Fantasma. And in the locker room, the group think has come up with a new person to hop in the ring....Christian. It was a great scene with one head turning after the other, until the last head was a terrified Christian. In spite of his copspeak "negativo" they truss him up in a Big Bug outfit and send him out. Cesar turns off the lights, they pull Mauricio out, and throw Christian in. Poor guy is scurrying from one corner to the other, trying to evade the luchadores. Meanwhile, Monita, relieved to have Mauricio out of there, lays a big juicy kiss on ......ohmigawd, it's Beto. And Beto licking his lips, enjoys that last little smidgen of Monita-sweetness as well as her astonishment. And here it comes...yesssss, Monita is looking muy pero muy impactada.

Well, the carnage is not just taking place in the ring. Jacqui is having her way with everyone at the poker table. I understand absolutely nothing about poker. Neither does Xime. She wants to know which is better, a "rey bigoto" (mustachioed king) or a "7" (at least I think that's what she said). Rolu tells her a king is higher. So she lays down her cards and has four "7's". Which evidently is "poker". Hey, who cares? Let's eat. Jacqui pulls in all the chips and she, at least , is happy. And Arnaldo...yikes, it's a miracle. He actually reaches out with his latex-gloved hand to try and tentatively comfort Xime. Our little fresa has made another conquest. Who can resist her goofy charms?

More mayhem in the ring. Lots of fun gymnastics and terrified scurrying. It's time to douse the lights again and get poor Christian out of there now that Cesar understands about the switch in costumes. But now they want Christian to get into a Fantasma Vengador costume. No way. He's terrified. But you're a cop, protests Paula. Yeah, but I don't have my gun. And the only "lock" I know is one on a cell. So Paula brings out the big threat. If you don't put this costume on, we're gonna go right down to the courthouse and get married. Bingo, he's on board to be Fantasma.

Oh dear. Katja's going through Connie's lingerie drawer. Pulling out one itsy-bitsy lacey thingamajig after another until she comes up with what, in my day ,would have been known as a Baby-doll. Had a few but never in black. That would have been skanky. Mint green was my favorite. Moving on......

Aldo, meanwhile, is drawing a bath for Dany. Sweet scene where the girls thank him for standing by them and protecting them while Mauricio is gone from the house. Off Dany goes to get scrubbed and we breathe a sigh of relief, thinking that Aldo is past the danger of taking drugs. And second sigh of relief--for though Jeronimo is once again lambasting Xime for being a dope at poker, Rolu once again defends her. Ah Rolu, you are looking sooo good now that you're being nice. Is there a calendar in your future? Sign me up.

More luchador switcheroonies and disasters. Christian runs into some sort of screen, knocks himself out and thus, Furia Enmascarada, whoever's in the costume now (hunger pangs are distracting me) is all by himself. The bad guys are winning! And Monita appears to be running off with Fantasma Vengador. Connie sees, worries, and gives pursuit. Nobody leaves with her man, dang it!

Ay yi yi. Speaking of men.... and women..... Who knew about Katja!? Those babydoll's are being filled out in a way mine never were, I'll tell ya. Merciful heavens. This girl is full-grown and then some. Will Aldo be able to resist? Evidently not. After a few tepid refusals, he gets down to doing what Katja seems to be requesting. Mama mia! this is not good! Fortunately, Katja pulls back, realizing she didn't want her first time to be like this. First times should be romantic, magic, and above all for "love" and she knows Aldo is still in love with Estrella. He'd be imagining he was kissing her instead of our bounteous blonde teenager. She exits with a wistful, "I'd love it if we could be novios like we were before. But not just because Estrella broke up with you." Goodness. Excuse me. I think I have to go get some oatmeal to calm down.

Nope. No time. Connie has barged into the dressing room and sees Monita evidently kissing Fantasma Vengador (really it's Mauricio. Are you keeping all this straight?) Exit Fantasma or whoever it is. And who cares? Well, Connie does. She's not about to let Monita take her "cosas". They're not "cosas" ; they're people, snaps Monita. Well, what will Mauricio say when he learns you were kissing Beto? Remember when you told me you liked both vanilla (Mauricio) and chocolate (Beto)? smiles Monita. Well I like both flavors too. And I'm enjoying them both. And maybe they like having a little variety too, our little monkey sneers. Yep, things are heating up twixt Monita and Connie. And ditto for the ring.

Fantasma is back. Nieves leads a cheer as we have an impressive closeup of her rump. (If I were the actress, I'd sue.) Bodies are flying every which way and even the ref jumps into the pile. Alicia and Nieves cheer hysterically. And our boys win this round!! Big Bug and Big Slug triumph as the ref holds up their arms. The winnah!!! For now, anyway.

But wouldn't you know. Now that they believe the danger is past, our boys, especially brain-challenged Mauricio, want to change back into their original costumes. Cesar doubts the wisdom of this. There are reporters everywhere. Cameras. What if Mauricio gets exposed? Witnesses in the divorce case. Not good. Ugh. This must be more murky foreshadowing.

Paula, meanwhile, is trying to revive Christian. He sees the bright light of the screen he hit and thinks he's died and gone to heaven. Nopis. You didn't even get in the ring. Well, I would have. I'd do anything for love of you, Paula, he gasps. Yeah! Anything but marry me, you dog. And Paula puts him in a very fine hammerlock of her own.

Well, love is going a little more smoothly in Rolu and Ximena's big bed. They're snuggled up all close together while Xime mourns her card debts. How will she pay? No problem. Rolu will take care of it. (Oh, you adorable man. Looking better and better.) They muse that it was a fun, family evening, in spite of the losses. And Arnaldo is even warming up to Ximena, thanks to the nice things Rolu is saying about her.

Nice things? Did I say nice things? Well, not in the locker room. Connie is back in full venom mode. Guess that chocolate-vanilla chat didn't go over well. Big threat time. She KNOWS Mauricio is masquerading as a luchador and when she's thoroughly humiliated him , she'll also tell him that Monita was kissing Beto. It will be the "broche de oro de cerrar la noche" (the perfect way to end the evening). Beto is MY man and the father of the baby I'm expecting. You can't have him, she continues. Gosh, notes Monita, I thought men were just playthings to you! No. I really loved Mauricio and all my problems started the day you crossed my path. Little by little he slipped through my fingers. And now you're going after my Beto too. You're a robber, but I'll leave you with empty hands. I'll destroy you. When I finish with you, you're going to wish you were dead.

And on that lovely note, we end this afternoon's episode. Deny's here I come!

Previews:
Beto, in full triumphal mode, announces to the press that he's the unrecognized son of the famous gossip columnist Pepillo.
And Connie's plan to "out" Mauricio is foiled when a whole host of Big Bugs come out.
But lo', trouble lurks. Connie tells Mom she won't believe what she has planned. Oh dear.

Vocabulary:
rollitos de parra = stuffed grape leaves
el comal le dijo a la olla = the pot calling the kettle black
guamazote, guamazo = big thunk, big blow...as when Christian ran into screen and knocked himself out.
refugio y amor = easy, right? refuge and love
vete = also easy. Go! Leave!
contrincantes = opponents. Remember our "review and learn new" strategy.

Dicho of the Day:
Barriga llena, corazón contento. Full belly, happy heart. (y'know, it's so easy to make oldsters happy, right?)

Labels: gancho