Caray, Caray!

• Ale tells Beltran she quits: she saw her doll-self being destroyed in his group therapy. "If it had been as bad as you say, you wouldn't have had to quit, I would have fired you." He says he wants (after a good bank account) harmony in the workplace. "In how many businesses do the workers love their bosses, anyway? I trust you'll work it out."
  
  
• In his quest for the big sale that will free him from Ale, Rafa has found Refri Transport, a refrigerated trucks company. Pretending to be a buyer, rather than a seller, he finds out he has to make an appointment with a Mr. Zarate - by phone.
  
  He asks Susana for a phone book, she coldly hands it to him. He asks about Ale, whether she has quit. He protests he didn't participate in the mannequin massacre but Susana's having none of it: "I saw with my own eyes. I won't listen to any more, it is affecting my aura."
  
  
• Rafa calls Refri, but Zarate's secretary (sounding a lot like Vicki) tells Rafa (via the receptionist): such matters cannot be discussed by phone, he must make an appointment - for a person-to-person session - but no way. "Sorry, he's in a meeting." Rafa is not discouraged, he smells big possibilities.
  
  Ismael says: "If you can convince Refri, you'll never need another lottery ticket."
  
  
• Ale tells Susana she's staying. "Where's Medina? I'm desperate for him to pay me off and get out of here." She cries.
  
  Susana brings good news: she's made an appointment with a great lawyer named Pardo to get a second opinion on the hacienda embargo. "Great! Don't tell Marco!"
  
  
• Marco finally hunts Chavez down; predictably, he's in a smoky bar, surrounded by babes, with one of his excellent Saturday Night Fever shirts on.
  
  Chavez gives Marco the cold shoulder, huffily calls him "abogado" (lawyer), asks what he's doing here, and reproaches him: "I have my dignity. You beat and humiliated me."
  
  Marco defends himself, saying he had to look good in front of the family. "Well, I had the impression you weren't acting! You hit me with all your heart and soul! You detest me!" Like a wounded lover, Chavez asks: "What am I to you?"
  
  Oh, Marco is going to have to suck up if he wants Chavez back on his team. "Chavez, you are ... a big friend ... um, a lawyer... intelligent..." (he's stammering) "simpatico... you have a great sense of humor..." Chavez is still pouting. "Something is lacking - you need to say you're sorry." Marco sputters but capitulates: "OK, I'm sorry. Satisfied?"
  
  "Not yet." "Then what?" "Invite me to drink a bottle of whiskey with you, to prove your true friendship."
  
  Marco yields, of course. Chavez ("but you should call me Vicente") introduces him to some babes who he should "get to know profoundly."
  
  Marco says he has to go, Ale is waiting, but Chavez is indignant: "This is how you treat me? This is true reconciliation? Our friendship is not important enough?" "OK, I see. I'll stay a bit longer." Chavez ("call me Vicente") says he can get them a "private place and another bottle."
  
  
• Marco calls Ale and tells her Urdiales has suddenly called and forced him to go meet some business contacts at a bar. "I'll try to get an advance from him to pay some of your father's debts, since you haven't succeeded in getting an advance from Beltran." "Oh, yeah, right. OK, tomorrow then."
  
  
• That evening at 5:30, an embarrassed Ale passes by the sales team (as they prepare to leave early) on her way home. After that departure, Susana is mad at all of them and says she'll report them if they leave. "But we have to visit clients." "Show me the clients, then we'll see."
  
  After Susana walks away, the team chides Dandy for his failure to seduce Susana - he says he failed because she's from another planet. "I need to restructure my strategy and do something against my principles. Find me a vegetarian restaurant!" They are astonished.
  
  Later, Dandy adjusts his suit and asks Susana about a good vegetarian restaurant, she lights up about it, he invites her, she refuses: "I want to go - but not with you."
  
  
• Jimenez goes to see the sex therapist, begging her to be discreet - "my co-workers would make fun of me and my mother-in-law would kill me!" He says the problem is he gets no sex at all from his wife; she thinks he's a "disgusting fatty."
  
  "No, you aren't," says the therapist, massaging his shoulders. "Do you get excited by other women? If so, the problem is not a sex problem, but a relationship problem. You think she is like a mother."
  
  
• Rafa gets a call from Pepeta, who has found a buyer for Rafa's beloved "Panther" (the black car he ran Ale off the road with, the car that's been in the police impound ever since).
  
  Rafa is relieved, but also miserable - his love affair with his car is longer than any other he's had... Pepeto: "You're breaking my heart, should I cancel?" "No, no, I need the money." "Meet me at this bar..." (We know it's the bar where Marco is making out with babes.)
  
  Rafa arrives and says he won't part with his car till he sees the money - experience has taught him something. Pepeto is mildly indignant.
  
  A proposito, Pepeto says: "I hear you're saving the skin of Auto Siglo. You're the star. How's it going with your debt?" "It's hell, I can't do it, I'm looking for a huge sale so I can get out from under."
  
  Rafa gets a call from Vicki Vicki Vicki and while enduring her squeaky scolding ("don't send your brothers, I'll be there in 20 minutes") he sees - he sees - he sees - Marco macking with the red-hot mama! Marco is trying to leave but not without many more kisses.
  
  Pepeta asks Rafa why he looks like he's having a heart attack. "My boss's boyfriend, macking another mama -- and they're supposed to be getting married!"
  
  
• Next morning, Rafa answers the phone and Ale is more vitriolic than usual: "No, I didn't quit, I won't leave you in peace till you pay me to the last penny. GET IN HERE!"
  
  Rafa is almost out the door when Jaime shows up; Rafa asks for a favor. "But Rafa, I don't have any money." "Not that - here, take this money and liberate my car from the pound."
  
  Jaime is happy for him, knowing how much "The Panther" means to him, but Rafa corrects him: "I'm selling it to pay my debts." Now Jaime is dejected for him, and cautions: "Rafa, be careful with Pepeto - his businesses are shady..."
  
  Rafa tells Jaime what he saw at the bar. "I don't know what to do about it."
  
  
• Minutes later, at Auto Siglo the team is terrified of Ale's vengeance but she glides in all sugary smiles.
  
  In the sales meeting she tells Ramirez his voice always transports her to heaven; she speaks respectfully to Rosaura, asking if she should use "usted" with her. "Would a quota of two cars be satisfactory?" Rosaura would prefer a quota of one. "Susana, please put Doña Rosaura down for one. And Jimenez, would three be too many?" "Perhaps a bit high." "Put Jimenez down for two." He won't need his Pepto Bismol today. She calls Claudia sexy and demure.
  
  She offers to hold Medina's chair for him. "Please, be comfy." She massages his shoulders (giving his head an aggressive little crack from time to time).
  
  "In general, there will be no more torture, you are all responsible adults who do not need to be pressured for results. Susana, each may dictate his or her own quota. Have a marvellous day." She glides out.
  
  Ramirez is exultant: his method worked! [He is evidently impervious to the sarcasm with which Ale's performance was permeated.]
  
  Susana thinks this is ridiculous and will end in disaster; Ale points out it's what Beltran wanted, a "good atmosphere."
  
  Beltran comes in and says everyone is happy. He tells the sales force to go out and sell. He thanks Ale but starts to worry when she says "Let them work it out on their own, a democracy." "What? You'll ruin me." "It was your idea." "Can't Susana do it? She can release you from friction by harassing them for you."
  
  He tells her Medina, ace salesman, deserves preferential treatment. She seethes.
  
  
• Rafa gets his Panther back, all legal. "I need time for us to be alone together." Jaime says he'll leave them to enjoy their intimacy and falls over. (?) Rafa calls Pepeto: "I need 24 hours with my darling car."
  
  He is stroking and cooing over his Panther when Ale emerges from the showroom. She hits the car, remembering the accident, and faints. He scoops her up.
  
  She comes to and yells, "Why did you bring it here, to torture me? I'll get my fiance to get rid of it."
  
  She thinks Rafe should give her the money he gets from the sale, but he says the car is outside their agreement. She disagrees and again says she'll call Marco.
  
  Rafa: "Go ahead, if you can find him... if you believe in him so blindly..."
  
  Ale: "What do you know that you're not telling me?"

Labels: dinero

Oh my, what a rollercoaster ride this was today! Fabulous physical comedy with Connie slinging Beto around like a a hyperactive lariat, Jacqui seducing Costeño and Arny discreetly eyeballing Ximena's cleavage. Nieves' wedding outfit was worth an episode in itself. Words just aren't adequate. Like Carlos, I am speechless. Even Mau and Hissy's surreptitious glares were high comedy. But dang! the serpent won in the end, discovering the photos and deep-sixing the wedding. All for the best though. It ain't over till it's over, and frankly, Monita's wedding dress was rather frumpy. She can do better. And the grand finale wedding is going to have to be grander than this non-starter. So stay tuned. In the meantime, let's go over what happened.

There's the loud knock of doom as Ivan arrives with the photos. The writers are really playing with us. Monita opens the envelope, she draws out one....the photo of her and Toxic Mom. Smiles tenderly. Starts to draw out more. Another knock! Nieves on the warpath, determined to show her that mom is lying and the wedding should go on. Off go an outraged Alicia and Monita, trailing Nieves, to get the 411 from the good doctor. No time to look at the rest of the photos. They're tucked in the gym bag. Lose 'em please!

Don Cesar, resplendent in shiny tangerine and electric blue (spandex will never be the same) is coaching a comely new boxer when Jacqui arrives, sniffing male sweat like a cat in heat. Warns Cesar that Marcos is bird-dogging his woman and is about to heave her to the altar. Must be stopped. He agrees. She aims a couple of well-distanced air kisses and sashays out, only to bump into Costeño. Lust at first touch. Even if we hadn't seen the previews we know where this is going. Enjoy, Jacqui!

Now comes my favorite scene. Lord, Connie is so funny in this I'm beginning to like her. Flailing with anger as she confronts Dad in the office, she whomps poor handcuffed Beto against the door, then slams him down on the couch, followed by a sharp whip into a chair. He's groaning and holding his nether regions while she peppers Marcos with a string of reproaches. Papa is unfazed by either the physical mayhem or the complaints. He was just cleaning up the mess Constanza has made of people's lives...the hurt and injury to Mauricio, his children and Monita. Beto receives another bash, thanks to Connie's flailing arms and when he ties to protest, she clamps her hand over his mouth. She's super outraged that Papa helped Mau get his kids back. Beto comes in for another shake and thump. I'll never forgive you, are her parting words. Beto manages to bleat "con permiso suegro" as he hobbles out the door. Divine. Simply perfect. Those two actors are magic together.

Hissmeister (thanks Jeff) arrives at the gym looking for Connie. Quite cranky that she's not there.

At the doc's office, he sticks to his story that Isabel's leukemia has returned and there is no treatment available. Monita's outrage knows no bounds. Nieves' head is so low, it's around her plump little knees. She slinks out in shame.

Back at the house, Connie and Beto are still bound at the wrist and bickering about bondage. He's pointing out the upside of their close encounter and they're about to get busy again when Hissabel calls. After chastising Connie for missing their appointment, she reassures her there's no worry about the wedding. Hissy has sabotaged it. But she doesn't have time for the rest of her plan and needs Connie's help. Fine. But not right now. Connis is buuuusssssssssy. Later. She tries to fob off the phone call as from her mom, but Beto is suspicious and insists on checking to see if Jacqui is home. This time Beto is doing the slinging and sure 'nough, there's a great big mound under the blanket in Suegra's room. We're treated to a view of Jacqui entangled in some manly muscular arms and she's just as happy as we'd expect her to be. Explanation to outraged daughter? Mom was stressed. Needed to relax. And they interrupted her little "pedacito de ciel". Pedacito! (little piece) Pedazote!(great big piece!) quips Costeño. Amen. ....And hallelujah, I'm sure.

Another treat for us: Isabel is seeing herself in the mirror as haggard and dying. Again, a fateful knock at the door. This time it's Mauricio, come to see Monita before the wedding. Issy is confused. Didn't Valentina tell you the wedding was cancelled? Nope. Well, smiling evilly, destiny has given me the perfect weapon. The leukemia has returned. Monita arrives and confirms it. Darling, we can't marry...not now...I can't leave my mother alone! Quick on his feet (for once!) Mauricio smiles, but of course we'll marry and we'll take care of you, you'll live with us, we'll care for you like a family. Our love and affection will protect you. As Monita hugs her mom, Isabel glares over her shoulder at Mau. And Mau smiles back. Even though we know this triumph will be short-lived, gotta enjoy it.

After a break for ads, we see Mauricio continuing to rub it in. Great choice, don't you think Isabel? You don't need to feel alone. Because you have us! You leave me without words, Isabel mumbles, such a noble gesture (glare glare). Don't know how to thank you. Valentina, still blissfully clueless, burbles "Now you understand why I love Mauricio sooo much." More burbling. Mau wants mamita in the church to share her daughter's happiness. Let's not think of sad things right now. We'll all be one big happy family and fill you with love. Feeble protest from Hissy. You don't want to be saddled with a dying person. Nonsense. We'll wrap you up in love and healing. So on to the wedding this afternoon! (more deadly glares).

Some tainted mother love back home as well. Connie is still berating Jacqui for falling so low as to bed with a third-rate luchador-- after having consorted with yacht sailing millionaires! Beto is clearly amused and gives the thumbs up to the whole romp. Jacqui sniffs that she was interrupted when she was about to touch the stars for a second time so vamoose. Making the best of it, Connie and Beto leave for another round of Fantasma Vengador.

Back at the barrio, more burbling but you've heard it already. And when Estrella arrives to get Monita ready for the wedding (but Mom was going to dress me, protests Monita) Mau finesses the moment by saying it's best to let Hissy rest and let the girls go off together. As soon as they leave, the masks drop. What the hell do you think you're doing? I've learned to play under your rules, gloats our galan. Hatred and resentment are making you ill. "El tiempo tarde or temprano nos pasa la factura". (sooner or later Time presents us with the bill) While I still have the strength, I won't rest until I separate you two, snarls Isabel. Gag.

Lighter scene now. The obligatory collage of trying on dresses, whirling and twirling, hair and makeup, nails, girlish giggles. Monita flips back and forth between joy and sadness. Her buddies reassure her. Upshot. Estrella's dress. Horrid. Gypsyish but not in a good way. Gabriela's...stunning. Looks great on her. Paula's. Nice dress, gold with black lace cumberbund but somehow it made her look thick-waisted. And she's not. Oh well. And as I said, Monita's was frumpy.

Now we're at the bleak, dark cabaña with an equally bleak Sal, Aldo, and Oscar. Lorenza is as chirrupy as always and Nice Nurse is negotiating carefully with her boss. Oscar doesn't want any more wasting of the zombie syringes on Aldo. He can make do with the pills Jeronimo brought him. When Aldo protests, Oscar decks him. Sal grinds his teeth but manages to continue faking semi-comatose.

Speaking of bleak, we've got a cranky, sulky (but hawt!) Rolu in wheelchair, having waited all morning for Ximena to come home and help him dress. Too bad. She was busy helping Lalu fix up the church super guau and now barely has time to get dressed herself. Downstairs, Lalu is gushing over his own superlative efforts (I'm "number one" he gloats in English. The closed captions say "Lumber one". He'd probably be flattered.) How I love myself, he concludes. Arny, though, is feeling guilty. Wants to apologize for the charade of being gay. No problem. I'm not really wounded, sniffs Lalu and besides, I love to touch people and you're so edgy. Not to mention "the other". No, no clearly we're not meant for each other. Upstairs, same subject. Arny's gayness or lack thereof. Ximena's not convinced but she has the perfect test. If she wears the high-necked green dresses and Arny carries on about how adorable she is in it....he's gay. If she wears the red dress with the plunging neckline, and he doesn't say much at all, but spends the evening ogling her chest, he's hetero. You mean YOU'RE DRESSING FOR MY BROTHER!? yelps Rolu. Yeah. That's pretty much it, handsome.

Downstairs: More apologies. Well, lucky I'm not macho, explains Lalu. Or I'd knock you flat for what you did. But a queen like me, nevah! Well, I did love your letters, adds Arny. How wonderful it would be to receive a letter like that from a woman, he conludes wistfully. Lalu almost drops the bomb but then doesn't. Dang. My brother doesn't deserve Ximena though, Arny adds. Her freshness, her spontaneity, her innocence, the pureness of her love...you forget everything when you're around her and just live in the world of Ximena.

Lalu: You feel something serious for her or am I wrong?
Arny: No no. She's my brother's wife. She's off-limits.

For now, Arny. For now. But we shall see.

Back at the spider's web, Isabel is looking funereal but elegant in black jet jacket and sheath. Alicia bounces in, mouth going a mile a minute, to über-gush and counsel. Forget your troubles for the moment. Enjoy the wedding and your daughter's happiness. Monita is the one who's important today. Deal with the rest tomorrow. "The rest" is my death, snaps Isabel.

And now we're at the church. Gosh, could the wedding actually be happening? We see the kids all dressed up and a very grumpy Constanza, still chained to Beto and still complaining. He manages to charm her out of her bad mood. Amazing. Elegant Jacqui and an equally elegant Costeño arrive in matching black and white. Color symbolism rules! Even in a post-coital glow though, she still manages to snipe at Marcos that it's nice he's here for the wedding of his ILLEGITIMATE daughter. And pushing Costeño aside, lest tongues wag, she proposes marching in to the church with Marcos. But he has his eye on Nieves. And who could not? Good gawdamighty, the costume and prop room have gone ballistic. She's wearing a nightmare hat, a fuzzy boa, busy patterned coat and droopy long blue skirt. Topped off with some wretched red animalito purse. My mouth is hanging open. So is Marcos'....but with delight. Clearly he's madly in love. No other explanation.

And now Arny sees Ximena. What does he think of her dress? He thinks she's absolutely adorable in it. (He's gay!) Clueless Ximena doesn't notice that his eyes are dipping into her cleavage every two seconds. But Estrella does and tells her. (He's NOT gay!) Overall conclusion. He's "complicated". Double Amen.

Back at the spider web. Isabel is doing her best to delay the wedding and even her adoring daughter is getting impatient. Not to worry. Bride always arrives late. Let me take a picture of you. Where is the camera? Oh, the pictures have already been developped. But I haven't really looked at them. Oh how exciting! Let's do it now. First one, Mom and Monita together. Next one, Monita and Estrella. She's my best friend and just like a sister, smiles Monita. And next one? Yes indeed. The nightmare photo. And the next one too. Aieeey. Esto no puede ser. Stunned and sickened, Monita drops the photos. Mom quietly gloats. And there we end.

Previews:
Costeño is giving Jacqui a relaxing massage while she encourages him to go even lower. (Can't wait for that scene!)
Beto appears to be in a park, seduced and abandoned? while a doggie runs off with his pants.
Mauricio is waiting at the altar, confident that nothing can now separate him from the love of his life.
Monita marches in the church looking like thunder.
Well hey, as I said, I didn't like the dress.

Vocabulary:
lapa = limpet (Connie explaining that Beto is stuck to her like a leech, limpet..."pegado como una lapa")
manita de gato = a little touch-up, freshening up , women putting on makeup and getting gussied up
champurrado = a thick hot drink made of ground corn and chocolate. Beto talking about Costeño when he found Jacqui in bed with him
pedacito = little piece
pedazote= big piece (Costeño)
luchadora de quinta = literally fifth=rate luchador, but we'd say third-rate, or second-rate
chacalón octogenarlo = eighty-year-old jackal (Jacui warning Cesar about Marcos' intentions with Nieves)
tiradero = mess. Marcos chiding Constanza for the mess she's made of people's lives with her resentment and vengeance.
esto no puede ser = the inevitable telenovela phrase, It can't be!

Dichos of the Day

Two were used in today's episode....

El tiempo tarde o temprano nos pasa la factura. Sooner or later, time makes us pay the bill.

Nadie tiene la vida comprada. lit. No one has life "bought". In other words, we're not promised tomorrow. We don't know what life will bring. (Monita talking about her mother's situation.)

Labels: gancho

Jade tells Zoraida about the vow she made to Allah to renounce Lucas if his life was spared. She won't go after Lucas but she wants a divorce because whenever she looks at Said, she will think about the fact that Lucas isn't there and about the happiness that they could have had and it is all Said's fault.

Lucas rehashes his conversation with Jade and has flashbacks. He tells Rosa that his relationship with Jade is over. He doesn't understand why. He says that he will only believe it if Jade says it to his face.

Ali tells Jade that since she came to live with him, he has ignored his conscience many times by not noticing or hearing things just to defend her. He thinks he might burn in hell for this. Jade shows no understanding or gratitude for this. Totally absorbed in her own problems, she says that she wants to divorce Said. Ali goes through the reasons a wife can divorce her husband in Islam: not providing for the wife; hitting her; not performing the marital duties in bed and insulting the religion in front of her. Jade acknowledges that Said has not done any of these things. "Isn't being unhappy enough?" she asks. Ali tells her that if Said doesn't agree she cannot get a divorce.

Leo the lout is furious that Rosa let Lucas go to Morocco and Marisa leave the house.

Dora brings her mother to Cristina's house. This actress played Nanny in La Tormenta and Dolores in Zorro. First time I've seen her in modern dress. Like everyone else, she is very surprised to see how white Danielito is [I guess Dora hadn't even sent one picture of the kid to his grandmother.] Dora' mother [we don't know her name yet] is not one of those sophisticated New Yorkers. She has no idea what artificial insemination is and can't understand why Dora doesn't know what the father of the baby looks like.

Nariza encourages Latifa to go Mohamed's store with him.
Once she gets rid of them, Nariza signals to Osvaldo, who is lurking around outside. I notice that Mohamed and Latifa drive off in a car when I believe the store was supposed to be on the ground floor of where they lived. This scene got cut off very abruptly and I'm sure there was more to it.

Much later at night, Dora is dancing in the club. Osvaldo is there. He tells Vicki that he has a new girl from Arabia. Vicki in turn tells Dora.

Nariza lies around Mohamed's house singing, sighing and primping. Latifa suggests that she is in love with someone but Mohamed insists that anyone getting involved with Nariza would have to come to him first.

Marisa returns to Leo's house because she is pregnant. Leo is ecstatic and insists that she stay. He says that he will make Lucas take her back.

Zoraida tells Jade that there is a way that she can get a divorce. She has to make Said want to divorce her by irritating him a little bit every day until finally he says, "I repudiate you!" three times and prang - she's divorced. Jade vows to employ this method.

Everybody except Jade leaves to take Zoraida to the airport. Said tells her to stay at Ali's house and he'll come for her later. Jade avoids his kiss.

Lucas has arrived in Morocco. I hope he gets a special rate on his hotel room since he is there so much.

Marisa returns to Leo's house with her luggage. She tells Rosa not to tell Lucas about the baby. She wants to do it. Rosa asks if she has any cravings, "antojos." She says not yet. Rosa replies that she will get whatever Marisa wants.

Lucas devises a plan to get Jade back by talking to "him." He leaves the hotel room.

Albieri is furious that Dora will only let him spend Saturday afternoons with Danielito. Luisa asks, "When will you understand that Danielito is not your son?" "He's much more mine than hers," mutters Ablieri. Dora asks what he said and Albiero blows her off.

Dora's mother still doesn't understand the artificial insemination thing but she says that the kid is very strange.

Albieri decides to bring Danielito a gift. He is surprised to meet Dora's mother at Cristina's apartment. He tells her that he is the baby's godfather. She accuses him of being the father of the child.

The "man" that Lucas wants to talk to about Jade is Ali. Lucas goes to Ali's house.

He doesn't understand the servant who tells him that Ali isn't home. Then he sees Jade. She heads back into the house. Lucas pushes his way past the servant and goes after her. She asks why he has come. He is part of her past. Lucas doesn't understand. He tells her that he has left Marisa for her. They can be happy together like they always dreamed. He blames his failings in the past on the death of his brother that left him lost and not knowing what to do.

Jade tells him that it is over between them. She doesn't love him any more. She loves her husband. Lucas asks when this happened. She replies that not everything she told him before was true. She was using him to get her uncle Ali off her back so she go to the US but now she loves Said and can't live without him. Lucas says that his life without her will never be the same. Jade tells him to go back to his wife and when he won't leave she calls the servant to throw him out. As he is dragged out, Lucas yells back to Jade asking when did she stop loving him and that it was all a lie.

Two very unhappy people.


Leo is having a nursery made out of a guest room. Marisa thinks that it might be a little premature but then realizes that her son will be the king of the house.

Back at the hotel, Lucas flashes back to Diego telling him not to take women so seriously and just have fun. He vows that from now on he won't let any woman hurt him. He calls Leo's house and tells Rosa that the story of his love is over. She tells him that something marvelous has happened. He is not interested and says that he will return to Florida the next day.

Rosa asks Marisa not to throw the Morocco incident in Lucas' face. But Marisa is not the forgive and forget type. She says that until Leo insisted that she return to the house, she was going to get rid of everything to do with Lucas from her life, including the baby. Lucas will have to earn her forgiveness little by little and he will have to humiliate himself like he humiliated her. Rosa seems shocked.

Ali and Said return to the house and are informed by the servant that Lucas was there.

Ali reams out the servant while Said goes to Jade and asks if she is going to deny that Lucas was there. She tells him that she is innocent. If she were going to do something with Lucas, she wouldn't be there. She is tired of being blamed for everything. Having had the blame turned on him, Said starts to apologize. Ali starts to scold Jade. Said comes in and says that Allah sent Lucas to test him. He had suspicions about his wife but now he knows that they were unwarranted.

Dora's mother tells her that Albieri will take her child from her. She can see the love he has for the child. She suggests that Dora let her take the child New York. Dora replies that her child is staying with her in Miami.

Albieri asks Luisa to take the photo of Danielito off his desk. [He can't do this himself?] He doesn't want pictures of the child at the lab. Luisa asks if Albieri is hiding the child. Albieri refuses to respond to her question.

Jade, with a butter wouldn't melt in her mouth smile, tells Ali that she is at his house to learn to cook lamb for Said. Ali tells her the saying that there are two ways for a woman to conquer a man: at the foot of the bed and at the foot of the table. But Jade is really there to learn how to cook lamb badly for Said. She dumps a whole lot of salt in the pan.

Poor Said is so happy that Jade cooked for him but he can barely swallow the stuff.

When Said goes to answer the phone, Jade puts even more salt on his food. He can't eat it and there are no other dishes. Said is not angry. He says that Jade will learn in time. He tells her that they will go to a restaurant.

Of course, Lucas is in the restaurant. Jade pretends to want to be with Said while Lucas looks daggers at them.

The credits roll.

Labels: clon

I don’t even know how to begin with this one. The first 14 minutes were very intense. I was repulsed but slightly intrigued at the same time. It was kind of like watching a train wreck in progress, knowing there is going to be all sorts of carnage and horror; not wanting to look but not being able to look away.
So lets get started with a very difficult episode. There was lots of carnage. (in a manner of speaking)

We start out with Marino . He accuses our fake Ale of having a bad attitude towards her star salesman and thumps her on the head. This is just the beginning for our psychopath . He finishes verbally abusing her, walks away, turns around and returns to continue attacking her.

He is so enraged that he takes his belt off and starts thrashing the fake Ale. Everyone is looking on in shock except for Beltran who seemed to be in some sort of stupidly stupor. (Is that redundant) Susana is peeking through the blinds talking to Ale telling her she cant believe what she is seeing. She tells Ale she better get back here quickly.

Marino is still at it and it takes Dandy and Ramiro to pull him off her, all the time Marino is yelling she deserves it. He bows thanks everyone and they all applaud. (Has anyone ever seen Lord of the Flies?)

Bowtie guy is combing our dummies hair and Beltran says it is Claudia’s turn. She says she is embarrassed to participate in this. Beltran gives her a little pep talk laced with lust and that is all she needs.

She starts yelling at the dummy and tells her they have a little war going on. She accuses fake Ale of persecuting her unjustly and from keeping the list of clients from her that she deserved.

Claudia turns the tears on and lecherous Beltran is up to assist her to calm her down. (Yea that’s the ticket you old goat, undo her blouse a little bit. ) He tells her they understand her pain and are all there to help her as he yells at everybody “Right we are all here for her.”

Now Claudia is on the verbal attack. She tells the fake Ale that she could never please her boyfriend the way Claudia could. As Claudia now starts unbuttoning her blouse a little more and strutting ever so seductively and Marino and Dandy are up on their feet to get a better view.

Beltran is yelling at her to stop and Marino and Dandy are telling Beltran to let her be. Claudia is not done and starts up again with her little seductive rant. Marino has fallen on the floor and Dandy is having a hard time controlling himself. Poor Rafa is looking at them with disgust. Beltran is trying to convince Claudia to wrap it up. They all applaud her and give her hugs and kisses. (I feel like I have just fallen down the rabbit hole.)

We have a quick little break from the madness and find Marco looking for Chavez. He is apparently at Chavez house and the housekeeper is telling him she does not know where he is. He tells her it is urgent that Chavez get in touch with him. Marco than tries to call him and gets his voicemail. He tells him that they cant go on like this as they have a lot to loose. (honestly that scene was all to brief.)

Back to the freak show. It is now sweet Bebes’ turn. (I adore him). First off he calls our fake Ale a complete lady. We see a huge Rafa smile and everyone else is booing. He continues to say despite her faults she continues to be professional and he gently fixes her hair. He says after all we are all human with our faults. Bow-tie slaps Bebes face with the dummies hand. Then he tells Bebe to go away.

It is now Rosauras’ turn. She gets all flustered and says she cant do this. Bow-tie guy asks her why not and she says this dummy doesn’t look at all like Ale. They urge her to use her imagination and she tries to fix her up a bit. She is a little miffed at Ale because after all they are practically cousins and rattles on and everyone is looking confused. She feels discriminated against and then starts shoving the dummy around.

Marco is still on the hunt for Chavez. What would be the obvious place. A stripper bar. (At this point it is much better than what is going on at Siglo.) He asks the girls if they have seen Chavez. No one has seen him.

Next!! It is Ramiro. He starts out stuttering barely able to talk. It takes Marino coming up from behind to whack him on the head (Why not everything else has been just totally nutso). That’s all it took and Sweet sniffling Ramiro goes off on a tangent to equal Marinos‘. He compares her to his monster-in-law and starts choking her. I think he has gotten a little carried away and thinks it is actually his mother-in-law. Finally it is Dandy and Marino who tear him off the dummy.

This part was just stupidity working harder to be stupid. Marino punches him out to calm him down and then mob mentality takes over with everyone else slapping Ramiro. Even Bebe goes in for a slap. Our sweet Rafa was the only one who didn’t slap him. Then we see a very drained Ramiro. Finally we go to commercial.

Ramiro is asking forgiveness, and Beltran is telling him to calm down. Bow-tie guy is going on about transference. Beltran says Dandy is next and Rafa will be last. We hear Rafas’ voice over saying this will be his opportunity to finally talk about his feelings towards Ale.

Ale in the meantime is trying to wrap up her business over at truckerville. She tells them she has to get going. As she leaves she wonders what those jerks are up to back at Siglo. (Oh Ale you don’t want to know what is going on over at the nut house).

Dandy’s up next. His little scene was actually amusing. He starts out by spraying a little mouth freshener. (New approach. Lets try a little seduction.) He thinks it would be a good idea if they went out. Perhaps diner a dance, a little sex. Everyone is sitting a little locked-jawed at the site of Dandy dancing around with the fake Ale . (okay he gets a little carried away. Like get a room Dandy) and he has to be escorted away from the fake Ale. They all tell him to calm down and Rosaura pours a glass of water over his head.

It is now Rafas’ turn. Saved by the bell. His phone rings and it is ( all together now) Vicky Vicky Vicky.

So Bow-tie guy gets his turn. This was the funniest bit and a lot easier for me to tolerate. He simply bores everyone to sleep by talking about his books and how much they could all learn.

Ale has finally returned to Siglo and encounters Trapito in the parking lot. She asks him where everyone is. Trapito doesn’t want to tell her, but Ale knows is weakness and tempts him with a candy bar. She was really cute opening the candy and tempting him as if he was a two year old.

Poor Trapito can’t resist and takes the candy and tells her everyone is in the conference room. It was Beltrans orders and they are all inside with him. She thinks he is there to get them to work on the monthly sales objectives. (Oh Ale if you only knew what that jerk was up to).

We return to the conference room and everyone is snoring as Bow-tie guy drones on. They suddenly awake and all start yelling for Rafa to take a turn.

Rafa nervously approaches the fake Ale and is urged on by Dandy to finally speak his mind. After all he is the best salesman and Ale continues to treat him badly. Claudia tells him to finish her off.

Rafa tells her that she has helped him to discover that he is a great salesman. Everyone boos. He yells it is the truth if it wasn’t for her he would never have been able to sell as good as he has. Bebe is the only one looking pleased at Rafas’ words. He says she has made him feel things he couldn’t even imagine feeling.

He continues on stating that on the day of the accident he had encountered the most beautiful women he had ever seen. (okay I admit it, my jaw locked). He admits to having fallen in love with her. But she never even noticed the way he looked at her. Why would she when she was only worried about how he was going to pay her back all the money he owed her because of the accident. (My jaw is still locked).

Every one gets up and walks up to Rafa with looks of disbelief. Rafa is almost crying. He says despite the fact that he loves her he has to leave because he can’t take it any more being treated like a slave.

Everyone is circling poor Rafa now chanting at him to be tougher. He says he cant do that and starts hugging the fake Ale for dear life as everyone else is slapping at her and yelling at him to be tougher. This has gotten very intense and guess what? It was one of those tricky telenovela moments. (I will admit to being fooled for about the first minute or so). It was all a dream/wish sequence.

Rafa is standing now and everyone is asking him what’s wrong. You haven’t said a thing. She really has been unfair to you. Beltran wants to know if Rafa is so afraid of Ale that he cant even say anything. Rafa assures him that isn’t it.

Rafa simply and eloquently asks her to reconsider her treatment of him as he doesn’t feel it is fair. Then simply says thank you. Bow-tie guys wants to know what the heck was that. Everyone is very disappointed. Rafa sits down and looks very stressed.

Ale is asking Susana what is going on inside. Susana says it would be best if she saw with her own eyes. She tells her to be careful though because Beltran is inside and she wouldn’t want to get caught. Spying.

Beltran stands and says it was a very interesting exercise where everyone got a chance to express what they were feeling. He says the purpose of the exercise was to obtain a more positive attitude towards Ale. (oh yea right, what a load or horse radish). He hopes this will help them to be better sales people and hopes to see better sales. He tells them to all get to work and leaves.

Once Beltran leaves they all start attacking the fake Ale. Susana and Ale are peaking through the window and Ale wants to know what is going on. Susana says they are all attacking the dummy. Ale wants to know why she wanted her to return to watch them attack a dummy.

Susana explains to her that Beltran was giving this exercise and that the dummy represents Ale. Ale is horror stricken as she watches the mob like actions of the Siglo crew. Poor Bebe is valiantly trying to put an end to all the craziness. Marino once again has lost his mind and grabs the fake Ale and pounces on it.

Poor Rafa tries to rescue it and tries to pull it away from Marino. Ale is watching all of this but is totally misinterpreting Rafas’ actions. She thinks he is in on the mob scene and just wants his turn with the dummy. Then the head is ripped off and Rafa is left standing there holding the fake dummies head as Ale walks in. (my stomach started turning south at this moment).

Ale demands to know what is going on. Marino blames Rafa and said he broke the dummy. Bow-tie guy tries to explain what they were doing. Rosaura tells her she got there just in time to stop the madness. Ramiro says he thinks this exercise was a waste of time and its best if they all got back to work. (That's the first smart thing said all night.)

Poor Rafa is left holding the bag, I mean head and Ale goes off on him. She starts screaming hysterically, wanting to know what is going on. It is a very chaotic scene and bow-tie guy continues to try and explain the unexplainable. She wants to know why her face is on the dummy and why were they all hitting it.

She gives them two options. One to get back to work and try and make-up for what they lost or stay where they are and tell her if this is really her corpse (or something like that). They all scatter.

Poor Rafa is standing with a look of death on his face and Ale goes off on him like never before. She is crying and so am I. She calls him a disgusting jerk and a hypocrite. Rafa has not said a word and walks out. (This was a heart wrenching scene to see poor Rafa just devastated and Ale believing that Rafa was a part of it.)

Ale and Susana are alone in the conference room. Ale is destroyed and tells Susana she can’t believe what just happened. She screams for Trapito to come and clean the mess up and she leaves. Trapito picks up the dummies head and says but it has your face on it. Then he gets a wicked smile on his face and starts yelling at it then starts wiping up the floor with it. (This was way to much craziness for me).

Ale is in her office and cant believe what happened. She cant understand why they would do this to her. Susana tries to explain to her it was just an exercise for people to express how they feel. A way to get the bad feelings out they hold towards her.

Ale says they all hate her. Susana tries to calm her down. She tells her she doesn’t believe everyone hates her, well they don’t hate her a lot. Then Ale says and what about Medina. He was the worse of them all.
(I just so wanted Ale to have been there and seen how Rafa defended her.) She wants to know if Susana saw how he ripped her head off. She still cant believe it all.(That's because that is not how it happened.)

The group is walking out now blaming Bow-tie guy for the crazy experiment. Bow-tie defends his exercise and says it has been practiced at the most prestigious places.

Marino chides Rafa and Bebe for being on Ales side . (Now why couldn’t Ale be listening in to this conversation?) Rafa defends Ale, even though she treats him badly she has given him the opportunity to work at Siglo.

Ale still can’t believe Rafa was a part of this. Susana reminds her that she really doesn’t treat Rafa very well. She wants to know what she expected. To have him fall in love with her? She says she would expect him to at least be grateful for what she is trying to do for him. Susana accuses her of being more affected by what Rafa did then what all the others did.

She admits to being affected by this. She thought he would protect her and not be a part of the massacre. Susana tries to get Ale to calm down. Ale isn’t buying this. She is going straight to Beltran after all he was the one who promoted this crucifixion. She is not going to take it anymore. Susana can’t believe that she is going to resign.

Rafa is outside the door as Ale leaves her office and wants to talk to her about work. Ale goes off on him about the accident and reminds him of all the damage he caused her. The only thing he didn’t do was rip her head off. (Remember sarcasam is one of Ales' strong suits.) She wants to know if he wants to continue with all the damage he has caused.

Rafa tries to explain to her that things aren’t what they seem to be. He tells her he was trying to defend the dummy because Marino was beating the beeswax out of it. She does not believe any of this. She tells him not to worry though. He will never have to see her again because she is quitting. Rafa tries to get her to listen to him but this is not going to happen any time soon as she storms off.

Marco is still trying to get in touch with Chavez. He leaves a message telling Chavez what he is doing is very dangerous . He tells them they have to be a team and work together or they will both end up in jail.

Rafa is out and about now feeling very badly about what happened to poor Ale and the whole ugly dummy business. And the worse thing is she is going to quit because of this.

We have a little salon scene. They were talking about eating and food and where food was originated or some such stuff. I didn’t get too much of the conversation but found myself smiling anyway just because it felt like a bit of a break from all the other madness of the night.

Poor Rafa is out on the streets approaching everyone he sees trying to sell them trucks. He strikes out with the police, a stranded motorist and with two truckers who are repairing their big rig.

He settles for buying a sandwich and sitting on the sidewalk eating it ever so sadly. Ale barges into Beltrans’ office and tells him she quits. That is where we end.

Labels: dinero

EPISODE #27:
* Leona orders Rosie to tell her where she got the expensive ruby ring. Rosie explains nervously how Arcadio gave it to her. Leona is furious and asks if she went through the dungeon passages. She says of course, no. I would never disobey you, godmother. They continue to discuss Arcadio - Rosie tells Leona how abandoned he must feel now that Leona is spending so much time caring for Rod.

* Clemencia talks to her altar dolls in her room. Regina and Jimena enter, looking scared stiff. Clemencia is impactado to see them. Regina asks Clemencia to let Jimena stay there in her room for awhile. Clemencia agrees and pours Jimena some water. Jimena takes Clemencia’s hand gives her a palm reading -- whoa, interesting stuff; Jimena says there are “lots of secrets; many men; four souls intertwined”.

* Juan is on the beach, on his knees checking the sand, waves and wind as his fisherman friends approach. Juan tells them he still hates Rod; what he may do and also about his love for a specific woman.

* Aimee is in her bedroom - flashback to Juan showing her his home, the beach hut. Aimee is mortified to think he lives there. She won’t live there. She will marry Renato for his money and house; but at the same time she can’t live without her boytoy Juan.

* Federico and Raul sit in the plaza and talk.

* Raul in his home office - maid enters to see if he needs anything. He yells at her to leave him alone. She leaves. He thinks about Federico’s comments about Juan as he checks his pistol.

* Rod is in his bedroom, thinking about doing something to Juan.

* Raul looks at his pistol and thinks about Juan’s threat. He shoots off the pistol. Maid listens in the hallway and is impactado.

* Juan prepares to set sail; he says goodbye to his fisherman brethren on the beach. Pedro, Santos and everyone will miss him so much. Gabe approaches; Juan tells him that he has to visit his father’s grave. Gabe offers to accompany him. Juan meditates while watching the waves.

* Maid enters the office still impactado. Raul tells her not to worry; it was an accidental shot. She leaves. He thinks about suicide and Rod.

* Juan and Gabe are sailing the ship. Juan thought bubbles about sex with Aimee; Gave thought bubbles about his Estrella (Jimena).

* In the dungeon penthouse, Maria lays in bed, crying for Juan and shaking as Mirta sits by her side.

* Outside the big house on the finca at night, Arcadio and Leona argue about the ring he gave Rosie; during the argument Arcadio mentions her loveless marriage to Noel and her son Renato. Leona slaps Arcadio hard across the face. Arcadio plants a kiss hard on her lips.

* Juan and Gabe at a campfire talking. Gabe tells Juan a lesson his dad told him. Juan has this savage beast inside him and he has no idea how to extinguish it.

* Aimee is still in her bedroom. She paces back and forth. She has to marry Renato but she can’t give up Juan - she needs to kiss Juan and be with him. She decides to leave and find Juan.

* Juan and Gabe sail up to the dark beach. Juan tells Gabe he needs to see someone before they leave forever.

* Mirta and Maria continue their crying.

* At the cave, Aimee finds Juan. She tells him she doesn’t care what her dad says or thinks, she can’t live without her savage Juan. They make love.

* Mirta and Maria have miraculously made their way to the beach and find Gabe at the boat. Mirta grunts and signals to Gabe to help Maria. Gabe offers to get a doctor.

* Juan and Aimee continue to make love in the cave. When they finally stop, Aimee rolls onto her back and laughs and smiles. Juan on the other hand looks totally horrified and sits up. He flashback to when his father made him swear vengeance on the Montes de Oca family. He murmurs to himself as he walks away. Aimee is surprised and tries to entice him back to her. He refuses and instead he puts on his clothes and turns on her. He curses at her and dumps her. She is baffled.

* Gabe carries Maria to Juan’s house and puts her on the sofa. Mirta stays right by Maria’s side. Gabe goes to contact Doctor Pablo. Meanwhile, Juan arrives back home and is stunned to see two strange women in his house. He demands to know who they are and why they are there. Mirta grunts. He realizes she is mute. He understands her grunts and checks on Maria on the sofa -- she has a fever and is barely breathing. He notices the youthfulness of her face and is curious about who she is. Maria wakes up briefly and see Juan staring at her. She thinks he’s returned for her. He is stunned and baffled. She thinks she is dying. He tells her she isn’t dying. He asks her who she is. All she repeats is “You’ve returned. You’ve returned for me.”

* Arcadio and Leona are still arguing outside the ranch house in the dark. Now it’s about their secret being discovered and potential consequences when Rod finds out.

* Aimee returns to her bedroom, thinks about Juan completely turning on her and dumping her. She thinks he may have done it because of her engagement to Renato. She wonders how she will live without Juan; she may die at the ranch without him.

* Noel in the bedroom, thinking about Regina being in love with his son Renato, who is engaged to marry Aimee. Leona enters. Noel and Leona discuss her love for Rod. Noel wants the truth to come out about how jealous he is of Leona and Rod. Leona tries to downplay the discuss and calm him down. Noel continues his observations of their marriage. She doesn’t want to heart it. He continues anyway.

* The ladies are getting dressed in their room above the casino; they talk about the male customers in the casino, one customer in particular (Don Noel).

* Leona finally admits that she loves Rod; she has always loved him; he owns her heart. They argue. He doesn’t have any rancor towards Rod - thinks Rod is also a victim. He then brings up Maria and Juan and Rod love triangle. Leona grits her teeth and lets him continue. Noel then declares that from now on he will sleep in the other room. He leaves. She thinks about Maria being locked away in hiding until she dies and how Leona is stuck in a loveless marriage.

* At the casino, Fulgencio, Federico and Raul think they should not trust Juan, and should always support their good buddy and business partner Rod. Marlene’s assistant comes out to the stairs and announces the “can can” dancers. The ladies are out on stage and in the audience entertaining and dancing.

* Rod and Noel are in Rod’s room. Noel has an old recurring problem with no resolution. Rod thinks to get pay back for a disgrace that he has suffered. Noel tries to talk him out of doing some harmful, because of his daughters. Rod mentions the engagements of both of his daughter. Noel blows his chimney stack and argues about forcing Regina to marry someone she clearly doesn’t love. Rod says “love doesn’t exist.” Noel retorts the statement.

* Maria is now in Juan’s bed. Juan meets with Doctor Pablo at the side of the bed. Doctor gives him a prescription, which he has Gabe go and fill. Helena the maid walks Doctor back outside. Gabe and Juan talk about the lady sleeping in Juan’s bed. * Mirta grunts her worries and wants to stay with Maria. Juan and Gabe console her and tell her everything will be alright. Juan has Gabe drag her out grunting and crying.

* At the finca, Leona is looking at and dreamily thought bubbling about the wedding dress. Clemencia enters and asks about the dress. Leona confesses that she bought it for her wedding to Rod, that has so far never happened. Clemencia says that idea has cursed everyone in the house, including Maria and Rod. They argue what will happen when Rod finds out. Leona yells and leaves. Clemencia thinks to herself.

* Juan watches Maria sleep in his bed. He wonders who she is and why he cares so much for her. He kisses her hand, sits on the side of the bed and looks at her.

ADVANCE: Gabe vows to search for Estrella (Jimena). Leona discovers Mirta and Maria have escaped. What will Juan do when he discovered the mystery woman in his house is his mother?

Labels: salvaje

Mao kicks off this episode by popping the question in front of Teri and the Femsibs.Since he and Moni have been back together for the better part of two episodes now, I guess he is feeling pretty confident in the viability of their relationship. She must share in this certitude, as she gleefully agrees. "¡Mañana misma! It's all arranged." The entire family, minus Aldo , who is off on his own adventure of self-discovery, approves and rejoices. Those of you who are less certain, not to worry, the CAMERA is still floating around out there somewhere with as yet undeveloped icy water for these upcoming nuptials.

For those of you who are wanting to see Nieves and Cesar as couple and have been gauging the temperature of their relationship by their degree of color-coordination, this looks very promising. Though not in identically colored togs their outfits seem to be nicely matched in varying tints of hot pink and plum. Certainly hope-inspiring in any case. She has come to announce the wedding set for tomorrow and to invite him. Also, friends will be coming to decorate the gym for a fiesta afterward. She is particularly flirtatious and he responds by trying to invite her to the movie of her choice but she must go an prepare for the wedding. On her way out, she bumps into Costeño. They pause long enough to visually devour each other, leaving little doubt that these two indeed have a history. "Ah, grilled chicken," she observes. "You can roast me whenever you want," he responds. Cesar notices and registers his disapproval. Costeño responds by noting that, "Nieves is a woman who is very difficult to forget." Don Cesar stews.

Monita has arranged for the two of them to meet her mom for dinner in order to announce the wedding. "Yes it will be a great surprise," Mao observes.

Meintras tanto, Estrella has decided to check in with the Virgin de Guadalupe at the neighborhood shrine. As she lights a candle she asks for a blessing on the marriage of Moni and her prince and for forgiveness for the awkward situation she and said prince woke up in. Mary of course knows the truth of the matter and that they are innocent; Monita is the one she needs to worry about. She also asks her for protection for her little puppy and for forgiveness for not going through with the wedding. She's certain that she understands.

Aldo seems to have found at least temporary refuge in Nepenthe's torpid embrace. Nice Nurse escorts Sal back to his his own Laziboy where he dutifully assumes his catatonic pose. We know, however, that those delicate little wheels are once again revolving under that well-behaved peluquin. NN regrets that Aldo has gotten into Sal's stash but Oscar is unusually understanding and forgiving. And why not? Doesn't look like Aldo's going to do any heavy thinking anytime soon. He tells her the sad story of Aldo and his sisters losing their parents, of their adoption by Mao, of Estrella's pregnancy, of the thwarted wedding, and of Aldo finding Mao in bed with Estrella. Sal struggles to maintain his catatonia. He succeeds.

Pau joins Estrella as she is completing her chat with the Virgincita. Estrella tells her that she is requesting a blessing on M&M's marriage and protection for Aldo. Paula is miffed because she wasn't asking help for her in her pursuit of a husband. "Since your here you can ask for yourself," she suggests. Estrella detects an unusual unpleasant odor following Pau. She explains that it's the magic male attractant provided by Bartola. Hmmm.

Back at Oscar's chateau, the NN is touched by the sad story of Aldo as related by Oscar as he calls for two goons to take Aldo to his bedroom. As they cart Aldo away, he shrugs his shoulders, "Kids these days."

Beto and Coni have returned to Nieves apartment after a grand day of shopping. He finds a note that Nieves has left telling him of the upcoming wedding and that she has gone to invite Cesar. He tells Coni only of the part about her going to the gym to see Cesar and then turns his attention to adoration of Coni and noting that they have the place all to themselves. She purrs. She has something to show him. He begins undressing for action.

At Ximy's, she receives a call notifying her of the upcoming wedding. She is excited. Rolu remembers M&M's last wedding in which they shared the church and the ceremony... Mao left running from the church. She reminds him that had he been able to walk, he too would have fled the church. He insults her two functioning neurons as the doorbell sounds. It's Lalo, beside himself over planning the upcoming party. He's having tachycardia and is about to suffer a cardiac event. Ximy tells Arny to comfort his man but is finally informed by Lalo that Arny is not of the gay persuasion, "He's a closet heterosexual." Ximena glares accusingly at Arny, "¡Arny! ¡Arny! ¿No eres gay?"Arny nods in confirmation.

Back in the 'hood, Beto is stripped down for action, stretching in his boxers a tee shirt. Suddenly Coni leaps through the beads onto Nieves' bed dressed (we knew this was coming) as Fantasma Vengadora. Beto and I are rendered momentarily speechless. She is a Power Ranger action figure ready for a little lusty action.
She throws him on the bed, straddles him, and he begs her to smack him. "Not here." Clinging to him like a Koala, she rides him to his own bed.

M&M are with Snake Lady at a nice restaurant. Mao and Isabel are wearing their best insincere rictuses as Moni smiles sweetly and hopefully. They have a surprise for Issy. They proudly announce the upcoming nuptials as Isabel grits her teeth and surreptitiously rends her napkin beneath their view. Usually I don't enjoy talky scenes involving Mao, but Isabel is so livid and Mao is so self-satisfied and Moni is so radiantly clueless of the invisible electrical tension between the two people she most adores, that it works for me just fine... this time. Isabel is honored that they chose to tell her in this fashion. Issy and Mao exchange empty apologies. Mao even offers that he hopes to be able to call her mamá. They glare.

As Beto and Coni bask in a post-congressional afterglow, Nieves enters the apartment. Seeing the two beneath the sheets she closes her eyes and promptly spills the frijoles. Coni is shocked to learn of the impending boda. Immediately Nieves recognizes her faux pas.

Back at the announcement dinner, Mao proposes a toast to the love of his life. Issy amends it to a toast to the happiness of her adored daughter. She asks about the honeymoon and though Moni hasn't even thought that far ahead, Mao assures them that it will be the most wonderful ever. Moni is thrilled. She excuses herself giving our combatants an opportunity to bear their fangs and claws and share with each other what they are really feeling. She warns Mao that he has revealed his cards early. Well, heck! He had to, but sooner or later she will have to reveal hers, and when she does... Mao is clearly out of his league, but we pause and admire his gallant effort. They toast, "Salud." "Salud." as Moni returns, happy to see them getting along so well. Mao takes this opportunity to land a punch. He tells Monita that he invited Isabel to live with them but she firmly declined, but at least he got her to agree to Sunday dinners. Well played Mauricio. Moni makes her own toast to the three off them... "A family." Ummm... yeah.

As she ties her halter top, Coni grouses about the wedding. Beto scolds Nieves for revealing the plans. Suddenly Coni has business elsewhere. Not so fast pretty lady, Beto grabs her wrist and Nieves surprises both with a pair of handcuffs. Beto wonders where she got them. "A reminder of a galan." She drops the key in her cleavage. Beto assures Coni that the wedding will take place.

At Groupo Sermeño Gabi and Pau are about to head out to prepare the gym for the party. The CAMERA is resting on the desk.Gabi gets a whiff of the Love Potion #9, and like Estre, doubts that it will act as a attractant for men. Pau thinks it smell great. Gabi seizes upon the opportunity to teach Pau some of the finer points off secretarying. She picks up the CAMERA and opens the door to the outer office. She summons Iván away from his duties of chatting up the new receptionist and sends him off to get the film developed. She then has a little test. How can Pau make her boss' life easier. "A cold beer and tortas milanesas in his desk." "Exacto."

Nieves, taking advantage of Coni's attachment to Beto, has her working over a hot stove. Coni is not a good student and is not having a good time. She wants to go home and bathe. Nope. Nieves sends the two to shower in the community bath. Coni is appalled. Beto sees it as an opportunity. Off they go.

At Moni's, she continues bonding with her maternal unit. She is going to have Estrella help her get ready. Unh uh. Mommy Snake wants to help her little girl on her special day. Momma professes happiness for Moni, but... Moni astutely senses that her mom isn't being completely frank with her, "¿Qué?" The selfless Issy doesn't want to spoil the day with sad revelations. Not to worry, here's Aliblahblah who most certainly will, "I'm so sorry Isabel..." She's clutching the medical report. Moni reads it, "What does it mean? Are you sick again?" "I'm dying." Well if that doesn't put the brakes on this boda...?

Mao and Marcos have brought the kids to school and are doing a little bonding of their own. Marcos is happy about the wedding but wishes that he could properly escort his daughter down the aisle and offer her hand in marriage. Oh well, this isn't the only wedding in the offing, he announces to Mao that he has asked Nievesito marry him. Mao is delighted.

Back at Moni's things aren't going so well. Having dropped her bomb, Alicia leaves them alone to talk. IIt's not pretty. "Why didn't you tell me?" "Nothing can be done." "I'll give you more marrow." "Won't work." "Must be something we can do." "Well, since I don't have much time left, you can call off the wedding and spend all the time I have left with me." "Uh... OK." Take that Mauricio.

Nieves is helping Beto get ready. He cleans up real nice but has an unruly cowlick. She goes after it with a lemon but Beto reminds her, "That is for Tequila, not hair." Meanwhile, Coni is cuffed to the stove complaining about the handcuffs. He puts on his jacket, "How do I look?" Coni melts, "Very handsome." As Nieves releases her she tries to make a break for it but Beto is too quick for her. Soon they are reunited at the wrists. She balks but he yanks her through the door. Off they go.

Isabel reminds Moni that she needs to tell Mao right away that the wedding is off. "I hope he'll understand, wouldn't want you two angry at each other because of me." Gack! While Moni's gone, Issy wants time alone, doubtless to gloat in private. Let's remember gang, this lady really believes that she is going to die soon. Anyone feeling much sympathy? Thought not.

Mao and Marcos enter an almost empty Groupo Sermeño. Pretty and dangerous new receptionist greets them. "Everyone's off getting things ready for the wedding." The elevator opens spilling out Beto and Coni... cuffed. We are left to ponder, "How the heck did Beto get his jacket off?" Coni is surprised to see Mao there. She's not happy that he's here. What's more, Daddy thinks the handcuffs are a great idea. Wouldn't want Coni mucking up the wedding. Beto engages Mao and consequently Coni in a group celebratory hug.
Coni says that she couldn't care less if Mao marries the monkey, move into the jungle and procreate primates for a documentary about wildlife. Well, good as that was, she is speechless to learn that Mao's back in charge here.

At the community sink, Nieves learns from Alicia that Isabel is sick again and is going to die. She has big doubts and vows that she will not let Isabel stop Moni's wedding.

We end today with Moni in her apartment. A loud knock. "Hola, Iván, come in." He does and hands her the envelope containing the developed film from the CAMERA. She open it and reaches in.

Carlos

Labels: gancho

Viewerville’s thought of the day: The problem with passion is that sometimes your conscience gets in the way. Viewerville’s second thought of the day: Maybe the Bad and the Beautiful just need to stay mad and be born butt-ugly.

In his casota, Juan now knows that his true love is the daughter of his worst enemy and he’s afraid of losing his will to carry out his plans for vengeance. Juan’s conscience has just taken a tasty chunk out of his backside. He swears to his father that he will carry out his promise to him in spite of what he feels for Aimee. It’s going to be easier said than done, though, because he cannot forget their passionate encounters. Juan must remind himself that he is still a nasty son of a gun. A lot of screaming of “I’m Juan del Diablo!” ensues. At the same time, at her bedroom mirror, in between admiring glances at herself, Aimee wonders why Juan seemed to hate her father so much that he nearly killed him, and why Juan acted the way he did when he realized they were his daughters. She’s determined to find out.

Across the hallway, in Rodrigo’s bedroom, with Regi and Leonarda anxiously looking on, Dr. Pablo is examining Rod. The good doctor prescribes bed rest and avoiding fits of anger. Rod is hard put to comply with the doctor’s orders because just thinking of Juan and the incident at the church gets him going again. Leonarda insists on caring for Rod-- for her own selfish reasons of course. Regina is just as adamant about wanting to look after him herself. The doctor agrees with Leona that Regi is still too fragile and could suffer a relapse from all the upset. Leona wins out. Once Regi walks the doctor out, Leona tells Rod she’ll look after him and help him recover. The old bull, for once in his life, seems sincerely grateful to her.

Downstairs, Federico is skulking around and waiting to make his move. He hears Regi talking with Dr. Pablo and hides around a corner wall. Noel comes up the stairs and tells Regi not to worry about her daddy, and then races up to speak with Rod. Feddy continues to eavesdrop on Regi and Dr. Pablo. Dr. P. tells Regi that despite the bad timing, he is still glad to have a chance to see her again. Feddy thinks to himself that Dr. P. is a bit too interested in Regi’s health for his liking, and Feddy is not about to let the meddling doctorcito interfere with a future meal ticket.

Regi confesses to Dr. Pablo that she’s worried her nervous condition is causing her to see things that aren’t there. Pablo, in his best wanna-be and would-be wedded and bedded bedside manner, tells Regi that she has nothing to worry about. A bad case of nerves doesn’t cause hallucinations. He tries a flirt that goes flat and right over the head of our naive novice-in-waiting and suggests that if she smiles more she’d see how quickly she gets better. He cavalierly kisses her hand and then leaves. As Regi watches him go she is still convinced she’s having hallucinations because of seeing “that woman” (Maria del Rosario) that time in her room.

Down in the basement, Rosie has apparently gotten very sick. Mirta the Mute is scared for Rosie who, she realizes, is now suffering from fever and delirium.

Aimee, oblivious to her daddy’s near date with death, is worrying more about the possibility of never seeing Juan again and the reason he acted the way he did towards them at the church. She decides to go looking for him at the caves.

Across the way in Rod’s room, Noel asks Rod what made him insult Juan to begin with. Rod tells him he was letting the man know that he was shocked to see a ruffian like him in a church and simply told him so. Noel says then he was pretty much asking for trouble. “It was to be expected that a man who is rough around the edges would react that way if provoked.” Leona gets angry at Noel for defending some stranger instead of a member of his own family. (Excuse me? Didn’t the woman tell him a few hours ago that he wasn’t considered family any longer?) Noel clarifies he simply wanted to be fair about it. Leona insults his idea of “fairness”. Noel sits stone faced and silently glares at her, but behind those quiet eyes of his it’s pure blood lust. (Viewerville licks its lips in anticipation of the day that emotional dam inside him breaks.)

Aimee gets to the cave, but she can’t find Juan and she sees there’s no bonfire. She decides to wait for him a while, anyway. Juan, though, is out on the Luzbel sailing and reconsidering his options. While Aimee sits and waits for Juan to return, she remembers his passionate kisses and tells herself that she couldn’t cope if she lost him. She is determined not to let that happen.

Juan returns home instead of to the cave and he orders Gabriel to prepare everything for their return to Spain. Gabe doesn’t understand why they’re going. Juan angrily tells him never to question his authority, and then backs off a bit. He explains it’s to avoid becoming a murderer because he’s certain that the next time he comes face to face with Rodrigo Montes de Oca he will kill him.

Mirta watches over Rosie as the fever and delirium get worse. Down the passageway from Rosie’s cell, Rosenda tries offering her sexy self to Arcadio in another attempt to get him to let her in on Leona’s big bad secret.

Meanwhile, Leonarda continues to watch over Rodrigo, the sleeping apple of her evil eye, and thinks to herself how much she loves him. Regi walks in and offers to take over for a while. Leona isn’t having any and lies that caring for Regi’s daddy is the best way she knows to repay him for looking after her and Rosie when they were orphaned. Leona won’t take no for an answer. She offers Regina a little of her special “sleepy time” tea to make sure Regi conks out and doesn’t get in her way. Regi takes the tea and falls asleep on the couch.

Rosenda tries making the Orca jealous by telling him how Sra. Leonarda is taking such special pains to care for Don Rodrigo. Orca acts like he doesn’t care. Rosenda pushes his buttons a bit more, telling him that they’re all just servants that the rich play with whenever they have a mind to and then kick out when they have no more use for them. She purrs and smiles at him in a way even The Cheshire Cat would be envious of. “All the more reason for us to become allies.” Orca agrees that she’s probably got a point there. He leaves for a moment to go after something. Mirta grabs him as he walks by and drags him back to Rosie’s cell to show him how sick Rosie is. He could give a rat’s patoot and screams at her that he’d just as soon Rosie died.

Orca gets back to Rosenda and gives her a diamond ring that Leonarda gave him. She smiles seductively and asks if that means they’re going to become bedtime buddies now. He says nope. It just means that they’re going to trust one another. (Wait a Mexican minute here. He could have young and gorgeous and still sticks to ugly and lizard-lipped?) He tells Rosenda that he wants her to start spying on Leonarda for him. Rosenda flirtatiously asks what’s in it for her. Orca grabs her through the bars and squeezes. “—You find out the secret that binds the Sra. to me.” Rosenda lets out with a hot moan. (Yep. Like mother like daughter.)

Upstairs, Leona checks to see if Regi is still asleep and then secretly gives the unconscious Rod a daring kiss on the lips. Noel is taken-aback impactado when he appears a couple minutes later at the bedroom door, unheard and unseen, and watches his wife devotedly placing pillows on Rod’s feet and lovingly rubbing Rod’s hands. Noel quietly shuts the door on Leona’s “personal moment”.

Feddy grabs Noel’s attention on the stairway, trying to ingratiate himself again, and says he was waiting to give his respects before leaving and to ask how Don Rodrigo was faring. Noel, a bit disconcerted, but ever tactful, says that Don Rod is resting under “the untiring ministrations” of his wife and is sure that tomorrow he will be much better. Feddy foppily says he’s happy to hear it and pretends as an afterthought to ask if he could say good-night to Regi as well. Noel says she’s sleeping after the extremely emotional events of the day. Right, says Feddy. “I’m sure both of them had a hard time of it today, seeing that brute [barbaján] assault their father.”

Back at the cave, Aimee tearfully assumes that Juan is shutting her out and decides to return home before Regi discovers she’s missing again.

Gabe goes to the gypsy camp to speak with Jimena. He asks her to find “Estrella” for him and to let her know that he needs to see her because he and his boss are going back to Spain. He doesn’t know if he’ll be coming back and he doesn’t want to leave without seeing her once more. Mena is heart-broken by the news.

Back at Finca del Mar, Leonarda has climbed onto the bed next to Rodrigo and fallen asleep. Regi wakes up--but no alarm bells go off in her head seeing the two of them on the bed that way. No, the naïve and platonic-minded Regi thinks to herself that her poor madrina has worn herself out by tirelessly watching over her papa.

Aimee sneaks back into the house and starts to walk upstairs to bed. Renato calls up to her to catch her attention. “Can’t sleep?” Aimee feigns concern over her poor daddy’s brush with death that day and says it’s kept her awake. Ren says he’ll confront the insolent coward himself the next morning. Aimee begs Ren not to and says she’d simply die if anything happened to him because of it. “The man’s a savage! Promise me you won’t. You must promise me!!” Ren gets his macho on, though, and wants to challenge him to a duel. It’s his duty to, he insists. Amy emphatically objects. “Forget obligations! I should be the most important obligation you have. Promise me you won’t go looking for him.” Eventually Renato gives in to her, believing that it is because Aimee values his safety above the need to defend Tio Rod’s honor, the Sucker! Yep, there’s one born every minute and Aimee thanks her lucky stars that this one’s hers.

The next morning, Regi gets after Aimee for not being more concerned over their daddy’s condition. She says he’s their responsibility and Aimee should be up and getting ready to take her turn at watching over him. Aimee would rather sleep and rolls back over. Regi is as disgusted as ever. (Viewerville scoffs in solidarity with respectful and respectable Regina.)

A few minutes later Regi walks downstairs and runs into Renato. The narrator says he extends his hand to greet her but she’s cold towards him. He settles for a reserved ‘Hi” and “How’d you sleep?” She refuses to look at him but says she’s fine and then asks cattily (especially for a wanna-be nun) that she supposes he’d be pretty happy now that his wedding is so near. She changes the nasty ‘tude and adds that if anyone deserves to be happy it’s him. He says he very often thinks life has given him too much and he should be working more at giving back to the less fortunate. This cracks the shell around Regi a bit and he asks after Rod. They make small talk. Regi says he’s resting and doing better thanks to his mother who looked after him all night long. Ren says she’s a wonderful woman though at times a bit abrupt. (I’d use a bit more colorful language, but Ren is ever his daddy’s boy.) “She has to be a firm woman to manage a finca like this and preserve what she considers my inheritance.”

After a bit more chit chat, Ren eventually convinces Regi to join him for a tour of the site he’s calling “Paradise”, where he’s thinking of building the homes and school for his workers. “I’ve always respected your opinion of things and your advice.” He tells her he recognizes that she’s dressed in a habit to put a frigid barrier up between them and he really wants them to be friends again like old times. She is just as excited as he is over the project. Ren says he wants it to be a place where cruelty ceases to exist and those who work for him and their children can believe they have a future. He wants her there with him to be a part of it. Ren apologizes for whatever stupid thing he might have done to ruin their friendship. She tearfully tells him that he did nothing. She’s won over and says she’ll be there for him whenever he wants. (Blech!)

Back at Juan’s, he’s told Gabe he can’t wait and wants Gabe to close up things there and act as his front man. He’s going back ahead of him. Gabe says fine. Juan wants to know what’s eating at Gabe. Gabe says he knows exactly what he’s upset about: leaving the love of his life without the chance get to know her a little bit better. “Love? Love???” Juan has difficulty dealing and leaves the room.

While Mena frets over her fated loss of Gabe, Dagger Man, aka Servando, sneaks behind her in an attempt to rape her. However, she manages to whack him over the head with a bottle. He falls to the ground unconscious with a bloody gash on the back of his scalp and Mena thinks that she’s killed him. She freaks out and runs to find Regi to ask her for help.

At Finca del Mar, Aimee is refusing to drink even a glass of juice, let alone eat anything. (Ruh-roh! Bun in the oven alert!) Ren comes by to lend moral support since Aimee didn’t sleep well from all the chaos in the house. He tells her he understands perfectly. (No you don’t you stupid chump.) She again plays up her shock at her father’s nearly dying. (Ri-i-i-ight. Lovely piece of work, isn’t she? Twenty-four hours after and she still hasn’t checked on dear old Dad even once.) Renato says he’s been thinking about their chat and he really believes it’s his duty to look for the miserable coward that confronted Tio Rod and challenge him. Aimee becomes frantic and reminds him that he promised her he wouldn’t. “You can’t break a promise!” “—But the family’s honor is at stake here!” She nearly faints at this point and that finally convinces him to forget about the duel.

Upstairs Rosenda is pouring wine for Rodrigo’s repast. He suddenly notices the ring on her hand and suspiciously asks her where she got it. Rosenda is tongue-tied. Leona lies and says she gave it to her since the girl had become her right hand and more than that, is almost like a daughter to her. In fact, she’s become her only companion through this lonely time. Rosenda makes a big show of offering it back to her since Don Rodrigo disapproves. He says no need to. He may have given it to Leonarda but she has the right to do with it as she pleases. Leonarda remembers to breathe and thanks him for his understanding. The two women make a discreet exit.

Servando regains consciousness for a minute or two and drags himself to his wagon where he passes out again. Griselda finds him there and steals the money out of his pockets. “I hope you rot!”

Mena goes through town asking if anyone knows where the Montes de Oca’s live.

Regi is smiling as she remembers her chat that morning with Renato and decides she wouldn’t be doing anyone any harm by simply helping him realize his dream. Suddenly Mena appears out of nowhere, frightened and needing to hide. She tells Regi she just killed a man. She didn’t mean to, she says, but the shameless wretch was trying to take her. Regi has her calm down a bit, then decides that it would be safest with Clemencia.

Leonarda lets Rosenda have it! She gives Rosenda a whack up side the head and demands to know where she got the ring. Rosenda stutters through the stars circling her head now and admits that Arcadio gave it to her. “Why would he give you a piece of jewelry like that? What did you do for it?” Rosenda lies and says that he has been dropping hints about them dropping their drawers, but she of course had refused to pay any attention to him and told him where to get off …er… let him know what she thought about that; and she put him in his place, proper. Leona wants to know if she’d been back in the passageway under the house or not. Rosenda swears she hadn’t stepped foot in there since she was warned off. She would never disobey the Sra. Never! Leona insists he didn’t give her a ring like that for nothing. Rosenda gets her wits about her finally. “Perhaps he wanted to make you jealous and make you notice. You’re spending so much time with Don Rodrigo and you’ve ignored him.” Leona seems to accept that as a possibility.

In another part of the finca, Clemencia is in her room praying to the virgencita. She worries that now that Juan and Aimee have met and gotten involved the same kind of tragedy will happen to the family again. Suddenly Regi and Mena rush into Clemencia’s room and Regi says they need her help. Clemencia is a bit puzzled and asks who Jimena is. “I met Jimena on the boat and I’ll tell you all about it later but right now she’s got problems. You need to let her stay here a while and not let anyone see her.” Clemencia says fine and offers Mena something to drink. “Nobody comes in here and the room is sufficiently large for both of us.” She smiles at them both. Mena gets up to thank her, kisses her hand and then sees something in it that disturbs her. She begins reading Clemencia’s palm: “You have a kind soul. Your soul is so large, and there’s quite a bit of suffering there. There are many secrets that are wearing you out and they won’t let you live in peace. I see two men and two young women and those four lives are crossed together. (The screen dramatically flashes the faces of JD Sr., Rodrigo, MdR and Leonarda.) They are connected by a great tragedy.” Clemencia stares down at her palm and back again at Mena and Regina, who are just as startled and amazed as she is.

Labels: salvaje

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