Caray, Caray!

Albieri explains to Estela that the identity of sperm donors is confidential. Estela does not let on that Daniel is back in town but tells Albieri that Daniel does not feel like part of their family and that must come from the father's genes.

[The writers seem to vacillate between suggesting that Daniel doesn't feel that he belongs in Dora's family because he not related genetically to them or because he is a clone. If the former, why did he feel at home with Albieri? Are they are suggesting that an adopted child would not feel part of his/her adopted family? Or, are they suggesting that Daniel does not feel at home in Dora's family because it was different from the way Lucas was brought up - with Albieri in his life and with lots of expensive toys. In other words, are they suggesting that Lucas' life experience somehow got into his genes? I think this is where we are going and a later scene provides more evidence that this is the case.]

Here we see that Albieri has an Apple iMac with the logo covered up.
After she leaves, Estela wonders if a doctor should examine Daniel.

Alicia calls Luisa to tell her that she isn't needed at the clinic.

Dora is overprotective with Daniel but he assures her that he will be fine.

In a post coital chat, Marisa tells Said that Lucas is planning to divorce her. Said says that he might not want to do that after the news Said has for him.

Ali warns Jade that she will reap what she has sown with Said.

Lucas tells Rosa that he will pay any price to be with Jade. He also tells her that at first Nati's relationship with Alej caused him concern but if Nati loves Alej, he wants her have the experience. He doesn't want to do to his daughter what Leo did to him. Rosa agrees and in a surprising turnaround, Rosa, who only the other day said that Jade was the cause of all the misfortune that had befallen the family, now tells Lucas that she should have helped him marry Jade. She doesn't think he would have been happy with her,
pero por lo menos no estarías diciendo que tu vida habria sido diferente al lado de ella.
but at least you wouldn't be saying that your life would have been different at her side.
Si pudiera regresarme 20 años... sería diferente, sería otro Lucas.
If I could go back 20 years, says Lucas, I would be different, I would be another Lucas.
So we are setting us up for the appearance of the 20 year old clone of Lucas who will be able to be a different Lucas.

The Naz is in pursuit of Pablo and she finds out where he gives aerobics classes. Zamira tells her that they need special clothing to go to exercise class. Reluctantly, Latifa lets them go shopping but insists that they can't go to the gym without Mohamed's permission.

Estela suggests to Dora that Daniel go to a doctor, presumably for a DNA test, to see why he is different from them.

Cristina is drowning her sorrows about Leo in ice cream.

Amalia fishes for info on Cristina from Clara but as a new hire she doesn't know anything.

Said shows up at the office without any advance notice. He tells Leo et al that he is now their associate. It transpires that he has bought up all the available stock of Leo's company. Leo is still the majority stockholder but that wouldn't be the case if Lucas sell the shares that he owns. Enrique tells Carolina about his concern that Lucas would sell his stock to get Jade back.

Leo has no confidence in Lucas' judgment when it comes to Jade. He tells Roberto to set up a meeting with his lawyers to see if there is a way to get the stock back from Lucas.

Nati tells Andrea that her house is like a caja de gatos (box of cats) with everyone fighting. Andrea one ups her by describing how Lucia made Roberto record videos of all the staff at the office explaining that the woman she heard at the office had nothing to do with Roberto.

Lucia is not sure she can believe the videos.

Jade, Rania and Jadiya leave for the States.

Karla with a K comes to shake Osvaldo down and meets Daniel.

Latifa is shocked at Zamira's exercise outfit and horrified by what the Naz chose. This made me laugh out loud. Way to go, Naz!

Jade, Rania and Jadiya arrive in Miami and go to Said's new house. Jade is pretty pleased with herself until she finds out that the phones in the house can't make outgoing calls and that the security detail won't let her leave the house. There's trouble brewing on the 2nd wife front, too. Rania thinks that Jade's room is nicer than hers and that Jade has more gold than she does.

Said goes to see Latifa. Latifa asks why he didn't bring Jade. Said, who has this sort of self-satisfied demeanor that indicates he has gone to the dark side, replies that Jade has things to do in the house and Latifa will see her later. Latifa hasn't listened to Zoraida's advice. She pitches a fit when told that Amina is arriving next week and says that the Naz is trying to push Amina on Mohamed as a second wife and she won't accept that. Said takes this as a criticism of Nazira and the brothers close ranks, as usual, to defend the Naz. Latifa leaves in a huff and Said says that more and more Latifa resembles Ali's bitchy wife, Duina.

Daniel is strangely attracted to Estela's jade ring so it's pretty clear that the writers want us to believe that Lucas' feelings for Jade are in his genes and that the clone got them, too.

Jade clutches her pendant and remembers Zoriada's 'two rivers meeting' prophecy. She says that her destiny is written and no one can change what Allah has decreed.

Clara leaves work early to try and catch Escobar and Alicia red handed.

Alicia provides further demonstration about why Luisa is no longer needed at the clinic. Luisa suggests that Albieri get Alicia a different job but he replies that she has become indispensable to the clinic.

For about the millionth time, Ali tell Zoraida how worried he is about what will happen with Jade. If Jade misbehaves, Rania will report it to her family and Ali won't be able to protect her and Nariza will be able to get Mohamed to take a 2nd wife. Zoraida asks if Ali would take Jade back if Said divorces her. Ali says that he won't, la tiro al viento, he will throw her to the wind.

Rania asks Jade why she only had one daughter. Jade replies that is all that Allah gave her. Rania expresses her wish to have lots of sons for Said. Jade asks Rania if she would like to be Said's first wife. She won't go into details yet. Said comes home. Jade demands to know why she is locked up like a prisoner. Said asks if she is sad that she hasn't been able to find out anything about Lucas. Then he tells her that Marisa is coming to dinner and Jade can ask her anything she wants about Lucas. Jade is impactada.

The credits roll.

Labels: clon

Episode 70

Martyr Regina kneels in front of la virgensita in church, praying for her deliberation from hell in form of bad marriage. Damn you Rodrigo. She tells the virgensita she leaves it all up to her. Dr Miranda comes into church and he notices she is yet again sad. Regina imparts the tragic news.

Federico Martin del Campo is supposed to make some type of weapons delivery with Servando but it looks like things went out of wack. The ruffians try to steal the merchandise, Servando starts throwing knifes and chaos ensues. Is it too much to hope Fed will die like this? Oh please, please novela virgensita, hear my prayer too.

Dr Miranda adds 2 plus 2 after Regina yet again declares she is in love with someone taken and asks her if she loves Renato. She turns around and sadly confirms this. Surprisingly Dr. Hottie starts advising her not to give up. Isn’t Regina’s dress the same dress she is wearing in the credits when she is with Juan all kissy kissy in Luzbel? He proposes to marry her and take her far way. Take it Regina and RUN! That is so romantic!

But no, she says she already gave her word and that her dear old dad’s health is in risk. Snap out of it Regina!

Servando decides he wants to keep the money from the botched delivery. Some poor nameless dude that came with them steps up for "honesty" and gets stabbed in the back with a humongous knife courtesy of scary Ser. He takes a look at Fed and asks him if he’s with him or against him. Um, -raises hand and bounces on seat- I know the answer to that . They split the “winnings”

Santos runs into Jacinta and he grumbles about how she hasn’t visited her. She says she has also been busy. He claims he heard she already has a bf. She denies this. He starts asking her if she can please finally tell him yes and be his girlfriend. “Please come on I’m a hard working man…” “Yes!” “And I will do whatever it takes for our kids…” “Yes!” “What? Yes?” He causes some collateral damage as he lifts her off the ground. Let’s all say awwwww.

Dr. Miranda depressedly resigns himself to never finding love when alas, Rosenda, who seems to always be around the church, has a fainting spell right in front of him. He grabs her before she falls, lucky her. Is someone expecting a bundle of lust? He insists on “checking her” and her boobs over but she asserts she is fine and runs off unsteadily. Dumbass.

Griselda finds Servando being all mysterious and yet again they have an argument about how he never gives her any money anymore. She threatens to take Jimena far far away and Servando huffs away. Smiling evilly, She plans on pitting Branco against Servando very soon

Selfish disgusting Rodrigo is asking for Murderous pathetic Leonarda’s help in planning his "darling" daughter’s wedding. She bats her eyes and I puke a little in my mouth. He declares her to be wonderful etc. Yeah, only when she is of use to you, huh?

So, no wonder Rosenda was in the vicinity of the church, for she never actually goes in. She has come to pay her loooover a little visit. Too bad it was a one night stand he doesn’t want her anymore. Wait, he is that much of a whore and after a few sultry looks he is about to kiss her when OH SHISNET! Leonarda came back for something she forgot or whatever and catches Rosenda in his company. Rod tries to smooth it over but it’s still... awkward.

“Oh, you hadn’t told me that Rosenda often comes here to ask you if there’s anything you need…”

“Oh please, like that little servant girl could awaken anything in me?”

Yes, we do.

He proceeds to tell her that Madame Marlene is Rosenda’s mother. Hadn’t she just paid him quiet well to keep his big fat mouth shut?

Meanwhile in the casino Lulu is telling Madame Marlene about Remigio and she doesn’t approve. "You lied to him and no decent, honest man will want to take someone like us," MM says. “Once we took this path, there is no way out.” Boy am I glad we are in the 21st century o_O. Also you are really cheering up Lulu MM, great mom you are!

Lulu seems to still be determined. How will she try to deceive Remigio? No relationship in this show stands a chance, other than in the world created in this novella l0l.

Remigio tells all his Pescadores friends that he now has a giiiilllfriend. They talk about girls and marriage and kid around. Pedro sadly muses that he is all alone. Aww, someone get him a girlfriend too.

Talking about not having love, Clemencia lets us know in her thoughts that she has never found love and how hard it must be. I'm thorn between pitting her and telling her to run and hide from any man in a 10 foot radius.

Leonarda runs into Aimee and bluntly blurts out and tells her Regina is getting married very soon to Fed. "Her wedding won't be anything like yours of course but it shalln't be shabby either." Favoritism much? Aimee is ecstatic, but only because finally her good twin sister will stop bothering her. Does her selfishness have no bounds?

Juan after one or two days in el Penon del Diablo decides to return AGAIN. Raise your hand if you saw this coming.

Gabriel and De Marin are finishing up their labor day. Marin compliments Gabriel on his work -and I sigh over his beautiful eyes. “I need a favor from you. As you’ve probably noticed, Mariella is often sad and down in the dumps. A little fun would do her well. Maybe a lady in waiting that could entertain her.”

Gabriel smiles and mentions he does know someone…but it’s a gipsy girl. Oh Gabriel, Gabriel you are either very smart, or very dumb, l0l. I can’t wait for all the ironic “Oh I wish you were my daughter/mother” moments that will now ensue haha.

Night befalls the gypsy camp and Branco hands over Jimena a new set of clothes. Jimena looks sad.

Fulgencio’s secret office: Servando and Fed let him know how the delivery went wrong and that “Samuel” is dead. Servando is all dramatic about it but they didn’t count with the fact that Fulgencio is BAT crazy. He wants to start some type of weapons war now. He yells at them that now that they are in they are IN, like the mafia I guess? Ser and Fed are screweeeed. Suckers!

Jimena is beautifully dressed while Griselda asks her if she’s seen Servando. Goodness woman, you are taking far too long to find out what he is up to.

At the Casino, Fed sits with Woody bellyaches about how he is going to let Don aldama de la cruz know what a jackass Juan is. Ha, ha, ha. Let me know how that goes.

Party at the gypsy camp! “My girl, I swear I will make you the happiest girl in the whole world,” Branco swears. Jimena receives his little wilted flower with a little smile and they proceed to dance together. Gabriel wanders in, and alas sees them sensually moving against each other. Poor guy walks in at the worst moments. He doesn’t look too happy.

Griselda asks him what he is up to and he tells her about the lady in waiting job. She immediately tells him she accepts, like she is Jimena’s voice now. Griselda sweeps away and poor dear Gabriel gazes at the dancing couple with hard, sad eyes. Everyone say awwwww :(

Imperviously, Leo summons Clemencia and the other housekeeper to ask them about Rosenda and her little visits to her Woody. The other girl says she thinks its probably a pretext to go visit some guy at the Puerto, since she’s been receiving mysterious gifts. Leo looks surprised and asks them if they know who is sending these gifts. Clemencia shoots her a hard look and says we don’t know, we don’t know a thing.

Holy mother of God, how can you even sit down in that thing! Mariella is wearing the ugliest dress I’ve ever seen, it looks like they used all the fabric in the store to fluff up the butt. She morosely sighs and looks out a window as she is wont to do. Her parents walk in and sadly tell her they need to tell her they need to talk.

“You know we have done everything possible to try to find your daughter but we don’t want you to keep going on false hopes. We think it might be time that we all start accepting she might be… dead.”

She goes a bit nuts and screams no! no! no! “I need to be alone, please.” And basically kicks them out of the room. Poor lady.

At that exact moment Gabriel brings Jimena to introduce her. They gaze at each other. She tells Jimena she is very beautiful and that this explains a lot. Gabriel grins and blushes, leaving them alone to talk. Lol. They sit down and Mariella asks her to tell her more about herself. Mariella asks her to read her hand... And if she will ever find her daughter.

Jimena's hand trembles hovering over her mom. She panics a bit because she cannot read her hand. "It's so strange, for the fist time I can't get a reading." Mom assures her its okay and then she mentions Gabriel and how she knows that she likes him. Are they also sitting on a tree? Jimena cries a bit.

“I love Gabriel but our love is impossible because we belong to two different worlds.” :( -sighs- Really Jimena? You're going to continue to harp on this till when?

-slaps!- Leonarda smacks Rosenda like a ho that didn’t pay her, screaming at her that she is out of here. Rosenda complains, no you can’t I know your secret!

“What secret? Everyone will know about the bastard soon so ha ha.”

Leo is carting her out the room while Rosenda is still hollering. Regina, with her new, um, interesting hairdo stands at the door, impactada. What secret are they talking about?

Griselda is informing Branco that Jimena is now working as a lady in waiting. Branco wonders why she has to work, if he can give her what she needs -nudge nudge, wink wink. She says that it’s not at simple as she is an old, sick lady that also needs to be taken care of and, big reveal, Servando no longer helps her out. Step 1 in Gris’ plan to make Branco not like Ser. Branco wonders, y is Ser being such an asshole?

She tells Branco that as her niece, Jimena is obligated to take care of her or a maldicion could strike down on her! Branco gets a bit big-eyed and says that he can take care of Jimena but he doesn’t know about Gris. This is amusing.

“My tonics and medications are so expensive.” Lol!

She assures Branco the job is very decent and worthy.

In the meantime mother and daughter are commiserating about missing each other without knowing. “From now on, I will protect you. I don’t know why but I felt a special feeling for you ever since I laid eyes on you.” "I felt the same," says Jimena.

Oh lord, I called it. Let's see how long they can stretch this. They hug. Awww

Noel Vidal’s office. Rod and Marin are there also, impatiently waiting for Aldama de la Cruz. Juan walks in, semi-formally dressed. I like it when he wears a formal coat but lets the shirt unbuttoned so we can stare at his broad chest... ahem anyway...

“What in the hell are you doing here?” Woody yells out. “We are waiting for Don Aldama de la Cruz?”

Don what? Oh Aldama de la Cruz. Say again? –rolls eyes- Everyone stares at Juan. Oh ladileda.

So as for upcoming scenes I’m going to list them and tell you which have already happened.

-Gabriel running and tripping holding some flowers –happened
-Juan grabbing Woody’s coat and holding up a knife in the finca –not happened yet
-Jimena and Branco kiss –happened
-Renato throws a file to a door in a fit of rage –not happened yet
-Its dark, Regina wears a veil and a male hand is wiping away a tear from her face (most likely Renato)- not happened yet
-Juan and Aimee kissing passionately –happened, unfortunately
-Renato pointing a gun -not happened yet
-Aimee kneeling kissing a man’s hand –happened when she groveled to Renato
-Apparent face off between Renato and Juan- not happened yet

Labels: salvaje

No subtitles for me tonight, so wish me luck! Feel free to add anything I missed or correct anything I got wrong.

Dora introduces Danny Boy. Danny just scowls and doesn’t look at Osvaldo. Ozzie asks, are you happy to meet me? Daniel stammers, “It‘s strange, to meet a person I’ve never met, and the first thing he says is that he’s my father.” Danny accepts Ozzie’s offer to spend some time with him. Ozzie introduces him to Miguel, who points out the obvious differences between father and son. Ozzie insists that they are exactly the same.

Leo takes one look at Cristina in his office, and he runs and hides behind his door. What a man! She has an extended rant, screaming at the door, while Roberto tries to call Lucia. Lucia concludes that if a woman is pitching a rant next to her husband, she is obviously his lover. Leo hustles Amalia into the conference room so she can’t hear Cris’s tantrum. The scandal also causes Clara to fret about her husband and Alicia. Leo gives Amalia some excuse that the scandalosa is the wife of a terminated employee. Cris discovers that her purse strap broke and it’s all Leo’s fault since he made her throw a giant temper tantrum. Enrique says Leo will pay for it, and Cris says it’s $3,000. And she wants cash, not a check. He writes her a check, and Cris puts a new twist on an old dicho, “Take the money and stay!” She says they can’t get rid of her for a miserable $3,000.

Dora reports to Vicky that Daniel showed up. She tells Vicki their rendition of Daniel’s paternity story. She says she never wants to see Albi ever again. As we all know, in a novela a sentence like that summons him, so he shows up at their door at that moment. Extended stares that are supposed to be profound. Dora says she hasn’t heard from Daniel in a long time. Albi insists on her address and phone number. She claims she doesn’t have a phone. He asks, “What have I done? Why did you take Daniel away and hide from me?” Dora answers, “Because you’re a creepy old man who tried to take MY child away from me, and if you try to contact MY son ever again, I’ll call Cousin Guido to convince you otherwise.” Then we hear spooky music, the TV image shimmers and wavers, and we realize we were having a fantasy / illusion like TN characters have all the time. Albi’s tune changes from whining feelings of betrayal, to ranting that she would have the nerve to do such a despicable act. He says that no one can love Daniel as much as he does. That gets up Dora’s dander. “Even more than me?” she demands. Too bad Estella’s not here. Albi would be ducking a frying pan to the face right now. Albi thinks to himself, “She acts like she owns Daniel. If I told her that he’s Lucas’s clone, she wouldn’t feel like she owns him anymore.” Dora says, “You helped me have a child, but you did it for you, not for me. That’s why I left.” She tells him to leave.

At the bar, Dan asks Ozzie if he knows Albi. Dan says Albi is important to him; he considers him like a father. Ozzie takes offense at this, and says that HE is Dan’s only father. I think the shoot Dan’s close-ups through a green filter.

Albi complains to Luisa about how Dora treated him after all he’s done for her. Don’t get me started. Albi is determined to find Danny. I still think Dora should call Cousin Guido.

At the office, Julio asks for some files from last year. Luisa reaches for the file drawer, but Alicia has transferred all the records to the computer. Well bless her heart. Imagine how easy it will be to retrieve any file. Or corrupt it with bogus data. Or destroy it. With just a few keystrokes.

Leo calls Enrique from the conference room and tells him to get rid of Cristina. He makes up some other excuse for Amalia. She answers, “You’re so sexy when you lie to me,” and she starts sucking his face. Isn’t that just precious?

Rania asks Jade what the West is like. Jade says you’ll love it. There is so much more freedom, the beach, the tourists, and people from all over the world. Rania says she wants to be Jade’s best friend, and Jade is delighted. Said is leaving for the airport, and he comes in to say goodbye to his wives. Rania is responsive and Jade is Jade. When he leaves, Jade tells Rania that she has decided to give Rania all her nights with Said for the first month, so they can get to know each other better. Ali counsels Said that he’s a good guy, but his suffering has made him do things that go against his nature. He warns Said that vengeance turns people bitter. Said claims that Ali knew that Jade betrayed him, but Ali denies it. Said doesn’t believe him. Ali says he will not accuse anyone of anything without four witnesses. Said leaves and Ali tells Zoraida that he’s sure Jade will suffer.

Estella tries to talk to Daniel, and he asks her about Albi. She says that he needs to forget about Albi and focus on his family. She says he seems like he’s not connected to the family. Dan says he feels the same way, as if he doesn’t belong here. The only person he feels a connection to is Albi.

Leo goes to Lucas’s room and says that since the contract with Said is so important to their business, Lucas must renounce all ties to Jade. Lucas flatly refuses. Leo says that if they don’t get that contract from Said, the company will go bankrupt. Many people depend on the company, and if it fails it will all be Lucas’s fault. Gee, I wonder if all Leo’s payments to Cris had any effect on the Profit and Loss statement. Leo continues, “Quit being so selfish. Do it my way” (o algo así).

Nariza asks Ramon about Pablo. Pablo says he’s in aerobics classes. Then Mohammed orders her back into the house.

Dora gets home and is upset that Daniel left. Estella insists that Dora tell her where Albi lives. Dora refuses but then says he works at the clinic. She marches into the clinic and demands to speak to Albi. She asks him, point blank, who is Daniel’s father.

At home, Rosa tells Lucas about the differences between him and Diego. Lucas wishes he were more like his brother. He always worries about looking foolish. Marisa comes in and flaunts the fact that she’s going to meet Said intimately. Leo asks Marisa to convince Lucas to not get divorced. She meets Said at the hotel, he gives her jewelry, they both glory in how much they are going to hurt their spouses, and they start breeding like dogs on the front lawn.

Labels: clon

We start where we left last night. We know Vicky has completely flipped her lid because she threatens our Big Blustery Boss-man Beltran. She’ll reveal what she saw him doing in his office with the mini-skirted one last night during the Siglo party, if he doesn’t tell her where Rafa is and with whom. Beltran can’t believe his ears or her gall. He tells her she’s crazier than a fox- “Mas loca que una cabra” (crazier than a goat). He hangs up on her.

Back at Marian’s “little” Country Casa in Cuernavaca, Marian’s wondering what exactly Ale thinks won’t work in the current deal Rafa was about to present her. Ale brings up a lot of issues like the trade in of the old Celeste trucks, and the immediate availability of the trucks Marian’s company is buying from Siglo. Marian sees no problem with making adjustments to the contract based on these issues and agreeing to them. She’s looking at Ale like, “That was it?”

Beltran calls just then on Ale’s phone (because Rafa’s is off) and wants to talk to Rafa about that crazy girlfriend of his. Rafa gets up from the table to continue the conversation and leaves Marian and Ale alone (duhn, duhn, duhn). Once he’s gone, our two tigresses wearing fur coats circle each other. Marian doesn’t think that anything Ale brought up couldn’t have been worked out between her and Rafa, you know, ALONE. She wonders if Ale always tags along on Rafa’s sales and accuses Ale of trying to circumvent his power. Ale denies. Well, then you don’t trust him, Marian counters. Ale denies again and says she only gets involved when she’s looking out for Rafa and sees that there’s danger of business and intimacy mixing (ahem…). Marian knows exactly what Ale’s implying and asks Ale directly if she thinks she’s trying to seduce Rafa. Ale’s taken aback by this directness, and realizes she may be wrecking the deal. She decides to retreat and denies that that is what she thought.

Clueless Rafa returns to the table after being reamed out by Beltran about Vicky (“It will never happen again.” “It better not!”), and calling up Vicky to ream her out. Marian announces that she wants to put the whole deal in Ale’s hands, so that there will be no doubt of her intentions. Rafa doesn’t know what the heck is going on. Ale is so embarrassed that she tries to excuse herself, making apologies as she takes off her borrowed fur coat and gathers her things. Just as she stands up and starts to go she nearly faints. Rafa is there to catch her, and he and Marian try to convince Ale to sit down, have some water and catch her breath. Our stubborn, and mortified, Ale refuses and starts to stumble to her car. Rafa won’t let her leave alone and starts to make his apologies to Marian, thinking the deal is shot. Marian looks disappointed, but she understands Rafa’s concern and that he has to accompany Ale. She tells him not to worry, because the deal is still on. He runs after Ale, and Marian looks pensive.

Ale has somehow managed to stumble into her car. (My God! She’s going to drive!) But Rafa jumps in front of her car and forces her to let him in. She won’t, however, give over the wheel. Ale begins to drive down the road from Cuernavaca while simultaneously having a dizzy spell and a jealousy fit. She also manages to maintain her sarcastic sense of humor and begins to list all of Marian’s charms that she knows Rafa appreciates. Rafa takes offense, but is far more concerned with staying alive, which is becoming less likely as Ale weaves across the road. Ale and Rafa continue to argue about the whole Marian affair, when they come to the fateful spot along the road that originally brought them together. Suddenly, Ale starts having flashbacks to the accident, blacks out, and nearly plows them into a passing truck!

They luckily stop safely along the side of the road and Rafa freaks out when he sees a passed out Ale slumped in her seat. He immediately gets out , just like he did during the first accident, checks her pulse (and for a bit thinks she’s dead because of her weak pulse), just like before, puts his coat gently over her, carries her to the passenger side, buckles her in, and speeds her to the emergency room- all just as before. During this whole time Rafa keeps begging Ale not to leave him because they have so much yet to experience together.

Meanwhile, an anxious Marco is desperately trying to reach Ale. He calls Siglo and Susana gleefully lets him know that Ale is out seeing a client in Cuernavaca, with Medina. Marco loses it and Susana hangs up on him (I guess she’s had enough of crazy novios/as for the day). Chavez then adds fuel to Marco’s crazy fire by saying that Rafa will probably ask for Ale’s hand in marriage before Marco gets around to it. He calls Ale’s phone as Rafa is rushing her to the hospital, and is of course ignored by Rafa. Chavez, who seems to love being an instigator, says that either Ale doesn’t want to take his call, or Rafa is preventing her from taking it. Marco’s crazy meter inches up some more.

Rafa screeches up to the emergency room, as before, gently carries Ale in and lays her on a stretcher, covering her legs modestly as he did the first time. He’s beside himself, not wanting to leave her as the doctors try to take her away for examination. He gives her a sweet kiss on the forehead and tries to caress some warmth into her, like he did the first time. He lets the doctor know that she’s hypertensive. When asked by the intake nurse (the same nurse as the first time) if Ale is his wife, he does not lie like he did before. Instead he says he wishes she were. He has also learned from the last experience and rushes out to retrieve the car and park it in a proper space before it gets towed.

At Siglo, both Ramirez and Marino have gone to pay their respects to the Queen. Dona Arcadia drives home the point that there will be no vacations or time off for the Siglo crew while sales are so dismal. So if Ramirez needs to go to the doctor to see about his injuries, then he needs to do so after work, or better yet go at 4 am so that he will be first in line when the clinic opens at 7 am, and done in time for work. She tells him the reason why she’s set up her office there (looks like those of you who thought she’s at Siglo somewhere were right) is so that she can keep a close eye on her little business that has been faltering lately. Her other businesses are doing fine, it seems. When she meets with Marino she tells him to get rid of the toothpick and to stop with the women and kids already. Marino says he can’t until he’s found the ideal woman to give him a daughter. Plus, he’s a red blooded Mexican man from Michoacán and that’s how they roll. Dona Arcadia’s not buying it and tells him he needs to focus more on selling cars and less on spreading his seeds. She tells him she’ll gift him a bitch (a dog, people), so that he can learn the meaning of loyalty.

At the end of the day the crew all get ready to leave. Pepeto wants to talk about “us” with Rosaura. As far as she’s concerned, the only “us” in her life is her and her husband, and what happened with Pepeto was a mistake. She walks off, and our player Pepeto looks crushed. Ramirez is headed to the clinic, but Claudia stops him because she does not want him to walk alone after what happened. She rallies the troops. Although they are all supportive of accompanying Ramirez, most of them have a former engagement after work and can’t go. Only sweet little Bebe is ready and willing to kick some butt as Ramirez’s body guard. Needless to say, Claudia thinks additional backup is needed and shames Marino into offering to accompany his friend. Claudia says that if he were a good friend he would go to the clinic with Ramirez. Marino gets defensive and says he’ll go, but Ramirez refuses his offer, saying “Edgar Marino no es amigo de nadie.” (He’s no one’s friend.) “No thanks. I’m sober and in my full senses (“tengo mis cinco sentidos”- five senses). I don’t need you.” Ouch!

Back at the hospital, Rafa is in the waiting room, clutching Ale’s purse and biting his nails with worry. The doctor comes out and says that Ale suffered a surmenage.

OK. I was so confused when they kept saying this word and really wished I used captions at this point so I could see how it was spelled. Luckily, I speak some French and knew it sounded like a French word. In fact sur=over and menage=work. Guess what Ale is suffering from? It is a word taken directly from French and used in Spanish. Everything always sounds so elegant in French. It can mean: overwork; stress; mental fatigue; and a nervous breakdown. All apply to Ale, so take your pick.

The doc continues that this is a symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which Ale apparently has. He wants to know if Ale has stress in her life. Boy, howdy! Rafa begins to rattle off all Ale’s stressors. The doc gets the picture and warns about the damage to the heart, brain and other organs that this could cause. Susana calls Rafa looking for Ale and he stammers out what happened. (Meanwhile, Dandy is randomly crawling and contorting himself across Susana’s desk, and she seems unfazed by this. That’s love for you!) Rafa swears he will stay with Ale and not leave her side until Susana arrives.

Unfortunately, Susana informs Marco. Fortunately, Ale and Rafa have some alone time before he descends on them in the hospital. Ale wakes up in her hospital room and the first word on her lips is Medina. He’s immediately at her side and begins to tell her why she blacked out and details some of the stressors in her life that she needs to avoid. At each one she playfully acts horrified, when Rafa mentions himself as one of the stressors, she pretends to faint again. But there’s a smile on her face. Rafa indignantly and teasingly asks if she thinks all her stress would go away if he went away. She says yes! They continue the playful banter and he says he doesn’t believe her. He thinks it was her jealousy in Cuernavaca that put her over the top. She calls him a womanizer. He says we were talking about you, not me. He tells her that her jealousy of Marian is making her ill. But he can’t help but be glad about it, because his wish each day is that she feel something for him. She says she feels nothing.

Rafa starts to lean in close and her heart monitor starts to beep. He tells her that he also wishes he could be close to her like this (he leans in closer); hold her hand like this (he does); to kiss you like this (that sly Rafa leans down for the kiss and Ale very willingly kisses back). Her heart monitor starts beeping with more urgency, but Ale lies again and says she feels nothing. Oh, yeah? How about now? Another kiss. (ooh, this is getting good) How about now? A long, deep kiss. Ale’s heart monitor starts going crazy and sounding a loud alarm. They smile at each other and say that crazy machine must be broken. They go in for another kiss. The patient in the next bed looks like she wishes she was receiving this type of therapy. Finally, a crowd of nurses and doctors rush in, push Rafa aside, slap an oxygen mask on Ale, and look like they’re about to pull out the paddles and give Ale a good shock before she and Rafa convince them that she is fine.

The doctors and nurses leave, and Ale and Rafa look like they're about to give the heart monitor another workout, when loco Marco arrives. He finds Rafa leaning over Ale, but not kissing her, thank goodness. This does not stop him from going ballistic on Rafa, accusing him of causing Ale’s illness. Ale tries to get Marco to calm down, sweetly asks Rafa to leave while clutching his arm, and it immediately becomes clear to Ale that Marco is the chief cause of her illness. He remains clueless, however, and tries to push having that little talk they have pending. Ale looks at him sadly, takes off her engagement ring and hands it to him, and says they have nothing to talk about. Marco is impactado. “Are you saying that we’re over?” (terminamos?) Ale sighs like a huge weight has been lifted off her shoulders and confirms this. He blames it all on Medina and goes ballistic. He wonders how Ale could do this after ALL he has done for her and her family. Ale’s roommate starts calling for the nurse who comes in and asks Marco to go. He goes in a huff, but Ale looks like she's at peace with her decision.

When Susana arrives to take her home, she tells her what happened with Rafa and that she broke up with Marco. Susana can barely contain her glee. She tells Susana about the heart monitor going crazy when she and Rafa kissed and that she can’t deny that she feels something for him. But this does not mean that they are going to get into a relationship with each other. It’s too complicated. Plus she made that promise to her dad and aunt. And she wants to just be alone for a while.

At Casa Medina, Julieta has hatched a devious little plan to con Rafa into approving an overnight field trip to a ranch for her, Jaime and supposedly some of her college friends. In reality, this is a trip to cheer Jaime up, and I don’t believe any others will be coming along…

Rafa heads to his room to call Susana and check in on Ale. Jaime follows him and gets the scoop on the kisses at the hospital. Jaime is shocked. He almost goes into cardiac arrest when Rafa announces that he’s going over to Vicky’s to break up with her tonight! No, not just because of what happened with Ale, but because of the stunt Vicky pulled calling the entire office, calling Beltran and threatening him. That was the last straw and he can’t take any more. Ale has her boyfriend, her family obligations, and Rafa made that promise to her father. But before he could even think of having anything with Ale, he needs to end things with Vicky. He leaves a panicked Jamie having nightmare fantasies of a very pregnant Vicky, a very threatening Brothers and Padre Grimm, and a very angry Rafa, Leonor and Julieta, at his shotgun (or knifepoint) wedding to Vicky. He calls Vicky up to warn her that Rafa’s coming over right now to break up with her. Vicky is impactada.

Ale arrives home to find Tia Rosario, Quintana and Jorge snoring up a storm between them. Ale doesn’t tell them what happened to her, but gets her dad to agree to go to bed. Jorge complies, but before he does he asks Asucena to take over his post as guard dog over Rosario (Quintana is definitely worming his way into her good graces). He also asks about Marco’s whereabouts and says he wants to see him tomorrow ‘cause they have things to discuss. Ale realizes that it’s going to be harder than she thought to break the news of the breakup to her family.

Tomorrow: Ale tells Tia about the breakup. Marco is in a bad way (you can tell by the crazy hair). The Brothers Grimm circle Rafa.

Labels: dinero

We are now halfway through our story. We have managed to do this without a single fatality. (unless you want to count the dummy.) We have also managed to avoid all sudden falls down long staircases or other sinister accidents. (I am not counting tonight’s little Marco and Chavez blunder. Those two couldn‘t set a mouse trap correctly). We have not had a single case of amnesia, (you can’t count Jorge, that’s his memory thing). We have had no kidnappings and no switched babies. (although we do have Vicky who may or may not be faking a pregnancy, trying to do cositas with Rafita so she can switch the daddies.) (What?)

What we have had is plenty of fun. We have had Mariachis (Even Hindu Mariachis) animal rights activists (Rafa and Ale freeing the lobsters) . Great kisses and almost kisses (not Ramiro and the General). Lots of knife wielding (the Butchers crazy kids). Plenty of what the heck scenes (our idiot police men, and random salon visits). The funniest bungling villains ever to grace a TN (Marco and Chavez). The sexiest table dancing “nurse” who is soon to be happy in Iraq (Rubi), The craziest work environment since Mash (Auto Siglo). And my favorite, the best TN couple to root for in a very long time!!! (No, not Marino and Ramirez!!). Lets hope the next 115 or so chapters will bring us as much fun, smiles, sneers, frustration and cheers as the first one hundred and fifteen. So lets get to it. It was a busy two hours.

Chapter # 115 After the “Hazeme” has worn off
We have a little rehash from last night. Ramirez has an encounter with a chair and Rafa has promised Vicky a night of pleasure. He swears. (Famous last words.)

Ale enters her house and finds Marco fast a sleep and sawing logs on a rattan chair. He startles as she wakes him. (What’s up with the hair?) He tells her he decided to wait for her since she told him she would be home early. Ale tells him it still is early. She tells him she has to clean up her room and put some order to it. She asks him to join her. A sleepy Marco with hand bag in tow, follows Ale. She is ragging about how she has to put away all her things again after packing them to leave.

Marco snuggles up against her and tells her she can’t possibly stay there tonight. Why not stay with him at his place. Ale tells him to forget that. She has a very early morning. He asks her if she really is going to put everything away tonight. He has a better idea of what they could do. Ale does not seem enthused and suggests that he help her. Marco yawning, is pretending he didn’t hear her. She looks at him and sees him yawning, tells him Nothing my “cielo” (literally means heaven but is commonly used as a term of endearment like “my love” ) why not go and get some sleep. He goes in for a good night kiss and Ale has a difficult time trying to act pleased. He blows her a kiss and tells her he loves her, making a face as he leaves. Ale gives a sigh of relief.

It is morning and Ale is rudely awoken by a ringing phone. It is Rafa. He is up and raring to go. Ale not so much. He chides her a little for not being up already since she did leave early last night. He asks her if she is tired from dancing so much. She wants to know if he called her just to complain. He tells her no , he has a very important appointment today and would like her to review his proposal before the morning meeting, because afterwards he is going to Cuernavaca. She sarcastically asks him if he wasn‘t able to sleep just thinking about this. Then she literally blows him off and tells him he can leave with whatever proposal he cares to offer at what ever prices. Basically she tells him to do what he wants and stop bugging her. He says “whatever but I still want to see you early at the office.” Ale balks at this and Rafa doesn’t take any lip and hangs up on her.

Jorge and Tia Rosario are arguing. They have a huge mess downstairs with boxes still packed. They can’t find any of the kitchen utensils. Life has just been made easier for all, as who should show up but Azucena. Jorge’s prayers have been answered. It turns out Marco called her to inform her that Rubi has taken her love to Iraq.

Speaking of Rubi. We have a cute little von voyage at our local bar with Chavez and Marco giving a US flag adorned Rubi a proper send off. Rubi is a little worried that jobs might be a bit hard to come by. Marco tells her not to worry. She is all excited to leave and is practicing her new mantra once she lands in Iraq “I love United States.” They wish her well and Marco tells her if she needs anything not to hesitate to call. Big kisses by all are exchanged. As she leaves Chavez mutters “I hope this works.”

Quintana is walking down the street. We see a shady character trying not be noticed behind the wheel of a car. He is studying a picture of said Quintana. We switch back to Chavez and Marco discussing their other little problem. Chavez assures Marco they no longer have to worry about Quintana because he is about to have a little accident. You guys didn’t really think Marco and Chavez were going to be able to successfully pull this off did you? Our would be assassin aims his speeding car at Quintana. He is barely nudged and manages to land on the sidewalk a bit shaken up. He is terrified and walks away saying “ bread roll” (Carlos is that like “a duck”?) . Our assassin is detained by the police and Quintana continues to stagger away.

We have a lot of morning after talk by the Siglo crew. Seems like they all have poor memories of what went on the night before. Why not blame it all on Dandy’s “Hazeme brew” . It seems like everyone is having a rough morning. We see Dona Arcadia talking with Beltran. They both look like “the morning after” a not so memorable night. She wants to know how the fiesta went and Beltran has a Claudia flashback and tells her everything was fine.

Ramiro being Ramiro tries to get frisky with the general. She tries her hardest to tell him to leave her alone. He does not get this. Finally she leaves to go to the bathroom and he follows her. She tells him what happened last night was just what happened last night. Ramiro asks her if she didn’t really feel anything. She does think about this for a moment but says nothing. He salutes her and she silently leaves.

Ale enters Siglo and greets the crew. None of them are fairing very well after Dandy’s brew. She then asks Susana if Rafa has shown up yet. She tells Susana that he got jealous last night. Susana seems pleased to hear this. Ale reminds her there is nothing between them. Besides he has a girlfriend and she has Marco.

Rafa shows up and asks Ale if she needs to review the Groupo Celeste deal. Ale tells him no. Susana is puzzled by this. Ale tells her why would this matter to her.

Dandy shows up and wants to know how the night went and all about the “Hazeme”. Rosaura wants to know how long the effects last. Dandy tells her two months. She looks panicked. Pepito wants to know where he can buy some.


Marino shows up minus Ramirez. Everyone wants to know where his “carnal” (brother or best buddy) is. They all become concerned. Bebe blames Dandy for spiking everyone’s drinks causing them to all behave irrationally and if something happens to him it will be his fault. We see a worried look across Marino‘s face as he remembers the last time he saw Ramirez. Dandy assures everyone that all he put in their drinks was an natural essence oil from Susana. The most they could expect from that is strong nails and good skin.

Marino is calling around looking for Ramirez. He finds out he spent the night in the hospital and was just let out. At that moment we see Ramirez enter Siglo with a huge shiner. Marino asks him what happened. He tells him you left me alone at that bar and when I left I was assaulted. ( I was a little confused by Ramirez’s story. Is he lying? Didn’t that happen when he hit the chair after Marino shoved him? Or is he trying to make Marino feel guilty for leaving him alone at the bar? All good questions.)

Ramirez enters the conference room to inquiring minds. He lies and tells them he had just left Siglo by himself and was assaulted. Marino has entered now and has sat down. I swear he actually looks like he feels bad. They can’t understand what kind of person would do this. Ramirez tells them “a piece of garbage” the worse he has ever seen in his life, as he looks at Marino. They ask if they got anything and he says “My dignity”. . Bebe things they lack solidarity. If one of their friends was drinking why wouldn’t someone want to look after him and make sure he made it home safe. Claudia tells him not to blame them. After all he has a good friend, looking at Marino. Marino tells Ramirez he is sorry about what happened last night. Claudia smarts off and says “give a little kiss too.” This sets Marino off and he threatens Claudia and leaves.

Chavez and Marco are still at the bar. Chavez is talking on the phone to the dumb street thug (idiota potota) that they hired to take out Quintana. He warns him not to open his mouth to the police. He tells him he can’t go to the police station as he doesn’t want them to know he is involved in all of this. He tells him he will come up with something to help and hangs up. Marco wants to know if Quintana is out of the picture. Chavez says this jerk wasn’t able to hit him.

More problems for our dynamic duo. Chavez is on the phone with his contact from the hacienda embargo and he is informing him that the embargo has been formally lifted. Marco wants to know what is going on. Chavez says , what needs to happen. “Marry Ale now and then tell the family the embargo has ended.” Marco wants to know if the notification has been sent to the house. Chavez says more than likely, but with all the chaos going on with moving hopefully it got lost. Marco wants to know what happened to all of Chavez contacts. He wants to know who the people are in charge of sending out the information. Chavez does not know, but is going to find out. And hopefully it is someone they know. Other wise they are going to have to go join their friend Rubi in Iraq.

Our conference meeting has ended and Ale is congratulating Rafa for his strategy to give all the employees names of potential clients. They seem to be very motivated by this. Rafa brushes this off. He needs to leave he has a very important appointment. It is none other than our lovely Marian Celeste. Her arrival has caused quite a stir. Trapita informs Rafa that there is a mamacita here to see him. Rafa gets ready to leave. He asks Susana to take his calls and keep him informed. He tells Ale to wish him luck. She says why would you need it in her very wry Ale way. Rafa gives her an Ira ira ira and leaves.

As he walks out to greet her he is given pats on the back and looks of envy from all as they wish him luck.
Rafa is impressed with Marians punctuality. She tells him she is punctual when it is in her best interest to be punctual and gives Rafa a flirty little smile. (She is so sweet but she is not Ale).

He tells Trapito to get the car. Marian asks him if he wants to drive. He seems surprised by this. After all Ale never seemed to want him to drive. Rosaura has witnessed all of this and as she enters Siglo she remarks Rafa isn’t coming back today. Ale overhears this and we see a worried look cross her face.


Chapter # 116 The Road to Cuernavacca

Ramirez is about to confess something to the Siglo group when Marino chimes in and says he has nothing to confess. He tells them to leave him alone. Where is their compassion. They all disperse . Ramirez asks him if he is afraid that he might tell them that he left him alone at the bar and when he left he was assaulted? Marino tells him he won’t open his mouth. Ramirez asks him what he’s afraid off. That they will find out what class of person he really is. He tells him the reason he didn’t say anything at the meeting was because he respects the concept of friendship and walks away from Marino who calls him a bitter (amargado) idiot.

Random scene where Claudia enters Dona Arcadias office all sad and weepy and leaves happy and chirpy.

Chavez and Marco are still at the same bar and Chavez once again is on the phone trying to solve their problems. He has a name but doesn’t know who it is. Marco tells him he needs to get to know her and get her on their side no matter what the costs are. She has their future in her hands.

Chavez tells him he will do what he can but Marcos better get a move on and get Ale to marry him. Set a date today!!! After all they have Quintana on their heels. Marco assures him he will set a date today. Ale will have to accept this. Marco calls Ale and tells her he needs to talk to her tonight. He makes her promise that she won’t blow him off with any other commitments. Ale promises. After she hangs up Susana wants to know what’s up. Ale says he made her promise that they would talk tonight. Then she shoves a bunch of papers at Susana and tells her to not let the papers touch because they all reproduce (I think they are bills.) Susana tells her not to worry. Rafa will do well with his Celeste deal and she will get the commission. Ale tells her she doesn’t want anything to do with this deal. She won’t help him and she doesn’t have good vibes about Marian. She doesn’t want any thing from the deal. .

Rafa is driving to Cuernavaca with Marian. They are having idle chatter when they come across the same location where Rafa and Ale had their accident. Rafa suddenly has a flashback of Ale’s car flying through the air into the ravine. He looks quite stressed and Marian inquires if he is okay. Rafa tells her he just hasn’t been here in a while.

Now we see Ale sitting and remembering Rosaura’s gossip about Marian and “basic instincts in small houses.” She is interrupted by Susana who tells her Beltran needs to see her. She gets a call from an old friend from school and Ale tells Susana to tell Beltran she will see him later.

Vicky calls Susana. She chews her out for not calling her. There is the funniest visual while Vicky is talking to Susana and we see the huge mounted stuff bulls head behind her. They have things to talk about. Rules to be set. Then she tells her she wants to talk to Rafa. Susan tries to explain that he is not available and with a client. Susana assures her that Ale is with her and not Rafa. Vicky finally believes her.


Rafa and Marian have arrived at the “small house” that is quite grand and palatial. They are discussing flowers and the export business and other stuff. Rafa’s phone rings and he takes one look at it and decides it is best to just turn it off. He goes on singing Marians praise about what a wonderful woman she is with such passion and vision for the future. She tells Rafa that when she enjoys something she gets really involved with it as she throws him a very flirty smile. ( I think she might be referring to our Rafa here.)

We get Ale’s wonderful “Vicky Vicky Vicky” imitation as she and Susana continuing discussing what Vicky wanted. Ale says yea especially since he is out at Cuernavaca with Marian. Susana wants to know more about the call with Ale‘s fiend. Ale tells her he will be in Mexico and she will see him tomorrow. Ale always the business woman, tells Susan there is the possibility of maybe selling a few cars. She tells Susana she is off to see Beltran but casually inquires if Rafa has called. Susana tells her no and ale says “smooth“.

Vicky is pacing about fuming that Rafa turned off his cell phone. She turns and has a little chat nose to nose with our beastie stuffed bull’s head swearing she won‘t stand around with her arms crossed. And as she turns to leave she smacks into it. We hear mooing in the background. (was that symbolic?) .

Beltran is chewing Ale out for not having reviewed the proposals Rafa will be presenting to Marian. She tells Beltran he was the one that put Rafa in charge of the Celeste deal. Beltran reminds her that he put Rafa in charge of Marian. He still wants her to review the contracts before Marian signs them.


Ale tells Susana she needs to call Rafa. Rafa has turned his cell phone off. Ale is peeved now. Rafa can‘t have the contracts signed until Ale reviews them. (Okay raise your hands if you didn’t see this coming, guess who needs to go to Cuernavaca?) Susana informs Ale that she will have to go to Cuernavaca to review the contracts. Susana tells her at least she will be able to find out what they are up to . What good luck, hey?

Rosaura is remorsefully sharing last nights moments of weakness with the General. She can’t even look her husband in the eye. What was she thinking. She is a married women. That darn “wichiwhichi brew” is to blame. The general insightfully informs her that if something happened last night with Pepito it wasn’t the wichiwichi brew, it means something isn’t right with her marriage and she needs to confront that.

Vicky is still trying to hunt down her man. Ramiro happens to be the next unfortunate soul to answer the phone. She wants to know where Rafa is. That secretary of his is worthless. Ramiro isn’t able to give her any more useful information so she asks to talk with Pepito. We see Pepito throw him a don’t you dare look and says no way. Vicky continues on her rant and Ramiro tells her he has to get to work and hangs up on her. This does not bode well with Vicky. She is convinced he is with a woman. Now she has to figure out which one.

Ale is off to find Rafa. Susana has reminded Ale to drive carefully. That road isn’t lucky for her. Ale is now in her car is on her way to Cuernavaca. As she approaches the scene of the accident she stops and has her own flashbacks of the event. She talks out loud and tells herself to leave quickly.

Marco entering his favorite water hole alone, is asking Chavez where in devil is he. Chavez informs him he is on the hunt for Carmela. Marco wants to know if he found her. Chavez tells him yes but she looks pretty busy. Marco reminds him that he has to make sure that the announcement of the ending of the embargo does not get sent out. That will be the end of them. Carmela does not appear to be an easy hunt for Chavez as we see her screaming “forget it!!” into the phone and slams it down. Chavez rightfully looks worried as he hangs up with Marco and approaches her office.

Chavez politely greets her and she tells him to cut the crap, and tell her what he needs. He introduces himself and says he also works for the gremio (union, trade or corporation). She ponders this for a while She asks him he was the one that was fired for receiving money under the table? She tells him he is one extraordinary rat. Chavez seems quite uncomfortable with her blatant knowledge and attempts to close the door. This Carmela is wise to his ways and tells him to leave the door open. He tells her not to believe the gossip that was started by his enemies from the company.

She asks him what he needs. He goes to sit down and she stops him quickly, telling him she didn’t say he could sit down. Chavez Tells her he is the administrator of the Hacienda de Alejandra. She knows which one he is talking about. The one they are having trouble with sending out the notice that the embargo has been lifted. Then she asks him if he knows the embargo has been lifted. He answers yes. She says good than you have Senor Jorge come down and sign a few papers and we will give him back his hacienda. Not what Chavez wanted to hear. She starts screaming at him to get Jorge down here to sign the papers. Chavez has finally gotten his spine back and shuts the door and asks if they can “talk confidentially”

She stands up and tells him to do a little spin. Chavez looks very confused. He does a little spin and Carmela is not impressed. She then asks him what he wants. He tells her stop sending notification of the lifting of the embargo to Jorge. Carmela looks intrigued. She has Chavez figured out. She says oh you don’t want to loose your job? She wants to know what kind of money is behind all this little game. After all the hacienda is worth quite a bit of money. Well that’s what he came to talk to her about in confidence.

She doesn’t want anything to do with this. She isn’t going to get involved with anything that gets her into problems with the lawyer taking care of the Hacienda. What’s his name, oh yea Marco. She doesn’t want to have any problems with him. Chavez assures her she won’t have any problems with Marco. As a matter of fact he is the one who sent him to talk with her. Now she gets it. There’s more money here than she could have imagined. Then she tells him that it isn’t him she needs to talk too. She wants to talk to Marco.
Chavez says fine. I will tell him that. He tells her to have a good day and calls her colleague. She is offended by this and tells him to get!! She calls in her “assistant” and tells him to see if Jorge has received any notices about the lifting of the embargo

Rafa and Marian are getting down to business. Well that’s Rafa’s plan. Marian is more interested in relaxing. Have something to eat. Regular food. Maybe some tequilas. Rafa would rather have her review the contracts. But ever the gentleman agrees to have lunch. It seems to be getting a bit chilly as Rafa offers her his jacket. Maybe they should go inside. Sit by the fire. They can review the contracts and maybe seal the deal with a little brandy. Ale has finally found Rafa. Marian wants to know if Rafa invited her. She tells Marian she needs to talk to Rafa. He has his phone turned off. Rafa tells her it is because of the problems with reception. Yea Ale believes that one. She tells him she needs to review the papers.
Marian offers Ale a drink. Tequila perhaps. Rafa doesn’t think this is too good of an idea. Ale says she loves tequila but not during work hours as she shoots Rafa a look. She insist that Ale stay and eat with them. Rafa tells her that Ale doesn’t really like “comida tipica.” (traditional dishes). Marian assures her it is okay not everyone can eat that kind of food. She offers her lobster. Ale says no thank you she just needs to talk a bit with Rafa than she will be off.

Marian tells them she will let them be, but just for a little while and gives Rafa his jacket back, admiring his fine taste in clothes. These are the same clothes that Ale picked out for Rafa and loaned him money for when he first started at Siglo. She Mocks Marian and caresses Rafa’s jacket saying “you have great taste.” She remembers when they went shopping and Rafa wanted to pick out a blue sear sucker suit. She has a nostalgic moment and Rafa wants to know what’s going on. She snaps out of it and reminds him he still owes her money for the suits. He tells her she was the one who made him buy them. Then she reminds him he went over to Cloautos and wiped the floor with them. Rafa tells her he will pay for all the clothes the end of this month. (These are the cute little spats we all love so much.).

She tells him that’s not why she came, to interrupt his fine little time with Marian. She needs to review the contracts before they are signed. Rafa chews her out saying how many times did I ask you to review them, but oh no you said this was a done deal. She grabs the contracts from him and says enough. Beltran is really nervous about this. She looks at him and says “ this isn’t any fun for me to come down memory lane to Cuernavaca. She blames him saying she wouldn’t have had to come if he hadn’t turned off his cell phone. He tells her he didn’t want to be interrupted while Marian was discussing business. Ale says he just didn’t want to be interrupted by “la Pajarita”. “She doesn’t know where you are right?” We have great stares thrown back and forth.

Pepito has sold a car. This great moment is interrupted by a phone call from Vicky. She is looking for Rafa. She knows he is with a woman. She wants to know who. “Rafa is asking for big trouble“.


Ale is reviewing the contract. Rafa wants to know if they are okay. Ale says they are fine except there are a few concessions that they just can’t allow. Marian returns with a jacket on and thoughtfully hands a coat to Ale. (Marian really is sweet.) Rafa offers to help Ale put the coat on and meets resistance and decides to just let her be. Marian is taking this all in. She asks if they were able to review the contracts. Rafa says yes and Ale says no. Marian wants to know which it is. She suggests they eat first than Rafa and Ale can look them over together.


Ale tells Marian that they didn’t have time before to review the papers. Marian is a little confused. Can’t Rafa do this by himself. Why does someone have to review it. She wants to know if the contracts are any good. Ale says yes they are fine they just need a little tweaking. Ale tells her you’re a business woman, you should understand this. Marian tells her well can’t Rafa do that with me. Isn’t that why he is here? They finally decide to review them together. (this conversation had me a little lost so I might have messed it up a bit. Feel free to correct or add.)

Our final scene is a hoot. Vicky finally manages to climb her way up the telephone pole to reach Beltran. She tells him it is an emergency. Beltran gets a little worried and hopes Rafa is okay. Vicky starts screaming at him that he is with another women. He starts screaming back at her and tells her he is working. He tells her she can’t be calling his place of work like that. She says “Yes I can because I don’t trust any of you people there“. Beltran is outraged. Than clever little Vicky reminds him about his little massage and whiskey time with Claudia.

I am so sorry this is late. I killed another mouse. Don’t know what I am doing wrong but I killed my “magna mouse” at work the other day as well. Thank goodness this is my last monster recap, they are really hard on my mice.

Labels: dinero

Episode 69

Gabriel haunts his office at Raúl's in abject desolation after witnessing Branko kiss Jimena in the plaza gazebo. Presently Mariela enters (his potential mother-in-law), and when she asks how his romantic interlude went, he admits with heavy heart that he's lost Jimena forever.

Meanwhile at the gypsy camp, Jimena resignedly accepts what everyone's been telling her, since Gabriel didn't come to meet her: that a white man would never take a gypsy woman seriously. So she's going to marry Branko; and Servando and Griselda are elated to hear it. They anticipate a big, proper gypsy celebration; but Jimena is sad and pining for Gabriel.

Back at the office, Mariela smiles upon hearing Jimena's name: she explains that the name means "God listened to me." Gabriel's disappointed that God apparently didn't listen to him and suffers a renewed spell of agony, not wanting to live anymore. Mariela counsels him that he's young, and there's still hope he can get Jimena back.

It's not like some other blows life brings, where you never get over it, Mariela continues -- misfortunes that one never recovers from, like losing a child. Nothing in the world can cure that; but Gabriel compares it to having lost his parents.

When Mariela learns how destroyed he felt from that loss, she smiles sadly and recounts how from the first moment she met Gabriel, she liked and trusted him. So much so that she wants to tell Gabriel her story -- and Gabriel wants very much to hear it.

Marlene visits Rodrigo in his townhouse to make him a deal. Pulling the infamous gambling debts out of her reticule and fanning them under his nose, she gets him incensed at having a low personage such as herself dunning him. She offers to back off on turning him into the authorities on one condition: don't reveal to Rosenda that Marlene is her mother, Magda. Rodrigo balks indignantly several times, but Marlene holds the winning hand.

At Gabriel's office, Mariela proceeds to explain to Gabriel the tragedy in which she lost her daughter, Angela; that someone abducted the girl. We see the flashback where Servando and Griselda abduct Angela from the park. At this point, Mariela breaks down, weeping piteously; and Gabriel is very moved by her plight. It's been a living hell, and he understands this kind of suffering.

Gabriel's mother died when he was very young, he says; it devastated him, and he's weeping, too. He missed his mother so much! And then a little later on, he lost his father, as well; all that remained to him was his tutor after that. And thank goodness for him.

Mariela is so touched she wants to embrace Gabriel, and he gladly embraces her in return. They have a good cry on each other's shoulder and recognize how alike they are. Mariela points out how much her parents have also helped her. Meanwhile, in another part of Raúl's house, her parents discuss the state of the situation with him. Unlike Mariela, after all this time, they tearfully admit their granddaughter could be dead.

But back in the office, Mariela declares to Gabriel that her mother's intuition tells her Angela is alive! Gabriel completely agrees with her, trusting the great gift of a mother's intuition -- endearing him to all the mothers in the audience.

Mariela declares earnestly that's exactly why she doesn't give up and never will. Gabriel looks Mariela in the eyes and assures her that she can always count on him, whether in deed or simply to listen to her. Mariela grasps his hands in gratitude.

At Juan's "far away" beach shack, he tortures himself remembering an argument with Aimee at the cave, where she tries to convince him that deep down he really loves her. He is just telling her in his memory how she doesn't deserve a good sister like Regina and the sacrifices she made, when he returns to the present, thinking again how true that is. Oh, Saint Regina; you are nothing like your sister, Juan says aloud. He chuckles a little, dwelling on Regina and repeating -- nothing at all.

And on the patio at the farm, Clemencia notes Regina's doldrums, and Regina admits what's wrong -- that she's agreed to marry Federico. She's agreed to sacrifice herself for her father's financial sake. Meanwhile, across town Fulgencio tells Federico he has a dangerous, unknown enemy in the arms trade. When Fulgencio cautions them to be very careful, his usual sidekick goon pledges loyalty to the death; but Federico and Servando just turn and eye each other doubtfully.

Back at the finca patio, Clemencia is upset about Regina's marriage and now frets she counseled her wrong in making sacrifices for everyone else. But Regina insists she sacrificed for Aimee to be happy for their mother's sake. And Clemencia knows Aimee would be lost without Regina. Regina's happy that Juan has finally disappeared, although she is feeling more and more sympathetic about him.

They discuss his lifelong suffering, and Clemencia reminds her that he's a good person, despite it. Loyal and sincere, but his hard life sidetracks him from his good intentions. At that moment, Renato enters and Clemencia exits; when Regina explains they were discussing Juan, Renato wonders what about Juan could make her look so sad. Does she know something he doesn't?

Regina will only say she's concerned for Aimee and Renato's happiness, and Renato notes Juan has nothing to do with that. Regina urges Renato to take Aimee on a trip and get away, but he insists they just need to work on their typical newlywed problems.

When Regina asks if he thinks Aimee doesn't care about him, he denies that; but should she ever betray him, watch out. A bit overwrought, he backs off and hopes that never happens. When Renato thinks to ask what's new with Regina, she informs him she's marrying Federico.

Upstairs, Rosenda guards Leonarda's bed chamber door against Aimee and enjoys making her beg to enter. Once inside, Aimee girds her loins for something she definitely does not want to do -- grovel in apology to that sanctimonious godmother of hers. But grovel she does; and with a multitude of roll eyes and heavy sighs, Leonarda forgives Aimee -- but only because she's got bigger fish to fry.

When Aimee feigns gratitude and declares Leonarda is like a mother to her, Leonarda pulls back and objects. Well, she is not her mother! She's Renato's mother, and not to forget it! Never do anything to hurt Renato; she'll make Aimee's life impossible. She's been warned.

Next day at the regular beach shack, the boyz tease Remigio about his lady love. Later he meets "Malu" outside the casino and is surprised to find she adores being with him; Remigio's moved to admit time passes like an eternity when he's not with her. He'd do anything -- anything to be with her all day, every day.

Lulu flushes with pleasure, and Remigio rushes to propose that they make it official, to be novios. When Lulu worries that he doesn't know her at all, Remigio insists all he needs to know is that she's a pure, good woman, which gives Lulu a pause. But at the mention of love and marriage, she forges ahead; and they kiss tentatively and sweetly. Remigio looks surprised and elated and takes her hand.

In a short scene, Rodrigo makes a visit to the sheriff to try to implicate Juan once again in the pirate attacks that frightened the port; but the sheriff reminds him there was never any evidence against him. Meanwhile at Juan's "far away" beach shack, he mulls over his heritage as a Montes de Oca and also the revenge he intends for his parents' sakes. Rodrigo is going to find out just who Juan is -- that the long-awaited associate, Juan Aldama de la Cruz, is himself.

Upstairs at the dressmaker's hideaway, Eloísa is astounded Federico is marrying Regina right away; but he's firm about it. He explains his plans for escaping with Regina's money; and somewhat mollified, she includes her plans for ridding themselves of Fulgencio.

Federico is sure it won't be easy -- and is not as sure as Eloísa that Servando is the guy to kill him, since Servando knows both Fulgencio and Federico. No matter, let's have a few hot sex scenes, they decide; and so they do. Not positive, but it seemed like he actually had his hand and arm between her legs. It's worth a look.

Leonarda cheerily toasts Rodrigo at the townhouse for resolving his money problems, but Renato definitely does not toast them. Renato is furious that Rodrigo would sacrifice his daughter's entire lifelong happiness for something that was his own damned fault. Renato angrily declares he used to admire and respect Rodrigo, but selling his daughter out is going to be on Rodrigo's conscience -- if he still has one!

Labels: salvaje

I might have used that title before but what goes around comes around on this novela. And how lucky am I to get an unannounced two-hour episode! Disculpa, amigas, I am not going to be able to post pictures, be as detailed or put in as much Spanish as I would normally - it just takes too long.

Let me also say at the outset that it seemed like one of the two hours was comprised of Latifa whining and complaining about Amina. I'm giving that very short shrift.

Said and Rania are led to their hotel room. This the third wedding we've had in Morocco so we know the drill - foot washing; prayers to Allah for love and happiness; sex; bloody sheets for witnesses the next morning. Before going into his room, Said goes to Abdul and apparently wants to tell him that Jade wasn't a virgin when he married her. At least that is what he has a flashback to. But he doesn't say anything.

Zoraida asks Jade if she regrets what she has done. She replies that she has confidence in Lucas.
It's torture time at the Ferrar house. Marisa snatches Lucas' book out of his hand and says that now she has the opportunity to tell him everything she's been saving up for all these years. She wants to know why he won't oppose Nati's relationship with Alej and she taunts him for never having the guts to to leave his father's house. In desperation, Lucas calls for Rosa to get Marisa out of there. Marisa tells him that he is like an adolescent in a 40-year old's body but he will never be 18 again. [Lucas is more like an 80-year old in a 40-year old's body.]

Escobar and Julio are concerned about Albieri's obsession with Daniel.

In Cancun, Albieri is obsessed with Daniel. He wants to call Dora but doesn't have her number. He calls Cristina but gets Vicki. Pursuant to the plan agreed to long ago, Vicki won't give Albieri Dora's number but she says that she will give Dora a message. Cristina comes in and tells Vicki what she has learned about Amalia.
Primero me engordo 20 libras antes que me saque de su camino.
I will gain 20 pounds before I get out of his [Leo's] way, says Cristina.

Leo tells Amalia that he is a rational being and not passionate.

Vicki comes over to Dora's to tell her about the call from Albieri. Dora is sure that Albieri went to Cancun on purpose to meet Daniel. Estela is sure that Daniel and Albieri's obsession with one another is because Albieri is Daniel's father. Dora denies it.

Knowing full well what her reaction will be, Karla tells Gloria that Alej is going back to fighting.

Alej believes that he will be successful in the fight game because he has Nati as his motivation.

Gloria chews out Alej for going back to fighting but he tells her that he did it before as a hobby but now he is serious about this as a career.
Tú sabes, baby, que un solo golpe mal dado, ¡y te mandan para el otro mundo a encontrarte con el niño Jesús!
You realize, baby, that one bad punch and you will be sent to the other world to find yourself with the baby Jesus! says Gloria. Finally though, she capitulates and agrees to let Alej pursue his dreams but she won't go and watch him fight.

Daniel calls Alberi's house and gets Alicia. She tells him that Albieri has moved away. At the lab, Alicia asks if Daniel is Albieri's son. Julio says no. He has a thought bubble about his suspicions about what Albieri did with the embryos.

Ali tries to talk Abdul out of promoting Amina as a second wife for Mohamed.

Jade is counting her chickens before they are hatched. She tells Zoraida that she is free when she only has a plan to use Rania as an ally to get a divorce. Zoraida tells Jade that maybe the prophecy of the coffee grounds (the past and the present combined in one man before her) means that Lucas looks the same but isn't the same as he was 20 years ago. [You don't need coffee grounds to tell you that someone might have changed over 20 years.]

More blasts from the past. Rosa brings Lucas his guitar and they recall how talented he was before he gave it up to be Daddy's slave in the company. Meanwhile, Daniel is mesmerized by a guitar in a store window.

Leo is starting to put the moves on Amalia.

Said calls Enrique and says that he will give them his decision when he returns to Miami from his honeymoon.

Clara fights with Escobar about Alicia.

Vicki hires Pablo as her personal trainer. I see romance ahead for those two.

In a weird scene, Jade and Latifa reminisce with their daughters about how Jade used to put on a burqa and sneak out of the house. Latifa appears to remember this fondly when at the time, she was sure that Jade was going to destroy Latifa's marriage. Before Jade can tell the girls what she was doing in the ruins, Zoraida announces that the Naz has brought Amina to visit.

Latifa panics. Fortunately, Mohamed is not at home. The Naz invites Amina to visit her in the US. Zoraida counsels Latifa not show Nariza her feelings about Amina. Latifa wonders how a wonderful man like Mohamed could have such an awful sister. Latifa drags Zamira and Jadiya to the medina to delay Mohamed's return. She finds him and tells him that she has a terrible headache and is looking for a certain herb to cure it. They examine every herb in the market without success. Latifa says that her headache is better and they finally decide to go home hoping that Amina has left.

Meanwhile Jade and Zoraida are telling Amina that Mohamed is a bad husband. He beats his wife and won't give her enough food. Bad news when Latifa arrives back at Ali's house - Amina is still there. She pretends to faint and Mohamed carries her up to her room. She revives when told that Amina has left.

Daniel flashes back to Albieri giving him toys.

Enrique calls Lucas to tell him about their upcoming meeting with Said. Leo thinks Lucas must have some clue about what is going on from talking to Jade but, of course, he doesn't. Marisa comes in and smugly claims that she already knew that Said was coming to Miami. Lucas asks Marisa about her relationship with Said. He doesn't think that it is real because she wouldn't be happy about Said marrying again. Marisa replies that that she doesn't want to be Said's third or fourth wife. She has her place in his life and it is the same as Jade in Lucas' life. She says that she has to thank Lucas and Jade because if it weren't for them, she never would have met Said.

Nati tells Alej that she has just found out that her parents have never cared about each other and only stayed together because of her. She tells Alej that he is her happiness and without him, she would be lost like she was before. Then Nati wants to know when he is going to introduce her to his mother. Alej makes excuses.

Daniel finally returns home but Dora and Estela aren't at home. They are at the club. Estela tells Cristina that she doesn't look a day older.
Porque vivo luchando en contra de la gravedad! Y todo lo que se cae lo subo y lo que arruga lo plancho!
Because I live fighting gravity, she says. I lift everything that falls and iron what is wrinkled.

Luisa and Albieri return home. Alicia tells Albieri that he didn't get any calls from Daniel.

Everything is going swimmingly at the club until Osvaldo flirts with another woman. In spite of knowing Osvaldo's character, Dora leaves the club in a snit and tells Osvaldo that he can pick up his stuff. They come home and find Daniel on the doorstep. There is a happy reunion.

Daniel tells Dora and Estela that he has gone all over the world. He liked Cancun and worked at a hotel there to pay his passage home. He wants to find Albieri and angrily rejects his mother's desire to stay with her. He says that he blames her for taking him away from Albieri. He says that she has always been selfish, thinking about her wants and never about how he felt when she took him away from his father, Albieri. Dora says that Albieri isn't his father. Daniel demands to know who his father is. Dora tells him that Osvaldo is his father. She trots out the story that she and Osvaldo agreed on earlier about how Osvaldo left her and then she found out she was pregnant. She promises to bring Daniel to see his father the next day.

Clara chews Fernando out for staying out all night and drinking and driving.

Zoraida asks the Naz why she is making Latifa so unhappy by pushing a second wife on Mohamed. Nariza says that she blames Latifa for influencing Mohamed to chase away all her suitors. She thinks that a second wife for Mohamed might be an ally and help her get a man and be happy. [If Rania and Amina are supposed to be so religious, they would hardly support the Naz' activities in Miami - going to clubs, receiving men in the house, etc.]

Said and Rania return from what must have been the world's shortest honeymoon. Mohamed and his family leave to return to the US. Said thinks that Jade's smiling face is concealing her chagrin at having to accept Rania.

A new day, a new torture session for Lucas. Marisa takes a call from Said and reminds Lucas of all the times he called his lovers in her presence and she had to pretend not to understand. Lucas invites her to let out all the grievances and complaints she has accumulated over the years. Marisa replies that a few days in bed have made Lucas desperate and he should imagine what loneliness and powerlessness can do over many years. He asks why she doesn't leave if he makes her so unhappy. Marisa replies that Lucas didn't want her to leave when he thought he had lost his true love. Now she has gone from a burden to an obstacle. [Just offer the money, Lucas, and she's gone. Even someone as dim as you are should be able to realize that what is keeping Marisa in the marriage is the money.]

Rosa tells Lucas that his physical therapist has arrived. Lucas asks about Natalia. Rosa describes the chaos in the house and says that she is sure that Nati is about to go live with Alej. She blames everything on Jade - el peor pecado de tu vida (the worst sin of your life).

Said tells Jade and Rania that he is returning to Miami. If the house Marisa found for him is ok, he will send for his wives. They will each live in a separte wing of the house with the same number of servants, the same gifts and he will alternate spending the night with each of them. Jade is happy with this arrangement.

Osvaldo agrees to back up Dora's story that he is Daniel's father.

Daniel wakes up and Dora tells him that he is going to meet his father.

Marisa tells Lucia that Said is going to give a dinner in her honor and she is going to be the first guest in Said's new house. She is sure that however much Jade hates Said, no woman can tolerate such humiliation. She says that Said wants Jade to dance for her.

Cristina shows up at Leo's office.

Dora brings Daniel and introduces Osvaldo as his father.

The credit roll.

Labels: clon

Here's a place to post until Kat gets her recap up. 8(:-)

Labels: salvaje

Albieri doesn’t have the guts to tell Luisa the truth – that Daniel is a clone of Lucas. [Jean, you called this one!] He and Luisa discuss changing their vacation plans.

Julio takes a phone call in the lab. We hear him say:
¿Qué dices? ¿Daniel?
What are you saying? Daniel?
…and it is clear that Luisa is telling him about Albieri’s alucinación

Escobar complains to Alicia that Clara is mad at him because of a lipstick stain on his labcoat.
Si tú fueras mi esposa, me creerías?
If you were my wife, would you believe me?
Well of course I would, she replies. What’s more, if Clara paid more attention to you (si Clara te prestara más atención) she’d see you weren’t lying.

Clara confides to Carolina that she suspects Alicia’s lips made the stain on Escobar’s robe. Caro wants to know if Escobar’s behavior has changed and Clara has to admit she doesn’t know because she’s not speaking to him.

Nati asks Alej what his mother thinks of her. He fibs a bit, saying he doesn’t know since his mother doesn’t interfere in his life, nor would he permit it. But she’s a very open, frank person who speaks her mind…
sin pelos en la lengua
(literally without hairs on the tongue: frankly, no holds barred)
Nati laments that the only simple person (sencilla) in her house is Rosa; the others are falsos y complicados (false and complicated). What’s your dream, your passion? asks Nati. Don’t laugh, answers Alej, but I want to be Champion of the USA, Alej the Snake! Nati promises to help him and support him in achieving his dream.

And as everyone gathers for the wedding in Fez…
Latifa can’t believe everyone is celebrating the fact that Said is taking a second wife. Ali says he remembers Jade as a bride.
Aquel día tenía lo más preciado que puede tener una mujer, el amor de su marido...
That day she had the most valuable thing a woman can have, the love of her husband...
… and she preferred to toss it to the winds and chase after a dream.
Jade has been listening and now Ali addresses her directly. He tells her that the Lucas of her dreams is just a ghost of the past and the adolescent love between them no longer exists.

In Miami, Marisa is telling her friend Lucia that today Said is taking a second wife:
Así que el infierno para esa infeliz está empezando hoy.
So the tortures of hell for that wretched woman are starting today.

Latifa and Zoraida make an eleventh hour plea to Jade to get her to try to stop the wedding, but Ali reminds them that Said has given his word to the family of his bride. Jade has no interest in impeding the wedding. Just remember, says Ali, that this wedding won’t free you from your destiny. Accept it and don’t shame our family.

Furthermore, says Ali, even if Said gives you a divorce, I won’t let you trample on our ways (pisotear – our old friend, to step on) by marrying Lucas. You are a Moslem, he says, and:
Quien tiene miedo al infierno, no va al infierno.
Who fears hell, doesn’t go to hell.

Latifa, as usual, laments that because of Jade’s behavior, her Mohamed is going to want a second wife. Jade loses her patience. You only worry about your own good but who worries about me? And when Latifa has gone, she says to Zoraida:
Yo me tengo que conformar con mi destino pero ya quiero ver si Mohamed tomara una segunda esposa, si ella se conformaría con el de ella.
I have to accept my destiny but I want to see -- if Mohamed took a second wife, if she’d accept her own destiny.

Mohamed is helping Amin prepare for the ceremony. A tearful Latifa approaches.
Me pone muy triste lo del segundo matrimonio.
This business of a second marriage is making me very sad.
Would you stay with me if someone in my family were cursed (maldecido) or if there were a disgrace in the family? she wants to know. Interestingly, he doesn’t give her a direct answer, just deflects the question.

Samira tells her cousin Jadiya that she doesn’t want Uncle Ali to pick a husband for her. She’s not even sure she wants to get married. She does want to go to the university and be an independent woman. Jadiya is perfectly content to let Ali pick someone for her as long as he’s handsome, rich and showers her with gold. In the background, Jade listens with an affectionate and amused smile on her face.

Zoraida comes to get Jade. As she comes downstairs, Jadiya tells her how beautiful she is. You’ll be more beautiful than the bride, she says.

The Naz kvetches to Zoraida.

And here comes the groom!
¡Aquí está el novio!
Here are the wishes his family offers:
Abdul:
¡Que tengas felicidad y sepas darle felicidad a tu mujer!
May you have happiness and may you succeed in making your wife happy!
Ali:
¡Que seas justo como manda el libro sagrado (…con ambas esposas)
May you be just, as the sacred book commands (... in your treatment of both wives)
Mohamed:
¡Que tu nueva esposa te llene de hijos!
May your new spouse fill (your life) with sons!
The Naz:
¡Una mesa llena de hijos!
A table full of sons!
And Abdul gets a second wish because it seems to be his party:
¡Que sea virtuosa!
May she be virtuous!
[This is kind of a wish for Said and a dig at Jade, a wishdig, if you will]

Latifa turns to Mohamed and asks him if he wants more children. Oh no, he says, Samira and Amin are enough for me.

Abdul is explaining to Samira that only the men of the two families will be present at the marriage ceremony in which the contract is signed. Huh? says Samira, you mean the bride’s not going to be at her own wedding?

Said asks Jade what wish she would like to offer him. That you free yourself from me, she says and …
Que te encuentres a una mujer que te ame de verdad.
That you find a woman who truly loves you.
I asked your wishes for me, not for you, he replies sharply.

In Miami, Leo is complaining that Lucas didn’t tell him Said was getting married today. It would have been a chance to get on his good side by sending a gift or at least good wishes. That would be ironic, under the circumstances, says Lucas. Do you think he’s leaving the way open for you? Marisa challenges her husband. I think Said is going to surprise you, she says. [Oh Lucas, why didn’t you go to the rehab center and tell them to keep Marisa away?? Nati could visit you as often as she liked…]

In Fez, the men are conducting the business of matrimony, payments are specified, agreements are signed. When all is done, the bride comes down the stairs and the novios see one another for the first time. She is a pretty young woman who appears pleased by the sight of Said. Said is looking at Jade, trying to read her reaction, then remembers to look at his bride and smile.

As the bride is lifted up into her sedan chair, attended by a young woman in blue, Jade smiles very broadly and Said glares at Jade. [I think he glares. Actually this actor has a very narrow range: he either smolders or he smiles and mostly he smolders.]

The dancers appear.

The bride, Rania, steps down from her chair. Jade welcomes her warmly. Said takes Rania’s hand.

The Naz remarks that the next wedding will be her own.

Ali says to Zoraida that the taking of a second wife is a happy occasion. Happy for the man, not the first wife, says Zoraida. You sound like an occidental, says Ali.

Abdul tells Natifa that the woman in blue is the bride’s sister and he thinks she’d be a good second wife for Mohamed. Do they have a brother? asks our Naz plaintively. No. The Naz then approaches the sister – Amina – and tells her she should meet her brother Mohamed, who lives in the US. Oh, yes, Amina has always wanted to live in the US.

Latifa is getting more and more upset, well aware that the Naz is conspiring against her.

Jade’s daughter Jadiya tells Ali that she wants to be a first wife, not a second wife. And you will be, he assures her.

Rania tells her sister she liked her groom:
Me gustó tanto.
She was afraid he’d be old and ugly.
…y me gusta el hermano
and I like the brother, says Amina.

Mohamed is assuring Latifa that one wife like her is worth the four permitted wives.

And in Miami…
Nati: You don’t like Alej, do you?
Lucas: You tell me, do you think he’s the right man for you? Because I can’t see that you two have anything in common. This isn’t prejudice or classism. You’re in love but you don’t have a future together.
Nati: I know about your past, how you were in love and you gave up your love for me.
Lucas: You were having problems. And I don’t regret anything because I love you:
No me arrepiento de nada porque te amo.

And in Cancun…
Albieri: No fue un delirio, era él, era Daniel en la figura de Diego: el tiempo volviendo atrás.
It wasn’t a delusion, it was him, it was Daniel looking just like Diego: time turning back.
But Albieri is a little late. Daniel is already on the road, knapsack on his back, thumbing a ride from a truck.
[So. We finally get to see the clone! And I think the actor does a great job of making him seem much younger than Lucas. I was quite ready to accept him as a separate person!]

Lucas continues his conversation with Nati. The most worrisome thing (Lo más preocupante) was when you said your imaginary friend had a mole just like mine, in exactly the same place. The psychologist said it was because you needed your father. You should have just put me in a loony bin (manicomio), says Nati, and gone away with your love. No, says Lucas, you were worth it. And now you are a wonderful, beautiful woman, healthy and happy! (eres una mujer divina, sana y feliz). Your happiness is everything to me.
If that’s so, don’t oppose my relationship with Alejandro.
I’m not against it, says Lucas:
No me ves brincando de la felicidad. Pero lo acepto.
You don’t see me jumping for joy. But I accept it.

You’re the only one who opposes our relationship, Nati says to Marisa. No, corrects Marisa, I’m the only one being sincere about her feelings. [And that’s probably true, but truth used to bludgeon your daughter is no virtue! You’re still the uberbitch, Marisa!]

At the gym, Alej says to Pablo:
En la casa de Nati, la única que no me puede ver ni en pintura es su mama.
In Nati's house, the only one who can’t stand me (literally, can’t even look at a picture of me) is her mother.
Replies Pablo:
Esa señora es un acido de batería.
That woman is battery acid!
Karla notices Alej is training hard, wonders why, and is told that he’s going to be fighting again.

Back at the Fez festivities…
The Naz is urging Mohamed to take a second wife.

Jade wonders aloud if Rania, the new bride, felt as she did in that bride chair:
…ganas de morir, de huir, de gritar, de pedir auxilio…
...a desire to die, to flee, to scream, ask for help....

And Ali intones soberly:
Esta vez no fue tu destino. Lo alejaste tú.
This time it wasn’t your destiny. You pushed him away/distanced yourself from him.

Credits roll.

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