Caray, Caray!

Let’s revisit a bit of last night before we blast off into space cadet land - Bad stuff at Ilitia's. She's being a Bridezilla about the colors the wedding planner picked out for the tables. She wanted beige and burgundy, this idiot brought her vanilla and old rose. Out! Bye! Come back with better stuff. Chauffeur and maid watch this with squinchy disapproving faces. Bridezilla doesn't notice. She wants them to fetch her stylist and the poor wretch designing her wedding cake. But wait! She's smiling. A huge bouquet has arrived. Joy. It must be from Emanuel. She opens the note.

And a sinister note it is indeed. "I'm nearby. And I have a very special wedding present for you. Mauricio Fonseca."

Ooooh. Creepy. Muñeca, who is hovering by her daughter's side, looks perturbed. So does Ilitia.

Thank you Judy. Now on with the show…

Blender head Axel instructs Nereida to lay off Delicia. Paula kicks Nereida out of the kitchen. Ha, double smack down. Axel asks Delicia if she remembers the kiss they once shared. Two years ago? Or maybe it was the other day. Whatever, he’s feelin’ it and he knows she feels it too. He moves in for another beso and, hey, Delicia grabs the frying pan! Does she read our comments? She’ll have none of it and leaves him alone, frustrated, and ready to stick his head in the blender again.

We circle the globe and end up in Tenerife with Mari and Horny Jorge in a club or restaurant. She worries about Tia and he orders champagne. She wants to talk about work and he wants to talk about them, well about her specifically and her goofy glasses in general. (Just kidding about that last part.)

He blathers on about her creativity, blah blah, he’s in love with her. She "admires" him. Uh oh for him. Love is a closed chapter in her life she says.

Cut to Eman and Andres discussing El Lirio de Plata in all the headlines but Eman’s all morose and “tired” he says. “Look brother”, says Andres (closed caps say “Mira broder”), “you’re still in love with La Gorda, right?” Eman scoffs unconvincingly.

A spiffy-looking Netty is exhausted from her fame. Some stage hand tells here that a man is there to see her. She’s too tired but her agent (used to be her lawyer) says aw c’mon, could be a bigwig. (He could look for himself, but noooo…) She's surprised, but we aren’t, that Emiliano enters with a deep “Hello Netty” that could melt the Lambert Glacier.

Oh gack, creepy cacophonic music designed to induce insanity warns us of a Gretel sighting. She hides behind the door as Bernardo falls for the oldest trick in the book. When he comes in the cellar to annoy her she pushes him down and gets him in a strangle hold. It took her two years to figure this out? Oh well, she is under some amount of stress.

Carlota moans and groans to God not to take her before she finds Gretel. Oh goody and surprise surprise, the maid happily announces a family visitor. Tia is horrified to see the deadly Fedra. (Serves you right you old bat.) Fedra says she’s there for a funeral and she’s going to help it along. She’ll make sure Carlota has the most amazing burial ever, bwahahahaha!

Back in the cellar Bernardo gets the upper hand, ties Gretel up and throws her back in the empty hot tub. She starts her muttering mantra and he whispers to himself , “poor girl, two long years in here and she’s completamente loca. LOCA!!” Mira el burro hablando del orejas. (Pop quiz, remember Judy's dicho?)

Another surprise (not), Emiliano’s the one who’s been sending Netty the flowers and gifts. He tells her she’s more beautiful than ever. Netty knows, the journalists told her so and she’s enjoying her best time right now. She flips her hair coquettishly over her shoulder, you go girl! Emi’s stricken; his bold announcement did not make her melt at his feet. He says she acts like she doesn’t know him. Netty announces she’s exhausted and asks him to kindly leave her alone.

He goes toward the door but instead of leaving he shuts it. He wants to tell her the he hasn’t been able to forget her and…we go to break.

Carlota is gasping and still trying to push her weight around but she’s a toothless tiger. Fedra baits her, sits on her, and gleefully threatens her. Carlota will sign the papers that Fedra brought or no pills, she waves them just out of Car’s reach. They are interrupted momentarily by the maid but Fedra fakes her out with a faux fire drill and sends her downstairs to make some tea before taunting Tia with the flair of a flamenco dancer.

Emiliano: I couldn’t leave Fedra because she’s sick. Netty: Sick is what I feel when I look at you. Take your stupid flowers and give them to your snake of a wife. Emiliano: You might have thrown me from your bed but I know you haven’t thrown me from your heart.

This next bit is priceless. Fedra is literally lounging on top of Carlota and still waving the pills around. She presses Carlota’s chest and puts the contract in front of her face. Sign and she’ll give Carlota her pills. Life or death?

Ilitia and Muñeca have a visitor. It’s Brandon and he’s come to visit Muñeca not Ilitia. (Ilitia pouts sexily.) Not to worry, he only wants to know if El Lirio de Plata has made a donation?

Cut to Emanuel and Andres. (This makes me wonder if Eman is El Lirio. You know, the scene cut and all.) They are doing shots and Eman tells him duh, it’s all about La Gordita. He feels a chapter of his life hasn’t closed. Andres logically asks if Eman still thinks of La Gorda then why is he with Ilitia? Apparently it’s a matter of convenience, she was at his side after the accident and thanks to her he can walk again. Andres, again logically, suggests that it’s because of Eman that Eman can walk again. Eman admits it was his desire to go to Spain to get Mari that made him determined to walk. But she never answered his calls or emails boo hoo.

At the same time that Eman talks about not forgetting Mari, over in Tenerife Jorge tells Mari he knows she hasn’t forgotten Eman. He wants to help her forget everything she has suffered. He whips out a ring, proudly presents it to her, and asks her to marry him.

Suddenly-stupid Carlota has signed her death warrant, er I mean the contract, and wails this is her punishment. No Car, I think your punishment will be when your purple hair goes up in flames at the gates of hell. She whimpers to Fedra that she can’t die before finding Gretel and telling her about her true parents. She begs to know where Fedra has hidden her. Frisky Fedra’s in the mood for more games and she gives Carlota a choice. Does she want to know where Gretel is or does she want her pills? Fedra dumps all the pills out and starts shuffling them around the table while Carlota writhes around some more for effect. Then plops down dead.

Good riddance, mutters Fedra, I hope you’re burning in hell. Then she proceeds to serenade her dead auntie with a snippet of Adios a Mama Carlota. She yells for the maid and her tune turns into a death wail and she fakes the tragic figure beautifully.

Mari cuts to the chase, she tells Jorge she doesn’t love him. He’s sure she’ll never be ready until she’s completely over Eman. She’s tired and goes to her room. ‘Nuff said. Hopefully this is the last we’ll see of Jorge.

Brandon interrogates Muñeca about where she got the money to save the orphanage. Ilitia brags that her baby, her Emanuel, hired a super lawyer. Brandon wonders where Eman got the dough for such an expensive endeavor. Ilitia embarrasses Muñeca and the rest of us by pointing out they have money to spare; what Brandon would spend on a kilo of tortillas, their equivalent would be to buy a house or a car. Lots of eye rolling going on in the dollhouse. Muñeca admits that the money to save the home came from El Lirio de Plata.

Again the cut to Eman after the mention of El Lirio de Plata. He and Andres have practically the same conversation, angst, tears, I can’t get her out of my head.

Brandon tells them the orphanage won’t be endangered as long as Muñeca cooperates. She doesn’t know much, only that the money always arrives in a case. She conveniently leaves the young’uns to steam up the room.

And they do. After small talk about Ilitia getting married (“I’m going to be SO happy because I’m so in LUUUUV!”) Brandon comments she’s got a funny idea of love. Remember THE night? She tells him byeeee. He gives an A-1 performance of the new and very improved Brandon kiss as we go into break. These kids clearly need a few minutes alone.

Mari is painting walls green while wearing high heels. The tight black pants are fine but heels? While painting? Jorge, also a trendy dresser, joins in to help and reminds her how much he’s in love with her. I think. I actually can’t understand him at all. Whatever he said I know it’s annoying so give it a rest dude.

After several minutes of kissing Ilitia decides to become indignant and slap Brandon. He tells her to calm down, he didn’t want anything serious with a woman like her, whose obsessed with the latest style, so pretty on the outside but so empty inside. She says he’s dying of envy.

Muñeca returns with the case. OMG it’s un cofre!! Not another telenovela with a cofre! Loophole, she calls it a case so we’re safe for now. Brandon observes that it has the seal of the Lirio de Plata. Yes the money is the salvation of all those orphans but he’s the authority and he has to confiscate it. He sincerely wishes Ilitia a happy marriage and leaves. Ilitia looks like she’s going to cry.

Her phone rings and it’s Malicio who snickers that he hopes she liked the flowers because it’s only the beginning. He’s going to give her a wedding gift so big she’ll never forget it in her entire life. Oh, a BIG present? Well then maybe it’s not his, ahem, member like I originally thought.

Alex is all dressed up for a night out on the town. Delicia whistles and comments on his guaponess. He tries to entice her out but she reminds him that Fedra would kill her and throw her bones to the dogs. Oh gack, Lorena arrives to pick him up. He’s still with that skank? Little dude’s been stuck on dumb for two years. Just like everyone else I guess.

Jorge’s one of those stylish European types who looks put-together even with his shirttail hanging out and green paint on his face. Damn him. Mari’s phone rings. It’s Almodena calling to tell her the tragic news that Carlota died.

Eman’s lumbering around in a dark room. He unrolls a sketch of his beloved Mari and tries to imagine how sad life will be without her in it, without holding or kissing her. “Why aren’t you here with me? Why?! What did I do to drive you away?”

Back in Spain Mari has flung herself across Carlota’s coffin. Luckily Jorge is there, STILL, to comfort her. Mari demands that Almodena tell her what happened. Mari doesn’t understand, when she left, the doc said Carlota would be fine if she took her pills. Almo says she was fine up until her daughter in law Fedra visited her from Mexico. A great wailing and gnashing of teeth follows. Curses, foiled by Fedra again!

Fedra struts into her demented domicile and reports to her beloved estupidos Emiliano and Eman that Gretel shows no improvement. She’s lucid one day then loca then next, lucida y loca. At any rate her place is here with them for Eman’s wedding. Emiliano announces that the doctors in Mexico are just fine and he wants to bring Gretel home as soon as possible! Delicia looks stunned, probably because it’s the first intelligent thing she’s heard come out of his mouth in two years or more.

Down in the wine cellar Bernardo amuses himself by badgering Gretel some more. She goes off on sighs and hopes, he’ll come for me one day. Bernardo plays a silent violin behind her. He’ll rescue me and take me out of here, he hasn’t forgotten me. Bernardo tells her he’s probably married and forgotten all about her. She fantasizes about her happy times with Oliver. Somebody please get this girl out of the cellar!

Oliver is even more pathetic. Instead of using his cop skills to sleuth out the truth he’s busy getting drunk and demanding musica in the local cantina. He talks some guy into loaning him money for the jukebox so he can get maudlin and pathetic and sing badly while staggering around annoying the other patrons.

Over at the police station the big boss is beside himself because Oliver Rosales is once again AWOL. Brandon says he just needs time. Boss says Rosales just isn’t the same, he’s a stranger, it’s going on two years now and he’s going to suspend Oliver indefinitely. Brandon thinks it’s odd that Gretel has disappeared for two years. Change of topic. Brandon says another person who is missing is Gerard Torres, the mechanic who operated the helicopter that Mari mom was traveling in. Boss says they haven’t been able to find him all this time and he’s probably 4 meters under the earth.

Mari gets all over poor Almodena’s case for letting Fedra visit Carlota. After terrifying Almodena she demands to know exactly what happened. Almo tells her that Fedra wanted to be alone with Carlota and said she would give her the pills. Then she told Almo to go make some tea. Mari freaks and says Fedra killed her aunt! Almodena practically has a heart attack herself out of guilt. After ensuring that Almoden will be guilt-ridden her entire life, Mari finally gives the poor maid a hug. And that's how our episode ended tonight.


Mañana: Fedra whoops it up with Bernardo because she has it all. Mari vows that Fedra will know exactly who Marianela is.


Adiós a Mamá Carlota = one of the most famous Mexican protest songs, you can read a little about it here. The article starts in English but most of it is in Spanish, so good practice!

Representante = agent (Netty's ex-lawyer)
Estoy agotada = I’m exhausted (what Netty is)
Hasta nunca = good riddance
Lana = dough, money (Lit. wool)
Estuche = case
Cofre = chest
Cuanto antes = ASAP

Labels: llena

* FaustoMario drags Yolanda and screams "You lie, you lie! Get out of here!" The woman swears she gave shelter to Carlos when he was five years old, and when she found out it was Adolfo who had murdered Marta in exchange for her silence she obliged him to acknowledge Carlos as his son. Marta wasn't a decent woman: she abandoned her son, she didn't want to tell Santiago she was carrying Mario's child, and when she got tired of him she wanted to return to Mario. Oh, and she drops another truth bomb: the car accident wasn't an accident at all.



* In her bedroom Bertha sulks about Mario's behaviour again, and doesn't appreciate Alejandra's idea of looking finding a profession at last. Ale isn't worried about being kicked out of the Genovés villa since she has her own business and she's is looking for a flat anyway, but warns Bertha, who now places all her trust in rich, generous Adolfo, to be careful with that man.

* Mauricio brings Elsa home and he doesn't let his girl go until they share another sweet kiss.



* JJ gives a beautiful diamond pendant to his Alejandra, and while the big horny guy is talking with the hotel manager about booking the Fornication, I mean, Presidential Suite, Ale musingly check how the glittering stone would look like - on her finger.



* Next morning the heartbroken Faustiago, who spent all night crying about Marta and the cruelty of life, visits his wife's tomb. Damned woman! Why, why, why? He picks up a rock and damages the gravestone. In the meantime Leo learns his neighbour's left town, and not even his daughters know where he is now.



* Well, he's only a few yards away from the Genovés villa. Juan José, who's guiding the moving men, notices Fausto who's just arrived at the tunnel house. He heartily welcomes him and wants to show him the beautiful house he inherited from his cellmate. It must be a hobby of his. But Fausto wants to be in the headquarters as soon as possible so he says maybe next time. In the make-up room the viewers and Abelardo get another tantrum. Now why so serious? That Juan José lives in the neighbouring house and guess who reconstructed his home? Alejandra! There are too many connections, there's too much pressure, it's enough! However, our patient Abelardo gets out of him what his real problem is: Marta. He always thought she was a good woman and mother. Abe encourages him and advises to think about his daughters and the vengeance against Adolfo.

* JJ shows Alejandra the huge dining table he bought... But he forgot the fact there's no dining room in his house. Anyway, Alejandra tells him her plan to move out of Mario's house (which became a madhouse lately). She has to live her own life and she wants to be with JJ. What about moving together, asks JJ. Me encantaría! (I'd love that!)



* A nervous, confused Roberto shows up at the Genovés house to make sure that Mario is really alive. He meets Susana who tells him the "my husband left me so now I work here" tale. And what about his bruises, did someone beat him up? Oh, he's just had an accident. Anyway. He asks her to meet him privately later. Their friendly chat is interrupted by the appearance of the living dead, the first zombie of Mexico City. Roberto can't believe his eyes and he almost touches Mario's shoulder to check he's not a phantom.



* The happiness of Ale and JJ doesn't last long. When she learns Asunción and Caramelo are going to live with them she explodes. She understands he'd like to help them but why on Earth does he want to bring them into his house? JJ starts to raise to voice too: because they're are his only family, what should he do now, should he kick them out? She doesn't want to live with people like them and it doesn't help either that JJ reminds her he's one of those simple people.



* Leonardo visits SantiMario to ask a few questions about his friend, Fausto Guillén. Does he know where he works? No, to SantiMario's knowledge Fausto has no job. Strange, says Leo. Though he's unemployed he's on a business trip. *Viewerville: Busted!* And does he know a man called Santiago Guzmán? No. Or Marta Sardíval? No. No, no, no, actually he never heard of them. But Gabriela heard them talking about Marta. Fausto denies everything: no, that must be some kind of misunderstanding. Leo is definitely worse than Columbo and Poirot put together and his cross-question make Fausto feel like he's a butterfly in the spider's web.



Now he asks him about Adolfo, who actually does know Santiago and Marta. There's one thing he doesn't understand: how could he, an experienced businessman team up with Adolfo Ávila who knew nothing about hotels by that time? Errr, because he needed an associate, says Mario. Anyway, what is this sudden interest in Adolfo? Does he investigate after him? Fausto mentioned him that Leo thinks he may be a smuggler. Leo stays silent and Mario asks him not to tell about Fausto's past to his daughters. Outside a very curious David, Gaby and Bertha, who's enchanted by the handsome detective, try to find out what the hell is happening inside the study.

* Mina notices Alejandra's nervousness so Ale tells her everything about JJ, his little friends and what she thinks about living together under the same roof. And did she use that tone of voice when she told her opinion to Juan José? Worse. Mina understands her wish to be alone with her lover but she thinks Ale should've been much more polite and diplomatic. *Viewerville: Team Mina*



* In the hotel apartment JJ pours his heart to Asunción. He's a little bit depressed, he wants to work and to do something good because he feels useless. He's tired of spending money all the time ... the money he didn't even earn!



* David fumes in the study. Hinds very strange that a detective investigates after Fausto and thinks his father-in-law's behaviour is suspicious. SantiMario fiercely defends Fausto which makes David completely confused. Why does he behave like that? Why does he treat him like a child? Something must've happened to Mario. Outside Bertha rushes to David to ask why Leo visited Mario. Blondie shouts at her: because you stole her photos and gave it to Carlos Ávila! She denies everything. David swears if he ever finds out it was her he'll kick her out of the house, understood?

* JJ brings Asunción and Caramelo to their lovely new home.

* David shows up at Carlos's office demanding to know if Bertha gave him the photo. Moustache is quite amused at his anger... Until he insults him and his father and reproaches them for their dirty business tricks. How dare he?! He's the son of the owner, he has every right to say what he wants! And Carlos drops the bomb: well, well, well he isn't your father. Whaaat?!



* David immediately drives home and storms into his father's room. I'd like to talk with you... Dad. He sends everyone out and repeats him what Carlos said. Is this true? Is this why Mario tolerates Adolfo? Is he is father or not? And Fausto, who's completely fatigued by lying, role-playing and scheming, decides to show him the whole truth. While poor David is fighting against heart attack and faint, he removes his wig, the prosthetic nose and the denture, and there he is: the morbid hybrid of Mario Genovés and Fausto Guillén.



Aribeth

Labels: verdad

Capitulo 111.
Read Amanda’s original recap, then come back here to discuss it.

1. Julieta sets Matilde straight in no uncertain terms, then she jumps on Tomás for saying he’s engaged, and on Pop for NOT saying he’s married. Pop says, “Do you really think I’d trade my woman for a crazy like that?” Matilde starts chasing Tom instead – literally.

2. See the transcript. Fernando tells Lety how content he is and that he desires her, but Marcia calls to check up on and interrogate him. (Raise your hand if you think Marcia is nuts to want to marry him.) After hanging up, Fernando starts “ignition” kisses, but Lety pulls away and says, “No, wait.” Fernando says, “I thought you felt the same as me.” Lety says of course she does, but she saw someone outside (Pilar).

3. Julieta says that maybe she should open a catering business so she feels useful. Erasmo tells her that her work taking care of her home and family is very important, and she agrees that it’s a job she loves.

4. Super Fernando took the night off. Clark Kent Mendiola wants Lety to go scare off the intruders because she’s the assistant. They find Pilar and she refuses to leave. Finally, to make her give up, Lety tells her that Fernando is engaged to Marcia. Pilar leaves, Fernando tells Lety she shouldn’t have, and Lety answers that she defended him with the thing that hurts her most.

5. Fernando takes her home, and she says it was a marvelous night. He counters that it was a disaster. Lety insists it was wonderful, aside from.. See the transcript. Fern doesn’t want to stop kissing her goodnight.

6. Erasmo insists that he will go along to the shoot tomorrow, and Lety anticipates problems.

7. Lety tells Tom he can’t go because she doesn’t want Fernando to meet him, and Ali won’t be there anyway. She asks him why he’s so depressed, considering all the kisses he got. He says they’re not from the person whose kisses he wants. Lety used to tell Tom to stop dreaming because he would only get hurt. But now she tells him, “Keep dreaming because sometimes dreams come true.”

---

Capitulo 112.
Read Julie’s original recap, then come back here to discuss it.

1. Lety tells her diary how moved she was to be at Fernando’s house. At first she felt bad invading Marcia’s turf. She had so much fun with him, and he said he had just as much fun with her. “We have the same sense of humor. I feel so complete at his side. He’s .. magical. Don Fernando is my reason to exist.” Uh-oh!

2. Omar calls from Germany and the woman in the yellow coat walks through the Marienplatz (Munich’s central square). She will walk through the square many times before we’re done in Germany. Fernando gushes about how marvelous their date was (we were tan enamorados), and Omar hangs up on him.

3. Morning. Lety asks Pop to be more careful about how he talks to her coworkers, and Pop takes offense. Lety and Mama agree that he’s imprudent but he has a good heart, and there’s nothing they can do.

4. Lety is afraid to tell Fernando that Julieta is cooking for the staff. Fern is aggravated when he discovers it, and even more disturbed to see Erasmo. Pop berates him for defiling his daughter, and he tells Fern that he’ll do whatever necessary to protect his daughter. Fernando quivers, but it was a fantasy.

5. Sara sets her sights on the tall, dark and silent security guard. Lety asks Pop to stay away from the filming. Pop meets two drunk club members on the fairway, and he asks them why they aren’t at work.

6. Fernando’s horse Camila has colic and the only horse available is Relámpago (lightening bolt) who is “muy bronco.”

Tomorrow: Tomorrow’s two episodes are total blither. But don’t lose hope. That marks the end of the worst of the underwear commercial. It gets better Monday.

---

Spanish Lesson

At the fireplace.
F: We ended up with no dinner, Lety.
L: That doesn’t really bother me.
F: I haven’t lit the fireplace in a long time. I like how it looks.
L: I’ve never experienced anything this romantic, Don Fernando.
F: Do you know what, Lety, I feel something different.
L: (Flirting.) Why? You don’t want me to leave?
F: Ay, Picarona (naughty)! No, no, it’s been a long time since I’ve felt so relaxed. I’m in my house, listening to good music, contemplating the fire, and desiring the woman who’s with me.

Marcia calls. M: I’m calling to see if you’re in your house. F: Yes, I’m here. M: Are you alone? F: Yes, alone, with my shadow (winks at Lety). M: Are you sure? Do you notice, you haven’t called me once since I left for Germany. F: I’m so busy with the commercial and all. M: You could at least pretend that you like me or that I’m important to you. F: Oh, stop saying that (notice he doesn’t refute it).

After hanging up the phone.
L: See, I told you. Marcia is always present.
F: Lety, I feel really bad, really uncomfortable.
L: With me?
F: No hombre! Don’t be that way. I feel really bad about myself. I just told Marcia that I’m here alone, and I don’t like to deny (negar – say that it’s not so) you. You’re very important to my life.
L: You didn’t negar me. I’m your shadow. That’s more than enough for me.

At Lety’s house.
L: Thank you for this marvelous night.
F: What are you talking about? Marvelous? Everything was a disaster, for goodness sake!
L: No, DF. Being in your house made me very happy. Aside from the presence of Marcia, but it’s always like that. And aside from the call from Marcia that also always happens.
F: Don’t forget the wonderful arrival of Pilar. What a wonderful guest, huh?
L: Well, if we’re going to talk about things like that, then (it was marvelous) aside from burning the fondue. And you didn’t know how to cut the bread. And the salad didn’t work, we didn’t make it. And also we didn’t make lo..
F: Ay yi yi! Picarona! Do you know what? Whenever we’re together it goes well, verdad?
L: You make everything worth the trouble (?). Everything has been fun and enjoyable.
F: It’s you that makes me enjoy it, Lety (?).
L: I love you, Don Fernando.
F: I promise, next time I’ll buy all the equipment for fondue.
L: Maybe it’s better if next time (??).
F: It’s true, isn’t it? You don’t just think about numbers, you think about food! You have everything all in order.
L: No, Don Fernando, it’s that.. always I think about you. They don’t want to stop kissing.

Labels: fea-2010

Tonight was rather strange. We had one big revelation, lots of tortured faces, a few welcoming smiles, accusations and some pretty explicit house rules laid out. Oh yea and a missing jacket and a few other things I will get to. I was shaking my head a lot as I watched this but for some odd reason found it quite intriguing. It was like watching a train slowly derail. So with out further delay here’s what happened tonight or what I think happened. As always feels free to add, correct or simply just comment.

Daniel has answered the door to find Eva standing on the other side. Looks are exchanged and Eva begs her leave as Daniel reaches out to stop her.
He tells her not to leave. She thinks this over for a second and tells him “Your right I don’t have to leave. You don’t live here.” She tells him to find Marcella for her. Daniel confides that he didn’t think she would return. He says he needs to talk with her. Something has happened and he needs to explain it to her.
Well that explanation will have to wait as we hear Marcella’s voice in the background greeting a surprised Eva. She smugly says “I see you decided to return.”







We drop in on another tortured face as Alicia is finding out there is going to be a legal investigation against her. A women in a black suit and some serious looking hair is telling her that what she and her accomplice did was a crime. Alicia doesn’t have a clue (so what else is new) as to what she is talking about. She is informed the police will be involved and until everything is cleared up she is suspended.


Ricardo is also trying to get to the bottom of things as he asks Adrian to tell him the truth. He wants to know if his father was involved in his kidnapping. Adrian denies this and tells him it was other guys that tied him up and gagged him. He pours it on pretty thick and Ricardo goes to him telling him to calm down. He knows it is hurting him to think about this.

Adrian swears he is telling the truth and Ricardo tells him he believes him. He just wants to make sure that not one of these man laid a hand on him. Adrian reassures him that no one touched him. He continues to tell him “It was me that bit one of the men’s hands.” Ricardo smiles at this confession with pride and tells him how brave he is. As Ricardo goes to leave Adrian tells him that Justa told him about the great sacrifice he made for him. Ricardo seems confused and Adrian clarifies “The sacrifice you made that set me free. What was it you did?” He tells him it was nothing important, and that he would gladly give his life to have him return safe and sound. He tells him he loves him as if he was his own grandson.

Eva is telling Marcella that she only returned because of Julio. She couldn’t sleep soundly thinking he wasn’t taking his medicine because she wasn’t there. Marcella more or less tells her the only reason she has allowed her to return is because Julio ordered her to do so.

Our party of three has turned into a party of five as Vicky and Leo have now gathered to greet the returning Eva. Vicky snidely says “I can’t believe this. You come and go as you wish thinking we are some sort of public benefactors.” Leo tells her to stop. Awkward moments ensue and Victoria leads Daniel off by the nose to continue their celebrating.

Alicia is fleeing her accusers and runs right into Carlos. She tells him she is in some serious trouble. Carlos guesses that it has to do with the way she was reaccepted at school. Alicia seems surprised that Carlos knows this. Carlos tells her it is obvious and wants to know if Tony explained how he got her back into school. Alicia continues her whining telling him they are going to investigate her and she will get kicked out and probably go to jail. She regrets ever registering in school and all she wants to do now is disappear for ever. Carlos tells her that he might be able to help her. He knows a little bit about computers and maybe he can erase the fact that she was ever registered. Her tortured face turns to gratitude as she asks if he would really do that for her. He tells her he would do that and much more for her.

Marcella is now laying out the new house rules for Eva. She demands she follows them to the letter. Talk only when talked to. How she will come and go. It is yes sir or yes ma’am. She can only talk to her, Renata or Julio. She is not there to socialize or look for a boyfriend. She continues. “You don‘t exist Eva. In this house you don‘t exist for anything more than to take care of my husband. Is that clear?” Eva gritting her teeth and swallowing her pride says “Yes ma‘am.” Them Marcella tells her to get out of her sight “Go take care of Julio. He is waiting for you.”

Renata is back to dropping plates in Julio‘s room. He wants to know what‘s going on and why she is so nervous. While Renata is picking up the pieces and apologizing profusely Julio looks away and smiles as he sees Eva peeking around the corner. He tells her she doesn‘t have to worry about him anymore. Renata is taken back by this and wonders what he is talking about. He cheerfully points to a smiling Eva and says “Eva has returned.” We get a much better Renata tortured look later on.



Daniel and Leo and are back discussing Eva‘s return. More of the same. Leo taunts Daniel. Daniel is officially engaged and Leo is free as a bird to go after Eva. More tortured looks from Daniel.

Alicia has entered Tony’s room and pours a bucket of water on a sleeping Tony. She starts slapping at him and calls him an idiot. He stops her and asks if she is crazy. She tells him he is the crazy one and she will never forgive him. (Alicia’s timeframe of never will last approximately 5 minutes.) We get tears from Tony, (or maybe it's just the water from the bucket Alicia poured over him)professions of love and other garbage and the 5 minutes are up as Alicia forgives him once more and we have a passionate kiss. (Now I have the tortured look on my face.)



More celebrating with the newly engaged couple. Marcella assures Victoria
that now that Eva is back Julio will start taking his medicine again. Victoria is pleased believing now that her father will get stronger once again. They decide to go see Julio and tell him the good news. AS they are about to enter his room, who should be leaving but Eva. She informs them that Julio just took his medicine and is now asleep. Vicky smiling freakishly says “ Oh well never mind, tomorrow we will tell him the news together.” (How’s this for a freakish smile and a tortured look both aimed at Eva.)


I am not certain where we are now but I think it just might be the stripper club where Marisol works. What better place to be looking for an appropriate outfit to dazzle Francisco and appear like a decent women as she is sorting through the wardrobe. Her wise friend informs her that her reality is that she is not a millionaire. Sooner or later her galan will find out the truth. Marisol tells her she knows this but hopes by the time he finds out he will be in love with her and will forgive her. Her wise friend tells her she is playing with fire and she is going to get burned.

I have to give Renata the prize tonight for most tortured faces as she wears quite a few of them as she is telling Marcella about her day at the market.
She begins by saying many years ago she committed a very grave mistake and now destiny has caught up with her to punish her. She tells her she saw someone that she thought was dead. Marcella asks her “Who?” She says “It was my sister Justa.” It is Marcella’s turn to throw a tortured look as Renata continues her sentience “Victoria’s mother.”


Our dramatic music has ended curtly as we go to Vicky and Dan. She is asking him how he feels knowing after tomorrow nights announcement about their engagement that he will no longer be the most famous bachelor in Los Angeles. Daniel sighs and simply says “I feel that it is about time.” Vicky chides him telling him he sounds like he is facing the gallows (Horca). Daniel half teasingly says “more or less”. Vicky dismisses this as a bad joke and says after tomorrow he will no longer be on the market and he can’t imagine how happy that makes her. He gives her a smile and we get a seal the deal with a kiss moment as who should walk in but Eva. Daniel takes a moment to look up and sees Eva’s tortured but angry face.




Vicky realizing something is not right asks Daniel what is wrong. She turns to see what he was looking at but Eva is long gone. He tells her nothing is wrong. She says “then lets get back to the subject that is most important.” and goes in for a kiss

We see Eva standing alone and Leo has appeared out of nowhere scaring her as he says “How is the most beautiful woman on the planet doing?” He realizes she has been crying and asks her what is wrong. She lies and tells him she has no reason to be sad. On the contrary she is happy that she has her job back. She then tells him she has to leave because his mother has forbidden her to think or talk. Leo tells her that is ridiculous. Eva replies, well ask her about it and leaves.

Marcella now more than a little nervous tells Renata that she could not have seen Justa. It had to be a ghost. Renata assures her it was not a ghost. She clearly saw her. Marcella wants to know how this could be possible. Renata reminds her that her body was never found. Renata is now panicked as she grabs Marcella and says “you assured me that she had died in the earthquake (terremoto). Marcella says it was Dr. Rivera who had assured her she was dead. Now she accuse Renata of not trusting her word.

Renata with hands to face tells her “Now you know why I was so nervous.” Marcella wonders why if she is alive she hasn’t looked for them in over 20 years? Renata tells her she doesn’t know and hadn’t really even thought about that. Marcella wants to know if Justa saw her. Renata tells her no. Marcella thinks there is something strange about all of this. How about this as a great tortured look from Renata as she confesses she feels very guilty stealing Justa’s baby and giving her to Marcella. She continues on saying everyone will find out. Vicky will find out that she was adopted. Marcella has had enough of Renata’s guilty rant as she slaps her silly telling her “You be careful what you say because this secret will never be known. You and I will never allow it!!” She tells her it is to late to be repented. Then she screams at her to get a grip and control herself.



Now Marcella tells her she worries that she can’t trust her anymore. She has turned weak. Renata assures her that she can be trusted. Marcella is glad to hear that. Then she tells her that her sister probably has no interest in the fact that she knows she is alive. Furthermore, she tells her that Justa just may be the one hiding from Renata. She gets her a glass of water and says we will deal with this later. Even if Justa should show up at the house there is no reason that Vicky should find out that she is her daughter. After all she is registered as Marcella’s daughter. She is an Arismendi. Then she warns Renata to keep her mouth shut.

She tells her to get back to work. Tomorrow they will have a grand celebration. The engagement party for Daniel and Vicky will be a great success. She tells her it was a good thing that she ran into Justa and they are aware that she is alive. A well advised war doesn’t kill soldiers. (Guerra avisada no mata soldados.)

Daniel (who is not driving the red mustang but the orange one) happens
to drive past Eva. They have a few words. More angst. She tells him for the millionth time to forget her. (Rerun) He tells her he never thought she would return. He tells her he is confused and stupid. (tells us something new). He proves how stupid he really is as he asks Eva if she returned for Leo. If she is interested in him. She tells him to think what he wants to. If that’s what he thinks it doesn’t matter to her and she tells him to leave her alone as she walks away leaving our handsome but stupid galan with a tortured look.



We have an annoying scene where Vicky has awoken Claudia to tell her the good news about her engagement to Daniel. Enough said.

Fran and Marisol appear much happier than are previous pair as they are getting ready to have lunch or brunch or what ever. Fran is dressed in a sharp brown suit jacket and Marisol has managed to look quite sophisticated. The game is on.

Quick scene at the office where Daniel’s secretary has gotten wind of his engagement party. She is wondering if he has told Laurita yet. He tells her he hasn’t. He doesn’t know what he is going to say to her. After all they don’t really get along very well.


Back to Fran and Ollie (I mean Marisol) where I think he has just complimented her on her big teeth. More wine is being served and talk about where this relationship is going and if it should go further. Maybe they should get to know each other more intimately. Marisol is all smiles about this. She tells him she would love to see his house. (Does this count as a tortured look or more like “just about to be caught“ look?) Fran now looks quite uncomfortable as he asks her why she wants to see his house. She tells him all she really knows about him is he has a truck. She wants to know where he eats breakfast, where he sleeps.

Fran quickly tells her no and Marisol just as quickly apologizes and gets up to leave. Fran stops her and we have some more awkward moments as they both continue to apologize and Fran reluctantly invites her to the house he does not own. She sits back down and the game is back on.

Bruno is also trying to take his relationship with Marcella to the next level as we suffer through a scene with the two of them at the office talking about the launch of their new business. She hands him an envelope full of money. And tells him than it is loyalty and not jealousy that she admires in a man. He is all smiles and tells her if it wasn’t for the big celebration she was having tonight he would invite her to celebrate this moment with him. He tells her he knows exactly where he would like to take her. Marcella is curious as she asks him where they might be. He takes her black gloved hand and drops a set of keys into it telling her it is the key to his new apartment. When she wants he will give her the directions. She sits down and simply tells him they should get back to work and takes a deep breath.

Daniel is finally telling Laurita about his engagement to Vicky. She is not taking it well. He tells her she has to accept this. She tells him he can’t marry Vicky because he is in love with Eva. (That apple fell about a hundred miles from that tree. ) He continues to try and convince her to accept this and he tells her he wants her to come to the engagement party. Laurita isn’t buying this and refuses to go.




Eva is telling Marcella that she is worried that Julio‘s medicine isn‘t working. Marcella quickly changes the subject and asks Eva for a favor. She wants her to stay longer tonight and help out with the big celebration. She will pay her extra. She tells her not to ask anyone about the celebration because it is a big surprise.

Fran has finished his meal with Marisol and returned to Dan’s house. He quickly takes off his jacket but is caught by Jacky. She chews him out for borrowing Dan’s clothes. They are interrupted by Daniel who happened to be looking for said jacket. Fran lies and tells him it was in the car or something like that. Daniel tells him he didn’t leave it in the car. Jacky covers for Fran and tells him she found it in the car and was just about to send it off to the cleaners. (I know that’s not exactly how that went down but close enough) . Dan seems to be slightly aware that these two are up to something but maybe not. After all I don’t think he is that bright as he says “what ever. Just take it to the cleaners.” Fran is just relieved that “they didn’t” get caught as he pats Jacky on the shoulder with brotherly gratitude and goes off to take the jacket to the cleaners. Jacky is left behind with the memory of Fran’s touch on her shoulder.

The editing at the end got the best of me and we have a series of short uninteresting scenes. One is of Alicia and Tony and his new luxurious car. They seem to be parked outside the big mansion. We have another scene with Bruno lurking outside the mansion and is ushered inside as an invited guest. He manages to congratulate the happy couple. Leo and Claudia are there as well and talking about Yo Yo. Or something like that.

Anyway Marcella has managed to have an unsuspecting Eva front and center serving champagne to all the invited guests. Marcella is apologizing for Julio’s absence as he is not well. She is happy to announce that Vicky and Daniel will be getting married. We are left with another freakish smile from Vicky and a tortured look from Daniel as Eva looks on in disbelief.

Labels: eva

Leonardo points a finger at shocked Santiago, confirming he knows he is Santiago Guzmán. Leonardo found out just recently, researching old newspaper stories about the murder of Márta Saldívar de Guzmán, he says. And what's left for Santiago to do but invite the policeman inside.

Leonardo wants to know everything surrounding the murder, so Santiago begins by denying he killed his wife, although he feels somehow responsible for her death. They both worked in a show troop run by Adolfo -- Santiago as an actor, and Márta as an actress and dancer. Yolanda was also a dancer and friends with Márta.

One evening Santiago and Márta argued in her dressing room; he accused her of seeing Mario Genovés, which she denied, and she threw him out. Santiago admits he was always jealous; but after all this time, he realizes one can't blame someone for being so beautiful.

That night he waited at home for hours without her returning; so he went to the dressing room, and horrified, found Márta dead on the floor. About then Adolfo arrived and finding him over the body, accused the inconsolably sobbing Santiago of the murder.

Santiago didn't turn himself in out of fear they'd never find the true killer -- and what would happen to his two baby girls if he wound up in prison! Who would take care of them? Instead he decided to escape with them; all these years he's been hiding out, working night jobs.

Mario had nothing to do with his wife, Santiago claims, despite Leonardo's news that Gabriela overheard Adolfo threaten Mario with telling David the so-called truth about Márta. When asked about the (tunnel) house, Santiago admits it's owned by Mario -- and that Santiago doesn't really work, but is supported by Mario.

Santiago claims he simply kills time there, reading all day; and that when Leonardo saw him at the hotel, he was going to pick up money from Mario. He denies there's any other exit from the (tunnel) house and insists Ramón must have gotten momentarily distracted as he departed.

Mario has no idea Santiago was the primary suspect in his wife's death, Santiago tells Leonardo. Yolanda just knew the girls from the club -- and through them -- met himself again, he says; and Adolfo doesn't know or else he would have divulged Santiago's whereabouts to the police immediately.

Santiago frets that if people knew, he'd have to be detained, wouldn't he? Santiago breaks down and begs Leonardo to please believe he is innocent. He is innocent, he swears on his daughters; Leonardo must believe him! Leonardo fixes him with a penetrating look.

At a restaurant, once again Gabriela and David are happy to be together; and when she reminds him they would do better in a place of their own, he agrees. Plus, they need to get back to their honeymoon! She asks for an advance on that and gets a kiss. David blames himself for falling prey to appearances.

Back at Santiago's, Leonardo admits he wants to believe in him. He's going to investigate the case, but unfortunately the trail is cold with no apparent killer. Plus, Leonardo feels Santiago's not coming clean with him, which Santiago denies. Who else could have killed her, Leonardo wonders.

There's always a motive; who would have one? Santiago is ready to follow his friend Leonardo to the station -- until he's horrified to learn it may take one to two months to clear him and be free! Immediately Santiago drums up a delaying tactic, claiming to need to meet with his daughters first before he goes.

Upon Leonardo's exit, he's surprised to find Adolfo and Yolanda approaching; and when they claim they're there to get Julieta to come back to work, Leonardo sends them away saying Julieta's not at home. At their exit, Leonardo re-enters with the news Adolfo nearly saw Santiago, which frightens Santiago with the specter of Gabriela and Julieta being told he killed their mother. Leonardo urges Santiago to come clean to the girls.

At Leonardo's second exit, Santiago phones Abelardo urgently to meet him at the tunnel house. Downstairs in the parking lot, Adolfo's spooked that Leonardo is close friends with the girls' father and still needs to know who told Mario. He heads straight for the Genovés's, while upstairs Santiago totes a suitcase out the door.

At the mansion, Susana lets Adolfo cool his heels, waiting for absent Mario. Yolanda managed to get a taxi home and phones Santiago to no avail. Close on Adolfo's arrival at the mansion is Leonardo, and he leaves a card and exits. When Susana learns from Adolfo that Leonardo is a cop, Adolfo notes she's startled.

Across the way at the tunnel house, Santiago catches Abelardo up on what's happened and explains he plans for Santiago to disappear now for a while and become Mario full time, relieving Abelardo. Santiago phones Julieta at the mansion and disappoints her with news her dad will be on a long business trip. When Adolfo wants to break in on Julieta's phone call, Santiago hangs up on Adolfo before he can speak, confounding Adolfo.

Later outside Adolfo's condo office, Yolanda overhears Adolfo berating Roberto about his incompetence, when Roberto claims he's waiting for the bruises and lumps to go away -- and he's still dead sure and horrified he killed Mario. Mario's new spunk worries Adolfo, and he wants him dead! After they exit, Adolfo mentions Santiago's business trip out of town to Yolanda.

At Leonardo's apartment, Leonardo confides to Ramón he believes Santiago is innocent and points out the coincidence that Adolfo was just a show producer until Márta's death -- and then he suddenly became partners with Mario's hotel empire. Leonardo maintains that Mario knew this Márta -- and Ramón maintains that Santiago never left the (tunnel) house while he was on stake out.

Julieta speaks on the phone with Gabriela with David in their honeymoon suite at the hotel about Santiago's business trip. After she hangs up, the newlyweds agree they need time alone to spend on themselves. "Mario" arrives at the Genovés's, and Bertha is surprised to find him reading a newspaper in the living room, which hasn't happened in a while.

"Mario" grills Bertha about her relationship with Adolfo, an outsider who has no business demanding trust funds for the nieces. She quickly denies instigating this and ingratiatingly claims to be very happy and grateful Mario took them in. "Mario" forbids her seeing Adolfo any more and dismisses her and her shopping bags to her room, upon his receiving a phone call from Adolfo.

When Adolfo tries to threaten "Mario," he simply threatens back that he'll bring Adolfo up on charges of theft of their business funds and hangs up, leaving Adolfo nonplussed. Susana passes Leonardo's business card to "Mario" and gives him a pensive, thoughtful look at his retreating back.

Leonardo and Ramón are unable to raise Santiago at his apartment door. Back at Mario's office, Santiago explains to Abelardo how complicated it would be for him to go through with clearing his name at the moment. He could get detained with his theatrical makeup and be stuck, for example. And he can't come clean, because then the whole Mario-disguise plan would unravel.

Abelardo agrees they can't really do anything; but he's very happy to see Santiago fight to complete Mario's plan so diligently and is very grateful. When Santiago asks why Abelardo himself has been so loyal, Abelardo reveals that once he was a complete outcast, having lost everything -- his family, his job -- to alcoholism.

Mario took him in, gave him a job and befriended him when no one believed in him, and Abelardo pulled through. The two men exiting into the hallway, Julieta happens by and explains happily that Gabriela and David are reconciled and enjoying a hotel stay, pleasing "Mario" and Abelardo.

In Mario's bed chamber, they agree things are straightening out -- except Santiago insists they should keep an eye on Bertha's friendship with Adolfo. And when Santiago wonders if Adolfo is really involved in jewel smuggling, Abelardo divulges that nothing about Adolfo would surprise him.

Susana enters to announce Yolanda's appearance, and both Santiago and Abelardo note how Susana strangely hawks Santiago with narrowed eyes before exiting. "Mario" meets Yolanda alone in the office, where she surprises him urgently warning that someone is trying to kill him. He guesses it's Adolfo, and she confirms it's for the business contract -- but also for the jewel affair.

She shocks him with news that Adolfo used his daughters to smuggle gemstones just like Adolfo did so many years ago with also-innocent Márta -- except in a flashback, we see the jewels were sewn into a costume the dancer wore on a South American tour. Márta unfortunately figured it out and became angry that Adolfo set her up to possibly take the fall.

Adolfo encountered Márta and Yolanda arguing about it in the dressing room; and after Yolanda exited, he returned to strangle Márta with the same costume! During the struggle, Márta pulled off the infamous cuff link. "Mario" is furious Yolanda knew the truth and blamed him; but Yolanda objects that at first she truly thought Mario was the murderer, with she and Adolfo encountering him standing over the body.

After a moment where Adolfo strenuously protested that Mario did it, though, Yolanda soon realized bitterly that Adolfo had the motive and murdered Márta. How could he do that to an innocent person! she sobbed. They both exited after Mario ran, only to watch Santiago entering the dressing room then and crying out over his dead wife.

"Mario" becomes distraught to hear that it was Yolanda's idea to put Adolfo up to blaming Santiago instead of Mario. And the astonishing reason was -- that Yolanda had been in love with Mario and wanted to protect him! Although she bitterly remembers that Mario only had eyes for Márta -- and that Márta was not a good woman.

Márta knew Yolanda was in love with Mario; and she got involved with Mario just because Yolanda wanted him -- and for his money! Márta never loved Mario, Yolanda insists. She'd already had Carlos -- Carlos Ávila! Carlos: the son of Adolfo -- and Márta Saldívar!

Labels: verdad

Okay. I am totally freaked out. Those creepy writers have kept Gretel in the wine cellar for two years....in the same pair of jeans and t-shirt! We still have no info on the bathroom arrangements (a pail?). And clearly there are no shower facilities. Not a toothbrush or hairbrush in sight. Just one stringy blanket and some food scattered here and there. Give. Me. A. Break. Hell's Bell's, give Gretel a break. It's absurd. But alright, let's get on to the rest of the new stuff that happened last night.

You remember the business from before, right? Emanuel doing his Garbo I vant to be alone schtick. Mari vowing to live and not be vanquished. And then the little Matilde pregnant pastiche from Amor Real, where she passes through each column and is more and more pregnant...only this time it's Manny, passing through trees, getting out of his wheelchair, then walking and finally running well enough to compete again.

Also, Mari jumps into the pool a fattie (how'd you like to be the person chosen to play that part?) and as she swims across, becomes leaner and more sculpted until voilà. Disney music plays and she emerges from the pool svelte and gorgeous in a bikini. Still don't like her hair though.

So, onto the new stuff: She and Tia Carlota are discussing the changes. Two years ago she couldn't swim across the pool. Now she's a champ. Well, she did it for her parents. Just them? queries Carlota. Are you sure it isn't for Emanuel as well? Heated denials. Yeah, right.

Back in Mexico, Eman's winning a race. He's an International Champion and Fedra's thrilled. That's my boy! Illitia likewise. That's my fiancé! Big smooch. And......

Big creep. Lorenzo, I mean. He's doing his usual number off in the woods, taking leering photos of a new young model and promising her a spot in the next tanning lotion commercial. Good to know he hasn't changed at all during the last two years. Consistency is his greatest quality.

Nearby, Fedra's dousing her champion son with champagne, Kristel is giving Ilitia all the credit for the triumph (behind every great man is a woman) and Axel is pooh-poohing the whole thing. Manny did it for himself, he maintains...by his own strength. The girls pretty much ignore him and Ilitia trots up to present the trophy. And now comes that special moment. Emanual dedicates it to......drumroll...... his cousin Marianela. Way to go fella. Ilitia looks pissed.

Eman's still the subject of conversation twixt Carlota and Mari. Tia reminds her he called every day for so long. And she also remembers Mari looking at the phone pensively. How could she forget him? Well, he hasn't tried for a month now, notes Marianela.... and besides, he tried to poison me! How do do expect me to have any feelings for him at all!? Satisfied that she's over him, Carlota crows, Then now I know you're ready to return to Mexico and claim what's yours!

No way, vows Mari. Undeterred, Carlota muses that one day, like it or not, she'll have to go back. Anyone want to take bets on how soon it will be?

Back at the race, Axel continues to rain on Ilitia and Kristel's parade, pointing out that if Marianela comes back, "Adios boda" (good-bye wedding). We can but hope.

Well, Emanuel's race (which looked pretty dinky) must in fact be Big News in Mexico because the closing ceremony, if you will, is on TV and who should see it but Gladiola, presently engaged in giving Netty a pedicure. Umbrage and outrage at the dedication to cousin Mari. What a cynical guy! How dare he!? And it's all his fault that Netty is so unhappy and missing her little niece. And what about Gladiola, missing her little daughter Doris, adrift in that Land of Perdition, the US!!

Well, of course Doris is having her own triumph, winning first place in some Make-up Competition and dedicating the prize to her family whom she misses terribly.

So, a tidy little wrap-up here before the ads. Mari has triumphed over fatness; Eman over paralysis; Doris over second-rate make-up skills. Time for everybody to get back to Mexico and start mixin' it up!

Brief recess while I confer with the guys replacing our furnaces (we have two). Yes, it's 20 degrees outside, the door's been opening and closing all day, both furnaces off but now I learn I might have a little heat while I watch the show. Right now it's brrrrrrrrrrr. But...I missed something while we were talking. The police are closing in on somebody. Will figure it out later. Because now we switch to the orphanage where Muñeca is clutching a valise of cash. Some Robin Hood criminal type, sought after by the police, has just funded the orphanage with some needed cash. This guy can't be all bad, muses our Doll. Just then-- uproar. It's the baby of the orphanage who just fell from a tree, the little rascal. Yes, it must be Begoña's baby all grown up. Doesn't sound good for Begoña. But maybe she's better off dead than stuck in a wine cellar in the same pair of jeans and t-shirt for two years. Just sayin'.

Okay. Back to the police. They storm a place and come up empty. Then a man enters. You're el Lirio de Plata, they yell. No, I'm not. Hmmm.. did I talk THAT LONG to the furnace men? I have no idea what's going on here. And neither does the guy they take into custody.

Zoom zoom. Back in Spain. In a restaurant. With Tia Carlota and Mari. Now forgive me, but I still think Mari's hair looks awful. Kind of limp and uninteresting. And Ilitia's hair is wretched. Those stupid bangs and shaggy lengths! Jeez. Is she trying to look like the old Mari, only thinner? Her asymetrical cut was so flattering and fashion forward. Wha' happened!? On the other hand, I DO like Muñeca's ironed-flat hair. And the point is, I guess, the Passage of Time. With women, coiffures change. Except with Fedra. Same serpentine ringlets.

Well, the Passage of Time has not dimmed Carlota's quest to repair the hideous damage she's done to Gretel, Paula and Max. She's got the detective still looking for Gretel and won't die before she's righted the wrong. And BAM! God strikes her dead.

Well, okay...not dead. But He gives he a helluva blow and next thing we know she's in bed in blue jammies exhorting Mari to make the trip for the publicity junket anyway. Don't worry about her health. She has someone to take care of her.

Chamber of Horrors time. Gretel. Yes, the Passage of Time has made a rip in her t-shirt sleeve. Otherwise, it's the same outfit. And same hair of course. And same litany. I'm Gretel. I have three siblings..... Enter Fedra dearest with a plate of food and a tad of repugnance. As Gretel scurries like a wild animal off with her chow, Fedra notes that Bernardo really needs to clean up in here more often. Really. This doesn't. bear. thinking. about. Shoot the writers someone please! Gretel has turned into a crazed animal. But frankly how could she be anything but? Carlota's going to be roasting somewhere big-time for her part in this.

We find ourselves with the police chief now. He's bound and determined to make this poor boob they've collared confess to stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. The fella looks confused. And unlikely to be the culprit. So let's get back Fedra and her little family gathering. She's toasting Emanual's dual triumph in sports and relationships. He's about to be married to Ilitia whose patience and tender care helped him regain use of his legs. Jacqui, who's become the girlfriend of Eman's best bud, slithers over and gives him a kiss. Ilitia gives her the evil eye. But then toasts to Love as an Epidemic. Their romance is catching. Here here! Emanual starts musing about Mari again and Ilitia breaks in with "Ya es 'too much'!" You should have dedicated the prize to me. Yep. Our Ilitia is pissed. And totally reverted to bitchaholic. We know this doesn't bode well for the Boda. Let's think about that while we're subjected to more ads.

Nope. Not boding well at all. Seems it's the next day but Manny stood Ilitia up last night. Here she was with champagne and everything and he's a no show. Well, he's tired. And please, no questions. Don't try and control me. But you should be thinking about me all the time, she protests. Dark days ahead. No doubt about it.

Back to Carlota and her blue jammies. Mari's getting ready to leave for her publicity trip. How nifty is it that she's in the same business as Emanual, no? But what should arrive but Another Letter from HIM. Almodena (lady who's caring for Carlota) thinks she should read it...and answer it, goldurnit! After all the letters he's written, it's the least she could do. Mari begs to differ. And leaves.

But what's this? A stretch limosine. White. Another wedding? Nope. Exit the barrio lawyer. Followed by Netty who has evidently reclaimed her telenovela stardom. A small clot of fans shrieks and cheers and waves papers to be autographed. Netty obliges.

Back to the police. And confusion as far as I'm concerned. Chief is cogitating. This Lirio de Plata must be an orphan. We need to check out the orphanages to find a record of him. He's very intelligent, subtle, shrewd. He always picks parties of rich folks to make his strike. Hmmmm. Just then the door opens and Oliver, looking like he spent the last two years in the wine cellar with Gretel, pokes his ghastly head in. And gets rousted. Is this how you respond to a rise in rank!? You're not worthy of the uniform! Go home! Take a bath! Clean up! Oliver's sulking. Leave me alone. I'm stressed. Police chief leaves but Brandon's not having it. He grabs Oliver in a big ol' man hug and cradles his head while Oliver bleats about "this pain in my heart and soul". Dude, you have it so much easier than poor Gretel. So man up and find the girl already!

Emanual's back at work, grousing at people on the set about a wrinkled piece of fabric. In other words, He's Not Happy. And Dad knows it. Emiliano takes him aside and begs him not to marry Ilitia. He knows Son will be miserable if he marries the wrong woman. Ah, but Emanual has no choice. Ilitia stood beside him during all his recuperation. Pushing his wheelchair. Encouraging him. And where was Marianela? Couldn't even answer one letter! Ever! Manny stalks off. Emiliano looks perturbed. End of scene.

Red Alert. Tia Carlota, still in the same blue jammies, has taken a turn for the worse. Almodena decides to call her family in Mexico. Mientras tanto, Mari's at the airport with a weedy looking guy named Jorge. Guess he must be Manny's competition. He's got that fruity Spanish accent and is all flirty, calling her "hermosa", removing her glasses and hinting she could be model material herself if she wanted to be. Yuck. Well, for sure he wants her to work in his publicity agency. In the creative section. 'Cause she's so creative. Experience not necessary. Just love your work (and me, subtext). She says "yes". To the work, anyway. Not liking where this is going.

Bernardo and Fedra. Also not liking where things are going. Seems they've heard about this Lirio de Plata guy too. Hell, it must be Chema. Come back from..... wherever. It's no coincidence. And could be dangerous for Fedra. She could be recognized. Aha! Chickens coming home to roost. About time. Just then the phone rings. It's Almodena. Bernardo answers, passes the phone to Fedra, who plays like she's worried about "her aunt" and vows to arrive on the very next plane to see how she is. Grinning idiotically, she reassures Bernardo that she's going to get her hands on every last centavo of Carlota's money and that's that. Bernardo fusses that it's too close to the wedding to be gallivanting off to Spain but Fedra's cool with that. She'll zip in and zip out (and no doubt dispatch Carlota to the next world) and make it to the church on time. No problem.

Big problem with Mari though. Skivvy little Jorge hands her a Mexican newspaper. You guessed it. Emanual and Ilitia's marriage is front page news. Our plucky little Mari sheds some tears behind those humongous , unflattering glasses. Jorge doubts that she's over her grand amor. She swears she is. Just...well, the picture shook her up a little (me movió el tapete) They agree memories must be buried and their flight is announced.

Ah memories. Seems Nereida has parlayed her memories of the Kristel-Mauricio tryst videotape into an elevation of rank. She's now Head Housekeeper, with a swank outfit, and frequent dustups with Kristel. The latest scandal is someone has burned one of Kristel's frocks and she wants someone to pay for it. Nereida declines, and also makes a malicious remark about Mauricio's frequent trips out of town. Trouble in Paradise? It will be interesting to see what he's been up to in the last two years. But first, more ads.

Now we're in the final countdown of the episode. Here's how it wraps up. Netty has a Secret Admirer who keeps sending her flowers. Shall we guess it's Emiliano?

And Fedra's off to Spain. But telling Emiliano she's off to Switzerland. To check on Gretel. Who's finally allowed to see people. But noooo, not you Emiliano. You stay here and tend to the wedding while I fly off to see how her treatment's going. Bye! Emiliano looks perturbed. Again.

Jacqui and Eman's skanky buddy are filming a commercial about a product that gives you kisses without bad breath. Insensitive doofus buddy envies Manny's coming nuptials and canoodling with that luscious body named Ilitia. Manny sighs and notes that his buddy still doesn't realize it takes more than a body to make a man happy. Fine, says doofus, but let's relax and toss back a few brewskis and talk about it.

Nereida's flown into the kitchen ready to raise Hell and fire Delicia over the scorched dress. Paula and Delicia make fun of her and her pretentions. And Axel forbids her from firing anybody. Good stuff.

Bad stuff at Ilitia's. She's being a Bridezilla about the colors the wedding planner picked out for the tables. She wanted beige and burgundy, this idiot brought her vanilla and old rose. Out! Bye! Come back with better stuff. Chauffeur and maid watch this with squinchy disapproving faces. Bridezilla doesn't notice. She wants them to fetch her stylist and the poor wretch designing her wedding cake. But wait! She's smiling. A huge bouquet has arrived. Joy. It must be from Emanuel. She opens the note.

And a sinister note it is indeed. "I'm nearby. And I have a very special wedding present for you. Mauricio Fonseca."

Ooooh. Creepy. Muñeca, who is hovering by her daughter's side, looks perturbed. So does Ilitia.

A lot of Perturbing tonight folks. And that's it.

Previews:
Fedra wants the wedding to be the social event of the year.
Eman's buddy is worried that he has one foot in church while his mind's still on another woman.
Eman says he needs to have Marianela look him right in the eye and tell him she doesn't love him before he'll believe it.

Vocabulary:

ama de llaves = housekeeper (a rank above mere maid. and one Nereida holds now)
me movió el tapete = shook me up. (sometimes has a romantic meaning, but not here)

estirar la pata = kick the bucket, die. (what Tia Carlota's about to do)
todo se va a arreglar = everything's going to be alright (Brandon's reassurance to a distraught Oliver)

Dicho of the Day

Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda. Lit. a monkey dressed in silk is still a monkey. Fig. You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
Delicia and Paula, making fun of Nereida in her fancy outfit and presumptuous ways.

Labels: llena

Capitulo 109.
Read Julie’s original recap, then come back here to discuss it.

1. Fernando tells Omar he’s taking Lety to his house tonight because he wants to. Omar asks what the heck is happening to him, then teases, “There’s love there.” Fernando, aggravated, responds, “So what if there is?” and hangs up on Omar.

2. Pilar plays the prima donna. Ali hears that Pilar should be paid 500K pesos, exactly what Alicia needs to rescue her car. Ali tells her papi that she deserves the modeling job because she’s been at Conceptos a long time, and she’s Marcia’s best friend. She’s depressed so she’s going shopping – grocery shopping.

3. Pilar describes Pavel, the love of her life, so Irmita tells about hers, Sara wishes for hers, and Pilar asks Lety if she’s ever been hopelessly in love.

4. Pilar says Fernando is exactly like Pavel in everything. Lety counters that Fernando makes all his women suffer a lot, and Sara adds that he’s a terrible mujeriego. Since that doesn’t scare off Pilar, Lety adds that he leads a double life, but she quickly regrets saying it.

5. Very sweet: Fernando calls his mama to ask for a recipe for something easy to make. Mama reminds him that he’s all thumbs in the kitchen.

6. Marta couldn’t get a caterer within budget for the commercial shoot, so Lety asks Julieta to cook for the event. Erasmo thinks she’s in over her head. Mama throws a fit: our daughter needs us!

7. Pilar concludes that since Fernando leads a double life, Pavel must have changed his identity. She tells him that when they’re together he won’t be able to deny his past.

8. Matilde calls Erasmo and tells him she wants to be alone with him. Pop says, “Wrong number.”

9. Fernando takes Lety to the market because he’s going to cook dinner for her. Pilar follows them.

---

Capitulo 110.
Read Amanda’s original recap, then come back here to discuss it.

1. Fernando and Lety go grocery shopping, and he’s so clueless, he can’t even open the plastic bags. He wants to get some bonsai trees but Lety says they’re broccoli. He wants to make a turkey but Lety says it needs two days to thaw. They act like they’re already married. Alicia is in the same store and almost sees them several times.

2. Lety says she never learned to cook because her dad made her study instead, and Lety thinks he was mistaken because learning to cook takes time, and everyone needs to eat. Fernando adores her clear thinking. Who’d have thought grocery shopping could be such a romantic date?

3. They arrive at his house and Lety is euphoric. She says, “I can’t believe that I’m here. It’s your house, and if you invited me here it’s because you genuinely.. you genuinely..” Fernando finishes, “because I honestly want you to be with me. And to share our time together.” She just wants to stop and drink it all in, and she cries from happiness.

4. Lety imagines Marcia tearing into her. Marc says she’s fought for Fernando against women more beautiful and higher class than herself, and she’s always won. Beating Lety is a slam dunk. Lety explores Fernando’s bedroom, his most intimate space. Fernando surprises her and plays nuzzle/tickle games. She’s troubled by the ghost of Marcia, but Fernando says to forget all about that and enjoy their night together.

5. Mama Julieta picks up Matilde’s call trying to pick up Erasmo. She demands an explanation from him and he tries to hide in the bean bowl. Matilde invades the house and MamaJ walks in on her sucking Pop’s face.




6. Fernando’s nuzzle is interrupted by fears over the red bag, and Lety suggests that they make the fondue. Fernando is all thumbs with cooking, and he admits he’s been in his kitchen all of three times. He’s no good at cutting bread, but he does a magnificent job of distracting Lety while she does it.

Don’t miss Thursday! The first episode is another great one. The second one has good sections in the first 10 minutes, but the rest is a perfect example of why Fea fans cringe at the words "Underwear Commercial."

Labels: fea-2010

Eva Luna, November 30, 2010, Episode 19—Stupid galáns and broken crockery.

Note: All video clips hosted on my own (very bare-bones) site. They are streaming Flash clips (the same kind as on YouTube). Right-click on the links to open to a new window. And as always, corrections to this recap are welcomed. Thanks!

We start with a rewind of yesterday's episode; Daniel parking The Red Car, Eva seeing The Red Car, running after The Red Car as it drives off, but not seeing who was driving it. (Of course she loses her job because she ran into another waitress as she was running out and the waitress dropped a bunch of crockery.)

Renata and Justa have a close encounter in the grocery store. Renata is muy impactada to see Justa, and almost approaches Justa, but chickens out at the last minute. Justa blissfully wanders around, smelling various fruits, oblivious of all of this.

Marisol is chatting with Alicia and dreamily talking about rich men giving her flowers—fantasyland stuff. Alicia wants to talk reality. No fun! The doorbell rings, Marisol answers. It's Carlos looking a bit droopy, holding a modest bouquet of carnations for Alicia. Marisol tries to dissuade him from presenting this pitiful display, saying that those little things will pale in comparison to the garden they've got inside.

Don Ricardo wins $10,000 from the lottery, from that same store where Tony and Alicia shoplifted. The clerk speaks in accented English while Ricardo responds in Spanish. I include a clip of this (link below), since I am fascinated with the use of English in this telenovela. Some unknown person is watching all of this go down.

A still-droopy-looking Carlos is ushered inside and presents his carnations to Alicia. They're to congratulate her for getting into college, he says. She gets right to the point. She doesn't want "him" (meaning Tony) to see them there together.

Video clip of droopy Carlos with flowers, and the English-speaking store clerk telling Don Ricardo that he's won the lottery.

Renata is back in the kitchen looking very shell-shocked. She knocks over some crockery as she walks out and doesn't even notice. "No puede ser!" she thoughtbubbles. She thought Justa was dead! Marcela told her that Justa was dead in the clinic! She wonders if Marcela knows the truth (that Justa is indeed not dead). Then Renata thinks that Justa will never forgive her for what she did.

Marcela approaches Eva outside of the pension and wants to talk to her.

Don Ricardo tells Justa and Marisol about his good luck with the lottery. Much elation and celebration occurs.

Marcela is at her sneering best as she makes it obvious that the pension is a pathetic place. Eva is not tolerating this very well. Marcela then suggests that maybe Eva quit just because of the "little talk" they had about Daniel? More snarking back and forth.

Adrian is out somewhere looking for his dad. Some mysterious person grabs him from behind.

Don Ricardo is talking about Adrian with Marcela. He understands that Adrian is always going to feel connected to his dad, because blood is thicker than water, basically.

Meanwhile, Adrian is being restrained by two thugs in some dark room as he screams for help.

Renata is looking after Don Julio and is dropping crockery. Julio wonders what's up. She tries to give him his medicine. He won't take it from anyone other than Eva.

Raised voices between Marcela and Eva. Finally Marcela pulls the heartstrings and tries to guilt Eva into returning because Don Julio is doing so poorly. (Yeah, as if Marcy cares about that! Ha!) This works because Eva is genuinely fond of Don Julio. Marcy even goes so far as to say that if Don Julio dies, it'll be Eva's fault.

Daniel and Francisco are talking. Daniel (who in my opinion is acting like a defeated and whipped dog), resignedly says that he wants his life back to normal, and that means sticking with Victoria. Francisco does basically a spit take and reminds Daniel that he doesn't love Vicky Icky.

Eva is telling an astonished Alicia about Marcy's plea to get her to return to work. Eva also mentions that she saw The Red Car today. Alicia says "Qué?"

Don Ricardo is wondering where Adrian is. He should be home by now. Everyone in the pension says they'll go look for him.

Adrian is kicking up a fuss and the two thugs have to gag him. One almost hits him but the other stops him.

Manure is slinging as Marcela tells Don Julio that because she loves him so much, she went to try to get Eva to return. But Eva won't come back. Don Julio isn't buying this and says she's got to try harder.

No sign of Adrian at the pension. They are talking about maybe calling the police. The doorbell rings. Nobody there, but Adrian's backpack and a note are left. It's a ransom note. You guessed it, they want Don Ricardo's lottery money or the kid gets it.

Icky Vicky is calling Daniel and oozing all over him. He is half-heartedly asking her out to dinner, but you can tell he's not totally into it. But being a clueless galán, he's going to persist with this idiocy of fooling himself that he can settle for Icky.

A resigned-looking Daniel after asking Icky Vicky out for dinner.

Renata is still so freaked out that she spills the wine she's pouring at the dinner table. Icky Vicky is crowing about going out with Daniel to dinner.

A new person walks into the room where Adrian is being held. Adrian looks up with blissful amazement. It's Papa! Creepy Loser Dad manages a small smile in return.

Our stupid galán is going to actually propose to Icky Vicky. She of course is elated and thinking of all the wedding plans. You can tell he's trying to convince himself he'll be happy.

Eva and Alicia talking about Adrian's kidnapping and Don Ricardo paying the ransom money.

Creepy Loser Dad isn't explaining to Adrian about what is going on, but says he won't be coming home.

Don Ricardo returns to the pension. He paid the money but no sign of Adrian yet.

Loser dad is insisting that Adrian lie about him being involved in this whole kidnapping thing.

Tony the Lollypop boy returns to the pension, his mood all buoyant, and the rest of the residents of the pension clue him in about what's happening. Ah! Adrian has now returned! Of course he won't tell them that his own dad was involved. He's quite distressed and Don Ricardo can tell that he's hiding something.

Francisco is in Daniel's room. He's imagining that Marisol (the millionairess) is wondering why he only has more than one suit. Francisco comes up with the grand idea of "borrowing" one of Daniel's suits. Of course none of them fit, though Francisco tries to fool himself otherwise.

Meanwhile Marisol is basically doing the same thing—wondering about what kind of clothes a millionairess should be wearing and talking about it with Alicia. Alicia would like to help with the clothes, but she's got to go to class.

Jackie walks in on Francisco trying on suits and chews him out. He says something clueless and cheeky. She ends up slapping him across the face. Well-deserved, too! Francisco can't figure out what's bothering her.

Lollypop boy Tony is shoveling manure to Alicia. Blah blah blah.

Tony also reminds her that he's the one that made college work for her, after the cheating episode. She gives him a little beso then runs off to class.

Eva at her dad's grave, talking about what to do, what to do . . . she wants to forget about Daniel, but she wants to help Don Julio. He's not to blame for this. Then she smiles and ponders, maybe Alicia is right, and Daniel is in love with her for real?

Trouble at college for Alicia.

Adrian is at home, happy happy happy. Justa and Ricardo fuss over him lovingly. He almost spills the beans about his dad, but doesn't. Ricardo gets him alone and wants to have a man-to-man talk and wants Adrian to tell the truth.

Turns out that the Math professor has told the college that she was coerced into letting Alicia into college. Alicia is of course flabbergasted.

Celebration at the big house, as they toast to the wedding plans. Leonardo whispers in Daniel's ear all sorts of manure, further convincing him that Eva never cared for him, is never coming back, blah blah blah. You can see the resignation in Daniel's face—he'll settle for Icky Vicky. (Idiot!)

Adrian is getting distressed as Ricardo tries to press him for details about the kidnapping. Don Ricardo figures that Adrian is afraid to tell him what happened.

It all comes out—the math teacher was a victim of extortion. Alicia has no clue of course.

They're planning on announcing a formal commitment of Daniel and Icky Vicky tomorrow. "Welcome to our family," Leonardo says. Yeah, yeah, whatever.

Ricardo is one smart old dude. He asks Adrian, "Is your dad the one who kidnapped you?" Adrian looks impactado.

Poor Alicia protests her innocence but the school isn't buying it. They are going to start a legal investigation.

Daniel is in the hallway as the doorbell rings. It's Eva! Impactado looks are exchanged.

Here's a video clip of the last two scenes.

Avances: It looks like it really hits the fan. Video clip of Avances.

Note about the video clips: I just got HD on Dish Network. I am getting an HD video capture device tomorrow (hopefully). Because I am a geeky fangirl, I may add some more high quality video clips tomorrow or the next day. Check back on this page because (if things go well) I'll update this with links to HQ or HD clips. (Wow, HD looks really fabulous!)

Closed Captioning video clips: And yes, being the geek that I am, I have discovered that since upgrading to HD, the closed captioning works differently. I was able to make a sample video clip which shows the English closed captioning on Eva Luna. With this upgrade, I believe that the English CC is as accurate is it can be (not sometimes jumbled around, like it was before). This video clip (from yesterday's episode) shows how "accurate" the English subtitles are! LOL.

This clip (from yesterday's Soy tú Dueña) show the closed captioning in Spanish, and explains a little more about how the closed captioning works with HD.

Labels: eva