Caray, Caray!

The scene is set, and like any good murder mystery, (almost) all the players are gathered in a luxurious mansion. Alejandra, wearing a femme fatale worthy dress, is seated next to the mysterious and intriguing stranger Juan Ocampo (aka Juan Jose Victoria Ocampo). Next to them sits Don Mario, the generous millionaire, who is at the center of many mysteries, and his trusty right hand man Abelardo. They await the appearance of the (sort of) happy young couple David and Gabi, and the bitter and jealous niece Bertha. In walks the loyal maid Dora, carrying a tray of refreshments, with a contented smile on her face, because today they all celebrate the marriage of her “hijo de alma” (son of her soul/heart), who just might be the son of her very own flesh and blood. She spots our mysterious stranger and that smile immediately disappears into a look of shock and amazement (cara impactada) that tells us, and our hero JJ, that she recognizes who he is. He shifts uncomfortably under her gaze, but neither one of them lets on to the other players that they recognize each other. And here begins our story tonight.

Dora silently puts the tray on the table and walks away. Ale introduces Mr. Ocampo (JJ) as the man who bought the property next door that she is renovating. Mario is jovial and takes great interest. But if he recognizes who JJ really is, he does not let on. In strolls pouty Bertha to spoil the party, wanting to know why David is taking so long. Happy Mario is not surprised that he’s a bit late considering he has to pick Gabi up at her house, and she would want to take a little extra time to get gussied up for such a special occasion. As she can serve no constructive purpose in the conversation, Bertha decides to go elsewhere to pester other people with her uselessness. Namely, the servants, to check on how the preparations are coming. She passes David, Gabi and Juli, who are just arriving, and everyone in the living room stands to greet them. Ale introduces everyone to Juan, starting first with Gabi. As soon as she introduces them, Gabi and JJ flash back to their first meetings in the market and on the bus, when he was JJ Victoria- Version 1.0 (the scruffy edition). Gabi, like Dora, decides to stay silent about it for the moment. When David cheerfully greets him, Juan’s response is tepid. They all head in to the dining room.

We leave our mystery dinner party for a smaller gathering over brews between Carlos and Roberto. Carlos is still shell shocked that David actually married Gabi. She’s pretty and all…but to marry a waitress! He wants to know if Roberto knew this was in the works, but the master manipulator feigns total ignorance. (How is he keeping all the lies and half truths he is telling Carlos, Adolfo, David, Bertha, Juli and his father straight?) Carlos thinks the best way to mess things up for David and Gabi will be to tell David “the truth” (which is really a big fat lie) about what happened between him and Gabi at the beach house. But for now, he’s thinking of finding some amusement elsewhere, and Elsa fits the bill. He’ll go visit her this evening. Roberto thinks that’s a good idea since “un clavo saca otro clavo” (one nail gets rid of another/a new love interest makes you forget the last one).

We next see Leo and his partner Ramon. They have been staking out Elsa’s apartment building, waiting for Marcos to make an appearance. But neither he nor Elsa has been spotted since they spoke to her the other day. Leo drinks his coffee with a weary, far away look. Ramon asks him what’s wrong as he’s noticed he’s looked a bit sad of late. Leo admits it. He went to visit his daughter in Durango, and each time he leaves her and home he gets a bit nostalgic and homesick. Ramon thinks there might also be more, but Leo doesn’t admit to it. They get back to talking about Elsa and how strange it is that she just disappeared after they spoke to her. They decide to continue to question the neighbors.

Back at Mystery Manor, the champaign cork has been popped, nearly hitting Juan in his handsome face, and the festivities have begun. Ale thinks Juan has good luck (which we all know is true), but he thinks the only good luck he has is being there, with her, right at this moment. Mario is excited for the young couple to go on honeymoon, perhaps in Europe. He wants Gabi to get to know all the wonderful European cities—Barcelona, Paris, etc. He turns to Juan, knowing that as a man of the world, Juan must have travelled through these cities. “Sure, sure. I’m like the Count of Monte Cristo. I’ve travelled to places like…France! Yeah, that’s it. France.” Mario lets him off the hook by agreeing with him that France is indeed lovely, but doesn’t press for details. Gabi humbly chimes in that she would love to travel abroad, and has wanted to visit these places, but she’s only had the opportunity to get to know many places in Mexico, due to her father constantly changing jobs and moving them. Oh and she and her sister had that wonderful trip to L.A. recently!

Mario tells her all that’s changed now. She will get to travel! He addresses her as hija, and when she politely addresses him back as Señor and in the formal Usted form, he asks her to call him Mario. He’s her father in-law now, and will almost be like a second father to her. He can’t hide his excitement thinking of the day of the religious wedding ceremony, how beautiful everything will be, and above all how beautiful Gabi will be. David gives her a loving kiss in agreement with his father, and Ale questions what he thinks of all this since he hasn’t really said a word all evening. He answers that anything Gabi wants is what he wants, and Bitter Bertha fumes silently.

Mario stands to make the first toast (brindar) for the happiness of his child (children), and for Gabi to encounter a second family with their family. Both Gabi and David beam happily and stand to toast with his (their) father. Everyone else also stands to toast with them. Abelardo then suggest that, as Dora is as much a part of the family as he is, she should be with them to make the toasts. Mario agrees and speaks glowingly of Dora to Juan, as one of the maids goes off to find Dora. Juan looks a bit uncomfortable at the mention of Dora, but is saved from another uncomfortable encounter with her when a maid brings word that Dora isn’t feeling well and prefers to stay in the kitchen. Abelardo makes a nice toast, and then boorish Juan decides to jump in. He stands and makes a toast to life- that although not always happy, at least we can hope for justice (justicia) at its end. He gives Mario a hard significant look as he says these words. Everyone else looks a bit taken aback by such a strange toast for newlyweds, but Mario seems determined NOT to let anything or anyone rain on his parade this special day. He toasts with Juan, but David looks concerned. Ale wonders out loud at the toast since it doesn’t seem like life has been unfair to Mr. Ocampo. He lies that it hasn’t, and especially not now that he’s sitting here next to her. He struggles back and forth with using the formal or informal address (usted/tu) with her. They share a goofy grin and privately toast their combined luck. David and Gabi share an intertwined toast and kiss. Mario chuckles in delight at all the young love in the air. Bitter Bertha pouts and sulks.

Roberto meanwhile is having his second encounter with an Avila man this evening. Adolfo is not letting him off as easily as Carlos did, however. Adolfo is roughing him up and shaking him by his lapels after hearing Roberto has been barred from entering the Genoves house. “What did you do?! Something stupid right?!” Roberto swears he did nothing. That Mario somehow got it into his head that he was influencing David to do some idiotic thing (tonteria)- a sham wedding (boda falsa).

At the mansion, after-dinner drinks are being served in the living room. Gabi and the men are the only ones present at the moment and Gabi and David hang back canoodling near the bar. Mario calls David over to speak with him on the couch, and Juan finds his moment to move in and chat with Gabi. She eyes him suspiciously as he approaches. “Isn’t your name Juan Jose Victoria?” He asks her not to say anything and that he’ll explain later. Their conversation is cut short by David’s return.

At Elsa’s, Carlos has come looking for some distraction and is pounding on her door calling her name. Viewerville is very happy at this point that JJ made her move to the hotel. We are even happier when our favorite hero of the show, Leo, comes walking up behind Carlos, wondering what his business is there. He recognizes Carlos as the owner of Club Sagittarius and reveals they are conducting an investigation that involves Elsa’s brother. If Carlos sees his “friend” Elsa, have her get in contact with them. He and Ramon leave a bewildered and annoyed Carlos standing at Elsa’s door.

We cut to a very worried Fausto who is calling home and can’t reach his daughters, who should be home at this hour. We then see one of them, Gabi, strolling by the Genoves pool with her new husband David. She wonders why he’s been so quiet the whole evening and asks if he still thinks something happened between her and Carlos. If he still doubts her, she thinks they should just end things now before they go further (religious ceremony, living together, starting a family, etc.). Since he’s looking at her lovely face at the moment, no rival is present, and no little devil (Roberto) is whispering in his ear, he tells her how much he loves and adores her and wants to be with her. He kisses her passionately.

At the front door of the house, Ale is bidding Juan good night. Neither seems to want the evening to end and they make plans to see each other tomorrow, about the construction of the house of course. “Hatsa mañana.” She closes the door, but then leans against it, grinning from ear to ear.

Mario and Juli are in the living room, having a drink and a chat. He wants her to also think of this house as hers, and she thanks him. He wonders if she plans to still work at the club, and then offers her a good position at one of his other hotels anytime she wants one. (Do it Juli!) She thanks him enthusiastically. Mario tells her he will have Abelardo take her home, who is at that moment in the kitchen asking Dora how she is. She begs off, saying that she’s not really sick but mainly tired. Plus, she didn’t feel it was her place to be there making the toast with the family. Abelardo thinks this is nonsense considering how loved she is by David and Mario. Dora is agitated, refuses to listen, and begins to head to bed. Ever the gentleman, Abelardo tells her how wonderful the dinner and the preparations were, and thanks her. She smiles and walks away happy. He leaves to take Juli home, and Mario wanders off to bed with a spring in his step and a song on his lips. It has been a very happy day for him.

In his bedroom (recamera) upstairs, David finally looks like he’s enjoying the day. He excitedly tells Gabi that they can keep this room as theirs or they can take a bigger one in the house. Gabi doesn’t understand why they would need a bigger room, when this one is already larger than her whole apartment! The talk of bedrooms seems to have made David frisky. He wraps his arms around Gabi from behind and kisses her neck. She, a bit nervously, tells him how important this all is for her. There has never been another man (implies sexually) in her life, and he is the first man she has ever fallen in love with. He leads her to the bed and assures her that he understands this perfectly. She looks him directly in the eyes and tells him that he’s extremely important and significant to her. (Note this David. She is saying she is not messing around here. This is serious for her. So get it together!) He tells her that she’s also important to him. (Actions, not words, David.) If he’s acted like an idiot, it’s because of jealousy (celos) and because he love her so much. She wants them to leave all resentments (rencores) and the bad moments behind them. (Are you listening , David?) He agrees. They exchange sweet nothings (tu eres mi vida, te adoro, etc.), and begin to suck face. We go to commercial and I begin to wonder if they are not going to wait till after the religious ceremony to consummate the marriage afterall.

We’ll have to wait and see how far things go with David and Gabi. First we head to a couple that’s in dysfunction mode at the moment. Juan returns to the hotel after his evening at Mystery Manor with the lovely Alejandra, to find pouty Elsa who has fallen asleep on the couch waiting for him. She needs to talk to him. He tries to head off an argument by saying he was with some guys doing business (he’s got that cheating spouse thing down pretty well). She’s not interested in that and asks him to sit and talk. The head games begin. He sits next to her, gives her an appreciative look and tells her she looks very pretty. He wants to know if she happy and likes the place. She tells him she is and does, but she wants to go back to her own apartment and space. It’s where she lives, and she thinks it’s best that way. Juan brings up the trouble Marcos could cause for her, plus he just doesn’t like her living by herself. Especially with all those guys sniffing around her like that architect (Medina) and Carlos. She tries to reason with him once again. She’s a decent woman, and if she goes out with someone or someone visits her, there’s nothing bad in it. Juan’s answer: “NO ME GUSTA!” (I don’t like it.) Wrong answer buddy.

Elsa is ticked off (rightfully so). He can come and go as he pleases, but she has to follow his rules and do things as he wants her to? Hell no! She gets up in frustration and tells him he has no business trying to impose his will (voluntad) on her. She leaves the room in disgust.

It’s the next morning and Mario is waking up feeling a bit weak after all of yesterday’s excitement- tricking his children into marrying each other; straightening out his hardheaded son; soothing his daughter; physically throwing a scoundrel out of his house; and planning and hosting a celebratory dinner (that’s a lot for a guy on death’s door). He tells Abelardo how happy, excited and filled with emotion he was. They laugh at how confused, jealous and silly David has been, but Mario is sure they will be happy together. He wants Abelardo to send for the lawyer (notario) so that he can change his will and leave half to David and half to Gabi. (What about Ale and Bertha?). Abelardo wants to know when Mario’s going to talk to the two of them about their parentage (David being his adopted child and Gabi being his natural child), but Mario begs off until Santiago/Fausto returns and they can see about continuing with their plan. Abelardo wonders in Faustiago will follow through. Mario doesn’t know, but it’s the only way to save his fortune for David AND Gabi. This way, they won’t have to break the news to Gabi that Faustiago is not her father, but Mario gets to be close to her and leave her his fortune. It’s a win-win for everyone. (Surely, Faustiago will see it that way. Right?)

David enters and greets his father with a kiss. Mario, ever the proud papa, comments on how handsome he looks, and David inquires about his health. Mario says he’s just tired, but he’ll be up and about soon. He’s surprised that David isn’t still in bed (ahem)… David smiles and tells him not to go imaging things. Last night he took Gabi home a bit late, but only because they were talking (so, that’s what the kids are calling it these days). Mario hopes it wasn’t so late that Gabi can’t come over to have a meal with them that day. David assures Mario that he’ll speak to Gabi about coming over and have the chauffer pick her up. Mario wants her to come over a bit early so that he’ll have the opportunity to sit and chat with her a while. He just enjoys her company so much! (Jealous David should be getting a bit worried right now about his dad’s interest in his wife, but I guess he knows his dad is not the type.) After David leaves, Mario says to Abelardo what a good boy he is, and this is the first time he’s seen him truly in love. He was just lead astray for a bit by that shameless (sinverguenza) Roberto.

Bertha tries to stop David on his way out, wondering why he’s acting like this sham marriage is real. Roberto told her everything and she will not take that woman living here (as if it’s her house). David tells her that Roberto is an idiot and Gabi is his wife and will live in this house. Bertha, knowing the right buttons to push, wonders if it’s not important to him that Gabi and Carlos went away together to that solitary beach house. David turns into the Hulk and approaches her menacingly telling her to butt out of what’s not her business. And she better not dare mention it again!

Limon and Juan celebrate their purchase of the hotel. Limon tells Juan that Mario doesn’t seem like a bad guy. He treated him really well and seems to be a nice, simple guy who doesn’t put on airs. Juan agrees that he does appear that way, but thinks it must all be an act. He thinks Mario is two faced- acts nice to your face, then plunges the knife in your back when you turn around. He wonders if Limon thinks that what Mario did to him was so nice. Mario declared to the police that he saw him speaking to the maid. He wonders if that should have been enough justification for them to throw him in prison. (Hello JJ! He DID see you speaking with the girl. And it was Adolfo’s accusation, a bad lawyer, and the police who put you in prison. Not Mario’s truthful statement. Oh, whatever. Continue with your revenge rant.) Limon tries to get him to see that what’s done is done (ya pasó), but Juan won’t listen. He spent eleven years, ELEVEN YEARS, locked up for a crime he didn’t commit. Eleven years of suffering for his mother. Eleven years of not being able to be with her. He’ll never forget, NEVER! This rant is interrupted by Caramelo, who’s looking for Elsa. Seems she’s packed her bags and left when they were all sleeping. Juan is sure she’s returned to her apartment and leaves to bring her back.

Yolanda has once again, and unwillingly, returned to the Guillens’ apartment to find out if the girls are indeed selling Adolfo’s diamonds. She rings the bell and while waiting for an answer, drops her purse and is helped by gallant Leo, who’s on his way out. Knowing who he is, she gets nervous and flustered but is saved from further interaction with him when Gabi comes out. Leo, as always, gets a wistful look on his face when he greets Gabi, and asks if her father has returned. He then excuses himself, with a parting smile for Gabi. Yolanda asks Gabi if Leo lives in the building and Gabi confirms it. They head inside for some girl talk. Yolanda has heard the gossip that she’s getting married and has left her job, at least that’s what she heard from Adolfo. Gabi confirms this and that she is in fact already married, as of yesterday. Yolanda feigns surprise and asks for the details. She continues to act surprised when she finds out the groom is David Genoves. She then asks after Juli, and when Gabi tells her Juli went out to buy a few things, Yolanda fishes around to see if they’ve been spending diamond money. Gabi telling her that they have to buy things like the wedding dress on credit at the small neighborhood stores; that she does not intend to buy her father and sister a fancy condo and does not consider David’s money to be her money; and that she and David intend to live with Mario, does not fit with Adolfo’s picture of money grabbing jewel thieves. (Give it up already. They don’t have the diamonds!)

Leo enters his office, looking a bit depressed and distracted. Ramon shortly follows. He got information from one of Elsa’s neighbors about where she works. They’ll head there next. Ramon brings up another case they’ve been working on—diamonds that were reported stolen in L.A. (what a coincidence). One of the diamonds showed up here in Mexico, and the description of the guy who sold it matches with the description of Marcos. Leo is now more determined to find him, but once again seems distracted. He finally tells Ramon about Gabi marrying David, and Ramon’s answer is “I told you so.” Women care about money (la lana). You should have told her that you’re rich too. (These guys just don’t get it.)

Another guy who just doesn’t get it, Adolfo, is having a smoke and a coffee, when Yolanda enters saying her own version of “I told you so.” He was wrong. Those girls don’t have two dimes to rub together. They’re still living their poor lives, buying cheap clothes on credit. Adolfo is still not convinced. They’re just clever (listas), pretending in order to throw them off their scent. Yolanda insists and Adolfo glowers. Meanwhile, the real jewel interceptor and seller, Marcos, has just happily bought his trailer truck (camión) with some of his diamond money.

At Genoves Manor, Mario is so eager for Gabi’s arrival that he is waiting outside to open the car door for her and usher her in. Gabi as usual, looks a bit bemused by his attentions, but she treats him amiably. They head to the living room as he tells her she is now the owner/woman (dueña) of this house. He explains that his nieces also live there, but he hopes that Gabi won’t mind and that it won’t be inconvenient for her. Anyway, one day the girls will get married and move out. He wants them all to get along with each other. Gabi assures him she doesn’t mind at all, and that she’ll do her part to make sure they get along. He can’t contain his glee and tells her what a great affection he’s already developed for her. She says she feels the same for him. They smile at each other.

The one niece we know will do her part to make sure Gabi’s home life is not a happy one, has arrived at Roberto’s apartment hopping mad. Bertha wants to know why Roberto told her David and Gabi’s marriage was a sham. He says he didn’t know. His fake judge was ready to do the fake marriage. He thinks Mario intervened and brought the real judge. Bertha is once again amazed that good guy David was going to go through with a sham marriage, but is even more confused about why he’s now going along with the real marriage. The door bell rings, and it’s Adolfo. He’s VERY pleased to see Bertha and knows exactly who she is. She excuses herself and leaves, but Adolfo is left speechless and impactado. “Vaya. Vaya.” (Well, well.) He obviously likes what he saw. He wants to know if she’s a friend of Roberto’s and tells Roberto to invite her to the club that evening. (Dirty old man.) Now back to business. Adolfo wants to know how plans for killing Mario are coming along. Roberto admits it’s more difficult to plan now that he’s banned from the house, but Adolfo urges him to figure it out. He’s in a hurry (me urge) for Mario to disappear. Roberto better follow through if he doesn’t want problems with Adolfo. Uh oh!

David is seeing Gabi home to her door and she’s gushing about how wonderful and caring his father is. “And me? What about me?” She rewards him with a kiss and by telling him he’s the most marvelous man in the world. They are in the middle of sucking face in front of her open apartment door, when a shocked, scandalized and angry Fausto arrives. “GABRIELA!!!!” Uh oh!

Labels: verdad

Labels: eva

Capitulo 77.Read Julie’s original recap which covers Cap’s 75 to 79. Then come back here to discuss it.

Paula asked me to post this link. It has translations of dialogs from these episodes. Paula warns, they are only rough drafts because she wrote them as a language study exercise. She never intended to post them publicly.


Capitulo 78.Read Julie’s original recap which covers Cap’s 75 to 79. Then come back here to discuss it.


I'll try to post some additional highlights later tonight when I get off work. In the meantime enjoy the episodes and Paula's translation from the original airing. I haven't seen the episodes yet but it sounds like we might have another example of the parallel universe that this telenovela loves to portray. Maybe Omar is like the little devil on Fernando's left shoulder and his old friend Ed is the little angel on his right shoulder? Should be interesting.

Labels: fea-2010

Tonight many of our ladies are stressed or distressed in one way or another. Mari's self-esteem is tested numerous times, Ilitia is tested both physicall and mentally, Kristel's sense of fair play is tested, Gretel is on the run, Netty and Doris run around, Begona is in danger, let's see how our ladies fare in tonight's episode.

From last night…”there's a special call out for Marianela,’the contestant who has stolen all our hearts with her her courage and her beauty’. Enraptured Emanuel laps it all up and adds, And tonight I'm going to steal you away!”

And on that exciting note we begin…

As the crowd warmly applauds Marianela Ilitia gives Eman the stink eye, Fedra sinks lower into her seat with her big glass of wine, and Agent Orange grabs a bell-pull and laughs that Mari’s about to become a big ball of calories. The jackass pulls it and here comes the melted chocolate. Half the crowd laughs and the other half is appropriately appalled. You know who they are so let’s move on to another town…

Yep, it’s Bernardo’s flunky who has found Gretel. She senses something is wrong with the guy, at the same time he calls Spiderus, “tell La Reina I’ve found her daughter.” Oliver goes over and asks the guy why he keeps staring at his girlfriend.

Eman rushes onto the stage. Meanwhile Ilitia snickers that Mari finally has a taste of her own medicine. (This is a play on the Mexican version, “a soup of your own chocolate”. Get it? Har har.) Mari knows it was Orangey and she refuses to let him see her upset. Nety leads the crowd in a grand applause which really irritates Ilitia and Fedra in particular. Mari struts her chocolatey self and Eman says someone will pay dearly.

It must be a little later on because Mari’s hair is perfect and she’s now wearing a pink dress. She gets another special applause while all the boring skinny girls have to go back to the dressing room. Doris waits in said room and shows Mari her deliberately ripped evening gown. (She didn’t do this before when Mari had to shower up? Whatever.) Mari has learned to roll with the punches and is unfazed. She announces to the skinnies that nobody leaves until they tell her who did this! Lorena smirks.

Out in the audience Axel whines to Emiliano about Mari getting more attention than his own sister. Fedra coos approvingly to her stepford son.

Nety and Emiliano discuss Mari and the late Eva. Then Netty reassures him that Gretel is in good hands with Oliver. Uh oh, don’t say things like that in telenovelalandia! It’s the kiss of death.

Oliver asks the weird stalker guy doesn’t he respect foreign women? Yeah, like that cheap trick is going to work after Gretel’s already talked to the guy. Stalker guy says no worries he understands how Oliver feels and he’s leaving. To plan Gretel’s re-kidnap no doubt.

Back at the dressing room Kristel grabs the dress and makes a lot of queen size dress jokes at Mari. Big surprise, nobody admits culpability. Doris has an idea of how to save the day and practically knocks Ilitia over on her way out the door. Ilita has come to have a word with la gorda. They glare at each other through the break.

Ilitia tells Mari that thanks to her Eman cancelled their marriage. Her life has been ruined ever since Mari showed up. (My theory is maybe Eman just doesn’t care for those creepy black see-through glove things she’s wearing.) Mari sticks up for herself and tells Ilitia to blame herself; Eman is probably tired of her spoiled tantrums and sick jealousies. She tells Ilitia that the wimpy fatty no longer exists so back off.

Kristel jumps in, literally, by huffing out her chest and hopping up and down in front of Mari. Is this supposed to be threatening? It’s quite funny really.

The MC introduces the distinguished personages starting with Fedra whose dress practically falls off when she stands up to take a bow. Meanwhile Doris tells Nety how Mari was sabotaged. Emanuel is introduced to the crowd as Nety drags him off, she needs to borrow his wheels. They argue pointlessly for a minute until Eman offers up his keys. Nety and Doris dash off.

Really? The skinny bitches are STILL giving Mari a hard time? Mari, break them in half right now. Ha, she tells Ilitia that she loves Eman and has ever since they were young. Ilitia gets in such a snit that the spittle starts flying. She can’t believe that Eman could be with a butterball like...and Mari lets fly with a mighty slap in the face, “Respect me bitch because we’re not equals!” Oh dear, so true on so many levels. You know, Mari is quite strong and is the only one who can manhandle Fedra. When will these stupid twiggy weaklings stop pissing her off?

Eman confronts Mauricio who says it was an accident, he couldn’t help himself. Right, a big pot of melted chocolate placed precariously above a beauty contest stage was an accident. Orangey advises Eman to take care of his own novia instead of that whale. This earns him a hard punch in the stomach, with Eman telling him to lay off of Mari. Orangey mutters that he’s going to dine on Eman’s ex the mamacita. Oh dear.

Silly scene with Netty and Doris getting on Eman’s wheels, a reverse trike, and Netty insisting she can drive it because she did it in a film 20 years ago. Off they go.

Bernardo and sidekick are lurking outside the club. They tell some guy on a radio that they’re in the club with the contraband and are awaiting instructions.

Agent O slips into Ilitia’s room, grabs her and says they are going to become real good friends tonight. He violently throws her on the couch.

Mari holds up a large red and white striped thing, is it her bathing suit? Those horizontal stripes will never do. Eman walks in and tells her she doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone. After staring into each others’ eyes through the break he reveals it was Orangey who sabotaged her by turning her into a big chocolate truffle so he punched him out. He reassures her that he doesn’t care about this contest; to him she’s the most beautiful woman in the world.

Meanwhile the new BFFs Kristel and Lorena are cutting Mari’s high heels so she will topple over and make a fool of herself. Lorena make a wise crack about there being nothing wrong below the belt with Kristel’s bro. Thanks for that Ho-rena.

Brandon and pal find the contraband. They hear some whistling and Brandon pulls his gun on one of the criminals. Bad guy immediately rats out Lowrenzo. So much for honor amongst thieves. Brandon leaves his sidekick (who is a criminal) to guard the newly-arrested criminal while he goes after Lowrenzo.

The skinny girls in their bathing suits primp and taunt Marianela. Kristel tells her that tonight she (Kristel) is going to have the last laugh. We’ll see.

Orangey is still torturing Ilitia in her dressing room when suddenly there is a knock on the door. It’s Kristel. I wonder if she opened the door to find Orangey humping her friend if that would make her laugh?

Brandon finds Lowrenzo up in the club and taunts him; those who push the boundaries of the law eventually get busted. Low looks a little worried but tries to act cool. Too late, Mr. Porta Lopez, you’re under arrest.

His two murderous henchmen walk toward the door of Nety’s perpetually unlocked boarding house. As they approach, Nety and Doris roll up on Eman’s trike. They run into the house leaving the door wide open for the bad guys to go right in, and they do.

Orangey threatens Ilitia with a knife and then hides. She opens the door for Kristel who notices Ilitia is trembling. Is everything OK? It must have been the scene with that horrid fatty, but it’s time to pep up for the show. Anyway, Kristel has a little surprise for la gorda that will cheer Ilitia up. Doubtful, as Orangey threatens her one more time before he slips out the door, blowing her a toxic toodle-oo.

Brandon has brought Lowrenzo down to the contraband cellar where Lowrenzo swears he didn’t know the stamps on the labels were forged. “That’s what we all say when we’re caught,” pipes up Brandon’s criminal partner. Lowman continues to protest his innocence, he wants his lawyer! “You’re not in charge here,” Brandon points out.

Nety and Doris paw through Nety’s costume collection. Begonia hears them and joins in. Don’t leave the baby alone!!

Low insists he’s just a simple businessman. Brandon disagrees, he thinks Lowman’s the head of the ring. Brandon grabs the young bad guy, the snitch, remember? But he can’t rat Lowman out to his face so now he cries that the head of the ring is…Mauricio Fonseca. Works for me.

Our two biker chicks have found a suitable outfit and dash out the door with Begoña waving goodbye. A second later she is grabbed by the two murderous henchman, one of them covers her mouth and hisses “We’re here on behalf of Lorenzo, who loves you…dead!”

Oliver and Gretel are in a candlelit cabin. He promises that nobody will find them out here in the middle of the woods, far from town. Uh oh. She tells him now that she’s found love and contentment she never wants to lose it. Uh oh. He says he’ll never leave her and they passionately kiss.

Cut to Fedra stomping out of the club with Spiderus in hot pursuit. She swears that Gretel will pay dearly for all the bad she has done to Fedra and she heads for her car. “Where are you going mom?” asks Eman, pacing the street, no doubt waiting for Nety and Doris to return.

Inside, the skinnies strut their stuff in the bathing suit category. The MC announces Marianela, applause please. Ilitia snickers until she hears the crowd roaring encouragement for her nemesis.
Eman points out to Fedra that she’s on the panel of judges and needs to fulfill her commitment like the elegant lady she is. She’s not going to let them say that the jury cheated, is she? (Not sure how her leaving is cheating but OK.)

Back to the contest and Mari is ready to make her entrance, this time in a casual white linen number perfect for the beach or a garden party. (I made up that last bit.) She totters out on the heels of death, arms akimbo and a big smile on her face. The scene is interrupted by Ilitia who grabs the microphone. She thinks Mari should be disqualified for not wearing a bathing suit. Mari grabs back and says one of the principles of being a beautiful woman is knowing what looks good. It’s not necessary to show one’s body in public in order to be judged beautiful. The crowd applauds their approval just as her shoe breaks and she topples onto the stage. The mean, skinny witches howl in laughter which I find particularly distasteful. Once again Eman rushes to her side. Take THAT Ilitia!

Oliver and Gretel snuggle in their little cabin in the woods. Gretel is worried and feels like something bad is going to happen. She begs him not to leave her alone. Suddenly she sits up, she’s afraid to stay there. Please, let’s leave! Gretel has one of her freaky episodes as Oliver tries to calm her.

Marianela gets up proudly, takes off her shoe and hurls it at Kristel’s head. You go girl! Once again the crowd applauds.

Brandon struts backstage and runs into the little mannequin Ilitia. He wonders if she’s jealous of all the applause that Mari’s getting? Ha, she says this stupid crown means nothing mi amor, it's not Milan. Brandon teases her about calling him mi amor, is it because of what happened the other night? No way, she says, it was just a night of drunkenness, nothing more. She gets a twinkle in her eye and insists she forgot about him the next day. He says fine say what you want but you had a great time, the truth hurts doesn’t it? She smiles and brushes past him as “yo soy sexy” music plays.

Gretel has calmed down but is still very worried. She says she has to tell Oliver everything that she’s been keeping inside all these years. She’s going to tell him what Fedra Curiel did! Cara impactada de Oliver.

And that leaves us on the edge of the cliff. Will Mari win the contest? Will Begona get whacked? Will Gretel get kidnapped before she tells Oliver her secret? How will our damsels in distress fare in the next episode?

Tomorrow: We find out who wins the concurso. Eman has arranged a romantic candlelight dinner…in a bedroom?
Aplauso caluroso – warm applause
Bola de sebo - butterball
Sin rodeos – bluntly speaking
Una sopa de tu propio chocolate – a taste of your own medicine (lit. a soup of your own chocolate)

Labels: llena

Roberto gulps at Olvera's rough revelation that the guy threatened him with the cops to comply, and he must accept the couple are truly married. A moment later from the condo, Carlos calls again; and he and Adolfo are both astounded to learn the real-life husband is David -- Carlos more so that crazy David would marry a waitress!

Adolfo kneads his brow, shaking like a leaf, and exits as Yolanda enters and notices the shattered cup and saucer he just dropped. Carlos marvels Adolfo would care, but Yolanda seems rather intrigued at the development when he angrily tells her.

At Juan José's suite, Asunción returns and spins Juan José's impatient anxiety into abject, toe-tapping glee at the news they can buy the hotel. Meanwhile at Gabriela's, her fears were well founded that David thought the worst, as she explains her beach-house story. He maintains too many coincidences happened for it to be true.

Her dad conveniently did not return home, the plane conveniently malfunctioned, Roberto conveniently failed to show, leaving them alone! Gabriela mentions Félix, the man with the patch; but when David still fails to trust her, she angrily demands why he married her. He won't answer and exits, with Gabriela crying in frustration.

At the architectural studio, Alejandra apprises Mina of the strange news and Mario's unbridled happiness, while Mina is tickled to report Alejandra's admirer's visit. They're just both agreeing he's very attractive -- if a bit odd -- when Juan José appears, Alejandra grinning and admitting his ears must be burning.

Luckily, Mina exits for a doctor appointment, so Juan José can gush in private over Alejandra. Commencing with a thinly veiled dinner invitation posing as a strategy meeting, Juan José angles his way into her intimate family marriage feast -- and her heart -- by passionately proclaiming that any man would be comfortable anywhere with her, even in hell. Alejandra is totally bowled over.

At the bedbug hotel, the couple on the lam are deliberating leaving town for the beach -- and as usual, baby making. Meanwhile at the condo, Adolfo conjectures to Yolanda what the recent marriage means about the diamonds.

Yolanda maintains they're just a couple of good kids; but Adolfo ponders if David knows already or will find out about the smuggling from Gabriela. Everyone has their price, and Adolfo charges Yolanda once again with uncovering the truth from Gabriela.

While Juan dresses for dinner and muses blissfully about Alejandra's eyes and mouth and even her walk, Asunción takes him to task about Elsa; but Juan contends after eleven years in jail, he's taking himself off the shelf. When Juan reckons a guy twice his age cannot understand, Asunción informs him in fact, he is still looking for his other half himself.

In Bertha's bedroom, she and Alejandra have a dust up over Bertha's obstinate interest in David. Confused to hear about the supposed fake wedding and Bertha's schadenfreude toward Gabriela, Alejandra declines to get involved, infuriating Bertha. When Bertha assails her decision to bring a guest, Alejandra cares not a whit and blows her off.

In Mario's office, he's expounding on the church wedding and the dinner to square things for Gabriela, when a confounded David interrupts to announce he wants an annulment! Admitting he behaved shamefully, he still should not have to wed a woman he doesn't trust, he shouts.

Mario resolutely refutes David's account of events, pressing his point that she's telling the truth. When David lists his string of coincidences making holes in her story, Mario refuses to believe it. He's sure Gabriela loves David and was happy to marry him. He's not going to permit an annulment.

Hapless Roberto gets the bad luck of the draw, when only Mario is available to answer his doorbell -- and Mario gathers his strength and bodily ejects Roberto, who has the temerity to snicker and claim the fake wedding was "just a joke!"

At the hotel suite, when Elsa enters, Asunción lies that Juan José has gone for a walk; and she is downcast from a string of misfortunes lately: her brother, her boss, etc. She explains she quit her job, and when Asunción shrugs that she's part of Juan José's family, that sets her off again.

She feels differently, and Asunción knows it; but counsels her to give Juan José time after his prison term. When he claims Juan José needs some fun, Elsa explodes that he should have fun with HER! Shaking his head, he insists she's not a girl to fool around with. He wouldn't even allow it; and she admits it.

But all the time he was in jail, she was dreaming of the two of them having a relationship together. Asunción counsels her once again to just have a little patience, and Elsa agrees and thanks him for being like the father she never had. When Asunción asks about Mauricio Medina, Elsa admits he's got a lot going for him; but it's so tedious! Her heart is already taken long ago.

At Gabriela's, Julieta is just contending that David is only jealous, when Leonardo comes to the door. He's almost speechless to learn that Gabriela and David were married. How? When? he asks, slack jawed.

At Mario's, Bertha answers the door to an extremely sharp looking Juan José, and she definitely likes what she sees and treats him very solicitously. He learns she's Alejandra's sister.

In the kitchen, Abelardo gossips with Dora a moment and finds she's known David since he was a little tyke, but has never been married herself. She says she fell in love with someone at 17, but that he deserted her for the United States and now she has no family. But David is like a son, she avers.

Alejandra greets Juan José looking sexy as hell in a black gown nearly frontless and backless; and when they sit together closely on a love seat, he's moved to huskily whisper inanities about her house to her. They share a mutual nervous laugh until she mentions it's her uncle's house -- which sobers Juan José up.

Presently a hopeful and happy Mario emerges and greets Juan José -- as Juan Ocampo -- in a fateful handshake. Finding his tongue, Juan José expresses his admiration for Mario's beautiful niece; and as they sit to wait for cocktails, Dora is bringing a tray of hors d'oeuvres when she spies Juan José and begins gasping for air.

Labels: verdad

Capitulo 75.
Read Julie’s original recap which covers Cap’s 75 to 79. Then come back here to discuss it.

1. Alicia answers Lety’s phone and talks to Tomás. He says he’s a partner with FI and trys his usual call-my-chauffer schtick. The difference is, Alicia buys it and turns sweet. Marcia rummages Fernando’s desk and finds the Paty M photo.

2. Alicia tells Lety that Tom called. The cuartel says he’s Lety’s novio and laughs at Ali because Lety has a rich novio and she has none. She brags that she has an address book full of the best men in the country, and she can snap her fingers and they come running. Ariel hears all this and asks if she thinks he’ll come running. He compares Lety to Frida Kahlo and says that it is amazing that Lety got a novio.. and Alicia is an old maid (solterona).

3. Fernando interrupts Jaimito’s baseball play, then brags to Omar what a good catcher he is. Too bad he doesn’t know which direction goes to first base! (I also discovered on AxM that he throws like a girl.) The cuartel realizes that Tom is a partner of FI, who does business with Conceptos. Lety gets nervous.

4. Ariel humiliates Lety. See the transcript. Fernando comes in, furious, and kicks him out. Lety says, “Don’t worry. He’s right.” She tells him she did it for him. He says that it looks nice, but he likes her old look better, the Lety he knows. He goes back to his office and wants to wash his eyes out with something pretty. Marcia’s photo? Not pretty enough. His toy car!!

5. Alicia complains that the cuartel says she can’t get a novio. Marcia says, “Then introduce them to your novio.” Alicia plans to steal Lety’s boyfriend, both for revenge and because he’s rich. Marcia says that if he’s Lety’s boyfriend, imagine how low class he is. Saimon turns down a lunch date with Jazmín because of a prior commitment to Jaimito. Paula, if you want a father for your son…

6. An attorney threatens to reposess Alicia’s car. Sara tells her to snap her fingers and get one of those rich novios. Lety tells Tom to stop talking to Alicia about FI, and she informs him that he’s her official novio.

---

Capitulo 76.
Read Julie’s original recap which covers Cap’s 75 to 79. Then come back here to discuss it.

1. Lola was scared to tell her kids they’re getting divorced, but the kids say it’s the same as it is now. I recommend that you skip the scenes with Efren. They’re even worse than usual.

2. Alicia needs money to keep her car from being repo’d. She asks for a 500K pesos ($40,700 USD) loan from Omar, Luigi (who tells her to put “the girls” to work!), Fernando (she tells him, “not a half million, only 500K), and Ariel (who says he’d have to pimp her for 100 nights to pay it off)

3. Marcia starts telling Fernando about their wild night ahead, while Lety’s still in the room.

4. MamaJ tells Erasmo that Lety is changing her look because she wants to be married, and no boys notice her. Lety explains that she told the cuartel that Tomás is her novio. Tom realizes it will destroy his chance of romance with Alicia. Lety gives Tom advice that could apply to her as well. “That woman is not for you. Leave the romance in the photos where it belongs. It’s too dangerous.”

5. Lety tries to figure out her relationship. Loosely: “It seems like Fernando only admires me. It’s too much to hope that he would desire me. He has Marcia and the models. Paula says that if he likes me, he’ll desire me. He’s never said he loves me. He doesn’t seem to desire me. Something’s missing. It’s a nightmare to see him every day and not be able to hold him. I need him. I do desire him” Meanwhile at the apartment, Fernando is ravenous for Marcia.

6. A few days later they go out, and Lety’s desire has been building up. She can’t keep her hands off him, and he feels guilty. She suffocates him with her goodnight kiss, and she gets him to promise that next time, they’ll go somewhere alone. Meanwhile he’s getting text messages from someone calling him desgraciado and a fraud.

Lety gets home after midnight so now it’s her saint’s day, and tomorrow (the sunrise after the next one) will be her birthday. Mama suggests that it would be special to Lety if Fernando did something nice for her birthday. Boy howdy!

---

Spanish Lesson: Ariel vs. Lety
In Fernando’s office, Ariel humiliates Lety’s look. Fernando listens behind the door.
L: I’ll deposit your money tomorrow. I give you my word.
A: Is your word as serious as your look? Because You don’t look like and assistant to the president. More like an assistant to the circus.
L: Pardon?
A: Of course. Fernando is a clown. But that doesn’t mean that everyone here has to be a mockery. Be more discreet.
L: You’re offending me.
(Fernando is listening behind the door.)
A: I’m not offending you. YOU are offending the company. This get-up. What were you thinking? Did you think you looked divine? No! you look worse!
L: I ask you to respect me. You’re getting personal.
A: No, you are damaging the image of MY company. Do me a favor. Act like a human, why don’t you?
Fernando enters, quietly seething. Lety fixes her eyes on him.
F: Do me a favor. Don’t disrespect my assistant.
A: Then she should respect herself. Someone with so much responsibility can’t go in public like that.
F to Lety: I don’t think he speaks Spanish.
F to A: I asked you to leave. Get out! NOW! Ariel leaves.
F to L: I don’t like that he messes with you. I will not tolerate him offending you.
L: Don’t worry, Don Fernando. When all is said and done, he’s right. Excuse me.

F to L’s office. Don’t mind Ariel.
L: it’s true.
F: No, that luke.. quite a luke.
L: (glows.) Really? I did it for you! So I’d look different for you. If you like it, I don’t care what everyone else thinks. If you like it, I’m happy.
F: Yes, I like it. But do you want me to be honest? I liked much more, how you looked before. Yes, it may seem strange, but when I see you like that, I don’t know what happened to Lety, captivating, that was here. With her childish smiles. Her arranged her. Her sweet dresses. Coordinated colors.
L: You really prefer how I looked before?
F: YES. I want you to bring back the Lety that I carry here. (points to heart then changes to head.)
L: Okay. I thought you didn’t like how I looked before. That’s why I changed.
F: Aw, what are you talking about? The truth is, at first – you want me to be honest, right? – well, I wasn’t charmed by it.
L: I understand.
F: But later, everything magically changed. I discovered an enchanting woman. And I started to find things that fascinated me about you. So that now, I couldn’t live without them
L: DF, tomorrow I’ll go back to the same as I was before. As always. The Lety that you querer. The Lety that adores you.
F: Can I ask you a favor? We can’t go out tonight, maybe not until next week.
L: I understand. When you can, we’ll go out. I’ll wait.

Labels: fea-2010

If you’ve seen the first few episodes of Aurora, you’ve surely noticed the family resemblance to El Clon. In fact, it seems we are in the presence of a new genre of telenovela, one part science fiction, one part fairy tale. It’s a romance that’s not a comedy (at least not intentionally), but it isn’t a tragedy either with the blood sacrifices that would require.

Take one pair of star-crossed lovers, one set of snooty-patooty parents and one mad scientist with a God complex, season with envy, stir gently, and marinate in the refrigerator for twenty years.

The princess here is a lovely twenty-something dance student, Aurora, who falls in love with Lorenzo, a talented and beautiful dancer. They are kept apart by false friends, social class, their own stubborn pride and finally, by Aurora’s illness, an infection certain to be fatal. Her father, Dr Gustavo Ponce de Leon [hah!], won’t allow her to die. He keeps her frozen in his very own cryonics laboratory while he waits for medicine to find a cure for her illness. She is La Bella Durmiente (Sleeping Beauty) for our time. La Princesa de Hielo (The Ice Princess). And just to show us what a sentimental guy he really is, the doc has also turned Aurora’s dog, Lucero, (not so inside joke?) -- who was dying of sadness after losing her mistress – into a pooch on ice, complete with her own cryocapsule.

Gustavo spends a lot of time contemplating his daughter turned popsicle, wrapped in her cryo-undies and suspended in her capsule. It feels a bit creepy and vaguely incestuous.

And then -- a twenty year leap forward. Aurora still looks like Aurora (Sara Maldonado), except she’s um… well, not exactly alive. But all the other twenty-somethings have morphed into different actors.

Eugenio Siller’s winsome young Lorenzo, for example, has matured into a hunky forty-something Jorge Luis Pila. [Now I understand why all the twenty-somethings looked exactly the same twenty years later on El Clon: they were kept on ice!]

And their offspring, the new generation of twenty-somethings are the spitting image of their like-sexed parent. [If we didn’t know better, we’d be tempted to say they were clones! Perhaps after the Bedouins rescued Albieri in the desert, he found refuge in the more permissive environment of the New York medical community and was responsible for cloning this new generation.] Lorenzo’s young son, Martín, has grown up to be Eugenio Siller. You can see how confusing it will be for Aurora.

The only non-clonish member of this new generation is Aurora’s own daughter, Blanca. Blanca never knew her mother. She thinks Dr. and Sra Ponce de Leon are her parents and Aurora is her sister. Lorenzo, her actual father, doesn’t know of her existence.

Blanca resents Aurora – she refers to her contemptuously as ‘La congelada’ (the frozen one). She perceives (accurately) that Dr. Ponce de Leon has spent all his emotional capital on Sleeping Beauty and has nothing left for Bitter Blanca.

[The over-forty actors get to play themselves twenty years later. I mean really, between forty and death, well, who the hell cares?]

The world hasn’t stopped spinning while Beauty has been asleep. It should be easy enough for her to get used to cell phones and computers and the death of Celia Cruz. But it will be harder to assimilate the changes in her Prince’s life: for the past fifteen years, he has been married to Aurora’s best friend, Natalia. They have raised 3 children: his Martín (identical to young Lorenzo); her Nina (identical to young Natalia; we don’t know who Nina’s biological father is); and their César.

There are lots of close-ups of lovely faces, touristy images of Manhattan, pretty dance studio shots. The actors are engaging and know their job. The Mexican Spanish is easy to follow and the Spanish captions, thus far, have been working well. All told, the ice may be a little thin, but it should be fun to skate on for a while.

And on bleak nights, we can always count on the occasional howler to keep us amused. Check out the writing over Martín’s bed: STRENGHT & HONOR! Indeed.

Anyone else watching? ¿Alguien más lo mira?

Labels: aurora, clon, telemundo

We start out with Daniel walking through the big house calling out to Renata. He ends up in the kitchen and is surprised to see Eva standing there.


He asks her what she is doing there. She seems just as surprised and is struck silent staring at him.


He repeats his question and she smarts back to him “Not you again.”
Dan stands his ground and repeats his question. She tells him she is working. This causes him to laugh stating “Now I understand Leo’s game.”



Eva seems confused and Daniel continues that it looks like she is the new help. Eva wants to know if he lives there as well. He tells her no but wants to know who hired her. “It was Leo right?” She tells him yes, and wonders if there is a problem. Dan tells her Leo is crazy. Eva argues with that and says she believes he is a decent person. He found her and apologized for what happened the other day. He felt bad that she lost her job. She continues to tell Dan that because of him she lost two jobs. She gets ready to leave and calls him an idiot. He grabs her arm and pulls her back asking if she really thinks that badly of him.

Vicky and Claudia are having some girl chat on the phone as Claudia is driving around in her snappy convertible. Claudia is crying to her chum that she is afraid she is loosing Leo. Vicky tells her she certainly will loose him if she doesn’t hurry up and get to the house immediately.


We are at the quaint little pension where Justa is talking with Alicia. They are discussing Eva’s new job. Alicia hopes she keeps this one because they need the money. Justa tells her not to worry because Eva is smart and a very good person. Alicia hopes her new employees think the same.

Back to the big house. Dan and Eva continue at one another. He still has her in a strong grip and she demands he let go of her.



Dan wants to know what will happen if he doesn’t. “Will you hit me again?” Eva is mad and disentangles from him He tells her to take it easy and not to forget this is her first day. Eva says “what are you going to do? Get me fired from this job too?” He tells her he should because he knows what a temper she has. She tells him he should respect her and tells him she needs to get back to work. Dan gets a cheeky smile on his face and asks her to get him a glass of water.

This does not go over well with Eva and she informs him she works for the owners of the house. She is not there to attend visitors. Renata enters and curiously asks Dan if something is wrong.

We have a new character added to the pension crew. It is Ricardo Guzman and he is defiantly sweet on Justa as he brings her some flowers.


Alicia approaches and is impressed with the flowers.

Dan is assuring Renata that nothing is the matter and he was looking for her. He wants to know where he can find Marcella. She tells him she just got home but is in Julio’s room. She wants to know if it is important and he tells her no he will catch up with her later. Renata now turns on Eva and wants to know what she is doing there listening into the conversation. She tells her to get Julio’s snack to him. She tells her to just go in without knocking. And to not make any noise that would startle him. She snaps at her for not addressing her as Miss Renata. (Those two are going to get along just fine. Ha ha!) She also tells Eva she wasn’t able to tell Marcella that she is working there but she will find out soon enough and before she leaves she chews her out because the apples don’t look right and turns to Dan asking if he needs anything else. Dan tells her he is fine and hangs out a little longer in the kitchen eating his apple.

More info on Ricky. It turns out he also lives at the pension. Justa introduces him to Alicia and tells her he trains boxers and when he was younger he was a great boxer. Alicia is quite impressed and tells him she loves boxing. He tells her he will get her tickets to the next match. Marisol suddenly enters and looks scared to death.

But that will have to wait as we go back to the mansion and where Eva is thanking Dan for not saying anything to Renata because she really needs this job. He tells her he is not the idiot she thinks he is. In walks Vicky who is smiling. She wants to know what Dan is doing in the kitchen. She sees Eva and gets a clue. She turns to her and wants to know who she is.

Marisol is tearing at her hair and Alicia wonders what’s up. She tells them if any one comes looking for her not to let them in.


Justa tells her she doesn’t like those kind of problems here and we suddenly hear loud banging on the door that has sent Marisol into a tail spin. She begs Ricky to help her. “Don’t let that man touch me!” (Holy spit!!!)

We are changing scenes so quickly here it is hard to keep up as we go back to Victoria who is now giving Eva the once over. She wasn’t aware that they had hired anyone yet and introduces herself to Eva. Eva offers her hand and an introduction and Victoria rudely turns her back to her to ask Dan what he is doing in the kitchen with the servant. (duh!! ) Something is said about her crazy brother Leo and suddenly Dan changes the subject and says lets go to the pool. Victoria is psyched for this and approaches Dan her man and takes the half eaten apple out of his hand. She turns to Eva and says “Here, what ever your name is, throw this away” setting the half eaten apple on the counter. They both leave.

The knocking is louder and the terror of the pensioners is heightened as Ricky says he will take care of this matter. Marisol tells him to be careful because this man is really dangerous. Ricky pumping his fist and heading to the door says he is too. In barges a very threatening looking man in a white straw hat yelling at Marisol saying this is the women he needs to talk too.





After a clever little commercial promoting this show we are now poolside. Claudia has entered and is telling Leo they have to talk. Leo tells her he doesn’t like to be controlled. She promises that it won’t happen again and asks him to forgive her.

We see Marisol cowering behind tiny Alicia telling hat man to take a hike and leave her alone. Ricky tapping him from behind tells him they don’t want any scandals and he tells him to leave as well. Hat man now enraged turns to Ricky and says “No one tells me what to do. Not until I fix my problems with Marisol.”



Ricky pulls him back from approaching Marisol with fists ready and warns him about all the fights he has won and adds another knockout to his scorecard as he punches the man out as the women look on in shock.


Leo is walking away from Claudia as she asks him if they are back together. No response is given as Dan and Vicky have joined the party. Leo wants to know if he found Marcela. Dan tells him no. Vicky looks confused and wants to know what game they are up to now. Then she asks if he and Leo have made up. Leo smiling dangerously says yes as he kisses Claudia and says they have an understanding. Vicky and Claudia thrilled at news are off to have some girl friend chat.

Leo now sitting down asks Dan what he thinks about his surprise. Dan wants to know why he did it. He tells him maybe it was to test himself. Dan shaking his head tells him he doesn’t understand what he is up to and it seems ridiculous. Leo gives a very creepy smile.



Marcela is in Julio’s room arranging flowers as we see a disinterested Julio lying in bed. She goes on about the goofy flowers. He is not impressed. She wants to know what she needs to do to make it right with him. Eva has entered the room with Julio’s food. She is met with a snipping Marcela demanding to know who she is. She wants to know why she would enter the room with out knocking. Eva stammers and tells her who she is and that she works here and says Renata told her to bring the food because Julio wasn’t feeling well. She seems petrified and asks if the dog bites. (I would be more afraid that Marcela might bite.) Marcela snarls at her and tells her to leave the food and gives her a hard time about where she puts it. She tells her to get out and wait for her outside the door.

Julio laughing, says to Marcella “It looks like you didn’t know anything about this new girl working here. Renata tells him no, but she will resolve it later. Eva is waiting for Marcella all in a fret praying she won’t get fired. Marcella approaches her and tells her to follow her.

Ricky, shaking his "knock out hand" as he closes the door, brags to the women that when you learn something you never forget it. Marisol goes to comfort him and wants to know if he needs ice for his hand. He tells her he is fine but she needs to fix her problem with the hat man. What would have happened if he hadn’t been there today. Justa chews her out telling her it better not happen again and that they need to have a serious talk. She knows the house rules. Marisol meekly nods her head in agreement.

Justa walks over to Ricky and invites him into the kitchen so she can fix his injured hand. Alicia is left behind with Marisol asking her who that hat guy was.

Marcela is yelling for Renata as Eva wrings her hands in fear. She turns to Eva and asks her what she is doing at there house. Eva explains that Leo hired her. Marcela is outraged. Her son doesn’t do the hiring around the house. She is the only one who does that. She continues snapping at Eva and Eva snaps back saying instead of yelling at me why don’t you go ask your son.


Alicia wants more info about the hat guy. Marisol isn’t talking. She tells her there’s things about her she doesn’t know yet and heads up to her room. King Tony arrives with lollipop in mouth and cheerfully tells everyone he is home. He notices the tension in the house and that Alicia looks quite upset. He sits down beside her and asks her what’s wrong. She tells him about the angry hat man. And if Ricky hadn’t been there she thinks he would have killed Marisol. Tony looks quite concerned.

Marisol enters her room and is soon surprised by said angry hat man who grabs her and holds a knife to her neck telling her if she screams he will kill her. (Holy double spit!!)



Dan and Leo are having drinks by the pool as Leo tells him Eva’s name. Dan still can’t believe that he brought Eva to the house. Leo tells him that since she rejected him before he finds her challenging. She has a strong character and he really like that. Dan wants to know what he is going to do with her there. Leo answers “What do you think?” Dan tells him to be careful. She needs this job and furthermore she seems like a decent girl.

Marcel has entered the party and angrily asks Leo since when does he bring some unknown to the house without her permission first. Leo is to his feet as he tells her he was going to talk to her first thing. She tells him it is to late cuz’ she just fired her. Dan telling Marcella he doesn’t want to meddle, pleads with her not to fire Eva. This is met with a strong look from Leo.

Marcella is surprised that Dan is defending her. He doesn’t think it is just for her to fire Eva. Dan continues his pleading and tells her that when he talked with Eva in the kitchen she told him she really needed this job. He was moved by her words. Marcella than asks him what he wanted to talk to her about in the first place. He starts talking shop and Marcella shaking her head tells him this isn’t the place to talk business and they will discuss it at the office.

Now she’s back on Leo’s case and wants to know why he would hire Eva without talking to her first. Leo goes over to her and pours on the charm. Marcella is not impressed and tells him to stop playing the clown and answer her. She scolds him reminding him she has asked him to keep his skirt chasing away from the house. Leo calms her down and tells her Eva has nothing to do with his skirt chasing affairs. He tells her she is wrong. He felt sorry for Eva and all he wants to do is help her. Marcella asks who told him this was a house of benefactors. She grabs him by the ear and wants to know if he thinks his pity will result in her going to bed with him.




We find out hat guy has a name. It is Damian. He still has Marisol in a choke hold with the knife to her throat. He doesn’t like the fact that she is holding out on him. She denies this, but Damien isn’t convinced.
How else could she afford such an expensive flat screen TV. (scary dude)

Renata is filling in Claudia and Vicky on the latest house gossip. She tells Vicky that her mother was really upset when she found out that Leo hired Eva. Vicky seems more concerned because she is pretty. Renata disagrees with that and says she is just a plain looking girl. The girls agree that they both have to watch out for their men with Eva around. Renata reminds Vicky that she had nothing to do with hiring Eva. It was Leo that brought her to the house and hired her. This does not sit well with Claudia as she perks her ears and says “What?” Renata tells her she has nothing to worry about because Marcela fired her.

Leo is still trying to convince Marcella not to fire Eva. After all she is not his type. He asks her if he could imagine her son with such a common women? Dan is listening in to all this baloney. Leo continues that Julio needs someone to look after him and Eva fills that bill. Subject closed. He tells her to give her one month and if she isn’t happy with her (Or has her killed first) he will fire her himself. Marcella finally agrees to just one month.

Tony is making the big come on to Alicia. She tells him she can’t go out with him because Eva would kill her if she found out.

Damian is still holding the knife to Marisol, and still threatening her. He tells her the TV she bought was with his money. She denies this and he tells her he doesn’t believe her. He slashes the TV with his knife and tells her the next time she holds back money from him it will be her face as he holds the knife to her face.

Damian is leaving the house via the court yard where Alicia and Tony are hanging out. Alicia sees him and tells Tony that was the guy that was looking for Marisol. Tony says “That’s strange. That guy told me he was just looking for a room. That’s why I let him in.” Alicia rushes off to check on Marisol.



Marisol is hovering on her bed when Alicia rushes to her to ask her if she is okay. Tony rushes in and asks her who the guy was. Marisol tells them it was an ex-boyfriend. Alicia notices the broken TV and wants to call the police. Marisol pleads with her not to. If the police show up he will kill her.

Eva is in the kitchen and Renata comes in chirping, she knew she wouldn’t last long. She knew once she met Marcella she would get fired. Eva now mad as a wet hornet turns to Renata and says she knew Marcella would be upset when she saw her and that’s why she gave her all the bad advice about not knocking on the door. Renata proud of herself, tells Eva it doesn’t matter now and tells her to get out. She is stopped by Marcela who tells her she needs to talk to her.

More poolside chat as Leo informs Vicky and Claudia that Eva gets to stay. This is not met with cheers and applause. Renata is getting the same news and she is not applauding either as she questions Marcella. Marcella tells her Eva stays and that it will be her job to orient her to her new position. Marcella tells Eva the most important part of her job will be to make sure Julio gets his medicine and not to miss one single dose. Marcella begs her leave and tells everyone she has had a tough day.

She reminds Eva this is just a test run. If she makes one mistake she is gone. Eva tells her not to worry and tries to thank her as heartless Marcela walks away. Eva turns triumphantly to smile at Renata.




Vicky sitting close to Dan, tells them it is time to change the subject. They don’t have to keep talking about the new girl. After all she knows Dan only has eyes for her. Leo agrees with this and tells Dan as well that he only has eyes for his sister. Subject being changed, Vicky wants to celebrate that her brother and Claudia are back together. Dan tries to beg off telling her he is busy. Vicky isn’t letting him off so easy and says it will be an early night. The girls are off to make themselves beautiful and Dan and Leo are left alone.

Dan gets up to leave as well but is stopped by Leo. He wants to make a bet with him. (Is that on any ones bingo card?) Dan isn’t into to this but reluctantly asks what the bet is about this time. Leo tells him that he will bet $500 that within two months He will get Eva to sleep with him. Dan walks away in disgust as Leo dogs him to bet with him.

Tony now trying to cheer Alicia up invites her to tour Hollywood. Alicia is delighted with this and rewards him with a big hug. More on this later.

We are back to Dan and Leo. Leo tells Dan that the reason he doesn’t want to bet is because he is scared that the sweet girl will fall for him and that he will loose the bet. Dan tells him he just doesn’t want to bet with him. Besides he doesn’t think Eva will fall for his tricks. Leo assures him that she will eventually come around. Dan shaking his head in disgust tells him he will see him later tonight and leaves. Leo is left saying to no one in particular with a smug look on his face. “Bet or no bet, I always win. Eva will eventually fall for me.”

We get a little tour of Beverly hills courtesy of Tony and Alicia. They end up in a book store and Alicia is ranting about all the great magazines. Tony being ever the suave young suitor tells her he will buy her one. After all he has credit at this store. We see them leaving the store with him hiding the magazine behind his back leaving us to wonder if he maybe he did steal her money.





We see that it has become night time and Leo is telling Eva that he had to beg his mother not to fire her. She graciously thanks him. He asks her if she lives with her parents. She tells him her mother left when she was little and her father was killed. Leo expresses his sympathy and wants to know what happened.

Eva tells him that she really doesn’t want to talk about her papa right now. It still hurts to think about him. Leo tells her he understands. He didn’t intent to make her feel bad. He knows what it is like to loose a father. His father died when he was 8 years old. Than his mom met Julio and he treated him like a son.
Now that Julio is sick, he is certain that she is the perfect person to take care of him. Eva smiling tells him thanks and that he won’t regret giving her this chance. He tells her she can count on him for any thing she might need.

Alicia and Tony are still out on the town. They are at a restaurant and Tony suggests tequila. I think they settle for milkshakes or beer. I am not certain. And I don’t care.

We have a little scene with Justa arranging the flowers that Ricky brought her. She is lamenting that she can’t give him the affection that he deserves. (I am sure we will learn more about that sad story. Next)

We see Victoria standing in front of a mirror admiring herself. (Not even picture worthy)

Dan is tucking in little Laurita reading her a story. (I think that his her name.) She wants another story. And guilts him about leaving. She tells him he always has to go out with Vicky. He reminds her that Vicky is his girlfriend kissing her on top of her head and tells her to go to sleep. She asks if he is going to marry Vicky. Laurita goes on again about the woman in her picture and wants that woman to be her mother. Dan explains that she needs a real mother and sweetly tells her he will stay with her until she falls asleep.

Some more torment by the evil maid as Eva is finishing her first day. Eva asks about the dog. She admits that the dog scares her. She wants to know if it bites. Renata tells her it depends. So far he hasn’t bitten anyone. but he is there to protect Julio. She goes on to say if she is frightened by the dog she can still quit. She would be doing them both a big favor as she leans in to tell her this. More rules are laid down and Renata snidely tells her that servants must always use the back door. Eva quips back “The same door you use.” This does nothing to endear Eva to her and Renata snips back she will pay for that remark.

Tony and Alicia are finishing up their drinks. The check arrives and as Tony reaches his back pocket he comes up empty handed and tells Alicia that he doesn’t have any money to pay the bill.

Vicky has become impatient and calls Dan’s house to see if he has left yet. Jacky assures him he has left. He had to spend a little longer time to settle Laurita. Vicky is not pleased with this as she throws her phone down cursing the little girl for interfering with her plans. She tells herself she has to do something about her so that she can finally marry Dan.

Our final scene is of Eva walking out the back door. We see the evil Renata with the scary looking dog going out another door. Max (the dog’s name I believe) seems a bit twitchy and Renata figures out he has just spied Eva walking across the lawn. She gets a evil grimace and sicks the dog on an unsuspecting Eva.

A panicked Eva sees Mad Max tearing a path straight towards her and runs off in a panic. She is able to escape and gets on the other side of the fence. Still panicked she walks off backwards and falls right in front of a car. The driver stops suddenly and quickly gets out. It happens to be Dan. He quickly goes to attend to her She tells him the dog really frightened her. He swears to her that he just barely saw her running away from the house. Dan gently brushes her forehead and sweetly tells her to calm down. Longing glances are exchanged and there we end.

Labels: eva