Caray, Caray!

David confronts “Mario” in his bedroom. “Are you or aren’t you my papa?” FaustiMario is stunned into silence. He ponders his options for a few seconds and then decides now is the time to come clean with David. Like some sort of horror movie, he begins to remove his mask to reveal what lies beneath. However, instead of a horrible monster underneath the glasses, wig, false teeth, beard, mustache and latex nose and wrinkles, David finds not his father, but Gabi’s!

Horrified, David backs as far away as possible into the wall, his mind racing and unable to compute what he’s seeing. “My God! What is this? Why are you dressed like this? Where is my papa?!” Faustiago begs him to calm down and let him explain. Meanwhile, Gabi is wearing a hole into the carpet pacing in the living room, knowing that something very strange is going on with David and Don Mario.

Faustiago continues to remove his disguise, but locks the door firmly before giving David the explanation he demands. He first informs David that his father, Mario Genovés, is dead. David is wide-eyed, and teary-eyed, impactado. “Muerto?” Faustiago explains that Mario did indeed die in the car accident. David refuses to believe, so Faustiago suggests he bring Abelardo in to verify all he is saying. David wanders into the living room like a zombie and requests that Abelardo accompany him. He unconvincingly tells Gabi that nothing is wrong and everything is fine when she inquires.

Abelardo confirms to David that Don Mario is indeed dead. David’s grief knocks the wind out of him and forces him to sit down. He starts to weep. “And, he, he was my father?” Abelardo answers him truthfully.
A: He loved you as if he were.
D: Then, whose child am I?

Abelardo tells him mostly the truth. He says David is the child of a lady who used to work in the house. She left when David was just a few weeks old. As Don Mario and Señora Alicia could not have children, they fell for little David, cared for him as their own and registered him as their child. David is practically hyperventilating with grief and shock. Abelardo tells David how much his father loved him. When David asks where he is buried, he tells him he’s been laid to rest in a dignified tomb. Whenever David wants to, Abelardo will take him there. David then asks for an explanation of why Faustiago is there. Abelardo hands the mic over to Faustiago for that explanation.

Faustiago explains that he’s there because Mario obligated/forced him to be. He tells David his real name and that he used to be an actor. The theatrical company he started with was owned by Adolfo Ávila. There he met and fell for a beautiful dancer named Márta Saldívar. However, she got involved with a rich man who was married…who had a son. A look of shocked realization comes over David’s face.

In the living room, Gabi continues to fret to Juli about what could possibly be going on in the bedroom. She saw that look on David’s face and knows it can’t be good. Juli thinks they are just discussing business, but Gabi has another theory. She thinks they might be arguing because Gabi asked David to get them their own house, away from his family. Juli sees no problem with this. If that is what’s causing the problem, then Mario will just have to deal with it (aguantar). Gabi has a right to have her own home! They both go nervously quiet when a downcast Ale arrives home. They do a bad job of lying that everything is ok. Ale goes to Bertha’s room to see if she can get the 411 from her about what’s going on. Princess Bertha doesn’t know, and she doesn’t like not being in the know. Their uncle is acting like a man possessed (con miles demonios), and those b!tches (she said viejas, but that’s what she really meant) continue to ingratiate themselves with him. Ale knows something must be wrong by the looks on the faces of Gabi and Juli.

Back in the bedroom, the revelations keep coming at David like a tsunami.
D: This woman had a child by my father?
F/S: Yes. It was a girl.
D: And where is she now?
F/S: That child is my daughter, your wife, Gabriela.
D: Qué?! Gabriela?!

David is shocked into standing position this time. He asks if Mario knew Gabi was his child. Faustiago explains that Mario found out shortly after his wife died. When she died Mario came back to find Marta to marry her, but by that time Marta was married to Santiago and had another child by him, Juli. David wants an answer to THE question. Why is Faustiago passing himself off as Mario? Faustiago explains it’s because of that darn death clause in the contract with Adolfo. Faustiago goes back to speaking about the Marta love triangle. He explains that when Mario came back into Marta’s life, Santiago’s heart was destroyed, he was eaten up with jealousy. He didn’t think it fair that Mario was trying to take her from him again. He could feel that she was about to abandon him. He started fighting with Marta all the time and made life impossible for her.

Around the corner, at the newly renovated house, JJ is deep in thought about Ale. Limon, in one of his favorite spots- behind the bar- tells JJ he thinks it best if he and Caramelo move out, so that JJ won’t continue to have problems with Ale. JJ won’t hear of it. Limon and Caramelo are his only family. (What about Elsa?) They can’t leave him alone. Plus, Limon and JJ are partners and will be working together (on whatever it is they eventually decide to do). Limon doesn’t know how he can help JJ in his new business since he doesn’t know how to do anything, not even how to write. JJ doesn’t think reading and writing is part of the job description for a right hand man (brazo derecho). (Yeah. This will be a really successful business.) Plus, JJ completely trusts Limon and would trust him with his life. Limon is touched by JJ’s words.

Caramelo comes running in. She has examined the bedrooms upstairs and still wants to sleep in the little house (servants’ quarters) attached to the main house, where she and Limon used to sleep all those years. JJ gives in and Caramelo runs off cheering her victory. Limon also asks JJ if he can stay in the rooms in back, in the casita. That way he won’t feel like such a freeloader (arrimado) and Ale can feel more comfortable in the house. JJ reluctantly agrees, and gives Limon the job of being in charge of the whole house. He also wants them to go furniture shopping so that Limon can furnish the rooms in the little house exactly as he’d like.

They toast happily to their new business and home arrangements, as we cut to a very unhappy looking Ale sulking on her bed. She’s obviously given what Mina said some thought, and is feeling bad about her harsh words with JJ. She swallows her pride and picks up the phone and calls him. Her sweet, “Hi. It’s me.”, is greeted with a grumpy “Qué pasó? Dime.” She tells him she’s calling to ask how he is. JJ’s in brat mode and tells her he’s fine. In fact, he’s with Limon and Caramelo and they’re about to go buy furniture for their BEDROOMS. Ale tries to be a good sport about it and says that’s great. JJ agrees, abruptly tells her he’s got to go, and hangs up on her while she’s in the midst of saying goodbye. (Wow. He is nearly giving her the full Elsa Cold Shoulder Treatment.)

Back at the Manse, Faustiago has told his story, and David wants to know if he did indeed kill his wife Marta. Faustiago jumps up in horror. He assures David that he did not kill her. David wants to know who did then. When Faustiago says that Mario was also there that night and saw her, David gets defensive wondering if he thinks his papa murdered her. “No, no.” Faustiago explains that this is just what Mario told him, and gets Abelardo to back him up. Faustiago got the blame for the murder, mainly because everyone heard the big fight he and Marta had earlier that evening. And then Adolfo saw him over her body and accused him of the crime. Luckily, Yolanda came and warned him and he had time to flee with his baby girls. It was all these years later when he returned to the capital that Mario saw him and recognized him. Faustiago explains how sick Mario was, and David learns for the first time that his father had a brain tumor. “Me obligó a tomar su lugar.” (He obligated me to take his place.) David is shocked to hear his mild mannered father threatened Faustiago with jail and with telling Gabi the truth, if he didn’t go along with this plan.

David wants to know why his father partnered with Adolfo in the first place. Faustiago explains how Mario was the first to find Marta dead. Adolfo and Yolanda found him over her body and accused him of killing her, despite his protests that he had only just arrived. Then Adolfo offered to “help” him by not saying anything to the cops and sending Mario away quickly. He later threatened to tell the cops and it was in this way Adolfo blackmailed Mario into the infamous contract. Faustiago didn’t know until recently that Mario was even there that night. He then explains about the cufflink that Mario found in Marta’s hand. They believed it was the killer’s and it was their only clue to the identity of the killer. Mario gave it to Faustiago, but it was recently stolen when someone broke into his apartment. David has Faustiago describe the cufflink and immediately realizes that it sounds like Carlos Avila’s ring. That bit of new info leaves Faustiago impactado.

Over at the Dastardly Domicile, Leo is awaiting the appearance of Adolfo. You’ve got to hand it to Adolfo, he can hide his shock and play the welcoming host to perfection. “Well, well. What a pleasure it is to see you in my home. What brings you here Comandante?” (Translation: What the hell are you doing here?) Leo tells him he’s there to ask him some questions. They sit down and Leo casually asks some pretty uncomfortable questions over his cup of java. He starts things off easily by first confirming that Adolfo used to be a theatrical company business owner. The next question nearly throws Adolfo off his game, when Leo asks whether he employed a dancer named Márta Saldívar. “Sí.” Leo then mentions her husband’s name, Santiago Guzman, who was suspected of killing her. Adolfo admits to remembering the man and wonders if they’ve caught him. They haven’t, but Leo wonders if Adolfo has seen Santiago or heard someone speak about him recently. “No. Of course not.” Leo points out that Mario Genoves also knew this dancer. Adolfo feigns ignorance and wonders why Leo is asking. “Did someone tell you that Mario knew Marta?” Leo continues his cat and mouse game, tells Adolfo that Adolfo himself threatened Mario recently with revealing the secret about Marta to David, and takes a sip of his coffee. “Me? I said that? I don’t recall.” Leo’s not buying this, and Adolfo is fishing for an excuse or explanation, when Carlos walks in. Leo stands and the two young men stare each other down. Likely remembering the hurt Leo put on him the last time they met, Carlos quickly slinks away upstairs.

Leo continues his interrogation of Adolfo. He asks how a man like him, who had no prior experience managing restaurants, ended up as Mario Genoves’ partner. “By blackmailing Mario about Márta Saldívar, right?” This finally sets Adolfo off. He hasn’t ever spoken to Mario about Marta, and whoever said he did is a liar. Leo gives one of his disarming smiles and says he will speak to Mario about the matter again. And if he’s involved in Marta’s death somehow, he’ll help him overcome any legal issues. This doesn’t make Adolfo happy, but he hides his displeasure and politely bids Leo farewell. As soon as Leo leaves, Adolfo calls Mario’s house demanding to speak with him.

“Mario” is still in his bedroom with David and Abelardo continuing his story of how he came to be there. David’s rocking back and forth and his brain is now starting to work overtime. He concludes that Adolfo must have been the one who arranged the accident that killed his papa. FaustiMario feigns surprise. Gabi knocks on the door to inform them of Adolfo’s call. David insists on taking the call. He tells Adolfo that his father is not at home, and from now on anything that has to do with his father, Adolfo will have to deal with HIM (David). Adolfo berates him, and tells David to pass the message on to his father that the police came to see him about you know who, and that he defended Mario and told them that Mario didn’t know the person. Mario better get in touch with him ASAP. Adolfo doesn’t realize that Carlos has been listening to Adolfo’s side of this conversation intently from the stairs. David doesn’t give a damn. “My father is NEVER going to speak to you again!” Click.

An uber-annoyed Adolfo turns around to find Carlos over his shoulder, grinning like the Cheshire Cat. He’s enjoying the “interesting” conversation Adolfo was having. It sounded to him like his father and Mario are involved in something crooked (chueco). Adolfo demands he show some respect, and get the hell out! Carlos smirks all the way out the door.

Gabi’s moved from the living room, to wearing a hole in the floor boards in front of Mario’s bedroom door. Juli tries to calm her down, but Gabi is fed up with waiting and wants to know what’s been going on behind that door. She knocks impatiently and finally David emerges. He lies that everything is alright, while at the same time wiping away a stray tear. They were discussing the partnership with the Avilas. Gabi wants to know what Leo has to do with it. David puts on a happy face, and once again tells her it’s nothing to worry about. Leo came to talk to his father because the police are investigating Adolfo Avila. He’ll explain more later. Gabi looks more perplexed than before.

Inside the room, FaustiMario is heading back through the tunnel to the little house. Abelardo urges him to be careful, given that they now know Adolfo is a murderer and wants to add “Mario” to his list of victims (which he’s already accomplished). Above all, Abelardo doesn’t want Faustiago to confirm to David that they learned from Yolanda that Adolfo killed Marta and his dad. David would for sure go to confront Adolfo directly and cause more problems than they already have. Faustiago admits that he was on the verge of revealing that to David, but is in agreement not to do so. It’s best not to provoke (prevenir) Adolfo.

Outside the door, David tries to distract Gabi with kisses and with an evening out on the town with her and Juli. He tells them to go make themselves pretty and he’ll be ready in a bit. He returns to the room quickly before Gabi can get out the lingering questions still on her mind. Gabi doubts what he said was the whole truth, but Juli wonders why it wouldn’t be. Gabi’s not convinced.

When he returns to the room, Abelardo shows him the secret passage. The light goes off in David’s head. So many things make sense now. Abelardo is happy that Faustiago will be more at ease now that David knows. They make their way through the tunnel to the house, and David marvels at his father’s planning and decision-making skills. He’ll miss him so much. Abelardo agrees. Once inside Faustiago’s dressing room, David marvels some more, begs Faustiago’s pardon for being such a jerk, and thanks him. Faustiago won’t accept the thanks, since he didn’t do this voluntarily but because Mario obligated him. But, he’s happy that it happened, because soon the day will come when Marta’s killer will pay for his crimes. David is sure that it was Adolfo, and he will pay for that, and all the humiliations he caused his father. He hesitates when he says “father”, and Faustiago gently assures him there is no need for hesitation. Mario was his father. Mario was a true father to him, just like he (Faustiago) has been to Gabi. David thinks of Gabi. She’s the true heir to all of this and David wants to tell her the truth. It’s the right thing to do. Faustiago agrees she should be told, but this is such a horrendous tale, that Faustiago himself isn’t yet ready to talk to her about it. David agrees to follow Faustiago’s lead. In fact, from now on he will do everything that Faustiago tells him to do. The two men shake on it. But it’s obvious David can’t shake his sadness at knowing his father is no more.

The sisters are pretty in pink, but Gabi is still pacing the living room like a mad woman. Juli wants to know why she won’t believe everything is ok, like David says. Gabi thinks she should phone Leo to find out why he spoke to Mario and what’s up. Juli tells her she’s crazy for looking for trouble with David again, who is already bothered by her friendship with Leo. Let things be, now that things are good. Gabi admits she’s right, but she just feels that David doesn’t want to tell her the truth. Adolfo, like a desperate recently dumped boyfriend, calls the house again to speak to Mario. Gabi knocks on the door twice, but strangely gets no reply. Adolfo resigns himself to the news that Mario is not there. He will just have to try again later. Just as she’s wondering where David and Mario could have gone off too, David and Abelardo magically emerge from the bedroom. David says they just didn’t hear her knock, although Gabi points out that she knocked twice. (Right now David is probably wishing that he had a less inquisitive, airhead wife.) He hustles them out the door to dinner. Bertha emerges as they are leaving and learns there will be no one around for her to annoy at the dinner table. She decides to call up her sugar daddy, Adolfo, but it seems he also has a life like everyone else, and has left.

Upstairs, Susana checks that her two retirement packages/death warrants (the diamond filled shoe and the letter) are still safe. She reads Dora’s letter out loud:

Señor Mario,

I don’t dare tell you this in person, because I’m ashamed, but you have the right to know. I am David’s mother. I abandoned him in this house many years ago. I left him here because Maria, a woman who worked in your house at that time, told me that your wife could not have children. My husband had abandoned me, and I could not maintain/take care of David. I knew that you were good people, and that you would give him all that I couldn’t.

I also want to tell you that I know who killed Isabel, the young woman who worked in the Mirador Hotel eleven years ago. The blame was put on the young man, Juan Jose Victoria. But the real culprits were Carlos Avila, and another young man whose face I could not see. I hope you understand me Don Mario. If I remained quiet all these years it was because I didn’t want David to suffer, and out of fear that Señor Avila would do something to me.

-Dora

Susana is shocked that Dora is David’s mother. The diamond filled shoes remain in her suitcase, but she puts the letter in her purse. Meanwhile, David’s mama is descending the stairs and encounters Ale. Ale goes to speak with Abelardo in Mario’s study and finds him scouring all of Mario’s books. He’s looking for a VERY important letter that was put in one of the books. Abelardo tells Ale that the letter reveals the true identity of David’s mother, but he pretends he doesn’t know who it is. Mario left the letter to be given to David one day. When Abelardo noticed that the books had been moved around, he decided to look for it and now can’t find it. They call Dora to find out who last cleaned the room. They find out it was Susana, on Bertha’s orders. No, Susana did not tell Dora that she had found anything in one of the books, and she’s out since it’s her day off. Ale thinks they need to search for this letter. Dora’s eyes go wide at the mention of a letter. She asks Abelardo if it’s the one she gave Mario. He confirms this and Dora’s eyes go wider with horror and fear. No one can see that letter! Ale suggests that Dora search Susana’s room, while she searches Bertha’s. When Ale heads upstairs, Dora panics that she might find and read the letter. Abelardo assures Dora that although Ale already knows that David is not Mario’s blood child, he did not reveal that Dora is his mother. But if she did find out, Ale already knows the FaustiMario plan and was the one who constructed the tunnel. “What tunnel?” Seems Dora was left out of the loop on that one, so Abelardo explains.

Dora’s search of Susana’s room and Ale's search of Bertha’s room comes up empty. Ale sees Dora’s obvious anguish and tries to calm her by saying it was probably just thrown away. She asks Dora who wrote the letter, but doesn’t press when Dora says she can’t say. Ale reports back to Abelardo and tries to assure him as well that it probably is in one of the books, or was thrown away. Abelardo hopes so, since it could be used for ill if it fell into the wrong hands. (If only he knew.) Ale heads over to talk to Faustiago in the tunnel house. She compliments him on his amazing transformation into Mario. He chuckles in appreciation of the compliment. This is a man who has clearly missed working in his calling- the stage. She talks about how that first night when he showed up, they were all convinced he was Mario. She congratulates him once more and calls him a great actor. He gives her a little bow. She knows they haven’t had much of an opportunity to talk, but she lets him know that her uncle told her everything. Faustiago admits it’s been difficult with lots of frights (sobresaltos).

Ale asks him if he thinks her uncle’s death was an accident. He is completely honest with her. It was not an accident, he was murdered. So was his wife, and so was the young maid eleven years ago. And all of these deaths have something in common- Adolfo Avila. Ale wants to know how he’s so sure. Because there were witnesses. In fact, a witness that can prove JJ is completely innocent. Ale wants that person to come forward! It’s their obligation! Faustiago assures her that that person will do so. They are both shocked when the door bell rings. And Ale is even more shocked to find JJ on the other side of the door.

JJ’s come looking for Don Fausto, who he knows works there. Ale tells him it’s not a business, but instead a house that belongs to Don Mario who employs Fausto. She leads him away from the house and to his house to talk. Abelardo arrives to tell Faustiago about the missing letter. Faustiago is absolutely sure it was Bertha who took it.

At JJ’s house, Limon quickly makes himself and Caramelo scarce to give the squabbling love birds some alone time. Ale gets JJ to sit down and talk things through. She feels badly about what happened. She doesn’t want to offend his friends. She understands that he loves them and wants to help them. She loves him, more than he can imagine, and she doesn’t want to lose him. Ditto for him. But he thinks they are too different- like water and oil, and he’s really crude oil. She’s elegant, fine and educated. And even though he now has money and dresses nicely, he’s still coarse and ignorant. She assures him that she likes him just the way he is- simple, generous, caring, loving…They start to kiss and Ale is ready to be swept away by passion once more. JJ puts a halt to things, since Limon and la niña might return any minute. Ale suggests the perfect solution—they can go upstairs to his bedroom. JJ x-nays that idea too. Things are different here. Even though Limon was a homeless tramp, he’s pretty conservative. And la niña is still very young/little (chiquitita). Ale cannot believe he is rejecting her, again. She stands up and tells him the only thing that is chiquitita here is his brain! (At least she didn’t name another part of your anatomy JJ.) Then things really get nasty. He implies that the only thing wrong is her loose morals. He asks just how many guys has she “been with”. (That didn’t seem to be a problem for him when they were getting it on in the elevator, in the hallway, in the hotel suite, or on her desk, but whatever.) “How dare you!!!” She tries to slap him, but he catches her arm and asks, “That many?” (Tantos?) That really ticks her off and she catches him off guard with a well deserved hard slap with her left hand. She storms off calling him an imbecile, and wondering why that’s important to him. “You know what? The only one that I regret is getting involved with a guy like YOU. It makes me embarrassed/ashamed!” (me da verguenza) The squabbling love birds have turned into full fledged fighting cocks, staring each other down from opposite sides of the ring.

Labels: verdad

Capitulo 113.
Read Amanda’s original recap, then come back here to discuss it.

1. Pilar decides to stay in bed and not go to the commercial shoot because she’s afraid of horses. Fernando fears that if they can’t make the commercial, it will be the end of Conceptos.

2. Tomás sneaks into the club. Alicia is turned out because she didn’t pay her club dues.

3. Sara pursues the security guard. He ignores her like a Buckingham Palace guard.

4. Julieta cries because she forgot the salsa.

5. Pilar arrives and complains about everything

---

Capitulo 114.
Read Julie’s original recap, then come back here to discuss it.

1. Pilar rejects the hair and makeup planned for the shoot. She refuses to wear the cape the client requires. She says that if they don’t do it her way, she quits.

2. Lety tells Fernando he should call Luigi for advice on how to handle divas. Fernando doesn’t want to because he can’t stand for Luigi to see him helpless, but finally he relents and calls Luigi.

3. Sara pursues the security guard.

Labels: fea-2010

Labels: eva

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