Caray, Caray!

Part One: Vice Freezes His Assets Off in Jail

Vice tries to book a flight to Mérida.

Pina is delirious. Fred appears. There's angel music. Is Fred real, or is Pina fading away?

Sandrucha is stunned but pleased by Chacho's offer to father a child with her.

Apparently, Fred is real. He explains how he got lost - he got distracted by something even prettier than Sergio. (Pina's sorry she didn't help, but she had an anxiety attack and fainted in the water.) Sergio found him somehow and shared his oxygen. Pina is starry-eyed and grateful to him for saving the life of her reason for living. Sergio is gracious but unassuming.

Karina squeals with joy to see Fred. Fred is not as annoyed by this as I would like. Sergio slips away discreetly.

Vice tells Candy he went to the airport but didn't have to get a flight because Fred called to say he was alive. He notices that Candy seems out of sorts. She admits to feeling tired but doesn't explain why.

Fred thinks Sergio seemed oddly serious and subdued. Pina wants to find him to thank him again. Karina teases Pina for the way she goggled at Sergio when they first met. Fred is amused. Pina, not so much.

Alone at a bar, Sergio ignores a pretty girl and flashes back to his first meeting with Pina, when she refused his offer of a piece of quartz.

Lupita wants to go to Tom's graduation.

Adrian tells Ana he can tell she still has feelings for Fred, so he's gonna take off. (Duh? Why now?) Ana tells Rebe she can't decide between Fred and Adrian, so she'd like to put the question on Twitter. That way a bunch of idiots she doesn't know can weigh in on this life-altering decision.

At home, Candy is dizzy from the meds and calls Chela to tell her she feels crappy. Napoleon casually enters the apartment. "He's right in front of me! NAPOLEON!"

Pancho to Isa (he no longer calls her "Bella" because Rebe doesn't like that): "I don't want to be disrespectful... but do you like me?" Isabella is mortified and offended. "I thought you'd be different! I thought we could have a professional relationship," she insists. (Who does she think she's fooling?) He admits he "felt things" when they were touring the warehouse. She denies that he should have felt anything. He apologizes and offers to take her out for a coffee. She ignores the apology and says this had better not happen again.

Isabella stomps out. Pancho isn't totally convinced that she meant what she said.

Sneaky Salome prepares to approach Vice in the parking garage, but then hides when several police cars screech in. She watches as Vice is apprehended. He resists arrest. They cuff him, but he still makes them chase him around the car.

Chela worries about Candy going quiet on phone. She calls back, but Nap makes Candy turn off the phone.

Candy: I never loved you, what do you want? You forced me to marry you.
Nap: No one can love you like I do.
Candy: Why don't you go where all the dead people go? To hell! Leave me alone!

Nap says she has to pay for what she did to him. She hits him. Scratches. Blood. "Blood? Dead men don't bleed!"

Isa and Jimena debate what to do about the man of Isa's dreams. She doesn't want to admit to him that she likes him. She doesn't want to break up a marriage. Jimena suggests that they focus on getting their work done and leave ASAP. (What would happen to the telenovela genre if more people did that?)

Candy: You're alive!
Nap: No I'm not; you saw me in the morgue not breathing. I was dead.

Candy knows he could have used his money to fake his death. Candy offers to re-kill him (with a lamp!) just to make sure. He takes out a gun and tells her to put down the lamp. He says it doesn't matter; no one will believe her. "If you tell anyone I'm alive, they'll die laughing." He leaves.

Pancho and family gather outside the house. Clean-shaven Pepe flips a switch, and the whole properly is lit up like one of those houses you see on the news where all the neighbors complain about the eyesore and the traffic. Rebe is dressed like a very thin (though pregnant) Mrs. Claus. Group hug!

Frida feels sorry for herself at home in her little shack. Why can't she enjoy this time of year that everyone else loves? (I blame that tiny Christmas tree with the seizure-inducing rapid-flashing lights.) Gramps, why aren't you here? Why aren't you here, Dartañán? Boo hoo hoo.

Enzo and Chela get Candy's place. "Dead men don't bleed," she tells them. Chela thinks the meds are making her worse. Candy shows them her hands and insists she's not loca. Enzo argues in spite of the evidence. Candy protests: yes, she saw him dead; but now she's seem him alive. The guy had plenty of money. He could have pulled it off. But she just sounds hysterical to them.

Salome tends to Nap's wounds. He was surprised by Candy's reaction and he pulled his gun. Sally says there can't be any doubt in Candy's mind now that he's alive, but Nap is sure no one will believe her.

At the police station, Vice wants his phone call. I think that guy who runs the police station has new glasses. They uncuff Vice and warn him to to run his sarcastic mouth or they'll have to put him in a cell. Eventually he gets to make his call.

Rebe tells Pancho of Ana's great dilemma. Vice calls to tell him about being in jail. (I guess with Pina and Fred out of town, Pancho's all he has left!) Vice accuses Pancho of conspiring with Isabella to get him thrown in jail. "You'll be sorry," he threatens unconvincingly. He complains to the jailer again. The jailer jokingly offers Vice a cell with an ocean view.

Pancho tells Rebe that Isa had warned about this. She is very sarcastic with him for choosing to protect Bella's job rather than warning Vice.

Ana rehashes Fred vs. Adrian with Lupita. Pollis calls. He tells Ana that when he was running out of air and thought he was gonna die, he thought about her. What frightened him the most was that he might never see her again.

Pancho tells Candy that Vice is in jail for tax evasion. Candy thinks Isabella did this. Pancho explains that Vice failed to report a bunch of taxable income. Candy wants to see him immediately. They don't think she's in any "condition" to go out alone this late, but Candy isn't willing to leave Vice alone in jail, so Enzo agrees to take her.

Arnold and Bárbara are out drinking tea. A tells B all about all his crushes, including Ana. Barb remarks that he seems to like Vice's women (Pina, Rebeca, Candy). Arnold says it's just a coincidence. Barb says it'd be a coincidence only if Vice were not also his best friend. Arnold says he doesn't exactly admire Vice and the way he treats women. Barb observes that Vice wrecks them and Arnold fixes them up. She suggests that he take an interest in some woman who hasn't been with Vice. "Like who?" clueless Arnold asks. "You tell me," she replies coyly.

At jail, Candy and an increasingly giddy Vice argue whether this was Pancho's fault or not. Vice is happy to see Enzo. But they can't do anything for Vice at this hour. He can't leave until he pays his fine, and the banks aren't open till morning. The jailer wants to go home too, and have his hot chocolate and cookies. More arguing about Pancho (and Chela, I don't even know why Vice mentions her). Vice wants to prove that Pancho and Isabella are having a thing and conspiring against him. Enzo says he sounds hysterical. (Someone needs to explain to Enzo that telling people they're hysterical doesn't calm them down.)

Sergio is at Pina's bedside again. She remembers being rescued by him when she fainted into the water. Now he's standing over her bed, saying she's hermosa. He just came by to see how she's doing. She doesn't know his last name or where he lives. He says it's better that way. Take care!

Mendoza goes to the jail. Pancho is going to pay Vice's very large fine. But the authorities are going to freeze Vice's assets.

Candy angrily confronts Pancho over the alleged conspiracy with Isabella. Moody Rebeca actually buys the story. Pancho says he had nothing to do with it. He would never do something so low and they don't know him very well if they think he could. He storms out. Rebeca cries.

Part Two: Bravo! BRAVO!!!

Enzo prepares for his trip to Monterrey. He'll only be gone two nights, but he's going to see Pancho first. He and Chela worry about Candy.

Lupe gets the green light from Doc Oc to go to Tom's graduation.

Ana phones Adrian. His kids are excited about the call. He steps away from the table to tell Ana he made a mistake involving the girls. They'll be so disappointed if things don't work out. He needs to think of them; they're a part of him. So Ana would be having a relationship not just with him, but all three.

Pina tells Fred and Karina that Sergio came to see her this morning. Or did he? She's not sure whether it was a dream or for real. She can't wait to go home.

At the office, Isabella and Enzo both need to talk to Pancho. Enzo gets to go first. Isa hangs around outside the door until Enriqueta coldly asks if she's okay. Isa takes off.

Enzo and Pancho rehash about last night. Then Enzo gives Pancho a folder with Enzo's recommendation for his replacement. We don't get to see who it is - but from the look on Pancho's face, it's someone interesting!

Moni picks up Frida for her physical therapy. Frida would rather take the bus. Moni is shocked by the shabby living conditions. (It must be cold in there, too, because Frida's always wearing her coat.) "Aquí nos tocó vivir," Frida says ("we were fated to live here"). "Oh, Cristina Pacheco," Moni replies. (Pacheco hosts a long-running TV show called "Aquí Nos Tocó Vivir." Frida doesn't get the reference. "Forget it," Moni says.) Moni feels guilty - not because Pepe prefers her, but because she has everything and Frida has nothing. But Moni wasn't born in a golden cradle - her mother didn't want her, and her father washed cars and he worked hard. Surprisingly, Frida agrees to let Moni take her to PT and tell her the rest of Enzo's story on their way.

Ana rehashes her problem with Pepe. Oh, the difficulty of choosing between two guapos who want nothing more than to make her happy. Fred's insecure, and Adrian is a three-for-one deal. She's not sure she's ready for that responsibility.

Candy tells Rebeca about making Napoleón bleed. (Rebe seems a little more receptive than Enzo and Chela were.) Vice calls from Avon - he had to spend the night at the jail, but he's out now. Pancho paid his fine. This upsets both Candy and Rebe - it will cause a scandal and make them all look bad. Medication-woozy Candy and hormone-ravaged Rebeca are now weepily ashamed of themselves for having thought the worst of Pancho. (Thanks, Vivi, for the correction!)

Pina, Fred, and Karina are at home. Apparently, no one told Ado they were coming, but she's happy to see them.

Tom graduates from the Police Academy. The head of the school singles out Tom for an effusive congratulatory speech for graduating in record time with the highest marks.

Pina goes to the office and tells Raimundo about Sergio the angel. Then Jorge Aravena shows up. Siiiigh. Raimundo beams at him. Pina gapes and drops her book. The mystery man picks it up for her and introduces himself as Sebastián Bravo. He's looking for Pancho. Raimundo offers to take him; Bravo says it would improper to leave the lady all by herself! Unfortunately, Pina snaps out of it and starts grilling the guy on why he wants to see Pancho. He's interviewing for Enzo's job as Director of Finance. He wasn't actually planning to take it, but now that he's met her, he'll let Mr. Lopez decide!

At the police academy, Candy still feels lousy on her meds. She tells Pancho and Lupe and Tomás about scratching Napoleón. Tom seems to take her seriously, but she starts getting loud and Rebeca and Lupita want to take her home to "rest." "He's alive," Candy declares, and stalks off. Rebe follows. Pancho is really worried. Only Tom finds her theory credible. Tom thanks Pancho again for supporting him like a father.

Isabella really wants to clear up her "misunderstanding" with Pancho. Jimena advises against it, since they both know that there was NO misunderstanding at all... she likes him. Why is she always falling in love with guys five minutes after she meets them?

Before this inane conversation tortures us any further, angry Vice bursts in with baseless complaints about the night he spent at the police station. He says she'd better not mess with him and asks why she picked on him. She didn't pick on him, she just did her job. Lambi had to spend a night in jail too and he paid his debts and fines, as should Vice. Vice says he won't pay a thing. In that case, Isa says, nothing will save him. His debts far exceed those of any other executive in the company. He owes millions of pesos, and if he doesn't pay, not only will he have to go to jail, they'll seize all of his assets. Vice vows to drive her out of the place.

"I told you so," Pepe tells Mónica. She still can't believe the miserable way Frida lives. Their little love nest was palatial by comparison.

Pancho is finally back from Tom's graduation and meets with Bravo. (There was a mixup, Enzo thought Bravo would be coming over in the evening instead of during the day.) Pancho says they can offer him a good salary. Bravo met Enzo years ago in school.

Pancho inquires as to Bravo's marital status (I don't think that's legal in the US). Bravo says he's divorced. Ominous music plays.

Recently divorced Pina is telling Raimundo that they doesn't even know if the guy is married - they just met. She pretends not to care. There are plenty of good-looking men in the world, but that doesn't mean she has to go chasing after them. But then she gives in and admits that she really likes him. Raimundo offers to find out if the man is available.

Fred approaches Ana. She asks if he's okay after being without air. (What? Fred doesn't need no stinkin' air!) The doctors checked him out and he's fine. Ana is cold to him and asks didn't he have Corny-locks with him? He explains that his mother set that up. Ana says she feels something for Adrian, and they kissed yesterday. And if Fred's jealous about it that's just too bad, because he kissed Karina first, and he didn't call her for months, and then he went on a vacation while she was having an operation. And knowing Karina, it's doubtful that he and she stayed in separate rooms. (He starts to weakly deny that anything happened, but she cuts him off.) He and Karina were made for each other, so go away and don't come back.

Bravo tells Pancho he doesn't care to discuss his personal life. (Maybe he's not a good fit for Avon, then.) Pancho offers to show him to his desk. They find Isabella waiting for Pancho outside his office. Pancho introduces them. (Maybe they'll hit it off!) Well, he sort of introduces them. He gets her last name wrong as usual (Ruíz instead of Rodriguez) and calls Bravo "Broncas." Isabella seems rattled and excuses herself. Enriqueta makes faces at her.

Tom, Lupita, Chela, Moni, Pepe, etc. are having champagne to celebrate Tom's graduation. Concepción calls to report that Paco is running a temperature. Chela and Moni rush out.

Ana comes home and tells Lupita that Fred went to bed with Karina. (As far as I could tell, he didn't admit to this, but I guess Ana knows him well enough to know better.)

Isabella tells Pancho that Vice threatened her. He basically tells her that Vice is all bark and no bite and won't do anything to her. He offers to talk to Vice - he owes him for that big fine, anyway.

And just when I think Isa's doing a good job of sticking with business, she puts her hand on Pancho's and coos, "Would you really do that for me, Pancho?" He gazes into her dewy eyes and wonders if this is another one of those misread signals.

Rebe and Candy make up with one another. Candy's even beginning to doubt herself, but agrees to talk to Tomás.

Pancho extricates his hand from Isa's and answers a call from Rebeca. Rebe whines about Isa being there with him. She wants Pancho to come home, but he still has to deal with his new Director of Finance. Rebe says she'll stop wasting his time, and hangs up on him!

In Monterrey, Enzo meets his new pals at the telecom company. (There are NO women in this boardroom!) Chela calls. He tells her he's in the middle of a meeting and can they talk later? (Which makes me wonder, why'd he answer the phone? I wonder that all the time when people answer the phone only to say that they can't talk now.) Anyway, Paco's still burning up with fever.

Arnold asks Vice if he ate a rooster, because of his crow's feet. (They call them "patas de gallo" rather than "patas de cuervo." I guess I should have realized that after seeing the Concha Creme commercial 10000 times, but it never sank in.) Vice drags Arnold into his office to finish a conversation that was interrupted some time ago... "are you, or are you not, gay?" Arnold really doesn't want to answer, but Vice is yelling and shaking him. He can't stand for his friends not to tell him the truth. "I want to know the truth!"

"I'm not gay," Arnold replies in his regular deep voice. Vice backs away. Then he grabs him again. "I'm not gay," Arnold repeats.

Looks like Vice can't handle the truth!

Next time:
Christmas! Adrian is there. So is Nayeli. Enzo dances with Jimena. There's a lot of food. Tomás and Lupita get married. Napoleón goes for Salome's throat. Rebeca has another attack of jealousy.

Labels: familia

Casa de Modas

Labels: abismo

Previously on El Talisman:

Doris and Tonio are arguing, Doris reminds him that Cameela will marry Pedro and not him, he claims Mariana is alive she says whatever and she tells him she is leaving.

Today on El Talisman:

El Capitan is in charge of the investigation into the bombing of Gabe's car. (ed note: I have to say here El Capitan is the hardest working cop since Comandante Leonardo Faidella in La Verdad Occulta). His assistant tells him the car belongs to a worker from El Talisman.

Gabe and Sarita talk to Geno and tell her that Pedro and Cameela are getting married. Geno is thrilled.

Rita and Rennie are talking about the money again from Tonio. Rennie tells her it will be complicated because he just doesn't trust Pigorio. Rita warns him if he doesn't get that money soon, she will go after Tonio herself. Rennie doesn't look happy.

Manuel and Mariana are at the Only Hotel in Fresno. Manuel asks her if she is remembering anything since they have been here. She says no and is a little perturbed. Manuel tells her to be calm and she will remember little by little. She says she doesn't feel safe in Fresno.

Panchito is still trying to get Pigorio to talk to him about Doris. Pigorio tells him you wouldn't understand.

Doris is at Madame Brigette's and she tells her that Pigorio threw her out of El Alcatrash because he is jealous of Tonio.

Cameela, Pedro and Margarito are talking. They tell her she should tell El Viral they are getting married, even though Cameela is reluctant she agrees.

El Viral is still with Lic Menendez. She is in a snit about the lawyer telling her she gets nothing. The lawyer asks her if she has thought of reconciling with Rennie. El Viral looks at him like he is crazy. She can't beleive she is getting nothing. She fires him and says she will get a way better lawyer than him. He tells her any other lawyer will tell her the same thing. She calls him crazy and a robber. Angel comes in and asks what all the ruckus is. She tells Angel, and Angel says I'll get you a phone book and look for another lawyer. Just be calm. In comes Army and El Viral tries to talk to him, but he is still mad at her for the way she treated Fabi. She asks are you going to meet Fabi and he says yeah. She is very upset.

El Capitan says to his assistant that he is going to do a thorough investigation of this car bombing and he has to go see Pedro at El Tal. He tells his assistant this has Pigorio's fingerprints all over it.

Manuel and Mariana have gone to an outdoor cafe. A waitress waits on them and keeps staring at Mariana. Manuel and Mariana are wanting to know why she is staring. She tells Manuel and Mariana that Mariana looks like the missing Pedro Ibarra's wife. They are both surprised.

El Capitan has come to El Tal and asks to meet with Pedro. He has very bad news.

El Viral is still fuming when Tonio shows up to see her. He tells her Cameela and Pedro are getting married and that he needs her help to break them up.

El Capitan tells Pedro about the car exploding. El Capitan wants to know who the car belongs to. Sarita comes in and says Tia Patty and Claudio were in that car, they took it to the airport. Sarita wants to know how they are, and what happened?

Lucas and Valentin are back at El Alcatrash. Valentin wants to tell Pigorio exactly what happened, but Lucas is trying to get him to lie and say they all died including Mariana. He tells Valentin that if Pigorio finds out Mariana didn't die in that explosion, there will be hell to pay. Valentin looks like he is going to be sick.

Manuel and Mariana are still talking at the cafe. Mariana thinks she ran away from Pedro because he tried to harm her, and if he finds out she is in Fresno he will do it again. Manuel is the voice of reason and asks her how can she be sure Pedro actually did this. She wants Manuel to help her. He assures her he will help her find out what really happened. She asks him if he thinks Pedro would harm her?

Pigorio tells Panchito to find Valentin, he needs to see him. Valentin walks into the office and Pigorio tells Panchito to go. Valentin tells Pigorio that two people are dead, but Mariana is not. Pigorio is having a cow, he wants her dead already.

Panchito tells Tracy there are some bad things going on right now at El Alcatrash. Tracy asks like what things, and Panchito says Tonio has caused all kinds of problems. Lucrazy comes in and tells Tracy she wants a meal and snap to it while she is snapping her fingers. Poor Tracy says I'm on it.

El Capitan tells Pedro that Tia Patty and Claudio are both dead in the car explosion. Just then Gabe, Sarita and Margarito come in and Pedro tells them what happened. They are all inconsolable and cry together. El Capitan says he will personally investigate this case. Margarito thinks this is punshiment from God for all of his drinking years and ignoring his son.

Valentin is thinking of the explosion and still looks sick. Tracy asks him what is wrong but he won't say. Sarita calls Tracy and tells her about Tia Patty and Claudio. Tracy is grief stricken.

El Viral tells Tonio this is so not true about Cameela and Pedro and Tonio tells her oh, it is true alright. Cameela comes to see El Viral and the first person she sees is Tonio. She goes up and slaps the crap out of him and yells at him about the plot and hiring Yenny. He tries to look so innocent, and he tells her it was all a plot by Lucrazy, but Cameela is not buying it. Cameela tells him she is marrying Pedro and to leave her alone. He leaves. El Viral says so it is true then, you are marrying Pedro. Cameela says yes. She cares about Tia Maria, Angel and Army, but she has no patience or time for El Viral. El Viral says oh Tia Maria always Tia Maria and Cameela says yes she has only ever shown me love. She says the only reason she came by was to tell El Viral she was getting married. She leaves.

Manuel and Mariana are still talking and she is happy Manuel is going to help her. She wants to have Tonio help, big anvil here, and she wants to know if in fact El Tal is hers. Manuel tells her first they have to find out who her friends are and who her enemies are.

Pedro calls Cameela and tells her what happened to Tia Patty and Claudio.

Panchito calls Pigorio about Tia Patty and Claudio. Pigorio doesn't care about them, he just wants info on Mariana.

Pigorio goes to Madame Brigette's and asks if Katerina is there. Her friend says she is there, he goes into the room and says Katerina is mio.

All the people at El Tal are in the living room talking about what happened and who could have done this? Sarita says oh Lucrazy did this to get venganza on you Pedro but Pedro thinks this is the wrong Negrete. He beleives it was Pigorio. They are all going to keep an eye on Margarito so he doesn't back slide. They want him to stay at El Tal.

Lucrazy is thought bubbling about Pedro and kissing him in front of Cameela, when Tonio comes in. She tells him she could just die. He says go ahead, then El Alcatrash will be mio. He is pithed off and goes and gets that bottle of poison that has El Viral's prints all over it and vows Pedro will die.

Nana and Flor talk about what a great relationship Army and Fabi have. Tracy comes in and tells Flor what happened to Claudio, Flor is inconsolable and cries her eyes out.

Pedro and Cameela talk and Pedro tells her Margarito has to process the fact that Claudio is dead. It will take some time.

Manuel is looking for Mariana. She is not in the room but left him a note telling him she has gone to El Tal to see Pedro. She takes a taxi to El Tal and gets out and is behind some flowering bush. She sees Pedro and Cameela talking about Margo and she says who is that woman with my husband? Mariana continues to spy on them. She says well that is definitley Pedro and that must be Cameela. She sure is pretty. All this time Cameela and Pedro don't see her and continue to talk about Margo and the loss of Claudio and how this will effect him. Mariana sees Pedro hug Cameela and she wants to know what is going on. Just then Manuel comes to El Tal and gets rid of the taxi. Just as he is walking up to El Tal, Tonio calls him and says he needs his help about finding out what happened to Mariana here in Fresno. Tonio tells him if you really want to help Mariana go back to LA cause Pedro is a very bad person. Mariana sees Pedro smoochy Cameela and she asks God to give her peace. Pedro is telling Cameela Tia Patty would have been so happy to see them married. Mariana thinks she wants to remember. Manuel finds Mariana and Mariana tells him what Tonio said was true. Pedro loves another woman. Manuel and Mariana go.

Pedro and Margarito are talking. Margo tells Pedro the whole reason he came to Fresno was to reconcile with Claudio and now that will never happen. Pedro swears to him they will find who did this.

Pigorio and Doris are in bed at Madame Brigette's. They have spent the night together and Doris wakes him up Mi Amoring him. He tells her damn you I need to be near you, I can't be without you. He tells her he is only hers. She wants to come back to El Alcatrash.

Tracy and Panchito are talking and she asks him if Pigorio is responsible for what happened to Tia Patty and Claudio. He doesn't answer.

Pedro is saying that Pigorio is definitley responsible for this car explosion and the deaths of the two people he loved, but is afraid Pigorio will escape punishment and is afraid the police won't be able to do anything.

Advances:

Pedro goes to El Alcatrash and decks Pigorio and calls him a murderer.

Mariana goes to El Alcatrash to talk to Tonio who is looking around to make sure noone sees them.

Labels: Talisman

Over to you folks. Thanks to Hombre for the recaps of Relaciones and to Novelera for Corazon and thanks to all the commenters.

Labels: relaciones, telemundo, valiente

Try saying that one fast!  I dare ya!  



Lo Del Pasado:

Ana Paula has two committed men who would give all they had--and/or, in Gustavo’s case--all they wished they had--to help her literally get back on her feet.  Macaria and Consuelo are still bickering over Macaria’s macking on Efrain.  A sobered-up Rogelio is anxious to bargain with the baby-daddy for the custody of her kid.

Lo Del Nuevo:

Outside on the second story veranda, Goosetavo and Mercedes worry over how he should proceed with Ro-Hell.  Rosaura has told him that Rog wants the baby but he doesn’t believe a word that ever comes out of MentiRosa’s mouth.  (Good thinkin’.)  Big Sis is worried he’ll do something foolish.  Goose says ain’t no way that kid’s staying with Ro-Hell cuz he’s the baby-daddy and he and AP both have discussed it.  He just hopes the man acts like the responsible, rational guy he really is when Rog finds out ol’ Goose is the man who done him one better with Paula.  (Viewerville, on the other hand, will be very disappointed.  The last thing they want is a snooze-a-palooza to suffer through over the next 70+ episodios.)

Inside her bedroom, AP puts Ro-Hell back in his box and tells him she’ll discuss the situation with the baby-daddy privately, if you please.  It’s their concern, not his.  (Ouch!) Fair enough, says Rog, but until this guy shows he has the cojones to come there and offer to face him, taking responsibility for the two of them, they will continue their farce of a marriage cuz since there are legally married, Cupcake and Minicakes are his familial responsibility.  He leaves before he can cause her any more grief.  Pau lets the tears roll cuz she knows she’s really up the creek on this one.  (Impetuosity has its cost, and it is somewhat gratifying to some in Viewerville that, in one sense, this chick has literally come home to roost…..)

At the same time in the kitchen downstairs, Connie has just given Maria the 411 on Macaria and Effer.  Maria somehow thinks she can talk some sense into Macaria.   Connie tells her it wasn’t an act of desperation due to Maripaz’s death cuz things started back in Mexico City   on that vacation of theirs.  (I say chalk it up to change of life and be done with it already.  Macaria ain’t gettin’ what she wants or needs at home from Ulises, and now that the glue that once kept them together, i.e., Maripaz, is pushin’ up daisies, well…..)   Con wonders if she should tell Uli but Maria comes down on her for it and tells her it’s not her place.  

Pau tells Michael and Daniela that she’d rather be on her own at this point, but Ro-Hell is so gung-ho to keep her and this baby that he’s told her she’s staying to avoid anything happening to the baby; and to avoid the baby-daddy claiming either of them.  He’s told her he wants to raise Mini-cakes and keep his absurd hope of the “happy family” going.  Dani thinks it’s sooooo romantic that Ro-Hellio would even consider adopting her child and taking full responsibility for some other man’s child. Why most men have a problem taking responsibility for their own kids!  Mike interrupts and says he disagrees.  He says he doesn’t trust RoHell to necessarily keep his word once her baby’s born.  (Sure!  Let’s get him to sign another contract with AP.  The first one has worked out so well…..)

Back down in the kitchen, Maria guesses rightly that Connie is more interested in giving a hard time to Effer for screwing her over by screwing Macaria and Sinthia than really giving a plug peso about Uli.  “—Let Macaria tell him; it’s not your place and it’s not the time to do it.  But then, is this because of Uli or because this involves Efrain?”  Connie stares down at the mud on her sandalias.  Maria has an “aha!” moment.  “—Yep!  Well, one thing’s certain: I’m definitely going to come down on that Efrain like a ton a bricks and give that conniving schemer what for!”  [poner comote a = set someone straight, tell off]


Pau disagrees with Mike and says she believes Rog is sincere because that’s the way he is.  Mike says honestly he doesn’t know what to think as things are just so involved anymore.  (Snicker.)  At least she knows he’s not going to run her off and make her fend for herself.  She can rest easy.  Pau just needs to get through this crisis and consider what comes next after it’s over.  Yeah, sympathizes Dani, nobody’s going to come out winning with this one.  “--Both men love you and both men have offered to take care of you and the child.  Have you decided yet who you are going to stay with?”

Later that morning, Effer has the misfortune of having wandered into the kitchen and gets an earful from Maria.  “—How could you be so shameless??!!  Ulises is your friend!!”  “—Look here!  Only because of your age [grande = lit. the adult; you’re the grown-up here] will I respect you, but you have no right to interfere with my personal life!”  Effer quickly does a mental count of cuties he’s most recently won over in a consummate moment of passion.  “—Not when it involves those people I love, starting with Consuelo!!”  “--Consuelo?  I’m not fooling around with Consuelo!”  “—Ah?  Well, let’s see then, just who would we be failing to respect here [faltar]?”  By now Effer’s pretty heated.  “—Nobody!”  “—Nobody?  Come off it, you blockhead [zopenco]!”  Sin sticks her head around from the hallway and listens in. “--You’re taking advantage of Macaria’s feelings right now!  And then what about Ulises who’s always considered you a great friend?”

Effer gets on Maria’s case for trying to act like she was his mother and bugging him.   He tells her Macaria’s old enough to know what she’s doing so leave him alone!  He turns away from her.  Maria exclaims at “what a rude, irresponsible boy’ he is and slaps him hard on the back before running out of the kitchen.  Sin comes in to take up where Maria’s just left off and gives him a bit more naggravation. “—What the Hell are you doing with Macaria???  You explain right now what you’ve got going with her!”  When Effer bitches and balks she tells him he’s not going to act that way with her!  No sir, you pee-on!  “--We’re not equals here.  When did you start going around with Macaria, hmmmm?”

On the other side of the house, Pau explains that Gus is going to demand his rights as baby-daddy; and then Rog is going to find out that he’s her ex-boyfriend.  Woe is she!  So, says Dani, ask him to stay quiet till you get over this crisis.  He won’t, says Paula.  What she needs is a mancation so she can have a bit of time away from these two and a chance to think things through.  (Good luck with that, sister!)  “—I’ll talk to both of them and ask for some time.”  Dani doesn’t think it’ll be a problem since Rog wants to continue with the astro-turf marriage.  Just then there’s a knock at the door.  One of the farmhands has come to tell them Ro-Hell is having a meeting in the living room for everyone.  Dani tells Pau she’ll go and tell her afterwards what’s up.

Back in the kitchen, Effer gives Sin as good as he gets.  “—Look my regal bitchiness!  Who are you to gritch at me when you’re the one getting into bed with that little engineer?  Until we two get hitched together, I’ve got no reason to do you any more favors!”  Sin, still on her Amazon’s power-trip, reminds him that she’s the one who makes the rules there.  He tells her she may think everything and everyone is hers, but life doesn’t quite work that way.  Just then they get the order to go into the living room for Rog’s big meet-up.

Maria comes walking into the living room and finds Vanessa already there and primping on the couch.  “—Rogelio’s called a meeting of the hacienda staff and family--which most definitely excludes you!”  Vainessa ignores her remark for now and says--licking her lips at the thought of a new scandal involving Pau--she’s heard there’s going to be a meeting.   She’s certain it’s got to be about Paula losing all rights at Hell-Fuerte; and since Sin’s invited her there for it, she’s going to be sitting ringside.  Sin walks in at that point and agrees.  They giggle in concert, believing Bro-Hell has got something pretty important to say that they’ll want to hear; and she wanted her BFF to be there for it.  The two of them snicker over the expected exile which is sure to demonstrate what a low class slut Paula really is.  

Rogelio rolls into the living room finally.  He announces that he and AP are adopting Margarito.  Cheers and hugs of congratulations all ‘round minus that corner Bruno and Rosie are sharing.  Vainessa slinks over and takes her usual place on her knees in front of Rog, slavering sycophantically, sensually running her fingers down his thigh to his knee--about how gratifying it is to know he’s going to be getting an operation that will allow him to walk again.  She’s there for him, no matter what!  (Wink! Wink!)  He rolls his eyes at her and then over her.  “--This isn’t the time or place.”  (Damned if you ain’t got that right!)  He’s got other stuff to discuss.  In come the others, including Goosetavo, who asks Rog what’s up with the meeting.

Rog rolls around the room and says everyone there knows he doesn’t like gossip and idle rumors [habladurias].   He announces then that AP and he are adopting Margarito.  “--Cheers!  Congrats, Margarito!”  Nessa’s nose is suddenly out of joint.  “—W-what?”  “—Just what you heard, Vainessa, that Margarito will be one more member of the Montero family.”  He then surprises them with the news that “his wife” is giving him the child he’s always wanted.  Everybody in the know takes a quick gander at Goosetavo, anxious to see how he takes the craptastic news.   Goose makes an attempt towards Rog but Ernesto suavely blocks the move and deflects attention while calling for congratulations from the crowd of employees.  (This guy is growing on me daily.)

Meanwhile, on another part of the hacienda grounds, Chio excitedly tells Mersnottys how terrific her new carpenter’s proposed furniture designs were.  Mersnottys mentions she’d like to have the guy design some for her new house.  Chio says probably not since the guy is Ana’s brother.  “--OMFnG!  What is it about that woman that she’s everywhere I want to be?  I’d rather have everything plastic before I’d ask that woman’s brother to make anything for me!”  Chio frowns and looks at BFF Mersnottys like she just propelled a little more methane into the environment.  

Back inside at the meeting, Sin has a temper tantrum because of what she heard and storms out of the room.  Nessa follows closely after.  Rog asks if Goosetavo isn’t going to congratulate him.  Goosetavo seems to have decided now’s as good a time as any to confess he’s the baby-daddy, but Ernie blocks him again as he runs over to congratulate Rog personally.  Rog announces to everyone that the baby will be his heir and is to be treated as such.  Gus, frustrated, races out of the room before he explodes.  Bruno plasters an insincere smile on his face before wishing Ro-Hell the bestest; Rosie runs up immediately after and does the same.  More clapping.  In the back of the room, Bruno whispers to Rosie that Gus still hasn’t stepped up to the plate and is still missing in action; Rosie tells him to stay mum.  Rog mentions to them how his wife has taken the necessary measures to assure water continues getting to the hacienda; and he assures them that he won’t rest until the matter is completely resolved.  He then thanks Gus for his suggestions in helping her overcome their problems.

After the others leave the room, Maria comes over to Rog and praises him for showing once again how generous of spirit he truly is.

Goosetavo, meanwhile, has stormed out to the veranda.  Ernie has gone after him and warns him to cool his jets before AP and the Mini-me end up assuming room temperature. Gus unleashes the pent up angst.  “—How could the guy up and do that?  The guy’s nuts!  I was ready to clock him one!”  Ernie warns him not to make things worse.  “—How could Ana allow this to happen?”  Ernie suggests he talk to Ana first and find out.  Gus says let’s just see what Rogelio says when he finds out that he’s the father of this baby!  He starts to jolt, but Ernie’s bigger and stronger and again holds him back.  “—At least talk to Ana first!”  Gus takes it down a notch and stomps off.

Maria continues her heart-to-heart with Rog.  She hopes all his problems are solved sooner than later because she knows the two of them love each other and are “willing to sacrifice some things for one another in order to be together.”  (A hint of things to come, Maria?)  He doesn’t understand what she’s getting at.  She just repeats she hopes they’ll be happy together.   “—Thanks, Nana, we will be.”

In the meantime, Rosaura and Bruno have coffee and cake together.  She tells him she never once thought Rogelio would accept “the brat”.  Bruno expounds on how it was a simple matter of him telling Ro-Hell—a control freak—about the rights he’d have with the kid that did it. “—Good deal, and now that child will be heir to all of this!”  “—As long as Paula doesn’t do anything foolish.  Gustavo also wants to accept responsibility for that child.  Paula has to forget about Gustavo and you convince her not to say a word about it!”   “--I will do what I have to do but I won’t allow Gustavo to ruin my plans.”  Yes indeedy!  Rosie’s grand-nephew will inherit the Montero’s mountain o’ moneda [coins] come Hell or high water! Bruno tells Rosie how he admires the way she manages to continually take advantage of whatever comes along.  Now, of course, everything depends on that baby being lucky enough to be born.  Rosie laughs and says it is hard for her to believe herself how lucky her niece is.  [Translation:  it’s in the bag!]

Gus now rushes into Pau’s bedroom still in a huff.  “—I don’t want to upset you, but—. “  (I think I’ve lost count now of all the times somebody has gone in to tell Paula something more earth shattering than the last, and all with the same caveat: “--Be cool; Take this calmly;  I don’t mean to upset you but…..”)  Gus tells her that Rog told all the others that she’s giving him a child.  “—How could he have dared to do that?  I’d never have agreed with that!  We never came to any agreement over that! I didn’t know!”   Gus is relieved to know she had no idea.  “—I knew it!  Ana, we can’t allow him to have our son registered under his name!”  As if that weren’t enough, in runs Margarito with the news that some woman from the D.I.F. [Integral Family Development = the governmental adoption agency equivalent of Family Services... “Hi, I’m from the government and I’m here to help this boy.”]  Paula is totally puzzled, as is Goose.  He goes out to check on what’s happening.  Pau prays for strength to get through all of this.)  She tells herself she’s got to talk to Rog.

Back on the terrace, Bruno agrees to help Rosie with something, but notes the strange look on her face and says he suspects she might still try to double-cross him if Pau and Rog end up the perfect picture of a happy family.  No, says Rosie, but if she does love him that much, she doubts her niece will sign those papers for him.  Well, if she doesn’t, he threatens to tell Ro-Hell that not only is Goosetavo the baby-daddy, but that Pau has been two-timing him with Goose right under his nose the entire time.  Rosie looks a bit disturbed by Bruno’s ruthlessness.

Back inside, Mike and Dani discuss Ro-Hell’s real reason for announcing the news in front of the staff like that:  did he want to control AP through her son or is he truly in love with her?  FF>>

The social worker arrives and comes looking for Margarito.  She tells Gus and him that she’s there to take him to Children’s Hall since he has no parents.  She gives Gus a bucket load of reasons a kid can’t be allowed to live with an unauthorized family and must be under the government’s care.   Gus says none of those things apply in M-grito’s case.  Sniff.  The law is the law and she’s obliged to follow it.  In rolls Rog with documents showing his petition to adopt.  Nice, she pontificates, but while the situation is being determined the boy must remain in a shelter.   Why?  Because the law is the law and she’s obligated to follow it.  Rog reads the anonymous report she’s handed him.  In walks Bruno to look over the file and he agrees with the social worker.  There’s nothing he can do legally to stop the social worker from taking the boy.  Margarito’s got to go.  Rog tries to explain that Margarito’s got to continue his physical therapy after falling from a tree and shouldn’t leave.  The D.I.F. docs will handle that, she assures him.  The boy must go back with her.

Meanwhile, Goose goes in to tell AP the bad news about the social worker.  M-grito’s an orphan with no legal guardians or parents.  He’s got to be sent to a government shelter for orphans.  The boy races in to beg Paula to keep them from taking him.  All she can do is tell him she’ll try to get him back out as soon as she possibly can.

In the kitchen, Maria tells the help to keep their mouths shut about the patron’s wife having a baby.  It’s nobody’s business but theirs, got it?

In a three hanky scene, Rog rolls into AP’s room with Social Worker Lady looking for M-grito. He notes that Goose is there with her and the boy.  He gives him a puzzled look. Goose averts his eyes awkwardly and backs off.  Pau mentions Gus was there to explain why the DIF was there.  Goosestavo realizes this isn’t his fight now and retreats against the nearest wall.  Pau promises Margarito that if he goes to the children’s home now, then once they get things settled he won’t ever have to leave the hacienda or them again.  She tearfully tells him good-bye and sends him off with the woman.   Goose is heartbroken to see her hurting so while being unable to comfort her.  Pau cries to Rog now that they’ve got to be able to get Margarito back somehow!  She glances away as Rog says something reassuring and signals for Gus to leave--now that it’s painfully obvious this is not his problem.  Poor ol’ Goosestavo has suddenly become a third wheel. The helplessness and frustration Gus feels, as well as the love and empathy for her, is plain as day. Chagrined, he lowers his head and sidles out of the room.

At the same time, Macaria is delivering the weekly grocery order to Maria.  Maria hints—rather broadly—that she wants to chat with her about her affair with Effer.  Unfortunately Marciel races in to tell her that somebody’s taking Margarito away.

Outside on the drive, Margarito is screaming from the van for Bruno to help him.  Bruno ignores him but plays Mr. Sympathetic to Social Worker Lady regarding her need to do her job to the letter of the law.  He tells her he knows it’s tough to take a child under these circumstances, but it’s best in the long run.  The boy is totally unsupervised during the day, he’s gotten badly hurt from falling off one of the trellises—and now that Sr. Montero's getting divorced, well, it just doesn’t seem a good situation to raise a child in.  Besides, he confides further, the mother is in bed because she’s pregnant and you know how that goes.  “--Once they have their own children the adopted ones become irrelevant and unwanted [salir sobrando].”  Social Worker Lady mentions again the long litany of interviews, psych testing, and economic background checks they’ll have to go through to determine whether they get to adopt him.  (No doubt she gets to slip in her opinion, gotten via Bruno’s prejudicial third-party hearsay.  Grrrr!)

Maria races out to take the boy back. Amidst much screaming and breast beating Bruno tells her there’s nothing to be done.  ‘’—But his mother entrusted him into my care!”  Does she have anything written down that would prove it?  No.  Well, then, the boy goes with the lady.  Maria starts screaming for the boy as they jerk him out of her arms.  (I reach for another hankie and must admit to dabbing my eyes here.)  Margarito screams in panic at being wrenched from the arms of the only family he’s ever known. (Bruno must have signed his name in blood on one of Lucifer’s membership rosters.  Viewerville hopes that Old Luey double-crosses the brunster and throws him onto the coals—the Eternal Hotseat!)  The van drives away and Maria nearly collapses.  She gets hold of herself and  returns to the kitchen.

Sin comes outside to see what’s going on.  “’—What’s the matter with the brat?”  Enjoy the spectacle, says Bruno.  He organized it especially for her.  He’s done what he said he’d do for her, he tells her.  Sin gives Bruno a high five and giggles with ghoulish glee.  “—Just make sure Rogelio can’t get him out of there again, let alone adopt him!“  (Hellfire and brimstone, you wiggy wench!  Viewerville is sure that Sinthia’s name is on the same membership roster!)  “—Whatever you wish, Patrona.”   Bruno allows himself a secret smirk and a cheer for the grand inept-ocracy Sin made of Hell-Fuerte which, of course, helped the success of his dastardly plans.  (With any luck, sports fans, Sin will get the same screw-job from Satan that Bruno gets!)

Maria cries to Macaria over what just happened.  “—They took him.  They took my boy away from me!”  Maria says she feels so guilty because his mother gave him to her to look after.  Macaria is “Come-again?” impactado.  “—You mean you knew his mother?  Where is she?  I thought…”  Maria explains how his mother put him into her arms while she supposedly went to the bathroom, but never returned for him.  She cries at the thought of having failed her.  Macaria assures her it was just the opposite.  Maria gave the boy love and made him feel a part of things.

Sin runs into El Gusto Was Mio on the veranda and asks if he’s heard the authorities took Margarito away.  Gus says yeah, Margarito and Pau were both inconsolable.   “—Ah, you don’t look well.” (If Sin ever thought about anybody but herself she might have a clue by now as to why!  I think she was born minus the empathy gene.)   Gus admits to her that he’s sick and tired of all the injustice in the world!  (Yeah?  Stand in line.)  For starters, Rog wants to take his and AP’s child and make him a Montero!  Sin throws a little sand in his eye reminding him that The Bro-Hell and Paula are planning a family—a “happy family” as they say down Mexico way—with M-grito and his baby.  “--Sorry, but she’s not giving you a second thought.”  He tells her it wasn’t AP’s idea.  It was Rog’s.  Still too bad, she opines, cuz there’s nothing he can do about it.  He can’t tell Rog that he’s Paula’s baby-daddy because Paula’s health is delicate and it would distress her greatly.

Gus agrees and says that’s what makes him so angry.  He can’t say anything for now.  Sin sweetly tells him she understands and knows how much he loves the baby and hints it was the reason he decided not to marry her.  She assures him she’ll talk to her brother and warn him against being so rash.   No, she won’t mention who the baby-daddy is, but she will remind Rog that there is a father out there somewhere who may very soon come to claim his paternal privilege.  Selflessly, attentively, she smiles at Gus and butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth.

Back in the kitchen once more, Maria finally gets a chance to mention Macaria’s infidelity to her.  She warns her that if Connie saw her and Effer together, somebody else could also.  That somebody may not choose to be as discreet as she and her goddaughter have been.

At the same time, Sin goes to The Bro-Hell’s office to try talking some sense into him.  Here the real Sinthia comes out.  “—This is the last straw!  Despite Paula’s cheating on you with another man, you still want her with you!”  “—That’s my problem.”  “—I still can’t comprehend why you would want to give that child your name!  Don’t you see you’ll be the laughing stock of the town?”  “--It’s never bothered me what others say.”  “—Well it’s going to start up some major league gossip about who that brat’s real father is!”  “—Enough already, damn it all!  That child is mine and nobody else’s!”   “—You know that’s a bunch of huey!  And what happens if the real father shows up?  What are you going to do?  Or, worse still, what happens if once Paula has the baby she decides to up and leave to be with the other guy?”   Bro-Hell tells her to stuff it.  He didn’t ask her opinion.  She’ll accept his decision and support him whether she likes it or not!!

Sin see she has emptied one barrel so now she starts emptying the second.  “—You know why they took Margarito away?  It’s Dios punishing you for the bad way you’ve behaved with me!!  (I’m certain He and she are NOT on speaking terms these days.  One more commandment broken, but who’s really counting?)  Know what I’m going to do?  Get married ASAP to satisfy the prereq so I can get my inheritance--because you are NOT going to give what’s mine away to Paula’s bastard!  Do you hear me?”  (Poor Oh-Hell.  Some days I guess it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed.)  

Meanwhile, in town, Con tells Uli she’s quitting because of Effer always hanging around there.  He talks her into staying at least till the end of the season.

Sin finds Vainessa and is all in a huff.  She’s pissed off at the entire bunch of them, she screams!  She’s decided she’s going to find a man—any man other than David Romo who so totally creeps her out—to marry her so she can finally get what’s hers!  Nessa suggests reconsidering David since he’s already chomping at the bit and knows what’s what with her convoluted family situation.  El Gusto Was Mío is totally out of the picture now that Paula’s carrying his kid.  And, it’s not like Sin can spend the rest of her life interviewing prospects and begging them to marry her so she can receive her share of the family farm, advises Nessa.  (Poor Sin!  What’s a girl got to do?)

Rog now rolls into Pau’s room again to tell her that he’s talked to a friend of his at the D.I.F.  She told him that it’s not her department, but she’ll try to help them however she can.  She’s going to look for Margarito and try calming him down by letting him know he’s not alone; and that they wouldn’t abandon him there.  Rog says she can rest easy now.  (Do ya think?)  Pau replies that if that were the case, he wouldn’t have gone blabbing to the staff that she was expecting and that he was giving the kid his name!  Rog says, well, that’s the way it’s going to be.  She complains that he went off on his own and didn’t even bother discussing it with her! He knows there’s the real father to consider and that he’s going to want to give his name to his own kid and take care of him!

Rog asks Paula if she’d ever leave and run off again to be with her ex.  (Good question!  Inquiring minds want to know!  Viewerville waits for her answer with bated breath.)  No, she tells him.  She’s not that irresponsible! (Hope abounds, Rogelianas!)  She’s not going to put the life of her baby at risk that way, either.  However, she is angry with him for what he did.  Well, Rog replies, he already told her that as long as she doesn’t hear from the man….  Paula interrupts him.  “—I did already.  I spoke with him.  He’s told me he is ready and willing to take care of my child.”  This is definitely a horse of a different color. Rog looks long and hard at Paula.  The competition is back on and it seems the real fight is about to begin.

Labels: no-podia

I have this horrible feeling that since so much happened last night nothing's going to happen tonight. We shall see…

Gus refuses to have a serious conversation with Rogelio while he's drink. Maria eavesdrops from the hallway and is able to give Gus a pleading look. She interrupts Rogelio's drunken ranting and tries to get him to go have a bath and a coffee. He starts smooching on Maria and says she's the only one who really knows him. He cries on her bosoms about how Paula had given him hope and he wanted to run through the fields with her. Maria tries to soothe him and get him to go to his room, and though she fails, he drinks enough to pass out. Maria grabs Gus and pulls him out of the room. So, lemme just make sure I'm understanding this…Ana Paula had the ovaries to tell Rogelio she's pregnant, but Gus, for all his insistence, didn't have the balls to tell Rogelio he's the baby daddy? I just want to make sure I'm getting all the details correct.

Out in the hallway, Maria thanks Gus for not saying he's the baby daddy. Gus says he'll do it when Rog is sober. He doesn't want Rogelio arguing with AP and putting her and the baby in danger. He then says he'll tell Rog not to fight with AP, but he won't say that he's the father unless Rogelio doesn't stop upsetting her.

Macaria got Consuelo out of the house early to talk to her about Efrain. She tries the whole "It's not what you think!" She blames Ulises for leaving them alone on vacation, then talks about needing to feel more important than the business. Consuelo says she won't say anything, but only because Ulises doesn't deserve to suffer. She tells Macaria not to thank her for it. She also won't tell her who the "other" woman is who Efrain's in love with. And then she says she won't work for her after today.

Rosaura goes into Rogelio's office to wake him up. Rude awakening, that. He wields a bottle at her…aw, damn, she moves away too fast! She tells him she wants to help him. "What can I do so you'll be calm? Over my niece's stupidity. I imagine you'd rather she didn't have the baby." Rog is shocked at her lack of limits and says she has no soul. He tells Rosaura the merchandise she sold him (AP) is defective, so she can just get the hell out. Maria chews her out for making things worse. Rogelio hears Maria say that AP and the baby are both at risk of dying. That sobers him up pretty quick. All hail the master manipulatrix!

Efrain goes to the fonda and tries to flirt with Consuelo. She lets him know that she saw him kissing Macaria last night.

Dany is watching over AP as she sleeps. Rogelio comes in and she tells him AP is very delicate. Rogelio says he knows and he swears he won't do anything bad, but he wants to be alone with her. Dany leaves. Rogelio tells her he needs her to get better. He apologizes and says he didn't know she was in danger of…he says she'll get better because he'll take care of her.

Efrain tells Consuelo to sit down. He tells her not to tell Ulises. She won't say she won't, but she does say that the only reason she didn't rat him out for sleeping with Cinthia is so that his death at Rogelio's hands wouldn't be on her conscience. She tells him she won't tell Ulises, but only because he's suffering enough right now. Consuelo is finally over Efrain and his BS. He asks if she's going to go running to Miguel now that she knows he didn't kill Maripaz. Macaria comes over and hisses that the three of them have to talk.

Gus is moping outside when Cinthia finds him. She praises Gus for not saying he's the baby daddy. He tells her the only reason he did it was because Rog was drunk as a skunk!


Ernesto comes in to see AP. Rogelio reads him the riot act for not telling him AP was sick. Ern tries to claim doctor-patient confidentiality, but Rog pulls rank. "You don't work for 'the patient,' you work for me!" He releases his grip on Ernesto's wrist after a shocked look from Ernesto.

Macaria begs them to meet later, where Ulises can't see them. Efrain tries to convince Consuelo that what they're doing isn't so bad. I mean, it's not like he wants her to leave Ulises or anything. Ulises is his friend. This is just a passing thing. Macaria makes a face like this is the first she's heard that this is just a passing thing! But she agrees with him. Consuelo says more power to them, but they'd better think about how much they can hurt Ulises. Macaria doesn't like the way things are getting so complicated. Efrain tells her to chill and they'll talk later…alone.

Ernesto explains that between the anemia and the stress AP's not only having a high-risk pregnancy, but she's at risk of death herself. Rogelio wants to throw money at the problem and insists on hearing about treatments and not problems, but Ernesto says the only thing to do is keep her from getting upset. Otherwise it's not just the baby that could die.

Over at Team Evil HQ, Bruno says it's time to amp up the pressure on Rogelio. Vanessa whines that even with the water shortage, AP is just spending a fortune to have it piped in. She says she'd better not find out that Estupido and Estupider had anything to do with the clenbuterol fiasco. She completely lost the business with the Americans and now she had to pay a much higher price for Abel's cattle since she was buying them last minute. The boys keep insisting they had nothing to do with the clenbuterol. Bruno tells her that now that Cinthia is in charge of the hacienda, she should take advantage of her complete lack of experience and negotiate with her. David is surprised to hear Cinthia is in charge. Bruno reminds Vanessa that she was so upset after Rogelio left her at the altar that she swore revenge…although she seems to be softening lately, especially now that AP is pregnant. "Awww, did you think you might still have a chance with him? I wouldn't count on it!" David fakes surprise about AP's pregnancy and says "Hmmm, I wonder who the baby daddy could be." Vanessa is so gonna kick those asses' asses when she finds out what they did. And with her pointy shoes that's no laughing matter!

Gustavo wants Cinthia to at least consider telling Rogelio about the problems with the clenbuterol contamination and the water. He reminds her that digging a well could be the solution to their water problems and says that maybe if Rogelio knew what was happening he might have an idea about who could be behind the clenbuterol. He takes off to go see AP, but Ernesto stops him. Gustavo tries to insist on his parental rights, but Ernesto reminds him that Rogelio is the husband, this is his house, and for cripes sake, someone needs to keep a calm head around here! Cinthia tells him to think about the baby.

Miguel and Dany are watching over AP. They talk about how it's going to be tough to keep Gustavo away from AP so that Rogelio doesn't find out he's the baby daddy. AP wakes up, sort of, and says she feels tired and sleepy and she's worried about what's going to happen now that Rogelio knows about the baby, even though he doesn't know about Gustavo. She doesn't want to stay there, but Dany tells her she can't go anywhere. Plus she's still worried about Miguel's conditional liberty. Miguel says he's not afraid to go back to prison, but AP can't go anywhere until she's out of danger. Dany says no matter how upset Rogelio is, he's not going to kick her out if her life is at risk.

Ernesto tells Gus that for now Rogelio wants to take care of AP, but he might change his mind if he finds out about Gustavo. Gus doesn't know how everything got so screwed up. He's all fixated on how AP's "confused" about her feelings. Ernesto's like, "dude, hormones! Who the hell wouldn't be confused?" Gus is all pissed off that Rogelio has feelings for AP. Ernesto says he thinks Gus should fight till the end, the way he did with Mercedes…as long as he can keep his dignity. Whatever that means.

AP needs to talk to Bruno to find out what the contract has to say about all this. She knows he's Rogelio's employee, but she needs to figure out whose side he'll be on. Rosaura comes in just as she's saying that they can't accept any more help from Rogelio. Rosaura begs AP to reconcile with him so they don't lose everything they have. AP is pissed that Rosaura's only thinking about money. And that everyone was right about her all along. Miguel tells her they'll find a way to survive, but they're going to do it without pimping out his sister!

Mercedes knew that Gustavo would behave like this. Cinthia isn't sure if Rogelio would hurt AP or the baby. "With Paula he always behaves the opposite of how I thought he would." Cinthia blames it all on AP. She begs Mercedes to agree they won't fight, no matter what happens with their brothers. She thinks Rogelio won't forgive Paula this time and she'll be out on her ass as soon as she's back on her feet.

Rogelio has gotten himself cleaned up and comes into AP's room. He asks everyone to let him talk to his wife. Miguel is reluctant to leave, but he gets up and leaves them alone. AP starts in saying she knows he never wants to see her again and she'd leave right away if only…Rogelio interrupts her and says he knows she's not doing well and there's no way she's leaving. "I'm not a monster like everyone thinks. You're still my wife, and you have a contract to fulfill. It doesn't matter what I said. Now that you're doing so badly, you're staying, but obviously under my conditions. A child is the only thing I couldn't give you, but you got one anyway, so you'll stay and finish out the contract and your child will be mine." Oh, no, that didn't sound creepy at all.

Vanessa muscles her way into the hacienda. Cinthia tells Efrain that Vanessa can come in, as long as she doesn't give orders to the contrary. Vanessa says they'll talk about the cattle later…what she wants to know is if Rogelio kicked out AP yet. Vanessa gloats that they can watch her leave from the hallway. Cinthia says she can't go anywhere, at least not according to Ernesto. Cin would rather that AP lost the baby and then got the hell out of all their lives. She suggests she and Vanessa move their gloating to a more secure location.

Rogelio explains that he wants AP to stay married to him and that the baby, like Margaro, will be part of the family they'll create together. Since the boyfriend is out of the picture, like she said, and the baby's really the only thing keeping them apart, and since she told him she maybe-kinda-sorta had feelings for him, well, it all makes perfect sense in Rogeliolandia given all of AP's misinformation. She's shocked that he would suggest this. She thought he was hella-pissed! Rog says he's not giving up without a fight. He wants her lock, stock and baby! AP hesitates, but Margarito, who's been listening at the door, comes running in and tells her to take the deal. "We can stay here with him and your baby will be ok!" Rogelio's like, "Wait, what? Leaving was an option?" He tells AP that he hopes she wouldn't take Margaro away without telling him.

Cinthia tells Vanessa she doesn't want Rogelio to know what's going on or he'll be even less willing to give her her part of the hacienda. Vanessa's like, "Woman, it's not enough to have the title of 'boss'…you actually have to know what the hell you're doing! Which you don't. So let me and the rest of your alleged friends who have only the best interests of our own selves advise you." Speaking of which, here comes Bruno, praising the girls for getting over their spat. Vanessa says she came to console Rogelio and smarms off to do it. Cinthia tells Bruno she needs to talk to him about what's going on, cause as far as she can tell, he's not fixing anything. Bruno says he's working on all of it. "Um, no...Gustavo's working on the water problem. You said I have to prove to the authorities who bought the clenbuterol, but I have no idea who did it, so I'm still the one responsible. That's not helping me! You're failing me in everything! Weren't you also going to get rid of Margarito?" Bruno reminds her he called the authorities. "I don't know what it's going to cost or how you're going to do it, but I'm going to snap my fingers, and you're going to solve all my problems, cause that's the way things get done around here, see?" Oh, poor Cinthia. Nobody told her the finger snap only works when you're wearing Eau de Protagonista.

Consuelo and Macaria angrily set a table in the fonda. Ulises notes the mood and he won't take "nothing" for an answer. Consuelo says they had a fight over Efrain. He's still flirting with the ladies and Macaria told her to forget him, but she just can't. Ulises agrees that Efrain is a womanizer, even though he is a good friend. Pobre de Ulises. Another one with bad taste in friends.

Vanessa goes to visit Ana Paula. What happened to all the watchdogs? Vanessa gloats that Rogelio has finally figured out what kind of woman she is. She hopes Rogelio won't have any compassion for her. She won't be happy until AP is out of Rogelio's life. "If I were you, I'd start packing up your rags!" She does the finger snap. Doesn't work for her either.

Vanessa continues the gloating in predictable fashion. AP defends herself, as usual. Vanessa leaves after promising to get Rogelio back as soon as AP leaves.

Miguel is working on some furniture. Dany is happy to see it. Miguel's in his zen zone when he's working with wood. He plans to make a crib for his nephew.

Rosaura is thrilled to hear that Rogelio intends to keep AP and the baby. She congratulates her and tries to feed her soup, but AP doesn't want any. She goes back to being thrilled about the money and AP chews her out for it. Rosaura takes the tray since AP won't eat. "Well, fine, but we don't want anything to happen to the heir of the hacienda, do we? You have to eat." Rosaura leaves.

She runs into Gus in the hallway and tells him AP is resting, so he needs to leave her alone. She tells him Rogelio and AP made up and Rogelio is going to accept AP and her child because he loves her. "So be a good loser and let them be happy." Gus swears Rogelio won't have AP or his baby! Dun, dun, dun!

Bruno tells Rogelio he heard about what happened, but all is not lost. The baby she's carrying could legally be his. Dun, dun, dun!

Rosaura giggles at Gustavo for thinking he and AP would raise that child. "Don't you realize Rogelio's power?" Gus says he'll do all the necessary tests to prove it's his kid. He won't listen to any more from Rosaura. She says he won't ruin her plans. Dun, dun, dun!

Bruno's explanation is that Mexican law protects families. If a married woman gets pregnant it doesn't matter whose baby it is. Her husband can claim it as his and he gets all the same rights and responsibilities as he would if he were the biological father. Rog says that sounds interesting. Bruno offers to review the contract, but Rogelio says not now. He'd rather Bruno go talk to Gustavo about what's going on with the water. He thinks he remembers Gustavo being in his office last night, but he's not sure. He turns down Bruno's offer to ask Maria about it and just tells him to go. Rogelio muses that AP's baby could carry on the family name.

Vanessa brags to Cinthia that she told AP to get the hell out. Cin is glad that Vanessa put her in her place. She hopes that Vanessa upset her enough to make her lose the baby. Vanessa looks horrified at that idea, like she hadn't considered the possibility. Dumbasses, the both of them!

AP's rest is interrupted by Gus. Dude! If she's sleeping, let her sleep! What is wrong with him! He kisses her hand and tells her everything has to turn out ok. He leaves just in time for AP to wake up and see him and wonder if it was really him.

Consuelo is distracted and forgetting to bring people their orders. She can't stop thinking about Ulises and how he thinks Efrain is his friend. Macaria doesn't want to talk about it. She tells Consuelo she's just being jealous. "I may still be in love with him, but I know what I'm worth. You know he's not being serious about you! Have some self-respect instead of being ok that he's with someone else too!" Consuelo leaves and tells Macaria she'd better go take the guest his coffee.

Rog tells AP he doesn't want to upset her, but he would like to know if she's thought about his offer. AP stalls, saying she has to talk to the baby daddy first, cause he's got rights. Rogelio is fine with that. In fact, he'd like her to get the baby daddy there so he can negotiate with him. AP is appalled that he's talking about "negotiating" but Rogelio says she's the one forcing him to treat this like a business arrangement and keep all the feelings out of it. He somewhat reasonably gives her the phone and tells her to call and get the baby daddy there right away. Eek!

Tomorrow: seems like a done deal that Rogelio will adopt the baby and Gus isn't happy about it.

Labels: no-podia