Episode 16: "La solucion de Andy"

PARENTES A LA FUERZA Ep. 16   https://youtu.be/tc8DiRFxCCg 

(old Youtube links below may not longer be available)English subtitles https://youtu.be/Jz707e84Otk with option for CC en Espanol Spanish, no sub-titles https://youtu.be/EpWrme2QDHE

Theme of this episode could be line:  "No estas lo que imagines".   Perceptions and expectations of many characters are turned upside down. 

 

At Emiliano's home, Juancho is working on light fixture while on ladder ("escalera"--seen also much later in story at Orbit Studio--is another physical representation of emotional highs and lows of story like roller coaster ride).  He climbs down when Margarita comes to confront her brother about money Yuli told her about, but at this point Juancho doesn't know about the stolen watches Leti sold to get cash, so denies his sister's accusations.  Later, he tries giving her the money, she refuses, the two repeatedly pass it back and forth like a hot potato.  

Leticia confronts Paz about bet between Tommy and Alan to ensnare Lara, and why Tommy is defending girl.

LETI:  Que ejemplo les he dado, Paz? (daughter gives mother ironic look).  No contesta horita.

PAZ:  You're overacting.

LETI:  Tu hermano es hijo de George, viene en los genes, y les gusta lo corriente.  Que no viste como me hablo para defenderla a ella? 

 PAZ:  Ay, mom, creas que Tommy se lo esta tomando muy en serio?  

LETI:  Lamentamente si....Tiene que entender y saber lo que es lealtad.  El no pude tratar a su madre asi bajo ninguen circumstancia.  Y que tiene acusar de robo a esa escuencla, la va hacer.   Me siento mal, me siento tracionado porque mis hijos me estan dando el espalda.  

After disturbing slip by her mother "even if I have to accuse Lara of theft" (revealing Leti knows girl didn't do it--and therefore giving weight to Tommy's claim their mother is the thief), upset Paz is found in her car by Pedro who came to get his sister.  His own beliefs about Paz being shallow, selfish, heartless are shaken when he sees "spoiled rich girl" is weeping, she giving veiled reason "crees conocer la gente hasta que tienes una problema y ahi te das cuenta si de verdad vale la pena o te vas a llevar una gran decepcion".   (Her face is reflected in car's rear view mirror, visual representation of her opposing states of mind.)  

PEDRO (trying to comfort): Ni siquera entiendo que esta pasando, pero pues, mi abuelita decia una cosa:  todo lo malo es temporal.  Asi que, pues, echale ganas y te va a estar bien.   

PAZ (angrily):  Que no me escuchaste?  Nada va a volver a estar bien.  Si me equivoco le estoy haciendo dano a la persona que yo mas quiero y si nolo hago, nada va volvera a ser igual.  

Pedro feels she "esta bien sola", but after asking him to stay, then ordering him away, he's fed up, does leave her.  

Margarita puts Chicharon to sleep in olive green pet bed, telling him to stop squealing, "no vamos hacer chicharon en salsa verde hoy".  She and Yuli discuss their suspicions about Juancho.

MARGARITA:  Si no por santo estuvo en la carcel en Mexio cinco anotes.

YULI:  Se la damos la beneficio de la duda? 

Margarita waves knife around as she talks, Yuli leaning back anxiously, then bam!  Marga stabs cutting board.

By the way, found definition online of  expression that characters have used a few times: "que la boca se te haga chicharrón" es una especie de conjuro chusco en el cual el hablante expresa que si la predicción de una persona se cumple entonces caerá una "maldición" y su boca quedará deforme como la piel del cerdo frita en aceite."  Somewhat related--tho more positive--is "when pigs fly" reference in PALF opening titles (event unlikely to happen, but might be a wished for good thing).  And what about those flying jalepenos?  

Lara tells Pedro she changed her mind about leaving Cruz house.

LARA:  Pero, a ver, Mama Rosa me digo algo y tiene mucha razon.  Mira, si yo me voy con la cola entre las patas, estaria admitiendo algo que no hice, porque nada debe, nada teme. 

Her brother asks if she decided to stay in order to stay close to the twins, but she answers: Son un bola de mucosos maleducados.  No penso volver acerca mi de ellos pero tampoco me voy a dejar pisotear.  Tengo que quedarme y enfrentarlos.     

Andy takes Carmen for coffee at outdoors cafe.   She'd wanted, but doesn't get a donut, and later adds lots of sugar to coffee, both cravings repeated a number of times in future episodes; may have idea of meaning.  (In Tenoch's restaurant, the way George holds bottle of beer while thinking of Carmen--why not on the table?--may also be significant.)  Clio phones Andy, overhears Carmen coming back talking about long line in ladies room.  Andy protests to suspicious Clio:  No es lo que imagines (because she'd jealously forbidden him to be near to Carmen).

CLIO:  Quiero que te tragas a tu memoria toda las cosas de me que te vuelva loco a cerca de mi--porque es el unico lugar donde las vas a ver.

Alan texts Lara with story that he's ill and needs her help.  Tho she's been grounded, forbidden by her mother to leave Cruz house, she pities him and goes to see if she can help "lonely boy" as his parents are away at Lake Tahoe,  On his wall mounted TV screen is overhead shot of airplane on ground surrounded by maintenance crew, and ladder going up to bookcase (George's study also has bookcase ladder, tho must get more usage, yet is also symbolic, as is sculpture on his desk of man climbing mountain peak).  Alan's bedroom also has telescope and red jack by bedside, plus lots of yellow and light blue--might darkness of color indicate strength or type of feeling? 

Alan asks Lara "Sabes, porque soy tan lindo contigo?"   She innocently suggests it's because he "es buena persona".  He claims (pouring on the false charm of experienced seducer):  "Porque es imposible no encarinarme contigo.  No se, es inevitable no ser alguien mejor teniendo a alguien tan maravillosa como tu.  Me encantas, Lara, mucho.

Although Lara leaves before Alan has proof he's won the bet, he sends Tommy video of them kissing on bed, which makes latter change his mind about returning watches to George's closet (he'd overheard his mother give pawn shop address to Juancho).  Tommy instead decides to get revenge by planting stolen items in Lara's bag, which are discovered by Mama Rosa when tidying up shared guest room.  

Andy goes to Clio's house to explain why he was with Carmen.   Alarmed, he finds Clio on floor looking like she collapsed from drug overdose.  As he is starts to call 911, she suddenly begins laughing, delighted her act completely fooled him,  

CLIO:  Si soy muy buena actriz.

ANDY (indignant): Casi me da un paro cardiaco.  Que belleza, que maduresa a tu edad!  Se ve que la soledad te esta haciendo un poquito mal.

She says she did it to punish him for leaving her alone and being with Carmen instead, and that he not only lied to her, he's lying to his father.   He responds:  Who are you to give me life lessons?  

CLIO screams at him:  Largate!  Vete!

ANDY:  No, no tengo problema con largarme de este manicomio.  (useful word to know in telenovelas, tho not often used in real life, "manicomio"= madhouse, insane asylum).

CLIO (after he leaves):   Yo no estoy loca!  (clearly clue she fears that in fact she may be). 

Imaginative Rocco, who wants to help protect the house--but has clearly seen too many scary movies--suspects Aristides is hiding something, so takes silent partner Robert to poke around in room of new employee.  He finds some photos of Maria working in the house, but when boy tells Maria he thinks man is a Psychopata, (psychopath) she laughs at his fears, saying he's not such a "bicho tan raro" (literally a rare beast, odd animal--but may be hint of another old meaning of "raro" to be revealed.)   Lots of lemon yellow in kitchen.  On shelves in background, lots of green dishes. 

George is driving car when Carmen phones asking to meet at "usual place" to talk. Thinking she's going to agree to his proposal to marry so she can remain in Los Angeles, he smiles hopefully, happy (totally unaware of her plan which will flip his mood upside down).  

"The usual place" is Cafeteria Camino a Xalitic (?--balloon-style lettering of signage is hard to read--Wikipedia lists area in Mexico "Xilitla" where main produce is coffee and citrus)  Employees wear blue t-shirts with orange aprons.  Carmen is reflected in glass display case, both she and George are reflected in shiny table top, another example showing characters divided between real feelings and pretense or emotional, mental confusion. 

Not sure if George actually used word "interesada" in their argument at Orbit (rewatch Ep.10 to check), or if meaning was conveyed in very skillful look of icy-cold sarcasm like flash of sword blade*, caused by his feeling of betrayal.  That look of distain so wounds Carmen that she calls off their intended wedding.

Earlier in this episode, Gina had wondered to Carmen if George might be a little too controlling, which Carmen had then denied, but now tells George what she does is her business ("es muy mi tren").  But he is truly concerned about her safety if she gets mixed up with criminals who traffic in desperate immigrants--dangers which will be shown more of later.

(During their chat about men--specifically George-- both Carmen and Gina are wearing black food service gloves while filling bowls with tortilla chips, the only time I recall any one wearing gloves while handling food in restaurant, so color may indicate both are in the dark as to his true, caring feeling for her tho their relationship currently seems ended.)

 

Carmen's scruples baffle George:  she refuses to marry him in order to get her Visa enabling her to stay in country BECAUSE she loves him.  But she seems to be considering marrying someone else to get her papers--because she doesn't love prospective false husband (whom she'd pretend to be in real marriage, with only goal to deceive Immigration officials--although "obviously" there wouldn't really be intimate relations they'd allege to have--is that clear?  No wonder George holds his head in his hands as if to keep it from spinning--or exploding!)

Carmen replied to Andy's suggestion earlier that she isn't as good at acting as he is, being a professional.  Proof seen later when she tries to casually reveal who proposed fake marriage to her:  "what's his name...uh...Andy"--knowing it's just possible George will blow his top on finding out his "rival" is his own son.  

 For complete capitulos go to www.Telemundo.com   All entire episodes of PARIENTES A LA FUERZA (so far) can be seen  On Demand with www.NBC.com app. 

*Story in PALF is both similar to and different from classic intricate entertaining romance novel THE CONVENIENT MARRIAGE by Georgette Heyer, first published in 1934, which may have been continuously in print ever since.   

17 year old girl (innocent, frank, adorable in spite of not being considered by fashionable society a typical beauty) in order to "save" her lovely--yet in comparison, rather bland--older sister who is secretly betrothed to relatively poor soldier of good family, suggests herself as replacement bride for wealthy aristocrat over twice her age.  He'd proposed to young woman because of her distinguished ancestry tho family is currently impoverished by gambling debts of her father and brother; the Earl (whose lazy appearance masks a keen mind and fit physique, like fictional Los Angeles hero Zorro/Don Diego) finally deciding to marry to stop his sister nagging about producing an heir to keep title and estates out of hands of repulsive cowardly mean-spirited covetous dandy cousin. 

Husband and wife--in name only at first--eventually realize it's a love match after all.  But how to convince the other of this truth is knotty problem it takes the whole novel to resolve, in many amusing adventures and nick of time escapes from disaster including abductions, impersonating highwaymen (and allying with actual ones), other disguises, missing gems and both comic and deadly serious sword duels.   

Set in England during American Revolutionary War, THE CONVENIENT MARRIAGE shows other side not dwelt on in American history classes.   (Character of young captain wounded in Battle of Bunker Hill--of "respectable" upper class background, but limited financial means--joins British army as one of few respectable careers for his social level, seeking way to afford to marry his equally "poor" beloved--see collected works of Jane Austen. 

Young heroine chooses to go for her honeymoon to visit court of Marie Antoinette--who herself was married at age 14, tho marriage was not consummated for years--saying "I want to see things, and go to Versailles, and buy smarter clothes than Theresa Maulfrey's!"  This fabulous world (before France's own much grimmer revolution) is similar to many ways to Hollywood/Beverly Hills society of conspicuous consumption in PARIENTES A LA FUERZA. 

(Could just be pure coincidence that expensive shoes Horatia buys with emerald studded heels are called "venez y voir"--come and see me--similar to cologne Tommy steals from his father, "Ven a mi" (come to me) and which may also be borrowed by one other male in Cruz house to attract Jurado woman.)