Previously on Rebelde Way: The boys managed to ID the homophobic dudes and didn’t need Rocco to show up at all. They get into a fight and the boys manage to get their faces all bloody within the first five minutes.
After the fakest fight scene ever, Carmen and Martavio break the whole thing up. Carmen is like, “And this is what happens when you try to investigate hate crimes!” She runs off all aflutter, and Martavio speechifies to everyone about how violence is wrong. He tells the homophobic guys that they will be brought to great justice. Their ringleader gets all threateny about how Martavio has messed with the wrong rich kids.
At Sonia’s house, Papa C is still going off about how he has to disillusion Mia about her mom, because apparently her fantasy world is way out of control. Sonia’s like, “Well, jeez, if you have to let her down about the mom she thinks is dead, you can do it a little more gently.” Papa C rightly says that it’s dumb for them to be sneaking around because they’re afraid of their teenage children. Sonia’s like, “But maybe our teenage children have a point! If they think we won’t work out, maybe that’s a sign!” Sonia, he literally just said — oh my God, whatever. Papa C’s like, “We must fight for our love!”
Some kid recaps the whole fight scene for Michi. I mean, if you missed in the two minutes the last scene took. Dunoff comes back and says that his test results are in, and there is literally nothing wrong with them. Michi wants to go out and celebrate, together because that’s appropriate. I guess she’s trying to get him out of the school so he doesn’t have to deal with the stress of having a homophobic secret society beating up kids on his watch or whatever. Dunoff refuses; Michi presses; and then Feli storms in and yells at Michi for buying her the nice red dress she wanted. (Dunoff: “You asked for an advance to buy a DRESS?” Hee.) Michi shoos her out.
Vico goes to see Rocco, and she’s adorably slumped on his couch with his legs over her lap. I LOVE THEM. Rocco is all cranky from staying inside, and says he’s going to go back to school. Vico’s like, “Uh, you don’t want to do that.” She admits to him that God and everybody knows about his attack and is working together for great justice. Rocco blows up at her and kicks her out of the house. I…have to somewhat take back loving these two. ROCCO, WHY DO YOU MAKE IT SO HARD TO SUPPORT YOU IN A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP.
Lola tells Laura that finding her mother was yet again a bust. Maybe this is a sign from the universe to give up. She slinks off all emo, and Laura is perturbed.
Even though Manuel was all unconscious on the floor at the end of last episode, Pablo is apparently in worse shape. Martavio tasks Marizza with taking care of him, because he ships them real hard. We all do, Martavio. We all do. Then he gives all the kids a speech about how violence is never the answer, which, I swear to God, he’s given this speech like five times and Manuel is still throwing punches whenever he’s slightly inconvenienced. Anyway, Marizza leads Pablo out, telling him, “Try to hit with your face, not with your nose, dude.” Hee!
The homophobic guys are in Dunoff’s office, insisting that they did nothing wrong. They threaten to get their rich parents involved, and Dunoff’s like, “Not the parents!” The homophobic guys bang on about how very the school dare attack them, and especially that teacher! Dunoff’s like, “Which teacher?”
Fernanda, Belen, and Sol chat with Diego and Guido in the cafeteria. What a random group. I mean, I guess Diego/Belen/Fernanda have being the least important classmates in common, with Sol as their ringleader — but I must begrudgingly admit that Guido is a more important character than like all of them put together. Whatever. The girls sip coffee while pursing their lips about how what happen to Rocco sucked and all, but it’s kind of his fault for being so weird, if you get what they mean. Fernanda changes the subject and tells Sol that Blas has suspended her (meaning Sol), and Sol is like, “Say what?” Fernanda’s like, “You know, because he’s using you for your underage naivete and now he’s power-tripping over suspending you from class.”
Meanwhile, on the topic of “Things people should have known but didn’t”, Dunoff is yelling at Blas for not telling him about the all-out brawl in the classroom. Blas is like, “Kinda didn’t think you’d care.” In fairness: he’s not wrong. He bleats that it’s not like, his JOB to make sure the kids don’t kill each other. An excellent time for Sol to burst in! She yells at Blas for daring to treat her this way after everything she’s given him! She was half a virgin when she met him! Dunoff is like, “Excuse?” Blas quickly BSes that he punished Sol for wearing too much makeup and now she’s mad and talking crazy. Dunoff looks to Sol for confirmation and she agrees for some ungodly reason.
Over in the cafeteria, Pablo and Marizza are giving the shippers what they want. Marizza dabs at Pablo’s bloody face while they stare dramatically at each other. Pablo thanks her for not blowing up his spot in front of his dad, and he tells her that she’s lucky to have non-abusive parents. Marizza’s like, “Yeah, well, they’re kind of annoying, so THERE.” Marizza, please have some perspective. Then Javier comes in, and Marizza gets all mad at being in the room with the two of them. She shoves the first aid stuff at Javier and storms out. Javier takes over dabbing Pablo’s face, and I bet if this show weren’t a telenovela, there would be a ton of Javier/Pablo fanfiction out there. Javier wants to know what’s going on with Pablo and Marizza, and Pablo says that they’re totally going out for real, Marizza’s just mad because she wanted to keep it a secret.
Lola, Laura, and Lujan sit around chatting about Lola’s tragic family situation. Lola is all defeatist about finding her bio family now and sulks off. Laura and Lujan wonder if the Arregui parents might have changed their tune on unfavoriting Lola, and maybe they’ll let her go find Meri. Then they change the subject and cover like five different things in the span of five minutes. Lujan asks what’s up with Marcos, and Laura confirms that they’ve gotten back together, to Lujan’s chagrin. Then Lujan’s like, “Oh, and by the way, Mia looks weird over there” and they speculate on what could be making her sad.
Feli rocks up to Mia and tells her that Michi was the one who bought her the dress. Mia’s like, “That sucks, I guess. Whatever.” She whines to Feli that she can’t believe that Papa C and Sonia are dating, and Feli’s like, “Can you get over yourself? You get along with your dad. You freaking adore Sonia. WHY ARE YOU MAD THAT THEY’RE DATING?” Some wisdom from Feli at last! Mia snaps that it’s not a good thing, and can you imagine what Marizza will say? Knowing how crazy she is, it’s better to keep it from her.
Across the room, Lujan’s Marizza senses start tingling: “I think they’re talking about Marizza!” she tells Laura. HA!
In the office, Dunoff reams Martavio out for trying to investigate Rocco’s attack. The homophobic guys belong to some of the most important families in the country, so if they could just cover this up like they do with their abusive teachers and mismanaged budget, that would be just great. He literally says, “The best thing to do is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.” Hee. Martavio acts all shocked by this like he hasn’t been working at this school for eighty episodes.
Feli confronts Michi about buying her the red dress even though we already heard this talk already. Michi sweetly says that it’s for Feli’s birthday, and she can’t wait to see Feli wear it while they eat her birthday dinner, which Michi is sure will be delicious and filling. Feli’s like, “I actually don’t have birthday parties because my mom keeps me in a cupboard under the stairs, but thanks.” She also brings up that Michi definitely isn’t rich enough to be buying party dresses for students — she’s not wrong — and Michi’s like, “Whatever, it’s my money, I do what I want.” Fair enough, and a very relatable feel now that I’m in my twenties. Sometimes I get a little nostalgic for high school and having no responsibilities, and then I remember that I also had to ask my parents whenever I wanted to buy something. Dark times.
ANYWAY, Feli goes on a rant about how she’s not worth it and trying to make her pretty for her sister’s engagement party isn’t worth it, because she’s fat and worthless and ugly and also fat. Michi literally says, “Here we go again.” HEE! She gives Feli yet another inspirational speech about how she has to have self-confidence and stop comparing herself to all the other telenovela actresses that she goes to school with. Feli refuses to believe that she’s not worthless yet again. Then Feli’s mom calls and says that she’s coming by, which I only mention because Feli pulls the antenna out of her cell phone to answer. 2003, everybody.
Augustina’s dad is also coming by because — I forgot to mention this, but — Martavio has called a parent/teacher meeting to discuss The Incident, I guess for everyone in the entire school, including parents whose kids weren’t involved at all. As you do. She tells this to Diego and some rando who’s sitting with them and Diego’s like, “Wow, have fun discussing homophobia with your parents.” Augustina and the rando’s eyes bug out. Love how Martavio hasn’t told anyone what this talk is going to be about at all!
Blas thanks Sol for not busting his predatory ass in front of Dunoff. She wibbles at him that she just wanted to write a nice biography about his impressive family and make him love her; she doesn’t know why he’s so upset. Blas tells her that that entire biography was a lie, and Sol clutches her pearls all, “Lujan lied to me?! Why would she ever!” Blas is not pleased to hear that Lujan was involved.
Martavio catches up to Pablo and thanks him for supporting Martavio Motion back in the classroom. He notes that Marizza patched him up quite well, and Pablo’s like, “This was Javier’s doing, sadly.” He says that Marizza would rather have broken his nose instead of bandaging it. Martavio scoffs and is like, “Don’t be silly, she is crazy in love with you.” That’s why he made her help Pablo, because even Martavio knows that dabbing at your love interest’s injuries while they bear it stoically is like, a top ten trope across all forms of fiction both professional and written by 14-year-olds. (Although if you told me this show was written by a 14-year-old, I’d believe you.)
All the boys rush up to talk to Martavio, and he tells them that Dunoff won’t listen to him — but he isn’t giving up! He’ll just go get Rocco and have Rocco tell them what’s going on! Vico hears this and tells them that Rocco won’t press charges, and he’s not coming back to school, either.
The kids gather in the classroom, passing out invites to Martavio’s speech. Apparently a psychologist will be there, too, and they’re going to have a big talk about homosexuality. One the one hand: this is a pretty responsible response for a school where everyone clutches their pearls at even the mention of a gay person; on the other hand, making such a big production about Rocco’s attack is like…definitely going to get him bullied more. Everyone leaves to go disperse the invitations, and Javier shows up to talk to Marizza. He asks if she’s really dating Pablo. She won’t answer and runs away.
Lujan comes in and comforts Javier that she just knows he’s good for Marizza and they’re meant2b. Oh my GOD, Lujan. Javier wails that Marizza is too busy dating Pablo to think about him. Lujan storms off to confront Marizza about this, and Marizza tells her that she’s just going along with Pablo’s lie to help him. Lujan’s like, “Uh…huh.” She mentions that Mia also seems to know about Marizza and Pablo dating, since she was talking about Marizza in the cafeteria.
Augustina approaches Guido and he starts whining at her that she’s totally cheating on him with Diego, and how very dare she let another guy hold her hand. Guido always talks like he’s not putting his dick into other girls on the regular. Anyway, Augustina says that Diego is just a friend, and he was there for her when she was upset over Guido, so there. Guido snaps at her that she totally doesn’t have any reason to be upset with him — he’s the most loyal man in the world! He didn’t deserve to be treated this way! Ugh, I hate him. Like, at some point his treatment of Augustina actually tipped over into being emotional abuse, and it just keeps going. Anyway, Tomás rolls up and saves me from having to watch any more of this, and he hands Guido the phone. It’s Andrea, and he quickly BSes that he can’t talk to her now. He calls her “mamita” and poor dumb Augustina thinks that he’s talking to his literal mom.
In the cafeteria, Lalo is checking Feli out, which she pretends not to notice. Then Manuel runs up with some more stuff about the fake alumni meeting or whatever, THEN Sabrina shows up. Mia is sitting with Feli and is not pleased to see all this. Sabrina tells Manuel that they have a meeting with some sponsors, and Mia snipes that the whole band should go together. Feli backs her up: “BANDA has five letters! Uh…the members and the representative!” Oh, Feli. That joke would’ve worked for her in English, though! Sabrina loses it and snaps that she gets to decide who goes, because SHE’S the manager. Mia’s like, “Excuse?”
Sabrina drags Manuel off and Marizza comes in. She confronts Mia over gossiping about her, which Mia and Feli deny. Feli tries to prod Mia into telling Marizza about Papa C and Sonia, but Mia changes the subject and tells Marizza that she thinks Sabrina is the band’s manager, not her dad.
Guido is being a cowardly homophobic custard about Martavio’s meeting and tries to convince the other boys not to go. Why any of them are even listening to him, I do not know.
Dunoff sees a flyer for Martavio’s talk about homosexuality and tasks Blas with shutting it down. Blas agrees and actually seems like he’s slightly afraid of losing his job. I don’t understand how Gloria and all the dance teachers bailed on this school and yet Blas is still around.
Feli yells at Mia for not accepting Papa C and Sonia’s relationship. She snaps that Papa C and Sonia love each other, and Mia should get over it. Mia snaps back that she doesn’t want a new mom — or a half-sister for that matter. Heh. Understandable. She insists that Papa C only needs her to be happy. I mean…you guys don’t even live together five out of seven days of the week, Mia.
Martavio goes to Rocco’s house to try and convince him to stand up for himself. He is way too involved. Rocco’s dad shows up and Martavio introduces himself as the art teacher, which makes Rocco’s dad side-eye him. Rocco’s dad is all upset that Martavio would dare to host a talk about homosexuality, because Rocco has NOTHING TO DO with gay people. Nobody at Elite Way does, in fact! In total fairness, this show talks a big game but none of the main characters are gay, so he’s not entirely wrong. Anyway, Martavio gives Rocco’s dad a stern talking-to about being open-minded and shit, and Rocco’s dad’s like, “This is boring, I gotta go.” Then Martavio gives Rocco an inspirational speech about standing up for values and shit and it goes on for like eight whole minutes. I HAVE A LIMITED TIME ON THIS EARTH, MARTAVIO. I CAN FEEL MY CELLS DYING.
Anyway, Rocco’s all emo about how he’s weird and he’s a WEIRDO and have you ever seen him without this hat? That’s weird. And nobody likes him and he has no friends so what’s the point in standing up for himself! In a genuinely affecting moment, he admits that he pretends not to care, but he’s actually really lonely. Then Martavio’s like, “You totally have friends!” and the boys (sans Guido) walk in and tell Rocco that they’re all going to report the homophobic guys together. Rocco agrees to go back with them and it’s all heartwarming.
Lujan’s passing out flyers for Martavio’s talk and Blas catches her. He doesn’t bother asking her about that at all, though, because he can’t do his job even when it doesn’t involve taking care of kids. Instead, he confronts her about writing the fake biography for Sol, and Lujan snipes that it’s revenge. He’s all, “I’m the one that deserves revenge, because you crushed my self-esteem when I was in middle school!” What? She’s a TEENAGER, Blas. Anyway, he tells Lujan that he has more information about her mother, and he wants to read it and feel bad about being an orphan some more. He says it really threateningly, like he’s going to…tie her to a chair and turn the pages for her? I don’t know. It’s not clear.
Dunoff calls Papa B to the school to fret to him about Martavio’s talk. When Martavio gets back, they confront him about it. Martavio BSes that he’s just trying to promote engagement between parents and students at the school, as is his job. This school doesn’t even have extracurriculars, let’s all stop lying to ourselves. Papa B is intrigued by this spin, though, and says he’ll allow the talk to go on.
Manuel and Sabrina meet with the potential sponsors, who all love Erreway’s music, like literally all people on the planet, both dead and alive. Manuel is all aflutter over potentially being booked for more concerts and having sponsorships and never having to get a real job. He thanks Sabrina, and she does the whole, “Well, we make a good team” line. I love that that is totally recognizable as a line in multiple languages. God bless.
Manuel steps back and says he go back to school. Sabrina is all pissy that he spends all his time at high school and like…she’s not wrong. MANUEL, YOU ARE TOO OLD FOR THIS SHIT! Manuel gets mad that she’s arguing with him and leaves.
Rocco walks into the cafeteria and everyone cheers his return — barring Sol, Fernanda, Diego, and Belen, aka all the tertiary characters. They’re all salty that people are happy to see their classmate survive a homophobic attack, I guess. Rocco’s already gone in to report the incident, and everyone celebrates with Bubbaloo. Because that’s a meal, I guess. Vico and Rocco hug it out. Aw!
Over in the office, Papa B loudly announces that the psychologist will just so happen to not be able to attend the talk. He and Dunoff do an OTT evil laugh just in case we didn’t pick up on the subtlety there.
Marcos comes across Lujan crying in a corner, but she refuses to talk to him and runs off.
The next day, Papa C and Sonia show up for the talk. Feli, Mia, and Marizza greet them in the hall, and Feli blurts out, “How’s the happy couple?” Marizza’s like, “Say what?”
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