[ ♪ ]
[birds sing]
[ducks quack]
[horses neigh]
[dogs bark]
[bird chirps]
[creaks]
[slams]
[rooster crows]
[dog barks]
[hums]
[ ♪ ]
[steps approaching]
What are you cooking?
French toasts. Do you want some?
[ ♪ ]
[gasps]
[breaths heavily]
What's happening?
I'm dead.
[slamming]
[music stops]
[gasps]
[ ♪ ]
(narrator) Dreams like these
fill several pages
of my great-great-aunt Tita's diary.
[door opens]
[door screeches]
(narrator) Not even in dreams
was she allowed to escape her sad reality.
(narrator) Robertito's death,
the profound hate
that drove her mother to lock her up in there...
[door closes]
...and the recent news of Pedro's execution
finally took her voice away.
They say Tita cried so much,
she ran out of tears.
So she kept crying,
until she dried up inside.
During those days, coincidence or not,
Piedras Negras went through its entire history's worst drought.
[birds caw]
[insects buzz]
(narrator) But Tita didn't know that a few miles away from her prison,
a miracle had taken place.
Some say the bullet went through the lungs,
missing the heart.
Others claim
the soldier's rifle got jammed,
and only bullet fragments reached his chest.
[loud buzzing]
(narrator) Personally, I still think destiny interceded
so that Pedro Múzquiz wouldn't die
far away from Tita.
[♪]
LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE
LAS PALOMAS RANCH
-Did you get the address? -[whispers] Yes.
-Hurry up, then! -I'll be right back.
(Fina) Don't dare to stop.
If Mrs. Elena finds out, she'll kill us!
[smacks]
[horse neighs]
(Delfino) It's Tita De la Garza.
(Brown) What happened?
(Delfino) She needs help.
(Brown) Give me a second.
(Mother Superior) Doctor,
how can we help you?
(Brown) Good morning, Mother.
I'm here to see Tita De la Garza.
Tita?
Yes.
I'm friends with her family, you know.
Elena asked me to pay her a visit.
She's a very busy woman.
She wants to make sure Tita is alright.
Could you take me to her?
[Mother Superior sighs]
That kid hasn't been eating,
so it wouldn't do any harm if a doctor sees her.
[rattling]
[door creaks]
[whispers] Tita.
(Brown) Jesus!
We don't know what else to do.
She doesn't even open her mouth.
And Elena hasn't even sent us a dime,
so frankly, we don't know what to do.
She's completely dehydrated.
(Mother Superior) What? No.
You need her mother's consent, Doctor.
(Brown) You really think this woman can wait?
You don't have the right to take her anywhere.
If Tita dies, you will be responsible!
Do you want to carry that burden?
(Mother Superior) I will tell Mrs. Elena about this!
[rattling]
(man) He's there.
In the back.
[sighs]
[heavy breath]
Pedro...
[door opens]
[creaks]
Grace!
[steps approaching]
(Grace) Doctor?
(Brown) Bring me the serum, please.
Daddy,
who's her?
Her name is Tita.
Is she going to be alright?
Yes.
Doctor.
Thank you.
Anything else?
No, thank you.
-[door creaks] -(Grace) Let's go.
REBEL CAMP SANTA ELENA'S CANYON
[Pedro complains]
Pedro?
Gertrudis?
Good morning.
Where am I?
You're with us, Pedro.
You've been here for days now.
-Days? -Yep.
We thought you'd never wake up.
You're very lucky. You're alive.
You've had that ribbon with you all this time.
[complains] Tita. I have to...
I have to find Tita.
Gertrudis.
Take me to her. Please.
We can't go to Las Palomas, Pedro.
Not anymore.
Your uncle is now a General, or something.
He owns your father's ranch.
There are soldiers everywhere, so we had to leave the camp.
What about my dad?
Is he all right?
I don't know.
[ ♪ ]
(Brown) Try to eat something.
You'll never recover if you don't eat.
I know you hear me.
It's alright.
You're safe with me and Grace.
[whispers] Thank you.
I'll never let them hurt you again.
I swear.
[Pedro complains]
(Gertrudis) How do you feel?
Better.
What's the matter?
I'm an idiot.
I almost got killed,
and for what?
I couldn't even protect my dad's ranch.
I failed you.
You did what you could.
No.
I've made one mistake after another.
I've been selfish.
Look at all the harm I've caused.
I'll never see my son again.
Please.
Help me get Tita back.
Just look at you.
You've got more lives than a cat, man.
Yeah.
Now what?
In these days of chaos and confusion
we pray
for all of those who keep struggling
to bring peace back to Piedras Negras.
We also pray
for the owners of those ranches
that have been attacked by rebels,
crooks that take advantage
of our country's shameful situation
to plunder and to spread panic.
These are dark times.
But we still trust our Holy God.
We also trust our army,
led by General Felipe Múzquiz.
May His light shine everywhere,
in order to bring peace back to our beloved community.
Stand up.
Everything will get back to normal soon.
Without Madero in office,
we imagined that Villa's rebel groups would retreat.
Just a few left hiding in the mountains, right?
[scoffs] In the mountains and here!
They're attacking ranches and stealing cattle.
It'll be a matter of days until we get those criminals.
General Múzquiz, may I have a word?
I made it very clear
we have nothing to talk about.
Should I rather raise my voice then?
I don't think
that would get you more attention.
Your family has made quite a scene
in Piedras Negras.
What do you want?
I need a special permit for my daughter Rosaura.
I need her at the ranch.
A gun dealer's widow?
She didn't do anything.
If your daughter comes back,
I'll have no option but to arrest her.
Let me remind you I turn your nephew in myself.
In exchange, I let your other daughter live.
The rebel one.
We're even.
Excuse me.
Wait.
I'll give you part of my land.
I'll offer you a great deal.
Right...
I wouldn't even accept that as a gift.
It would take a lot of money to grow something there.
That land
is dryer than you.
You're an animal.
Don't forget you're a woman
and you're alone.
If I wanted to,
I could take all of your land from you.
Do you understand?
-[horse neighs] -(Valentina) Felipe.
Yes, darling.
[whispers] Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Hail Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
[indistinct chattering]
(Gertrudis) That's not yours, Nicolás.
I'm just taking a peek.
Okay.
Why is Nicolás still here?
We agreed to let him go.
We need men.
He's not trustworthy.
If he were a traitor, he'd have already turned us in.
What about Múzquiz's ambush? Do you think that was a coincidence?
We already discussed this.
But we got nowhere.
I know you don't want to talk, but staying silent won't erase it.
We can't let Pedro go to Las Palomas.
Why not?
He will endanger us all, they might follow him.
How much longer will we keep hiding?
I don't know. Until we get the order.
We must act. Our people are waiting, we're almost out of supplies.
Let me know when you're done feeling pity.
We will distribute what's left of the beans and the corn.
And we'll cure the meat.
At least until the chickens start laying regularly.
There's not much grain for the chickens.
Should we store it?
Give it to them. We need eggs.
There's not much water, ma'am.
It's not enough for the week.
Nobody takes a bath, then.
We'll wait for the rainy season.
Remember, God shapes the back for the burden.
We'll get through this.
I asked for a loan and they'll give it to me,
but I need your help.
Okay?
Enough with the long faces, we'll be alright.
Close the doors.
(Delfino) Yes, Mrs. Elena.
Come on, let's close them!
[door creaks]
[ ♪ ]
(Margarita) What does it say?
MY DAUGHTER, IT'S GETTING MORE DANGEROUS EVERY DAY.
YOU'RE NOT SAFE IN LAS PALOMAS.
STAY WHERE YOU ARE UNTIL NOTICED.
GOD BLESS YOU.
[folds letter]
[slides letter in envelope]
I can't go back.
It's too dangerous.
(Angelita) What will happen then?
Who will take care of you?
Let her get it all out.
She needs a grave to cry for her husband.
I hope she can get back to Piedras Negras soon.
Me too.
This way.
Have a seat, please.
Okay.
I brought you in here to tell you something.
A long time ago,
an alchemist discovered
history's first chemical element.
Phosphorus.
He realized that, when mixed with oxygen,
it combusts.
What you see here is pure oxygen.
I got it through decomposing hydrogen peroxide.
[ ♪ ]
To make a match burn,
you need a detonator.
That's the only way to get its light
and heat.
I'm telling you this because my Kickapoo grandma
used to say our soul works the same way.
Imagine there's a box of matches inside all of us.
In our case,
the oxygen is the loved person's breath.
And the detonator is the pleasure their presence brings,
their heat.
That's what we need to light that fire.
Tita, it's very important
to find the right elements to light that inner flame
to live a meaningful life.
Otherwise, that box of matches
might get wet and never turn on again.
There are moments in life
when we need to find a new detonator.
Only then will we light the fire
to prevent that flame from dying.
Tita, I know you've been through a lot.
But my grandma told me that if we grab a match
and write what's hurting us,
it might help to ease the pain.
Why don't we start by finding out why you're not talking?
Here.
Would you like to write it down here?
(Gertrudis) Are you ready?
Take care of my sister.
Do you think she'll take me back?
I hope so.
[complains]
I don't speak because I don't want to.
(narrator) Brown realized this act of rebellion
as the first step in Tita's long journey
towards her freedom.
So he dared to imagine
that maybe he could be the detonator in Tita's life.
(Brown) That's it.
-Enjoy your meal. -You too.
Enjoy your meal, Alex.
What's this?
It's food, Alex.
Delicious food.
It's roast beef. You love it.
Not anymore.
There's nothing else.
(Brown) Eat, Alex. It's delicious.
-(Alex) But it looks gross. -(Brown) Son...
(Alex) I won't eat this.
You're done here, then.
You can go to your room.
[Brown sighs]
Doctor,
he'll be alright.
[quiet sobbing]
[♪]
Can I have that?
(narrator) Since she was a child, Tita couldn't stand
seeing someone hungry.
You helped him! He took your horse!
If they catch him, we're screwed. I told you!
I couldn't stop him, Juan.
Is Pedro the boss here now, or what?
Since when are you against me?
I'm not against you, Juan!
Booze and defeat are messing with your head!
Juan! Juan!
-Juan! -What?
It's Nicolás!
He took your horse and your rifle, and he left!
I told you he was a rat!
We have to go as soon as possible.
Son of a bitch!
(Juan) Break camp! We're leaving!
-(man) Yes! -(Crispín) Let's go!
Hurry up! Take everything!
Come on!
[knocking]
(Brown) Good evening.
Excuse me,
but I remembered how much you love cooking.
Activating the detonator
is important for your recovery,
so I was thinking you might be ready to try.
Our kitchen is at your disposal.
Whenever you want to.
[steps approaching]
The detonator.
[screeching]
[ ♪ ]
You're sad, kiddo.
It's normal.
You've lost a lot.
You don't have to cook if your heart's not feeling it.
Don't forget being happy again is up to you.
Don't let your happiness depend on someone else.
[ ♪ ]
[Brown laughs]
Doctor!
We have enough lumber.
What are you doing?
I'm trying to remember how to build.
Alex, can you help me?
Yes.
(Grace) Be careful, Alex!
(Brown) We'll make a surprise for Tita.
Come here. Careful.
Yep.
[ ♪ ]
-[insects buzzing] -[indistinct chatter]
-[horse neighs] -[galloping]
(soldier 1) So? How many?
(soldier 2) Two.
(soldier 1) General!
There was a camp here, but they're gone.
They probably left a few days ago.
Go to the hills and find that traitor.
Don't come back here without him.
This time, I'll hang him from a tree myself.
Let's go!
Let this one go.
[horse neighs]
(soldier) Let's go now!
I might have a big mouth, but I'm no liar.
I told you your nephew was alive.
I don't want your money, General.
What, then?
Well, I would love to join your crew of meat-eaters.
There's no such thing.
It's all gossip and hearsay.
Right.
These are just rebels
that like to plunder ranches.
You wouldn't happen
to know anything about it, right?
[birds sing]
[cooing]
[door opens]
[cooing]
[♪]
[cooing]
Thank you.
Listening to your voice makes me very happy.
[metal clanks]
(Brown) Amaranth flowers are amazing.
Yes.
They're lovely.
You can cut them if you want to.
Did you know that Huichol people call them Wa'vi
and they're sacred to them, because they resist droughts?
Their generic name comes from the Greek word Amarantos ,
which means "the flower that doesn't fade."
Treats.
(Brown) Exactly.
You can also use them to make treats.
May I use your kitchen?
It's yours.
Thank you.
[ ♪ ]
(narrator) To prepare the treats,
first you have to dry the panicles
in order to obtain amaranth seeds.
You have to add raisins, nuts,
pumpkin seeds and peanuts inside a casserole
to let it cook on low heat.
In another pot, you have to melt
a generous amount of brown sugar.
Then, you'll add honey and a few drops of lemon.
Add the toasted seeds to this mix,
along with the clean amaranth.
Mix all the ingredients
and fill the molds to shape the treats.
When she tasted the sweetness
of the brown sugar and the honey,
Tita felt the warmth hugging her heart.
The relief.
A caress.
Maybe it was a sign that her destiny,
for the first time,
was in her hands.
AMARANTH TREATS
(Brown) ♪ Jerusalem cricket ♪
♪ Jerusalem cricket ♪
♪ Starlight ♪
♪ Jerusalem cricket ♪
♪ Sleep ♪
Good night, son.
[steps approaching]
Her name was Emma.
She died giving birth to Alex.
The placenta got attached to the uterus, and I couldn't save her.
She was a great woman.
Now, whenever I heal someone,
I feel I recover a piece of what I've lost.
I must confess
that when you got here
I was afraid of losing you too.
Tita,
I know what you felt for Pedro Múzquiz.
And I know you're grieving.
But trust me,
any pain,
no matter how big it is,
goes away.
Life is generous.
It gives us chances to be happy all the time.
Good night.
[door creaks]
[door slams]
[hard breathing]
[sighing]
Delfino.
You were executed.
If anyone finds out I'm alive,
they'll kill me for good.
I came to find Tita.
The lady is no longer here.
[doorbell rings]
-(Rosaura) Good afternoon. -(maid) Welcome.
(Rosaura) Thank you.
Your visits are very good for my friend.
-Come in. -Thank you.
(Rosaura) How are you doing, Mr. Pedro?
This damn sickness.
It only affects field laborers, they said.
Now look at me.
Dying like a laborer.
Typhoid makes no distinctions.
And you?
How are you doing?
Seeing you like this makes me sad.
It's time for you to move on with your life.
No, I'll never forget Pedro.
I'll grieve my entire life.
Just like my mother did.
I'm sorry.
I don't want to make you feel sad.
Your...
Your visits help me feel better.
Rosaura,
you're too young.
Move on.
I know you only wish me the best.
But I don't know how.
[wood clanking]
Good afternoon.
Do you like it?
I love it.
Alex will be very happy.
(Brown) I have so much to thank you for.
I have to thank you
for all you've done for me, Doctor.
Would you mind if I address you informally?
John.
May I?
Yes.
[ ♪ ]
I've been thinking.
I don't want to go back to Las Palomas.
I feel happy here.
I feel free.
(narrator) Maybe it was the sense of happiness
that Tita put into those treats
what encouraged Doctor Brown to act.
Now he was sure
he could be the detonator Tita needed.
Stay as long as you like.
Thank you.
(narrator) He felt ready to love again.
[horse neighs]
Tita,
may I talk to you?
Sure.
Come.
I don't want to upset you,
but there's something I've been wanting to tell you.
So...
It's funny.
When you first got here,
I was supposed to take care of you.
But it was you who brought me back to life.
I'm willing to face your mother
and the consequences this might cause,
because I know you deserve to be happy.
I think I can give you that happiness.
Tita.
Would you marry me?
(narrator) That afternoon,
all that safety, the care
and the tenderness that she had never had before,
helped Tita make a decision.
Yes.
(Brown) Yes?
Yes!
Yes.
[sighs] Yes.
[ ♪ ]
[loud barking]
[dog barks]
[door thuds]
(Nicolás) We're here for your boss!
(worker) Let me go!
(Nicolás) Open the door, Mrs. Elena!
Open the door!
[door thud]
[shot]
(Elena) Who wants to get killed?
Get out of here, Nicolás!
No. I'll take what's mine, first.
(Elena) Nobody walks into this ranch!
I've stood up for this house
with more bravery than you'll ever have!
Relax.
(Fina) Ma'am!
[weeping] Ma'am! No!
(Elena) Don't touch the girl!
-Ma'am! -[shot]
[Fina screams]
Ma'am!
(Nicolás) Take her.
(Fina) Let me go!
(Elena) Leave her!
-Let her go, you animals! -[Fina screams]
(Elena) Let her go!
-[shot] -[Fina screams]
[Fina cries]
Come here!
No! No!
-[breaths heavily] -[Nicolás grunts]
Let's see if you've heard this one.
I'm long as a road.
I go through the fields and through the windmills.
But I'm not a man or a woman.
(Grace) Does it have feet?
(Brown) It has no feet, but it knows how to run.
(Alex) The current?
(Grace) Almost!
(Alex) A river?
(Brown) That's right, Alex!
(Alex) I knew it, I won!
(Brown) I knew you'd guess.
(Alex) These treats taste great!
(Grace) They're delicious, Tita. Thank you.
-(Alex) Thanks, Tita. -(Tita) Thank you.
(Brown) Thanks for this.
(Tita) More tea?
(Grace) I'm fine, thank you.
(Brown) Well, say goodbye, Alex.
It's time to go to bed.
(Alex) May I have the last one?
(Grace) It's supposed to be for all of us!
(Tita) There's more in the kitchen, go get some.
-(Alex) Okay. -(Tita) But first, I'll tickle you!
(Alex) Grace, help me!
(Grace) Here I go! Come here!
I think it's late already.
(Alex) Please!
(Brown) Don't get cold.
(Alex) Daddy! Daddy!
Grace says I have to go to bed.
You have to go to bed because you're a kid.
-Right. -But we'll play tomorrow.
(Alex) Okay. Do you promise?
(Brown) Yes.
(Alex) I'll go to bed, but only if you come with me.
[Brown laughs]
Okay. Let's go.
Are you alright?
Yes. I'm fine.
Should I carry you?
-Carry me. -Yes?
Okay. Come on.
I'll be right back.
(Alex) I have a riddle.
(Brown) Let's see.
(Alex) It goes through the windmill...
(Brown) That's not how it goes.
(Alex) Okay, I'll start again.
It goes through the fields...
(narrator) They say Pedro couldn't see Tita
in someone else's arms.
That very night, his heart broke.
And all the love he ever felt for her
became jealousy and spite.
But I know none of that is true.
It was that very night
when he realized his presence
could only bring more suffering
into Tita's life.
In that moment,
with his heart torn to pieces,
Pedro made the difficult decision
of sacrificing his love
and let Tita be happy.
Let's go!
-[horse snorts] -Let's go!
[trembling] Let's go!
Come on, let's go!
[horse neighs]
Let's go!
[♪]
-Delfino. -It's your mother, Miss Tita.
ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE
A pardon signed by the President of Mexico himself.
What are you doing here, Tita?
Let me help you. Where's Fina? Don't touch me!
I'm not asking.
[whispers] What?
Be careful, Doctor.
Tita can turn your life into a calvary.
(Elena) She'll never stop loving him.
LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE