Original subtitles

-What are you cooking? -French toasts.

Do you want some?

What's happening?

I'm dead.

Dreams like these

fill several pages of my great-great-aunt Tita's diary.

Not even in dreams was she allowed to escape her sad reality.

Robertito's death,

the profound hate that drove her mother to lock her up in that place

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.

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.

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 right? -Yes.

Hurry up, then!

I'll be right back.

Don't dare to stop.

If Miss Elena finds out, she'll kill us!

-It's Tita De la Garza. -What happened?

She needs help.

Give me a second.

Doctor,

how can we help you?

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?

That kid hasn't been eating,

so it wouldn't do any harm if a doctor sees her.

Tita.

-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.

What are you doing? You need her mother's consent, Doctor.

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?

I will tell Miss Elena about this!

He's there.

In the back.

Pedro...

Grace!

Grace!

Bring me the serum, please.

Daddy,

who's her?

Her name is Tita.

-Is she going to be alright? -Yes.

Thank you.

-Anything else? -No, thank you.

REBEL CAMP SANTA ELENA'S CANYON

Pedro?

Gertrudis?

Good morning.

Where am I?

You're with us, Pedro.

-You've been here for days now. -Days?

We thought you'd never wake up.

You're very lucky, Pedro. You're alive.

You've had that ribbon with you all this time.

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.

Now he owns your father's ranch.

There are soldiers everywhere, so we had to leave the camp.

What about my dad?

Does he know?

I don't know.

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.

Thank you.

I'll never let them hurt you again.

I swear.

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.

When will everything get back to normal?

Without Madero in office,

we imagined that Villa's rebel groups would retreat.

There are only a few of them left hiding in the mountains, right?

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

that we have nothing to talk about.

Should I rather raise my voice?

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.

And I let your other daughter live in exchange,

the rebel one.

We're even.

-Excuse me. -Wait.

I'll give you part of my land.

I'll offer you a great deal.

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?

Felipe.

Yes, darling?

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.

That's not yours, Nicolás.

I'm just taking a peek.

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, Gertrudis. -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 and 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.

Yes, lady Elena.

-Come on. -Yes.

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.

I can't go back.

It's too dangerous.

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?

Look.

Would you like to write it down here?

Are you ready?

Take care of my sister.

Do you think she'll take me back?

I hope so.

I don't speak because I don't want to.

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.

That's it.

-Enjoy. Enjoy your meal. -You too.

What's this?

It's food, Alex.

Delicious food.

It's roast beef. You love it.

Not anymore.

There's nothing else.

Eat, Alex. It's delicious.

-But it looks gross. -Son...

I won't eat this.

You're done here, then.

You can go to your room.

Doctor,

he'll be alright.

Can I have that?

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!

But the booze and the defeat are messing with your head!

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!

Break camp! We're leaving!

-Yes! -Let's go!

Hurry up! Take everything!

Come on!

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.

The detonator.

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.

Doctor!

We have enough lumber.

What are you doing?

I trying to remember how to build.

Alex, can you help me?

Yes.

Be careful, Alex.

We'll make a surprise for Tita.

Here. Careful.

-Found anything? -Yes.

-How many? -Two.

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.

I might have a loose 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?

Thank you.

Listening to your voice makes me very happy.

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. -Exactly.

You can also use them to make treats.

May I use your kitchen?

It's yours.

Thank you.

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

Jerusalem cricket

Jerusalem cricket

Starlight

Starlight

Jerusalem cricket

Jerusalem cricket

Sleep

Sleep

Sleep

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.

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.

-Good afternoon. -Welcome.

Thank you.

Welcome back, Rosaura.

Your visits are very good for my friend.

-Come in. -Thank you.

How are you, 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.

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Do you like it?

I love it.

Alex will be very happy.

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?

Not at all.

Yes.

I've been thinking.

I don't want to go back to Las Palomas.

I feel happy here.

I feel free.

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.

He felt ready to love again.

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.

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?

That afternoon,

all that safety, the care and the tenderness

that she had never had before,

helped Tita to make a decision.

Yes.

-Yes? -Yes!

Yes.

Yes.

Who wants to get killed?

Get out of here, Nicolás!

No. I'll take what's mine, first.

Nobody walks into this ranch!

I've stood up for this house with more bravery than you'll ever have!

Relax.

Ma'am!

Ma'am!

Don't touch the girl!

-Take her. -Let me go!

Leave her!

Let her go, you animals!

Let her go!

Let's see if you've heard this one.

I'm long as a road.

I go through the fills and through the windmills.

But I'm not a man or a woman.

Does it have feet?

It has no feet, but it knows how to run.

The current?

Almost!

-A river? -That's right, Alex!

I knew it, I won!

I knew you'd guess.

These treats taste great!

They're delicious, Tita. Thank you.

-Thanks, Tita. -Thank you.

-Thanks for doing this. -More tea?

I'm fine, thank you.

Well, say goodbye, Alex. It's time to go to bed.

May I have the last one?

It's supposed to be for all of us!

There's more in the kitchen, go get some.

But first, I'll tickle you!

Grace, help me!

Here I go! Come here!

I think it's late already.

Please!

Don't get cold.

Daddy! Daddy!

Grace says I have to go to bed now.

You have to go to bed because you're a kid.

But we'll play tomorrow.

-Do you promise? -Yes.

I'll go to bed, but only if you come with me.

Okay. Let's go.

Are you alright?

Yes. I'm fine.

Should I carry you?

-Carry me. -Yes?

Come on.

I'll be right back.

-Dad, I have a riddle for you. -Let's see.

It goes through the windmill...

That's not how it goes.

Okay, I'll start again.

It goes through the fields...

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!

Let's go!

Let's go!

Come on, let's go!

Let's go!

-Delfino. -It's your mother, Ms. 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.

What?

Be careful, Doctor.

Tita can turn your life into a calvary.

She'll never stop loving him.

LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE