Cable Girls Recap 'Memories'

Image from Cable Girls, streamed via Netflix

Season 1 Episode 2

When Alba realised Francisco was not going to allow her to get the money from the company safe, she decided to leave her job and push the friends she made, Marga, Carlota, and Angeles, away. Later, when her sense of self preservation overwhelmed her desire not to involve the girls into her complicated life, she reestablished contact with them and told them a sad lie to get them to help her. Alba wanted to use the phone exchange to make it appear as though she had already left the country. The girls were caught by Sara, and the corrupt cop, who was on the other end of the line, figured out that Alba had not left the country after all. 

Sara called Francisco, who offered Alba a deal --- accept the money from him and continue working for the company, or Marga, Carlota and Angeles would lose their jobs. Alba was loathed to accept help from a man, but she could see that Francisco was telling the truth; he was not the boy she loved a decade ago. Francisco was hardened by his years in business. He had gotten used to playing fire with powerful people. Alba took the money and gave it to the cop. Francisco followed her, then drove her to the train station where they got separated years ago. There, Francisco did that dip and kiss which made me a little uncomfortable because I saw his hand snake up her backside, which was a bit too intimate for a train station. Also, Francisco was cheating on his wife. Someone surreptitiously took a photograph of Francisco and Alba.

When Francisco blackmailed a government official into backing the raising of subscribers' fees (he had Sara gather a transcript of the official's conversations with his mistress who happened to be his wife's sister), Alba's childhood love almost looked like a corporate villain. The government official asked for something in return, surveillance on army barracks suspected of plotting a coup against the King. It is important to note that this was the only telephone company at the time, and thus wielded tremendous power with its monopoly of the fastest mode of communication. Carolina may be Francisco's secretary but it was clear Sara was the one person he trusted. It was to Sara that he passed on the request for surveillance.

Meanwhile, Angeles has decided to quit her job in deference to her husband, It turned out that Mario only wanted Angeles to quit so he could carry on with his affair with Carolina. Mario also told Carolina that he intended to leave Angeles, which made his insistence that she leave her job even more of a douche move. How on earth is she supposed to get by financially after you have left her, you cheating scum?!!!!! Sorry, I am calm now. Marga told Alba about Mario's affair. Alba could not keep her silence when she learnt that Angeles, who was just promoted, meant to leave the company, and told her the truth about her husband. Angeles lashed out at Alba. Later, Angeles was approached by the real Lidia Aguilar.

Image from Cable Girls, streamed via Netflix

The man who saved Marga's purse was Pedro, who worked in Admin at the same telephone company. Whilst drunk during an impromptu party at the boarding house initiated by Carlota, Marga wrote Pedro a letter, then instructed Miguel to put it in the office mail. Pedro got the letter before Marga could retrieve it, and called the switch board to talk to her. Marga lied and said the woman he was looking for had quit.

Carlota's father tried to pay off Miguel, her boyfriend, whom the military man thought was encouraging her daughter's independent ways. Carlota furiously returned the money to her father at a restaurant, at the same time that he was having dinner with the owner of the telephone company. Carlota's father wanted her to lose her job. Later, Carlota attended a conference for women and there, ran into Sara.

Strays

■ Alba met the Madam whilst she was in jail. It was the Madam who bailed her out.

■ Francisco's wife wanted them to have a child.

■ Alba was assigned to customer service. Carlos continued to pursue her.

■ Marga is in such trouble with her landlady.

■ There was now open hostility between Alba and Carolina.