Down in Cuba: Recent Episodes
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Down in Cuba is a late in life coming out story about a man stuck in a routine marriage and an unremarkable career as a professor of Latin American Studies at a small California college. In a last ditch effort to save himself from the ennui of mid life, Martin heads to Cuba on sabbatical to write a book about Cuban icon, Jose Marti. With the confusing mores of modern Cuba on one side and his personal demons on the other, he meets a charismatic young artist, who leads him down a road of passion and sexual awakening. As the professor struggles with his newfound sexuality, his Cuban friend sees a way to escape the dusty streets of his marginal barrio thanks to his considerable charm and good looks. The story is set against the harsh reality of modern day life on the Caribbean island.
The final episode in which Martin's frustration with Leo's latest disappearance gets him in trouble.
Martin tries to come to terms with Leo's behavior and what the future might hold if they are to have a real relationship.
It is July and Martin is in Havana again. A hurricane strikes, but worse than that is the storm inside Leo.
In the thread 3 years in the future from the main story, Martin goes back to the rented room in Holguin while Leo deals with Anabela's tantrum.
Martin travels to Holguin and comes face to face with the reality of Leo's life: a wife and child.
Martin is back in LA, dealing with family crises. Then he returns to Cuba for the end of year holidays.
Martin and Leo spemd the last few days together before Leo heads back to Holguin and Martin makes a big decision.
Leo continues with his alternating sweet and bad boy behavior as he and Martin take advantage of what Havana has to offer.
While Leo's words push the relationship in one direction, his actions make Martin have second thoughts.
Martin and Leo go on a road trip to Pinar del Rio, but meet resistance to their staying together. Leo's at times inexplicable behavior continues.
Martin and Leo navigate the choppy waters of living together. Their differences in priorities and lifestyles bring up new conflicts.
Five months after his January trip Martin returns to Havana to spend a month with Leo. Their living together is filled with drama from the beginning.
Leo surprises Martin, and though Martin has come a long way, he still struggles with his feelings.
Martin again struggles with the distractions that Havana offers, especially around the time of year that Cuba is most in celebration mode.
Martin is healed and back in Havana to do more work on his book. Leo changes his mind and says he can't meet Martin in Havana.
Martin at home makes progress on his book, but Leo is insistent in his desire to communicate with him.
Martin arrives in LA and is greeted by his daughter at the airport. He tries to settle into his old life, but finds himself haunted by memories of Cuba.
The story returns to more post-accident drama. Martin has a short stopover in Havana before getting his flight back to LA.
This episode returns to what happened after Martin ran into Leo on the Malecon 5 years after their first meeting.
Martin is in the hospital in Holguin and Leo confronts him about something he discovered. Martin is ready to go home.
Martin and Leo rent a motorbike and head for the beach. This fateful trip will change everything and set the course for their future.
Martin arrives in Holguin and Leo takes him to meet the family and neighbors. What is everyone thinking when Leo brings a foreigner to visit?
Leo has gone back to his hometown of Holguin, but Martin continues to think about him. He gets Osmani to tell him the story of Leo's scars. Martin gets a bus ticket for Holguin.
As hard as Martin tries to get his focus back on the book, Leo still occupies his thoughts. A second encounter ensues.
Martin is now alone back at the apartment with Leo and must find a path through his conflicting emotions. The next day he takes Leo and Osmani out to lunch.
Osmani drags Martin out to the Malecon where every night is an open air party. He introduces Martin to Leo, and Martin is drawn into a world of rum and flirtation.
Martin feels uncomfortable about his reception in Cuba, but things begin to change when he meets Luka. We learn of Martin's connection to Jose Marti.
Martin makes his first trip to Cuba to begin his sabbatical and do research for his book. We get his first impressions of the island.
Martin has a chance encounter on the Malecon of Havana, Cuba. He is in town for a Marti conference and feels confident that he is strong enough to handle whatever temptations Cuba might put in his path.