Analysis of the Exposition of The Five Juanas

     The Netflix telenovela, "The Five Juanas" runs on the premise of five girls all named Juana with an identical birthmark on their butt. The show introduces each girl with individual conflicts and archetypes. By the last name, there is Manuela (Manny), a stripper, Valentina, an investigative journalist, Caridad, a nun, Bautista, a psychic, and Matilde, a singer. One by one they are led to the same hotel and by coincidence after an earthquake realize that they all have the same name and birthmark. Specifically, what was interesting to me was the way the writing team uncovered one piece of information after another allowing this moment to build in front of your eyes. 

    As characters were introduced I paid close attention to the representation of the actresses and actors. Truthfully, I didn't see anything new other than one character (Bautista) who had darker skin and features that weren't super eurocentric. She was still shown as beautiful with an attractive love interest which was nice to see. Additionally, I feel like Valentina and Manny's characters break outdated gender norms of feminity. They are shown as strong, independent, and outspoken women with Manny even beating up a guy at one point. The show also shows wavering in Caridad's faith and general self-image. She's been at a convent since birth and is shown as a nun with pure intentions. But later we have a scene where she takes time to look at herself naked in the mirror. She is immediately shocked into grabbing a gown when a church bell rings and looks at a picture of Jesus on the wall in guilt. I think the show will continue to expand on Caridad's faith as part of her plot.

    However, a key aspect I noticed as the story built was the fact that this story didn't have a central love story the way other telenovelas do (at least not yet). The story is based much more on the five girls and their connection to each other and while love interests exist on the side they are not the priority. I do believe that this story focuses more on the drama aspect of a telenovela but I do think it's possible that the love story will emerge from the origins of the five girls rather than it being directly with the girls. Common telenovela themes of lost love, long-lost relatives, and scandal because of a dark past are beginning to emerge as the audience learns more about how these girls are connected. Specifically, I noticed a conversation about whether fate existed or if things were just coincidences. Bautista (the psychic) brought a new opinion saying its neither fate/coincidence but rather synchronism. This moment felt like a foreshadowing to all the girls meeting. Later on it also could tie to the synchronism of how their father came to meet all other mothers. All these characters interacting and forming relationships are like synchronism to the climax of things being revealed. 

    Although a love story isn't the central plot of the show, love interests do exist. Specifically, I felt hints of an incoming polarizing love story. Valentina is introduced to be dating Inspector Lorenzo Marquez asking him for favors or staying in hotel rooms he's providing for. But as the story progresses we are introduced to Frederico Marroquin, son of an incoming politician, who shows specific interest in Valentina. We get romantic scenes of him trying to find her or preparing himself to talk to her and are polarized on whether we're Team Lorenzo or Team Frederico. Not only this but in scenes where characters kiss or hook up, I found new attention to the fact that each of these scenes is carefully choreographed and directed. Today's lecture on production opened my eyes to what I often ignored was happening behind the camera. Sure the scene on screen is full of tension and romance, but behind that screen, there's an ice-cold studio with a boom mic wedged between the actors. 

    Overall this show has the opportunity to develop many different themes with so many characters and I'm excited to find out the connection between the girls and how that pans out with a roughly introduced political race.