Month: February 2019

I never did get the second part to this, anon, but I figured it was worth posting anyway.

That’s the thing, isn’t it, that it does happen. And it says nothing bad about you as a person if it does. It’s something understandable, and not on anybody else to judge. It happens to a lot of people. Many of us have the luxury to not go through this experience, it doesn’t mean that’s universal.

In the case of Juls, she’s far more vulnerable than people think. Your environment affected you and hers is not exactly much better. She’s lost the only people she has and she’s NOT as superhuman and invincible as people think. It’s not OOC for her to be wildly insecure at times and make impulsive, bad decisions and to lash out. The way she yelled at Val over the scholarship, the way she yelled at Lupe at suggesting their worlds were different, things do get to her. Just because she puts on a show of bravado doesn’t mean she’s going through life without a care. She didn’t let Sergio drop off at her house, just because she hides her emotions, often behind anger, doesn’t mean she’s not feeling them. 

And it is important, I think, to remember the audience and the creators here. These aren’t people who have seen this trope or written this trope a million times. This is to reflect new experiences in a very melodramatic way. We were lucky and we marveled at how they seemed to sidestep so many tropes we hate, but if you take our history with those tropes away from this, if you look at this as a story within its own environment, I think the main thing becomes how they frame it, as long as they don’t show it as any kind of good or necessary thing.

Ah, I wouldn’t think of it like that. They’re not meant to be measured like that, this is a weak thing, this is a wrong thing. It just means that’s where she is in that moment, and it’s something the writers have included for a reason. We don’t like those reasons, and I suspect if it happens here, we still won’t, but it’s not an indictment of her character. 

You could say it’s a moment of weakness, but it doesn’t define her whole character. We’ve been marveling at how strong she is with her mother because it’s so rare to see, for a reason, mothers and family and society influence us, it would be superhuman for someone to not be affected at all. But here’s hoping it’s a moot point and it doesn’t happen, of course.

And another anon:

Hey! I see that you reply to questions. Just my thoughts here, when jul’s mum said a normal relationship is one that’s between a man and woman and that she has never had a boyfriend before, she looked away and did not reply, I have a feeling that she was recalling of what she saw in val’s house with val and lucho together and not actually about thinking of herself having any possibility with a man.

Hi! Yes, if there can be one thing said about me…I do reply to questions.

That’s actually a pretty good insight, it might be exactly that. Or both of them, all these obstacles they’re facing, she’s said it from the start, maybe we should take a break, maybe this is a sign we can’t do this. It would suck if Lupe gets in her head enough to make her think, well, maybe this is how it should be.

And another anon:

The one time Juliana manages enter the Carvajal mansion without being bothered or summoned she sees her love of many lives hugging the abusive ex that somehow has free passage in that house. Damn what a lucky day for her

Lol, yep. It’s going to be a terrible day for my girl. 

I do love “her love of many lives”, though. That’s a gorgeous thought.

And another anon:

I trust Maca & Barb for Juliantina. But after tonight’s episode, and as you said they’re following novela trope, doesn’t make it easier. I came home from work watching Juliantina for the past few weeks. Kinda my safe place with twist of angst. Today was particularly difficult day for me & watching how they both couldn’t catch a break with one crazy thing after another made me kinda sad & a bit disappointed. I still have hope & believe in Juliantina. Just feeling tonight’s episode is a lot ??

Okay, so, this is my thing with most actresses and even writers. I trust them to be fundamentally decent people, but I don’t expect them to know or understand the issues we face. Does that make sense? I don’t think most mistakes are made out of malice or…an arrogant ignorance, I think many times people just don’t know better. This is a show where the main ship has a third guy in it for the whole time, they don’t see how things are different when it comes to us. So if something happens, two things can be true, the actors truly thinking things are okay and not trying to mislead us, and things not actually being okay to us.

I would perhaps take a step back, if the show starts to affect you. It’s been a hard lesson to learn but I think if 2016 has taught us one thing, it’s that we shouldn’t let any show or ship get such a hold on us. You don’t have to drop it or denounce it or stop watching, but some emotional distance might not hurt. Or, try to watch it and think of the writing in good faith, that even when things are going badly, these are still the people who gave us really great scenes and that the pain is just temporary.

Oh, I got it, and agree, it’s just, I don’t even think it’s necessary as a justification for what was not really very egregious behavior.

And another anon:

Do you think what Lupita said about her not being with a guy is going to push her into kissing sergio? It would make for juicy drama and angst, but also solidify the fact that yea, juls is in fact only attracted to women

Do I think it’d be in character for the Juls we’ve seen, who’s gone toe to toe with Lupe over this four times now and shut it down again and again? Not particularly. Do I rule it out of a TV show built on drama? Also, no. 

And another anon:

Hey there. I’m seeing some people saying Juls is gonna sleep with Sergio and I’m scared. You seem like a voice of reason, what do you think?

Well, see the answer above. I don’t really think I can offer you the comfort or reassurance you’re looking for. I don’t think it’ll happen and I really don’t think it should happen, not within the story they’ve been telling, where her mom incorrectly tells her she should do this but, you know. I don’t rule anything out. 

I would say to try to not let it affect you too much either way. I understand the place media has in a lot of our lives as one of our only outlets but if it happens, IF, it won’t be out of malice, it’s written for drama and what would be a misguided attempt to “teach” something. I don’t really think it will happen, though. It’s still going to be day time, the same day as today, when she gets kidnapped. That’s a lot to pack in, for her to react badly to it.

And another anon:

ok but juli lowkey calling lupe out for her crappy parental decisions! I’m living for it!! i want my girl to have some closure, can she just sit beltran and lupe down and yell at them. our girl deserves some apologies

God, she does. If there’s any justice, that’s one of the things the ending will deliver. 

On the one hand, it was great seeing her letting Lupe know how much she hated their family situation, but on the other hand, ouch, to hate it that much and to be able to acknowledge and put it out there, making it real. She’s got nothing right now, no family, no Val, no support in anything. If this had the resolution it deserved, along with Juliantina, there would also be Lupe apologizing for focusing on Chino to the detriment of Juls, but we’ll see.

And another anon:

ur typing essays with these asks every new ep that comes out ? can i just say i love how nice u are with everyone and that u give each answer it’s due time. u don’t have to reply to this i don’t wanna add to your “workload” haha, but love ur work ur the best xx

Awww, thank you! This is the easiest one to answer. 😛 Mwah. ^_^