Written by John Edward Betancourt THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.Often times in storytelling, especially when it comes to stories involving loss and trauma, once the character or characters have reached a point where they feel as though they are over a major hump in regard to their pain; the story either comes to a close or moves onto a next phase. Which is fair to a certain degree, since a respective chapter has indeed been wrapped up. But it is also painfully unrealistic to simply ‘move on’ in a story where someone has suffered emotionally. Because finding a sliver of happiness is part of the first steps, we take on the long road back, and life is going to throw a lot of curveballs our way as we begin to heal and how we deal with those challenges are paramount and should never be glossed over. But thankfully, there are stories out there that don’t shy away from this difficult part of the recovery process and Vida just so happens to be one of them. For the season three premiere of this brilliant series, took the time to put some important challenges in front of Emma and Lyn as they begin to embrace peace and how they handled a majority of them, was quite inspiring for certain. Take Emma for example. For not that long ago, she was someone who would run at the first sign of trouble and immediately close herself off to others. But in this particular tale, she was relaxed and inspired when a giant challenged walked into her bar and made her life difficult. For Zoe showed up to visit with Nico and well, that went poorly for certain. Because Zoe got obliterated and abusive toward Nico and Emma as well, and rather than immediately let any anger take over or punish Nico for someone else’s actions, Emma was as cool as they come. Plus, she was supportive of a stressed-out Nico, and she even closed out the problem by getting Zoe a ride out of there. Which was impressive to watch for certain, and believe it or not, Emma faced further challenges on this night. For Mari came by to let Emma know that Los Vigilantes were going to continue to protest the bar unless ‘Vida’ did something for the community, and she also wanted to know if Emma was going to press charges against Yoli, since that would harm her immigration status. And rather than lose her temper, she handled this whole mess with class all while making it clear that there are lines she didn’t cross, and also that Mari was no longer welcome at the bar and it was just wonderful to see Emma handle everything in a magnificent and mature fashion. As for Lyn, well she faced some vastly different challenges in this particular tale and hers related to the fact that she didn’t quite fit in with Rudy’s family when she dropped by his mother’s estate to celebrate her birthday. For she was consistently seen as either someone who came from the wrong side of town, or someone who wasn’t Mexican enough and that made this evening supremely difficult for her to deal with. But a fine conversation with a caterer, allowed for her to realize that she wasn’t someone who would let people push her around or look down upon her in this manner. And she quickly rebounded by finding a way to blend in and become the life of the party and it was equally as wonderful to see Lyn figure out a way forward in a non-toxic manner and oddly enough, her storyline and Mari’s dug deep into some fascinating commentary that’s been brewing for some time on this series. For in essence, Lyn’s inability to not be the right kind of Mexican, and Mari’s constant struggle to please Los Vigilantes and the everyday world she lives in, speaks to a culture that is deeply mired in unhealthy judgment when it comes to a Mexican American’s authenticity. For if they’re not ‘Mexican enough’, they’re shunned or heavily judged and that’s something powerful that isn’t explored in film and television enough. In fact, the only recent example that comes to mind for this reviewer would have to be Edward James Olmos’ ‘Twice as Perfect’ monologue in Selena. So, to see both Mari and Lyn deal with this in bold fashion really is something powerful and special, and hopefully the series gets the opportunity to explore this in greater detail as its final season rolls along. But while it was wonderful to see Emma and Lyn rise to the occasion, and enjoy some powerful and thoughtful commentary, there is still one unresolved issue that will quickly take the center stage on this series. For Eddy finally revealed the fact that dear old dad is alive and well and preaching the gospel nearby and facing that… will be Emma and Lyn’s greatest challenge to date. For he will become the culmination of their struggles with the memory of their mother and it will be fascinating to see how Emma and Lyn handle this powerful obstacle. But in the here and the now, this was a stellar season finale, one that told another engrossing tale, one that left you satisfied and one that reminds you that the final season of this incredible series will be filled to the brim with powerful and brilliant storytelling. Until next time.
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