A Review of ‘Women in Blue (Las Azules)’ on Apple TV+

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Episode 2. Ximena Sariñana, Bárbara Mori, Natalia Téllez and Amorita Rasgado in "Women in Blue (Las Azules)," premiering July 31, 2024 on Apple TV+.

There is an unfortunate belief in our modern world that so many hold to. In that, there is a consensus that modern humanity has made incredible progress when it comes to equality, when in fact… we’ve only made baby steps. After all, the United States is only a good fifty some years removed from seeing African Americans treated as second-class citizens and even then, there are still massive struggles in America to see everyone as outright equal. And even then… that is quite debatable, since those prejudices still manifest in America, and sadly, there are prejudices and racism like that abound around the globe. Not to mention… we also collectively believe that women are indeed treated equally in this world, and they are in fact, not. 
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For women are still paid less than men to do the same job, if not a more responsible one, and while there are indeed women in positions of power, those are far and few between since it is a man’s world in such matters. Not to mention, there are still so many stereotypes and stigmas that surround women. For so many still wrongfully claim that women are ‘too emotional’ and so man feel a woman should always focus on having children over a career, and this is despite women finally being able to vote after centuries of fighting for that, and well… that ‘progress’ we’ve supposedly made only gets worse when one thinks about the backwards steps happening in America. To the point where even a potential presidential nominee is taking flak for not having made children a priority over being second in line for the most powerful office on the planet. All of which leaves us wondering, how do we find a way forward and make progress on something as fundamental as understanding that we are all created equally?

Well stories are indeed one way, simply because they can give us incredible perspective and understanding when done right and this Wednesday, Apple TV+ is going to be home to a series that offers understanding and a chance for us to reflect on why equality is so utterly important and that makes Women in Blue (Las Azules) quite the poignant series. One that takes us back in time to Mexico City in the early 1970s. Wherein there was chaos in the government during a change over and in the streets with protests demanding equal rights, and fear ran rampant thanks to a serial killer operating in the city. Which prompts a bold move. Wherein the police force adds women to their ranks for the first time ever to provide the image of equality and progress, and stability. But soon, four new women of the law learn, their hiring is nothing short of a stunt and if they want this important moment in history to be more, it will be up to them to make it that, by perhaps capturing that brutal serial killer. 

Which is… the perfect way to explore… the little bit of progress that we’ve made. Since so much of what we see here, reflects 2024 by way of its characters. Since María is nothing more than a tool for her husband, one that keeps the family together while he screws around. And there is her sister,
Valentina, a woman seen as a rebel for wanting equality and decried for that. There’s also Gabina, the only daughter in a police family and she wants nothing more than to carry the family business along, despite what the men in her family say and there’s Ángeles, a brilliant forensics agent that is on the spectrum and forgotten because she can be seen as different. And their struggles and their lives, help us to understand… how stupid it is for us to see these four women as anything but equals since it is clear here the way we handle equality stymies imagination and desires to be more in this world, and skills and ideas that contribute, and that makes for a poignant and important story that truly does offer perspective, and more. 

Because the serial killer plot line, not only allows for us to understand why all should be given the chance to do good… but it also brings forth a fascinating story. One that is engaging and well written, since it provides us and the Women in Blue a stellar case to explore. One that plays out akin to a modern crime drama with its tension and thrills and wonderful twists and turns. But make no mistake about it, that ties wonderfully into the central theme since it lets these women shine, but it definitely engages and entertains and allows for the message to never overwhelm so we properly come to understand the importance of this moment and the message at hand. But while that makes for a masterful story that is eye-opening and leaves one with plenty to think upon when an episode ends, it still has more wonders to send our way.

After all, this is a show set in Mexico, and that means it features a Latin cast and Spanish as the primary language and that too… is huge. Because we don’t see that, all that often in mainstream entertainment, but it is here, and it provides us with wonderful representation and groundbreaking moments for Latin people at an important time in television history, where we are finally seeing audiences demand more from their entertainment. All of which brings forth a revolutionary television series that provides so much, and it all comes together thanks to quality writing and guidance from series creator and showrunner, Fernando Rovzar, and amazing acting from Bárbara Mori (María), Ximena Sariñana (Gabina), Amorita Rasgado (Ángeles), and Natalia Téllez (Valentina). Who sell the moment and sell the reality that we have so far to go when it comes to equality, and the best news of all is that we are so close to enjoying this amazing series. For Women in Blue (Las Azules) debuts on Apple TV+ this Wednesday with a two-hour premiere, and we cannot wait for you to see it, nor can we wait to share our interviews with Fernando and Bárbara, Ximena, Amorita, and Natalia as we count down the days to the premiere of this outstanding series.

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