‘Acapulco’ Recap: ‘All Night Long’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Enrique Arrizon and Chord Overstreet as Maximo and Chad in Episode 105 of ‘Acapulco’ – ‘All Night Long’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.

The hardest feat for a comedy series to accomplish, is character growth. Because comedy shows are designed to do one thing, make the audience laugh, and while it is okay to add a little heart and little messaging into the mix… the expectation is that the laughs rule the day. So, the vast majority of comedy shows hold to that, and the characters just stay the same and sometimes… that decision leads to wasted potential for a comedy. Because some are structured just right to do more and grow the people we’ve come to laugh alongside, and it is a shame that those shows don’t explore what could be, and that is why we should cherish the ones that figure out how to grow the characters, since those are something special… such as Acapulco on Apple TV+.
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For character growth was on display in the next episode of the show. A feat that ‘All Night Long’ accomplished by way of a wild night in the town. One where three amazing storylines brought about the growth in question. For instance, this is a night that saw Sara, explore her heart’s calling. For she spent the night hanging out with Gabriela, watching Poltergeist. To simply, be near her, and see if Gabriela’s heart was what her heart craved and needed and that stolen kiss at the end night implied that was so. Which truly spoke to how this show finds ways to grow its characters since that was a huge moment forward for Sara.

Not to mention, even Memo and Don Pablo received some moments of growth in this tale. Courtesy of a disaster at Las Colinas. For the hotel did have a policy to never end a party, but now and again that came into conflict, as it did in this tale. For a wedding was rolling into the wee hours of the night, and another event was taking place at six a.m. and well, the wedding was at a standstill. For the bride and groom were already fighting and the only way to end this, was to get them back together. So… Memo and Don Pablo went out to the find the groom, and eventually did, wherein Memo was able to be more than a washer of sheets. For he showcased his skills with people and put them to use and saved the day, with an assist from Julia. Making him more at last in this place and he even got Don Pablo to open up a bit. Not much mind you, but he was more open here and growth is growth.

But the true centerpiece of the night was Chad and Maximo’s growth. For they went off into the world to get world class coffee for that morning event, because Chad forgot to order it, and while on the road. Maximo had to combat Chad’s ignorance regarding Mexican culture. In fact, it irritated Maximo so badly, that he played a hell of a prank on Chad. One that almost ruined the night and the coffee delivery. Because the prank went too far and inspired the kind of panic that would burn out the battery of an electric cart. But while they waited to figure out how to get the coffee back to the resort, they were able to talk, and Maximo was able to get Chad to show some respect for Mexican culture, and Julia and life. Thanks to an assist from a car driver, they made it back on time and Chad showed off that newfound respect, and treated Julia better, and Maximo… well he learned how to let go at last and focus his hopes and dreams for love… elsewhere.

Because he learned that he couldn’t hold out for Julia forever and had to live life and find what he wanted, and he might be close, and all of this brought forth, a magnificent episode. One that really did see a bevy of characters grow, and some cause trouble… since Hector does indeed love a bride in need. But truly, it was the growth that was magical, since it is rare in comedies and what we saw was wondrous and natural and welcome. And… this episode was still incredibly funny. Since it found ways to drop some incredible gags and magnificently quirky situations. All of which reminds of how special this show is and how much we all love it, because it’s different, it’s refreshing and funny and full of so much heart, and it will be interesting to see where this growth takes these wonderful characters as season one of this magnificent series rolls along. Until next time.

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