‘Acapulco’ Recap: ‘Uptown Girl’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Enrique Arrizon and Eliana Jones as Máximo and Becca in Episode 106 of ‘Acapulco’ – ‘Uptown Girl’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

It really is quite amazing, what inspires change in our lives. Because one would think that a sum of lessons, be them sour or be them wondrous, would be what properly inspires us to get our lives together or to perhaps pursue that which makes us happy. But in reality, it is a singular moment that inspires change. For instance, a brush with something scary is what can help us to understand we need to get our crap together and be better… and work toward that… or it is a singular moment that teaches us we can be more, and we can have it all if we put in the work and enact change. If anything, that moment is top of mind today, simply because it was put on display in the next episode of Acapulco on Apple TV+.

For ‘Uptown Girl’ saw present day Máximo tell his nephew of that critical moment from his past. One that came forth, through one magical love affair. For while he was licking his wounds over Julia… since she left with Chad for a romantic getaway, he ran into… Becca. The lovely lady he crossed paths with at the wedding and well, she wanted to get to know him better and invited him out for a day on the town. Something Don Pablo was fine with, because the guest gets what they want. But it was more than that for Máximo. It was indeed a chance to be free and enjoy a whirlwind day with a beautiful woman and taste the good life as well. Since he was able to go to the richest places in town he only knew of.

But more importantly, he finally felt desired and special, and all the time he spent with Becca truly taught him some powerful lessons. In that, he could be more than a pool boy that had to constantly duke it out with Hector and his nonsense. He could be the one that people were catering to, and telling him he gets what he wants, and he could of course enjoy the finer things in life no problem. Of course, he wanted that to happen with Becca, but that wasn’t meant to be. So instead, he simply decided… he would become the man he is today, and that was a powerful moment for certain. One that arrived early in the story, since that’s season finale kind of stuff, but it was welcome and fulfilling, nevertheless. But of course, since this show offers more across the board, it made sure to also build upon what Memo accomplished in the last episode.

Because he really did want to be a valued member of the team, and he truly wanted to be part of something more than everyday life, and well… his wisdom and creativity allowed for that happen. Because there was a massive soccer game on while Máximo was out and about, falling in love, and he wanted to see it and figured out a way to do so in a room that was down for maintenance. And his desire to see the game, with his bestie, allowed for word to get out, and for everyone to drop by the room for a good time. Heck, even Don Pablo got in on the action when the room was filled to the brim with employees. Only because Don Pablo knew this would help morale, so he did nothing from an accountability and standpoint and that allowed for Meme to be seen as the man to come to for great ideas on how to escape the humdrum at work. Giving him exactly what he wanted at last.
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All of which made, for a lovely and inspiring episode. One that truly did explain how Máximo became the titan of industry he is now, and also… how he never let go of his roots. Since we now know that shrimp cocktails have a special meaning for him and that he appreciates his journey. But more so, this episode was a fine reminder to all of us, to think upon our moment. Where we realized we could be more and ask ourselves a question in the process. Did we enact change? Did we follow that edict, or do we have some work to do? Which is a wonderful bit of inspiration and hope to receive from a comedy about a resort in Acapulco, but welcome none the less and well, that means it is onto the next chapter in Máximo’s journey. To see what steps he begins to take to reach his final standing, and if Julia will be at his side somewhere along the line. Since things are not well between her and Chad. Until next time.

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