‘Lopez vs Lopez’ Recap: ‘Lopez vs Español’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

LOPEZ VS LOPEZ -- "Lopez vs Español" Episode 103 -- Pictured: (l-r) Matt Shively as Quinten, George Lopez as George, Mayan Lopez as Mayan -- (Photo by: Nicole Weingart/NBC)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Lopez vs Lopez’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
Over the course of its first couple of episodes, the NBC series, Lopez vs Lopez, has done a phenomenal job offering up storytelling balance when it comes to its commentary on modern family problems and the Latino and Latinx experience. A move that is likely designed to make the series open to all, which makes sense. After all, viewers are the name of the game and if a series can appeal to everyone and keep them hooked, so much the better since we will get more seasons of what we love. But this is series is so bold and understands the grand opportunity in front of it to bring Latinx culture into the limelight, that the next episode of this series, opted to dive into a complex cultural problem that Latinos face often.
​
Specifically, having to prove one’s worth… as a Latino. Which might sound silly, since why would anyone from any race have to prove something akin to that? But it is something that permeates Latino culture, for there is an outstanding belief that all corners of it must be properly honored and displayed proudly. Which makes sense, because why not be proud of one’s heritage and the rich culture that surrounds that? But what makes this so problematic is the sheer fact, that there is a toxicity that comes with this concept. Because sadly, if a Latino isn’t quite Latino enough in the eyes of their peers, there is heat that the individual takes, the kind that makes one uncomfortable in a manner that can impact their mental health and that was explored in this tale… courtesy of a revelation on Mayan’s part, in ‘Lopez vs Español’.

In that, she didn’t speak Spanish fluently. Not from a lack of disdain for the language or because she wanted to disrespect her roots. No instead, the opportunity to learn it in depth never arose and she kept this a secret to keep her father proud of her and happy, since he was of the old school opinion that a Latino that cannot speak Spanish, surely cannot be a Latino. But alas, despite her best efforts to keep this secret thriving, life was beginning to pressure her to use Spanish more often, and that led to quite the uncomfortable moment for Mayan. For she took the time to help her dad with his moving company, and he just so happened to put her in charge of a crew where no one spoke English but her. Which led to some misunderstandings with both the workers and the client, and eventually… a showdown about this outdated concept when George learned the truth, and a valuable lesson about this belief.

In that, it is just plain silly. For not speaking Spanish doesn’t make a Latino individual any less Latino. It just means, they don’t speak Spanish and it is really another one of those, old school ways of thinking. The kind that no longer fit into the modern world and the lives of modern Latinos. Because not every Latino growing up in America is going to speak Spanish and that is something that will undoubtedly become commonplace as generation after generation is born here. Which is commentary that makes this… a brilliant and powerful episode when all is said and done. Simply because, this is the kind of stuff that isn’t talked about in Latino culture, much less on the small screen and it takes some serious bravery to do so, but this show handled it in a manner that was classy for certain, and complete with its trademark humor. 

Courtesy of the charming subplot involving Chance and Rosie, since his Abeula worked hard to find a way to inspire him to want to learn the language. Which she did through the wonder that is the Novela. And perhaps that is the solve to enticing non-Spanish speaking Latinos to dive in and learn it; make it enticing and romantic. So that one cannot resist learning its wonder. But that aside, make no mistake about it, this might be the finest episode of this series to date and that’s saying something. Since it has already established itself to be a cerebral and classy comedy, and it really does deserve a round of applause for going for it and addressing some fascinating issues from the Latinx community, and truly it will be fascinating to see what other commentary it is going to offer us regarding Latino culture as season one continues along. Until next time. 

---

Powered by JustWatch