‘Vida’ Recap: ‘Episode 18’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM. YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.

​Something that everyone hopes for when we emerge from tough times, are for the highs that we feel, to continue along. Because everyone enjoys the wonder and the majesty that comes with just plain feeling good once again and you always hope that the good times will never end and that nothing, but great things will continue to head your way. But the harsh reality of the matter is that, deep down we know that life is a rollercoaster, and that good times can never last. Because the universe is a place where balance is often found by putting harsh moments and new challenges in our way and that unfortunate fact is another reason why Vida is such a fascinating and powerful series.
 
Because this is a show that often reminds us of that fact by presenting the Hernandez sisters with new challenges often, the kind that are difficult to overcome. Something that most shows simply don’t do because it might be seen as punishment for the characters or lazy writing. But it is something to be praised since it adds an incredible sense of realism to an already relatable tale and last night’s episode of the series, once again saw Emma and Lyn dealing with surprises that challenged the joy they’ve recently been experiencing. Lyn for instance, was struggling with the news she received during last week’s tale. Because she couldn’t handle the fact that her father was alive and well, and that he never bothered to look for his kids or try to be a father to them. And all of those thoughts, and what it might be like to have a father in her life, put her in a tough place in this tale, one where she was floating about as she searched for focus and direction on what do to when it comes to dear old dad.
 
As for Emma, well her problems involved her darling Nico. Because once again, Zoe felt the need to swing by the bar to do her drama thing and while she was there, she dropped quite the bombshell in front of Emma in that; she and Nico were a married couple. A revelation that utterly stunned Emma and rightfully so, since she has in fact, been lied to once again, and it seemed for a moment that all of the darkness, she was keeping at bay was going to come to the surface in a hurry. But this time around, Emma took a moment to cool off and have a drink before dealing with the unfortunate reality that she’d been played again. And while this behavior does remind us of the darker Emma we met at the start of this tale, her words to her sister about how they’ve been constantly betrayed and pushed aside helps one to understand her fury, and woe to Nico in the days to come. Because cracking that furious façade might be next to impossible.
 
However, while it was wonderful to see Emma and Lyn handle new challenges in a more mature manner than they usually have in the past, it was Mari’s unfortunate surprise that took the center stage in this tale. Because Johnny forgot to take his dad to the hospital for his bloodwork since he was juggling the business and a sick baby and well, that rattled Mari to her core. Because her dad had never missed an appointment before, and she knew he needed this work done and quickly, and sadly, her worst fears came to fruition when she discovered that her father had passed away in the night, when she went to check on him. If anything, that discovery and everything that followed was outright heartbreaking to watch. In part because of how relatable it was. Since so many of us fear losing a parent, or we have lost one and seeing them try to stay strong while putting together final arrangements for the man that raised them, only added to that familiar ache and it was equally as tough to see the pain and anguish on their faces when they came to realize that they would never see their father again.
 
If anything, that surprise added incredible gravity to a ‘slice of life’ episode, and it also served to remind us of the randomness of the universe and death for that matter as well. For when the end comes for a loved one, it’s sudden and unexpected, since they’re gone… just like that, and seeing it here is a brave and bold move storytelling wise. Because few shows ever show us the horror of discovering that a loved one is gone, or the immediate and raw pain that follows. But that was on full display here, in all of its powerful and uncomfortable glory and well, when all is said and done this was another moving chapter in this incredible tale, one that upheld what the story stands for. Because Vida is about life, and the difficult and heartbreaking journey it can be from time to time, and it should be interesting to see where this story is headed next, now that everyone has powerful new challenges to overcome. Until next time. 

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