‘Women in Blue (Las Azules)’ Recap: ‘Alma’

8/14/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Natalia Téllez, Bárbara Mori, Ximena Sariñana and Amorita Rasgado as Valentina, María, Ángeles, and Gabina in Episode 104 of ‘Women in Blue (Las Azules)’ – ‘Alma’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Women in Blue (Las Azules)’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

It really is quite amazing what the new Apple TV+ series, Women in Blue (Las Azules) is accomplishing from a storytelling standpoint. For it truly is putting on a masterclass in how a crime show can speak to the nature of the world and some of its biggest problems, while still offering up a compelling and powerful mystery for its protagonists to solve. Since we are indeed receiving commentary regarding how much the past resembles the present from an equality standpoint, along with musings regarding the need for more checks and balances regarding law enforcement. All while our four intrepid heroines dig deep into the horrors of the Undresser, and well, this is top of mind today, simply because it was once again put on display during this week’s episode.

For ‘Alma’ saw the woman of the same name… whom we met during last week’s episode at the shoe store, turn up as the Undresser’s latest victim. Thankfully, she survived his attempts to kill her because of a tumor in her neck, but she was badly wounded nevertheless and she sent shockwaves through the department since it meant Las Azules were right and the Undresser was still out there and active and that motivated the core four, to continue their work in secrecy and silence and even go so far as to root out a potential suspect. For they did what Gerardo was unable to do in talking to people, and actually reach them since they spoke without anger or provocative tones, and in doing so… were able to get Alma’s coworker to name a name, Juan Carlos.

Who was indeed the mystery man begging Alma for a date, and his fury over that did make him a prime suspect, and in order to bring him to justice without having eyes roll at them for not staying in their lane, Las Azules convinced that poor co-worker to go to the police in person, to make the whole matter seem as though Gerardo put this together, and in doing so… the show then leaned into its examination of the police and how they sometimes have more freedom with their cases than perhaps they should. Since Gerardo brought the man in and went right to work in the same manner he did with Tito. Flexing upon Juan Carlos and trying to instill fear, and he was woefully unsuccessful in that working for him a second time around. In large part because bravado and machismo of that caliber is just silly, but also because… Juan Carlos didn’t do it.

Horacio Garcia Rojas as Gerardo in Episode 104 of ‘Women in Blue (Las Azules)’ – ‘Alma’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

For his alibi checked out, and he was also the son of a well-known judge in town. So, all of Gerardo’s actions were wasted on someone who yes, was defiant, and violent, since he did smash María’s windshield during an unsanctioned stakeout. But only because he was just a high-grade a-hole. But more importantly, he was outright innocent. So, Juan Carlos went back out into the world and the mystery of the Undresser remained and well, that was indeed a sequence of events that left us pondering deeply upon… how perhaps we need more checks and balances regarding how police handle suspects. Because what we saw here, isn’t anything new, it still happens and it wasn’t right, and in this instance and countless others… innocent men have been bullied into crimes they didn’t commit. And while this didn’t offer answers on how we get to something more balanced, showcasing how loose cops are allowed to operate, may help in starting those discussions.

Of course, with the Undresser on the loose and with no answer on the horizon, that allowed for some downtime to take place in this story. Wherein those explorations regarding equality, and our lack of progress regarding it, came into play. For in this tale, we came to learn that Alejandro did not snag the promotion he was expecting to enjoy and he of course, blamed María for his failure since she spoke to the big boss about her new job, and he of course expected compliance in her, accompanying him, to a dinner party to celebrate the man who got the job, as penance. Which she did, under the guise that he was going to change and was being a better partner. But instead, she was left to her own devices for the night and ended up back at work, of course. All because, Alejandro could not take the blow to his ego for failing of his own accord. But rather than be culpable, it became his wife’s fault and his wife’s problem and that… is the kind of nonsense we still see today, and it was just as embarrassing to see here as it was in 1971, and it was a fine reminder of how baby steps have only been made in equality.

All of which made for an episode that blended all of those elements together in a beautiful manner, and it also continued to let the other characters grow. Since Valentina and Gabina are becoming fast friends and Gabina is learning how to live at last, since they partied in a sequence that well, could have some bearing on the future. Plus, Ángeles might be falling in love and finding new direction and well, all of these elements made for just one amazing episode. One that truly kept us glued to our seats and offered up so much for us to ponder upon, and that just speaks to the brilliance of this story and the care that went into crafting it and truly, this does leave us ready and eager for more. To see how Las Azules deal with more painfully relevant societal challenges, and to see, what comes next in this harrowing case. Until next time.

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