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

8/28/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Ximena Sariñana, Amorita Rasgado, Bárbara Mori and Natalia Téllez as Ángeles, Gabina, María, and Valentina in Episode 106 of ‘Women in Blue (Las Azules)’ – ‘Laura’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

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

In this day and age, law enforcement definitely has some advantages when it comes to tracking down a killer or a serial killer. After all, digital data via cameras and other tools are readily available and can help in narrowing down the location of someone that’s taken a life or taken lives. Not to mention, social media can sometimes offer clues that lead to evidence and above all, technology can easily allow now for law enforcement to put together the pieces so to speak and outright prove who was responsible for a crime. Which is why we likely don’t hear as much as we used to about fear gripping the streets as killers roam free, because at last… science and technology have made the streets safer.

Which is why it is so incredibly fascinating to watch a show like Women in Blue (Las Azules) on Apple TV+. Simply because Las Azules and the Mexico City Police Department didn’t have those kinds of tools and aids at their fingertips. They had to do it the old-fashioned way, and how that worked back in the 1970s was put on full display in the next episode of the series. For The Undresser made his presence known to the world via the papers in ‘Laura’ and that put the city back into a hard state of fear. Since now, the public knew he was on the prowl and that no woman was safe. So, Escobedo and Commander Herrera informed Gerardo he had to do whatever was necessary to bring this monster to justice and that led… to some unsavory police work.

The kind that established why people in the world fear the police and see them as monsters instead of heroes. Because there was a time where corruption and abuse were used often by police forces, and abuse was the name of the game for Gerardo in this tale. Because he and his brothers, and a few others were tasked with bringing suspects and people to question to a hotel ballroom. Wherein savage beatings took place to get ‘information’ that wouldn’t hold up in a court of law today, and well… this was simply a fascinating bit to see in this story. Since we don’t think about how desperate police agencies used to be without information and with pressure upon them, and we don’t think about how often they crossed the line at times back then. Which is why the story involving Las Azules was so much more refreshing and enjoyable.

Horacio García Rojas, Christian Tappán and Miguel Rodarte as Gerardo, Escobedo, and Romandía in Episode 106 of ‘Women in Blue (Las Azules)’ – ‘Laura’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Because they handled police work the right way. Since a strange tip on the tip line that the senior detectives felt was unimportant and a prank… led to some shocking facts. In that, there were more victims of The Undresser than previously known, ones that helped him learn how to be a better killer and be invisible to the world, and that shockingly brought about some evidence at last. Plus, they came to learn that he has a type, specifically… single working women. Since The Undresser believed that single working women were an abomination, something he interpreted from the city’s moral code statue, that bore the number 169. Not to mention, María visited a killer in jail to try and learn about The Undresser. Because Las Azules wanted the truth and wanted to do it right and this showcased how old school policework was conducted, in a supremely compelling manner.

But of course, this is a story that is always eager to grow the characters and speak to the era and that was present here too. Since we finally saw Ángeles take a little control in her life and decide of her own accord whom she wanted to date, and that brought her to her first date ever. Plus, we also saw María’s push to make her husband a better man, actually go places, and she even found a little agency in love by getting close to the captain. But more importantly, she was threatened with a court order to be removed from her job due to the moral code. Which did inspire the investigation she took part in, but when word got back to Alejandro, he stood up for his wife and did all the right things. Plus, it was also amazing to see María use her standing to inspire others since she stood in for dear old dad at career day. And of course, evil made progress in this story as well. Since dark forces went after Valentina’s beloved reporter.

All of which gave rise to one amazing episode. One that paid homage to some of the classics, such as The Silence of the Lambs, and truly showcased a different era of policework. One free from enhanced city street cameras and DNA tests and cell phone towers. One where clues had to be deeply explored and where evidence wasn’t readily available thanks to a lack of forensic teams, and that was fascinating to see play out, and uncomfortable at times. Because the dirty cop stuff is gross and inappropriate and sadly still part of our world. But that aside, this was just… a classic police serial. One that truly offered up one compelling moment after another, and it will be interesting to see what the clues uncovered here bring forth as the case continues along. Until next time.

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