Las Azules

Shogun is definitely the best series I have seen this year... objectively speaking, but Las Azules is putting me to the test... and it's doing so in a big way. I just love this series! It completely caught me by surprise.

The first two episodes are more of a comedy, somewhat in the spirit of Police Academy. In the 1970s, a serial killer is on the loose in Mexico City, hunting women. And to improve the image of the authorities and law enforcement, for the first time in history, women are allowed to join the police. And that's how we meet the four protagonists. They are all completely different (even though two are sisters), but they are united by their desire to catch the killer. Of course, no one takes them seriously at first, and those first two episodes are mostly about making fun of women in the police force by ultra-conservative old-timers. But it turns out that their detective skills and determination quickly lead our heroines to new clues.

Here, I have to say that the investigation and serial killer plot is almost on the level of Mindhunter. I really think so, as the layers of the story are revealed brilliantly, and most importantly, it makes sense and feels like something that truly happened (the series is inspired by real events). With each episode, the atmosphere thickens and becomes more serious. The personal storylines are also very well developed. Not only are the main characters multidimensional, but even the dull policemen guys are well-written. They're not black-and-white either; they also struggle with the pressures of working in the police force.

All in all it was a fantastic first season. This show deserves to be more popular.

"Las Azules" is a show that deeply resonated with me, prompting much reflection from the very first episode. I felt an immediate sense of connection and welcome, largely due to the series' authenticity and its groundbreaking portrayal of women entering the police force in Mexico City. The show offers a realistic and captivating depiction of the unique challenges and experiences faced by women in this field

The series stands out for its innovative approach to storytelling, incorporating feminine perspectives and issues that are often overlooked in mainstream media. The attention to detail in depicting the nuances of female experiences adds a layer of depth that enriches the narrative. Seeing these authentic and sometimes difficult aspects of women's lives represented on screen is both refreshing and enlightening. "Las Azules" offers a unique and insightful perspective on our world, making it a significant contribution to both television and the broader conversation about life, gender roles, and representation. I'm genuinely pleased that the show addresses these special details with such sensitivity and depth.

I was expecting this tv series, wanted to see if Mexican talent + Apple resources would finally give us a decent crime show based on Mexico City. Sadly, my expectations were not met at all.

The storyline is not well written, the suspense is missing and the female main characters lack any real depth. It has the complexity of any regular crime series that you may watched but without really caring about the characters or the stories, just background noise you will forget the next day.

I may have watched it while doing other things, but the acting is quite regular, and the actress playing Valentina is terrible, all her facial gestures are over the top and annoying, like what you would see in the first classes of acting schools.

UPDATE: My first review (above) was based on two episodes; I watched five more due to friends' recommendation. It gets better in episode 4. The characters are better outlined, but in a predictable way: the empowered housewife, the annoying rebel "feminist" who doesn't know how to negotiate, the shy and insightful autist, and the naive but well-intentioned woman.

The actor Miguel Rodarte is great, and I also liked B. Mori's performance; N. Tellez and X. Sariñana also improved throughout the episodes but are still a bit cartoonish.

Watch it if you have the time and patience to spend more than three hours before it becomes exciting.

The characters in this show are wonderfully written and acted. I really hope they develop a second (and maybe more!?) season so these beautiful characters can continue to evolve. It's fascinating how these women in the show are able to work around the rules of the time to still do their jobs as detectives when social norms at the time did not accept women in these types of roles of employment. The show gives newer generation a look at what it was like for women to enter the work force when society, and even a lot of families/men, wanted to keep women at home tending house and raising children.

"The Blues" (original title: "Las Azules") is an authentic time machine, perfectly capturing Mexico in the 1970s. This is not only achieved through its visual adaptation but also through its faithful representation of the idiosyncrasies of that era.

I can understand how this portrayal might disturb some viewers; however, I can attest to its accuracy, having grown up in Mexico City during the 1970s. The depiction of a misogynistic society and the corruption of official institutions may provoke discomfort, making some question whether things were truly that bad and corrupt. This show reminded me: yes, they were, but with the important note that times have changed, or at least we aspire them to be different now.

The storyline is engaging, and the slower moments serve to deepen character development, making us care about their inevitable fate-presented with a hint of optimism, by the way.

I highly recommend this show, provided you're willing to acknowledge that what was considered "normal" back then no longer is. But isn't that what societal evolution is all about?