The Alternative Rock of the Telenovela World: La Reina Del Sur

La Reina Del Sur exceeded my expectations, and had done so brilliantly. What is so fascinating is the combination of traditional elements of telenovelas with a more alternative twist that gives Theresa Mendoza (protagonist) a powerful and feministic role. The idea of incorporating a “narco-princess” into the realm of a narco telenovela is ground-breaking and ultimately compliments the traditional “Rosa” telenovela. 

 The drastic difference of La Reina Del Sur compared with other telenovelas is that there is no meeting between two lovers who fall in love; instead, the love story is told in a series of flashbacks. What makes La Reina del Sur fall under the category of “De Ruptura” is mainly because the love story between ‘El Guero” and Theresa is physically over and the plot line concentrates on the hardships Theresa will now encounter. That being said, I also think the flashbacks of the intimate moments between El Guero and Theresa keeps the essence of their love story alive throughout the telenovela. 

 La Reina Del Sur fits and breaks the mold of the traditional “Cinderella” story in various ways. Perhaps the most obvious is the beginning of La Reina Del Sur when Theresa falls in love with a rich narco traffic Lord, who is metaphorically the “prince”. Theresa also exhibits an emotional virginity which falls under the “Cinderella mold” of being vulnerable and pure. Along with her purity, she shows signs of naivety based on her flashbacks with her conversations with “El Guero”. However, she currently possesses a very intellectual disposition and knows how to fight her way, dispelling that “Cinderella” stereotype. 

La Reina Del Sur brilliantly combines traditional and alternative elements of telenovelas to create a more cultural appropriate story which highlights the purpose of having a woman overtake a primarily male dominated job.