(7): TV Show review: Queen of the south; The brief history of crime in Mexico.

"On the 9th of June, 1993, the Sinaloan  originated-from Mexican drug lord, and leader of Sinaloa Cartel, Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera, known as El-chapo,  got arrested, and was extradited and sentenced to 20 years in prison in Mexico for murder and drug trafficking. However, he bribed prison guards and escaped from a federal maximum-security prison in 2001. El-chapo got arrested once again in Mexico, in 2014, after the government declared him wanted and put a massive 8 million dollars reward on his head for any one who brings the news of his whereabouts. But he escaped by digging a tunnel under his jail cell. The Mexican government rearrested him in 2016, after a costly fire exchange, before transporting him to United States, where he's currently serving a life sentence. El-chapo was amongst the most powerful and richest people on earth, on the Forbes 2008 list. And his influence to the drug arena matched Pablo Escobar's. His net worth is close to 14 billion US dollars. And his family tree run drug cartels in several places in North and South America, and were subject to several arrests, prison sentences, prison breaks, as well as hit and run encounters with Drug agents, federal agents and other law enforcement agencies. BBC did consistently cover El-chapo's trial, and even when he's convicted, they do break the news of the criminal activities in his drug trafficking network."

Mexican cinema generally love to do film about crime, particularly drug trafficking. Not only that, crime and drugs are the major and favorite genre in the event that any film industry wish to create a movie or TV show about Mexico. The number of films my assertion can be proved upon are uncountable. And for the time immemorial, watchers wonder whether the Mexican obsession with crime and drug trafficking has something to do with the nature of Mexican society, and begs the question; is the Mexico they watch on the TV, the same Mexico as that of Chicharito Hernandez, Giovanni Dos Santos and Carlos Vela - the highly reputed footballers to be specific? Whether the cinema is the fair replica or depiction of what Mexico is in reality, El-chapo Guzman's current infamous reputation and popularity around the globe is skewing the proportion of followers of Mexican and American cinemas that live outside Mexico, into perceiving Mexico as a country of drug and crime. Wrong place for peace and order, and quite a place for violence, bloodshed and illegal trading. A place for wild Destriers who just couldn't be tamed. Evident to be a space for the survival of the fittest, strongest and coldest. A difficult place for the weak, benevolent, empathetic and any human being allergic to danger, or inferior physically and ruthlessly, like women. Women like Teresa Mendoza, the leading character in the American epic crime thriller, Queen of the south, who was subject to everything wrong and bad that could happen to any lone wolf lost in deepest valleys in the whiteness of snow. Teresa, who'll later defy the odds, turns around, adopts, picks herself up, and triumphs despite been initially weak and helpless, in the side of the world where the Vargas, the Jimenez, the El-Santos, The El-Gordo’s, The Martinez and The Cortes make life so about violence and materiality that how violent and material one is determine one's share of peace and length of survival. 

The series was adaptation of the Spanish novel, "La Reina del Sur" by the Spanish novelist, Arturo Pérez-Reverte. A pure fiction. The series was created by M.A. Fortin and Joshua John Miller. And produced by Robert J. Wilson and Lorenzo O'Brien. It premiered on USA Network, on the 23rd of June, 2016. And lengthened four seasons and by extension, fifty two episodes.

However, as much fiction as Queen of the south prove to be, a watcher would always wonder how possible it could be that the TV show wasn't any adaptation of El-chapo Guzman's life and activities as a drug lord. Because the two distinct happenings are a coincidence too accurate and resembling of each other not to be believed as the same by who doesn't know. And easily believable in the event that one gets adopted as a dimension to explain the other. The command of drug supply and distribution, the amount of money involved, the volume of the crimes executed and the role of politics and the government in both events is unbelievable to deviate. The series and the El-chapo's life were both based in the state of Sinaloa, city of Culiacan, Mexico. Which makes the understanding of Queen of the south, a scramble between the three distinguishable stuffs; the novel “La reina Del sur", the TV show itself and El-chapo Guzman's life. 

Queen of the south isn't a watch for someone who is exclusively allergic to violence. But certainly, an enjoyable watch for who is willing to overlook the violence to grasp the great lessons engraved in the scenes of the episodes as they pass fluidly and strategically. The emotional connection it breeds between its watchers and the plot is enough to forget the violence, and the notable quality delivery of the characters. Such commendable effort that carries with it little or no cinematographic slip up, deserves all the applauds. On addition with the accentuating tense soundtrack coming alongside every tense crime scene that'll be dancing in watcher's head, playing with watcher's imagination, and boiling watcher's calories faster than morning exercise. 

The plot of Queen of the south does very well in trying to convince watchers that its a love story. However, the power struggle was as clear as sun. The series was a politics of influence, money and relevance. Such incredible battle of bastards can't be hidden by any plot writing expertise. The power hunt the actors were involved with was unplayable. Cold players played to their own strengths, so loyal and committed to vengeance, and urge for the payment of stick upon any act of disloyalty. That makes the table turns consistently in the series, so much that anyone can be anyone as the scenes pass. The instance being Epifanio Vargas, a successful drug lord from the city of Sinaloa, who caught his employees and close lieutenants, Guero and Chicho, a very handsome looking Caribbean and a bald-headed Mexican-looking chap, stealing his heroine supply. A betrayal that compelled his ego to stick the submarine of their disloyalty upon their heads. Upon the attack, Guero was assumed dead, but he escaped alive. And his girlfriend, Teresa Mendoza, was caught. While Chicho get caught and executed. And his son and girlfriend, Tony and Brenda, escaped narrowly. All the dirty works were carried out by Pote - a typical favela-looking chubby man with a trademark, thick South American moustache, who knew how to fire bullets as easy as man could find his nose holes in the darkness of night. And Gato - a hotheaded crazy man whose entire thinking was done by the tail between his legs. Teresa narrowly forced her way out of the captivity after getting raped by Gato, and ran to find solace somewhere on the way out of Sinaloa. But unfortunately she get found by the lieutenants of Epifanio's dear wife, whom they share a very complicated marriage relationship with, Camila Vargas - a very greedy woman who convinced herself that she's as bit good and ready to be a drug lady as any man can be drug lord. Teresa get stocked in Camila's warehouse, and was looked after by James - an American-accented and charming looking man. 

Teresa survived the torture of Camila's men, up until her courage equipped her to get trusted enough to be a corner girl. She vibes with James, and learnt how to run a drug market. Her good knowledge of money played a vital role. But above all, the Scotchman in Teresa was the outstanding factor. Teresa's personal feature of patience, strong-will and perseverance was an excessive elucidation of possible event. The strength was incredible. But as strong as she was, she has weak points, decodable by the one and only feeling of love.

Queen of the south was an iconic love story between different children of situation. And it was a motion-picture proof that whatever happens in this life, we, in one way or the other, and in one time or the other, will find a way to move on. Guero and Teresa was a touching love story, and the only weakness of the leading character. The way it began, the way it went and the way it ended was touching. As was the obsession between Brenda and Chicho. The emotional attachment between Brenda and Teresa, and later between Tony and Teresa made my heart cries, and my eyes dry only because the tears have ran out. How Teresa had to put them all in grave is something I leave for you. Despite that, Teresa refused to break. 

Queen of the south was an art of betrayal, as bit much as it was an art of loyalty. Men and women dance to the tunes of confusing situations. But one thing was fixed; the only ones who dance freely were those who understood where they belong. Whether the destination leads to loyalty or betrayal. Teresa establishing her drug empire. James and Pote colliding with her. Are two very good examples of my assertion. Their change of camp has proven to be an unforgivable betrayal as its an unforgettable loyalty story. How Pote get reinvented, James dumped Camila, and Javier Jimenez died for truce is what I'll allow the watcher to find out himself, because my words are lacking. You remember Bilal? The smuggling associate of King George. What a loyal lads him and his boss were! 

In Queen of the south, a watcher would learn how criminals do undercover in politics to clean their dirty act and money. Just in compliance with the narration of how El-chapo Guzman sponsored campaign rallies and fund candidates while he was a drug lord. In the series, Epifanio got elected the governor, which was a little bit ahead of what El-chapo did. However, the volume of their influence and how money and popularity of any kind can portray one's image the way one wants it portrayed is an important lesson for the watcher. How ruthless the people at the above chain are, and how ready they're to destabilize anything if it means fulfilment of their interests. In Queen of the south, the game of dirty cop was played. People in uniform tanned the skin of their dogs with fire, without anyone capable of asking why the smoke is dark. Bad and violent people supervise power in Mexico, and power, remains the most influential mechanism that change people. No wonder the El-chapo’s in Mexico are shaping the nature of the society. 

Queen of the south explained the fact that bad parenting spoils the future as anything bad can do to whom the future belongs to. How the greedy relationship between Don Epifanio and Camila ruined Isabela’s life before it even began was something I don't want to remember. Inclusion of children in parents' dispute is only going to ruin them. A child needs a mother as much as father, and can't afford to take sides. Else, the consequences would be hard to bear. Another instance is Boaz Jimenez putting a bullet in his brother's face, thanks to a mother they both never loved. He raised a spoiled little kid in Kique Jimenez, whom how he get cut in half by the legendary General Cortez is something that still give me a nightmare. How could a man be as cold as Cortez? The man fried Epifanio's lieutenant, Batman, in full size the same way chicken republic fry a whole one chicken. Epifanio's look after finding out is worth every penny invested to watch. Empathy and sympathy are products of love, and real love starts from the family. However, when the institution of family is broken down, love would disappear, the same as empathy and sympathy. And where there's no love, sympathy and empathy, unbearable ruthlessness is bound to take over. And that level of ruthlessness is a major source of violence, dirty power struggle and other social instabilities. Truly Mexico needs to review its sociology, particularly the institution of family. Not only Mexico, but any society that need peace. 

Queen of the south is a competitive strategy in a motion-picture, as its often the case in any American series nowadays. Game theory and chess are always in open play, with little or no room for mistake. Its a simple representation of the new global corporate agenda; how no one can afford being a step behind. The game of leverage between El-Santo and his clients, between Teresa and Pecas and El-Gordo, and the cunning George Lafayette - the man who lived more days in the series than he should have, should be of an interest to any competitive learner. The tactics at least, not the actions. Again, how America is exposed to Mexico and its citizens is something  I doubt a simple concrete wall can prevent. But what does a TV series fanatic knows? 

Last but not the least, Queen of the south uncovered the beauty of Spanish as a language. And the Caribbean as a region. Such a sexy and pleasing to listen language. And original class of people who hold onto their cultural beliefs and superstition with an incredible strength. The little dialogue in the Spanish language, the little tour into South and North American countries and some Spanish descriptions are a thing of beauty. "Gobernadóra", "Jefe", "Jefa", "primo" and some abusive terms that I don't wish to mention here, but sadly seems to be the ones I memorized better have blown me away. The woods in Columbia and Costa Rica, the desert in Mexico and Paraguay, the color of the people in Ecuador, Etcetera. Just beautiful! Good or bad, its a society of stunning originality. 

I recommend Queen of the south to lovers of crime thriller. But specific when showing to underage children. The  TV series is exciting, dramatic and beholding. The return of James after the death of Javier has awaken the hunger of watchers, and make our despair in waiting for the next season more. How did he survive the truce? Would Teresa see the inside of the prison as does El-chapo Guzman in real life, or as Camila did before breaking out in the series? Would Boaz misbehave in Miami after discovering the death of his dear "Primo" Javier? Would the series take a new dimension in the next season as many watchers plead? We shall live to find out. The one dimensional feature of the TV show crippled 3 ratings out of its perfect 10, qualifying me to give it a massive 7/10 rating. 

Reviewed by:

MA Iliasu

Kano State

Nigeria.