3 Shows, One You – Which one will you go for? All 3 perhaps? Queen of the South, You & La Casa de Las Flores – streaming now!
Have you just finished watching a completely engrossing show that was just what you needed to unwind on the couch and now you don’t know what to watch next? Or do you keep re-watching your favourite television show on repeat and have each and every dialogue memorized because you just can’t find another riveting show like that one? Do not look any further as we bring you three shows that are so very binge-watchable!
1. La Casa de Las Flores (The House of Flowers) – Family & Business Intrigues
The House of Flowers (La Casa de Las Flores) is a Mexican telenovela. Created by Manolo Caro, it is a dark comedy comprising of three seasons which are available on Netflix. It is the story of de la Mora family who are seemingly picture perfect. They own the exquisite flower shop ‘The House of Flowers’ which is a family run business for almost 50 years. The first episode opens up showing the preparations for the birthday party of the head of the family, Ernesto de la Mora’s (Arturo Rìos). His wife Virginia (Verònica Castro) is a perfectionist and a social butterfly. She has three children Paulina (Cecilia Suárez) who is loyal and determined, Julián (Dario Yazbek Bernal) who is shown to be the classic mama’s boy and Elena(Aislinn Derbez) a free-spirited girl with her own goals.
The story begins when Ernesto’s mistress Roberta (Claudette Maillé) commits suicide on his birthday in the House of Flowers. Virginia is soon over-whelmed with secrets that were unknown to her before. She gets to know about her husband’s long term affair, she discovers a family business running by the same name as ‘House of Flowers’ and she is also introduced to her step daughter Michela (Sofia Checchi), who moves in with them after her mother’s death. Amidst all this, she is adamant to keep all these scandals from the public eye and anticipates celebrating the long awaited 50th anniversary of ‘The House of Flowers’.
With each passing day, the De La Mora family continues to be surrounded with more scandals. While they all try to get it under control, the story digs deep into all of their personal lives and their relationships with one another. The show adopts a humorous tone to highlight the norms of the society. Writer Monika Revilla did an impeccable job in juggling the dynamics of their relationships with one another.
While the social issues highlighted might not be that relatable to our desi culture, but the family dynamics is very engaging. It shows that despite problems and resentment towards each other, a family sticks around when things get tough!
2. You – Psycho Thriller That Will Have You In Its Grip
You is a psychological-thriller and an adaptation of a Caroline Kepnes novel by the same name. The show is narrated by Joe (Penn Badgley) who is a charmer with good looks. From the outside he is your perfect guy – a book store manager with perfect looks, compassion, someone who will always be there for his girl and push her to fulfill her goals. The first season opens with Joe who develops a crush on a girl, an aspiring writer, he met at the bookstore, Beck (Elizabeth Lail). Beck is stuck with some pretentious friends and a dead-end career.
Subsequently, Joe stalks her on social media and influences her to be in a relationship with him. Joe is revealed as a possessive sociopath who will do everything to make his girlfriend happy. He vows to remove every obstacle from her way – even if those obstacles are people.
But we also get to see a more human side of Joe. He has a special place for children in his heart primarily, due to his own traumatic childhood. He goes to added lengths to protect his neighbor Paco from his father who mistreats him. Joe connects with him, buys him food, gives him books to read and also takes him to the bookstore when things get heated at his place. Here is what people had to say about the show:
The show makes you want to delete all your social media accounts. It sends chills right through your spine as you imagine, what if, this were to happen with me? Both seasons are equally thrilling and quite engaging with differing plot lines. You makes you sympathize with the devil. The show keeps you hooked as you continue to to anticipate Joe’s next move.
3. Queen of the South- An insight into the cartel world
Queen of the South is the US version of the Mexican telenovela La Reina del Sur, which aired on Telemundo. The show itself is an adaptation of a Spanish novel by the same name by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. It is the story of a strong woman Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga). Initially she works as a money changer in the state of Sinaloa.
Teresa’s quiet life takes a 180 degree turn when she falls in love with the godson of the head of a drug cartel Guero. After Guero’s death she is forced to abandon her luxurious lifestyle and flees with money, cocaine, a gun and an enigmatic notebook. While on the run she is kidnapped by the head of the drug cartel’s wife and in exchange for her life she is compelled to work as a drug trafficker.
As Teresa works hard to raise her status in the cartel world she encounters many trials which she deals with courage at the cost of her innocence and peace of mind.
Queen of the South is a must-watch. It takes viewers on Teresa’s journey along with other characters who inhabit the cartel world. Without a doubt, Teresa’s is one of the most formidable female characters written so far. Her experiences make you sympathize with her while you admire her skills at the same time. She is the oppressed and the oppressor in one.
These shows will keep you entertained and take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions; the scenes will bring you moments to laugh, cry, and also at times, respond with anger at the injustice, but you will certainly stream them – the pull-factor is enormous and the watch, well worth it!
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Zainab Mossadiq is an A level student. She has a passion for writing. She believes that through writing we are often able to convey the message we might never say and unveil a hidden side of ourselves. “Writing helps me unwind. It allows me to explore a different side of my personality and to forget what’s happening around me. I hope that through my writing I am able to bring a positive influence.”
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