QOTS Rewatch: Estrategia de Entrada (1x03)
Entry Strategy! In which Teresa gets a foot in this business...in more ways than one.
I still wish we were watching a show about Teresa and Brenda on their own parallel contrasting Queenpin journeys, each set on the path by the same tragedy (1x01) and coming together and apart as allies/rivals/etc. Their similar but distinctly different experiences (Teresa’s family dying, being a money changer etc. vs Brenda stealing cars and dealing) would influence their respective approaches to the business. Teresa tearing down Camila’s empire to conquer it as her own; Brenda building her empire from the street up.
ANYWAYS.
I would have loved to watch that show.
Also: Crazy Green Place made me immediately want a Mad Max Fury Road AU.
The lowest of absolute lowest hurdles I’m aware, but nice on James for moving Teresa up to the mules (bonus of an actual bed with a frame!) and you know, actually knowing the other mules by name.
Jeresa’s dynamic is so fun to watch in 1x03 because after last week’s crash course one- on-one introduction to each other, this episode there is a lot of careful exploration of just where the line of this newfound partnership is between them, in tandem and separate from Camila/James whole deal.
It’s a moment by moment thing--James coming thru with Teresa’s promotion in status to the mules, Teresa parsing his words in real time, deciding to ask for his advice, him giving it. The entire counterfeit money scene. It’s fun looking back on the building blocks week by week.
And basically this “What do you think we should do?” protege tryout sort of stuff he throws at her once she’s come through impressively AGAIN:
QUESTION: Do we think Camila puppet-mastered some bonding between them by purposely not telling James about her DEA “test” for Teresa? Or was that just a lucky (for us) byproduct of her schemes?
“She’s running with me.” WHAT A CONCEPT! Letting your leads spend significant time together (subtweeting half the shows on TV).
Lopez is like, “You vouch for her? You take responsibility for her” and then James DID. Another low hurdle (for society! one could argue!) but he listened to her.
James being open to and valuing Teresa’s professional opinion with the money weight? WHEW.
Teresa advising they check the thief’s car and James immediately being like “CHECK. IT.” Whewwww.
(And I know part of this includes informing on her to Camila but) GIVING HER DUE CREDIT FOR SAVING THEM $50K?! Guero who??
When Lopez points a gun at Teresa and she just steadfastly looks away back at James? I love both of their faces.
It’s been two days and Teresa has been like a cannonball in his life already. She almost died at the airport putting herself on the line and now just looks resignedly bored by a gun pointed at her but doesn’t back down.
She doesn’t know it but that is for sure James Valdez’s love language.
(Man, I’m such a sucker for unexpected bonding through trial by fire. People working together and developing feelings (platonic or romantic)? Sign me tf up! This early Jeresa teamwork sucked me in deep.)
It’s interesting to consider what exactly James’ angle was with his repeated “warnings” to Teresa about Camila this episode. Just how much, if at all, was he following Camila’s orders of manipulating Teresa to trust him?
By the end of the episode James is not only busting out with that face in the gif below but is also changing to “we” and “us” (as in “what should we do?” and “accuse these men of cheating US” and “he stole from US”) when he could easily have said “Camila” instead.
Strategy, genuine camaraderie or a little bit of both?
It goes from: “The second you become valuable to her, the second she takes an interest in you, it’s gonna be harder for you to get out. So be careful.”
To: “Camila wants you to go with us. See what I mean.”
To: “The thing you need to understand is that’s who she is. And the second you know where you’re at, the ground shifts underneath you. I told you, be careful. Now you know what I mean.”
To: T- “If I know too much I’m indispensable. If I know too little I’m disposable.” J -“Did you listen to a word I said?”
To: T- “Where are you going? This isn’t the way to the warehouse.” J- “Camila wants to see you.” And this face:
Teresa survives another day but practically cements Camila’s interest in the process. What were you saying James about it being harder to get out?
Maybe it’s my shipper goggles but manipulation involved or not, it is working on him too.
Especially taking in consideration his M.O. of loyalty and how he reacts when Camila rats him out to Teresa RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM.
Yes that’s right: Camila orders James to get Teresa to trust him and then immediately undermines any progress he has made by letting Teresa know James reported Teresa’s “wrong choice” of wanting to spare the thief.
"This is not my home.” Anyone else instantly hear the SHAME bells from GoT? YES TERESA. I love you.
And what would a mule do with a Rolex?!
Speaking of Camila’s psychological manipulation: “I want your opinion on her. I want her to trust you.”...
Hilarious how much this eventually backfires.
Camila is all, get in there James! Work your magic, get her to trust you! You’re good at that!
And yet it’s James who is just continuously getting whammied by Teresa instead.
Teresa has risked her own life in front of James twice in as many days, significantly helping him/the business in the process.
“I want your opinion on her” indeed.
This is just day two, bud. Buckle up.
