Amac Productions

I’m not sure I have words.

This was not what I expected from the college special and everything I didn’t know I wanted at the same time.

Like their meeting was exactly them.

Luiza bumps into Valentina. Valentina makes a bad joke, pissing off Luiza, and she’s righteously pissed off, and takes everything Valentina says personally afterward. Like what?

But it’s so… true to the age!

The writing is spectacular here, because they boil the characters down in a way that makes them true to themselves as grown adults, and true to themselves as young adults fresh out of being teens.

Like it’s so perfect.

Because you can see the threads of who they’ll become!

But aren’t there yet!

They’re still learning and maturing and growing and figuring themselves out.

Like shit, it’s soooooo good!

And I cannot praise Reis and Buiar enough for their portrayal! They capture the youthfulness! The arrogance of being that age and thinking nothing can touch you. The smugness that hangs on them.

The complete lack of accountability and all the responsibilities they have as adults aren’t there. They’re living life from one minute to the next, not really thinking about the future or what will come.

Or in Luiza’s case, overthinking everything about the future because she wants to get everything exactly right all the time instead of living. She’s so focused on her goals that nothing else matters.

Something we see has changed in the future.

She lives to live.

She still has goals and opinions and drive, but it’s different.

She’ll play silly games with her wife and son, spend time with her family. Go out and have a drink with friends and let loose.

On the flip side, we have Valentina who is harsh, and sarcastic.

A feature she doesn’t use in her adult life.

Like she’s putting up a front of who she’s expected to be instead of who she is and pretends like she doesn’t give a shit. Except in her adult life, we see she wears her heart on her sleeve, especially with her wife.

But also her caring for others has changed.

You can see the influence they have on each other.

Like that first argument in class.

They were so mad and screaming at each other, they couldn’t hear anything else. Not even the teacher.

In the present, we see they communicate openly, without yelling. They may not agree, but they listen better.

Take the argument in season one episode four. Luiza acts very similarly to this college special episode, shouting, and spouting BS at Valentina. Except, the Valentina who has grown up, doesn’t take the bait. She doesn’t fight back.

Not like here.

Here, they’re both prodding at each other constantly, just to set each other off.

Especially Valentina.

Who just wants Luiza’s attention. Good or bad, she doesn’t care. Anything to get her to talk to her or pay attention.

You can even tell that she didn’t take their class debate seriously outside the room setting. Once she calmed down, she returned to being more playful, and open to talking.

Something she gets better at as she gets older.

Meanwhile, Luiza has decided she doesn’t want anything to do with Valentina. Thus gaining more of Valentina’s attention.

I just love the twist in the dynamic so much.

I mean, I knew they didn’t get along or see eye to eye, but seeing where it all started is so fascinating.

Because we see the bits and pieces of them that they grow into. But aren’t there yet.

Instead, they’re both immature.

They can’t even play a game together without it dissolving into a fight.

Also, is it just me or does the group have a different dynamic than suggested in the pilot?

In the very first episode, it indicates no one can stand Valentina either. They roll their eyes or give her grief. Not just Luiza.

Here, everyone is rolling their eyes at Luiza being a little too much in her values and beliefs.

Less annoyed with Valentina for her laid-back attitude.

Maybe that’s just me. But it seemed like a different vibe here.

Also, is Igor older? Because 1×04 says he’s the younger sibling. And are he and Duda already married? Duda called Valentina her sister-in-law.

Or is she just assuming it’s going there?

Honestly, plot holes don’t bother me that much. I’m just wondering if I missed something in translation!

I love Valentina’s relationship to her brother, the little high five they did was cute.

I loved Luiza immediately flipping on Valentina during the card game. And Valentina declaring that Luiza will fall for her eventually! ‘Mark my words!’

There are so many times when I want to introduce characters to their younger selves. This is one of those moments. (Fanfic…?)

Like just imagine the younger Valentina’s smugness if she discovered they were married in the future! So much fun to imagine.

There’s so much goodness happening in this episode. It’s crazy.

Even though the first meeting between them is a little dicey, I love it.

Except for the redhead! Who was that? Valentina? Who are you walking with your arm around?

Is that the cheerleader we heard about in the season two flashback to your first kiss?

Nope. Not liking her.

Sorry.

Not sorry.

What did you guys think about the first episode of the college special? Are you loving it? Hating it? In between? Tell me some thoughts! Please and thank you!

Thanks for reading! Hit some buttons to show me some love!

Spread the love and read on!