Amac Productions

Okay, I love this episode and I’m annoyed with it at the same time.

Does that make sense? No, probably not.

I’ll do my best to explain.

What annoys me about this episode – time has passed.

We’re not quite clue in on how much time. I mean, Luiza says the semester is almost over. But is that the same in Brazil as the US? Is it the first semester that’s passed?

It’s not totally clear and I don’t love that.

I also, don’t love that we didn’t see the time passing.

A montage. Something to clue me in on what it was like for the two of them to work together.

Because they must have made some type of peace together.

Something!

Alas, no.

What I love!

What we do see.

Clearly, Luiza and Valentina have worked together on some type of school project together. One Valentina was left to turn in, despite Luiza’s reservations.

Also, like Valentina, I love how quickly Luiza dissolves into flip out mode.

Like clearly, Valentina was messing with her, but she took it so seriously and lost it so quickly.

There should have been a clue Luiza when Valentina couldn’t stop grinning like an idiot because she got you all riled up.

All the unresolved sexual tension is simply amazing.

I could watch it all day long from these two.

Not to mention all the looks Buiar serves up. Her eyes are incredible.

Reis are good too! Don’t get me wrong, but Buiar is just… whew! I need water. Excuse me.

Okay, I’m back!

By the way, Luiza no one is buying your schtick!

Not me, not the audience, not Fabricia (Valentina’s girl…something?), not Duda, your own sister, no one!

Duda evens says anyone who doesn’t know Luiza would buy it.

Welp, I’ve watched three seasons of this show now. I don’t buy it. Do you?

I don’t think the red head, Valentina’s whatever, even buys that Luiza isn’t interested.

Uninterested people don’t shove other people against the lockers and stare at their lips. They just simply don’t care.

I think I said this about episode five in season two for their first kiss. If Luiza didn’t care, she’d walk away. Not demand to know about why Valentina is at her house or get angry over little things.

Certainly, not look her up and down or smile secretly when the other discusses their good grade.

You simply do not care. You don’t pay attention to them. You don’t care what they do with their time or who they do it with. Nothing.

You just don’t.

If you do these things, you give a damn. Sorry to break it to you Luiza, but you’re attracted or even… dare I say it – like her!

Dun, dun, dun!

My goodness, she is incredibly stubborn.

Alas, Luiza gives a damn.

She wants to know why she’s at her house. Well, Luiza, to see you. To spend time with you outside of school, because I’m fairly certain Valentina will do anything good or bad to get your attention.

Also, Luiza!

I have never in my life, ever watched someone from across the room that I don’t like while playing with my hair and looking at them with that face! Ever. It doesn’t happen.

That is a tell tale sign of affection or attraction or something other than hatred.

Even your sister noticed.

Most people also, don’t look up sneakily waiting for her to walk by in the hopes of catching a glimpse of each other as you pass by.

Then have a little moment where you look over your shoulder to see her.

None of your actions match your words Luiza! None!

Meanwhile, there’s Valentina.

Openly flirting with someone else while she has a something. Is this more appropriate in Brazil? I’ve read so much research that indicates that unless otherwise specified, dating is pretty open in Brazil. Dating multiple people isn’t weird or frowned upon.

So, hey. Whatever.

However, I don’t think anyone told Fabricia who clearly wants more based on what little I’ve seen of her.

Her passiveness over Valentina is obvious from those little tidbits.

Not to mention, she and Luiza clearly dislike each other. A sure sign they’re interested in the same person, because it always works out like that. Common trope there.

Also, Valentina who invites a date to a different date’s house for a party? Is that a thing?

My goodness, you two are a mess.

A wonderful mess I want to see more of, but a mess nonetheless.

Oh, and who else caught the book Valentina is reading? Photography. I love that little detail!

Now, onto the big piece of the episode.

Valentina’s breakdown in the bathroom.

I love that once again Luiza flips her shit.

Then she notices something is wrong. Like really wrong. And immediately changes pace. She reminds her that she’s not joking and when Valentina confesses her claustrophobia it’s met with kindness.

It’s the first genuine interaction outside of their fight in episode one of this special.

I’m serious. That was a genuine interaction as well. Because they were both completely serious about their viewpoints. While they were not listening, they were passionately discussing something important to each other. It was a genuine fight. Not one just to rile each other up. But one about beliefs.

This is the second.

Because Valentina is vulnerable right now.

And Luiza knows it.

Yet, neither of them chooses to be anything other than kind.

Luiza offers comfort.

She’s not mean or condescending. She realizes that Valentina didn’t do this on purpose and is struggling. Luiza offers her a kindness and warmth about her fear, talking her through that terrifying moment.

Luiza is nothing but wonderful.

Showing those protective threads we really got to see in the Christmas Special. When she would clearly do anything to protect the people she loves.

Even now, we see her calmly defend and help Valentina even though she struggles with this relationship. Allowing Valentina to draw comfort as she sees fit.

Such as the hug.

Definitely not how Luiza saw her day going I’m sure.

But she allowed it.

She hugged her back.

Valentina let herself be vulnerable with Luiza. Something we don’t see her do a lot of.

She’s tough and confident and filled with smugness, but never vulnerability. While she doesn’t choose the situation which forces her into this moment, she does choose to embrace it.

She reals the issue to Luiza and allows herself to be comforted. Something so hard in those moments. I have people in my life who have claustrophobia, it’s not easy to help them through it.

I love this show.

Yes, I have issues with it. But I’ll excuse almost anything for excellent character moments like those.

Kudos to the Buiar and Reis for always bringing their very best!

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