Monarca Season 1 Episode 1 The Pruning

Monarca is a Mexican drama series that follows the story of a wealthy family that has built a tequila empire and is now looking to expanding it globally. The first episode of the series is called The Pruning and it sets the stage for the conflict that is about to unfold.

The episode starts with a group of people, all wearing masks, running through a field under cover of darkness. We soon learn that they are workers at the Monarca tequila factory, which is owned by the Carranza family. They have been sneaking into the factory at night to cut down the agave plants, the raw material for tequila, in protest of the family's treatment of workers.

The story then moves to Ana María, the protagonist of the series, who is living in Los Angeles with her husband and two children. Ana María is called back to her hometown of Tequila, Mexico, by her father, the head of the Carranza family, who wants her to come back and take over the family business.

As soon as Ana María returns to Tequila, she realizes that there is a lot of tension between her family and the workers. The workers are demanding better treatment and better wages, and they are not afraid to speak up about it. Ana María's father, however, is determined to put them in their place. He wants to cut costs and increase profits by automating the factory, which would mean laying off a lot of workers.

Ana María is caught in the middle of this conflict, as she tries to balance her loyalty to her family with her concern for the workers. She also has to deal with her estranged sister, who resents her for leaving Mexico to marry an American and for not being there for the family when they needed her.

Apart from the family drama, the episode also sets up several subplots that will be explored throughout the season. Ana María's son, for instance, is struggling with addiction and has a strained relationship with his father. Ana María's husband is also hiding a secret that could potentially ruin their marriage.

The Pruning is a strong start to the series, as it sets up the key conflicts and develops the main characters. The cinematography is stunning, with beautiful shots of the tequila fields and the family estates. The acting is also impressive, with Irene Azuela giving a standout performance as Ana María.

The episode does a good job of showcasing the complexities of Mexican society, where wealth and power are concentrated in the hands of a few families while the majority of people struggle to make ends meet. It also addresses issues of corruption, labor rights, and the tension between tradition and modernity.

Overall, The Pruning is an engaging and thought-provoking episode that leaves the viewers wanting more. It sets up a compelling story that promises to explore the dynamics of a Mexican family and the tequila industry. With strong performances and stunning visuals, Monarca is a show that is definitely worth watching.