Paquita Salas Season 1 Episode 3 Back to Navarrete

In the third episode of Paquita Salas season 1 titled "Back to Navarrete," the focus is on the personal life of the titular character as she returns to her hometown to celebrate her mother's birthday. The episode opens with Paquita and her assistant Magüi driving to Navarrete, a small village in La Rioja region of Spain.

Upon reaching there, Paquita is greeted by her mother, who is happy to see her daughter after a long time. The duo shares a heartwarming moment, reminiscing about old times and discussing the state of their lives. Paquita's mother is a retired school teacher who is content with her simple life, but Paquita feels dissatisfied with her own achievements and career. This contrast sets up the central theme of the episode- the conflict between tradition and ambition.

As the day progresses, Paquita meets her old friends from Navarrete who have stayed in the village and leads a tranquil life. Paquita feels out of place among them and her high strung nature becomes apparent. She compares her life to her friend's, some of whom are married with kids, have steady jobs and seem happy. Paquita realizes that she has lost touch with her roots and feels her mother's reproach for not visiting often enough.

The story takes an interesting turn when Paquita's ex-boyfriend Daniel turns up unannounced with his new girlfriend Maria. Daniel is a successful man, who has moved up the social ladder, and this development upsets Paquita. Daniel and Maria are welcomed into the celebrations, and the tension between Paquita and Maria is tangible. Maria starts asking Paquita about her job, and when Paquita admits to being a talent agent, Maria questions her achievements and tries to belittle her in front of everyone. This is the point where Paquita realizes that she is not happy with her life and is finally ready to make a change.

Towards the end of the episode, as the party is winding down, Paquita and her mom have a heart to heart talk in which her mother describes how proud she is of her daughter despite her own lack of formal education. She urges Paquita to aim for her dreams, no matter how lofty they may be. The conversation is a turning point for Paquita, who now fully understands the need for change and wants to take action.

In conclusion, "Back to Navarrete" is a poignant episode that explores the themes of family, tradition, and ambition. It is a character-driven story that adds depth to the titular character and presents her in a more vulnerable light. The episode is realistic and relatable, and the acting is top-notch. It is an emotional journey that showcases the rich culture of Spain while telling an engaging story.