MARTA & FINA - Sueños De Libertad "and What Do You Like About Me?" "You're Very Cheerful..."

SOPHIE OKONEDO in JANET PLANET (2023) dir. Annie Baker

LA MODERNA ― E217

LA MODERNA ― E218

“Marta and Fina are very much in the same boat. They just need to learn how to row in synchronicity.”

I really can’t with the vitriol against Marta after today’s episode. There’s people going “If I were Fina, I’d leave her” or “Fina needs to subject her to the same treatment”.

Like. Leaving someone because they’ve been overwhelmingly swamped at work for ONE WEEK and have yet to find some semblance of balance? (not to mention the personal blows Marta’s being subjected to and the proverbial noose tightening more and more around her neck) Are we even watching the same thing? While drowning in work and sleep deprived, Marta tried to bake for her girlfriend and bent over backwards to secure them tickets at a unique event at the opera, because the woman she’s in love with is so special to her and deserves nothing less. She planned their outing with so much excitement, all so they could finally spend quality time together away from all the problems at home. And when it all came crushing down around her, like everything does as of late, she hated for Fina to miss out and encouraged her to take Carmen instead, to try and have a good time regardless. Yup. That’s an awful girlfriend right there.

And treating her the same way? You mean, the way Marta’s always so considerate with Fina, even when things seem to be stacked against them? Like Marta being sad, deeply frustrated and apologetic at having to cancel their plans together? It’s not like she was uncaring or jubilant at having more issues heaped onto her plate. It’s not like she’s dismissive of Fina or takes her for granted. On the contrary.

Marta’s not cold or unfeeling. If anything, she’s always felt so deeply and she’s struggling so much with this. This is killing her just as much as Fina, or more. She’s well aware of the toll this is taking on them and, most likely, feels selfish for even asking for understanding, fearful this might prove too much. You can see the agony of it all on her face, because she doesn’t want to disappoint Fina, doesn’t want to hurt her. It’s all there, plain to see, because when it comes to Fina, Marta wears her heart on her sleeve.

Let’s also look at the following:

Marta is 10 years Fina’s senior and her responsibilities in management are something Fina is not entirely used to (see Fina’s stance on Carmen’s promotion as well). Not to minimize Fina’s own obligations, or discard her countless merits, because she’s the most amazing person with a heart of gold and Marta’s so damn lucky to have her. There’s no better match for Marta than Fina and vice versa. But the burden on Marta’s shoulders is crushing at the moment. Hell, right now, hers might as well be a Sisyphean task, for no matter how hard she tries, her efforts are thwarted. She needs cuddles, not struggles. And, try as she might, Marta cannot be as free and unencumbered as Fina, especially given the yoke of her position (she chose it, some might say, which is true; we know she’s wanted her work to be recognized and acknowledged, to not be written off for being a woman; but she’s also wanted this position so she could change things for the better, ensuring fair treatment across the board; this isn’t just a personal goal, even as it plays a part in her decision making: it’s also a genuine desire to turn things around, make amends for her family’s misdeeds, do good and effect positive outcomes; the sad truth is it’ll probably end up hurting her more than anyone, because no good deed can go unpunished)

Fina also tells Isidro Carmen has changed since she’s been promoted. Again, the weight of added responsibilities are making themselves known. And Carmen too, just like Marta, wants to do a good job and be respected for it. No one’s going to hand her anything, she has to fight for it. A woman in a position of authority, in a society that’s deeply misogynistic, Carmen doesn’t even have her husband’s support, given that idiot tries to diminish her accomplishments to make himself feel superior. The only one encouraging and trusting Carmen is Marta herself (and Fina and Claudia, of course, when they’re not giving her grief lol). This, in turn, means Carmen’s new position offers her a unique understanding of Marta’s world. So it makes sense for Carmen to have told Fina that, now more than ever, she needs to support Marta as it won’t be easy for her girlfriend to fight the battles ahead. Because whatever crap Carmen is dealing with, Marta has it even worse.

Anyway. I could ramble on forever. It just baffles me to see such negativity.

There’s a thing called character arc. It has highs and lows and everything in between. The writers on the show have said that no matter how hard it gets, Marta and Fina’s storyline will remain one of hope, with light at the end of every tunnel. But there needs to be conflict, tension and drama. Which, in turn, make victories, both small and large, all the more significant. All the more remarkable. All the sweeter and euphoric after a series of trials and tribulations.

Lessons are learned, obstacles are surmounted, triumphs are celebrated. Step by step. Life is, more often than not, rather monotonous with some excitement here and there. And it’s a given: it can’t, and won’t, be a continuous loop of smooth sailing.

Ultimately, what matters is to find a way to navigate together, whether the seas are calm or stormy. Marta and Fina are very much in the same boat. They just need to learn how to row in synchronicity. As it is, for the most part, they’ve got it down pat. For the most part. But they’re a damn good team, the best even, and though they falter, they’ll find their rhythm again.

CORONATION STREET ― Spoiler video (2)

GUGU MBATHA-RAW Harper's Bazaar The Awards Issue | Dec, 2023/Jan, 2024 photographed by Helena Christensen

Siuan Sanche waits for only one woman

"Which is, of course, just a misdirection because the entire show is their love story. We didn't want that [to be obvious] right out the gate, though. There was even a little bit of a red herring [at the start]. We knew people would assume there was some flirtation going on with Owen based on their conversation in the car. But, yeah, we totally manufactured that little meet cute [with Dani and Jamie] and I truly love it. They say you make three movies, the one you write, the one you shoot and the one you edit. That's definitely a scene that came out in post completely different than any of us knew it would be on set. It was never on our minds when we were [filming on the day]." Mike Flanagan's commentary for The Haunting of Bly Manor (Episode 1 "The Great Good Place")