Ohh, that actually makes sense. And yeah, she just played along with Val, making up this whole story, oh, huh, yeah, it made me…dizzy? (and then Val’s cheesy ass was like I’ll make you dizzy).
And another anon:
I loved your little analysis on that pill scene! When I watched it i was so intrigued by Juls reaction at that moment and later on when they are in the room and she lies to Val sayin she did take the pill. I always wondered why she chose those actions. I picture that Juls doesn’t drink nor does drugs because of the environment she grew up in surrounded by narcos and all that, her life is shitty but she never resorted to that for solace
Aw, thank you! Right? Just to go along with the mood, I guess. From what I’m seeing, most of us are guessing that at that point, she already knew about her feelings. God, can you imagine, liking what you think might be a straight girl but she keeps treating you like how Val treats you? What kind of sweet torture…
And another anon:
i absolutely love it when u pick apart scenes boo. abt the pill – imho i don’t think jul ever rly considered taking it, i think the panic moment was more like “val rly obv wants me on her level, how do i get out of this without ruining her mood”. after all she’s had no problem saying no to alcohol even with repeated offers and pressure, even in high stress moments. i actually think that discipline with herself without judging others is a super attractive quality about juls..
Thank you again! You guys are all probably right, which I like. Girl sticks to her guns. And you’re so right about the part in bold! Principled but not self-righteous is such a fine line and she walks it with aplomb. “This is what’s good for me but you do what’s good for you.” And then she spoke up when it was clearly not good for Val.
But we all agree, it was really good acting by Barbara, right.
Yesterday’s ep, Lupe for some reason, while effectively in witsec conditions, decided to tell Johnny everything about her family, including Juliana’s age.
I don’t think they’ll specifically bring it up again, it’ll probably go under the umbrella of how they address it in general, you know, stop trying to use drinks and drugs to mask what you’re feeling and so on. I think the way it was handled in that ep, shut down so quickly, probably implies it was supposed to be considered a minor thing and not going to come back.
But goddarn, that scene was so amazing to me, for the choices Barbara made as an actress and the choices Juliana made as a character. I hope you don’t mind if I expand on that a bit?
Juls was sooo taken aback by it. A million things probably went through her mind, Val knows her stance on this, was she deliberately challenging her, was she testing her, was this just a part of their friendship?
You can see her roll the pill over and consider her options and then decide this is just Val playfully giving her something that is fun for Val.
But I’ll always wonder why she chose that moment to play along, seemingly about to drink the water to chase it down until Eva came along and inadvertently saved her.
She’s been fine with refusing Val before, what made that moment different? Did she consider actually taking it and letting loose like these carefree rich kids for once? Was Val Like That too irresistible (though let’s face it, as if she could ever resist her)?
I included the last gif for meee, because Juls is super hot in that dress and also because I think the scene transition was really effectively done. In fact, we get a whole little story play out here, a subtle unexpected one, and Juls doesn’t say a single word. And then we see her spitting it out in the foreground as an end to it and the focus changing to Eva vs Val which had Juls then siding with Val and saving her.
I don’t think they’ll bring it back but I kind of wish they would, if only to see how they’d discuss it in the context of how their relationship and they have changed since.
1. when Juliana just straight up says she wouldn’t stop the make out, and then that they’re in love
AND Juliana reassured Valentina that whatever they felt, it was for them and not anyone else to judge.
2. when waking up from their first time together, Juliana wants to leave, and Valentina can’t even handle the thought.
I kind of love that after their first time, their reactions are completely in character, Val being extra clingy while Juls wants to take a breather to process it all, including waking up in a romantic partner’s bed for the very first time and to the immediate threat of discovery at that. But a drowsy needy Val snuggling into her calms Juls down too and we know she can never resist her.
Now, I hope you don’t mind, but I have a few more I wanted to mention too.
It’s clearly become a habit, a kind of safe space for Val. After the confrontation with Lucho, she just helplessly falls into Juls.
The next one is similar, born out of a desperate need for comfort, but it’s not exactly the same. I love these kinds of developing motifs in their relationship. Gift-giving, clothes-exchanging, teaching other things, handholds, playing with hair, pinkie promises. And like in real life it isn’t just plain repetition but evolving, and often something changes to give it even more significance. The pinkie promises are now part of their pact. And the neck snuggling after learning that Val loves how Juls smells? These things all add to it. That THAT’s actually her safe space.
And the thought that they fell asleep like that?
And then a really fun little bonus? Maybe this is all when it really started. 😛
Oh good, we’re talking about favorite ways to snuggle? Because I would like to submit that when Juls is EXTREMELY happy, her favorite thing to do is dip her head down and tuck into that spot right on Val’s shoulder, all curled up, her cheek resting against Val’s solid frame, leaning completely into her almost to the point of imbalance when they hug.
And as bonus, here is both of them doing just that when they apologize to each other (Juls, resting her cheek against Val’s shoulder because thank god Val still wants to be friends; Val going straight for Juls’ neck because she’s so relieved that they’re talking again).
