Episode Title: Quail in Rose Petals
Another week, another episode! I never thought I’d see the day I’d be looking forward to Sunday evening. I’m so in love with this show and all its characters, colours, and heart. It’s time for the Like Water for Chocolate Episode 3 recap!
Rosaura’s Betrayal
I knew it. What did I tell you?! I knew Rosaura had something to do with arranging her marriage to Pedro! I knew it! Pedro wasn’t lying about writing letters to Tita while he was away in the city, joining the revolution. It turns out that Rosaura stole each letter and read Pedro’s words as if he had written them just for her. And those same letters sustain her during the lonely nights she spends with Pedro in their yet-to-be-consummated marriage. This is just gross.
While this storyline is a hard departure from the book, it’s a choice that gives Rosaura’s character some much-needed depth. Gone is the blindly obedient daughter; here we have a woman who knows what she wants and takes it, her sister’s feelings be damned. And when Rosaura hung her soiled nuptial sheets out in the sun for all the world to see after she finally did the do with Pedro? I have never been more disgusted, but I recognise a diva when I see one. Okay now!
Quail with Rose Petals
This episode’s special recipe is quail with rose petals (codornices en pétalos de rosa). And it’s every bit as decadent as it sounds, at least according to Pedro. After Pedro gives Tita roses, she uses them to make this dish with chestnuts, honey, fresh quail from the ranch, and other ingredients. However, she pricks her finger on the roses’ thorns while preparing the dish, infusing all her burning lust for Pedro into every morsel. What a scene when the De La Garza family sat down to eat! This might be the most fascinating reaction to Tita’s food in the entire season. Rosaura, the hater she is, leaves the table complaining that the food tasted terrible. Gertrudis is overcome with a mysterious heat. Tita and Pedro…well, go press play on the episode and see for yourself. And as for Mamá Elena? Siri, play “Oops (Oh My)” by Tweet! By the way, Mamá Elena, I know the man in that picture was not your husband. I see you.
Gertrudis Joins the Revolution
After eating Tita’s quail dish, Gertrudis goes to the outdoor shower to cool off. Her scent is carried away on the wind across Las Palomas, and the entire town is swept up in desire, including Juan (Don Pedro’s former ranch hand), who immediately jumps onto his horse and rides all the way to the De La Garza ranch. There, he meets a stark-naked Gertrudis, who gets onto his horse and orders him to take her with him to join the revolution. And with that, the De La Garza ranch is down one sister, and Tita is more alone than ever. As much as I love Tita, Gertrudis has become my favourite character. Oh, to be so daring and free! A woman ahead of her time!
The Unrest Continues
As the revolution spreads, the De La Garza ranch is next to be affected. After a brief standoff with Tita and Pedro, the ranch hands leave after not receiving their promised payment from Mamá Elena. Here, we learn that uprisings are happening at ranches across Las Palomas. There is no money and not enough food for everyone. Of course, here comes Mamá Elena with her gun, shouting at the retreating backs of her former staff. I will never understand the wealthy. What are you really doing? How long do you expect to exploit hardworking people without consequence?
Later, Pedro’s role in the revolution is revealed: he will help distribute weapons to the south. This is another hard departure from the first iterations of Like Water for Chocolate. In the 1992 film, Pedro was a bit of a petulant fool. The only scene I remember of him even remotely discussing the revolution was a drunken dance around a roaring fire, which he eventually falls into, sustaining burns all over his body. This Pedro, while still a damn fool for marrying his true love’s sister, is far more socially conscious, and I can appreciate that. But a socially conscious fool is still a fool, so let’s not get too excited.
Another Nail in the Coffin
Rosaura’s pregnant. Ugh…help us. Help us!
This was a pretty good episode! Considering that we’re now at the halfway point of the season, I’m starting to wonder if they’ll be able to wrap everything up in three episodes; it feels really unlikely. There’s just too much story left to tell. That would be so disappointing because we already know how these streaming services treat their content. Let’s see what happens.
As usual, let me know your thoughts in the comments and happy watching!
