Teresa in La Reina Del Sur

Teresa Medoza in La Reina Del Sur is the character that the audience is rooting for. It's impossible not to fall in love with her and to stop yourself from becoming emotionally invested in her success. She is a woman that continues to defy all the odds. The antagonists- the people that want her dead- cannot seem to kill her. She is smart, cunning, and quick thinking. My favorite part about her is that she challenges the traditional roles that women have in telenovelas. Women are typically portrayed as submissive to men, but here, Teresa is arguably just as strong as the men in this illegal drug trade industry. Women are also seen as innocent and vulnerable, susceptible to violence. Time and time again Teresa proves those portrayals to be incorrect. As I watch the episodes, I can't help but feel sorry for her. She puts on a brave front, but her life isn't easy. Since the death of her husband, Teresa has lived this "roller-coaster life". She is always on her feet, never finding real peace. Teresa knows more than the stereotypical telenovela woman, and she demonstrates her knowledge through the actions she takes. She shuts down the idea of "machismo", masculine pride, in Latin American society. I am impressed by her abilities to manipulate people and think for herself, and I think it is wonderful that there are shows that portray women with such a powerful image.