August 30, 2024 | 12:00am
As the plot thickens, interesting and intriguing events happen.
This is true with the evolving narrative of “Widows’ War,” the murder, mystery drama series that lords it over on the GMA Prime.
First and foremost, it has fulfilled what’s implied in the show’s title: the eventual demise of the supposed “futures” of the powerful and influential Palacios family. They’re Paco and Basil, the sons of siblings Aurora and Galvan, who reign over their respective houses situated in a sprawling estate.
Although the older Palacios prove the “blood is thicker than water” saying in some explicit and subtle instances, there seems to be a sense of competitiveness in them that their intentions should always be questioned.
Carla Abellana is George, the wife of Basil and former best friend of Sam.
Yes, the “physical presence” of Paco and Basil is no longer felt in the present of those people they have left behind, but their memories and thoughts still haunt the latter through flashbacks and recollections. Paco and Basil’s stint in the narrative may be short. However, their impact is great, for it is the core and thrust of the show. That’s to engage viewers in the whodunit fashion and let them take a closer look at every character’s actions and intentions.
At some point, a viewer even tends to question if he or she has watched enough to make sense who among the lead and supporting characters is the culprit behind the death of Basil. Adding to that is the demise of Basil’s former girlfriend, and mistress, Beverly, and the unborn child.
Bea Alonzo as Sam, the wife of Paco and daughter-in-law of Aurora.
This might be attributed to Basil’s male personal assistant, Peter, but one needs some solid evidence, not anecdotal and circumstantial to make such a stance.
That’s the charm of a show written in this genre where hints are scattered around and given sporadically. They may give one a glimpse of what could possibly be there, but everything remains up in the air.
Tonton Gutierrez and Jean Garcia are the Palacios siblings who need to secure their family’s future and legacy.
“Widows’ War” is a product of well-thought out ideas and characters, and well-crafted storytelling.
All this has been articulated and interpreted well by the actors, from Bea Alonzo and Carla Abellana to Jean Garcia and Tonton Gutierrez, from Lito Pimentel, Jackie Lou Blanco and Timmy Cruz to Rita Daniela, Lovely Rivero, Jeric Gonzales, and Brent Valdez, and the TV series director, Zig Dulay.
Tonton Gutierrez is Galvan, the dad of Basil and brother of Aurora.
Also, hats off to the work that Rafael Rosell, Benjamin Alves and Bianca Manalo have contributed to the show.
What’s clear, at least to me, is that the main and more visible characters have their own vested interests to keep. Aurora wants to preserve the family legacy and her position of power. Galvan wishes to assert his being the eldest and claim over the authority his sister enjoys, while other characters (such as Ruth and Vivian) want to maintain their existing and newfound social status.
The war between widows George and Sam has begun, while the rest of the characters have their own personal battles to handle and deal with head-on.
What I want one to further look at is the true persona and real intentions of Aurora and Galvan. Either of the two might be written in the tradition of a Titan or a dramatis persona whose personal interest is bigger than the welfare of others.
And one should also keep a watch on George and Sam, who might emerge as not the typical female protagonists one expects them to be in the end. So far, most of the characters are inherently good, but flawed. It sounds interesting and intriguing to me.
(Watch “Widows’ War” from Mondays to Fridays at 8:50 p.m. on GMA Prime).
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