Mirror Imagery
Ep. 3 of Parientes A La Fuerza has 3 scenes of revelations reflected in mirrors. In 1998 La Mentira https://vix.com/es-es/detail/series-2756 mirrors also appear in pivotal moments, perhaps influenced in part by one of two movie versions, starring actor better known for portrayal of lawyer and father-figure/mentor who helps hero in classic Corazon Salvaje. http://www.henciclopedia.org.uy/autores/Bary/Corazonsalvaje.htm
1998 telenovela form of La Mentira expands on movie version of story--inspired by Shakespeare's Othello and Midsummer Night's Dream. In order to extend to 100 episodes what was told in 90 minute films, parallel characters and plots were created to emphasize message. Good hearted, loving, but deluded protagonists who nurture and protect life (orphans that eventually will belong to large family including close friends) are contrasted with antigonists whose self-centered actions lead to deaths of their victims.
Watch for reflective objects throughout PALF. I recall when gigolo gold-digger character in original 1993 Cafe con Aroma de Mujer is reflected in glass-front display or book case when he's telling lies on the phone to his wealthy wife; later, only shadow is seen of him washing his hands (actually and figuratively, like Pontius Pilate did to Christ) as he tells lies to his lover, at the very moment he's planning to abandon her and their baby. This male fortune hunter is described metaphorically by other characters as a parasite and likened to virus which destroys a coffee plantation--when his self-centered diversion of funds meant to protect livelihood of vast region, results in spread of plant plague.
Literary techniques such as these may not be noticed by many viewers who are fixated on plot--what happens next--and don't realize the "how" and "why" of elements included are also very important, intriguing and enjoyable.
Another kind of mirroring appears in 1998 La Mentira, which incorporates framework for both "The Hero's Journey" described by Joseph Campbell--very hot topic among screenwriters at the time due to Christopher Vogler's Writer's Journey--and lesser-known "Heroine's Journey" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroine's_journey
As in original 1994 version of Cafe Con Aroma De Mujer, the male protagonist shows some traditionally feminine traits, such as nurturing offspring. In 1998 La Mentira, Demetrio (behaving like his namesake, the goddess Demeter) saves the lives of mare giving birth and her foal by turning breach birth in the womb; on same night in story, female protagonist Veronica protects another young woman by shooting gun at intruder trying to kill her, a more traditionally masculine act.
Toward end of 1994 Cafe Con Aroma De Mujer, female protagonist Gaviota is faced with choice between two suitors who also seem to symbolize choice between continuing her brilliant career or giving it up for motherhood, a topic many women at that time also faced. (As it turns out, Gaviota is able to combine both). While Gaviota is considering her future, objects and dialogue represent metaphors used in novela--the seeming opposites of fire and water represented by favorite drink shared by the lovers, "aguardiente" .
Blue-eyed Gaviota sits pondering by open fire which represents Sebastian's love--he specifically states in story that his "element is fire". Painting of ship on ocean--i.e. her deep love for Sebastian--is seen in her London office as important delegate for world coffee organization, while two women employees chat in English about wheither to have salad or fish and chips for lunch, perhaps representing her two suitors who are both present in person to make proposals: boss and co-delegate coffee nerd Mauro, or Sebastian, who tho now penniless, was helped by coffee workers in region of his devasted plantation who bought him plane ticket to England to see Gaviota.
(For those who absolutely don't want to know what happens in a story before they see it--even if such could be the very reason they'd make effort to watch--then skip this vague "spoiler": Unaware of what happened to him, assuming he's still rich kid to her humble migrant harvester girl as when they first met--and later married stalker--she turns him away; but when Mauro nobly reveals his humbled rival's sacrifices made to protect and seek her, she follows him back to their homeland and saves his life--reversing trope of hero rescuing damsel in distress.)
Toward the end of 1994 Cafe Con Aroma de Mujer, Sebastian tells his likeable rascal friend Juancho that the only things he knows how to do are plant (sembrar) coffee and love Gaviota--both actions that seem impossible at that point.
Around middle of story, the two and English pal Arthur who "went native" in Colombia, drunkenly discuss women in plaza that became tourist attraction; Sebastian likens himself to Adam in the Garden of Eden, who hadn't known he was lonely until he met Eve. (Drunk and despondent, his conclusion at that time is that women are a necessary evil; later he will realize a woman is his salvation.) On that same night, faraway in big city Bogota, Gaviota tells her mother to imagine how much better the world would be if run by women, instead of belligerent, warring, stubborn men.
Gaviota's mother Carmenza frequently gives daughter benediction of "Father, Son and Holy Spirit"; by end of story, Gaviota's tri-part identities/personalities/qualities of "Executive, harvester, dreamer/lover" achieve physical form in her own daughters.
From their first meeting in the coffee grove to the final scene, Sebastian and Gaviota represent Adam and Eve returned to Paradise. (It might just be coincidence, but according to my calculations, by the epilogue "seven years later", Sebastian--like actor who portrayed him--is 33 years old--same age as Christ when making sacrifice so that a "Paradise Regained" will be possible for all humankind).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradise_Regained says "One major concept emphasized throughout (John Milton's epic poem) Paradise Regained is the idea of reversals"--in other words, mirror imagery.
More analysis of 1998 La Mentira and 1994 Cafe Con Aroma de Mujer can be found in earlier posts on this blog. Perhaps eventually may get around to adding labels indicating such... but I don't think would be too difficult to find here, if someone is really interested in these classic telenovelas and more recent "classic", Parientes A La Fuerza.
