Thursday, September 22, 2011
La Pola - September 21, 2011 - Discussion Page
Francisco turns up at the jail and tries to say goodbye to Alejo. Alejo tells him that he won’t be executed because Pola, a woman he doesn’t deserve, is going to die for him. Francisco later visits Pola who has received the pardon papers from Herrera. She gives Francisco the papers. When the Spaniards learn that she does not have the papers, they pursue Francisco and get them from him.
When the soldiers go to Pola's cell, her brother José is among the group of priests sent to accompany her. They make amends
Pedrito and the Almeida brothers race towards Santa Fé.
A large crowd is gathered in the square. Sámano has Pola’s friends brought out. He wants a couple of them to be executed in front of her. She is brought out. Francisco yells at her and tells her that the pardon papers have been taken and warns her not to recant. Arcos and Arellano are executed. Sámano thinks that women are weak and that when she sees this, she will try to save herself.
It is now Polá turn to stand before the firing squad.
Labels: LaPola
What quietly brilliant episodes these last two have been. If revolutions are really about winning hearts and minds, then we can see that this one is on its way to being won.
Pola's ideals finally touch the up to now stony hearts of José and -- with a little help from that bastard, Sámano -- Francisco. The viewer can imagine the same awakening playing out all over the patria.
Does anyone doubt that for many, maybe most, of the soldiers under Sámano's command, the only thing keeping them in line is the threat of the firing squad?
no temo a la muerte, desprecio la vida, lamento la suerte de la patria mia
i dont fear death, I despise life, I mourn the fate of my country...
The goodbyes of Alejo and Arellano and Alejo and Arcos were very moving and very indicative of who these characters were... Remember Arellano was the 'messenger' that Baraya had sent through Santa Fe and he was caught and Alejo told Narino he was the 'trusted' guy of Baraya, he was bringing the attack instructions to the troops on teh other side of SF that night. And Narino 'talked' him into telling them what was going on and later Pola converted him again to the 'rebel' side. (when Arcos said no)
Martaivett: I didn't hear Arcos say anything. It must have been cut.
I agree that the writers allowed Francisco's redemption, if only in part, by his behavior. Still, I think there are other "Francisco's" (and "José's" and "Perez-Delgado's") in the crowd who will be moved, who will be changed.
Marta and Pasofino,
About Arcos's poem -- I heard him say to Alejo that he had composed a poem and asked him if he wanted to hear it.
And Alejo kind of smiled and said "No, but I'm sure it's very good."
It was a light, 'whistling through the graveyard' kind of moment between these friends who are about to die.
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