Critter’s Criticism Of Netflix’s New Fresa Series, “Desenfrenadas”

What would life be without a steamy hot Mexican “fresa” drama series? That’s like eating sopa de vaso con tu pinche dedo. Osea, que asco, guey.

Recently San Netflix, the patron saint of streaming, blessed us con un chorro de series featuring the lives of Mexico’s posh upper-class, known as las fresas. Y neta, guey, watching these shows is like kissing in the rain con chile serrano lip balm. O sea, es next level ecstasy, beh-beh.

If you have to ask, “Pero, Don Critter, what are these “fresa” television programs you speak of…?” obvi, estás enfermo, guey (you’re sick, bro), and you need to rub some vapuru on your forehead. You know damn well what I’m talking about. Shows like:

“La Casa de las Flores” (The House of Flowers)

“Made In Mexico”

And my latest obsession — and the subject of this new review…

“Desenfrenadas” (Unstoppable)

If you’re not finding “Desenfrenadas” on your Netflix, it’s because you’re Netflix is probably set to “pocho” and has re-titled the series as “Unstoppable.” No judgment. I’m pretty pocho myself. My Spanish is trash and probably sounds the way these people speak Spanish: 

But let’s dig into this plate of a papas con chorizo, fam.

“Desenfrenadas” is a hidden gem you definitely need to have on your radar. It may remind you of HBO’s “Girls” but brown.

It’s like if the series “Girls” and “Breaking Bad” ripped into some bottles of tequila at a Oaxacan nightclub and snorted a line of some illegal substance, sweat-danced past sunrise, and woke up in each other’s arms the following day in a Mexican Motel-6 craving pancakes and menudo. 

That’s “Desenfrenadas.” Interested?

A huevo! Put on your quarantine pants, because it’s time to meet the characters of the show and become better acquainted con las locas that you’ll be spending your next few nights with. 

[Don’t worry. I don’t do spoilers. So calmate las chi-chis, guey.]

ROCIO 

Rocio is the leader of the fresa pack. It has nothing to do with her having the longest hair. I had a theory that’s how fresas choose their leader. La que la tiene más larga leads. But, no. I’m wrong. She’s honestly the most level-headed one. She’s studying to be a surgeon and following in the footsteps of her dad who happens to be a renowned surgeon. Oh, and her family lives in a big-ass Mexican “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”-like mansion built on rich doctor money. Heeeeeey!

The really interesting thing about Rocio is that she’s haunted by a ghost from her past… 

No cabrón…not like that. But a Fresa horror movie isn’t a bad idea (™)… 

In episode one, we learn that Rocio’s sister passed away. The show leaves her death a mystery (until closer to the end), but her death constantly follows Rocio around and is the main motivation behind Rocio deciding to take a spontaneous trip with her two besties who wanna get tequila lit “hasta el pito” in Oaxaca. 

Rocio’s journey is about finding her own path. She’s definitely a Walter White-type. Osea, muy badass.

Her entire life has been pre-determined by her family. She’s supposed to finish school, take on her father’s practice and marry un pinche preppy watered-down dish soap version of Justin Timberlake named “Juanpi.”

This is Justin:

This is Juanpi:

And this is me trying my best to tell them apart: 

But everything changes when Rocio decides she’s going to join her fresa compañeras on a trip of “Hangover” proportions. You’ll have to tune in to see how things turn out for our fearless long-haired leader. 

CARLOTA

Carlota’s axilas peludas (furry armpits) are possibly the most popular character on the show considering how much screen time they get. In the words of Edgar, from “La Caida del Edgar,”…”Ya Guey!”  Don’t get it twisted. I’m not offended by hairy female armpits. But I get it. Carlota has hairy pits. 

That said, Carlota is my favorite character. She is a buck wild feminist, the voice of reason, a “woke-ass-fresa,” who, despite seeming carefree and liberated, often hides in her own shell and becomes recluse. Also, she looks a lot like Hannah from “Girls.” Like, un chingo, guey!

This is Hannah:

This is Carlota:

Still me…unable to tell them apart:

Carlota is by far the best dressed in the series. Her clothes look like she washed a bunch of tween girl outfits, but instead of shrinking, they’ve expanded into an adult woman’s size. And👏she👏does👏not👏give👏a👏f***👏. Even though on the outside, Carlota seems to have a “me vale verga” attitude, she has a few really vulnerable moments in the show. Yas!!! These are the characters I live for. Complex characters with depth and dimension who still pull off bucket hats. Carlota is definitely la tortilla hecha a mano that keeps her friends (the other ingredients that make up a taco) together. 

VERA

Does anyone remember Cher from the Movie “Clueless?”

Yeah, her.

Vera is Cher, pero menos pendeja, and with a fierce attitude.

She’s posh and glitzy, but if you don’t respond to her text message or you accidentally sneeze on her Gucci bag valiste caca.

Vera’s best quality is her ability to surprise you with how pinche fresa she can sound. Neta, guey, her fresa talk is on point and you’ll find yourself speaking with a papa en la boca for weeks before it wears off. En serio beh-beh. Why do you think I’ve been sprinkling fresa-isms throughout this review.

That’s leftover Vera. I’m not even mad at it. Low key, I like it

But more than her acento fresa, Vera is the most ride-or-die friend. She does some crazy sh** in the series to protect her friends. Even Dominic Toretto would be like: 

“That fresa is wild” — Dominic Toretto (fake quote). 

Make sure to look out for Vera’s amazing character development. She might come off as a bratty rich girl, but the show goes deep into Vera, pero you don’t even know, beh-beh.

MARCELA

Marcela jumps into the story out of nowhere. She isn’t part of the friend gang. Maybe her tattoos and the Virgen de Guadalupe crop top give that away…so no, she is not a chica fresa. She’s a girl from the hood mixed up with what my mom would call, “mala gente.” I can’t get into detail about Marcela without spoiling major plot points, but she is definitely a gangsta with a ton of layers to her. I want you to picture Jesus Christ in your mind. While you’re doing that, imagine he has two big-ass guns in his hands and a cigarette in his mouth. That’s Marcela. 

So, should you watch “Desenfrenadas?” 

¡A huevo! Unless you’re taking a trip to Oaxaca soon that suddenly takes a ton of twists and turns and changes your entire perspective of the world, then yes, you should definitely watch this show — because it’s as close to that as you’ll get. “Desenfrenadas” is an incredible show with beautiful writing, character development, visuals, and acting. Every night, my wife would look at me and say, “Wanna watch fresas?” 

“You’re damn right I wanna watch fresas tonight.”

Enjoy the show and please let me know if you guys have any recommendations for future shows to review.

Adios mis beh-behs. Keep your armpits dry and your nalgas plastered on the couch.

-Critter

Here is the trailer because if I didn’t help you make up your mind, this will:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io7BSftd9-g