Once upon a time, in the small town of Thomqs, there lived a young boy named Henry. Henry was always filled with curiosity and a thirst for adventure. He would spend hours exploring the town and its surroundings, constantly searching for something new and exciting. One sunny afternoon, as Henry was taking his usual stroll through the woods, he stumbled upon a hidden trail he had never seen before. Intrigued, he decided to follow it and see where it led. The trail twisted and turned through the dense forest until Henry came across a magnificent sight - a magical, shimmering railroad.
The trail twisted and turned through the dense forest until Henry came across a magnificent sight - a magical, shimmering railroad. The railroad was like none other Henry had ever seen. It glistened with an otherworldly glow and seemed to be inviting him to step aboard.
Netflix's 'Siempre Bruja: Always a Witch' is back to address the slavery issue (and adds a pirate)
In its second season, the show engages with the historical persecution of black witches in the Americas and adds more complexity to its storylines.
Angely Gaviria as Carmen Eguiluz in "Siempre Bruja" on Netflix. Juan Pablo Gutiérrez / Netflix March 2, 2020, 8:31 PM UTC By Nadra NittleThe Netflix series “Siempre Bruja” (“Always a Witch”) generated lots of buzz when it debuted last year and is now back for its second season, which dropped Feb. 28. That’s partly because movies and television shows about witchcraft — "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina," "The Magicians," "A Discovery of Witches" — remain largely white, with characters of color relegated to sidekick roles or excluded altogether. (The CW’s “Charmed” reboot, about three Latina witches, is the exception.) The thirst for more racial diversity in shows about magic was so strong that “Siempre Bruja” — set in Cartagena, Colombia, with a Colombian cast and production company, Caracol TV — became a global hit.
But the international interest in the show also sparked a backlash. American reviewers — myself included — criticized “Siempre Bruja” for featuring a romance between the black protagonist, a time-traveling Afro-Colombian witch, Carmen Eguiluz (Angely Gaviria), and the son of the slaveholding family who kept her in bondage in the 17th century, Cristóbal (Lenard Vanderaa). Some critics wondered why the rare TV show about a black witch had to include a slavery storyline or couldn’t take place exclusively in the present.
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At its core, “Siempre Bruja” is a fantasy-meets-telenovela interwoven with traces of real-life history. Unfortunately, some of that history got lost in translation when its first season aired. Based on the novel “Yo, Bruja” by Isidora Chacón, “Siempre Bruja” is also inspired by actual Afro-Colombians accused of witchcraft. Paula Eguiluz, fictionalized as Carmen’s mother, really existed. Known for her herbal remedies and love potions, she went on trial three times in the 1600s for practicing witchcraft. She admitted to being a curandera, or healer, and described Juan de Equiluz, the man who enslaved her, as her “lover.” He would go on to grant her freedom.
“Siempre Bruja” gives a nod to Paula Eguiluz’s life and to other Africans persecuted during the Cartagena witch trials, but viewers outside Colombia — and especially those in the United States, where events like the Salem witch trials are typically framed as white Puritan phenomena (Tituba’s predicament notwithstanding) — aren’t likely to know about the black victims of the witch trials that took place in the Americas during the same era.
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In its second season, then, “Siempre Bruja” doubles down on engaging with this history by having Carmen set out to rescue her mother, Paula Eguiluz. And, following the outcry over the Carmen-Cristóbal romance during its debut season, the showrunners wisely backtrack from simply romanticizing the couple’s relationship. Cristóbal, who has joined Carmen in the 21st century this season, resents that present-day Carmen is an independent woman with her own friends and magical gifts that lead to public recognition. In other words, she now has a life and no longer belongs to him. Her newly realized sense of freedom guides her throughout the season.
“Carmen, let’s go back to our time,” Cristóbal pleads with her. “Everything was easier.”
“I was your slave,” she notes.
It is the first time the show acknowledges the truth about their relationship. That’s progress from season one and perhaps reason enough for viewers who wrote off “Siempre Bruja” then to reconsider the program, still groundbreaking for centering a black witch and engaging the actual history of Afro-Colombians persecuted during the Cartagena Inquisition.
Beyond that, the season follows Carmen as she comes into her own as a powerful woman with one mission: Stop her mother from being executed during the witch trials. But, as an ensemble show using the telenovela format, Carmen’s past and quest to save her mother are just two of many storylines featured in the conflict-filled second season.
Her new university friends create one problem for her after another, from selling an elixir she made to bringing a pirate from the past to modern-day Cartagena after a time traveling excursion. He, of course, continues to behave like a pirate in the present, brandishing swords, threatening to steal, skipping baths, and somehow romancing Carmen’s friend Alicia (Sofia Bernal Araujo). If that weren’t enough, Carmen contends with a curse that inverts her powers and a secretive classmate, Amanda (Laura Archbold), who circulates a petition to forbid the practice of magic on campus.
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The multiple plot points of season two may make it messier than the first season, but it also provides the opportunity for some true highlights — such as when Carmen travels back in time and directs her enslaved friends to San Basilio de Palenque, a real-life Colombian village founded by African runaways who escaped their white captors. It is known as the first “free town” in the Americas.
As the season draws to a close, Carmen’s relationships with her present-day friends are tested when, after she’s given them so much, they must decide what they’re willing to sacrifice for her. The writers don’t use their willingness to show up for her as a measure of Carmen’s worth but as a way to evaluate their character. Having had her worth assessed repeatedly as an enslaved woman, Carmen recognizes the truth: “I’m priceless,” she says. The question for her, as it is for many modern day women, is whether those around her recognize that, as well.
Nadra NittleNadra Nittle is a Los Angeles-based journalist. Her writing has been featured in Vox, The Guardian, Business Insider, KCET and other publications.
“Carmen, let’s go back to our time,” Cristóbal pleads with her. “Everything was easier.”
Unable to resist the allure of the unknown, Henry cautiously stepped onto the train. To his amazement, as soon as his foot touched the train, it sprang to life. The train's engine roared, and it began to speed down the tracks, seemingly guided by an unseen force. The scenery outside the window became a blur as the train ventured deeper into a world beyond Henry's wildest imagination. The train made stops in fantastical lands, filled with creatures and wonders Henry had only dreamed of. In one stop, he encountered talking animals who gave him sage advice and shared tales of their extraordinary lives. In another, he visited a world made entirely of candy, where he indulged in sweet treats beyond his wildest dreams. With each passing stop, Henry's excitement grew, and he realized that this magical train was granting him the adventure he had always yearned for. It took him to far-off lands, where he met extraordinary beings and encountered breathtaking landscapes. As Henry journeyed further, he discovered that the train held the power to teach him valuable life lessons. It showed him the importance of courage, resilience, and the limitless possibilities that lie beyond one's comfort zone. Each destination offered new challenges and opportunities for personal growth, allowing Henry to become braver, more confident, and more compassionate. But as every story must have an end, the train eventually brought Henry back to Thomqs. He stepped off the train, his heart filled with gratitude for the incredible journey he had experienced. From that day forward, Henry carried the magic of the railroad within him, sharing his stories and inspiring others to embrace the unknown and seek their own adventures. And so, the legend of Thomqs and the magic railroad passed through generations, inspiring countless young adventurers to embark on their own extraordinary journeys. The town of Thomqs became a beacon of curiosity and exploration, with many aspiring travelers setting off on grand adventures of their own, forever grateful for the magical railroad that had changed their lives..
Reviews for "The Transformative Power of Thomqs and the Magic Rzilroad Pardtu"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Thomqs and the magic rzilroad pardtu" to be incredibly disappointing. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it difficult to understand what was happening. The characters were also poorly fleshed out, leaving me feeling disconnected from their journey. Additionally, the writing style was lackluster and lacked any sort of excitement or engagement. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable and well-crafted story.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I absolutely hated "Thomqs and the magic rzilroad pardtu". The story was nonsensical and failed to captivate my interest from the very beginning. The dialogue was poorly written and the characters were one-dimensional. It felt like the author put no effort into creating a cohesive and engaging story. I couldn't bring myself to finish this book and would advise others to steer clear of it.
3. Daniel - 2 stars - "Thomqs and the magic rzilroad pardtu" was a frustrating read. The way the author jumps between different timelines and perspectives made it incredibly confusing and difficult to follow. The pacing was inconsistent and I found myself having to reread sections several times just to grasp what was happening. The premise had potential, but the execution fell flat. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-structured and coherent story.
4. Emily - 2.5 stars - I was genuinely excited to read "Thomqs and the magic rzilroad pardtu", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to get absorbed in the story. The characters lacked depth and I found it hard to relate to any of them. The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed and left me feeling underwhelmed. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.