Too much too fast, but still addictive

I truly enjoyed watching my telenovela, La usurpadora, but I think the abridged version definitely took away from the experience. The fast paced scenes left little room for character development. For example, it didn’t show the transformation of Paulina into her role as Paola as it happened. In one scene she was a shy, long haired girl in modest clothing and the next she had a bob haircut with a sleek, sexy dress. Of course you understand what happened even with these scenes edited out but jumping from one major event to the next with no bridge feels less satisfying. Your emotions need a break once in a while!

I do admit that the abridged version held my attention well – I was so afraid I’d miss something if I turned around for even a second. I became pretty attached to the characters, and hope Paolina would eventually get over her naivety and pursue her own happiness.

I am curious to see how the abridged versions of telenovelas are consumed differently than those currently on air. I wonder if viewers watch DVD versions in installments or if they sit down for marathons.

Another interesting part of this experience is that my DVD didn’t have English subtitles. If my friends were over while I had it playing they would try to guess what was happening and then what would happen next and then what happened before....they got into it without having a clue as to what the characters were saying. I suppose this gives testimony to the globalization of telenovelas!