Summary
“Dulce Amor” keeps the same approach; there’s no denying that this Netflix series is consistent, but it’s just not hitting the audience on an emotional level — there’s still a lack of depth and richness in the story.
This recap of Netflix’s Selena: The Series season 1, episode 5, “Dulce Amor” contains significant spoilers.
We recapped every episode — check out the archive.
The opening
“Dulce Amor” opens up with Suzette partaking in driving lessons, but she’s not confident with the stick. Meanwhile, AB has a new challenge; he’s having a baby with his partner Vangie. They talk about the future and how it will work. It’s hard to believe how it could work; touring and looking after a baby does not seem practical.
It’s going to be good money, right?
Abraham is still negotiating on a deal with the label. It’s good money, but he wants to sort out creative control. Suzette is only interested in the money as she’s excited about being able to buy things.
Performing at an awards show
One of the band members is late for the tour bus; he blamed it on a new baby in his life — AB listens tentatively, but he’s clearly thinking of how realistic it will be for him. Afterward, Selena and the band perform at an awards show. Selena wins the awards again, and she’s getting praise from all angles. As Selena leaves, a man named Jose from EMI records gives her his business card. He’s really eager to sign her. “Dulce Amor” sees everything hotting up; Selena and the band are wanted.
Business meeting
Abraham meets with Jose, and he explains how he is already deep into negotiations with a record label. Jose explains that they have a new Latins division and they’d be the first in this genre for them; he also says that the other label, CBS, will not give them the best control, but EMI will. Noticeably, Jose uses emotional language, calling Abraham smart. A sign of a good negotiator.
Family commitments
Band member Roger tells AB that he needs to leave the tour because he needs to be with his wife for the baby. AB has no choice but to agree with his departure because he’s about to go through a similar situation. AB now needs to find a new guitarist.
We need to keep our freedoms
Abraham tells the family that they are not agreeing on the CBS deal, but he will be talking to EMI. He doesn’t want them to lose freedom after they’ve worked so hard for their dreams. Abraham reminds them all where they’ve come from. Selena asks her father if it would be her fault if they get no deal — she believes it’s because she wants an English record. Abraham assures her it’s nothing to do with her and tells her to believe in herself — just like he believes in her.
All this talk of hard work and belief is really the cornerstone of the series, and it’s one of the few things that works.
More discussions
Abraham speaks to Jose about the contract. He wants his word that there will be an English album. Jose then reveals that they are dropping the name “Selena y Los Dinos” — it’s just going to be “Selena”. He then reminds Abraham of Madonna, Elvis, and Whitney — it’s brand-worthy as a single name and easy to cross over into an English album. Jose has a point — this doesn’t sound like an evil takeover, it’s common sense.
An important update
At dinner time, the entire family waits for an update on the negotiations as they are eating. Abraham then reveals that they have a record deal which is met by excitement. He then reveals that it will just be “Selena” as a name. The family takes it all really well because the band still stays intact. Later, Abraham has another announcement; Joe and Pete will not be opening acts but joining the band. Suzette freaks out about bus space and money with two more band members. Abraham explains he is doing this to help Selena with her voice by taking off the load.
The ending
But Suzette wants to know more about what’s happening as she’s clearly feeling anxious; she wants to discuss things as a family still as she misses it. She’s nervous that everything is getting “Big”. Abraham admits that he misses when it was just the family but that they need to get bigger. He also still feels it is family. As the episode ends, the guitarist that AB is trying to recruit sees the band performing, and he’s impressed.
Selena: The Series season 1, episode 5 keeps the same approach; there’s no denying that this Netflix series is consistent, but it’s just not hitting the audience on an emotional level — there’s still a lack of depth and richness in the story.
