As we’ve watched Queen of the South, survival has been a recurring theme. While survival is still a motivator for Teresa, Brenda, and even Camila, vengeance has made an appearance.
Last night’s episode opened with some pretty intense action music and showed James doing some gun prep. But the moment was ruined when his Southern Belle girlfriend Kim popped up in the background, exclaiming, “Jesus, James!” He wants her to pack things for a few days, and she says “not this time.” I’d be over it, too, if I was her. The costume department decided to dress her in a skin-tight leopard-print nightgown with a push-up bra feature that can’t possibly be comfortable to sleep in, and a silk baby pink robe. I guess she’s doing the “look-good-feel-good” thing, but it took away the seriousness from the scene.
In the next scene, Teresa is escorted into Camila’s office and defiantly marches up to her desk. Like Kim’s situation with James, she can’t be here anymore. Teresa is starting to stand up to Camila, telling her that the reason she is back in business is because of what Teresa has done. But two can play that game. If Camila hadn’t found her, Teresa wouldn’t have been alive. It was destiny, and because of that, Teresa needs to stay.
Teresa goes back to the warehouse, where drug mules are hurriedly packing juice bottles with not-juice (cocaine). A man tells her to get to work, but she grabs a backpack and an extra bag of coke for a delivery. But that’s not where she’s going.
Teresa goes to Brenda’s motel where Brenda has been going through the journal Teresa found last week, which she says “is like some kind of code.” Teresa wants to get them out, and their form of payment? You guessed it: cocaine. Later, Brenda goes to Eric “The Birdman’s” house, claiming she is the person who will make his day. She has brought him a page from the journal, which, as she says, will allow him to do a lot of damage to the Vargas cartel. Little do they know, James is outside, basically hunting Eric. And he’s seen Brenda, too.
Meanwhile, Teresa goes to cokehead Dad Shelton’s house with her expensive backpack. He answers the door, and lets her in: “I went on a real bender last night. Used up all my stash. Oh my god, I’m jonesing.” Yep, he is still gross. She reminds him about the immigration papers they discussed a few weeks ago as he sucks cocaine into his gums. In total, he wants about $89,000, so she offers him pure cocaine that’s worth more than $90,000, and he’s in. Obviously.
Back at Eric’s, his birds are going crazy. Brenda is on the phone with Teresa in the bathroom when Teresa realizes she’s been there before. Teresa tells Brenda to get out, and as this is happening, James shoots one of the bodyguards. Brenda ducks down and is able to run outside. And another bodyguard bites the dust.
Eric goes outside to check on his birds, oblivious to the fact his men were just shot. James is aiming, and the target was hit – Eric was shot. James approaches Eric and presses a button to make the birds calm down. Eric tries to say something to him, but James shoots him in the head.
James is on a roll. He goes to the trailer, where he is expecting Kim, but she doesn’t show up until later in the night. She doesn’t look happy, but she does look like she’s trying to seduce him. They sit in silence. If you love someone, let them go. That’s what these two need to do.
On the other side of Dallas, Teresa, Brenda, and little baby Tony – love that little guy – are waiting to board a bus. Teresa tells Brenda, “We stay, we die.” The Dallas skyline is behind them – it’s the only time we see it this episode, surprisingly.
Now, Epifanio is meeting with a journalist to talk about his run for governor. “There have been allegations about your involvement in the drug trade.” He responds, “Nothing could be farther from the truth.” As he gives his speech about how his enemies are making up lies to help him lose, intense scenes of the cartel and other drug wars plays out. The irony and accompanying music of this scene is pure beauty. This was a great directorial choice. He talks about the cartels robbing children of the future. “I will track down every drug leader I can … I’m a man of my word and the people.” But later on, we see he is in trouble. The rumors are true, and it won’t be long before they catch up to him.
Camila knows this and has other plans. She meets up with Emmanuel, a man who worked with Eric, and they discuss their future as colleagues. She didn’t tell Epifanio she is in Mexico, and it sounds like she is ready to take on him, and his business, once more. Judging by last week, it seems like she has been recharged by their passionate night and no longer needs his support, financially or sexually, for that matter.
Brenda, Tony, and Teresa have made it to Mexico where they meet up with Brenda’s brother. Brenda and Teresa have to take care of some business, meaning Tony has to go to his abuelita’s with his uncle. It’s a mad world, and like always, it’s up to our heroine Teresa to find the light.
Episode No. 12 airs at 9 p.m. next Thursday, Sept. 8 on USA.
