Ep 1. At Least I Look Unto Me

Juana Ines is a critically acclaimed Mexican television series that was first aired on Canal Once on October 18, 2016. The show is a period drama that details the life and times of Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, a renowned 17th-century Mexican nun, poet, and scholar. The show gained immense popularity for its captivating storyline, brilliant acting, and beautiful cinematography. The first season of Juana Ines consists of ten episodes, and the premiere episode is named At Least I Look Unto Me.

The first episode of Juana Ines takes us back to 1651, when a young Juana Ines (played by Arcelia Ramirez) enters the convent of San Jeronimo in Mexico City. Juana's parents have sent her to the convent to escape poverty and to get a proper education. Upon entering the convent, Juana is quickly recognized for her intelligence and thirst for knowledge. However, she also faces discrimination as she is a mestiza, a person of mixed Spanish and Indigenous ancestry, and not of pure Spanish blood like the other nuns.

Juana's initial excitement of being in the convent wanes quickly as she realizes that she is largely confined to the courtyard and the church, and is denied access to books or any other educational material. She faces ridicule from the other nuns and is accused of being arrogant and vain. Juana's only solace is her friendship with her contemporary, Sister Maria Luisa (played by Tiaré Scanda), who shares her love for learning.

As the episode progresses, we learn that Juana's thirst for knowledge is insatiable. She convinces the Mother Superior to allow her some books, and soon she devours everything she can get her hands on, ranging from theology to science to poetry. Her love for poetry becomes apparent when she is asked to compose verses for the convent's Christmas celebrations. She writes a powerful poem, which she recites in front of the Mother Superior and the other nuns. Her words leave the audience spellbound, and for a moment, all the barriers of caste and religion seem to dissolve.

The episode also touches upon Juana's relationship with the charismatic and powerful Archbishop Aguiar y Seijas (played by Juan Carlos Colombo). The Archbishop recognizes Juana's brilliance and becomes her mentor, but as the episode progresses, his intentions seem to be less than pure. Juana is initially moved by his praise and encouragement, but soon she realizes that his reasons for supporting her may not be solely based on her intellectual abilities.

In the midst of all these happenings, Juana's family members also make an appearance. Her uncle, Pedro Sarmiento (played by Alberto Guerra), an aspiring playwright, seeks Juana's help in polishing his scripts. Juana is happy to help, but soon she realizes that her uncle is exploiting her talent and passing off her work as his own. She confronts him, and the resulting argument highlights the conflicted nature of her relationship with her family.

The episode comes to an end with a dramatic turn of events, where Juana is faced with a decision that could change the course of her life. At the behest of the Archbishop, she is summoned to the Viceroy's palace to participate in a literary debate, which is attended by the highest members of society. Juana's performance is exceptional, and she is lauded by the audience. However, the aftermath of the event takes a toll on her, and she is forced to make a difficult decision about her future.

In a nutshell, the first episode of Juana Ines sets the tone for the rest of the series. It is a compelling start that highlights the struggles and triumphs of a remarkable woman who dared to challenge the societal norms of her time. The episode introduces us to the key characters and conflicts that will shape Juana Ines's life and leaves the audience eager to know what the future holds for her.