Ep 6. Hold the Hand

Juana Ines: Season 1, Episode 6 - Hold the Hand

Juana Ines is a historical drama series set in the 17th century Mexico. The series follows the life of Juana Ines de la Cruz, a brilliant scholar, and a nun. In episode six, entitled "Hold the Hand", Juana Ines is faced with a new challenge as she strives to balance her intellectual pursuits with her religious calling.

At the start of the episode, Juana is eager to continue her studies, but the growing strain on her eyesight from reading is becoming increasingly difficult. She confides in her mentor, Father Nunez, who suggests that she take some time off from her academic pursuits to give her eyes a rest. Despite her reluctance to abandon her studies, Juana agrees to Father Nunez's advice and takes a break from reading.

In the meantime, Juana continues to face resistance from her fellow nuns, who question her intellectual pursuits. The abbess assigns Juana a task of embroidering a cloth for the altar, but Juana finds the task tedious and unfulfilling. She longs to be engaged in more intellectually stimulating activities, but the nuns see her eagerness as a sign of rebellion.

As Juana struggles with her inner turmoil, she receives a visit from her brother, Antonio, who has come to visit her for the first time since she joined the convent. Antonio is a flamboyant and charming character who immediately raises eyebrows with the other nuns. He brings news from the outside world and is eager to learn about Juana's life in the convent.

During their conversation, Antonio expresses his concern for Juana's well-being, suggesting that she is wasting her life in the convent. Juana becomes defensive and insists that her work as a scholar is just as valuable as any other pursuit. Antonio disagrees and tells Juana that she is missing out on the joys of life by locking herself away in the convent.

The conversation with Antonio leaves Juana feeling conflicted and questioning her choices. She begins to wonder whether she has made the right decision in dedicating her life to the convent. She confides in Father Nunez, who reminds her of her passion for learning and encourages her to stay true to her calling.

In the final scenes of the episode, Juana realizes that she must find a way to reconcile her love for learning with her devotion to the convent. She decides to start a school for girls within the convent, where she can teach them to read and write, and share her love of knowledge with others. This decision is met with resistance from the other nuns, who fear that Juana's teachings will lead to rebellion. However, Juana is determined to pursue her dream, and the episode ends with her taking the first steps towards opening her school.

Overall, episode six of Juana Ines provides a fascinating insight into the challenges faced by women in the 17th century and the tensions between intellectual pursuits and religious devotion. The complex character of Juana Ines is expertly portrayed, and the storyline is compelling and thought-provoking. The episode ending sets the scene for an exciting continuation as Juana aims to make a difference in the lives of young girls in the convent.