"Volume 6: The High Priestess," goes back to the roots episode two set up, once again making the cartel and Jesus the stars of the show. But this time, Jesus' wife, Yaritza, has a much more prominent role, and with it, episode six oozes an unbelievable amount of erotic tension.
Nicolas Winding Refn, without a doubt, made sensuality the focus of this episode; multiple scenes are steeped with eroticism - long takes of women posing seductively in lingerie, of muscular, shaved men who are sunbathing, glistening in sweat, of a man slowly putting a skirt on a half naked woman. This emphasis was an interesting dichotomy to the previous episodes that focused so heavily on violence, and in some cases, sexual violence. Where "Volume 5" uses sex as weaponry that is used to inflict harm on others, and monetize off of that harm, "Volume 6" poses sex as something to be admired; the shots of scantily clad men and women are so erotic, and last for so long, that the sequences are no doubt meant to titillate.
The character progression of Jesus and Yaritza is explored, with both of them becoming more cold blooded in their business dealings in order to further their personal needs. Yaritza adds a lot of suspense to certain scenes - she's utterly gorgeous, but also extremely menacing, and you always sense that her violent side can boil over and explode at any time.
"Volume 6" also looks the best out of any of the episodes thus far. There are marvelous scenes featuring neon strobe lights that cast their glow on rooms and outdoor locations, giving everything an otherworldly, ethereal look. The music is, as always, fantastic, and really sucks you in to what you're seeing on screen.
Episode six was masterclass in its story progression - everything seems to be colliding, and ready to blow. With only four episodes left, I'm looking forward to seeing how Refn concludes his show.
Nicolas Winding Refn, without a doubt, made sensuality the focus of this episode; multiple scenes are steeped with eroticism - long takes of women posing seductively in lingerie, of muscular, shaved men who are sunbathing, glistening in sweat, of a man slowly putting a skirt on a half naked woman. This emphasis was an interesting dichotomy to the previous episodes that focused so heavily on violence, and in some cases, sexual violence. Where "Volume 5" uses sex as weaponry that is used to inflict harm on others, and monetize off of that harm, "Volume 6" poses sex as something to be admired; the shots of scantily clad men and women are so erotic, and last for so long, that the sequences are no doubt meant to titillate.
The character progression of Jesus and Yaritza is explored, with both of them becoming more cold blooded in their business dealings in order to further their personal needs. Yaritza adds a lot of suspense to certain scenes - she's utterly gorgeous, but also extremely menacing, and you always sense that her violent side can boil over and explode at any time.
"Volume 6" also looks the best out of any of the episodes thus far. There are marvelous scenes featuring neon strobe lights that cast their glow on rooms and outdoor locations, giving everything an otherworldly, ethereal look. The music is, as always, fantastic, and really sucks you in to what you're seeing on screen.
Episode six was masterclass in its story progression - everything seems to be colliding, and ready to blow. With only four episodes left, I'm looking forward to seeing how Refn concludes his show.