Teresa Mendoza and Camila Vargas are similar creatures. They're both highly intelligent, resourceful, and driven.

And the people who underestimate or dismiss them because they are female generally live to regret it.

When last we saw Teresa Mendoza, she and Pote were on the run, leaving behind Guero but taking their Bolivian drug connection with them.

As Queen of the South Season 3 Episode 1 opens it's clear that the ends may very well justify the means as Teresa is expanding her drug empire throughout Europe.

Unfortunately, a one night stand with a handsome waiter threw a hitch into Teresa's plans. Damn loneliness and hormones! But I'm not convinced that living like a hermit would keep her much safer.

I was surprised that Teresa didn't bother to disguise herself appearance more. Being an international fugitive, you'd think she'd cut or color her hair, although I have to say that those long, brown, wavy locks of hers are amazing.

Making a deal with a crypto-banker made sense, but I had to agree with Pote's description of the man in this Queen of the South quote:

That damn guy is crazier than a goat.
Pote

Permalink: That damn guy is crazier than a goat.

We can only hope that Teresa has done her homework and that Rocco is trustworthy because Camila and Cortez will be looking for any possible way to take her down and cutting off her finances would leave her with little defense.

Teresa's confidence has grown exponentially over the last three seasons, and it's thrilling to watch her team up with Pote to expand their budding empire.

Pote: Camila didn't do her dirty work.
Teresa: Yeah, but I don't want to do business like her. She treats life cheaply.

Permalink: Yeah, but I don't want to do business like her. She treats life cheaply.

Camila was dealing with her own issues, most stemming from the men in the cartel wanting to put her back in her place.

Not that they wouldn't be looking for ways to take her power away if she were a man, but being female, from their point of view, just gives them an added excuse.

If Epifanio were still here he would tell you to relax. Don't worry about business. Instead, enjoy the fruits of your womanhood.
Renaldo

Permalink: If Epifanio were still here he would tell you to relax. Don't worry about business. Instead,...

I may be rooting for Teresa to outsmart Camila, but in the meantime, I want to see Camila take out all of these misogynistic opportunists and make them beg for mercy.

With Epifanio gone, Camila no longer has him trying to keep her under his thumb, but that also means she can't rely on his protection or power base. She's certainly capable of wielding control, but she'll have to earn respect all over again, and then fight to keep it.

Since Queen of the South Season 1, Isabela has been a spoiled, entitled, daddy's girl, but with her abduction and Epifanio's death, she's grown up considerably.

If anything, she's now acting more like Camila junior.

Camila: This business and the wealth it generates may someday fall to you to handle.
Isabela: Not if Cortez steals it from you first.

Permalink: Not if Cortez steals it from you first.

Isabela has quickly learned how dangerous this world is, and what it takes to maintain power. She may love Kique Jimenez, but this marriage has as much to do with solidifying a base of power as it has to do with love.

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Having watched Teresa shoot and kill her father means that Teresa has two Vargas women out for her blood instead of one.

Teresa may be the hunted, but she's no longer that poor girl swallowing drugs to survive. The way Teresa handles herself breeds loyalty in those around her. It's what keeps Pote by her side, and it's why King George continues to make sure her product gets where she needs it to be.

I'm so glad King George is back for another season. With so much death and violence, we need a little humor from time to time and watching him play pirate in Bali in his speedo while making movie quips is just the ticket.

The one thing that has me worried is that Pote wasn't there when Teresa got attacked at the restaurant.

I don't want to believe that Pote would ever betray Teresa but with this show, you never can tell, and having it be his day off is quite the coincidence.

Speaking of coincidence, how did James know that Teresa needed to be rescued and manage to show up in the nick of time?

And on a side note, wasn't a restaurant bombing followed by open gunfire a little much? Why not just have the gunmen enter the restaurant and shoot Teresa at her table. They probably could have gotten much closer and left behind a lot less carnage.