Breaking Down the Gripping Ending of The Dead Girls

The series “The Dead Girls” (Las Muertas), set to debut on Netflix September 10, narrates the tale of the Baladro sisters, Serafina (Paulina Gaitán) and Arcángela (Arcelia Ramírez). In 1960s Mexico, they manage a string of brothels. Through six episodes, “The Dead Girls” uncovers how these sisters sustain their empire through methods such as exploitation, manipulation, and instilling fear. The story also explores the consequences when their illicit activities draw unwanted attention from authorities and the women who are compelled to work for them.

The historical drama portrays the sisters as cunning and tactical, but also merciless in maintaining their authority. Serafina oversees the management and punishments within the brothel, while Arcángela looks after the finances and connections with local authorities. Their rise to power, spurred on by unadulterated ambition and fueled by the pervasive corruption, eventually crumbles as the police start probing their activities, revealing the magnitude of their operations and the severity of their mistreatment.

The early empire and its challenges

Initially, the Baladro sisters assert dominance over a network of brothels across multiple Mexican cities, enforcing stringent regulations and taking advantage of the women employed there for their own gain. The series delves into how they navigate complex social and legal challenges, often resorting to bribery to keep their business running smoothly. The sisters’ ambition is as formidable as their merciless treatment towards the women in their brothels, many of whom they have trafficked and continue to mistreat.

As an ardent observer, I must say that the sisters were thriving with success, yet it wasn’t long before fissures emerged within their empire. A tragic turn of events unfolded when Arcángela’s son, Humberto, found himself entangled in criminal dealings and met his untimely demise. This heart-wrenching incident compelled the sisters to make a drastic move – they relocated to the Casino Danzón and ventured into owning a ranch.

Unfortunately, this sequence of events served as an unwelcome demonstration of the fragility of their business operations. These misfortunes signaled the start of a downward spiral for the sisters, marking a significant turning point in their journey.

The tragic fate of the girls

In the narrative, Blanca, a young girl who was purchased by the nuns, emerges as a key character. Unfortunately, following a botched medical treatment, Blanca passes away, an event that sets off a chain reaction of tragic occurrences involving other girls like Evelia and Feliza. These girls meet their end during a dispute over Blanca’s belongings, underscoring the deadly repercussions of the nuns’ management and the perilous environment within the brothels.

The program additionally explores the severe penalties and deceitful control inflicted upon the girls. Despite their ordeal of being kept confined, physically harmed, and neglected, the sisters persist in exploiting their work for personal gain.

Rebellion and internal conflict

By the end of 1963, tension among the girls escalates due to feelings of confinement and mistreatment. Some girls try to break free and even lash out at each other. Bedoya, who supports the sisters and enforces their rules, responds with punishments that mimic their methods of control. During this time, Teófilo, Eulalia Baladro’s husband and a relative who assists in managing the family ranch, faces financial difficulties with the property, which leads to more chaos and tragic outcomes.

During this period, the longing for retribution against Simon Corona, a baker and a past lover of Serafina, resurfaces. Following their third separation, Serafina sets up a shooting incident at Simon’s bakery as an act of vengeance and uncontrollable passion. Her actions exemplify the extreme facets of her character, balancing obsession and revenge. The shooting stirs panic and triggers police inquiries, but initially, Serafina manages to evade direct repercussions by disappearing from sight.

Investigation and arrests

In January 1964, authorities started investigating Serafina due to her involvement in a bakery shooting, as it was uncovered that she had masterminded an attack against Simón. Fearing arrest, the sisters escaped to a ranch and took steps to hide themselves effectively. However, police found numerous bodies on their properties, among them Blanca, Evelia, and Feliza, along with additional evidence linking the sisters and their accomplices to these crimes.

The authorities apprehended the sisters, Serafina and Arcángela, along with 17 other individuals who allegedly aided them, such as Bedoya, Nicolás, Teófilo, and Ticho. During the court proceedings, several girls testified about instances of mistreatment, neglect, and exploitation. Ultimately, Serafina and Arcángela were found guilty on various charges, including homicide, unlawful confinement, abuse, and facilitating clandestine abortions, receiving a 35-year prison sentence each. The other accomplices received sentences commensurate with their level of involvement in the case.

Aftermath and epilogue

In conclusion, the aftermath of the events is recounted. Upon his release, Simón Corona ventures into a new bakery business. On the other hand, Nicolás, Ticho, and Escalera find unique paths to rebuild their lives. Eulalia returns to her street-side sweets selling, Bedoya manages to exert power from within prison, while Arcángela and Serafina persist with illegal activities in the women’s penitentiary, amassing wealth but with no prospects of freedom.

In the end, the girls who made it through are now recognized as victims and given compensation. However, each girl’s specific outcome remains mostly shrouded in mystery. The narrative wraps up by highlighting the fallout of the Baladro sisters’ dominion: legal complications, exposure of deep-seated abuse within the system, and lasting emotional scars for all parties involved.

Are the Baladro sisters based on real people?

In a creative twist, the Baladro sisters in this series are loosely based on a notorious real-life group – Las Poquianchis, a quartet of sisters who made headlines in Mexico for their involvement in a criminal empire centered around brothels, human trafficking, and murder during the 1940s to 1960s. Although the series is fictionalized, it takes inspiration from actual events involving these women, such as their ruthless exploitation and murder of numerous females, many being underage.

The story is based on Jorge Ibargüengoitia’s 1977 novel, “Las Muertas.” Drawing inspiration from the actual events of Las Poquianchis, Ibargüengoitia crafted fictional characters and plots to delve into the wider issues of prostitution and human trafficking in Mexico at that time. The Poquianchis lured young girls from neighboring towns and farms under false pretenses or by kidnapping them when they were alone. These unfortunate victims were compelled into prostitution, subjected to abuse, and frequently buried in secret graves when they fell ill or could no longer work. The series portrays this grim past while also weaving a fictional tale that underscores the magnitude and influence of the sisters’ criminal organization.

2025-09-10 21:06