The ‘teleserye’ plots thicken

SHARON Cuneta: No big loser

As TV series and other programs continue to unfold, they expose complications, virtues and flaws that either make or break viewers’ day.

Interestingly enough, the most “eventful” teleserye on the small screen these days is the relatively new drama series “Nasaan Ka, Elisa?” Blame this dynamism and unfolding series of surprises on the show’s scripting, which seeks to show that most people and characters are not what they initially seem to be.

This continually questioning and revelatory point of view is a perfect fit for a psychological chiller-thriller like “Elisa,” which tries to unearth the real truth about the “perfect” daughter of an exceedingly wealthy and powerful man—and why she seems to have suddenly vanished into thin air.

To answer this key question, the drama series examines not only Elisa’s alleged perfection, but also the real worth and essence of the other members of the powerful and high-flying family she belongs to. And, just for starters, it has been speedily revealed that she had a sexy “thing” going with one male cousin, another was jealous of the special favors that the first cousin enjoyed, and that the busy Elisa had other playmates on the side!

Well, just last week, those initial revelations and complications were quickly upstaged by another batch of shockeroos intended to raise the storytelling’s temperature up by several notches more:

Like, Elisa’s father was supposed to be depressed and distraught over his beloved daughter’s sudden disappearance and suspected kidnap for ransom—but he was also shown to be dallying with his secret squeeze at the office. How “distraught” can a loving father get?

And, what do you know, even Elisa’s similarly weeping and worried-to-death mother is shown to be not the compleat mater dolorosa she was initially characterized to be.

No overt actions just yet, but in one pointedly revelatory scene, she seeks “consolation and understanding” from no less than the hirsute hunk who’s investigating her daughter’s disappearance. Oooh, boy, these super-rich people sure do have a lot of itches to scratch.

From victim to avenger

On “Amaya,” the title character has stopped playing the poor victim and is now on the vengeance trail. It really is about time, so we enthusiastically cheer her on.

But, the fair and lovely Marian Rivera is too pale and wan to give the title character’s key transformation into a vengeful warrior enough heft, physical dynamism and believability.

Opportunity lost

Finally, “The Biggest Loser” isn’t a teleserye, but its denouement this week has resulted in genuine dramatic excitement, because its finalists have lost so much weight in the past three months.

When we see them looking so good and trim after their rigorous challenge and ordeal, we are inspired by the fine example they provide of the indomitability of the human spirit.

Host Sharon Cuneta has lost some 20 pounds herself, and she should be credited for that—although she still looks big compared to them.

Opportunity lost: Had she worked as hard as they did, the show could have ended up as a unique personal triumph for her, as well.