Imminent confrontation

ROSALES. Needs to decisively reestablish control.

On “Bridges of Love,” the big deal currently is the imminent confrontation between the separated brothers, played by Jericho Rosales and Paulo Avelino, over Jericho’s ex and Paulo’s current squeeze, portrayed by the exceedingly “haba ng hair” Maja Salvador.

Viewers could see this coming for weeks now, so it’s about time for it to finally happen. Given the travails Jericho experienced in the Middle East and Paulo’s “cruelly cold” depiction of his uber-wealthy character, the impending mano-a-mano confrontation will definitely not be pretty—but, isn’t that what sibling-rivalry theme-fixated viewers are raring for?

To mitigate the expectedly explosive situation, Paulo’s cold and harsh character has been “softened” and humanized by his unexpected love for Maja—so, we can predict that, when the dust finally clears, the long-separated brothers will find a way to “forgive” one another for the real and imagined sins of the past.

Before that happens, however, viewer expectations will have to be whetted by all sorts of “bloody” sub-skirmishes—especially because Paulo’s character believes that Jericho abandoned him in childhood!

Brotherly bruises

Actually, Jericho “sacrificially” gave him up for adoption to give him better chances in life (which is why Paulo became so filthily rich). —But, try telling that to an aggrieved and hurting bunso who has been nursing his brotherly bruises for decades!

The fact that the series’ two male leads are fiercely fighting over her adds to Maja’s importance, seductive power and allure. However, the actress fails to go to town with this sizzling scenario, because her depiction of her character’s “powerful” allure is predictable.

Focusing now on Jericho, he should decisively reestablish control over the series—but, that won’t happen if he continues to share too much focus and screen time with Maja and Paulo.