Insufficient evil

PAREÑO (LEFT) AND AFRICA. Appropriately disturbing and scary.

FOR WEEKS now, we’ve been noting that some drama series have been hamstrung by “insufficient evil” in the performances of their designated villains. As a result, viewers can’t get involved enough in the dangers to which the series’ good characters are subjected.

Clearly, “reinforcements” are needed to “up” the continuing drama shows’ fear, risk and danger antes, pronto—so, they can “complicate” and end with a truly terrifying bang!

To their credit, some shows have been doing just that, and the improvements are currently making them more viewable and involving.

For instance, on “Ang Probinsyano,” after the original villains played by Albert Martinez and Arlo Atayde were found wanting, Richard Yap did an uncharacteristic evil turn, but didn’t fare all that scarily, either. So, the acclaimed actor, Ronaldo Valdez, was recruited to add to the series’ sense of threat, danger and evil with his portrayal of another crime lord named Ninong.

Beguiling aspect

The beguiling aspect to Valdez’s villainous portrayal was the fact that it wasn’t initially obvious. In fact, he came across as rather mild, fatherly and incapable of any evil act worth worrying about. Later, of course, he revealed his true stripes and nasty streak—and the gradual revelation was definitely scarier than the original villains’ all too obvious “dark” looks and leers.

However, Valdez’s character didn’t last long in the show. After he had served his “evil” purpose and made the series more unnerving to watch, he was killed in a police raid led by principal hero Coco Martin.

Another effective addition to “Ang Probinsyano” was Maricar Reyes as Ninong’s crafty accomplice and protege. Her combination of beauty, talent and “seductive” moves similarly made the show more creepily and stressfully involving—but, she didn’t stay all that long, either. —What to do next? More reinforcements urgently needed!

In the nick of time

Just in the nick of time and crime, other veteran actors have stepped quickly into the breach, and they are turning out to be similarly unnerving and involving: Susan Africa, one of our best character actresses, is pithily, sharply effective as a mama-san in a “high-class” night club.

Such characters are often cliches on local TV, but Africa is able to make her uniquely compelling and repulsive, at the same time.

Also, a plus factor now on the show is Gina Pareño’s portrayal of Africa’s even more corroded and corrosive boss.

Together, Africa and Pareño make the series’ club scenes look appropriately disturbing and scary, so we hope they will stay on longer than Valdez and Reyes.