Two weeks have passed since the airing of the "Sábado de gloria" episode depicting a subtle beginning of a polyamorous relationship among characters Paloma, Eduardo, and Javier. Despite the time elapsed, the social media uproar continues to highlight how soap operas never fail to evoke public reaction. While some viewers see it as a bold, authentic portrayal of non-traditional love, others condemn it as a moral scandal or an imposed "agenda" on national television.
The responses have been swift, ranging from conservative voices concerned about protecting children to those praising the narrative maturity of Cuban audiovisuals. Actress Ari Fonseca, who plays Paloma, quickly addressed the controversy through her social media. In a thoughtful, detailed post, she defended the creative team's efforts and responded to the criticism with respect, yet firmly, stating, "This scene was carefully crafted by the direction and team, subtle, delicate, without vulgarity, showing the reality that does occur between adults."
Fonseca also emphasized the adult responsibility to put these scenes in context for children, pointing out that this subplot is neither the only nor the most "dangerous" in terms of values. Meanwhile, critic Frank Padrón, in his column published on May 2, likened the societal reaction to recent controversies on Cuban TV, such as depictions of male same-sex kisses in the soap opera "Renacer." He defended art's right to reflect life as it is, without imposing moral judgments. "I do not find it inappropriate for Cuban soap operas to portray the realities that exist today," he stated, dispelling the notion that depicting diverse relationships equates to imposing them.
As is often the case with soap operas, a debate was sparked. Social media transformed into a battleground of differing opinions. Some users applauded the creative team's bravery and called for more inclusive and conscious education, asserting, "We must respect that there are different forms of family." Conversely, others voiced their discontent, with comments ranging from child protection concerns to accusations of "promoting decadence."
In response to critics claiming such content is unsuitable for Cuban families, many reminded that similar storylines have existed before—like in "Doña Flor and Her Two Husbands"—without provoking the same level of backlash. The most pertinent question today is not the scene itself, but whether this signifies a true move towards new representations or a test of the limits of televised tolerance.
Far from fading, the reverberation from the love triangle scene has sparked a broader conversation about representation, education, censorship, and freedom. "Sábado de gloria" has demonstrated that soap operas are not just entertainment; they can serve as a cultural barometer, a mirror—echoing Stendhal's words—of life itself.
Understanding the Impact of Cuban Soap Operas
What sparked the controversy in the Cuban soap opera "Sábado de gloria"?
The controversy arose from a scene depicting the start of a polyamorous relationship, which was seen by some as a bold portrayal of non-traditional love and by others as a moral scandal.
How did the actress Ari Fonseca respond to the public's reaction?
Ari Fonseca defended the scene on social media, emphasizing the careful, respectful portrayal of adult realities and the need for adults to contextualize such content for children.
What is critic Frank Padrón's stance on the issue?
Frank Padrón supports the depiction of diverse relationships in art, arguing that it reflects real life and should not be subject to moral impositions.