Capadocia: Un Lugar Sin Perdón—Primera Temporada

HBO Latino's first original Spanish-language series, Capadocia is a gritty and complex prison drama set in a privately run women's facility (inspired by Mexico City's infamous Santa Marta prison). Inmate life is uncompromisingly portrayed here, especially through the story of Lorena (Ana de la Reguera), who accidentally killed her best friend after finding her in bed with her husband. The character's transformation from housewife to hardened convict is just one of the more notable narrative arcs about individual prisoners, who include a nun arrested for drug smuggling and a maid framed for a killing actually committed by her employer. Much of the drama revolves around Bambi (Cecilia Suárez), a sadistic inmate conspiring with a brutal guard called La Negra (Aida López) to control the prison, coupled with the frequent clashes between tyrannical security chief Isabel (Silvia Carusillo) and principled criminologist Teresa (Dolores Heredia), who is added to staff. Capadocia also travels beyond the institution's walls to illustrate the political and judicial corruption that infects the system at every level, especially in its treatment of women. With its multiple story layers and frequent narrative shifts, the cumulative effect of the series is powerful, despite some soap-operatic plot turns (such as Teresa's daughter winding up as an inmate). Compiling all 13 episodes of the 2008 season, DVD extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes (without subtitles), cast filmographies, and a photo gallery. Recommended. (F. Swietek)