Aahana Swrup
The Netflix Spanish show ‘Time Flies’ (Originally titled ‘El Tiempo de Las Moscas’) presents a crime comedy story where a pair of ex-convicts have a run-in with a shady client who promises to be their own undoing. Fifteen years ago, Ines discovered her husband’s extramarital affair, which earned her a homicide charge and a good few years in the slammer. Therefore, by the time she gets out on parole, her life has turned completely upside down, leaving her with no home, family, or prospects. Fortunately, a friend she made in prison, Manca, gives her all of these things by welcoming her into her house as the duo start up their own pest control business. However, Ines finds herself back in the jaws of trouble when one client, Susana Bonar, hires her to retrieve a dangerous poison that is strong enough to kill something much bigger than a rat. The story, though humorous at heart, explores many authentic themes, including a few socio-political issues.
Time Flies is Based on Claudia Piñeiro’s Novels
‘Time Flies’ charts a largely fictitious narrative that retains no direct roots in real-life events or people. Yet, the series sports an intriguing source material that inspires screenwriters Gabriela Larralde and Nicolás Diodovich’s on-screen storylines. The show is an adaptation of two of Argentinian crime novelist Claudia Piñeiro’s novels: the 2005 book ‘Tuya’ and 2023’s ‘El Tiempo de Las Moscas.’ Across the two novels, the author pens the story of Ines, a traditional housewife whose life begins to crumble after she learns of her husband’s extramarital affair. The first book focuses on the chronicle of this deteriorating marriage, the housewife’s discovery of Charo, her husband’s lover, and an eventual homicide.
On the other hand, the book ‘El Tiempo de Las Moscas’ delves into Ines’ life in the aftermath of the prison sentence she serves as a result of her crime. In the show, the events from this novel, the protagonist’s return to society and her friendship with Manca, become the central narrative. Meanwhile, the events of ‘Tunya’ serve as a backstory for the on-screen Ines’ narrative, spliced into the series as flashbacks or trips down memory lane. Although the series strives for authenticity to the source material, the six-part series ends up sporting some inevitable differences from the plotlines and nuances of the two novels.
Even so, the base premise of the narrative and the characters retain a stark resemblance to their literary counterparts. Likewise, much like Piñeiro’s work, the crime series also equips a more socially driven lens. As a result, instead of murder mysteries, investigations, or even crime coverups, the narrative sheds a more prominent light on the themes of self-actualization and exploration, allowing the protagonist’s relationship with her marriage, motherhood, and other social standings to become the center of her story. Ultimately, this thematic authenticity to Piñeiro’s novels extends a level of realism to the otherwise fictitious show.
Time Flies Centers the Narrative Around a Realistic and Moving Friendship
One of the key aspects of ‘Time Flies’ that contributes to the fictional show’s sense of realism stems from the realistic struggles of its protagonists. In the show, one of the co-leads, Ines, is dealing with the aftermath of an intense breakdown, which was triggered by her husband’s infidelity and ended with her behind bars. In real life, crimes of passion remain a prevalent phenomenon where individuals commit violence and homicide as a result of infidelity. Notably, as per statistics, women tend to be the majority of victims in cases of intimate partner violence. Yet, even though Ines’ narrative remains unique, it still resonates through the exploration of realistic themes of motherhood, cheating, and female oppression.
On the other hand, one of the foundational pillars of the show, the relationship between Ines and Manca, further instills both characters with authentic characterization. Likewise, their own personal struggles also enrich their story, allowing opportunity for audiences to relate and empathize with their narratives. Manca’s struggle with her cancer diagnosis, which becomes a critical point of financial distress, addresses the reality of the problems faced by working-class individuals. Inversely, Ines’ struggles as a freshly ex-convict also ground her storyline in reality. Therefore, these moments of authenticity contribute toward the characters’ sense of realism even when the plot bends in outlandish ways.
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