Episode 5 of One Hundred Years of Solitude delves deeply into the character of Remedios Mascote. Our journey begins with Remedios experiencing a vivid, haunting dream where she finds herself bleeding in a bathtub. The dream abruptly concludes as she awakens to the realization that her menstruation has commenced, marking her transition into womanhood. Convinced of this milestone, she promptly initiates her marital union with Aureliano. As a devoted daughter-in-law, Remedios fosters a profound bond with Aureliano's family, particularly with Jose, and embraces the role of his caregiver with unwavering commitment.
In stark contrast to Aureliano and Remedios, Pietro and Rebeca's path to wedlock remains elusive. Amaranta, with a mischievous twist, crafts a letter informing Pietro of his mother's demise, prompting his immediate departure on the eve of their wedding. The truth unfolds only when Pietro's mother unexpectedly arrives for the ceremony. Despite this twist, Pietro and Rebeca remain hopeful for a future together.
The arrival of the radiant and kind-hearted Remedios into the Buendia family home infuses the household with a tranquil sense of peace. Her youthful exuberance and love for life make her the beacon of joy, illuminating the family's existence. Even Arcadio, confined to his laboratory solace, finds Remedios to be an endearing sweetheart, her presence softening the edges of his solitary world.
However, like a shroud of darkness descending, Pilar enters the scene with a son in her arms – Aureliano's child. Aureliano, embracing his responsibilities, acknowledges the boy as his own. Remedios, with her gentle nature, welcomes the child into her heart, nurturing him as though he were her flesh and blood. Ursula, furious with her son, confronts him, but Aureliano stands his ground, defending his son and warning his mother not to treat him with the same disdain she once bestowed upon Arcadio.
Aureliano breaks the news to Mascote, who is astonished that his father-in-law does not harbor anger. Instead, Mascote requests that the boy be baptized and named in honor of his parents, signifying a new chapter in the Buendia family's storied history.
With Father Nicanor at the helm, rallying the community to construct a church, Rebeca finds herself in a race against time to secure her union with Pietro. However, Ursula stands as an unyielding obstacle, joined by Amaranta, who both steadfastly insist that Rebeca and Pietro must wed within the sanctity of a church. Tensions flare at the dinner table when Arcadio accuses his family of an overnight transformation into conservatism. Mascote, seizing this moment of discord, cunningly persuades Arcadio to accept the position of head teacher at the nascent school in Macondo. Without hesitation, Arcadio abandons the Buendia household and embraces Mascote's offer, relocating to the school to take up his role as principal.
The joyous announcement of Remedios' pregnancy brings an additional wave of elation to the family, with Aureliano receiving a premonition that she carries twins. This blissful news even prompts Amaranta and Rebeca to declare a temporary truce. Meanwhile, Rebeca's desperation escalates to the point of loudly masturbating within the confines of their home, casting an awkward pall over everyone. Unfortunately, Father Nicanor's efforts to raise funds for the church falter, leaving Rebeca to fear a decade-long wait for her wedding.
In an attempt to substantiate the divine through science, Father Nicanor encounters resistance from Jose, whom he uniquely understands due to their shared facility in Latin. Their bond deepens, but once Jose elucidates the reasons behind his family's restraint of him to the chestnut trees, the priests' visits cease. As Ursula's circumstances darken, her closest friends desert her, believing she has embraced conservatism.
Concurrently, Rebeca's earth-shattering masturbation sessions continue, pushing Ursula to the brink of desperation. In a secretive act, Ursula provides Father Nicanor with the funds necessary for the church's construction and declares that Rebeca and Pietro will wed within a month. This revelation strikes Amaranta hard, prompting her to concoct a poison with the intent of ending her sister's life.
At school, Arcadio begins to harbor sentiments for Pilar, oblivious to the fact that she is his mother. Driven by his desires, he attempts to share an intimate moment with her, but she cleverly evades him by pledging to reunite with him later in the night. Instead of keeping her word, Pilar sends Santa Sofía, a different girl, to him. Arcadio, instantly captivated by Santa Sofía's charm, completely forgets about Pilar. Additionally, he fosters a friendship with the new town doctor, Remedios.
However, fate takes a grim turn when Remedios awakens one night, screaming in agony and drenched in blood. Despite Aureliano's desperate attempts to seek assistance, she succumbs to a blood infection before he can secure help. Aureliano is haunted by the fact that he hadn't foreseen this tragic event in his premonitions.
Following her burial, Rebeca's wedding is abruptly canceled, and Ursula declares a year of mourning throughout the household. She seals all the windows and doors, enforcing a strict ban on loud conversations within the confines of their home for a year. Each member of the Buendia family mourns in their unique way, each grappling with their own sorrow. Aureliano retreats to the lab, engrossed in his grief and lost in contemplation.
Yet, one day, the arrival of Jose Arcadio brings a whirlwind of air that forces open the doors and windows of the Buendia family home, as if nature itself is acknowledging the tumultuous emotions stirring within.
