The Mess You Leave Behind: Entertainingly lurid Spanish melodrama that nevertheless finally had more substance than initially seemed

https://youtu.be/_hUsbE6xAEY

As suggested above, by the time we reached the resolution and climax of the above, what we had was a more thoughtful and powerful drama than at times seemed to be the case as it unfolded over just the right number of episodes.

The story structure was entertainingly complex as it focused on two individuals, both teachers at a Spanish High School (in gorgeous-looking Galicia I think). One, Raquel, arrived at the school to replace the other, Victura, who, it transpired, has recently died - but exactly how and why was the focus of the series. Their two lives and, in some cases, relationships were paralled and frequent flashbacks emphasised this. These were effectively done and stylistically, with often very neat cutting from one plotline to the other. Victura was a charismatically largely destructive personality with a fatal attractiveness to all who encountered her but, by the end, she had gained a degree of sympathy from us.

Likewise, the conclusion was very dramatically and emotionally satisfying. Certainly not an unalloyed happy one for all and many were left, realsitically open-ended as to what would happen to them in the future - particularly Iago who was a particularly fascinating and central, deeply troubled character.

A fine, thoughtul and gripping series then.

Victim No. 8. Powerful drama with an intelligent exploration of issues, dilemmas and effects of an (apparent) terrorist attack in Spain.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Series 4. The final series - an uncertain start nevertheless went into a thoughtful and satisfying conclusion