Élite outstayed its welcome – but its twist ending was a delicious and fitting farewell

Élite outstayed its welcome – but its twist ending was a delicious and fitting farewell

As a dedicated movie lover who has been following Élite since its inception, I must confess that watching the final run of this beloved Spanish teen drama unfold on my screen was a bittersweet experience. The excitement of knowing that the long-running series was coming to an end was tinged with a sense of melancholy, as I reflected on the rollercoaster ride that Élite had taken me on over the past few years.


1. The school at Las Encinas isn’t closing just for summer; it’s closed permanently now that Elite has wrapped up with its eighth and concluding episode. For those who have followed the series since its early days, right until its last few questionable seasons, watching this teen drama reach its finale is more thrilling than any summer vacation could ever be, as we and the show are finally freed from our shared misery.

Initially, Elite, which Carlos Montero and Darío Madrona unveiled in collaboration on Netflix in 2018, was groundbreaking, innovative, and far ahead of its contemporaries within the teen series genre. Alongside Money Heist, they ushered in a new epoch for Spanish television that captivated the globe… but eventually lost its charm.

As a long-time fan of Élite, I must confess that the first three seasons left a lasting impression on me. The addictive storyline, centered around Marina’s murder and the aftermath, hooked me right from the start. Each season built upon the previous one, keeping me on the edge of my seat with twists and turns that were both unexpected and captivating.

In simpler terms, Élite’s numerous sex scenes and provocative energy worked well when accompanied by a compelling storyline. However, seasons 4-7 often neglected this important aspect, resulting in a weaker narrative. This may be why season 8 is making an effort to revive the show’s initial success.

At the heart of the matter is the emergence of the Alumni Club, spearheaded by two new characters, Héctor and Emilia Krawietz. These siblings, with their questionable relationship (a common theme in Élite), symbolize the entitlement and maliciousness that have long plagued Las Encinas. Essentially, they are the embodiment of the school’s issues, presented in an alluring yet spiteful package. All the conflicts endured by the students throughout the years can be traced back to this duo.

Élite outstayed its welcome – but its twist ending was a delicious and fitting farewell

Hector and Emilia make formidable adversaries for Omar, being the only authentic characters who initially faced all these challenges when he enrolled at Las Encinas as a scholarship student in Elite’s inaugural episode. Regrettably, introducing them and the Alumni now, near the end of the series, doesn’t pack the same punch it could have if we had met the Krawietzes earlier.

To put it simply, additional episodes following season 7 seem unnecessary as it had already tied up many of the main character’s storylines. This is particularly noticeable with Nadia, an original character from the first season, whose return doesn’t contribute much to the current narrative beyond a brief nostalgic moment. It’s puzzling why she was brought back in this instance, especially since her departure had a more satisfying conclusion a few years ago.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’d express it this way: In the eighth season, and ultimately the entire series, Omar unveils incriminating footage publicly against Héctor and Emilia to tarnish their reputations. Consequently, their heinous actions are brought to light for global scrutiny. Frankly, I can’t help but feel relieved. There comes a limit to how many students can be taken from us before the alarm is raised, doesn’t it? And the deeply ingrained corruption at Las Encinas was long overdue for exposure. The school’s closure is a necessary consequence of these revelations.

However, in an unexpected turn of events, the principal decides to hold the final-year exams at a local public school instead.

Élite outstayed its welcome – but its twist ending was a delicious and fitting farewell

Initially, the arrogant scholarship students’ tormentors from Las Encinas are about to experience the same hardships, facing constant ridicule from those they once mistreated so harshly. Eventually, they will understand that their status doesn’t make them superior to others and that life doesn’t revolve around them. This realization will come to these brats in a humiliating manner, and their summer won’t be pleasant at all. Instead, it will turn out to be a season full of hard lessons for them.

In a beautifully symbolic conclusion, Élite returns to its roots, revisiting the fundamental themes that initially defined this intriguing series. Though many original characters have since departed, their legacies remain an integral part of the story’s evolution.

After school ends, it’s truly over in every sense, much like a bittersweet farewell. Elite definitely wore out its welcome, but regardless, it was an exciting journey with more to offer than just the parties.

1. One might argue that its relentless determination to continue beyond its due time mirrors the essence of Élite perfectly. After all, isn’t Élite nothing more than an embodiment of excess?

Read More

2024-07-30 18:07