Elite: Season 1/ Episode 1 [Series Premiere] – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

The rich and poor intermingling, the plight of one Palestinian girl, someone HIV+, and boys trying to hide their homosexuality – OH THE DRAMA!

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The Introduction

Las Encinas

Thanks to Guzmán and Marina’s family, who are in the construction business, Nadia, Christian, and Samuel lose their school. Not because of a purchase, mind you, but the roof collapsing. So, to save face, each one is given a scholarship to Las Encinas. The elite school isn’t foreign to poor kids with scholarships, but the last one they encountered seemingly gave Marina HIV so they are all pretty weary.

However, some get more attitude than others. Being that Samuel is a bit meek, a nice guy in general, outside of being called a waiter by Guzmán and his flunkies, he comes off clean. Nadia, on the other hand, with her being Palestinian and wearing a Hijab, she finds herself subject to the ire of Lu. Guzmán’s secret girlfriend, or f*** buddy who Nadia walks in on. Good thing too for when Guzmán threatens Samuel with expulsion, because of something Samuel’s delinquent brother Nano did, Nadia blackmailing him saves Samuel. However, in the process of blackmailing Guzmán, Nadia makes herself a bigger target.

Leaving Christian. Compared to Nadia and Samuel, Christian is the only one who you know, without guilt, there would be no way he’d enter the halls of Las Encincas, even to clean them. However, with the roof falling on him and causing 14 stitches, he was a priority to get into the school. Something which he takes full advantage of, or at least tries to. Though he has a thing for Carla, who seemingly has an arranged marriage with a boy named Polo, she gives him the time of day and some ass.

But, Christian’s true first friend is a closeted guy named Ander. A tennis star who, like his peers, would like someone to hang out with, f***, but he isn’t at liberty to be out in proud. Leading to him using a Grindr-esque app and coming across Omar. Someone who he has met through Christian introducing him as a drug dealer, and us also knowing him as Samuel’s friend and Nadia’s brother.

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. Who killed Marina and could it have dealt with her being HIV+?

Collected Quote(s) or .Gifs

Strange as it may seem to you, sometimes waiters get a seat at the table.
—Samuel

Highlights

Nadia

Nadia (Mina El Hammani)

Mina El Hammani is clearly going to be the breakout of this show. Be it the fact she is playing a Palestinian Muslim, who loves and honors her culture, or is dealing with the issues Spanish society presents for upward mobility. Her storyline is the one to watch as she shows a penchant to adapting and eventually dominating where she is. Making the idea Guzmán and Lu taking her down a notch laughable and their attempt something to see. Especially if, fingers crossed, Nadia catches a whiff of the BS and lets them make fools of themselves as she wins that trip to the Ivy Leagues in America.

From The Good, To Neutral, To Wicked, There Is Nothing Not To Like

Even when it comes to petty villains like Lu and Guzmán, it is hard to not want to see how their storyline pans out. Something not a lot of shows can say for with Lu seeming a bit like a trope, as does Guzmán, you’d think they would just inspire eye rolls. However, it seems the show really knows how to match certain characters so that everyone can benefit and feed off one another’s energy or personality.

Take Samuel. At home, he has this loud mouth brother and mother who, well certainly seems to be the type of person in shows like this who’d give birth to such different children. And it is with Samuel being kind of dull, it makes him seem like a balancer to big personalities like Nano. It also works well for Marina as well for she has this poor little rich girl thing going, alongside having HIV, which makes the kindness of Samuel seem like a second chance for her. Something to help keep her faith in humanity. Though, as we see her talk, perhaps flirt, with Nano, upon checking on Samuel, maybe she might just decide she wants a bad boy vs. just a boy from the other side of the tracks.

Omar (Omar Ayuso): Nadia wants to go to the party.

And it goes on and on. Even for smaller characters like Polo and Omar. Polo trying to, I guess, let Carla be free so that she’ll come back to him in the night, it’s sad, yet add in Christian and it leaves you torn since Carla seems to be quite entertained by him. Now, whether she is entertained by means of thinking he is a clown or could make a good… whatever the word is for a male mistress, who knows? However, Polo watching, seemingly not to get his rocks off, makes for an eyebrow-raising relationship. One which seemingly has been in place for years.

Then with Omar, being that he is assumingly Muslim like his sister, a drug dealer, and a closeted homosexual, it makes his potential relationship with Ander interesting. To the point, as cute as Marina and Samuel might be, Ander and Omar might be able to steal their thunder.

On The Fence

The Murder Mystery

Considering everything that is going on, this murder mystery might be the straw that broke the camel’s back or buttercream frosting on top of the cake. It’s hard to say at this point. However, I must admit us knowing Marina is the one who died, that took away some of the interest. To me, a Big Little Lies approach, with whispers of who killed who, might have been more interesting. Because once you get a victim, so comes the search for a killer and this show has more than enough drama. So whether it can incorporate this without becoming a full-on soap opera, one can only hope.

First Impression: Positive (Watch This)

Marina (Maria Pedraza): You dares to shout what a lot of us think. Or at least I do.

Lord knows I love me a good teen drama and this is no exception. Even for characters you may not like, the writers smartly attached them to someone you do and the matching of wits brings a interest to all parties. Then for the more likable characters, they don’t get to rest on their charm. They all have a personal obstacle and people in their lives who not only force them to choose sides but show different pangs as they come of age. Leaving you gleeful this is on Netflix for that means no waiting week to week but getting to consume it all at once.

Hence the positive label. Elite, is the type of show which seems to combine all the best aspects of what we usually see on CW, FreeForm, even MTV at times. Young, attractive, characters who all have different demons they either wrestle with or embrace. All the while testing their abilities on their peers to see if they can impress, screw or even surmount them for supremacy.

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Creator	Carlos Montero, Darío Madrona
Character Guide	Created
Collected Quotes	Not Created
Current Status	Active
Watch Only on Netflix
Season Reviews
Season 1 | Season 2
Check Out The TV Series & Specials Page

Season/ Episode	Synopsis	Episode Information	Topics & Characters
Season 2, Episode 6 “66 Hours Missing”	As Lu continues to drown, Samuel may have finally gotten what he needs. Also, whether Omar and Ander will break up is decided.	Director(s) Sílvia Quer Writer(s) Carlos C Tomé Air Date 9/6/2019	This Is The Real Me: Cayetena, Polo, Guzmán Love Causes Fear & Brings People Together: Ander, Omar, Rebeca, Sandra Face The Truth: Lu, Valerio, Nadia, Guzmán, Nano, Samuel, Ventura, Laura
Season 2, Episode 7 “84 Hours Missing”	The final night before Samuel went missing is explored, as well as the last night of Lu trying to salvage any of her relationships.	Director(s) Dani De La Orden Writer(s) Abril Zamora Air Date 9/6/2019	You Better Be Careful: Omar, Rebeca, Sandra, Samuel The Scam Of The Year: Cayetena, Victoria, Lu, Polo, Ander, Guzmán Scorched Earth: Lu, Guzmán, Carla, Cayetena, Nadia, Yusef, Samuel, Teodoro, Valerio
Season 2, Episode 8 “0 Hours Missing” [Season Finale]	People are forced to tell the truth as accusations fly left and right. However, some aren’t ready for the truth, or there isn’t enough evidence to substantiate it.	Director(s) Dani De La Orden Writer(s) Breixo Corral Air Date 9/6/2019	So This Is Rock Bottom: Valerio, Lu, Nadia, Yusef Just When You Think It Has Come Altogether: Samuel, Guzmán, Inspector, Carla, Polo, Ander, Omar It All Falls Apart: Polo, Inspector, Guzmán, Cayeneta, Samuel, Carla
Season 2, Episode 5 “63 Hours Missing”	With Nano’s release comes loads of drama. However, he isn’t the only thing on Guzman’s mind. Also, Polo nearly kills again.	Director(s) Sílvia Quer Writer(s) Jaime Vaca Air Date 9/6/2019	It’s Not Easy Having A Good Time: Omar, Ander, Lu, Rebeca, Cayetena, Guzmán, Nadia, Polo, Nano, Sandra, Samuel Smiling Makes My Face Ache: Ander, Omar, Lu, Guzman, Carla, Samuel, Nadia, Yusef, Valerio, Rebeca, Polo, Cayetena Don’t Dream It. Be it: Nadia, Guzman, Carla, Samuel, Rebeca, Cayetena, Nano, Ander, Polo
Season 2, Episode 4 “59 Hours Missing”	As Ander risks exposure, he does something drastic to hide his secret. Also, the romantic relationships in the show, current or past, maintain a dramatic flux.	Director(s) SÍlvia Quer Writer(s) Abril Zamora Air Date 9/6/2019	Do You Know What & Who You Want?: Lu, Omar, Rebeca, Nadia, Guzman, Ander, Samuel, Carla Power Play: Ander, Caynetta, Carla, Polo, Guzman I’m Back: Nano, Polo, Ander, Guzman
Season 2, Episode 3 “36 Hours Missing”	Samuel finally gets the information he needs, but will it be enough? Also, Nadia and Omar claim their men.	Director(s) Ramon Salazar Writer(s) Breixo Corral Air Date 9/6/2019 Introduced This Episode Victoria Marta Aledo Sandra Eva Llorach	It’s Hard To Live A Lie: Victoria, Caynetta, Lu, Carla It’s Hard To Love The Unavailable: Omar, Yusef, Nadia, Lu, Guzman, Ander, Valerio, Pop It’s Hard To Lie If You Care: Carla, Samuel, Sandra, Rebeca
Season 2, Episode 1 “20 Hours Missing” [Season Premiere]	A new school year, a new mystery, and while it doesn’t seem anyone has been murdered, yet, someone is missing.	Director(s) Ramon Salazar Writer(s) Dario Madrona Air Date 9/6/2019 Introduced This Episode Rebeca Claudia Salas Valerio Jorge Lopez	Let The School Year Begin: Lu, Valerio, Guzman, Samuel, Nadia, Rebeca It’s All Fun And Games: Valerio, Guzman, Christian, Carla, Polo, Nadia, Rebeca, Samuel, Ander, Lu Until Someone Gets Hurt: Teodoro, Christian, Samuel, Omar, Yusef, Nadia, Carla, Ander, Nano, Rebeca
Season 2, Episode 2 “34 Hours Missing”	There is a reveal about what happened to Samuel, as we see Guzman let loose and someone gets seduced	Director(s) Ramon Salazar Writer(s) Carlos Montero Air Date 9/6/2019 Introduced This Episode Cayetana Georgina Amoros Laura Rocio Munoz-Cobo	This Family Has Been Through A Lot: Guzman, Laura, Lu, Omar, Yusef, Nadia, Rebeca She Has the Answers I Need: Rebeca, Carla, Samuel Get Loose With It: Omar, Guzman, Lu, Ander, Polo, Cayetana, Valerio
Elite: Season 1 – Recap/ Review	While the inconsistency of many relationships might annoy you, the drama of Netflix’s Elite will keep you coming back for more.
Season 1/ Episode 8	Wanna know what happened to Marina on June 1st, sometime around 9:30 PM? Who was with her at the time? The person who did it?
Season 1/ Episode 7	Drastic moves are made to stop eveyone's love/hate cycle. Which includes everything from embarrassing someone to violence.
Season 1/ Episode 6	With Nano’s situation handled, things calm down a bit. That is, until Marina’s world gets rocked in more ways than one. Her’s and Omar’s.
Season 1/ Episode 5	While amongst friends things are better than ever, nearly all romantic and sexual relationships continue cycling between being hot and cold.
Season 1/ Episode 4	A lot of the sins and troubles of episode 3 are forgiven, making it seem only Marina and Nano might be held accountable for past actions – for now.
Season 1/ Episode 3	As secrets get revealed, or someone threatens to reveal them, the show, for now, narrows down who might have killed Marina.
Season 1/ Episode 2	In class, the kids are given the task to make a social media profile for their partner. Leading to the question: What is everyone’s public image and what is their true self?
Season 1/ Episode 1	The rich and poor intermingling, the plight of one Palestinian girl, someone HIV+, and boys trying to hide their homosexuality – OH THE DRAMA!

Artwork by Dean Nelson

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UMC	Bronx SIU: Season 1				Jacqueline and Jilly
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