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| Originally Aired | November 11, 2024 |
| Network | HBO/ Max |
| Director(s) | Laura Bispuri |
| Writer(s) | Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci, Saverio Costanzo |
| Character | ACTOR’S NAME |
| Dede | Ludovica Rita Di Meglio |
| Gennaro | Alessio Galati |
| Elsa | Domonique Donnarumma |
| Elena | Alba Rohrwacher |
| Nino | Fabrizio Gifuni |
| Imma | Tyara Cascone |
| Lila | Irene Maiorino |
| Enzo | Pio Stellaccio |
| Modern Day Elena | Elisabetta De Palo |
| Teen Imma | Gaia Cuomo |
Storyline Recap
A Sisterly Rivalry – Dede, Gennaro, Elsa, Elena
While it has been known for years that Dede had a crush on Gennaro, even when he was at his worst, what wasn’t known is that Elsa had feelings for him, too. But between the two, Gennaro picked the younger one, and Elsa, being who she is, stole from Elena, ran away, and thankfully ended up with her grandmother. However, the shock of her own child robbing her did not fade away with ease.
Strangely, almost no blame or focus is put on Gennaro, as if he is too simple to judge. On the other hand, Elsa gets a stern talking-to until Elena veers towards gentle parenting, which offers Elsa the ability to come home and have Gennaro live with them! As for Dede, she thought she would move in with her dad in America, but that didn’t happen as quickly as she wanted. However, with the grand betrayal, she eventually left, as did Elsa when she decided to go to college and move on from Gennaro.
Now, what did Gennaro do all this time? Nothing. As the time jumps happen, it seems Gennaro goes from mooching off his mom to Elena, and she smiles in his face and is glad for the company. Perhaps having at least two of the four kids who grew up around her liking her is seen as a win.
The Fall Of The Father – Nino, Imma
Nino was once a politician, perhaps even a leader of the socialist party. While Nadia and Pasquale’s situation, as captured terrorists, is presented beyond his power, he at least becomes someone Imma gets to see more often—mind you, not just on television but in person.
That is, until a scandal hits, and he gets arrested. As the show speeds through Nino’s rise and fall, it isn’t 100% clear for what, but it seemed his gift for gab got him to reach unfathomable highs before karma finally got to him.
This Is The End – Elena, Lila, Enzo
While they had a good run, Lila eventually became too miserable even to feign desire for a relationship, so Enzo left for Milan. He does well there as Lila continues to sulk and think about Tina, questioning if maybe she was kidnapped because of the picture she took with Elena and maybe Elena was the one who was supposed to be punished. It’s hard to say.
The only thing that is known for sure is that Lila came to a point in life where she sold it all and decided to wander aimlessly, and she did this for years, if not decades, before she disappeared. Elena, being that Lila was her longest friendship, even sweetest, when it wasn’t complicated by Lila’s expectations or bouts of madness, was saddened by the loss of access. However, randomly, when Elena was older, she got the dolls that she thought were lost from when she and Lila were children, and with that, she felt Lila was out there somewhere. Maybe conjured up by Elena poking the bear and telling Lila’s story, the story of her brilliant friend.
Question(s) Left Unanswered
- Was Pasquale the only character who didn’t age up?
Review
On The Fence
A Race To The Finish
One plus and minuses of not reading the source material is that you can’t compare it to what was delivered. However, after this episode, I find myself questioning how much was possibly sped through, main points in the book that probably needed another season to cover? Nino’s rise in politics, Pasquale in jail, Dede and Elsa’s relationship as they became adults, what happened to the neighborhood without the Solaras ruling it with an iron fist? So much is flown through or past that if it wasn’t for this season being the most inconsistent, I might be frustrated.
However, it just felt like there was no real ability to get immersed in what was happening as we got in past seasons. The actors changed every few episodes, and the ones who did stick around didn’t get to make their presence known or become the type you could attached to. It all felt rushed to the point that it felt like the people behind this had a contract to fulfill or wanted to maintain a relationship so that shows that come in the future via Rai could potentially end up on HBO’s platform.
Because what was delivered here, while you could submit, is still better than a lot of what is put out there, I’d say it is some of the worst “My Brilliant Friend” has produced.
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