Summary
A cracking start from Elite season 5. It isn’t perfect, and there has to be an understanding of imagination with the new season. But, all in all, it’s another welcome return from the hit show.
This review of the first three episodes of the Netflix series Elite season 5 does not contain any spoilers.
And so it returns. Possibly what could be Netflix’s best soapy drama returns for its fifth season. With a couple of new characters and another mystery to dissect, Season 5 has all the ingredients that audiences have come to adore in the Spanish series. After quite a dip in its fourth season, could Elite return to the quality that it once was? Well, based on the first three episodes (the amount given to Ready Steady Cut in advance), it’s looking good.
It’s not a perfect watch, by all means. The first half of the first episode feels pale in comparison to Elite at its peak (think Season 1 and Season 3). So much so that there are serious concerns that the series has gone past its sell-by date. Frankly, the first twenty minutes are extremely dull. Not only is it hard to dive into the story of the world, but one must wonder how many more times we can have a violent death occur to students within Las Encinas. But as the hooks start to present themselves, it’s hard not to become hooked on the latest mystery.
However, jumping back to the first half of episode one, Samuel, once again, spends much of the episode feeling sorry for himself. Honestly, there’s only so much that one can take of his character. Whilst the actor, Itzan Escamilla Guerrero, is fantastic, it might be time that the character gets written out of the show. Which, considering how many past favorites have left already, wouldn’t be too much of a stretch. Whilst saying that, Samuel isn’t the most frustrating character of the series, that honor falls to Ari (once again). Like how she was in Season 4, she proves to be the source of much annoyance. I’ll be honest, whether she lasts the season or another three seasons, it’ll be a surprise if she isn’t one of the characters to be murdered.
One of the major strengths (yet also weaknesses) is the lack of past characters. Sure, they’re missed in the first half of episode one. Yet, had the core cast from Season 1 remained, it would have been ridiculous to see them subjected to similar storylines over and over again. And with that comes the new characters Isadora and Ivan. They fit right in, and whilst they may not be the most likable characters, they bring a certain charm (and levels of drama) along with them. Ivan, possibly the most, as it’s likely that the show will keep us guessing right until the end as to whether he and Patrick will sleep together. Plus Ivan’s relationship with his father appears to have depths that the show hasn’t explored yet.
It’s campy, it’s sexy, and it’s fun to watch. For the most part, Elite ticks all of the boxes that you want it to, and that’s all that matters in the end. There’s a great mystery, and this time, not only are we wondering who did it, but we’re wondering who it happened to. It’s a slightly fresh new spin, and I can’t wait to find out how it all ends.
Finally, whilst Omar is one of two remaining OG cast members, is he really necessary? Based on the first three episodes, it doesn’t seem so. Had he been quietly written out during the Elite Short Stories, it appears that season five wouldn’t be missing anything.
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