João Semana is a slightly adapted character from "As Pupilas do Senhor Reitor", that was written during late 19th Century by writer - and doctor himself - Júlio Dinis.
The main character , João Semana (Nicolau Breyner) suffered a slight adaptation from the orginal book by the hand of argumentist Francisco Moita Flores.
That adaptation gave more to the character, and in my opinion, helped a lot with the plot and general development of the show.
The other main protagonists, nomelly Father Antonio (João D´Ávila) have also an excellent development.
The show achieved to make a compromise between the turmoil and social heterogeny found on Portugal's late 19th century and the bucholic, slow pace living of Portuguese Countryside.
