The Boarding School: Las Cumbres

And that line is between what could have been a tight, exciting plot and what became more or less a telenovela. At the start, what we were presented with was a school that was almost a panopticon. It was clear that the pupils had no personal life at all and were under the strict control of the staff. And just a word about the school. Are we seriously expected to believe that in modern Spain child abuse on this scale is or would be allowed? Or even if it happened, no one would blow the whistle or reveal it? As the series progressed the kids got away with more and more daring escapades under the noses of their teachers. Eagle-eyed teachers who spotted the smallest absence in the first couple of episodes suddenly failed to notice the disappearance of four or five kids from their class.

There were a couple of incongruous strands that added little to the main story. What on earth was the place Manu was being held in? What was it for? Who was shooting in the woods? What did the amnesia strand add? None of these matters was explained at all.

On top of all this, in a Catholic institution, the kids were getting up to all sorts of sexual shenanigans that would barely be tolerated in a secular school, if at all.

I don't want to get into spoilers, but the ending of episode eight was absurd. This was full-blown telenovela. Completely illogical, not even a deux ex machina, but a ludicrous resolution.

I watched till the end and jumped a couple of times at shocks that came up. But there is no consistency, no real unfolding of the story in a convincing way. I'm dubious as to whether I'll watch the second season that's coming in 2022.

This is a remake of a popular series that ran for 5 or 6 seasons. I love the well developed characters. It's well executed. The visuals and atmosphere are excellent.

Four points:

1. This has a different setting and characters from the original. Go with it. 2. For many, character development translates to boring. I, for one, enjoy getting to know each character's story. 3. Different regions have different acting styles from the overacting common is Asia to the overdramatic in Latin America. Embrace the differences, people. 4. Listen to the original Spanish and follow along with subtitles. Dubbing spoils the show,

I'm looking forward to the news season(s).

This show has a great idea but just does not have the tools to make it. The idea behind the plot is a really interesting idea but the script let's it down completely. It also doesn't help that about 95% of the cast cannot act. There is also no tone to the show, one minute it's a fact teen drama and the next it's a supernatural thriller but it's as scenes were just thrown together in the edit. Having said that, it's weirdly addictive and I enjoyed it despite its many, many flaws. Side note, if you aren't gripped, don't continue because the end will not satisfy you.

Before anything, I want to point out that I hope people don't get put off because of the 6.5 rating. It's a great show compared to the latest teens/young adult tv shows we have been getting in the last 4/5 years...

I didn't know there was an original and this is a remake when I watched it and tt's by no mean the best greatest most incredible tv show I've ever watched in my life, but the script is actually good and the story with the characters are something you'd look forward to follow and explore more about in every episode and scene. It has the right amount of each genre in it without one taking over the other.

What I most loved about this show beside the script is the actors and actress who played the students, they really played their characters well, you'd eventually even like and maybe get attached to the side and supporting characters in the show, that is how good everyone were.

The characters aren't super annoying or clueless to the point you'd hate them, but they aren't super rightful or knowledgeable either to the point you'd also hate them. A good mixture of everything with a middle ground I'd say.

At a finally note I'd just highly recommend watching this tv show with subtitles, not dubbing because as I said, the actors plays a big part in actually delivering the story and the plot.

Ignore the negative reviews.

There is a lot of nitpicky reviews about this show. Since I never saw the original series I can only comment on the five episodes I have watched.

The acting is overall good and there is a foreboding that seems to pervade each scene.

The setting and filming is very atmospheric. Clearly the director has a clear vision of the setting and the story.

One thing I think that is well done and clever is that there are no bright colors only drab colors that enhance the pervading atmospheric gloom of this mysterious school.

My only quibble is that the characters while watchable are not likable - don't know if was the way they were written or the actors portraying them. - so it's hard to root for them as they seek to learn the secret about their school.

Overall, I'm gonna give this 8 stars - as each episode has been a fun watch. Watch it in Spanish with English subtitles