MovieChat Forums > Gran Hotel (2014) Discussion > S2 - thoughts so far?

S2 - thoughts so far?

posted 11 years ago by rdavies23
22 replies | jump to latest

This is a quiet board but I'm hoping that a GH fan will see this and comment as to what they think of it so far!

This message contains spoilers for those who haven't got as far as the masked ball episode.

I think that the entire cast is stellar, so talented. The chemistry between Alicia and Julio is evident. I enjoy the costumes and the settings. The inclusion of the young Agatha Christie was inspired, and I think that the actress captured her perfectly based on what I've read of her. Belen was outstanding as the bereaved, universally distrusted maid and Isabel is an interesting new below-stairs character, trying to balance her loyalty to Alicia with her love for Julio. Teresa and Angela are as sublime as ever, and I enjoy the former's clashes with Alfredo's imperious mother.

I have slight concerns that it's becoming pantomimic and farcical in places. The bungling Hernandez is a tired cliche. I don't understand how the insipid Javier, still clinging to his mother's coat tails, is presented as a suave ladykiller. I'm not entirely sure that I believe that a hotel inhabited by a longstanding, large family and staff has a genuinely secret room. All that said, I am still addicted to this programme and keenly await every episode.

[–] crowby 11 years ago

Thoroughly enjoying season 2 on Sky Arts! I can suspend my disbelief for some of the more farcical aspects. It's so well written and acted I think they can get away with quite a lot! It has a very knowing, tongue in cheek feel and I love the humour in the show.

[–] jaybeedoubleu49 11 years ago

Loving it! I'm trying to explain the series to my son and the more I tell him, the more outlandish it sounds!! People discussing private stuff, when anyone else can - and usually does - overhear; OTT characters; unbelievable storylines etc etc. Yet, once again, I'm hooked and can't wait for each episode! I even record it, so that I can skip the adverts and just get back to the action, as quickly as possible!

[–] rdavies23 11 years ago

Yes, I record it too because it clashes with my circuit training class. It's nice to be able to skip the ads.

I note that its viewing figures in Spain have been disappointing this time, which may mean no more GH after this. I do hope not.

[–] maddie95 11 years ago

I really enjoy this programme and hope that Sky Arts will be showing series 3. I've also watched the Spanish drama, Isabella. Great stuff.

[–] ednakrabapple80 11 years ago

God, I love this crazy show. That finale was insanely good! So much happened.

[–] rdavies23 11 years ago

I was not expecting that outcome!

In Spain, they broadcast S3 pretty much straight away. I'm hoping that Sky Arts do likewise.

[–] ednakrabapple80 11 years ago

I noticed that this episode is listed number 8 of series 3. I can't believe that wasn't an actual finale episode. Loved Andres and Angela's little moment when she sees him in his fancy suit. Diego is the ultimate baddie!

[–] rdavies23 11 years ago

My understanding is that it was supposed to be the last episide S2 but that due to dwindling viewing figures in Spain the channel broadcast S2 and S3 together, pretty much, with hardly any gap. I hope that Sky Arts does likewise!

[–] jaybeedoubleu49 11 years ago

Brilliant finale (or non-finale, as the case may be!)

I truly love these characters....and the plot, as far fetched as it may be. Did I see the sheet being drawn up over Sofia? That means she won't get to see the (often invisible) baby grow up. Where does it leave the ex-Marquis? Where is Alicia....and how is Julio's shoulder? Did Javier really get shot...or were they fake bullets? I'm beginning to hate Diego.....and have always disliked Teresa - which leads me to think that their acting is great!

Roll on the next half of the season. Are you listening, Sky Arts 1?

[–] Tina-37 11 years ago

Well tonight I finished every episode that is featured on Netflix, and I'm curious as to whether the bomb in the clock was the end of everything? Or is there another season, the third season, which Netflix hasn't bothered to give us yet.

Honestly, I ran across the series by accident; Netflix gave it to me as a recommendation, so I decided to watch as I've enjoyed Spanish novellas in the past. Two very hooked weeks later I'm finished and wanting more, and fully understanding why the series was dubbed 'The Spanish Downton Abbey' by many. (Odd thing is, I gave up on DA a couple of seasons ago and haven't returned).

While there are some things that leave me rolling my eyes a bit (such as Javier's plans which always go wrong. I've been waiting for his major comeuppance like the weak, spoiled son in The Magnificent Ambersons, but I didn't see firing squad on the horizon!, I was still so caught up in the drama that on a couple of my off nights from work, I actually pulled a Grand Hotel mini-marathon, something I haven't done since the old days of 24! I wouldn't have stayed with it if there wasn't something about the show which caught my imagination. The performances for the most part are excellent; I love the chemistry between the characters, and the ones I dutifully hate (Theresa, Diego, Belin) are still so well performed that I have to give the actors high marks for making me want to break their necks when they walk on the screen. It's been fun attempting to keep up with the comings and goings; the back-stabbings; the affairs; the true loves; the illegitimate children -- you need a spreadsheet to keep it organized! And it's been a great 42 episodes -- thank you Netflix.

So I'm hoping someone on the board can answer me that simple question. I know the series ran 3 seasons. Netflix currently has 42 -- should I expect more or was that it?

And I am very happy to see some more fans on here. Doesn't make me feel as though I was the only one in the world enjoying this.

[–] wendycscott9 11 years ago

You're definitely not the only one enjoying this. I just finished it with a three-episode marathon and really never expected that ending. OMG! I suppose it could continue, but so far it hasn't, and I got the impression it's over, darn it. What a shame. I never expected to be so hooked on a show with subtitles, but I ended up relearning some Spanish words I'd forgotten, which was fun, and it really didn't matter all that much that it wasn't in English. I was amazed at how they wove everything together in the plot. It was so complicated and yet you never got that feeling where you didn't have a clue what was going on, well, sometimes. ...

I, too, ran into this show by accident because I'd recently visited The Grand Hotel in Michigan (of Somewhere in Time fame) when I happened to see this listed on Netflix and thought I'd at least watch a little of the first episode to see what it was like. Boy, did I get addicted! I hope at least some of these actors speak English well enough to be in some American or English films. I'd love to see them again in something. Julio was very appealing in an unusual sort of way, Alicia was just beautiful, and everyone was well cast and just so interesting. Gorgeous costumes, beautiful locations, incredible music, too. Good job, folks in Spain who created this show! It was brilliant!

[–] mjd_subs2 10 years ago

I watched "Gran Hotel" on Netflix this weekend and it is very well done. All the actors and actresses are very talented and the story, while simultaneously tragic and believable, is not only believable but probable. I was especially enamored by Dona Teresa's role and stoic leadership of the hotel and her family. It is not too often that I am awe-struck by any show but the creators of this series have captured my attention. I can't think of any aspect that could have been done better than it was written, directed and performed. Beautifully done.

Miré "el Grand hotel" en Netflix este fin de semana y muy bien se hace. Todos los actores y las actrices son muy talentosos y la historia, mientras simultáneamente trágico y creíble, sólo no es creíble, pero probable. Era sobre todo enamorado por papel de Dona Teresa y mando estoico del hotel y su familia. Es no demasiado a menudo que soy atemorizado por cualquier espectáculo pero los creadores de esta serie han capturado mi atención. No puedo pensar en ningún aspecto que se podría haber hecho mejor que se escribió, se dirigió y se realizó. Maravillosamente hecho.
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"Get busy living, or get busy dying." Andy (The Shawshank Redemption)

[–] wendycscott9 10 years ago

Very cool that you apparently know Spanish and can watch it without the subtitles. I would just love to be able to do that. I sometimes miss getting a chance to notice all the beautiful aspects of the show, like the locations and costumes, not to mention significant facial expressions sometimes, because I'm having to read the subtitles. This is a real gem of a TV show, very entertaining, and though I can't agree that it seems very plausible, I still believed it and have gone through the entire series almost twice now. I loved the interaction between Julio and Alicia especially, and as you mention, Dona Teresa was an amazing character played by a great actress. Glad you found it. BTW, because of Grand Hotel, I can read your Spanish and understand almost all of it! Enjoy!

[–] mec_os 9 years ago

the language is very entertaining and the subtitles oversimplify everything they say. it really loses a lot in translation.

i'm a native spanish speaker but i moved to the states when i was 10 and my spanish vocabulary got pretty much stunted. when i speak spanish i still sound native but i choke when i come to a word or phrase i commonly use in english but there is no equivalent in spanish, specially since we rely on idioms so much. to my surprise a lot of the phrasing in this show is very similar to english and some of the sayings i've heard in it have direct translations to english. i think it has to do with the murder mystery detective style it has, it kinda borrows from sherlock and other english detective literature.

i'm constantly finding more eloquent ways of translating my english thoughts into spanish with this show. i find the language way easier to understand than modern spanish (spain) shows and movies. but anyway, i've turned on the subtitles so my son can follow along and i keep stopping the show from time to time to explain to him how they said a particular line because the translations are so plain.

[–] wendycscott9 9 years ago

I suppose they might seem plain to someone who really knows Spanish, but to me those subtitles are pretty accurate. Now that I've been studying Spanish for 14 months, I have a lot of vocabulary and can sometimes see how they've left things out, but usually they're not crucial, like someone's name or title. The fact is, English is just simpler. It has fewer verb conjugations, and the grammar is easier and not so dependent on word endings to be so specific. There are, I've heard, 5 syllables of Spanish for every 4 of the equivalent of English. I'm enjoying learning the language a lot and find it makes more more aware of English usage as so much of Spanish has words that are close to English, just pronounced differently. But with the subtitles, I am able to pick up almost all the Spanish, and I think they do a pretty good job. The Spanish subtitles are fantastic, btw, and I've taken to going through Grand Hotel one episode at a time, first with English subtitles and then again with Spanish subtitles. It's helping me to build my vocabulary and how things are said. I wish they'd come out with a DVD set with both subtitles. I'd buy it in a minute. I worry that they might remove Grand Hotel from the lineup on Netflix. They did it before with another series I was watching when I was right in the middle of it.

Have you seen El internado yet? It's another Ramon Campos show but set around 2008. It has some of the actors from Grand Hotel, including Yon González and Marta Hazas. It is even more implausible than Grand Hotel. LOL But it may help your Spanish since they do seem to use more idioms than GH did and are speaking about more modern subjects, like cell phones and computadoras. 😉

[–] mec_os 9 years ago

i watched most of el internado before i watched gran hotel. i'm not interested in learning modern spain spanish and i don't like most of the slang. i prefer the proper spanish in gran hotel, it is more useful in everyday spanish and it is more international minus the lisp :P

i grew up in mexico in a small town with little to no slang. i moved to a city when i was 8 where there was heavy use of slang amongst my friends but i never felt comfortable using it myself. it was entertaining to hear at times, but i didn't like it. many years later, after i went of to college i returned home and one of my sisters was using slang words casually and i felt weird.

[–] wendycscott9 9 years ago

I know how you feel. I've actually been learning a lot of the swear words from watching El internado. LOL But I doubt I'll ever use them either. (I'm still not sure what everything means as they seem to translate the same words into various English curses.) I figure a Spanish-speaker will be happy with me even if I don't know a bunch of slang, so the Spanish in Grand Hotel is better for me to learn, also. But it doesn't hurt to know what people are talking about. Half the battle is understanding others, not just being able to be understood yourself.

[–] wendycscott9 9 years ago

Well, speaking of Agatha Christie, I was watching El internado, and this young woman looked familiar. I thought she might be someone else actually, someone I'd seen in Velvet, but it turned out that was someone else. I looked up her name and found out she had played Agatha Christie in Grand Hotel, and her name is Carolina Lapausa. She plays the young Jacinta in El internado. Very cool. I just figured this out yesterday.

Then today, I read about one of Agatha Christie's favorite books having been adapted for TV for the first time starring my latest favorite actor, Aidan Turner, and will be running in the UK around Christmas. What I wouldn't do to see it then, but we'll most likely have to wait here, more's the pity. Here's the article about it: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11838059/Agatha-Christies-trickiest-novel-voted-her-best-after-Poldark-signs-up.html ¡Disfrute!

[–] mparker-25889 9 years ago

Yes, she played a young Jacinta- I knew she was familiar. I love Grand Hotel and cannot stop watching. Next will be Velvet, and so many stars from Grand Hotel and El Internado are in Velvet- the beautiful Andriana from Grand Hotel I just noticed will be in Velvet. Amazing.

[–] wendycscott9 9 years ago

Adriana Ozores will be in Velvet? What, season 3 then? How cool is that? I wish Netflix would get that. I've seen everything they have of Velvet so far. Seems like I'm running into all kinds of Grand Hotel alums in other shows. I've also been watching Isabel on Hulu, but so far I haven't seen anyone familiar. Perhaps as time goes on. But it seems odd these days to watch any Spanish show without seeing at least one or two actors I've seen in something else. I remember when I first started watching Grand Hotel, I thought how weird it was that I wasn't familiar at all with anyone in the cast. Now they all seem like old friends. Well, except Diego and Belen, to name a couple, but of course están muertos. 😝

[–] mparker-25889 9 years ago

Oh no, the Andriana who Javier fell in love with. Remember she was unhappy with her husband, who shot Javier. They left the hotel. Sorry for the confusion.

[–] wendycscott9 9 years ago

Oh right. Oops. Actually, the woman who played Adriana's daughter, I think her name was Elena, played by Mariona Ribas, I just discovered is in El internado playing Nora Díez, a much different character!

As far as Spanish names go, there don't seem to be that many, and you get repeats all over the place. No preocupes.