MovieChat Forums > Gran Hotel (2014) Discussion > Too many coincidences

Too many coincidences

posted 11 years ago by jayjayjoop
11 replies | jump to latest

I'm only halfway through the 2nd episode and the coincidences make me want to stop watching. Julio just "happens" to be in the perfect spot at the perfect time. In the first episode alone, he overheard 2 major conversations between the hotel owners, in different rooms and different times. He just happened to see Diego leave the hotel to get Javier, he just happened to see Diego leave the kitchen after burning the dress, and on and on and on. Lots of cliches going on already too, including what happens to the pregnant woman.

[–] rdavies23 11 years ago

I agree with you, but it doesn't spoil my enjoyment greatly.

I will warn you that the coincidences, chance meetings in corridors, and overheard conversations are a feature of the entire show. It's rather farcical at times.

[–] irarather-817-636142 11 years ago

Yeah, they're pretty ridiculous, but what the heck.

There are a ton of non-sensical things...like how Julio is able to hang around the hotel forever and not get arrested or ordered out by Don Benjamin, since he was no longer working there.

I'm more baffled that they showed a topless girl as a corpse in one episode, but that's the only nudity I've seen so far! (I'm up to episode 12 now.)

All in all, I think the performances and settings make up for the plot lines that aren't very believable, because let's face it--is ANY of this believable?

Still think it's a great series.

[–] BB-15 11 years ago

SPOILERS

* Something that my wife and I noticed in the first season is that parts of the story keep repeating.

- Julio will say he is going to leave, he comes back and then a couple of episodes later he says he will leave again. This has happened about 5 times.

Christina is supposed to be dead. Her brother investigates her disappearance. She is alive but then she is killed. Her brother investigates her disappearance.

Belen is supposed to be pregnant (she doesn't look it) and will give her baby to the eldest Alarcon daughter. Then the owner of the hotel doesn't want Belen's baby. Later, the owner wants the baby.

* And then the story has cast members making ridiculous mistakes, like putting the important letter behind a wood panel that can be opened by just bumping into it!

* The story in this Spanish production is certainly not top notch Masterpiece Theater.
It is more along the lines of a routine daytime soap opera.

- But wendycscott is right that;

you have these gorgeous locations, beautiful costumes, attractive and interesting cast members, lush musical score, and the Grand Hotel itself, which is stunning.

And that makes watching this goofy series worthwhile.

BB ;-)

it's just in my opinion - imo -

[–] wendycscott9 11 years ago

Hi Ira,

All in all, I think the performances and settings make up for the plot lines that aren't very believable, because let's face it--is ANY of this believable?

I was just thinking about this the other day. The idea that all that took place at the Grand Hotel in this series could actually have happened is pretty ridiculous, but that's not the point. And when you think about it, most plots of most stories are a bit of a stretch. If they followed real life, they'd probably be pretty boring since no one has that much drama going on, at least no one I know of. ::snicker::

Still think it's a great series.

And that is precisely the point. It's fun and suspenseful and makes you care about these people and what happens to them. Well, at least most of them. Some of them you want to strangle. LOL

[–] wendycscott9 11 years ago

Hey, it's the coincidences that make the whole thing fun! And who cares about that when you have these gorgeous locations, beautiful costumes, attractive and interesting cast members, lush musical score, and the Grand Hotel itself, which is stunning. I so want to go there! I'm up to episode 22 and am completely addicted even though I know little Spanish and have to use English subtitles. I'm loving the interaction between Julio and Alicia, so poignant and romantic, and the intrigue is nerve wracking but to be expected in such a series. Plus, I'm getting back some of the Spanish I long forgot when I took it in school. How cool is that? :)

[–] Mary444 11 years ago

I agree with everything Wendy said so well! I've been watching mini series since I, Claudius, and never found anything this addicting and cleverly ruthless except The Tudors or Deadwood. The "twists" set this series apart from all others. I love having Spanish lessons from decades and decades ago "pop" back in my head. I love no sex, no violence (except the Spanish slapping lol), and no cussing. If someone knows the answers to my questions, I'd be grateful: 1) The musical score is lush indeed. It is perfection. Are the composers famous in Spain? 2) The dreamy opening uses old photos - are those "real" old photos, as the interior doesn't match the hotel. 3) The costuming and hair are fabuloso! The beautiful linen/lace/cotton/wool/silk fabrics are so lovely. Can anyone explain how hairstyles morphed in Spain over that period? The older ladies and some guests wear their hair poofed up with little buns on top, Alicia wears hers in a fancy braid, and Belen has short hair. Some of the older ladies' hair look like they have "inserts" or something which make it all poofy. Did the servant class generally have short hair? Hey, this series is PERFECTION!

[–] wendycscott9 11 years ago

Sorry, PF, I can't answer any of your questions since I know little about Spain, but I sure agree with you about how terrific this series is (or was since I've now finished it). I'm taking a break right now but may go back to watching it through again just to pay more attention to all the details you mentioned since it all looks so wonderful. And the little rustic villages they have some of the scenes take place in are an added attraction. BTW, I just did a google search of Cantaloa, Spain, and it really exists or so it would seem since one article says it's fictional but then there are pictures. It's in the north of Spain on the Atlantic Ocean. There are lots of sites when you get the search results that talk about the show, too, though I haven't visited them all yet. So your questions may be answered somewhere in there, assuming they're in English. Also, I wouldn't say there's no violence, but at least they don't show every gory detail like our US shows always seem to do these days.

[–] Mary444 11 years ago

Thank you Wendy. Yes - I am now googling stuff like Spanish and Philippines conflicts but the main series web page is in Spanish so it is difficult to interpret. That being said, I feel so cheated this is not on American cable or network. Were this series broadcast on the networks or on American cable, all life would stop like it did on Friday nights with XFiles. "Lo siento, por favor!" "De nada!" I love having the Spanish lessons delivered in such a compelling fashion. And with the stunning twists - Belen's pregnancy threw me for a loop oh gosh it is addicting! THIS deliciouso series is what we should get on American television, but alas, not. If I was young enough to figure out to create new message threads - I would. I need to find out more about the music and costuming!

[–] wendycscott9 11 years ago

Well, PF, I just love seeing someone else as enthusiastic as I am. I started off watching one episode a night, but that didn't last. LOL I also tried promoting it on the Dr. Quinn Forum, but so far I haven't seen anyone discussing it if they have watched it. It was only a few days ago though so perhaps I just need to give them time. I saw online that it's also on Hulu though I watched it on Netflix. I'm pretty curious to see what happens as more and more Americans discover it. Are you and I and the few people on this message board the only ones who found this little gem? If we are, I'll bet we won't be the last. And btw, I watched all of Downton Abbey so far and think it's great, but this was much more exciting and addicting, imho. ¡Me gusta mucho Gran Hotel!

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Avatar19 10 years ago

What was with all the daddy issues?

As far as I'm concerned, I prefer silent vice to ostentatious virtue.