“Elite Eliminates Quarantine Boredom

The coronavirus outbreak has been a rough time for us all. As the entire world is socially distancing and homebound, most have resorted to streaming services as a source of entertainment. One show that is sure to temporarily distract from this situation is Netflix’s “Elite.”

“Elite” is a series that takes place in Spain; the show’s drama and excitement, along with a very attractive cast, has captured viewers from all around the world. While it is completely in Spanish, English speaking viewers are able to watch with English subtitles or with English actors dubbed over the original actors’ voices.

Many famous Spanish actors star in “Elite,” including María Pedraza, Jaime Lorente López and Miguel Herrán. These actors also star in the popular Netflix original “Money Heist.”

The show centers on a fictional private school, Las Encinas. This school is the most exclusive and selective in all of Spain - all of the richest and most elite people in Spain send their children to study here.

Things change when three working class students are given a scholarship to study at Las Encinas, their previous school having been destroyed. This change burst the bubble of the wealthy Las Encinas students, causing drama to quickly ensue.

Viewers instantly fell in love with the sassy, glamourous and eccentric characters in the show. Each character has their own storyline and romances that deeply intertwine with each other. The drama between the students at Las Encinas grows rapidly and soon, dark secrets are revealed. Eventually, a murder occurs. Season one flips between scenes before the murder and during its investigation. Season two is based around the ripple effect of the murder on each character.

Many shows fail to live up to the quality of its first season. “Elite,” however, has succeeded in doing so. Season three of “Elite” was released in March. In this season, a new shocking crime is introduced, along with new characters and a boatload of drama. What makes this season so interesting is the character development for several of the major characters; they learn to overcome their obstacles and redeem themselves in surprising ways.

In “Elite,” there is no “good guy” or “bad guy.” Each character has their own part to play in the murder, as well as redeeming qualities. This allows viewers to feel for each character, even the ones who are ultimately guilty.

The series highlights how these teens are forced to grow up too fast at the hands of their families’ reputations and parents’ expectations, and emphasizes the simple struggle to survive economically. The writers of the show were not afraid to dive into topics such as drug abuse, sexuality and privilege. These issues were conveyed in a way that felt real and relatable for viewers.

All three seasons of “Elite” are definitely worth a watch during this period of social distancing. Hopefully the show will return with a season four very soon.