Season 1 |
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Episode Guide
Episode 1 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 2 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 3 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 4 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 5 -| Review Score – 2.5/5
Episode 6 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 7 -| Review Score – 2.5/5
Episode 8 -| Review Score – 2.5/5
Breathless aka Respira is the latest Netflix Original series from Spain and is said to be the platform’s first Spanish medical series. Released in August 2024, it consists of 8 episodes and while we can consider it to be a limited drama if the show is never renewed, it could very well be a new era for the OTT if the show goes viral. And there is a lot of potential.
With Elite’s creator, Carlos Montero Castiñeira setting up this Spanish Grey’s Anatomy, we already know that Breathless will be a mix of melodrama, plot twists, selfish actions, steamy affairs and a bunch of medical jargon.
To top it off, the cast is equally starry with a lot of familiar faces that have peppered Spanish Netflix shows like Najwa Nimri of Money Heist fame, Cable Girls’ Blanca Suarez and Borja Luna, Elite’s Manu Rios, movie star Aitana Sánchez-Gijón and more.
The stakes are pretty high for a medical drama, especially when Netflix is not putting its eggs in one basket and has also ordered its first medical procedural show, Pulse. But Breathless Season 1 doesn’t disappoint so far.
Despite being “selfless”, the doctors of Joaquin Sorolla Public Hospital are all selfish, doing whatever it takes for their own gain. Nestor Moa is the union representative who seemingly cares for patients but is ready to let them die for his ideals. He ends up clashing with Valencian President, Patricia who is loathe to take him on as her doctor.
As for Dr. Pilar Amaro, she claims to be on the other end of the spectrum and will do whatever it takes to save a patient until it comes to her own son, even if it means letting a little girl die. And in between their clashing dynamic, the 1st-year residents struggle to stay afloat, save patients and also live their own lives.
As expected from the creator of Elite, this medical drama stands out with its artistic execution, bringing in the neon ambience and R&B pop soundtracks. But somehow this works for the plot which is full of plot twists and melodrama, problematic and toxic characters and equally messed up mind games.
It keeps this disjointed viewing experience with constant back and forth, flashforwards and non-linear storytelling which will have viewers working hard to connect all the twists and reveals.
But is there enough meat to the story to prevent Breathless Season 1 from falling into the style over-substance trap? We’d like to think so as the main leads are given their own sub-plots and conflicts that tie up with the bigger issue of Sorolla fighting for the public healthcare system. The actors all do their best and are definitely a step up from the usual hammy performances we tend to get from medical soaps.
The Netflix show also takes up some heavy topics and doesn’t shy away from truly dissecting such beliefs as seen with Dr. Leo’s storyline which we believe could have been a big misfire. Thankfully, the show doesn’t bite off more than it can chew.
But this also leads to them playing safe in the second half of the show and maintaining a steady pace till they reach the end. We do wish Season 1 had kept the fire throughout, from start to finish since this just leads to the impression that the writers simply ran out of ideas by the time they got to the finale.
However, there is still scope for the show to get even more daring and turn into a multi-season hit if given the chance. We just hope Breathless doesn’t become yet another promising show cancelled and abandoned at the growing Netflix graveyard before it reaches its peak.
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Verdict - 6.5/10
6.5/10