The Barrier or La Valla is a Spanish-language TV series created by Daniel Ecija and starring Unax Ugalde, Olivia Molina, Eleonora Wexler, Abel Folk, Angela Molina. The series is produced by Atresmedia in collaboration with Good Mood Productions.
The Barrier episode 1 Review:
The Barrier episode 1 introduces us to our protagonists, after World War III has ravaged the world. Sara and Julia are twins and as they and their parents are trying to escape, their father is taken away by the police.
We jump to 35 years later – Spain, 2045. Natural resources are now scarce, and, in the name of providing security, western democracies are now dictatorial regimes. Julia, now grown up, goes to drop off alcohol at a brothel. This results in her rescuing a minor from being abused but with disastrous results. On the other hand, Sara sends her daughter Marta, husband Hugo and brother-in-law Alex to stay with her mother, Emilia. That proves to be problematic and the family must now find ways to rescue Marta from the hands of the government. On the other hand, the government has terrible plans up their sleeves.
The Barrier episode 1 is mostly expositional and introduces us to all the people who will take on a bigger role in the future. The most harrowing thing about it is how spot-on the show is in regards to the current situation. Be it political or a deadly virus killing people, The Barrier episode 1 talks about things that hits close to home, and probably also provides a sneak-peek into the future.
It is also heartbreaking to see what the government has in store for the little children they took away from their parents, and Alma’s idea about their lives with their families.
Acting is also solid from all the characters, and all of them get good roles. At 63 minutes, The Barrier episode 1 ends on a tense note, with the minor Julia saved being discovered by the military. The episode does a good job at talking about how horrible people can be when they get power.
It’s also harrowing to watch the difference between the commoners and the people of the government. The latter have running water, good food, 24×7 electricity and swanky houses. However, to say that the commoners’ houses are terrible would be an understatement. Says a lot about our world, and probably where we’re heading.
Next episode’s sneak peek hints that it will tell us what happens to the minor girl and Julia, whether Hugo gets the job and Marta’s life at the children’s centre. We’ll have to wait and watch where it goes from here!
The Barrier episode 1 is streaming on Netflix.
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