Netflix’s The Barrier Episode 2 Review: Trouble Looms

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 2 review:

After last week’s introductory episode, The Barrier episode 2 takes us deeper into the mess that is this Spain 2045. Julia’s problems catch up to her. The police are able to apprehend Sara after a massacre, and get to Julia by giving the poor girl hope. It’s a very hopeless situation and you realise that there’s honestly no hope. On the other hand, Julia has to make a decision between running and staying to help Hugo get Marta back, and she makes the difficult choice. This, however, results in a terrible tragedy.

We also get to see exactly what Alma is doing. Behind her sugar-coated voice and demure attitude, Alma’s determination to find a vaccine and be the hero pushes her to do something inhumane. It’s heartbreaking to see poor Marta and so many children, who hope to be reunited with their parents, go through something like this. It is also heartbreaking when you realise how different the outside and inside perceptions are. And suddenly, after the episode ends, you will probably realise that the hope that Alma and the staff give these children is absolutely false.

The disparity of wealth and opportunities is presented only too well in The Barrier season 2. You can see how the upper and lower sections of the society are so different. This is more so highlighted in a heartbreaking scene between Julia and Hugo. It points a finger at you and tells you too well that they have failed as a society. It’s also a matter to think about here as to how the rulers have brainwashed certain people to become spies for them – either that, or they’re inherently evil people.

This is a much slower episode. I guess The Barrier is a much slow-paced series, unlike some others. A lot of moments are simple interactions that may or may not have an impact on the story as a whole. However, with 11 more episodes to go, it’s safe to assume that there would be much more characters to come and secrets to uncover.

Some alliances also promise to come to fruition in the next episodes. Alex and the nurse’s interaction seem promising. On the other hand, it doesn’t bode well for little Marta.

The Barrier episode 2 is streaming on Netflix.

Check out the other The Barrier reviews here, or all our other reviews are here.