Episode Guide
Fate: 3/5 Penance: 2/5 Retaliation: 1.5/5 Wound: 3/5 Slaves: 3/5 Beatriz: 1.5/5 Poison: 2/5 Redemption: 2/5 ..
Based on the novel by Ildefonso Falcones, Heirs to the Land is a Spanish period drama that impresses with its intricate production design, beautiful cinematography, and a dramatic saga with intensely high stakes. However, the hollow trappings that fail to obscure flat characterization and lack of emotional depth make this a forgettable watch.
As Heirs to the Land unfolds, Hugo must navigate the challenges of a world in which his family is struggling to survive. His father was a hard worker, but Arnau and Mar Estanyol are not content with their meager resources. They are determined to exact revenge on the Puiges, who have wronged them many times in the past. Hugo must find a way to protect his family and himself while also facing the challenges of this new world.
In the next 20 years, Hugo Puiges works to make something of himself, falls in love, and strives to keep his promise to Bernat Estanyol: that he kill the Puig family. ..
Hugo Llor is a fictional character, but the show weaves in real historical settings, political figures, and religious strife between Christians and Jews. Unfortunately, Heirs doesn’t incorporate much of this rich historical context in any compelling way. ..
The conflict in the series is significant to Hugo, but it is only a small part of the story. The main focus is on his character development. Violence against women and minorities is a tool that is used for a single purpose, and these characters are used, discarded, and grossly exploited time and again.
The overarching plot of “The Help” is little more than an unfocused, soap-operatic saga revolving around Hugo’s perceived “heroics.” In actuality, he acts decently to slaves and doesn’t like murder; therefore, people laud him for his kind and noble nature. Ultimately, he’s a flat and boring character. ..
Despite the lack of development, González does an admirable job with the material he had to work with. The same goes for most of the talented cast. Maria Rodríguez Soto is delightfully vile as Regina, and Rodolfo Sancho is appropriately arrogant as Bernat. As committed as they are to their roles, however, none of the characters feel fully developed.
The Heirs to the Land series is poorly developed and has few redeeming qualities. Although some viewers may find its Spanish period drama appeal, the show’s deficiencies far outnumber its strengths.
The show’s main value lies in its aesthetic. However, at its heart, the show is an antiquated and insensitive foray into 1300s Barcelona. Heirs to the Land may be set in the 14th century, but I hope its writers and creators know they don’t have to be stuck there.
