Merlí

At first when i accidentally saw a thumbnail in a video sharing website about two young-good-looking boys looking at each other (probably in love) i thought it's going to be a soap opera cliché contained young gay story who are closeted, with its typical conflicts. I was wrong. Merlí is a 'rich' soap opera, whenever i watch the episodes it feels like i'm taking a class, studying Philosophy, and it is actually teach us about it indeed. Almost everything about this series is super, the directing, the acting, the soundtracks, plot, you name it. I really hope they will be released officially with English subtitle, but you may not be worried if you understand Spanish or Catalan because you can watch them in TV3's website. In summary, Merlí is a classy soap opera which highly recommended to watch. Salutació!

I happened to come across this while searching my ROKU for shows. I forget how or why this came across but, I don't know if I can add anything of value, that has not, already been stated. Being, that some, of my ancestors came from Spain and Portugal,I at first, wasn't sure where this was filmed at. At the 10th episode, I figured it out at the end of the shows credits. That prompted me, be inquisitive, to find out more about the Catalan language. I speak English, being in the US, and I do know some German. What confuses me is, there were words that dang near sounded like German. In fact, the use of a German umlaut in the Catalan language confuses me. Is this punctuation correct? I even see not only does a character in the show, have the last name of Grau (grey in German), two the actors also have German last names. Those two being Grösser and Franz. Can anyone explain this being that this part of Spain is in the Eastern section. I do see, when searching the Frence influences as well. My ancestors would have spoken Portuguese and/or proper Spanish. That aside, I think one, pays more attention to foreign TV/shows when it's not a language you understand. Yes, some the English translations/subs are not the best but, the characters do a terrific job with emotions and characters that one can understand. I wish MORE people, would see this show. I wish more people in general would take away these life seasons and take them to heart. You can't watch this show and not get emotional. Europe has always been a head of the US in social "graces". This is a prime example. I don't have to know what the actor/s are always saying, when you can FEEL the emotions. When you've been in similar circumstances as these characters portray, it pulls the heart strings! THIS...IS A MUST SEE show! Thank you to all who make this show what it is!

For such a gem to exists, one expects this quality from the powers of Hollywood or European origins. But for this to come out of a region in the corner of Europe and from dialectical language, not per se a primary color like English, French or Italian is truly fantastic. Its a beautiful language. I found myself glued to the screen. As a well read and also written author in an architectural genre, I am unfortunately not bi lingual, like many Americans. Catalonian culture brings for me the richness of Antonio Gaudi and art nouveau, but a great connection to the arts. The episodes in this series are named after famous philosophers from history but the plots and character development are well thought out. There-in lives a synonymity of philosophizing, the explanations of each icon like Plato and Aristotle, flowing together. Their theories of life meld with complex character development in a low budget production that doesn't feel that way at all or isn't made obvious. Each character seems to be as developed as the TOS Star Trek characters of Roddenberry. The symbolism of the Owl that appears in each episode speaks words of wisdom at the right time in the flow of the themes imagery and music. But the messages about acceptance and the balance of a carefree liberal approach to life compared to the staunch conservative values and boundaries illuminates the important things in life, our own universal loneliness and how each individual is important to the other. It shows us our strengths and weaknesses and how to recognize each. This is very well done. As an architect, photographer painter and author, I think this series promotes art as holistic and a necessary presence to balance the technical qualities of our everyday life. Form follows function and this show dares to mix the sacred with the profane with much tact and subtle nuance. Bravo Peter Lagomarsino, Satellite Beach FL USA

This show is a very enjoyable, the characters are very easy to connect with and get attached to. If you have free time and you need something good to watch, I recommend this show for you.

Sadly it's not in English, it's in (Catalan?). So if you speak English(or anything else) you'll need to find subbing for the show.

Overall, this show does a good job and developing it's characters and plot. It is a bit rushed and all over the place, but it is one of the best shows I have watched in awhile, possible one of the best shows I have ever watched. If you decide to watch this I hope you can enjoy it as much as I have.

Having lived in Catalonia for some time many years ago I was automatically drawn to Merlí.

To say that I was pleased, or that it is well-done, would be gross understatements! Truly... "Merlí" is indeed a dazzling gem! Anything lacking due to financial constraints is made-up for fifty times over in so many ways – particularly in the compelling performances of the actors, one can't help but feel what they are portraying!

The show deals with quite a broad spectrum of unique and sensitive topics- a number of which are often considered taboo in certain areas- but I really enjoy the thoughtful and creative way in which they are handled and beautifully woven into the story and philosophical discourse themes in such a natural, believable & organic way.

I especially enjoy the many on-location shoots and cinematic views featuring Barcelona and the local area which are very beautiful and picturesque.

Aside from the normal frustration about the poor decisions of the characters now and then; the reservation I do have about "Merlí" is the prolific use of profanity throughout the dialogue. While it doesn't bother me, I can imagine that especially for a native Spanish speakers it could detract from one's enjoyment- because such words always have so much more emotional gravity for native speakers.

Language barrier is certainly somewhat of an issue for me- my Spanish is limited (and much more focused on American dialects/pronunciations) and I only have some peripheral familiarity of Catalan vocabulary lingering from my time there. My proficiency in Italian has proved rather helpful before I managed to locate English subtitles. The acting is so fantastic that the most important emotions & concepts are clearly understood. I finally collected English subtitles for all of the episodes now- although they seem to vary significantly in tone, accuracy, quality and style, etc. But they beat nothing all of the place! And I'm anxious to re-watch what I've seen and finish watching the currently available episodes with the translated dialogue.

Virtually all of the original dialogue spoken during filming is Catalan; which is not just a regional, colloquial dialect of Spanish. It is a bonafide, unique language with an instantly recognizably different phonology, and very distinct vocabulary & literature going as far back as Castilian Spanish. In fact Catalan was the official (commercial/governmental) and common spoken language for most of what is now Spain for many centuries; and linguistically it has more in common with Franco-Italo romance languages than it does with Spanish or Portuguese. Currently its use is mostly limited to Catalonia & Valencia where it holds equal legal status as Spanish and nearly everyone is bilingual. This explains how such a seamless Spanish language audio track was also recorded by all the original actors. I watched the first season in Spanish, but have only been able to find the original Catalan version of second season.