I was surprised by the overwhelming positive reviews this series received - until I read the initial reviews more carefully and realized most of them were written by viewers who had only seen the first two episodes. If I had reviewed this show after the second episode, I would most likely have given it 10 stars, too. The juvenile stars (Elisa del Genio as young Elena and Ludovica Nasti as Lila) were very impressive, and I imagine we'll be seeing a lot more of them. These little girls made it easy to relate to Lila's impotent rage - which would be natural in a girl whose intellect is so far above those around her, and equally far above what she certainly must realize her future will hold - and Elena's strong attachment to her.
However, as the children aged and the cast changed accordingly, the tone of the drama changed as well. The depth of these two girls - now young women - was suddenly gone. Lila's frustration began to look more like petulance, and Elena became nothing more than a stiff and detached observer. As the season progressed, I found myself becoming less and less invested in the characters. Frankly, I just found them less likable. And half the cast changing in the third episode (making it hard to keep track of who was whom) did not help.
By the time the season concluded, I was bored by the slow pace of the show, disappointed by the acting, confused by the romantic choices of the girls, and not really interested in waiting to see if the next season would sort any of this out.
However, as the children aged and the cast changed accordingly, the tone of the drama changed as well. The depth of these two girls - now young women - was suddenly gone. Lila's frustration began to look more like petulance, and Elena became nothing more than a stiff and detached observer. As the season progressed, I found myself becoming less and less invested in the characters. Frankly, I just found them less likable. And half the cast changing in the third episode (making it hard to keep track of who was whom) did not help.
By the time the season concluded, I was bored by the slow pace of the show, disappointed by the acting, confused by the romantic choices of the girls, and not really interested in waiting to see if the next season would sort any of this out.