"Elmer’s Innocence and China Jurado’s Charm – A Review of The Gardener"

 Review: The Gardener (Spanish Web Series)

Directed by Mikel Rueda & Rafa Montesinos

I recently finished watching The Gardener, and I must say—it was quite an engaging watch. While it's categorized as a thriller, the emotional drama really stood out more than the suspense, and it worked well for me. The twists are subtle but well-placed, keeping the series gripping without being over the top.

The show portrays human emotions and reality in a nuanced way. One standout aspect is the portrayal of the mother character—it's a complete contrast to the nurturing, selfless figure we usually see. Here, she is selfish and manipulative, and that complexity adds depth.

Elmer, played by Álvaro Rico, is an innocent character who gets manipulated easily. His journey is compelling, and Rico delivers a strong performance. Just when it feels like the story is wrapping up on a positive note, the series throws in a surprising turn that hints at a promising second season.

Cecilia Suárez as China Jurado is charming and plays a morally grey character effectively. Her presence adds weight to the storyline. On the downside, the detective characters weren’t written strongly enough. They lacked the intensity you'd expect in a crime drama, and casting younger, more dynamic cops could have added tension and depth.

The Violetta character was a bit confusing and didn’t connect as well with me. Still, the cinematography is beautiful, and the background score works well in key scenes. The pacing is tight—there’s no noticeable lag across episodes, which is always a plus.

The final episode wraps up with a good cliffhanger, leaving enough curiosity for the next season.

Final Rating: 3/5

It’s not a groundbreaking thriller, but definitely a well-made drama that’s worth your time.