Sex. Murder. Mayhem

These three words describe the scintillating mess that Elite projects in its entirety; as the high school thriller stretches beyond five magnanimous seasons. Unlike American sitcoms, which are still quite queasy about including queer characters, this Spanish hit has no qualms introducing LGBTQ characters or portraying their daring life stories. It’s uncomplicated and finely tuned with nuances that juxtapose with the oddities of normal teenage drama. The queer characters in Elite are simply a part of the storyline; they aren’t afforded any special status, and that is so refreshing. The Elite universe holds no prejudices against members of the LGBTQ community or untraditional relationships. The show certainly makes noise as it unapologetically explores forbidden tropes likes threesomes, drug addiction and HIV infection. Although the show wasn’t specifically created to cater to queer audiences, it has a strong portrayal of LGBTQ relationships that dictate social and religious differences. There is a lot of drama (obviously) but it doesn’t shy away from depicting their pain, suffering and mental breakdown (something that most LGBTQ teenagers face when they go through their “Coming Out” phase). In short, Elite is highly addictive, sexual, strung with raw emotions and also unobstructive. Let’s recall some of the most popular queer relationships in this drama as we take a walk down the memory lane!

The Only Genuine Couple In This Mass Hysteria

What happens when a social recluse meets a drug dealer?

Sparks fly and romance ensues. Omar (Omar Ayuso) and Ander’s (Arón Piper) love story might seem cliche, but it is anything but that. Popularly knows as “Omander”, their romance extends across four seasons and they are inarguably the only stable couple in this sexual mayhem. When Ander is introduced to Omar in the first season, there is instant attraction, but they both have struggles of their own. Ander feels entrapped by his parent’s expectations and has a hard time fulfilling their dreams. His mother is Las Encinas’ Principal, an elite school where he rubs shoulders with best friends (read rich & spoiled), Guzman (Miguel Bernardeau) & Polo (Álvaro Rico). He is also ashamed of exploring his sexuality, which takes a mental toll and he reverts to drugs. Omar, on the other hand, belongs to a strict Muslim family with a Palestinian background. His sister is a school topper and their Father’s high strung attitude doesn’t allow a healthy environment at home. So, imagine the difficulties these two face before they actually get together? Throughout the first season, they play the cat & mouse game, where Omar tries to repress his growing feelings while Ander pursues him relentlessly. In the second season, Omar has a huge showdown with his Father and leaves his family home. He relocates to Ander’s new house, where Ander’s mom accepts him with an open heart and they start living together. They face relationship woes when Ander turns reclusive (because Polo confesses that he killed Marina, Guzman’s sister). But by the end of the second season, they reconcile. In the third season, their relationship is again tested when Ander is diagnosed with leukemia. While Omar tries his level best to stay beside Ander while handling his studies and bar job; Ander resolutely decides to break up with him, so that Omar wouldn’t suffer. Despite the various trappings, they emerge stronger as the third season ends; Omar reconciles with Ander, whose cancer is under remission. The fourth season adds a certain spice to their relationship as they engage in ménage à trois with new fellow student, Patrick (Manu Ríos). Their relationship is tested again as Patrick wrecks havoc by turning them against each other. Despite all the melodrama that ensues, Omar-Ander stay strong and eventually reconciles after a classic breakup (these two don’t get bored with breaking up & reconciling). By the end of the fourth season, their romance takes an uncertain turn as Ander decides to leave for a Europe tour and their future remains gleam.

My Feelings– Omar & Ander are seemingly the only couple in this drama who manage to stay together for almost four seasons; that’s a feat in itself, because the heterosexual relationships in this show are screwed beyond repair. Despite that, these two are exhaustive. While Omar struggles with accepting his sexuality in the first season, his feelings for Ander remain steady for the remaining three seasons. Omar supports him unconditionally (despite Ander’s temperamental attitude) and doesn’t give up on him, even when Ander pushes him away continuously. The reason why their relationship works is that Omar is forgiving, kind and loves Ander from the bottom of his heart. Two kids from different family backgrounds traversing the canvas of gay culture might seem like a recipe for disaster and yet they prevail. They have the longest standing relationship in this show and are unapologetically in love. Beautiful forever!

The Murderer & His Terrifying Ménage à trois

The murderer who just wanted to fall in love?

There are very few instances where you actually want to sympathize with a murderer and yet his actions make you feel otherwise. Leopoldo Benavent Villada, commonly known as Polo, belongs to the elite class that rules the world of Las Encinas. Born to a rich lesbian couple, Polo is in a relationship with Carla (Ester Expósito), who is equally wealthy and belongs to Spanish nobility. They make a beautiful couple and yet there is something lacking in their romance. To spice up things, they add a third to their stagnating relationship, Christian (Miguel Herrán). Unfortunately, Carla gets enamored with Christian, who isn’t interested in having any kind of sexual relationship with Polo. The ensuing chaos breaks them apart; Polo commits murder to win Carla back and the first season ends with their inevitable break up. Throughout the second season, Polo suffers from the guilt he feels over Marina’s accidental death. In an attempt to seek normalcy, Polo gets into a relationship with Cayetana (Georgina Amorós) who seeks to use his influence for her own advantage. Consequently, Polo’s situation worsens when the truth is revealed and Guzman seeks retribution for his sister’s death. After he is bailed out, Polo returns to school in the third season. He receives severe backlash as Guzman & Samuel (Itzan Escamilla) make his life difficult. In the midst of all this turmoil, Polo & Cayetana begins a relationship with Valerio (Jorge López) who has an equally destructive and controversial existence. “The Murderer, the Liar & the Dealer”- these three have the most chaotic relationship in this drama and yet Polo falls in love with both of them. Regrettably, Cayetana’s manipulative nature and Valerio’s self-destructive nature tears them apart as Polo falls to his death in the last episode of the third season.

My Feelings- Since Polo remains at the centerfold of both of these tragic threesomes, his inner struggles remain the crux of this travesty. He is openly bisexual and mostly prefers men over women. But that doesn’t stop him from falling in love with not one but two different women. While his relationship with Carla is hugely based on their social status (their parents belong to the same circles and they have been together since childhood); his ensuing romance with Cayetana is based on empathy and devoid of expectations. Despite his abundant flaws, Polo is caring & loyal, the two qualities that bring about his downfall. There isn’t much to say about his relationship with Christian, because they never click. But he does fall in love with Valerio; so much so that he even argues with his mothers when they don’t approve of this throuple relationship. Ultimately, he falls to death while trying his level best to redeem himself. A lost soul forever!

The Unapologetically Lesbian Couple

A drug dealer’s girl with the school principal’s daughter?

High profile meets low class romance, that’s what Mencia (Martina Cariddi) & Rebeka (Claudia Salas) represent here. Their social differences create a delicious friction that traverses across the border of impossibilities. Yet they persist; and the way they do it turns this formidable romance into an unforgettable experience. Fresh from her breakup with Sameul, Rebeka meets Mencia under excruciating circumstances. Rebeka belongs to the lower bracket (despite the fact that she is rich, the Las Enchinas elite treat her like dirt because her mother is a drug dealer) while Mencia is the Ice Princess, forever at loggerheads with her overbearing father, Benjamin (the new school principal in Season Three). They start to get along well until all hell breaks loose; Mencia runs away from home & decides to earn some pocket money (cue prostitution). Yes, you might be left aghast at her choices, because her behavior is unlike most heiresses, who won’t dare to debase themselves. And yet, Mencia does everything to annoy her father and earn her keep. Alongside, she keeps falling for Rebeka, who spends quite a lot of time questioning her sexuality and her feelings for Mencia. They aren’t the perfect couple; far from it. But somehow, they make it work. And despite the abundant flaws on both sides, I love them; they are my favorite lesbian couple.

My Feelings- From the moment they meet, Rebeka and Mencia have an irrevocable chemistry. They are similar in quite a few ways; both face parental issues- Rebeka wants his mother to stop dealing drugs and straighten out, while Mencia is fed up with her father’s domineering attitude. Their relationship goes through major upheaval, mostly because of parental pressure. Mencia spends a lot of time chasing after Rebeka in Season Four, but the tables turn in Season Five. Despite the chaos that prevails coupled with the various ups & downs in their romance, Rebeka & Mencia never stop loving each other. Rebeka does try to date another classmate, Jess (purely to spit Mencia), but it doesn’t work. I really love and appreciate their dynamics; Rebeka is independent and strong, but so is Mencia. Mencia might seem rebellious, but she is sweet & caring; the one thing that instantly draws Rebeka’s sensitive soul. Made for each other (although we don’t know what the future holds for this couple in the next season).

The Tornoda named “Patrick Commerford”

One of the most complicated characters in Elite, Patrick (Manu Rios) joins the crazy crew in Season Four. As the new school principal’s son, he and his siblings enjoy a certain amount of clout that obviously feeds his sense of entitlement. Patrick is hugely portrayed as a self-obsessed and manipulative individual who always gets his way. His sexual orientation is very clear from the get go and he has no qualms about destroying people’s relationships as long as he gets what he wants. Like already mentioned, Patrick is a freaking tornado, uprooting anything in its wake. On the first day itself, he takes a liking to Ander (because Omander are the only gay couple in the school). He entices Ander, who convinces Omar for a threesome. Things start getting complicated when Omar feels threatened by Patrick’s presence. When Ander decides to respect Omar’s decision; Patrick seduces Omar instead. Later, he ends up falling for Omar’s caring nature and tries to destroy their relationship again. Unfortunately, Omander are too strong and they don’t fall prey to his tricks. In Season Five, Patrick and Omar have casual flings (after Ander leaves for the tour).

Patrick’s roving eyes land on meets Iva (André Lamoglia) next, the son of a famous Portuguese footballer, Cruz Carvalho (Carloto Cotta). Things get insanely complicated and steamy with the introduction of these two characters. Both Father & son display bi-curious tendencies but are slightly homophobic as well. In each of their first encounters with Patrick, both Ivan & Cruz demean his sexuality. But it’s mostly because both are attracted to him and use homophobia as a cover to hide their feelings. As usual, Patrick spends a hell lot of time seducing both of them. Gradually, he develops romantic feelings for Ivan, who isn’t ready to accept his sexuality. In an attempt to hide his feelings for Patrick, Ivan seduces Ari (Patrick’s sister). Patrick, on the other hand, kisses Cruz. Later, both Ari & Cruz ghost Ivan & Patrick, which leads to their solemn reconciliation. Ivan slowly accepts his feelings for Patrick and they get together. Cruz gets jealous seeing them together and drives a wedge between his son & Patrick. Patrick gets enraged seeing Patrick with his father and breaks off with him. They both go through a painful period of separation, trying to get over each other. Ultimately, Cruz realizes that Ivan is hurting because of his hasty decision and makes amends. He gives them their blessing and Ivan seeks out Patrick. The season finale ends with Ivan embracing Patrick in the rain as he reels from the shock of his own father’s arrest.

My Feelings- I’m mostly uninterested in arrogant, manipulative characters who are seductive and frivolous. And yet, I couldn’t hate Patrick. He is indeed spoiled and acts like he owns the world; but beneath all that veneer, Patrick is just an insecure kid seeking love and attention. As such, he gets easily obsessed with the people he desires; and if he doesn’t get his way, he acts like a man child and throws tantrums. Obviously he is immature and unlike his siblings (who have a defined redemption arc), Patrick never owns his mistakes nor apologizes. He is a player, sleeps his way through the town and has no qualms about sexualizing everything. Until he meets Ivan and his world is turned upside down. For the first time, he falls in love, but Ivan keeps jerking him around and their relationship goes down the drain. Despite their vehement arguments; the fact remains that Ivan & Patrick make a handsome couple. Ivan often mentions the fact that Patrick brings him peace and rights, everything his world. I’m wondering if they will get back together in the upcoming season? Will Patrick forgive Ivan? Or they will go through another cycle of cat & mouse chase?

Frankly, I want to see them date. Fingers crossed!

Exclusive Update-

☆ We are ending this feature with details related to the renewal of this show for next season. Netflix has revealed that five more cast members will be joining the show: Carmen Arrufat, Ana Bokesa, Álvaro de Juana, Ander Puig and Alex Pastrana with Puig, being the first transgender character to join the series.

☆The steamy trailer of Elite Season Six, served hot!