Grand Hotel Review: Pilot (Season 1 Episode 1)

Grand Hotel Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot,” is all sleek and splendor, but no smolder.

The plot jumbles along at an uneven pace, and even when it hits a nice tension-building stride at the 40-minute mark, it doesn’t quite draw me in.

The show is worth sticking with for at least a few more episodes because of the attractive cast, the veteran actors Roselyn Sanchez and Demian Bichir, and the strength of the soapy murder-mystery concept. 

I do confess that as an avid fan of the original Spanish version, a few key differences are glaring. 

First is that smolder factor. On the original series, the lingering glances and steamy chemistry between Alicia and Julio (Danny on this version) caused a category 5 hurricane level of investment in the ship and the characters. 

So far, the Grand Hotel story doesn’t pause to linger on the internal conflicts and desires of the main characters. It moves past them quickly. 

The plot is mysterious but the dialogue is far too direct and overwrought to establish any mood. 

Especially for those of us who know much of the mystery because of having seen other versions, the relationship development is absolutely essential. 

So, Grand Hotel I ask that you let it linger on future episodes. I want to ship it, I want to very badly.

Another key difference is the time period. Grand Hotel is set in current times, a departure from the early 1900s setting of the original. 

This creates a tone problem for the new series. It at once wants to have the intrigue and Sherlock-Holmes vibe of the original and to spoof current pop culture figures and trends from the modern time. This creates a clunky and mismatched tone.

Hopefully, the show will slow down and ease into the talents of its cast as it sheds the quippy jokes and pop culture references. It is going o be a stronger show if it’s sincere, not satirical. 

I think a key way the show will get there is by caring about the details.

The devil may be in the details, but so is intimacy. If we are going to feel close to Alicia, Javier, Santiago, Gigi, Yoli, Carolina, and Danny we are going to need that intimacy. 

My favorite character to watch so far is Yoli. The dynamic between Yoli and her sister Carolina is interesting and universal.

Also, the pair has more chemistry than any of the romances presented on the episode. 

But, and it’s a big but, I have a hard time getting past the fact that El Rey casually calls Yoli “Gordita” even though the actress is in no way fat. I would love to see a fat actress in the role! But that’s just not the case here.

What I fear is that because the gorgeous actress who plays Yoli, Justina Adorno, has a wider nose and doesn’t have Eurocentric facial features that she is coded and accepted as fat and ugly. 

I am not okay with this.

If Yoli is the less desirable sister because she is very assertive, aggressive, or negative, that’s one thing. But, to pretend that in 2019 only thin noses and fair skin are accepted as beautiful is a disservice to viewers. 

For a show set in Miami with Spanish speaking characters, there is already a paucity of diverse and authentic representation on the cast. This show is a sleek thrill ride and is not going to provide deep social messages, I understand that. 

Still, the show suffers when it is relying on outdated and stereotypical understandings of culture and beauty. I think this relates back to the need for specificity and more detail in the characterization.

If Yoli were more than “Gordita,” then it would lessen the problematic nature of the storytelling. Hopefully, that is what we will get on future episodes. 

“Pilot” is the very first episode and there are many characters to provide exposition for, along with the murder mystery to introduce. This episode does some of those things well and I am hopeful that the future episodes will allow the characters to get comfortable and show more of their unique traits. 

I do greatly enjoy Javi and the new mystery of how he lost his leg. I would have loved to see a disabled actor playing a disabled character, but Bryan Craig is fantastic, so I understand the choice. 

I also would have liked to see Javi in a wheelchair and portrayed with the same charm and sexuality. That could have been some really nice representation. 

Still, I appreciate that a key character is disabled and that his disability is part of the story. I like that the episode uses Javi’s disability to show how sex and intimacy aren’t the same and I look forward to Javi meeting someone who really lets him let his guard down. 

Overall, “Pilot,” is more misses than hits, but it has a solid foundation to grow from. If it does grow in the right directions, it could be truly grand.

Room Service

• That is not how anyone floats, Alicia.
• I’m looking forward to more of the behind-the-scenes details from a large luxury hotel. I am sure there are many interesting industry secrets!
• I can’t even with the woman who keeps trying to take off Javi’s cloth during sex. He sets a boundary and she repeatedly violates it! Not okay!
• Alicia and Javi’s mom must have been white. I am interested to see if any of the cultural differences between the characters are called out or discussed. 
• I don’t think I saw a single queer character on the episode. Let’s rectify that right quick, shall we!
• I miss the lispy Spanish of the original. I can’t help it! On that note, more Spanish, please.
• Jencarlos Canela as El Rey, a Pit Bull-esque character, is surprisingly charming. I don’t hate that it seems he’ll be making another appearance.

 

What did you think of this episode of Grand Hotel? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Grand Hotel airs Mondays at 10/9c on ABC.

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