El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time — Series 3: Episode 1 —Con el tiempo en los talones/With Time on his Heels — A Review.

20th May, 2019.



There are several things I like doing.

Really.

A good read’s always a favourite.

A movie, if I’m in the mood.

Music’s usually good.

As Into Battle with the Art of Noise, plays in the background.

And, every-so-often?

A TV show.

TV shows … 

I have to admit, there’s one I’ve been raving bout for months, whose third series I’ve been meaning to sit in with, for a while.

You’re right … 

I’ve been meaning to catch up with the third series of El Ministerio del Tiempo/The Ministry of Time

for quite a while …

~≈§≈~

Episode 1 — Con el tiempo en los talones/With Time on his Heels — opens … with the funeral of Julián Martínez (Rodolfo Sancho): time on a mission in the 1937 Battle of Teruel: leaving Alonso (Nacho Fresneda) and Amelia (Aura Garrida) mourning their fallen comrade.

Back in 1958, however … ?

The squad’s former member, Jesús Pacino Méndez (Hugo Silva) has an issue.   He’s joined fellow Ministry agent — and occasional lover — Marta (Belén Fabra) in order to keep a potential on on the ’58 San Sebastián Film Festival.

Someone … ?



Is trying to kidnap that year’s most important guest: Alfred Hitchcock, himself.

You can tell Pacino’s going to need help, can’t you … ?

~≈§≈~

Now …

Is this a good opening episode for series three?

Oh, my LORD, yes!

Despite losing Rodolfo Sanchez’ Julián — a shame, as Julián’s been the show’s emotional core, since its beginning — this first episode is still riveting: it allows us to mourn, but still throws us back into the action, complete with an old friend.

Cast, crew, writers — and subtitlers! — are on form, comfortable with their work.

And, as with the first two series, comfortable telling us good, solid, entertaining stories.

And ones with an Easter egg or two: Hitchcock definitely had an eye for the blondes, Pacino sees his lover’s death as a Vertigo poster.

And Undersecretary Salvador Martí (Jaime Blanch) has the tough job: persuading Irene he’s got issues with his Rear Window … 



Rear window … and a workman with a walkman, I should add.

Yes: there’s talk of a fourth season of El Ministerio del Tiempo.

I hope that’s taken up.

As the bigger budget for season three, plus a cast that’s working well, together?

Means this opening episode a welcome pleasure.

Long may the Ministry continue!