The Split: Barcelona Episode 1 Recap

As The Split: Barcelona begins, Hannah (Nicola Walker) and Archie Moore (Toby Stephens) talk about what they like. When asked about heartbreak, she says a solicitor moved to New York two years ago and never came back. Archie asks if they’re going to her place or his place. Once Archie steps away, Hannah thinks about everything that has happened. Three months later, Hannah says there are less than 24 hours to go before her client’s wedding. She claims the offer is an insult and her client won’t sign. Hannah and the others arrive at the airport because they’re heading to Barcelona. Nina Defoe (Annabel Scholey) seems to be with Julian (Tibu Fortes) now. In private, Ruth (Deborah Findlay) tells Hannah that Julian has to go. Hannah tells Nathan (Stephen Mangan) they’re the only ones not in a couple this weekend. Glen (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith) asks about Rose (Fiona Button) who is in the bathroom.

Nathan wonders if it would be so bad if Hannah’s laptop crashed on the flight. She admits it crossed her mind. Nathan gives it a year. They briefly argue about their current situations. Rose comes out and mentions the guy Hannah met on Hinge, Archie. It’s been six dates now. Hannah reminds Nathan it’s none of his business. Liv (Elizabeth Roberts) arrives with Gael (Alex Guersman). Once they arrive, Lola (Dariam Coco) offers to help Nina and the others out. Gael says the estate has been in his mother’s family for centuries. Everyone looks at the chapel. Then, they’re introduced to Alvaro (Manu Fullola) and Valentina (Romina Cocca). Nathan says Kate is taking care of their two children under the age of two. Valentina mentions getting the prenup signed. Nathan asks Hannah about selling the house. He can’t move until she releases his share of the capital. Hannah says she’s working more than ever and she’s happy. She says they’re the boomerang generation so they’ll be back.

Valentina shows everyone the guest house. Nathan tells Hannah to knock if she feels lonely. She won’t. Valentina tells Hannah they do yoga on the grass at dawn. Hannah checks out the amended prenup. When Hannah is alone, she looks through her stuff and thinks about Archie. Rose barges into Hannah’s room to say this is nuts. Rose tells her that Glen went to check out a chapel. She admits she hates the funerals. Nina joins them outside seconds later. She insists Julian is a nice man. Rose says he’s a rich, nice man. Nathan comes out and tells them about the itinerary. Julian asks Nina if she knows where his goggles are. Nina tells Hannah and Rose that she hates them both. Archie complains to Alvaro about being put next door. Alvaro explains that Archie is his friend and lawyer. Hannah comes out and learns that Archie is staying there as well. The girls retreat inside. Hannah admits she didn’t know he was coming. She won’t talk about the date they shouldn’t mention. Hannah says she just couldn’t do it.

Nina suggests fate gave her a second chance. Liv joins Hannah who is shocked by her dress. They talk about Archie. He’s the family lawyer and he’s doing the prenup. Liv admits she wouldn’t go through all of this if it was up to her. Hannah reminds her that the prenup has to be signed. Liv thinks it’s irrelevant. She says Gael’s grandmother has arrived and she scares her. Glen tells Rose she’s been weird since they got there. Hannah joins them downstairs. Ruth and Ronnie (Ian McElhinney) enter the room. Nina and Julian enter. Everyone knows about Archie. Hannah pleads with them not to go overboard on this. Once Hannah joins Nathan, she says the revised paperwork is back. Now, there’s a 30% share of all inherited wealth on the dissolution of marriage. Moments later, Hannah drinks near Rose and hopes this is the last wedding she ever has to go to. Rose believes Julian has a ring in his pocket and is going to propose.

Hannah believes Rose is pregnant. Rose admits it’s been five or six weeks, but it’s too early to be getting excited. Rose wants to make sure Glen doesn’t find out. The conversation turns to Archie. Hannah points out that he’s brought a friend. Archie tells his friend that this is not the time or place for whatever she’s doing. His friend says she had to find out at some point. Ruth and Ronnie speak to Archie. Wren (Amanda Goldsmith) immediately introduces herself to everyone. She says they’re engaged. Hannah finds out they’ve been together for a wine. She gets upset and leaves. Hannah tells Rose and Nina. Alvaro speaks to the crowd. Hannah speaks to Archie about the prenup. He claims he wanted to make sure it was fair when he heard it was Liv. Archie reminds her she walked out on him. Wren comes over and interrupts their conversation. Nathan speaks next. He asks Hannah to join him. Hannah mentions cheats and liars during her speech. It appears Valentina’s relationship with Alvaro isn’t as perfect as they make it seem.

Lola tells the women that the cars are ready. Nina tells Nathan about Archie. Nathan threatens to toy with Archie until he breaks. When he wonders why it irritates him so much, Nina suggests he still loves Hannah. Later, Hannah talks to Nina and Rose about getting engaged. Nina may not feel that way about Julian even though he’s rich. She tells Lola she doesn’t drink. Lola invites her to dance instead. Alvaro talks to the men about his relationship with Valentina. Gael talks about meeting Liv in a bar. Glen says he took the service when Rose married James. That’s how they met. Later, they were both grieving. He calls it lucky that they found love a second time. When it’s Nathan’s time, he begins talking about Hannah. He’s reminded that Kate is a therapist. When Archie is asked about it, he says not everyone’s lucky enough to find love for a second time. He raised his son alone after his divorce. Archie thinks his son is the love of his life. A few months ago, he met someone who he thought was very special.

Alvaro interrupts and asks everyone to go outside. In private, Archie tells Alvaro he’s become increasingly uncomfortable with this situation. Alvaro says it’s a game and Wren does this. He asks Archie to keep playing his part. Meanwhile, Valentina tells Hannah about Archie’s first wife. Archie has been single forever. A few months ago, he started talking about a woman he met. Valentina never pictured her like Wren who was uninvited. Ruth and Hannah talk about Wren. Ruth says there’s something about her. She believes Wren is there for something and she isn’t sure Wren is Archie’s style. Lola walks with Nina who decides to call it a night. Nathan approaches Archie and accuses him of duping Hannah. Archie denies duping her. Archie says he and Wren have only met twice. He also claims he did not dump Hannah because she dumped him and ignored his calls. Once Nina and Lola get back, they begin making out in private. Valentina tells the others about a yoga move that helps let go of the past. They all take a turn before returning.

Valentina confronts Wren Dinae and asks how long she’s known Archie. Wren says she doesn’t want to ruin the night. Archie offers to talk about it tomorrow morning. Valentina says Wren is leaving. Wren thinks she should speak to Alvaro about that. Valentina learns that Archie is not engaged to Wren. She believes Alvaro gave Wren the ring. She causes a scene and leaves. Gael asks Alvaro who he is. He doesn’t think he can get married with all these lies. Valentina rushes inside where she retrieves the prenup. Hannah comforts a distraught Liv. Lola sneaks out of Nina’s room. Glen speaks to his kids on the phone. Hannah joins Nathan who says no one can find him. He admits he’s not sure what’s worse, Hannah being in the house with someone else or her being there alone. Nathan says it was his home too and he misses it and Hannah. Liv comes down and asks Nathan to walk her back to the house. Once they leave, Archie comes over to speak to Hannah.

Archie says Wren has been threatening to expose her relationship with Alvaro for weeks. He thought he could stop her before she destroyed the wedding. Hannah kisses him. Archie stops and says no. He doesn’t understand her. Archie tells her they should talk tomorrow.

 

The Split: Barcelona Review

The opening episode of The Split: Barcelona felt a bit familiar with the old characters returning. Furthermore, the same plot points from the prior seasons continued here making everything a bit predictable. The casting of Toby Stephens seems a bit odd although the performances are fine.

The first episode didn’t pack much of an emotional punch although it really had the right intentions. It’s hard to return to these characters and stories after so long and really sympathize with everyone right away. It doesn’t help that most of the characters are barely likable to begin with.

Truthfully, these characters have almost everything and they still find ways to make themselves miserable. There are just varying degrees of self-sabotage from character to character. It’s doubtful whether we needed to return to the story because the first ending was fitting enough.

Now, it’s just harder than ever to genuinely feel sympathy for any of these people, especially when many of their issues are completely avoidable. It would’ve been better to start afresh with new characters who are a bit more relatable at this point in time. The episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of The Split can be found here.

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