So, I have a few thoughts about the Spera storyline.
It’s a very bold choice in terms of writing. It might not have landed for some people and I totally get that but it did land for me. I agree with people who said that we should have watched this topic with Viola or Federica as mains. It’s a too important and heavy topic that it would be better if we watched it through the eyes of a main instead of a love interest and a friend. However, I get why they did it. This storyline gave Federica a plot of her own before truly saying goodbye to the original generation, and if they want to make a new generation it gave the audience a more in depth look into a member of the new gen.
I do think despite being from an outsider’s perspective they did the storyline justice. We actually get to hear how Viola felt shame, how she was afraid of being judged, how she tried to tell herself that she had consent in it. Elia’s reaction to everything was as it should be. He never once thought about judging her and judged Spera instead. He didn’t even question Viola too, that’s important because he saw Sperra as a friend. When he told the boys about it, they just asked him if he was sure and after he said yes they didn’t question it further. When they asked who it was Elia didn’t give Viola’s name, same way Viola didn’t give Federica’s name. Viola repeating Carmela’s words about being manipulated, both the girl squads supporting their friends at the police station, and Federica’s words at the radio urging people to speak and not be silent are super important. I think they showed the side of Viola and Federica as much as they could with Elia as a main.
But the main reason I’m okay with this being set in Elia’s season is because it’s not used as a storyline for Elia to grow as a person. Like I said Elia already gave the best and the proper reaction. Viola’s and Federica’s plots weren’t used for Elia’s sake. Rather from his perspective it was a plot of seeing the world as it is, realizing the people you trust are not always as they are. I think in the end it helped Elia and their relationship that Elia and Viola both opened up to each other.
And finally coming to the fact that it’s Spera. Like I said it’s a bold choice. It completely changes the way I view the scenes with him in season 2 that I used to adore. I think if this storyline was happening the best choice was Spera instead of a random teacher which would have made the plot pointless and just for drama. Here instead we have Elia and the boys faced with actually having to grow up. Their world at 17-18 is literally shattered when they learn about Spera, the man who was their friend, who helped them. He was such an integral part of Marti’s journey and suddenly he is gone and everything he knew is gone too. I think, as the show truly lets go of these characters forcing them to grow up is a good way to let them go because were are not in season 1 anymore where they were teenagers. They are on their way to be young adults and their world is gonna shatter again and again.
The silver lining is that they have each other. That’s what the hug in the cafeteria showed. No matter what happens contrabbandieri have each other and they don’t need anyone else. And le matte have each other. And all of them have each other.
