*The Final Problem* may manage to stay one or two steps ahead of you, yet—beyond satisfying a basic curiosity—there is little here to leave you truly satisfied.
Anyone who enjoys settling in for a good detective story will be intrigued by this classic premise: a confined space, temporarily cut off from the outside world, where dead bodies begin to turn up one after another. The characters cannot contact the police due to a storm and lightning strikes (which knock out the radio), so it falls to them—or one of them—to solve the mystery.
Stars: Jose Coronado, María Valverde, Martiño Rivas
*The Final Problem*, based on the novel of the same name by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, is built on this foundation. It places an actor named Basil (José Coronado)—famous for playing Sherlock Holmes on screen—at the center of the murders. On the surface, the concept sounds entertaining: an actor tapping into his character's instincts to solve a problem (specifically, a murder) unfolding around him.
However, judging by what plays out on screen, the series is no laughing matter. Basil and the other guests are trapped in the hotel until the radio is fixed. Everyone is a suspect, including the man attempting to investigate the crime. Let’s imagine a scenario where Basil is, in fact, the killer. What could his motive be? Here is a thought that occurred to me: Basil longs for the glory days of the past, when he was acclaimed for his portrayal of the fictional detective; so much so, that the murders become his way of reclaiming that glory. Interviews and investigations transform into a performance that highlights just how brilliant he was as Sherlock on screen. It is a twisted, fascinating logic: an actor seeking to feed his ego by showcasing his skills through the commission of a crime. It would have been a nice touch to end *The Final Problem* with a shot of Basil boasting, "I've still got the touch!"
But the series doesn't have a mind as wild and twisted as mine. It has its own plans—plans that, admittedly, turn out to be interesting. For a long time, I wondered why Basil was written as an actor when he could easily have been introduced as a detective; *The Final Problem*, however, eventually resolves that question. It is an intriguing revelation that strikes a chord by spotlighting issues such as exploitation in show business, actors' egos, and the cruel manipulation of aspiring actresses through empty promises. It also touches on class differences and the manipulative games that stem from them, laying the groundwork for a transactional relationship. Yet, *The Final Problem* addresses these themes only through a line or two of dialogue that serve merely as exposition for the final reveal. Instead of feeling the weight of these issues, we simply watch them play out rapidly on screen.
It doesn't help that the actors all come across as so somber or solemn. No one seems to be truly enjoying their role; everyone looks stiff and restrained. As Vicky, Cristina Kovani initially shows glimpses of playfulness—the sway of her hips as she walks is more expressive and fluid than anything else in the series. But before long, even she succumbs to the surrounding monotony.
The small island where the characters are trapped looks like a beautiful place to be stranded, yet the series fails to capitalize on the location, not even managing to evoke a holiday atmosphere. Given the general blandness, I wouldn't be surprised if the entire production had been shot against green screens. What happened to the vicarious pleasure these lavish-looking productions used to offer? Lacking texture or a sense of tangibility, it is difficult to maintain even a superficial interest in this murder mystery.
While *The Final Problem* does manage to stay a step or two ahead of the viewer, beyond satisfying basic curiosity, it offers little that is truly rewarding. Despite a prime location and a reasonably decent reveal, *The Final Problem* leaves the viewer feeling empty. That is... something. It is the kind of "mystery" that would leave even Sherlock Holmes himself exhausted and unsatisfied.
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