Breathless, the latest entry in the medical drama genre, is the brainchild of Carlos Montero Castiñeira, with direction from Marta Font and David Pinillo. This Spanish series, also known as Respira, premiered on Netflix on August 30th, 2024. While it may seem like a promising addition to the genre, this review will explore why Breathless ultimately falls flat.
A Borefest From the Beginning
Set in a hospital named Valencia, Breathless kicks off with scenes that will instantly remind you of Grey’s Anatomy and the slew of medical dramas that have come in its wake. The series centers around a group of residents at the hospital as they strive to earn their medical licenses. Alongside their professional challenges, we also get a glimpse into their personal lives. However, even this brief description is enough to sap any excitement you might have had.
From the very start, Breathless feels like a drag. The show is essentially Grey’s Anatomy transplanted to Valencia, Spain, with all the usual tropes, including the requisite scenes of characters donning gloves and masks. After a few months pass in the storyline, we’re introduced to Biel, whose chiseled abs are showcased in a way that makes you wonder how he finds the time to maintain such a physique while supposedly working long hours as a doctor. But then again, logic isn’t the show’s strong suit.
Far From Relatable
The show spends a surprising amount of time focusing on the physical attractiveness of its characters, particularly Biel, in the early episodes. Amidst the flirtations and admiring glances, the series also throws us into the surgical procedures at the hospital. The handsome doctors are seen slicing open wounds, navigating gashes, and occasionally even operating on brains. The typical medical drama staples—scalpels, cotton swabs, surgical masks, and blinding lights—are all present and accounted for.
Over the course of its eight episodes, Breathless does attempt to build tension, but the stakes rarely feel high. The melodrama is there, but it’s melodrama of the unremarkable kind. It doesn’t quite reach the level of so-bad-it’s-good entertainment, nor does it become a show you love to hate. The performances are decent, but they lack subtlety, making the emotional moments feel forced rather than genuine. There are a few scenes where the characters’ vulnerability shines through, offering brief moments of relatability, but these are few and far between.
The actors do their best with the material they’re given, but unfortunately, that material is incredibly mediocre. Fans of American medical dramas might find it particularly difficult to connect with Breathless, as it often feels like a pale imitation of its predecessors. There are some bright spots in the series, but they’re overshadowed by its many shortcomings.
Conclusion
Breathless is a medical drama that revolves around the lives and work of hospital staff, but it chooses a melodramatic path to tell a rather simple story. Even with only eight episodes, the series feels overly long, with many scenes that could have easily been condensed—or better yet, cut entirely. In many cases, meetings between characters feel unnecessary and could have been handled via email.
This series might have worked better as a short story, as it struggles to maintain interest over its full runtime. However, not everything about Breathless is a letdown. There are moments of good performance, effective editing, and a few scenes that land emotionally. The story concludes on a somewhat positive note, with a few good things happening to the characters, but it’s not enough to redeem the overall experience.
Ultimately, Breathless is a forgettable entry in the medical drama genre, one that might leave you longing for the more engaging shows that came before it.
