Ep 1. Another World

In the dystopian science-fiction series The Barrier, episode one of season one titled "Another World," we are transported to a post-apocalyptic Madrid that is unrecognizable to the one we know. It is the year 2045, and the world has undergone a drastic change due to a virus outbreak that wiped out a significant portion of the population. The barrier has been set up around Madrid to keep the infected people out. The city has since been rebuilt with a new system of government that mainly focuses on security and surveillance.

We follow the story of a family living in this new world. Julia and her husband, Hugo, are trying to do their best to provide a stable life for their daughter, Marta. However, the stress of living in this world is proving challenging. Hugo is a police officer tasked with overseeing the barrier, and Julia works as a doctor at a hospital. We are quickly introduced to the politics of the world with the new Prime Minister, Laura, giving a speech about the barrier and how it is kept up to protect society.

The episode takes a turn when we are introduced to a young girl named Alma, who is on the other side of the barrier trying to get into Madrid. Frightened and alone, Alma is soon discovered by Hugo and his team as they patrol the area. The discovery of Alma sparks fear and tension as the group begins to suspect that she may be a carrier of the virus. This suspicion leads Hugo to make an impossible decision to ensure the safety of his family and the city.

Meanwhile, Julia is tasked with taking care of a patient, Raul, who has been brought in and tested positive for the virus. Julia's boss and mentor, Rosa, soon reveals that they have a cure for the virus and that Raul is the only person they have successfully cured. The catch, however, is that they are sworn to secrecy, and the cure cannot be used for the general public unless they receive authorization from the government.

As the episode progresses, we see the stark reality of how the virus has affected society. There is a shortage of food, chaos at the hospital with patients who are infected, and the realization that the government is keeping secrets from its citizens.

The Barrier's series premiere does an excellent job of setting the stage for the rest of the series. It successfully builds a world that is both frightening and intriguing while introducing the audience to a set of characters that evoke empathy and understanding. The show creates a sense of paranoia and tension, and it will be interesting to see how the story develops further in future episodes.

In conclusion, "Another World" is an engaging and thought-provoking episode that sets the tone for the rest of the series. It is a dystopian series that asks significant questions about society, politics, and what it means to protect our loved ones. The delivery of this story is done with great care, painting a vivid picture of a world you would never want to be a part of, but it's impossible not to be drawn into the characters' struggles.