Isabel

There was a time when European networks produced excellent TV series based on historical events, literary works or on the lives of relevant historical characters. Budgetary restrictions gradually did away with that type of programming and productions nearly halted. TVE themselves produced a few remarkable ones and so did the BBC and RAI, the latter before turning into the generally appalling network it now is. With this new series centred on the life of Queen Isabella of Spain and now well into its third and final season, TVE has more or less come back to what they so successfully did until a couple of decades back. Actors are of a good enough standard and the recreation of some of the Kingdoms that comprised the Iberian peninsula at the time is in general to a good standard. There is some abuse, in my view, of computer-generated images and sequences that are distractive and in a few instances questionable in their success but the series as a whole deserves wider distribution (PBS take note?). The Alhambra sequences in Seasons 2 and 3 are a delight to watch.

The show is definitely entertaining. Good job on the scenes and settings. Great to see attempts at creating the atmosphere of palaces of the 15th century Peninsula and inclusion of monuments like Alhambra in some scenes.

The cast delivered an unequal performance through. Sometimes over-stressing an emotion. A bit too much dramatisation.

If you don't get bothered by lack of historical accuracy then you'll enjoy Isabel very much. However, in my case, I found the narrative leaning to one side only with Muslims being the villains and Jews the allies of the Catholic Kings who are often portrayed as merciful and generous. History tells us a different story: the Granada War was vicious. Innocent victims on both sides of the conflict. The Nasrids while they didn't share the same faith as the Catholics were just as Iberians. Both Muslims and Jews suffered a great deal during the war and afterwards. The list goes on.

All in all, it's a good entertaining show worth watching.

Great series that spans 1474 to 1504 with flashbacks to earlier periods. I only have two minusses:

1. Although mostly accurate too bad the series unnecessarily diverts from histiorical facts. Fact: on 13 December 1474 Isabella was proclaimed Queen of Castile and León. Because her brother had named Isabella as his successor, when she ascended to the throne in 1474, there were already several plots against her.

• Then why does the series act like there is no formal successor?

2. The series isn't available with subtitles other than Spanish/Castellano. Not sure if the makers ran out of cash so they couln't pay translators or that they were sure no-one in the non-hispanic world would be interested in this great piece of history. It's a shame and a great loss.

Great ambitious series based upon the reign of Queen Isabella I of Castile - with a solid statement for Gender Equality in the world.

Indeed, all those fine Ayatollahs in Iran - in particular my dear friend Ali Khamenei - should watch this series. So that a peaceful governmental transition can be implemented in Iran, where Basic Human Rights and Gender Equality can be manifested - and Persia can once again be the Pearl of the Orient, She is destined to be :)

This series also highlights magnificently that the Spanish people - and on a good day also the Portuguese - are people with a very sunny disposition, who remain positive in the face of adversity, and have also the ability to explore and discover new stuff - such as America, for example, to which Queen Isabella I of Castile contributed immensely :)

PS: Amid the current social and political upheaval in the world, it's imperative that everybody keeps a cool head and remains calm and positive in this very challenging and critical time, of manifesting Peace and Prosperity in the International Community.

We would like to remind all Citizens of the World, that the importance of belonging to humankind takes precedence over all the marks of distinction that may separate one person from another.

The thing that matters most is not that we have any particular cultural or national identity, or that we abide by any particular religious or philosophical conviction, but that we share with all humanity the highest values of the human race: Love, Cooperation and Compassion.

1400s ... Spain has The Catholic Monarchy ruling all over the Reign. The Queen, Isabel, with its faithful attitude over the catholicism, gets rid of all enemies of the country, fighting against them An Excellent Spanish production, proudly made by all Spanish actors, trying to recall one of the most spectacular war times in our country We still waiting for the second season, actually expected for 2013 fall Looking forward to you enjoy this Spanish production as I did. There is still some circunstances that has no popped up yet, because of the remains of the time. Further more, we expect to all the history that has been playing, continues as the previous episodes has been doing.