Merlí: A Completely Different Television Series

Never before have so many series been shown on television at the same time as today. However , it is no longer entirely correct for us to refer to these as “television” series. The many new streaming platforms that are now available for TV, films, reality shows and documentaries have completely changed our understanding of what a series is. Merlí is a great example of this .

Among the huge selection of series that exist today, one has managed to educate, motivate, entertain and amuse viewers at the same time. In addition, she also touched the audience very emotionally. Many series have done that before. The extraordinary thing about this series, however, is that the main actor is a philosophy teacher. And this teacher is called Merlí .

Merlí  brings people closer to philosophy

If you have nothing to do with philosophy, you may think like many other people about it: it is dry, very boring, and extremely theoretical. The really remarkable thing about this series is that it shows the philosophy in a way that you can see, apply and also feel. This makes it practically tangible and goes far beyond philosophical writings and theories.   

Many people see philosophy as the origin of all modern disciplines that strive for knowledge and wisdom. The philosophical teachings speak about life and ask innumerable questions that are also dealt with in other disciplines. It is therefore right to ask the question whether there is a better way of explaining philosophy than through life itself? In this series it is explained using the life of the main character Merlí  . The series, which consists of three seasons, was named after him.

Furthermore, what is so remarkable about this series is that each individual episode deals with a specific philosophical doctrine. Each episode explains the basic ideas and theories of a philosopher. This happens without the action being disturbed. Through Merlí  you can understand the theories and teachings on which philosophy is based very clearly and practically. You will be amazed how understandable and interesting this is.

It’s like life itself

The series does not lack a certain tragic-comic. The main character Merlí (played by Francesc Orella) is an aging and burned-out philosophy teacher. Often he behaves immaturely, is sensitive and places excessive emphasis on a masculine demeanor. At the same time he is also very authentic, wise and provocative.

Much of what happens in the series is also closely related to the other main characters: his student. As the story progresses, you will learn more about the bright and dark sides of some of the students’ lives.

What makes Merlí an exceptional teacher is the fact that he mixes his personal life with that of all of his students. This is one of the myriad examples of his political inaccuracy and the way he questions social boundaries and society as a whole. The relationship between the teacher and his students in this series extends well beyond the confines of the classroom.

Laughing, trembling, tears, frustration … all these feelings and reactions will trigger this series in you. It is very realistic and absolutely unpredictable. In addition, her characters are very well laid out and mature.

The character Merlí

The biggest challenge in a series with just one lead actor is getting that character on very well. Here the creators of the series have succeeded in depicting Merlí as a personality almost perfectly. They managed to create a “hero”. At the same time, however, this one has some character traits that are the complete opposite of the classic hero archetype.

In some situations you can experience him very courageous and daring, in others he behaves cowardly and immature. He’s very emotional everywhere, but deep down he is equally generous and noble. Since he lacks any moral hypocrisy (probably one of his most notable traits), you’re sure to be mesmerized in front of the television. However, that is not to say that you will always agree with him.

Life and death, illness, love, drugs, friendship … these are just a few of the topics covered in this series. Because of his character, Merlí always manages to address these issues without becoming overly serious or dramatic. For him, all of these events are just part of life. It is crucial for him that you have to deal with everything as well as possible, no matter what difficult situation you may find yourself in.

The bond he has with each of his students is so special because Merlí obviously remained a youth himself in part. This is exactly the side that helps him develop a relationship with his class. In the same way, he also captivates the audience. However, this side is not so much expressed in his language or interests, but rather in his attitude. It is his occasional hedonism and irresponsibility that illustrate this.

Final thoughts

This series will cast its spell on you very quickly without you even realizing it. She also managed to bring some topics back into focus that we all really need: reflection, critical thinking, acceptance, knowledge and philosophy. That worked out very well with Merlí !