A lot of the negative reviewers speak about plot holes in this series. I didn't notice them. Or maybe the critical writers are getting confused with the holes in the numerous characters who didn't make it through to the end of series 5.
The real strengths of this were firstly that the story was beautifully built and had plenty of momentum all through. Actually it got better towards the end, especially the final series. Unlike many extended dramas this one kept developing right to the end.
Some have accused it of soapiness. OK, there was a rather repetitive theme of Teresa getting into a spot of bother and then escaping. But I don't think it really detracted from the way in which the main characters developed.
The second big triumph of the show was that behind all the shooting it was a tale with a strong moral theme.
I could almost have gone for a 9, but a few minor things stopped me in the end. I found the switching from English to Spanish - sometimes alternating after every sentence - rather annoying. And the sheer nastiness of some of Teresa's antagonists was a bit OTT.
But overall, this is well worth watching.
