The Mess You Leave Behind Season 1 Episode 1 Into the Lion's Den

The Mess You Leave Behind is a gripping Spanish-language mystery thriller mini-series available on Netflix. The show, adapted from the novel of the same name by Carlos Montero, revolves around the lives of two women who are connected by the same teaching job in a rural high school in Galicia, Spain. The first episode of season one is titled "Into the Lion’s Den," and it sets the tone for what promises to be a riveting journey filled with twists, turns, betrayals, and revelations.

Raquel Rodríguez, a literature teacher, accepts a teaching position in a small, isolated high school, replacing a teacher who committed suicide under mysterious circumstances. She has moved to the rural town with her husband Aitor and hopes to escape the travails of the big city, where she suffered a personal tragedy. Raquel is apprehensive about the job given the unfortunate circumstances surrounding her predecessor's untimely death. Still, she decides to brave it out and make the best of the opportunity presented to her.

Throughout the episode, Raquel is introduced to her colleagues and students, and she discovers that there's more to her teaching job than she originally thought. The students and teachers alike are all wary of her, and she senses that there is an undercurrent of fear and hostility simmering beneath the surface. This is a town that resists change, especially from outsiders. From the custodian to the assistant principal, everyone is hiding something, and Raquel soon realizes that no one can be trusted.

As Raquel starts teaching her class, she realizes that she has a lot to learn about the students' lives. While some of them are polite and respectful, others are indifferent, rude, and downright hostile. One of her students, Iago, stands out. He's intelligent, confident, attractive, and oozes a charm that belies his reputation as a troublemaker. Despite his charismatic demeanor, Raquel senses that there's more to him than what he shows on the surface. The audience is left to wonder what secrets and lies Iago may be hiding and why he seems to have a special interest in Raquel, even stalking her at night.

As Raquel is trying to settle down into her new life, she is forced to confront the past in the most unexpected way. A series of ominous messages begin to appear around the school, reminding everyone of the tragedy that occurred a year ago and warning Raquel to leave town before it's too late. The notes are clearly meant to intimidate Raquel, but she decides to dig deeper and find out who is behind them. Her investigation leads her to an old friend of her predecessor, a man named Pepe, who may know more about the teacher's death than he is letting on.

As Raquel delves deeper into the mystery, she finds herself surrounded by danger. The school may be small, but the secrets are big, and the stakes keep on increasing. With everyone hiding something and no one to trust, Raquel is caught in a web of deceit, lies, and danger at every turn. She soon realizes that the only way to survive is to venture "Into the Lion’s Den" and confront the past, no matter what consequences it may have.

Overall, the first episode of The Mess You Leave Behind promises to be an electrifying and compelling start to a thrilling ride. The acting is top-notch, the pacing is steady, and the underlying tension and suspense are palpable. Raquel's character is relatable, and her struggles to adapt to her new environment while dealing with traumatic memories are captivating. The show's characters are multidimensional, and the writing keeps the audience guessing from beginning to end. If the rest of the season is anything like the first episode, then The Mess You Leave Behind is a series not to miss.