Unauthorized Living

Unauthorized Living (Vivir Sin Permiso) is a compelling Spanish-language drama series that aired on Netflix from 2018 to 2020. A captivating blend of intense drama, crime, and intricate family dynamics, the series invites viewers into an enthralling world of power struggles, loyalty, love, and deception. Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Galician coast of Spain, this series expertly melds the elements of a classic family saga with the grim realities of the criminal underworld.

The narrative of Unauthorized Living revolves around Nemo Bandeira (Jose Coronado), a charismatic, powerful, and feared business tycoon who has amassed his fortune through numerous legal and illicit means, filed under his respectable facade. Bandeira's prominence in the business world, however, is inseparable from his control over the drug trade in the region, making him a pivotal figure in Galicia's underworld. He is a paradox of a man, torn between the legitimate business persona he presents to the world and the ruthless crime lord he conceals in the shadows.

As viewers delve into Bandeira’s complex life, they learn that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, an impending reality that threatens to unravel the empire he spent years constructing and his fearsome grip on power. This looming predicament propels the core narrative of Unauthorized Living, as the lawless patriarch must decide who will succeed him. Having faced innumerable perils in the criminal world, Bandeira now encounters a monumental challenge in the form of a disease that neither his power nor his wealth can defeat.

This intense narrative unearths an intricate web of characters pivotal to Bandeira’s world. Among them are his legitimate daughter, Nina Bandeira (Giulia Charm), who is primarily concerned about her father’s health and his future without knowing the full extent of his criminal life. We also meet his adopted son, Carlos Bandeira (Àlex Monner), desperately vying for his approval, and Mario Mendoza (Luis Zahera), Bandeira's loyal right-hand man, navigating his way among the power plays and loyalties that revolve around the throne. Personages like Lara Balares (Laura Chaplin), attorney and Carlos's love interest, and Ferro Lugo (Ricardo Gómez), son of Bandeira's old rival, contribute to the complexity of the story further by having their personal agendas.

Alongside the narrative focused on conflict around the throne's inheritance, another parallel track unfolds, featuring the Ferro Lugo family, their issues, infightings, and conflicts with Bandeira. This subplot, coupled with the main narrative, adds more layers to this riveting tale, highlighting the transformations in the established power dynamics and alliances and the consequences of those shifts.

The show is not just focused on characters' power struggles; it delves deep into their personal lives, their love interests, their vulnerabilities, their victories and defeats, making Unauthorized Living a human story at its core, despite its criminal setting. The audience gets to experience the characters' emotional depth, from Bandeira's struggle with his diagnosis, his inner turmoil to Carlos's desperation to make his mark, from Lara's unwavering pursuit of justice to Nina's conflict over family's hidden truths.

The essence of the series is also beautifully captured in its title, "Unauthorized Living," reflecting the life of its primary characters who are leading lives not exactly conforming to the societal norms, navigating through unauthorized territories on personal and professional fronts. The title carries a philosophical undertone, subtly posing questions about what it means to truly live, as the characters each battle their inner and outer demons, juggling morality with survival.

Unauthorized Living also merits praise for its refreshing depiction of Galicia. Despite the crime-drama backdrop, the series brilliantly showcases the region's breathtaking landscape, from its sandy beaches to its lush greenery, offering a contrast to the dark and grim realities of its story's underbelly.

From its formidable characters to the complexities of their lives, from its underlying socio-political commentary to its vivid portrayal of Galicia, Unauthorized Living is a tempestuous voyage into the abyss of power, ambition, and resilience. Unfolding over two audacious seasons, the series offers an intense viewing experience that embarks on an intriguing exploration of inherited power, the thin line between right and wrong, and the grey scale of morality within the human psyche. This makes it a must-watch for all those who enjoy a powerful storyline embedded in intricate character dynamics and compelling revelations.