La vida breve - Season 1

Philip V, after 20 years on the throne, is exhausted and wants to abdicate, something unprecedented in Spanish history. His wife, Isabel de Farnesio, is opposed to it, since retiring would mean ceasing to exert her influence. However, Philip is determined, fearing that he will lose his sanity if he continues. The successor would be his 16-year-old son Louis, much loved by the people and ready to be king, although he needs a queen. The ideal candidate seems to be Louise of Orleans, of France.

The palace is in a state of turmoil, the proclamation of the new king is imminent. The common people are happy with their new king, the first to be born in Spain in decades, and Felipe V, the emeritus king, is exultant. He will finally achieve the peace he has been yearning for for years: he will be able to abdicate and retire to his "modest" paradise under construction: the palace of La Granja. There only seems to be one small obstacle in the way: Luisa, the future queen.

Meanwhile, the "retirees" Felipe and Isabel are settling into the Granja Palace. Felipe is in a blissful mood. His long-awaited retirement at last! But for Isabel, living there is like living in her own slaughterhouse. The palace welcomes the prestigious, very expensive and castrated opera singer: Farinelli. Not only will he perform for them every night, thanks to his artistic sensitivity, he will also take charge of the decoration of the palace.

New king, new picture of the royal family. Louis I poses for a new portrait that will immortalize him alongside his parents, siblings and wife. There is only one problem. There is no wife. Instead, the painter places a doll with which he can work. Louis looks at her. He cannot help but feel guilty. Why did he have to put her in such a difficult situation? She revolts. It has been he who has done nothing but humiliate her and subject her to all kinds of abuse since she arrived. They make peace and seal a pact: from now on it will be them against everyone else.

Luis and Luisa are entering a new era. Does everyone want an exemplary marriage? They will present a perfect image on the outside and then do whatever they want. Luisa behaves in an exemplary manner at official events. Luis acts as a happy and loving king and begins to act as a leader. To celebrate, Luisa suggests organizing a grand party that will fill the palace with light and splendor.

Luis's illness is not only confirmed, but it gets worse at a dizzying rate. No one dares to tell him, but he knows that things are serious. All his plans, all his dreams, all his illusions as a king and as a man are fading away without him being able to move from his bed. There are no two ways of saying it: the king is dying. And in the midst of all the comings and goings of botched doctors and gentlemen in cassocks who connect one mass with another, the only one who remains by his side day and night is Luisa.