Escaping to Spain: A Review of Land of Women on Apple TV+

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There’s something inexplicably soothing about a series that doesn’t demand your complete intellectual attention but instead lets you sink into its world like a glass of red wine on a slow Sunday evening. Land of Women, Apple TV+’s latest six episode dramedy starring Eva Longoria, offers just that, a light, breezy, and picturesque journey through a Spanish village, tinged with modern sensibilities, emotional entanglements, and that ever present whisper of escapism.

I binged the entire season over the weekend, and the moment the credits rolled on the final episode, I found myself furiously Googling whether a second season was in the works. That rarely happens with me. But there’s something about Land of Women, maybe it’s the sunshine soaked backdrop of northern Spain, or maybe it’s the way the series soaks in both drama and humor without ever becoming too heavy handed that left me wanting more.

Let’s get one thing out of the way! Land of Women is far from perfect. In fact, it walks a pretty wobbly line between charming and cliche. But it knows exactly what it is! A visual retreat wrapped around a modern day family drama. And for six episodes, it offers just enough storytelling, character intrigue, and visual delight to keep you immersed.

Eva Longoria Shines (As Always)

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I’ve been a fan of Eva Longoria since her Desperate Housewives days, and her charisma continues to shine here. She plays Gala, a glamorous New York woman who’s forced to flee her upscale life and her husband’s financial mess and retreat to Spain with her mother and teenage daughter. It’s a classic “Fish Out Of Water” premise, but Longoria plays Gala with just the right mix of sass and vulnerability. She’s relatable and likable, even when the script doesn’t give her much to work with.

There’s also a refreshing softness to her performance here, a maturity that feels earned. Her chemistry with the rest of the cast especially Santiago Cabrera, who plays the handsome local with a twinkle in his eye, keeps the show grounded. Yes, both Longoria and Cabrera are ridiculously good looking, and yes, their dynamic is fairly predictable, but hey, we’re not watching this for plot twists, we’re here for vibes, and those two deliver.

A Love Letter to Spain

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If there’s one thing Land of Women gets absolutely right, it’s the setting. This series feels like a six episode travel brochure for rural Spain and I mean that as a compliment. The cobbled streets, the rustic houses, the vineyards bathed in golden light, it’s all lovingly shot, as though the cinematographer were trying to convince us to pack our bags and relocate immediately.

And you know what ? It works. There’s an almost dreamlike quality to the way the show captures small town life, neighbors chatting across balconies, leisurely walks through the square, dinners that stretch into midnight. Deep down, there’s a part of us that longs for this kind of simplicity you know ? to drop everything, move to a vineyard, and drink wine with the people we love ✨

That fantasy is what Land of Women taps into. It may be light on plot, but it’s heavy on atmosphere, and it paints that “What If” scenario we all flirt with at some point in our lives.

A Story That Flows.. Unevenly

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As charming as the series can be, it stumbles when it comes to storytelling. The plot is thin, and the writing doesn’t always flow. There are moments when it feels like the script is pulling ideas out of a hat, like it’s not quite sure whether it wants to be a heartfelt drama, a quirky comedy, or a social commentary.

The transitions between storylines are often abrupt, and some characters feel more like cardboard cutouts than actual people. You can feel the potential in almost every scene, but it’s rarely fully realized. It’s frustrating because the core premise, three generations of women rebuilding their lives in a small town is rich with dramatic and comedic opportunities. But instead of leaning into the emotional depth or even the humor that could come from cultural clash, the show often meanders.

Still, the show remains watchable, mostly thanks to the actors who do a great job with what they’re given. Longoria aside, Carmen Maura as Gala’s feisty mother is an absolute delight, delivering sass and wisdom in equal measure.

The “Woke” Subplot! Necessary or Forced ?

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Now, let’s talk about what didn’t quite sit right, the subplot involving Gala’s teen daughter, Kate. It’s clear the show wanted to reflect contemporary issues around gender and sexuality, and that’s commendable. But the way it’s introduced feels jarring and performative 😑. Kate’s exploration of her identity, particularly the lesbian trans angle, feels less like a natural character arc and more like a checklist item for inclusivity.

To be clear, representation is important, it should be normalized. But it needs to feel organic, especially in a show that’s otherwise about emotional honesty and personal reinvention. Here, the relationship between Kate and her friend feels unnecessarily sexualized, as though the writers didn’t trust the audience to value deep female friendships unless romance was involved. Can teenage girls not just be best friends anymore ?

I found myself asking, why couldn’t the most meaningful part of Kate’s arc be about rediscovering trust or self worth, themes that align more with the show’s overarching tone rather than a seemingly forced romance ? It’s not about being conservative, it’s about authenticity. And in a show that’s otherwise so grounded in a sense of place and emotional realism, this subplot stuck out.

A Feel Good Fantasy, If You Let It Be

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Despite its flaws, Land of Women still worked for me. Because while the storytelling might be inconsistent and the social commentary clunky, the emotional undercurrent is sincere. It’s a show about starting over, about running away and finding yourself in the least expected of places. It’s about love, romantic, familial, platonic and how it can sprout in unlikely soil.

And let’s be honest here we’ve all fantasised about disappearing from our chaotic lives and settling into a charming village somewhere far away. Gala does what we don’t dare to do, she runs, she resets, she reconnects. That fantasy alone is enough to carry the series through its weaker moments.

Final Thoughts: Worth the Watch ?

Absolutely! if you know what you’re getting into.

Land of Women isn’t going to blow your mind with groundbreaking storytelling. It’s not trying to reinvent television. But it will make you smile. It’ll make you sigh at the scenery. It’ll remind you of the warmth of shared meals, the possibility of second chances, and the magic of getting lost in a new place.

Eva Longoria is easy to root for, Santiago Cabrera brings the charm, and the supporting cast, especially the elder women in the village add depth and colour to the narrative. It’s six episodes of light hearted escapism, wrapped in a warm Mediterranean breeze.

Would I watch Season 2 ? In a heartbeat, mostly because it ended in a cliffhanger 🙃 Do I hope they iron out the writing kinks and focus more on organic storytelling in the next chapter ? Absolutely.

Until then, I’ll be sipping my wine, imagining a tiny Spanish village of my own, where the sun always sets golden, the drama is just enough to keep things interesting, and life, for once, feels just a little bit slower.