From Spain (dubbing and/ closed caption subtitles available)--season 1--8 episodes--5 hours--takes place in Barcelona
Synopsis: Follow 4 couples in different stages of their relationships--a couple, Albert and Nuria, together for 10 years and with 2 kids want to get back some of the fun they had before the kids came along--lesbians Vero and Patri, together 7 years, the latter not having told her parents that she is a lesbian, are getting ready to move into a new condo--Alex and Bruno meet via the former sending a voice mail to his ex to the latter by mistake and they are completely different in their wants/needs--there is no way I can say anything about the 4th couple without giving a lot of spoilers so you'll have to find out for yourself!


"Stereotype: oversimplified image or idea of a particular person"--yes, there are stereotypes in this series as there are in ALL series and movies--whether gay or non-gay--get over it--sit back and enjoy these examples of harassed parents, some ways gay people act and how similar people are when in love, falling in love or ??? Don't you want Julia Roberts & George Clooney or Doris Day & Rock Hudson or Ingrid Bergman & Humphrey Bogart to 'live happily ever after'? (Oh you kids--go see some of the old romantic movies!) Bergman and Bogart didn't but you were sitting on the edge of your sit wanting them to and when they didn't you were disappointed. Whatever, whether the couple are gay or non-gay, we are suckers for that 'every happy ending'.


"Smiley" has a strong cast and I was once again very impressed with Carlos Cuevas who I have seen in 2 Spanish movies and last season on (The CW? Fox?--hey, a stereotype--I'm old!) network TV in the "Leonardo" series---only one cast member left me cold but they do their job.


"Smiley" is a lot of fun, crying (especially the last 2 episodes), good and bad feelings, emotional reactions, not to forget seeing so much of Barcelona. Who makes the best couple? The two who are so alike or the two who are completely opposite? Who will make you cry the most? By the 5th episode can you tell who will make it and who won't as a couple? Make a bet---not too much because you WILL lose!


Between "The Fablemans", "The People We Hate At The Wedding", "Mama Ja", "Riches", "Spoiler Alert" and now "Smiley" I am on a lucky streak of entertainment!