Ep. 9: Spanish Duel vs. American Shootout

This episode’s theme focused on the concept of honor and maintaining it within the family. I chose to write about this for two reasons. The first being the concept of honor within the show seemed to be a distinct cultural element. Secondly, in order to maintain that "honor," is to also hold onto an outdated proposal.

After General Herrera’s daughter Eugenia commits suicide because Javier threatened to expose her for pushing Mercedes out the window, General Herrera challenges Javier to a duel. Throughout the episode, dueling was spoken of as an old-fashioned and barbaric activity. A hasty act of redemption, they are forbidden and thought to be uncivilized in modern-day (Grand Hotel modern day) Spain. "This is the 20th century" Javier scoffs when Alfredo tries to teach him seriousness of the moment, and "barbaric" Detective Ayala declares as he intervenes in another instance. However to General Herrera, it is an act of duty and the status he must regain after Javier's promiscuity with both his daughters (leaving one in a coma, and the other suicidal). This same level of urgency and importance is also found in Alfredo, in which he explains that dueling to protect one's family honor is the highest respect (or disrespect) a man can endure in life. So much so, that when Javier initially chooses not to engage in combat, as his “second” Alfredo gallantly steps in and is willing to sacrifice his life for his wife’s family’s name.

In order for the duel to officially take place, there are official rules to be followed. Before even begining the duel, one man would challenge another with the gesture of a glove-slap. After both men have selected their “seconds” (a friend/assistant to delegate the fairness of the duel, lookout for an isolated dueling location, prepare the weapons, and if need be take the main offender’s place), a time and place is set for the match. To begin, both men meet in the center of the field (or set location) and stand back to back, each taking 6 steps out. Upon facing each other, the duel begins with one person shooting at a time. Javier goes first and misses, leaving the General— a professional military man, to determine his fate. Now I'm not an expert on dueling, but they seem to be the equivalent of Western movie shootouts— where the bandit and the hero would challenge each other, winner takes the town. Both characters would stand back to back, take 6 or so paces out, and face each other as a tumbleweed passes by.

In this instance, the Grand Hotel does not shy away from its cultural identity. In fact, this is an episode when the Spanish-European identity markers seem to be embraced (not only with this duel, but with a Catholic-church meeting at the episode’s beginning). However, dueling is still looked down on as archaic and pointless. By acknowledging this cultural activity but also dismissing it, the Grand Hotel is symbolically exhibiting the challenges a culture endures when it comes to the introduction of something new. I found this episode similar as to what The Grand Hotel as a series seems to be currently pursuing. In their efforts to be universally appealing, the series downplays certain cultural elements so not to exclude international audiences. It is staying true to their cultural identity, however, it is doing so in a way that is still inclusive (if not dominated) by modern trends of viewing TV and the show's theme as well.

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