IW006 - The Mallorca Files
The beautiful Mediterranean island of Mallorca has a new mystery to it: the British TV Series The Mallorca Files. Many questions arise… Why does this show set on a Spanish island have two foreign detectives as leads? Why is the island so important in this series? And where are the Mallorcans?
In grand detective tradition, we invite you to the drawing room where all will be revealed.
Click to listen.
Photo by Ran Berkovich. Licensed through Unsplash.
If you’re watching our show-of-the week, a bowl of popcorn is fine. Are you happy with fine? Then proceed as usual; don’t mind us. If, however, you want to level up your sense of being on the island (and that’s why we are all here, right?), we’ve customized a picnic exactly for this show. Dig in!
Island Watch Picnic Picks
for The Mallorca Files
Drinks! You can brew yourself a delicious demitasse and join Max and Miranda as they sip in the square. Or if you need to beam some sun into your life, stir up some sangria. Share with the kids or sip the authentic sauce.
Lunch with Miranda: Honestly, she seems as disinterested in eating as most other non work-related things (including the island!) But let’s say that Miranda gets homesick for some English grub. Try a ploughman’s lunch. To drink, a flat beer.
Dinner with Max: Max seems to mainly run on beer and nuts from his girlfriend’s bar, and random candy he finds in his desk. Ugh. No wonder he spends critical time wolfing hor d'oeuvres when posing as an undercover waiter - he’s hungry! How about a simple rib-sticking meal his fellow Germans can find in Mallorca with little effort? It’s currywurst time!
Almonds: Visit Mallorca in February, and you’ll find all the almond trees in bloom. Doesn’t that sound heavenly? Hit the kitchen and rustle up a little of that joy with these simple and snackable savoury toasted almonds or a sophisticated almond torte.
If you want to play around with a mix of could-be-from-Mallorca almonds and German desserts, here’s a collection of cute and delicious marzipan treats to make.
Mmmm. Looks like it’s time for more coffee to go with these luscious sweets!
Photo by Thomas Marchand. Licensed through Unsplash.
Island Hopping
We got curious. Did the actors from The Mallorca Files go on to act in other island shows? Not yet! The show is still in production (once COVID ends), and we’ll keep watch on where everyone goes next.
Detective Miranda Blake: Elen Rhys
Detective Max Winter: Julian Looman
Ines Villegas, Chief of the Palma police: Maria Fernandez Ache
Carmen Lorenzo, bartender and Max's girlfriend: Tábata Cerezo
Photo by Natasha Connell. Licensed through Unsplash.
Fact Check
One of introvert DC Miranda Blake’s first out-loud moments in the series is when she assertively shuts down someone claiming humans only use 10% of our brain. Is that a fact?
The answer.
Photo by Raygar He. Licensed through Unsplash.
Reality Check
While The Mallorca Files shows you a lot of geographical features of the island, finding out about the Mallorcans isn’t this show’s goal. To get a taste of some interesting islanders, check out this easy-watch documentary, with everything from slingshotting as a sport, to harvesting almonds
Mallorca - Living the local life on the largest island of the Balearics
Why do German tourists flock to Mallorca? Find out in this DW documentary:
Mallorca Island - German tourists are coming!
And here’s a sample of how re-opening with COVID went with the Brits.
Photo by Abbie Bernet. Licensed through Unsplash.
Ratings
We have ratings for all the shows and movies we watch.
To make sure you can find exactly the island show that's right for you, we answer two questions for each show:
Does this show make me feel like I’m actually on the island? That's our specialized Island Rating. No other show gives you that!
Do we recommend this show? Our Star Rating lets you know if we loved a show or not, regardless of the island.
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Island Rating
Gemma: Toes in the Sand (4 out of 5)
If you need to find me, I’ll be gazing out at the sea from the Cap de Formentor cliffs.
Dave: Toes in the Sand (4 out of 5)
A place I’d like to visit based on what I see in the show.
Star Rating:
Gemma: 3 out of 5
Not a lot of mystery, but if you like crime-lite and characters, this is for you.
Dave: 3.5 out of 5
Don’t take it too seriously - just enjoy.
Licensed through Unsplash
Find The Island: This week’s puzzle features an island chain that’s remote and mysterious.
Our next island: Next week, double double. We’ll visit Jamaica and England through the BBC TV mini-series Small Island.
Messages in a Bottle: The best way to get in touch with us is by email. Send your questions and comments to us at islandwatchpodcast@gmail.com