Elite: 10 Things That Make No Sense In Season 4

Netflix's popular Spanish series Elite is about to premiere its fifth season. Let's take a look back at season 4, which continued the show's exciting melodrama, though perhaps failed to reach the same level of suspense as the previous seasons. The plot structure felt familiar to many fans, but season 4 introduces a slate of new characters who shake up the social dynamics at Las Encinas.

Not everything makes sense in season 4 of Elite, from the way new romantic relationships play out to the way old friendships develop. The new students make some questionable decisions, while old characters seem to forget their past mistakes and the terrible places they ended up in because of them.

10. Samuel's Affection For Ari

From the moment she's introduced, Ari tries to stir up trouble among her classmates. Her presence is usually unpleasant to those around her, yet both Samuel and Guzmán are attracted to her. Guzmán's attraction is more understandable, since he's known to move on from past relationships quickly, and he's trying to distract himself from his breakup with Nadia.

However, Samuel doesn't seem like the type to be drawn to Ari. Sure, she's similar to Carla in her cold haughtiness, but she hurts him over and over again. She doesn't show any signs of actually loving Samuel as she claims to, and his attraction to her seems very superficial from the moment the two characters meet.

9. Guzmán And Nadia's Relationship

Prior to the release of season 4, a set of "Short Stories" about different Elite characters gave viewers an insight into their life between seasons. One of these focuses on the evolution of Guzmán and Nadia's relationship now that she's away at college. The development of their romance in these short episodes seems to have little effect on their story in season 4.

Despite their promises to make a long-distance relationship work, it makes sense when they begin doubting this pledge. However, what doesn't make sense is why the relationship is included in season 4 at all. Where previously this couple had been one of Elite's best, in season 4 it has little impact on the story and might have been better left offscreen. Alternatively, Nadia and Guzmán could have separated at the end of season 3, or even in the Short Stories.

8. Benjamin's Relationship With Students

Benjamin replaces Azucena as the CEO of Las Encinas, after the board deems a principal inappropriate for such a business-driven organization. From the get-go, his relationship with the students raises many eyebrows. As a CEO, he shouldn't have much direct contact with individual students, including his own children. He often engages in emotional interactions with his children where other students can observe.

Even more concerning is that Benjamin regularly meets with Samuel outside of school, which is unprofessional. In school, he speaks to Omar and Samuel about their scholarships in a single meeting, even though it should be a confidential matter. He then comes up with an obviously ridiculous and unfair scheme for them to retain their scholarships. There's also the matter of Ari and Samuel's debates, which Benjamin sanctions and encourages - even when Ari uses the opportunity to hurt Samuel. Benjamin is supposed to be acting at an even more professional level than a principal, but he repeatedly does the opposite.

7. Cayetana's Job

In season 4, Cayetana works as a janitor at Las Encinas. Her very appointment seems a little questionable, but putting that aside, the job itself doesn't make much sense. She seems to work at the school at all hours of the day, coming into contact with students like the prince, who's supposed to be protected by the tightest security measures.

Furthermore, Cayetana seems to be the only cleaner at the school, and she doesn't report to any superiors. A janitor shouldn't be able to hang out with their friends on the school campus the way Cayetana does. Similarly, she's able to share a few moments with Phillipe, which wouldn't be possible for a real janitor - though, of course, Elite is fictional.

6. Guzmán's So-Called Friends

In the first three seasons of Elite, Guzmán is part of an obvious clique, which includes Ander and Polo. As the seasons go on, they have their arguments and drift apart. Of course, Polo's death has a big impact on their dynamic, but in season 4, Guzmán barely interacts with his so-called friends.

He claims that Samuel is one of his best friends, but the two butt heads far more often than they see eye-to-eye. Samuel's loyalty makes him one of the most likable characters in Elite, but Guzmán constantly finds reasons to fight with him. At the end of the season, after barely any interaction, Guzmán joins Ander backpacking, which is a serious commitment. Even in the Short Stories, Guzmán spends most of his time with Rebeka and Cayetana, with whom he barely interacts during the season. Viewers are left questioning who Guzmán is really friends with.

5. Azucena's Job Loss

The season opens with Azucena losing her job as the school principal to Benjamin. What doesn't make sense is that she seems to have been fired on the spot, but little reason is given for her dismissal. The main reason is that Las Encinas needs a more business-minded person to manage the student body.

Not only is this a bizarre reason, but it also doesn't make sense that this is the particular reason that Azucena gets fired. After everything that's happened at Las Encinas, it's a surprise she's lasted as long as she has. Ander is there with his mom (who is a better parent than principal) as she loses her job, but their disappointment is very brief, and they never speak of the job loss again. This major life change should have a lasting impact on their family and could have made an interesting plotline for season 4, but it's just forgotten.

4. Mencia And Armando

Mencia's fear of Armando is understandable and warranted, but why she doesn't just report him is unclear. He threatens her, but his threats wouldn't mean much if he was convicted for his crimes and imprisoned. Benjamin is just as powerful and influential, and he could have ruined Armando's life just as easily as Armando claims he could ruin Mencia's.

Rebeka also learns of Armando's misdeeds, but she doesn't speak up about it. Her mother could have quickly put a stop to his dealings, but she simply observes and uses the knowledge as leverage over Rebeka. It appears that the only reason nobody reports Armando to the authorities is to allow the plot to unfold.

3. Absent Parents

One of the biggest differences between season 4 and previous seasons of Elite is the absence of parents. Rebeka, Ander, and the Blanco children are the only teens whose parents seem to be around this season. Many of the other characters don't even mention their parents, and they appear to be free for any occasion at any time of the day.

This also brings up questions of where certain characters live, like Guzmán, now that his old house has been sold, or Cayetana, who seems totally on her own in season 4. Omar's parents played a big role in his story in previous seasons, but now he lives with Samuel as if his parents never existed. He attends a family wedding in the Short Stories, but even here, his parents are absent.

2. Red Carpets For Anonymous Teenagers

Like the first three seasons of Elite, season 4 isn't short on parties and other celebrations. One of the biggest events the students attend is Phillipe's ball. Putting aside the overly fancy and expensive costumes, as well as the over-the-top formalities, the whole event is strange; why would a royal family host unknown teenagers at a public event?

The teens arrive as couples on a red carpet, where they are photographed by journalists who are far too interested in these anonymous teenagers. This happens several times throughout the season, as if these high school students are important enough for paparazzi and over-eager journalists. The setup suggests that these photos will be published in some kind of news outlet, but this simply makes no sense because these teenagers are unknown to the general public.

1. Armando's Death

Putting aside the fact that Armando is shot dead by a flare gun, the circumstances surrounding his death don't quite line up. Guzmán follows him and calls out for him to turn around before he fires the gun, which is a questionable choice. Immediately afterward, the teens are more concerned with covering up the crime than with their emotions.

After this major but somewhat predictable plot twist, it would have made more sense to see Guzmán, Ari, and Samuel reeling in their shared shock - which could have been a key moment in their relationship - than to watch them coldly attempt to cover up the crime. Even their surreptitiousness is baffling, though, as they could have told the truth and admitted that their actions were in self-defense. This inclination to lie undoes any character development fans see leading up to this point and seems like a missed opportunity as well as an unnecessary complication to the resolution.

Originally shared with ScreenRant.