Exit Juan Carlos

So, the King of Spain has decided to basically retire - a surprise for many, but not a shock; we've been having a few abdications lately in Europe.

His role in making Spain a democracy is a big one and his remark to Chavez a few years was something that many people felt was well worth it. However, he hasn't been the most in touch monarch in recent years (elephant hunting? Really? In the 21st century?) and he clearly had health problems.

Felipe VI seems to be pretty popular and one former CNN reporter is now going somewhere she doubted she would when she was a kid...

A kind of Spanish inquisition (Grand Review: 'Falcón')

(While this is a 'Grand Review', this will be a pretty short entry)

Sky Atlantic's recent original adaptation of two of Robert Wilson's Javier Falcón novels is a mixed bag. While not having to work your way through subtitles is a bonus (not that I have problems with subtitled works, as my other reviews have demonstrated), but the work here is pretty clichéd. 

It's beautifully shot (I would like to go to Seville one day) and well acted, but can we please, please have a cop who isn't socially maladjusted for a change? It was justifiable with what happened in "The Blind Man of Seville", but still... Also, it was very gruesome at times (I hate things with eye removal...)

I enjoyed this, although it did drag near the end of the second two-parter. If this comes back, I'll be watching it.

7/10

Spain 4-0 Italy

Well, that was emphatic. Spain have broken records tonight and deservedly so.

Congratulations, you are one of the best teams in history.