Cable Girls: An Explainer on the Finale and the Fate of Season 6

Article Overview

The fifth season of Cable Girls ended on a shocking and final note, leaving viewers wondering about the possibility of a season 6.

Set in 1920s Spain, the series received praise for its melodramatic style and captivating characters. In season 5's finale, the main characters made a daring and dramatic decision, sacrificing their lives in line with the show's overall ambiance.

Will there be a season 6 of the Netflix-exclusive Spanish drama series Cable Girls after the shocking and seemingly final conclusion of season 5? Premiered in 2017, Cable Girls is set in 1920s Spain and follows a group of young women working for the country's first national telephone company, navigating their way through a patriarchal society. From its origins as a soapy interpersonal drama, the series evolved into an action-packed thriller, captivating viewers with its compelling characters and relatable storylines.

Critically acclaimed from the start, Cable Girls received a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its first season. Critics praised its over-the-top and dramatic tone, which continued to escalate as the series progressed. Consistently ranked as one of the best Spanish shows on Netflix, Cable Girls joined the ranks of successful programs from Europe that attracted audiences from around the world. With a run of five seasons, Cable Girls stood out among foreign shows on Netflix for its longevity. However, the conclusion of the fifth season left fans craving for more.

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The Escape Plan Explained

Initially a light-hearted and unconventional series showcasing the empowerment of women entering the workforce in a thriving city, the narrative of the show took a much darker turn as it delved into the Spanish Civil War. Lidia (played by Blanca Suarez) had previously endured the trauma of a prison camp under the watchful and twisted eye of Carmen (Concha Velasco), alongside her loyal friends who were also incarcerated. In a gripping penultimate episode, the group managed to break free from the confines of the prison camp and boarded a train destined for the relative safety of France, leaving behind the ravages of war in Spain. However, the final episode presented unexpected challenges, forcing the resourceful Cable Girls and Boy to think on their feet and adapt their plans.

Blanca Suarez, the lead actress, also appeared in the exclusive Spanish series Jaguar on Netflix in 2021. Lidia, one of the main characters, made a brave attempt to subdue the Nationalist soldiers who were blocking the escaping train. She cleverly used a book of secrets, which she had managed to steal from the prison camp, laced with a potent drug. This drug caused the soldiers to immediately fall into a deep sleep once they touched the book. With the soldiers rendered unconscious and the barricade removed, the train was able to continue its journey. However, their progress was halted once again by a volley of bullets. Although it may seem unlikely for the Cable Girls to transition from telephone operators to war heroes, this transformation aligns perfectly with their character development.

TV period dramas set in the 1920s often delve into the larger political and social implications of the era. However, what sets Cable Girls apart is its ability to place those historical issues within the context of its characters. The Cable Girls, fighting against a patriarchal society, were the perfect candidates to execute their daring Great Escape-style plan. This was because these characters had always been willing to do whatever it took to improve their own lives and the lives of others. The initial seasons of the show, filled with passionate and sensational storylines, paved the way for the intense and captivating drama of season 5 to unfold.

Do The Cable Girls Survive?

Dodging a hail of bullets, Carlota, Marga, Oscar, and Lidia, the heroic quartet, found themselves trapped in a small shack, surrounded by Nationalist soldiers. With limited options, they decided to sacrifice themselves by revealing their presence to the soldiers to buy time for the escaping train. As the soldiers aimed their weapons at the brave escapees, the scene abruptly cut away, leaving their fate momentarily unknown. Suddenly, a title card appeared, revealing that the Cable Girls had valiantly given their lives for their loved ones.

The decision to fade to black alluded to the open-ended conclusions often seen in television history, but the title card unequivocally confirmed the heroes' demise. It can be assumed that they were not captured but ruthlessly gunned down by the fascist soldiers on the spot. While it may not have been the most satisfying or expected conclusion for the beloved characters, this final scene perfectly encapsulated the dramatic essence of the entire series, reminiscent of a soap opera. Unafraid to eliminate main characters, Cable Girls had previously dispatched prominent figures, but the bold and daring choice to execute nearly all of the central cast members showcased the show's audacity and dynamism.

Why The Deaths Happened Off-Screen

Stylistically speaking, the death of the Cable Girls needed to occur off-screen for a few significant reasons. Firstly, depicting the main characters' violent deaths would have pushed the boundaries too far, potentially altering the overall tone and transforming the narrative into a gory spectacle. Moreover, by not showing their deaths, their status as martyrs is firmly established, rendering their sacrifice even more heroic as they perished with assumed dignity. While it may be tempting to argue that this choice was made to leave room for future episodes, the title card unequivocally dismisses such an idea.

Is Cable Girls Based On A True Story?

In essence, Cable Girls is not a true story but rather a historical TV series that takes significant inspiration from real-life events. These events provide the backdrop for the characters' lives. It is evident that the challenges the Cable Girls faced in 1920s Spain, due to a patriarchal society, were genuine and reflected the prevailing sentiment across nearly all European nations during that time. Moreover, the portrayal of the Cable Girls' circumstances during the Spanish Civil War somewhat mirrors actual events. However, there is no historical record of a group of telephone operators leading a daring escape from a prison camp.

The Real Meaning Of The Ending Of Cable Girls

The ending of Cable Girls was both shocking and poignant, as it brought to fruition the underlying themes that had been present since the very first episode. With its mixture of passionate romance and melodramatic moments, the show at its core delves into the struggles faced by its characters: battling against a patriarchal society, grappling with issues of identity, and ultimately confronting a fascist government. The Girls didn't need to be taught that they were capable of achieving anything; they simply took action and proved it. This inspiring message was beautifully realized in the finale, showcasing the unwavering determination of the main characters to always do what is right, regardless of the circumstances.

Cable Girls Ended After 5 Seasons

The conclusion of the fifth season of Cable Girls left viewers stunned and the storyline perplexing, leaving room for speculation about what lies ahead. Interestingly, season 5 was divided into two distinct parts, effectively constituting a complete fifth season despite a hiatus. This questionable division resulted in labeling the second part of season 5 as season 6, although it was not. Unfortunately, the speculation regarding the show's future confirms that there will be no sixth season of Cable Girls, as the series has been permanently canceled following season 5.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of Cable Girls, I was thrilled to see the show return for a fifth and final season. The series has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions, and I was eager to see how the story would conclude.

The season finale did not disappoint. It was a thrilling and emotional episode that brought the story of the Cable Girls to a satisfying end. I was particularly impressed by the way the show handled the historical context of the Spanish Civil War. The show did an excellent job of weaving the personal stories of the characters with the larger political and social issues of the time.

Overall, I thought the finale was a fitting end to a great series. It was sad to see the show go, but I'm grateful for the five seasons we got. Cable Girls is a show that I will remember for years to come.