Abhiroop Das
Netflix’s ‘Two Graves,’ originally called ‘Dos Tumbas,’ follows the aftermath of the mysterious disappearance of two friends, Veronica and Marta. As the details obscure and the case begins to go cold, all hopes seem lost. However, Veronica’s grandmother, Isabel, refuses to give up, and when hope does not run out, she takes matters into her own hands. Isabel’s informal investigation leaves a trail of blood behind and ends up raising more questions than answers. However, realizing that she is too deep into the mystery, the protagonist pushes on, turning a shade grayer with every hard choice she makes. While most of the show is an intense roller-coaster ride, it finds a companion in the recurring presence of a television show, ‘El Tardeo,’ which is hosted by Carlos Jaen. Before long, the line between his story and Isabel’s begins to blur, and many truths come to light.
Carlos Jaen is Likely an Imagined Mashup of Many Popular Television Hosts
While Carlos Jaen is a fictional television personality created by Jorge Díaz, Agustín Martínez, and Santos Mercero, the character strongly draws from the idea of a television host, which itself comes with a set of characteristics. Carlos lights up the screen with his charm and effortless humor every time, and ensures that every element of the show plays its part in perfect harmony. Be it reading the news, receiving calls from the audience, or doing dance routines, he juggles the many things that go into the making of a successful variety show. This holds true for several television hosts in real life, and while Carlos might have been developed as a composite, there are some particular traits of his that might be vaguely inspired by real celebrities. One such is Pablo Motos, a Spanish comedian and host who is known for his captivating screen presence.
While Carlos Jaen hosts an afternoon show, his public appearances might also reference television personalities from late-night shows that are not limited to Spain. Andreu Buenafuente Moreno, who has famously hosted talk shows such as ‘Buenafuente’ and ‘Late Motiv de Andreu Buenafuente,’ also stands out as a potential inspiration, in large part due to his comedic touch and readiness to take on spontaneous challenges on screen. While these traits do overlap with Carlos, the character also hides a dark secret, and over the course of the mini-series, his true personality is revealed. The greyer shades of his character appear to be imagined in nature, with no direct antecedents in real life. To that end, Carlos’s arc shines light on the potential horrors that can unfold behind seemingly positive public appearances.
El Tardeo Matches the Energy of a Real Afternoon Variety Show
In ‘Two Graves,’ Carlos Jaen’s identity is synonymous with his afternoon news and variety show, ‘El Tardeo.’ Appearing numerous times on screen, the show becomes a staple in the narrative early on, with the protagonist, Isabel, eagerly tuning in to catch up with the latest news and cultural trends. The show’s success can largely be attributed to its host’s presence. Ironically, it is those same attributes that begin to suffocate Isabel following the revelation of Carlos’s involvement in Veronica’s disappearance. While a conspiracy brews behind the scenes, ‘El Tardeo’ remains a fun, informative viewing experience even in its host’s eventual absence. In real life, the Spanish audience has been captivated by a number of similar afternoon news and talk shows, with the most popular one being ‘Telediario.’ As the longest-running television program in Spain, the show occupies a significant position in the industry, much like the fictional ‘El Tardeo.’
While the word ‘Teledario’ means Tele-Journal, it still bears some sonic resemblance to ‘El Tardeo,’ and might have been a point of reference. Another popular show that has a significant overlap with Carlos’s feature is ‘El Hormiguero.’ Hosted by Pablo Motos, the show is an ongoing phenomenon that brings news, sports, and fun together. Just like ‘El Tardeo,’ Motos’s program brings a number of guest celebrities into the equation, and he routinely engages with them in comedic banter. While these similarities are evident, they are nonetheless common to most talk shows, which adds to the likelihood of the fictional counterpart in ‘Two Graves’ primarily being constructed for a larger narrative purpose. The creative team makes use of the contrast between Carlos’s on and off-screen life and adds it to the main mysteries.
Read More: Two Graves Finale Recap and Ending Explained: Who Killed Marta?
