In 2023, Here It All Begins (daily fiction airs on TF1 from Monday to Friday until 6.30pm) the intrigue was richer than ever! AlloCiné compiles its assessment of the most significant soap opera arcs of the past twelve months…
Departures
It all begins here. The year 2023/2024 was marked by the consecutive release of the columns of the series. Mikael Mittelstadt (Greg), Nicolas Anselmo (Elliot), Fabian Wolfrom (Louis), Pola Petrenko (Charlene), Thomas da Costa (Axel), Khaled Aluakh (Theo), Claire Romain (Ambre) and Agustin Galiana (Lisandro) are the facts, that everyone has decided to leave the Auguste Armani Institute.
These important departures were skillfully executed and offered the audience beautiful moments of emotion. Additionally, the door was left open for a possible return… meanwhile, this void allows the new boys to establish themselves in the hearts of the fans. But will they be worthy of the adults?
new ones
A whole host of new recruits joined the ranks of the Auguste Armand Institute at the start of the academic year in September. Each of them also had to be “sponsored” by a boss to facilitate their integration: Leonard and Maya through Salome, Malik through Amber, Jim and Thibault through Jasmine (and their father Marc Leroy through Theis!), Carla. Rose, Suleiman through Antoine, Berenice through Constance, and Penelope through Joachim.
In a short time, these colorful characters have found a place on the screen thanks to strong narrative arcs. This good foundation still deserves to be developed (with great potential in different directions) and we are already interested in discovering them!
train wreck
For its annual disaster plot, ITC has – literally – gone off the rails, involving several heroes in a horrific train wreck! Wounded, Lost, Novels… This arc offered at the beginning of the summer had the merit of surprising and reshaping the cards of the series. Moreover, this extremely serious incident was not for nothing for the victim… in short, the kind of drama we love in the series!
Axel
What a busy year it has been for Axel (Thomas da Costa)! Maxime’s worthy successor (Clément Rémiens, of whom we think little, sometimes…) was caught between his affair with Jasmine, the train wreck, and the discovery of his kinship with the Armands.
Alas, the translator of Auguste’s (second) (hidden) son chose to leave the fiction to everyone’s surprise… We miss Axel, a likable, funny, always very invested and enjoyable character in institute dramas.
double marriage
To mark the final departure of Greg (Mikael Mittelstadt) and Elliot (Nicolas Anselmo), what could be better than attending their wedding as the end of their love story? After many insurmountable challenges… to overcome, Greliot managed to put a ring on her finger so that they could quietly set off together on a new culinary adventure. The inevitable happy ending, but oh so appreciated!
(hence, the wedding) carpet on the cake, Hortense (Kathryn Davydzenka) and Mehdi (Marvin Pellegrino) also went down the aisle. It’s a beautiful way to end the friendship between the young woman and Elliot, two fingers joined together until the end. And finally, a special mention to Mikael Mittelstadt, whom Kilit fits like a glove!
Claire’s burn
Thanks to this storyline, This Is Where It All Begins can make Claire (Katherine Marshall) vulnerable and fragile, as opposed to the confident and successful woman she usually is. Chef Guino’s burnout highlights the overwork and pressure sometimes experienced by culinary professionals. This arc also allowed us to see a softer side of Louis towards his precious mother.
love triangles
What would be where it all starts without his love triangles? Between Anais, Lisandro and Theo, Gaitan, Salome and Thomas or Ethan, Maya and Leonard, a waltz of feelings really happened! Breakups, reconciliations, temptations and new perspectives, our lovers are often nervous… and we want more!
Francis Huster’s unexpected return
Here’s where it all kicks off, with Frances Haster (whose character Auguste died) making a surprise return to the series. Through flashbacks, ancient secrets are revealed and the main Armand heirs have a field day tearing each other apart.
Reprimands, accusations, jealousy… the siblings had endless potential to deliver another memorable showdown! Unfortunately, the exits of Fabian Wolfrom and Thomas Da Costa have disrupted that dynamic… Fortunately, we can always take care of the Teissier Family Feud (even without Charlene and Theo)!
Rose’s unexpected motherhood
Here’s a discovery no one expected: Rose (Vanessa Demoy) is Carla’s (Aricia Lemery) biological mother! Long denied motherhood, Clotilda is still shocked when she realizes that the stillborn baby she once gave birth to is actually very much alive… and that this is the first year.
Despite the joyous meeting, the young woman became a bit distant afterwards… but after losing her child, Carla appreciates her parent’s support. Will this new year allow them to build a true mother-daughter bond over time?
Hippolytus’ influence on David
During this powerful storyline, the audience finally got to see David (Liam Helman) in a different light than the seductive and extraordinary young man. Hippolyte’s (Tom November) severity and cruelty towards David was painful to watch (slags!), but it was necessary to condemn and understand the phenomenon of control. Also strengthen the main character’s relationship with Deva (Kathi Pakyanathan).
Source: Allocine
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
