This miniseries is skillfully made and generally quite good, though it does have a few minor shortcomings. It’s probably not news to anyone that Brazilian TV series and soap operas are among the most compelling and interesting productions in South America, and they're also widely recognized internationally in the Portuguese language. This isn’t meant to diminish the quality of Portuguese or Angolan television programs; rather, it highlights the strength of the Brazilian TV market and their ability to export what their stations produce—something that Portuguese dramatic production seems reluctant to learn, despite having excellent actors and technical personnel. This series, spanning roughly fifty episodes, is a few years old but made an impression on me due to its frequent references to Portugal. It was unsuccessful in its home country, which doesn’t surprise me. The show draws material from the works of the renowned Portuguese writer Eça de Queirós ("Os Maias," considered his masterpiece, as well as "A Capital" and "A Relíquia"). Because the author is Portuguese and his books are a required part of the curriculum in Portuguese schools, this content is already familiar to audiences there. I’m not sure if Eça de Queirós holds the same significance in Brazilian classrooms, but Brazilians aren't generally enthusiastic about reading, especially when it comes to lengthy, complex works like “Os Maias.” This alone likely sealed the series’ fate domestically. The show is quite good and worth dedicating an hour a day to watch in its entirety. Despite tackling intense subjects such as adultery and incest, I didn't notice any overly explicit scenes (perhaps because Portuguese television makes edits to lessen the impact of some of the more graphic content found in Brazilian productions), and I was generally pleased with the overall quality. My main disappointment is the inclusion of plot elements and characters from other books instead of focusing solely on "Os Maias." It likely would have been a more successful endeavor and given greater respect to Eça de Queirós’s literary work, which isn't just a good novel but also a critique of the thought, customs, and indolent, decadent lifestyle of Lisbon’s upper class—something he observed firsthand as a nobleman and diplomat. The acting is strong, with particularly noteworthy performances by Ana Paula Arósio, Fábio Assunção, Walmor Chagas, Selton Melo, Simone Spoladore, and Osmar Prado. I wasn't impressed with Otávio Muller’s performance; I felt his character was too exaggerated and unnatural. Ideally, some of the key actors would have been Portuguese and spoken without an accent, but I understand why that didn't happen: Brazilians often struggle to comprehend Portuguese accents because they aren't accustomed to hearing them. While much of the series was filmed in a studio, there are several scenes shot on location near Rio and Minas Gerais, as well as in Portugal. The historical details were carefully considered, and the recreation of the settings and time period is well done, especially considering it’s television material. Finally, I want to mention the soundtrack by John Neschling: while the incidental music can be overly dramatic and occasionally cheesy, the beautiful songs and melodies from the now-defunct Portuguese group Madredeus more than make up for it, becoming prominent in tracks like “O Pastor,” “Ilhas dos Açores,” or “Haja o que Houver.” I just wish there had been more period music to further immerse viewers in the 19th century atmosphere.

Source on TMDB