The highly anticipated final season of Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) dropped on Netflix on September 3 and became the most-watched show in the UAE the next day, as well as a trending topic on Twitter globally.
The Spanish series has been popular since it was released on the streaming platform in 2017, with the characters' distinctive and eye-catching red jumpsuits and Salvador Dali masks winning over fans.
But only five episodes – the first half of season five – have been released so far, with the final five to come on December 3, and viewers were left not only with a cliffhanger, but a major turning point in the series.
As the show nears its end, it remains to be seen if The Professor and his group can manage one more clean escape after facing its most powerful enemy ever: the army.
These are the five biggest questions we were left with after watching the first five episodes.
Warning: spoilers below.
Will Alicia Sierra join the heist?
Season five picks up after the very pregnant police inspector Alicia Sierra holds The Professor at gunpoint. She’s been presented as one of the main antagonists for two seasons (including her part in killing fan favourite Nairobi).
After her role in the torture of Rio gets leaked to the public, she gets fired and goes rogue, discovering The Professor's hideout by herself.
In the new season, the police try to spin her story by planting fake evidence and claim she’s switched sides and joined The Professor and his gang. She goes into labour and because her baby is breech, she has no choice but to untie The Professor so he can help her give birth.
After her daughter is born, she watches The Professor as he communicates with the team in the Bank of Spain, guiding them in their fight against the army. At one point, she puts her hand on his arm, seemingly trying to comfort him before he pushes it away in anguish.
While it seems the two might be on the same side, in the final moments of the fifth episode, she hides a pair of surgical scissors or pliers in the bathroom. This has led many to wonder whether she will end up betraying The Professor later on.
How does Berlin’s son Rafael fit into everything?
An interesting backstory is the introduction of Berlin’s son, Rafael. Through flashbacks, we learn that Rafael is talented at hacking, however, he makes it clear he does not want to be a criminal like his father.
Eventually, Berlin convinces his son to join him in his first heist, which ends with Rafael getting a taste of what it takes to pull off a successful robbery. There are also subtle hints of a possible affair between Berlin’s new wife Tatiana and Rafael, although viewers are left in the dark as to what happened there.
Fans have theorised that one or both characters could be key to the success of the current heist at the Bank of Spain. We don't know how they might tie in, but it was revealed earlier in the show that Berlin and The Professor are brothers, so a call to Rafael for help might be their way out of the Bank of Spain.
Will Denver and Stockholm have a happy ending?
Denver and Stockholm also have a rocky start in the new season, mostly because Denver doesn’t want Stockholm to join the second heist, insisting she stay home and raise their child instead.
While Stockholm is part of the gang now, things get more complicated this season. She may have accidentally killed Arturo (although that remains to be seen) and is suffering from PTSD, while Denver’s childhood friend Manila has admitted her love for him, asking if he truly loves Stockholm.
Could all of this be a precursor to their split? Will one or both survive to go to back to their son? Will they be able to move forward together through their trauma from the latest heist?
Who will take over as narrator now that Tokyo is dead?
Early on, many people thought Tokyo would be the sole survivor of the heists since she's the narrator. She’s not only an original character (and appeared long before the show was picked up by Netflix), but also one whose backstory was more deeply examined in the new season.
However, after the group is split up while under attack in the Bank of Spain, Tokyo is injured by snipers. This show is notorious for its characters' close calls, and so, at first, it seemed Tokyo might find a way to survive. But then, in an emotional and shocking final scene, she sacrifices herself to save her fellow heist members.
The producers once said every death happens for a reason and that it fuels the characters and the story. It'll be interesting to see how Tokyo's death affects other members of the group.
Also, one major question that remains unanswered: who will narrate the last five episodes? There are theories that they might each be told from a different character's perspective.
How will 'Money Heist' end?
This is the biggest question on everyone's minds. With only five episodes left before the series finale, the group is looking no closer to an escape.
Is it possible that everyone who survives will have a happy ending or will they all go down, guns blazing, in their battle against the Spanish government?
For a show that’s always kept viewers on the edge of their seats with tense moments and cliffhangers, not to mention its willingness to kill off fan favourites, it’s hard to predict how the series will wrap up.
It’s been theorised that Tokyo’s death may have revealed what will happen to most of the characters – they won’t make it out of the Bank alive. Others are more optimistic that The Professor will somehow manage to find an escape with the help of Berlin’s son. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
About Takalam
Date started: early 2020
Founders: Khawla Hammad and Inas Abu Shashieh
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech and wellness
Number of staff: 4
Funding to date: Bootstrapped
A little about CVRL
Founded in 1985 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) is a government diagnostic centre that provides testing and research facilities to the UAE and neighbouring countries.
One of its main goals is to provide permanent treatment solutions for veterinary related diseases.
The taxidermy centre was established 12 years ago and is headed by Dr Ulrich Wernery.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal / Ubisoft Toronto
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: Playstation 4, Xbox One, Windows
Release Date: April 10
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ronaldo's record at Man Utd
Seasons 2003/04 - 2008/09
Appearances 230
Goals 115
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
RESULTS
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Group 1 (PA) $750,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
Winner: Deryan, Ioritz Mendizabal (jockey), Didier Guillemin (trainer).
Godolphin Mile – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar
Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (Turf) 3,200m
Winner: Subjectivist, Joe Fanning, Mark Johnston
Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 (TB) $1million (T) 1,200m
Winner: Extravagant Kid, Ryan Moore, Brendan Walsh
UAE Derby – Group 2 (TB) $750,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Rebel’s Romance, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Group 1 (TB) $1.5million (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zenden, Antonio Fresu, Carlos David
Dubai Turf – Group 1 (TB) $4million (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord North, Frankie Dettori, John Gosden
Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 (TB) $5million (T) 2,410m
Winner: Mishriff, John Egan, John Gosden
Omar Yabroudi's factfile
Born: October 20, 1989, Sharjah
Education: Bachelor of Science and Football, Liverpool John Moores University
2010: Accrington Stanley FC, internship
2010-2012: Crystal Palace, performance analyst with U-18 academy
2012-2015: Barnet FC, first-team performance analyst/head of recruitment
2015-2017: Nottingham Forest, head of recruitment
2018-present: Crystal Palace, player recruitment manager
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
The%C2%A0specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2-litre%204-cylinder%20mild%20hybrid%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20S%20tronic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E265hp%20%2F%20195kW%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20370Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Efrom%20Dh260%2C000%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
STAGE%201%20RESULTS
%3Cp%3E1)%20Tim%20Merlier%20(Soudal-Quick-Step)%2C%203h%2017%E2%80%99%2035%E2%80%9D%3Cbr%3E2)%20Caleb%20Ewan%20(Lotto%20Dstny)%20same%20time%3Cbr%3E3)%20Mark%20Cavendish%20(Astana%20Qazaqstan%20Team)%20same%20time%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EGeneral%20Classification%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3E1)%20Tim%20Merlier%20(Soudal%20Quick-Step)%203%3A17%3A25%3Cbr%3E2%20-%20Caleb%20Ewan%20(Lotto%20Dstny)%20%2B4%22%3Cbr%3E3%20-%20Luke%20Plapp%20(Ineos%20Grenadiers)%20%2B5%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Handicap | US$135,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
7.05pm: Handicap | $135,000 (Turf) | 1,200m
7.40pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes | Group 3 | $200,000 (T) | 2,000m
8.15pm: UAE Oaks | Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,900m
8.50pm: Zabeel Mile | Group 2 | $250,000 (T) | 1,600m
9.20pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m