Minerva Academy Ending Explained: Directed by Ivan Silvestrini, the Netflix Italian series Minerva: La scuola stars Ciro Minopoli, Biagio Venditti, Margherita Buoncristiani, Simone Secce, Beatrice Savignani, Giulio Brizzi, Nicole Malaj, Alicia Ann Edogamhe, Massimiliano Gallo, Cristiana Capotondi, Irene Maiorino, Raiz and Michele Rosiello.
Minerva Academy Ending Explained
Did Salvo Finally Discover What Happened to Francesco?
Although in the end Salvo finds out the truth of why Francesco disappeared, there is much more than the possibility that he was dead. The minute Salvo arrives at the Minerva Academy, he is shocked at the way people avoid mentioning Francesco, how the records of his existence have been wiped off completely and even how his name is no longer mentioned on the wall of the school. As Salvo proceeds further into the investigation, he learns that Diego and Max are somehow involved in the case.
The truth finally comes out when he watches a video where he sees the intimate scene between Diego and Francesco after a party, where they drank heavily. Francesco fell in love with Diego and had written a love letter to him, but the latter circulated the letter among the students. Rather than confessing what had transpired, Diego feared being ridiculed and rejected; he decided to join his peers in ridiculing Francesco until the incident turned into a very violent hazing ordeal that involved the senior members.
Francesco was stripped, beaten, and ridiculed as he pleaded with Diego to do something, but Diego just looked on without doing anything. This became the last straw that broke the camel’s back and the reason why Francesco left Minerva. In the meantime, Salvo discovers the abuse, how the student was involved in the abuse and that Commander Achille Giordano had buried the truth of the matter. Achille concealed Francesco’s letter, falsified school records and made it look like Francesco’s disappearance was due to academic and personal issues. In the end, Salvo receives the answer he has been seeking, as he finds out that Francesco is alive and even meets him during the bicentennial ball of the school.
Was Francesco Actually Dead?
Francesco is definitely not dead. The disappearance of Francesco has been cleverly designed in such a manner that Salvo and the audience feel that something terrible has happened to him, particularly since Achille lets Diego think that Francesco might have committed suicide. In disgrace following the humiliation that he had to go through at Minerva, Francesco leaves the school as he could no longer cope with what had happened to him. Feeling embarrassed about himself, he decides that it would be better for him to disappear altogether rather than return to the old life.
It is even more tragic, since Diego spends several months believing that Francesco might have committed suicide. Achille found out about Francesco and knew that he was alive, but did not reveal that information to his son. He was lying to Diego about the facts, having previously deceived him by burning his son’s letter and changing his records. Among other reasons why Achille continued lying to Diego was that he wanted to keep his control over him. Later, Diego finds out that he was being lied to, and that Francesco was alive. With the assistance of Esposito, he manages to find Francesco and inform him about Salvo’s search for him.
Did Diego Kill His Father?
Diego did not actually murder his own father, Commander Achille Giordano. However, by the end of the Minerva Academy series, Diego has grown to the point where he is unable to bear his father’s manipulation anymore. His father has manipulated him for years now through fear, expectation, and the need to defend his family’s honour. Although Diego was already feeling guilty for Francesco, learning that his own father knew that Francesco was alive and didn’t say anything was the straw that broke the camel’s back. During the centennial ball, Diego breaks into the armoury and enters Achille’s office to shoot him. Francesco and Esposito reach the closed door of the office and try to stop Diego from shooting Achille.
Diego fires the gun at his father, but there is no live ammunition in it; thus, Achille survives. Whether or not Diego was aware that the gun was loaded with a blank cartridge is unclear throughout the series. However, it is important to recognise that Diego has finally found himself at a stage where he can stand up against his father instead of obeying him. Having left the office after attempting to shoot Achille, Diego distances himself from Minerva, sending her his old uniform in return.
Why Did Paola Break Up With Vincenzo?
Paola ends her relationship with Vincenzo when she realises that she can no longer be tied to her father’s world. One of the few spaces where Paola could feel free from all the pressures was her love affair with Vincenzo. Vincenzo, being a kind and honest man, made an impact on Paola’s life in many ways, making this relationship special for both of them. But at the end of the school year, Paola becomes aware of the manipulations carried out by her father, including those regarding the cover-up of Francesco’s death and how it impacted Diego’s psyche.
As Paola makes clear at the ball marking the bicentennial, she has decided to leave for good and hopes to convince Vincenzo to leave Minerva and follow his true heart rather than continue down the path laid out before him. However, as Paola makes the comparison between the way that Vincenzo is living his life and what her own family was like and states that Vincenzo seems like he is only trying to live up to what his father did, Vincenzo takes it personally and feels that Paola does not really know him or know anything about him or his own father. Instead of having an argument about it, Vincenzo believes that they should be separated.
Do Salvo and Camila End Up Together?
There is no evidence till the ending of Minerva Academy series that proves that Salvo and Camila end up being a couple officially; rather, it shows that their relationship might lead to that point. Their relationship starts with many complications due to Camila’s affection towards Diego, as well as other couples that are there in Minerva. However, with the progress of the story, Salvo and Camila get closer, and Camila helps Salvo find Francesco. Both of them share their true selves with each other.
By the end, however, the feelings Camila has towards Diego have grown considerably different from before, while the connection she shares with Salvo has evolved into a much deeper one. When the group celebrates the end of their first year together, Salvo and Camila share a brief kiss of hands, discreetly recognising the growing emotions that are present between the two of them. This particular scene is played down instead of being portrayed as some form of grand romantic declaration. It implies that now that all the drama between Diego and Francesco is over, Salvo and Camila get the chance to see what they have between them.
How Does Minerva Academy End?
At the End of Minerva Academy, the mystery around Francesco is solved, whereas the fate of Minerva Academy remains to be seen. Salvo finally finds out about the survival of Francesco and learns the reason for his disappearance. He also becomes aware of the level of abuse that Francesco has endured and how the school administration had been covering it up. Salvo feels scared that the school would try to shield the culprits once again, especially since Achille holds a very high status in the institution. But this time around, he goes to Teresa Bonaiuto and informs her about the truth, along with Laura.
The outcomes, however, are not balanced in any way. While Diego is expelled and becomes the main character who receives the biggest visible punishment, the problems within the institution remain unresolved. Max, being another participant in the bullying of Francesco, does not receive the same kind of punishment after he provides information about what really happened. In the meantime, Diego argues with Achille, shoots a blank gun and leaves his father’s control behind. Francesco manages to see Salvo again and live his life without being dependent on Minerva, while Paola decides to leave and breaks up with Vincenzo.
Finally, Salvo and Camila end with a quiet conversation that hints at a new start in their lives. All in all, the resolution is not about bringing back the normal state of affairs to Minerva but about presenting younger characters who challenge the strict system that they were supposed to submit to. The final episode poses the bigger question about the ability of a lack of dialogue and strict discipline to teach young people how to make the right decisions.
