Vertebral Column

In the first season of "Vertebral Column", Guilherme Gomes exposes the fractures within Portuguese society through a lens that blends biting satire with profound social empathy. From deconstructing artistic elitism and refusing to bow to false hierarchies of power and rank, to an unflinching X-ray of the presidential election circus, the series challenges complacency and the status quo. Yet, the true heart of this season lies in standing up for the most vulnerable—laying bare the hypocrisy of the Christmas spirit in the face of the homelessness crisis and denouncing the dramatic, silent abandonment of the elderly in our country. It is a video manifesto demanding clarity, disobedience, and, above all, the restoration of human dignity.

1. 
   E1 · O Cheio, o Meio e o Feio9mNov 7, 2025

   In a biting and humorous tone, "O Cheio, o Meio e o Feio" analyzes the 2026 presidential elections through three political archetypes: Ventura, the "full of himself"; Mendes and Seguro, the "middle-of-the-road" who try to please everyone; and Gouveia e Melo, the "swan" who became the "ugly duckling." A satirical portrait of the fragmentation and vanity that mark current Portuguese politics.

   ▶ Play
2. 
   E2 · O melhor do Mundo são os velhinhos8mNov 21, 2025

   In a human and reflective tone, 'O melhor do Mundo são os velhinhos' explores the growing loneliness among the elderly in Portugal and the silent, yet essential, role of the GNR (National Republican Guard) in combating this reality. Based on the 'Idosos em Segurança' program, the text shows how closeness, listening, and a simple ring of the doorbell can make a difference in the lives of those who have lost almost everything—except the desire to be remembered. A reflection on aging, abandonment, and the importance of not leaving anyone behind.

   ▶ Play
3. 
   E3 · Noite Feliz...8mDec 9, 2025

   In “Noite Feliz…”, the distance between the illuminated Christmas and the Christmas lived on the streets becomes impossible to ignore. It portrays a country where poverty grows, homelessness multiplies, and policies fail, while soup kitchens and volunteers try to guarantee dignity to those who have nothing. Starting with a simple question — “What do you want for Christmas?” — the text questions the true meaning of the season and reminds us that, for many, a hot meal and a little attention are the closest thing they have to a truly happy night.

   ▶ Play
4. 
   E4 · Pela arte7mJan 27, 2026

   In “Pela arte”, the text questions how culture has distanced itself from ordinary people and gradually transformed into a territory protected by elitist discourses. Using satire as a tool to dismantle symbolic power, the text denounces the hostility many feel towards museums, galleries, and cultural spaces, where “you don’t like it because you don’t understand it” has replaced dialogue. By arguing that the public's experience should prevail over the authority of the “experts,” the column asserts a clear ethical position: art only fulfills its purpose when it belongs to the world and to people—and when it ceases to do so, it begins to die.

   ▶ Play
5. 
   E5 · Bata continência!6mMay 19, 2026

   In “Bata continência!”, the farce of ranks and social titles is explored, and how these empty labels are used to impose submission and hide human insecurity. By crossing military reality with civilian life, the text shows how character and empathy should prevail over any uniform or diploma, challenging the idea that someone's worth is measured by their position or job. A sharp reflection on power, lucid disobedience, and the importance of reclaiming dignity against the weight of artificial hierarchies.

   ▶ Play