The Netflix original series Elite is a captivating show filled with dynamic characters. One of these characters exists in the fierce and forceful Lu. Upon first introduction, Lu is vile and deplorable. Fans may find it hard to believe that they could ever grow to care for her.
Throughout the series, there are moments where Lu seems irredeemable. She makes several detestable choices. Yet somehow, Lu finds a way to continuously surprise the audience, winning back their love and adoration. By the end of the series, fans will find themselves rooting for this magnetic character. Check out these 5 times we felt bad for Lu and 5 times we hated her.
Hated: Sleeping With Valerio
Few people in Lu's life give her the respect and appreciation she deserves. Lu is deeply hurt by the lack of commitment to her friends and boyfriend show her. When Lu's half-brother is introduced in season 2, it is revealed that the two had engaged in a romantic and sexual relationship. Valerio attempts to restart this but Lu resists the urge to engage.
Valerio is devoted to changing Lu's mind and works to destroy her relationship with Guzmán, hoping she will turn to him in her moment of need. When Lu is feeling particularly vulnerable, she gives in to her desires and begins sleeping with Valerio. This was a relationship that fans couldn't support, even if the pair had undeniable chemistry.
Felt Bad: Guzmán Left Her
Guzmán and Lu's relationship was toxic. The two shouldn't have been together as they brought out the worst in each other. Still, it is clear that Lu cared deeply for Guzmán. She was incredibly loyal to him and helped him during some extremely difficult times, supporting him through his most erratic decisions and violent outbursts.
When Lu learned that Guzmán had cheated on her with Nadia, she was distraught. This betrayal had a major impact on Lu moving forward. Despite Guzmán's disrespect, Lu still pined after him. Watching this forceful woman be so greatly impacted by this breakup was heartwrenching.
Hated: Complaining About Nadia's Hijab
Lu feels the need to be the best at everything she does. When Nadia joins Las Encinas, Lu immediately identifies her as competition. Feeling that her position at top of the class is threatened, Lu does what she can to negatively impact Nadia.
Her first attempt to get rid of Nadia is to complain to the principal about her hijab. Azucena then forces Nadia to remove her hijab while she is at school, threatening expulsion if she does not comply with this demand. Nadia is forced to make a decision between her faith and her education, the two things she values most. It was unfair for Lu to use bigotry and racism to try and maintain her position of power.
Felt Bad: Trouble Connecting With Others
Lu doesn't always make the best choices. She can be vicious, judgemental, and even cruel. Despite her attempts to project confidence, it is clear that Lu deeply cares what others think of her. Her fear of being vulnerable results in difficulty expressing her feelings. This leads to difficulty connecting with her peers. Though she is devoted to several individuals, few are devoted to her.
When Lu is feeling lonely, she meets Cayetana. Lu originally views Cayetana as competition and is prepared to hate her. To Lu's surprise, these two get along well and form a fast friendship. Unfortunately for Lu, Cayetana is lying about every aspect of her life. She even takes advantage of Lu by planning a false charity benefit and unknowingly convincing Lu to assist her in her con. When Lu discovers that Cayetana has tricked her, she is rightfully furious.
Hated: Bribed And Blackmailed Teacher
At Las Encinas, grades are distributed on a curve, meaning only one student can receive perfect marks. Until Nadia's appearance at the school, Lu had always held this position. When Nadia begins to surpass Lu's grades, she is desperate to regain control.
When Lu's teacher Martin accidentally shares his screen on the projector, Lu discovers that he is having difficulty adopting a child with his wife. She offers Martin a deal. If he agrees to give her the highest grades in class, she will use her connections to ensure that he moves up on the adoption waitlist. After Martin takes this deal, Lu continues to blackmail him and hold this transaction over his head.
Felt Bad: Father Disowned Her
After finally succumbing to her feelings and Valerio's advances, Lu finds herself in a compromised position. Valerio changes his mind about his feelings towards Lu. Angry at her, he decides to be vindictive. During a dinner party, he publically harasses Lu, revealing his incestuous relationship with his sister.
His father explodes with rage, shattering a plate. Lu is originally able to convince her father that the blame for this relationship rests entirely with Valerio. After seeing Valerio struggle with homelessness, she decides to confess the truth to her father. He responds by disowning Lu and telling her that the second she turns 18 she will be forced to leave home.
Hated: Dared Guzmán To Sleep With Nadia
When Lu's first plan to chase Nadia out of school fails, she comes up with a new one.
She tells Guzmán to seduce Nadia and sleep with her. Lu wants to destroy Nadia's reputation and sees this as the best way to do so. This suggestion is disgusting and almost results in Guzmán raping Nadia.
Felt Bad: Lost Scholarship
After Lu is cut off, she enters a program to compete for a scholarship to Columbia University. Nadia is her main competition for the award but the two form a close relationship during this semester. Nadia decides to split the scholarship money with Lu so that they can both attend university.
When Polo's mothers rescind the prize, Lu is devastated. She had worked hard to earn that money and admitted that she was struggling, which was extremely difficult for Lu. Her willingness to be vulnerable was a major development and watching her spiral out of control was agonizing. Luckily, the scholarship was restored.
Hated: Released Nadia's Sex Tape
When Valerio catches Nadia and Guzmán screwing in the locker room, he takes a video to show Lu. Lu decides to share this video with the entire school.
This incident has major repercussions for Nadia and is an extreme violation of privacy. There is no excuse for this type of behavior.
Felt Bad: Murdered Polo
During the season 3 finale, it is clear that Lu has finally snapped. She seems bewildered as she drunkenly stumbles around the party. Thinking her scholarship is lost, Lu has no idea what to do next. She believes herself to be alone and homeless with no future in sight.
When she confronts Polo in the bathroom, she is distraught. The look on her face when she realizes she has murdered him is pure shock. Even though Lu murdered Polo, one can't help but feel bad for her at this moment. Polo wanted to die and tells Lu he forgives her. But this is a moment that will haunt Lu for years to come.