Zlatá labuť (The Golden Swan) is a Czech television series written and produced by Filip Bobiňski, Jan Coufal and Petr Šizling. It was created by Dramedy Productions for TV Nova. First episode premiered on Voyo on 26 January 2023. It is set in the department store of the era of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. Starring ensemble cast Marta Dancingerová, Beáta Kaňoková, Simona Lewandovská, Kristýna Ryška, Adam Vacula, Robert Mikluš, Petr Kostka, Daniela Kolářová, Tomáš Töpfer, Michaela Maurerová and others. The story mostly revolves around Kučera family that owns department store called The Golden Swan.
Tropes of the Zlatá labuť:
- All-Loving Hero: Petr is very popular among The Golden Swan employees.
- Anti-Hero: Irena is ruthless, lacks Petr's moral and has no problem to sacrifice others to reach her ends. On the other hand she wants to protect her family and Eva.
- Anyone Can Die: Especially in season 3 when Eva who was one of main characters and member of main Power Trio dies its clear that nobody is safe.
- Big Bad: Wilhelm Gruber is the series main antagonist.
- Butch Lesbian: Irena is a lesbian and her interests are more associated with men. Her father even states that she should have been born as a man.
- Death Equals Redemption: Eva falls in love with Gruber despite all the evil he does. This draws her from her friends and she becomes depised by others in Zlatá Labuť. She eventually tries to kill Gruber and in the end she commits suicide.
- Decoy Protagonist: Bára Veselá seems to be the protagonist initially with Petr Kučera as the deuteragonist. As the series progresses Petr's storyline becomes more important as the main focus is on powers struggle within Kučera family. Bára eventually leaves the series in season 2 finale and it becomes clear that Petr is the actual protagonist. Bára returns to the story only very late to season 3.
- Even Evil Has Loved Ones: Gruber genuinely loves his daughters and possibly his wife. He even seems to truly care for Eva. It doesn't change the fact that he is an utterly evil man who isn't above rape and murder. He is also later revealed to have deeply loved his Jewish lover Ráchel.
- Fake Identity Baggage: Bára Veselá becomes The Golden Swan employee under fake identity Lucie Tichá. It doesn't take long before her secret is revealed because real Lucie Tichá appears.
- Darker and Edgier: Compared to Slovak version "Dunaj, k vašim službám."
- Death Seeker: Gruber in season 3 is revealed to become this after execution of his jewish lover Ráchel.
- Heroic Sacrifice:
- Skalský falls in love with Valerie and decides to help her save Kristýna from punishment for making herself miscarriage child from her rape. Unfortunatelly Nazis found out about his illegal activities. Skalský is warned but still helps Valerie despite knowing it will get him caught.
- Mach shoots himself and frames Bouchner to prevent him from hurting more people. Fortunatelly he sruvives.
- Petr in Season 3 wants to murder Gruber with a poisoned wine he would drink with him. He survives but his plan fails.
- Hidden Heart of Gold: Several exampes.
- Oldřich Skalský initially seems to be a photographer who likes to take advantage of inexperienced girls but he is eventually revealed to be a resitance member and one of bravest characters in the series.
- Valerie Horká is a strict superior to girls of fashion department but its clear that she cares for all of them and is always quick to help when needed.
- Kristýna initially seems as an arrogant brat that rats on other girls and only looks for herself. It is revealed that her attitude is caused by her upbringing and her horrible father. She becomes much more sympathtic after she is raped by Bouchner.
- Hate Sink: Director Antonín Bouchner seems to lack any redeemable qualities. He is a rapist and Nazi collaborator responsible for most evil things happening in first two seasons.
- La Résistance: As the series progresses the resitance against Nazis becomes more important. Initially we are met with Oldřich Skalský who recruits Martin but in season 3 we meet more resistance members. It is even revealed that Karel Wágner (who was previously shown to dislike Nazis) is a high-ranking member of resistance. Petr Kučera himself eventually joins resistance in season 3.
- Lipstick Lesbian: Alena is highly feminine but is still a lesbian.
- Luke, I Am Your Father: Kristýna is revealed to be Valerie's daughter.
- Power Trio: Bára, Alena and Eva.
- Rape Is a Special Kind of Evil:
- Bouchner is responsible for raping at least two women - Marta and Kristýna.
- Gruber rapes Alena in season 3.
- Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: Mach in season 1 convinces Petr to keep Bára in Golden Swan even after her scam for pretending to be Lucie Tichá is revealed as he realises that she really wants to turn her life around.
- Took a Level in Jerkass: Jakub thanks to his gambing habit.
- Took a Level in Kindness: Jakub in season 3.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Petr gets plenty of this during season 2 when he tries to reach compromise with Nazis to protect his family and employees.
