the last one, i promise

[diziaddict]

i just started watching turkish dramas a few months ago and the first one I fell in love with and watched all the way through (well the first season) was vatanim sensin....ive started a few others but often got annoyed at the characters a few episodes in especially when it's been a light hearted rom com like erkenci kus. The next one i completed was siyah beyaz ask and honestly it's one of the best shows I've ever watched...the chemistry between the two leads was so breath-taking and now I'm just worried that my standards are too high bc I've been comparing every drama i watch to it 😭 ...please can you recommend your top 5 (preferably romance/drama/historical)?

It's been a while since I've posted but med school has genuinely been a rollercoaster ride this year so sorry for the long hiatus. I recently watched Vatanim Sensin and absolutely loved it too (will definitely consider writing a review soon!) but as you all know, Siyah Beyaz Ask has my whole heart. As such, I completely agree with you when I say that it is the sole reason I have so many partially finished dizis. That dizi raised my standards so much so that I'd often get frustrated and stop watching dizis half-way through.

With regards to watching light-hearted romcom dizis, often the biggest problem is that the viewers have to be in the right mood for them. It's quite difficult to enjoy a more comic-heavy romcom dizi when you're craving some mystery or drama. As toxic as it may sound, I do enjoy a little mafia action here and there to spice up the dizi. Anyway, here are the top 5 dizis (in order of preference) that I genuinely continue rewatching to this day:

Hercai – This is one of my absolute favourite shows and one that almost managed to satisfy my post-Siya-Beyaz-Ask depression. It's the perfect mix of drama, mystery, romance and comedy. The two actors have explosive chemistry on screen and are both honestly just so pretty. It helps that every shot is beautifully planned and aesthetically pleasing. However, do keep in mind that this is a very intense dizi mainly based around 'family drama' and involves a lot of violence so the comedy is kept to a bare minimum. Now while it isn't a historical dizi, the locations and general attitudes are very conservative and traditional so there is a somewhat 'period drama' feel.

Son Yaz – This mafia drama is honestly one of the most wholesome dizis I've seen in a while. While the dizi is mainly a romantic drama, there is a light-hearted comedy aspect within every episode and the two actors have electric chemistry. However, in my opinion, what makes this show is the heartwarming father-son bond between Selim and Akgun. What I love most about this dizi is that it's very mature and doesn't conform to the common trope of 'there's no me without you'. It addresses the toxic aspects of love and isn't afraid of separating the main couple in order for Akgun and Yagmur to work on themselves before focusing on their relationship.

Sen Cal Kapimi – This is probably the most light-hearted dizi out of all these recommended dizis but the actors genuinely had amazing chemistry and looked fantastic together. Personally, Eda Yildiz is one of my favourite female leads out of all the dizis I've watched since she has the courage and confidence to stand tall independently and is never ashamed of her social/financial status. One of my least favourite characteristics is a lead that despises/is embarrassed of being 'poor' or 'uncool' but this dizi completely avoids falling into that pattern. While it does follow the 'memory loss' and 'impending death' tropes, they are never too dragged out so the dizi doesn't lose it's magic. I am a strong supporter of couples that improve one another and that is exactly what this couple does. Both Eda and Serkan, while individually seem content and (for lack of a better word) 'perfect', the audience get to peek beneath the surface to understand the deeper wounds each individual has. We get to watch them each grow and overcome their past traumas to become better versions of themselves. This dizi does involve some family drama but it's never really an integral part of the storyline.

Fazilet Hanim Ve Kizlari – This is, once again, a romantic drama centred around family drama and secrets. It is, however, honestly one of the most well-written dizis as it manages to handle creating two main love interests that somehow both seem equally likely to end up with the lead female so keeps the viewers guessing. My only qualm with dizis that involve family secrets is the numerous frustrating 'near-reveals' the writers love to include as it made certain aspects of the dizi feel overly exaggerated. In my opinion, while both Yagiz and Sinan had plenty of chemistry with Hazan, it wasn't as instantaneous or obvious as the other couples in any of the recommended dizis so it may take some time to warm up to them. However, I'm a sucker for tortured star-crossed lover storylines that end in happily ever afters so this dizi was right up my alley.

Elimi Birakma – This is a slightly more light-hearted romcom drama and centres around the topic of family inheritance. While I don't particularly like the 'miscommunication' or 'misinterpreted situation' tropes, this dizi manages to pull it off in a tasteful way. Cenk never truly steps out of line or does anything completely irreversible when he misunderstands Azra but still follows the standard sequence of patterns: distancing, arguing and being unwillingly in love. Unlike most dizis, this one highlighted the respect the couple had for each other. They were willing to respect one another's wishes and diverged from the common scenario where individuals make decisions for the couple as a whole. As a side note, one of my pet peeves is the dizi 'villains' getting away with everything until the very end (which this dizi happens to do) but that's just a personal preference.

I hope this helps you. Good luck finding the perfect fit!

[to-come-alive]

Erkenci Kuş (2018)

[diziaddict]

hey god, it's me again.

[magnificent-history]

[diziaddict]

we're star-crossed lovers wishing on the moon.

[holywitchlady]

[diziaddict]

same, girl. same.

[cafetonight]

[diziaddict]

be still, my beating heart.

[samaraweaving]

I’m in love with you, Eda. Love? Are you talking to me about love, after all these years? I’ve always been in love with you. Tell me you haven’t forgotten.

Sen Çal Kapımı ep. 41

[diziaddict]

a whole ass power couple.

[diziaddict]

UPDATE: First Look At Destan

Hello again. Yes it's been a while since I last posted but I've just been so overwhelmed with university that I haven't had the time to write a review. Over the past few weeks, I've watched the first 8 episodes of Destan and I'm hooked! The series trailer instantly caught my attention but left me feeling unsure of what to expect as I had never watched a Turkish period drama. It's safe to say that I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely be eagerly waiting for new episodes.

If you're looking for period dramas with subtle romantic undertones, this is definitely the show for you. It portrays the romantic relationships in a way that doesn't obscure the plot, meaning it is an important aspect of the show and each character's life but never derails the narrative or prevents anyone from achieving their goals. The drama and plot-twist elements keep you on the edge of your seats and the general storyline is interesting with every episode so far exceeding my expectations.

The series utilises multifaceted characters to depict historical events and does well to ensure a relatively transparent portrayal of every character's perspective. This isn't to say the depiction remains unbiased, but at least the audience will understand the antagonists as they often have somewhat justifiable reasons for their actions. Both Batuga and Akkiz are portrayed by extremely talented actors (Ebru Sahin is personally one of my favourites!) and have adequate chemistry but, then again, romance isn't the focus of the show so this is forgivable as it allows the plot to flesh out.

The show aims to portray prejudices upheld during that period in a sensitive manner, ensuring no current communities are targeted. As such, it strives to present somewhat reasonable backstory for any discrimination enforced by a character. For instance, Ulu Ece was her husband's second wife and as such feels justified in forcing Tutkun to be Kaya's second wife. She believes the similarities between herself and Tutkun validates imposing the same hardships she endured.

I wasn't sure if the writers or actors could successfully and tastefully execute a total gender reversal of the main characters but was impressed at how well they pulled it off. Most of the time the scripts end up written in a way that appears tacky or actors are unable to fully emulate the intended effect so appear cringe-worthy. My fear when such shows attempt gender reversals is that it becomes over-exaggerated to the point where there is an absence of femininity or masculinity so the character eventually becomes a stereotypical caricature of tomboys or effeminacy. This series, however, manages to entrench such modern concepts into the societal structures of ancient communities in a believable fashion.

Akkiz is the hot-headed warrior with both beauty and brawn. Unlike traditional Turkish female leads, she isn't deterred by brutality or gore but is instead inclined to resort to violence when necessary. However, she isn't a psychopath and still retains benevolence (just not altruism). Akkiz is bold and unconforming, often vocal with her opinions regardless of class, status or power. On the other hand, Batuga is disabled and thus physically disadvantaged but makes up for this with his quick wit and intelligence. He is more soft-spoken and prefers to express his opinions through actions and not words. Of course most of this timid personality can be attributed to Batuga's obligation to appear mentally incapacitated.

Something I really appreciated was that neither Batuga nor Akkiz judged or criticised the other for their peculiarities and instead treated each other as equals, disregarding society's rigid hierarchies and expectations. While most characters (well intentioned or not) patronise Batuga for his supposed 'deficiencies', Akkiz doesn't spare him from manual labour and instead treats him utterly the same. This isn't due to any illogical delusions or wishful thinking but because she knows he can adapt to overcome these challenges. Batuga is so accustomed to being viewed as inferior due to his physical handicaps that he never realised how much he craved her honesty. Likewise, Batuga is patient and willing to compromise for Akkiz. He values her input and can look past the enmity between the Gok and Dag tribes. He shows great understanding and prioritises her feelings. Having been raised in an environment where your societal standing is constantly considered of greater importance and superiority over others, it comes as a refreshing surprise that Batuga is not so egotistical.

Overall, this is shaping up to be an amazing show and I am genuinely excited to see where it takes me. From next week onwards I'll try writing reviews every week if my schedule will let me!

[diziaddict]

Which would you say is one of the best dizis you've watched?

Without a doubt, my all time favourite dizi is Siyah Beyaz Ask. I've literally rewatched the show several times and never gotten bored of it. The storyline is by far the most mature and unique amongst other Turkish dizis as it refuses to be confined within the limits of societal structures and expectations. It is one of the few shows that appropriately deals with taboos in Turkish culture like infidelity, abortion and divorce. The show narrates a beautiful tale of love and family, emphasizing the interconnection between light and darkness in life depending on an individual's circumstances and decisions.

The two main characters, Asli and Ferhat, are entrenched in an unlikely and passionate romance that highlights the transformative nature of love. Their complementary personalities perfectly balanced each other out, embodying principles of 'yin and yang'– hence the title directly translating to 'Black and White Love'. Asli and Ferhat endure the ebbs and flows of their relationship faced with danger, intrigue and loss that creates a strong foundation. This series is the reason that Ibrahim Celikkol is one of my favourite actors and, in my opinion, grossly underrated– his acting range and ability to convey emotions are phenomenal but not enough international audiences have been exposed to his talents. As for Birce Akalay, she is just as gifted and their electrifying on-screen chemistry is simply breathtaking. They manage to perfectly emulate 'pragma'– an ancient Greek concept that describes passionate and everlasting love built on commitment, respect and acceptance. Their mutual adoration for one another, internal conflict and unshakeable bond are masterfully depicted throughout the series so any filler plots or unnecessary disputes are forgivable as all eyes are glued to the main leads. Their interactions were often accompanied by deeply insightful philosophical dialogue and embellished with evocative body language, expressions and demeanour, delivered excellently by Birce and Ibrahim.

I absolutely loved that both characters were equals in their own rights– Asli was compassionate, intelligent and independent while Ferhat was hardened, strong-willed and clever. Though Ferhat was just learning the language of love, Asli was more than willing to be his teacher. She was patient with him but their relationship was not one without conflict so it's trajectory and development was entirely believable. More often than not in Turkish dizis, I find myself annoyed at one of the main leads or disappointed in the choices they make but this show may have been the exception. I wholeheartedly loved both characters regardless of their flaws as I almost always understood or agreed with their decisions. Unlike other Turkish dizis, neither Ferhat nor Asli were prone to making impulse rash decisions that could change the course of their relationship. However, looking back at it now, this may result from them being older than traditional Turkish dizi characters. Where the typical age for dizi leads are in the 20s, Ferhat and Asli were both well into their late 30s and thus were significantly older in age.

One of my pet peeves is the inability for writers to portray love without mutual compromise. I've watched several dizis where regardless of how strong and autonomous the female lead is depicted, somehow the writers ruin her character by making her dependent on the male lead and constantly sacrificing herself for him. Loving someone does not have to mean that you can't exist without them– that idea in and of itself indicates a loss of individualism as it implies a sense of dependence when someone else dictates your happiness. This show does well to show that loving someone does not necessarily mean one must lose themselves but instead, the ability for both individuals to compromise and accept one another's flaws without diminishing their values. While both Ferhat and Asli have contradicting outlooks and beliefs, they realise errors in their ways on their own while still maintaining their original values so any change in perspective occurs with little coercion. Although they may not want to, both Ferhat and Asli understand that sometimes space and time apart is good. They aren't afraid to be alone or to rely on each other in times of need. Yes, they are deeply in love with each other but that toxic mentality of a codependent relationship where "I can't live without him / her" is not promoted.

Various metaphors sprinkled throughout the episodes refer to the fairytale, 'Beauty and The Beast', and form similarities between the dynamics of a quintessential tragic 'grumpy' hero and the pure-hearted 'sunshine' heroine. I read somewhere that this trope is often attractive to audiences as we like to see "a strong woman of substance finally be the healer for the broken man, piecing him back together into a more fulfilling and human existence". It's endearing to watch the vulnerable and soulful side of a man, especially since these traits are often repressed in the 'alpha male' stereotype promoted in society. Such tropes are tailored to male and female characterisations which appeal to those hopeless romantics rooting for the 'power of love'. The overarching contrasting theme of light and dark was not only evident from the characters but also in minute details like clothing, makeup and set design. Whenever a character descends into moments of darkness, their superficial appearance is altered with darker clothing and bolder makeup while subtle changes in lighting are often utilised to display the character's emotions. The underlying message refers to the ability for good and evil to bleed into one another, questioning whether one can build the courage to change for the better or embrace the unknown.

P.S. Their banter just warms my #AsFer soul

[diziaddict]

Ok so I'm currently watching multiple ongoing shows and while I love writing in depth reviews to discuss opinions, it is extremely time-consuming. I have tons of thoughts that just pop up as I'm watching a show and often I'll want to share them to get other people's opinions but it takes time to articulate how I'm feeling as things play out. I've got three main styles of reviewing:

Watchalongs- most casual with my most raw and immediate thoughts, written while watching the episode

Reviews- formal in-depth analysis of all thoughts and opinions throughout the show, written after watching episode

Updates- short synopsis and first impression of shows, usually written after watching 1-3 episodes of a newly begun show

Of course I'll likely make short comments here and there about shows I'm watching but I would mainly focus on one or a few shows. Maybe I'll add on later if I feel like I can take on more!

[diziaddict]

WATCHALONG: Uc Kurus 1x1

I've been a little apprehensive about this show but it seems like there are a lot of positive reviews so I'm keen to start. Going to write this review in watchalong format so hopefully this is entertaining. Warning that this will literally be my most raw and immediate thoughts so enjoy!

Omg so omnious... the dark road, black gloves, foreboding music.

Oop here it comes, old dude is about to die. He's way too obnoxious. Yepp he's been shanked. Oooh whoever this is has a flair for the dramatics. Taking a polaroid and tossing some pennies?

Oh my god I am living for mohawk's dancing.

Well then, guess the wedding is off. Was nice while it lasted.

What even is this ship? Jesus is this what she was so upset for? Wow the wedding is back on.

Well hello there. Mans looking hella fine in that fitted suit. I've declared him husbando.

Uh oh why is man bun just sitting in the shadows. Is he good or bad? Ok his name is Efe and he's super impatient.

Nevermind he's police.

Oof he's after husbando so I'm unclear on whether I like him or not. He looks super self-entitled but that's lowkey what all Turkish dizi policemen look like.

Really? What was the need for all this violence. Husbando do something.

Haha here he comes. My man ain't panicked. Nuh uh. No stress pimples.

Oi! How dare you arrest husbando. It makes legal sense but still... he's husbando.

Omg murderer is just going around casually past the police. Ooh looks like he's a waiter? I'm mad he has a beautiful voice.

Ooh Efe and husbando facing off. I don't like that Efe is disrespecting the whole neighbourhood. That's just unnecessary. I really liked husbando's speech though... feel like it touched something in Efe.

Uh oh husbando doesn't like this song... the same song that murderer was playing. Hmmm.

Why is mohawk getting all awkward? Also who's this chick making heart-eyes at husbando.

Efe is smart, I'll give him that, but I don't like that he's chasing husbando. Leave my mans alone.

Well I guess techie's been caught. Looks like he's giving husbando up to beardo. Hoping for a plot twist.

In case I haven't said this before... husbando is HOT.

Ask and they will deliver... techie never gave husbando up. I like that husbando has power from respect and friendship not money. It's more meaningful.

Ok girl stop undressing my mans with your eyes. It's the second time and he ain't into it.

Lmao husbando and his guys just bamboozled beardo.

Ooh the journalist is flirting with Efe. She's pretty but the way she speaks is kinda annoying me. Let's call her bambi– she's pretty, brunette and has big doe eyes.

Hehe bambi is playing Efe... I like her already. Ooh husbando is interested? Nevermind she's his sister. Oops ("SwEeT hOmE aLaBaMa" intensifies).

Old man's body was found but Efe and his short-temper will literally be the end of me. He keeps throwing around baseless accusations. Like dude calm down before you pop an artery.

Husbando's aunt emulates Polly Gray (from Peaky Blinders) energy and I like that she can read husbando in seconds.

I can't bring myself to be behind Efe. He's too closed-minded. Hopefully he'll have a character arc later on.

Aww husbando has a broken relationship with his dad but he won't give up. I'm a softie for the whole bad-boy-with-a-heart-of-gold trope.

Oh no... I have a bad feeling. The whole "you're my son" thing along with the sick wife? Halit is definitely going to get hurt.

Uh oh murderer is out to hunt again. I like that they repeat the same shots and soundtracks during these scenes. Gives a sense of continuity.

I really like that husbando flaunts his flaws as his strengths. The whole speech he gave about being a "gypsy bastard" is super powerful.

Another killing? This soon? Murderer is getting a lil too addicted to the hunt. I wonder what the connection is between the people he kills.

NOOOO

HUSBANDOOOO!!!!

OH NOOOO

He's been stabbed!! Oh wait... murderer has something against hurting gypsies? Huh... he waited to make sure husbando was ok.

Goddamnit I knew Halit would die. There were way too many emotional scenes with him.

Aww bambi came by to comfort Efe. I keep forgetting what her name is... I'll try pay attention next time.

Ok but the red track suit is a look. It's giving Sue Sylvester vibes. OH MY GOD– the blonde hair, salty-ass attitude and red tracksuit? Husbando IS Sue Sylvester. Lmao he could literally wear a trash bag and still look cute.

What's up with his pissy attitude? Oh his people stopped supporting him. So much for respect is more meaningful... I guess it can be lost much easier.

Ughhh husbando might make rash decisions if he doesn't realise soon that there's a serial killer.

Yepp there he goes starting gang wars. Oh well.

Haha Efe just got a giant serving of humble pie. I like the doctor, she totally just pointed out his discrimination.

Ooh finally Efe and husbando might join forces?

Ok I really like this wrestling scene, it's the perfect example of the 'show don't tell' storytelling technique.

Both are equally strong but Efe is by the books while husbando is street-smart. Efe uses his special training while husbando is more resourceful and uses his environment to his strength.

There's a great contrast in their fighting styles. Efe uses precise movements like headlocks and blocks to advance while husbando improvises, biting Efe's hand and stomping on his foot.

OMG murderer and husbando have the same brand on their palms. I wonder if they're brothers?

DUN DUN DUUUN. Fin.

[diziaddict]

REVIEW: Yargi 1x6

Just to get it out of the way... CEYLIN AND ILGAZ ARE MARRIED!!! Ok now back to my review:

The premise of this episode hinges on an 'operation' that Ilgaz and Ceylin carried out to find Inji's real killer– Engin. As the episode unfolds, a very distraught Engin narrates what really happened on the night of the murder. In a frantic rush to protect their loved ones, both Ilgaz and Yekta race to seek their own versions of justice– Yekta to save his son and Ilgaz to free his little brother. Seldom do we see good characters prevail as they often incur numerous hardships that warp and harden their outlook to society. Ilgaz represents everything the legal system strives to be– honest, impartial and fair, so it was refreshing to watch justice portrayed as rightfully upheld.

It annoyed me to no end that not a single person from the Erguvan family were willing to listen to Ceylin. They were perfectly fine with condemning a young boy to jail– even going as far as to try kill him, without actually looking at the bigger picture with all the evidence. If they had taken the time to actually analyse the evidence, they would realise that certain things didn't add up. Perhaps Ceylin would feel comfortable sharing her thoughts with them but given how closed-minded they are, it is comprehendible why she prefers working through things on her own. Now I understand that the family is grieving and therefore redirecting all their anger and shame onto a scapegoat– who in this case just so happens to be Cinar, so it is reasonable that they are anxious to conclude the murder investigation and punish the killer but the lack of sympathy astounded me. It is unsurprising that they are unable to think logically in their grief-stricken state, unlike Ceylin who is gifted with the ability to think critically under immense emotional strain (likely due to her vocation as a lawyer), but one would hope that they could at least maintain some semblance of empathy for the young boy whose life was about to be ruined. Instead of having prejudiced opinions and publicly expressing damning statements, they should have let the justice system take its due course and hold the actual murderer accountable. This situation is further aggravated as Zafer already holds preconceived notions regarding Metin and thus feels as if this outcome is some form of retribution for when he was wrongly imprisoned.

The highlight of this episode was the unity and support that Ilgaz and Ceylin provided each other. They were rational and smart in the way they handled every situation and faced any obstacles together. Their chemistry and teamwork of course didn't go unnoticed– Eren was an accurate depiction of my feelings regarding their budding relationship. I must also add that regardless of any external events and conflicts, Pars has remained relatively unbiased save from a few petty verbal jabs here and there. It was refreshing to see this series break away from the traditional vindictive characters that plot absurd revenge plans as we see both Seckin siblings work effectively despite rejection from Ilgaz and Ceylin. Often female leads are presented as naive and unaware of the effect they have on men whereas Ceylin is aware and might even knowingly use this to her advantage. This characteristic is in line with her resourceful and cunning personality, which reassures me that the writers take time to pay attention to specific details.

All in all, this was a stellar episode that was well-paced and didn't draw out certain plot-lines for too long– e.g. real murderer was revealed, Metin admitted his guilt for Zafer's arrest, Cinar's reason for being quiet was explained. There were a reasonable number of hardships the pair faced but they overcame them and each scenario was believable.

[diziaddict]

UPDATE: First Look At Yargi

Ok so I just binged the first two episodes of the new Turkish series, Yargi... absolutely loved it!

The drama and mystery elements keep you on the edge of your seats and the storyline doesn't seem boring. Almost every episode so far has exceeded my expectations as there is no straightforward ending and it looks like there are many plot-twists to come. All the characters are multidimensional and have reasons for the way they act but the audience isn't omnipresent so these motives are only revealed as the story unravels.

Both actors are extremely talented and have incredible chemistry but there isn't the usual insta-love element, which makes the series more realistic and allows the plot to flesh out. I love that the writers present imperfect characters and don't try to introduce a 'better' personality trait to make up for their flaws. For example the main leads both represent the law and thus have adapted, becoming impervious to the hardships of seeking justice. As such, their personalities have been shaped according to their roles as older siblings and lawyers. Ceylin is manipulative and cunning in order to get what she wants and although she is caring, the writers never present her as overly kind or merciful to make up for her hard exterior. On the other hand, Ilgaz is the ever-disciplined man of integrity who, much like Ceylin, is benevolent but not altruistic. What I love is their core values remain the same and neither person strongly influences the other. Yes, they develop new perspectives and opinions which may change the way they perceive situations but this never alters their ideologies. Regardless of how much Ilgaz understands the points Ceylin makes about bending the law when necessary, he stands strong in his belief to maintain absolute honesty. In the same way, Ceylin recognises the importance of candor but sees the world in shades of grey (not black-and-white) and refuses to back down.

[diziaddict]

REVIEW: Ask Mantik Intikam 1x14

The episode begins with Ozan taking Chynar’s airplane seat next to Esra where there’s tons of flirty back-and-forth arguments and accidental touches that further emphasise Esra and Ozan’s magnetic pull towards each other as Esra avoids any interaction while Ozan tries to win her back. Now the one major thing I’ve had a problem with throughout most of this show is Ozan’s incessant need to control everyone and everything. He almost always feels that his opinions and actions are justified regardless of how they impact anyone else. He has taken a vow as Cagla’s husband and yet continues to pursue Esra even after she explicitly draws her boundaries against him. It is for this reason that I couldn’t bring myself to fully appreciate their romance as it felt morally unfair to disregard someone as well-intentioned as Cagla. We as the audience of course are rooting for the main couple but it becomes difficult when their happiness would mean destroying that of everyone else’s. I feel for Esra because she is actively trying to move on with her life by building a successful career but Ozan refuses to let her go. She is constantly forced to return to the old Esra that depended on Ozan and sacrificed her needs for his happiness. 

On the other hand, we see Eko and Elif’s relationship progress as they attempt to meet secretly in hilarious sequences where both mothers attempt to prevent this. There isn’t much focus on this relationship as it is only in the honeymoon phase so for the moment it serves as happy-go-lucky comedic relief to cut through the dramatic storylines of the main four: Cagla, Chynar, Esra and Ozan.

We see Chynar and Cagla rush to the hospital as they are informed of their mother’s accident. Chynar’s willingness to drop everything and be at his mother’s side forces him to face the harsh reality that he may not resent her as much as he says so in a classic attempt to reject these feelings, he continues to insult and distrust her. In all his interactions with his mother, he’s clearly fed up with having to clean up after her and disappointed that her behaviour remains the same. On the other hand, Cagla continues to justify her mother and wholeheartedly accepts her attempt to build a relationship with them. It’s apparent she feels responsible for the incident as they forced their mother to stay at a hotel but Chynar stands firm in his decision, believing that this is just another one of their mother’s antics to emotionally blackmail them. As usual the twins agree to disagree, understanding that neither one is willing to listen so instead focus on supporting their mother.

Throughout Esra and Ozan’s stay at the hotel, Esra is obviously irritated but still very much attracted to him. We can tell that she has softened towards Ozan and there is no hatred in her tone. Once again Ozan makes impulsive decisions and forgets completely about Cagla as she questions him (and rightly so!) but he continuously brushes her off. It’s sad to see how accustomed Cagla is to Ozan’s rude behaviour as she simply sighs and proceeds to find ways to stay informed of his activities. While I adore Esra and Ozan’s bond and love for one another, I find it upsetting to see the blatant indifference Ozan has towards his wife. Yes, they married under the pretence that it would just be platonic in order to save Cagla’s reputation but it was Ozan who initially proposed to her as revenge against Esra and played with her feelings so she is justified in asking this of him. They agreed that everything would be as it was before but it becomes increasingly obvious that Ozan has long-forgotten their friendship and will not respect the terms of this agreement. Not only did Ozan completely overstep Chynar and reassign his responsibilities to someone else, but Ozan decides that he has the right to meddle in Esra’s career by moving her back to Istanbul. He remains patronising towards Esra, with his one excuse for it all being that he “runs the company”. 

As the show unravels, I find myself slowly moving away from Ozan as his illogical decisions and unwillingness to acknowledge his flaws mean Esra must always compromise and accept his decisions. All things aside, I like that Ozan is desperately and openly trying to fix his relationship with Esra instead of remaining detached and cold. It somewhat depicts his character development as he has realised Esra’s value and clearly understands that a simple “sorry” won’t do it this time. I fully expect and sympathise with Esra’s anger as Ozan has begun treating her life like it’s a game. He expects her to sit and wait while Ozan plays happy husband with Cagla and refuses to let her at least distance herself and focus on her budding career. At this point Esra has stopped pointing out his blatant abuse of power and resigned herself to nevertheless persevering.

I would like to point out how professional and mature Cagla has been throughout this all. Unlike most standard Turkish series female love interests, she continues to act logically regarding her work life and attempts to keep her family life stable regardless of her dislike towards Esra or sadness about Ozan. Even if everything Chynar points out about Ozan’s behaviour is correct, Cagla tries to remain neutral by supporting her husband and brother. She steps in whenever its needed (e.g. supporting Chynar at the board meeting) even if it may influence her relationship with Ozan and has never once tried to sabotage Esra’s career. For this I am grateful as most series depict this standard character as spiteful and petulant, taking any opportunity to ruin the female lead. I will admit that she’s had her moments where she makes petty jabs at Esra but this is rational given that her husband is flirting with another woman. Cagla remains positive throughout all her struggles and continues to believe that Ozan will finally recognise her devotion to him but she refuses to bend her morals, maintaining some form of respect for Esra. My only complaint would be that instead of directing all her anger towards Esra, she should be able to hold Ozan accountable and let him know that he is quite frankly being disrespectful.

I love that Esra doesn’t just easily forgive Ozan but instead lays out all her issues with his behaviour and forces him to confront his mistakes. It hurts my hopeless romantic heart to see these two in pain. As much as they’ve both made terrible mistakes and miscalculations, their love for each other is unmatched and that is what allows me to continue rooting for them. For the time being, I have no issues with them remaining apart as I realise that the circumstances they are in make it impossible for them to live their love. I would like them both to spend time apart and work on themselves in order to grow and come back together in a healthier relationship. I’m also interested to see how Cagla’s old flame returning may influence her marriage and perhaps be an indication that a happy ending is to come where she finally gets the love and respect she deserves but nevertheless, I am apprehensive of his intentions as he clearly states that he has made mistakes towards Cagla. It upset me that she cheated on Ozan even if he has acted similarly in terms of his relationship with Esra since his actions don’t warrant her to act in the same way. Ozan has kissed and flirted with Esra all through their marriage but this doesn’t justify cheating. It is the making of a toxic relationship as she clearly still has feelings for Ozan and likely has no intentions of being honest about the incident. Even if they have decided to divorce, Cagla has the means to dispute these claims and is ready to use the photos.

I absolutely adore Chynar and Esra’s relationship and honestly believe that he would be good for her. This is not to say that Esra and Ozan are wrong for each other but there is very little that I can see them bringing to each other’s lives. As of yet, it seems like they only hurt each other. When they’re good, its great and they both bring an element of peace to each other but they still have much to work on in order to mature and develop. On the other hand, Esra brings responsibility and calm to Chynar while he both respects and supports Esra, encouraging her to pursue greater heights in life. They both positively influence each other and very rarely disagree. Its the classic toxic but passionate versus stable but simple relationship tropes. We all know that eventually Esra will lean towards Ozan but its nice to fool ourselves for the time being that she will do the smarter thing and choose Chynar. 

Anyway until next time, see you!