BEAUTIFUL costumes & hairstyles
pretty people with oh so kind eyes
AMAZING actors who do all their own stunts and can portray diverse moods actually
cool, awesome, stunning, absolute boss fight scenes
strong, well-rounded main character
well-rounded, disabled other main character
kickass side characters who don't die for convenience. For them, whether they live or die... it feels realistic. It's war.
subtle romance that NEVER gets in the way (THANK YOUUU)
Temur. Temur the most loyal, no-bullshit prince you've ever seen. Watch it for Temur. Temur pulls some unexpected stuff in the best moments.
has a semi-good ending (as opposed to. not having an ending at all. like. it wasn't a good ending, but at least it wasn't cancelled and the good outweighs the bad for me)
some random storylines that become abandoned half-way through because the circumstances change, and that's... okay, but tends to repeat itself a little too often. Like, when you promise to personally take revenge on someone, at least be good on that.
formerly smart characters dumbed down towards the end
everyone keeps conveniently forgetting the SECRET ENTRANCE TO THE THRONE ROOM WHICH HALF THE CHARACTERS ALWAYS KNEW ABOUT AND WHICH WAS REVEALED TO EVERYONE ELSE ALSO IN AN EARLY EPISODE. Like. There is NOTHING secret about that passage. Yet somehow, no one thinks to post guards there or tries to close it off or to obscure it from enemies and is then surprised when the enemies MAKE USE OF IT. MULTIPLE TIMES. WHAT IS THIS
ehh the secrecy worked wonderfully at first so it's worth it to me
the horses used in the show don't look too happy to me. Borderline animal cruelty with the way the bits sit in the mouths. But then again - this is Turkey. Animals are likely still working. Having actual jobs. Idk. That justifies nothing, but it explains a different handling.
The clear, pointless rushing towards the end. Some of the story could have been left out to let the rest breathe.
The ending. What. Was that. I kept watching for the fulfillment of Akkiz' dream, and it was HER story and it was told well, but to just... do such an injustice to everyone else... phew.
6.5/10. Just don't expect Marvel. Expect a mid-to-great episodical period drama. If you want to see suuuper cool, heartfelt characters who believe in destiny fight for what they love and die in the process, go for it. The show retains a positive, upbeat attitude about it. These characters love their land and their people with everything they have. They just get tangled up in the intrigue of a single woman... and bad writing.
I'd watch it again. Akkiz and Alpagu make everything worth it.
