How do you think the plot and the dynamics would have changed if instead of Mahidevran having a miscarriage, she had Raziye? How would you imagine Mahi's relationship with her daughter and Raziye and Mihrimah's relationship, since Mihi would grow up with an elder sister. And Raziye's relationship with her aunts and Hürrem? Would Süleyman favour Mihi over Raziye? I can think of many ideas, even Raziye being married to Taşlıcalı, but that would be too similar to Atike and Gevherhan.
First off, Mahidevran wouldn't beat Hürrem. The beating was provoked by the miscarriage to begin with, so with the baby being born instead, we're left with no reason for this plot to kick off. (I'm glad about that, to be honest; the beating lost all of its weight due to the poison - and unpopular opinion time! - I feel the poison was the better plotline anyway.)
The whole castle would celebrate Raziye's birth. After her disappointment over SS giving the ring to Hürrem and her slow, gripping realization that she is losing him bit by bit, Mahidevran would regain her happiness with Raziye. Maybe there would be some momentary sadness that she didn't have a boy at first, but the child would still embody the little hope of Mahi returning to SS's favor again and for happiness and peace to still be possible in the castle. I see Mahidevran be relieved and even moved to tears over this birth and she would embrace Raziye in her arms immediately after the nurse gives her to her. Valide, Hatice and Gülfem would be right next to her and they would share her joy. Little Mustafa would also be joyful: he would be more welcoming to a sister than to a brother at this point since that automatically means he would take care of her and help her get a grasp of this new world. With a sister instead of a brother, the fear of his father not giving him attention, not loving him anymore wouldn't be there. Hürrem would have more mixed feelings: on one hand, her reaction could be somewhat similar to the way Mahidevran reacted to Mihrimah's birth - relief and a hint of rejoice over it being a girl instead of a boy, due to the belief she would show after a while that having a boy matters most and gives you the most advantage, but on the other hand, Hürrem's still early in her path of figuring out how the system works, so any sign of favorable circumstances for the other side could be way more of a threat to her now than it would be if Mahidevran had Raziye later on. The fear of SS turning back to Mahidevran would definitely be on the back of her mind and could even increase to an extent.
And, at least for a while, the relationship between Süleiman and Mahidevran would take a more positive turn with Raziye. They would spend more time together and that could be similar to how they were like in Manisa. Süleiman would cherish Raziye quite a bit, especially because she would be the first girl he has for some time, but then a part of this cherishing would go to Mihrimah instead. Mihrimah would surely be favored over Raziye, because a daughter from the woman he actually loves would make the difference and SS himself would still be the prick who revels in favoritism he usually is, so... Besides, SS and Mahi would still have a fallout eventually, both because the poison can still happen (maybe at a later point than it did in the show, but still? Mahi would be calmer and more confident in front of her rival due to things looking up to her at last and having Raziye, but that hatred and resentment she has for her wouldn't disappear.) and SS would continue giving his attention to Hürrem after the not so long-lasting shared joy with Mahi because of their daughter and they would get closer either way.
Though, this isn't to say that Raziye's presence wouldn't turn the tables for her mother at all in certain ways. Mahidevran would still fall into despair after losing SS and her wounds wouldn't heal, in fact they could get even bigger now with her knowing that SS's inclined to leave her behind even after she gave him another child, but perhaps she would feel less alone with the little Raziye next to her. And given Raziye just came into being, she would feel a sense of duty when it comes to the child. She would have to focus on taking care of not only Mustafa, but Raziye too (and unlike Mustafa, Raziye needs that constant care: she won't be away for lessons almost the whole day and Mahi can hand her to her maids or Gülşah only for so long. She has to be next to her as much as she can.) and that, while urging her to try and keep even more appearances that all is okay in front of everyone, would take her mind off of what upsets her so strongly as much as possible. She would take solace in taking care of Raziye and give her as much of her time as she can because she has just stepped into that world and it's up to Mahidevran to be her guide. What I mean to say is, despite of all the ways the outside world would impact her, she would be busy with Raziye. She would fall out of love with SS quicker because the situation between her and SS after Raziye would empower her awareness and perceptiveness of the system and she would detach more and more from her love for SS every day. Both Mustafa and Raziye would give Mahi more strength, more motive to protect both of them and live for both of them. Raziye would help Mahi strive to be her best self and recover faster from what she's been through in Topkapi.
Raziye's name means "one who accepts, one who gives consent, one who obeys" (thank you, @astrangechoiceoffavourites ! <3), so I see her with a very open, supportive, and loyal personality. She would be one who would observe the world around her and try to make the best of every situation. That's why even if something upsets her early on, she would come to accept it. She would try to understand every possible point of view (and that immediately makes her less stubborn than Mustafa and is why both he and Mahi would count on her when it comes to advice and making decisions.) and is quick into empathizing if she finds an understandable reason for someone's behavior, hence she can also be quite easily convinced on the righteousness of a certain action and people could take advantage of this early on. She strives to be on decent terms with everyone she knows. But at the same time, if she loves someone, she loves dearly. As much as she can be open to others, her family is always the closest to her heart and she looks up to them for guidance as much as they look up to her. She isn't as boastful about her position as a royal sultana as her sister is (so she wouldn't constantly order her servants around and tell them how she's unlike other princesses), but she isn't above using it when it's necessary, as Mahidevran herself would advice her to do.
Raziye would, predictably, have a deep bond with her mother. She would be there for her in her sorrow and would always lighten her mood. Due to her openness, she would constantly try to find a reason for the injustices Mahidevran is subjected to at first, but that doesn't seem to succeed. She would get a big grasp on Mahidevran's inner world and the more she comes to learn, the more she sympathizes with her. She would support her nearly unconditionally and can't help but agree with her on almost everything, except her wanting to kill Hürrem's children in E55. Her mother would be like her closest friend and she would share everything with her, both when it comes to matters she, according to Raziye, should totally know about and more personal stuff, in contrast with Mustafa who usually withholds more once he is older. She would often tell her mother of even the smallest good thing that's happened to her, like finding a maid she likes very much and befriending her or mastering a musical instrument, for the happiness of both her mother and herself. I see Mahidevran, along with other things, to give special attention to Raziye's appearance right from the start. She would brush her hair, help her pick fabrics for dresses, give advice for hairstyles and overall look, etc. No matter how much her mother tries, appearance would never become such a big priority in her life, but she enjoys talking about it with Mahidevran since it makes for a fun time between only the two of them. Mahidevran and Raziye could get into arguments when it comes to what's the best for Mustafa but they come to a consensus sooner or later.
Raziye loves her brother very very much and the same goes for Mustafa. I don't see Mahidevran preferring one over the other, so this way the mutual fondness would be more possible. Right from the beginning, Mustafa would look out for Raziye and always ask if she needs something while she was still a baby and needed care. Then as she grows up, he would get her into studying and lessons; despite of him not enjoying going to school himself, now it would be a bit different with a company. Both of them would share what they've learned. He would also get her into Farsi and Italian eventually and bring her to meet and befriend Ibrahim. Mustafa and Raziye would joke and laugh and enjoy playing together in the gardens and the castle. Post-E46 and in Manisa/Amasya, Mustafa would be more open to Raziye than he is to his mother regarding his love life and what he's up to overall, but he wouldn't accept interference from her, either. This stubbornness is not something Raziye had ever liked about Mustafa and while she has tried to understand it time and time again, the more we go, the more she leans towards opposing it. She fully sides with Mahidevran when it comes to securing his future and she would also try to stop him from going to SS's tent when it was obvious he would execute him. [When it comes to the people around Mustafa: she would get along with Efsun at first, but then she would come to suspect her and discover her true intentions, but a bit too late. She would be with Mahi in terms of Elena. She would come to like Mihrunnisa a lot, though, and she and Nergisşah are besties, relating to each other in the amount of dedication they have for their family. Also, Raziye has a close rapport with Taşlicali and they talk a lot about Mustafa's activities in the sanjacks. She gets a close outlook on the issues surrounding Mustafa and that can be of big help. I agree that her loving and/or having a marriage arranged with Taşlicali would be too much like Atike and Gevherhan. I wouldn't put it past the writers to have pulled off something like that if they had Raziye as Mahi's daughter, no, I'm almost sure that's exactly what would've happened, but I personally wouldn't have her involved in such a thing, either. She would learn that Mihrimah loves Taşlicali firsthand and would support her for that, albeit unsure of the possibility of it and how well is everyone around going to take it, but that's it.]
Raziye gets along well with her aunts. I see Hatice being as fond of Raziye as she is of Mustafa and she would visit her often and support her. Hatice would try her best to make sure she and Mihrimah are on good terms, she would be the peacekeeper between them when they argue. Raziye would be more confident to share personal issues with Hatice out of all her aunts. With Şah, on the other hand, she would be most confident to talk about politics and how to secure Mustafa's future in the best way. Şah would be happy to provide that guidance and would complement her on supporting her brother this much (as family and dynasty always stick together!), but she would advice her to tread carefully and not interfere when she shouldn't. Raziye and Beyhan would be on decent terms, but they simply won't encounter each other that much, because Beyhan isn't around as much as the others. Raziye and Fatma, however... I see them working together in Mustafa's favor. Raziye would already be involved enough by this point. They would be an awesome team and Raziye would be a fan of Fatma's fun nature.
Raziye and Mihrimah's relationship would be complicated. They would get along more when they're little, doing as many activities together as possible. They would distance themselves from one another sometimes due to their opposing parents (and Mahidevran would also try to keep Raziye far from Hürrem), but that doesn't last long. Both want to get to know one another, given that they're the only daughters of the sultan. They would trust each other enough to share at first and I see them talking quite a bit about the complicated situation surrounding their parents and brothers. There would also be that occasional banter between them like the one of Mihrimah and Esmahan, but to a lesser extent. As both Raziye and Mihrimah get more firm in supporting their parties, their paths would definitely separate, perhaps to the point of them completely opposing each other.
I also see Raziye and Hürrem as complicated, albeit more antagonistic right out of the gate. Raziye would resent Hürrem due to what Mahidevran has experienced because of her; when she's little, she would let it out on her when they meet, but when she grows up, she would still be reserved at Hürrem, but would try not to show it. At times, she would try to understand Hürrem's point of view, but she would fail. Hürrem wouldn't immediately target Raziye and would make attempts to be decent to her when they're in the same room, but she would keep an eye on her when she comes into her own and may encourage Mihrimah to distance herself from her. She might act against her if necessary. Raziye would fully stand against her once she starts scheming against Mustafa. There would be no turning back now. [Despite of her strained relationship with Hürrem, she would get along just fine with her children. I see her getting along the best with Cihangir and Bayezid, appreciating their devotion to Mustafa a lot.]
I don't think the plot would change too much with Raziye around as Mahidevran's daughter, we would just get more heartbreak. She may have a hand in preventing some of Mustafa's actions that let SS suspect him like the marriage to Helena, but that's about it. She would try to influence the events in her favor as much as she can, but I doubt she would succeed to stop the inevitable. I see SS having less and less regard for her as she grows older: he'll both favor Mihrimah over her and sour on her just like he soured on Mustafa. Even if she tried obeying him and respecting his decisions as much as possible (which I do imagine "my" Raziye to do), things sadly won't end well for her family. She would totally oppose SS after Mustafa's death, she would totally bury any love she might have had for her father and he, as the horrible prick he is, wouldn't let that slide. He may marry her off just like he did Nergisşah although she may try to stop it at first and for Mahidevran to prevent her attempts, saying a marriage is for the better, or, worst case scenario, he could kill her along with little Mehmet (that may sound far too extreme, but we're talking S04 SS here....). She would enrich the dynamics, there could be a love story or two with her (Atmaca x Raziye 😍🤔 or Yavuz x Raziye, but that would be even more heartbreak for Raziye, so no, thanks, even though such scenario would befit S04 perfectly, no lie. :( And if Raziye and Atmaca are a thing, Atmaca perhaps wouldn't have gone with Bayezid?), but the general plot would remain the same, only with some tweaks here and there.
thank u for clearing it all up! i just thought that raziye sultan married the poet taslicali yahya effendi and nergishah was mustafa's daughter!is it true mustafa had 2 hasekis as well and married rumeysa whose original name was nadia and was bosnian or georgian a tailor's daughter? why do you say mustafa did not have many sons i thought they were all executed? also beyazid had a son was executed by suleiman (not in kazvin incident) was he the son of main haseki fatma like the other four?
I’ve heard of that too, here on tumblr, but I couldn’t find any source to confirm this. I think it’s most probable that she was the princess who died in 1521, as she is never mentioned in ambassadorial accounts.
I’ve looked for information on Mustafa’s concubines but I couldn’t find anything. Alderson says that he had three children, one son and two daughters, but gives no mothers:
Şehzade Mehmed, executed in October 1553
Şah Sultan, who married a Hasan Aga
unnamed daughter, who married a Mahmud, and died on 2 October 1577
and Peirce seems to agree that he had only one son.
Peirce says that Bayezid had several sons, possibly from different concubines, following the one son - one concubine rule. As for the concubines, I haven’t found any information about them. It just seems a little fishy that one of them was a haseki, since Bayezid was just a prince.
Alderson doesn’t mention any son executed after 25 September 1561 but he could be wrong, of course. He says that two of Bayezid’s sons were executed in 1560 but gives no reason as to why they should have been executed
Scenes I would have liked to see in Magnificent Century (always being updated)
These are just things I would have liked to see, or honestly just hyper specific scenes I’ve envisioned in my own head. Don't come at me about realism. That's not why any of us are here.
Would love to hear everyone's opinions and what you would have like to see in the show!
A more intense ending to the dark magic plot point in S3
It was kind of just...forgotten? Hatice literally murdered Nazli in cold blood and then poisoned Hürrem. I think Hürrem should have killed the witch and like put her in Hatice's room or something. So many good plot points are just abandoned with no real or satisfying resolution.
Hürrem telling Suleiman about Leo and him accepting it
A big part of Hürrem’s power in the harem in the show is that she got away with a lot of things, whether it be through manipulation or Suleiman’s love for her, but mostly it was through being smart and manipulative. That’s a huge part of her character, but it would have been nice to see a moment where she doesn’t win and has to come clean to Suleiman. His acceptance of Leo would have made their love more genuine in my eyes. He knew she was a slave and had a life before him.
Hürrem's past as a priest’s daughter
When Hürrem went to Edirne, it would have been great to see her open the palace to the sick and nursed them instead of sitting there helplessly in literally one spot the whole time. We saw her help Hatice medically in seasons 1 and 2 and she was a priest’s daughter so we know she saw a lot of sickness and has some basic idea of giving aid.
Hürrem seriously going off on Suleiman at least once
Again, a big part of Hürrem's legacy was how nuts Suleiman was for her and how she could get away with things other concubines couldn’t. I would have liked to see her really loser her temper at him at least once. Maybe go off about how difficult it is in the harem, being a woman battling for her life and her kids’ lives. It would have made their relationship seem deeper than it was in the show.
Generally seeing Suleiman's absolute obsession with Hürrem
That man was nuts about her in real life. True Gomez and Morticia Addams.
Some good moments between young Mustafa and Hürrem
Like thanking him for saving Mehmet from drowning in the first season or saying, “Thank you for being such a good big brother to my son.” She protected him during the janissary riots, but we didn’t see much day to day interactions between them. It would have made the distancing between them more impactful.
Another grown sultana in the family, like Mahidevran’s daughter Raziye
It would have been great to see the dynamic between Mihrimah and another daughter, especially one that was older but still within her age range. The aunts were older than her and she constantly had to show them respect, so it didn’t feel like a fair fight. And Esmahan had to defer to Mihrimah too because she was the Sultan’s daughter. Another daughter who is equal to Mihrimah in most ways would have been fun.
Hürrem pulling away during the whole Firuze thing
Hürrem had to stay on Suleiman’s good side because he’s the sultan, but I would have loved to see her pull away from him in small ways, like not spending time with him or choosing to eat alone and not with him. I’m a sucker for a good grovel.
Suleiman actually apologizing for things he’s done
Again, I love a good grovel and it never happens in this show. He always just got sick and woke up and told Hürrem how much he loved her. This goes into Hürrem pulling away during the Firuze arc and showing Suleiman her love is reasonably conditional. Again, real life Suleiman was whipped for Hürrem.
Ibrahim and Hürrem bonding at least once over being slaves and considering what their lives might have been like at home
This kind of goes into my last point of Hürrem pulling away from Suleiman when he was with Firuze. I always thought that would be a great scene when they’re having dinner with the dynasty members when Firuze was in the picture. I envisioned Hürrem mulling about her “home” in Eastern Europe and confusing the dynasty about what "home" to her seems to mean now that's she's pretty unhappy, then asking Ibrahim in front of all of them what he thinks his life might have been like if he hadn’t been taken. This could have given way to a deep scene between Hürrem and Ibrahim as well as a sweet scene later on of Suleiman asking Hürrem to share her memories of her home.
Firuze slowly losing favor instead of an instantaneous decision
There are so many deus ex machinas in the show that act as resolutions to issues and the Firuze thing was one of them. I would have liked to see her slowly lose favor, like treating Cihangir without permission from Hürrem or Suleiman, being disrespectful to Hürrem in front of him, or butting in on the family grieving Mehmet’s injury.
Hafsa and Hürrem bonding over something other than hating Mahidevran, like the loss of Hürrem's unmentioned son
It was great to see her realize Mahidevran’s manipulations, but I hoped for a deeper resolution between her and Hürrem. We only see Hafsa acknowledging Cihangir’s illness like once or twice, which is so out of character, but I know they were trying to keep her firmly in the area of antagonist (crappy writing). Hürrem had another son, Şehzade Abdullah, who died as a toddler. Losing a child would have been a good bonding moment for them and brought them back as mothers.
Hurrem’s kids speaking Russian(?)
One thing I always found wholesome is when children speak the language of both parents. It would have been a great homage to Hürrem's roots, since we didn’t see it a lot, especially in season 3. On that note, I would have liked to see Hürrem revert to her native tongue when she lost her temper, since that’s super common.
Mercan going over to Hürrem's side and staying in Season 4
One of Hürrem's best character traits was her ability to make her enemies her friends and Mercan was a great enemy. Convincing someone who was so zealously devoted to another dynasty member to come over to her side? Iconic. His and Sümbül's dynamic was also great and watching them being forced to work together would have been fun.
A reunion between Hürrem and Gulnihal, maybe Hürrem meeting Gülnihal's kids and husband and seeing Hürrem's kids grown
Characters tend to disappear and never be mentioned again in this show despite their big influence on characters and their development. She should have gotten a kiss on the hand like Hatice and Suleiman did for Afife. She raised Hürrem's kids.
Ibrahim telling Suleiman to stay out of his marriage during the Nigar affair
This is probably the most unrealistic thing I envisioned, but I love when one character beneath another in rank or station stands up to that person as a friend. And Ibrahim was getting bolder throughout the seasons so it wouldn’t have been totally out of character.
Hürrem helping Nigar escape with her daughter instead of Firuze
The whole Hürrem helping Firuze escape thing made no sense but it was in there to prove that Firuze was a spy. I think I speak for everyone in this fandom when I say I would have liked to see Hürrem help Nigar and Esmanur escape instead and the whole kidnapping Mihrimah’s baby thing not happen. But it would not hinge on the writer's hating Nigar's character and making her lose her mind and betraying Hürrem for a man.
Mihrimah being Selim’s valide sultan
Mihrimah was well aware of the fratricide law, it was the whole reason she worked with Hürrem to kill Mustafa. She wasn’t so naïve to think her own brothers wouldn't get caught in each other’s crosshairs. Kösem forgave Osman for killing her own son, I don’t think it’s out of the realm of realism to see Mihrimah and Selim get back on good terms. It’s one of my favorite parts of her real life legacy.
Suleiman letting Hürrem do something really shady for him at least once
He couldn't get his hands dirty, but he knew at least to some degree how cunning his wife was, even if he was willfully blind to it. Would have loved to see a "I won't ask questions" kind of conversation between them and Hürrem strolling from the room like a hitman for hire.
Cihangir seeing some sort of consequences for his naïve support of Mustafa
As wise as he was, he was so painfully naïve when it came to Mustafa, seeing him face some consequences for that would have been satisfying.
Suleiman seeing more negative ramifications of sending Hürrem away in S3
Suleiman tended to send Hürrem off willy nilly because he could and not really take into account for the ramifications, especially in such a charged atmosphere. Seeing consequences to those choices would have been satisfying and would have reinforced Hürrem's importance as a partner, parent to adolescent children, harem ruler, etc.
Mihrimah’s trip back to the palace in S2 after Hürrem was ambushed being more difficult, like an actual kidnapping
I really like antagonists being taken down by their own hubris and it would have been fun to see Hafsa suffer real consequences for her fake ambush.
Hatice going off on Hafsa about how she treats Hürrem at least once in S2
She questioned her a few times in season 2, like when Hürrem's horse was stabbed. She did it a few times in calm ways in season 1 and once or twice in season 2, but seeing her lose her temper even a little would have been satisfying. I think this could have more happened if they had stuck to actual history and Hafsa had come as a slave and not a princess.
Suleiman seeking more comfort in Hürrem
Suleiman was described as “weak” for Hürrem and it wasn’t really shown in his more emotional moments. The show expected us to be fine with his speeches and poems and see basic expressions of affection as “weakness.” When Ibrahim died, I would have really like to see him break down with Hürrem, his face in her stomach, the whole nine yards. He really just glared at her in that scene.
Hürrem and Suleiman being more of political and personal partners
In the show a lot he tells her to “mind her business” and “don’t get involved in things that don’t concern you.” He also blew her off and treated her like a child when she voiced certain concerns (his condescending little smiles made me feral). A big part of her legacy was being an advisor to him and their abilities to share with each other what they couldn’t share with others.
The real importance of Hürrem's new haseki status and what that meant
This was such a thing for me. Hürrem being the first with the haseki status was HUGE in the harem at the time but that whole story line was abandoned for the sake of rivalry between her and Mahidevran, which would have been there regardless. I hated seeing Hürrem curtsy to the sultanas in later seasons, especially in season 4 when Vahide was the actress. It was like having to watch Hafsa curtsy to anyone.
Mihrimah pulling away from Hürrem more during her engagement/marriage to Rüstem
"Yeah, I'm doing this for my brothers but do you expect me to happy about it? Gush and fawn over having a kid with a man who kind of repulses me? I have postpartum depression? I'm super unhappy so I can't imagine why." Like I've mentioned before, big fan of having a character's ego come back and bite them and I think Hürrem should have suffered more consequences for basically telling Mihrimah her happiness doesn't matter. She was a little delusional in S4, acting all coy, telling Mihrimah she still loves Rüstem and they would find their way back to each other. Girl...she never liked her husband, stop trying to act like her homegirl and push her to be happy in a marriage she would have rather died than be in.
Gülfem standing up to Hatice at least once
Hatice had a real high horse sometimes and even if she was insulting someone else, I could tell it made Gülfem feel a certain way because she was also a slave. This is yet another character I would have liked to see lose their temper in a more aggressive way. Like, girl, have some character development.
Some sort of resolution between Mihrimah and Esmahan
Mihrimah had pretty much know other girl her age to lean on, I think it would have been easier to invest inheritance character if you saw her break down maybe once with Esmahan instead of trying to be tough. Like when Esmahan went to comfort her before her wedding. Mihrimha’s fake tough persona in that moment seemed hollow and just like a young bratty kid. Or when Humasah was kidnapped.
Bali Bey manhandle the sultanas a little bit during their questioning about Hürrem's disappearance
I’m going to get a lot of flack for this one. I don’t mean him really putting his hands on the actresses, I mean like grabbing Şah's arm when she leaves. I like seeing haughty characters being taken down a peg. They would have seen they’re not as infallible as their status makes them feel.
More bonding between Gülfem and Hürrem at least once
Gülfem lost a child and saw what Mahidevran and Hürrem had to go through fearing for their own sons. Hürrem had the chance to pay Gülfem some sort of compliment on the balcony when Cihangir was sick, like "I'm not as strong as you." Out of character, but this is basically an OOC post.
Hürrem let some things take their natural course
Like when Mahidevran discharged Esma when she took charge of the harem. Suleiman would have caught on eventually that Hürrem was constantly unable to spend time with him due to taking care of 5 kids, or having to train brand new concubines.
Hatice being happy with her new husband
I really liked him.
Hatice getting some closure about Sadika
A big part of Hatice’s early character was her empathy for those below her (most of the time). She liked Sadika and wanted to see her happy and I’m sure Sadika had grown some affection for Hatice. I would have like to see Sadika write a letter to Hatice before attempting to murder Suleyman saying something along the lines of “I’m sorry for lying to you, my friendship with you was real but this was more important.”
Hürrem coming together with one of Suleiman's's sisters just as a fellow woman
Maybe when Lutfi hit Şah, Hürrem was there and Şah let her pull her up off the floor. They were all women and mothers stuck in a patriarchy.
Mahidevran give Helena permission to clap back at Fatma
In that scenes when Fatma was like "Did you really think you were going to marry him?" Saying something like, "At least he wanted to marry me" and Mahidevran laughing.
More affection between the concubines and other harem members and the royal kids
They were all raised in the same harem, I'm sad we didn't get to see some found family-ish dynamics. Those kids must have had a lot of "aunts and uncles" in the servants. I'm sure Mihrimah saw more than just one or two of the concubines as mother/aunt/sister figures, especially as the Sultan's only daughter.
A better ending for Gülfem
Because what the fuck was that?
Mihrimah going off on her aunts at least once
While she had to defer to them because they were older and was an unspoken respect thing, she could get away with talking to them a certain way more than maybe Hürrem could. "I know you're trying to kill my mother and that can't happen because then what happens to us?" or "I know you killed Nazil, who raised us, and you thought we'd never find out and see you differently? Stop acting like you give an absolute flying fuck about us when you know what will happen if our mother is killed or Mustafa becomes Sultan. This is war."
Hürrem showing more affection to adult Mihrimah
She absolutely had to defer towards her sons' safety, but sometimes she acted like she actively disliked her only daughter in S4.
Mihrimah not being a brat when she was young (S2)
It would have made her rise to power more impressive and more endearing. Sometimes older Mihrimah just seemed like a princess who had never been told no so she always expected to win.
Mahiedvran and Hürrem sharing one sincere hug
They had more things in common than not. They were both women, mothers, slaves stuck in a patriarchy and both could lose their sons with one decision from a man who has complete control.
Hürrem having more quietly pervasive PTSD symptoms.
She displayed plenty of symptoms like hyperarousal, emotional over-stress, emotional dysregulations, hypervigilance, etc, but a lot of symptoms can be more quietly sinister and they missed that chance. The symptoms they did display first and foremost took away from her character because we couldn't differentiate all the time between angry Hürrem and traumatized Hürrem. "She's angry and violent and irritable? Oh, that's jUsT HüRrEm."
More rank-opposite hand kissing
One trope I will forever and forever always live for is shows of deference opposite of rank. When Suleiman and Hatice kissed Afife's hand? Loved it. Suleiman kissing Hafsa's hand? Not totally the same, but kind of still love it.
Afife telling Şah and Hatice she was ashamed of them at least once
Would have rocked their shit. And you know she for sure was.
Mihrimah being happy with Taşlıcalı in the end
Probably the second most implausible head canon. They had both lost a lot and know what war costs, why not end up with another person who can empathize with your unique pain?
More of Gülfem and Hürrem's real historical relationship
Always going to touch on sticking to historical accuracy when I get a chance. Leslie Peirce touches on the fact that Gülfem was probably more of a mentor to Hürrem than she was in the show, guiding Hürrem through what was an unprecedented rise in the harem and, therefore, a huge and probably shocking rise in responsibilities that Hürrem didn't know how to manage on her own. Suleiman trusted Gülfem with Hürrem when he was on campaign and Gülfem was most likely there when Hürrem died. Instead of being the dynasty's emotional support pet in season 3, we should have seen her turn coats for the better.
Women lashing out at each other for their children and not for a man
The real reasons Mahidevran and Hürrem probably lashed out at each other the most was because the fratricide law dictated every facet of their lives. Love, sex and jealousy were not half as much on their minds as the show made it out to be. Let me see vicious mothers, not jealous girls.
Hafsa and Hürrem having one good hug
Self explanatory
More about Suleiman's late children
He had I think 2-3 children before Mustafa that all died of the plague that we never really heard about. And it would have given even more credence of the severity of Mahidevran trying to poison Hürrem when she was pregnant.
More about the entire royal family's grief and trauma with Sultan Selim I
That man was batshit and you hear offhanded comments such as "I see your father when I look at you" when Suleyman does something cruel. Go more into that. What was it like to fear for your life, your son's/brother's/uncle's lives? Selim I literally hunted half his family down and executed them. It would have given them so much more depth as characters.
Leo haunting Ibrahim
In the back of scenes, the blurry character the audience only just notices, the specter standing over this shoulder in a quiet room, the beating heart beneath the floorboards. The start of the death of his innocence given form, standing at the end of the hall as his body is being carried away. Fucking art.
Nigar being on Hürrem's side in season 3 and being totally psycho about it
I would like like to see Nigar regrow the brain cell she had in season 1, but maintained her scorched earth policy in season 3, but on Hürrem's side. Would have been great. Snapped: Harem Edition.
The Development of Esma and Hürrem's relationship
Esma was one of the harem girls Hürrem didn't like at the beginning of the first season and then she was one of the only people Hürrem ever trusted with her children. I would have liked to see that development, or at least the moment Hürrem chose Esma to be her kid's nanny.
