Kizilcik Serbeti

First of all the life styls between two extremist ideology (Islamic and secular) are depicted wisely but that doesn't mean scriptwriter handls it good. Supreme islamist family's way of living is totally fine but the way of using language is irritating. Just like in many other Turkish soap operas, there are lots of illogical events but the amount of it gets increased. If you live in a Muslim country, you are well aware of the many situations that is "handled" in the tv series but on which side you belong affects how you see the events in the tv serie but if you in the middle, then you will be totally irritated by the behaviors of the two sides.

Overall, I like this show and certain characters are a joy to watch. Hats off especially to the actors who play Nursema and Omer (outstanding acting). However, the male lead Fatih has been a major problem from the start. Because of him, I don't enjoy the show as much as I want to. I also don't like the actor playing him -- he lacks charisma and has no chemistry with the female lead who plays Doga.

Fatih is a very unlikeable character who has no respect or empathy for his pregnant wife Doja. These two don't even seem to like each other so I am not sure why they are together. Fatih is mentally (and borderline physically) abusive. He keeps stressing Doga out and always puts his family over her. Now he's cheating (at the FIRST opportunity).

I don't care how much Fatih begs or what he does after this, he's irredeemable and cannot be trusted. I hope the writers give Doja back her self-respect by divorcing her from this poor excuse for a man. There should be no reconciliation -- but I won't be surprised if the writers reunite them (Turkish writers are notorious for doing this).

It started off so well, great cast, beautiful sets and engaging storyline but the way it ended was just heartbreaking! I mean what was the writer thinking ? So many questions were left unanswered, so many characters left to the imagination of the viewers. Sad that such a promising series ended the way it did. What was the rush to end it so abruptly? I'm sure the viewers would've liked to know the fate of the lead roles, how does the senior couple resolve their conflict? Did the writer run out of a storyline? Or was he forced to write a haphazard ending ? We the viewers will never know why we were left left guessing but it was not fair to the viewers.

First of all, there's no ideology in the film, for both sides, it's more like a tradition and culture. If you're expecting a mind-changing show that makes you question weather Islam is better than secularism or not, just don't watch it! Because coming to the second point,

This is the most unrealistic story and unrealistic characters I've ever seen. Even in Japan, people would know that alcohol is Haram(forbidden) for Muslims, but somehow in Istanbul, Kivilcim sees it as absurd!? The unrealism of Kivilcim doesn't stop there, she's a 40+ year old, stubborn, very strict woman who suddenly changes into a compassionate, merciful, adaptable and loving character faster than the change of a teenager. Are you serious? She also acts so against religion since the beginning, even before meetingbthe pious Unal family. You may think she has endured some kind of religious trauma, faced some bad tempered religious people, or was a religious person once before becoming secular(non-religious). But she was not. This seemingly deep character who has a strong case against religion and Islamic conservatives, not only doesn't have any trauma or bad memories related to religion, but also doesn't even know much about it. She has been raised by seculars, married a secular and in her whole life, she was never exposed to bigotry until she met the Unals.

Omer, Fatih, Doga... It's not only about the characters, the story line is forcing the limits of comedy. No spoilers- but you know what I mean.

And on top of it, even the ages of the characters CHANGED during the show! In the first episode, Doga says that she's 20 years old and doesn't need her mother's permission anymore. Doga gets pregnant while she's a 20 years old dentistry student, and she has a younger sister who studies high school, Cimen. She turns 18 in the first season. Doga gives birth, and shortly after, Cimen has an older lover, and Cimen's and her friend Metehan's age suddenly change to 21! I can't believe how no one noticed it.

The only thing I like about this show, the only thing I find realistic is seeing how the characters are trying to find who they really are and where they fit in the world, what is right and what is wrong, how to be. This isn't something we see often in movies and shows but a lot of people in real life can relate to feeling alien and trying to do the right thing. As an adventurous traveler, who has traveled far and wide since a young age, I can relate to these culture shocks.

But also it's weird that no one questions, maybe the other side is right? Maybe Islam is wrong? Or maybe Islam is right? Especially, Doga. The only truely characterless person in this show is Doga. She's way too bendable and never thinks! It's as if she's only living instinctively.

The constantly changing storyline, the comedy-like absurdities, the dissonance of the personalities of the characters, and most importantly, no psychological or philosophical theme is why I consider this show a huge disappointment.

P. S.: The funniest thing is that on every episode, you see a text that goes: Based on a true story.

I was bored one day and thought of seeing the first episode of this series, more because of Sila being in it. Best decision ever, it blew my expectations and I've enjoyed each second of it. Great plot, excellent cast and good direction. Writing never gets boring, story progresses fast and characters don't act irrationally. It's the story of millions of women in the eastern world, a breath of fresh in the dizi world. 20 excellent episodes so far.

I had my doubts at first, thinking it would be a story washed with Muslim morale, never expected it to be one that would expose the hypocrisy, the wrong and the right, the lack of humanity and empathy of the conservative world too busy to put on a show for the world but very cold and ruthless inside.

Also it exposes many aspects of the so called modern society, lack of tolerance and blown bridges of communication.

I recommend this series if you want an insight in what the clash of two lifestyles is like.