Once one is accustomed to the Turkish series/dizi industry and understands that it is huge business with dozens of series running concurrently with massive competition for ratings, it is great to recognise when something has that extra brilliance. Given that audiences like some melodrama, plenty of emotions and rivalries, guns being popped out of suit pockets, anger and tenderness in contrast and invariably the presence of obscenely rich tycoons (often dallying in criminal fraud) and glamorous women who presumably do lift a finger to do a little work at times, it is possible that some very special stories can be found. That this series was based on books (which I have not read) doesn't necessarily guarantee good script-writing but the casting and script here is fine. There are some dashes of humour too.
Two distinct qualities in Merhamet are the heavy use of retro-recall; amber tones delving into past chldhood/youth life of the country town and its very deep-seated struggles, then the present story resolutions in 2013 Istanbul. Sometimes this seems to drag out, but later on it does offer important 'fill-ins' about what each of the lead couple andh several others had emerged from, before Istanbul days. The note states 1996. This is incorrect. It is 'the present' in 2013-plus.
The second dominant quality of Merhamet is that the lead actors earn the greatest commendation for their playing of double roles, teen-age and 30s adulthood - have not received rave reviews for the writing, acting and especially directing skills Magic. That Ibrahim Celikkol in real-life is a superbly-built handsome 30s+ aged man, could act and be assisted by excellent direction, and make-up/hair work convey accurate demeanour and persona as the naive, not-a-care-in-the world son of a very wealthy tycoon in their country ranch, and switch multiple times to wonderful effect as a presently successful Istanbul professional who for years had hollowness in his life because the love-life of his youth with Narin had totally vanished without trace. That is until Narin showed up by chance in top-end professional circles in Istanbul.
So much water had gone under the bridge and so much stress, grief and confusion had to be addressed if this erstwhile once so-loving late-teenage couple would ever re-capture what the audience could see is an essential outcome of the series. The actor playing Narin is illuminating. She from childhood is a top academic achiever, feisty, courageous, emotionally charged and desperate to do her best from way back for family, friends - often exhausting herself in the process. She goves a powerful characterisation. Expect plenty of raised passion in the voice - so be it! Sweetness is there too.
A wonderfully moving series, as long as cultural diverse nuances are embraced, as the audiences in this series (and all others in Turkey) are made for its own audiences who value much more dramatic, emotional story-telling - but experience over many dizi, has taught me to sometimes be alert for sometimes ambivalent Finales.
The look of Turkey, in every series I've seen, is like a Tourist advert for gorgeous Istanbul with Bospherus Suspension bridges, or the Maiden Tower from beautiful vantage points in every establishing shot, many foreshore scenes and various outpost destinations - contrasting with the country town poverty and simplicity. Many an overseas viewer might find themselves planning to visit this fascinating country. Let yourself be captured by this series.
