Medianoche en el Pera Palace

A time-travel murder mystery set predominately in 1919 Istanbul. It doesn't take itself too seriously, the plot is well handled - for the most part, pretty decent acting and some nice scenery. Most importantly, the characters are likeable and by the end I was up for a second series.

Began watching with zero expectations, wavered a few episodes in but glad I persevered. It seemed a bit all over the place to begin with, but I gradually learned to trust the writers knew where they were going. There are some neat twists and turns and points where it was initially confusing - only to be resolved quite satisfyingly.

It features a strong female lead, notably, a character with strengths and weaknesses - it makes some mild feminist points without being woke or overbearing (other writers could learn something here). Not sure how historically accurate any of it is (it is a time travel story after all) and it does delve into some intriguing alternative history.

The Brits don't come out of it too well - something of a common theme lately, but it's inoffensive stuff.

It's a good story with twists wrought by time jumps which initially might tend to confuse the viewer. For a while, the story wavers before picking up pace towards the latter third of the show.

A story that links Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk is invariably fascinating as Turkey is a fascinating country. The story takes place just 4 years before he becomes the first president of the Republic of Turkey.

The set design and costumes are amazing. Meticulous effort has been expended to capture the tone and vibes of the period.

Hazel Kaya and Tansu Bicer are a good team, and the viewer avidly follows their extraordinary adventure.

Love the story & setting. Beautifully filmed!!! A serious subject matter, and the moments of comedy, very well timed. It does help to know a little history to follow this series. Stay alert & focus because the back and forth through portal of time can get confusing. NOT A COPY of Outlander! Give this a chance. The styling and hair for Hazal Kaya, is not so good, took away from her acting, so distracting. I know the role is a young, mess of a woman, yet the styling still fails her. We can give her a break. Male lead, perfect, and the hotel manager fantastic. Turkish film making is fantastic, stories and everything else! Why do people compare this to shows like Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones, they are totally different, and depends what kind of movies you like. It is not a fair comparison.

The cinematography, production and quality is quite good as a Turk I can confirm that this is one of the best fantasy-historical Turkish series I've ever seen. On the first 3 episodes It lacks something that I can't really describe. Maybe she isn't shocked enough to be in a different period of time? Or she isn't aware of the risk she takes? Something makes it odd about actress but overall it's SO GOOD definitely recommend!

Don't mind the negative comments too much. . This is not a serious time travel movie but more a past - present time mixed fantasy kind one. Early 1900's istanbul scenes mixed with the late 20th century pop music is the one example. I am being a time travel movies fan, I have seen many American or western films of this kind but when a turkish film becomes to have the similar plot and the narrative style, the Turkish audience rejects it. The Turks would have appreciated this film if it had been of Western origin but they only criticizes this film because it belongs to their same country. A strange characteristic paradox. Hazal Kaya with her joyful childlike acting deserves more positive comments I think in a fantastic kind film and fits his role very well and both the photography and the staging and the cinematography are as fabulous as the costumes of the time. Also the interesting plot with a curious continuity. Don't wait for a masterpiece but there are many things to enjoy you inside.