The Exchange

Loved it! Glad it was scripted as a typical rom-com just set in a different culture. It's based on the real life struggles of Kuwaiti women to fully participate in society and use their own voices.

In short, it's a combination of 9 to 5 and Thelma and Louise set in Kuwait in the late 80s. Great, acting, good script, good seeing the fight against misogyny, societal pressures, cultural change. Think of the US and the changing role of women from the 1950s to the 1970s.

There's comedy and drama in this series I laughed and cried, sometimes at the same time.

A very good series to binge watch. I hope the writers can expand the story with a season three. The storyline and characters deserve that.

Everyone talking about the series being suppressive for women hasn't lived in a society of such. This is a reality. This is how our communities used to be (or most of it). We look back at it because we no longer live it and we are of owe of it. I don't see you commenting on Malcom X movie with the same? This doesn't encourage sexism, it exposes it and how backwards it used to be. We are glad we are out of it. But we also acknowledge that some women still love it till this day. We pray to them to stay strong and that they need to resist and keep believing that better days are coming and they are capable to change.

This series breaks all the norms in Kuwaiti cinema/tv. Be proud of an amazing show.

Fabulous! A great, highly addictive production. Wonderful acting and storyline. I was gripped from Episode 1 and was really drawn into the lives of all the characters and cared about what happened to them. It is so good to watch a TV series with old-fashioned values but which feels very modern. Series 1 is exciting and humorous with heart-wrenching twists: a wonderful combination. I can't see online if Series 2 is planned but hope so much that it is. I miss the charactters and would love to watch what happens to them next! Thank you so much, Netflix! A hugely enjoyable TV Series. Well done to everyone involved! The Exchange rocks!

In 1987, many micro revolutions happened around the world with the gender equality effort. This honest and moving tale of a woman's courage to hide her defeats and put downs including her closest family member goes beyond the theme of Saudi society or women's equality cause. It's the story of all women who have tried to do the right thing by their family, husband and children.

Brilliant scriptwriting. Also, the camaraderie and humor between genders is unique to Arab society and if to the westerners Arab women seem oppressed, you should know that they are also admired, respected and feared because strength, beauty and intelligence are respected more than in our western modern world. So please don't be quick to judge in these reviews.

Looking forward to Season 2-3-4 and 5. Shukran.

I truly enjoyed watching Farida and Munira's sisterly rivalry and camaraderie and I loved watching them deal with the patriarchy and win. In S1 the story felt more authentic and groundbreaking. From being unable to open her own bank account to becoming a successful trader, it was such an adventure for Farida. Munira + Saud, what amazing chemistry they have. You can feel it crackling every time they so much as look at each other.

In S2 it starts to get a bit stale though. Why won't Munira move out on her own when her parents are treating her as a burden? Why is Farida still stuck dealing so often with her abusive ex and his awful mother, plus can't stand up to her own overly critical mother? The two cousins have the money and the success to be independent, maybe they could've moved out and shared a house along with Jude, but they're not quite allowing themselves to be free. How come the now older Jude isn't any wiser about how much better a parent her mother is obviously, compared to her emotionally absent dad? Most importantly for me lol, why isn't Munira plus Saud given more screen time?

I'd give S1 9/10 and S2 5/10. I want an S3 but please return with more of the two main ladies and let them both win more at life and actually enjoy their success. I love their characters and they deserve it.