Elveda Rumeli

The first comment above provides an excellent overview of the series.

While the characters may be stereotypical, they are portrayed in an intelligent and sophisticated manner.

The writers have walked the fine line of tragedy and comedy when illustrating the tragic consequences of the fanatic nationalism that was sewn among the people of the Balkans by third parties in a brilliant way and have sensitively portrayed all parties. Villains and heroes can be found among all of the groups portrayed.

I too hope that appropriate English subtitles are added for wider distribution. However, much of the best humour requires an understanding of the cultures and old proverbs, but may come across if the dialogue is carefully translated to maintain context rather than literal meaning. A literal translation of the dialogue would be a disservice to the phenomenal work of these writers.

As one viewer wrote elsewhere, "It's incredible. As I watch each episode, I laugh, I cry, I laugh, I cry and then I laugh some more." It's one of the most moving and intelligent series on television today.