Resurrection: Ertugrul

My sons and I have been watching this show for a month now. We watch a couple of episodes a night. Being a Roman Catholic and also my love for history this show is excellent. No one was perfect, the Crusaders did was they thought was right, the Mongols and their dreams, but the Turks were fighting for their very existence and a land to settle. This show has everything and Hayme Ana looks so much like my late mother that at times I cannot hold back my tears. Enjoy this wonderful production.

First let me start by telling readers that I have never written a review for a movie or series. Second, let me say this... I'm a Texan all my life- lived in the country growing up - and the city during my adult life. I never knew much about Muslims or their faith, and to tell you the truth - I never cared to know. Third, I have never watched a foreign movie- and friends/family thought I was crazy for having to read everything that was said by each character. I don't even know how I ended up watching this except for one day I was board and starting looking at previews. I watched the preview and went straight to season 1, episode 1. Once it started ... I was hooked!!! I couldn't stop watching it. I watched it every chance I could get. That's all I thought about was trying to get home so I could watch the next episode. I binged watched most every night and sometimes it was filled with so much drama and excitement that I couldn't turn it off and go to sleep. The production, the sword fighting, the music, the drama was action packed every moment. The actors where unbelievably good! One thing that I can definitely say, if most Muslims are like the character and his family in this series- what a loving, caring, religion it is. It shocked me how much their religion played a part of their everyday life. Praying all the time, always trying to follow their religious convictions and "their cause." Everything about the series was just magnificent! From the script, to the characters, to the unbelievable music throughout- it was done by the best of the best! I learned so much about the history of these Turkish people and I know from reading and studying about the making of this series, that they had the best historians and professors that helped put all the information and historical facts together. It is fiction, but most of the history is true. They added story lines to make it like a drama. I almost cried when I realized that season 5 was the last season. I quickly googled to try and see if they would pick back up and continue a season 6 sometime soon. There was talk about doing it but nothing has transpired as of yet. However, the main characters (Ertugrul) youngest son Osman, was made out to be a world power as he got older. They had dreams about how great of a leader he would be and powerful. Apparently they have a spin off of this series which Osman ends up starting the Ottoman Empire as he grows older. It was mentioned that is was not on Netflix yet, but you could see it on YouTube. It was aired recently on Turkish television and was very popular with the viewers. So I googled it and read a lot of history on this leader. Just amazing. And this series is back in the time frame of the 1200- 1400's. Back when their was fierce fighting over land and tribes - as they migrated to find peaceful lands - which didn't seem to ever happen. Just amazing history, and amazing culture and religion. It really did open my eyes and I have a totally different view of this culture now- even though I'm Christian. Please please watch this series. I hope you will be hooked just like I was and continue to watch and learn. Just wish it wouldn't end! Season 5 has 88 episodes... I watched 81-87 last night and this morning and stopped. I just can't bring myself to watch the very last one right now. Lol.

As a man, I love this series for the adventure and fighting and great plot. Not to forget the great costumes - extremely well done.

However, the biggest surprise I had was falling in love with Mother Hayme, the mother of the lead character and matriarch of the tribe.

I can easily say I have never seen a role of a strong, traditional motherly figure portrayed this well in any film or TV series. She is a strong figure that forms the backbone of her tribe - honoring her husband's lead role, but never afraid to point him in the right direction if he makes a mistake. Any time he is absent, she takes control and makes sure the tribe has sound leadership. Not to mention how she guides her sons through their difficulties and fights. Solid acting and all around great character!

Oh and Ertugrul is pretty cool too! ;)

Most excellent entertainment offering a wide range of pleasures for the viewer to partake in. History, adventure, love, intrigue, drama, costumes, suspense, betrayal, life, death, with very well captured living styles for back then from herding animals to making clothing and goods, weapons and their daily diet too. Interaction on a grand scale not only with their fellow tribesman but with all cultures and peoples friendly or not is realistically acted out with the end result being that the viewer is captured and held from episode to episode. Have you ever watched something so good that you wished it wouldn't end? How about you wanted more and there was none? Relax here completely for there are so many continuing sagas that have so much going on that one not only gets lost in them but if you let go entirely, you forget its being acted and directed out and have no trouble that this live history as it was and is. What greater entertainment is that? You will take a side of your choosing with the different actors and characters and learn to love and hate with them and one thing this movie dishes up well is suspense and not far behind is the second best thing they do which is to allow you to see those that have it coming get their comeuppance. In fact you cant wait but it comes in due time thus the viewer remains ready for the hook and that hook comes with satisfaction and closure. But wait, another injustice goes down and the whole tug on your emotions begins again. Well done to all actors in this movie. They wore their hearts on their sleeves and gave all they had making it extra-ordinary and exceptional. Notice too the beautiful horses of all colors and how well they perform awe natural. What they didn't spend in lavish backgrounds, thousands of extras and set pieces they more than made up for in story telling and allowing the viewer to travel along without effort. Highly recommend eating during some of these episodes as they eat meat, bread, feta cheese, porridge's, rich fresh milk and dried fruits. Have more than one snack standing by as well with a tasty drink. Great movie for sunflower seeds or pistachio nuts. Do you want to know what it was like back then and there? Start watching and prepare to be unprepared for this is not your casual viewing experience but a more intimate one. Added bonus? I learned a little Arabic and quite bit about early Islam and its practices. These people loved God and included him in everything. Humility abounds! Enjoy!

Netflix suggested I watch this based on having watched The Last Kingdom and other sword costume sagas. I was expecting a show that was cheesy and predictable by western standards. Instead I was impressed by the plot twists and the manly heroism of the earthy, charismatic Ertugrul, a total bad ass warrior. I'm still in the middle of it and have found myself strangely hooked by the catchy Turkish theme music, the beautiful Halime, and Turkish tribe politics.