Caray, Caray!

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2025 MISS UNIVERSE
Watching the 2025 Miss Universe pageant right now on Telemundo.

It'll be quite interesting to see who'll become the 74th Miss Universe Titleholder tonight.

 

OT/2025 MISS UNIVERSE:
Congratulations to Fatima Bosch of Mexico on becoming the 74th Miss Universe Titleholder last night!

 

lejos

Dondi, good point about Cihan not realizing what might happen to Zeynep. He's part of this culture. I'm not. It didn't occur to me that they might kill their rejected daughter, or assume she'd no longer be pure from staying with the Alboras and not as a wife. Also, I of course needed to look up the term you used to describe Fidan. I came up with ungrateful cat. Maybe in Turkish it's more like the English word for female dog.

Anastasia, ITA about Alya being in a constant state of anger. She did choose to marry Cihan, and she's seen he's gone out of his way to let her have her space. I think it might be a good strategy to just ignore Sada since she's working so hard to get a rise out of Alya. OTOH it must be hard to have honored your husband's wishes to bury him where he was born and then discover that his family planned to hang onto your child.

Yes, Babachita, we are fortunate to have dondi's insight. We veterans of dizis have really appreciated her knowledge. ITA in that Cihan continually looks exhausted and I can understand why. He's trying to keep his clan above water financially. And he has to cope with his mother. We see the inner core of him in his time with Deniz and with his siblings.

Susan, so glad you're on board. Yes, Fatmagul was outstanding. I got the names of this one straight by finding out the name of the dizi in Turkish: Uzak Sehir and googling that. I recapped the premiere and it was vital to have those names for the first episode.
 

Lejos
In dizis, I often don't even know if a name is male or female . I've had students from Turkey , but I never learned Turkish. Now that I know most of the characters and the relationships, it will be easier for me to follow along .
It seems that Alya is softening toward Cihan as she notices the pressure he is under . Susan
 

"CASILLAS"
Kat in SC, Dondi356, Darcy, Susan, Novelera, Kirby, & Co: The slippery politician named Jaime Rosales is officially no more: Diana & Isturiz pushed Psycho Jaime over the balcony, where he went Lickety, Lickety SPLAT.

Let's just say Ismael was PISSED off when he found out about his unhinged cousin killing Jaime. Heads are going to roll BIG TIME!

Meanwhile, Victor AKA Terminator 3.0 is unstoppable & plotting more chaos in taking down the entire Casillas family.

Over at the National Palace, President Carmela finds out about Jaime's death on the news.

One of the local cops quits law enforcement in total disgust after Cifuentes' Lackey Soldier No. 1 gets out of prison scot-free courtesy of Lackey Soldier No. 2 & Co.,

Yes: that Nosy Annoying reporter is at it again with her over-the-top reporting OMG.

 

lejos

Novelera – thank you for all your outstanding recapping! I’ve been missing for a few days. (Upside to the beauty pageant: I’m up to installment #3 of Ken Burns. How far along are you? What a bloodbath!)

I’ve read all the excellent comments too. Fascinating discussion, great observations.

This dizi is taking up too much territory in my brain. Tuesday morning when I woke up I started worrying about Mine. Ha!

But I do worry about her. She’s really very sweet and look how lovely she is. Also, she has a great job. Cihan is totally using her. You’d think after her suicide attempt he’d set her free, but no, he returned, again without a smile or a kind word. Yes, he was temporarily distressed when she took the pills, but since then – nada. He’s just stringing her along with no consideration for her feelings. Of course she feels jealous! He wants her to be available for bedding and to otherwise keep her mouth shut. If this goes like most TNs she will start doing some sabotage and I for one won’t blame her. Run, Mine, run!

On to last night’s episode! Did you see when Alya was pursuing the young woman’s car how the road was freshly asphalted? I was thinking what a great road to move merchandise. But no, they drive around the rough lands that seem to be Cihan’s. Evading the police seems like.

When they get back from Alya rescuing the girl Cihan reproaches her. Look! Now his mother has won. He has so many worries and now this. (True – he does. He’s trying to get everyone to calm down and behave, which is of course a Good Thing.) But Alya just saved a girl’s life for heaven’s sake. And the girl was only in danger because of Sedakat’s machinations. Alya has many worries too – her son being taken from her, a MIL who would gladly kill her and even tried once, being stuck in this backwater where everybody is violent, having her career sabotaged etc. Don’t mention Canada again! Cihan orders her.

There’s a lot of ordering women to keep their mouths shut. It reminds me of the line from Lawrence of Arabia where one of the Bedouin chiefs said to Lawrence “You trouble me like women.”


 

lejos

And OT. Maggie, I have seen four of the episodes of The American Revolution and will likely finish over the weekend. I was shocked actually when I attended my book group on Thursday night. This is a group of very bright women. The book was The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. It's about the group Eleanor Roosevelt helped found, women who delivered library books to families on horseback during the Depression. It takes place in Kentucky and also touches on the abuses of the mining companies there. Anyway, out of 8 of us I was the only one watching Ken Burns' fabulous documentary. Someone said something about trying and finding it "slow". Have our brains been so corrupted that we can't appreciate long form information?

Interesting defense of Mine. I guess I'm responding the way I think the writers intend. She's clinging to a man who doesn't really love her and will surely gum up the works between Cihan and Alya soon.
 

lejos

Sorry for the delay. I'll have my Friday recap up tomorrow morning.

 

lejos
#22 part 1

Note: I did this recap from the original Turkish episode, so the translation will differ slightly from the Spanish.

The chase is on. Alya follows Zeynep’s family. Muzzafer calls Cihan, who is still with Mine. Cihan asks, why didn’t you stop her? Muzzafer says it happened so fast, but he’s following Alya. We’re on the way to Diyarbakir. Cihan rushes off without explaining to Mine.

Dilaver pulls off into an abandoned site. Alya follows and enters. She calls out for Zeynep. Zeynep cries out, dad, don’t do it! Dad, please! I swear I didn’t do anything. Muzzafer arrives at the site, with Cihan right behind him. They head into the building.

Dilaver has his gun aimed at his daughter. Zeynep continues to sob—it’s not my fault, dad, please don’t, I beg you. Neriman stands by and cries.

Alya finds the family and calls out to Zeynep, then to Dilaver, Stop! Stop! What are you doing?! Alya jumps in front of Zeynep. Put the gun down! You can’t do this to your own daughter. Dilaver does not lower the gun. He warns, stay out of this. Alya says she won’t leave until he puts the gun down.

Dilaver tells her that Zeynep was for Cihan, and that he sent her away because she wasn’t pure. Alya counters, don’t be foolish. This is not what you think. Put the gun down. Dilaver replies, everyone knows she became a bride. She can’t return. Alya refuses to leave.

Cihan and Muzzafer hear the commotion. They draw their weapons and head towards the argument. As they arrive on the scene, Alya plays the Albora card. I am the wife of Cihan Albora! If you hurt me, he won’t leave you alive!

Cihan tells Dilaver to lower the gun and Dilaver lowers his arm. He apologizes to Cihan, he didn’t know Alya was his wife. The lady (Sadakat) ordered us, he says, and we brought the girl. But you sent her back. We come from a big family, and the head (of the family) ordered this. She can’t be left alive. Cihan asks Dilaver to put his gun away and he complies. Neriman sinks down and weeps.

Your daughter never came into my bedroom, Cihan relates, she came as a guest and stayed as a guest. And now you will take the girl. Sir, we love and respect you, Dilaver replies, but our customs will not allow this to happen. Cihan insists they take Zeynep back. Dilaver stands firm.

Cihan turns to Alya, let’s go talk. He tells Muzzafer to stand by the girl. Cihan tells Alya they have to send the girl back. Alya refuses to do so. You heard him, she says, there’s an order for her execution. If we don’t do anything, he will kill his daughter. Please, we can’t let that happen.

Cihan gives in. Zeynep rushes into Alya’s arms and is whisked away. Cihan tells Dilaver they will talk about this later. Dilaver and Neriman nod. Cihan and Muzzafer leave. [I’ve noticed that Cihan calls Muzzafer “Ihtiyar”. It means old/elder. It’s from Arabic and implies a respect for experience and wisdom.] Cihan tells Muzzafer to take Zeynep and Alya will come with him.

Cihan asks Alya, so now you’re Cihan Albora’s wife? What’s the matter? You badmouthed me and called me cruel. But when you’re in trouble, then you’re an Albora? Alya says she had no other choice. Cihan continues, as if I have no other problems. Kaya. My mother. How could you run off after those people by yourself? She asks, what should I have done? The girl handed me that paper and I didn’t know what to do. I was scared, understand? Yes, he replies, but in this kind of situation you need to let me know.

 

lejos
#22 part 2

You weren’t home, Alya answers. You should have told Muzzafer, he says. It happened so fast, she replies, besides, Muzzafer let you know… wherever you were… What do you mean “wherever you were”, he asks. I didn’t know where you were, she says. He asks, why does it matter where I stay? You’re the one who asked me not to stay in the room. Why are you behaving like this? Alya responds, I only said I didn’t know where you were. Cihan says the question was implied in the statement.

Alya is annoyed. Nothing is implied, she says, go where you want, spend the night, I don’t care. I won’t bother you, you won’t bother me. Allah give me patience, Cihan replies, you’re putting yourself in danger, understand? What do we do with the girl? She will stay at the mansion, Alya replies. Cihan says she can’t. If we let her stay, she will be another weapon for my mother to use. Soon she will set up a harem for me. Alya snarks, fine, then you will be like Sultan Suleiman. You’ll live in pleasure.

They arrive at the Albora konak. Cihan asks Ummu to take Zeynep. Sada is sitting on the terrace and calls Alya. Mashallah, I see you’ve finally adapted to our customs. You ran after the girl and brought her back. Now you’ll live together like a happy family, right? No, Alya replies, have you no shame? If that girl returned home, they would have killed her, and you knew that. You have a daughter. How could you do something like that?

Sada approaches Alya. How could I? I wanted her to stay, didn’t I Cihan? She’ll be safe as long as she’s here. I don’t want her to be harmed. It would be a shame if something happened to her. And I’d love it if she gave me a grandchild. It’s my right. Cihan almost rolls his eyes into the back of his head. Sada walks away.

Cihan tells Alya, she (Sada) won, but what happened to you? You became a savior, an angel, and I’m the bad guy. Another burden. Another problem. Oh, please, she smirks, get a hold of yourself. I can’t, he replies, I need to focus on Kaya but I have to deal with these ridiculous problems. Here’s what will happen. This will get out of control. She’s (Sada) driven me crazy, and she’ll do the same to you. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Mine calls Cihan. What happened? I was worried. What could it be, he snarks, Alya ran to save my concubine, and I had to run after her, how about that? What! Mine answers, this is not the time for jokes. I’m worried. Do you think I’m in the mood for joking, Cihan asks. Mine pops up from her seat—a concubine? Is this China? Who is Alya taking? He tells her it’s a long story, and just forget it. He asks about Sedat. He’s still in the ICU, no changes. Call ends. A concubine? Just what I needed, Mine says.

Alya comforts Zeynep. Zeynep is grateful. She asks, what will happen to me now? Do I have to stay here? Alya says she will stay, and nothing will happen to her. We’ll figure it out. You’re not alone. Zeynep cries in Alya’s arms.

Kaya paces in his cell. Zerrin is in her room scrolling pics of Kaya. Sahin enters her room. How are you? Zerrin crie. She hugs her brother. That witch Fidan enters. Zerrin pulls away from her mother’s touch. Fidan says, I don’t know why you never listen to me. Look at us. I swear ever since I got married, in all this time, I haven’t smiled once. Know why? Because of Sadakat. Now she’s manipulating you both, and you don’t realize it. How can you be so blind? Sahin leaves the room. Fidan tells Zerrin she will no longer attend school, and she can’t leave her room. That’s her punishment.

 

lejos
#22 part 3

Cihan tells Alya he will drive her to work today. Muzzafer and Kadir are already at the police station. Sada wants Cihan to make sure that Kaya is tried and released. To dig at Alya she adds, just like you did when Alya shot you.

Deniz comes with a kite. He wants to fly it with Uncle Kaya. He promised. Cihan says Kaya will be back soon. Deniz wants to fly it now. Alya tells him she will fly it with him when she comes back from the hospital. Deniz doesn’t like that idea. I never go out, he complains, and you’re at work a long time. Uncle Cihan is always busy, Uncle Kaya isn’t here, I’m bored.

Sada suggests that Deniz should go out with her. Both Cihan and Alya object. Sada says that Alya should take care of Deniz instead of treating other people. The boy feels abandoned. Alya tells Deniz, let’s go fly that kite now. Cihan asks her, do you know how? He offers to help. Sada nags him, you need to go the police station. Kite flying ensues anyway. It’s a nice scene. You’d think they were a happy family.

Song: Daha Gidecek Yolumuz Var/We Still Have a Way to Go - Şevval Sam
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2xZNFG1HpE&t=4682s
The lyrics are pinned and you can click translate.

Sahin calls Nare. Are you okay? Yes, she answers, why are you calling? I wanted to hear your beautiful voice, he replies. Don’t do this to me, she says, don’t call me anymore. We never talk, he tells her. I can’t, she says, forget what happened at the hospital. Can you, please? He tells her he’s coming to Mardin to see her. Don’t do it, she replies, I can’t see you anymore. Promise me. She hangs up.

Cihan asks Alya if she’s very late. You’d be happy if I was fired, she snaps back. She grudgingly thanks him for flying the kite. He replies, since when do you thank me? Stop it, she says. Ok, he answers, I don’t want to fight anymore. I’ll just say this, you’re not the only one who worries about Cihan (jr).

Alya wants Deniz to go to preschool. Cihan says no way. She asks why I will not follow your orders. I want him to be in school because I work. He’s suffocating at the mansion, and your mother wants to take advantage of that. I’m scared she’ll do something that changes my son. Cihan says he’ll go out with the boy. Alya replies that Cihan doesn't have time and besides Deniz should be with kids his own age. He went to school in Toronto and played with his friends. He’d go to the park or movies. Friends are important at their age.

Cihan says it’s risky. Did you forget Demir tried to kidnap him? Just because you work at his hospital doesn’t mean his hate has gone away. And there could be others after Cihan jr. Remember we still don’t know exactly what happened to Boran. It was an accident, Alya snaps. We need to take precautions, Cihan warns. Alya insists it was an accident. Demir didn’t do it, and the case was closed. Accept it.

Cihan won’t budge. Deniz isn’t going to school. Alya asks, then what do we do when he’s old enough to study? He replies, well see about that when he’s older. I’ll figure it out, don’t worry. Cihan doesn’t want to discuss it any longer, his mind is on Kaya.

 

lejos
#22 part 4

Alya says she’s thinking about Kaya, too, but she also has to think about Deniz. We are trapped in this city, she says. Am I here for you? If this is so overwhelming, then let me go. We will return to Canada. Cihan stops the car. He tells Alya, never bring up Canada again. Never. He resumes driving and drops Alya off at work.

Mine comes out and gets in Cihan’s car. What are you doing here, she asks. Dropping Alya off, he replies, is that a problem? No. He asks if there’s news about Sedat. No. Cihan says he needs to leave. She asks about that “other woman”. He says he’ll fix that. How? Cihan is annoyed. Alya doesn’t care, he answers, why do you care, Mine? I’m the one you’re sleeping with, she replies, that’s why I care. You married Alya, but I’m your lover, remember? I remember, he says, and I told you I’d fix it. He tells her he really needs to go.

A phone rings. But it’s not Cihan’s phone, it’s Alya’s. She left it in his car. Since he’s still there, Alya says she’ll come to get it. Mine tells Cihan to give her the phone and she’ll give it to Alya. He says no, then she will know we are together. Are you really that scared, she asks. They start to argue over it. She accuses him of having no feelings for her. He’s adamant about not being seen together. He insists that she gets out of the car. Mine exits in the nick of time.

Alya comes to the car and Cihan gives her the phone. There’s a snarky exchange and she asks why he hasn’t left yet. He tells her he ran into a friend. She says she’ll let him know if she hears anything about Sedat.

Mine returns and asks Cihan, so what if she had seen me? She will never see you, he replies. Why not, Cihan? Listen Mine, he answers, I forced her to marry me against her will. I’ve hurt her a lot and I don’t want to cause her more pain. Cause her pain? She asks, why would knowing this hurt her? If she doesn’t care about that other woman, why would she care about me? [I agree.] Mine asks for the truth. Then she says, you’re scared that if she finds out, she won’t care. You’re worried that she won’t be jealous. Cihan leaves.

Ozkan is driving and thinking about the pic of Nare and Sahin that Demir sent. He calls Nare. She asks, have you landed? Yes, he says, are you home? Yes. He asks, are you alone? Yes, why? Am I not allowed to ask, he replies. Who else would be here, she asks. He just thought she might not be alone.
Don’t be ridiculous, Nare says, you don’t even ask how I am. I’m pregnant and Kaya was arrested. Ozkan mocks her. He hopes Kaya never gets out of jail. I’m coming home, we need to talk, he tells her. Nare says she’s going to see her brother. Ozkan is angry. Wait for me because we need to talk! She asks, what’s going on? You’ll understand when I get there, he replies. [this doesn’t bode well for Nare.]

Alya walks by Sedat’s room. The police leave. Demir is there. He tells her not to worry. Sedat is out of the ICU. It must be a relief to know he’s alive. Not only for his family but for the Alboras, too. The bad news is that Sedat gave his statement and said Kaya intentionally shot him.

 

lejos
#22 part 5

Alya walks away and tries calling Cihan. Unavailable. Mine turns down the same hallway while on the phone with Cihan. She heard about Sedat’s statement, and it’s bad for Kaya. She doesn’t realize that Alya is somewhere behind her. I don’t know if Alya was close enough to hear what Mine said but she seemed to make a connection.

Cihan shares this news with Muzzafer and Kadir. This was expected. Cihan calls Alya after seeing her missed call. She tells him Sedat is out of the ICU and gave a statement against Kaya. Cihan says he knows, he’s waiting outside the station. Talk later. Alya is surprised.

Kaya is brought outside. Sadakat arrives and rushes to him. The cops load him in the car. Cihan tells his mom they are taking Kaya to the hospital for a checkup before court. Sada snarls at Cihan, you were supposed to stop this. You were supposed to get him out! I will, he replies, don’t worry. Sada hisses, may Allah punish that Zerrin! May He punish them all!

Fidan enters Zerrin’s room. Defend that bloodsucker all you like, she tells her daughter. We have good news. Sedat gave his statement and said Kaya shot him intentionally. Zerrin thinks she’s lying. Fidan says Kaya was taken to the hospital and then they’ll take him to court. With a little luck, they will arrest him and place him at Ecmel’s feet in prison.

Zerrin grabs her coat and dashes out of the room. Fidan shouts after her. Zerrin runs out the konak door and down the street. Fidan tells the guards to stop her. Miraculously, a taxi appears out of nowhere and Zerrin gets in. To the hospital! Zerrin calls Alya, Kaya is about to arrive at the hospital. He was ordered there for a check up. Can you help him? Alya says she can’t, he’s being taken to the state hospital. Zerrin is frantic. Maybe you could ask the other doctors to help him. Kaya really needs your help. Alya is sorry, but there’s nothing she can do. Zerrin begs for help. I need to see Kaya. Alya says she has to hang up, but don’t worry.

The Alboras show up at the hospital. Erol is already there. Sada wants to see Kaya. They won’t allow it, Erol says, but let me see what I can do. Uh oh, Mine shows up. I wanted to know if you need anything. Cihan replies for show, thank you, Mine Hanım, may Allah be pleased with you. Sada sneers at Mine and walks between her and Cihan.

Wow, through the magic of dizi teleporting, Alya manages to bring Zerrin to the state hospital to see Kaya. The doctor there says Zerrin only has 2 minutes. The door opens and Zerrin flies into Kaya’s arms. He tells her not to cry. She asks, what if you go to prison? With you in my arms, I’m invincible, he replies, I’ll return to you. I’ll never leave you. Time is up. Kaya needs to go. The police are on their way.

Alya brings Zerrin out of another door as the police enter Kaya’s room. They run into the Alboras. It’s a shock for all. Cihan looks at her—Alya? She says, I let Zerrin see Kaya. Sada blows up—you let her in when I haven’t been able to see my son?! How could you? Sada raises her arm to deliver the Ottoman slap to Alya. Cihan stops her.

And we are out.