Caray, Caray!

lejos

I'm responding to the excellent comments that followed my Wednesday recap.

Thanks a bunch, dondi, for filling in Cihan's convo with Alya about their giving Deniz a happy family. I watch with Spanish subtitles, but Telemundo's are far inferior to Uni's. Sometimes they only show 20% of what the character just said. Sometimes I can fill in the rest using logic. Sometimes not.

You know what, I actually kind of bought Fiko's self-defense about having sold Alya for her own good. Maybe the actor is good or maybe I have a soft spot in my heart for "fallen women". Of course, she could have let her leave for free, but that would be unlikely for someone like Fiko, constantly scratching for a living.

I always zone in and make a mental note, dondi, on your uncanny predictions. In this case I'm thinking of the prediction that the rotund man partially shown in Fiko's flashback could matter going forward.

Babachita, I really enjoyed your comment about your dawning awareness of the misogyny in this part of Turkey. I suppose I've sort of just adapted to the way things are shown in Mardin and wondered why Alya didn't catch on faster to the cultural norms there.

Maggie, you're our conscience! You made a very good point about the risk to Deniz growing up with weapons and clan warfare.

Anastasia, you called our attention to the fact that the whole staff couldn't put their heads together and remember Deniz begging to take those carrots to Firfir. But then TNs and dizis are the same in many ways. They are experts in hooking us with some danger to our favorite people in the programs, so we'll keep watching.
 

"CASILLAS"
Howdy from the Alamo City, CarayCaray Family. Here's my super-short recap of last night's episode:
Dondi356, Babachita, Halimacandy, Kat in SC, Kirby, Darcy & Co:
*We see Jaguar violently raping the young girl inside the guesthouse: using his belt in constraining her, then raping her from all angles, etc., both were naked & barefoot during this scene.

*Bloodthirsty Rancho & Crazy Lucy are NUTS. I'm waiting for them to get killed off at some point.

*Hothead Diana still in the cage like a dog.

*Little Miss Buji manages to find a taxi & escape from danger earlier in the episode, she arrives at her mother's office. Ismael & Lizzie ask Little Miss Buji about what happened & other details.

*We see one of the trackers from the backpack of Little Miss Buji being activated, etc.,

*Following the violent rape, we see the young girl traumatized after Jaguar is done violently raping her.

*Crazy Vic & Carlos leave Ofelia's apartment. I think it's safe to say that Ofelia won't be around long once Tiberio & Co., kill her.

*Enfredia speaks with President Carmela over the phone & scolds the President over something I couldn't comprehend.

*One of Rancho's lackeys manages to place one of the cell phones for Hothead Diana to get, before he hurriedly leaves the torture chamber. Lucy is suspicious.

*Slippery Horacio is still Slippery. He's still pissed off about Hothead Diana & Paco having sex, etc.,

*Earlier in the episode, we see General Cifuentes walking in on the private conversation between Roberta & Ligia. I wonder how long before he puts two & two together about them?

*Lucy has her lackeys to hunt down Paco & Angela. It appears both Paco & Angela won't be around much longer (I personally want them GONE).

 

"CASILLAS"
Howdy from the Alamo City, CarayCaray Family. Here's my super-short recap of last night's episode.

*We're still in the Ultimas Semanas stage & lots of things happening. We see Ismael, Lizzie, Skinny & Co., rescuing the traumatized girl who was raped by Jaguar (who escapes of course).

*Paco manages to rescue Angela in the nick of time, because he kicks the two scumbags' butts, when everyone else kicks the scumbags non-stop. Angela just stands there, I'm yelling at the TV "HAUL A*** & call law enforcement".

*Speaking of law enforcement, they manage to get there as well to arrest the two scumbags.

*Hothead Diana still in the cage like a dog. I don't see any hope of seeing her being rescued at this point, unless there's a twist.

*Leo, Isidro & Computer Hacker Sidekick searching for La Mamba's whereabouts.

*Bloodthirsty Rancho & Crazy Lucy both need to die violent deaths ASAP.

 

lejos #56

Some highlights from Thursday’s show.

We were correct, Cihan didn’t shoot Ugur but he left him tied up in the cave.

Deniz was found wandering by the water. He falls in and Cihan makes a daring rescue.

Deniz wants to be Cihan’s son. He starts calling him “baba” instead of “amca”. The boy gets Cihan to lie down in the bed with him and Alya.

We were correct again, Mine is 8 weeks pregnant! What will she do?

Demir deliberately takes Zerrin to a restaurant where Kaya, under watchful eye of Kadir, is drowning his sorrows. Demir makes a big show and gives her an expensive necklace for her birthday. Zerrin makes it look like she’s really with Demir to avert a confrontation.

Later, Zerrin sneaks into Demir’s bedroom, she climbs on top of him and tries to stab him. There’s a struggle and, unfortunately, it’s only a minor wound to Demir. Nadim rushes in and wants to kill Zerrin, but Demir tells him not to do it.

Sada asks Hasan to find out where Cihan is hiding Ugur. Hasan asks her not to do anything behind Cihan’s back. She’s not going to take his advice.

Deniz tells Sada at breakfast that he cuddled in bed last night with “Mom and Dad.” The whole family plus Ummu and Pakize are surprised. Deniz calls Cihan “Dad”. Sada is pleased. It means that Deniz has accepted his future as an Albora. Cihan says don’t make a big deal of it.

Sada brings up more unpleasant subjects at breakfast. She’s unhappy about Sahin’s new business ventures. She tells Cihan “to do what he needs to do” regarding Ugur. Alya is horrified.

Sada tells Kaya she’s going to look for a bride for him.

Alya gets a call from Fiko’s doctor. She’s going to be discharged. She can continue treatment at home, but she’s refusing. Cihan asks Alya, where will Fiko go? He puts a bit of a guilt trip on Alya to help.

Cihan and Alya arrive at the hospital and stop Fiko from driving away. Alya tells Fiko to stay at the hotel and finish treatment. Then she can go. Fiko refuses. Cihan thinks Fiko should stay at the konak. Alya is against it. We’ll see what happens.

BTW, this is what it says on the windshield of Fiko’s car: If you have any sense, you'll go it alone.

I’ll have Friday’s recap up this afternoon.

 

Lejos

Thank you Dondi!!

I was relieved to see that these fellows brought up in such an arid region had learned to swim at some time.

It seems like much more than 8 weeks since Cihan quit visiting Mine.

Maggie

 

Lejos

Speaking of pregnancies- do I remember correctly that Ecmel pushed young Sadaket down the hill because she said she was pregnant? If so, he would only have to count on his fingers to figure out the baby she had, Boran, was his. Besides, gossiping tongues would surely have noticed that the baby came way less than 9 months after she married his brother. So isn’t it likely that Ecmel knew Boran was his and just didn’t care? He has said he’s not interested in Deniz.

Maggie
 

lejos
#57 part 1

We have a slight rewind of Alya and Cihan talking to Fiko in the hospital parking lot. Cihan rolls his eyes and takes a breath. He says to Alya, tell her to stay at the konak. No way, Alya replies. Besides, your mother will never allow it. Cihan says Fiko would be his guest, and his mom can’t do anything about it. Fiko looks hopeful for a favorable resolution as she sits in her car.

Alya gives in. She tells Fiko, you’re coming to the konak. Ah, Fiko replies, my daughter is taking me to her konak. What a beautiful day. Fiko makes a request to Cihan, damat, I want a room with a nice view and 3 meals a day, but the dessert is on me. Cihan says he will have someone pick up her car from the lot later. Fiko whispers to Alya, there are no gentlemen left in this country. Take care of this man, he’s like gold. Alya is sure she will regret this.

Demir comes out to the terrace where Zerrin is standing. Good morning, killer, he greets and laughs, you watch too many movies. I don’t regret what I did, Zerrin fires back, and I’d do it again if I could. You deserve it. Well, I’m still alive, he replies, so maybe I don’t deserve it.

Then you shouldn’t have stopped your father, Zerrin answers, you should have let him kill me. Or maybe you want to do that yourself. It would be a waste, he says, how will I catch the fish without bait? You’re important to me. Zerrin asks why. Aren’t you scared I’ll stab you in the heart next time? Oooh, I’m scared, Demir mocks, I’ll sleep with the door locked.

Nadim shows up. Zerrin walks away. That woman almost killed you, Nadim says, and you spared her life. What are you waiting for? Let her go! Not yet, Demir replies. Nadim notes they don’t even sleep together. You haven’t touched her! What’s the point? Demir tells him not to meddle and warns Nadim not to hurt Zerrin or else.

Fiko makes her entrance into the konak. It’s not a warm welcome. Sada rips into Cihan for bringing her. Cihan tries to explain that Fiko is sick and has no place to go. Sada doesn’t care. What’s it to me? I’m sick, too. I can barely tolerate your wife, now you’ve brought her mother. Cihan states that Fiko is his guest and she’s staying.

Sada heads downstairs to confront. Fiko is ready to take the challenge. Sada shouts, I want you out of my house. I thought I was clear. Alya asks, don’t shout. Deniz will hear. Sada keeps shouting for Fiko to go and Fiko remains calm. She seems amused by Sada’s anger and doesn’t take the bait.

Sada continues to call for Fiko to leave. Alya is ready to take Deniz and go to the hotel with Fiko. Sada asks “Aliye” to take her mother away. Fiko asks, why is she calling you “Aliye”? This gets to Fiko—you’re finished, woman! My daughter has people who look out for her! Fiko and Sada have to be separated.

Deniz comes out with Ummu and Pakize. Sada takes Deniz. See that dreadful woman over there? She is your grandmother, too. The boy looks confused. Alya calls him over to her. Deniz says, Caroline was my grandmother. Alya tells him not to worry.

Sada unleashes more cruelty. This woman lied to you. Your mother lied to all of us! Deniz is upset. He asks, is it true what grandma said? Did you lie to me, mom? No, of course not, Alya replies, I never lied to you. Cihan whispers to his mother, do you realize what you’ve done? He asks for Deniz to be taken to his room. Alya warns Sada not to mess with her son’s mental health and she goes with Deniz.

 

lejos
#57 part 2

Cihan asks Ummu to take Fiko to her room. He apologizes to Fiko. He tells Sada, we have to talk. Sada is ticked at Cihan for apologizing to Fiko. That woman should be the one apologizing! That woman of ill repute thinks she can stroll into my konak. Cihan interrupts—whatever that woman did is none of your business. And that’s not all. Why would you use an innocent child? I warned you, Sada declares, you left me no choice.

Cihan reminds Sada quietly, that child called me dad. If you ever use him again in your filthy plans, I promise you’ll never see his face again. Don’t try me, and don’t undermine my word in front of anyone again. Don’t do it or I’d hate to think of what will happen.

Cihan leaves and Sada continues to complain to Nare and Kaya about Fiko. She also blames them for not backing her up and allowing this. Nare reminds her that Fiko is sick. Sada shouts back, I don’t care! She can die for all I care! Sada walks and Kaya calls out to her, tövbe estağfurullah! (repent, God forgive!) He’s ashamed.

Alya talks with Deniz. Cihan is there. I’ve never lied to you, she tells Deniz, not even once. Remember I told you that Caroline wasn’t my real mother? He replies, yes, she didn’t bring you into the world. It’s the woman we saw in the hospital. Alya says that’s right. Deniz asks, what’s her name? Fikriye. He asks, so she’s my real grandmother? Alya acknowledges this. Deniz notes that Fiko is Alya’s real mother. Alya says that’s correct.

Deniz wonders why Sada called his other grandma dreadful. Cihan interjects—don’t listen to her. She didn’t mean it. Your grandma isn’t like that. Deniz wants to meet Fiko. Alya says later and Deniz goes to his room to color.

Cihan apologizes to Alya for what Sada said. He’s embarrassed. You’re not the one who should apologize, she replies. He tells her he warned Sada not to try this again or he wouldn’t forgive her. [we are all sure that Sada will try again.] Alya is angry that Sada says things in front of Deniz without thinking. It’s like she doesn’t care about her grandson’s mental health. But, she adds, everything that she says is true. And that angers me even more. She (Fiko) is a bad person.

Alya recalls, when I was about Deniz’s age, I used to brush her hair and then fall asleep in her arms. I really loved her. I remember her scent, the tone of her voice. I never forgot. And now you don’t know how much I hate that woman. And she’s my mother. I’m very angry. Cihan reminds her he asked if she had any happy childhood memories. You see, you do. Alya shakes her head no.

Cihan says, as another matter, I must confess that the things I went through made me a cruel man. I don’t know, maybe your mother became another person due to all she went through. Alya answers, you’re not a cruel man, Cihan. Cihan looks at her—pardon? Are you serious? He’s pleased. I don’t think you’re cruel anymore, she replies, in fact, I don’t even think you’ll kill Ugur. Cihan smiles, this is my fault for believing you, Allah aşkına. You’re bringing it into the conversation to trap me. Alya denies this saying it just occurred to her. Cihan asks, it occurred to you or that guy came to mind? Let it not happen again.

I have to go, Cihan says, want a ride to the hospital? Alya says she’s working the night shift. It’s a good thing I have that guy locked up, he replies, now you can work in peace. Don’t start, she says. You’re right, he answers, let’s stop talking about that guy. I’ll be back later to take you.

 

lejos
#57 part 3

Fiko’s car has arrived and she goes out to supervise the unloading. Of course, Sada is there to “supervise” as well. Fiko tells the staff, once my things are in my room, park my car outside. I don’t want it here. She looks at Sada and says, the crows will poop. Sada sneers, you are a disgusting, shameless woman. Fiko snarks back, honey drips from your mouth, Sadu Hanım.

Sada waits for the staff to go and tells Fiko, listen you immoral woman, I’ll cut off your feet and hand them to you and you’ll lave to learn to walk again. I’d like to see you try, Fiko replies, fortunately, I have hands with which to defend myself. Ah, I see you really like being called “Sadu”. Let’s do it this way. Keep calling my daughter “Aliye”, and I’ll keep calling you “Sadu.” What do you say? You like it?

“Sadu” replies, you have no idea where you are and who you’re talking to. Even if you were fire, you’re nowhere close to burning me. You’ll be leaving soon. Fiko answers, I honestly came with that intention, but after what you said to my grandchild, you are on my radar. She puts her hand in Sada’s face for effect. I got so annoyed with you that I decided to settle in the konak, my dear Sadu. [Ha, look at Sada swallowing that!] Trouble has arrived, I’m not going anywhere!

Don’t get your hopes up, Sada says, you still don’t know who I am, but you will soon learn. I’m not like other people you know, Fiko replies, I understand you’re good at steering the ship, but a boat doesn’t sail on asphalt. You kicked and screamed and what happened? Nobody listened. Your son chose me, Sadu. Hodri Meydan! [Turkish equivalent of “bring it on!”] But stop messing with my daughter. Fiko walks away.

Hasan tells the Albora Group that they’ve lost 2 clients since Sahin reduced the shipment costs. Cihan notes at least Sahin didn’t play dirty. Kaya says we can’t make it easy for him. Muzzafer says Sahin opened a company in Midyat—Sahin Albora Group. Kadir hears the business is doing well. Erol says that Demir is working with aşiretler in Antep and Urfa. When Halis gets out of prison, he’s joining Ecmel. Our market share is diminishing daily. Cihan sighs. We’ll have to increase the number of shipments. Erol warns that’s risky.

Kaya brings up Ugur. Cihan says let’s worry about tonight’s shipment first.
Alya warns Fiko not to mess with Sada. It’s not like I want to see that witch’s face, Fiko replies. Be grateful I’m here. How can you live with a MIL like that? Alya reminds her she’s there until her treatment ends. You have a room, your things, what more do you want? Ummu will bring your food. Don’t cause any conflicts. That’s all I ask.

Fiko asks, why did you choose this life? Is it true you did it for your son? Alya is surprised. Who told you that? Fiko says it doesn’t matter. She asks, Boran’s death wasn’t an accident, was it? There are blood enemies after you. Is your son’s life in danger? Is that’s why you were so scared when your son disappeared? Tell me. I don’t know, Alya fires back, I don’t ever know what happened. Boran was involved in a blood feud and fled to Canada. That’s all I know.

Alya continues, Cihan says he wasn’t murdered, it was an accident. Fiko thinks and has a flashback again to admiring Alya, Boran and baby Deniz’s photo. Look at my grandson, isn’t he cute? The man comes out of the bedroom and tries to grab the pic. We still don’t see the man’s face. Present day Fiko is very uneasy. Alya admits her son is in danger. Fiko realizes that’s why Alya was forced to marry. Fiko says that Cihan is a good man. I like my damat. Give me patience, Alya whispers.

Deniz runs into the bedroom. Good morning, grandma. Fiko smiles, Alya doesn’t. Alya stops Fiko from approaching Deniz. The boy says he’s there to meet his grandmother. Alya picks him up and warns Fiko to stay away.

 

lejos
#57 part 4

Here comes Sada barging in, followed by Nare. Why is my grandson in this room? Deniz doesn’t like the shouting. Nothing shuts up Sada. She doesn’t want Deniz near Fiko. Alya can’t take it anymore. She brings Deniz over to meet his new grandma. Lol. Sada has to watch. Lol. Alya tells Sada to get out, my son is meeting his grandmother. Sada looks horrified but she leaves.

Fiko holds on to Deniz. He’s so sweet. He smells so good. He’s the most beautiful boy in the world. Alya watches with sadness. Then sheleaves the room.

Nare goes to Alya out on the terrace to comfort her.

Fiko asks Deniz, they call you Cihan here? My mom calls me Deniz, he says, but that makes grandma mad. He asks, what are you going to call me? She replies, I’m going to keep upsetting your grumpy grandma and call you Deniz. He likes that. Deniz says his mom never lets him go with anyone else. He asks, so why did you let mom go with Caroline? Fiko sits the boy on her lap. Because it was necessary, she says, I had no choice. Fiko looks sad.

Nare meets Erol about the divorce. He tells her it won’t be easy because Ozkan will contest it. He asks her to keep herself in check during the process.

Sahin is outside his new office. He calls Nare. Erol leaves and she takes the call. He asks about the divorce. She tells him the hearing is coming up soon. It won’t be easy. I know, he says, but I’ve waited years for you to divorce that bastard. This is a start. I really want to see you. Can we meet at the pier? I’ll try to make it there, she replies.

Cihan speaks with Nare. Are you trying to drive mom crazy? I can’t let Sahin go, she says, I’ve tried but it doesn’t work. You know what it is to love. Try to understand. He reminds her that she’s still married.

Then there’s that other issue. Cihan says, Sahin is like a brother to me. I really care about him. But our paths separated. Now he wants to take control of what is ours. What will you do when we face Sahin over control of Albora? I understand if you side with Sahin. I’d say it’s for love. But it would tear you apart. It will wear you out. Look at Ecmel, Fidan, and Mom. Imagine what could happen. When that day comes, I won’t be able to help you, protect you. He pulls her in for a hug. My heart can’t accept it, Nare says, I’m sorry.

Fiko is in Deniz’s room. She looks around. Slight edit here. She expected more color in the room, pictures, etc. He tells her this was his father’s room, and he left it this way and he likes it. Fiko sees the photos posted on the corkboard. She notices a pic in the corner. Hard to say for sure but it looks like Cihan, Halis, and Kaya.

Another wave of unease goes through Fiko. She asks Deniz if he knows the man in the picture. She points to Halis. He says he doesn’t know who he is, but he’s seen him. Fiko thinks. She flashes back again. This time we see the man—it’s Halis! And he agrees that Deniz is cute and looks like her. A lovely family picture. He recognizes Boran. He has a question: where did you say your daughter lives? Toronto. Fiko starts to piece it together.

Alya comes into the room. Fiko doesn’t look well. She tells Alya she’s a bit dizzy and needs some fresh air. Fiko is troubled by her discovery.

Cihan arrives home and Ummu tells him that Mr. Fadil and the other villagers are waiting for him. Sada is already speaking with the men. Gather the names of the children for the circumcision, she tells them, and we will do our part. Cihan greets the men. Deniz comes out of his room, calling Cihan dad. He comes to sit on Cihan’s lap. Sada explains that the men are there to discuss the mass circumcision ceremony. They’d like to hold it this weekend.

 

lejos
#57 part 5

Alya comes out of the room and over to the meeting. Cihan tells the men, if there are children outside of Albora waiting to be circumcised, bring them too. The men say, God bless you. Fadil says, I hope you will join us for the ceremony. Cihan says of course. The men leave.

[There is a big edit here. Deniz asks about circumcision. I don’t know if I should put the edit here or if it will show up in a later episode. If you want it now, let me know.]

Joyful Mine looks at her sonogram and holds it to her chest. She composes herself and gets up to leave her office. Of course, she sees Alya arrive. She tucks the sonogram into her pocket and greets Alya. Mine says this was a wonderful day for her and she’s in a good mood.

Fiko is searching online for “Halis” trying to remember his last name. Her phone battery runs out. She thinks she left her charger in the car. She goes out to look for it. While she searches in the car, Sada comes out of the konak. She’s on the phone and doesn’t notice Fiko. Fiko listens.

Ay Hasan, Sada says, tell me what cave they took him to. Ah, the cave in Karalar… I thought they’d take him there, but I wasn’t sure. Hasan asks, what will you do with that man, abla? What do you think, she replies, he will never see the light of day again. Fiko gasps.

Have you lost your mind, Hasan says, don’t do anything without telling Cihan. I beg you. If he finds out I’m involved, he will never forgive me. Please don’t do this. Fine, Sada replies, he won’t find out who told me. Hang up. Sada’s driver comes to take her. Fiko wonders, what kind of woman is this? You’re evil.

Fiko calls Alya. Are you in the hospital? Yes. Fiko asks, is this family in the mafia? Where did this come from, Alya asks, what happened? Fiko answers, that woman just left to kill someone. Alya is alarmed. What? Where did she go? Something about a cave in Karalar….

Alya hangs up and tries to reach Cihan. Unavailable. She tries Nare, who says Cihan went to take care of a shipment at the border. Kaya, Muzzafer and Kadir are with him. Alya explains that Sada found out where they are hiding Ugur. She’s on her way there and she’ll probably do something! Nare says she’ll try to contact Cihan by radio. She begs Alya not to go there. Alya has already hung up. She heads out.

Nare gets a hold of Cihan. He’s on his way back from the border with Muzzafer. Nare tells him what’s happening. Alya told her, and she might be going there. To the cave, Cihan orders, hurry.

Sada arrives at the cave. She has a gun. Ugur is still working to free himself from the ropes. Sada enters and points the gun. Ugur starts begging for his life. Don’t shoot, I don’t want to die. I won’t say anything. Of course you won’t, Sada replies, shut up! I’ll leave the country, he cries, you’ll never see me again.

Alya arrives. Stop! Please don’t shoot, Sadakat Hanım! Sada turns. Ugur has freed himself and grabs the gun from Sada. Now he holds Sada hostage so he can get away. Sada tells her men to shoot. Ugur is out of his mind with desperation. Alya gets the men to lower their guns, and everyone exits the cave.

Alya begs Ugur to let Sada go. Ugur blames this on the Alboras. They drove him to this. Sada dares him to shoot her. Alya continues to beg. He tells Alya he will let Sada go on one condition: You have to come with me.

And we are out!

 

Lejos

Another jewel of a recap, Dondi!

I love the scenes where the characters stand around and hurl insults at each other. The writers really shine with all the chaos and invective.

Ugur’s saying Alya has to come with him makes no sense. He might well get away at this juncture, but definitely not if he insists on taking her.

Maggie

 

lejos

Dondi, you are the best! Thanks for the quickie of Thursday's episode and your usual excellent Friday recap. Talk about a cliffhanger! And, as I mentioned, above, you were right on about the guy with the belly being significant. They didn't wait long to show him. In a telenovela, it would have taken a week.

Sada is furious about Fiko being in her house, but she was the one who started the whole thing by wanting to shame Alya in front of everyone.

I LOVED Cihan's going after his mother. And she knows he doesn't make idle threats. She'll still want her way about Fiko, but she'll have to be circumspect. I wonder whether he'll really go off on her for showing up to kill Ugur. I sort of remember this is the second time Cihan has threatened his mother with taking Alyla and Deniz away because of Sada's behavior.

In other dizis I've seen I've had the impression that hospitality is a big deal in Turkey. I've seen extravagant welcoming of guests, sometimes even guests they don't like. And, of course, with ALL THAT FOOD. As usual, I suppose, the rules don't apply to Sadakat Albora.

Well, if Alya has those tender memories of her mother, I get the impression that she was as good a mother as she could be considering the way she provided for the two of them. Has Halis ever seen Alya? Was he the one who tried (and failed or succeeded) it on with Alya? It surely looks like his seeing the picture of Boran led to Boran's death.

I am SO enjoying someone who doesn't back down from Sadakat. I backed up and replayed her confrontation with Fiko a couple of times just to revel in it.

I finally got it. The business dealings often confuse me. When I heard Sahin say that Cihan would get 20% and Sahin 15%, I thought they referred to two "commissions" on the same shipment. What happened now seems to mean that Sahin is undercutting Cihan's deal for contraband to cross Albora lands.

I wish Fiko had told Alya it was Mine who filled her in on the back story of Alya marrying Cihan.

Speaking of Mine, I wonder if she thinks having Cihan's child would cause Sadakat to accept her?
 

OT/Sports

I'm a nervous wreck about my San Francisco 49ers football game against the Seattle Seahawks later today. They got beaten by them a couple of weeks ago. They're playing at Seattle. And the people who come up with those odds have them as underdogs. In any case they will have a moral victory for coming as far as they have with SO many terrible injuries to star players.
 

OT/2025 NFC Divisional Playoff
Novelera: As a lifelong staunch fan of the 49ers, I am praying they knock off Seattle Seahawks this evening.
 

lejos

I’m still trying to keep up with this one and also get to bed earlier than usual. It’s not working. But things have stepped up with the entrance of Fiko so sleep might have to wait.

I didn’t like her attitude at first. She seems not very, I don’t know, contrite? And a bit of a bruja. On top of her snarky attitude, I was sure she’d turn out to be a bad guy. But when her bruja-y self confronted Sadu (ha!) without fear, I decided she might be worth liking. Plus now we can see where Alya gets her attitude when she decided gram can play with Deniz only after Sadu said no. This is going to be fun!

Plus she knows Halis, which is more the I can say for myself. One of the old man baddies, I assume, but can’t remember how he fits into the family.

Is everyone in Turkey in a mafia family?

K
 

Lejos

I have a Hallis on my cast list, saying he’s a business associate of Cihan’s. Is that right?

Maggie
 

lejos

Halis is the associate of Cihan that betrayed them in smuggling by tipping off the cops. Cihan set a trap and caught him. He is in jail with Ecmel now. His parting words (to Cihan or a colleague, I don't remember) ) as he went to jail were something like “You have no idea, there’s so much you don’t know,” suggesting he had secrets. Now it looks like he does!

Babachita
 

lejos

Thanks, everyone. Great comments. Bombs exploded all week.

Maggie, according to what we’ve been shown, Sada never got the chance to tell Ecmel she was pregnant. He met with her and told her he was getting married and pushed her when she begged. I still think there’s more to that story. I don’t remember if they said how far along Sada was at that time. If it was very early and she married Azem right away, no one might suspect. Babies are often a little early or late. And this is a dizi.

Yes, novelera, hospitality is a big deal in Türkiye. ITA, Sada doesn’t think the rules apply to her. She makes her own rules.

Halis saw Alya in the picture and he certainly recognized Boran. Then he saw Alya again when she came to Midyat for the funeral and he must have been at CihAl’s wedding. I’m thinking about the timeline. Deniz was an infant, maybe one year, in the picture. Boran died maybe 3 or 4 years later. Halis had enough info to find him quickly. If Boran was targeted, why wait so long to kill him? Anyway, the feud supposedly ended and the Baybars denied killing Boran. Is it possible traitor Halis gave this info to Ecmel and Ecmel had Boran killed?

Good memory, Babachita. Halis shouted at Cihan, “there are some things you don’t know.” I recapped that episode. I didn’t hear him say that in Spanish, but it was clear in the Turkish.

I was suspicious of Fiko at first, but now I think she will be a good character. And she’s a great foil for Sadakat! If you think their bickering is entertaining in Spanish, you should hear the Turkish!

I think Ugur has signed his own death warrant. I’ll be sorry if that’s so. He wasn’t evil but he played a dangerous game.

Mine will wait to the worst possible moment to reveal her pregnancy. I wonder if this baby will be born.

 

lejos OT

Dondi,

After you gave the translation of the Turkish opening theme, I went back and watched it. It was much more impactante knowing the sad words. I also noticed the fascinating juxtaposition of the photography in the opening credits. Pictures were upside down to one another, and large spaces separated people and places. Things felt upside down, inside out, off kilter. I felt off-balance just looking at the beautiful but inside-out seeming images. I wonder if that is intended to show Alya’s impressions or maybe the inside-out feeling of the location or the whole story. It is fascinating to watch ( and listen to).

The version we see in Spanish leaves out this effect in the opening credits.

Babachita
 

Lejos

Babachita and Dondi- thank goodness you remembered stuff I sure didn’t! Thank you so much!

Maggie