CocoLoco
@DreamsInFrames • 2,505 subscribers
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Ciho acting like a child is hilarious. He's jealous of some nameless faceless 17 year old who had the audacity to like his wife once upon a time. And it's so clear in the way he keeps scoffing about it and using the term cook instead of chef. Imagine if Chef Enver actually appears before Alya...Cihan might shove him down an elevator shaft before the man has the chance to speak 😹 #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco12,971 views • 6 days ago
Another of my favorites from ep 43. Some people found this scene lacking compared to the scenes of Cihan with the bocek. And all I can say is 🤦♀️ Because look at this scene. Really look at it. Anytime you see Cihan with the bocek, you see her clinging to him. Whereas Cihan gives off detached vibes. Here, Alya is sleeping on his arm while he stares at her lovingly. This man wouldn't leave that bed the whole day if he didn't have to. Every time they're close like this, its his arms that wrap around her and pull her close. He's so attached to Alya's presence that even as he's leaving the room, he turns around to look back at her at least three times. Could they have improved on this scene and extended it? Absolutely. But, comparing it to any scenes Cihan has with the bocek is laughable to me. Intimate doesn't necessarily mean showing skin or clinging after sex. Sometimes, intimacy is just wanting to stay even though you know you have to leave. Sometimes, it’s staying still so you don’t disturb the person resting against you, memorizing the weight of them in your arms because you know the day will pull you apart soon enough. It’s the quiet reluctance in the way you get up, the backward glances you can’t stop yourself from taking, the sense that being apart even briefly feels unnatural. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco68,547 views • 6 months ago
A little hint of what's to come. We've rarely seen Cihan snap at Nare. But, in this scene, right after Cihan sees Alya walking away from him, without a backward glance, the tension and anxiety within him ramp up. The physical manifestation of the 'distance' Cihan fears so much from her. He fears Alya pulling away from him just as much as Alya fears him leaving her. And, the way everything is piling on him, he's very, very close to losing it. Now add him being forced to bring Meryem to the mansion thanks to his evil mother, Alya pulling away even more, and a lovely new 'single' neighbor moving next to his wife. Not to mention, you can be sure Meryem will start acting like nothing's changed between them soon enough, and what you have is the perfect recipe for an incendiary event à la episode 27. Will it be Sadakat mentioning Meryem's necklace in front of Alya? Who knows. But it's coming. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco36,773 views • 3 months ago
Contrary to popular opinion (Cihan's harem/ he's a manwhore, etc.), I tend to think Cihan takes physical intimacy very seriously. When he's with Mine, it's clear from his behavior that to him, that's just a physical situationship. There are zero emotions involved from his side. And we see that quite clearly when he says he might be with her but he will never marry her. In contrast to that is Alya. Before he's with Alya, he tells her 'don't regret it later.' We all thought he was being all smexy, but his anxiety the next morning when he asks Alya if she's regretful reveals that he's very solemn and sincere about what's happened between them. Almost like their relationship is cemented, drawn in stone, there's no changing it now. And his words 'no matter what happens or what we live through, the only thing in my life that won't change now is you,' have the quality of a vow. And they also indicate Ciho is quite capable of separating the physical from the emotional when he wants to. Now, if we see how he acts with Meryem, there's a hesitance in him where she invades his personal space. He never makes a move to touch her either. Not very indicative of full-on involvement, where the emotional and physical combine. Because if there had been a physical past, even one buried under years and circumstance, there would be moments where familiarity slipped through. A reflex or a memory in the body. It wouldn't have to be overtly physical, just enough to hint that there had been more once upon a time. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, I dont know. But to me, it seems like his three relationships can be categorized as Meryem being only emotional, Mine being only physical, and Alya being the one where both combine - and that's why he treats them as something irreversible 🤷♀️ Guess, we'll find out. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco31,988 views • 2 months ago
I love scenes like this. When Alya's defenses aren't up, she let's her inner most feelings slip through. Here, she's joking about telling Cihan to look for a place nearby to build a primary school, but what I heard was permanence. Despite the trials CihAl have faced, Alya thinks of her future as joined with Cihan's now. The little bird has settled and will build her perennial nest soon enough ✨️ #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco23,576 views • 2 months ago
Analyzing Episode 54. Season 2 aka Disruption by Design When you first watch episode 54, your focus immediately goes to how the bad guys keep winning. Be it Ecmel, Boran, Demir - all the aholes seem to be living it up. But scratch the surface, and another concept appears entirely. Destino, Karma, Kader, Fate - call it whatever you want. That's what I want you to remember as we don our Sherlock caps for yet another analysis. I've divided the whole thing into segments based on characters for easier navigation and understanding. So, here goes nothing. * Sadakat One of the characters to truly surprise me this episode was Sadakat. My vitriolic hatred for this woman is no hidden fact, but this one episode managed to make me see her side of things for once. And, maybe even understand her a little. We were all shocked by the scene where Nare, Alya, and Sadakat are talking about Boran and Cihan. I was mostly surprised because, for once, in 54 freaking episodes, Sadakat accepts her fault and doesn't look for a scapegoat. Her dialogues serve to impart extremely important points about herself, Boran, and Cihan, and how her upbringing helped shape the present circumstances. She admits that she was always afraid of the shadow of Ecmel lurking within Boran, which causes her to hand leadership to Cihan and keep Boran away from everything. But, in trying to protect her family and Albora, Sadakat inadvertently brings about the very thing she fears most - Boran becoming another Ecmel. Now, cast your mind back to the very first episode. We're introduced to Sadakat as an evil witch who's evil to Alya from the get-go and absolutely mental about keeping Deniz with the family at all times. I think I finally understand why. Guilt. Sadakat keeps pushing Boran away, until one day he takes it upon himself to go k-word Sulaiman to prove his worth, so to speak, which results in exile for him and supposedly death in a foreign country. Everything she does from that point on is based on years' worth of accumulated guilt. Alya is driving the car that results in the accident, so she wins the 'get the most shit from Sadakat' award immediately. But, again, that's just her guilt exacerbating things. As for Deniz, was Sadakat trying to avoid the same mistake she made with Boran with Deniz by holding on to him by hook or crook? So that Ecmel's shadow would never shape another family member's life again? Yep. That's probably also why she hates the idea of Cihan and Alya, because her guilt forces her to keep protecting Boran even in death. Because how could she allow Boran to lose yet another thing? In short, Sadakat tries to control the future of her family by trying to shape the circumstances, to make Cihan Aga and keep Boran away, but fails spectacularly. Why? Because fate has other plans. Boran was never meant to be kept away, and no matter how much Sadakat toiled as a mother, he was meant to take Ecmel's side over his own flesh and blood. And maybe Sadakat binds everyone else with a promise except herself because she might be the one to end what she started all those years ago. * Cihan Cihan's struggle in this episode was to try to find a way to neutralize Boran's poison. Because he's the reason Cihan's life is unraveling, because he's the man who controls Alya via Deniz. Throughout the episode, it seems like all is lost for him. Alya is forced to give in to Boran's condition, and Sadakat is framed for Vurgun's murder. And while Vurgun keeps his promise to Boran and takes his secrets with him to the grave, his death helps him speak what he could not say in life. It's no coincidence Cihan is the only one to find Vurgun's secret phone stashed in a hidey hole in the wall right after Cihan says he will bury Boran in regret. In this instance, too, we're shown that circumstances are pressing in on Cihan from all sides, but one dusty footstep later, Cihan finally finds what will possibly be the key to defeating Boran. As for Alya, she's Cihan's greatest strength and weakness - as it generally is in love. She comes into his life as an impossibility and ends up becoming his greatest truth. Cihan relents to Alya finding an apartment because he understands her duty to her son. But just as fears things are all out of his control, fate intervenes and gives him the opening he kept ignoring. Why? Because, as Cihan says, a man low enough to kill someone who saved his life is capable of pretty much anything. So, Cihan's course is redirected subtly, too, to a possibility that will help him achieve what he needs most at the time. * Boran Yeah, I don't really care much for the zombie, but this needs to be said. Throw your mind back to how Sadakat says all Boran's calculations turn out wrong. Though he's a sneaky troll who's not entirely as stupid as I thought, karma has a mile-long shit-list on this ahole. First, he records a will video to punish Cihan. He hopes that Cihan will fall for Alya but will forever suffer the pangs of conscience. In doing so, he'd never find completion in his love for Alya and would keep suffering. But, an Amal Bakir turns up at his grave out of the blue, runs into Cihan, and bam - he finds Boran. Which ironically helps Cihan overcome all his guilt pretty quickly. Next up, Alya. The video Boran records to control Alya's life ends up becoming the key to her freedom from him eventually. The one card we know he has now is Deniz, but there's Vurgun's phone to counteract this one now. And, finally, I get the feeling that the zombie has a hand in Meryem turning up like a bad penny out of nowhere. However, this ploy will fail too, because Meryem will have the same effect on Alya that Boran has on Cihan. In other words, destiny has all ends covered here, too. * Alya While there are those in the fandom who'd rather Alya be sick rather than expecting, I think that Alya truly might be pregnant. Here's why. And keep the overall theme of kader in mind as we go through this part. In the scene right before Alya gets dizzy, Kaya tells her, 'I don't know what to say to you, yenge, may God help you.' Then she walks into her office and just as she's about to continue her search for apartments, wham, a wave of dizziness. And right after the dizzy spell, lo and behold, Boran messages her saying, 'Your path can't cross with Cihan, or I take my son.' See, there it is again. That push and pull between circumstance and fate. While mere mortals can shape circumstances, like Boran, there's no interfering with fate. And, what's fate always tried to do in this story? Keep Alya with Cihan. So, how does a pregnancy fit into this angle? Boran doesn't simply want to keep Alya and Cihan separated. He now wants to put an end to their relationship in every way. Because if he can't have Alya, neither will Cihan. He's done everything in his power to try to cut all bonds between CihAl, but every time he tries, fate throws out another trump card. And what's the best way to forge a bond between two people, no one, not even themselves, can break? A child. A link that will bind Alya to Cihan in the most elemental way there is. The perfect personification of Boran's defeat. Now, I may be wrong (wouldn't be the first time), but those are the vibes I keep getting from as early on as ep 47, where Sadakat is the one trying to convince Alya to leave. Besides, maybe baby, fate also has another surprise up its sleeve for Alya *cue Jaws soundtrack* I'm referring to Meryem, of course. Why do we need Meryem in the overall scheme of kader, anyway? Because Alya needs to learn what fate's already taught Cihan. That love is not something you quietly step away from. Nor is it something you protect by distance, or preserve through sacrifice. Cihan has already gone through that trial. He tried to bury his feelings under duty, under guilt, under everything Boran set in motion, but still ended up right back at Alya. Not just by choice alone, but by something stronger than it. Something that kept correcting his path every time he strayed too far from it. And that’s where Meryem comes in. The final piece of the puzzle to make Alya realize she's changed, even though she doesn't know it yet. While she may think she can distance herself from Cihan, her own actions prove her false. Meryem will help remove the illusion in Alya's head that distance is sustainable between herself and Cihan. So you see, even though there are all kinds of mess in the episode, underneath it all is a disruption. Be it in the form of bitter clarity, a hidden phone, a possible new life, or an unexpected return. When things look like chaos but are actually headed towards something much more deliberate - a resolution where the story corrects every path back to where it was always meant to lead. Till later, happy reading, folks. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco31,649 views • 3 months ago
Analyzing Episode 40. Season 2 aka Of Uzak Şehir, The Alboras, and The Great Retcon Twist Okay dokie. Let's get to analyzing episode 40, but I'm gonna take a different approach for this one. Why? Because throughout the episode, it seemed like the writer was trying to drive home one point - Who really is Boran Albora? From the moment this episode kicked off, the showdown in the salon shows the viewers Boran refusing to let Alya go. He keeps repeating one thing - you're MY wife, Deniz is MY son. It has nothing to do with feelings and emotions; this man is clearly functioning based on possessiveness and control. Alya, bless her heart, tries to appeal to his emotions and begs him to let her go while preserving some semblance of normalcy for Deniz. But what does the zombie come back with - he says I'll never let you leave me and marry Cihan. Alya keeps repeating she doesn't want him, but it's like her wants and wishes don't even register with Boran. Then, she says something magical. She says she doesn't 'know' him. And, it's true. She lived with the man for seven years, had a child with him, but in the end, his betrayal cuts her so deep, she scraps all the knowledge she thinks she knows about him. Now, I've seen many people saying that's the idea of living with a man and having his kid, while not truly knowing him, is ridiculous. Not true. In fact, in psychologically abusive relationships, it generally takes a very long time for one partner to discover the other's true colors. And note, thus far, the writer seems to be hinting at the fact that Boran's mask tends to slip when he's under pressure. Anyway, when the zombie once again turns to Cihan and all but orders him to get divorced, we see a teeny-tiny glimpse of ruthless Cihan from s1 make a comeback. Being the smarty-pants he is, Cihan says if the zombie wants them to get divorced, he'd better get his old identity back first. Why? Does Cihan want to buy time? Does he want the zombie to reveal himself to figure out what he's hiding? Does he try to trap him into coming out so Alya can divorce his ass once and for all? I suspect it's all three. Now, let's jump to scene two, which seemed to scream the writer wants the audience to go back and ask themselves, was Boran really the benevolent older brother, or was he always the clever manipulator? When Cihan, Nare, and Kaya are all having a heart-to-heart in Cihan's cave room, Kaya starts the conversation by saying 'Boran is still in trauma, because he clearly can't decide what he wants or what he's doing. He's not the same Boran.' Is that right, though? Because from what we know of Boran, the man seems to do stupid shit and leaves everyone else to deal with the mess he leaves behind. He's the walking, talking textbook definition of 'selfish.' Thankfully, it seems like Cihan isn't thinking along the same lines. Because to him, Boran saving his own skin while leaving Alya and Deniz behind doesn't add up. And what's more, it sparks old memories because who knows better about Boran's cut-and-run act than the guy who always has to clean up after him? So, that Cihan suspects Boran's up to his no good shit again is obvious. He seems to be the only one waking up to the fact that the older brother he hero-worshipped may not be the man he thought he was. And, that makes perfect sense, because isn't Cihan the guy to tell Alya that people like the truth can be multifaceted. Which brings me to scene number 3, when Sahin and Zerrin come over to visit 'abi.' To say their meeting doesn't go down well is an understatement. Because, here too, the only one Boran seems to really care about is himself. Nare can't go with Sahin because Ecmel tried to kill him, etc, etc. But, I don't think that's his problem really, seeing as how it's obvious as day the zombie will eventually turn to Ecmel's side. I think what's really eating Boran up is that life has moved on, and he's no longer playing the starring role in any of their lives. Cihan is Aga now. Kaya is no longer a teenager. Nare is a married woman. Alya is in love with Cihan. And Deniz has picked out another father for himself. See? All these people in his orbit, whom he's constantly blaming and picking fights with, have all grown, changed, and matured. All except one. Sadakat. The zombie seems to get along great with her because she's constantly pandering to his massive ego and control issues. She keeps filling his ears with how he can 'take back' Alya and Deniz. She keeps saying no believed her when she said Ecmel was out to kill him. It's almost like the man gravitates towards special treatment and entitlement. Because that's likely how he was raised. Oh, he's the eldest brother; you should respect him. Oh, he's the firstborn who deserves first pickings. And, Boran likely thrives in such an environment. But the story keeps reminding us that when the going gets tough, Boran prefers to run, or if he can't, he gets nasty. And that leads me to the message I get from ep 40. The great Retcon Twist. Was Boran the good guy who turned bad, or was he always this selfish, entitled prick who got special treatment due to his birth and then eventual 'fake' death? Guess which way I'm leaning? Anyway, enough about the zombie. The other bit that stood out to me in this episode, apart from all the zombie's shenanigans, was how the writer seems to be going out of their way to protect CihAl. I mean, sure, Gulizar has issues with her writing, no doubt, but in this episode, if you pay attention to Cihan and Alya's dialogues (when they're together), you'll pick up little clues to let you know that she's saying, ' I got this.' For example, you know how recently everyone has jumped on the blame Cihan and Alya bandwagon with the shameless tirade? What does Cihan say when they're at dinner, 'Their road is pure despite people calling it wrong.' When Alya confesses how she wanted to hug and sleep in Cihan's arms, but couldn't because they're aware of their circumstances, it was exceedingly heartbreaking and a slap to the moral brigade at the same time. And, this is also one of the reasons why I think this love story will not only succeed but will stand the test of time with a happy ending, because they never compromise on their set of principles and ideals. They don't use the cliched excuse 'oh, but we're in love' to steamroll over other people's lives and happiness. That's what makes CihAl so perfect as a couple. There's a lot more to cover from this episode, but this is all from me for now. Till later, watch with your eyes, think with your head, and feel with your heart. Happy reading, y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco52,641 views • 7 months ago
This scene grows more and more important as we move forward in s2. For one thing, it highlights the difference between the challenge Cihan is facing now and how it differs from the past. Before, he always had to choose between duty and love. This time, he's faced with choosing between two people he loves (the zombie man doesn't deserve it, and I suppose we'll see that come to light, too). And then there's the declaration. 'I'm tired of carrying all the burdens the past has placed on me. I don't want to lose Alya... and I won't lose her, no matter what.' Alya repeats those exact same words when she's about to go into surgery. The fact that this phrase (I won't lose him/her, no matter what) is repeated over and over tells us as the audience that these characters mean business when it comes to each other. Yes, things might be dark right now. And maybe they'll get worse, but the will to fight and the resolve to win are already in place. Hadi bakalim 🔥 #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco54,489 views • 8 months ago
The way Cihan proposes speaks volumes. This is the extended, improved version of the 'I'm not promising you a rose garden, Alya' of ep 28/29. This is the proposal of a man humbled by destiny and life. Which is why it includes no boasts. Instead, Cihan states facts. Cold, hard facts about himself, his life, and the difficulties Alya will face if she chooses him again. Underneath all that honesty is a man desperate for Alya to agree, but this time, his anxieties take a backseat because this is too important a deal for Cihan to botch up. So, he tells Alya he can't promise her an easy life, but he can promise her all of himself, as long as she continues to grace his life with her presence. And, Alya replies 'evlinerim' and 'buna da varim' - in other words, she accepts him and all that comes with him. All the craziness, the hardships, and everything else are acceptable as long as she has Cihan with her. And, that's why I said this proposal and Alya accepting the proposal in the way she does is one of the strongest hints these two are definitely getting hitched. It's the crossing of another threshold in their lives and relationship (him calling the ring a 'key', carrying her across the doorway, and sealing the deal with their bodies). Kind of like 'don't regret it later' in ep42, and then Alya walking under the shower to rise to the occasion. Because while all hell does break loose after they're together, even then, they still don't give up. Think about it, what are the reasons that could push Alya into leaving? Even if someone lies to her about Serhat, we've seen her refusing to leave Cihan's side when the whole bocek drama. Could it be someone threatening Cihan? Nope. Alya isn't the kind to keep that under wraps either, as seen by how she tells Cihan Demir's offer and how she barges into the hotel, thinking the Bulgarians have him. I initially thought it might be because she wants to give Cihan the freedom to choose without any obligations, but after this proposal, that's out too. Because this proposal removes any ambiguity about where Cihan's heart truly belongs. Disregarding his feelings now would be equal to disregarding the choice he's already made. Remember how she asks Cihan why no one is asking her what she wants when they're on the Firat trip? She's not about to do the same to Cihan. Now, let's focus on why she'd stay. One, she has Deniz's custody, so there's nothing pulling her in two opposite directions now. Plus, she's certain now that Cihan will go to any lengths to keep her and Deniz safe. Two, Cihan's increasing emotional transparency. We've seen this before in ep26-27. The more Cihan opens up to Alya, the more comfortable she becomes in her own skin. And, this time, Cihan's being very open about what Alya means to him and how Meryem is a shadow of the past that no longer belongs anywhere in his life. Three, her own love for Cihan is a determining factor. Alya loves Cihan enough to stay with him despite Mine wielding Boran's parentage over their heads. She gives up Deniz's location to save Cihan. She donates her kidney to ensure nothing happens to him. She risks saving Cihan from a car that's about to explode - you get the picture. And four, Alya's growing ability to read Sadakat's moves. S1 Alya reacted to Sadakat. S2 Alya observes and picks her battles. She already suspects Sadakat is up to something that includes Meryem, so she's on her guard. Which means Alya refusing to leave this time will break the wheel. Cihan's last wedding witnessed a bride too weak to fight for her love (apparently) and thus lost the opportunity to be with him. Alya's done nothing but fight to be with Cihan. There's a reason why Cihan's proposal includes the words, "You had a hundred thousand reasons to leave me… but you stayed." That line isn’t there to foreshadow Alya finally walking away. It’s there to underline that Alya has already been tested over and over again - by Sadakat, by Mine, by Boran, by Meryem, by danger, by fear, by the chaos surrounding Cihan. Yet, every single time, she still gravitates back to him. That's the way I see it anyways. Guess we'll find out 😉 #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco16,681 views • 1 month ago
A teeny tiny notice before I proceed with my analysis. If you have a problem with either Cihan or Alya, don't bother reading. Because I don't take sides. I don't watch or think or write through the lens of Alya vs Cihan. Both characters are dear to me. And, if that's the way you roll, by all means, proceed. Analyzing Episode 36. Season 2 aka Of Strengths, Weaknesses, and The Last Nail in the Coffin Evvveeettt. Another episode, another meltdown. Just another day in the CihAl fandom. Ngl, it took me two days to even think about writing my regular analysis post, because the negativity was more potent than usual. Or maybe my resistance is waning, who knows? But that's not what we're gonna focus on today. This day, we analyze the words and actions of the heart and soul of Uzak Sehir, aka Alya and Cihan Albora. But we'll do so within the framework of strengths and weaknesses, because to me, that's what really comes to the fore in ep36. Alya Albora Alya Albora was especially heartbreaking this episode. And coming from someone who gets their heartbroken regularly because of Alya, that's saying something. The episode starts with the zombie-man opening his eyes (I think this PoS is just lying there pretending to be a vegetable, but that's for another time). And the look Alya has on her face when she looks at Cihan is indescribable. Almost as if everything inside her is pleading, 'Please don't regress back to where we just came from.' Because she fears, even as she tries to check on the zombie, that the closer Frankenboran gets to waking up, the further Cihan will drift from her. And, to an extent, her fears are proven right when Sadakat brings up divorce again. See, Alya doesn't come from strong family roots. She believes her biological mother abandoned her for most of her adult life. Then she has Caroline, who tries to fill all the empty spaces abandonment leaves in little Alya, but doesn't manage to succeed too much. As I've said before, Alya's primary fears stem from being abandoned and being a burden. That's what she tries to protect herself from. Those walls around her heart are in place to keep her from suffering that same pain again. That's both her strength and her weakness. While the fear pushes Alya to love harder, to push past difficulties, to rise from the ashes over and over, it also makes her more aloof. She doesn't find it as difficult as Cihan to leave behind 'family' ties because she's never experienced just how forceful those bonds can be. When it falls to her to choose between her love for Cihan and whatever she had with Boran, she picks the former without much guilt. But there's another factor that helps keep her from feeling much remorse for Boran, and that's the way her former husband treats her. Before Alya finds out about the will, her anger at Cihan is at an all-time high, and there's no question of any relationship developing between the two. After the will, however, that's a different story. So, when it falls to her to choose, she can do so easily, with her conscience at rest. And we see that so clearly in the way she announces she won't return to Boran even when he wakes up. Now, let's focus on the tricky bit. The weaknesses. Because Alya fears being a burden, being imposed on someone, adding to their strain, anything other than clarity can't help but raise doubts. When Cihan doesn't answer her question of 'Where will you stand?' with a clear with you or with you, distrust raises its ugly head. She starts asking herself if their relationship is what Cihan really wants now that Boran is back in the picture. She starts wondering whether Cihan will be able to shoulder the burden their relationship will add to his already weighed-down shoulders. It's harrowing to watch her be drawn to Cihan one instant, and pull back the next. Not because she doesn't love him, but because she can't bear to be another weight on Cihan's existence. That's what we see when she's shivering with fever. She wants him close, but she also doesn't want him to suffer. She keeps asking Cihan to leave, but he refuses to budge. And, that cures and hurts at the same time. For some reason, when she says, 'I'm also trying to find a way,' I couldn't help but feel that a part of her is already reverting back to the old Alya. The longer Cihan refrains from giving Alya a clear answer, the more her doubts grow. The more their 'impossibility' takes over her love. The closer she grows to wanting to leave. This time, if she attempts to leave, it won't be because her feelings overwhelm her. It'll be because she can't bear to see Cihan hurt anymore. Cihan Albora Oh boy. I can already hear the jeers of 'coward' and 'gavat' (which, by the way, I find to be a really ugly word) ringing in my ears. Well, fcuk that. Let's get back to our analysis. I talked about how Cihan seems to be stuck between suppression and surrender when it comes to his guilt. And, I did think that almost losing Alya would break that spell. But, clearly, that's not the road that Gulizar wants to take. Perhaps she does want it to come down to conflict. I'm not sure yet. What I am sure of is that Cihan is already aware of what he wants. And it's not wanting to be BFFs with Boran at the expense of Alya, guilt be damned. You can see it in the way his answers get bolder every time Sadakat asks him about a divorce. This episode is the first time Cihan states outright that the burden of 'conscience' isn't his to bear because he merely did what Boran asked of him. In other words, he didn't plan on falling in love with Alya, but it happened, and if there's any blame in that, it's not on him or Alya. Here's what irks most people. He doesn't ever talk about what he wants. It's always 'What if Boran wants this' or 'What if Boran wants that.' In other words, it's a form of misdirection on his part. He knows what's in his heart, but he doesn't want to say it out loud. Another scene where you can clearly see what his choice will be is when he's taking care of Alya during her fever. The more Alya insists that he leave, the more he digs in his heels. Until finally, he says, 'I won't allow anyone to hurt you, I won't allow anyone to harm you, and that's how it will be until I draw my last breath.' People don't say things like. 'That's how it'll be as long as I live,' if they're not sure about what they want. This is Cihan's strength. His love, protective instincts, and his code of sticking up for the people he loves. Unfortunately, like Alya, that's also his weakness. Cihan's been trained to fight for his family and his people to his very last. And, that's one HUGE reason why he can't verbalize what's already screaming inside his mind and his heart. We know he can't live without Alya, he says as much in the last episode. He keeps buying time because he knows once he states those words - there's no turning back. And he knows exactly how ugly things could go because dealing with ugly has been his entire existence. People won't be kind to him or Alya in the place where they live (think back to how Demir sends his goons to insult Alya's mom). And besides all that, what if Boran doesn't want to let go? That's when shit will truly hit the fan, because once Cihan says he's with Alya, he'll be fighting his brother, standing up to his mother, breaking his family apart, endangering Albora with internal strife, and worst of all, risking Alya and Deniz's safety. And remember, unlike Alya, who can control her conscience because of an extenuating factor, Cihan has no such relief. So, what you see is a man trying to survive an impending hurricane in a straw hut. He knows when that storm hits, and it will, things will go to hell. Besides all that, there is his stupid conscience that just won't shut the hell up because of that code of his. To me, that's not cowardice. That's a man standing at the edge of a life-changing truth, and being undone by the gravity of it. It's almost as if his soul is negotiating with reality, hoping to avoid collateral damage, while grieving for the version of himself he knows won't survive after he states his truth. As we can see in the scene where he and Alya are saying goodbye, they're already a family. His heart has already made the choice, so much so that in that scene, even Sadakat and Nare see the invisible bonds tying Cihan to Alya and vice versa. It's not a question of if, merely when. The Last Nail in the Coffin The question on everyone's mind is, what will it be? The last nail in the coffin of Cihan and Boran's brotherhood. The point of no return. To me, the way things are shaping up, there will be a clash. Will the showdown happen when Boran wakes up, or will Cihan learn the truth about his brother and finally be set free? I don't know. I've always had the inkling that Boran isn't what he claims to be. I guess we'll find out soon. But until then, I'll be watching. Gladly. For both my babies. Till next time, happy reading, y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco50,671 views • 8 months ago
'Kader ne dedi, sen kimsin?' There's that angle - fatedness. The things beyond our control. I don't think Cihan still understands what he felt for Meryem was never love, otherwise he would never have allowed her to go. Because love never quietly goes into the night. It resists. It disrupts. It fights until the very end. And even when it ends, it doesn't really end. However, Cihan is right in that because he chose duty over Meryem he now knows that there are no half measures when you fight for love. Fate and love are kind of intertwined like that. You don't chose who you love, that's always beyond our hands, like fate. But what we do for that love - that's in our hands. He didn't fight for meryem. Even now, he shuns any approach from her because he's fighting for Alya. That part he's still not clear on as per what we're shown in the fragman. Which begs the question, why? Which also begs the question what needs to happen to make him realize he's still not getting what fate and love want him to understand. In this story, fate and love seem like two sides of the same coin. Both are uncontrollable. Both absolute rulers. And you can't turn your back on either. But the fact that the vows CihAl take stops at love - the total and absolute acceptance of it makes me think both Alya and Cihan are in for a lesson. Or at least that's what I can make out from things thus far. I'll keep thinking about this, though. We'll see. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco23,755 views • 3 months ago
Analyzing Episode 56. Season 2 aka Processing the Past Despite all the prophecies of doom, episode 56 was a delightful watch. The episode begins with Alya walking into prison, only to discover Meryem holding hands with Ciho. And, the way that entire scene is depicted, it's designed to make the audience see things from Alya's pov. Because we know not a few moments earlier, Cihan tells Meryem she should leave Mardin because there's nothing left for her there. However, from Alya's viewpoint, it seems like the past is repeating itself in the way she finds out about Mine and even Boran. Though this time, there's a slight difference because instead of following Cihan and discovering the truth herself, it's Boran who frames reality in the worst possible way. Still, Cihan and Alya's reactions differ slightly at this instance. For example, Alya's anger, while boiling at that moment, diffuses much quicker. And, while she doubts the reason Cihan keeps Meryem's presence from her, she doesn't start doubting their love. That fortress remains strong. Likewise, any time Cihan is discovered by Alya lying to her, he displays this vibe of embarrassment. You know, like wearing the expression of a kid caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing. But this time, when he rushes after Alya, there's a certain assurance in his gait. It's not overt, mind you, because Cihan knows he's in hot water. But it's almost like this time, he's sure of himself because his feelings in the matter are clear. He hides the truth for two reasons: he's protecting himself and Alya. The former because he doesn't want Alya pulling back from him at a time when she's already forced to leave the konak, and the latter because he doesn't want the spectre of Meryem to hurt her in any way. But the part I really liked in this while sequence? Alya's car breaking down. There are always moments in CihAl's story where you see some external force intervening to move their story forward. For example, the way the roads are blocked in ep42. In this episode, fate intervenes yet again, and the message is clear. Don't run from the past; face it. That message is compounded when Boran shows up on the same road to see the fruits of his labor. In the last few episodes, Alya's reactions to Boran seem to have intensified. I don't know why that is, but it seems like Alya's anger seems to be taking over her despair. To the point where Cihan becomes the one to hold Alya back, which, in my opinion, is a good thing. Anger can be cleansing, unlike passivity. And it seems the days of Alya quietly listening to Boran's BS are finally ending. Anyway, the scene moves on to Cihan driving Alya to a remote location to talk things over, which I kind of liked. I prefer when these two go far away from the maddening crowd to iron out their differences. And note, whenever that happens, they happen to be in a location that has a bird's-eye view of the scene below. Kind of like how you try to take in the bigger picture - another nice subliminal message. Cihan kicks off the conversation by saying Boran is trying to cloud Alya's mind, to which Alya responds adequately by saying the only thing messing with her mind is Cihan's attempts to lie because Boran no longer holds any importance for her. Is that true? I think so. Because even though Alya and Cihan are talking about a highly volatile topic, they're relatively calm. Accusations don't fly about either. And, I liked the fact that Alya openly tells Cihan that his trying to keep her in the dark, even to protect her, is what ends up hurting her the most. Because that is the truth. Cihan's reasoning as to why he keeps Meryem's presence from her in this scene is incomplete. He does want to protect Alya from the pain his past includes, but that's only half the reason. The bigger reason is he's trying to do his damnedest to keep Alya with him. He's already failed to try to keep her with him at the konak, but an emotional distance would likely finish him off. Which is why the talk CihAl have at Alya's apartment is so important. When Meryem calls, Cihan stops Alya from leaving the room - which sets the tone of the conversation. When Cihan relates the story of what Meryem has gone through, Alya's reaction is just what's to be expected. She's empathetic towards her plight, of being forced, of facing violence, because while Alya's lucky enough to find love with Cihan, she understands only too well how women are made to feel helpless and powerless. There's this expression on Cihan's face that can only be described as astonishment. Because, despite Alya's past, what she's gone through in Mardin, and despite Cihan's own stupidities, she finds it in her heart to feel for another woman she wouldn't be wrong to feel threatened by. And that's one of the things he is so in love with about Alya. Her compassion. When Cihan says he feels responsible for all that's gone wrong in Meryem's life since that fateful day, Alya asks him why he felt the need to hide things yet again. But this time, the whole truth comes out. Cihan admits he was afraid of her pulling back from him even more. Another thing to note, Alya refers to Meryem as Cihan's first love, not only love. So, she's not doubtful of his feelings for her. What's scary to Alya is how much of a hold those old feelings still have over Cihan. The good news from that point on is that Cihan doesn't keep anything from Alya regarding Meryem again. That includes him trying to send her to Istanbul to set up a new life for her. The scene ends on a relatively happier note of disaster averted. And Cihan and Alya both look better after talking it out. Still, as the viewers, we know that Alya's fear hasn't been defeated, just delayed. And until Cihan gives Alya the kind of resolution she gives him with Boran, it will keep pushing her away from him, like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Now, the next scene I want to talk about is the scene where Cihan and Kaya talk at the tavern/bar. I loved that entire sequence because we keep transitioning between Cihan's focus on Alya (his future) and Alya's focus on Cihan's past. When Kaya asks Cihan how he could fall for Alya after claiming to love Meryem, when Kaya and Sahin kept waiting/fighting for their respective loves, Cihan's answer reveals one of the reasons his past has sprung up on him, because he still doesn't get it. He says he loved Meryem, was tested by that love, gained experience from it, which prepared him to fight tooth and nail for Alya. He's partially right. Yes, the past and its challenges prepared him and chiseled his determination to fight for Alya. But, he's confused about loving someone and being in love with someone. He is so in love with Alya, he's overcome when he's trying to explain the emotion. True love, the deep, enduring, transformational kind, doesn't ever fade. Almost like it's a state of permanent being, because it survives time, distance, and yes, even death. If what you think love is weakens, is downgraded, moves from the heart to merely the realm of responsibility, it's not the 'love' that mankind has written sonnets about, that people dream about, that lovers die for. Because true love doesn't change, doesn't disappear, or relocate itself into something smaller. If it does, it was never that to begin with. Yes, people can love multiple times. But that feeling of being in love, that one love that trumps everything else, is another kettle of fish entirely. And, according to Cihan's own words, his love for Alya is the kind of thing he's never experienced before. Its weighty and rooted so deeply inside him, it's impossible to escape or forget. So, yes, Ciho is partially right to say that what he experienced with Meryem helped ready the man who'd love and fight for Alya like never before, but he's wrong to think that those feelings can be categorized under the heading 'love.' Since Cihan and Alya's story deals with balance, equality, and symmetry, it's unlikely that Alya's past would reveal she never loved Boran, whereas Cihan's past would be something like oh she prepared me for the future. In fact, I suspect it's a little of both for Cihan and Alya. As in, both Boran and Meryem paved the way to their actual true love, and yes, neither of them truly loved their exes. Not to mention, Boran has exposed himself completely, and Meryem's giving off bad vibes already. Alya understood that early on because of what Boran does to her. Cihan is about to learn. Which is why stories ever truly drag the past into the present anyway, because there's a truth, a lesson, a resolution hidden within, after which, the past can finally be buried and be left behind. So, to me, the vibe of ep56 is - processing the past. Looking at it, dealing with it, but most of all, facing it head-on. Essentially, we're seeing Alya and Cihan inch towards clarity now that both pasts are back in their lives at the same time. There’s still a final understanding waiting to click into place, for CihAl, about what love truly is and what it never was. And once that realization lands, the past won’t just be faced… it will lose its hold altogether. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco21,239 views • 3 months ago
I think CihAl's consummation (or whatever else you'd like to call it) scene is probably one of the most well-thought-out ones of the series. It's perfect for Alya and Cihan's characters. And, if you watch the build-up, you can pinpoint where both decide to take their relationship to the next step. Let's start with my baby girl. Alya makes up her mind that she's done minding the distance between Cihan and herself pretty early on after she enters her room. The way she turns and looks back at the door with a half-smile. Then the camera pans in on the liquor, almost as if to say, she's thinking maybe she needs a little fortitude. And in the next room, Cihan is going through the same restlessness, almost like he's chomping at the bit too, but can't bring himself to act on what he's thinking. Next up, Alya downs some liquid courage and fills her glass again, almost as if a plan's forming in her head. And when she walks out of her room, she pauses, staring at Cihan's door. Eventually, she decides against it because, like the queen she is, she wants a neutral setting, not to overwhelm Cihan, but to engage Cihan's caution, and to see if he's ready to leave it behind. A broken vase later, when Cihan finally descends the steps to go to his wife, Alya gives him a very unconvincing performance of drunkenness. She wants to invite him to sit with her and iron a few things out between them. This is where her playacting is important because it gives them both protection. If Cihan isn't ready to move forward, she can retreat with her dignity, and he wouldn't have to feel pressured or remorseful. But, Cihan, being the brainiac he is, understands his wife is up to something. And, of course, he wants her like crazy, too, so he decides to play along while upping the ante a little - which is why he offers to carry her to her room. Her room. Not his. Because no matter what transpires, his priority is her comfort. So, up they go, and when he lays her down on her bed, Alya pulls him to sit next to her, and switches to phase two. Remember when I said she doesn't want to override him? Her sequence of questions is a gentle attempt to determine if she's read him correctly. That his guilt is no longer the determining factor in their relationship, without triggering any resentment. Why are we staying in separate rooms? Aren't we married? Don't you love me? Don't I love you? Aren't you my husband? Am I not your wife? Then why are we sleeping in separate beds? See? It's a logical dismantling of the remaining distance between them. And every time Cihan answers, it gives her more courage to move forward, it gives her more hope. Cihan isn't being led; he's an active participant, and he is choosing to be. Step by step, to move forward with Alya, by staying in the conversation, to meet her halfway. Then comes the cute nose-rubbing session, and you can see Cihan wants to give in. But old habits die hard, so he has to be sure. Did you drink too much he asks, and that's when Alya gives up her game. Because she's sure too. She tells him how she only drank one glass of wine and how she broke that vase on purpose. Because when they're so close to the brink, she lays all her cards on the table, like always. It isn't like her to hide. And when Cihan brings the topic back to her drunkenness again, that's him proceeding with care. Baby steps. This is his life we're talking about... I mean, his wife. So, Alya Hanim takes up the challenge and asks, 'Would I only want to when I'm drunk?' things are clear as day. The proverbial bulb goes on in Ciho's head. His 'I don't know, maybe' is him being coy, like the imp he is. But all that playfulness goes out the window when his wife says, 'Wouldn't you like to find out?' I think Alya may have managed to give Cihan a mini heart attack with those words, because his answer is so faint, it's laughable. From that point on, it's all engines go for both of them. They're sure now, their minds and hearts are on the same page. After that, it's all love, desire, flirtatiousness, playful goading, and everything that's quintessentially CihAl. Brilliantly written and masterfully portrayed. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco37,805 views • 6 months ago
Analyzing Episode 55. Season 2 aka The Violence of Alignment If I visualize CihAl's journey for this season, a spiral tightening its rings comes to mind. There's always one problem after another, spiking in intensity and reaction. And, the weight of it is reflected in both Alya's increasingly somber demeanor. But, here's the thing. In every new problem, there's an echo of the old one, which leaves one with an inevitable feeling of deja vu - for the audience and the characters. We'll get to why towards the end of this analysis. For now, on we go. We kick off epi 55 with Cihan being introduced to Meryem *cough* dishrag *cough* by Sadakat. And what follows is a breakdown of her story with Cihan listening. However, when Meryem recounted her past woes, I focused less on her words and more on Cihan's words and expression. And what follows is a masterclass in the difference between sympathy and empathy. Kudos to Ozan Akbaba for portraying the difference. I couldn't help but compare the situation to when Cihan is listening to Alya's account of her past. With Alya, Cihan leans forward, barely moving. He listens, but his face tends to reflect his own emotion and mirrors Alya's at times - in other words, he's living those events with her. When he talks, his voice drops lower, but more importantly, there's a gentle softness meant to soothe. With Meryem, Cihan's body language is a tad more detached. When he's leaning forward in the seat, his hands are extended in front of him, clasped together, creating space. Then he leans back, one arm extended on the table, the other on his thigh. Again, there's this feel of distance. His voice remains soft, but there's no tenderness. He's not trying to alleviate, rather he's simply listening. Don't get me wrong, it's not like the guy doesn't feel bad for her, because what she relates shouldn't be experienced by anyone. But empathy goes beyond sympathy. Empathy is when you hurt with the one who's hurting. And that difference, to me, is clear between the two scenes. Long story short, when he's heard what Meryem's gone through, he offers to help get her out of prison because he feels responsible in part for her misfortunes. He says it's his 'duty' to help her. Here's what's interesting: when Meryem says his kindness and heart haven't changed, he gets uncomfortable. And after that, he's the one to get up from the chair, signaling the end of the conversation. Like he wants to get out of there, because some part of him that's not stupidly male understands Meryem's still attached to him, but he has no interest in that whatsoever. His method of saying goodbye is a handshake, again, a testament to his aloofness. And when Meryem hugs him, his hands remain at their sides; the man could have been a pillar. So, while he speaks not of Alya, the one time he takes her name, he drives the message across that 'she's no one ordinary' and 'tread carefully'. Honestly, I don't think he wants to talk about Alya to Meryem. Not because Alya's not important, but because Alya is too important. The part of his life that Alya represents is his alone, and he's very possessive about sharing that with anyone. To him, Meryem is a past that exists, but one that he would erase if he had the choice, because it hurts Alya. And that's pretty much the whole feel of this conversation. He wants to help Meryem, but he also wants her gone because her presence is a source of discomfort to Alya. Speaking of discomforts, the next scene I want to talk about is when the massive turd, who happens to be Alya's ex-husband, goes to the hospital to threaten her some more. Seriously, this character is a step short of absolute psycho. He's incapable of true emotion, just like his mother. Anyway, when Alya is explaining why she hasn't moved out yet, the zombie's eyes zero in on her wedding band. And, of course, being who he is, he absolutely ignores the topic of Deniz, his own flesh and blood, and instead, wants the ring gone because it symbolizes Alya's love and attachment to Cihan. Thankfully, Cihan arrives in time to push away the zombie and to hear Alya proclaim that while Boran has the power to use her son and distance her from Cihan physically, he has no power over her heart and who reigns over it. Now, think back to that conversation where Deniz wants her to pick between Cihan and himself. And Cihan says Deniz's throne (or place) in her heart is so secure, he's happy to live in the shadow of that throne. While Alya smiles at Cihan's response, she also looks miserable later at the thought of not being able to tell Cihan that things aren't exactly so. However, I think she manages to get her point across in this scene without even realizing it. Because while she may make sacrifices for her son, no amount of blackmail, pain, or hurt can remove Cihan's love from her heart. Now, I don't know about you, but that sounds almost like an equal footing. The only difference is that she's bound to protect her son, because, unlike Cihan, he can't protect himself. And that's what leads Cihan to later tell Alya that her words are etched across his heart, and that he's never felt that loved by anyone. Curiously enough, this scene also brings the spotlight on two other details: Alya's 'anka' side and the wedding ring. Both of which will feature rather greatly, in the coming episodes, I think. Now, there's a rumor going around that Alya will take off her wedding ring. And, I don't know, the fact that Cihan's almost preening at Alya, still wearing the ring, and Alya saying 'I couldn't take it off' tells me that's not what's going to happen. For some reason, I'm beginning to get the vibes of a showdown of trust in the same vein as episode 27. Now you may argue that Cihan actually tells Alya about Mine's pregnancy in that episode, but CihAl have had a long journey since then. Alya has seen Cihan choose her over Boran with her own eyes. She's seen the lengths the man has gone to for her and Deniz. So, yes, she might be pissed about something or the other related to Meryem in future episodes, but her taking off the ring seems not within her character somehow. But hey, that's just me, and I could be wrong. Anyway, the final scene I want to talk about is, of course, the ending. Everyone kept focusing on why Cihan allowed Meryem to hold his hands, but I focused on his words. Because he very clearly tells Meryem that he's no longer in love with her, that he's moved on, and that she should not hang about in the hopes of that ever changing. In his own way, Cihan is quite ruthless here. He draws a line, but his words are designed not to hurt, because he's not an ahole. He just wants dishrag to understand that even the thought of Alya being hurt pains him more now than anything else. And, he's not very kind to people who try to hurt Alya. It's a disclosure and warning, but in the form of steel wrapped in satin. Now, let's go back to the beginning for a bit, where I mentioned spiraling events. See, I somehow thought that those vows Cihal took 'savaşta, bedelde, kararda, kaderde, aşkta' were linear levels. That they'd clear them one by one and get to love. But when you see the overall structure of their journey in this season, it's not linear at all. Because all those things have existed in one form or another since ep 29. There's always an element of all of these conditions in every episode. Which is why we keep thinking, wait a minute, we've been here before. But as I said, the spiral is tightening itself. With every episode, the stakes are raised higher, and CihAl are pushed a little bit closer to the edge. Almost like the deep breath before the plunge. And here’s where things get interesting. Because what feels like repetition is not actually stagnation, it’s confrontation deferred, coming back sharper each time. Every cycle brings them back to the same point. Their love deepens, fear follows, a decision is made in the name of protection, and that decision creates distance instead of resolution. Which brings me back to the vows - savaşta, bedelde, kararda, kaderde, aşkta. I was wrong to think of them as steps. They’re not something Cihan and Alya are moving towards; they’re something CihAl are already inside of. Every episode is them living those vows in real time. But with every new episode, the pressure mounts, like music builds to a crescendo. And yet, within all of that, aşk remains. Not as a reward at the end of the journey. But as the one thing that refuses to disappear, no matter how many times everything else goes wrong. And maybe that's why episode 55 feels the way it does. It creates the illusion that everything is falling apart, yet again, when in reality, everything is being forced into alignment. Something is moving all the pieces on the chessboard for an ultimate showdown. And the process gets more violent by the minute. Cihan hides the truth because he thinks love needs protection. Alya experiences that same act as distance, almost betrayal. Meanwhile, Boran and Sadakat keep pushing, and Meryem drops like a freaking bomb at the worst possible moment. Suddenly, everything that could have remained unsaid, unresolved, or postponed is dragged into the open. This has all the hallmarks of a breaking point. Note, I said breaking point, not breakdown. Because, unlike breakdowns, breaking points are used for revelations. I guess what I'm trying to say is things are headed towards alignment, not just for the overall story, but also CihAl's journey individually. Because Cihan and Alya also keep repeating their mistakes. Their growth requires something along the lines of a push, too. So, we have war, sacrifice, decisions, fate, and love, all coming to a head. And while there are plenty of reasons to feel ominous, I personally don't. The story is no longer about them loving each other - we're well past that. It’s about whether they can finally stand in that love openly and without any fear. Because everything is pushing them toward a breaking point, not to destroy them, I think, but to shape them into who they need to be. And if there’s one thing CihAl have proven since day one, it’s this - they don’t fall apart under pressure, they grow stronger, and they survive the impossible. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco21,061 views • 3 months ago
A little boy who encountered a minefield at the age of 5. And a young girl who always longed for a family, somewhere to belong. Both Cihan and Alya's childhood deficiencies play such a huge role in how they love as adults. The way Cihan protects Deniz, for example. He can't stand to see the little boy hurt. He does his absolute best to ensure his childhood is carefree and full of love, unlike his own. Whereas Alya's natural inclination towards loving and caring for Kaya, Nare, Zerrin - all of whom fit the younger siblings bill - is equally heartwarming. She goes out of her way to help them, and they reciprocate by confiding in her. That's a beautiful detail about their characters, and it makes them all the more lovable. In scenes like this one, CihAl's love becomes more than just a romantic tale. It becomes recovery; it becomes healing. It's kind of a message that people from broken childhoods can grow up to be kind and loving individuals capable of providing a safe space for others to rest. It's precisely because CihAl love with the instinct of survivors that they're perfect for the roles of Ağa and Hanimağa. Together, they have the capacity to bring healing to themselves and lands they inhabit. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco33,780 views • 6 months ago
When I first wrote about how Cihan gave up fighting for Meryem but not Alya, my post was lined with comments like, 'Oh, but he knew Alya was going to divorce Boran anyway,' or 'Cihan knew Alya loved him,' etc., etc. The point isn't what Cihan knew or didn't know. He knew Meryem loved him; he also knew they'd made vows to live and die together. But when push came to shove, Cihan surrendered. Or, perhaps, you could also say, he found that he could surrender. Once he finds out Meryem is married, he goes back and marries Seyda to resolve the blood feud. He doesn't even bother to look up Meryem again. He's able to turn his back, no matter how difficult he claims it was. In comparison, the tests he's put through with Alya are much more challenging - hitting all his soft spots. Family, responsibility, tribe, etc. But he doesn't give up. The thought of giving up never even enters his mind. And his words, 'Even if everything turns to hell, it won’t end until we say it’s over,' reflect his defiance in the face of impossible odds. The man is prepared to face everything that comes his way. That's the difference between true love and a mere imitation of it. True love isn’t the kind you can walk away from - it’s what rewrites your limits, where surrender or losing the one you love is no option at all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
CocoLoco16,695 views • 2 months ago
From hesitating to refer to the woman who'd become the love of his life 'Alya' to hugging her in front of all and sundry without any stumbling or doubt. And from saying we can't get close to each other to enfolding the man she loves more than her own life in her arms without giving a damn who's watching. These two have come a long way. Their story is one of the best transformations I've seen on the screen. I don't care what anyone says. Give me 10 seasons of this and I'll take them gladly. Can't get enough of CihAl and their beautiful dynamics ❤️✨️ #UzakŞehir #CihAl
CocoLoco24,526 views • 4 months ago