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You know what makes this smexier? It's that Alya is never this open, this carefree, this reassured with anyone else. The fact that she's so comfortable in her own skin with Cihan brings such happiness to my heart. And Ciho? He can't believe the little bird in his palm...

11,890 görüntüleme • 7 ay önce •via X (Twitter)

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Analyzing Episode 58. Season 2 aka Balancing the Scales This episode was some of Sinem and Ozan's best work. Their expressions landed every single time, and, frankly, short of screaming what the story is trying to say, they did everything they could to convince the audience that CihAl was, is, and will remain the endgame. With that out of the way, let's begin. We start the episode with Cihan shitting literal bricks as he sees Alya is already at the konak with Sadakat and Meryem arriving, right behind him. The reason is clear - he's caught in a difficult situation yet again. He doesn't want things to look like he's overriding Alya's existence in his life as its core, but circumstances keep making it so that he's put in awkward situations, which only compound his fear of pushing Alya past the point of no return. Meryem is all smiles and teeth at seeing the konak, but the minute her eyes land on Alya, her smile and her eyes drop to the floor. Almost like she was expecting something else entirely, but reality has shamed her. Her eyes remain downcast throughout the entire time she's walking towards Alya, as if Alya's the truth she can't cross eyes with. Alya, on the other hand, remains standing tall. She doesn't flinch, doesn't express any outward anger, but you can see the storm raging in her eyes. When Cihan tells her Meryem will have to stay at the konak, she merely looks at him and nods. And you can see terror mixed with shame (I think) on Cihan's face, but hers remains clear of emotion. And then she walks away, saying she needs to collect Deniz because she's tired. Now that's an exit. Poised, calm, and leaving behind an absolute massacre in the onlookers. The scene where Deniz meets Meryem is another masterpiece because it's very subtle in the message it delivers. Which is - human relations go beyond blood, beyond memory, beyond societal impediments, if the love on both sides is strong enough. When Deniz says he's named after his father, the little boy is telling the truth. Cihan may not be his father in blood, but he's the father Deniz loves, the father he chose for himself. Then the same message is repeated through Deniz about CihAl when Sadakat tries to create trouble by saying Alya and Cihan are divorced. To which Deniz innocently replies, they may be divorced now, but they can get married again. Again, highlighting the importance of human connection. CihAl keep choosing each other through whatever challenge life throws at them, because they love each other equally. Yes, marriages and divorce can be forced, but it's the presence or absence of love that determines the final outcome. Case in point, Alya's marriage to Boran, Cihan's marriage to Seyda, Nare with Ozkan, Zerrin and Demir, etc., etc. That's what anyone opposing CihAl doesn't understand. Love finds a way. Always. That's what the story has been about since the beginning - that love will stand strong in front of all, as long as what you feel is truly love, and not some imitation of it. Also, *hint* *hint* that's the second time someone has mentioned CihAl getting married again, so it's definitely coming. Now for the scene where Cihan and Alya talk in their room. Cihan is right to be afraid of Alya here because he's a first-hand witness to how Alya reacts when she's been betrayed. He's seen how she took off Boran's ring and buried it with him after she found out about the will. An extreme situation compared to this one, absolutely. But fears don't use logic. Cihan knows Alya is strong enough to move on, to rise from the ashes - her strength is what he loves and fears at the same time. So, when he says 'Think of the Cihan in Alya's eyes, I don't want to be that Cihan' he's saying I know it looks like I disregarded you and broke your trust again, but that's not how things were. He needs her to show emotions, not because it'll pander to his ego, but because that's a sign she's still involved. That she's not near the point where she says 'enough is enough.' Alya, on the flip side, can't show her emotions. Because, unlike what Cihan fears, it's because she's so in love with him, so involved, that she's afraid to even ask what Cihan feels. Because if she learns Cihan's past isn't just the past, that he still loves Meryem, it'll shatter her unlike anything else. Despite it all, Cihan manages to reach Alya somehow when he pleads, 'I need you to communicate with me.' It's like his fears break past her barriers and, in turn, allow her to open up a little to him because she admits she doesn't know what to do, and then out comes the real question, 'Don't you feel anything?' Kudos to Cihan for not dodging the question and saying whatever he feels for her is just memory and gratitude. Salak. And I say salak with all my love, because he still misses the elephant in the room. The point is the imbalance. When we tell someone they're the only love of our life, we want an equal declaration in return. If not, the loop remains incomplete - with one side a little more invested than the other. And, CihAl's story thus far has been the opposite of imbalance. Their story is about symmetry; they reflect each other in love, in wounds, in loss. Basically everything. So, how is it that Alya's only love is Cihan, while his isn't? It's not. And that's where that necklace reveal becomes important, but we'll get to that later. For now, let's talk about that little talk in the car. The story itself is giving us hints that this imbalance won't last long, because the minute Alya talks about her first brush with romance is the moment jealous Cihan makes a return. He gets jealous of a nameless, formless, 16-year-old boy who once had the audacity to date his wife. That is, he can't tolerate a contender for Alya's affections even in memory. Cihan is extremely possessive about Alya, which is why he doesn't waste a moment to remind her she told him he's her only love. And Alya, being Alya, doesn't waste a moment in reminding him that he didn't. And then she turns the screw a little by telling Cihan not to burn his heart over her teenage crush because she never planned to marry her crush, nor is she conveniently living under the same roof with him. Mic drop. Cihan's face at that moment is a study in being hoist by one's own petard. Because he's expecting Alya to be okay with something he can't even stand the idea of. He's jealous as hell, but he can't do anything about it. But why is all this happening? Because one of Cihan's biggest truths is - he loved Meryem and lost her. In truth, he didn't love her, which is why he didn't fight hard enough, which is why he lost her. If Cihan had truly loved Meryem the way he loves Alya, he would have fought until the bitter end. Like he's doing for Alya. That's the truth. In Uzak, true love isn't passive - it demands to be seen, to be felt, it doesn't sit back quietly and accept defeat. In this story, love demands to be chosen. And Cihan didn't choose Meryem, not in the way it matters. So, why can't Cihan just accept the truth already? Fear and guilt, I think. Fear of the magnitude of what he feels for Alya, and what losing her would do to him. And guilt because some part of him knows he didn't do for Meryem what he's doing for Alya. And of course, now there's the burden of her shitty ex, too. Nonetheless, fate keeps pushing Cihan to realize the truth, over and over again in this episode. Another glimpse of how passive Cihan may have been in his relationship with Meryem is the dinner scene. Sadakat points out how much Meryem loved stuffed kebabs, and Cihan is barely listening. This is the same man who knows what Alya likes to eat when she's on break during duty. When Meryem points out Cihan's allergy, he says it was something he had in the past, but no longer. Almost like he's comparing the feelings he once had for her to an allergy. What an allegory. See? The signs are all there, but Cihan isn't picking up on them completely. Then fate ups the ante with the arrival of Chef Engin. The first thing Cihan asks Alya when Engin is gone is - Is that him? As in, is that the boy you said loved you? The man goes off the rails in 0 to 60 seconds, and keeps coming up with excuses like he may have changed his name or appearance. The idea of not being the only man in Alya's life makes him lose his cool while Alya rightly points out that she's not the one living with her 'first love' currently. Which then leads to Cihan spending the night at the office. So, fate manages to teach him one lesson here. Which is - ask only for that which you're ready to give. Cihan needs emotional exclusivity from Alya, but hasn't given her the same yet. He's not built to share Alya, not with the past, not with a memory, not with anything. But the second he feels even a fraction of what Alya's been going through, he unravels marvelously. And that's the entire point of that sequence. It's not just jealous drama, it's exposure. Cihan is slowly being led towards the one truth staring him in the face. That's where the necklace comes in. Thus far, Ciho seems to be operating under the misconception that Meryem has moved on, like him. But that necklace (and the video) prove otherwise. Meryem's current attachment to him throws neutrality out the window. Because Cihan will now have to set absolute boundaries, and in doing so, understand why he's setting them. Why what he feels for Alya leaves no room for anyone else because he can't stand the idea of something similar in Alya's past, present, or future. Because they are each other's exception, and everyone else was the rule. And that's it from me for now. Till later. Happy reading, y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

14,669 görüntüleme • 2 ay önce

People keep saying Alya and Cihan aren't acting like themselves anymore. That's not true. They're still pretty much the same. Take the scene where Cihan tries to talk to Alya in their room. When he asks why she left the table, her reply is 'because it doesn't concern me.' That's exactly what she says when he tells her to talk things out with Fiko. Why? Because withdrawal is Alya's defense mechanism. The higher the risk of hurt, the more she pulls back. And yes, it all goes back to younger Alya living with the pain of being abandoned by her mother. Even though Alya knows the truth now, she still remembers how much it hurt to have her mother choose money over her. And that's how fears function. Not on logic, but on pain. So, Cihan knows exactly what she's doing when she refuses to talk to him about Meryem. He knows even Meryem's presence around them is enough to unsettle her. But he can't understand why he can't reach her, no matter how he tries. That's simple, too. Because this time, Alya's fear revolves around him leaving her. In silence, Alya can stay safe. She can ignore admitting how much losing Cihan would hurt her. Alya doesn't need Cihan to tell her that what he's doing is out of conscience. She knows him well enough for that. What she needs is certainty. The kind that can only come from when he admits that there are no contenders for his affection. That she's the only one he loves. Exactly how Alya told him. Cihan can't connect the dots because he's looking at things from his perspective. That because he knows Meryem no longer holds any place in his heart, somehow Alya is aware of it too. Once he makes the connection, hopefully with the presence of a certain chef, we'll see things tumble out in the open. We'll see that for Alya, love can have no room for doubt. That's why she's so clear about choosing Cihan openly despite Boran. And now, whether consciously or not, she’s waiting for Cihan to do the same. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

14,086 görüntüleme • 3 ay önce

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

CocoLoco

37,805 görüntüleme • 6 ay önce

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

CocoLoco

21,239 görüntüleme • 3 ay önce

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

CocoLoco

52,641 görüntüleme • 7 ay önce

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

CocoLoco

16,681 görüntüleme • 1 ay önce

Analyzing Episode 35. Season 2 aka Turning the Tables Alrighty, let's do this. Episode 35 was one of the strongest episodes of season 2, I think, because we get to see Ciho and Alya kind of switch places, for once. In s1, Alya would mostly pick flight when her feelings got overwhelming. Whereas Ciho, with his Ağa mindset, would inevitably choose to fight. But, unlike in s1, the circumstances are unique. We see the tables turn because Alya probably hasn't loved anyone before like she loves Cihan, and Cihan hasn't ever come across a test as heavy as the half-alive Boran. So, essentially, they're both out of their comfort zones. Let's discuss Alya first. My love for this character just keeps growing. I've yet to see someone be as principled and willing to break the rules, as strong and soft at the same time, as Alya Albora. The woman is a marvel. We must protect her at all costs (Get in line, Ciho). As the episode begins, Alya walks off to their room and proceeds to lock herself in Cihan's study after informing everyone about Cihan's not-so-tiny health problem. I think being the smart cookie she is, she realizes early on that Cihan will be his stubborn self about the surgery business, which is why something of a plan is already forming in her head. When Cihan shows up to talk, Alya doesn't back down from telling him she knows exactly why he's walking to almost certain death. Still, she only brings out the big guns after pleading with him to review his decision doesn't work. Her goal isn't to hurt him. It's to save him. To shock him enough to wake from the limbo Cihan has isolated himself in. When her words fail to achieve their target, she acts. I'm pretty damn sure she knows exactly what she's going to do as she's packing her clothes to leave the mansion. Alya refuses to leave Cihan's side even in the worst of circumstances, so her walking out when he's about to risk his life is completely out of character. And not only that, before leaving, she tells Cihan she doesn't want to talk to him or see him until he changes his mind about becoming the donor. See? Smart. She's doing everything she can to keep him from monitoring her movements (like he generally does :D). She's learned to read her husband, so much so that she turns his tactics on him. And Cihan never picks up on it. And watching her in action is poetry in motion - beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Because this time, the one person she can always count on for support isn't with her. She's fighting for Cihan, for their love, all on her own. Even though they promise each other they'd face whatever obstacles come their way together as they leave the airport in ep 29. While everyone gathers to wish Cihan well before the operation, Alya walks through those corridors alone. She has no one to calm her fears, no one to soothe her brow. No one tells her they'll be praying for her quick recovery. And that hurts like a son of a bitch. Because Alya has such a capacity for love and giving, she doesn't hesitate to take huge risks for the people she loves. On the other hand, she has no one other than Cihan to do the same for her. He's her other half. And there's no way in hell she'd stand back and watch him destroy himself. Her devotion and resolve are crystal clear when she speaks to Cihan while he's sedated. Still, I think some of her loneliness and desperation bleeds through her words to her husband. Almost as if something deep inside her cries out for him to wake up and choose her - like she's choosing him. Over everyone. Even her own life. Speaking of choosing, let's pause here and pivot to Cihan Bey. Cihan, like all of us, is a product of his upbringing, his environment, and his personal beliefs. Two of those three things are extremely toxic and warped. Not to mention, the guilt that's eating him alive is a product of those two things. They say when you're undergoing feelings of intense guilt, you tend to fluctuate between two states - suppression and surrender. When you suppress, you tell yourself you're fine. Everything's okay. Things are best this way type of stuff. In fact, I want you to remember this phrase. Then, there's surrender - moments of lucidity where you realize you're falling apart, that this isn't what you want at all. You're flooded by emotions and longing about what you're denying yourself. And that's something you see in Cihan over and over in this episode. He keeps fluctuating from one state to the other, and I don't think he even realizes what he's about to do to himself and Alya by wanting to go through with that operation. Take the scene where they're talking in their room before Alya leaves. On the one hand, Cihan tells Alya he has responsibilities to his family, and on the other, he can't see how his decision will affect Alya and Deniz. Then, when Cihan tries talking to Alya when he's driving her to work, he tells her he doesn't want to sacrifice their love, but in the next instance, he tells her he won't lose her 'in his heart' even if Boran wakes up. You see the inconsistency? He keeps switching between what he truly wants and the things might be best this way mindset. Surrender and suppression. Like when he keeps seeking her out at every turn, but insists on undergoing a surgery that will almost certainly kill him. The guilt inside him builds like pressure almost. He tries to suppress it until it spills over, revealing his true feelings, then he panics and moves back to suppression again. This keeps repeating until he wakes up to discover that Alya is the one undergoing the surgery. That's when the cycle finally breaks. Because when he's faced with the reality of losing Alya forever, he finally accepts the core truth driving his guilt - he fell in love with his brother's wife. Sure, he thinks Boran is dead and gone when it happens, but guilt doesn't really follow logic. That's why Alya being the donor and almost losing her life forces him to accept the love he feels for Alya is part of him now. There is no fighting it, there is no changing it. There is only accepting it. And his speech to Boran before he sees Alya is proof of his surrender. Because he finally admits that his bond with Alya isn't about choice anymore, he doesn't control the love; it controls him now. In front of Boran, no less. He finally looks his guilt in the face and starts to overcome it. That's why we see him initiating the kiss in their room. He's not overcome by self-reproach when he thinks of touching Alya intimately now. All very, very positive signs. And, let's not forget, when he sees his entire family conspired behind his back to allow Alya to be the donor, he understands another sold truth. He is the only family Alya has apart from Deniz. Which makes Alya's sacrifice all the more powerful. Because he realizes that she kept her part of the bargain. She kept fighting for them, even when he didn't. Hopefully, this is the moment where Cihan stops running and starts choosing. Alya didn’t just save his life physically; she forced him to confront the part of himself he kept buried. And now that he’s finally surrendered to that truth, we’re about to see the version of Cihan who fights for love instead of resisting it. Till next time, happy reading, y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

26,130 görüntüleme • 8 ay önce

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

CocoLoco

21,061 görüntüleme • 3 ay önce