This series is different in all aspects from any other series I've seen in the romance/drama genre. The end is apocalyptic and the nature of the love affair is different. Based on a novel of the same title, the screenwriters, while deviating in many ways from the original story, manage to remain faithful to major events and themes. The affair is the center around which events revolve from the hatred, misconception, attraction, tension, and love in season 1 to the life of secrecy, cheating, fear, and the many ups and downs Behlul and Biher's relationship faces in season 2.
The development of that relationship is made in a very careful and realistic way... in a way that is designed to attract viewers to sympathize and root for the couple by showing it as a love-driven affair and giving the lovers hearts by exploring their hesitation and internal struggle because of their feelings throughout season 1. The more passionate their relationship in season 2 becomes, the more arguments and fights they have, which, while leaving a bitter taste in your mouth, is very true to their characters; Behlul is a selfish coward, who runs away at the first sign of them getting caught, and Bihter is strong, hard-headed, and will stop at nothing to keep him from being with Nihal (They get engaged so the truth about the affair remain hidden.) The story never seems to be dragging and the screenwriters never fail to engage the viewers with increasing excitement as the story develops especially in season 2, which is why I think Ask-i memnu is different as every other Turkish show I've seen seems to be lost and lacking in purpose in the middle of the second season.
The acting is powerful, and ,in particular, Beren Saat, whose performance is so mind blowing that you actually suffer with Bihter in season 2. In that regard, I would like to lift the hat for whoever did the casting... Beren and Kivanc have crazy chemistry that is rarely matched. And with the rest of the perfect package, Toygar Işıklı composes very beautiful soundtracks for the series.
This is not a story about morals and what is right and what is wrong... It is not didactic in nature. It is a complex exploration of the human heart and mind when people are faced with what they want and what they should not want, and how choosing to betray your loved ones brings misery and isolation to the people who give in to forbidden temptations. The only thing that disturbed me the most about the story is using Nihal as a scapegoat to Behlul's phony attempts at redemption and purification. It seemed so wrong that the people who cared the most about her (Mademoiselle and Besir) chose to "protect" her by not telling her the truth about her fiancé and never thought that finding out too late would do her much more damage. A must see for romance, drama, and beauty lovers.
The development of that relationship is made in a very careful and realistic way... in a way that is designed to attract viewers to sympathize and root for the couple by showing it as a love-driven affair and giving the lovers hearts by exploring their hesitation and internal struggle because of their feelings throughout season 1. The more passionate their relationship in season 2 becomes, the more arguments and fights they have, which, while leaving a bitter taste in your mouth, is very true to their characters; Behlul is a selfish coward, who runs away at the first sign of them getting caught, and Bihter is strong, hard-headed, and will stop at nothing to keep him from being with Nihal (They get engaged so the truth about the affair remain hidden.) The story never seems to be dragging and the screenwriters never fail to engage the viewers with increasing excitement as the story develops especially in season 2, which is why I think Ask-i memnu is different as every other Turkish show I've seen seems to be lost and lacking in purpose in the middle of the second season.
The acting is powerful, and ,in particular, Beren Saat, whose performance is so mind blowing that you actually suffer with Bihter in season 2. In that regard, I would like to lift the hat for whoever did the casting... Beren and Kivanc have crazy chemistry that is rarely matched. And with the rest of the perfect package, Toygar Işıklı composes very beautiful soundtracks for the series.
This is not a story about morals and what is right and what is wrong... It is not didactic in nature. It is a complex exploration of the human heart and mind when people are faced with what they want and what they should not want, and how choosing to betray your loved ones brings misery and isolation to the people who give in to forbidden temptations. The only thing that disturbed me the most about the story is using Nihal as a scapegoat to Behlul's phony attempts at redemption and purification. It seemed so wrong that the people who cared the most about her (Mademoiselle and Besir) chose to "protect" her by not telling her the truth about her fiancé and never thought that finding out too late would do her much more damage. A must see for romance, drama, and beauty lovers.