By now you have noticed that most streaming series are strong out of the gate but lose their power with each new season. This one is typical --the first two seasons were a treat, almost hypnotic in their ability to hold audience attention. Season 3 is an afterthought, lacking in all the qualities which made the first two so appealing. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))
284 Reviews
Season 3 pretty much ignores previous plotlines
flygirl80819 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I'm extremely irritated. So in season 1 certain things with a specific and intentional end happen. Season 2 pretty much picks up there and has it's own plotline but makes connections to season 1's plotline now and then. It has a specific and very intentional end as well. So far so good. Season 3 however does NOT pick up there. On the contrary, it never once mentions season 2's very distinctive end. Nor does it explain how circumstances have emerged the way they have. Do they think we won't notice that major explanations are just completely missing? Or do they want us to get together in forums and discuss how things have resulted in what they showed in season 3? Urrrrrgh...
Please fix the English subtitles for Season 2
fixitfurry3 January 2020
This is one of my favourite Netflix series. It held my attention from the first episode to the last. The English subtitles were the only distraction. I like watching films in their native language to hear the actors' real voices, but I felt like I was missing out on dialogue because of the poor subtitling. The subtitles were often late, weren't on the screen long enough to read or didn't appear at all.
About Dubbing
emad-7317628 December 2019
I have noticed many have complained about the acting and dubbing. To solve the issue you should see the drama in its original Turkish audio because the English dubbing is really horrible and destroys the acting of such a good cast. Please see with original Turkish audio and respective subtitles.
Enjoyable Turkish Fantasy that has a side benefit of being a beautiful travelogue.
cgvsluis31 January 2021
The Gift is a made for Netflix Turkish fantasy drama about an artist named Atiye, who discovers that she has a much bigger connection to the world at large.
We start with the opening of her first art show where every painting is a variation of a symbol that she has been drawing since she was eight years old. Atiye keeps thinking she is seeing an elderly woman with facial tattoos...to the consternation of her family. One night Atiye sees a news story about a new discovery at the on-going archaeological dig at the ruins of Göbekli Tepe. The news story depicts hieroglyphs of the same symbol that she has used since she was eight. This prompts Atiye to travel to Göbekli Tepe to see it in person. On the way, she meets a young girl with the mark of a star on her forehead. At the dig she meets the discovering professor/archaeologist, Erhan, who was following in the footsteps of his deceased father. Erhan prevents Atiye from getting anywhere near the new discovery, but at night our mysterious star girl leads Atiye into the dig. This one trip in doesn't answer Atiye's questions and she eventually gets found and tossed out. Back at home her family and fiancé all convince Atiye that she is seeing things, needs to be seeing a psychiatrist and be taking medication...until on the verge of her wedding Erhan shows up with the elderly woman with the facial tattoos, who not only really exists but is Atiye's supposedly dead grandmother. Together they go on an adventure working on unraveling many mysteries and discovering that they and their families are intertwined.
There is mystery, intrigue, pursuit by individuals with their own agendas...and a twist for season two.
I highly recommend season one. It was interesting, has beautiful shots of Istanbul, Göbekli Tepe, and Mount Nemrut, and had an interesting story to tell.
Season two was also interesting, although not quite as good as season one...it was like season one with a twist, which added kind of an interesting element to the show in general. The added location of Cappadocia, showcased why it is on my list of must sees in Turkey!
I have been learning to speak Turkish and often watch Turkish tv to help with vocabulary and pronunciation. I mention this because I have read some criticism of the English translation on this series on Netflix. My Turkish is still not good enough to thoroughly comment on this, but even I know enough Turkish to know that "Kizim" is "my daughter" not "sweetheart".
I am looking forward to season three and I am hoping that it will have a happier ending than season two.
We start with the opening of her first art show where every painting is a variation of a symbol that she has been drawing since she was eight years old. Atiye keeps thinking she is seeing an elderly woman with facial tattoos...to the consternation of her family. One night Atiye sees a news story about a new discovery at the on-going archaeological dig at the ruins of Göbekli Tepe. The news story depicts hieroglyphs of the same symbol that she has used since she was eight. This prompts Atiye to travel to Göbekli Tepe to see it in person. On the way, she meets a young girl with the mark of a star on her forehead. At the dig she meets the discovering professor/archaeologist, Erhan, who was following in the footsteps of his deceased father. Erhan prevents Atiye from getting anywhere near the new discovery, but at night our mysterious star girl leads Atiye into the dig. This one trip in doesn't answer Atiye's questions and she eventually gets found and tossed out. Back at home her family and fiancé all convince Atiye that she is seeing things, needs to be seeing a psychiatrist and be taking medication...until on the verge of her wedding Erhan shows up with the elderly woman with the facial tattoos, who not only really exists but is Atiye's supposedly dead grandmother. Together they go on an adventure working on unraveling many mysteries and discovering that they and their families are intertwined.
There is mystery, intrigue, pursuit by individuals with their own agendas...and a twist for season two.
I highly recommend season one. It was interesting, has beautiful shots of Istanbul, Göbekli Tepe, and Mount Nemrut, and had an interesting story to tell.
Season two was also interesting, although not quite as good as season one...it was like season one with a twist, which added kind of an interesting element to the show in general. The added location of Cappadocia, showcased why it is on my list of must sees in Turkey!
I have been learning to speak Turkish and often watch Turkish tv to help with vocabulary and pronunciation. I mention this because I have read some criticism of the English translation on this series on Netflix. My Turkish is still not good enough to thoroughly comment on this, but even I know enough Turkish to know that "Kizim" is "my daughter" not "sweetheart".
I am looking forward to season three and I am hoping that it will have a happier ending than season two.
Binge worthy mystical story
mysterionmysterion28 December 2019
When I came into this show, I wasnt expecting much, as my experiance with Turkish cinema is only through cheesy Turkish soaps. Boy this is so far from it... From episode 1 I got hucked in to the story, and it didnt let go until the end. Really good job! Usually stories coming from Turkey are depicting traditional, conservative parts of society and struggles that come with them. Here, we have a strong, modern woman going on a mistical jorney to place in history that not many know off. Also, its really good tourist marketing campagne for Göbekli Tepe and Nemrut.
Everything you want from a Mystery TV series !
cankizanoglu27 December 2019
Atiye has every essential materiel you need . Good storyline, very good acting and nice producing . ''Gobeklitepe'' is a real place and it's the oldest place known on earth(you should definitely check it out). In Atiye, the producers mixed facts & fiction so well !
Netflix's Second Turkish Series!
ahmetkozan28 December 2019
I didn't keep my expectations very high after the series Hakan: Muhafiz. I ran into a series above my expectations. Although some of the scenes were ridiculous, I found the series successful in general. At least the dialogues were not like translation. The acting was not similarly bad. The use of visual effects was more successful. I watched it and never got bored. Atiye has been a series above country standards.
One of Hakan: Muhafiz positive sides was the steps it took to promote Istanbul well. Atiye does the same for Göbeklitepe and Nemrut. If we look at the script in general, let's not use the word cliche, but I can say classic. But the places used in the series were good. Instead of creating a special universe for itself, the story takes place in today's modern Istanbul. Later, the inclusion of Göbeklitepe and Nemrut adds a mystical feeling to the story. Each series has a color. The selection of light cold and pastel colors was very pleasant. The music selection of the series was also good. Tense music in the tension scenes and the fact that Eastern melodies appear in the background during Göbeklitepe images further connects the viewer to the screen. One of the things I liked about the series was the importance to detail.
Of course, the characters had good and bad sides. The bad character image of Serdar was not as good as I wanted. I found it a bit simple and artificial. Hannah was obvious, too. Some things to improve the mystery of the season seemed a bit unnecessary. There were a few scenes I found extremely bad, but I want to forget them. That's why I won't mention it. It was inadequate for me that the answers of some mysteries were left to the next season and were not explained. I wish the first scene was answered in the season finale, but it didn't. For instance, it would be nice to see what Atiye's powers were. First season was like preparing for the new season. I hope the unexplained things in the next season are explained with a good script. We'il see it next season. 8/10
One of Hakan: Muhafiz positive sides was the steps it took to promote Istanbul well. Atiye does the same for Göbeklitepe and Nemrut. If we look at the script in general, let's not use the word cliche, but I can say classic. But the places used in the series were good. Instead of creating a special universe for itself, the story takes place in today's modern Istanbul. Later, the inclusion of Göbeklitepe and Nemrut adds a mystical feeling to the story. Each series has a color. The selection of light cold and pastel colors was very pleasant. The music selection of the series was also good. Tense music in the tension scenes and the fact that Eastern melodies appear in the background during Göbeklitepe images further connects the viewer to the screen. One of the things I liked about the series was the importance to detail.
Of course, the characters had good and bad sides. The bad character image of Serdar was not as good as I wanted. I found it a bit simple and artificial. Hannah was obvious, too. Some things to improve the mystery of the season seemed a bit unnecessary. There were a few scenes I found extremely bad, but I want to forget them. That's why I won't mention it. It was inadequate for me that the answers of some mysteries were left to the next season and were not explained. I wish the first scene was answered in the season finale, but it didn't. For instance, it would be nice to see what Atiye's powers were. First season was like preparing for the new season. I hope the unexplained things in the next season are explained with a good script. We'il see it next season. 8/10
Loved it
rana_kaplan27 December 2019
Only 7 for first season.
erhanipekciler21 June 2021
First of all I am a huge fan of Beren Saat and I was expecting too much from her but especially in 3rd season she is acting like frozen and she looks like bored anymore. Also third season story was so boring. I really don't search logic in this genre but I really really prayed for end. Also final was not good enough for me. Like every Netflix series, it started well, It finished bad.. But thanx for showing the beautiful places for us.
Good series until season 3, then it's a waste of time.
ChungMo1 August 2021
This seems like Turkey's answer to the great German series "Dark". Both involve a confounding circumstance where time is warped and multiple timelines get all mashed together and changed. Whereas "Dark" kept itself in a science fiction mode, "The Gift" utilizes Turkish mysticism as the mechanism for the reality upheavals that occur in the series.
The one thing the creators of "Dark" made sure was that there was some overriding structure to the frequently confusing events in the three seasons. So confusing that the creators have a website so you can try to make sense of what happened. It's a dense read but they did figure it out. Unfortunately I can't say that the creators of "The Gift" made the same effort. What was interesting and compelling for the first two seasons, flounders as soon as the third season gets underway. It's so bad that I came here to get reassured that I should stay with the series but unfortunately it seems my suspicions are accurate and it's time to bail. It's unfortunate as the first season was so promising. This is not the first high concept science fiction program to go awry like this. Maybe next time before putting all this effort into a series, the producers will make sure they've got the story arc right.
The one thing the creators of "Dark" made sure was that there was some overriding structure to the frequently confusing events in the three seasons. So confusing that the creators have a website so you can try to make sense of what happened. It's a dense read but they did figure it out. Unfortunately I can't say that the creators of "The Gift" made the same effort. What was interesting and compelling for the first two seasons, flounders as soon as the third season gets underway. It's so bad that I came here to get reassured that I should stay with the series but unfortunately it seems my suspicions are accurate and it's time to bail. It's unfortunate as the first season was so promising. This is not the first high concept science fiction program to go awry like this. Maybe next time before putting all this effort into a series, the producers will make sure they've got the story arc right.
Tasteful mystery with an exotic touch
vegan_werewolf27 December 2019
The show succeeds in capturing the attention by the second episode, and it only gets better after that. You will get hooked on its rhythm, mystic atmosphere and (mostly) interesting characters. I also have to note that Beren Saat is a gem yet to be discovered by the international film audience.
Season 1: amazing. Season 2: not so much. Season 3: too weird
fantamus2419 June 2021
I absolutely loved season 1. The story, the mystery, the intrig and the potential of the story.
Season 2 started really well but got a little too strange in the end. The last episode felt like the end of the show - and that was to me a good thing.
But a complete surprise when season 3 came. I couldn't see how they could carry on but I gave it a shot. And I was right and I'm disappointed. The idea is still amazing but somehow it's lost.
Season 2 started really well but got a little too strange in the end. The last episode felt like the end of the show - and that was to me a good thing.
But a complete surprise when season 3 came. I couldn't see how they could carry on but I gave it a shot. And I was right and I'm disappointed. The idea is still amazing but somehow it's lost.
A great start though ridiculous ending
emekik20 June 2021
The best Turkish TV show ever
meroalnhal27 December 2019
Disappointed for season 3
drlamees-4005026 June 2021
Beren Saat's acting was average in season 3 not breath catching as we used to watch her in other series, even her facial expression was just ok but nothing special. Season 3 is simply with No action and no thriller, in some episodes I was feeling bored and was skipping several seconds !!
Season 1 and 2 were stronger than this one.
The story is mysterious beautiful but it seems there is no association between this season and the previous two.
Season 1 and 2 were stronger than this one.
The story is mysterious beautiful but it seems there is no association between this season and the previous two.
You will be glued to your seat!
burakerdem190729 December 2019
I was very excited when I first heard that the series was related to ancient history, especially Göbeklitepe and Nemrut. Luckily, I had an opportunity to visit these mystical and historical places when the series started and I was very impressed visiting and learning the unknown aspects of the ancient time in Anatolia.
First of all, I started to watch the series thinking that there is a high chance of being crushed under the influence and size of these special places. Göbeklitepe, referred to as the zero point of history by historians and Nemrut, the mountain of gods, where mystery is still not fully understood. However, the script and the cast manages to stick you in your seat. It is necessary to congratulate Sengül Boybas with her first book (The Awakening of the World). She caused the series to exist and contributed significantly to the script. I think that Mehmet Günsür, one of the leading actors of the series, is the biggest chance of the Atiye (The Gift) because of his interest in ancient history and mysticism. He had previously been involved in similar projects.
I think the other characters in the series have been carefully selected and formed a good team. Hopefully next season will be an accelerating success graph.
Thanks Netflix and the contributors.
The series is leaning against the cliches
mustafay31 December 2019
The series is leaning against the cliches, but the quality of the shot was fine.
Although there are many mistakes in the script, it can be watched especially by Melis Senolsun and Civan Canova's acting. The script seems to have been unable to capture the tempo that it needs to slowly make the audience solve the mystery.
Beren Saat and Mehmet Günsur couldn't get through. This means that a managerially strong directing staff could not motivate players enough.
In the era of mystical and fantastic productions such as Game of Thrones, The Witcher, Dark, it takes much more than this, to attract the audience.
Anyways, thanx to all who made it happen!
Although there are many mistakes in the script, it can be watched especially by Melis Senolsun and Civan Canova's acting. The script seems to have been unable to capture the tempo that it needs to slowly make the audience solve the mystery.
Beren Saat and Mehmet Günsur couldn't get through. This means that a managerially strong directing staff could not motivate players enough.
In the era of mystical and fantastic productions such as Game of Thrones, The Witcher, Dark, it takes much more than this, to attract the audience.
Anyways, thanx to all who made it happen!
very successful
yunuskoksal-0257530 December 2019
Season3 was completely disappointment
talyatumer19 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Beren's acting was beyond awful. How could you handle such a beautiful subject so poorly? The performance of the series was very, very bad. I couldn't help laughing nervously while watching it. I watched with curiosity how much more ridiculous they will go and the result was very bad.
Really good but left with so many questions after season 1
amdewildt23 January 2020
There's not much I can say without revealing too much of the story, but I loved this!!!
I watched it with English audio and Dutch subtitles. I think the English voices lacked a bit of passion sometimes and I suspect the Dutch subtitles were a translation of the original Turkish lines. But really a great show. Suspense, mystery, supernatural, mystical, romantic, it has it al!
2nd season is awful
okanbsd20 September 2020
What happened???
lucianatoledo-259-30261028 June 2021
The Gift
Tweekums12 April 2022
This Turkish series is centred on Atiye, an Istanbul based artist, whose work features a strange symbol that she has been thinking about all her life. She is engaged to Ozan, the son of a wealthy businessman named Serdar and has a sister, Cansu. She has no idea where the idea for the symbol originally came from... then one day she learns that an artefact bearing the symbol has been discovered as Göbekli Tepe, a Neolithic site in Anatolia. She heads there and meets a strange girl, whose language she doesn't understand who leads her to the site. Here she is confronted by archaeologist Erhan, who she later befriends. Things are going to get strange for Atiye and those around her as she learns of her connection to Göbekli Tepe and supernatural goings on there. Others are determined to control what she has uncovered.
This series quickly got me gripped and it continued well throughout the first season. Season two was slightly weaker but the sense of the strange returned in a fine way in the third season. It had a great sense of mystery, as well as the mysterious, and some nice twists and turns. The characters are interesting and develop nicely as the series progresses, often in unexpected ways. The cast is solid, making characters believable even in supernatural parts of the plot. The setting used are impressive with Istanbul contrasting nicely with the open spaces of Anatolia. Unusually for a series like this I felt I'd learned stuff from watching it... I'd never heard of Göbekli Tepe but this inspired me to read up about the real site. Overall a solid series that I'd recommend to fans of supernatural drama.
These comments are based on watching the series in Turkish with English subtitles.
This series quickly got me gripped and it continued well throughout the first season. Season two was slightly weaker but the sense of the strange returned in a fine way in the third season. It had a great sense of mystery, as well as the mysterious, and some nice twists and turns. The characters are interesting and develop nicely as the series progresses, often in unexpected ways. The cast is solid, making characters believable even in supernatural parts of the plot. The setting used are impressive with Istanbul contrasting nicely with the open spaces of Anatolia. Unusually for a series like this I felt I'd learned stuff from watching it... I'd never heard of Göbekli Tepe but this inspired me to read up about the real site. Overall a solid series that I'd recommend to fans of supernatural drama.
These comments are based on watching the series in Turkish with English subtitles.
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