Technology is weird. It's fantastic and gives you access to a multitude of things you never had before, but is also limited by its database of information. You only have access to what--and how--information gets put in. So now I can watch everyday shows from Turkey, and not just the breakout films that make it to Cannes. But on the flip side, Turkish copyright laws might also apply, giving me access to only a partial episode list. Or, if I fancy doing a bit of research on said new interest, I can only go so far as what someone else has added to the net. Technology is wonderful, opens up new worlds, but in a strangely analog-limited kind of way. A flying car is still a car.
We are limited by the amount of information published even though there's vastly more information out there to sift through. If no one else thought it important to follow up, you get to a dead end pretty quick in your quest. It's like genealogy for entertainment. If there's no leaf, or no Wiki, you can't go any further.
Which is how I got exposed to a show from 2006. Practically ancient history. But brand new to me! Take Netflix for example: the Turkish soap opera Binbir Gece (1001 Nights) appeared in my queue, based on other titles and subject matter, and with a % rating to help guide me to more fulfilling choices. 92% match--you are more likely to like this than something else. Choose this!* it says. We've curated entertainment to your tastes. Regardless of when and where, here's what's best for you. And here's what I love about technology: I never knew about this fantastic thing out there that I would absolutely love. I don't have an interest in Turkish soap opera in general. But a romantic story arc loosely based on the 1001 Nights story and relationship turmoil? I'm in! Technology, I love you.
However, those possible dead ends? Ah yes...only 49 of 90 episodes are available. Boo! 49 ended at a real cliff hanger too.
And how do I know there are 90 episodes? Some of that aforementioned tv genealogical research. If I can trust the search results. The seasons of television are broken up differently in other countries. They don't follow your rules and they don't need to. But try to find out which episode 26 you are looking at, S1e26? or S2e26? or maybe even S1 + 1/2 of S2 = 40e total. You see? It's translated math looking through a foreign lens.
And where to source episodes 50 - 90? Nada. Nowhere. At least, not that my sleuthing could find. I ran across a few episodes in sketchy posts, unsure of where I was in the story arc, and without subtitles. (See bad math above.) Nor could any of my personal help desk arsenal. Even my technology has technology--we all have a friend or loved one we turn to with our computer problems. So I've exhausted my resources at this point. Technology, you left me wanting.
And Netflix, whazzup? Is my copyright law guess correct? I'm begging you, get those streaming if you can.
So, a soap opera based on 1001 nights...which is to say a sultan so paranoid and jaded by his wife's unfaithfulness that he swears off all women by means of genocide. The retelling stays pretty aware of its source text. No one goes on a psychotic murdering spree, but we do meet Onur, the head of a successful business along with his best friend and partner, Kerem. Both are legacies of the company their late fathers started. Both are rich, have society mothers, and good manners. However, while Kerem is more happy-go-lucky, Onur stands in for Sultan Shahryar. His father died in the bed of his mistress, his mother won't forgive or forget him, and she makes sure Onur never forgets his father's failing either, though the blame for it lies entirely with the trickery of the woman. She bewitched his father and led him astray. As a direct result of becoming fatherless in these circumstances, Onur has taken up the 1001 Nights as his own framework for relationships. Don't fall into the same trap, my son, he is told over and over again, to the point that reminds himself through his obsession with the tale of 1001 Nights.
Enter Sehrazat. Literally. She is an award-winning architect Onur and Kerem's firm hires through a temp agency as a means to win a bid for a very large project in Dubai. How could he not stumble over that? She has the very name of the sultan's saving grace.
Now you see where the romance comes in. For Onur knows how the story ends. And though he continues to fixate on the reasons to not fall in love, maintaining women's general folly, quoting the text to Kerem by heart, (or from the book--he carries it with him for crying out loud) he is secretly hoping to be won over. Looking for a spark of hope, for the one woman who is worthy. We see this as early as the 2nd episode when Sehrazat is called into Onur's office for the announcement that she will be the coordinator on this big new project. She is nervous, thinking it can't be good to get called into the boss's office, and declines the offer of a drink. She doesn't drink, thank you. Onur has been irritated, shifting his gaze around, upset that she was late to work and he's had to wait for her to arrive. Not the kind of behavior usually rewarded with a promotion. He is rankled further. Asks Kerem if they shouldn't reconsider. Barely looks at her as she comes in. But at that statement, his attention is arrested and he stares. Needs a moment to compose himself and continue with the agenda. Kerem takes note. The violin music begins to play in earnest. And Onur begins to wonder... A sign of purity, as she sits in a white dress. He tells her the news of her promotion and she looks him in the eye. He looks quickly away, unable to continue to meet her gaze. Already in the next scene he has sought out the classical piece of music, the Sherazat suite, and sits in contemplation of his discovery.
I'm going to lay out a general disclaimer which I will probably refer back to now again: I am of western culture. I have visited Europe; I have also been exposed to Eastern thought and philosophy. I may infer things but will surely misstep. My apologies up front. One does not learn from television shows if one is wise. But oh, Technology, you lead me on.
* I wonder what other things will pop up because I've added Turkish subtitles to the mix? Musings for another time. Algorithms, you fickle fiends.
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