Kan Cicekleri 193

 Episode 193 Baran Is The Villain Afterall?

Quick Synopsis: One parent found. Wedding shopping. A cosmic connection.

Dilan has the letter from her biological father, she knows her mother's name, and her mom is (was at the time the letter was written) alive. Baran looks worried. Dilan lays into her adoptive parents. As she talks, he gets more and more stoney-faced, the line between his eyebrows deepening until he is full on fierce. His lip is quivering with a pent up snarl. I give him credit for staying quiet and letting her take out her frustration. As he should. But it's not his usual M.O. The letter is old; Dilan fears she may have missed her window to know her mom. This snaps him back to focus on her. They will find her now that they know the truth. Hand in hand, they almost leave. But Dilan has a few more choice words for Hanife. Dilan and Baran share a silent communication. She'll say her one thing and then they'll leave. 

Gul agreed to meet Silah's family and is prepared to suffer so her mom has an easier time of it. But it's not going well. Kader asks Kudret to stand in as Gul's father, for Silah to ask him for Gul's hand. He'd be honored but he has some questions. Like, does she want this marriage, for one. He asks in front of Azade-doom so Gul has to answer Yes. But he totally knows something's up.

That's our Baba.

Hanife is convinced they still have to skedaddle, even though Baran isn't upset about Dilan taking Cevdet's place in the vendetta. If the Karabeys find out the whole truth--about Seyit covering for Hasan--they are dead for sure.

I mean, dude did just bust in and put a gun to someone's throat, so...

He promises he won't retaliate, but there are new, bad choices they could make, and that could get them into trouble. 

Baran takes Dilan to her father's grave. He remembers her father's name being part of conversation after his parents were shot. They had been trying to find out why Hikmet would take the blame for something Seyit did. Turns out he owed Seyit his life. But the whys and hows are unclear. She talks to the grave, mad and heartbroken.

They arrive home late. It's been a hard day. Before they go in she tells him he is her everything. She couldn't do this alone. He replies that she will never have to.

*sigh*

She checks in on Gul before going upstairs. Kader still seems cool toward her but she gets a big smile from Gul. When Gul leaves to bring the Karabeys coffee, Dilan reminds Kader how she supported her when she just got to the mansion. More like a mom would, a poignant point for Dilan just now. Support Gul like this too! she implores. Help her do the right thing.

We all know this ain't it but it's Dilan's words that may shed light on the path out of this quagmire.

Hasan is trying to give Firat advice on his deal with Sabiha. It's mediocre and trite at best. Firat brushes him off. So he starts in about Gul. And how he knows Silah's family is coming tomorrow.

Firat did not.

And in walks Gul with the coffee. Hasan rubs it in, congratulating her and hoping Firat will get married soon too. He's such a rat.

Firat bolts.

Baran is working in bed as Dilan reads the letter. She wonders which parent she looks like. Will they be able to find photos of them? What about relatives? She has so many questions. Don't worry; Baran is on it. They will find out.

Firat grabs Gul in the kitchen. Why is she doing this? But of course, she can't tell him. And her mom is upset about how he treated her, handled the whole situation even. The easiest thing for her to do right now is to tell him she doesn't want him in her life anymore. Which she does. 

Oooohhh and he pulls the eyes trick: Can she say that and look him in the eye?

And she does. It kills her, but she does. Because Gul has a spine of steel and won't back down when it comes to her mom.

The whole ordeal of Dilan being adopted in connection with Baran's mom's murder is dredging up some bad memories for him. Dilan is worried. But they are also brought closer together by it somehow. Dilan wonders about this connection between them, how it is so strong. She literally says, "like we were bonded years ago".* Baran thinks so too, from the first time they saw each other at the barn.

I mean, it's part of the opening credits.

He remembers being devastated when they brought the same girl to the stables later, Seyit's daughter, his enemy. 

But this connection they have, it gets stronger with everything they go through together.

(They have to kiss now, right? Nope.)

A forehead kiss, holding on tight to one another.**

A quick bit of commentary:

One of the outcomes no one thought of in all this is, if she wasn't the solution to the vendetta, then the flip side is that he kidnapped an innocent woman and carted her off. Much like the scenario he held over the Demirs. They were so worried he'd want payment again, they never thought of how he'd feel awful for making some random woman pay for the not-her-family's sins. And he does.

Just as if he had been that tyrant from his threat. Because suddenly, he is. Their lie did that to him. Made him into the worst case scenario he used to scare them.

And back to the show. Cevahir wants revenge on the Karabeys for something, and he used Sabiha and her grievance to help him. Now Sabiha wishes she could throw him over. But Havin points out that her being in the mix could be a good thing now, just the fly in the ointment needed to be pesky in his plans.

Oh brother...Silah is outside, making a last minute check on his hair, when Firat comes out the front door.*** This ain't' gonna be good.

But Firat just moves to stand sentinel to the side of the door. And proceeds to middle-school-bully cough every time Silah tries to get into the house. Gul comes out and tries to tell him off but doesn't really succeed. I'm not sure why. Maybe Firat is sure of himself now. It's a weird good guy vs. bad boy conversation and neither of them comes off on top.

Baran reveals to Kudret that Dilan isn't the daughter of the Demirs. Now everybody feels bad for all the things they said and did, since she was innocent all along. (But did she ever deserve all that crap, even as the supposed daughter of the enemy?)

Oh, but there's more: Her real father, he's still tied up in all their history. Kudret isn't happy about how Baran got the info, but now they have to figure out what to do. And as angry as Kudret got when he wasn't comatose any more, he is thinking that the truth about Hasan's role in Ayten's death needs to stay buried. For now. Baran can't know. Yet.

Hasan overhears them mention Hikmet's name.****

The Demirs are leaving. Fleeing.

Gul is back from wedding shopping. Dilan wants her to reconsider. Gul insists, there's no going back. It's too late now. While Firat looks on. He sees all the wedding stuff spread out on the kitchen counter, but he's only come to say goodbye. And not like 'oh, I lost you' goodbye. A real goodbye. He's going abroad. (There's some nice mirror camera work here.) 

They're both bawling.

Dilan walks in on the boys in the study. It's instantly clear they all know. Baran confirms it. As well as their support and silence. (Well yah, who's left to tell?)

She is one of them. They will not hurt her or allow anyone to. She's like Wendy now, to their Peter and the lost Kara-boys.

Group hug everyone!

No, they don't, but they do something almost as cool. Dilan and Baran face each other with a hand from Kudret and Cihan on their shoulders. They are connected; Cihan to Baran, the two of them looking at each other, and Dilan to Kudret. Links in a chain and all connected.

Yelling at the tv:
*Are they setting up some long game here? A circumstance where his mom and Dilan's biological mom were friends somehow and their kids used to play together and Ayten was trying to help Esra Yilamz? OMG. Did Ayten know what had happened to Esra and felt bad about her family's involvement in it? That could be fun.

And technically we still don't know why Hasan wanted them dead. He's a fairly simple character so I've assumed it was just greed and power-mongering. But what if it was targeted with a specific reason?

**Maybe there's more that happens beyond what we see? Is she going to show up pregnant one day and while I'll be shocked, all the veteran dizi watchers will be all, oh sure, yeah, that makes sense. Yah?

***I wonder if they're going to need to make Silah not actually a great person to make an In for plans to fall apart. Firat keeps saying what a creep he is, but I can't tell if he knows something  (or can sense it) or he's just jealous.

****For as thick as those study doors are, they are paper thin when someone overhears something.

The Hagia Sophia is hiding. Maybe The Protector needed it for a little while.

Teaser 194:
More seaside talk and comforting. More forged connection between our lovers.

Kan Cicekleri episode 192

 Episode 192 Baran Knows

Quick synopsis: The mystery is gone; the cause remains. Baran goes batshit. The letter comes to light.

Baran asks Dilan one last time, please tell me what's wrong. What are you keeping from me? Talk to me. What 'family'?

And she does. She tells him: she's adopted.

Ooooohhhhh...and he's looking off to the side like he's calculating factors...

He's putting past things together now, this new filter for the information making sense of some things for him. But it seems like his only concern is for her, how they gave her up without a second thought. 

She trusts him. He's merciful. She doesn't want him to hurt her brother now that he knows.

Hanife is still on a rant. Lady, पर्याप्त.

Firat wants to know what's changed with Gul. Didn't they make up? Weren't they going to leave the past behind? But Gul is disillusioned. So many things are working against them, not the least of which is uncertainty that he will stay this new, just course. She tells him they're done. But she's not happy about it.

Dilan's confession changes nothing for Baran. He won't leave her. He would never give her up. For realz. They are her family now, she has them. 

Sabiha made First Dilan's favorite lemon cookies. She's bringing them to Baran's Dilan. This will be fun to watch, like Turkish Petite Madeleines. That bit of jewelry that dropped is still in the van. Baran looks to Dilan when Sabiha shows up. She gives the ok; he nods assent and goes into the house.

Cihan convinces Firat to keep at it. Firat is determined. So is Azade-doom. 

Now, Dilan is a daughter with no mum. Even Kudret can step in for her dad. But there's no one to step in for her mom. It pairs nicely with Sabia who is a mom with no daughter.

Dilan is really freakin' forgiving. I'm a little more with Baran. On the other hand, Sabiha is giving some really good advice to someone who's grieving, having just come out of a hellava not healthy grief bender herself. 

FrownyBaran is having a fit again. He's so pissed at her family. He breaks so much stuff in their bedroom that Cihan hears and comes running, thinking something happened. The room is in pieces. Chairs overturned, tables broken, glassware and pictures shattered.

Cihan can't figure out what made his brother so upset. He gets a tsk from Baran, not a full teethsuck. The pestering is well intentioned after all. But Dilan trusts only him with her secret. No other Karabeys can know she's adopted. He can't tell Cihan why he's so upset.

He tells him.

Good grief people.

Cihan, of course, agrees: Dilan and her well-being are all that matter right now.

Gul and Dilan commiserate. They split a cookie. They're at an interesting point too, Gul being constrained by her mother trying to protect her, and Dian wishing she had the same. Instead she had an awful not-her-mom who essentially sold her off to protect her actual children. 

Hasan and Firat visit Sabiha at her house. Firat signs the contract. Hasan doesn't angle to stick around, like for tea or something, which would be easy to do under the guise of celebrating the deal. Maybe he's over his crush?

Cevahir calls. He knew Firat signed. That thing that just happened. He knew. 

Maybe he is a vampire? We've never seen him sleep... I'll keep an eye out for a box of dirt.

Baran still doesn't trust Sabiha. Even though she's helping Dilan through all this. Knowing who her parents were would help too. But Seyit and Hanife are keeping that under wraps, saying they died, and what does it matter now. Thinking about it, Baran's jaw starts ticking. He's still very upset at how they treated her, as a child, and with how the truth has come out. 

Frownybaran is on the case. He takes off. He will find out who her parents are.

Dilan walks into their bedroom and sees the destruction. Of course she knows immediately it was him. And where he went.

Again, the banging down the door.* Ooooh and he's pretty nasty to them. He grabs Seyit by a fistful of shirt and tells Hanife to shut her face. (Now that I can get behind.) He says a few things to make them feel guilty--like how she was in dire straits so many times--but also this little gem: what if I'd ended up harming her?** It's a galling point he's making, and a little self aggrandizing, but I get it. He's known for being a hard ass and that's all they knew. And they still turned her over.

But then he pulls a gun. (Gangster! Right. *face palm* I forgot.) And that seems a bit much. A little too on the nose and maybe a little more like the thug he's alluded to. 

Maybe that's his point? Seems like overkill though. 

What is even happening right now?

Baran wants answers, that's what. Seyit can't tell him because it means exposing Hasan's part in his parents' shooting. Hanife brings the letter from Dilan's real father. When he reads it, still holding the gun on Seyit, he recognizes the name Hikmet Yilmaz. The man who took the rap for Seyit. 

Dilan is Hikmet's daughter.

That they did all this to the daughter entrusted to them is even worse. We're full-on SnarlyBaran now. Look OUT y'all.

Azade starts in about marrying Silah again. Call him, get this show on the road. (I'd like to see her and Nanny McPhee go head-to-head banging sticks on the ground sometime.)

Sabiha will foil Cevahir's plans and protect Dilan and Baran, even if she has to die to do it. (Foreshadowing or melodrama?)

Dilan bursts in on Baran holding a gun to her dad's throat. (Mark this moment folk, it's not a gun-to-head moment.) And she's ticked. Baran shakes it off. It's nothing.

This transition is spot on. Nothing my ass!

For all his bravado, now Baran will have to answer to Dilan. Except when he says why he's there, she forgets her anger and wants to know where her parents are. He gives her the letter. Her dad has died but her mom may still be alive.

Yelling at the tv:
*The first time it was heroic and yeah, I watched it a bunch of times. But this just seems excessive a second time. They're just sitting there, fer cryin' out loud.

**Ok, now I know this is a completely self indulgent rant about how he could possibly have done real harm to Dilan, but I think they would only make this observation in this show if the character of Baran wasn't so misunderstood. Similarly to how bad people never worry if they're bad. If you worry about it, you're probably not a bad person. So I think this is playing into the trope of the vendetta bride--the really awful version--where the woman would be tortured and killed and then sent back to the family. I hope he's proving that the Demir's actions are equal to what could have been the worst, most demeaning outcome for their daughter. Not only death but a complete denial of self, more property than person. (Gross.)

Like, he would never have done anything bad to her (I mean, he was mean, but not like this) but they all know the history of this tradition. And they did it anyway, fully expecting anything on the spectrum of bad to worse was possible.

No mention of the fact that his family insists on such a thing in the first place. But I digress.

Zippo Hagia Sophias chanted.

Teaser 193:

Baran brings Dilan to her father's grave. Hikmet took the blame for Seyit because he owed him his life. Something about a witness who disappeared.

Kan Cicekleri episode 191

Episode 191 Where's. My. Wife.

Quick synopsis: Firat makes a declaration. Kudret approves. A second visit to the Demir's.

Hanife has come to see Dlian, begging her not to tell Baran she's adopted. In the midst of this, Baran has walked out and sees them. FrownyBaran is not a fan of Hanife at the moment. Join the club my dude.

Nothing to see here, just mother/daughter stuff, she insists. Just came to ask her to accept my apology. Baran is no dummy; he looks to Dilan. He, for one, is not buying it. I too get the feeling she's still very much in it for her family, who is not Dilan.

Dilan is mad and he knows it.

He does all the right things too: I'm here, talk when you're ready; I don't like to see you like this, lean on me...I'd do anything for you.

whispers: Kill Claudio

No, not really.

She knows all this, and please don't ever stop. Don't leave, I trust only you. Never let go of my hand. It's like she's preparing the groundwork for if he ever does find out she's adopted, she can remind him of these moments.*

Baran goes to the source again and calls Seyit. He tells him Hanife was just there. Seyit is sure it's just the lie of mother/daughter stuff. Unacceptable. If it upsets his wife, it upsets him. Seyit still plays it off. 

Baran has a new cause. And a new mystery.

Gul still feels like crap. Kader is still mad. Baran is feeling especially magnanimus. Kader must rest torday. Gul is like a sister to him, a member of the family. Tell him and he'll fix the problems.

Zumrut calls and Dilan gives her the news about being adopted. But insists they are and will always be sisters. Baran comes in at the end of the call. He is not going into the office. Dilan Karabey, he is at your service. It's killing him to see her so upset and not be able to do anything. They'll go somewhere. Get away for the day and leave this all behind for a while. 

Firat finds Gul in the kitchen. For the sake of her mother, she begs him to leave her alone. She'll do anything to protect her. He won't do it. Like Krissy with the big knife: He won't do it, I tell you! He's determined. I hope he can figure this out.

Azade-doom starts giving Gul a hard time and Firat steps in. Hasan makes a dig about wishing they'd sent him to law school, he's such a defense lawyer. It's the kind of joke a schmucky gangster makes. How fitting. How ratty.

Kudret sees what's happening and is there for Firat's declaration that he wants to marry Gul. We see him give an understated, approving smile. More declarations (I love her, I want to spend my life with her) and a bigger smile. More arguments from the other two including the esteemed Karabey name. Firat doesn't back down. You don't make fun of someone's honor. He's serious about Gul.

Firat has been paying attention, class.

And Kudret agrees, with vehemence. And scowls at Hasan. He pledges his help.

They visit Dilan's parents again. And again, he's leaving her with them, but also makes her promise not to go off without him again.

Dilan wants info on her family. Hanife goes off again. She's not doing herself any favors, that woman. And Dilan has learned a few tricks from Baran about getting information from people. Seyit will tell her. Until Hanife rounds on him and calls Dilan ungrateful again. Oh, that does it! Dilan is across the room and in her face. Not only all she endured, but any right they had to even hint at this still, she has paid in spades with the vendetta. So no, she won't stop. Dilan is a bulldog. She's relentless with Hanife. It's wonderful.

Who are my parents! she demands.

Cut to Sabiha. (Subtle writers, very subtle.)

Sabiha, who is really taking a shine to this new surrogate daughter idea...

Baran is back at the Demir's. He calls Kudret while he waits. They need to take care of Gul and Kader. They're family. He wants to do something. Can Kudret talk to Firat?

One, we're on the same page, son. Two, already done. Firat needs our support.

(Love these guys.)

Dilan won't stop. Even if her parents are dead, she wants to visit their graves.

Good god. That woman, Hanife... I know she's scared, but lawdy, she's awful. She throws Dilan out again. Dilan loses it. She throws a fit that gives Baran and Sabiha both a run for their money. A vase goes through a window!

This catches Baran's attention. He walks up to the door and with 1 kick, blows it nearly off the hinges, and walks through. If they were concerned the Karabeys were coming for them, they had the wrong circumstance in mind. Baran basically kicks down the door like, "Where's. My. Wife."

(On the other hand, this should assuage their fears that he'd throw her over in favor of killing Cevdet.)

He is over her in a heartbeat, grabbing her up and holding her close. All his attention is for her. Until, that is, his focus shifts up a fraction of an inch and he sees Hanife. His whole face hardens and he starts in after them but Dilan grabs his hand. Just take her away from there please. That's what she wants right now. For her, he'll relent. But it's not over for them. A hard last look lets them know.

Cevahir comes to vitis Sabiha. She rolls her eyes. Cevahir's man sizes up Havin. She practically snarls at him. Last time, she kicked his butt. Hard. Weird girl, we love you.

Cevahir is very interested in her proposal to Firat. He insists she call him now. She relents and it comes at time when Hasan is hounding him, poking at the notion that Firat isn't one of Baran's favorite people right now and he should secure his own deals. They'll meet sometime soon, Firat agrees. Cevahir and Hasan are both satisfied.

Gul is crying again. Firat will fix it. He'll talk to her mom, he's not worried about Azade and his dad. Kudret supports them. She's still skeptical.

Come on, Firat! You can do this. 

Baran has taken Dilan to the seaside. For all the times Kerem** would tell him to just talk to Dilan, ask her about it, it's like he's using all those instances in this one go, on this one problem.  He continues to ask her to tell him what's wrong so he can help. He's insightful and attentive. He heard her say the Demirs were hiding something from her and she has to find them, her family.

Yelling at the tv:

*I just have to say, I really don't think the adopted status will change the vendetta at all. She lived with them, was raised by them, etc. At least it won't make a difference to Baran. It could be the chink in the armor Hasan and Azade-doom are looking for. We (I) still don't know the nature of how Dilan came to be with them. Was her dad involved in the shooting? Did I miss something early on?

**I'm still so sad about Kerem.

Teaser 192:

Dilan talked to Sabiha. It helped. Baran doesn't trust her. But he knows about her being adopted. He's going to find out who her real family is.

Kan Cicekleri episode 190

 Episode 190 Dilan Finds Out

Quick synopsis: A secret leaked. Frazzle over a proposal. Barn the caretaker.

Kudret calls Baran with the news that Kader collapsed. He meets Dilan at the gate to her parent's garden. Why doesn't she go in without him while he takes the call? 

She overhears her dad trying to convince Cevdet not to tell her she's adopted. Doh! Cevdet sees them standing there. She covers. She was waiting for Baran to join her. The guys are suspicious. Baran walks up; he has to leave. He'll check in at the mansion and then be back to pick her up. 

After he leaves, she holds a hand out to stop her father from coming any closer. They know she knows. She heard it all. They confirm what she heard was true. She almost faints too.

A doctor came to check on Kader. When Gul and Firat get home, she runs up to her mom. Firat starts to follow but Azade-doom yells at him to stay put. That jig is up too. This romance? Hasan's not happy about it. Kader's not happy about it. Firat is insistent about it. Baran wants to know about it.

Dilan is dazed. They bust out oil for her hands. Hanife comes out. Suddenly, she's the mom, has been the mom all these years. This changes nothing; you have us. Your parents are dead. 

She doesn't make it better.

FrownyBaran is upset but only because Gul has been victimized in all this over the past weeks, but now Kader is sick. He asks Firat, is this the right thing to do if it causes all this trouble? Baran and Firat go head to head over who gets to decide what about the woman they each love. Baran is protective of Gul; Firat throws #vendettabride back at him. It's not Gul specifically Baran is opposed to though, I don't think. Just the way Firat id going about it. Firat's point is still valid though. Baran was in the doghouse for months over marrying Dilan. Was challenged as head of the family because of it. Point, Firat.

But Gul feels like Baran does. If this is what comes of it, is it worth it? Point, Baran.

Is it Love, Love, or Game all? Hard to tell.

Dilan's crisis of identity continues. Hanife still isn't helping. She scolds and threatens. But the real question is, why did they hide it? She leaves, walking in a stupor. Even Cevriye knew. Everyone but her. They are all worried about the Karabeys finding out.

Baran comes up with a stumper: what if Kader dies because of your behavior? How could you even ask (Gul to marry you) without her consent? Firat falters. A little bit. They are still feeling the ramifications of his decision to court Gul and marry Derya, can he not see that? Don't make it worse, Firat you toad. Kudret joins them in time to hear Baran tell Firat to do things properly if this is what he's going to do.

Ooof. We see Kader's hair down. This must be serious. And she is mad. Embarrassed.

Enter Ahmet, to talk with Firat. It's just what we all needed. He says more of the same, i.e. examine yourself, your situation. Why do you think everyone is against you? He'll need patience and perseverance to fix things.

Dilan in still in a funk. Walking away from her parent's house, hugging the wall. A black van races up. Is she going to be kidnapped again? No, most likely it's going to hit her the way it's barrelling down. She's fallen, sitting on the side of the road. It doesn't hit her. But it does backup.

It's Sabiha's van. She gets in and sits with her a bit, Sabiha hugging her.  A bit of jewelry fell on the floor when she got in. Dilan doesn't want to go home. Running away to escape to Sabiha's house seems to be coming true.

And as upset as the family is about Dilan finding out, and how Hanife yelled at her, now they're going to have to deal with Baran, who has just shown up to collect his wife. Maybe she got a cab and went home without waiting for him? He's back on his way to the mansion to check. (They better hope so. Or he's going to really get after them.)

Not Sabiha's house. She and Dilan go to a cemetery. Sabiha has a headscarf for her. Dilan wanted to visit Ayten's grave. The only real mother she thinks she has anymore. Sabiha calls Baran. He and the truck are on their way.

Firat has turned a corner. He is done living in anger. If he can be with Gul, he'll endure anything. Even Azade-doom. Azade, of course, doesn' miss a moment and goes to Kader's sick bed to berate and blame Gul. And Kader is so embarrassed she just sits there. Then Azade finishes with threats, and a Get Well Soon. 

Seriously Grandma? Where's Berivan when you need her?

These poor kids. Gul is crying again. Firat is straight with her, consoling but knows it's a hard road ahead. But he's not giving up. It's really sweet.

Sabiha is standing sentinel while Dilan pours her heart out to Ayten. Not only adopted but told her parents are dead. The only kind of parents she has now. Sabiha pledges herself to Dilan, to help her and be there for comfort. She fills Baran in when he arrives. Just that she found her and brought her here. Neither of them knows what upset her. He's concerned and asking questions but Dilan begs him not to and to just hold her tight.

Hasan has a bellyache. Or he's about to start bellyaching. It's a toss-up. He brings up indignation over Dilan's family. Again! Blah, blah, bah, Hasan you rat. Dilan's family, whom I will remind you, were also pallbearers for Kerem. But he knows it's Azade's bane button so he pushes it.

Baran brings up a tray to their room himself for Dilan. Moves a table over. Feeds her even. He tells her she's not alone, about the best thing he could possibly say right now.

Her family is still worried about the terms of the vendetta being void if the Karabeys find out she's adopted. They think they should run, but Seyit is resolute; he will break the vow of silence and expose Hasan if necessary.

Baran brings his family album out in an effort to help her see she is part of this family now too. And they will fill in the blank pages. No matter what, he's her family now.

Baran done good.

He hugs her so tightly, like he can banish the hurt. But when he wakes up Dilan isn't there. Don't freak out B. She's probably just getting something from the kitchen. 

Actually, she's resolved to go to her parents to demand to know where her parents' graves are. Maybe freak out a little bit. Hanife beat her to it; she's at the end of the driveway when Dilan walks out. She begs forgiveness on her knees. (Anything to protect Cevdet.) Dilan gives her no quarter. A lifetime of being treated differently has taken its toll. She demands the location of the graves. 
Baran walks out.

Yelling at the tv:
Whoa! Azade says Hasan's wife's name: Hacer. To absolutely none's surprise, she apparently made her life miserable.

2 Hagia Sofaraways chanted.

Culturisms: 

Have I mentioned how cool Seyit and Hanife's headboard on their bed is?

Teaser 191:
Dilan is still distraught. She tells Zumrut on a phone call that she's adopted. Baran plays hooky from work. He's at your service, Dilan Karabey. Confide in him, he tells her. But that's the very thing that could bring more trouble.

Kan Cicekleri episode 189

Episode 189 All The Love

Quick synopsis: Cihan the helpful conspirator. Firat's moment in the sun. A secret is out.

Baran pulls Dilan away from Sabiha. The two women look mournfully at each other as she walks away. Baran doesn't want her hanging around Sabiha. Dilan thinks Sabiha gets it, the trouble she has with her mom, but Baran is skeptical. He's worried for her. Dilan is willing to forgive; Baran wants proof Sabiha is truly remorseful.

Cihan thinks Firat should do a grand gesture. Like proposing. He's willing to help put it all together. He even quotes Ahmet. (!) This could work, y'all.

Baran wants this overnight at Cevahir's to be a little getaway for them. He puts the earrings from the auction on her, caresses her face, and kisses her on the corner of her mouth. So, so close to a true kiss. I am all about this love by infinitesimal degrees.

Firat is really getting into this proposal idea. He's grinning from ear to ear, imagining how excited Gul will be, how much she'll love the park after he has it decorated.

Dilan and Sabiha really had a moment. They both feel like something shifted when Sabiha held her as she cried about her mom. It's groundwork for finding out their true relationship and I'm glad we get some time to get used to it. Because that scene between the two of them did seem to come out of nowhere. Sabiha is literally kind of stunned at the relief she felt.*

Firat and Gul get a moment of opps-I-ran-into-you and now we're holding onto each other. And it's very close. 2 big gulps, one from each of them. And they stay like that for a long time. This apologi-proposal is totally going to work.

Dilan and Baran are in bed, getting ready to sleep. Except Baran is looking mischievous. He's got a hint of a smile on his face. They are not just sitting close together, their shoulders are overlapping. They are staring at each other. He's taken her hand in his. There's some real yearning happening here. He's leaning in...this is a slower approach than even the kiss in Dear Frankie, and that was excruciatingly and achingly slow.

Dilan turns away at the last moment. He's so kind. He just takes her face in his hand and caresses her lovingly, saying she's had a hard day and must be tired. She should sleep.

In the morning he walks right up to her as they are finishing dressing and puts an arm around her, smiles, talks about the day. It's a new comfort with the closeness.

Cue Cinderella singing, "So this is love...."

They still refuse to go on the hunt though.** They'll go for a walk instead. Cevahir still has his rifle at the ready. Because he's pushy. The rifle rattles Dilan. Cevahir pushes some more, exploiting that nervousness. He offers to back a design campaign for some new jewelry. Baran doesn't turn him down outright, but even the tepid 'maybe' is another thwarted plan. He's sort of dogged in his villainy; he boasts about shooting rare birds, getting tainted gems cheap from Africa instead of sourcing ethically; he'd kill to be part of the new project. And it's not a metaphor.

Sabiha and Havin join them.

Kader wants to get both herself and Gul away from this crazy house. She phones a friend.

Cevahir is intent on shooting something at least. It makes Sabiha nervous. Havin tries to smooth things over with Dilan. She tells her about Sabhia's biological daughter. Name of Dilan. Our Dilan is unsettled by this news.

Cihan has bamboozled Gul into coming with him into town. 

The hunting party starts walking again. Baran and Dilan are in front. Cevahir nonchalantly shifts his aim to the back of Baran's head. (This guy!)  Baran is none the wiser as Sabiha frantically tries to silently push the barrel away. He's grinning the whole time.  A shot rings out. Dilan screams.

Cihan sends Gul on ahead.

Baran runs to her and pulls her into his arms, hugging her tightly. Cevahir half-heartedly apologizes. Baran is not impressed with these events. They are leaving.

There's an interesting question that comes up when Sabiha gets after him about being a jerk. Cevahir asks her, who is she to get mad on Dilan's behalf? 

Who indeed.

Plus, he reveals he'd never kill anyone without looking him in the eye. Sabiha stares him down. 
As would we all.

A flashback reveals it was Cevahir who killed Siyar. While looking at right at him. Just like he said.

Azade-doom threatens Kader when she can't find Firat or Gul. 

Firat did a really good job. Or his buddy did. The camera thinks so too; they are both backlit against the sunset, scarves blowing in the soft breeze like a makeshift  romantic tent. This apology is much better than the "even tho" apology at the thwarted wedding, and more well received too. His heart doesn't want to beat without her, for example. Will she marry him?

Cihan confesses his part in Firat's proposal to his dad. As Kader walks into the room. She faints dead away, dropping the tray of tea. Cihan calls Gul with the news that her mom isn't well before she can answer Firat.

Seyit is trying one more time to convince Cevdet not to tell Dilan about being adopted. Dilan hears all this, having come up to the gate. They stopped off for a visit after leaving Cevahir's. She still couldn't reach him on the phone and was worried.

They jig is up. She knows.

Where the heck is Baran in all this? 

Yelling at the tv:
*Where was this out-of-the-blue love and recognition on a cellular level for Dilan when she'd kidnapped her? Behind a dam of revenge most likely.

**Every time they prep scenes to put us back to Cevahir's house, the shot is of a vast, dense forest. The point? They are in the middle of nowhere, cut off, in the wilderness.

I think the earrings Baran bought at the auction didn't come with backs. For realz?

1 Hagia Sophia and 1 Hagia Sofaraway chanted.

Culturisms: 

Cihan says (about Firat proposing to Gul), "I'm thrilled through my sock!" That's a great idiom.

The guest room Sabiha occupies in Cevahir's house has a bedside table lamp that looks like it's going to crawl away. Why does dude have such creepy furniture? Was this on purpose? If so, hats off to the set dept. Y'all take the cake with this man.

Teaser 190:

Dilan is walking along the wall by her parent's house in a daze. She knows she is adopted. OMG. Another black van pulls up beside her. It's a helpful Sabiha this time. 

Where. Is. Baran?

Kan Cicekleri episode 188

 Episode Cevahir's Party

Quick synopsis: Medallion lost, found and found again. Baran outbids. Sabiha feels Dilan's pain.

Sabiha finds the 1/2 medallion Dilan dropped. She checks her own and finds...she's still wearing hers! This is not her half. She has found the matching piece. And that means her daughter is here somewhere. She doesn't pick it up though and leaves the other half where it lay.

Kudret has called a family meeting, including Kader and Gul. His whole spiel is how elders are there to show youngsters how to go through life. 

Hasan: How do we do this?
Kudret: We apologize when we're wrong, Hasan. 

H: Oh. Yeah. Right. You're right, brother.

K: So deliver your apology, Hasan. (waits)

Hasan looks like he's going to choke again. (See, I told you.)

The party at Cevahir's house is supposed to be an overnight affair. With a hunting trip. Not happening, bruh. They are going home after the auction. But their room is all prepared.

Azade tries to smooth things over. Que cera, and all that. Yeah, that's also not happening.

Kudret insists there's no excuse to forget about what Hasan did to Gul. And don't bring breaking up her and Firat into it. It's not justification; it isn't their business whom she marries.

But Gul cuts him off, with thanks for caring about her. But it's still Firat's fault for believing his dad. (Yeah it is.)

Sabiha is going to steal her file back from Cevahir. Havin will help. 

Cevahir has something important to talk to Baran about.

Baran and Dilan decide to stay. But not hunt. Baran leans in for a kiss (!) in their room...but then notices the medallion is gone. Kiss aborted.

Kader is baffled why Hasan would need to apologize. Gul fills her in about the fake bribe. Kader wants to walk out right then--just take off--but Gul has worked so hard to keep her mom in her job. They'll stay; she will marry Silah.

Havin gets caught by Cevahir's man Sair, but she outsmarts him and kicks his butt. She escapes with flash drives that are each labeled with one letter: B & D.

Baran finds the 1/2 medallion. The jump link has broken. Good thing he's a jeweler.

Cevahir does a slow pour of water onto his knocked out guard's face. (Like I said, weird hobbies.) Sabiha has the files, but now he knows. She is not cowering however. No shy flower, our Sabiha. She stands up to him. 

So there was a file on her. So what? They should be able to trust each other without leverage. Cevahir's gloved hand is not happy about it, but they are agreed.

Havin stares him down, as she's done before. She may be the weird girl, but she is the unsung hero of that household.

Hasan wants to crab about his life but Azade deflects. Kudret wants order. Get over it.

Dilan is still worked up about her brother. Baran tries to assuage her fear but she decides to call one more time. His phone is off. They go down to the auction hand in hand. 

There's some earrings Dilan likes on the roster. Baran corrects Cevahir about their origin (jeweler) and Sabiha joins them. Baran is not enthused. Watching the glances between Cevahir, Sabiha, and Baran is like watching a whodunnit in the English countryside.

If Cevahir has Dracula's couch, Kudret, on the other hand, has a fabulous red velvet, loveseat in his room. Not at all Dracula-esque. He and Gul have a chat. She thanks him for what he did. Cihan overhears their conversation and how well regarded his father is.* 

Cevahir starts bidding against Baran for the earrings. (Why is he bidding in his own auction? #weird hobbies, this guy.) Baran trounces him by overbidding up to a million lira and wins the earrings. Another squeezing of Cevahir's gloved hand. Did he really want them? Maybe to gift them to Dilan so she and Baran would in some way be indebted to him? That seems plausible and conniving.

Baran is very lovey dovey. And now Cevahir knows. He thinks it's Baran's weakness. Oldest bad guy misconception in the books. *sigh* Will they never learn?
And he's such a tyrant. Ceva-nightmare, more like.

Kudret and Firat have a chat. Firat feels like crap. Gul was right. He believed them and he was wrong. He even feels bad about how this choice might have played into Kerem's death. Kudret waves this away (agreed--you can't know that) and tells him if you realize your mistake, you can correct it. You just have to be sure of yourself. That refrain comes back 'open the door and walk through' Firat.

Dilan tried to call Cevdet again. His phone is off. Actually his mom dumped it in the water to stop him from spilling their secret. Dilan calls their mom instead. She's as cruel as ever. Cevdet hears every word. Dilan is shaken.

Cihan tried to cheer up Firat. He gets a conciliatory teeth suck from Firat instead. (Firat gets to do a teethsuck!) He does however offer some good advice to Firat. Maybe try humor to solve your problem. He's all about the grand gesture.**

Dilan is poolside, crying, remembering when her mom slapped her and told her to go back to the Karabeys, even though Baran had let her go. Sabiha saw her leave, upset after her phone call, and follows her out. 

I get that Sabiha is now fully on course to redeem herself and protect the Karabeys from Cevahir's machinations, but the scene between her and Dilan seems a little quick in coming. Or the translation uses overly familiar language because that's the sense I'm getting, is that they seem to be on very good, close terms. This kind of conversation is quite sudden. Dilan even leans into her, putting her head on Sabiha's shoulder.

Maybe it's one of those place + timing kinds of things. An unexplainable draw you have to someone or something. Could be that's what's trying to be conveyed.

Baran couldn't find her and gets antsy. Not an unwarranted sentiment.

Cevahir walks onto a balcony that overlooks the pool***and is confused by Dilan and Sabiha's embrace on the couch. I'm not happy about it, but on this, he and I agree.

Baran finds them and shouts Dilan's name. He walks up to them, also confused. Did Sabiha bring her out there? Why? Is she the reason for Dilan's tears? (Remember, he knows now that Sabiha actually did kidnap her from the wedding.) You can see he's worried for Dilan and that's why he shouted. but it doesn't help him understand what just passed between the two women. And something did, that much is clear. 

Plus, if they're chummy now, then that old doubt might be creeping in. Even though he knows. Things like, were they always chummy?

Gang. Please. Don't go there. I'm begging you.

Yelling at the tv:

*I think this is going to come into play with regard to him wanting to model his actions after his dad. Both as he grows older, but also now, as he sees what his father takes an interest in, how he applies his judgement to problems and what action that drives him to take (or advice to give) in situations. For example if he saw Kudret was swayed toward a match between Firat and Gul--which I think he probably has, at the very least when Kudret muttered 'good boy' after Firat said No to marrying Derya--then I bet he applies himself toward the same. Or asks his dad if he can help him toward that end in any way. We'll see.

**Cihan's love affair is going to be interesting to see, given this penchant we're now seeing. I'm assuming he'll have one at some point, for, to paraphrase Mr. Bennet, 'he can hardly be long for love after his brother has had his love affair'.

***Again, no one swims in the pool. Although, at Cevahir's house, who could blame them. He's probably got it stocked with piranhas.

I don't think I noticed before how the ring Dilan gave Baran has different metal up the sides. It looks cool. Hasan's ring is pretty neat too. We see it a little better in this episode. I hope Cihan and Firat gets their rings soon.

I swear, the way Cevahir looks at that glove all the time, it must be his best friend.

1 Hagia Sofia and 1 Hagia Sofaraway chanted

Teaser 189: 

Spending the night at Cevahir's. They really, actually, almost kiss. She turns away at the last second and he notes that she must be worn out. He doesn't sleep, worried that she feels safe.

Kan Cicekleri episode 187

 Episode 187 Party At Cevahir's House

Quick Synopsis: Kudret takes control. Cevahir is out for blood. A few surprises.

Baran walks toward them and Cevdet stops himself from telling Dilan the secret. They are afraid again that if Dilan isn't from their family, then the blood feud won't be satisfied anymore, but also that it'll break up their happy marriage. Dilan knows there's a problem he's wrestling with. She and Baran can help. Baran agrees.

He and Dilan are also back to staring at each other in front of people. It's great.

And he keeps pulling Dilan in close to his side. Lovingly, protectively, like he's a shield.

Firat and Gul have to keep their reunion status on the down low. The house is still grieving Kerem (sigh) and Kader doesn't know yet that they're reunited. But they grin like mad.

Until Azade-doom appears, that is. Oh, she is like a mean, ole cobra! She uses Kader as a threat again. Something that I hope comes back to bite her in the butt. In the form of Kader telling her off.

It has an effect on Gul; she starts giving Firat the cold shoulder. I'm not sure if she's sincere in her brush off; maybe she's trying to convince herself, or trying to make it easier on him to be mad at her and move on.

For Baran and Dilan, there's some pretty serious confessions of love at bedtime. Earlier Cevdet asked Baran to take care of her. He's her family now. I think as much as a brotherly thing to say, but also to cement the idea that if he ever finds out, he'll feel the full weight of how much she needs him, needs a family so she's not alone in the world. Dilan reiterates now that Baran is her everything. He feels the same. Full on hugs and holding her, kiss on the forehead. They are in it for life.

OK. HOW HAVE THESE PEOPLE NOT KISSED YET? Like, even just once? 

Seriously, how?

Cevahir is cleaning his gun. He's got something with the gun + the Karabeys planned for tomorrow. #weirdhobbies

Baran is up late working from a laptop in bed. Dilan is asleep but wakes up and is not happy that he is still up. He'll make himself sick. She'll at least make him tea if he insists on working.

Firat is getting some late night air. He's trying to figure out Gul's abrupt about face. He decides he needs to work hard to make it up to her, earn her trust, and make her feel accepted. (This actually seems like a solid plan.)  Particularly after what Hasan did. Azade-doom has forbidden any relationship; she'll never allow it. Gul won't be swayed, especially when it's her mum at stake.

Dilan is determined to stay up until Baran goes to sleep. But she's still worried about Cevdet. Baran offers solutions, helping her talk through what to do. Oh and put your head on my shoulder. I know you're not tired but at least you'll be more comfortable. He keeps talking but she's fallen asleep. Now he closes the laptop and pulls her in again, snuggling up. He sits up though until morning. She goes to get ready and he calls Cevdet to check in, offer help. There isn't anything he can do, thanks, but now Cevdet knows Baran is paying attention.

The new Mardin staff are in place.

Dilan calls Cevdet but his wife answers and makes an excuse why he can't come to the phone. It doesn't help the situation even though that's her intention. 

They are visiting Kerem's grave today. Dilan got flowers to bring and Baran is touched. She even has kind words to say about Azade and how she pulled Baran through this same situation when his mom died. Kerem's death is bringing back a lot of memories. Both deaths sudden, unexpected, violent.

One of the old guard was on Cevahir's payroll. Baran sacked him (with pay of course) but the mole has been turned out, if not found out. Cevahir's gloved hand is very upset by this. But it also looks like the Hasan the rat, is working for him too.

Dilan brought 2 bouquets actually, one of them for his mom's grave. Baran continues to be impressed and thankful.

Firat confronts his father. Hasan's first reaction is, What did you do now, boy? Oh no, it's not his mess he's had to clean up, Firat retorts. It's yours. Firat wants him to apologize to Gul. Hasan looks like he might choke at the suggestion. But he often looks like that.*

Hasan's answer is basically, Yeah-no.

Kudret overhears all this.

They tell Baran's mom that Kerem is there now too. And the happy news about Cevdet's twins coming. It's the first time anyone says anything about Baran being an uncle and it seems to catch him by surprise.

Cevahir wants Baran to come to his foundation's event. Kudret thinks they should go. They just changed staff so Baran is edgy but Kudret insists he can hold down the fort. Hasan was listening and rushes off to tell Sabiha. 

I'm not sure why.

The 1/2 medallion makes an appearance. Twice. In Dilan's case, Baran puts it on for her, stroking the back of her neck to brush her hair aside, brushing his fingers along her collar bones and throat to pull the necklace behind to clasp it. Breathing on her ear, her cheek, the curve of her mouth. Very husbandly.

She reciprocates by straightening his collar, leaning into his neck to tuck the collar into his jacket, arms wrapped around him to pluck and brush the material of his suit over his shoulders, brushing her hands down his chest to straighten his lapels.

It's not the 'this is what married people are supposed to do' treatment, or 'there's actually something wrong with your clothes' treatment we've seen before. They are taking opportunities, inventing reasons to linger. It's glorious. And not a little steamy.

And when he turns to move away, she is still clutching his lapel and it holds him back. There's a recognition in his face, a shift in his features that he's registered a shift in her as well. She puts on the earrings he gave her.

Kudret talks to Firat. He's up front and Firat answers with equal clarity. They both lament Hasan's Hasanness and Firat tells him about how he interfered and tricked Gul. Kudret pulls a Patriarch and calls a family meeting. Karabeys assemble!

Cevahir cuts a guy's face, in his office, in front of Sabiha. WTF dude?** He's a nutter for sure.

Nice house though. But he's got Dracula's couch.

Dilan is not wearing her 1/2 medallion on the outside of her clothes. Too bad, that.

Oh! But it drops off the chain on the walkway up to the door! Just like Cinderella's slipper. If Cevahir finds it, he might have more intel on the two families, which could be new for him. Let's hope he doesn't.

Also, that thing seems to break often and easily. Maybe a new chain, Dilan. I mean, your husband is a jeweler after all.

Baran has shaken hands with exactly 3 people when he looks down and sees blood on his palm. It's a little more than say, what you'd have from a craggy cuticle or a small shaving cut that got onto your hand.

(It's blood from when Cevahir cut the guy! His hand had blood on it!)

Sabiha finds the 1/2 medallion!

Now we're cookin'.

Yelling at the tv:

**Cevahir is a lunatic. I mean, I guess he's supposed to be, but man. Dude is nutty. Cuts a guy in front of Sabiha and makes her choose which side for the cut, like a Bond villain. Has a switchblade, just, ya know, handy. And this is how we really know he's chaos incarnate: he introduces new music to the show. A scratchy, heavy metal soundtrack to his lunatic antics.

2 Hagia Sophias chanted

Culturisms:

*What is the deal with Hasan's prayer beads? Is it a common theme like in Austen's work, where the clergy are often the worst representation of the values they espouse? He's the most consistently and openly corrupt character so he gets prayer beads to fiddle with? Or is it a nervous thing, this character type, about getting into heaven? Or do they think they more pious for always fingering them? 

Teaser 188:

Dilan is still worried about Cevdet. Baran is very understanding. They try calling again. No answer.