Episode 100!
A powerful, gripping, edge of the seat episode that flowed smoothly from one scene to the next, taking us on a smooth seamless ride across themes, emotions & plot points. The entire episode smelled of quality – be it acting, cinematography, action, script or sound effects. It was totally world class & a treat to watch.
Here are a few of my thoughts in no particular order.
⚡️Osman Ghazi as a father ❤️. I’m really really loving him as a father, the way he’s raising his children, molding them with wisdom, patience and faith, custom tailoring his approach with respect to not only each unique situation but also, each child’s unique constitution, their unique needs. Sometimes tender. Sometimes firm. Sometimes a heartwarming mix of both. And best of all, he does it not because ‘he’ wants to be pleased or mindlessly obeyed but because he wants them to tread the clearly delineated right path and please their creator ❤️Such a brilliantly nuanced script & portrayal. So well thought out.
⚡️Vikings In Constantinople: This is a hot topic among historians & archeologists after a very recent (2020) discovery of the archeological remains of a huge Viking neighborhood in Istanbul – the ancient city of Bathonea near Lake Küçükçekmece.
It was established after extensive excavations by a team of 75 experts that Vikings lived in Istanbul between the eighth and the 11th centuries in different periods & had their very own neighborhood.
Some of them served in the famous Varangian guard & according to Sigfus Blondal, the Scandinavian element in the guard remained predominant up to the thirteenth century (The last mention of the Varangian Guard is found in mid 15th century) despite influx of Anglo saxons into the same after the Norman conquest of England.
⚡️ The descendant of Vikings: I, for one, am enjoying the way, think it’s absolutely brilliant, how the above kernel of history is being used to build a fictional narrative where some of the Viking descendants, with Olof as their incendiary leader, not only hanker after the lost glory & the old ways of their ancestors but also harbor a deep resentment at having been unjustly treated by the Byzantium, the dominant culture, across centuries, and now, after being awakened, rebelliously seek to right a historic wrong by bringing about a forcible shift in power differential – by means of hate fueled violence & palace intrigues.
I find it brilliant because as a recurrent theme found throughout history….and even in the present time….this rings true despite being fictitious.
Olof & Frigg are absolutely brilliant in their respective roles!
⚡️Osman Bey’s aşk: The entire world seems to know about this, even Frigg, & these two have more ‘chemistry’ than the entire periodic table! The re enactment of their first meeting in episode 1 at episode 100 was a nice touch and not going to lie, even though I respect the characters of both Bala & Malhun (and the actors portraying them in the show) there is something about Osman & Bala that hits differently.
Their love, poignant yet sweet, ravaged by time yet invincible, is poetic in essence & simply unforgettable.
⚡️ Dursun Fakıh :
I’m loving this character & the actor portraying him is brilliant. His conversation with Alaeddin was totally sublime, the way he explained the hadith about ink of scholars being heavier on the scales than the blood of martyrs. I’m looking forward to Alaeddin’s arc and I really want his wanting to choose the way of the Pen to be a choice, a passion, & not because he’s not good with a sword (yet) ❤️
⚡️ Orhan Bey!
I’m loving Orhan more & more with every episode & looking forward to his journey toward becoming a mighty bey! And isn’t Nilofer in Karacahisar too (with her Aunt)? 😄
⚡️Last but not the least: Osman Bey!! 🔥🔥His many facets & layers, his swag!! Phenomenal!!!
Can’t wait for the next episode! 🔥
Please feel free to add your favorite parts of the episode 😊
