lullaby

Kadir: Seriously? Shame on you. Even in your dreams, you have me calling you "Ms. Lawyer." What am I gonna do with you?

LMAO.

Her heart and subconscious are both screaming, "Kadir." Even in her dreams, she knows deep down that the moment they're standing side by side, there's no way they'll be able to behave themselves. They're soooo attracted to each other. She knows he makes her feel this way.

Muhtemel Aşk first 3 episodes: Who will Defne choose? Every corner of this love triangle matters. Muhtemel Aşk, starting with Episode 4: Fuck the love triangle, this is their story.

It turns out watching this episode live wasn't the best idea, because I ended up getting bored. I can't really enjoy an episode when the characters I find entertaining barely get any focus, or when I'm expecting to see brotherhood but all I get is constant tension. (Meanwhile, even the trailer for my other show, Muhtemel Aşk, was more exciting!)

It feels like the show has a pacing and balance problem. Then again, it makes sense that I feel this way when the plot takes priority over the characters' personal journeys.

There's still a long way to go before Teoman matures and softens, so I actually like that the Teoman & Deniz storyline is developing slowly. I think Teoman is already interested in Deniz. He enjoys teasing her, and any little piece of information about her seems to catch his attention. But it doesn't seem like he even understands what he's feeling yet. If they gave them a few more scenes together, we'd probably get to see him start questioning those feelings.

As for Aras & Teoman, their dynamic is moving way too slowly. One moment they're showing empathy toward each other, and the next they're acting like sworn enemies. I don't know… it feels like their relationship could have been written with a bit more care.

I think the most interesting scene of the episode for me was the way Şebnem looked at Aras in that moment. She said he reminded her so much of his father and that really confused me. Was she feeling guilty, or did she have unresolved feelings toward his father? I honestly couldn't tell.

The second moment was Teoman's reaction when Deniz's exam ranking was mentioned after the test. I wasn't expecting that at all, it felt like such an unexpected little scene and it was really sweet.

This pair suddenly took me right back to the summer of 2013. It reminded me of the days when Kerem would stupidly pick on Zeynep in Waiting for the Sun (Güneşi Beklerken). Of course, Kerem and Zeynep were the main couple, whereas these two are just one of the two lead couples. So naturally, their screen time reflects that.

Deniz: You're even more unbearable than usual today. Is there a special reason? Teoman: I don't think you really know me. Deniz: Aren't you the kid who used to hide behind his mother to escape his father's wrath?

The moment he realizes she gets upset by the words his mother said…

Defne: You should go back to your wife, Mr. Kadir. People might get the wrong idea otherwise. I'm the one who ends up being the target of their nasty comments. Kadir: My marriage isn't real. Defne: I'm sorry? Kadir: I mean… between Leyla and me… there's no place for Leyla in my heart. Defne: So your heart is already full? Are you in love with someone else? Kadir: I am. Defne: Someone you could never forget, no matter how many years pass? Kadir: That's right. Defne: Then why aren't you with her, Mr. Kadir? Kadir: The situation I'm in right now… doesn't allow it. Defne: Well, what can I say, Mr. Kadir? I only wish you'd found the courage to stand by the person you love before it was too late. Thank you for explaining, but you really didn't have to.

Defne: What do you want from me?

Well, you aren't obvious at all, Mr. Kadir.

Defne: You kept telling me to trust you, remember? Well, I don't trust you one bit. Got it? I want you to know that. And from now on, don't you dare show up in front of me again unless it's absolutely necessary. Kadir: You don't trust me? Defne: That's right. I can't stand you. Not even a little.

Aesthetics...

Defne: Move your car. Kadir: Calm down. We're going to talk. Defne: You don't get to order me around like that, okay? I'm not like the women who always surround you. Kadir: Yeah, I've figured that out.

The man keeps slipping accidental love confessions into the middle of their arguments.

Defne: I said move your car! Kadir: I'm not moving it. Defne: You're not? Kadir: I'm not. What are you going to do about it? Defne: You'll see what I'm going to do. Kadir: If anyone's going to kill me, let it be you, Ms. Lawyer.

When you find someone who matches your freak…

When Kadir saw that Defne not only liked the gift he had given her but had immediately turned it into a keychain, he was genuinely happy. Despite everything, it made him feel like there might still be a chance for them.

Defne: You left this in the car. Kadir: Thanks. It meant a lot to me. Defne: Then cars weren't like human relationships. You could leave something valuable inside and walk away. Kadir: But the valuable thing found its way back. Defne: Exactly. It went back to its rightful owner.

I love this couple's subtle dialogue! Defne is implying that the feelings she sees in Kadir aren't really worth much. Kadir, on the other hand, suggests that those feelings are precious, that they belong with their rightful owner and subtly implies that their rightful place is with Defne. Defne then turns his words back on him. She implies that the thing that "came back" isn't his feelings for her at all, but his feelings for his wife. Since the divorce has been called off, the only thing that has truly returned is his commitment and affection toward his wife.

I love the tension between these two. That said, I have to admit this episode felt weaker than the previous ones. Kadir's characterization was all over the place, one moment he acted one way, the next he was completely different and I honestly couldn't make sense of it.

The way she hit him

Slow-burn is my favorite trope, but as long as the relationship is well-developed and the chemistry is convincing, I also enjoy romance stories where the feelings progress more quickly.

This couple is a great example. Their relationship development is really impactful. It turns out the screenwriter also wrote Sen Çal Kapımı, which honestly makes perfect sense, you can tell.

At first, the male lead is struck by the female lead's beauty, but he doesn't immediately think, I should find a way to meet her or make her notice me.

Selim: So, brother, was the lawyer happy to see you? Kadir: She was more surprised than anything. Selim: Really? Was it even worse than we expected? Kadir: She couldn't even let me say, "Leave it to me, I'll handle it." Now I've got to deal with that bastard. Selim: So does that mean Mr. Levent and the others have taken care of the lawyer's situation? Kadir: Looks like they worked something out among themselves, and that's how they got past it. But I'm telling you, they'll eat that girl alive. Selim: So what's going to happen now, brother? Kadir: I'll be keeping an eye on them.

Tiny little shippers are popping up everywhere.

Without even realizing it, Kadir is giving the Kadir–Defne ship a nice push. So he's secretly going to watch over and protect Defne, huh?

Defne: Since Tolga was involved, I was absolutely sure you wouldn't sit at that table. Kadir: Tolga isn't the only thing involved, Ms. Lawyer. There's… foreign investment involved. A big company… Defne: Of course. Business is business, right?

Lol, she was expecting something like a confession from him. But Kadir doesn't give her what she wants. Defne's disappointment…

Kadir: Ms. Lawyer, this isn't about a project—it's about principle. Defne: Mr. Kadir, what happened to make you hate this much? Or are you just a hateful person in general? Kadir: Well, I'm curious about something too, Ms. Lawyer. Did you ask him the same question, or is that judgment reserved just for me?

Ouch... someone is jealous and hurt.

Kadir: There's something else I'm curious about. Why are you being so stubborn? Is it just about this deal, or are you always like this? Defne: Because if this deal falls through, I'll be in serious trouble. Happy now? Kadir: Wait, wait. What kind of trouble? Is something wrong? Defne: No, that's not what I meant. And it's not something I want to talk about.

Awww…

Whatever trouble she's in, he's already ready to face it with her.

After all, he'd been stubbornly refusing Defne's offer. To him, it was a matter of principle. He wouldn't sit at the same table with his enemy.

Five minutes later…

He can't resist her words and shows up to sign the agreement.

And Defne's silent "thank you" is just so adorable!