#naz rambles

I mean-

They found a reason to have him onboard the ship except never actually utilized him?? I mean Georgiou was a whole badass. They found ways to integrate her into the story with emotion, comedy and basic badassery. Ash? Relegated to one liners, defending his “traitor” status and basically left out of the final battle. The promise his arc had after “killing” Hugh... But beside a half arsed fight, that storyline was wasted. I loved his scenes with Pike, but also surface level child’s play prevailed in the writers room in the end.

Had some hope they would continue to explore his hybrid status, or his connection to his son. But it was basically blink and you’ll miss it.

At least Boo got an awesome promotion? 🙁

Now I’m just resigned to recasting the role. Or deviating from it completely. Not sure which i prefer. On the one hand, the Parkers are integral to the story. So Sidney’s name should come up, etc. But perhaps they can introduce some new, interesting, complex leading man.

This season has been a rollercoaster. From the minute they announced the time jump, to the knowledge of Kiraz existing without Serkan’s knowledge… it’s been a minefield to navigate for those who love(d) the show, and those who are new to it. 

Firstly, I didn’t like the plot. I didn’t then and I don’t now. I’m not a fan of the “hide your kid for her own good” storyline, unless very well done. And because I have spent a year with these characters, there was really no way to make me believe that the characters I’ve come to love could do these sorts of things to each other. 

Secondly, I’m not really in the hail Ayşe writing camp. I think she is talented; I think she has great ideas, but I don’t believe she is well balanced. She has brought incredible symbolism and parallels to the show, but she struggles to make the narrative around it feel cohesive. This means that we tend to travel from one symbolic engagement to the other, without anything holding them together. The meaning is therefore diluted and feels hollow. The show had better writers who told great story, but then struggled with the moments that matter. Either way, with each set of writers, something always seemed to suffer. 

I came into Season 2 mad as hell. I hated what had been done to Serkan and I couldn’t believe there was any way Eda could justify hiding their daughter for 5 years. But because I love the characters so much, I made the decision to stick around and see how they would attempt to tell the story. Then episode 3 happened. 

After last night’s episode, I kind of found myself happy I decided to stick with this show. While I wish they went in a different direction, I appreciate the attempts made to try and show Eda’s position, as well as Serkan’s. In the hands of a better writer, it might have been better told, but because of the massive changes in writing teams, the history of the characters being OOC is well established. Based on that alone, I can accept that the Serkan I knew went through an incredibly traumatic health crisis and because of it, made decisions about his future. The consequences of that – whether I agree with it or not – proves newtons third law of motion. 

I appreciate that the writers took the time to show that Eda was torn about her decision. Hande was powerful in her scenes begging him to talk to her. I felt that. My God. Eda making some kind of journal for Serkan doesn’t absolve her, but it does show us that the decision not to tell him, wasn’t forgettable to her. Is it a cop out? Of course. But it’s the hand we are dealt. And I thought the scenes were really well done. 

The most frustrating thing about this season is that we get to spend no real time with Serkan. But then we do, during this episode. I really appreciated hearing more about his health, his associated trauma, and his reasons for wanting to remain detached. While I feel Serkan has grown as a character in the first season, I must leave room to allow for the fact that his health crisis did play a role in aiding his regression to his default state – being alone, afraid of abandonment, fearing the day Eda realises he isn’t worth it. I appreciate connecting these dots. They don’t come out of nowhere. Again, could it have been told in a better way? Yes. I appreciated this attempt, nonetheless. 

The reason this episode clicked for me though, was because it carried an arc. 

We start the episode with Serkan being against fatherhood. He’s afraid. 

He tells Eda why he feels this way – he’s communicating. 

Then realisation happens that he loves Eda and he already loves Kiraz – his perspective shifts. 

Finding his daughter alone, asking for her father to return to her is what tips him over the edge – he experiences acceptance. 

It’s not perfect, but I misted up. Beautiful. 

Finally, Serkan in the astronaut suit has been a rumour for weeks. So, we knew it was coming. What I loved about it is that Serkan Bolat, perfect, always groomed, is in a silly space suit that looks homemade. I LOVE that. It shows that he didn’t plan this, he didn’t have time to make it perfect and realistic. He went down to some store and bought the first thing he could find – a ridiculous costume that would make him look silly, but his daughter would be happy. Call me a fool, but I literally teared up. 

I get it. This isn’t the show we started out with. But this season has made an attempt to get back to the lighter tone – despite the heavier material. We faced Serkan’s father being responsible for Eda’s parents’ death in season 1 – so heavy material isn’t exactly exclusive to this season. 

Furthermore, Serkan and Kiraz are pretty much the main reason for even watching this season. Their interactions are so cute, it just elevates the entire show. That chemistry helps build the narrative – he is a good dad, even if he didn’t believe he would be. 

Now give me more of Serkan, continue having Eda and Serkan communicate, show us daddy Bolat, family bonding, as well as story arcs in episode and across the remaining episodes.