In Sahsiyet, an elderly ex-court official newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's resolves to act as judge, jury and executioner before he completely loses his memory. The story also follows a female police investigator who must confront her own troubled past to uncover the dark secrets that drive the criminal's motivations and actions.
The show adroitly handles and presents topics like the difference between law and justice, repression of past trauma, discrimination against foreigners, and the inequality of the sexes. The script too deserves praise for effectively weaving together poignant emotional moments, subtly humorous conversations as well as thought-provoking soliloquies. The cast's acting is wonderful with Haluk Bilginer's portrayal of the troubled and conflicted lead protagonist deserving special mention. Moreover, the setting is very realistically constructed be that in the layout of the sets or the music chosen for the scenes, increasing the intensity of the depiction.
Insofar as criticisms go, a lot of them could stem from my unfamiliarity with Turkish culture; after all, Sahsiyet is the first Turkish television show I have watched. Perhaps this is why many of the subplots and secondary storylines tended not to engross me - none of Zulal's insecurities, Deva's rebelliousness, or even Neyra's fumbling progress captivated me as much as Agah's morally questionable enactment of justice. Considering the premise and plot, the show also felt drawn out in parts and may have benefitted from a tighter half dozen episodes and a more satisfying conclusion. Furthermore, some suspension of disbelief was necessary to explain away aspects like the utter incompetence of the authorities, the lack of public knowledge of a secret shared by almost an entire town, and the neat wrapping up of all loose ends. Finally, the Alzheimer's disease condition was disappointingly used more for characterization instead of playing an integral role in the events of the narrative itself.
To sum up, I consider Sahsiyet an intriguing drama highlighting the promise and potential of Turkish television. The mystery is suspenseful, the themes are mature, the acting is excellent and the setting is vivid. While the show does not quite deliver on its premise and has some forgettable B-plots, it still makes for an entertaining and gripping watch that can be appreciated by an international audience.
The show adroitly handles and presents topics like the difference between law and justice, repression of past trauma, discrimination against foreigners, and the inequality of the sexes. The script too deserves praise for effectively weaving together poignant emotional moments, subtly humorous conversations as well as thought-provoking soliloquies. The cast's acting is wonderful with Haluk Bilginer's portrayal of the troubled and conflicted lead protagonist deserving special mention. Moreover, the setting is very realistically constructed be that in the layout of the sets or the music chosen for the scenes, increasing the intensity of the depiction.
Insofar as criticisms go, a lot of them could stem from my unfamiliarity with Turkish culture; after all, Sahsiyet is the first Turkish television show I have watched. Perhaps this is why many of the subplots and secondary storylines tended not to engross me - none of Zulal's insecurities, Deva's rebelliousness, or even Neyra's fumbling progress captivated me as much as Agah's morally questionable enactment of justice. Considering the premise and plot, the show also felt drawn out in parts and may have benefitted from a tighter half dozen episodes and a more satisfying conclusion. Furthermore, some suspension of disbelief was necessary to explain away aspects like the utter incompetence of the authorities, the lack of public knowledge of a secret shared by almost an entire town, and the neat wrapping up of all loose ends. Finally, the Alzheimer's disease condition was disappointingly used more for characterization instead of playing an integral role in the events of the narrative itself.
To sum up, I consider Sahsiyet an intriguing drama highlighting the promise and potential of Turkish television. The mystery is suspenseful, the themes are mature, the acting is excellent and the setting is vivid. While the show does not quite deliver on its premise and has some forgettable B-plots, it still makes for an entertaining and gripping watch that can be appreciated by an international audience.