Shahmeran

I was totally engrossed in this Turkish series. For me what made it so interesting and drew me in was the instrumentation (not the typical digital crap) used by the composers. Very few films score to the action as this did. That is ambitious and thoughtful attention to detail. Great example of the difference music can make to the overall impact of the storyline. The overall ambient sound work was really excellent, too. It made me realize how much that is lacking in most series and films. Even big budget films. Hollywood can definitely take some cues from this. So A+ to the sound design people and composers and musicians!

I do not understand why people rate this as cringe or stupid. This is a very beautiful and romantic piece of art, where a modern woman meets an old legend.

Both main actors are stunning in their own way. Their love is, as the legend tells, foreseen and as they meet, there is an undeniable magnetic atmosphere between them.

And they are acting actually great and quite convincible. And it is nice to see a bit of the turkish culture, such as festivities with music or dancing.

It's full with quite beautiful pictures and scenery all along.

All in all I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next season.

The 2 leads are top notch and their chemistry is palpable. Despite a slow burn in episode 1 the story starts to hit its stride in episode 2. Production values are very high and the blending of contemporary gender themes with mythology is clever and ambitious. Some of the supporting cast are a bit hammy but overall this is another impressive show out of Turkey. If you enjoyed The Gift then this is a natural progression. The first season is set up for a return and I really hope it does for Season 2! I wish Netflix would invest in second seasons like they once used to!

On a side note, the myriad 1 star reviews for this show feel like a set up and are ridiculously harsh.

Looking at the reviews on this series, there are lots of 1 ratings but also lots of 10s, indicating a complete disconnect for some but VERY high praise by others. I fall into the 10 category. It was so delightful for me to be enveloped by it.

I was totally captivated by this subtle but well-acted and well-produced series, and I will recommend it to my more discerning friends. I much enjoyed the acting, the music, the ancient story line, the setting in Turkey. But one must not come at the series with a Western bias. Approach it with openness and seeing it through the actors' eyes and a Turkish cultural perspective, not your own. Look at the Turkish people, study the intriguing storyline, revel in its creativeness.

If you can do so, maybe you'd give it a 10! But if you can's see it or do not wish to move yourself to see it, just drop it. Move on to what talks to yourself.

Seeing so many 1 star reviews (ONE star, y'all, that's saying this is among the WORST that all of television has to offer, and The Golf Channel exists, for reference) is baffling for a show that's not only "not THAT bad" - it's really not bad. Here's my guess. The low ratings calling out cringe either don't know that English audio dubs are rarely reflective of the show's intended tone. They don't just translate the language into English which subtitles already accomplish, they Americanize the story. Ever notice how the English audio and the English subtitles rarely match 1 to 1? Watch the show again with just subtitles and just see if you still think it's as bad as "School of Golf."