Uzak Sehir

I'm not a big fan of Turkish series, which I sometimes find too "cliché", and this one combines all the ingredients to keep people on the edge of their seats and hooked.

The characters of Alya and Cihan are endearing, and their explosive "relationship" makes us want more.

The dynamics of the other actors, in addition to their touching stories where we feel for each of them, not to mention the breathtaking scenery of Mardin, make this show a gem.

You'll love the slow burn between Cihan and Alya, you'll feel sad for the fate of the characters, you'll be caught up in the tribal conflicts, Sadakat and Ecmel's hatred, Demir's revenge, Mine's jealousies and, strangely, you'll love hating the antagonists... The episodes are fluid and the acting is good, so go for it, guys!

One of the biggest weaknesses of this film is the way the child character is portrayed. He has no trace of his past-no memories of his previous life, no friends, no home, no toys, no connection to the completely different environment where he was born and raised, and not even a natural attachment to his mother. It feels as if he was born into this family and in Mardin at that very moment, with no emotional or psychological impact from his past. This lack of depth makes the character unrealistic and unconvincing. A child's past, especially in a story like this, should shape their behavior, emotions, and interactions. It would have been much more believable if the filmmakers had consulted a child psychologist to ensure a more natural and psychologically accurate depiction of the child's experiences and reactions.

Fascinating characters, gripping storyline and exotic scenery makes this series addictive.

The character Alya is strong and brave, admirable and mature beyond her age. She is fearless and a protective, loving mother. Cihan is dedicated and respectful, works constantly at trying to please and protect his loved ones. I adore Kaya's unfaltering love for Zerrin and am touched by the impossible love story between Sahin and Nare. Even the "villains" are amazing to watch. Madame Sadakat may seem cruel and cold, but that actress is surely playing her role immaculately. She is chilling and beautiful at the same time. The character, Demir is nasty, but he seems to have a playful side that keeps him somehow enjoyable to watch. The side characters are also funny and endearing. Kadir is a riot, and has me rolling every time he is talking on the phone with his mouth full...or stealing food from the kitchen! It would be a crime not to mention the young actor who plays little Cihan (Deniz). I could listen to that cute guy all day. He is adorable. I also would like to mention my appreciation for the use of dialect. It is not cliché nor cartoonish, but just adds to the characters' believability.

All that was just about the characters. But the characters without a storyline is lost. The plot is gripping and often heart wrenching. The series is intense and moving yet often times comical and clever. From the first show, I was hooked. To think that this bright woman would be trapped in a land that was foreign to her, and at risk of losing her son is unimaginable. The obstacles she has endured is dumbfounding. What Cihan is going through, as he protects his family, is also crazy. It's a lot, but it makes the show exciting.

I am eagerly looking forward to each new episode.

Title: Love That Heals Without Asking

Review:

In Uzak Sehir, the relationship between Aliya and Cihan is a masterclass in emotional storytelling.

Aliya, once guarded and emotionally distant, slowly begins to adapt to Cihan. Not because he demanded change, but because he quietly stayed. He did not try to break her walls; he simply waited until she let him in.

Cihan matched her silence and respected her pain. Through that silent understanding, love grew - not with drama, but with patience and healing.

This is not a love that fights pain, but a love that embraces it and transforms it.

True love does not conquer. It heals.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10.

From 6.0 to 8.0

Update 10/3/25 ! It's fascinating how our perceptions of a series can evolve over time. Initially, Uzak Sehir didn't captivate me a 100% but by episode 5, I found myself becoming a major fan. The actress portraying Alya, Sinem Ünsal, improved significantly as the series progressed, perhaps due to a reduction in her earlier tendency to pout.

The supporting cast adds depth to the narrative, even characters like Mine. However, Cihan's continuous deceit towards Alya is frustrating. He forbids her from meeting other men for simple activities like coffee, yet maintains a secret relationship himself. His anger when Alya discovers this hypocrisy, especially after she directly questioned him and he lied, is particularly aggravating.

Another source of annoyance is Sadakat. While the actress delivers a commendable performance, the character's persistent hypocrisy and bullying towards Alya lack justification. The primary antagonist seems to be Cihan's mother, whose animosity towards Alya appears baseless and shifts inconsistently, reflecting the scriptwriters' whims. Her contradictory desires-wanting a grandchild but rejecting Deniz and opposing Alya-without allowing Deniz to leave, despite hiding his true lineage as Emcel's grandson, highlight a lack of character development. These inconsistencies can be exasperating, and the writing sometimes feels lacking in coherence.

I hope the writers can develop Sadakat's character, possibly fostering an alliance with Alya, similar to the positive development seen with Alya. Regarding Cihan and Alya's relationship, it might be more compelling if they divorced and then genuinely fell in love, introducing a "tragic lovers who can't be together" trope. Currently, there's a power imbalance due to Alya's ignorance of Deniz's true paternity and Cihan's deceit.

Uzak Sehir has evolved into a series that keeps me engaged, and I look forward to seeing how the characters and plotlines develop in future episodes.

There are also less scenes with the child actor, which I approve of.

-- Review before 10/03/25 (6.0)The show has an absolutely interesting premise-who doesn't love a good enemies-to-lovers storyline? Unfortunately, the female lead Sinem Ünsal , makes it difficult to fully enjoy the narrative or the romance with the male lead. Her constant overacting and exaggerated facial expressions make it hard to take her character seriously, and at times, it's downright cringe-worthy to watch.

The male lead Ozan Akbaba while not conventionally hottie material imho (compared to other Turkish actors like Can Yaman or Akin Akinözu for example), brings enough charisma and talent to his role to sell the romance and carry his part of the story. However, it's not enough to fully balance out the issues with his co-star.

On top of that, the female lead's appearance is a major distraction. Having watched plenty of Turkish dramas, I've grown accustomed to the leads often having cosmetic enhancements, but her overly noticeable lip fillers combined with her lackluster acting make it hard to connect with her character. It's disappointing that casting directors seem to prioritize a "plastic" look over real talent-though this is the first time it's truly bothered me to this extent.

The child actor playing the son adds another layer of frustration. Not only is the character written as a brat who doesn't seem to have much affection for his mother, but the storyline involving him feels forced and unengaging. It reminds me of Dolunay, where the child character often detracted from the more compelling interactions between the leads.

Despite these drawbacks, I'll likely keep watching to see if things improve. However, I can't help but wish they had cast the actress playing Chihan's sister (Sahra Sas ) as the lead-or just someone more talented overall than the actress portraying Alya.