Magnificent Century (Muhteşem Yüzyıl)

[Brian G Turner]

Just watched the first episode of this Turkish historical drama.

I was expecting something perhaps a little cheesy - and it did start a little slow. But I found myself laughing along to some of the jokes, and by the end of the episode I was totally hooked. Even my wife and eldest daughter drifted in to watch to see what happened next.

Wonderfully lush production values. No blood or nudity.

Definitely recommended for anyone who doesn't mind pushing their boundaries a bit, with subtitled foreign productions - there's Turkish, Russian, and Italian, all spoken in this episode.

At 1 hour 40 minutes it is long, but I'm looking forward to watching more of this series.

EDIT: Though the URL is embedded, apparently you can only watch it on Youtube.com directly.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Well! I just put this on over Sunday lunch for the family, expecting my two youngest daughters (11 and 13) to get bored and leave as soon as they'd finished eating, as they do sometimes when I put something on. But they both stayed till the end!

It probably helps that there are *a lot* of female characters in this program, and Alexandra is an incredibly feisty character.

We''ll try episode 2 next Sunday, and hopefully - if we keep watching it - we'll also pick up a little Turkish and Russian.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Watched the second episode today - loved the increasing tension within the court between Suleiman and his mother, and how the court loyalty is being forced to choose between them. Laughed out loud at how manipulative Alexandra is becoming, and the test of wits between her and Suleiman's first wife.

Another really engaging episode, though the quality of the subtitles became quite poor at times, with more typos than last episode, and some text seemed to stick to the screen.

Anyone else watching?

 

[Brian G Turner]

Episode 3 was a corker - so many developments over a ring!

Although this series is ostensibly about the Ottoman Empire under Suleiman, the story is clearly more about the women and the power games they play - there are far more regular speaking characters who are female. In fact, aside from Suleiman and his best friend Ibrihim, the only regular speaking male roles so far are Sumbul Aga the eunoch, and two-year old Prince Mustafa.

Although the episodes are long, there is a good pace and I haven't noticed the episodes dragging - so far. And if all my family can enjoy this, the programme makers are obviously doing something right!

No one feel like trying this at all? Or am I the last to watch a popular series again?

 

[Maroosh Qazi]

Oh wow I can't believe it. Finally I found someone who is currently watching the series. Well the series has finished in Turkey but it is still airing worldwide and in some countries beginning to air. It was truly a worldwide sensation and still is. In my country they have gone crazy with it where when they first telecast it on a channel they telecast one hour daily about 2 years ago; since then they have telecast it about 5 times and it is airing again, sometimes there used to be repeat timings of it as well with the old episodes so far aired. My whole family used to watch it with enthusiasm including my grandma and it is one show that I cannot stop obsessing over. I have watched literally millions of shows/movies/etc in Bollywood and Hollywood but I have always got over my obsessions. This one is still standing and it is not going to fade away easily. I am guilty of currently watching a repeat telecast of it when I should be studying for my exams a month away. Probably it is the kind of show that really matches my taste owing to its monologues, poetry, old-fashioned dresses, deadly enmities and poisonous love sagas and magnificent sets. And in case you don't know this show was actually filmed in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul which is a tourist site and I would love to see it someday. Now that I am watching it again, for me it is a bit slow in the first season, probably because now I know where the suspense will lead to but I love it when the story gets a lot darker later on in terms of politics and the race of placing the rightful heir on the throne. Do keep posting what you thought of every episode and I will then tell you my opinion on it. Do also be aware that although it is based on history, history was nothing like this. It was so immensely popular that it got Erdogan, their Prime Minister very upset. Google his reaction on it. It is interesting to see he didn't like it when the series worked very well for reconnecting the world with Turkey through their television screens. But that is because as I reached the end of the series I also wanted to believe that the historical Sultan was better than the one in the show and I am sure that that is the truth. So enjoy it by all means and hopefully it will intrigue you to learn more about the actual history of the Ottoman Empire but don't take every word of it to be true. By the way are you watching it on TV or on the internet. And also I hope you go till the end of the journey because for me it was truly an amazing one and I am still reeling from the shock that now there are no more new episodes for me to watch. And trust me that I have never been obsessed this much with a show. I have always been one of the more sensible ones but this show's magic really got to me. Hope to keep hearing from u

 

[Brian G Turner]

Merhaba, Maroosh! And welcome to chronicles.

Well the series has finished in Turkey but it is still airing worldwide and in some countries beginning to air.

I'm currently watching it on YouTube - I'm not sure if it's been broadcast in the UK, but I suspect not, and the DVD isn't available on Amazon UK. Which is a great shame because this is a great series.

for me it is a bit slow in the first season

Episode 9 dragged a bit - that episode is nearly 2 hours long on YouTube - but the climax was incredible (the fire...)

And in case you don't know this show was actually filmed in the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul

I took my wife to Istnbul as a 40th birthday treat for myself - I love the history. And, yes, we did go to the Topkapi Palace, which makes it a little more interesting to have been where they did some of the filming.

It was so immensely popular that it got Erdogan, their Prime Minister very upset

I'm surprised by that - but then again, I don't know how the plot will twist later on. So far it seems suitably patriotic - hard not to be when it's about one of the most amazing periods of Turkish history.

Anyway, we're almost halfway through Season 1, and looking forward to watching more.

Gule gule.

 

[Maroosh Qazi]

Good to see you are learning some turkish as well I also picked up quite a bit of Turkish vocabulary while watching Turkish soaps which I am now addicted to. Although I don't remember every single episode that well now but yes it does have episodes which drag on a bit and the suspense gets a bit too much but the nice thing is that it is always resolved in some way or another by the end of the episode leaving another question mark for the next one. I would love to go to Turkey now because it seems to be the trend these days. So I don't really remember which episode is which now. So what episode did you just finish watching and what did you think of it?

Well there are quite a few reasons which I can reckon with that Erdogan might be upset due to. I think that as you said the show is more about harem intrigues than the battles Suleyman fought. A major portion of his life would have been spent away from his palace making decisions about war.

And although that is shown and it increases in later episodes but he still interferes quite a bit in harem intrigues and is stuck in women politics from one woman in his bed to the next. As you watch the show you will also realise that the show runners get quite addicted to the idea of bringing competition for Hurrem everytime for the Sultan so that Hurrem can defeat that competition. Although that idea worked quite well at the start but eventually you are left to question Sultan's character. I know that at the time slavery was allowed in Islam and everything but it just wouldn't have been the way it is shown. You are left to question whether he really loves Hurrem or not?

Also on the same topic according to Turkish/Islamic standards there are a lot more scenes showing off a woman's body than is necessary. Normally in shows that would not be a problem and the Prime Minister would not speak against it, especially in Turkey which has Westernised quite a lot. However when it concerns history, everyone will question what they see. Frankly I also think that the royalty in terms of clothing would be much more heavily dressed at that time even in Britain contrary to what is shown in shows these days. You will notice that in light of the Prime Minister's criticism quite a few changes are made in the show as it progresses in later seasons. Also as you said in terms of politics as well in later seasons I did not find some things historically accurate. Hope that clarified it a bit.

One thing I also watched the show for was for the characters of Hurrem and Ibrahim and their enmity attracted me a lot more than the enmity between Hurrem and Mahidevran which really bored me. I loved the chemistry between this pair and although some viewers have taken sides between the 2 but I love them both equally as they both become very powerful figures and as they grow in power, so does their enmity. That will be something interesting to watch out for. Anyway I will go before I ruin any kind of suspense for you. I should really get back to studying now. I hope I haven't accidentally given any spoilers already. Happy Viewing!!

 

[Brian G Turner]

I hope I haven't accidentally given any spoilers already.

None at all, thankfully.

 

[Brian G Turner]

We really didn't like the Princess Isabella storyline that Season 2 started to focus on. At episode 32 we were ready to give up - Suleyman had been the one steadfastly sympathetic character until then, and along with the Balibey + Armin subplot, it was all starting to look a bit creepy.

But we figured we'd give episode 33 a try - and it went immediately back to strong form. The episode was worth watching alone just for Hurrem's big confrontation - as if it was the culmination of every episode so far. It ended with a decent double-cliffhanger.

But then we watched episode 34 tonight - and, OMG. That's all I can say. It was so intense. I'll not mention any spoilers, suffice to say that within 5 minutes it had swung in a completely unexpected and devastating direction. Then an amazing double cliffhanger. And that's without mentioning the potentially big subplot we just got a hint of, with the dead body at the docks.

The character development in this series veers between the superficial and the profound. And when it touches the latter - as it often does - I can only say that it's some of the best I've seen. Hurrem and Ibrihim are worthy mentions on any all-time great character list.

 

[Anushka Mokosh]

OMG! Someone beside me is watching this!

It was on TV here in its entity so I won't post many spoilers and I watched almost all of it but the last season when they change the actress. I loved Hurrem and I loved all the drama and intrigue. What do you guys think of Valide Sultana? She was one of my favourite characters.

 

[Brian G Turner]

OMG! Someone beside me is watching this!

Hurray, another chronner watching it!

the last season when they change the actress.

Oh! For which character, or shouldn't I ask? Surely not Hurrem?

What do you guys think of Valide Sultana?

She's certainly a strong and calm figure, and one of the few not to undergo any change so far. At the moment I'm wanting her acknowledge a degree of power to Hurrem, and stop siding so much with Mahidevran. I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens.

 

[Anushka Mokosh]

Hurray, another chronner watching it!

Oh! For which character, or shouldn't I ask? Surely not Hurrem?

Better I don't say. It can be rather spoilerish. XD

She's certainly a strong and calm figure, and one of the few not to undergo any change so far. At the moment I'm wanting her acknowledge a degree of power to Hurrem, and stop siding so much with Mahidevran. I guess I'll have to wait and see what happens.

Oh, she's not really siding so much with Mahidevran as protecting herself from the threat Hurrem's ambition is posing to her way of life. How far in the story are you now? It's been a while since I watched the show and I don't want to spoil much of what comes ahead.

 

[Brian G Turner]

How far in the story are you now?

Spoiler

Hurrem has had a big confrontation with Valide about her position. Hatice has lost Mehmet and her mind. Ibrihim just recovered from poisoning and presented Suleyman with Leo's diary, asking Hurrem to translate it...

 

[Anushka Mokosh]

Spoiler

Hurrem has had a big confrontation with Valide about her position. Hatice has lost Mehmet and her mind. Ibrihim just recovered from poisoning and presented Suleyman with Leo's diary, asking Hurrem to translate it...

Spoiler

Ah yes. I remember all those. Things will get even more complicated in Ibrahim and Hurem's relationship. I always found their relationship interesting since both Hurrem and Ibrahim cared very deeply about Suleyman, but were always at each other's throat. The fact that they both actually cared about Suleyman sometimes made them pull punches, but they still gave each other some crippling ones.

Btw, I couldn't find the rest of the episodes on that linked channel. Are you watching them on another youtube channel perhaps? I've been intending to re-watch them and I can't really find them to download.

 

[Brian G Turner]

Btw, I couldn't find the rest of the episodes on that linked channel. Are you watching them on another youtube channel perhaps? I've been intending to re-watch them and I can't really find them to download.

Quite possibly - I just type "Magnificent Century [episode number]" and something usually comes up with English subtitles, but not always from the same channel.

 

[Anushka Mokosh]

Quite possibly - I just type "Magnificent Century [episode number]" and something usually comes up with English subtitles, but not always from the same channel.

Ah. All right then. I know who can get me all the episodes then.

 

[Anushka Mokosh]

I've started re-watching the show. It is really amusing to remember just how little shrewdness Hurrem had in those early episodes and relied on just her charm to get her through and then compare it to how she shrewd she is in latter episodes.

 

[Brian G Turner]

I've started re-watching the show. It is really amusing to remember just how little shrewdness Hurrem had in those early episodes and relied on just her charm to get her through and then compare it to how she shrewd she is in latter episodes.

We're really enjoying how Hurrem's developing - even now we comment on how much she's changed. Remember when she just used to shriek at everything? And now she's just cold, bold, and dangerous to know.

We really didn't enjoy the Princess Isabella subplot, but it looks as though we're finally finished with that. Allowing for all sorts of confrontations among the main characters.

It's interesting how we remain sympathetic to Hurrem, despite her flaws, and how well the show plays with our emotions.

Spoiler

Hurrem is directly challenging Valide for control of the Harem, and Valide responded by trying to isolate Hurrem - and killing her horse. Hurrem has just barged into Valide's chambers with the bloodied dagger from the scene for the cliffhanger - presumably to confront her or Daye about it. And I was filled with a shared sense of outrage for Hurrem, and thought about all the different ways she could react, and the words that she could say. I guess the show's getting back on form.

 

[Anushka Mokosh]

We're really enjoying how Hurrem's developing - even now we comment on how much she's changed. Remember when she just used to shriek at everything? And now she's just cold, bold, and dangerous to know.

We really didn't enjoy the Princess Isabella subplot, but it looks as though we're finally finished with that. Allowing for all sorts of confrontations among the main characters.

It's interesting how we remain sympathetic to Hurrem, despite her flaws, and how well the show plays with our emotions.

Spoiler

Hurrem is directly challenging Valide for control of the Harem, and Valide responded by trying to isolate Hurrem - and killing her horse. Hurrem has just barged into Valide's chambers with the bloodied dagger from the scene for the cliffhanger - presumably to confront her or Daye about it. And I was filled with a shared sense of outrage for Hurrem, and thought about all the different ways she could react, and the words that she could say. I guess the show's getting back on form.

Yes. She really progressed a lot and learnt how to play the Harem Games to her best advantage.

I didn't like it either. Isabella was greatly overrated IMO. Here, she was a very popular character, but I just wanted her to go away.

Hurrem is human. I think that's the character's strongest point. She's relate-able and somehow, odds are always stacked against her so we enjoy cheering for the underdog.

Spoiler

That was such a cruel thing in great part because it is so pointless in terms of reaching a goal. It was only designed to hurt Hurrem.

 

[Brian G Turner]

we enjoy cheering for the underdog.

That's exactly it. In fact, much of what we just said is exactly what my wife and I were discussing straight after.

I think it's a testament to the series that it can do such a great job with the characters - overall, at least. The trouble with the Isabella plot - IMO - is that it turned characters that we had previously sympathised with, into ones we did not - not least Suleyman himself.