Sen Cal Kapimi Episode 12: A Review

 

Serkan and Eda are finally together albeit in secret. There are so many thoughts swirling in my head but the most significant one is that I do not want to dissect the episode. I just want to breathe the fresh air and smell the flowers like Eda, and enjoy the sensory experiences of the story of Sen Cal Kapimi. So these are just some random thoughts about Sen Cal Kapimi. 

1. Eda's decision to go to Italy 

I understand Eda's dream- to study in Italy. She loves architecture, the historical significance of the city, and had always dreamed of going there to complete her degree. The dream became even more precious when it was denied to her because of Serkan. She does consider Turkey for the degree but her heart says go to Italy. As the audience, we want to see the hero and heroine together, but, I like that the woman is not sacrificing her dreams and trying to "make practical choices." Many among us have done that...for family, for a husband, for a child. So I have come to respect Eda's insistence on going to Italy. 

Eda is still in so many ways, unsure of the love between her and Serkan. She feels they are very different from each other. While Serkan appreciates all the quirky things about Eda; let us agree that Eda is not overjoyed by some of his characteristics- especially the part where he comes across as cold, arrogant, and business-like. She does love him deeply- remember that she decided to do everything possible to bring Selin back to Serkan even though it meant denying herself. While her actions only complicated their lives, we cannot fault her intentions. Also, adding to that decision was Serkan's inability to let go of logic till the last moment as he  confessed his love for Eda leaving Selin waiting in tears. 

Serkan in his turn, has accepted that Eda is the one. He cannot breathe without her, he cannot exist without her. He is helpless in his love- it pushed him to a corner where he had no other choice but to accept it and act on it. This reveals the other side of his character- the side that he had kept suppressed in his heart for a very long time. His protectiveness towards her; worrying about her fainting spells; the gift of the star names after her (which he must have planned quietly for so long even when things were turbulent between both of them), and his disinterest in hiding his love from his mom or Eda's aunt all show us that Serkan's character arc has completed its first stage of development. He is older than Eda by seven years, and he has the life experiences and the maturity to understand this is the love of his life. 

Eda is younger, less experienced in intimate love, and also protected by her aunt and her friend's love and care. She has a cozy world that is warm and vibrant with the smell of cooking, and the fragrance of flowers, and the laughter of her loved ones. She lost her parents forever to fate whereas, Serkan's parents deliberately chose to lose him: is one less cruel than the other? While Eda had at least her aunt and friends, Serkan was not so lucky. 

Is that why for Serkan, Eda is so much more precious?

We will see how Eda's character develops: already she has changed, and has been more open to adjusting to the needs of Serkan's world of sophistication and glamour because she yearns for his love and acceptance and wants to share everything with him. 

2. The futility of wealth 

This brings me to another narrative I have noticed that not many seem to have been discussing in Sen Cal Kapimi. That is the portrayal of money and its role in the characters' lives. Money and social class are themes that are ever-present in stories. However, Ayse's perspective of money and its value has been something that I find interesting.

 What is the difference between Selin and Eda? Both are kind, decent beautiful, and smart women who have a few shades of grey. However, while Eda does not think of herself as better than Selin in any way, Selin feels differently. According to Selin, she is better educated, more sophisticated, better mannered, and because she is rich, better suited to Serkan. We see Selin's confusion at several points in the story. She doesn't understand why Serkan is interested in a 'girl like Eda' or where Eda's confidence comes from. How can the flower girl be so arrogant she wonders...because for Selin, a lot of her strength and confidence comes from money. While for Eda, it comes from a better place of love, care, and appreciation for the simple things in life. As Selin asks Eda how she should brief the press about her and her family, and if Eda needs to get ready during the engagement Episode two, we see this clearly. Selin does realize later on that Eda is talented and comes to have a grudging respect for her but, money has a strong influence on her view of life and love. In that, she is in the company of Aydan Bolat, Serkan's mother. 

Serkan meanwhile does not cherish money as much as Selin, his mother, or his father. He is a workaholic who enjoys what he does tremendously and finds satisfaction is the success that he derives from it. He is also a realist and understands how his world functions. Eda's lack of interest in money is riveting to him. She doesn't sound or talk like the women he knows. For Eda, the car hood should always be open even if that means it is going to mess with her hair.

We see how lack of money actually makes Eda's relationships much more precious while with Serkan, his wealth gives him hollow and pretentious bonds from which he has constantly tried to escape. That is why Eda is his star. She does not belong in his world but shows him the light from a different place of which he wants a share of. This is also why Aydan does not understand the deep connection her son establishes with the flower girl. For how can he deny himself the treasure of a girl like Selin, and go for someone 'inappropriate' for their family? 

Selin suggests in Episode 12 that Serkan they have both lived the same life. A meaningless life full of pretensions and logic where cold, calculated moves get you success. Kahn was a part of this world too, but alas! he had to be removed from the story before the writers could develop his character further. Serkan moves away from that world to find his love. Selin is still rooted in it and does not see the consequences of her selfishness as it breaks Ferrit into pieces. 

3. Ferrit's growth as a well rounded character 

Ferrit is another character who could have been a stereotype but we are surprised by his depth and roundness. He is as helplessly in love with Selin as Serkan is with Eda. He is at Selin's beck and call even as she drops his calls, makes him wait, and blatantly chooses Serkan over him. The way the character was growing, there was no chance for Ferrit to marry Selin and walk away to the sunset. Ferrit realized that Selin was not worth his devotion. Even at the last moment, as Ferrit walks away from the wedding, Selin's first concern is what people will think. For, her heart was never with Ferrit it was always waiting for Serkan. 

So far, we see all the characters have developed from episode one. Serkan's parents have changed irrevocably. Selin and Ferrit have understood so much more about what each one is capable of and, Eda and Serkan are on a beautiful boat ride of their own. We see that Melo has become more responsible and sensible. Caren has also come of her own creating an identity for herself, separate from her successful family. Erdem is a part of the girl squad now, and Pyril and Engin have had a breakthrough. Leyla calls Serkan Bay, Sekrkan,  and Seyfi is the champion of true love if ever there was one. 

The only characters who have not moved are Eda's aunt Ayfer and Fifi, her friend. What is the reason for this? I believe, in future episodes, these two characters will evolve further, and we will understand the reasons for their behavior much better. Just like Serkan's terrible childhood was revealed to us, the appearance of the Grandmother will throw better light on the future arc of Ayfer and Fifi. 

With a jealous Serkan insecure of Eda's attentions and a broken Selin leaning on Serkan for his compassion, we have some surprises unfolding. My bet is, it won't be what we expect it to be. So far, Sen Cal Kapimi has been a gift to the romantic genre, and Ayse, its creator, has not managed to disappoint. Expect the unexpected !!!