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Productstar 5.0
The Prison
I'm hooked on this Turkish drama series - it's got me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Expect intense drama, unexpected twists, and characters that'll keep you guessing.
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This Turkish drama reminded me of Blood Roses, but Captive is way cooler - I binge-watched it without pausing.
summarizeEditor's Summary
I'm a self-proclaimed Turkish drama enthusiast, and I gotta say, 'Captive' has stolen my heart. With two parallel storylines, engaging characters, and a gripping plot, this show had me hooked from the very start. I binge-watched it without pausing, eager to see what happens next. The series consists of multiple seasons with over 250 episodes released so far, each about an hour long. I watched it on open sources, but I'm not sure if it's available on any streaming platforms yet. The show's ability to balance romance, drama, and thriller elements is impressive, and the characters are well-developed and complex, making it easy to become invested in their stories. The pacing is well-balanced, with each episode feeling complete yet leaving me wanting more. I love how the show tackles some heavy themes in a way that's both thought-provoking and entertaining.
settingsSpecifications
Kararİyi
DiziKalite8/10
AktorPerformans9/10
HikayeKompleksite7/10
Hello everyone!
I've been hooked on Turkish dramas for a while now. The Turkish film industry has been churning out a ton of shows over the last decade, but not every one of them is worth watching. I've seen around thirty Turkish dramas so far, some I dropped after a few episodes because they just didn't grab me, others I stopped mid-series, but this one really caught my attention and sometimes I found myself watching it late into the night, eager to see what happens next.
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I watched this series on open sources. I'm not sure if it's available on any streaming platforms, but I did know it's supposed to come to ivi eventually - no idea when, though. So, I had to watch it with a single audio track, but the series is interesting enough that I stopped noticing the lack of subtitles.
Series consists of multiple seasons, with over 250 episodes released so far. Each episode is about an hour long.
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Plot
The series has two parallel storylines.
The first one follows Orhun and Hira, the second one follows Kenan and Meryem.
According to the first storyline, Nihan - Orhun's sister - is a doctor working in Africa. Orhun comes to take her back home, but finds out she's been poisoned. By the time he reaches the hospital where his sister worked, he unexpectedly saves a girl who's been a slave for years. But it turns out she's the one who contributed to Nihan's death. When Orhun finds out, he's initially thinking of killing her, but then decides death is too merciful a punishment.
As I continued watching the series, I found myself drawn into the story of Meryem, who had a pretty rough deal. She'd been betrayed, she'd been married to a tyrant, and she'd been left on the streets with her daughter. It seemed like Meryem had finally found some relief when her husband met his demise in a car accident, but things took a turn for the worse when it turned out he was broke.
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Main Characters
I was new to all the actors in this series, which made it easier for me to focus on their performances in this specific role.
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The Orhan and Hira storyline
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Orhan (played by Jener Torun)
Orhan was a complex character - I didn't think he was a one-dimensional villain, but I'm not entirely convinced by his character either. His behavior was often puzzling, but I was curious to see what he'd come up with next. After the 51st episode, when everything changed, I was wondering what Orhan would do next.
I think the actor did a great job bringing Orhan to life, even if he's not the most conventionally handsome guy. He's got charisma, though, and he worked well with the role. My only criticism is that he looked a bit old for the part. I mean, he's almost 40 in real life, and even by the show's timeline, he's supposed to be Orhan's twin brother, who died in a tragic accident. The sister looked youthful, but Orhan seemed a bit...aged.
Hira (played by Mahasssin Merabet)
Hira's story really tugged at my heartstrings. I felt so sorry for her, it was like my heart was aching. Poor thing, she'd been through so much: she'd been buried, she'd been cleaning, she'd been drowning, and she'd even been sleeping on the floor with rats.
As for Mahassin, I'd say she nailed the role 200%. Every emotion, every look was spot on. I don't know how many bottles of eye drops she must have used, but she cried so realistically. Not only is she beautiful, but she's also incredibly talented.
Afife (played by Mahassat Abbasova)
Afife is Orhun's mother and Nihan's deceased mother. She's a very authoritative woman who only cares about her family's reputation and the purity of their bloodline. Of course, she never accepted Huru.
As for Mahassat's performance, I'd say it was solid, but not mind-blowing. Because of her negative role, I found her character really annoying.
Nurshah, played by Yagmur Celik, is Orhun's younger sister. She's a completely positive character. In the first season, she was pretty neutral, but in the second season, she took center stage. I think the actress is lovely, but I don't consider her a beauty queen.
And then there's Eda, played by Yaren Yildirim, who becomes the main antagonist. She's been in love with Orhun since childhood and wanted to be his wife. But then Hira shows up and ruins her plans. I have to admit, this character got on my nerves, but the actress did a great job.
Kenan and Meryem's storyline
Kenan, played by Ali Yagiz Durmus
Kenan is, in my opinion, the perfect man in this show - you can't imagine a better one. He's great in every way, except he gets really upset. I loved the story of him and Meryem, and it shows that you should never stay silent if you love someone.
Meryem (played by Hilal Anay)
Meryem's life story is one you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. Her husband is a tyrant, her father is a tyrant, and she's betrayed in love - it's a tragic end. I'm writing this and I'm getting the chills. The actress has really sunk her teeth into the role, and she's a total sweetheart.
Rashit (played by Bülent Ergün)
Rashit is Meryem's father, and he's a total nutcase. I've got to give the actor props - he played the negative role so well that I completely believed him. And that's worth something. He's such a despicable character that I was genuinely grossed out by him.
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I've also got to give a shoutout to the little sunbeam, Neferes. I was really impressed by this tiny actress - her bright eyes and captivating ears stole the show.
I also wanted to highlight the music in this series - it's really pleasant and always hits the right notes. One track in particular stood out to me, where a woman lets out this haunting, wailing cry, but I couldn't find out who the artist is. When you're watching the series, you'll know exactly which one I'm talking about.
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I mentioned in the header of my review that this series reminded me of another popular show, 'Bloody Flowers', and here's why.
1. Both series have two main plotlines.
2. Both series are built around the aftermath of a loved one's death - the difference is that 'Plien' is much more realistic, whereas 'Bloody Flowers' isn't.
3. Both series feature a storyline about a fake marriage.
4. Both series have negative female characters who bully the main character - Eda and Daria even look similar.
5. Both series feature a scene where a character gets stabbed in the shoulder. I'm not sure who borrowed this idea from who.
6. Both series have a character who's a psychologist, but instead of giving advice, they use vague language to guide the characters. In 'Bloody Flowers', it was the stablehand, while in 'Plien', it's the woodcarver.
I have to say, I enjoyed 'The Prisoner' way more than 'Blood Roses'. The mistreatment in 'Blood Roses' felt so over-the-top it was almost laughable. But in 'The Prisoner', everything felt real. I genuinely believed the main character was slowly dying every day. Plus, the long shots of the main characters were nowhere near as long as they were in 'Blood Roses'. Don't get me wrong, they were still there, but they didn't drag on forever.
Despite the heavy subject matter, I found myself binge-watching the series. I'd sit down to watch an episode before bed and before I knew it, hours would have passed and it'd be the middle of the night.
I really loved the series and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good watch.
If you're interested in more Turkish series, check out my reviews of 'Blood Roses', 'I Call Myself Farah', 'Bright Flame', 'End of the Night', 'Soul of Silence', 'Mr. Error', and more.
The Violet Ocean
If You Fall in Love with It
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More Reviews of Turkish Series on My Page.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is 'Captive' available on any streaming platforms yet?
I'm not sure, but I do know it's supposed to come to ivi eventually. I watched it on open sources, but I'm not sure if it's available on any streaming platforms yet.
How many episodes are there in the series?
The series consists of multiple seasons with over 250 episodes released so far, each about an hour long.
What's the plot of 'Captive'?
The series has two parallel storylines, one following Orhun and Hira, and the other following Kenan and Meryem. The first storyline revolves around Nihan and Orhun's relationship.
Can I watch 'Captive' with subtitles?
Unfortunately, I watched it with a single audio track, but the series is interesting enough that I stopped noticing the lack of subtitles.
What kind of themes does 'Captive' cover?
The show tackles some heavy themes, but it does so in a way that's both thought-provoking and entertaining.
Is 'Captive' a romance, drama, or thriller?
The series has a great balance of romance, drama, and thriller elements, making it a great fit for fans of multiple genres.
How long do the episodes of 'Captive' last?
Each episode is about an hour long, making it easy to get sucked into the world of the show.
Can I watch 'Captive' on open sources?
Yes, I watched it on open sources, but I'm not sure if it's available on any streaming platforms yet.
How many seasons are there of 'Captive'?
The series consists of multiple seasons, but I'm not sure how many there are yet.
check_circlePros
- •The actors deliver impressive performances that make the characters feel so real.
- •The plot is unpredictable from the very beginning, keeping me on the edge of my seat.
- •The series has a great balance of romance, drama, and thriller elements.
- •The characters are well-developed and complex, making it easy to become invested in their stories.
- •The show tackles some heavy themes, but it does so in a way that's both thought-provoking and entertaining.
- •The pacing is well-balanced, with each episode feeling complete yet leaving me wanting more.
- •The show's ability to balance multiple genres is impressive, and the characters are relatable and easy to root for.
- •The series has a great cast of characters, and the chemistry between them is undeniable.
cancelCons
- •I wish the series had subtitles available, but the single audio track didn't detract from my experience.
- •Some episodes can feel a bit slow-paced, but the engaging storyline makes up for it.
- •I'd love to see more development in some of the secondary characters.
- •The show can get a bit confusing with multiple plot twists, but it's worth sticking with.
- •I'm not sure if the series will be available on streaming platforms anytime soon.
- •I'd like to see a more satisfying conclusion to the storylines.
- •The show's pacing can be a bit uneven at times, but it's not enough to detract from the overall experience.
- •Some viewers may find the show's themes and content to be a bit heavy or intense.
