Episode 62!

Another brilliant episode that was more engrossing than most movies these days! It was soothingly wholesome & multilayered in the way it approached & focused, turn by turn, on two different types of swords, on values & principles that went – must have gone – into nourishing the roots of the plane tree, that, at this point of narration, was still relatively young. The values & principles that made its roots so strong that the tree itself stood tall and firm, despite innumerable challenges, for the next six centuries.

Here are few of my thoughts in no particular order.

The Sword Of Retributive Justice: Qisas.

Loved how this scene played out from the time Cercutay handed Osman Bey Bamsi’s two swords to the distracted but deft way Osman Bey spun them, one at a time, their blades swishing through the air even as Bamsi’s memories began to play out in his mind (and later, on our screens).

From the memory of the time Bamsi did his special double sword flourish before bringing them down to execute Aybar’s murderers – to Osman retracing his movements in Soğut, spinning & flourishing them (Cossack double sword flourish performed with amazing aplomb. It was lit ), before bringing them down to chop heads off murderers of Bamsi, Abdul Rahman & numerous other innocent men, women & children.Taking their lives – and saving the lives of the people they would have surely killed if not executed.

This execution sequence followed by Edebali’s thoughtful sermon on Qisas took this scene to the next level in showcasing the rationale, the logic, behind Qisas or retributive justice.

The Two Swords Of Osman Ghazi, The Sword of Justice & the Sword of Goodness: “Be patient, my Bala”.

Osman Ghazi, who is depicted as a semi-holy person in many early chronicles, always God-conscious & always attempting to follow the footsteps of our beloved prophet (pbuh), passes on this invaluable piece of advice, which he himself learnt from Kumral Abdal, which he himself tries his hardest to follow, to his beloved, his kindred spirit, Bala.

Basically telling her with the help of a story: Deal (try your best to) with those who hurt you, those who wrong you, whether intentionally or unintentionally, with the sword of goodness.

Give them benefit of doubt. Forgive them. Be kind to them.

Because that’s what changes hearts, enables peaceful dialogue, mends relationships & brings people together. And most importantly, keeps one in Allah’s good books.

Although there is no legal requirement to forgive in the Quran, in matters of Qisas, or retributive justice in Criminal Law, (it’s still encouraged however), there may be a moral imperative to forgive, in all other matters, as an imitation of Allah’s boundless mercy. ‘Forgive, so you may be forgiven’.

In following our beloved Prophet’s footsteps, believers should even forgive(or try their best to) those who have not asked for forgiveness. Even enemies.

The Qur’an describes believers as “Those who avoid major sins and acts of indecencies and when they are angry they forgive.”[42:37]

Similarly, another surah asserts, “If you retaliate, then let your retaliation be proportionate to the wrong that was done to you. But if you endure patiently, indeed, it is better for the patient” “Be patient. Your patience is only because of help of Allah. And do not be grieved by them & do not be distressed by what they plan”.

It was absolutely brilliant the way scenarists juxtaposed these two concepts – justice against forgiveness.

Two different contexts.

Two different swords – the sword of retributive justice vs the sword of goodness.

I was really impressed by how competently Kumral Abdal’s story was used to tie together three different scenes, how seamlessly one scene blended into the next – to tell us that (barring cases of abuse or oppression or extreme injustice of-course) it’s the sword of goodness & kindness & empathy & forgiveness and not that of retributive justice, not ‘an eye for an eye for every small insignificant matter’ that keeps families together and societies healthier.

It’s what nourishes the roots of the giant plane tree.

By Allah’s name, Al Adl, the Just: The Sword of Coercion or Injustice can not be justified in any situation.

Another favorite scene. I love how Edebali is settling into his historical role as the first Qadhi or Judge of the Ottoman Empire. I love how Boran learned his lesson, how Osman Bey forgave Boran & volunteered to pay the fine on his behalf & how the Byzantine landlord, moved by his justice decided to sell his property to him.

Osman Bey, Çok Yaşa: The many layers & facets – the fearsome warrior, the just ruler, the shrewd tactician, the brilliant strategist, the gentle lover, the kind & thoughtful husband…

Most importantly, Osman Ghazi the extremely effective & intelligent leader.

Osman Ghazi is portrayed as a dynamic mobilizing leader and an extraordinarily effective & sincere orator. He is someone who is not only able to communicate with passion & enthusiasm, and influence people and their decisions, but also instill in them, faith in his cause, belief in his vision, and passion for his beliefs.

He is also portrayed as someone whose personality is not just strong & dynamic but also uniquely charismatic – someone who has great interpersonal skills & even greater charisma. Someone who is not just able to get himself noticed & respected & followed, but also loved.

Burak Özçıvıt as Osman Ghazi:

I really believe, that in getting BO for this role, MB hit the casting jackpot. Here’s why.

Burak Özçıvıt seems to be genuinely charismatic and possesses great expressive energy that is uniquely his in real life too, and that is probably why he is able to project – seemingly effortlessly – these qualities on screen as well.

Osman Ghazi’s expansive hand & arm gestures, that some people go to great lengths to criticize!, and that I personally love, is reflective of that same expressive energy. It is a subconscious mannerism – an uninhibited expression by a person who is not only passionate but also supremely confident in his own skin.

And interestingly enough, these hand gestures- gesticulating – is not only observed in Osman Ghazi, the character, but also – to a lesser extent – in Burak Özçıvıt, the person as well, in his real life!

Burak Özçıvıt, with his critically acclaimed acting range, brought in, apart from his rather insane superstardom of course, exactly what an unforgettable portrayal of Osman Ghazi needed – His various layers, facets & complexities, his transformation from a reckless boy of 18 to a powerful Bey – to a mature wise ruler – to ultimately a majestic Sultan in the coming seasons.

All things considered, this was an absolutely phenomenal episode! There were several other amazing scenes that I didn’t mention but that were absolutely top notch in terms of direction & script & plot/ arc progression.

Looking forward to the last two episodes of S2 & the big WAR!!!

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