Kizil Goncalar, Episode 13, Part 3, Review
The first several minutes of the thirteenth episode are out of chronological order. They are intentionally taken from their real time context, after the departure of Suavi, and used as a device by the writers and director as a fast forward foreshadowing tool. Not only does an opening like this create suspense, more importantly in this case, it demonstrates the psychological state which Levent will find himself in following the consequences of Naim’s accusations. Of significance, only selected scenes of Levent’s stream of consciousness are revealed in the opening. The rest are presented in the time frame they occurred in.
Placing Levent’s crisis into its proper context is important. After Suavi commands Madame to close the door on Levent, thus ending any long sentimental goodbye between father and son, Levent decides not to wallow in self pity by getting drunk. Feeling as though everything is over, he deliberately chooses to clear himself of reminders of a life which he feels is no longer meaningful. Right after pouring his drink down the drain, he removes the almost glaring burek oven he had bought for Meryem out of his kitchen and leaves it on the sidewalk for trash collection. Next, he clears out his desk of the journals used to record his notes on patients. He hesitates when he notices a file that has the name of Cuneyd’s mother on it. A post-it notation makes him linger there a bit too. Determined to proverbially move on, he goes up to his father’s room and starts packing it up : medical equipment, oxygen canisters, drugs, linens. Done. Over. He lies on his father’s stripped bed and closes his eyes.
Levent’s existential crisis is thus divided and presented in two parts. The first group of scenes, regarding key characters from the developing action in the episode, are revealed as an introduction for the themes, conflicts and psychological tone of the episode. Immediate attention is drawn to Levent’s turmoil and the emotional price which he will pay. The scenes which we view later in the proper chronological frame expose morbid, fatalistic and subliminal thoughts created by the subconscious mind of Levent. Images of his death, funeral, burial indicate Levent’s feelings of alienation. The narrator’s words to Levent reveal the condition his mind is in: discouraged and disheartened. Has his struggle to maintain his idealism been for nought. What did it improve ? What did he accomplish ? The father he has respected, emulated and who meant the world for Levent has also left. Everything in his life has ended quicker than he expected. “While lost in a black hole, you do not notice that you’re lost.”
The entirety of the scenes depicting his crisis are voiced over by a narrator as a stream of consciousness. Levent, as narrator, addresses Levent, the person, who lies in a depersonalized state on his father’s stripped sick bed. The narrator addresses Levent in the second person personal pronoun, “you”, as is done when speaking directly to someone in speech or writing. The editing of the scenes has been done in such a way that each image/scene is paired with phrases relating to the character or event which appears in Levent’s subconscious.
Naim’s forceful removal of Meryem is the first image conjured up by Levent’s subconscious. The scenes that play while the narrator speaks are those of Meryem’s abduction by Naim. Hande, Beste and Mira’s pleas and that of a powerless Levent who cannot stop him prevail. The narrator tells Levent that he is nothing. He cannot stop Naim from taking Meryem. The war with this different world than his, that of the Brotherhood, is over. The narrator states that indeed Levent has seen and experienced much. While he has made decisions that have touched the lives of people and without him many positive things would not have happened, at this point in time, Levent is useless. He is being exposed and destroyed by a knife wielding Naim. What is in Levent’s heart has been understood. He has been loved and he has loved. Levent’s feelings are uncovered but he is powerless. Once again, the narrator repeats that Levent is nothing. Naim takes Meryem away.
Other characters pass through Levent’s conscience such as Cuneyd, Mira, Meryem and Suavi. Cuneyd is walking in the Lodge towards a door. The narrator tells Levent that there was a poem; you loved it a lot. The poem that Levent loved is Cuneyd. Levent’s subconscious sees Cuneyd as a poem; it is a significant image. A poem is part of the creative world, full of images and metaphors which can see the beauty of humans and the world. A poem can describe nature and feel emotions; it can appeal to all of the senses; it can make music through rhyme and rhythm. However, Levent is now locked out of this poetic world. Cuneyd enters a room and closes the door which Levent cannot open. Levent’s subconscious knows the reason. The narrator states that it is because of unfinished business ( Meryem and Zeynep’s escape). Even though Levent did not intend for it to be like this, he must live with his choice.
Mira with earphones on, working at her desk is the next character who occupies Levent’s subconscious. She gets up and slams the door in his face. The narrator tells Levent that there is everything to tell. Even a glance is enough. Emotions that fill your heart, stay in your heart. Levent could never show Mira how much he loves her; there is so much truth that he needs to reveal to Mira. His mind tells him that like Cuneyd, Mira will shut him out of her life once she learns the truth.
Meryem looks at the noose; she is the next character who occupies Levent’s subconscious. The narrator tells Levent that there were blooming flowers in Levent’s secret garden. Levent’s heart had beautiful sentiments growing in his heart for Meryem. Another important figure sliding into Levent’s detached state of mind is his father. His father departing to be euthanized and the narrator says that Levent hoped for a long time. It was ugly. Now telling a love in a short time. Levent hoped that they would have had quality time together. Instead, the end was tense and alienated. How can a son and a father express their love in a rushed goodbye.
Whilst Levent’s existential crisis has been building, it is his father’s departure which triggers it all. Although Hande has advised her father that it would be best to tell Levent, Suavi thinks otherwise. He wants Hande to get Levent out of the house while he is leaving. Hande explains that Suavi is depriving Levent the opportunity to say goodbye. Either by design or in a Freudian slip, Hande makes it known that she has signed so Suavi can go to France to be euthanized. She remarks that their father has never cared, been interested or read anything she has ever written. When she signed to send him to his death, she became worthy of notice. An incredulous Levent tells her that she has created a fire without the means to do so.
Levent heads directly to Suavi’s room where he admonishes him for playing games. Since he has the energy to play these games, he has the energy to fight for life. A very hurt Levent tells Suavi that he seems to have needed his son to live, but he has decided that he does not need a son to die. Levent tells Suavi that he can think of ways to stop him but he has given up on him just the way Suavi is bypassing him and giving up on his son. Suavi loses his temper and tells Levent that this issue is not about Levent to which Levent replies that he has always loved him. Suavi has always been a difficult person so no matter what Suavi is like during his illness, Levent does not see Suavi’s behavior as a burden. He has looked after his father because he has wanted his father to live as long as possible. Suavi living longer may have afforded the two of them the time to fix whatever may have been broken between them. However, Suavi’s actions have taken that choice away from Levent. Despondent, Levent leaves his father’s room and he promises not to interfere anymore.
Levent and Suavi meet at the front door. Suavi, sitting in his wheelchair looking in from outside and Levent looking out from the front hallway. Suavi asks after Meryem and wants to know what Levent plans to do with her. Levent answers in a defeated tone. Meryem is gone. So is Zeynep. Bitterly, he tells his father that Suavi has forfeited the right to ask about them anymore. Both Suavi and Levent succeed in keeping their emotions in check for this eternal farewell. Suavi doesn’t want either Hande or Levent to go to the airport to see him off. Levent claims he was not intending to go. Before any emotion can be inadvertently displayed, Suavi commands Madame to shut the foor.
On the way to the airport, Suavi’s random discussion with the driver causes him to have an epiphany of sorts. The young driver mentions Stephen Hawking, a genius who may have been one of the longest survivors of ALS, who spent a lifetime not just battling the disease but trying to contribute and leave as much knowledge and research as possible for the next generation of scientists and mankind. This reference to Hawkings manages to influence even a hard nosed Suavi, who does not believe in signs, to turn around from the airport and go to the Lodge. Suavi regains his hope, determination and will. His request to have an audience with Muhsid is being rejected by Sadi. However, Cuneyd intercedes without a word and wheels Suavi in to see his grandfather. Suavi requests from the Murshid, and it is granted, that Meryem be allowed to be his caregiver.
While these events, unbeknown to him, involving Suavi and Meryem and Zeynep and Cuneyd are occurring, Levent experiences a kind of depersonalization in which he sees himself outside his body, as we have discussed above. In the last segment of his stream of consciousness, before he screams and snaps out of it, he sees himself walking. He sees the people closest to him in the frame of a door. He tells himself that everything is gone. All he knows and everyone he knows is gone. He begins to ponder the age old question of existence and humanity. Is eternity a dream you go through with the people you knew. Meryem appears in the doorway; she is the only one summoning him. She sees him. Is she the only person who understands him ? Another image. Levent sees himself go through a door into his living room. A photographer is there. Everyone is there from his family plus Cuneyd, Zeynep and Meryem. Heaven or hell will be decided by a person’s choices and mistakes. Who or what is missing ? His father !!!! Levent recovers consciousness with a bloodcurdling scream which implores his father not to go to his death. Levent springs into action to stop his father from leaving Turkey.
Suavi returns with Meryem to a shocked and emotionally drained Levent who cries, “You did not leave me. I love you”. He kisses his father’s head so relieved and happy. Suavi explains that there is still work to be done and Meryem says that she has been allowed by the Murshid to look after Suavi. A sobbing and emotionally overwrought Levent confesses, on his knees, to Meryem that if not for her, he would have died. She rubs his head and tries to comfort him as one would a small boy. The emotionally charged scene discloses the “blooming flowers” that are growing in his heart are very real and not just a voice in his subconscious.
These are not the only highly sensitive and emotional scenes that take place in this episode. Meryem’s decision to get a report from the police about her beating from Naim almost leads to her certain death, if not for Levent’s timely intervention. Birgul and Meryem are confronted across the street from Levent’s house by Naim, who has been informed by Muyesser of Meryem’s intentions. Birgul is injured in the scuffle with Naim who forcefully abducts Meryem once again. While Birgul informs Levent and together they set off to help Meryem, Naim is in the process of creating a “gallows” for Meryem to be hung but to make it look as though she committed suicide. Meryem is resisting that she will not sin by allowing it to look like she has taken her life. He orders her not to look into his eyes or lift her head. He states that she could not do away with her ego so she must do away with life. Naim tells her that she will save them all from her very existence. He takes pleasure in explaining that even Zeynep won’t cry after her because her suicide will turn her into an infidel. When people mention her name they will swear, spit and quickly forget her.
Fortunately, Birgul and Levent arrive in time to prevent the hanging. However, Levent’s fury is so great that he begins to choke Naim and won’t let up. Meryem manages to save Levent from taking Naim’s life. Levent cannot believe that he almost became like Naim. Levent knows that he must threaten Naim with viable repercussions or Meryem won’t have a chance. He informs Naim that in order to protect Zeynep, he has not reported to the prosecutor that she is underage and married. He swears to Naim that as her father, Naim will be the first to go to jail. Levent gives him three more provisions that must be adhered to for Levent not to report him. He will divorce Meryem; Levent will take her to a safe house. If Naim goes anywhere near her, Levent will bring the full force of the law and the State down on his head. Both Meryem and Naim say that because of the ridicule and shame they will face, there should be no divorce. Meryem appeals to Levent that he has a daughter and understands that they must not hurt more people. She is willing to accept her plight with Naim as her grave on earth. Levent’s heart must be at ease.
Naim, for his part of the bargain, will swear on the Holy Book that he will not touch her again. Meryem concludes the discussion by making a statement to Levent : “It was a story ; it came; it passed”. It is not clear what Meryem means exactly by her words. A likely explanation is that the story refers to her dream for Zeynep to become educated and thus not to have to repeat a life like Meryem’s. Originally, there was hope that Meryem might be able to go to France too. All these possibilities seem impossible for her now in view of these accusations and Naim’s knowledge. Any idea of freedom is gone. Meryem’s words about the end of the story, however, do not seem to carry any significance and seem to go unnoticed until later when Naim is having a conversation with Nadire.
After Birgul and Levent leave, Naim calls Meryem outside. He has taken her boots and he takes her slippers off her feet too and burns them. He tells her that she will not leave the house again so she does not need them. She will live as he prescribes. She will obey. She will never visit Levent again. She will not visit Zeynep either. Zeynep will come to Meryem. He points to the sun and tells her it too is no more for her. Her life will be spent indoors from now on. He is burning her whole existence. The house she will be in will indeed be her grave. Meryem maintains her silence throughout. Once again, Meryem is remarkable for her strength of spirit and her stoicism.
Naim leaves Meryem and goes to Sadi and Muyesser to declare what he has decided about Meryem’s punishment. Sadi states that his punishment is too drastic. Without any respect or fear, Naim retorts that Sadi and Muyesser told him they would not interfere, so they better not because even if they threaten him with his life, he will not listen to them. They will do as Naim wants now. He does not need their affirmation. Sadi can hardly contain his fury at Naim’s effrontery but all he tells Naim is to keep his oath. Muyesser endorses Sadi’s words to Naim.
Nadire listens to Naim’s boasting about how he humbled Cuneyd and Sadi when he showed them the writ that he had taken her as a wife. He pompously says that Cuneyd and Sadi believe that only they know their religion. Nadire adds that they will learn to value him. Naim tells her to go put on something nice. As she goes, she remarks that in the story of Hazrat Yusuf, all the women who saw how handsome he was were cutting themselves. Then Nadire remarks what a beautiful story it is. These words trigger Naim to remember that Meryem remarked to Levent that it was a story that came and passed. Without a word to Nadire, he leaves and goes to Meryem whom he finds praying.
He tells Meryem that she is right. There has been no adultery between Levent and her, at least not with her body, but there has been with her heart. He tells her that she loves Levent. He repeats the words she used about a story and then he begins to posture about what a victim he is. He has given Meryem his life ; a child. Meryem has never heeded or respected him. Not even once. She deserves what will happen. It is her fault. He tells her that he will not beat her because he has sworn not to. However, he will teach her a lesson so she does not forget who her master is. She will learn who he is. He tells Meryem to undress and watches her from behind as she slips the dress past her shoulders. The sexual assault about to be perpetrated by Naim upon Meryem is prevented by a knock on the door. Sadi has summoned Meryem at Muhsid’s request.
This disturbing incident between Meryem and Naim bears great resemblance to Beste’s accusation to Levent before he prepares to go with Birgul to help Meryem. Beste tries to keep the car keys away from Levent. She accuses Levent of thinking selfishly again. When he doesn’t listen to her, Beste declares that he is in love with Meryem. As if her statement is not enough, she asks him, too, whether he is in love with Meryem. Unlike Naim, Beste does her posturing to Mira in a more subtle way. She tells Mira that she has realized that she has no power over Levent of late. Moreover, Levent does not listen or even see her anymore. Mira asks her what Beste expects to hear from Mira. When Beste tells her that they should leave together from there, Mira sarcastically asks Beste whether she could find a better time to leave Levent. After all, her grandfather is leaving that night. Mira rejects Beste’s suggestion by stating that she cannot leave her father alone. In the end, Mira goes out with her mother for the evening, but only because Suavi instructs Mira to go.
Cuneyd’s discovery that Levent has deceived him is also a discovery that Zeynep has deceived him. What he doesn’t know is the extent of the deception and the motives behind it. In this episode, Cuneyd learns it all. Zeynep wants to know if he has any news about her mother. Cuneyd asks whether a believer can be a coward. If you believe, you cannot be afraid. Zeynep remarks that people have fear and even a believer can be a coward. Cuneyd then asks if a believer can be a liar. Zeynep understands immediately that Cuneyd is referring to her. She tries to explain that she had to help her mother so she kept things from him. Cuneyd states that his question has to do with her and not with her mother. He declares that she lied to him. Zeynep has known the doctor and Mira all along. There were even comings and goings to their house. The doctor was not surprised at all when Meryem introduced Zeynep as her daughter. Nor was he surprised that she was Cuneyd’s wife. Zeynep does not hold back at this point and she blurts out that she hid everything because her ultimate goal has been to run away from him and study. Cuneyd calls her a two faced liar and leaves. A devastated and frightened Zeynep understands clearly what the consequences of her confession will most likely be in the world of the Brotherhood. Cuneyd takes an unexpected course of action following Zeynep’s confession. He has understood Zeynep’s intelligence from the moment he has met her in the library. His decision to visit Suavi Alkanli to find out the degree to which Zeynep has mathematical ability is a testament to his open mindedness and willingness to glean information and weigh it with logic before making decisions.
Cuneyd politely states that he was going to visit the doctor and he thought he would check on the Professor, too. Suavi immediately cuts to the heart of the matter and asks Cuneyd if he came to investigate his sadness or to hold Levent to account. Cuneyd is just as honest then and he asks Suavi if he knew about Levent’s attempt to kidnap Zeynep. Suavi asks Cuneyd what would happen to the world if the countless scholars and scientists did not study, learn and impart their knowledge. How would Cuneyd be able to talk about the scholar he mentioned to Suavi if that learned man had not imparted his knowledge for Cuneyd to read.
Suavi sings Zeynep’s praises. He informs Cuneyd about just how very special and brilliant Zeynep is. Suavi explains that he has trained thousands of students in his career. A student like Zeynep comes along once or twice in a lifetime and it would be a shame for such talent and intelligence to be wasted. In religious terms, it would be a sin to prevent Zeynep from learning and have her stuck in a house without a book. Cuneyd declares that everyone’s place has been ordained. Suavi does not debate Cuneyd. He maintains his position that Zeynep is a special child that can change everyone’s life through research or a discovery she might make. He almost orders Cuneyd to cut his ties to her and not sacrifice her.
Suavi’s words are not unheeded by Cuneyd. He considers everything that has been said to him about Zeynep. He summons her to the top of the Aqueduct. When Zeynep arrives, he is standing at the edge of the ancient structure. For Cuneyd, this location is like his starting and ending point. His metaphoric ground zero. Whenever he is in a crisis, he goes to the aqueduct to think in this high place above the teeming world below, closer to the heavens and to his mother’s symbolic act. A wrong step and he is over the edge. His existence revolves around this spot. Ironically, he invites the girl he has married here to his place in order to explain what he has decided to do about her previous attempt and current intention to run away.
Cuneyd begins by telling her that she must be aware that he cannot hold her. His words present a double meaning. He is incapable of keeping her from leaving him just as he was not able to prevent his mother from leaving. More symbolically and significantly, Cuneyd cannot make her stay with him if she wants to leave because Cuneyd cannot behave in the way men like her father behave. She must stay of her own free will. He asks her a rhetorical question for her own benefit. What punishment would he give her if he were her father? Would he beat her? Leave her and give her to an unreasonable and unenlightened man whom Cuneyd refers to as blind. Should he be violent and throw her to her death? He impresses upon her that everyone in the Brotherhood would do just those things. However, Cuneyd is not everyone in the Brotherhood. A trembling Zeynep mutters that a believer is afraid. He orders her to speak up. Cuneyd expects and welcomes her dialogue with him.
She says that fear stopped her from speaking the truth. He impresses upon her that if she had told the truth, things might have been different even though he cannot do what everyone wants. Although Cuneyd wants to let her study, he cannot ignore the teachings that have been ingrained in him. In addition, he cannot destroy the Brotherhood. What she has done and wants to do is against nature. It is against the ingrained teachings that he has been raised with. No one comes out victorious when a war is started against the natural order in the universe is what he explains to Zeynep. He reminds her that she is a woman. She asks him why he believes studying will start a war. Cuneyd says the idea of a woman learning, if allowed, will destroy the Brotherhood. The conflict will tear at the core of everything that has been believed for centuries. He generalizes and says that anything that is destructive amounts to a war of sorts.
Cuneyd gives his views on the special significance of a woman as the one who gives birth, nurtures, raises. She is a constant who is unwavering and unchangeable and she doesn't leave. At this point, Cuneyd moves his feet closer to the edge. Zeynep fears he will fall but also fears touching him. He tells her that if she were his mother, she would leave too. Cuneyd lets her know that people who are afraid are the ones who run away. Zeynep asks whether it is fear that keeps the Brotherhood together. Cuneyd believes that people are afraid of what they do not know and understand. Following what is familiar and knowing what outcomes to expect tend to give peace. Zeynep tells him that for her and her mother the jobs they have been given to perform are not fulfilling. Cuneyd says that if something is not good for all of us, it is not good for one of us. If something upsets, then it cannot be for the good either. Their discussion surrounding how Zeynep’s desire to study will upset the natural order and destroy the Brotherhood, as they know it, finally comes full circle. The discussion has been as much for Cuneyd’s benefit as for Zeynep’s. He has looked at both sides of the issue and shared them with her.
When she first arrived, he asked her about the punishment. Now, she is asking him. How will Cuneyd punish her? He answers that he will not punish her, but he will suffer the punishment of not punishing her, by carrying this secret. After sharing his decision with her, Cuneyd starts to leave. He stops and waits to see if she will follow. Zeynep and Cuneyd share a bond sealed in this reverend place. Cuneyd understands that he can not punish her, nor can he let her study under the present hierarchy at the Lodge. However, Cuneyd has taken two major steps towards changing the way women are treated. The first is taking Zeynep’s punishment on his shoulders and hiding this decision as a secret in his heart. The second is by ensuring that Suavi is cared for by Meryem with Murshid's blessing. He is replicating the previous situation where Zeynep used to go to Suavi. While Cuneyd’s conundrum remains, he has found a most judicious answer for now.
Cuneyd’s words to Zeynep up on the aqueduct, about anything that can destroy should be seen as war, will become prophetic. A classic battle is building within the hierarchy of the Brotherhood. Sadi and Muyesser are furious at Murshid for his decision to allow Meryem to be Suavi’s caregiver. They express their view that reflection and punishment are a necessary part of order. Murshid may be getting too old for his position and his lenience will flood the well, according to Sadi. He declares that if necessary, he will dry up the well because he will not be drowned in it.
Episode thirteen is long, intense and full of dramatic purpose.
Flower detail, Fayzullah - Scrolling Floral Vines - Cleveland Museum of Art