Seref Sozu - Word of Honor

Seref Sözü series was promoted as an epic tale of love and intrigue yet the short sighted producers failed to even give it a chance at success and building an audience base that wanted a proper conclusion to a story that had promise. The producers failed to deliver on their promise. The four episodes that were shown only delivered possible plots but no conclusions.

The Synopsis

The powerful and mysterious Adabeyli Family live on an island which they own and control , within the framework of rules they have established for themselves and all those that live on the island themselves.

Privacy and secrecy is maintained by Cihan Adabeyli the sole owner of huge wealth and lands, the heir of an ancestral order established long . Cihan believes in keeping his word and promises that he makes.

Each of the four episodes can be summarized as follows.

Episode 1

The story begins 15 years ago in Beirut whereby Jihan is being held captive and tortured by Arabs when he is miraculously saved by Omer Nasir a secret government agent working in Lebanon.

The scene then jumps 14 years to the present and a magnificent wedding engagement is being shown as Isra Nasir is honoring her father's request to marry Faruk Malik even though she doesn't love him. Faruk displays all the wealth and opulence of his family's power and strength by pouring vases full of gold at the feet of Isra and then pronouncing that Iras is his from that day forward.

The scene then jumps one year later as Isra is having a nightmare as she is being stabbed and her unborn baby is now in danger. Awakened and screaming of the reality of the dream, Omer tells his daughter that if anything happens to him she is to call the number that he gives her and she will be saved. Isra has flashbacks of Jihan when he was recuperateing at Omer's house. When he is ready to leave he meets Isra, Omer's daughter not more than 10yrs old and has developed her first crush and says to her nanny Mahbube that someday Jihan will return to marry her.

Before leaving Jihan makes Omer a Seref Sozu (Promises on his Honor) that if Omer ever needs anything he will immediately come to his aid.

At present day, we see a very pregnant Isra trying to escape from the clutches of Faruk the psycho son of the powerful Malik family that controls Lebanon.

While Isra is facing her nightmare the scene shifts to the magnificent Island Paradise that is Adabeyli where we meet Jihan once more but this time everyone is preparing for his wedding to Yasemin. Yasemin is a nervous wreck in that she has waited 10 years for this day to happen. Jihan doesn't love Yasemin but has agreed to marry her in keeping his word to his dead wife whom wanted him to have a son since she wasn't able to give him one.

The Adabeyli mansion is put into turmoil after the phone call from Isra in need of help calls Jihan to ask him to make good on his promise to her now dead father and help her get out of Beirut.

Through a series of flashbacks we learned that Farouk raped Isra and got her pregnant. Despite the rape Isra hid the pregnancy from her father the first months so he would not force her to get an abortion. Then with the help of her father and nanny she hid it from the Malik family. Unfortunately, late in her pregnancy they discover her location and go after her to get the baby and kill her once the baby is born. Her father tells her to meet at the Turkish embassy but if she should hear of his death to call Jihan.

As promised, Jihan comes to the rescue. In order to get out of the country, they get married and Jihan recognizes her son as his. The crazed Faruk learns of Isra's escape and blocks their bath and shoots Jihan as soon as he sees him . Now ready to take his son and kill Isra Jihan manages to shoot him first leaving him in critical condition.

With the nightmare of Faruk behind her Isra looks to where Jihan is about to take her. As they arrive at the dock of the Adabeyli mansion Jihan gets out of the sea plane first ….the jubilation of all those waiting turns to shock as Jihan asks Isra holding her baby to come out. Hand in hand Emsal the powerful matriarch of the Adabeyli family comes to ask Jihan who is his guest? When Jihan responds that Isra is his wife and the baby is his… Isra's new nightmare begins.

Episode 2

With the arrival of Isra and the baby the tension on the Adabeyli Island has everyone talking and plotting. Emsal shows her displeasure by having Isra and the baby placed in a cold basement room without proper lighting.

Cihan is subjected to criticism by Yasmin and her family. When Sefer begins threatening Cihan with revealing family secrets , Cihan puts him in his place in that if anyone will be destroyed it will be him. Sukran voices her mocking displeasure at her husband for not having any backbone in confronting Cihan or Emsal.

Yasemin though pitied begins showing her true colors in how she treats her son Mustafa with disdain since the boy has a learning disorder. She blames him for Cihan not loving her. Her anger and mental problems are seen as she runs away with her son in hand and goes to the personal hut that Jihan maintains in memory of his late wife Ruya.

Yasemin trashes the places and then decides that to jump into the Ocean and kill herself only to be rescued by Cihan and Hasan Usta, Jihan's best friend. Mustafa left to his own devices appears to be lost, as everyone begins an all out search for him.

At the mansion tempers flare and the blame gets put on Isra for ever coming into their structured lives. Isra feels helpless, wants to leave as soon as possible in that she doesn't belong. Feeling trapped and all alone Isra walks away from the mansion and accidentally finds Mustafa sitting on the rocks by the shoreline.

Jihan and Isra begin to learn to understand who each other is and agree to make it look like that have married because of love. Jihan puts on a show as he sees his mother watching, decides to dance with his wife and show Emsal that there is a strong attraction between the two of them.

The anger and frustration at the other Adabeyli household is still brewing as Yasemin burns her wedding dress, Sukran blames Sefer for being weak and Metin trying to figure how to take advantage of the turmoil and turn it into his favor.

Cavidan seems to trick Isra into leaving the Island and breaking the long held rule that once someone one leaves the Island they are not allowed to return.

Episode 3

The scheming and back stabbing becomes prevalent as Cavidan convinces Isra to take advantage of her generosity and leave the island for her and her baby's good. If she has any love for Jihan she needs to leave and let him to return to his normal life before her.

Emsal has her own plans of getting rid of Isra. Knowing that Isra has accepted Cavidan's offer, Emsal has forced person taking Isra to the yacht that will take Isra away, to make Isra jump into the ocean to drown herself. Isra refusing to follow such an order is shot and falls into the ocean. When the baby is brought to Emsal, the shooter is killed by Emsal man.

As Isra is about to take her last breath she has her visions and takes her last bit of strength to stop from drowning and get rescued by a nearby fisherman. Isra receives treatment at a nearby hospital that informs Emsal before informing Jihan.

With Isra still alive, Emsal's plan for the baby to disappear is also now in jeopardy in that Jihan has threaten retaliation to those involved in harming Isra and Omer.

Emsal 's attempt to have Isra killed by a hospital attendant is foiled by Mahbube who has been sent to the island to retrieve Isra and the baby for the Malik family.

Cihan doesn't believe that Isra would leave voluntarily, has flashbacks of their night standing by the waters edges Isra told him of story where two lovers become one with the mixing of water and blood. Isra took her finger and touched the blood soaked bandage from the gunshot wound Cihan got from Faruk and placed it into the water. She then cut the palm of her hand and let the blood drip into the same spot and told Cihan from that moment on the were one.

Emsal fearing to be discovered has Yasemin take the baby and wait for her instructions if she wants Cihan back. Yasemin no longer believing Emsal promises takes the baby and formulates her own plan in getting what she wants.

Mahbube rescues Isra from the hospital by having an ambulance bringing her to a safe house until they can leave the island. Isra pleads with Mahbube to let her speak with Jihan , since jihan is the only one that can rescue Omer for her.

A scene of Faruk waking up in the hospital asking to see Isra and his son. A flashback is shown how Faruk's father beats him with a stick because of how crazy Faruk is when it comes to Isra and the baby.

Episode 4

Though episode 4 became the finale to the series it however only opened the doors to the different story lines that still need to be told.

With Isra's return to the mansion a distraught and fearful Cavidan tries to make amends with Isra. Trying to apologize that she had no intentions of her getting hurt and had no role in her getting shot.

Isra accepts her apology with some reservations since this house that is now her home is full of surprises. Her only concerns are that Omer be returned to her safe.

When Emsal learns from Abdulah that Yasemin is no longer at the depot and the baby is gone… fear of what Cihan will do if the baby is harmed becomes her biggest concern.

Yasemin has devised a plan to get back into the mansion and reclaim everything that was taken from her and Isra's baby is the means. While in the shed along the shoreline Yasemin places the crying baby Omer on a table and then starts pouring gasoline on the outer edges and then lights it on fire. Metin who is waiting in a boat for her thinks she has gone out of her mind in trying to kill the baby. As the flames of the shed can be seen and Hasan's boat with Cihan fast approaching, Yasemin dives back into the ocean to reach the shed and take the baby out.

Emsal standing on her balcony sees all of it and has flashbacks of the fire that caused Zeynep to be trapped and burned. Was Emsal responsible for Zeynep and is this why she feels so much guilt when seeing Zeynep… the answers will come in later episodes.

Yasemin takes the praise and thank you from a grateful Cihan who begins to administer ointment to her burns in front of Isra who he has lost trust in.

Isra new nightmare begins after she is left alone when Cihan returns Yasemin and her family along with Mustafa and Zeynep back to their home. Emsal sets her new plan to get rid of Isra by first taking Omer away from her. Now that she is back the order of things is that Omer will be raised under her supervision and she is only to provide breast milk while it lasts. She further instructs all the family members and staff that no one is to speak or do anything for Isra or they will be punished.

With no one to aid her, Isra defies Emsal and stays her door while singing to her crying son to comfort him. As the silent treatment goes on Atosh begins to give Isra advise indirectly to help her cope with the situation.

Cihan visits Mahbube and wants clarification as to why Isra wanted to leave. Mahbube tells him that he has failed to protect Isra since she was forced to leave. Cihan's pride still refuses to acknowledge that it wasn't Isra's decision to leave.

Emsal sets another trap for Isra hoping this will be the final nail in her coffin. Playing nice she tries to harbor some goodwill by telling her that if she is to regain her sons favor she needs to cook and dress for him in ways that he is accustom to. She brings Isra to a room filled with cloths and jewelry that she says are from her younger years. What she failed to say is that this room is all of Ruya's processions after she died….. that Cihan ordered to be stored.

Isra's determination to recapture Cihan's attention can be summized in the words she spoke.

Isra: "They will all know who I am and how I will fight for those I love…. " Isra takes the black and white dress from the room and goes to the dinner table only to be told that Cihan will not be at dinner. Atosh tells Isra Cihan is at his special cabin. Isra packs the food she prepared and heads there. The last ten minutes of Episode 4 sets the stage for what is to come.

Isra enters the cabin and sees all the memories of Cihan's past life with his late wife Ruya. She sets the table so that they can have a nice dinner and hopefully talk out what all has happened. As Cihan walks up to the cabin he sees the lights on .

Cihan: Who is there inside?….

He walks in and sees Isra wearing his late wife's dress and goes into a rage.

Cihan: Where did you find this dress? How could you wear it? Who do you think you are? How can you come here?

Isra: Are you angry because I came here without permission…. Cihan I brought food.

Cihan's rage clouds his thinking and strips the tablecloth with all the settings and food onto the floor.

Cihan: Get out of here….. So I don't see you…. Get out!

Isra fearing his rage runs out and keeps running… Cihan coming to his senses begins to realize what he has done and chases after Isra.

Cihan: Isra, wait… you'll be lost in the dark.

Isra: May God be lost.

Cihan: Don't be silly… I'm telling you to wait…. You can't go without me.

Isra trips over a rock and falls hurting her leg.

Cihan: Are you Ok…. Are you hurt…. Where does it hurt?

Isra: Here… Puts her hand to her heart…. I was just trying to talk to you…. Cihan…. But Mr Cihan who listens to everyone's problems, only does not listen to mine.

Cihan: Am I not listening to your problems…. Isra I have already taken the load of your problems and I'm not tired of it…. But you didn't think for a minute when you left.

Isra: I was shocked, Cihan, I fell, I fell… Do you know what it is like to fall?….. I lost my father in one night, I came with child in my arms to a place that I don't know….. I got to my husbands wedding… I got shot.

Cihan: you wouldn't have gotten that bullet if you hadn't gone.

Isra: I didn't want to leave… I believed that for your sake , I must leave…. Sister Cavidan sent me… She said it would be better this way… If I left .

Cihan: You didn't take this oath to Cividan… but to me….. It destroyed my trust.

Isra: I cannot tear down the wall of your pride and callousness...Cihan begins to see how unfair he has been to Isra

Cihan: Come on …. Get up….. Let's go home…. Come on.

Isra: Don't bother yourself anymore….. I'll go by myself.

Cihan: Don't be silly… You cannot walk alone… you will be lost in the dark.

Isra: May God be lost… May God disappear and you will get rid of me….. I've created so many problems… you're right, too, of course.

Cihan picks her up to her surprise andcarries her.

Isra: What are you doing?

Cihan: You talk a lot.

Isra: Let me go, Cihan.

Cihan: Shut up.

They arrive at the mansion where everyine is waiting.

Isra: Cihan, can you let me go…We have come home.

Cihan: What happened if you came home?

Isra: Can you let me go already?

They walk in and all eyes are on glued on Cihan carrying Isra… Emsal eye's show that her plan didn't work, Cihan is showing that he cares for his wife… Hijra smiles ….. true love is winning… Cavidan is worried that Isra told everything….. Atosh sees that a new order in the house will be coming.

The next surprise of the night comes as Yasemin walks in with Mustafa.

Mustafa: Isra, look, mom has returned home, she will live with us.

Yasemin: Thank you for your understanding and responsibility, thank you. I returned home … reunited with the child….. I will not let you down.

Isra looks to Cihan and wonders if he knew this was happening or is it part of his plan to torment her for abusing his trust…. Cihan looks into Isra eyes and wants her to believe that she is the only one he loves….. Yasemin is a problem that needs to be corrected in due time.

Emsal now has another worry… is Yasemin crazy enough to tell Cihan about her involvement…. Caviden smiles in that with Yasemin's return she can return to Metin or will Metin finaly issue divorce papers?

Zeynep has only a smile and a thought of when she gets to see Hasan again.

Episode 4 cannot conclude without Faruk looking into a mirror.

Faruk: Isra… I wrote you into my soul….. once they could not take this soul from me…. No body can take you away from me… I promise you after three days…. You will look into my eyes.

The series ends but does it?

Episode 5

The sudden changes force Cihan to make a declaration.

Cihan: Everyone go to your rooms… tomorrow a new order of things will occur… Isra come with me…. He once again picks up Isra and brings her to their bedroom.

Isra: What are you doing?… how many more surprises will I have to endure in one night?

Cihan: Isra….. shut up … you wanted me to listen to you, but you need to listen to me first.

Isra: I need to feed my son first… then we'll talk.

Atosh brings Omer to Isra who begins to sing a sweet lullaby as Omer feeds on Isra's breast.

Isra: My beautiful little boy your life has been nothing but turmoil so far… Am I even a good mother to have caused all of this… each day brings new surprises…. I'm so sorry Omer…. I wanted your life to be filled with happiness…. You're all I have in this world now.

Omer closes his eyes and falls fast asleep until his next feeding.

Isra goes to Cihan.

Isra: You wanted to talk... lets talk.

Cihan: Let's go for a walk if your up to it…. Does it still hurt?

They walk outdoors under the moonlight and continue their conversation.

Isra: It's better now… but can I trust you?

Cihan: Maybe I deserved that… Isra….. I thought bringing you here everything would be better.

Isra: I don't understand you…. How could you even believe that everything would be ok by bringing me on the day of your wedding….. You made everyone hate me before they even had a chance to know me…. Is it because your the supreme ruler and everyone is to listen…. I'm proof that doesn't happen.

Cihan: Let me try to explain especially about Yasemin...I don't love Yasemin and I never have….. she has always been a pawn played in this chess game that is Adabeyli.

Isra: Even though I don't like her very much, but I feel sorry for her…. Why have you continued to let her believe there is a chance for her ?

Cihan: So you think I haven't… she and her family are obsessed in controlling the Adabeyli name and assets and what goes with it.

Isra: your family is not….. your mother has shown she is willing to do anything to hold onto power…. She hates me because I'm a threat to her , by simply being next to you.

Cihan: What has my mother done to you?

Isra: will your pride believe me over your mother?…. Tonight showed me that your blinded by it… You said I destroyed your trust in me…. Guess what you destroyed my trust in you… I thank you for everything you've done for me, but you refused to accept what's been in my heart …. I don't think there is a future for us…. You won't let it happen.

Cihan: What are you saying… You don't want to be with me.

Isra: If you want to be a good leader you need to open your eyes and see what is around you…. You only see what you want to see….. take this dress that made you go into such a rage….. How would I ever know whose dress it was…. How would I know of these hidden rules that you all live by? Cihan you brought me here without telling me anything and then you left me to fend for myself with those you call family…. I wasn't raised that way.

Cihan: Isra…. I don't want to loose you…. How can we make this work?

Isra: Why do you want to make it work… do you love me?….. I don't want to be with anybody I don't love or doesn't love me.

Cihan: You allowed yourself to be engaged to Faruk…. You clearly didn't love him.

Isra: Just like you…. I did what my father wanted….. A mistake I'll never repeat again… before you say it…. I married you first to save my baby, second … I've held onto my childhood crush that one day you would come back to marry me….. I knew when I was ten that you where to be my husband.

Cihan: Are you willing to give up on me now?

Isra: It depends…. Do you consider me your real wife….. if you don't what's the point of us continuing….. I loved you enough not to let you be hurt… that's why I tried to leave.

Cihan: Hasan has told me that I'm in love with you but I don't know it.

Isra: How can you not know it?…. You're so hard to understand.

Cihan: Will you stay and be my real wife….. I promise to make changes so that it won't be so hard on you.

Isra looks into his eyes and then lifts her toes so that she can reach his lips as she gives him a kiss of approval. Unbeknownst to either of them Emsal has been standing on her balcony watching them the whole while. Her thoughts have come to realize this girl is a force to be reckoned with.

Cihan once again picks up Isra and carries her to their bedroom and as they both begin to love each other anew. As they undress Isra places her fingers on Cihan wound while Cihan kisses hers. They treat each other gently as to not inflict any further pain. Their kisses are long and passionate and there hands and fingers caress each other. Isra rolls Cihan onto his back as she straddles him and looks into his eyes so that he can see how much she loves him. Cihan looks up and sees her full breasts bouncing back and forth as Isra is grinding herself against his pubic bone. She has an amazing body and she is all his.

Isra: Cihan my love we are now one…. I love you and I always will.

Cihan pulls her face to his as he gives her a long passionate French kiss and rolls her onto her back as he continues to thrust himself deep inside her. She squeezes her legs around his as he begins to ejaculate multiple times and she has her first orgasm as his wife.

Morning comes and everyone is seated at the breakfast table as the two love birds come walking in hand in hand.

Hijra with a big smile on her face: It looks like the newly weds have discovered each other…

Isra smiles… Yasemin frowns…. Emsal worries and Cavidan feels dejected.

Mustafa: Isra … when can I play with my baby brother?

Isra: he is still to small but why don't you come when I read him stories…. I think he would like his older brother to hear them.

Yasemin: Mustafa your to old to be playing with a baby.

Mustafa: Mom ….. Isra said it's alright and I like hearing stories.

Isra: We don't mind.

Cihan: As I said last night….. some changes will happen….. first one being…

Mahbube enters the room.

Cihan: Mahbube is Isra's long time nanny and she will now be Omer's nanny …. Also… Isra is my wife her words are my words…. What has transpired since she has arrived will not be allowed to happen again….. have I made myself clear. …. Atosh prepare the bedroom closest to our room for Mahbube.

The latest news has the entire house talking especially Nejat.

Nejat: Who would have thought….. Mr Cihan wasn't even looking at Ms Isra now she is the queen of the house.

Atosh: Love makes strange bedfellows….. Mr Cihan hasn't looked at a woman like that since Ms Ruya … he must really love her.

Nejat: Maybe we can ask this Mahbube how they met…. When they fell in love…. Since there never was any mention of her…. What will happen with Ms Yasemin now here?

Zeynep: Ms Yasemin will reap what she sows…. Ms Isra is so much nicer than Ms Yasemin.

Atosh: Zeynep sister….. your not wearing your vail….. what has happened?

Zeynep: I don't have to be ashamed of who I am….. I met someone that thinks I'm beautiful.

Atosh: When did this happen?

Zeynep: Ms Yasemin made me feel bad when I told her to not mistreat Mustafa….. I ran away and my vail dropped… some looked at me while others didn't …. Then I ran into a man who looked into my eyes and smiled and told me that he thought I was beautiful…. No one has ever done that….. he wants to continue seeing me.

Nejat: has the moon changed that these events are happening?

Atosh: your just jealous.

Mahbube gets settled in and she ,Isra and Omer go for walk

Mahbube: Isra baby … when I last talked to you you were very upset…. Are you better now?

Isra: yes…. Cihan and I have become real husband and wife…. You must be the surprise he promised me.

Mahbube: When he came to me he was very upset that you were willing to leave.

Isra: You knew that I didn't want to leave him….. why were you pushing me to do so?

Mahbube: I learned that Faruk Malik had awakened and was planning to come and take you and the baby away….. You know how crazy he is….. I didn't want you to be in any danger.

Isra: you need to tell Cihan everything you know…. We aren't leaving Cihan ever again... no matter what Faruk does.

Mahbube: You really love him.

Isra: Yes….. he is my husband and I will remain by his side.

Scene shifts

Zepnep returns to the place where she first met Hasan… her heart was beating like never before.

Hasan: My beauty … you returned… he smiles warmly while looking at her.

Zeynep: Mr Hasan… you see my face … how can you say I'm beautiful?

Hasan: Are you not…do you think that way?… beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

Zeynep: When I was a child I became an outcast….. many were afraid to look at me... I learned to cover myself to avoid their stares.

Hasan: How did you receive those scares?

Zeynep: I was trapped in a place I shouldn't have been…. When the fire broke out the flames surrounded me….. a piece of burning wood fell striking me in the face leaving me with these scares. The Adabeyli family had doctors to try to correct the damage but after so many operations this is what is left of me.

Hasan: so you work for Cihan….. I'm very good friends with him.

Zeynep: the mansion is in turmoil….. With the return of Ms Yasmin… the new bride may have more to deal with….. but after last night she looks like she can handle it.

Hasan: You like Isra.

Zeynep: she's very kind and she's a good mother… nothing like Ms Yasemin.

Hasan: would you like a family of your own one day?

Zeynep smiles: I better return to the mansion before I'm missed.

Hasan: the next time I will take you on the boat…. Would you like that?

Zeynep smiles again and leaves... he heart is aglow waiting for her next meeting with Hasan.

Scene shifts

Yasemin is not happy as to how the chain of events have turned out...she goes to talk to Emsal.

Yasemin: Mom Emsal…. You said the new daughter in law would've been gone by now….. are you loosing your grip?

Emsal: Don't talk to foolishly… I saw what you did … you put that baby in danger to achieve your goal.

Yasemin: How would Cihan react if he knew, you kidnapped the baby first?

Emsal: for now we both have to sit and wait for Isra to make another mistake.

Yasemin: I can't wait again like the last time with Ruya… you promised me I would be Cihan's wife

Emsal: don't create a problem for yourself….. your back in the mansion for now .

Episode 5 ends with scenes of Mahbube ,Isra and Cihan talking about about Faruk and what he intends to do. Faruk plotting his next move and Metin and Sefer worrying as to what Yasemin will now do that she is back in the mansion. The order of Adabeyli Island will forever be changed.