Karadut - Lines between Love and Hate
Synopsis
Karadut" centers around Zuhal Erdem, a successful personal development expert who presents a confident, modern image to the world, but secretly struggles with deep-seated loneliness and a heavy burden at home due to her role as the primary caregiver for her father and younger sisters following the tragic death of their mother when she was young; despite her outward success, Zuhal's life is defined by the sacrifices she made to fulfill her promise to her controlling father, leading to a complex internal conflict when she encounters a potential love interest, Tayfun, who challenges her carefully constructed life.
Key Plot Points:
The facade of success:
Zuhal is a renowned relationship and love coach, yet her personal life is marked by isolation and a lack of genuine connection. She never experienced love of her own and was terrified of letting someone enter her heart.
The heavy family burden:
Manipulated by her father after losing their mother, Zuhal took on the responsibility of raising her younger sisters and caring for her strict, demanding father, effectively sacrificing her own happiness and desires.
The father's influence:
Çetin, Zuhal's father, exerts immense control over her life, dictating her actions and maintaining a tight grip on the family dynamics by making her feel guilty for causing her mother's death , by calling her ….. her mother's murderer
The arrival of Tayfun:
A new man, Tayfun, enters Zuhal's life, presenting an opportunity for love and personal fulfillment, but also creating tension with her familial deep dark secrets are revealed in Episode 6 but not given the needed episodes that will loosen the chains of his burden.
The scriptwriters weren't given the necessary episodes to delve into the major topics that the script intended to bring forth
Theme of hidden pain:
"Karadut" explores the concept of individuals concealing their true struggles behind a seemingly perfect exterior, highlighting the societal pressure to present a positive image even when facing significant personal challenges.
Female empowerment:
While trapped in a restrictive family dynamic, Zuhal's potential for personal growth and self-discovery through her relationship with Tayfun represents a narrative of female empowerment.
Family dynamics and generational trauma:
The series delves into the complex dynamics of a family burdened by grief and the impact of parental expectations on children's lives.
Character analysis
Zuhal Erdem
She has achieved great success in her personal development career through relationship counseling and the books she has written on love and relationships. Behind the image of a strong, beautiful, modern woman in the media lies a very different identity at home. Zuhal is trapped in the role of a housewife who cannot break free from her father's control. Her responsibilities towards her family have turned her into a lonely woman, but for the sake of a love she unexpectedly encounters, she is willing to stand up to her father.
Tayfun Karca
Tayfun, who is a stranger to a settled life and has lived in various parts of Turkey and the world so far, has gained the ability to adapt to any environment quickly. When he decides to put his life in order, Zuhal comes along and throws him into a tough love struggle. But it is not only his impossible love with Zuhal that Tayfun has to fight… his hatred for the life he was forced to live because of his birth.
Bora Karca
Bora is much more mature, sane, and grounded than his peers. He generally prefers to remain silent in crowds. He is one of the brightest and most talented employees at the architecture office, where he works with Zuhal's sister Aslı (Selin Türkmen). In contrast to Bora's quiet personality, his mother even though she is a neurotic possessive personality is the person he loves and depends on the most in this life.
Asli Erdem
Despite just starting her architecture career, Aslı is the only member of the family who doesn't rely on Zuhal's help. With her calm and warm nature, she has become one of her sister's most trusted confidants. She places love at the center of her life and is blindly devoted to her relationship. Aslı also has the healthiest and most balanced relationship with her father.
Begum Erdem
As the youngest in the family, Begüm acts impulsively and carelessly, often indulging in whims due to her sense of entitlement. After losing her mother at a very young age, she has looked up to Zuhal as a mother figure.
Figen Erdem Yuksel
Figen, who is the younger sister of Zuhal, is the only one in the family who has managed to make a successful marriage. Sharing a marriage of over ten years and two children with Ayhan, they have become a team that stands united in every challenge.
Cetin Erdem
A retired colonel, Çetin has established a strict order in the house he shares with his daughters based on his military discipline. Everyone knows him to be authoritarian and stern. While he holds his daughters above everything else in the world, his attempts to show them love are often overshadowed by his grumpiness. After his wife's death, his overprotectiveness towards his eldest daughter, Zuhal, becomes his greatest struggle in maintaining order.
Nihan Akinci
As a young 15 year old girl that fell in love with Tayfun Karca she conceived and gave birth to Bora in her attempts to hold on to him. After their divorce her neurosis in regards to her love for Tayfun made her blame him for all of her failings in the eyes of her son who went on to hate and despise his father.
Episode 7
With his life in taters once again Tayfun Karca has to come to grips as to how he will continue to live ….. will he resume his old ways of conning people with his well crafted lies or will he take a new approach of dealing with self help using Zuhal Erdem as his model for success. She made quite a name for herself in writing books and going a speaking tours on how to empower oneself even though her life was as much of a mess as his.
The scriptwriters provided a possible hint when they showed him at the ending of Episode 6 sitting in a dark laden room simply pondering what to do next. It could be viewed as though his love for Zuhal has turned to hate since she methodically dismantled his life in front of her family and is forcing him to evaluate his feelings for her… but the scriptwriters also managed to dangle a carrot at the last minute When Bora approached her as she is about to leave on a trip
Bora: My father moved to a new house with my grandmother ….. he asked me to give you his address , just in case you want to stop by when you get back.
Zuhal: We'll see
During her travels Zuhal receives a text from Eylem Tetik her best friend and business assistant
Eylem: if you're near a book store you need to pick up the book that your ex boyfriend has written… It's a tell all about his life and loves as a con man.
Zuhal texts back: Am I in it?
Eylem: I'm not that far into it… Did you know his mother was a prostitute and he has no idea who his father was? He has led an interesting life…. You can say he was an original bad boy….. women just loved him.
Zuhal: What's the title?
Eylem: You can't miss it… his face is on the cover… with just the name Tayfun.
Zuhal: I'll be back in Istanbul by the end of the week … what else do I need to be aware of?
Eylem: I've been getting calls for you to appear on a panel discussion concerning women's issue… are you interested in it?
Zuhal: Let me think about it.
That night as she gets ready for bed in her hotel room… she turns on the television and Tayfun's face appears… she turns the voice higher only to hear him being interviewed about his book.
Interviewer: Ladies and gentlemen tonight we have the author of the Book - Tayfun my life and loves as a con man… Please welcome Tayfun Karca
Tayfun : Thank you for having me.
Interviewer: Your book has created quite a stir in the publishing world… Bookstores are having a hard time keeping your book on it's shelves…. What do you attribute that too….. Your certainly handsome and you could easily be a model …. But you chose to be a con man….. Why?
Tayfun: I spent many years running away from who I was… my life wasn't one to boast about… so I decided to create one that others would think worthy… being accepted for the first time in my life made me feel good… so I continued until someone came along and saw who I was. So I traveled from city to city with new names and new identities.
Interviewer: The book mentions many women throwing themselves at you….. giving you money to be with them… was there anyone that you actually loved or did you just use them for what you could get from them?
Tayfun: There was one… but as it turned out she was no different than the others… she took from me what she wanted but didn't stick around long enough to find out if what we had was real or not.
Interviewer: What will she think of this book?
Tayfun: She probably hasn't thought of me in some time…. So I would think she won't think anything of it.
Interviewer: Will you have a follow up to this book?
Tayfun: I have been thinking as to how families interference can throw someone off course in their individual life's paths…. I'm certainly a good example.
Interviewer: Does that mean you will do speaking tours?
Tayfun: If people are interested in what I have to say… sure…. Why not?
Interviewer: Well….. that's it for our allotted time…. Tayfun the book certainly has depicted the name when it comes to book sales..
Zuhal's mind is in overdrive after hearing the comment meant for her: What did he mean I took from him what I wanted? … he lied to me …. He deliberately made me fall in love with him… that bastard…. Why is he doing this to me?
Once asleep Zuhal begins feeling his lips against hers and how happy she felt feeling being loved by a man for the first time in her life. How she had wished that she had let herself go and made love to him. As her dream went deeper into her subconscious she could could feel his hand touching her breasts while she let her tongue frolic with his. The more her passion rose the more she wanted to feel him inside her even though she has never had that experience. Her mind went wild with anticipation until she was feeling that he would penetrate her….. she hears her phone ring and the front desk was informing her of her wakeup call. Frustrating her to no end.
Zuhal thoughts: Is he doing this again to me?…. Is he going to occupy my ever waking moments? …. Dam him why did he ever have to come into my life …. Without him I still would be my father's puppet…. Why couldn't he have been honest with me… we could've still been together…. I can't think like that…. He hates me now.
Asli calls Bora in Dubai: Hi honey….. do you miss me? ….. I miss you so much…. When are you coming back to Istanbul?
Bora: If I finish this phase Oof the project they told me I can have a couple of weeks off… I can't wait to see you too.
Asli : Babe ...have you talked to your father lately?
Bora: No….. but why?
Asli: Did you know he has written a book about his life…. Begum hasn't been able to stop talking about it so of course Figen had to find out about it and now has taken it to the extreme , making it sound that it's about our family. Sometimes I wish I didn't have any sisters. Zuhal must be getting inundated with calls from them.
Bora: I knew about it…. He's just trying to make a living…. I haven't said much since I don't want my mom getting carried away again ….. the book would set her off… Every time she sees Zuhal's books I can see the look in her eyes….. but she's my mother. How could you love me with my family the way it is?
Asli: I'm in love with you not your family…. Anyway we're in the same boat… my family is no prize.
Bora: before we hang up… that asshole hasn't been bothering you again about getting back with him?
Asli: I've put a restraining order against him that he can't come within 500 ft of me…. I never want to see his face … him and his mother are absolutely crazy. So don't you worry . I only belong to you… I love you… wait for me in your dreams.
Bora: I love you too.
Baran Karaoglu has had a fascination for Begum Erdem….. now that she is in the university he can openly pursue her since she is no longer a high schooler deemed inappropriate to pursue.
Baran: Hey princess …. aren't you going to come and greet me?
Begum : I'm reading a book …..it's very interesting.
Baran: Is it more interesting than me?
Begum: You know I'll get in trouble if I'm seen with you…anyway this book was written by my almost brother in law….. I have to find out what he wrote about my sister.
Baran: Let me see it … I'll have someone find out for you… this way you won't have to waste your time reading it.
Begum: But I want to read it … I want to know what kind of life he led… this is the most talked about book right now.
Baran: So do I need to write a book for you to take an interest in me?
Begum: Very funny…. After all these months…..Why do you keep pursuing me… aren't I to young for you?
Baran: You fascinate me….. from the first moment I saw you …. You have that sassy look and attitude ….. let me see that book so that I know what I'm competing against.
He sees Tayfun's face on the cover of the book and has a startled look on his face… Begum notices the look and then questions him.
Begum: Do you know Tayfun?… Have you had dealings with him ?… tell me.
Baran: Princess …. I'm going to have to leave now…. I just word that I have some business to take care of … I'll talk to you another time.
Begum: Ok ….See you.
Baran tells one of his men : Get me that book immediately …. I need to find out who this guy really is.
Baran with book in hand arrives at his father's place and then shows it to him: Dad… do you have an illegitimate son that I don't know about?
Sehin Karaoglu : What are you talking about?
Baran: Look at this book cover…. This guy looks just like the picture of you when you were in your forties… Mom and I both knew you had other women but this guy looks to much like you.
Sehin Karaoglu: who is this guy?… where did he come from?… Is he asking for money?
Baran: The girl I've been seeing showed me this book…. He was her sister's ex boyfriend that's how I've come to see this… he knows nothing of me or you…. Think back …..did you have a thing for his mother…. His mother use to work in a brothel. …. if mom were still alive this would devastate her.
Sehin Karaoglu: Get our lawyers to check him out and get a picture of his mother if she's still alive…have them get back to me.
Once his son leaves his mind begins to recollect … the one beauty who he couldn't get enough of was Celal …. She at the time was a timeless beauty whose face and body were of worthy of her majesty that her name meant.
His houghts were: Could she really have bore me a son and not tell me?
Zuhal returns knowing that Figen is about to give birth any day now….. the family welcomes her back and immediately begins questioning her about what she saw? … what pictures did she take? and who did she meet?
Hearing the question who did she meet…. Cain Erdem looks at her with a jaundiced eye…. Seeing his disapproval Zuhal immediately replies: I didn't meet anyone interesting, especially after my experience with Tayfun Karca….. I'm not ready to open myself up again.
Begum: Now that you mentioned Tayfun…. Have you read his book?… he seems to have made a name for himself…. He's everywhere….. what an interesting life he has led.
Figan : What could be interesting about a con man and a liar?
Asli : So you read his book also… When I asked Bora about it he told me he's just trying to make an honest living … he has really wanted to change his ways… so none of us should be so critical of him… I almost feel sorry for him.
Cetin: If he were a real man he would've owned up to who he was?
Aunt: Like Mustafa , after 45 years he showed his real colors…. Men are men and the only thing that controls them is what's between their legs.
The Girls gasp and smirk: Auntie….. really?
Ayhan walks in: I heard that….. that's not true with all men?
Figen: Is that so… Why is my belly this large and ready to explode?
Zuhal: She's got you there brother in law… Asli can I talk to you in private?
They head to Zuhal's room and Asli begins
Asli: Sis… I've been wanting to tell you this for along time…. After Bora and I got ourselves straighten out … we started talking… Bora isn't one to open up….. but he eventually told me what kind of relationship he had with his father…. Up until that night he virtually hated his father for abandoning him… It wasn't Tayfun that made him call him cousin… it was Bora…. Bora wanted nothing to do with him…. Tayfun's only wish in life was for Bora to call him Dad. Because of my mis understanding I'm the one who invited Nihan that night that ruined everything for you and Tayfun…. I'm sorry sis … I should think before I act… Can You forgive me?
Zuhal: Their is nothing to forgive…. I was determined to end things with him ….anyway…. He hates me now.
Asli: How do you know?… Why would he ask Bora to give you his new address if he hated you?
Zuhal: I saw his interview and I've read his book…. He thinks of me as a shallow phony who doesn't practice what I preach…. He is right in some ways…. I cut him off without giving him a chance to explain… That will be one mistake I will regret the rest of my life.
Asli: Do you still love him?
Zuhal: What is love?… I've made a lot of money telling people what love should be and how they should achieve it….. But I have no idea what love means to me…. Dad stripped me of all that ….now … I have no idea how to find it and keep it for myself. Tayfun did give me the courage to standup for myself against Dad's controlling demand…. When Dad made me eat dirt at mom's grave, he destroyed everything that was in me… I went running to Tayfun to get whatever little dignity I had left…. Look at how repaid Him…. I'm worst than he ever was. My pride got in the way of a love that could've been … but that's now water over the dam. How are you and Bora getting along?…. He is really a nice guy… 1000% improvement over that self centered Alp…. What did you ever see in that jerk?
Asli: I wanted to be loved so desperately that I place shutters around my eyes….. but now that I have Bora , I'm never letting him go. Am I doing the same thing again
Zuhal: You have to learn to be dependent on yourself first , before you give yourself completely to a man… from what I've seen of Bora… he understands that… that's probably one trait that he inherited from his father.
Asli: You still love him … so why don't you just get him back?…. Bora and I can help you.
Zuhal: He's just got a new lease on life…. He doesn't need my baggage to disrupt it again. Thanks but no Thanks.
Asli: Your hopeless.
Nevra Ozen… Tayfun's literary agent and manager has crafted out his campaign to introduce himself to the public and provide the natural exposure in making him the newest phenom to arrive on the scene. She intends to make his 15 minutes of fame last as long as Zuhal Erdem has lasted. She has researched her rise and using Tayfun's truth to underscore her false persona. She intends for Tayfun to compete with Zuhal for that share of the market.
Nevra: Tayfun… you're going to be busy the next several weeks…. First up I've got you booked to be the only male guest on a panel of all women talking about women issues….. your ex girlfriend has also been invited…. Are you ready to take her on?
Tayfun: Are you wanting to turn this into a grudge match… what we had didn't work….. so let bygones be bygones.
Nevra: I want you to expose her weaknesses and turn them into your strengths…. You haven't shied away from telling the truth but she has…. You know her better than anyone…. Besides… this is business.
Tayfun: You can be ruthless .
Nevra: I'm just doing my job.
Figen has a very restless night and wakes up early and begins pacing around the house until she notices that her water has broken and dripping down her leg. She calls out to Ayhan who is fast asleep
Figen: Ayhan… Ayhan ….then very loud almost screaming… Ayhan…. Wake up … the baby is coming….. we need to go to the hospital, now.
Ayhan in a sleep stupor: what… can't I sleep a little longer?
Figen shouting: No you can't we need to go to the hospital now… call my family so some one can watch the kids…. We have to go now.
Zuhal answers the phone : don't worry Ayhan, I'll take care of everything… Bring Figen to the hospital and I'll have Hayriye come and watch the kids.
As head of the house Zuhal gets everyone situated so that all can be at the hospital when the newest family member arrives. After several hours in Labor Ayhan comes out and informs everyone that his newest son has arrived.
Cetin smiles and says: Sons are always welcomed,
Aunt Smirks: And daughter's aren't ….. you should be thankful you had all daughters… where would you be if you had all sons, certainly not here.
Zahul and Tayfun meet for the first time at the women's forum
MC: Welcome everyone… tonight we will have a very unique discussion on what constitutes a modern woman in today's Turkish society….. Our panel is made up of four prominent women and one male.
Our panel is made up of
Melike Demir a prominent Woman's psychologist,
Avukat Sebnem a respected woman's physician
Nilufer Denizer head of Istanbul's Foundation for Women advancement,
Zuhal Erdem, the foremost expert in Women's personal development
I was very surprised when seeing our final panel member Tayfun Karca….. currently the hottest selling author of the book Tayfun, My Llife and Loves as a Con Man …our only male panelist….. so let me ask Mr Karca… what are your qualifications to be on this panel…. You're not a woman.
Tayfun: Let me say I was just as surprised as you… I'm not a woman….. that's obvious…. But I've encountered many women throughout my life and I've come to understand what women like and don't like.
The women reaction's in the audience can be heard: "What a great looking man"….. "He must be great in bed if he knows what women like"
Zuhal can't help remember the first time she saw Tayfun … her heart started fluttering and had the same reaction as the women in the audience.
MC: Ladies we can hear your comments… please keep it respectful…. Let us continue with our discussion… Our first topic…. What are some of the challenges do today's women in today's Istanbul? Melike Demir your response
Melike Demir: Many women come to my office struggling with what is expected of them as wife, mother while trying to fulfill their own individual dream in satisfying their own needs.
MC: Avukat Sebnem… What do you say?
Avukat Sebnem: Women that try to be all things to everyone around them….. can lead them to have both physical and mental problems in that they begin to loose themselves and they can develop various forms of depression.
MC: Nilufer Denizer….. Your Foundation helps guide women… What do you have to tell them?
Nilufer Denizer: With young girls coming to us we tell them to prioritize their choices…. Which is more important , a career or a family. What is almost sad is older women coming to us regretting ever getting married and having children… they find themselves in a catch 22 situation.
MC: Zuhal Erdem… I understand you forego getting married and having children to advance your career…. Why did you make that choice?
Zuhal Erdem: Your question is somewhat misleading….. It wasn't a choice I made…. My mom died in a traffic accident and I being the eldest child of four children became their caregiver for my siblings and my father …I studied very hard and I became what I am today. Was it hard?… Very. It cost me my only chance at a possible true love, my foolish pride made me forego it. Those are choices that one has to make. When women that come to me for advise…. I tell them the same thing… it's their choice …. The only one they have to depend on is themselves.
MC: I'm sure the Women in the audience are anxious as to what our only male guest will have to say…. Tayfun Karca what do you say?
Tayfun Karca: What each of the panelist said is very true… many women I've come across feel the same way, but what they never seem to understand is that they expect their man if they have one… is to understand them. Men don't look at their wives, girlfriend they don't see that they as women have any challenges since from birth they have always found a way to take care of the men. If they haven't they feel abandoned and then women in general are to be used for their own gratification…. No different as in the animal kingdom…. The big mighty Lion lays around and waits for the female lions to bring him his food and then after he has his fill he goes around and begins to impregnate each one of them that served him. Is it fair ?, absolutely not…. Can it be changed ?…..maybe. When I want a woman to do what I want… I first listen to what she has to say… then I try to compliment her , so that she is proud of who she is ….. when I see that she is receptive….. then I let her have me ….. to do what she wants. It becomes a win win situation.
MC : Ladies this man is dangerous to every woman out there.
Zuhal begins to realize that Tayfun is very complicated and shouldn't have done what she did to him. The conversation of women's topic continues and once it's over Zuhal asks Tayfun if they can have a talk.
Tayfun: Why talk now?… didn't you say everything you wanted to say to me that night?
Zuhal: Please….. don't be like that…. I was wrong… I admit it… I should have given you a chance to explain yourself…. Maybe you had reason's for doing what you did…. Asli told me that Bora told her that you were going to tell me everything that night and I didn't let you….. I'm deeply sorry ….. now that Asli and Bora are together we'll see more of each other and I don't want it to be awkward between us… I sincerely mean that. Can we sit and have a meal together and just talk….. if you want to… if you don't than, then you'll remain my biggest regret.
Nevra seeing Zuhal occupying Tayfun's time decides to use some psychology on her….. she walks up to them.
Nevra: Hey lover boy… you made quite an impression …. There are some ladies that want to meet you and have you sign your book for them… I'm sorry am I interrupting the two of you? I'm Nevra his Manager/ Agent.
Zuhal: It's alright….. we were finished anyway.
Seeing Zuhal walk away in a flustered state….. Nevra tells Tayfun: I'm going to make her so jealous of me that she will regret ever letting you go.
Tayfun: you're so bad.
Nevra: You haven't seen how bad I can get….. you did great tonight … you're going to be the object of some of these women's fancy when they go to bed tonight….. you had them in the palm of your hand. Next up a book signing tour with more TV interviews.
Zuhal returns home and immediately goes to her room without talking to anyone
Aunt: What's up with her… did something happen?
Asli and Begum look to each other and then rush to her room.
Asli: Sister can we come in …. We don't want you to be alone.
Seeing their sister crying her eyes out Asli and Begum both give her a hug together.
Begum: Sister you're always the strong one…. Why are you crying?
Asli: Did you see Tayfun ….. did he upset you?
Zuhal Sobbing loudly: He has turned ice cold towards me…. Why have I made him hate me so much? I've lost him for good.
Asli: Begum go get her something to drink while I calm her down… tell me what happened to get you in this state…. I'm the one that usually falls apart not you.
Zuhal sniffals her way to a response: His manager got him to be on the woman's panel and he was absolutely charming…. There were women that wanted to through themselves at him… Once I saw him my heart started aching…. Asli what am I going to do? ….. I still love him … I can't deny that any longer…..the idea of him being with another woman terrifies me.
Asli: When Bora gave me the cold shoulder and started ignoring me I was devastated… that's when I knew I loved Bora completely… my love for Bora is so different from that jerk Alp. I didn't give up I forced Bora to talk to me …. I knew that I hurt him with my actions… You have to make him believe you again… He did give his address…. Go to him and make him talk to you… Bora told me that he still believes that he loves you….. but he is deeply hurt because of that night.
Zuhal: Do you really think I can get him back… Dad won't accept him
Asli: Stop thinking about dad or any of us… you need to start living your own life…. Tayfun has become that important to you ….. so it's time for you to get your man back. That's like I don't think of Bora's crazy mother and how to deal with her…. I love Bora to much to make her interfere in our lives…. You need to do the same… you've raised us well it's time you leave this nest and build your own family….. that's what I'm planning to do with Bora once this project is finished… I'm going to love and appreciate him every day for the rest of our lives.
Begum Comes back in with a glass of water: Are you better?… I hate seeing you cry.
Zuhal: don't worry I'll be fine … now that I know what I need to do.