[jazzy theme music playing]
THANK YOU, NEXT
[gentle music playing]
[Leyla] Once upon a time,
long ago, in a world far away,
in a cold country far, far from Istanbul,
a girl named Leyla was born one summer's day.
[infant Leyla cooing]
The first living thing Leyla saw was a diplomatic stork.
She and her father followed the stork,
and they traveled all over the world for many years.
[camera shutter clicks]
But unfortunately,
it would be 20 years before Leyla had a home to call her own,
with close, permanent friends.
Eventually, Leyla decided to settle in Istanbul,
the most beautiful city in the world.
[train rushing]
[rock music playing]
I was up till morning studying for the exam,
but I absolutely love this band. They're pretty great, aren't they?
Excuse me. Hi, I'm Ömer.
Leyla.
Yeah, I know. Sarp brought me, so the two of us could meet.
[laughs] It's so nice to meet you.
You too.
[Leyla] Tolstoy said, "All great literature
is one of two stories."
"Someone either embarks on a journey,
or a stranger comes into town."
[soft piano music playing]
A novice in romance
and a stranger to the city.
Leyla spent ten years where she thought she was safe in the Sea of Ömer,
traveling far and wide,
over hills and rivers.
On this journey, she both rooted and sprouted.
But in time, she realized the story
wasn't all that great.
I also don't think it was Tolstoy who said that, by the way.
Anyway, it doesn't especially matter which person said it. You know?
[music ends]
What then?
[chuckles]
As our story with the bad ending continues,
Leyla encounters a gorgeous
and compared to her, a very predatory bird.
Me and you, you really think it's a bad idea?
I feel like I know how this story ends.
Truly no hope then.
[exhales] No…
[Leyla] Leyla was so assertive.
Actually, Leyla's single biggest mistake was being as assertive as she was.
And from the moment I met him, he really irritated me.
The guy had so many red flags.
So it was easy to know that he wouldn't be good for me.
He'll shout from a mile away and say,
"I will eventually hurt you."
"I'm a big narcissist."
"My ego reaches the clouds. I'm deceitful."
"I'm arrogant. I'm jealous."
Those red flags say, "I'm used to getting what I want."
He is problematic.
He's gone through three marriages and divorces.
And they all continue to be part of his life.
The guy is truly a collector.
I don't wanna end up
like those other women.
When I first laid eyes on you.
[heartfelt music playing]
I knew…
I wanted to marry you.
You want me to go down on one knee, don't you?
No, no, no. It's nothing like that, Cem.
You know my intentions.
I want you to marry me.
To be my wife and to be my home.
[Leyla] "Trust me," said the bird of prey.
"I only use my claws on those who want to harm us."
[chuckles]
[heartfelt music rises]
[music fades out]
Checkmate.
I lost before I even made the first move.
-You're distracting me. -Strategy, baby.
You can't be doing that.
You can't strategize your way through love, Cem Murathan.
Okay, then, fine.
How about we take these two
to remember the day that we had?
Pick one.
The king is yours.
She doesn't take orders. She goes anywhere.
So I'm picking the queen.
But from now on, we will go everywhere together.
[gentle piano music playing]
[Leyla] Leyla pondered a little.
And then a lot.
And finally, she trusted the compass of her heart.
Because her feelings have always pointed Leyla in the right direction.
The bird of prey, of course, was swept off his feet with joy.
And so was Leyla.
They flew further and further,
higher and higher.
They went so high
that when they looked out over the clouds…
[exhales]
…they couldn't see the earth below.
[chuckles]
-I have a surprise for you. -[gasps]
[doorbell rings]
[Leyla sighs]
-I'm so glad to have you both here. -[Leyla] Hello.
Leyla, let me look at you, honey. [laughs]
Sorry to show up unannounced out of nowhere.
Oh no. I've been expecting you.
-[chuckles] -Mama dear.
-[Oya] Mm… -How are you?
[Oya] I'm fine, dear.
We have a little bit of a celebration planned.
Come, let's go.
[Leyla] So began the wedding celebrations
for 40 days and 40 nights.
Surrounded by flags of every color.
Very well done.
[Leyla] But for some reason…
Leyla's sharp eyes…
could only see the red flags hanging in the distance.
[classical music playing]
Hey there, Dad. Mama, hi! Happy New Year.
-Happy New Year. Love you. -[kisses] Happy New Year!
A healthy New Year to you both. We'll speak again tomorrow.
[kisses]
-[laughing] -[Leyla] Bye-bye!
[laughing]
So you've met all my friends?
You really have a lot of friends, Cem Murathan.
And everybody has so many stories with you.
Well, wait. We're just beginning ours.
How many million dollars are at this party?
-Hundreds of millions. -[Murat] Millions, dude.
Half of Türkiye's economy is here tonight.
You got industrialists, bureaucrats,
politicians, lawyers.
This man has many elite friends. It's like they're cherry-picked. [mumbles]
So Cem Murathan's friends went 10-0 in the game of life.
-They can eat my ass, love. -I'll eat you.
-I'm having so much fun. -[sighs]
-Uncly Can! -[Uncly] Come here. Come here.
-[laughs] -[both] Mwah!
-Hey, how are you? -[Cihan] Hey, Leyla.
-You two look great together. -Aww, thank you, Cihan.
-Leyloš, I have a favor to ask you. -[Leyla] Hmm.
Please stop moving your hand around. That ring is just burning through my eyes.
[laughs] Uncle Can, come on.
-Your dress is amazing. -By the way, where's Defne?
Ah, she said something about checking out the construction in Dubai.
-[Uncly] Hmm. -Oh, I forgot about Şeyyaz. Pardon.
-I'll be quick. Okay. -Okay.
[cell phone ringing]
Şeyyaz, Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, princess.
Oh, we're apart this year again.
-Shame on those responsible. -[Leyla laughs]
Who knows where you are now?
Hopping from party to party, aren't you?
Yeah, yeah, of course.
With your blessing, I'd like to announce New Year's resolutions on your behalf.
Firstly, the holes in that armor will be closed.
Then Europe is your target and then America.
Targeting Europe? Okay.
But I don't want any more armor, any more weight.
Oh, bless you, my dear Chef Charming.
-Many kisses. -Many kisses, princess.
Uh, Cem says hello to you as well.
All right, say hi to him. You have fun.
[Leyla sighs] So
it's a little quiet for a party, huh?
You invite him?
No, I meant to, but it slipped my mind though. Should I have?
[classical music continues]
-Sema and Adnan. Did I introduce you? -I don't believe so.
[Cem] Come with me.
[laughs] Oh boy.
[sighs] Nobody's having any fun.
-They're gonna be passed out soon. -I know, exactly.
My friends, I'm on Fingir, and I'm seeing five more.
-[laughs] Sarp. -Sarp, forget Fingir.
-Look, look. -[laughing]
My love, the vegan buffet here is phenomenal.
Everything's super good. It's life-changing.
The stomach's one of two places you can get to a man through.
-What? Thank you for that. -Right? It's kind of true.
Okay, I'm getting bored. Maybe I'll see what Şeyyaz is doing.
It's Leyla! Pretend this is fun.
[cheering]
-[Esra] Look at you! -[Funda] What an amazing party!
-Did you try some of this? -Yeah, that was super good.
-[Murat] Okay. -By now, your lying just disappoints me.
I'm gonna come up with a plan though. Just wait.
Can you play something upbeat?
[dance music playing]
-Oh! This is it! -Come on!
[Leyla laughs]
-Oh my God! This is so much better! -Cem!
-[chattering] -[laughing]
Whoo!
[music continues]
[cheering]
[all] Ten!
Uh, health to my son.
-[all] Nine! -A long life to my son!
-[all] Eight! -Happiness in the world!
-[all] Seven! -Put an end to all wars!
[all] Six!
A house, a new house!
-[all] Five! -How about world peace?
-We did that one! -[all] Four!
-[Leyla] Sarp! -Go!
-Independence! -[all] Three!
-Hurry, Cem! -[all] Two!
-My Leyla is all I need! -[all] One!
-Yes! Yes, yes, yes! -[all cheering]
[Uncly] Opa!
[laughing]
Let's stay so happy together, okay?
[woman laughing] Yeah!
[cheering]
-[laughing] -[shouting]
Happy New Year. We're a bit late.
-No worries, glad you're here. -[Leyla] Oh, Beliz, welcome, guys.
Gökmen Akaroğlu.
-Pleased to meet you. -Nice to meet you.
It is decreed. The lawsuit is accepted.
And the case of Beliz Temur v. Sarp Korkuter
is ruled to be an uncontested divorce under Article 166-3
of the Turkish Civil Code.
-[Cem] Hello. -Pleasure to meet you.
Welcome, hello.
-Happy New Year. -[Gökmen] Happy New Year.
[Leyla chuckles]
Aww! You remember that? They'd just delivered Doruk.
-Honey, thank you for loving me, beauty. -Aww, my heart.
[Murat] Mm.
-Gross! Your mouth is all greasy. -[laughs]
She's dating the judge who divorced us, you know?
If you'd take even a few seconds away from that phone,
maybe you'd find someone too.
The fucking judge who divorced us.
Okay, stop looking. I can't eat when you're watching.
You can't eat what, my love?
But you all took so much of it.
Well, then, bravo, guys.
The four of you slaughtered an innocent lamb.
Agh! Oh please, Tuan. Can we not do this?
Excuse me, can we get one and a half more kokoreç?
-[man] Yeah. -Really?
I just can't comprehend why you'd eat this stuff.
[groans] Tuan.
Look, I mean, I'm telling you this info for your benefit.
At this hour of the night, the hardest food to digest is meat.
-It's morning. This is breakfast. -[laughing]
[cell phones chime]
I LOVE YOU GUYS THIS YEAR TOO!
-[Esra] Aww. -[Murat] Mm.
-My hand is greasy. -Wait, I can write.
ESRA: WE LOVE YOU MORE!
FUNDA: IT WAS ALL GREAT! HAPPY NEW YEAR! WE LOVE YOU!
SHE'S DATING THE JUDGE WHO DIVORCED US… WHAT THE HELL!
[laughing]
TUAN SAYS HI TOO!
CEM MURATHAN'S FRIENDS LOVED US. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
[chuckles]
-Oh, Cem, you're wearing it already? -Mm-hmm.
[gasps] Oh!
I love it. Thank you so much. It's gorgeous.
I'm glad you like it, Cem. It looks good on you.
Thank you.
-Now it's time to give you a present. -What?
Cem, that's too much. Come on.
You threw me this party already. I got my present, Cem.
All right, just put something comfortable on. We're going out.
-What? We're going somewhere? -Yes.
It's nearly dawn. We should hurry. Come on.
Uh, what should I wear?
Go for comfortable.
-[Leyla] Comfortable. -Mm-hmm.
Are we meeting your horse?
Just wait two minutes and then you'll see.
[laughing]
-[Leyla exhales] -[horse whinnies]
[chuffs]
[gentle music playing]
What?
You bought a horse for me, Cem?
I bought you a sweater. Cem, you got me an animal?
If you're gonna live on a farm, you should have a horse.
I can't believe it.
[exhales]
He's the most beautiful horse I've ever seen.
Hi, handsome.
-And safe, docile. -Hello. [laughs]
-He's a strong gentleman as well. -Oh! [laughs]
Who's a gorgeous boy? [gasps]
Just don't let me and Kuzey get in a fight over you.
"Kuzey" is his name? Aww, aren't you gorgeous.
Hey there, you are so beautiful, Kuzey.
Are you really my horse now?
[gasps]
Cem, this is a very big and very expensive gift.
I'm just… I'm not sure what to say.
I am very lucky.
-Would you like to ride? -Of course! [laughs]
You won't be able to get me to stop.
-Kuzey. -[chuffs]
That's your name, isn't it? Yeah.
[upbeat music playing]
-Esra, he's so sweet. -[whinnies]
So docile and really smart for a horse. You won't believe it.
Plus, he's well-trained.
He knows I'm a beginner, so he's taking it nice and easy on me.
-This animal is amazing. -Oh wow!
Lucky you. We have friends with horses now.
-Maybe you'll ride one soon. -[Leyla laughs]
Of course you can, my darling, of course. Happy birthday.
-[Doruk babbles] -When are you coming? Do not be late.
We won't be late. I promise. Cem is asleep, so let me wake him up.
Oh, he just woke up.
Hang up, hang up, hang up.
-Good morning. -Good morning.
-[Leyla chuckles]
Cem! Good morning. [laughs]
Okay, I have to start getting ready, so I'll let you both go.
I'll text you on my way out though.
I'll pass by the store on my way there,
so if you need anything else, just let me know.
[kisses] Kisses.
You want orange juice?
No, thank you though. You going out?
I'm not going by myself. [chuckles]
We're both going. [exhales]
'Cause yesterday was Esra's birthday
and Doruk was born the day after.
Normally, we keep it separate from the New Year's fuss
and celebrate on the next day.
So, we're going to Esra's.
I never heard about this plan.
No, I'm pretty sure I told you.
I said the party would be after New Year's Eve.
I actually had another plan.
I thought we'd go to Bodrum. The jet is ready.
We could do a nice lunch on the beach,
then maybe we could stay the night if we want.
I could be misremembering, but I didn't know about that plan either.
Okay, how about this?
Before anything, we can go to Esra's. Then we'll go to the airport.
How's that?
But it's still pretty early, isn't it?
Esra's expecting us late afternoon. She's preparing food and everything.
Tomorrow?
Sorry, Cem.
There's a building meeting tomorrow. I should be there.
[Cem] Hmm.
I think it must be about the retrofitting.
The landlord, um, wanted me to attend.
If somebody went for me…
Hmm. Oh! My neighbor Ali. Friendly enough with him.
I'll see what he says.
Are you planning on moving soon?
Where?
Oh. Cem, I'm there all the time.
We basically live together already.
But you will move in completely one day, won't you?
I'm marrying you. It's practical that way. That's all.
I mean, well, it's…
I think I've really just been holding on to the place in case anyone…
maybe Funda wants to stay there, or Sarp could rent it.
Plus, I have a lot of stuff now.
I'm not sure where I could even store most of it.
And the lease isn't up until September.
So I can't transfer it to someone else before then.
I have to until September to marry you?
That the official plan?
Don't screw with me, Cem. Rushing and all.
I'm not screwing with you. I'm serious, Leyla.
Even September is close.
-[cell phone rings] -That's like, kind of…
[Defne] My Cemo, you called? Happy New Year.
Defne, let me call you back in a bit.
Oh, of course, that's fine, darling. Bye-bye.
[Leyla] "My Cemo."
That's Defne's quirky, fun name for him since they were kids.
I wonder if he calls her "Defno" when they're alone.
[laughs] Wow. Don't be mad at me.
[groans]
-You okay? -Yeah.
I'm gonna strangle him. You have no idea.
-[Esra] Who? -Tuan, you mean?
Ugh! First, it's that the juice was non-organic.
Then the pastries have too much gluten,
and the cake isn't sugar-free. [groans]
That's fine. We'll order something without gluten.
Honey, it's not about gluten.
He always looks like he's happy, but he's actually just miserable.
I mean, he just makes people feel guilty all the time.
It's always whose place are we staying at tonight?
What shows to put on. Who do we wanna hang out with?
There's always some kind of problem. My God!
-Oh dear. -[Tuan] My love.
I had another thought. Orange juice, cancel that.
I was thinking instead, we could brew tea, like hibiscus or rooibos?
Something red, nice and energizing, huh?
Uh, I thought we could use something healthy,
after so much sugar yesterday.
-[Esra] Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. -This would help. That's all I'm saying.
-Makes sense. -Right?
Of course, babe, some hibiscus tea would be wonderful.
-[Leyla] Definitely. -Okay, my love. [kisses]
-[Esra] Huh? -Got any hibiscus?
-Let's see. [laughs] -Just try not to think negative thoughts.
-Leyla! -[Esra] Just go with the flow, honey.
[Murat] Let's go!
-[all] ♪ Happy birthday to you ♪ -Come on, son, you too.
-[all] ♪ Happy birthday ♪ -Bravo!
[cheering]
-[man] Bravo! Happy birthday! -[Leyla] Happy birthday!
[Murat] Sarp, take a picture of us. Funda, you too.
-I'm taking it. -[man] Aww!
[laughing]
[Leyla] My father once said that a relationship
is two people agreeing to accept every aspect of each other.
[Esra] Grab a plate.
[Leyla] It's not easy to love someone. That's true.
-[Esra] Can I try one of each? -[chattering]
He came and said he had a surprise for me.
Aunty, will you tell me a fairy tale?
-Aww! Just look at my baby. -[Leyla] Are you serious?
Of course I'll tell you a fairy tale…
Loving someone with all their experiences, habits, rights and wrongs
is like sitting across from each other on a seesaw.
[Ömer] Hey, guys.
[Esra] Oh!
-Oh! Welcome. -[melancholy music playing]
-[Leyla] Now you're up. Now you're down. -It's been a while.
-[Murat] Thanks for coming. -This one's yours. This one's Doruk's.
[Esra] Oh my dear!
-Welcome, Ömer. -[Murat] We can put these with the others.
[Leyla] You can't stay up all the time. You have to come down eventually.
Then you push off the ground and go up again.
[sighs]
[music fades out]
[whispering] Shall we go now?
I'm sure that you're bored.
Am I dropping you at your place?
That would be really helpful, actually, and we're already in the neighborhood.
I need to be there early morning. I'm supposed to be at that tenant meeting.
Okay.
You don't mind, do you?
[Cem] Can't be helped.
Until you move in with me, this is the way it is.
[Leyla] Every relationship starts without rules.
No one says anything about those beige flags at first.
[man chattering]
[melancholy string music playing]
[Leyla] As you get used to each other, you agree with the other person more.
You try to understand them.
IS IT STILL NOT OVER?
NO, UNFORTUNATELY
IS ALI YÖREOĞLU THERE?
Sacrifice from you, tolerance from me.
Empathy, sympathy in the beginning is in abundance.
YES, WHY DO YOU ASK?
NO REASON, JUST CURIOUS
But later, as the relationship progresses,
the things you didn't mind at first start to bother you.
FEBRUARY 14 - ROME
The things you can't say keep building up inside.
FEBRUARY 14 - BAKIRKÖY COURTHOUSE
It's gotten harder to talk about the past. [sighs]
You know, some couples begin to drift away from each other.
Let's not be like that, please.
Let's talk our issues out before they get bigger.
We talk, don't we? Or is it something else?
You keep your cards pretty well-hidden.
It feels like I have to investigate you.
[inhales] And I'm really not comfortable doing all that.
I… I know you're upset because the Rome trip had to get canceled.
But you barely even express that.
You're just ignoring it.
Cem. Cem.
[Cem] Hmm?
I thought we talked about this.
I'm not one for talking. You know that.
And that's hard for me to change at this point.
But I love you so much, Leyla.
[sighs] I mean, Cem,
I'm just not comfortable with these kinds of presents.
These big, expensive gifts, I don't need things like that.
I'm someone who finds happiness in the smallest things. You know that.
[sighs] Excuse me. Excuse me.
Happy Valentine's Day. Enjoy.
-See you, Sarp. -[Sarp] See ya.
[door closes]
He's waiting for me to move out. He really wants to live here.
What are you waiting for?
[jaunty Turkish music playing]
Hold on. Oop! Easy there.
[gasps] I missed you so much. Come here.
Sorry about that. I know I'm late.
No problem at all.
Thank you very much. Thank you.
This way. Come.
Get in.
A relationship is like sailing on a choppy sea in a boat for two.
The journey is exciting and enjoyable,
but the further you get from the shore, the more you fear the waves.
[music continues]
And especially if you're in unfamiliar seas,
you wanna trust your companion even more.
[music cuts off]
[gasps]
-Baby! -Buddy, no.
No climbing on the bed. Come on, get down.
You'll get used to your bed. Let's go.
Buddy.
[Buddy panting]
Come on. [snaps fingers]
Come here, good boy. Good boy.
My love. [kisses]
I love you so much.
What can I do?
This is his house.
Good night, honey.
-[door closes] -[sad piano music playing]
[whines]
[exhales]
[scratching at door]
-[sighs] -[Buddy whimpers]
[whispering] Come here. Come.
Shh! Come.
Okay. Shh!
The journey inevitably changes you.
Or your partner tries to change you.
[Cem] I don't want that to happen.
[music ends]
If this is a message to me,
I don't wanna be the reason you change.
[Leyla grunts]
Thank you.
[Kuzey chuffs]
I get that, but…
it always happens this way.
Once they're in a relationship,
don't most partners start to become more and more alike?
I guess I just don't want that.
Become like me and you lose your own colors.
I want you like this.
I love you like this.
The way you are.
Colorful.
[chuckles]
[rings]
I'd better take this.
-Defne doesn't normally call at this hour. -Go ahead, take it.
-Sorry. Hmm. -It's okay. It's okay.
[Cem] Defne.
[Leyla] There's been a problem with the contract. They stopped construction.
Cem had to leave too.
-To Dubai? -Yeah, with Defne.
-Defne is there too. -Of course she's there.
They're in business together. Isn't that normal?
-This will just be a part of my life now. -You're not upset?
No, as a matter of fact, Ömer and I are still in touch
because of sharing time with Buddy.
Honey, those two are not like you guys. They're joined at the hip.
-Well, actually… -Actually what? What?
I'm sorry to interrupt. I'll just grab a coffee and go.
-Of course. Of course. -Oh, of course. Come, honey. Come.
-Oh, Leyla. -[Leyla] Hmm?
What are we going to do about Nil Katmanoğlu?
What… what do you mean?
I guess Cem hasn't told you, but I think he's a bit uncomfortable about it.
Especially now that the situation has softened up a bit.
Cem talk to you yet?
He's been quiet since the beginning.
Beliz is the only one you're going to hear from.
[chair scrapes]
[Tuan sighs]
Are you okay, Tuan?
Babe, you don't feel that draft?
I'm freezing.
[Sarp] You wanna switch places?
-Come on. Come on. -No, I'm okay, bro.
It's only because the door kept opening and closing.
-That's all. -Babe, it's a door. They open and close.
It'll keep happening. We should just switch.
-Maybe get a different table. -Here.
-Nil Katmanoğlu sends her best. -[coughs]
Sorry, should I have broken that more gently?
What? [coughs]
Uh, hey, boo.
I get confused. Was that number three or number two?
Oh God. [exhales]
Come look at some wine with me.
Sure. Let's go.
What does she want?
Leyla, a producer bought the rights.
They're making a TV series.
It's based on her first book. And they want me to play myself.
You're just screwing with me.
I know you're screwing with me.
[laughs] Okay, you got me.
Lighten up, Leyla. Come on, it's not that bad.
-[sighs] -[Sarp] Quit sulking.
You spoke to her though?
She was fishing for information on Defne.
[chuckles] What a woman. You'll be her next main character.
She said the truth would come out.
That Defne is a very dangerous woman.
She said Defne hated her ever since Nil and Cem were engaged.
-Nil said that? -Sounds a lot like what Tuba said.
Cem likes to keep people in the dark for a reason.
I think he's up to something, Leyla.
[exhales]
[coughs]
[sighs]
[indistinct chattering]
[Sarp] All right, Leyla, let's go over the files one more time.
-[Sarp] Can you hold this, please? -[Ömer] Sure.
-Ah, we have our witness. -He's here?
-I can go meet the guy. -Super.
While I'll…
I'll start things out the way we planned.
[jazzy theme music playing]
[music fades out]