If I Were a Sultan, I Would Have Three Wives… And One of Them Would Be a Red-Haired Woman with a Stubborn Temper

Hello everyone!

I somehow missed this show when it first came out, probably because I was trying to protect my sanity from all the drama. But after visiting Istanbul, I wanted to watch something related to the city, so here I am watching The Magnificent Century about the reign of Sultan Suleiman, also known as the Magnificent.

The Magnificent Century reviews As usual, people watch the show and then want to visit Istanbul. In my case, it was the other way around. I started watching it a long time ago, but I only made it through three episodes back then. I was really annoyed with the main character and the long, dragging scenes of someone walking through the corridors of the Topkapi Palace.

This time, I decided to give The Magnificent Century another chance, and it's no wonder it has so many fans. Watching at 1.25 speed made it more enjoyable, and I even sped it up to 1.5 at times, especially in the later episodes, to avoid the dragging scenes and pointless conversations.

Genre: melodrama, history, war

Country: Turkey

Year: 2011-2014

Length: 4 seasons, each episode 1.5-2.5 hours

Age restriction: 16+

Kinopoisk rating: 8.2

Kinopoisk description:

The Ottoman Empire, 16th century. A girl named Alexandra gets captured by the Turks and gets a new name, Hurrem. She faces many challenges, and later becomes the first official wife of Sultan Suleiman I.

🎬 PLOT

The show throws you headfirst into the intrigues of the sultan's palace, and you can't help but watch these petty, and sometimes not-so-feminine, schemes.

The Grand Turk reviews Honestly, most of the plot twists were predictable, and there wasn't much intrigue. I'd say the only times I was genuinely surprised by the storyline were a few instances in the last season. The series spans decades of Sultan Suleiman's reign, starting with his rise to power. Then, a cunning concubine named Alexandra shows up (I think she was supposed to be Anastasia initially), converts to Islam and takes on the name Hürrem, instantly captivating Suleiman, but failing to impress his family members. The Grand Turk reviews As the saying goes, she found her way into Suleiman's heart, but not his mother-in-law's. And that's when the long and tedious struggle between Hürrem and the rest of them – the sultan's mother, his current favorite, his sister, and the rest – begins. Hürrem's actions quickly turn her into the enemy of the entire harem. Now, I thought this woman was famous in history for being smart and calculated. Oh well, it's a TV show with a healthy dose of fiction, so I guess that's to be expected. People love watching 'scandals, intrigues, and investigations'.Sultan Suleiman and Hürrem The sultan's harem is like a snake pit, where someone's always plotting against someone else, pushing them off a cliff or strangling them in the laundry room. By the last season, the drama gets even more intense, and I'm not exaggerating when I say the show is on par with Game of Thrones in terms of the number of corpses. Reviews for The Grand Turk The most common phrase in the show is 'Get the doctor over here!', it seems like the doctors are always on standby for their patients. The second most popular phrase is 'Make way!', whenever Suleiman or his family members are walking. And the third phrase you can often hear is 'How dare you! How could you be so bold!' – that's pretty much the only way people swear in the show. The Grand Turk reviews Politics, to be honest, gets very little screen time, and the show focuses mainly on the harem's intrigues. As a result, there aren't many real historical facts in the show. However, there are plenty of colorful characters. Princess Isabella of Castile There's always someone new popping up, and the old characters just disappear whenever the writers want them to. Whatever happened to the show's main heartthrob, Malkocoglu? At times, it's hard to keep track of who's who, especially with characters like Gülnihal or the fat cook, Şeker-aga, who just vanish into thin air. The storyline sometimes feels like a jumbled mess, and I'm not even talking about the absurdity of it all.

I'll be honest, the characters in Great Century really threw me off. Usually, at least one person in a show is likable, but here, I found myself annoyed by almost everyone.Khurrem (also known as Roxelana) was the most infuriating character to me. And I'm not a fan of Mahidevran, no way. I'm a fan of making sense. It's hard for me to believe that the real Roxelana was even a little bit like this spoiled, fiery woman.

Meryem Uzerli as RoxelanaI highly doubt that a girl from the countryside with such mannerisms could have won over the sultan's heart. But that's the image the directors chose to portray. And we all know that a Slavic woman has to be blood and milk to stop Ibrahim in his tracks and escape from the burning harem.

The real Roxelana??From season to season, this character does change, at least by the third season she looked more fitting for a sultan's wife.

Meryem Uzerli as RoxelanaBut up until then... My mom would have been a woman like that! And that's the famous Roxelana??

Meryem Uzerli as RoxelanaAnd by the end of the third season, they even replaced the actress with someone who looked completely different. The only thing she had in common with the previous Roxelana was her hair color.

The life of Roxelana was really turned upside down...Suleiman, open your eyes, you've been given a fake Roxelana!

Vahide Perchin as RoxelanaIt all came down to money, it turns out. Actress Meryem Uzerli demanded a salary like Halit Ergenç's, so she was suddenly let go from the show. And Vahide Perchin, I guess, was okay with it. And the audience... The audience just gets used to it.

Sultan Suleiman

Suleiman the Magnificent in the Age of Sultan Let's be real, as the 'lord of the world', the sultan doesn't need to deal with unnecessary emotions. While the fate of entire countries is being decided, he's struggling to get his own family issues sorted out. The women in his life are constantly causing drama, and he's just rolling with it. Suleiman the Magnificent in the Age of Sultan It's no surprise that the character created by Halit Ergenç on screen got criticized even in his home country – the sultan in his portrayal just comes across as a spineless ladies' man. Halit Ergenç as a spineless ladies' man He's got a new mistress, and he's already forgetting about his Hürrem. Ladies, let this be a lesson – Turkish men can be pretty fickle. The sultan's latest conquest Ibrahim Ibrahim in the Age of Sultan Another annoying character – I'm not even sure who's more annoying, him or Hürrem. His mannerisms are especially cringeworthy, and that's supposed to be the grand vizier... The grand vizier's awkward mannerisms His backstory is pretty interesting – from rags to riches, probably why people like this character. I've even memorized his inner monologue about being 'Ibrahim, son of a Greek fisherman from Parga' – it's a phrase you hear a lot in the show. The character might seem interesting at first, people are always fascinated by the stories of people who rose to greatness from humble beginnings, but the actor's performance just grated on me. The grand vizier's awkward mannerisms Valide One of the more impressive characters, her actions usually make sense, and the actress does a great job of capturing a regal demeanor.

But even in her actions, there's a hint of foolishness. By the way, I initially thought 'Valide' was a name, but it's actually a title meaning 'mother of the sultan.' In reality, the character's name is Ayşe Hafsa. Mahidevran The main rival of Hürrem, a concubine of the sultan who already gave birth to his heir by the time Hürrem entered the harem.

Mahidevran Muhtesem Yuzyil One of the main contrasts to the fiery Roxelana is Mahidevran's elegant appearance and refined demeanor. I mean, how did Suleiman end up replacing her with that fiery redhead? I'm not a fan of Mahidevran as a character, and she doesn't really win me over with her actions, but she's definitely got a more stunning appearance. Mahidevran Muhtesem Yuzyil Hatice Suleiman's sister is a pretty and refined woman with a similar demeanor to Mahidevran.

Hatice Muhtesem Yuzyil To be honest, I liked Hatice as a character at first, but then the writers made her super neurotic and I lost interest in her. Hatice Muhtesem Yuzyil It's like, Suleiman's sisters just pop out of nowhere - Beyhan in the first season, Shah in the third, and Fatma in the fourth. But the concubines in the harem were definitely the most fertile. Shah Muhtesem Yuzyil Fatma Serves in the harem at the palace of Suleiman. I'd say her storyline was the most interesting to follow.

Fatma Muhtesem Yuzyil She's a smart woman who's always finding ways to wriggle out of tough situations and isn't above plotting. But even she has her weaknesses. At one point, she snapped and even her sharp mind couldn't help her. Sümbül

Is the eunuch at Suleiman's harem.

Sümbül Muhtesem Yuzyil He's a sneaky guy who's always looking out for himself and adapting to the changing dynamics of the harem. I loved the actor's portrayal of him - he's a memorable character with a lot of funny moments. Daiye

Has been a faithful servant to the valide sultan and the palace for many years.

The Magnificent CenturyOne of the main ladies-in-waiting, responsible for keeping the palace in order. I have to admit, I was curious about her backstory and how she ended up in the harem. Maybe it's just me, but I had some questions about how the writers handled her storyline. It feels like they just glossed over it.Mustafa

He's the crown prince, the eldest son of the sultan and Mahidevran. He's the one who's next in line for the throne.

Prince Mustafa The Magnificent CenturySince the show spans a huge time period, we get to see Mustafa at different stages of his life - as a young boy, a teenager, and a young adult. The same goes for all the other princes - we see them as infants, children, and adults. It's a bit weird, considering how quickly they're all popping out kids with Hurrem, with some of them born just a year apart. It's actually pretty funny how they used to handle childbirth back then. As soon as the woman started screaming, they'd just yell 'it's a boy!' and the kid would just pop out.Mehmed

The eldest son of Hurrem and the sultan, the next in line for the throne after Mustafa. Such a great guy, it's a shame we don't get to see much of him.

Prince Mehmed The Magnificent CenturyMihrimahTheir only daughter, Hurrem's and the sultan's child. She's got a bit of her mother's and father's personalities mixed together. She's willing to sacrifice herself for the greater good.

Mihrimah The Magnificent CenturySelimThe second son of Hurrem and the sultan, named after his grandfather. But he's got a pretty weak personality, and he's easily manipulated. He's not a very likable character.

Prince Selim The Magnificent CenturyBayezidThe third son of Hurrem and the sultan, always competing with his older brother Selim. He's quick to anger, but he's also quick to cool down.

Prince Bayezid The Magnificent CenturyJihangirThe youngest of the brothers, born with a hunchback and plagued by back pain his whole life. He's the purest and most innocent of the brothers.

Prince Jihangir The Magnificent CenturyThere are plenty of other characters in the show, and sometimes I got them mixed up. Some of them are even hard to pronounce. I mean, who's Lutfi Pasha, Huseyin Pasha, Huricihan, Mihrinisah, and all the rest?One thing I love about this show is the music – it's really memorable. Sure, it can get a bit repetitive, with the same tunes playing over and over again. But at least they've stopped using the Ukrainian lullaby from some season. The music is just as epic and emotional as the show itself, veering between majestic and heart-wrenching, and soft and romantic.

THE VISUALS

This show is a feast for the eyes – it's incredibly beautiful, and that's definitely a plus. The costumes and interior designs are stunning, and you can't help but be drawn in by the grandeur of the palace settings.

Vatanım Sensin reviewsThe costume designers and set decorators have clearly put a lot of effort into creating an authentic look, and it shows – the production values are top-notch. In fact, Vatanım Sensin is reportedly the most expensive Turkish production ever made.

Vatanım Sensin reviewsThere are also some great shots of Istanbul and other Turkish cities, and of course, the Topkapi Palace, where most of the action takes place.

Topkapi Palace in Vatanım SensinThe Galata Tower is another standout location – it's amazing to see how it must have looked back in the day.

Galata Tower in Vatanım SensinHowever, it's clear that some of the scenes have been heavily CGI'd, and they often feel like awkward inserts between the main episodes.

Ayia Sophia in Vatanım SensinThere are also some great shots of Bursa and the 20-domed Ulu Cami. The first capital of the Ottoman Empire, now a bustling city with colorful streets and chaotic traffic

Bursa in Vatanım SensinThe Catholic Church of St. Anthony of Padua, which was built much later than the events depicted in the show.

Church of St. Anthony of Padua in Vatanım SensinThe construction of the Süleymaniye Mosque and the story of its architect Sinan.Vatanım Sensin in real life! The mosque built in honor of Sultan Suleiman and his wife Hurrem

Suleiman Mosque in the TV series Magnificent CenturyHands down, the main reason I binge-watched this show was to see familiar locations.I'm debunking the myth that Istanbul is an expensive city. Here's how to explore Istanbul on a budget for three full days

🎬 GENERAL IMPRESSION

I barely managed to finish this show. It's a bloated, 139-episode soap opera. Each episode is at least two hours long, sometimes with an extra hour tacked on. Watching it's only bearable on fast-forward. Even on fast-forward, some scenes feel ridiculously slow – it's like a third of the show could have been cut without affecting the overall story.

Magnificent Century reviewsThe plot also fell flat. The initial intrigue was interesting, but it quickly became stale and repetitive. None of the characters elicited sympathy – they're all fighting for power in this cutthroat Ottoman world, using the same methods year in and year out.Magnificent Century reviewsI watched for the Istanbul scenery, looking for familiar locations, and some of it did overlap with my own experiences. For instance, the construction of Suleiman Mosque and the architect Sinan's work were interesting.It's clear they invested heavily in the show: the costumes and sets are stunning. That's why it's puzzling that the writing didn't get the same attention – it's a shame, because with a bit more focus, it could have rivaled Game of Thrones.

I'd recommend it, but you'll need a lot of free time and patience)

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