Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Şeref Meselesi, which captivated Turkish television audiences with its gripping tale of family honor, revenge, and the dangerous world of organized crime.
Şeref Meselesi (Matter of Respect) premiered on November 23, 2014, and aired its final episode on May 17, 2015, on Kanal D, spanning 26 episodes with an average runtime of 90 minutes per episode. This Turkish dizi is an adaptation of the Italian drama “L’onore e il rispetto” and combines elements of crime drama, family saga, and revenge thriller, creating a compelling narrative that explores themes of honor, loyalty, and the devastating consequences of crossing the mafia. The series follows the Kılıç brothers as they take different paths in life after moving from the small town of Ayvalık to the vibrant metropolis of Istanbul.
The story begins with the Kılıç family’s move to Istanbul, which represents Zeliha’s biggest dream. The family consists of Zeliha, her husband Hasan, and their two contrasting sons – Yiğit, described as mischievous, good-looking, womanizing, and powerful, and Emir, who is calm, hard-working, and shy around women. What sets Şeref Meselesi apart from other Turkish crime dramas is its focus on how family dynamics and personal choices intersect with the dangerous world of organized crime, creating a narrative where honor becomes both salvation and destruction.
From Ayvalık Dreams to Istanbul Nightmares
The central plot of Şeref Meselesi revolves around the Kılıç family who moves to Istanbul from Ayvalık, where tragedy strikes when Yiğit’s father commits suicide because of the Mafia, leading Yiğit to seek revenge. The series explores how a simple family’s dream of a better life in the big city becomes entangled with the dark underbelly of Istanbul’s criminal world. The move to Istanbul, initially seen as an opportunity for prosperity and advancement, quickly transforms into a nightmare when the family becomes targets of mafia violence.
The narrative structure of Şeref Meselesi effectively uses the contrast between the peaceful coastal town of Ayvalık and the dangerous streets of Istanbul to highlight how environment and circumstances can dramatically alter people’s destinies. The series delves deep into the psychological impact of sudden loss and the way grief can drive someone to make life-altering decisions.
Yiğit’s Path: From Charming Brother to Revenge-Driven Warrior
Yiğit Kılıç, played by Kerem Bürsin, undergoes a dramatic transformation throughout Şeref Meselesi. Initially presented as the charming, confident older brother with a way with women, his character takes a dark turn following his father’s tragic death. The loss of his father to mafia pressure becomes the catalyst that transforms him from a carefree young man into someone consumed by the need for vengeance.
His character arc in Şeref Meselesi is particularly compelling because it shows how trauma and loss can fundamentally change someone’s personality and life goals. The series effectively portrays the internal struggle between his natural charisma and the darkness that revenge brings into his life, creating a complex protagonist who viewers both root for and worry about.
Emir’s Journey: The Quiet Brother’s Moral Dilemmas
Emir Kılıç, portrayed by Sükrü Özyildiz, represents the moral compass of Şeref Meselesi. After finishing law school, Emir decides to do his compulsory internship in Istanbul, a decision that sets family conflicts in motion. His character serves as a fascinating contrast to his brother Yiğit, showing how the same traumatic events can affect family members in completely different ways.
Throughout Şeref Meselesi, Emir’s struggle between supporting his family and maintaining his moral principles creates compelling dramatic tension. His legal background puts him in the unique position of understanding both the law and the street justice his brother seeks, making his character development crucial to the series’ exploration of right and wrong in impossible circumstances.
When Honor Demands Blood: The Ultimate Confrontation
The climactic moments of Şeref Meselesi center around Yiğit’s final confrontation with the mafia forces that destroyed his family. This pivotal sequence represents the series’ central theme about the true cost of honor and revenge. The show builds to this moment by systematically showing how the pursuit of justice can consume someone’s entire existence, potentially destroying everything they originally sought to protect.
The resolution of Şeref Meselesi forces viewers to question whether revenge truly brings peace or simply perpetuates cycles of violence. The series doesn’t offer easy answers, instead presenting the complex reality of how honor and justice intersect in a world where the law cannot always provide adequate protection or punishment.
Success on Kanal D
Şeref Meselesi achieved a strong reception with Turkish audiences who appreciated its blend of family drama and crime thriller elements. The series benefited from strong performances by Kerem Bürsin and Sükrü Özyildiz, who brought depth and authenticity to their contrasting brother characters. The show’s adaptation of the Italian source material was well-received for maintaining the core themes while incorporating distinctly Turkish cultural elements. Şeref Meselesi stood out on Kanal D for its mature handling of revenge themes and its exploration of how family bonds can both strengthen and complicate moral decision-making in extreme circumstances.
A Gripping Tale of Honor and Consequences
If you love crime dramas with strong family dynamics and moral complexity, Şeref Meselesi is the perfect series to binge on Kanal D. The show offers a compelling exploration of how far someone will go to defend family honor and seek justice.
Why This Turkish Crime Drama Deserves Your Attention
Positive Aspects:
- Excellent performances from Kerem Bürsin and Sükrü Özyildiz as contrasting brothers
- Well-adapted storyline that maintains Italian source material’s intensity while adding Turkish cultural depth
- Strong character development showing how trauma affects different family members
- Compelling exploration of justice versus revenge themes
- Authentic portrayal of Istanbul’s criminal underworld and family dynamics
Negative Aspects:
- Heavy themes of violence and revenge may be intense for some viewers
- The series’ focus on honor-based violence could be triggering for certain audiences
- Some plot developments rely heavily on crime drama tropes and conventions
- The adaptation occasionally feels rushed in character relationship development
- Limited female character development compared to the male protagonists
Şeref Meselesi delivers a powerful meditation on family, honor, and the true cost of seeking justice in an unjust world.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 26 episodes (completed series)
- Platform: Kanal D
- Release/End Year: 2014-2015
- IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
- Genre: Crime Drama, Family Saga, Thriller
- Production Type: Turkish Drama (Dizi)
- Status: Completed series, available for streaming
- Protagonists: Kerem Bürsin (Yiğit Kılıç), Sükrü Özyildiz (Emir Kılıç)
- Antagonists: Mafia organizations, criminal underworld figures