Another One (Series)

Bir Başkadır is a Turkish internet series. The first episode was released on Netflix on November 12, 2020. The creator, writer, and director of the series is Berkun Oya. The production explores the intersecting lives of characters with diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds in Istanbul. It consists of a total of eight episodes.

Image from the Series(IMDb)

Plot

The series begins when Meryem, a cleaner working in Istanbul, is referred to a psychiatrist named Peri after experiencing episodes of fainting. The contrast between Meryem’s traditional and conservative lifestyle and Peri’s secular and modern way of life forms one of the central tensions in the series. As the story progresses, the lives of those around Meryem are also revealed to the viewer. These characters include Ruhiye, who carries a history of trauma; Yasin, a young imam; Gülbin, a secular therapist; and her family, representing different segments of society.

Main Cast (Selected) and Character Descriptions

Meryem (Öykü Karayel)

One of the main characters of the series. She works as a cleaner in Istanbul and was raised in a religious and humble environment. Her journey into the plot begins when she seeks psychiatric help due to her fainting episodes. The conflict between traditional values and urban modern life is conveyed through Meryem’s experiences.

Peri (Defne Kayalar)

A psychiatrist with a modern, Westernized, and secular lifestyle. She becomes part of the story as Meryem’s therapist. Her relationships with patients and her own internal struggles are among the themes explored in the series.

Yasin (Fatih Artman)

Meryem’s older brother. He is a character deeply attached to his family and committed to traditional values. He struggles to cope with the trauma Ruhiye, his wife, experienced in the past. He is also a young imam serving at the neighborhood mosque.

Gülbin (Tülin Özen)

Another psychiatrist. She comes from a Kurdish family and leads a secular life. Her conflicts with her family over identity and values are depicted in the series. She is Peri’s colleague.

Hoca Efendi (Settar Tanrıöğen)

A respected religious figure admired by Meryem and those around her, known for his deep religious knowledge. The character represents traditional religious understanding. Meryem occasionally consults him for guidance.

Ruhiye (Funda Eryiğit)

Yasin’s wife and Meryem’s sister-in-law. She suffers from psychological issues as a result of past trauma. She is a quiet and introverted character. In the narrative, she embodies the impact of trauma on family dynamics.

Sinan (Alican Yücesoy)

A character from a wealthy family who shapes his life primarily around personal pleasures. He is the owner of the house where Meryem works. Through this character, class differences are observed.

Ruhiye(IMDb)

Themes Explored

Social Identities and Cultural Differences

The series reflects the daily lives and challenges faced by different social groups and cultural identities in Turkish society. Conservative, secular, ethnic, and economic differences are portrayed through the characters’ lifestyles and perspectives. For instance, the clashes between Meryem’s conservative worldview and Peri’s urban, secular lifestyle exemplify this theme.

Psychological Support and Mental Health

Mental health is a central theme in the series. Meryem’s search for psychiatric support highlights the societal prejudices and taboos surrounding psychological care in Türkiye. Additionally, the psychological traumas experienced by the characters and their coping mechanisms reveal diverse perspectives on mental health.

Family Relationships

Family dynamics and relationships are among the core themes of the series. The marriage between Yasin and Ruhiye illustrates the impact of trauma on family structure and the shifting roles of individuals within the family. Gülbin’s relationship with her family reflects the tension between modern life and traditional family bonds.

Trauma and Suppressed Emotions

The traumas characters have endured in their past are expressed in the series primarily through themes of suppressed emotions and silence. Ruhiye’s withdrawal and quietness, as well as Peri’s emotional detachment stemming from her own past, reveal different dimensions of this theme.

Class Differences

The series illustrates economic conditions and social class distinctions through space and lifestyle. The stark contrast between the home where Meryem works and Sinan’s affluent life exposes tangible manifestations of class divisions in everyday existence.

Individual Identity Questioning

The characters undergo deep internal reflection on their beliefs, cultural affiliations, and life choices. Meryem’s questioning of her religious beliefs and lifestyle, and Gülbin’s struggle between familial obligations and personal freedom, embody this theme.

Multi-Layered Narrative

The series presents events through the perspectives of different characters. The same scene or situation is shown from multiple viewpoints, offering the viewer a multifaceted social and individual reality. This structure reveals the conflicts and interactions between diverse perceptions and value systems within society.