Kardeslerim Season 1 Recap: Characters Part 2 The Atakul Clan

Akif "Parent and Lady Killer" Atakul

Akif, what can I say... he's a bit of a bastard. Without this guy, 97% of the events in Kardeslerim would not have taken place (3% is Sengul doing Sengul things which she would have done regardless). Initially Akif is a wealthy self made businessman who is having an affair with his business partner's wife, Susan Hanim. After being caught in the act by Hattice Eren, his actions inadvertently lead to her death, then he very deliberately kills Veli Eren to keep his secret thus orphaning the orphan children. If you think he'll pay for this anytime soon, you are wrong. Akif is charmingly evil, managing to manipulate situations to his favor and be so likable at times that you're actually rooting for him. It is wrong, but I don't make these rules. He is fairly hands off with his children, and an unfaithful husband not to mention treacherous business partner. When he is not embezzling money from his company, he's framing people for crimes they didn't commit. 

Nebahat "Greatest Disappointment" Atakul

Oof, Nebahat, ooof, ya. That is really all we need to say about this woman. She found out about Akif's affair and more important, the homicides and manslaughters he was involved in, and instead of GOING TO THE POLICE immediately and leaving him, she hatched a plot to divorce him and make him suffer. This is when Nebahat had me fooled. I really believed that her "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned" attitude would serve Akif some consequences. Alas no, he manipulated the situation and she ended up not only staying with him, but helping him cover up his bad behavior. While she dotes on her children, her affection is superficial and appearances are very important to her. She also accuses Asiye of theft, so I will never be a fan.

Doruk "Never Skips Leg Day" Atakul 

Look, I felt two photos were necessary to highlight the fact that Doruk really doesn't skip leg day. You're welcome. Doruk is confident, handsome, intelligent, and certainly involved with his friends, girlfriend Harika,  and his life of privilege. When we first know him, he has never had his world view challenged and just believes that wealth and power are the only traits things worth having. His only real affection is for his younger sister Melisa. As Doruk collides with the Eren family, his views are challenged. Specifically, as he begins to sing with Asiye as part of a school music competition, his eyes are opened and his love for Asiye allows him to grow into a better version of himself. This will test his family and his friendships (and his own patience because Asiye is NOT your typical fawning dizi female). 

Melisa "Meh" Atakul

Melisa is the only daughter of Akif and Nebahat. She's Doruk's sister and Kadir's girlfriend--kind of? Who knows, there was a weird DTR but I don't know what was officially decided on that one. Either way, you see what I'm doing... she is identified as a person by her relationships to other people. She doesn't have a lot to her outside of that. Initially she was the social conscience of the Atakul family and her friend group, but since no one listened to her, and she herself didn't enact any changes, her role became that of "Kadir's love interest" . Melisa is also a bit famous for getting involved in situations and making them WORSE, particularly for the Eren family. To me this is the great tragedy of Melisa, she has potential to be an interesting character but the writers have been content to have her be a 'girlfriend' and that's it.