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Subat, a Turkish TV series which aired in 2012, invites its audience into a gritty, mysterious, and riveting world. The show revolves around multiple storylines, largely centering its focus on subversions of criminal life, poverty, and seemingly ill-fated relationships. The show’s name, Subat, is also the name of its main character, adding a distinctive essence to the series and demonstrating that the central protagonist’s identity resonates beyond the film set, into the story’s setting, and thematic concerns.

Subat is a young man living in an abandoned ship in the city dump of Istanbul. He was found in the garbage as an abandoned baby and raised by a man called “Gul Baba,” whose literal translation is “Father Rose.” Raised in an unconventional setting, Subat's life has been anything but normal, and he has had to fend for himself since a very young age. However, with Gul Baba's teachings and his own native wit, he's versed in survival, justice, and love. His character is much like a whimsical angel of the city's underbelly, stealthy, roguish yet possessing a heart of gold. He is the lone wolf whose daring steps into the abyss of society navigate the plot.

Subat's life takes a dramatic turn and unfolds into a series of unexpected events when he sees a beautiful girl named Yağmur from a wealthy family. This encounter paints a stark contrast between their lives, igniting an intense and passionate love story that serves as the show's primary emotional canvas. She is the light at the end of his dark tunnel and gives him the courage to challenge his fate with both hands, while reinventing himself.

The show also explores the lives of various other characters who co-curated this dumpster space alongside Subat: a crippled yet intriguing old man, a group of street kids with their vision of a parallel universe, skeptical police, and criminal gangs. Its narrative fabric is deeply embedded in the themes of love, corruption, poverty, and a tussle between good and evil. It portrays how every character, irrespective of their stature and situation, has a story and how their lives are interwoven with Subat's.

Subat shines brightly in the Turkish TV landscape by illuminating the untouched corners of Istanbul's cityscape; in other words, the unseen city within the city. The city dump, the old abandoned ship, and the grimy backstreets are locations that are aesthetically grim yet intricately detailed. It highlights the contrast between the glittering bourgeois life and the rough, challenging life of the city's underprivileged denizens. Istanbul, in the lens of Subat, is a character in itself, a character that houses a myriad of stories and secrets.

The engaging narrative of Subat, thematically rich and dramatically intense, crafts an enigmatic universe that strikes a perfect balance between realism and fiction. From a romantic view, it is a story of an impossible love. From a social perspective, it reflects the violence of poverty and the innocence of the world's forgotten corners. From a philosophical standpoint, it explores facets of good and evil inherent in the city and its dwellers.

The cast's performance in Subat is inarguably top-notch. Alican Yücesoy brings the character of Subat to life, showcasing impressively broad emotional gradients. Melisa Sözen portrays the conflicted and delicate Yağmur with elegance and intensity. As for the supporting cast, each actor breathes life into their respective character in such a way that they bind the audience to their performances and narratives.

The striking cinematography infuses a unique visual flavor to the show, creating an artistic amalgamation of light and shadows, silently reflecting the themes and setting of the story. Moreover, the musical score is carefully curated to suit the mood of various scenes, adding an emotive pulse to the narrative.

Subat is indeed a unique feast for the eyes, mind, and soul. The story's depth and the exceptional portrayal of complex characters make Subat a thought-provoking, heart-tugging, and captivating TV show, casting a spell on the audience who embark on this stirring journey. Subat, beyond being a simple series, is a social fresco, a humanistic journey, and a true gem of Turkish television.