The title, borrowed from Prof. Dr. Üstün Dökmen, prompts a compelling exploration of the TV series in an article published in 'Cumhuriyet Pazar' on November 5. Dökmen poses a critical question addressing one of the most pressing dilemmas in the contemporary art landscape: "Is rating or art more important?" 

Emphasizing the significant global presence of Turkish TV series and expressing pride in this achievement, Dökmen contends that the elongation of series solely driven by "high ratings" compromises their quality. He concludes by saying, "Of course, art should bring financial returns to those engaged in it, but art and social issues are equally crucial."

Human Frightening Elements

The quality of acting and technical prowess in some series has notably improved, except for the misuse of music, which, when inappropriately used at high volumes, hinders dialogue comprehension. However, whether due to the apprehension of prolonging "series with high ratings" or the assumption that such series are popular, plots often accentuate frightening elements. Particularly unsettling is the frequent portrayal of female characters as scheming, deceitful, hostile to fellow women, and evil, reinforcing a troubling stereotype of women as "deserving of violence." In a country grappling with alarming levels of violence against women, the recurrent depiction of scenes featuring women's throats being grabbed in almost every series heightens discomfort. The excessive visibility of weapons, the decay of family structures, and the maximization of relationships, all while attacks on Republic gains for women's rights are seemingly legitimized under the guise of "protecting the family structure," contribute to my unease. That is further exacerbated by the ostentatious display of wealth in a nation where the majority lives below the poverty line and the evident avoidance of real social issues, with only one or two exceptions.

Art and Market Rules

The relationship between art and ratings, or more broadly, art and market dynamics, transcends the confines of TV series. Safeguarding aesthetic and social considerations that extend beyond market forces in the art production process is tantamount to defending the foundational elements of human culture. Perhaps the most pivotal function of art today lies in its ability to protect its realm and creation against mediocrity, occasionally defying market rules and rating concerns. It involves championing society's right to view life from diverse perspectives, to rejuvenate, remember, resist amnesia, and breathe.

Art and Time Period

Real artistic production is both a process and a "history," navigating a path while remaining faithful to the links of its golden chain. Such artistic creation reflects a desire to transcend temporal and spatial boundaries to conquer death. Art becomes the fight to integrate one's personal history into the broader history of humanity, a battle against the colossal force known as time. 

It is the ability to proclaim, in the words of Ahmet Hamdi Tanpınar, "I am neither inside time / nor completely outside it / in the unbroken flow of a monolithic vast moment."