A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES
[Atiye] Have you ever felt like you were trapped in limbo?
Neither here nor there…
but in the middle of nowhere.
Standing on the threshold.
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[Atiye] I crossed that threshold.
I stepped through a door leading to new possibilities,
and I met new people there.
Some of them have become my friends.
And some of them…
my enemies.
I've been changed, transformed.
Like a snake that sheds its skin or a bird rising.
Reborn from the ashes.
And now, I stand at a threshold again.
I allow a new life to embrace me.
And yet, I know…
that the biggest mystery I still face…
is my own daughter.
Tell me what you know.
Tell me about my daughter, Ozan.
[atmospheric music plays]
What is it you want to know?
I need to know how I can protect my daughter.
You saw what she sees, didn't you?
That's why you came.
[waves crashing outside]
It was like I was seeing myself as somebody else.
[sighs]
Listen…
Aden's holding a lot of things in her head.
[inhales deeply]
All those experiences… Göbeklitepe.
But you knew about it, didn't you?
That's why you said you had to protect her from me, her own mother.
So, tell me, why would I ever do such a thing?
How could I even be capable of it?
[cell phone ringing]
No, no. You stay, I'll leave.
[cell phone ringing]
[door closes]
Hello, Erhan?
Umut and I are in Mardin, following up on something.
Just wanted to let you know.
Alright.
I'm with Ozan. I needed to talk to him again.
You have nothing to say?
It's for our daughter.
[Erhan] Alright, fine.
Just be careful.
You too.
[melancholic music plays]
[exhales sharply]
[clears throat]
Do you want to hear my theory about Göbeklitepe?
Yes, I would.
Well, you know those purple stones from the cave?
What I've found in my research is that some studies say that
they were used to open the doors of perception.
Of course, I'm not the academic expert here.
[inhales through teeth]
In fact, there are many experts who believe that…
the builders of Göbeklitepe
had a much higher level of perception than we do.
What was I thinking, lecturing you?
[chuckles]
It's thought they had a spiritual connection with nature…
and maybe even had psychic powers.
There's a reason you paint all those eyes on the beads in your shop.
I don't know, maybe there is.
When you really think about it, whether it's Atiye's visions or my dreams
or even the doors of perception or the third eye,
at the end of the day, everything's really just a different name for the same thing.
Don't you think?
[slurping]
Shall we go?
Can we have the check, please?
When does Deyrulzafaran open?
[waves crashing]
[Ozan] Nothing more I can tell you. That's all I know.
[Atiye] I don't think it is, Ozan.
Nobody kidnaps a child
and looks after her for years without knowing more than that.
I did.
Why, though? There had to be a reason.
Atiye… you don't know the powers she has.
No, you're right.
But I know she's searching for something,
What is it she wants?
[inhales deeply, exhales]
She wants you.
Ever since Aden was a baby, I've had to keep close to her.
Stay at her side, especially during the night.
She wouldn't sleep.
She just would not go to sleep
no matter what we did, and we tried everything.
Eventually I realized
it was her dreams keeping her awake.
You know what it was that finally calmed her down?
She started drawing that very symbol that you used to make.
[Ozan inhales deeply, exhales]
[inhales] I figure…
if anyone can show her the path, it's you.
[stone breaking]
[Atiye] Aden?
Aden, where are you?
[eerie music plays]
[Umut] This is the place the voice was talking about in the recording.
Something happened here,
something important enough to get these people' attention.
But what?
[Erhan] Exactly. This place was first built by the ancient Mesopotamians…
as a temple of the sun.
After that, it was a Roman fortress.
And now it's a monastery.
[bells ringing]
[Umut exhales sharply]
Let's thy through there.
[bells ringing]
[Atiye sighs, relieved]
[sighs]
[Ozan] That symbol led you to Göbeklitepe for answers.
Answers to a question 12,000 years old, right? So…
she might be looking for the same thing.
Maybe we should go there.
I mean, that was where all of this got started, wasn't it?
How is it possible?
A mother could do that to her own daughter?
[Umut] I see a bird, but what's that?
It's a goat, I think.
These must be the animals on Noah's Ark.
Oh, really? The ones who survived the flood?
Hmm!
So, these walls have actually been standing here since the fifth century.
Just think of all the things they must have witnessed.
[Erhan] And so they're good at keeping them a secret.
I was hoping we would find something here.
It was our last chance.
There is someone…
who might help us.
Come on.
[woman singing]
[inhales deeply]
Let me tell you a story
of a beautiful bird named Simurgh
who lived long ago atop the Tree of Life.
This bird was so old
that it had witnessed the death and rebirth of the world three times before,
and it was thought to possess the wisdom of the universe.
It's like a curse handed down through generations.
Might not affect you, but you know it's there.
Aden has gotten all the sufferings of her ancestors, as well as their wisdom.
That must be a lot to deal with.
We're paying for the sins of those who raised us.
the ones who are supposed to protect us.
Your father made mistakes, it's true, Ozan.
But he had a purpose…
to get your mother back.
[Ozan chuckles]
He sold his soul, that's how much he wanted it.
He regretted it, too.
[older woman] One day, a flock of birds set off in search of Simurgh.
After a difficult journey,
they finally arrived at a small lake.
-And it was there-- -And it was there…
[both] …they saw their reflections in the water.
[both] And they realized that…
Simurgh was not the sacred bird,
they were.
[both] And the wisdom they sought
was to be found within each of themselves.
[both] The real journey…
is that in which we first come to learn
that we are all one.
[Erhan chuckles]
I've always liked that story.
Umut, dear.
[Umut] Hi, Auntie.
It's good to see you.
Oh, you don't know how much I've missed you, child.
Me too.
Auntie, this is…
-Pleased to meet you. -And you.
-Erhan, a friend. -Welcome.
You never mentioned that you had an aunt.
[laughs]
Well, she isn't my real aunt, but…
but she brought me up.
[Umut] Thank you.
Hmm. There is a woman…
[menacing music plays]
One who's turned your life upside down from the very moment you first met her.
-[woman] Thank you. It was wonderful. -[man] Thank you.
[chuckles]
[inhales] We had a question…
and maybe you can help.
[Erhan inhales]
Some sort of awful thing happened here.
Do you know what it was?
There was a massacre.
In the temple?
In all my research, I've found no mention of a massacre.
No, you won't find it in any book.
All record of it was erased.
But to those of us who were born here,
who grew up here,
listening at night to the stories that our mothers told us…
we know.
You…
You told me a story like that.
I never liked it.
It was really a horrible one.
It gave me nightmares. [chuckles]
What do you say? May I tell it to your friend?
[Erhan] Yes, please!
Yes!
[inhales deeply] The reason some stories are told is not to frighten children.
They're told so that you learn them by heart
and remember them
until you're old enough to understand them.
[Umut exhales deeply]
It was long ago when it occurred.
When this was Mesopotamia.
One day, all of the wisest and most enlightened people in the land,
those who, just like the people of Göbeklitepe,
worshiped knowledge and reason,
were dragged from their houses and slaughtered on the streets.
But why were they slaughtered?
Well, for the secrets they were guarding.
Through countless generations, they had protected them.
These protectors had been here,
rooted in this land, for thousands of years.
But there were others who wanted their secrets, and so they killed them.
For thousands of years.
The protectors have existed for as long as the secrets have.
Since the dawn of man.
These secrets are very powerful,
and those who seek their strength eventually lose their way.
There have always been those who would kill to get the secrets…
and those who would die to protect the secrets and their powers.
[breathing heavily]
[Aden breathing heavily]
[gasping]
The ones who committed the massacre and stole the secrets…
were they working for someone else?
Oh, well, they stole more than just the protectors' secrets.
They took their language.
So, she's the one who taught it to you, this language of the protectors?
[Umut] Well, she helped,
but really it was like…
like I… I already knew it.
There's something about it I don't get, Auntie. You listened to it…
It doesn't sound lie the voice is talking about something that happened long ago.
Is there anything you're not telling me?
Come on, Auntie.
Don't you think I'm old enough to understand now, whatever it is?
We're not talking about ancient times here, are we?
[inhales deeply, exhales]
You're a protector, Umut.
Just like your mother before you.
[Umut] What do you mean?
I'm a… protector?
[inhales sharply]
It's not events of long ago
that the voice is talking about.
It's talking about an event that happened when you were very small.
How could that have been, though?
[inhales] What are you saying, that her parents were killed?
[Umut] But…
you always said that they left.
One day they just went away… you said.
[inhales] Yes, I did. For your protection.
Those of your mother's lineage had one very mission, Umut:
protect the ancient wisdom.
Your father was helping her.
But, one day, she and all the others were slaughtered…
and their secrets taken away.
You are the only one who survived that day.
So, all the dreams…
the nightmares…
driving myself crazy trying to make some sense of it all,
the "crazy girl," Auntie, that's what they called me!
And all of it…
because of this?
[Umut] What's this?
[Aunt] The key to the place where you were born.
Go home, Umut. You'll find the answers you're looking for there.
[Erhan] Umut?
Sorry. I thought no one would be up here, so…
[inhales deeply] I won't bother you.
No, it's alright. Sit.
You can't leave without trying this. Come on.
[Umut sighs]
Okay.
I'm sorry. [chuckles]
[sighs]
What am I supposed to do now, huh?
Do I…?
[inhales deeply, exhales]
…try to locate whoever killed my parents?
Or do I…
fulfill the mission of my family
and protect the ancient wisdom?
Whatever that means. I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing!
Just follow your dreams, they're what brought you to Göbeklitepe after all.
They are what saved you.
Don't give up on yourself.
You're strong, a strong woman.
You think so? Really? You do?
You really think that I'm strong?
It really doesn't matter what I think, right?
What counts is what you think.
What you feel.
Trust your heart.
Why did I do that?
God, I'm so sorry.
-Don't worry about it. -What was I thinking?
It's alright. No, no, no.
-I'm so sorry. -It's alright, really.
Sorry, it was just… I don't know.
-When you brought up my dreams, I… -It's alright.
I'm sorry.
[Erhan inhales deeply]
All I meant is that today could be a turning point.
The start of a… brand-new life for you.
Think of it that way.
[melancholic music plays]
[Umut inhales deeply]
[cell phone ringing]
Ozan?
Hey, what if I convinced Atiye to take me…
to Göbeklitepe? She trusts me now.
-Great. -[Ozan] So, proceed to the next phase?
Yes.
Good. And one more thing, Mom. We…
Let me call you back.
[sighs]
[scoffs] You're here a lot. What do you want?
Why do you keep showing up? I don't get it.
I came to see Aden.
Of course, and then…
you'll duck out because that's what you do.
[chuckles] I mean, let's take what happened yesterday, for example.
You didn't have the guts to face me.
Running away was a lot easier.
Three years ago, what was it you told me?
-I-- -Shut the fuck up! Okay?
You came begging to me…
"Just give me another chance, Cansu. I'm a man now. I grew up."
And, of course, I gave you another chance, didn't I? For like the 10,000th time.
You really have to be some kind of idiot to give someone so many chances.
But I guess that's just what I am, right? What are you looking at?
-I wasn't looking at anything. -Don't look, don't talk.
Just stand there, like an idiot with your mouth open, and listen to me.
I've come to a decision. I've bought my ticket and I'm leaving.
-Yeah? -Are you surprised?
No, should I be?
-Who made me buy that ticket? -I've no idea.
-Who was it? -Me, I assume.
Yeah, it was. Because I'm tired of you.
Shocking as it may seem.
I'm tired of waiting for you to grow up.
I'm tired of believing in you,
because you will never change. Why don't you just face it, Ozan?
And what makes you any different?
How are we different?
-What are you saying? -You're the one running away, aren't you?
-[Cansu laughs] -Instead of trying to work things out.
Ozan…
just fuck off!
[car door opens, closes]
[engine starts]
She's talking to Seher.
Seher? Aden's talking to my sister?
Yes, she's the one who guided me, too.
My aunt's calling out to us.
So, now we have to answer her.
Alright.
Just tell me what I have to do.
Come sit down.
[howling wind grows stronger]
[wind blows]
Mother?
[Serap sighs]
Oh, Mother!
Such a long time it's been.
Let me look at you.
[inhales deeply]
It's every mother's wish that her child turn out better than she did.
And you are better than I.
And Atiye is stronger still.
As for the little one…
she will change the world.
You know…
a child is the reflection of her family.
Are you ready for such a responsibility?
I'm ready.
Alright, then.
It's time you learned this.
It was you who committed the original sin.
[dramatic drumming]
[Zühre] With that sin, the earth began to dry up.
The bonds were broken.
Well, you were broken.
Ah, but you see…
now we have begun to heal.
Go to the hills. Find our roots.
When the time is right…
our roots will open up to her.
[Aden gasps, breathes deeply]
[Serap] It's back.
My symbol has come back.
-Atiye? -[Atiye] Mom?
[exhales sharply]
The ripening seed, that's what she said.
Who did?
Seher whispered in my ear.
"Find the seed."
"On that day…
a new age will come with the ripening of the first seed."
And grandma said, "Go to the hills."
"Find the roots."
Could it be Göbeklitepe she's talking about?
You sound worried.
Someone else was trying to get me to go there…
someone I don't trust very much.
[cell phone ringing]
Sorry. I'll catch up. You go ahead.
[cell phone ringing]
[Erhan] Hello? Atiye.
[door creaks]
[gentle footsteps]
[Erhan] You're my compass.
You always point me in the right direction when I get off track.
I trust you with all my heart.
[inhales deeply] I just love you so much.
[Atiye] I love you, too.
You know the seed that's mentioned in the prophecy?
[Erhan] Mm-hmm.
Well, it ties in with the tree at Göbeklitepe, I think.
Maybe.
-Maybe? -You're right, it's worth checking out.
In fact, go ahead, and I'll meet you there when I'm done.
It's a deal.
Okay. See you there. Bye-bye.
[door opens]
[Umut sighs]
My aunt told me I lived here with my parents until I was three.
But I don't remember it.
Well, let's just poke around a bit. Maybe something here will…
jog your memory.
Erhan…
You're a good man.
Trusting in Atiye…
and believing in me.
I just wanted to…
thank you.
[loud fluttering]
[Umut gasps]
There's something there.
There's something in back of it.
[suspenseful music plays]
Whatever it is, it was hidden on purpose.
Help me with this. [grunts]
[Umut groans]
[banging]
Cansu, what are you doing?
[Cansu] Mom. You know me, right?
I mean, God, I hope you would know me, you're my mother after all.
Let me ask you something.
Do I run away from difficult situations?
I wouldn't say that.
I mean, you went to London for graduate school.
That was for school, Mom.
Besides, what else was I supposed to do? The best design schools are there.
Sure. I'm sure.
And there was that time seven or eight years ago
when you and Atiye got in a fight, and you made a videotape,
but then just left.
If I hadn't, we would have gotten in another fight.
The videotape was the best way to explain to her how I felt.
And I wouldn't do that again now.
No, of course not. I'm sure that you wouldn't do that, sweetheart.
And then there was… the time when Aden was kidnapped.
You really took off.
To the far side of the world.
[Serap sighs] And now…
I'm running away.
-[inhales deeply, exhales] -Mmm…
Tea's ready.
Hmm? Let's go.
[inhales deeply] I was so caught up in myself
that I'd forgot about Atiye.
They're fine, aren't they? I mean, they're good, right?
Well, they've gone, the two of them.
Where?
Göbeklitepe.
Why?
Well, they felt they had to go, but…
[inhales deeply]
Yeah, but?
Hey, now I'm starting to get worried. What?
I know. I'm worried too, Cansu.
Less about where they're going than about who's going there with them.
[menacing music plays]
[inhales deeply, exhales]
There was something I needed to ask you, Mom.
It's about Serdar.
Look, is there a chance that…
that all he was trying to do was to bring you back?
That that's what he did all this for?
[Melek] Everything your father did,
he did for himself alone.
Not for me, not for you,
only for him.
Meanwhile, I spent my whole life doing nothing but try to help you
and try to heal the wounds that your father inflicted.
Ozan, have I ever lied to you?
No, Mom.
[Melek] No! I never have. Now, come on. Stop wasting time.
Alright.
[soft music plays]
Thank you, my darling.
Without your help, I certainly couldn't have done any of this.
[soft music plays]
[Erhan exhales] They're the same animals as the ones on the reliefs at Göbeklitepe.
The sun,
birth.
The underworld, death.
Simurgh…
Wait…
One, two…
three, four, five, six, seven…
But that's not…
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven… This is Dara!
It has to be!
The tree's not in Göbeklitepe, the tree's in Dara!
I've got to call Atiye.
[cell phone ringing]
Hello?
The tree, I know where it is.
Yeah?
It's not at Göbeklitepe, Atiye.
It's at Dara, in Mardin.
Well, thank you. That's very interesting.
[Erhan] Atiye!
Ozan, what do you want from us?
I know your father didn't show you a lot of love and affection.
I know I never really showed you very much.
But whatever you're doing now
and whoever you're doing it for…
it's not for love, is it?
Look, I forgive you. You forgive me.
Try and forgive…
yourself.
[engine accelerates]
Why are you going so fast?
[dramatic music plays]
Ozan!
[gasps]
-Stop! That girl, you just hit her! -What?
[dramatic music continues]
[sighs]
[Atiye] Shall we go meet your father at Dara?
[tires screech]
[man] Professor Kurtiz! Welcome to Dara.
[Erhan] Hello, Selim.
-This is Umut, a friend. -[Selim] Nice to meet you.
So, what can I do for you, Professor?
I'm hoping you can help us.
Find something. A tree.
And we think it's here in Dara.
Well, if it is, we'll find it.
Have a cup of coffee and we'll head out to the site.
[hand brake]
[wind howls]
[doors lock]
[eerie music]
DARA ANCIENT CITY
[Atiye] Where are you, Erhan?
[shrilling music plays]
[menacing music plays]
[menacing music intensifies]
[menacing music crescendos]