Neslihan Turhan, the creator and host of Tek Gerçek (The Only Truth), the most-watched daytime show on TV with the motto “No criminal can escape millions”, has been one of the most trusted names among the public and viewers for years. When investigating criminal cases, Neslihan doesn’t care who the perpetrator is or who is behind them, and she never gives in to threats.
So, what if Neslihan Turhan’s beloved son, Can, commits a murder or becomes involved in a crime? What would we expect this honest, principled woman to do then?
The first Turkish original series on Prime Video, Dilemma, produced by OGM Pictures and distributed by OGM UNIVERSE, explores this powerful question. As someone who places justice and truth above anything else, can you still remain fair when it’s your own child who has committed a crime?
Dilemma begins with Can, Gizem, and Tolga, three close university friends, burying a young woman’s body in a forest. After burying the body, the three try to move on with their lives.
Neslihan Turhan gets the cases she covers on her show Tek Gerçek from her old friend -who, as the episodes unfold, we learn is also her ex-lover- Inspector Nejat and his team. While reviewing the files on missing young women, she notices a fresh report about the disappearance of Lal, a 19-year-old university student. She realizes that Lal is a friend of her son, Can. Under Neslihan’s pressure and sharp attention, Can confesses to the incident, but not entirely. He admits that he can’t recall all the details of that night because he was under the influence of drugs. He remembers falling asleep at some point and waking up to find Lal’s lifeless body in his arms. In panic and terror, Can and his two friends buried Lal’s body. However, none of them are sure how or by whom Lal was killed. Even Can begins to doubt himself, but Neslihan even refuses to accept the possibility: “You’re not a killer, and you have to believe that first!”
A VAMPIRE FEEDING ON PAIN, OR A MOTHER CHASING THE TRUTH?
Neslihan is absolutely convinced that her son Can didn’t commit a murder, but is that really the case? Neslihan, who has repeatedly declared on live broadcasts, “Even if it’s my own son who committed the crime, I wouldn’t spare him,” now finds herself torn between her conscience and her principles.
While the homicide bureau, led by Nejat and his team, focuses on finding Lal’s killer, the Tek Gerçek production team continues to work on the Lal case as they have with countless others over the years. In the midst of all this chaos, Neslihan is determined to buy time to clear her son’s name. At first, she even keeps Can’s involvement in the case a secret from her husband, Vural, knowing well that he wouldn’t act as she does, Neslihan is certain that Vural would turn Can over to the police. When Vural eventually learns the truth in later episodes, it triggers major conflicts within their household. Bevause Vural believes it’s possible that Can could have killed Lal, or at the very least, that this possibility needs to be openly discussed. He argues that the police should handle the case to uncover the truth. However, Vural is not innocent in this story himself.
As crime drama fans might expect, in Dilemma, as the episodes progress, we follow various suspicions and suspects related to the murder while also uncovering details about the lives of the main characters such as Lal, Can, Neslihan, and Vural. All of this unfolds without losing any momentum, constantly presenting new questions that keep us engaged: Who cleaned the house where the murder took place? What kind of people were Lal’s parents? Could Can have killed Lal during a violent outburst caused by drug use? Would Neslihan sacrifice her long-built television career, and her hard-earned reputation as a trusted brand for her son? How far would she go to clear her son’s name or even help him escape?
Starting with the question “Who is the killer?”, Dilemma gradually shifts to “Who is telling the truth?” More importantly, it explores how much a person is willing to compromise when their principles are put to the test. In this sense, it can be described as a layered crime drama.
It’s fair to say that Bergüzar Korel hasn’t just portrayed the character of Neslihan Turhan, she’s become the character. Korel also mentions that during the preparation phase and even during filming, she received significant help on various aspects from Esra Erol, a long-time host of daytime TV programs. Kaan Mirac Sezen does an excellent job capturing Can’s emotional turmoil and fears, especially as the story builds toward its climax, successfully portraying a complex character. Inspector Nejat is, in my opinion, a particularly important character for Dilemma, as we, the audience, follow the murder investigation through his perspective and chase after similar questions. Caner Cindoruk approaches the character with calmness and authenticity. Both fathers in the series have scenes that significantly influence its momentum. Serkan Altunorak, as Can’s father, and Umut Karadağ, as Lal’s father, deliver impressive performances, particularly in those crucial moments.
So, how does Dilemma progress in terms of its crime narrative and pacing?
The ability to maintain curiosity, ensuring that the plotlines, characters, and questions that unfold throughout the story don’t remain unsolved, and convey characters’ actions and motivations with clarity while avoiding being overly didactic, are the common traits of successful crime dramas.
In many ways, Dilemma achieves this. As the story makes new twists and turns, it remains consistent and doesn’t leave the questions it raises unanswered.
The pacing within each episode is successful, and the episode finales are carefully planned.
The 8-episode Dilemma undoubtedly deserves to be watched for its story, steady pacing, dramatic structure, the questions it raises, and the strong performances of its cast.
This article was featured in Episode Magazine’s Content Americas 2025 issue.
