Ever since Ertugrul was aired on Turkish TV and started gaining fame in other countries, viewers had been comparing it with the record-breaking western series, Game of Thrones. Since both are period dramas with impeccable sword fights and perfect horse-riding scenes against picturesque landscapes, does that mean Resurrection Ertugrul is a befitting Turkish response to the ever-popular Game of Thrones? And will it be a crime if I say Ertugrul is actually better in terms of storyline?
Many may disagree when I say Ertugrul is more interesting and captivating. Several might even stop reading any further. Even though Ertugrul Ghazi started airing in Pakistan this April, the show had gained quite a momentum ever since it was released on Netflix and had already built a large fanbase. Just like me, many were curious to find out what the hype was all about and were pleasantly surprised and then hooked to the show!
The Turkish drama revolves around a 13th century, fearless warrior called Ertugrul who is the father of the founder of the Ottoman Empire, Usman. It shows the obstacles and hurdles his nomadic Kayi tribe faces before the caliphate was found. It displays Islamic culture and history in it’s true sense and how Islam rose above and spread despite Muslim leaders facing adverse politics and schemes at the hands of Christians, Mongols and Byzantines.
Ertugrul is a gift for all the people who desperately awaited a show with positive Muslim representation in the entertainment world, which is why the show appeals to a vast majority of viewers in the Islamic world.
Muslim characters, in Indian and Western media, are subject to constant vilification while sometimes the content is too Islamophobic to be digested even by non-Muslim viewers. However, the show has appealed even to non-Turkish, non-Muslim audiences and some have been blown away by the powerful characters, exceptional acting skills and captivating storyline.
Now let’s talk about its constant comparison to the super-hit, fiction drama series ‘Game of Thrones’.
Ertugrul Ghazi Vs Game of Thrones: Similarities & Differences
Similarities
Anyone who watches the second season of Ertugrul cannot help but notice the vast difference in graphics, camera quality, change of scenic landscapes and will be forced to compare the production value with western content.
Starks v/s Kayis
One of the stark similarities I observed between the two shows, while having watched both, is the theme parallels between the life of the ‘Stark House’ in GOT and ‘The Kayi’ tribe in Resurrection Ertugrul. Both are initially the underdogs of the show; loyal and honorable protagonist families, who revolt against tyranny, injustice and fight a long battle of good vs evil.
Honorable & Loyal Tribesmen
Both the shows have the vital tropes of an exciting drama: a virtuous but imperfect protagonist, the hateful antagonists, friends as dependable and thick as kin, devoted family that has fallen prey to the whirlwinds of time, and a romantic love story brewing on the sidelines.
Exceptional Sword Fights & Glamorous Costumes
The leading characters in both the shows have perfectly timed, well- choreographed sword fights and horses’ rides which they can easily pull off without batting an eyelid. The scenic backdrops in both the shows are jaw-droppingly gorgeous!
Both men and women wear beautifully designed costumes- the male costumes in both the shows reflect drastic similarity, however, the female headgears and dresses are more culturally apt to the Turkish tradition.
Differences
Now it depends on the kind of genre viewers enjoy watching. While Ertugrul is based on true Islamic history and reflects the Muslim- Turk culture, GOT is entirely fictional and caters to fantasy enthusiasts.
Moreover, there is a vast difference in the kind of audiences both the shows appeal to, and each has its separate fanbase.
See the Facebook post below to spot some major differences between the 2 popular TV series:
For people who can relate with the Islamic culture and history in Ertugrul but also enjoy watching western fantasy-fiction, find both the shows equally appealing and entertaining. So there is absolutely no question of one being better than the other.
Do you think Ertugrul is the Turkish version of Game of Thrones? Which one of the two do you think is better? Comment below and let us know.
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