REVIEW: ‘Shahmaran’ Season 2 Is A Fitting End To This Duology

Shahmaran Season 2 improves on its predecessor.  Dragging more than necessary, Season 1 felt like it was treading water more than propelling the story forward, leading to an annoying cliffhanger ending. Despite its lag, the buildup of relationships between Sahsu (Serenay Sarıkaya), Maran (Burak Deniz), and Cihan (Mert Ramazan Demir) was the series’ strength. This strength carries over in the new season, but this time, the wait is over. Well, kind of. The newest season still struggles with slow pacing, but the race is on for Sahsu to complete the trials to fully awaken Shahmaran, with some decent twists thrown in.

Shahmaran Season 2 starts right where we left things at the end of Season 1. There’s no attempt at catching viewers up here, so I’d advise re-watching Season 1 before diving into this latest season. Shahmaran is just beginning to inhabit Sahsu, and for much of the season, with the help of Maran and Çavgeş (Ebru Özkan), Sahsu must complete tasks to open three doors in order to free Shahmaran completely. With the completion of each trial, peaks of Shahmaran’s snake-like visage appear, hinting at the goddess trying to emerge.

Unfortunately, with the awakening of the titular goddess, another has also freed themselves from her shackles Lilith (Saadet Işıl Aksoy), Shahmaran’s sister, has freed herself from the well she was once imprisoned in. She immediately recruits the young, antagonistic Cihan to do her bidding. Her mission? At first, to destroy humanity. But ultimately, her real mission is much more complicated. Either way, Lilith intends to disrupt the balance Shahmaran’s initial act of love created.

Clocking in at six episodes, Shahmaran Season 2 still manages to make such a short episode count drag due to its mishandling of pacing. This issue stands out, in particular, because there are stakes involved. With Lilith’s awakening, it’s a race against time to bring forth Shahmaran. Through her and her connection to Camsap, the balance between the basilisk and humans marches forward. Yet, through each of the trials Sahsu undergoes, the urgency moves at a snail’s crawl.

Serenay Sarıkaya and Burak Deniz make the pace bearable through the continued evolution of their characters, Sahsu and Moran. The relationship between the two is constantly shifting and changing. For Sahsu, Sarıkaya plays her in a way that makes Sahsu’s self-sacrifice natural. Sahsu fully accepts the responsibility, but when Sarıkaya transforms into the goddess, there’s a sadness and wisdom her tone and mannerisms take that hammer home uncomfortable discoveries.

Moran’s journey is arguably the most heartbreaking. Involved in a prophecy that was assigned to him since birth, he’s been waiting for his moment to shine. The thing about prophecies is that they are an outline. No one ever knows what will be sacrificed along the way to ensure the prophecy comes to fruition. In Shahmaran Season 2, Moran bears the weight of these sacrifices, each one a dagger to the chest. Deniz plays Moran’s emotional turmoil on his sleeve, but Moran continues to push forward despite everything.

Lilith’s actions stir things along. Many of Shahmaran Season 2‘s twists and turns stem from her. She is constantly manipulating, moving the chess pieces around for whatever is truly her scheme. As a newcomer to the series, Saadet Işıl Aksoy is captivating. She embodies the villainous stereotype of the snake, a symbol of temptation and darkness. Her wardrobe and countenance contrast significantly against Sahsu/Shahmaran’s earthier tones. When Aksoy and Sarıkaya are onscreen, the light versus dark dichotomy shines through.

In the storytelling, the series’ strength continues to be in its characters. Where the actual plot drags along, the character development continues to be a highlight. So much so that the final episodes feel like a gut punch. Even in its ending, there’s a touch of sorrow and bittersweetness at how the idea of fate plays out. But, with both seasons touching upon prophecies and cycles, the ending is where things were heading all along. Questionable snake CGI and all.

While it still struggles with slower-than-necessary pacing, Shahmaran Season 2 completes the cycle, giving a fitting ending to this duology. The series is another reminder that when things feel unbalanced in the world, eventually, things right themselves. There are cycles in place, whether we like them or not. If they are meant to remain, they will find a way. Don’t force it.

Shahmaran Season 2 is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.