Hey, remember when we told you about that one Egyptian TV show with that star-studded cast coming out soon? Well, it’s out now and just like it promised, we get a different story with a different cast in each episode!
The first episode was streamed just last week with leads Amr Youssef, Saba Mubarak, and Noha Abdeen. And you know what? Yes, we have a bunch of thoughts about it…and you’re about to have some too! Let’s discuss.
warning: will contain spoilers
Plot
Nemra 2’s first episode, El-Na7ya El-Tanya, begins with Sherif’s (Amr Youssef) narration as he tells us viewers how he changed from a certified ladies’ man to a man who hooked up with his best female friend who later became his wife. And how later on, that wife became someone he constantly butted heads with and simply doesn’t want to be around anymore.
Soon after this narration (and a few fights, featuring the wife’s sister), Sherif starts flirting with and then dating one of his female clients, Dana (Saba Mubarak).
After dating for a while, Sherif gets readily attached to Dana and divorces his wife for her, only to have Dana mention that she isn’t strictly monogamous when he sees her with another fling.
Sherif’s story and affair ultimately end with him realizing that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side – hence the name.
Characters
Okay, so for this episode we don’t just have one character to focus on but rather three. Sherif, Dana, and Sherif’s wife Ola (Noha Abdeen).
Let’s start with Sherif, since he’s the character we spend time with most. In Sherif, we see an example of the modern quintessential Egyptian man as he struggles to shift his life from extreme playboy to just a regular everyday working husband.
Sherif suffers from marital boredom and an extreme shift from reality, who he sees represented in his wife, the constant bearer of news and reality checks and responsibilities.
And so Sherif does what is said to be common by all men around him – he cheats and tries to see it as something normal, except on the long run he can’t and chooses to face himself instead…even if for the wrong reasons.
While that is what Sherif’s arc is about, Dana and Ola are different. Dana and Ola are foils of each other. They’re complete opposites and at the same time, prequels and sequels to each other.
And that’s clear from Dana’s words as she mentions that she used to be a wife stuck in a bad marriage, same as Ola. While Ola was a little like Dana, an understanding free spirit who just wanted to have fun.
All in all, the main characters of this show manage to be as realistic as possible, with issues and feelings that most people can relate to, in terms of relationships and marriage dynamics and ultimate regrets.
Final Verdict
Okay. So, let’s be real for a second. Nemra 2’s El-Na7ya El-Tanya will not be an enjoyable experience for everyone, especially if the person watching has relationship/marriage/cheating issues.
But it is, in truth, as interesting as it is uncomfortable and real. It has realistic characters with problems that seem like they can happen to us or literally anyone around us. And that’s why we recommend, you honestly give it a try.
Even if it’s not your cup of tea, it’ll be an experience into a different realm of story narration.
