There’s that type of series that stirs controversy from its very first episode, and ‘El Hashashin’ was one of the most talked-about releases this Ramadan. However, the feedback was mixed, with some considering it a flop and others finding it too complex to be digested by viewers.
‘El Hashashin’ represents a significant milestone in Egyptian television history with the exceptional cinematography and Hollywood production standards, not to mention the brilliant performance of the whole cast. However, it’s undeniable that the show lacked some elements to resonate with audiences and achieve its potential success.
Complexity vs Accessibility
The historical drama of ‘El Hashashin’ faced the challenge of balancing the complexity of events while remaining engaging and intriguing. Although it’s commendable that the people behind the series had the boldness to tackle the genre, they could have followed a simple approach in portraying the life of Hassan El Sabbah that ensures clarity and accessibility in storytelling.
Expanding the Narrative
The expansion of the narrative across all episodes rather than solely relying on recaps at the beginning of each episode would have also been useful. Frequent narrations and connecting events through other supporting elements could have provided necessary clarification.
Characters and Relationship Mapping
One crucial aspect that could have improved the series is the relationship mapping between the characters, as the wide range of connections within a single era was too much to digest at once. This could have been addressed by providing adequate background information on all those characters through storytelling or even some simple post-production efforts.
Strategic Timing for Release
The timing of the release may have worked against it. The story’s intensity is too much for Ramadan, where people are more willing to indulge in light entertainment rather than focusing on a historical production packed with information and events. A more strategic timing for its release could have potentially shifted the focus in the right direction away from the Ramadan marathon.
What other changes could have made ‘El Hashashin’ more successful? Share your thoughts in the comments!
