The Egyptian television series Noqta Soda (Black Spot, 2024) has garnered significant attention since its premiere on MBC Egypt and availability on Shahid.
Spanning 50 episodes of 40-minutes each, the drama delves into themes of revenge, power, and forbidden love. While praised for its compelling narrative and strong performances, the show has faced criticism for its reliance on overused plot devices.
What does it center around?
The series centers on siblings Radwa (played by Nahed El Sebai) and Salah (Ahmed Magdy) as they devise a plan to exact revenge on the affluent Al-Sioufi family. Their scheme becomes complicated when Radwa and Omar Al-Sioufi (Ahmad Fahmi) develop unexpected romantic feelings, leading to internal conflicts and Shakespearean dilemmas.
The first few episodes set up the story well, offering an intriguing premise filled with tension and drama. However, as the series progresses, it succumbs to a formulaic approach—where nearly every episode ends with either a shocking death, a DNA test revealing yet another hidden family connection, or an unnecessary dramatic confrontation. While I appreciate the effort to maintain suspense, this overindulgence in theatrics makes it difficult to take the story seriously.
One particularly frustrating aspect is how the narrative constantly relies on extreme measures to sustain tension. Deaths occur so frequently that they lose their impact, and the repetitive use of DNA tests to introduce new familial connections makes the story feel contrived rather than compelling. At times, it feels like the writers were throwing in twists for the sake of keeping the audience engaged rather than allowing the plot to develop naturally.
Additionally, a review on El Cinema notes that the plot, though initially captivating, becomes predictable due to these recurring elements.
Assessing Performances
Ahmed Fahmy delivers a solid performance as Omar Al-Sioufi, successfully portraying a man caught between his family’s empire and his personal desires.
His character has depth, but the writing often forces him into exaggerated situations that limit the authenticity of his arc. Similarly, Nahed El Sebai as Radwa gives a strong, emotionally layered performance, but her character suffers from the same fate: her motivations become inconsistent as the series progresses, making it difficult to stay invested in her journey.
The supporting cast, including Wafaa Amer (Soad Al-Sioufi) and Ahmed Bedair (Mukhtar Al-Sioufi), add some gravitas to the show, yet their characters often feel one-dimensional due to the reliance on over-the-top drama.
What could have been an intelligent, well-paced revenge story is instead overshadowed by unnecessary plot twists.
Despite the strong performances, the overuse of certain plot devices diminishes the impact of the actors’ work. Every other episode there’s either a DNA test or the killing of a character, or both!
An ode to the cinematography
Egyptian Director Mohamed Osama employs a visual style that complements the show’s themes, utilizing lighting and composition to enhance the storytelling. The series features a mix of opulent settings and darker tones, reflecting the contrasting worlds of the characters.
However, many viewers have taken issue with the excessive use of heavy makeup and plastic surgery among the cast. Social media platforms have been flooded with critiques about how unnatural many of the characters appear, taking.
Discussion on X(Twitter) particularly has sparked debates over whether the industry is relying too heavily on artificial beauty standards, making it difficult to connect with the characters on a human level.
Verdict
There’s no denying that No2ta Soda is an entertaining watch—if you enjoy excessive drama, cliffhangers, and unpredictable twists.
Nonetheless, it lacks the depth and restraint needed to elevate it beyond a melodramatic spectacle. Had the show balanced its emotional beats with more controlled storytelling, it could have been one of the most compelling Egyptian dramas in recent years.
Instead, No2ta Soda is a prime example of how too much of anything—even drama—can diminish its overall impact.
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