Who Killed the Law? – An Analysis of the Syrian Drama Series "Aḥmar"

Abstract

The 2016 Syrian TV series Aḥmar, directed by Jūd Sa‘īd and written by Yāmin Ḥajalī and ‘Alī Wajīh, is an intelligently constructed detective drama infused with political and social critique. This article employs media studies and theories of detective drama to analyse the plot and narrative of the series. In the first episode, the well-known judge Khālid is brutally murdered, prompting three separate investigations into his death. The first is conducted by his childhood friend, who works in the police force; the second by a radio journalist; and the third by an old friend of the judge, who is a teacher. Although their paths frequently intersect, the three investigations reveal different versions of Khālid’s life and, concurrently, aspects of contemporary Syrian society. The TV series is presented as a detective drama and exhibits the traditional traits of the genre, including multiple suspects, hidden secrets, shifting facts, brutal villains, and diligent investigators. The diverse narrative strategies borrowed from the genre facilitate the uncovering of facts on multiple levels. The gradual progression towards the apprehension of the killer serves as a device to expose what is depicted as a lawless country, where money and connections are the primary means of advancement. Thus, the TV series can be viewed both as a detective drama and as a political commentary on segments of Syrian society in 2016.