New Egyptian series “who says”; Teen problems and undiscussed mental illness

On May 2,2022 the new Egyptian series “who says” released it’s first episode. Several known Egyptian actors rocked their role in the trailer, making it more watchable. You know how us, as teens, sometimes feel the extreme need to relate to anything, a comfort, even if it’s just a show. But “who says” is not just a show, it’s the life inside us, the unsaid emotions, and the bottled-up words. “It explains our reality, you know, it’s sad” – says a friend of mine.

Sherif , the show’s star, who’s walking his way to maturing while breaking the common stereotype of a “reckless teenager”. Sherif is an origami obsessed guy and has his own online small business. His father, Galal believes that a teenager doesn’t have the potential to plan a future, so for the sake of his son, he pushes him to obey his undiscussed rules. Engineering was Sherif’s father’s choice of an eminent college, and because he assumes he knows what’s best, he turns a deaf ear to his son’s wish to do what he loves.

Throughout the series, and after Sherif obeyed his father’s desire by applying to a major that he doesn’t want to study, “panic attacks” are Sherif’s new company. He started experience panic attacks after being forced to do study in a major that he doesn’t like. Sherif’s father just doesn’t listen, his son’s words are unimportant for him, because he’s “just a teenager”. Words hurt the most, especially if they’re the words of your parents, because later, it becomes the voice you hear for the rest of your life.

Akram is Sherif’s best friend and his partner in crime. “There’s always a lot of words in my head that I just can’t talk, I overthink everything, and I can never say what I actually want to say, and I get nervous, it’s a loop, never ends” is how Akram describes his social anxiety .He hides his anxiety because he’s afraid he’ll make mess. I think this is an amazing shout and break of stereotype to those who say, “Men don’t cry”. Men do get nervous, and yes, they can have social anxiety, and it’s okay to talk about it, there’s no “shame”.

Karen shared her story that caused her a long-term trauma with Akram , “I’m the same. There’s something I don’t want people to know about me”, then she proceeds by telling him that she was bullied in school because she has “dyslexia” or “difficulty reading “to tell him that it’s okay to feel different.

Zeina has self-esteem issues that has been built up from her childhood. She’s a social media influencer who’s pressured by the society’s beauty standard. The negative comments on her looks as a child and a teenager led to her feeling of unworthy and hate towards herself. Her story is a common story in our society, that is finally discussed.

Farida, my favorite character and the most relatable. Farida is “over-sensitive” and has emotions that don’t fit. She says she can never be alone and must always be committed in a romantic relationship which are usually short term. She faces problems in her relationships because she’s seen as “too much” from those around her. Later explained, her mother died, and her father left her to start and a new family. I can see why she can’t bare being alone, she’s afraid she’ll be this way for the rest of her life, and afraid everyone will leave like her father.

Marwan, the “tough guy” but why is he this way? Marwan armors himself as if he’s in a combat with life. But no one never knows what goes inside closed doors. His father, an angry man, abuses him when he finds out that he smokes, and abuses him more when he fails in college. But the more he abuses, the more Marwan heads to drugs and impulsiveness. Marwan pretends to be okay and chooses to no talk about what happens and chooses drugs like many other teenagers.