An Analysis of the TV Series Bahar in the Context of Gottman Couple Therapy

Abstract

The series Bahar centers on the main character, Bahar, who begins to re-evaluate her life, relationships, and especially her marriage after being suddenly diagnosed with a serious illness. Bahar’s illness is portrayed not merely as a health problem but as a symbolic turning point that prompts her to question her self-perception, life priorities, and relational needs. At the heart of the series lies the theme of infidelity, which serves as a dramatic element revealing how trust, commitment, and communication dynamics in Bahar’s relationship shift following this emotional violation. In this context, the series explores themes of loyalty, rebuilding trust, and repairing emotional intimacy in intimate relationships. Gottman Couple Therapy is based on Dr. John Gottman’s scientific research, initiated in the 1970s and grounded in laboratory observations of couples. It has become one of the most frequently used approaches in contemporary couple therapy. This approach aims to systematically evaluate couples’ communication patterns, conflict-resolution capacities, emotional interaction styles, and the strengths and weaknesses present in their relationships. This study aims to analyze the series Bahar using the Gottman Couple Therapy “Sound Relationship House” model. The Sound Relationship House, developed by John and Julie Gottman, consists of seven fundamental levels that support a healthy romantic relationship. These levels include building love maps, fostering admiration and appreciation, turning toward each other rather than away, managing conflict, sharing life dreams, creating shared meaning, and structuring the relationship on a foundation of trust and commitment. Thus, the present study seeks to interpret the relationship dynamics depicted in Bahar through the theoretical lens of Gottman Couple Therapy, offering therapists a new perspective for understanding patterns of communication, attachment, and emotional closeness in couples. By integrating the dramatic structure of the series with Gottman’s evidence-based relational model, this study provides a comprehensive evaluation relevant to both theoretical and clinical practice.