Dunja Schelper

This is a lovely show about a well-to-do Abu Dhabi family, whose father is a respected and kindly lawyer. The second daughter wants nothing but to marry and have children, the son is a little unsure where to go in life, but harmless. The main character, the oldest daughter, just comes back from four years of law study in the US and is sworn in as a lawyer in the pilot episode. The show is designed to combat stereotypes about Arab family pressure on offspring in showing the parents guiding their three children in their choice of career and life partner but never pressuring them into their own expectations. Cases both lawyers are involved in are replays from actual cases of the Abu Dhabi Justice System. In front of this background are played out the normal life challenges of the family. Some of the acting has unjustly been criticized by viewers used to American standards. It is important to realize that there are cultural differences in acting that are as much part of the experience in watching this show as the beautiful and exotic surroundings.