Episode 5 of Midnight at the Pera Palace's second season kicks off with Esra's tumultuous return to the opulent halls of the Pera Palace, her mind reeling from the discovery of the letter. She abruptly distances herself from Halit, peppering him with questions about the enigmatic sigil, but he evades her inquiries, dismissing her concerns as madness and hurrying back to his office. Promptly, he makes a covert call to Mumtaz, unaware that Ahmet, diligently working at the mansion, has inadvertently eavesdropped on the exchange.
Halit's subsequent decision to join Mumtaz's inner circle solidifies his position as her trusted lieutenant, further complicating the web of intrigue.
Meanwhile, Mellieha finds Ezra in a vulnerable state, with tears streaming down her face as she immerses herself in deep thought in the tub. With a gentle touch, Mellieha revealed that there was another letter waiting for her, apologizing for her past harshness and extending the sealed letter. Inside, Esra read instructions to repeal Turkish Civil Code No. 743, a dire warning that if she did not publish the letter in the newspaper, another woman would lose her life. This revelation sends shivers down Ezra's spine, as her mind wanders to the possibility that Harriet could be the mastermind behind these evil deeds.
Armed with Ahmet's revelations, Esra urges him to take his findings to the police. Ahmet heeds her call, but the Inspector's skepticism towards his outlandish tale, coupled with Ahmet's association with a secretive organization, only serves to undermine his credibility further.
Determined to uncover the truth, Ahmet turns to Ms. Halime, hoping for a glimmer of insight. At her residence, he stumbles upon a letter from Halime, its handwriting eerily familiar, hinting that the infant she's been searching for is none other than Esra herself. However, Lili's absence adds to the mystery, and when Ahmet and Esra confront Halime with their meticulously gathered evidence, she vacillates between divulging secrets and clamping shut, her nervousness palpable as she struggles to maintain composure.
It transpires that Halime's infant might very well be Esra, as she proudly displays the photograph she possesses. The revelation unfolds that Halime had betrayed Mumtaz's trust, resulting in an unplanned pregnancy. Upon discovering this truth, Mumtaz, filled with righteous indignation, spirited Esra away. Lili, relentless in her quest, embarked on a frantic search, only to uncover the heartbreaking fact that Esra resides in a vastly different era, aware of the hotel's enchanting secrets. This revelation resonates deeply within Esra's being, as she vows to embark on a mission to reunite with her daughter and save Lili from her plight.
In a stark contrast, Halit confronts Mumtaz in a desolate warehouse, brandishing a gun and holding him captive. Their relationship, it seems, is far from amicable, let alone one of camaraderie. Halit abandons Mumtaz, bound and helpless, before disappearing into the night. Yet, Esra and Ahmet, hot on his trail, manage to intercept Halit's return to the warehouse, their paths crossing in a tense confrontation.
Esra, acknowledging her mistake, offers Halit an apology, their encounter tinged with a sense of understanding. Halit, unfazed, recounts his deeds, including the execution of the bomber who threatened Leyla's life, his actions a desperate attempt to save her.
Meanwhile, the ransom demands, as outlined in the letter, have been met, igniting a fiery debate that echoes throughout the land: the equality of men and women is called into question. This, it becomes clear, was Mumtaz's cunning strategy, but he harbors an even grander design. He yearns to leave an indelible mark upon the world, to be remembered as a man who accomplished great feats.
Esra finds herself at a crossroads, uncertain of their next course of action. She ponders the wisdom of proceeding with the Garden Bar plan, wondering if it's truly the right path. Remembering how it all began with an earth-shattering quake, she muses that perhaps this could reignite the portal, restoring its powers of time travel. The Garden Bar, destined for demolition in '39, might serve as a catalyst, a final push akin to pounding an ailing television in an attempt to revive it. Just perhaps, this act could jolt the portal back to life, allowing them to traverse the realms of time once more.
At the cozy confines of the Garden Bar, Ahmet engages in a heartfelt conversation with Halit, his words tinged with hope that the latter would uphold a promise, a filial duty lingering from a bygone era, to meet a son yearning for his presence. This fleeting exchange subtly suggests a bond deeper than initially perceived, weaving a tapestry of untold stories.
Yet, as fate takes an unexpected turn, the explosive moment arrives, and midnight's chime heralds a drastic shift. Ahmet and Esra, in a blur of determination, seem to have leaped through time's chasm, landing not where they intended but in the year 1979. And to compound their astonishment, a shocking revelation awaits: Mumtaz now sits atop the throne of power, a president in a world vastly different from the one they knew.
