Some drama series hook you instantly, while others make you question whether you’ve seen them before. Wa Tqabil Habeeb falls somewhere in between. The story of a betrayed wife seeking love and independence should feel fresh and compelling, but instead, it leans too heavily on overused tropes.

The first episode introduces us to a world of wealth, deception, and deeply unhappy people. Leil, a privileged yet emotionally wrecked housewife, finds her life shattered by her husband’s betrayal. What follows is a journey of heartbreak, self-discovery, and new conflicts—but does it do enough to stand out?

Wealth, Luxury, and Endless Hatred

One of the recurring themes in Wa Tqabil Habeeb is the idea that money doesn’t buy happiness. The characters may live in a lavish mansion, but their lives are fueled by resentment, secrecy, and emotional manipulation. While this contrast can make for an engaging drama, the execution so far feels like a collection of familiar beats we’ve seen countless times before.

Character Breakdown: A Mix of Strong Performances and Predictable Roles

• Leil (Yasmine Abdel Aziz) – The Betrayed Wife in Need of More Depth
  So far, Leil is written as a woman defined entirely by her husband’s betrayal. While Yasmine Abdel Aziz delivers a solid performance, the character needs more layers to truly make an impact. Right now, she’s just the victim—we need to see what makes her her.
• Hassan (Khaled Selim) – The Walking Red Flag
  A cheating husband written exactly as expected: selfish, manipulative, and utterly predictable. We’ve seen this character before, and Wa Tqabil Habeeb does little to add any new complexity to him.
• Nicole Saba – A Missed Opportunity for Something New
  Nicole Saba’s character could have been a wildcard, but instead, she follows a predictable path. Her interactions feel repetitive, and her role in the story so far lacks depth.
• Anoushka – The Classic Evil Mother-in-Law, Again
  Anoushka is a fantastic actress, but her role as the conniving, overbearing mother-in-law is a character type we’ve seen time and time again in Egyptian drama. There’s nothing fresh here—just a villain who exists to make Leil’s life worse.
• Shahd (Menna Arafa) – The Most Relatable Character So Far
  Unlike the others, Shahd’s storyline manages to feel engaging. Her struggles reflect the reality of many women in toxic environments, making her one of the more compelling aspects of the show.
• Karim Fahmy – The Missing Piece That Needs to Show Up ASAP
  One of the biggest frustrations in the episode is the absence of Karim Fahmy. His presence could bring much-needed energy to the story, and delaying his appearance for too long might cost the show its momentum.

What Works?

• Engaging premise – The themes of betrayal and reinvention have the potential to be compelling.
• Strong mystery element – Leil’s journey and the secrets unfolding around her keep the audience curious.
• Solid performances – The cast delivers, even if the characters themselves are predictable.

What Needs Improvement?

• Character depth – Many of the roles feel one-dimensional.
• Overused tropes – The cheating husband, suffering wife, and evil mother-in-law formula needs something fresh.
• Pacing issues – Some scenes drag, and the lack of Karim Fahmy’s presence in key moments makes the episode feel slower than it should.

Final Verdict: A Familiar Story That Needs More Surprises

Wa Tqabil Habeeb has all the makings of an addictive drama, but it needs to take more risks. Right now, it’s playing it too safe, relying on well-worn tropes instead of giving us something new.

Will it get better? Possibly. There’s still room for the story to evolve, but if it continues down the predictable path, it risks becoming just another forgettable drama.

For now, I’m giving it a 3/5—but that score might change depending on where the next episodes take us.