The Warden’s Warning and Prison Politics

The story opens in a tense prison environment where the Warden addresses a group of newly arrived prisoners, referred to as “exiles.” He sternly warns them that they are incarcerated because they couldn’t function in civilized society and must now live among their own kind. He specifically admonishes them against fighting, referencing a recent altercation involving a patricide. The Warden also imposes strict authority, warning a powerful inmate named Yildirim (Feshaneli) to keep his men in line. He places the responsibility for the exiles’ behavior on a character named Khalil, warning him that he will be held accountable for any bloodshed. Meanwhile, Gazanfer Bey advises Khalil on the “politics” of prison life, warning him that trying to escape usually results in being shot in the back.

The Poison Plot

In secret, Khalil and his group (including Dizdiz and others) are hatching a dangerous plan. They have procured a plant called “akçöpleme” (false hellebore), debating whether it is a medicine or a poison. They decide to mix a calculated amount into the tea to induce severe stomach aches and fever, hoping this will force the administration to move them to the infirmary. They are careful to hide this plan from Durul, a fellow prisoner known for being unable to keep secrets, fearing he might snitch to the administration. However, the plan goes into motion, and the tainted tea is served not only to the exiles but also to other inmates and even a staff member, Unal Bey.

Chaos in the Infirmary and the Diversion

The plan works, perhaps too well. Mass sickness spreads through the prison, causing vomiting and high fevers. The infirmary becomes overcrowded and chaotic. Unal Bey, the staff member who drank the tea, also falls ill. Amidst the chaos, a violent inmate named Koca Riza realizes the exiles poisoned the tea and threatens them. To save the situation, Durul plays a risky game. He demands to see the Warden, claiming he knows who poisoned everyone. When brought before the Warden, instead of revealing the actual plan, Durul spins a ridiculous tale about Khalil using black magic and spells from a witch named “Hattuch Ana” to poison the water. The Warden, thinking Durul is either crazy or mocking him, dismisses him, which successfully buys the group more time and covers their tracks.

The Secret Notebook and the Tunnel

Once the group is somewhat isolated in the infirmary/ward, Khalil reveals the true motive behind the mass poisoning. He produces a hidden notebook that belonged to a prisoner who escaped years ago. The notebook is written in a coded, old language, which Khalil spent all night deciphering. The diary reveals that there is a secret tunnel located beneath the prison’s carpentry workshop (marangozhane) that leads directly to the sea. The entire plan to get sick was a maneuver to create an opportunity to access or plan for this escape route.

Securing the Carpentry Workshop

The final phase of their plan involves gaining access to the carpentry workshop, which has been closed since the previous carpenter died. The Warden decides to let the exiles work to pay for their keep. When he asks who among them is a carpenter, Dizdiz—a conman with no carpentry skills—lies and claims to be a master craftsman. The Warden is skeptical and orders them to build a chair by the next day as a test. The prisoners are terrified because they don’t actually know how to build furniture, but they are desperate to get inside the workshop to find the tunnel.

The Discovery

The file concludes with the group entering the dusty, abandoned carpentry workshop. While they are worried about failing the Warden’s test and being exposed as frauds, their primary focus remains on the escape. They immediately begin searching the floorboards for the entrance mentioned in the diary. After a tense search, they manage to pry open a section of the floor, revealing the hidden trapdoor to the tunnel just as a guard warns them to be quiet, leaving them on the precipice of their escape attempt.

Watch Surgunler Episode 04 With Urdu Subtitles