You know what they say about love at first sight. That was what I felt when I read the story bible for Cheta M (and yes, I know, PR Girl privilege). The multiple themes of love, power, political forces, spiritual battle and even friendship were more than enough to pull me in. I looked forward to watching this Showmax epic drama so much that I was literally counting down the days.
My love and anticipation even doubled after I took a trip to the set, where the series was being shot for the PR interviews, and I knew the heavens had sealed the decision for Cheta M to be one of my favorite epic series for a while. Simply put, I had an amazing time on set. The cast and crew looked so happy shooting and the camaraderie amongst them was evident and it certainly heightened my anticipation for the series.
Fast forward to the launch of the series on Showmax, I started watching it and I knew immediately that I was hooked. You should have seen how much I enjoyed hearing all the Igbo spoken. I could have sworn that I understood what they were saying even without subtitles – that’s how deep my love for it was.
As I journeyed through the Kingdoms of Mgberi and Ajaani, there were a lot of things that caught my attention and stood out to me. Here are a few:
The Love:
If there is one thing that Cheta M gave, it was love! The love was givinggggg! I know it’s a story of love between two young people, Adanna and Nnanna, who had to fight all the forces, a.k.a, “village people”, in their way for their love. But the love stories in the series were beyond them. Everywhere you looked, there were people in love. Those that were mutually in love with each other and pursued it: Adanna and Nnanna, The Ichies and their wives, Ejike and Princess Ahunna, Onochie and Loila, Ikemefuna and his Apoputara princess (before he showed his true colours), Ikenna and Ijeawele (before Akuada struck). The one-sided and desperate love: Mmesoma and Nnanna, Nwoye and Adanna, Akuada and Ikemefuna. Special shoutout to Jideofor and Kamharida; the love he had for her never died, even after so many harvests. Oh, how do I forget Ojigijaga and his Acolytes, especially Ndidi. That kind of love should not locate my enemies abeg.
The Women:
If the women of Mgberi and Ajanni showed anything, it was power. Those women were strong, hardworking and not afraid to fight for what they believed in. I mean, the most powerful figures were women. The powerful King Jideofor has his wife, Queen Mkpukuma, as his backbone. The women of Mgberi were not afraid or intimidated to speak up. They fought for their rights and stood up for themselves. My first nod for them was when they journeyed to meet King Jideofor at the border and staged a protest with their naked bodies. The women of Cheta M will forever be respected in my head, except for Ikemefunna’s mother. She can go and get her respect from her nonsense son.
Power Pass Power:
If there is one thing Cheta M depicted, it is that “where your power stops, that’s where another person’s own starts.” Everyone was just showing their power up and down, especially the spiritually inclined ones. Even the infamous Ojigijaga has seniors. Thank God for this o, he would have cleared out the entire kingdom. The one that interested me the most was how the forest queen was able to block the great witch Mkpulumma from seeing what was happening inside of Mgberi. Issorite. Let me not forget the great powers of Princess Ahunna. One her mother was even scared of.
Spiritual Forces:
With all the love happening in Cheta M, one would think it would be all about love and light. Nope. Some of them were as fast to go seek spiritual help as fast as they fell in love or even lust. From getting love potions to lock down a love interest, to getting help for their selfish motives, it was basically survival of the fittest and who knew who to go to. No thanks to Ojigijaga, the author and finisher of Mgberi’s fate.
These are a few of the things that have fascinated me on Cheta M so far. I have definitely had an amazing time watching from season 1. Currently midway through the second season, and I cannot wait to see how all the stories unfold.
Next, I’ll be introducing you to some of the key cast of Cheta M, through my eyes. Trust me, those guys are a handful, and you’ll definitely want to know about them.
Signing out for now.