Played by Diab, Asaad comprehensively combines all the toxic traits found in an abusive person. So, here we have a character analysis of Alby W Moftaho's very clever villain, Asaad. What separates pure evil from toxicity is often the constant disguise of good intentions and well-meaning. This disguise creates the illusion that maybe he's not that bad when he definitely is.

Here's a breakdown analysis of seven behaviours of Asaad that harm the people around him.

Provider and Protector, but What For?

While providing for their family is widely perceived as a positive, noble thing, Asaad goes above and beyond to provide for his family financially, ensuring that all their financial needs are fulfilled and that they get everything, whether they asked for it or not. He forces his way as the sole financial provider for his family so much that he would even scream at his sister for buying anything on her own. He doesn't do it purely out of love but rather to control those around him, ensuring he's depended on as much as possible. Having financial control over someone is a used tactic by most abusers to control their targets' lives and dictate everything they do.

Asaad is a controlling maniac who disguises it as an overprotection of the ones he loves. Asaad seeks to control and push around everyone around him. He believes the whole world should go his way and operate in his favour. He thinks he has a claim over anyone related to him that would allow him to control their lives. He pretends he does this because he's looking out for them and knows what's best for everyone.

Cannot Take No for an Answer

Asaad doesn't take no for an answer. Whenever he's faced with any rejection, his first resort is manipulation. If manipulation doesn't work, he starts threatening, and when threatening doesn't work either, he quickly resorts to violence. He can't accept it when anything doesn't go his way, and even after the situation, he'd make up an entire delusional narrative rather than admit getting rejected.

He Has Little To No Self-awareness

His lack of accountability is so high that his awareness of his evil actions and wrongdoings diminishes. He always finds someone else to blame his overreactions on in any situation. He consistently paints himself as the victim, even though he takes great pride in being the strong, undefeatable hero. When he's confronted with his toxic behaviour, he views actions as the only logical reaction to what happened.

He Shifts His Attitude Every Two Seconds

Asaad contradicts himself so much with everyone, especially with Mayar. Every five minutes, he dictates their relationship, deciding what they are and making fateful decisions on their marriage and future without her input. His mood shifts significantly and often with dire consequences. This creates a super tense atmosphere around him, and everyone walks on eggshells to avoid his anger.

Grand Gestures and Overcompensation

Asaad would rather pay for a whole restaurant's menu than give a sincere apology. He goes above and beyond in general, even when no one asks, even when it's unwanted. He cannot openly communicate what he needs or ask nicely, so Asaad generously pays his way into people's lives with money or grand unsolicited gestures, making others feel greatly indebted to him to guilt-trip them later into doing whatever he wants.

Everybody Loves Asaad!

With everything said, at some level, everybody loves Asaad, or at least has to. Asaad is widely popular, societally approved, loved by his circle, and often celebrated by everyone. Externally, Asaad is a hero who is a family man, a great boss, a hard worker, a reliable friend, an active member of his community and area, donates to the poor, and is close to God, allegedly.

Like many toxic people, Asaad has this picture-perfect character and loud reputation, which enables him to further abuse and push around those around him. Whether the people around him really love him or not, they most definitely fear him. Not many dare to stand up to him, and those who do are quickly and brutally punished because, in his narrative, he thinks he's always right and above everyone else.

Will Take No Blame

These characters are never easy to hold accountable as their harmful behaviours will always have some sort of an elaborate explanation as to why they've deliberately ruined someone's life and were even right to do so. Asaad is generally perceived as a good-at-heart person who doesn't mean to cause chaos and destruction everywhere. Those under his influence would question themselves hundreds of times before coming close to doubting or distrusting him.

His evil actions and harm are obvious and blatant only to viewers or people outside the situation. However, even then, some viewers still see him as a good guy, proving that charm and manipulation can wrap up toxicity perfectly.

Tamer Mohsen and Diab

Such characters are never easy to spot, let alone portray. Tamer Mohsen's brilliant writing and direction, paired with the outstanding natural performance of Diab, has vividly brought Asaad's character to life.

Characters like Asaad are super layered and complex as they're based on someone who never really shows their inside, constantly lashes out, and is hard to please or understand by those around him. Building and performing a character like this requires much research, attention to detail, and exploration. The cooperative hard work and dedication of Tamer Mohsen and Diab are undeniable.

We can't wait for the rest of Alby W Moftaho and how the series will progress. Would chances of redemption even be possible at this point, or would he go on just as he is? Will justice be served, or will he go unpunished? There are only a few more nights left to find out.