Ep 16: MJ, you never fail to disappoint!

A great start to the week, with Maya going forward with her first attack on the Roy family - or most importantly on the Roy family image. As I mentioned, Maya wore the mask to unmask the true nature of the Roy family, and she did not fail to disappoint.

Maya's inherent fear - Tonight, I watched Beyhadh with mom, and she says, "Why is she so scared of him, what is then the point of all of this?" Which is exactly the question we all are asking? Someday, she will have to face Mrityunjay. What will she do then? Cringe away into the shadows, biting her nails into her skin. I am not understanding how long will it take for her to cope with this fear, with her executing plans against the Roys. Do CVs have to make it so predictable, by showing that once she has Rudra fall for her, he will be her strength, just like they showed in S1? Is it absolutely necessary to incorporate stuff from S1 here? Isn't this supposed to be different? I would be more satisfied watching Maya grow stronger on her own, without the support of a man or a lover in the equation.

Rishi and Rudra's bet - Could anyone think that a playful bet has so much of foreshadowing? Here, Ananya and Rishi look for the supposed 'glamorous hottie' Rudra was talking to, and Rudra conveniently turns it upon Rishi, by betting that whoever gets her first, wins the bet. Rishi does mention that the girl he has is the most beautiful woman, and he does not need anyone else. On the other hand, we see, Rudra having no interest whatsoever in the bet, using it as a ploy to drive Rishi's attention away from Maya, to just avoid him from snitching to Mrityunjay. Here a point of difference I noted is, Rishi already has Maya. Maya just had to play a sweet damsel to gain his attention, and he fell for her hook, line, and sinker. But his interest in pursuing another woman shows that he is not the type to stick to one woman for long, and once he gets what he wants, he loses interest equally fast. But, Rudra shows less eagerness to pursue the woman here, because beauty may hold his attention for a while but only the person will be able to hold his attention longer. It shows that Maya has to pursue Rudra to a point, where he has to give in to her love (or not) for him. Maya just had to woo Rishi with her beauty, but for Rudra, Maya has to woo him with her character and persona.

Antara's unraveling - Antara is just a big disappointment for me as a woman. In this day and age, we still have women, who stick to toxic relationships, because they cannot let go of their hope of things getting better and do not have the confidence to walk out and live on their own. This struggle between their heart and head, leads them to find solace in drugs or alcohol, but for how long? Once, Mrityunjay used Antara against Maya, by giving her false hopes that things will get better for her, which did not. Today, Maya used Antara against Mrityunjay. Antara is definitely a weak link here, and using her against Mrityunjay not just exposed Antara's weakness - but Mrityunjay's weak character as well. Maya executed her strategy well, by getting inside her head using her weakness for alcohol supported by drugs which she overdosed on. And filling her mind with the right words and thoughts, just pushed her over the edge - and she burst out spilling the beans of her macabre of a relationship with Mrityunjay.

Mrityunjay's chauvinism - Well technically, there are many words, I can use to describe Mrityunjay here, but chauvinism is one word for all. He is the kind who thinks he is superior as a person, who thinks that the best way of hiding your own weaknesses is by attacking others' weakness, who thinks that avenging his insult by his wife, is by exposing her faults to a party brimming with people and media. Mrityunjay is very image-conscious as a man, which we have seen earlier in Rudra's fish market episode. Anyone attacks his image, he snaps back like an injured cat. And tonight, Antara did just that. She not only exposed their 'pyaar ki misaal' wala charade, which he asked her to put up before the people but also attacked his qualities as a husband. Under any circumstances, Mrityunjay probably would have kept his cool - which Rudra did, by trying to take her away from the party. But, tonight he did not, considering Maya played it out so well, that Mrityunjay had to growl back and avenged his insult by putting his wife down in front of the people. And, somehow he derives satisfaction by doing this, whereas it just reflects poorly on him as well. People will make fun of both of them, not just Antara. It just goes onto show how low Mrityunjay can stoop to avenge something so minor done by Antara in a drunken stupor. Just imagine, what could he have done to Maya - going by Maya's 'never fail to disappoint', it further suggests that this entire drama began because someone related to Maya must have insulted him or put him down. And thanks to Mrityunjay, Rudra is even more peeved by his action which pulls him away from him more, as he isn't the kind to bring out the dirty laundry in the public, as he puts it - Mom, hum jo baate jante ho,woh sabko jaanne ki zarurat nahi hai'.

Diya's double game - Diya tries to show Antara the importance of being Mrs. Roy and reprimands her for her behavior with Mrityunjay. It can be two things - either she likes the power Antara enjoys as Mrs. Roy - which is basically nothing, apart from playing games as per Mrityunjay's rules, or she is very scared of what Mrityunjay can do when antagonized. My bets are on the first. Just like Antara puts it, 'Tum meri dost kam, aur Mrs.Roy jyaada behave kar rahi ho'.

Precap - Another well-played move to draw Rudra towards Maya even more - 'save the mom' card - and the score between Maya and Rudra is even.

Other Highlights:

- Aamir saving Maya from being recognised by Mrityunjay. Was that unintentional or correct timing by Aamir?

- Rajiv Chandra introduced as the 'Investor' whereas, RuAn both know who is the investor. How is this going to drive father and son apart?

So, done with my ramblings for tonight. I would love to hear yours!

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Remember the episode where RuAn were having night out together that time Ananya was complementing maya for her looks and being hotty but rudra was least interested in it he was more focussed on talking about her the real maya(in his pov) the glimpse of her which he has seen. The maya with golden heart, smart brain , caring nature and weied demands.

He rightly framed her she is like a very interesting book which have new turns and twist with each page and one just cannot stop themself without reading it.

He is falling hard for her. Not for outer appearance but for her.Maya!

Really at first place, the fear was okay but for how long? She need to get over that soon to fight the battle herself. Rudra can be a weapon of her but not fully dependent on him.

I think MJ-Antara relation was not so toxic before. As she said MJ was not like that. She just wants love from a wrong person not thinking what will cost that.

MJ had showed his true self. Even today, he used Antara as a shield to save his image. You said it right people will make fun even now but it gave him a satisfaction.

Now, I'm thinking if Diya has really in any relationship with MJ. Daadi hinted that Antara too.

I think saving Maya was unintentional.

And Maya is playing smart, now she's definitely planning to attract Rudra with her goody-shoody look.

As always awesome post.

Chauvinism is the middle name of MJ. Not just for the way he threatened Antara and then attacked her but also for attempting to write off Rudras independence by claiming credit for finding the investor for his "failing" business.

Contrary to this it's Rudra who not only smartly diverted Rishi from Maya's tail but also kept shut despite MJ insulting him vis a vis the incorrect RuAn investor announcement. But what impressed me is how he tried to console Antara. Showing that though he hates MJ, he will not use their domestic issues to ever score cheap points even when he was belittling his mom. His eyes though spoke volumes.

This is just Mayas second meet with MJ so I found her reactions understandable. She needs to get over this fear of him. I too don't want her to rely on anyone but I want Rudy to understand her and support her where necessary. We are humans and we are social creatures. We aren't born for solitude.

This episode belonged to Melanie (Antara). Excellent performance by her. I don't hate weakness but I pity these kind of women who don't have faith in their own selves to create an independent identity. I liked that Antara has been calling out Diya for her very visible duplicity. Looking for that showdown oneday soon.

Mayas plans for Rudy boy both scare and excite me. She has to be her true self to win him over and that will make him want her even more. Mayas resolve will surely be tested soon!

Lovely analysis🤗

Maya attacked many things today.

MJ public image to start with.. His and Antara relation which was already dwindling.. she further deepened cracks between MJ and Rudra...

She wont harm anyone around but liberate them from MJ clutches..

Rudra did remember fixing maya dress was naughty of him.. Rudra actually has a lot of hurt inside but with Ananya and rishi he always acts playful to keep them happy.. but the bet part.. actually both of them kind of have her.. but Rudra actually found her in real sense than Rishi..

Mj character has been beautifully peeled from day 1.. he was just wow today.. the level of wrong he has done to Maya is spine chilling.. so much so she still cant face him.. she was actually crying.. the way he held antara and told her off was quite scary.

I like the fact the the three main characters of the show have been given equal strength in terms of character.. the whole game now makes it interesting..

Ok so the whole Antara fiasco.. it must have been previously used by MJ against antara.. today she used it back.. like in my post I said.. MJ called himself alcohol remember.. today antara was full of it and more and spoke the truth.. Diya will have her side as well for sure.. she is MJ mistress for sure..

Maya knows MJ in and out. She knows how important is his own image for him.. he will put anyone down in the process.. I loved how Rudra gave him that cold stare when he said antara is druggie..

Maya is creating a bigger depth in the crack between rudra and MJ and she will slowly start filling into it..

Originally posted by: Tiaraa

Remember the episode where RuAn were having night out together that time Ananya was complementing maya for her looks and being hotty but rudra was least interested in it he was more focussed on talking about her the real maya(in his pov) the glimpse of her which he has seen. The maya with golden heart, smart brain , caring nature and weied demands.

First, he used to hallucinate about her out of fear, now he thinks about her because of some instances of goodness which he has seen in her. Somewhere he related to her because of similar experiences both share

He rightly framed her she is like a very interesting book which has new turns and twist with each page and one just cannot stop themself without reading it.

True

He is falling hard for her. Not for outer appearance but for her.Maya!

Oh, even though he is, will he accept it? Maya will make him, I believe.

Originally posted by: MusicOfTheHeart

Really at first place, the fear was okay but for how long? She need to get over that soon to fight the battle herself. Rudra can be a weapon of her but not fully dependent on him.

I know. Absolutely!

I think MJ-Antara relation was not so toxic before. As she said MJ was not like that. She just wants love from a wrong person not thinking what will cost that.

I don't know how Mrityunjay was before. But, that does not justify his behavior now. It's toxic and mean.

MJ had showed his true self. Even today, he used Antara as a shield to save his image. You said it right people will make fun even now but it gave him a satisfaction.

Exactly!

Now, I'm thinking if Diya has really in any relationship with MJ. Daadi hinted that Antara too.

Yes.

I think saving Maya was unintentional.

Maybe. Maybe not.

And Maya is playing smart, now she's definitely planning to attract Rudra with her goody-shoody look.

Maybe, but even then, she is pretty much upfront with him, than she has been with anyone till now.

As always awesome post.

Thanks, Razia😊

Originally posted by: Armu4eva

Chauvinism is the middle name of MJ. Not just for the way he threatened Antara and then attacked her but also for attempting to write off Rudras independence by claiming credit for finding the investor for his "failing" business.

Yes. But that issue is yet to be tackled because first, he needs to tackle his drunk mom's drowning fiasco. After that, he will teach Mrityunjay a lesson for Rajiv Chandra. And this will directly affect Mrityunjay's relation with Aamir because he was the one who found 'the investor' in the 1st place.

Contrary to this it's Rudra who not only smartly diverted Rishi from Maya's tail but also kept shut despite MJ insulting him vis a vis the incorrect RuAn investor announcement. But what impressed me is how he tried to console Antara. Showing that though he hates MJ, he will not use their domestic issues to ever score cheap points even when he was belittling his mom. His eyes though spoke volumes.

True. But one more thing is, he may behave rudely and harshly with Mrityunjay, because he does not care about his reputation, but he definitely cares about his mom's reputation. He does not want to give anyone the chance to talk about her. And then his father shoots his mouth off on her addiction tendencies and cheeses him off further.

This is just Mayas second meet with MJ so I found her reactions understandable. She needs to get over this fear of him. I too don't want her to rely on anyone but I want Rudy to understand her and support her where necessary. We are humans and we are social creatures. We aren't born for solitude.

True that!

This episode belonged to Melanie (Antara). Excellent performance by her. I don't hate weakness but I pity this kind of women who don't have faith in their own selves to create an independent identity. I liked that Antara has been calling out Diya for her very visible duplicity. Looking for that showdown oneday soon.

She is brimming with insecurities, and in her quest to gain Mrityunjay's love and attention, she has just dug a hole with quicksand in it, and she is just sinking into it further.

Mayas plans for Rudy boy both scare and excite me. She has to be her true onself to win him over and that will make him want her even more. Mayas resolve will surely be trusted soon!

True that!

Lovely analysis🤗

Thanks @Armu4eva

Amazing post Sohini! 😳 My interpretations vary slightly about Antara's outburst in context of Maya, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading yours. I guess that's the whole fun of analyzing. 😆

I remembered a Dostoyevsky quote today: One man doesn't believe in god at all, while the other believes in him so thoroughly that he prays as he murders men. 😆 This is Maya when one looks at her from the surface. But on digging deeper, she looks more like a black angel. She only changed the color of her robe, but she is still an angel. Why do I feel so? When she says about bali, she cuts her own wrist. This time, she had put black soot of the auspicious lamp on her tongue, something to account for her 'kaali zaban' (what is says or wishes comes true). She put Antara's medicine in her mouth and spit it out, like the medicine connected both their tongue or words. After that whatever Antara spoke at the party, her pain as a woman, looked like Maya's pain as well that she couldn't vocalize. Maya's pain may vary a bit factually, but one can assume for now, something like her womanly self-respect was broken by MJ. When Maya drowns Antara into the water, a new Antara would be born, like Shreya had discussed earlier about Maya's rebirth from water in her thread.

Beautiful analysis of the episode by you, Sohini! ❤️