My not-so-random musings - on a very good episode 18! - Page 4

Originally posted by: divyavm

I didn't see a similar defense when someone else was behenzoned with Jalal 😆

Originally posted by: lashy

'You here?' she asks (are the CVs reading us, because they've thankfully done away with the concentration on lips, eyes, cheeks, ears for half-a-minute introduction!)

'I want plenty of food' he says, barging in.

'How much are you going to eat? You've been eating ever since you've come'

Within the first minute that I heard those words, there was a broad smile on my face... and the scene that finally prompted me to write something about the serial (apart from the Chanakya-CGM angle) that I genuinely enjoyed watching. This pairing is cute, very unusual, and a welcome breath of fresh air in this serial. She makes him look 'normal' - and this, even if his eyes don't betray much of an emotion. He has the slightest - ever so slightest - soft corner for this friend. And just 2 minutes of conversation has proved that in a scene, which was neither forced nor rushed. Basically, a scene that was natural.

It's amazing how Chandra has brought a subtle difference of emotion, when in the presence of the three (about to be) main women in his lives -

With Nandini, it's primarily annoyance and indifference at this stage.

With Helena, it's been symbiotic, a welcome dependency, a mutual understanding that involves no one else and the slightest bit of admiration too lately - he knows she's smart and not one who would be taken advantage of (maybe because he's seen his mother and even Durdhara's mother being whipped by their husbands)

With Durdhara - there's the comforting sense of familiarity, the tu-tu main main, the evident lack of discomfort even when discussing very sensitive topics (for e.g. him rebuking her dad's unending appetite, or speaking casually of how they have 'nothing' going on. And all this in the first half an hour of a meeting that's taking place after 6 months!)

Besides, Durdhara looks simple and sweet - not overdressed. It added to the 'sweet' factor of the scene!

A very interesting point to note during all of these scenes, Chandra has not smiled or smirked once. He hasn't changed, per se. All this 'difference' has only been conveyed by his voice, his words, his demeanour, his body language and his eyes.

It was the same earlier when he was pulling Malayaketu's leg about the princess of Magadha. Chandra is a very subtle take for Rajat - it is all nuances shading an unchanging core.

Btw, the scene with Vaishali - Mura was interesting. I was surprised Chaya could identify her mother so quickly. Nevertheless, the scene was not too long, not too dramatic and conveyed the right sentiments in the right setting.

Chhaya must have dreamt of her mother every single night for the last over a decade. And Mura's face has not changed perceptibly. So I was not surprised at Chhaya recognising her mother. I agree, the scene was blessedly short and not at all OTT in terms of Chhaya's reactions.

As for the 'Chandra has arrived' - there couldn't have been a better introduction for the Emperor. A field full of people, waiting to see who this professed warrior was! A warrior who has been rightfully 'built-up' by this famous Acharya with lofty plans for Bharat Mata!

Chandra walks in slowly - like a king, like an unchallenged lion. His attire is simple - just slightly more elaborate than the saffron clothing he'd been wearing so long - shows that he's not here for wealth or fame, but to claim back his motherland. His expressions remain focused. Chanakya's proud expressions as he beheld his star pupil joining him, added to the splendour of it!

I enjoyed this introduction far far more than the spear introduction - and it goes to show how a simple-well thought scene can achieve more than artificial effects ever can (Again, have the CVs been reading us? There's an obvious decrease in the VFX!) All in all, it was exactly like the introduction of a simple-man-who's-going-to-be-emperor must be!

The fashion-makers also deserve an applause for both, CGM's new pre-emperor look - and for Nandini's sheet of armour. I was very very impressed with the latter. Seems influenced from one of the Samurai styles, I have never seen a woman wear that kind of armour, but it looked perfect.

On the night before the war, as a lone CGM stands under a tree, brooding, Chanakya gives his pupil support and advice. Crisp and well-directed. Of course, the scene itself and Chanakya's words would have reminded us of a Krishna-Arjun parallel before the Mahabharata war - and rightfully so.

Well, whenever one has a guru-shishya relationship to show, one cannot get very far away from Krishna and Arjuna, can one? To make sure we do not miss it, they keep reciting Om Namo Bhagawate Vasudevaaya or Karmanyevaadhikaaraste with monotonous regularity, and in a horrible voice like that of a crow with a sore throat, the moment Chanakya appears on the scene. Why the devil can't they get someone with a good voice to do these chants?😡

One hopes that Chandra is not colour blind,😉 and even if he is not, that he does not get the colours mixed up!😉😉 I think they will lose this battle. It is too early for Padmanand to be killed and his sons as well. Whence the ominous warnings from Chanakya that so disturb poor Chandra!

All in all, the best episode of CGM yet! The best so far?? You are too generous.

Thank you CVs😊

Originally posted by: pakhiv.

Hi lashy,
You all loved the Episode... Yeah I was also busy ogling at chandra.

Weren't we all?
Durdhara was a welcome addition.
Why I feel every other woman is better dressed than Nandini 😆

Because you're not wrong😆
But I'm sad too...
They're rushing the war it means..

Ekta directs historicals for the drama and the romance, not the politics and administration
Mahapadmanand will be gone soon... Was loving his character.. And actor too
Can't he change places with malayaketu.?

🤣 And to think, he was the naapit!
Alexander was brought just for coughing I was reminded of seventies movies carrying coughing mother and maa tumhe kuch nahi hoga... Scenes 😭 h

Poor Alexander looks a fry cry from the fierce conqueror he was!

Originally posted by: devkidmd

So should I sign up for Star Plus with my cable provider? CN worth the hassle? Yea or nay? Please tell me. 😳

Originally posted by: cute.manasi

so many yes...😆😆

Originally posted by: riyya6

Lovely Episode & Post 2 👍🏼

I liked Durdhara Entry & characterization as well... Sweet and simple... Seems like I like all other female character other than Nandhini 😆 ... Loved the frenship shared between Chandra & Durdhara...

Nostalgic Riyya... your thumbs up man is making me nostalgic!😆
I agree about all of it!

Seems like hatred camp for nandhini is increasing day by day... Moora , Chandra, Helena, Vaishali, Vaishali's Family , the list will keep growing i guess

>>😆

Originally posted by: sashashyam

This take is perfect too, Lashykanna, in fact far better than Nandini's armour that you have fallen in love with! I shall not spoil the effect by referring to the odd patriotic grimaces she makes when she learns of the impending attack on Magadha!😉
It was nice 🤔

Beautifully done, especially the part about Chandragupta's intro. The parts I liked the best are in blue. But if you do not PM me - you know perfectly well that I very rarely come to the forum - how on earth would I know your post was there at all?
I wanted to give your fingers a rest.. I read that the pain's coming back... that's why...

🤗
To revert to the intro of our boy wonder, I was still not sure how such a motley bunch of only half believers would come on board after just one look at a young man they have not seen in action at all. I suppose that is charisma, but such readiness to depend on one unknown warrior in such a life and death gamble? Not a single thought to what they stand to lose if he fails?
If you notice, none of them are major players.. they don't seem to have the means to groom someone like him... Chanakya has built him up such that they're probably ready to give him a chance... desperate days call for desperate measures???

What was even more bizarre, no one seems to have the slightest objection to having their target switched suddenly from Alexander to Padmanand and Magadha! And all of Chanakya's pep talk till then had been focussed solely on the Unani enemy!!
The CVs are not showing Chanakya's scenes methodically... we're left to assume that he's told the kings that Magadh needs to be targeted first before targeting the foreign invaders

It was ludicrous, to say the least, and in terms of the scripting, it was even more abrupt than the earlier scene of Chanakya bullying that king into joining Chandra. In fact it was like an abbreviated version of even Pitman's shorthand.
😆 As you said.. every year of Chanakya has been condensed into a minute of screen space!

I too liked the easily assertive Durdhara a lot.She was a very pleasant change from the Pataliputra variety of female. What I want to know is who precisely she is, for her father clearly does not know about Chandra's royal lineage.
They're upper middle-class.. and her father the village headman? Chandra said he eats the entire village's food and everyone else remains thin.. I thought it was a metaphor on that he takes from everyone in that place and gives very little...

One thing on which I am not with you.Chandra detests Nandini, it is not just annoyance, or indifference. When he hands Helena that suraksha kavach, there is about as much of active satisfaction as he has ever shown till now in his eyes at the thought of what peedha she must be going thru because of the loss of her sabse priya vastu. It was like what the Germans would call Schadenfreude, malicious pleasure at the sufferings of another.
And who better to know that than the Germans, eh?

Finally, I am delighted that you are turning your hand to episode analyses once more, my pet! And so, I am absolutely sure, must a whole lot of others! But you are a temptress, and if I do not call a halt to this, my fingers will seize up for sure! Get thee behind me, Lashykanna!😉
I promised you remember... that when something impresses me a lot, I will write a proper analysis.. tis here.. 😛