Week Review: 7th-11th May 2012

The man was dark and disturbed when he abused Jhanvi months ago. But he became a black character, a monster to me, when he raped her. I couldn't forgive him in the wake of that horrific act. It bugged me, bothered me that the writers attempted to invoke sympathy in me toward him, invoke some kind of forgiving emotion in me toward him during Jhanvi's pregnancy track and even when his story was told through Dr. Rana.

When he murdered the post-mortem doctor, I was actually relieved. I thought that now no one could point to him and say that he had redeeming qualities.

I must concede that Viraj is a sick man [and I kinda love that because KB does the most amazing job at portraying his sickness], and I didn't think that he could stoop any lower -- but lo and behold, he did. He killed a doctor and trapped another. The chances that she'll survive are slim, but I hope against the odds. Someone needs to call Jhanvi and warn her that Viraj is coming for her.

I've always feared that the writers would portray Viraj as some poor, little victim who just needed some love from Jhanvi, regardless of his cruel nature, regardless of the wrong message it would send out to millions of viewers when they saw Jhanvi return to her abusive husband simply because, according to social custims and norms, she should.

I'm immensely relieved that upon killing, Viraj murdered what little humanity was in him [not that I personally saw any humanity in him] -- but will the viewers still want Jhanvi to return to him? Is it right to want a woman to return to a rapist husband and a killer?

This week, I think that Viraj officially surpassed the point of no return for his character. He is cruel, evil, and despite his disorder and childhood... nothing excuses the murder of the doctor. That was his choice and now he's on the path of self-destruction.

What is most interesting to me is to see the battle between him and God. He's challenged God. We all know the story of how Lucifer challenged God. He fell a long way. His power reduced, his true nature exposed before the world. If the show wishes to show the power of God in front of a mere human with a God complex, then I believe that Viraj will fall and be shown his place by God, at some point. He will fail and destroy himself. Irony. There's beautiful symbolism in Viraj's character. For someone who started out as a human with extreme flaws and cruel streaks, he transformed into a demon. The more control that he seemed to gain, the more obsessed he became with power.

How much of it all is about Jhanvi, and how much of it is about him? I mean, is it his love, or so-called love, for Jhanvi that it's about, or does he simply have megalomania - putting it roughly. Maybe taking back Jhanvi is more about proving himself as God rather than it being about his love for her. Because more than love, it's an obsession. He saw her, he wanted her, he took her. He didn't even know her. He has never known her. He loves an illusion -- the idea of her, the "perfect" woman that he shaped by using Machiavellian methods, the "perfect" woman that he created with his cruel, violent hands. This is like a Gothic and twisted version of Pygmalion.

Viraj is consumed by darkness now. This week only proved it once again. I don't wish to see him win.

First, I'm immensely relived and glad that Raghav has been given more screenspace this week. It was wearisome to have episodes without him or episodes with him in just one or two scenes. But this week, the writers uncovered a layer of his character and that gave us all some character development in his case -- and depth.

His relationship to Krishna, for one thing. Whatever their bond is, they're obviously tight -- as tight as father and son or brothers. Raghav is protective of Krishna in a way that is sort of starting to worry me, because I fear that Viraj will, at some point, use Krishna against Raghav if he gets involved with Jhanvi [which he is already]. But nonetheless, Raghav and Krishna's relationship is beautiful and a joy to watch. Their headbumps convey more than words ever could. There's a wordless connection, communication between them -- it's as if they only have to look at each other to understand what they each want. It's unique and I'm loving it.

In addition to this, Raghav and Sundar's friendship is one of the sweetest friendships I've ever seen on TV. They're extremely supportive of each other. There's an understanding there too -- and despite Raghav mildly slapping him around now and then, it's a brotherly gesture that is as protective and loving as teasing. Sundar seems to understand that there's a hole in Raghav... an emptiness of some sort, and that Jhanvi somehow fills it with her presence. Unexplainable, but true. And it's important to Sundar to make things work between Raghav-Jhanvi, probably because he wants to see Raghav happy.

I've also loved how Didi has confided in Raghav in relation to Jhanvi. The trust between him and the women at the shelter, the faith that they have in him, and the importance that he has to them is another beautiful aspect of his character that was uncovered to us this week. He's a protector of nature. Others' pain bothers him. He's selfless. But there's a lot of pent-up pain and anger and bitterness in him, which we've seen earlier on. However, this week a softer side of him was revealed and it made his character multifaceted. There is more to Raghav than meets the eye.

Needless to say, I absolutely loved his little chat with Viraj on the phone. His quick and witty responses to Viraj's condescening comments was refreshing as the fearlessness and levelheadedness in Raghav is what's needed to bring Viraj down from his pedestal. Raghav's intellect is as powerful as Viraj's. The only difference is that Raghav uses his skills for good, Viraj for evil. Raghav is light. Viraj is darkness.

4) Overall: This week has been great. Both in the sense of story progression, but especially in the sense of character development. I loved that there was a balance in the episodes, that Jhanvi and Raghav were given more screenspace, Viraj-Unniyal were hilarious, and I also loved the RaghaVi moments -- sweet, unique, and romantic.

I'm excited to watch the ME this Sunday. Won't get too excited as I'm always bracing for disappointment [I'm a pessimist like that]. But fingers crossed that the Face Off is gonna rock.

Shiv ko dus din diye maine... tujhe toh main sirf ek din doongi 🤣

On a serious note, I find it unacceptable when people bash Jhanvi for leaving Viraj and, well, not returning to him. I mean, I get that some have a sadistic attachment to their relationship -however, sadism aside [and fascination aside], one should consider right and wrong and the insane message that it'd send out to viewers/victims if she returned to a psychotic man just to please Viraj-Jhanvi shippers. It's not the right message. It's not what victims should be shown/told. It would defeat the point of her struggles, her survival, and her self-respect.

@Sri, tu bhi essay bandwagon par chad gayi 😡 Mere ko essay mind mein nahi aaya jab maine likha, samjhi na. But joh bhi mann mein aaya wahi likha aur itna lamba hua toh iss mein mera kya kasoor 🤢😆