Posted:
Whenever I watched an episode before, I used to feel hollow toward the end of it as if I'd gotten nothing out of it. But in the past two episodes, I have fallen in love with the show all over again. I feel like last night was a fresh start. 
To be honest, I thought that nothing could make me love watching the show again as we kept being disappointed with the editing, the character growth, etc. It was all suspense. A lot of illogical drama took place and some characters were shoved out of the picture. But in the wake of yesterday's and tonight's episode, I'm prepared to forgive the writers for all the errors, all the character bloopers, because the past two episodes have proven to me that they're trying hard and even succeeding -- if they keep this up.
Tonight's episode was fantastic, absolutely awesome. There wasn't a moment where I did not feel gripped. There wasn't a moment when I felt the flow was wrong or there was any kind of blooper in terms of character and story progression.
Without further procrastination...
>> Pros:
1) Sia's character development started last night and continued tonight
From the moment that she opened up to Raghav and confided in him last night to the very moment that she stood outside his house, questioning God -- we have witnessed that her character development has finally kickstarted. The writers finally focused on her thoughts, her emotions, what's going through her head, what her perception of things are -- and this is what gave her depth tonight, what added a layer to her character, and made her come alive for me.
I have to praise Sriti's performance again tonight. I finally saw her again. The camera had focused on her expressions, the writers allowed her to think beyond her own pain, beyond herself, and wonder about other things. They allowed us to peek inside her head -- once again -- and see what her perception/mentality had to show us.
I am so grateful for this. Finally, her character has been given significance and depth and been made an equal to the other two leads. I just pray that the writers keep this character growth up. Sriti is so brilliant when given the opportunity to play out her scenes, when she is given actual depth and layers to work with rather than an empty shell with no opinions, no perceptions of her own.
Please keep this up. Please, CVs. I'll love you forever for it if you keep this up. Last night, I finally sympathized with Sia and tonight I finally started caring for her again. Don't make me regret it.
2) Sia questions God -- not out of self-pity, but incomprehension and grief
I loved this entire sequence with her. The way that her expression conveyed doubt and a silent anger -- questioning God and His judgment. This was powerful and essential to her character because it gave her incredible depth and made her reflective. Intelligent. We all got to hear her thoughts tonight and what thoughts she had -- existential questions. What I especially loved was her innocence in the way she asked. I could relate to her just then, because I myself have looked around, seen the world fall part, felt hopeless and helpless, and wondered: Where is God?
With Sia, this was significant to her character development and depth. Tonight, we finally understood her. She wasn't self-pitying. She thought beyond her own pain, looking at the whole picture -- her family, Komal's loss, Krish's loss -- and most importantly, she pointed out what was on our minds all along: How come evil people can commit crimes, one after another, without a single consequence?
I loved her tonight. Hands down, Sriti was amazing. Please give us more insight as to Sia and keep adding these reflective layers to her character. It brings her more to life as well, and it gives Sriti more to work with. It gives her character depth.
3) Raghav's smirks and expressions
Tonight, I got what I wanted from Harshad Chopda. He smirked for me. Okay, I'd just like to believe that it was a belated birthday present for me.
But seriously, I absolutely loved his performance tonight, because he brought those clear and distinctive nuances to his performance as Raghav. First, he smirked thrice [and I do hope that he'll keep this in his mind in future episodes as well], and second, he was on a full "I'm gonna express so much with my face that Ana's gonna be knocked out flat in her living room at home" mission. I swear. Just watch yourself.
The first smirk:
The second smirk:
The third one is in Pro #6 because it's related to something else. Next was the part where he used his facial muscles to express -- lift of eyebrows, eyes widening, etc. Watch:
I love this. All of it.
4) Sia has consistently worn less makeup
Thank you for heeding our request. Sriti's natural beauty shines through now and she just looks so simple and sweet -- loving it.
5) Sia asks Raghav if the story will have a happy ending
This was one of my favorite RaghaVi moments, because HarshSri conveyed so much just by looking at each other. Before you watch the clip, I'd like to point out that this scene and Sia's question pointed to something significant.
Sia has immense faith in Raghav. In fact, she has pinned her hope for a better life, freedom and self-preservation, on Raghav now. She needs his strength, physically and mentally. It showed tonight. This is both beautiful and scary, because if Raghav can't give her what it is she seeks -- her happy ending -- then her hope will be crushed and it'll be final for her. I doubt that she'll ever be able to stand back up again. She's tired. Of course she's tired. It has been a long fight already. She's lost a lot and she's only wanting some peace now.
I am also loving how they're together in this fight. Like the scene in which they hid behind the door, listening in on V's excuse for why he'd stolen the money.
HarshSri's chemistry... I have to compliment them once again. I don't know how they do it, but I can just feel the bond between RaghaVi when they play to each other. It's tangible. I love it. Watch Raghav's reassuring nod and Sia's hopeful smile toward the end.
6) Raghav and V power-play and balanced characters
This was just hilarious. I loved how they power-played tonight. Both of them were trying to outsmart the other, but they're both equally sharp and intelligent which resulted in a tie all the time. I'm glad that they balanced the characters. V was shown distracted, but he was not made stupid in order for Raghav to overpower him. Raghav was shown sharp, clever, but he was also shown a bit overconfident which almost resulted in Sia's exposure.
In the end, both males had to rewind to square one and try to hatch a new plan.
Something that I loved was how Raghav smirked confidently, leaving the room, obviously thinking that he'd trap V now, and how V was smirking, obviously thinking that he would outsmart Raghav. Hilarious and intense.
Plus Harshad's third smirk? *almost dies from heat stroke* Anyone knows CPR here?
7) The sequence outside the house and V's love confession
This was one of the creepiest and most uncomfortable sequences ever. I've to admit that I liked how V smelled the air for Jahnvi, and how Raghav and Sia reacted to him. It was an awesome performance by all three. RaghaVi's uneasiness and fury was obvious while V was just damn creepy.
8) Shekhawat's phone calls and confusion
I cracked up during this. First, the phone call to V in which he tried to postpone the deal -- after he recalled that he didn't have Sia. Then the second phone call in which he tried to talk to Raghav, but Raghav was in no position to indulge him and had to pretend like he'd been asking for ransom. It was hilarious. I cracked up during the entire scene.
Especially when Shekhawat mumbled something about Raghav having lost his mind and then Raghav making V think that Shekhawat was playing a double game. Mindblowing performances tonight.
9) Raghav must think like V
I frigging loved this part. The way that he frowned, hissing: "I have to think like V. I have to think like V. What would V do?" This was just frightening and awesome at the same time. I'm hoping that they'll continue with these subtle nuances to Raghav's character that give him an edge and make him really, really intelligent.
10) Flow on maximum and suspense on minimum
Loved the flow and connection between sequences tonight. Everything was calm and just played out to every character and scene's full potential without funny cuts/interruption and it created suspense on its own. There was no need for the show's usual suspenseful style as the interaction and situation created the suspense.
Tonight's episode was again a brilliant example as to how to balance suspense with flow. More flow, less suspense. Always.
11) Dialogues were powerful tonight
Loved all dialogues tonight. It was clear that writers had worked on them and made them all powerful, tried to remove repetitive phrases and add freshness. I wish they keep it up.
One more thing I'd like to add is how I loved Sia's dialogue on the fairy tales being a lie. It somehow connected everything to where the story had originally started -- the underlying mood, that is. The dream that was crushed, the hope that was crushed. The fairy tales, all lies.
No cons tonight, only word of advice to the writers:
Keep focusing on character development/interaction, scenes playing out, less suspense, and all the other things that writers have done right in the past two episodes -- and I will be a very happy and satisfied viewer. Due to the calmness of directing/shots and scenes playing out fully, powerful dialogue, character growth, etc., I have finally started connecting with the characters again -- and loving them.
What little errors present were insignificant.
Fan Fictions
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
