Posted:
A/N: Brief clarification. Every single one of my episode feedbacks has never been anything but inclusive, has never left out the importance of any one character. I provide constructive critique/feedback -- it's the entire purpose of my feedbacks.
---
Good episode tonight.
There wasn't much story progression, again, but because the writers keep the characters, the character interaction, and the flow consistent, one can bear with a slow night. In fact, I just wanted to emphasize one thing before the pros/cons and that's how the writers have done awesome damage control over the past few days.
Comparing the episodes now to the episodes just over a week back, it's obvious how the writers have worked hard on amending for character cracks/inconsistency, flow, and one of the most important things -- the dialogues. Something that I appreciate a lot. Just note how the dialogues delivered by every character on the show seem deeper, well-scripted, as if the dialogue writers put a lot of thought behind them.
This is the fantastic standard of the show that makes it worth watching -- when characters and dialogues and flow come together with mindblowing performances and a solid script.
Moving on...
>> Pros:
1) V accuses Sia of sleeping with Raghav
Could he stoop any lower? Yes. He hasn't reached the lowest depth of kaminapan yet, is my take on it. If he could rape his own wife and beat up his own mother, then I suppose it shouldn't surprise anyone that he'd accuse Sia of sleeping with Raghav.
I quite enjoyed KVB's performance in this scene though. The way that he threw himself on her bed, pulling the sheets as if he'd be able to smell their sin or something.
V disgusted me. He disgusted Sia too -- as was evident from her expression and how she shoved his hands away from her skin. I had spiders tap-dancing on mine. I loved how she yelled at him that Raghav was her friend and that he wouldn't understand what a friend is. She didn't need to explain anything to him. Who was he to point fingers at her? The same man who shamelessly flirted with an escort [even spent the night with her -- though she'd been tied and gagged only], romanced Priya, flirted with Komal and Taashu...
Did I leave anyone out?
I liked how they showed Raghav's growing anger to every word that came out of V's mouth.
2) V is about to electrocute Sia when Raghav shuts the power down
First, I quite enjoyed how Raghav got more and more agitated, frustrated, standing in the bathroom, not knowing what V was doing and listening to his dirty talk. The control that Raghav displayed tonight was commendable. For someone who -- as V claims -- thinks with the heart rather than with the mind, Raghav contradicted V's theory by shutting down the power rather than bursting into the room to smash V's face in.
Goes to show how little V has understood Raghav so far. He's not just an emotional bundle -- he's rational as well. Sharp. He doesn't only think with his heart, but combines the two in action.
3) Sia crumbles from the psychological strain of V's torture
A human reaction. She wouldn't have been human if she'd pretended like almost getting electrocuted hadn't touched her at all. That was emotionally draining. Waiting for him to electrocute her, waiting for the pain to arrive, having to pretend calm and bravery where she just wanted to run.
I loved her provocative smile when he turned back to mock her after the failed torture. It showed the amount of strength Sia possesses and what the actress is capable of. Just fantastic performance by Sriti. I liked that she didn't sob, but just let out that one cry and trembled from the strain of it all.
I'm glad that there was no self-pity.
4) Raghav asks Sia to take the kasam back
This was such a sweet and funny sequence. I loved HarshSri's chemistry here. They were just flawless together. Like I've said before, it's the give-and-take relationship between the two of them that translates on-screen, because they play to and with each other, focusing on each other's characters as much as their own. It's not just "I do my part, you do yours". No, there's a teamwork here and it makes their fabulously hot chemistry even better.
Returning to the scene, I loved how frustrated and pissed Raghav was -- all but begging her to take back the kasam so that he could beat V up. The fact that the writers made it a point to show how bound Raghav felt by the kasam conveyed his immense respect and loyalty to Sia. In return, Sia's trust in him only strenghtened, seeing him struggle with the need to punch V, but holding back because he promised her something.
Fantastic delivery of dialogues on both fronts -- especially the way that Raghav kept trying to bargain with Sia [1 hour, 30 minutes, 15 minutes, 5 minutes?]. It was hilarious. Brilliant scene.
5) Raghav promises Sia to stick close
I liked how he said this. Casually, but reassuringly. For some reason I heard the lyrics of "aas paas hai Khudah" in my head when he said it.
But I think that Sia needed the reassurance that she wasn't alone.
6) V is frustrated with Gayatri and finds Raghav's footprints outside the house
His comment on how Raghav was the son of the house and not him made me laugh in a harsh manner, because he manipulated his way into the family and wanted the spot of a trusted son just so he could play them all however he saw fit. Refusing to take any kind of responsibility for his own actions is something that characterizes V's persona.
Anyhow, he found the footprints and suspected Raghav was in the house. Now he won't give up until he finds him.
7) V searches the house for Raghav and frightens Krish
First thing, I found it incredibly disturbing how V trespassed, wandering into private rooms where the women of the house slept. That was crossing boundaries. Which is much like a second nature to V. But what made no sense to me was how Sia didn't lock her door and windows, knowing V was in the house and dying to assault her again. I found that a bit of a blooper, and it should probably be in the cons section, but oh well.
Second thing, he freaked me out with the Devil expression he made to scare Krish. Man, I swear. He looked like the Devil and I can't believe Krish could go back to sleep after that.
8) Raghav seeks out his mother in her room and apologizes
This was a much awaited scene, and I'm relieved that the writers kept it in mind. The last thing I want is for them to neglect significant relationships. But they reassured me tonight when they showed Raghav sneaking into his mother's room, perching on her bed as she slept, and talking to her.
It was a beautiful scene. Harshad's performance was fantastic. For one thing, I loved the way that his hand hovered above her leg/feet, wanting to touch, but not wanting to risk it. Their relationship has come a long way. Whereas it used to be strained, tense, with both being equally stubborn and Raghav constantly feeling that he didn't as much as have the right to call Gayatri his mother -- now he reaches out to her without hesitation, allowing himself to need her.
Something else that I found perfect in this scene was how Raghav was emotional, but his tears didn't come. It showed us how well Harshad can emote without having to show the tears in his eyes. I could still hear the light vibration in his voice, see the muscles contract in his face, as he fought to control the emotions inside of him -- especially at the sight of his mother's tear-tracked cheek.
I would've loved it if they'd shown that Gayatri sensed his presence and woke up -- only to find no one there. It would've completed the connection between mother and son since the relationship/bond between Raghav and Gayatri is one that stands apart from others. I just needed that final touch to the scene -- Gayatri sensing him.
The best part was when Raghav asked her to believe in his innocence, in her son. It was more important to him than anything else. This cord between Raghav and Gayatri is one that I find both beautiful and dangerous -- dangerous because Raghav is prepared to do whatever it takes for her happiness, even if this should include losing himself in the very process. I wonder how far he'd go to be the perfect son, to become another Dev for her.
9) V obsessed with his "remarriage" and Raghav's whereabouts
Something that occurred to me during this scene is how V is obsessed with the "remarry" idea of his because he believes that it'll put him back in control. It'll be his ascension. Like the last time when he burned down Jahnvi's childhood home and took the pheres with her on his back, blessing [read:cursing] her, and elevating himself. That's what this is about.
It's not about Jahnvi. Never was. It's about him.
Note how he has set the date for their remarriage. Six days from now. Why six days from now? Why not tomorrow? Why not today? Because he needs to feel that he is in control of it all. That even God can't interfere with what he's got planned. That he writes his very own destiny and everyone else's too.
What bothers him is that he's essentially feeling out of control. Sia doesn't react to any of his torture, emotional or physical. Raghav's whereabouts are unknown. Gayatry refuses to dance to his tune. What exactly is in the palm of his hand?
10) V uses Krish to find Raghav
When he pinched Krish's cheek and forced him to nod, I wanted to smack V. That aside, I found it interesting how the writers once again showed us just quickly V switches from the more or less murderous version of himself to "I'm your favorite uncle, remember?" I was a bit disappointed with the way Krish fell for his tricks again -- given that Krish is not like the other kids his age -- but I chose to overlook it for now. Mainly because Krish did refuse to play with V twice.
I'll give the kid points for that.
I doubt that V understands the connection between Raghav and Krish, though. He just heard Komal talk about Krish knowing all of Raghav's hiding places and decided to give it a shot -- most probably out of desperation. He's running out of time.
11) The Joker?
I wonder if the card in V's hand and his new avatar in the precap was inspired from KVB's fascination with the Joker. I've noticed how they've been taking V's character down a path that seems to lead more and more toward psychopathy a la Joker version. And this might actually prove an interesting twist to his character which had become sadly repetitive. But as we all know, the Joker was a destructive character of the supervillain-ish kind. I'm very curious as to what the writers have planned for V in the future.
Will losing his sanity become part of his punishment?
>> Cons:
1) Krish refuses to play, but then plays along anyway?
Hm. Having shown him as uniquely perceptive and Team Raghav, I found it strange that he agreed to play because of a magic trick.
2) Komal's suspicions gone
I'm a bit disappointed on this front. Komal was shown as observative. She was shown as suspecting something being off about V, yet tonight she was all smiles and okay with him. I guess that I'd just hoped for some character development of her as well. Her being just somewhat uncomfortable leaving Krish alone with V would've done the job.
Considering how she noticed his odd behavior over the past few weeks, it's rather weird that she isn't becoming more suspicious or at least withdrawing from him now.
3) Taashu still nowhere in sight
Where is she? Seriously. She's only ever sleeping on the show.
4) Bit too much suspense, but not beyond unbearable yet
Scenes were dragged with a bit too much suspense tonight, but it wasn't unbearable and there was flow, no rushed sequences, which made it okay for me. I can understand that there has to be one or two filler episodes now and then.
Indian Idol 15
