Posted:
Tonight's episode was beyond ridiculous. It was a one-man circus. And every other character was made to accomodate his circus.
I don't understand what's going on. What happened? For almost two weeks, we've gotten consistently balanced episodes with character development and evil dethroned. Then, all of a sudden, the writers decide to make an entire episode on V, on glorifying him, on how he dresses up, on how he's the only one talking throughout 20 minutes.
This is the first time that I've felt like I wasted 20 minutes of my life on an episode of SB?. Because at the end of the episode, I felt hollow, vacant, and throughout the episode I had to keep reminding myself to focus. None of what happened tonight made any sense.
Least of all, V's costume.
Question: How does turning V into the Joker relate to his character? If they had gone for, say, Ram or Raavan, then that would've -- at the least -- related symbolically to the story overall. But the Joker? I wasn't convinced even for a split-second.
I have three pros tonight, but I'm listing them last.
>> Cons:
1) Raghav-Krish scene and Raghav-Gayatri scene weren't played out
For the first time ever, I did not enjoy their scenes.
2) V as the Joker
Before he'd even shown himself, I was cringing because of how ridiculous it was.
3) Unniyal
Disappointed me. In the wake of tonight's episode, I have lost all sympathy toward him. I didn't sense as much as a second's hesitation or remorse in his voice/action.
4) The glorification of V
Sickened me beyond words.
5) Raghav back in prison
Ridiculous. Why have him escape to converse with Sia for two episodes and then return to prison? Way to weaken a heroic character before he has even been made stronger.
6) Krish's grief for Raghav being taken wasn't even shown
He should've been shown feeling responsible for what happened and angry at V, but this didn't even occur to the writers.
The writers have a problem. And their problem is that they allow V to gain way too much power in the narrative at the cost of every other character on the show. For God's sake, I fail to understand how they can introduce a hero and then turn him into a handsome face who pops up now and then and otherwise keep him weak, incapable of matching the big bad villain's big bad power.
Just what are the CVs doing?
Why did they give us the hope that the story was finally shifting to Raghav-Sia joint power and character strength when, in the end, they couldn't stop themselves from glorifying evil once again? What is it that the CVs don't understand here?
Earlier on in another feedback thread, I'd worked out an analysis on the three characters that demonstrated how I perceived their character development, including where I figured it might lead them. Tonight, I've worked out an analysis on the potential that I feel that the characters and show hold -- regardless of V's existence or end.
It seems to me that V acknowledged his own insanity by dressing up like the Joker tonight and showing himself as a villain -- he has somehow transitioned into the final stage of his character before his complete downfall. Well, that was what I'd assumed before I saw the way that the writers glorified him tonight and let me down completely.
When I first started watching the show, I thought that V was an intriguing character, in a frightening way. But my main focus was always Jahnvi and I waited for her character to strenghten, to leave him. However, the process that led up to her escape told me that the writers were -- mildly speaking -- obsessed with V. Jahnvi's psychological journey was so often ignored in favor of V's. We followed every single thought process of V's and, at one point, the writers actually introduced a double just to drill the point.
Even when Jahnvi lost her child, it still came to be about V -- as in his treatment and well-being. When Jahnvi escaped, I thought that finally we'd get to follow the victim's journey, her thought process; that V would be out of the picture for a while as she healed and her hero entered. However, even as they showed her embark on the most difficult jounery of her life -- they constantly shifted focus back to V in Manali with his pot, with Priya, or with himself. There wasn't a single episode without him and once again 1) Jahnvi's process of healing was messed up and ignored, and 2) the hero became nothing more than a pretty face that popped up now and then, almost as if they wanted to keep him oppressed and not make him strong enough to rival V.
My problem has only ever been the glorification of V and the constant attention that he is being given on the show; the power they've allowed him to gain in the narrative -- whether it's been to showcase his evil deeds, style, or whether it has been to attempt redemption tracks that fell flat on their faces.
Where were the other characters in all this? Where was the victim? Where was the hero?
The writers seem to have an idea in their heads that the show cannot continue without V and his style and the glorification of both. This is a misconception. Speaking for myself, I never started to watch nor continued to watch the show for V, but for Jahnvi. I've always believed that she'd be capable of carrying the show and garner viewers if only the writers would give her the time of day, focus on her and not her abuser.
Furthermore, it surprises me that the writers fail to see the incredible amount of potential that all the other characters on the show hold -- be it Sia, Raghav, Gayatri, Komal, Krish, Taashu, or even Sundar and Shekhawat. The idea that V carries the show alone is wrong to say the least. A lot of people watch the show for the other characters, the relationships b/w those characters, their interaction, and the potential that they all hold. It's not just one character who makes the story -- it's all of them. And yet those characters are weakened or pushed out of the frame to give room for V, and V, and more V.
The writers need to realize that V's downfall doesn't mean the story's/show's downfall. If anything, the show will only rise with it. Where's the optimism from the writers' side? I, as a viewer, can see all the potential in this show even if V is dethroned. I can come up with a story for each and every other character -- but they, as professional writers, seem only to believe that the character of V can keep the show going?
When they made V the sun around which the show revolved, the writers defined a certain target audience. But that doesn't mean that they can't change it all and develop the story post V's downfall and redefine another target audience for the show. Why are they afraid of dethroning V and ending his evil reign?
The story can still relate to the show even after domestic violence has been treated as a theme and ended fairly. For instance, the story could take a complete turn, go through a metamorphosis, revolving around family issues, relationships. Sia's psychological journey could finally be focused on; how she wouldn't be able to live her life as remarried as easily as some might think, because scars from her past, her marital rape remain. Fear of physical and emotional contact might drive a wedge between her and Raghav.
In regard to all the other characters -- Komal's secret is yet to be revealed as to why she becomes detached at the mention of Dev? Was he abusive in another way? The writers don't seem to realize that Komal too is an intriguing character.
There would be Raghav's struggle with his mother's wishes of a perfect son like Dev, and his struggle with Sia and the relationship build-up with a woman who has been through violence and rape. Sia's struggle with herself and coming to terms with her past, healing, moving on in a new relationship without holding up a wall in fear of being let down -- plus there's the social message of remarriage.
Krish's psychological trauma is another potential story to tell. We have Raghav's mysterious past and how he was involved with Dev's accident.
My point is that the power to transform the entire story and develop all the characters is in the writers' hands -- they have a fantastic cast of actors, they have fantastic multidimensional characters, and it being a show leaves the imagination to be explored to its fullest.
I want to suggest that the writers take a look at their characters, because they've missed a lot. V is a part of the story, but the entire story isn't driven by him. Audiences should be able to relate to the stories presented and the other characters -- that'll make them watch and become emotionally invested.
Kher. I could keep babbling and it probably wouldn't make the big difference at all. I just need to get this off my chest, because I love the show, I love the characters, but I am sick of this V glorification/focus and I want to see the other characters involved as well. I want to see something other than V's mad antics and self-obsessing and all the evil prevailing while heroes and victims are weakened to hide or suffer in silence.
Terribly disappointed with tonight's episode. I'm not sure how much longer that I can put up with the V focused drama. There's a limit. And if the writers can't see what they're doing wrong even after everything said and done -- then that's just sad.
I wasn't entirely blind while watching the episode, so I did catch onto a few pros...
1) Sia's character is still consistent and strong
That was a plus. However, I expect her to have a plan and not allow V to blackmail her as she has witnessed and come to realize what a coward he really is. Nothing should break her resolve. It would mean disrespect toward herself -- and Raghav who has suffered at V's hands just as she has. Giving in, surrendering... I'd be disappointed and it'd ruin what character growth they've shown in her so far.
2) Krish signs that Black Heart told him that he'd get his voice back
Brilliant performance by Yash.
3) The silent communication b/w Raghav and Sia
Another beautiful moment between RaghaVi that showed the potential their relationship holds and what Harshad-Sriti can do with just seconds of eye-contact. Brilliant work.
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