Posted:
Fantastic episode tonight. Just awesome. 
I would like to appreciate the writers' work tonight because they provided us with answers. They clarified many things that we'd all been debating and pondering over for months. I'm quite satisfied/content with the answers that we got tonight because they confirmed some things and reassured others -- which we've all needed for a while now.
The frustration eased a bit with tonight's episode.
For one thing, you finally know where the characters stand and all cards are on the table now. And the fight has gotten interesting because Raghav/Sia and Komolika are playing V's game but on their own terms, and they're steps ahead for once. It's refreshing to see the dark side dethroned throughout the episode, losing.
Also, at the bottom of the feedback, after the cons, I've added another section just for tonight that highlights an issue in relation to victim blaming and Jahnvi/Sia.
Without further procrastination...
>> Pros:
1) Komolika enters as Sia's saasu maa
What a mindblowing scene and clever twist. I have to compliment Urvashi, because that woman was outstanding tonight. From the moment that she entered with confidence and cleverly spun the story of being Sia's mother-in-law to when she presented the wedding album and check-mated V.
Just some months back, V had her hanging from the ceiling by a rope. I loved how she'd sustained her guts back then, refusing to tell him anything about Jahnvi's whereabouts. I loved her even more tonight when she -- despite the death threat -- met V's eyes without a single moment's hesitation, even smirking at him. She took her revenge tonight for the hanging that he put her through, and added to that it was just amazing to see her strong, still determined to support Sia, to help her win this fight.
It was a powerful scene altogether. You'll want to note Komolika's expressions throughout and how she glanced at V, knowingly, smirked at him. I loved the way that she looked up and went "mere beta jahan bhi ho..." That cracked me up. Fantastic. And the eye-contact between her and Raghav/Sia was priceless.
Just fabulous performances tonight. I really hope that nothing happens to her. She's their best and strongest weapon against V. She's their advantage and V's disadvantage.
2) Raghav/Sia and their amused expressions as they watched V
First, it was a treat to watch V squirm, for once.
Second, Raghav's and Sia's expressions tonight were just priceless. The slight smirk that hovered around Raghav's lips -- and which he tried to suppress by brushing a finger over his mouth -- it had me laughing in delight. Just awesome. Sia's lips twitched in an almost smile several times, but her eyes laughed more, and that was even better.
It was amusing to watch V squirm. To see him lose. And I love how they both observed it, his expression, his reaction to every word.
When Komolika presented the death certificate, I was in splits.
V, once again, underestimated the people around him.
3) Sia's flashback of her conversation with Komolika
Thank the writers for this addition. It was needed. We all needed logic at this point and we got it through Sia's flashback as she recalled her conversation with Komolika.
I especially liked how they showed Komolika search V's house for the tapes.
4) Raghav/Sia and Komolika discuss their plan
I'm so glad that we were given the process of everything in tonight's episode. We also got to see the trio discussing their plan. I liked how Komolika mentioned that Sia was the one who had called her, because she'd wanted Raghav out of prison. It was a significant detail in terms of how much it said about Sia's character and her gradually growing feelings for him.
Plus I just loved how Komolika took the lead here. She came up with the plan and both of them trusted her, trusted that she knew what she was doing. It was a bonding moment as well for all three of them.
Like Komolika said, her plan had two purposes: 1) to bail Raghav out of prison, and 2) to expose V. I'm glad that it was mentioned how Sia had asked Komolika for proof of how V had committed domestic violence, because she wanted a divorce. I was so relieved that the writers hadn't forgotten about that. Divorce is what the battle should lead toward now, as well as V's arrest. And it is.
5) Komolika describes V and presents a message to the audiences
This was the highlight of tonight's episode. When Komolika characterized V, described him to the audiences, and clarified a lot of things about his nature. Everything Komolika said had me going like this, at the end of it:
Some of the absolute best points were:
>> V won't ever change, he will only become more dangerous [message presented].
>> V needs to be treated like an intelligent criminal, not a patient [message presented].
>> Don't pity V. It'll be a mistake. He might have a mental disorder, but that doesn't mean that he should be set loose in society [message presented].
>> V knows that what he does is wrong and harmful -- and he enjoys it [sadistically].
>> V plays with people's lives.
I also loved how Komolika said that V's arrest was Sia's responsibility. Sia bent her head at this, as if she felt guilty/ashamed for having ignored the issue on purpose. Nice detail.
Something else that is commendable: Raghav's sharp observation that V could very well react the way that he knew they wanted him to react.
6) Raghav and Komolika talk about Sia, and Raghav's selfless love
Raghav and Komolika had fantastic chemistry. It was nice to see her discuss Sia with him without Sia's presence since I felt that the talk was needed. Raghav needed to express a few things, and something that was evident in this scene was Raghav's pure heart, mind, and nature.
When he selflessly told Komolika that what mattered to him was that Sia won the right to lead her own life her own way, that she regained her freedom -- I simply had to lean back and shake my head in awe. That was just beautiful. Fantastic performance by Harshad in this shot as well -- since delivering such [flowery] dialogues can quickly seem unconvincing, but it was his voice modulation and how expressive his eyes were tonight that managed to convince me of every word from his mouth.
Rather than V, Raghav is the husband material and role model that young men should be looking up to, admire. He represents justice as well as hope and purity, yet he has his flaws, which make him human and tangible.
The display of his selfless nature also emphasized the point that he isn't selfish, and that V is wrong when he tries to convince Sia of Raghav being selfish.
7) Taashu pulls Raghav aside and tells him about Sia
Much awaited Taashu/Raghav confrontation. First thing, I'm glad that the writers kept her in character and had her telling what she'd seen to Raghav. It's what Taashu would have done. She loves Raghav and doesn't want to see him hurt. But I have a bad feeling that she'll be the reason that something goes horribly wrong with the plan.
The performances from both actors were brilliant. The way that Raghav grabbed her arm and tried to stutter out an explanation without revealing anything, his hand fluttering up to his face and then down, not knowing how to explain the situation, and the way that Tashu got upset, her voice high-pitching, agitated with his poor response.
Something that I really appreciate is small details that deepen relationships. Like when Taashu grabbed Raghav's hand and pulled him aside.
8) Sia overhears Raghav's confession
Finally, it's out. Now she knows for sure. I really loved her expression. It wasn't shocked, per se, and it wasn't upset either -- it was... thoughtful, as if she were thinking, searching within herself. I liked that as it added some depth to Sia as well.
9) V attempts to brainwash Sia, but she doesn't listen
If Sia's character has finally reached that point where she doesn't fall for his lies and all of his manipulation anymore, then she won't buy his words tonight either. His brainwashing reminded me of the Devil's whispers.
V was desperate in this shot. Good to see him out of control.
There was a shot tonight that I found very disturbing -- when V was at the mandir and the way that he held onto the branch, tall, animalistic. He didn't appear human. And he made me think of the arrogance of Lucifer as the symbolism in that shot seemed to show God, the mandir, and the Devil -- as in V disrespectfully hanging by the tree in a demonic manner. Fabulous shot, by the way.
>> Cons:
None. Zilch. Nada. Except that I hated the precap.
Do watch the episode. It was great. Feedback ends here. Now I'll be addressing an issue that I opened a separate thread on earlier. The issue on victim blaming. This is for those who might have missed the topic. It's important to highlight the issue.
>><<
For quite a while, I've been noticing the kind of comments made on Jahnvi. Not just in this forum, but outside it as well.
The comments disturbed me because, upon research, this kind of perception/mentality in relation to a victim of DV/rape is considered victim blaming. It's a behavior defined as the observer blaming the victim rather than the abuser. It is an attitude that only reinforces the very thing that the abuser always tells the victim: that it's her fault, that she's to blame for whatever happened/is happening to her. In fact, by sharing this attitude, society supports and permits the abuser to commit violence against his victim and avoid any responsibility for his actions.
But we all know that abusers have a choice and if they commit a crime such as abuse, it's their choice that leads to this act. It's how they choose to respond to their partner's actions, comments, whatsoever. Because there are alternative ways to deal -- aside from abuse. One option would be walking away.
Examples of victim blaming in Jahnvi's case:
"Jahnvi doesn't deserve V."
"She ran away instead of fighting him."
"Jahnvi should've tried to treat him."
"Why the hell did she stay in the first place?"
She has been called names, of course. She's been called a "#itch", "sneaky, slimy", and a "compulsive liar". She has also been called "worthless" and "w#ore". There are some who believe that she is "devious" and her thinking is considered "twisted", "self-seeking".
It's interesting how no one blames V for abusing Geeta, Jahnvi, Priya, and even the maid. No, the victims are blamed. "Why didn't they fight him?" or "Why did Priya fool him?" The victim is blamed and held responsible for running away -- even if staying back destroys her. The victim is called a "gold-digger" for a marriage that she agreed to only because it was something that her parents thought to be a good match.
The victim is called an adulteress for allowing a friendship to a man who happens to like her and who she happens to look up to. The same victim is now being called slimy and a cheat for using less-than-squeaky-clean methods to get rid of her abuser. And the same victim is required to fight her abuser alone -- even though the abuser has unfair advantages and has found her before she's been able to let go of her past.
How is it that she can only be a "good" character if she fights alone and uses the cleanest of all methods in order to rid of him? And if her methods are underhanded because of the demands of the situation, then her character is called into question?
Why should she have to adhere to such high moral standards?
Either way, she's in danger and her mental state is barely ever paid attention to when she is critisized. The fact that she hasn't even healed, that she suffers nightmares and panic attacks frequently, and V returns before her healing has even begun, is never taken into account. Instead, she's the one put in the stocks.
When she does become self-serving, looking out for her own safety first, the fact that she hasn't even gotten out of her PTSD yet isn't even taken into account, nor is the fact that she takes help because her own experiences have reinforced her own sense of low self-worth.
Victim blaming is a serious issue and it's a dangerous thing. If victims know that they will be blamed, they will not feel safe speaking up about their abuse and there'll be much less of a chance that they'll seek support.
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