Posted:
Great episode.
Praise to the writers for providing a well-balanced episode with flow, logic, and for making sure that all relationships were given time/screenspace. I know that they're in a hurry, but they were fair to all characters tonight, and for that the writers deserve our appreciation.
>> Pros:
1) Raghav apologizes to Sundar and vice versa
First, I liked how Gayatri observed their friendship and how she was the one who decided on coming with Raghav to visit Sundar. Second, I was glad that Raghav apologized to his best friend -- not because it was his fault [since it wasn't], but because it's typical Raghav to blame himself, to be the one to apologize even for other people's mistakes.
What made me smile was that Sundar disagreed with him and told him that it was his own fault and that he should've told Raghav about V and not have let things get this far. Note how Raghav doesn't disagree with him on this. Because Sundar should have told the truth and not have hidden it from Raghav.
Something else that I liked was how Raghav changed the subject. He was so delighted to have his brother back that he just wanted to savor the moment, to linger for a while. What made me laugh was how Sundar conveniently mentioned Sia in a joking manner and how Raghav turned serious, admitting that he was in love with her.
I think that Raghav missed talking to Sundar, missed sharing his thoughts and feelings. It was a relief to him to share this with Sundar. I don't think that he's comfortable talking to anyone else about Sia, not like this. Note that he always changes the subject or, at times, brushes his emotions under the rug [in front of Komal, Taashu] because he has this idea in his head that he has to be the strong, protective brother and not show weakness. But also because he isn't comfortable discussing his feelings for Sia with anyone.
With the exception of Krish and Sundar, perhaps.
I loved Gayatri's expression when she overheard Raghav confessing his love for Sia. The pain was obvious, and her powerlessness. This was one situation that she couldn't, in any way, get him out of -- not with money, not with power.
2) The story about the birds that flew away
Interesting imagery. The dialogues were awesome, and so was their delivery.
You could tell that it was uncomfortable for Raghav, and painful, to sit there and feign the ease with which he explained things to Krish. Especially when Sia was sitting right beside him on the couch. Plus Gayatri was watching him, and she'd just found out that he was in love with Sia. I mean, leave him be, ya'll. Heh.
Krish was incredibly cute when he called Sia "chidiya" in order to show that he had gotten what Raghav had explained to him about why Sia wasn't living with him in his room now.
Plus, something else that I liked was how Raghav got up and left the hall without glancing at Gayatri or Sia. He needed a moment to recover, to compose himself. The best part for me though was when Gayatri followed her son rather than turned to comfort Sia. In a way, it showed that she chose to support Raghav in this, not Sia. Understandably. You could see the maternal instinct in Gayatri rise to the surface; the need to protect her son from the pain. And the pain was Sia.
3) Gayatri seeks out Raghav and promises that he'll be rewarded
This was the highlight of the entire episode for me.
The scene was beautifully executed, script and directing wise. The performances touched my heart. You saw Raghav's attempt at pretending to not care. Gayatri didn't buy it. She'd gotten to know her son over the past few days. I think that he surprised her, because she sounded stunned when she asked him when he'd grown from a boy to a man.
I loved how Raghav wiped her tear, how he placed one hand on her cheek first, and then the other, cupping her face in his hands. That was beautiful. The best part was when she hit the nail on the head, telling him that one day he'd be rewarded for his sacrifices, for all the good that he'd done for others, for all of his selflessness and care. This was when he finally dropped his defenses, shedding a tear. You saw a flare of hope on his face, in his broken smile, and then he hugged her like a child would hug his mother -- burying himself in her arms.
He allowed himself to be weak for a moment, and let his mother protect him, comfort him. This isn't easy for a man to do. To relinquish the hold over himself, to let go.
Beautiful scene. Fully played out. Truly appreciate that the writers gave us this moment.
4) Sia talks to Uma about Raghav
I liked that Sia's thought process was shown here. She spoke to her mother about how it was hard for her to see Raghav's pain, to know that she was the one causing it. I'd like to praise the writers for keeping Sia consistent and strenghtening her presence of mind. For months, she seemed distant, detached, and incapable of thinking of others' pain, of even seeing it.
But the way that she spoke of Raghav's pain tonight -- full presence of mind, full connect. Sriti, as usual, was outstanding here. I also loved how Uma supported her, telling her that matters of the heart can only be solved by the heart. It showed that she was open to the idea of her daughter falling in love and remarrying, but she wasn't going to pressure her, or push her about it.
I do wish that Sia's question "am I in love with Raghav?" hadn't been spoken out loud until after the song sequence. That would've made more sense to me and seemed less rushed in a way.
5) Iktara sequence
This was damn clever of the writers. They used a song sequence to make sure that Sia's realization of her love for Raghav wouldn't seem rushed. Instead, it seemed like a gradual process of her emotions/thoughts over a period of time [which they further emphasized by showing the change of clothes and events throughout the days].
I liked the song sequence a lot. I liked how Raghav bobbed his head in question when he caught Sia staring at him. I liked how she watched him interact with his family members. I liked how she went into his room and covered him with the blanket and how he woke and caught her shadow. I liked how she held his wedding clothes in her arms with a smile on her lips, and how she tucked her hair behind her ear when she noticed him standing in the hallway -- only to watch him walk away without glancing at her. The smile died on her lips. That was proof enough. Proof that she'd fallen hard for him, that she wanted him to notice her. Only now he was avoiding her.
6) V and Raghav confrontation
Fantastic scene. It was cut short, unfortunately. But I enjoyed it as long as it lasted.
I liked how they'd had V do the hitlist writing on the wall for everyone to see. The camera angle -- when Raghav was shown standing on the other side of the bars, watching V and reading the hitlist -- was fantastic. Furthermore, the way that the mood tensed as V listed Raghav's family members -- it gave me the chills. Because Raghav looked furious in that moment. Like he could snap V's neck like a twig to protect his family.
I think that it took every ounce of control in him to not damage V. But then V was actually instigating that instinct within Raghav by threatening everyone that he loved.
Raghav said that V should accept treatment. Seriously? The man can't be treated. When will people realize this? He's a psychopath. He has Yamraj written on the wall as if he's a God of Death. And I was right about Jahnvi. The thing about obsessive men like V is that they never stop hunting as long as their prey is alive, or as long as they are alive.
Fantastic shot of Raghav grabbing V's throat through the bars with a lethal expression, and V spreading his arms, egging Raghav on.
7) Uma reassures Sia about her future
Another beautiful moment between mother and daughter. I loved Uma here. I loved how she tried to show Sia how many options she had. That her life didn't end here. That she had many decisions yet to make and that she'd a bright future ahead of her.
Something else that I found interesting was how Sia was thinking of V's threats. I've mentioned before that I sensed it like a bad omen, foreshadowing, when he threatened to destroy everyone and return. But it just doesn't fit with his redemption track, and I'm choosing to believe the worst which is that he'll be redeemed by the writers -- to my utter dislike/disappointment.
8) Unniyal's tortured
Well, V can't live without torturing someone and since Unniyal was the only one near him...
You know, I wanted to feel bad for Unniyal, but then he got himself into this situation. He's in love with his prabhu. Plus, he got the chance to switch sides and atone for what he had done, but he chose the wrong path again. Now bear the consequences.
>> Cons:
1) Cops and stupidity
Damn. I knew Indian TV cops were stupid, but this was just beyond stupidity. V beats up Unniyal and no one hears him. Then he tricks the cop into thinking that Unniyal has a bad stomach, and it takes ALL THREE cops to help Unniyal and not even one of them keeps an eye on V as he sneaks out?
Sure. Talk about cliche scenes and the kinds that are beyond the realm of logic.
Great episode, so do watch. Nite, peeps.
