Posted:
The episode left me with a hollow feeling.
I'm dealing with the cons first tonight. Need to voice a few points before I can concentrate on the pros. The episode lacked power/intensity. Disappointing, actually.
>> Cons:
1) Raghav's trimmed look
I don't understand. Before, he seemed more mysterious and stronger because he'd let his stubble grow and his shirts were tighter. His character became an equal to V. But tonight, he'd returned to the same look that he had when he entered the show -- the trimmed look. His character has grown now. The trimmed look doesn't fit Raghav anymore. To me, it's a step back, not forward. Plus it made him look weaker in comparison to V whereas before he looked like an equal -- the strength of a man, not a street boy.
I suggest that his appearance is allowed to grow with his character. The mysterious look is suitable for Raghav as he's grown into a man and he needs to look the part in order to appear an equal in front of the villain. Thus allow him to grow his stubble, wear the tight shirts from previous episodes. Just do not set back his character. It bugs me.
2) No focus throughout the episode
I disliked how the focus on each character was lacking. Intensity in the scenes was clearly missing. The constant focus was on V; his dialogues, his antics, his style, etc., whereas it could've been a highly frightening episode if the writers/director had focused more on the build-up of every scene, the psychological process as in the stress/fear.
Three women and one child held captive by a psychopath -- yet I was strangely relaxed. I just knew that he wouldn't do anything to them. He doesn't have the guts. There was like no power, no intensity in the episode -- there could've been focus on Komal, her constant fear of losing Krish, her watching V and Krish closely, refusing to let them out of her sight. There could've been focus on Gayatri working her sharp mind, and working on loosening the ropes behind her back -- I would've liked to see V confront Gayatri, remove her tape, have a psychotic conversation with her and Gayatri provoking him [because Gayatri does not fear him nor does she shut up just because he says so].
There could've been more focus on Krish trying to escape. He might be seven, but he has been shown as uniquely perceptive and so they could've shown him just a bit smart -- had him lock the bathroom door and escape. Would've been nice to see V lose that battle, and he'd still have three hostages, so it wasn't like his plan would've been entirely spoiled.
3) Raghav, as a sharp man [not just a hero], was weakened to accomodate V
To provide V the upperhand, Raghav was once again weakened. I mean, they wasted so much time on showing him leave and then make his way back inside when they could've shown him think and come up with a solid plan. Something that would've actually been in character for Raghav since he's as sharp as V.
First thing, untying the women and attempting to leave through the front door was stupid. Not worthy of Raghav's character. Untying the women was a risk in itself. But the clever part was that if the women had gotten out, then V would only have Krish to negotiate with and he wouldn't harm him because the kid would be his only ticket out.
Instead of showing Raghav act dumb by trying to sneak out with the women -- why didn't they show him and the cops co-operating? The cops could've gotten a rope, Raghav got inside, and each of the women were helped out the window while Raghav distracted V in the hall or something.
Basically, to allow V to have the upperhand, they had to weaken all the other characters -- that including the cops. Plus why didn't the cops work together with a psychiatrist? Maybe they could've called Komolika as she knows V's mind inside out. She'd be an advantage.
I swear *shakes head* Ridiculously executed episode. I would've suggested that the writers researched hostage situations, and then tried to execute them.
4) Why gag Krish if V didn't know that he could talk now?
Self-explanatory.
5) Sia's thought process was rushed
Her thought process on how the Singhs house was her home, etc., was rushed through. I was severely disappointed because it was an important character development for her. It could've been given more space if the writers had cut away some of V's "glorious" antics. They wasted so much time and space on dragging out his scenes/monologues.
6) Raghav's inner turmoil should've been played out
He just said goodbye to the woman he loves, just returned home to find V pointing a gun at Krish, his entire family taken hostage. The man is bound to be at war with himself -- and the writers should've given his character time to play out the war between his mind and his heart.
Instead, they made him quiet again -- like he used to be when he first entered the show. I disliked it. Gravely.
>> Pros:
1) Raghav shouts at the female cop and lets out his frustration
This was much needed. I was frustrated with the cops too. When Raghav exploded out of anger and told the female cop that this had all happened because of her, I agreed. If they had paid better attention to the psychopathic criminal in their arrest, if they had taken the precautions necessary -- then V wouldn't have escaped, and even if he had escaped, the cops wouldn't have looked as stupid as they did tonight.
2) Sia can sense that something's wrong
I liked this scene because it showed that Sia's connected with Raghav on a level that just surpasses any kind of grounded level -- it's something else entirely now. It seemed to just enhance the depth of their relationship/bond. Whatever's been forged between them now is unbreakable.
I was glad that she called to make sure that he was okay. Note how he asked if she was okay, even though he was warring with himself due to concern for his family. Something that I appreciated was how he told her that he was busy and disconnected the call -- the clock is ticking and he doesn't have time for small talk.
3) Krish is fearless
This surprised me, in a good way. I liked that Krish didn't fear him in the same way Komal and the others did. I wish that the writers had explored it by making him escape and show him as strong -- something that V wouldn't have anticipated.
4) Raghav refuses to bring Sia back
I respected Raghav for refusing to put Sia in danger. He believes that she's been through enough with this man and he doesn't want to haul her back into the mess. I also liked that he told the female cop that V couldn't be trusted. There were no guarantees in his case. I must say it's a lesson learned, but it was quite a bit out of character for Raghav to trust V in the first place when he has sustained from the start that V isn't trustworthy [and he has even been proven right when Sia revealed who V was].
5) The women were strong
I liked that none of the women were weak or cried when Raghav untied them. They were all about business. They worked together, got up, and moved on. Fantastic.
>> Technical pros:
1) Raghav's window smashing
Praise to the director for the shot of Raghav's heel slamming down and breaking a piece of glass when he leapt through the window to untie his family. Fantastic shot that one. An impactful detail.
Don't have anything else to say. Disappointing episode. Not even the performances could salvage the poorly executed script tonight. Not for me. The actors can't work with nothing. Nite, peeps.
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