Posted:
The episode was much better than expected.
When I saw the promo in which Sia was stabbed, I was reminded of Satine's death scene in Moulin Rouge where she perishes in Christian's arms. Fantastic movie. I found HC and SJ performances in the promo full of the same raw emotions, the same raw grief as in the death scene of Satine. For those of you who have never seen it:
I hope that the actual sequence in tomorrow's episode lives up to the promo -- and I don't mean performance wise, because HC/SJ will nail it. I mean, script execution and camera angle/focus wise. They better fully capture Raghav's reaction and Sia's pain.
>> Cons:
1) The cops remain passive
I wanted to smack them each on the head when Raghav went inside, and they didn't even care to follow him. Like, seriously. Once again; the police force should've been kept out of this whole hostage situation. Naam badnaam kar diya cops ka.
>> Technical:
1) Camera angles in Raghav's scenes
The director needs to work on the camera angles when capturing Raghav. The focus has to be sharper, the angles have to be intense and capture the actual strength of Raghav's character. We need to know Raghav through his body language and the camera's lens. I don't know if the director shoots with one camera or two. But when Raghav is in a scene, the focus is lacking, the intensity of the camera angles is lacking.
Plus the lacking focus results in Raghav's expressive gestures being missed. I.e. in Sia's court divorce scene, there was a long shot, at one point, in which you could just catch the glimpse of Raghav dropping his head in his hand, but the camera missed the close-up. A simple gesture like the one he made expressed a lot of desperation and frustration which would've added to his character connecting further with the viewers.
When dealing with a hero -- especially -- the focus has to be sharp, the camera angle has to be optimum. Intense. Capture the strength of the hero.
Couple of examples of great camera focus and angles that captured the power of a hero:
Note how the intensity is prevalent, predominating. You sense power and purity. Note that the gleam/intensity in the male protagonist's eyes is captured, his every facial muscle that is at work, the gesture of his hands [body language], and his strength is captured because of the angle of the shot and the panning.
The director of SB? is creative enough to think of his own intense camera angles. I would really suggest that HC's scenes [which are incredibly important because he portrays, and represents, the force of good and because his strength is the one that should inspire the younger generation of men] are discussed between the crew of camera men/director and worked on in the future.
It would really be appreciated.
2) Camera angles in Sia's scenes
Same as with Raghav's. Needs more focus and better/intense camera angles.
3) Raghav/Sia dialogues need more work
I don't know what's missing. Wait. I think it's substance/depth. Something powerful. I don't know why I tend to feel like their dialogues are restrained. I suggest that the dialogues, in the future, are worked on and strenghtened -- they need to stand out, too. The actors are so brilliant. Just give them a bit of a challenge. They will deliver it flawlessly.
4) The shot of V choking
Disappointed me. I would've preferred that he wasn't standing up during the choking. How about him still lying on the bed, Raghav straddling his back, pulled his head backward as he choked him. That way, the body double being used instead of KVB wouldn't have been so obvious because the shot would've been taken from the back of V's head, showing his neck bending due to the backward pull.
It would've been more intense as well. In addition to that, close-up of the cord around his neck was a bad move on the director's part since it showed how loose the cord was. The entire scene lost its impact due to this. Long shot and on the bed would've worked better, in my opinion.
But I'm not a director. This is all just how I felt about the scenes and how I would've liked to see them unfold.
5) Some dialogues for V did not fit his character
Such as when he said the part about Sia "crying on Raghav shoulder" and slowly entering his heart and "love is like that". Didn't we just establish that V knows nothing about love?
Stick to that, please.
6) Please stop rushing and take your time with Raghav/Sia scenes
Please.
>> Pros
1) Sia's calm/composed attitude and character consistency
Note how composed she was, unafraid of voicing her thoughts/emotions out loud. This is the Sia that I have come to love now. She's consistently strong -- and the very few times that she wavers in her strength isn't inconsistency but human. Because even though she is strong, it doesn't mean that she isn't afraid of what will happen to her. Naturally.
Like Aristotle once said; fear is pain rising from the anticipation of evil.
Looking at Sia's character growth in the past month and a half, I can praise the writers for keeping her consistent [whereas some months back, the writers seemed confused about her character]. Plus she's been given more screenspace which is appreciated.
2) Raghav reacts subconsciously when Sia is slapped
Fantastic symbolism. Note how Raghav's hand jerked the exact second V's hand slapped Sia. The symbolism was absolutely beautiful -- Raghav's subconscious reacted to the fact that Sia was in pain and needed him. It was like they were both connected. It was exactly like a cord stretching between their hearts, forging that connection.
Her pain slammed into him and woke him up.
I loved how they showed him restless; hand jerking, head turning, frowning, etc. Fantastic concept executed by the writers and flawlessly performed by the actor.
3) Sia backhands V
Omigod. I screamed in delight. First, I was shocked that she stopped him from smacking her across the face. Then when he pushed her hand aside and actually did smack her, I thought she'd never retaliate, that she'd let him beat her without even a retort.
She surprised me. She shocked me. I love her for it.
She slapped him right back, but what I loved the most about her slap was that it was not a normal slap [as in palm against cheek] -- she backhanded him. Somehow I thought that it was much more humiliating and awesome. Sriti was outstanding in this shot. She looked wild, prepared to pounce on him, rip him to shreds.
4) Sriti's performance post fall down the stairs
Note how she sucked in a sharp breath just as V brought his sword down to stab her right in the chest. That was all Sriti. Fantastic detail, so damn convincing.
I also loved her expression when she stared up at Raghav. There was relief and pride. In her expression, you saw the complete faith that she had in him -- that he'd come for her. Even as she'd prepared herself for the final blow.
5) Raghav's expression when he stops V from stabbing Sia
Everyone run and hide. Raghav's eyes spelled murder. Whatever mercy he had shown V, whatever pity that he'd had toward him -- it all died. Finally. V doesn't deserve mercy after everything that he's done. To even consider it has been a major flaw on the show. But at least they corrected some of it tonight.
Like Sia mentioned that when you've done a hundred wrong, then even God doesn't show mercy and forgive -- Raghav and Sia are human. I liked that they made Sia say the line in relation to God and forgiveness. Fantastic point. Now I just hope that the writers stick to it. They have a habit of going back on their word.
6) V is beaten to a bloody pulp
I loved watching him get beaten up. I loved how -- for five minutes -- they made him small and dethroned him. I'm sure they'll be back to glorifying him in the future. But just the five minutes of pure justice that we got tonight made me feel better.
This was nothing though. V deserves a life sentence for what he's done, and some would even argue that he deserves to be executed. Considering the one-year leap news and all, I guess we'll get to see him out and about soon enough without much of a punishment as even the law is being bent to accomodate V.
Plus they can't seem to continue the story without him.
7) Raghav/Sia unite
Fantastic performances in this scene. I wasn't all too fond of the execution of the scene as it seemed hurried and out of focus -- all over the place. But the performances were just so soul-touching and beautiful. You could literally feel their concern for each other, their love, their longing, their happiness when they finally hugged.
Note how Raghav brushed his thumb under her eye -- beautiful detail, added depth to the whole shot. Sia's hand on his cheek was another wonderful detail. Best part was the hug. One thing I love about their hugs is how Raghav always cradled the back of her head and buries his fingers in her hair, breathes her in, and how Sia always wraps both arms tightly around him, standing on her toes to reach him.
It's all very sweet and convincing and a trademark for Raghav/Sia hugs now.
8) Raghav got medical attention in an ambulance
Nice detail. I would've screamed in protest if they'd done the surgery on the couch.
>> Technical:
1) Sia was captured in a way that made V look small in comparison
Thank you, director saab. It was nice to see Sia overshadow V rather than the other way around. Now if only we could keep this up in the future as well...
2) The shot of Raghav's first hand-jerk when Sia is slapped
Fantastic camera angle/shot.
3) Directing and camera angles were better tonight than they have been recently
Better, but not brilliant.
For those who haven't read the post that I made on Gowani's online article [regarding how the channel/CVs have been promoting the abuser rather than the victim] the link is below.
That's all from me tonight, ya'll. Have a good night. Bye.
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