I liked today's episode because today Shlok came across more as a confused person rather than a dumb person. Though I am not sure where this whole Aditi track is going, as Niranjan/Anjali scene and Astha/Anjali scene just confused me. Leaving that aside, I will just talk about main characters as they are the ones who were interesting.
Anjali and Astha
It felt as if Anjali is retreating back to her shell. She was always against having Astha as Shlok's wife - not because she thinks that Astha is not suitable for Shlok, but because Astha threatened her world with which she had made peace. Once Astha was there, Anjali unwillingly got drawn to her because Astha has a tremendous capacity to love unconditionally - something which she has learnt from Avdhoot. Also she has patience and tenacity that started breaking some of the walls that Anjali had built around her. She was protecting Astha's rights with Aditi and was wary of her. But now it seems as if that is no longer a concern for her. Was it a result of Astha's open confrontation that started to shake Anjali's world and so she is going back to her comfort zone.
I was confused in this scene. It is very possible that story has changed (Aditi's role is being extended) and hence all the old wariness is gone. But until they show that definitely, I analyze Anjali as getting once scared of Astha's presence. So I was not sure if she was reminding Astha about her limited days at Agnihotri house because she wanted to provoke Astha to get a divorce or was telling her to conform to Agnihotri ways (sweep unpleasant things under the rug and keep quiet) to maintain her position in the house.
She also acted like Shlok in this scene where she lashed out at Astha - calling her shameless and stubborn, because Astha was continuing to defy her orders of making peace at home. I liked Astha in this scene because though Anjali put all kind of emotional pressure on Astha, she did not cave down and was steadfast in her decision. She also did not want to take the soup to Aditi's room, but did so when Anjali sternly asked her to do so. Since she has a soft corner for Anjali (Shlok's mother and hence somebody to be respected), she complied though she showed her disagreement.
Shlok and Astha - Pot Calling the Kettle Black
So Astha was making the bed as usual for Shlokie bear whom she spoils a lot. Shlok has closed his mind and now he does not want to think about that there was an attempt on Astha's life. So he showed his displeasure by forbidding her to do things for him. That is a Niranjan trait who too punishes Anjali by asking her to stop doing things for her. If Astha is not careful, she will turn into Anjali because her emotions for Shlok has overwhelmed her good sense just as she told Shlok today/ This bed brushing scene between Astha and Shlok reminded me of Niranjan and Anjali. Anjali uses her saree to clean Niranjan's shoes and Astha was using her shawl to clean Shlok's bed. Was this scene intended to show similarities and differences between Anjali and Astha. Else I have seen anybody using the shawl to brush the bed.
.
Shlok can be a very cruel person as he tends to hurt those intensely who love him the most. So he berated her for not caring enough for him where she could apologize to Aditi for endangering her life. How did Astha endanger Aditi's life? Did she go to Aditi and provoked her in taking that pesticide? What a burden to put on an innocent girl who is only protecting him.
After all this emotional pressure, Shlok decided to give Astha the silent treatment and asked her to leave. Astha is a persistent person who despite her hurt, speaks up when she knows that she is being wronged. That is one major thing that differentiates Astha from Anjali. So she asked him. Shlok first told her that he was not going to discuss anything with her, but then as he was indeed spoiling for a fight, he got up and lashed at her. He knows that she loves him deeply and so he deliberately said words like an "outsider" to wound her. It is clear that Baba is the reason he does not want to face the truth. Because if Astha is right, then it means that Baba is wrong and of course that also shakes Shlok's world just as it does Anjali's world. They have made all their decisions around and for Baba and so they would have to question their years of value system.
Since that cannot be questioned, Shlok acted like Anjali and started blaming Astha's upbringing. Kalindi remains a thorn for both Anjali and Shlok because she shows them the mirror they do not want to see. Shlok needed a huge whack on his head for such below the belt remarks. He also told that she never admits her mistakes and never agrees that she can be wrong. Umm...baby bear...have you seen yourself in the mirror...so you are putting all your characteristics on Astha...if Astha never admitting her mistakes shows her lowly upbringing, what does that make your baba who has brought you up and given your value system...no wonder Shlok does not want to see the truth that is staring in his face.
I liked Astha in this scene who was again heart broken with Shlok clinging to her distrust. Astha has come a long way from that pampered girl. She has matured tremendously in last few months. So she was broken, but she did not bend. Though she was tearful, she was also firm when she told him that Shlok again let her down and that the distance between them was because Shlok is unable to face the truth and sides with wrong because it is convenient. She also answered his remark of "low upbringing" by throwing her principles (Kalindi and Avdhoot's legacy) at his face that does not allow her to keep quiet when there is wrong going on.
Shlok actually knows that she was right and that's why he was quiet after that and could not go to sleep. He also looked guilty when he realized that Astha was crying on her mat. While Astha was thinking of how he had risked his life to save her, he was thinking of her declaring her love and also her frank admission that she does feel jealous because she is possessive about him. I think he was thinking of the later memory so that he could justify that Astha was indeed mistaken about Aditi.
Astha did not tell him, but she did think that Shlok's behavior once again opened her eyes and that she should separate from him because it is impossible to have a relationship without mutual trust. At this time, I would like Astha to remain determined about leaving Shlok. But that is not going to happen because Shlok remains Astha's main weakness. Kalindi is needed to put some sense in Astha at this time because if she keeps on picking projects that makes her stay with Shlok, then she would end up staying with him forever despite him not giving her what she needs. This family is so twisted that there are endless projects for a person like Astha.
Anyway, I liked how the whole night scene was picturized between Astha and Shlok where both were so restless and could not sleep. Then the next day, they were not talking with each other because now there is too much of a distance between them.
But now I am rooting for Astha to go for a divorce though I know it is not going to happen. Sometimes one has to lose something precious before they realize its worth. Life does not give one so many opportunities. Though Shlok is my favorite character and I root for him, he is taking Astha too much for granted. But even if Astha does not divorce him (say in order to save him), will she distance herself emotionally from him. During the puja, he was the one who was looking at her with concern and put his hands on her hands, but it was she who withdrew her hands from his hands.
Niranjan and Anjali - What does Baba Want?
So first Niranjan told Anjali to cut short her punishment. Anjali immediately knew that she had done something wrong because Niranjan's way of showing that displeasure is to either ask Anjali to stop doing things for him or to stop the punishment. So he told her that she told the lunatic and her crazy fake father about Astha and Shlok's pending divorce.
From this point onwards, I am confused because his manipulative music was playing when Niranjan told Anjali that he still wants Astha as his DIL because it was against Agnihotri tradition to get a divorce. But then in the next sentence he told her that he wanted Astha and Shlok to celebrate the festival together even if the next day they get a divorce. So does he want a divorce now, but wants Shlok to think that he tried to prevent it and that it was Astha or him who took the decision to do so. So does he think that he has created enough distance between the two where one or both would ask for a divorce. In the meanwhile, he can pretend that he did everything to prevent it...I am confused because I am no longer sure if his manipulative music is being used properly or now just being used because they have made it his signature music.
Sid and Jyoti - Varad in the Mix
Jyoti is liking living with Sid as there are no demands and no risk. She is looking very young and pretty - like a young girl she is rather than an old repressed maid she had become at Abhay's place. So she is not even thinking of contacting Astha anymore. She was enjoying listening to Sid's mouth organ. She turned away when he stopped and Sid as usual noticed that his music had made her drop her guard for the moment. So he played it again until he got an interview. So he again asked Jyoti to wish him luck. So he is constantly giving Jyoti the confidence that she has brought luck to his life. Then his future boss turned out to be Varad who it seems is quite successful in his field and has made a name for himself. Niranjan should be whipped for treating Varad like a nobody when Varad has made it big in his field. Varad who is so quiet in front of Niranjan is actually quite a strict person outside. So Varad has two different personas - easy going at home with Shlok and his ideal woman Astha and a stern person at work. I actually liked Varad in the interview scene when he stopped Barney's over the top phrase though Barney is genuinely impressed with Varad's calibre. So Barney is impressed with Varad when his own family never praises him. So Barney is not only praising Jyoti, but also Varad - the two under appreciated Agnihotri kids. But Barney is unsure about his job prospects.
Jyoti wants to help him but does not want to contact Varad because she does not want to take a risk of Abhay finding out and Agnihotris once again forcing her to go back with Abhay. That's why it is good that she stays with Sid until she gains enough confidence to tackle Abhay on her own. Barney did tell her that if he gets a job, his boss would be Varad who is not an easy person to get along with. Jyoti just tells him to relax because God would help him - him being the right person. Barney promptly told Jyoti that she should also take her own advice. So Barney is the right employee for Varad - the one who loves to dispense advice but does not use it on himself. Barney can also give the same lecture to the pompous Varad.
Panic of the RatsThe rats are panicking because bullies are cowards at heart who run away if either the victim stands up or a bigger bully shows up. So initially the rat Abhay did not want to pick up the phone, but then picked it up because he is an idiot who thinks that Jyoti would come back to him willingly. When he realized that it was Anjali, he changed his tune to remind that he is like a son to her. Anjali called Jyoti on pretext of advising about her pregnancy because she has been worried about Jyoti ever since Abhay called her in the night. So this was just an excuse, but as usual she did not pursue Jyoti not coming to phone because this way she can delude herself that as long as she keeps her distance, Jyoti would be treated nicely. Now the rat's next plan is to avoid taking phone calls. What cowards...Hopefully Jyoti would realize that and deal with them by just calling the police and getting them arrested.
Finally, there was Astha and Aditi scene that was just a typical cat fight. Aditi so called mystery is no longer even remotely interesting. So not much to say about that part.
Edited by Angie12 - 11 years ago
Fan Fictions
Cricket
