IP REDUX; Machiavelli

Personal ramblings

As soon as I saw tonight's Redux title, I just knew I had to reserve. Dissecting episodes has never been my forte as I simply do not have the patience to connect the dots, nor to contemplate the complexities of such a beautifully woven tale - As always, I shall leave that to the glowing gems of redux, however, what I would like to offer is some of my own personal thoughts and insights into the magic created on screen and the characters which we have come to hold so dear. My thoughts are never mine alone, and I would be foolish to accept it as such. Rather, they are shaped from an amalgamation of views which are brought together on this very platform, via people who have come to love this drama for what it is. Twenty minutes of escapism, a slice of reality, a fictional tale of complex characters and a gripping storyline - call it what you will, but the fact that each of you have your own unique perspectives on this drama makes me proud of being part of such an online community. Kudos to you all who share such unique perspectives; perspectives which always seek to heighten understanding, not to coerce, shape or influence our thoughts - for our thoughts are always going to carry our own individual flavour.

So kudos to Tants and Doods for providing such a platform...it's been an absolute pleasure to be a part of this online community.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Machiavellian traits

Machiavelli is one hell of a fascinating figure to study. He was and remains to be a rather contentious facet of history. For me, he personified the darkness of human psyche. The kind of figure you would love to hate - he was absolutely ruthless in his time, but also an aspiring genius. A man who fell from the top of his game, only to vouch he would climb back up, come what may. He ruled his people with such aggression and vigour that you can't help but be awed by his contempt/disregard for human compassion. For him, the answer to life was simple and cruel: you dominate people through a form of tyranny and oppression; by way of controlling their very state of being through playing on their fears and their insecurities. Spreading evil and hatred in the serving of self-interest and power, even if it means trampling on the very people you have come to love and trust - deceiving them and abusing their faith in you. A very selfish, cold hearted way of thinking. To put it plainly, he was an amoral thinker; one who was notoriously known for it - for him, the ends justified the means. Sound familiar to anyone?

So the Machiavellian prince has started to climb back up again, and who's his first target, none other than his beloved Rani Sahiba! I loved Shyam's entrance, subtle yet menacing. Though we don't actually see him on screen, we are made to feel his presence. Interestingly, we see them in the middle of conversation, and it is through Anjali's dialogue that we come to know that Shyam has indeed begun to weave that web of deception once again. And by the sounds of it, it seems Anjali has once again allowed herself to become trapped by it.

Her tears were proof of her insecurities; and he's going to play on them once again by way of manipulation.

To my knowledge, Machiavelli was brought down by the very people he sought to deceive, on charge of conspiracy and treason. He was arrested but then shortly released having served his time. History always alludes to the the victory of the masses, the people who form public opinion, the real voice of reason - in this case, it will be interesting to see who will knock Shyam down from that climb to power, Maami, who is all eyes and ears, or Anjali, who seems capable of taking her revenge in equal measure once she untangles herself from the web of deceit.

In this respect, would it be fair to say that Machiavellian tendencies can be seen to exist in more than one character, especially where self interest is involved?? According to Machiavellian teaching, the climb to power can only take place by way of climbing over others in power. If the person climbing were to be pushed off, who would then reclaim that climb to power? I'll leave that for you to ponder over.

The Road to Redemption: The two sides of ASR

I have this really bad habit of drawing my conclusions about an episode of IPK before even watching it. As a result, I find myself re-visiting my earlier thoughts and revising them accordingly. This is where other people's thoughts/reflections aid in my own understanding. Today, I based a lot of assumptions on ASR's character, and my want for redemption. With the help of other reduxians I was able to backtrack and revise my earlier thought processes and question what it is that I seek from a redemption, and whether or not it fits in with the characterisation ASR.

When I heard that this episode brought back the original ASR who had been missing over the past few episodes (to some extent), I became slightly anxious as to what that meant. Did it mean he was to return to his former arrogant self, whereby he would overlook all past grievances in an effort to move on, or did it mean returning to his former self in an effort to settle past grievances. It is at this point that I began to question: what qualities make up ASR, what is the main difference between the ASR now and the ASR then, and at what point does it become debatable as to whether or not he is in character, especially if qualities of both Arnav and ASR are seemingly merged(ing).

So here's what I gathered:

ASR then

- Would never let Khushi corner him like that

- Would never have reserved judgement

- Would voice his aggression in front of anyone and everyone

- would fail to reflect on his own actions and its consequences

- would never take orders from Khushi

- would never think of putting her fears to rest

- would use only his dimaag to address a situation

- Would never work so hard to pursue his lady love

- Would never give her any leeway

- Would never throw her a challenge which he was willing to lose

- Would never alter his tone to suit the situation

ASR now

- Accepts all that Khushi throws at him whilst gritting his teeth

- Has learnt to deal with patience

- Is careful not to voice his aggression in public

- Is constantly reflecting on his past actions

- Accepts his guilty conscience rather than run away from it

- Is willing to succumb to the demands of others

- Seeks to eradicate/address/know about Khushi's fears

- Is willing to use both his heart and mind to woo back his love

- Makes a conscious effort to right that which is wrong

- Is willing to compromise for the sake of his love and for the sake of acceptance

- Is willing to give out challenges in which victory belongs to both of them

- Automatically uses a tone which displays love, affection and compassion

Now for the redemption:

What do we seek from a lead character's redemption? To suffer the same treatment as his lady love? To grovel and beg on his knees? To cry a a ganga jumna!? To suffer the fate of his own karma? Jo bhi ho, everyone has some sort of idea in terms of what they wish to see...however, that doesn't mean we'll get what we want simply because we see it as the perfect redemption; because essentially, the redemption will only play out successfully if aligned with the character in question.

I've always maintained that I want to see a dukhi Arnav, and I still hold to it. A dukhi Arnav isn't one who is removed from his character of ASR, but in line with it. All the above changes highlight ASR's growth as a character, not as Arnav, but as ASR. He's therefore, to some extent, overcome his former self, who was constantly rooted in conflict. It is these gradual changes in character which for me is a sign of ASR's redemption; so where does a dukhi ASR fall into this? Simple, ASR style redemption is to take ownership of his own mistakes, which we see him doing. However, it doesn't end there for him; a complete redemption of ASR (for me at least) is when says the words he at one stage found most difficult; but now we see it easing off his tongue, especially in moments of sincerity. It's a simple case of "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry" for everything I have done; an apology which he first gave to her upon learning about her fears...and I'm waiting for such an apology once more.

And such an apology will only come once he learns and understands each and every single one of her fears; and for that to happen, he needs her to put her trust in him. So how will he get her to do that?? Easy, use the classic ASR method; tease her, irk her, and hurtle challenges her way until she is pushed to speak her mind.

His actions already speak louder than words which is where we see him righting the wrongs he did (and I have faith the CVs will re-visit every single one of them along the way), but for them to clear the air completely, words are also needed, in which BOTH need to communicate their honest feelings to one another. A beautiful moment which showed that they couldn't be anymore in sync with each other is when both were shown counting down the days.

ASR in true ASR fashion sees the remaining days as an opportunity to make her his, forever. Whereas Khushi, sees the remaining days as a countdown to one of her worst fears, having to separate from Arnav. She needs him to make it right in that time, but she'll never openly admit it. But I believe this current ASR has already caught onto it, and will now use every tool in the book to eradicate that fear of hers and make her his - which will clearly be a victory for both of them. 😆

In other words, he refuses to let circumstances dictate his true feelings again, this time, everything is going to happen the way he wants, the Arnav Singh Raizada way - by using both dil and dimaag.

Today, he chose to put on the mask of his former self in order to win back his lady love. If the previous ASR was all about displaying his hatred towards Khushi, this ASR is all about displaying his love for her. I'm not in anyway saying that he's left behind his former self, what I am saying is that his character has gone through a process of renewal. The ASR of today is the new ASR, a blend of both Arnav/ASR, personalities which he has moulded into becoming one and has embraced without hesitation. Today when he chose to return to his former self, he did so without the slightest hesitation. Why, because he's no longer in conflict with himself.This new ASR, though retains the original characteristics of who we fell in love with, has also redeemed himself with qualities that projects him in a more positive light.

His arrogance is without superiority, his anger is without fury, his hatred is without loathing and his love is without boundaries.

• Bua Ji has picked up that khushi is hiding something and had informed her parents.
• Babu ji is getting well and better
• Arnav is going to woo his lady love by ASR style. It doesn't seem a very good idea but let hope for the best
• The office is back!!! and ASR has a new shirt!! 🥳

Fourth expedition it was to his wife's maternity home. He was seeking answers. He knew his much sanaked wife was acting way beyond her normal self. He wanted to dig into the matter and soo wanted to help her. He takes her for a task for fibbing about buaji's health. She was in no mood to relent. She reprimands him for his helping hand. In all this conversation it was amazing to see the transformation in Arnav. When she says that she wanted her own space as she is sick and tired of that hostile environment, his eyes downcast and he immediately understands her. Feels bad for her. With an assuring hand on her shoulder, questions why he wasn't taken into confidence and was lied. When she reasons him that she was afraid that he would not let her visit her maika, he gives her a confused look. But she reminds of her birthday fiasco, he immediately apologizes . Every little step he was assuring her of his undying support, love and assurance. And there came a clue. I don't know when will this girl ever learn. He husband is forever clued when it comes to her. He doesn't need any whole lot of explanation. Just an offbeat word from her mouth, he will solve even a million piece puzzle in a jiffy. She lets it out of her kitty that in 13 days everything will be solved. All issues sorted put and a sign of happily ever after blinking. She sees him off the door and he still want to assure her that he is there for her and she can confide in him anything. He trusts her and her problems are his now. Nothing can move our much determined girl who is all set to sacrifice her love life.

And he gets another piece of information from Nani. And he solves the mystery. The 6 month contract was just knocking on his door step and his wife's strange behavior was tied to that. He tried being Arnav to win her back. He had gone far and beyond himself to prove her a point. That she is indeed his very world. Everything in vain. All those expensive gifts never meant a thing to her. All those grandeur birthday celebration is soo not her style. His many attempts for physical proximity was not encouraged. He has opened himself to her. All his feelings for her is out in open. She is as determined as him. It has never got into her that how special she is to him. What she really means to him. How they both are incomplete without each other. Its important for them to think about them and put themselves ahead of others at least once. To live for each other than someone else.

So it going to be a 12 day saga. Both are as determined as ever. So far even though ASR has lost every time when he has challenged her, it has always his victory somehow. He has never lost anything. In fact always gained something like Khushi back into his life, their relationship taking the next step, peck of kiss from her, a chance to dance with her and stamp her his..the list goes on. So it was never a loss for Arnav. This one challenge I don't think he will ever want to lose. Making her Mrs.Arnav Singh Raizada for ever and ever. He is an astute businessman. His business acumenship has taken him to places. He is in his element in his office. And how does the first day of challenge start.

Day 1:

She comes barging him into his office. He is on phone. He totally ignores her. When she demands attention, she is stopped by a mere signal of hands. Khushi all these days so used to him showering her all his unyielding attention is caught off guard by his behavior. She doesn't like it one bit. He continues to ignore her. He asks that so invisible yet present Mr. Aman for some file. Continually ignoring his Missus , makes a call for his morning coffee to be delivered. Its then she loses her cool and does what she is best at. Snaps at him to pay attention to her.

Point noted here is first day battleground is ASR's office. Cleary indicating an upper edge to ASR. So not fair huh!! We demand justice for our girl.

Epic Scene to the day:

Maika. Coolly getting at up 10.00. And chiding oneself of waking that late. Almost midafternoon. And stretching. And hearing a call for tea. (It was not even for her). Mom's voice alone was enough to bring a million watt smile on her face. Rushing to meet beloved parents. Chided for not brushing the teeth as the first thing in the morning. That lovely banters for not revealing the cause of her visit. Showers of love from both amma and babuji. Demanding more attention. And the feeling of world is at your feet. Can anything beat this!! Yes that is Maika.