Yesterday, was a milestone episode so obviously it would be hard for today's episode to stand up to yesterday. I was honestly left with mixed feelings after today's episode ... But, I have still managed to distill the top 5 things I like so here goes without much ado:
(1) A Jalal broken by betrayal: Jalal continued to emote his pain so perfectly ... Recalling his childhood moments with Maham Anga and shocked at Ruqs role on the whole fiasco. My heart was pierced, when he asked , why do I need enemies, when I have all these backstabbers?
In his pain, what does the one ray of hope he is looking for: Jodha Begum. How he is missing Jodha Begum at this moment.
If I were Jodha, one day I would be regretting how I was not their when my love , my husband was there the day he really needed me because I was busy fighting with my abhimaan ...
(2) Maham Anga's two faces: I am completely impressed with Ashwini / Maham's performance again ... She embodies this dual personality where she is completely in love with Jalal but also completely obsessed with her power and audha ... As if she has two distinct personalities ... That are currently in conflict with each other but coexist ... The shocked expression that closed yesterday's episode continued today as she was shocked she had lost her son ...
This reminded me of the last time we saw this dual-face of Maham Anga- Ruqs Miscarriage ... We had one scene where Maham Anga was completely dissolved in tears seeing Jalal's pain ... We were sure there was no way she was behind the miscarriage. Then we had another scene- with a mix of laughters and tears admits what she did for a wish for power for herself and Adham Khan.
So far, Jalal only knows that she tried to separate him and Jodha ... With this being the only mistake Jalal knows of, you can almost justify MA's question on whether this mistake will erase all her years of loyalty and service?
Remember, only we know of her role in Ruqs MC and other saazishes ... These are not in front of Jalal yet.
(3) Ruqs owns up for her mistake: Today, I felt the CVs are taking her on a path of redemption... Despite her love for her audha, arrogance, and pride ... She openly admitted her mistake to Jalal and apologized for causing him so much pain.
One may ask, would she have admitted her mistake if Maham Anga had been caught ... It is a valid question. But, I felt she saw a mirror of herself in the pain Maham Anga caused Jalal. But, whatever the reason, she had the guts to face her mistake which is not a hunar everyone has.
When I heard her asking what will he punish Maham Anga ... I did not think she was actually considering whether he will punish her or not ... But it was because if he punished his once azeez Badi Ammi, she knew her turn was not too far.
I hope all the folks who criticized Jalal for his physical behavior during his outburst to Jodha are equally up in arms now for how Jalal pushed Ruqaiyya, ...because once Jalal believes someone has done wrong ... He does not differentiate whether it is dhoodh-ki-karz ammi, bachpan ki dost, or his own love Jodha Begum.
(4) Jodha Begum still remembers Jalal: As you see a shot of Jalal heartbroken and asking where his Jodha is ... You see Jodha Begum in the temple, with a smile praying to Ambe Maa. Thankfully, before I could throw something at the tv, she remembered the flashback of visiting the Ambe Maa ki mandir with him and concern clouded her face. Only to question, why she was not happy, to Shaguni Bai.
Onto Shaguni Bai for my next take,
(5) Shaguni Bai's words: I guess I can apply for the post of Shaguni Bai as even I could have said that Jodha would return to Agra some day some time. Here are two things I liked about Shaguni Bai's version:
- She continues to call Jodha's abhimaan out
- She asks why are you doing Gangaur Pooja if you have left Agra for good
But, I do not want Jodha Begum to go back to Agra because it is her kismat but because she loves Jalal! And , why did I sense indignation in Jodha's face as if she wanted to fight this kismat!
Please Jodha Begum, fight all you want, delay all you want, but do not go back to Agra because it is your "destiny" but because you "love" Jalal ... But, why do I have a feeling she will go for Shivani's wedding , as how can she miss the wedding of her dear sister?
Honorable Mention: Hamida Bano and Salima finally remember that Jalal is the Shehenshah. Of course, when it comes to Maham Anga he should act as the Shehenshah ... But, finally they remembered it.
Hope you liked the take ... While it was on the more sarcastic side ... But in many ways, today's episode felt very ironic to me ... There were a lot of ironies. So, what were your thoughts on the episode?
Edited by divyavm - 11 years ago