BAZAAR
This was a lovely change of scenery if nothing else and one that served much purpose for Jalal, TM and Atgah! What I liked more was that they had to watch the ongoings without letting their royal 'airs' get in the way! Be it at the grocers or with the soldier. It is very difficult to sit back and not let who you are known - watch something wrong happening without revealing your authority! Yet, that is what Akbar had to do then, and Jalal does here now...
Thankfully, the second foul-mouthed grocer let on more than he should have and the scene with the soldier was telling enough for the Emperor to spur himself into action.
JODHA'S HOJRA
The scene in Jodha's hojra was more poignant than any scene of longing I've seen in Jodha Akbar till date.
'In your absence I've learnt the art of talking to your portrait' he said, holding back his tears!
What a beautiful moment that was - Jalal's earnest expressions combined with the situation and that soulful music in the background. Words weren't needed to express what he felt in her absence!
The CVs have done another justice to the scene here - Jodha's hojra that always used to be a brilliant sunny yellow is now a dismally drab blue in her absence. How apt!
I also loved what followed - another beautifully juxtaposed recollection - Jodha's pocket money trunk that reminded him of the right decision to take with regards to the 'Teerthkar'
Contrary to what many feel, I do not think that Jodha is getting credit for the changes he is making (at least not from anyone - bar Jalal and maybe HB)
It was a gesture of hers that he chose to delve upon and that set him on the right path.
There might be ten clues in front of you, but unless the investigator is sharp enough he/she cannot piece the pieces together and that is what is happening with Jalal. Todarmal, Atgah and Jodha are three people in his life leaving behind these clues in the form of gestures/actions/words and Jalal is the man in action - making it all happen!
DEK - The lawyer Jalal -
This scene felt like one from a 16th century thrilling law and order serial! (Damn that Jodha didn't see this side of her Shehenshah!)
Before I start, beautiful contrast on Jalal's face from the previous emotional night - the stern look and return of 'Tejas' on the Emperor's face, as he took the soldier to task was so striking!
At first, I thought Jalal's anger in the DEK was again something to do with Jodha, but I was glad that was not the case! His one line explained it all
'An emperor is a father to his subjects and when one of those children confesses that he would rather commit suicide than continue living a life like this do you have any idea the pain it causes the father/protector?'
Only a just man can be so driven on hearing words like this! Jalal is not a people-pleaser, Jalal is a leader!
He hates corruption and deceit - that is the one reason he's moving away from someone he's known forever (Ruqaiyya) that is the one reason he grew so incensed at DEK today!
What a lawyer he was (handsome, yes I had to slip this word in - and that damn, that pearl swaying at the top of his turban is just too distracting!) and with such biting straightforward matter-of-fact answers!
My only hope is that this streak continues. That this corrective phase of his is not a temporary one - that we get at least two of five episodes politically-based ones!
HIS POLICIES
The moment of the 'Tirthkar' announcement was one of true celebration - such a significant moment it was - I wish it'd lasted longer and that there'd been more fanfare about it! After all, it was one of Akbar's greatest achievements (or at least one that he's remembered by)
'Just because something has been happening for eons doesn't mean it's right' What beautiful lines!
I am glad that Atgah Khan - though a good soul - didn't blindly follow his king's advice and did put his reservations about abolishing the taxes in force. (Its these smaller touches of realism that's making the episodes very enjoyable again.)
There were so many lines Jalal spoke today - be it about rain being for one and all or be it about his services being loyally carried out by both Hindus and Muslims - I cannot recall all of it, but it did make for very thrilling screenplay!
'A Shehenshah's court runs successfully only when it is filled with talented and devoted people, not on the basis of religion!' was one of my favourites!
PRECAP
Again will wait to comment - but, I'm in dreamland!
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