Random Musings: Dec 6 - Dec 10, 2010 (Week 8) - Page 4

December 6, 2010 - Monday

I just caught up with this episode and the ones I had missed from last week. Before I dive in to it, let me say that I enjoyed several sequences from the past week. Some of these were:

• The Uttara - Gaurav - Rastogi drama: Maybe it is just me but did Uttara let her saree 'pallo' drop on purpose while serving Rishabh & Rastogi?
• Babuji - Vidya relationship development: I like how the writers are taking their time to show how each member of the Jhaakar family is creating their own equation with Vidya.
• Aditya - Priya: Now...that I find this track on some sprint track should be of no surprise to anybody...I have been saying it for a while now. That said, certain portions of these characters interaction were very well done...even I enjoyed watching it. 😳

So...that Brahmanand was a slimy creep was no surprise at all...and that is a fantastic thing. This is what character consistency is about. All through the episodes where the build up to this scene was taking place, I kept saying repeatedly that Brahmanand as a non-bribe accepting cop did not sit well with the characterization and that a twist had to come for the consistency to be intact...and it did! The depth of the depravity capable by this character was reflected perfectly in the scene closing unrestrained lustful expression sported by Brahmanand as he asked Yashpal about his wife.

This sequence in Aditya's room was a well done albeit a bit predictable and "screenplay convenient" in parts. I found it very future "screenplay convenient" that Priya would indicate that the one thing that made her change her mind about getting married in to a police family was Devyani's words and more particularly her words about being proud to be Mrs. Brahmanand Jhaakar. Similarly, I did not care for Priya reminding Devyani about what she had said during the trip to Mansa Devi! Devyani's guilt in hiding Brahmanand's reality does not need to be established by such scenes. It is done far more subtly and insightfully in her interactions with Babuji!

I was on the fence about this sequence. While on the one hand it is odd to see the so-called help speak so bluntly about Priya, it does sit well with how her character has been sketched throughout this series. Although her history with the Jhaakar family has not been shown, I can only imagine that it runs long and deep as the family does treat her like one of their own. That said, the main reason this interaction worked for me was the fact that Imli was having this conversation with Vidya who she has been shown speaking to like a peer.

Overall: Good episode...cannot say I loved it but it is to the credit of the writers of this series that I attribute my liking the episode even on days such as this.

December 7, 2010 - Tuesday

Tuesday's was a filler episode the highpoint of which was the Vidya - Gaurav scene.

Highlights:

• As expected, the episode started with Devyani staring at the lipstick mark on Brahmanand's shirt but avoids asking him about it. The equation between these two is likely going to stay the same for a while. Even so, the writers are slowly but surely revealing the reality of the various aspects of their relationship.
• Aditya takes Priya and her family to the Jhaakar family guest house. I liked how Aditya's disarming personality puts Mr. Pradhan at ease about staying there before asking to take Priya out.
• Rishabh on the other hand is concerned about the money situation as Uttara spends the little they have on gifts for Priya. Despite Aditya's personality as characterized, I found it odd that he interacted with Rishabh without any remnants of anger from the alcohol-induced incident at the Jhaakar house or Uttara's disappearance from the Mansa Devi trip. I guess this might have to do with the fact that Rishabh allowed Uttara to go to Ghaziabad when Aditya invited her. Still...I think it would have been a far superior touch to have Aditya show some mistrust in his expressions towards Rishabh that Uttara dissipates...unspoken. Have to also add that the Uttara - Rishabh scenes feel like a build-up to something. I expect Rishabh will give in to Rastogi's indecent proposal or let his frustration trigger the next episode of violence.
• Back at the Jhaakar house, Gaurav presents Vidya with a jewelery set that Vidya asks him to put on her. I simply loved the way the camera work slowly captured the individual actions and expressions in this scene. So much said without any words. Beautiful.
• The Aditya - Priya drive back was ok. I still feel their relationship is on some speed-track mode but I am trying to make my peace with it as their marriage is a pivotal point that will lead to the next story arc.
• The Vidya & Imli friend-like conversation that followed next about Gaurav's gift was well done..Its little details like this that make this series stand out from the rest.
• Finally, the episode closed with Babuji asking Devyani if Priya was right for their family.