The Eyes are Windows to Your Soul - William Shakespeare
I liked today's episode especially because of acting and direction. The direction was fabulous in the last scene. Though everyone was good, Avinash was the star today, as he only had 2-3 lines in the episode and just emoted through eyes and body language only. As much as I wanted to whack Shlok in Saturday's episode on how he treated Astha, he just invoked sympathy today.
Comments:
The New Year for Astha/Shlok, Jyoti/Sid and Rest of the Agnihotris - A New Beginning or the Beginning of an End
I like the way they showed the divorce hearing the day after New Year. Astha is the one who is supposed to make the decision to start a new life away from Shlok or to stay with Shlok despite knowing all his flaws and knowing now a lot more about Agnihotri family. So she had to decide if her love was so strong that she would still be happy living with such a family and such a man despite not getting what she wants from Shlok. Her decision impacts not only Shlok but the rest of Agnihotri family who all either want her to stay or to go because of their own needs.
So there were two Gudi Padwa celebrations - one at Agnihotri mansion and the other at Sid's place. I
I. Sid and Jyoti - New Beginning
So Sid brought the material to celebrate the festival. Jyoti who was dressed in yellow (colors of sunshine) happily participated in that. So colors and sunshine are coming back in Jyoti's life. Also the window in Sid's house is open without any grills - a difference from the grilled window in the house where Jyoti was imprisoned. Jyoti celebrated it with Sid - a new beginning and also decided not to put sindoor on her anymore as she has now decided to move on from her past. Her New Year resolution was never to return to that past ever again now that she has got an opportunity to live. Very nice scene and a good choice of color to represent a new beginning in Jyoti's life.
2. Astha /Shlok and Rest of Agnihotris - Beginning of an End?
In the Gudi Padwa celebration at Agnihotri household, Astha and Shlok remained confused because Astha wanted to stay and Shlok wanted her to stay. The problem between the two was the communication where Astha wanted assurances from Shlok that he needed her and his ego/past is not letting him admit that. So he was expressing his wishes through his eyes which Astha - an open person, was unable to read. So she was looking for symbols to justify her reason for staying. She got one during Gudi Padwa when her mangalsutra got the sindoor that was put was by Shlok on Gudi.
Shlok also knew that Astha wanted to stay but that their differences were coming in way. That's why he glanced at Astha when Sojal started taunting her about not being happy that Aditi was given the necklace (same as two Agnihotri DILs). That was an inappropriate thing for Niranjan to do - giving the same gift to an outsider - the one whom one of the DIL has accused of attempted murders. So Shlok was the one who felt uncomfortable compared to the rest of Agnihotris who all looked unperturbed at this.
2a) Vinayak and Varad with Niranjan Eavesdropping
It can be seen why Vinayak and Varad were not disturbed at Aditi getting a gift similar to DILs, but were angry when Sojal talked about Astha giving divorce to Shlok. Their concern is not Astha, but Shlok. They have understood that Shlok is changing back to his true self because of Astha. This implies that the change would come to this household without them lifting a finger. So they want Astha to stay. It is not that they want Astha to be miserable but their priority is that Shlok remains controlled.
Niranjan is the one whose portrayal is now confusing me. It was always clear from the beginning that Niranjan wanted Astha because this way he could control Shlok by keeping him in his house. Also he was sure that Shlok's emotions were not going to be influenced by Astha, whereas Astha was too far gone (like Anjali?) to become the future Anjali. Then he got a shock when he realized that Astha was instead influencing Anjali who had started some signs of change. Last week it seemed that he did not want Astha. But today he was listening to Vinayak and Varad and it seemed that his mind got changed once again. He was shown thoughtful after he heard them.
2b) Astha and Niranjan - What does Baba really Want?
So Astha came down before going for her divorce hearing. She apologized for her mistake and Niranjan thought she is apologizing for making those accusations against Aditi. But in next second, she cleared the misunderstanding that she still stands by her statements and she knows that she is right. But her way of bringing out the truth was wrong. She is right about that. She mistakenly thought that since she has shown her loyalty and honesty, all Agnihotris would trust her and stand by her. When has loyalty or honesty been important to any Agnihotri and when have they stood up for anything? She too had seen it case of Jyoti the outcome of her trying to bring out the truth. Everyone knew about Abhay and yet they acted as ostriches because then they could justify taking the stand. Anyway, Astha told Niranjan that she wanted his blessings because he considered her like his daughter. Of course he does. Neither a daughter has any valuh nor a daughter in law. He had assured Avdhoot and Kalindi that he would treat Astha like a daughter. He has not broken his word.
Now there was no manipulative music playing and Niranjan told Astha to make a decision that would be good for the family and bring her happiness. So did Astha change her mind after this talk? And has Niranjan changed his mind again? Does he think that he needs Astha and that Astha can be controlled because of her too much love for Shlok?
2c) Kalindi and Ajju
Kalindi was also waiting for the New Year and new beginnings. She is not wrong when she thinks that Astha would not be happy living in the Agnihotri household or that Shlok is not the right person for her. Shlok is keeping impossible standards for Astha without him (Shlok) giving anything in return. But in the end it is still Astha's life. She has to make a decision and live with the consequences of her choice. Still Astha needs an overprotective mother like Kalindi because Kalindi does give her reality check that Astha needs from time to time. So even though the divorce did not take place, Astha still Kalindi's guidance in her life. Hopefully, Kalindi would be there to rein in Astha when she starts to go overboard. But this relationship between the mother and daughter is bound to be affected in this new year.
So all the family members are being affected by this decision. It might be a new beginning for Shlok and Astha, but it is going to be hopefully be the beginning of the end for some people. Did Niranjan realize when Astha came to talk to him, that it would be hard to mold her into another Anjali.
3. Astha and Shlok - A New Beginning??
Astha was herself once again - open, expressive. But it was Shlok who was different. In fact, I felt a lot of sympathy for him today because he was unable to express himself. So when Astha was looking at his picture and hid it, he invaded her space and took the photo. Did he think that she was looking at her family's picture. He had broken that frame twice - one on that ill fated SR and the other time when Astha had signed for divorce. He did look angry when he saw her hiding the photo and then looked shocked. He then had a lot of emotions and it took him a while to cover them up. Then he gave that photo back to Astha. So this was the first step from him when he gave something of himself freely to Astha because Astha's open emotions and unconditional love finally moved.
Next morning too he came in to ask Astha to come down. When Astha told him that she would not make him late, he was very subdued and his tone was very uncertain. This was a different Shlok who usually acts grumpy with Astha.
Then in the court scene, he was anxious and looking at Astha because it was Astha's decision to make. There was a certain relief on his face when Astha finally decided against the divorce. Probably the talk with Niranjan influenced Astha or perhaps it was a late minute decision. Astha was very honest in the court that her reasons for staying with Shlok was because she loved him. Shlok too then told the judge that he did not want the divorce. So finally it was not because of some revenge or baba, but this time it was for himself.
I liked how the last scene was picturized with Kalindi praying to God to give sense to Astha to divorce Shlok, Sojal looking happy and rest looking anxious. Then the shell shocked Astha and Shlok walking out because both made a decision of which they are not sure. It seemed that in the end Niranjan did not want the divorce and hugged Shlok in relief when he found out that it did not happen. Does he still think that Shlok refused the divorce because of him?
Anyway, in the precap it is triumphant Astha who is taunting Aditi. So probably we will get those typical episodes going forward.
But I am looking forward to Kalindi/Astha show down scene tomorrow. I would not mind if Kalindi berates Astha and tells Shlok that Astha made a mistake and he is not worthy of her. Shlok, Anjali and Niranjan needs to hear this from Kalindi.
Overall, a good episode with very good acting by the entire cast. But Avinash was just great today.
Edited by Angie12 - 11 years ago