Posted:
I was pleasantly surprised by today's episode after watching the direction/script yesterday. I liked it for the most part except for the first one which was the continuation from yesterday, and was quite average in my opinion.
But from that point onwards, the episode was really good. All the main players were shown today and thankfully Niranjan, Anjali and Shlok are going to be the focus now. Besides the room scene between Astha and Shlok, Niranjan and Shlok scene was the highlight. I would say actually on second reflection, the scene between Niranjan and Shlok was the best scene in today's episode.
The truth is rarely pure and never simple. Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest
Lies require commitment. Veronica Roth, Divergent
If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed. Adolf Hitler
Lies and secrets, Tessa, they are like a cancer in the soul. They eat away what is good and leave only destruction behind. Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Prince
Anything is better than lies and deceit! Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
The course of true love never did run smooth. William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
"Falling in love is very real, but I used to shake my head when people talked about soul mates, poor deluded individuals grasping at some supernatural ideal not intended for mortals but sounded pretty in a poetry book. Then, we met, and everything changed, the cynic has become the converted, the sceptic, an ardent zealot."
E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly
E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly
How far should a person go in the name of true love? Nicholas Sparks, The Choice (Belated Quote for Yesterday's Episode)
Behavior which appears superficially correct but is intrinsically corrupt always irritates those who see below the surface- James Bryant Conant
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."
John Wooden
John Wooden
Comments:
Let me get my criticism out of my way before I talk about the rest of the episode. The first scene to me seemed like a continuation of yesterday where some parts were good, but the scene as a whole was pretty average for me.
1. The Terrace Scene - So yesterday Shlokie was determined to see Astha's scene and he did come to the guest room to get Astha. Did like him in the room where he was laughing like a fake devil, and was relieved to see that they are keeping some of his characteristics intact. The terrace scene was very average for me because again it seemed like a continuation from yesterday where suddenly I felt as if I am watching another character in Shlok's body.
Such open behavior and romantic gestures suited Avi's previous character because that character was shown as extremely extrovert, romantic and very kind from the first episode onwards. The girl there was an introvert whom he gave confidence and taught her gradually to open herself. Here Shlok is not an extrovert and had been quite a dark character and so would not entirely go back to this demonstrative person and certain darkness would still remain.
The open demonstrative scene could have still worked if they had shown a monologue of Shlok sitting somewhere where he could have gone over Astha's words and then thought of the past and realized that he has a lot of making up to do. Then he would have decided that this would be his way to make up to Astha. So on the whole, the terrace scene again did not work for me.
Ok, now that is out of way, I can talk about the rest of the episode.
2. Room Scene - Remorse and Apology
The room scene was much more to my liking. Anjali gave a lot of instructions to Astha before the ghungat can be lifted. Astha dutifully promised to fulfill them though she was only planning to fulfill the ones she liked. I liked Astha shown this way. So regardless of what she said to Shlok in the office, she has not suppressed her identity and has not become his shadow in that way. Hopefully, Shlok too would be left intact by CVs. Shlok overheard Anjali's words and then decided to gift the old mangalsutra he had given to Astha - the symbol of fake love where he broke Astha's heart so ruthlessly.
So today he gave her both - apology for all he had done to her and a regifting of his version of mangalsutra that he once broke himself. Though it was not shown, Astha took that off at one point and Shlok apparently kept it with him. So though he was not remorseful at that time, deep inside he knew he had wronged Astha. Chithra (sorry if it was someone else) that he left the room on SR as he did not want to face the destruction of Astha. So it was true that he knew he wronged Astha long before he fell in love with her and long before he accepted his wrongdoing.
I liked Avinash a lot in this scene because this Shlok was genuine - a combination of old and new Shlok. A private apology said in a very simple terms without any grand gestures. He did not tie the new mangalsutra. This was the Shlok who does not believe in rituals, but more in substance. I also liked Astha's flashback of SR and then tears before and after where the hurt she had felt for such a long time has finally healed. Hopefully, Shlok would apologize to Avdhoot and Kalindi too for the anguish he made them face over wrong charges of corruption.
I enjoyed the apple scene and eating of this offering together, representing the equal relationship between them. Also, Shlok teased her about touching his feet and she refused. So Astha has not compromised her core beliefs for Shlok. Hopefully, Shlok will not do that either the way he had done in the office in last few days. I want Astha to apologize for the stuff she did in the office too and her actions not be called of somebody in love. Just as Shlok's behavior was inexcusable, there is no excuse for how Astha behaved in last few days in the office. I really want Shlok to tell Astha that she is not suited for office work and should stay home.
Sojal's Despair - Compassion of Agnihotris (except for the Evil One)
So Astha and Sojal collide and Sojal was sarcastic with Astha. Here I did not fault Sojal as she was just taking out her frustations on Astha. She has to do all the work (including Astha's if Astha is taking part in some ritual or is in the office) and she gets no freedom whatsoever. Since Astha is the reason that Sojal has realized that her life is empty though she is a DIL of an influential and rich family. But what use are riches if there is no freedom and no love or belonging.
Then she gets the call from some neighbor and finds out that her mother was involved in an accident. Sojal breaks down because however Jaya is, she is Sojal's mother and somebody whom she loves. That's why Sojal also tolerates Jaya's lowly behavior many times even if she does not approve of it. Case in point when Jaya stole jewels from Astha's home that were meant for Bappa. Sojal made her return them. So Sojal might be shallow, but she is capable of loving and caring. Kavya and Jaya are two whom she is free to shower her love. She would like to do the same to Varad if only he would allow her. But since he has labelled her shallow and vain, she does not figure in his thoughts.
But Sojal relies on Anjali the most. She rejected Astha's comfort and instead ran to Anjali seeking her support. So there is some attachment of Sojal towards Anjali. Maybe she is also looking for a mother figure in Anjali though Anjali remains distant with Sojal. But today Anjali reacted with compassion as underneath she is a compassionate soul (like Shlok). She promised to help her as much as possible.
Anjali and Niranjan - The Evil One Issues the Order
Anjali is a compassionate person and even though she suppresses it because of Niranjan, it is now coming out more and more. So she consoled Sojal (liked this part) and then went to talk to Niranjan. For Niranjan, throwing money is the key. Also his prestige is at stake that the mother of his DIL is admitted in some ordinary government hospital. So for his own ego's sake, he got her admitted to a private expensive hospital and then he thinks he should be applauded for his generosity.
There is a change in Anjali. She knew that Niranjan would not allow Sojal to be sent to enquire about her mother especially when he looked so smug throwing that money around. His manipulative music was playing when he was making those calls, suggesting that he was not doing it either for Sojal or Anjali, but for himself. Still she made an effort for Sojal's sake. And then got a telling off from a suddenly menacing looking Niranjan. Then it was a different music that played.
Anjali knew that she would now be the bearer of bad news and scorn once again. So she left though she looked anguished. Meanwhile, Sojal was getting comforted from Varad with Astha and Shlok also offering their compassion. So Sojal relies on Varad and Anjali for emotional support. She gets frustrated when both ignore her.
a) Varad's Support
But still Varad too is capable of compassion as shown today. He did feel bad for Sojal and was supporting her and was willing to take her, but he cannot speak up in front of his mother. There is something between his and Anjali's relationship that stops him from taking a firm stand against her. Varad is influenced the most by Vinayak and since Vinayak gives deference to Anjali, probably Varad does too. And it is possible that he knows a little bit about Niranjan's way(not about the physical abuse), and thus protects Anjali in his own way. So Varad has Anjali and Vinayak's goodness in him. Also like Anjali, there is some attachment for Niranjan too. That's why he craves Niranjan's approval though he too has rebelled by choosing a different profession and keeping away from Niranjan's work.
b) Shlok's Support
Both Astha and Shlok supported Sojal's request. But today Astha did not have to prompt Shlok. He did it on his own and then once again got furious with Anjali when she did not come up to his standards. So like Jyoti, Shlok took an active role while Varad remained supportive but silent. Varad only speaks up when it comes to Shlok's interests. But remains silent for Sojal's case. Again, why is it so? That's why I feel that Varad knows more about Anjali than he is letting on. He has to be aware of some sort of pressure that Anjali gets from Niranjan.
Shlok decided to march to dear baba's room to demand answers. Anjali tried to stop him because she knew it was of use. But Shlok today was adamant.
Finally,
Mini Confrontation between Baccha and Baba
Shlok marched to Niranjan's room who got stumped when Shlok told him to interfere. When he tried to brush it off as Anjali's decision where he cannot interfere, Shlok for a change did not remain quiet. He questioned him how he could live with a woman like Anjali who has no compassion.
This guy Niranjan has lied so much that he seems to believe in his own lies. Does he not realize that by hating Anjali for what she stands for, Shlok actually is hating him. That he actually loves Anjali because Anjali and Niranjan's images are reversed in Shlok's mind. Yet he brags of Shlok's devotion for him when that devotion is based on a false image.
Niranjan tried to pacify Shlok. He was not pacified or satisfied, but he once again got silenced in front of Niranjan. So Niranjan's hold on Shlok is still intact though Shlok is beginning to question Niranjan's decision and is now demanding action from him. Wonder what will happen in Jyoti's case now? After Shlok left, baba was panicky at the thought of Shlok now taking interest in household - the interest he had not taken in years. Niranjan is scared of Shlok and his ferocity. So Niranjan is soon going to realize that Astha is responsible for this change in Shlok. So he is soon going to start thinking Astha of as a liability. Instead of Astha becoming Anjlai, Anjali and Shlok are now beginning to question his orders though they still remain under his control. If Astha becomes a liability in Niranjan's mind, he is going to forget all the traditions of "no divorce for an Agnihotri" and would want Astha to be removed from Shlok's life. There is still that land deal Avdhoot signed illegally. But Astha too has a trump card in having that 50% share of the company. Who would be able to use what? Also there is still Astha's continuous unprofessional behavior in the office. Would CVs be smart enough to use all these cards or will they once again reduce this track to a farce? I hope it would be former because this is the most important track of this show - the confrontation between Shlok and Niranjan. Neither Shlok nor Niranjan can be dumbed down to make Astha the one woman army (as is the case in other serials).
Also:
Jyoti, Sid and Kalindi
These three are not related by blood. Yet they are becoming a family. Kalindi thought of Jyoti as soon as she finished cooking. Then she called Sid to drop Jyoti at home and also expressed worries about her taking medicine and food on time. Jyoti meanwhile was happy sitting with Sid on a swing drinking coconut water. She is now so comfortable with Sid that she does not even think it strange to sit with him together. They were looking like a couple and Sid was reluctant to let Jyoti leave. Then he told her that he was freeing her from his prison and Jyoti just smiled because she apparently likes this prison. They are such a cute couple and Kalindi is an indulging aunt for both of them. This was a very sweet scene. But now both Kalindi and Astha are going to be enemies of Niranjan. But there is Shlok standing in the middle as he has also grown fond of Kalindi and here it is also the question of his sister.
So overall, today's episode was good. However, on the whole once again I have a complaint against this track. Just like Aditi track, they rushed this track where suddenly Shlok underwent a huge change in one night. That change did not seem believable to me and should have been shown in a better manner than over the 2 day period.
Acting wise, it was Geetanjali & Avinash followed by Manish and Shalmalee. Rest - Sameer, Shrenu, Sheetal and Ankit (Sid) were also very good.
