Friends, yesterday's episode's high point, if one may call it that, was the pardoning of Sharifuddin by Jalal. The way Sharif play-acted to get that pardon was as interesting as the by-play between Jodha and Jalal on why he should be given the pardon.
But I was less interested in what happened to Sharif and more interested in the dynamics of the Jodha-Jalal relationship that procured him his pardon. I was also interested in the Jodha-Jalal interplay that later explained the pardon of Sharif to others - and how they also subsequently sat by a bonfire in the haze of a beautiful cultured love and chatted about themselves and their babies in soul-stirring conviviality.
Folks, I think now that the Creatives have discovered that Jodha-Jalal togetherness equals TRPs, we are seeing - and will continue to see - more scenes of them both in harmony, carrying the story forward almost as if they were the twosome moving the scripts around them. There is a new level of utter comfort and companionship in their relationship. Thank God they have evolved past that "juvenile romance" that consists of hackneyed "hate" "tadap", "sparks" and "push and pull chemistry" into a warm, mellow, fuzzy glow of a more mature and sophisticated and soul-level love!
Yesterday, if you think about it we got so many scenes that told us a lot about Jodha and Jalal themselves, as they mulled over the ways people around them were behaving. I saw the episode once over yesterday for the story value of what all happened. And then I saw the episode again just to see all the Jodha and Jalal interactions that wove the strands of the storyline together. And guess what, the Jodha and Jalal teamwork and serenity was there all through the episode and it was so beautiful, it took my breath away.
I think this is what Ekta planned as the way she wanted to show their epic relationship. I think Ekta never planned for them to be "pining over and pulling at" each other like love-tortured teenagers. Ekta wanted perhaps to show them growing sedately but steadily "into each other" in more and more mature and enduring ways, with events passing them by in their lives as a royal couple, in a family full of different people with different motivations. Ekta's idea perhaps was to evolve their relationship and etch its solidity via the surrounding events they watched and interacted with - and via the trials, travails and knotty situations they overcame together or separately in their lives.
Yesterday it was beautiful to watch the way they talked about what was going on around them philosophically and tranquilly. Overall the episode was not highly eventful. It was a passing day in the lives of the Palace, and the good people were levelling with all that had happened in the immediate past and coming to a new reconciliation with the bad people ... while the bad people were recognising their need to now hasten with some new saazishes. It was one of those episodes that looks ordinary on the surface but becomes the turning point from where the lead pair seem to head into a state of complacency, but from which the vamps and villains get steely-eyed about new chaals they have to set in motion.
For my analysis - and my own happiness - today I have fully detailed the Jodha-Jalal interactions as the substratal element that watched and discussed all the actions of the other characters in the episode. The parts where I thought their mature and contented love spoke volumes I have put in blue italics (along with my own comments in green italics) ...
The angry sword scratches Jodha, but she responds with wise words!
The episode opened with Jalal unsheathing his sword and making a charge for Sharif in a very tempestuous mood. Jodha tries to stop him by holding his sword-wielding hand and saying "No Shahenshah you can't do this, Bakshi is your own sister. She has just become a mother. You can't make her a widow and deprive the child of a father. Bakshi will just break!" Jalal through clenched teeth and with a fearsome look says "Let her break ... with a husband like Sharif, I can't watch her suffer daily. Get out of my way, Jodha Begum!" He pulls away his sword with such urgency that it scratches her hand and draws blood. Seeing her hurt Jalal throws away his sword and immediately grabs her hand saying in contrition "Oh my God, what have I done, and you are pregnant too. Are you hurt badly? I pray Jodha Begum that you will not be anywhere near me when I fly into a rage. I don't want to hurt you and especially at a time like this. At least you should be taking care of yourself. "
Jodha puts her other hand on his and speaks to him with a softened voice "To get a bit hurt in trying to stop you from doing something unwise is not a high price to pay. I have to do my duty to warn and guide you without getting afraid of your rages. I have to be with you through all times, good and bad." Jalal then says in a much calmer mood "How I wish Bakshi could think like you." Jodha then speaks to him with words that caress, "Don't worry, things will improve with time. Your anger will recede and Sharif too will realise his mistakes." Jalal thinks over what she has said while still holding her hands and not letting go, as if holding onto her is needed to settle his fury.
I loved this scene for the swift change of Jalal's mood from the irate to the calm, just by seeing the hurt on Jodha's hands and getting open to hearing her words of wisdom. Have you noticed ... in the moments when they sense each other's pain they also become more open to each other's advice. This heightened sense of one another comes occasionally ... but when it does it seems to sort of envelop us in their absorption with each other.
Sharif's drama earns his pardon, but Jodha and Jalal are not totally at ease!
Meanwhile Sharif in his room is clearly nursing a sense of deep anger at Jalal. He chokes down his anger like it's a lump in his throat he cannot swallow. But Bakshi on the other hand only fuels his anger further by saying "Forgive me please, it was all my fault, because I delivered a baby girl. Next time I promise I will deliver a boy!" How ridiculous was that and how inappropriate a response at a time when Sharif was seething with acrimony!
Sharif says nothing but heads straight for the baby in the cradle with a murderous eye, and then lifts it and starts walking away with it - with a tearful Bakshi pleading and begging him not to harm or kill the baby. Sharif marches down the corridors of the Palace, unheeding of Bakshi's wails, and even Mansingh and Todarmal, seeing his demeanour, assume he may be intending to kill the baby and start following Sharif and Bakshi.
Jalal and Jodha are chatting in bed, in Jalal's hojra, about Sharif and Bakshi. "I can't understand how husband-wife relations can deteriorate to this level" Jalal says with a bit of sadness for his sister. Jodha corrects him "It's not really a husband-wife situation, it's about two divided individuals whose thoughts don't align. They both are unable even to level with or understand each other, and the smallest thing between them ends up provoking rage. Then the physically stronger one starts pummeling the other. And this time it was all because he wanted a boy and got a girl!" "But isn't that his daughter too?" asks Jalal. Jodha replies ruefully "Yes, but maybe he doesn't value girls at all?" Jalal is just silent and thoughtful.
Sharif then suddenly enters the room with the baby and Jalal jumps out of bed. "What is it Sharifuddin?" he says, "This time remember Bakshi cannot save you." "What I did from blind need for a boy-child was unforgiveable" says a contrite looking Sharif, kneeling now at Jalal's feet. "Not just the harem women, but all women all over the world need to hit me with their shoes, for that's all I am fit for. I have belittled Bakshi as well as all of womanhood, so please forgive me." "You are unfit for any maafi, Sharifuddin" says Jalal summarily and looks away ... and Sharif rises to leave the room as if the last word has been said.
But then Jalal takes the baby gently from him, and cradles it in his hands saying "You aren't even fit to cuddle this child." Jalal then hands the baby over just as gently to Jodha. There is such trust of Jodha in his eyes as he does so.
Sharif then enacts a masterly drama. He falls at Bakshi's feet and says he's been less of a father and a husband than she deserves. Sharif appears to choke as he says "You gave me love and a beautiful daughter, and saved me from punishment - and I have betrayed your trust in me." Bakshi is at once all full of forgiveness. "I cannot bear your falling at my feet and asking me for pardon. You are my husband and have every right over me." She then takes her baby back from Jodha. Sharif now pulls out a sword and offers his neck for beheading by Jalal. Jalal thinks of his sister and pulls away the sword. "You are pardoned. But you are let off just because of my sister, her child and the decency of this Sultanate." "I promise to hereafter change for the better" says Sharif.
Jodha and Jalal's sitting on their bed, in Jalal's hojra, discussing Sharif and Bakshi s misaligned marriage and Sharif's hatred of girls seemed to reflect a coziness in the relationship. By contrast their own marriage and its perfect complementarity, along with their mutual conviction of equality between boys and girls becomes very obvious from their decrying the Bakshi-Sharif alliance.
The moment when Jalal took the baby from Sharif and cuddled it and then handed it over to Jodha as if she was the only one he could trust with something so precious was also very very poignant.
Some praise for Jodha ... and some moments of mutual hilarity!
Later Jodha and Jalal are describing all these events to the ladies of the family. Hamida exclaims that it was very astute of Jalal to forgive Sharif and his father would have been proud of him. But Jalal looks at Jodha and with the fire of pride in his eyes and says "All credit goes to Jodha Begum. She opened my eyes to the wise thing to do. Jodha Begum you truly are worthy to become the Marium Uz Zamani". Jodha positively preens before his steadfast eyes.
Ruq looks daggers at Jalal and then pleads tiredness to leave the room. After she goes Hamida rises to take Jodha's hands and say "Really Jodha, we cannot stop praising you!" but she suddenly sees the wound on Jodha's hand and exclaims.
Jodha is suddenly gripped by a need to tease Jalal gently. Jalal looks expectantly at Jodha to see what she is going to tell his mother. Jodha then tells Hamida hiding a laugh "Bakshi Bano's husband is not the only one to use physical violence on her!" Jalal quickly reverts "That's a lie. And even then who would have the guts to be violent with a Rajvanshi Sherni?" Touche! Hamida adds her bit "Now she's a Mughal Sherni!" she says. Jalal is looking at Jodha without blinking his eyes. His eyes are hugely enjoying the joke while at the same time reflecting a sense of immense satisfaction in his wife.
I loved the way solemnity of praise of Jodha's wisdom changed suddenly to some moments of ribbing and joking. Was it a coincidence that the fun and laughter came after Ruq left the room? It sure looks like Jodha and Jalal will be a lot happier in themselves if the draining edgy presence of Ruq is nowhere near them. They become light-hearted souls and Hamida and Salima also usually echo their effervescent spirits beautifully. If only we could get rid of Ruq and her mood-spoiling sneers and smirks and chilling eyes!
Wise words and succour are followed by some happy baby banter!
Later in the evening Jalal is sitting beside a bonfire looking troubled when Jodha comes to him, lays a peaceful hand on his shoulder and asks "Shahenshah, are you lost in thought?" and he simply says "Come sit here" and moves over to make place for her beside him. "I didn't see or hear you coming" he says." "You look tired" she says. "Yes" he replies "it was that kind of day!"
After a bit of thought Jalal rubs his weary eyes and says solemnly "Sometimes, Jodha begum, l feel life was easier when I never had a dil'.There was no dilemma, no conflict. I just acted on whatever I felt like doing at any time, without thinking hard. Now that I have a dil" I start feeling weak when I think of my family or the praja. Believe me,if I was the old Jalal, I would have just beheaded Sharif without a qualm. To have a dil' and also be a Shahenshah is tough!"
Jodha says sagely "I don't think so at all," and Jalal looks eagerly at her to see what she is going to say. "I think your dil" is your strength. You now rule with compassion and humanity. Tell me, wouldn't it have been easier to kill Sharif, but didn't it take more courage to forgive him? That's why everyone including me and Ammmijaan, we all feel very proud of you." He looks at her with eyes full of gratitude and then embraces her hand with his own."I am very thankful to you. You make my probllems go away in a jiffy" he says and then kisses her hand. "Come here" he then says as he hugs her.
Jodha finds it amusing. "You always manage to find an excuse to touch me!" she says mock-indignantly, and he can't help but laugh heartily for he is caught out! He then looks around to see if there's anyone else there and seeing no one, he starts looking at her expectantly - a look she knows very well. "No Shahenshah this is not the time for THAT!" she says and continues "It's time to tell stories to our babies."
"Oh come on, they'll hardly hear a thing" he says looking at her stomach. "Oh didn't you know that babies in the womb hear and learn everything, like in the story of Arjuna and Abhimanyu?" she asks incredulously. Seeing him looking nonplussed she then says "See when Arjuna's wife Subhadra was expecting, he wanted to keep her occupied so he told her about the rare and powerful chakravyuh-breaking mantra. Years later in the battlefield, even when Arjuna was nowhere there, Abhimanyu remembered the mantra and used it."
Jalal is looking at Jodha with the eyes of a person learning something new. "That's why I have already started Ramayan and Mahabharat lessons for our babies" she concludes triumphantly. He very sweetly then puts his hand on her stomach and speaks to his babies "If you two are listening, I want to say something. You are fortunate that Jodha Begum is your mother. I also want to tell you both that you mother is a Begum-e-Khas and soon to become Marium Uz Zamani because of both of you!" Jodha and Jalal both then have a good laugh at that - and he pulls her back into a hug.
Ruq has been listening to all this with an evil smirk on her face. No doubt her already nasty idea is taking further shape in her devious brain!
This bonfire-side synergy between Jodha and Jalal, where they not only matched their words but also their moods, was one of the best scenes of them both that I can remember in recent times. In and of itself this particular interaction had many ingredients ... some serious talk, some serious advice, some empathy and mutual consideration, some physical embraces, some joking and ribbing, some open and hearty laughter, some "baby talk" and some happy moments looking forward to the future where their family of two would grow bigger to become a family of four. Even Ruq's evilness at the end of this scene couldn't rub off the scene's lingering effect on me. This scene was like a complete mini-episode in itself! Lovely!
My overall comments on the episode:
All in all, folks, when you think about it, we have had that kind of episode that we usually ask for but when we get it we don't recognise it as "the one". Look what we got yesterday. We got Jodha and Jalal together almost throughout the episode, and wherever we got a break from them (as in the Sharif-Bakshi scene or the Ruq-cradle scene) the immediately preceding or following scenes were of Jodha and Jalal discussing issues that mattered to Sharif and Ruq, and so there was a continuity and fluidity to the Jodha-Jalal interaction scenes.
I would go so far as to say the Jodha and Jalal scenes were holding together the episode and letting the other characters in and out of their ambit. I liked the way the episode was constructed and it gave me a sense of "perfection" in their relationship, even if their lives and days were not perfect at any time.
Also I noticed one thing more. I was about to write a separate paragraph here on Jodha and a separate paragraph on Jalal. But then I realised I was not able to separate their psyches anymore, because they looked like they had veered towards becoming "one". When he was solemn, she injected hilarity into their verbal interactions, and when she was serious, he became light-hearted. They perfectly complemented each other in every one of their dialogues, and underlying all the words they spoke, there was that pride in each other in their eyes that was unforgettable for me. When she spoke he listened as if he was absorbed in what she was saying and she did likewise. The best way I can describe it to say "They looked so into each other!"
Hope we get may more episodes like this one, because I like seeing their world in Agra (with all its ups and downs) through their eyes. I like hearing them discuss their family and the goings-on in between hugs and hand-holdings and sweet embraces. I want nothing more "romantically crass" to sully the atmosphere. I like them just as they are and I want to be able to look forward to more of them with this sense of peace and contentedness. They were grand when they fought each other, no doubt, but I don't want to just hang onto the past and miss all the nuances of the absolutely endearing "made for each other" couple they have become!
For those who want it, here's a quick round up of what all happened in yesterday's episode:
Jalal draws his sword and is about to go after Sharif in anger. But Jodha tries to stop him. In that confusion the open sword cuts Jodha's hand slightly and it bleeds. Jalal is very remorseful. He holds her hands and says he should have been taking care of her and instead is gunning for Sharif. Jodha says the hurt was useful as it stopped him doing something too hasty. She says "Calm down. Sharif and Bakshi will sort it out and he will soon be reformed by her."
Meanwhile Sharif in his room hears Bakshi saying sorry to him for having given birth to a girl and promises to give birth to a boy baby next time. But Sharif has his eyes focused on the baby in the cradle. He takes the baby and starts walking away looking angry. Bakshi follows and begs him not to harm the baby. Sharif walks in anger with baby right around the palace terrace with Bakshi still begging and pleading. Mansingh and Todarmal see this and start also following Sharif in case he kills the baby.
Meanwhile Jodha and Jalal are in bed talking about the bad vibes of couples like Sharif and Bakshi. Jodha says "What can be done with men like Sharif who hate girls?" Just then Sharif enters with the baby and profusely apologises to both Jalal and Bakshi. Jalal takes the baby and gives it to Jodha. Sharif unsheathes a sword and asks Jalal to cut his head but Bakshi begs pardon for Sharif. After much remorse from Sharif, Jalal pardons him - and says it's only because of Bakshi. Sharif promises to be a true wafaadaar and goes out with Bakshi and the baby. But Sharif has hardly calmed. He has evil look.
Later Jodha and Jalal tell the whole story to all the ladies and Hamida is proud of Jalal's decision to forgive Sharif. But Jalal says it was all Jodha's idea and that's why she is ideal for the MUZ position. Ruq gets miffed and gives some petty excuse of tiredness to leave the room. After Ruq goes Hamida holds Jodha's hand and sees the hurt. She is concerned. Jodha jokes that her husband too like Sharif is also violent. Jalal demurs. He laughs and says "Which man will dare to hurt a Rajvanshi Sherni?" His mother says Jodha is now a Mughal Sherni!
Ruq goes to her room and rocks the empty cradle and says to Hoshiyaar "Jalal sees only Jodha as MUZ ... but soon he 'll see differently and this cradle will hold the MUZ's child". She looks rather evil.
Later in the evening, Jalal is sitting near a bonfire when Jodha comes and gently touches his shoulder and asks if he is tired. He moves over to let her sit beside him. He says "Life us tough after I got this dil'. Earlier I would have just cut off Sharif's head. Now I have become weaker." Jodha says "Your dil' is your strength Shahenshah. It's always easy for anyone to cut anyone's head but it takes courage to forgive Sharif." Jalal holds Jodha's hand and thanks her for this wisdom. He then gently kisses her hand and says "Come here" and pulls her into a sideways hug. She turns with a smile to him and says "You find good reasons every time to hug me" and he laughs heartily at being caught out!
Then she says they can talk to their babies if they want. He is surprised to hear that. She then tells him the story of Abhimanyu. She says Arjuna just playfully told his wife a mantra (chakravyuh) when she was pregnant with Abhimanyu. Years later in battle Abhimanyu knew that exact mantra though Arjuna was nowehere near. So babies do hear and learn in the womb. Jodha says she teaches the babies Ramayan and Mahabharat every day.
Jalal is very impressed. He then tells his babies "Your mother is really fabulous. And she is soon going to become the MUZ , did you both hear that?" Ruq hears this as Jodha and Jalal hug again. She has a very evil look on her face as the episode ends.
In the precap, Jodha sees Sharif carrying his baby in the garden and says "You will soon learn to be a good father. Here, let me hold the child." He passes the baby to her but brushes his hands over her hands sleazily when giving the child. Jodha feels extremely uncomfortable.
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