So, tonight the charade of a family was exposed before the world, and Maya did not have to lift a finger to do anything. Antara did it all for her. As Maya is progressing in her plans, we can see how her attempts are geared towards isolating Mrityunjay, one-by-one.
Antara's wake-up call - Maya drowning Antara wasn't intended to take her life because her job is not to deal the death card on any of the Roys. It is to shake up the existing toxic normalcy in the Roy family regarding things that are inherently wrong - Antara clinging onto a relationship where she has no clue who she is anymore, she does not recognize herself anymore. Antara drowning in the water by Maya is like Maya purging her of this quandary and addiction, to compel her to act or take responsibility for her choices or make a very drastic choice that will somewhere weaken Mrityunjay. Mrityunjay is able to maintain this facade of being a good man, good father, good husband because Antara has supported him in that facade. Antara choosing to back off from her responsibility as a good and diligent homemaker risks Mrityunjay being exposed as the man he is - which probably he doesn't realize yet. He may treat water indifferently, but we always need water - as its a basic necessity - you cannot just let go of it. Antara has reached her saturation point - she may not leave Mrityunjay completely, but she may not be as involved as keeping the family together as before - which plays out to Maya's advantage.
Rudra's ethical standards - Rudy boy, take a bow. I have seen many of mumma's boys in TV shows. I have also seen bad boys with mommy issues shows too, but he is one boy who is neither too mom-sided or dad-sided. He is a neutral character who chooses right over anything else. Rudra is a very devoted son - to both his parents. He loved his father too at one point in time - but that love was replaced with anger and hate because he could not forgive his father for his actions. Also, what he cannot forgive is his mother's inability to stand up for herself - which he has voiced many times. His point is simple - what is wrong, stays wrong - no matter what you say. Also, he respects a woman's individuality a lot - which we see in his interactions with Maya and Ananya - who are pretty strong on their own. What I also appreciate about Rudra is, he does not love blindly - he calls a spade, a spade. Which makes it very tough for Maya to use her love card on him. Even if we assume that Rudra gets to know Maya's story and helps her, because he loves her - he will still call Maya out on her actions. And high chances are Rudra has the power as an individual to change gears of Maya's revenge towards justice with his love.
Rajiv's profit - Tumhari nafrat me faayda dikha isiliye tumhara saath de raha hu. This line is enough to summarize what Rajiv Chandra is - a businessman whose compass is more inclined towards gain than morality or conscience. He is not a Maya sympathizer or a friend. His allegiance to Maya is just good business for him. Because Maya's hate is what will ruin Mrityunjay Roy. The keyword being Maya's hate. The moment he notices Maya deviating from a path of hate towards love - that is when he can change the game in Mrityunjay's favor - because again - it will be good business for him. So, no, he is no way reliable, and Maya too is aware of the same - which is evident in how she treats him. Like Rajiv puts it - Tum insaan ko bhi keede makaure hone ka ehsaas dilati ho.
The lost boy 'Rishi' - Rishi is not someone to deal with issues and problems easily, because he never has had to. He has been aware that there are inherent problematic equations in his family, but he has always treated them as mere fun. But tonight he got a reality check - the crumbling of a so-called perfect relationship of his parents. Unfortunately, he chose the wrong side to stick to. Whatever happens, Rishi is dad's pet. Even after what went down in the party and what he saw happen to his mom, he might have been affected by it, but not so much to side with his mom. Where Rudra could see that his mom is in this state because of his father, Rishi though that his father deeply loves his mom and was trying to help her. Rishi is too naive in these manipulative games of his father. And he has still seen only his dad's good side. There are possibilities that things change when Mrityunjay starts giving him some 'tough love'. Going by the tendencies of Roy Boys - Rishi will not take it sitting down.
Maya's Sultan - Well what I appreciate about this season, is them highlighting in bits and pieces - parts of Maya's humane and loving nature that exists inside all that hate. She may have changed, but her core is still intact - which is loving and caring. S1 was all about manipulative and obsessive Maya, this season already has established Maya obsessing over the destruction of the Roys with hate, but her humanity is certainly intact - loving animals, caring daughter, supporting the cause of transgenders - show signs of a morally strong woman she is.
Other Highlights:
1. The character of Diya needs to be fleshed out more. So is her inclination towards Mrityunjay.
2. Ananya investigating will be turned around over to Mrityunjay, because of Maya, because itni aasani se kisi ke haath nahi aane wali. She has been planning everything for the last 8 years.
3. It is now Rishi's turn to be separated from Mrityunjay - and high hopes, it won't be death related - it will be more of emotional and mental separation.
