Today's epi and Raavi-Shiva

Long Post

This was inspired by another thread here, posting as a topic because it's too long a reply.

My first reaction to Raavi was "I don't like her" due to her bubbliness as well as Alice. I have nothing against her, she just didn't click for me at first glance unlike all the other actors. I proudly say that I eat my words now. Raavi grew on me slowly and as stated elsewhere I understood that was her characterization. After I realized this I absolutely adored Alice's portrayal of cute, naïve Raavi. She is indeed a phenomenal actor and today's episode definitely belonged to her. How realistically she portrayed the painful toppling of Raavi's rose-tinted dreams - take a bow, Alice! I was moved to tears and that's a testament to her acting prowess because these emotional breakdowns in serials are usually viewed with detachment and don't really have a lot of characterization to them. Alice made me feel for Raavi, understand emotions I've never personally experienced and she managed to break down staying true to her character - the subtleties, emotions and nuances were very much Raavi.

I loved how Raavi didn't even take it out on Dhara or Gautam immediately, nor blame Dev. That's so like her. She had the demeanour of a baby in her dialogues and expressions and it broke my heart. How cute and affectionate was the way she said "Gombii" in the suicide scene.

I'm very much impressed by the pace of the wedding track, too. Usually they take a whole week for the Dulhan to get from mandap to suicide point. At this pace it's likely the weddings will be done by day after tomorrow and I'm glad for it.

Now coming to my inevitable Shivobservations😆

It's become second nature for me to observe Shiva's reaction in every frame now. Again, kudos to the brilliant portrayal that makes you look out for nuances. I'm not sure if some of these observations are a result of my misinterpretation or errors in continuity, if they aren't then I am happy that the makers are being this subtle with the characters.

Shiva was shocked and knocked off his high horse today. He was worried and that showed clearly on his face, along with a sense of disbelief. Initially when Raavi was coming to terms with reality and slowly breaking down, Shiva looked like he felt bad for her. There was a tiny moment where his concern almost jumped out - while Raavi steps off the mandap and confronts Dev, Shiva steps forward and Dhara gestures to him to stay back. To me, that looked like he reacted out of impulse, as though he couldn't take watching her crumble. I don't know if I got this right, maybe it wasn't intended and I'm reading too much into it.

Later, when Raavi runs out of the mandap Shiva and Dhara had identical expressions even though their individual equations with her are very different. He came after her along with the adults instead of staying back with his mother or handling Dev and was definitely concerned even as he called out in anger.

Now here's where I found things interesting: When she's unconscious Shiva is openly concerned and tries to revive her by rubbing her palm. There's also a split second shot when he places her on the bed, of him holding her face in his palm, that was so gentle. I'm not sure that was Shiva but it looked like his hand to me. The moment she opens her eyes he let's go and jumps off the bed. Why does he want to look unaffected even in this dire situation and that too only in front of her?

The scene were Raavi takes it out on Shiva spoke volumes about their relationship. Raavi reacted only twice and both times it was to Shiva. In a room full of people who love her, it's him she finds her outlet in by reflex. I wonder what triggered her right then. Shiva understands her and stays silent - the depth was shown in the contrast with Gautam who immediately told her it was unwise to act this way while Shiva kept mum. He let her take it out on him which as we all know is something Shiva would normally never do, and then when she say's mujhe marne do he is immediately anxious.

It's evident from today's episode that Shiva is in disbelief, it must be the first time he's seeing Raavi in a state like this and that's not sitting well with him. He's used to obnoxiously cheerful and tit-for-tat dene wali Maamikibehenkibeti and this was unsettling for him. Those glances at her noose were poignant.

His remoteness till Anita's outburst was very telling and a certain degree of empathy could be sensed in him.

Also, how does Raavi know Shiva saved her? She was unconscious, or did she fall unconscious after he took her down? Did she assume it must have been Shiva or just made him the target of her grief-induced aggression?

Ps. I hope they stop the Dhara-blame, it's such a formulaic move to place all the blame on the female protagonist to stretch out the drama. They clearly discussed the matter and decided on a stance as a family, and if anyone can be absolved of blame it would be Dhara since she wanted to do right by everyone and tell Raavi the truth until Janardhan's threat and Gautam's persuasion changed her mind.

"Shivobservations" 😂😂 I love it. Both, the name and the observations. They are always a treat to read.

"There's also a split second shot when he places her on the bed, of him holding her face in his palm, that was so gentle. I'm not sure that was Shiva but it looked like his hand to me."

I thought I saw this as well, but then it was so short that I was like maybe not. But from the angle of the hand, it must have been him and couldn't have been mama.

@Raavi knowing about Shiva. I think that scene was edited out. Per the SBS clip, he hugs her first for a second as she's putting noose around her neck. (I would have loved to see closeup on Shiva's face during the hug part). Then she faints and he carries her to the bed. I think the channel probably edited that out because of the noose around Raavi's neck in light of the recent suicides in the industry. Plus I think it may have seemed violent/censored for the ITV audience.

@Dhara blame. Exactly!!! Only Shiva spoke up in her defense. I was disappointed that Gaumbhi didn't say a word in Dhara's defense to his mom because she was trying to do the right thing and it was Gaumbhi who stopped her. Even after their talk, she went and tried to do the right thing by going to Janardhan. That detail is important.

Lovely post! Bet shiva himself doesn’t understand what he feels for Raavi..that concern while rubbing her hands and instinctively getting off the bed the moment she regained consciousness were very telling of his conflict...

really really looking forward to Shiva and Raavi’s tale, if the CVs don’t mess up, they have a great potential

I’m super happy that Raavi doesn’t blame Dhara. She’s hurt so maybe upset for a while and that’s alright but why didn’t Dev tell her.

My god, dil todna tha bharosa nahi. I don’t understand Dev. He’s unstable for lack of a better word. This see-sawing is going to cause issues for the family.
Janardhan is going to come after the Pandya family with a passion.

As for #ShiVi they have so much potential!! Fingers crossed that the maker’s handle it well. I really want Raavi to realize that what she felt for Dev wasn’t the soul searing kind of true love.

I felt soo sorry for Raavi today her dreams shattered in a second and the poor girl tried to end her life even though non of this was her fault. I can’t believe Dev didn’t even bother to think about her feelings when he told everyone about his relationship with Rishita he knew she really loved him and that she wouldn’t be able to take this, he should have at least tried to tell her before the marriage.I really hope she forgets Dev and starts afresh with Shiva who is the best for her and hopefully won’t betray her.

Agree with the observations...

I feel Raavi was a child before this incident looking at everything with childlike innocence and hope but then this seems to have made her grow up suddenly... She had always dreamt of Dev and once it's broken she feels her life is broken... To move forward is going to be difficult for her...

Raavi is stronger than she thinks of herself as. She’ll pull through. I have no doubt about it. The way it was done was harsh.

Dev needs to be kicked for this. What a lousy man.

^ Only saving grace for Dev is that he rejected to get married with Rishita without his family's consent. But yes, it really wasn't fair what he's done and he hasn't even said sorry to Raavi either. Hope he has guts to tell her that at least. Otherwise, how can he get married gaily without feeling an ounce of guilt to the other bride who he stranded at the alter and when his brother has to give up his happiness (at least from his perspective from the show not as an audience).

Originally posted by: Mountains_Lakes

"Shivobservations" 😂😂 I love it. Both, the name and the observations. They are always a treat to read.

"There's also a split second shot when he places her on the bed, of him holding her face in his palm, that was so gentle. I'm not sure that was Shiva but it looked like his hand to me."

I thought I saw this as well, but then it was so short that I was like maybe not. But from the angle of the hand, it must have been him and couldn't have been mama.

@Raavi knowing about Shiva. I think that scene was edited out. Per the SBS clip, he hugs her first for a second as she's putting noose around her neck. (I would have loved to see closeup on Shiva's face during the hug part). Then she faints and he carries her to the bed. I think the channel probably edited that out because of the noose around Raavi's neck in light of the recent suicides in the industry. Plus I think it may have seemed violent/censored for the ITV audience.

@Dhara blame. Exactly!!! Only Shiva spoke up in her defense. I was disappointed that Gaumbhi didn't say a word in Dhara's defense to his mom because she was trying to do the right thing and it was Gaumbhi who stopped her. Even after their talk, she went and tried to do the right thing by going to Janardhan. That detail is important.

Haha, "shivobservations" are my prime time hobby now. The word just popped into my mind as I typed 😂

Yup it did look like his hand from the angle. It could've been Gomby but his sleeve doesn't look like that.

Mm yes that makes sense if they cut it out for censorship and sensitivity of the topic. Also, I heard that the original Mullai (Raavi), the tamil actress died of suicide too. I wonder if that's a factor here. It would've been great to see Shiva in that scene tho.

I'm so happy that Gomby finally broke his helpless silence and stood up for Dhara. It's great that he took the blame on himself because some of it was his doing.

Originally posted by: Mountains_Lakes

^ Only saving grace for Dev is that he rejected to get married with Rishita without his family's consent. But yes, it really wasn't fair what he's done and he hasn't even said sorry to Raavi either. Hope he has guts to tell her that at least. Otherwise, how can he get married gaily without feeling an ounce of guilt to the other bride who he stranded at the alter and when his brother has to give up his happiness (at least from his perspective from the show not as an audience).

I'm pretty sure Dev is going to spend a good while feeling guilty and apologetic. I guess he will apologise to both of them, especially Raavi once the storm settles. As much as an apology is warranted, it's not the right time for him to interact with Raavi right now, he'll give her space.

This man really needs to learn how to take decisions from Shiva smh. He keeps swaying like a gossamer sheet hung in the wind. Anyways, now that all's done I hope we get to see some character development for Dev as he deals with the consequences of his submissiveness and indecision.