Hence, I find myself back at the forum that I disavowed earlier. I haven't been able to stop myself from going online and checking the daily updates--old habits die real hard! Maybe it was part curiosity, part hope that this show had in fact moved on to logical conclusions or scenarios. But I, unfortunately, did not see that.
I read perfangel's article about how they are killing the show. Forget that--I'd be more concerned with how they are killing us (damn! there was that word again), their viewers with their:
--loss of direction on all fronts/tracks and on where to take the show
--confusion over how to develop the betiyaan so that you don't have 3 married, 1 under-age
--an oddly unique way of showing so much, but saying so little
--terrible execution stylistically--zoom ins, my pet peeve of getting star wars-like special effects people to work wardrobe, hair, and makeup. How Rajdeep does not get makeup transfer when Trish hugs or kisses him is beyond me--maybe it's 24-hour long-lasting makeup. You know, some women on this show look like upscale prostitutes, not the lovely normal young women they are.
After walking away from the forum (kind of), I got a better perspective on the problems with the show (as I mentioned above). Most of these we know and know and know, and we are doomed to suffer through the related mental torture. This is like a POW camp for viewers--waiting to be rescued, always having hope, always loyal (I don't mean to make light of POWs).
My other big issue is with how couples develop love or friendship or whatever on this show. The rape, cross-marriages, and forcing characters to feel love are twisted. Probably well-intended initially, but too illogical, too overdone, too too too....
So RESTAGE this show, you creatives you! I know there are probably things you want to do with it, but please consider starting fresh...but within limits.
1. Look, keep some of the daughters single. If 3 of the 4 are married, then there's not much to be done. Infidelity, more saas-bahu problems, familial infighting, reincarnation, 10 year jump?
2. Since you were so brutal not to mention twisted about Raj-Trishna's relationship, spread your wings proud and high and make a trip to another couple. Raghav's a nice guy, but he is too stupid, too pretty-boyish, too band-boyish, and weak-willed. I like guys to be stronger mentally and in their love. Take the scissors and start cutting this relationship up! Sujata will have sadness right now, and a joyful love later.
3. The fiasco that is Raj-Tanya-Rajdeep-Trishna. I'm not sure if I'm confused by it or horrified by it. Suffice it to say I don't think I've ever seen anything like this--though it may have happened somewhere. This is the most offensive part of the show for me and really pisses me off. Illogical in its jumps and in how love develops. Man, love pops out of nowhere like a robber on a dark street, and I'm left astounded, staring blankly at the screen, did I really see this, is this a terrible disjointed dream? No, it was just another episode. Oh.
Get back to the core. Have Rajdeep, as darling as he is, disappear. Make him a hero, trying to save Trishna or Tanya or Raj or all three! The more, the merrier, right? That sure has been this show's mantra. Have Raj and Trishna reunited. I know this is self-serving but hear me out. The WAY in which Tanya and Raj were brought together, the half-hearted attempts to show how they fall in love are just not credible or sincere. Plus, if they remain together, what will be next as a track? Arguing over drapes? About Yuv stopping his self-sacrifices which results in other people getting sacrificed. Creatives, get your crazy on, but don't make us crazy. Have Tanya find someone who is the opposite of her: animated, a bit on the mean side, but with a very good heart. Let them "discover" one another. Let this relationship start, form slowly, and become true love. Forget the money angles. Now this would be perfect for her, and it is "lighter" than whatever it is she is going through now. She and Raj appear bipolar on this show. Falling in love one minute (since when by the way?), acting as if there is nothing between them the next. Poor things. And they just don't look good together, because that credibility is not there. And you really can't put it there now and expect the viewers to care.
We always give creatives these nice to haves. It's not to say we know how to write this, or our ideas are the best things since "romance" novels, but these are just ideas. Perhaps they already have them in their heads, I hope.