OVERDUE ANALYSIS: Thread 2 Link, p150 - Page 5

@Mayu: You are welcome to think this is an extension of the den, if you want, in fact the format will probably end up something like that. But I would rather keep this thread neutral so people don't feel intimidated to come inside, as I know I did with the den at first. The den and this can co-exist and we can enjoy both. I hope you understand what I mean. 😊

@Swan: Oh yeah, baby! 😎

WOW!

Can I just say I am so glad we decided to do this because I would have never watched that episode if I didn't feel like I had someone to report back to! 😕😆 There are so many nail biting moments that just made me want to skip all the tension and fast forward but I stuck it out because I knew we are all in this together.

First of all I want to make a disclaimer. I am not going to pretend I don't know what happens later in the story. We are analysing this in retrospect so if I see any foreshadowing of symbolism suggestive of what I know happens, then I will be sure to point it out.

The first scene is probably the first thing I would have skipped if I had a choice! It was horrific but beautifully done. I wonder who played Channi because she was just fabulous! Her fear was palpable and when the goons came up behind her and she screamed, I screamed with her! As she dies she calls out Geet's name and this is how we get introduced to our protagonist. I don't know if I should save this for later but I thought it was interesting that Channi was killed in the day, in a field which was domesticated land, while Brij attempts to murder Geet in the night in forest, which is untamed nature. Perhaps this could indicated that while Channi was fully aware and consciously made the decision that led to her murder, Geet was in the dark that she was committing her "sin" when she did it.

The art direction, camerawork and detail, setting of the scene is beautifully done. They use all the elements necessary to depict that this is an agricultural community. First we see fields, and a river, on which most agricultural communities depend for irrigation etc, and then the women making masala in their home. It is a communal environment where people are close to nature and depend on it for their livelihood.

The scene with the two women, Ranno and Brij's mother were really interesting. It paved the way for what was to come when Ranno prayed that the boy's family say yes. That's all. She didn't pray for them to be good people or for her daughter to be happy, just for them to say yes.

I LOVED that Geet's character was introduced at a college, where she had gone despite knowing that ladkewale were coming to see her. I also really loved that you could see hints of the Geet that she would later become already. She had that positive, never say die attitude when she told Rajji she would do all her work so she could study, she had that selfless want to help others, when she took Titu on the scooty and she tried to speak when Darjee was hitting her, already showing her instinct for justice.

The men of the family were incredibly interesting as well. While the women were introduced in the home setting, making food, and taking care of the practical aspects, the men were taking care of the spiritual and societal demands by going to the gurudwara, praying and meeting people there. No doubt, Darjee's lecture to Channi's father was infuriating but it established his character well. He blamed him for not bringing his daughter up the correct way. I also found Darjee's definition of marriage very interesting. He says that girls have to forget everything and become a part of their husband's family, that they have to maintain the values of what is right and wrong in society, within their house. This surprised me because it wasn't an entirely chauvinist description. It was according to a certain system that they are used to and they are not discounting the importance of women, in fact they are acknowledging that they have responsibility over the whole family. The writing is so balanced because Darjee is not completely wrong here.

The introduction of Dev. I was so excited by the symbolism I found here! 😃 He comes out of his car to give Geet back her dupatta, ie her honour but by the time he is able to give it to her it is too late and she has to face the wrath of Darjee. This is kind of like what happens over all. By the time the character repents, wants to find and help Geet, it is too late and she has already had to face the worst. Hence it shows that Dev is not the one to return her honour. 😉 This was again foreshadowed when the woman running in with the news that they arrived saves Geet from another blow but later she is even more in danger when Kamya gives her chicken-incident away. So I read this as the illusion that Dev will be able to save her from her family but in reality, he will only make her situation worse.

Brij is so darn scary! 😲 But again, I thought it was interesting that he said to Titu, that Geet is a girl and she has to know the difference between right and wrong. Only, his definition of right and wrong is very different from our's and well, the law's. Ironically, in the story Geet does show the difference between right and wrong, but in a way that Brij does not expect, accept or understand. I like that no character is blatantly negative, but complex in showing the variety of perceptions. All of them have motives.

I loved the episode from the aesthetics to the initial characterisation. It was all amazingly done!

Can I just say again that I am so glad we decided to do this? 😃

Wow Samana! Great analysis!

This is not the first time I'm watching this episode, but I somehow missed the symbolisms you mentioned, except for the duppatta scene with Dev.

To be honest I caught up with the series from the 2nd epi-but earlier on this year I took a marathon ride of all the epis right from this first one -this might just be a half hour of the many,many hours that make up GHSP-the series,but it has a major role in forming its premise and stand as a contrast to how not only Geet evolved-but stood as epitome of light in the stark darkness of the conservative,restraining society she grew up in.

Truly,your heart clenched,mind cringed at poor Channi whose dark escapade in the crack of dawn amongst fields unknowingly drew you in the roots of Hoshiyarpur and made you desperately pray she'd escape from those in her hunt as she hid-only to be met by the masked men with scary talwars.

@Samana

wow am i the first to respond to u? i usually wait for others to post before i dare to venture out, but this time i am too excited to wait for others. so sr devils pls excuse.

Wow, Samana, beautiful. No doubt it is a great decision we decided to do this retrospective analysis. I would come in only after Maan enters, because in reality I started seeing the show after Maan's entry and became a hardcore Maaneetian afterwards, so I cannot digest seeing Geet with Dev.