Posted:
I've noticed the many outbursts after today's episode, and honestly I think that it's verging on an overraction. People need to calm down and think about it for a moment.
In my opinion, the episode was awesome. Why? Because 1) Barun's acting conveyed every single emotion raging within Arnav and even more, and 2) the confrontation between Arnav and Shyam was heart-stoppingly amazing and in character, and 3) now it makes complete sense if Arnav decides to marry Khushi - Shyam challenged him, and if there's one thing that provokes Arnav to counter-attack, it's being challenged - especially by scumbags.
Honestly, the dialogues were awesome - the episode rocked. I think that emotions are running really high in the forum right now. People wanted ArHi romance. They wanted some kind of perfect wedding, etc. (as if that would've been any less cliche). But there's so much more to the characters and the story - the conflict and focus in relation to Shyam and Anjali, it's needed and important. Today's episode gave Arnav even more depth and layers.
Arnav is in shock and emotionally distressed (vulnerable), because in just a moment his sister's marriage has been destroyed - he's been betrayed by two very important and trusted people in his life. He's barely recovered from the trauma when he decides to seek out Shyam and confront him - which led to Shyam being ahead in the game in terms of words. Shyam pulled off his mask, shocking Arnav further by the psychotic side of his, and openly provoked Arnav without an ounce of fear or regret in his eyes. He laughed into Arnav's face. No wonder Arnav was left speechless.
In addition to that, I love that the writers remembered who Arnav is as a person - he is a thinker. He may be silent now, but only because inside his head everything's in chaos and he's accessing the situation, trying to figure out how to handle Shyam. His focus and attention right now is all on Anjali - which makes sense, because she's his world. And he believes that Khushi's a part of the betrayal, so naturally he wouldn't be thinking of her in any other context.
Shyam challenged him - "what are you going to do about it?" he asked. If Arnav now decides to marry Khushi, it'll be in order to seperate Shyam/Khushi, avenge his own sister and make Shyam pay, and protect Anjali further. Again, this is in character for Arnav because he thinks in cost-benefit, not purely emotions. This is what makes Arnav uniquely different from other male heroes. This is what makes him intelligent. And why, in the end, he'll beat Shyam at any game.
Now as for Khushi - yeah, it's sad that she might be used as a pawn because Arnav misunderstood the scene playing before him. But honestly, in Arnav's place, even I would have misunderstood that scene and counted Shyam-Khushi for betrayers. It may be that this was predictable (cliche, even), but it was realistically portrayed - and besides, cliches are cliches because they damn work.
Seriously. Just take a moment and consider things from the characters' perspective rather than your own. Everything that happened in today's episode was in character. The confrontation between Shyam and Arnav was so frigging awesome. And although that's purely subjective, let's not bash anyone just because some disliked the way it all happened and some didn't.
Wait and watch. Things are bound to get interesting and, eventually, we'll get our ArHi romance, but for now character development is really important to make the story progress and characters grow. Relationships that change and break and mend is what makes stories and characters interesting and beautiful - it's what gives them depth. Allow these characters to develop. Allow the relationships to change, the scales to tip, and the natural progress of each individual character to reach his/her point of self-discovery and trust.
And, for God's sake, allow LM to direct a few episodes on Shyam-Arnav's confrontation. I've waited for this moment (and I'm sure others have too) ever since I found out Shyam was Anjali's husband.
Okay, I'm done venting. Thanks for reading, and no offense to anyone 😳
Ganesh Kartikeya
Shiv Shakti
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
