Posted:
Good episode tonight.
I didn't have the highest expectations from tonight's episode, but it surprised me a bit. Oh yes, it did focus on V again, a lot, but at least there was no glorification like yesterday. In that sense, I could tolerate his antics.
We saw character consistency and flow tonight -- though some scenes were quite rushed, and there wasn't much of Raghav/Sia. The latter is something that's really bothering me. I'm expecting that from now on, there will be intense focus on them both, how they faked their marriage, how they plan to overthrow V, and their interaction with each other. In fact, I'm expecting their relationship to be explored fully without their scenes being rushed.
I think that the wait has been long, and dragging the growth further will lead to frustration among viewers who have waited impatiently for Raghav/Sia track to start. What surprises me is how the writers haven't developed their relationship earlier on since it's obvious that Harshad-Sriti's chemistry have struck a cord in people's hearts.
However, I'm trying to have faith in the writers as of now. I do sense that they have a plan and know where they're headed with the story/characters. I've been harsh in some of my feedbacks due to frustration over the glorification of V -- specifically yesterday -- but as I understand that the writers need to show how obsessed V is with the wedding in order to show the impact that the bane of his plans will have on him, I'm attempting patience.
I'm just really expecting Raghav's character to strenghten and Sia to remain consistently strong from now on. I'm also expecting that the other characters won't be sidelined, but involved in the story actively. When you have brilliant actors and characters like Gayatri, Komal, Krish, and Taashu -- it's not fair to reduce them to one-dimensional beings. And especially not when they're multidimensional, layered characters.
Just one more thing I'd like to add...
The writers need to cease glorifying V. Like it has been mentioned by another member in this thread, the glorification of every one of his scenes lead to young men worshipping his character and adopting his abusive style -- which is not a positive result or message. For a long time, V has been shown winning and getting away with his dirty deeds. It's time for the hero to counter him in character strength, become stronger and more dominating than the villain -- because you'll want young men to support those that represent Good and not Evil.
>> Pros:
1) Sia's expression when V gripped her and Sriti's performance in the shower
You know, at first, I was pissed. Because she was just standing there, crying again. And I was like: "The writers can't do this to her character. They can't do this to me." When V gripped her in that signature possessive-creepy hug of his [the one where he forced her off her feet], I was about to explode, because he was touching her and she was letting him.
Then I saw Sia's expression go dark -- as in "I'm so gonna ruin you, you psychopath!"
God, I loved that expression. I loved that the writers once again showed us her thoughts, sustained her character consistency by keeping her strong and having her wipe that tear with a dangerously calm expression on her face. It was determination mixed with disgust mixed with the smell of victory. Triumph. Fantastic!
Next, I'm so happy that they showed her step into the shower and rinse her skin to get rid of his touch. I remember the first time that she did it -- after her rape. And tonight it showed us, once again without words, how Sia felt violated by his hands on her body. Sriti's performance in that shower scene was outstanding! Just loved it. Plus, I was just genuinely glad that the writers showed us that her marital rape and the scars it had left on her hadn't been forgotten by them. Or her.
There can be no doubt that every time he touches her, it's like hand-rape to her. She can't stand it and it makes her feel dirty, violated. I'll compliment the writers for adding this very significant detail while at the same time keeping her strong. The way that she wiped that mirror and looked herself in the eye was chilling. Powerful. Conveyed it all.
I like how the writers know when a scene is powerful enough in itself that dialogues aren't needed, and when dialogues can enhance the power of a scene [for instance, the slap scene].
2) V's obsession with the wedding
I think that the reason that the writers have focused so much on it is because they needed to show how obsessed he is with it, how much he needs to be in control of it all. That the entire universe must witness his power as he takes back "his creation", reclaims it before God and Man. There is arrogance here -- as in the kind that Lucifer had before he fell. It's an arrogance that is aimed at God. No one else.
Why else would he put emphasis on the universe and not just stick with mankind?
The fact that the writers emphasized his obsession with this wedding and how important it is for him that it goes according to his plan, within his control -- it's so that when Sia ruins his plan, breaks his perfectly controlled pattern, it'll be the biggest psychological blow ever. He'll simply go berserk and all hell will break loose.
3) The 21 vows
Interesting. Some of the most interesting vows were the ones that said "and she shall fear me to such an extent that she won't even raise her eyes to meet my shadow's" and "she'll love me so much that she'll ask for my permission before she dies and love me even as a pari"...
What do these vows tell us about V's perception of himself? They tell us that he does not want to be loved. He wants to be worshipped. Jahnvi is a slave, his creation, whom shall worship him for eternity -- so that he can feel like a God, in control.
It's not about love, never was. It's about his God complex once again. Just think about it. His foster parents loved him, yet he manipulated and abused that love. It wasn't enough. His mother loved him, protected him as much as she could, but he abused her and her love. Jahnvi cared for him and tried to love him, but he abused her and her sentiments.
He has always been his own destruction. He is his own bane, to put it plainly.
Someone pump him full of Prozac and lock him up in a padded cell.
4) Sia dresses in her wedding dress
Sriti is beautiful and I'd hoped that we'd get to see her in the wedding dress, full on bride style. I can understand that as of now it's all very rushed. But that doesn't keep me from hoping that whenever Raghav/Sia do marry properly [or for real], we'll get to see the full, complete package of the wedding preparations and rituals.
Another thing I'd like to add is that I liked the difference between Jahnvi and Sia's saris. You see, Jahnvi would wear weak colors and be too dolled up in terms of makeup, because she had to look the part as V's perfect wife. But Sia dresses in bold colors -- and yet her sari still had a clear innocence about it, something strong yet soft, classy, simple. The distinction is important to notice. Sia is much more relaxed than Jahnvi ever was -- while at the same time being fierce in attitude.
5) The shot of Raghav/Sia at the threshold and Raghav's expression
Hands down, Harshad's expression in that shot said it all. The scene was brilliantly shot. The way the camera moved from the side, capturing Sia's face and lowered eyes, and then smoothly moved to capture Raghav's calm expression and unwavering gaze. Just a brilliant shot.
I might've felt that the scene was a bit rushed, but for now I'm willing to be patient.
6) Gayatri's reaction and Komal's reasoning
First, I'd like to point out how the "bail because of wedding" concept was cleverly inserted, used, by the writers. I hadn't thought of it at all. It didn't cross my mind. Well done.
I adore Gayatri's character. What I loved about this shot is how Gayatri stared at Raghav and Sia for about two minutes, calculated, and went upstairs in anger. There wasn't what we call a typically dramatic reaction from her -- the shocked and "kya hai yeh?" reaction that we've seen on every other show. It wouldn't have suited Gayatri's character either.
You see, Gayatri took one look at her son's deed and figured him out. What does this tell us? That this was an act that wasn't unexpected from Raghav. Which means that he must not always have been so innocent since his mother saw right through his action, catching onto the reason behind the act. It tells us that Raghav might've been a troublemaker, but it also tells us that even as a kid, he must've been exceptionally sharp.
Gayatri figured him out, understanding that he'd married to get out of prison -- well, that's one of the reasons. But she still caught onto it before anyone else. Raghav's expression told us that he knew that he his mother would see through him right away and that she'd be majorly pissed. But there was something provocative and almost naughty about how he didn't lower his eyes, but held her gaze throughout the staring contest. There was no shame, and he knew that his mother would be angry but get over it.
I loved the tension between mother and son and how both [fantastic] actors managed to give the shot so many layers -- anger, attitude, stubborness, and the unspoken knowing that they both were aware of why Raghav had done this and that an act like this wasn't entirely unexpected from him.
Raghav looked like he'd been caught with his hand down the cookie jar, but instead of his face crumbling in shame, he'd smirked and munched the cookie to annoy her. I found it a scene that was both serious and funny, and I swear that only RaYatri know how to create that kind of mother-son chemistry. Hands down. I love them.
Furthermore, I loved Komal's reasoning. How she tried to mellow things down with "it's so bad, but don't you remember how you wanted them to get married?" Like, really? Gayatri doesn't listen to her feelings and ignore her brain so easily. The funniest part was the way that Komal tried to hide her smile behind Gayatri's back. She was actually happy that Sia and Raghav had gotten married -- even in secret.
Let's see if Gayatri puts aside her stubbornness and embraces the "marriage".
7) Taashu and her Gossip Girl gene
I found it hilarious how Taashu spied outside Sia's room and went all Gossip Girl when V wrote I love you on the mirror. It was such a teenage thing for her to do. She's a very nice, sweet, character with a lot of potential. I hope that the writers will, at some point, develop her character, give her layers. It couldn't have been easy to live at a girls' hostel with no supervision from her mother -- and to be without a father from a young age.
It does seem like Gayatri has neglected her to some extent.
8) V out of his Joker costume
Thank the writers for small mercies. I hope that we never see him dress up again.
>> Cons:
1) V's monologues
Can get incredibly tiresome. Sometimes it's a waste of precious time that could've been used on the other characters' development/interaction. But I'm hoping that they'll ease down on V's scenes since I'd personally like to see other characters be given some fair screenspace as well.
2) Raghav's neglected thought process and dialogues
For one thing, I would've liked to follow his thought process in the jail shot. Harshad is awesome when it comes to expressing emotions/thoughts. But what makes his character come more alive, what gives his character much more strength -- and enhances his screen presence -- is if he has actual dialogues to go along with the shot and if we get to follow his thought process just like we follow V and Sia's.
His character needs to become much stronger now, grow, strenghten. Become powerful enough to rival V from every angle. Dialogues are an important part of his character strength. Of any character's character strength!
3) Where is Krish?
I thought that he was important to the story somehow? I'm still waiting to see him get all pissed at V for lying to him about his voice, for using him to get Raghav captured. Plus I am waiting for him to apologize to Raghav as he'll be feeling guilty/responsible for Raghav getting caught outside the store room.
In general, I just miss Krish and the deeper purpose/importance that they gave his character in relation to the story. He's always been a uniquely perceptive kid. I thought that he'd have a greater purpose overall?
4) Give Sia a new hairstyle -- braid, pins, anything!
Self-explanatory.
5) New montage
It's time to change the current montage and replace it with one that showcases Raghav and Sia rivaling V in size and power.
6) Last but not least: When will Sia demand a legal divorce from V?
She has divorced him mentally, emotionally, and in every other way -- but when will she divorce him on paper, so that the law can't interfere in her life anymore? And so that V can't claim her as his wife -- legally -- ever again?
Kher. I apologize for this not so thorough review tonight. Been busy. Will make up for it tomorrow night. Goodnight, peeps.
Udne Ki Aasha
Cricket
