Posted:
Just wanted to share a few thoughts on the show, in general. I've been following it since it's first episode. My two cents...
> The Characters
The show has a fantastic cast of characters. None of them are boring. They're substantial and intriguing with each their own past and internal struggle. None of them are pure white or pure black. They're human. They're flawed.
E.g. Lakhan is one of my favorite characters on the show because 1) the actor has a way of delivering his dialogues that entertain me, 2) the character is negative, but not without redeemable qualities, and 3) he's relatable in the sense that he's a spoiled and emotional brat with a strong sense of loyalty toward his family and a tendency of making trouble -- not because he's evil, but because he seeks attention and recognition. Plus it seems as if he's had a rough upbringing [no parents, no attentive brothers; it shows in the way that he spits on the floor in the house, lies around, fires up for no reason, etc.] -- I wonder if his brothers raised him or his Bhabhi.
I bet that there's a reason why he's such a furious guy with no manners and/or moral. It's not that he's stupid. He seems smart enough. But he's reactive/emotional.
Bhabhi is an equally intriguing character who seems more negative than Lakhan. She's a manipulative character and you always wonder what's cooking inside her head, because she's always silently observing people -- especially Ramdhari. Something's gone wrong. With her husband. And she seems much too calm and composed about it. I wonder what skeletons lie in the family closet.
Prithvi struggles with his sense of belonging, his identity, abandonment issues, the belief that he was unwanted and a stain. What's interesting is how swiftly his attitude and entire body language changes in the presence of Ramdhari. Usually he's rigid and intimidating, always wearing an intensely furious expression, but in Ramdhari's presence he becomes an almost dorky guy with shoulders and head lowered, awkward, and harmless.
Something else about him is how he's not stupid. He can be oblivious, yeah, but it's only because he's used to following orders -- blindly. Without asking questions. However, I'd say that Meera underestimates him. He's more than muscle. He does have a brain, and once he understands to use it, he'll become all but invincible.
Meera is one of the few female leads that I find likable. Evidently, most writers don't know how to balance a female character on a show. They tend to make them too weak and too stupid -- to the point that you get annoyed. Female characters are often portrayed as pure devis, flawless, and self-sacrificing.
But what I love about Meera is that she's none of the abovementioned. She's completely and perfectly balanced.
What I love about her is how human and different she is [from other female characters]. I mean, she can be sweet but not in a shallow way, not in a surreal way. She's strong, but that doesn't mean that she never experiences fear. She's incredibly intelligent. Yeah, she does get herself and others in a lot of trouble, but she doesn't do things without using her brain. There's always a plan -- and if there are unexpected consequences, then she also deals with them without breaking down. Even if she's scared.
She's a fighter. She doesn't back down. She makes bad choices now and then and I feel frustrated about that, but then it also shows me that she's human. Every decision cannot be right. She doesn't sacrifice herself for others, but fights to uncover the truth -- and the thing that I probably love the most about her is the bits of grey in her character. She isn't shy of using the wrong means to reach her end. It's not right, but it makes her flawed. I'm all for a flawed female lead, thank you very much. That's refreshing.
Yeah, she can be rude and selfish and manipulative. But she reaps what she sows. The point being that the writers always maintain a moral on their show simply by showing that whenever Meera does something, then there are consequences and a price to pay.
The Pandit, Bittu, Akash, Prithvi's friend [the kid], and every other supporting character is just as intriguing. The writers have balanced them out nicely, connected them to the main plot and story progression, which makes one feel that they know their characters well.
> The Relationships
Bhabhi-Lakhan; what a twisted maternal binding. Bhabhi manipulates Lakhan, but not just to use him for her own purposes. No, she actually cares for him. They're a twisted team in a twisted way. I'm completely hooked on their scenes together because it's so interesting. Lakhan, who has lacked a mother figure in his life, listens to his Bhabhi. She understands him in some warped way and it intrigues me as a viewer.
Like she said in tonight's episode, she considers him a son. You can feel it in the way that she puts up with his tantrums and antics, in the way that she talks to him and orders him, and even in the way that she reprimands/scolds him. She can control him, to an extent.
Prithvi-Ramdhari; fantastic bond. If I didn't know better, I'd have thought them father-son. But since the writers seems to plan on a Prithvi-Meera love story, I'm sure that they're not father-son. However, the emotional bond/connection between the two of them runs deep. You can feel it in the respect and unconditional love that Prithvi has for Ramdhari, and the love and concern that Ramdhari has for Prithvi. Prithvi matters to him -- more than just a servant. He's family. Plus I feel like Ramdhari protects Prithvi as much as Prithvi protects Ramdhari.
Fantastic scene tonight in which Ramdhari instantly went to see if Prithvi was okay. I find it interesting how well Ramdhari understands Prithvi's struggle and emotional turmoil.
Meera's relationship to Prithvi, Lakhan, Ramdhari, Bhabhi, and her own mother as well -- it's all intriguing and substantial so far.
I'm hoping that there's a reason for the connection between all the characters.
> The Dialogues
I'm a sucker for the dialogues in this show. They're always powerful. First thing, I love the pure village accent and style that Lakhan, Prithvi, and Bhabhi have when they speak. It's entertaining and impactful. Not to mention that they deliver their dialogues flawlessly. But I also love the imagery used in the dialogues. It's deep and purposeful. The writers use a significant deal of metaphors and sayings/idioms, which just lifts the dialogue to a higher level -- making it powerful, but also substantial/deep.
Every line has a purpose, a meaning. Symbolism. Fantastic.
> The Scenery
I'm loving the village, the haweli. I'm so tired of shows where the stories take place in the city, in huge mansions, in moderns environments. It's nice to have a show in a traditional setting with some raw scenery that adds another kind of beauty to the story.
> The Secrets and Silver Lining
I'm expecting some earthshattering secrets and skeletons in the closet when it comes to the Thakur and his family. I can't figure out why Meera's mother is despised by everyone, why she'd slap Lakhan, why Meera's father is protecting them both, how Ramdhari and Lakhan's older brother is connected to it all, how Prithvi is connected to it all, what really happened twenty years ago, and whether Bhabhi is somehow involved in what went wrong as well.
I'm so curious and hooked. What keeps me watching isn't just the characters, secrets and relationships -- it's also the feeling that the writers have a plan. That they've got a story, a silver lining. There's a purpose. There's a plot. It's not a suspense driven show, but more a character driven show. I love that. Every episode has depth so far, has a purpose and character development.
I'm hoping that they'll continue down this path.
Kudos to the writers for establishing complex characters with constant growth and kudos to the awesome actors for portraying them convincingly.
That's all from me.
Cricket
Kumkum Bhagya
