Episode 159 Discussion: 2nd Jan 2013

Today was a rather good ep.😃

The acting of 'Trishna' was not upto the mark of 'Shamsher', 'Padmini', 'RK' and 'Madhu'. But that's quite standard.😛

But the scenes were very well-etched.😳

I found especially interesting the reaction from Madhu, Shamsher and Trishna to Padmini slapping RK.😊

One could almost visualize a crashslide down memorylane to every time a Mallick - Shamsher, Madhu - had attacked him physically.😕

But the reaction to a slap depends on the context.

The person slapping may *think* they are right. But if the person being slapped doesn't agree or at least care enough to understand, the reaction is going to be bad.

Madhu had also slapped RK, and had been naive enough to think she was ending things.

His reaction had been extreme because he felt every provocation - every starting attack - had been from her.

He did not care about her then that he would make allowances for her being emotionally distraught.

RK respects and cares about Padmini *now*. So he accepted the slap from her.

He went to touch Shamsher's and Padmini's feet of his own volition.

But at the celebration party, he touched Radha's feet only at Madhu's urging.

Radha - even with RK being cold and distant to her - goes around introducing Kukku to people as Rishabh's *father*, not his stepfather or her husband.

One can well figure out just how often she must have forced her wrong POV and easily manipulated understanding of who is actually right or wrong onto Rishabh *until* he grew up out of childhood and her and Kukku's authority.

Radha had authority on her son, and misused it for wretches like Kukku and Sikki.

Even now, if they say RK is wrong, she believes it but feels constrained by his coldness against reacting extremely except rarely.

But as long as he accepted her maternal authority, she must have not felt any constraint in forcing his new 'father' and 'elder brother' down his throat.

Even now, she doesn't just want her son loving her again.

She wants him the way he used to be - adoring her, accepting her authority and respecting her opinions trustingly.

But she doesn't understand that his respect for her was shredded by her own behaviour.

Madhu does so much for her, but Radha doesn't even acknowledge it.

Radha - and everyone else - had *seen* that RK had first extended the piece of cake to Madhu.

RK fed Radha the first piece of cake because of Madhu, but Radha talked of it as if it was his first choice.

Let alone thanking Madhu, Radha didn't even acknowledge to Madhu that RK had given her that public honour at Madhu's request.

Even the specialist RK arranged for Radha, Radha told Dipali. She only told Madhu when Madhu asked.

Radha tells Madhu what Radha wants - for Radha's happiness, Radha's expectations.

But thanks?

The woman has never shown even an inkling of hesitation or gratitude towards her son for financing for years - for Radha's sake - not necessities or comforts but outright extravagant *luxury* for three people he doesn't consider his family.

Whenever Radha takes the trouble of softly, lovingly, tearfully thanking Madhu, it's always a prelude to another 'request'.

If she ever gets everything she wants from Madhu's efforts, Madhu will never even be acknowledged for it.

Right now, Madhu is special to Radha because she is the person Radha looks to for accomplishing Radha's union with once-again-respectful-and-obedient-son Rishabh.

Once utility is done, Madhu will be completely demoted to being merely juniormost member of Radha's family, ranking *after* Kukku, Sikki, Rishabh and Dipali.

Madhu will remain fondly cared for, of course - as much as the other three Bhatias - but with nothing special that she can accomplish further *for* Radha, and therefore no longer more important.

Radha wants to be respected, loved and looked up to. She does not want to have to work at deserving any of it.

I can't compare Radha to Padmini. I can't place her within horizon-fathoms of the same league.

RK has a good understanding of who deserves respect because he does not just see the surface tale.😊

Madhu is still naive and innocent enough that if the person talking to her is nice and truly believes something is the truth, she'll believe that POV without thinking or verifying unless other facts are presented.😳

Her husband's silence is working to her mother-in-law's advantage.

It's only the Lord's sterling record at somehow twisting every disadvantage and misfortune to the couple's benefit that weighs heavily and overwhelmingly - and quite adequately - against the sweetly lovingly selfish Radha, as well as against the ever-expanding roster of the villains carnival.😳😃

It was a moment of reckoning for two important people of this story and the screenplay was effective.

The anguish in Padmini's cry was heart wrenching. Pallavi was brilliant in that scene. Though dramatic, the scene panned out pretty well.

RK has been wonderful in this track. Yes, he completely deserved the slap today… but Malik and Padmini had to find answers for their own selves today. May be the fear of having to lose a loved one makes you leave everything behind and get you act on your emotions. It was the same thing that happened with Madhu and RK. It was only when Madhu almost lost him… she left their painful history behind and RK fought his death to come back for her. It was realisation that RK was banking on. He has understood his inlaws well. He knew though both of them were spoken to, neither of them would talk about it to the other fearing the turbulence that would enter their lives. Another thing that worked out fine for Malik family (RK included) was that all the 5 of them were present and faced the issue on hand. I liked the way he spoke to Malik in the end not to let go of this opportunity and make this work. Good job RK, that family will love you for what you do for them… he handled Madhu and Malik, seems like his act has put Padmini on the path of realisation. Will he bother with Trishna or will Ballu be a catalyst there? Only time will tell.

My moment of the day was non verbal communication between Malik-Padmini after they returned. The way Padmini wanted to be left alone and siad the same to Trishna and looked at Malik for understanding/approval and Malik gave her that with faint smile before taking Trishna away. We speak about selfless love… but this man has lived his life not wanting anything from this woman… her happiness is all that mattered for him. If she wanted to be Padmini Chaudary, he will stand by her. If I have to think practically, I will never approve of it… if not for himself, he should atleast spoken to her about letting rid of her past in full. Anyways back to the present, the window scene was beautiful. Malik looked so lost sitting under the tree. The moment he saw her hurt, he stepped forward and retraced… that is so painful. And I am sure, this is not the only moment in his life he would have felt this helpless. I said it yday and I say it today… the purity of his love is in the fact that he didn't deny his emotions when RK was proclaimed that they are in love, he wanted to stop the discussion because Padmini was getting disturbed. Even in front of Padmini he didn't shy away… though he maintained his distance. I want to see who walks the distance. Will it be Malik? RK seems to egg him on not to let go of the only opportunity he might get. If Malik lets this one go by, the family will be shattered… things will never be normal… the only way this family can be one again is if they admit to their feelings and get married. This is aar ya par moment, will he be the hero again fight for both of them or he be a tragic hero and suffer in silence? Will Padmini break free from her past and allow herself to accept her love for Malik and give him her love and devotion that only he deserves? I love both scenarios… and I am glad this came up without Ballu's influence.

Coming to RK-Madhu… I simply loved RK hugging Madhu, it was assuring a lost kid that everything was fine.

What seemed absurd was Madhu crying over Radha's shoulders… she cried so bitterly because her husband got slapped?!?!? And not for the turmoil her parents are going through??? I have a problem with the way CVs are shaping Madhu's character. They have done a fantastic job with RK. The process of unveiling him, his growth as a character has been brilliant and captivating not to forget, entertaining. In comparison, Madhu's character graph has been on a plane and sometimes it dips. They have such a wonderful actor in Dhrasti, why not use her properly. This track has been a classic example of how Madhu's character has been botched up. There were so many moments where you felt that is the not the way to put things across...while the one who is know to be brash displayed remarkable maturity. I have no problem if she cried over her husband being slapped… but it should have been more for the reason that he didn't mind, infact he was ready to be slapped more for the agony he put them through. She should have cried for a man who cares not only for her but her family, a man who saw fought her and her parents to make her parent's relationship more meaningful. She should have cried for being in love with such a wonderful man... put they made her cry for her husband being slapped!!! They are turning (if they already haven't) Madhu into a run off the mill indian daily soap heroine… Disappointing!

The last scene was beautiful yet again. 'Koshish na karne ki maafi nahi hoti' was one of the most sensible lines I have heard from RK. He really wants this relationship to work… the way he talks about the beauty of Malik-Padmini's relationship, it is almost as if he idolises it… and by giving it a name of marriage, he wants to complete it. The success of this relationship will restore his confidence in relationship.

Coming to the most anticipated moment…the nafrat ki dewar is brought down. He put it up between the two… so he had to bring it down. Loved the way he stretched his hand to offer comfort to his wife and who willingly took it.

Precap – No surprises from Ballu… He wasn't going to let Trishna walk away and Trishna had to agree to keep her mom away. I guess now Trishna will be fine with Malik-Padmini's marriage because of the impending danger... but i wish she also sees what Madhu and RK see in Malik-Padmini now.

All in all a good episode. Kudos to the team of Madhubala... Just work on Madhubala, the character.