Crisp Bytes SC - 16th aug 13 - Page 8

Originally posted by: smrth

^^^

That's true Arshi. And I rely hugely on His brilliance to elaborate and fine tune some of impressions We gather but not able to quantify in his extraordinary brilliant style. As well, all his sharp observations.👏

Originally posted by: IdiotViewer

Such riveting discussions underway, how could one opt for slumber, Hgg bhai 😆 Before I dive into debate, however, a digression, to perhaps better undergird my 'locus standi':

This may seem contrary on some level, but the catalyst for my "rants" don't lie in the fact that I'm too passionately involved with SC. However much I may avow, I am not a "fan" by any usual meters. The culprit thus is my innate detachment from SC. My inability to remain 'Ivy' through-out the twenty-two plus minutes of show, each weekday. Indulge following explanation: My field is Film, Television, Media and Law, and while degree years were spent in my "happy place", analysing creative works with impunity, lacking all consideration save academic, post-grad brought upon me a thesis, a distinctly dark exploration, for a naive idealistic intellect, as to the social, political, gender, and psychological ramifications of the creative works which once elicited pure "analysis, appreciation". A view of the "other side of the coin", so to speak. My optic thus compellingly widened, my creative consciousness coupled with newly-found creative "conscience", I could not go back to being a happy camper again. I've preferred a holistic approach to 'creativity' ever since and rather than constrain me, I find it has brought me unlimited freedom, both to appreciate and censure. In my current work, I mostly play devil's advocate. Even while "in-fraternity", my usual view is from outside it. All creative works have in-built social onus, industry standard is that "creativity should be aware", but that standard is rarely strictly adhered to; when someone outside (usually organisations) raises an "intervention", demands a check on media work, my role is to assess the merits of that intervention, and to define, delineate the parameters of that "check". In essence, I tell my employers, to "watch it!"... And right now, I would advise same to StarPlus too. Ergo, it is not my heightened expectation from SC which I need to shed, but rather my default sense of a search for 'integrity' which I must now "renounce", if I am to keep munching popcorn. Let's see how much of a success I make of that 🤓

Coming to debate now, Hgg bhai, smrth Bhai, happy & Arshi:

It never fails to amaze me the utterly limitless canvas, and the fathomless ocean of ideas, insights, critique, debate and appreciation that each CB thread holds. Am left spectacularly awestruck each frickin' time. Taking a few steps back from debate proper... From a holistic perspective, Hgg and smrth Bhai's, your respective concerns are but two sides of one coin. They can be reconciled. In the hands of a better contender and time factors being on-side but unfortunately the current, irresponsible powers at the helm are proving themselves thoroughly incapable of landing on common ground here. As viewers thus, we are stuck on no-man's land

smrth Bhai, a query, ain't there two "crutches" here? For let's re-set all prior to last Wed, there's no indication of any progression as theoretically 'anticipated"... One crutch, as you rightly point out, that of "fate" for Kumud, personal and for Desai's with the power of two now (Dukh baa & Kumud)... But is not another "crutch' still Saras? Has the "Nayi Subah" resolution, all been cancelled, with Kumud not only hiding truth of Saras from Desai's and them likewise, but all still lumping him as "overall culprit" when they know of his reasons. Or is it merely narrative inconvenience now to pay any recourse to Saras? Because prevailing view considers him no better alternative, but simply first culprit, which I agree he is. But for me, as well as being binded "three-ways", Kumud has also been righted and is steadily supported by her "two crutches" now (Fate and Saras), both did wrong by her but she will prevail, over. Verily, she maybe on far steady ground, than we may realise. And there is a twisted nobility to it all, a sense of fair trade-off between Kumud and her two crutches - she is assuming "ownership" for their (crutches), decisions, so how can they, and we, begrudge her the 'lean'?

happy... Hilarious first exposition, my friend. Thank you for the 'tulsi ki aangan' bit. Appearance left me utterly befuddled... This being first exposure. Reading your post, went and googled, got directed to a picture of a telly bahu/beti bawling her eyes next to. Priceless, I thought. We've already started taking recourse in television tropes of old. What's there to "read", anymore? More popcorn, please 😃

happy & smrth Bhai, to jump in, lacking Hgg bhai's elaboration prowess, unfortunately: smrth Bhai, as my off-line self, I will agree with happy and Hgg, not to "educate" strictly, or to become role models (!) but rather to be 'consistent' and walk the path shamelessly touted, that of "adaptation" of "nayi soch". Since producer purchased rights, there is no onus save creative or social for him to adhere to source or blaze a new trail. Legally, he is in the clear either ways. However, SC till date has strayed both sides of the fence. Perhaps our dilemma would be non-existent if the period were true to source, but this has been turned contemporary, and personally, use of skype and "iPhones", is neither marker of, nor adequate representation of contemporary, for me. Contemporary is not the skyline of Dubai, but in the way Saras is. Contemporary lies not in place or technology, but in thoughts espoused, in the characterizations and the way crucial narrative situations are handled. And it is inescapable that in the course of such, "messages" are automatically disseminated. Whether show intends to or not, and also whether viewers actively seek it or not. SC is no exception. Therein lies the scope for nayi soch as well. If core essence of SC is not forfeited, many still view show as a microcosm and the characters as conduits for larger life-lessons. This is 'legacy' of source. Thus how Saras and Kumud are presented and what they do, matters in the larger fabric. Which undoubtedly goes beyond show. This is not a movie, inaccessible unless payment proferred. The default here is not "not watch", but rather "to watch". For the general audience, thought of changing channels comes much, much later.

That being said, since this coin has been split in the middle, and so have my two identities, which cannot now be reconciled, as Ivy I will agree with you. However as 'Ivy' I will also admit that 'character meddling' has become rampant now. Dukh baa being chief on the chopping block, Saras close second. Not so much in case of VC, whereupon you point out alignment with source. But if to reconcile, the "unreconcilable", VC too has been gently meddled with, to find balance between source and adaptation, perhaps? But to what end, such may only hasten character dissasociation, if this outright flip-flop between source and adaptation continues. But crucial here, as you point out. Deceit reigns both sides - Kumud's knowledge has been limited, and so has the Desai's, that too from each other. So perhaps it is worthwhile to hedge bets for now. There is no proper "locus standi" for raging parental intervention, yes, but perhaps, that familial support could have been better executed, instead of making it seem, as happy has brilliantly observed, a (blood) sport being cheered on from the sidelines. Honestly the sole image invading my mind was that of a Roman colosseum, with Kumud being "fatted" before do-or-die gladitorial battle. So bloody were immediate prospects Thus, to excuse characters for now, I would charge 'execution' as first-foremost, and recurring culprit.

Originally posted by: smrth

Ivy! That's brilliant! Right from incorporating 'consciousness and conscience' ( may I take a fleeting credit?😆) to two crutches and logical ramifications.👏 My only point- from today's dismay VC and hold outs- though blame for DV Inaction is suspended for the moment, my original response was for its specific incorporation, as I saw it there. Future episode may give some clearer picture, but today we may not 'imply' him convict, as rage was appearing. If you remember, on Wednesday DB ( her bravado) was my chief grouse where all were praising her for her 'loud', 'correct', 'roars'. I saw it as empty talk. But again was sailing against the 'current'. And 'negative'. But when she actually confirmed to the story- as I expected- I was not much concerned. For she is a 'nettlesome' adaptation. And she has to give in sooner or later to the 'course'. And 'nettlesome' only to the extent that she is in someway (as adaption) hindering some brilliance from original- that Guniyal is, but I see viewers largely deprived of it. DB is not that significant for me...the point is, when we are charging VC- and indirectly ' social ramifications' I feel a disjointed reaction from 'story' point of view. And had tried to reconcile it to the objective- that is ' a watch of a tale'. But I am again sailing against current. And naturally lacking the 'finesse' in explaining. So friends, as many times- please take the import.😒

Originally posted by: arshicritic

Bring it on smrth, weekend hai! We have the time for madness now

Originally posted by: IdiotViewer

Bold: smrth Bhai, take full. Or in my parlance, *standin-frickin-ovation* to you 👏

First off, a twinge of 'envy' for you being so 'unencumbered' 😳 You 'reconcile', I fail to... Therein lies your strength. The 'oracle' nature of your perspective is awesome. But my point was less social charge upon VC (I'll reserve judgement till they actually see Kumud off), but rather the fact that VC appeared 'passive', devastated into accepting 'crutch', for episode... This may be in line with story pov, as you say, but by your own admission, story had Guniyal, as 'rectifier'... Here we truly are deprived 😭 (If we are to take show pov 😛)

Bold 2: smrth Bhai, that is gross discredit to your merits. Take it back, please 😊

Edit: Pure curiosity, but do you witness 'character meddling' anywhere? Or is that purely in evidence because of IdiotViewer 'prejudice'? 😃

All-
dekho kaise din aa gaye!!...thanks to SP/SLB reduction of the show ...there's nothing exciting happening and we are left with taking recourse to the glorious past and who said what first...😛...I have always considered the overall increase of my understanding to the 3 musketeers motto...all for one and one for all...kisne socha is immaterial as long as the understanding improves...

Ivy-
Yes you are right...given enough time...maybe VC could be reconciled...but with the end -date / TRP pressures...maybe the makers do not have the liberty..

Smrth-
Completely agree with you on the locus standii of VC as per the story and VC still coming to the same conclusion as he did yesterday...

...But I still feel that even with DV out of the context (which I have always kept out), I would have liked some more depiction of his urgency, concern and effort to at least find out more from kumud...Not doing so sort of 'dumbed' his character down to that of any other high TRP show - where the men though running million dollar business empires are just plainly passive like the furniture in their homes and who don't 'sense' any undercurrents playing out most times in full daylight ...making it a pure ladies-only playground...

It felt so blase...as if kumud told her that she failed in some school exam..and he's like what?..Why?...Why did I not take time out to teach you? ...and then going OK...do better next time...I know you will come out with flying colors the next time..rum pum pum...

Now if the context was same as the original (19th century) or VC character from beginning was
shown as a dignified, cultured, sophisticated man - a man of ideas but not so much action - yesterday's response would have been fine... However, the VC adaptation here was of a smart businessman, socially adept, full of life, very hands-on, 'let me roll up my sleeves type of character'...<just for a moment picture Yatin's interpretation here>...this just did not gel with me..

And that is the rage on the U-turn I described...more for the character than the context...this character has now been successfully emasculated into just another high TRP show male member...

Bottomline: Come to the same conclusion...that's fine...but show you went through a process which is consistent with your character...I mean, he has done more to find out about Pramad (meeting the guys who knew him , collecting feedback etc.) before he saw it happen than what he did after he saw it happen...

Ivy-
I am not an expert...So I think that successful shows create characters whose 'features' eventually take a life of their own and transform some of them into role models because they connect & identify with the real life masses. When this image is finally createed only THEN can such characters successfully pass on the message...which could becomes the show's message...

You cannot jumpstart the process...i.e. have the show try to pass-on a message through a set of characters which have 'features' which are at odds with the message OR which have not yet transformed into role models OR at odds with real life...

Here...kumud is the completed role model... So as long as she is shown fighting against DV within the limited choices she has...which in turn is basis the story context & circumstances...I am fine... the message is being delivered to the right target segment who in real life are in the same circumstances (i.e. young women in marriages where DV is an issue and who face the same binds she is facing)...So wouldn't bother too much about Kumud's family not 'getting it'...most of the real life people in the target segment also have family who does not 'get it'...So its all the more real..So its still Nayi Soch as far as I am concerned...

NOW the problem / rage for me comes when established role models like kumud are made to reverse their 'features' / message overnight for sake of TRPs...that's where the show makers are committing a crime in my opinion...because that's really short-sightedness and being wholly opportunistic...

Which brings us to Caveat Emptor - Let the Buyer Beware - ...did we really think SP was out to change the world?...So the Topi is and always was on us as viewers...So more Rage...Followed by Depression of knowing I got conned...

😉

Hgg, a quick peep.😆...more later.😊

Originally posted by: smrth

As rejoinder, fetching impressions from some older posts (about character sketch Saras)

CB 31 May P5...

Vaishali,

I don't know how far this perspective is correct. Rt. now am saying just from a viewer's watch point...about Saras too I want to say something...his 'adamance' has extra layer. What we are mockingly forgetting (Sanyasi to Romeo) is that, this character is deeply seeped in spirituality (much more so in the original). I was just going through my earliest post where I had put down my impression on this character. It is holding fast ( kudos to the Cvs for maintained consistency). One observation then was this trait. Coming to the point, spiritualism (earnest one, not a superficial) from early age has some amazing peculiarities. Foremost being a sense of a righteous equanimity that lends kind of a clarity in thoughts (even when they are wrong sometimes, like 'superstition' he held, just look at the conviction) and a steadiness...especially so when that mind is sharp, perspective and absorbing ( of course such mind would have same result- spiritual or NOT, but a certain doggedness with formal, i mean). Here under this attribute Saras may act in steely resolve, which though not intended to hurt someone, may end up doing exactly which was not 'intended', I feel.

And 'older impressions'...

... two windows to a Soul, His Eyes;

...They issue a dare; No lies, no nonsense would be suffered. The deal was simple. Candour and Frankness discharged, as well expected. They demonstrate a straight soul. Integrity so evident; Undiluted Honesty and Unblemished sense of Honour...But what was this? A tinge of sadness! In their unblinking gaze, a slight droop of the eyelids and carefully concealed in them- some melancholy!

Originally posted by: arshicritic

I understood and liked Saras going to the spot where his mothers samarpan happened, it's probably, doing something for Kumud, and thus reaching out to his mother. Does he feel some sort of guilt - he was there, he saw what happened, but couldn't save him mom?

So by saving Kumud's marriage, he is cleansing his own soul, taking reference from smrth? Is that so?

But why the 30 day kasam? Isn't that TRP hero giri?

methinks he went there to kill himself...there were dialogues about 'coming to meet you mom types'...the guilt he felt had no other way to be absolved because he finally realised that in addition to kumud...he has destroyed an entire family AND there is no reversing the clock...then before the final dip...he again remembered kumud...and felt that what is she was forced to also take the path of her mom to end it all going forwards...

that's when he said I will forget my lov and better her marriage...which in turn is resetting everyone to previous state...a happily married kumud...But without saras...