Rewind and Review - Episode 1 - Page 8

Originally posted by: black.snowflake

So the story begins.

I am more intrigued by the complex relationships that the father - son duo have and the absent mother. Clearly the man is toned down from the promos and has a some emotional trauma. Complex relationships always pull me to a show. Other than than he is definitely an entitled A**. But the walk..Woohoo!

Clearly the rich and the not so rich have different set of rules for women. Women are ornamental or a burden. Really interested to see how that goes. It becomes suffocating to live in such an environment and hence the train dream makes sense. She just does not want to study, she wants to run away. Away from all of this to her dreams like any college student.

Ouch! Way to dump your finance on the day of your engagement. But again, what is with the issue of 'mother'. One thing I liked, as hard as the character of shaurya comes out to be, he is straight forward and honest. And to me it seemed practical to let her go than to drag an unhappy relationship, just that he could have been kinder and better. Shaurya seems to have a lot more going on in terms of his mindset which seems to be influenced. Another highlight, he was impressed and happy for her in first go, he did admit some women managed their careers well along with family. To me his mindset looks more born out of his past than his actual thought process.

What I am really looking forward to..it's the line that they walking on, a professor and a student, how will that work out.

Anokhi is anokhi... idealistic for her age, hiding and fighting for the small things in life. She is us. We have all done that one time or the other. Aastha gives the vibe that she has a bigger role to play. Her hitting her head on sindoor and that scene just made me think that she too has a past.

Lots of foreshadowing.

I love complex relationships. I love characters whose mind says that they should be hurt and disappointed with people but their heart can't help but love. These characters give us something to look forward to.

Also Shaurya's walk with all that swagger!!

Shaurya is supportive of a woman's accomplishment until it starts affecting his comfortable life. His abandonment issues really shine though in moments like that.

Originally posted by: saakkabc

I am really happy that saakk fd is one of its kind just like our chaand and jugni… not giving up. Really appreciate all the effort fd is taking to keep the buzz alive so that season 2 is possible. From what I see( I’m not on Twitter) tt par bhi they have started discussions from episode 1, right? Happy that I came across saakk.

I really loved the first episode.. I couldn’t appreciate it as much the first time as I whizzed through the episodes till ragging track to catch up and didn’t pay much attention.

Happy that I can do it now because of IF and amazing people like you.

@bold: Same here! I raced through episodes to catch up within three days so that I could fully be updated. I binged without really analyzing. Also I came onto the forum late too so I didn't get to enjoy the initial EDT. I'm glad we're all reliving it together.

Originally posted by: nilmi

Thank you so much for the update ....❤️ It's feel like a new beginning as I couldn't watch initial episodes....Hotstar is not available in my country...but will try to find a way..

If you need an not so legal way of watching. You can check out https://apnetv.me/

Hi everyone

I am Sowmya. Have been a silent reader of this forum for some time now. Jumped pretty late on the SAAKK bandwagon- after the riots promo. Always love the discussions on the forum, all the different perspectives, parallels drawn, but fell short of words to add to most times. The idea of this rewatch brought a renewed interest in watching this beautiful show with a fresh perspective. The growth in these characters, their back stories and past experiences will be interesting to watch.

The episode starts with Anokhi's dream of running away from home. The window she sits by reflecting the window to her world, to her dreams.

Rama Bhalla- Her fears and yet her hopes for her daughter. She hopes her Nikki doesn't have to face what she did- Main darti hoon isiliye tum bol paati ho . Yet she fears her husband and what he might do to her daughter. Her confidence in her daughter's capabilities is also why Anokhi gets the courage to expand her wings. Noticed how even her phone is hanging around her neck and she picks up every random call with fear thinking it might be her husband - as if even that was a noose around her neck.

Rammi Bhalla - the first misogynist in Anokhi's life. Anokhi has had to bear so much, that it makes no difference to her what her Papaji thinks. She doesn't expect anything from him. His patriarchal thinking, the entitlement that men have and the whole idea of women being the instigators in every issue, disgusts me to the core. No wonder Anokhi wants to run away having experienced all this first hand!

Enter Shaurya Sabherwal! The handsome, cool professor- in Bebo's words. With a smile not reaching his eyes, he takes blessings from the "king and queen" of the family. Almost as an afterthought, he acknowledges his dad and expresses his disappointment with subtlety. Shaan tries hard to be the dad, some sort of guilt here? Sidelined in the family photo, Devi also snubs him by asserting herself as being the one who brought up Shaurya.

Another form of misogyny- the daughters vs the daughters-in-law. And that too by a woman nonetheless! It is true that patriarchy exists in all echelons of society.

A family photo with some fake smiles. At least, Shaan, Shaurya, Gayatri and Kanchan.

The way Rama very innocently says ki uski bachpan wali photo le aaoon? Another contrast between the Sabherwals who are going live on their son's engagement and Anokhi who doesn't even have a proper pic clicked as an adult.

Her father thinks of her as his 'paapon ki sazha'. How she proves to be his pride one day will be amazing to watch.

Aastha M'am is truly Anokhi's support system. The 'wind beneath her wings'.

Anokhi's points in the debate speech are very hard hitting. Parents take up loans to educate their sons and marry off their daughters. Progress will only happen when the opposite becomes true. Why I say the opposite is because even today in most marriages, the girl's family spends the most in a wedding and they end up in debt. True progress will happen with this mindset that a wedding is a celebration in both families and both are equally responsible for the expenses.

Her point about being "allowed" to do things as a girl. Men feel women have progressed just because they can do things that their grandmothers probably couldn't. They forget that true equality does not mean taking permission from the other gender. It means support to do whatever she chooses to do.

On the other hand, Shaurya does exactly what Anokhi fears and rebukes Shagun for not asking his permission before applying. He believes this will lead to her going on to pursue her career and neglecting his kids. Just like what happened to him. You can glimpse a little bit of his vulnerability when he talks about his absent mother, but he is quick to mask it. He believes that other women might be able to manage both but his past forces him to not take a chance.

Shagun seems to have accepted her fate as Mrs. Shaurya Sabherwal earlier but maybe now has a change of heart knowing that she can do better than that? In the end she is left with no choice as Shaurya himself brutally breaks the engagement.

A story about two people with contrasting ideologies. At the outset it seems like they belong to two different worlds. They do have some things in common. Both take a stand for what they believe in, both do not mince words when it comes to speaking what they think is right, both disappointed in their fathers, but for different reasons. It will be interesting to see their 'soch ki takraar'.

Thank you for your wonderful views everyone. Seeing things from different perspectives is always a learning experience.

PS: I apologise for this long post. Didn't realise it till later. Will try to keep it short the next time.

PPS: Having watched the later episodes, I was itching to draw parallels. Will refrain from doing that and think of this as a complete new watch.

Originally posted by: kiranpri

the way Shaurya is presented in the first episode, is like he is the prized possession, the prince, the eternal alpha male, whom any girl would feel lucky to marry.

The relationship with the father is shown after he has met DM and Tej sir, showing that he has utter respect for the latter. We know Shaan is the father later, telling us that Shaan has no value in the eyes of his son, because he is a drunkard. At this point we do not know the background story, so our view is Shaurya's father is an irresponsible drunkard.

We also see Devi's pride in Shaurya, Is it love? Or is it a sense of satisfaction? She takes credit for the handsome young man, he is.

Has anyone noticed that there is not a sign of happiness in Shaurys's eyes. There is not the twinkle in the eyes we would expect for someone who is supposed to be marrying the girl he loves. He looks more stern and going about his business.

On the Bhalla side we say a passionate young girl, having dreams and ready to do battle for it. She is ready to oppose her father. Despite living in an environment where her wishes have been squashed from birth, she has the internal strength toget over these and reach for her dreams

On the other side there is Shaurya who is following his elder's route, sticking to the norm of the wife being the house maker and the husband the breadwinner.

Both the leads have been brought up in families having a backward view on the role of women in societty, while one is going with the flow, the other wants to swim against the flow.

Shaurya really is the prince. The eldest that sets the tone for the rest!

I noticed that too, Shaurya doesn't show any emotions. All his Sabherwal attitude looks so fake on him, like a shield.

I like the way you stated that last sentence. Going with the flow and against the flow. Will that take them towards each other or away from?

Originally posted by: mistofshadows

This episode is gold.

The beginning of the entire arc. In fact I often went back to it when I began writing fanfiction on them.

Because this episode shows us what Shaurya and Anokhi are - Expectations and Dreams.

Shaurya is the manifestation of Expectations that he has internalized and become an embodiment of. Living under the debt of his Badi Maa and Bade Papa's affections, he had turned into what they expect of him - a polished, sharp young man who would always keep them on a pedestal and parrot their views, overlooking his own birth father. His dreams breathe through the pathway framed by Expectations.

Anokhi is the embodiment of Dreams. She dreams of her goals both in her unconscious state and her conscious. She thrives in it and it reinvigorates her to fight. Her dreams are so powerful that they nullify the set expectations in her life and gives us a girl who is wholly unique and powerful in her own right.

A mention to Shaan. Shaan is like a black and white blot on a beautiful colourful tapestry of the Sabherwals and yet this blot would one day spread all over when the pen (Aastha) will return and bring with it a new blank tapestry to draw (Anokhi) which will result in a new beginning.

- Niki

Hi Niki. BTW, I love your FF.

It so true that this is a war of Expectations versus Dreams. Shaurya toed the line and Anokhi's about to destroy it!

Originally posted by: mallukumari

Shaurya really is the prince. The eldest that sets the tone for the rest!

I noticed that too, Shaurya doesn't show any emotions. All his Sabherwal attitude looks so fake on him, like a shield.

I like the way you stated that last sentence. Going with the flow and against the flow. Will that take them towards each other or away from?

the journey starts now for them, they are bound to meet since they are moving face to face...😃

me in purple!

Originally posted by: lavs_157

You know, last time when I watched the show, I caught up in a hurry, I don’t think I appreciated the parallel they showed us then. Two families at two extreme ends of the social and economical status, but so similar in their regressive thoughts. The only difference how they verbalize it. Rammi Bhalla is extremely blunt and brash about it. Makes the women in the house tremble with the power of his physical strength. Whereas Devi and Tej, play the psychological game. Devi sugarcoats their bitter words and makes the women, the bahus toe the line with the ease of an extremely calculating, manipulative chess player.
Both have this pride their sons. But in neither case do I consider it love. It’s like this affection you have over this priced possession. N they have filled that superiority complex so much into his head that Shaurya thinks he has the right to control on the choices the woman in his life makes.

I also caught up so fast in three days and didn't spend any time analyzing. I was brought in by Shaurya/Anokhi, but I stayed for Anokhi and Shaurya/Aastha/Shaan!!

Yes! Again a beautiful parallel. Anokhi talking about what equality means and why women still need to fight for it. Anokhi’s speech will always have my heart. “Main Anokhi hoon!!!!” She truly is.

Anokhi's speech is AMAZING! It's one of my most favorite monologues! And the use of Anokhi as her name and its meaning is just great writing!!! Anokhi is a unicorn!

N Shaurya unhappy that Shagun did not take his permission before making a choice in her life!! You cannot help but notice and feel how cold and unfeeling he supposedly is, while talking to her.

But, having said that. I also have to say that he was right about the honesty part. One thing I appreciate here is the honesty. He did not hide what he expected of his wife from Shagun. Though as wrong as it is, Shagun accepted it, went back on her word and also hid the news about applying to Cambridge. It’s not fair what Shaurya wants from her, but she should have never agreed to those terms. I know, love makes us blind to the future sometimes, and we learn our lessons the hard way.

I don't recognize this Shaurya Sabherwal. The one with no emotions. The one that smiles but the humor doesn't reach his eyes. Shagun did what most women do, get into a relationship hoping to make changes. This is why Anokhi is amazing. Later when she doesn't compromise or live in a delusion that she can change Shaurya.

Rama Bhalla - now that I am rewatching her. She is a complex character. As a wife she may have given up on her choices in life and let herself become voiceless. But, as a mother there is still immense strength in her. A quiet strength, which is fiercely protective of her daughter.

That dialogue “Main darti hoon, isi liye Tum bol paati ho”, it shakes you. It gives you an inkling that how much she has put up with. But though her spirits as a woman and wife may have died, the fire in her as a mother is very much alive.

Aastha - a kind of mentor every girl needs. Especially a girl like Anokhi. Aastha saw in Anokhi, what her own family couldn’t see.

And Shaan - you cannot help but feel sorry for the man. Estranged from both his wife and son. Treated as an outsider and embarrassment by his own family.

How neatly Devi snubbed him and took credit for Shaurya’s upbringing and how cleanly Tejvi sidelined him in the family pic.
That dream sequence was so beautifully done. Anokhi looks so fresh, beautiful and fierce.

YES!! The dream sequence! It's why every precap/scene had a potential to be a dream sequence and I had trust issues. All because one time they used this plot device.

Shaurya Sabarwal, handsome Munda, walking down those steps with a swag.
All the Sabarwal’s look so regal and royal dressed in their finery! Shagun looks absolutely gorgeous.

And Sab house is just enchanting!
Can’t wait to see their first meeting! ❤️

The meeting that they shot in 30 minutes and KV thought would be inconsequential, immortalized in all VMs.

Originally posted by: lavs_157

You are so right! Sabarwal’s are all about appearances and fake pride. The put up a facade of a modern family but at the core they are all so regressive.
Shaurya Sabarwal is going to get his mask ripped off when he meets the fierce Anokhi Bhalla.

Its why all their takkars are so awesome. He cannot keep a mask on when dealing with her!

Hi everyone

I am Sowmya. Have been a silent reader of this forum for some time now. Jumped pretty late on the SAAKK bandwagon- after the riots promo. Always love the discussions on the forum, all the different perspectives, parallels drawn, but fell short of words to add to most times. The idea of this rewatch brought a renewed interest in watching this beautiful show with a fresh perspective. The growth in these characters, their back stories and past experiences will be interesting to watch.

The episode starts with Anokhi's dream of running away from home. The window she sits by reflecting the window to her world, to her dreams.

Rama Bhalla- Her fears and yet her hopes for her daughter. She hopes her Nikki doesn't have to face what she did- Main darti hoon isiliye tum bol paati ho . Yet she fears her husband and what he might do to her daughter. Her confidence in her daughter's capabilities is also why Anokhi gets the courage to expand her wings. Noticed how even her phone is hanging around her neck and she picks up every random call with fear thinking it might be her husband - as if even that was a noose around her neck.

Spot on

Rammi Bhalla - the first misogynist in Anokhi's life. Anokhi has had to bear so much, that it makes no difference to her what her Papaji thinks. She doesn't expect anything from him. His patriarchal thinking, the entitlement that men have and the whole idea of women being the instigators in every issue, disgusts me to the core. No wonder Anokhi wants to run away having experienced all this first hand!

Enter Shaurya Sabherwal! The handsome, cool professor- in Bebo's words. With a smile not reaching his eyes, he takes blessings from the "king and queen" of the family. Almost as an afterthought, he acknowledges his dad and expresses his disappointment with subtlety.

The first sign that despite everything he cares a little or maybe hoped for something since he cares

Shaan tries hard to be the dad, some sort of guilt here? Sidelined in the family photo, Devi also snubs him by asserting herself as being the one who brought up Shaurya.

Another form of misogyny- the daughters vs the daughters-in-law. And that too by a woman nonetheless! It is true that patriarchy exists in all echelons of society.

A family photo with some fake smiles. At least, Shaan, Shaurya, Gayatri and Kanchan. The demarcation starts from here.

The way Rama very innocently says ki uski bachpan wali photo le aaoon? Another contrast between the Sabherwals who are going live on their son's engagement and Anokhi who doesn't even have a proper pic clicked as an adult.

Her father thinks of her as his 'paapon ki sazha'. How she proves to be his pride one day will be amazing to watch.

Aastha M'am is truly Anokhi's support system. The 'wind beneath her wings'. So well said...the lift that Anokhi needs

Anokhi's points in the debate speech are very hard hitting. Parents take up loans to educate their sons and marry off their daughters. Progress will only happen when the opposite becomes true. Why I say the opposite is because even today in most marriages, the girl's family spends the most in a wedding and they end up in debt. True progress will happen with this mindset that a wedding is a celebration in both families and both are equally responsible for the expenses.

Her point about being "allowed" to do things as a girl. Men feel women have progressed just because they can do things that their grandmothers probably couldn't.

very good point you brought up here

They forget that true equality does not mean taking permission from the other gender. It means support to do whatever she chooses to do.

On the other hand, Shaurya does exactly what Anokhi fears and rebukes Shagun for not asking his permission before applying. He believes this will lead to her going on to pursue her career and neglecting his kids. Just like what happened to him. You can glimpse a little bit of his vulnerability when he talks about his absent mother, but he is quick to mask it. Shaurya is the master at hiding his feelings

He believes that other women might be able to manage both but his past forces him to not take a chance.

Shagun seems to have accepted her fate as Mrs. Shaurya Sabherwal earlier but maybe now has a change of heart knowing that she can do better than that? In the end she is left with no choice as Shaurya himself brutally breaks the engagement.

A story about two people with contrasting ideologies. At the outset it seems like they belong to two different worlds. They do have some things in common. Both take a stand for what they believe in, both do not mince words when it comes to speaking what they think is right, both disappointed in their fathers, but for different reasons. It will be interesting to see their 'soch ki takraar'.

Thank you for your wonderful views everyone. Seeing things from different perspectives is always a learning experience.

PS: I apologise for this long post. Didn't realise it till later. Will try to keep it short the next time.

PPS: Having watched the later episodes, I was itching to draw parallels. Will refrain from doing that and think of this as a complete new watch.

yes knowing what is coming is what makes the analysis more interesting. Before we did not know what will be next shown so there were a lot of guessing maybe less of analysis. Now we can do the latter at leisure...