The episode started with Pallavi literally using Mandaar's weapon (the red sari) to hoist a flag of protest and an explicit declaration of war against him. The screenplay here was fantastic and made sure that a sari serving as a red flag did not seem cheesy. Mohabbat aur jung dono saath saath shamil. Laal rang khoon ka, jo jung mein bahega, aur laal rang ishq ka.
I also want to applaud the team for the way they conceived the terrace scene to present yet another fairytale moment: the princess trapped in her high tower signaling to her prince to complete the non-verbal communication from the day before. The knowledge that they both understood each other and were in it together boosted their confidence and gave them temporary peace. After Raghav left, Pallavi told Amruta the truth about Mandaar. She needs allies in that house so it was a good idea.
The next sequence was probably the most appreciated by the audience and is going to be high up on my list of favorites on the show. From the way they showed Raghav and Farhad cheerfully walking into RR mansion like buddies, pleased with the outcome of their earlier activities, to the way they panned the camera to show that Amma literally guarding Mandaar until her son returned home, the screenplay was perfect.
I loved the way she stopped Raghav before he revealed too much. She knows him too well! Even more heartwarming was watching Farhad fuming on behalf of his Anna at the sight of Mandaar showing up unannounced, despite telling him he would send the car to pick him up. Raghav for his part didn't seem to be angry at all. I would like to think that he wasn't entirely surprised to see Mandaar there after the way he had riled him up earlier.
What took place next was a masterclass in wiping the floor with someone, without needing to lift a finger.
I don't know if the couch had always been there next to the dining table, but I loved the way Raghav didn't even miss a beat when Mandaar said he wanted to talk to him, and sat down on the couch with that confident pose, one leg crossed over the other, to show that this was his home, his turf. Just as he hadn't wasted time talking to Mandaar about the divorce papers earlier and had sent Farhad to do his work, he again addressed Farhad and mock admonished him for allowing such aire gaire people into the house without an appointment. (Hotstar translated it to 'petty' which I don't think quite conveys the same thing as aira gaia!) By doing this, Raghav was stripping Mandaar of the ability to claim any personal connection with him and putting him in a defensive mode. Yet he didn't forget to highlight that he would deign to make an exception for Mandaar as he was Raghav's mother-in-law's son, again emphasizing the fact that Raghav was still officially and socially the son-in-law of the Deshmukhs and Pallavi's husband.
Raghav knew very well that this time, Mandaar was on the backfoot and needed something from him. Raghav was going to milk this moment for all he could and get into Mandaar's head to interfere with his ability to think rationally. Raghav then began his process of subtle intimidation by asking Farhad to seat him in his den, i.e. the lion's den, where a showdown was sure to take place. Farhad, after years of being with his Anna, knew exactly where this was going. I loved the non-verbal communication between these two and the way he smirked as he said, Mr. Mandaar Deshmukh, chalein? using a title yet showing him zero respect, as he deserved. You could see the movement of Raghav's fingers on his left hand, something he does whenever his khurafaati dimaag cooks up something.
As Farhad led Mandaar upstairs, you could see the mischief and dare I say glee on Raghav's face in anticipation of what he was about to do next. As soon as they were alone, Raghav jumped up to give his mother the good news that Pallavi had understood his message, but she had already read that on his face. Obviously, because she was his mother. I also loved the way he held Amma's hands and thanked her for stopping him at the right time and both exchanged a knowing smile that only two people who implicitly understood each other would. I am really grateful to the CVs for showing these mother-son bonding moments but doing it in a way that doesn't feel contrived. Sigh... Raghav had missed being her laadla, missed seeing her supportive smiles and smart gestures to help him along. I am so happy to see him finally get all that affection and support that he deserves. It's always the little things that count and Raghav doesn't want anything from Amma except this: her love and support. ❤️
I also loved the way he casually told her not to worry about Mandaar, that he would take care of him, as well as that little touch of focusing on her immediate needs by reminding her to drink her tea (clearly she had been interrupted by Mandaar's arrival).
We had Pallavi talk about how she had been wrong about Mandaar's nature (throwback to her praise of him as a sensible, responsible man) and how because of her sense of duty she hadn't listened to Raghav when he had suspected Mandaar. She expressed regret at ignoring Raghav and her family, as well such an important event in his life, and for not listening to Ayi's warnings. This scene was clearly to appease the audience because even the wording seemed to be nearly identical to what we've been reading on social media. I know many people want her to apologize to Raghav but we got this scene and the CVs ticked a box, so I don't expect more on this topic from them. 😆
Amruta was the voice of the audience, asking Pallavi to learn to be a little selfish for a change. I doubt that's going to be happening any time soon but it's clearly something that even the writers are explicitly calling out, like we are, either because of fans' feedback or because they want to focus on this as part of her character's growth. Let's see. Amruta teaming up with Pallavi has me worried just because she can be quite naive and may accidently give the game away to Mandaar. It was also a bit sad to see her, as the bachchi of the house, having to finally grow up and learn some harsh truths that she could not walk away from, especially as it considered a brother she must have adored before.
Meanwhile, I loved the way Raghav kept Mandaar waiting in his den while he got himself some coffee, clearly to show who was in the position of power and to rattle Mandaar before they even started talking. You knew the moment Raghav walked into his study casually, with his background music on, that the next few minutes would be gold. The CVs didn't disappoint.
Mandaar was already in a bad mood, and watching Raghav striding in with his coffee mug, that he placed casually on the table before taking off his shoes was a treat for me. I wish we hadn't seen this bit in the precap because the suspense would have made it much more enjoyable.
I was in awe of the grace with which Sai pulled off the entire sequence of putting one leg on the table, then the other, and then folder them over, without needing to worry about knocking over the mug or anything else on the table. It reminded me of the grace of cats, who are marvels in terms of the way they maneuver their bodies around small spaces, or spaces in general. Raghav seemed very much like one of the big cats, sitting in his den, on his turf, toying with the mouse in front of him.
He didn't once raise his voice or use violence like he had done with Mandaar in the past. Here was a very much self-assured man, thanks to the confidence boost from his earlier interaction with Pallavi, and the knowledge that despite being physically apart they were on the same team, each doing their bit. Gone was the Raghav who was a step behind Mandaar, whose patience and emotions had been tested by Mandaar ever since his arrival. Mandaar noticed his change in body in language and despite being the one in need, still had the audacity to demand that Raghav lower his feet. Of course, if he had known the real Raghav Rao, he would have never made such demands and was given a fitting response by the don himself: Mera ghar, mera office, mera table, mera pair. Tu kaun hota hai mereko tokne waala.
Raghav did what he needed to in order to make Mandaar feel inconsequential and he was quite successful in the end. The irony of Mandaar asking Raghav why he was forcing Pallavi to stay in this marriage was not lost on anyone. Also, if he had really known Raghav then he would have never taken at face value Raghav's statement that he wanted to get back at Pallavi for insulting him in front of everyone and for repaying his love by ruining his reputation. We all know that Raghav doesn't care what people say about him, but Mandaar doesn't. Also, Raghav kept saying 'uss aurat' as if to distance himself from her and treat her as an outsider who he was hellbent on punishing. Funny enough, this sparked some supposed righteous indignation from Mandaar at the thought that Pallavi would be harmed. We know it's not because he loves her, but Raghav didn't. He has a specific target in mind and Raghav harming Pallavi would spoil Mandaar's plans, which we are yet to learn about.
I cheered at the way Raghav sarcastically laughed and clapped saying 'what a joke' when Mandaar threatened him. Again, props to Sai for the fluidity with which he took his legs off the table, stood up, and walked over to Mandaar, and then gracefully sat at the edge of the table with one foot on the chair Mandaar was sitting in. His body language was just spot on.
I normally don't like such dialogues but it felt like honey hearing Raghav tell Mandaar Do paise ka auqaat nahin hai tereko aur tu Raghav Rao ko dhamki dega?
Like most of you I was cheering when he said "Aaj tak sirf Pallavi ki wajeh se main tereko jhelte aa raha hai", following by the sing song way he said "abhi Pallavi beech mein nahin hai" with a slight wave of his hand. "To tereko andaaza bhi nahin hai main tera kya haal kar sakta hai." The posture and that deep, threatening tone of voice had he desired effect on Mandaar, who seemed to be cowering in shock at this avatar of Raghav's.
I loved how Raghav continued threatening him in a typical don style that Raghav had so far not displayed in his role as Pallavi's gentle lover. I don't think Mandaar had ever expected this. It made me nostalgic about the initial episodes when he used to threaten Pallavi like this too.
Raaton raat tereko tera ghar se uthwake aisa gayab karega ke poora country ka police mil ke bhi tereko dhoondh nahin payega. Aur log bolenge Mandaar Deshmukh duniya se mukt ho gaya.
I must confess that I love the image this created in my mind of Mandaar tied up and locked up in a dark cellar 6 feet under. 🤣
The best part was of course when Raghav leaned in menacingly and uttered Ardham ainda in the way only he can, that reminded us all how dangerous this man could be when he needed to be. If this had been in the cinema, people would have whistled at that moment.
I loved how he finished the one-sided conversation by making Mandaar feel as if he was a total waste of his time and asked him to leave before he called the (usually useless) security guards. Loved his get out hand gesture, of course. (I have loved all of them since episode 1).
The scene ended with Raghav smirking but it wasn't lost on him that Mandaar had left in a fury and wouldn't take this lying down. He had already started playing mind games with Mandaar. This was just the beginning.
I want to applaud the team for the camera work and screenplay in this scene. It is no secret that the study/den is my favorite room in the mansion and I loved the way the used the space here. The whole feel of the scene, the editing, background music, camera angles, etc. made me feel like I was watching some gangster flick. Kudos to this talented team! Ashok and Sai are brilliant in their face offs. There is never a false moment.
Keerti and Sunny discussed Pallavi's past and it was clear Sunny was going to do whatever it took to find out about Pallavi and Mandaar. He was quick to dismiss Mandaar's feelings for Pallavi and pointed out that such people didn't exist in real life. I am still wondering if Keerti was testing him when she asked if has after her money, but they both recovered from it and pretended that it was just a joke. I am still hoping Keerti figures everything out before it's too late.
The entire beauty parlor sequence was very girly and a space in which Mandaar didn't/wouldn't step in. The gender divides were very clear in that scene. Pallavi emotionally manipulated him to get him to agree, but Mandaar was too smart and made sure BWA went with them. This was a version of the nakhrewaali woman who never needed to make an appearance in front of Raghav, they were both well above all this.
Meanwhile, Raghav was excited at the thought of meeting Pallavi. Koi usko bolo ke woh biwi hai, girlfriend ya crush nahin. 😆 I understand the CVs are using this track to show the courtship that they both never had. Stolen moments and secret romance will need to be blended in with the planning and plotting.
I quite liked Raghav in the black shirt but I guess they wanted to recreate the black and white combination we'd seen in the gown scene. Pallavi appeared in his imagination in the black saree he never got to see her in, thanks to Sandip trolling fans for their non-stop demands about it.
As for the entire song sequence I decided to hawa mein filter it.
Precap:
Like Sai, I also love chase sequences so I'm curious to see how they will handle it, especially since they have to shoot in that small space in the bathroom. Kya din aa gaye hain don ke. 
Ashok is clearly delusional if he thinks that Raghav will open the door just because he asked him to. I am frankly pleased to see Raghav use his common sense and carry a gun, but hopefully he won't have to use it. It seems as if this incident is what makes the couple realize they cannot meet in the open. With Pallavi's lack of access to a phone, Raghav would have to find a way to be near her to protect her and communicate with her (and also because he misses being in her proximity). I said this on another thread and will say it again: those who made fun of me a few weeks ago when I said there would be stolen moments of romance as Raghav sneaked into D-house, dekh lo ab!
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