31/10 - Epi 376 ... Looking in from the Outside

Wednesday 31st Oct '12

A basketball match ... organized by a penitent wife to apologise for hurting her husband ... and watched her husband bond with a child not her own ...

A match ... where she feels suddenly how out of place she is in one part of his world ... an outsider, looking in ...
An outsider in the match? Or in his world? Or in his life? 

A daydream ... or a day nightmare ... out of place with her jalebis in his world of salads and fruits and pasta ...

A family gathered together ... a man bonding with a boy ... a shared game, a shared disease ... while she looks in from the outside. A stranger in her own home.

A note from the past ... Awesome Twosome ... or threesome ... but still not including her.

Old photographs from a misty shared past ... is it really the past? Or are fingers of the mist creeping into the present?

Precap - Aarav wants to meet his father. His mother had promised ...

*edited*

BB match continues ... next to do a foul and leave is Manorama Mami ... trying to cootchie coo Arav into giving her the ball ... Mami annoyed that she can't even express her affection on court!

Khushi marks Akash ... Sheetal trying to tackle Arnav ... a close moment ... and Khushi turns and watches, suddenly shocked ... so shocked that she doesn't register Sheetal throwing the ball to her ... nor does she register Arnav's automatic "watch out!" ... shell-shocked into stillness at that almost eyelock, oblivious to the shouts from the onlookers, Arnav pauses to check on her ... Arav takes the ball from her with ease, and Arnav's attention is distracted back from Khushi to the game and to encouraging Arav ...

Arav tries to score a basket, fails ... poor child is disappointed ... Arnav scores for him ... and he's happy, the child in him emerging from the mini ASR ...
Is that because mini ASR is not really him, it was all the training? Or is that because he's actually flowering with all the love and attention, especially from a father-figure, which he was lacking all his life?

I don't play BB myself, but I have watched games ... don't really understand why it was necessary for Arnav to keep challenging Sheetal in the middle of the game!

Khushi trips Akash and cries foul ... Akash next to exit ... loved the way Mami happily sided with Khushi over her son ... team comes first! As did all the ladies, of course!

And so it's down to Arnav Arav against Sheetal on court ... as Khushi stands by on the sidelines ... and Sheetal scores thrice and Arnav once ...  scores level ... loved Mami's little soda pop dance She is actually very much like Khushi when she forgets to be nasty!
Arnav challenges Sheetal again ...  

And Khushi gets the ball, can't pass, so runs with it, scores, and does her victory dance, much to the joy of the watching ladies, who don't know the B of basketball, and to the amusement of everyone, including Arnav ... but of course it's a foul and she's out. Akash bursts their bubble ... and Arnav walks up to Khushi, flicks her nose in his trademark gesture, and ruins it by telling her rather dismissively, 'go learn how to play basketball first, it's basket, not goal ...' 
Sheetal is actually sweeter, when she tells Khushi what she did wrong ... and assures her she'll manage on her own ...

And now the game is actually over, it's all about getting Arav to score his basket ... he gets the ball, with everyone egging him on ... tries, fails, and Arnav hoists him on his shoulder to try again ... and he does!
Much to everyone's joy and cheering ...

And Arav is just a little boy now, all delighted with his first basket ... as is the entire family as they rush to congratulate him ... His mom is thrilled, Arnav is smiling at the little boy's joy ...
All except Khushi ... left on the outside ... looking in ... Arav's joy, Sheetal's pride ... and Arnav's smiling pleasure ...
Arav does his signature handshake with Arnav ... then with Sheetal ... and hugs Arnav ... Sheetal with a very strange expression on her face ... (the woman needs to emote!!!) ... and Khushi's face becomes smaller and smaller ... as she walks away quietly from the court side ... alone.

Khushi back home, making jalebis, her stress buster ... trying to console herself ... 'of course, they're happy, they won after all ... what's there to be upset about?'
And a nightmare in the middle of the day ... Khushi's worst nightmare, Arnav telling her to leave, because she's just not good enough for him ... while Sheetals looks on smugly ... and they all laugh at her ...
It was her imagination ... Khushi is nearing the edge now ... nearing breakpoint ...

Family comes in ... none of them wondered about Khushi till now?
Arav still in seventh heaven about his basket, next year he'll be tall enough to shoot his own ... a simultaneous "Of course" from Arnav and Sheetal ... seen and heard by Khushi.
The family discusses the fun they had ... and no one remembers the person who organised it as Khushi watches from outside with a lost look on her face ...

No one is missing her, wondering about her, thinking about her ... they're all enjoying the aftermath of the match ... NK praises Sheetal and Anjali chimes in about how Sheetal is a modern girl and can manage games and raising her child ...
Arnav chimes in about what a great team they were in college ... they could take on the rest of the college ...
Seriously?! After you just spent the morning saying how Sheetal always used to lose to you and wasn't a good player?! Give it a break, Arnav! Unless you have short term memory loss, and have also completely forgotten about your wife's insecurities!
Sheetal add they were the 'Awesome Twosome', Arav chimes in now they're 'Awesome Threesome!' ... a very awkward hi5 between Arnav Sheetal ...

Nani says fondly she remembers Arnav's childhood ... and Arnav finally feels a little awkward ... halleluiah! Are all men this dense or is Arnav extra thick?! Maybe because Khushi brought it up, he now feels a little awkward with the talk ... but will it ever hit his thick head that his wife might just have a reason to be uncomfortable with this constant discussion about Arav resembling him?!

So he looks around belatedly and asks where Khushi is ... and Khushi's small face lights up for a moment, that he actually remembered her ... 'hum yahin hain' ... so insecure is she that even a crumb is gratefully acknowledged ...

But more heartburn ... Mami offers her jalebis to Arav, Arnav and Sheetal simultaneously say 'No!' ... The family knows why, but Arav doesn't ...
Has Sheetal not even explained to him about his illness till now? What the ...!!!!

So Arnav tries to explain by sugar-coating about being a good basketball player ...

I have a friend whose son has juvenile diabetes ... his doctor explained to him when he was first diagnosed at the age of six, that taking injections will soon become to him a habit like brushing his teeth. That boy is now in the throes of college applications, and his college essay is titled "Taking Injections is like Brushing Teeth." I've read his essay - it's truly inspirational. So I was not impressed with Sheetal's handling of Arav's illness at all.

Anjali is impressed with Arnav's handling of Arav ... and the whole family hints openly about his own kids ... Sheetal looks very uncomfortable ... Khushi looks even more distressed ... Arnav's reactions were barely shown ... in normal circumstances, he would have looked at Khushi and smirked, the way he did during Janamashtami, but that was when he was head over heels in love with her and scared of losing her ... now he's just seen and heard Nani talk about Arav resembling him, he knows Khushi is upset over the possibility of Arav being his ... so his smirk should have died when he saw her distress. But they're not showing Arnav's reactions at all ... probably because this is all from Khushi's pov, and she doesn't see his reactions either right now.

And further fodder to fuel Khushi's  upset ...  Sheetal is looking at old pictures, with a soft reminiscent smile on her face. When Khushi tries to probe about Arav's father, Sheetal refuses to discuss the matter. And leaves, conveniently leaving three fallen photographs for Khushi to pick up and see.
Arnav and Sheetal. Playing basketball.
Leaving Khushi to come to the obvious conclusion that Sheetal is not over Arnav at all.

SN - at least Khushi has better manners than Sheetal, she says sorry for entering without knocking ...

The only way Sheetal is pure white is if Arav is indeed Arnav's son, and she's trying to hide it from Khushi, Arnav and the family.
Otherwise she's grey ... as dark grey as a storm cloud ... which she's beginning to resemble more and more closely.

30/10 - Epi 375 ... Mis-Match

Tuesday 30th Oct '12

Whole cast back with a bang after almost solo show by Sanaya yesterday. Got so used to seeing her all the time that I was missing her when she wasn't on screen!

First office scene was as silly as expected ... and as expected Khushi did not find Arav's name.
Surprising that Arav actually saved her.

And Khushi still wondering about the DNA report!

Arav gets 2/10 for his painting ... marks for Art? For such a small kid? Sheetal Arav scene was sweet - Sheetal wants to cheer up Arav with BB.
Arnav is suddenly very pally with Sheetal ... a slanging match about who's better at BB ... Arnav or Sheetal, mostly between Arnav and Arav ...

Khushi decides to mano her husband with BB match. *Head desk* woman, manao him with your strengths ... your cooking! Not something you know nothing about! But then she wants to do things his way.

Whole family plays BB.
Khushi jealous of Sheetal ... finally reacting normally, like a jealous wife. Arnav totally ignoring wife in favour of ex-girlfriend ... another slanging match, as though egging on Sheetal purposely.

Has Arnav finally seen what Khushi has seen all along and decided to get to the bottom of it?
Or is he expressing his annoyance with Khushi about the DNA test by being extra pally with Sheetal?
Or neither - he's blind as usual?

Precap - Arnav Arav Sheetal together - watched by a morose Khushi, suddenly realising she's pushed her husband towards his ex-girlfriend in her misguided zeal.

*edited*

On the whole, I didn't mind the episode although the execution still has a lot of holes, but I can see some glimmer of where this track is going and how thery're going there. Just a glimmer though ... cv's need to make things clearer still, and recheck their old graphs of the basic characters, because they're being compromised big time!

Do I blame Khushi for hyperventilating and having doubts? No I don't ... because however you look at it, however much you argue that Arav being so much like Arnav is sheer coincidence, the fact remains that so many coincidences cannot be a coincidence. And if the CV's make out in the end that this was really all in Khushi's mind, and there is nothing fishy about Sheetal, then I as a viewer will feel very cheated. Not saying Arnav is the father, just saying that Sheetal has some ulterior motives. Whether Sheetal is Arav's maasi, Mystery Man Dhruv is Arav's father, Sheetal is typical vamp out to get Arnav ... whatever ... just give me a really good reason why Arav is a clone of Arnav's down to the What The's ... 

I didn't care much for the first scene, but I was expecting worse, I thought I would be cringing and I did not. I think the complaint has reached the cv's, and the mindless OTT comedy has been scaled back. As expected, the peon adventure yielded no result ... so what exactly did the scene accomplish? Was it just a filler? Stupid one if so - and why use the main lead - she's overworked enough as it is!
Another complaint which seems to have reached the cv's is Arav's outright rudeness with Khushi - today he was better. Still a bit precocious, but the outright rudeness was scaled back thankfully.
2 on 10 for that painting - naainsafi indeed!
For the first time I felt a normal mother-son relationship between Sheetal-Arav, as she tries to cheer him up with his favorite game ... that was a sweet conversation.

And also for the first time, Arnav did something uncharacteristic - he had been avoiding Sheetal all this while, probably out of regard for Khushi ... now maybe because he's miffed at Khushi for the DNA stunt, he didn't make any attempt to avoid Sheetal, but instead he went out of his way to chat her up, and reminisce about college days, pull her leg a bit, even goad her into conversation.
SN - This is exactly what I would expect normal college friends to do.
SN2 - So was Arnav really a normal college guy all along? And here we thought he turned into ASR at age 14 and stayed that way for 14 years till Khushi came into his life!
SN3 - or was it just a miffed Arnav, still annoyed with Khushi, thinking WT*, I stayed away from Sheetal for her sake and she doesn't even trust me this much! Well, too bad, I'm going to act normal with my old friend, let's see how Khushi likes that!

Sheetal stayed pretty aloof throughout the conversation and made no attempt to take up his challenge, in fact she tried to get away as soon as possible.

Khushi overhears, sees Arnav getting uncharacteristically animated about BB, and arranges a match.
Again - like the family movie outing, like Arnav's birthday party - Khushi arranges something which she thinks Arnav will like, WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY ...
It doesn't seem to have entered Khushi's head yet that to manao Arnav she needs to do things for him in private, with just the two of them. Her insecurities again? She alone is not good enough for Arnav ... for him, his family always comes first.
The BB match didn't include Sheetal - Khushi included all the rest. So she wasn't being such a fool ... she just saw Arnav getting excited and animated over basketball and tried to arrange it for him.

Has Arnav really gotten over the DNA test so easily?! And not given a second thought to why Khushi was worried enough to get it done? 
Match begins ... Khushi dressed in her usual Anarkali and trainers. Sheetal dressed in bb gear and strips off her jacket on court, and then does her stretching exercises ... as NK ogles. So did Akash for a wee bit.
Arnav merely looked superior and smug ... you can't win.

The reason Khushi didn't wear sleeveless Tshirt and leggings - no one would have looked at Sheetal if she had. CV's knew that. They had to provide a contrast.

I did not see the need for Khushi to kick the ball ... really, cv's? What is  need to show her so foolish?  Again more deliberate contrast.

And finally Khushi sees Arnav and Sheetal playing ball together ... NOT the way that sounds ... and the green eyed monster bites hard.
Will it be green eyed monster or will it be her insecurities? She's not good enough for Arnav, she's not from his world, not educated enough etc etc ...

Arnav ... I didn't feel he felt anything for Sheetal. But his insensitivity to Khushi's concerns did surprise me. He is the first person to have picked up her insecurity, he was the one who insisted she exert her haq on him ... I thought that once he knew the reason for Khushi's insecurity was Arav, not Sheetal, he would deal with that accordingly.

So his sudden cordiality with Sheetal surprised me ... is it because he's miffed with Khushi about thinking he and Sheetal were involved when he's told her repeatedly that nothing much happened between them? So he's making a point to her ... I was keeping away from her for your sake, but you still don't believe me, so now deal with it! For a person who had become so sensitive to his wife's moods and turmoil, Arnav is not coming off well at all ... he seems to have forgotten all his sensitivity after marriage.

If this track is about Khushi's insecurities, they are going to get worse before they reach flashpoint. Today was just the start. And we had better brace ourselves, we're going to see worse days for Khushi before the explosion. The precap was just a starter.

And if Arnav is really miffed with Khushi about the DNA tast, I don't expect much romance from him for now ... I expect him to be the way he was today .. cool, a bit curt, not angry but not completely normal either. He didn't want Khushi to play because he thought she might get hurt ... he handed over the ball to her on court without much fight, in contrast to Sheetal, with whom he was playing seriously ... he stopped teasing Sheetal about their old days when Khushi asked about Ramu ... but as far as he's concerned, he said there was nothing much between him and Sheetal, Khushi has to accept that.

Much the way he expected Anjali to accept his dictum about Shyam without giving her the entire story, without any explanations or proof.
But women don't function that way. And insecure, worried wives definitely don't.

29/10 - Epi 374 ... Fear, Doubts and Insecurities

Monday 29th Oct '12

 Yes, Khushi trusts Arnav ... he says Arav cannot be his son ... and he's angry she could doubt his word when he told her that it went no further than dating.
So she tears the report without reading it.
And Sheetal (giving some expressions for the first time) on the other side of the wall, is relieved that Khushi didn't read the report.

If the report is Negative, as Arnav is sure it is ... why is Sheetal relieved that Khushi didn't read it? If Sheetal is a negative character, it would be because she didn't have time to tamper with it?

If Sheetal is a positive character, why would she be relieved that Khushi didn't read the report? Because it was Positive. And she was trying to hide it. So in that case, is Arnav lying?
Since Arnav cannot be lying, Sheetal is definitely a shade of grey. How dark, remains to be seen.

Arav doesn't respond to Khushi's questions. When she spoils his painting, he's rather rude. And his painting show his absent father, a subject designed to appeal to the emotional Khushi's heart.
Again, is he that rude to everyone? Or only to Khushi? Even knowing that she is his hostess. Has he been coached to be specifically rude to Khushi?

He goes to the bathroom for a conveniently long time, equally conveniently a six year old diary is lying on the table. And Arav stays inside the bathroom for long enough for Khushi to read the relevant portions, including the date. And the next few pages have been conveniently torn out.
If the pages were that confidential, why was that diary lying out on the table in the first place?
Why is the diary half in English, half in Hindi?
London Eye? I thought Arnav Sheetal met in the US?
Why is the diary only about the mysterious man? Sheetal had no other life either? 

Khushi already knows that Sheetal and Arnav dated for a while. Arnav told her things didn't go that far. But Sheetal's diary seems to indicate otherwise.

Love says Khushi should believe Arnav.

Logic and common sense say that a child doesn't behave like a clone of a person he has never met in his life unless for a very good reason. The reason being that he has been brought up that way. But why has he been brought up that way at all?
Why are his initials ASR?
Why does his mother choke every time she is asked about his father, and refuse to divulge any details? You would think five years of being a single mother would have given her enough time to formulate a cover story.

Coincidence that Arav resembles Arnav so closely? Yes, of course.
Dresses like him ... yes, of course. All five year kids wear full sleeved shirts and sweaters. Umm, really?! Okay, he's been coached, because his mom apparently never got over her fling with Arnav.
Says "What The ...' Same reason. Coached because mom never got over her fling with Arnav.
Never got over a fling that lasted just a few dates?

Arnav and Sheetal were together the year before Arav was conceived. Sheer coincidence again.

So in the span of that one year, Arnav and Sheetal had a short fling, which consisted only of a few dates, Sheetal recovered enough to have a fling with another man, have his kid, but didn't recover enough to forget about Arnav, so much so that she reared her kid to be exactly like him.

School peon scene was dragged ... does Khushi really think that Sheetal would have written Arnav's father's real name in the records? In normal course, of course, she has to. And supply a birth certificate and vaccination records as well, as well as records from the previous school. Not sure what school rules are for single moms, though.

Although the episode seemed to focus on Khushi's fears and insecurities, it became pretty clear that those fears are justified ... either Arnav did have an affair with Sheetal, which he's denying (and we know from Arnav's character that he doesn't lie) ... or Sheetal is up to some games.

Or Arnav had a night with Sheetal which he truly doesn't remember. SUI. Sex Under Influence. 

Movies We're Watching, Books we're Reading

EID MUBARAK to all those celebrating! 

Thanks for this suggestion, Shweths ... have a few movies to mention! Am combining the books and movies post, otherwise there will be too many posts every week to follow.

MOVIES:

OMG Oh My God ... went for this movie expecting a slapstick comedy, instead got a surprisingly good movie on a serious topic, very well made and with fantastic arguments. Paresh Rawal owned it ... Akshay Kumar as modern Krishnaji was excellent.

English Vinglish ... watch this again without any expectations and loved it. A must for all housewives, and for their husbands ... and for anyone who dreams of making things better, of feeling better ... Sridevi's speech at the end of the movie was brilliant.

Arbitrage ... Richard Gere. Susan Sarandon. Need I say more?

On the To Watch list - Argo, Hope Springs, Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

Any reviews of SOTY? Is it worth watching?



BOOKS:
Just started Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. Haven't read a really good book for ages ... suggestions please? 

Edited:
Am adding some of the book and author suggestions here for easier reference.

Jeffrey Archer
Room by Emma Donoghue
Nicholas Sparks
Hunger Games trilogy - author please?
Grisham
Dan Brown - da Vinci Code, Digital Fortress
William Dalrymple
RK Narayan, Munshi Premchand
Old favorites I grew up with - PG Wodehouse, Agatha Christie
The Sherlock Holmes series - if you haven't read them do give them a try!

Georgette Heyer - for those new to her books, try These Old Shades and Devil's Cub, Frederica, Arabella, The Grand Sophy, Bath Tangle - all her heroines are spirited, smart and sassy, and her heroes are tall, dark and handsome with some major hangups in life :) but they are also witty and intelligent ... and when they fall, the typical knights in shining armour - no wonder I love them!

Gurcharan Das
Gita Mehta
Anyone tried Anita Desai? I have one of her books, haven't read it yet.

Cecilia Ahern - Love, Rosie and PS, I Love You
James Patterson
Robert Ludlum
Ruskin Bond
Rick Riordan
Jhumpa Lahiri
Chitra Kumari Divakurni

JK Rowling has a new book out - mixed reviews - The Casual Vacancy. My daughter is reading it, will get back with her review.

Ann Patchett - Bel Canto, State of Wonder
Life of Pi
Ayn Rand - Fountainhead - a heavy read but good book.

Another one on my reading list - Steve Jobs biography by Walter Isaacson

Tell me if I've missed out any - I tried to get all the popular suggestions


 

Other Shows We're Watching

I'm watching Punar Vivah off and on ... last Wed/Thurs there was this very cute scene where Arti has morning sickness, Yash wants to get her a lemon but she doesn't let him leave so he makes her sniff his robe (he's just out of the shower) because he showered with a lemon scented soap. At the end of it, they both end up laughing helplessly at how silly they both must have looked.
PV also has two other tracks running - Arti's first husband is back, suffering from cancer and Shobha wants Arti to make Ansh (their son) donate bone marrow to save him. I don't know whether such a small child can actually donate marrow but the track is decent. Also Paridhi, the third bahu is in trouble. So three solid tracks running alongside each other.

Also watched a couple of episodes of Madhubala where Madhu gets RK ready for pooja ... she helps him wear his kurta. Could not feel that explosive chemistry of Sarun ... they were pleasant to watch. Last I saw, Dipali drops ghee over Madhu's sari and makes her change into one of her own saris, which for some reason gets RK mad.

Watched Phir Subah Hogi ... uncle and nephew are in love with the same woman. And Uncle's wife is typical vamp. Eww. Stopped watching.

Watched last episode of Revenge ... Amanda's mother is out to kill her own daughter. Don't know why yet. So Shyam is not the only psychopath around, even Western shows have crazy parents.

Am quite pleased ... I think Mohit's new show will come in place of Ek Doosre Se Karte Hain Pyaar Hum - that show is unwatchable, Khamoshiyan will be hopefully pleasant timepass while I wait for IPK.

Also watching Pyar Ka Dard Hai ... Adi is clueless about his feelings for Pankhudi ... remember Samrat-Gunjan, anyone? Adi is a better actor than Mohit, Pankhudi is quite pathetic as of now. The parents and grandfathers are great to watch. Both sides have evil mamas ... what's with evil mamas all over the place? My own mamas are both such loving men, and my older mami is really like a second mom. Much like Manorama mami, minus the sharp tongue.

All discussions on these and any other shows welcome here! I'm planning to give Veera a try ... will also try Qabool Hai, but I don't want to like it ... I'm annoyed with 4Lions for abandoning IPK for that three-timing apology of a man - KSG. Besides, I'm not impressed with Zoya at all. It will have to be really good to hook me.
SN - KSG can act well, though.

26/10 - Epi 373 ... Oh Boy - Now We're Talking!

Friday 26th Oct '12

This is what I wanted for this track ... I can feel the tension still even after the episode has ended. Now we're talking ... can't wait for Monday!

And the moment Khushi is in character, the episode just falls into place. The way she sweetly agreed to massage Mami when both Arav and Arnav refused .. now that is Khushi.
Mami sleeping instantly Good to see the entire cast being used today.

Liked Arav better today - at least the kid apologised. Although didn't like Arnav encouraging him to talk about his wife ... he should have nipped that in the bud straight away. (SN No wonder my kids called me Hitler, this is something they would never have been allowed to get away with!)

The entire female Raizada clan getting one very irritated boy ready for school ... Arav hiding from them when he came back ... even more and perfectly understandable! Cute A-A bonding there.
SN - he didn't change his clothes after school till night? What exactly was Sheetal doing all day that she wasn't there for him when he got back? And why is she entering Arshi's bedroom without knocking? Family beemari got her too?

Sheetal is Sheetal Kapoor - and she has no answer for why Arav is ASR.Why exactly does she need to rest? She's not even working yet ... all she's doing is lounging around in RM as a pampered guest. Doesn't she need to look for a job?

So the DNA test got done ... rather liked the way Khushi blew up Arav-Arnav duo - wish that had been for real, they both deserved it!

Arnav gets to know that Khushi has got the DNA test done ... and so does Peeping Tom Sheetal. And as expected, he's furious. *rubbing hands in glee*
Arnav is still crystal clear that Aarav cannot be his son. What will the test show? Or will she even read it?

*edited*

In keeping with the SBS segment, comments on Sheetal today are from angel Dia and devil Dia

Khushi remembers NK's words and manages to pluck out a hair from Arnav's head ... he wakes, grabs her hand and sleeps again. Hair today, gone tomorrow ... gone tonight, in fact.

SN So cv's finally remembered that Arnav likes sleeping holding Khushi's hand.
SN - Like this? Really???
SN - And what's wrong with Khushi? So into her DNA testing that she's forgotten all about sleeping cuddled up with brand new hubby? No hint of romance, love, passion?! And in the excitement about getting that hair, she forgets the serious question of why she wanted it in the first place?
Again ... cv's, really?! Your pea brains can't concentrate on more than one emotion at a time?   And this is one actress who can deliver those mixed emotions with just her eyes. Idiots! 

Raizada female clan, all four, getting one small child ready for school. Sweet ... the entire family was, not so long ago, getting excited for the entry of a new baby in the house ... all the maternal instincts squashed at that tragedy, now rise to the fore again with a child to lavish them on. Said 'baby' doesn't appreciate so much attention at all!
Arnav hiding behind his newspaper
SN - In the drawing room? Hasn't Sheetal been given a guest room?
SN - Would have been nice if Anjali had shown some shadows in her eyes, some wistfulness, as she fussed over Arav ... after all, she was expecting her own child such a short time back, these are dreams she would have seen.
Again, cv's ... pea sized brains, and memories to match ... can't concentrate on more than one emotion at a time! And again, Anjali could have delivered this much.

Sheetal smiles - the first honest, open smile she has given ... seeing her son getting so much love and family attention. And the Arav-Sheetal hug was sweet ... open, spontaneous, loving.
Arav goes 'What the ...' umm, really?! You said it, Sheetal, you are not a good mom! You let him get away with that? Because you wanted to show the resemblance again? 
And Arav is pretty unappreciative, I must say ... that exasperated look when Nani tells him he can call the family if he can't reach his mom ... I get he doesn't like the fussing, but simple manners ... a Thank You would have been more in place ... and Sheetal should have told him so.

Sheetal is overcome ... she has been alone with Arav all these years and she's touched to see the love of a family ...
SN - fishing for sympathy?And besides, what were you doing the whole morning while the family got your son ready for school? You didn't even make his tiffin ... when your son has just been diagnosed with diabetes the day before.
Mami makes the most sensible suggestion .. then get married, and give your child a family. And Mami actually meant well.
NK chimes in ... good idea! And the family smiles.
What was that sad dying duck look from Sheetal to Arnav? I can't forget your love, I can't think of marrying anyone else ...
And why did Arnav look like that at Sheetal? Ok, he had a fling, he himself said it meant nothing, he doesn't think Arav has anything to do with him ... so why that look? Why so disturbed at the thought of Sheetal getting married? Why not nod or smile in agreement? He should offer to do kanyadaan instead!
Khushi catches that exchange between Arnav and Sheetal ... And I now don't blame her for getting more suspicious and insecure ... Idiot Arnav!!!
Why did you have to maro paon pe kulhadi and get that woman into your house, Khushi? Ab bhugto!

Khushi's nest attempt to get hair sample ... tel maalish. Really, Khushi? In the morning ... when everyone is getting ready for office/school? And Sheetal drags Arav out quickly ... bus time.
Mami wants maalish instead ... Khushi being Khushi can't refuse. And Mami goes off to sleep peacefully.

Are the family having breakfast or lunch? Liked Nani's one-liner - putting mami to sleep isn't very difficult.
Why does Khushi have to serve while everyone else sits? Don't they have HP for all this?
Arnav remembers that Sheetal had an allergy ...
Okay, no big deal, everyone in college knew she had an allergy.
But he remembers this. After so many years. And why? Because he brought her a salad in college which set it off.
Arnav, you are an idiot! Yeah, yeah it 'meant nothing'. Saying this in front of your wife? When you know she's already disturbed?   Poor Khushi!

Khushi asks a very pertinent question ... you're Sheetal Kapoor? But your son is ASR? 
And Sheetal goes conveniently into a coughing fit ... and then is so unwell, she needs rest. And the rest of the dimbulb family, including her shatir dimaag husband, forget all about why Sheetal Kapoor's son is called ASR.
And Khushi sees that again and again Sheetal is avoiding the topic of Arav and his father. So she's even more determined to get that DNA test done.
Sheetal is definitely playing Khushi's mind. Surely this is not the first time she has been asked about her son's father? Shouldn't she have a cover story ready for the world?

NK always comes to Khushi's aid, wittingly or otherwise. So 'gum' or 'ghum' for Khushi ... as she murmurs, Khushi's life has only ghum.
Maybe that is the root of Khushi's problems. She has learned only too well to never expect lasting happiness in her life ... and now she can't believe in it. 

SN - Raizada house, a hugely rich family, and steel plates? Seriously?! At the start of the show, they had silver. Can't they afford china at least?

Khushi still stuck on getting her hair samples ... gum gives her an idea.

Evening ... how late does Arav return from school anyway? Cute, the way he's hiding from the female clan ... Arnav first puzzled, then understanding.
Poolside ... again too coached. It would have been cute if Arav kept peeking to see what Arnav was doing and copied him ... a fatherless child caught up in awe of this new male figure in his life and trying to be like him ... But spontaneously walking, talking the same way ... either cv's can't be subtle to save their lives ... or they're telling us that yes, Arav has definitely been coached.

Okay, Arav has definitely been coached. About Arnav's family he is polite, reasonably so ... they pinch my cheeks, feed me, do my hair ... I'm sorry but ...
But why does he have to keep talking about Khushi to Arnav? Khushi is Arnav's wife, whether Arav likes it or not. To criticise her to his own mom is fine, to criticise her to her husband, that too, a man he just met a few days ago, is ridiculous and insulting. And when he talks about Khushi, he only demeans her ... she talks too much, she's filmy and over dramatic ... 
And felt like hitting Arnav on the head when he agreed with Arav ... hello, you just told Khushi you respected her ... now you agree with a pint sized brat that your wife talks too much and he'll get used to it? Give him a clip on his ear and tell him he has no business to talk about adults like that! 

I would have been perfectly happy if Khushi's scolding had been genuine ... both of them deserved it.
When AA went oops and then apologetic, I so wished this was Arhi with their own kid ... it would have been so sweet ... a father-son ganging up to laugh at the mom. But this way, I wasn't happy at all.

Arav Khushi ko samjhane ki koshish kar raha tha? He need a whack! Grow up and learn some manners before you start samjhaoing other people, kid! Especially an adult whose house you are living in!

The dupatta holding and cute was cute though ... again, how I wish it was their own kid! And finally Arav does say a genuine sorry ... at least I think it was genuine.

And Khushi loses whatever Brownie points she got from me, by going back to her scheme of getting the hair samples ...
Go down on your knees.
Well done, Khushi ... they deserve it! 
What?! What?! Two voices, identical tones
And stop talking at the same time!
Oh, I so sympathised with Khushi at that one!
I loved Arnav's incredulous yet half-resigned 'Serious?!' when she told him to get on his knees A man can be the biggest tycoon in the world ... in front of his wife, he's still just her husband.

So Khushi gets her hair samples and sends them off for testing. Again mixed emotions would have been in place here, rather than just glee at her victory.

Sheetal joins the Raizadas in their bad habits of walking into Arshi's bedroom without knocking ... hello, this is not a seaside promenade or Mumbai Central station, it's a bedroom, and not yours either! And she finally wakes up to her maternal duties ... Arav needs to change ...
A stilted conversation between Sheetal and Arnav in which she emphasizes again that she is here only for a short while ...
While Arav does a handshake to tell Arnav he will always be with him ... And Arnav looks after Arav wistfully as he leaves ...
Khushi overhears the AA conversation and looks after Arav with a troubled face ... poor Khushi!

SN I just hope that soft Arhi music was for Arnav-Arav and not for Arnav-Sheetal
SN - so will Sheetal leave and Arav stay? Is she really not his mom, and is only trying to bring a child to his natural family? In which case, why doesn't she tell them so straight away?
Arnav is drawing the child Arav out of the too grown up and serious ASRjr. Much the way Khushi drew Arnav out of ASR.
SN - More of Sheetal's coaching ... his mom taught him this handshake, did she also tell him to use it only on Arnav? Like she taught him that his way of walking, talking is like his dad?

Next morning, Khushi restless, pacing, waiting for the results ... Anjali sees her worry ...
In her bedroom, Khushi tries to work up the courage to read the report ... this can change her life ... and she's more restless than ever ... should she read it or not ... she remembers all the instances of Arav's similarities with Arnav ... 'no, it can't be'  and she finally takes the plunge ...

And Arnav enters, and sees her hiding something behind her back ... she tries to deny it, but he can see it in the mirror ... and he sees it ... DNA test of Arnav and Arav ... and he is furious ....

Precap ... Arnav coldly furious ... open it, and once and for all get rid of this hangup that Arav and I are related ...
while a worried Sheetal peeks from outside their room ... 

Thoughts 
If Sheetal's intentions are good, and Arav is Arnav's son, she will interrupt their scene, not allow them to read the report and get rid of it, later substitue it with a negative one. Or she has already done so.

If Sheetal's intentions are less than pure, she will keep quiet. Or if she knows the report is negative, she will interrupt and somehow not let Khushi read it. Thus Khushi's suspicions will persist, and worsen, thinking that Sheetal stopped her from reading a Positive result, while Sheetal actually stopped her from reading a Negative one.

Has she already substituted the report for a positive one?

Is Arav Arnav's son and Sheetal either lied to him years ago about not being pregnant, or he had a drunken night or something he doesn't remember? Because from the precap, Arnav is sure Arav is not his.

If Arav is not related to Arnav, why is Sheetal eavesdropping on a husband-wife conversation at all?

I have lots more thoughts - will surface during the discussion, I think!
Whatever Sheetal does on Monday, she could be up to no good ... or perfectly innocent - but in that case, still doesn't explain what she is trying to do peeking into Arhi's conversation.
Will Khushi believe Arnav and tear up the report? In that case, do her suspicions still persist? Ref the SBS when Sanaya said that Khushi is going mad.

*Edited again* posted this on IF, re -posting here.

The problem in Indian telly and movies is that no one has yet got it right how to show normal kids on screen. The only movie to get it right was a gem called Masoom which we discussed earlier ... the kids there were flawless. Shekhar Kapoor was brilliant in his handling of the kids' scenes.
And the only show I have seen which got it pretty good was Aapki Antara ...

In both the kids were normal ... they weren't precocious brats, they weren't rude, they didn't act double their age, they definitely did not comment on the behaviour of adults around them, they didn't give lectures on morality at the drop of a hat ... they were mischievous and cute and got reprimanded firmly when they went wrong. And the kid Jugal Hansraj, who was the son of a single mother was quiet, reserved, withdrawn, mature for his age and yet completely polite and well mannered.
Not like our resident mini hero who says "what the" and his mom smiles at it!!!

No other show or movie has left me without the feeling of wanting to take kids over my knee and giving them a spanking ... or at least a major time out!

And yesterday I wanted to give Arnav a big talking to as well ... you do not tell a little kid you barely know that your wife is ajeeb but he'll get used to her ... you tell him that he should not talk like that about adults, he doesn't know Khushi and beta, how was your day at school, have you done your homework?
Very simple rule - you can say what you like to each other in a family, but in front of outsiders, you defend your own. And Arav is an outsider as of now.

I cannot imagine going to somebody's home, and my kids telling their host that his wife is filmy or talks too much. If they did that, they would be in such deep doodoo from me they wouldn't know what hit them. Yes, they can tell me ... that's ok. Tell their host??? You gotta be kidding me!!!

And if the host encouraged them I would have a very poor impression of him as well! Would I like it if some random kid told my husband that I talked too much? And he agreed with them? My husband would be in the doghouse for days - forget it, he wouldn't dream of agreeing!

Which is why I was glad that Khushi ticked them both off ... and annoyed that she did it only to get her hair sample! She has perfect right to be genuinely angry at both, and hurt at Arnav ... and I wish they had shown that.

Too much zeal to show Arnav-Arav bonding. We have GOT IT ALREADY!!!
 

25/10 - Epi 372 ... Mission Unsuccessful

Thursday 25th Oct '12

First scene - Arshi ... cute. Have played the hypnosis game in childhood a lot, never got hypnotised even once And nice to have a small Arshi dose. The man can hold a stare ... and he looks good doing it!
Seriously, Khushi give it up ... the guy only thinks about you! And if Arav's mom is not planning on claiming Arnav as Arav's father, then just leave well enough alone! Let sleeping dogs lie!

NK flirting with Sheetal ... hmm. I don't like Sheetal yet ... though to be fair, she's done nothing to make me actively dislike her.
Is this a family picnic? Everybody going to school for Arav's admission?

School scene ... Khushi was too nosy. Better to ask Sheetal straight out, rather than all that silly and very obvious peeping. After all, Sheetal is staying in her house, she can do that politely. Better than that very undignified behaviour in school. She has to remember she is Mrs Arnav Singh Raizada now. And definitely her probing Arav was wrong.

Arav - I did not like him with Khushi. Plain rude. Attitude is one thing, rudeness to adults is another. Not cute. And he is staying in her house, regardless of how weird he thinks she is. Although his attitude partly seems to stem from his being fatherless ... felt bad for both him and Sheetal in that one  scene when the principal asked his dad's name.
So he has been told by his mom that he is exactly like his dad. Has he been encouraged in those traits too? Sheetal certainly doesn't tell him off for his rudeness.
Arav is smart all right, don't know whether that is coaching from his mom, or just a child's instinct. He doesn't like Khushi, he likes Arnav. And he makes it very plain. Again, his attitude towards Khushi is just too rude. 

Arnav-Arav bond ... I can see where this might go. Arnav likes Arav, Arav doesn't like Khushi, and he can justifiably claim that Khushi doesn't like him. Family likes Arav. Family likes Sheetal.

Khushi gets the idea for DNA testing from NK. And Sheetal is worried.
Then leave, woman! They're not holding you with chains, are they? Just say you got your keys and leave.

24/10 - Epi 371 ... Interrogation tactics

Wednesday 24th Oct '12

Doc repeats the diabetes report ... Khushi asks Sheetal whether she or Aarav's dad have diabetes, Sheetal avoids the question about the dad. If Sheetal was trying to make Khushi suspicious, she couldn't have done a better job!

Next person to notice the Arnav-Aarav resemblance - Akash.

Khushi trying to decide whether or not to invite Sheetal ... cute! And the family loses no time in seconding her.
It seems that Arnav and Khushi are the only two people who have the right to decide who comes to stay in RM ... the rest of the family jumps in only once either of the two give the nod. First Shyam, and now Sheetal.
Loved the way Khushi got upset with Nani for remarking on the resemblance again ... here she was trying to be good and selfless, and there Nani goes upsetting her again!

Loved the way Arnav was actually angry with Khushi for inviting Sheetal. And that set up a really cute scene ... 
Poolside interrogation ... damn cute!!! Uske baad? Uske baad? Uske baad?
Arnav Singh Raizada, if you didn't figure out what your wife was getting at, you are officially declared DUMB!!!! But it was a hilarious scene ... Barun-Sanaya at their best! And loved that last 'Crazy woman!'

Khushi's new thinking spot - the cupboard. Arnav's amused understanding when he sees her ... cute!
The new Kamlesh Khabri is better than the old one. But the Khushi-Khabri scenes are still OTT. Fortunately confined to barely 2-3 minutes, hope we don't get more than that.
And we probably won't ... as NK tells Khushi about DNA testing ... in Sheetal's hearing.

*edited*
Quick edit - just adding points in each scene.

Doctor's report ... Sheetal has something to hide about Aarav's father, and she's not making any attempt to hide the fact that she has something to hide Adult diabetes isn't that uncommon an illness, it's juvenile diabetes that is less common. But Sheetal goes all silent and pareshan, and makes a very obvious change of topic. Like I said, if she was trying to make Khushi suspicious, she couldn't have done a better job!
Don't know whether the actress is bad or she has been told to have that enigmatic (read blank) look on her face the whole time.

Arnav Aarav watching football ... they should have had Akash there too ... all men look the same when watching sports Instead Akash gets one inane line to say, joining the rest of the R clan in their chant ... how much Aarav resembles Arnav! *head desk*
The way Aarav was imitating Arnav was rather sweet, more than inherited way of watching football ... hey bhagwan, talk about being UNsubtle!!! ... if it had been shown how Aarav is totally taken with this new male figure in his life, something he has been missing out on ... and so is trying to imitate him all the time.

Liked the way Arnav smiles instantly on seeing Khushi, then realises she is worried, so is Sheetal ...
Khushi seemed far more worried and upset about Aarav having diabetes than Sheetal was. And what was that brave declaration from Sheetal about ... 'I will manage the way I've managed all along ... I am a single mother.' Fishing for sympathy? Yes, of course.
SN - Yes, I'm biased   

The conversation between sweet natured selfless Khushi worried about a sick child and his homeless mother, and jealous wife Khushi ki bachhi - too cute!!! And sweet natured Khushi wins, although jealous wife Khushi gets in a word edgewise - this will help her ferret out the truth of Aarav's father.

Loved how Arnav was absolutely fuming mad with his wife for inviting Sheetal, knowing she was already disturbed about Sheetal, and that she was trying her best to hide it. He loves Khushi, he doesn't want even the slightest chance of any more MU's coming up between tem, he knows he was jealous of NK, and he doesn't want Khushi to feel jealous or insecure about Sheetal. Sheetal could stay in a hotel anywhere as far as he was concerned, much more important was that Khushi be comfortable.
But he also saw the tender hearted Khushi, who's generous to a fault, who felt so bad for Aarav's diabetes, that she overcame the misgivings of the disturbed wife ... her selflessness gets her into a lot of trouble, mostly for herself, but that's the Khushi he knows and loves.
And loved the entire poolside exchange - Barun and Sanaya are so good at the quick witted rapid fire conversations ... Arnav's 'And why do you want to know what I do on a date?' was epic!
Buddy, because you've never taken her on a date yourself, remember?!
Though I really wonder - did Arnav really not understand what Khushi was getting at ... she made it pretty clear what she was asking about. Uske baad, uske baad ... what did you do when you were both alone? How much more clearly could she have spelled it out?!
Or maybe he felt that his bholi bhaali innocent biwi couldn't dream about premarital sex ... hello, what happened at the farmhouse then?!
And the jalebi innuendo was classic!

Or has Arnav slept with Sheetal?  And he knew what Khushi was asking, he knew she was already very disturbed about Sheetal, so he avoided the answer? Not realising Khushi isn't worried about Sheetal as much as she is about Aarav. And he must have been careful in college if he did have affairs, so he didn't make the Aarav connection.
I would go with the second, because Khushi is getting so hyper that the truth of what she is asking is going to emerge very soon, and Khushi will believe Arnav over a DNA test any day. So he has to have slept with Sheetal at least once. But also depends on how Sheetal is going to play this ... will it stay between Sheetal and Khushi for now? And is she really as innocent as she seems so far ... or is she going to turn grey?

Kamlesh Khabri appears again ... my least favorite character on the show ... and with him, OTT Khushi ... so all I can say is, am glad he is apparently going to be short-lived, as NK is already into the act in the precap.

Addendum - RIP Jaspal Bhatti ... really sad to hear about his untimely death. Have watched so many movies of his, and his TV shows Ulta Pulta and Flop Show were favorites for my hubby and me. Always ready to poke fun at the establishment, his satire filled shows were great fun to watch.