6/9 - Epi 69 ... Tears shed and unshed

6th Sept

Slimeball sulking because buaji et al wouldn't listen to him and are going to RM ... hey bhaggu, man, why would they listen to you? Tum unke lagte hi kya ho? Am glad he's finding out that winding the Raizadas around his little finger with his slippery eel talks is far easier than putting a fast one past Khushi and Buaji - they are far more strong-minded. With Raizads, of course, he has them by their Achilles heel - as long as he has Anjali on his side, nothing can really happen to him. 
So Slimeball sulks, and Buaji and Payalji depart. ;-)

Khushi still enthusiastic about her lessons, Anjali moping at the usual phone call from errant husband ... Arnav consoles her, but I think the guy should start getting a little suspicious about his jeeja's frequent disappearances. And liked the little looks Arnav was darting at Khushi - my take, she reminds him of himself at that age, young enthusiastic, idealistic, principled, enjoying all the traditions and rituals of family life, till everything got snatched away from him. So part of his hatred for Khushi is that she seems to symbolise the lost Arnav. And the traits that she shares with him - being strong-minded, fearless, able to face up to him and oppose him - reinforce that.
Have a feeling it's going to be Khushi for whom Arnav finally wears all the traditional clothes his sister keeps gifting him.
Arnav looks at Khushi again before leaving - she's getting very confused at those looks he keeps giving her. Completely at variance with his tone when he deigns to talk to her.
Ok, am really liking the falling-but-fighting-it phase of Arnav - Barun is doing a great job. And it helps that he is so dishy looking!

Side note - liked the cucumber part ... Arnav-Anjali reminiscing about their childhood, old memories Khushi's prepararions bring back ... and loved the way Arnav kept sliding glances at Khushi, as though she reminded him of something very precious, a long-forgotten part of his childhood. Like I always say, one of the reasons Arnav reacts so strongly to Khushi is because she reminds him of himself at a different time, one he is trying to forget. 

Buaji and Payal enter, family intros - graciousness all around, nice to watch, including Anjali's apology. And Mami of course, doing her usual nautanki - the buaji-mami scene was a bit forced. And Buaji is in nani's good books cos she likes Laxmi! *rofl* and does double-take at La blah. And Nani is completely embarrassed at having to present La blah as her future bahu.

And hated the next scene - La blah set up a police enquiry to verify 'servant' Khushi to humiliate her completely. Which she succeeded in doing. Hated Blah completely and utterly - to mollify her own insecurities, she had to resort to this to show down Khushi. And disliked the rest of the family members as well, especially Anjali - all they had to say was - not right now, it's a festival, and anyway, who is Blah to call the police? If anyone had to set up an inquiry, it should have been one of the family members. So I simply loved Nani when she stepped in - and adored her even more when she suggested to the police that they 'verify' Blah instead! In typical SP style, Mami and blah got all the dialogues, while the rest of the family was dumbstruck.

And cleverly, the CV's got out of Arnav accusing Khushi or defending her - by making him enter after Khushi's humiliation was over, but in time to witness Blah's. And also liked the fact that Nani got across to him that it was Blah who had called the police, and his glare at Blah at that - no wonder she turned tail and ran. Hope he follows up on that glare, and he doesn't let her off this time with just a figurative slap on the wrist as he's been doing so far. Maybe Khushi's tears will do the trick - he's definitely very susceptible to them.
And again hated Anjali trying to gloss things over - why doesn't she let blah's real face come out in front of Arnav? Is she that convinced that Blah is the right girl for him? Anjali's character is really weak - she's a spoilt little cry-baby who has never grown up.
Liked the little touch of Nani not forgetting her culture and apologising to Buaji.

And that last five second bit of Khushi wiping her tears and Arnav seeing her was amazing *dream* ... the gut wrenching look he had on his face, and then turned quickly and left as she seemed to sense he was there and turned - only to see his retreating back. And then he paused and turned back to look at her, as though to reassure himself she was all right ...

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5/9 - Epi 68 ... Nautanki, phone call :) and tfc :(

5th Sept
Parts I liked - the phone call. Finally Arnav and Khushi manage to have a small conversation, keeping in character - *rofl* at his annoyance about Khushi being right about the elaichi! It was a squabble rather than the usual hate fests, and Arnav is becoming more and more like a spoiled child in his behaviour. Which is actually not bad! Both their expressions were bang on, and that made the scene so enjoyable!

Also liked Khushi's continuing nautanki Krishna Leela, complete with sound effects - I thought Sanaya could never do nautanki, I stand corrected. La may not have liked Khushi's performance, but she won't forget the Janamashtami story in a hurry for sure! Special mention of Khushi's diction and pronunciation of all the shudh Hindi words - for a girl who's Hindi was her weak point, she has sure come a long way!

Also liked the scene with Nani inviting Buaji over the phone - the dialogues were very nice, especially Nani's - very cultured and gracious, reflecting the matriarchial character with Lucknow tehzeeb. And loved Khushi's worried expressions all through the scene, the hesitation in her eyes at putting herself and her family forward, following yet another taunt by Arnav, the soft hesitant smile she shows Nani and Anjali, while her hesitation is still evident in her eyes. Enjoyed seeing Nani's and Anjali's strong support to Khushi - let's see how that shapes up in the police scene. Buaji at the other end was nice as well, and loved to see Shyam wriggling like a fish caught at the end of a line, thinking frantically as to how he's gonna get out of this one, plus also his anger and frustration is still very much present. Payal-Akash were okay - this love story is tepid and doesn't really interest me so much. Too smooth sailing!

Typical stuff but will probably get this story to move a bit - La the blah and Mami grumbling over Khushi's increasing importance in the house, and La getting insecure for the first time ... till now Khushi was a thorn in her side, a necessary evil, who had to be borne for Anjali's sake. Suddenly she seems to be becoming ... competition?! So La the blah gets to work - and seems we're going to see her wicked side finally.Many stupid people can be very cunning for their own selfish interests, and La the blah is no exception. Also this would and should kick Arnav's protective instincts into high gear again - he can say what he likes to her, but he can't stand to see her in danger.

Don't really want to see - the typical trip fall catch routine for Arnav-Khushi. This couple is different - please keep them that way. Would rather have seen Arnav holding tight to Khushi the way he saved her in the car park scene - a tight clinch is somehow more suited for this couple, considering that neither has really shied away from physical contact or closeness.

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Maryada et al

Catching up slowly with other shows - Maryada mahaepisode and Gaurav's truth - saw parts of it, need to watch the repeat ... this show deserves to be the slot leader at 11 pm. The makers have stuck to their guns and kept the controversial subjects going, whether it be the illicit relations between jiju-saali, the devoted wife who after so many years of knowing everything yet wilfully turning a blind eye, is finally turning against her husband - lord, that's a change from all the self-sacrificing Bhartiya naris on Indian tv, and of course, the Gaurav-Vidya-Karan story - a first on Indian tv to be tackled in a serious, realistic way, including all the ramifications and reactions of family. Added to which, all the actors are amazing, from Gaurav, to Viday, to SSP, to Devyani to Roshnee Devi - even the PA is good for his role. Karan is okay, but on the whole, the show still commands my attention. Vidya gets shot - so predictable, and so well acted by Vidya, the way she collapses to the floor, and Gaurav holds her - wish the makers of IPKKND would take a look at this for a realistic falling scene.

SGP - the only show where the leads are the worst part of the show - am enjoying the Inder-Panna-BM-BP track - just love the Inder-Panna bond - and I mute the tv whenever Suhana-Ishan come on screen. Friday episode had lots of Inder-Panna with BP-BM - enjoyed it so much! Beautifully done - the pain of the brother-sister at being abandoned by their father. The only thing I didn't like was them calling themselves orphans - negates the warm, loving family they have grown up in, and the strength of their mother - while they have her, why should they be called orphans? The father is not the only parent, nor is he the most important one - in most families, the mother is the glue which holds the family together. But liked the episode nonetheless.

Also caught part of Mukti Bandhan - hmm, not really impressed with what I saw, the acting is far inferior to Maryada in the same time slot, and even to IPKKND actually. Parichay - might catch it again, but not very impressed with that either. So have to decide whether I want to keep Colors or not. Wish they would air Sony. I want to watch KBC.

2/9 - Epi 67 ... Slimeball attempts foiled, OTT drama and Kans mama

2nd Sept 2011
A mixed bag again today - I liked the first scene with Slimeball Shyam trying his emotional blackmail on Khushi, who, although upset by his words, refused to be moved by it ... she's not a pushover like Anjali is. So Shyam leaves with a rather ugly look on his face - he is going to do something for sure.
RM with mama, mami and Manorama Panorama was funny, and Slimeball pontificating on cheating men was even more so ... one wonders for how long he's gonna get away with his lies and when will he finally be caught out.

Khushi is upset at Shyam's words - Payal comforts her, but her last thoughts as she sleeps are of ... *rofl* Laad Governer again ... and so are her dreams .. cheesy OTT inane comedy, redeemed slightly by San's expressions, and me rofling and wondering how Barun kept a straight face - would love to see a behind the scenes segment on this one! And San looked like a kid dressed up and play-acting ... *rofl*

RM - La the blah clueless about Janamashtami, OTT again ... then La lets Arnav know about Khushi's shart for working, and Arnav, who decided to leave at the sound of Khushi's name, suddenly and most perversely, gets furious that Khushi feels the same way about him. In his own house, that too.
Lord, ASR, decide for yourself - do you want to see her or don't you?! Abhi toh you were leaving to avoid her, but now you're angry because she's trying to do the same! What a big fat ego you have!
So of course Khushi enters just as Arnav is leaving, and they both glare again, except that she calls him rakshas and he hears, so she scuttles away ... klutzy Khushi is back ... am not particularly happy, but they did show her like this at the start, and she won't grow up overnight, and it's just been 3 months (not even that) since the show started, so I guess we have to get scenes like this for a little while longer. Just hope they're not too many ... :((( yuck, I detest GH and what he thinks is comedy!

Preparations for Janamashtami at RM and at Khushi's house, where Shyam has already reached bright and early, but Khushi has left. And buaji informs that Khushi and Payal used to take part in the Krishna Leela. Khushi proceeds to show she hasn't forgotten that at the RM :-)

The Krishna Leela scenes was actually cute, with Khushi's nautanki and La the blah's cluelessness ... ending with Khushi pointing at Arnav just as he enters at his cue - Kans mama. And as he leaves, he turns to look at her again ... man, look at La the blah, she's your gf, not Khushi!

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1/9 - Epi 66 ... Mixed bag again

Some frivolity, a change of pace, maybe the demand for Arshi scenes being pandered to, maybe not wanting to show the change in Khushi so quickly. At first watch, I enjoyed the episode, but felt it was frivolous, with a disconnect to the previous couple of days of strong emotions. And I thought that on the whole, I didn't like it. On second watch, I was surprised to find that I still enjoyed it. And things did happen. But the the tone was lighter, maybe that's why the feeling of disconnect.

So a fairly bland rakhee scene after the emotion-packed bro-sis scene of the day before. Oh, and of course Shyam slithered out of coming back for Rakhee - must say his wife and the Raizada family is completely unsuspecting - he didn't even come back to check on his missing wife after she was lost and found? And they don't say anything?

Only cute point of note - Arnav praises the laddoos, before he gets to know that Khushi made them. And a very small eyelock scene - more like aankhen milana, aankhen churana. Also I guess Khushi also knows he's diabetic now.

Side note - am glad the eyelocks here are much, much shorter than the usual SO ones, which go on for eternity - including today's as well as the small car scene yesterday. Makes them far more real. And just loved Nani's tiny, very satisfied smile!

Shyam in temper at being asked to tie rakhi to Khushi, bashing up some poor sod, then coming to his senses and apologising - the guy acts well ... he is really falling in love with Khushi and is torn as to what to do, but doesn't want to give her up. All the makings of a villain.

Then the funny part - Anjali and Khushi making lists of what to teach La ... and then La gives Khushi a lesson on 'living-in' and what it means. And Khushi starts stuffing her face with samosas out of sheer shock and stress ... and gets the hiccups, just as Arnav tries to have an important discussion with La the blah.
Silly scene ... I really think there are very, very few actresses who could have made it cute! And although I didn't particularly care for the scene, I laughed the second time round as well, because San's expressions were just too cute! Shock, horror, dismay, distress at her hiccups all conveyed through her eyes - cheeks bulging with samosa. No wonder Arnav kept staring at her - I think Barun must have been hard put not to laugh. And Daljeet was lucky, she could show her smile!

La plotting to get rid of Khushi ...

Second cute part - Khushi explaines 'live-in' relationship to an appalled Payal ... *rofl* at Payal wondering if Arnav is going to take sanyas!

Back to more sensible Khushi - when Shyam tries to emotionally blackmail her into giving up her job, and she refuses - making the very valid point, that she's not going to get into another debt to repay the first one. And she says it very firmly - that her humiliation and insults mean nothing to her in front of her father. Shyam is silenced ... but what is he going to do?

Precap - seems like La the blah might act unwitting Cupid - she tells Arnav about Khushi's working terms - not to see him! Arnav very pissed!

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31/8 - Epi 65 ... Bro-Sis - nice!

31st Aug

Starts with Anjali missing, and Nani castigates Arnav for being mean to her, especially just before Raksha Bandhan. Anjali is really treated like a doll in the household, no wonder she is such a weak character. She has just never been allowed to grow up. Anyway, Arnav justifies himself by saying he's called Khushi back - doesn't mention the means he used ... much to slimeball Shyam's dismay. Was amusing to see Slimeball make his rapid exit ... wonder how long he will keep getting away with this!
Bell rings - Khushi. Arnav opens the door - she looks at him once, then looks away, refusing to meet his eyes. No self-pity or becharapan in her eyes, though, it's a mix of uncertainty and defiance. You got me between a rock and a hard place, so here I am. And a touch of triumph in the look Arnav gives Naani - see, I knew she would come.
And Khushi refuses to look at him again, or even greet him, she walks past him to greet Nani and the rest with her usual sunny smile - and asks for Anjali. Nani says she's missing, Arnav wants to get the hell out of Khushi's presence, but Nani deals him a side blow by telling him - no, commanding him to take Khushi with him. And when both argue, she explains that Anjali won't come back unless she knows Arnav brought Khushi home. They both have to agree. And Khushi gets her first taste of Arnav the family guy - who can't ride roughshod over his grandmother's orders, and who will do anything for his Di.
Liked the scene as they both walk out together - like a couple, with Nani standing behind them, the aarti thali in her hands. Well, they already have her blessing, for sure. Love this crafty old lady - she's managing things much better now than the earlier blustering, blundering orders which set Arnav's back up immediately!

La the blah ... so blah that even Mami is smarter!

Car scene - short and tense - this couple really has chemistry, even in the smallest of scenes. Subtle touches, the way Arnav notices Khushi being unbelted, he's driving fast, so he orders her to put her seatbelt, and when it gets stuck, he stops the car to belt her up. And as always, he has no hesitation encroaching on her personal space - he does it as though it's his right to get as close to her as he needs to. It's Khushi who feels uncomfortable, aware ...
And when she sees his worry, and tries to say something reassuring, he blasts her again - it's all your fault! And she just stares at him ... and he's forced to remember his own words which drove his Di to tears.
Khushi remembers yet another big aarti which Di might be attending ... so he turns the car without a word ... first time he has ever listened to anything Khushi said?
And of course Anjali is there ... my first reaction when I saw her sobbing like a little girl was laughter - has she been crying the whole night? She's such a baby!
But the bro-sis scene was very sweet - after Arnav runs up to his sis, the little poem, his apology, and the words - don't leave me like our mother did ... those who get lost, never come back ... the CV's keep dropping these little hints, when will they get to the meat of the story?! Then Anjali asks how he found her ... and Arnav remembers that Khushi brought him here. But he doesn't say anything, and Anjali sees Khushi there, and is thrilled. And Arnav turns to see Khushi has witnessed this very vulnerable side of his. But Khushi doesn't say anything, she doesn't claim credit for bringing Arnav here, she just turns away, as though in apology at witnessing their private moment, and Arnav's face softens slightly. Yes, Khushi has come back home. That's what you wanted, isn't it?
Interesting choice of words. Khushi has come back home.
Anjali thrilled, teases that she should do this drama more often. Arnav not amused.
And Khushi has seen the Beast turn human just for a short while.

Shyam angry that Khushi has taken the job at RM. He's in a situation that's getting more and more slippery. This is going to explode soon.

Back to RM, preparing for Rakhee. And Anjali calls Shyam to tell him that Khushi will tie rakhi to him.

One very forgettable sequence of La belittling Raksha bandhan, and Khushi doing a bit of sermonizing ... wish they wouldn't make her into typical SP bahu! :((( Especially when La keeps insulting her again and again ... how come La is so blase about showing her unconcern about her 'training' even in front of Nani?!
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30/8 - EPi 64 ... The Sanaya I love

30th Aug episode

The Sanaya I love is back! Although I love Khushi with her nonstop bak bak and her impish charm, I love the emotional Sanaya more - that's the girl I loved and watched MJHT for. Through most of today's episode, she had not a single word to say - her eyes spoke all through, in the scenes at the RM, and then when ASR comes to her house. And her eyes are sooo eloquent! Her dilemma, her fears, her worries, her internal battle - all reflect in her eyes ... she doesn't need words.

After the rather abrupt end to last night, I thought I would hate ASR today ... but I didn't really. In his dialogues, I saw where he was coming from - finally he had Khushi in front of him, finally she couldn't run away as she had been doing all these days, and he could get his frustration, his gussa, his bhadhaas out ... all his pent up frustrations about how she yelled at him in his own house, how she keeps coming back to haunt him ... every time he looks around, she's there ... yes, his frustration and anger is considerably fuelled by the knowledge of his own weakness, of the fact that only he knows, and no one else, not even his sainted Di, that try as he might, he can't get the dratted girl out of his mind. So it's not only that he's accusing her of popping up in his house every time he looks around, he's also letting loose his frustration that she doesn't leave his mind ... ever!!!

I liked that they kept the family confrontation short - it actually finished within half an episode ;-) and Anjali and Nani told him why Khushi was here ... La, of course, kept silent ... wisely for the first time in her life! And Anjali didn't do too much dialogue-baazi either - just told him bluntly that he had sent Khushi off, most unfairly, and he had to get her back. I think everyone also realised that there was no way Khushi would come back to the house after that barrage, unless assured by the man himself that there would be no more. Anjali's telling off was short and pithy, and the way she refused Arnav's help when she stumbled, not once, but twice, was even more effective, plus locking herself away in her room. CV's have shown the brother-sister bond very effectively, so the fact that Arnav doesn't think twice, but barges out to get Khushi back once his sister has spoken, doesn't come as a surprise at all - it would have been far more of a shock had he not done so! See the wisdom of taking a story slowly and surely and taking time to build up all the relationships.

And oh yes, I was SURE ASR would not apologise! Apologise ... and ASR?!!! No way!So again, glad to see him stay in character for that one ... the way he asked Khushi to come back was another insult ... if it's money you want, here it is! One hates ASR, of course ... the audience is meant to hate him as of now.

And the last scene was very well set up - Khushi's parents' story has been keeping pace all along, now it comes to a head - her mother breaks down as her father is losing his health, his sleep in worry over the shop and everything seems to be crashing down around their heads. Payal also breaks down ... it's left to Khushi to be the strong one, she's there to give them strength, to say that don't worry, we'll do something ... but what?! All roads seem to be closed ... till the door opens.

And for once, ASR actually puts the money on the table ... Khushi has tried everything she could with her head held high, keeping her self-respect intact, but it hasn't worked ... she hasn't got a penny so far with all her efforts. Finally she has to bow down. And I wonder what thoughts go through her mind as she stares at the money - the answer to her prayers, the solution they need ... at the cost of her self-respect, leaving her open to more insult, more humiliation ... but is that the only cost to saving her father's shop? A father who is not her real father, but has given her all the love and feeling of belonging she needed when she was left an orphan? Payal can think about keeping her self-respect, but Payal belongs to the family, Khushi doesn't. She owes them ... owes the parents who took her in when she was all alone in the world ... and if by taking this job, taking the money, and the loss to her self-respect and pride that comes with it, she can repay even a part of that debt, well, that's a small price to pay. So what if it makes him think worse of her. His opinion of her is already rock-bottom, it can't sink any further ... and what does his opinion matter, anyway? She has to save her father's shop. That is what matters.

So although Payal and Buaji urge her to turn down the money, to throw it on his face, Khushi stands quietly, lets ASR leave and then looks at the money again. Payal and Buaji keep urging her ... she barely hears them ... you can see the dilemma, the internal struggle, and then the silent determination as she quietly shuts the door. The road is chosen ... there's no going back.

The interactions in RM will now take on a new hue. She's there, he knows she's there ... will his attitude start changing, now that she's in front of him and not running away? Or will he try to pick holes in her, insult her, humiliate her ... how will she react? And will she slowly start to see a new side of ASR? Finally? The new promo seems to indicate as much.