Episode 142 Discussion: 10th Dec 2012

Excited Madhu and Spellbound RK

Episode 142  Discussion: 10th Dec 2012

Episode Events

Continuing from Friday...RK and Madhu have an intimate dance over Bahon Ke Darmiyaan song, as the radio plays it. Desire flares especially with RK. He cups Madhu's face to kiss her when he is rudely interrupted by the radio making a noise and stopping the song. Both cut themselves off from their trance and decide to go home. Back home, Rads acts as policewoman trying to find out where was Madhu and why was she unreachable over phone. The questioning leads Madhu and RK to tell that they had dinner outside, Dips who is listening to this conversation is super pissed and is all green in jealousy. Back in their room, Madhu is all happy thinking of the date she had with RK. She is reminiscing it all in enjoyment until she sees RK.  RK diffuses the kissing related awkwardness though a joke of residing ghost "Kanjamma" at Natraj studio. The couple share a laugh/tease. As RK gets up to go to the couch to sleep, Madhu slyly using Big boss dialogues and makes RK sleep on the bed. Before they fall asleep, Madhu asks RK if he can come to her mother's place for luncheon. RK agrees. Morning Madhu gets ready to go to Padmini. RK is watching Madhu getting ready. He looks as of he is completely under a spell. There in chawl, Padmini, Shamsher and Trishna are having a fight..that Padmini should return back to Shamsher's house for MAdhu's sake.

Telly Tadka Review

http://www.tellytadka.net/tellywood-bytes/telly-gossip/telly-review-shows-44/

My take

Excited Madhu and Spellbound RK

Rating: B

The episode was good but had lot of foreboding tension to come. I mean, I have weak heart towards tension. Really...so I had those really tense feelings looking at Dipali...she gave really bad vibes with Jealousy dripping down as if it could never end. She makes me go tremulous. Actually all the women today (Dips, Rads, Madhu, Padmini and Trishna) set me off making me quite nervous and confused. My heart beat went up...

The chawl party

Padmini, Shamsher and Trishna scene, that was blown over the proportions. Two episodes back, Peach was expressing disapprobation on this scene of why the need for Madhu to be overly concerned if Padmini does not stay with Shamsher.  And I said may be, they are thinking like I think of why Padmini had to abandon Shamsher now... But now watching today's scene, with hyper-reactive Padmini, crazed and envious Trishna towards Madhu and Stony Shamsher with those dialogues, made it all forceful and unpleasant to me. Trishna seemed to be determined to ruin planned luncheon for Madhu and her husband. What does it matter if Padmini lives in Shamsher's house or Shamsher's sister's house. Either ways, Padmini has not abandoned Maliks and still is the moocher that she is. So what's the big deal ? And why won't Madhu understand Padmini ? She can very well understand Padmini. It is altogether different if Madhu -the daughter who forgave Shamsher;  thinks Padmini is wrong, but then still Padmini can definitely have independent mind and decide what she can do. Its not that she is Shamsher's wife. Bottomline for me...over the board scene and I got nervous seeing the three people ...with those dialogues. Gave me all vibes of bundle of confusion !

Dips Bhatia

She is one character, that I need not be bothered about. And previously I used to have barf attacks ate her plans and then I got insulated off her acts. But today, the bitch made me writhe. She is trying to be a snake now because I see her arrogance lost...that means her poison has now potent...I shudder.

Rads and her clunky Phone call

Does she need to call Madhu repeatedly when she is with her husband ? How does it even matter to Rads that she is making a call to Madhu ? Whose safety she was bothered about ? Was it OTT or plot clunk devise by the writers to declare it to RK Mansion that RK-MB had a dinner date together ? Do they really have to ruin the evening for husband and wife ? Unless the writers have started tolling bells of alarm for the viewers to get ready with our life jackets, oxygen masks as the RKPlane is witnessing Turbulence !!  Anyways the writers made RK tell the viewers that they were waiting for Madhu and RK to have dinner. Now question, since when it has become customary for Rads and Dips to wait up for RK and Madhu ? Clunk...total clunk.

Rishbala in Studio

The husband and wife or rather the artist-Muse continued their enjoyment into the next act of dancing over a very intimate song. And like actors whose chemistry oozes out when doing such scenes, desire too shows up between the two...more on RK side, but then MB was the one inviting it. She had to withdraw her hands, which was nothing but coyly challenging the man  Well, they tried to be honest with the dancing, but then undercurrent of their passion for each other makes them want to go for greater intimacy until the radio decides to have its presence felt. LOL! Both of them heave a sigh...They didn't show how the car drive was back home. Were they completely tight lipped each looking at the road ahead ? I wonder.

Rishbala in Bedroom

Thank God! RK came back to bed. And they started their antics of looking at each other when the other is not looking. This was natural and endearing to me...as it means each is privately having thoughts about the other ...over all the things that transpired between them. But coming to this point, was excellently done with that "kanjama ki Atma" narration. Hey Guys and Gals, I don't what that it.  Is it a new film ? Or is it a horror show ? Whatever... RK seems to have thought a lot while he was in shower/changing, how to allay the awkwardness and he is successful. He gets to know one more thing about Madhu, that she is afraid of Bhoot. Well the audience already knew that Madhu is afraid of Bhoot-Pischach-Aatma-Pret, as even Shamsher could scare her very recently.

The morning after 

Quickly done scene with all entertaining romantic elements. The wet hair, the slow waking up, the neharofying of Biwi, the Biwi coming and telling husband the day's itinerary with that shooting of the arrow to RK...Tum Dhoka to nahin doge na ? Everything was fine until the foreboding ill word Dhoka...What was that Madhu ? Why that kind of failing premonitions you have ? You say, you love your man, and yet you doubt him ? Fine even if he forgot in the morning, it does not mean that you can use such a big word as "Dhoka", unless you still do not trust him from your heart. So you are only attracted to him and do not yet completely know him and hence your insecurities. RK will definitely think Biwi does not trust him.

And I am having a problem with Madhu's character here. Is it again a clunk device ? That Madhu who believed that RK will come to break her fast on Karva Chauth, how come this Madhu now has doubts if RK will come of not ? Where is that doubt stemming from ? That RK may not like her parents, but then why would you use the word "Dhoka". CVs this is not sitting with me. Whatever you plan to show it to me, I am plain confused. I know Madhu is a muddlehead...but then Madhu is not this kind of Muddlehead. 

RK and Madhu dynamics

In all of this they made RK again the inscrutable guy, just absorbing and acting on as led by Madhu. As usual, like since the beginning of the story, RK was only responding to Madhu...at studio, at Rads questioning and Madhu's answers, rescuing her, in bedroom, dispersing Madhu's awkwardness/happy stares at him, and finally in the morning again clock-set by Madhu and her POA. He will need to see things to his brim and then he will act...until that bhaiyon aur behno; RK will rest until anyone of these women upset his equilibrium. 

Madhu's invitation to RK at her Mom's place for Luncheon and how important the dinner at Maayka was for Madhu. 

Madhu was prepared to confess her love for RK without going to Padmini with her love letter. So basically she need not wait for Padmini's approval. Padmini already approved RK for Madhu 1) at the hospital and 2) when she asked Madhu to take it NEXT level- as in Full marriage...as in physical intimacy.

So Madhu's action of taking RK to Padmini's place was actually showing off to her Mom, that, "yes I am taking it to the next level...and its not just me, a self deluding fool I felt over last few days, its RK also since ...he was almost kissing me..."

So I understand Madhu's attaching importance...but seldom you need to show off. But then Madhu is a GIRL...A HAPPY INNOCENT GIRL...she wanted to show off first thing in the morning to her mother...she is like this baby who needs to share her happiness with someone...like kids share their story or show off their achievement, or show off their prize. So RK is that trophy, achievement etc. I mean I get all that seriousness. That's why I am cursing the CVs, that they did not let me enjoy the romance for one even one day and they jump into next track. The beautiful morning between the couple marred by a foreboding. Its heavy feeling. 

The CVs need to learn to keep the mood undisturbed if they really need good TRPs and storytelling. Else...LUTF nahin milega...Moms are actually smarter...TV dekhte dekhte uth jaayege, aise scenes itne jaldi daal denge to. I guess...the CVs are running on a timeline to have a particular episode aired before TRP measuring starts from Dec 16th. Hence the race against time...

RK's response to Madhu's luncheon Invitation

And re Dhoka, focussing on RK's face due to absence of dialogues, I saw a registering face at apprehensive Madhu. I forgive Madhu's use of the word "Dhoka". I guess even RK let it go on that strong word as he is clearly under Madhu's spell and charm and himself dazed at his own actions. Once he is out of Madhu spell, his reaction and take will be different. I guess Madhu referred to Dhoka about this unpredictable character of RK, but then I am really intrigued when did Madhu know her husband under spell and no spell. Definitely there is story writers clunk coming up. They needed to build up angst and used a certain word. There is no reason to explain that.

On a serious note of advise for girls like Madhu who have husbands like RK, it is better not to use heavy words, because people like RK being more logically resolved in their fight to be perfect, they take everything seriously. So better Madhu reign RK tightly without using strong words that can set off RK on the path of mental debate.

Anyways, ignoring everything without the dialogues and just watching RK under spell  was endearing. Clearly Madhu was out of her spell. Watching her was like...wow he had made his move !!! She was so excited at that. I am gonna add my title now, as I got it now...It is ...Excited Madhu and Spell-bound RK

The best dialogue today was when he shuts her up saying...either you talk or I talk. Who is gonna listen if both talk and we need to call Bittuji for audience. 

Others Take

By AreYaar

Lovelyyy episode today :-)

The Baahon ke darmiyaan sequence was done very well...the choreographer of this show always does a good job and captures the mood of every song beautifully...today that mood was captured just right...the burgeoning feelings b/w them, the tenderness in the song even as there is passion...and then ofcourse the radio going poof to break the moment...lol

What particularly struck me about this epi was how well they showed the changes in RK...starting from the dance sequence where he is so obviously drawn to Madhu and would have kissed her if not for the interruption...that is how carried away he is becoming...and this was followed up later on in the bedroom scene at night as well after his little bhoot joke when Madhu sort of turns the tables on him and uses the Big Boss line to make him stay on the bed...and he gives in...even though he was about to leave the bed for that very awareness that is becoming stronger by the minute and he is still trying to avoid in some ways...but for her sake, he gave in and stayed on the bed...couldn't say no...and I also liked that touch of him sneaking a glance at her and then pretending to sleep when she turns to look back...

The ending scene again reinforces how much RK is drawn to her...watching her getting ready in the morning, and there is something different in his voice too...throughout the episode, there were noticeable changes in the tenor of his voice...especially the last scene where he isn't as sarcastic to her as he usually is...and the way he watches her now signifies a kind of shift too. 

All in all I quite liked how the developments were handled today...everything from the romantic moments to the bantering moments in the bedroom...it's quite ironic that Madhu seems MORE comfortable with him after the near miss kiss than she was post the Pareshaan realization with her all frazzled and awkward around him...lol

The Soap Mechanics that drive the Drama

By Bhakti and Myself

Originally posted by bhakti2

SD - so relieved to read your take.  I agreed with its every single point. 

 I know it makes me sound as though I must not be of flesh-and-blood, but the romance is the least motivating for me in this story. I don't mean that i don't think it is nice - what girl does not like romance? But this particular jodi is so psychologically twisty that I don't think the typical formulae sit well on them.

Like you, I am just confused.  What was with all the OTT drama livening up the chawl at, like...seven A.M.? (Where, of course, everyone is already perfectly dressed, each in their same thing that they have been wearing for the past two months as, I guess, all dhobiwallas have been having some lengthy mela somewhere and can't be bothered.) Could Padmini and Trishna have shouted any louder or more illogically? Now the whole chawl can start rendering opinions, curtain to curtain, as there is no one left there who doesn't know the whole story except the stone deaf.

And, like you, I could not really relax to the romance in the episode as the crescendoing brass section of foreboding was really starting to play in earnest. "You will come, won't you RK?  Dhoka na denge?" Haii Madhu, where did that even come from?  And join that sort of pati-doubting weirdness with Deepali's scheming face of certain doom (and dhoom) and the CV's penchant for twisting the track to the point of impassibility - and you have the anxious dhak dhak dhak of the budding love story about to go all kinds of wrong.

Also, I loved your point about RK's seeming passivity.  I have been wondering about this facet of the character for weeks, now. He is a giant superstar, a wounded child, a psychological textbook case - yet the CV's have not shown these themes to be galvanising. I do see that they have used his woundedness to explain his guarded heart - a very sensible thing.  But we see very little of his active decision making process. it takes him a long time to make up his mind to things - how long has he dwelt in the limbo of his home with those around him plotting and scheming each moment? Have things always been that bad and, if so, is losing his faith in humanity the best course of action he could come up with?  He lives in Mumbai...there are thousands of luxury flats he could choose from!  Perhaps Madhu will be his activating force - at the very least she has gotten him to come back to bed.

Well...anxious to read all the analyses that come in here - it is always such a pleasure! Just, for myself, leaning a little bit away from the swooning and more toward the "if something seems too good to be true...it probably is..."  Picture abhi bhaki hai, mere dost...waiting and watching!

Bhakti,

Loved your sarcasm ! especially the 7:00 AM and Dhobi part. LOL Me too. Yaar, I couldn't even become sarcastic, ek dum chuhiya ban gayi...un saari aurton ko dekh ke. 

My heart actually started palpitating when I saw Padmini and her OTT "MALIKKK...like Grrr" and Trishna like some bomb coming all charged up.

Dipali ke looks...tauba tauba...yaad na dilaana. 

And really...Madhu "Dhoka" ??? Yaar this girl always confuses me, especially when CVs start building new tracks and obviously she always is the driver of the drama, because it isMadhubala Ek Ishq Ek Junoon.  No person would actually no matter how much insecure they are, shall use the word "Dhoka" until and unless one is out and out negative or pessimistic person...and that too she said she believed that RK will come to break her fast. Madhu is a Haulon waali girl, psychologically they cannot let her use such words. They could have just made her say...Aa jaaohe na ...with doubt. That would have been more than enough for now... Anyways when did he even ditch her before that her SHAK started...Sigh!!

About the passivity of RK ...Bhakti, do you actually realize that infact this guy is the sole driver of this Indian soap where TRPs are driven by women. The CVs cannot forget TRP generating women and their requirements. Men's actions would not even be understood by these women. Trust me. Look at me today, how I palpitated. Men would actually feel something amiss and just get up from there. Once we were watching an Indian soap. So we were not giving remote to brother for that particular slot. So he got habituated for few days to sit with us waiting for his baari. As long as drama was entertaining he was okay. Then one day twists came...and all of sudden due to all round confusion, he went ballistic and yelled ...what's going on ? You made me a serial watcher...and he started wrestling for the remote. LOL!  Anyways, times are changing with atleast men getting meatier roles in Indian soaps unlike Ektaamma's soaps where men only get to commit second marriages or some other kind of ugly drama. So this RK atleast after lot of passivity, starts doing something.  Madhu will never let him leave RK Mansion. Nahin to Soap drama khatam ho jaayega. Big Sigh!!!! We are never actually going to see actual Production related info from the soap, one of the reason why one of my male friend stopped watching MEIEJ. He wanted to know behind the camera action in literal sense, as in what goes on with scripting, casting, shooting, the crew problems, the dynamics between cast & crew...but then this became a regular drama.

Originally posted by Bhakti2

Aaaugh - right before I post comment I just want to apologise to SD and everyone else here for taking up this much space because I am a stupid luddite who cannot for the life of me figure out how to cut and paste pieces of the desired quotation!  I keep trying and failing miserably.  If someone wishes to take pity upon me and explain I will be so grateful and together we will all save millions of cyber-trees. 

But meanwhile, SD, I see afresh what you are saying; I hadn't really thought about the "genderedness" of TRPs or the way characters would accordingly be written. Think of the mobius strip of it - here we have a male character who must be written to female tastes (making him behave in accordance with female fantasies but not with reality) but still resonate somewhat believably as male (although not like any male I've ever met, i.e. re his passivity). So are what we have here just really two sides of the female fantasy coin?  The perfect male and the perfectly reflected object of his gaze?  

Khair - your comment did make me wonder about myself - ki what is wrong with me that, even being quite the girl, I am thinking the same as your brother and your male friend who was frustrated with the lack of off-screen materials. It is hard for me to detach that portion of thought when I watch.  

So...not only am I a fail as a computer user, I am a fail of a female too!  Haiii...maybe it's time I fell upon an ice dagger and give the forum that much of relief!

Originally posted by 0-SD-0

Bhakti,

If FQ was here, she would have enjoyed your post. LOL!!!

Yaar, kya mast likha hai. There was a time, I used to think, may be I am not the female,  Upar se aur ghussa aata tha, jab jo ladka paas aata tha, apne gyan se usko door bhagana ho jata tha  I still feel sometimes, that I am this Trishanku, an idhar ki na udhar ki. Keep flitting between male and female worlds.

Last two para's are hilarious.

But the one above it JUST BRILLIANT. Yes exactly. That's what the reality it is "So are what we have here just really two sides of the female fantasy coin?  The perfect male and the perfectly reflected object of his gaze?  "

What we can do at best to keep our feet grounded is to read about real life men when we happen to start liking a character.  Btw, I was just talking to Zoya and I mentioned North and South. Did you read that ? Gaskell being a woman herself wrote the character of her hero quite convincingly as she was writing after real life experience of living in the cotton districts and watching the workers and their masters. So as long as writers research their subject, not a problem which gender writers. Problem is when the writers audience decides bulk of his creation. That's where artist's creativity is compromised.