Showing posts with label The Soap Drama Essentials. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Soap Drama Essentials. Show all posts

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Episode 147 Discussion: 17th Dec 2012

Bamboozled: Man Proposes God Disposes
Episode 147  Discussion: 17th Dec 2012
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3347858
Episode Events 
  • Continuing from Friday, RK is angry and upset that Madhu cannot surrender to him, like he hoped her to do. He doesn't want to stay a minute in that farmhouse as all charm is lost. He drops Madhu at RK Mansion, refusing to listen to the reason for her hesitation in accepting him. As she trips after getting out of the car, RK holds her from falling down in all care. Madhu at this moment realizes how much RK loves her, to the limits...like he hates her like he loves her. Understanding where his hurt is coming from, Madhu resolves that she cannot not let RK lose her; nor she would let herself lose RK.
  • Rads chances upon to see Madhu enter the house and asks all her enquiries of what transpired between Rishbala. Madhu tells partial truth saying all is well and that RK confessed his love for her. Rads is happy and reminds Madhu that she needs to return Rishabh to her. Madhu is apprehensive.
  • Dipali is all upset to find out that RK and Madhu have not split and are still together. 
  • Madhu recalling all that went on in the night, gets scared that probably Trishna's curse has started working on them and hence the misunderstanding between her and RK. She calls her mother Padmini and asks for reassurance that nothing will happen, which her mother gives all in full.
  • Back in studio where RK is supposed to shoot...it is shown that RK is all in his depressed mood. He is drinking whiskey openly, dousing himself in drink, is forgetting his dialogues, sees Madhu everywhere..basically frustrating his crew and his female co-star with his ineffectiveness and waste of time. He is openly talking about Madhu and her deceit (as perceived by RK). Finally in frustration when RK calls pack-up, and as he is walking to his vanity van, he sees Trishna talking to the casting manager. 
  • Sensing disappointment there he butts in trying to find out what's going on. Trishna, in anger blurts out how Padmini and Shamsher no longer live together, how Madhu and Shamsher no longer talk to each other and finally how her career is all destroyed on account of him. In return for all this ruin, she curses him never to have happiness like she cursed Madhu. RK realizes something
Episode Take
What the hell ?????

Can it get any more contrived ? What was the point of creating a misunderstanding for one episode and fretting the viewers for the entire weekend ? 

Dipali creates misunderstanding and Trishna destroys it.

Dipali - Lesson for you --> Man Proposes, God Disposes

Viewers - Lesson for you --> Beggars cannot be choosers

Trishna chooses to curse RK instead of telling him what happened and may be better her chances at getting the acting opportunity

Trishna - Lesson for me - Can't make heads or Tails of you.

Hell!!! Who wrote this Test of Love Track ? Can I take him to the gallows ?

Bamboozled: Man Proposes God Disposes
http://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3349062

Continuing from Friday...after two days of living in pain at shock of rejection felt by RK and consternation felt by Madhu when RK throws  his Test of Love surprise on Madhu. It was a great pain by viewers just like RK and Madhu who were in throes of pain. And who planted the seed of this Test of Love idea in RK's mind. It was Dipali.

As of Friday...everything was like Man proposes. Dipali planning something, RK executing something in hope of achieving something, Madhu wanting to plan something, viewers justifying everything for Rishbala, feeling their pain, having sleepless nights and yet trying to find something positive from the Friday episode. 

Come Monday, for everyone it became God disposes.

Dipali who wanted misunderstanding between RK and Madhubala, ends up misunderstanding herself that everything is hunky dory between them.

RK who immersed himself in pain at his perceived rejection, his test of love, which was more about...no one can love me as he is unlucky to get that...is rudely shaken by Trishna, who rather in acid tone, reprimands RK not to show false concern and that after ruining the Chaudhry-Malik lives and that she curses him just like she curses his wife never to be happy. RK suddenly is jolted out of self-pity to self-defence.

Madhu who recalled her promise to Radhaji to unite Rishabh with her; and withdrew promise of togetherness to wilderness and oblivion; from RK...suddenly finds that it is quite a daunting task to achieve now ...for how can she have her husband united with his mother, when husband showed from every incho of his body, he wants to leave the world along with Madhu. And surprising Madhu is consternated that Radhaji actually is impatient about her getting back her son one fine day with Madhu's help.

Viewers who expected Dipali smirking in sweet victory, had something else planned for them by show creatives and viewers watched the outcome in total daze...asking what the hell just happened ??

I just wonder..how much does Man plan when God has other plans for him.
Must say the compelling toppling of plans for Dipali by Rishbala and for RK by Trishna today. And we the viewers totally left bamboozled by the CVs. 

Responded by colorsluv
Ur last line cracked me up RFOL!! & I agree with u.
The way CV's r planning the show some day they definitely give us heart attack.
I still cant able 2 digest yesterday episode.

Responded by Shahisti
Awesome post.
Well must say CV's has really surprised the viewers, aftre a torturous weekend.
It felt like a relief and just kind of a rest got for our brains after continuously thinking who is wrong, why RK has to take the test when Madhu is upset, Why RK listens to Dipali, Why Madhu didn't say eys first and explain later, Why this why that and so many...

By Pippa
The sudden turnabout that we witnessed last night has to be a first in Indian soap history. The usual thing to do is to stretch it like chewing gum till the viewers can't take it anymore.


As a result, most of the veterans of Indian soaps have become habituated to view a track that will take it's own sweet time to work itself out.



What happened last night to MEIEJ has left all its viewers foxed. I don't know if the route taken by the cvs is a good one or not but I believe they meant to keep us confused. I don't think it's hurry burry on their part...they are up to something and keeping us on our toes is one of them.



There's been a lot of stuff about RK's expression in the precap and as many views about it. I felt that he had a calculating expression as though he was up to something and that what he said to Madhu isn't what he actually meant. Was it a dream or for real?



After thinking about it all, I admit that I like and respect this PH after all. They don't take their viewers for granted and keep throwing googlies at us and keep us guessing. It's even awakened an immune-to-tv-shows individual like me to sit up and take some interest and that happens very rarely!

By soapbubble
I was pretty happy to be bamboozled, as you say. 
If the creative team is talented, confident and willing to be positive on the whole, quite happy to hear the story they have for us, rather than run on ghisa pita tracks and our expectations.

They turned that Dipali thing on its head - let her succeed but she didn't experience the success so same difference! And now they're pitting their lead couple against the world. sounds good to me :)

By Aswathy
Awesome post!Haha!Loved how you connected that proverb to the show's track!..Would love to get bamboozled like this in future too..! 

TRISHNA
Originally posted by Adhyaay-Chapter

My one cent worth. This is in the context of Trishna asking Malik to request RK to resurrect her career (I read some posts about her sudden outburst at RK when she had herself wanted him to give her a role). In my opinion, she did not really mean it. She used that as a ploy to show Malik that Madhu means more to him that she ever did.
Malik had come to her to reason with her about her bitterness towards Madhu. So, she counters him first with "Bhool jaiye jo bhi maine Madhu ke liye kaha. Kya aap RK se baat karke mujhe ek achcha role dilwa sakte hain?" To which his response is one of vacillation..."Main kaise?" That was what she wanted to hear. As far as she is concerned, he is the father who is ready to kill for Madhu, but not even put in a word for her sake.She had proved her to point.
That's what I think. Today's epi was bleh. Less said the better. 

AC,
In Trishna and writer's defence, I had one more thing to say.

I always thought this ...RK after his revenge game ended in his own capacity, he was trying to fix things what he damaged. So he was treating Padmini with respect (no more insulting her for staying with Shamsher), he got the machines for Shamsher and had him treated in express fashion, he started considering  Madhu as his wife. But what about Trishna ? He forgot about Trishna. Then I felt, may be she is so insignificant that RK outrightly helping her will raise brows everywhere as that would be nepotistic favour.

But today, when Trishna lashed out that you destroyed my career, her small or big time skills she had...at least RK got to know that there was this unfinished chapter which he never tended to. So as justice...RK should also rectify whatever bad he may have caused to Trishna.

This I would have given credit, had the misunderstanding been resolved after few episodes and not so soon...or if Dipali based test of love did not happen ...but Trishna's curse would have been part of the storyline as Trishna -RK needed a closure there.




Originally posted by himbin

@dramacrazy12

 Thumbs Up...Well written and so true. Madhu got a complete picture of her husband...his love,his needs and his insecurities...even RK seems to realize that he is being very impulsive with his fear of loosing and they both know who their well wishers are and who are not... Hope they both work things out...once again nice post.Loved reading it...


Dramacrazy,

I agree with Hima. You have written it all nice...the transition to next phase of the Rishbala story.

Passion is again back into Rishbala story. All this days, it was Ishq. Now that RK exposed himself to Madhu, he is now all set on path of self-destruction if any rejection now sets in. He was already suicidal or rather wished for death in Ganesha track. So all these days, he was okay subconsciously as Madhu was taking care of him post his surgery and then he was taking care of her because of Shamsher being the killer drama. Karva Chauth track opened upto acknowledgment of their relationship.

If I forciblly remove from my mind that Dipali ever forced him, then it was his honesty which made him look into his insecurities and check with Madhu in his unconventional style how far she can go with him. Partly he hoped that she would surrender to him, like he was on the verge of doing it. So that confession happened. And it resulted in his surrender, but not her and I felt as if he set himself on self-destructive path.  

I was reminded of his sculpting days and his drinking days where he had today's kind of morbid temper. Just that the creatives needed to justify this by showing to viewers :

1) by showing repeatedly during all these days that he was able to sleep without drinks because, in the night in between he was waking up to see Madhu and then going back to sleep. 

2) They should have shown him waking up to see in apprehension and not in smiling manner...though he could always have smiled when Madhu was looking at him...

And forcibly forgetting that Madhu told what happened to Radunce, I will give credit to Madhu, that she realized before she entered the house, what upset RK and her junooni protection took hold of her.

Was just telling Zoya, at this rate of deterioration or rather erosion of confidence in RK as he opened his heart...We will need Madhu more and more to hug him, hold him in order to show him "touch"...the tangible physical proximity expressed, proven...it would be touch therapy.

Will then VD and DD be okay to do these intimate scenes...well not kisses, hugs should be fine...

yes, Savz, jokes apart, the story just entered ADULT Phase...with depression symptoms, passionate feeling and therefore need for sensual expression, drinking spree etc. Now all TRP giving women may feel afraid and call him psycho or villain like previously.


ETA: Don't they get Cymbalta in India ?

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

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 LOL 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.