Saala nautanki ghadi ghadi drama karta hai, Raghav felt that about Mandaar and so did we all. đ
This episode laid the foundation for the next track and the beginning of a new journey for Raghav. We have seen him as a brother, a son, and a husband, but now we will see him transition to being a son-in-law who is accepted by (most of) the Ds and then eventually a son of the Deshmukhs. There were too many in-you-face dialogues or shots telling us that. Don't judge me for this but Sai looked extra handsome in the episode, especially with his hairstyle today, so that kept distracting me a bit. đ
I'm sure I'm not the only one who had wanted a continuation of the phone call yesterday to see Pallavi's reaction on hearing about Ayi and Raghav supporting her. I guess they wanted to do that in the hospital so I'll let that slide. The opening shot was of Pallavi and Raghav rushing into the hospital to find out what happened. Almost all the Deshmukhs were there but Pallavi instinctively ran to her biggest ally there, Kaka, who was besides himself with the worry and shock of what had happened. The sight of Ayi lying on the ground in a pool of blood was still too horrific for Milind to describe. Props to the actor for the way he portrayed this and was holding his head, unable to continue his description. Pallavi's immediate response about Ayi never going to the terrace showed how well she knew her habits. I think she was still quite coherent because she still hadn't yet seen Ayi's condition at that point.
As the Ds were franctic, Raghav looked around and asked the practical question: What did the doctor say? This pretty much set the tone for the version of Raghav we're going to be seeing for a while, practical, looking at the big picture, trying to remain calm and not letting his feelings get in the way.
Pallavi didn't waste a moment before going to console Sanki, and you could already see the sympathy for him in Raghav's eyes too, no matter how nasty their past encounters had been. This is the man who had put a barrier between him and his wife, but Raghav didn't once focus on this. This is what insaaniyat and farz actually means. Besides, Raghav's main concern was Ayi's condition. He also immediately looked around for Mandaar, who was back home pretending to have fainted, and being babysat by Mansi. (I am guessing RaghVi will put these pieces together later since they are now Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. đ) Mandaar continued faking concern for Ayi and of course Mansi was fooled too. This guy is a master manipulator, and the way he behaved throughout the episode made it clear that he's been like this for a long long time, it's intrinsic, not something he just picked up recently. đ˛
Loved the part where the doctor was talking about the surgery being expensive, the Ds at a loss because they didn't have medical insurance for Sharda. In stepped Raghav Rao with Excuse me, woh mera Ayi hai. Tum paison ka tension mat lo, surgery pe focus karo. Unka ilaaj mein koi kami nahin hona chahiye.
I doubt there are any viewers who wouldn't have expected him to say and do exactly that. I really loved the way he said it so casually, like it was a no brainer. Raghav never pretends when it comes to his affections so you could tell this came straight from his heart, it was genuinely how he felt about Ayi, not out of obligation or just because she was his mother-in-law, but because he sincerely respected her and cared for her. It really gave me the feels today. Thank you CVs! â¤ď¸
It also earned him much gratitude from Pallavi and you could see her falling a little more in love with him in that very moment and Kaka's 'of course Raghav would do this' look. In the past, Pallavi would have had to scramble to find a solution to this but Raghav effortlessly took the problem out of her hands so that she could focus on what was most important.
Of course, Sanki being Sanki didn't waste a second before saying he would return all of Raghav's money soon, much to the dismay of everyone around. Raghav started to object in annoyance but let it go because this was not the time and place. I loved how he immediately went to contact Farhad, his trusted right hand and brother. How I missed the duo!
The last time all the Ds and Raghav and Farhad were at the hospital, their circumstances were very different. Farhad had gone up to Sanki to ask him if he needed any help, only to be rewarded with a slap and a warning to stay away. This had then been followed by one of my all-time favorite moments in the show when Raghav had launched himself at Sanki, grabbed him by the collar and threatened him. How things have changed! đ This time, Farhad was still helping his Anna and you could see from the stress on his face that he was just as worried for Ayi as a family member would, because of who she is to his bhabi and now to his Anna too. The same concern was on Jaya's face too.
Of course, Keerti didn't spare a moment before accusing Pallavi of being a gold digger and saying that her brother was blind in his love for Pallavi. This time she accused the entire D-fam of being greedy, and I wanted to smack her on the face. She had known the family for over two years but very conveniently labeled them as gold-diggers, that too at such a difficult time in their lives. They have really taken her character to an extreme selfish and heartless state.
While Farhad stood there annoyed while in a hurry to take the money to his Anna, I loved how Jaya mirrored Raghav's cool-headed pragmatism and sent him off to the hospital immediately. She also had a few choice words of warning to Keerti to get back on the right path and made a pot calling the kettle black reference that wasn't lost on anyone. I love Amma being savage this way!
Meanwhile, Mandaar continued with his crocodile tears as he tried to explain what had happened when he had seen Ayi in that condition and blacked out. Disgusting man, taking even more sympathy from his already distraught father. Anyway, this was followed by a cheap move from Mandaar to fake his gratitude towards Raghav, who wasn't buying any of it but didn't want to create a scene there.
Loved Raghav's It's ok, woh mera bhi Ayi hai. Paison ka tension mat lo, and in my mind I was thinking he should have said Woh mera hi Ayi hai, tera nahin. I guess he will do that one day if not through words then through actions. The more I think about it, the more I want Raghav to stand between Mandaar and Ayi eventually so that he can protect her from her son's evil plans and be there for her the way a son should, the way her son should.
Mandaar sitting at his feet had both Pallavi and Raghav squirming and reminded me of the scene where Sanki had also held on to Raghav's leg when asking for Pallavi to go to the Ds for Mandaar. If Mandaar could, he would have smashed Raghav's leg and Raghav in turn would have smashed his face. đ
Pallavi voiced her suspicions that things seemed really weird but I'm glad she shared them with Raghav, who as always said, let's ask Ayi what happened. Mansi was too happy to realize that Mandaar's response to the news of Ayi's surgery being successful was far from enthusiastic. She chalked it up to his tension. After a long time we saw Mansi being chirpy and cordial with Pallavi. I guess despite their differences as a family, they all came together because of Ayi. She is their rock who doesn't get valued for what she means to the family. đĄ
If throwing Ayi off the terrace was evil, then trying to smother her with a pillow was really cold-blooded. Mandaar is extremely dangerous and the ease with which he was doing all that didn't seem like he was new to all this. Raghav and Pallavi seeing him in the room with Ayi and getting suspicious might be for flashbacks or to help them connect the dots later. I know the CVs were trying to show them as hyper alert but after the last few weeks of seeing them miss the obvious, this felt out of place. Never mind, we know from offscreen info that there has been a deliberate change in direction in this track so this was just a symptom of that.
I liked how Raghav knew to give Pallavi some privacy with Ayi but didn't want to leave Mandaar alone in the room with her. Even though he didn't suspect him then, his instincts told him to take Mandaar out of the room so as 'not to disturb Ayi'. It was tough for Pallavi (and for me) to see Ayi in that condition. The woman who had been her strength was now lying there all limp and weak. I am looking forward to seeing her get the care and affection she needs in order to recover from the mental trauma accompanying her physical injuries.
The way Pallavi emerged from the room telling everyone that Ayi was regaining consciousness and looked at Mandaar made me wonder if she already knew he was responsible, but maybe it was just to show Mandaar's brain working overtime. I was wondering if she had already talked to Sharda about what had happened but it wasn't really clear.
With all the Ds in the room, the focus was on Sanki sitting by his wife, saying he didn't want to let her go. This is the first time in ages that we'd seen so much care and concern from Sanki for her. He indirectly referred to their long marriage which was now on the rocks because of their constant fights over their children. I don't think he realized even then that his toxic behavior goes way beyond that and has made Sharda very unhappy over the years. I don't think he still got what was wrong in their marriage so in that moment he picked out a simple reason for their fights that he wanted to throw away so that they could be closer. However, Sanki really needed this wake up call to make him understand his priorities in life and put aside his anger and ego for a little while.
I don't know if this symbolism was intended but Raghav was standing by the foot of the bed in that entire scene, holding on to the frame. Initially, he was smiling at Ayi, while Mandaar stood in the background, as if to show his future prominence in her life over Mandaar's. I can imagine at one point Mandaar's frustrations will turn to jealousy about Raghav taking his place as Ayi's son.
When Ayi had her palpitations on seeing Mandaar, I loved the way Raghav was gripping the bed frame out of concern but also physically being a barrier between Mandaar and Ayi, while standing next to Sanki. Also his little tap on Milind's arm as he rushed to get the doctor was a great addition to the scene that meant so much! Raghav was on their team!
I saw Raghav's position as him blocking Mandaar's evil intentions from further harming Ayi, and I am sure he will continue to do so in future. He will also be supportive of Sanki while Sharda recovers. You could see this by the way he put an arm around Sanki without even thinking about it. I loved that little touch as well, great body language by both actors.
Props to Asmita ji for the way she portrayed her panic and palpitations, as well her being paralyzed. I'm wondering if she genuinely is or if she is playing a part just to throw Mandaar off. I hope she recovers soon. A lioness like her all limp in bed in a hard sight to see.
I was cringing the whole time Milind asked Mandaar to be strong for his father's sake because he had no clue that his nephew was so evil that he'd single-handedly destroy their family. Tumhe himmat rakhni hogi! Milind you have no idea how much himmat your nephew has. đOnce again, credit to Ashok for portraying so many emotions during his scenes. He's a fantastic actor. đ
Pallavi walked out of Ayi's room and sat on the sofa in distress as she told Raghav what Ayi meant to her, how she was her superhero and shield. Well, guess what Pallavi? The man sitting next to you consoling you and offering you his support is also your superhero and shield as well as Ayi's. He will never be able to replace Ayi but as her rightful son (yes, I strongly believe even more than before that he is so) he will protect you the way she would have wanted to. I loved the dialogue about superheroes sometimes falling weak but never giving up. It was meant for both Ayi and Pallavi. Raghav was of course reassuring her he'd do whatever he could to help Ayi recover and would always be by her side. Thanks CVs for the in-your-face message about RaghVi being together. Hum dono apna Ayi ko dobara zaroor khada karenge. đ
I loved loved loved how Raghav was explaining to Pallavi how Ayi must feel restless and helpless in her current state, being unable to communicate. He understands Ayi so well and his dialogues gave me hope that we will get to see them bond slowly. In all this, he didn't forget to remind Pallavi to eat to keep her strength. I also loved hearing Raghav casually mention that he'd already arranged for Sanki's food to be sent to the room. He had thought of everything so that Pallavi didn't have to. What a change from how she'd had to scramble in the initial days of the show when she was burdened with all the problems in the world! She now truly had a life partner to share her burdens. The two of them walking hand in hand to the cafeteria didn't go well with Mandaar. As sick as he is, I was impressed that he hadn't deviated from his mission Pallavi ko haasil karo. I am just wondering, after such a display of solidarity how RaghVi will convince everyone they are getting divorced, that too on the same day as this? I am actually hoping Mandaar will remember this moment and suspect them of acting, and play his countermoves. I'd love to see a cat and mouse game. I hope Pallavi remembers that the mention of Mandaar is what upset Sharda and is mindful of it.
I am assuming there will be flashbacks of her past moments with Ayi but I want her to share these with Raghav so he can better understand her. I also hope the wedding night appears in flashbacks because I'm curious to see the sequence of events that night. That mystery needs to be solved and I guess they might bring back Ved for it.
I'm not going to bother talking much about the precap except what has already been said about Raghav sounding silly saying RaghVi, and Pallavi sounding like an EK show bahu making vows in front of God to punish someone or take revenge.
The highlights in the episode for me were all the verbal and non-verbal cues about Raghav starting to get closer to the Ds for genuine reasons. Pallavi ne bahu se beti tak ka safar taye kiya tha, and I guess Raghav ab damaad se bete tak ka safar taye karega. It remains to be seen whether Sanki ever fully accepts him, but his behavior in the coming weeks ought to change Sanki's impression of Raghav. Also, when Mandaar's true face is revealed that family is going to be completely shattered, and Raghav has to be there for them.
PS I haven't had the time to proofread this so please excuse any errors.
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