Spice Girls Hangout: Team Arhi & Team SG!!

SG's - My take on today's episode- a very romantic love story with a Heer-Ranja like feel...Beautiful emotions from both Khushi and Arnav. Their new journey has begun, fraught with danger but yet they enjoy simple pleasures of just being with each other.

She has lost him way too many times…. This time she wouldn't let him go… She is almost scared she will never find this new Arnav , one who loves her, one who cares for her and respects her…..Her prince…

Now he understands her fear and her feelings, he assures her….The countdown was beautifully done, she has full faith that he won't break her trust this time….A big step in their relationship…She nervously calls out and he doesn't fail her this time….😳

Her first gift since the wedding was a beautiful firefly…One that gives light and hope.The hope to start a new life together come what may…😍

He gives her a beautiful gift that brings a smile on her face which just brightens him up. A guy who just learned to smile again hasn't stopped smiling since the reunion….He smiled when she said she was missing his daant, when he hugged her with the kidnappers on their trail and he smiles again…..He sees his happiness in her…..😳

Now he sees her as the simple girl, no gold digger….She was enjoying a simple gesture from him, something that came straight from the heart. He cared enough to trap a firefly in a matka coz he knew she was scared of the dark….He was disappointed that the firefly took off but she assures him, that she isn't scared anymore. He is her strength and she is his…..He will protect her and he did…..😍

He wants to know how she found out and this time she tells him….He tries to explain but she doesn't let him….In the past, she expected an explanation and he would be defensive but this time she knows it came from within….They are now in sync, understand each other without having to say ILU. He gulps when he sees her shadow, but he checks himself; turns of the lantern. Desire is on his mind but he respects her, he turns away ….Beautifully done….👏

When a shy, uncomfortable Khushi approaches, he cannot contain anymore…. But a nervous Khushi isn't ready for intimacy to this level. Very beautifully portrayed, she is the traditional girl….She loves him but yet she has her reservations. The 6 month contract probably heavy on her mind.

But she doesn't object coz she has accepted him as her husband…..😳

The peace was short lived; she begs him. They will run again. A naive Khushi believes they can conquer the world together but he is the realist….

Kyun dard hai itnaaa tere ishq mein...As he laid her against the hay…😭

I didn't like the way it was executed. Hitting her wasn't the only option. He could have simply dropped the kasam bomb and Khushi would succumb coz he means the world to her & she wouldn't say a word against his wish…But I think they chose drama for maximum effect….A Tragic turn of events is more gripping…..

Having said that, Arnav's thought behind it was beautiful...👏

Unhe mujhse matlab hai Khushi...agar meri wajah se tumhe kuch hogaya toh...

It was an unconventional hate filled wedding, no pheras around the Agni. There were no saath vacchans that bind you for life. She was expected to leave in 6 months. The journey since then has been long and arduous but he today fulfilled his role as a husband. To love, to respect and prevent any harm from coming to her. Her honor was his honor….

It was almost tragic, like Heer-Ranjha...

This was about sacrifice. A ruthless man who married her for revenge, never belived in love has now put his life on the line to keep her safe.

Today he made a statement – like the husband utters in the saath vacchans – we are one, we are now husband and wife. He will cherish her forever…..❤️

She wasn't far behind, she as his wife stood by her vacchan – to always be by his side as his strength, his sorrow is hers now and so is his happiness. She gave him the strength to do what is right. She is his Ardhangini….❤️

The Maha Milan was complete, of mind and soul….A Beautiful union…..

Even though I lost the bet, I won't deny I did love the episode though I'm surprised at the pace it moved wasn't expecting things to move so fast. The opening with Khushi being scared of darkness and Arnav getting the firefly so sweet!!

Hi Jamba and SG's,

Great post Jamba! Loved it🤗

Loved the episode today, despite the BD's, the shoddy editing, the not so perfect direction, despite all the negatives; I genuinely liked it today. The episode was defined by a number of beautiful moments showcasing true love, passion and sacrifice and they were wonderful.

I loved the smile on Arnav's face when he sees Khushi's face light up on seeing the firefly. His slight smile when he tells her to close her eyes and count to 10. The trust and child-like innocence with which she listens to him and follows his instructions was beautiful. When she tenderly cleans his would and he gently caresses her face only to move his hand away on noticing the torn blouse😍.

She honestly answers his question on how she knew he was in trouble. The truth out in the open and he does not make excuses or deny it. Loved how he could not stop looking at her while she was changing. He tries to distract himself but is unable to overpower the urge to keep looking and to touch her. Her trademark moving back while he moves forward, him cornering her, her shyness, his persistence and not sure if there was a slight kiss on the neck, but what the hell it was all pent up emotions being displayed and I loved it!

The picking her up and laying her down, the playing with her blouse dori all showed how much Arnav really wants and needs her. I'm not sure why they edited out Khushi's hyperventilating and replaced it with expressions I could not quite get😕.

The most defining moment had to be the one where he realizes that the goons are out and they have been cornered. Glad he says that they have guns and he does not know how many are out there so they cannot take a risk. What a twist: he realizes she is stubborn and will not back down, not let him risk his life alone, so he leans in, hugs her, apologizes, hits her on the head, lays her down and gently kisses her. This is the same guy who cannot stand to see a scratch on her or her any kind of pain and today to protect her he hurts her and endangers himself to keep her save. How true is his love; he did not once think of himself or his Di; saving his Khushi was what mattered the most and he did what he thought was necessary at the moment. I was really surprised at the knock on the head, but he had no choice given the circumstances.

I am also thrilled that they show Khushi realizing that he gave himself up to protect her; she needs to know that he really unconditionally loves her more than anything else in this world. It will give her the strength to find him again and bring him back, this time for good. This time her search will in some way lead to a confrontation with Shyam where Arnav will witness her truth revelation and her innocence will be proved.

Since Priya confirmed on Friday that Barun will be back to IPK for the most part by June 10^th, I don't think this re-kidnapping will be stretched for long. Also what is with the forum and their aversion to BD's. Yes it takes away from the scene a little but some of the posts made me feel some people are more interested in seeing Barun make out with Sanaya than some intimate moments between Arhi.

Originally posted by: --docgirl--

Pyaar Bhara Rabba Ve, Masala Ladkis! Today was a first for me. I was on IF during the workday soon after the epi to check the fate of the sharth. Usually I only check on IF after I get home. It is my way of trying not to do ramanchi with my job. If I lose focus and make mistakes, very bad things can happen. Par, iss obsession ko kya naam doon? 😉

Aww….. Jamba, aaj Take 5 ne rula diya! 😭 The SG hangout is a virtual home (pun intended!). Jamba's post makes me want to give each of you a real hug, but perhaps it is fitting given the leitmotif of the show we love --- you get ALMOST hugs, cyber hugs 🤗🤗🤗

Fun, fun weekend with the Sharth. Chini_Chokri and team, hum aapke dard mein shaamil hain. Jeetne ka ahsaas bilkul nahin hai. At the end of the day for all the competitiveness and ribbing, we're all first and last Team ArHi. That said, nice job to my team. 👍🏼. veeps stood by the goons interruption on the intimate scene, Diya called the Arnav response to Khushi closing her eyes and counting down – he will not her down, he comes back with a beautiful gift and points her to the clothes.

Today's much anticipated epi was mixed for me. It had some beautiful moments

- Counting to 10 with eyes closed: Fledgling trust …. Given easily, freely , it was taken and cherished with gratitude and respect. And they didn't even need words. ❤️

- The firefly scene: She dreamt of pearls, he gave her a firefly, knowing how much the dark scares her. Her delight, his delight in her delight – lovely! Khushi and Arnav's faces with the glow of love. Terrific camera work……. 👏

- The Florence Nightingale Scene: Mohabbat, Tadap. That there were BDs didn't matter a whit!

- The "almost" discussion of Arnav's ILU: Hinted at, acknowledged and understood by both. Again no words needed.

- Watching her dress behind the red pardah…….. that was smokin'! I felt like a voyeur, so real did it feel.

- Stalking her, caging her against the wall --- again heat!

- The make out session on the haystack (that we've watched many times on SBB) --- still serious heat!!

For all that, I have 2 rants and I'll lead her with the lesser of the two:

BDs: Yes that dreaded acronym. I'm perfectly pragmatic about their use. There is a good way and a bad way to use them. Long shots like the running scenes, the thorn scene from Friday, the Florence Nightingale one from today --- all good. The neck (or whatever body part!) air kiss and the forehead or whatever kiss – BAD. I don't think you can film physical intensity with BDs. The camera angles are severely limited, the cut and paste job shows and it ends up being a W*F.😡

More importantly, the USP of this show is the ArHi chemistry. Some of that is in the writing, but a lot of it is about the actors finding a comfort zone, an ease with other which comes of knowing each others rhythm, the nuances of each other's craft. It is that ability to play off each other --- action/reaction--- that produces magic. The Diwali almost kiss had magic. The hugs from Friday had magic.

I honestly believe that they didn't need that neck or forehead kiss. They could have cut from the caging against the wall (by BDs!), to him picking her up and carrying her to the haystack. Bypass that awful neck kiss. Similarly he could have taken the BDs hand and placed a passionate kiss on her palm. So much easier to film than the forehead kiss with BDs. Just contrast this with that other forehead kiss with the sindhoor – Night and day!

My most important rant is about the message this show has consistently been sending. Yes, yes this is entertainment and not about sending messages. BUT by the creative choices the show makes, it DOES send a message. It troubles me is that Arnav hurting Khushi physically, but suffering greater emotional hurt himself is the most important interpretation of love in this show. Today she accepted that she was bopped on the head in order for him to put his life on the line and save hers. SATYANASH! What sort of twisted love is this? I shudder that impressionable kids or gownups (for that matter) are taking their cues about love from this. On this premise, physical abuse/domestic abuse is way too easy to justify!

It IS a matter of creative choices --- why OH why couldn't we get that well-worn BW trope of pyaar ka vaasta or any other of the emotional blackmail tricks we've fallen for a billion times. Khushi is now putty in Arnav's hands, if he raises the M word (marriage, mohabbat take your pick!) she will capitulate. He can still do his Sydney Carton thing.

O well, safe to say: goodbye happy cloud, welcome back depressed doc. 🤢

Originally posted by: -Jamba-

For those expecting the usual Take 5 - please skip this post. For everyone else, here goes nothing.

Today - I won a bet.

1. It wasn't a bet I wanted to win, or one (to be really honest) I even thought we'd win. After all - this show is different, and Arnav and Khushi have never done the expected from that long ago day in June last year when they first slammed into each other's worlds.

But I get it, TRP Maiiya is breathing down the CV's necks and the lead is away, so they have to make the best of what they get.

If Team Almost had lost - my penalty would have been to refrain from all snarkiness for a day. Since I don't feel like we won, I'm going to use Veeps' brilliant line about defeat in victory and pay up anyway.

2. It starts with using this post for something entirely different today and talk about a journey. Just 7 months ago, if someone had suggested that I'd be hooked to a Hindi soap to the extent that I'd be spamming a daily message board on it - I'd have politely suggested they enrol for preferential treatment at the nearest asylum. 😉

Then IPK happened to me in December, and there was no looking back.

But the soap is just a part of it. The compelling reason that draws us back everyday is this crazy group of females called the Spice Girls.

3. When did this happen? When did we go from the occasional comment praising someone's review - to posting long treatises and checking updates on phones first thing in the morning and last thing at night? When did this disparate group of women of all ages - drawn together by their love of a show, become a close knit community?

For months now - we gather day after day after day to praise the good, bash the bad, and scorn the outright ridiculous. Somewhere during all that kibitzing - we learn about each other and manage to have loads of fun as well.

We send cyber hugs when someone is down or sick, we share the joy when someone has a major achievement, we welcome newbies and then proceed to haze them, and we're well acquainted what each other's likes and dislikes.

Yet - we've never met each other and almost certainly never will.

4. I thought of highlighting the regulars who've become near and dear to me over the weeks, but am almost certainly going to forget someone and cause offense. 😳

So will restrict myself to doing a special shout out to Sari - who opens the hangout everyday - who pours her heart and soul into each review - and who always manages to find a nugget of hope no matter how crappy the episode. If dreamers need realists, us bashers and pessimists need them too, to pull us out of whatever sulk we're dug into for the day. Sari - a special🤗 to you!

5. In closing, we may miss an episode and go "meh" - but we wouldn't dream of missing the hangout, deadlines and commitments be damned. So SG's, occasional visitors who stop by and comment, and lurkers - thank you all for making this such a wonderful spot to land in. 🤗

Arnav and Khushi may spit and snarl one day and Rabba Ve the next - but this group of gals will be singing kumbaya around the campfire night after night - no matter what they show onscreen. And that truly is the BEST part of all - whether we won or lost today! 😊

PS: The usual Take 5 will be back in its regular programming slot tomorrow with an extra dose of snarkiness, in order to make up for today's maudlin post. 😛

Originally posted by: -Jamba-

For those expecting the usual Take 5 - please skip this post. For everyone else, here goes nothing.

Today - I won a bet.

1. It wasn't a bet I wanted to win, or one (to be really honest) I even thought we'd win. After all - this show is different, and Arnav and Khushi have never done the expected from that long ago day in June last year when they first slammed into each other's worlds.

But I get it, TRP Maiiya is breathing down the CV's necks and the lead is away, so they have to make the best of what they get.

If Team Almost had lost - my penalty would have been to refrain from all snarkiness for a day. Since I don't feel like we won, I'm going to use Veeps' brilliant line about defeat in victory and pay up anyway.

2. It starts with using this post for something entirely different today and talk about a journey. Just 7 months ago, if someone had suggested that I'd be hooked to a Hindi soap to the extent that I'd be spamming a daily message board on it - I'd have politely suggested they enrol for preferential treatment at the nearest asylum. 😉

Then IPK happened to me in December, and there was no looking back.

But the soap is just a part of it. The compelling reason that draws us back everyday is this crazy group of females called the Spice Girls.

3. When did this happen? When did we go from the occasional comment praising someone's review - to posting long treatises and checking updates on phones first thing in the morning and last thing at night? When did this disparate group of women of all ages - drawn together by their love of a show, become a close knit community?

For months now - we gather day after day after day to praise the good, bash the bad, and scorn the outright ridiculous. Somewhere during all that kibitzing - we learn about each other and manage to have loads of fun as well.

We send cyber hugs when someone is down or sick, we share the joy when someone has a major achievement, we welcome newbies and then proceed to haze them, and we're well acquainted what each other's likes and dislikes.

Yet - we've never met each other and almost certainly never will.

4. I thought of highlighting the regulars who've become near and dear to me over the weeks, but am almost certainly going to forget someone and cause offense. 😳

So will restrict myself to doing a special shout out to Sari - who opens the hangout everyday - who pours her heart and soul into each review - and who always manages to find a nugget of hope no matter how crappy the episode. If dreamers need realists, us bashers and pessimists need them too, to pull us out of whatever sulk we're dug into for the day. Sari - a special🤗 to you!

5. In closing, we may miss an episode and go "meh" - but we wouldn't dream of missing the hangout, deadlines and commitments be damned. So SG's, occasional visitors who stop by and comment, and lurkers - thank you all for making this such a wonderful spot to land in. 🤗

Arnav and Khushi may spit and snarl one day and Rabba Ve the next - but this group of gals will be singing kumbaya around the campfire night after night - no matter what they show onscreen. And that truly is the BEST part of all - whether we won or lost today! 😊

PS: The usual Take 5 will be back in its regular programming slot tomorrow with an extra dose of snarkiness, in order to make up for today's maudlin post. 😛