Posted:
12 years ago
The episode opens at the ashram of some Rishi Bhargav, whom Rukmini is waiting to speak with (in what appears to be a very pretty and ornate paalki... but hard to tell because she went on a dark and stormy night). Her guards tell his disciples that it's imperative that she speaks with him before daybreak, and she's allowed in. She explains that she's in love with someone but isn't sure whether to confess to him, or even tell her parents, because she doesn't want to go against the norms of royal conduct. He responds with a monologue in defense of love marriage, even claiming that it is every human being's birthright, and assures her that she should listen to her heart without worry.
The next morning she does just that - we hear a lovely Om Namah Shivay dhun and then, while her parents are mid-prayer and without so much as bowing her head upon reaching the temple, she announces to them that she's in love with Dwarikadhish. Bhishmak gives her the scare of her life yelling that only he has the right to make such decisions for her, and proceeds with a Shishupal-esque tirade against Krishna's use of trickery in his past leelas. And then, *gasp* he tells us that whatever be the means he uses, Krishna always seems to come to just the right end, and he is therefore the perfect match for Rukmini. He smiles and approves of her choice, and she breathes a sigh of relief.
Then... we hear what they refer to as a "shok dhun" (but it sounds more like a shocked dhun)... everyone's wondering what the bad news is. A messenger's just about to break it to them, but then an arrow pierces his chest. In comes Rukmi wearing a black kurta, turban, and plenty of attitude. His dad asks him (with only mild disappointment) why he killed the poor guy. Rukmi says, "cuz he was bringing such bad news!" Apparently that cliche "don't shoot the messenger" hadn't come out yet. Sorry, had to say that. Anyway he announces that his dear friend Kalyavan has been killed, all of Vidarbh is to mourn the loss of this great warrior, and he himself is now on his way to punish Krishna for causing his death. Rukmini worries, and Bhishmak sighs that much as he'd like to wish him well, he knows that his son is heading out for a losing battle.
Cut to Dwarika, where Krishna is giving stuff to the poor. An old woman stands apart from the line and the guards ask her why she is doing so, and she says that the food and clothes and jewels that are being given at the moment are of no use to her; she only wants her sick child to be well again. She waits until the crowd leaves and takes the dust from where Krishna was standing back to her house. She tells her bedridden son that it's going to cause a miracle, but since it doesn't right away, he tells her there is no such thing and some tears ensue.
In the palace, Krishna is playing a sad tune (this time, an actual shok dhun) on his flute and looking really heartbroken. Balram and Revati are filled with concern and ask him why he's playing it, and he explains that there's just so much grief in the world - no one is ever content with what they have, it makes them sad, and in their sadness they seem so vulnerable that seeing them, even God would become sad. Revati asks why God would cause the sadness if even he can't bear to see them undergo it, and Krishna explains that it's all about karma and today or tomorrow, everyone gets what they deserve.
---------------------------------------- the end ---------------------------------------
On the bright side:
- Vishal can totally pull the Karuna Nidhaan look. His compassionate expression as he hears the prayer of the old woman with the sick kid and plays a sad tune in reaction to it is really convincing. It will come in handy later on, for example when he has to react to Draupadi's misfortunes and when the Sudama track is shown. I am now even more surprised by Vishal's ability and range.
- The Om Namah Shivay tune is really beautiful, looking forward to hearing more like it!
- Bhishmak's acting wasn't bad.
- Revati, still very sweet and mytho-friendly.
On the down side:
- Dialogues were kinda bizarre again. That love marriage diatribe in the beginning made me feel like I'm watching Oprah. I didn't know people consult ascetics for matters like that also ๐ณ It seemed awkward and anachronistic.
- Rukmini's conduct. Nothing at all against Priya's performance, I think she's doing a nice and subtle job. But the things they're making the character do are so... out of character ๐ฒ First she has her guards interrupt a sage's penance saying she has an emergency, her emergency turns out to be concern over a wedding that doesn't happen the next day so really she could've waited, she marches into the temple without looking the slightest bit prayerful, let alone closing her eyes for a sec or bowing her head, and on top of that she interrupts her parents' prayers without even starting with a "kshama kijiye". What code of royal conduct was she concerned about breaking at the start of the epi, if not these acts of common courtesy? I understand that it was probably unintentional, they just want to maintain the pace and bring Rukmini and Krishna together asap... but it really doesn't take that long to squeeze in these little simple gestures. If they could give us a song and dance sequence as her introduction and come up with that rishi bit in the beginning, they can certainly take the time to make her act like a princess - let alone a virtuous one who is the Goddess incarnate. I really hope they are more careful about these things, it would matter less if it was someone else but she is the female lead.
Confusions:
- what about the precap? None of that was shown.
- Rukmi and Kalyavan were best friends? One was from Maharashtra and the other a first (and last) time visitor from Greece... talk about a long distance relationship!
- Balram and Revati don't know about Krishna's divinity? Kinda hard to miss for Balram who costarred in so many of his wondrous feats, and Revati who frequented the heavens and was told by Brahma himself that Krishna and Balram were both incarnations of Vishnu before arranging her marriage to Balram.
Conclusion: as with the previous episodes, I liked all the performances enough but the writing needs to be more careful. Looking forward to Puneet's entry tomorrow!
Edited by lola610 - 12 years ago