OF VALOUR, VALUES AND VICE
I loved today's episode. It was packed with significance.
Started off with Rashmi spotting Shantanu's picture in Randeep's file. She is concerned. What I absolutely loved in this scene was that Rashmi here was absolutely real. Not at all daily soap like. She asks upfront what it was all about and also volunteers information. If only other heroines would take a lesson from her. Also loved that Randeep is all haste to reassure her. It is only a routine investigation, nothing to be worried about. As of now, Randeep knows that Shantanu is rashmi's brother-in-law, and he hasn't contacted his family after his arrival in India. He probably also knows Shantanu is a scientist. How long before he connects the dots.
The Beginning of the Unveiling
Rashmi and Mittoo reach home. Rashmi again is upfront and honest. She confronts her sister. A chilling scene, where the fake sister is almost on the verge of massacring an innocent family. Thankfully the stars are favourable to the afflicted Bhargav family for the present. Rashmi and her dear ones are saved only by a chance remark, that all she saw were her brother-in-law's immigration details. The fake Ritika keeps down her gun, but not before we see evident relief on her face of not having to kill the innocents. Makes me pause and think, when push comes to shove, will this fake turn sympathetic? She seems to have developed a sort of kinship with her surrogate family.
She once again displays this connection later on, when some of the guests pass offensive comments regarding the Bhargav's decision to celebrate a dead person's birthday. Ritika asks, in a strong and confident voice, "Isn't Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru dead? Still we celebrate his birthday every year."
The fake Ritika (her name is Mehr, by the way!) alerts Shahana that Rashmi has doubts that Shantanu is in Mumbai. Shahana comes to know that Randeep has got the immigration details. Mehr tells her that she told Rashmi that Shantanu was planning to come to India, but at the last moment, his plans got cancelled; and perhaps there was some mistake at the immigration office paperwork. Shahana asks Mehr, whether Rashmi believed her; to which she replies, "Perhaps…" Shahana is not happy. She reprimands Mehr; there is no place for "perhaps" in their plans. She further informs Mehr that Randeep is the one who chased her. She warns Mehr that any mistake of theirs can reach Randeep through Rashmi. Mehr is instructed to leave such an impression of herself on the family so that there is no place for doubt. Once again, it is made clear that the Bhargav family is safe only so long as Mehr remains Ritika in their eyes.
At the party at the Bhargav's place, Mehr makes a few missteps. 1st when she fails to recognize old friends. But it is smoothed over. Admirable, the way she gained information by playing counterquestions; and amazing, how she emerged victorious by putting Rakesh's friend at a disadvantage.
The second slip was in front of Randeep himself. Unfortunately for Mehr, Randeep is not put off too easily. He is sure to remember this.
Loved that "society prejudice" bit at the party. Had suffered enough of that rubbish and is still suffering from it personally, that I absolutely cheered for Rashmi. Putlibai and Laxmibai… Values and Valour…
Distrust in the house!
Mastaana slips. Shahana notices. That scene too was kind of disturbing for me. A mother rocking and coochiee-cooing with her baby, the innocent apple of her eye. In between she is also pulling the strings of a macabre plot. She is about to recruit Mastaana to find Rinky. Poor jittery Mastaana says he doesn't keep company with bar dancers like Rinky. Shahana is nothing if not sharp. She is alerted… "Rinky is a bar dancer?" too late Mastaana pulls himself together. But he successfully saves himself for now… saying he deduced it from her look, dress and demeanor. Shahana is satisfied and also impressed by Mastaana's powers of observation. She gives Mastaana double responsibility. Of tracing Rinky, and also keeping an eye on Jeddah.
Jeddah has summoned Mastaana. The internal distrust is once more highlighted in this scenes. Loved, loved, loved this scene. Two men, one the big fish, and the other, the self acknowledged small fish, circling each other like two dogs contentious over a single bone. Jeddah wants to know what Shahana wanted with Mastaana; and Mastaana does not let on his secrets. I love Cabair… he was fantabulous.🤣 His witticisms were simply fabulous. All those sarcastic allusions to "Bhabhijee ka Dawat", and his acid remarks on the "mausam ki jaankaari" and the big fish needing the small as bait… I loved it! Masaana's retorts were significant too.
Mastaana – Rinky convo over the phone tells him that Rinky is getting impatient. Rinky threatens to sell the necklace herself and disappear taking his Nani with him. Mastaana overhears a henchman giving Jeddah Rinky's details. Mastaana goes into personal damage control mode. With the result that Rinky's former employer is murdered by Jeddah. Mastaana escapes for the moment.
Distrust is making its presence felt, no, it has strengthened its position in Shahana's fort. The infighting and the conflicting aims within the group just might foil her insane plans… at least I hope so.
Here is the potential for Shahana's downfall. She doesn't trust her own men. In the process, she pits them- one against the other. While this has certain advantages, it can prove costly for her too. It shifts and divides the men's individual focus.
Jeddah informs Shahana of the incident. For once he admits to his luck being bad.
Mastaana is not too happy about Jeddah escaping the shooting spree at the bar.
Shahana instructs Mastaana to shadow Jeddah.
But despite his hard work, Jeddah stumbles on to the Rinky-Mastaana connection.
The Focus of Attention
Scene shifts to the Bindaas girl and her adopted grandmother. The bar dancer has grown fond of Mastaana's Nani. Nice scene. Some things I noticed was the way Rinky was keeping the loot close to her the whole time. Also it brought out quite nicely the contrast between the impulsive outlook of the youth of today and the timeless wisdom and cautiousness of the older generation. While the former believes in the motto, "live today and think later!"; the older generation is more wary of new fangled ideas. Loved the dialogues her, especially Nani's seemingly innocent questions; methinks she was being sarcastic. Rinky is only human. She too commits mistakes. A potential one is made when she gloats about her ill-gotten gains to Nani. Nani is not too impressed. She may seem innocent and other-worldly; but she is wily enough to recognize thievery. Rinky once again uses word play to get out of the situation. But she still did not manage to convince Nani. Nani for the moment is keeping her own counsel.
What will be Rinky's fate? I am waiting breathlessly. I love this girl. and I want to know how she will fare pitted against Jeddah. What a combo!!!
That's it for now. Will be joining you later.
Thank you, so much for reading, commenting and liking…
For the sake of latecomers to this show, I had done a recap for the 1st week in the previous REDUX… the second week recap will be posted next Saturday.
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