Mr Haseeb’s sad little conversation praising Murad for being a good father and husband was so ironic I was left unsure whether to laugh or cry. The camera focuses on Murad’s face and you can just feel his discomfort and guilt (thank you Fahad Mustapha) Umama however pretends all is well and is sent home with Murad by her officious younger sister, and the games begin.

Deeba Baji has taken the master bedroom, is rude to Umama and her children while doing nothing all day but flit around wearing a lot of makeup. Past performance is usually a pretty good predictor of future results when it comes to human behavior yet the mother in law is still surprised at the change in Deeba Baji. Still Murad’s mother has learned to appreciate Umama better and manages to stand up to Deeba Baji a few times. Murad seems utterly fed up with Deeba Baj’s actions and is thankfully protective of his children. In fact in this episode we see him interacting quite a bit with his daughters. He regrets his decision and apologises to a rather distant Umama. Fahad Mustapha is just perfect as Murad, a little selfish, a little kind and entirely human

Now I know Deeba Baji is eminently hate able at this point but I cannot help but laugh at the efforts she has to make and at times I almost pity her because she can never rise above her own petty little mind. For the most part I don’t even blame her.  Sana Askeri has done a good job with Deeba the character is so strange; she seems even scarier when she is vulnerable. However, to me the real villains in this story are Murad, his mother and the biggest one: Umama’s father. I really hope that Umama will grow a backbone a t some point but I think it may not be in her nature but I was glad that she did not forgive Murad or let him off in any way. Mehar Bano has done a fabulous job throughout this serial, this episode was no different. In one scene she is bravely telling her father to look after himself , in another she is crying over the worthless claims of undying affection by Murad and in yet another she is clinging to the baby she gave up to her maqar sister in law Rehana

This is not normally the kind of serial I watch, I hate victims and like my heroines strong and independent but once I start watching Daagh I find I cannot stop. The direction, the production and each of the great actors in this serial make it very compelling. It is well written with true to life, nuanced characters that we may not like but can at least understandMurad and his family may have learned a hard lesson and Umama’s worth but of what use is that to Umama? If I thought Deeba Baji could look scary, Umama can beat her. Mehar Bano has the most beautiful eyes but when she looked back at Deeba after Murad caught her hitting their children I was reminded of a Tigress. I hope at some point that tigress comes out to play…

PS Haseeb , I tried hard not to bash your name sake :)

Written by Sadaf