The promo from last week showing us Wali dragging Faraa out of her house was shocking enough but the full version in this week’s episode was worse. I understand Wali’s motivation: his grandfather has been abused and insulted, he is at death’s door, desperately hoping for reconciliation with his granddaughter before his passing, and Wali wants to arrange that meeting at all costs. However dragging Faraa from her house in such a violent manner and pushing the poor servant woman aside as if she were barely human were unnecessarily physical. The shock value alone certainly made for compelling viewing and if the director was aiming for TRP’s he must have got them because our society seems to revel in this kind of sensationalism. This whole plot twist could have been dealt with a lot more aesthetically, with less detail and lot more implication. I actually liked the build up to Wali’s interaction with Faraa, it made the case for his actions quite eloquently if only the scenes of the Wali/Faraa confrontation had been more cleverly staged.

Apart from that this was actually an excellent episode with both Wali and Faraa to the fore and the older generation taking a step back. This episode was about the straw that broke the camels back for both of them. Like her father, Behroz, Faraa has put up with her mother’s emotional blackmail for long enough and feels humiliated that her mother and Mamu asked for her inheritance along with the divorce from Wali. When Behroz stepped out of the haveli he never once asked for any help, in fact he consistently refused any kind of financial or emotional aid from his all too willing brother Suhaib. I don’t remember Roohi being this greedy either, for all her insecurities she too seemed content with whatever Behroz could provide her. The insidious creep of materialism and heightened insecurity that Roohi is feeling is a direct consequence of the Tajamul family influence.

My opinion of Faraa as a character had been taking a hit lately but this week she redeemed herself with flying colours and like all of Farhat Ishtiaq’s great heroines proved she had strength and honour beyond her circumstances. It would be very easy for a young girl in Faraa’s position to capitulate to one side or the other: halaat sey samjhota Marriage to (incredibly hot cousin – is it really a sacrifice I ask?;p) or agree to her mother’s demands for her inheritance, but she doesn’t. Instead she takes the eight days and counting punishment her mother gives her with courage and stands up to a threatening Wali with all the strength she can muster. The icing on the cake is that she spells out out to the Tajamul family’s its greed and not once does she think of enlisting Moiz the friendly octopus for help. Moiz old man, I think it’s time you got the message: you are the last person Faraa thinks of when she needs help; basically she is just not that into you.

Wali is a man who has reached the limits of patience. Correction ,a young man at the at the end of his tether because only a young man in his twenties would ever think threatening people or physically dragging his reluctant bride  home would resolve anything. I can understand Wali’s exasperation and total frustration with Roohi’s’ brainwashing, especially as it isn’t on his own behalf but rather to ensure his dying grandfather passes away in peace but still the threats of “tum talaq ley kay dikhow” are very disturbing. The funniest thing this week is the complete trust Tajamul has in Wali. How convenient for Mamu Jan to trust Wali not do anything “dishonorable” because it’s just another excuse not to do anything to help his niece. Poor Faraa is kidnapped right in front of her family and apart from a few platitudes no one does anything.

This entire episode rests firmly on the fabulous performances from Osman Khalid Butt and Maya Ali, who have brought all the fire and ice this serial needed to the screen.  These two are now proven performers who can handle any story and carry any script with complete confidence. I am so used to seeing OKB in his  more controlled, uber cool, urban male roles that It was a surprise to see him pull off the “angry young Man “ side of Wali with just the right amount of (if misplaced) assurance and sarcasm required. Similarly Maya has got this heroine with courage and principles down, without bringing back her Aik Naeey Cinderella overt laraka pan. I just wish the serial had started to concentrate on these two much earlier .

Now, a word about Roohi. I think I mentioned in a few reviews that Faraa has taken over Behroz’s place as whipping boy for all of Roohi’s insecurities and this week’s despicable act of abandonment only proved my point. If people think this is unlikely, they are very wrong.Some women revel in the victim label and refuse to mature beyond the point when they got married. Somehow they freeze in time just like Dania from Bunty I love you. I think Roohi genuinely loves her daughter Faraa and we may well see some growth in her character moving forward. I have complained about Sanam Saeed’s performance but this week she nailed it. No over the top theatrics or shouting, just a foolish woman led astray by her conniving family. Also as usual I love our villains … completely self-absorbed types like Zuhra, and Tara Mahmood is always a delight to see on screen. Zuhra never questions herself and I find that an astounding superpower ;).

Now next week’s promo is showing us that Wali doesn’t take Faraa home to the haveli but rather to some ‘haunted house” and I really see that as another attempt to prolong a perfectly good original story .Such tactics only dilute any impact this week’s events had .

written by Sadaf

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Quae Obliyus Sum – because what I forgot sounds better in Latin ( thanks to Google )

Sorry Jet lag , time zones and  a  coma induced by Haribo Cola Bottles ( its tough finding  halal ones, so when I find them I take them  via intravenous drip  !!) has led me to forget something I had seen coming some time ago : The real twist in the tale that Farhat ishtiaq has been building up for us …. slowly but surely Roohi is taking on Agha Jaan’s role 21 episodes back :of a domineering ,” my way or the highway” parent. Roohi is treating Faraa just the way Agha Jaan did and she is going to have to learn just like her sasur that life is not a pizza with extra cheese as you like it .. all your planning and schemes and tarbeeyat and hopes and blackmailing are nothing but seeds blown in the wind . Just like any parent you can try but whether any of these seeds take root is entirely up to the whims of fate and our creator . Faraa is very much Behroz ki Beti and  just like him she is going to defy her parent .. call it Karma , call it amal ka phall but there it is .  Perhaps Roohi will eventually see this … one can live in hope .. meanwhile cheers and there goes another packet of cola bottles …sorry for the late review :)