Another rather slow episode of JH. Episode 9 begins with Jamshed crying after hearing about Aasma’s engagement to Nadir. Sees Michelle and brings tulips for her all of a sudden. Starts working for her too.This whole forced equation is worrying Michelle and seriously creeping me out. When he gets let go because Pedro is coming back, he tells Michelle he Is willing to do the same job for less money. After the whole tourist visa and illegal work routine, she agrees. Jamshed really frustrates me. In fact I don’t get how people don’t realize how hard it is to actually make a living in a foreign country. Why do they think it is a bed of roses? Could have stayed in Pakistan, gotten that government job, and Asma would be marrying him right now, instead of his so-called best friend. They guy is really stuck between a rock and a hard place; Can’t get a decent job here, but also can’t go back to Pakistan now looking like a loser. Looks like he is planning on doing what his Mamu did and making the moves on Michelle.
In Salma’s world, Iman’s dance class has been cancelled thanks to Daadi and Daddy. Iman knows where her father has been and wishes he never came back so at least she could be happy. Salma is justifiably worried as ‘Cash Chacha’ and Daadi bring up some religious boarding school. Iman is on a hunger strike until dance class resumes. Tai jee khud to namaz aur roza nahi karteen, Salma is right…bachon ko deen samjhana chahiye, deen se darana nahi. Salma lets her go to dance class without telling anyone.
Sikander is out of jail and back to illegal ways again. Also shows up to the parlour unannounced. I truly feel for Salma. She seems so lonely having to make sure Iman is happy, Sikander is happy, runs the entire household and no one seems to care. Amina Sheikh truly does a fantastic job as Salma. You can sense the worries underneath that calm demeanor Salma seems to have. Her entire life is all about making other people happy. Is it just me or does Sikander seem like he is bi-polar? Sometimes he seems truly normal and others a wreck. He goes from being extremely calm and loving to rash and crazy the next minute. Does this guy do drugs or is this a hazard of growing up with a mother like Tai Jee?
On the Bhatti front, Kathy throws out Imran’s sweaters as he never wears them. One was sent by his mother which she clearly couldn’t care less about. Mark is sincerely sorry..also tells him that he knows Izzi smokes and falsely accused Jamshed but he can’t say anything as Izzi would go crazy.
Jackson Heights had the potential of being a fantastic drama had the episodes not been extended due to greedy channels and production houses (Sorry Six Sigma). I really, really feel bad for the writer, director, and the entire cast as they all did fabulous job, but their work is being extended beyond belief through no fault of their own. What we have seen in 9 episodes could have been shown in 5 episodes. I also think having it air on Urdu 1 is a huge disadvantage to the serial. Had this aired on one of the major channels, it would have a much higher visibility.
