With everything that we’ve seen so far, the lack of consistency in Mann Mayal happens to top my list of things that annoy me. I can’t understand if Mannu’s family is conservative or confused- and I can’t blame Mannu for feeling torn between these two extremes. These people declared Mannu’s love for Salahuddin forbidden and rushed to arrange the mismatch of the century. Mikael is annoying me to no end- I can’t stand the sight of him! I can’t feel a thing for his character and the actor playing him has done nothing but grunt and howl leaving no impact whatsoever. If he has Daddy issues, he sure as hell isn’t doing a good job portraying that. All I see is a man who refuses to accept that he’s old now and needs to get his act together. Over the previous 2 episodes, Mikael got a reality check from his father who was more than willing to kick him out but I doubt a guy like Mikael has the ability to straighten up. Growing up sheltered by mummy dearest, Mikael knows only too well that he can pretty much get away with murder…
Mannu’s family realized that Mannu was suffering and decided that she was better off without Mikael. Why must her family rush every single decision? When it suited them. they rushed her into this marriage and now when they feel responsible for her misery, without having a discussion with Mikael or his parents, they decide that she needs to ditch him? Aur toh aur, Bia decides that this is perfect timing and urges Salahuddin to return and patch up with Mannu! Wow! For people hailing from supposedly conservative backgrounds, they sure have very forward thinking. Ifty finally realized what a terrible son he was after nearly losing his father- this also marked Salahuddin’s exit. It seems like just about everyone was caught up in the whirlpool of emotions so much so that even Jamil turned over a new leaf! I don’t see why he had a change of heart- he never had any emotional attachment to Ifty’s father or Salahuddin and I don’t think he matters enough but oh, well…
As sincere as he tried to appear, I kept imagining Salahuddin on a unicorn- how much more delusional can a man be? He doesn’t have the confidence to man up when Manu left her home and begged him to see beyond their class differences; he happily convinced Mikael to accept Mannu and now when he thinks Mannu is headed for a divorce, he’s stepping up and trying to play the role of her saviour? I mean, seriously? Not only does he look like he’s high, his behavior reflects the same! I was extremely repulsed by how casually Salahuddin was mentioning divorce and getting remarried- really?
To be honest, the only person who made any sense was Mannu- she decided that as miserable as she is, she won’t compromise anymore and would rather try to make her marriage work than choose some easy way out. I know she’s never going to be happy in her marriage- Mikael clearly has no feelings for her and she can jump through hoops but he won’t flinch. Still, she’s better off with a good-for-nothing man like Mikael than Salahuddin. poor girl is stuck between a rock and a hard place and the decision isn’t easy but really, what other choice does she have? I think Salahuddin and her family are underestimating the mental anguish they’ve put her through- I actually had a lump in my throat when she asked Salahuddin if he can turn back time. Maya Ali has truly given a remarkable performance as Mannu- I only wish some of her enthusiasm would rub off on Hamza Ali Abbassi and Gohar Rasheed.
Now that Mannu has given Salahuddin the cold shoulder and returned home, Salahuddin has a life of regret ahead of him. I don’t know if these two are destined to be together but for once, I’d actually like to see Mannu get her happy ending without either of these two losers in her life. Looking back at the previous episodes, I feel a lot of screen time was wasted on Ifty’s home- all those traumatic scenes of Kooki mistreating her father-in-law; Jamil plotting against Salahuddin; etc- what purpose did they really serve?
I think we’re almost at the halfway mark and it’s about time for Ayesha khan to make an appearance and maybe jolt some life into this serial…
Kanwal Murtaza
