Oh, Abdul Qadir! You really need to just sit for a minute, relax, and sort your life out.

This episode was a bit slow in my opinion, but it was great nonetheless. The fact that it portrays the stories of Zareen, AQ and Nael side-by-side really helps to keep balance. But then again, the director is Baber Javed after all.

So the episode begins with Faiz (Faisal Qureshi) pouring his life’s story out to Abdul Qadir (Fahad Mustafa).  Faiz’s story isn’t very nice; his father was a super religious maulvi, and in his house, the only thing that could be seen or heard was prayer. Just like any other teenager, Faiz started to feel uncomfortable in the extremely religious environment. When he came over to England, he decided to do everything he wasn’t allowed to at home, and became the extreme opposite of his father.

I really like Faiz’s character, especially after hearing this. There are tons of teenagers out there with stories similar to this, whose households are so religious and strict that they have to go out and do things like Faiz just to get away with it. It’s a proven fact; teenagers don’t like to be pressured into things. Parents should tell them about Islam, tell them right from wrong, expect them to pray and fast. But you can’t force religion on anyone, especially kids that tend to do the opposite of what you tell them to.

Now we move on to Zareen (Alishba). This stupid girl doesn’t realize that Pasha is only after her for her money. But I suppose he was her first love, so she wants to believe that he’s changed. Too bad he hasn’t. Her smart father makes her a deal; if Pasha brings his parents and takes you home in a respectable way, you can stay with him. As expected, Pasha doesn’t, and Zareen hears his phone conversation where he admits that he only wants Zareen back so that he can have her father’s fortune. I love Zareen’s dialogue after hearing this: “Tum waqi mein bahaut kameeni cheez ho.”

Meanwhile, Nael (Aaminah Sheikh) and AQ seem to be becoming good friends. But Nael keeps ruining it with her piety and cramping AQ’s “cool” style.  After repeatedly asking him why he doesn’t pray or fast, why he drinks, why he’s always doing things that are haram, Nael seems like one of the nicest girls in the world. And, I haven’t read the novel, but let me tell you what I assume will happen. AQ will fall in love with Nael…and then she’ll die. Why do I think that? Remember last episode, when Nael’s mother (Anita Camphor) told her she wanted to go home and Nael said “Tum kuch din ke liye hamarey saath rehna. Phir hum chaley jaien gey.” When her mother asked where she was going, she didn’t reply. Also, in today’s episode, she told her mom “Hum bhooka rehney se nahin maren gey.” I think she has some sort of disease, and will die eventually. Don’t hate me for telling you, but this is just my guess. I have no idea what’s really going to happen.

And AQ, poor AQ, is all mixed up. My favorite scene from today’s episode was the one where he asks Faiz “Tum Allah ko jaantey ho?” It shows that AQ is really taking Nael’s words to heart, and has begun turning back to religion. Another good scene was when Nael asks him the meaning of his name and he says, “I really don’t know.” To have such a beautiful name like Abdul Qadir “Allah ka banda,” and not know what it means is really something horrible.

I just want to mention how much work must have been put into to making MAQH. From Aaminah Sheikh’s makeover into an African-American, from Abdul Qadir’s “geeky to cool” transition, to Faiz’s “ne’er do well,” appearance to Pasha’s “criminal” one, the people behind the scenes of MAQH really deserve applause.

I’m waiting for the next episode, and MAQH is officially my favorite drama on TV right now. I hope I’m not disappointed!

-Noorie