Runjhun's Awakening

Originally posted by: EcliPSe_2010

I loved today's episode!

Never seen anything like this on Indian TV so far.  Brilliant acting, writing, directing, music score!

This show has by far an excellent storytelling team regarding the development of the relationship between Guddu&Runjhun.  I admire that they are paying attention to the small details in Runjhun's character like R having kept the dried up jasmine flowers that her husband Guddu had gifted her.  To show an image of her clutching the dried up jasmine is more powerful than having a dialogue convey her feelings.  

After today's episode, the writers of this series are at a crossroads concerning Runjhun's character. 

It would be great if they take the path of her awakening towards her needs, desires towards her becoming more of a human being.  

The awakening of a young Indian female heroine, who has basically led an imprisoned life of a slave with minimal human contact, is a great situation to explore.  Her journey towards her becoming a human being as opposed to an idealized mechanical slave obligated to her Evil M&M's. 

What does Runjhun want?  What are her desires?  Will she listen to her heart?

What is happening inside of her?  Why does she feel so lonely without Guddu?  Will she save her marriage?  And what for will she save her marriage, for Amma's happiness, or for her happiness? 

There are many questions like this sort the writers can explore in Runjhun's journey towards her awakening. 

any ideas/ thoughts?  Please feel free to share.  Don't you all think its time if we women watch these series that its time the writers explore our main heroine's self awareness?  I think they have a perfect opportunity to do so in Runjhun.  

My thoughts on today's episode is that Runjhun is left at the crossroads of her life, where she will need to explore her inner turmoil, confront her emotions regarding Guddu, her marriage, her relationship with her Evil M&M's...everything in her life.  She will have to do it alone.  

PS: Runjhun's awakening is not occurred yet, but it can if the writers take it towards that direction. And that image of her clutching the dried jasmine flowers that her husband had gifted her is one powerful image portraying a glimpse into her awakening. 

Originally posted by: jpalagrawal

Beautiful post!   👏This episode is so powerful that I am finding myself almost at a loss. 3 more small points to add to your fantastic analysis

Most powerful moments to me today

1. RJ as early as yesterday said to Amma, I do not want what happened to Madhevi to happen to me. Well that begs the question: What happened to her? Did she marry the wrong person?

Today Guddu threw it in her face this same question. Now she has to decide, did she? Does she really wish her life was different?

2. RJ's comparison to Neelu, her comparison to a bar dancer. This is a sexual awakening of sorts. She is jealous of a woman that occupies that place in Guddu's life; the recipient of his lust

3. The saddest moment for me today was when Guddu says that he is leaving. You could see the pain in RJ's face. This time not thinking of her Amma, but herself. The disbelief that he would leave her and her staring at the road was so poignant.

Originally posted by: jpalagrawal

Beautiful post!   👏This episode is so powerful that I am finding myself almost at a loss. 3 more small points to add to your fantastic analysis

Most powerful moments to me today

1. RJ as early as yesterday said to Amma, I do not want what happened to Madhevi to happen to me. Well that begs the question: What happened to her? Did she marry the wrong person?

Well no one asked Runjhun whom she wanted to marry.  Amma just wanted her out of the house because she was scared the M&M's would find out about R's kundali.  M&M's did find out and used her!  Amma was in a hurry to marry off Runjhun, so Runjhun could lead her own life. Runjhun did not have a choice in choosing her marriage partner.   Amma was the decision maker. However, when Abhigyan entered her life, she seemed to like Abhigyan until the moment Abhigyan doubted her when she was alone with Guddu in his room and wanted her to do some sort of a medical test before he married her.  The issue here was trust.  And if R did not do the medical test which she said she was not going to do, then Abhigyan would not have any proof of her' 'purity".  It was important to R that abhigyan trust her, and she said to him you'll never be happy traveling the middle path (succumbing to societal prejudices).  I understood this to mean that he'll never be satisfied not knowing.  Meanwhile, Guddu is a complete contrast to Abhigyan, he doesn't care for any traditional, societal prejudices.  I think R always wanted a man who was able to stand up to society, stand up for any wrongdoing etc.  Abhigyan appeared to stand up to Guddu and he did many times for Runjhun but he failed the ultimate test, which was the test of trust. 

Today Guddu threw it in her face this same question. Now she has to decide, did she? Does she really wish her life was different?

Yes, Guddu did that.  I think this also means he is telling her what do you want?  You want to change me?  Into an ideal of yours?  

2. RJ's comparison to Neelu, her comparison to a bar dancer. This is a sexual awakening of sorts. She is jealous of a woman that occupies that place in Guddu's life; the recipient of his lust

Yes, it is.  It makes her more of a human being here_a woman.  A wife who has needs, desires but all these might be strange emotions for her because first she has to become aware that she is a woman who is might be attracted to her husband.  (I have not really seen her be attracted to Guddu, but we get to see him attracted to her.)  

3. The saddest moment for me today was when Guddu says that he is leaving. You could see the pain in RJ's face. This time not thinking of her Amma, but herself. The disbelief that he would leave her and her staring at the road was so poignant.

very eloquently conveyed.   This was my second favorite scene, the first scene that was heartbreaking was the scene where she touches the gift he had given her-the sari and she was clutching the dried jasmine flowers!!!  That made her so human, she was longing, remembering, one simple gesture weighted heavy with confusing emotions.  

I loved how the whole episode ended with the last shot of her sitting alone on a dirty road outside of Pandey Niwas.  Alone and outside of Pandey Niwas.  I see this shot in a symbolic manner, for Runjhun alone will have to figure out her destiny.  The road is bfore her, the same road a moment ago had the presence of another being, her husband.  But he rides off on his motorbike leaving her alone, blaming her for the failure of their marriage.