Ishq Parast - Episode 1

I'm not quite sure why  I was looking forward to this drama. I guess it's because I liked the chemistry Jibran Syed and Armeena Khan had in Mohabat Ab Nahi Hogi and because the story isn't about a dosari biwi or an unnnecessarily rhoti dhoti aurath. It looks like two couples whose lives will be intertwined and provide us with some good drama as they sort themselves out. So, I'm giving this a try.

Since this is a first episode, there is bound to be a lot of introduction to the characters and setting of the scenes. So, let's meet these characters...

Inse mileaye - the wise-ass, no-good, 'hero'. You know, the type that's so full of themselves you dislike them from the second they appear on screen. Yup. That's this guy.

The loser is in some kind of a romantic alliance with the studious chick of the school. Cos that  totally happens. 

Of course, this relationship could only be more complicated by providing the heroine with this  guy as a dad - who didn't learn much from Mein Bushra cos he still seems to be a stingy, taana giving parent. #HowOriginal

Enter jori #2. Indulgent, older brother with his pampered, sassy (Urdu mein badtameez) sister...who is on a mission to recruit a bhabi. No matter what it takes....even if she has to proposition random women standing at bus stops.

And apparently, in this warped drama universe, the younger sister can interrupt important meetings and tell her brother and attendees off. Professional office hei ya mazaak?

Meanwhile, at the Dua household (Dua = heroine), dad is gripping about the salt in the food, at which Dua giggles and calls her dad cute. Honestly, I'm a little appalled because it feels more like unnecessary verbal abuse of the mom. So why is Dua giggling?

So Ursula (...coincidence that she's named after the sea-witch in the Little Mermaid? Hmmmm...) and her brother live with a well-meaning aunt. 

This scene - Jibran's expressions were hilarious.

Hamza (aka the hero) has a lot of mommy-daddy issues it seems. Both of his biological parents are remarried and he has spent his life not welcome in either homes. From our introduction to his mom and stepdad, it looks like his mom is barely welcome in her home as it is. 

These mommy-daddy issues have led Hamza to rely heavily on his relationship with Dua, which really puts an interesting twist on this relationship. Hamza also has some anger management issues...

*Sigh* We all know she just signed the death warrant for this relationship by saying that, don't we?

...wait. Did I say 'anger management' issues? I meant anger management and obsessive possessive issues too...

Dua's mom knows how her husband is, and seems to take his ranting and raving in her stride. However, she has declared she will only marry her daughter to a guy that doesn't get angry.

FYI: Hamza does NOT meet this criteria by a long shot. 

And lastly, if we needed any proof that Dua and her family are firmly middle class, we have Aba Ji counting his coins. #Overkill

Overall, I got what I expected from the first episode and I will probably be watching this drama. The characters are well etched out (even if Ursula and Hamza a little OTT), and I wouldn't want to go anywhere near another drama that shouts dosari biwi.

Happy watching!