Gul-e-Rana -- Last Episode

It took me four days to talk myself into watching the final episode of this drama, just so I could have closure. (While it took Shamsi only four days, i wasn't ready to face this piece of drama doody even after one week. But in the end i forced myself to watch it. You know what they say about ripping off a bandaid. Yeah i didn't do that. I watched it in several broken down parts which just increased my self inflicted torture.) Right off the bat, this drama does not (i.e. completely does) disappoint. Please see exhibit A...

I mean - seriously, Rana? What exactly do you expect Adeel to do? Woh bhi broken Adeel. But then the scene gets better...

I am totally judging GeR for not looking horrified and snatching her hand away from Adeels grasp while giving him a how dare you, I hate you and I'm leaving you speech.
And finally, the scene ends with this:

The only way I know that Sajal is feeling anything is thanks to the annoying background music - cos her expressionless face is giving away nothing. And the annoying music tells us that she's sad - WHY? She was the one who told him she's leaving, he's been a bigger jerk to her as a cripple than when he was a womanizing, misogynist, douche. And yet she's getting the fuzzy-feelies?

HE'S STILL ALIVE? I thought the unresponsiveness on the bus was like a done deal.
Yeah they saved all the annoying people till the end. 

Rana takes Adeel for a walk and Sajal Ali proves that the writers failed to make Rana beleiveable at all. One second she's starting off into space with wonder and grabbing on to Adeel with excitement (?) and the next she can't seem to handle a little water splash from her husband.

Yup. Looking like a hobo, Adeel office jaanay lagay hein. Maybe his dad demoted him after the Maria incident (remember that three episode saga??) to filling clerk. Or office show peice. 

As if Adeel and Rana weren't stressful enough to figure out (seriously, giving her a packet of money to undo all the mental abuse?), we have to watch these two: the cousin who refuses to die and the mother who refuses to make sense. Someone please ask Rubina Ashraf why she allowed herself to sign on to this project. 

Not sure what's the biggest issue here:

1 - Asher Bhai is STILL getting married? (Rana seems to think so)

2 - Rana is shopping for the wedding, because Murree is known for its malls and bazaars...

3 - Rana making more expressionless-expressions at Adeel acting like a normal human being. 

Asher Bhai, try not to die on Taya Abu's sofa. 

Lucky us - 26 minutes before the drama ends, Adeel manages to finally learn to respect his naukar. 

Oh look, one of Adeel's ex-skanks gets to make an appearance in the final episode too. This entire scene and her dialogue was just one contradiction after another. Did nobody actually read the script?

Really? It's all the phuppos' fault that you were a horrible human being? That's it? That's the big psychological insight as to why Adeel is such a douche? (Please, step aside while a punch my TV screen.)
I actually liked Rana's reasoning in this scene. It's not the wife's job to reform her husband. Especially one who forced her to marry him. So it makes sense why even after Adeel had reformed she wouldn't want to stay with him. Far too many dramas promote the ridiculous scenario where girls eventually forgive and even start to love the men who have ruined their lives for their own selfish motives. 

What is broken-reformed Adeel doing at (what appears to be) the party of the year? 

Men don't do this in real life. (sorry unmarried, dreaming-about-candle-light-dinner friends)

Asher Bhai (with only 12 minutes remaining in the drama) finally has the decency to die (let's not mention the horrible Rana flashback). I don't know who's more shaken at his death, Rana or Adeel?

Putting a hysterical wife on a plane by herself seems like a totally awesome idea. #ResponsibleHusbanding

Three months later, the drama spells out further proof that Adeel has reformed: look! He plays with galli kay bachay now! He gives other douchey husbands talks on how not to be douchey!

The next thing you know...we get a dream sequence...

And then BAM! A final shot of the two - still separated - Adeel and Rana...

Rana delivers the most obnoxious rendition of Jack and Jill. And then cries for reasons only known to the writer. 

I guess I'd cry too if I had worked in such a crappy drama.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

I need a minute. (Or maybe a lifetime...?)

Where this should've been a simple love story about how the simple girl forced into marriage to a supposed douche and then helps him see the error of his ways and they live happily ever after, it turns into an un-understandable nightmare. They show Adeel as being a guy that's SO horrible, SO abusive, SO womanizing, that even after he barely survives his accident, he fails to convince us (well, primarily that he's hurt at all #BadActing) how he finally reforms. The other big issue, is that because he is SO bad, it made it impossible to create even a chance that Rana would forgive him. 

Let's look at it numerically: 18 episodes to establish he's a Jerkface. 2 episodes to leave him crippled. 1 episode (or maybe 3/4 of one because they had to show Asher Bhai dying for about a quarter of the episode) to try to reform him. Come on. That's absurd. 

To add insult to injury, Adeel dumps the blame on the phuppos and that's that. And where are the said phuppos in the final few episodes? And how about their progeny? Where is Adeel's dad? His mom? Where is Rana's khala, as her son lays dying? What was the point of all this extended family? They really contributed nothing to the story, besides providing incomplete storylines to extend the drama for a few episodes.
Halfway through the episode I had to stop and watch Tahir Shah's new video. Which made me realise that even Tahir Shah emotes better than all the actors in this episode. Which is why I'm leaving you with this. 

RIP Gul E Rana. You will not be missed. 

Drama Update -- April 2016

Welcome to the April update on what we're loving and what we aren't loving! Thanks to some dramas finally ending off (I'm looking at you Gul E Rana and Mana Ka Gharana), our plate was emptied out to make room for a few new dramas. 

So, how did the dramas fare this month? Well, let's take a look!

Abro

Still watching this drama and still loving every single second of it. What a great story of how two GOOD people made ONE bad decision and how that shaped their entire lives.

Highlight - Love love love what a beautiful relationship Ali and Abro share. They've stuck by each other through thick and thin. They've been each other's support and sounding board. I can't say enough good things about their relationship. #RelationshipGoals

Lowlight - Everyone's aging is a bit weird (and Fauzia hasn't aged a bit). Abro is still wearing the same lawn joras she wore 20 something years ago. 

Bay Qasoor

Insanity continues in this never-ending saga. Hira and Sadaf are living with Ameen and his terminally (?) ill wife as one big happy family. And Waseem is running around making bandobast for Bushra's ilaaj. What? Yes. Who knows what the heck is going on anymore. Even if you watch the episodes back to back, it's difficult to peice together what in the world is going on and why in the world it's happening. 

Highlight - I'm blown away by how absolutely nuts this storyline is...and the Hunger Games background music that keeps playing. #wtf 

Lowlight - The dying Bushra who wants Hira to stay married to her grandpa like husband. Quite frankly, with every move Hira makes being dictated by someone's sob story, I won't be surprised if she stays married to Ameen and has a cricket team of kids. Humph. 

Dil Lagi

Anmol's antics know no end and she runs around town leading Mohid on a merry chase. Mohid, for his part, seems to have nothing better to do but stalk Anmol or lock himself up in his room to sulk. The mothers of both of these two are helpless and powerless to stop anything or make their children see reason. It's ridiculous - but totally addictive. 

Highlight - Watching Mehwish Hayat and Humayun Saeed on tv after ages is like a breath of fresh air after watching the same faces in every drama on air. 

Lowlight - I'm still unable to buy into Anmol's headstrong (aka extreme) behavior. What's she got against Mohid? Shakal hei, body hei, paisa hei, power hei..if he'd stalk me, I'd totally make myself available. #KiddingNotKidding

Main Sitara

This drama transports you to the 60s and keeps you hooked on the story of Surraya, the daughter of the household help that gets left behind by the family. She is then raised by a Noor Jahan like figure, Jharna. Be prepared to be so engrossed in the drama that it takes your family a couple of tries to bring you back to reality.

Highlights - Aisha Gul is phenomenal as Jharna. She's a strong woman who gave her career the backseat to bring up her kids and support her husband as he ventures from TV to film.

Lowlights - Aisha probably should've gotten a real singer to lip sync to because her singing scenes are pretty painful to watch...err...hear. Also, I don't know if it's personal bias, but Meera is unconvincing and doesn't even TRY to act like she's from the 60s. 

Man Mayal

I'm having the toughest time loving this drama because it hasn't managed to captivate me at all. I can't relate to any of the characters and I find goody-two-shoes Salauddin to be a wishy-washy character that doesn't know what he wants. At least Mannu is dheet enough to stick to her guns and stay in the marriage she's gotten herself stuck in. I was releived when she didn't go back to Salauddin when he snapped his fingers at her - again. 

Highlight - I like how Mikael's dad is smart enough to know what an ass his son is. And Talat Hussain, in his limited appearance, was brilliant.

Lowlight - Salauddin is annoying with his whining and moping between Ifty's place and his parent's place. Grow a pair, stop asking your sister to play the go-between, and move on with your life. Gees. 

Mein Kaisay Kahoon

This drama has 15 aired episodes - but it feels like 25. The characters are all over the place and it's impossible to guess who's genuine and who's not. I wish they'd figure out the custody of this kid soon so Samar and Rohail can get their happy ending too already. 

Highlight - Ummm....

Lowlight - It seems to go on and on and on and on...

Mera Yaar Mila De

My inexplicable love for this drama continues - even though as it stands, everyone's lives are in total chaos and nothing is going anyone's way (except maybe Aslam Bhai). I think that's why it's so fun - there's an element of you don't know what's going to happen next and how things are going to fall into place.

Highlight - Striker. Just watch it for Striker.

Downside - Master Sahab seems determined to hitch Mushq off to ANYONE but Fahad. Fahad needs to grow a pair, stop being a leech on Dubbo (Dabo? Dabboo?) Bhai, and figure his shit out.

Naraaz

This drama was pretty much abandoned by me - for the past three episodes all I did was just watch the promo for the upcoming episode. Then I read 'second last' episode, so I decided to watch the whole episode this week (next week is supposedly the last). It's no surprise that Azlan has come back (kind of) to his senses and wants his child back. His best friend refuses to return the child because his psycho wife will probably lose her mind if she has to give up the child that is not actually her child. Ugh. To make you hate the child usurping couple even more, his best friend has based his case on Azlan wanting money in exchange for his child and his wife is telling Aazar to lie on the stand. Absolutely disgusting. 

Highlight - Aisha seems to be moving on to a new beau.

Lowlight - Bummer how a great story turned into a senseless nightmare.  

Sehra Mein Safar

Still holding on to this one - it's not as winning as Aabro, but it definitely beats out Man Mayal or Naraaz. I like how the story continually moves forward and has not grown stagnant.

Highlight - Iqra, with the help of Ayaaz, gets proof of Shehreyar cheating on her and she delivers an awesome soliloquy putting the cheaters in place...BUT the real highlight is how her amazing parents stand by her like a rock.

Lowlight - I'm still trying to figure out why Shehreyar decided to scam two middle class nobodies. With his lofty aspirations, you'd think he would've picked someone who actually had riches for him to do ayaashee with. 

Tere Mere Beech

I feel like this drama is nearing the end, so I'm sticking with it. Even though my disgust with Nadia, Sadia and Phuppo grows with each episode. First they were complete churails to Hareem and now Nadia wants to celebrate her "dead" sister's birthday by cutting a cheap bakery cake. Give me a break. Lucky for us, Fahad is back and I can't wait to see if Hareem will finally avenge herself or if the drama makers will leave us pulling our hair out. 

Highlight - Hina Bayat is convincing as Hareem's mentor. I love the spunky Aapa who wasn't afraid to give Hareem a reality check.

Lowlight - Phuppo. Nadia. Sadia. Nadia and Ali. Sadia and Nadia's devar and their romance. #NobodyCares

Tum Koun Piya

This drama is full of cliches but it plays out beautifully, at an acceptable pace, and Ayeza Khan's come back makes it worth watching. I find it ironic that after Pyaray Afzal she stated she won't do the rhoti-dhoti aurath, but if any of you have heard of the novel the drama is based on, she's about to do just that. 

Highlight - Hina Bayat is stealing the show in this drama too and it's her spunk that makes sure the drama doesn't fall flat. I'm sure it's just a preview of the terror she's going to unleash when she actually brings home the bahu.

Lowlight - Ramish's mom's wardrobe. In an era of blow dried hair, and kitty-party aunties that refuse to age, she walks around in lehngas and shirts with a belt on it. #FashionPolice come quick!!

Zindagi Tujh Ko Jiya (aka 100 Din Ki Kahani)

Still waiting for unaired episodes to begin. Did they turn an hour drama into a half hour drama? #Booo

Highlights: It airs four days a week.

Lowlights: It airs four days a week and has been cut into half. Lord knows how many episodes it'll have...60? 90? 120?

I glanced over a few reviews and comments for Pakeeza and Zara Yaad Kar, two dramas I was considering watching, and didn't read anything convincing. I have been meaning to begin Udaari, so there's definitely going to be a review or an update on that coming up soon :)

Please do comment below on how you feel about what's on air these days! It's always fun to see if you agree or disagree!

Gul-e-Rana -- Episode 20

What episode are we on? Second last. And dear lord why is this drama not over already? Because cruel and unusual punishment is still legal in Pakistan. Humph. 

This lady doesn't want the most boring character in this Drama to die while I'm all like...

This episode we're subjected to more constipated looks from Adeel which are supposed to pass as his petulant boy look as well as remorseful, recovering douchey look.

I'm just concerned why Adeel is trying to strangle himself with that scarf. And why is Rana doing the laundry? Itnay ameer hein, phir bhi Rana is acting like a Masi. Maria doesn't know how lucky she is that she escaped nuptials to this douche. 

Sajal just seems to be going through the motions (pun not intended) so we get more clueless doe eyed stares from gul e rana. Hello Sajal...Bambi called, he wants his signature look back. 

The spoilt man child has broken various limbs in the accident magar dard Unko sur mai hota hai. Aisay sar koun dabata hei? It's like she's pinching the skin off his forehead. (Ummm - what?! Haha) Did anyone else notice the romantic music that played when he asks her to dabado his sar? It's like sar dabanai se in dono mein miraculously pyar ho jaaye ga. Normal dramas, the guy woos the girl with flowers and gifts. GuleRana, the guy woos the girl by turning her into his personal slave. 

Random guy shows up to meet Adeel. Apparently he's visited Rana often with his sister. Major creepy vibes. Shamsi why haven't you mentioned creepy neighbour in your previous updates? Cos he just started to put in all these forced-flirtatious entries in the last three episodes. So creepy neighbour guy makes not so subtle hints to Adeel that he would marry Gul-e-Rana in a hot second if Adeel would oblige and drop dead soon. More constipated glare offs between Douchey and Creepy. 

#Pathetic. HumTV should be ashamed of themselves. 

Am I supposed to feel for Adeel now? Why? Yeh kaisi Mohabbat hei? Kia deemagh kharab ho gaya hei? I'm just supposed to forget all the verbal abuse and womanizing and sympathize with this douche because he's handicapped now? I think maybe the accident has caused amnesia and he's forgotten the last 19 episodes. 

Douchey, feels a bit miserable after Rana leaves him to enjoy his pity party all day long and decides to apologise. 

Ho-ly CRAP. Did that just happen?? DID THAT JUST HAPPEN? After weeks of bakwas, we finally get ONE scene that makes sense. This scene should've happened ten episodes ago! 

When you eat too many Cheetos, you're legs start turning into Cheetos. #YouAreWhatYouEat

Shortly after candidate number two arrives. 

But it's OK, we know he's not going to cross the finish line. 

While Asher bhai explains his "love" for Rana, Adeel gets more constipation pains. Kounse pains? Looks pretty happy cheery to me. In the end Asher bhai reveals he's going to be knocking on heaven's door real soon.

Because that's what bosom buddies do - stay up all night sharing secrets and giggling. And the director couldn't let this scene end without some heavy duty symbolism. 

 Ab samajh ayi Adeel? 

Next morning adeel wakes up to find AKBAR chacha crying over his bed reading the tasbeeh. I thought chalo Lugta hai Asher bhai Raat ko hi chul basay. But no, he wouldn't do that to his beloved Rana.  

I can't believe they're giving Asher such an undignified end. Smh. He dies on the BUS home? Devdas ki tarhaan Rana ki chaukhat pe dum tordh dete bhaiyya. 

Final scene. More 'repenting' by douche-face and ultimatum giving by Rana. My brain hurts too much to try to feel anything for either of these two now.