Drama Update -- August 2016

Good lord - how did we manage to neglect the blog so bad? My heartfelt apologies to everyone who has been so patient with us! Thank you for STILL stopping by - I promise there will be (by hook or by crook) a new post up this week! But for now, let me go ahead and post an incomplete-but-now-complete post that I started in June. (I know, I know - beghairti ki inteha. Tauba!) Of course since I did it in June, I had to do over any reviews I had changed since then...so the opinions are totally up to date.

Honestly, I didn't watch any dramas for a month (month and a half? Two months?) and then spent a week, right before Ramadan and well into Ramadan, binge watching them. And then I got caught up with summer vacations and travelling and spent the last week catching up, so I haven't completely caught up with some dramas that were on my to watch list. (Which is good because I just promised yall another post within the week so...)

A lot of the dramas I was watching came to an end -- Naraaz, Sehra Mein Safar, Abro, Tere Mere Beech, Bay Qasoor. The last four of those were all the good vs. evil type but for some reason while the dramas managed to deliver on the evil, they didn't manage to satisfy on evil getting a taste of their own medicine. So that was kind of a bummer. 

At any rate, here's the rest of what I missed and caught up on...

Aap Ke Liye

I kinda like this, so far. It's another one of those poor girl marries rich guy stories (which I'm a sucker for) and if you don't watch the OST, you can convince yourself that the drama will play out like an epic Barbara Sharif Bollywood movie - you know, where she gets married to the guy and then evil saas aur nandoon ki akal thikanay karti hei in the most hilarious way possible.
Highlight - The fact that the hero and heroine are years apart is a part of the story, so it doesn't gross you out as much as it should. Arij Fatima plays the smart mouthed/borderline annoying Washma effortlessly. It's a breath of fresh air to see Waseem Abbass playing a slimey old lech instead of the evil/worthless ghareeb lardkion ka baap.
Lowlight - The actress playing the younger sister, whose storyline no one (i.e. me) gives two cents about.

Dil Lagi

I know I said I wasn't too thrilled with this drama in the beginning, but it finally won me over (matlab, with only two episodes, one would hope so!). Anmol is blinded by misunderstandings and anger and she's gonna regret her hurtful actions. Mohid couldn't be more of a picture perfect Prince Charming if he tried, but Anmol manages to (kind of) bring him to a breaking point. Shit hits the fan, ladies and gentlemen, but luckily gets resolved instantaneously (speaking when you compare it in in drama time). I love how Anmol's mom, sister, mother-in-law and nand are all actually trying to help her and not appearing and disappearing from the screen as a bunch of the writer's after-thoughts. 

Highlight - Imran Ashraf is hilarious as Mohid's sidekick and the comic relief and his love story with Anmol's sister is sweet and cute. He's an absolute treat to watch.

Lowlight - Can. Not. Stand. Mehwish. Hayat. Ufffff... And quite frankly, I don't care how good of a reason Mohid had to slap Anmol, it's still abuse and it's still unacceptable. "I slapped her for her own good." Wow. *taalian*

Main Sitara 

This 60s based drama effortlessly took us to a time and place when Bollywood produced classics we still love today. It's easy to imagine the characters as a part of that era. Saba Qamar makes you fall in love with Surraya, and root for her when she grapples with becoming Sitara and staying loyal to the woman who helped her get there.
Highlights - Everyone in their role shines. The casting in this drama -- wah. Dil khush hogaya!

Lowlights - ....and then there's Meera Ji, which is the only weak link. Her stilted - and unconvincing - dialogue delivery are an epicfail.

Note: Season Two is currently airing, but I haven't watched any episodes yet :(

Man Mayal

Well guys, Ayesha Khan finally made her appearance and it gives me immense joy to say, "I told you so." The drama has officially derailed and left us wanting to ask a million questions - why has the evil naukar become the most loyal naukar? Why is Salauddin so blind to Jeena and her maneuvers? Why is she living in his house?! Why is Manu such a door mat? The only character that makes sense is Mikael who has, at least, stayed true to his character. 

Highlight - Nothing. (Personal highlight: I managed to abandon ship like 10 episodes ago...really, I feel for everyone still watching this crap.)

Lowlight - Jeena calling Salauddin her "cutie patootie." My ears, they burn. Ayesha Khan is horribly miscast as Jeena. And Hamza Ali Abbassi's affected deep voice - I guess he's trying to portray how solemn/deep/sangeedah Salauddin is - is distracting and dumb. 

Mein Kaisay Kahoon

Honestly, I didn't bother to keep up with this. It started out cute enough, but it dragged on and on and on and I didn't feel like wasting my life to catch up. But I heard it ended well...so...if you watched it, picture me giving you a high five ;)

Mera Yaar Mila De

This drama - regardless of its many many plot holes, is my favorite mistake. It's filmy, it's fun, it's easy to watch. It also reminds me more and more of Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, except the heroine and Ajay Devgan actually had the decency to get married before he dragged her to Europe to find her one true love. I was all in for Mushq giving Fahad the "tum nei mujhe pyar kar na sikhaya, laykin Dabboo nei mujhe pyar nibhana sikhaya" speech, which didn't happen #Sad. But still, this drama was fun and filmy and I loved it....Hmm...I feel like I repeated myself there....

Highlight - Towards the end Striker gets limited screen time, but Sundus Tariq makes up for it as the talkative and bubbly Iqra. 

Downside - The younger sister's evil sister-in-law and her husband who can't stand up for her. I don't know why they needed this side story at all. Why didn't Zeba just get her happy ending?

Tum Koun Piya

I love Ayeza Khan, I like Imran Abbas, and I'm into cliched dramas about evil mother-in-laws, so this drama ranks pretty high on my watch list. The story flows effortlessly and even though it's predictable, I find myself won over and looking forward to each episode.
Highlight - Hina Bayat is off-the-charts convincing as the evil mil with double standards. Yasir Shoro is also killing it as the baighairat and gold-digging brother-in-law.

Lowlight - Sumbul and Ramish's relationship is a bit of a weak link, if you ask me. Sumbul seems too much of a strong and smart girl to let Ramish get away with the stuff that he does. (I'm glad she left.) Ramish's mom's wardrobe continues to distract.

Udaari 

Let's just cut to the chase - if you can only watch ONE drama airing right now, make it this one. The story, the lessons, the casting (for the most part), the acting, there is not a single thing that detracts from the awesomeness this drama brings to our screens every week. Ahsan Khan is easily the man of the hour - he should win every award possible for his amazing portrayal of the snake Imtiaz.

Highlight: To take such a sensitive topic and present it so flawlessly...I'm impressed beyond words. Bravo Team Udaari!

Lowlight: Farhan Saeed, as the arrogant band vocalist turned lawyer, is probably the weakest link amongst the players of the drama. 

Zindagi Tujh Ko Jiya (aka 100 Din Ki Kahani)

I haven't caught up with this either. I probably will though...eventually. I do know that it ran for a total of 60 episodes...#OneDay

So there you have it folks, dramas I watched, dramas I enjoyed, dramas I am rooting for, and dramas that I dropped. On my list now are Besharam, Saya E Dewar Bhi Nahi, BeAib, and maybe Intezaar and Dhaani (which airs on Geo and I haven't watched a single drama from Geo that wasn't totally blog worthy). I keep going back and forth on Zara Yaad Kar, but I think maybe it's just too far in to catch up with now, so it might just continue to be a miss as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks again for all your support and the kind words you've left while we were on our short hiatus! Hopefully, we'll continue to post more regularly now.

Happy watching!

Bikhra Mera Naseeb - Last Episode

Deja Vu anyone? Issi tarhan ronay ka drama kar kay last time bhi papa ko manaya tha...

I wish people would sneak up on me and see me doing good deeds.

Let's recap: Last time these two were face to face, she was recounting her evil doings and he tried to strangle her. Yaad hei? Haris: 'Hina mere leeay mar chukee hei.' I guess he came around pretty quick. #TrueLove

Inteqam? Kiss cheez ka inteqam? What did I miss??

Oh puhleez. Don't give me that nonsense. I haven't seen her visiting her husband once in the hospital - and now she wants to cry?

Fil: Agar Hina is ghar se gaee, tu mein bhi nahi rahonga!

Haris yeh tu tumhari line honi chaheeaye na?

Oh. Is baath ka inteqam. Ok. Phir theek hei. 

Wha...? Who are these two people standing on a beachside cliff?

Am I the only one who finds this TV and a dresser out of place in a hospital room?

Didn't Hina just throw the 'jaidad ke kagaz' at her face two scenes ago?

Hum saath saath hein!

So Bikhra Mera Naseeb comes to a close. It breaks my heart when things like this happen to such gems. But it all ends well, so yay! Maybe we'll get lucky and someone will come up with a sequel - I mean the evil stepmom should get another chance to wreak havoc. And Hareb proved he can turn douche overnight if he even suspects anything (why clear the air or anything?). And will Hina and Haris have a baby? There's just so much potential!

If it was not obvious from my posts, I absolutely love Ayeza Khan. She's so pretty that I'm always #TeamAyeza. And when she pairs up with Sami Khan - my excitement knows no bounds. (If you haven't watched Do Qadam Dur Thay, I feel for you.) 

Since I'm pretty sure yall are all gaga over these two too, I urge you to place your hand over your heart, and repeat after me: I, *fill in your name*, do solemnly swear to watch any drama that Ayeza Khan and Sami Khan pair up in. To gush over their obvious meant-to-be-togetherness and give into any bouts of cuteness that may overtake me at any given time. So help me God.

Bikhra Mera Naseeb - Episode 19

Jiss din se betoon ki shadi kari hei, this woman has been blaming everyone and anyone for their woes. Give it a rest woman. 

Bad maternal advice continues. Her dad is in the hospital, her marriage is over, her inlaws hate her -- and mom says go meet your boyfriend to make yourself feel better. *sigh*

Whoa there Hareb. You sure are gonna be eating your hat when Hina comes back. Which she will. It's a Pakistani drama after all...

Hero wears a leather jacket to work. #LegitBehavior

NOW we're getting somewhere!

Akeli lardki,aadhi raath ko, sarak par akelay khari hei. What Karachi is this?

Hard to believe the stuck up Hina would have a genuine friend...

After all that has happened, it seems a little weird for the dad to be urging his son to save his marriage.

Has everyone forgotten that Ujala is pregnant?

Bikhra Mera Naseeb - Episode 18

I had to waste 3 1/2 minutes of my life for her to break the news that Ujala's mom has passed on. I mean seriously. Did she contribute anything at all to this drama? Hmph #GoodRiddance

Hina sleeping in a flimsy steal chair. Chalo, ab tu Haris ko yakeen  aa jaaye ga na that she really, really loves him.

Ujala: Mujhe pata hei sub meri wajah se bohat pareshaan hein...

Hein? Excuse me? Beta hospital mein para hei, laykin sub ko fikr aap ki hei? Hoosh ke nakhun lo bibi. 

OMG! Totally stealing this idea for when I have a baby! NOT. Really - who comes up with these ideas? 

DIDN'T UJALA'S MOM JUST DIE YESTERDAY? 

WHAT. IS. SHE. WEARING??!! 

As if the jhooti-mooti 'Kia mein bohat moti ho gaee hoon?' discussion was not enough, Hareb followed it up with another (lame) cliche: Tumhein pata hei aik mard ki zindagi mein do aurtoon ki  bohat ziada ahmiyat hoti hei...

*Rolling my eyes*

*Raised eyebrow*

Ujala: mein Hina se Baath nahi karoongi tu uljhi rahoon gi...

Earth to Ujala -- Hina hates your guts. Why would she confide in you? Sheesh. 

Everyone's so busy with this confrontation, no one notices dad having the typical fatal heart attack/ stroke in the background. #Cliche

I think we've reached the climax of this drama. Everyone's hands are on the table - except perhaps Hina's mom's, who I suspect is just motivated by good old fashioned greed. How will poor Hina get herself out of this hole? And what slip-up from her mom will reveal her true colors? #CantWait

Bikhra Mera Naseeb - Episode 17

Subha subha this cheapness took place amongst my least-favorite-couple:

Feroz Malik really needs to take some classes from the king of mushy looks...

Haris told Ujala to shut the heck up. Haye - dil ko itni thandak tu pehli dafa milli hei mujhe yeh drama dekhtay huay!

Wasn't the grand plan to get married and then divorced? This totally works in these two's favor. Then why exactly is this mother daughter duo upset? They totally got what they wanted - this time without even trying. (I feel so confused...)

Hina: Mein Haris ko dhoka deine ka sooch bhi nahi sakti.

DIDN'T YOU JUST ABORT HIS CHILD AND LIE ABOUT IT??

Haris: I don't love you, but I can't live without you. 

I totally get it Haris. That's exactly how I feel about doing laundry. 

Amateurs! Hina managed to eavesdrop from behind a closed door - Hareb and Ujala can't hear these two yelling from a few feet down? Sheesh. 

Bikhra Mera Naseeb - Episode 16

I must be going senile because I'm sure we were seeing Hina turn a new leaf when her mom said she has to abort the baby...And then this happened:

Hina saying she hasn't changed her mind  (she hesitated - right? Right?) Wouldn't it just have been easier to use birth control and FAKE the pregnancy, like a normal drama? Lol. Of course not. I'm sure this will come back to bite her...

Yep. Everyone comes out of a surgical procedure looking like this. 

Ujala wants to plan a surprise for Hina? Why?!

Does Ujala's mom live under a rock in Hina's house? Shouldn't she be roaming the halls like a ghost, eavesdropping on the evil mother-daughter duo and reporting to Ujala or even Basit sahab?

Oh please, who leaves doors open like this in Karachi? In summers, it's too hot. In winters, there are mosquitoes. 

Another sil set down by Ujala. Really, no one in this family has any tact. 

Yeh Sara, Sara koun hei? Yeh Sara, Sara?

What goes around comes around, Hina. Did you think you were the only one with secrets?

1 - Is ameer tareen family ke mulazim kahaan hein?

2 - Do I really need to comment on how much blood Ujala is loosing picking up two pieces of glass? (Apparently, yes. Yes, I do need to comment. Lol)

Hareb: Ujala kia hua? You're bleeding to death!

Ujala: Nahi. Kuch nahi hua. I'm just going to sit here with my fingers profusely blessing. Please. Just ignore me. 

Me: *snort*

Wait - this episode gets better...oh Geo! I'm so proud of you! You brought your A-game! (Disclaimer: that was not a compliment)

Hina is starting to show her true colors - no more Miss Nice Gal!

Pot calling the kettle black? Hina confronting Haris for deceiving her.

Really, Hina? 

Wait - So Ujala is in the inlaws' circle of trust?

And the episode ended on a show down and then hug and make up for Hareb and Ujala. (Not that I can bring myself to care. Let's get back to Hina and Haris already. That's where the dramas at!)