Jaan-e-Jahan has unfortunately witnessed a decline with each passing episode. The initial two episodes set a high standard, the third was satisfactory, but the fourth left much to be desired. The latest episode, however, presented numerous issues, making it challenging to take the storyline seriously. Shehram’s beard underwent more transformations in this episode than his state of mind, and the factory scene was poorly executed. Does the lady in question have short-term memory loss? The dialogues throughout the episode lacked the necessary impact, and the execution fell short of achieving the intended emotional depth. The only redeeming factor in this episode was Mahnoor’s genuine feelings for Shehram and the commendable on-screen chemistry between Hamza Ali Abbasi and Ayeza Khan, providing a glimmer of hope.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that Shehram’s support system appears to be the weakest link in the drama. The employee (Aslam Sheikh), responsible for his well-being and who also had a close association with his father, appears surprisingly oblivious to the evident situation. Both the doctor and lawyer friend exhibit a sheepish attitude, and it appears that Murad Shah took all his wisdom with him.
Most of the scenes revolving around Shehram’s storyline felt repetitive and lacked the necessary depth. Particularly, the meeting between Shehram and Shehbaz could have been presented in a far more impactful manner, as it appeared too straightforward and lacked significant meaning. The portrayal of this crucial meeting offered only the bare minimum, failing to evoke the desired emotions. A notable aspect that could not be overlooked was the demeanor of the actor playing Shehbaz’s role during the meeting. Given the circumstances, a character of his stature should have been depicted with more grace and poise. His look and body language did not go well with his character arc. The overall execution fell short of capturing the intensity and significance of such a pivotal moment in the narrative. The dialogues were also plain and simple giving little clarity. Surely a lawyer whom Murad Shah trusted blindly had more to offer than what Shehbaz offered in this meeting. Also, the explanation he gave for not being able to reach out to Shehram was not convincing enough. Does Shehram not own a phone? And if not then maybe chacha should have advised him to keep one so that he is more accessible.
We found out today that Kishwar has not only given drugs to Shehram to consume on his own but she is also drugging his food! Well, this does explain Shehram’s state of mind but the fact that the doctor was not able to pick that up was an utter disappointment – were these the kind of incompetent people Murad Shah trusted with his life? Definitely not believable! Regrettably, the narrative has taken the predictable route of diminishing the intelligence of other characters, allowing the negative character to manipulate the situation.
The factory scene left me utterly perplexed. It seemed implausible that the factory worker could simply forget the traumatic incident involving Tabraiz that occurred just a few days ago. Her portrayal suggested a complete lack of recollection as if the incident had never taken place. What was even more baffling was her demeanor – turning back and casting a seemingly ‘inviting’ glance at Tabraiz. This particular moment felt poorly conceived and stood out as the most poorly executed scene in the entire episode. Also, Nawal Saeed’s makeover does not align with the role she is playing. Tabraiz’s scenes contribute little to the narrative; they embody the epitome of a typical and stereotypical brat role. The character’s lack of intelligence further diminishes its appeal.
The only impactful moments in this episode revolved around the interactions between Mahnoor and Shehram. Additionally, the dream sequence featuring Shehram’s mother stood out, delivering meaningful dialogue that had the potential to significantly influence his state of mind. Mahnoor could decipher more about Shehram’s state of mind in these two short meetings than his ‘well-wishers’ did in this episode! She is already worried for Shehram and is clearly all set to play the role of the ‘savior’. I appreciate the refreshing twist where, for a change, the woman takes on the role of the rescuer, reversing traditional gender roles. However, I did not like the way Mahnoor referred to Shehram in her conversations with her family. There was no ‘sahab’ involved; she talked about him too casually, almost implying a lack of respect. It also struck me as odd that she made no mention of his father’s promise to hers, concentrating solely on the teaching aspect and overlooking the pledged commitment.
This episode left much to be desired, both in terms of its writing and direction. Unfortunately, the writer has opted for a predictable course by downplaying the intelligence of positive supporting characters, thereby enabling the negative character to completely take over. Despite these shortcomings, Mahnoor’s ambitions and the chemistry between the lead actors offer some optimism for future episodes. Given Shehram’s vulnerabilities, Kishwar’s negativity, and the naivety and helplessness of Shehram’s support system, there is little hope. However, my curiosity is piqued to discover how Mahnoor will eventually ‘rescue’ Shehram!
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