Hello drama lovers, and although I’m back with The Week in Dramas, it’s a crawl week with nothing much happening! Perhaps the World Cup has taken away the heat or perhaps it’s the Filmfare ME Achievers where the drama was so much more than Maham & her teacher friend attempting a romantic conversation in Wabaal, or perhaps, Bakhtawar seems to be frozen in time and Daraar is going round in circles – whatever (failed to) happened, I find it very hard to carry on the drama talk today because, because, because … there’s really no drama to report between the channels.

But anyway, here goes!
Wabaal Continues

Wabaal and Faraz’s painful journey continues. I said it before and I’m saying it again, the man is what husbands should be made of: supportive, loving yet standing his ground. And now Faraz’s love is being challenged to the utmost! Anum is pushing it and the girl, although reckless, clever, impulsive, seems to lack foresight or awareness on when to stop! Her impatience know no bounds and I fear she’s about to be banished to a place of no return if she messes up the land deal with Faraz’s friend. You could see her eyes light up right there and that, if we know Anum by now, spells trouble!
But Maham’s sad-romantic story needs a lift, though not from Naveed, which is where I fear it’s going to come from. So unfortunately, Wabaal’s two narratives Shagufta vs Anum are a tad disjointed, running in parallel to each other and I fear, when eventually they do cross over, it will be a tad too late? And too forced?
Fraud – The Truth Is Out
Anyway, moving on to Fraud that’s doing a pretty good job on the romance radar! Maya and Shaan are giving us couple goals. A loveless marriage can turn into a sense of regard for each other, which, in turn, might turn into love eventually. That, coupled with Maya and Shajji’s faceoff in the driveway was one to remember. Performances are on point; the story moves forward, and the stage is set for the final reveal. The question is, will Shaan stand by Maya or lose his very fragile trust in the female species yet again? Keep watching Fraud, and we’re all about to find out pretty soon. Of course, Shajji will have his day before the day is over. So in other words, things will get worse before they get better!
Pinjra Gives Us The Reality Checks We Need
Pinjra gives us chills yet again. This time, we address social media, bullying, parental dynamics, drugs and more, yet again.

But the story moves forward, or shall we say, backwards, as we arrive at the starting point finally! The events leading up to that first episode explain the dilemma all the characters find themselves in. From Khadija shrugging off Azaan’s question as to why she fears her husband, to Abaan desperately stealing money for drugs to Khadija unable to see the red flags despite Wajiha’s repeated warnings, the story is warming up and throwing multiple questions: oh but why couldn’t they let him sing, why didn’t they smell the smoke in Abaan’s room, why can’t they see Abeer heading for deep trouble…that’s the story of many households and unfortunately, they couldn’t see it coming either!
A word on our dear friend Javed here. For all those defending him that he is a good man and just wants to do right by his family, here’s the thing: Javed is an egotistical self-absorbed man who wants to control the lives of his family. He is unapologetic to Wajiha with whom he’s repeatedly rude and not at all helpful, or empathetic for her situation, he keeps Khadija within bounds, not allowing her to follow her passion for music, and that goes for Abaan too. He treats Abeer as part of the household furniture; that girls are to be seen not heard, and he harbors exceptional hopes and dreams from Azaan, who is, luckily, coming up to his expectations. He has made the lives of those around him miserable and he has zero self-awareness so far to realize that he is the culprit.
Omair Rana has played this one well, and I bet we all know at least one Javed amidst us. That is the silent worth of this character – he’s real and we all know him!
Does Meri Shehzadi Need To Keep A Consistent Pace?

Meri Shehzadi is the drama that giving us erratic episodes – from one fast-paced week to a snail’s pace this last week, Meri Shehzadi needs the Shehzadi aka Dania to pick herself up and get moving. She needs to take charge and manage the man in her life, if she has decided to stay with him. Nana might just die of a heart attack and, that’s what Shahana wants. Cam’s voice note reveal was as ruthless as Shehroze’s sending it was downright naïve. And that too, just when we thought he is learning the political ropes. Oh well, you’re either born a politician or not.
Shehroze is telling us what he is, or what he’s not, for that matter! A career furthest removed from politics might be a good idea, but perhaps it’s too late for that!
Bakhtawar – Are You Watching?
Finally, I thought I wouldn’t, but I might as well. Bakhtawar it is!

What is Dilawar not up to? Has he forgotten he’s our hero? Has Bakhtawar forgotten she is the heroine? Sheeda’s death was both an anticlimax and an easy deliverance for an evil man who should have suffered more. But even as we get over that, we cannot understand why Bakhtawar can’t get on with her life as Bakhtawar and shed the Bakhtu guise once and for all! That Nooreh- Bakhtu marriage scene was quite the twist but seriously, I mean, can’t we see a journey that is inspiring, uplifting, and throws of higher challenges for our heroine than Nooreh?
The drama is dipping off my radar for more reasons than one, and so hoping it picks up pace and more next week!
And that’s all folks. Looking forward to Iqra’s new offering – Aik Thi Laila, coming soon I believe and let’s hope it will add quality content on the scene (and screen) – it is Iqra after all, and judging by her last few offerings, she should be hitting it out of the park for sure!
No, I didn’t mention Habs, Agar, Farq and more because I’m waiting for something fabulous to happen, something that spurs me to write on because, the drama demands it! Not yet.
Keep watching and let me know if Joyland was a watch and a half and had nothing to do with the online debate that we all continued endlessly (yours truly included) without watching the movie! I for one, still can’t watch out of Pakistan so no spoilers please!
