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Bridgertons Are Back!

Warning- Spoilers Ahead!!!

Scandal… who does not love it, but when it spins around you then the views change. And whenever we hear “scandal” we automatically hear “Bridgerton” 

Yes, the most awaited series of the year dropped on Netflix on March 25 and within 24 hours it was already watched by a million households. But can you blame anyone? Where else will we find the blatant defying of unjust norms, a strong sense of feminism and most importantly the extravagant balls! 

The rules are the same in the second season, but the players change and the game becomes more dangerous. With Daphne, the eldest daughter of the household now gone the whole pressure falls on the eldest son, Anthony who was shown to have been torn between his responsibilities as a viscount and his personal life. 

In Season 1 we found out that he gave more priority to his duties as a viscount than any other things.

 With season 2 revolving around his story, we have learnt some astonishing facts about him other than that some other massive changes have taken place among the elite class of London class in the Regency Era. 

Here are four riveting moments that I loved in Season 2 of Bridgeton – 

  • Edmund’s Death: In the 3rd episode A Bee In Your Bonnet, we learn that Edmund, the former viscount was killed after being stung by a bee during hunting with his eldest son, Anthony. But this is not it, we also learn that Lady Violet, Edmund’s beloved wife and the mother of the Bridgeton children was pregnant with their 8th child. That means Hyacinth never saw his dad. It was heartbreaking to see Anthony being handed a myriad of responsibilities as soon as his father passed away, he also had to handle his mother’s shock and got no time to grieve at all. 
  • Secret Of The Sharmas- Midway through the second season, we found that the elder Sharma daughter, Kathani aka Kate was not the biological daughter of Lady Mary. It came as a shock to Edwina, the younger sister as Kate was the closest to her and basically raised her after their father’s death. 
  • History Between Sheffield’s and Lady Mary- Shefflids are Lady Mary’s parents and the maternal grandparents of Edwina. It is revealed that they disowned Mary as she rejected their alliance and married a clerk from India. They were invited to the Aubrey House to celebrate Edwina’s engagement and they there left no stone unturned to humiliate their daughter and her step-daughter. But after all, what is Bridgeton without a little drama? 
  • Lady Portia’s increasing schemes – I had always disliked Lady Portia, however, my sympathies increased for her in season 2 when she protected her daughters at the end of the last episode. But that did not stop her from being impulsive before, she schemed to trick the new Lord Featherington to marry her eldest daughter and did not consider the fact that her daughter and Lord Featherington were cousins. After she got to know that Lord Featherington was not rich as he claimed, she schemed to get him married to Cressida Cowper so that they could make a payday from her dowry.  Now with Lord Featherington gone and again left penniless, we have to wait and see what Lady Portia has to offer us the next season. 
  • Last but not the least, Penelope Vs Eloise – The fight scene between Penelope and Eloise in the last episode of The Viscount Who Loved Me saddened me a little. The two were the strongest pair in the series but their inevitable fallout came as a shock to most of us. Although Penelope did lie to Eloise she only did that to protect her even though Eloise does not believe her at the moment. Now that Eloise knows and Penelope is again back to writing as Lady Whistletown, we have to wait and see if Eloise will expose her or will they two makeup and we as the audience will get back our strong and dynamic duo? We will find that out next year. 

Bridgeton is now streaming on Netflix!!!

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REVIEW TIME- KISSING BOOTH 3!

WHY? WHY? I was literally shouting after I finished watching the third sequel of the Kissing Booth series which premiered today at 12 PM IST on Netflix. But anyways I calmed down after a while and thought that what can I do, it’s just a movie after all.

I will not say that I really loved the movie like the previous two sequels but I really liked the character growth of the main characters and how they figured out their priorities and that is what  I am going to bring forward in this article today.

The movie started off well with the core four spending their last summer in Flynn’s summerhouse with the harsh fact that the house is going to be sold in a few days.  All of them vow to make their last summer memorable but does anything in a teenager’s life go as expected? No! Thus, then we see the up’s and downs of their lives.

I will first start with Elle,  according to me she was extremely confused in this sequel.  Like man come on 1 month left and you haven’t chosen which college you will finally go to? Please, that’s so unrealistic.  She’s got accepted to both Harvard and UC Berkeley, still, she can’t make a choice. For a minute I was like come on Elle, you’ve got to be smarter than this, just like figure out your priorities, girl.  I do understand her dilemma, but it is her life, and no one should decide anything for her and in a pressure of pleasing the people around her she should not end up making a choice which she will regret later.

In the second sequel, we did not see much development in Chole’s character. But I was relieved to see that she also had her own share of problems and needed someone by her side. Otherwise, in the second film and a great chunk in the third film instead of a girl in her early twenties she was more like Elle and Noah’s therapist who was guiding them with their relationship.  For some time, I really forgot that Chole was Noah’s friend and not a thirty-year-old adult, no offence to people who are her fans!>.

As for the boys, Lee and Noah both at times were unreasonable. They did not probably understand that their anticipation and excitement confused Elle more. However, they were not wrong as both of them wanted Elle around them. But after all, Elle has to figure out her own priorities.

As for the good parts, I really liked the activities on the bucket list.  Too much fun it was and while seeing Elle and Lee doing them, I could not help but imagine myself in Elle’s place. The one activity that I really liked was the sundae activity where both Elle and Lee dropped large bowls of sundae on Noah. It looked like they had a lot of fun.  Marco, the new student who was introduced in the second sequel was extra annoying in this sequel. It seemed his sole purpose staying back in Los Angeles was to spoil the last summer of Noah and Elle. But I really appreciated the fact Noah did not retaliate the way we perceived him to, and that I was a great development in Noah’s character.  

Lee and Elle’s friendship were subjected to many tests in the other two sequels, but I think the one in this film was the most heart-breaking.  I was also extremely disappointed in Lee when he accused Elle of giving more importance to Noah, like a random person saying that would not matter but when your best friend says such a thing it hurts a lot indeed.

However, like the other sequel, Elle and Lee do patch up eventually and it felt good to see that Elle finally stopped putting others before herself and explained to Lee that she needed to follow her own dreams. 

 Then comes the most heart-breaking moment when Noah and Elle breakup, and I said earlier that I shouted “why and why” as I wanted them to last! , but practically they made the correct decision. Given the choice between love and career, one should always choose a career as I always say!

This movie was a bittersweet one, it put light on the fact that in the end, we must make tough choices. I will definitely not elaborate anymore cause I think I was given a lot of spoilers.

But yes, I would want one thing that Elle got and that is to get accepted to both Stanford and Harvard University.

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3 CHARACTERS WHO EVOLVED BEYOND EXPECTATIONS ACCORDING TO ME!

  1. Lucrecia ( LU) Montesinos Hendrich – Lucrecia is one of the main characters of Spanish thriller series “Elite”. She featured in the first three seasons of the series and the role is essayed by Mexican actress and singer,  Danna Paola. Lucrecia initially was never a likeable character; she was a typical rich snob who had no emotions and always used to berate other people. However, what I loved the most about the character is its growth and evolvement. She has shown immense maturity later in the later episodes. She did do a lot of cruel things, but she was also given a lot of pain by the people she loved.  From an arrogant girl to a girl with immense respect for everything was not an easy journey.
Danna Paola as Lucrecia Hendrich

2. Justin Foley– Justin is one of the main characters of the American Teen Drama series “13 Reasons Why”.   The character is essayed by American actor Brandon Flynn.  We can all agree that we developed a bit of discontent towards Justin in the first season for not protecting both Hannah and Jessica. Justin always saw the wrong but was not brave enough to protest it. But he started to protest towards the end of Season 1 and that is when the evolvement of his character began. He always stood up for his friends in difficult times and tried to support them in every possible way. He fought against addiction, abuse and made some great friends and formed some unbreakable bonds throughout the series. I feel that Justin had come a long way from what he was in the beginning and he deserved much better than what he got.

Brandon Flynn as Justin Foley

3. Tully Hart– Tully is the main character of the American Drama Series “Firefly Lane”. Tully Hart is portrayed by American Actress Katherine Heigl and her younger counterparts are portrayed by Alissa Skyovbye. Tully initially was a girl who had a tough exterior and interior. She didn’t have compassion or empathy as she never received her mother’s love and was brought up all alone since her childhood. But as she grew up it’s shown that she was eager to fill in the void of love inside her, she did make a lot of mistakes and took ample wrong decisions but that is what shaped Tully as a character. From not caring for anyone to having the constant fear of losing her only best friend and loved ones brought a new dynamic to her character.  Later on, she realises that even after being so rich and powerful she lacked love and compassion in her life. Tully Hart represents all those people who try to learn from their mistakes and evolve and change as human being only to realise it’s too late.  All we can do now is wait for season 2 to see if Tully has changed completely or not, Will She?

Alissa Skyovbye as Young Tully Hart
Katherine Heigl as Older Tully Hart

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Review: 13 Reasons Why – Season 1 &2

“Thank you for listening, thank you for being a part of my suicide, thank you for standing there and doing nothing while I was dying inside.”   These are the last words of a 17-year-old girl who was mentally disturbed and it was unknown to all, even her closest people.

Mental Health is a very challenging factor in today’s world where millions of people suffer from various mental health problems and it is only noticed when a disaster like a suicide happens.  During the pandemic , the mental health of many people has worsened and I am sure no one even has a closest hunch of it and not even your own ones and that is the sad part and it is very dangerous also. Why does it happen ? It is because we have never known to give mental health any importance. A Broken body part is given so much attention and it can be fixed but a broken soul is not given any attention and it is not easy to fix a broken soul or sometimes it cannot be fixed at all.

Today I am going bring forward a sad yet bittersweet review of a Netflix original series  “ 13 Reasons Why “ which is directed by Brain Yorkey and is based on the book “Thirteen Reasons Why “ by Jay Asher. 

This series talks a about a 17-year-old girl , Hannah Baker who had just shifted to the town and started to attend Liberty High School where she was a subject to rampant bullying after an embarrassing picture of her was leaked in the school groups and then  many events that mentally disturbed her and eventually lead her to take her own life.  It also talks about the various social issues that are faced by the modern youth  like bullying, sexual assault ,drug addiction, alcoholism, homelessness ,etc.

After Hannah’s suicide , Clay Jensen Hannah’s friend and admirer receives  13 cassettes . Inside which Hannah had recorded herself while narrating her painful experiences and it was sent to all 13 people who she held responsible for her death.  Clay becomes obsessed with it and confronts every person in the tape which leads to many fights and violence towards to him.  It is revealed that Hannah had tried to alert people about her mental condition through poems and by saying things like “my life has to stop”. But no one paid any heed as people around her were not aware of mental sickness.  She had been through many traumatic experiences. Her best friend was raped in front of her and she was helpless ,she herself was sexually assaulted , her private thoughts and pictures were posted in social media without her consent. Hannah at a certain point in her cassettes blames Clay as she left her alone and did not confess his feelings to her. 

I would highly recommend people to watch the series as it tackles tough real-world issues . By shedding a light in these difficult topics people who are watching the series will learn about mental health problem  and its consequences.  It talks about the importance of mental health and how to deal with mental problems and triggers that promote suicide. The production house has also provided a support website with crisis numbers for people affected by depression, anxiety and other mental health issues which I think is a very thoughtful initiative.  The series shows that how mental health problems can change a rebellious , jolly girl to suicidal teenager.

The star cast includes Dylan Minnette as Clay Jensen while  Katherine Langford essays the role of Hannah Baker. It also includes Alisha Bose, Brandon Flynn, Miles Heizer,  Justin Prentice in pivotal roles.  It has four seasons and is filmed in the Northern Californian Towns and is produced by Paramount Television.

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CSMUN- MY FIRST TIME AS A DELEGATE!

MUN, also known as Model United Nations, is an international conference where students usually from the age group 14 and above play the role of delegates of respective countries and solve real-world issues taking into account the perspective and the foreign policies of the country that they are representing. It usually continues for 3 days and 8 sessions.
I participated in my first MUN on the 19th and 20th of June. It was the CSMUN organized by College Source. It was their first edition and was sponsored by Pioneer, Vedic Maths India, Vivaron, and Sat n Paper. We had 2 days and 4 committee sessions.
Since I was a first timer in this MUN , I required some time to understand the concepts and the research procedure. I was representing the country Austria and was a part of the Committee UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) . Our topic was to discus the ongoing situation between Israel and Palestine. To be honest, this topic is complex as the Israel -Palestine conflict is amongst the world’s most enduring conflict and it has been going on for more than seventy-four years. It becomes more complicated when you have to take sides. Since I was the Delegate of Austria, I had to give the USA bloc more preference , which meant that I was on the supporting side of Israel. After quite a lot of research and thought I decided to maintain a neutral stance as in that way I would have the scope to speak for both sides. As of the country I was representing , in the present it does support Israel as they think that Palestine resorted to violence towards Israel a few months ago. But earlier it always had maintained a neutral stance and had extended their support to both the countries.
Other than the above what I really enjoyed was researching about the topic as it gave me a new perspective of both Israel and Palestine and the other countries who are involved in this conflict. I learned many new things about how the different committees and the respective organs of the United Nations function and their respective powers. In the UN, the security council is the most effective and powerful organ , while the general assembly passes resolutions and does an in-depth discussion about the same. Some of the topics that we did an in-depth discussion in the committee were “ Elimination of the Hamas Militant Group” , “The viability of the Two state solution”, “Legalities in the conflict”, etc. These were really heavy topics and a lot of research were required for it but I really enjoyed doing it. I got to know about things that I had never known and the root causes of the conflict.
This MUN opened me to many new things and helped me to enhance my public speaking skills . It also taught me that it is a very tough role to be a delegate in the General Assembly as a lot of hard work is required to convince the Chair and the other delegates to vote for your motion. But I guess it is a tough job to have people on your side in life also, right ?
I really enjoyed being a part of the First edition of the CSMUN and I thank College Source and the sponsors of the MUN for this wonderful opportunity that I will cherish forever! .

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My All-time Favourite Couples of Netflix!

WARNING – SPOILERS AHEAD

Netflix is the most used app in almost all our phones and I don’t blame it . It has got such bittersweet , action , serious, thriller movies that once we start, we all say in our subconscious mind that let’s not stop today. I certainly do have that feeling when I finish all my work and sit down for a Netflix movie! So today I have decided to write about 5 of my favourite couples of Netflix !

So here I go,

  1. Chuck and Blair – Charles (Chuck) Bass and Blair Waldrof  were the main characters of the series Gossip Girl. Chuck and Blair initially were sworn enemies in the first and half of the second season. Despite that they used to make a great team and was always ready to help their friends and when Chuck and Blair were a team there was nothing more powerful than that! Later it is shown that how Blair used to help Chuck during his biggest setbacks one being when his father passed away. I love the fact how they both got emotionally attached with each other and became each other’s support system during difficult times. In their relationship , both of them faced a lot of up’s and downs but what I admired the most was that they never gave up on each other and that’s what kept them going and of course we all know that “ There”s no chapter of Chuck Bass without Blair Waldorf in it “ More than just soulmates , there are so many Chuck and B moments that we all have imprinted in our minds!
Ed Westwick and Leighton Meester as Chuck and Blair respectively.
  • Elle and Noah – Rochelle “ Elle” Evans and Noah Flynn are the main characters of Netflix’s original production “The Kissing Booth” sequel.  Now won’t we all agree that they are one of the cutest couple that exists! ? I had watched this movie one year after it’s release and initially I thought that  “oh man why is Noah behaving like Elle’s elder brother “ but then I understood that it’s because like Elle he also cared a great deal for her!! I just loved the way how they both behaved with each other ! Noah jealously when other boys asked Elle out and then his warning to them not to go out with her and obviously then Elle’s frustration at Noah. One of my favourite moments was when Elle called Noah and bluntly said that ‘ your days of controlling my life are over “ “ and you do realise that your’e  not my dad right” and Noah clamly replied that “ we will see about that “ . Noah and Elle were awesome in this scene I thought. Other than the funny moments I really loved how Elle stood up for Noah to Lee and made him understand the essence of friendship.  In the second sequel , Elle and Noah’s long distance relationship handling was more than perfect!! Obiovusly we had to deal with heartbreaks in the second sequel but the ending was worth all the heartbreaks ! Noah and Elle’s most popular boy and quiet girl relationship is loved by all ! If you guys haven’t watched the movie yet I must say WHAT ARE YOU ALL DOING !!
Joey King and Jacob Elordi as Elle and Noah respectively.
  • Mike and Eleven – Mike Wheeler and Eleven ( Jane Hopper) are one of the main characters of Netflix’s original series “The Stranger Things”. Obviously I know that you all going to say that they are only 13 years old but does age really matter ? It doesn’t ! Although their relationship is sweet , innocent and good to see. I feel there are certain drawbacks in it. Eleven is not really herself when she’s with Mike. The saddest part of Strangers Things Season 2 was Eleven and Mike’s breakup but it is also good as we will get to see more of who Eleven actually is without Mike. Coming back to the good part is that I really love how Mike cares for Eleven and in Season 1 how he would go to extreme lengths to save her and protect her from fatal scenarios. Initially when Mike’s friends despised her Mike stood up for her and trusted her and this is the kind of protection which was  both emotional and literal that Eleven craved when she didn’t know who she was. Had she not experienced Mike’s kindness, Eleven wouldn’t have known what it was like to experience love.

I think Mike and Eleven are one of the most desirable couples of Netflix keeping aside their drawbacks. I guess we will see them evolving more in the next seasons! Till then let’s wait !

Finn Wolfard and Mille Bobby Brown as Mike and Eleven respectively.
  • Betty and Jughead-  Elizabeth ( Betty) Cooper and Jughead Jones are one of the main characters of CW’S Riverdale which streams in Netflix. This couple has faced many up’s and downs in their relationship since Season 1 but what remained constant was their trust and love for each other. This is one fact that I really about them. One other impressive fact about them is how they both team up with each other to solve murder mysteries which is very unlikely obviously! But their adventures together  is what makes us love them! Of course they struggle with their feelings at first but later come out to each other is another part which I admire the most but also along with that we have also  faced several heartbreaks when they both break up multiple times during the shows and the saddest when they both part ways in Season 5. In Season 5 lets hope like Archie and Veronica , Bughead also make their way together till the finale cause they are the ENDGAME.
Cole Sprouse and Lili Reinhart as Jughead and Betty.
  • Hannah and Clay-  Last but not the least, coming to my favourite one and that’s Hannah Baker and Clay Jensen from Thirteen Reasons Why. I know people might say that’s so weird as they never made it together but I feel that is not what determines their relationship , it is the longingness , innocence and later the regret and helplessness determines it.  The fact that they both deserved better is what makes me love them AND MIND IT in my head they are still together. Other than that the times they both spent together at Crestmont and then walking back from school and also a little time with friends makes their relationship more pleasant to see ! The most heart breaking part was in Season 2 the last episode during Hannah’s funeral when Clay admitted that he actually cared a lot and loved Hannah but he is letting her go, for good.   As someone once said “ some love stories are there just for the story” I feel that Clay and Hannah’s was one of them. We enjoyed their moments spent together cause that is all was left behind !
Dylan Minnette and Katherine Langford as Clay and Hannah

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FILM REVIEW – ARTICLE 15

 

 

 

ARTICLE 15 is a 2019 Indian Hindi language crime- drama written ,produced  and directed by Anubhav Singha . It  follows a police investigation that commences after three teenage girls go missing from a small village.

The film deals with the Article 15 of the constitution which prohibits the discrimination of people against caste, religion, race, and sex. It is based on multiple true-life events including the 2014 Badaun gang rape allegations and 2016 Una flogging incident.  This film talks how powerful “bribing” and “political power” is in the rural areas of many places in India.  There are numerous cases of gang rape that take place every day, like it is some normal activity and they are also hidden.

 

The most astonishing thing that I found about this is that if a girl had disappeared no one was enquired about the disappearance of the girls, not even their parents. It felt as if they had been released from a burden. This rape and violence were subjected to Dalit (lower caste) teenage girls. They were made to work and if they asked about something or spoke up, they were subjected to violence.  Fake reports were made, and post-mortem of the bodies were done, claiming it to be a natural death or a suicide.  An IPS officer Ayan Ranjan (played by Ayushman Khurana) was posted in that small town where two rapes occurred, in Lalgaon.  Due to his intense investigation the case was proved to be rape cases and the rapists were found after a profound search.  Due to diligent officers like Ayan Ranjan these rape cases are reported otherwise they remain unreported due to so much negligence.

 

I found this movie to be very intriguing and informative . It is a very serious film but a bit slow. It gives a perfect scenario how Dalits especially Dalit women are treated in rural areas.

The film received positive reviews from critics for the sensitive portrayal of its subject matter, it is a two-hour long film and is a must watch.

 

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A Letter to Bulbbul

Dear Bulbbul,

When  I first heard the name, I was sure that the name belongs to a woman who has a very charismatic personality . There are some characters that have  such an impact you that you wish that they were not  fictional, and for me you were one such character.

Behind your strong, smiling , face , you carried a secret that no one could even get a hunch of. The amount of drastic changes that went in your life, you were bound to become this strong.

A big haveli that captured your childhood, you were separated from your dear “baba” and “pishima”. I guess when you asked your “pishimaa”  that “vash Kya hota hai” I am sure staying in the big haveli you got your answer. You only found one person who understood your value that was your same age brother-in -law, Satya.  But soon he was also gone leaving you to be all alone in the big haveli once again.  Another person who could have understood you was your “Binodini Didi ”. But instead of understanding you she was jealous of you and her jealousy kept on increasing day by day.  She envied your relationship with Satya  and also fuelled your Thakur against you. This was probably because she did not have a Satya in her life.  Just like the saying goes on that “ A woman is only a woman’s biggest enemy” your Binodini Didi proved the statement right, once again.  When she said that “Kahin log yeh na soche Ki Badi Bahu aap nahi hum hai” proves that she was also envious of your position and wanted to snatch it.

You were a subject to  intense violence only due to a mere misunderstanding, which prevented you from running like a free bird anymore.  Not only that , you were then mercilessly raped by your Thakur’s younger brother, Mahendra.  Next morning, you are a completely changed woman. No more the loving , innocent  and lively Bulbbul, but a woman who has nothing to lose and only knows to avenge wrong doers.  Binodini comes to cover up her husband’s deed. Like Lady Macbeth she shrewdly tells you that big houses have big secrets and asks you keep quiet. She says “chup rehna” after every sentence and doesn’t support you or give you strength.  It gives us a glimpse that maybe she was also a victim like you only , but she chose to keep quiet and let patriarchy prevail.  Women were probably supposed to stay like that and pass on  the learning of “chup rehna”.

But you Bulbbul, learnt to be the change. You did not supress yourself to these  atrocities.  You flew like a  bright bird only to stop the  atrocities against women around you. No wonder that little child called you a “goddess” .

You did not give Satya an explanation about your friendship with the doctor as you felt that it was not required, you could live in your own terms.

You scarified your life in killing demons who snatch the lives of women.  At least, at last you were satisfied with you self.

Every woman is a “Bulbbul” but just like you they need to spread their wings and fly.  I am sure you will be happy seeing that from where ever you are.