Tere Bin Chronicles: Safe to say, there has been enough said in the past week to not require anymore words. Except that, fans would like the makers to explain what happened in the final moments of episode 46, and perhaps, even more, the promo of episode 47.
If you have LITERALLY been living under a rock, click here for more.
Else, bear with us as we unfold events from last week. Let’s begin from the beginning:
What The Rage Was All About
Tere Bin, the drama starring Yumna Zaidi and Wahaj Ali reached viral proportions in fandom history and much to their delight, fans watched the story of Meerab and Murtasim unfold onscreen. While many lauded the romanticized version of this couple, engaging performances from both male and female leads, dramatic story telling and flawed albeit intriguing character sketches, many criticized the sensational narrative, the pull of a soft porn kind of story where the bride makes her hero sign a pre-nuptial agreement not to consummate their marriage. Others drooled over Murtasim’s self control, his growing regard for his wife, his patience at her imbecilities, her determination and fight for justice regardless of the way she sought to do things – her intentions more than her actions were lauded. (Her actions and the way she executed her intentions left much to be desired btw).
The First Cut
Before we reach episode 46, the viewers had called out the drama and characters on many instances – namely, when Murtasim slaps Meerab (the writer and fans sought to justify the slap because she was insolent towards him and pushed him before she received the resounding punishment upon her cheek). Murtasim’s subsequent guilt at striking a woman and his thoughts that he is (not an) abuser brought relief to many. Many forgave him as a one time departure from gallantry and the male heroes we want to see portrayed on screen. Many held on to the slap like a festering grudge, only to remind us that he is, after all, grey – The color we love to paint our characters now and hence, more relatable. He is gentle, he slides his arm under his heroine’s head and let’s her sleep all night, he defends her before his mother and he confesses his love for her, all this, while obediently sleeping on the sofa, as instructed to by his lady love. (Despite the fact that he can’t wait to consummate his marriage with her).
Oh the definition of a true soldier, self control and all! Hence, the slap was, after all, a slight error that can be forgiven?
But then came his non communicative, dismissive nature. He did not think it necessary to explain things to Meerab e.g. when he went to seek revenge from Malik Zubair, when he asked her to stay in the car” “Why?” she questioned. “Because I say so,” responds Murtasim. Red flags, or just a husband being caring? You tell us, the verdict was in Murtasim’s favour as fans kept loving their grey hero. Part of that love also stemmed, mind you from Meerab’s continual errors of judgement for which he did not reprimand her, but in fact, continued to support her before the dictatorial Ma Begum.
Meerab discovered in Rohail’s home might have been the final straw but Murtasim swallowed that too, like a patient, understanding, loving husband.
Is he for real? Fans asked. The same guy who slapped her earlier? Naah, it’s poor characterization or, he is undergoing a journey of love and tolerance while Meerab stands still, in stagnant waters. But we love him still, because he is what young unsuspecting young girl dreams are made of. He’s dominating, take charge, yet tender and loving! Aaah, the perfect man – Murtasim … never mind the thappar, It won’t happen again!
The Final Cut
The final betrayal for Murtasim was when Meerab helps his sister elope and that too, with the family’s sworn enemy (Of course, Meerab didn’t know that) and now Murtasim seems to have had enough, or, because he had to act before his very enraged mother, he leaves Meerab in the still of night, before gates of her house, on the street, and returns home.
Murtasim won again. As fans sided him for the final betrayal from Meerab. It’s okay to leave your wife on the street at night because, after all, she betrayed him. She’s old enough to go inside all by herself, and yes, why should he wait for the dawn to drop her, he had to act instantly!
Before we could judge him further, we see a despondent, forlorn Murtasim, gazing into the emptiness of the vast waters, pining for his Meerab. Poor man, we say. He can’t live without her, despite all her betrayal and silly behaviour – he still loves her!
Wouldn’t we all love to have a Murtasim in our lives?
Of course, we have to say, the presence of Rohail, who would resurface at convenient intervals was enough to make us gravitate towards Murtasim, such was the clown-like behaviour and utterances from this foolish, red flag character, that we’d rather take Murtasim’s dominating, yet quiet tender kind of love for Rohail’s obsessive, underwhelming confessions of undying love. “Meerab tum sirf meri ho” uttered from Rohail’s lips was probably enough to drive Murtasim fans to despair and of course, question Meerab’s choice in men?
But back to our hero, Hope you get the drift of how Murtasim now became this unfathomable, can do no wrong, God like hero as every one around him faded in comparison. He was even gentle with the dark, black magic-toting conspiracy laden Haya, for whom, we had to admit, he showed zero tolerance in the first episode when Meerab had not entered his life? Something to think about … let that rest!
And Now, To Quote Shakespeare… The Unkindest Cut Of All, And Episode 46!
Don’t forget the contract folks. That one still hadn’t been revoked or broken. Because Murtasim, our kind, loving, patient Murtasim would wait for Meerab till the end of time. (And, not to forget, he had actually taped it back together once too, more brownie points there).
Cut to episode 46 final few minutes.
Meerab feels, when presented with evidence in the form of Haya throwing herself in Murtasim’s arms, that Murtasim is two timing her. She then proceeds to slap him and spit on him. After which, she tells him that Thank God she had signed a contract with him, because this is what he deserved!
And that was that. Murtasim’s fury knew no end now as he shoved her to one side, proceeded to lock the bedroom door and tell her: “I will tell you exactly what is the the significance of that contract.”
Cut to episode 47 promo which shows Meerab sitting on the floor against the bed, weeping, in distress and Murtasim looking guilt ridden (Yeah Wahaj Ali aces all his expressions).
Question on everyone’s mind:
Did Murtasim Just Assault Meerab Or Did This Entire Sequence Of Events Point To Something Else?
The fans are up in arms, the makers are quiet.
If this was Murtasim committing marital rape, the story and character has lost all charm, credence and the makers must apologize for what they’ve hinted at on national TV. On the other hand, if Murtasim did none of the above and these events were just a clickbait, a cliff-hanger, provoking the audience to think one thing, whereas it would be the other (Because Murtasim, the flawless (yet grey) hero, would never do that), then too, argue some viewers, the entire suggestion that he could have committed marital rape, is, on principle, wrong. Firstly, using such a sensitive topic as clickbait and secondly, screening such sensitive content on television suggested to be performed by a male lead, a romantic hero, is just messed up.
Lastly, there are, of course, those who request everyone to wait for the next episode. Perhaps it was all a dream sequence, a misleading ploy and Murtasim, dear, flawless Murtasim, would never engage in such a vile act, wait for the episode to screen before cancelling the show and the makers – die-hard Murtasim fans will hear no evil.
Many have also conjectured that the team might have regrouped for a re-edit or a change in the narrative over the weekend?
But even if the story is tweaked, the narrative changed or the episode reshot, will it repair the damage done already? And do the makers owe an apology to their fans rather than merely reverting to a story switch?
There are also those who defend the act
And one of them might be our writer too. If Meerab spits on him, slaps him, then what’s a man to do? Others claim it was his rightful place to lay claim over what’s his, his right to his wife and intimate relations with her, which he had been denied for so long, he was, obviously a frustrated man. Still others claim that there is no such term as ‘marital rape’ in Islam.
You have rights over your wife once a couple signs the Nikah Nama.
Marital Rape Defined
The term marital rape (also referred to as spousal rape) refers to non-consensual intercourse by a man with his wife, obtained by force, threat of force or abuse, physical and psychological violence, or when she is unable to give consent.
It must be said that the term assumes that men think their wife is their property after they sign a contract of marriage, and hence, they have a right to that property as and when and how they choose.
Final Words
As you can see, the jury is divided on Murtasim’s culpability. Is he guilty or not?
But the backlash on the sequence of events as depicted triggered many into being mentally disturbed, enraged at the twist in the most loved character in Pakistani dramas presently, demanding an apology from the makers and of course, a vow not to watch anymore Tere Bin and contribute to its viral viewer ratings.
The fact that the scene had zero trigger warnings was also an irresponsible oversight that cannot be ignored. The fact that the makers or actors have not come forth to offer an apology or valid explanation to refute the marital rape accusations is also of concern. The fact that some feel Meerab will leave Murtasim for good if marital rape has occurred and that will be that, is also not enough to pacify those who feel this action from a hero that was written to be idolized by viewers is just plain irresponsible in a society that mirrors drama behaviour and influences in real life, where marital rape, assault on women goes largely unreported and where many women are unaware that they are even undergoing this treatment in their marriage for years on end.
Tere Bin had been called out previously on many fronts: from the inane story line to the highly sensational, from loud background score to an overdose of flashbacks, from a poorly written female lead to a toxic female villain aka Haya.
But this time, the criticism is louder and angrier.
Whatever happens in tonight’s episode, drama makers must remember that responsible content and story telling is the core of any story. Audiences will call out something that hurts their sensibilities, no matter how high you soar. And the higher you soar, the harder the fall.
The win?
That creators (whether they admit it or not) are listening to audiences. And audiences in turn, will call out the makers if their intelligence or sensibilities have been hurt. There’s always an upside to any event and this one is a triumph in our books, and a silver lining for more sensitively presented content in future.
There is great humility in admitting a mistake. Pride comes before a fall, so why let it come to that. The drama still boasts a sizable Murtasim fandom, why not admit to an error in judgement, and his … it’s never too late, till it really is too late?
Tell us in comments what you think about how the story goes from here.
