Mutharam (er...Muhurtham)

Muhurtham (Episode 3)
The first thing that struck me when I tuned in the Monday following Metti Oli was the obnoxious tune. Part Rajasthani folk, part lifted from Daler Mahendi, part pop, it will take time to get used to. In the meantime, when one has to go to the rest room, one may hum, "En manase, en manase, mutharam vandachchu".

Wife and husband start quarreling -- Dhanam (Metti Oli) lives. Other familiar characters are Arivu (called Kadir here), Delhi Ganesh, Rajamma of Metti Oli and Neelaveni of Manaivi, all featured.

Wife (Dhanam) leaves her husband and goes to hermother's home. Neelaveni, who is her younger sister, engineers a quarrel with her husband. In true Tamil soap style, the wife, who's been bad-mouthing her husband all this while, springs to his defense. The go back home together.

Kadir is a Cable TV salesman.

Haven't figured out the characters yet. Updates will get more coherent, hopefully.

Selvi
Familiar expedition by Tamarai's parents/brothers to GJ's place. Ranjini has already engineered a meeting between GJ and Maya (Devarajan's daughter) and exchanges rings between the two. Then she phonesGJ's brother to let him know the engagement has taken place. GJ isn't really aware of what's going on -- idiocy is common in soaps.

Viswa is incensed, and all his family proceed to GJ's place. When he returns, Viswa threatens him. GJ says he had no intention of marriage, but now hewill get married, let them do their worst.

When all this is conveyed to Selvi, she says she will prevent the marriage at all costs.

Maya shows up at GJ's place, flirts with him. They decide to go shopping. GJ gives his cell phone to Maya. Selvi calls, and Maya answers. Says she is GJ's fiancee. Selvi rushes straight to the shop and berates GJ. GJ says directly, "I'm going to marry her". GJ says he was driven to this by Tamarai's family. Selvi says he cheated everyone with his acting. GJ says shut up, don't interfere with my personal business. Maya says something. Selvi shuts him up, and says he will never be able to marry her.

In yesterday's episode, they establish a link between Andavan and Devarajan's family. Andavan is married to Bala's wife's sister.

Selvi returns from her encounter with GJ/Maya, beaten, shocked, and tearful. Comes to Tamarai's house and sees Tamarai lying helpless...recalls Tamarai with GJ, and how close they seemed to be. Sentimental, mushy music.

Andavan sitting with Bala and his family. Bala is preoccupied. Andavan's side-kick talks big, and Andavan talks of London, Paris, Arabia, etc. GJ and Maya come. Andavan is introduced to GJ.
Maya says GJ is going to open a jewelry shop. Andavan perks up. I'll send all the gold you need. GJ says Andavan must inaugurate the new jewelry shop.

Manaivi
Rohini tells her mother all about Nandu -- he is a womanizer, etc. Mother says, are you mad, why do you still want to get married. Father is listening from the stairs. Nandu arrives. The idiot astrologer directly asks Nandu if he is a good man. Who is Pallavan? Nandu plays him for the fool he is. Nandu threatens suicide if the marriage does not take place. Says I'll wait till tomorrow 11 AM. If you, your wife and daughter don't show up by then, I'll shoot myself.

Meeting between Ishwar, Karna and Auntie. Kudumi (Karna) says Neelaveni and Sundari are in it together. Auntie's suggestion -- let's kill Neelaveni and tell Charukesh she has run away. Kudumi says we need to wait until we learn something more from Neelaveni.

Astrologer is sitting on the parapet, watching the trains and pensive. Says we should all go to Nandakumar's house to select Muhurtham sarees. I talked to Nandu -- he says he is a good man, he says. Wife protests. Astrologer is confused but defends Nandu. He says, we should make this marriage. Otherwise the world will say I am stopping marriage. If we don't go to Nandu, he says he will shoot himself. Rohini is standing right next to him. Says I'll get married. We'll go. Mother says, "ARe you crazy?". AStrologer muses some more.

Next morning, they go to Nandu's house. They are accosted by Pallavan, Nandu's partner in crime. In everyone's presence, he speaks filth. Nandu drags him aside, pleads with him to go away. Rohini's mother drags her away. Astrologer is conflicted. Nandu stares him down, threatens him. No one can stop this marriage, he says. Astrologer silently walks away.