OCt 25

KOLANGAL
Abhi's family waits outside the court. Adi and sidekick Giri mock them. They have been assured by their lawyer that Abhi will be put away for life, so strong is the evidence against her. Abhi arrives by police bus. Tillairajan the inspector allows reporters to harrass her with personal questions of every sort. She keeps cool.

At the Ashram, Tolkappian and Upendra come close to each other several times, but neither notices the other.

Ganga takes the cell phone and goes to the court, but drops the phone on the road, so that she has to stop the auto-rikshaw and go back to retrieve it. In all likelihood, it would be broken and not work when required. Anyway, she reaches the court building just as the hearing ends.

At the hearing, the two lawyers lay out their positions, the judge is about to issue hsi ruling.

SELVI
Niranjan and Ceylon Mani have a tearful conversation about the possibility of her losing her life, and she urges him to remarry, to which he says he prefers to die with her (what about the baby?)

Mahima is sleepwalking toward the temple, when Neela Narayanan (NN) sees her and manages to wake her. She is surprised that she has been sleepwalking. At this point, Guru Prasad (GJ's brother) is driving by in a motorbike. He has changed from a fearful and shy youth to a robust and aggessive young man. He claims Mahima is his fiancee and challenges NN to a fight. NN is taken aback. Mahima tells him to calm down, and goes back home with Guru Prasad. There Amar stops them, saying he will forbid any such alliance between the brother of his enemy and his sister-in-law. Guru Prasad takes up his challenge. NN is watching from the bushes.

PENN
ONe of the best-acted episodes. Kadambam is being divided up. Ranga gives up her seat and appoints Swati. Gives 20 crore worth Chengleput plant to Kala to settle her account. Muthukumar speaks out of turn and is silenced by Ranga, as is Mohini. Muthukumar insults Badri, saying once their family acquires control...Badri says I'll save you the trouble, I have brought my resignation letter in my pocket. Ranga speaks her mind, calling Uma a beggar.

At Kailash's Poongadi relates a fantastic tale. Says the josiyar said Kailash will have two marriages, the first will result in the wife dying in six months. To save Deepa and Kailash's happiness, she decided to marry him, so she could die and he could live happily ever after with Deepa. Kasi is moved. Kailash stunned.

Oct 24

KOLANGAL
Abhi, in jail, sympathizes with a murderess who killed her husband on whom she was cheating. Now she is remorseful. There is a clique in the prison, and a couple of women are 'dadas'. They tell off Abhi for her closeness to the murderess.

Anandhi slaps Mano when he speaks up for Anu. He walks away. His mother is pained that he should care so much for his wife and not as much for his sister.

Easwaran awakes and finds himself with a hangover, and in a hotel room. His brother brings him some coffee, and relates to him what happened. Easwaran tells his story.

At the ashram, the swami is about to introduce the visiting Tolkappian to Upendra, who has not spotted him yet.

SELVI
Click-Click's mother introduces herself to Selvi, who agrees to let her meet her daughter. They embrace, etc. and finally, Senbagavalli tells Selvi she is responsible for getting her daughter settled. Selvi agrees. When you are solving the world's problems anyway, what's one more individual?

At Andavan's place, a strange phenomenon. Someone has kept Andavan's photo with incense burning before it, and a garland hanging from it, a sign of respect to the departed. Amar is scared witless, and yowls for Andavan. Andavan is quite calm, even amused. He notices there is a letter next to the picture, which he reads. The letter says you will soon be joining Karthan, you traitor who have cheated me.

Andavan wonders who this might be, because he has cheated so many people.

PENN
In hnis will, Dr. Vaikunth wants his former colleague Easwar (Ravindran's father) to be co-executor of his estate, along with Dr. Sivaraman. Deepa comes to know of this, but says Ravindran will never return. In Calcutta, Ravindran says we must go to Madras to grab the estate in our name. His father agrees. Kailash persuades Deepa that her place is by Ranga, and she should not leave her to go to Calcutta a this time.

At Kailash's place, he demands from Poongadi that she tell him the inner story of the thali, because her mother has hinted it is some kind of sacrifice for Kailash's sake. She refuses.

Oct 23

KOLANGAL
Anu has gone to see her mother (aunt, actually) Kanchana in the hospital. She has gone despite opposition from Aarti and Rajendran. When Mano comes back, both complain to him. He goes to the hospital, determined to drag her home. But she talks sense to him, saying there is no reason to cut off relations with one's loved ones for things they said in anger, and indeed, because your sister and my brother have a business rivalry. This appeals to Mano, and he returns home in Easwaran's family car.

Easwaran, meanwhile, is mulling over the insults Anandhi hurled at him, and is doing so with the assistance of liquor at a restaurant. Coming out, he notices he has dropped the car keys. He decides to take a cab home. But none will stop. He falls down on the road, where he is discovered, after several vehicles have ignored him, by brother Tiruvengadam.

SELVI
Pandian's wife stands outside his makeshift home among the cargo containers. Her name is Shenbagavalli. It transpires she was raped by Pandian many years ago and became his wife as she had no recourse. She demands her daughter back. Pandian has no answer. She says from now you are no longer her father, as you have forfeited your rights. Later, Chellappillai tells Pandian GJ doesn't really hold his daughter, he has just been bluffing. Pandian is furious. He and his thugs rush to a house; the house belongs to Click-Click's friend. They begin beating up the friend's father and the friend herself, when she says she knows nothing. Meanwhile, a voice stops them. It is Shenbagavalli. She orders them all to get out. When they are gone, the friend volunteers that Click-Click is at Selvi's house.

She goes there, and asks to see Selvi. She tells Selvi she is Pandian's wife.

PENN
Badri asks Kala why she is eager to strip Ranga of the company and try to save money for that orphan boy she has raised. Kala cannot stand his repeatedly referring to Akash as an orphan, and breaks the news that he is really Badri and Ranga's son. Badri goes to Ranga and confronts her with her crime in concealing Akash's true identity.

At Poongadi's, her mother finds out that her self-tali is a result of a consultation with an astrologer, who evidently told her she needed to do this for Kailash's safety (not clear, because the story was drowned out by music (deliberately).

Oct 19 and 20

Thanks to Nishantan and Manvantara once more!

 

SELVI

GJ decides to take a stand, so that his life is not ruled by others. He meditates, resolves himself, and shows up at Pandian's den. Pandian emerges, and the two titans stride towards each other. GJ abuses Pandian, calling him no better than a 'Prostitute' who has sold himself to the highest bidder (Andavan). Pandian threatens to extinguish GJ then and there. GJ pulls out a gun and holds it to Pandian's head. Pandian zapped. GJ says, if you don't cough up the dough I gave...What will you do. asks Pandian. You wont' see your daughter again. This completely disarms Pandian. He quails.

 

Pandian goes to Andavan, asking for th emoney. Andavan riles him, saying he has been a coward. Kill GJ. He says. Pandian says, exactly, I will, but let him give my daughter back (what a pathetic piece of logic, as if GJ doesn't know his insurace policy is click-click).

 

Someone calls for Sathya. Ranjini answers the phone. It is the blackmailer. He says he is a friend of Bala's. She talks to Sathya about it, but he gives her no hearing.

 

Selvi talks to Pasupathi and Pooja to arrange for their marriage. Mafia dons have less power. Pasupathi is deeply grateful. Pooja is doubtful, but still, happy.

 

Meanwhile, Mahima finds herself sleeping at the temple one morning. All outer doors were locked, and she has no memory of walking there. The young pujari, Narayanan, whom she is courting, finds her when he opens the doors the next morning. She doesn't know how she got there. SHe walks home. This happened after the previous day, she told Malar not to get involved with Narayanan's brother (software Naranyanan), who is a bad guy. Malar brushes her off. When she returns, Malar and RTM are searching for her. RTM has plans of converting her into a Swamini and thus, a permanent ATM. Mahima is frustrated at not being able to warn off Malar.

 

PENN

ONe can understand transferring shares, but how can one transfer the MD's post? ONly in Madras.

 

Well, Kala shows up and demands to know why Ranga has given the post to Swati. What about me? she asks. Ranga says everyone has taken whatever they want from me. All I have left is my life. You can take that if you like. Kala stares at Deepa, and storms away. Previously, Ranga's two sons have been demanding that she give them their share of their inheritance, to which she has reluctantly agreed. She tells Kala she will call a board meeting to accomplish what Kala wants.

 

Later Ranga meets with Badri alone. Badri repeats his old line about how he had asked her long ago not to make Kala and Uma partners. ANyway, once Swati's marriage is over, he says, I will tell the world you are my wife.

 

Confabulations at Uma's place. They sense that there is tension between Kala and Ranga, and Deepa is in the middle of it all somehow.  Kumar narrows his eyes indicating this will bear investigation.

 

Deepa goes to Kala's house. Just as she is there, Akash calls, saying someone is threatening his life, saying he should leave the US within a month or else...(At least the Department of Homeland Security is doing something). She sees Deepa, and sees a big picture of Akas right behind Deepa, on the wall. She turns Deepa's face away from it, and drives her out of the house. Deepa merely says she is anguished that Ranga and Kala are fighting. She needs to be with Ranga always, although Deepa herself will bge leaving shortly, says Deepa.

 

Buzz off, is Kala's reply.

 

Oct 16

A request to good souls like Nishantan and Manvantara. Am going out of town for the next couple of days. Could they or others update, please? Thanks.

Kolangal
Tirvengadam comes to Abhi's house and throws his weight about, including a neither here nor there yelling contest with Shanti, who comes to express her anxiety.

Easwaran, accompanied by Kargpagam, goes straight to one oft he top lawyers in Madras, Janakiraman, and asks him to handle Abhi's case. He agrees, cocking one eybrow at Karpagam, but not asking any questions. Easwaran says, Abhi is like my daughter. Janakiraman calls for the papers from Hariharan, the lawyer Anandhi and Bharati have arranged. They are sitting with him, when he says happily that Janakiraman is taking up the case. Anandhi is puzzled and angry, goes to see Janakiraman. She sees Easwaran and Karpagam talking. She talks rudely to Easwaran, saying his son is the one causing all this, why should they trust him (Easwaran). Karpagam tries to intercede.

Meanwhile, Prabhu's wife, upon seeing Abhi's arrest featured on TV (top news, before Abdul Kalam's news!), decides with her father in law that the truth must be revealed. But the cell phone is not working. She takes it to the cell phone dealer, who fixes it. But in doing so, he also sees the video of Prabhu's killing. Before he can say anything, she snatches the phone from his hands, and rushes off. He calls the inspector (long hair, I forget his name, who threatened Prabhu's widow with dire consequences if she did not testify against Abhi). The inspector hopes the cell phone is still with the dealer, but the dealer says the lady snatched it and took it away.

SELVI
Andavan makes the journey to GJ's place with Amar, talking sweetly to Tamarai and gritting his teeth and threatening GJ when Tamarai is out making coffee.

Selvi opens a mess. First customer is Chellapillai, totally by chance. Once he finds out selvi is the onwner, he promises himself that he will finish her.

Malar falls for Narayanan-II, the twin brother of Narayanan-I, the temple priest who is in love with Mahima. Narayanan-II is the proverbial evil twin, earns well and chases women. Malar is in his sights now.

PENN
Vijay returns home in the night, having conceded game set and match to Ranga. His parents and Mohini tease him, but he tells them Ranga has agreed to the wedding.
Next day, Uma goes to Kadambam. Ranga is cool. She is there to checkmate Chitra, on whome Kumar has gathered dirt (father sick, mother mad, etc.). Threatens to expose her unless she cooperates and gets Swati married to Vijay. She agrees, having no alternative.

Oct 13

Many thanks to Nishanathan and Manvantara for the fine updates!

SELVI
Pandian has become the new Karthan. Totally out of character, but so be it. As expected, the court order trickles down to the police commissioner's level, and he promptly gives Clouseau one week to prove GJ did it, or be prepared to lose his job. Clouseau heads to Selvi's place for commisseration. She tries to give him encouragement. She says he needs to protect Tamarai, because GJ has no concern for anyone but himself. Inspector says fine, but if GJ and Andavan harm each other, he will not intervene.

Andavan does Karthan's ceremonies and brings the ashes home. Rombatoomuch who is there to welcome him with aarati thinks it is Romba three much, bringing ashes home and what not. But Andavan is firm that until he takes revenge on GJ for killing Karthan, he will not let the ashes be immersed. Amar seconds him.

PENN
Kasi holds a big round table conference with Poonagdi, mother, Suresh, Dorai, two other unknown guests. Waiting for Kailash. BIG letdown. When Kailash arrives, he relates how Poongadi had falsely sworn all about the Tanjore trip, marriage, etc., how she boldly swore on her mother's head, etc. I came to know of all this a couple of days ago, he says. I now realize how devoted she must be to Kailash to do all this subterfuge. Therefore she is the 'agmark' daughter in law. So saying, he presents her with a gold thali. Kailash feels like a prisoner who realizes it is all over.

Vijay packs a suitcase and heads off to pick up Swati, so they can go to Bombay and get married. She too is ready. But as she slips out, Ranga who is doing chowkidari on the terrace, spots her and shouts out. Then she confronts the two of them, saying they should have the patience to convinve their parents, not be cowardly and run away in the middle of the night like this. Vijay says he realizes she wants to get them married, but he is opposed to his parents demanding such a high price from her (a nominal dowry, evidently, would be fine). She now takes the opposite view, saying she will make whatever sacrifices are necessary to get Swati married (contrast with telling Kala to buzz off when she asks for her share in the company, a few days ago). Total loss of any vyavasthai.

Updates for week of Oct 9

Sorry folks. Out of town. Will try to catch up. Can anyone else volunteer to update in the meantime? Thanks!

Oct 5

KOLANGAL
Ganga and her mother listen to the doctor's report. Her mother has three blockages in the heart,requiring immediate surgery, and which would cost 7-8 lks. Mother says why all this for me. Ganga, of course says I am your daughter, and it is my duty to look after you. Did you not look after me? At home, father is unmoved. Just observes, where are you going to get the 7 lakhs from? Sell yourself?

Abhi goes to Prabhu's house and explains things to his family. They are convinced there is no threat from her, nor did she have anything to do with Prabhu's murder. She mentions that it could be Adi adn minister, but does not charge them with the deed explicitly. As she leaves, a paid informer phones someone.

SELVI
Tamarai insults selvi. Most of the episode is about people waiting outside the hospital room. Finally the doctor comes and tells them they can go and see Rajasekhar. Tamarai asks Selvi to stay out. She and her her brother and mother go in. Father olpens his eyes, looks at them and says, Who are you all? For an instant, Tamarai thinks he has lost his memory. Then he says, I remember, that's not the problem. She says, but, you are my father. I was, he says. That was long ago.

Meanwhile, Niranjan is called in and told about Ceylon Mani's pregnancy. It is either your wife or your baby, the doctor tells him. Make your choice (is this really a choice a husband is given, to save the baby and let his wife die? But I forgot, we are in Tamil Nadu). He struggles with the question!

PENN
Senthil and parents go to the temple. It is the temple of a female deity, and Senthil, being a misogynist, refuses to enter. Solai's men  come to him and warn him to get back together with Mohini. He says who are you? A struggle ensues, and his hand is broken. Parents and he suspect Mohini, file a police case. Police comes to Mohini's place, takes her into custody. She tries to explain to Senthil it is not her. At the police stn., they have caught the guy who broke Senthil's arm. He confesses to the police. Says it was Mohini who paid him 20000 rupees. She is flabbergasted. Kumar says to Nagaraj, you have taken revenge. Nagaraj brushes him aside. Mohini sits in the station, with Senthil's mother keeping her company.

Oct 4

KOLANGAL
Easwaran meets Karpagam at the temple. She tells him she is apprehensive, now that his brother knows about them. He says don't worry, I have taken a promise from him not to cause a fuss. She tells him about Abhi constructing a new home. He is overjoyed, and says he will do his best to help her, even if from behind the scenes.

Ramachandran is speaking some nonsense about Ganga. She overhears him, and begins arguing with him, and her father. Her mother intervenes to check her father when he says something nasty to Ganga. Upon which he slaps his wife and walks out. She reels, and then faints. Ganga takes her to the hospital, where the doctor examines her and asks her some questions about her health. He then recommends some tests.

Abhi complains to the chief of police about Tillai Rajan's raid. The Chief calls Tillai and chides him, asking him not to act outside the law.

SELVI
Pandian and Co. go on a rampage at Selvi's place. Celyon Mani is injured, but not finding their quarry, they vent their anger on Rajasekhar (I think that's Tamarai's dad's name), leaving him bleeding and dying. Dileepan arrives to see Selvi, and finds this scene (the thugs have already left). He rushes them to the hospital and calls Selvi, who rushes there. Both are in critical condition. Doctor comes out and wants a signature so he can operate on Rajasekhar. Selvi signs as his daughter. She calls Tamarai, who, after banging the phone down, answers next time. Selvi tells her that father is in the hsopital. Thinking it is Selvi's father, Tamarai speaks of donating some money toward the treatment. THen she learns it is her own father. She rushes to the hospita with Viswa and her mother. No gratitude. She scrfeams at Selvi for not informing the family.

PENN
Ranga and Kala have an open clash. One says she will defend Akash, the other that she will help Deepa. Kala says, don't forget that kadambam belongs to all of us. Give us back our share. Ranga says buzz off. Kadambam belongs only to me. Do what you can.

Solai engaages a hoodulm to create problems. First the hoodlum asks Mohini to come to a place where he knows Senthil will be. Then, as Senthil is coming out, he hands a divorce paper to Mohini, and threatens her with a knife, saying, sign this. Upon seeing Senthil, he yells, Senthil sir, she is refusing to sign, as he is chased away. Mohini is convinced Senthil  has engaged him. She goes home and complains to her mother. Muthukumar says he will go and confront Senthil. Uma restrains him.

Oct 3

KOLANGAL
Abhi returns much saddened by her encounter with Ganga. Tries to keep it from her family. She is planning a bhoomi-poojai in a couple of days. When she ist telling everyone about it, all are excited, except her sister-in-law Anu, who is very casual and cool about the news. Immediately, Aarti jumps in to scold her, to which she answers, back, you know the rest.

Abhi goes to her office, where they've received a big contract from Delhi. The guys from Delhi are there. As the meeting proceeds, the dirty cop who is doing the minister's bidding comes, claiming he needs to search the [premises for Abhi's involvement in Inspector Prabhu's murder. Before she can protest, he starts throwing everything ab out. The visitors are watching all this. Abhi stops him and asks if he has a warrant. He doesn't. He tries to brazen it out, but finally has to leave.

Bhaskar's mother grabs 1 lakh rupees from Suresh's sister-in-law, claiming that she will invest it in Abhi's company. When Bhaskar protests, she shushes him, she will use it for her daughter's wedding, she says, and make Abhi pay back the woman.

SELVI
Much action. Click-click escapes, and makes her way to Praba, who takes her straight to Safety Central (Selvi's place). But PaNdian, after realizing she has fled, asks his men to go and grab Click-Click's friends, saying that's where she must have gone. They grab the poet, and Praba's roommates. They are beaten up, but know nothing. Then one of Pandian's men comes in and says she must be with Praba, who is Selvi's brother. This chills Pandian's heart. Selvi is an old enemy. She is trying to play new games with me, he says and rushes to her house. There, Ceylon Mani and Tamarai's dad try to tell them to come later. Pandian pushes him to the ground, and shoves her to one side. She hits against the short wall, and clenches her teeth in pain.

Selvi goes to the cops and asks if GJ knows who attacked him. Clouseau says in a couple of days, he will begin the real torture of GJ. He asks Selvi to look out also, given the attempt on GJ's life, and asks if he should give her a police guard. No, she says, but do look after Tamarai.

PENN
Kala and Uma talk. Uma offers her support to Kala. Both agree Ranga and Deepa must be separated.

Kala goes to Ranga, and tells her she does not want Manohar's fate for Akash. Big drama about who has more affection for Akash, the one who gave birth, or the one who raised the child. Kala says she will not allow Akash to be sacrificed. Ranga says she will support Deepa. Big quotes from Bhagavad Gita with major music..

Ranga asks Kala if she listened to the tape. Kala says yes. Ranga asks Kailash to forget Deepa and begin living with Poongadi. Deepa later tells him the same thing, But he is adamant that he will not.

Oct 2

No Kolangal or Selvi.

PENN
Nose to nose teeth-gritting by Solai and Bharani. Bharani walks off, saying he will throw Solai's money at him in 15 days.

Ravindran telephones Akash in the US. Tells him about Vaikunth's death, how Manohar pushed him down the stairs under the impression that he was Anjali. Tells him Anjali is alive, that he saw him, that she cracked his head with a torch light. Akash can't believe his ears. Says he has some problems in the US, and is plannning to come back to Chennai in a fortnight. Ravindran, speaking from Calcutta, says he is heading there also. THey need to find Anjali.

Then Akash phones Kala, says he is coming back. She is not happy, and he is surprised she is not. She says how come, you said your studies would be over only next year...Even after that, there is a provision to work there for a couple of years, why don't you...He is frustrated by this lack of enthusiasm at his return. Says no, I finished my studies early because I did so well. She says nothing doing. There are internal problems at Kadambam, and if you show up now, they'll get more complicated with people thinking I'm trying to push my progengy, etc. She slams the phone down, saying, you come when I tell you, not before.

Uma comes to see Kala. Says she has missed her and Ranga, and Deepa is the cause of their rift. Kala listens silently, but with some suspicion.

Sep 29

(What I remember)

KOLANGAL
Abhi calls Ganga over to her office. Tells her she does not want to come between Ganga and Tolkappian. Says she and Tolkappian have gone through a lot together, but in a purely platonic relationship, total friendship, but strictly that. Ganga makes her usual, petulant faces. Abhi says she wants Tolkappian to have his romance, and as he has fallen for Ganga, so be it. She does not say she thinks Ganga is a good choice, etc. Ganga says if you truly want him to have a happy life in romance, then you must sever connections with him. Abhi has tears in her eyes, but she promises she will.

Argument at Abhi's house as Rajendran says somehting harsh about Kanchana, Anu comes to her defense, Aarti offers her usual two paisa, etc. etc. (they don't even have to shoot these scenes, they can just replay the ones from previous episodes, they are so entirely predictable).


SELVI
GJ is about to get shocks as a way to get him to talk. Am I the only one to think this is so outrageous, that the Chennai police should be depicted as using torture so openly, without a single protest even by the Chennai police themselves at the producers. And this is Tamilnadu, cultural capital of India of the 21st century? God, what savagery!

Anyway, GJ pretends to have chest pains, and before any shock is given, the procedure is aborted.

Outside, usual argument between Tamarai and Selvi, T accusing S of wishing her marriage ill, S retorting that she stands for justice.

During a power failure, the dumb (literally) servant girl in the hideout helps Click Click escape. After power returns, they find she's missing, and after administering the servant girl a tight clip on the head, Pandian and Co. rush out into the dark, yelling for Click Click, who is in no mood to retun. She comes to a road, stops a motorbike, and hitches a ride.

PENN
At Uma's house, Kumar tells Uma to hear the good news from her daughter, about the rift between Kala and Ranga. Says this is our opportunity to strike!

Mohini meets Bharani. He pours out his woes of cars getting stolen, and someone showing up at the police station when he files a complaint, suggesting he himself has hidden the cars. She tells him he is being manipulated by Solaiappan. In a rage he goes to Solai's home to seek the house papers back. Mohini has told him Solai will find a way so he can never repay his loan, and will eventually swallow the house.