Pyaray Afzal: Expected Yet Unexpected

Finally, after 35 episodes, Pyaray Afzal has come to a close.  While I feel that there was no other way to end the drama, the ending still managed to shock and surprise its viewers.

The episode began with Yasmeen asking Afzal and his family for permission to leave, for their own sake.  She loves Afzal, but knows that Farah lives in the hearts of this entire family and she's the one who will make Afzal happy, so she selflessly breaks off the engagement.  This scene was really emotional, because Yasmeen is such a beautifully written character.  Sohai has done a great job with the role and has brought Yasmeen to life, a character who may have been slightly self-absorbed and "taiz," but completely pure at heart (and madly in love with Afzal).

On the other end, Lubna finally manages to extract a love confession from Farah (for Afzal).  Lubna gleefully informs Farah that Sabtain actually wanted to marry her and the entire engagement between Sabtain and Farah was a sham that both families (barring their father) were aware of.  Lubna runs downstairs to tell "Abba,"  The following scene was absolutely hilarious with Lubna telling Sheikh Saab that "Aap ko acting bilkul nahin aati," the reason for keeping him in the dark about the plan.

We witness a sad moment between Afzal and Farah, saying their goodbyes.  Yasmeen tells Afzal to never visit her if in Karachi and quickly leaves.

Back in Hyderabad, Maulvi SubhanAllah and Ruqaiyya happily plan to visit Sheikh Sahab to ask for Farah's hand in marriage again, finally content with their son and his future.

Afzal finally makes that phone call he's been putting off........and that Farah's been waiting for.  The two begin to talk, but get cut off.  Happily, Afzal gets out of his car, reminiscing about his past with Farah and dreaming of his future with her.  At that moment, a car passes by and Afzal is shot several times.  This is the way of the world and after killing people in Karachi, Afzal was not destined to get off scott free.

Farah calls back and continues talking to Afzal, happily, planning their future and finally declaring her feelings for Afzal.  Afzal tells Farah that he loves her a lot too, the life slowly slipping away from him, clinging on to this happy moment with all his strength.

Farah finally addresses him as what he's been yearning to hear all these years:  "Pyaray Afzal."  And then, Afzal is no more.

The scene was heavy, heart-breaking and beautiful all at the same time.  Some complained that it was too sad, too heavy, too heart-breaking.  Some complained that what was the point of sitting through all 37 episodes when it had to end like this?  But looking back at the show, it has given the viewers nothing short of poetry in motion, beautiful characters and karmic tragedy.  

The Negatives:  I would definitely argue that this show could've easily been 10 episodes shorter.  Also, I feel the gangster track was unnecessary entirely (and would have allowed for a happier ending if omitted) - though what transpired was the only ending that could only be expected with the direction Pyaray Afzal took after Afzal left Hyderabad.  I would've definitely preferred if the show continued with the simplicity that it began with.

The Positives:  Everything else.  Everything about this show was positive, whether it be the complex yet simple characters, the brilliant acting, the amazing dialogues, the heart-touching relationships, the emotions. the cinematography, the direction.....everything.  It's been a long time since characters have touched me so much and the words they've uttered on screen have stayed with me like this.  Kudos to the entire Pyaray Afzal team for their hard work.

This is a show that I grew to love watching each week and it's a show that will be dearly missed.  But yet another show ends and we look to the future, waiting for new great shows to start.

Happy watching!