‘Indian Summers’ 2016 episode review 3: Tea, tantrums and cricket…

March 28 2016

By Tasha Mathur

New characters – Art Malik as a decadent maharajah – no less, new plot lines and even a spot of cricket and much tea drinking does little to dampen rising tensions…

WEEK three of Channel 4’s “Indian Summers” was yet another episode packed with new plot lines, characters and an expanding array of questions…

With the increased pace of the opening two episodes, we have no time to dwell on Kaira’s (Sughandha Garg) death as Aafrin (Nikesh Patel) tries to focus on the matter at hand – to expose Naresh, (Arjun Mathur), the hard-line and violent nationalist, without exposing himself.

Forget that Kaira was also an informer and Aafrin’s lover – and that the way is clear now for Alice (Jemima West) and him to resume their passionate affair.

Maharajah (Art Malik)

Aafrin writes an anonymous letter to second in charge Ralph (Henry Lloyd-Hughes) about the location of Naresh’s bomb… surely, Aafrin is already next on Naresh’s list as he was the only one told about it?

The fact that the bomb was moved before Ralph’s men could get to it also suggests that Naresh has already pre-empted Aafrin’s betrayal… Naresh is smart, evil and has that twinkle in his eye some women find wholly unsettling…and seductive…

As if we don’t have enough to keep up with, this episode introduces us to two new characters – the Maharajah (Art Malik) and his ‘wife’ (mistress), Sirene (Rachel Griffiths).

Cue the Simla club gossip in overdrive – as Cynthia (Julie Walters) clearly recognises Sirene from her past. The cricket match that ensues between the British and Indians, but in mixed teams, highlighted the political tensions between all involved. However, I’m not quite sure what it achieved.

Let’s not forget too that Naresh is quietly lurking in the background. Despite viewers’ hatred towards the pregnant Sarah (Fiona Glascott), the jumped up Miss Haughty, who can’t stand the natives (mostly) – all were on the edge of their seats when Naresh, pretending to be a doctor, showed up at the missionary school to (as we later find out) hide the bomb. Why here? Only time will tell…

However, the moment that seemed to shock Twitter fans most was Cynthia giving Alice the key to her secret room (‘the bonk closet’) – seeing as her and Aafrin can’t keep their “filthy hands off each other”.

Has Cynthia admitted defeat as she realises that brother Ralph will never let Alice go? Cynthia wanted to be rid of Alice and told her to be on her way in the last ep or she would expose her and lover boy Aafrin, but perhaps by giving Alice the key, she still remains in control of the situation?

Sirene (Rachel Griffiths) and Madeleine (Olivia Grant)

Maybe she wants to catch them red handed?

Or maybe there is a softer side to Cynthia after she witnesses yet another God awful public humiliation of Alice by her vile husband the eminently-moustachioed Charlie (Blake Ritson)? Another plot line we will have to wait to unfurl fully…

Also, Sooni finding about Aafrin’s involvement in Kaira’s death is about to bring Aafrin’s troubles a lot closer to home.

We seem to be inundated with increasingly complex threads to follow to keep us on our toes.

We really can’t tell where it’s going but can’t wait to see how it all continues to unfold. Let’s just hope we can handle it..!

Quote of the episode: “Tea” – Okay I know it’s not exactly a quote but how could I not mention the amount of times the word ‘tea’ was used in one hour? From Ralph using it to distract the bickering Maharajah and congressman to Cynthia using it to distract everyone from Alice’s humiliation at the hands of Charlie. Tea always saves the day.

Hero of the episode: Isn’t it obvious? Aafrin all the way! Not only does he come to Alice’s rescue with a swift change of topic with Charlie, but he stands up for her against Cynthia as well. Will true love triumph?

Villain of the episode: It wasn’t going to take long for Charlie to take top spot here. Yes, we get it – he loves to put Alice down. But turning their son against her takes it to a whole other level.

Best scene: Sooni’s feminist rants are too few and far between in “Indian Summers“. But this week we were treated to a delicious moment when Sooni puts journalist Naseem Khan (Tanmay Dhanania) in his place with, “Mock all law chambers who are obviously so frightened by their mothers and wives and sisters, they cannot deign to answer my letters.”

Storyline: The brewing love triangle between Sooni, Naseem and Ian (Alexander Cobb – yes he’s back!) is full of potential chaos and treachery. Naseem becoming a third wheel, while Sooni and Ian reflected on their shared past was deliciously awkward and I’m sure there’s more to come…

*Remember to join us every Sunday for live tweeting connect here or here*

Indian Summers continues every Sunday on Channel 4, 9pm (UK only).
Catch-up (UK only)
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/indian-summers

A small selection of the live tweets from last night (March 27) – thanks again to all!

Click on tweets to view