User Reviews

Episode 8 of Shantaram starts with a flashback, as we see how Dale met Gemma. He was stationed at a university protest where he was a Philosophy undergrad student. Gemma was into drugs and after the protest got violent, Dale and she took shelter inside the ambulance. That is how Dale got into the heroin addiction. Sunita tries to run but her attempt is unsuccessful. Zhou has her under even heavier security now. Karla tells Lin about Ahmed. He was a friend of his and Zhou got someone to throw acid on his girlfriend Christina's face. That is when things got heated and he was unfortunately killed in lieu of revenge. Lin admits his love for Karla and it seems like she reciprocates his feelings too. But her decision to stay away from her feelings sees her tell Lin to leave Bombay as soon as he can. One of Lin's biggest strengths is also his biggest weakness. And that is very annoying when watching these episodes. His lack of communication with others around him often leads them to believe something else. He always manages to take the blame on himself for everything, even when he did not do anything wrong. That observation aside, episode 8 was about underlining the unity and togetherness of the people of Sagarwada fighting a disease that by right ought to be fought by the government. The most remarkable part is that they do not blame the failed system. Instead, they accept the reality of their situation and rely on each other to get out of the predicament. Even in the last episode, the makers highlighted this inherent part of Indian society where narcissist decision-makers and administrators avoid responsibility. Other major developments included Khaderbhai and Qasim's improved relationship which could see the former actually take over the reins of the place. It was wise in the way he told Qasim that the only choice they have is choosing "who" buys the place, and not "if" it will be sold. Madame Zhou's backstory certainly pushes her character to the warmer side of our judgment line. She was being positioned as an antagonist and her little scene with Karla shows her in a new light. He has this memory of the meeting and how Gemma left him when he got caught and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He even confides in her that he did the robbery for her but she bids him a "final goodbye". In the present day, Lin has in fact contracted cholera. He does not know it yet but Karla is taking care of him.