“Dour” is a show that has hooked its audience with interesting characters wrapped in a shroud of mystery. This is a story that depicts a dysfunctional family with several complex individuals living under one roof – and how, ultimately, an innocent will have to adjust living with this family. Written by Saji Gul and directed by Mazhar Moin, this drama stars Sania Saeed, Ali Abbas, Hina Altaf, Azfar Rehman, Adla Khan, Nayyar Ejaz, Iffat Omer, Haaris Waheed and several others.
In episode 3, more light is cast on Abaan (Azfar Rehman), who has been an intriguing, yet mysterious character up until now. Left half paralyzed after an accident, Abaan is angry, antagonistic and threatening towards those around him – particularly towards Poro, the house help. However, in a rare moment, we see Abaan confide in his doctor (therapist?) about his feelings of hopelessness and the isolation he feels due to how he is treated by others. This is a glimpse into a different version of Abaan we haven’t seen yet Viewers are also given a window into Abaan’s past as a spirited, happy young man with a love life of his own – a love he lost due to his accident. Azfar Rehman is doing a wonderful job in this role and while it has only been three episodes so far, he is proving, yet again, that he is a strong actor.
Meanwhile, on the other end, Asma (Hina Altaf) and her family continue to be troubled by Yasmine’s (Adla Khan) marriage troubles. Yasmine is unhappy with Shaukat (Saleem Mairaj), a man who is demanding, greedy and downright lazy, expecting his in-laws to provide him with a comfortable life without having to work for it. While Yasmine is ready to get divorced, her family, particularly with her father (Nayyar Ejaz) and Kulsoom (Iffat Omer) opposing it. Asma and Yasmine’s father is a kind, supportive man who only wishes to see his daughters happy, but he also fears Yasmine being left alone, unable to provide for her own daughters. Asma has a lot on her plate, but Romaan (Ali Abbas) arrives like a breath of fresh air when he returns their dolls and finds Asma’s father on the road in a bad state. Showing his compassion and desire to be helpful, Romaan arrives like an angel in their lives.
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While it’s nice to see Romaan’s loving, helpful attitude, will that attitude remain once his mother, Mrs. Ehtasham (Sania Saeed), and Asma are under one roof? Little has been revealed about Mrs. Ehtasham at this point, but the little we have seen of her, it’s clear that she is an unkind woman who blackmails her staff both at home and at the office, withholding pay and exerting control/force over them in their helplessness. Will Asma wind up being a victim of both Mrs. Ehtasham and Abaan if she enters Romaan’s home at his wife? Azfar Rehman walks away as the star of this episode even though he only has a few scenes. This is an actor who has been working since 2009, diligently trying to find his place and get the sort of shows that could demonstrate his talent. Can production houses please sit up, take notice and give this man the roles he deserves? “Dour” continues to be a strong show after three episodes, balancing strong storytelling and intrigue well.
