‘Shantaram’ Recap: ‘Dig Two Graves’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Ten of ‘Shantaram’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Stories that explore the nature of change and the dangers that come about from not embracing it or our sorted pasts… tend to focus on the external consequences of such matters, and rightfully so. After all, that makes the penalty real, allowing for the lesson to be easily absorbed by the viewer or the reader. But going that route, does leave one to wonder… if it is at all possible, to explore the internal consequences that come with that decision as well? Because let’s be honest, a lot of the times our own mistakes and self-sabotage are what truly teach us the value of embracing change and resolving our past and as it turns out, yes, it is indeed quite possible, as evidenced by this week’s episode of Shantaram.
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For ‘Dig Two Graves’ is a story that saw Lin come to learn exactly what was going on, when it came to the fact that half of Bombay was chasing him. And once he was armed with the knowledge that Maurizio set him up and made him look the fool… he went to visit Maurizio’s boss, and after a touch of violence, was able to explain that he had nothing to do with this mess and that he was to be left alone. Which should have allowed for Lin to move on, since those terms were amicable, and Maurizio was going to pay the piper in his own way… but that wasn’t enough for Lin. Because being set up again, unlocked something dark within him. Because he had seen a lot of strife for the set up that came his way the first time and since he never dealt with that pain and that fury, he snapped in essence. To the point where he decided the best way to work all of that out… was through causing Maurizio great harm.

Which in turn led him to Karla’s, so he could speak with Lisa. Because she knew best how to bring Maurizio out into the open and Lin used that to his advantage. All to enact revenge and try and find peace and that made Lin… quite scary in this tale. Because he eventually got what he wanted, and after beating the tar out of Maurizio and firing a bullet within an inch of his head, he moved on. But what mattered more here, is that this explored perfectly… the dangers of not resolving our past or trying to embrace a better way. Because not doing so, allows for fury and pain to fester beneath the surface and grow and eventually, explode in an ugly manner, and while Lin, didn’t cross a line here… the point was made and thankfully he held back just enough to not do something he would forever regret. But that definitely made for a powerful lesson, and it would seem resolution between these two came at just the right time. 

Simply because it brought forth the truth about Karla. Which wounded Lin and left him feeing betrayed and that appeared to finally motivate him to get out of town for good and that was the right line of thinking for certain. Because despite Kavita getting her hands on the story of a lifetime, through Karla and Lisa and Sunita… the damage from the Ford story was done. For Detective Walter Nightingale arrived in Bombay in this tale, and while he quickly came to learn about jurisdictional rules and regulations, which did indeed slow him down… it is only a matter of time before his keen eye and ability to bend the rules, will work to his advantage and potentially bring he and Lin face to face after all this time. Which more or less, sets the stage for a frenetic finish to the season.

One that may see the external ironically worm its way into the story after all. Since Nightingale is just that and time is indeed running out. But while we wait to see what truly comes out of his arrival, we can bask in the wonder… of one quality tale. One that really did break down an angle to this type of story that is rarely explored, and it did so in a compelling and powerful and equally as meaningful manner. Since we now fully understand the fact that everything must be resolved regarding our past if we ever want peace and until we do… Lin’s dark mentality is where we reside and truly… he is about to be put to the test. For he has to decide if he can in fact, face those demons and embrace change, and if he cannot… the past will finally corner him in the streets of Bombay. Until next time.

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