‘Shantaram’ Recap: ‘Like in the Time of Cholera’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Eight of ‘Shantaram’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We like to believe that the grand decisions we make for other people, are designed to be genuinely helpful in nature and it makes sense as to why we hold to that. Because if we are making those calls, we are likely stepping in to help a person or persons in need, who are struggling mightily and absolutely could use a helping hand, and more often than not… being the instigator of such actions, is the right thing to do. But now and again, our desire to step in and help others in that manner, is actually quite the detrimental decision. Since we in essence, interfere with a complex situation, one that forces us to play games and long cons to achieve our goal and that… causes more harm than good. Since it toys with people and their standing and emotion. 
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To the point where people are manipulated, and the plan begins to move in a counterintuitive manner. Which can bring about utter chaos if left unchecked, and when that happens… we have two choices, really. In that, we can either double down and try to scheme our way toward an endgame, which rarely works… or we can cut through the nonsense and be honest and try to use that honesty to get everyone involved on the same page and finally working toward the same good goal we initially had in mind and that lesson, is top of mind today, simply because it is one that Lin Ford learned, in the next episode of Shantaram, shortly after he healed (with Karla’s help) from a serious bout of Cholera in ‘Like in the Time of Cholera’. 

Because having a moment to breathe and finding clarity from a brush with death, since he was pretty sick… prompted Lin to realize he’s spent a lot of time playing games and scheming to make things right and that motivated him… to be honest with Karla about his feelings, and their situation and it motivated him to be honest with himself at last about how much trouble his manipulations have caused. Especially when Khan’s rival came into Sagar Wada to cause trouble in the name of a power play. Which in turn, pushed Lin to finally just be honest and push others to do the same to get everyone on the same page, so everyone could be safe. Which led to Khan being honest with Qasim before making a grand promise to give the people of Sagar Wada a path toward a better tomorrow instead of offering up his usual showmanship. 

Which worked to a tee, since it got Qasim to rally the people to fight and secure protection under Khader Khan, and it gave Lin peace that perhaps now things would be stable enough to potentially leave and his push toward honesty over nonsense and show extended beyond his actions with Khan and Qasim. For his honesty about his feelings toward Karla, also prompted her, to approach her problems differently as well. Because she was also asked to play games with Sunita and manipulate her to get Pandey to do their bidding. But Sunita was having no part of those games, prompting that honesty, which gave Karla what she wanted and needed. Giving rise to an ending to the story that finally made it seem as though wonderful times are on the horizon for everyone as peace and clarity finally comes to all.

But that would be too easy a transition for this story, a cop out even. For actions have consequences and there have been too many actions in this tale for that not to come around full circle, and it would seem that trouble continues to brew behind the scenes for Lin and his friends. Since Maurizio is putting all the blame for his newfound troubles on Lin, and of course, Karla continues to close in upon the truth and that victory in Sagar Wada will undoubtedly rally retaliation. Which means we are clearly building toward a grand showdown of sorts. One that will see external and internal problems begin to come to a head, as we continue to inch closer and closer to the season finale of this brilliant and fascinating series about the nature of change and the choices we make. Until next time.

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