In this episode of Mahabharata, the Pandavas, Kunti and Draupadi prepare to make a triumphant return to Hastinapur.
Shakuni gets rid of a loose end that can prove his involvement in the Wax House plot, Duryodhan threatens suicide unless his father prevents Yudhistir from assuming the title of Hastinapur’s Crown Prince but his father tells him that there is too much public support for Yudhistir and just enough circumstantial evidence to tie Duryodhan to the conspiracy for such a bold action. Krishna advises the Pandavas to ensure that their moral high ground is not lost by attacking Hastinapur or the Kauravas for now. Vidhur arrives at Kampilya to formally invite the Pandavas to return.
Tropes found here are
- The Chessmaster: All this while, Duryodhan had Shakuni. The Pandavas finally get their own crafty conniving advisor - Krishna
- Foreshadowing: Dushasan playfully tells Draupadi “Look upon my form and remember it well!” Oh, she’s going to remember him all right.
- He Knows Too Much: Shakuni poisons Duryodhan’s chief bodyguard for not ensuring the Pandavas’ death, even giving him a You Have Failed Me speech. In actuality, it is to eliminate the last man besides himself, the Kauravas and Karna who know of the Wax House plot.
- Master Poisoner: Shakuni shows himself to be one.
- Stop, or I Shoot Myself! / Breath-Holding Brat: Duryodhan goes to Dhritharashtra and threatens suicide if he ever makes Yudhistir crown prince of Hastinapur again. Since Yudhistir had been presumed dead, Duryodhan is Crown Prince right now.
- Wham Line: As the chief bodyguard succumbs to poison, Shakuni tells him to advise his dead father that Shakuni will never forgive the Kuru dynasty.
