With the semi-finale inching closer than ever, the season is aiming to push out contestants who don’t contribute both in tasks and drama, and is gearing up for explosive episodes that will increase viewership. That is not as obvious as Lock Upp Season 2 Episode 25, which sees two evicted contestants returning after pushing out two inmates and highlights the general lack of trust and loyalty in the house where everyone is only interested in their own selfish needs. As the house questions its friendships and long-held alliances, Apoorva and the makers make it clear that the tests are only going to get worse for them.
The second season features Ram Kapoor, Shivangi Joshi, Sunita Ahuja, Dheeraj Dhoopar, Akanksha Chaudhary, Sufi Motiwala, Varun Yadav, Yogesh Rawat, Pamela Sarena, Shreya Kalra, Riyaz Aly, Shresta Iyer, Akanksha Chamola, Madhuri Jain Grover, Shilpa Shinde, Harshad Chopda, and Apoorva Makhija, while the hosts are Ritesh Deshmukh and Farah Khan.
Lock Upp Season 2 Episode 25 Review
The Lie Detector Task Sparks More Questions Than Answers
Both the “intriguing” parts of the episode were quite duds, with the first “twist” being a lie detector test where Apoorva is given the chance to judge whether the person in the hot seat is lying or telling the truth. Varun and Ram are called for this task and are asked the most controversial questions, and Apoorva makes sure that it’s as chaotic as possible. Of course, their answers, including who thinks who is not playing well, whether Chamola used her divorce for fame and whether Varun thinks that men and women are equal, are used as an opportunity to sow seeds of discontent among the inmates.
After the two come back, everyone fights with one another and can’t help but question whether these people are really their friends and alliances. Shivangi, especially, is left shocked that Ram thinks so negatively of their relationship and feelings get heightened between Apoorva and Varun regarding his comments, which eventually spills into her interaction with Akanksha Chaudhary.
The format was clearly designed to make the segment as disturbing as possible, as the goal was never to find answers, but to create more drama. The hosts keep on harping about creating impact and being seen, but at this point it’s turned into who will fight with whom the most about the most inconsequential thing. It’s not entertaining because it’s not organic; it’s clearly born out of a need to create conflict and not to understand people better.
Semi-Finale Pressure Pushes Everyone to Their Limits
While Harshad’s exit comes as a shock for viewers in episode 25, the ramifications of his exit can be felt in episode 25. Shivangi continues to be heartbroken at his exit and speaks to different housemates about why they voted him out, including Ram and Dheeraj. Despite everyone claiming to be his closest friend and whatnot, as it turns out, only Shivangi and Akanksha Chamola voted to save him. It’s a shocking twist that starts to set expectations for the contestants as they realise that people whom they thought to be friends are, in fact, not so.
Taking a break from fighting about food and chores, the conversation shifts to alliances as everyone realises that the finale is getting close and things are about to get very serious. The paranoia is growing in the house thanks to everyone’s truth getting exposed. It’s interesting to see how people react to different truths coming to light, especially as they realise that it has always been a lie from the start.
The Comeback Twist Doesn’t Fully Deliver
This episode’s most silly twist comes with Yogesh and Harshad returning for one last task after Ritesh asks them to choose who among the current inmates are the most undeserving. Harshad chooses Sufi and Yogesh chooses Dheeraj. The two groups are then asked to collect sandbags that their co-inmates have to throw to them from above.
The task is the most uninteresting and wet blanket situation that I have watched unfolding on-screen, with no one really interested in actually putting up a fight. Sufi and Dheeraj seem to have some sort of contract that informs them that they have to leave at this point, and so they don’t put up a fight. Dheeraj, however, does a very over-the-top performance and then walks right out.
The win at the end doesn’t feel deserved, and it’s so weird to watch. No one tries to fight Shivangi and Akanksha Chaudhary off as they throw the sandbags down, and it’s just the most boring elimination challenge that I have ever watched in a reality show.
Final Verdict
This episode was such a disappointment because viewers will be able to see through the facade that the series creates as they try to garner interest and drama. While the doubts are increasing daily, there’s no real thrill or smart gameplay that actually rewards strategic thinking. The biggest problem seems to be why someone voted someone out or how the contestants will get their protein intake for the day. It’s comically silly and leaves you wondering what you are actually watching!
Watch Episode 25 on Netflix. What are your thoughts on the recent episode of Lock Upp Season 2? Let us know in the comments below!
