A new task adds to the thrill in Lock Upp Season 2 Episode 17, but is it bad game design or terrible rules that take away from the fun of the game? The new episode showcases the Controllers fighting against one another to save their Dependants, but when tit for tat comes into play, everyone suddenly starts to find it extremely unfair. However, viewers will also find themselves questioning whether there’s unfair editing at play here as well, as we are made to sympathise with one character over everyone else.
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 and Harshad Chopda, while the hosts are Ritesh Deshmukh and Farah Khan.
Lock Upp Season 2 Episode 17 Review
The Tower Task Starts Strong Before Descending Into Disorder
The tower building task showcases everything that is wrong with this show right now. While the episode starts directly with the task, and Farah Khan keeps pushing everyone to create more disconduct to be seen on TV more, the task immediately descends into chaos after Khan tells the Controllers that they can break down each other’s towers to get to the top. Of course, this immediately triggers Shilpa to break down everyone’s towers, and she is then left APALLED that someone retaliated against her.
However, that’s all well and good until Dheeraj gets blocks thrown at him one too many times and then loses his composure. He tears down everyone’s towers and the idea of balancing defence and aggression is immediately dropped by everyone.
The task could’ve been entertaining, but it’s the contestants’ behaviours and a lack of good hosting that make Lock Upp so annoying.
Loyalty Becomes the Episode’s Biggest Talking Point
The task starts with wondering whether or not loyalty will remain within the group, and it’s these moments that make you compare Lock Upp and Alliance. Why a task can’t be played fairly and strategically is something that I will never understand, and why sabotage is an option is absolutely dumbfounding to me. The fact that the tower building area is unstable should be a challenge in itself, wherein contestants need to strategically build their tower so that it doesn’t fall. But of course, if you let people push each other’s work, it’s going to get chaotic.
However, that’s probably not the most infuriating part of the episode. The most baffling part was everyone questioning Dheeraj for retaliating against Shivangi, even though Shilpa constantly harassed everyone else around her. From Harshad to Ram, everyone found it shocking that Dheeraj wouldn’t just let Sufi be unsafe to help Shivangi get safe. On the flip side, Farah and literally everyone else remind anyone who would listen that Shivangi is a strong contestant who can take care of herself. While I agree with the second sentiment, the first sentiment doesn’t go together with it.
It’s a lack of sportsmanship that takes away the entertainment from Lock Upp. While we enjoy watching drama, the tasks should be clean and challenging, either mentally or physically, so that viewers can enjoy something other than nasty remarks.
The Secret Room Continues to Deliver Quietly Effective Moments
The Secret Room, thankfully, has become the most hilarious part of the show. While Akanksha continues to monitor everyone else and report back to Varun, it’s the quiet moments of laughter between the two that remain the most engaging. Varun is tasked with delivering the gold coin to Akanksha so that she can eat, and the way he does so is hilarious. Trying to stay away from prying eyes and get to the room is also extremely entertaining, as Yogesh’s attachment to Varun makes both the contestants giggle. It’s a welcome break from the bizarre discussions that contestants are forced to be a part of.
Too Much Time Is Spent Revisiting the Same Emotions
Last but not least, Lock Upp Season 2 Episode 17 seems to be the Ram Kapoor show somehow, as he babbles on and on about random things without letting anyone else present their own perspective. While it’s obvious that he makes good points sometimes, considering his experiences, one can’t help but see through the facade of him trying to manipulate anyone and everyone around him. He keeps on speaking in circles and, in this episode especially, he tries to convince Dheeraj that he should’ve let Shivangi win. Shivangi and Harshad, too, question whether Sufi is more important to him than Shivangi. Which isn’t the point, however. It’s bizarre watching these people interact in this way without an ounce of reflection.
Final Verdict
In the end, Lock Upp Season 2 Episode 17 leaves you gaslit in a way that one might think isn’t possible. There’s so much rage-baiting going on that viewers will instantly be able to understand that there’s something up with the way the episodes are presented. While the episode was all about coddling one contestant, here’s hoping that there’s something more to watch other than unnecessary fights and bizarre, senseless conversations.
Watch Episode 17 on Netflix. What are your thoughts on the recent episode of Lock Upp Season 2? Let us know in the comments below!