Very early on when she arrived back in the show, she didn't agree with Masood and Carol's relationship because she is white. But that was a long time ago and it was Shabs acting out through not getting over the fact her parents split up and she wasn't around.

I thought Shabnam's reaction was pretty understandable, Carmel kept pushing about reorganising the wedding despite the fact that it was completely the wrong time since they hadn't even buried the baby yet and she was ignoring the looks she was getting from Kush and Masood. Shabnam snapped because she was overwhelmed and couldn't hold it in anymore when someone's pushing so hard at your patience during a difficult time. And yes, it was Kush's baby too, which means he has to take responsibility and not run away from the problems. He ran out on Shabnam just as she was about to deliver their stillbirth baby after he insisted on being there for her and Lotty's right, if it weren't for Masood talking to him, he probably would have went home rather than went back when he did. Shabnam didn't have a choice in the matter and would have felt betrayed and abandoned by him.

I thought the actress played it spot on.

I myself have warmed to the character, if any character needs slagging off, it is her mother Zainab re the phonecall to Tamwar. Vile woman.

Unless lotz is a zombie

It doesn't really matter how other women act afterwards and Carmel didn't deserve a reasonable response. As for Shabnam acting like it's all about her, I disagree. I'm not going to dismiss Kush's experience and feelings in the slightest, but Shabnam is the one who could feel that her son was not ok and she's the one who had to give birth to him. I think her emotional state is slightly more fragile. That doesn't mean that I agree with everything she's doing, but I understand. Especially since Kush ran out on her when she needed him.

I'm surprised she didn't do more than shout at her.
Shabnam had just endured a stillbirth, and her pushy mother-in-law to be was wittering on about the wedding, like it was business as usual! I'd have thrown her out.


Yes he has. But she's the one who was pregnant, realised something was wrong and then had to go through the trauma of giving birth to a dead baby. She was the only one who could say what she wanted to happen, and I think she just wanted to deal with it in her own way.

Kush actually left his fiancee when she needed him, being more concerned about his mother.

I dunno. If it was me, and I had someone I disliked wittering at me about a wedding I didn't want to have with their son - the man who walked out and left me while I was delivering our dead baby, when I needed him the most - who I knew I was leaving after I buried my dead son two hours later, I'd probably scream too, to shut her the eff up.

Exactly. If anything, Carmel's comments about a wedding would have the effect on a lot of women who've been through such tragedy. Carmel didn't mean any harm, but it was naive.

Also, not just Zainab....what about Syed? What's his excuse for not turning up? He lives in Birmingham, it's pretty easy to get to London from there. His nephew was stillborn and his sister is going a terrible time. In contrast, when Lucy Beale died, Syed's partner Christian turned up for her funeral.

Shabnam I felt really sorry for but Kush was the one I had the problem with.

It was when he was telling Shabnam how much he loved her, how much she meant to him etc when a couple of months he was cheating on her with Stacy. He was even thinking about leaving Shabnam for Stacy

Brilliant post. I completely agree.

Until you've lost a baby you don't know how you'll react and I'm pretty sure a lot of women would be snappy at the very least. I've lost babies so I understand Shabnam being frustrated with Carmel and lashing out. As for Kush he has been selfish. He ran out while his partner was giving birth to their dead baby. She had to deal with the pain and trauma and the least she expected of him was to be there. He didn't have to give birth to a dead child. He wasn't supportive and ran out which was unforgiveable. HE is the one making it all about HIM!

Same here.

What a fabulous post!

I wasn't expecting to enjoy these episodes or even watch them but I surprised myself by getting caught up in the story and really feeling sorry for Shabnam. Bonnie Langford was great too. I'm still not sold on Shabnam and Kush as a good pairing but it worked for these episodes.

This story means a lot to my family as my mum went through the same thing 3 times.
She really wanted another child and this was such a hard time for our family.
Its being played so well on screen and people need to release it was still a person despite being born dead especially to the family.

I think shes gotton over the whole mixed relationship thing. She does not seem to care about Nanwar.

Yes I totally agree. I really hope EE don't put Kush with Stacey later on. That would be unforgivable.

I really felt for Shabnam. In fact I don't think I've cried that much watching EE since Tiffany died.