The Matchmaker in this piece of feel good orientalism started as a hobbyist. Married to an industrialist she didn't need to make a living. Now she charges $1000-8000 per family for any matches she makes. On screen she attempts to temper the narcissism of the heterosexual couples she works with. She meets privileged young people often with a very rigid view of what they want. She attempts to dilute there psychological fundamentalism by introducing a third point of view. In many ways she works very psychologically. She listens carefully,she notes points of resistance, she tries to only introduce a prospective client to one or maybe two matches at a time. This process of holding a couple in mind is something that an app or computer programme can't do. Families and individuals have faith in her, but she keeps things fairly down to earth. She acts as a container. Even though she listens to the fantasies about the "magical other" who will make life worth living...tall....poetry lover...kind...she brings it back to earth. No real person can meet these fantasy projections and she helps these couples work with a real relationship. Although, it appears this is harder done than said. So far there have been no marriages resulting from this Matchmaker series.

The sweetness of the show is of course underwritten by the deadly violence of the Indian class, caste and interfaith politics. The match maker essentially helps to reproduce and recreate this highly stratified system. In India infractions will lead to ostracism and lynchings. Interfaith marriages are all but outlawed in modern India. State and civic brutality is commonplace.

Still I was struck when Sima Taparia gave her blessing to a match outside her purview. A young Hindu woman didn't like the matches Sima Taparia found her, but went on to find a Pakistani Muslim kick boxer. They appeared besotted with each other. Sima appeared to give her blessings. In India the man would likely be accused of "love jihad" and face police and morality police brutality. Sima also worked with a divorcee. Perhaps these more 1970s themes will boost ratings

California has recently passed legislation against caste discrimination. Let's see if the next series brings this into the public eye. Indian courts are hearing petitions for gay marriage. Perhaps this ultra conservative show focussing on ultra orthodox upper caste, upper class, heterosexual Hindus will need to change if it wants us to really fall in love with it.