The intrigue and wonder of Shantaram is its ability to relate to the viewers what the main character, Lin, is experiencing, as he is seeing and feeling everything for the first time in 1980s Bombay. Throughout each episode, we get a glimpse what Lin is thinking at that moment in time, as well as what Lin is foreshadowing towards as he reflects back on his lived experience.
In the first episode, it was warned that there would be "ripples" that would "spread out into the future, touching everyone, friends and enemies, changing everyone's lives forever." We finally see this come into fruition in this episode, as the vibrant world around Lin changing rapidly and its characters behaving in response. We find ourselves rooting for Lin more than ever, as he is swept into a world of chaos and corruption.
Every character and their involvement in this Shantaram world can be traced back to Lin. The subplots and side stories matter, because we now fully realize how much each character stands to lose. It is easy to be lost and immersed within the Shantaram world, and I don't look forward to coming out of it.