What Is Going On With The River

It might be time for the writers and producers to take a break?

By  | Jun 04, 2022, 09:42 AM  | Drama

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The River the 1Magic hit telenovela produced by the Tshedza Pictures, a production company owned by Phathu Makwarela and Gywdion Beynon. Makwarela is also recognised as the creator and head writer of the telenovela now in its fifth season. While the incomparable Sindi Dlathu as Lindiwe Dikana-Dlamini continues to earn her flowers for her love-to-hate-her iconic role, the recent developments of the current season have fans questioning whether the writers and the producers of The River might be in need of a well-needed rest.

Read more: Beauty From The River Undergoes Surgery

Whether it is the flashback which started the season, the Hlophes or Mnqobi Luthuli coming back. There has been much that fans cannot believe the well-oiled machine has let fall through cracks, leading to the question, “What is going on!”

How The River’s flashback has become anticlimactic 

In February 2022, The River kicked off its fifth season with a flash forward to February 2023. The flashforward was the surprising wedding between Nomonde and Mabutho which ended with Mabutho being discovered as the mastermind of some crime, and Mabutho fatally injuring Zweli. Or so we hope, because who wants to lose uLala. 

But as season five has unfolded Mabutho is presumed dead as the actor Thembinkosi Mthembu is currently shooting the much anticipated Shaka Zulu remake executive produced by Coming 2 America actress Nomzamo Mbatha. Therefore, the flash forward which started the season now reads flat as we know that Mabutho will return- the question is how?
Why are the Hlophes so loud

At the beginning of May 2022, The River began its promotional campaign ahead of the introduction of the new family to join the story, the Hlophes. Meant to be the family which would give the Dikanas hell, it seems the only people at the receiving end of any hell are the viewers. 

Initially, a bad*ss family who bombed a man in front of a crowd during their introductory heist. Fans did not expect that this would be the only time we would see the family happy. Ever since their first episode, it has been downhill since then. Whether it’s Nkanyiso’s alleged overacting, Nomafu consistently wanting to hava, or the continuous fighting and bickering of the family. The Hlophes for fans are not giving what they were promised. All there is loudness.
Who thought bringing back Mnqobi Luthuli makes sense

While fans were still dealing with the loudness that it the Hlophes, The River proved that it can veer off to Days Of Our Lives vibez as it brought back the other half of Mnqobiwe, Mnqobi Luthuli from the dead. While viewers understood that bringing back Mnqobi was a plot device to forge the deal between Lindiwe and Bukhosi as he came to save the day. The questions are, why bring back a man we all saw be killed by multiple bullets, and why are the Hlophes so important to an already beloved storyline?

Whatever is going on with The River seems like it will continue in the month of June. This is as Zodwa has made her return in light of Paulina’s pregnancy. Moreover, Nokuthula Mavuso is set to return as Angelina Mthombeni in the coming weeks to wreck more havoc with the Mokeona family. 

Image credit: Instagram 
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