Master Of None - General Discussion

[theatremouse]

On 5/12/2017 at 10:40 PM, Samsnee said:

She wasn't wearing her ring in the last scene. 

I thought I saw it on her finger in the very last scene, in bed, but I did not see it in the scene in his living room when they were having it out.

[Ronin Jackson]

It was snowing in the last scene. That should indicate it's a flashback to the earlier scene. Granted, it could be a flash forward to some future snow storm, but unless the object is to mislead us, the only reason to include the shot of the snowy windows is to place the scene during the earlier snow storm. If they just wanted to trick us into believing it was a flashback only to reveal later it was a flashforward, adding the shot of the snowy windows seems like overkill. 

[theatremouse]

Given how frequently it snows in New York in winter, and the established bit that this transpired over a month, I don't think snowy windows necessarily is a clear indicator of the same snowstorm. It just means it's still winter. It could also be quite snowy and not a blizzard. So, to me, it's ambiguous.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

I went to a Lutheran preschool & kindergarten and then I went to a Catholic elementary school until fifth grade. Thankfully my family moved to another state and then I got to attend regular public school without mandatory church services. As much as I like the idea of people in togas playing little harps while I float around on a cloud in the afterlife, all those years of religion did nothing to make me interested in going to church voluntarily. I like looking at some churches because they're pretty, but that's about it. Luckily my parents weren't very religious (even when I went to Catholic school) so I never had to pretend that I was going to church, but I still felt for Dev. I totally get what Denise said to him - you're a 33 year old adult so you shouldn't have to pretend that you're going to church/temple/mosque just to make them happy. I'm glad the last scene showed that what his parents get from going (friends, a sense of community) is what Dev gets through non-religious channels.

Heh and I'm with Dev - can't you just be a good person who eats pork and doesn't go to religious ceremonies?

Navid playing along with Dev's dad about becoming a model was hilarious. The hand motions he imitated just killed me. That is totally the kind of thing you do with your older relatives while the cousins who are your age are giggling and rolling their eyes.

Edited May 31, 2017 by ElectricBoogaloo

[ElectricBoogaloo]

I liked that the girls' flaws were realistic and not overly exaggerated, but I also liked that none of them were a perfect match either. Even Other Eleanor, who he seemed to click well with, took a 15 minute phone call. I loved the conversation they had about fetishizing because it is creepy as fuck when it happens to you!

Anyway, he showed a wide range of people who were not right for him (and possibly not right for most other people). How rude to be swiping on potential dates while you're still on a date! And the girl who said she doesn't work because her parents are rich and she has a rich guy who pays for everything because he thinks she's going to fuck him. Good lord, some of these people are awful. I give Dev some credit for sticking it out on some of those dates. If I had encountered some of those people on first dates, I would have finished dinner and said good night instead of going for drinks afterward.

Edited May 31, 2017 by ElectricBoogaloo

[possibilities]

I hate the ambiguity. This show usually manages to be interesting without playing that kind of game with the viewers.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Man, I need to go to an awesome dinner party like that!

Confession: I think John Legend is good but overrated so I wasn't jumping up and down when he appeared, but then I was like dude, if you're going to ask a guest to perform at your party then are you going to ask everyone to demonstrate their profession for the group? Like are you going to ask the tax accountant to stand on a table and do your taxes? Are you going to ask the physical therapist to give all of your guests massages? I know it's a fictional show, but I feel for people who get put on the spot to do stuff like that because you can't really say no without seeming like a dick. Just because you're a performer doesn't mean you want to perform 24/7, especially when you're at a party to hang out. It's one thing if you hire someone to provide their services at an event, but it's another when they are there as a guest and you ask them to do what they normally get paid to do for free while they're just trying to eat and talk to people.

I thought they were setting up Francesca as a love interest in the first episode of the season, but when he returned to New York after only two episodes I figured that possibility was over. I felt for Dev because it's not like he's been in love with her since they met and he's been actively pursuing her. They were just friends and then something clicked for him and changed the way he felt about her. He knows she has a boyfriend (who he seemed to get along with) so there's really nothing for him to do about his feelings.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

I agree that NYC is a character on this show, much in the same way that it was for shows like SatC, so I enjoyed seeing some of the other people who live there.

I don't know ASL (I learned the alphabet in middle school but never got beyond that), but I knew the sign for vagina because Utah State was using it as a hand signal for their mascot the Aggies (a few years earlier, there was a story about the same issue at the University of Oregon).

Ha, I have the same reaction to the Venga Bus song (mostly because the Six Flags commercial had that dancer in the old man mask dancing around and he freaked me out).

One thing I loved about this episode was that the cab driver and his friends were so determined to go out and spend some of their hard earned cash, but they ended up meeting some girls on the street and having fun inside a closed restaurant. Sometimes having your plans go awry results in an even better time.

I was so insulted on behalf of the doorman who was asked to call upstairs if the philanderer's wife came home. If you're going to cheat on your spouse, go do it at a hotel like a considerate cheater! I couldn't believe the husband had the nerve to yell at the doorman and blame him. Yeah, because it's all HIS fault that you decided to put your penis in another woman. Loved when the doorman told him to back off and quit pointing his finger at him.

I felt so bad for the cab driver when those girls totally spoiled the end of the movie for him! Something similar happened to me a few years ago when I was standing in line for food. I knew it was going to happen as soon as the people behind me started talking so I was just hoping that they wouldn't get around to spoilers until after I had ordered my food so that I could wait for my food far away from them. I'm not saying you need to poll the entire room before you have a conversation, but maybe consider not having said conversation at top volume!

Edited June 1, 2017 by ElectricBoogaloo

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Junior: Hey, guys, I just got a phone call and I have some terrible news. The Vengabus is coming.

[Ronin Jackson]

9 hours ago, possibilities said:

I hate the ambiguity. This show usually manages to be interesting without playing that kind of game with the viewers.

It may snow a lot in New York in real life, but this isn't real life. It's a constructed work of fiction, and every time they make a choice to include a shot of snow, they are doing it for a reason. In this case we had an earlier scene in a snow storm where two characters ended up in the same bed. At the end they included two shots which took us right back to that scene.

IMO it's not ambiguous. This show does like to make some unconventional artistic choices (a b&w episode, taking out sound when we follow a deaf character, holding on an extended shot of Dev in a cab for an uncomfortably long time), but if they were trying to play a game with those shots it wouldn't have much of a reason or payoff. It's a pretty clear flashback to me.

[theatremouse]

This article has a really nice side by side analysis (and images) of the two scenes, the in-bed-in-blizzard and in-bed-in-finale. Even if you don't read it, the images are convenient. Unless the show failed to tell us during the blizzard episode that she was stuck there for more than one night (or they both changed clothes and the bed linen during that one night), it's not a flashback to that blizzard.

[biakbiak]

Thanks @theatremouse! I kept meaning to go back and see if she was wearing her ring in the final shot but kept forgetting to check.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Denise: What about Clarence Thomas?
Ernestine: Fuck his ass!

Ernestine: I dated a pimp once.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

While I totally understand Dev not wanting to commit to seven more seasons of Clash of the Cupcakes, why didn't he just ask if the network was willing to do a shorter contract, like one or two more seasons? I know that the standard tv contract is for seven years but you don't HAVE to commit to seven years if the network/production company is willing to negotiate.

But I'm glad that he's going to do a travel show with Jeff. Just like his trip to Italy, this show is coming to him at the right time in his life. He is single without a kids or a mortgage so this is the perfect time for him to travel (and get paid to do it!). But just like the cupcake show, he may want to see if he can sign a contract for fewer seasons. You never know where you'll be in seven years with everything else in your life. It's one thing to do a regular tv show for seven years because you operate out of a base city/studio, but traveling for seven years can take its toll.

I loved seeing Brian and his dad. It's nice to see that the Parents episode from last season has had a lasting effect. It's obvious that Brian is making an effort to spend time with his dad, talking with him and having a real relationship with him.

What Brian's dad said about people putting up with things because they don't want to be lonely made me so sad because it's true. I know several people who have stayed in less than ideal relationships (to put it nicely) because they didn't want to be alone.

Heh, loved Dev's dad's collection of things he's removed from people's stomachs. How do you accidentally swallow a toy soldier though?

[biakbiak]

2 hours ago, ElectricBoogaloo said:

While I totally understand Dev not wanting to commit to seven more seasons of Clash of the Cupcakes, why didn't he just ask if the network was willing to do a shorter contract, like one or two more seasons? I know that the standard tv contract is for seven years but you don't HAVE to commit to seven years if the network/production company is willing to negotiate.

Also with a lot of these competitive cooking shows seven seasons doesn't equal seven years because they air at least two sometimes three seasons a year. Hell Chopped is like on its 30th season and it premiered in 2009. It's also an incredibly short shooting schedule like 2 to 3 weeks, much different than something like a sitcom or more time sensitive show, so it seemed a weird thing to balk at when it clearly wasn't going to stop him from doing other projects. Heck the network would probably love if he did both shows.

[Ms Blue Jay]

On 5/14/2017 at 9:06 PM, DrSpaceman73 said:

Well for one of these thanksgivings I am assuming he would have had to fly home from Italy to be there. 

I enjoyed the episode.  But Denise is probably the least favorite for me of his friends, so while it was a nice story and well written, I am just not as invested in her character.  Just a personal preference. 

I don't find her to be a charismatic or particularly good actor, so I get it.  I loved the teens and kids who were playing both her and Dev though.  

I thought Dev was hysterical this episode.  He is usually the straight man of the show, but this time it had to be Denise so he was the wacky side character, like Aziz played on Parks.  This is when Aziz is at his best.  He was being so annoying and jokey the whole time; I loved it. 

I totally cried at the slow-motion montage at the end played to "Can you Stand the Rain".  I was very moved.  If any of you have seen "The Best Man Holiday" there is a fantastic scene set to that song as well.

On 5/14/2017 at 7:11 AM, biakbiak said:

Angela Bassett, Kym Whitley and Venida Evans worked so well as a family unit with the changing actors, I thought it was a beautiful episode.

Oh my god.  Of course.  I know Kym from Curb Your Enthusiasm!

Edited June 2, 2017 by Ms Blue Jay

[Ms Blue Jay]

On 5/19/2017 at 7:49 PM, possibilities said:

I think they're both wrong. Dev knows she's engaged. If she's willing to play at this clearly clandestine romantic relationship with Dev behind Pino's back, she's the sort of person who can't be trusted to be honest and she lacks the courage to respect others. If she had left Pino for Dev, I would be just as grossed out by her as if she stays with Pino despite really not liking him or the relationship. It's lazy and delusional.

I get how these things happen. But it's not admirable, it's depressing.

Also, I don't want to watch a cliche romantic movie. This is the least interesting part of the series and I wish they wouldn't waste so much time on it.

I love what you posted.  Also it's hard to see why Dev is so crazy about Francesca beyond, she's pretty.  Typical romantic comedy bullshit as written by a man.  Indecisive woman who has no agency or assertiveness engaged to a 'supposedly bad' man (in the less nuanced stuff like Wedding Crashers, Harold and Kumar, and on and on it's always a TOTALLY AWFUL MAN).  This is a tiny bit more nuanced but it's the same damn cliche again.  I guess I have to be impressed that in THIS scenario at least Francesca had enough assertiveness to express reservations directly to Pino.  That certainly doesn't usually happen in popular fiction.

I have to admit I can totally relate to Dev in this situation.  But couldn't they make the female character a little better?  Of course she's good-looking but it always makes me roll my eyes when a man is so crazy in love with a character like this and I'm never really shown why.  He SAYS they make each other really happy but I'm not exactly seeing it.  Their interactions are all superficial.  They're basically each other's tour guides.  And she plays with his emotions.

You notice when men write stuff like this the woman they're always so dramatically in love with just happens to be pretty and in great shape.  LOL.  

Edited June 2, 2017 by Ms Blue Jay

[theatremouse]

Yeah and they really emphasized the seasons not years angle so the whole plot I was thinking...dude, this might only be a 3 year gig they're asking you to commit to.

[msani19]

Aren't we supposed to almost "side" with Dev and root for him and Francesca. I found their whole relationship unpleasant to watch. As he's portrayed, Pino is shown as WAY too into his job...he REALLY loves talking about tiles! The intimate texts that Dev & Francesca traded at the birthday party after asking him to talk about anything other than tile, but he can't help himself. It's almost like they are hitting on the "he works too much and she's neglected" angle really hard. All the times she contacted Dev were because Pino was in Chicago or DC or San Francisco. I had no idea the tile business was so involved! I feel bad for Pino who earnestly has no idea what is wrong with her and implored her to be honest with him, but she's a coward. With Pino and with Dev and herself. No one is perfect and over the 10 years they had been together (on and off) I'm sure they went through different challenges. I know my 10-year relationship has had it's share of stuff. She can't even articulate what's happening. It's telling. 

Also, the fact that this all took place over a month leads to the mystical, fantasy that Dev attraction towards her. His love if Italy and Italian movies adds to him seeing her through rose-colored glasses. I was drawn in by their interactions too, it was fun, it was charming, it was light. He was her NYC and American tour guide. 

Neither one of them comes out of this looking good and next season should be very interesting to watch. I'm hoping we see the reality and not a continued rom-com fantasy. If the last scene is what we think it is, they are in for a world of hurt. 

Edited June 2, 2017 by msani19

[possibilities]

Re the soldier, I would guess swallowing anything like that to be a dare.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Initially, I felt for Dev after the dinner party because up until that point, he saw her as a friend, nothing more (as opposed to the kind of guy who immediately begins pursuing a random girl he doesn't know by pretending to be her friend in the hopes that she will eventually relent and hook up with him). He spent four months hanging out with her in Italy and didn't seem to have any romantic feelings for her then, so for his feelings to change - that's difficult to deal with and it's something you have no control over.

BUT that changed for me when he began trying to stealth pursue her. I'm sorry, but you don't get to pout about how a girl who is engaged to someone else is spending time with her fiancée or not declaring her love for you.

Similarly, I initially felt for Francesca because I think that she just accepted her relationship with Pino as What You Do. You start dating someone and you still like each other so eventually you get married. When you add to that the fact that she's from a small town, it's even more understandable. She probably knows most of the people on Modena who are around her age and none of them have piqued her interest more than Pino so there wasn't any temptation for her to stray. She is also tied there because of her grandmother and the pasta shop so she expected to live there the rest of her life and have a family with Pino, none of which are inherently bad things. But coming to New York opened her eyes to the possibilities of living somewhere else and doing something besides having kids, being a wife, and growing old in the place where she grew up. I think that her new feelings for Dev surprised her because she hadn't look at him romantically in the past.

I have a little bit more sympathy for Francesca because it would be one thing if she were some girl who already lived in New York and had a history/support system there (family, friends, a job, etc). But she doesn't live there. She doesn't know anyone there besides Dev. She has no job and currently is not allowed to work (she would have to apply for a new visa in order to get a job). She doesn't have a place to live. Dev isn't just asking her to break up with her boyfriend of a few months. He wants her to end a relationship that she's been in for over a decade, abandon her family, and move to another country because he likes her. That is a lot of change for something that could just be a temporary infatuation. And if Modena is like small towns in the United States, ending her engagement to Pino will make for a lot of gossip and possibly make things bad for her grandmother's pasta shop if people take sides.

I'm not saying she should do the safe thing just because it's easier. I'm just saying that she has a lot more complications to deal with if she wants to stay in New York to see where things go with Dev, whereas Dev would have to change almost no part of his life. Would he be willing to quit his job and move to Italy to be with her? Going to Italy on vacation is different from saying you plan to stay indefinitely to be with her.

On a positive note, I love Dev's friendship with Arnold. Heh, just don't listen to his advice after he takes a lunesta!

The beautiful scenery in this episode reminded me a lot of When Harry Met Sally. I did notice one tiny continuity error. After the big snowstorm, there was a scene where Francesca was outside and there were lots of orange and red leaves in the trees. It's hard for me to be too mad about it though because it was so pretty.

[Ms Blue Jay]

On 5/29/2017 at 2:58 PM, msani19 said:

Curious on how they decided which was "better"? 

To answer this in the shortest way possible, the religion that is more predominant in the country they raised us.

[Kel Varnsen]

Probably the stand out episode for me so far at least. I love Dev's dad, and anytime he says something to try and sound cool it is super funny. The line about Michael Jordan was hilarious, and it was all his delivery.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Some NY Times articles/interviews:

Aziz goes to India:

Quote

If people glance twice at me in America, it’s usually because they recognize my work as an actor (or the work of a different Indian actor, or because I remind them of some Indian guy they happen to know). But in India, it was because the locals could tell I wasn’t from around those parts. Sure, I appear Indian, but my clothes and sneakers were clearly American. Even in India, I was kind of an outsider.

Aziz on S2 & his SNL monologue:

Quote

One thing you tackle is religion, and being a lapsed Muslim.

I thought about doing an episode where it’s humor that’s all based on this religion. Larry David or Woody Allen would do Jewish humor; I’ve never seen that with Islam. And there’s things that made me laugh with my family, where it’s someone pretending to be more pious than they really are — it felt like something we hadn’t seen before.

Aziz is still searching:

Quote

“When you think of the star of a movie or TV show, you don’t think of someone that looks like me or someone that looks like Woody Allen or someone that looks like Seth Rogen,” Mr. Ansari said one afternoon in May at the Bowery Hotel. “But look, the point of the Woody Allen movies and the point of ‘Master of None’ is that it’s all driven by point of view. As long as someone’s point of view is interesting and they have something to say, it doesn’t matter what they look like.”

Edited June 9, 2017 by ElectricBoogaloo

[Kel Varnsen]

On 5/31/2017 at 2:59 AM, ElectricBoogaloo said:

Good lord, some of these people are awful. I give Dev some credit for sticking it out on some of those dates. If I had encountered some of those people on first dates, I would have finished dinner and said good night instead of going for drinks afterward.

Well coke girl and rich parents girl weren't in any scenes past the first restaurant, so that was a nice touch.

[rabidchipmnk]

7 hours ago, Kel Varnsen said:

Well coke girl and rich parents girl weren't in any scenes past the first restaurant, so that was a nice touch.

Is it actually common to do dinner with the option for drinks as a first date?  If I'd never met the person before I'd usually go for something lower-stakes like coffee or maybe brunch.  ... for that exact reason.  And maybe I'm an overly-cautious lightweight female, but no gracias to drinks either.

I did also like how they were at the same restaurant too.  Gotta have a designated "first date" restaurant that you don't mind having associated with a lot of crappy experiences.  Or so I'm told.

[Kel Varnsen]

On 5/14/2017 at 3:27 PM, tennisgurl said:

And Bobby Carnival! Awesome!

See I am the opposite because for some unknown I fucking hate Bobby Cannavale. Not sure why but he bugs me in everything he is in.

The Francesca thing is interesting. Although I am not entirely clear, is that little Mario kid with the cheeks her son? If so and she becomes Dev's girlfriend can we trade Arthur for him. For me that guy is the weak link in the show.

[msani19]

48 minutes ago, Kel Varnsen said:

See I am the opposite because for some unknown I fucking hate Bobby Cannavale. Not sure why but he bugs me in everything he is in.

That's funny you feel that way, cause I like him just I haven't seen anything where he played anyone likable yet I've HEARD he's a lovely person, so I give him some benefit of the doubt. Although based on the characters I've seen him play, I should hate his guts. Lol. 

[biakbiak]

8 minutes ago, msani19 said:

That's funny you feel that way, cause I like him just I haven't seen anything where he played anyone likable yet I've HEARD he's a lovely person, so I give him some benefit of the doubt. Although based on the characters I've seen him play, I should hate his guts. Lol. 

You should watch The Station Agent.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

5 hours ago, Kel Varnsen said:

The Francesca thing is interesting. Although I am not entirely clear, is that little Mario kid with the cheeks her son? If so and she becomes Dev's girlfriend can we trade Arthur for him. For me that guy is the weak link in the show.

I don't remember anyone named Arthur, but Mario is definitely not Francesca's son. I don't remember if they ever explained exactly who he is (possibly a cousin or a neighbor's kid?) but in a later episode, Francesca says that (not really a huge spoiler)

Spoiler

she and Pino have been dating since she was 18. She never mentions having kids with Pino or anyone else.

[Kel Varnsen]

2 hours ago, ElectricBoogaloo said:

I don't remember anyone named Arthur, but Mario is definitely not Francesca's son. I don't remember if they ever explained exactly who he is (possibly a cousin or a neighbor's kid?) but in a later episode, Francesca says that (not really a huge spoiler)

  Hide contents

she and Pino have been dating since she was 18. She never mentions having kids with Pino or anyone else.

I meant Arnold, the big bud. He waa ok in the wedding episode but generally i find him annoying. 

[biakbiak]

14 hours ago, Kel Varnsen said:

I meant Arnold, the big bud. He waa ok in the wedding episode but generally i find him annoying. 

Eric directs some of the episodes and works a lot behind the scenes so he is most likely not going anywhere if there is a season three.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

23 hours ago, Kel Varnsen said:

I meant Arnold, the big bud. He waa ok in the wedding episode but generally i find him annoying. 

Ha, okay, I thought I had just forgotten the name of one of the characters!

[Kel Varnsen]

On 5/16/2017 at 11:25 PM, Falafel said:

I hated this episode. Felt like it was from a different show entirely and didn't connect to the arc of the season whatsoever. Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang should make a short film if that's what they want to do. That said, I think these are interesting stories to tell, but it would've been far more impressive if they had found a way to do it through the established characters and the established tone of the show. If Master Of None was a show that focused on different random characters each week, I'd stop watching, and as it is I'm wondering why we have barely seen Denise and Brian this season.

 

Yea it kind of bugged me too. The stories were kind of interesting but at the same time it felt a lot like filler. And the seasons of this show are only 10 episodes long, so why do you need filler? One of the reasons that people seem to applaud shorter season shows is because they can focus more on plot without the need for filler. So what exactly was the point? Hell I would thing that Aziz probably has enough clout with Netflix that they would probably greenlight  an anthology series about random new yorkers if he wanted to make one.

[possibilities]

I thought the stories in this episode were inherently interesting, so to me that was the point. I didn't regard them as filler. This show doesn't really have one on-going story to it, and in my opinion the on-going stories it does give us are often the worst part of the show (Aziz's romantic dramas). I do think he could make a really good show about random New Yorkers, though. You should pitch that idea to Netflix!

[Athena]

On 2017-05-19 at 4:48 PM, Duke2801 said:

I was hoping, rather than running into Rachel (which seemed kind of predictable) that he would run into the woman he met in Italy who he had the connection with. 

Sara(h)! I have been waiting for her to return all season. I loved their really gentle and shy chemistry. I wonder if the show is going to pull that character back in the future. 

On 2017-05-22 at 11:41 AM, MaryWebGirl said:

I was confused by him calling it so accurately and truthfully because he had been so enthusiastic about helping Dev hook up with her. Where was that insight when it started happening? 

I think Arnold is like a lot friends in that he wants his friend to be happy and when the crap hit the fan, he used the right words about why it's good it didn't work out. I think Arnold is capable of being insightful, but he's also really more about living in the moment and making sure him and his friends are happy in it. 

I was bored during this episode and I think it may be my least favourite of the whole show. More thoughts on that in S2 thread.

[Athena]

I felt season 2 started off very strong. The first half had episodes which were more creative and interesting than S1. I liked S1 too and Parents still remains one of my favourite TV episodes. I like that the show is relatable to an almost cringe-worthy degree at times. It's sincere and honest and yes, at times, it steps the line on even being preachy and a bit self-indulgent. Still, there doesn't seem to be a lot of shows I can relate to as much as I do this one.

The second half of S2 was weak with the exception of Thanksgiving. I didn't mind Door #3 or New York, I Love You. The latter had some enjoyable moments, but I did not like the last two eps focusing on Dev's relationship with Francesca.

Intellectually and even emotionally, I understood what they saw in each other and the actors had some chemistry. However, as someone else on the S2x09 episode put it, it was depressing to watch. I think it's part of the cringe-worthiness and relatability of the show. Their circumstances made it seem obvious that a relationship between the two would fail. Not saying there aren't exceptions, but it did feel like they both wanted the escape more than the actual relationship with each other. I didn't feel engaged while watching them flirt and angst over this.  I'm a similar age to Dev so I wanted to shake him to ask him what the heck he was doing. It was disheartening to watch. The show was not remotely a comedy or even a dramaedy the last two episodes. 

As with someone else in the 2x10 thread, I was waiting all season for Sarah the woman he met in Italy to return.

On the other hand, I am wondering if they have an S3 - and I hope they do - that Dev keeps trying to find love and not being able to settle down. I don't know, but even with the Rachel relationship, the show's main epic romance seems to be a be one of the weaker aspects. I rather watch more from his friends and him, the family dynamics, etc.

In any case, I hope the show gets accolades for episodes like Thanksgiving and Religion rightfully so. I don't mind the parental acting since it's not a large dose in the whole of the season. Hopefully onwards to S3.

[katisha]

I just finished watching Season 2 and I'm so glad there is a Previously TV forum about this show.  I fell in love with the show right from the get-go in Season 1.  Season 2 was more uneven for me, with some great episodes and some meh ones.  My favourite episodes (and it seems a lot of others' favourites) would have to be the Tuscany wedding episode, 'Thanksgiving' and 'Religion'.  These were the most like the first season for me.  I would also have liked to see more of Dev's friends, all of whom I like, and perhaps less of Francesca.  Don't get me wrong, I like her, and it's understandable how she and Dev have fallen into a holiday romance which really doesn't have much basis in realism, but I think it would have been better if the whole thing had ended the first time she went back to Italy, the time when they played the Soft Cell song while Dev was in the taxi.  That way there could have been a better set-up for Season 3 (and I hope there is one, without such a long time gap) and more of a sense of Dev growing up a bit and getting his life together.  But when this show is good, it's so much better than most anything else I watch so I'm definitely still a fan!

[PokerNerd]

The actress that played the Indian woman Priya was just pops off the screen. I recognized her as the good Eleanor on the Good Place, where she is also terrific. So much charisma. And it looks like she gets at least one more episode. I think she and Dev will be interesting together if the hot war photographer doesn't snatch her away.

Edited June 20, 2017 by PokerNerd

[Ms Blue Jay]

On 5/20/2017 at 5:00 PM, DrSpaceman73 said:

I have wondered, too, if Dev, as he is currently, is the type of guy that can stay with one woman long term, but for a different reason

His personality is one that just seems always on the look out for a new adventure and what might be better.  We see it with the Cupcake Wars show.  I understand the decision there, but he had a good paying job, I am sure, a regular gig on TV, which is HARD to do as an actor, even with all the shows out there now, and he gives it up to try something better.  I think that is just his personality and curiosity.  He will always wonder if there is something or someone better and always be looking for the next person or adventure. 

Nothing wrong with that.  And I am not saying he was wrong to leave the show.  But it does make it hard to stay in a long term relationship

I'm sure that's what Aziz Ansari's entire book Modern Romance is about.

On 5/24/2017 at 2:03 AM, possibilities said:

I wasn't surprised at all when Jeff was revealed to be a harrasser; he gave me extremely skeevy vibes every time he was on screen. I think even Dev was a little taken aback by his demeanor, as well, in the beginning. But he was ultimately very nice to Dev, and I think a lot of the time people who are being treated nicely simply don't suspect that person of bad behavior towards others.

He reminded me of Drake.  He acted exactly how I felt Drake would act.  Life of the party and gregarious.  I didn't find him skeevy at all.  The turn did surprise me.  I wasn't sure where they were going.

[Kel Varnsen]

This show is starting to lose me with this episode. I mean the stuff with Brian's dad was kind of interesting but could have used some humour. The Dev stuff was funny and interesting, but I generally hate Bobby Cannavale. And his tough guy celebrity chef character didn't help to change my opinion.

Honestly Dev's dad really saved this episode and i was glad to see him.

[PokerNerd]

Every second with Angela Basset is amazing, but the moment after Michelle compliments Denise with the angry wine-drinking side eye while the aunt taking a swig from the bottle is the best thing I've seen all month. I may need to learn how to make GIFs to immortalize that second because it is PERFECTION.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

I love Aziz's standup shows. It was interesting to see some of the things he has discussed in his standup creep into the show (but in a good way!).

In guest star news, Bobby Cannavale did the Ham4All challenge:

[biakbiak]

Random aside I love that Bobby and Joe LoTruglio are best friends.

[babyPhat279]

I'm surprised people aren't more upset with Dev's actions regarding Chef Jeff. I think we are to assume that after talking with the makeup artist, Dev either hadn't decided how he was going to precede yet, or he was just going to accept it and continue BFFs. If it's the latter, then I feel like this is a big issue with me. I mean, I don't expect him to go to the authorities as it's not his accusation to make, but why didn't he pull out of working with this guy? Or at least make an attempt to? Did he really think the truth wouldn't come out eventually or that it wouldn't make him look bad, as a a costar on the show? It's like him sleeping with the possibly racist girl x 100. That was a little sketch but more on the funny side; the stuff with Chef Jeff was not.

Also, I really disliked how annoying they made Pino. I guess that's so you are more invested in Dev/Francesca, but I kept just wondering why it would take Francesca so long to want to break up with him. And I wish they had at least discussed the idea of Dev moving back to Italy rather than just assume Francesca would move to America.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

On 6/30/2017 at 7:13 AM, biakbiak said:

Random aside I love that Bobby and Joe LoTruglio are best friends.

It makes me want to imagine what it's like to see them hanging out together!

[ElectricBoogaloo]

This is from last year, but Aziz with Rob Lowe, Jeffrey Tambor, Tony Hale, Anthony Anderson, Keegan-Michael Key, and Jerrod Carmichael at the Hollywood Reporter's comedy actor round table:

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Emmy nominations!

Best Comedy Series

Comedy Actor - Aziz Ansari

Comedy Guest Actress - Angela Bassett

Writing for a Comedy Series - Aziz Ansari & Lena Waithe (“Thanksgiving”)

Casting for a Comedy Series - Cody Beke & Teresa Razzauti

Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series  - Jennifer Lilly

OUTSTANDING SOUND MIXING FOR A COMEDY OR DRAMA SERIES (HALF-HOUR) AND ANIMATION

OUTSTANDING MUSIC SUPERVISION - Zach Cowie, Kerri Drootin ("Amarsi Un Po")

Edited July 13, 2017 by ElectricBoogaloo

[thuganomics85]

Finally getting starting on this season!  Overall, the first episode was a bit slow at times, but I like that it was clearly an homage to the old-fashion Italian movies back in the day, and I enjoyed seeing Dev still getting use to being a foreigner in Italy, although I'm glad he has learn a good amount of Italian to get by.  The kid was a bit much, but I enjoyed some of the banter.  Did miss some of the regulars from last season, but I enjoyed Sara and Francesca, and both actresses were extremely gorgeous.

While I can see why Sara would be taken aback at first when Dev offered to let her sit with him, I thought it was more weird that the hostess seemed taken aback. Maybe every country is different, but I've traveled a little bit, and there were a few times where they would place us at the same table or booth with others, if the restaurant was too full, and they acted like it was normal.

I did enjoy the Under the Tuscan remarks, even if my first thought was that this was Dev's version of Eat, Prey, Love.

Man, I get that loving your work can effect your view on things, but I'm not sure how Francesca's boyfriend thought that taking a tour of his tile factory would be a great way to celebrate a birthday.

[thuganomics85]

Surprised that Dev has already head back to New York.  I figured that was in the cards, but I thought they might stick around for a few more episodes.  I do suspect this isn't the last we have seen of Mario and Francesca though, especially the way Francesca was starring after him while he was leaving.  Ah, Dev.  You do know how to charm the, even when you aren't trying.

Fun seeing Arnold again, and I'm glad he came around and realized he was fooling himself into thinking he and Ellen were truly in love.  Hopefully he's at peace with that aspect.  Enjoyed seeing Ciara Renee was Ellen after her stint on Legends of Tomorrow as Hawkgirl.  Dev also moves on by telling Rachel that they need to stop texting each other.  Again though, I wouldn't be surprised if she comes back into play later on.

The car getting stuck in the alleyway was hilarious.  If definitely look like it was because Arnold didn't drive it straight through and at angle that was just enough to trap them.