In a fantastic episode of “Master of None” — Aziz Ansari’s new 10-episode Netflix comedy — Ansari’s Dev is on the hunt for New York’s best taco. Rather than heading to the nearest taco restaurant and leaving the experience to chance, Dev scours the internet for top-10 lists and Yelp reviews. Finally settling on one, he heads to a taco truck, only to find it sold out of tacos, leaving Dev to exclaim, “What am supposed to do now? Go eat the second-best taco?”
Dev’s taco debacle is emblematic of the rest of the show. In a world of technology, we are paralyzed by choice. The first episode has Dev confronting the ultimate choice: whether or not to have children. The audience is introduced to Dev as he babysits his friend’s two unruly children, who leave him exhausted and more unsure than ever of the multitude of choices before him.
Other episodes follow Dev through a lovely romance with sort-of-girlfriend Rachel (Noel Wells), friendships with Arnold (Eric Wareheim), Brian (Kelvin Yu) and Denise (Lena Waithe) and charming moments with his parents, who are played lovingly, if not always naturally, by Ansari’s real-life mother and father, Fatima and Shoukath Ansari.
In its stunning second episode, “Parents,” the show discusses the experiences of immigrants and the generation divide between their children. Dev and Brian learn about their parents upbringing and the sacrifices they made to move to the U.S., in contrast to the privilege their first-generation children have. While Dev’s parents had an arranged marriage, Dev maintains a Tinder profile. This second episode introduces viewers to the surprising depth and empathy the show holds.
“Master of None” is simultaneously fit for both binge-watching and casual viewing. Ansari and co-creator Alan Yang craft each episode around a theme. In “Ladies and Gentleman,” the characters observe the everyday harassments women experience. “Mornings” watches a relationship meander through ups and downs over the course of a year. “Indians on TV” brilliantly satirizes the lack of diversity on TV.
It would be easy to compare “Master of None” to FX’s “Louie.” “Master of None” mixes wonderful storytelling with a broad range of lives and experiences. The show has a rewarding, cinematic feel. Though similar in aesthetic, “Master of None” has a more optimistic outlook than “Louie,” making for joyful viewing.
Every episode of “Master of None” is a feast, particularly as the series progresses. In a world of endless choices, there is no doubt that “Master of None” is the best out there.
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