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Master of None: Buona Notte (2017)
A fitting finale which desperately leaves you wanting more.
(SPOILERS) EPISODE REVIEW
While Episode 9 develops the relationship between Francesca and Dev a lot further until he finally confesses his love, Episode 10 tackles the uncomfortable problems and issues with the forbidden love situation (UGH, excuse the flowery language). That turns out to be the central plot while on the other hand Chef Jeff is revealed to have sexually harassed several women, a revelation which Dev might have accelerated and now has to deal with the consequences of being associated to Jeff, his BFF (Best Food Friends: Worst name for a show ever).
Comedy and conflict ensue on the BFF plot thanks to Raven Simone making an appearance as a confrontational talk show host, playing an excellent satirical angle on talk show hosts who act like righteous journalists (more so, keepers of truth) of the highest order when they're clearly not. A great addition to the ongoing social commentary on culture which the show portrays just so well. Chef Jeff walks the fine line between likable and a****le extremely well.
Of course the real meat of this episode is dedicated to the Francesca debacle. The chemistry between them transitions from affection to regret and sorrow and anger and love and everything in between. They seek each other but it isn't easy for Francesca to make a decision because of how much is on the line here. On one hand, her life back in Italy in her small town where everything had been comfortable so far, along with Pino, her partner for 10 years. And on the other hand, Dev. The strain on both of them conveyed through excellent dialogue and writing causes in argument towards the end. And in classic Master of None style, they end the episode ambiguously with a five second shot of Francesca lying awake on Dev's bed while Dev sleeps beside her.
There isn't enough closure as the viewer wonders whether she made the right decision and has come to a conclusion with Pino. Lying awake in bed could mean regret or guilt. Or even comfort. I couldn't tell at all. The episode was painfully difficult to watch because of the lack of closure. Dev and Francesca act out the excellent script beautifully though I question whether that is the way it should have ended. As a viewer, I just have too many questions and this definitely counts as a cliffhanger. A great episode overall, perhaps not as charming as the last one, because now there is a year's gap at least until we find some solace.
A finely acted, directed, but questionably written finale (Can't deal with that ending) Master of None's best season yet. 9/10 because of the FEELS. Deducted 1 point because of the ending.
Master of None: The Dinner Party (2017)
This is where Master of None transcends most other shows.
SPOILER WARNING! CONTAINS SPOILERS!
You get regular television and writing and then you find some shows which go a bit further. Those some shows occasionally depict life in ways you haven't seen on screen. Master of None masterfully executes the nuances of our day to day lives. A look, a glance, a reaction, the uncomfortable moments and in this case a 3 minute shot of Dev sitting at the back of a car with nothing happening. There's as much said in the shots lacking dialogue as there is in those which include it. Like how music is in the space between the notes.
The show's cinematography is brilliant, the soundtrack NAILS IT every single episode, and the story features an uncomfortably accurate commentary on our culture and social interactions. This episode focuses on the new romantic interests of Dev and how they develop. Priya (one of the dating app dates) from the last episode returns and so does Francesca from Italy, who's shortly visiting New York with her boyfriend. The chemistry between Dev and Priya turns out to be quite stale and he turns up inviting Francesca as his date instead to a fancy party at his boss' place. From what has always been a warm and comfortable friendship between them seemingly turns into something more on screen leaving a lot left to interpretation from the viewer and to the following episodes.
The final shot has Dev sitting in the back of a car after saying goodbye to Francesca contemplating his feelings and thoughts for a good three minutes with no dialogue. We know what he's thinking because some of us have been there. Or maybe we're just guessing. But there's a gravity to that scene and the three minutes or so never seem dull. The shot was a complete baller move by the creators and it has paid off in spades IMO. They really know how to convey a mood.
There's an appearance from John Legend and a hilarious Ravi from S01. Bobby Cannavale is quirky and fantastic at Dev's boss. Everything balances perfectly to make it one of MoN's greatest episodes. The centre of this episode is of course dominated by the acting from Dev and Francesca who excellently gel well together. All the camera work and direction serves to enhance and convey their chemistry. The last shot just makes it great though because that's something you'd never see on a 30 minute TV show and it perfectly resonates with the audience, conveying mood's which you've perhaps never seen portrayed on TV.
Aziz seems like a social media whore so I'm guessing there's a 15% chance he reads this: You magnificent bastard. You, and Eric, and Alan and the actors and everyone else. You've made something completely unique and special and have pushed the boundaries of standard television by sticking to your creative conviction.