What I’m Watching: Master of None

Master of None: Season 1, Episode 4 “Indians on TV” (B+)

This episode started out making a strong point with its montage of different portrayals of Indians on television, all of which featured the same exaggerated accent and behavior. Out of the cases this show has made for things thus far, like being a parent and appreciate your parents, this one was definitely the most convincing. There are two guest stars I recognized right away, both of whom are currently appearing on other comedies on television. Ravi Patel is much less irritating here as a version of himself than he is on “Grandfathered,” and he was both a great sounding board for and inconvenient acting competition for him at the same time. The other familiar face was Danielle Brooks, who plays Taystee on “Orange is the New Black,” as just the latest TV agent to talk a big game, name-dropping David Schwimmer’s house and “Friends” money on multiple occasions, but not appear to actually advocate for her client at all. Getting invited by the executive who joked that they needed to “curry favor” to experience the high life provided a great opportunity for a celebrity guest star to appear without dominating the episode, instead offering some decent and honest advice when Dev asked him. The offer that did come through after the guy hired someone else and died ran completely counter to everything that Dev had been advocating for, but it seems that’s how his life goes on this show, always making noise and trying to move forward yet constantly standing still.