What I’m Watching: Ramy

Ramy: Season 1, Episode 9 “Dude, Where’s My Country” (B+)

If there’s one disappointing thing about this show, it’s that worthwhile and fascinating plotlines from one episode are rarely carried over into the next because there’s something else just as gripping to be showcased. Ramy certainly had very different ideas of what his trip to Egypt would look like than his friends and family, evidenced immediately by the number of suitcases he had to bring with him full of iPads to sell and specially-labeled gifts for everyone he would be seeing. His cousin was all about talking to him in English and taking him to Chili’s when he just wanted to experience the glory of Egypt and go to a mosque. His enthusiasm about trying his aunt’s cooking didn’t last long when she brought out the stuffed pigeon, and it was entertaining to hear him try to debate his family members who expressed nothing but praise for Trump and thought that his immigration policies were actually helping Muslims. His uncle’s quick attachment to the iPad that wasn’t for him made Ramy look like the bad guy when he had to take it back and sell it, and Ramy wasn’t too happy with the behavior he was seeing from his Muslim relatives. It turns out that there’s nothing worse in Egypt than drinking the water, though I suppose accidentally sleeping with his cousin would probably have been more lamentable. Hearing the call to prayer as he finished throwing was telling that visiting his homeland may have been an ideal adventure, but he’s likely better suited for life at home in America.