Fresh Off the Boat: So Chineez

April 26, 2015 8:12 AM - Season 1, Episode 13

Jessica and her family are assimilating to the Orlando way of life, and she is closing houses like a boss, so she is thrilled to be invited to join the North Orlando Country Club. Club membership comes with its perks, but also makes Jessica worry about her family losing their roots. The boys are enrolled in an intense Mandarin course in Tampa, and Jessica tries to get back to her roots, though Louis realizes the cost of the country club might be worth it. Meanwhile, Eddie tries to take the easy way in World Cultures Day, but finds himself learning about his culture and schooling his class-mates. [Season finale]

Songs from this episode:
Smoke - "Clean my Lac" -- from the 2000s, a production or stock music track
Pet Shop Boys - "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)" -- 1985 (there were two different videos for the song)
The Notorious B.I.G. - "Juicy" -- 1994

posted by filthy light thief (7 comments total)

That was the finale already? Bummer.

I hope they get picked up for another season. There's room for improvement (really hope they drop the sub-plot of Eddie creeping on Nicole), but there were so many good moments. Constance Wu alone made every episode worth watching.
posted by oh yeah! at 10:09 AM on April 26, 2015 [1 favorite]

These last few episodes were pretty good. I hope its a case of the writers getting into a groove and knowing what's working for the actors, instead of using up their best material.

Jessica's overreaction to being not-Chinese enough was pretty spot on.

I've always liked Ray Wise, and it was a treat to see him in another funny OTT role.
posted by porpoise at 5:05 PM on April 26, 2015

I really hope the show gets a (full!) second season. I think they found their footing, and even Eddie's character seems to have improved, with less creeping on Nicole, and more pride in himself (he's still class president, and he stood up for China, in the same style of "accidental learning" he did in Blind Spot).

It fared much better than Selfie (FanFare; Wikipedia), which held the same timeslot in the Fall 2014 season.
posted by filthy light thief at 3:08 PM on April 27, 2015

I want a second season of this show so, so badly.

My favorite moment was when Emery exclaimed that he thought he'd caught the word for "the" in the Mandarin teacher's dialogue. It's much funnier if you happen to know that Mandarin completely lacks articles and has no direct translation for "the."
posted by sciatrix at 6:54 PM on May 1, 2015 [2 favorites]

I loved this episode! Especially the mac and cheese with bacon bits. :)
posted by gemutlichkeit at 6:04 PM on May 2, 2015

Variety says Fresh Off The Boat is renewed for S2.
posted by oh yeah! at 7:29 PM on May 7, 2015 [1 favorite]

I don't know where it was when it first aired, but being put between The Muppets and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. can't be a bad thing. Not sure what it's competing against in that timeslot.
posted by filthy light thief at 2:43 PM on May 14, 2015