Master of None (TV Series) Buona Notte (2017) User Reviews

A magical, tumultuous ride

[mattryan-54770 · 10/10 · 31 May 2017]

Seinfeld. Curb Your Enthusiasm. The Office. OK...maybe Veep too. And now, for me, I think Master of None is poised to make that list. Shows that you can just sit down and watch any time and really enjoy. I didn't think that would be possible when I started watching this. I actually went 6 months between Episode #1 and #2 in the first season.

Ansari delivers an amazing, awesome, angsty performance with MoN, culminating in this Season 2 finale. As a middle aged guy with young kids and a love life in the rear view mirror, Master of None was a window into a prior life. An exciting life. A life lived care-free, blowing in the wind and not particularly worrying about the ups and downs. Watching the Francesca/Dev plot line was positively magical. An absolute treat. It is really challenging to turn those magical moments at the beginning of a relationship into something resonant. Many such attempts fall flat or come off as un-relatable. Not here. This was a pleasure to watch and kept me going from episode to episode.

Season 1 started off good, then it got great. Season 2 picked up right from there and took it to another level. Looking forward to more!

A fitting finale which desperately leaves you wanting more.

[hiteshs1106 · 9/10 · 13 May 2017]

(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.

Good episode left feeling weird

[mariannelesieur-05401 · 8/10 · 28 May 2021]

For a final episode of the season it's really good. But the pace clearly changes. The first 3 episodes of season 1 were all about comedy. Compare to the first 3 episodes of season 2 it is more and more depressing. This episode as it's great moments but overall the sadness and loneliness that Dev feel make you feel depressed too. If this was the intention it's good but I don't wanna to feel miserable when Dev's life is screwed. I guess that now I kinda in between because I thought this was a comedy but now I'm so invested in the characters that I can't stop watching, even if it's doesn't make me laugh. Conclusion, last scene was genius and magnificent.

Season Two Review

[southdavid · 8/10 · 15 November 2022]

Season three of "Master of None" is on the Guardian's top TV of 2021 list, but rather than starting with that I decided to go back and watch the first two seasons again first. It wasn't an easy decision. Since I first watched these episodes, Aziz Ansari's reputation was damaged by allegations during the MeToo reveals and certainly watching aspects of the season is an unusual experience now.

Following his breakup, Dev (Aziz Ansari) moves to Modena in Italy for a few weeks, to undertake a pasta making course. Whilst there he meets Francesca (Allesandra Mastronardi) and the pair strike up a friendship. On his return to the US he decides that his cupcake hosting show isn't for him, so pitches a travel vlog show to Jeff (Bobby Cannavale) the boss of the network. With things looking up, Dev still can't stop missing Francesca.

This season leans heavily into loving homages of various legends of Italian cinema, none more so than in the first episode which is an black and white ode to "Bicycle Thieves" and which deservedly won an Emmy. There are several excellent episodes in this run though, as the show often opens up to wider family, theme and even just New York in general. It's harsh to pick just one out, but "Thanksgiving" - a time hoping journey through Denise's younger life, guest starring Angela Bassett is right up there. That episode, co-written with Lena Waithe won an Emmy for outstanding writing.

It's a really really strong run, funnier, deeper and more emotionally honest than that first run. I wish it didn't have this Asterix over it and it could be taken for what it is, but that's not the case. I will, finally, be pushing on into season three of the show now.