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| The TV parents were invited to dinner by their TV sons, Brian and Dev, in an attempt to learn more about them in the highly-praised episode "Parents" in "Master of None." |
If you haven't watched Netflix's Master of None you're missing out on one of the funniest, touching an honest shows on television. It hits on life's truths in touching, relatable ways and although it is from an Asian/American perspective, it has universal appeal.
Of the ten episodes of the first season, the one that convinced me of the unique qualities of Master is the one about parents. As the son of immigrant parents, it had me laughing out loud as bursts of "a-ha" moments relating to my own parents came through in rapid-fire sequences.
Apparently, it touched a nerve with a lot of viewers because that's the episode that got the most audience reaction.
“Yeah, it’s one of those things where we thought it was a special episode when we were making it, but we didn’t know it would have the response that it did,” Ansari told Entertainment Weekly.
“It’s so nice to see all these people writing nice things about it and saying they relate to it. I have so many friends texting me that they were crying and now they’re calling their parents. It’s really cool. That episode was really personal to me and Alan Yang, and we’re glad it turned out well.”
"It’s a story about being grateful to your parents, no matter what their background was\," said co-creator Yang, who admits that the Brian character is based on him.
"Regardless of where your parents are born, chances are they made some sacrifices for you, and they took care of you, and they worked really hard. And that was something that really connected with me emotionally. It’s just something that I would think about a lot, and think about how amazing it was a struggle for our parents. That stuff is really real and a lot of those lines in those episodes really hit home for us. Because they didn’t get to have fun. They didn’t get to have fun! It’s a luxury that only we have—it’s true!"
Ansari cast his own parents in the roles of his TV character's parents. The stories about his parents told in flashback were true stories about his long road of immigrating to the U.S. and the discrimination he had to face.
"So all that stuff about [Brian’s] dad reading the Economist and killing his pet chicken — all of that stuff happened to my dad," confirmed Yang.
In a Facebook post, Ansari wrote:
“Sorry if this is cheesy or too sentimental but if your parents are good to you too, just go do something nice for them” — wise words, even if you can’t get your dad on as a Colbert guest.
He says, “I urge you to work at it and get better because these are special people in your life and I get terrified when my dad tells me about friends of his, people close to his age, that are having serious health issues, etc. Enjoy and love these people while you can.”
If you're visiting your parents this Thanksgiving, it wouldn't hurt to tell them that you appreciate their sacrifices. And if you're one of those parents we're talking about, it wouldn't hurt to open up a little and tell your story.
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