In Review: "Master of None"

“Jack of all trades, master of none” is a classic way of referring to someone who dabbles in many things, but can’t truly perfect a single one. The series was available to stream on November 6th, 2015, and is still available. In “Master of None,” a Netflix original series created by Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang, a struggling actor lives in New York City as he attempts to balance his career, love, and friendship. Ansari stars as “Dev,” a man made slightly famous from a Gogurt commercial and each episode the viewer sees him adventure out with his odd group of friends, doing anything and everything from babysitting to tasting different taco trucks.Though this show doesn’t have a lot of “laugh out loud” moments, Ansari and Yang succeed at crafting incredibly likeable characters. Dev’s friends, played by Noel Wells, Eric Wareheim, Kelvin Yu and Lena Waithe, are unique and enhance each episode by giving advice or a helping hand to Dev. Accompanying him to various trendy bars and restaurants, and assisting Dev with navigating his love life and profession.An interesting quirk about this show is that Ansari’s real parents are both regularly featured throughout the series. Playing the role of Dev’s parents, the awkward couple do a surprisingly brilliant job. In particular, Shoukath Ansari, Aziz Ansari’s father, is very funny and at times steals the show away from his own son. His performance feels so real; possibly because it is. Shoukath Ansari has never acted prior to Master Of None, but when he was asked by his son to fly into New York City to be in the show, he didn’t refuse, nor disappoint. He seems rather uncomfortable and vulnerable on camera, which makes him appealing and relatable to the viewers at home.“Master of None” is filled with small aesthetical details that make the viewing experience enjoyable, and the storyline conflicts that arise contribute to the overall excellence of the show. Each episode, Aziz Ansari and Yang find a way to shed some light on 21st century issues in a light-hearted way. Covering topics such as race in the entertainment industry, immigration struggles, and romance in the age of technology. Ansari seems to loosely base the series off of his daily life, which allows him to do a wonderful job bringing his experiences to the screen.As the series goes on, the characters develop, and the viewer is made to feel like he personally knows the cast by the time of the finale. Every episode leading up to the concluding tenth episode is fantastic, but unfortunately, the season wrap-up is disappointing. An abrupt ending leaves one feeling a bit betrayed and unsatisfied.Overall, “Master of None” is a charismatic comedy, with the inviting Aziz Ansari serving as the captain on a cruise of relaxing, Netflix enjoyment.