Created by Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang, the opening two seasons of Master of None, were incredibly happening and undeniably funny. It followed the American-based Indian Dev Shah, who was trying to break into Hollywood but was mercilessly rejected and sometimes, shamefully stereotyped. But casting rejections were not all he had to suffer, the conservative Indian parents and a conflicting love affair with an American raised the stakes. To be honest, Aziz Ansari was eminently hilarious. He stole the show, but in Season 3, we don’t see him much (to be honest, just two scenes in 5 episodes).
Master of None Season 3 (Moments in Love), slowly follows the story of Dev’s queer friend, Denise (Lena Waithe) who is trying to start a family life with her wife, Alicia (Naomi Ackie). Denise is a published author and lives a calm life on the outskirts. In their strong relationship, Alicia felt the need for a baby. Denise supported her desire and through a friend’s donation, they tried for a baby. However, things ended up in a miscarriage the repercussions of which shook their marriage.
From time to time, Moments in Love makes a social and emotional commentary on the difficulties of bringing a baby into a lesbian marriage. The legal system still doesn’t recognize them, and therefore, procuring a child is considered a luxury rather than a necessity. At some glances, the slow narrative hints the filmmaking style of the Swedish filmmaker, Ingmar Bergman. Similar to his subjects, the moments of love also portray strong female characters.
But neither Aziz Ansari nor his co-writer, Lena Waithe were able to touch the emotional spectrum set by Bergman. It could be considered as a cold-replica of Bergman’s style without sufficient soul. Imitation could prove a thriving formula in Comedies but for Dramas, if it is not personal, then it ain’t real.
Narratively, the writers have tried to integrate the conflict of a miscarriage that results in separation. But the theme has been extensively explored by Hollywood movies like By the Sea (2015) directed by Angelina Jolie. For a time being, it seemed Ansari had just replaced the characters while following a cliched storyline. I was curious till the end, to experience a singular scene with his style, but unfortunately, there were none. The only scene that showed some light portrayed Aziz as Dev who had come to visit his friend, Denise.
Moments in Love moves like a sloth with little to no entertainment. For a slow television genre, it doesn’t hold enough substance. In short, it is boredom captured in a 4:3 ratio, just to give an artistic touch. In the story, Denise was high all the time and it became a threat to her marriage. I believe, being high as a screenwriter also results in such dramas.
I don’t recommend it at all. I still believe that the opening two seasons had much more potential. For some fans, we’ll believe there wasn’t any season 3. Like the lady love, Fleabag said, “You’re allowed to bore your friends and family, but to bore your audience is unforgivable.”
Hope to see a more entertaining Master of None Season 4.
Master of None Season 3 (also marketed as Moments in Love) is a Dramedy Television Series created by Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang for Netflix.
