Fresh Off The Boat - The Shunning - Review : "You're Actually Eating My Food"

Review: Episode 1
Review: Episode 2

Fresh off the Boat is back on its regular night and time, tonights episode explored the Huang's settling down into their new neighborhood and focussed more on Jessica and her fitting in with the Rollerblading Moms. This episode, the shunning, is my favorite one yet!

The episode revolves around the moms informing Jessica of the Daytona 500, its importance in the community, Eddie's 'crush' on Jessica's new friend and the new girl next door.

One of my absolute favorite moments of the show so far is Jessica's flashbacks, which reminds me of Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, in the way their shown and there craziness. "I miss my friends back in D.C. we had such pleasant talks", this is a hilarious but small scene but also demolishes a stereotype of which the media has shown Asian Women to be quiet and reserved, which of course is nothing wrong, but its one of the many cliches being undone on this wonderful show.

In an attempt to learn more about the Daytona 500, Huang's visit their local video rental store and a friendship blooms. Jessica and Honey bond over their love of Stephen King. However in a awkward turn of events, Eddie, the eldest Huang sets his sights on Honey. "Hey, girl, how you living", seeing Jessica's reaction to this was yet another awesome scene. It was quite funny if not strangely sweet that Eddie left some skittles with the Video Rental Guy as Honey goes to pick up her videos, "Go on girl, taste the sun".

After hitting it off with Honey, the next day Jessica decides to go over to Honey, a "friend she actually likes" and brings along some traditional chinese food which Honey actually enjoys, she pretty much eats most of it. I like this comparision to the pilot which showed how white people are quick to judge asian cuisine when in reality are one of the biggest consumers of asian food, noodles, stir fries, sushi and more. However this doesn't apply to everyone it's nice to see that yes people do enjoy international foods, it's evident in the geography of the landscape of our world.

"At those speeds it wouldn't take much tampering to get revenge on your enemies", I love when Grandparents are portrayed as fun characters instead of the typical stereotyped as helpless old folks, hence why I adore April's grandmother on ABC Family's Chasing Life.

"I can't believe you're actually eating my food", this was the sign of a true friend, someone who accepts and eats whatever you happen too and I'm glad it's Honey, she's very nice. But just as things were getting good Evan and Louis inform Jessica that Honey is hated by the Rollerblading Moms. Seeing Evan's flashback of the moms explaining that Sarah walked in on Honey and Marvin on the floor was such a joy, they were like a mini soap opera, I hope we see little moments like this again. As a result of this new information they give Jessica an ultimatum, the restaurant which could be hurt by her interactions with Honey or the only friend she truly likes.

The next day things get awkward as Jessica tries to steer clear of Honey which made me feel really bad for her. On the bright side Eddie makes his moves... or tries to on Honey. Elsewhere, the Rollerblading moms are at it again "Shes cutting equal pieces of cake, you know because of the communism in her country, isn't that right Jessica?" to which she replies "Or maybe I'm just cutting cake", it's good to see Jessica politely put those mom's in their place, not everything to do with China has to do with "communism".

Later the Rollerblading moms invite Jessica to perform with them since Samantha's mother "died", those moms are quite blunt! Honey comes by and is immediately excluded, "way to make a girl feel like Carrie at the prom". In the pilot we saw Eddie try to adapt to the white culture for acceptance (which he's still adapting to) and now we see Jessica and sadly she choose to not "get" the inside pop culture reference that only Steven King fans would get. Society shapes us into the individuals we are today and it's a cruel way in which it does, the social norms to which we must abide by are harsh, you have the choice to conform and be accepted but lose yourself in the process or take a stand, a lonely one but one that might get you "shunned".

In another refreshing take, Eddie starts waving "them dollar bills" at Honey, "I guess everyone thinks I deserve to be treated like some homewrecking stripper", this here is challenging the notions society has put upon younger women marrying older men, there is a double standard in our society where mostly women are ridiculed for their choices and men aren't and it's nice to see this situation challenged as it was in ABC's Trophy Wife, which I miss, through comedy and teach society.

Regardless of Jessica's attempts to push Honey away she "still ate her food" which she left on the street buffet. This is either a testament to Jessica's cooking abilities or their friendship, I'd like to think both. Seeing this Jessica finally stands up, stays true to how she is and "dedicates a song to her friend Honey" whose friendship can't be "killed". Don't you just love it when friends bond over books or TV shows, it's one of the reasons SpoilerTV is such a great community, regardless of what your background we can come together for our love of TV.

To end, Constance Wu is a wonderful singer, her version of "I Will Always Love You" to Honey was really sweet. Not only was it nice to hear but also funny when Honey tries to join in and Jessica replies, "This is not a duet!", man that was funny, she really shines in this moment.
Seeing how much the neighbors enjoyed Jessica's performance, Louis flicks a lightbulb, an idea is born and starts informing everyone Jessica will be singing at Cattleman's Ranch from now on. Nearby, Honey in a change of heart comes over to Eddie to help him impress the guys since his "mums a friend of mine". This was a heartwarming and funny scene but he sure showed those guys with his "sensual, full body, 3 seconds, chest to chest" hug. Just as all seems good, Honey's stepdaughter Nicole returns and Eddie is hit hard by Cupid's Arrow. I loved how even though Eddie got hit by an arrow, Louis was quick to say "Someone call an ambulance, there's one by Cattleman's Ranch", the not really subtle advertising even had Jessica felt embarrassed.

Best Quotes:
"Oh that's wonderful you took your daughter on such a nice vacation".

"I don't know what this wifes problem is, If my husband had a big house like Jack Nicholson he could put an axe in any door he wants to, why, because we have five hundred other doors and a maze".

"Oh the princess was lonely, my feet were bound when I was seven".

"You know what gives me nightmares? Our bank account, Steven King should publish my checkbook".

"Jessica its important to project the image you want people to see".

"They boycotted Rebecca Miller's nail salon because she copied Mary Jo's Jennifer Anniston's haircut, you know the Rachel".

"You know I have to go a wasp flew into my mouth".

"Samantha's out, her mother died"

"I didn't know Asians liked karaoke."

"And even though I was killed by a lawn dart, I was happy cuz I met her. Yo, I was mad in love".

Please tune in next Tuesday at 8|7 c on ABC for a new episode of this awesome ABC Comedy. As a fan of all the ABC Wednesday Comedies I really recommend you try this out. I hope you enjoyed my review, please leave a comment below and tell me what your thought of Episode 3.

About the Author - Nirat Anop

Nirat watches a lot of TV Shows, some of his favorites are The 100, Orphan Black, Once Upon a Time, Outlander, Teen Wolf, Game of Thrones, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The 100, Arrow, The Flash, Sherlock, Doctor Who and The Legend of Korra He's a University Student. He will be reviewing Fresh of the Boat this season. Feel free to follow him on Twitter, Tumblr or Google+

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