'Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens' Episode 3 Review: Nora's enthusiasm for new job takes a toll on her
Being an adult isn't easy and being a responsible adult is a herculean task as Nora Lum realizes in the third episode of 'Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens'.
Nora jumps at the offer of working in a real estate agency as an assistant. However, Nora's over-enthusiasm and determination to be the best takes a toll on her as she becomes crazily competitive, with the help of a little adderall. She struggles to please her boss in every possible way, including copying her hairstyles that seem to change every day, and re-decorating the office. She even attempts to sell a haunted house and works to get it cleaned of all mold and cobwebs.
Her boss Nancy has not taken a break for years and just sees her profession as a mundane daily routine that must be done.
Nora is an active gamer at night as well, and her online friends are worried about her dwindling performance and finally oust her from their team at the end of the episode.
Meanwhile, her father and grandmother are rather baffled at her zest, as she even makes blueberry pancakes for them. Nora's over-enthusiasm continues until it spirals out of control, putting her real estate job on the line. While this does have bitter consequences, Nora is happy enough to take home a cheque. This is when she realizes that she wants to be excited to come to work, not like her boss, who is more interested in just leaving for the day.
The episode was enjoyable, even if it was nothing exactly out-of-the-box. Yet, Nora's dynamics with her family push the show forward, and god knows, we all need a grandmother like Nora's (played by superb Lori Tan Chinn). Even when the script falls weak, Awkwafina's hilarious expressions and retorts make it worth your time.
Till now, while 'Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens' is admittedly good fun and acts as a wholesome family comedy, one can't help feeling that there is so much more than can be done with the premise. Well, it's just the third episode, so perhaps it will pick up soon.
'Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens' airs on Wednesdays at 10.30 pm on Comedy Central.