'Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens' Episode 8 Review: Grandma's hilarious love story makes this the best episode
It was just a matter of time before grandma (Lori Tan Chinn) got an episode entirely to herself, without any quirky subplots. In the latest episode titled 'Grandma And Chill', grandma narrates her love story with grandpa in the hilarious style of a Korean drama, laced with black humor. While the show 'Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens' has had its share of forgettable episodes, this turned out to be the best in the first season. It was genuinely funny and the comedy was sharp and slick.
The episode opens with a sick Nora in bed and Grandma deciding to tell her about the days when she was torn between two 'hot' men in her life — garbage boy and doctor hottie. Back in the day, grandma was a beautiful and air-headed rich heiress, who was just obsessed with the pretty little things in life. She is instantly attracted to garbage boy, a handsome hunk with enviable abs. They carry on a PG-rated romance, much to the irritation of her parents. However, these were the troubled days of China and grandma was compelled to leave her home without saying goodbye to her love.
In America, a romance between her and a dashing doctor blooms and she thinks that she has found love again. The story does not end here. With the twists of a Korean soap drama, it involves amnesia due to a falling piano and a rather bizarre incestuous marriage. But all's well that ends well.
This was actually a delightful episode, peppered with some good-natured laughs. It did not desperately try to be funny or overtly edgy as the rest of the episodes this season but had its heart in the right place. Lori Tan Chinn's grandma deserves her own spin-off and this episode was proof of it. This episode was also a detour from Nora's usual crazy and chaotic adventures and it served as a bit of a relief from the constant dose of forced funnies that the show has tried to force on us.
There were memorable characters in this episode, apart from grandma of course, like her BFF Shushu, whose comedic timing of 'What up girl, it me!' was just perfect. Make more use of grandma, she's a gift.
'Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens' airs on Comedy Central at 10.30 pm.
