For the past several years around Thanksgiving, my wife and I watch certain TV shows that we have fond memories of but aren't always the usual fare. For example, the turkey drop episode of WKRP in Cincinnati, the food fight episode of Cheers, the Kung Fu Panda Holiday Special, (Mr. Ping: “I'm sorry I made you feel so guilty.” Po: “Ah, don't be. That's what the holiday's all about.”) and the brilliant episode "Thanksgiving" from Aziz Ansari’s show Master of None.
If you’re unfamiliar with Master of None, it’s basically a bildungsroman about a young Indian comedian named Dev, (Ansari), making his way in the big city of New York. The show would focus on Dev’s attempts to make it first as a comedian then also as a chef while managing demands from his parents and a budding love life. It also starred Eric Wareheim of Tim and Eric fame as his friend Arnold and the very brilliant Lena Waithe as Dev’s oldest friend Denise.
Arguably, “Thanksgiving” is the best episode of television to come along in quite some time. And surprisingly, main character Dev is merely a supporting player. It's also something to watch if you don't like sports and have had enough of Charlie Brown! It's charming, funny, heartbreaking and has enough family drama that you don't need to leave your home for the holidays. Perfect for our present plagued world! Yay!
"Thanksgiving" is devoted to Dev's oldest friend Denise and her eventual coming out to her mother as a lesbian. The episode, which was partly based on Lena Waithe’s real life, is told in five segments that go from 1995, when Dev and Denise are little kids, until 2017, the current period of the show. Each segment shows a Thanksgiving dinner at Denise’s family home with her mom Catherine, her Aunt Joyce and grandmother Ernestine and, of course, her best friend Dev.
There are so many brilliant moments in this episode. Lines that echo each other over the years, (in 1995 referencing O. J. Simpson, “if Nicole was black, we wouldn’t even be talking about this.” Then in 2016 referencing Sandra Bland, “If Sandra was white, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation.”). The character arc of Denise’s mother, played brilliantly by Angela Bassett, once Denise comes out as gay (from despair: “It is hard enough being a black woman in this world. Now you want to add something else to that?” to anger: “Look, you can be lesbian if you want to - but when you come up in here, you gonna respect my house.” then finally to acceptance: “I like Michelle...I’m happy for you.”). The countless pop culture references, Dev’s antics with Denise’s grandmother, and Aunt Joyce’s no-holds-barred delivery all add up to one perfect holiday episode to be enjoyed again and again. Which is exactly what my wife and I will do this year.
Having given up his dream of being a pharmacist, William Householder (He/Him) writes instead. A former professional storyteller, current librarian, and avid book buyer, he believes the only way to eat okra is fried in cornmeal. He’s been previously published in 101words.org, Appalachian Bare and Flash Boulevard. Be who you are. Love who you will. Come sit at my table.