In episodes 6 and 7 Jamshed seems to still be learning about the realities of the US when you are on a 6 month visa and no money. He is still sleeping on the floor in Mamo’s house and gets asked if he is a terrorist by Mark…so If he really was a terrorist, was he going to admit to it? Goes out to call his friend using a pay phone, taking one back in like the 1990s…I haven’t seen one in like 3-4 years, but apparently NY still has pay phones. Kathy Mami kicks him out of the house when he enters Izzi’s room to tell her about a phone call while she is too busy smoking and later blames it on him so he ends up spending the night in a park. Bhatti is justifiably irate with Kathy and worried about Jamshed, while spending a couple hours at the park with another ‘chance meeting’ with Salma and this timer her daughter Iman. Bhatti convinces Michelle to rent the room she has to Jamshed and is willing to give 2 months advance to her. Imran Bhatti is turning out to be the most confusing and frustrating character so far…he was more a father to Iman in the couple hours he met her than I have seen him be with Mark and Izzi. He looks out more for Salma than he does of his own wife.
Speaking of Salma, we find out she is married to her cousin and lives with her ‘Tai Jee’ and her step daughter Iman. To Salma’s credit she seems to love that girl more than if she were her won daughter. Tai Jee has issues with Iman taking dance classes, playing basket ball, and skyping with her friends for home work purposes, because Iman is a Pakistani girl and shareef Pakistani girls don’t to all of this. Clearly Tai Jee hasn’t been to Pakistan in more than 20 years nor has she attended a Pakistani wedding in a while, where girls are dancing like anything. Amina Sheikh is owning Salma’s character to the tea. I love how she stands up for her daughter and her happiness above anyone else’s. Tai Jee ko sharafat ki itni fikar hai to bahu se kaam kyoon kara rahi hain? Beta kahan hai? Along with Salma, I’m really loving Aalya as her friend. She totally has Salma’s back and Mehr Jafferi (is that her name) really fits the character of the no-nonsense friend that Salma needs. Their chemistry is pretty awesome!
Now to bechare Rizwan and Michelle. He proposes, she says no, he gets depressed and stops talking to her for days. She starts missing him too but doesn’t get the nerve to call him…umm, how old are these guys supposed to be? But since he is moving to Chicago after his promotion, he goes to see her. The shout out Vasey gives to Zubeida Apa as the Dr. Phil of Pakistan was awesome! Well done Vasey and I’d really like to know what Zubeida Apa thinks of that. Perhaps she has a totka for Michelle’s dryness and rude behavior. I’m glad he is moving…maybe she will appreciate him when he is gone. Don’t back down Rizwan…we are with you. Why is this the first time I’m seeing Adnan Jaffer perform? There are so many characters that have been played by others that he would have excelled in.
Episode 7 ends with some guy calling Haseema beauty parlour inquiring about Salma. I’m curious to see if this is her estranged husband or what. As always, top notch direction and excellent performances by the entire cast.
Things I don’t get:
1) If Kathy hates desis so much, why did she marry Imran Bhatti? What could they possibly have in common to get married? I realise Imran did it for a green card, but why did she do it?
2) If Imran has $1200 to give Michelle as 2 months advance for Jamshed’s room, why hasn’t he paid his lawyer yet? He seems to be spending money left and right, yet can’t afford to pay his lawyer for his own immigration issue?
3) How old is Iman? Salma makes her out to be a child, but she is taller than Salma. Yes I know she is her step daughter, but she can’t be 10 or 11.
4) Why, oh why is Bhatti stalking Salma? He seems to be everywhere she is, ‘by coincidence? ‘ Shareef married men don’t usually flirt with other girls and stalk them.
5) As much as I enjoy Vasey Chaudhery’s script and as brilliant of writer I think he is, why are Americans made out to be so mean and judgmental? Has he met desis here? I don’t get it.
