Mikes Film Talk

Fresh Off the Boat places the viewer right smack in  primetime ’90’s with Jessica Place. It turns out that suburban Orlando, or at least the Huang’s neighbors, all love Melrose Place and when it ends, Jessica is distraught.  Suddenly, #FOB turns into a parody of the drama (primetime soap opera) all because of a pool.

Once again, the writers of the show pull out all stops to deliver some brilliant comedy and clever plot lines, a’la Melrose Place.  While the episode presented all the twists, turns and backstabbing necessary for self respecting soap opera parody, the presence of Ray Wise, as Marvin,  providing commentary while eating various snacks was the icing on the cake.

A subplot dealt with Emery’s meltdown in the pool at Eddie’s cheating (a breath holding contest instigated by Louis who then ignores the proceedings when distracted by a neighbor wearing a striped vest). This involved “scream jars” and a promise from Louis to help the middle son (Forrest Wheeler)  deal with issues in a more “healthy way.”

The entire episode was filmed with references to the 1990s primetime soap.  Montages, music, framing of scenes and the multi-layered subplots and schemes were set up perfectly in sync with the original.

The self-awareness of Jessica (Constance Wu) – who is delighted to be living in a real-life Melrose Place (“Jessica Place” she says with wonder and delight) is joined by Wise’s character’s reference, “I love this show.” He is approached, at the end, by a Melrose Place Alumnus (Courtney Thorne-Smith). Both characters are aware that they are “watching Melrose” although Marvin has been in on it (the reference)  from the beginning.

One of the funnier gags of this Fresh Off the Boat parody was the unlikely alliance of Evan (Ian Chen) and Honey (Chelsey Crisp).  Evan as master-mind (“It was all about the moo-box all along,”  says Marvin.) who turns out to be manipulating the manipulator (Honey) was just brilliant.

The scream jars of Emery get a final reference when Louis (Randall Park) and two of the boys arrive to get in the pool to learn that the eye-sore has been removed. Jessica explains that it was tacky and had to go. Louis’s face squirms, holding back a plethora of bad feelings. Emery suggests the jars and Louis replies that he knows where they are as he rushes off.

All of the characters in the show this week had hidden grudges against other members of the HOA (homeowner association) that stemmed from resentment; Honey marrying Marvin, jealousy, perfect “fake” hair and aesthetics, the dislike of the “moo-box.”  Out of all the characters only Jessica, Marvin and Louis were “without” sin.

On a sidenote here, did anyone else note that Ian Chen has suddenly shot up in height?

There were many comic moments, although Marvin’s delighted commentary almost stole the entire thing, but Evan’s headlong flight down the cut-de-sac road was priceless especially after Jessica tells Honey:

“Let him go! He’s afraid to cross the street by himself.”

Once again, the Huang children played by Wheeler, Chen and Hudson Yang knocked it out of the park with their performances.   It was, however, Constance Wu who took her Jessica to heights of brilliance.

Although each member of the cast made this primetime soap parody work because of their deadpan, in most instances, delivery.  With the notable exception being Wise’s character.

Standout Moment:

The flashback of a distraught Deidre (Rachel Cannon) discovering that she has been played which was narrated by Jessica was comedy gold…”Meow.” 

Final Thoughts:

This Fresh Off the Boat “Melrose Place” parody felt spot on, in many ways rivaling the sort of clever and cultural parodies on The Simpsons; another FOX program which Melrose was.

Fresh Off the Boat airs Tuesdays on ABC.