dogg724's review sums up what I was thinking about this series when I explained to a buddy of mine how I feel about it. It just tries to be too many things at the same time, that's how I feel. A comedy, but with romance, and then the minorities squeezed in there, but also the slice of life parts with his job and family, all serving different aspects and facets of the show. This makes it one mashed blur afterwards and you don't really have really a highlight, because everything is half-baked because it tries to be so much.
And when I think of the different parts of this show, I think of other movies/series that solely focus on those parts and for that they excel at it, making it memorable.
It's not a bad show per se, people liking Aziz will still dig the show and I think they get what they expect, kind of. The acting and format is great, as usual for a Netflix show. It's Aziz' first big show as a creator, and for that it's pretty okay. A lot of potential obviously there, but nothing he will have to regret in the future.
Overall it combines all the good thing about Netflix shows with a mash of different genres, maybe trying to serve to many people at the same time and that's exactly what it suffers from. Nonetheless a decent one-time watch, especially if you're an Aziz fan.
Review by Tonydez415BlockedParent2022-07-03T21:36:02Z— updated 2022-07-16T08:10:08Z
A funny and introspective comedy that explores the life of a diverse group of friends in New York City. It mainly focuses on Dev Shah (Aziz Ansari) and his romantic and career paths through his late 20's and early 30's, but there is some focus on other great side characters like his pals Arnold (Eric Wareheim) and Denise (Lena Waithe), as well as romantic interests like Rachel (Noel Wells) and Francesca (Alessandra Mastronardi). It's a bit of an anti-sitcom as there aren't cohesive storylines throughout, but it does have some connections to "Seinfeld" with its observational comedy, flawed and vibrant group of friends, and its connected setting of New York City. This series excels with blending its observational comedy with the growth of its characters, though its third season definitely appears to be focused on a more art-decor style compared with the first two seasons. Overall, I hope the series continues to find new material to explore, and I look forward to a fourth season in the future that allows a deeper dive into Dev's personal triumphs and tribulations.
(+) Great blend of observational and introspective comedy/romance
(+) Solid casting of interesting characters
(+) Groundbreaking subject matter, especially with minorities in the entertainment world
(+) Solid camerawork and artsy framing of shots
(=) Some cliche rom-com moments
(=) A bit immature at times, especially with characters facing moments of personal growth
(-) A diverging third season that isn't "bad", but definitely alters the tone of the show
Final Verdict: 7.32/10 (Good)