Why 'Master of None' Season 3 Is So Strange

[@bulletproofzest]

The first two seasons told stories from perspectives that we frequently don’t see, was incredibly funny, and didn’t punch down. I enjoyed the new season, but didn’t feel it matched the quality of the first two by a long shot.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Yeah, I honestly wish it had just been its own thing.

[@ConordeSmith]

Strangely, despite being the only character we knew before this series, my favourite episode was the one with almost no Denise

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I think my favorite episode was actually the last one. It almost felt like they were finally figuring out what this could be at the very end.

[@TheSkierxing123]

Hmm sounds racist to me lol jk

[@anthonywhite9178]

I absolutely hated this season. The slow pace, the way denise acted, the fact that we never got any answers to what happened in the previous season. And to have waited over 4 years for a season with half the episodes of a normal season just felt like a slap in the face.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I had felt that by now no one was even checking for a new season and had accepted one might never come, so that's the main reason I think this could have just been a new thing entirely.

[@thefifthaceassociation]

see, its not just me. Could have just renamed the series 'El'Lesbins - Tale of dos Tortugas' At least then i would have known what i was watching.

[@learner5090]

@@thefifthaceassociation Keep waiting for story to switch to anaz.. Look like a pandemic movie

[@Rik-dm7re]

Well dev ended up living at his parents house, not acting, in a garbage relationship.. so there are some answers there, albeit not the execution I feel it deserved.

[@africanbella28]

Master of None is one of the best shows on Netflix. I’ll admit that even though I enjoy season 3, it does seem like a completely different show. It should have just been a limited series with Denise. I miss seeing the perspectives and quirks of Dev, Denise, and Arnold😞

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm curious to see what the metrics were for how well this did and whether it'll compel them to continue

[@africanbella28]

@@TheArmchairAuteur Yeah me too

[@kiqyou]

@@TheArmchairAuteur highly doubt it. they need to adopt the british (mackenzie crook/gervais) model of actually ending shows when they're done and not perpetually shit out seasons cause the suits order them to.

[@Jaws31]

Tbh it could’ve worked if they just branded it as a spinoff rather than the same show.

[@erichardca]

Really upset I just got into this show now, watched the first two seasons and love it. Was hoping the "season 3" would elaborate on the season 2 ending :(

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm reasonably certain there will never be a resolution to that storyline

[@saininj]

@@TheArmchairAuteurwell...technically we did get a resolution if you really think about it.

[@jhjhjhjhjhjhify]

The 16 mm, the 4:3 aspect ratio, the long takes... say what you want about this season but I do think, to give credit where it's due, the team succeeded in doing what they set out to do, least in one sense. They were clearly inspired by 'slow cinema' European arthouse films and, presumably, thought this was an interesting way to tell their story. They did it. It's quite frankly amazing that Netflix gave them the artistic freedom to do this. Now, I hated it and generally agree with your comments. Master of None was always experimental, playing around with black and white here, switching perspectives there etc. but I always felt it succeeded in what it was trying to say, whether about relationships, being a minority in America etc. I was always emotionally invested. I get this was meant to be a more melancholic season, looking at how these character's lives have changed in the space of a few years (I really only felt this when Dev appeared, for example) but for me it just didn't feel like there was enough there to make me feel much. So, while beautifully shot and well acted, it all felt quite notably hollow and humourless. Again though, odd as it sounds, maybe they wanted it to be in order to tell this particular story. Anyway, enjoyed the video. Good work!

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm glad you dug the video. The whiplash from your very thoughtful intro comment to "now, I HATED IT" cracked me up.

[@jhjhjhjhjhjhify]

Haha, I guess I hated but respected it!

[@domandchips]

Absolutely feel this same way. Totally understood what they were getting at with the film style and they DID SUCCEED, but generally thought the season was "hollow and humourless." But now I'm thinking that it's definitely what they were going for. It was to mirror the relationship that Denise and Alicia had, especially during their shitty end moments. But with that last episode of them getting back in the same house together, if my memory serves correctly, those scenes seemed warmer. I'm just rambling now, but thank you for your comment. I thought you got your point across perfectly.

[@SkyreeXScalabar]

2:04 How is Aziz "pivoting his standup to the red states"? He got wrongly accused and almost got canceled, so that might have something to do with him not being a fan of what cancel culture has become. Also what's the difference of decrying vs criticizing cancel culture? 8:27 Pretty sure that Alicia's breakdown over her difficulties of having a child triggered by the TV commercial with a baby is not supposed to be taken as a comedic moment.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

re: your first point - www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/aziz-ansaris-new-standup-tour-is-a-cry-against-extreme-wokeness And he wasn't "wrongly" accused. What happened with that woman was definitely in a more gray area than most people are capable of debating in a public space, but a guy who literally made money off writing books about "modern romance" probably should have been able to navigate the situation better. re: your second point. it is obviously a serious moment, but the copy written for the fake butter ad is genuinely hilarious. I think that mix of humor and pathos is what a lot of the show was missing.

[@selalewis9189]

This miniseries sounds like it was inspired by Berman's _Scenes From A Marriage_ but with old Millennials. I'm actually okay with Master of None as an anthology. I'm fine with it changing. Fun Fact: The original release of _Scenes From A Marriage_ was released as a miniseries in Sweden. It was so popular, it was appointment viewing. The streets of Stockholm would clear out to watch it.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Yes, it definitely feels like it was made by someone who watched Bergman once lol Or, more likely, watched Woody Allen's Interiors and was like "aww yiss."

[@biglou9776]

Give Arnold a season

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Surprised this hasn't happened

[@Fleeqness]

I absolutely understand your critiques. You are, after all, a critic, but I think art like this isn’t meant to be for everyone. The ‘high art’ aesthetic can come off as elitist or pretentious at times.. but like many other commenters mentioned, I think this is an exploration of real life. It’s not a curveball for the sake do curveballs, it brings you into a world, and tells a meaningful story. How we interpret the art is ultimately up to us. I’d also like to add that Lena Waithe is playing a different character, a much more mature and developed one. She’s playing a character much more similar to herself, and her solemn non-over-expressive tone is refreshing. It tells a story that may not be everyone’s, but it’s worth appreciating as is. As a straight cis black male, (I assume you are too), I think there are many layers we may not understand. There are a few deep cuts regarding race, gender, and sexual identity that are worth exploring on their own.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm not at all saying telling a story about a black lesbian couple's relationship struggles, and specifically, the journey Naomi Ackie's character goes through in the fourth episode, aren't worth telling. Just that it is extremely strange to do it as the third season for a show that is otherwise considerably more frivolous. it would be like if Sex and The City came back and it was exclusively about Samantha's cancer and turned into a somber meditation on terminal illness.

[@rajasnagpurkar]

@@TheArmchairAuteur is there any chance you may perceive more pretension due to the increased focus on this art anesthetic? Idk just devils advocate. Was refreshing to see a comment defending it so far. From the clips I saw in your vid I Def liked what I saw so far, but I'm into the artsy tragicomedy thing louis ck maybe popularized with the success of Louie on fx, which is my favorite show. The funny moments hit so much harder when they're interspersed with drama. I love not knowing whether to laugh at something or feel emotion, or both. Will take any other tragicomedy/comedy drama recs. Btw I subscribed keep it up.

[@Chickenpesto2468]

I feel like the first two seasons were like that but actually was good this was medicore at best

[@jaxsoncruz6804]

All in all to this season SUCKS HARD

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I feel u

[@ArzybgVideeoo-ng9oc]

literal Cum Shots

[@westernpigeon]

strangely, i thoroughly enjoyed season 3. its so different yet similar to the first two seasons. it feels like real life. its not (gonna be) everyones cup of tea but not everyone will get it.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm not against things that aren't meant to be everybody's fave or anything. I like stuff that's off the beaten path. But I don't think it's a matter of getting it or not getting it. I'm someone who digs the kind of work Aziz and Lena are aping here. It just feels thin by comparison.

[@kcoose5356]

The season sucked. No visual flair, no chemistry, the 2 leads suck. Every episode was the same .

[@benjaminnaylor2935]

Dang man, this is one of the best reviews ive watched about anything. Keep it up dude

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thank you so much!

[@SaladbarSlytherin]

They should've given Denise her own spin-off if they wanted to share her perspective. Netflix strikes again

[@PopsiCOLE]

I waited so long to see if dev and Francesca stayed together. I loved seeing dev adventures in new York. But then in season 3 all of a sudden he's not with Francesca, and he's just with a random gal and not happy? He's just all sad. It was actually kinda depressing. The way season 2 left off.... This sucked

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

The Francesca mystery continues indefinitely.

[@israelruiz8706]

Honestly I feel like they just brought in someone random because they couldn't get the actress who plays Francesca. You can easily swap them out and still have the fight. Of course the audience would still be pissed, but it just sucks what they did

[@PopsiCOLE]

@@israelruiz8706 nooo you couldn't. Because that wasn't Francesca. You could not just make that "easy" switch like that. That romance that they had in season 2 was amazing. They would not of had that kind of fight in season 3. Dev and Francesca were supposed to be happy. It sucks where they took that in season 3. They were supposed to be happy.

[@israelruiz8706]

@@PopsiCOLE I kinda disagree. Sure they were a good match but remember that what was holding their romance back was that she was engaged and her family was in Italy. Her fiance was also heavily attached to the family where if they split it would kinda break everything. She was also really indecisive. She definitely was not happy in her current life but moving to new York would be a huge change. I'm not saying they were doomed to fail but more that it is highly possible for them to deal with struggles. So for example let's say it was Francesca at the dinner party. Dev is currently dealing with financial struggles because he went from being a TV host and actor to barely having a job as an assistant because of ageism. Went from having a nice apartment in New York to living with parents. Now I'm not sure how Francescas work situation would be but let's say it's like the current girl and she doesn't make that much money either. She could definitely experience regret of abandoning everything for dev who at the moment is struggling. Now I know I'm overthinking it, but its not a stretch to have a fight scene between them two. Of course we all wanted them together but it really sucks Azis dealt with allegations that definitely affected this show. Same like the Ranch. This show will never reach its full potential

[@whakjob]

I'm 43 now, last 10 years has just flown by, I started teaching myself IT ( network engineering) around 2013 and by 2016 managed to change my job, from working like a dog in call centers to an L1 engineer, my mom passed away in 2017 and then by 2019 I realized that I'm not really brainy enough to compete in the IT industry. I have a girlfriend but its a complicated relationships and not like the fairytales. I was jobless in covid and also without my girlfriend, now I suffer from health issues and probably have cancer. What I'm trying to say is that Master of none in supposed to be something of a tragedy and mimic real life rather than be an escapist. My life the way I narrated it is depressing for a lot but then if I include my increase in salary and my living standards then from a certain perspective I'd be a hero, or someone that lives in a posh apartment in a great area of town that has the ability to order take out at will and eat food that I would only have dreamt about 12-13 years ago but is also the source of my obesity and probably what will kill me. life is complex and what the season 3 shows is pretty real but may not be for everyone as most like an escapist route to story-telling.

[@cinemaghost3149]

This is a good review for a show ill never watch . Great job as always my man !

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thank you so much!

[@gorimbaud]

Huh, I didn't realize it came back. I think...I think I'm good. Good work on the review, as always.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thank you! And yeah, you probably are lol

[@djgq1007]

Yeah, is boring!

[@franciscovelasco462]

The style reminded me of the movie “A ghost story”

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Yeah, I could definitely see some similarities.

[@AhmedSaeed97]

Great review, thanks

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thanks for watching!

[@n00bster97]

Just wanna say this was a great vid and im happy i discovered you bro, keep it up

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thank you so so much. I'm glad you found it, too :)

[@diegoviveros556]

So what the HELL happened to Francesca?

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

We're never going to know!!!

[@lucbloom]

Maybe there will be a Season 2.5 I don’t believe that. It would probably betray artistic integrity to give the public more of the same from the guy that should be shamed...

[@OvertheHIL524]

You've put into words how I felt about the show. Nice review!

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jeremyfn7580]

Honestly would have loved to see more of a split between aziz and lenas characters. Maybe more like it starting to become more of lenas show and have them do like a side by side going through life type of thing. And then eventually it becoming lenas show with anziz leaving back to italy with francesca or something.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

A more traditional passing of the baton could have been cool.

[@nathalieli7617]

I'll admit, the show was very slow and I didn't mind the "independent film" vibe, it's just the main two characters seemed dry in personality.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I firmly believe if someone other than Lena was the lead, it would be better for a lot of people, myself included.

[@nathalieli7617]

@@TheArmchairAuteur did you have an actress in mind? Just curious :)

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

@@nathalieli7617 Oddly enough, the star of Waithe's Queen and Slim, Jodie Turner-Smith, would have been great. She just popped up in that Michael B Jordan movie Without Remorse and felt so underutilized. Would have loved to see her in something like this.

[@africanbella28]

@@TheArmchairAuteur I actually love Lena as the lead because she has a cynical sense of humor which sadly many people don’t get🤔

[@Fleeqness]

I also want to add that I am a firm proponent of social justice. It’s one of my genuine passions. I love serving others, and contributing to meaningful policy changes to end social inequities. That being said, in our sociopolitical climate, Aziz Ansari being cancelled is unfortunate. I say this because social justice should not be about the vilification of individuals for bad behavior. If he fucked up, and apologized and did the work to change, it should not be held against them. Many (especially white cis straight people) use “cancelling” to assuage their guilt.. to atone for the fact that they don’t do the work to change our world for the better. That is not social justice, that just creates more negativity.. and leads to an opposition that feels hated, therefore acts as such. I think this is what Aziz is saying, there is more than a blue/red dichotomy here.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

He wasn't "cancelled" but I do wish the ensuing conversation that came out after that babe dot net piece had more nuance, because what could have easily been a useful, teachable moment for the culture about better navigating the complexity of the situation just turned into "he's the devil"/"he did nothing wrong!"

[@yokoono416]

I just came across this channel when searching for other people's thoughts on the season and I love this video! Definitely subscribing. You have so many valid points! Honestly, I still enjoyed it but I think it's due to the fact that I haven't seen the other two seasons in years so it's hard to truly recall Lena's character previously. It's definitely not the same show but that's what I like about it. I enjoyed the fly-on-the-wall direction of shooting for most of the season. ANYWAY, geat review, and I cannot wait to check out more of your videos!

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm glad you liked the video and welcome aboard! I hadn't rewatched the first two seasons before watching this, but even when I was combing through old episodes for B-roll while editing this, I was blown away by how drastically different they looked and felt.

[@davidhopper9793]

Great review bro

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Glad you liked it!!!

[@anikasoffline]

glad I’m not the only one.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Right? lol

[@larry3648]

Sorry. I was let down after the series changed so dramatically. I kept skipping ahead hoping the next would be anything like the previous seasons. It felt like a bait and switch.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I can definitely understand that feeling

[@TripFontaine1976]

Clearly Aziz has been watching a lot of Ozu. The static camera, the pillow shots, shots continuing after characters leave the frame.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Yeah, for sure. But there's an inelegance to the execution here that just drove me crazy.

[@TripFontaine1976]

I don’t mind the attempt at a creative deadlift like this, but yeah, it’s downright slavish at times. There’s only one Ozu.

[@thefifthaceassociation]

I havnt even seen this video and ill asnwer the thumbnail question....no, no its not. I watch this show for Aziz . wtf is this? I specifically stopped watching mid season 3 episode 4 to look up wth is going on. Well question answered. Now the lgbthlmnop gang took over.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I mean...Aziz still co-wrote and directed every single episode. It's not like someone took it over from him lol

[@thefifthaceassociation]

@@TheArmchairAuteur Even so, i stand by it. Not the same show i enjoyed watching for the first two seasons. I dont think i laughed onec...and thats the damn truth. Sat down to get a couple of chuckles only to sit through a random series of awkwardly long single shot scenes of silence that came off more like a PSA stating that lesbian relationships exist. If i wanted to watch that dumb shit id just go stay at my sisters house for a couple days and watched them play scrabble in silence untill they went to bed.

[@thefifthaceassociation]

@@TheArmchairAuteur BTW, nothing bad to say about the review on your part, it actually answer alot of my question. Just the season i had a problem with.

[@Lily-yh7ek]

YESSS I FOUNDDDDD ITT. I’ve been looking for this show for SOOOOOOOOO LONG

[@danielashapiro7347]

omg you said everything i was thinking and wasnt able to say!

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm glad! Thanks for watching.

[@pierrelevtchenko]

As a spinoff it would have been a nice little arty Bergman rip-off, but as season 3 of master of none it feels kinda disrespectful to the people who loved the show and waited 4 years to see what happens after season 2

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

That's really my main beef with it, tbh.

[@nathanpollard1223]

I don't think it's disrespectful at all. It's their show, & it's our privilege to be able to watch it. As far as I'm concerned, shows are primarily an art, rather than a product.

[@TeaJayOne]

I was watching the first episode and I realised quickly it's not meant to be funny, so I tried to judge it on it's own and honestly.. I was bored very quickly and it just kept going boring and more boring. There are often slow shots of something unimportant and you are kinda, oh this thing will probably be important later, because it is shown so often, but after some time you realise, nope.. the director just really liked showing this coathook for 2 minutes straight.. I mean yeah, it was realisticly portraying the live of two women that live the most boring life they could. I felt like this is made to make me feel better about my own life. Even if interesting stuff happend like betray or accidents, it was talentfully portrait boring as hell. There are some slow artistic movies that I love, but this one just felt like wasting my time.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I think generally, slower paced movies and shows are usually able to do something more powerful with their images and with the patience it fosters within the viewer, but this felt more like something made by people who like watching movies like that but don't fully understand why they work.

[@BlameItOnTheLagTTV]

@@TheArmchairAuteur no

[@rajasnagpurkar]

@@TheArmchairAuteur damn. Well said. Have any recommendations for a slow paced movies that do this well enough to engage my impatient goopy goblin gamer brain? I liked the 400 blows lol if that counts

[@montethakkar]

Great review! Love your style and confidence. Keep it going, man!

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thanks so much!

[@LadiesandgentlemenfooFIGHTERS]

excellent analysis, subbed :)

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Welcome aboard!

[@michaelpfogerty]

I honestly think Season 3 of “Master of None” is some of the best television I’ve seen in years. I’m a huge fan of slow, poetic cinema though. And I couldn’t disagree with you more on the direction and performances. I kept saying while watching how incredibly authentic, visceral and poignant every episode felt. I was sincerely moved throughout the entire viewing. Good, honest review though 👍

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm into slow, poetic cinema too but this felt like a pale imitation to me. Like, someone recreating a style they personally like watching but not understanding it well enough to do it justice. I would, however, be open to seeing them iterate on this in the future in another form.

[@TeaJayOne]

@@TheArmchairAuteur That is exactly how I felt. Slow, poetic cinema has often hidden meaning that you can find. I was looking for something like that in this Season, but I was left dissapointed.

[@kevykev555]

Although the first two seasons were entertaining and had some haha moments, they were not memorable in the least. This season is actually fully real and puts issues that often loom in the background into the foreground in a no-frills-no-masquerading kind of way. As said below, some people just won't get it. That's normal. It's not about being deep or not or "liking stuff off the beaten path", it's about connecting with what is shown. The viewers that don't get it either aren't at that relationship stage in their life or simply haven't gone that deep ("taken off their masks" as Lena's character says) into love and heartbreak in their relationships. Also, I think many have come to expect the typical American format of event after event after event happening, bouncing all over the place and can't just sit down and take things slow. Moreover, season 3 put two women, two proudly black women, to the forefront and I know many men (and people in general), whether they would admit it to themselves or not, aren't ok with that. I, for one, applaud the decision as the actors were amazing and the issues extremely important to take a long, hard, unadulterated look at. All this being said, a show is a body of work and nowhere is it written that it must follow the same style (whether narrative or visual) from season to season; think of seasons as albums from an artist which will invariably evolve over time.

[@kcoose5356]

This season was dull af. No visual flair, boring chemistry , sometimes horrible acting . Every episode was the same and if this is meant to seem like a realistic look at a broken relationship then.... not impressed at all. There are far better displays in other tv shows or movies that convey better emotion than this unoriginal piece of shite

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I gotta strongly disagree with this definition of "not getting it." I absolutely hate when someone tries to act like someone else not liking something is a reflection of them only and never the work itself. Are there some fans who just fundamentally were never going to enjoy this season because it follows Denise instead of Dev? Sure. But just the act of focusing on a Black lesbian couple isn't some shield to hide behind. The idea of putting identity and representation first above all else is basically what drives Lena Waithe's entire career right now. Queen and Slim is the perfect example of that. Yes, outside of the states, television is more likely to have more dramatic shifts between seasons, and I'm not against that in principle. I just think the way that shift was handled here feels like laziness masquerading as artistic depth.

[@swaymcthunder1219]

I found that thanksgiving episode between dev and denise to be extremely memorable. I thought it was a really well done episode

[@jmbianchi]

I just watched an interview with Aziz talking about season 3. First of all, PLEASE STOP telling him this is good TV, because he's going to think you mean it.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Don't worry, I said nothing of the sort.

[@thefifthaceassociation]

Thank you. i dont know what happened, feels like they killed a decent show for a mini serires about 2 lesbians living a boring life, told through a series of 13 min single frame continuous awkward shots that try to make you care.

[@SC-101]

i like season 2. skipped season 3 altogether.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Seems to be a pretty common reaction, yes.

[@thegumbonetwork1421]

Wish they put Denise’s family into the season.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I agree!

[@mollyerickson4897]

I was so disappointed in season 3. I couldn't wait to see what unfolded with Francesca and Dev. As someone who reluctantly married (and later divorced, predictably) I understood thoroughly Francesca's indecision. I wanted to back out of my wedding but was too afraid to upset everyone else; I went to two people I trusted with my fears and was told, "Everyone has cold feet. That's normal." When you're young, especially if you've grown up in a family-heavy and protected environment, you have little sense of self and learn to make decisions based on what others thinks. Francesca had a taste of being out on her own including independent thinking. She expressed this when she fought with her fiance in the hotel scene but that pull of expectations is a heavy weight to shed and she clearly had no one to bare her soul to except the one person she wanted to be with: Dev. She needed a counterbalance to tell her "I don't know" means "no" when making life decisions, and you have to take chances in life. I'm okay with an ambiguous ending but totally missed that she wasn't wearing her engagement ring. I was hoping to see her show up at Dev's door with suitcases in hand and lots of uncertainty for both of them. That's what being brave feels like and I guess I just wanted to see her being brave, willing to follow her instincts, not knowing if things would work out or not.

[@Murmurrr]

Wow, this is a fantastic review. Great work!

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thank you kindly!

[@shelm4455]

I skipped a lot, it was a little bit too slow for me🤷‍♀️

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Completely understandable, tbh.

[@leong178]

Great review man, you helped me making up my mind if I liked it or not✌🏻

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Always glad to be of service! :)

[@sebbvell3426]

It reminds me of the souvenir

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Ooh, yeah a little. I was not a fan of that one, either. Like, I "got" it but I watched that screener on a night I planned to watch the tom hanks mr rogers movie, but that disc wouldn't play so I watched it instead and uhhhh was not in the mood for what I saw. Curious to see how the sequel turns out.

[@duon44]

What do you think of the theory that the final episode was a fantasy/dream sequence of Denise? I feel like it makes more sense than two people both happily cheating on their spouse while cheating was one of the main reasons their initial relationship fell apart. The theory exists because the film gets rewound a bit at the end of that office scene and it also fucks up at the end before showing Denise smoking by herself. Eager to hear your thoughts on that as I quite liked this video. Also i thought episode 4 was pretty amazing, could've done without some of the really slow scenes but i thought it did a good job at showing what a rough time Alicia was going through and the final payoff that she was succesfully pregnant was worth it i think

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

It's not a bad reading, for sure. I could see that being a good interpretation, but somehow I doubt that was intentional.

[@youngbounce15]

great review as always!!

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thank you!

[@JurassicLion2049]

I havent watched the show but just from the way its shot and stylized, the new season doesnt feel like the ones before it. Id say I agree with your sentiments that this probably shouldve been a film or even a Netflix special. Like Netflix is no stranger to feature films part of tv series. If they were exhausted of ideas then either totally rework the show to focus on Lena Waithe (as in where Aziz was the creative voice andit was his show in the first seasons, Lena’s voice would be the new one) or just make one long special. It looks more like they wanted to make a art house short film anyway.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

My friend Julian reminded me after watching the video that as much as this might be Aziz working through the issues in his public persona, that Lena also went through a pretty messy divorce herself, so maybe they just both wanted to get a lot of stuff off their chests. Still not sure it works, though.

[@ArtCoven]

Hand down my favourite season. Would have done better on its own though due to everyone complaining. Yes, it was a beautiful love drama instead of an expected comedy, but it’s one of the best story showcases of what love is like + incredible cinematography & send back to European cinema

[@zeblunz7882]

Tbh Master of None was like my favorite Netflix series and I think Season 2 is borderline perfect. It’s just a shame they shifted the focus of the show and I’ve never felt Denise was ever really good enough actress to be a main character. It always kinda felt like Aziz put her in the show because he liked her as a person. Also, this show has always been about Aziz, let’s keep it that way

[@Relesy]

I was disappointed. I wanted a continuation. The first couple of episodes were very predictable. It was very artful and real, but somewhat confusing. The cinematography was cool but I also got tired of the constant long still shots. It was good as a spin-off but I’d rather see what happened with Dev and Francesca

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

That's a valid way to feel.

[@Scribe13013]

I think that lena waithe dude beat up Aziz and took his show

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Lena is very much a woman and Aziz literally co-wrote and directed this whole thing. Weirdly, it has a higher concentration of Aziz-authorship than the first two seasons.

[@davidmckesey7119]

Aziz needs to come back now. Seriously

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Probably not gonna happen

[@lucbloom]

Thanks for putting so eloquently the feeling I had after the first 10 min: wait, where’s the relatable situations and interesting characters? Why am I only seeing the drama that these people are going through? Ah there’s Aziz. Ok, that was an interesting scene... aaaand he’s gone. It feels like it’s some other piece that Aziz wanted to make; two people that are minorities in every way struggling with profound personal issues and life path choices. I’ll happily rewatch the two first seasons like the 3rd season is The Matrix: Reloaded. Skip.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

The Matrix: Reloaded is extremely underrated!!! But yeah, such a strange departure for this show. I really would have rocked with the shift if it was executed better.

[@funghi14]

My thought exactly

[@noodle2904]

I didn't really want to go back to this show because of everything with Ansari - although I did enjoy the series when I first watched it. Thank you for taking a look at it and giving an honest overview of everything.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thanks for watching it! It's just such an odd development. I can't think of another show that reset itself in this specific way.

[@Kaneda0015]

It was so boring.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

It truly was

[@jezzarte3587]

Thank you for making a review about the show. I feel is not well known and it should!!! First two season are really marvelous, and definetly season 3 was a risky choice. They have said they were aware of that but exactly as you said, it doesn't resemble his past at all so it was just, uhm, yeah a choice. Though I enjoyed it (in every aspect) I think, it would've been better to called it differently (creating a whole new series) and that actually might've worked better. By the way I didn't watch the trailer before go into it so at the first episode I thought it was one of those "parallel reality". In which Denisse was just imaging her life with someone at a random party and then in chapter 2 we would be back at the continuation of the original story.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Okay, I just realized that if I had gone into this blind, I also would have thought the entire first episode was a dream or something. That's so funny!

[@terrenceowens839]

Nice shirt!!

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thanks!

[@austinthames7792]

"I think Master Of None is a great series, It's well balanced and hilarious, but I feel bad for Dev because Francesca couldn't be with him, that's what made the series so sad."

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Wait, is this your own statement or is it in quotes because you think that's what I was saying?

[@austinthames7792]

@@TheArmchairAuteur "That is my honest opinion about the series. I just add quotes to my comments because I want to get into the habit of proper spelling."

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Ah, okay! And yeah I really enjoyed he first two seasons

[@austinthames7792]

"I love the episode when Dev rehearses in public."

[@jokercat3434]

I can’t believe I wasted my time watching the season. I should have watched this right after I suspected something was wrong.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Luckily, it wasn't like, ten whole episodes, right?

[@freethereal21]

I just finish watching season 3. I was like what that’s not the same girl he had… what cancel culture do to cancel him???

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Aziz wasn't really cancelled lol

[@duishungry]

Lol your edit in the middle of "this was funnier while I was high" was funnier than either scene. And given your review, also funnier than all of Season 3

[@BattleRedRaider]

I agree they didn't need to call this a Master of None season, but I loved every episode

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm glad you dug it!

[@TB26]

I'll be honest, throughout this whole season I grew to hate both of the characters, mainly Alicia near the end. At times, I felt like she was more antagonistic.

[@jma8006]

IT WAS A SERVE BUT NOT THE SERVE WE NEEDED😭

[@jakelane5567]

Agreed, it was so random and odd. I couldn't get through the first episode. At first, I thought I accidentally selected an associated spin-off/related show. I could relate to the first two seasons, but 3? Bye Felicia! Awful

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I feel ya

[@zindzirocquedrayton4824]

This review confirmed my suspicions after watching the first half an hour utterly disappointed.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Yeah, I feel that. Sorry you were so let down.

[@PhuCherry]

yo guys let‘s chill, it´s the most matured and the best season. you just don‘t See the Beauty of realness

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Lena, I know this u

[@kyyyyyyyyyyle]

good ass video, thank you for this! i watched season 3 months and months ago whenever it came out, and this helped me remember it a bit more. from what i remember, i absolutely loved it. it's definitely the biggest drop off from season 1 and 2, but i liked it. im a fuckin sucker for 16mm and some good cinematography and nice warm colors. it just felt real. great video!

[@genevieve-with-grief]

I remember enjoying the first season, especially the episode about fatherhood featuring Aziz’s father and his friend’s dad as well. I distinctly remember season 2 premiering and I noped out real fast. I got a Breathless vibe from that black and white episode and was really tired of sitting through other director’s takes on that film. This looks... boring. 😬 once again, thanks for doing the work for us! I love your reviews.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thank you! Honestly, now that I think about it, I wish this new season was just about Aziz's dad. Actual best character in the whole series.

[@lucbloom]

The consecutive episodes are in color. The dramatic child returns a few times, but overall it stays true to season 1.

[@TheLukeC27]

Great review, loads of points that helped explain why I found it difficult to enjoy but still found it watchable

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked the video.

[@ace-sf9ye]

Was so excited for a new season. Loved 1 and 2. Season 3 was incredibly boring, gave up after episode 2. It's not like I hate 'deep' shit, but daaaaamn. At least try to entertain.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I do think having even a slightly larger sense of levity would have made this significantly better.

[@taniyajanee8419]

the third season was completely different from the first two but tbh the third season is my favorite and I cannot stop watching it

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm glad you enjoyed it more than me. I do wonder if I rewatched it more than once if I'd come away with different feelings.

[@taniyajanee8419]

what I loved most about it was that even though it was so different, it was extremely raw and real. It showed one of the many harsh struggles that (lesbian) middle aged women go through, the struggle to conceive. what made it better was that it was women of color which is hardly ever represented. I wish that there was another season because I feel like there was more that could’ve been introduced and when you’re high it hits different and is a lot sadder lmao

[@rowanfaris200]

Disagree with your opinions on the show overall but I do agree that it was very reliant on acting this season and Lena definitely did not deliver

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

If anyone other than her was in the part, it definitely would have been an improvement.

[@alexisbremmer3141]

The armpit licking discussion was rather cringe but it wasn't all that to be honest I enjoyed the first two

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I think it sort of hit a bit of a stride in the last two

[@perromendieta978]

I hope they don't shit atlanta like they screwed up in master of none. another disappointment.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Atlanta has remained pretty experimental and nimble stylistically since it premiered, so even if the new season(s) went in a weird direction, it wouldn't feel as stark as this.

[@Rew123]

I stopped watching this season after about 15 minutes. Do we ever find out why Dev is dating that horrible lady in S1? I'll watch more if I get some closure on his relationship arc.

[@neworleansportraitphotogra9015]

I gave up on this season after the first episode.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Understandable

[@jalensimmons2608]

So basically because they didn’t do what you want them to do it’s a bad show now?

[@djgq1007]

I wished I had watched tia review before wasting my time, this 3 season is so boring!!! Way to mess up a good show

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

This is a primary motivator behind the videos I make, to give people a sense of what something is like before they choose to spend their time on it.

[@djgq1007]

@@TheArmchairAuteur i will subscribe my friend

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Thank you!

[@nathanpollard1223]

To absolutely no surprise whatsoever, there's a lot of entitlement in this comment section. The way some people are talking, it's as if Aziz personally owed it to everyone who watched the 1st 2 seasons to continue with the show's status quo. No! We're consumers. We're observers. We're entirely passive in our engagement with the show. I personally really liked the turn of style, not because I really liked the content itself, but because I really respect the self-determination to create a season that was obviously going to alienate & piss off a bunch of viewers, including core fans of the show, in the pursuit of the vision Aziz aspired to bring to the table (whether the finished product's derivative or not's beside the point).

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I don't know about "personally owed" but do you sincerely believe this is what season 3 would look like if he hadn't had such public controversy?

[@nathanpollard1223]

1st of all, that wasn't the point of my comment (which was about entitlement). 2nd of all, I guess not, but Idrc. I honestly don't know what you want me to say or why you asked the question. I feel like you might be trying to counter my final sentence, cus otherwise, it seems that you asked me a random question. So maybe you could clarify what, specifically, you are responding to?

[@TheTriangleOffense47]

Everybody’s kinda butt hurt about this season but I thought the visuals were dazzling and the story felt real. I felt like a fly on the wall throughout it all. I know the first two seasons were more fun and lighthearded

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm glad you dug it!

[@DP-eo5xd]

This is a complete 180 from what the series used to be. Now it’s an indie type LGBQT drama BS. Not my cup of tea. It’s basically a completely different series

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I mean, it's always been gesturing at the stylistic trappings of independent film, but it is a drastic departure, yes.

[@Chickenpesto2468]

Hey the whole sexual assault thing wasn’t that settled already thst it wasn’t sexual assault it was just a bad date and he didn’t get in trouble at all

[@Chickenpesto2468]

I could be wrong so yea please let me know

[@nottryingtobefamous9399]

People don’t like change, I liked it tho. Depressing as fuck tho, but I somehow enjoyed it. I just felt connected.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm glad you connected with it, tbh. There were parts I keenly felt, but not enough of them.

[@georgesongwe267]

We were ripped off

[@joshfromxbox]

man this shit was a filler arc

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Not a bad way to put it.

[@joshfromxbox]

@@TheArmchairAuteur i think a better way to put it is: this feels like a master of none fan fiction :p

[@sebbvell3426]

What the fuck happened to dev, man?

[@christopherayettey4390]

Bullshit season three Became a lesbian love story.. Went left like fuck 😂😂😂

[@ma77ias.v]

I hated this season

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I feel u

[@Louid133]

So essentially, cancel culture ruined one of my favourite shows. Great way to win people over to your view points. I haven’t seen “season 3” yet, think I’ll give it a miss

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

That is a particularly reductive reading of what I've presented within the video but yes, I do feel like you will not enjoy this season, so skipping is probably a good bet.

[@calvintustan3560]

I disagree on the lack of character development, acting, and it being just "watchable". I do agree that it should have been titled differently or set apart as its own thing. I really enjoyed the cinematography, how each episode was broken up, and the story it was telling.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

Set aside as its own thing I think it could have been special for sure

[@ArzybgVideeoo-ng9oc]

Story of my Life 🤔

[@justingerald]

I didn't even want the normal show to come back (the least interesting part of the show was his fixation on Francesca/Italy/food), and that was even before babe.net. So... yeah idk.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I enjoyed the second season more than most people I know, but I think when it first aired I couldn't believe he went full Woody with the structure and tone of the show that I was just blown away that he got away with it. This reminds me I never watched that movie Alan Yang did.

[@shirawolfi]

its the best season

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I'm glad you enjoyed it

[@d.luvevo711]

Season 3 was amazing TV, fully focusing on character, it was shot beautifully, and gives us perspectives and situations that are unique to what we are used to on normal shows. I don’t think we needed to see how they met, or more high points. That would’ve diverted the viewer from the idea. It meant to throw us into the middle of a relationship and move forward from there. In ways, you’re describing why you wish it was a traditional Rom Com Movie instead of what we got. It’s similar to Malcolm & Marie from Netflix where, if thats not your type of media, its hard to connect with. The issue here is the content doesn’t match the original audience of Master of None. And I say that as someone who has *only* seen this Season 3. It works great as a standalone project but I feel like (understandably) your criticism comes from expecting something else because of the series title that its under.

[@TheArmchairAuteur]

I want to make it clear that I didn't want it to be more like a traditional romcom. I am genuinely a fan of the kind of movies Aziz is actively aping with his direction here. This isn't a matter of this style of storytelling not being my bag, but more that for this specific style of storytelling, this feels like a pale imitation. It's a movie and not the truncated third season of an established television series, but I actually much preferred Malcolm & Marie to this.