‘Fresh off the Boat’ Episode Review: “The Masters”

Fresh Off the Boat, Season 3, Episode 20: “The Masters”
Original airdate April 18, 2017.

Microsynopsis:  When Jessica learns that Tiger Woods is half Asian, she muses that she and Earl Woods are similar in parenting style, and she’s sure she has what it takes to raise the next Tiger.  Louis takes exception to Jessica’s claim that his parenting style is more reminiscent of Kultida, Tiger’s mom, and therefore less effective.  To settle the issue, they agree each to coach one of the boys for two weeks, and the parent whose boy does better in a nine-hole golf game is the more effective parent.  Emery (excluded from the bet because he’s good at everything) launches an awareness campaign to help everyone understand that Tiger is half Thai.

Good:  The interactions between Emery and Reba (who still harbors a crush on Eddie, apparently) are unexpectedly nice.  Good acting from both, so shout-out to Marlowe Peyton and Forrest Wheeler.  Reba’s throwaway line, delivered with disgust, about the newsroom sharing space with the yearbook should ring familiar with anyone who served on either project in middle school.  The editing during Louis’s extended conversation with Jessica about parenting styles is cute and playful.  That’s Emy Coligado of Malcolm in the Middle and Crossing Jordan playing Kultida Woods and having a literal Tiger mom conversation with Jessica.

Bad:  I understand that it’s mostly just setup for Emery’s delivering his info to a deserted school building, but the backpack fight plot element is weak and kind of dumb.

FOB moment:  I live in Hawaii, which is kind of a Mecca for vacationing Asians who love golf, and Jessica’s parade of golf attire is accurate and funny from scene to scene.

Soundtrack flashback:  “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check” by Busta Rhymes (1996, twice).

Final grade, this episode: It’s kind of a weird episode, but it’s very watchable and the boys are funny. B.