Fresh Off the Boat, season 5 (22 episodes)
release year: 2018-19
genre: comedy/drama
viewing setting: home DVD 6/15-17/26
synopsis: This comedy/drama series recreates the adventures of a Taiwanese family who move to Florida to start a restaurant and are constantly balancing their own heritage/behavior and that of the country they live and work in.
impressions: The fifth season continued showing how the three kids are growing up. Some events from this season: Jessica's book is released...the neighbors' baby is born...Halloween...Eddie starts driving...new Chinese neighbors...a new teacher for Eddie...Christmas...a vacation that isn't what they thought...Evan gets a girlfriend...Eddie learns about all the responsibilities of driving...Louis has his 40th birthday...Jessica tries to strengthen her relationship with the grandmother...Valentine's Day...Eddie gets a new girlfriend...retirement options are discussed...Jessica goes to college...Grandma falls for an internet scam...Eddie goes to Taiwan and makes poor decisions.
acting: Same ensemble cast. Constance Wu is the mother, who's obsessed to a fault with success, perfection, and spending as little money as possible. Randall Park is her husband, who's juggling his family and business. Hudson Yang is the oldest brother Eddie, who's a teenager now and thinking more about his future. Forrest Wheeler is the middle brother, who's kind of a balance between the more careless Eddie and the ultra-responsible Evan. Ian Chen is the youngest brother Evan, who's fearsomely intelligent and organized. Lucille Soong is the odd grandmother, full of sarcasm and wisdom as well as schemes and a colorful, possibly-true history. Chelsey Crisp and Ray Wise are the neighbors who bring their own quirks and friendship to the dynamic. Guest stars this season include Ming-Wa Nen (as the wife in the new neighbor couple) and Simu Liu (as a street vendor in Taiwan.)
final word: Fun and easy to watch for doses of realistic humor.
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