Asian Provocateur Season 1 Episode 2 2. Uncle Ragu

In this episode of Asian Provocateur, we follow comedian Romesh Ranganathan as he continues his journey across the globe to explore his Sri Lankan heritage. Episode two titled "2. Uncle Ragu" sees Romesh heading to Sri Lanka to meet his Uncle Ragu, who he hasn't seen in over a decade.

As Romesh arrives in the busy capital of Colombo, he immediately feels like a foreigner in his own country. He struggles with the heat, the language, and the culture shock of returning to a place where he spent his childhood but now feels so distant from.

After meeting his extended family, Romesh sets out on a quest to reconnect with the country he left behind. He visits bustling markets, impressive temples and even tries his hand at fishing, all while navigating the complicated web of family politics that comes with returning to a country with such deep roots.

The comedy comes thick and fast as Romesh makes light of his various cultural misunderstandings, cracking jokes about his struggles with the spicy food and the chaos of the countryside. But there's also a poignant element to the episode as Romesh grapples with the difficult question of whether his Sri Lankan heritage is still relevant to his life in Britain.

At the heart of the episode is Romesh's reunion with his Uncle Ragu, a larger-than-life character who quickly becomes his guide to all things Sri Lankan. Uncle Ragu is a fascinating, eccentric figure, juggling the responsibilities of being a father, a businessman and a self-styled guru.

Through Uncle Ragu, Romesh learns about traditional Ayurvedic medicine, as well as the dark history of Sri Lanka's civil war. The episode takes a serious turn as we hear about how the conflict affected Uncle Ragu's family, forcing them to flee their home and leaving lasting scars on the country's psyche.

But amidst this weighty subject matter, there's still plenty of laughs to be had. Romesh's interactions with his uncle are hilarious, with the two playing off each other's eccentricities to great effect. Uncle Ragu's unorthodox teachings and unique approach to life are a source of constant amusement, leaving Romesh wondering whether he's more of a guru or a con artist.

By the end of the episode, Romesh has gained a deeper understanding of his family, his culture and himself. He's come to terms with the fact that he is both British and Sri Lankan, and that the two sides of his identity need not be at odds. But he also leaves Sri Lanka with a newfound appreciation for the struggles that his family and country have endured, and a deeper commitment to exploring his heritage in all its complexity.

Overall, "2. Uncle Ragu" is a brilliant episode of Asian Provocateur. It's a wildly entertaining travelogue that manages to keep the laughs coming while exploring some weighty and thought-provoking subject matter. Romesh Ranganathan is an excellent host, using his quick wit and comedic talents to make sense of a world that feels at once familiar, foreign and deeply personal.