Ep 6. WWJD: What Would Jessica Do?

As a family comedy, Fresh Off the Boat takes a lot of humor from the disconnect between different generations and cultures. This episode, WWJD: What Would Jessica Do? takes that humor and cranks it up to eleven.

The episode opens up with Jessica preparing for her younger son Evan’s birthday party. She’s trying to make everything perfect, as usual. However, her husband’s laziness and her friends’ rude comments start to wear on her. Meanwhile, her eldest son Eddie wants to get a job so he can buy a new jacket. Eddie’s determination to earn his own money and Jessica’s urge to control everything set up the two plotlines for the episode.

On the surface, WWJD: What Would Jessica Do? is a simple sitcom with broad comedy. However, the episode tackles bigger themes than just the usual family-friendly humor. One of the more significant themes tackled in this episode is respect. Jessica’s friends belittle her, calling her practical to her face and making fun of her behind her back. This causes Jessica to become more controlling, trying to control every aspect of Evan’s birthday party. However, some people take this the wrong way and feel like Jessica is trying to control them. The conflict between Jessica’s need for respect and her friends’ disrespect drives most of the humor in the episode.

Another theme the show touches on is the generation gap between Chinese immigrants and their American-born children. Jessica is a strict parent, determined to do what she thinks is best for her children. However, this often butts up against Eddie’s need for independence. Eddie wants to be his own person, not just the son of two Chinese immigrants. This conflict is most evident in Eddie’s desire to get a job to buy a jacket. Jessica doesn’t understand the need for a new jacket, and she doesn’t see why Eddie can’t just wear one of his old jackets. This creates tension between them, which is only resolved near the end of the episode.

Throughout the episode, WWJD: What Would Jessica Do? makes great use of its ensemble cast. The characters are all well rounded, and their relationships feel genuine. Constance Wu is particularly outstanding as Jessica, bringing a lot of depth to what could have been a one-note character. Her control freak tendencies are amusing, but Wu manages to make Jessica feel like a real person, not just a caricature.

The show’s writers also manage to craft some genuinely touching moments amidst all the humor. One of the highlights of the episode is a scene where Jessica remembers her own childhood. It’s a touching moment that shows how Jessica’s parenting is shaped by her own experiences as a child. Another great moment is when Jessica and Eddie sit down to talk about his desire for a new jacket. It’s a small scene that conveys a lot of emotion and really drives home the themes of the episode.

Overall, WWJD: What Would Jessica Do? is a strong episode of Fresh Off the Boat. It’s funny, heartfelt, and has a lot to say about the immigrant experience and the generation gap. The show has always been great at using humor to tackle larger themes, and this episode is no exception. If you’re a fan of the show, this episode is a must-watch. If you’ve never seen Fresh Off the Boat before, this episode is a great introduction to the series.