Ep 5. The Mom

As a result of the previous episode, Romesh's father is on his way to the US to stay with him and his family. In this episode, Romesh's mother is also planning to visit. However, the way she intends to help could be more of a hindrance than anything else.

Romesh's mother enjoys cooking and thinks that feeding the family is her primary duty as a mother. However, the menu of choices she prepares is limited to items that her son does not want to consume. There are hilarious exchanges as she tries to persuade him to try her homemade pickles, fish curries, and even shows him how to prepare a home remedy to stop snoring. None of the remedies go quite as intended.

After many discussions, Romesh realizes that his mother's idea of being helpful is cooking for her children; however, Romesh has a different take on parenting. He believes that parenting is not just about feeding your child but involves preparing them for the future, and that means giving them the knowledge and tools to thrive as adults. Although Romesh is grateful for his mother's affection, he feels he needs to step in and teach her something new about parenting.

As we follow the story in the episode, Romesh takes his mother on an outing and enlists the help of his friend, another immigrant, to show her around New York City. Romesh's mother isn't too keen on the idea at first, but soon becomes enamored with the city’s sights and sounds. The scenery and architecture are fascinating to her; however, the people watching comes as a surprise to her.

At one point, Romesh’s mother becomes worried about her son's safety, and the way she expresses her concern is funny, but heartfelt. She tells him over and over again to take care of himself, stay safe and points out some of the dangers in the city that she hears on news channels. The concern she expresses, in turn, makes him realize how much she cares about him.

Eventually, Romesh takes his mother on a trip down memory lane and shows her the neighborhood where he grew up. The mother and son share stories and reminisce about the good old days. The visit provides her perspective on how much her son has achieved, and she becomes more appreciative of the sacrifices he made to leave behind his life in the UK for a new opportunity in America.

Throughout the episode, we see the tension between the immigrant experience and adapting to a new culture. Romesh has done his best to assimilate, but his mother still clings to her traditional roots and ways of thinking. The show presents this generational and cultural gap with light-hearted humor that makes the audience laugh while also highlighting the importance of communication and understanding.

Overall, this episode is a heartfelt and humorous exploration of the mother-son relationship and the difficulties of navigating the immigrant experience. The love and affection between Romesh and his mother shine through despite cultural differences and misunderstandings. Viewers gain insight into the immigrant experience and the challenges of adapting to a new culture while staying true to your roots.