TV Review: Master Of None, Episode 3: “Hot Ticket”

By Tyler Hodg

“Hot Ticket” was the episode I hoped “Parents” would be. The third episode of Master of None has characters other than Dev (Aziz Ansari) resurfacing and the show starts to feel like it’s truly hitting its stride. Although the series still doesn’t have a completely concurrent narrative, “Hot Ticket” was a step in the right direction thanks to the reappearance of familiar faces.

The chemistry between Dev, Arnold (Eric Wareheim), Brian (Kelvin Yu), and Denise (Lena Waithe) is quite stellar. Eric Wareheim’s performance as Arnold is still a little shaky, but even he is moulding into place. The contrast between all four characters is a formula that works, and they highlight each other’s attributes in a unique way.

In “Hot Ticket,” Dev’s quest to find a girl to accompany him to a secret concert leads him to mild distress, and eventually, a realization that some people may not be who they seem like at first. Out of all the candidates, Dev eventually narrows his choices down to one—the best looking girl—and attends the concert that will eventually turn sour thanks to his poor choice. Apparently, an overuse of Cartman impressions does not turn guys on.

A chance run in with Rachel (Noel Wells)—the woman Dev slept with in the first episode—ends up being the sweetest and most heartbreaking moment of “Hot Ticket.” It’s clear that the writing is leading up to them continuing their relationship in some sort of tortured, yet enduring way. If this prediction is true, it would be more than all right with me, as I find the interactions between these two characters to be the highlight of the series so far.

If you’re not invested in Master of None by the end of this episode, it just may not be for you. I doubt there will be anything substantial in future episodes that make it deviate from its awkward, charming style. “Hot Ticket” is yet another quality episode for those who are digging the show, a group to which I definitely belong.