Outsourced 4 Nov

[Waffle Decider]

I'm starting to like this show. As we get to know the characters a little better and learn about their quirks, they're starting to feel less like just Indian caricatures. It also made me learn more than I ever wanted to know ('http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=584516') about paan.

[JSexton]

I agree with you, except for the main character. I know we're supposed to be rooting for him to bet with asha, but its such a dick move to be pursuing her. She's his subordinate, for one thing. For another, she's made it clear that she isn't really interested, and will suffer socially for breaking her parents bond. And he's not in love with her, he's just infatuated. Just go bang the Australian chick.

[Tangent]

I agree with you, except for the main character. I know we're supposed to be rooting for him to bet with asha, but its such a dick move to be pursuing her. She's his subordinate, for one thing. For another, she's made it clear that she isn't really interested, and will suffer socially for breaking her parents bond. And he's not in love with her, he's just infatuated. Just go bang the Australian chick.

Totally agree. He's coming across as a total douchebag. I really like the other characters, yhough, so I'm sticking with the show for now.

[Dewey Finn]

Also, the main character (Todd or Toad) is so astonishingly ignorant of the local food, religion and culture. I know that's because he's supposed to be a stand-in for the television audience, but either he should have been trained before being sent off, or at least picked up a few things along the way.

Edited to add, this is in contrast to the film's main character, who was curious about the culture without being rude about it, as Todd has been.

[Ephemera]

I disagree that Asha has been clear about her disinterest. He's being a dick by pursuing her, sure, and the Pradip ploy was pretty despicable, but she is sending pretty mixed signals to me. She should emphatically tell him no or, if necessary, call the sexual harassment hotline they just had the meeting on.

More generally, I loved Madhuri this week. I think she is becoming my favorite character.

[Waffle Decider]

I think Asha is not entirely disinterested, just confused. She is probably very interested in Todd at some level; OTOH, she's been brought up her whole life to believe that it is her obligation to enter into the arranged marriage thing and marry a nice Indian boy. She's probably not sure what to do at this point.

However, as Todd is her supervisor, I agree that this relationship is completely inappropriate.

As a relatively young white dude from middle America, I don't think Todd's cultural ignorance is that unbelieveable. It doesn't seem like his employer is the type of mega-corp that regularly sends a lot of expats around the world, so I don't think it's surprising that they didn't do a decent job getting him prepped for the assignement.

[Simplicio]

Asha's arranged marriage doesn't really seem all that arranged. She's making the choice from a pool of applicants, and appeared that even when she chose one, she would still go on a few dates before they were actually married. As the guy from the Drew Carry Show said, its more or less the Indian version of eharmony.

[ThelmaLou]

Todd is an idiot and not attractive in ANY way.

But the show is funny and interesting- the backgrounds, the food, the culture, the characters. I loved Madhuri this week, too. Charlie has some good lines.

[Bryan Ekers]

Is Todd considering staying in India for a few years, or inviting Asha back to the U.S.? His short-sightedness is a genuine and unappealing character flaw. I watch the show for the secondary characters, pretty much like Rescue Me, when main character Tommy's determined self-destruction and I see-dead-people schtick got tiresome midway through episode 2.

[Simplicio]

Is Todd considering staying in India for a few years, or inviting Asha back to the U.S.? His short-sightedness is a genuine and unappealing character flaw. I watch the show for the secondary characters, pretty much like Rescue Me, when main character Tommy's determined self-destruction and I see-dead-people schtick got tiresome midway through episode 2.

Its not like he's promising to stay with her forever, indeed thats sort of his point. He thinks she should meet some men outside of the context of committing to marrying them. Granted its a pretty self-serving view, but given that its one I think most Americans have regarding arranged marriages, I don't really see any reason not to believe its what he really thinks.

Aside from the dating a subordinate thing, I don't really see Todd's behavior as particularly reprehensible.

[Max the Immortal]

Considering the sort of behavior (http://www.cracked.com/article_18756_6-romantic-movie-gestures-that-can-get-you-prison-time.html) that's common in romantic comedies, I'd say that the audience is expected to overlook some of Todd's behavior.

Aside from that, I think the show has a decent ensemble. Gupta is too much of a wiener IMO, but Madhuri and Manmeet are both quite funny. Charlie may sometimes seem over the top, but I think the joke is that the locals don't see much of a difference between him and Todd.

[Bryan Ekers]

When's the turbaned Sikh guy gonna go postal and scimitar everyone?