Rachel Smith ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer Chris Messina and Mindy Kaling in The Mindy Project episode “What About Peter?” Photo Credit: Beth Dubber/FOX.
This week’s Mindy Project was full of new beginnings with Peter (Adam Pally) moving to a new apartment and Jeremy (Ed Weeks) trying out his baby daddy skills. The show digs a little deeper into Mindy (Mindy Kaling) and Danny’s (Chris Messina) relationship, challenging how invested they are in each other. This episode also serves up the most simple yet perfectly executed racist joke of the series. That sounds terrible but since Mindy constantly comments on her being “a woman of color”, it is hilarious to see her blindly insult another race. If you’re not easily offended in the realm of comedy, you’ll be dying laughing.
Most of the episode happens outside of the office, which is a nice change of pace. Danny wants to rent his second apartment to someone and when Mindy sees how awful Peter’s living situation is, she volunteers him as the new tenant, much to Danny’s dismay. Peter’s apartment scene was funny but with all the guest spots they do, this would have been a prime opportunity to make his roommate someone completely random like Craig Robinson or Bobby Moynihan. The people they picked embodied the frat guy persona pretty convincingly though. It worked. Mindy Kaling and Chris Messina in The Mindy Project episode “What About Peter?” Photo Credit: Beth Dubber/FOX.
Morgan and Dr. Reed spend time together this week but it doesn’t make you like Reed anymore than before. He just feels like a misplaced character among the cast, and this episode was a prime example. He is watching his girlfriend Lauren’s baby boy for the weekend as a favor but also to test out his ability to take care of a child. Big surprise, he’s terrible at it. Luckily, Morgan (Ike Barinholtz) comes in like a baby whisperer and calms the constantly crying child. Reed has to find ways to make the baby like him so of course this results in him hurting himself. This had more potential for physical comedy, but was overall just okay. The best scene is when Morgan goes to leave after the baby is finally asleep and of course knocks over a bunch of loud, metal decorations. The physical reaction is hilarious.
Danny does agree to let Peter stay in the other apartment as long as he stays away from them and doesn’t become an annoying, nosey neighbor. Peter in turn, does exactly that. Danny wants to kick him out and Mindy is trying to protect Peter when the contractor Danny hired mentions that Danny wanted to make the apartments one giant place for family. She took this as Danny wanting to settle down and have the two of them start a family. Of course there is always miscommunication in this relationship and this is not what he meant. Mindy Kaling in The Mindy Project episode “What About Peter?” Photo Credit: Beth Dubber/FOX.
The funny parts of The Mindy Project are often a result of Mindy being brutally honest about things women really think and do in real life but with a funny, dramatic twist. This episode is great because along with her comments about eating food too hot but its totally worth it because its delicious, there is also a serious real life moment. She always jokes about getting older and having to settle down but now it is a real decision. She is all in and tells Danny that if he’s not, then they can end it.
The other relationship at stake is Lauren and Reed’s. After the weekend of hell with the baby, he questions if this is the life he wants to sign up for. This scene is funny in a sad kind of way. He’s the example of guys being afraid of commitment so the largely female audience that follows this show may hold a grudge.
To find out what happens after the ultimatum is served up to Danny and why Dr. Reed might be your worst nightmare, watch the latest episode of The Mindy Project! It does not disappoint! Overall Episode Grade: B
