Carne e Ossa

Amy and Lino’s relationship has been a long-distance one for over a year and a half.

Lino is thinking of opening a restaurant and this reminds him of the rift between him and his dad. His dad was not happy when he chose to be a chef and stopped talking to him.

They are currently staying with Zora and things are not going smoothly as Lino has reorganized Zora’s kitchen. It is around Thanksgiving and it will be the first time their parents will spend the holiday together after 12 years.

Zora is excited to see if the drama will unfold while Lino is feeling the “meeting the whole family for the first time “pressure. On the other hand, Amy is nervous about her job interview and hopes to have a new job by the time her parents arrive for the Thanksgiving celebrations. Lino is working at a restaurant as a waiter and is dismayed that Americans are not eating “real” food.

Zora aced her interview and got the job. Lino remains frustrated about working as a waiter. He shares his frustration about working in a new country with Zora and Chloe, his boss. Zora asks her boss, Chloe, to help Lino get a job at a 5-star hotel known as Massimo’s. The interview goes bust as the chef is a piece of work and Lino is annoyed by the way he treated him.

Lino offers to help Zora do the Thanksgiving shopping. He plans to reinvent Thanksgiving even though Zora doesn’t think it is a good idea. He cooks up a storm for Thanksgiving dinner but it is moved to the side as the family opts for a traditional Thanksgiving meal instead.

Amy’s family is not happy with Lino, and they think he isn’t trying hard enough to get a better job. Lynn, Amy’s mother, says she hopes Zora will bring home a “chocolate man” and that she wants brown grandchildren. Is she serious? Amy’s family is also curious as to why Lino is not close with his family. Lino gets angry when her dad offers to help them financially through their rough patch. ..

Lino leaves to get some fresh air and Amy follows him. Lino tells her that he is finding it hard in Los Angeles and he didn’t appreciate her taking her dad’s money. He feels like it is a sign that she thinks he isn’t good enough for her. He also was hurt that her family didn’t even try the meal he worked so hard to prepare. Lino leaves her after telling her that maybe it was too much to think they can be happy in LA. ..

Amy visits Lino at work, but he has already left early so she talks to his colleagues and discovers a way to give Lino a little bit of Italy in L.A, along with new Italian friends. After this, Lino feels a bit optimistic that they can be happy in L.A. Amy proposes to Lino and he says yes, he excitedly calls his family to tell them the good news and his dad picks up. He tells him the good news but his dad is indifferent and refuses to congratulate him and disown him instead.

The Episode Review

I think it is a testament to their love that they managed to keep a long-distance relationship for 18 months. It must not have been easy. It is frustrating for Lino being in a new country, with no friends or family and a job he hates but has to do. I wish Amy’s family treated him much better. I was shaken to my core that Amy’s mother said something so wrong with no ounce of respect.

Amy should have asked her family to try out the food he made. She knew it meant a lot to him and she had seen how he poured his heart into that meal. Luckily, they have good communication and they were able to move past this.

I was heartbroken to hear about Lino’s family tragedy. He wanted to share a happy moment in his life with his family and his dad selfishly ruined it. I understand why bi-racial couples go through tough times when their families oppose their relationship. I am beginning to understand what it feels like to have a family honor and legacy but not be able to let your child be happy.

I can’t wait to see the happy couple say “I do.” The haters aside, I’m excited for their future. ..