Mohamed Abdulaal

Ramy is about a purposeless and indecisive boy masquerading as a man. Islam is used as a means of improving his life but because he is a weak character he is unable to enhance himself through his creed. His weakness estranges from him his religious, national, and cultural identity in favour of a meek existence without any sense of belonging. The episodes in which Ramy attempts to connect with his Arab nationality are good. Indeed the episodes that take place in Cairo in season 1 are good, as are those which explore the clash between western identity and Islam in the early parts of season 2, but in the end the show pushes a narrative of “West is Best and East is for the Rest” and that cannot sit well with me as an Arab. The overacceptance of values antitheitical to Islam in the episode “They” (and the confirmation of this that occurs in the season 2 finale), as well as the portrayal of Ramy’s mother as an idiot does not serve this show. Ramy’s insubordination and inability to respect his father and live up to his simple expectations detract from Ramy’s worth as a man. The episode “Uncle Naseem” is absolutely irrelevant and wasteful. The insult levelled towards Gulf Arabs in the identity of the Arab Prince halfway through the season is distasteful. The Arabic is mostly okay. 3/5