RAMY: Touching, Funny, Thought-Provoking – Simply a Must-See

Ramy tells the story of the titular character. A young American of Egyptian descent. A millennial who is trying to find his way in life, which in itself is not easy in today’s world, and in his case even more difficult as he tries to remain a good Muslim, faithful to the doctrines of his religion.

What quickly caught my attention (and makes the series so enjoyable to watch) is the specific construction of the series. Each episode is, of course, part of a larger whole and smoothly tells the next stages in the spiritual journey of the main character, but at the same time each is a closed story: a kind of short story or – considering the religious tone of the series – a parable.

The screenwriters always construct them in such a way that they work independently. They gently, almost imperceptibly, remind us of important threads in the plot. They are also not afraid to devote an entire episode to making the main character’s sister or mother its central figure, pushing him himself only into a minor role.

This does not change the fact that Ramy – played by Ramy Youssef, an American stand-up comedian and actor, who is also the creator, director, screenwriter, and producer of the series – is another element that draws viewers like a magnet to the production. The protagonist is clearly disappointed with his life and desperately wants to change it, although he does not quite know how, and successive attempts bring unintended, negative consequences. It is also an interesting character in that he is lost not only because of his background and religion. His community treats him condescendingly, unable to understand his different needs and beliefs. For outsiders, he remains a weirdo from an incomprehensible cultural circle.

About Islam and Muslims, Ramy says a great deal, revealing to viewers a completely different side of America. The toil of emigration, the clash of conservative values with contemporary problems, the role of spirituality in life, the (less obvious) problems of young women living in Muslim families, the fetishization of minorities. In one episode, for example, we move to Ramy’s childhood and can learn what everyday life looked like for Americans of Arab descent after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

And when fate temporarily takes the main character to his native Egypt, where he wants to seek his roots and absorb the primal essence of his own culture, it quickly turns out that his family living there is blindly fixated on America. There too he does not fit in. Ramy also grapples with much more universal problems, such as relationships, romances, pornography addiction, disability, and post-traumatic stress disorder. It also shows, for example, an absolutely moving insight into the lonely life of a housewife.

The scene in which Ramy’s mother wonders whether her Facebook is working correctly because she does not get any likes on her posts is definitely one of the saddest moments of the series. But do not worry – all of this is still broken up by excellent, original humor, and Ramy in the end has much of a simply comedic series in it. In terms of production, we are talking here about the highest television shelf. Particularly good is the music, composed mainly of contemporary pop music and Arabic sounds, often in combination.

As for acting, the entire main cast works excellently, and it is really hard to point to anyone who might lower the level and Ramy Youssef himself has already been awarded a Golden Globe for his role.

A real injection of fresh energy in the second season turns out to be the addition of Mahershala Ali, a two-time Oscar winner, who plays the spiritual guide of the main character and – as one might guess – does so with magnetic charisma.

Ramy is simply top-level entertainment, from which it is hard to tear oneself away. It is a brilliantly written and produced story that fits perfectly into the wave of series like Fleabag, Atlanta, and Dave that in an original yet realistic way depict the everyday challenges of young people. It is also a penetrating portrait of the community of American Muslims, and ultimately a very wise and thought-provoking life lesson.