Kim's Convenience recap: Beverly Chan is a pink Timbit
Spoiler warning: If you haven't watched the new episode yet, you can check it out on CBC Gem.
If you haven't watched the new episode yet, you can check it out on CBC Gem. If you are outside of Canada, please wait to read this until the episode is available in your country!
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The sneak attacks never stop
We all know that the art of "sneak attack" runs in the Kim family (maybe not so much in Jung). Appa, Umma and Janet are constantly trying to outsmart each other while getting tricked by one another.
In this episode, we learn that Janet has picked up the habit of journaling from her time in Tanzania. Like many parents, Appa grows curious about what's inside Janet's journal. And there goes Appa and his sneak attack! He peeps into the journal and is flattered by what he finds — an entry about Janet missing Appa and reminiscing about their time together when she was a kid.
Janet senses what's going on and sets up a "trap" to make Appa expose himself. What better way to scare your parents than making them think you're pregnant? Reverse sneak attack.
Appa falls into the trap and admits that he has read Janet's journal. The two share a (mostly) calm and genuine conversation about their expectations and communication style.
Sneak attacks aside, the moral of the journal incident lies in how we express our feelings toward our loved ones.
"Some things are better written than said," says Janet, the hard-shell softie.
As a parent, Appa wishes Janet would communicate more to him about her life and feelings, rather than keeping them to her journal. Reading one's journal without permission certainly isn't the way to go (I know it's tempting, but just don't do it). At the end of the day, Appa and Janet both learn something about what the other person needs.
Beverly Chan is a pink Timbit
While Appa is jealous of Janet's journal, Umma is feeling the same toward the new member of the local church squad. The host of a popular local TV program, Beverly Chan, takes over the church announcement (Chan-nouncement) and becomes Pastor Nina's new BFF.
Even the nicest people get caught up in jealousy sometimes. Inspired by Janet's comment about pink Timbits ("all flash, no flavour"), Umma writes a bunch of negative feedback toward superstar Chan and brings it to Pastor Nina's attention. But when she actually sees how the comments upset Chan, Umma is filled with guilt and tries to comfort her. "God gave you talent, use it!"
The lesson is: there is something loveable about everyone, even your enemy. When Umma sees how much the feedback hurts Beverly Chan, she begins to see Chan as a hard-working, vulnerable human being, instead of the stuck-up who replaced her.
And this is not the first time we see the Kims feel remorse over their intentional, carefully planned action against their "enemy" — Appa mocks Jimmy Young in his church presentation, Umma suspects Mrs. Ada for being a newsmonger and puts her to test, but they never seem to quite carry out their calculated revenge. Instead, they take a step back and choose kindness.
That's what we love about Umma and the characters in Kim's Convenience. They don't always get it "right" right away, but they try their best.
It's not about the birthmark
At the Handy office, the team is dealing with some hot stuff: A/C malfunctions. Being the world's most A-mah-zing boss, Shannon makes an "executive decision" to allow shorts as an appropriate working attire.
It's hard to please everyone, of course. Terence is triggered by the dress code because he used to get bullied for his birthmark at school, which we later find out is barely visible.
After Shannon's reassurance and support, Terence finally overcomes his insecurity and embraces the dress code — by really levelling it up, literally, with these booty shorts.
Shannon talks to Terence in regards to his shorts; that their fit and length are slightly inappropriate for work. And of course, Terence doesn't believe that's the whole story. "Why don't we say what this is really about? My birthmark."
So you do you, Terence, show off that birthmark (even though no one else can see it) and rock those legs! The customers will just have to deal with it.
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Quote of the week: When Janet tries to make Umma feel better by saying, "I bet if Beverly Chan was a Timbit, she'd be the pink kind no one wants — all flash, no flavour."
Other big moments:
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Mr. Chin grows a beard: Upon discovering that facial hair is on trend again. Mr. Chin shows up at the convenience store with a beard. Appa isn't a fan of his friend's new look: "You have hair on your head, leave face for me." He offers Mr. Chin a $20 deal to shave off the beard, which Mr. Chin gladly accepts (you can grow a beard, but not money).
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Sushi burritos are gross: Chelsea is convinced that Gerald would like sushi burritos food if he "actually had it" — which he technically has but threw up. Janet also gets sick after trying it. Kimbits: what are your thoughts on sushi burritos? Yay or nay?
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