Gentefied Season 1 Episodes 1 and 2 Explained

Season 1, Episode 1 "Casimiro"

Gentefied aired February 21, 2020 on Netflix starring J.J. Soria, Karrie Martin Lachney, Carlos Santos, Annie Gonzalez, and Joaquin Cosio. Created by Linda Yvette Chavez and Marvin Lemus, the premise of this show revolves around a family doing everything possible to save their restaurant "Mama Fina's" in Boyle Heights. The ever changing fabric of Los Angeles poses a further threat to this hard earned business as gentrification makes its presence known within this predominantly working class community. Episode 1 initiates with two of the Morales cousins, Erik and Chris having breakfast with Abuelo or Casimiro Morales, the patriarch figure. Abuelo has three sons and the show focuses on his relationships with his sons' kids or his grandkids. Both of these youngsters live with him and are willing to do anything for their grieving Abuelo who lost the love of his life, Delfina. The show also examines the diaspora experience within this family, starting with Abuelo who migrated from Mexico to his sons who were first generation, and their children who were the second generation born in the U.S. Each individual juggles with what it means to be "American" and somehow finding a way of honoring their roots in the process. The key lies in finding a balance between their language, traditions, ideas, experiences, and sense of identity. However, to every single family member this means something different, thus adding to the beauty and chaos of it all.  

For instance, in the beginning of the show, Erik and Don Casimiro go to Mama Fina's where Javier the Mariachi is complaining about their prices going up. To make matters worse, the landlord Rob intrusively shows up asking Don Casimiro for the past due rent, demonstrating the property to potential investors, and displaying little to no remorse for their current hardship. As a result, Erik is irate, calling Rob a "coconut" and a sellout since he is Latino as well yet acts dismissive towards the struggles of his own people. The issue of gentrification is introduced early on in the season; a direct problem to our protagonist because the emerging transformation of this community has already begun to displace him.

    Beginning with Chris, who works in a kitchen with well known Chef Austin instead of helping his family. Erik is convinced the family does not need Chris's help because his aspirations do not align with the best interest of the restaurant. Chris was raised in Idaho by his parents with no direct connection to his culture and is on a self-discovery journey. Also, it is evident Chris does not have a great relationship with his father since he is continuously avoiding him and labeled him "El Cucuy" on his phone. The cousins Erik and Ana criticize Chris's decision to go to Le Cordon Bleu in Paris to learn how to cook. However, Chris is convinced he will never be a world renown chef if he stays in Boyle Heights. 

    In an act of desperation, Erik tries to regain control by asking his pregnant ex-girlfriend, Lidia for help with Mama Fina's. Lidia is there for Erik but is clearly vexed because Erik seems to put all his energy towards saving Abuelo and his business. Lidia is unsure about Erik's commitment and feels as if her and the baby are secondary to him. She reassures him they are not together anymore however, Erik wants to be there for his unborn child. Unfortunately, Erik lacks economic stability, offering to fire himself from Mama Fina's just to make ends meet. Without consulting Abuelo he decides to fire Gio instead, a long time family friend with health issues only to receive backlash from everyone. It cannot be ignored that out of all the Morales cousins Erik is the most invested in Abuelo, putting his life completely on hold at times for him. Ultimately, one of the reasons why Erik is so upset when Abuelo asks Chris for help with the restaurant without telling him. Erik represents the "old way of doing things" he honors Abuelo and the customs that were bestowed upon him from his deceased wife as a direct tie to his homeland. Meanwhile, Chris is determined to make an innovative mark on the ever changing present and Abuelo wants to join him, starting with modern changes at Mama Fina's. 

    Furthermore, Ana Morales is presented as the blunt, queer, Chicana artist with boundless ambitions. Ana is unafraid and unapologetic about speaking her mind. Also, Ana and her little sister Nayeli try to help their struggling mom as she diligently works with little to nothing to show for it. Ana's mom reprimands her, belittling her dreams of becoming an artist by throwing her paints away. She is a single parent who does not really have time to truly enjoy life because she has to work, reminding her daughters daily the rent and their next meal will not appear magically because of their dreams. There is a huge sense of failure or shortcoming from the adults in the family. For instance, Abuelo talks about "The American Dream," and how at times it seems like a fallacy. There is no guarantee or indication that it will be passed down to future generations of offspring since the dream can be destroyed without warning. Once again, Abuelo represents old values, tradition, and key cultural knowledge that is often lost with the immigrant experience. After assimilation new customs are adapted and at times, new generations grow up with a sense of disconnect towards their own culture. At the end of the episode, Abuelo is drunk and nostalgic when he decides to vandalize a condemned building in revolt to gentrification. Abuelo is immediately caught by the cops and is detained. Undoubtedly, his actions have a costly effect on the entire family who is struggling to stay afloat. 

Season 1, Episode 2 "Bail Money"

Episode 2 takes the spectator back in time with a glimpse of Erik's father when he was incarcerated. Abuelo and a young Erik are visiting him, making his grandson promise he will never end up in jail. The dynamic between these foil father and son relationships proves to be a constant shadow from the past threatening each respective future. These individuals are trying to break away from the expected behavior and create something entirely new. For Erik, it means the possibility of failing as a dad or perpetuating parental absence like he once experienced. More than anything, he has to prove to Lidia and himself that he is not his father. 

    Then, the time sequence leaps to the present with Erik visiting Abuelo in jail. Abuelo tells Erik to ask Chris for help and immediately Erik refutes the idea. Unfortunately, Abuelo is not sure how much time he can endure in jail and implores Erik to put his differences aside and reach out to Chris in a discrete manner. Before reaching out to Chris, Erik talks to Lidia and her father who reveals there is an upcoming ultrasound. Lidia is not fully convinced Erik will be there but he desperately promises anyways before she leaves. Furthermore, Lidia's father has a heartfelt talk with Erik urging him to marry her and start a family. He clarifies, stating his daughter is a "feminista," a feminist, and does not need a man to take care of her. It is quite a remarkable moment in the episode since this patriarchal figure's commentary speaks on the caliber of this strong female character. Also, Lidia has an absent parent, which fortifies her bond with her father and serves as explanation why Lidia is self reliant. She needs a man "to help her open her jars,' but she is an independent woman. Meanwhile, Lidia is impressed with Erik's arrival at the ultrasound, she embarks in this relationship on her own terms. Lidia knows Eric so well she is able to figure out there is something wrong. He confesses to her he needs money to bail out Abuelo and she helps, reassuring him "I got you always."  

    Before going to the ultrasound and receiving help from Lidia, Erik reaches out to Chris for help who refuses to abandon his duty in Chef Austin's kitchen to bail out Abuelo. Not only does Erik sell Abuelo's beloved truck "Salma Hayek," but he shows up at Chris's job with Ana and takes his debit card. Erik and Ana quickly discover a large quantity of money in Chris's bank account and cannot help but feel like he was holding out on the family. Unable to withdraw a lot of money from the ATM, Ana and Erik go inside the bank and attempt to explain their situation to the teller. Nevertheless, the bank teller cuts the card and accuses them of theft, making unnecessary racist remarks towards the duo. Chris assumes Erik and Ana got the money from his account and decides to go out for a night of drinks with his coworkers. 

Moreover, Ana still attempts to find her muse in the art she passionately creates amidst the chaos surrounding her. Her mom threw her paints away so she makes a post asking people to barter paints with her in exchange for her art. She is determined to trade in the same manner that our ancestors did, since she is struggling to get paid for her work. This moment also provides insight to the role social media plays in disseminating information and reaching others. Unlike Chris who is struggling to find his sense of self, Ana is a "boss bitch" who embodies her culture with the the attire she wears and the art she fervently creates. However, she misses potential opportunities every time she selflessly responds to the needs of her family. Ana is undoubtedly one of the most loyal to Abuelo and this commitment at times puts strain in her relationship with Yessika. Ana leaves Yessika hanging with an art gig and attempts to make it up with a heart shaped box filled with tacos and a weed filled Raw cone.

Eventually, Erik takes Abuelo home on a bicycle. Erik is trying his best to be there for Abuelo but he feels undermined and unappreciated. Abuelo still wants to work with Chris even though Chris seems to put himself first. This episode ends with deep foreshadowing; as Erik pensively sits in front of a property displaying a "for lease" sign with Viviane's contact information.