Every week here at Pixel Swish we recommend a movie, series, or video game that we feel should be a part of everyone’s play/watchlist; giving you our quick thoughts on what makes them special. These titles could either be hidden gems that not many may have heard of or classics that deserve another spotlight. So if you’re ever at a loss come the weekend on what to watch or play, consider checking out our weekly pick as we post every Friday or Saturday. We also post video versions of this series on TikTok and YouTube so be sure to follow us there to keep updated. Without further ado, let’s get into this week’s pick!

MO

The second season of Mo on Netflix is amongst some of the best television I’ve seen in recent years. Created by Mohammed Amer, a Palestinian-American stand-up comedian, Mo is a dramedy that’s loosely based on Amer’s real life growing up in Houston, Texas, as a Palestinian refugee. We follow Mo Najjar and his family through everyday struggles as they wait to make progress on their citizenship status in the U.S., as their asylum paperwork has been in limbo for most of Mo’s life. Mo lives a life of hustle as he strives to make ends meet while taking care of his family and keeping up with his love life. 

If there’s a ring of familiarity to this premise, well, it’s because Mo was a side character in another Netflix series called Ramy, a show about an Egyptian American’s journey through identity and love. Ramy was created by comedian Ramy Youssef, who serves as the co-creator for Mo alongside Amer. However, the connections end there as, for me, Mo is the far-superior show. 

Mainly because of how authentically it represents Muslims and Palestinians, treating them with heart and warmth with character writing that feels grounded and nuanced instead of falling into having them be insipid caricatures that simply serve as reactionaries to the protagonist. I’m not saying Ramy always did this, but there were many times when Youseff’s writing veered towards making the same annoying choices in characterization that his other second-generation American film and television creators often do.  

Billal Hassam from Teen Vogue wrote a great piece about the importance of how Mo represents its Palestinian characters, writing, “Mo wasn’t just Palestinian-led with Amer at the helm — it was Palestinian through and through, in humour, heart, and defiance.” And you feel that as you watch the show. From his mother, brother, sister, uncles and aunts to Mo himself, there’s a sensibility here that isn’t showcased through an American-first lens but one that has a deeper desire to connect with the culture of Palestine and its people. This is a connection that’s brought full circle in Mo’s second season, where Amer allows his passion for his homeland to channel through with a beautiful vibrancy. 

A note must also be made for the performances of the show. Throughout its razer-sharp comedy and its heartfelt drama, all of the actors do such an impeccable job in balancing this tone and bringing their characters to life, with Amer, in particular, showcasing his acting chops to incredible degrees in the second season. 

Mo is a must-watch, and Amer deserves your time, so please go binge-watch the show on Netflix this weekend.