It’s been months since my beloved This Fool was canceled, and I feel like I’m at a point where I can finally write about it. The mainstream media’s near-universal praise for the show had me falsely believing that Hulu would grant us another season. But all fans were left with was the sting that comes with the familiar sense of loss we’ve experienced time and again when Latine shows get canceled.
Still, I echo the sentiment shared by co-creator and star Chris Estrada about This Fool: “Hopefully this show will live on to be a classic comedy that is rewatched and discovered by new viewers.” With that in mind here is a round-up of some standout episodes, but warning: spoilers ahead.
Episode 102: Putazos
The episode opens with Luis (played by comedian Frankie Quiñones) encountering a former enemy from his days as a gangster. After exchanging of insults, Luis quickly reverts to the belief that “throwing some putazos” is the only way to settle the score. What follows is a hilarious journey to the homes of Luis’s “boys” where he finds out that he doesn’t have anyone from back in the day to back him up for a slew of reasons ranging from death to winning the lottery, and one who “just didn’t feel like it.” Between highlighting just how much the middle-aged characters have gotten too old for their former lifestyles, including complaints of acid reflux and lower back pain, the references to West Side Story make this gang-fight-centered episode just one of many that details Luis’s comical path to personal growth.
Episode 105: Sandy Says
Aside from its incredibly funny storylines, this episode had me falling in love (and respect) for This Fool because the characters openly talk about therapy and mental health. In this episode, they express their vulnerabilities in a group sharing session, and show each other understanding and support. We also see Luis’s character meet with a mental health professional who helps him develop self-awareness. Although these topics are no laughing matter, the show expertly addresses them with comedy, and for the Millenials and Gen-Xers that remember the Austin Powers movies, the references woven into this episode are exceptionally funny.
Episode 109: F*ck the Rich
The penultimate episode of season one centers on whether or not Hugs Not Thugs will receive some much-needed funding, and guest stars Fred Armisen (of Portlandia and Los Espookys) as a billionaire who may be a potential donor. With a plot that satirizes the performative behavior of those who want their acts of kindness publicized while looking to exploit the communities they claim to be helping, this episode is just another example of the ways in which This Fool perfectly fused social commentary and comedy.
Episode 205: Cut the Sh*t
Midway through season two, we find Julio (played by Chris Estrada) knee-deep in stress, self-doubt, and self-loathing. With the mounting pressure to succeed in opening up a coffee shop with his cousin Luis and his former Hugs Not Thugs associates, Julio is spiraling. Although, he insists that he is fine and that his behavior is related to his “being a visionary.” The subtle ways in which This Fool builds towards Julio eventual admitting he needs help for his mental health issues made this show particularly impactful, especially for audiences of color. Not only were BIPOC seeing themselves represented on screen, but also witnessing a realistic (and perhaps familiar) portrayal of someone struggling with a very common affliction.
Episode 210: Two F*ckin’ Losers
The final episode of season two finds Julio and Luis at a crossroads – Luis is travel out of the country for the first time and is excited to enrich his life in a new way, and Julio FINALLY has an appointment with a therapist. Although there was still so much to see from the characters, and I mourn the storylines that could have been as well as the unanswered questions we were left with (Do we see Minister Payne again? How was Luis’ experience in Cambodia? How has therapy changed Julio’s life?), I’m grateful that we had such an innovative show on TV. My hope is that future Latine-led shows pick up where This Fool left off.
