I remember the magic I felt when watching Before Sunset for the first time, and I feel that same charm throughout Master of None, with its incredible slices of life framed by gorgeous shots that show off the scenery. It’s clear that Ansari is as in love with these places as Dev is. On that note, while Master of None is a show that’s very much about where it’s set—New York City—the transition to Italy after the events of last season pushes the series in all the best ways, and it shows off Italy just as beautifully as it does New York. Dev’s time away from home is also the perfect way to make it feel new and refreshing once he returns, too

This isn’t just a show that has something to say about modern romance. It’s still incredibly funny when you strip all of the social commentary out of it. The show carefully balances humor that’s ultra-dry and grounded with other gags that borderline on the surreal. It also never passes up on an opportunity to remind its audience that it has one of the best soundtracks and selections of music on television.

Even after a season of hitting so many pivotal moments in both relationships and life, Master of None season 2 manages to find a simple topic to devote to each episode. The season operates like a fancy meal at an expensive restaurant. Each episode is an appetizer of sorts that gets you progressively ready for the meal to come. It finds the right time to become serious and heavy, with the sweetness of dessert still waiting at the end of the season. It’s so efficiently paced that you’ll find yourself binging much faster than you anticipated. It’s just so easy and addictive to consume as you watch people being people. Dev’s wins are the audience’s wins and it’s great to see this nice guy slowly inch forward in life and love. That being said, the show still knows how to really put the rug out from under viewers and shift from care-free to tragic at a moment’s notice, just like life and love have a tendency to do.

The season tackles topics like religion, sexual orientation, friendship, food, and more, in unique, varied ways that attempt to portray the entire spectrum of life. Master of None is still one of the absolute best at representing minorities and highlighting topics that typically don’t get much screen time. It also has some of the best commentary on the state of television and pop culture in a way that operates so subtly you sometimes can’t even tell that it’s making a joke.

Dev’s relationship with Arnold (Eric Wareheim) is still unbelievably genuine and sweet, and there are episodes devoted just to these guys hanging out, catching up, and eating copious amounts of food. The stakes might be exceptionally low at times, but watching these guys do their thing and indulge one another is much more fun than it should be. It’s a testament to the real-life friendship between Ansari and Wareheim. While a lot of Master of None is centered on romantic relationships, friendships and non-romantic bonds are just as crucial to the show’s DNA.