Andi Mack: Season 2/ Episode 2 "Chinese New Year"

It’s Chinese New Year and with that, we see the end of one relationship (maybe) and Jonah making a real fresh start with Andi.

Previous Recap: Episode 1 “Hey, Who Wants Pizza?”

Network	Disney Channel
Director(s)	Eyal Gordin
Writer(s)	Elena Song
Characters Introduced
Aunt Mei	Freda Foh Shen
Ronald	Alan Ko

Must Everything Be A Competition?: Buffy, Marty, Cyrus

Marty returns and it seems nothing has really changed when it comes to his and Buffy’s relationship. It still is rooted in competition but with her still being very much into solo glory, that remains a craw in their friendship. Something that surely will be exacerbated as Buffy, due to Jefferson Middle not having a girls’ team, plans to join the boys’ basketball team.

Which, as you can imagine, especially after going one on one a bit, is going to really strain her relationship with Marty. Something Andi teases her about but it seems whatever progress was made didn’t carry over really into season 2. Well, that is when it comes to Marty.

As for Buffy and Cyrus, sans Andi, as shown in his coming out in the last episode, they remain each other’s rock. Something we see as Buffy realizes that to break the glass ceiling of Jefferson Middle, she has to be more than on the boys level but beyond it to make the team. In other words, Buffy is actually nervous. Yet, showing that having people in psychology as parents can make you a wonderful friend, Cyrus reassures Buffy she has nothing to worry about.

Cultural Exchange: Jonah, Andi, Celia

One of Andi’s major gripes, when it came to her friendship with Jonah, was that everything was about him and what he was doing. So, continuing to show he took Andi’s criticism to heart, when he stops by Andi’s, to give her phone to her, he asks if he could come to Chinese New Year. Which of course Bex is for, Andi to a point as well, but then there is Celia.

Someone who, as we already knew, is very traditional, doesn’t want Andi growing up too fast and ultimately becoming like Bex. Yet, because her sister Mei is in the house, and those two have a long-standing feud of showing who is better off, she doesn’t make a big deal out of Jonah being there – even if this is the first time she has learned of his existence.

As for Jonah, he does pretty good with the whole scenario and Andi’s extended family. Even with Andi’s little cousin Roland, a magician in the making, he rolls with the punches. Though there is a slight hiccup when Jonah tries to sneak some food meant for the ancestors. However, that is quickly forgiven and with Jonah saying goodbye in Cantonese, despite Celia’s family speaking Mandarin, Celia gives him points for trying.

A Bond Not Fulfilled Through Marriage: Bex, Bowie, Andi, Celia

Bex straight up doesn’t want to marry Bowie. Not because she doesn’t love him or doesn’t think he is a great guy, because he is. Never mind her mother loves him, to the point of showing him off to Mei, and Andi absolutely adoring him. However, there might be someone else? It isn’t clear who or why Bex isn’t with him now but you know Bex, for all those years Celia was raising Andi, surely had to have a relationship or two. The question is, is this mystery person the one who got away, was left, or what?

Other Noteworthy Facts & Moments

White is the color of death in Chinese culture.
Bex’s cousin Ling has been married 15 years.
Hank and Celia’s couples moment when telling Mei goodbye and both oinking for next year is the year of the pig.

Question(s) Left Unanswered

So, it is safe to assume Bowie is definitely Andi’s dad right and this other dude is just some guy she met while traveling? Or could it be Bowie might have been a rebound from said guy?

Highlights

Jonah Changing For Andi

In episode 11 of season 1, Andi laid out all the problems with her friendship with Jonah and it is really something for her to do that and him to correct his actions. Much less, not make a big deal out of it. For, as I’ll repeatedly say whenever Andi Mack breaks a mold, it is really something to hear a lead, especially a girl, address a problem in her friendship and for said friend to correct that action. It shows her feelings are validated, important to this person, and if truly kids are as easily influenced as news articles constantly say they are, imagine what Andi doing this means.

I mean, think of how many kids are friends with someone just so they won’t be alone or because they like this person, and so they put their feelings, comfort, maybe even safety as secondary? Who knows how much Andi standing up for herself and seeing Jonah change vs. just saying “Screw you,” verbally or otherwise, may give some kid the courage to address someone in their life. Especially without the fear that person would leave or abandon them thereafter.

Chinese Culture

Something fairly consistent on Andi Mack is that Celia notes she is an immigrant. One in which, even with being in America for decades, still keeps up the beliefs and traditions she grew up with. Be it through her mother’s cooking, talking about where she came from, or now with celebrating Chinese New Years. All of which is noteworthy since, even with Disney having shows like That’s So Raven and a handful of programs featuring non-white families, it never consistently addressed them as anything but generic Americans. Meaning, yeah, they celebrate Halloween, Christmas, and things like that, but culturally specific holidays? Outside of The Proud Family doing Kwanzaa, I can’t easily recall another instance of noting holidays primarily celebrated by people of color.

Bex Not Wanting To Marry Bowie

Perhaps the main plus of Bex not wanting to marry Bowie is that it seemingly is because she doesn’t love him the way he wants and deserves to be loved. On top of that, there is this idea that just because everyone thinks you are great together and likes your proposed significant other, that doesn’t mean you are an instant and destined match.

People can have all the fantasies they want but at the end of the day, it is you that have to live, take care of, and rely on this person. A commitment that can’t be taken lightly or be something you walk into hoping sooner or later you’ll catch the same feelings they have. Which, again, creates a powerful statement about how just because you get along with someone, and are fairly close, it doesn’t mean you are destined for romance.

On The Fence

Bowie Noting Celia, Ham, and Bex was Andi’s Family

This is a really minor thing, but I must admit I felt a certain kind of way about how Bowie noted to Andi that she should rejoin her family. Now, granted, I get he is hurt and that is a factor in what he said. However, considering how he won over Celia and all he did for the celebration, I thought he realized, marriage to Bex or not, he had officially become a part of the family.

Yet, with that rejection comes the question of whether we may finally meet Bowie’s family or even friends. Because Andi can’t always be the support system for him and Bex. Sooner or later, they need to confide in an adult.

Has Buffy Learned Nothing?

It’s a bit weird that after the growth that seemed to be there between Marty and Buffy in season 1, episode 12, Marty and Buffy’s relationship is still immature in a way. Not that I expect them to be the gold star couple, but it did seem for all the road bumps Andi and Jonah were having, Marty and Buffy were on a much smoother road.

But I guess with her having to work with learning how to be on a team, as well as deal with competition when going against boys, she had to take a step back? Maybe so that Marty could step up for her, whether she is there or not, to show some form of solidarity? Maybe win her over by being there for her in ways that her still absentee parents are not.

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Andi Mack: Season 2/ Episode 2 “Chinese New Year” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)