Loading ...Mo Netflix Season 2: From Deportation to Palestinian Identity and Resistance
By: Nissrine Bedda / Arab America Contributing Writer
“Mo” Season 2 on Netflix picks up where the first season left off, delving deeper into the life of Mo Najjar, a charming yet struggling Palestinian refugee living in Houston. As Mo grapples with family pressures, his desire for stability, and the ongoing challenges of navigating two cultures, Season 2 explores new layers of his identity and relationships.
The season offers a glimpse into the life of Mo Najjar, a real-life Arab American comedian and the protagonist, as he embarks on a fresh start in Mexico City. From picking up a new language to being left alone in his ex-girlfriend’s grandmother’s house, Mo’s only source of hope is the upcoming court hearing he must attend. The hearing, which will decide whether his asylum application is approved, is crucial for him and his family back in Houston.
Throughout this time, we gain a deeper insight into Mo’s lingering emotions following his breakup with the woman of his dreams. He ended the relationship because the stress of facing potential deportation prevented him from pursuing it “normally,” with discussions about green cards and marriage constantly getting in the way.
During his time in Mexico City, Mo opens a falafel taco cart—a unique culinary creation of his own. He frequently mentions it throughout the series, proudly highlighting the Mexican-Arab fusion and even referring to the two cultures as “cousins.” As a Moroccan/Mexican, I can definitely approve of that!
After attempting to cross the border with a group and a coyote, hoping to make it back to the U.S. for his court hearing, Mo gets caught by border patrol agents and sent to a detention center. There, he meets others from various nationalities, learning about their stories and dreams of eventually reaching the United States.
The directors skillfully highlight how Mo’s optimism and energy lift the spirits of those around him. Eventually, he manages to contact his immigration lawyer and a judge through a virtual call, which allows him to return to the States just in time for his hearing!
Deportation
Unfortunately, the audience’s optimism for Mo eventually dies down as his court hearing doesn’t go as well as his mother and brother Sameer who got their asylum case approved. Due to Mo’s illegal crossing and detention, he was deported, but because he is technically classified as “stateless”, he has no where to be taken to. He is obligated to wear an ankle monitor, but does have access to a work permit which was not granted to him before.
The ending of the court hearing highlights the deep humiliation someone can endure after spending over 20 years, just like Mo. During that time, he built lasting memories and strong connections to his hometown of Houston—forming friendships, experiencing love, and, most importantly, helping to grow his family’s Palestinian olive oil brand in the heart of Texas.
During his time away in Mexico City, Mo returns to a changed Texas, where he learns that his ex-girlfriend now has a new boyfriend—who happens to be Israeli. This news hits Mo hard, as he had always dreamed of marrying the woman he loved. To make matters worse, he discovers that her new boyfriend, Guy, owns a “Middle Eastern” restaurant and has stolen Mo’s idea for falafel tacos.
This all unfolds after a conversation between the two, where they both confront the reality of exes and new relationships. This analogy of stealing the falafel taco idea is a play on words for the deep rooted issue of stealing Palestinian land and identity which for many Arab Americans watching is easy to understand and infuriating to watch through the screen.
From a loud confrontation at Guy’s restaurant to selling the olive tree farm in which was producing the Najjar family’s olive oil, Mo’s ex-girlfriend and himself rekindle after her breakup and after finding out that Mo can’t travel back to Palestine with his mother and brother after planning a trip to visit the homeland they were stripped away from for the past 22 years, she can’t bear the thought of Mo not going back home and missing the opportunity and proposes to him. Mo, anxious to visit Palestine, immediately says yes granting him a green card!
Visiting the Homeland
Finally! The Najjar family makes their way to Palestine, but before anything, they must reach border patrol in Tel Aviv beforehand. In that, we as viewers get the opportunity of getting a glimpse of the level of irrelevant questioning that is asked of Palestinians by Israeli Police forces.
The way Mo Najjar and the production capture the essence of Palestine is both heartwarming and unsettling, leaving you with a sense of tension, knowing that anything could happen at any moment. This constant unease mirrors the daily reality that Palestinians experience, offering viewers a unique opportunity to see the world through their eyes and understand their perspectives.
Mo discovers an old VHS tape of his late father dancing and singing to a classic Palestinian song, and the video stays with him after he watches it with his family. The moment becomes even more significant when he learns that his father, an electrical engineer, repaired phones back home and was responsible for launching the first speaker for the call to prayer in their town. Later, while watching the video again in the quiet of the night, Mo is overcome with emotion. His mother finds him in tears and leaves him with a powerful message—a reminder that every undocumented person needs to hear
In conclusion, Mo’s story reflects the countless individuals like him all around us—from stateless people to undocumented migrants, to Palestinians who continue to wait for a free Palestine in their lifetime. Mo Season 2 reminds us of the importance of standing together, especially in these uncertain times, and helps us realize that, despite our differences, we are far more alike than we often realize.
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