Call Me Kat Review: First Date (Season 1 Episode 9)

Kat learns how to navigate the new rules of dating on Call Me Kat Season 1 Episode 9, “First Date.”

When I first learned this episode would feature Kat on a first date, I cringed at the thought of how she would inevitably embarrass herself.

However, it is thrilling to be wrong. Sure, she’s still charmingly awkward but her date Oscar is also adorably dorky. It works out perfectly!

From day one, Call Me Kat has had the potential to be a weird, and fun little show that provides us with the escape we need right now. The season started strong and has had a few lackluster episodes.

However, “First Date” signals that the series is finally finding its footing.

With Randi figuring out what to get Daniel for their six-month anniversary, the episode portrays a relationship from two ends of the spectrum. It is the show’s most well-balanced outing so far.

Without relying so heavily on physical comedy, and allowing Kat to have a life away from the café, we get to see what a fun show Call Me Kat can be when it puts all the pieces together.

Kat on a date is confident and sexy. Those are parts of her personality we’ve never seen before. It’s a shame the show waited until Episode 9 to introduce us to this Kat.

Instead of the predictable clumsy Kat we were expecting, the episode gives us a sweet first date focused on regular nerves about getting to know each other, and how far things will go.

As for Oscar, we’re not sure how long he will be around, but he and Kat are a good match. So I hope we get to know him better in the coming episodes.

The show can have a lot of fun exploring the couple’s age difference. Ten years isn’t that much, but the maturity gap between 30 and 40 is huge, and could be the source of both tension and comedy.

So, about Randi and Daniel.

They’ve been dating for six months and are already moving in together. Since we’ve only seen them on a few dates, and haven’t been privy to the usual relationship milestones, this all seems really fast.

I don’t want to say they’re totally mismatched, but her bubbly confidence and his laid-back nonchalance don’t seem like enough for this relationship to go the distance.

It feels rushed and unearned, so I am having trouble staying interested in them as a couple.

I also can’t get past the fact that Randi is a different person when she’s with Daniel. She loses some of her swag when she switches from independent woman Randi to Daniel’s girlfriend.

It’s as if Call Me Kat thought they needed a couple and forced this one into the story.

We’ve spent a lot of time talking about Kat’s feelings for Max, and thankfully she’s moved past her non-stop pining. However, now it appears Max has feelings for Kat, so we’re back at phase one with the will they/won’t they situation.

In Miranda after three seasons, she and Gary (her Max) finally get married in the finale special. So I’m not opposed to a Kat and Max pairing, one just hopes they get to have separate lives while they figure out their feelings.

And no one wants to wait five years for it to happen.

As we head into the homestretch of Call Me Kat’s initial run, it’s exciting to see the show finally live up to the potential we saw back in the pilot. Let’s hope it isn’t too late to make an impact.

What did you think of this episode of Call Me Kat? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Call Me Kat airs Thursdays at 9/8c on FOX.

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