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"These success perms were a great idea. I feel like a curly-headed lion surveying my kingdom."
Louis Huang to Jessica Huang

"Success Perm" is the fourth episode of first season of Fresh Off the Boat. It first aired on February 10, 2015.

Synopsis[]

Family rivalry spirals out of control when Jessica's sister, Connie, and her far more affluent husband come to visit. The Huangs try to convince everyone they're doing great financially, when nothing could be further from the truth. Meanwhile, Eddie is excited to be reunited with his cousin Justin, who introduced him to hip hop, until he learns the kid has moved on to grunge.

Plot[]

It's been a few months since The Huangs had moved to Orlando, Florida. And recently, Jessica's sister Connie and her family, are coming over to visit them. Louis and Jessica are unhappy that their coming since the reason they moved away was so they can get a fresh new start and get away from the furniture store. Not only that, Connie and Steve constantly brag about how their more successful then them. In fact, the two sisters talked to each other on the phone the other day, and while they told each other verbally that they can't wait to see each other. In reality, their true thoughts were expressed telepathically. Jessica figures she's only acting like this since she's been Grandma Chu's favorite. But even though they aren't doing well with the resturant, Jessica's family doesn't know that they aren't doing well. She figures that they can pretend everything is going fine and they will stand up against her family.

Since Jessica's family is on their way, the family had to make sure the house looked perfect in everyway. They set up fake lemon trees, added new soaps, and even pretended to have good shampoo. Jessica also forced Evan and Emery to sleep in the pantry since they don't have enough bedrooms and her family can't know about it. Finally, Jessica and Louis figured that they should get a perm so it can give a prosperous vibe to her family. After completing all that, Connie and her family finally arrived at their house. Connie happily greets the family with open arms, but during their small chat. Another car pulls into the street and made several sharp turns as a way to show off. Turns out, Steve decided to drive seperately just so he can show off his new Miata. He gets out of the car in style and greets the family as well, but starts to brag towards them when Emery complemented the car. Jessica then asked about how their mom is doing. Connie claims she was doing fine, but during the entire drive there, she was complaining...about Jessica. Turns out, she was upset that Jessica left Washington D.C. and felt abandoned. She even refused to look at Jessica when she greeted her, and even called her a "stranger" when she called Connie to help her into the house. Looks like Grandma Chu has a new favorite.

Even though Jessica and Louis were upset the family was here, there was one person that was super excited to have the family over: Eddie. His cousin Justin had introduced him to rap music several months ago. And because of him, this lead to Eddie to become a massive fan towards the rap genre, and he instantly adored Justin. But when he got out of the car, Eddie noticed he seemed a bit different then before. He was wearing a Nirvana shirt, and he gave vibes towards Eddie that showed that he seemed to be depressed. But Eddie figured he can make him snap back into reality with the latest Tupac CD he has. But Justin told him he isn't into rap anymore, and would rather listen to Live's Lightning Crash. Much to Eddie's dismay.

As the family settled into the house, the Chu's got a chance to talk to the others in the family. Louis and Steve were bragging about their successful businesses, with Louis mentioning about his fax line. (Even though it doesn't work). Steve then decides to set up his computer in the kitchen so he can go onto the store's website. But the internet connection at the Huangs was very poor, so it was nothing but dial tones. Then Grandma Chu went to sit down and watch the O.J. Simpson trial with Jenny. She tells Jenny that the "real juice is loose" since that's not the real O.J. on trial. When Jessica tried to offer her mom some tea, she continues to ignore her existance by turning up the volume on the TV.

Jessica then complains to Connie on how their mom isn't talking to her anymore and feels really upset. But Connie tells her she'll get used to being her least favorite, and even assures her to put in a good word during their "slipper talk". Left with no other choice, Jessica decides to have a competition with Connie to see who can gain their mother's respect. They will go over to Tammy's Fashion Hole, and see what clothing they can find at it's cheapest. Since the one thing that can really get Grandma Chu's attention is a good bargin. She even almost smiled when Connie got a 75% discount on suitcases!

Later on, Jessica pulls Louis aside to inform him about the stuff Connie has, and Louis says the same about Steve. Even though they're not doing so hot, Louis told Jessica that when they head to Cattleman's Ranch the next day, things will finally look up for them. He explains that the boomin' onions are 99 cents, and customers will quickly flock into the place for that good bargain. But when Louis tells Steven that they will head to Cattleman's tomorrow, he tells him that he was so excited to see the place, that he made reservations for today! Because of this, Louis had to quickly call Mitch and let him know that they will be coming in tonight and told him to quickly fill up the place before they come in. But Mitch didn't have much luck, as he can only get his ex-roomates from the renaissance fair, Nancy and Hector to pretend as customers, and his date Charlene. As they sit down at their table, Louis had to quicky get Nancy to take their order. But Steve was starting to get suspicious since he noticed Nancy was a customer, and there weren't that much people. Meanwhile, Jessica and Connie were trying to show off the different outfits they bought at the store. But they haven't had that much luck getting her attention. Eddie and his brothers were sitting next to Justin, and Justin complained about everything including the bread. Eddie isn't pleased to see his favorite cousin change so drastically, but he replied back with snark. Eventually, Nancy accidently blows her cover while Louis and Jessica were trying to explain to Steve about the whole ordeal. Then Louis admitted to him that they aren't doing well financially, which made Steve very happy since they finally admitted their failing and told Connie about it. To make matters worse, Connie stole one of Jessica's outfits and claims she "found it" for 100% off, which quickly earns their mom's respect.

The next morning, Jessica and Louis were upset after they got exposed last night, and even wondered how much worst could it get. Then, Connie finds out about the secret with the bedrooms when she went to find sugar in the pantry. Jessica finally gave up and told Connie to just make fun of them already. But Connie assures her again that she'll get used to being the least favorite since being the favorite is also as hard too. She claims it takes a lot of effort and patience, and even told Jessica that inside their mom's wallet is a picture of her and Kurt Russel in order to make her feel a bit better. But their bonding was quickly put on hold when Steve comes in panicking because his car is missing. He calls the police for assistance, but the cop ends up exposing a secret that Steve was hiding this entire time. Turns out the Miata model he bought was a used car, since the car's color: "British Racing Green" was last used in 1995, with a Miata last using it in 1993. In fact, the car wasn't stolen, it was taken away due to Steve being behind on his payments. Much to Connie and Justin's dismay. Eventually, the car was given back, along with Evan and Emery since they were in the car while it was taken away. When Louis came to thank the driver, the two grandmas went over to the door and thought the tow-truck driver was the real O.J. Simpson.

Eventually, it was time for Connie and her family to head back to Washington D.C. Louis assures Steve that he won't ever tell anyone about the little secret, and told him he will get back on his feet one day with the furniture store. Justin apologizes for his behavior to Eddie when he thought his stuff was going to be confiscated, but Eddie didn't mind it. The two sisters then say goodbye to one another, and while they complained to each other verbally, they admit telepathically they'll miss each other. They then embrace, and Jessica then says goodbye to her mom. To which she finally acknowledges her, but still doesn't say her name. The last thing Grandma Chu did was raising her fist to Jenny and making sure they stay faith that "the real juice is loose" and be on the lookout for O.J., while wearing a sweater Jenny made for her. The Chus drive away, and Louis and Jessica take the time to feel proud about themselves for being honest and finding out their not the only one swimming in debt.

Cast[]

Main Cast[]

Recurring Cast[]

Guest Cast[]

Trivia[]

  • This episode continues a thread from "Pilot", where Jessica and Louis were arguing about Steve's new car, about whether it was used or new. This episode reveals that his car was actually used.

Errors/Inconsistencies[]

  • In "Pilot", Louis and Jessica talked about Jessica's brother owning furniture store whom Louis worked for and his "new" Miata, which Louis suspects is used. However, in this episode, Steve is referred to as her brother-in-law instead, the husband of her sister Connie.

Gallery[]

Episodes
Fresh Off the Boat – Season One
Pilot Home Sweet Home-School The Shunning Success Perm
Episode 1
"Pilot"
Episode 2
"Home Sweet Home-School"
Episode 3
"The Shunning"
Episode 4
"Success Perm"
Persistent Romeo Fajita Man Showdown at the Golden Corrall Phillip Goldstein
Episode 5
"Persistent Romeo"
Episode 6
"Fajita Man"
Episode 7
"Showdown at the Golden Saddle"
Episode 8
"Phillip Goldstein"
License to Sell Blind Spot Very Superstitious DTBPD1
Episode 9
"License to Sell"
Episode 10
"Blind Spot"
Episode 11
"Very Superstitious"
Episode 12
"Dribbling Tiger, Bounce Pass Dragon"
So Chineez
Episode 13
So Chineez
Fresh Off the Boat – Season Two
Family Business Trip Boy 2 Man Shaquille O Neal Motors The Fall ball Dance
Episode 1
"Family Business Trip"
Episode 2
"Boy II Man"
Episode 3
"Shaquille O'Neal Motors"
Episode 4
"The Fall Ball"
Miracle on dead stret Fresh-off-the-boat The Big 1-2 Huangsgiving
Episode 5
"Miracle on Dead Street"
Episode 6
"Good Morning Orlando"
Episode 7
"The Big 1-2"
Episode 8
"Huangsgiving"
We Done Son The Real Samta YOTR Image
Episode 9
"We Done Son"
Episode 10
"The Real Santa"
Episode 11
"Year of the Rat"
Episode 12
"Love and Loopholes"
Phil's Phaves MCF Keep 'Em Separated Tight Two
Episode 13
"Phil's Phaves"
Episode 14
"Michael Chang Fever"
Episode 15
"Keep 'Em Separated"
Epsiode 16
"Tight Two"
Doing it Right Week in Review Jessica Place My Name is
Episode 17
"Doing It Right"
Episode 18
"Week in Review"
Episode 19
"Jessica Place"
Episode 20
"Hi, My Name Is..."
Rent Day Gotta Be Me The Manchurian Dinner Date Bring the Pain
Episode 21
"Rent Day"
Episode 22
"Gotta Be Me"
Episode 23
"The Manchurian Dinner Date"
Episode 24
"Bring the Pain"
Fresh Off the Boat – Season Three
FOTB GOes to Taiwan Breaking Chains Lance Ito, Indiana Jones & Pete Vampras Precinct 42
Episode 1
"Coming from America"
Episode 2
"Breaking Chains"
Episode 3
"Louisween"
Episode 4
"Citizen Jessica"
Turkey slaughter Praying Evan Smaller Taming of the Dads Evan (Kevin McCallister)
Episode 5
"No Thanks-giving"
Episode 6
"WWJD: What Would Jessica Do?"
Episode 7
"The Taming of the Dads"
Episode 8
"Where are the Giggles?"
How to Be an American Louis on TV Chinese Lunar New Year Dinner (Clean Slate) Connie & Jessica (3x12)
Episode 9
"How to Be an American"
Episode 10
"The Best of Orlando"
Episode 11
"Clean Slate"
Episode 12
"Sisters Without Subtext"
Alison & Eddie (3x13) Evan & Honey Eddie & Evan (3x15) Marvin & Honey (3x16)
Episode 13
"Neighbors with Attitude"
Episode 14
"The Gloves Are Off"
Episode 15
"Living While Eddie"
Episode 16
"Gabby Goose"
The Flush Jessica & Honey (3x18)] Jenny (3x19) Evan sucks at golfing
Episode 17
"The Flush"
Episode 18
"Time to Get Ill"
Episode 19
"Driving Miss Jenny"
Episode 20
"The Masters"
Brother, Brother Michael Bolton & Louis Huang New House (3x23)
Episode 21
"Pie vs. Cake"
Episode 22
"This Is Us"
Episode 23
"This Isn't Us"
Fresh Off the Boat – Season Four
Episode 1
"B as in Best Friends"
Episode 2
"First Day"
Episode 3
"Kids"
Episode 4
"It's a Plastic Pumpkin, Louis Huang"
Episode 5
"Four Funerals and a Wedding"
Episode 6
"A League of Her Own"
Episode 7
"The Day After Thanksgiving"
Episode 8
"The Vouch"
Episode 9
"Slide Effect"
Episode 10
"Do You Hear What I Hear?"
Episode 11
"Big Baby"
Episode 12
"Liar Liar"
Episode 13
"The Car Wash"
Episode 14
"A Man to Share the Night With"
Episode 15
"We Need to Talk About Evan"
Episode 16
"Ride the Tiger"
Episode 17
"Let Me Go, Bro"
Episode 18
"Measure Twice, Cut Once"
Episode 19
"King in the North"
Fresh Off the Boat – Season Five
Episode 1
"Fresh Off the RV"
Episode 2
"The Hand That Sits the Cradle"
Episode 3
"Working the 'Ween"
Episode 4
"Driver's Eddie"
Episode 5
"Mo' Chinese Mo' Problems"
Episode 6
"Sub Standard"
Episode 7
"Where Have All the Cattlemen Gone?"
Episode 8
"Cousin Eddie"
Episode 9
"Just the Two of Us"
Episode 10
"You've Got a Girlfriend"
Episode 11
"Driver's Eddie 2: Orlando Drift"
Episode 12
"Legends of the Fortieth"
Episode 13
"Grand-Mahjong"
Episode 14
"Cupid's Crossbow"
Episode 15
"Be a Man"
Episode 16
"Trentina"
Episode 17
"These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"
Episode 18
"Rancho Contento"
Episode 19
"Vice Mommy"
Episode 20
"Nerd Watching"
Episode 21
"Under the Taipei Sun"
Episode 22
"No Apology Necessary"
Fresh Off the Boat – Season Six
Episode 1
"Help Unwanted?"
Episode 2
"College"
Episode 3
"Grandma's Boys"
Episode 4
"S'Mothered"
Episode 5
"Hal-Lou-Ween"
Episode 6
"Chestnut Gardens"
Episode 7
"Practicum?!"
Episode 8
"TMI: Too Much Integrity"
Episode 9
"Lou Wants to Be a Millionaire"
Episode 10
"Jessica Town"
Episode 11
"A Seat at the Table"
Episode 12
"The Magic Motor Inn"
Episode 13
"Mommy and Me"
Episode 14
"Family Van"
Episode 15
"Commencement"
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