"Fat Like Dat," the tenth episode of Season 2 of Martin, which originally aired on October 24, 1993, offers a relatable and humorous exploration of weight loss challenges and the importance of support within a relationship. The episode, the 37th overall in the series, stars Martin Lawrence as Martin and Tisha Campbell-Martin as his girlfriend, Gina.
The Spark: Insecurity and a Blast from the Past
The episode begins with Gina feeling insecure about her weight gain. Martin attempts to reassure her, expressing his love regardless of her size. However, the situation takes a turn when Martin receives a call from Monique, an old high school crush whom he describes as "fine." Overhearing the conversation, Gina becomes jealous and declares her need to lose weight to maintain Martin's interest.
Embarking on a Weight Loss Journey
Fueled by Gina's desire to lose weight and Martin's realization of the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, the couple embarks on a weight loss program together. This involves intense exercise and a strict diet. While initially hesitant, Martin eventually commits to the program.
The Gym Antics
Martin and his best friends, Tommy (Thomas Mikal Ford) and Cole, decide to join Gina's exercise class. The trio arrives at the gym with questionable pre-workout fuel: Martin with a Big Gulp from 7-Eleven, Tommy with a Snickers bar, and Cole with potato chips. Underestimating the difficulty of the workout, especially since the class is mostly women, they quickly find themselves struggling. Cole is the first to succumb, collapsing and claiming he can't feel his legs. Tommy soon follows, sprawled on a pile of mats, gasping for air. Even Martin struggles to keep up.
The Dieting Dilemma
Extreme Measures
The second act shows Martin waking Gina up at 6 a.m. to exercise, she is tired of Martin going to the extreme with his new diet. Gina expresses her frustration with Martin's extreme approach to the new diet. Upon entering the kitchen, she discovers the refrigerator filled exclusively with vegetables, including "broccoli popsicles" prepared by Martin for her to eat.
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An Unexpected Visitor
Adding to the morning's chaos, Bruh Man from the 5th floor, Martin's neighbor, emerges from the bathroom. He explains that his hot water was cut off, leading him to shower in Martin's apartment. The situation escalates when Martin asks for his robe back, only to discover Bruh Man is naked underneath, causing Martin to abandon the matter.
Martin Takes Charge
Later that night, Martin invites his boss, Stan, and his co-worker, Shawn, to the workout session. With the fitness instructor sidelined due to a twisted ankle, Martin takes control of the class, leading an intensely challenging workout.
Temptation and Gravy
Back at their apartment, Gina announces her intention to start Martin's diet plan the following morning, but only after getting all of the fatty food out of her system. Martin's dinner consists of rice cakes and beet juice, while Gina prepares herself a tempting meal of steak, yams, and mashed potatoes. She deliberately tempts Martin by pouring gravy over her food and moaning with pleasure as she eats. When she has gravy on her face, Martin wants to wipe it off with a rice cake. The temptation becomes overwhelming for Martin. At one point, the food was even talking to him. Martin runs around the kitchen to get away from Gina's plate. When he walks back to the table, Martin trips over a trashcan and his arm falls all over the food. He covers it up just in time when Gina returns from the bathroom. To make matters worse, the timer on the stove goes off, and Gina takes biscuits out of the oven that Mama Payne made.
Recurring Characters and Guest Appearances
The episode features appearances from recurring characters like Tommy, who provides comedic relief with his commentary on Martin and Gina's struggles. Charnele Brown, known for her role as Kimberly Reese on A Different World, makes a guest appearance as the fitness instructor.
Themes and Reception
"Fat Like Dat" explores themes of body image, relationships, and the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The episode uses humor to address these relatable issues, showcasing the importance of support and understanding between partners. User reviews highlight the episode's funny craziness, wonderfully written scenes, and absurd, well-tied-in moments, with some considering it the most surreal episode to date.
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