#FIRSTLOOK: “TOKENS” SEASON TWO

By Mr. Will Wong

Following on the Canadian Screen Award-winning success of its first season, Webseries TOKENS‘ now in its second season, delivers even more belly laughs!

The Series centering on Sammie Pang (Connie Wang), a Chinese-Canadian woman looking to find her breakout meaningful role as an Actor, leaving her agency On Call Casting and booking a role in a remake of a Martial a\Arts flick, “The Phoenix”. Things definitely looked better on-paper and the nonsensical tone-deafness of the industry continues to rear its head on Sammie and her colleagues. But what does it look like for her to take a stand on the shallowness of “Diversity Casting”? And how ever will she be able to make her true authentic voice be heard when those in power don’t care to nurture her voice, even though they present on a superficial level the illusion that they care?

Joining the Cast this season are talents including Sarena Parmar, Cindy Sampson, Indy Saluja and Tara Strong. In less capable hands, some of the searing satirre and humour Comedy of TOKENS by Director/Writer Winnifred Jong might be a bit iffy. Jong manages to strike that fine balance perfectly poking fun at stereotypes, “white ignorance” and how the cycle is gate-kept. It’s all silly, but silly with a purpose.

The Ensemble work wonderfully together, led by Wang who slowly but surely is finding her voice and purpose after navigating some real absurdity in the business. I find it actually quite comical Sammie with a background talent agency similar to one I worked with years ago, so I can definitely relate! Parmar is fun as Nandita, bringing energy to the mix and Fuad Ahmed as Vasant is comical in his self-absorbedness as a recognizable Bollywood name trying reclaim a little fame. Shelley Thompson as Sammie‘s meddling former agent Betty is a delight.

Defintely worth a watch, especially as these quick little hits start and finish before you even know it! You can now stream the second season of TOKENS on iTunes.