ahahahaha! I totally fell down on the Indian recognition. It's the half-ness that throws me! I have cousins who are half-German too and they don't look Indian to me either. I clearly lack deeper perception!

even as I am slightly conflicted that they gave the part to someone who can pass instead of someone who is Indian like whoa

True, true. But like you say--baby steps. The last time I watched a show with an Indian character it was Homicide, and Sarita Choudhury was a medical examiner, and she was fantastic. Too bad the show got cancelled so soon after.