The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a great show to binge-watch- it goes down easy, and with only thirteen, twenty minute-long episodes, it is not as much of an investment as other shows, perfect to get through over the course of a weekend. Starring Ellie Kemper, best known for her role in the television show The Office, the show follows the titular character, a twenty-nine year old woman who, at the start of the show, has just been rescued from an Indiana doomsday cult. Kept in a bunker for fifteen years, Kimmy must adjust to life in New York City. The series was created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, and also stars Jane Krakowski as Jacqueline Voorhees, a woman who hires Kimmy as a nanny, as well as Tituss Burgess, who plays Titus Andromedon, Kimmy’s flamboyant roommate.
The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt still feels very new and unrefined in places-its status as a new show finding its footing is evident. At times, the message of perseverance and hopefulness underlying every episode can be a bit cloying and sickly sweet, but for the most part the show pleases by being funny and silly. The jokes can be a bit random and all over the place- some fall flat, and the plot itself can feel a bit random and not properly strung together. Characters are introduced and then abruptly disappear for whole episodes at a time. The focus is, of course, on Kimmy, but some continuity with the other characters, or even more storylines focused entirely on them would be greatly appreciated.
However, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is overall an enjoyable and infectious show. For all of its shortcomings, Kimmy Schmidt is hilarious and laugh-out-loud funny in places. The show is not afraid to use satire and humor to poke fun at controversial issues in controversial ways, which is refreshing, and its feminist take on things is inspiring. Ellie Kemper wonderfully portrays Kimmy with just the right amount of spunk and naiveté, Tituss Burgess adds some much needed flair, and Jane Krakowski earns the most laughs as a ridiculous, entitled rich New Yorker. If anything, the show is worth watching for the three of them.
The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’s first season may be uneven, but it is most definitely worth the investment- after all, Season 2 is already in the works.
