On March 6, Netflix debuted the 13-episode first season of its new comedy, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” From the minds of Tina Fey and Robert Carlock (“30 Rock”), the show follows the titular Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper, “The Office”) as she tries to navigate life in New York City after spending most of her adult life in an underground bunker.
The show oozes quirk—thanks to an eclectic cast of characters who traverse farcical, but ultimately heartwarming storylines. A true gem, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” comes into its own as one of the internet’s best new comedies.
The series opens with Kimmy and three other so-called “mole women” being rescued from a bunker in rural Indiana. Told by crazed and ludicrous Reverend and DJ Wayne Gary Wayne (Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”) that the apocalypse occurred 15 years ago, the four women were duped into staying underground since then.
Upon her entrance into this strange new world, Kimmy—with her middle school mentality—decides to make a life for herself in the Big Apple, where, of course, hilarity ensues.
Kemper shines as the ever-optimistic and resilient—indeed “unbreakable”—Kimmy Schmidt. In her best role yet, Kemper finds her comedic feet, balancing charm, slapstick and genuine heart. And despite inhabiting a character whose personality is as loud as her wardrobe, Kemper manages to add an honest sense of humanity to the almost cartoonish Kimmy.
Rounding out the cast are Titus Burgess (“You Must Be Joking”) as Kimmy’s roommate and self-proclaimed “star on the rise” Titus Andromedon and Jane Krakowski (“Adult Beginners”) as Kimmy’s boss and Real-Housewife-in-training Jacqueline Voorhees.
Burgess adds pizzazz and laugh-out-loud comedic dynamism to what could have easily been a walking stereotype of a role. Krakowski also brings her Jenna Maroney (of “30 Rock” fare) craziness to the over-the-top, lush Jackie.
Since its debut earlier this month, the show has not been without controversy. Most of it centered on the introduction of a Vietnamese character named Dong (played by Korean actor Ki Hong Lee, “The Maze Runner”). In his first episode, Kimmy chortles at his phallic name until Dong remarks that her name also means “penis” in his native tongue.
This throwaway interaction—which begins an adorable and loving relationship between the two doofuses throughout the season—received a lot of heat, perhaps overshadowing what that makes “Kimmy” great.
The show is nowhere near perfect in terms of representation and political correctness. Critics have also taken issue with its treatment of gay people, Native Americans and other minorities. It spares no expense making jokes out of everyone and everything. Its offensive humor is sweeping in its offense—it’s up to the audience to decide whether the uncomfortable hubbub is worth the laughs.
Given the undeniable charisma of its characters, its “unbreakable” optimism and overall silly sense of humor, the show’s faux pas might be easier to forgive—at least for now.
Already renewed for a second season, the show has a unique opportunity to learn from its mistakes and fine-tune its particular brand of comedy in the future. If the first season is any indication, “Kimmy Schmidt” will continue to be unbreakable in its wit and charm.
All 13 episodes of the first season of “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” are now available for streaming on Netflix.
