From Bunker to Big Apple

A review of Netflix’s original series: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

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Tituss Andromedon (Tituss Burgess) and Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper)

In early 2012, Netflix produced its first original series, Lilyhammer. When the show proved to be a success, the major Internet media streamer quickly followed with many more installments such as House of Cards and Orange is the New Black. Until March 6 of this year, Netflix has mainly focused on serious dramas, however, Netflix recently released its newest original series: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt stars Ellie Kemper (who you will recognize from The Office,  Bridesmaids and 21 Jump Street) as Kimmy, who has been rescued from Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne (Jon Hamm) and his Spooky Church of the Scary-pocalypse. After being locked in an underground bunker for 15 years with three other women, Kimmy decides to go from almost complete solitary confinement to the busiest, loudest city in the U.S.: New York City. Luckily, she gets some help from her new roommate Tituss Andromedon (Tituss Burgess), an aspiring actor, and her new employer, Jacqueline Voorhees (Jane Krakowski).

Each episode follows Kimmy as she tries to familiarize herself with the world she had been told no longer existed. The first episode is titled “Kimmy Goes Outside!” In this episode, Kimmy is freed from the bunker in Indiana and flown to New York City for an interview with Today’s Matt Lauer (as himself) and her fellow, so-called, Indiana Mole Women. During the interview, the question of what she is going to do with the rest of her life, stops Kimmy short. Afterwards, she decides to stay in the Big Apple and try something new. The series takes off from here.

 Though these episodes are executively produced by the brilliant minds behind 30 Rock, Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, viewers have complained that the episodes following the first begin to become redundant. The joke of Kimmy not understanding modern technology is thought to be overused. However, after the beginning, the series adopts a wider variety of comedic storylines.

Not only the dialogue will make you laugh, the series also incorporates two original songs that will get stuck in your head. The first is the title sequence. Many have seen the “Hide yo kids, hide yo wife” video and its remix. Unbreakable plays off that with Walter Brankston (Mike Britt) giving a Songified interview about what he saw regarding the discovery of the Indiana Mole Women. The second is portrayed as an original song and music video by the character Tituss Andromedon.

 Luckily, the series itself has proved to be as unbreakable as its main character: the series will be returning for a second season.