All Dolled Up

How is it that I never blogged about Russian Doll before now?! The recent release of season two of this unusual show gives me a chance to address that. (Even though it must be said: season two is not as good as season one.)

Russian Doll is the story of Nadia, who finds herself in a cosmic conundrum when she keeps dying on her birthday, only to appear again at the party her friends have thrown her. Season two ups the time travel ante, as Nadia finds herself able to take a train ride into her family's past, where she hopes to set right the things she thinks went wrong.

Everything about Russian Doll is just a little odd. It's a complicated story... told in a tight handful of 30-minute episodes. (Season one is 8; season two only 7.) It's debatable whether it's mostly meant as a comedy or a drama. It's borrowing from particular existing story structures... and isn't afraid to tell that to the audience as it piles on its own strange twists.

What makes it all work is Natasha Lyonne. She's the star, the co-creator, often the writer, and sometimes the director. Russian Doll feels like it's speaking with one authorial voice -- and it's a voice I love. (I even mean that literally; her raspy, irreverent speech is one of the great charms of the show.) Russian Doll has really made me feel the need to go back and pick up Orange Is the New Black, and/or generally seek out all the Natasha Lyonne I can. (The more creative involvement she had, the better.)

I highly recommend season one of Russian Doll. Jumping off from Groundhog Day, it introduces its own clever spin on the "repeat the same day" trope, and also manages to reach a kind of message that isn't simply "be a better person."

Season two? Well... there no denying it's a big step down. It's inspired more by Quantum Leap, but the message isn't as sharp, the characters aren't as well used, and the story isn't as tight (despite one fewer episode). But Natasha Lyonne is still at the center, and she's still a delight to watch. I would never have fallen so hard for Russian Doll if this had somehow been the first season, but having already been sold, I was happy to watch more.

I'd give season one of Russian Doll an A-, and season two a B-. I think most of my readers would enjoy watching at least some of it... the question is whether to jump off after the first batch of episodes.