"This is not a laugh out loud show, but one in which you're in a constant state of lighthearted chuckling, knowing smirks, and smiling glee. Each episode leaves you with a satisfied thoughtful reflection of how silly our world is, and a refreshing hope that there does exist real Kimmy Schmidts out there somewhere who can not merely survive but thrive in it. The witty repartee and banter between characters is fast-paced and punches you relentlessly with funny observations in an almost neo-Moonlighting intelligently-designed chaotic sort of way. This makes the show fun because it's true to life in only an intentionally-absurdist design. It exists in the same alternate reality as the talented Tina Fey (actor, comedian)'s previous show, 30 Rock (TV series). So it's great to escape into its silliness. But it's smart and snappy, often creatively brilliant—rather than purely ridiculous for its own sake. Hidden in plain sight between each gag is pointed satire and biting social commentary that is swallowed easily because the show is simply funny. Its observations are a welcomed and refreshing skewering of modern life: religion, political correctness, cultural differences, pop culture, human nature, self-perception and deception, dating, celebrity, fame, money worship, ego, social media, mobile culture, youth and aging, beauty, education, sexual and gender politics, race relations, economic disparity, censorship, keeping up with the Joneses, white privilege, etc. You name it. If I could die and go to heaven, I'd surely enter the gates as a writer for this show and have the best time of my eternal life.
The characters begin the journey as types on a page, and then begin to develop into deeper and more complex versions beneath the surface. In a silly manner and tone, this is perhaps the defining theme of the show, that despite whatever cultural noise that surrounds and shapes us into stereotypical connected drones, we're disconnected from what matters the most. It speaks volumes in seconds, but achieves this so cleverly that it never feels heavy-handed; it's subtly obvious only because you are constantly amused and immediately relate to being in on the joke. Watching ourselves through the eyes of Kimmy Schmidt outside of the bunker reminds us how much we've lost our own naivety, innocence and even humanity in this technological capitalistic age. So it's with great pleasure that we follow this character as she struggles to be free and independent in a modern world that no longer embraces, celebrates, or encourages remaining yourself--thereby ironically revealing that we at least need as much rebooting in this brave new world as she does. "
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I wasn't sure what to make of the first few episodes but it got its groove and then I ended up enjoying it to see how it would unfold.
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