It’s only appropriate that Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt‘s second season opens with the gang celebrating Christmas, as the return of Netflix’s Emmy-nominated comedy is truly a gift unto us all.
Season 2, which dropped early Friday morning, cracks open the lovable nuts we fell for in Season 1, allowing us to experience their weirdness on new, intimate levels: Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) still battles an unquenchable thirst for Dong, while also attempting to forge her own path; Jacqueline (Jane Krakowski) remains on the hunt for a replacement husband (“Time to get more D’s than a kid with undiagnosed dyslexia!”), while also reclaiming her independence; and Titus (Tituss Burgess) is discovering the meaning of love… while also saving his paychecks for a dramatic box of capes.
Though the entire cast brings its A-game, it’s Krakowski who can’t help but steal the spotlight; her Jacqueline Voorhies White is even more enjoyable at the bottom (“Look at this view! If I can see New Jersey, that means it can see me!”) than she was at the top. Mark my words: There’s another Emmy nomination in Krakowski’s future, and if there’s any justice in this cold, cruel world, it’ll lead to a well-deserved win.
Another treat in Season 2 is Titus’ romance with Mikey, a somewhat-out-of-the-closet construction worker with a sincere appreciation for Tilda Swinton. Seeing Titus navigate the unknown waters of a — gasp!— healthy relationship adds yet another layer to Burgess’ character, already the angel food cake equivalent of a human being.
Of course, these characters aren’t growing alone. They come across a variety of delightful lunatics along their respective journeys, including Anna Camp (True Blood) as a nightmarish socialite with a dangerously high IQ, Fred Armisen (Portlandia) as Robert Durst, one of Lillian’s more *ahem* familiar exes; Doug Plaut (Daredevil) as the most uptight elf you’ll ever meet; and Zosia Mamet (Girls) as one half of a devious hipster couple bent on world domination enjoying some soul food.
Also worth a separate shout-out is Amy Sedaris, who gives Krakowski a run for her money as Jacqueline’s erratic frenemy Mimi Kanasis. A mere one-off guest star in Season 1, Mimi returns in full force this time around, peppering Season 2 with her inimitable brand of hysteria. (Her meltdown during the Mentos montage in Episode 6 is among the season’s most gif-able moments.)
OK, fellow Schmidtheads, let’s talk: How deep into your binge are you? Any favorite episodes or performances so far? Grade what you’ve seen below, then drop a comment with more of your thoughts.
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So no Xanthippe? I absolutely loved her Revenge-esque attitude towards kimmy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t worry, there’s plenty of Xan.
Meh, I’m disappointed that they brought back Dong. That relationship did nothing for me.
I liked him better than Logan, but ultimately liked the tutor the best. Not sure what happened re: his disappearance from the show itself, and haven’t watched this season yet.
I believe the actor who played the tutor got another gig. Well, I’ll start watching tonight, hopefully Dong grows on me. Hehe.
He was going to be in the Coach reboot which didn’t get picked up.
Jane Krakowski really is amazing. How she never won an Emmy across 7 seasons of playing Jenna on 30 Rock is just criminal. Let’s hope the Emmy voters correct that mistake and reward her now.
Speaking of correcting mistakes, although the show and two of the actors got Emmy nods last year, Ellie Kemper was snubbed. Geez. The name of the show IS Kimmy Schmidt!
Jane Krakowski is my personal comedic hero!!
That was so funny. This show deserves every award. The whole cast is simply amazing. And so are the characters. Even Lilian who I felt was a bit below the other characters in season 1 is awesome. Jane better win an Emmy for this.
Dong truly loves that woman!
Well I am officially bummed now. I binge-watched the whole season yesterday and now I have to wait another year for new Kimmy! But what a great season! Great cameos, great stories and Kimmy and Titus and Jacqueline and Lillian! The best part was who they got to play Kimmy’s mom!! Love this show!
Tina Fey’s Andrea was so good!!! Can’t wait to see who she plays next!
love love love this show! i hope andrea’s character is a permanent fixture in future seasons…everyone is so perfectly cast in this show! i think it’s the most quotable show out there!!!
Just finished the season. Soooooo good!!! Hope the next season comes quicker than the last.
In my opinion the second season is way less imaginative then season 1 and is simply shallow. Making fun of anything new, while not really being funny, repeating the same jokes or prolonging a one-liner into a 2-minute song. I guess the show had found it’s target audiences and the writers decided to dumb it down a bit, so that everyone could enjoy it. Well, you’ve fooled many, but it’s honestly painful to watch the show now, especially, because of how good the season 1 was. Now, every “protaganist” of the series deserves to be made more fun of than the “dumb” things Kimmy and crew looks down at. What a waste. Jane Krakowski is still good, but as of episode 7, the rest is just a pathetic bunch.