Okay, so a few weeks ago, I did a retrospective on “Kimmy Schmidt” season 2.
But, since then, as I intended, I watched season 2 again. And I had some new brutally honest thoughts, that, in reading other articles about the seemingly impossible follow up to the nearly flawless first season, people seem to not exactly want to come out with.
Which brings us here, now. Here are some main points that I believe we should see in future seasons for the show to keep up to par.
As before, spoilers ahead. But really, hasn’t everyone finally watched it?
1) “Kimmy” vs. “30 Rock”
First, I’ve gotta say what’s common knowledge among people over the age of 30 who are very familiar with Tina’s other work: “30 Rock” is a far superior show, and arguably the greatest network comedy in at least the past decade.
Not that it’s a competition, but honestly: how many of “Kimmy”’s young, hip Netflix-ers are avid viewers of its predecessor? If they were, they’d understand where the following comments about KS S2 derive.
Tina Fey’s comedy is like nothing else because, generally, it is so spot on, it almost hurts, but it actually feels so right. At the same time, “30 Rock” is not perfect. Honestly, the last season or so’s comedy is a lot more like “Kimmy”’s: so spot on, it almost hurts, but the border between “OMG YAAASSS!” and “yikes” is not as finely tuned.
I will attempt to explain in the following explanations.
2) Kimmy Needs to Grow Up.
It became pretty painfully obvious pretty quickly: her whole big kid vibe is becoming less and less endearing, and frankly, annoying. I have full faith that, particularly with the therapy stint, this will be rectified. (Side note: I did not think that Tina’s character this season could be more off and too much of a parody as last season, but I was wrong. What’s with the Jekyll and Hyde therapist thing?)
Anyway, the innocent cartoon vibe needs to GTFO ASAP. I love Ellie Kemper. I didn’t think I could love Erin on “The Office”, but I really did. I get that she generally plays these kind of characters, but these characters knew how to be adults. And I also understand that she went through a very dark period of her life and is socially impaired, but it’s getting to the point that I’m questioning how the bunker premise belongs in a comedy.
Like her characters before, she has a dark side but compare Kimmy’s to Erin’s. Erin lived in foster care her whole life- we hear about some bordering on dark aspects, but it’s never morbid. Meanwhile, Kimmy’s story is pretty morbid. By the same token, it feels like, slowly, her issues are being resolved: i.e. the Velcro explanation and finally finding her mother. Even so, it’s apparent now more than ever, that the team may have bit off more than they can chew with the dark premise in a comedy world.
2a) Enough With the Mole Women
Seriously, I cannot even begin to explain the dread I feel when we have to catch up with one of the other mole women. They’re even less endearing than Kimmy at her worst. I get why they’re there, but I also don’t: they’re just kind of awkward and weird, and, quite frankly, the worst.
Luckily, it seems as though we’re done with Gretchen, who’s just a psycho b****, but Cyndee and her stupid gay boyfriend and her stupid overgrown baby persona and her stupid problems keep cropping up.
In the first season, they were totally necessary, and a little fun, but it feels like we should be done with them. We could bring them up every now and again, they could guest star seasons apart, but we do not need them as often as they’re returning.
2b) Done with Dong
Lol, but seriously. That storyline should have been put to bed, like, yesterday; and it kind of was, only to be awkwardly brought back, for some reason. I have nothing else to say here, other than no more, please.
3) Jacqueline Needs a Purpose
This one requires little explanation: I get that she’s stuck and just went through a huge life change (which seems a little premature as a way to kick off an early season,) but, if Jane Krakowski weren’t the comedy queen she was, I’d be completely disinterested. That said, she’s being totally wasted right now. She needs a new, significant storyline stat. Her being Kimmy’s friend and kind of boss is not working.
Sidenote: Xahn as a character was really developing. Let's bring her back, please.
4) More Tituss! But less Lillian.
Honestly, I pushed through for his storylines. I’m officially shipping Tituss and Mikey 5ever! This is Tina Fey prime writing. At this point, he may as well have a spin-off. His Emmy is imminent.
At the same time, the other sub-storylines generally went to Lillian this season. And I love her to death and I love Carol Kane, but I didn’t feel right. It was more fun when she was less accessible and her witty one-liners were a rare treat. Her beautiful comedy comes when she’s barely there.
5) More Fresh Story
I think I’ve been pretty upfront about this: this season felt like a sort of mid-life crisis. It was kind of unsure of itself since everyone was in transition (no, no, no.) Hopefully, next season will pack at least a passable punch to be like the first, but we shall see. This season felt more like a chore than a treat.
As I said in my original article, it is true that the season is not the same, but different, but I believe I also said that that didn’t make it bad. I retract just a wee bit: it is more than clear that this season is just kind of awkward, and, in years to come, will probably be that skippable one. Here's to the hope that moral will improve soon! It's got to, right? We believe in you, Tina and Robert!
