Netflix's dark comedy show, Russian Doll, out now

[TheModestGun]

I really enjoyed this. Like damn this was good. Took me by surprise.

Now I'll be listening to Gotta Get Up nonstop for months. Entire soundtrack choices were great. Anecdotally when I played the track on youtube the pre-ad was an old, old 4:3 Geico commercial with a pig. That just made me laugh and had to share.

Awesome visuals too. As the episodes went on my jaw dropped more and more. I loved how Lyonne's hair always stood out from the rest of the colors. This show is a low key hdr treat.

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That was one of the first things that struck me about the show. The HDR implementation and color grading in this show was AMAZING. Whoever was responsible for it should get hired on WAAAY MORE projects. Wish more films had this quality implementation of HDR. So many movies have such a conservative HDR master.

 

[KarmaCow]

I watched the first episode and I didn't really have any urge to watch more after that. It didn't make me laugh and the characters/plot didn't do much for me.

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The show never really loses that overwritten quippy tone but it does give way for more genuine moments.

 

[JediTimeBoy]

Anyone else feel really bad for the main characters when

Spoiler: episode 8

they both realized that the other person didn't know who they were and they must have been in different timelines? After everything they had gone through together and then suddently he other person no longer knows who they are and they were basically alone again. I just found it heartbreaking, but at the same time they both realized that no matter what they had to save the other person which showed so much growth for both of them.

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Spoiler

I didn't. When they both realised, they also knew that they were in the endgame, and almost home. Of course, there wasn't anything to show that they would remember each other afterwards, but it's possible that they were both happy to forget each other, if it meant saving each others lives. The closest you can get to making a life changing sacrifice, in the context of the show.

Spoiler

The act that stood out to me, in relation to Nadia, was that even though she knew that time would reset, every time it did, she phoned 911, and let them know about the gas leak in Ruth's house. How many people would bother with something that "inconsequential" (in the context that time will reset and saving Ruth doesn't actually matter, as she will be alive anyway) ?

 

[Flow]

colleagues won't shut up about this, next thing you know I binged the whole series. great stuff, but I hear sex education is another big standout so that is on my list.

 

[RatskyWatsky]

That moment when

Spoiler

she kept falling down the stairs

in episode 2 had me howling!

 

[hibikase]

Netflix calls it "season 1", but are they really planning on doing more? The story arc seemed pretty self-contained.

As a matter of fact I kinda wonder why they didn't make it into a movie instead.

 

[Auberji]

My wife and I watched this over a few days and I loved it, Alan's story and realisation when he was talking to Bea that he needed help really hit me hard. The way everything twisted further and further, the way they made something like an empty room uncomfortable was just fantastic.

I genuinely hope Netflix never makes another season again. It's a brilliant one and done story, the drama of how they came to their solution was brilliant but having that as a thematic hook of multiple seasons probably wouldn't work for me.

 

[Batatina]

Just finished this last night. It was a fun show, not amazing, but for way better when Alan was introduced. I wish it went a bit further with the lore, but it was fine.

 

[StudioTan]

Netflix calls it "season 1", but are they really planning on doing more? The story arc seemed pretty self-contained.

As a matter of fact I kinda wonder why they didn't make it into a movie instead.

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When the show was pitched to Netflix they had 3 seasons mapped out.

 

[Tagesreste]

This is one of the best shows on netflix.

 

[Rust]

Amazing ending!

I'll admit - with all the video game references in there, I was expecting something like "She's trapped in a VR mystery game with no memory! If she misses a section, she dies and starts the level again! Oh look, Player 2 has joined!" Glad I was wrong. I'm not sure where they can go after this, but I'm keen for a Season 2.

 

[Deleted member 19626]

I really loved the ending but

Spoiler

I didn't catch at first that the outfits changed after they went through the tunnel becuase the time lines converged.

Happy the wife pointed that out

 

[Joshua]

I really loved the ending but

Spoiler

I didn't catch at first that the outfits changed after they went through the tunnel becuase the time lines converged.

Happy the wife pointed that out

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Yeah the red handkerchief on Alan and the white blouse on Nadia were intentional visual indicators. Very clever.

Spoiler: Ending Spoiler

I still don't understand why we see two alt-Nadias walking past Nadia-A after the merge.

 

[AniHawk]

Yeah the red handkerchief on Alan and the white blouse on Nadia were intentional visual indicators. Very clever.

Spoiler: Ending Spoiler

I still don't understand why we see two alt-Nadias walking past Nadia-A after the merge.

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Spoiler

we see nadia-saved-alan and alan-saved-nadia walking past the nadia who experienced the multiple timelines. i believe alan is in his save-nadia clothes too. i think it is an artful way to signify the two timelines merging into one.

 

[golem]

Interesting analysis of the show:

https://twitter.com/zinoman/status/1092448220482101248

 

[PhilosopherDirtBike]

Honestly baffled by people who want more explanation of how/why the loop is happening. Literally no way to do it without it being something super lame.

 

[Ging]

Just watched first episode, and it's bugging me... I've seen a game with this in a background. Damn memory!!!

It's eating at my head. I initially thought it was FF7, but it may be some old game we forgot he he

 

[Joeytj]

Started it over the weekend and finished it last night, and wow. One of the best Netflix shows in the last couple of years, and if it weren't for Sex Education, the best this year, although they're tied now, according to ME.

I was very hesitant about it because I just saw it as a spinoff of OITNB about Nicki (not that I actually thought it was one, just that it likely was going to be promoted as such). But was pleasantly surprised as a kept watching the first episode and was convinced to finish by the end of it.

It kept surprising me every episode and was glad by the ending. I suffer a lot from anxiety, especially existential anxiety, so this wasn't an easy watch, but Alan's story really got to me, as an early 30s Millennial who is afraid of taking chances.

 

[chrominance]

Interesting analysis of the show:

https://twitter.com/zinoman/status/1092448220482101248

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This sounds like a really loopy theory at first, but it turns out also maybe likely correct?

EDIT: This Vulture interview with Leslye Headland appears to be where the creators first learn about the Tompkins Square theory.

I really loved the ending but

Spoiler

I didn't catch at first that the outfits changed after they went through the tunnel becuase the time lines converged.

Happy the wife pointed that out

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This hadn't occurred to me as an explanation for that weirdness. I like it!

 

[Cabbagehead]

Great Great concept and show overall.

 

[RelaxedOtter]

What a great show. Binged through it in one sitting the other day, was a heck of a ride.

 

[Jadusable]

You have a gas leak!

 

[Neutra]

Really fun show. The music supervisor is extremely on my wavelength... John Maus, Light Asylum, Cults -- the indie rock hits of 2011. Good shit!

 

[chrominance]

Really fun show. The music supervisor is extremely on my wavelength... John Maus, Light Asylum, Cults -- the indie rock hits of 2011. Good shit!

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Someone made a fantastic music video once for Cults' "Do You Know What I Mean" and ever since I've been waiting for it to show up in the soundtrack to a show or movie.

 

[Red Liquorice]

I really enjoyed it, but I feel satisfied by the story and don't need another season.

See also: Westworld S1, Stranger Things S1.

 

[JadeGiveTwoRides]

I liked this a lot. Possibly my second favourite show of the last five years and I really hope that if there has to be more that it is not with the same premise.

 

[Joe]

Just binged this all on a whim last night. Loved it entirely. What a ride.

 

[Kaako]

Binged and enjoyed this as well.

 

[Razmos]

Watched the first episode to try it out, ended up watching 3, desperate to watch more.
I love love love the quirky style and the acting, and the music and concept and just everything.

The ending of episode 3 or 4 (can't remember!) In the elevator really was a great moment, unfortunately I had watched a trailer earlier (the only trailer I had seen) which showed

Spoiler

the guy was also in a death loop

So that lessened the impact slightly, if I hadn't seen that it would have been even better

 

[Yabberwocky]

I was really liking the show, but wow, after the ending of Episode 3 I had to binge to the end. I absolutely loved it. It was surprisingly emotional and touching, and the existential horror build across the season was great. I feel that it had the perfect ending, so I'm surprised there potentially could be two more seasons - but I suppose there can be multiple ways to read the finale.

Spoiler

I had assumed the timelines merged due to Nadia and Alan's clothing corresponding to the version of the character that still had their memory. I guess the timelines could be still separated, or fixed. I also felt like there was something odd going on with Maxine's character, so I can understand the theories that maybe she's in her own loop.

 

[chrominance]

Most of the stuff I've read lately (especially this Vulture interview) suggest that while the creators pitched three seasons to Netflix, it doesn't necessarily mean that's what would happen now even if Netflix gave them carte blanche. It sounds like the show has evolved significantly from the initial pitch and that the original plan may not apply anymore.

 

[NightShift]

You know a show's great when you watch the first episode at 11pm and decide to stay up until you finish it. One of Netflix's best. The lead actress is SO fucking amazing.

 

[Rendering...]

Watched the whole show over a couple days. Found it outstanding. The characters are a goddamned delight. So vividly drawn and acerbically funny.

I love the style, love the humor, love the mystery, surrealism, humanity, irony, tenderness, and insight. I can't say enough good things about the cast. 10/10 for sure. A gem.

 

[zulux21]

I'm irrationally angry at episode 4.

Spoiler: completely pointless thing I'm mad at lol.

Why would you have him holding a ps3 controller while using current gen footage #_#

 

[Rogue Blue]

I'm on Episode 6 and I'm loving this show.

Already one of my favorite Netflix shows. :)

 

[ilikesanta]

Shit was Great. Give Me More!

 

[CreepingFear]

I enjoyed it for myself. I don't know if it's one of those shows that you tell others "OMG, you have to see this". I'm fine keeping it to myself.

 

[meowdi gras]

One or more of the series' creators

Spoiler

really likes Fellini.

 

[Joeku]

I'm irrationally angry at episode 4.

Spoiler: completely pointless thing I'm mad at lol.

Why would you have him holding a ps3 controller while using current gen footage #_#

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If you're gonna license that footage, get the sound too. It was making pinball noises for Christ's sake! lmao

Fucking amazing show, though. Loved pretty much every second of it, and the musical choices were on point. Ending got me teary-eyed, too.

 

[zulux21]

If you're gonna license that footage, get the sound too. It was making pinball noises for Christ's sake! lmao

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Spoiler: I question if this is even a spoiler but it's about something in ep 4 so better safe than sorry :P

I was way to distracted by the controller to even pay attention to the game lol.
At least he wasn't playing co op with another person while only a single character was being controlled on screen.

I need to finish watching the show at some point. I actually haven't had time to continue past ep 4 yet lol.

 

[Joeku]

Spoiler: I question if this is even a spoiler but it's about something in ep 4 so better safe than sorry :P

I was way to distracted by the controller to even pay attention to the game lol.
At least he wasn't playing co op with another person while only a single character was being controlled on screen.

I need to finish watching the show at some point. I actually haven't had time to continue past ep 4 yet lol.

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Well there's some other game footage that is extremely "fake game made for tv" so you have that to look forward to. Watch the rest, it's fantastic!

 

[Siyou]

I have one question

Spoiler

Who keeps breaking into Ruth's home to make her feel like she has someone breaking in all the time??

 

[Joeku]

I have one question

Spoiler

Who keeps breaking into Ruth's home to make her feel like she has someone breaking in all the time??

Click to shrink...

Spoiler

It wasn't that she was actually getting broken into, just that she heard news of a string of robberies in her area, so she wanted to make sure the door was locked every time Nadia came in.

 

[Siyou]

Thank you for the reply!

 

[ArtVandelay]

Natasha Lyonne is batshit insane in real life (the Michael Rapaport story comes to mind), so she was absolutely perfect for this role. I love her thick NYC accent.

 

[Fou-Lu]

My feelings on this show are that it should have been an hour to an hour and a half movie instead of a short series.

 

[Nude_Tayne]

My feelings on this show are that it should have been an hour to an hour and a half movie instead of a short series.

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Agreed, although to be fair for a series it's pretty short (total of 4 hours or so). When I think back on it, it doesn't seem as though there was a whole series worth of plot to it, I agree. Saying it should have been just an hour is kinda ridiculous though.

 

[Fou-Lu]

You're right, an hour might be too short, but I do very much think it could have been feature length.

 

[Rhaknar]

Really liked it, Natadha is amazing, no idea how they make another season (apparently they pitched it as 3 seasons to Netflix)

 

[Weltall Zero]

Finished watching this with my SO a couple days back, we loved it. Alan's first episode was the only thing remotely close to a low point; compared to the utterly mesmerizing Nadia, he's pretty dull, so having an episode devoted to him after a couple episodes of her sparkling performance feels like such an abrupt downwards shift. Once they start interacting and you realize he's her perfect foil precisely because he's the "straight man", everything falls into place again.

You're right, an hour might be too short, but I do very much think it could have been feature length.

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Ehh... I feel this is unfair. After the first couple of episodes which feel admittedly a bit purposeless, there's not a second of wasted footage: everything from then on is meaningful to the story. I can't think of anything that could be cut without being detrimental to the whole; even those first few episodes' seemingly irrelevant repetition and aimless quests are necessary to estabilish the setting, and lull the viewer into the rhythm of a conventional Groundhog Loop story so the show is able to pull the rug under them later. "Feature length" implies cutting the running time in half and I can't imagine how one could do that without mutilating the story beyond all recognition.