Image edited with Canva

I recently finished binge-watching 30 Rock, and in search of more of this random humor, I wanted to rewatch Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix.

The show focuses on Kimmy Schmidt, a woman who was kidnapped as a teenager and lived in a bunker for 15 years with other victims and a crazy ‘Reverend.’ She moves to New York City and rents an apartment with a friend named Titus Andromedon from their landlady, Lillian Kaushtupper. She even finds a job helping the wealthy Jaqueline Voorhees and her kids around the house. If that’s a little too confusing, here is the trailer to explain:

I had forgotten how much fun it is to watch this upbeat and silly show. Each episode shows Kimmy and her friends getting into some adventure and is full of quick humor. The situations can feel very relatable, and very out there at the same time.

Watching the show a second time through, I have noticed a common theme amongst its events – remaining positive. Kimmy has been through a lot, but she tries her best to not let her past impact her present life negatively. She takes on the world with excitement and does not want to be defined by what has happened to her. She has her own strategies to help with this, like taking things ten seconds at a time, because “a person can stand just about anything for ten seconds.” Kimmy’s advice like this helps herself and the people around her as they go about their lives. She also learns that it is okay to get help from others, as she eventually starts therapy with a professional played by Tina Fey.

There are some other interesting plotlines scattered throughout the series, like Lillian’s fight against gentrification in their neighborhood and Jaqueline’s quest to change the name of the Washington Redskins. Each character has a unique story that makes their bonds and accomplishments all the more endearing.

Image from Variety

The show is, simply put, goofy, and should be watched with this in mind. I think that it is nice to sit back and have a laugh watching a show like this, especially right now. We all need reminders to have fun and enjoy the little things.

Since it has been a year since the pandemic changed the way we live, I find things like this to be even more important. It can be hard to promote positivity when things feel grim. Like Kimmy and the other Mole Women upon their rescue, there is now some light to be seen at the end of the tunnel. Things are looking up; over 70 million people in the U.S. have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine. 

No matter what 2021 throws at us, I think we can all take inspiration from Kimmy and look for the good in situations. That can make us unbreakable.