Author Topic: Russian Doll  (Read 2200 times)

Offline Redcap

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Russian Doll
« on: February 10, 2019, 11:58:31 pm »
Anyone seen this Natasha Lyonne and Amy Poehler joint on Netflix?

Excellent little series. Beautifully self-contained within 8 episodes. Very clever and darkly funny.

The simplest way to describe it is a 'dark take on Groundhog Day', but it's got a little more to it intellectually. Natasha Lyonne deserves an Emmy, probably.

Offline Peabee

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2019, 12:25:06 am »
It’s great, which is a nice surprise as the “groundhog day” premise made me wary as to whether they would have done it well.
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Offline Brian Blessed

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2019, 05:05:54 am »
I watched the first two episodes, and thought it was rubbish, and I love the repeat concept in a number of other things.

Of the more recent, Happy Death Day was decent, mainly due to the main actor doing an excellent job.

Offline Rhi

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2019, 10:08:49 am »
We watched it all in 2 days, and really enjoyed it. All along I was wondering how they were going to "end" it, and I was a bit underwhelmed with that. However it was always going to be a difficult thing to bring to a close. All in all, I'd recommend it. Natasha Lyonne is brilliant.
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Offline Redcap

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2019, 10:53:12 pm »
We watched it all in 2 days, and really enjoyed it. All along I was wondering how they were going to "end" it, and I was a bit underwhelmed with that. However it was always going to be a difficult thing to bring to a close. All in all, I'd recommend it. Natasha Lyonne is brilliant.

Yeah I agree. These time-travel concept stories are always going to struggle to deliver a payoff as satifying as the concept itself.

I thought episode 8 was fine, but episode 7 was a bit weak. The addressing past trauma thing is a bit hackneyed.

Still great though.

Offline disgraced cake

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2019, 10:55:43 pm »
Thought this was decent enough, would recommend it to everyone who flies through all the series  ;D

Agree with the comment below that the ending was a bit underwhelming. Imagine they'll do another series, which would probably interest me, but probably no more beyond that because I think it'd be pretty boring with a 3rd/4th/5th series.
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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2019, 10:41:04 am »
Thought it was really good. Interesting characters with a hint of Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes
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Offline Schmidt

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2019, 11:56:07 am »
We watched it all in 2 days, and really enjoyed it. All along I was wondering how they were going to "end" it, and I was a bit underwhelmed with that. However it was always going to be a difficult thing to bring to a close. All in all, I'd recommend it. Natasha Lyonne is brilliant.

I quite liked the ending.

Spoiler
The fact that both characters managed to get out of the loop, but at the same time the two versions of themselves that got to know each other so well might never meet again, was a bit of a happy but not really ending. The existence of those two realities open the possibility that all of the previous realities still exist too, including the one where Ruth was killed in a gas explosion, or where she shot Nadia in the back, which is also pretty sad. Supposedly multiple seasons are planned and I'm curious now whether they'll go with it, and whether we'll get any answers.
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Offline FlashingBlade

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #8 on: February 15, 2019, 01:08:32 pm »
Yeah was very watchable...for some reason reminded me if the Good Place but darker...

Offline classycarra

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2019, 01:36:15 pm »
Quite liked the look of this from the trailer, but worried it might be too gimmick related when I saw it was a full mini-season. After seeing the good reviews from people with good taste in here, I'd like to give it a go. Quite like Natasha Lyonne while having no idea where to place her or what I've seen her in.

Offline LovelyCushionedHeader

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2019, 02:27:38 pm »
Quite liked the look of this from the trailer, but worried it might be too gimmick related when I saw it was a full mini-season. After seeing the good reviews from people with good taste in here, I'd like to give it a go. Quite like Natasha Lyonne while having no idea where to place her or what I've seen her in.

The only think I know her from is American Pie but I'm also led to believe she is in Orange is the New Black.
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Offline Redcap

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2019, 10:05:02 pm »
Quite liked the look of this from the trailer, but worried it might be too gimmick related when I saw it was a full mini-season. After seeing the good reviews from people with good taste in here, I'd like to give it a go. Quite like Natasha Lyonne while having no idea where to place her or what I've seen her in.

Give it a go, mate. It's solid. Briskly paced. It's not a new concept but it feels fresh and well executed.

It never feels gimicky because there's enough humour, charm and intrigue to keep you going throughout. Natasha Lyonne is very charming. I don't think many people would say it's the greatest piece of art ever committed to celluloid, but it's light and fun with just enough drama to make you care.

I really wish they weren't making a second season.

Offline classycarra

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #12 on: March 14, 2019, 05:22:50 am »
Give it a go, mate. It's solid. Briskly paced. It's not a new concept but it feels fresh and well executed.

It never feels gimicky because there's enough humour, charm and intrigue to keep you going throughout. Natasha Lyonne is very charming. I don't think many people would say it's the greatest piece of art ever committed to celluloid, but it's light and fun with just enough drama to make you care.

I really wish they weren't making a second season.
Good shout all of this, cheers. Just sessioned this on long distance coaches while on holiday and enjoyed it.

Agree about episode seven too. I finished it think it was the last episode too, was so glad to find out there was another!

Hope any second series has a clear scope/focus/end date!

Offline rafathegaffa83

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #13 on: March 14, 2019, 10:29:21 am »
Give it a go, mate. It's solid. Briskly paced. It's not a new concept but it feels fresh and well executed.

It never feels gimicky because there's enough humour, charm and intrigue to keep you going throughout. Natasha Lyonne is very charming. I don't think many people would say it's the greatest piece of art ever committed to celluloid, but it's light and fun with just enough drama to make you care.

I really wish they weren't making a second season.

Yep not sure what they get out of a 2nd season

Offline TepidT2O

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2019, 10:42:10 pm »
It might actually be brilliant..

If you haven’t watched it, you have to give it to the end of the third episode...


After that, you’ll be hooked.
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Offline Barefoot Doctor

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #15 on: April 20, 2022, 09:28:26 am »
New season on Netflix today.

Offline The G in Gerrard

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #16 on: April 20, 2022, 06:35:51 pm »
New season on Netflix today.
Great stuff. Season one was quality.

Offline Schmidt

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #17 on: April 20, 2022, 08:06:55 pm »
I'll definitely have to re-watch season one first, can't remember a thing beyond the basic concept.

Offline TepidT2O

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #18 on: April 21, 2022, 08:50:53 pm »
Natasha Lyonne is a genuine bonifide genius
“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
“Generosity always pays off. Generosity in your effort, in your work, in your kindness, in the way you look after people and take care of people. In the long run, if you are generous with a heart, and with humanity, it always pays off.”
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Offline cloggypop

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #19 on: April 22, 2022, 05:41:22 pm »
I found this a bit full of itself.

Offline The G in Gerrard

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #20 on: April 30, 2022, 10:33:00 pm »
Natasha Lyonne is a genuine bonifide genius
Definitely. This was excellent. Binged on season 2 tonight.

Offline TepidT2O

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #21 on: April 30, 2022, 10:36:11 pm »
I found this a bit full of itself.
Yes, I could see that… but… it’s so clever with it….


This series doesn’t have the pay off of the first, but there’s still so much to enjoy
“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
“Generosity always pays off. Generosity in your effort, in your work, in your kindness, in the way you look after people and take care of people. In the long run, if you are generous with a heart, and with humanity, it always pays off.”
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Offline jackh

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Re: Russian Doll
« Reply #22 on: June 3, 2022, 10:18:57 pm »
Watched the last episode of this last night - probably found the second season a little more difficult to follow than the first, and enjoyed it less as a result, but I thought the ending offered a really good 'payoff' for that. Brilliant little show overall.

Also concerned that I'm an Alan...