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Home - TV Shows - Russian Doll: Season 1, Episode 1 “Nothing In This World Is Easy” [Series Premiere] – Recap/Review (with Spoilers)

Russian Doll: Season 1, Episode 1 “Nothing In This World Is Easy” [Series Premiere] – Recap/Review (with Spoilers)

Russian Doll is for those who like NY/LA indie comedies and wished those kinds of characters got to be in their own TV show.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted onFebruary 1, 2019 1:15 PMMarch 28, 2020 10:53 AM Hours Updated onMarch 28, 2020 10:53 AM
Russian Doll title card.

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.


Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.


  • The Introduction
    • Question(s) Left Unanswered
  • [adinserter name="Box Ads"]
  • On The Fence
    • So – Much – Sarcasm & Eccentricity
  • First Impression: Mixed (Stick Around)
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Russian Doll is for those who like NY/LA indie comedies and wished those kinds of characters got to be in their own TV show.


[adinserter name=”General Ads”]

Network
Netflix
Creator Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, Amy Poehler
Director(s) Leslye Headland
Writer(s) Natasha Lyonne, Leslye Headland, Amy Poehler
Air Date 2/1/2019
Genre(s) Fantasy, Comedy
Good If You Like Sarcasm

The Groundhog Day Narrative

Isn’t For You If You Don’t Find Natasha Lyonne Funny
Introduced This Episode
Nadia Natasha Lyonne
Mike Jeremy Bobb
Maxine Greta Lee
Ruth Elizabeth Ashley
Lizzy Rebecca Henderson
John Yul Vazquez

[adinserter name=”In Article”]

The Introduction

On Nadia’s 36th birthday, things are a little bit crazy. She sleeps with this decent guy named Mike, who is a good conversationalist and hasn’t much of an issue with anal play. Then, not too long after calling him an Uber, she sees her cat and is hit by a car. However, she doesn’t die. Instead, she ends up right back in the bathroom, where the episode began. Naturally, this freaks her out a bit, but she decides not to let it mess up her evening, so she smokes a coke laced joint with her friend Max. This is followed by talking to this therapist friend Ruth, Lizzy as well, and even her ex John, who seems to be going through a slightly nasty divorce.

But, despite changing her timeline, she dies again. It’s just this time, rather than being hit by a car she drowns. Making the only thing which seems to be screwing her over is her cat Oatmeal that has been gone three days, and seemingly, repeatedly, will be the death of her.

Question(s) Left Unanswered

  1. What’s the trigger for this loop?

[adinserter name=”Box Ads”]

On The Fence

So – Much – Sarcasm & Eccentricity

Nadia questioning why Max called her a cockroach?
Nadia (Natasha Lyonne): Why would you call me a cockroach?

Pretty much, if you know Natasha Lyonne’s work, there is absolutely nothing new here. The character she plays is of the ilk of many others, just with a slightly different background. This means sarcasm is as turned up as it goes, she is a bit crude and you’ll either love it or hate it. When it comes to Lyonne, I don’t think there is any middle ground.

But, what doesn’t really help is there isn’t that one character you’re made to latch onto if you aren’t into her character. Maxine is this weird, artsy chick, Lizzy is a lesbian dating a 22-year-old, Mike doesn’t say or do anything noteworthy, and neither does Nadia’s ex, John. If anything, they all seem like characters from an indie movie you never heard of mashed together into one show. Which, combined with Lyonne and Amy Poehler’s comedic style, makes them for someone of eclectic taste.

First Impression: Mixed (Stick Around)

To enjoy Russian Doll, you will need to like characters and shows which are a bit off-beat. The reason I say that is, this isn’t the kind of show which you can just recommend to anyone and everyone. Not to imply this show is geared towards a specific audience, but it is the kind of show you’d imagine having low ratings but a rabid fan base. Primarily because, thanks to the kind of characters it features being those who usually would have supporting or bit parts, it feels fresh and new.

[adinserter name=”General Ads”]

Which is why this is being labeled mixed. If I’ve learned anything from watching Amy Poehler shows is that they are weird from the start, but the characters have the potential to grow on you. It takes some time, and maybe a little effort from you, but once you allow yourself to get the character, pursue understanding them, then you find the funny. However, at first, they may seem like they are made for a niche audience that you have no means of describing.

John (Yul Vazquez) talking to Nadia.
John (Yul Vazquez)
Lizzy (Rebecca Henderson) in the bathroom with Nadia.
Lizzy (Rebecca Henderson)
Maxine (Greta Lee) asking Nadia if she is enjoying her birthday party - that Maxine arranged.
Maxine (Greta Lee): Are you having fun?
Mike (Jeremy Bobb) having a chat with Nadia after they had sex.
Mike (Jeremy Bobb)
Ruth (Elizabeth Ashley) arriving fashionably late for Nadia's party.
Ruth (Elizabeth Ashley)

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Listed Under Categories: TV Shows

Related Tags: Amy Poehler, Comedy, Elizabeth Ashley, Fantasy, Greta Lee, Jeremy Bobb, Leslye Headland, Natasha Lyonne, Netflix, Rebecca Henderson, Russian Doll: Season 1, Yul Vazquez

Amari Allah

Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been writing reviews since 2010, with a focus on dramas and comedies.

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