In “Russian Doll,” Natasha Lyonne Barrels Into the Past

April 19, 2022 5:43 AM

How the actress turned showrunner took on inherited trauma through time travel. [Spoilers for season 1 of Russian Doll] [New Yorker / Archive]
posted by ellieBOA (29 comments total)

Season two of Russian Doll out tomorrow!
posted by ellieBOA at 5:44 AM on April 19, 2022 [16 favorites]

I am cautiously optimistic for the second series. I thought the first series ended just vague enough to be both a satisfying series end as well as an open invitation for personal takes on what the show as a whole was about. I guess "satisfyingly enigmatic" is a good way of putting it. It will be interesting to see how they build off the first series.
posted by Thorzdad at 6:43 AM on April 19, 2022

I loved Russian Doll. It's the only thing I've ever seen on Netflix that didn't smell like formulaic commercial product. But having lived through downtown New York in the 80s, I'm the target market, so maybe it's just commercial product specially made for me.

There's a great thread on Fanfare about it, with lots of different perspectives. The interview adds a lot more, enough to make me want to rewatch season 1.

Really looking forward to season 2.
posted by fuzz at 7:11 AM on April 19, 2022 [7 favorites]

Leone originally wrote it as a three part story, the first season being the first part, so I'm very optimistic about how the story will link together in a (hopefully) narratively satisfying way, as opposed to some shows where they don't expect to be renewed and sort of throw things in at the last minute.
posted by fight or flight at 8:40 AM on April 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

Re-posting my own comment from a previous Russian Doll thread, just because I love this bit of trivia:

In a recent podcast interview [...] when asked about her distinctive way of talking, Natasha Lyonne explained that as a child she'd had access to a handful of VHS movies which she would watch over and over again. One of the movies she watched repeatedly was Rocky and she admits that the character's gruff, Philly tough-guy speak had a huge influence on her dialect and manner of speech.

posted by Atom Eyes at 9:19 AM on April 19, 2022 [9 favorites]

Leone originally wrote it as a three part story, the first season being the first part, so I'm very optimistic about how the story will link together in a (hopefully) narratively satisfying way,

This is really interesting to read, because for me the first season was a perfect self-contained story, and I assumed the second season, like most second seasons, was unplanned for and would probably undermine the first, to the extent that I’ve been avoiding reading anything about it.

Now I don’t know what to do. The first season is just so perfect.
posted by distorte at 9:23 AM on April 19, 2022 [7 favorites]

Natasha Lyonne Reviews Impressions of Herself | Vanity Fair
posted by ellieBOA at 9:49 AM on April 19, 2022 [7 favorites]

distorte, I am going to try and watch as many episodes as I can tomorrow (given that Derry Girls and Moon Knight are also out!) so will let you know if it’s worth a watch!
posted by ellieBOA at 9:50 AM on April 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

distorte, this interview might be comforting in that regard:

You initially pitched Russian Doll to Netflix as a three-season series. Do you still envision it that way?

In many ways, yes. I see it quite concretely, and it will be interesting to see what evolves. The beauty of the power of the writers room is that Alan (Charlie Barnett) was a very different character in the original pitch and pilot. Month two of the room is where he really came alive. Before then, he had been a whole variety of other figures and now, looking back, imagining that show without Alan is almost impossible. Because of that experience, I know there has to be space left open for something beyond my limited imagination in this moment to know if that is still where the series begins, middles and ends. Maybe it’s only two seasons. Maybe it’s four seasons. Right now, it feels quite clearly that it is those three.

What kind of early ideas do you have for season two?

I think where Russian Doll has been successful is that there’s a very clear sense of character in Nadia so that you can have very high-concept things happen to her, but they always feel earned. They’re backed by some sort of lived experience so they don’t feel like they’re floating in space or completely in the realm of sci-fi. From that perspective, I have some big ideas, and I think this show will continue to work so long as that journey continues to be interesting and worth watching and new. I want to be learning in real time along with her and along with our audience.

(Also, belatedly: *Lyonne, damn my autocorrect.)
posted by fight or flight at 9:52 AM on April 19, 2022 [3 favorites]

I am SO excited for this show to come out tomorrow, on 4/20 of all days. It’s probably good that I don’t have access to any Ketamine, otherwise I might be tempted to lace a joint with some to really get in the mood.
posted by wabbittwax at 10:28 AM on April 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

Dare I hope that Brendan Sexton III (who played the homeless guy) will be back for season 2?
posted by Flock of Cynthiabirds at 10:45 AM on April 19, 2022

I will say that if you wanted to rewatch season 1, it's totally worth it and holds up. I've rewatched it a couple times (thanks, pandemic brain, for being No New, Only Stuff I Like Already) and it's amazing how well it still works. I'm looking forward to 2, but like like distorte, also filled with trepidation, because I am not sure it needed that, but if Lyonne has this mapped out in her head, well, maybe it'll work. (I hate puzzle box shows with a fiery passion and just endured Severance, so I really hope it doesn't become just another fucking mystery box.)
posted by kitten kaboodle at 11:24 AM on April 19, 2022 [2 favorites]

I'm both excited by a new season (really dug s01) and, as others, a bit apprehensive. As noted, it was a complete and standalone thing that didn't appear to need any elaboration (see also: s01 of Desperate Housewives). That said, I like Lyonne and will be tuned in as of 4/20 (any thoughts on the launch date?).
posted by the sobsister at 12:38 PM on April 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

Season 1 is fantastic to rewatch; lots of lovely detail that isn't apparent the first time around, and the whole thing is such a beautiful machine.
posted by kaibutsu at 12:46 PM on April 19, 2022

I really enjoyed the first season. I also found some small bits of it annoying. I think that's mostly because the lead character is so similar to close friends but just slightly off in a way that felt jarring and hard to really believe. (But, also, you didn't have to call the dude "Horse." Can't we trust the audience to understand just a tiny bit of subtlety? Come on!)

I look forward to the new episodes.
posted by eotvos at 12:57 PM on April 19, 2022

I've been rewatching the first season since commenting earlier and can confirm: still so good. I still love Maxine ("birthday baby!") and that whole party setup makes me miss parties. And miss friends that I could hug and drink with.
posted by fight or flight at 1:23 PM on April 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

Also here's Natasha answering some questions about the ending of season one (spoilers!).
posted by fight or flight at 1:27 PM on April 19, 2022

(But, also, you didn't have to call the dude "Horse." Can't we trust the audience to understand just a tiny bit of subtlety? Come on!)

I am not a stupid man, but holy hell I did not explicitly draw that connection until just now. (Maybe I am a stupid man.)
posted by thecaddy at 1:35 PM on April 19, 2022 [2 favorites]

Oh, uh, one more thing…

From TFA

Lyonne is currently working, with the director Rian Johnson, on a “Columbo”-style crime show for Peacock, and it’s not hard to picture Lyonne, an avid Peter Falk fan, as the hardboiled detective, stalking the streets with a cigarette between her fingers and a wry expression on her face

HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!! Since I watched the first season of Russian Doll, I have wanted nothing more in my life than This. Very. Thing!!!! I want it now please.
posted by wabbittwax at 2:44 PM on April 19, 2022 [19 favorites]

Me too! The only thing I find more extraordinary than that other people spontaneously wanted a Natasha Lyonne Columbo is the fact that such a thing might be about to happen.
posted by Grangousier at 3:40 PM on April 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

What kind of car will Natasha Lyonne Columbo drive?
posted by CynicalKnight at 3:54 PM on April 19, 2022

Subaru Outback
posted by kokaku at 5:43 PM on April 19, 2022

PT Cruiser
Also, God I miss smoking.
posted by aquanaut at 5:53 PM on April 19, 2022

Holy crap. I've been saying for years that they should reboot Colombo with Leone in it. Just run the old episodes and don't change a thing except Colombo's pronouns. I'll take a Colombo-type show, though.
posted by rmd1023 at 5:57 PM on April 19, 2022 [1 favorite]

(Yes, I typoed "Columbo". And waited til after the edit window to notice it!)
posted by rmd1023 at 6:09 PM on April 19, 2022

distorte and anyone else on the fence about season 2, just episode one has gone in a different enough direction that I feel comfortable recommending it! Also I’m in France, I didn’t get up at 2am to watch it 😂
posted by ellieBOA at 4:58 AM on April 20, 2022 [2 favorites]

Oh, uh, one more thing…

Well played. Well played, indeed.
posted by notoriety public at 5:24 AM on April 20, 2022

Finished the whole season and I definitely recommend! Super well done, I made a Fanfare post.
posted by ellieBOA at 8:23 AM on April 20, 2022

Am 3.5 episodes into Season 2 after a Season 1 re-watch.

It is again excellent! And... There is a callout to Peter Faulk that I noticed during an internet-research-rabbit-hole session... (Which makes more sense)
posted by rozcakj at 12:33 PM on April 22, 2022