Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 2 is finally here! Although we’ve had other great TV shows to watch in the meantime, there’s something unique about Kimmy. If you didn’t binge-watch the first season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt all in one day, I’m not sure we can be friends, but I’ll catch you up anyway. Kimmy Schmidt (Ellie Kemper) and three other women are rescued from an underground bunker within the first five minutes of the show. They had been trapped there by an insane cult leader for 15 years. After a man is interviewed at the scene of the crime and goes viral for being autotuned in “Bedroom Intruder,” he becomes known for having the catchiest damn television theme song you’ve ever heard. When Matt Lauer interviews the women, Kimmy decides to stay in New York City and start fresh.
With Season 2 of “Females are Strong as Hell” now in your emails, we wanted to share some amazing feminist moments from Season 1. You won’t be able to help but sing along at the top of your voice and embrace your best feminist self.
- The Theme Song
Yes, the creators of “Bedroom Intruder” are behind one of modern television’s feminist anthems. Who would’ve thought? “They alive! It’s a miracle! Unbreakable! Females are strong as hell.” Damn straight.
- On Not Being Rude
One of the “mole women,” during an interview with Matt Lauer, explained how she became a part of this underground cult. “Yes, I had waited on Reverend Richard a bunch of times at a York’s Steakhouse I worked at and one night he invited me out to his car to see some baby rabbits and I didn’t want to be rude so…here we are.” It’s funny and devastating at the same time, something Fey does better than anyone. Lauer responds, “I’m always amazed at what women will do because they’re afraid of being rude.”
- The Knockout
Kimmy’s first night in the city was going great until her backpack (with $13,000 inside) got stolen. She goes after it frantically and, of course, the guy she was talking to tells her to “chill.” As Kimmy proceeds to push him and then punch an approaching security guard in the face, it’s shocking because you don’t often see a woman do something like that. I’m not saying physical violence is good, but it’s refreshing to see a woman doing something so traditionally masculine. It’s a hilarious moment as well.
- The Rat
In a scene that references her time spent in the bunker, Kimmy talks to her captor and doesn’t believe him when he says that the world has ended. She’s unwilling to give up despite how much she’s suffering–shows just how unbreakable she is. I also like that she isn’t afraid to hold a live rat– something else that isn’t traditionally seen as “feminine.”
“Reverend Richard, I was wondering. The whole world was destroyed and everything died, right?”
“Except for all you dum-dums here, yes.”
“Then how come when I was cleaning out the air filter earlier, I found this! If all the animals are dead, where’d this rat come from??”
“Damn you, Kimmy Schmidt, I will break you!”
“No, you won’t.”
- On Childbirth
Jane Krakowski is hilarious as rich Manhattanite Jacqueline Voorhees. On her son’s birthday, she reminds him: “Buckley this isn’t your worst birthday ever. Your worst birthday ever was when you busted my genitals.”
- On Working from the “Outside In”
In Episode 4, we explore the idea of “working from the outside in,” and how this can positively impact your state of mind. We also talk about topics like power posing, plastic surgery, smiling to cure sadness, and more. Kimmy comes to understand, “I’m just Buh-breezing my problems!” She also throws another punch, at the doctor who’s about to give her a new face. She proclaims to the women in the plastic surgery office: “My friends, listen, changing your outside isn’t going to fix what’s inside.”
- The Construction Worker
In episode 5, Kimmy has a funny exchange with a construction worker that had me laughing out loud. She doesn’t understand his initial comment, and it’s just such a great moment.
Construction worker: “Hey Red, you’re making me wish I was those jeans.”
Kimmy: “Well I wish I was your yellow hat.”
Construction worker: “What?”
Kimmy: “It’s my favorite color. …did I say something wrong?”
Construction worker: “Alright, I’m sorry about the jeans thing. You made your point.”
Kimmy: “And my point is…?”
Construction worker: “That I say these things to women even though I got a mother that I love, and three beautiful sisters. Okay? Are you happy?”
Kimmy: “Happy, but nervous. My friend from Indiana is coming to visit.”
Construction worker: “Why do I talk to women like that? What are we doing here guys, I mean, big picture? Does the world really need another bank?”
- The Pep Talk
When her employer-turned-friend Mrs. Voorhees is afraid to divorce her husband and lose her lavish lifestyle, Kimmy drops this truth bomb: ” A thousand bucks a month sounds great until you realize it’s only $30 an hour.” “I was kept in a bunker for 15 years by an insane preacher. I thought the world had ended. I thought I would die there. But I survived. Because that’s what women do. We eat a bag of dirt, pass it in a kiddie pool, and move on.”
- On Giving Women Clothes
Kimmy hilariously and rightly isn’t impressed by super-rich “daddy’s boy” Logan Beekman giving her clothes for her birthday. He gives her a bandage dress of all things! When he says more presents are coming, she asks, “More clothes or like…some fun stuff?”
- The Woody Allen Joke
I love how Tina always makes jokes about people like Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, Sean Penn, and so many others. Xan’s real mother says, “Xanthippe Lanister Vorhooes if this is your idea of a joke then you belong in one of Woody Allen’s films because I sure am not laughing.”
- On Men Telling You What To Do
In episode 11, Kimmy overthrows the Spirit Cycle instructor and speaks to her fellow women: “Why do we keep doing this to ourselves? Replacing one stupid male authority figure with another, like Days of Our Lives replaces Roman Bradys. Is Christopher here really any different than Julian [her kidnapper]? Is he different than any guy who tells you he’ll make you richer, prettier, or safer if you just let him make all the decisions?” Amen girl. Amen.
- Kimmy Faces Her Captor
Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne is one of the vilest human beings imaginable, but watching him win over a jury was unfortunately all too familiar. Instead of staying away from her past, Kimmy demonstrates unfathomable strength by going back to the town she was kidnapped in. Not only does she face her captor in court, but she also goes back into the bunker to find evidence that will incriminate Reverend and put him behind bars.
All hail Kimmy Schmidt.
Photo: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt / Facebook
