Well, Russian doll is genius, because it hits the sweet spot - the thing most of Netflix binge-watchers' are suffering from: depression. Not judging, as I am definitely counting myself in.
So - two complements to the makers:
First, the details - maybe only my way of interpreting it, because each scene, each dialogue in some way explains depression and its roots in a dark, but simultaneously humorous way. For me it's of course first of all the time loop. Such a great metaphor for the ongoing fight against this feeling of being stuck with one's own feelings and feeling powerless against them. It's like you wake up everyday, hating your job, hating yourself, your body, your life and you feel like you will never find a way out. There is a great build up that reflects a typical depression: first, she feels annoyed, doesn't know how to handle it, there is pressure from outside (the knocking on the door), the guests and her friends who try to reach out, but she cuts them off, one by one, not willing to accept or to see a helping hand, no mirror for self-hatred, as nothing is relevant anymore when you are at the edge. And at the same time the one and only explanation of where the feelings are coming from: consumption (drugs) or lack of it (eating disorder), which are on the other hand just a consequence from missing one key thing in the characters' lives: love.
Second, dear makers of the series, thank you, for giving it a happy ending. For showing that getting and accepting help actually helps. For not killing one of the characters to give it an art-house murderous twist, that lots of producers love these days. Thanks for letting Natascha to get to the "smallest doll", the core of a matreshka, that explained where all the pain is coming from. Thanks for realizing, that with your audience you have a responsibility- maybe not to cure depression, but not to push people to the extremes.
That being said, I enjoyed it because I could feel it, not because of the bittersweet humor or well-played characters. I'd rather describe it as a reflection of my own face I stare at every day in the mirror - I look at it, I know what's bothering me, one day I can do something about it, another I can't. But at least I am aware of this ups and downs - this is what the series teaches you, and this is a good start, right?
So - two complements to the makers:
First, the details - maybe only my way of interpreting it, because each scene, each dialogue in some way explains depression and its roots in a dark, but simultaneously humorous way. For me it's of course first of all the time loop. Such a great metaphor for the ongoing fight against this feeling of being stuck with one's own feelings and feeling powerless against them. It's like you wake up everyday, hating your job, hating yourself, your body, your life and you feel like you will never find a way out. There is a great build up that reflects a typical depression: first, she feels annoyed, doesn't know how to handle it, there is pressure from outside (the knocking on the door), the guests and her friends who try to reach out, but she cuts them off, one by one, not willing to accept or to see a helping hand, no mirror for self-hatred, as nothing is relevant anymore when you are at the edge. And at the same time the one and only explanation of where the feelings are coming from: consumption (drugs) or lack of it (eating disorder), which are on the other hand just a consequence from missing one key thing in the characters' lives: love.
Second, dear makers of the series, thank you, for giving it a happy ending. For showing that getting and accepting help actually helps. For not killing one of the characters to give it an art-house murderous twist, that lots of producers love these days. Thanks for letting Natascha to get to the "smallest doll", the core of a matreshka, that explained where all the pain is coming from. Thanks for realizing, that with your audience you have a responsibility- maybe not to cure depression, but not to push people to the extremes.
That being said, I enjoyed it because I could feel it, not because of the bittersweet humor or well-played characters. I'd rather describe it as a reflection of my own face I stare at every day in the mirror - I look at it, I know what's bothering me, one day I can do something about it, another I can't. But at least I am aware of this ups and downs - this is what the series teaches you, and this is a good start, right?
