How about some short thoughts on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Personal Shopper, and Black Lightning? Let’s go there.
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
I did watch the final episodes of season 4 and of the series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. It kept me until the end. However, I can’t muster enough enthusiasm to write a full review of the ending of the series. Somewhere in the early part of season 4, the joke that every one of the main characters is a complete idiot just got old.
Carol Kane, Jane Krakowski, Ellie Kemper, and Tituss Burgess as the main cast stayed remarkably in character through all 4 seasons. For a few, brief, shining moments in episode 4.09 “Sliding Van Doors” they acted out a timeline of how it would have been different if Kimmy had never been kidnapped. That was a refreshing change in their characters.
One thing I did like about the final few episodes was the way they brought back so many people and guests who’d been there from the beginning or played an important part. There were a pleasant number of high profile guests seeing the series off to the final episode.
Personal Shopper
Kristen Stewart stars in Personal Shopper, which is why I watched it. She was the best thing about it. I found the plot hard to believe.
It wasn’t unbelievable because it was a ghost/horror story. It was unbelievable because it was a ghost/horror story that didn’t make sense. Was she haunted by her twin brother, who promised her a sign from the afterlife? Was she haunted by her own personal plethora of ghosts who appeared in every location she visited to drop glasses and slam doors? And what the hell was the text messaging all about?
Yes, Kristen Stewart is talented and she does a fine job with the material here. The film recently appeared on Netflix. If you watch it, let me know if you found it as annoying as I did or if you loved it.
Black Lightning
Black Lightning is full of comic book tropes and therefore a bit ridiculous. It’s also a powerful look at Black lives.
Cress Williams plays Black Lightning. His youngest daughter, Jennifer (China Anne McClain) is just coming into her powers. That’s them in the photo above. She’s learning to control her power and learning the difference between revenge and justice where using her powers are concerned. Black Lightning’s oldest daughter Anissa (Nafessa Williams) also has powers. Anissa is a lesbian. The series openly looks at her love life – and a Black lesbian storyline is rare on television. Anissa is also struggling with the best way to use her power.
Christine Adams plays the mother of these superpowered daughters. While not superhuman, she’s a brilliant scientist. Seeing the four of them interact as a family is one of the best aspects of the series.
Have you watched any of these? What did you think of them?
i’ve enjoyed all 4 seasons of Kimmy Schmidt. i liked every character. rather than think each was an idiot, i saw each as a personality type to the extreme: Kimmy naive and open, Titus wanting more than his humble beginnings, Jacqueline wanting to be seen as more than just an object and Lillian wishing for the days of her youth. we have all known these people. we have all been these people from time to time in our lives. i agree the show ran its course but it was definitely fun as it lasted.
as for Black Lightning, it is a superhero show so yes, it has the associated tropes. still, within in those confines, it tells a wonderful powerful story of Black families, Black lives and Black love, so rarely seen, even today, on American television. i just love it.
We need more shows like Black Lightning for sure. I think I got worn out with how over the top everyone in Kimmy Schmidt is. I understand your point, however.