After watching “Russian Doll,” the song “Gotta Get Up” will probably become stuck in audiences’ heads. This underrated ’70s gem by Harry Nilsson is the first thing that Nadia (Natasha Lyonne, “Orange is the New Black”) hears when she “restarts” in her death loop. The series is co-created by a female powerhouse team comprised of Lyonne, Amy Poehler (“Parks and Recreation”) and Leslye Headland (“Bachelorette”). This eight-episode dramedy has many unpredictable twists throughout its first season.

The premise of the show is about a woman who dies repeatedly on her 36th birthday. The initial humor is in the outrageous deaths that she suffers. The writers were most definitely influenced by the 1994 classic “Groundhog Day” and the new horror franchise “Happy Death Day” by making their character relive the same day.

“Russian Doll” is a sci-fi fan’s “binge-watching” dream due to its intelligent cliffhangers. Lyonne’s performance is top-notch as she goes from a sarcastic narcissist to an understanding caregiver. She even wrote key episodes that drew upon personal experience. Lyonne’s devotion to the role pays off, and it would be shocking if she does not get nominated for an Emmy.

Another great element of the show is the diverse soundtrack. The tracks were carefully selected to fit the ever-changing tones of the production. The dialogue is free flowing with numerous pop culture references, and the show never feels stale or repetitive because new details can be found after multiple viewings.

The writers touch upon numerous themes that affect the main characters. These include self-destruction, mental illness and toxic relationships. Nadia is a troubled woman who has issues attaching to anyone, brought on by a tough upbringing with her unstable mother (Chloe Sevigny, “Lizzie”), and as is customary for this genre, Nadia does her best to re-evaluate her life and make amends.

The first few episodes do a great job at setting the frame for the plot. Eventually, the story builds to a mind-bending climax. The series wanted to highlight the importance of depending on others for support and love. The writers understood that even one act of kindness could make someone’s day. There are plenty of religious undertones featured, including immortality and guardian angels. The concept of self-approval is troubling for the characters in the show to accept. The focal point of the show is Nadia’s evolution regarding personal connections.

“Russian Doll” plays with the boundaries of time to an extreme, which allows for a highly innovative story with tons of experimentation. The only negative aspect of the show is Nadia’s incredibly irritating friends Maxine (Greta Lee, “Chance”) and Lizzy (Rebecca Henderson, “Westworld”). Lyonne, Poehler and Headland have two more seasons in mind to further their universe. Hopefully, they do not go into a sophomore slump and produce more quality loops for Nadia.

Image from Netflix via YouTube