As I have said in previous pieces, one of the major reasons Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is a home run is the fact that even though the show takes place in a heightened version of reality, current events are tapped into and analyzed expertly. Some are looked at with ridicule, while others merely through Kimmy’s eyes, which are somewhat virginal. Either way, the analysis works like a charm. Far from falling for the trap of laughing at the sheltered character, the Netflix series confronts the cult survivor’s need to fit in and catch up with the world, and how society does not always meet Kimmy’s expectations. “Kimmy Goes to School!” challenges the romanticized idea that our protagonist has about educators and the school system.
At the beginning of the sixth episode, Kimmy is giddy about getting her GED; however, her happiness does not last long and is eclipsed by the current state of the public system. For starters, her teacher, Mr. Lefkovitz (played by Richard Kind) is a burned out, less than mediocre government employee who couldn’t care less about his students. In fact, he seems to be miserable to be in a classroom. Kimmy is initially outraged by the instructor’s demeanor and considers transferring to another class, but she is informed that there aren’t any others. In addition, the principal’s secretary lets her know that Mr. Lefkovitz is only a complaint away from losing his teaching privileges. With a heart as pure as hers, Kimmy doesn’t want to hurt the man, and decides that instead she can help him to fall in love with teaching once again. In her mind, of course, there is no way that Lefkovitz has always been a bitter man. As always, because facts are filtered through Kimmy, the margin of error is limitless.
In her quest to make Lefkovitz remember about what she assumes he once loved about teaching, Kimmy researches the man’s previous years as a teacher and even reaches out to a former student of his, who had mentioned the educator in his yearbook. What she expected to be a reunion that sparked the teaching bug in the instructor, however, turns violent and reveals that Mr. Lefkovitz has always been a neglectful teacher and a selfish human being, which is interesting to see since the show already provides contrast at pairing the man with Kimmy, who is as happy as one can be in spite of her 15 years in isolation. Here is when one of my favorite mottos comes in handy: “What is his excuse? ” For Kimmy, who is now finally understanding that sometimes things have no rhyme or reason, and that one cannot always find the upside of things or the good in people, this is valuable lesson to learn. This is her catching up, too.
Disappointed to learn that the teacher she was trying to help is beyond redeemable, Kimmy also discovers that Lefkovitz has been sabotaging his own career, as his dream is to be placed in a teachers’ lounge destined for those who are to incompetent to be in charge of a classroom. For years, he has been doing an increasingly abominable job, with the goal of being deemed obsolete. Accompanying this issue, which is both apt for comedy and drama of the most sophisticated kind, the school’s budget cuts play a key role at assisting the main plot of the episode, while the jokes pile up.
Because she is, in fact, unbreakable, and has the hunger to learn, Kimmy ends up being the one who schools Mr. Lefkovitz. Defeating all odds, the girl with the sunniest disposition on the East Coast and beyond, decides that the students need to team up and pass their GED exam. That way, their teacher will not be granted his dream of being demoted and kept in the lounge where he wants to be, while at the same time, they all advance. Albeit a tad rushed, the arc is tied together nicely. Kimmy having an impact in her own education, connecting to her own desires to progress, and showing reluctance at being defined because of her past, is all commendable. The world could, without a doubt, use some more Kimmies.
In the episode’s B-plot, Titus has decided to shoot a music video for his half-conceived song “Pinot Noir,” and he enlists Lillian to aid him. Though, it must be said that Titus’s storyline doesn’t offer too much in the form of subtance, the audience does learn a few facts about his and Lillian’s backstories; in addition, the music video is flat out, the funniest part of this episode. Tituss Burgess is the perfect triple threat, and Tina Fey and co. are exploiting his mad skills perfectly. The role seems to have been written for the actor.
“Kimmy Goes to School!” was yet another solid episode to form part of what, so far, is a pretty consistent and perfect freshman season for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Not only was the episode enjoyable, but it also made a point about he shape the education system is in. Comedy infused or not, the criticism is absolutely valid and, in many ways, stronger than the statements other shows have tried to make.
Highlights:
– Titus and Lillian’s “You’re in The Matrix!” alibi was pure perfection.
– Xanthippe is a rich brat, yes, however, she is not portrayed a a dumb one, which is refreshing considering how easy it would have been to take the more traveled road. I appreciate how the show manages to have her being a teenager without being a complete train wreck.
[Photo via Netflix]
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