Russia Doll Season 1 Review: Deja Vu All Over Again

"Russia Doll" recently dropped on NetFlix. It stars Natasha Lyonne from "Orange Is The New Black". Created by Lyonne, Amy Poehler (producer) and Leslye Headland (writer/director).

It's the story of a woman who is not living her best life. She hates most people, drinks and does way too many drugs and is generally miserable. It's her 36th birthday and her besties have thrown her a big party.

Nadia dies during the party but SURPRISE. She wakes up again in the bathroom just to start the same day over again... only to die in yet another bizarre way. Rinse and repeat. Along the way she meets a kindred spirit, Alan. They attempt to figure how, what and why this is happening.

Will Nadia learn anything from this experience? She has lots of s%^t to dealt with (including the early death of her mentally ill mother). Will Nadia end up changing her life for the better? Is she stuck in an alternate universe? Will Oatmeal the Cat finally make it home? Only time will tell. A season 2 has been hinted at but thus far has not been confirmed.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). "Russia Doll" is an interesting take on the same day over again scenario. Think of it as an updated "Groundhog Day" or "Scrouged". Natasha Lyonne is a compelling presence. Trying to figure out what this karmic cycling means is fun. And with only eight episode total, it's a quick watch.