Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Season 1 Episode 9 Kimmy Has a Birthday!

Kimmy Schmidt is one of the most delightful gems on television at the moment. At its core, the Netflix sitcom is a charming encapsulation of joy told through the titular character (Ellie Kemper) who is an unbreakable survivor of molestation that was trapped in an underground bunker for years. The show is an embodiment of hope and Kimmy is its vessel. In episode 9, "Kimmy Has a Birthday!" the show takes an almost-musical arc as it explores Kimmy's birthday, which she has never celebrated before.

As the episode opens, Kimmy is counting down the days until her birthday, which she has never celebrated since the Reverend was her primary caregiver. She suddenly realizes that she has never experienced a proper birthday, and decides to throw herself a party. Her roommate Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess) and their landlords Lillian (Carol Kane) and Robert Durst (Fred Armisen) are hesitant, but eventually agree to help her celebrate.

As the party planning goes underway, Jacqueline (Jane Krakowski) drops a bomb that she has met someone who she thinks is perfect for her; he is from Staten Island, loves the New York Mets, and is wealthy. Over the course of the episode, Kimmy finds herself anxiously trying to keep everything together, while Titus tries to convince Jacqueline that this new man in her life is not the best fit for her. Meanwhile, Kimmy goes back to her former employer, Jacqueline, to see if she can get a job working as a party planner but things don't go as planned.

The episode features a standout sequence that has Kimmy dreaming of a "Where are They Now?" segment that takes us into the future, as Kimmy imagines what her life will be like years from now; and it it is done in full-on musical form, with the cast performing a musical number that would not feel out of place in an actual Broadway show. Kimmy is married, successful, and has adopted some of her bunker-mates' children. It is a fun sequence that shows the depth and range of the show.

The episode's emotional core comes when Kimmy's father, who she has not spoken to since being rescued from the bunker, comes to town, pretending to be a rabbi. In a heartbreaking moment, Kimmy doesn't recognize her own father and assumes he is there to do something nefarious. It is an important moment that highlights some of the real-world issues many survivors of abuse and kidnapping have to face with family members and their trust.

Jane Krakowski and Tituss Burgess provide their usual supporting brilliance, with Robert Durst's oddities adding to the humor. The episode is one of the standout episodes of the season, making full use of the cast's talents, and showing off how versatile the series can be.

Overall, "Kimmy Has a Birthday!" is an engaging and enjoyable episode of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. It is one of those rare episodes in sitcoms that can stand on its own and still provide a lot of entertainment value. It features both emotional and comedic beats while giving us a glimpse of how far Kimmy has come since being rescued from the bunker. The episode is a fun-filled, musical celebration of Kimmy's first birthday party that will definitely leave a smile on your face.