The Netflix comedy series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was an incredibly hilarious and charming show that still holds a place in the hearts of fans. The show was filled with endless laughs thanks to its absurd humor and colorful characters that fans came to love over the course of four seasons.
Not only was the show funny, but it was often a touching tale of these characters overcoming their personal struggles and making something of themselves. These journeys were often wild and ridiculous but moving as well. Looking at the first and last lines of the main characters, their funny and entertaining arcs become quite clear.
Reverend Wayne
"I was talking to my good friend God earlier." - "Fabulosity."
Kimmy flashes back to a time in the bunker when Reverend Wayne was telling the girls one of his obviously made-up stories. In an episode that explores an alternate reality to the events of the show, Reverend Wayne is shown winning the game show The Apprentice.
With his first line, Reverend Wayne is shown to be a pathetic liar who is very transparent despite what he thinks. The throwaway joke of his winning The Apprentice is likely such a gag by the show as well as a subtle jab at some of the people who may have been involved in that game show.
Cyndee
"Just beautiful, Sister Kimmy." - "Oh yeah, that's the spot."
Cyndee is one of the so-called "Mole Women" who is introduced complimenting Kimmy on the Christmas tree she decorated in the bunker. In the finale, she joins Kimmy on a webcam show to raise money to save Kimmy's home where they attempt to be sexy.
Cyndee's first line helps to establish the community the women in the bunker created and the fact that Cyndee is particularly close with Kimmy. Her final line shows that these women are still pretty naïve to the world, thinking that rubbing their butts together is something people would pay to see.
Gretchen
"We can't not tell, Sister Kimmy. The 'twouldn't be a secret. Duh." - "Oh no, I got bean juice on my modesty garment."
When Kimmy asks which of the women in the bunker is her Secret Santa, Gretchen reminds her that they cannot ruin the surprise. Gretchen also joins the other women on the webcam show and is just as awkward about it all.
Immediately, the way Gretchen speaks seems to suggest she is the one who has been most caught up in this cult. Her final line, similar to Cyndee's, is just a funny reminder that these women are still working on catching up to their current society.
Donna Maria
"Si, Happy Maids." - "You haven't seen me in action, baby!"
When the mole women appear on the Today Show after their rescue, Donna Maria explains that she was abducted by the reverend after being hired as a part of a maid service. In the alternate reality episode, Kimmy discovers Donna Maria slept with her boyfriend. Kimmy is shocked and insists she is "hotter", but Donna Maria begs to differ.
Her first line shows that Donna Maria was a bit of an outsider in the bunker and less naïve than the other girls. While her alternate reality story is fun, it is a bit of a lackluster finale for the character.
Mimi
"Well, you're certainly keeping it tight." - "Secrets are easy when you have no friends!"
When Jacqueline is getting divorced, she is visited by her friend and fellow divorcee, Mimi who greets Jacqueline with a nice compliment. In the final season, it is revealed Mimi is secretly posing as Jacqueline's supposedly artificial companion which she keeps as a secret to herself.
With her first line, Mimi is meant to be the example of a healthy life of a divorcee that inspires Jacqueline. However, she quickly unravels showing her incredibly pathetic life. By the end, her hilariously sad final line fits perfectly with her overall disaster of a life.
Mikey
"Hey Red, you're making me wish I was those jeans." - "I love you. And I wanna spend the rest of your life together."
As Kimmy walks by a construction site, Mikey makes a lewd comment to her only for her bubbly personality to make him feel bad about it. In the finale, he returns to Titus and professes his love for him, albeit with some strange wording.
These two lines show the amazing character journey Mikey goes on over the course of the series. He begins as a stereotypical sleazy guy who quickly learns some self-discovery. He then embraces his sexuality and eventually finds the man he wants to spend the rest of his life with.
Lillian
"You want a smoke? Her-on?" - "Good luck you honky sons of b******."
When Kimmy comes to see about a room for rent, she meets Lillian who assumes she is there to buy drugs. After a very public rant, Lillian is made the voice of the New York City transit system where she takes a colorful approach to the announcements.
Lillian quickly cements herself as an odd and rough-around-the-edges type of person despite also having a softer side. Her constant talk of the old days of New York City makes her position in the finale a perfect ending for her.
Titus
"Who the f*** is it?!" - "And of course, my husband Michael and our beautiful ethnic babies, Keitha Hernandez and Cape Politano- Andromedon."
When Lillian attempts to introduce Kimmy to her new roommate Titus, he greets her in a rather intense and unfriendly way. In the time jump during the finale, Titus is seen on the red carpet for his new movie while introducing his new family to the reporters.
Despite his first impression, Titus ends up being a great albeit eccentric friend to Kimmy and an all-around good person. That's why it is so nice to see him have a happy ending with his dream career and a beautiful family while still being over the top.
Jacqueline
"Thank god. Are you the dog masseuse?" - "If you think Tripp Knob is getting first billing above Greg Kinnear in the new Nom Nom movie."
When Jimmy brings home Jacqueline's shoplifting son, she first assumes Kimmy is there to give her dog a massage. In the finale, Jacqueline is shown to be working hard as Titus's agent, passionately arguing with her boyfriend who is a rival agent.
Jacqueline's first appearance quickly paints her as a very entitled woman who spends money on ridiculous things like dog masseuses. By the end, Jacqueline is an independent woman working hard for someone other than herself while also in a fulfilling relationship.
Kimmy
"Merry Christmas, sisters" - "Aww, fudge yeah."
The first scene of the show finds Kimmy in the bunker with the other women as she wishes them a Merry Christmas. In the final scene, Kimmy's children's book has been turned into an amusement park. As it opens to countless young fans, Kimmy happily exclaims her favorite "swear word."
Despite being locked in a bunker, Kimmy is shown to be the leader and most positive of all the women in the bunker. That positive attitude continues right until the finale as Kimmy sees the results of her journey and expresses her happiness in the most adorably innocent way.