Netflix's Russian Doll: What Does The Ending Really Mean?

Russian Doll released on Netflix to acclaim both instant and universal. Fans and critics alike have been going орешки for the series, which comes from creators Natasha Lyonne, Amy Poehler, and Leslye Headland, and stars Lyonne herself in the lead role.

Like a mash-up of Groundhog Day and Happy Death Day, the show has a time loop narrative structured around the death of Nadia, a 36-year-old New Yorker who is fatally hit by a car after leaving her birthday party, becoming trapped in the same period and forced to relive the party over and over again. Halfway through, Russian Doll pulls off its first major twist, with the reveal that there's another person - Alan (Charlie Barnett) - going through the exact same thing.

From there, their lives intertwine as they attempt to figure out just what is going on with them, and how they can possibly stop it. With great lead performances from Lyonne and Barnett, Russian Doll is a wickedly smart, expertly crafted, and often hilarious look at life, death, and what lies in between. It's early days, but this is the bar for Netflix Originals in 2019.

With just eight half-hour episodes, it's not long before you've binge-watched your way to its conclusion, which manages to be thrilling, surprising, confusing, and satisfying all at once - but what exactly does it all mean?

Contains MAJOR spoilers for Russian Doll Season 1.