Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Season 3 of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt opens with Titus (Tituss Burgess) washing up on shore, post-cruise ship career, and it’s more than just a funny moment for him to reject judgment from a “stupid sea pigeon.” It’s a way for the Netflix comedy to tell you he’s the star now.
Yeah, that Kimmy (Ellie Kemper) girl is around too, but season 3 shines the spotlight directly on Titus, and he more than delivers. Early promos teased his adventures in Lemonade-ing, (episode two) which is just about the only amusing spoof 13 months after the original’s release. And that’s not the only performance Burgess brings to life.
As Kimmy embarks on her college career and mulls over her divorce to Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne (Jon Hamm), Titus is busy figuring things out with his boyfriend, determining his next career move, and even helping Jacqueline (Jane Krakowski) with a mission in episode six that finds Josh Charles at perhaps his silliest.
While Titus is responsible for some of the best lines of the show (sorry in advance to anyone named Jeff), which isn’t quite new for this particular character, we’re also starting to see some — gasp! — growth for him as well. He’s learning that he does in fact have boundaries and tests exactly how far he’s willing to push them. More importantly, we start to see Titus realize he’s capable of making decisions based on other people’s feelings. I know! It’s a big time for him.
Though Titus has many “moments” this season, he’s not the only one. Kimmy too is growing up, Carol Kane’s Lillian is as wacky and politically-minded as ever, and Daveed Diggs is a classmate and love interest of Kimmy’s that gets more interesting as the season goes on. Plus, Laura Dern shows up to play a beautiful idiot on the brink of making a terrible decision in episode 3, and it’s not the only time Titus is called upon to serve as a distraction while one of his friends attempts to complete a ridiculous mission. But he is a pro, and the show knows this: when you need someone people won’t be able to take their eyes and ears off of, lest they miss one of his many subtle jokes, Titus is your guy.
For fans of his singing, season 3 of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt will make you feel very happy, and for those who get everything they need from Titus’s expressive eyes, you won’t be disappointed. While the show still revolves around the adventures of a woman adjusting to the world after being trapped in a bunker for far too long, it’s clear that Burgess is being leaned upon for more storylines, more screen time, and even more jokes, if possible. As viewers, its only natural to care just as much about what he’s up to and what he’s singing, and the comedy dedicates an appropriate amount of time to exploring that. He’s always been one of the most interesting people in Kimmy’s life, and now the show has wisely upped him from a seasoning spice to a delicious main ingredient. Just add it to the list of the many small ways he is indeed stronger than Beyonce.
