The series follows a woman as she returns to her childhood hometown to deal with the unexpected death of her mother. Struggling with her own health and relationship challenges, she decides to reconnect with her roots to heal and move forward.
All of these memories, painful and enriching, give the series a density equivalent to many dramas. Yet One Mississippi never sinks too far into the muddy river water thanks to its buoyant bits of comedy.
It is the most enjoyable voyage into misery and despair you are likely to see this year. The comedic flourishes and talented cast, led by Tig Notaro, make this experience completely worth the tears.
A back-to-back binge of Notaro's Netflix doc and genius standup will produce a funnier, more emotionally resonant picture of the comedian's fascinating backstory than anything in the first few inconsistent and drab episodes of One Mississippi.
One Mississippi's pace and tone are casual and languid, but it's also similarly personal and surprisingly intimate. Tig has an openness that not only makes her an exceedingly likable presence, but one that feels truly knowable.
Mississippi... may not trend right away, but it's an example of how popular fare can inspire you to go off the main thoroughfare and discover some delightful, often neglected, treasures.
