These 12 television mothers are just downright bad moms

Lenora Vulvokov – Russian Doll

Her origin story: We don’t really know much about Lenora except what we see through Nadia’s memories. Chloë Sevigny plays Nadia’s mom in the Netflix darling Russian Doll. Through Nadia’s recollection, we see that Lenora is an out of control, mentally unstable, selfish time bomb. She is so volatile, in fact, that her therapist and friend has to save Nadia from her own mother when it becomes apparent her “quirkiness” was a lot more than just personality. It’s dangerous.

Her worst deeds: Aside from involving Nadia in her scams and hustles, Lenora instilled a deep, abiding mistrust in Nadia. Because her mother was so unhinged, Nadia learned early on that the people closest to her were not there to support or protect her, but to use her and possibly turn on her.

Even after Nadia landed in Ruth’s care, Lenora continued to turn up and wreak havoc on Nadia’s life with a lot of screaming, accusing, and breaking plates. Evidence of Nadia’s mother’s lasting influence can be seen in Nadia’s hair. A fleeting moment of kindness on Lenora’s part, the passing compliment of “you have beautiful hair,” leads to Nadia’s preoccupation with keeping it as natural and pristine as possible.

Where to find her: Lenora only appears in one episode of Netflix’s Russian Doll, but her influence is felt throughout. The show’s eight episodes really reflect on the existential problems of living and dying, and Natasha Lyonne is brilliant. Both she and Amy Poehler produced it, so you know it has to be something special. Go watch it.