Summary
Mythic Questseason four has returned right alongsideSeveranceonApple TV+.With both shows dealing more or less in numbers on computer screens,Mythic Questargues that career advancement is the antidote for terminal cases of the Mondays. As such,Mythic Questis a joyously human counter toSeverance’s theatre of the absurd.
For a series that depicts two worlds,Severanceoffers up a consistently grim tone between both. There are no two ways about it; Apple TV+‘sSeveranceis a bleak, unsettling program. It’s also thrilling, it’s always quirky, and at times it’s downright funny. Still, it is not a comedy. It’s a prestige workplace program that manages to balance dark and complex themes with humorous bouts i.e. HBO’sSuccession, thoughSuccession’s punchlines were gut-busting as opposed toSeverance’s more cheeky asides.Severanceisa lot of funand mirrors our own society in many ways, but most Americans work in office settings very similar to the ones at Lumon (minus the goat pasture). That relatability could also make the show horribly disturbing to watch.
Meanwhile, Apple TV+’s other running workplace series is downright funny, always quirky, and sometimes thrilling.Mythic Quest is a comedy. The show is co-created by Rob McElhenny and Charlie Day ofIt’s Always Sunny In Philadelphiaand features McElhenny as Ian, the titular game’s director, as well as Danny Pudi fromCommunityas Brad, the diabolical head of monetization. WhereSeverancepeppers moment-to-moment giggles cutting itsheavy, foreboding allegory,Mythic Questemploys earnest and heart-wrenching pathos to deliver knock-out gags, reminiscent of the aforementionedCommunity. Charlotte Nicado also delivers a standout performance as Poppy Li, Ian’s geeky Australian co-director.
Speaking ofCommunity,Mythic Quest’s other co-creator, Meagan Ganz, is a veteran writer from the Dan Harmon-led NBC show.MythicQuestreally lets its Greendale flag fly in ‘Everlight’, a special episode that sees the office host its annual sword-and-shield role-playing tournament. It includes deep character exploration, practical set transformations and CGI cutscenes - elements which should besweet music forCommunityfanswho loved the ‘Modern Warfare’ paintball episode.
Severance’s Future
Internetfan theories are predictably ablazeconcerningSeverance’s unpredictable narrative path. Lumon’s aims are shady, its board is faceless, and its goats are as disturbing as any goat that’s ever yelled like humans yell. Still, the show’s gray-tinted monochrome masks a clear duality: the mega-corporation is oppressive, and its workers are subjugated. It will be interesting to see if the show continues toexplore existentialism as intentionallyas it did in season one or if it instead focuses more on the plot’s mysteries.
One thing is for sure;Severanceis just as creepy as it was three years ago. In the first episode of the new season the gang is sequestered in a room with Milchick. They watch a troublesome video recapping their revolt and are assured that their efforts have benefited the company and haven’t gone unnoticed. At the end, they’re promised that “Lumon is listening.” This disguised messaging is part of what makes the show’s mystery captivating and promises more intrigue moving forward.
Season one left fans witha bunch of questionsthat the first few episodes of Season 2 only followed with more questions. What’s Ms Cobel’s motive? What is Cold Harbor? Why won’t anyone help Natalie? Her smile is being pulled by invisible fingers, she clearly needs help. Lumon is a very spooky company and makes for a viewing experience that’s at times chilling. On the other hand,Mythic Questis a Technicolor love-letter to imagination and fulfillment in the workplace.
Mythic Quest’s Future
MythicQuesthas set the stage for a handful of Apple TV+’s yet-growing pantheon of highly produced shows. BeforeSeveranceran full-sprintthrough the stark white labyrinth of bureaucracy’s void,Mythic Questadventured audiences through the hierarchy of the gaming design industry. Before Sylvia crawled back to Will in Apple TV+’s aptly named comedyPlatonic, Ian consolingly cradled Poppy Li inMythic Quest’s celebrated Quarantine episode.
Mythic Questblazed trails for a number Apple TV+ comedies, yet it sits firmly behind each of them via in-app ratings. Following its season 4 premiere,Mythic Questachieved a ranking high of number six on Apple TV+’s top 10 list. ThoughMythic Questis struggling to chart, it’s currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes compared toSeverance’s 97%. Critics agree,Mythic Questindeed deserves more viewers.
Mythic Questwon’t weave a narrative web as complicated as its sister show, but its jokes are every bit as left-field and right-brained asSeverance’s twists. Season four shocked audiences with notorious virgin Poppy Li gaining a hunky boyfriend to Ian’s platonic chagrin. It remains to be seen how Ian and her touchy relationship handles the development.
Apple TV+ is currently delivering a strong pair of programs andMythic Quest’slow-stakes fun is a perfect palette cleanse followingSeveranceeach week.Mythic Questis quintessential prestige content and has earned its position as the perfect follow-up toSeverancein AppleTV+’s one-two punch of a Winter programming knockout.
