With the amount of content that streaming services churn out on a daily basis, it’s only natural that some shows to fall out of view. Mythic Quest was one such show for me. From the creators of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, this series about a madcap company of video game designers, creators, and testers, feels like something I should have gotten into a lot sooner than I did. And after spending a weekend binging every episode, I’ve quickly come to realize that this might be one of the best things on television.
So with that being said, here are six reasons why I think you need to be watching Mythic Quest on Apple TV Plus.
1. Family Dysfunction With a Heart
First off, the obvious. This is a comedy. But it’s a comedy with a heart. Unlike the manic insanity of It’s Always Sunny, Mythic Quest takes a more heartfelt route, delving into character backstories, emotions, and relationships. You might be left questioning, “How on earth does anyone work here?”, or “Does anyone ever get any work done?”, but you will also be left shedding a tear or two every now and then.
This is the dysfunctional office family that we can all relate to. The stressed-out father, the odd and slightly racist grandfather, the quarreling siblings, the strange cousins, it’s all there, and that’s what makes it work so well. With every episode, you will find yourself increasingly drawn to everyone, and laughing out loud, keeping you engaged, and eager to find out what the next crisis and adventure will be. It doesn’t matter if you have no knowledge of the video game industry, or whether or not you’re a gamer, as long as you’ve had to deal with family drama, or even workplace drama, you will find yourself looking at this, laughing, and going, “It’s so painful, but it’s so true!”
2. One Off Backstory Beauty
With every season, creators Charlie Day, Megan Ganz, and Rob McElhenney take a chance and deliver one episode, set completely apart from the rest of the series, which dives deep into the backstory of certain characters, or even of the office itself. What sets these episodes apart is the incredibly moving and earnest stories they deliver.
When I saw the first installment of one of these side stories, I was left feeling confused, as it felt like a completely different show. But then, when you eventually realize where it’s leading, everything suddenly starts making sense. That’s the genius of it. It allows us to step out of the Mythic Quest office for a moment and go on a brief but inspiring journey.
That first story, that delves into the history of their office space, deserved to win an Emmy. Jake Johnson and Cristin Milioti’s story of love and heartbreak, feels like an homage to 500 Days Of Summer. Everything from the intricate story telling, to the way it was shot, made the episode an absolutely stunning watch.
3. It’s All in the Details
The amount of attention that the writers have put into these scripts is truly something to be marveled at. Big or small, almost everything here is intricately connected. Be it the introduction in Season 2 of characters who were casually mentioned in Season 1, right down to a mug on a table, nothing happens without reason. Nothing is unconscious.
One great example this would be the video game company and the characters that were created from the Johnson/Milioti story that I talked about previously. What you assumed to be throwaway elements from a filler episode, were suddenly all around you, in every corner of every episode. It might be the company’s logo on a mug, or a poster of the video game hanging in the background, or even someone watching an ad for the popular game series. The way the writers have carefully placed these little easter eggs just make you want to rewatch it over and over in order to rediscover everything you might have missed the first time.
I’ve only seen this successfully pulled off one other time, and that was in the landmark series Community. So having the opportunity to see this level of penmanship again is such a delight.
4. The Inspiration That Is Poppy Li
The gaming industry is massive and all around us, and yet, its coders and creators are largely neglected. Which is why having a full-blown series that’s dedicated to these incredible talents is something to be admired. And not only that, lead engineer and co-creative director of Mythic Quest, Poppy Li, is also an inspiration for girls and women everywhere. For every naysayer who may have told them otherwise, Poppy is pure proof that with dedication, hard work, and that little drop of manic behavior, you can achieve anything you set your mind too, even in the most testosterone filled environments. (And then there is also the anger and chaos of Jo, who is inspirational in a completely different way.)
5. Ensemble Work at It’s Finest
The entire cast of characters are just a delight to watch. This is very much an ensemble comedy, with even the minutest of characters getting their own time in the spotlight. They are treated with so much respect by the writers that you never feel that anyone is left out. So much so that you often find yourself wondering where that character you’ve only met for five minutes had disappeared to. (I’m looking at you Tall Paul).
Everyone works so unbelievably well together and that’s what makes this family dynamic work. When actors genuinely treat each other with respect and love, it naturally translates across onto the screen as well. Surely their petty fights, glaring disagreements, and frustrating lack of communication is what family is all about. They may not agree with each other all the time, but nothing comes in the way of how much they love and care for one another, and that is what makes this series stand out over other comedies. (I’m sure fans of The Office would disagree. Fight me on this. Do it.)
6. It’s Just Very Smart and a Lot of Fun
Mythic Quest is just pure fun through and through. A series that you can put on at the end of the day and wash all your stresses away. The writing on this show is top class, and it does more than just keep you laughing, it also engages you intellectually. Witty, smart, and heartfelt, Mythic Quest ticks all the checkboxes that make for a great sitcom. This is one that I hope keeps going. (Seven seasons and a movie?)
At the end of the day, Mythic Quest may give you some insight to the gaming industry, but where it truly shines is as a reminder of the power of family, both at home and at work. That’s what I love about it. All the drama, all the love, all the pain and laughter. This is the family I would gladly keep in my life, no matter how dysfunctional they may be.
Follow Us