DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Mythic Quest episode “Crushing It” has spoilers. Proceed at your peril. 

FIREBALL! Mythic Quest‘s third episode of the season is a hoot and a half (I feel like that’s something Sue would genuinely say). “Crushing It” explores new character dynamics while bursting at the seams with fun running gags, delightful performances and the show’s signature brand of workplace comedy zaniness. Of course, Mythic Quest snagging a film adaptation and David serving as executive producer will surely yield hilarious fruit down the line. I can’t wait to see Ian’s reaction to this news. 

Ready to delve into “Crushing It”? Let’s get to it. 

RELATED: Mythic Quest Recap: (S03E02) Partners

We open with David (David Hornsby) making an announcement in his office. He ushers in Carol (Naomi Ekperigin) and Jo (Jessie Ennis), and the latter records the momentous occasion. David even invites Brad (Danny Pudi) to join the “meeting.” David reveals he’s now the executive producer of a Mythic Quest film adaptation. Suck it, Ian! Carol doesn’t feel this warranted the “meeting” label, while Brad is too busy janitor-ing to care. Jo, ever the vigilant, stalwart assistant, offers to put Carol and Brad in sacks (because they’re sad sacks). 

Brad and Carol stand next to each other in a dimly lit room while smiling in Mythic Quest Season 3 Episode 3, "Crushing It."

Pictured: Danny Pudi and Naomi Ekperigin in MYTHIC QUEST Season 3 Episode 3, “Crushing It.”

Instead, David tasks Jo with bringing Ian to his office so that he can rub the MQ movie in his face. Then, Jo has the remainder of the day off to hang with her pals. It’s the year of Brittlesbee, friends. 

Meanwhile, Poppy (Charlotte Nicdao) kicks some coding ass and accomplishes a massive feat on the Hera front. Like David, she also wishes to rub her success in Ian’s face, but he’s nowhere to be found. Rachel (Ashly Burch) wanders into GrimPop in search of her girlfriend. Poppy believes Dana and Ian are probably shoving crystals up their asses in the desert. Or something. Poppy prepares to dive back into her work; however, Rachel suggests they celebrate Poppy’s achievement with brunch. 

RELATED: Mythic Quest Season Premiere Recap: (S03E01) Across the Universe

Jo pops into GrimPop while shouting Ian’s full name. I hope it’s canon that Ian’s middle name is “Elizabeth.” Jo asks Poppy to pass on David’s message to Ian that the former wants to meet with the latter. Jo prepares to leave when Rachel invites Jo to brunch with them. Next, Brad finds Carol residing in Stressed Land. Montreal hired her as the HODI (Head of Diversity and Inclusion) but gave her zero funds to carry out her new job. Brad used to be the HOMIE (Head of Monetization and Internet E-Commerce), but that’s in the past. 

Carol asks if she can speak to Past Brad regarding her next steps. How does she do her job? The company is in dire need of more money. Where will they find it? Brad adopts his HOMIE persona to help someone in need. What a good Samaritan. 

David stands in the GrimPop headquarters while looking up in Mythic Quest Season 3 Episode 3, "Crushing It."

Pictured: David Hornsby in MYTHIC QUEST Season 3 Episode 3, “Crushing It.”

Meanwhile, David practices his speech to Ian for Sue (Caitlin McGee), who now exists in broad daylight. Sue doesn’t believe the MQ movie adaptation is a good idea. Players loathe anything that spawns beyond the game. They’ll collectively sh*t on it. Unfortunately, nobody listens to Sue. 

RELATED: Catch up on all the video game shenanigans with our Mythic Quest recaps!

Then, we see Poppy, Jo and Rachel at “the brunch” (that’s how they say it in Australia, duh-doy). Jo learns of the inner workings of female friendships and how brunch operates. Irritated that Ian has refused to heed his call, David barges into GrimPop to bring the wonderful news to him. However, the office is empty, and now David can’t figure out where the elevator is. This is a line-free zone, David. Later, brunch takes a turn for the weepy as Rachel claims she despises Berkeley and feels intellectually inadequate compared to her classmates. 

An emotional Poppy vents about the disrespect Ian shows her even after a decade of working together. He hasn’t replied to her text about meeting David. Jo watches in silence while her inebriated friends cry over overpriced eggs. Carol and Brad visit Phil (Derek Waters) in the art department. They ask Phil and the department to design a loot box for Mythic Quest to make a quick buck. Brad wants the old team on it, but everyone’s gone. They all quit due to being overworked and underpaid. 

Carol sits at her desk while smiling in Mythic Quest Season 3 Episode 3, "Crushing It."

Pictured: Naomi Ekperigin in MYTHIC QUEST Season 3 Episode 3, “Crushing It.”

Carol and Brad try to explain their new positions now (Carol is no longer head of HR; Brad is no longer a HOMIE) while urging Phil to work over the weekend to bring this loot box dream to fruition. Poor Phil. Will he ever know peace? Trapped in GrimPop, David resigns to his fate and slowly devolves into Cricket. He’s singing Sugar Ray and using his button-up shirt to jump rope. Hey, we’ve all been there. 

RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Dana

Meanwhile, Brad and Carol tell Sue about their idea to sell NFTs to put more money in MQ’s pocket. Sue’s response? “No f*cking thanks.” This moment is comedy gold. I love Sue with all of my heart — my little Midwestern jewel and downtrodden community manager. Sue repeats what she told David about how players hate everything. Brad believes they’ll learn to love the NFT thing eventually. It’s inevitable. I love when Carol asks if NFTs are good or bad, and Brad replies “yes.” Carol grabs her plants and storms out, deciding it’s worth risking the basement’s darkness if only for peace and quiet. 

Then, Ian (Rob McElhenney) and Dana (Imani Hakim) find David sleeping on the floor in GrimPop. They’ve been in the lobby the whole time. I love the running gag of characters claiming they’re always somewhere in GrimPop, even though we don’t see them. Dana and Ian mess with David but eventually show him how to leave. David claims he peed in Ian’s office. Well, more like on himself. 

Jo sits at a table while holding a mimosa and smiling in Mythic Quest Season 3 Episode 3, "Crushing It."

Pictured: Jessie Ennis in MYTHIC QUEST Season 3 Episode 3, “Crushing It.”

Later, Jo drives a slumbering Poppy and Rachel to a shooting range in Las Vegas. They had to sleep off those bottomless mimosas. They showed Jo how to blow off steam, which put her in better spirits. Now, it’s time to demonstrate how Jo expresses herself when the going gets tough. Instead of opting for the gun range, Jo informs Poppy and Rachel they’ll be crushing cars in a tank. Our duo seems hesitant initially, but they find the crushing cathartic. Rachel doesn’t care what her fellow Berkeley classmates think, and Poppy couldn’t care less about Ian. Ian finally responds to Poppy’s text, but Jo tosses Poppy’s phone onto a car, which is crushed by the tank. Friendship! 

RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Rachel

“Crushing It” undoubtedly boasts one of my favorite Mythic Quest moments: Sue and her “no f*cking thanks.” Caitlin McGee is a comedic legend. Please give her more screen time. I also loved watching Jo bond with Poppy and Rachel in the name of friendship. I’m all for women banding together to uplift each other. We don’t see much of that on Mythic Quest because of how competitive the gaming industry is, and despite their different job descriptions, women are often pitted against each other. I hope we get prime character development out of this. 

Also, Ian and Dana? A pairing I didn’t know I needed. They’re the cool kids, but I’m still choosing to believe it’s the Year of Brittlesbee (new astrology sign just dropped). 

Mythic Quest drops new episodes every Friday on Apple TV+. 

Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: POPPY LI

Follow me!
Latest posts by Melody McCune (see all)