Mythic Quest Season 4 Episode 9, “Telephone,” sees the Flight of the David Brittlesbee as he scrambles to save the company. Side note: I love that Brad has “Flight of the Bumblebee” as his ringtone for David. Anyway, the penultimate outing feels entirely too short, and it sets up several narrative threads for next week’s season finale. We’ll see if they pay off. Regardless, there are a few funny bits, but this episode really just feels like the groundwork for the finale. David Hornsby is a gem, though.
RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Mythic Quest episode, “Rebrand”
Mythic Quest, “Telephone”
We open with Poppy (Charlotte Nicdao) and Storm (Chase Yi) talking via video chat. Storm is in the Netherlands. Poppy admits she’s considering making the trek there to spend time with him despite being a million months pregnant. Storm asks if this is a visit or a more permanent move; however, Poppy wants to take it day by day. They’ll cross that bridge when they get to it. Then, Poppy shows Storm her new art piece — light and airy, and it fits together perfectly as they do. He loves it.
COVID Days Are Here Again
Next, David (Hornsby) hosts a meeting with his team, which includes Anthony (Mort Burke), Mikey (Michael Naughton) and Andy (Andrew Friedman). David reveals they lost capital from their foreign investor friends in the wake of the Congress disaster. But all is not lost; he’s secured funding for MQ through another sovereign power. Anthony assumes it’s too evil to disclose by name. David is hopeful. This could restore our titular game studio to its former glory, like during the COVID days.
Carol sends Mikey a string of sexy emojis. Andy asks if everything’s okay. Mikey lies, claiming his doctor is texting him. Ian (Rob McElhenney) video calls David and requests he open the vault in Ian and Poppy’s office. Inside, we see schmancy sneakers. Ian confirms to Steph Curry that Michael Jordan wore those sneakers in game three of the playoffs. He claims he’s going to win Curry’s ring.
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Then, Ian reveals he’s taking a leave of absence, effective immediately. After all, Poppy is doing the same. And everything is a competition to Ian Grimm. Naturally, David is less than thrilled. He returns to his meeting; however, now Poppy is the one to interrupt. She confirms that she’s indeed on a leave of absence. In fact, she might not return to MQ. She’s looking up flights to the Netherlands as they speak. David’s enthusiasm is below the floor, and his anxiety is through the roof.
Clean Slate
Poppy asks him to retrieve something invaluable from her vault in the office. Well, it’s actually just a cereal box. Refined sugars repulse Ian, so it’s the perfect deterrent. It’s the Elysium expansion pack. David is fuming; he killed this weeks ago, and Poppy and Ian went behind his back. However, Poppy encourages him to give it a chance. It might save MQ.
After this, David decides to go the clean slate route. He’s done with Ian and Poppy. He’s through with all the crazy antics. David searches the floor for a suitable replacement for creative director. Nothing. Meanwhile, the meeting attendees decide to order lunch on Mikey’s Doordash app. Andy catches a text from Carol, stating, “He never has to know about us.” Uh-oh. David returns with Elysium and asks the gang to check it out while he finds a creative director.
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Later, David asks Dana (Imani Hakim) for the job. She declines the offer, claiming she’s the “greatest game-maker” of her generation. Dana wants to bet on herself. David reminds her that this is the top position at the world’s leading game studio. Jo (Jessie Ennis) declares that Dana won’t repeat herself. Rachel (Ashly Burch) refuses to persuade Dana to accept the role; she’s too busy wallowing in self-pity after that disastrous Congressional hearing in her narwhal jammies.
Elysium Is Brilliant
Meanwhile, Brad (Danny Pudi — who directs this episode) and Anna (Karolina Szymczak) get a massage. They speak in Polish about avoiding their exhausting creatives. Anna proposes they build a future together. She hands him the malware she created, instructing him to access Playpen. The malware will skim off Playpennies from every transaction. Over the course of a few years, millions will be deposited into an untraceable crypto wallet for them. David calls Brad, but he ignores said call. He’s all in with Anna.
Elsewhere, Anthony finishes Elysium. He’s in awe; it’s brilliant. Mikey is about to confess to Andy his tryst with Carol when David returns, defeated. David shuffles into his office, where Jo awaits him. She begs David to make her his assistant again. Oh, and to rehire Dana and Rachel. David refuses to bring Jo back into his orbit. Clean slate, baby!
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Then, David calls Ian, who’s on the golf course. He fires Ian. David’s tired of the lack of communication and the shenanigans. Don’t get him started on the chicanery and tomfoolery. Oh, and Ian failed to mention Poppy’s move to the Netherlands. Ian is shocked. However, he supports Poppy’s decision.
World Star
Next, Anthony tells David that Elysium will save the studio. It’s perfection. David bears witness to this himself and declares the same thing. He realizes, to his reluctance, that he needs Poppy and Ian back. Suddenly, Andy and Mikey start fighting. Someone yells “World Star,” which might be the funniest bit in the episode. David breaks up said fight and learns that Carol slept with Andy and kissed/petted Mikey “a little bit.” David orders them to go in separate directions to cool off.
After this, David catches Brad as he’s arriving. Brad has Anna’s malware in hand. David informs him that he’s cleaning house. “Everybody’s gotta go,” he says. Later, Poppy opens her door to find David on his knees. He’s not above some good old-fashioned groveling. He acknowledges that Poppy and Ian are insufferable, selfish children who shouldn’t “work” as a pairing, but they do. They work so well together.
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A Choice
David wishes he could quit them. He admits Elysium is incredible and asks Poppy to come back. Then, Anthony texts David a link to an article. It’s about Ian resigning from Mythic Quest. Uh-oh. Ian wanted to scrub the humiliation of David’s firing by resigning instead.
Now, if Poppy stays on, she’ll be the sole creative director. No compromises. David vows she’ll have full control. Poppy looks conflicted.
RELATED: Read our Mythic Quest recaps
Mythic Quest drops new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+.
Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: RACHEL
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