DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Mythic Quest season premiere episode, “Across the Universe,” has spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
FIREBALL! Mythic Quest is finally back, and this season promises to be its most unhinged and chaotic yet. “Across the Universe” doesn’t definitively fit the above, but it deftly sets the stage for our crew a year after the events of the Season 2 finale. It also gives C.W. a beautiful sendoff.
Ready to delve into “Across the Universe”? Let’s get to it.
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We open with a montage featuring Ian (Rob McElhenney) and Poppy (Charlotte Nicdao) pitching the latter’s new game, Hera. Brad (Danny Pudi) sits at a parole board meeting, and David (David Hornsby) reassures the higher-ups on a call that all is well at Mythic Quest. All three scenarios bear fruit. Brad is granted parole, David feels he successfully convinced his bosses that his company fares better without Poppy and Ian, and our GrimPop creatives dole out a bangin’ pitch.
Then, Poppy and Ian wait for a response to their pitch at GrimPop, their swanky new studio. Well, the siren song of the metaverse pulls Ian in its orbit while Poppy paces restlessly with a soda in hand. Poppy reminds Ian they must stick to their guns: they’ll accept no more than $25 million for Hera. However, buyers want to offer them $50 million. An ecstatic Poppy plans to answer with an emphatic “Yes!” but Ian’s gut tells him they shouldn’t accept the money. Poppy asserts that it’s her game. Therefore, she gets the final say, and she wants that cheddar. Don’t we all?
Meanwhile, Dana (Imani Hakim) and Rachel (Ashly Burch) are too preoccupied with being adorable girlfriends to meddle in the affairs of their former coworkers. While they’re en route to LA from San Francisco, Jo relentlessly pesters them with calls. Rachel finally picks up. Jo (Jessie Ennis) reminds them of C.W.’s impending welcome-home party after his whirlwind book tour and how critical it is they arrive on time. Why? Because she can track C.W.’s location, and he’s about to land soon.
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Next, Carol (Naomi Ekperigin) lies on the couch in David’s office for a pseudo-therapy session. She received a hefty promotion from the big bosses after Poppy and Ian’s joint departure, but she has no idea what her job entails. Carol wants to make a difference; however, she feels she’s being paid to, essentially, do nothing. Montreal promoted Carol to Head of Diversity and Inclusion.
David asks Jo to fetch him some tea. While she’s out, David admits to Carol that he doesn’t do anything. He makes a show of “looking busy,” but it’s just that — a show. I’m sorry; being paid a significant chunk of cash to do nothing is the dream. Meanwhile, Poppy emerges from the bathroom in GrimPop after Ian fails to find her. It’s his fault he didn’t want any lines in their new space. Lines are so Web 1, and this office is outfitted for Web 3 despite most of the globe’s current Web 2 status. You know?
Poppy had a gut emergency of the diarrhoeal persuasion after claiming the offer was her decision to make. Now, she’s unsure if she should accept the $50 million. Ian, in true fashion, believes they should take it. Ian, the Flip-Flopper. I expect this from a guy wearing rings on almost every finger and with a massive poster of himself next to influential historical figures like Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela.
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Meanwhile, Rachel and Dana are pulled over for speeding, but Jo steps in and inexplicably persuades the cop to let them go. Nothing will stand in the way of getting to C.W.’s party on time! Carol informs David about her new (old) hire. She’s bringing Brad back into the Mythic Quest fold. David hesitates to rehire the employee convicted of insider trading in their company, but Carol reveals he’ll be working as a janitor. Brad claims he’s a changed man, completely reformed. Jo and Brad reunite, and both declare they’re different people now. It’s like an awkward reunion of exes.
Later, Poppy and Ian arrive at Mythic Quest for C.W.’s rooftop shindig. They chat with David after a long year away. Both parties feign apathy and boast about how well they’re doing. Poppy brags about receiving that offer of $50 million for Hera and her subsequent rejection of said offer even after getting a counteroffer of $60 million. Ian is bewildered by this choice. The pair proceed to bicker again over the best course of action. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Next, Rachel and Dana make their entrance. The whole gang’s here, ma! Everyone sits and waits for C.W. Jo informs the group she must hand David a letter at 8:15 on the dot. He reads the letter, and we learn that C.W. is dead. C.W. was given an “unfortunate prognosis” by his doctor, so he endeavored to complete his story. Then, he drove off into the desert to go out like Thelma and Louise.
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Oh, and Jo thought she was tracking his plane, but she’s following the satellite containing his ashes. C.W. wished to be shot into space after cremation. Jo can see the moment C.W.’s satellite will fly over their location. In his letter, C.W. also offers some touching final sentiments and how much he loves his MQ crew. He advises everyone to hold onto those they love. That’s all we have. Our group looks moved by his words.
Then, everyone looks to the stars as we see the satellite streak the sky. Afterward, our leading players head inside to enjoy C.W.’s favorite beverage — coffee and cough syrup — and reminisce about the late writer’s many eccentricities. Seeing the gang set aside their differences to unite for a fallen friend is lovely. I’m assuming this is the only time we get a moment’s peace before the oncoming hilarious sh*tstorm that Mythic Quest brings every season. When everyone departs, the camera focuses on a typewriter and flask, the perfect commemorative image for C.W. Longbottom.
Next, David encourages Poppy and Ian to visit more often. Perhaps they could all hang out from time to time. Ian and Poppy agree to that while stepping into the elevator. We see said elevator takes them some floors below (it looks like the fourth floor) Mythic Quest to GrimPop. Yes, they’re right below their competitors.
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“Across the Universe” brims with Mythic Quest‘s trademark razor-sharp humor while wearing its heart on its sleeve. Despite the chaos and insanity radiating from this group of people, the episode never loses sight of that mushy, gushy center. It’s sweet, funny and serves as a stepping stone to Season 3. God, I’ve missed these weirdos.
Side note: I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: David Hornsby deserves accolades for making me forget he plays Cricket on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Talk about a chameleon.
Do you think David and the MQ crew will learn about GrimPop’s convenient location? Is Brad really a changed man? How much time will pass before Poppy and Ian temporarily disband? Only time (and more episodes) will tell.
Mythic Quest drops new episodes every Friday on Apple TV Plus.
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What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
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