With the characters established and a general idea of their driving purpose(s) presented, Time Bandits picks up the pace with Season 1 Episode 3, “Medieval,” and Episode 4, “Prohibition.” The time portals prove both helpful and problematic.
RELATED: Catch up with our recap of the last Time Bandits Episode, “Mayan”
Kevin (Kal-El Tuck) may be bent on saving his parents from their current existence as lumps of coal, but that doesn’t stop him from picking up some souvenirs along the way. Like most souvenirs, it’s cumbersome and useless. Unlike most, it sparks a proper mug-off with the local despot.
Super Superstitious Times
When he and the thieving crew arrive in the highly perilous time of medieval Britain — a trademark era in Monty Python canon — securing a treasure becomes a secondary goal as they try to avoid being burned as witches, executed by the local sheriff, and — oh right — the Plague.
RELATED: TV Review: Time Bandits Season 1
As the Supreme Being (Taika Waititi) mentioned to his minions near the end of Episode 2, “Mayan,” the Time Bandits are leaving their portals open, allowing anything and anyone to wander through. This is epically prescient as distinctly foreign fauna pay the Middle Ages a visit, to the dismay of many residents. The special effects are truly spectacular, though.
Scatting With the Gangsters
Portals also play a major role in Time Bandits Episode 4, “Prohibition,” when the squad is mistaken for bootleggers. From hauling hooch to trying their hand with counterfeiting, mistaken identity and the power of jazz drive the plot and character development with reckless abandon.
RELATED: Watch Apple TV+’s Time Bandits Wacky Full-Length Trailer
There’s something to be said for letting loose. Some would argue the Time Bandits play everything loose. However, in Kevin’s case, he’s never had anyone to play with, so this is all new for him.
The real delight in both “Medieval” and “Prohibition” is seeing him enjoying life despite carrying his parental lumps of coal around in his fanny pack. Despite not knowing how he’ll get home, he just goes with the flow. Maybe the bandits are rubbing off on him.
RELATED: Read our Time Bandits recaps
As Kevin and the bandits figure out how the portals provide workarounds to life in general, the Supreme Being and Pure Evil (Jemaine Clement) are still looking for the map. Fianna (Rachel House) seems pretty determined, too. And Saffron (Kiera Thompson) is kicking around as well. If we had the right music and enough portals to be the doors, a Benny Hill segment would suit this moment perfectly.
Time Bandits streams on Apple TV+, with two new episodes dropping every Wednesday.
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