To a certain extent, we could say that the main challenge for Rob McElhenney and company with season 3 of ‘Mythic Quest’ it’s like “reinventing” comedy of Apple TV+ without touching too much. More than anything because the series could have ended at the end of the magnificent second season perfectly.
In fact, we could say that the series is quite aware of it and play your cards to present a new panorama and the characters distributed in their new positions. Above all, the main one is to see Ian (McElhenney) and Poppy (Charlotte Nicdao) in their new video game company (GrimPop) with which they have developed Hera separately from MQ.
Back in the MQ offices, overseen by David (David Hornsby), we also have changes like carol (Naomi Ekperigin) being appointed head of the “ghost” department of diversity or the return of Brad (Danny Pudi) this time as a janitor.
Ch-ch-changes
But that we are facing a season of apparent changes, that does not mean that we have a different series. Comedy writers don’t burn bridges and make it clear to us right away that, even if the mona dresses in silk, mona stays. The new paths they take are actually patched asphalt since, in the end, they are still the same blacks and egomaniacs as always.
We have the great example in the dynamics between Ian and Poppy: their clashes when directing their new adventure they are not very different from the ones they had a few months ago even though they seek more consensus. In MQ the same thing happens with David who, despite being the solo boss, is still not firm enough…
There is, in general, a reshuffling of gears in the series (and dynamics between characters that normally don’t relate that much) to reflect a new stage that, deep down, is not so. We could therefore say that this season 3 of ‘Mythic Quest’ questions the concept of change and how the perception of having changed is not the same as a real metamorphosis.
And what doesn’t change either (and thanks) is the humor. The series is still hilarious on every level, although I admit that not everything is working for them throughout the season. There are some gags and situations that are somewhat more forced than usual, like wanting to insist on certain dynamics of modern business culture and not knowing exactly how.
The best of two worlds
Something that is pertinent considering that it is an office comedy set in the world of video games and, therefore, collect the best of both worlds. Of course, perhaps I have missed some more reference to the circumstances of the entertainment industry (although there are, with a plot to make an adaptation).
This does not mean that I have not enjoyed this season 3, which is still one of the best comedies on Apple TV+ and one of the most remarkable on television today. Despite not being as polished as the previous two, the series is still, quite simply, hilarious.