It has been two years since the last season of Mythic Quest, but the return is early anticipated. Created by It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia writers Megan Ganz, Charlie Day, and Rob McElhenney, Mythic Quest was an early Apple TV original that became a fan favorite comedy with the latest season premiering January 29th. Centered around the fraught partnership between creative director Ian Grimm (McElhenney) and head engineer Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicdao), Mythic Quest explores the behind the scenes world developing a massive World of Warcraft-type MMORPG and all the ego it takes to subside along the way. Surrounded by a stacked ensemble, including Danny Pudi, Ashly Burch, and David Hornsby, Mythic Quest is an easy show to watch again and again, but if you haven’t had time in the last two years to do so, here’s what happened in Season 3.
There’s a New Status Quo at ‘Mythic Quest’ in Season 3
Season 2 of Mythic Quest ended in a place that promised change. Ian and Poppy, feeling the story was complete, left the company to form a new venture. Brad (Pudi) took the fall for executive assistant Jo (Jessie Ennis) after being scammed into insider trading and was arrested by the FTC. Game testers Rachel (Burch) and Dana (Imani Hakim) decide to leave Mythic Quest and pursue school, with Dana being recruited by Ian and Poppy to learn programming and work for their soon-to-be established company. All of this leaving executive producer David (Hornsby) and newly promoted head of DEI Carol (Naomi Ekperigin) left at Mythic Quest with an uncertain future.
A year later, Ian and Poppy’s company, GrimPop, has developed Poppy’s idea, Hera, into a game and are seeking investors; Brad has been let off on good behavior, having seemingly turned over a new leaf, and returns to Mythic Quest as a janitor; and David’s plan’s Mythic Quests next step: a movie. After saying farewell to the game’s writer C.W. (a way to write off F. Murray Abraham after inappropriate behavior), the cast of characters all seemingly struggle to find a purpose in their new environments. Ian and Dana have nothing to contribute as Poppy builds her game, which provides them the chance to bond; Carol and David both feel shackled by “golden handcuffs” in positions of power but with limited means to make substantial changes; and Rachel, not happy at Berkely, receives guidance from Brad when she unwittingly finds herself a natural fit for the game’s monetization department. Season 3 finds everyone adjusting to shifting positions of power and influence, but challenges also come in new and unexpected ways.
Unfortunately, as talented a programmer as she is, Poppy can’t seem to make a fun game. That’s the feedback she gets from the testers, who find no bugs, but also no entertainment in Hera. Needing a pivot, Dana encourages Poppy to look into Playpen: a DIY program Poppy developed only to keep Dana distracted. The game allows users to build their own games (possibly inspired by Roblox) and games and, after swallowing her pride, Poppy agrees that is what GrimPop should pursue. Meanwhile, without much to do, Ian finds himself drawn back to Mythic Quest to get his hands on the movie despite David’s resistance. Between this, hijacking the Mythic Quest Christmas party, and their new offices being only a floor below Mythic Quest, it becomes increasingly clear that Ian and Poppy can only leave so much of their past behind.
Ultimately, ‘Mythic Quest’ is About Ian and Poppy’s Relationship
As is routine in Mythic Quest up to this point, Season 3 includes a stand-alone backstory episode. Season 3, Episode 7 “Sarian,” clues us into Ian and Poppy’s backstories. Both Ian and Poppy were smart kids who struggled to stay engaged with what was asked of them. Ian failed at school because he was constantly trying to create his own stories, and Poppy only wanted to play video games, shirking any social life or playing piano as her mom wanted. Both Poppy and Ian relied on a supportive parent: Poppy’s dad, who engaged with Poppy as a friend; and Ian’s mom, who encouraged Ian’s creativity above all else, including her own mental stability. Their origin begins when Poppy discovers Ian’s first game, Sarian (based on a project Ian made with his mom), which inspires her to create her own and eventually connect with Ian. It is a heartbreaking episode that is more than a mere origin story for the duo but a reflection of how creativity can bring disparate people together. Though it’s not always easy.
Not unlike Hacks, Mythic Quest explores the trials and rewards of a creative relationship with someone. Poppy confronts Ian on his distance from GrimPop and constant micromanaging when he is involved, and it all comes to a head when Ian says he doesn’t want to work on Poppy’s game. However, Ian knows this is wrong and attempts to repair their relationship, which brings him to a realization. Their relationship “is what it is,” that is that Ian can see it, but can’t build it, while Poppy can’t see it, but can build it. Rather than try to upset their natural balance, they realize it is better to work together, complement each other, and grow as one. This season, marked by a loss of direction, shows that reinventing the wheel might not push it forward. Poppy and Ian didn’t need to strike new ground but rather meet in the middle and perfect the balance to progress. This is exemplified with Ian forgoing his health routine to make Poppy happy by eating a slice of her favorite buffalo chicken pizza from the gas station. For their partnership to succeed, they must recognize what each brings to the table.
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What Does Season 4 Have in Store?
Playpen was not fiscally viable to investors, and Mythic Quest is beginning to fade as a game. The solution? Bringing the two together. WIth the movie being cancelled for lack of interest, David worries about the future of Mythic Quest, only for Poppy and Ian to return with Playpen. The new software can serve as a way to generate new expansions and interest in the game while returning Ian and Poppy back into the fold where they belong at Mythic Quest. But now they’ll have new competition.
At the end of Season 3, Dana sets off with Brad and Jo (both of whom are seeking a new challenge) to start her own company. The preview for Season 4 shows Dana and company are off to a great success and this may be troublesome for the crew at Mythic Quest. Season 4 likely has the two in competition with one another all while Ian and Poppy attempt to reintegrate back into Mythic Quest and undoubtedly figure out more about their relationship. If that’s not enough, along side Season 4, Apple promises a spin-off series. Inspired by the regular one-off episodes, Side Quests will offer even more stories from the world of Mythic Quest. If you still haven’t seen Mythic Quest it’s high time to plug in.
Mythic Quest is available to stream on AppleTV+. Season 4 premieres on January 29th.
Mythic Quest
- Release Date
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February 7, 2020
- Network
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Apple TV+
Stream
