The riskiest move in entertainment is making something that has the potential to be too “inside baseball”. Apple TV+’s new original series, Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet is a deep parody of video game development that at its most dramatic captures a glimpse of real industry issues and at its lightest gives you a new appreciation for what studios go through.
Created and produced by Megan Ganz and the It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia pedigree of Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day; the show focuses on a fictitious studio which happens to be responsible for creating the biggest video game in the world. McElhenny plays the studio’s rebellious and eccentric creative director Ian Grimm. His character comes off as more of an overzealous film director than what leaders of blockbuster video games truly are, but the way McElhenny plays off his supporting cast is pure enjoyment for the audience.
A cast that’s flanked by the working dynamic between Grimm and his engineer Poppy Lee played by Charlotte Nicado. It’s clear from their first interaction in the pilot there’s an undeniable hook in the conflict of these two necessary forces. Lee is a practical balance to the maniacal whims of Grimm and the show expertly ping pongs the audience on who we’re supposed to sympathize with. Through its first season and the growth of these two characters, you’ll go from wanting her to leave the chaos of Mythic Quest then in another episode you’ll find yourself rooting for her to stay.
Mythic Quest RB is loaded with a diverse cast. At times there’s an apparent lack of real estate for all these characters to be properly served. From F. Murray Abraham’s as grizzled over-the-hill writer CW Longbottom to Ashly Burch’s hopelessly devoted to her “friend” game tester Rachel, we get to meet and be intrigued by these characters but they sometimes don’t have enough space to serve the interesting glimpses of their characters.
There’s a tremendous blend of all these characters with the material this show is centered around to create something fresh. Gaming has seen its share of controversy and nothing feels off-limits here. Unethical use of streamers as marketing extensions, overworked developers during crunch time, the lack of women in the industry, predatory monetization tactics; nearly everything that’s been in the news about the video game industry is brought up. Through its nine episodes, the writing team of this show navigates the landmines of these real issues in a way that’s inviting for those who keep up with the world of video games yet without making the fence feel too high for those whose relationship with games ends at purchase.
For all its strengths, Mythic Quest does have trouble getting off the block. The first episode spends its entirety putting all its pieces on the board, but it forgets to make sure they’re all facing each other or moving towards something. While the next episodes get funnier, you don’t quite get what sets this series apart from comedies like The Office until you see episode five “Dark Quiet Death”. Featuring Jake Johnson, it’s one the most poignant and emotionally exhaling TV episodes of any show in 2020.
Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet has an authenticity to its setting that could only come from the touches that being produced by Ubisoft and the gaming experience of Ashly Burch on the writing team can bring. Apple TV+ has already put out some solid drama series but nothing which has stood out in the overall content landscape. It’s a surprise that its first attempt at comedy could become the flagship show of the streaming service. Mythic Quest Raven’s Banquet is the most unique killer app of any streaming platform, we can’t wait for season two.
Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet premieres on Apple TV+ February 7, 2020.
