Summary
“Across the Universe” works as a nice re-introduction to the characters and this world. The jokes are a little lacking in this opening episode, although Ian’s ego and David’s ineffectiveness make for a few clever running gags. The ending is surprisingly poignant, too, proposing a series with equal amounts of heart and humor.
We recap the Apple TV+ series Mythic Quest season 3, episode 1, “Across The Universe,” which contains spoilers.
Rob McElhenney is a busy man, his first TV creation, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, has gone on to be the longest-running American live-action comedy series of all time, and he’s now co-owning a Welsh football team with Ryan Reynolds, as seen in Welcome to Wrexham, which he also co-created and he still finds time to write, direct and star in his other comedy creation, Mythic Quest. The latter is back for a third season, opening with “Across The Universe.”
Mythic Quest season 3, episode 1 recap
The third season begins with a rapid montage updating viewers on the lives of its main cast members. Poppy Li (Charlotte Nicdao) and Ian Grimm (Rob McElhenney) are seen pitching a new video game, called Hera, to a room full of excited investors. Brad Bakshi (Danny Pudi) is inundated with compliments for his spotless record in prison and is then billed as the perfect inmate before he is granted his freedom once more. Then we have David Brittlesbee on a conference call, gushing about his own company’s successes.
Poppy and Ian return to their futuristic office space to eagerly await a counteroffer from the investors. Poppy is a nervous wreck, but literally screams with excitement when she sees their offer. The creative was expecting 25 million but has been presented with double that amount. Poppy’s celebrations are short-lived though, as Ian states that they won’t be taking the money, his gut says otherwise. Poppy argues that they have to take the money and he graciously accepts, although Poppy soon has conflicting thoughts on the matter.
At Mythic Quest, Carol complains to her boss David about her position. She has been placed in charge of diversity and inclusion, but believes she is overpaid and underperforming. They haven’t given her any responsibilities and the guilt is killing her. David admits that he is in a similar position, pretending to be a busy man with meetings and orders to bark out, but he doesn’t think he does anything of any worth. C.W. (F. Murray Abraham) is returning for a party after a year-long book tour and he pretty much left assistant Jo (Jessie Ennis) to organize the whole event. David advises Carol to pretend to stay busy, but not to rock the boat.
Wandering the long, white corridors, Poppy and Ian debate the offer in more detail. Ian has now changed his mind and wants to accept the money, his gut has changed its tune. Poppy stresses that they might be making the wrong decision though and this has led to her toileting woes. He shows her corridors, sporting black and white photographs of influential icons. Ian’s picture is on the end of this row, next to Mother Teresa no less. Poppy can’t believe she listened to this egotistical maniac and makes her own decision in the end.
Carol mulls over David’s advice and decides to use her intuition. She rehires Brad as a janitor. David is livid that the ex-convict and ex-team player is back. Brad says he is reformed, but David doesn’t trust him one bit. Meanwhile, game testers Dana and Rachel drive back to work at a leisurely pace. Jo frantically calls them, demanding that they return as soon as possible, to make it in time for C.W.’s party. They are subsequently pulled over by the police for speeding and Jo somehow works her magic and gets them out of that tricky situation too. They just make it back in time for the party.
Poppy and Ian are there too, sharing an awkward conversation with David. He tries to brag about the company’s successes and how much they’ve changed, but then Brad walks by to prove him wrong. Poppy and Ian try to show off their successes too, but Poppy admits that she turned down the 50 million offer, which Ian now wants to accept. They even tried to push it to 60, but again she declined. The couple argue as Jo orders everyone to sit.
Mythic Quest season 3, episode 1 ending
David is ordered to read a letter to the party guests. In this letter, C.W. talks about receiving a fatal prognosis and then deciding to kill himself. This is a suicide note of sorts, where he elegantly describes concluding his story with an ironic homage to Thelma & Louise. It’s a touching ending, as C.W. expresses his love for the entire gang and their rewarding friendship. He talks about being content at the end and how his remains are to be launched into space in a satellite. The guests watch as the satellite passes by above their heads.
The group laugh and joke about the good times they spent with C.W. and they debate his odd concoctions. Out of respect they all drink his coffee and cough syrup mixture. Ian and Poppy call it a night and head back to their office. David says that we should do this more often. They agree and take the elevator to their pad. Poppy and Ian go their separate ways.
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