Summary
The writing in “The Fish and the Whale” is very enjoyable as Brad endures his worst defeat.
When Mythic Quest enjoys its writing, it’s a lot of fun. Season 4, Episode 6 is one of those well-put-together and amusing chapters. I did not want the fun to end.
In “The Fish and the Whale,” Brad competes with David in a game of poker to free Dana from her ironclad contract. However, as Brad’s narration suggests, he views this as his worst defeat ever.
Of course, context is important to this chapter. Why is Brad so hellbent on beating David at poker?
A Full Explanation of Brad’s Poker Nights with David
Five months before Brad’s heavy defeat, Dana brings him a new game idea. She’s still upset that she lost to a teenager at the game awards. However, a new game means issues with revenue and pay, and David is in charge of the budgets. Brad needs to find a way to gamble with David to get Dana out of her contract so they can reap the rewards from her new game.
Brad weasels his way into David’s poker nights with his newfound friends. David has found new confidence in his social life since “Warriors Within Day,” when he let go of many of his fears. David calls Brad the “fish” in his poker game, meaning he is there to be taken advantage of.
However, Brad finds David frustrating during the poker nights, recognizing that his colleague plays it far too safe. He makes the audience aware that he needs a “whale,” a chaotic, reckless player. Predictably, he wants Ian because he will be a good “whale,” and is all about the ego. He distracts Ian away from his business partner Poppy by getting Jo to organize an impromptu baby shower, meaning Ian has a free evening of zero work.
Watching Ian attempt to connect with David’s group of male friends is captivating in its own right. Brad tries to involve Ian in poker night and ease the tension, but it ends up being a total failure. Not only does Ian act awkwardly around David’s friends, but he also overshares. Nevertheless, as the “Whale,” he frequently goes all-in, putting in more money to stay in the game.
However, a night of masculinity and brotherhood eventually affects Ian, making him irritated that David has people in his life who think he’s cool. Sick of being mocked by David’s friends, Ian walks off to the bathroom. This is where Brad undermines his plan to manipulate David; he reveals to Ian, in the bathroom, his scheme to exploit David and how he is using Ian as the “Whale” to encourage him to be reckless so he can bet on Dana’s contract.
However, Brad does not anticipate that David will hear everything through the conveniently placed venting system above the bathroom door, so he discovers Brad’s plans. Surprisingly, David is willing to play poker for Dana’s contract.
Brad defeats David at poker and then hands him Dana’s termination agreement, releasing her from the clutches of Mythic Quest.
But David was playing a bigger game than poker; he had a better plan. David shows Brad a photo from the baby shower; Dana’s laptop is open, and it shows her latest game. Because David has a photo of the game inside the office, it is officially the property of Mythic Quest. David signs Dana’s termination agreement, which means the company does not have to pay Dana anything for the game.
Brad has been truly humbled by David, the “Fish.” He did not expect such confidence and growth from David, and neither did we, the audience. David wasn’t playing poker; he was playing Brad. This could signify a massive change in the story for Mythic Quest.
Brad looks humiliated after losing to David at poker after gambling Dana’s employment contract (Credit: Apple TV+)
Poppy’s Baby Shower
The impromptu baby shower for Poppy is a disaster because Tracy, Poppy’s sister, is invited, and she is furious. She does not like her sister and spends most of the episode competing with her on everything.
But Poppy reaches the peak of her anger when Tracy gives her a gift—a T-shirt that says “World’s Best Aunt. ” Tracy then reveals she’s pregnant, too, via surrogacy, essentially stealing Poppy’s thunder.
A heated argument follows: Tracy tells Poppy that none of her family will see her baby because she works too much and avoids them. All the women defend Poppy and force her sister to leave the baby shower. Poppy is touched by their support. While this serves as more of a subplot in an engaging and clever episode of Mythic Quest, it hints that Poppy’s baby is closer than we realize.
Read More: Mythic Quest Season 4, Episode 5 Explained
