Summary
The series continues to surprise with another emotional tie-in to Poppy’s newfound motherhood.
This series continues to surprise me. What initially appeared to be an amusing chapter exploring the US Congress and politics evolves into something much deeper, ending on a rather upsetting note.
Mythic Quest Season 4, Episode 7 opens with David feeling elated after defeating Brad in mind games during a poker night. Playpen profits are on the rise, and Dana’s contract has been terminated. While this is promising for potential foreign investors, Rachel is more focused on the Playpen creators: she believes their work is significant.
Rachel’s Embarassing Showing At Congress
But then David’s day is ruined. He is “served” by a lawyer, having received a subpoena to appear before Congress to discuss child labor in the gaming industry. To Rachel’s surprise, she is served as well.
They make a reasonable effort, with both characters appropriately dressed to answer questions. Rachel is eager to speak truth to power, as she does not want Congress to legislate user-generated content, fearing that the kids who create the games will lose profit. However, with large gaming companies present in Congress, like EA, David advises her against speaking up and suggests she present vague statements to placate the industry and the politicians.
So, in front of the politicians, David makes a statement condemning child labor in the gaming industry and calling for a safer environment. However, this backfires comically as Rachel decides to speak out. She claims that the child labor issue is “complicated” because children will play video games regardless and earn money from them. She insists that the company provides a platform for artists to earn income.
However, she undermines her “truth to power” moment by comparing the issue to other horrific child labor situations that are “worse than gaming,” shocking the politicians before her.
Congress embarrasses Rachel by playing Instagram reels of her giving unsolicited advice to kids. Rachel asks whether those videos are manipulated and suggests that the moon landing was a hoax.
It’s safe to say that David was furious with her after the incident, which soured their relationship. The episode proves that Congress can be a circus at times.
Ian Wants To Do A New Project With Poppy
It seems Ian is stuck in the past, and Season 4, Episode 7 further reveals that he’s failing to recognize the reality—Poppy is pregnant, and her life has changed forever.
Poppy and Ian test the expansion Elysium, believing it to be incredible and the best thing they’ve ever created.
However, Ian isn’t looking to celebrate and asks Poppy what their next steps will be. Before they can get into that conversation, Dana arrives, angry about her termination. Poppy offers to assist, so the three of them go out for a meal.
Poppy advises Dana to create her own version of Twilight Forest. Dana loves this advice but then asks Poppy what she will do once her baby arrives. Poppy is unsure about working when she becomes a mother, understanding that her life will be different. Ian feels blindsided by this, believing that things will continue as usual, and the pair starts to argue, which is entertaining for Dana as she sips her drink.
(L-R) Ian and Poppy in Mythic Quest Season 4, Episode 7.
Brad and Jo Desperately Need to Career Pivot, But Carol Needs Help First
With Dana nearly out of the business, Brad and Jo are desperate. Instead of standing by Dana, they betray her and approach Carol to request a job reassignment. In exchange, they will assist her with Andy.
Andy is distraught (and drunk) after feeling like he has lost Carol following their recent fling. He wants to continue sleeping with her and claims to be in love, but Carol is not interested. To help the situation, they ask Andy’s best friend and colleague to suggest that he leave the workplace, mostly to save face, as his behavior is embarrassing.
Even though they help out, Carol breaks her promises to Jo and Brad by not assisting them with job reassignments. Andy cautions them to be fair, stating that Carol cannot be trusted.
Is Poppy and Ian’s Partnership/Relationship Over Forever?
Poppy’s entry into motherhood is a pivotal turning point in the story. Its timing is also noteworthy, as her working relationship with Ian began to feel repetitive. Mythic Quest Season 4, Episode 7 hints that their partnership might end for good.
At work, Ian apologizes to Poppy for their recent argument. He has paid for Poppy’s art piece from Storm to make amends, believing this will resolve all the issues. He has spent a significant amount of money on it. He feels that this will enable her to work again and that Storm will be compensated well.
Poppy is in shock, but not in a good way. She tells him that the art piece, the machine, is about her and symbolizes how she cannot be fixed no matter how hard she tries. She doesn’t want to be the machine anymore, and she’s angry at Ian for attempting to fix HIS problems, calling him selfish.
Feeling desperate, Ian begs Poppy not to leave him and promises to give her anything she desires.
In a pivotal, emotional moment in the story, Poppy asks for as much distance as possible between them and immediately takes a leave of absence.
The story hints at the conclusion of Poppy and Ian’s journey—Poppy has gained a new perspective on life: motherhood. Ian is still not mature enough to grasp that life is not solely about work.
