Mythic Quest Season 4 Episode 10 Review: Heaven and Hell

Mythic Quest Season 4 Episode 10, “Heaven and Hell,” delivers a wallop of a rom-com ending, complete with compelling performances from our two leads. While that ending might prove polarizing for fans, the buildup to Ian and Poppy’s kiss is indisputably organic. It doesn’t come out of left field, but it’s certainly surprising that the creatives went there, especially after swearing up and down that our duo would remain platonic. 

Growth Doesn’t Happen in a Day 

This season has been one of immense growth for both Ian and Poppy. Their journeys mirror each other. Poppy learns who she is outside of being “the machine,” even taking a big leap into motherhood. Meanwhile, Ian understands the importance of boundaries and that establishing healthy boundaries doesn’t equal abandonment. He also learns that money can’t fix problems and, more importantly in his case, that change is possible. 

Mythic Quest Season 4, especially “Heaven and Hell,” subverts the typical Poppy/Ian formula. Normally, the season concludes with them on opposing sides or one of them leaving the titular game studio. However, we’ve spent four seasons cultivating this fascinating, messy, and, let’s face it, often toxic dynamic. The only place the writers could take a dynamic as unique as this is someplace new. 

Kissin’ Coworkers 

And, folks, a kiss is most definitely someplace new. Ian pulling Poppy in for a smooch is reminiscent of Nick and Jess’s first kiss on New Girl, which should be the gold standard of sitcom kisses. It’s a damn great kiss, too. Charlotte Nicdao and Rob McElhenney sell the hell out of it. 

As for me, I’ve been firmly on the Team Platonic bus until, well, the last few episodes. I held on as long as I could. However, Nicdao and McElhenney’s chemistry is electrifying, and Poppy and Ian’s relationship is so well-thought-out and intricate. Its ebbs and flows and high and lows feel wholly human. 

Sure, we could easily classify their bond as romantic now. And Mythic Quest could use another romance. That said, we don’t know where Season 5 will take the dynamic. Nicdao is masterfully expressive and can convey a multitude of emotions in a matter of seconds.

Those final moments deftly showcase Poppy’s headspace, which is seemingly an amalgam of bewilderment, shock, and potential repulsion.

Of course, Season 5 is free to explore that romantic angle. It could be fun to see Poppy and Ian reconcile with their feelings for each other. A big, bold rom-com conclusion like that, which gives one the warm fuzzies, deserves further exploration.

That said, there are also different levels of platonic relationships, including deeply intimate ones, so the series could decide to defy labels and find what works for our pair. Regardless, I’m here for it all. 

An Upheaval at Mythic Quest 

This just in: Jo is now, on paper, David’s boss at MQ. Montreal dashes Jo’s dreams of climbing the assistant ladder by promoting her. I always got a kick out of the running gag about Jo’s ambitions and how she doesn’t want to be on top per se; she just wants to be the world’s greatest assistant. 

Making Jo Head of Playpen lays the groundwork for fascinating new narrative territory in Season 5. David and Jo epitomize that fun “odd couple” dynamic, but we’ve only seen it with David in power. Switching the roles breathes life into the overarching story. 

David rehires Rachel, Dana, and Brad, too. While Dana/Rachel don’t get much development beyond their adorable engagement (in the best episode of the season), Brad gets a bit of understated growth in “Heaven and Hell.”

Instead of planting Anna’s malware into Playpen, he pitches it. Sure, he’s staying because he sees a lucrative opportunity, but he could’ve also accrued significant wealth with Anna’s plan. 

Say what you will about Brad being unabashedly Brad, and perhaps this is open to interpretation, but methinks he’s more of a softie than he lets on. However, he’ll never admit to it, not even with a gun to his head. The development is incremental, though. 

Where Do We Go From Here? 

Season 4 isn’t Mythic Quest‘s strongest installment, but one could chalk that up to growing pains. Ian, Poppy, and even David are thrown for a loop this season, but the potential next batch of episodes opens up space for delightful experimentation on the storytelling front.

Poppy and Ian’s dynamic, in particular, is the crux of Season 4 and the driving force in “Heaven and Hell.” It’s the unequivocal highlight of this series in general. 

Who knew a kiss could change the world? 

Stray Observations: 

• David Brittlesbee’s blissful unawareness of his hypocrisy reminds us why he fits right in with this zany crew. Sure, the others are selfish and ego-driven for taking advantage of the Elysium situation. However, David persuaded a pregnant woman not to take maternity leave and to return to work. 
• Poppy is very Liz Lemon-esque with her gestures for sex in this series, but especially in “Heaven and Hell.” Our girl goes full Lemon here. 
• Uncle Jack and the Waiter in a threesome? What in the It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fan fiction did I stumble upon here?
• Jo being David’s boss is an intriguing development. I can’t wait to watch them kill each other in Season 5. 
• Poppy will never be allowed to leave the country again after that stunt. I guess we’ll get more GrimPop road trips! 
• Carol is a treasure. They just need to let her binge Merlot and K-dramas and leave her out of the real drama. 
• “It’s just a video game.” Season 1 Ian would’ve never said something like that. The development is real. 

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Mythic Quest Seasons 1 through 4 are now streaming on Apple TV+. 

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