Mythic Quest Season 4 Episode 9 Review: Telephone

Mythic Quest Season 4 Episode 9, “Telephone,” sees David in panic mode as he fights tooth and nail to save the studio. It’s easily one of (if not the) shortest episodes of the series, especially for a penultimate entry. It’s also the second outing helmed by Danny Pudi (the first being Season 3’s “Playpen”). 

The Game of Telephone 

David Brittlesbee is at the center of the vortex that is “Telephone.” Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee” springs to mind, but that particular piece being Brad’s ringtone for David solidifies that connection. Brittlesbee = Bumblebee, right?

It’s a bit too on the nose; however, it works. In fact, someone should play that song while watching “Telephone” sans volume — you’d probably get the gist of the plot. Additionally, David makes references to bees throughout, from the onomatopoeic “buzz, buzz” to mentioning stingers.

David Hornsby proves time and again why he’s one of the most underrated performers in comedy. On this Mythic Quest episode, he drives the narrative simultaneously as the conductor of the orchestra and the titular bumblebee, frantically flying in circles. Only a performer of his caliber could carry an episode and stand out among a strong ensemble cast. 

Those final moments with Poppy, when David begs her to return to Mythic Quest, are engaging and understated. Hornsby knows how to reel it in when necessary and bring it back to the material.

He doesn’t overcomplicate the scene by having David go over the top with his pleas to Poppy. He also encapsulates Poppy and Ian’s dynamic here — they’re insufferable, selfish children, but boy, do they make magic together. 

Tons of Plot Setup 

“Telephone,” more than anything, feels like a springboard for the season finale. It lays the groundwork for episode 10, but considering just how many threads are introduced, it’s doubtful we’ll get a resolution for all of them.

For starters, Ian’s out. Poppy is on the precipice of a move to the Netherlands when David begs her to come back as MQ’s sole creative director. Brad ventures into the studio to plant Anna’s malware into Playpen, thereby choosing her over work. 

Dana declines David’s offer for the creative director role, claiming she’s the greatest game-maker of her generation.

Side note: her downward spiral into Delusional Land puts her on the same level as, well, everyone else on this show. She’s no longer a moral backbone. Rachel’s still out of work, too. Jo also flounders after David rejects her plea to return as his assistant. 

Oh, but that’s not all. Mikey and Andy are fighting over Carol. Funding fell through from MQ’s foreign financial friends, only for a shady investor to pick up the mantle. And with Ian’s resignation, who knows what seeds of discord he’s planted on the public stage to tarnish MQ’s reputation? 

All this to say, there are a lot of narrative balls in the air. Will the finale deliver a satisfying payoff on all fronts? Weirdly, it feels like everything and nothing happened in “Telephone.”

Hornsby’s performance really keeps the episode afloat. If anything, this proves that this incredible cast is stronger together — that’s when this series fires on all comedic cylinders, and, like Poppy and Ian as a pair, everything clicks. 

Stray Observations: 

• “COVID Days Are Here Again” — David’s first single from his debut album, Making Male Friends in your 40s. 
• David’s plea not to “bone him” feels like a reference to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, specifically Charlie’s song for The Waitress at the end of “The Nightman Cometh.” He sings to her, “Please say ‘yes’ and do not bone me.” 
• Poppy telling David she has an orange he can suck on also feels like a Sunny nod. Frank gives Cricket (also played by Hornsby) lemons for just that purpose on the show. 
• Poppy’s “vault” being a cereal box is as hilarious as it is clever. That said, the idea of having one reminds us just how alike she and Ian are. 
• I’m with Anthony — the new foreign investor must be so evil that David cannot mention them by name. 

---

What did you think of this episode of Mythic Quest? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!

Critic Rating:

Audience Rating:

 

Mythic Quest drops new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+. 

Check out our latest TV recommendations, updated weekly!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!