Side Quest

I'm going to take a gamble that the cancellation of "Mythic Quest" probable means that this spin off show isn't going to progress beyond these initial four epsiodes either - I may be proved wrong, in which case I'll write another review at the end of that season.

Phil (Derek Waters) an art director at Mythic Quest struggles to ignore Ian (Rob McElhenney) whilst on a vacation with his fiancé. Janae's (Shalita Grant) comic bookstore only receives one copy of a new Mythic Quest comic, leading to conflict amongst the patrons. Sylvie (Annamarie Kasper) cellist with an orchestra performing the Mythic Quest soundtrack on tour loses her love of music and Devon (Van Crosby) tries to organise his squad into an in-game raid, unaware that tensions have formed between them.

An anthology series, the four episode are all linked to Mythic Quest one way or another, and don't have any continuity between themselves and, in fact, with the exception of the first episode, don't have continuity with the main show. As with all anthologies shows, they are a bit of a mixed bag. Tonally it's similar to what "Mythic Quest" became as the show went on. They are mostly comedies, but each of them injects a healthy dose of pathos in as well.

For my money the worst one was probably the third one, Fugue. The concert one. It has nice performances, as they all do, but is less funny than the other three are, to balance out the whimsy of the story. The best of the four was probably the comic bookstore episode, again perhaps because it was the most traditionally funny of the episodes.

I'd have watched more, had Apple remained in the "Mythic Quest" business but by the same token, I'm not to sad to see this end here and to move on to something else.

The first episode was average and i had to abandon the second episode after 5 minutes, It's that bad. I will not be continuing with the two further episode. I'm so disappointed in this spin-off series.

Mythic quest was absolutely amazing, so this is a good advert to stop when when you finish something amazing.

As a fan of Mythic Quest, I was drawn to watch this spinoff. The first episode wasn't that great, but hey, it was only 4 half hour episodes, so I was determined to try to finish it all. Well, in the middle of the 4th episode, I bailed. Shame on the makers of Mythic Quest for releasing this, and relying on the goodwill of fans of the original show to watch it.

I suppose this series came about because there were one-off episodes that the Mythic Quest creators had thought about over the years that they wanted to produce, but didn't fit into the Mythic Quest paradigm (which is puzzling, because as all Mythic Quest fans know, each season there is a one-off episode included that has nothing to do with the plotline of that season).

Suffice to say, if they ever do a second season of Side Quest, I will not be watching it.

As a huge fan of Mythic Quest (MQ), I was excited to see this spin-off. With only four 30-minute episodes it seemed like a great way to pass a rainy day.

Unfortunately this show pales in comparison to the original MQ.

While the acting is good, the writing lacks the charm and humor of MQ. There is no cohesive factor joining the episodes together other than they are fans of MQ. It is a flimsy premise on which to base an entire show.

None of the characters are compelling or sympathetic. The fourth episode was one that actually had some pathos injected into it.

It is definitely not worth the two hours.

"Side Quest" initially lures you in with a premise that feels like it could delve into some genuinely interesting corners of the "Mythic Quest" universe. The idea of exploring the lives of those orbiting the game - the players, the comic shop owners, the musicians performing the soundtrack - holds a certain appeal and promises to offer fresh perspectives beyond the familiar office dynamics. The first episode, focusing on Phil's work-life balance struggles, manages to capture some of the original show's charm and relatable humor, suggesting that this spin-off could carve its own engaging path.

However, as the series progresses through its short four-episode run, that initial spark unfortunately fizzles out into a rather underwhelming experience. The subsequent episodes, while attempting to showcase different facets of the "Mythic Quest" community, struggle to maintain a consistent level of intrigue. The narrative threads often feel thin and underdeveloped, lacking the depth and engaging character work that made the parent series so compelling at its best. What starts as a potentially insightful exploration of a wider world gradually devolves into a series of somewhat bland vignettes.

The pacing across these later episodes feels uneven, with some storylines meandering without a clear sense of purpose or a satisfying payoff. Moments that could have been poignant or humorous often fall flat, leaving the viewer feeling detached and uninterested in the outcomes. The initial curiosity sparked by the unique scenarios presented - the intense competition for a rare comic, the pressures faced by a touring orchestra member, the dynamics of a long-standing online gaming group - ultimately gives way to a sense of dullness as these stories fail to truly resonate or offer any significant emotional investment.

While the acting remains competent and there are occasional glimpses of the sharp writing that characterized "Mythic Quest," these fleeting moments are not enough to elevate the overall experience. "Side Quest" ultimately feels like a collection of underdeveloped ideas that never quite manage to coalesce into a compelling or memorable series. It's a shame, as the initial concept held promise, but the execution leaves much to be desired, resulting in a show that is more likely to be forgotten than fondly revisited. The interesting premise ultimately succumbs to a lack of engaging storytelling, making "Side Quest" a rather unexciting detour in the "Mythic Quest" landscape.